She came of age among toys in labelled boxes
and books arranged by author;
and books arranged by author;
now she is the missing puzzle piece dropped between couch cushions
longing for her wooden home
space shaped just for her.
Misplaced among story-stacked shelves
kicked under the fridge
shivering in back corners of cupboards
she resolves to question the bookshelves
find instructions for knitting blankets
build muscles for climbing
learn to read direction in the down-lights
practice jigsaws instead of peg puzzles.
Laura Van Vorst
Laura lives in Sydney, Australia, where she is a poet and psychologist. She has been published in Sad Girl Diaries and Cothumos, and has forthcoming publications with Quillkeepers Press and Ginninderra Press.