A Zest for Life

I was 9 when the lemon zest pierced my tongue

too old to cry and ever since, too young

fluffy clouds of toasted meringue

sticky, I internalised their ignorant harangue

on a bed of pastry I’d never eat again

but I was only 9 and I didn’t know that then



I was 13 when sushi became a tradition

too eager to die yet wrapped in contrition

fresh fish on vinegared rice in perfect composition

still sticky, still malleable, in fragile condition

avocado, tamago, embraced by nori

oh to be held in a way that makes sense of your story



I was 16, in the Thai restaurant, sweating

too busy finding myself and in doing so forgetting

(strawberry salad with the summer sun somer-setting

piles of phad thai, oodles of noodles with egg netting

peeling garlic, and king prawns, and all my beliefs,) I was looking!

but you can’t find yourself when she’s still busy cooking



Coming up 25 makes me think of tangerine

I am a quarter, or maybe half alive, that remains to be seen

I feel freshly juiced, squeezed out, inbetween

overwhelmed by the yet-to-come and the already-has-been

but my enthusiasm is fizzing, quintessentially unquenched

a zest for life defined by my refusal for indifference

Blossom and her mother in front of a wisteria walk way

Today is mine and my mum’s birthday and I am always so thrilled to be able to share it (and to be able to respond to ‘Happy Birthday’ with ‘Happy Birthday’) Belinda was the first person to believe my pain and has been there for me every second since, including sleeping on hospital chairs (carer’s lounge, anyone?) showing me everything I know about love, and setting an example I can never hope to aspire to. She’s an artist, builder, baker, hairdresser, seamstress, chauffer, chef, landscaper, sculptor, researcher, nurse, teacher, and so much more. My dad has the biggest zest for life out of anyone I’ve ever met, but I think we both credit her for it! She brings the zing. Happy Birthday Mumma!!!

Holly Blossom xxx

P.S

Nashira and Maria are hosting a virtual birthday party for me on Saturday 13th at 7pm BST, please come along! I would love to celebrate with you. Follow this link if you’d like to gift me a birthday cuppa :)