raincoat zipped to my chin for the bike ride to work hair bunned at the back to fit in the hood helmet clipped – tight i am waterproof now pace reaches peak the pedals attacked winter tries hard but the sweat coats my back until two minutes left i let myself go cycling slowed to unzip my coat jacket front free helmet clipped from beneath hood stripped from my forehead hairband released hair ruffled with hands to cool in the wind body to elements airing my skin at that moment i open and peel myself free i feel as close to a new butterfly as i’ll ever be
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From Plum by Hollie McNish, published tomorrow by Picador. Priced £9.99 and available here in the Caught by the River shop.
Hollie will be taking to our stage at this year’s Port Eliot Festival. Find our full lineup and tickets here.