Sycamore Gap by Zoe Mitchell

Zoe Mitchell is a widely-published poet whose work has been featured in a number of magazines including The Rialto, The London Magazine and The Moth.

She graduated from the University of Chichester with an MA in Creative Writing and was awarded a Distinction and the Kate Betts Memorial Prize. She is currently studying for a PhD in Creative Writing at the University of Chichester, examining witches in women’s poetry.

In 2018, she was joint winner of the Indigo-First Collection Competition and her first collection, Hag, is due to be published with Indigo Dreams Publishing in 2019.

Sycamore Gap

You’re history, said the tree to the wall;

the last crumbling remains of empire.

You are the invader, replied the wall.

I am the conqueror, said the tree to the wall;

sending platoons of seeds across my territory.

I stand alone, replied the wall.

I chose this valley, said the tree to the wall;

stretching my roots under your scored foundations.

I belong here, replied the wall.

I am growing taller, said the tree to the wall;

you’re a lonely stone sentry outstripped by a sapling.

I remain, replied the wall.

I am a survivor, said the tree to the wall;

I host the resurrection of each turning season.

I endure, replied the wall.

You’re the one they blame, said the tree to the wall;

insensate barrier, stone-deaf to the rough bark of liberty.

You cannot know, replied the wall.

Zoe Mitchell