International Women’s Day Reads
In honour of International Women’s day, here is a collection of works across our recent issues, and past X Page Workshops, which celebrates the creativity, strength, and resilience of women. Join us in recognizing the power of women’s narratives today, and every day. These reads will be available to enjoy until next week!
Fiction
“Wildflower Ladies” By Megan Beadle
It’s not 1969, baby girl. This isn’t Woodstock. We’re old ladies now, but we were young once, radiant but self-conscious, at the pinnacle of beauty. Halcyon days. Our other friends are here too: Janis, Bob, Joni, Eric, Jimi, the members of Jefferson Airplane. The air crackles with music and possibility.
Poetry
“Ambient” By Jessica Lee McMillan
I can only see her feet
from the gym corner
where I sit, a conduit
wired to earbuds
playing “Roygbiv” through waves
of analogue synth
connecting neurons,
feeling
“As a Tree” By Elise Arsenault
See her interlocking grain, her
resistance to splitting. See her become
a wagon wheel hub, become a drum
for she bends well. Become the keel
of a ship, gifting strength and balance. Bend
into the curve of a bow, bend
into a rope swing, lilting
in a willow.
X Page Workshop
“Quinceañera” by Lucy Beltramo
I am standing in the bathroom, staring at my reflection. I’m wearing a cream-coloured mid-length dress with a pink silk belt. I’ve put on eyeliner, pink eyeshadow, and pink lipstick. My hair is half up, half loose. My mom is behind me, placing small flowers in my hair. They have sparkles.
Today is my Quinceañera, my fifteenth birthday. It’s a special celebration in my country, Argentina. A Quinceañera honors the end of girlhood and the start of becoming a woman.
“A Spring’s Hope” by Reem Elkady
I breathe in and breathe out as I close my eyes, the crush of the crowd washing over me. I can feel the familiar skin pricks, fists tense as my throat closes up and my breathing gets shallower and shallower. Yes, this is a crowd and yes, I should be running for the hills. Far away from any form of people congregating in a confined area.
“When No One Is Looking” by Eunice Owusu-Amoah
I…may have done something…dumb.
I am, maybe, nine, ten. I stand in the corner of the bedroom I share with my three older sisters. The fire…is small, so I am only slightly alarmed. I lit the piece of paper and dropped it on the ground. I am no longer a lighter of fires on little matchsticks quickly put out in fear. Now I am a lighter of pieces of paper…just to see.
Thank you to our featured writers for sharing these stories.
Photo by Vonecia Carswell on Unsplash