I leave my secrets in bathroom stalls.
Scribe my civility across
the density of these walls.

In this cube of comfort
I whisper a scream.
Hand-dryers prisoned
by a silent dream.

Volcanic eruption
peeling the mask
from my face.
When lava stirs
I come to this place.

I spill tar from my mouth
and paint the sides.
Let out the magma
the heated sighs.

Feeling ashamed
for my lack of constraint.
That scrapes away
the layers of success and saint.

But the dormant feelings
I have to lock away
will always come to the
surface and find a way
to leave this chassis of mine
and to others
I appear just fine.

But I am concealing so much
and it comes at a price.
I hold my emotions hostage
in an iron vice.

Until even I can’t control
when the energy will seethe.
I escape to the bathroom stalls
so I can finally b r e a t h e.

Emma-Jane Barlow (she/her) is a neurodivergent author, poet, and advocate. She began her writing journey at seven. She weaves tales from her life experiences and explores themes, such as autism, love, and loss. Her works include Darkness & Light (2020) and Sins & Sunflowers: Second Edition (2023). She has had her work recognised in both print and radio, including being longlisted for the Heroica Poetry Prize in 2024 and runner-up in the Happiful Poetry Prize in 2025. She has poems featured in various publications, including The Raven Review, The Anti-Misogyny Club Journal, and Ink Gladiator Press. She has had other opportunities, such as performing her work live multiple times on BBC Radio Manchester and performing her poetry live across the UK.

Instagram: @emmajanepoetry
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