Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Deficit

disabilityno-news
outstretched hand laced in flowers and vines

By Della Johnston 

 

 

I am the affordances so graciously granted

by the merciful who don’t see beyond

Self-Righteous pity

Not a deficit. Not a person.

Some thing else

Saved by you, who liked my flowery words

my narrative arc, designed to please

You read my life. You deliver me. You claim me.

generously portrayed,

Image maintained

how sweet of you

 

 

A charity case with 

Thick glass panes

Displayed 

then tucked away 

(don’t look too long)

What charity am I if not 

the exception?

 

 

Words watered down.

Not angry. Not allowed.

Don’t hate the system that so generously provided

Don’t bite the hand

that feeds you 

Scraps

from gilded towers

 

 

 

 

 

 

I persevered despite you

I persevered to spite you

 

 

rewarded for moulding myself

to fit 

your so-called worthiness

rewarded 

to placate my advocacy

Did you hope I would forget?

 

 

All you left behind,

Just like me.

Just as worthy. Not as

Lucky

 

You may be interested in...

President’s News:
UMSU Supports the NTEU Staff Strike

The University of Melbourne Student Union (UMSU) stands in solidarity with NTEU members taking industrial action to demand better working coRead Article

Tick Tock, Critics: Art Writing and Time with Cameron Hurst

Join a writer, editor, and art historian Cameron Hurst for this art writing workshop, Thursday 10 September, 1-3pm in the Arts Lab.Read Article

Bells and Whistles

This publication emerged in response to Bells and Whistles, an exhibition at the George Paton Gallery with works by Jincheng Deng, Tom DenizRead Article