Ghosts By Thriving Women
Ghosts is a compelling new anthology of poetry by Thriving Women, a collective of women with lived experience of poverty and exclusion. Facilitated by Thrive Teesside and Tees Women Poets, the book explores the realities of poverty, inequality, and systemic injustice, giving voice to stories often overlooked. The poems reflect on daily struggles, unpaid care work, housing challenges, and the emotional toll of living in an unequal society, while also celebrating resilience, solidarity, and hope.
Ghosts
For simply existing as me
Unpaid career with disability
Always poor, no choice of more
All because fate has dealt
A hand so hot that rock would melt
From the hate because I need more help
And yet I will hold onto hope
And lean on comrades to help me cope
Existence is mine in my own perfect way
You may not see me but I’m here to stay
Abroad they bleed red too
Blood the same as you
So why is the red not seen?
Over hills of black white and green
You come for my well when others have so much
From places man was not meant to touch
For my blood, but not my heart
As we will never stand apart
Existence is mine in my own perfect way
You may not see me but I’m here to stay
Reaching the age of posterity
Fading into obscurity
My needs nobody’s priority
Teetering towards the invisible
My voice is almost inaudible
Joining with others sidelined by the system
Like them, I refuse to be counted a victim
Because injustice is never inevitable
Existence is mine in my own perfect way
You may not see me but I’m here to stay
Power rejects me as a human being
Refuses me peace in my daily living
My voice never heard, forced to be silent
Due to the hostile law made for migrants
I have my God and I have my faith
I pray for progress on my case
I have my sisters who never forget me
Who comfort me with care and unity
Existence is mine in my own perfect way
You may not see me but I’m here to stay
So what if I’m drained
I must commit to work
Though stressed and pained
A second carer, there’s no box for that
Get up scrounger, don your working cap
Yet there’s still fuel in my fire
And my sisters by my side
Our united strength can change the tide
Existence is ours in our own perfect way
You may not see us but we’re here to stay
We’re Thriving Women, our words are worthy
Include our voices and eradicate poverty
By Mandy Winter, Sarah York, Sandra Falconer, Diana Agunbiade & Sue Crawford
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