A Poem by JP Seabright

Random Forest

It was the summer of suicides.  
Long shadows cast over the lawn.  
Heat gripped us. A death ray.  
Drove us crazy. Until we could no  
Longer help ourselves. Or each  
Other. When the time came.  
It came often. Without warning.  
Sparing only the weakest of us.  
Those who had less will to live.  
Decision trees danced in the distance.  
Ever present. Just out of reach.  
We dreamt of being caught 
In their branches. Enjoying picnics  
In their shade. Scuffed shoes and  
Muddy knees. Leaves in our hair. 
We dreamt of choices. Of paths 
Untaken. Roads untraveled.  
Possibilities dangled like future 
Tenses. Tempting us with certainties. 
Like Milgram’s dial. Then winter  
Pulled up its cold white sheet.

JP Seabright (she/they) is a queer disabled writer living in London. They have seven solo pamphlets published and four collaborations, encompassing poetry, prose and experimental work. JP explores themes of gender, sexuality, trauma, technology and the climate crisis in her work, and has been nominated for Pushcart Prize, Best of the Net, Forward Prize, and shortlisted (twice) for a Saboteur Award for Best Collaborative Work. They are co-editor and organiser of the Arts Council England funded project eff-able.