top of page

The Stamp Collector (monthly challenge)

Writer: Liz StarbuckLiz Starbuck

She licks a stamp, to send a letter

He stamps on her head

‘You should have done better,’

A head on her stamp

A king or queen under her thumb

The irony, when she’s the one 

Being put in her place

‘You are a fucking disgrace,’

She has collected books of these things over the years

He stamps on her again, 

Power it brings him 

Brings her tears

Different countries

Shapes of them in red wounds

Blood starting to loom 

She has loved stamps ever since she was a child

Every one in date order, carefully filed

They aren't worth anything 

But then nor is she

As he goes for variety and smacks her with his knee

She likes the rare ones

The ones colourful and bright

This stamping could continue far into the night

Boot kicking, stamp licking, clock ticking

Every stamp sickening

Every bruise another part of her collection

She might stay alive to send her letter

The stamp collector



5 Comments


markcrump2010
markcrump2010
Jun 13, 2024

Dark and disturbing imagery left me quite stunned….well written

Like

Alison Blevins
Alison Blevins
Jun 13, 2024

Brilliantly done, great story telling

Like

Martin Pickard
Martin Pickard
Jun 10, 2024

Powerful and a great read. Well done

Like

Stephen Kingsnorth
Stephen Kingsnorth
Jun 08, 2024

Very clever. Bravely written. Ironically, 1st Class.

Like

Jarlath Busby
Jarlath Busby
Jun 08, 2024

Shockingly brilliant.

Like
bottom of page