By Rachel Lui
It was laundry day at Bridges Hall,
and I was again stripping my bedding of
the grey marble-patterned coverings and sheets
which I’d picked out at Asda as a set
not too long ago.
I wilfully ignored that oversized piece of padded
pink bubblegum folded neatly into a square
under my newly-dusted pillow,
brought all of my laundry into the
nearby Washstation and selected one of the
cheapest options. I was going to play some Scarlatti at
The JCR to pass the time when I checked my phone
And saw that the sage-coloured waterproof coat
My mum had picked out for me at Uniqlo over
video call just a week ago had arrived in the mail.
So I went to reception next door, showed the nice lady
My QR code email and collected my parcel.
I went back to my room and cut through the paper
With my red scissors and slipped on the coat. It fit me perfectly–
Just like how Mum had envisioned it when she tried it on
On my behalf at the store before buying it.
Finally–I had something to keep me dry
Should I ever chance to get caught in the rain
While visiting the museum or something.
This was the first time I’d ever been this excited
For anyone to send me anything
through the mail.
Rachel was born and raised in Hong Kong, China but is currently studying for an English Literature degree in the UK. Since early childhood, she has had a turbulent love-hate relationship with writing–while it is her main means of self-expression, she also finds herself constantly reliant on external inspiration, which means she often runs into writer’s block at the least convenient of times.
Hot Pot Magazine 