KATE NOAKES
Outrunning jackals
I fancy the punk quill plumage
of the all-legs Secretary bird,
but obviously this won’t do
in the office or at clients.
No-one would take me remotely
seriously, and its strut is not
the firm’s image. Hence
the lunchtime seminar on how
to dress for professional life –
women only need attend.
No dangly earrings or jangly
bracelets, and, of course,
you must wear a grey suit,
no matter your shape.
You’re meant to be tailored
as much like a man as possible.
Don’t apply too much make up.
Reconsider those painted nails.
If on Reception, do the opposite,
and you must have heels.
Under my Jaeger disguise I have
a vest of fluffed feathers. My skill
to strike a snake with one stomp
and clasp of my talons, one swift
blow from my stab-bill, has not
evaded me. I am raptor still.
The title comes from a Xhosa folk tale on the great intelligence of the Secretary bird.
Kate Noakes has published ten books of poetry and one of non-fiction. Sublime Lungs will be published by Two Rivers Press in April 2026, and a pamphlet, Bog Queens is due from Green Bottle Press in June 2026. Kate moved from London to Bristol in 2024 where she is one third of the poetry performance group, Braid.
It's not easy getting a book or pamphlet accepted for review these days. So in addition to the regular review section, the One Poem Review feature will allow more poets' to reach a wider audience - one poem featured from a new book/pamphlet along with a cover JPG and a link to the publisher's website. Contact the editor if you have released a book/pamphlet in the last twelve months or expect to have one published. Details here
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