Laurie Ogden

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Someone’s father, someone’s brother, someone’s son

Last night we watched the latest episode of Giri/Haji, waiting for the backstory of why the lead woman was afraid of her ex partner. I say, I hope he doesn’t hit her, by which I am also saying, I hope you never hit me, by which I am not saying that you have shown any inclination towards violence but the men on the screen of various backgrounds and cultures are eager to see what is on the inside like rabid children unwrapping the gifts of each other’s skins and we all know it is only a little fiction and it is hard to say, not mine, he’s not like that, whilst wondering how much my voice sounds like women in the recordings of themselves in the years months weeks days hours minutes before bruises form and are seen and renewed and even after.

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LAURIE OGDEN is a poet, playwright and performer from Merseyside. She is a former Barbican Young Poet and Jerwood/Arvon playwriting mentee. Commissions include Sky Arts, Barnardos and the Barbican. She is a current Roundhouse Resident Artist.