Commonwealth Poetry Magazine

Commonwealth Poetry Magazine –

"Change of Mind" by Cheryl Vaughan

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September 15th, 2026

Commonwealth Poetry Contest #1 – First Place

Change of Mind

by Cheryl Vaughan

Idea makes everything in his likeness, 
a suitcase precise 
open it, a shop display of trousers 
crease to crease 
table high, so perfectly resist 
a zip perfunctory 
the sound of one, two, three 

The fairytale concession 
that moment he spares, before he taps 
on seconds of oblivion
shows how he grows,
leaner and faster than love unbuilding 

Lifts my head to see 
the appointments of my house, equipped 
a bookcase tall with disbelief 
a table, chairs insisting 
your face, and yours unbinding 

Wears a crown of pointed jewels 
hands me his pocket knife, 
guides me to remove, and not disturb 
underlying structures, nerves 

Makes a world accustomised 
shows how to move 
a fraction to the right, or left 
how new the space 
to wander and stand firm 
in perpetuity, bolts and screws in match

About the Poet
Cheryl Vaughan resides in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.
Read the poet's biography and Wax Poetry and Art publications
on Cheryl Vaughan's Artist Page.

This poem is featured in Poetry World #16,
published in the Wax Poetry and Art Library.

Keywords: grief, loss, resilience

Previously published in Commonwealth Poetry Magazine:
This is the first poem published.

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