Recently, the world has been shifting in ways that feel both deeply familiar yet freshly painful. A revival of antiquated traditionalism — romanticisation of the submissive, popularisation of the domestic “tradwife” lifestyle, online subcultures weaponising masculinity, widescale increase in transphobic rhetoric — has created an atmosphere where gender is policed, politicised, and scrutinised.

While these gender-related issues are worsening, others are simply persevering. The poets in The Free Body Problem Issue Two address a few of them — difficulty existing within a social binary; the commodification of feminine bodies; the misogyny and transmisogyny deeply embedded within healthcare systems; the debilitating expectations of homemaking and motherhood.

The collective voice of this issue explores how gender is lived socially, physically, emotionally, and imaginatively. These works are intimate and romantic, confronting and comforting, upsetting and celebratory.

Platforming the perspectives shared in these poems is only getting more important. Poetry offers a beautiful and uniquely powerful way of exploring our own worlds. We must continue producing art that expresses the personal realities others will never experience. TFBP is committed to providing a space for the sharing and celebration of poetry concerning gender.

Thank you to the incredible poets featured in Issue Two — Jordan Irvine, Alia Govin-Fowler, Ocean Jade, Whaitiri Tua-Warbrick, Krysana Hanley, Châu Ma, Loredana Podolska-Kint, Lauren Connolly, Liberty Armstrong, and Kit Willett. Gender is so deeply personal, and we’re grateful for your trust in us to share these words.

Thank you to Éimhín O’Shea and the team at 13 Garrett Street for welcoming us to launch this issue in your space. We are so grateful for the environment of safety and aroha your hosting creates.

Thank you to Mia Böhm for our beautiful cover art. Read her bio here and check out her work on Instagram - @miabohmm

Enjoy this wonderful poetry x

- Holly and Lauren