If you force me

Claudia Andersag

straight into your eyes I stare

a fire, storm, fiery anger

growing from my earth

from my ground

grounded, I rise

from chaos, from panic

from stress

my inner force lifts me up

well-boiled in my guts

and tightens my throat

heart hammering beats

in the root of my tongue

before I can speak

“I am here!”

straight into your eyes I stare

moved by my chest

vibrating, I speak

without words

you hear me

you see me

you know I am here

If you force me

I’ll show you

this is how strong

how crystal clear my voice can sound

I threaten, I beat, I defeat you

without touch, without fear

I am present

you know and I tell you

“I’ll kill you first”

without words

Author, teacher, trainer, coach and performer: ‘Andersagt’ writes in German, English, Spanish and Lustenau dialect. She gives readings, holds writing and embodiment workshops, leads ‘sensory-focused art walks’ and performs as part of the Playback Theater Ensemble Playbackerei in Vorarlberg and Vienna. Publications in the latest ≠igfem anthology Störfeuer and the Austrian dialect magazine Morgenschtean. For her personal form of experiential writing (Bubble Writing - Blubberschreiben), she combines elements of Focusing with methods from Journaling and Poetry Therapy and offers interactive and playful writing workshops dealing with a topic range from female rage and empowerment to how we mourn – on loss and transformation. Next up: female empowerment writing workshop with ≠igfem, spring 2025