My Battles – Simone Monteiro
People say you’re either a “lover” or a “fighter,”
But I have come to realize
I am neither.
Instead, I am a writer.
I don’t always forgive easily,
Or ever raise my fists.
Instead, I arm myself with a pen as my sword and paper as my shield.
The only blood shed resulting in the smooth ink seeping onto the page,
Staining the paper with my emotions.
My thoughts are effortlessly engraved with each stroke of the pen.
I work tirelessly to fill up each line with memories;
Sparing no details in recollecting my victories and losses.
Each fight is documented within the arena of my book.
In times of sadness and need for courage,
I flip through the pages,
Consuming every word inscribed on the fibres of the paper.
I remind myself,
I am loving, strong, and brave.
I am a writer.
Far from here – Libby Setiadi
Oh, how I wish to bicycle
Down the stone beach path
The violet, rose gold, dusty undecided sky
Will stretch above me
Like a blanket
I will stop at the turn
Where a sea monster with a siren’s head
and serpent’s body lies, awake, and
staring at the ocean.
She is wishing and longing
to be able to move her
Stone limbs and submerge
Into the deep light dark shallow unknown blue
You can tell she yearns it
By her
eyes
To be far from here
Dark Light – Nour Nazmi Saqqa
We’re all going to die.
In a dark and box-sized grave we will lie.
No one in the ground will care.
For this day, we must prepare.
On earth, we should give
And always try to forgive.
We should put the past in the past
Because nothing will ever last.
We should show kindness to those in need.
Kindness can be our way to succeed.
We should stop the betrayal and lies.
These only destroy our ties.
We should repent even more than we do
Because God forgives more than just a few.
We should fight for what matters most
And always to justice we should toast.
We should never forget to pray
Because any time could be our last day.
We should tell those we love that we care
Because life is never fair.
We should remember those who didn’t survive
And thank God we are still alive.
Every day counts more than the one before
Because it brings us closer to when we can count no more.
Tell yourself you’re alive for a reason.
Never give up no matter the season.
Every day is a chance to start anew.
Yet those who realize this are but a few.
Starry Night – Natalie Ng
Under the starry night
the dark blue sky embraces us
The moon hangs above like a guiding light
for the once lost courage and hope
Tranquility transcends the restless souls
to a moment of solitude and peace
We are never alone
As the twinkling stars gleam
the wonderers dream
Lavender goodbyes – Gabby Alysia
Lavender nights,
Lavender skies,
Lavender kisses,
Lavender goodbyes,
Hold me close,
With those Lavender eyes.
Uncontrolled hearts,
Your laughter, a song,
All our desires,
Together in a throng,
Twilight haze,
Twilight lies,
Periwinkle phrases,
Intrepid disguise.
I’ll hold your Lavender kisses,
Until my last breath draws,
Listen to your Twilight lies,
As long as I never hear,
Those Lavender goodbyes.
