After the flames died out, only the ash remained. Specs snowed down slowly onto my body as I stood in the barren remnant of my past. My burning eyes searched for anything salvageable amongst the wreckage, praying for a partly scorched photograph or even a burnt wooden beam yet only the ash remained. Days cascaded into weeks and bled into months as I stayed stuck in stasis. My rage pummeled away a little of the residue. My...

When I’m drowning, they are distant and skeptical When I’m sailing, they gather to observe the spectacle My cheeks used to be made of roses, my pupils were once starred How did I become just a chew toy to use and discard? They don’t savour their words, they just spit them Basking smugly in the fruits of their mayhem I love them when they don’t, they disgust me when they do I am cast to play both the vixen and the shrew Th...

With a sterile needle and thread, I sew up the wounds that once filled me with dread With a freshly damp cloth, I clear away the red Dissolving all the reasons for which I once openly bled I carefully pluck out the staples that formally held together my heart Lightly brush off the decay and polish this organic part The scar steadily beats in tandem with the muscle blending into a work of art It’s time for a fresh start I...

“Step right up! Step right up! Toss a copper in my cup! Clap with adoring affection, For the maiden of recollection!” Pushing aside the velvet curtain Greeted by gazes, bewildered and uncertain Scattered applause simmers down As I take center stage in my crimson gown A purposely prolonged pause to build up tension Gartering this amiable audience’s attention My arms weave and flourish in the air Suddenly, they swiftly stif...

It’s been two moons since I’ve heard your voice Not even your laughs could mask your choice Strained and hollow in your muted tone A far cry from the person I’ve known A wit once as sharp as a freshly forged blade, Has since drastically dulled and decayed A voice once light, bright and animated, Has since become inanimate and deflated It’s been a fortnight since I gazed upon your mouldered visage Not even the hood you wor...

In my hour of weakness, I forget what it means to be strong It's calling to me, beckoning me with its hypnotic song I feel the breeze brush my skin, it’s been so long Its melody moves me yet my gut tells me that this is wrong Dense fog blankets the city street Cold, wet pavement slaps against my bare feet Its voice grows louder yet remains ever-sweet As I follow blindly along the path of concrete Streetlights extinguish a...

With clenched fists, I pound on your door Shrill cries unlike you’ve ever heard before Mustering all the strength I have left in my core Frantic and desperate screams, you ignore In the dead of night, the world is without colours A twig cracks, a bush shudders Gasping for air as my heart flutters As shadowed beasts encircle me like vultures With a menacing grin and eyes of jade Slowly approaching, each wielding a sharp bl...

For a while, there was a vast nothingness. I had succumbed to the void and assimilated to it. There was no pain or joy. Only the slight general feeling of reprieve. It was only when the sound of a door unlocked, my heavy eyes fluttered open. “Victorine, my love, you have risen,” the tall shadow spoke softly. I lay upon a large feathered bed. Massive aubergine curtains hung closed from high-up curtain rods. Every piece in...

It was when the clock struck midnight that our eyes met across the golden ballroom. His darkened gaze sent an icy finger trailing down my spine. I watched as he weaved through women in extravagant gowns and men in polished suits. Effortlessly keeping his eyes fixated on me. Suddenly, someone stuck the gong. Sound waves vibrated throughout the room and my bones. I instinctively clutched a hand to my chest while searching f...

I could have painted these pages with our picturesque potential Quivering with each written word as if it were a brushstroke ever so essential Carefully crafting every artistically assembled prose without a single exhale Sweat would have trickled down my brow as I ensured every meticulous detail Painstakingly placing words on parchment as if it were a canvas Sentimentally sketching each and every raw element of our souls,...

In the cold dimness, I hear it shriek A single tear runs down my cheek As it approaches, the floorboards groan and creak I hold my breath and dare not to speak I crawl to a corner in which to hide in Sweat binds clothes to my skin My heart pulses, my vision spins Time is running out and I cannot win With each passing moment Bone-quaking footsteps boom from my opponent And with it, a slow eternal torment I recite a silent...

I’ll never truly be ready The air is thick, my breath is unsteady Blurred vision, palms are sweaty The weight on my shoulders is overwhelmingly heavy Hope beacons through speech Peaking through bars in the dark Golden glowing hands are just out of reach Until silence dulls their spark Unnerving stillness, I can produce no sound Speak, Shout, Scream, Shriek Vocal chords are bound Succumb to burdened bleak Imprisoned by the...

Cracked marble floors, extinguished candles Hanging from the ceiling, a chandelier dangles Shattered mirrors, withered paintings Dust coats the ornate wood carvings Take a seat amongst the wreckage Play to the phantoms a melodic message Let your music reverberate throughout the room May the lonely ones rise from their tombs Strings fill the abandoned chamber One by one, they rise from their eternal slumber A shiver creeps...

Polish the armour and sharpen the blades Paint the skies with red shades Beat, bash, and break their puny barricades Bask in heroic accolades Shields raised, swords drawn Powerful cries bring a new dawn Ambition thrums in our hearts, fears withdrawn No second-guessing, all doubts must be gone Stand side by side with your strong soldiers Drums sound, feel the tensity in your shoulders Cleave, lacerate and slash through our...

Oil paintings garnish the walls of our enclosure Scents of bergamot and rosemary wafts all over Sweet string melodies serenade us through the gramophone Carnelian curtains hide us away so we can finally be alone You offer your hand out to me with a playful smile Deep sapphire eyes dazzle and beguile Despite all my sorrows, you are my treasure I keenly accept your gesture Pressing bodies begin to sway and dance Words are o...