Before the second episode of the Philippines Graphic Literary Workshop (PGLW) concluded on March 21, we knew that we had one more thing that we can offer our bright young fellows: a starting platform for their creative endeavors. Here, we present one of their final outputs from the workshop. We also asked them to provide an artwork that they think best represents their stories. Read on.
The air is a heavy shroud of lilies and floor wax,
vibrating with the low, discordant hum of a prayer.
The mahogany box sits center-stage,
lined in white silk that catches the flickering candlelight.
I was there..
close enough to reach her,
standing right in front of her.
I watched her.
yet, no one noticed me,
I guess my long white floral gown was too much like a shroud,
to hold the gaze of those who only have eyes for her.
Her eyes were wide open,
never sleep again,
roaming the streets of the Neverland.
The Springwood Gazette lies unread on the porch,
She's just there,
resting on the weightless air.
Wearing her favorite gown,
the floral print of tulips blocking her chest–her heart,
the fabric stretched out her skin pale as clouds.
Blood is where the heartbeat should be,
sand gritting under her finger tips,
and lips stained with the cold, blue kiss of the grim.
“I delight in what I fear,” but there is no delight in this beautiful wreck,
the hollow ache of the corpse,
the sorrow of the hill house,
that used to be my home.
I loved her completely,
and she loved me the same,
“The rest is confetti.”
Her eyes were shut,
and I will never wake up again.
Written by Venezia Zachari C. Barana
