Featured Pieces
Every bi-monthly edition, our editors come together and choose a piece that we feel has been particularly well written. This can be for many reasons, including but not limited to an inspiring message, deep insight, plenty of thought and obvious effort, and excellent use of language or art skills. This well-deserved submission is then named "Featured Piece of The Edition" and displayed on this page in pride of place.
Abuse of the innocence
By: Jax Hung
'*Originally an improvised piece from a prompt given in Reference drawing club. The infamous spotlight effect is where one feels as though their actions are heavily monitored by the public more so than reality or their experiences often reflect. Not all of us reading will resonate with this description, but for me personally, the spotlight effect has been a recurring theme in life, wether it be friends or myself struggling with it. Most people will say people don't care, but there are times where they do and I'd never be able to answer when. What I learned from it is the value of simply not following a spotlight. And I'd be happy to have a friend who reads this.'
For the fragile innocence
By: Evie Sum
'Really nothing much; I just thought exploring the fragility of innocence and (somewhat) self-destruction in a way I don't usually write would be fun. You're all free to interpret this as you please'
Oh, my clematis
By: Caitlyn Ju
'This is a fanart of a character found in the YouTube channel VIVINOS. She was introduced in a music video of the song “Clematis” which can also be found on Spotify, hence the title of my piece. :)'
Zeus' Daughter
By: Amirah Datwani
She waits to be regarded as highly as his moons
Turned into a tree with no branches
Just another growth, dying in the sun
Her life is burning and it crashes
Just another picture on his wall
of children to forget about
She and her siblings fall
to try to make him shout
But the god of lightning knows no mercy
No love, no sense of goodness
and her mind continues spinning
Will he ever hold me close?
The answer is always no
Gods will never truly love you
​
Rationale:
A semi-abstract poem based on Greek mythology and the idea of demigods
Surfculture
By: Chermaine Chung
'The artwork "Surf culture" is a digital design that encapsulates the essence of surf culture. This piece explores the vibrant and dynamic world of surfing, capturing the exhilaration, freedom, and connection to nature that surfers experience. The artwork aims to evoke a sense of inspire the viewer to embrace the spirit of adventure and the power of the ocean.'
The Ways in Which I am a Cat
By: Jamie Bryant
My father is not a cat person
He dislikes that their trust and love is earned
Dogs, he says, love you unconditionally. And besides I've never had a positive experience with a cat
He follows this by talking about how cats don't love you even when you give them food and shelter and I can't help but think it's no wonder he doesn't like me
I am simply a cat.
I 'expect too much' and my 'trust is earned'
How awful it is to want more than the bare minimum around a dog person
How hard it is to earn my trust in his opinion
​
My dad is a dog person.
He wants to give little and get everything in return
He does not realise that people are not like dogs in this way
Unless of course you have not learnt to think for yourself
It strikes me this is the reason my opinion has never been appreciated
If I think for myself I must expect more than they are used to giving
And in that way I too am like a cat
I am temperamental and do not appreciate being touched
I will bite you if you force me
I only tolerate the hand that feeds me
My affection is won. Not given.
How hard it must be for my father to watch me grow into this
To watch me become a cat and expect people to treat me better or at least the same as they do themselves
I think it was easier for him when I was a dog
I do not care to be that anymore
Doting on anyone who will give me scraps of attention
I will no longer call myself full when I am hungry for love in this way
You will earn my trust or you will not have me
My loyalty is unconditional but not freely given
I am a cat person and a cat
And I will be the whole relationship if I need to
Before I let you walk all over me and call it love
​
Rationale:
This poem was written after a conversation with my therapist about my Dad, and how his love appears to be conditional and highly out of balance.