
(Hard)ness
Issue 01: Mirrors
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Issue 01: Mirrors
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vestibulum consectetur libero eu molestie viverra. Etiam neque dui, pellentesque non interdum porttitor, hendrerit eleifend odio. Ut nec nulla sollicitudin, accumsan lorem vel, vestibulum turpis. Proin pretium tincidunt ex in facilisis. Nam suscipit molestie lectus, quis molestie turpis tincidunt eget. Quisque molestie mauris a odio eleifend, nec vestibulum nulla egestas. Pellentesque et elit felis. Nulla id maximus nibh. Phasellus suscipit mattis lacus ut vestibulum. In hac habitasse platea dictumst.
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(Hard)ness
Apply | Fall 2018
Apply | Fall 2018
Apply | Fall 2018
Pray for me, Grieve for me
By Ruth Dele-Oni
Being 19 has been an unexpected whirlwind of emotions and realizations. With all that has happened in this year of my life, immense self-reflection has been the focal point of my poems. Sorting through memories and traumas has given way to understanding of my current state, and my hopes in putting them into proses, I will be able to propel myself into a different future. Both of the following poems have a childhood component that is used to highlight innocence in the midst of pain. The struggle between the then and now show the loss of innocence and coming into reality.
Lastly, “Pray for me, Grieve for me” is about losing a childhood friend due to these internal conflicts. Reflecting on the relationship shows how naïve the child was to maltreatment, and they are now glad that they went through the fire to reach peace.
Pray for me, Grieve for me
I look through old photographs
and wonder
were you already plotting to abandon me then?
Poor little black girl
never feeling wanted
that’s just a cross to bear
and a stereotype to play into
you had me fooled
made me believe that I was worth something
of a life without suffering
but all you ever wanted was
to be the source…
the tears in my eyes
were masked with laughter
the odd feeling in my stomach
was bypassed by intellectual conversations
this was my forever and always
but in the end
it was all words, wasn’t it?
You made me believe that putting in the bare minimum
was enough effort to support my burdens
but breaking my back to your will
was non-negotiable
the sunshine reflecting off your stolen riches
blinded me to the reality of the toxic situation
it’s wild that I find my solace in pain
but that’s what you wanted me to believe, wasn’t it?
For you knew that you couldn’t provide me with anything else
redefining safety and complacency
has radically changed my viewpoint
the scales have dropped from my eyes
the light within me shines brighter than any torment
goodbye for now
mourn the beauty that fell from your grasp
and I will celebrate
and celebrate
and celebrate.