Contemporary Perturbation - Theo P

On your living room chair, Occasionally peering out From behind your mask of Fake names, And deleted social media posts Ever help?

Fearing criticism isn’t The same as a belief. We want equality, But we’ll settle for compliance Because we know That’s all we’ll ever get. Nothing’s fair. We’re so easily deceived.

The Important Things - Sophie C

I want to try new things

I want not to be scared of change

I want to have fun

I want to live life to the fullest, live like one is watching I want to watch the sunset

I want to look up at the sky and know it’s all going to be okay

I want to be able to scream as loud as I can

I want people not to be so judgemental

I want to live life with no regrets

I want to not be afraid to fail

I want the people who care to listen

I want people to like me for me

I just want people to understand the important things.

I’m waiting for a day I can get there.

I want my day to come, but why?

I’m anticipating my success and expecting growth, but where is it?

I’m going to get better, right?

I mean I haven’t done much, but I care.

I haven’t even started yet. You don’t know yet, do you?

C’mon I am good enough but what next?

Sunrise YakMrs. Monica Blatchley

I don’t know what’s next, but it will come?

As you take a journey through life, you go deeper into the abyss of darkness. The first stage is the reef; this symbolizes when you take your first dip into life, learn to count to 10, learn your abc’s, learn to walk.

The next stage is deeper; the ocean floor takes a short dive, and the sun dims a little. This symbolizes when you first start to attend school, do homework, and learn new skills.

The floor takes a steeper dive this time; now the sun dims more. You can’t see the bright colorful reef anymore. At least you’re still accompanied by some fish. This deeper sense of the ocean symbolizes the conversion from kid to an early teen. Academic pressure, pressure to please others. Afraid of what others think of you.

Now you’re in open waters; the sunshine dims even more. Now it’s a darker blue color. This is when things get even deeper; it symbolizes that you now learn about the harmful things in the abyss of life. The loss of some friends, and even more pressure to get a job to accommodate yourself.

The Burden - Henry S

He knows something that burdens him. And the burden that burdens him, burdens him. And the burden has a burden. And he owns his burden. But the burden doesn’t own his burden. But...there is another.

Another man with another burden ` What is that burden?

Who knows?

But everyone has a burden. Not everybody needs to share their burden.

You’re now in the Twilight Zone; this symbolizes the split between stress and love and responsibility and happiness.

As you age, you dive even deeper into the ocean; this is the Midnight Zone.

Here there is no longer any sunlight; you have to generate it yourself. This shows that you are close to moving out of your family’s house and getting a job. You only have your family and some friends as your support.

Now, you’re in the Abyssal Zone; this symbolizes that you’re close to your 30s and have found a family. Yet, you have little time for your friends and family now, and mainly your family and yourself are relied on for support and the stress and the difficulty level of life increases a lot.

Now, you’re at the final stage: the Hadal Zone; this symbolizes when you see your kids grow up and start their journey, whilst yours ends. You spend the last of your days enjoying life, generating love and compassion until you finally accept the state you’re in and close your eyes, fully welcoming darkness.

Why are we here, If the end goal is Extinguishment And the journey is torture? The only way to move forward Is to make a god-forsaken Thing called Money. I mean, what ifDarn.

The hot Wat er’s out. Again.

Wishes - Bernardette W

As my past self received a sight into the future what she perceived is torture, Loss, Pain, Struggle, Hope. And yet, the future was still welcomed.

As I long for a flashback into the past, what I see is comfort, Gain, Ease, Success, Hope. And yet, the past is undesired to a past self.

As I sit down on the ground in the cold winter night, alone with a splinter in my heart, shivering, looking at my tears, and wishing to go back to those years to restart...

My past self sleeps safe and sound, dreaming to be in my place now.

I wanted to have it; I knew I would. Now I wish I hoped for nothing, but for a second chance of childhood.

My past self wants to have it; she knows she will. All she wishes for, is just a chance of adulthood.

WinterViolet B