Writing Backwards

By Yna Tessandra Talisay

[age 22]

Now, I write only what I can. often, it no longer makes sense— coveredwithtoomanymetaphorsandflowerywords.vague. Dreaming of the days when writing didn't seem bland tasteless— boring.

[age 21]

I began writingwhat I felt. Istilltrytopaintpicturesoftheskies, the words often only make sense to me. my words still resonate. they still make sense. But I could do better.

[age 20]

I wrote a novel though no one else can read it. I’ve immortalized every scene in my head, I can go back to it over and over again. This is good.

[age 17]

I write too much— these are all sad odes to the girl I once was. allpaintingsofthesamesadportrait. Allstoriesofthesameunhappyending. Still, I peaked at the end of it.

[age 12]

I love this. writing— paintingpicturesmadeofwords,imaginingscenariosonlyIcansee. havingconversationswithpapersandpens— I’m so good at this. Where will I be 10 years from now? Will I still write? I think this will make sense, if I start here.