438 Literary Magazine is a collection of poetry, prose, and visual art that is written, edited, illustrated, and designed by students and alumni of the creative writing club at Columbia College in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on unceded xwməθkwəyəm (Musqueam), səlilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) territories.
Visual Art & Photography: Amanpreet Kaur, Galsan Garmaev, John Glen Dulatre, Pawandeep Kaur, Teresa (Wing Sum) Tse, Violet Charlotta
Copyediting: Tim Yernar
Design: Rad Karim
Cover Photography: Rad Karim
Back Cover Poem: Rad Karim
For our friend Tim
Land Acknowledgements
The Chief; Mighty, brave; Soaring, steeping, rising
The bears moving along the riverside; That’s Skwxú7mesh.
Lovisht Chawla
Columbia College; Welcoming, warm;
Providing opportunities, preparing young minds, fulfilling dreams; For international students, it is a second home; Unceded xwməθkwəyəm, səlilwətaɁɬ, Skwxwú7mesh territory.
Pawandeep Kaur
(The Art of) Observing
by Gurparteet Singh
I love love observing things around me, For there’s both growth and decay in the stuff I see.
I love love seeing the patterns the birds make, the music of the wind as it gushes past my face. Talking about faces, I see them on random trees For I love talking to them (that’s another thing that I do)
I love love seeing the intimacy between the shadows on my way; I adore the little dandelions as I walk along the way.
It’s easier to just acknowledge and accept; It’s when the realization hits that you start to intercept your thoughts and actually see That your favourite old man too, was once a kid who had a favourite game to play; I truly love observing things around me and that’s all I have to say.
Journey to Transition
by Lovisht Chawla
I packed up all my bags, Ready to start a new journey. I sat on my flight, Leaving everything behind. I saw outside the window, The sky, a white canvas. Ready to be painted, Waiting eagerly for an artist. Indulged in my own excitement, I forgot the things I was losing. But suddenly a thought crossed my mind, The bubble burst leaving me vulnerable. I would no longer wake up as a kid, But would be responsible for next month’s bills. The freedom I yearned for years, Was almost in my hands. When all of a sudden, All I wanted was to be back again. But change is inevitable, So is the fear.
The path to follow is our will, To be always trapped in the well, Or to jump into the vast sea. Always know that it’s okay to be afraid, But never let yourself kneel to fear.
The Choice Within
by Lovisht Chawla
Whenever I go over the memory alley, All I see is the dull and gloomy valley. The so called choices drowning everyday, Into the lake that once glorified this bay. The dandelions that once danced around in the air, Are now lying crushed, burdened with despair.
People say we always have a choice, We make some to get that rejoice, And some to silence our voice. But somewhere within me is a relentless noise, That makes me look over at my choices again, That makes me wonder if I ever had the choice to begin.
The irony makes me stand here, Clearing the mist to make it all clear. Even today I must make a few choices, To either drown myself in the river of regretful noises. Or to set myself free, and float towards the land ahead, Filling back life once again, into this valleyofthedead.
A Void in My Heart
by Kapish Chhabra
In my heart, a vast void stretches wide Life’s stuck in a loop, at an uncertain stride
Nothing’s new, no spark to stir, School, work, repeat, a routine blur.
Things I once loved now feel far away. Loneliness creeps in, every single day. Others seem to fly while I’m stuck here, Missing out, feeling lost, shedding a tear.
Conflict inside, can’t seem to decide, Is it okay to feel this way inside?
Lost my passion, my spark has fled, Yet perhaps, it’s acceptable to carry this void instead.
Life Is Really Hard
by Komal Toor
How different the world is
One day you’re good
One day you’re bad
Maybe this world won’t understand you.
One day they are saying you’re very nice Is this the reality they want to advertise?
Other day they are saying you’re very bad Is this the reality they want to advertise?
Many days are going very smoothly, But some days are really hard Even the difficulties make me weak I want to run away somewhere.
I always give my best to the world I want to see smile on every face But you know it is really hard to make Everyone happy in this world
I know anger is my issue, But I also want to say sorry after I feel regret Nobody understands this
I’m feeling like a little baby Who is continuously crying Nobody is there to take care of it.
Challenges as a College Student
by Teresa (Wing Sum) Tse
I am always thinking about my future. One specific thing, which is about university. As a college student, we might want to transfer to a university in Canada. I try my best to reach different resources and opportunities. However, we never know if it is enough or not. It looks like a competition that never ends. There is so much struggle and lack of knowledge on your way to reach your goal. I believe there will be a happy ending for everyone as long as we try to fight for ourselves. I wish everyone in the college could reach what they want. Never give up!
Based on the prompt “What are you thinking about… right now?” in Creative Challenges, a writing journal by John Riddle, won as a prize in the Fall 2023
“I Love to Write Day” in the college library.
10_Teresa
by Marcelo Bruno
If I had to battle for her love I would fight
I would fight all day and all night
If her love was across the sea i would become a sailor
Sail to the furthest glacier
If I had to work for her love I would do every labor
But I don't know who she is so I do myself a favor
Offer god all my prayers
Pray that one day I might find her
Journey
Confessing
by Pawandeep Kaur
To
The only love of my life, Thanks for making me alive.
You know what? I have grown up now. Handling all the situations somehow, Literally living in the age, I had dreamed, Just turned 20 years old and screamed, I have grown up now!!!
Realising every second I had spent with you, Every evening walk we had together. While discussing my futureMy future?
My wish- Just to give a good life to you. Because I have grown up now!!
Left home, Hustling and living alone. Alone but not solitary, Expressing feelings through poetry. Because I have grown up now!!
Sometimes I want to just cry, cry, But my eyes are dry!
Hiding pain behind the laughing face, To strengthen myself to win life’s race. Because I have grown up now!!
Learning from here and there, Realised everything is fair. Started living inarguably, As I know no one would care. Because I have grown up now!! 12_Pawandeep
Her Sinigang
by John Glen Dulatre
13_John
A bare pot sighs in the quietness –
In the stillness of the kitchen
Longing for the hands of warmth
To bring the sound of a culinary clatter
It calls and yearns for flavors
And chopping and utensils clinking
A harmonious blend of noise
That comforts the silence
A dance begins in a pot
With swirling flavors of memories
Whispering in my ears
The sound of the bubbling broth
The pork takes a plunge in the simmer
An hour to make it tender
Slicing the crispiness of the radish –
The challenges – with grace
Snap, snap, the vibrant string beans
Like a thread stringing along challenges
Hoy, hoy, the leafy bok choy,
A testament of resilience standing tall
Tamarind, the teller of sweet and sour,
A taste of tangy moment – wild and glee
Pepper for a fiery embrace
And salt to balance the dish
The dish is ready in a pot
Its aroma envelops the kitchen
In the steam that rises
Beautifully dancing with the wind
A familiar touch hugs me
With the ingredients of a lifetime
In the heart of her kitchen
Care and devotion lingers in the air
Frame by John Glen Dulatre
How would I start to express my years of compounded thoughts to you? Should I go by word, by sentence, or by paragraph? Words are not enough and are too small to show how much I care, and it will just be a mere word and unable to hold all I feel. Sentences are inadequate to have a complete thought as I am not just the subject and you are not a predicate to have a complete picture of what I want it to be - it will understand, but it cannot say everything. Paragraphs, although are a collection of complete thoughts, will never suffice my longing for you through the years I was in.
At an early age, all I want is my family in a picture frame, but we have photographs that still smile warmly in different frames. Sometimes two of the family is not there, sometimes one, but never the whole member.I see parts of us, but not the whole picture - like fractured reflections in a shattered mirror. Well, I just go with the current as life has a way of working itself out sometimes.
During those years, I have been thriving to be the best I can be. No matter how hard I fell, I stood up by my own and to stand tall. Those years, I yearn for care, but I understood my circumstances – it is for my better tomorrow. However, it has not been easy growing up without your presence. There were moments where I doubted and questioned myself as life gets harder, although better. In those moments of intrusive thoughts, I draw strength from your selfless sacrifices, from your unconditional love, and from your unwavering support –that really helped me. As time passed by, the weight of responsibilities built up, but surprisingly, the heavier it gets, the lighter it affected me. Those years, you guided me like a lighthouse in the cresting waves of the sea from a thousand miles.
I have grown up into someone, but it is not the one I plan him to be, yet. Now, navigating the currents of life has been a smooth sailing journey though lonely in your absence, your presence unceasingly guides me. I am stuck, not sure how to whisper to you with everything. I hope one day we will find a way to be together.
Bracelet of Ink: Micropoems
by Brainy Thy
all mighty clouds
clouds drifting above mighty sun loves showing off all it does is laugh
bag bone
the bag on my back. the bone underneath is groaning. i can do nothing. my laptop won’t stop clinging.
spaceship
do you sometimes wonder, if there was a spaceship not the one to mars or jupiter or any galaxy, but one to an outer body, where you could see yourself from the window of the spaceship, with its gleaming shape shining above your head watching your every step, your every beautiful step, every blinding step…
a blanket
i love the fluffiness of a blanket i tend to forget that it can cause a blackout from lack of oxygen with you beneath it and when you come out and all is gone
insanity
everyone says that once you leave your hometown it will no longer feel like home. but that you also won’t feel belonged to your new place. i find that is not the case. all i think about when two continents are apart is a thread and needle. as if you can stitch both lands together, a voice in my head whispers i ignore it because now a new picture forms a glitch in the fabric of space and time perhaps i can teleport you’re delusional, it screams at my insistence. i ignore it again. but this time it keeps replaying delusional, delusion-and i fall into oblivion.
A Winter Dream
by Rad Karim
I had a dream I was prancing through the snow Lost
Being chased by something I don’t know But I felt euphoric for reasons unknown Perhaps the rush drowned away all the wintry sorrow
by Rad Karim
Little boy Icarus
Don’t go flying so close to the sun
You’re gonna melt off both your wings And fall… until you’re done
Some dreams are better off Left to be dreaming on and on
So little Icarus
Don’t you fly too close to the sun
Little Boy Icarus
Presence
by Marcelo Bruno
When around he revels in her presence
All he does is adore and drink in her essence
Her beauty and grace leave him in awe
His heart is full, he can't help but draw
Closer to her, his love never fades
Her sweet voice, her gentle touch, her dazzling gaze
His heart is hers, forever to stay
In her arms he finds his home, his happy place
Together they laugh and they dance
Their love a fire, a never-ending trance
In each other's arms they find their bliss
Their bond unbreakable, a true love's kiss
She is his everything, his reason for being
His heart is hers, for her it is beating
In this world and the next, their love will endure
Forever and always, they will be secure.
His Staircase to Beauty
by Violet Charlotta
Man climbed the tower each footstep so firm it shooked foundation beneath all its power
For the soul at height a being full of beauty shrouded in sheer veil singing away the night
Every step of his foot done in hope, pleasure a wish she'd fancy him or the climb'd be moot
His heart beats, racing the anticipation passed upon last step, heaving before her door, pacing
Once he opened the door heart strings went taut as eyes gazed on visage when veil fell to floor
His heart crumbled to two and he stumbled, averting his eyes, sorrowful tears he didn't know what to do
What he saw deemed menace
A creature of much terror her mouth emits tentacles brings a forceful embrace
He wished he had not beheld upon the tall castle height for now he's in her stomach for by his lust he's felled |
Delusion
by Xavier Rune
As the streets lay with pink leaves and coolness, I held your hand, gazing at the most beautiful view, The cherry blossoms and horizon where birds flew, None of those are as beautiful, if I am not with you.
Waves of thoughts crash in the shores of my mind, But you, my darling, are my peace, and my clarity, In the midst of my darkness which I often get lost in, You’re my snowy street, in the stunning sunrise.
Straying off the path, due to my negative spiral, Your presence brings me back, my guardian angel, As I venture out, my soul will always long for home, Because you are my place, wherever I may roam.
Fate sure does favor me every now and then, Sending someone so damn adorable and goofy, Her smile may be as quick as the flash of a camera, But that’s enough to make me smile just as wide.
A mere thought of her sends me in a place of bliss, The emptiness I feel with her presence that I miss, Holding her close, embracing her, nothing is amiss, Her lips are so sweet, hard to resist the urge to kiss.
No matter how I arrange words, it’s never enough, Never enough to describe my feelings for my luv, She is my soulmate, my destiny, my fated lover, My other half, she can’t be replaced by another.
Even in the darkest days, she shines the brightest, Storms of sadness always cleared with her smile, Raging waves were calmed by her serene voice, Her eyes glistening with joy wherever she went.
The amalgamation of delight, quite a blissful soul, Not the life of the party, but magnetic cheerfulness, Such a contagious laughter, much glee is spread, An elation that can flip a frown any day, anytime.
The bubble then bursts, bringing me to my senses, Once again forced back to this bittersweet imagery: With a peaceful look on her face, laying in my arms, I forced a smile as I could never see hers ever again.
Woman by Muzammil Sanwal
Since we were young, they'd say, Woman is made from man, they'd convey.
Centuries passed, emotions of women denied, In sweet words, always implied.
Woman's creation deemed by the universe's decree, Blamed for every tale of history.
Her strength equated to man's might, Hence, woman was kept out of sight.
Religion too confined her, an afterthought, Subordinate, her role, they sought.
In temples, mosques, and churches' song, Her voice often deemed secondary or wrong.
Indigenous women, guardians of land and lore, Their wisdom dismissed, silenced more and more.
Black women, pillars of strength, resilience their claim, Yet society neglected to recognize their aim.
Through struggles, silenced by a dominant decree, Their worth, their tales, left for none to see.
Yet in the heart of this darkness and despair, Women's spirits persist, unbroken, aware.
Their courage and resilience, a beacon so bright, A testament to their unyielding fight.
For the day when the world, in full view, Acknowledges and values women, too. 24_Muzammil
Marooned:AShortNovel
Marooned: A Short Novel
by Galsan Garmaev
Content Warning: This story contains some references to blood and smoking.
Lost. That is how I’ve been feeling for some time. It’s nothing particularly new, but this time it feels differently.
He looked around the room he had been living in for almost a year now. Same bed sheets, same small barred window, same crumbling dusty ceiling. Same room he finds himself in every day.
Am I lost?
It has been this much time since he sailed across the ocean in search of a better life. The war has been raging for five hundred and sixty five days, or years, or minutes?.. That makes no importance. The earth was abandoned, covered with decaying remnants of the past. The soil was dry, no signs of life. He had been sailing. His limbs were cold and wet, his breath barely making it outside as he was shaking. He tried to wrap himself in the blanket, feeling dizzy and nauseous, grasping scattered memories and wonders. I can’t even answer the question “how are you?” Every time that happens, I can’t find anything to answer. How can I be?
Waking up, he noticed warm sunlight embracing his face. He had been definitely sleeping, being given the medication. He felt extremely calm, serene. The steam was climbing upwards from the cup, filled with hot dark tea.
Had I ever been that still? Am I able not to be worried? Maybe I could even start.. The nausea was still present, pressing against the stomach. The palms were freezing cold, heavy and dull.
Is there a way out? I’m going to pass out. Wish I was with you now. I can see something on the horizon. It keeps me on carrying on, why else would I still?.. I’ve always wanted to go somewhere where the waves roll slowly and the wind hugs the trees. I want to sleep, thinking of that.
He had been wandering around, his mind taking him down the curves of presence and consciousness. Pointless activity in the name of activity. Is not all life like that? One seeks to justify their ways, whether they believe in free will or not. One is limited and restricted, limiting and restricting everything they know of. It is true regardless of who one is, regardless of what one seeks to do.
25_Galsan
Marooned:AShortNovel
Being self-sufficient means
‘I’m dating two men’ — she said proudly — ‘and let them know this is not serious’.
‘I allowed myself to be bad’.
‘I have accepted my depravity’.
‘I want more, and I will get it’.
Maybe it could be different. Maybe if…
He ruminated relentlessly. He knew she was going down the wrong path; but what about himself? Perhaps it was not so bad after all. He was still breathing, his body was still full of life. The screaming, tearing, burned to flesh mind seemed to stay afloat, instead of swimming deeper into the furnace of madness. He had become aware of this borderline. Crawling on the glass shatters was an experience he remembered too well.
That talk left the good old feeling. The cuts bled profusely. The blood slowly covered his face as he smiled numbly. It went down his arms, dripping on the floor. The clothes were soaked with blood.
Is that it?..
And so it disappeared. As nothing happened. A circle is completed — he could catch a breath until the next one. Bleeding to death every day — to find yourself alive again.
I do not need you anymore. You made a mistake of leaving me, the mistake I will not do. “The levee breaks, tears, for whom? For you?”
I made it this far, I helped you when you were down, I cared for you. You may not be a bad person, but you did a bad thing to me.
You are a memory — for now.
That’s what I’m capable of.
Shadows
by Lovisht Chawla
Lurking in the dark
Found myself
Trapped in a paradox
Shadows of all
Engulfing me whole
In the trauma
I inherited
From those who escaped the war But kept battling Their foes flowed Into us
Their blood drops
Bloomed the wounded lilies
In our soul
We felt the dark
Scathing into our body
Leaving the imprints
That were never ours
Surrounded
by Lovisht Chawla
Standing in the queue, I saw people fading away. Everything got blurry, As I immersed myself in my thoughts. Found myself sitting in the meadows, I saw the evening sky.
The sunlight turned the blossoms ablaze, While going down to welcome the night. The breeze called out to me, For I was alone in the middle of the field. The chills made me feel free, From all the burden the world puts upon me.
The dandelions took on their flight, To reach wherever they call home. They had a long journey ahead, From the meadows to the highlands. The lilies on the ground bid their farewell, Their petals closed as the sun went down.
In that moment, I felt truly alive, In nature’s embrace, I learned to thrive. Amidst the nature’s warmth, My presence faded. Standing alone didn’t feel so lonely, As now I was nature and nature were I.
in this life, and the many more to come...
by Rad Karim
When two people recite their wedding vows, one phrase concludes the ceremonious bond. “Til death, do us part.”
I never understood the phrase. Why must we part at death? Why must I move on if you no longer walk these lands? Why must you seek relations in my worldly absence?
I refuse. I will never part ways with you, for you own my heart, my body, my soul, my existence. It all belongs to you. As you belong to me.
Marriage is a contract. We have no need for such. You and I, we love. We have love. Our love goes beyond the mortal realm. It transcends the heavens and burrows down to the depths of hell.
Our love is bountiful. Our love is endless. If there truly is a life after this one, I hope our paths intersect. I hope our stories intertwine again and again.
I love you. And I will always love you… in this life, and the many more to come.
Polyglot Dilemma
by Marcelo Bruno PolyglotDilemma
Her beauty, oh how it glows, A radiance that only grows. My love for her, it knows no bounds, A love that forever astounds.
In a single language, I cannot express, The depth of my love, my happiness. For her beauty, it transcends, All words, all phrases, all ends. But in this poem, I'll try my best, To capture the love that I possess. For her beauty, it's like a rose, That blooms and blooms and never goes. And my love for her, it's like a fire, Burning bright, a never-ending pyre.
A love that will never fade, A love that will always be made. So in this poem, I'll do my part, To try and capture her beauty and my heart. For her beauty and my love, A single language is not enough.
by Marcelo Bruno Sanaall
Hindi ko kaya sabihin sa iyo
Na mahal kita, na ikaw ang aking buhay
Hindi ko kaya sabihin yung sa puso ko
Na ikaw ang lahat sa akin
Pero kung bigyan mo ako ng pagkakataon
Ibibigay ko sa iyo ang lahat
Ibubuhos ko ang aking puso sayo
At ipaglalaban ko tayo
Sana maintindihan mo
Ang aking mga hindi ko kayang sabihin
Sana maintindihan mo
Ang aking tunay na nararamdaman
Nais ko lang sabihin sa iyo
Ang lahat ng aking nararamdaman
Nais ko lang maging malapit sayo
At maging isang bahagi ng iyong buhay
I can't bring myself to tell you
That I like you, that you are my love
I can't bring myself to say what's in my heart
That I want you to be everything to me
But if you give me a chance
I'll give you everything I'll pour out my heart to you
I hope you understand
All the things I can't bring myself to say I hope you understand
My true feelings
I just want to tell you
Everything I feel I just want to be close to you
And be someone in your heart
34_Marcelo
Sana all
Words of Destruction
by Lovisht Chawla
What do you get by calling me fat?
Do you feel fit when I force myself to starve? When did the world become so cruel, To let out only hatred when it was meant to be love. I am content with who I am, Yet your words pierce me like a sword. To always make me look at myself with shame. Time and again you rise as a tide, To wash my hope off the shore and leave me in despair.
What do you get by calling me a dwarf?
Do you feel tall when you shatter me like a glass? When did the world become so shallow, To see a person by his height when it was meant to be character. I am happy with who I am, Yet your comments act as a knife.
To cut off my honor, the worth for myself.
Time and again you approach as a tornado, To destroy my world and leave me barren.
What do you get by calling me skinny?
Do you feel strong when I cry all night? When did the world become so gloomy, To vent out only sadness when it was meant to be joy. I am pleased with who I am, Yet your judgment pinches me like a needle. To make me remember that I am not good enough.
Time and again you come as an earthquake, To shake everything in my life and leavemedestructed.
Productively Bleeding
by Violet Charlotta
Look at yourself and cut out that scoff. How are you angry I took sometime off?
Your eyes are swollen with photons from screens, looking half-human amongst the machines.
Won't you look down at your feet on the floor. Stepping on glass stained with bright crimson gore.
Still, you keep chasing results you won't get while you are stepping on shards lined with red.
Why don't you stand and stretch, get a break. Maybe a quick glimpse at feet, you might take.
This shattered mirror broke two weeks ago thought you should clean it, just letting you know.
"There's no time for cleaning," or so you might say. "Keep those feet bleeding, and call it a day."
Have it your way then, my arrogant self. Keep working hard at the cost of yourself.
36_Violet
Breakups by
Amanpreet Kaur
Breakups, Can be hard, Can destroy trust, Can destroy your love for someone.
Breakups,
Feels like tearing apart from your soul, Like a broken flower from their stem, Makes you cry in the ocean or Feels like dead as fish without water, Feels like you lost your shine and brightness, As the sky without stars.
But, Breakups, Can teach you the way of life. Ups and down, Makes you stronger.
Breakups, Can teach you to love yourself, To trust yourself more, Makes you more confident and bold.
Breakups, Are necessary, To give you a taste of life and the people around you.
by Anonymous
You were my first. Not my first love, nor my first kiss. But the first person I felt completely safe with the only one who made me feel like i was never too much, never too complicated, never overreacting.
You were my first until you weren’t.
stood by the edge of its own beauty
by Sayyada Sadiyah Fatima
Onshore by the bay I stood, gushing waves overlapped each other halted by the sea weed.
Shimmer of the sun reflected upon me, and at the barriers of the waves I stood Near the bay.
Well, That’s My Dream to the Club
by Troy Adela
Content Warning: This story contains a reference to alcohol consumption.
Picture me this: I'm sitting at the bar with Mr. Spencer, a close friend and the club's resident bartender at the back of the counter, shaking his metal pill-like shaker (moving his hips while at it). On my hand is a drink, an alcoholic drink (it's Sprite and soda mixed). I'm drinking under the low, dim light—the light from the second-floor bathroom—bright yellow.
Behind me is the dance floor, which I don't pay attention to, not yet, since I'm still enjoying Mr. Spencer's groove.
A guy starts to sing the song "Everybody Hurts." It's probably been playing; I just didn't realize it until now—until tonight. I got up and turned to face the dance floor. People are slow dancing. Hands on the other hips. Forehead on the other shoulder. Eyes closed for the dark pink of romance. Chest to chest, heart to heart. Oh, I envy them so bad, their connection, their shared moment of solace in this crowded place.
I started to pick up the lyrics, "And the night, the night is yours alone," I lip-synced. "when your day is night alone….." the guy sings.
"hold on, hold on….." I closed my eyes, whispering in response.
A cold pain in my heart, singing along, warmth of the cold. My eyes are tearing up inside the closed eyes. The lyrics, the music, they speak to me, they understand my pain, my longing, my hope. They comfort me, they heal me, they give me strength to keep going. I'm standing behind the bar, behind the dance floor, behind the chest-to-chests.
We both sing for the full five minutes, comforting my damaged heart, oh, my broken heart. Singing all about don't let yourself go and everybody hurts. The guy keeps singing "Hold on" and "Hold on" in between the drums and the guitar.
In between my wounds.
The show is over. I make my way through the crowd, feeling a mix of emotions. I approach the guy, who is now off the stage, to say thank you for such an interesting choice of music.
41_Troy
"I never knew my dad," I said, my voice carrying over the music. "My mom has always told me that he was a captivating entertainer, someone who could move and heal our hearts when we were feeling low. And I see that in you, sir," I said, my admiration clear. "She's not been well lately, and I'm doing my best to care for her. It's a joy, really, because she's my mom."
The guy looked down at his shoes.
"I'm happy that I'm still able to take care of her; it's just, honestly, her condition is really bad, and it's making me sad."
The guy, his hand on his face, covering his eyes, "How bad, boy, if you don't mind?"
"All of it is hard, sir. But the hardest part is that she can't talk to me. Our home feels so empty without her voice," I admitted, my voice trembling slightly. "She does hum some songs. No words. Just humming."
"I'm guessing it's the song that I sang earlier," the guy asked "Yessirrr," I responded.
The guy looks back at his shoes. "Well, all the best to you, boy. You're a great son. I know it. And I also know that your dad will be happy to see his wife, seeing her still happy and being loved by her son. Amazing boy you are," he said, picking up his guitar bag and disappearing into the crowds.
I'm walking home from the club, the night air cool against my skin. The streets are quiet, the city asleep. I find myself singing again, all about not throwing yourself, "throwing your hand" as in giving up, because you're feeling alone in this life, making the night and day long..
"Hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on….' I sing in the empty street at night, feeling like this night feels long but way better.
And well, that's my dream to the club.
by Rad Karim
Sugar sweet lemonade
With a bit of honey I want to taste it all
Ice cream cherry lollipop Makes me wanna dance ‘til I drop I can’t get enough
Ice Cream Cherry Lollipop
(anti)social butterfly
by Rad Karim
I flutter yet I stutter I soar but then I fall I will pour my heart out to you Still I will lock myself in my bedroom walls
by Ashley Nicole Gabriel
Back in the pantry, ingredients lined up with purpose
It’s the space where I create
Layers and layers, slices and slices of cake
Fresh from my oven
Happy thoughts in each slice
It’s soft and spongy, just like my mom used to make it
I store them in boxes
Decorated well, it almost feels like a sin to eat
A friend asks for one, then another, and another, and another
Do they enjoy it that much?
Day after day, more sugar
Friend after friend, less cake
Faster and faster I stir frantically looking through every nook and cranny
Need more sugar, more butter, more flour
Don’t forget the happiness
More friends stop by, slice after slice
Do they enjoy it that much?
The more I slice and hand, the hungrier I get
They’re yelling at me
Frosting covers my floor, happiness smeared in the hall
The plate stands empty, pantry empty, ingredient packets empty
Oh dear…
I didn’t save myself a slice
Cake
Thank You!
by Tim Yernar
Through the blinds, sunshine streams, Excitement and dreams, Rays of joy, my heart screams, Appreciation goes from me, For you being a part of this family!
Author Bios
Amanpreet Kaur (she/her) is from Punjab, India. She loves cooking, making new friends, eating, going out and looking at sunsets.
Ashley Nicole Gabriel (she/her) is a Filipino girl who grew up in Saudi Arabia and is currently majoring in psychology. By day a student, by night a doodler extraordinaire, instrument player, and baking enthusiast!
Brainy Thy (she/her) was born and raised in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and is majoring in Computer Science at Columbia College. She loves journaling and watching airplanes in the sky. She also thinks ice cream tastes better on cold days.
Galsan Garmaev (any pronouns) 24, is an Indigenous Siberian from Ulan-Ude, Republic of Buryatia, Russia. They are a second-year student in the Associate of Arts Program. Casual crossdresser, cycling enthusiast, mental health advocate and coffee lover. They try to thrive in the ever changing world. P.S. Explained Tim the difference between highways and freeways.
Gurparteet Singh (he/him) is from Punjab, India. Currently pursuing an Associates degree in General Sciences, Gurparteet loves coffee, hot to the point it burns your mouth. He loves being in nature and working out. Romanticizing little things is another thing he does and according to him, doesn't see himself stopping any soon.
John Glen Dulatre (he/him) is from the pearl of the orient sea - Philippines. He is currently pursuing an Associate of Arts Degree in Business Administration. He loves sushi and ramen. Also, he has a dog named Arya.
Kapish Chhabra (he/him) is an international student from India. He loves food, capybaras and loves to suffer. His parents want him to be a nurse but he wants to be a designer. He loves to create his own problems.
Komal Toor (she/her) is a juggling international student like many, who left her beautiful heaven back in India, who is trying to manage her studies as well as her art skills in Canada.
Lovisht Chawla (he/him) is from New Delhi, India. He is pursuing an Associate of General Science Degree in CC. He loves to go on long nature walks and hikes whenever he has spare time from the hustle-bustle. Currently, he aims to become a nurse, but his plans change in the blink of an eye.
Marcelo Bruno (he/him) (aka Marc) is a former pro-overwatch player for the team bronze 500s, washed Brawlhalla and Tekken pro player. Born in the Philippines and raised in the UAE, he is called Mr. Worldwide the way he is part Filipino, Jordanian, Palestinian and Italian (his roommate would call him part pasta).
Muzammil Sanwal (he/him) Karachi-born and raised, with a doctor dad and a headmistress mom. He is the baby of the family, sandwiched between a bossy sister and a know-it-all brother. Mom and bro? They're his world. When he is not enjoying their love, he dives into poetry, classical music, and world cinema. Life's a poetic rollercoaster – and he is here for the ride!
Pawandeep Kaur (she/her) is from India. Currently in her 5th semester in CC, majoring in psychology. Things she likes most are reading, coffee, and sleeping. Sometimes she wants to go to her dream place- where everything is made up of chocolate (only in dreams!).
Rad Karim (they/them) was born in Uttara, Dhaka, Bangladesh. They like to spend their free time stuck in their head and gaslighting themself into believing they can play the guitar. Now an officially certified ADHD-haver.
Sayyada Sadiyah Fatima (she/her) is from Abu Dhabi, UAE, she’s a recent graduate of CC from associate degree in psychology majors, matcha latte and beaches is her new favorite home, 21 soon and still can’t manage to remember where she keeps her home keys.
Teresa (Wing Sum) Tse (she/her) is from Hong Kong. Currently, she is studying in CC for an Associate degree in Business Administration. She likes green milk tea with no boba. A bubble tea store she recommends is Number 1 Beef Noodle (actually is a restaurant).
Tim Yernar (he/him) is still from Almaty, Kazakhstan. Currently, he is studying in CC, soon to be transferred to UBC. Tim loves wearing ties, drinking coffee and being the evil corporate guy. 20 years old, finally knows what is the difference between a highway and a freeway (Thanks Galsan).
Troy Adela (he/him) doesn't just love ice cream; he dislikes it.
Violet Charlotta (she/her) is an artist, writer, musician, and computer programmer born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia. She has been studying Computer Science at Columbia College since 2022. She hopes that one day, her artwork can inspire many others in their hardships.
Xavier Rune (he/him) 21. Reads a lot of Manhwa. Rocket League Whiff Master. Pro Mercy One-Trick. League Degen. Need he say more?
walking beneath a cherry blossom tree soft pink petals dancing all around me
bright sunlight piercing my eyes birds high on trees with their gentle cries a melody dances in the air and I hum slowly so this is spring...
