Blurred

WORDS & ART by MAYA KHODR-ALI

Gone within her thoughts.

A whirlwind of chaos, Blurred. A corrupted mind, Faded. A dark conscience, Obscured.

Looking into her eyes, Blurred from all the tears. All those memories in CDs, Detached from all those recollections.

Hurting herself, just to feel something in her soul.

Self destructive, she is numb to the pain.

Addicted to this hopeless cycle, Self-sabotaging herself to feel the rush.

She is a prisoner to her destiny. Longing for love and acceptance, Showing you her broken heart and scars.

A storm of inner turmoil, blurred from all the tears.

Looking into her eyes, Blurred from all the tears. Giving into her fears. Taking her down the stairs, Spiraling, Down to her demise.

That is how she feels, Disconnected. Her needs — neglected. She will allow herself to be objected, Rejected and disrespected, Subjected To this empty and miserable life.

She is a prisoner to her destiny. Her heart is racing, Her body is quivering. Difficult for her to breathe.

She is feeling faint. Burying her soul, Six feet underneath.

Eyes rolling, Her vision is clouded. Dim and somber, Her mind is hazy. Losing focus. x

Heat Flashes

The shit’s like - BOOM BOOM Lightning quick

Making a fool of all my years

That like - BOOM

It’s in my chest

All my thoughts squeezing, squeezing

And I can’t think

But I am and that’s the problem

A hundred things

I’m thinking

Yeah, IN OUT, I know

I see them in flashes

And I say, yeah, that’s bullshit

But they’re in my chest before my head

Or at least it feels that way

And so I try to keep them in my head

To see them flash

Like the old moving pictures

Not 4K

I see the frames, the faulty grains

And I point them out likeYou tried your best!

Someone loves you!

You’ll be okay!

But sometimes the motion picture reel runs Fucking fast

And I can’t keep up Or breathe x

WORDS by SIMI JAYEOBA

ART by MAHEK MARKER

i have a confession: there’s a strange bubbly feeling that spreads slowly from my heart numbing my body and my soul… it’s a progression, from emptiness to attraction–a phenomenon that yet has explanation, blissfully plaguing my mind… my affection for you feels surreal. i’m mesmerized by your beauty and charm, and i cannot seem to break free… our every interaction sparks electricity in my veins, and sends waves of excitement to cascade simultaneously washing me in awe… i malfunction as i stare into the sparkling ocean of your eyes; your touch on my skin flickers hot then cold; butterflies threaten to burst from my core… i want to ask you a question that i don’t think i possibly could. my mind swirls with a million thoughts but, none ever leave my quivering lips. x

WORDS by ELIZABETH ZHOU ART by SANDY LUU