Verse Magazine - Edition 56

VERSE

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF COUNTRY.

It was and always will be Aboriginal land.

Verse Magazine acknowledges the Kaurna, Boandik and Barngarla First Nations People as the traditional custodians of the unceded lands that are now home to the Univeristy of South Australia’s campuses in Adelaide, Mount Gambier and Whyalla.

Verse Magazine respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past, present and emerging. Verse Magazine also acknowledge the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia.

Creative Fiction & Non-fiction

11 Imagination

Nirvika Lopchan

12 Bird Song And Breeze

eóghann nivall

17 Young Again

Hannah Bilby

32 Crow Flies

South

Melissa Raymond

34 Blank Canvas

Mia Nguyen

45 Four Seasons, Four Feelings

Mary Jane Panansar

46 Solace In Sobriety

Leon Taylor

8 Spotify Mix

14 What colour is your imagination?

22 What Shape does your Imagination make?

30 Prize award

56 What sound does your imagination make?

58 Crossword: Literary Genres

59 Quiz: Zodiac Sign

EDITOR’S LETTER

Welcome creative enthusiasts to Verse Magazine - Edition 56.

There is already a lot to celebrate this year; for some of you, it will be new beginnings, and for others, it may be your final year of studies. Whatever you have in store, the team at Verse hope to make the year ahead extra enjoyable by sharing creative works from a bunch of talented students so that you can sit back, relax, and be entertained.

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions,” Albert Einstein

Imagination kicks off the theme for Verse 2024, as we wanted to entice all creative minds to unleash inspirational works that can empower others in the Verse community. Each edition will feature a new theme, and we encourage you to put forward your creative pieces so the team at Verse can share your imagination in the 10th year of this brilliant publication.

Edition 56 will begin with a new Verse team following the fantastic efforts of Tamara Montina and her talented design team.

Keeping up with tradition, USASA’s new president, Oliver, has written his first President’s Letter. But there are so many people working behind the scenes that we could not resist introducing you to a few of his fellow student reps. Learn about the social clubs and hubs through USASA’s Top 5 Things to Know!

Creative artists, photographers, writers and poetry pieces have been woven throughout this edition, with an eclectic mix of genres and rich colour palates that explode from the page, such as Sheydin Dew’s artwork. Not only did this take out the first prize, but made Verse Magazine’s first cover for 2024.

Prizes!!! Yes, prizes are on offer this year. And we begin with an autographed copy of “The Rush” from Adelaide author Michelle Prak — thanks @prakky #Australianoutback #Thillerbook.

Aside from prizes, we have put together a crossword to challenge your literary genre knowledge, and if you need another brain teaser, consider the zodiac quiz. Is this your thing?

What would you like to see more of in Verse? We would love to hear your thoughts!

Enjoy Verse. Keep it handy for those long bus or train trips to tutes. Flick through when time is poor and relish when time is plenty. Follow @Versemagazine on socials and support students who dared to share their creative minds and hearts in this Verse publication.

Next time, we embrace the theme Destiny and invite you to submit by March 18.

Welcome, Verse readers and creators; we are thrilled to be part of your 2024 university journey. May the year challenge you, be filled with health and happiness, and, most of all, may your experiences guide you towards becoming better in all you do.

Melissa

MEET THE TEAM

Editor

I’m Melissa Raymond, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity as Head Editor for Verse Magazine, 2024. Undoubtedly, it will be a big gig, but after completing a BA in Creative Writing & Literature, I feel well-prepared for the year ahead. I’m so excited to be surrounded by the team at Verse, not only to view your creative works but to have an opportunity to contribute to such an incredible student magazine.

My studies this year have transitioned to a Master of Communication degree, where I intend to immerse my previous professional experiences and passion for writing into the communications industry.

I live in the Barossa Valley, surrounded by vineyards and dusty dirt roads, with my two girls, hubby... and a menagerie of farmyard animals. I enjoy the simple things in life and love to set time aside to read, write, garden and all things creative. Together with my hubby, I have established a vineyard, a wine label and a fantastic garden that offers endless enjoyment; if the season is booming, and it always is in SA, I can often be found rummaging through the orchard and veggie patch preparing for the season ahead and making preserves.

Content and Social Designer

I’m Manith, a Communication Design student. It’s such a great opportunity to be part of Verse 2024, as I get to see so much creative work from students and interact with many incredible people.

Fun fact: I’m a dog lover, I also love to paint, and watch movies in my free time. I can’t handle scary movies but can’t say no to a good horror movie *wink wink*

Graphic Designer

I’m Taybah Hamza, a third year Communication Design student and aspiring multimedia designer. My favourite part about working with Verse is applying all the technical bits I’ve learned and experimenting with all the creative bits. Soo excited for the everything that is to come for Verse 2024!

Fun fact: I’m obssessed with very sweet iced coffee and fantasy novels!

Image by Evanthea Kyriacou

Words by Nirvika Lopchan

Imagination

Am I imagining things?

Am I imagining the oceans separating the lands?

Is the fear in the stomach the same as the courage shielded by the rib cages?

Is imagination labelled as creativity…only? When children construe cloud shapes as animals, When authors assemble alphabets to form universes, When painters picture a purple sky?

Then what of Madmen and women, Trapped in mental coops, haven?

What of escapism?

And innovation?

Belief, then make-believe; live, then relief, Over and over, and over, and over…

Until imaginations birth realities.

bird song and breeze

Words by eóghann nivall

The drowsy clouds of yesterday departed, it’s warm and bright. A canopy of bird song holds the clear sky above you. Climate change blurs seasons, the lakes you came for are still dehydrated from the summer heat. The whir of bicycle chains passes by. Closing your eyes and breathing deep, you ignore the chattering in the café, the encircling houses, and droning cars down the boulevard. An early-March breeze greets your cheek.

Families, friends, lovers, and loners all mill about the reserve, mostly keeping to themselves. Children shout freely at each other. A mother’s words recount that they “cannot play in the yucky water”.

Hoping the magpies have moved into the suburbs for the day, you navigate the uneven trails through the shade of gum trees to observe a visiting pelican. Gliding across the water, it distances itself from those gathered at the lake’s edge. It stops only to throw its head under the water. Snapping back up in a splash, it gulps down an unidentifiable lunch.

You continue on to another cluster of gum trees, passing a pergola. The family crowding the public barbeque have decorated one of its poles with a slew of party balloons. You acknowledge them with a polite nod but an awkward smile. Approaching more gum trees, you find raucous miner birds dislodging twigs to hoard for their nests.

Across the way, there is another bridge, another lamppost, another gathering of gum trees, and another lake drier than it is wet. A larger lake, not as dry, keeps an island sanctuary at its center. From the bridge you can see another family throwing bird feed into the water to the fervent delight of hungry ducks. A man walking his dog passes you. The dog pulls on its lead to sniff at your legs in a plead for affection. Up on your left a woman stares into the distance, enjoying public solitude, a journal clasped in her hands. Beyond the lakes there is a playground basked in sunshine.

You make your way around to stand opposite the bridge for a better view of the island sanctuary where the local dinosaur descendants gather in sharescape. Teetering on the eroding edge of the land, one of the gum trees is close to becoming a bridge. On a good day, the other gum trees are white with the feathers of dozing ibises. The pelican you met earlier has relocated here to be with two pelican friends. Heads tucked under wings to block out the light, they have each settled for a snooze in the shade.

You notice an iridescent feather on the ground by your feet and pick it up. Holding it up to the sky for inspection, you catch direct sunlight on your face. It’s uncomfortably warm. You decide to go home for your own afternoon nap.

WHAT COLOUR IS YOUR IMAGINATION?

YOUNG AGAIN

Image by Manith

Words by Hannah Bilby

When the shade grew long, and fireflies flickered in the reaching twilight—then the children might whisper a giggling dare: for two gold pieces, for a feather pulled from a bluebird and a storm-coloured stone, for two sweet crayfish, take a few steps past the tree line.

You wouldn’t do it, you won’t! Go into the forest proper. Cool and dim at the sun’s highest, midsummer, because no light maimed branches so thickly. Those trees standing rigid and close as guardsmen, briars and vines weave their tapestry, waving a salute. Where deer flew and foxes skulked, and doves sang their low, lover-lost songs.

The ground was brittle and strewn with leaves long fallen, creeping rot—and you may stumble upon a scarlet mushroom circle. No, never, don’t be daft. Stay close. Stay where the sunlight warms you and your bones and keep the town’s shacks in sight; carefully tended fields of corn and strawberry at your back, the shimmer of the passing river. Safe, tame, and all so human. Familiar.

But mark these words: if you did happen to stray further into the forest, tread softly, lightly. Don’t break a single twig under your feet. And if you find a crystal creek, lick only your lips, don’t drink; if you find a blossoming garden tended by invisible fingers, never pluck a bunch, nor a single flower…

“I will never be young again,” said Lily. “Oh, Claudia, Claudia, Dia…”

She curled into Claudia’s chest, tears dripping ash in the straps of her shirt. Claudia wrapped her tightly in her arms. Her eyes ached in drought, like their father’s. Each time they strained shut, she, saw Will falling.

People gossiped, and the servants whispered—behind hastily shut doors that sheltered nothing—that Will was nabbed as a child, a changeling. Father insisted a dreamer. The village kids sneered that he wandered from the forest, saying his parents were goblins and lichens. Why don’t you run on back to them, ‘til Claudia gave the boys bloodied noses and Lily cold-shouldered the girls at school. Keep each other safe; Mother had urged them before she passed, and Claudia knew she was talking to her, the oldest, most of all.

Claudia would shield them. She would see them loved, glowing, flourishing; see Lily wed, keep Will safe from his own mind. And she would retch and choke down all that was wrong with her. Stop sneaking out to the meadows with Grace. Stop smacking the boys with whatever weapon she could find. One dreamer in the house was enough. How she had failed. Lily sobbing in her arms. And Will buried beneath them. The unsullied dirt of his grave. You said something to him, father had said, gaze unfocused, misted like winter’s dawn rays. You must have.

She’d said things would change. She’d said Lily would soon marry, that she herself would have to find a man, settle down. But she never meant they wouldn’t need him anymore. Sweet, bitter Will, wandering the house besieged with nightmares ‘til he came upon Claudia’s bed and complaining about her bony limbs come morning, age ten showing her a punnet of fresh strawberries and vowing secrecy, bothering Lily endlessly ‘til she screamed to mother, making her laugh so hard she couldn’t find breath the next day. Gone now. Gone to the worms. Forever. Claudia too weak, too late; she’d been away with her mind, the lingering creep of the future and the looming gallows of marriage, turning in time to see her baby brother fly, then lose his wings.

“Forgive me,” she whispered into Lily’s curls. She wanted to tell her everything would be okay, but that was a raging lie. The worst had happened.

“We should get back,” Lily said. The rest of the grievers had long left, fleeing with the warmth of their bobbing lanterns. Papa had walked on home the moment the priest uttered his final blessing, pleading a leg strain.

“Go on alone. Don’t think I’m welcome.”

“Don’t say that. Come home. Please. He never means anything he says past evening.” But she was chewing on her lower lip like she used to when she blamed Will for munching on the last muffin.

Claudia walked her back to the house and wandered through the grounds for as long as she could take, staring up at the roof’s juts, the spot where Will leapt. Then she went out to town again. There was a chill in the night air, faraway clouds drifting, but she didn’t feel it piercing her skin. She felt it lodged in her chest, a bearing pressure. She felt like she may be at death’s door. “I ought to die,” she muttered.

“Don’t,” said Peter, firmness to his tongue.

She was in the tavern, which was a shame since everyone lurking on the same stools knew her. Peter at her side, his eyes rimmed red, tugged the bottle of whiskey from her tight grasp.

“Poor Lily,” said Claudia, head falling into her hands.

“I know,” Peter murmured. “Jesus, I know, Dia. I’m sorry.”

“It’s all I see.” She snagged the whiskey, threw it back. “God, Peter. I just don’t know what else there even is.”

He said nothing, shaking his head.

She slept on Peter’s threadbare carpet—at her own insistence—the night of the funeral and the next night. The next day, a servant came and told her Lily had taken ill.

She had faded to a pale white, and sweat was clinging to her, trapped beneath a coffin of covers, but still, she managed a smile for her. “So that’s what I gotta do to nab your attention?”

“It worked,” Claudia said hoarsely. “Now get well.”

“Well.” Father limped into the sick room, stark in black, touching his palm to Lily’s sweat-soaked brow. “Nice of you to join us.”

“Didn’t think I’d be all too welcome, Papa.”

“So, you’ve been shacking up at the tavern, we heard. Drinking down any prayer I make for your sister. Or to keep Will from hell.”

“Papa,” Claudia said—a fleeing whisper.

“I’m in no need of blessings, Pa,” Lily said. “I’m sad. Just sad.”

Her eyes fluttered shut, and she pressed a kiss to Lily’s hand.

Claudia left. She went back to the tavern, washed the days off her skin, and gave Peter a few gold pieces for his trouble. His mouth twisted; he asked her what she planned on doing.

“I’m going to make a tart.”

“Pardon?”

“For Lily. She never turned down a blueberry tart.”

“Gods—what. It’s too early in the season for that.”

Claudia shrugged. “I’ll look for wild ones.”

“No, Claudia. Not the woods. What are you drinking? Make her something with peach.”

“I need the walk. I want to be of some use. She’ll eat the blueberries. It’s her favourite, always has been.”

“Stay here. Drink some water. You’re up in the sky, Dia.”

She muttered something nasty so he would leave her be. She couldn’t bear his pity, forceful and sobering. Let her fall. Claudia set off alone.

She took the path out to the forest, followed it ‘til it vanished at the sombre tree line. As kids, they’d know not to step a toe into the forest; well, she was no kid now. Again, she heard Lily,

I will never be young again.

Images by Manith

WHAT SHAPE DOES YOUR IMAGINATION MAKE?

Interview with USASA

Interviewer Melissa Raymond

Interviewee’s Oliver Shepherd-Bayly, Benjamin Opiyo, Naman Mathur, Yeshaish Varona, Lucy Fawcett, Agrani Kashyap

We caught up with the 2024 USASA Board to find out what is involved when undertaking a volunteer student representative position. Undoubtedly, they are busy. Completing either an undergraduate or postgraduate degrees. At first glance, Melissa noted their enthusiasm before detecting a spirited group with strong values, confidence, and commitment. We learnt that their goal is to support and enhance healthy study environments and experiences for their fellow students.

Without a doubt, this is a fantastic group of people.

Elected president Oliver Shepherd-Bayly says, “We’re a busy group with over 37,000 members, and we want to make student experiences positive.”

Currently studying for a Bachelor of Social Work, Oliver has recently been elected as the 2024 USASA president. Speaking with him and his team, you would think they have all worked together much longer.

Lucy, a Bachelor of Arts student at Magill, majoring in Global Politics and History, jumped in without hesitation, “I have met so many people and enjoy socialising through events and club activities.”

Spending time and chatting with these guys (and gals), it soon became clear that USASA is more than a place to connect socially; there is a serious side and one reason why the Verse team could not resist sharing five services within USASA that all students should know.

USASA is governed by an elected group of 15 UniSA students voted by students to represent and support students during their studies. As a not-for-profit organisation, the open-door policy connects people seeking academic, social and financial guidance through various well-being and support services.

Based at the City West campus in the Catherine Helen Spence Building — CS D3, their key objective is to enhance student experiences while promoting healthy and positive learning environments for academic achievement.

Oliver said, “As a team, we have been advocating for more financial support from the state government, as we believe transport costs for students should be subsidised.”

Benjamin voiced concerns about students' difficulties when studying full-time, as many of his friends and international students need to work long hours to financially support themselves. Agrani agreed. As an international student from India, she said, “The challenge for many international students is that they can only work limited hours, and as the cost of living in Australia has become so expensive, study for some is becoming out of reach. That’s what we’re here to do! We advocate for better alternatives. We provide a voice for students so they can focus on their studies.”

#1 Who is USASA?

#2 What Clubs Does USASA Offer?

With over 70 clubs and all free to join, the choices are endless.

However, if you search for a club that does not exist, Oliver says, "We'll help you start up your own."

Keen to find out more, Melissa asked Oliver what club he joined and why.

“That’s funny, you know.... when looking, I came across an expired Beer club. I love beer, and so do many of my mates, so we put our heads together and re-activated the club. Now known as B.E.T or Beer Enthusiast Team – our group connects through pub crawls and quiz nights around Adelaide, and we love nothing better than catching up over a pint or two.”

If catching up over a frothy one is not your thing, Benjamin, a final-year Master of Communication student said, “For me, I was looking for a club that could connect me with other African students and joined The African Society.

“I was in search of a club that was proactively discussing African and international affairs relating to African students” said Benjamin.

“The African Society Club fosters relations between African students and global citizens.”

#3 Verse Magazine

In 2014, Verse Magazine was launched by USASA as an unconventional student magazine to share and voice alternative and creative works from UniSA students; regardless of degree ventures. Today, the magazine reaches broad audiences via print and digital media publications.

Benjamin said, “While Verse Magazine is part of USASA, it maintains editorial independence.”

Since its first edition, Verse Magazine has remained a platform to empower student voices. Whether students submit Artwork, Photography, Creative Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Musical Lyrics, it does not matter! Verse is all about creative expression.

Image: Sheydon Dew @sheydedart (Verse Magazine #55)

#4 Academic Advocacy

Initially, students might contact Academic Advocacy for support services, guidance or general advice. But if requiring assistance relating to academic misconduct, final grade outcomes, and processes wanting to appeal exam results, then booking a free appointment is recommended.

Based at City West but available to meet with students across all metropolitan campuses, USASA’s role ensures students’ rights are voiced and confidentially challenged if needed.

“Bookings are best, and students can connect via Zoom, email, or in-person, whatever they prefer,” Oliver said.

#5 Social & Wellbeing Events

It takes little time to figure out events and social activities are a massive part of university life, and for all of us, Campus Fair is the first event added to our calendars.

Agrani, a Mawson Lakes Undergraduate Student Rep, says, “There is always something to do; it’s just a matter of how much time students have and what events they want to attend.”

Aside from general university events, oncampus social and wellness events have become a core component of USASA’s role. They keep students up to date with various activities and, most importantly, provide a space for social interaction beyond the lecture halls with Working on Wellness, Pride Fair and plenty more.

Artwork

PRIZE ALERT!

“An electrifying outback thriller that’s unlike anything I’ve read – I couldn’t put it down.”

Shelley Burr, author of Wake

WINNER

Congratulations Sheydin Dew! The Verse team loved your creative piece as it captured the theme Imagination brilliantly! We hope you enjoy an autographed copy of The Rush by Adelaide author Michelle Prak.

The Crow Flies South

WORDS by Melissa Raymond

Tapping sounds from the keyboard energises the space as my thoughts transfer from my fingers to the computer screen before me. The room where I sit is quiet and isolated, a perfect one hundred meters from the stone cottage, and although an ideal place to escape, the picturesque location is inconveniently positioned opposite the chook house.

the blue sky only welcomes a dusting of white clouds rapidly passing through. No wind is apparent, unusual for this time of year.

Three metres from my chair, my right side captures an outside view of a white gravelled causeway and a chook house that appears to be disappearing into the Australian native garden; somehow, it has survived seven years of drought and complete neglect. Stretching my neck from side to side, I pause before taking a deep breath to observe the view to my left. It relaxes me while evoking a short break. I adjust my position to capture an impressive vineyard view. I see studded posts and lush Shiraz vines generously waving their glorious green shoots as the wind dominates their mood.

The silence is broken by a group of squawking crows. Foxes of the sky are my thoughts before I release a deep breath of frustration. Once, I enjoyed watching them fly at height; so free and bold. But now, I am aware of their tactical ability. I often observe how skillfully they hunt in groups, such as navigating flight paths before they land to undertake a mission. However, today, it is evident that their mission is to claim my prized eggs just meters away in the old chook shed. Unable to shoot the bastards, I text farm manager Pete, 'The crows are back! My office would be a good shot.' But Pete relays he is hours away, so my thoughts shift back to the keyboard task. Twenty minutes have passed, and my attention shifts to an annoying scratch on the screen door. I finish typing before gasping

not a species I had thought of. As I watch from my seat, the pecking suddenly stops before the crow jumps back and slowly looks up and down as though it's working on a new strategy. Bang! Seriously, I whisper, this is unbelievable. Watching patiently, about to launch myself from the seat and scare the shit out of it, the crow jumps onto the door and hooks its claws through the screen, tapping like hell to make an entrance. I jump up and clap my hands as a tactic to replicate a gun firing five or six shots. The stunned crow falls instantly before standing up and repositioning itself to capture an inside view.

black body into the air and disappears south, echoing an announcement to warn its mob. Abandon post! Abandon post!

A BLANK CANVAS

WORDS & ARTWORK by

Mia Nguyen

The living room wall lay barren, showing its true form. A blank canvas. It was once covered with various framed family photos, a manifestation of all the memerories that we have acquired over the years. The grey fuzzy carpet embraced my feet, softly clinging on to my momentary presence. Even though much effort was put into returning the carpet to its original condition, faint geometric markings could still be seen, implanted into the fuzz where the furniture used to reside. Reality gripped me when I heard the car engine. It was time to leave. For good.

When I stepped out of the door, the thick, familiar smell of smoke immediately engulfed my lungs. Above me, the sky was an apocalyptic rusty orange hue, with the mid-summer sun reduced to only a bright yellow dot that can be viewed by the naked eye. The air cracked and sizzled under the immense pressure. A powerful breeze of dry blistering wind washed over me, carried ashes and half-burned organic remains from the surrounding abyss. The bushfire, one of the largest in NSW had reached its hands of destruction all over the Coast. No one thought it would get this bad. I quickly stepped into the

car to escape the smouldering heat. The complex of cookie cutter houses slowly disappeared out of view as we drove away, where I had spent the last five years. It still had not hit me yet that we are leaving for a different state. My chest felt tighter with each passing house. I looked down, pushed my head against the driver’s seat, as if to hide those swirling thoughts. Before all this, faint sounds of children playing soccer can be heard from these streets every afternoon. All that remained was this everlasting, heavy silence. My thoughts had nowhere to hide.

We reached the freeway finally. Everything was far behind, but I knew that it would take a long time for me to move on. My heart was going above the speed limit. I took a deep breath, letting go of all the tension that I held. Why did the emptiness feel so strange? The same event had unfolded many years ago after all. I moved from Sài Gòn to Australia in the summer of 2014, uprooted from everything that I ever knew, the city I lived in for my entire 11 years of life thus far. A new chapter, a blank canvas.

It was November when I landed at Sydney Airport. I could see shimmering mirages on the runway afar as I looked out the plane window. Waves of refraction danced above the airplane’s wing in the heat. After what seemed like an eternity, I finally got off the plane. I slowly took in my surroundings as I walked to the baggage claim area. There were bright signs in English, words that I barely knew the meaning of. Men, women, and children rushed pass, all had their own places to be and things to do. Family members greeted their newly arrived relatives with hugs, kisses, and laughter, which almost felt like a punch in the gut. For the first time ever that day, I felt strangely detached, isolated, and lost, even though I was with my family. I was no longer protected by the bubble that I grew up in, the universe that I had known my whole life. I was like a fish out of water, struggled to make sense of a brand new world. As my mum fumbled through her purse to find the airport map, I thought that she was just as confused as I was.

Fast forward to a few weeks after my arrival, it was time to go to school. Naturally, I was reluctant to make new friends at first. Maybe I did not want to let go of my past, the thing that gave me a sense of security and familiarity. But children usually adapt quicker than grown-ups, and I was no exception. Over time, before I even knew it, I adjusted to my new life. A new normal. Eventually, my past slipped into the back of my mind, and it was like life had always been like this.

Of course, that was until this move. We had been on the freeway for a while now. The smoke was starting to fade, and I could see the sky just a bit clearer. The emptiness that I felt was long replaced with a warm feeling as I reflected upon all the memories that I made over the years. As much as a was afraid of the unknown, I felt peace in realising that before I knew it, living in Adelaide would become my new normal. Just like 5 years ago, my world restarted anew once again. An inevitable circle of life. A blank canvas.

Creatures Of The Night

ARTWORK by Taybah Hamza

ARTWORK by Anadi Sharma

ARTWORK by Akshay Ramkumar

ARTWORK by Evanthea Kyriacou

Four Seasons, Four Feelings

WORDS by Mary Jane Pannasar

ARTWORK by Sheydin Dew

Never thought I’d see all this, From Philippines to Australia, A dreamful bliss.

Rainy and dry seasons turned into four, Winter, spring, summer, fall galore.

Arrived in winter and was so cold, New things to explore, Stories to be told.

Not many faces, just a few, In a land where everything was new.

Spring arrived, flowers in bloom, Colours everywhere, Chasing away the gloom.

Meeting people, Making friends, Happiness that never ends.

Summer’s turn, First Christmas on the sand, Different, but something grand.

Eating by the beach as the sun goes low, A Christmas like a warm, friendly glow.

Autumn whispers, Leaves gently fall, Colours changing, beauty for all.

Letting go of sadness, Bad vibes too, Hopes and dreams anew.

Solace in Sobriety Survivors Guilt and Addiction

WORDS by Leon Taylor

I often wonder if I will ever find solace in sobriety.

Happiness and health are often viewed as synonymous things. Yet there is a part of me that does not want to be better… to be healthy. Because it is so much easier to stay sick.

It is in health that I crave the chaos and destruction so familiar to me.

Because I am able to swim in a tidal wave of instability, if it masks itself as a good time.

It is in the still waters of survival that I start to drown.

Because it hurts to know that I do not believe that I can embrace the feeling of love and vulnerability in its entirety.

There is a part of me that wants to give myself to you, Yet I am so scared.

Scared of health, Scared, that it will not be the same as loving the sickness.

I still think about the night you asked me how someone could be so stupid and reckless, I wish I could give you an answer. The truth is… I am unable to explain, I do not know how I can start to regain empathy, for myself.

To vocalise my fear… subjects me to humiliations, As it turns me into the child I try so hard not to be.

Alone and scared cowering in the corner of my bathroom as the cycle repeats again, For I will always wonder, How being this way is ‘better’

My anger brings forth isolation, I yearn for the friendships that I had to leave behind, The guilt of having the resources to leave, The going out every day and the parties every weekend, I decayed, yet I engorged myself, Tainted flesh is the sweetest!

It is in this isolation that I remember the praise from my parents, Blissfully ignorant that their prodigy academic was in fact an addict.

Because the truth is, that I still believe… that eternal numbness is an easier solution to the nightmares than therapy ever could be.

I loathe that my happiest memories are entwined with enhancements, That when I am upset, I am forced to feel every twinge of my emotions.

The question of when you’re going to leave plagues my thoughts…

I wish I could tell you that I loved you! But my lips are sealed with the burden of doubt.

But it’s okay!

Because that’s all better than a quick fix, Right?

You have to put yourself first, so it doesn’t matter I left all of them to rot, Right?

So, I sit here on crimson sheets and hope that one day I will find solace in sobriety.

SMALL BUSINESS

SPOTLIGHT

ARTWORK by Justin Leung

ARTWORK by Akshay Ramkumar

WHAT SOUND

YOUR IMAGINATION

DOES MAKE?

Guesssignthe

Symbolized via a water-bearer and ruled by the planet Uranus, this star sign displays personality traits of creativity, positivity and humility. A muchloved character due to their peaceful and innovative characteristics. They often thrive on gathering information where they can build their intellect, particularly from other like-minded individuals. According to astrologist Sarah Regan,“ they are passionate about sustainability, the planet, collective harmony, and thrive in groups.”

PRESIDENT’S LETTER

Firstly, a little bit about myself. I’m a social work student, an active member of many USASA clubs and a proud unionist.

about our critical role in empowering student voices. This advocacy can lead to real change so that student experiences and needs are represented within the university and, more

At USASA, we organise the fun things around campus – Clubs, Student Spaces, Events, Pub Crawls and much more! I highly recommend

the challenges of university by ensuring your

We understand that some students can feel University bureaucracies and Government affecting students’ lives, future and material outcomes, and it is often a struggle for our

This is the role of USASA. We collect, record, and amplify your voice by representing you within UniSA and through the National Union of Students (NUS) to ensure Universities and

We do this by leading campaigns and ensuring students are at the table when decisions affect you. By continuing to stand up and speak out for students, we can make sure decisions that affect us are in the best interest of students.

At a national level, through the National Union of Students, the team at USASA advocates for all university students in the Change the Age campaign with a common goal to lower the age of Independence from 22 to 18 and give more students access to income support.

Locally, we’re calling on the State Government to extend concession fares to online and part-time students and create a fairer concession system.

However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Every day USASA play a vital role for students at the University of South Australia. Our objective will help guide decision-making on issues ranging from Academic Policy to Student Welfare and everything in between. The campus community is so important to make sure we have a strong, empowered student body. I encourage everyone to get involved on campus no matter how big or small. Join a club, volunteer, and share your voice and ideas. Most importantly, please reach out if you have a problem.

University can be both fun and challenging. No matter what, USASA is always here for you in the good times and the bad.

Please feel free to say hello and chat when you see me around campus. All the other USASA student representatives and I are always here to help.

Thank you and good luck for everything that 2024 holds!

Oliver

MULTIPLE

GOOD TIMES

THURS 28 MARCH

7 PM - LATE

USASA is here to help you through the good times & the bad. We are a non-profit, student-owned organisation focused on providing services & a voice for all UniSA students.

USASA empowers you through:

Verse Magazine

Student Representation

Academic Advocacy

Clubs & Societies

Social Events

Student Voice

Club Grants

Financial Wellbeing

USASA Shops

UniSA Merchandise

Facebook Instagram

USASA.sa.edu.au

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