Medusa
My old mistakes and all my shortcomings
are snakes
that once seemed to be worms.
They slither into my brain,
hissing with one voice,
their masquerade ball is too loud.
I was never asked to be the host.
3am.
The ball rages on and
I’m desperate for sleep.
Snippets of years ago
collide with those from moments ago,
distorting themselves into one movie
replaying all at once,
convincing me
that I am the mistake.
I search on Google:
How to kill snakes?
There is no easy answer.
Mum’s the guest who says,
I don’t take care of my looks.
‘Laziness,’ she calls it.
Yet I’m just life’s painting
of me
and my snakes.
Weariness on canvas.
Editors for Medusa not yet setup.
Testament is the second stand-alone anthology produced entirely by the Ta Voix team of aspiring professionals, which now stands at around 300 contributors from around the world.
This work is a testament to the skill and passion of the team, and of their voluntary commitment during one of the most difficult times through which many of us have ever lived.
First published by Ta Voix 2020
Copyright retained by the individual authors. Ta Voix has been granted the non-exclusive right to exhibit these works. No part of this anthology may be reproduced without prior written permission of the individual copyright owners, except for the use of cited quotation.
Photography ©
Benjamin S P Davis
Phil Hearing
Alex Motoc
Hert Niks
Elena Ferrer
Laura Ohanessian
Daniel Gregoire
Peter Yost
Design © Raphaelle Broughton
Typesetting © Raphaelle Broughton