Spark
sun glows out of my skin,
strength rages through me
I wriggle and struggle and rip
the traps of the chastisers,
they are scanty critics.
this light is incandescent,
shining on the stilts they use to appear tall
fakery! fakery!
running, faster now –
barefoot on fire and ice simultaneously
slipping and scalding, losing limbs.
finding new ones but never falter,
still follow. that. light.
I slip and scuff my knees
knocking – it’s god,
handing me another rejection letter;
the envelope has jagged edges.
a moment of clarity –
the hammer of purpose cracking my bones
who scream: THIS IS WHAT YOU’RE HERE FOR
more tools – garden shears!
I sever slash and slice the weeds with
you can’t do it etched in each stem.
the roots tangled within my limbs
but I must follow the light;
I know my becoming.
my veins cook up thunder –
I am steel in a jelly mould.
purpose has arrived through my letterbox,
she propels me, I can’t be stopped!
the bulb that first was blinding
now carves affirmations into my morning toast.
no longer choking on being undefined,
my throat absorbs the light
I am nascent.
Editors for Spark not yet setup.
New Beginnings is our third and final volume of 2020. It is also our longest yet, with close to 100 pieces having been sent in for review from over 80 writers. Additionally, this volume marks a step towards making our initiative even more inclusive, having opened submissions for art and photography, too.
2021 may not be the new beginning for which we are all hoping. In fact, it is likely that the world will stay largely the same. However, that doesn’t stop us doing what we can to make it a little better. In supporting and being involved in an initiative whose primary motivation is to build one another up, our team and readership have certainly proven to be committed to making positive change already.
First published by Ta Voix 2020