Boom

Zoe Maher

Boom

the shock wave thunders out
a blast that strips us bare
the words echo in my ears
on constant repeat
in this reoccurring newsflash
I can’t switch off
this nightmare that’s not make-believe
this is our reality
those words all hollow and empty
drag me with a jolt from ‘I’m okay’ to
a numbness and a
sickness in my stomach.

Breathe
in
breathe
out

here is all I can be right now.

Author: Zoe Maher has a heart for wielding words in a way that encourages and uplifts others. Capturing human emotion and shared experiences while using vivid imagery is her favourite way to do so. She is studying a double degree in secondary teaching and creative writing at QUT, is a distant relative of J.R.R. Tolkien, and has a ginger cat called Boris.

Artist: Steph Blinco is a third year Bachelor of Fine Arts student. A local Brisbane emerging artist, her practice makes statements about everyday life through collaged imagery. Intertwining psychedelic patterns to create collisions of colour and era, Steph draws influences from autobiographical contexts, ranging from her childhood to her experiences now as a young adult. You can find her on Instagram @stephblincoart.