Demurrer

Euri Glenn

Eyes behind my eyes. 

Oh, how freeing would it be 

to act on instinct. I chase after 

 

Words behind my lips, unseen 

meanings and deceiving. How mundane. 

‘Don’t be alarmed’. 

 

This poem is smudged, my fingers 

black as the soot sky. Descry 

the meaning, try to uncover— 

 

Toes tap and prance around, words 

of so much yet so little. 

Silent to avoid the hollow spittle. 

 

I bite my tongue, for once unwilling, 

     limpid as the fear of slipping 

the meaning and breathing, adieu 

 

The obsession into my lungs, rung 

tight and leaking. 

How pathetic, they abhor. 

 

I am missing 

some pieces but for good 

reasons. Upstream. 

 

What worth does a puzzle 

hold if it’s too easy 

to solve? 

Author: Euri Glenn is a Jambreen/Tamborine Mountain based writer, and a third-year Creative Writing student at QUT who is currently working on a novel based in a post-apocalyptic Gold Coast Hinterland. In every story, she seeks to inspire change for the better of the world and the creatures who dwell within it. You can find more of her work in ScratchThat’s 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, and 13th Issues, QUT Glass’ 14th Issue, and @euri.chelsea.glenn on Instagram.

Artist: Cyndra Galea (she/they) is in the third year of her Bachelor of Fine Art’s in Creative Writing with a minor in Professional Communications. When not found with her head in a book or three, Cyndra can be found radioactive antique hunting, fixing classic cars with her dad, drawing on her iPad, or writing and editing her manuscript. Cyndra aims to work as a structural editor when she finishes her Masters of Editing and Publishing, but also dreams of releasing novels of their own.

Editors: Bea Warren and Euri Glenn