Ella Witney
the sun is a gentle caress
as is the deck beneath me
the roof casts a darkness
swallowing the length of the floorboards
creeping ever closer
bringing with it a chill
it’s not bleak
not like that barren husk
of frozen floors
and empty rooms
don’t make me go back
days are slow
nothing changes
save the direction of the breeze
out in the open
life continues
i sit
watch the shadow grow
swallow the wood
inching closer
golden light dissipates
abandoned once more
it intrudes my sunshine
devours me
i return to my cold carcass
counting down the hours
‘til tomorrow
Author: Ella is a Brisbane-based writer and poet. Currently she is studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts, majoring in Creative Writing at Queensland University of Technology and works on the content team for ScratchThat magazine. As a third-generational member of Brisbane’s folk scene and an Irish Fiddler, Ella is inspired by traditions and lore, and is always on the look-out for what can be amended to better suit modern audiences. Her works include elements of fantasy, psychological, and horror, and explores the way mental health affects individuals
Artist: Zoe Hawker is a multi-disciplinary student artist working with sculpture, installation, and painting. Her self-reflexive practice aims to decode the absurdities of our current culture.
Editors: Bea Warren and Euri Glenn