Grace Harvey
@graceharveywrites
departed from myth
your violet gown, four pounds
second-hand, oil
lamp heated bathtub, floating
in Millais mind, reality his London flat
faced not with a willow from which to fall
instead, a leaking, water-stained ceiling
English rain dripping
on your forehead, between
your parted lips.
dear Ophelia, did you beg
turn the heat up, I’m freezing
or did sickness make
you more the muse
bring you closer to emulation.
chalky white skin
turned paler, lips bruised blue
did you dream of drowning?
as she once did
did he praise your performance?
did you long to weave
yourself a crown of flowers
teeter along the edge of death
fall, singing all the while
into madness.
Author: Grace Harvey is a third-year creative writing student, QUT Lit Salon’s 2022 Co-President, and Brisbane based fiction writer. Her work can be found at ScratchThat, GLASS Magazine, and most places online @graceharveywrites.
Artist: SaBelle Pobjoy-Sherriff is a third year visual arts student minoring in film. Her art practice has an in depth focus on ideas of narrative and mythology, and tends to border on the obscure. She utilises illustration and sculpture to create vibrant worlds and creatures. You can find more on her Instagram @SaBelleeee.