Protagonism

B. A. Tunstall

@bealaiste

AFTER ALL

An erasure poem of the Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

HERO SHOT

The heroic man walks into a bar

And falls down every step to the door

 

The heroic man walks into a bar

And chokes on something he doesn’t drink

 

The heroic man walks into a bar

And sees his father in the bones of his hands

 

The heroic man walks into a bar

And finds a wound where his mouth should have been

 

The heroic man walks into a bar

And sees Narcissus in his whisky

 

The heroic man walks into a bar

And finds he cannot cross the threshold

 

The heroic man walks into a bar

And guards a grudge like it’s his lifeline

 

The heroic man walks into a bar

And sees God where there should be a stop sign

 

A man walks into a bar

And he never quite walks out again

 

A man walks into a bar

And no one hears the gunshot

Author: Baz is a Moreton Bay based creative in their third year of a creative writing bachelor with QUT. Baz is a poet, writer, singer, and bartender compelled by the grime and gore of the world and the beauty that grows through it all. Their work focuses on gothic and religious imagery and the chronic romantic they hide in themselves. Find them @bealaiste on Instagram or at tunstall.b.a@gmail.com

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.