E. L. Maloney
In the moonless dark, dirt-
tracked asphalt and stray stone,
follow the skittish flight of a hare across country road,
running to the headlights—maybe from.
No one knows why the hare
chooses that moment to run,
when floodlights shock the night,
catching the hare in spotlight.
Your tongue curls around questions,
shining a light on my unknown,
and I am forced to
dance on the razored line
between silence and answer,
between life and death.
Only at that moment,
when the heart threatens
to implode and come out
my throat, and there’s no
other choice than to run.
Run from it.
Run from you.
I am the hare,
you are the Ute,
blaring towards me, a tiny creature,
with no other option than to leave
you behind when you ask me
why do you hurt yourself?
I’ve no answer, no voice.
I am just a hare.
E.L. “Loricia” Maloney (she/her) is a high fantasy novelist currently working on her hopeful debut. She aims to bring a balance to characterisation, plot, and worldbuilding in the epic fantasy genre. You can find her on Instagram and TikTok (@loriciawrites_) for daily content or read her published pieces through ScratchThat and QUT Glass Media.