elementia issue 8
Writing
The Wish Garden: an excerpt
By Andie DavidsonA mindless leaf fluttered out of nowhere and perched on my sandaled foot. In the distance, a disorganized medley of birdsong made up an unrehearsed orchestra. Idyllic as it was, I was in the middle of a fairly typical snapshot of spring.
Past Memories: an excerpt
By Grant Hampton Glover“Hostile vehicle moving to desired location, ”Ryan heard his spotter and put his handheld bible back into his shirt pocket. Ryan’s face was smeared with camouflage paint, and his rifle was covered in a rifle wrap, with his Ghillie suit covering the rest of his body.
Hot Blood Underground
By Ayah Abdul-RaufHe is anchored to the cold room’s center
By metallic, unused fetters
Reluctance is his parapet and it’s likely to collapse
He lies amidst rusted traps
He is the first catch.
The Voice of Desperate Hearts
By Bailey TullochAmong the freezing breeze of swastikas,
The only awakened robot
Was the word of the innocent.
II
She was of three hearts,
Like a sphinx,
Child, escapist, and thief.
III
I Would Say...
By Hannah JenkinsI would say that by noon my
Heart really knew my purpose
My goals, the plan for rescue.
I would say that it’s better
To never regret, never take back,
Try not to be a brat.
I know that life is better when
One is not alone.
Every Bit as Dark as You
By Blaire Lauren GinsburgJust as wild and just as true,
I’m every bit as dark as you.
I would not show it on my face,
But I’ve learned your secret, silent grace.
Your gait is sure as the day is fair
And filled with ling’ring subtle air,
Pandemonium
By Lauren McGrathMelodies of pandemonium
Fill my ears with a silent hum
Black is everything we have found
White is everything without sound
And as lunacy ensues without ceasing
And pain takes hold without releasing
Swirling colors cease to blend
The Evanescent
By Paige BerganEvery so often there are nights when the veil between worlds is so gauzy and thin, that travel from one to the next can happen as easily as crossing a bridge. Some of these nights follow the rigid calendar journey of the earth, moon, and sun.
What He Carries
By Kristen ZuchowskiHe carries his equipment
He carries his uniform
He carries his ammunition
And his weapons
But he carries much more
He carries his heart
His memories
Though most importantly
April Ghoul's Day
By Jessica ToneyHe woke up shivering, the cold hard floor having been his bed for the night. His brain throbbed as he pushed himself up, making it hard to remember what last happened. He held his head in his hands as he thought it over until an eerie sob bounced off the walls.