Creating art often doesn’t happen overnight. Sometimes, it takes days, months, or years to complete, provided that the artist is in the right headspace and physical health to accomplish their masterpiece. On the other hand, in some instances, the artist completes the art but hasn’t the confidence to share them with others. And that’s okay.
A young medical student from the New Manila area, who asked to keep her identity confidential, feels the same way. For some years, she dabbled in writing prose and poetry, inspired by her experiences and those around her.
She has yet to find the confidence to claim the prose that goes through her head and takes control of her pen. Nevertheless, she shared a piece of her works as a stepping stone to finally finding and using her voice without doubts.
“My influences in writing poetry are Rupi Kaur and Lang Leav. Not many people like their writing style, but I feel it’s what resonates with me most. I also write short stories now and then that focus on slices of real life,” she said. “I have more faith in my poetry writing than in my short stories because I have more freedom to express myself. Still, I try my best to learn more about writing.”
Map Reading
I lost myself
In everything I knew
Where am I?
How do I get back?
Can you tell me
Where and how did I get lost?
Can you find me in the lines of a lover’s palm?
All twisted and sharp
Maybe I’m sleeping somewhere
Within the rivers and roads
Can you find me at all
When you look into a friend’s eyes
Am I still there?
Or is it just a ghost of me
Is there a map I can use
To navigate the twist and turns
And find me once again
Away from the trappings of life
Do you know where to go?
Do you know what to do?
Should I have to go on alone?
Life is a journey, and I’m not the only one who knows
