Stick's Poetry and/or Writing and/or artwork (sometimes)

[Weaver of Lies he/him]

4 minutes ago, Just-A-Stick said:

Y'all mind if I post a school writing assignment?

No?

Cool!

We had to do a "photo story"

We were handed a sheet of paper with 5 photos on it and had to choose one as the theme of the story!

I'll post the story and at the bottom will be the picture I chose!

Enjoy!  

  Hide contents

TW: Divorce

  Hide contents

April 17, 2024

 

The Chasm Between

 

 

The girl walked slowly along the sidewalk, hood up, headphones on, trying to block out the yelling. She could still hear it, though she knew it was only her imagination. She would hear it again tonight. And the night after. It was normal now, and yet… it still bothered her. It shouldn’t. She was just weaker than everyone else.

A single tear rolled down her cheek and hit the pavement below with a silent splash, but the girl ignored it. It was time for school anyway, and everyone was used to seeing her cry.

She got to school and walked down the hallway, ignoring the whispers and stares. The girl got to her locker, took off her headphones, and walked, head down, to her first class. 

* * *

The mother stood at the kitchen sink, up to her wrists in dishwater as she cleaned the breakfast plates. He had left for work already, her husband, the one she had once loved. How would she tell the girl, the only light in her world, that she would have to choose…

The mother shook her head, clearing the thoughts away to worry about later. She had a meeting with the lawyer soon and had to get ready first. She finished the dishes, left them to dry beside the sink, and walked into the bedroom to change. 

The mother walked out the front door, locked it behind her, got in her car, and drove away, leaving the silent sentinel of a house behind.

* * *

The father sat at his desk in the lonely office, head in his hands, eyes staring blankly at the page before him. All it needed was his signature. One scribble on a line and everything would change. The father knew he had work to do, that he should… something caught the corner of his eye and he looked up to see the girl’s kindergarten picture sitting beside his computer monitor. He grabbed it and stuffed the picture, frame, and all, under a pile of papers in his bottom desk drawer. There was no need to make this any harder than it had to be. 

The father shook his head and returned to his computer, opening the next email that needed his attention and returning to work. He’d sign it later… later when it wasn’t so hard. 

* * *

The girl walked up the front steps of her house, opening the door and shutting it quietly behind her. She let her backpack slide to the floor with a soft thud and nudged it into the corner with one foot. She looked around the silent house before creeping up the stairs and into her room. The girl shut her bedroom door, leaned her back against it, and slid to the floor, burying her face in her arms. She gave up holding the tears in, but made sure she sobbed quietly enough that those who might be downstairs wouldn’t be able to hear. 

* * *

She entered the house, hung her purse on its hook, entered the kitchen, and sat at the table. Her mind felt… numb. Am I really doing this? Isn’t there another way? The mother didn’t know, she was just trying to escape. She simply couldn’t live in a home with the man she had once loved. He had changed… he wasn’t the same person he was in the beginning. The man he was now was harsh and bitter, always working, always doing something. She never felt the fire that there had once been between them. No, that was of the past. This decision… was for everyone’s good, right? She would be free. The girl… the girl would understand- she would learn to understand.

The mother stood, crossed the small kitchen, and opened the refrigerator. There was food, at least. That was a small blessing. She wouldn’t have to go shopping. She added ingredients to her mixing bowl, making a casserole they could all eat that evening. When she finished mixing everything, the mother poured it into a baking dish slid it into the hot oven, and shut the door. There was still time for her to shower before dinner. She went upstairs to her bedroom and closed the door behind her. 

* * *

The father walked into the house, went into the small office at the back of the house, and set his laptop bag on his desk. He took the paper out of his bag and walked into the kitchen, fists clenched. 

His wife… former wife? Was standing by the stove, taking dinner out of the oven. He slapped the page down on the table loudly. She jumped and turned around, startled. “It’s signed.” He said flatly, face expressionless and eyes angry. She blinked and glanced at the paper, not saying anything. The father felt a sudden dark anger rise in him. “Are you happy now?!” He roared, slamming his open hand against the tabletop. The mother flinched visibly, her shaking hands clutching the front of her shirt. “You wonder why I want to leave you?” She spat at him, voice shaky and eyes filling with tears.

 He couldn’t stand to see her cry. Not now… when everything was so fragile. The father shook his head and stalked angrily out of the room, slamming the door to his office behind him. 

* * *

She could hear her father in the kitchen. The girl heard him yell. Why aren’t the walls thicker? She wondered, listening to her mother’s tearful reply. She wrapped her arms around her knees, holding them tightly, eyes shut tight. 

The girl tried to imagine a better life, a better time when there wasn’t so much fighting and shouting. There weren't so many tears, so much hiding, so much fear. 

It would be dinner time soon, but the girl wasn't hungry. She didn’t want to sit through the uncomfortable silence and pretend they were a normal family. She didn’t want anyone to ask her how her day had been, to try and make small talk with all the issues looming over all their heads. 

The girl didn’t even know what she wanted anymore. Nothing felt safe, nothing felt normal. 

She felt like she was trying to build a bridge, one between the rift forming, her parents on separate sides. She could picture it in her mind. The dark water rushed below. She was trying her best not to fall into that water, but it was getting harder. What awaited below, she had no idea, just that it wasn’t the place she wanted to end up. 

She shook her head, clearing the dark image from her mind. She heard her mother call her for dinner and sighed before standing, opening her door, and creeping down the stairs. 

* * *

The mother had calmed down and no longer looked like she had been crying. She set the table and called the father and her daughter to dinner. 

“How was your day?” She asked the girl, pasting on a false smile. “Fine.” Was the only reply given. The mother nodded encouragingly, eating her meal, though it had no flavor to her. 

The girl didn’t say anything more, she only prodded the food with her fork but didn’t eat. The mother sighed and set down her fork. “Sweetheart… your… father and I wanted to tell you something.” The girl stared down at the table silently, head bowed. “We… We decided that we are going to separate. We’re getting a divorce.”

* * *

He sat at the table with them, but he didn’t feel like he belonged. The father felt like he was already gone. Already forgotten. “We… We decided that we are going to separate. We’re getting a divorce.” The woman said softly but firmly. No going back now. Should he say something? “It’s the best for everyone.” He finally said, breaking the heavy silence.

He watched as the girl nodded once, stood up, and left the room. 

* * *

Divorce. The word echoed in her ears. We’re getting a divorce. It’s the best for everyone. The girl flopped onto her bed, burying under her blankets and pulling them over her head.

 It’s happening. The bridge- her bridge- was gone now. Swallowed by the dark water. She would have to go with her mother. The chasm was complete. Things would never be the same. Her father was the whole way across the divide, her and her mother on this side.

And yet… she thought, the water hasn’t swallowed me yet. The girl wished she could cry, show some emotion at least, but the tears didn’t come. She felt numb, not sad. I guess this is normal now.

* * *

It was done. The girl knew. This is best. I deserve better than this man. 

The mother wrote the girl a letter, explaining the details of everything. The girl would stay with her. She at least was safe. Divorce. The word turned over in her mind, but she felt no regret. It was the best thing for all of them, in the end. 

She left the letter on the table, where the girl would find it. Everything would be okay now.

* * *

The father packed his belongings, loading them into his car silently. There was no point in fighting this. The decision was made and there was no going back from the legal agreement. He wasn’t good enough for this family anyway. Maybe he could find a new wife? He was sad to leave his daughter the most. She, at least, had loved him. He would see her during the summers, that was one small mercy. 

 

 

So there you go!

Today we had to grade our own stories and I gave myself 15/33.

Here's the picture

  Reveal hidden contents

That's all, thanks for reading!

~ Stick  

You absolutely deserve better than the score you gave yourself, that was a wonderfully sad story.

[Just-A-Stick she/her]

1 minute ago, Weaver of Lights said:

You absolutely deserve better than the score you gave yourself, that was a wonderfully sad story.

*hugs* I'm glad you think so 

[Weaver of Lies he/him]

Just now, Just-A-Stick said:

*hugs* I'm glad you think so 

And I’m glad you shared 

[Just-A-Stick she/her]

Arts!

Spoiler

Ta-da!

and while I'm here,

Writes!

Spoiler

 

Pain

 

It hurts.

I feel like my heart

Was torn out of my chest.

Was twisted and squeezed,

Bruised and cut.

 

It wasn’t returned to me either.

I think I’m dying.

 

I didn’t know anything

Could hurt this bad.

 

The tears, as many as there are

Are still inadequate to

Capture this anguish.

 

It hurts.

It’s like no other pain

I’ve ever felt.

 

I can’t move under the weight

Of my sorrow.

I can’t breathe.

Do I even want to?

 

I can do nothing

But lie here

In the dark,

Alone.

 

Staring up at my ceiling,

Sobbing the battered

Remains of my

Heart out.

 

I’m dying.

I can feel the life

Ebbing away from my

Cold, shaking body.

 

The breath in my lungs

Rattles back and forth.

 

I am dying.

I can’t survive this.

It hurts to much.

 

Pain.

Can’t anymore.

Dying.

 

~ Stick 4-22-24

 

 

 

~ Stick

[WhyEverNot_8 he/him]

On 4/18/2024 at 7:15 PM, Anguished_One said:

Y'all mind if I post a school writing assignment?

No?

Cool!

We had to do a "photo story"

We were handed a sheet of paper with 5 photos on it and had to choose one as the theme of the story!

I'll post the story and at the bottom will be the picture I chose!

Enjoy!  

  Reveal hidden contents

TW: Divorce

  Reveal hidden contents

April 17, 2024

 

The Chasm Between

 

 

The girl walked slowly along the sidewalk, hood up, headphones on, trying to block out the yelling. She could still hear it, though she knew it was only her imagination. She would hear it again tonight. And the night after. It was normal now, and yet… it still bothered her. It shouldn’t. She was just weaker than everyone else.

A single tear rolled down her cheek and hit the pavement below with a silent splash, but the girl ignored it. It was time for school anyway, and everyone was used to seeing her cry.

She got to school and walked down the hallway, ignoring the whispers and stares. The girl got to her locker, took off her headphones, and walked, head down, to her first class. 

* * *

The mother stood at the kitchen sink, up to her wrists in dishwater as she cleaned the breakfast plates. He had left for work already, her husband, the one she had once loved. How would she tell the girl, the only light in her world, that she would have to choose…

The mother shook her head, clearing the thoughts away to worry about later. She had a meeting with the lawyer soon and had to get ready first. She finished the dishes, left them to dry beside the sink, and walked into the bedroom to change. 

The mother walked out the front door, locked it behind her, got in her car, and drove away, leaving the silent sentinel of a house behind.

* * *

The father sat at his desk in the lonely office, head in his hands, eyes staring blankly at the page before him. All it needed was his signature. One scribble on a line and everything would change. The father knew he had work to do, that he should… something caught the corner of his eye and he looked up to see the girl’s kindergarten picture sitting beside his computer monitor. He grabbed it and stuffed the picture, frame, and all, under a pile of papers in his bottom desk drawer. There was no need to make this any harder than it had to be. 

The father shook his head and returned to his computer, opening the next email that needed his attention and returning to work. He’d sign it later… later when it wasn’t so hard. 

* * *

The girl walked up the front steps of her house, opening the door and shutting it quietly behind her. She let her backpack slide to the floor with a soft thud and nudged it into the corner with one foot. She looked around the silent house before creeping up the stairs and into her room. The girl shut her bedroom door, leaned her back against it, and slid to the floor, burying her face in her arms. She gave up holding the tears in, but made sure she sobbed quietly enough that those who might be downstairs wouldn’t be able to hear. 

* * *

She entered the house, hung her purse on its hook, entered the kitchen, and sat at the table. Her mind felt… numb. Am I really doing this? Isn’t there another way? The mother didn’t know, she was just trying to escape. She simply couldn’t live in a home with the man she had once loved. He had changed… he wasn’t the same person he was in the beginning. The man he was now was harsh and bitter, always working, always doing something. She never felt the fire that there had once been between them. No, that was of the past. This decision… was for everyone’s good, right? She would be free. The girl… the girl would understand- she would learn to understand.

The mother stood, crossed the small kitchen, and opened the refrigerator. There was food, at least. That was a small blessing. She wouldn’t have to go shopping. She added ingredients to her mixing bowl, making a casserole they could all eat that evening. When she finished mixing everything, the mother poured it into a baking dish slid it into the hot oven, and shut the door. There was still time for her to shower before dinner. She went upstairs to her bedroom and closed the door behind her. 

* * *

The father walked into the house, went into the small office at the back of the house, and set his laptop bag on his desk. He took the paper out of his bag and walked into the kitchen, fists clenched. 

His wife… former wife? Was standing by the stove, taking dinner out of the oven. He slapped the page down on the table loudly. She jumped and turned around, startled. “It’s signed.” He said flatly, face expressionless and eyes angry. She blinked and glanced at the paper, not saying anything. The father felt a sudden dark anger rise in him. “Are you happy now?!” He roared, slamming his open hand against the tabletop. The mother flinched visibly, her shaking hands clutching the front of her shirt. “You wonder why I want to leave you?” She spat at him, voice shaky and eyes filling with tears.

 He couldn’t stand to see her cry. Not now… when everything was so fragile. The father shook his head and stalked angrily out of the room, slamming the door to his office behind him. 

* * *

She could hear her father in the kitchen. The girl heard him yell. Why aren’t the walls thicker? She wondered, listening to her mother’s tearful reply. She wrapped her arms around her knees, holding them tightly, eyes shut tight. 

The girl tried to imagine a better life, a better time when there wasn’t so much fighting and shouting. There weren't so many tears, so much hiding, so much fear. 

It would be dinner time soon, but the girl wasn't hungry. She didn’t want to sit through the uncomfortable silence and pretend they were a normal family. She didn’t want anyone to ask her how her day had been, to try and make small talk with all the issues looming over all their heads. 

The girl didn’t even know what she wanted anymore. Nothing felt safe, nothing felt normal. 

She felt like she was trying to build a bridge, one between the rift forming, her parents on separate sides. She could picture it in her mind. The dark water rushed below. She was trying her best not to fall into that water, but it was getting harder. What awaited below, she had no idea, just that it wasn’t the place she wanted to end up. 

She shook her head, clearing the dark image from her mind. She heard her mother call her for dinner and sighed before standing, opening her door, and creeping down the stairs. 

* * *

The mother had calmed down and no longer looked like she had been crying. She set the table and called the father and her daughter to dinner. 

“How was your day?” She asked the girl, pasting on a false smile. “Fine.” Was the only reply given. The mother nodded encouragingly, eating her meal, though it had no flavor to her. 

The girl didn’t say anything more, she only prodded the food with her fork but didn’t eat. The mother sighed and set down her fork. “Sweetheart… your… father and I wanted to tell you something.” The girl stared down at the table silently, head bowed. “We… We decided that we are going to separate. We’re getting a divorce.”

* * *

He sat at the table with them, but he didn’t feel like he belonged. The father felt like he was already gone. Already forgotten. “We… We decided that we are going to separate. We’re getting a divorce.” The woman said softly but firmly. No going back now. Should he say something? “It’s the best for everyone.” He finally said, breaking the heavy silence.

He watched as the girl nodded once, stood up, and left the room. 

* * *

Divorce. The word echoed in her ears. We’re getting a divorce. It’s the best for everyone. The girl flopped onto her bed, burying under her blankets and pulling them over her head.

 It’s happening. The bridge- her bridge- was gone now. Swallowed by the dark water. She would have to go with her mother. The chasm was complete. Things would never be the same. Her father was the whole way across the divide, her and her mother on this side.

And yet… she thought, the water hasn’t swallowed me yet. The girl wished she could cry, show some emotion at least, but the tears didn’t come. She felt numb, not sad. I guess this is normal now.

* * *

It was done. The girl knew. This is best. I deserve better than this man. 

The mother wrote the girl a letter, explaining the details of everything. The girl would stay with her. She at least was safe. Divorce. The word turned over in her mind, but she felt no regret. It was the best thing for all of them, in the end. 

She left the letter on the table, where the girl would find it. Everything would be okay now.

* * *

The father packed his belongings, loading them into his car silently. There was no point in fighting this. The decision was made and there was no going back from the legal agreement. He wasn’t good enough for this family anyway. Maybe he could find a new wife? He was sad to leave his daughter the most. She, at least, had loved him. He would see her during the summers, that was one small mercy. 

 

 

So there you go!

Today we had to grade our own stories and I gave myself 15/33.

Here's the picture

  Reveal hidden contents

That's all, thanks for reading!

~ Stick  

*Takes happy face and stretches my lips down to a frown, scrunching my eyes mock-angrily*

Stick… That’s a lot more than a 15/33, I’d give it a 30/33 (for sadness and a few other things)

[Just-A-Stick she/her]

1 hour ago, WhyEverNot_8 said:

*Takes happy face and stretches my lips down to a frown, scrunching my eyes mock-angrily*

Stick… That’s a lot more than a 15/33, I’d give it a 30/33 (for sadness and a few other things)

Aww, thank you! 

[Just-A-Stick she/her]

Writes things happened.

Spoiler

Exploring

 

“Let’s go exploring!”

They say, grabbing your hand

And dragging you along.

“Okay?” You- we are confused.

Why do we need to explore?

Oh right.

To find the problems.

 

“Tell me everything.” They say.

We can’t refuse them, so we start

Talking.

We talk

And

Talk,

Using up

Our words,

Sapping away

Our energy,

Emotions and

Everything

Else.

 

“Deeper! Dig deeper! We are

Exploring.”

Can we go much deeper

Before our tunnel

Collapses?

I guess we are going to

Find out,

Aren’t we.

Explore every

Lie,

Every doubt,

Every dank

Dark

Corner

Of this place.

We’ll see how soon

The tunnel

Collapses, shutting

Everyone

And everything

Out.

Then there would be

No more exploring.

No more digging,

No more pain.

 

“Tell me about this part?”

We don’t want to talk

About that.

But we do.

We open our mouth and

Use more

Useless

Words.

 

Useless words that

Hold nothing for us

Anymore.

We still write, yes.

But do they mean anything?

Full of words,

Exploring through words.

 

Going deeper through words.

Explaining what

Nobody else can

Ever understand

Through

Words.

 

They seem so empty,

So

Inadequate.

 

Fragile and

Fickle,

Slippery,

Hard to

Straighten

Into a line

That they

Will understand.

 

If they don’t understand,

Then they- we, I guess-

Need to explore deeper.

Closer to collapse.

 

We are so tired.

 

“Let’s explore more!”

So we do.

 

Stuck exploring what

Should have been

Left alone.

 

~ Stick 4-23-24

 

[RoyalBeeMage he/him]

On 4/19/2024 at 8:15 AM, Anguished_One said:

Y'all mind if I post a school writing assignment?

No?

Cool!

We had to do a "photo story"

We were handed a sheet of paper with 5 photos on it and had to choose one as the theme of the story!

I'll post the story and at the bottom will be the picture I chose!

Enjoy!  

  Hide contents

TW: Divorce

  Hide contents

April 17, 2024

 

The Chasm Between

 

 

The girl walked slowly along the sidewalk, hood up, headphones on, trying to block out the yelling. She could still hear it, though she knew it was only her imagination. She would hear it again tonight. And the night after. It was normal now, and yet… it still bothered her. It shouldn’t. She was just weaker than everyone else.

A single tear rolled down her cheek and hit the pavement below with a silent splash, but the girl ignored it. It was time for school anyway, and everyone was used to seeing her cry.

She got to school and walked down the hallway, ignoring the whispers and stares. The girl got to her locker, took off her headphones, and walked, head down, to her first class. 

* * *

The mother stood at the kitchen sink, up to her wrists in dishwater as she cleaned the breakfast plates. He had left for work already, her husband, the one she had once loved. How would she tell the girl, the only light in her world, that she would have to choose…

The mother shook her head, clearing the thoughts away to worry about later. She had a meeting with the lawyer soon and had to get ready first. She finished the dishes, left them to dry beside the sink, and walked into the bedroom to change. 

The mother walked out the front door, locked it behind her, got in her car, and drove away, leaving the silent sentinel of a house behind.

* * *

The father sat at his desk in the lonely office, head in his hands, eyes staring blankly at the page before him. All it needed was his signature. One scribble on a line and everything would change. The father knew he had work to do, that he should… something caught the corner of his eye and he looked up to see the girl’s kindergarten picture sitting beside his computer monitor. He grabbed it and stuffed the picture, frame, and all, under a pile of papers in his bottom desk drawer. There was no need to make this any harder than it had to be. 

The father shook his head and returned to his computer, opening the next email that needed his attention and returning to work. He’d sign it later… later when it wasn’t so hard. 

* * *

The girl walked up the front steps of her house, opening the door and shutting it quietly behind her. She let her backpack slide to the floor with a soft thud and nudged it into the corner with one foot. She looked around the silent house before creeping up the stairs and into her room. The girl shut her bedroom door, leaned her back against it, and slid to the floor, burying her face in her arms. She gave up holding the tears in, but made sure she sobbed quietly enough that those who might be downstairs wouldn’t be able to hear. 

* * *

She entered the house, hung her purse on its hook, entered the kitchen, and sat at the table. Her mind felt… numb. Am I really doing this? Isn’t there another way? The mother didn’t know, she was just trying to escape. She simply couldn’t live in a home with the man she had once loved. He had changed… he wasn’t the same person he was in the beginning. The man he was now was harsh and bitter, always working, always doing something. She never felt the fire that there had once been between them. No, that was of the past. This decision… was for everyone’s good, right? She would be free. The girl… the girl would understand- she would learn to understand.

The mother stood, crossed the small kitchen, and opened the refrigerator. There was food, at least. That was a small blessing. She wouldn’t have to go shopping. She added ingredients to her mixing bowl, making a casserole they could all eat that evening. When she finished mixing everything, the mother poured it into a baking dish slid it into the hot oven, and shut the door. There was still time for her to shower before dinner. She went upstairs to her bedroom and closed the door behind her. 

* * *

The father walked into the house, went into the small office at the back of the house, and set his laptop bag on his desk. He took the paper out of his bag and walked into the kitchen, fists clenched. 

His wife… former wife? Was standing by the stove, taking dinner out of the oven. He slapped the page down on the table loudly. She jumped and turned around, startled. “It’s signed.” He said flatly, face expressionless and eyes angry. She blinked and glanced at the paper, not saying anything. The father felt a sudden dark anger rise in him. “Are you happy now?!” He roared, slamming his open hand against the tabletop. The mother flinched visibly, her shaking hands clutching the front of her shirt. “You wonder why I want to leave you?” She spat at him, voice shaky and eyes filling with tears.

 He couldn’t stand to see her cry. Not now… when everything was so fragile. The father shook his head and stalked angrily out of the room, slamming the door to his office behind him. 

* * *

She could hear her father in the kitchen. The girl heard him yell. Why aren’t the walls thicker? She wondered, listening to her mother’s tearful reply. She wrapped her arms around her knees, holding them tightly, eyes shut tight. 

The girl tried to imagine a better life, a better time when there wasn’t so much fighting and shouting. There weren't so many tears, so much hiding, so much fear. 

It would be dinner time soon, but the girl wasn't hungry. She didn’t want to sit through the uncomfortable silence and pretend they were a normal family. She didn’t want anyone to ask her how her day had been, to try and make small talk with all the issues looming over all their heads. 

The girl didn’t even know what she wanted anymore. Nothing felt safe, nothing felt normal. 

She felt like she was trying to build a bridge, one between the rift forming, her parents on separate sides. She could picture it in her mind. The dark water rushed below. She was trying her best not to fall into that water, but it was getting harder. What awaited below, she had no idea, just that it wasn’t the place she wanted to end up. 

She shook her head, clearing the dark image from her mind. She heard her mother call her for dinner and sighed before standing, opening her door, and creeping down the stairs. 

* * *

The mother had calmed down and no longer looked like she had been crying. She set the table and called the father and her daughter to dinner. 

“How was your day?” She asked the girl, pasting on a false smile. “Fine.” Was the only reply given. The mother nodded encouragingly, eating her meal, though it had no flavor to her. 

The girl didn’t say anything more, she only prodded the food with her fork but didn’t eat. The mother sighed and set down her fork. “Sweetheart… your… father and I wanted to tell you something.” The girl stared down at the table silently, head bowed. “We… We decided that we are going to separate. We’re getting a divorce.”

* * *

He sat at the table with them, but he didn’t feel like he belonged. The father felt like he was already gone. Already forgotten. “We… We decided that we are going to separate. We’re getting a divorce.” The woman said softly but firmly. No going back now. Should he say something? “It’s the best for everyone.” He finally said, breaking the heavy silence.

He watched as the girl nodded once, stood up, and left the room. 

* * *

Divorce. The word echoed in her ears. We’re getting a divorce. It’s the best for everyone. The girl flopped onto her bed, burying under her blankets and pulling them over her head.

 It’s happening. The bridge- her bridge- was gone now. Swallowed by the dark water. She would have to go with her mother. The chasm was complete. Things would never be the same. Her father was the whole way across the divide, her and her mother on this side.

And yet… she thought, the water hasn’t swallowed me yet. The girl wished she could cry, show some emotion at least, but the tears didn’t come. She felt numb, not sad. I guess this is normal now.

* * *

It was done. The girl knew. This is best. I deserve better than this man. 

The mother wrote the girl a letter, explaining the details of everything. The girl would stay with her. She at least was safe. Divorce. The word turned over in her mind, but she felt no regret. It was the best thing for all of them, in the end. 

She left the letter on the table, where the girl would find it. Everything would be okay now.

* * *

The father packed his belongings, loading them into his car silently. There was no point in fighting this. The decision was made and there was no going back from the legal agreement. He wasn’t good enough for this family anyway. Maybe he could find a new wife? He was sad to leave his daughter the most. She, at least, had loved him. He would see her during the summers, that was one small mercy. 

 

 

So there you go!

Today we had to grade our own stories and I gave myself 15/33.

Here's the picture

  Hide contents

That's all, thanks for reading!

~ Stick  

wow! i love it! in a way...

9 hours ago, Anguished_One said:

Arts!

  Hide contents

Ta-da!

and while I'm here,

Writes!

  Hide contents

 

Pain

 

It hurts.

I feel like my heart

Was torn out of my chest.

Was twisted and squeezed,

Bruised and cut.

 

It wasn’t returned to me either.

I think I’m dying.

 

I didn’t know anything

Could hurt this bad.

 

The tears, as many as there are

Are still inadequate to

Capture this anguish.

 

It hurts.

It’s like no other pain

I’ve ever felt.

 

I can’t move under the weight

Of my sorrow.

I can’t breathe.

Do I even want to?

 

I can do nothing

But lie here

In the dark,

Alone.

 

Staring up at my ceiling,

Sobbing the battered

Remains of my

Heart out.

 

I’m dying.

I can feel the life

Ebbing away from my

Cold, shaking body.

 

The breath in my lungs

Rattles back and forth.

 

I am dying.

I can’t survive this.

It hurts to much.

 

Pain.

Can’t anymore.

Dying.

 

~ Stick 4-22-24

 

 

 

~ Stick

the art look amazing!

6 hours ago, Anguished_One said:

Writes things happened.

  Hide contents

Exploring

 

“Let’s go exploring!”

They say, grabbing your hand

And dragging you along.

“Okay?” You- we are confused.

Why do we need to explore?

Oh right.

To find the problems.

 

“Tell me everything.” They say.

We can’t refuse them, so we start

Talking.

We talk

And

Talk,

Using up

Our words,

Sapping away

Our energy,

Emotions and

Everything

Else.

 

“Deeper! Dig deeper! We are

Exploring.”

Can we go much deeper

Before our tunnel

Collapses?

I guess we are going to

Find out,

Aren’t we.

Explore every

Lie,

Every doubt,

Every dank

Dark

Corner

Of this place.

We’ll see how soon

The tunnel

Collapses, shutting

Everyone

And everything

Out.

Then there would be

No more exploring.

No more digging,

No more pain.

 

“Tell me about this part?”

We don’t want to talk

About that.

But we do.

We open our mouth and

Use more

Useless

Words.

 

Useless words that

Hold nothing for us

Anymore.

We still write, yes.

But do they mean anything?

Full of words,

Exploring through words.

 

Going deeper through words.

Explaining what

Nobody else can

Ever understand

Through

Words.

 

They seem so empty,

So

Inadequate.

 

Fragile and

Fickle,

Slippery,

Hard to

Straighten

Into a line

That they

Will understand.

 

If they don’t understand,

Then they- we, I guess-

Need to explore deeper.

Closer to collapse.

 

We are so tired.

 

“Let’s explore more!”

So we do.

 

Stuck exploring what

Should have been

Left alone.

 

~ Stick 4-23-24

 

that is good.

[Just-A-Stick she/her]

14 hours ago, RoyalBeeMage said:

wow! i love it! in a way...

the art look amazing!

that is good.

Thank you  

[Just-A-Stick she/her]

Sorry for the double post.

Poem!

(because you do apparently have to suffer to write.)

Spoiler

Flowers in Fire

 

Little

Purple

Flowers.

 

Violets.

Fresh,

Innocent,

Beautiful and

Harmless.

 

Pluck them

Out of

The

Dirt from

Whence they

Grew.

 

Arrange them,

Add leaves,

Texture,

Grasses.

 

Behold your

Creation; beautiful,

Nearly

Perfect.

 

Adjust it

Slightly,

A tiny leaf

Here,

Another flower

There.

 

Let the sun

Catch it

And play through

The foliage.

 

Take a tiny

Step back.

Admire.

 

Show off,

Receive compliments,

Feel happy.

 

Feelings fade,

Feel empty.

Look down…

 

You thought it

Was beautiful.

But it now

Seems to

Perfect for you.

 

You grasp them

Tightly,

Crushing the

Tender young

Stems.

You don’t care

Anymore.

 

You are angry,

But don’t know why.

They are just flowers.

And yet…

 

You take your

Masterful,

Tiny

Bouquet,

And lay it gently

Into the

Pile of burning

Wood.

 

You watch the

Smoke rise,

The flame

Stroke the

Edges.

Watch the tiny

Leaves and

Flowers

Shrivel.

Turn black

And

Die.

 

Dead in the ashes.

 

Such is the

Result

Of flowers

In fire.

 

~ Stick 4-24-24

@Edema Rue had something really profound to add to this. Eddie, dear, will you kindly repeat what you sent me? 

[Edema Rue she/her]

33 minutes ago, Anguished_One said:

Sorry for the double post.

Poem!

(because you do apparently have to suffer to write.)

  Reveal hidden contents

Flowers in Fire

 

Little

Purple

Flowers.

 

Violets.

Fresh,

Innocent,

Beautiful and

Harmless.

 

Pluck them

Out of

The

Dirt from

Whence they

Grew.

 

Arrange them,

Add leaves,

Texture,

Grasses.

 

Behold your

Creation; beautiful,

Nearly

Perfect.

 

Adjust it

Slightly,

A tiny leaf

Here,

Another flower

There.

 

Let the sun

Catch it

And play through

The foliage.

 

Take a tiny

Step back.

Admire.

 

Show off,

Receive compliments,

Feel happy.

 

Feelings fade,

Feel empty.

Look down…

 

You thought it

Was beautiful.

But it now

Seems to

Perfect for you.

 

You grasp them

Tightly,

Crushing the

Tender young

Stems.

You don’t care

Anymore.

 

You are angry,

But don’t know why.

They are just flowers.

And yet…

 

You take your

Masterful,

Tiny

Bouquet,

And lay it gently

Into the

Pile of burning

Wood.

 

You watch the

Smoke rise,

The flame

Stroke the

Edges.

Watch the tiny

Leaves and

Flowers

Shrivel.

Turn black

And

Die.

 

Dead in the ashes.

 

Such is the

Result

Of flowers

In fire.

 

~ Stick 4-24-24

@Edema Rue had something really profound to add to this. Eddie, dear, will you kindly repeat what you sent me? 

<333

Spoiler

The flowers
Are burnt
Shriveled
Dead
But not gone

Seeds
Pop in the fire
And memories
Of all
That they were

Little
Purple violets
Beautiful
Despite
Being dead

Little
Hopeful flowers
Will someday grow
From the ashes

Just trying to add a little hope wherever I can. Love you, dear Sticky

[Just-A-Stick she/her]

1 minute ago, Edema Rue said:

<333

  Reveal hidden contents

The flowers
Are burnt
Shriveled
Dead
But not gone

Seeds
Pop in the fire
And memories
Of all
That they were

Little
Purple violets
Beautiful
Despite
Being dead

Little
Hopeful flowers
Will someday grow
From the ashes

Just trying to add a little hope wherever I can. Love you, dear Sticky

Love you toooo  

Thank you  

[WhyEverNot_8 he/him]

Combo poem!

It’s beautiful 

[Just-A-Stick she/her]

2 more poems!

Spoiler

Outside Looking In

 

Standing there

Looking through

The glass

At the happy gathering

On the other

Side

 

Wondering

Hoping

That one

Day

We’ll be

Let in

 

We’re so tired

Of being on the

Outside

 

We aren’t allowed

To play their games

To ask the questions

To be like them

 

We are on the

Outside

 

We can see

But we can never

Be apart

 

That isn’t who we are

We aren’t included

We don’t belong

 

It’s just us

Me and you

Alone in our

Head

 

Unable to escape

Unable to join in

Unwilling to stop

Trying to fit

 

Sometimes

We catch a

Glimpse

Of the inside

A tiny snippet

Of their world

Of who they are

 

Sometimes

 

But then

We are too weird

To messed up

The outcast

Once more

 

Stuck inside

Talking to each other

But nobody

Wants to be friends

With the girl

Who talks to

Herself

 

She belongs on the outside

We are on the outside

Just trying

To be

Let in

 

~ Stick 4-25-24

Spoiler

Head Down

 

Look at the floor.

Become invisible.

Observe only

The ground beneath

You.

 

They don’t

Want you staring.

 

They don’t

Want to see

You.

 

You need to

Fix your eyes

On the dust

From whence

You came.

 

After all,

It’s where you

Belong.

 

Don’t look up,

Don’t ask questions,

Become the one

Who can be

Ignored.

 

They don’t want

You here.

 

Keep

Looking down.

Down is safer.

Down is where

You won’t get

Hurt.

 

Where you won’t get

Yelled at.

 

Where you’re

Safest.

 

Just look

Down.

 

Bow your head

Pretend to be

Busy.

Pretend you

Are too

Lowly to

Look upon

The faces of

Others.

 

Avoid their eyes.

Look at their shoes.

Look at your shoes.

Head down.

 

Always head

Down.

 

~ Stick 4-25-24

There ya go  

[Wierdo he/him]

26 minutes ago, Anguished_One said:

2 more poems!

  Hide contents

Outside Looking In

 

Standing there

Looking through

The glass

At the happy gathering

On the other

Side

 

Wondering

Hoping

That one

Day

We’ll be

Let in

 

We’re so tired

Of being on the

Outside

 

We aren’t allowed

To play their games

To ask the questions

To be like them

 

We are on the

Outside

 

We can see

But we can never

Be apart

 

That isn’t who we are

We aren’t included

We don’t belong

 

It’s just us

Me and you

Alone in our

Head

 

Unable to escape

Unable to join in

Unwilling to stop

Trying to fit

 

Sometimes

We catch a

Glimpse

Of the inside

A tiny snippet

Of their world

Of who they are

 

Sometimes

 

But then

We are too weird

To messed up

The outcast

Once more

 

Stuck inside

Talking to each other

But nobody

Wants to be friends

With the girl

Who talks to

Herself

 

She belongs on the outside

We are on the outside

Just trying

To be

Let in

 

~ Stick 4-25-24

  Hide contents

Head Down

 

Look at the floor.

Become invisible.

Observe only

The ground beneath

You.

 

They don’t

Want you staring.

 

They don’t

Want to see

You.

 

You need to

Fix your eyes

On the dust

From whence

You came.

 

After all,

It’s where you

Belong.

 

Don’t look up,

Don’t ask questions,

Become the one

Who can be

Ignored.

 

They don’t want

You here.

 

Keep

Looking down.

Down is safer.

Down is where

You won’t get

Hurt.

 

Where you won’t get

Yelled at.

 

Where you’re

Safest.

 

Just look

Down.

 

Bow your head

Pretend to be

Busy.

Pretend you

Are too

Lowly to

Look upon

The faces of

Others.

 

Avoid their eyes.

Look at their shoes.

Look at your shoes.

Head down.

 

Always head

Down.

 

~ Stick 4-25-24

There ya go  

That... *Massive hug* 

[Just-A-Stick she/her]

1 minute ago, Wierdo said:

That... *Massive hug* 

*accepts and also hugs*

...it was a long bus ride... new school... people-humans. 

[Wierdo he/him]

2 minutes ago, Anguished_One said:

*accepts and also hugs*

...it was a long bus ride... new school... people-humans. 

Me understand.

[Just-A-Stick she/her]

1 minute ago, Wierdo said:

Me understand.

*hugs more of muches huggzies*

I'm sorry you do

'tis not fun

 

[Wierdo he/him]

3 minutes ago, Anguished_One said:

*hugs more of muches huggzies*

I'm sorry you do

'tis not fun

 

Very- 
*lots-a hug-a *

Edited April 26 by Wierdo

[Through The Living Glass She/Her]

1 hour ago, Anguished_One said:

2 more poems!

  Reveal hidden contents

Outside Looking In

 

Standing there

Looking through

The glass

At the happy gathering

On the other

Side

 

Wondering

Hoping

That one

Day

We’ll be

Let in

 

We’re so tired

Of being on the

Outside

 

We aren’t allowed

To play their games

To ask the questions

To be like them

 

We are on the

Outside

 

We can see

But we can never

Be apart

 

That isn’t who we are

We aren’t included

We don’t belong

 

It’s just us

Me and you

Alone in our

Head

 

Unable to escape

Unable to join in

Unwilling to stop

Trying to fit

 

Sometimes

We catch a

Glimpse

Of the inside

A tiny snippet

Of their world

Of who they are

 

Sometimes

 

But then

We are too weird

To messed up

The outcast

Once more

 

Stuck inside

Talking to each other

But nobody

Wants to be friends

With the girl

Who talks to

Herself

 

She belongs on the outside

We are on the outside

Just trying

To be

Let in

 

~ Stick 4-25-24

  Reveal hidden contents

Head Down

 

Look at the floor.

Become invisible.

Observe only

The ground beneath

You.

 

They don’t

Want you staring.

 

They don’t

Want to see

You.

 

You need to

Fix your eyes

On the dust

From whence

You came.

 

After all,

It’s where you

Belong.

 

Don’t look up,

Don’t ask questions,

Become the one

Who can be

Ignored.

 

They don’t want

You here.

 

Keep

Looking down.

Down is safer.

Down is where

You won’t get

Hurt.

 

Where you won’t get

Yelled at.

 

Where you’re

Safest.

 

Just look

Down.

 

Bow your head

Pretend to be

Busy.

Pretend you

Are too

Lowly to

Look upon

The faces of

Others.

 

Avoid their eyes.

Look at their shoes.

Look at your shoes.

Head down.

 

Always head

Down.

 

~ Stick 4-25-24

There ya go  

*sigh* I wish I could give you a hug for real.

[WhyEverNot_8 he/him]

13 hours ago, Through The Living Glass said:

*sigh* I wish I could give you a hug for real.

 

14 hours ago, Anguished_One said:

2 more poems!

  Reveal hidden contents

Outside Looking In

 

Standing there

Looking through

The glass

At the happy gathering

On the other

Side

 

Wondering

Hoping

That one

Day

We’ll be

Let in

 

We’re so tired

Of being on the

Outside

 

We aren’t allowed

To play their games

To ask the questions

To be like them

 

We are on the

Outside

 

We can see

But we can never

Be apart

 

That isn’t who we are

We aren’t included

We don’t belong

 

It’s just us

Me and you

Alone in our

Head

 

Unable to escape

Unable to join in

Unwilling to stop

Trying to fit

 

Sometimes

We catch a

Glimpse

Of the inside

A tiny snippet

Of their world

Of who they are

 

Sometimes

 

But then

We are too weird

To messed up

The outcast

Once more

 

Stuck inside

Talking to each other

But nobody

Wants to be friends

With the girl

Who talks to

Herself

 

She belongs on the outside

We are on the outside

Just trying

To be

Let in

 

~ Stick 4-25-24

  Reveal hidden contents

Head Down

 

Look at the floor.

Become invisible.

Observe only

The ground beneath

You.

 

They don’t

Want you staring.

 

They don’t

Want to see

You.

 

You need to

Fix your eyes

On the dust

From whence

You came.

 

After all,

It’s where you

Belong.

 

Don’t look up,

Don’t ask questions,

Become the one

Who can be

Ignored.

 

They don’t want

You here.

 

Keep

Looking down.

Down is safer.

Down is where

You won’t get

Hurt.

 

Where you won’t get

Yelled at.

 

Where you’re

Safest.

 

Just look

Down.

 

Bow your head

Pretend to be

Busy.

Pretend you

Are too

Lowly to

Look upon

The faces of

Others.

 

Avoid their eyes.

Look at their shoes.

Look at your shoes.

Head down.

 

Always head

Down.

 

~ Stick 4-25-24

There ya go  

Wait…. “Looking Through the Glass” hmmmmm… seems inspired by our good friend @Through The Living Glass.

They’re beautiful poems @Anguished_One!

*brotherly hugs*

[Through The Living Glass She/Her]

10 minutes ago, WhyEverNot_8 said:

Wait…. “Looking Through the Glass” hmmmmm… seems inspired by our good friend @Through The Living Glass.

 

[Just-A-Stick she/her]

20 hours ago, Through The Living Glass said:

*sigh* I wish I could give you a hug for real.

 

6 hours ago, WhyEverNot_8 said:

 

Wait…. “Looking Through the Glass” hmmmmm… seems inspired by our good friend @Through The Living Glass.

They’re beautiful poems @Anguished_One!

*brotherly hugs*

*hugs*

thank you

[Just-A-Stick she/her]

Poem!

Spoiler

Little Sisters

 

Running, jumping,

Screaming

 

Makeup and dress up,

Stuffed animals and

Henna,

Playing games,

Out for dinner

 

Tic-tac-toe,

Drawing with crayons,

Fry-eating contests

 

Piggyback rides,

Belting contests,

The Greatest Showman

 

Tiny sticky fingers,

Capturing your own,

Tugging you along,

Back to the land

Of princess, of house

Of school-

 

Looking up at you

Bright grey eyes,

Through them,

You can do no wrong

 

“I love you.”

A quiet whisper

During movie time

On the couch.

 

Words that shoot

Through your veins,

Straight to the heart,

Warming you through and

Through, even as they scoot closer.

 

“You’re so good at everything!”

“Can you teach me?”

“You’re so smart!”

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

“Can you put henna on me

Pleeeease?”

“Can we make bracelets?”

“Can you carry me?”

“You’re so strong!”

“Look what I made you!

It’s special, just for

You!”

 

Tiny sisters,

So young,

Sweet,

Innocent.

My beautiful sisters,

Unrelated to me,

But mine all the same.

 

~ Stick 4-28-24

 

[Through The Living Glass She/Her]

1 hour ago, Anguished_One said:

Poem!

  Reveal hidden contents

Little Sisters

 

Running, jumping,

Screaming

 

Makeup and dress up,

Stuffed animals and

Henna,

Playing games,

Out for dinner

 

Tic-tac-toe,

Drawing with crayons,

Fry-eating contests

 

Piggyback rides,

Belting contests,

The Greatest Showman

 

Tiny sticky fingers,

Capturing your own,

Tugging you along,

Back to the land

Of princess, of house

Of school-

 

Looking up at you

Bright grey eyes,

Through them,

You can do no wrong

 

“I love you.”

A quiet whisper

During movie time

On the couch.

 

Words that shoot

Through your veins,

Straight to the heart,

Warming you through and

Through, even as they scoot closer.

 

“You’re so good at everything!”

“Can you teach me?”

“You’re so smart!”

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

“Can you put henna on me

Pleeeease?”

“Can we make bracelets?”

“Can you carry me?”

“You’re so strong!”

“Look what I made you!

It’s special, just for

You!”

 

Tiny sisters,

So young,

Sweet,

Innocent.

My beautiful sisters,

Unrelated to me,

But mine all the same.

 

~ Stick 4-28-24

 

Beautiful