The Host- By Hauoli Kahaleuahi

The responsibility is simple,

Vanish should stress and all that comes with it.

A time spent reminiscing memories

Is what was supposed to become of now.

‘Stead, emotions whirlwind in a spiral,

Downward not up, down towards emptiness.

Surfaces here are damp like cave floors,

Frigid, icy rocks dripping tear drops.

The tears fall as bodies push together,

Squeezing tighter, tighter, tighter and more.

Continues the overwhelming empty,

Desperate to consume every breath.

Winds rise in speed, airs rapidly descend.

Yet, wisps of fire twirl within the soul

Of whom happiness was once meant to reign.

Ignited in flames, it wildly screams.

Screeching heard inside is muted outside

As smiles mask the truth of misery.

The heart, pounding in fury, only yearns

For the once deafening pierce of silence.

“Shhh!” shouts the heart, beating faster and more.

Reality is realized now.

Discovered is an introverted one

Who desires the feeling of alone.

If only slamming the door to the world

Could be done swiftly, putting end to noise,

Suffering, an aching felt from beneath.

‘Stead, forced to spread warmth is the heart that yearns.

So smiles mask the truth of misery,

Yes smiles mask the truth of misery.

Guest

BY NUAR ALSADIR

Your mother’s in the kitchen and out

and in again. It’s all about them.

They’ve taken over like the dark cloud

hanging low over the back yard,

a fat aunt coming in for a hug.

Enough’s enough. The door opens:

new guests flow in as the old

back you up like mangroves.

Why get dressed up to stay in?

Pretend to befriend other children

because they have been dumped next to you?

Resistance, then fire, then to your room

without toys. Later, it’ll be the boys

to whom your friends will cater,

seem to love best. Such is the fate

of the steadfast: you’ll never be a guest.