Poetry has been a popular form of literature for centuries. Authors use flowery words and other elements of prose to create a vivid image in their readers’ imaginations to achieve their goal of conveying a message or expressing their innermost thoughts and emotions.
Michelle Dacalos, a 25-year-old writer from Cebu, embraces the relevance of poetry in society and uses it to become her medium of expression. She finds the form more effective as it allows her to explore ideas beyond her comfort zone and discover more about herself as an individual.
“I began writing poetry during college when I was diagnosed with depression. I sought inspiration from poets like Charles Bukowski and Sylvia Plath because I felt their works resonated with me the most. Eventually, I developed my own way of writing, which could be dark sometimes, but it allows me to appreciate good times when they come around,” she said.
Dacalos shared that her poetry has helped her through trying times. While she doesn’t write as often as before, she finds refuge in turning to pen and paper to express her thoughts and realize new things.
Escaping the chasm
(“I wrote this piece sometime in 2019 after I realized how things changed when I began to put myself first.”)
A void has always been lingering
In the depths of my soul
For as long as I can remember
It has been eating me up
Wearing me down and spitting me out
Until I wasn’t entirely here
Foul words were said
And regretful actions were made
All of them burned inside my head
They festered and brewed
Until it turned into poison
I wanted to release—hatred
But now there isn’t a single drop inside
After all these years of dread and hurting
I woke up, and the world became kinder
Or maybe I started loving myself more?
Because now the sun shines brighter
The breeze is calmer, and the grass greener
Maybe it all sounds cliched, but I’ve never felt happier
The pain has hidden in the depths, undisturbed, in slumber
And the fear has slowly calmed itself to a whisper
I’m allowed to feel, and it’s okay
It’s okay to cry over things I can’t change
It’s okay to feel things the way I do
Because at the end of the day, I will be okay
And at the end of the day, loving arms
welcome me home
While I lay safe waiting for another tomorrow to dawn
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
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