A Spark In The Dark

Not long ago I came to know a girl who saw much differently this realm in which I live.  To her this place is nothing but darkness and rust, with a sky sunk low over a town crumbling with age.  Upon these streets she claims that she does not see warm faces of friendship and trust, but monsters bizarre engulfed within a dense fog that never lifts.

She described these monsters as nearly human, but their skin bald, torn, and stitched.  She told me that I appear faintly like a ghost, and that I will likely remain visible for another day at the most.  At that point I knew not what to think of the stories she told, but it was so difficult to find her insane for the immense detail in the things of which she spoke.

As a child she knew a life of the perfect norm, changing weather, and no knowledge of the depression which comes from being alone.  She did not know of the anger which comes from struggle and loss.  She did not know the sound nor feeling of a horrific beating heart.  I fell victim to her tales, wanting to hear more and to see it all for myself.  The move I would make next was far from smart, and what I was to experience next was nothing less then death & chaos.

The girl looked at me with teary, wide eyes, saying that they were coming for her now.  This is when her figure began to disappear right in front of me.  I had to act quickly, there was no room to be slow for now I could see ashes falling down from the sky as if it were snow.  A spark flared behind her, growing into a gaping hole, and outward flowed a rolling fog.  I couldn't leave her for I knew I would forever dream of her, so I did what I thought was brave... I followed her into the dark.

Ervin M. Amaya

                                                                                            

Cellar Door

Through the cellar door my mother always warned me not to go.  She would say if ever I went I would meet an unlikely surprise, and that there would be a lump price to pay.

I  would sit there and stare while the imagination filled my mind with curious thoughts as to what I could possibly find. Then there came the time I heard a knock on the door, and a whisper from inside.  That's when this poor boy just couldn't stay away.

I searched my mother's drawer to find the set of keys with which I could gain entrance through the cellar door.  At last there was no lock holding me back, and I descended down into the humid space.

 

The stairs creaked on my way down, sounding my presence.  As I reached the last step I tripped and fell -what lack of grace- knocking myself unconscious upon hitting my head on some random shelf.

When I awoke I found myself sitting in a steal chair -this was indeed very startling to me- and I could smell a foul odor lingering in the air.  It was so dark I could barely see, then that strange whisper I could hear somewhere close behind me.  This was the first time I had real intent to say a prayer.

It was a thing, some hideous thing that leaped to stand right in front of me.  So dark I could hardly tell, but I could see it had sharp teeth as it flared them at me.  It whispered "You are mine and you will never leave, and I will eat you inside out while you're still alive.  Now you will know what it's like to feel real fear."

I screamed so loud hoping someone would hear, then I awoke in bed for it was only just a dream.  Thank God, it was simply a fantasy in my sleep, but wait I could feel something breathing and drooling down on my feet.  Suddenly there was my mother standing next to me, she said "I told you to stay away, and for what you saw there is a price to pay, horrors like that don't play for free."

E.M.A.

Shaped By Water

These brown eyes will see right through you, and I feel the world around me like a sixth sense.

I am intuitive, following my heart has led me to safety and away from danger more than once.

I can almost precisely know what you are thinking or feeling, and because of this I can be nutritive to your soul.

My motions flow like a steady stream or at times like waves in a storm, test me and you will see just how punitive I can be.

I could fill any shape, change with the time, and blend with any crowd.  With this trait I can find the crack through which to escape or fit in so well that I am not enshroud.

Deep like the ocean my emotions & thoughts will always be, this is why I am always so restricted and private, never so readily inclined to share.

Addicted I can so easily become, so understand why the strong devotions I hold, why I can have such a difficulty letting go, and the reason behind my adoration & admiration for you.

I can alter your perceptions, appear mystical at times, and surprise you with my actions.  Most importantly I must keep balance if I hope to be a perfect paradigm.

I am Water.

Ervin M. Amaya

Photograph: Alexus S. Kilpack                                          

Invisible Friend

  Many days go by before one hears of me, sees me, or even knows whether or not I am still on the face of Earth.  The curious friend might wonder where I have been, while the worrisome friend will fear that one day they will come to learn of a tragedy.  Honestly I do not care much to share the places I go, nor do I ever expect you to feel as if I have disappeared from your lives.

The Invisible Friend always wishes to stay near and involved in the lives of his friends, hoping that he will continue to have opportunities to build further memories like the ones already shared.  It is always of much importance to him that his friends are happy, and that they will live out successful experiences with little to no regrets as they look back on their history. Nothing would be greater than seeing the dreams of friends come true, and that their aspirations are never done in vain.

It hurts to hear of miserable times a friend must endure, and it breaks ones heart to know that time cannot be rewound for their sake nor can it be skipped, much unlike the streams of recordings you see everyday.  Good memories are always wanting to be captured while those less desirable are attempted to be forgotten or left behind.  As the Invisible Friend it is impossible to always be there, and the majority of the time it feels as if much has been missed when in the attempt to bring comfort. Though these memories cannot be erased, if it were possible for the Invisible Friend to do so then he would without hesitation upon a friends request, regardless of the experience that may be lost for it could always be gained in much more preferable ways.

Never feel sad if I am not around when you would like me to be, or if reunions have long lengths of time between.  I would hate for you to forget what my face looks like, or to feel that I could do a million times better to stay in close contact.  I am always here, and I want you to feel that I am always there for you when you need me.  My friendship I strive to never break, and that forever it will remain warm & bright like those summer days we know so well.

E.M.A.

The Box

I stand on a point which shifts my views on the Box as it travels through time and space.  Most times my perception is looking onto the outer walls of the Box, the face of which will change my thoughts as shadows and light are cast upon them.  Other times I stand on a point within the Box, this is where I see all walls no matter where space has placed me.  When I stand from without I am limited to the number of sides I can place my gaze, yet this is where nothing seems to stay the same and what is reflected off the outer walls will change constantly.

The interior of the Box is very predictable as to what I'll see, and in most cases I find it rare to discover something new now that I have grown familiar with the contents.  I must say though that it has almost always stood true that I have found comfort within for I will only occasionally grow skeptical of what I see.  Anything out of place within the Box is usually due to what I bring into it from the outside, things of which can drastically change my perception.  These waves of changes will affect the interior but will not remain for long periods of time, the result of which will only add to my visions of the exterior.

The exterior of the Box is very unpredictable and will catch my mind by surprise without fail.  In most instances I am left with curiosity and wonder in what it is I see, but at times the shadows will simply fool me.  When wound up in questions due to my lack of knowledge in the things I see by looking outward, I can find myself feeling as if I were standing in pits as I struggle to understand and make sense of these things.  As uncomfortable as the outer points may seem it is due to this constant stretching of self and gazing beyond that keeps me alive.

The Box drifts through time and space without any destination or meaning.  I do not have any control as to whether I'd be standing inside or out, but perhaps I am yet to reach a time when I am able to do so.  There is no preference that I hold as to where I prefer to stand, and I think it's best to say that by having no choice I will discover much more.

E.M.A