Gleam-blog @gleam-blog - Tumblr Blog

Posts

GLEAM BLOG

#creativenonfiction #CreWrite

FIVE WRITERS TO WATCH A LOOK INTO THEIR CREATIVE WRITINGS

#creativenonfiction #CreWrite

Play this song while reading our entry stories on creative writing!

Our stories that will surely bring gleam to your life! <3

#CreWrite

“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” - Jack London.

#CreWrite

“Taming of The Alpha”

A 10-Minute play

By:

J.T. Espino

T.M. Kabiling

K.S. Ocampo

F.M. Sales

J. Simon

CHARACTERS

Simon Adler – 20 years old. President of Alpha Beta Max.

Fiona Boyle – 19 years old. President of MARIA

Julian Sprouse – 19 years old. Vice President of Alpha Beta Max. Best friend of Simon. Has a fling with Reese.

Reese Gogh – 20 years old. Vice President of MARIA. Best friend of Fiona. Has a fling with Julian

TIME

This time is in year 2019

PLACE

Maxwell University in Padua

SCENE 1

Morning. Boulevard of Maxwell University. There are booths set up for the club fair. The organizations Alpha Beta Max and MARIA’s booths are facing each other. MARIA giving out flyers. Boys enter

ALPHA BETA MAX

(chanting very loud)

Alpha Beta Max, Alpha Beta Max, Alpha Beta Max!

At this moment, JULIAN arrives, followed immediately by SIMON. JULIAN conducts the lead cheering.

JULIAN

Be cool, be a beta brother and strengthen each other.

SIMON

(nonchalantly)

Relax, guys. let them come to us.

FIONA

Tch, men. They’re just noisy good-for-nothings. Hi, join MARIA and end patriarchy together. Beware of those low college men.

Boys found their way roaming around the boulevard. SIMON overheard MARIA’s President, FIONA. He goes near MARIA’s booth with a loathsome grin

SIMON

(smirks)

Do I really affect you that much? Try focusing on your “organization” instead of swooning over us.

He backs up pretending to drop a mic. He forgets that his boys already left

FIONA

(exasperates)

Excuse me, how can anyone like such cocky guys like you?

From the other booth, college girls spotted SIMON. FIONA turns to the squealing girls

COLLEGE GIRLS

Oh. My. God! It’s Simon Adler! I’d totally hit that.

SIMON

You were saying?

FIONA hesitant to turn back to SIMON, starts clenching fists. REESE approaches and grabs FIONA’S arm away

REESE

(calmly)

Fiona, let him be. C’mon, let’s go

JULIAN comes from the nearby booth. He approaches SIMON

JULIAN

(kinky)

Hey, bro! Whatchu doin’ out here? What’s up with these la…dies.

JULIAN and REESE make eye contact. REESE tilts her head and widens her eyes.

REESE

Why don’t you go and take some rest? I’ll take care of this.

Everyone exits. REESE and JULIAN meet at the alley far from the booths.

REESE

What was that all about? Why are you with Simon?

JULIAN

What about you? Why are you with Fiona? Don’t tell me that you’re part of MARIA?

REESE

(fiercely)

What about it? At least, I’m not in a stupid group like Alpha Beta Max!

JULIAN

(offended)

What do you mean stupid? It’s my group!

REESE

Then, why didn’t I hear about this last summer?

JULIAN

(replies softly)

So, what do we do now? What about us?

REESE

I don’t know, Julian. I don’t think it’s possible with our situation right now.

REESE steps back and leaves JULIAN alone. REESE exits

JULIAN

(Obnoxiously nodding whilst talking to himself)

I need to do something about this. I have to make this work.

SCENE 2

Evening. Alpha Beta Max fraternity house. JULIAN and SIMON drinking their usual away from the other boys who were playing on their XBOX

JULIAN

(befuddles)

Fuck, bro. Who were you with a while ago? Damn, they’re gor-hor-geous, man! Isn’t she a catch? But she’s from MARIA.

SIMON

(baffles)

Yeah, bro. But that girl, you’re talking about is hell of a shrew.

JULIAN

Well yeah? You’ll have to find out yourself if you shoot your shot, ain’t it? But bro, you’re a ladies’ man, would you let her ruin your reputation?

SIMON

What’s the point? It’s a waste of my time. Ugh, I don’t have to prove anything to her and you.

JULIAN

Oh man, ya’ just gonna let them define us – just boys?! You should show them that we are more than “just boys”. We are Alpha Beta Max. Are you just gonna settle for words?

SIMON

Okay fine! I’ll do it. I am doing this for my Alpha Beta Max brothers. Nothing more, nothing less.

JULIAN

(mirthfully)

Yes! That’s my man. We are rooting for you!

Boys wooed even if they didn’t know what was it about. Everyone exits.

SCENE 3

Morning. Library. FIONA is reading a book. SIMON approaches her.

SIMON

(flirty)

The Feminine Mystique. It suits you, strong and opinionated.

FIONA

(disrupted, annoyed)

What are you doing here? Are you here to yet again feed your male ego?

SIMON

Why do I need to feed my ego when girls do it for me?

FIONA

(exasperated then angrily replies)

Ugh! The audacity! You men are so full of yourselves like you think that women live for your needs and women can’t live without you. You think you can play with wo-

SIMON

Relax! Okay? Why do you hate men so much huh?

FIONA

For your information, it’s not that I hate men. We’re merely asking for equal opportunities. This fight is not about our pride, it’s about helping our fellow women fight for themselves. We seek nothing but mutual respect.

SIMON

(softly)

Well, that made me feel bad. I know I haven’t been really nice to you. It’s just that I didn’t realize the depth of your cause. To make it up to you, how about we grab some ice cream?

FIONA

(hesitant)

Hm, okay? But make sure that this isn’t just one of your schemes.

SIMON

Of course! See you tomorrow?

SCENE 4

Morning. Hallway of Maxwell University. JULIAN and SIMON already settled in Hallways, talks whilst fixing stuff inside their lockers.

JULIAN

Hey, bro! I heard you went out with the shrew last night. So, how was it?

SIMON

(nonchalantly)

Yeah, it turned out really well and by the way don’t call her a shrew, she’s not like that.

JULIAN

(confounded)

What do you mean?

SIMON

(dreamy)

She’s actually really nice… and really smart.

FIONA enters without the knowledge of the boys and she listens

JULIAN

(giddy)

So, don’t tell me you like Fiona, already.

SIMON

(laughs)

No, bro.

JULIAN

(unamused)

The way I see it, you still need to work on the bet. She needs to fall head over heels for you.

Fiona is shocked with what she heard. She tries to run away and Simon sees her and grabs her in the arm.

SIMON

(shocked)

Fiona, wait, it’s not what you think it is.

FIONA

Then what is it Simon? I thought you were different and you actually understood me.

SIMON

Don’t get mad.

FIONA

(aggravated)

I’m not mad at you. I’m just disappointed because I thought that this was finally the start of a good relationship between us.

FIONA walks away but SIMON did not try to chase her. FIONA then entered the organization room with disappointment on her face. She heavily puts her things down and REESE enters and notices her immediately

SCENE 5

REESE

Hey, is everything alright? Seems like you had a rough day.

FIONA

(furious and disappointed)

Guess what? Those boys from Alpha Beta Max? They bet on me. Men really think they have the right to objectify women and treat us as toys. And I'm actually disappointed with myself for thinking they were changing.

REESE

(befuddles)

What? Bet on you? Is it Simon and Julian?

FIONA

(confounded)

Yes, how’d you know?

REESE storms out immediately to the corridor and Julian approaches her.

REESE

(angrily)

So, this was the thing you planned on doing and you thought it was a good plan, huh?

JULIAN

I just thought that if our leaders are in good terms, then we could be together.

REESE

(furious)

But Fiona had nothing to do with this and you treated her as something you can play with. What you did was wrong no matter how you look at it.

JULIAN

I know it was a bad idea. I'm sorry, Reese. What can I do to make it up to you?

REESE leaves JULIAN alone in the hallway. Everyone exits. Enter JULIAN who calls SIMON and tells him to meet him at the fraternity house.

SCENE 6

SIMON

(anxiously pacing)

Shit man! We are so screwed up. Fiona’s mad at me and I don’t know what to do because I actually started to have feelings for her. What a stupid bet.

JULIAN

I know. I screwed up too. I schemed this whole thing for Reese and I to be together. I met her this summer and things have been going great until we realized we were in opposing groups. Now she’s mad at me too. This whole thing’s a mess.

SIMON

What? This basically means that we’re in the same situation. What do we even do now?

JULIAN

I don’t know, try and win their hearts back? Just trust me on this. This whole thing’s my fault and I’m gonna try and fix it myself.

SCENE 7

Morning. Hallway of Maxwell University. JULIAN approaches REESE’s locker and leaves flowers and chocolates inside. REESE reaches her locker and sees Julian.

REESE

(baffles)

What do you think you’re doing here? Why are you leaving your trash in my locker?

JULIAN

(confused)

What do you mean trash? Don’t you like flowers and chocolates? Come on. I got these for you.

REESE

(fiercely)

Do you really think I’m that shallow? Flowers and chocolates aren’t gonna cut it, Julian.

SIMON

Hey, Fiona. You saw what I got for you?

FIONA

Yes. Don’t ever give me those trash again. You can’t even sincerely apologize.

Eveyone exits. Bleachers of the school’s soccer field. SIMON and JULIAN enters

SCENE 8

SIMON

(unhappily reports)

What a plan, Julian. It failed again.

JULIAN

(abrasively replies)

Well, I don’t know what else to do! I thought they were gonna appreciate it!

SIMON

(alacritous)

You know what, after spending some time with Fiona, I actually now understand them. We need to apologize. Let’s do this for real.

SCENE 9

Morning. Auditorium of Maxwell University, filled with the entire student body, graduation stuff everywhere. JULIAN enters and walks towards SIMON

JULIAN

(nonchalantly asks)

Hey, man. You ready? It’s gonna be a long ass speech.

SIMON

(nervously replies)

I’m not, but here goes nothing.

SIMON, JULIAN, FIONA, and REESE together with the other seniors of Maxwell University march on the red carpet as a part of the graduation rites. The principal calls SIMON to deliver his speech as the president of Alpha Beta Max.

SIMON

(holds the microphone with confidence and pride)

To end my speech, as the president of Alpha Beta Max, I would like to formally apologize to the members of MARIA for ignoring their causes as an organization. This school year, I have had the opportunity to know the president of MARIA. After spending sometime with her, I finally realized the importance of their organization. It promotes equality and helps many women around the world. MARIA truly makes a difference. Alpha Beta Max supports MARIA and their endeavors.

JULIAN gets close and sits beside REESE. Turns to REESE

JULIAN

Heard the speech? I took part in writing that.

REESE

(laughs)

Oh, really? Quite good then. I guess you’re sorry?

JULIAN

(smiles slyly)

I was about to apologize! I’m sorry, Reese.

SIMON descends from the stage. FIONA goes to the backstage and approaches SIMON.

FIONA

Nice speech you got there.

SIMON

(scratches the back of his head)

Really? Is it alright?

FIONA

(nods and smiles)

SIMON

(nervously clears his throat and gently holds Fiona’s hand)

Look, Fiona. I’m really sorry for what happened. What I did is inexcusable. But despite that, I’d like you to know that what you saw in me was real. This time, if you give me the chance, I want to get to know you more.

FIONA

(looks at Simon’s eyes)

No secrets this time?

SIMON

(smiles with certainty)

No secrets this time.

THE END

Photo Credit: Touchstone Pictures.

#CreWrite #GroupScript10MinPlay

SPACE TRAVELLER

By Jullianne Simon

My love, it’s been long since I caught a glimpse of your beautiful face.

You were telling me stories about your desire of exploring space

and imparting how it is a wondrous place

that keeps your world, revolving at the right pace.

Now that you are among the stars at night

and light years away from Earth’s loneliness and fright,

your soul is now as free and fiery as the sun, burning bright

and traversing the universe with pure blithe.

Photo Credit: @commonmayhem - weheartit.com

#ConventionalPoem #CreWrite

Colors of Rainbow

By Jullianne Simon

Before, I was just like everyone else, a completely normal high school student. I lived in a nice home with my mom who supports me with all my endeavors. I get to study and do fun things with the people I enjoy being with. I was able to do thing that I loved the most. My life seemed completely normal until I realized, I am not the person people think I am.

I am different. I am a person filled with different bright and wonderful colors. But instead of embracing who I am, I let the monsters take over and consume, leaving darkness and shadows. I was scared, scared of myself and of the shadows and monsters. That is why I hid inside the enormous closet, away from resentment. I thought I was safe, but the closet is also the haven of monsters and shadows, haunting me. Should I call for help? Or at least have someone to listen. I am tired of being inside the closet, I should get out of this closet.

“Robin, sweetie! Alexei is here!” my thoughts were interrupted by my mom’s loud voice. “Come on down now.” she added. I immediately fixed my things and sprinted downstairs to meet my best friend in the flesh. Alexei and I greeted each other with our signature handshake.

“Bye, mom! I’ll see you later.”

“Goodbye, Mrs. Byers! Thanks for the cookies” said Alexei.

“Goodbye! Be careful and be home by 11 o’clock.”

I shut the door close and rode the bicycle. Today, Alexei and I decided to have a day at the local beach of Elmore, our beloved town. It is one of our favorite places to hang out and have what we call “Robin and Alexei Day”. Alexei lives two blocks away from our house and I have known her being since 4TH grade. She is one of the few persons I am close with, oh well scratch that, she’s the only person I am close with aside from my mom. She is far from other girls in our school. She doesn’t care what others think and she simply let her heart out. She’s full of fun, courage, wit and talent which I am the complete opposite of. And maybe that is why we are best of friends.

On our way to the beach, Alexei screamed through her lungs, “Come on, Robin, we do not want to miss this chance!” with her hair all over hair face. “Okay, I’ll go faster!” I replied and pedaled the bike with all my might.

“SCREEEEEEECH!”

“Look, Robin! The weather is perfect for my peg layout and there are less people than last week,” Alexei said as we arrived at the Elmore and left our bicycles at the nearby parking rack. I gave her a big smile and answered, “Yeah, it’s beautiful. I wish the little crabs are out in the sand today so I take some clips too.” As a response, she nods her head and genuinely smiled back at me. Then, we started to do our thing. After an hour, we laid a blanket and ate the delicious snacks my mom has prepared.

“CHUM. CHUM. CHUM.” With cookies, chocolate and milk stuffed inside her mouth, she asked, “Have you decided what to wear on the Ball next week or have any of the cute boys asked you out already?” She wiggled her eyebrows and nudged me in the elbow. I shrugged and gave her a mischievous grin. “Hey is there something I need to know? Did Steve, the cutest boy in Elmore High School asked you out on a date without my knowledge?”

By the way, aside from having a thing for photography Alexei has also a thing for cute boys and as for me, I have a thing for films but definitely not for boys.

“Robin, hey!” she playfully slapped me in the arm. “Ouch! You’re just jealous.” I snickered. “How dare you hide things from me and how could I not know?” she let out a defeated sigh and frowned, the ugliest face she makes. I chortled and earned another slap. “I can be your third-wheel, I promise I’ll be good.” That is when I burst out into laugh. “Hey, I was just kidding! No one, not even your Steve, has asked me out yet.” Alexei’s face slowly unwrinkled and a grin formed into her lips. “Really? I still have the chance to ask him out. Ahhhhh.” she said.

“You’re crazy!” I muttered under my breath.

“Oh, tell me something, I don’t know,” she retorted.

“You really like him, do you?” I asked and we laughed sheepishly in unison. After that, we continued munching on our food then it was all quiet for a moment.

“How about you? Are you having a crush on anyone?” she asked.

With that question, I felt the urge to open the closet. I fidgeted. Hands all clammy, ragged breath, heart as if it would jump out the chest, and noodle legs. I thought it was the right time.

“Alexei, about that, can I tell you something?”, biting my chapped lips.

“Of course, anything. I am all ears.” She said as she propped her ears up and down.

And that is the best thing about Alexei, she is always ready to offer an open mind and open ears.

“Uhm, you know I haven’t been completely honest with you, like really honest with you.”

“Okay, go on.”

“You see, since we were in 7th grade, I knew that I was unlike the rest. I am attracted to girls more than boys. I have been denying and hiding this for years now. It is hard to accept at first. It is like stumbling upon a familiar to the heart yet completely strange to the mind. I don’t know if how long I could still suppress this truth. Now, I have gathered all my courage to tell you this because you are the closest person that I have and I feel like I am failing to share my life with you as my best friend. I am sorry.”

I am now crying, loud as the waves crashing to the shores. Heart beat hastier than before. Hefty weight on my body has been lifted. “Thank you, thank you for saying all of this.” Then she hugged me. It was comforting and freeing. Someone finally found my hideout.

“I escaped the reeling dusk of fear. Now I feel a lot safer.”

“That is because you are brave. And remember that I love you with all my heart.”

“Thank you, Alexei” Robin replied.

After that, we were surrounded by the soothing sound of our beating hearts. And just like that. Colors of rainbow have burst out the closet. One that is hiding in the dark has finally shown her brightest and boldest colors. She is now about to bring light on her world and unto the life others. No more monsters and shadows, just spectrum of light and happiness.

Photo Credit: @commonmayhem - weheartit.com

#ShortStory #CreWrite

By Fiona Mae Sales

The middle of a cold night

You are the shadow of your own light

Pasted a smile trying to hide sadness

I looked into your eyes and all i see is a beautiful mess.

As the sun greeted me with delight In

I looked up, slowly, seeing and feeling the touch of the light

Pasted a small sad smile as my tears rolled down on my face

Trying to picture the last night I saw you in our own memorable place.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

#ConventionalPoem #CreWrite

By Fiona Mae Sales

I looked into my reflection, stared blankly and wondered,

how did I end up drowning, unable to breathe and move

trying to save myself from my endless doubts and worries,

closes my eyes and surrendered myself to my own thoughts.

A picture of my old self flashed on my mind,

the smiles that give hope to others and the sound of a pure happiness

made me open my eyes and started to swim until I

reached the light of my hope and finally, I was able to breathe and to be free again.

Photo Credit: Pinterest

#UnconventionalPoem #CreWrite

To See the Unseen

By Kiana Shane Ocampo

I am surrounded by many people.

I am many people.

But still, I could not feel more alone.

I am in all truthfulness attempting to be cheerful about my whole situation. I mean, getting to manipulate the way you look isn't really something anyone can do right? Just a personality like mine and a bit of good looks and you're all set. Everyone's going to love you. And I know you might think that that stuff's exciting, but trust me, it can get pretty tiring. I mean, I can't go around and act like I don't benefit from it. In fact, I am addicted with it. But that's what makes it scary. No one even knows me. Hell, I don't even know who I am anymore. And that's not an overstatement. I can't live without it now, and I don't even remember my life before it.

I came to school today as a black-haired, brown-eyed guy. Nothing too fancy, just my usual look preference. I walked through the hallways with comfort and ease. Everyone recognizes me and everyone likes me. I think it's safe to say that I pretty much live and breathe for attention. Though I enjoy all these high-fives and small talk, I am dying to get to my Physics class. And as soon as I got there, I finally felt at peace again. There she is. Ava Hall. It has been months now since I started talking to her, but for some inexplicable reason, I started to get nervous around her. I guess it has something to do with the fact that I was beginning to fall for her. And that isn’t a good thing because connecting with people really isn’t my forte. In fact, I am incapable of developing real relationships with people because everything about me isn’t real. She can’t know the real me. I was even using the same façade for months without ever changing back to my real appearance just for her.

I immediately grabbed a seat beside her and settled there. I started fiddling with my pen while I stole glances at her. “Why so tense?” She suddenly asked. Shit. I’m being way too obvious. “We have a quiz, dummy.” I tried playing it cool. “Since when did you ever care about stuff like that?” She asked, laughing. She knows me too well. It’s nice.

Unlike all my days before her, I didn’t feel as empty anymore. It felt as if I was finally sharing a part of myself with someone. She’s happy and I am too. All I need to do now is to keep up with this same façade so that it never goes away. Because I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose her. But it’s starting to get hard. The air is heavy and it hurts when I breathe. I have never tried keeping the same look for this long before.

“Z, you ready for later?” She asked. My heart suddenly beat fast.

“When am I ever not ready, A? I’m actually kind of excited.” Lies.

“Lies.” Again, she knows me too well. “Is that why you finally changed the same black shirt you’ve been wearing for like a week?” She said.

“Oh, come on Ava! I wore that shirt for two days! You’re being real cheeky right now.”

“Stop trying to change the subject, I can literally see through you.”

“Okay, fine! You got me. I’m backing out. I don’t want to meet your parents anymore.” May sound like a joke, but in reality, I mean this from the bottom of my heart for I am trembling with fear.

“You’re such a coward, Z! What happened to that cocky Zach I hated when we first met? I promise, they’re gonna love you. Just change your scent, I don’t like it.”

“I told you for a million times, I’m not wearing any perfume!” I said.

My days with Ava usually go like this. Just light and fun. No need for my pretentious personality because she’ll just call me out for it. Anyway, I don’t know what to do or what to say as soon as I meet A’s parents. Am I going to be myself? Am I going to be cocky? Wait, am I even really cocky? Eh, I guess I’ll just have to wing it. I look good anyway.

I looked at my phone and it’s bombarded with text messages and missed calls. God, this girl’s really something else. She acted so chill a while ago and now she’s nagging me about what to wear and about me being late. Does she really think I’d meet her parents an hour and a half late with a ketchup stain on my shirt? Well, it does sound like me but I would never screw up my chance on a good first impression. I’m stupid but I’m not that stupid. I’m actually already on my way to their house. I even wanted to bring something. I don’t know what but I still wanted to bring something. Isn’t that how adults do it? Bring wine or something? But I guess it’s not that cool because A told me they’re not really that type of family. I feel relieved since I think that’s a bit pretentious even for me.

“Zach, right?” Ava’s dad shook my hand. I wish I didn’t have sweaty hands. I mean, I can literally change everything about how I look but not my sweaty hands. Crazy, right?

“Yes, sir. Zach Mendes.” I answered.

“Well, Ava’s upstairs preparing. You’ll drive her to the dance, right?” Ava’s dad asked as Mrs. Hall quickly greeted me.

“Oh, if isn’t it the Zach Ava kept on talking about! Sit down while waiting, dear.” Mrs. Hall told me.

“Get her home safely, okay? We have to go now. I suppose we’ll meet many more times soon. Let’s talk then.” Wait, what? They were leaving just like that? I wasn’t sure if I felt relieved or nervous.

“Take care, guys!” Ava finally came down. All beautiful. “Hey, Z. What’s up?” she nonchalantly said.

“Are you serious? ‘What’s up’, really?” Ava laughed at what I said.

“Come on, Z! I was kidding! They’re not the type to interview guys. They’re much cooler than that.” I should admit that it was kind of funny. Me, being so weirdly nervous. “I’m sorry, Z. I was trying to be cute.” She was cute.

The room was dark, with flickering lights and glittering dresses. Everything was a blur but my eyes focus on A. The subtle light and her subtle beauty make me want to tell her the truth.

“Wanna hear something stupid?” I said out of the blue.

“When have I ever not?” She said, smiling so enchantingly my ground shakes.

“What if I suddenly looked different?” I seriously asked, leaving a concerned look on her face.

“Would you look for me?”

My head throbbed and my heart pounded.

“Would you recognize me?”

My head throbbed and my heart pounded.

“Would you accept me?”

This series of questions confused me as much as it confused her. Why was I suddenly being like this? Why was I suddenly craving for recognition and acceptance? Can’t I just be contented with what I have?

“What do you mean? You’re scaring me, Z. Please don’t be like that.”

My legs gave away with her answer. She wasn’t ready for it. How stupid of me to think she’ll ever be ready.

My sight was shrinking.

My ground was once again shaking. And this time, it’s for the wrong reasons.

I was suddenly feeling more nauseous than ever.

I ran away as fast as I can, as far as I can. I can feel my insides twisting, my throat tightening as I witnessed my hands slowly changing. I remember these hands. These stupid, damaged, ugly hands. These are my hands. What is happening to me? These cuts and bruises, they’re on me again.

Why?

I try to change it again. I try to remove this painful picture on me. I try to visualize someone else. Please. Someone else. Anyone else. Just not this. Just not me. Please.

But I, for once, can’t.

Why? Why must this happen when I finally found someone who loves me? Wait, no.

She doesn’t.

She doesn’t love me.

She would never love me.

Is this why this was happening? Multiple realizations hit me all at once. More painful than all the cuts and bruises I have endured.

“I can’t go back there.” I whispered to myself. “I can’t let her see me like this.” Because she can’t ever accept me. And I can’t endure that kind of pain.

I ran.

And ran.

Wishing someone would find me.

Wishing she would find me.

Recognize me. Accept me. Then love me.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry for being afraid. For not being able to recognize you right from the very start. You don’t have to come to me because I will come to you myself. I will look for you. I will look for you until my legs wear off, my eyes get tired, and until I breathe my last breath. I will find you and recognize you. Until then, wait for me.”

Photo Credit: Ashley Mackenzie.

#ShortStory #CreWrite

Unchanging

By Kiana Shane Ocampo

An endless dream recurring,

Your stars and mine realign.

Nothing can ever be more haunting

Than thinking you are once again mine.

I think of you every second I’m awake.

I dream of you every minute I’m asleep.

How do I unlove you in my hour of ache?

Help me, I’m drowning in ten feet deep.

Photo Credit: Ghostly Blu

#ConventionalPoem #CreWrite

Mon voyage d'écriture (My Writing Journey)

By Trisha Marie D. Kabiling

I carried all challenges life threw unto me and it felt like having a progeria where there is not much one can do to heal and lift that illness built inside me. Therapy, medicines, exercise, etc. were all present to give my life its fruitful meaning. They activated in a snap but also, disappeared in one click. There were times when they never just gave the feeling of having a will.

When I was seven years old, my dad decided to go abroad and work there to provide our needs. As a seven-year-old little girl, I didn’t know anything good about him leaving. I never understood why he had to leave. That was the first time I started writing. Whenever I was inside the four corners of our house, I always wrote letters to my hero. I remembered writing a letter for him on his birthday and father’s day. The colorful papers that were shaped into hearts and stuck on the pad paper. I felt like having a note to note communication with my dad. The way I wrote during those days was just purely innocent. Stories that I wrote on that pad paper contained my day to day experiences and the expression of how much I missed and loved my hero. I only used simple words but I did not care about the grammar as long as my hero would understand it.

I was so excited to go back to school because the teachers taught us lessons on how to properly write the alphabets and to apply colors to have wonderful outcomes. Moreover, my grandfather whose very close to me became my second dad while my hero was not around. He made sure that we were eating three times a day, I could play outside with my friends, I could eat ice cream and go home before five in the afternoon. He was very supportive when it comes to everything that I do. He became my cheerer to lighten up my mood. He was also the one who made me love writing.

One day, I came home late at night because of school works. I received a call, telling me that my grandfather passed away. I didn’t know what to feel that day. I wanted to burst into tears but no tears were falling out from my eyes. Arrows were hitting my heart and that was when I knew I was hurt so bad. The person who was so happy whenever I handed him a letter that I did myself, my number one supporter and my second dad is gone. My excitement and will to write has also went into its grave.

In 7thgrade until 8thgrade, I was bullied and they were telling me that I am a plastic person because I did not open up to my friends and my classmates. Also, they did not like me for I was into my studies. Studying was my top priority and they were being pissed off by that idea. They called me “weird”, “plastic”, and many more. I felt so alone by that time for I thought, someone will never be willing to stay by my side and comfort me. With that, writing essays, articles and sketches did not inspire me anymore.

One day, there was this guy my friend told me about. He was from Indonesia and he was half Indonesian and Chinese. He was very cute and entertaining and I could tell that because we started talking to each other every day. He was 1,086 miles away from me and that was not a hindrance for us to feel something. We fell in love with each other. He was the type of guy that would sing for me, tell me stories, make me laugh, smile, and wrote me poems and love letters. He was the one that lightened up my life. Seeing his efforts made me write again but this time, I was inspired and I was happy to be able to write again. I wrote him poems and love letters. We exchanged mails and that was the time I knew that exchanging letters was romantic. Whenever we were on video calls, he was always telling jokes and we were laughing at it together. His laugh and smile made me write on my diary notebook again. He made me go back to what I was back then. However, love isn’t something that was always a happy memory. It was April 10, 2019, when we had a big fight. That day felt like I wasn’t able to breathe properly. I ended our relationship for I found it very toxic already. The guy that made me write poems, love letters, and inspired me to do well on my studies was also the one who made me regret going back to writing was actually named, “Angel”.

Starting the school year 2019-2020 we were tasked to answer questions and as soon as I grabbed the pen, as much as I wanted to write something good and inspirational, I couldn’t. I didn’t know what are the right words to use, and how to start it. I was so hopeless and ended up just writing nonsense. I was not able to express myself and I felt how my heart broke into pieces. Throughout the school year until August, the essays, poems, and articles that I was answering and writing were just like the river flow. It’s just continuous but does not have direction. I thought I wouldn’t be able to stand up from the pain I felt before. I forgot the Trisha that is jolly, caring, the one who answers essays and articles with confidence and also writer of poems.

In the month of September, there were a lot of performance tasks to do and most of them were essays and articles. I was so stressed for I know I couldn't write anything good because I did not have inspiration and the mood to write. Meanwhile, I thought my mother and father did not notice what I have been going through. They asked and assured me that they will always be there for me. They would never leave me alone. They will always love me for I am their princess. They reminded me that I am not worthless but rather I am worth everything. On the next day, I found myself writing essays and articles very differently. I was so motivated to write good ones. I started to express myself again through writing. The care that I gave away back when I was in 7th grade disappeared. I just wrote what I felt and what I wanted to write. That was the time when I realized that writing has never left me.

Writing will always be in my body; it will not be forever gone for I considered it as a hobby and also a way to escape from the reality. Writing is my comfort zone and I will surely never quit writing even if the pen feels so heavy to hold, when there are times that my mind cannot think of anything to write, and even if I feel like I am not too confident to share my writings to other people, even if I feel like I will be judged, and even if I feel like I am too tired to continue my story. However, even if I feel like everything is going so well, there is still this thought of “You’ll be sad again and eventually stop writing again. The happiness you feel is not permanent. Be prepared”. I am scared that if one day I woke up, I won't see the beautiful smile of my mother and the annoying beautiful voice of my father and if that happens, I do not think that I can continue writing. Their life is not an unlimited ink and if the time comes that the ink is already dry and gone, how am I going to write again?

Photo Credit: Luna Luciao.

#CraftEssay #CreWrite

Everyone’s Shadow

By Trisha Marie D. Kabiling

Self, why are you feeling lonely?

There are still people whom you made happy.

Still, no one wants me to be their friend.

"It's fine" I kept on saying just to pretend

and I am not surprised, nobody wants me by their side.

Do they just want me to disappear and die?

Whenever I think of these things,

My eyes turn crimson red as I slowly down myself in a sea of snake that stings.

Photo Credit: Axel Sigurdsson.

#UnconventionalPoem #CreWrite

Thespian Resume Gone Right?

By Julia Therese D. Espino

“What is done in love is done well” – Van Gogh

Theatre is likes a second home to me. I walk in, I look around, and it feels like all my problems are lifted off my shoulders and left in a different world. I know I can be myself around the other theatre nerds; I know they won’t judge me for who I am. The stage has become a sacred place for me.

My first real musical experience was last year. I had been cast in the Don Bosco and The Lost Boys the Musical as Claudio, a combination of Enjolras’ and Jack Kelly’s revolt vibe. Of course, I didn’t know anyone else there, as it was a professional production and I’m just an amateur thespian. But as we went through rehearsal after rehearsal, I knew I was where I belonged. I was called in for a day for individual rehearsals, or so I thought. My world came crashing down within a matter of four words that dispersed from Miss Saigon’s director, Sir Andy Alviz’s mouth:

“Write me a rap.”

Just imagine standing bare in front of an audience, manufacturing all those emotions night after night in a musical with a rap that was written by yours truly.

It gets better.

This assigned task was not just writing it; I get to perform it as well.

IT AS WELL.

Blame’s on me, I overdone my actor’s resume. Listed on my skills was writing, for me it was just micro fiction. They must’ve thought like a playwright or musician kind of writing. Though I write songs for my own pleasure, I still think it’s something I wouldn’t pursue professionally. Embarrassing myself is the last thing I want to do so I dealt with it anyway.

I was in the verge of breaking down due to my unhealthy personality of overthinking. Chain of thoughts that of what if I disappoint the director? What if I wasn’t good enough? What if he’ll blacklist me in Broadway and West End? What if I wasn’t meant for Broadway?

Listening to albums of Hamilton, Newsies, and Les Miserables wasn’t enough. If only I could invite the spirit of Lin-Manuel Miranda in me. I have set my goals in writing with clarity, love, ecstasy, open wounds, and common sidewalk of truth in revealing the revolution in Becci, Italy. It was perhaps the most challenging and frustrating yet most rewarding feeling for never would have I thought I would be blessed enough to write and stage it bodly.

It’s cold,

The children are on the roads,

It’s the only place they call home

Clothed in all the misery,

The fallacy of freedom

In the faults of the system

You must be blind, if you cannot see

A reason, to free them

It’s a moment of depression,

In a world of revolution

Not just of our society

The soul of humanity, insanity

A season of drought,

No use to scream and shout

Now talk about

A time to be alive, you’re left to die out

Now let me make this clear, nobody’s trying to kill us

But if you try to look around, nobody’s going to save us

From poverty, scarcity, so we end up in robbery

Can someone tell me honestly,

Is this what you call liberty

The director stood up. In applaud, the mirthful eyes of him genuinely feeling my writing. Honestly, I didn’t know if he did that out of propriety but nevertheless I was fabulous. Quite ironic really, from the overthinking, frustrations, and pessimistic judgment of my skills come a confident and daring artist. Fake it till you make it, they said. With that, the rap was in the first song in the first act. We got a standing ovation for it and got marvelous critics.

“How can a rap so simple become so compelling?”. There in my theatre debut was the start of it all.

Not only our director enhances our triple threat qualities, but continuously assists us to become a playwright and a composer for theatrical productions as well. I don’t understand why people don’t like theatre. It’s just the raw talent of all people involved and it makes me very sad that it’s not appreciated enough. One can become the writer, composer, stage manager, and so much more conveying the dedication in the work of a thespian. Never would have I thought I could be good at this and perhaps I may take up something professionally for the theatre arts in New York someday, who knows?

Micro fiction has always been my hobby, everything was rooted from the day my grandfather taught me to use the good ol’ typewriter. He practiced law so I wouldn’t guess much on whom I got the skills from. It was from his books that I started to love literature. I haven’t actually got the idea of being a law student until I was in elementary school. It answered why we got so many books both constitutional or literature based. Before technology took over, I would spend most of my time, if not eating, probably reading and typing in my grandparents’ room.

Jane Austen was so lit because she wrote about men the way men typically write about women i.e. her stories just centered around women and men were only there for the sake of women, and her books could have been all bitter and sad about the state of women in that century, but instead they’re sweet honest observational stories of friendship, family, and love. I’m such a lady expressing that, but seriously her books do not pass the reverse bechdel test and it’s perfect.

If I were to bring an author into 2019, not that it’s hard but I could watch Arthur Conan Doyle despair over everything Sherlock Holmes within the last century or I could present Douglas Adams with an iPad, or Victor Hugo vs Twitter’s 140-character limit.

With all of me, here and gone, and the army of benevolent ancestors at my back, I wish to be fluent in the dialect of beauty, and literate in the language of souls.

#CraftEssay #CreWrite

A Fiction, Befriended

By Julia Therese D. Espino

If I am fiction in such sense, then rest

Quench my thirst for a flip of a page

Grip my silence, untold

I will fade the unexceptional nip of my needs for normality

If I am fiction in such sense, then rest

Sway the trees and I’ll tell the breeze to stop

Because I’m cold and I like the view

But even fiction is a friend,

I’ll rest when i need to

#UnconventionalPoem #CreWrite

Creative Writing by Bella Rose Pope

Creative writing is a form of writing where creativity is at the forefront of its purpose through using imagination, creativity, and innovation in order to tell a story through strong written visuals with an emotional impact, like in poetry writing, short story writing, novel writing, and more.

#CreWrite

Play this song while reading our entry stories on creative nonfiction!

Our stories that will surely bring gleam to your life! <3

#creativenonfiction

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

Gleam-blog