Contradictions of Existence

January 31, 2024

Written by Angelina Wang from Phillips Exeter Academy — New Hampshire

Contradictions of Existence


…from blazing fires of anger

to bright, shimmering joy,

we traverse a minefield of fear,

and hide from the dark rain of misery.


it makes us human

                          to breathe, 

                                   to laugh, 

                                               to wail, 

                                                          to weep


to taste our tears and tell of our fears.


but I do not feel the waves of

these violent flames or downpour-rains,

the blinding lights nor the fearful cries,


because all my 

particles of life

are empty,

ever alive – 


but dead inside.


April 3, 2025
Written by Heather Gilchrist from CreativityUnleashed - London, UK
April 3, 2025
Written by Jonathan Reese from Russell Sage College - Troy, NY