Note: So this week, the #StrangeLit story anthology groupings were announced and was hit with a surreal (to me, at least) reality—I can now consider myself a published author.

Oh sure, I’ve been on print before; but those were for school. I’m not saying that school publications suck, but you have to admit that you have to admit that tender “artiste” feelings are protected in those environments. Granted, the environment that led to my post-scholastic publication is just as supportive and I stalked met amazing new people (hi Kaith, Tara, Luna, Ysa, Anne, and Krissy! I’m sending you some admittedly meager linkjuice). Still, getting fiction/poetry published OUTSIDE of school feels like validation.

It fills me with a sense of wonder. And thus, this poem “Wonder” (which I hope you like).

PS: Because I’m trying to stretch myself, I might transition back to doing more than just poetic posts on this blog. Probably won’t stop the poetry completely, though. Poetry comes at you in the dark like an eloquent thug.

PPS: If you’re in the Philippines, and if you want to get a FREE copy of the bundle my story is part of, drop by the Buqo booth at the Manila International Book Fair on September 16-20 and donate a book.

And who was it that said

that there is no universe where leaves

are the color of feathers

on the vainest of birds?

I wonder who

can prove that hues do not

drip through edges like excess paint

like tears in eyes of other dimensions?

I ask:

what perspective is brightest

on its own?