Edition 12
Autumn-winter publication. 2020. Continue reading Edition 12
Tag: featured
Juice Pulp
There’s a bitter taste in my mouth, weighing heavy on my tonguelike my heart against my ribs,like the kind that is swiped from lips after drinking juice,thick in the morning as it swirls in the glass, pulp falling to the bottom, in its sodden state. The taste of juice in the morning,when your mouth is unclean, and your mind is buzzing, all I hear is … Continue reading Juice Pulp
Hollow
I’m feeling a little hollowKnock, and you’ll hear an echoLean too hard and I’ll crumble Concealed,Afraid to speakAfraid to moveAfraid to uncurl my fingersAnd take up any more space than the one Between my skin and my bonesMy toes and my scalp So, I have emptied myself out Served it on a plateHidden away in the shell Which has become my home. I would like a new … Continue reading Hollow
Jellyfish Lake
Palau made Eddy Carvajal feel like a giant. Like the world was not a world at all, but this microcosm of land; just three-hundred-and-forty freckles on a cerulean marble. The archipelago itself held so much oceanic treasure that, for a marine biologist, it made a life-long career. This is why she was seriously considering moving here permanently. The trip that her research group was taking … Continue reading Jellyfish Lake
Edition 11
Bearer of Sorrow
By Yvette Chan Continue reading Bearer of Sorrow
Blue
Blue as the tranquil water of the lakes, or of the unseen breeze, or flying kites. Or of ink pens that stain our hands and smear all over the white of the table beneath our weight. Blue as the rising tide, the falling rain, the last crayon in the box that day. Blue as the uniforms we grew up in, and the highlights in … Continue reading Blue
The Perfect Guest
Jacksie wakes abruptly, eyes snapping open, immediately on the alert. He strains to see in the darkness and stretches carefully. The space is surprisingly large despite all the boxes and – thanks to the trench coat he found upstairs – he’s warm and dry. He’d come across the stone-built cottage while wandering through the woods, searching for somewhere to doss down. Some old biddy had … Continue reading The Perfect Guest
Secret Songs
That she loves you with a full heart, There is no doubt. That she will never leave – And instead will always stay – There is no breath of doubt. And that you know her well – Like the ripe veins on the backs of your hands, And the frayed spine of your favourite book: Like the way she smiled the day you re-met her, … Continue reading Secret Songs
Linda Patterson Awoke
Editors Note: Kamena is pleased to publish the winning piece of this year’s Transformation programme, a widening participation scheme at the University of Warwick that takes Warwick undergraduates out to schools in Coventry to teach about Literature and Creative writing. This year the winner is Caitlin Hoyle, a year 9 pupil from President Kennedy school in Coventry. Linda Patterson awoke one sweltering morning, … Continue reading Linda Patterson Awoke
