I’ve learned in this short story
that pain is a painting
Once stroked, it will last to stain
Create a masterpiece titled “Incision of the Insane”
Back when I was “Too Young”
Strokes of words made their mark on me
Not knowing
that tainted me with impurities called “Trauma”
Thought it would be gone eventually
But the stain never comes out
Even with the worlds-best whitener
and even then, I’ve lived with it this far
I will have to live with it a thousand more
Author: Gregorius Beryl S.S.
Editor: Sitti Aminah Intan Utami, Vonna Meisya Saputra
Illustrator: Betsy Mariana Agoha