Liyab Archives - The Flame

09

Mar

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I could never fold paper cranes right

you looked at every little paper square with the eyes of an imagining child. images ravaged inside your head, your hands fidgeted with excitement to transform those four perfect corners into a geometric animal I can't comprehend. you reached for them without hesitation and you created a crane, a hummingbird,…

02

Mar

By The Flame Literary

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Heart-Shaped Box

THE HOUR-LONG ride to Bulacan was grueling. I stood the entire time, my knees aching, begging to crouch. Crushed between people as exhausted as I was, I couldn’t help but worry about the box inside my backpack. It was probably just as battered. Today had been my busiest yet—a seven-to-nine…

23

Feb

By Abigail Adriatico

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Aphrodite’s cruel endowment

I do not usually ask the heavens to grant me answers to prayers whispered in desperation, with eyes shut closed in quiet devotion. I have no need to pine for a life that is not mine. Yet, he came waltzing in as if the Fates gave Aphrodite a moment away…

16

Feb

By The Flame Literary

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Nang dumating ka

Kung tutuusin, wala akong matapang na dilang magsasabing mahal kita, naisin ma'y walang mga kamay na kayang mahawakan ka, walang mga matang masugid kang tititigan, at walang mga paang kayang tumakbo tungo sa iyo. Ngunit dumating ka bitbit ang lahat ng uri ikaw habang tumutugtog ang himig ng paborito kong…

09

Feb

By Anthea Anika de Sales

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What the water told me

THE BOAT has learned to rock with its steady rhythm. But, there were times when the blue abyss would dance violently. The waves would rise, crashing then fusing with each other. Then a whiplash of light would appear, followed by the sound of cannons, and the cries of the fisherman’s…

03

Feb

By The Flame Literary

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Searching by Day

AS THE sun dips, the world shifts. The night burdens her with its heavy weight of unspoken stories and unfulfilled dreams. Under the streetlights, her laughter mingles with the hum of the city—specks of hope rise amid hidden desires. In the darkest of places is where she finds her stage. …

20

Jan

By The Flame Literary

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Thirst

IT WAS 42 degrees hot and all Denzel could think about was water. His throat had begun to dry. His lips had cracked, too. It was not even noon when the 18 workers set out to cover every pole and abandoned wall alongside the road with campaign posters. Seventeen workers…

06

Jan

By Tricia Anne Daquiz

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The Light that Fades

IT’S ALMOST 3 a.m. The street is dark and silent. I hear my family stirring in the sala. Ever since I was a kid, we used to arrive earlier than everyone else, enjoying moments of calm before the people gathered. But not this year. As we step into the heart…

15

Dec

By Alyanna Ysabel Sacramento

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Sa Malawak na Parang

MAYROONG MGA pagkakataong hindi natin maipagkakaila ang takbo ng oras. Sino nga naman ang mag-aakala na paparating na naman ang Kapaskuhan? “Kaunting banat pa,” bulong ng aking isipan. Nilapag ko ang aking palad sa malawak na parang ng unibersidad, ang kislap ng mga palamuti at bungisngis ng mga tao sa…

08

Dec

By The Flame Literary

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Drifting Daydreams

IN THE heart of the floating market, the sun’s rays shimmer on the water against the dozen tiny star-shaped lanterns. Vibrant canopies stretch over small wooden boats. The scents of murky water and fresh fruits linger in the air. The boatman grips his oar with his gnarled hand. He glances…