Liyab Archives - The Flame

20

Jan

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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…

02

Dec

By The Flame Literary

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Let the Light In

MY LAIR has been shrinking for weeks. The walls are closing in, constricting the life out of me. God knows how hard I’ve tried to escape. The scratches on my palm from pushing back the concrete and the bruises on my arm from trying to break down walls are testaments…

24

Nov

By Anthea Anika de Sales

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Special Delivery

THE SILENCE of the empty deli is the only company he has. The quiet humming of the fluorescent lights and the ceiling fans match the pace of his breathing, which gradually speeds up the more he takes in the empty tables and unoccupied chairs. The counter used to be filled…

10

Nov

By Tricia Anne Daquiz

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In Between the Streets

THE THICK of the night seems to have crawled its way to the same territory. Each street holds familiar remnants from the same afternoon of brief encounters; a mere redirection to the next path. The morning rush appears to be kinder; the roads filled with dreams and ambition, each footstep…

03

Nov

By The Flame Literary

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Where We Go From Here

WE WERE listening and singing to this song playing on the car stereo before, until you made a morbid request that one day. I tried to laugh it off then, but time soon proved that you were dead serious about it. We did as you said. The song ended as…

02

Nov

By The Flame Literary

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Alaalang Inaanod

Sa pagdapo ng dilim, bitbit ang ilaw, Sa liyab ng kandila, sumasayaw ang anino, Balot ang isip ng amoy ng sigarilyo Dito nagtipon, mga pasyon at alaala Sa bawat hakbang patungo sa simbahan, Mga kuwento ay muling nabuhay Sa bawat sulok ng bayan Hawak-kamay sa gunita, Kahit ng mga…

28

Oct

By The Flame Literary

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Gigs & drinks

KAHIT KAILAN talaga itong si Mike, tulog mantika. Kanina pa namin siya tinatawagan ngunit hindi siya sumasagot. Nakarating na rin kami rito sa apartment niya. “Sabi ng portero, ilang araw na raw hindi lumalabas ng kuwarto si Mike,” wika ni Andrew. “Hindi niya rin daw pinansin ‘yung mga nagsidatingan na…