Liyab Archives - Page 21 of 31

13

Apr

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Roads to be Taken

OFTENTIMES we find ourselves desperately grappling at the edges of life in buzzing fear or anticipation of whatever it plans to launch toward us; maybe, it is the other way around: we are the ones catapulted abruptly at wherever point that life deems fit. Either way, we are left in…

02

Apr

By The Flame Literary

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Wandering Soul

THE air was warm and heavy; I felt my throat getting parched. With no freshwater in sight, I bent down to savor the lake water. It tasted of earthly reality—it reminded of the memories that continue to haunt me. With trembling hands, I clutched my chest, took my heart out…

02

Apr

By The Flame Literary

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Crossroads

THE thick smoke of vehicles stung my nostrils, yet that did not stop a smile from blooming on the corners of my mouth as I tidied my white coat. Bizarre wonderment always has its way of settling on my stomach whenever I am reminded of how far and wide life…

20

Mar

By The Flame Literary

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Her

I MET her when I was younger. She would play by the river near the hut where I used to live. Her hair was black and luscious, her skin as clear as the river that flowed between us, and her eyes sparkled in the morning light. I would catch her…

20

Mar

By The Flame Literary

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Radiance

AFTER years of commuting around the city and seeing new people almost every day, it has come to my mind that none of these strangers ever really had an impact on me—only until I happened to converse with the young son of a tricycle driver. One day, I simply told…

20

Mar

By The Flame Literary

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Monotony

THE faint sound of the alarm woke me up. I grabbed my phone to check the time and realized that dawn was already breaking. Deep inside I knew that I should get up, but my body felt so heavy. I could not find the motivation to move. Wide awake, I…

20

Mar

By The Flame Literary

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Hyperion

ONCE upon a time, Morpheus, the god of dreams, played a prank upon the bound titan Hyperion and allowed him to dream of his greatest desire: to dethrone Zeus, the eternal, inviolable god in the heavens that rules over the earth. His reverie permitted this wish, thus, he was able…

20

Mar

By The Flame Literary

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Not For Sale

MAKING the most of his youth, Amboy would sing with his small voice or recite a romantic poem in order to entice lovers and make them avail of his product. However, when the alluring fails, chasing his targets mischievously is his last resort. One afternoon, Amboy saw a couple who…

09

Feb

By The Flame Literary

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A Tale of Two Food Stalls

EARLY in the morning, Tiya Sinang is already up and about in her carinderia. She ladles servings of various menu items onto plastic plates before handing them to customers with a smile. She is grateful. It was getting harder to keep her business afloat, much less pay her bills. Due…

09

Feb

By The Flame Literary

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The Ghost of the Past

SMOKE and dust surround the street on afternoons. People talked either in hushed tones or with loud, boisterous voices. Even with heavy books in their bags, the children wore a smile as they journeyed back home. The smell of burning charcoal, fried oil, and an array of street food wafted…