English and Humanities

English

Shared Stories Creative

This semester students from across the school have been involved in the Shared Stories Creatives.  The students have been meeting with Ms. Fox and Mrs. Pearson and are creating writing and art pieces in a fun and supportive environment.  The girls have produced some fantastic pieces so far.  We wanted to share one example we have from Year 12 student Gina Lam who has created the piece below titled "Icarus".  If any student wishes to join Shared Stories Creatives in semester two feel free to email either Ms. Fox or Mrs. Pearson at the start of next term.  

icarus.- by Gina Lam (Year 12)

It’s calling for him. Beckoning him.

The wind, it’s calling to his soul; singing not a sweet serenade that lulls him to sleep at night, but a fierce howl in his ears, a piercing cry that summons him impatiently into its embrace. The waves, it’s eager and restless, booming against the rocks and earth incessantly; stomping a methodic rhythm that  reverberates deep into his core, aggravating his heart to beat until it breaks out of his ribcage.  The sky, its blues promise freedom and infinity, and it taunts him with the sun’s beauty. It looms over his head and torments him, dangling temptation that he could never reach, continually seducing him with its warm caress on his skin and its glimmering bright light. 

He yearns. His being yearns. His soul yearns. Aching and hoping, hungering and itching to have it in his grasp.

His father frowns at him and roars him awake as disapproval clouds his age-weary face like a thundering storm. His father demands him to stop his dreaming and stop his hoping, warning him that he will lose himself in his delusion, but blood pumps through his veins wildly, limbs twitching and shuddering as it awaits the day he shatters this golden cage. Still, he bows his head before his father and bites his lips shut. 

In his dream, a scintillating star reaches out to him, ensnaring him with its sweltering touch and crooning for him to surrender himself; his mind, his heart, his being, his soul. 

When he opens his eyes, the mild warmth is still there on his skin, tiny wisps clinging to him as it coaxes him to move outside. The earth beneath his foot hums in anticipation as he walks, the wind once again purring in his ears as it beckons him, the waves greeting him animatedly, and the sun and sky gazing expectantly down at him.

The rocks and harsh dirt stab into the vulnerable sole of his foot, but he hardly registers it over the vociferous beat of his heart, pulsing in anticipation as he approaches the edge of the cliff. The seagulls gawk and circle overhead, wings flapping up and down as it navigates the boundless sky. He had always envied those birds, jealous of their feathered limbs.

Fear and apprehension washes away when he closes his eyes and breathes in, the smell of crisp Spring and earthy leaves entering his lungs, mixed with hints of honeyed flowers and scent of fresh waters. 

It’s all waiting for him, calling out to him, inviting him. His body trembles like feathers quivering into place, he flexes his palms and straightens himself, bringing his arms out widely as if he’s finally responding to its lure. 

His heart stirs, breath shaky as he inhales in. Then, he opens his eyes and unhesitatingly leapt, soaring into the clutch of the empyrean.

Finally.

He has been longing for this gift; the dulcet freedom which unraveled his shackles. He never felt more real and alive until today, core thrumming like a stampede of bulls as the air elevates him higher and higher. Finally, the brilliant sun and crystal sky is within reach. 

He inhales sharply and grins, eyes luminous with happiness, and he lets himself succumb to it, allowing it to embrace him, his being, his mind and his soul. Finally.

To have such violent delights...

He shudders as it once again calls out to him, beckoning him, summoning him. Now, he’s unafraid, he has the sun and sky in his grasp. He releases a sigh, smiles and lets himself go. 

Propitiously, falling feels like flying.