The Lights, One by One

The kind of house that Clara lived in was ordinary. It had all its windows closed and every exit shut so that nothing could climb their way in to find her. Hardly any curtains nor blinds were left open, and now almost nothing could watch her from the dark outdoors. Tonight, Clara was the only one inside of her home. 

Clara took in her last spoonful from the now empty plate. It once contained the leftovers that her parents spared her before they left that night, and now her final task of the day was to catch up on her quadratic equations. Mathematics was never her strongest subject at school – she preferred ones that were more flexible and allowed for a greater imagination. She wasn’t excited to return to her room. But, why waste any time? Except to wash her dishes, there was no other use for her staying at the table any longer. She made her way to the sink.

A Bored, Needy Piano

We haven’t spent any real time together in so, so long. What are you doing these days? Always with those notebooks, are you? Always typing away on that little computer, too, are you? All of those other things that occupy you, you and I know I could never compare to – never in my lifetime. Oh, if only I was capable of providing the same variety as the infinite possibilities of strokes you could on a sheet of paper, or surpass whatever superpower a computer wields. A lot of the time I wish you and I could be more than just you instructing me what to sing, and me singing as you play. Do you wish that, too? I could never know.

THERE WAS ONCE A YELLOW HOUSE

One of the places on Earth that I felt about most fondly was the house placed at 23 Dudley Avenue. The address still exists, and you can find it right now if you wanted, but know that the house there now has nothing to do with me. Our old house wasn’t two-storied, nor was it so boxy and sleek. Instead, it was amusingly “L” shaped, and dressed in soft, cheerful yellow panelling. 

It was nearly the end of 2009’s Winter when my family and I started living in that yellow house. Especially for me, this was very exciting. We’d only just come from somewhere a couple of flights away, and for the first time in a while, we stayed at a house that was ours – as in “just for us” – meaning we were relieved of the concern of having anyone else around. 

Whale Fall

Whales are one of the greatest creatures on Earth. 

If I asked you to tell me anything about a whale - the one thing that makes them most unique - I know first you would mention its size.

I live by myself. Metaphors for the imagination.

You live alone. But, at the same time, you are also constantly in the presence of your loved ones. How is this possible?

First, you still are being sheltered under your parents’ roof, enjoying their company. You’re also not the type who coops up in your room for much of your day. But still, you live alone. If not your home where you physically spend most of your life, where do you live? The answer is easy. 

Where you live is in your mind.

Writing and Composition: Daisuke Amaya’s Cave Story (2004) and its impact on my life as an artist

Introduction

Throughout my life, I have always been interested in hobbies that involve expressing my creativity. Due to this, it would be inevitable that I would seek other art in all forms for inspiration such as visual art, literature and music. I have appreciated all sorts of creative media including many forms of visual art, literary works, and music. However, of all the art that I have experienced, the one that would inspire me the most would be in the form of a video game, being Daisuke “Pixel” Amaya’s solo project Cave Story (2004). 

Australian Classics: Literature and Film - WHAT TECHNIQUES DO THESE FOUR POEMS USE TO REPRESENT AUSTRALIA’S NATURAL AND BUILT LANDSCAPES? WHY IS THIS SIGNIFICANT?