HATE.

Prompt 1

Mariya Guz

Age: 21

Location: St Andrews

Written: 29 November 2024, re-drafted 2 November 2026

Photo by Bailey Tolentino

Narcissus Dearest

You've built my prison from Your mirror 

Narcissus Dearest 

grasped my body by the neck 

gulping my air, gripping my mouth

forcing me under until the waves calm 

my cold corpse a frozen vision 

of what You want to see of us in Your reflection


with vacant eyes i see You longing 

for the love You felt from something 

wearing my face

echoes of Your desires are trapped

amongst the tide 

eroding stone into pebbles and me?

i stir bubbles throbbing at your ankles, growing to your knees 

REMEMBER

the currents You wove between my legs


the prison You charmed me into

Narcissus Dearest 

is inescapable

my ribs burdened, bracing 

a bag full of rocks


Your eyes leak rain 

rippling on the glassy coffin

of what You killed

a cold corpse You can't see is cold beyond 

Your idea of me