Oatleaf

... My room, an island Windowless and blue and quiet The world outwith an endless ocean Unpredictable, ever-changing, deep My mind, the sky Alive with colour and sunlight and oxygen Cloud thoughts gleam and gather Until I create drawings—stories—poetry These are the birds I send soaring Out beyond ... Ellen Forkin is a chronically ill artist, writer and poet living in Orkney, Scotland. www.ellenforkin.co.uk @ellen_forkin | Instagram Ellen Forkin Art | Facebook @ellenforkin.bsky.social | Bluesky @ellen.forkin | TikTok

... Rain and thunder forces me to seek shelter away from the storm. Water drips off the eaves, needed moisture for the roses new green leaves emerging. After spring rains fall dandelion seeds drift on the wind fill the air conditioner filter. Puddles in the drive waiting for kids to jump in sneakers soon to be soggy. ... substack.com/@branwenspoetry

... A cracked reflection whispers truths concealed; a gaze unwavering into eyes that know the sting of regret. Bubog, raw and unhealed, scars etched across a weary heart. Each flaw, a silent scream, each mistake, a tear uncried. Amid the agony of facing oneself, a battle rages on—to embrace the wounds, to find love in the broken pieces, and to whisper gently to the soul, "You are enough." ... @wenohwhen | Instagram & Threads

May has come to an end and we'd like to say thank you to our wonderful contributors! We are so, so glad that you chose Oatleaf to showcase your work. ... We are grateful to: A. S. Kresnak | Train Ride Wildwood Writer | Raspberry Staining Bernard Pearson | Redemption Sia Moon | My Bleeding Wound Is Itching ... We appreciate the work you put out into the world!

... Agnus dei! I’m somer-saulted  into an assailable headstand when silk alabaster drips from my wounds and my eyes thirst for salt  Agnus dei! is screamed when i’m hung on the street corner’s pole for all to pet Agnus dei!   when spit flings from my fangs, I lick my wounds ... Sia Moon is a young New Orleans-based writer and poet of Black and Buryat descent. Her work has been featured in the Riverbend Review, the Eunoia Review, and Chewers. Her poetry has won a Scholastic Gold Key.  @crescentcurrentslitmag | Instagram

... The night sky Was  front step  black, and  forgave  me Like  a  mother  would. I  stood  under  a Shower of  stars Washing  the dirt  of  another  day  from  my soul. ... Bernard Pearson's work appears in over one hundred and thirty publications worldwide, including; Aesthetica Magazine, The Edinburgh Review, Crossways, and The York Literary Review. In addition, he is the author of three published novels. In 2017, a selection of his poetry ‘In Free Fall’ was published by Leaf by Leaf Press. In 2019, he won second prize in The Aurora Prize for Writing for his poem Manor Farm. www.abookatberntime.uk

 ... What can I do with these raspberries? Stain my lips, my cheeks, to bloom again in the mirror’s eye, to paint life back onto my frail face? Yes. Yes. Please. They were made in this fall of new beginnings, for me. My eyes were closed, hands trembling, yet I held the fruit’s red promise— a quiet shield against the past. It was made to bring me back, to kiss my own reflection and tell it I’m still here, clean, sober, and ready to fight again. No grand gesture, just color, and the will to keep saying no, as I bathe in crimson, reclaiming the warmth of life. ... Virginia Guarddon, known as Wildwood Writer, was born in the Canary Islands, Spain, but spent most of her life in the United States. Most recently, she lived in Colorado, where she built a life with her husband and family. Writing has been a lifelong passion for Virginia, beginning when she was just six years old. Instead of keeping a diary, she filled her days with poetry, which quickly became her creative outlet. After a s...