The sun’s glaring blaze faltered, blocked by dark clouds engulfing the bright sky. Blustering winds howled in my ears whilst manipulating the water to forcefully strike the boat’s outer shell. I watched as white foam sprayed onto my calloused hands, salt seeping into my pores. I could feel the boat lurching side to side, shoving me against the countless people packed into the vessel. I closed my eyes. I didn’t want to feel anymore.

My hand slowly trailed the edges...

Fear.
Reaching out its unassailable limbs,
Hands wrapping around our necks.
Cold breaths floating down our backs,
We are shivering.

Isolation.
Infiltrating our minds.
We are alone, we don’t matter.
Hands reaching in, squeezing our insides.
We are empty.

A cough is not okay anymore.  
Our world is not okay anymore.
‘He’s Chinese, I have to stay away,’ they say.

Love.
Fighting, violently, to be seen.
Hands waving as we try to escape.
Shouting to be heard,
Few listen.

We...