Heaven’s mirror crashes on virgin
ground,—jolting his senses.
She wades through its crystalline fluid and the stars awake,
dancing in intricate synchrony.
The smell of coconuts and salt in the air
resting on her sand-strewn hair.
Beneath the surface, seaweeds sway,
while streaks of color dart back and forth in anxiety —
The giants have returned once more.
He clasps his pale hand over her burnt, brown skin,
“Everything at its own pace,” she calmly says.
I am home.
Mika Rafaela A. Barrios
“The Iron Gate” is the short story that won the first prize in the Varsitarian annual literary contest, 1948-49. It was published in the Varsitarian Christmas number, 1948-49. (I could be wrong about the years.) The editor/s then were Johnny Gat and Neal H. Cruz.
In the autumn of my years, I am compiling my writings. I would appreciate your sending me photo copies of “The Iron Gate”. Maraming salamat po.