In her deepest thoughts, she lingered,
All day, all night.

With deep throbbing and weeping,
She wondered when her soul would be free.

Escaping agony and brokenness,
Regaining consciousness, peace, and rest.

Fantasy accumulated, daydreaming became her reality,
Present in absentia, she called it.

Her thoughts raced,
Her heart ached,
She could not understand a thing.

Illusions and paranoia occupied her soul.
Some days she desired laughter
Some days she got it.

Yet she had to hold on to it,
She had to keep it.

She pushed and searched, hoping to get the better of.

Eventually, she succeeded.
Her determination had won her restoration.

---

Beata Nuuyoma is a Namibian poet, nurse, and gospel artist.

Cover Image: Her Yearning Soul, 2020. © Katherine Hunter.

Katherine Hunter is a Namibian illustrator, graphic designer, and dancer. She is interested in comic book illustration and fantasy fiction. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Visual Communication Design (Illustration) at the Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography, her honours degree in illustration, and her master’s degree in art education from Stellenbosch University. Katherine works as a graphic designer and typesetter at HouseFinder Magazine. She has also recently launched her own Namibian art brand, Maan Atelier, which focuses on creating fantasy artwork and stories.