Nur by Mauricio Paz Viola © 2016. Mauricio Paz Viola embarked on his artistic journey early in life. Dabbling in plastic art since 7, he has participated in various art competitions in his native Uruguay and abroad. At 14, Paz Viola began to participate in group shows and individual shows nationally and internationally in galleries and museums in Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, United States, Italy, among others. You can find out more on his website and his Facebook page.

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The Black Rabbit by Sheila Ryder

The Black Rabbit watches me, her eyes a green-grey dark.

I want her; I know in that moment I have always wanted her.

I take a step towards her; she blinks, an invitation to her dark abyss. Did the Black Rabbit smile? Can Rabbits smile? As always on the cusp, I hesitate, unable to grasp her for myself.

Perhaps she is a test, a temptation to a hellish unknown. Will red-faced devils and nymphs ridicule and poke me forever with their cynical cutlery of failure? Or will she show me everything I’ve ever wished for – joy, happiness, belonging? Will that hole be nothing – am I ready for the void? In a world of uncertainty, of overwhelming choice, it is finite and sure, a peaceful thing.

The Black Rabbit twitches. She’s losing interest in me, beckoned elsewhere by another lost soul.

The ground below me is solid, the earth today is a beautiful shade of orange.

I raise my eyes and gaze again into the dark green and grey.

I follow her.

Sheila Ryder is a writer, dramatist and communications trainer. She has a stage musical and a feature screenplay in development, and runs story and communications workshops for new business owners and young people. She has written poetry and prose for many years as a way of understanding life in all its joys, complications and absurdities; this is the first time she has submitted a piece for publication.

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