𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗥𝗬: Eden in Exile by Rai Eniana T. De Iso

Cartoon by: Arashel Mei Cinco

Published by: Shaina Pajarillo

Date Published: July 28, 2025

Time Published: 11:19 AM

 Category : Poetry

Theme: (LGBTQIA+) forbidden love overcoming societal oppression.

In the pools, quiet shimmering—echoes—me and you.

Palms entwine, as trailing vines, in fields stained with others' rue;

Sprouting a peculiar garden, a mesmerizing breakthrough—

Awakening a meadow, painted of an illicit hue.

Defying the gravity of society’s enduring subdue,  

Wherein we cannot uncover the vast peril of what was once deemed taboo. 

What truly am I to you, still bound in this relentless pursuit?  

Beneath the blades of grass, might what’s buried be resolute to signify truth?

The faint emerald gradually envelops where we stand true.

And thus the carnations unfurl, verdant in blossom—a rising anew! 

Though the seeded spurn may waver our daring debut.

The flowers have sung their spellbound cue: 𝘕𝘰 𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘺’𝘴 𝘥𝘶𝘦.

Let not their abrasive nature root where we have dared to renew.  

Instilled within the forest—in depths of the tainted soils we outgrew.  

For in ways long sewn, they cast exile on what they never knew. 

In chambers of thorny defiance—our alluring Eden grew—

And here, in exile, we sow on the earth an Eden—𝘯𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘰.