#diluculum

‘Diluculum’ - A little piece for Arch Enemy Arts 8 year Anniversary show. Due to the worldwide lockdowns the show is now taking place online with all the works on view at Arch Enemy Arts website.

This new 8 Year Anniversary exhibition showcases 46 artists in AEA's global art family including Adam Crawford, Alex Eckman-Lawn, Alex Garant, Alex Kuno, Allison Sommers, Babs Webb, Ben Howard, Brian Mashburn, Caitlin Hackett, Caitlin McCormack, Carly Janine Mazur, Colin Frangicetto, David Natale, Edith LeBeau, Emma Black, Evan Lovett, Gustavo Rimada, Jack Shure, James Lipnickas, Jesse Jacobi, Jon Ching, Kazuhiro Hori, Kelly McKernan, Kristen Egan, Maria Teicher, MECRO, Michael Reedy, Michelle Avery Konczyk, M.K. Komins, Najeeb Sheikh, Nathan Cartwright, Nathan Reidt, Paul Romano, Darla Jackson, Rachael Bridge, Rebecca Reeves, Ruth Speer, Sapphire Trickett, Sarah Cannon, Sarah Joncas, Scott Kirschner, Sea of Doom, Seper, Seidman & Celeste, Thomas Ascott, and Tom Bagshaw.

Dear Diary.

I am feeling pretty alright considering how today played out. We got a call from grandma, so basically the worst that could happen. I couldn't hear what she was screaming about this time, but I did hear her throw around her "reeliks" as mom used to say. It's mostly a codename for cuss words and remarks she makes towards people, most of which are directed at my dad.

Funnily enough, she's been the nicest to me for these last couple of years, even if dad needs that kind of kindness more. She wasn't even that kind to mom. I guess in her mind, it's not my fault for being born. Although she does sometimes say that I need to look "less like your father" which I plan on not following.

Dear Diary,

Yesterday was Valentine's day. I honestly forgot until my dad reminded me. He went out and got flowers for mom. Pansies, as they're her favourite. He places them on the kitchen table for a few days before burning them in a small fire out back. It's nice, since I get to warm up marshmallows before going to bed. Funnily enough, he only saved one bunch of pansies. They've been dried out between the pages of "The Three Musketeers", which I don't think mom will apprechiate. Must have been the world's most beautiful pansies. I only discovered them about half a year ago, but I always forget to ask dad about them.

They used to go on so many dates back then and leave me with either one of mom's friends or a random relative. Sometimes I wonder how it feels like to go on a date. Must be nice, since they had about two a month.

Dear Diary,

I didn't exactly have a good day. Not a bad one either, since I'm home now and it's a bit better. Dad will be back super late today, so I had to make my own food again. Thankfully we have about 3 more packs of spaghetti and a lot more ketchup. It's my favourite food, though having it about twice or thrice a week for three months straight is starting to wear me down.

The trees outside used to be covered in snow, but it's all muddy and wet now. Having snow back wouldn't exactly make the days any warmer, but it would at least look pretty.

Dear Diary,

Can't write much, busy day. I have about 5 more minutes before it's lights out. Dad and I are going "foraging" tomorrow. He likes to do it when the sun comes up and there's not much time left, so i need to sleep for as long as possible. No idea why he decided that we need to get all the groceries and supplies for the week every saturday morning right after sunrise. At least going to sleep is funny. He marches in like a sergeant and lists loudly all the requirements for a good night's sleep.

"Room: cold

Child: under blanket

Goodnight kiss: given!"

Dear Diary,

New snow came down today. It made the world fluffy and quiet, which is nice and all, but it's way too cold. It must be at least 10 below freezing. Dad and I made thin waffles. They usually go well with ice cream, but we're never fast enough to roll them up into cones, so we kinda just dip them into some half melted ice cream instead. I'd count this as a good day, since school was cut short for some reason. Might have been the worryingly large amount of snowfall, that the teachers were warily glancing at.

The crows haven't returned though. Wouldn't surprise me if they're currently huddled around a smoking chimney somewhere more towards the city. We used to have one, but my parents tore it down after it nearly burned down the place. Means I've never seen it with my own eyes, but dad did say that a part of the attic is still burnt from it. I would go and see it since, unlike the basement, I am allowed up there, but mom's old projects have built a wall between me and that burnt piece of the house. Climbing over them could mean accidentally breaking them, which is definetly not worth it.