BrainScramble Magazine. The world through our eyes. Toronto & Berkeley. Latest BSToronto i17: MEND, out now.
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Have You Met the Pink Glow?
By: Monica Lin If you stare into my eyes, you can almost notice a faint pink tint hiding underneath my hazelnut tones. I say “almost” because you cannot tell whether it’s my eyes or yours playing tricks. As you’ll breathe in and wonder about it, I’ll flush in the shades of a sunset; muddy pink,…
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The Gravers
The Gravers arrived every November. When the vibrant mosaics of October turned into stale and scattered browns; when the sweet-smelling October air turned into a cold so sharp it stung as you inhaled; when sleepy sunsets of October turned into darkness so abrupt that you found yourself forgetting how to long for the sun; when…
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A Long-Winded Book Recommendation And My Ongoing Battle With Memory
The first book that made me cry was We’ll Fly Away by Bryan Bliss. Unimaginably depressing, it recounts the story of Toby and Luke, two best friends from similarly neglectful families who dreamed since childhood that they would repair the old, two-seater plane that crashed deep within the woods near their town and run away.…
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The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things
He reeked of sadness. It was an aura that pervaded him—coiling and spiraling around him in thick, dense clouds. We watched him through transparent layers of cotton candy as he walked around the carnival’s games. His back was hunched with age, and his long, sinewy arms hung like branches. Motionlessly, we stared at him, terrified…
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This Autumn
Funny, the way we so easily think we’re in love. You’re always scared to admit hard truths to yourself. You fetishize your sadness, yet you always dread it. You can feel yourself sinking into who you were a year ago; it’s almost as if you lose yourself each day along with the sun. It’s autumn,…
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Notes From A “Sefeed” Girl
By: Sipora West The top Urban Dictionary definition of “Sefeed” reads: Sefeed means “white” in Persian. In American Persian slang, it has come to refer to white people, and to Persians who are “white-washed.” Example: Look at Nooshin dance! She’s such a Sefeed! Until this August, I only knew the word “sefeed” in reference to…
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mad woman manifesto
I am painting a master’s study. It’s Caravaggio; a beautiful oil blend with classical romanticism undertones and dark, stretching shadows. It depicts the Biblical story of Judith and Holofernes, where Judith saws off his head with a long, samurai sword. He belts in anguish, his face twisted and tortured. I find the image bewitching. I…
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mirrorball by michael im
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untitled by nina yu
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untitled by raymond zhu
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Me and my culture had a falling out.
shot by celina tang
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jawbreaker
My eyes were always too big for my face my forehead was too I never fit where i should have I still don’t. i am suffocated by the thoughts of the person I used to be. again, I run back to the warmth of the memories i made they grip my throat like an old…
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Self-Situationship
(cw: general mental illness, vague discussion of eating disorders/body image) I’m in an on-again-off-again relationship with myself. When we’re off, my brain is occupied by another angrier version of me. She’s cruel; unspeakably so. I have to beg her to stop, to hold back and yield her sword of ugly truths. To clarify, I’m not…
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Not Again
I do not want to watch The Shining again. If I do, it means I’m starting over. It means I have to introduce myself to someone new. It means I have to ask, what’s your favorite color? What music do you like? Have you heard this album? I recommend this song if you’re feeling quite…
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I Am Sorry Rose Tico – The Entanglement of Misogyny & Queerness in Popular Culture
By Elisa Penha Harassing Millie Bobby Brown is not going to make Byler canon. You are not achieving the levels of allyship that you believe make impactful change in the incessant slander of Millie Bobby Brown in defence of a ship—a ship that was doomed by a television show determined to capitalize on fan theory…
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TRIGGER WARNING: FAILURE by Reid Kalaw
I’ve started working on my college applications. I’m meticulous about it. I’ve watched countless YouTube videos; guides from ex-admissions officers, tips from current Ivy League students, and hacks from people who appear to be relatively qualified. I’ve finished my first draft of my common-app essay with a topic that’s been achingly thought over and measured…
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The Clock Ticks Too Fast For My Liking
Time spills out of my hands; sands of time. It is the waves kissing the shores; one, two, three, four. Constantly chasing each wave ahead. It waits for no one. New Yorker on the go. I am, so tired, of searching, wanting, waiting, for a way to slow, time, down. Hold myself close, while another,…
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The Art of Pushing Someone Away
Disclaimer: The author does not support the idea of pushing someone away, nor was this piece created to be followed step-by-step. Please reach out if you do need help; there is no reward for pushing others away. Within the article, I will be teaching you how to push someone away successfully and how to properly…