The poem – Aphonic Awards for Awkwardness – inspired the illustrator. This pairing by Colin and Chris expresses the futility of longing.
Poem by Colin James
Artwork by Chris James

The Aphonic Awards For Awkwardness
Say it isn’t so somehow.
They sat us too far away,
your orange hair barely visible
in what I perceived to be
a floating haze of cigar smoke.
When it was your turn to speak
with a northern accent
on each numeral thank-ye,
you postured dramatically instead.
Out to sea again, instinctually.
About the Poet
About the Artist
Chris is a graphic designer and visual artist who resides in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. He enjoys living a mostly hermitic lifestyle with his family while striving to perfect a range of visual art techniques, honing his culinary skills, and chasing the heels of technological advancements. His current interests include 3D design, animation, AI technology, and puppet making at the behest of his oldest child.
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