The Perkiomen Literary Magazine
THE PALANTIR
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Cover Art By: Lillian Park ‘18 2
The Perkiomen Literary Magazine was known as The Palantir for almost forty years. This magazine represents different styles of art that are reprinted on and off campus by the students and faculty of the Perkiomen School.
“The Palantir derives its name from one of the objects in J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. A palantir is a mystical stone which acts as a vehicle to alter its owner’s space and time, and there are only seven in existence.” taken from Spring 1984 Palantir
Artwork By: Ms. Shin 3
The Truth in the Woods The sway of the trees and the sound of the bees The pollen in the air was making me sneeze The rigors of school and the pattern of life Only really leads to internal strife As I walked through the woods, without a care I eventually uncovered the truth out there After a year, a month and a week I discovered, that life could be sweet
Writing by :Adam Cobrinik ‘17 Artwork By: Spark Yuchen Zhang ‘20
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Artwork By: Spark Yuchen Zhang ‘20 5
A Mind Wandering Driving in the car on the way home, Thinking thoughts that are soon forgotten or will never be spoken;
All of a sudden, it wanders to thinking about her uncle, Who she hasn’t seen in a very long time. Her mother’s side of the family has a complicated relationship With trust issues and lies, love and hatred, And the feeling that there is always a missing piece. She wonders, since they have spoken, What if he has passed away, and she never got to say goodbye? She immediately lets go of the thought, Which she realizes is completely absurd. A few days later, sinking deeply in a dream, Her parents shake her awake. They say, “Honey, we have some bad news.” For some reason, her mind wanders back To that moment in the car, thinking about The thought of her uncle passing away.
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Her parents look at each other with A look of despair and sadness, As they tell her he passed away. Her face moves into a crinkled forehead, Wet eyes, and a dropped chink.
Fresh tears drop down her cheeks like Pine cones fall from the branches of an evergreen tree. She cries out in pain, and immediately says, “I’m not kidding, I kind of knew what you were going to say Before you even said it.”
Her parents surround her with outstretched arms, But instead of acknowledging their support, She sinks deeper into the many layers of her bed Drowning in the depressing memories and thoughts that rush Into her heart and soul. She cries for hours and hours, wasting the day way, Then silence drowned out the cries, And she soon forgot the shock and remembered the sadness. Writing By: Alex Campbell ‘20 Artwork By: Lilian Park ‘18 7
Artwork By: Spark Yuchen Zhang ’208 ‘20
2016 Moving on, moving forward Smell you later jerk!
Writing By: Mr. Moser
Artwork By: Lydia Linqi Xu ’17 and April Yu-Ping Wu ‘17 9
Artwork By: Nikki Ciocari ‘17
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She was Grace There she was in stammering beauty My heart beating faster than the speed of light Gazing into my eyes and mine into hers She was Grace in name and in essence For she was mine, I do not know But in the majestic brown eye color I could tell For she was Grace For the most stunning being for my eyes to look upon As I move in for her name She dashed away from my sight In a graceful way Writing By: Adam Mancini’ 19 Photography By: Nikki Ciocari ‘17 11
A dark
Loud Television Is Life And
A Small Paradise For You.
Writing By: Anonymous Middle Schooler Artwork By: Nikki Ciocari ‘17 12
Writing By:
Anonymous Middle Schooler Artwork By: Nikki Ciocari ‘17
A trick of the light Blink and stared It stared back Around the corner He watched Gave A little shake He thought of nothing Couldn’t help noticing that there Seemed to be a lot of strange People about
They were whispering excitedly together Sat with his back to the window If he hadn’t, he might have found it harder to Concentrate
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Artwork By: Spark Yuchen Zhang ‘20
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Artwork By: Spark Yuchen Zhang ‘20
Dear all races, To the deep culture of Africa, To the complex life of America. For the countries with bad history, And those who have great ancestry For people who have reached outer space, And communities that wish to find their place. And for people who feel hated, because The world is still segregated, Just know we aren’t separated. It’s easy to know we are the same, It’s just the word “racist” that gives us shame. If only the people from Australia, to The great lengths of India, knew what We were all thinking, So if someone hits a iceberg, We’ll stop them from sinking. But if only we could all understand, That we could all help each other, By making a stand. Writing By: Omar Jobe ‘23
Photography By: Rebecca Derham ‘20 15
3051 -a force that rips through our hastily tied strings |they never stood a chance| number of missed calls (5) -seeking comfort in a familiar space t+/-3 -always landing on the wrong side of the coin, try again, always land20 question answers years sorry’s to reach a destination -”It’s supposed to be easier than this” “talk to you soon” [so fragile, clutched until stashed crimson] @12:0 heady scent of caffeine on every corner rich smell of chocolate thick in the air words coat over pictures that no longer contain you we’ve yet to share do you still recal the last day, humid’s sweat damp no goodbye? bittersweet, wasn’t it? [just tie all the snaps’ together again] 3051 -Hurts we grow into -Bruises we build atop of -Cuts we mend together Artwork By: Jeff Jia Yuan Xu ‘18 but “click” “hey” a smile splits my Writing By: Anonymous ‘19 face (ml) long converted to (mm) 16
Artwork By: Spark Yuchen Zhang ‘20 17
Artworks By: Nikki Ciocari ‘17 18
Artwork By: Spark Yuchen Zhang ‘20 19
My Love for Pizza I Confess
My figure does not love your tasty guise For thee provides to me unhealthy treats But 'tis my tongue that loves what they despise What in despite of carbs, is pleased to eat. For both thy smell, mine ears delighted tune For taste, for smell, in which deserves invite Crispy feeling to tender tastes immune A sensational feast to my delight Rather my ten wits nor five senses can Dissuade a foolish heart from chowing thee, Which leaves altered the taste buds of a man, Thy tongue now slave to cheesy finery. To stoop upon the scale I count my gain, It that makes me chunky awards me pain.
Writing By: Ali Abbas ‘19 Photography By: Rebecca Derham ‘20 20
Trick of the light Blinked And Starred Watched in Mirror mind. Thought of nothing Driven out His mind. By something else.
You saw whispering The nerve of him. But then it struck. A few minutes later His mind Back On Drills.
Writing By: Bella Baringer ‘23 Artwork By: Hanya Selena Lei ‘20 21
Photography By: Adeline Xueyan Rong ‘20 22
Rainbow A rainbow has many colors in the sky, Beautiful and untouchable. When people see this, They always point And discuss this every time. He feels sad and disappointed. A rainbow is normal. He also is part of this world. He just has more color. Why do people do this? There are also many rainbows around us They look normal, Because rainbows are inside. People can easily find them,
But people cannot see Their beauty and color. Writing By: Sapphire Tongshu Yang ‘19 Artwork By: Julia Pacho Santos ‘19
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She sat, the book perched on her hand, As the literature grew into her. She is the royalty of the land, And it is her full attention the words will lure.
Line after line, word after word, They have gained full control, Of all her actions, of all that she heard, And this was the author’s goal.
Writing By: Anonymous Middle Schooler
Artwork By: Polina Tolmachenko ‘20 24
Artwork By: Milana Gapienko ‘18 25
Writing By: Ava Beale ‘19
Artwork By: Eric Yu Yang Wang ‘19 Body Image Breasts too small Legs too tall Skin way too dark Face with many marks Her blonde hair is too light His curled hair gave me a fright. His brown eyes are too plain Her green eyes look like stains. Her stomach and thighs are fat His butt is too flat His nose is so big Her lip as thin as a twig Why can’t we be happy? Why does everyone have to act snappy? The commenters need to change themselves We need to love ourselves 26
Shadows Every morning sun up in the sky But you are not close to me We walk by each other But not going the same way And you never try to see How close I am to you now You never notice me How I call your name out loud You can’t see how I am standing close When you are in the hall way Never notice my shadow for your back And never try to turn to check I want just you and me To fill my long days Fill all my nightly dreams And no one can stay on my way No one can stop me Stop loving you and dreaming of you Cause I know that one day All our dreams will come true 27
Photography By: Rebecca Derham ‘20 Writing By: Shorty ‘20
Artwork By: Milana Gapienko ‘18
Artwork By: Spark Yuchen Zhang ‘20 28
Artwork By: Ms. Shin
Writing By: Mrs. Irven
To Mom Thoughtful, caring all around You always knew when we were down Post-it notes inside your lunchWishing you good luck or just because Making cookies and eating dough Going for walks even in snow Planting flowers and feeding deer Even though you are gone you will be near Your unwavering support no matter what Always telling us don’t ever give up Don’t you quit she always said Looking after us until the end The fun, the laughter and sometimes tears All the memories from all those years Our family is now missing a major part But you will always be inside our hearts
Artwork By: Spark Yuchen Zhang ‘20 29
Photography By: Rebecca Derham ‘20
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Artwork By: Lillian Park ‘18 31
In Nature In nature things come in threes but our love was infinite. 1.) Love was a five foot seven Spanish American boy with a birds nest for hair but I didn't mind because nature looked so damn good on him 2.) His eyes were sky blue, a never ending natural pool greater than the Great Lakes, I always found myself staring into them as if there was something hidden in their depths 3.) His body was chiseled like marble as though he could have been the David himself; he was a work of art. Art dripped from his lips like honey, the poet who I thought loved me talked about me in such a way that I thought I deserved the universe and all of its stars 4.) I never thought I would need anything more. He is like Hermes in Greek mythology, able to get through all your defenses just to steal your heart. Able to charm you into giving him what he wants. I gave him everything I thought he could ever want but clearly it wasn't enough 5.) A wise poet once said "You can learn everything from the way he leaves you." He told me we need to talk. He told me he was so sorry for what he was about to do. He said I'm so sorry. He said I will keep the things you gave me until looking at them hurts too much. He said I'll call you in a few days. He said I still love you. 6.) A wise poet once said "do not mistake salt for sugar, if he wants to be with you he will", but I'm not sure if he knows whether or not he's sugar or salt yet himself, so how am I supposed to know which one he is? Sitting on the fence for a while will hurt, but I will gladly sit if that fence is the hypothetical white picket fence for my life and all I need is his help to get over it. Whether it's towards him or the boy a couple states away I don't know. 7.) Seven is my favorite number and always has been since I discovered its natural draw. You had a natural draw. 32
7.) Every photo I took of you looked like I had captured happiness. Often I was in the corner because we were on skype but that doesn't matter, what matters is I captured our happiness and a love that was more than love before that love got complicated 7.) Love letters in my desk remind me of a love I wish I could forget but I cannot forget because our love is infinite. In nature things come in threes but our love was infinite 8.) I miss your voice 8.)I miss your voice 8.) I miss your voice 9.) Your voice is no longer the first thing I hear in the morning and the last thing I hear before I got to sleep. My soul aches to hear your melody, but I must tell my soul the harsh truth that your soul isn't quite ready to handle a universe the size of me. 10.) Love is a 5 foot 11 all American boy with a birds nest for hair but you don't mind because nature looks so damn good on him 11.) His smile rivals the sun in the happiness that he brings when the world is lucky enough to see it In nature things come in threes but our love was infinite 12.) Learning his emotions is like chess because you're not quite sure where to move yet. Trapped by your feelings about old love but wanting to move forward across the board because you feel that you're simply a pawn right now, and that's your job 12.) His voice is the first thing I hear in the morning and the last thing I hear before I got to bed 12.) My soul still aches for you, and my soul will wait for you, but my heart will not
Writing By: Cheyenne Valstar ‘19 33
Artwork By: Sharon JiaQi Lu ‘19 34
Unknowingly Sadness I used to be afraid, When I remind your face. Staring at your smile lines, Rippled on the pure white. I used to be afraid, When I’m holding your hands. Begging you don’t follow my path, when we went through the dark side. If you’re conscious of my love, Please said it quietly among my ears. To make me feel less fear, Of your goddamn pink of perfection. If you know how camellias were tarnished by silt, That’s how I feel the relationship between me and you
Artwork By: Miho Suzuki ‘18 Writing By: Frank Rongqing Tian ‘20
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Artwork By: Nikki Ciocari ‘17
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Writing By: Anonymous Middle Schooler I am From
Photography By: Rebecca Derham ‘20
I am from the rain, From Post its and Burt’s Bees, I am from the pond with the shimmering fish (Bubbling, wading, Through the septic tanks) I am from the bluebells
The cotton, Walking through, smelling the cloudy air of England. I am from oranges in my stockings, Apologetic, From John and Emma, I’m from the birthday song calls and
The loud house, From “pick up your clothes!” and “No, don’t break that!” I’m from Christmas mornings, how I have to wait till 10 o’clock! I’m from #5 Walter’s Way, Tea and crunchy cereal, From when my mom tied her sister to a tree, The gum my dad stuck to his chair, The box under the bathroom sink, Holding pictures, handprings, memories of when Things didn't matter, and wrinkles weren’t A thing. 37
Anxiety Acrostic Hundreds of sleepless nights Each spent staring at the ceiling Laze never felt Pulse racing Under the sheets Some don’t believe us
Writing By: Ava Beale ‘19
Artwork By: Hee Jae Kim ‘18 38
Finding Courage
You were so quiet inside me that I feared something was wrong None of the kicking or turning or morning sickness that usually happens Just the gentle glow a mother gets when she feels life steadily emerging The nurses and doctors all assured me that you were just fine and happy So I tried to relax and have the courage to accept your ways At your sister’s 6th birthday party when our backyard became a “petting zoo” You fell off the pony in your green and white dress Holding you as you cried burrowing your head into my chest I felt sure you would never want to ride again after such a tumble But just a short while later you softly tugged on my shirt asking to ride again In disbelief and pride I watched as you were placed again on the animal I looked as you concentrated and stiffened your resolve So I tried to relax and have the courage to accept your ways I wonder if people really see all your courage A courage that had suffered so many goodbyes yet a heart that still welcomes new friends A courage that has lived so many different places and found the good in all of them’ A courage that has endured so much physical pain as doctor’s poke and prod at you A courage that resides deep inside you and stands tall every time Providing you with a steely gaze that faces down your foes I want people to know that you are the bravest person I know Because you have endured and suffered so much Yet still smile and love and look for goodness I want people to know that I have seen your eyes filled with so much pain I think you will break but time and time again you stand tall and I really don’t know where you find your courage Courage that roars like a lion but is gentle and patient as a feather Courage that can stand up to any pain that white coated doctors can prescribe Courage that is red and powerful and full of fire Courage that is you my beloved daughter
Writing By: Ms. Henderson
Photography By: Rebecca Derham ‘20 39
Artwork By: Milana Gapienko ‘18 40
A little river across the hill, In brightest moonlight basking lasting peace, Until you along me roaming feel, Vibrating but to hide under the weeds; With blossom petals dressing you at ease, Afford a lovely crown with cooling shades, Amuse with swirling fallen leaf cease, And offer ripen fruits with watery trace, Along the way as silent parallel planes. In ruthless coldest sea I finally flow, Afloat through tide none orientation born, With cloudy rain and wind enrage as whole, For thee or me to nothing else but worn; To watch the dress’ frills amazingly corn, Then see the storms upon crown brutally cold, Of rosy images, as scattered pieces as torn; Ho, drifting tides but never luck behold, But I still wait for love tomorrow be told.
Writing By: Johnny Zhou ‘19 Artwork By: Milana Gapienko ‘18 41
Artworks By: Milana Gapienko ‘18
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Artwork By: Milana Gapienko ‘18
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Artwork By: Polina Tolmachenko ‘20
Artwork By: Danil Pasiada ‘19 44
Artwork By: Jeff Jia Yuan Xu ‘18 45
Artwork By: Dorothy Lei Zhu ‘18
Artwork By: Lacey Wheeler ‘18
Artwork By: Miho Suzuki ‘18
Artwork By: Miho Suzuki ‘18 46
Best Day Today is the best day of my life We were together with you I could hear your laugh I hope you had a great time too
We didn’t talk very long Ignore each other Try not to stay in the same place alone Act like we were strangers I tried my best to talk to you Scared and all the time shaking when you are going past Tried to say even “Hi” for me was rough I am so happy
Today’s the best day of my life I have so much fun Today’s the best day, I want to repeat it Today is the best day of my life I won’t forget it!!! 47
Writing By: Shorty ‘20
Today is the best day of my life
Photography By: Rebecca Derham
But I was not brave enough
Dear Uveitis From you I am blind. Every drip drip drip I drop in my eyes is how I seek my revenge. Yoo-vee-ahy-tis Uveitis? My mother struggles to dislodge the taste of you. Unpreventable and with no warning. -and I'm stuck with you for life. A lifetime of doctors doctors doctors With their needles and opinions as painful as the thought of you. I seal my left eye and stare at the chart. "You can't see that?" I can't see the largest letter; that big E. Because of you every time they force my right eye on that chart I'm left with the disappointment of knowing it won't ever read again. "Your good eye is our priority." They say... Apparently it was yours too. You seeped into my seeing eye To rattle me, my family, my doctors once again. You left me in fear. I live in fear of that big E And every other letter you'll steal from my sight. Uveitis you had to let me know your work was not done. It would continue. You have more damage to be done. Well, P.S. I'm not done either. Artwork By: Collin Morris ‘19
Writing By: Lilly Henderson 48
Wherever I go I’ll always know Where my heart will remain When in my soul There is wind and rain Like a little child Coming home from play Heaven’s light will
Guide my way No matter how far I roam
PERK Will forever be my
home Artwork By: Frances del Toro ‘19 Poem By: Faith Nungesser ‘21 49
Photography By: Omar Jobe 50
Photography By: Omar Jobe ’23 51
The Palantir 2017 Acknowledgments Senior Editors: Ava Beale ‘19 Rebecca Derham ‘20 Lilly Henderson ‘17 Co-Editors: Jiahui Chen ‘17, Guanchen Luo’18, Linqi Xu ‘17, Xianoyan Zhang ’18, Yueyang Zhou ‘18
Advisor: Mrs. Sheri Rider Jobe
Special Thanks to: Mr. Maxime Sinal Ms. Kate Hammond
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