2024 Wordplay Literary Magazine

WORDPLAY

CONGRESSIONALSCHOOL LITERARYMAGAZINE

Wordplay

The Congressional School Literary Magazine

Spring2024

Editors-in-Chief

OliviaGreene

OwenLevine

KarmenSnead

Managing Editor JazzBuitrago

Faculty Advisor

HollyKeimig

Layout Editors

VivienneBailey,SanjeevBelleTrichur,AshleyBicksel,OwenCovington,BrooksGustafson, OwenHermans,FinnHoward,AndrewKetcham,NisaMooganur,EvanThapa,NolanVance

Copy Editors

M.E.Call,StellaColic

Associate Editors

SullyAhn-Kitcher,AbbyAli,IsaacBelicev,HenryHoward,ReeceKennedy,LeahKinder, CharlotteLevine,HaydenMcCausland,GretaPloetz,IsaPrunes,EllieReynolds,Bella Silverbrand,DanaSullivan,LucasTesta

Readers

SammyElbazouni,ParkerFleming,JacksonGriest,GabeHanson,ChaseHarris,LandonOhle, LawsonWeidner

Front Cover By Back Cover By OliviaGreene JazzBuitrago

TABLE OF CONTENTS

24 “CalmBeforetheStorm”byAllenAkiyama

25 Wall bySanjeevBelleTrichur

26 “Umm”byJazzBuitrago

27 “TheUnseenUniverse”byBellaSilverbrand

28 “SamHillandtheBaronExam”bySanjeevBelleTrichur

29 “TheySayHeavenisaPlaceonEarth”byJazzBuitrago

30 “Remember”byBrooksGustafson

31 “HidingBehindTheRoyalWe”byJazzBuitrago

32 “Winter”byAndrewKetcham

33 Penguin byEricDesgranges

34 “TheVoid” byChristianRameika

35 “OdetoaBasketball”byOwenLevine

36 “NotYourCommonFairyTale”byJazzBuitrago

37 City bySanjeevBelleTrichur

38 “TheOldPineTree”bySavannahSmith

39 “Distressed”byKarmenSnead

40 “FreeAssociation”byJazzBuitrago

42 “PhotographoftheRain”byAnonymous

43 Highlighter byChristianRameika

44 “That’sJustBest”byAnonymous

Letter from the Editors Haiku

Greetingsreadersof thisamazingmagazine; wethankallofyou.

Fourlongyearsago, Ourclubstartedwithadream: aninspiration.

Wenurturedthisdream, anditturnedintoaclub, awonderfulclub.

Comeonthisjourney ofpoetry,prose,andart: wehopeyouenjoy!

Thankyoutomany: toalloftheteacherswho pushustocreate.

Thankyousomuchto ourfacultyadvisor Mrs.Keimig,too!

Thisisourfarewell, Awaytoendanera: Aceremony!

- Olivia, Owen, and Karmen Spring2024Editors-in-Chief

New Beginnings

Greta Ploetz

Thehurtfulwinddiesdown;

Theicestartstomelt.

Friendlytulipsstartblooming.

Nomoredaysofheavycoatswithdroopyhats:

Thesuncomesoutwitharayoflight.

Flowersgrowingroupsoffour.

Kidsarerunningbarefoot,theirworriesgone.

Beesarezipping,lookingforcheer.

Springrollsin;

Winterisoutthedoor

When We Were Younger

Gemma Allexon

Rememberwhenwewereyounger, Whenwestillplayedpretend? Whenwesangsongsforfun; Whenallwewantedtodowasrun.

Whenmonstersstillscaredus, Whenwedidn’tunderstandtrust. Whenwestilllikedschool, Whenweweren’tafraidtoactlikefools.

Whenthedaysseemedtooshort. Whennoonewasonourtail.

Whenwedidn’twanttoleave. Whenlifedidn’tseemboring. Whenwedidn’thavetogrowup. Whenwecouldjustbeourselves.

Nowallwehaveisstress. Nofun. Nopretending. Justreallifethatmakesmewanttocry.

CASTLE

Eric Desgranges

Orchid

Olivia Greene

Fiona McKee

Inthevividdisplayofchangingseasons Nature’scolorsshiftinginadelicateballet

Springwhisperswithagentlebreeze’skiss Awakeningflowersinanartfulbliss

Summerarrivesinasun-soakedembrace Goldenwarmthpaintingeveryopenspace

Autumn’spaletteavibrant,fieryhue Leavesspininthewind

Winter’sbreathafrosty,silentsong Blanketingtheworld

Christian Rameika

BALL

Neo-Cubism

Jazz Buitrago

Youseeeverythingin Squares Andtriangles

Don’tletme

Blurthelines

Don’tletme

Crosstothe Otherside Thecolors Stayseparate

Somejust Don’tfit.

Ithought Onceuponatime

Thetineofthefork Sharp Solid Iwantto

Flowfree,watercolorsalloverthepaper, Bleedingintoeachother Noinkpen

Tokeepthemontheroad Flyintotheskies

ButtheNeo-cubistsamongus

Wouldhave Enoughslack

Tocurve Slideasmuch Aspleasesit. But Thelinesare Toosharp I Don’tfitinany Oftheseboxes Theselines, Colors, Sharpedges, They’renot Me

Keepmedown Withthehardlines, Theflatshades, Monotone.

Idon’tlike Neo-Cubism.

Lost

Dana Sullivan

ItwasalmostNewYear’sDay,andalmostayearsinceIhadgottenlost.Ihadbeen goingonasolomission,whensuddenlyIwassteeredoffcourse.TheISSdrifted fartherandfartheraway,andmycontrolsgotbusted,soIcouldonlysendashort messageofhelpbeforeIwasabruptlycutoff.Myoxygensupplywasdeteriorating rapidly,andIwasstartingtofeellightheaded.Iwasblackingout,andinmylast momentsofconsciousness,Ijerkedthesteeringwheel.NextthingIknew,my spaceshipcrashedandIwasonsolidground.

Therewaslushgreeneryaroundme,andstreamsthatsparkledlikediamond.Itwas aparadise,andforasecondIthoughtittobethemostbeautifulplaceonearthuntilthesky.Ithoughtitwasjustacloudyday,untilIsawthethreefierypurple suns.Theskywasaglisteningpearlywhite,paintedwithbrushesofpinkand yellow.Thedirtfeltfirmbeneathmyfeet,reassuringmethatIwasn’tdrifting aroundaimlesslyanymore.Iwasinadaze,myeyesfixedoneverydetail,every workofartinthismagicalworld.ThenIsnappedoutofit,though.WhatifI wasn’talone?

Iboltedintothethickforest,runningforanhouruntilIhadtostop.Therewasa streamupahead,andmyexhaustionriddenbraindidn’tevenwonderifitwassafe todrink.Icuppedmyhandsandkneltdowntothestream,scoopingupahandful ofwater.Ithoughtithadalldrippedoutofmyhandsbecauseitwassoclear.The waterfeltlikeablizzardinmymouth,andmydrythroatswalloweditgratefully. Thewhiteskybecameamurkymagenta,andIassumedthatitwasaroundsunset.I madeamakeshiftbedfromleaves,andclosedmyeyes.

ThreemonthsafterIhadfirstcrashedintothisplanet,therewasstillnosignof intelligentlife.Itrekkedbacktowheremybustedspaceshipwas,hopingthat NASAwouldbeabletotrackmysignalfromthemessageIsentandfindme.Ihad fallenintoaroutine,mostlytokeepmedistractedfrommypersistentuneasiness. Thequiethumdrumofbasicactionskeptmesane.

Sixmonthspassedsincethelanding.Stillnothing.IwasstartingtohopethatI wouldseesomething.Ididn’tcareifitwouldbemyfriend,ortrytoeatme.Ijust wantedsomecontact,someone’seyestolookinto.Iwashangingonbyathread, andmydailyroutinewashelpinglessandless.Ihopedthatsomeonewouldcome soon,beforeIwasdrivenmadbymyownthoughts.

NinemonthsafterIlostallcontactwithEarth,Iwassleeping70%oftheday,and whenIwasawake,Iwasdraggingmyselftodrinkwaterandfindfood.Ifound myselfforgettingthemostsimplethings,andmythoughtsbecameafeverdream.I constantlyfeltlikeIwasjustgettingoffofanesthesia,myeyescloudedandmy mindwoozy.Iwasstartingtobreakdownintopieces,partsofmyselfsheddingoff asthedayspassedby.

Twelvemonthspassedonthisbeautifulprisonofaplanet.Ihadn’tknownit,butit wasNewYear’sDay.IwasashellofwhoIoncewas,thecomplexitiesofmy personalityforgotten.Mymindwasrobotic.Eat;sleep;drink.Thesethoughtswere allthatwasinmybrain,Icouldn’tevenstopthemfromcirclingthrough.Itwasa survivalinstinct,Iwaskeepingmyselfalive.Iwouldn’tconsciouslythinkabout doingactions,theywerejusthappening.

Iwasdozingoffbymyspaceship,whensomethingclaspedmyarm.Ihearda voice.Avoice!Ihadn’theardoneofthoseinsolong,Imyselfhadstopped speaking.Iallowedmyselftobepulledalongbywhoever,Ididn’tcarewhatwould happentome.Icouldfeeltheshatteredpiecesofmyselfcomingbacktogether slowly,likeanoldpuzzleyoufinallyhadthetimetopiecetogether.Iwassatdown inachair,andopenedmyeyes.Itwasaspaceship,andtherewerepeople!

Forthefirsttimeinayear,Ismiled.

The Cat Defne

Arslanalp

AsIwalkedaroundtheblock Isawakidwhotalkedalot

Shepickedmeupandmademesmile Andgavememilkjustforawhile

Butwhenthemotherhadwalkedin

Shewalkedaroundandstartedtogrin ThenIpurredaroundherlegs Andthelittlekidstartedtobeg

“Alright,alright,”themothersaid “Butfirstpleasegotobed.”

Thenthegirlhuggedhermothertight Andthenhermotherturnedoffthelight Isleptonthelittlegirl’schair

Itwaslittlerough,butIcouldspare Idriftaway,butstillinside Thislittlegirl’safriendofmine

Iamtherat Grayfur Turnsbrown Oldwhiskers Un-age Thegrass Turntoash

Andtherats Theystay Rats

Theblameshifts Shifting

Iamthemouse Theunwanted Excepttothose Unwanted

Allnibbling Nobbs Beingbeatenaway Fromthebroom

Silkyfur Thedartingeyes

The Rat

Jazz Buitrago

Turn Turnsthemold Away

Intotheinside Wheretheycannot Gettoit.

Iamapieceofcheese Small

Eatenforbreakfast Pouredontobread Pointless Themouse Nibbles Onlythemouse Wouldwant Thatpoorpiece Ofmoldycheese

Iamtheroad Thattheyallreston Iamthebumps Inthatroad Thatroad Thatcarriesallsouls Fromthebeginning oftheirjourney Tothe Veryend

Iamall Iamnone Iameverythinginbetween

Iamthesunshine, Themoonlight, Theraindropsonyourback onasummerday

Whentheyturn To Hail

Iamtheworst Thatyoudon’tsee

Andthehappiness lurkingaroundthecorner

Butmostly Iam therat.

Untitled

Leah Kinder

Itwasahotsummerdayandthesunwasblazingdownonme.Iheadedtothe pooltocooloff.Igrabbedmyswimgearandstartedtheshortbuthotwalkto thepool.Theairseemedtobeboilingdownandthewindwaslacking.Iwas outofbreathasIwalkedintothecommunitypool.Ithrewmybagontoa chairandtookoffmyflipflops.ThecementburnedmyfeetasIwalkedasfast asIcouldwithoutgettingthewhistleblownatme.Ijumpedintothepool withouthesitation.AssoonasmyheadwentunderIwasmetwiththecold reliefofthefreezingwater.Iwentupforairandmyheadwashitwiththehot raysofthesun.Iputmygogglesonandwentunder.

Iheardloudnoisesthatsoundedlikewhistlesandsqueaks.Ibrokethroughthe surfaceofthewateragainandlookedaroundforkidsortoddlers.Isawno squeakingorflailingkids.Onlyafewotheradultswerecalmlytalking.Iwent backunderthewaterandIheardmoreloudnoises.Iknewthewatermoves noisequickerthantheair.Ilookedoutattheslopingdownwardspoolthatled intothedeependwheretherewerenokids.Iswamundertheempty swimminglanesandmylungswereheavingforair.

Thewateratthedeependwasfreezingandseemedtobeadeepershadeof bluethantherestofthepool.Idoveintothewaterlookingagainforthe sourceofthenoise.Mygogglespoppedoffmyfacefromthepressureofmy dive.Myeyesstungbutnotfromthechlorine.Istuckoutmytongueandthe waterwassalty…

Iheardmoreofthesqueakingnoise,closerthistime.Ikickedmylegsoutand swimtowardsthesourceofthenoise.Ilookedoutatanopenlargevent filteringthewater.Twoeyesstarebackatme.Theeyesofaseaotter.

Synonymous Silence Jazz Buitrago

ThefirstthingshenoticedwasthedrippingMaddening,initsferocity,poundingonherfeet,asif pouringfromthemouthofagargantuananimalShecouldpictureitperfectly,frothingatthemouth, eyesreducedtoslitsThefeetwouldshiftrestlessly,waitingWaitingforitspreytoawaken,waitingto hearthatfantasticalscream,echoingthroughoutthevalleys,shatteringtheeardrumsofallwhotookthe timetolisten.

Sheraisedherheadslightly.Somethingwasimpedinghervision,somethinglargeenoughtoblotoutthe stars.Shefeltthepoundingheartofterrorinherchest.Steppingoutfromundertheshadow,hereyes cametorestuponanoverlylargeleaf.Thedrippingcontinued.Shesighed,asighofrelief,oflife.A breathingoutoflife.

WasshestillrestinginB.C.E1000?Shelookedaround,notspottinganyclarifyingdetails.No.Itmust havebeenthattheportaldidn’twork.ThisjustCAN’Tbethefuture. The present,shecorrected. Shesawasetoffootprints.Herown.Anothersighofrelieffloodedherlungswhenshesawthem.She wasstillinthepast.

Thesilence,though,theincrediblesilenceShekeptwalking,spyingalightofdayinthedistance,anend totheencroachinggreeneryAdesertmaybe?

Alas,shedidnotrememberadesertbeingtherefromthepast.Theheartbeatthathadbeguntoslow camebeatingbackupagain.

Thelight.Itwasadesert.Theshiningindividualsandsofthousandsofyearsstretched,sothattheywould neverbedestroyed.Shelookedbehindher.Thetreeshewasstandingunder,theoneleft.NO.

Itsbarkwasgray,itsleavesthesamepallor.Herstomachwascompletelyswallowedupjustasit disappearedunderthesand,crumblinglikeashinanight-terror.

Thiscouldn’tbereal. Sheturnedbackaround.

Thepeople

Thethousandsofskulls,ofskeletons,embeddedinthesand Theimpeccablequiet

Thelastpieceofthejigsawpushedin,hersanityawaywithit. NotasoulontheEarthwasalivetohearhertears.

WAR Jackson Braun

Whilewearehavingabeautifulday,manyaresufferinginUkraine

Whilewewitnesstheflowersbloom,manypeoplehavemettheirdoom

Whilewejokeandplayaround,manyothersliedeadontheground

Whilewesipcocoaonacoldnight,theUkrainiansoldierssufferfrostbite

Asweenjoyourlife,manyhaveseenthefaceofdeath'sscythe

Aswehaveallthisfun,manyhavelosttheirlovedones

Asweworryaboutourgrades,otherswatchtheRussiansinvade

Aswespendtimerelaxingandfishing,otherpeoplesadlygomissing

Duringourlong,peacefulsleep,manydon’tgetenoughtoeat

Duringourlongvacations,manypeoplewaitatthetrainstations

Duringourlongshowers,manyrefugeeshavetowalkforhours

Duringourtrivialconversations,Ukrainestrugglestoremainanation

Eye Christian Rameika

Homework

Jazz Buitrago

Dearteacher,

Ihavenoexcusestomake,

Nostoriestotell, Nothingstofake.

Ididn’tforgetit

Ididn’tloseit

Iwon’tmakeup

Somelame-oreason

WhyIdidn’tdoit

Likethedogateit

Oritblewaway

So Downthestreetitwent

Untilakindladyopenedherairvent

Shesteppedoutofthehouse

Butwithheramouse

Andhecarrieditaway

ToNo-homeworkland!

Whereallkidsarefree

Andallhomeworkbanned!

Thehomesaregrand

InNo-homeworkland

Ifollowedmyhomework Tosomelady’slawn Whereshepromptlythrewitaway. Thedogdivedin!

Ijumpedinthebin! Ifoughtforaterrible,terriblewin!

Andwithaheartfulloftears, Andhandsempty,yes, Ireturnedhometooneheckofa mess

So,teacher, Iamafraidtosay

Unlessyoucaretotravelmilesaway Andchangesomelaws Andfightwithpaws, I’msuretheytoohaveflaws! Butyou’llhavetogivemeazero.

Oh,what’sthatyousay? Itwasn’tdueyesterday? Well,hereyougo!

Point of View

George Bagnall

Tohavesomethingputonthetable

Somethingpreparedbythechefwhoismostable Foryoutosay“EWW!”

Whatdoesthatlooklikefromthechef'spointofview?

Theyputsweat,blood,andtearstomakewhatyoueat butyoutakejustonelookandsayP.U.!

P.U.!thechefthinkswithasilenttear:“Ispent3hoursworkingforyou!” Foryoutobesorude

Whatdoesthatlooklikefromyourparents’pointofview?

Nowthatyou’vethoughtabouteveryoneelse, Nowit’stimetolooktoyourself

Checkyourbehaviornowthatyou’veseenotherspointofview, andthinkbeforeyousay“EWW!”

Becauseifyoudon’twhenyoulookback,whatwillthatlooklikefrom yourpointofview?

Pretty Reckless

Anonymous

PrettyReckless

Pretty,Prettyreckless. Prettysilence, Aquietbeforethecrash

Onesuddenmovement

Everythingisruined Prettycrash, Rocksyourworld

LikethunderrattlingtheEarth.

Prettylonging, ImissthedaysbeforeIwasreckless MaybeI’llgoaway Toleavethisplace

Pretty,Prettyreckless.

Untitled M.E. Call

Calm Before the Storm

Allen Akiyama

Abeautifulstorm, Itwilllieanddeceive. Andtakesmanyforms, Andthepeoplearenaive.

Fortheydon’tknowwhat’scoming, Theydon’thaveaclue. Ofwrathincoming, Andthechaosthatensues.

Forthemiseryandgrief, Ittakesmanyforms. Therespiteisbrief, Inthecalmbeforethestorm.

Sanjeev Belle Trichur

Umm

Jazz Buitrago

Remember

Thesun

Therain

Thestorms

Thesunsfromfaraway

Washourskin

Brushourhair

Thedaysofold Werefilledwithsun

Thehatred Ofthecloudyskies

Filledourliveswithrain

Theacidandthepoison Wouldn’twashawaythepain

Theground Tries

Toohard

Tosoakitallup

Thefloodwatersbreak thedamsmeanttokeepthemin

Thewaterflows

Downtheirfaces

Thetimes

Whenyoujustwish Itwouldallbeover

Thesunwouldshineagain

Aretheonlytimestherain

Hitsyouharder

Tennisballs

Fromupabove

Aretheonlytimestherain

Hitsyouharder

Tennisballs

Fromupabove

Whymustwebethisway?

Whydothey

Putusthrough

Therain

The Rain

Thecloudforests

Fullofbeautiful

Flourishing

Fauna

Fawningoverthe Flora

Therain

Islightandsweetthere

Untilitisn’t

Everythingisfine

Until Itisn’t

Therainwon’train

Thestormwon’tstorm

Butthesunwon’tsun

Until It Does

The Unseen Universe

Isabella Silverbrand

Whydowenotcare?

Whydowenotexplore?

Whydowenotglare?

Whydowenotsoar?

Theuniverseholdstoomanyunseensights. Whyareweafraidtoseetheworldoutsideofourwalls?

Thebeautifulstarscreatesomanylights. Thereareendlessun-walkedhalls.

Whatisinspace? Whoisoutthere?

Whycanwenotexploreanewplace? Theuniversehassomuchtoshare.

Sam Hill and the Baron Exam

Sanjeev Belle-Trichur

WhenSamturnedfifteen-and-a-half, Januarywasinfullswingwithdaily blizzards.SamHillalwayswonderedwhen theMordorIceAgewouldend.Daily temperatureswereprettyhighforaniceage, rangingfrom–149°Cto-119°C.Samwas feelingunderstandablyapprehensive,ashis grandshowcaseofsurvivalinthemosthostile environmentwastotakeplaceinfivedays, sevenhours,threeminutes,andforty-two secondsSamhadbeencountingdownthe secondsuntiltheGreatBaronExam,where allfifteen-year-oldshadtotranscendthe BaurogRegion,spanning1500kilometers,a unitofdistancethatabanishedzonk inventedforhimselfinexile.Ontheplanet Kemp,however,thezonksdidn’tuse measurementintheirlives.Theinstructions simplywere:crosstheBaurogregion withoutdying.Inthepast20,000years,only 50%ofallzonkscouldpassthetest.Therest wereexiledtoacompletelyuninhabited, habitablebuthellishplanetfromadistantstar system,namedEarth.

Samwassurelygoingtodie,wasn’the?He wasaweakandflimsyzonk,andhehadlost oneofhislegstoaterroristattack,onlyleft withtwolegs1500kilometerswassurelytoo muchforapatheticchildlikeSam,buthe wasrequiredtotaketheBaronExam,unless hewantedtobeexecuted.

Fivedayslater,growinggoosebumpsonhis green,chunkyskin,heslidtotheedgeof civilization,towardstheuncharted,vast, BaurogDesert,frozenandlifeless.

Theproctorzonkowedhimintothesmall doorinthevastwall,encasingthezonks.He informedSamthataproctorwaitingonthe othersideoftheBaurogregionwouldbe waitingforhimtotransporthimbacktohis homewithapassedtest.Sammustereduphis courage,andventuredthroughthedoor.He staredatthevastnessandemptinessofthe landthatnowlayaheadwithwonder,and fearHestartedwalkingforward,andtenfeet later,hecrashedintosomethingsolidand painful

“Whattheheckisthis?”Heaskedthe proctor,stillwatchingfromthedoor.Sam realizedthathehadwalkedstraightintoa wall,paintedtomatchtheBauroglandscape. Herealizedhewasinasmallroom,hidden withanopticalillusion.

“Congratulations!”Theproctorexclaimed. “YoujustpassedtheBaronExam!”

“But,how?AllIdidwaswalkacrossasmall room.”

“ExactlyThatwasalltherewastothetest,to seeifyoucouldmusterthecouragetocross thisroom”

“Butthenhowdosomanypeoplefailthis test?”

“Oh,usually,thesecondanexamineeeven looksintotheroom,theyjustdecidetobe executed.”

“They Say Heaven Is A Place On Earth”

Whenthethunderclaps, Theworldshatters Liketheglassbottle Ofcheapwhiskey Inanoperahouse

Whenthethunderclaps, They run Theyblame Theyspeak Allbeforethethunderclaps

Watchhowtheyrun Likepigsfromthesound Ofthefootsteps

Thatwillbringthebutcher’sknife Crackingdownontheir meatylittleheads

Kindof Funny Fromuphere, Thesun Blaststhrough Clear But OnEarth Theytry Tobringourheads Out Oftheclouds Saywe’renot Worthit Ourfeet Back Tothe Ground

Jazz Buitrago

Theymakeemptypromises Ofheavensabove Whereyoumight Redeemyourself Theyuseuptheirlostchances Longago

Thewheatiseaten Thepieisstolen Thekneeisbroughtdownontheback Ofpoor

Sweet Earth Andthen

Theymightallbequiet Foronce Peoplewish Butneverswirl Intothemovement Thepull Ofhope Ofjoy Ofbeginning Andnowtheycan’tbegin

Whatifheaven Isinthetouch Ofamother Toherchild Ofthewoundedworld Toitsbabymonster

Thetouch Ofthespring Onthefawn

Thosewhofawnoverthe Mildhappinesses Thesmalljoys

Whatifthatisheaven Whynot?Butthey Didn’tletuswonder Andtheydidn’ttellustheydidn’t Do Athing Whenthehammerwasbroughtdown Thegavelwithit Andthedecisionwasmade Bynoone.Thetinygasp Startledunderthatgavel Justmadethemost Minusculescream Beforebeingcrushed Nomorespacetotry Tomakeyourplace Onthisfloatingisland Ofterror Ofhurt Ofhate

Isthatwherethedevilresides? Theymadeusbelieve But Theydidn’tsayHeavenwasaplaceonEarth So Use Your Chances.

Remembertobreathe, toinhalelife’sair.

Remembertolaugh, toforgetalldespair.

Remembertolove, tocare.

Remembertohope, todreambeyondreach.

Remembertolisten, tohearwhat'sunsaid.

Remembertoforgive, toletgoofthepast.

R

E M E M

B E R

Remembertolearn, togrowforwhat'sahead.

Remembertogive, tosharewhatyou'vedone.

Remembertopause, totakeamoment'srest.

Remembertodance, tomovewithlife'szest.

Remembertobekind, tobethebiggerperson.

Remembertolive, toenjoyeachnewday.

Brooks Gustafson

Hiding Behind the Royal We

Jazz Buitrago

Ourolivecomplexion

Shiningroundeyes

Hidingdeeperroots

Atree

Strong,sturdyoak InColombia

Weusedtoplayaroundit

Weusedtolaugh

Tocry

Westilldo

Fordifferentreasons

Wewonderwhytheycan’tseeit Whytheycometous

Don’trecognizetheslight Sweetness Inourvoices

Inourvoices

Thatcan’triseup

Wearechaineddown

Awayfromaway

Farfromourhome

Thosechains Hurt Theyaremadeof

Everycomment

Everylook Theyaremadeof Gold

Goldenshackles.

Theyaremadeofourolive complexions,

Ourshiningroundeyes

Theysay“Oh,whatanicechild,”

Withouteverknowing Whatcolortheoneswhogobeforeus are

WhathuemakesupourPapas

OurMamas

Andeverythinginbetween

Theyassumeandconsume

Underneathwehide

Rootstoacountrywarmer

Atleastafew Thumb’slengthsaway Ontheglobethatspins

Justoutsidetheclassroomdoor. Butnomore.

Nomorewill I

Hidetherootsthatrundeep I Amdifferent I

Ampartofadifferentpiece

Abiggerportionofthetree. And I Willnotrelent.

Winter day

Andrew Ketcham

Iaroseearly, earlyinthemorning. Toseekthewild, ThewildIamyearningfor.

Itisnolongerthedreamofanawestruckchild Toseethesnowfallingdown. Towalkoutsideandseenoplow, Soearlyitissilentacrossthetown.

ThenIknowthetimeisnow, Toseethesledderscascadingdowntheirhill. Seethechildrensnowballfighting, Andthedogshavesuchathrill.

Aftersuchadaythefireplacelookssoinviting, Thehotchocolateispassedaround. Onno-onesfacedwellsafrown, Thisismydreamyear-round.

PENGUIN

Eric Desgranges

The Void Christian Rameika

TheprojectilethrewmyheadbackAfteronlyasecond,Ifeltanexcruciatingstabbingpaininsideofmyforehead Itfeltlikemyentirebodywasshocked,startingfrommybrain,andrunningthroughmynervesfrommyhead downAfterthreesecondsofcryingoutinagony,Idroppedtothefloorasmybodystartedconvulsing,asifIwere beingtasedMybountyclosedthedoortothedecompressionchamber,lockingmeinsideItpressedaredbutton, andinaninstant,Iwasviolentlyyankedoutofthedecompressionchamber,andoutoftheship Iwasdriftingendlesslythroughthedeafeningvoidofspace,withnohopeofeverreturningtoearth.Asinister, deep,raspyvoicefilledthesilence,andmyeyesshutuncontrollably.

“Unto thee, the void hath beckoned, Betwixt thy panic and madness. It hagrides thee, thy demise cometh second, Suffocating in the caliginous abyss. ”

“What?Whoareyou?Whatdoesthatevenmean?”Idemanded.

“As a lamb in a slaughterhouse is dead or soon to be, Thee coasts towards the abyss that patiently awaits thee The Chasm is the ruins of a radiant astral unit, Thee shall soon greet the force leading you to it”

Irealizedthateverythingthevoicesaidwasanominousandvagueone-stanzapoem InoticedtheairinmysuitwasgettingthinnerIwasrunningoutofoxygen

“Minute by minute, to second by second, The closer The Reckoning is to The Reckoned Counting by day, Laughing by night I advise thee not to fight”

Thatwastheeighteenthpoem,buteachonewasthesame.Ilearnedtoignorethem. Istaredatthestars,countingthemhadbeentheonlythingkeepingmesane.Butthenextpoem“spelledtheendfor me”accordingtothevoice.

“Ding, dong, spells thy end, the clock strikes one, Which means the sixteen Ronin’s have amassed. Seeing thee gasp for air is quite fun, With the darkness above, and all around, let us see how long thee lasts.”

Tomyhorror,Iopenedmyeyesandwasgreetedwithablackhole.

Ode to a Basketball

Owen Levine

Basketball: theleather, andtherubberyouaremadeof, feelssmooth butbumpy, asoft,scalysnake.

WhenIdribbleyouintotheground, asoothingbeat, fillsmewithjoy.

WhenIputyouinmyhands, Ifeelrejuvenated, refurbished.

Ifeelpowerful. Liketheworldisinmyhands, andImovefreely, likeabird.

Youmademeworkhard, earneveryaccomplishment. Youmademegreat.

NOT YOUR COMMON FAIRYTALE

Jazz Buitrago

Itwasstormy.Thekindofstormyourememberforyearstocome,withthechildishfearsthat aredraggedalongbehindit.Thedeafeningclapsofthunderfallingonyoungears,eyesscrewed uptighttoblockoutanylightning.Windsandrainswhippingatthedoorsoftheapartmentas thoughtheymightbreakthrough,likeanindignantyouthinatantrum.

Chloehuddledbehindthebunk-bedshesharedwithherbrother,Drew.Coveringherears,she steppedoutjustasapealofthunder,asiftryingtoout-doallotherthunderstormsinthehistory ofEarthrattledthewindowsofherfamily’ssmallapartment.

Drew... Where are you? Herfootstepslengthenedunderthewickedlight.“Drew?”Shecalledout intothefrontroomfrombehindthedoor.

Click.Thelargereddoorshut.Sherushedtothewindow,spottingherbrother,umbrella-less, waveringinthestormlikeawillow.Hisfeetsplashedinthepuddlesashefoughthiswayinto thefields.

“DREW!”Shescreechedeventhoughsheknewinherhearthecouldnothearher.Shesighed.

Notasighofworryanddistress,butasighoftheendlessrepetitionofstupidity.It’salwayslike this,Chloethoughtasshepulledonherrainboots,andathincoat.It’salwaysme,chasingafter him.Yes,shelovedherbrother.Hecouldjustbeabitmuchsometimes.

Shelockedthefrontdooronherwayout,anddidherbesttofollowthemuddyfootstepsleft behindbyDrew.Thegrassbattledtostayrootedintheyellowfields,thethickstorm-cloudslike massesofcharcoalhoveringinthesky.Theyrumbledlikealionbeforedinner.

Justthen,inthemidstofitall,shespottedalittlefigureinaredshirt,staringupattheclouds andgesticulatingwildly.

Herheartskippedabeat.NotDrew.Shebegantosprinttowardshim,feetsquishinginthe unsightlymudpuddlesdottingthedrowninggrass. Why was he like this? Sheaskedherselfasher footstepsapproachedhim,herunnoticedyellbeingwhippedawaybythewind.

Justthen,everythingstilled.Notaquietoracalmstill,butarestlessstill,adangerousstill.She lookedupontheimmobilizedgrass,theunmovingbirds,thesky,oncefullofthunder,now completelyquiet.

CITY

Sanjeev Belle Trichur

The Old Pine Tree

Savannah Smith

Theoldpinetreesitsatthetopofahill

Forallitshoursitwillremainstill Itwillnevertalk,neverstare,shoutorpeep

Foralwaysitwillsitthereinthechill

Itwillalwaysremaintherealwaysasleep

Foreveritsitsatopahillsosteep

Butforeverisnotalways Itwascutdownandsoldforcheap

Nowatopthehillsitsgrassforthecattletograze

Ahilltoviewuponasunsethaze

Somewheretorestyourwearycrown

Ahilltosituponandrememberthedays

Thedayyourhopewascutdown

Adaybeforetheairwasbrown

Adaybeforeyoucriedabouttheworldaround Thedaybeforethetreewascutdown

Distressed Karmen Snead

Myworriespileuplike

Grainsofsand

Myworriesfillthebarrenland

Myworriestiltand

Passthetime

Untilthere'snothingthatcansurvive

Myworriestakehold LiketheJoshuatree

Untilthere'snowayto Befree

Myworriesleechthe Lifeoutofme

Icanneverbefree

Theypileandpile

Tillthedunes blindmysight

Ican’tseetheend Anditdoesn’tfeelnear

Thegrainsareallaround IknowsoonIwilldrown IfIdon’tfindmywayaround

Free Association

Jazz Buitrago

Once upon a time, ThatwasasfarasIgot

Andifyouweregivena dime

ForeachperiodIsleptin myspot

Youwouldberichasapair ofleprechauns

Math,Science,History Eachmademesnorelike themoweroflawns IfonlyHistorywere Herstory

Imightbeinterested IfonlyMathwasjustabit more

AndshouldIbearrested Forwishingitwasn’tsuch abore

IassumeScienceyesterday Wouldberepeated Inthechalkboardtoday Surely,forthat,Iwon’tbe deleted.

Iwishedinstead Foradream

Tofillmyhead

Withjoyous,rainbow whipped-cream

Iclosemyeyes,fallontothebook Whatshouldbeasoftpillow Somehowhasmeshook It'sthewindow-sill, oh!

YetIstillfallasleep

Inclass

LestIcountmysheep Whenmyheadhitstheglass

AndIamnotsure

IfIlayasleeporawake ButIdiveintothelore

ThenIheardit-thetaxicabspake!

Itmadenoisesoresounding Ifellrightoutthewindow! Astounding!

WhenIlandonmyfeet,there’saglow

Ofsomethingunearthly, OhIknow Itmustbeadream Nothingisasitseems

ButIdon’twakeup

Withmypinch “Sup” Saystheweefinch

Ifollowhispath

Beforethesun,yellow SinksdowntotheEarth

Throughtheboulder’sgrowingwrath Startstomellow

Wecometothemoon’shumbleabode Whereitrests‘foretheSunitselfgoads Themoontocomeout

Sun’smakingadrought!

Andsowemoveon

Throughfishandfrogspawn WhenIthoughtFinchwasjustgone Icaughtthetipofapinktail

Thefeatherinwind Itdidwail Butthroughthewateritsailed

Whereasharkpickeditup, OhIthoughtitwouldmunch! Buttheseaonceagainsweptaway,

Andthekelpdidkeepitatbay

SoIcrossed Nottobelost

OnyouthatIwasbeingleadfarastray

Twistingandturning Thedeepseagoeson AndIwouldsoonbelearning ThatImightsoonbegone

Buttherainbowdancedacrosstheclouds Thecolorsallwerebrightandloud Andsurfingonthem Igotbacktotheland

WhereIcouldn’thearasound Thestreetswereallcrooked Upsidedowntheylook-ed Allthepeoplewalkingwithheadsintheair

Nosesaware Ofthesmellofacloud Thecolorswentonto Theschoolroom

WhereIyearnedtogetof Theywouldn’tgrantmeaboon SoIjumped! Andlandedontheroof

Whereahorsedidcome Withlargehoof

Wingsprotruded Fromtheback,undiluted FromtherealityIwasholdingatbay.

AsIwalkedin Ridingtheunicorn

Myclassmatesfrowninginscorn Myteachersaid:

“Notcool! Herewefollowtherules! Mathisnotforfun! Andthatisnottheanswer Tooneplusone!”

Photograph of the Rain Anonymous

Ican’tkeepupwiththerain. Mytax-wordswerenotenough. Ijustwantthistonotbeawaste, becausethethingsIlikehavebeenswallowedupintherainandvanished.

Throughtheshopwindow, theskycries. Unabletoact, watchingasnothingisdone.

Throughthelensatearfalls. Anunwantedstarefromthemirror. NomatterhowmanytimesIrecaptureit, it’sstillcloudy.

Iftheskythoughit’scloudy, couldyoupleasesmilesoftlyforme?

Itriedmybesttoexpressitwithmypoortax-words, butwillyouevencometoseeme?

Theclockhandkeptchasingme, andyouarethenumbernexttome. You’llwaitwon’tyou? Evenifyou’rejustanillusion.

Toofragiletohold. Evenifyoupickitup, It’lljustblur. HaveIalreadyruinedit?

HIGHLIGHTER

Christian Rameika

That’s Just Best Anonymous

Ithinkaboutroses, Thatflowerwiththorns. Shealwaysimposes, likethethunderinstorms.

She’sbeautifullikesunshine, Butcausessomuchpain. Everyonesaysshe’sfine, buthertearsfalllikerain.

Sheisalwaystheone whostandsoutfromtherest:

Hidingallhertruefeelings, ’causeshesays,‘That’sjustbest.’