EQUINOX
THE HARVEY MIDDLE SCHOOL LITERARY MAGAZINE
Editor’s Note
Dear Harvey Community,
Welcome to the middle school’s literary magazine! This year we wanted to share our unique point of view through poetry and photography. This publication highlights our students in grades 6-8 and our creative spirit. 8th grade student Lilah Groff, who has worked on this magazine since 6th grade, shared her experience once again as student editor this year. She will be greatly missed as she moves on to high school next year. Lilah made outstanding contributions to our publications class and I know she will continue to shine in the upper school! Thank you Lilah! In addition, the Equinox would not be possible without contributions from Mrs. Matero and her English students, Dr. Byrne, Dr. Metz, and Mrs. Lombardi.
Congratulations on a great year and happy reading!
Mrs. Alexander, Faculty Advisor, May 2024
Student EDITOR
Lilah Groff ‘28
Faculty Advisor
Mrs. Alexander
Head of School
Mr. Knauer
Head of Middle School
Dr. Byrne
School Paradise
by Nate Buckley
I believe that fidgets should be allowed In school
I believe that hats should be allowed in school
I believe kids can have 5 minute breaks every two classes.
I believe that recess should be its own period outside of lunch
I believe kids should have no homework.
School paradise!
Until it falls Off the ledge Into the rushing river The ball crying Because it will never be used again Being pulled away by the current
by Olivia Bailey
Cape Cod
by Jackson O’Sullivan
As the wind blows
My hair blows
And the warm air becomes cooler
The bright sun and the big blue sky… I ask myself “who am I?”
As the sun sets, more people come from the north side, and from the south side, and from the south side, there's the flags red and green
Symbolizing don’t go in or do, if it's safe
But do I dare to go in or should I not? I say “You only live once, so here I go!”
by Karen Dey
Words
by Emily Bigman
Line by line, dot by dot. A beautiful creature a pencil is. Narrow parenthesis, large periods. The fellow likes to move from page to page. In comfort, waiting for someone. The creature’s mouth spits out knights in the grass.
We enjoy to spectate as his heart breaks hers, our brain can’t stop our notice.
Page-turners, books, pamphlets, finished O’ sudden. People talk, people love, people paint. What it is?
It is an art. And it is a spell. Without zero of them we could not live at Understanding, happiness! The thing is me. Bone scratches to create it – words.
Our Garden
by Amity Doyle
Nothing else is like this Really, nothing is
And all of the children run through our garden:
Streaking blocks of colours
All of them come
All of the children, and All of them go,
And still we stay strong
And the orchids stay silent
For they are wrapped up in their greens
And never silently
The children are lingering,
Because in our garden, hope is absolute
Climbing trees are lights
And it is hard not to like
The fountains, wishing baths
That wash us of Our sins, like Midas, golden
But all of that ends, gold covered in snow by Jadyn Lurie
Yet, this is our garden
Golden Shovel Poem after This is the Garden: Colours Come and Go by E E Cummings
Soup
Not Just a Pen
by Bex Waisman by Sam Palevski
It's warm and comfy
Half of it,
In its little bowl Missing a tip
Cozy An open ended
The broth Cylinder
Carrots With a Some chicken Spring noodles in the center
Smooth it is Its broth Click Like a grandma Shot
On a cold snowy day spent inside And 3 parts the creamy cozyness Scattered Across
Soup – a Beautiful day
by Max Bernstein
Ball from Brazil
by Johann Fueting
The ball from Brazil
At my foot
Almost as big as me
That changes my life forever
The ball with a name
Of one of the best football players of all time
Thomas Muller
The big 13
A name I wont forget
Especially when I take a penalty that not only changes the game
But also me
by Ruby Cayer
Dear Earth,
Thank you for the trees, water and food.
Thank you for the sky, clouds and rain.
THANK YOU!
All Through Time
by Ben Cali
All through time
Every one will Either bring You joy or bring you Hate, but your Job is to get a reward
Do this, then Confidence will fill your Body and courage Will appear for everything will In Time, appear
For you Must take your will And conquer And never Ever fear
Golden Shovel Poem after Try Again by William E Hickson
by Karen Dye
The true ending of Stockton’s “The Lady or The Tiger?”
by Will Fottrell, Johann Fueting, Jake Schindler
“In the very olden time there lived a barbaric king, whose ideas, though somewhat polished and sharpened by his progressivism, his ideas were still large, fancy, and limitless, the other half of him was brutal and barbaric. When a subject was accused of a crime of importance to interest the king, public notice was given. On an appointed day the fate of the accused person would be decided in the king's arena, a structure that was given its well deserved name. When all the people had assembled in the galleries and the king surrounded by his court sat high up on his throne of royalty on one side of the arena, he gave a signal, a door beneath him opened and the accused subject stepped into the arena” (Stockton).
The people in the arena were nervous. This was the day the princess’ lover, a commoner, would be tried. The crime… loving the princess.
The crowd were on the tip of their seats, the suspense was killing them. Who was behind the door? ….The Lady or the Tiger?
The princess waved her hand to the right to tell her lover to go to the right door.
The handsome lover trusted the princess because they were soulmates. They loved each other with so much passion; their love was warm and strong.
The lover started walking towards the right door.
The man opened the right door.
The tiger jumped out of the door.
The crowd screamed and yelled.
The crowd had to accept that the most handsome man in Guberland would be killed by the most savage and relentless beast.
The princess thought it would be better for her lover to die at once so he could wait for her in the afterlife.
The young man is of the fineness of blood who was brave to a degree unmatched. (stockton). Suddenly the lover fought back against the tiger until the tiger was defeated and killed.
The lover was still standing in the arena.
The crowd was lost for words, as they experienced something that had never happened before in the “Kings Arena”.
The silence carried through the entire arena until someone broke it with a cheer and then everyone else cheered for the man.
The princess was shocked. She chose the door with the tiger behind it so that her lover would die and that he would wait for her in the afterlife. But he was victorious against the tiger.
So what will happen now? Will the princess’ soulmate now have to marry the most beautiful woman in the land, the one the princess hates?
The princess went down into the arena to congratulate her lover but then…
The barbaric King was so mad that the lover had lived. He came down with his guards, and they brutally murdered the lover of the princess.
The Princess was so mad that she attacked the king. But the guards killed her.
The king lived without his daughter for the rest of his life.
The arena was never used again.
Now the Princess and her lover are living happily in heaven.
And everyone is living peacefully in Guverland.
THE END
Coffee
by Vivienne Stoller
I can smell the pot at 6:30 on the dot It’s done, I run, to get it before it's gone.
As warm as a s’more on a 80’ night, As comforting as soup when you have the flu The taste is exquisite, divine, and smooth
Add a drop of ½ & ½ , a dash of sugar too
The flavors jump for joy on my tongue
And prepare me for the day yet to come.
A Record Player
by Sam Roberts
by Jadyn Lurie
A record player, Always playing.
The record spins, and never stops.
The songs will switch, and change their pitch But never leave the needle’s sight.
The bittersweet sound Of a record that spins.
The stickers on your back, Drawings from my years, Remembering when I painted you yellow Just to take it off right away
by Zak Boujid
by Amity Doyle
Melting of an Ice Cream
by Lilah Groff
I sat in in the sun all day Like a cat on a window sill, Cold, mysterious, yet comfortable. I sat there for a while.
I started to wonder if I’d get eaten yet. Hours passed, and I could feel My confidence dripping away. I thought I would taste good, Who doesn’t like banana ice cream?
I started to feel sad.
My emotions got the best of me
And I melted away
Growing up
by Elizabeth Galgano
Laughing till the end of daylight, Free as a pony
Small and wild and bright.
The necklaces made out of macaroni
Had gone with the perfect dress. Until one day there was stress
And the whole world turned gray
The laughing stopped, began to cry; The homework constantly buzzing in my ear
I caught a case of dispirit; My head began to hurt.
The macaroni necklace turned soggy and broke. The laughter fell.
There was no burial,
But by noon I was not well.
Wallet by
Sameera Britton
Closed, it’s protective Flat on its belly
Quietly, Like a large clam
Opened it cracks Ligament displayed Of cards and cash by Jadyn Lurie Valuable like a pearl.
Masked in Mystery
by Emerson Sanchez
Masked in mystery
my identity locked away
The costume embraces all fears
From city streets to skies so high
With every step injustice I serve
A cape of justice blows in the breeze In every shadow hope flickering the light
My costume guides me through the darkest night.
So let the world marvel in delight in this costumeI’ll take flight.
by Theo Yanni
The Inside Job of the Mary Celeste
by Flint Birnbaum
Gibraltar: The Mary Celeste commanded by Captain Briggs was a cargo ship sailing to Italy with raw alcohol, when it was found, the vessel was 600 miles from the coast of Portugal. Another ship, The Dei Gratia, commanded by Captain Morehouse, discovered The Mary Celeste ,but there was no one on board. In order to solve this mystery, I contacted Jane Yolen and expert on The Mary Celeste. During this time, the Dei Gratia Conspiracy theory came to light and seems to be accurate. This theory says that Morehouse conspired with Captain Briggs to gain money.
It was found that Captain Briggs and Morehouse had dinner before both of their voyages to discuss business. Jane Yolen states, “Or perhaps Captain Morehouse had conspired with Captain Briggs at dinner the night before the Mary Celeste sails”. This shows that they could have made a plan about how to abandon the ship and get all the money. The barrels of alcohol were worth $37,000 the insurance on the freight was worth $3,400 finally the ship's insurance was worth $14,000. This amount of money was significant at this period of time.
This theory is also backed by the fact that Captain Briggs left his son home. This could have been because of school, but it is more likely because he worried that something would go wrong. Captain Morehouse reported “Their seven year old son, Arthur, had been left behind to go to school”. This proves that Captain Briggs left his son at home which is not something that he would usually do. The one time he leaves his son at home something like this happens, perhaps to protect his bloodline.
Captain Briggs created a plan where he and his crew would go off in a lifeboat to the Azores so that the ship would look abandoned. Upon researching the log the final entry was 6 miles off the coast of the island of Santa Maria. Then Morehouse would come and meet him to split the money.
However, sources believe that Captain Morehouse sabotaged the lifeboat and killed Briggs and his crew. He could keep all the money. At that time finders keepers law if you found the ship you got the money for it.
In the end, it was just as the court suspected, Captain Morehouse sabotaged the boat and Captain Briggs. Therefore they gave him only a ⅕ of what he thought he deserved.
Thank you Earth
by Brydie Groff
Thank you Earth,
Thank you for everything you’ve done for me
From the green trees to the blue oceans
From the green grass to the blue sky
Though i’m a bit worried,
The beautiful ocean is polluted
The fresh air is mixed with harmful chemicals
The green trees being cut down
But even on the loud, rainy and windy days, I am still grateful for you I will always be grateful for you
Thank you Earth.
by Peter Adler
Ode to Mango
by Marcus Espitia
Glorious green wings
reflecting off the glowing sun chirping squawking singing over the loud vacuum
flying walking talking mimicking random sound sitting on my shoulder
Mango loves me
The Gift by
Giulia Muenzen
A small squirrel named Ploomkin sat alone in woods, For her little soul didn't feel like it should. Poor peculiar plump little Ploomkinn Didn't yet know what to do,
For when she answered to her family's problems, They simply responded with “shoo.”
So she walked and she wept as she surveyed the forest, looking for someplace to hide.
And when Ploomkin thought that she could cry no more, a miniature shape caught her eye.
“Hello!” said the creature who scurried through grass, While keeping up quite a pace. It shuffled up softly and dropped a small flower before she could quite see its face.
Small Life Advice
by Krissi Friedman
What we see on the outer shell is just a pretense. It's like the motto “fake it till you make it!”
But then, we lose the idea of reality and it all becomes an illusion That’s what makes it sad.
Why do we have to wear masks everyday, And then try to fit in if we didn’t belong in the first place?
Even if you “make it,” you would forget who you truly are
And then, you would become somebody who you were never meant to be.
Isn’t that sad?
That our lives become a lie,
A beautiful illusion that we want to lay in everyday till the end...
But listen to me now,
Here is a small life advice for you,
When you feel like you have to fake it,
If you fake it, you won’t make it
But in fact, you would do the opposite of that.
The world is cruel and hard, but you can not give up because of that!
And what if people don’t like you because of who you truly are?
Do we look for unique crystals or boring, hideous coals?
The same thing with people,
Don’t allow yourself to be surrounded by people with souls that are as ugly, hideous, and dark as coals.
Look for people with souls shinier than the shiniest sapphire
Because those are the people who would see how much you are truly worth.
And don’t forget that worthiness is a blessing from God.
The Hat
by Sophie Frankel
I stopped to grab my hat
As it drifted through the wind
Frustrated that it flew from my head
Like a bird, from the nest.
Farther and farther it flew,
As I chased after it.
Jumping to grab it,
Grumbling to myself
I felt my feet leave the ground,
And my arms start to flap
Flying through the air
Like a hat in the wind!
Izzy Doran
Melted Ice Cube by
The ice cube sat in a box
A box of ice cubes.
It looked like there was a thousand in there
Sitting in a cozy cold freezer.
And when the ice cube was picked
He thought he was so blessed
To be the chosen one from the chest.
He was then put on the counter to rest
And he waited to be put in a refreshing drink.
But after a while he started to shrink
He waited and waited but eventually He faded.
by Olivia Bailey
My Necklace - Memento Poem~
by O’Launi EBanks
the necklace for my mom, passed down onto me little did I know it would fill me up with this much glee this necklace like a blanket sheltering me with warmth this necklace given to my mom on February one four from my grandpa it was given he always made me laugh but sadly it had to happen sadly he had to pass. till this day I will remember him his memories are endless his life will always be with me in my special necklace the necklace for my mom, passed down onto me…
My “Dandy” Memento
by Drew Scarfone
Valentines day
Had just come around
I got back from school
And my nanny had a bag
In that very bag
Lied my memento
I never knew a hedgehog full of fluff
Could ever mean so much
My memento’s fur is red Hair Brush And has spiky horns on top his head by Amity Doyle
I said, ‘Awww thank you, nanny!’
What should I name him… Oh I know! Dandy!
Always on edge, it bristles up In my drawer Still, A torture device for A bird’s Nest:
Traveling, it catches The snares Like a stick
Through a raging Waterfall, Calm, at a dead end.
In My World
by Ben Tobias
Golden Shovel Poem after Chimbote Peru by Jan Hansen
In my world I,
Is the most powerful word is WAS Is a word that shows weakness. A Girl I knew was a pilot She lived in Earth such a Beautiful planet with many cars used for transport Another form of transport was planes I met her when
She was 30. I wish I met her sooner. It Was her favorite movie she says it's because I landed In the movie theater as she was watching the movie in The beautiful theater in Chimbote
My family company
Is called vanilla air
She loved this company she was on of the people who Loved to work and I accepted
Her for who she is but when she went to med School. It was a sad time despite
It felt nice to get some alone time when she came back sparks Flew between as we embraced then we spontaneously flew To Italy and shared a Pizza between
Us it was amazing and now it was just us.
by Senna Lieber
by
Isolda Corena
Powerade
by Max Bernstein
Closed, it stands
Straight upright
Bravely,
The blue
Sparkle
Of the
Great ocean;
Opened, it tilts
It’s blue goo
Like the Bahamas
Water, and sounds
Like the swoosh
Of the windy
Breeze through my Weary hair.
by Amity Doyle
Memento poem: The Sammy Keyes Series
by Melanie Perez
At times
When the day is long
When I can’t close my eyes at night I’ll travel
To Santa Martina
Down comes Sammy from the senior’s apartment to meet Holly who lives across the street Marissa comes from her fancy home with Dot at her side
Together they solve intriguing mysteries
It’s like a hug reading about them And at the same time a roller coaster too
That’s what makes reading about them so fun
by Vivienne Stoller
Like the Ocean
by Vivienne Stoller
I want to be as beautiful as the ocean
She’s strong when she carries ships on her back
While hugging the growing ecosystems close
She’s brave when she has to fight off a storm
And the pirates that come with it
She’s nurturing when she plays with kids
By carrying their boards to shore
And she’s beautiful when the sun sets
In her aqua-marine galore
But really what I love you cannot see
There’s boats, there’s planes, there’s mysteries
Because what’s on her floor no one really knows
The only one who does is she.
by Olivia Bailey
I Look Up
by Olivia Farkas
I look up at the luscious green trees
I take a deep breath and thank the earth
I see my chest e and f s a i l r l with every breath I thank the earth for all the food it gives me
by Giulia Muenzen
The fresh food that s out of w o r g the rich soil I hear the “WHOOSH” of the wind feel the sun beat down on me and I think thanks earth for letting me live and e a r t b h
by Peter Adler
Yarn
by Guilia Muenzen
It lies quiet in waiting, Tangled in its unsolved troubles That lie both behind and before it. Its beauty is to be found in Finding a Significant Other Half, They said. Only once further knotted Into a more beautiful Version of itself is it Considered useful, And useful It will be
The Book
by Elizabeth Galgano
Closed, it relaxes
By itself
Waiting,
The vibrant Image
Of a Cocoon
Boom, it opens Its wings spread
Like a gorgeous Butterfly, and looks Around the world
Fluttering its wings
Telling its story.
by Giulia Muenzen
The Pages of a Book
by Sophie Frankel
The pages of a book
Are a wonderful place to be They can take you anywhere
To a castle by the sea
In a book
You needn’t fret about a thing
You can be yourself How do you know when you’re in a safe place?
You can tell by the world around you, by the shape of the space
In a book there’s no judgment, No bias, no fear
It’s easy to find a caring friend here.
Envious Sun by Sameera Britton
I was shining all day, Brighter than a flashlight in the dark, Yellow and hot and invigorating.
The beautiful corona I wear Was draped with Vitamin D, Till the world became dark And the evening moon arose.
I was filled with envy. With the moon and “sweet” hum, I caught a severe cold. My face turned red, My corona lessened and dimmed, Was followed by my enlivening glow, There was no curfew. By 12:00 I was set.
is a publication of The Harvey Middle School 260 Jay Street, Katonah, NY, 10536 www.harveyschool.org
EQUINOX