The Weeping Willow by Faleha K.

Nestled amongst the expansive field is a single weeping willow tree

The weeping willow is versatile She can turn into paper, which can turn into the greatest classical works of all time by Aristotle and Shakespeare She can also turn into tissue paper, paper towels, and toilet paper; single use, but effective nonetheless

She is quiet, yet bold When in her presence one feels safe, as if the space beneath her branches is a sanctuary where all their worries and sorrows fly away along with the deciduous leaves. Still, the willow dares to stand out. Where there might be a monoculture of trees or trees of different species, the willow is the most distinct and most intriguing. She grazes the sky, whispering to the world. Her roots wander the vast ground, seeking exploration and independence.

She is what little girls envision in their dreams. Her beautiful branches flowing in a warm spring breeze, the smell of lavender and honey in the air. A book and a girl sit against her trunk, the willow hugging them as her light branches sway and kiss the girl's forehead. She provides a sweet, sweet escape She is the girl's secret meadow, her solace, her freedom

She is tied down to a single place, yet her growth doesn't cease. Instead, her resilience is felt farther than the area she resides

She channels her energy into creating a brighter and more secure environment for those creatures inhabiting her abundant leaves and branches

When faced with change the willow is adaptive, photosynthesizing during the warmer seasons and shutting down during the colder ones. She uses her energy stored in autumn to grow and create vibrance in spring Her glorious aura expands throughout her fellow flora and fauna, tantalizing and comforting

The willow refuses to decay and break, she only bends. She is able to sustain herself, overcoming obstacles without much help from others. While she may prefer dewy grass and clear ponds, she can thrive in drier areas, adjusting to the earth as she may need.

She is sturdy. As much as the dark stormy nights try to knock her down, the willow’s confidence and persistence allow her to fight the wind. Although she wails as the wind howls and lightning strikes, her resistant nature does not allow her to burn, only smoke. She does not only survive, but she grows from these treacherous battles with the natural elements

When her roots expand, she doesn't let sediment and bedrock cease her journey, instead she proudly lays down her roots and flourishes

As much as the insolent people try to carve away at the willows bark, mocking her, the willow stands, the marks fading over time, but forming scars that remind her of her resilience She may be scarred, but her roots remain untouched and as rich as the soil that surrounds them, never letting sediment and bedrock cease her journey The willow doesn’t know what fate lies in front of her, but she does know that her future is bright, she can spread as far as her heart desires

People may see her as the weeping willow, but she's more than what meets their gaze She is a being, forging her own path with integrity, hope, and persistence

I am the weeping willow

How to Deal with Spiders

by Winnie L.

How do you deal with a spider? No, not your everyday house spider, but the spider manifested from your deepest, darkest thoughts. Like a fly in a web that tangles and twists, you are trapped within the silk of despair. Yet the silk is not made of iron or diamond—some days you can fly away, but others you are trapped longer.

That spider feeds off your negative thoughts, and thus, you should cut off its food source. Now, I shall pass you my guide on how to deal with this spider! Instead of moping around like a turkey on a plate, how about joining some online communities?

Platforms such as Reddit and Discord consisted of welcoming communities created for Asian Americans struggling with mental health. You don’t have to deal with it alone, it is okay to talk about it, and joining an online community is an easy way to start.

Hey! How about doing some fun stuff? I enjoy listening to music and drawing, it helps me take my mind off of unhappy thoughts. I even tried new things such as fashion and cooking (despite not being good at it). Keep a journey or write (or scream) your feelings out! Nurture your body with good sleep and exercise! There are many things you can do to starve that spider! Eventually, that spider can no longer trap you. Just remember to stay positive, everything will be okay!