J.N. Burnett's Literary Magazine Club // Volume 5, issue 3 : WILD

ft. works from the jn burnett student body

jn burnett's literary magazine club

wild.

march 2021

5-3

Though there is something to be said for the concrete jungles of steel, glass, and crowded streets, inside all of us is a spirit that yearns to go wild.

For some, that means exploring the world of Mother Nature. Others may jump at the opportunity to pursue a passion project, hungry for a taste of spontaneity in the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Wherever the road leads us, be that the heart of the city or the uncharted wilderness, we can always strive to add novelty to our lives by tuning into the voice of our inner adventurer. But just for a little while, make no haste — indulge in a travelling break and delve into the vivid artistry of JNB Lit’s talented student body.

Happy reading!

Louise Cham and Maya Uyeno JNB Lit Magazine’s co-editors-in-chief 03/15/2021

on the cover 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 26

safari // cadence lung editor’s note contents the team jam packed drive-thru // alyssa wong warped emotions // maggie zhu black pearl // destiny lang safari // cadence lung home sweet home // colin lim natural habitat // destiny lang hunter // colin lim blooming graffiti // samantha chow tigre // brianna hernandez bevan beautiful thorn // brianna hernandez bevan grasping light // tiffany li ghost of the rosebush // riley dahl through the vines // jocelyn ly spirit watching // yuyu liu adventuring alone // delfia tingala high // adrianne namuco q&a // colin lim thank you

editors-in-chief louise cham maya uyeno editors madelyn lee samantha cham secretary + treasurer claire hung alyssa wong adrianne namuco

writers:

creative + visual director samantha yeung graphic designers eliana barbosa mary ortega eunice wan anika ng yuyu liu cadence lung social media + marketing managers tayla barbosa jessie lan general executive adam title

destiny lang, colin lim

photographers:

alyssa wong, destiny lang, colin lim, samantha chow, brianna hernandez bevan

artists:

delfia tingala, tiffany li, yuyu liu, cadence lung, riley dahl, adrianne namuco, jocelyn ly, maggie zhu

cuffing season kids lovefool consequences ivy drunk breakup haircut where we come alive saturday nights killer queen hi high wild pastel rain on the ground 90’s love blueberry eyes ft. SUGA of BTS dlwlrma like a fool XS wild side fluorescent adolescent

beach bunny mgmt the cardigans camila cabello taylor swift keshi danny & alex ruelle khalid queen loona troye sivan sangatsu no phantasia ROSÉ NCT 127 max IU sam kim rina sawayama ALI arctic monkeys

search “spotify:user:jnblitmagazine” to listen to the playlist!

alyssa wong

maggie zhu

black pearl The moment I dipped my toes into the moon-lit sea, I knew my fate was sealed.

As a child, my mother had steered me far away from the water; I could not pace along the shore as lovers did in romances. I watched with envy as other children splashed in the water, laughing.

All their worries and aches seemed to dissolve into the shining waves, washing their troubles away with each gentle push.

Why can’t I, a girl born and raised on the coastline, immerse myself in the embrace of the sea? My mother did not explain. I will be a maiden no more; the gentleman in the nearby town has asked for my hand. It was not my place to accept, or to deny. My marriage will bestow fortune and riches upon my family. There is no escape.

A fist knocked upon my door excitedly. As I turned toward the sound, in strolled my mother.

Holding a lone candle flickering in the dark, she handed me my wedding dress, which I graciously accepted with two hands and my head bowed. She cupped my face with her free hand.

“The final embellishments are complete. Would you like to try on your wedding dress?” Her weary eyes were lined with crow’s feet, but she smiled sincerely through her eyes, fighting her exhaustion.

I fought back the urge to refuse her request, the way I had initially refused this marriage with coldness when she announced it to me. My duty as a woman is to serve the family, she had said that day. I can best serve my family through this union. “Yes, mother.”

She slipped skirt after skirt on me until I was convinced that these lengths of fabric could better imprison me than a metal cage. Those who regard me with an appreciative eye will never bear the suffocating weight of this wedding dress on their bodies. As she fastened my bodice, I peered at the black, palm-sized velvet box that rested on my dresser. When my lacing was secure, she reached for the box and revealed a pair of black pearl earrings.

“This is my final gift to you, as a maiden. I had worn these pearls the day I wed, and so had your grandmother. Now, we pass this on to you,” She fastened the earrings for me, her agile fingers careful not to hurt me. “Do you remember what black pearls symbolize? They symbolize wealth and prosperity, wisdom and purity. And my favourite, eternal love,” she paused to tuck loose strands of hair from my braid behind my ear. “Like them, you are a rare beauty. Your betrothed is fortunate to take you as his wife.”

I nodded in silence, rubbing my thumb over the smooth pearl. They symbolize tears and sorrow too. I wondered if she would miss me. Miss the mornings when I brought her breakfast. Miss the tension in the air when I resisted this marriage. Miss my constant pleas to wade in the sea. My childhood slipped swiftly from my fingers, leaving me grasping at thin air in desperation.

My mother did not notice the quiver in my lip. If she noticed, she ignored it. “Oh darling, you’re all grown up. I look forward to walking you down the aisle once more tomorrow, as we have practiced.”

She kissed me goodnight, and closed the door behind her. With her departure, her candlelight ceased to illuminate me in my gown, casting me into the dark. On the floor, I crossed my elbows on

my bed, resting my head on my forearm. Must I be promised to him, be wed to him and bear him children before I indulge in the joys of my fading youth?

Outside my window, the full moon rested high. No wind shook the budding trees, soon to blossom and bless our seaside town with their fragrance. The house was quiet and still, as everyone had retired early to prepare for the bustling ceremony the next morning. I placed my hand on the windowpane and gazed longingly towards the water.

Never had I seen a married woman among the waves, her silky hair swaying in the sea.

Tonight could be my last chance before I must lock my childish wants away and hand my mother the key. She would present it to my betrothed, who would ensure that the key would never see the light of day. Perhaps I would feel regret if I allowed my final opportunity to pass by.

Quietly, I exited my room with cautious steps. Leaving the gown in my room was not an option; let them believe that I had waltzed alone in my wedding gown all night, basking in its beauty.

As I descended the steps of my home, I turned to observe the house one last time. Soon, I would not be able to affectionately call this place my home.

Blinking back my tears, I ventured the path to the sea, braid coming loose. Guided by the moonlight and a salty whiff, I sprinted towards the water under the heavy skirts. The crashing waves echoed my frantic heartbeats, and I recalled my avoidance of the ocean as a child. Surely the ocean would not harm me. Stopping to breathe with the push and pull of the sea, I savoured the view of the moon shining upon the calm waves. If only I could return to this shore, or call this my home.

The moment I dipped my toes into the moon-lit sea, I knew my fate was sealed. All my life, I had never known the embrace of the ocean. It was warmer in comparison to the land, and I comfortably immersed myself into the water, waves lapping at my waist. Although I did not know if I could swim, I knew I could float. However, I neglected my cage of heavy skirts, and they submerged me beneath the surface until I could no longer feel the shore with my feet.

To my surprise, my feet morphed into a fish’s tail with gleaming silver scales. I wriggled free of my skirts, ripping the seams of my gown as I broke free. Starting from my fingertips, my arms morphed into branches of pink coral. I breathed a sigh of relief as I could still flex my fingers as I pleased. My braid had come undone in the water, and I took delight in how my dark hair floated around my face. Upon closer inspection, I realized that my hair had become emerald seaweed. A bodice woven from kelp replaced my restrictive wedding gown, its hem reaching my waist. The simplicity of this garment charmed me over any embellished dress.

Stretching my neck, I tilted my head back to admire the moon. The view of the night sky was distorted from underwater, yet the moon continued to bathe me in her light. Breaking the surface, I emerged like a butterfly from the cocoon, a woman reborn. Glancing at my reflection, there was a peculiar glow to my eyes — they shone like the black pearl earrings that were passed down in my family. I pressed my earlobes between my fingers, my earrings gone.

With my wedding dress torn, I had nothing to wear at the ceremony. No husband would want to wed a seaweed-headed wife with coral for arms. I kissed the surface of the ocean, thanking her for her protection.

I closed my eyes and made a wish to the moon: if my mother wishes to see me, may she follow her instinct to return to the water, where I will be calling to her. May she dip her toes into the water, the waves lapping at her ankles. May she laugh and giggle as she splashes water all around, and may our eternal love for each other overcome the restrictive conventions and boundaries of society.

safari cadence lung

colin lim

home sweet home

natural habitat

destiny lang

hunter colin lim

Hidden in the undergrowth, heavy breaths turned into silent anticipation. The sounds of the hunter, acknowledged by its prey. The thrill of the hunt, rushed adrenaline, and invoked fear. Finger poised on the trigger. Shots, rendered still. The beautiful sound of silence. The calm after the storm. The descent after the climax. And so, he picked himself up. Out of the undergrowth and towards fowl. Staring into the fowl’s cold emotionless eyes. Stillness inclined to the rustle of leaves. He picked up his gait and continued on. Free from the thicket that was, though stretched short, home to bliss and euphoria. Where boundaries were unset and voice and object could not reach. For hidden in the undergrowth laid the hunter, and for the hunter, the thicket bared not shackles, but wings.

blooming graffiti

samantha chow

tig r e brianna hernandez bevan

beautiful thorn

brianna hernandez bevan

grasping light

tiffany li

ghost ghost of of the the rosebush rosebush

riley dahl

t h r o u g h

t h e

jocelyn ly

v i n e s

s p i r i t

yuyu liu

w a t c h i n g

adventuring

alone delfia tingala

adrianne namuco

Q A &

colin lim

with mia wu and alvin christo

It has been a trying year, especially for those transitioning from elementary to high school. My name is Colin Lim and I have conducted an interview with a select few Grade 8s, which takes a look into their thoughts on their current learning experience at school, as well as the impact of COVID-19.

Interview#1 Hello, thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. Can you tell me your name and give me one interesting fact about yourself?

Mia: Hi, my name is Mia Wu, and I love to cook, try new recipes, and help out in the kitchen.

Hello Mia, what were you looking forward to coming into high school, and has COVID-19 hindered any of them?

Mia: I was looking forward to many of the school’s activities such as Camp Stillwood, Spirit Days, and sports teams. Unfortunately, after COVID-19 hit, all of them were unavailable for safety protocols. I was also looking forward to meeting new people and friends from other elementary schools, but with COVID-19, it became more difficult to make new friends because of separated cohorts and social distancing.

What sports teams in particular were you excited to join coming into high school?

Mia: Some sports teams I anticipated joining in high school were the volleyball and badminton teams [...] I don’t have the opportunities to do so this year; [I’m] still hoping that next year I can.

Last question, Mia, how has your perspective of high school changed after COVID-19?

Mia: COVID-19 definitely changed the way I envisioned high school to be, imagining countless interactions and new friendships [...] On the contrary, we were forced to self-isolate and wear masks, which made things socially difficult. With all of the safety precautions and guidelines, we (Grade 8s) didn’t experience what most did when they first entered Burnett, and personally, I believe it was very difficult to adapt to such a new and uncharted environment.

Interview#2 Hello, I am pleased to meet you. Could you please share your name and one of your hobbies?

Alvin: Hello, My name is Alvin Christo, and one thing I love to do is to spend time with my friends and family.

Hello Alvin. As a student who has experienced both online and real time classes, which do you prefer and why?

Alvin: I definitely prefer real time classes because of the social interactions and the aspect of human connection. Online, you stare at a screen all day, and it often gets boring. However, many do prefer online classes because of the freedom learning in the leisure of your own room creates.

How has COVID-19 impacted and influenced your first year of high-school?

Alvin: COVID-19 not only created change in the learning experience, but also instilled a constant responsibility in me to keep sanitized and clean for my well-being as well as the safety of others. Because of the shift in how students like myself were being taught, subjects would have to be crammed into a shorter period of time, and often lessons seemed rushed and not entirely explained. Although my first year of high school has been incredibly unique, I still enjoy most moments at school and feel safe in this learning environment.

Last question, Alvin. [Regarding] the stop in athletic teams and events, what are your thoughts?

If you could, which team would you have joined?

Alvin: I agree with the temporary break in athletic events and teams because of the contact many sports require [...] In order for everyone to keep safe, it is necessary to take a pause on sports. If I could join a team, I would love to join basketball or volleyball as I love to watch these sports and I have played them ever since I was little.

Thank you for taking part in this interview Mia Wu and Alvin Christo. I hope you enjoyed reading their insights on the current learning situation and circumstances.

- friedrich nietzsche

with love,

JN BURNETT'S LITERARY MAGAZINE CLUB