Ursum Issue Seven
Chief Editor Theresa Abrahamsen
Student Editors Arin Mikalonis Juliette Volpe
Teacher Advisor Mrs. LaPlante
Cover Art by Theresa Abrahamsen
Table of Contents Editor’s Note
5 Ally Brick
6
Anonymous
7
Kate Smith
8
Artwork
Autumn Tirillo
9
Artwork
Erin Panella Malley
10
Artwork
Heartbeat
Found Poem
True Moon
Juliette Volpe Charlotte McMillian
Like A Dream Artwork
Ally Brick
11 12 13
Too Tired to Think of a Title
Jonathan Hacia
14
A Dialogue with Death
Anonymous
15
Anthony Spica
16
In Bed Artwork
Ally Brick
18
Natalia Vicenico
19
Erin Panella-Malley
20
Erica Presbie
21
Artwork
Maddie Ellrod
22
Artwork
David Perry
Artwork
Artwork Opinions
Kansas
Erin Moody
Untitled
Evan Holm
23 24 25
Artwork
Mara Wutka
26
Artwork
Valerie Huber
27
Untitled Artwork
Erin M. Molly Laird
28 30
The Game Artwork
Haley C. Becca Canfield
31 33
Artwork
Juliette Marzo
34
Artwork
Arin Mikalonis
35
Artwork
Michelle Dingivan
36
Untitled Original Poem
Evan Holm
37
Kate Smith
38
Artwork
Ally McDonald
39
Artwork
Autumn Trillo
40
Artwork
Erin Panella-Malley
41
Untitled
Kenzie Dowd
42
Original Poem
Becca E.
43
Original Poem
Maddie Wilson
44
Ally Brick
45
Artwork Artwork
Ally Brick
46
Artwork
Olivia Medina
47
Artwork
Kylie Downs
48
Artwork Artwork
Julia McHugh Brianna Cassin
49 50
Love Is…
Theresa Abrahamsen
51
Summer Images
Anthony S.
53
Time
Sara Zafian
54
Artwork Artwork Artwork Artwork
Pippa Large Sophie Zacchera Mallie Dyer Valerie Huber
55 56 57 58
Editor’s Note Dear Reader, We welcome you to the seventh issue of Granby Memorial High School’s Literary Magazine, Ursum. At Ursum we create an atmosphere for our writers, editors, and readers so they can express themselves in a non-judgmental environment. Here their ideas can flow freely without fear of resentment or criticism. Their writing gives us, the reader, a story. A story that gives us an idea about their hopes, dreams, and their life. Their art paints a picture of how they see the world and the people around them. As the reader it is important for us to open our eyes and step into their shoes so we can understand what they are going through. Then we can reflect on our lives and make connections with them. This is what the issues in Ursum d o for their audiences. We like to thank those who have submitted their work to us. Thank them for sharing their stories and giving us a new understanding about the world and others. Also, we’d like to thank you the readers for taking your time and showing your interest in what your peers have shared with you. Thank you so much. Sincerely,
The Ursum Team
Ally Brick
Heartbeat ​ ​ Anonymous _______________________________________ A heartbeat Harder than Any drum Beat, and Will hammer For eternity
Found Poem Kate Smith _______________________________________ The sun set over the trees the last of the light swiftly fleeting The family gathered around the sand an array of chairs sprawled across the shore The Earth was quiet the soft lapping of the waves hitting the shore Bang! the silence broken the sky alight, flashes of red and orange Wow the man whispered It’s beautiful, the boy murmurs, They sat fixated on the sky Watching Waiting For the next bang Crack! in green, fizzling loudly then fading to nothingness The child laughed, clapping his hands, so much joy Around him, his family held their breath, listening Waiting for the captivating The inescapable
Autumn Tirillo
Erin Panella Malley
True Moon Juliette Volpe _______________________________________ They say that you won’t make it They say that you don’t have what it takes But when you use the passion in your heart, That is when you prove their mistakes You don’t have to reach perfection in the first round You don’t have to complete the game the first try As long as you let the negativity slip, And let your ambitions grow and shine It’s you who are ahead of the ones running past you Talent only goes a long way until it reaches dissatisfaction, And ultimately gets wasted away Desire is the true moon and the journey is the stars As long as you are fulfilled, you will reach where you are
Like A Dream ​ ​ Charlotte McMillian _______________________________________ The plane hummed The skies darkened Time passed slowly above the clouds. We landed early, before the sun began to rise The smell of coffee left us searching the narrow streets We were lost before the day had even started They said go big or go home So we stayed in a castle with ponies outside. They said go big or go home So we spent our time on horseback, exploring the white sandy beaches. We lived in a painting, with the rolling hills of the mountain range stretching on for miles, We lived in a painting, with the deep green colors of the land flaring around us. It was quiet here It was quiet here until the waves hit the shore, the dark waters colliding with the overhanging cliffs Muted by its beauty, The silence was enough for us.
The sights did the talking.
Ally Brick
Too Tired to Think of a Title Jonathan Hacia _______________________________________ He stumbles out of bed into the black abyss He’s still not awake He opens the front door His parents still asleep His dog just getting up The dog looks at him, eagerly with tired eyes. He looks back at the dog, eagerly with tired eyes He steps outside The cold enveloping his body The door slams shut behind him The last of the light goes away Were his eyes still closed? It was like a dream, and ends just as quickly Nervously he opens the door, stepping out, he sees the horizon, brighter than it was before
A long ride awaited him three hours to go So he does what he does best He slept the whole way there As if he never even woke up
A Dialogue With Death Anonymous _______________________________________ Human, be not afraid, though some have run to me I know you think yourself invincible Stupid gallantry, I quite like that. Strong and powerful, you are not so Ia m a prisoner of you and your self-obsession There are so many humans. There are so many colors. You are going to die. Do you deserve to live? The better question: Do you deserve to die? Look in a mirror... Fate does not exist You do. This poem was heavily inspired by the incredible story of Liesel Meminger told by Death in the novel, The Book Thief. This book was written by Markus Zusak.
In Bed ​ ​ Anthony Spica _______________________________________ I start my day here, I end my nights here, Going through the motions, Just to come back to this place. Does it heal or hurt? Heaven or Hell? A place of comfort, Yes. Yet, A place of pain. I sit paralyzed, enthralled in imaginary games and frivolous relationships, Surrounded by false voices, in a world alone, My conscience is spit, Protected, Imprisoned. I sacrifice all my feelings, All my responsibilities, All my fears. Now I feel like myself. Or have I already lost my touch in the numbness? I know myself better than anyone else, And I know nothing at all. I drift off.
I tell myself when I wake I will be revived, Though when I wake I never am. I go through the motions, As I always have, As I always will.
Ally Brick
Natalia Vicencio
Opinions ​ ​ Erica Presbie _______________________________________ If you believe that your opinion is the correct opinion Then you will never become the most enlightened version of yourself For there can never be a right or wrong opinion Only right and wrong facts But facts are not opinions and opinions are most certainly not facts If you try to understand others then maybe you can become a better human If you do not try to hear other opinions you will never grow as an individual Once you begin to act on behalf of the entirety of humanity You can better understand your neighbor and yourself Because you have an instinct to survive But not an instinct to be open minded And then, when you finally open your eyes To see the world around you And hear the opinions of others You will become the most enlightened version of yourself And you will find that deep down, and far in You are more complex than once can imagine And you are truly the fabric and the structure of existence itself
Maddie Ellrod
David Perry
Kansas ​ ​ Erin Moody _______________________________________ Going home, A way of returning to who I once were, Who I always wanted to be, The simplicity of life. I felt at home. Flying towards life and hope, Caring, loving world, Hidden behind other obligations Escaping. Welcoming arms Feels complete Dreads to come back to Earth Breathtaking, peaceful, quiet Heaven. Home.
Untitled Evan Holm _______________________________________ The chair’s metal safety bar lifted Left turns and right turns Swerving down the mountain Wind from the north ripping through No feeling of the metal rail under which my numb feet grinded Distinctly cold strange sensation Detached from my physical body Bracing myself to maximize body heat Attempting to escape using barriers of trees and snow bunkers Some kind of natural torture Seeing the world behind some sort of screen Detached and unfocused But somehow laughing, somehow happy The endorphins manifesting, rushing through Creating the grit to continue Safety peaks in the distance at the lodge To regain some warmth Nah, it’s too good out here I’ll stay on this mountain
Mara Wutka
Valerie Huber
Untitled Erin M. _______________________________________ Scared, Weak, Inferior, Ball, Net, Me, Small, and unknowing, Quiet, stepped over, I was looked down too, Pass, Set, Hit. J.V. scared me Varsity more so, I would never make it, not skilled, short in comparison. Back again a little taller reaching higher, more confident, winning lead to excitement, joy. Junior year and varsity now, naive, thinking I’m the best, sits bench. Tears, hatred,
broken down by everything, failure. I came back even though many quit, hopeful yet, afraid of the future, afraid of losing, Everyone cried. We are done, the hugs last an eternity, My volleyball journey ended. Tonight I walk out an alumni towards the future. Scared, small, reluctant, but, confident, happy, and excited. Pass, Set, Hit.
Molly Laird
The Game Haley C. _______________________________________ Hands frozen Lungs burning Rain pouring Adrenaline rushing 7:31 left on the clock Down by 1 Sound of a whistle Timeout Look of disappointment We only need one goal Hands in “Win the day one heart our way” Pass the ball quickly Dribble Eliminate Push Score A rush of excitement Uncontrollable screams So many hugs Jumping up and down 3:40 left “Possess the ball” Running
Can’t move any faster One more goal “Let’s go ladies” The sound of the backboard Echoing in my ear Screaming coming from all around me I look at Georgia We did it So many hugs
Becca Canfield
Juliette Marzo
Arin Mikalonis
Michelle Dingivan
Untitled Evan Holm _______________________________________ Covered in salt Abrasive line Right index finger splitting Hole in my waders Alone in the bay Just the mooning Nothing happening Analyzing the baitfish Adjustments always adjusting Loop knot tied new fly on Double haul Strip, strip, feel, continue, repeat Nothing happening Eyes bloody, I’m exhausted Hiking back with bulky baggage No distance made on the sand Snakes and crabs in the grass Two miles to go Finally the car, finally the hammock Nothing accomplished But not unsuccessful
Original Poem Kate Smith _______________________________________ Ear pressed against the wooden dock Listening, as soft lull of waves hum a sweet melody The birds, gossiping in the trees, whispering the day’s news From the left, a burst of laughter A child giggling with her father Music, carried by the wind, drifts into focus My mother’s voice, rising then falling Bickering and taunting her sisters And beneath it all The softness of a world removed from it all In the midst of this, I lay Basking in the safety of a flawless habit Cherishing the security of a protected environment But deep down, a worried sense, a murmuring voice “I want more”
Ally McDonald
Autumn Tirillo
Erin Panella-Malley
Untitled ​ ​ Kenzie Dowd _______________________________________ Early fall Leaves beginning to turn a bright orange. Beautiful monstrous clouds shone a palette of grays Across a barely visible bright blue backsplash Small silver of shining light through. She stood still. Her eyes big as saucers, just as her mothers. Thin light of the sky Illuminates the massive buildings Ever so slightly highlighting Expressive architectures that loomed over them. Ahead lay an extensive maze of buildings and paths People drifting and strolling aimlessly and haphazardly All sharing the same confusion. The clouds above her and her mother Seemed to look down upon the earth with anger. The smell of rain persisted. The tour guide precariously looked towards the sky Which was already ominously staring down back at her.
Original Poem Becca E. _______________________________________ I don’t think about you anymore. Not like how I used to at least. And maybe my words now contradict that statement, but I promise that this is the first time in a while that I’ve thought of your name and felt something more than ‘oh.’ Those days seem long gone now. Part of me wants to tell you I wish you were still here but I think I’d probably be lying. I’m not sure it’s possible to miss someone that was never really there to start with. I used to wonder what would become of me without you in my life. Now I can’t imagine what I would be with you still in it.
Original Poem Maddie Wilson _______________________________________ The waves come Quick as the sand goes Tiny rocks Amidst your toes Seagulls circling Dip down towards your nose Lounging on your back As the sun glows Darkening skin Lighting hair Roaring laughter Silencing air Vast as the rolling blue Dreams parallel to the sea From the sand we’ll build a castle If you’ll come with me
Ally Brick
Ally Brick
Olivia Medina
Kylie Downs
Julia McHugh
Brianna Cassin
Love Is...​ ​ Theresa Abrahamsen _______________________________________ Love is more than chocolates. Love is more than candy hearts and flowers. Love is more than stuffed animals and paper cards. Love is more than going out to dinner at a fancy restaurant. Love is more than buying a gift with your credit card. Love is more than boxes wrapped up in brightly colored paper and string. Love is going to bed with a headache And waking up with someone massaging your temples, Handing you a warm meal and favorite refreshment, And folding your clothes and putting them away. Love is yelling and screaming About something upsetting you. Then you find yourself calming down Because you have someone there, Sitting besides you, Listening to every word. Love is sitting in the car, Blasting a song on the radio, And shouting out the words together. Love is laying on the couch With someone running their fingers through your hair, Erasing your fears, And drowning your sorrows. Allowing you to fall into the warm lull of sleep.
Love is calling one another In the middle of the night For no reason at all. Only to quench the longing to hear your voice. Love is being able to shed tears And having someone wiping them away with their thumbs, Caressing your cheeks, Whispering, “You’re going to be okay,” And, “You’re not alone.” Love is watching them standing alone, Waiting for you with open arms, Allowing you to run And jump into their tight embrace. Love is waiting for the right person to come along. Love is treating one another right. Love is full with laughter. Love is tough. Love is forgiveness. Love is never letting go. Love is something we hold dear. Love is those we hold in our hearts. Love is impactful. Love is peaceful. Love is indescribable.
Summer Images​ ​ Anthony S. _______________________________________ Immersed in stark contrast, austere metropolitan landscape, fervent elms, nourishing light. An aging man veiled with layers of grimy grab holding in his palm nothing particular hollered to look up. Birds took to the sky, a hectic feathered tornado. A woman and child, a group of men, a runner, locked gazes on the cement, hurried their pace. A hawk swept between stretching elms, with the widest wingspan, the boy looked. The image of the hawk looming in his mind, wings illuminating autumn hues in the backlight of the summer sun.
Time​ ​ Sara Zafian _______________________________________ Divine, Represented wind hands and a face, Bestows its beauty, To suppress the inner chaos, Of the world. Wanting us, Telling us, Enticing us with every second, It is our only true religion, Until Death do we part. But for now, Twenty four hours, Seven days a week, Fifty two weeks a year. An endless ride, Constantly pushing boundaries, Merciful to no one. Everyday we plead for more. An artificial construct, It remains indomitable. Because Time, No one can save us from time.
Pippa Large
Sophie Zacchera
Mallie Dyer
Valerie Huber