Music Hall: The Voice vol. 2 2015-2016

THE VOICE

Vol. 2 2015-2016 Storm King School

Staff Michael Girolametti Joseph Underwood Allen Yoon

Contributing Staff Jack Cong Alexandra Cirovic Braulio Ferreira Jean Paul Sayegh Zoe Stene

Advisor: Mr.Rowe Creative Consultant-Finneran

Table of Contents Poetry and Prose

4

A collection of poetry and prose from students.

Including Naunet Leonhardes' Where I Am From.

Yuzhou Cong's story When I Was Young

City Life

19

A collection of poems and pictures depicting life in the city.

Photographer-Alexandra Cirovic captures the moment.

FAMOUS

25 What does it really mean to be famous?

First Crush

34

Wonderful stories of infatuation and young love.

The Bieber Singer by Cem Taviloglu The Six year Old Stalker- Asia Raacke

Heartbroken-Max Chen

Wildlife

46

Photographers capture wildlife in their element, commenting on the point of view of nature's wildlife.

Featured PhotographersAllen Li,Kevin Jacobson and Bill Zhou

Call and Response

58

Meaningful questions and answers Including Allegra Walker's The Lost Boys Tamar McGowan's Lost in the Woods

What's In My Backpack

65

Discover the personalities through the idosycratic lists in verse.

Haiku

69

Award winning collection of Haiku poetry including Dalibor Hanes' Ready or Not Caroline Hecht's A Second of Beauty Asia Raacke's Change

Final Prose Joe Underwood's-The Problem Child

Where I'm From

by Naunet Leonhardes

I am from useless hair products, empty mugs and cups.

My shiny cracked mirror, and the unsharpened pencils.

I'm from that chair piled with clothes, my vast array of sweaters.

My room with pale blue walls, covered in my imagination.

I am from the village, where Cherry and Hudson meet.

The big yellow building, Next to two big trees.

From the parking lot not far, Parked in there is our two cars.

From the apartment upstairs, to my tiny bedroom where I sleep.

I am from the aroma of spices and food, the Latin music heard inside.

My big family, living from Massachusetts to Costa Rica.

The loud aunts and uncles, the annoying little cousins, who never breathe to speak.

The big parties and Spanish speaking, where all the family meets.

I am from the secrets inside my journal, the whispers at night.

The things I am proud of, and my memories that fright.

I am from more than meets the eye, From what he once said,

"We are always here, but we will never get there."

I am from that unforgotten man, who gave the yellow building his life.

I'm from the man who died happy, the man who gave out his love.

I'm from the way he changed me, The way he changed us.

I'm from the family arguments, but the apologies soon after.

The shoulders to cry on, the arms to fall back into.

I'm from the people around me, and the things that surround me.

I'm from the way I think.

The way I feel.

The way I talk.

The way I can do better.

I'm from the good and the bad days, from the ideas that change the world

Not a Chance

by Tiana Vazquez

I'll never get to kiss the stars, I'll never sell my soul away.

I'll never wear a coat of fire, I'll never talk to Claude Monet.

I'll never be able to hear someone think, I'll never find t he same snowflake twice.

I'll never be able to see the color of a voice, I'll never create a time travelling device.

I'll never know all the languages on earth, The things I'll never do are dreams of mine.

I'll never be able to fulfill these desires, But these ideas being just a dream is fine.

Relations

by Asia Raacke

The ring is famous to the diamond Without it it's just a stone from the depths of Earth Love of a friend if famous to the heart Music is famous to the soul The quill is famous to the author The brush is famous to the canvas as the paint takes its form Light is famous to life The necklace is famous to the neck of which it is worn The book is famous to the imagination More famous than the television, which is famous only to the eyes Dear memories are famous to the one who witnessed it Not all famous to the one who lived it I want to be famous to the thinkers The ones that consider themselves imaginative and inspired To the kind who smile and give their hearts to everyone I want to be famous like the way a table is famous Not because it's expensive or limited But because they bring people together

Hanging Its Head Jack Cong

As the horse Walks into The crystal of The prairie The origin of Living Lonely Get close to Blue lake Hanging it's head to Touch bright Water

Each House

by Joseph Underwood

Each house perfectly Alike Lawns are lushly green Topped with cold dew On the side of Rivers

When I was young, there was one rule that I could never understand. If two children got into a fight with each other, but only one was at fault, the adults would still punish both of them.

They said that " If you are perfect, then why would he chose to fight with you instead of someone else". This kind of logic is ridiculous, but when I was young, so I had to accept it. Though to this day, I could never understand why they thought that.

In the adult world, they have laws to determine who is guilty or not.

However, in a child's world, we only have parents to settle our disputes.

When I was in primary school, I was an outgoing kid. I was small and a little bit weak, so sometimes I became a target of other kids. Children know that sometimes there is no reason to fight at all. Maybe it is because they don't particularly like each other. One day, I was reading a really funny book and kept laughing. I couldn't help it.

Suddenly I felt the shock of cold water hitting the back of my head and neck. The kid behind me had thrown a glass of water. My clothes were drenched. and I was angry. When I asked him he why he had done it He refused to say anything and just kept silent.

I didn't get any answer and I planned to accept, but just as I was leaving, he suddenly exclaimed "you deserved it ." If he just apologized, I wouldn't have said anything and I wouldn't blame him at all. His attitude made me feel terrible and I just couldn't understand why he just put the blame on me.

Sometimes verbal arguments don't work at all. For the children, the solution is easy. Fight! And that is exactly what happened.

There was a fury of fists and punches thrown, spits and curses filled the air.

Finally the teacher caught us. Theymade us call our parents. I felt so sad at that time because the teacher didn't even ask us what caused it all. When my parents arrived and heard my story I was so confident that they wouldn't blame me, because none of this was my fault. However, my father started to scold me immediately. He said that it was my fault because I should've forgive him or told the teacher about what happened. I thought those two solutions were ridiculous because first of all why should I forgive the person who targets me. If I had told the teachers about this, the classmates will think that I was weak and useless.

At that time, I felt that I did the best thing I could have done, but no adult would understand me.

In the end, I had to accept the punishment and accept the rules.

Never fight with other people whatever the situation is, there is always a better option.

However, you should know, no one has ever thrown water on me again.

Yuzong Jack Cong

Winter Allen Yoon

Lasting love Waiting patiently Fallen leaves Naked tree Cold breath Slippery road Truth always Comes to you.

Eternal Snowstorm Max Chen

A field of snow.

Clean, stainless, beauty.

Blinded by emotions, I stepped into the endless white.

Unaware of destroying the filed, I walked on.

When realized, I hastily filled terrific spots in the snow.

But all was too late.

The field would never be as it was.

Hopeless to refill the endless footsteps, I would forever be wrapped in guilt.

The Wrong Tile

by Michael Girolametti

I was always that good kid, always on time, always had my homework when it was due. But yet I still had the fun of being the silly and immature kid. I can remember it as if it were yesterday, all the way back to the second grade. The children laughing, the teachers hollering at them, and even the smell of crayons and finger paints flowing through the halls. I had left my incredibly large classroom with more than about thirtyfive students to use the restroom. I grabbed the small brown teddy bear that sat next to the class sign out sheet and brought it back to my desk for Mrs. Garbarino to see who had left the room. I proceeded down the corridor with the multi-colored tiles of the second and third grade wing of Scotland Elementary School, jumping from color to color, tile to tile acting as if I stepped on the wrong color something terrible would happen.

Proceeding down past the Art room with all the basic, yet impressive work of our young minds. I made it to the large, heavy brown boys room door, and had entered to simply "go potty," as any small child would. When I was finished I had buttoned my pants back up, washed my hands and was on my way back to class.

As I was walking through the hallways, it seemed as if I was taking a little trip down memory lane. I saw all the decor and work that our teachers had hung throughout the hallway for students and parents to see.

Without any hesitation at all I opened the door, and entered the classroom. I didn't get but 2 steps into the class before I realized the horrible and embarrassing mistake I had just made. Also, I had yet to hear that Ms. Donovan had been placed on maternity leave. She was replaced by a totally new teacher who had no clue who I was either.

The class's focus immediately switched from their work to the foolish older kid who walked into their classroom.

I can only assume the teacher was thinking, "can I help you with something..?" I don't think i've ever ran out of a classroom faster than I did that day.

I bolted down the colored tiles once again doing everything I could to get back to my classroom without anyone else knowing. Little did I know, my future fifth grade teacher would only scold me to stop running in the hallway. When I made it back to my classroom, I was so embarrassed and out of breath, but luckily, no one else in my class understood why, at least for now.

I guess I must have stepped on the wrong color tile...

Purple Frog

by Braulio Ferreira

As the frog jumped over the tree branch hunting for flies out of boredom first its tongue gently moves then strikes more doom falling into hunger the abyss of the pond.

Never

by Cem Taviloglu

I'll never cry for a can, I'll never bash my head into a wall, I'll never make a computer from a plant, I'll never leave you a call, I'll never be in a beaver den, I'll never break metal with my hand, I'll never not eat Mcdonalds, I'll never be good at highstands, I'll never tickle myself, The things I'll never do always changes, I'll never be what I was, I'll never say that you won't feel pain,

Palmer Smith

I'll Never Fester Jessica Zheng

I'll never fester I'll never stay in one place I'll never hear the roar of a dinosaur I'll never jump over the Empire state building I'll never get to the earth's core I'll never know when I die I'll never find the letter 'e' in the book Gatsby I'll never catch a pokemon I'll never figure out who is banksy I'll never walk away cooly from an explosion I'll never meet my great ancestor But don't worry, i'll never fester I'll never pet a dodo bird

City Life

A collection of poems and photographs that capture life in the city.

Roof Tops

by Joseph Underwood

The roof top Where they stand unsteady sickened they talk to coppers want to jump no guts people gather scream no goodbye!

Violence

by Jean Paul Sayegh

I see stars Stealing cars Is a crime but Maybe it was time Some people say Killing is Appealing But for those Jail is the Perfect match

Streets

by Michael Girolametti Streets filled Loud noises from all directions What will we change now Anticipation running throughout the crowd It drops And everything was the same

Bright Colors

by Michael Girolametti

Countless lights Flashes of bright colors You should see the children smile Hot chocolate and rosy cheks ripped away

Friday Night PR As the singers wait backstage for the limelight and the band tunes their final notes Friday night couples holding hands amidst smiling ushers punching tickets scurrying people doing the sidewalk shuffle, all too busy to hear the sound of the streets and alleyways coins jingling in the aluminum cups of the displaced the real music being played from my vagabond friends the sound of poverty and blues

Famous like Marlin Brando or Marilyn Monroe or Elvis

Timeless like the sky, the sea or the wind

Russia, My Home Igor Zelenko

Russia, my home is famous to me.

The winter blizzard is famous in the morning, And a snowball fight at the noon Is famous to me and my brother.

The hot tea with lemon and honey, In the winter evening in the warm house Near the sparkling hearth is famous to my family.

A warm glass of milk before sleep, Is famous to me and my mother.

Winter is not endless, winter is a season.

Time at a time seasons have to change.

Famous Sofia Telkova

The oceans are so famous to the ships The singing voice is famous to the lyrics, Awaiting to be sung and Probably admired by the public The dogs are famous to the rabbits That watch in fear from aside The smile is famous to the mouth, often tightly shut Because of anger and despair The thoughts we cherish are very Famous to a sheet of paper to be just printed The bag is famous to all the money, More famous than the things we buy, Which are so famous for the present As many others I do dream of fame known to men And women who seem to be indifferent to me, But most of all I want that fame of mine to make my friends so proud of me!

I want to be famous not as a strange inventor, But someone who improved the life on Earth

Thoughts The teacher is famous to the class.

Time is famous to life, Who knew that it would run out eventually.

The boy is famous to the girl glancing at him from across the room.

The doorknob is famous, briefly, to the hand The coat is famous to nature.

More famous than the blazer, Which is famous only indoors.

The universe is famous to the mind, But does not return the favor.

I do not want to be famous the way a singer is to the audience, Or the way a magician is for their tricks.

I want to be famous the way a poet is to their reader.

Not for their actions, But for their mind.

Allegra Walker

The House The land is famous to the house As the trees are famous to mother nature People are famous to the land As land is famous to money Movies are famous to the screen As popcorn is famous to the mouth Food is famous to the table as the table is famous to the floor I am famous to sleep As my bed is famous to me My room is famous to friends As friends are famous to the house JeanPierre Sayegh

A Moment of Gray

Cindy Yishin Liang

Famous Jessica Zheng

I want to be famous for my accomplishment I want to be famous for my ability For people to look on with astonishment To be known for my capability I want to be famous for my intelligence I want to be famous for my talent For people to appreciate my brilliance To be known to make the impossible happen Just like how music is famous to its listener Not because of its appearance But how it is an eye-opener And how it connects with the audience Just like how the sun is famous Because it is crucial to many It helps everyone else's purpose Without even earning a penny

How Many Days?

Zoe Stene

The pen is famous to the everyone.

The water is famous to the fish, But also all the other creatures And most of the Earth.

The music is famous to the ears, But only the ones who try to listen.

The colored leaves are famous to the whirling winds.

The thoughts you have written down in your books are famous to the pages.

The colors are famous to children, But not as famous as the toys they play with now, And forget eventually.

I want to famous to the friends that couldn't speak up.

The ones who smiled and stayed silent, But spent nights sobbing.

Palmer Smith

Michael Girolametti

Always and Forever

by Misha Medvedev I will never forget her I will never be that friend again I will never forget those happy moments I will never be who I was back then I will never understand why I made those mistakes I will never break those promises I will never be in love again I will never destroy the opposites I will never be busy when you need me there I will never take bad chances I will never ignore your messages And I will always love you under the circumstances

James Joyce wrote about the powerful forces of infatuation in his transformative story Araby where he discovered the trappings of young love.

FIRST CRUSH

Read about some of our own epiphanies as we experience love for the first time.

The Bieber Singer It was the first time a young boy named Cem was about to start first grade at a new school. Cem's new school was called IICS (Istanbul, International, Community, School). Cem was really excited but nervous at the same time. When he walked into his classroom he saw a lot of his fellow students, but one of the girls named Robin particularly stood out more than the others. He didn't want to approach her, instead he tried stand out to her as much as she did to him. Cem continued the day meeting some of his classmates, glancing at this girl every few moments to see if she looked back.

Eventually he did introduce himself to her.. He tried to spend as much time as he could with her.

Cem's feelings for Robin grew and grew the more time they spent together.

At the time he thought all girls were in love with Justin Bieber, but Cem had no idea so who he was. Cem went home and looked him up and listened to "Baby" a song by Justin Bieber. When ever he walked by Robin he sang "Baby" by Justin Bieber. By singing into her ear he thought she would start to like him back. As Cem did this she started to think he was really weird but Cem didn't understand that and kept doing it. After a month had past Cem told her how he felt and she just thought he was weird and thought of him as a friend. As the week went by she ignored Cem, and a year later she had to move away.

-Cem Taviloglu

The Six Year Old Stalker by Asia Raacke It was the beginning of first grade.

Every morning the class would sit in a circle to talk about the day and what we were going to learn. I was very quiet, shy, and would always stick to doing my work. The others would rather play, pretend and socialize. I stayed this way for some time until I saw him.

Everything changed after I met him. I became more social. I started playing games in order to get closer to him.

He would always wear something orange, his favorite color. His hair was black as night, and he always had a smile on his chubby face. Every morning when I entered the stone school building, I would look for his bus and wait until he got off just to watch him.

Whenever I was around him my chest seemed to contract then release butterflies in my stomach. I didn't know how to handle my feelings. The only way I was able to cope was to slap and kick him.

Sometimes I would hide his book bag and put dirt in it. He would always make me laugh and I would be mesmerized by his conversations. Sometimes I would doze off just by thinking about him.

My mother would always ask about my day, which was the perfect time to talk about him. I hated having these feelings. It felt like I was sick with an infection of obsession. My head would spiral with thoughts about him constantly and dreams of him that I wished were real. My mouth would spew out stories about him

and I felt so embarrassed when I caught myself. My body would stiffen as he passed by me in school and my only instinct was to follow him. Now that I look back I must have come off as a violent, creepy, six year old stalker. It is amazing how

these little feelings can have so much power over your actions and thoughts. One day my friend asked me if I had a crush on him. I remember the vision I had of a giant crushing him with his large boot.

"What's a crush? Should I drop a rock on his head?" I asked in confusion.

"No! Do you want him to be your boyfriend!" She yelled.

Of course I do, I thought but does he have a crush on me?

After that conversation I became more observant of his actions. It seemed as though he wanted to be around me but only in a friendly way. I really wanted to ask but I didn't have the courage. I became so frustrated with myself.

There were so many opportunities to confess my feelings to him. I would think about it day and night, hoping that I would tell him tomorrow, but I kept my mouth shut. It felt like the words I wanted to say were punching the roof of my mouth trying to force themselves out.

The last day of school finally came, and I felt invincible. I received good grades that year and made a friend, I felt on top of the world. When

the day ended, I walked up to him and gave him a kiss goodbye. He stood there in shock as I walked away. To this day we are best friends.

Heartbroken

by Max Chen

She was the girl that everyone loved.

Like everyone else I tried to talk to her, but I would always run up to her and run back because I was too shy to speak up. It was the last day of school, and I knew that she was leaving so I had to do something...

My friend and I came to class like we were enemies, he stared at me with an envelope in his hand. I had no clue what could be in the envelope. After school ended, I raced to grab my bag and headed for the school's front gate. The hallways were crowded with students.

Books and papers were thrown around; it was like walking through a parade. As soon as I ran out of the school I could hear the screeching of cicadas. I searched desperately for her, like how cicadas are looking for their soul mate. With everyone trying to exit the school at once, I could barely see anything. After walking around the school's entrance for a while,

I gave up searching. I stood beside a bush of red roses growing on the side walls of the school and hopelessly stared at the crowd.

My vision started to blur. When my eyes could no longer hold, tear drops fell as if it was washing away the red of roses. Then I felt a little pat on my shoulder, I turned around and noticed that it was my friend. He smiled at me and left without the envelope in his hands. I never knew what was in the envelope and didn't care.

My heart was heavy with sorrow.

Dollhair

by Zoe Stene

When I was six, I lived in Florida. I went to a Christian school with my brother, Jeremy, and his friends. I didn't have many of my own. One of his friends, Kaleb, was always really nice to me. We would play with our action figures, and we would go on adventures around the neighborhood in the heat of August.

Sometimes Kaleb would accidentally break my toys, and I would be upset.

He ripped the hair off of my pretty Cinderella doll once.

Other then when that happened, he was a cool kid.

He was a few years older than me, so it was surprising that he'd want to hang out with me.

I'm happy he did.

A Shallow Error I felt something I didn't understand. I didn't know what to say, and I was trying to get his attention.

I was sitting at a table with him and his best friend. It was snack time, and I had fruit snacks. I dropped a fruit snack on the ground by accident,he picked it up off the floor and ate it. I was completely confused. He was eating off the ground? For some reason, I continued to drop fruit snacks on the floor and watched him eat...

What could I say? I was too entertained. When the fruit snacks were finished, he told me he ate dirt as well. How cute... I didn't know if he was lying or not, but I was disgusted. At recess, my friends and I would play a game where you could not let a boy touch you. If a boy touched you, you would have 'boy germs.' When I look back on this game, it is basically the opposite of cooties. One day when we all were playing the game, I was just running around the playground. Before I knew it, he was following me and I basically screamed and ran away. Not wanting "boy germs", I ran away, but he cornered me and confusedly asks me why I was running away from him. I don't remember what I said that day, but I knew he was my first crush and it continued for a long time.

Five years later, he was in my fourth grade class.

I sat next to him once again, and he was a nuisance.

After the first couple weeks of class, I asked myself "What do I even see in him?" The truth is I never saw anything. I saw everything on the outside, and fell in "love" with his looks. I never talked to him, and I didn't know anything about him besides his ability to play almost every sport. I never had feelings for him as a person. I had feelings for what I saw on the outside.

The inside, however, was another completely different story that I did not explore. The next year, fifth grade started with another crush, and the story was replayed with a small twist. The story only gets more irrelevant so, I would rather not continue. My thoughts are now of regret, and I know now I can't change the past, but I can still learn from my mistakes. I was being shallow, but the six year old me

Young mistakes are important in life. It is just how we learn.

didn't understand that.

-Caroline Hecht

Rose Braulio Ferreira

When I'm gone, you're there.

When I'm there, you're gone.

What is that the universe is trying to postpone?

My rose,my thoughts have become propone, my heart and my brain are trying to atone in this amalgam of feelings.

The thought of you being surrounded by otherworldly beings and childhood demons, eats my brains up, making me not wanna wake up.

But my dreams turned into nightmares so now I have to stay up. Watching me,myself and I and humanity break up.

Is this obsession or my sense of protection messing with my head making me wonder: My rose,What would happen if i was dead?

I might be going crazy My ideas turned Lazy I might be getting older but my ROSE, I'll never drive Mrs.Daisy.

Or belong to a out of touch with reality girl who'll question my loyalty Daily.

Crush my dreams, making me feel like I'm breathing in a room full of steam, where tasks are to hard to handle without a team. So I reach my pineal gland and create a supplementary scene.

So my rose, What is the universe trying to postpone?

I want to go Home!

But the feeling that holds us together seems to be gone.

The Battle of Agincourt

by Ian G. Morris

Henry V is known widely as one of Shakespeare's greatest historical plays that commemorates the was fought by King Henry V and young king as one of England's bravest heroes. Shakespeare celebrated as one of England's greatest victories due to the very writes a rousing speech for Henry that is very famous in Elizabethan small force of English archers literature that highlights the small defeating a huge number of French knights. The battle changed number of the Englishman compared to the huge forces they warfare specifically with knights and armored cavalry charges. The faced that day at Agincourt. I wrote the first draft of this poem when I introduction of the longbow and was in college after reading trained archers made knights vulnerable even with heavy armor. Shakespeare and Chaucer in a creative writing poetry class. It In essence the age of chivalry came to a close and ushered in a rhymes in couplets and I tried my best to shape each line into iambic new era that was dominated by pentameter. I hope you enjoy it and superior weapons such as the become more interested in history longbow. Eventually gunpowder would reign as the ultimate power. and English.

Few battles in history stand out as much as the battle of Agincourt in 1415. The battle

Agincourt 1415 Ian Morris With mighty banners that bore the wind's glide And sounding trumpets that coveted pride, Henry did dare to make his fierce claim To make resolution by Jove's righteous name.

He summoned his columns with gold and lace lures And decked them with arrows in realm of the sword.

And it's told no ordnance as fine as he had Could match the brave spirit of his famed lads.

With shining eyes of a god and mortal mix Henry the Fifth was age twenty-six When he set course toward the French coast so bold Leaving England in care of her own.

He landed by morning and mustered the corp The structure was one which was seen before Of knights, bold archers and formed infantry Just as leaves weeping of an old Willow tree Where fruition bore as Henry himself Divine and chosen to commence a squelch To quell the creatures of impiety And expunge rebellious impunity.

He tread with his flock through the fields of France And left his guns taking a thrifty chance On the adroit art of his English beaux (Which through hours of practice they owed).

The French assemblage stood more than double But to this English fold it wasn't trouble.

Their path did lay by the great shepherd's will Droves it rained making mud by its spill.

On October 25th in autumn's gleam In the year fourteen hundred and fifteen The French and English armies did meet In reeking battle, the devil's own feat.

For hours through stare two armies did glance Until Henry at odds took the advance Positioning his bows in striking range.

Unquivered the feathered oak then rained.

Arrows poured steadily into affrighted ranks Of heavily armed and mounted horse-harnessed Franks.

Forward they clamored as steeds slipped through mud Caused by many days of raining and flood Which slowed the French battery's bewailing charge And left them as shadows neat, at near and large.

Prim knights became targets deepened by steps Up to the ankles, the knees, and the breast.

Some sank so deep that sweet chivalry drowned (By missiles that pierced its shielded crown).

Soon after the blunder the Gauls were appalled.

Their nobles, their knights, their hides were all mauled.

The English had won and with hardly a loss Which Henry attributed to the cross.

High on his horse in a tunic of red He turned to his minions and sternly said, "The battle is done so We clearly retort God save the king at bloody Agincourt!"

Welcome To My Kingdom

"There is aways a ruler. That's who i am"

Alex Cirovic

The Suddenness of Life

"A Dog is sitting on the ground and looking at what is going on. "

Allen Li

Adorable Wonders of Nature

"In our life there is always room for cuteness."

Alex Cirovic

The Family

"Sudden touch is not suprising in family. Love you."

Allen Li

The Journey of Our Lives "Life is long, but I am following you anyway."

Bill Zhou

A Waiting "Sometimes luck is on the half of the way to you."

Bill Zhou

No One Cares "When you are quiet, no one notices you.

No one cares."

Allen Li

A Quick Snack

"We all need to take a break."

Kevin Jacobson

Dust Bath

"We all need a bath and a good scratch."

Kevin Jacobson

Lunch With a View

"The best meals are ones we find for ourselves."

Kevin Jacobson

Obstacles "Our spirit drives us to fight through obstacles."

Allen Li

Suddenly

"Sometimes beautiful things happen in one moment."

Bill Zhou

I Know the Future Where has my creativity gone, the thoughts I used to breathe, the fantasies that have been forgotten, the colorful future awaiting me?

Was it thrown out of the same open window that lets the rain in? What about the rebellion that stormed within my heart?

Am I cruel enough to not care anymore?

I'm not allowed to even think of thatSomehow my thoughts turn into belief and reality.

Have I been blessed with the ability to sense the future?

Why does the rest of my life feel so grey?

Who's the one who trapped me in this box?

If you don't let me out soon, eventually I will wither away into a new realm filled with even more nothing.

Zoe Stene

Lost in the Woods

Which way must I go now?

In the pouring rain with no way out?

I have lost all sense of direction, And all I can see is leaves and trees for miles. When is someone going to come?

Soon someone will come I tell myself, But as I speak these words I doubt myself. Should I try and make the best of it?

Or should I shiver and suffer through the bitter cold?

Why do I have to sleep on this cold ground, With warmth and shelter nowhere to be found But I don't have a choice right now, All I do is sit, wait and wonder.

Tamar McGowan

Past Time Where has all the time gone? the laughs, giggles, cries and screams, smiles, tears, hugs and dreams?

Where have all my friends gone? we used to hang out, tell jokes and play, but now they've all left, or faded away.

Where has all of my happiness gone? responsibilities and work pile and pile, I haven't talked to my sister in a while. listening to the same songs, day and night, nostalgia hitting hard, holding on with all my might.

Where have all the pastimes gone? looking for distractions, something to dull the pain, but this sadness feels like an everlasting rain.

Where have they all gone? I have fallen apart.

Who will come and fill my heart?

Tiana Vazquez

The Olive Branch Where is the olive branch?

The symbol of peace for thousands of years Given to stop wars and keep harmony Who has the branch now?

How did the olive branch disappear?

Is it forced to sit on the sidelines of the battlefield?

Why do we use of fear and war?

We can't end this without understanding Without open minds, rage will rule the world Will we ever get along?

Or are we too engrossed in our own anger to think straight?

So what happened to the olive branch?

I know I'm one out of billions but, I'm not alone asking the same question.

Asia Raacke

Lost Boys What happened to the Lost Boys?

The kids with the brave hearts who wore animal costumes just to feel wild?

Who weren't afraid to stand out or stand up in what they believed in?

Where have all the free spirits gone?

Did they lose their hearts to fit into a society that wants everyone to stay the same?

I will probably not be listened to, but I will try to speak.

Can you hear our broken voices?

The same ones that had to yell to finally be heard?

So don't worry lost boys, we are still looking for our hearts too.

Allegra Walker

Living Among Labels When did being ourselves become labels, Our clothing, fashion, or How we act on a daily basis Why do people judge?

Why do people make assumptions?

Is it because we feel self conscious?

Why do we put labels on each other?

I know we all have low self esteem, but not everyone shows it Why do we live in a world of negativity?

Why do we put others down?

Why can't we all just live in peace?

Maybe the world is just made like that Or maybe society just shaped us that way By: Caroline Hecht

Life-Style What happened to all crazy ones?

The guys who do what they want Why do people live for others?

What happened to the 80's?

What happened to the fashion age?

I feel like a member of a dying species.

A species unafraid to show their true selves.

A species unafraid to be different.

Why are we so afraid in this generation?

What is going to happen to humanity in the future?

How did we become like this?

Something has to change Someone has to step up To reunite Life and Style.

Tanestrran L. Chandran

WHATS IN MY BACKPACK?

Pages with Smiles A ball and chain clinging alongside, dragging me from building to building.

Concrete bricks and steel bars weighing down imagination, anchoring creativity. imprisoning the youthful, creative mind.

A mind filled of laughs, aspirations and success.

Personality comes with one's interest What's in my backpack one might ask?

A notebook, Pages filled with smiles and sports, The grandest stages of them all Multiple World Series, and World Cups Championship medals and trophies summarizing a passion, and dreams.

The lone object as if it had been a balloon filled with helium, uplifting one's spirit.

The last breath before finally drowning Turning pages where creativity has a place to shine bright as a summer's sky, inside what seems to be a dark, creative free cell.

By: Michael Girolametti

Papyrus Ineffectual consciousness, that's what they give me.

Conundrum person, that's how I'm portrayed.

Unpublished poems and quotes from heroes to nemos and something of my own to boost your neurons.

Future ancient manuscripts kept secret to later be exposed for the glory of the decomposed.

And tell a story that no one knows it's true.

By: Braulio Ferreira

Throw it in the Dirty Corner Jack Cong

Throw it in the dirty corner, With the clothes and socks that haven't been washed for weeks.

When I try to find it, Just like a dustman in the waste-yard.

When I put it on the chair, People asked me why I buy the durians.

Cleaned several times, And finally it can be used.

I still mess that up.

Look for a book from the bag, As hard as to find one specific fish in the ocean.

Feel depressed when I couldn't turn up something, Forget anything when I don't request that.

The thing only that has the value, Whenever I need it.

Haiku These poems consist of three lines in a single stanza of seventeen carefully chosen syllables Inherent is the use of kigo, a form of expression in traditional Japanese poetry that indicates a season Follow these timeless works of comparison, contrast and association

A Second of Beauty Look at me, I have Snowflakes alight on my nose Fine stunning crystals Caroline Hecht

Winter Spirit Zoe Stene

Leaves have fallen down The trees' spirit sinks below Grey snow will melt soon The Time Comes Joseph Underwod

Slowly we all pass We feel grief when this happens It comes quick, live life

The Hummingbird Jessica Zheng

A hummingbird flew It crashed and came down Waiting for the end

Ready or Not

Death is always there Ready or not it's time now Are you scared, don't be By: Dalibor Hanes

A Stroll through Autunm Caroline Hecht

Leaves drift to the ground With each step I hear a crunch Shambling every leaf

Wild Flowing River Tamar McGowan

Hitting rocks with waves River flows ever softly Crashing onto shore Different Classes Jack Cong

Wear clothes as a prince Handsome and attractive Other side of the tracks

On the river On the river now Finding a steamboat today Making a tippee By: Dalibor Hanes

Swimming Huck swam and Jim swam As graciously as a fish Down the Mississipp By: Danny Lojkovic

Farewell Allegra Waker

Oak trees start to fade I exchange my last goodbyes With the lively sun 27th- of September Max Chen

On mid-autumn day When they loo at the full moon I look at the sun

Pombo Braulio Ferreira

The bird fell from it It broke its gracious wings Oh my oh my.

Change Asia Raacke

The leaves change to gold Then fall and crumble from death My soul is autumn

Seasons Changing Tamar McGowan Snow falls on the ground How frosted the windows are We sit round the fire

Winter Braulio Ferreira Slow flowing river Sleeps with the bears and turtles Rest for renaissane

God Bless Allen Yoon The fresh air blowing The salt water and sunshine The whole wide world

Bleak Elysium Tiana Vazquez Everything seems dead The beauty is breathtaking Bleak Elysium

It's Time

by J. Graziosi

It's time for your final exam Read and follow the plan, don't just cram If you put in the time On your test you'll do fine And you won't have to see Mister Lamb

The Problem Child

by Joseph Underwood

Starting the day at Pre-K was almost as good as eating my favorite food, I knew I would have fun with all the other children. The pre-school I attended was in a huge shopping center; stores like Modell's, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Home Depot were located right next to an airport. We played all day; the teachers would entertain and play with us. Some of the games we played were Jenga, Lincoln Logs, Legos, and Bingo The best part of the day was Story Time; where all twenty-three of us would gather in a small cozy room with soft mats to sit on while the teacher read. My personal favorite was Chicka Chicka Boom Boom it never got old. It was too funny with all off these letters falling out of the tree and hurting themselves. Even today I can't help laughing.

Lunch time came. And we followed orders like a bunch of little soldiers sitting solemly with our hands foleded at the table.The teacher brought out our meals on a cart with wheels. Each day was different, sometimes a sandwich other times, neatly packaged lunchables. The only thing we all agreed upon was how gross the fishticks were! No one liked fishticks...

When lunch was over we were allowed to go outside to the playground. Tag and hide and seek dominated our time, but some girls would jump rope or spin and shake in hula hoops.

No matter what I was doing I would drop everything, crane my neck to watch and listen to the planes with their booming engines when they flew over head.

I was so amazed by the planes.

Nap time arrived and teachers laid down mats for us to sleep on. Everyone would settle down and take a nap, but I was restless. Perhaps it was that I went to bed on time the night before, or maybe I was just wound up from the exercise on the playground or maybe I just was afraid of missing any of the action, but I would not lay down. The teachers were forced to call my grandpa and it became a habit that I would get in trouble and he would pick me up each day.

On the way home he would pull over on the side of the road near the airport. And while grandpa did paperwork I would sit on the roof of his Buick and watch the planes take off and land.

The engines of the planes were deafening but I was so fascinated that it did not bother me too sit and watch them.

Through the years my teachers scolded me in exasperated voices that I would not become anything with this type of behavior.

And though I was a rule breaker, a troubled kid and labeled a as a "problem child", I knew what I wanted to be when I was older.

As of now I am the number one pilot for an American airline. And each time I pass by my old school I tip the wings of the jet I am flying; waving to my old teachers and the children sleeping on the soft mats.

by Joseph Underwood

INDEX (Poets, Writers, Photographers, Artists)

Bobrova, V 9 Chandran, T 62 Chen, M 13,38,75 Cirovic, A 19,20, 22, 23, 25,46,48,60,69 Cong Jack 8, 10-11, 68,73 Doan, N 62 Ferreira, B 16,42,67,75,77 Gao, X 34 Girolametti, M 14-15,22,23,32, 66 Graziosi, J 78 Hanes, D 72, 74 Hecht, C 33, 40-41, 63, 70,73 Jacobson, K 43,53,54-55, 58 Ko, K 4, Leonhardes N 4, 5 Li, A 12,47,49,52,56 72,76,Liu, Yunqi 7 Liang, C 29 Lojkovic, D 74

Neville Cole 2,3,16, 78 McGowan, T 59,73, 75 Medvedev M 33 Morris, I 43-45 Pomeroy, Cat 15 Raacke, A 7, 36-37, 61,76 Rowe, P Cover, 1,24,65,79,81 Sayegh, Jean Paul 21, 26, 56, 70 Sayegh, Jean Pierre 28 Smith, P 17, 31 Stene, Z 31,39,58,71,74 Taviloglu, C 17,35 Telkova, S 27 Underwood 9, 20,71, 77-79 Vazquez, T 6,35,60,77 Walker, A 28,62,73,75 Yoon, A 12, 77 Zelenko, I 26 Zheng, Z 18,30,71 Zhou, B 50,51,57