“my best creation”

[poem by layla wilke-conant ‘25]

I could write a thousand poems pieces of literature that could be read by many Hoping to put my emotions into some form of written word Praying that I might touch others the way you graced my soul

I could sing a thousand songs my harmonies could bounce off colosseum walls

Hoping to give and receive empathy so they can feel my sorrow and I can feel their pain

Praying that I ring true to your whispers the ones that entranced me so many nights

I could paint canvases of beauty my brush strokes could be in museums

Hoping to be acknowledged yet too abstract for another’s bare eye to understand Praying that if anyone sees it for its truth it is you the one who saw me for who am

From paragraphs to symphonies to illustrations

I could create any form of art

I publish books, sing for crowds, show in exhibitions

I could render fame in millions

Yet nothing, no piece of art could ever be as entrancing as the depiction of you I made in my head

You may be the medium but I am the illustrator

Maybe “you” aren’t even you. You are just who I made you to be Yet however fake

You are still my best creation to date

[poem by kaylene bialas ‘25]

You cannot count love, my dear My mother told me one afternoon

Whilst cleaning out the attic’s boxes

Old photo’s memories did appear

My mother picked up one, Her face full with a grin

“This is my favorite memory,” she said “The day my love for life began”

I looked upon the photo

Pictured was a young girl with her mother

Both faces shining with smiles

They looked not enough fond of each other

“That was my mother

Whose love was like the sun.

No matter the weather, she was there, Always making each day feel better.”

I pondered what she said and wondered

“How does a mother always love their daughter? Even through mistakes and mishaps Does it never falter?”

“You cannot count love, my dear,” was my mother’s reply “It is not nickels or quarters, which can be compared. The value of love can reach no limit

playin’ the hues

For those who truly love you will always be there.”