Kaleidoscope

KALEIDOSCOPE

Liter ar y Ar ts M agazin e Spr in g 2019 | Vol u m e IX

Kal eidoscope is pu bl ish ed by m em ber s of th e M iddl e Sch ool at M iam i Cou n tr y Day Sch ool , 601 NE 107th Str eet, M iam i, FL, 33161. Sch ool en r ol l m en t for M iddl e Sch ool is 355. Th e poetr y, pr ose, an d ar twor k fou n d h er ein ar e th e or igin al an d cr eative wor k s of th e stu den ts. Copyr igh t on al l wor k s is r etain ed by th e au th or s an d ar tists.

COLOPHON: Th is pu bl ish in g is set in th r ee fon ts. Th e m ain text is set in Ar vo. Cover titl e an d byl in es ar e set in Fol k Sol id. Titl es ar e set in Fol k Sk etch .

EDITORIAL PROCESS: Cu r r en t M iddl e Sch ool stu den ts m ay su bm it ar t an d wr itin g for con sider ation . Editor ial staff mLor emember s mardol e norom in et, ated by facu l ty. Thg e m agazin e ipsu sit am con setetu r sadipscin ,sed u m ber y eir m od tem in vidu n tnuity t iselfritree todiam al l nmonem s of th epor com mu an d distr ibu ted at th e con cl u sion P ofAG thEe6academ ic year.

EDITOR- IN- CHIEF: Soph ia "Bel l " Lopez

LITERARYEDITORS: Tal ia Ku r l an dsk i Jack M an del Lol a M ofsk y-M cl ean

ART EDITORS: Am y Bh ak ta Ksen ia Petu k h ova Isabel l a Vier ia An a Cl ar a Lu z

COVERART: Debor a Sir otsk y

FACULTYSPONSORS: M r s. M ar gar et M ah on ey M s. Lin dsy Seidel

Tabl eof Contents

BROKENWINGS- SOPHIA"BELL" LOPEZ RISK- SOFIAVASILEVA ROTTINGROOTS AS THESEEDGROWS- CHAYAHAZAN NEVERSHALL I FORGET- TIMHOUSER NEVERSHALL I FORGET- AMYBHAKTA BELL RINGER- MAYALEONI MS. SEIDEL'S W ALL- ANNABELLESHIFF DIFFERENT- JAIMIEW ALSH AFTERBUNNY'S UNFORTUNATEDEATH- SOFIAVASILEVA MIDNIGHT HUNTER- CAITLINCHERENFANT DON'T FORGET- HAILEYASSEUS ANOTHERAMERICA- ISAACBROWN ERASINGAW AY- SOFIAVASILEVA BEAUTIFUL BLACKGIRL- ZOETERRY MYREDROPEOF LOVE- ANDREABRAVO- CONTRERAS FEAR- TANNERSENNETT SUNANDMOON- GINGERJACOBS INSTAGRAMFEED- HENDRIXLEE ARMAGEDDON- SAMUEL WEISBERG COURAGE- ZOETERRY FEAR- HARRYFLORIN OLDBOOK- ISABELAGALOFRE THEKEYYOUMUST FIND- ANDREABRAVO- CONTRERAS THEMIDDAYSUN- RENANMONDRAMOS FARAW AYFROMHOME- MIGUEL ESCOBAR ANXIETY- LOLAMOFSKY- MCLEAN ODETOABLANKET- NICHOLAS SUKHEDO HOWLINGW OLVES- BENEDIKT BUMM THEDOLLS- AVAPUMO UNFORGETTABLE- NATALIATORRES BRAVERY- CATERINASERRANO- BIGLES FOREST- EDUARDOLESSA OVERTHEFOREST- MARINALESSA UNDERTHEW ATER- GWYNETHGOLDSTEIN FLOATINGBIRD- ANACLARALUZ ODETOAZIPPER- SOPHIAFRANK LOVE- CAERACHARLES STITCHES- JACKMANDEL ASSESSMENTTRIAGE- MIKAYLAHYLTON THELITTLECITY- CAMERONBEHR BROKEN, MAYBE- CATERINASERRANO- BIGLES

Art byIsabel l aVieira

BROKEN W IN G S bySophia"Bel l " Lopez An excer pt...

Art byIsabel l aAl ej o

Tove fl ies, dodgin g tr ees, h er h ear t in h er th r oat. Sh e feel s h er sel f fal l in g. Sh e feel s th e weigh t of h er sm al l figu r e tak in g h eed. W ith al l th e str en gth in h er ,sh e k eeps on . An oth er dr op of r ain l an ds on h er back , on h er win gs. Sh e scr eam s in agon y an d for ces for war d. Th e r ain com es down h ar der. Dr opl ets of pain str ik e h er as sh e fl ees, gu n s fir in g at an in n ocen t. Th e ar m y h as u pgr aded to faster ,str on ger weapon r y. Th e water pou n ds on h er. H er pu l se r aces. Tove k eeps on . Th e pain over power s h er th ou gh ts. Sh e scr eam s as sh e goes, h er sm al l voice r each in g vol u m es it sh ou l dn ?t be abl e to r each . H er th r oat is sor e. H er h ear t is r acin g. H er body is r ack ed with sobs. Sk e k eeps on . Sh e k eeps on . Sh e k eeps on . H er win gs ar e tir ed. H er back is bu r n in g.

H er body is dr own in g in agon y. Sh e k eeps on . Sh e k eeps on . Sh e k eeps on .

Um ek o h ear s a pitter -patter on th e r oof. Sh e pu l l s away fr om h er sk etch book . H er face l igh ts u p, an d a sm il e car r ies h er to th e sm al l win dow in h er r oom . Sh e wr aps a bl an k et ar ou n d h er sh ou l der s an d sits by th e win dow, h er feet tu ck ed u n der h er. Sh e l ean s h er h ead again st th e gl ass watch in g th e r ain dr ops fal l fr om th e gr ayin g sk y. Th e sk y tu r n s dar k with its tear s an d a br igh t l igh t gr aces th e sk y befor e fal l in g. Sh e sees it, ju st for a m om en t.

Tove tu m bl es to th e gr ou n d. Sh e h as n oth in g l eft to give. Th e dr ops fal l , an d h er scr eam is excr u ciatin g. Sh e l an ds in a stick y,sl u dge. M u d. Sh e tr ies in vain to stan d. Th e l ife was su ck ed ou t of h er in h er battl e. A l ar ge cr eatu r e bar r el s towar d h er ,bu t Tove h as al r eady l ost con sciou sn ess.

Um ek o stan ds abr u ptl y h ittin g h er h ead again st th e wal l in h er r u sh . Sh e gr im aces fr om th e pain an d h u r r ies ou t of h er r oom an d ou t of th e h ou se gr abbin g an u m br el l a on th e way. Ou tside, in th e r ain , sh e cr ou ch es down as m u ch as sh e can with ou t gettin g h er k n ees cover ed in m u d an d scou r s for th e l igh t sh e saw in th e win dow. Sh e sear ch es an d sear ch es, bu t n ot fin din g an yth in g, sh e begin s to pon der wh eth er wh at sh e saw was on l y l igh tn in g in a stor m . Cr ou ch in g down again , pl an n in g to give u p after th is l ast sear ch , sh e sees a gl ow in th e sl u dge. H er face br igh ten s, an d sh e h u r r ies towar ds th e sigh t.

A sm al l body l ies in th e m u d, pecu l iar for its size an d gl ow an d for wh at pr otr u des fr om its back . A sm al l body l ies in th e m u d, u n cl oth ed, gl owin g, an d with win gs on its back , on e win g sn apped in two.

Um ek o's face fil l s with a sm il e. Th e k in d of sm il e th at cou l d on l y com e fr om fin din g a sm al l per son with win gs on h er back in you r yar d. Th e k in d of sm il e th at r each es you r eyes an d m ak es you l au gh of gl ee.

Um ek o pick s u p th e gir l as car efu l l y as sh e can an d h ol ds h er sl eepin g for m in h er cu pped h an ds. ?Com e al on g. Let?s get you in side.?

Um ek o car r ies th e gl owin g cr eatu r e th r ou gh ou t th e sm al l h ou se an d in to h er bedr oom . Sh e pl aces h er down on h er desk an d bu stl es ar ou n d th e r oom . Sh e fin ds a h an d towel in th e bath r oom an d pl aces it over th e gir l . Th en sh e fin ds h er sel f sear ch in g in th e back of h er cl oset for dol l ?s cl oth in g. Sh e com es u p with a Bar bie dol l sized dr ess th at l ook s th e m ost fair y-l ik e to h er. Sh e pl aces it n ext to th e cr eatu r e u n der th e towel an d cu ts a piece of car dboar d off of a box to pl ace in fr on t of th e cr eatu r e for wh en sh e goes to pu t on th e dr ess.

Tove wak es to a soft, wh ite su bstan ce above h er an d a sor e body. Sh e sh oves it off, th ou gh it tak es effor t, to see a tal l , br own wal l in fr on t of h er an d a piece of pin k cl oth to h er side. Sh e pick s it u p an d discover s th e th e th r ee h ol es on th e top: ar m s an d h ead. Sh e pu ts h er h ead in to th e h ead h ol e, bu t sh e can ?t get h er ar m s in fr om th er e. Sh e pu l l s ou t an d fl ips th e cl oth over an d tr ies again . Th is tim e sh e h as it on , bu t h er win gs ar e stu ck u n der th e fabr ic. Sh e pu sh es with h er win gs again st th e fabr ic bu t sh e is str u ck with a th r obbin g in h er back . Sh e cr ies ou t.

Um ek o h ear s a u n m istak abl e sou n d for it is so com pl ex an d so fu l l of em otion th at n o cr eatu r e cou l d m ak e it bu t a fair y. Sh e tu r n s ar ou n d to see th e car dboar d sh e h ad set u p h ad fal l en on th e gr ou n d an d th e sm al l cr eatu r e str u ggl in g in th e dr ess sh e h ad given h er. Sh e m oves towar d th e speck l e of a gir l , bu t th e fair y l ets ou t wh at to be a sh r iek an d l ook s abou t h er sel f an xiou sl y. Um ek o stops an d th in k s to th e fair y tal es sh e h as r ead. Sin ce th e fair y is m u ch sm al l er th an h er ,h er voice m u st be ver y l ou d to th e fair y an d h er figu r e m u st be l ar ge. ?I?m n ot goin g to h u r t you ,? sh e says in a wh isper m ovin g towar ds th e fair y sl owl y.

Tove stops str u ggl in g an d th e tigh tn ess in h er ch est l essen s. Sh e l ets ou t a br eath as h er r acin g h ear t sl ows. Sh e tu r n s ar ou n d so th at Um ek o can see h er win gs bu n ch ed u p in th e dr ess. ?Oh ! I didn ?t even r eal ize. Let m e cu t a sl ip for you .?

Um ek o bu stl es ar ou n d th e r oom pick in g u p scissor s an d sm al l , Bar bie dol l sh oes.Tove sl ips on th e pl astic, u n com for tabl e sh oes an d sl ides h er win gs th r ou gh th e h ol e in th e dr ess. Th e sh oes ar e sl igh tl y l ar ger on h er feet th an n eed be. Sh e l ook s u p at Um ek o an d gives h er a ten tative sm il e. ?I?ve n ever m et a fair y befor e. At l east, I th in k th at?s wh at you ar e. Do you tal k ? I m ean do you speak th e way h u m an s do?? Um ek o r am bl es excitedl y in desper ate n eed of a fr ien d. Tove expl ain s th at sh e is so sm al l th at h er voice is u n in tel l igibl e for Um ek o, bu t Um ek o on l y h ear s a ser ies of h igh pitch ed sou n ds. ?W h at?s you r n am e? Oh , wh er e ar e m y m an n er s? I h aven ?t even given you m in e.? Sh e l au gh s, ?m y n am e?s Um ek o,? an d h ol ds ou t h er h an d. Tove pl aces h er h an d in Um ek o?s an d does h er best to exch an ge in th e h an dsh ak e with ou t bein g cr u sh ed. Tove gives h er n am e, bu t Um ek o can n ot m ak e it ou t. ?Can you wr ite??

Tove sh r u gs, ?I can tr y.?

Um ek o doesn ?t u n der stan d h er wor ds, bu t sh e pl aces a piece of paper an d a cr ayon in fr on t of h er. ?I can get you an al ph abet ch ar t so th at you can m ak e ou t th e l etter s on th e sh eet.?

Um ek o pu l l s a col or fu l sh eet ou t of h er cl oset an d h ol ds it u p for Tove. ?I?l l m ak e th e sou n ds for th e l etter s so th at you can ch oose th e on es th at m ak e you r n am e.?

After h ear in g th e al ph abet r ecited five tim es, Tove h as spel l ed ou t ?Tau ve? on th e paper in scr aggl y, r ed-cr ayon h an dwr itin g. Um ek o tak es th e sh eet fr om h er. ?Tove. Th at?s pr etty. W h er e did you com e fr om ??

Tove on l y n eeds to h ear th e al ph abet a few m or e tim es in or der to wr ite ou t th at sh e cam e fr om th e for est. Um ek o, satisfied, doesn ?t qu estion th e fair y fu r th er. Tove tu r n s ar ou n d again tgestu r e at h er br ok en win g. Th e sm al l , cl ear th in g is tor n . Um ek o l et?s ou t a sh r iek . ?Goodn ess! I?m so cl u el ess to m y su r r ou n din gs th at I didn ?t even n otice. I?m so sor r y. Let m e get som e th in gs, an d I?l l tr y an d fix it. I?l l be r igh t back .?

Um ek o is n ot obl iviou s in th e sl igh test. Sh e pick s u p on th e sl igh test of m ovem en ts an d facial expr ession s. Sh e k n ows str an ger s better th an sh e sh ou l d. Um ek o, l ik e an y oth er h u m an gir l wh o fin ds a fair y, is sim pl y too over wh el m ed to be as per ceptive as sh e is per u su al . Tove, after waitin g on th e desk for som e tim e, is gr eeted by Um ek o with a popsicl e stick , scissor s, an d som e twin e in h an d. ?Cou l d you tu r n ar ou n d? Th is sh ou l dn ?t h u r t a bit.?

Um ek o cu ts th e popsicl e stick in two an d r ou n ds th e edge th at sh e cu t with th e scissor s so th at it wil l n ot h u r t Tove. Sh e m oves Tove?s br ok en win g so th at it is in its for m er ,n ot-br ok en position an d pu ts th e stick again st it. Sh e ties th e twin e ar ou n d th e win g an d popsicl e stick tigh tl y. Sh e sm il es at h er n ew com pan ion an d h er spl in t. Tove sm il es back at h er an d giggl es with pu r e el ation . Th e two gir l s bu r st in to fits of u n r eason abl e l au gh ter th at spar k a beau tifu l tim e for th em both .

Th e m om en t is al m ost r u in ed (bu t n ot for it is so power fu l th at n o in ter r u ption or awfu l occu r r en ce cou l d dam pen its won der ) as th e del igh t fades...

RISK bySofiaVasil eva I h ave seen th e com for ts an d good tim es of h er e an d th er e I h ave been stu ck in m y bu bbl e For as l on g as I existed I th ou gh t ever yth in g in side m y bu bbl e W as ever yth in g l ife offer ed for m e Bu t ou tside of m y bu bbl e is wh er e l ife r eal l y star ts Beyon d m y bu bbl e of com for t is som eth in g I seek Beyon d is wh at l ife is tr u l y abou t So I h ave to tak e a r isk Steppin g ou t of m y bu bbl e Is l ik e en ter in g th e dr agon ?s l air with ou t a swor d an d ar m ou r Or l ik e ju m pin g fr om a cl iff n ot k n owin g wh er e I?l l l an d Tak in g a step is m or e l ik e a gian t l eap Fl yin g a th ou san d m il es Tak in g th e r isk Bu t I k n ow th at th e r isk offer s a tr easu r e A tr easu r e in th e dar k n ess I fear Th at wil l il l u m in ate a r oad I n ever fou n d

Art byLol aRhodes

7

ROTTINGROOTS AS THESEEDGROWS

Th e gr ass is gr oggy an d dr en ch ed in th e m or n in g dew, H er eyes pen etr ate th e m u l ti-col or ed stain ed gl ass win dow, pain ted with ever y h u e.

H er h ear t year n s to l ive in th e stu cco bu il t h ou se, en cir cl ed by a per fect wh ite pick et fen ce, W h y m u st h e car r y a bil l wh en al l sh e h as is pen ce.

H er sin s cr ou ch at th eir door ,for h er sel f-wor th , was n ot n u r tu r ed.

Sh e is l on esom e in th e Gar den of Eden , pl u ck in g th e for bidden fr u it, it is h er e h er en vy pastu r es.

You r em otion s h id ben eath th e gr ou n d, Non eth el ess, sh e fou n d th em l ik e a h ou n d.

In stead, you cr ied l ate n igh t befor e th e su n .

Now th e m oth er h as gr own str on g, yet stil l weak ; W eak fr om h er ch il dr en , W h il e h e wor k s h ar d in th e sn ow, So dar k an d bl eak .

You r m oth er l au gh s wh en fath er r ecites a jok e, H er m oth er ?s l au gh ter is a cl oak .

Nam e after n am e sh e is cal l ed th r ou gh text, Sh e advan ces an d r eads th e n ext.

In th e per fect h om e, th e h ou sewife cook s din n er for ?Fath er n o l on ger l ives with u s, th e gods, Ever y week en d h e com es, th er e is a fu ss, ou r bags H er l ovin g h u sban d r etu r n s fr om wor k an d car esses pack ed an d we r u sh ed. h er peach y sk in an d k isses a sweaty ch eek , as sh e In to a com for tabl e h otel , we stay, n ods M or eover ,th e pl an ts at h om e decay.? sh e r etu r n s h om e, an d scr eam in g is h er wel com e.

Din n er is ser ved, Som e of th is wal k s in h er past, H er par en ts?m ar r iage is stil l obscu r ed.

Sh e wil l for ever h ide th ese l astin g m em or ies with a Each n igh t, m ask .

Sh e l ays l ifel ess in bed su ffocated by fr esh , wh ite, H er sm il e con ceal s it al l ; th e sadn ess, th e an ger ,an d l in en sh eets, al l of h er fal l s.

Bor in g a h ol e in to th e cem en t ceil in g above, Sh e en vies th e per fectl y cu t gr ass on th eir l awn , Pon der in g th e tr u e m ean in g of h er par en ts?l ove.

Th ou gh , m ost of al l sh e en vies th e qu iet h appin ess Br ok en dr eam s tu r n ed to sil en t scr eam s. th at awak es th eir h om e at dawn .

Deep with in h er h ear t h er l ife cr u m bl es apar t.

In th e stu cco bu il t h om e, sh e h ear s n o figh ts, Do th ey sl eep wel l at n igh t?

H er eyes ar e r ed fr om sl eepin ess an d tear s, Sh e bu r ies h er face as peopl e com e n ear.

Oth er s won der if sh e is fin e, Sh e r espon ds, ?Oh , I am ju st divin e.? h owever ,l ook in g in to h er eyes, On e wil l begin to r eal ize Th ese wor ds ar e l ies, No on e can h ear h er cr ies.

H er par en ts expl ain to h er th at th eir m ar r iage is stil l al ive, Th ey con tin u e to l ove, so it bl oom s an d th r ives.

Sadl y,sh e is n ot a bel iever , For accor din g to h er m oth er ,dad is a ch eater. ?H e l ies, h e h its, an d stil l th r eaten s m e n ow,?

W h y did h e n ot h on or h is vows?

[Per h aps you bl ack ed it ou t, bu t th ou san ds of tim es h e h as beaten m e down .?]

In fr on t of th e fen ce, th e wife l au gh s an d ch il dr en pl ay, For a wh il e you did n ot sm il e,

byChayaHazan

N EVER SH AL L I FORGET th at n igh t, th e fir st n igh t I spen t with ou t th em , th at tu r n ed m y l ife in to seven l oves sh or t.

N ev er sh al l I f or get th e n igh t I l ost h im to th at fam il y br eak er ,th at h el l ish in fection of th e body th at m ak es you n o m or e.

N ev er sh al l I f or get th at k in d face of h er s, th at par t of m y fam il y,th e ver y face th at wou l d be k in d an d wel com in g n o m atter wh at, n o m atter th e cir cu m stan ce.

N ev er sh al l I f or get m y fr ien d, m y ver y ch il dh ood, an yth in g an d ever yth in g I h ad ever k n own fr om th e ver y m om en t of m y existen ce.

N ev er sh al l I f or get th e on ce affection ate face th at wou l d com e an d h ave m eal s on bir th days an d fam il y gath er in gs.

INSPIREDBYELIE WIESEL'S "NEVER SHALL I FORGET..."

INCLUDEDINHIS MEMOIR, NIGHT. N EVER SH AL L I FORGET th at day wh ich was as beau tifu l as h eaven , wh en I saw m y fir st en or m ou s r espon sibil ity an d al l of th e oth er th ou gh ts I was h avin g at th e m om en t l eft m e as if a br eeze of win d wen t th r ou gh m y m in d.

N ev er sh al l I f or get th e al l u r in g h eaven l y m or n in gs, wh en m y dog wou l d appear at m y door way m ak in g m e feel as h appy as a cl am .

N ev er sh al l I f or get wh en th e ador abl e bein g was as sm al l as a n ewbor n an d as l igh t as a feath er.

N ev er sh al l I f or get th e el der l y wom an wh om I n ew for su ch a sh or t wh il e, th en seized by age an d gon e u n til n ext.

N ev er sh al l I f or get th e m om en t th e sm al l in n ocen t cr eatu r e was fir st in m y ar m s, m ak in g al l sou n ds l ost in th e air h u m m in g by l ik e th e fl igh t of a m il l ion ar r ows.

N ev er sh al l I f or get ou r on ce tigh tl y sewn con n ection of fam il y an d l ove, tak en by m on ey an d h atr ed for on e an oth er.

N ev er sh al l I f or get th e en dl ess cr ies of m y sister an d I of wh en th e in n ocen t an gel got l ost in th e for getfu l r iver.

N ev er .

N ev er sh al l I f or get th e face of th e you n g pu ppy fadin g away l ik e a cl ou d in to th e h or izon .

byTimHouser

N ev er sh al l I f or get th e beau teou s m em or ies th at ar e as cal m as n igh t.

N ev er .

byAmyBhakta

BELL RIN G ER byMayaLeoni Th e bel l r in ger , W ith it?s sm ooth sk in an d col or fu l in k , Cr eates oppor tu n ities for better wr itin g sk il l s, It's l ik e a teach er th at h el ps you l ear n , It's th e type of th in g peopl e wou l d die for , Som etim es it tel l s you wh at to wr ite, It's a m oth er bir d h el pin g its ch ick s, An d it h el ps you get better an d better at wr itin g, Al th ou gh th e bel l r in ger is ju st a paper , It's h el pfu l in m an y differ en t ways, An d th at's wh y m an y peopl e pr efer it over th eir k ids or fam il y.

DIFFERENT Art byCol ettePerazzo

MS. SEIDEL'S W A LL byAnnabel l eShiff As I l ook ed u p, al l I cou l d see was th e wh ite wal l .

As wh ite as a sn owbal l , As pl ain as r ain al m ost down th e dr ain .

H an gin g on th e wal l was a boar d.

I ador ed th is boar d fil l ed with n u m ber s, I was so con fu sed.

Al m ost l ik e m y br ain was br u ised.

Th ey l ook so... u n u sed.

Up on th e cor n er of th e wal l th er e wer e fl ower s.

I fel t l ik e th ese fl ower s gave m e su per power s.

Un til I r eal ized th ey wer e fak e.

W h ich gave m e m u ch h ear tach e as if I h ad been h it with a r ak e.

Th e wal l seem ed so tal l , ever yth in g bu t sm al l , Un til I stood u p an d wen t cl oseu p.

Now, al l I do is h ate th is wal l with n o fate.

byJaimieW al sh

Un der n eath th e gl ow of th e teatim e sk y, Again st th e n or m of th e typical .

Soak in g th e war m th in to h is bitter sweet fu r.

Pl ayin g dead, l ik e a possu m , Paws in th e air , Bu t on l y th r ee, in stead of fou r.

H e l ies, h ead cock ed, with h is wide, fatty sm il e, Th e on e of th e Ch esh ir e Cat. Does h e k n ow h e is differ en t?

H e stil l su r ges an d soar s.

So th at, we?r e n ot qu ite su r e.

M ovin g with steal th , with gr ace.

H obbes, h e was du bbed, As th e au daciou s, stu ffed tiger.

Accom pan yin g h is boy on adven tu r es to com e.

H e h as been to a cir cu s, Or Niagar a, Or deep in th e th ick et.

Th e eviden ce?

H is cr isp, woodsy sm el l in g coat.

Ju st as h e l eft, h e is back ju st as pr om pt.

Fain t pu r r s in you r ear , H e bu r r ows u p to you r ar m .

Kn owin g wh en you 'r e down , H e?s ju st on e of ou r k in d.

AFTERBUNNY'S MIDNIGHT UNFORTUNATE DEATH H U N TER bySofiaVasil eva byCaitl inCherenfant

Th e r aven , a scaven ger car ved ou t of ebon y r ock .

H er beak l ik e a r eady ar r ow to str ik e an d sh oot h er tar get.

Th e cl aws gr appl in g, l atch in g on to h er n ext m eal .

In m an y tal es wr itten an d tol d, Sh e is por tr ayed as th e stor k of bad l u ck ; Th e sign of on e?s fated death , Em bodyin g th e desper ate an d for tu n ate bad om en s.

W h at was so cl ose Becam e so far away W h eth er th ey wer e existen t becom es u n cer tain W h en tr yin g to get a cl ear pictu r e Th e m em or ies vibr ate Lik e th e str in gs of a viol in

W ith n o beam of l igh t n oth in g is seen bu t h er gl ossy eyes an d ch ar coal feath er s Bu t h er sk in of ch r om e, deep win e an d cobal t stays h idden .

Sh e stal k s in th e sm ol der in g su n , per ch ed on h er stool , H er eyes fixed on th e u n k n owin g pr ay An d h er vigil an ce fixed on th e possibl e dan ger s abou t h er.

H er pl an for it begin s to fabr icate sl owl y bu t su r el y.

As sh e feasts an d th e m etal sten ch of bl ood wafts, Th e su n r ain s on h er in al l gl or y.

Sh e ch ews on th e m eat attach ed to th e car cass, satisfied with h er even in g's wor k .

Fin ish ed, sh e goes back to be per ch ed.

Sittin g on h er wooden th r on e, Sh e watch es over th e pl ain again , Obser vin g h er k in gdom .

Th e m em or ies fade away Yet th ey ar e seen Lik e l ook in g th r ou gh a th ou san d win dows

Even tu al l y th ey cr u m bl e u p Br eak away...

Fr agm en ts in th e distan t cor n er s of m y m in d So far th ey fl y away Even th e m e wh o ju st discover ed su ch tim es W il l tak e ages to r each

DON'T FORGET byHail eyAsseus

Often over l ook ed or m istak en for , M y sm al l ear ed, popcor n sm el l in g,fu r r y fr ien d deser ves th e ch an ce to m ak e h is gr an d en tr an ce.

No, h e does n ot spit l ik e l l am as, Bu t don ?t l et h is ten der sm il e fool you , h e does h ave a fier cen ess you wou l d n ot expect.

As h is pl iabl e feet m ak e th eir soft en tr an ce H e dr aws h is footpr in ts in to th e gr ou n d.

Th e r u stl in g of h is del icate fu r gets th e atten tion of al l .

Art byBrunoGarcia

M ou th s open an d h eads tu r n H e is n er vou s n o on e r ecogn ized h im , So, h e sm il es.

H eads tu r n u pr igh t. Cl appin g, scr eam in g, goin g n u ts!

It?s an al paca.

ANOTHERAMERICA: AREVIEWOF THEFILM"THEHATEUGIVE" byIsaac Brown

For som e viewer s, Geor ge Til l m an ?s r ecen t m ovie Th e H ate U Give (T.H .U.G.) is h ar d to swal l ow -- th er e?s th e dr am a, th e n o-com pr om ise stan ce it tak es on civil r igh ts, an d h ow it h igh l igh ts in stan ces th at som e of u s h ave seen , h ear d, an d deal t with . A faith fu l book adaptation , th e fil m casts Am an dl a Sten ber g as Star r Car ter. Th e au dien ce goes th r ou gh a var iety of em otion s with h er : sor r ow, gu il t, h appin ess, an d pr essu r e. Pr essu r e is a k ey th em e of T.H .U.G., an d, im por tan tl y,oppr ession . T.H .U.G. can be seen as a fr esh tak e on th e bl ack exper ien ce, or an eye-open er for th e r est of Am er ica. Bu t r egar dl ess of r ace or eth n icity,it is easy to see h ow bl ack s in pr edom in an tl y wh ite en vir on m en ts h ave to assim il ate in to society in or der to feel accepted. It is easy to see h ow h ate can spr ead qu ick l y th r ou gh ou t a com m u n ity,an d h ow oth er com m u n ities can ju st stan d back an d watch with ou t in vol vem en t.

W ith ou t spoil in g th e pl ot, wh at I en joyed m ost abou t T.H .U.G. wer e th e in ter action s between th e ch ar acter s -- in par ticu l ar ,th e Car ter fam il y. As th e pl ot pr ogr essed, you cou l d see th eir per son al ities sh in e th r ou gh , each on e r epr esen tin g a differ en t par t of bl ack Am er ica. Seven an d Star r r epr esen t th e teen age, devel opin g bl ack Am er ican - n er vou s abou t th eir im age, an d begin n in g to feel th e im age th at society h as l aid ou t for th em . Eigh t-year -ol d Sek an i is th e ch il d - in n ocen t, an d l ovin g of h is fam il y. H e is th e n ext gen er ation an d al r eady sees h ate an d in ju stice ar ou n d h im . H e h as to deal with th ese issu es, m or e so th an weal th ier ch il dr en in affl u en t n eigh bor h oods. Non eth el ess, Sek an i?s in n ocen ce is as pu r e as a cin n am on r ol l . H is in ter action s with h is sibl in gs sh ow h ow th e pu r est joy th at th ey can fin d is with th eir k in . Seven an d Star r ar e on l y tr u l y h appy an d br igh t ar ou n d th eir fam il y -- n ot ar ou n d th eir sch ool or th eir n eigh bor h ood. Th is m ak es th eir m om en ts togeth er al l th e m or e m ean in gfu l , an d th e bon d th at th ey sh ar e r eson ates with viewer s m or e th an an y oth er. Th e H ate U Give does a fan tastic job of sh owin g th is k in sh ip, an d th e pr ide th at th ey can (pr ivatel y) expr ess in th eir iden tity.

I m en tion ed th at Star r is on l y h appy ar ou n d h er fam il y an d fr ien ds - th is is n ot an exagger ation .

Sh e is secl u ded an d isol ated at a pl ace wh er e sh e is su pposed to feel a k in sh ip -- h er sch ool . El ite pr ivate sch ool s l ik e W il l iam son Pr ep ar e easy to be com for tabl e in , with th eir beau tifu l cam pu ses an d m an y r esou r ces -- if you ?r e par t of th e m ajor ity. If you h appen to be a m in or ity,you can feel ch ok ed in th e h al l s, in th e cl ass, an d ar ou n d th e stu den ts. If you h appen to atten d a sch ool th at is pr edom in an tl y wh ite, l ik e m ost pr ivate sch ool s (an d m an y el ite pu bl ic sch ool s), you ar e en cou r aged to l eave you r cu l tu r e at you r door. Th is is som eth in g th at a l ot of m in or ities can sym path ize with . If you atten d a pr estigiou s New En gl an d sch ool or u n iver sity,you m ay n ot be fu l l y com for tabl e expr essin g you r tr u e sel f, becau se th at cou l d tain t you r r epu tation . Th e tr an sition can becom e au tom atic for som e, in cl u din g Star r. Sh e bl en ds in to th e cr owd, becom e in visibl e, ?wh iter.? Th is is a com m on pr obl em m in or ity you th l ik e h er face.

Th e H ate U Give m igh t be seen as ?on e-sided? by som e or dism issed as over l y pol itical , or pr each y. Som e m igh t feel th at it is exagger ated, u n r eal istic, or th at th ese exper ien ces ar e u n tr u e. Al l of th ese feel in gs ar e expected, bu t wh at th e r eal stor y dr ives h om e is th e r ever se. Th e ch ar acter Kh al il is based on Oscar Gr an t, an u n ar m ed 22-year -ol d bl ack m an wh o was k il l ed on New Year ?s Day in 2009.

Th e fiction al n eigh bor h ood th at Star r gr ows u p in , Gar den H eigh ts, is th e n eigh bor h ood th at wr iter An gie Th om as gr ew u p in -- ever y aspect of it was tak en fr om h er l ife an d h er exper ien ces. An d th e em otion s th at each ch ar acter feel s, th e decision s th at th ey m ak e, th e action s th at th ey tak e, as u n fam il iar to a r an ge of viewer s th ey ar e, ar e al l or gan ic. W ith th at said, if you decide to watch Th e H ate U Give, m y fir st wor d is ?Con gr ats. You ?ve tak en th e fir st step.? Bu t after war d, as an au dien ce, it is ou r job to con tin u e to h ave an open m in d to th e issu es of in ju stice it pr esen ts. Th e fil m , wh ich h as r eceived cr itical accl aim an d is widel y accepted as an Oscar con ten der ,gr ossed $31.6 m il l ion an d deser ves at l east som e l evel of con sider ation . Ch ar acter ized by an u n var n ish ed m essage, th is m ovie sin gs th e tr u th th at bl ack Am er ica h as been h u m m in g for cen tu r ies. It is ou r du ty to see th is n ot as a dividin g m ovie, bu t as on e th at u n ites u s in l isten in g to th e exper ien ce it descr ibes.

THEERASINGAW AY bySofiaVasil eva

W i n d bl ow s Si n gi n g i t s beau t i f u l son g Bl ow i n g aw ay t h e r em ai n s of t h e p ast Er asi n g i t aw ay i n t o t h i n ai r W h i l e l ook i n g at t h e v ast em p t y sk y As t h e p ast f l i es aw ay Th e beau t y of i t l eav es a p at h f or t h e f u t u r e Fl ow er s, of f i n e r ad i an ce i n col or an d t h ei r ot h er w or l d l y ar om a Th ey ar e a son g w eav ed by sou l s of t h ose w h o l ef t Th e l i v i n g w or l d s or r ow s beh i n d , h op e i n f r on t of t h em Bu t i t ?s n ot ju st t h e f l ow er s Ti m e l ef t beh i n d Col or s, an d t h e m osai c t h ey cr eat ed : l i f e, al so em er ges Th e col or s an d l i f e t oo Si n gi n g t h e sam e son g t h at cal m s an d op en s t h e sou l Th e beau t y f l ow s t o t h e gr ou n d A gen t l e, gol d en f l ow br i n gi n g t h e gr een Cr i p p l i n g t h e v ast w h i t e em p t i n ess Gr een r ev eal i n g w h at t h e w h i t e em p t i n ess w as h i d i n g: col or s Th ey sl i t h er t h r ou gh t h e gr ou n d Rol l i n g ou t t h e beau t y of t h e ear t h Gu ar d ed by t h e M ot h er bot h gi v i n g an d d ecei v i n g Th e em p t i n ess of t h e sk y Absen t of an y t h i n g bu t col d an d w i n d s Un v ei l s t h e bl u e An d t h e l i v el y w i n d s ov er t h e t al l gr ass Up t h e m ajest i c m ou n t ai n Ov er h ead H er e t h e w i n d bl ow s si n gi n g i t s beau t i f u l son g Bl ow i n g aw ay t h e r em ai n of t h e bl eak p ast er asi n g t h e p r i sm at i c sh ack l es Th e Em p t i n ess w as gu ar d i n g t o k eep t h e sp ect r u m an d beau t y W i thi n Em p t i n ess gon e I t on l y ex i st s I n t h e p ast Th e Er asi n g aw ay Took w i t h i t

Art byMariaLol aLopez

BEAUTIFUL BLACK GIRL byZoeTerry

St an d t al l .

Don 't sl ou ch .

H ol d y ou r h ead u p .

L ook i n t h e m i r r or an d say , ?

I ?m t h at beau t i f u l bl ack gi r l ? an d ?I 'm m or e t h an en ou gh ?.

I h av e d ar k r i ch br ow n sk i n t h at gl i st en s i n t h e su n r u n n i n g t h r ou gh m y v ei n s an d m y sou l l i k e w at er t h r ou gh a st r eam .

Peop l e m ay st ar e bu t I ju st l ook aw ay an d say ?I ?m t h at beau t i f u l bl ack gi r l ? t h at can cl i m b m ou n t ai n s r un a m ile sw i m acr oss t h e N i l e ev en t h ou gh i t m i gh t t ak e a w h i l e.

I h av e t h e sel f p r i d e of m y m ot h er an d m y r oy al t i es f r om an cest or s.

I 'm a d i am on d i n t h e r ou gh r ead y t o t ak e on a ch al l en ge.

Pl ease d on 't u n d er m i n e m e. I h av e som e k n ow l ed ge.

I br i n g t h e f i r e an d n o on e can com p et e.

W at ch m e sh i n e as y ou l ook d ow n at y ou r f eet as m y h ai r soar s t h r ou gh t h e w i n d , each cu r l aw ak en i n g at t h e sou n d s of st ar es, d em an d i n g y ou r at t en t i on ev er y st ep I t ak e.

Ev en w h en t h e bu l l i es t al k , I d on ?t l et i t get t o m e becau se I k n ow t h i s i s w h at i s m ean t f or m e.

I d on ?t n eed y ou r ap p l au se or y ou r l ook s of d esi r e.

I ju st w an t y ou t o l ook i n t h e m i r r or an d k n ow y ou h av e t h e f i r e!

An d say , ?I ?m t h at beau t i f u l bl ack gi r l ? an d ?N ot h i n g i s i m p ossi bl e as f ar as I ?m aw ar e?.

Art byIsabel l aAl ej o

SNOWbyGSaLO BE ISLA N D brinaVal divia

H e th r ew with al l h is m igh t, bu t th e th ir d ston e cam e sk ippin g back . Ju st l ik e th e fir st two, as soon as th e r ock r each ed th e bar r ier ,it was defl ected. Th is al ways h appen ed. Or at l east, ever sin ce Br am an d I wer e bor n . In Ju l y,3030, sixteen year s ago to tom or r ow's date, for th e fir st tim e in 35 year s, two ch il dr en wer e bor n . On e with ear th y br own h air an d for est gr een eyes, an d on e with san dy bl on de h air with eyes th e col or of th e bl u est ocean . On e fr om each of th e H ou ses. A boy an d gir l . Ever sin ce, n o ch il dr en h ave com e. Th e two in fan ts wer e n am ed Abr ah am an d Jaydon . To pr eser ve th e h u m an r ace, th ey wer e betr oth ed; to be m ar r ied by th e age of 18. To en su r e th is wou l d h appen , th e ch il dr en wer e sen t to an deser ted isl an d in th e Nor th er n Sea, al on e except for two ser van ts fr om each H ou se. After sever al escape attem pts, cou r tesy of 5 year ol d Abr ah am an d I, a pl asm a gl ass bar r ier was added ar ou n d th e isl an d. It did n ot m atter if you ar e h u m an or an im al . Th er e was n o l eavin g.

After year s of avoidin g th e weddin g, th e tim e was fin al l y h er e, an d as th e day appr oach ed, escape attem pts becam e m or e desper ate. Abr ah am th r ew an oth er ston e, abou t th e size of m y h ead, bu t l ik e th e oth er s it was defl ected. I n u dged Br am , "It's n ot goin g to go th r ou gh . Th e bar r ier even h el d u p again st a tor n ado."

"W e h ave to tr y. I've h ad en ou gh of th is stu pid isl an d!" H e gr itted h is teeth .

"It's star tin g to get dar k . W e sh ou l d h ead back befor e th ey com e l ook in g for u s." On th is isl an d, al on g with ever yth in g el se, we h ad a str ict cu r few. If we wer en 't back by su n set, th e ser van ts wou l d go sear ch in g for u s.

"Let th em l ook . Th ey won 't fin d u s. Th ey spen d th eir days in th e m an or ,an d don 't k n ow th e isl an d h al f as wel l as we do." Abr ah am th r ew an oth er r ock , u n wil l in g to give u p.

"Ok ay," I said, "bu t if we'r e spen din g th e n igh t h er e we n eed sh el ter. Th ose m en acin g cl ou ds u p th er e m ean it's goin g to r ain ."

"Fin e."

W e sear ch ed al on g th e coastal h il l s u n til we fou n d a sm al l cave, ju st l ar ge en ou gh to fit th e two of u s, r igh t befor e th e su n disappear ed. As I en ter ed th e tigh t caver n , th e sm ooth , col d wal l br u sh in g acr oss m y back , I r eal ised Br am r em ain ed ou tside. H e was th r owin g r ock s again .

"Ar en 't you goin g to sl eep?"

"I'm n ot goin g to give u p. I h ave to l eave th is isl an d."

I soon fel l asl eep to th e sou n d of th e r ock s bou n cin g in to th e bar r ier an d th e ocean waves cr ash in g in to sh or e.

"Jay! W ak e u p! Jay! Th e bar r ier is gon e!" Br am was sh ak in g m e awak e.

"H ah a. Br am , it's Ju l y,n ot Apr il Fool 's."

"I wasn 't k iddin g. Com e l ook ." H e on ce again th r ew a r ock , bu t th is tim e, it did n ot bou n ce back . It bou n ced seven tim es befor e sin k in g in to th e dar k , m yster iou s ocean . W ith ou t an y h esitation , I r an in to th e water. To m y su r pr ise, th e water was col d as ice, an d I h opped ou t as qu ick l y as I h opped in .

"Jay,cal m down . W e've got tim e."

"Br am , Th is m ean s we can l eave," I sigh ed, "we n eed a boat. Now." "W h atever you say,O M igh ty Jaydon of H ou se Sea." Abr ah am said sar castical l y,bowin g befor e m e.

"Stop jok in g. It won 't be l on g befor e th e ser van ts fin d u s. Th ey ar en 't th at cl u el ess, you k n ow."

W e star ted bu il din g a r aft, col l ectin g th e ivor y,dead tim ber l in ed u p for col l ectin g on th e beach . W e wer e al m ost as efficien t as an ar m y of wor k in g an ts, h avin g th e r aft don e befor e m idday. W e waited wh at seem ed l ik e cen tu r ies for th e sea to cal m , an d pl ace th e r aft gen tl y on th e l appin g waves.

"Ar e you r eady?" Abr ah am ask ed.

"I was bor n r eady." To th e cou n t of th r ee, we boar ded sh ip, u sin g ol d pl an k s of wood as paddl es an d an oth er as th e til l er. As we n ear ed th e bar r ier ,a fain t n oise r each ed m y ear.

"Abr ah am ! Jaydon ! Get back h er e r igh t th is in stan t!" I tu r n ed to see a ser van t fr om each h ou se r u n n in g towar ds th e sh or e, sh ou tin g ou r n am es. "W h er e do you th in k you 'r e goin g? H ave you two for gotten abou t th e bar r ier.

Th en it h it m e. Th e bar r ier m igh t stil l wor k . I l ook ed ah ead an d saw th e sh im m er in g l iqu id gl ass l oom in g r igh t in fr on t of m e. "Al l or n oth in g," I th ou gh t. Th e bar r ier was u pon u s. W H OOSH ! As we passed th e pl asm a, col d air h it m y sk in h ar d as a bu l l et. In th e isl an d, th er e was n o n eed for an yth in g bu t bl ou ses an d su n dr esses l ik e th e on e I was wear in g, with del icate r oses an d viol ets u n pr epar ed for th e fr ost. In an in stan t, r ain cam e cr ash in g down l ik e an aval an ch e. As it l an ded on m y h an d, I r eal ized wh at it r eal l y was. "Sn ow." I m u m bl ed, gaspin g at th e th ou gh t.

"In th e isl an d, it n ever got th is col d. H eck , it n ever got col der th an a cool br eeze." As h e said th at, I star ted sh iver in g again st th e win d. W e sail ed west, towar ds wh er e th e su n was settin g again st th e bl u e. After wh at seem ed l ik e an eter n ity sail in g ben eath th e star s, as we dr ifted in an d ou t of sl eep, we saw a str an ge bl u e l igh t fl ash l ik e l igh tn in g acr oss ou r r aft.

"It's a spotl igh t! Com in g fr om a boat!" Br am sh ou ted, gr abbin g th e paddl es, h eadin g towar ds th e l igh t at fu l l speed. Th e sh ip m oved too, appr oach in g faster th an befor e, an d after a m in u te's tim e, it was on u s. Th e sh ip was l ar ge, 50 yar ds fr om ster n to bow, m ade fr om a sl ick wood h ar d as ir on .

Th er e wer e win dows dotted ar ou n d th e sides, som e em ittin g l igh t. W ith a l ar ge th u d, a r ope l adder was th r own over th e star boar d edge, u r gin g u s to cl im b it. Abr ah am l ook ed at m e, an d said, "You fir st, I'l l be r igh t beh in d you ."

As I cl im bed th e l adder ,I won der ed wh at I wou l d fin d on deck . As I r each ed th e l ast step, I tu r n ed ar ou n d, l ook in g at Br am r igh t beh in d m e. H e gave m e a r eassu r in g n od, an d I con tin u ed, cl im bin g on to th e boat. I l ifted m y h ead, an d r igh t befor e m e, was a l ar ge, wide-sh ou l der ed m an with a captain 's h at on h is squ ar e h ead. Su r r ou n din g h im wer e stou t m en h ol din g weapon s of al l sor ts. I sl owl y back ed in to th e r ail s, l ik e pr ey cor n ed by a pr edator ,ju st as Br am h opped on to th e sh ip. Br am on l y gl an ced on ce at m e befor e r each in g m y side an d assu m in g a defen sive stan ce. Th e captain stepped for war d, beck on in g h is m en to com e cl oser. H e spok e with a str on g voice, "W h o ar e you ?

State you r bu sin ess."

Br am was fir st to r epl y,"I am Abr ah am Ear th . Th is is Jaydon Sea. W e ar e l ook in g for a pl ace to stay."

"I see. An d wh y in Neptu n e's n am e ar e you wear in g su m m er cl oth in g in th e u n for givin g Nor th ?"

"W e cam e fr om a pl ace with str on g vol can ic activity,so it was ver y war m , u n l ik e h er e."

"H m . W el l , I gu ess I cou l d u se som e you n g ar m s to h el p ar ou n d. M ar gar et!" A m aid cam e scu r r yin g th r ou gh . "Fetch th ese k ids som e war m cl oth es an d give th em th eir assign m en ts." Th e M ar gar et n odded h er h ead, gr abbed u s by ou r wr ists, an d pu l l ed u s in to th e cabin . Sh e sat u s down on a soft cou ch , an d h eaded in to on e of th e r oom s.

As soon as sh e cl osed th e door ,Abr ah am said, "I gu ess th ey r eal l y do n eed you n ger peopl e.

Ever yon e I've seen so far is at l east 50 year s ol d; or at l east too ol d to wor k on a sh ip." Ju st as h e fin ish ed h is sen ten ce, M ar gar et r etu r n ed with a pil e of cl oth in g stack ed u p l ik e book s. Sh e pu l l ed h eavy den im over al l s an d wool sh ir ts ou t of th e stack , h an din g th em to br am .

"Th ose ar e for you . You wil l be wor k in g on deck with th e r opes an d sail s, cl im bin g th e m ast an d su ch ," Sh e th en pu l l ed ou t a sea-bl u e dr ess l in ed with fu r. "Now, th is is for you . It u sed to be m in e, an d it's th e on l y th in g I cou l d fin d th at wil l fit you . Tak e car e of it. You 'l l be wor k in g with m e in th e cabin , an d in th e k itch en with th e waiter s. Now com e with m e, an d I'l l tak e you two to you r qu ar ter s."

After h eadin g down a l on g stair case, we r each ed a sm al l h al l way with twin door s. Th e on e on th e l eft h ad a sm al l sign th at r ead 'Ear th ,' wh il e th e on e on th e r igh t r ead 'Sea.' On ce for each of u s. As we wer e open in g th e door s, M ar gar et said, "You can en ter th em l ater ,r igh t n ow, you gu ys h ave wor k to do." __________________ "Lan d h o!" After week s on th e sh ip, away fr om l an d, th e cr y wok e Abr ah am in a secon d. Befor e I cou l d say "W ait," Br am was sh ak in g m e awak e. H e dr agged m e on to th e deck , th r ou gh th e m ass of peopl e cr owdin g l ik e m oth s ar ou n d a l am p, an d to th e bow of th e boat. Befor e th e l an d r each ed m y vision , Br am gasped, h is eyes widen in g with joy. As I l ook ed ah ead, m y eyes star ted to water with th e distan t m em or y of peace an d l ove. Gol den diam on ds str etch ed fr om th e sea to th e h igh est peak of a m ou n tain . Cottages dotted th e bay an d l an d. Th e dock s gl owed with al l th e col or s, an d on th em wer e th e H ou ses. W aitin g. For ou r fin al r etu r n .

Art byKseniaPetukhova Th er e?s a r ope tied to m y fin ger , An d to wh er e it l eads I do n ot k n ow.

Th at?s wh y I?l l fol l ow it Th is r ed r ope of l ove.

Art byAminaBil al ova

MYRED RO PE O F LO V E byAndreaBravo- Contreras

It twists an d tu r n s at ever y cor n er , At ever y step, at ever y m il e.

It?s l ik e th e r ope is wal k in g with m e.

I wil l fin d wh at is at th e en d of An d ju st befor e I saw th e fin ish l in e Th is r ed r ope of l ove.

Ju st befor e I cou l d see, On m y pin k y,it h as stayed.

See wh o or wh at was m y destin y Th ou gh t th is qu est, An d on m y k n ees, I fel l .

It star ted to br eak .

An d u n til th e en d.

I col l ected al l th e pieces.

Som eth in g was wr on g with I h ope it n ever l eaves m e Al l th e sever ed pieces, Th is r ed r ope of l ove.

Th is r ed r ope of l ove.

Th e m yr iad of pieces, It star ted to sizzl e, An d wh en I h el d th em cl ose I can feel I?m gettin g cl oser.

It star ted to sh r ivel , I k n ew th e en d was n o m or e.

Cl oser to th e en d.

It star ted to bu r n , Th at I h ad fou n d th e en d Th e en d of th e r ope, It star ted to cr ack .

Th e u n godl y en d of th is r ed r ope.

Th is r ed r ope of l ove.

W h at cou l d h ave h appen ed to Th is br ok en , bu r n ed, cr ack ed, Th is r ed r ope of l ove. sh r ivel ed an d sizzl in g r ed r ope.

M y r ed r ope of l ove.

FEA R byTanner Sennett

It h as tak en over.

It h as wr apped ar ou n d m e l ik e a sl ith er y ser pen t.

I can ?t r u n or h ide.

I can ?t cl im b n or fl y.

W h y can ?t it ju st go away.

It fol l ows m e ever ywh er e with ou t m y per m ission .

It?s gon e for a wh il e bu t com es back .

I can ?t sl eep.

Th ey say it wou l d go away.

I've tr ied to figh t back Not th in k abou t it bu t it doesn ?t wor k .

I h ave been pu sh ed an d sh oved.

Noth in g wor k s!

SUN ANbyDGinger MOJaO N cobs

Art byAminaBil al ova

I h ave tr ied to vol t over an d cr awl u n der it.

It is a gr eat wal l .

I h ave decided to give u p an d l et it con su m e m e.

Peopl e h ave seen m e with a bl ack coat of despair ,an d W al k in g tigh ten s th e k n ot an d str en gth en s th e coat.

Th e m oon tou ch es h er n im bl e h an ds over th e sk y, Sl owl y tu r n in g it bl ack , Says th e bedr oom win dows gettin g br igh ter.

Sh e open s h er eyes after a l on g sl eep, says th e star s bu r stin g in to al l differ en t dir ection s, For m in g beau tifu l l y al ign ed con stel l ation s.

INSTAGRAM FEED byHendrix Lee I h ear th e r u m or s ar ou n d th e sch ool l ik e pigl ets awaitin g to be fed, th e m il k is fil l ed with gossip an d secr ets.

It does n ot com e fr om m am a bu t th eir ph on es in stead, cel ebr ities fil l th eir fan s with an xiou sn ess l ik e h u r l in g cats, I tel l you .

Oh , ju st l isten to th e bottl es of dr am a.

Sh e deposits dr eam s u n der each in dividu al s eyel id, Cr eatin g h appin ess, Says th e gir l wh o is sm il in g in h er sl eep, Lik e sh e awok e to pr in ce ch ar m in g by h er side.

Th e sk y gets dar k er an d dar k er , Cau sin g ever yon e to get sl eepier , M ak in g su r e th ey get en ou gh sl eep for th e u pcom in g day.

To wel com e a n ew day, Th e su n star ts to r ise, Sh e l ook s u pon th e ear th bel ow, W ith sm il in g eyes an d ch eek s th at gl ow, H er face l igh ts u p th e wor l d, Cr eatin g a n ew day for ever yon e.

Th e su n an d m oon ar e pol ar opposites, Ju st l ik e h u m an s, Bu t th ey m u st con tin u e to exist togeth er.

ARMAGEDDON bySamuel W eisberg

Lon g ago on pl an et Ear th , th e god Zeu s, th e k in g of th e sk y,pr oposed a ch al l en ge to pr esen t a sol u tion to th e poten tial Ar m ageddon . Th ose wh o accepted th e ch al l en ge wou l d be im m ediatel y tr an spor ted to a battl e fiel d far away fr om civil ization on th e isl an d of Niu e, wh er e th e battl e was to tak e pl ace. Th e r u l es of th e ch al l en ge wer e sim pl e. No al l ian ces wer e al l owed an d on l y on e con testan t cou l d win . If r u l es wer e disobeyed, th e ch al l en ged wou l d be disqu al ified fr om th e ch al l en ge (k il l ed). Som e fou gh t for power ,fam e, dom in ation , ven gean ce, safety,or pr otection an d oth er s fou gh t for th eir own per son al qu ests.

On e of th e par ticipan ts was Fu jin . H e was a ver y br ave m on k fr om th e Sh aol in cl an . Fu jin was n ot l ik e an y of th e oth er m on k s becau se h e h ad special abil ities th at n ot m an y war r ior s possessed. For exam pl e, h e cou l d gen er ate wh ir l win ds an d tor n adoes fr om h is fists an d tu r n in to a dr agon to k il l h is en em ies by devou r in g th em . Fu jin was fam il iar with som e of th e oth er par ticipan ts l ik e Reik o, a cybor g wh o u sed bom bs to h is advan tage, an d Deito, a bl in d n in ja wh o u sed th e sou l s of th e dead to gu ide h im . Ar es, th e God of war ,was al so par ticipatin g al on g with a r eptil ian n am ed Den gar wh o cou l d tu r n in visibl e an d h ad ver y sh ar p cl aws. On e of th e m ost deadl y oppon en ts Fu jin h ad to face was Tu n dr a, wh o cou l d con tr ol ice an d u se bl izzar ds to fr eeze h is en em ies. Fu jin wou l d al so h ave to face m an y sor cer er s l ik e Spectr e, th e m aster of deception wh o cou l d tu r n in to an y of h is en em ies an d possess th eir abil ities. Th er e wer e m an y oth er com batan ts in cl u din g sor cer er s, n in jas, cybor gs, h el l spawn s, m on k s, sol dier s, war r ior s, Gods, an d even al ien s. Fu jin was m ost afr aid of figh tin g th e oth er m on k s th at wer e h is fr ien ds l ik e W on g Sh u , Fu jin ?s best fr ien d. Bu t, th e Gr an dm aster of th e Sh aol in r equ ir ed al l m on k s to par ticipate in th is ch al l en ge, an d Fu jin r efu sed to back away fr om a ch al l en ge..

Th en th e tim e cam e for Fu jin to face th e oth er par ticipan ts in th e ch al l en ge, th e battl e h ad n ow begu n . Th e battl e was ver y l on g an d l ots of bl ood was spil l ed. Fu jin defeated m an y of th e oth er par ticipan ts bu t on e cau gh t h im by su r pr ise. A ser pen t-h u m an h ybr id cal l ed Kobr a tack l ed h im to th e gr ou n d. Fu jin l ifted h is dagger an d wen t for th e fin al bl ow. Cl osin g h is eyes ou t of fear , Fu jin swu n g, bu t th er e was n oth in g. Noth in g bu t sil en ce. M om en ts l ater h e fin al l y open ed h is eyes. Kobr a h ad been str u ck with a spear goin g str aigh t th r ou gh h is ch est an d fel l to th e gr ou n d l ifel essl y. W on g Sh u h ad saved Fu jin bu t h e k n ew th e r u l es of th e ch al l en ge an d h ad to pay th e pr ice. Zeu s in stan tl y k il l ed W on g Sh u with a l igh tn in g bol t Fu jin was en r aged. H e wen t of a k il l in g spr ee qu ick l y goin g th r ou gh m an y oppon en ts l ik e Reik o, Deito, Den gar ,Ar es, an d H er a, al on g with m an y oth er s. Th en h e cam e face to face with Tu n dr a. Th e two h ad a l on g an d in ten se figh t, bu t Fu jin u l tim atel y becam e th e victor ,k il l in g Tu n dr a. Som e tim e l ater ,Fu jin h ad a bitter sweet sm il e on h is face wh en h e saw W on g Sh u . Fu jin l ower ed h is gu ar d, r el ieved th at th e figh t was fin al l y over an d gl ad th at W on g Sh u h ad m ir acu l ou sl y su r vived Zeu s?l igh tn in g bol t Except, it wasn 't.

W on g Sh u qu ick l y str u ck Fu jin an d th en r eveal ed h is tr u e iden tity. It was th e sor cer er Spectr e wh o h ad th e abil ity to sh ape-sh ift. Fu jin qu ick l y got u p an d tr an sfor m ed in to a Dr agon an d devou r ed Spectr e with on e bite befor e h e cou l d be k il l ed.

Zeu s saw th is fr om th e h eaven s an d was im pr essed, so h e h eal ed Fu jin befor e h e faced h im in com bat. Th en th e fin al battl e h appen ed, Fu jin was abl e to defeat Zeu s wh en h e r el eased h is h igh est power ,qu ick l y destr oyin g h im . Real izin g wh at h e?d don e, Fu jin qu ick l y war n ed th e wor l d th at Zeu s h ad been k il l ed. Ear th ?s bal an ce of th e sk y an d l an d h ad been u pset, an d th e popu l ation qu ick l y fl ed to space r esu l tin g in Fir st Ar m ageddon .

FEAR byHarryFl orin

COU RA G E byZoeTerry

H is h an ds tr em bl ed.

H is voice qu iver ed.

Th e am ou n t of sweat h e pr odu ced cou l d fil l ocean s.

H is eyes dar ted back an d for th .

H e fel t l ik e th e wal l s wer e cl osin g in .

H is br eath sped u p.

H e l ook ed down at h is test an d th e qu estion s m or ph ed in to a l an gu age h e didn 't u n der stan d.

H e tr ied to th in k of th e an swer s bu t h is br ain didn 't wor k .

H is m in d wen t bl an k .

H e cou l d feel fail u r e r u sh in g towar ds h im .

H is h ear t star ted pu m pin g faster an d faster , h e fel t l ik e h e was goin g to expl ode, an d th en su dden l y,h e took a deep br eath .

H is h ear t r ate tu r n ed to its n or m al speed.

Th e an swer s to th e qu estion popped in to h is h ead, an d h e sm il ed.

I h ave fel t th e pain , fel t th e h on or.

H ear d th e h ate, r each ed for th e star s.

It br ou gh t m e down .

It br ou gh t m e u p.

Lik e a diam on d, br il l ian t an d can tak e th e pr essu r e.

It feel s l ik e a r u m bl in g r ock in g vol can o r eady to er u pt.

Th e su per ior feel in g th at you 've don e en ou gh .

It feel s l ik e al on e boy in th e woods figh tin g off th e an im al s.

Th e col or of victor y is wh at it is .

Th e sou n d of waves cr ash in g th e san d.

It l ives deep down in you r h ear t an d sou l .

Art byLauraDeW il de

O LD BO O K byIsabel aGal ofre Du st h ides in between th e wise an d k n owl edgeabl e pages of th e ol d, fr agil e book h idden fr om th e ou tside wor l d.

A titl e th at was on ce br an ded with gol den l etter s n ow, ju st a m yster iou s br ain , n o on e can tel l wh at it k eeps in side.

Th er e?s a k eyh ol e waitin g to be open ed an d r eveal ed, a k ey th at n o on e h as ever fou n d.

Som eth in g abou t th is book m ak es it stan d ou t fr om th e oth er s, W h isper in g soft an d m yster iou s wor ds, dr awin g h istor ian s to it.

Th is book wil l al ways r em ain cl osed k eepin g its secr ets in side, bu t wh en open ed, m ay m yster ies be an swer ed.

TH E KEY Y O U M U ST FIN D byAndreaBravo- Contreras Sh e is tr apped, says h er br ain , n ot r eal izin g it?s th e cel l th at is tr appin g h er al on e in h er th ou gh ts.

Th e pr ison is a pu zzl e th at sh e can 't sol ve, says th e pil l ar s of pil l ed paper Th at sh e l eft cr u m bl ed on th e desk .

Sh e is dr own in g, says th e wor n -ou t pen cil with a ch ewed er aser r ol l in g off h er bed. Sh e is dr own in g in a typh oon of wor ds, it says.

H er m in d is r u n n in g at a m il l ion th ou gh ts per m in u te, says h er fin ger s tir ed of pr essin g th e l etter s on th e boar d.

H er em otion s ar e l ik e waves in a stor m as sh e k eeps on typin g, h appy to con fu sed th en fr u str ated to r ejoiced, says th e k eys cl ick in g away,cl ick , cl ack , cl ick , cl ack .

Sh e k eeps sayin g th at it n eeds m or e detail , it n eeds m or e em otion , says th e com pu ter.

Its batter y l ow an d r ed, beggin g to be ch ar ged, Sh e k eeps on sayin g it is h or r ibl e, th at sh e can ?t wr ite.

After a wh il e, h owever ,sh e fin ish ed, th ey say.

After som e tim e sh e wal k ed away.

Sh e cl osed h er com pu ter an d took a deep br eath .

Sh e fin al l y saw h ow beau tifu l h er stor y was, said th e com pu ter fin al l y bein g ch ar ged.

H er em otion s becam e a sim m er in g fl at l ak e, says th e k eys wh o stopped cl ick in g.

H er m in d stopped r acin g, say h er fin ger s r estin g on ce m or e.

Sh e br eath ed, said th e pen cil wh o is n ow on th e fl oor.

Sh e sm il ed to h er sel f, said th e pil es of paper.

Sh e u n l ock ed th e cel l , said h er br ain , Sh e fou n d th e k ey,th ey al l said.

Art byRomeuSzul c

THEMIDDAYSUN

Art byAmyBhakta

byRenanMondRamos

Th e m idday su n bl u n tl y ch ar r in g m y sk in l ik e a steak on th e gr il l , Sizzl in g an d bu bbl in g u n der th e in ten se h eat.

Th e fish in th e r iver ,fl owin g par al l el to th e catwal k , ju m p an d sk ip, l ik e th e ston es I th r ow, Sk ippin g en dl essl y befor e disappear in g in to th e cr ystal cl ear water.

Th e m idday br eeze l igh ten s th e m ood as an occasion al bir d swoops an d steal s th e fish fr om th e r iver , On e down , en dl ess am ou n ts to go.

Th e r iver becom es a beau tifu l ecosystem wh en you can see in to it, m an atees dr iftin g h el pl essl y feastin g on th e tin y in sign ifican t pl an k ton .

It is al l ver y beau tifu l u n til you r eal ize th at th e r iver isn ?t a r iver , in stead a can al , pol l u ted with dr eadfu l am ou n ts of pl astic.

Th e m an atees ar e m u l ti m il l ion dol l ar yach ts fil l in g th e air with toxic gas.

Th e m idday su n is bu t an oth er factor th at m ak es th is in fer til e pl ace th at m u ch wor se.

Th e fish ar en ?t fish , th ey?r e en dl ess am ou n ts of pl astic bottl es, fl oatin g an d sl owl y decom posin g, th e bar r en l an dscape in h ospitabl e, disgu stin g Yet en cou r agin g.

FARAW AYFROMHOME byMiguel Escobar

It was New Year ?s Eve. I was h u ggin g m y sister an d waitin g for 2017 to be over. Th e win d was fast an d power fu l , an d th e pl easan t ar om as of th e beach on th e isl an d of San An dr es fil l ed th e air. Th e tim e cam e for th e cou n tdown an d in a fl ash , it was 2018. At th at m om en t, I m ade a vow, on e I wou l d n ot be abl e to k eep. I vowed th at I wou l d n ever cr y. W h en ever I cr ied, I fel t weak , path etic. Not cr yin g wou l d be m y fir st step in to m atu r ity; h owever ,I l ear n ed th at som etim es you n eed to cr y. wAs you m igh t h ave gu essed, I cou l d n ot k eep m y pr om ise. Yes, I cr ied. I n eeded to cr y. Tim e wen t by; situ ation s in Col om bia got wor se. Bu sin esses wer e cl osin g, bein g sol d off, m ovin g to oth er cou n tr ies. Un for tu n atel y,m y m om ?s was on e of th em . It was l ate Febr u ar y wh en sh e tol d m e th e com pan y sh e wor k ed for wou l d m ove to M iam i; h owever ,at th at tim e th e ch an ces of l eavin g th e cou n tr y wer e few. H er com pan y cou l d n ot stay,so m y m om h ad to pass h er exam s to be abl e to wor k abr oad, an d of cou r se we n eeded visas. Th e n igh t I r eceived th e n ews, I was scar ed. I cou l d n ot even im agin e l eavin g th e cou n tr y,l eavin g th e l ife I h ad been wor k in g so h ar d to bu il d, aban don in g it. Th e m er e th ou gh t of it gave m e goosebu m ps; h owever ,th at was n ot wh at m ade m e cr y.

Tim e passed, an d m y m om fl ew to Pu er to Rico to tak e h er exam s. I wan ted to stay in Col om bia; I was n ot at al l h appy abou t th e pr ospect of m ovin g. In Apr il n ews cam e. M y m om was ch osen to m ove to M iam i with th e com pan y,an d I was h ear tbr ok en . Al l m y l ife I h ad im agin ed m y fu tu r e in Col om bia. Never h ad I th ou gh t of an yth in g el se. Oh , th e th in gs I wou l d m iss, n ot wak in g u p an d feel in g th e col d of th e m ou n tain s, n ot speak in g Span ish , n ot ever seein g m y fr ien ds, n ot pr ayin g la novena with m y fam il y,n ot goin g to m y r el igion cl asses ever y Fr iday,n ot bein g abl e to pl ay m y favor ite spor t, vol l eybal l , ever y m or n in g, n ot watch in g La Voz or El Desafio with m y fam il y ever y n igh t, an d so m an y oth er th in gs. W e h ad to star t pack in g an d sayin g goodbye to th in gs we wou l d n ot n eed. Am on gst th em was m y dog, Vian co, wh o was sen t to l ive with m y gr an dm a.

On e of th e h ar dest th in gs I h ad to do was to tel l peopl e we wer e l eavin g. I r em em ber m y m om cal l in g m y dad to tel l h im abou t th e situ ation . I r em em ber th e tal k I h ad with h im abou t h ow I h ad to be car efu l wh en I m oved to th e States an d h ow h e was goin g to m iss m e so m u ch . Th en , we tol d ou r n an n y,an d in vited h er to com e to M iam i with u s. I was so wor r ied. I did n ot k n ow if sh e wou l d tak e th e job or n ot. I was fair l y su r e sh e wou l d say yes as sh e h ad been wor k in g for th e fam il y sin ce befor e I was bor n ; h owever ,h er ch il dr en wer e in Col om bia, an d I was n ot su r e if sh e wou l d l eave th em . I cou l d n ot l ive with ou t h er. I was star tin g a n ew ch apter of m y l ife. Sh e n eeded to be th er e. For tu n atel y, sh e agr eed to com e. I al so r em em ber tel l in g m y fr ien ds I was l eavin g. W e wer e in th e m iddl e of th e l u n ch l in e wh en I br ok e th e n ews. Th ey wer e al l ver y su r pr ised.

It was th e l ast day of sch ool . I k n ew th is wou l d pr obabl y be th e l ast tim e I wou l d see al l of m y fr ien ds for a l on g tim e. I ju st k ept th in k in g of wh at h ad h appen ed five year s ago, wh en I m oved fr om M edel l in to Bogota an d h ad to l eave m y dad, m y sister s, m y gr an dm a, an d al l th e fam il y I k n ew. Th is tim e I was n ot sad abou t l eavin g th em sin ce we h ad been l ivin g apar t for qu ite som e tim e n ow, bu t I was sad to k n ow th is wou l d be th e l ast tim e I wou l d set foot at m y sch ool , th at th is wou l d be m y l ast sch ool day l ivin g in Col om bia. Th e fir st th in g we did wh en sch ool star ted was go to th e ?Goodbye Assem bl y?wh er e teach er s an d stu den ts wh o wer e l eavin g th e sch ool wer e r ecogn ized. I h ad n ot seen m y fr ien ds th at day. Next to wh er e I was sittin g wer e two gir l s, Cam il a an d Gabr iel a. Gabr iel a was l eavin g th e sch ool an d both of th em wer e deep in to th e l an d of tear s. I th ou gh t abou t cr yin g, h ow it wou l d h el p m e r el ease al l of th e str ess I h ad in side m e, h ow it wou l d h el p m e r el ease al l th e an ger fr om th is 2018 wh ich h ad been h or r ibl e u p til l n ow. I tr ied to cr y bu t I cou l d on l y sh ed a cou pl e tear s, th en th ey said m y n am e, an d I h ad to stan d u p in fr on t of ever yon e. Al l th e tim es I h ad th ou gh t abou t th is m om en t, I th ou gh t th is wou l d be wh en I star ted cr yin g. To m y su r pr ise, I was abl e to h ol d on an d n ot cr y. After th e assem bl y was over ,th e teach er s l et u s wal k ar ou n d an d be with ou r fr ien ds; h owever ,I did n ot wan t to be with th em . I didn 't wan t to cr y an d be ash am ed in fr on t of ever yon e, so I stayed with m y teach er in th e cl assr oom . H e n eeded h el p or gan izin g th e r oom . W h il e I or gan ized th e book s, I star ted th in k in g of wh at m y l ife wou l d be l ik e with ou t al l th e peopl e I n ow h ad ar ou n d m e, an d th at was wh en I br ok e down . Ju st th in k in g abou t th is m om en t m ak es m y eyes water ; ju st wr itin g th is essay m ak es al l of th ose ol d feel in gs r u sh back , an d it m ak es m e r eal ize th at n o m atter h ow

deepl y I sh ove th em down , th ey wil l al ways be th er e, tr yin g to fin d a way back u p. Back in th at cl assr oom , I ch ose to go to th e bath r oom to wash m y face an d stop cr yin g; stop th e n on sen se. Fast bu t steady,I wal k ed with m y face h idden . Th en I bu m ped in to on e of m y cl osest fr ien ds, Jer on im o, wh o ask ed m e wh at was goin g on . I did n ot speak . H e saw m y face an d k ept wal k in g u n der stan din g n ow wh at was tr u l y h appen in g.

I got to th e bath r oom . I th r ew water on m y face, bu t th at did n ot stop th e cr yin g. I cou l d n ot ju st pr eten d ever yth in g was fin e. I n eeded to face m y pr obl em s; I n eeded to tal k to som eon e. W h en I exited th e bath r oom , I saw on e of m y fr ien ds, Lau r a, ju st ou tside. I star ted tal k in g to h er abou t h ow I fel t, h ow I was afr aid I wou l d n ever fin d n ew fr ien ds in M iam i, th at I was scar ed m y ol d fr ien ds wou l d for get m e, h ow ever yth in g wou l d be differ en t. Sh e u n der stood. Ou r con ver sation attr acted atten tion .

M y oth er fr ien ds gath er ed ar ou n d to tal k to m e. At fir st I tol d th em I wan ted to be al on e, th at I n eeded to speak to Lau r a. Th ey h owever stu ck ar ou n d, an d I am gl ad th ey did. Th ey h el ped m e r eal ize th at ever yth in g wou l d be fin e in M iam i, bu t n o, th at does n ot m ean ever yth in g was fin e, th at does n ot m ean I stopped cr yin g. In fact, we al l star ted cr yin g. At on e poin t I h ad cr ied so m u ch th at I fel t l ik e m y eyes wer e h u r tin g an d th at I h ad r u n ou t of tear s. Th en , cam e th e h ar dest par t, m y ol dest, m y best fr ien d sh owed u p, Gabr iel a. I r em em ber th e exact wor ds sh e said to m e. "M igu el , n o qu ier o qu e te vayas" (M igu el , I don 't wan t you to go). W e sat down on th e gr ou n d an d sh ar ed ou r m iser y with each oth er. Fin al l y,I h ad to go back u p an d h el p m y teach er or gan ize th e l ibr ar y,wh ich h el ped m e cal m down . I stopped cr yin g, an d as soon as I did, I saw m y fr ien ds stan din g r igh t n ext to m e. W h en th ey saw m e sittin g al on e on th e gr ou n d l ik e a sl ave wh o h ad ju st been beaten u p, m y fr ien ds took m e u n der th eir m etaph or ical win gs an d we star ted tal k in g again , l au gh in g a l ittl e, r em em ber in g al l we h ad gon e th r ou gh , al l th e u ps an d down s. W e took pictu r es togeth er ,an d we said ou r l ast goodbyes.

Th en cam e th at dr eaded m om en t wh en th e sch ool bel l r an g for th e l ast tim e. An d l ife, as I k n ew it, com pl etel y van ish ed.

Never again did I cr y th at year ,n o m atter h ow m u ch I wan ted to do so. It was a l on g su m m er with m y dad, m y sister s, an d m y gr an dm a; h owever ,it wen t by so qu ick l y. Befor e l on g, I was in th e pl an e with m y m om r eady to go to M iam i. As soon as we l an ded, al l wou l d be differ en t an d str an ge. I did n ot even k n ow wh er e we wer e goin g to l ive or wh at m y m om 's office l ook ed l ik e.

W e got settl ed ver y qu ick l y,bu t It was n ot u n til Decem ber th at m y n an n y got to th e USA. Now I won der ,?W er e al l m y fear s abou t m y n ew l ife wor th wor r yin g abou t? W ou l d I go back to Bogota if I h ad th e ch an ce?? W h en I got to m y n ew sch ool , I was im m ediatel y in tim idated. Al on e. I did n ot k n ow if I wou l d fit in , or if I wou l d fin d an y fr ien ds. Th e fir st m or n in g wh en I got to Sm u r fit H al l , I saw ever ybody with th eir own gr ou ps of fr ien ds. Nobody was tal k in g to m e. W e wer e ver y few, th e on es n ot en gaged in con ver sation . M y fear th en cam e back .

W il l I h ave n o fr ien ds? I gu ess I was m ostl y scar ed abou t th is becau se of th e way peopl e h ad tr eated m e wh en I got to Bogota, wh er e I h ad n o fr ien ds for al m ost two year s. I didn 't wan t to r epeat th at h er e.

H owever ,peopl e wer e su r pr isin gl y h ospitabl e, an d I fou n d fr ien ds r eal l y qu ick l y.

Som etim es I feel l ik e goin g back to Col om bia; som etim es I ju st wan t on e l ast h u g fr om m y gr an dm a, or on e m or e m in u te with m y fr ien ds. I u n der stan d, h owever ,th at bein g in M iam i m ean s a br igh ter fu tu r e. Th at th is is r eal ity,an d n o m atter h ow difficu l t, I h ave to deal with it. I th in k som etim es th at I am l ettin g down m y cou n tr y. I feel as th ou gh I am n ot a tr u e Col om bian becau se I l ive far away. Som etim es wh en I'm speak in g in Span ish , I feel l ik e I am for gettin g it, bu t I am deter m in ed n ot to for get m y r oots or m y cou n tr y; n ot to for get wh er e I com e fr om .

I am stil l m y ol d sel f; I am ju st far away fr om h om e.

Art byBentoJunqueira

ANXIETY

byLol aMofsky- Mcl ean Over wh el m in g Str essfu l Sel f-Dou bt, Anxi et y, Is Th e on e feel in g th at I ju st can n ot get r id of.

It attack s wh en ever it pl eases, I wil l despair if it n ever ceases.

An xiety?s th e sn eak iest, du l l est pain I feel .

Som etim es stin gin g, bu t at oth er tim es l eavin g a dism al ach e.

Lack of oth er feel in gs often en su es.

Star in g in to an em pty void of despair an d h opel essn ess, I cl u tch m y l ast sh r ed of h ope an d th in k .

I th in k abou t wh at is n ext, qu estion in g m y wor ds.

W il l it get better ?

W il l it settl e som eday?

W h en wil l I be abl e to feel l ik e ever yon e el se?

H appy,con ten t, nor m a l?

Fin ger in g th ese th ou gh ts is l ik e bein g in fin itel y wh ipped by som eth in g pain fu l , Som eth in g n on existen t an d in visibl e per h aps, Bu t wh ich l eaves wel ts on m y sou l .

H owever ,r ecen tl y I?ve fou n d som eon e, W h o r aises m e u p fr om m y pain .

Sh e h el ps m e, Gives m e th e su ppor t th at I h ave been l on gin g for , Yet wh ich n obody el se seem ed to give.

I do th e sam e for h er.

Raisin g h er u p fr om h er pain , a pain ju st l ik e m in e.

W e both su ffer ed, seek in g atten tion fr om th ose wh o wou l d n ot give it.

H ow al ik e we ar e, Two star s, h idden by th e vast, th ick fog, Sear ch in g con stan tl y,u n til we fou n d each oth er.

At th at m om en t, th e an xiety disappear ed, Dissipated, a sm al l bl ack cl ou d fadin g away in to th e n igh t, As sh e an d I watch th e m oon r ise an d th e su n set Togeth er.

Art bySophia"Bel l " Lopez

ODETOA BLANKET

byNichol as Sukhdeo I ch er ish m y bl u e bl an k et.

W h ich en vel ops m e in war m th as gen tl y as a cl ou d.

Th e deep bl u e r em in ds m e of a cal m sea, W h ich r ock s m e wh il e I?m sn u g an d war m .

M y bl an k et-sh iel d pr otects m e fr om th e col d W h en th e win ds of win ter sweep acr oss th e bar r en l an d.

W iel din g m y bl an k et, at ever y oppor tu n ity,I can val ian tl y figh t Day an d n igh t For m y com for t.

It su bm er ges m e in to a sea of feath er s, wh er e I sl eep with ease.

M y bl an k et?s val u e is im m easu r abl e; W ith it I can sl eep wh er ever I pl ease.

W h en I r u n m y fin ger s acr oss its su ede fabr ic, Th e textu r e is as pil l owy as m ar sh m al l ows.

M y bl an k et is a can vas of th e sk y,a bl u e m aster piece Th at sm el l s of pl aces wh er e r oses an d m eadows bl oom .

I fal l in to sl eep cocoon ed in its gen tl e fol ds.

Art byDeboraSirotsky

THEDOLLS byAvaPumo

W ooden dol l s wor n -ou t, br ok en h eads, an d ch ips, Nail s r u sty,fin ger s patch ed-u p, an d gl isten in g r osy l ips.

I, th e col l ector of tr easu r es, fiddl e with an tiqu es, Ol d Victor ian dol l s, pu ppets on a str in g, fou n d at Sh abby Ch ic Bou tiqu e.

On ce so l oved, al l patch ed-u p, on e h ead tu r n ed, oh m y wor d.

Fou n d a sigh tl ess dol l th at is r in gin g in m y ear.

Tak e m e h om e for peopl e to see.

H ow patch ed-u p cou l d I be?

A l ovel y h om e for m e.

H ow cou l d th is be?

Goodbye, far ewel l .

HOWLING W O LV ES byBenedikt Bumm

Br ave sail or s sail in g in th e m oon l igh t On l y l ivin g wol ves h owl in g, passin g sh el l s An d fr ozen water.

M y br aver y is tu r n in g off, I am scar ed an d depr essed.

Dr iftin g th r ou gh icy an d sn owy isl an ds Ever yth in g seem ed to be death .

On l y star s I can see, on l y win d I can h ear Gr owl in g in m y dir ection .

I tr y to sl eep, bu t th e sou n ds...

I am fr ozen , fu l l of sn ow.

Fr om afar ,I h ear sou n ds.

I h ear cr ack in g wood.

Th ey ar e com in g for m e, Al l of th em en r ou te.

Soon th is isl an d, th er e is n o l ife an ym or e.

Th e wol ves ar e com in g, com in g for m e, I wil l die, I wil l cr y, Th e wol ves ar e com in g, com in g to get m e.

UNFO RG ETT ABLE byNatal iaTorres

Gr owin g u p I was ver y sh y. I n ever r eal l y fel t th e n eed to speak for m ysel f. At six year s ol d, I star ted pl ayin g ten n is. As a begin n er ,I on l y ever pl ayed with m y sister an d ou r coach . Bu t as ou r l evel im pr oved, ou r coach su ggested th at we tr y pl ayin g with a gr ou p of k ids wh o l ived in ou r bu il din g. I was r el u ctan t at fir st bu t gave in easil y n ot k n owin g h ow bad th e exper ien ce wou l d tu r n ou t to be.

Befor e I k n ew it, th e day h ad com e. It seem ed as th ou gh it h ad been l u r k in g in th e back of m y m in d an d su dden l y ju st pou n ced. I th ou gh t of ever y scen ar io fr om m e fal l in g on m y face wh il e r u n n in g to th e possibil ity th at I was ju st bein g par an oid an d al l wou l d be fin e. Fin al l y,I con vin ced m ysel f th at n oth in g wou l d go wr on g.

H owever ,as I stepped on to th e ten n is cou r t, I r eal ized h ow wr on g I h ad been . I was th e you n gest on e wh ich , as you can im agin e, was ver y agon izin g. Bu t it wasn ?t u n til I began r u n n in g th at I r eal ized h ow n er vou s I r eal l y was. I fel t m y h ear t beatin g ou t of m y ch est an d tear s wel l in g u p in m y eyes. I l ook ed ar ou n d an d l ock ed eyes with m y

sister. Sh e seem ed so com for tabl e, l ik e sh e h ad k n own th ese peopl e h er wh ol e l ife, bu t al l I cou l d th in k of was h ow n ot to em bar r ass m ysel f.

I watch ed as yet an oth er ser ve h it th e n et. I cou l d see m y par tn er gettin g ir r itated. I l ook ed over an d saw m y sister pl ayin g ju st fin e.

I fel t a k n ot for m in g in m y th r oat as I attem pted to r al l y with th e per son acr oss fr om m e. I wen t on l ik e th is, tr yin g m y best n ot to l ook n er vou s, u n til I began to feel som ewh at com for tabl e with th is n ew gr ou p of k ids.

Th in k in g back on it n ow, I r eal ize th at th is pr actice was m or e ben eficial to m y sister , wh o was a l ot m or e advan ced th an m e.

Atten din g th is pr actice h el ped m e br eak ou t of m y sh el l . I u sed to be ver y sh y an d wou l d n ot tal k u n l ess I was com for tabl e with a per son . I l ik e to th in k th at I h ave gr own a l ot in th is r egar d. Th is is ju st on e of th e m an y situ ation s th at h ave h el ped m e fl ou r ish an d gain con fiden ce. I am r eal l y gl ad th at I h ave ch an ged an d becom e m or e ou tgoin g.

BRA V ERY byCaterinaSerrano- Bigl es

Art byBul l ionSharp

Br aver y is a gr ou n ded war r ior with ever yth in g to l ose.

Br aver y is th e ocean , m yster iou s an d deep, yet l ovin g an d k in d.

W h at is br aver y?

Br aver y is a l ovin g sh iel d th at wil l pr otect you fr om h ar m .

Br aver y is you r best fr ien d stan din g u p to you r bu l l y.

Br aver y is th e face of can cer patien ts th at k n ow th at th ey wil l be fin e.

Br aver y is th e sou n d of al l owin g you r sel f to be vu l n er abl e, yet str on g.

Br aver y is th e poten t sm el l of a patien t's str on g m edicin e.

Br aver y is th eir wil l to l ive.

Br aver y is th e face of a cou r ageou s ch il d.

Br aver y is bitter sweet pr ide.

Br aver y is a l eth al victor y.

W e can be as br ave as a h er o or as sh y as a h er m it.

Ju st k n ow th at br aver y is you !

FO REST byEduardoLessa Th e stick s an d l eaves Th at in th e for est l ived, Now n eed an oth er h om e.

W h en I go ou t, Ever yth in g is wor n -ou t.

Now fil l ed with ju n k , Lik e th e for est h as sh r u n k .

Th is is sad An d m ak es m e m ad H ow h u m an s destr oy with joy Th e for est th at we al l n eed.

Th r ee-l egged ch air s Ju st over th er e In th e m iddl e of th e for est In th e m iddl e of n owh er e.

Ru sty k eys Am on g th e tr ees,

Lar ge, l eak y bottl es, an d sm al l pottl es, Th in gs th at ar e ol d an d m ade of gol d, Pr obabl y wer e tossed an d n ever sol d, Patch ed-u p el ectr ical wir e Th at cou l d cau se a fir e.

M an y boats th at wou l dn 't fl oat.

Cu ps with cr ack s cau sed by an axe, Al l th ese goods Th r own in th e woods, For m e it's a tr easu r e.

Is it for you ?

If th er e was a desir e to r ecycl e, H u m an s cou l d sh ar e, An d al l th ese th in gs W ou l d en d u p el sewh er e.

OVERTHEFOREST

byMarinaLessa

On h is pace over th e for est Th r ou gh th e dar k n ess of th e n igh t Bel ow th e m oon , Above th e ice, Over th e l ast tr ee.

H e h ear d th e wil d wol f h owl in g Again st th e br ave h u m an voice.

Th e sn owbou n d sou n d.

H e star ed at th e l ak e water Sh owin g th e m oon l igh t, W ith th e bl eak n igh t sou n d.

Som eon e was appr oach in g, Bu t fin d fr om wh er e-H e cou l dn ?t.

Th e water dr ifted, Fr om wh er e th e wol f was seen , On th e r efl ection of th e fr ozen water , Bel ow th e m oon , Over th e l ast tr ee.

Art byCaitl inCherenfant

UNDERTHEW ATERbyGwynethGol dstein I cou l d n ot br eath e; water was gettin g in to m y l u n gs. I was r u n n in g ou t of air. M y fam il y scr eam ed an d pr ayed, h opin g th at th er e was a ch an ce of m e stayin g al ive. I did n ot r eal l y k n ow wh at was goin g on ; al l I cou l d feel was a feel in g of givin g u p. I fel t as if I was r eady to sin k an d to n ever com e back fr om th e water. I was fal l in g down in to deep dar k n ess. I gu ess th e wor l d was n ot pr epar ed for m e to l eave it, becau se I cou l d feel som eth in g pu sh in g m e u p fr om th e sea. I l ook ed, an d it was th e sam e per son wh o was pu sh in g m e down . Th e sam e per son wh o was ju st as ter r ified as m e, gr abbin g on to m e an d m ak in g m e sin k , was th e sam e per son wh o ch an ged wh at th ey wer e doin g an d pu sh ed m e u p to th e su r face. I cl im bed on to th e boat an d bu r ied m y h ead in to m y m om ?s ch est l ik e I was a baby wan tin g m y m om to h u g m e with h er war m h ear t.

Al l th is star ted on a du l l day in th e Tu r k s an d Caicos. M y m om , m y dad, m y cou sin s, an d m y au n ts wer e al l excited to be goin g on a on e-day boat tr ip. Th e pl an was to go to an oth er isl an d an d sigh tsee. W e wer e al so goin g to fin d a n ice pl ace wh er e we cou l d stop an d ju m p off th e boat. I fol l owed m y m om an d m y cou sin s to th e beach wh er e I saw a beau tifu l wh ite boat with a br igh t bl u e str ipe. Ou r cl osest star ,th e su n was sh in in g br igh t. I was wear in g m y cu te bl u e bath in g su it an d h ol din g m y favor ite br igh t pin k san dal s. Th e san d was so soft an d wh ite. I fel t it sin k in between m y toes an d tick l e th em as gen tl y as fl u ffy feath er s.

W h en I r each ed th e boat by th e water ,I saw ju st h ow big it was. M y cou sin s an d I wer e ecstatic as we cl im bed th e l adder on to th e boat wh er e we wer e gr eeted by two deepl y-tan n ed m en wh om m y m om seem ed to r ecogn ize. Th ey both h ad big sm il es, an d on e was dr essed casu al l y,an d th e oth er wor e a swim su it. I fel t com for tabl e with m y fam il y ar ou n d m e, goin g off in to th e ocean as we l isten ed to Jam aican m u sic.

W e fin al l y m ade it to ou r fir st stop; th e isl an d h ad l ots of pl an ts an d tr ees. As soon as we dock ed, m y cou sin s an d I ju m ped on to th e san d to expl or e. ?Don ?t go in to th e bu sh es an d wait for u s to catch u p,? th e adu l ts cal l ed after u s. W e ign or ed th em . Seein g al l th e igu an as, we ch ased after each on e, th in k in g we cou l d catch on e. W e wer e al l eager l y expl or in g, bu t k ept h al f an eye ou t th at ou r m om s wer e cl ose by.

W e m ade ou r way back to th e beach an d col l ected som e r ock s an d pr etty seash el l s wh il e we ch ased each oth er an d l ook ed for fish in th e sh al l ows. W e wer e al l afr aid of goin g too deep. Ou r par en ts cam e back to th e beach fr om th eir own expl or in g, an d soon , we l eft th e isl an d. On th e r etu r n boat r ide, I h ad fu n spottin g stin gr ays. W e cr u ised al on g u n til we fou n d a sweet spot of cal m water wh er e we cou l d ju m p off.

Sin ce I was n er vou s to ju m p, m y fam il y coaxed m e by sayin g it wou l d be fin e an d I wou l d h ave a l ot of fu n . M y feet wer e at th e edge of th e divin g boar d; I l ook ed down at th e water ,took a deep br eath , an d ju m ped in . Th e n ext m om en t, m y ol der cou sin ju m ped off. Sh e is on l y th r ee m on th s ol der th an m e, bu t sh e weigh s a l ot m or e. As soon as I was in th e water ,I saw a big sh ar k com e ou t fr om u n der th e boat; I win ced. M y h ear t stopped; I th ou gh t it was goin g to eat m e. At th at tim e wh en I was you n ger ,I th ou gh t th at if a sh ar k saw you , it wou l d au tom atical l y eat you . I was ter r ified as I cam e u p for a br eath . W h en I l ook ed back down , I r eal ized it was a dol ph in , n ot a sh ar k , bu t I was stil l in sh ock an d m y fam il y did n ot k n ow th at it was a dol ph in sin ce al l th ey saw was a big gr ay sh ape swim m in g towar ds u s. I fel t m ysel f sin k in g deeper in th e water.

M y cou sin was gr abbin g on to m e as sh e str u ggl ed to k eep h er sel f u p. Fain tl y,I h ear d m y dad yel l , ?Get off of h er ; sh e is dr own in g!? Later I l ear n ed th at is wh at got h er to l et go, wh ich al l owed m e to r esu r face.

I l ear n ed a val u abl e l esson : you r tim e com es wh en it com es. I fel t oddl y fr ee of m y own m or tal ity; I accepted death . I r eal ized th at you ar e given a l ife, an d it can be tak en away at an y m om en t. Even wh en al l seem s wel l , it can al l ch an ge in an in stan t. I h ave gr own u p sin ce m y n ear dr own in g six year s ago. I stil l r em em ber th e m om en t an d th e feel in g of givin g u p. W h at h appen ed to m e ch an ged th e way I feel abou t th e water. It ch an ged th e way I l ook at death .

H avin g a m om en t of th in k in g it is ?th e en d?, ch an ges som eon e, it m ak es th em r eal ize th at th eir l ife can be tak en away. W h at is th e cir cl e of l ife an d th e pr eciou sn ess of l ife with ou t death ?

FLOATINGBIRDbyAnaCl araLuz

It h as been on e year sin ce I l ear n ed to fl oat in th e air. M y fam il y h ates m e for it, sayin g, ?Bir ds can on l y fl y,n ot fl oat!? I?ve been ash am ed of th is abil ity for a wh il e n ow. At fir st, I th ou gh t it was gr eat.

I h ad fin al l y l ear n ed to fl oat! H owever ,as m y bir d fam il y fou n d ou t, th ey star ted cr itiqu in g m e.

M ock in g m e. H u r tin g m e.You wou l dn ?t bel ieve h ow m u ch h ar m th ese sil l y bir ds cau sed m e. ?Com e ou t, you m ess of a ch il d!? M oth er cal l ed.

I al r eady k n ew n ot to wait for th e secon d war n in g. I ju m ped u p ou t of m y n est an d star ted ar r an gin g it. After m ak in g it su per n eat, I wen t down to a l ower br an ch . ?Th er e?s n o food for you an ym or e,? M oth er l au gh ed, ?If you wan t an y,go get it you r sel f!?I k n ew th er e was stil l food on th e tabl e. I cou l d see it. Sh e KNEW I cou l d see it. Never th el ess, with ou t h esitation , I fl oated to th e gr ass an d l ook ed for wor m s. I found one, I th ou gh t, FI N ALLY.

O D E TO A ZIPPER bySophiaFrank If you tak e you r zipper s for gr an ted, Do n ot be disen ch an ted, If wh en you ?r e abou t to catch a fl igh t, You ?r e su dden l y in a pl igh t, An d you r zipper jam s on you r su itcase.

Th er e ar e tim es you wish you cou l d er ase, W ith ou t a tr ace, W h en th e zipper on you r pan ts got stu ck An d passer sby th ou gh t you wer e a n u t.

LOVE

byCaeraCharl es

Love wear s a spar k l in g h igh -l ow gown .

Love h as two pieces of bl on d h air pu l l ed back , h el d togeth er with a h ear t sh aped cl ip.

Love wear s br igh t r ed bal l et sh oes.

Love sm el l s l ik e a n ewl y bl oom ed fiel d of fl ower s, feel s l ik e a soft dog, sou n ds l ik e cal m in g m u sic, tastes l ik e a sweet l ol l ipop.

Love is spen din g tim e with fam il y.

STITCHESbyJackMandel

I did n ot wan t to get stitch es at su ch a you n g age. I was on l y fou r year s ol d wh en I was tol d I h ad to go to th e h ospital . Bl ood was spil l in g ou t of m e l ik e a sm al l fou n tain . I was scar ed, seein g al l th e bl ood. M y tr au m atic exper ien ce occu r r ed becau se of a sl ip on a pl aygr ou n d r am p. Twen ty m in u tes ear l ier ,I h ad been pl ayin g on th e pl aygr ou n d with m y pr esch ool fr ien ds. W e wer e pl ayin g tag an d I was r u n n in g ar ou n d as fast as I cou l d, a ver itabl e ch eetah . Ru n n in g at h igh speed, m y on l y th ou gh ts wer e of fin din g a pl ace to escape to so I wou l d n ot be ?It.?Life was so sim pl e back th en , n o h om ewor k , n o r eal cl asswor k , an d n o wor r ies. Ju st days of pl ayin g tag an d l ear n in g th e al ph abet with m y fr ien ds.

Th er e wer e n o m ath pr obl em s or En gl ish essays to wr ite. I fel t l ik e n oth in g cou l d go wr on g. Littl e did I k n ow wh at wou l d h appen n ext.

I r an ar ou n d th e pl aygr ou n d, bon ged on th e fak e dr u m s m ak in g th em r esou n d with a del igh tfu l , ?Bon gibon gibo bon gibon gibo bon gibon gibo.? Th e per son wh o was ?It?h ear d th e n oise an d r an towar ds m e. As I attem pted to r u n away,I m u st h ave stepped on som eth in g sl ipper y becau se I fel l down r igh t away,an d th at was wh en m y tor tu r e began . ?OH M Y GOD, JACK IS BLEEDING!? th e teach er yel l ed. Sh e im m ediatel y took ou t h er ph on e an d cal l ed m y dad an d h e cam e as fast as h e cou l d. In th e m ean tim e, I was sen t to th e n u r se. W h en m y dad ar r ived, I cl am ber ed in to h is car wh er e I im m ediatel y fel l asl eep.

I wok e u p in a h ospital bed with m y dad in a ch air beside m e an d Sesam e Str eet on th e TV. Th e doctor wh o wal k ed in tol d m y dad I h ad to get eigh t stitch es in m y ch in an d th en I wou l d be good to go. I n odded an d th en th e doctor l eft th e r oom . A cou pl e m in u tes l ater h e cam e back an d sh owed m e som e fish in a bowl wh il e h e gave m e m y stitch es, wh ich was a fu n way to distr act m e. W h en h e was don e, I fel t l ik e n oth in g h ad h appen ed. I got to l eave after war d, an d I fel t gr eat. I l ear n ed a val u abl e l esson th at day. After al l of th at bl eedin g an d cr yin g, I r eal ized th at wh at doesn ?t k il l you , m ak es you str on ger ,bu t it is al so wise to watch you r step an d avoid sl ipper y sl opes.

ASSESSMENT TRIAGE byMikayl aHylton

I th ou gh t I was ju st goin g in for a r ou tin e m edical exam an d to ch eck m y weigh t, bu t th e n ext m om en t th ey wer e gettin g m y h an d ster il ized an d th en som eon e m ade a ver y agil e m ove an d... 3...2...1. ?Ou ch ?!!!!! Th ey wer e dr awin g bl ood fr om m e wh il e I was sittin g th er e in a wh eel ch air h yster ical l y cr yin g... n o, n ot cr yin g, bawl in g l ik e a baby! W ith th e n eedl e stu ck in m y sk in , pin ch in g an d stin gin g, I was in m iser y,an d at th at ver y m om en t, I ju st wan ted to escape th e bar r icaded r oom wh ich h ad th e ch ar acter istics of a sm al l h ot oven . Two n u r ses an d m y m om wer e pr even tin g m y escape. I was stu ck in a pl ace th at n o k id or even adu l t wou l d ever wan t to be.

I k n ew I n eeded to be th er e becau se I h ad gotten sick an d th ey n eeded bl ood sam pl es fr om m e ev er y si n gl e d ay ! I tr ied to r em em ber ,th ey wer e ?H ELPING M E.? Bu t h on estl y,I k n ew th at em otion al l y I cou l dn 't h an dl e th e n ews of bein g tol d, on ce m or e, ?W e?r e goin g to h ave to pok e you ever y day.?

I fel t a l ittl e disbel ief wh en th e doctor tol d m e I wou l d be ?com pl etel y fin e, an d in on e year wou l d for get th is ever h appen ed.? Yes, I k n ew th at th er e m igh t h ave been a few pr ecau tion ar y m easu r es I wou l d h ave to tak e, bu t th at?s it, r igh t? On e day it was ju st an n ou n ced th at I n eeded tr eatm en t, bu t I didn ?t k n ow it was goin g to in ter fer e with m y l ife, th at th er e wou l d be so m an y r estr iction s on m y dail y activities.

I k n ew th er e was a l on g r oad to r ecover y ah ead, bu t m y m om k ept sayin g, ?You ?r e ver y l u ck y, M ik ayl a. Th er e ar e a l ot of k ids th at h ave it way wor se th an you .?

An d th at?s wh en I k n ew I was goin g to be ok ay.

It h as been al m ost two year s, an d I can n ot bel ieve I am even sayin g th is, bu t th ose oth er patien ts in spir ed m e, an d n ow th at I am a l ittl e ol der an d wiser ,I get it. Bu t even today,I win ce wh en th e doctor h as to give m e vaccin ation s or get bl ood, bu t th en I r em em ber th at it wil l be ju st a l ittl e 3...2...1? Pin ch ...an d soon over. Ever y day I am gettin g str on ger.

Art bySal omeJel ke

Art byCl iff Hal l iwel l

TH E LITTLE C ITY byCameronBehr

In th e l ittl e city, th in gs seem ed so sil l y.

Th er e wer e br ok en bottl es, W ash ed-u p m odel s, Lots of cats, Used-u p h ats, Bits of gl ass, Too m u ch gr ass, An d differ en t types of l eak y pipes; Ru sty, wor n -ou t, patch ed-u p bicycl es, Nu m er ou s bu il din gs cover ed with icicl es; Th e food an d sn ack s wer e ver y stal e, Ever y door h ad twisted n ail s; Ice-cr eam con es, M or tgage l oan s, An cien t vases, Dr ied-u p br aces, Tin y peopl e, Evil beetl es, Ch ipped br ick s, An d cak e m ix.

Bu t as I see th e l ittl e city, Th in gs ju st don ?t seem al l th at sil l y.

Art byLauraDeW il de

BR O KEN , M AYBE byCaterinaSerrano- Bigl es

a war m su m m er br eeze fil l ed with joy.

Th en I r eal ize m y gr eatest fear s.

I was wor n ou t an d fel t l ik e I was goin g to cr ack , Bu t on l y th is wor l d can do th at.

W e ar e al l br ok en , at l east th at's wh at th ey th in k .

Bu t we l ove to l isten l ik e diam on ds in th e spr in g.

I?m a l ittl e r u sty, can ?t you see?

I n eed to be patch ed-u p, th is affects m e.

It fil l s you u n til you br eak , Yet ou r del icate wor l d is in dan ger.

I feel l ik e a fail u r e.

Th e wor l d is l ik e a l ock , Som e tr y to fin d th e k ey.

Th is ju n k is l ik e a gol den tim e cl ock .

Th e el ectr ic wir es twist an d tu r n .

Isn ?t it sil l y feel in g l ik e a dol l ?

Th e str in gs ar e in a k n ot, bu t I h ope I don 't get bu r n ed.

I can 't do an yth in g at al l !

Th en th er e's th at on e per cen t wh o sh in e l ik e th e su n .

Th ey tr y to in fl u en ce u s to do ou r best, Th is I can ?t sh u n .

For we ar e par t of th e on e per cen t, a l ittl e gir l with a dr eam ,

Th e su n an d m oon dan ce ar ou n d m e.

Bein g a so-cal l ed sm ar t gir l isn ?t as easy as it m ay seem .

Th er e's so m u ch pr essu r e. I n eed to be fr ee.

Th e sm il es wer en 't r eal u n til you fou n d m e, It gets h ar d to br eath e with al l th e k n ives at m y th r oat, I l au gh ed an d it wasn ?t fak e.

I?m n ot som e dol l to be th r own ar ou n d.

You u n l ock ed th e cage, I?m fr ee!

Th en I h ear a bel l fr om a r iver boat, Ever yday we gr ow an d com pete.

Th e m or n in g h as com e.

You see? I?m br ok en .

H ope r in gs in m y ear s, W el l , m aybe.

ART BY M S SCULPTURE STUDENTS

A PRODUCTION OF M IAM I COUNTRY DAY SCH OOL