November 2016
Midnight Writers
Table of Contents Cover: “Oh My Gourd,” a photograph by Maleficent
This Page: “A Memory,” a photograph by Eris Page 3: Ask Aphro & Dite A magician’s rabbit just wants to sleep Fire is lonely Hypnos’ Horoscopes
Hypnos recommends music
Page 4:
“Tea,” a poem by Technicolor Zebra “Fall With Hope,” a poem by Hestia “Getting Colder,” an illustration by Mint
Page 11: “Another World,” an illustration by Sasha “When Everything Falls Apart,” a poem by Iris
Page 12: “A Closed Lipped Smile,” a short story by Andromeda “Pumpkins,” a photograph by Maleficent
Page 13: “Birds,” a photograph by The Wormy “Windlight,” a short story by AT Pacem “I Swear, You Will Wake,” a short story by AT Pacem
“Can We Keep Him,” an illustration by The Masked Lady “Don’t Trust Pandora’s Box,” an illustration by The Masked Lady “The Maid of the Devil,” a poem by The Masked Lady “The Golden Light,” a poem by IrisRainbow “My Wings,” a poem by Cheryl Zhang “Turpentine Ignition,” an illustration by Calliope “A Collection of Cordial Haikus,” a poem by Hestia
Page 14:
Page 5:
“Ring Around,” an illustration by The Masked Lady “The Forest,” a poem The Masked Lady “Mr Fuzzy,” an illustration by The Masked Lady
Page 6:
Page 15: “Wicked Games,” a short story by AT Pacem “The River,” a photograph by Stephanie
Page 16:
“The Girl Who Was All Alone,” a poem by The Masked Lady “Autumn Mornings,” a short story by Cerberus “Stars in His Eyes,” a short story by Bluejay “Wise Old Tree,” a photograph by Eris “The Contract My Mother Signed with the Devil,” an illustration by The Masked Lady “Everything You Wish For, Just One Condition,” an illustration by The Masked Lady
Page 7: “A Thousand Moons,” a song parody by Anonymous “The Burden She Gave Me,” an illustration by The Masked Lady “My Friends are Monsters,” an illustration by The Masked Lady
Page 8: “Weed and Other Things We Think We Need,” a short story by Iris “New England,” a photograph by Stephanie
Page 9: “Rose,” an illustration by Pandora Hearts “Footpath,” a poem by Aradia “Nefeli,” a poem by Aradia “Young at Heart,” an illustration by Pandora Hearts
Page 10: “Fall,” an illustration by Mint “Seasons,” a poem by Technicolor Zebra
issuu.com/midnightwriters midnightwriters2017@gmail.com
Ask Aphro & Dite
Kakia’s Corner
Dear Aphro, I am feeling very threatened. I go to sleep for a while during this season, but I am woken up by some strange man in a cape with a wand pulling at my ears! Please help me, I am just trying to hibernate this winter. Sincerely, Harry R. Abbit
As this is the first publication, I thought I
Mr. R. Abbit, I am so sorry to hear about your deprivation of beauty sleep. That strange man pulling at your ears is what those humans call "magicians". For some reason, they like to pull on your ears. I will never understand why. I suggest that you defend yourself. If he pulls on ur ears, try to bite or throw some carrots at him. Or, maybe you should try to talk to the magician. If he understands that you are trying to hibernate, maybe he will stop trying to take you out of your home sweet hat. Hopefully that will help. I know I would he upset if someone woke me from my beauty sleep. Lots of Love, Aphro
and just party, I am your greek goddess.
would introduce myself. I am Kakia, “the spirit of vice and moral badness.” Basically I know how to have fun. If you are ever looking to have a fun time, relax, People say I try to make you “evil,” but really its just trying to get people to have the time of their lives. My most famous
“temptation” was that of Heracles. I did my best to sway him to my side against Arete, an exacter of justice, what a bore am I right? Long story short, people have fun with me. The world is right with me, there is no stress and all fun.
Dear Dite, I am very lonely. Sometimes people just sit by me, but they never want to get to know me or get that close to me. And if I ever try to get close to them, they scream and run out of their house. What should I do? Sincerely, F. Ire Dear F. Ire, I am so sorry to hear that you are lonely (If you ever need some relationship advice, just let me know). It seems to me that people just want you for your warmth. I know, it is so rude of people to use you like that. However, sometimes if you touch those humans, their skin can get burned. Or if you move, you could burn down their houses. That is why they scream and run away. I recommend that you just enjoy their company. I know that it may be lonely to sit by yourself, but that is just how it is. There is not much I can do for you, F. Ire, but I hope this helps. Lots of Love, Dite
This year is going to be great, especially if you listen to me, nothing can go wrong!
So, I hope you guys have a fantastic year, like the magazine, submit a lot, and eat our yummy baked goods at the magazine. I will be looking closely at you guys looking for new officers for next year, and a president for two years from now, as your current president Eris will be graduating in the year 2018. Have a great year and don’t be afraid to break some rules!
Hypnos’ Horoscopes Hey Midnighters! It’s Our first magazine of the 2016/17 school year! I can tell it is going to be amazing. You guys have already shown how creative you are! This month is music suggestions! Aries: Have you ever heard of Of Monsters Of Men? They have an amazing, unique style! Taurus: Try listening to The 2016 AMAs playlist on Spotify! Gemini: Listen to some classics this month, Throw it back to music that was at the top of the charts when you were in elementary school! Cancer: You can never go wrong with listening to some Queen! Leo: Go and listen to the Global Top 50 playlist on Spotify, see if there are songs you haven’t heard of! Virgo: Try unironically listening to boy bands, they may be cringy but they are so catchy! Libra: I am totally digging Bastille recently, they even came out with a new album! Scorpio: This month just listen to the radio, you may be surprised and find your new favorite songs! Sagittarius: Listen to oldies music, the songs are actually really good! Capricorn: The United States Top 50 playlist on Spotify has some great songs! Aquarius: Ask a friend for their music recommendations! Pisces: Go and find the first album you ever bought and give it a listen!
Special thanks to Sra. Steele, Eris, Technicolor Zebra, The Masked Lady, Hestia, AT Pacem, Callio3 pe, Dawn
“Can We Keep Him?” an illustration by The Masked Lady
The Maid of the Devil By The Masked Lady
My Wings By Cheryl Zhang He runs Faster than the wind itself His hooves beat to the rhythm of my heartbeats They create storms of dust that rise towards the heavens His eyes are vast pools of feeling so that He does not need to speak His mane flies with the wind, as though it is trying to become part of the wind itself. We ride to places Where the sky and the heavens are pushed onto the earth By a wind stronger than the wind blowing through his ears. He gives me the wings I lack Wings that rival only the wings of my imagination We fly And I’m not afraid of heights When he carries me on his powerful back I feel as if I can see the whole world I am so high up It’s like nothing else exists
Oh dear Mira Your dress! It’s all dirty The Pumpkin king wont be very happy about this As your maid I always have to look out for you Every morning I wake your sleepy head and help you out of bed I brush your finicky hair And dress you in gowns with bows and frills I make sure you eat a well-balanced meal And not just sweets that the king spoils you with I make sure you don't interrupted the king important meetings And help you learn how to read and write All I care about is you And day when you’re sad is a terrible day indeed But a day where I see you smile Is better than a million diamonds So everyday I make sure you don't run down the castles halls And I make sure you never feel alone I don't allow you play in the mud But when you do I clean the mud off I tell you when its time for bed And make sure you have washed your face I read you a story of magical worlds And watch the king say goodnight to you You are all that matters The only reason why I’m here Is to serve you With out you I’m nothing To you I’m the maid of the Pumpkin King But I’m actually The maid of the devil
“Don’t Trust Pandora’s Box,” an illustration by The Masked Lady
“Ring Around,” an illustration by The Masked Lady
If you want something so dearly Power, money, even love! The devil will grant your wish By The Masked Lady Amazing isn’t it? They say there’s a forest past the But wait town of Goldenberg Is it that simple? Where nothing grows No… no Except dark charcoal like trees The devil won’t do your wish that never bear leaves without a price People whisper When you tell the devil your wish “I hear the forest is cursed.” He will lean close to your ear and “I hear the forest is haunted.” whisper But there is one rumor that every- In exchange one in our little town knows You will have to bring your future On a full moon or present child If you go deep in the forest in the And bring them to this exact spot middle of the night in the forest A boy with horns and blood red And leave them there for me wings So I can The devil Take their soul Will be sitting on a tree trunk But again this is just a rumor Under the moon light But every few years a child goes Of course it’s just a rumor missing and never is found But people say Hmmm I wonder
The Forest
Mr. Fuzzy,” an illustration by The Masked Lady
5
The Girl Who Was All Alone By: The Masked Lady Once upon a time, there was a girl who was all alone The girl was shivering down to her bones In pitch black darkness where no light could break through The loneliness swallowed her and tears spilled out of her eyes As the droplets soaked her face The curtain of darkness opened and a boy with horns appeared The boy asked the girl “Why are you crying?” “ Because I’m scared and all alone.” Cried the girl The boy lifted his hand and stroked the girls head “ You don't have to be sad anymore.” The boy calmly said Before the girl could react the boy put something heavy in her hands To her great surprise it was a small jack o lantern The girl began to smile and her tears stopped “ How would you like to stay with me in my castle.” the boy asked “ And then we both don't need to be lonely anymore.” “ A castle? What castle?” The girl stuttered. To the girls astonishment the darkness melted away to reveal In the distance a towering castle of rich grays and gold “ But-but I don't even know your name.” The girl stuttered “ I have many names but you can call me the pumpkin king.” The girl laughed so hard that her cheeks became a cherry red “ Why pumpkins?” The girl chuckled “Let me show you.” The boy replied The boy lent her his hand and she gratefully took it The girl no longer felt scared or lonely Instead she felt something she never felt before Happy “Everything You Wish For, Just One Condition,” an illustration by The Masked Lady
6
The Contract My Mother Signed with the Devil,” an illustration by The Masked Lady
Stars in His Eyes By: Bluejay Our love is that of the stars, harmonious and beautiful yet stronger than any force on the earth. Everyday I wake to see your smile, and it’s what drives me to keep living. The radiant warming aura that surrounds you is heavenly, almost unreal, and it fills my soul with incredible happiness. Your love melts the ice in my soul, lifting me up from the deepest abyss to the highest mountain. Without you I am lost; merely a shadow in the winter, forever bound to the darkness and cold. You burn brighter than every star in the night sky, and I can see galaxies reflected in your eyes. When we are together I feel your divine touch, and for once in my life I know everything will be okay. All the earth-shattering forces of nature cannot even begin to compare to the feeling I get when I’m with you; not even the blazing power of a fire or the devastating winds of a hurricane. Your love burns within me stronger than any fire; a feeling unexplainable and undefinable. You are my mind, my body, and my soul. The stars cannot come close to the brightness and purity of your being. My heart is forever yours; forever bound to yours, and I will love you for all of time.
A Thousand Moons
“The Burden She Gave Me,” an illustration by The Masked Lady
(Parody of Christina Perry) By Anonymous My heart aches They live long before us What could I do? How long do I wait before you come back? But as the moon circles wide, Not a moment passes that I don’t hurt inside. One day closer I have died everyday waiting for you Sister, don’t be afraid I have loved you For a thousand years I’ll love you for a thousand more Time stands still Perfect in all she is I will be brave I will never again send away The one I have always loved Every spell Every student has led to now One day closer
“My Friends are Monsters,” an illustration by The Masked Lady
I have died everyday waiting for you Sister, don’t be afraid I have loved you For a thousand years I’ll love you for a thousand more And all along I knew that you would find me Time has hurt more than you know I have waited for a thousand years I'll hurt for you a thousand more One day closer One day closer I have died everyday waiting for you Sister, don’t be afraid I have loved you For a thousand years I’ll love you for a thousand more And all along I knew that you would find me Time has hurt more than you know I have waited for a thousand years I'll hurt for you a thousand more 7
On Weed and The Things We Think We Need By Iris It took long enough for Mother Nature to come to her senses and realize that Autumn was supposed to enter a few scenes ago, but that’s old news now. The crisp, cool, fall air has finally settled around us. I used to to love this season, but those days ended long ago. Now fall is a friendly reminder that we have chosen a life that revolves around AP course and Ivy League dreams. The key word here is chosen. Did we really choose this? Or is it someone else’s dream that was given to us before we had the sense to ask what it meant? There’s a man that stands on a DC corner almost everyday. The first time I saw him I was wrapped up in my jacket with a hood over my head and a steaming Starbucks in my hand. He was my opposite. He was in canvas slippers, baggy yoga pants, a t shirt, and a ragged scarf. He had a beard and a man- bun and looked like he belonged in a hipster coffee shop in California. His warm- weather attire didn’t strike me as that strange because he didn’t look cold in the slightest. The frigid, fall air bounced off him while the sun beat down over his shoulders. He held a cardboard sign with the words “I NEED MONEY FOR WEED” carefully penned onto it in giant block letters. He carried no bag to put money in. He didn’t walk up and down the island to stare longingly at drivers in stopped cars. He just stood there with his sign and a giant smile on his face. I don’t know if the man actually needed drug money. He already looked pretty satisfied standing there with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. In fact, he looked more than just satisfied. He looked happy. That’s not a look I see everyday. It’s a rare sight. It’s the kind of sight that makes me write about it because who knows when I’ll next see a person who looks so genuinely happy. That was the more likely point of the sign. Not to beg, but to make everyone do a double take when they saw him, laughed, and then realized they were jealous of his happiness. His satisfaction. His freedom. He’s not held down by societal expectations or the constant white noise of income numbers and college names. He’s just a guy who wants some weed so he’s going to get it. Before you either a) run away from home to become a panhandler or b) roll your eyes and pull out your BC Calculus homework, ask yourself what you really want. Ignore all the noise. I’m not judging you if that thing is weed. I’m not calling you basic if that thing is Starbucks. Go get that thing. Autumn doesn’t just have to be about SAT scores and GPAs. It could be about those little things that make you happy too. Getting into your dream school is going to be so much sweeter if you do it with happiness in your heart rather than just a list of things to do in order to fit a certain image. “New England,” a photograph by Stephanie
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“Rose,” an illustration by Pandora Hearts
Footpath By Aradia Many years I've traveled this path Sometimes running Sometimes walking Sometimes sitting down to cry But I always get up Brush myself off And onward I unsteadily venture The darkness under my eyes And the stardust in my hair
Are not mine But neither are they yours There are no riches to be found No friends to be made No reward for my travels But nowhere else will I find peace And the purest version of myself Than the end of the avenue of the world
Nefeli By Aradia When I was younger I used to skip lunch to play piano I'd run to the empty band room And play until my fingers were red
They had friends, family to eat with I had blood relatives but no family And many good people but no friends
“Young at Heart, “ an illustration by Pandora Hearts
Years have passed since then
I still play piano, though not as often It still feels like a hole in my I liked playing piano, but heart That wasn't When I play the pieces I What I was thinking of played back then When my fingers pressed But now is different, now is Against the black and white something new In all reality, I was I have people, I have places, Terribly lonely and I have myself I am far from lonely, though When people would compli- sometimes alone ment my diligence Or even how it sounded Perhaps when all of time has I'd smile with tight lips passed on And tighter teeth When I, too, am no more If they liked it so much Another lonely soul will Why didn't they stay touch those keys awhile? And I wish them well, I wish them well forevermore I knew why, of course, I was no fool
9
“Fall,” an illustration by Mint
Tea By Technicolor Zebra Seasons Pink sky Stars are fading
Seasons change and years will end Oh I know this but I want to pretend So I will just here sipping my tea
Crimson leaves
But memories will start to fade
Autumn falling
And oh I just dont want them to More will be made I know But I dont want my tea party to end Same old place, same old me
Just like it will always be And i wont waste my life away
Blue moon
I promise
Stars are flowing
But for now, I will be here
Dark night
Just sipping my tea
Winter snowing -Technicolor Zebra
Fall With Hope By Hestia In this frigid weather, Arms cover themselves in wool and feather, In fear of the early evening chill, And the world lies still.
The trees shed their skins, To wash away past sins, As the green vibrancy wanes, An ombre of yellow and red remains, In the midst of empty decay, There is color. So brush off the cold dusty wind, Reach for the warmth from within, For that glimmer of light, 10
Oh, what a lovely sight. “Getting Colder,” an illustration by Mint
“Another World,� an illustration by Sasha
When Everything Falls Apart By Iris What people don't get is that nothing right out explodes. Worlds don't just fall apart. Hearts don't just change. Everything builds up. You break for a while. You keep picking up the pieces and gluing them back together Until the pieces are too small But you keep gluing Until there's just glue and lies And that's when everything
falls 11
A Close Lipped Smile By Andromeda I drum my hands against the hard wood of the coffee table. My coffee long since gone stale. I look at my watch and let out a heavy sigh. Finally, Sheila walks in. Her red Gucci heels and prada pink purse outlandish in the humble little store. She sweeps her blonde hair off her shoulders and her baby blue eyes trace the store before finding mine. She strolls over to my table, heels clacking on the floor, and shakes out her soggy black coat. Pulling out a chair, she scrapes it against the floor next to her, she hesitates. “Take a seat,” I say. She smiles politely, and I smile tentatively back. Once she’s sitting down, she folds her hands in her lap and her gaze turns to the large window to the left, her head tilted slightly away from me, watching the leaves fall outside. I clear my throat. “So, it's been awhile? How’ve you been?” ‘Mmm, Fine.” After that we’re both quiet, neither one of us much for small talk, and so we sit in slightly awkward silence, more so on my part than hers. A short and stubby man passes by us, he looks at her for a long time and then walks away, but he’s still gazing at her. “That mans staring at you. I think you’ve got a stalker.” Her head turns around at that moment and she glances behind her. The man's eyes widen and quickly dart away, his face beet red. She calmly turns back around her lips tilted up slightly in silent amusement. “Who knows, there's all kinds of freaks out there these days.” Suddenly bored, the moment passes and her eyes, turn back around to stare out the window. I notice the scarf wrapped around her neck and the long sleeves of her shirt. “Bit warm to be wearing so many layers.” “Really, I think it’s a bit drafty. It’s already Autumn really.” 12
I frown. Unconsciously my eyes drift to her hands, the ones now resting under her chin, and I think about how smooth and white they always were. Holding them was like grasping fine silk; loose and soft. I just stare at them now and swallow deeply. I ask, “How’s college?” “It’s okay. Same parties same people.” “That a new purse?” My hands clench. “Yes, I just got it yesterday. Suites me don’t you think?” “Yeah it looks great with those heels. What’s your major?” My teeth grind. “Fashion and design, but I might drop out.” “Oh really, why?” I scream at myself to say something, anything. “Recently someone close to me said I should spend less on things that don’t matter and more on my relationships. Besides college, isn’t really my schtick.” “Ha, ha. That so, well I wish I could just drop out.” Lies. Lies. Lies. “Totally.” After that I can’t think of anything to say. It’s like my throats just closes, up. She’s still staring out the window, oblivious to my reaction. Her eyes move back and forth, tracing the cars gliding by in a rush of speed and water.The light of the lamp above us illuminates her hair, creating this golden halo around her head, and I feels tiny tears well up in my eyes. I think about the first time I met her and the way she shook my hand, always leaning away, keeping this careful distance. Her mouth tipped in a closed lipped glossy pink smile. She was always so mysterious and compelling, she kept you hanging on her every word. She turns around and looks at me. She doesn't say anything, although she must see that something's wrong, she just study's me for a moment, and stands up from her seat. “I think it’s about time I get going. It was nice catching up.” Her voice doesn't change, but she isn’t looking at me when she says it. She can’t. “Alright.” I say standing up. I pause, “Hug?” She considers me again, and her eyes soften, “Okay.”
Her arms raise up and close around me and just barely beneath her shirt I can see the purple and black bruises that I just knew would be there, and I think about him. I think about that man, and I think about how much I hated him. And I think about how he criticized her and belittled her. I think about the bruises and the insults and the names. How much he cared what people thought about him, and how he knew it what he did was wrong but still kept doing it anyways. I think how If you asked him about their break-up, he wouldn’t tell you just how long it took her to finally wise up after defending him at every chance, after making excuses at every concerned questioned. And he’d never tell you how he begged her to take him back, but he was a coward and that's the kind of crap a coward pulls. But I’m a coward too, so I don’t say anything, just struggle to hold my tears back, and she doesn't say anything either. Eventually she pulls away and picks up her purse, the ends of her fingers are bitten and bloody. Their color is no longer a creamy white, but a sickly and pale. Holding her jacket she turns around to look at me, her eyes dull and empty, but her lips still turn up in that same damn closed lipped, glossy pink, smile. “Later.” she says casually. “Later.” I whisper back.
“Pumpkins,” a photograph by Maleficent
“Birds,” a photograph by The Wormy
Windlight I Swear, You Will Wake
By AT Pacem By AT Pacem
good morning, i say, watching as it rolls off my tongue and kisses your arm where i’m pressed to your skin, and waiting, waiting, waiting for the sun to recolor your eyes and lips for me to find. the wind slips in, and takes off her robe before lying next to our bodies and brushing our hair over with cold. i curl in next to you, close my eyes, and wait for the wind to leave us be. she chuckles low in my ear.
she gets up with kisses pressed to our cheeks and you cradle mine, eyes finally open and cheeks as red as the red maple leaf that i plucked off your backpack on our way someplace i couldn’t pronounce with my awkward tongue and your effortless breath through the color palette of leaves by our worn sneakers. you, like me, love the sound of the wind through the trees. i remember wiping off chocolate ice cream from the corner of your mouth with my thumb, and the face you pulled when i stuck my thumb in my mouth before i got up to throw another log in the fireplace. the wind dances by again and sits on the couch next to us, and i move your arm over my shoulders with my lips pressed to your neck. you, like me, love the breathless laughter through air that shocks the lungs. but you left when the sun came out.
I remember a morning, with a sky so blue I could see the stars in my eyes and the moon in my hair turning it white and spilling down the astral truths we all want to know and hold dear but I couldn’t hear it past the black hole in my head that made it all go silent before I could look down and see my hands go grey. Good morning, sweet sun. What is there to asphyxiate over again, today? what is there to beg and plead over, to pray and cry over with the one I don’t choose to see? Good morning, sweet sun. tell me what it is I have to suffer through today when I can’t see the girl whose reflection stares back at me and demands to be answered. I don’t want to look at her and her imperfections when I can’t stand my own skin, living in it aches. I can ignore it for what I am and ignore the pinpricks behind my eyes. I can ignore it for the greater something beyond me that’s found in the crevices of music, in the color of the stars, in the way the orange blossom opens and closes, a child’s cry, distant and loud all at once and I feel that it is only temporary, these cries, because there’s something in me in us in the ways we live in the ways we let our mouths snap shut and our hearts open and spill out onto our sleeves and I am suddenly so in love with being able to live and feel and cry that I just. stop and take a breath. how beautiful it is to cry and be loved, to be so human the heart spreads its roots that curl into my veins and tear glands and how beautiful it is, how beautiful it is to cry and be so innately human and to be something beyond what I am. how beautiful it is, to be able to cry and breathe.
The Golden Light
I went on a few day trip with my family to California. I was waiting and waiting for a response. Soon after the few day trip you came to my Aurora, Aurora we were the bestest of door. friends. To give me a note enclosed in an envelope. Middle school started and I found a group I wanted to know if you could chat and that I was friends with outside of school come in. and now they go to the same school as me. You weren't unfortunately, The Golden Light shimmered and then it you had to hurry back home to run an ershrunk. rand with your mother. When I tried not to neglect you and abanWhen you said goodbye and started to doned you as I was interested in my other head home. friends I knew for a long time. I shut the door. But somehow I did. I tore open the envelope The Golden Light started to shrink. and read your folded message. Darkness started to kick in. In summary it read One day I was sad or depressed a lot of people might say. I forgave you, but I don't want to be your My depression moved to you and I said to friend anymore and I want a gracious go make other friends. associate. I regretted what I said (in my thoughts) right away afterwards. I was crushed, heartbroken. I knew it was already too late. I talked to my therapist about it many The Golden Light was starting to evapotimes. rate. She gave good advice. I knew our friendship was waning. I didn't know what the gracious associate I was naive to think that it wouldn't be all meant. gone. So I stuck with what the gracious associate The darkeness and depression got worst. could mean. I went through a lot of hard times, I say Hi to you while were at school still. but slowly I got better. You say Hi back. A lot of time later, I saw you at a show We talk sometimes, but usually just a with your new friends. lunch period or a few sentences. Several days later I went to your door. The Golden Light long evaporated. With my toy poodle named Carrie. I wish I was your friend again. I said I was sorry for what I did. I really regret what I did. I told you all of the personal stuff I did. I still want to know what the gracious asWe had a nice little chat afterwards. sociate means. Then you told me to go it was getting dark. The Golden Light now never exists. I contacted you to see if we could hang out during the break.
By Iris Rainbow
A Collection of Cordial Haikus By Hestia Take in the cool breeze For it means no harm at all Autumn is now here As the nights grow long Take some time out of your day And watch the leaves fall Use a few minutes Admire the red and yellow Before time runs out Greet days with delight Welcome the new color and sight Smile with all your might It’s a time of change Often not a road paved smooth But enough to rise Set back and relax Reach for blankets and hot tea Close your eyes and sleep
“Turpentine Ignition,” an illustration by Calliope
Wicked Games
The sunlight’s bronzing your already
between the gaps in the mortar holding
By AT Pacem
tanned cheeks and you laugh past
the bricks together,
your Ray-Bans into the air
and oftentimes it’s the wind blowing
and for the briefest moment I want us to
through your
crash because it wouldn’t be painful for
hair that makes the river flow faster and
Is there anything I love more than you? No, of course not. How absurd a thought is that, to think that every breath I took wasn’t an essence of you.
me to wrap my body around yours when the sun shine brighter and the car hits and I save you
suddenly i’m so in love with the prospect
even as my lungs collapse and my ribs
of loving you
give in i’d be able to kiss you
that i crawl under the covers for longer
Every breath I took was for the redolence of your lips on mine.
I wanted to know what it felt like to sit in silence with you
one last time, with the heat of the sun on and wish we can stay here forever. my back ice compared to the touch of
knowing the circus in our heads was soft
your skin.
enough to stop the thunder through the ambience.
can see the ocean roll by the countryside
to have you
good.
think of me a million miles away before
We kiss at a midnight stoplight and I
but the clocks won’t stop moving and before you know it, we’ll be looking up at the faces of days
my feet crushed the mountains and
keep a hand in your hair while you drive.
choked the rivers dry so I could come
The moon’s brighter by the sea and the
to come, hand in hand, crying maybe. and we’ll leave behind all we’ve ever done like roses in the dark.
salt tastes sweet when we run in with each push of the
No.
i want to, i want to with all the breath
You miss our exit and laugh because you left in me
I wanted to know what it would feel like with us and it’s all okay and fine and
home to you.
you tell me we can, and i want to,
waves and crash knee-first into the sand.
you hate getting out of bed.
I wanna fall in love with you. What a wicked game you play.
“The River,” a photograph by Stephanie
We’re driving through Italian hills with Spanish cheese and Mornings are brisk and quiet with French wine in the backseat and Chris
your guitar echoing
Isaak crooning through the speakers 15
Autumn Mornings By Cerberus The late autumn air was cold enough that Owen could see the curling cloud of his breath lingering in front of his face before dissipating into the chill. Splotches of soft, pale pink were rising in his cheeks as the cold brushed against his skin, making his face feel slightly numb. He wore a navy long-sleeve shirt underneath a heavy, olive-colored, wool sweater that smelled faintly of Misha’s deodorant. Thick, black leggings showed through the fraying rips in Owen’s jeans.
kissed his cheeks, overpowering the cold.
He watched Misha carefully. For a moment, his dark brown eyes widened in surprise and his eyebrows disappeared Misha sat crisscross with his beneath his curls the way they always knees pressed against the railing and his did when Owen said I love you first. thigh brushing against Owen’s leg. At And then his expression softened, bliss the gentle contact, Owen’s entire world spreading into his smile, the corners of shifted from the vast sea of green neehis eyes crinkling ever so slightly. dles to Misha. Misha’s skin was painted with constellations of freckles and un“I love you too,” Misha said, derneath is black crewneck he was paint- leaning over to kiss Owen’s cheek, his ed with tattoos. His soft, unruly curls fell lips warm on Owen’s cold skin. into his face, the brown waves stark Owen pulled his legs out from against the pale of his skin. Small, white between the railings and turned on his scars decorated his knuckles and his side, resting his cheek on Misha’s thigh. knees, cutting through the constellations. Misha pulled his fingers gently through But there was more to Misha Owen’s hair, an automatic response to than scars, and freckles, and curls. BeOwen’s affection. Closing his eyes, Owhind the deep brown of his eyes was en listened to the world waking up while warmth and laughter that made Owen Misha played with his hair. Three words melt every time Misha’s gaze passed didn’t seem enough to express how imover him. His bright smile was reckless- portant and incredible Misha was, but ness and bravery that got them into trou- Owen couldn’t come up with anything ble more times than Owen could count. else. There was unresolved anger and defensiveness in his fists but unconditional love and gentleness in his fingers. He could speak loud enough for both of them but he would whisper Owen’s name like it was a secret.
He sat on the balcony of their cabin, his legs dangling over the edge through the gaps in the railing as he looked out on the expanse of trees that surrounded him. Birds hopped across the branches, twittering sharply to each other as dawn turned into early morning. Scatters of the sunrise shined above the distant, snow-tipped mountains, until the heavy overcast swallowed the light whole. The scent of pine mixed with the indistinct aroma of soft dirt, morning cold, and the earth after a long rain filled Owen’s lungs, leaving him with a serene Owen could spend hours lookfeeling that only the isolation of nature ing at Misha, watching the way he could give him. moved, listening to him talk. Yet, no The only thing that could be bet- matter how many words he used, he ter than this is if Misha was sitting with would never be able to truly describe him and they could enjoy the scenery him. And he would never be able to together. tell Misha how beautiful he was or how much he loved him. Frustration As if he’d read Owen’s mind, bubbled up inside him whenever he Misha walked out onto the balcony a tried to express his feelings because few minutes later, his heavy boots thumping against the wood deck. With- the right words were never available. out a word, he handed Owen a muted Wanting to express at least a blue mug filled with tea and took a seat fraction of how he felt, Owen quietly beside him. The heat of the ceramic was said, “I love you.” warm against Owen’s bare fingertips. He lifted the mug to his lips and the steam
“Wise Old Tree,” a photograph by Eris