Afghanistan - A Girl’s Hope

Elle Bellew

Frantic screams I hear in the distance My country is fighting with bravery and persistence

The rich soil wilted with our peace I hope all this suffering will someday cease

My village is turning to dust and rubble It feels unfair we have to experience this struggle

This war is tearing my happiness apart But I feel a glimmer of hope in my heart

“A bright future,” my country will dream It can be a reality if we work as a team

Oh Afghanistan, may your joyless mountains be restored to their glory And may the world let prosperity and peace be our story

Soul Food and Love

Alina Tuwalski

Seeing everyone around the loveliest piece of furniture as I take a deep breath, I stop in my thought train, and admire the passion of them, my belly their bellies, moving up and down as we laugh and share our laughter with each other. When we are around this enormous, compassionate table, I feel as though all of my impending thoughts and worries vanished. Before the food, we pray to God and Jesus, thanking Them as we gather around as a beautiful family. While we are around this round dining table, eating food that was made with love and joy, that Our family, God, and Jesus cooked, I can’t think of anything better. Our love-worn hearts and minds are attuned to just each other. That kitchen In the room next to us, smells like soul food, and in the dining room, there is love in our table

Glistening Eagle

Alina Tuwalski

When walking through the forest, I stop to take a look at some of the eagle’s beauty. The eagle also looks at me, and we share a moment together, a moment where we connected. The eagle then flew to my shoulder, its distinct, blue, glistening eyes looking at me, while I was looking at it back. The shades of the sun reflected onto the eagle. Then, I gave the eagle a piece of my beef, and it gladly accepted it as a token of our newly found friendship. The bronze of the setting sun then reflected off of me, and I saw the eagle smile. My heart then leaped for joy after I saw her smile. I didn’t want to tell folks because this was our moment. Now, the eagle and I are never going to forget this special moment. I am so glad that I was blessed by God to have a new friend to share a moment with.