Prairie Ridge High School Literary Magazine 2017-2018

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Table of Contents “From Dawn til Dusk” – Abby Klimkowski

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“Dawn” – Hope Yeomans

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“If” – Zoe Riordan; Photograph – Emily Zanzola; “Butterflies in My Stomach, Flowers in My Lungs” – Katie Svehla; Photograph – Emily Zanzola “Tidal Waves” – Katie Svehla; Photograph – Emily Zanzola “No More Dirty Cycles” – Zoe Riordan “The Window Above the Sink” – Michael Randles; Photograph – Brian Williams; Poem – Christa Maheras; “Cat” – Audrey Mackie Photos – Saffron Durrant, Emily Zanzola; Art – Abby Klimkowski “Unseen” – Anonymous “Go My Own Way” – Allyson Akerberg; “Perspective” – Julianne Whitcher “Not So Slim Sharky” – Slim Sharky; Artwork – Audrey Mackie; “Marbles” – Jarred Tabor “Day” – Hope Yeomans “Dance of the Chased” – Cori Costello; “Water Lily at Botanic Gardens” – Danielle Lobenhofer; Photograph – Emily Keck “Homecoming Date: An Original Comedy” – Neha Konjeti

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“Yellow Paint” – Becca Elston; Photo – Saffron Durrant “Planet Dance” – Jillian Lenczewski “A Moment of Reflection” – Brian Williams Two Poems – Christa Maheras; “Cotton Candy” – May La Rue

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Untitled Poem by Rory Bis-Markel; Artwork – Heidi Goodale

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“A Burning Life” – Olivia Canania; Photograph – Emily Zanzola

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“A Case of the Blues” – May La Rue “Waves” – May La Rue

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“Every Second Counts – Isabelle Meyers; Photograph – Emily Zanzola; Artwork – Abby Klimkowski “Darkened” – Brandon Salvo; Photograph – Brian Williams “Sunset Skies” – May La Rue; Photograph – Emily Zanzola “You’re Leaving” – Morgan Taylor; “Regret” – Carmina Atienza; Artwork – Abby Klimkowski

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“Pop” – Jillian Lenczewski; Poem – Anonymous Poet; Photograph – Jaimee Schneider

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Artwork – Emily Keck; “Impossibly Standardized Impossible Standards” – Zoe Riordan

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“Ease” – May La Rue

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Poetry –Anonymous; “Burning Paper” –Jessica Angeles

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“Keep Record” – Allyson Akerberg

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Artwork – Alexis Teuber

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“Focus” – May La Rue

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Photograph – Colin Akers; “The Great Barrier” – Anonymous “Injustice” – Zoe Riordan; Photograph – Haley Falat “Mind Games” – Jillian Lenczewski; Photograph – Jake Brown

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“The Janus Effect” – Jackee Schneider

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Poem – Anonymous Poet; Photograph – Emily Zanzola; Artwork – Joshua Friedberg

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Photograph – Josie Sidi

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“9-11” – Allyson Akerberg; “Zendaya” – Neha Konjeti; Photograph – Emily Zanzola

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Artwork – Joee Cortina

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“Dusk” – Hope Yeomans

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Acknowledgements

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“Critical Thinking” – Zoe Riordan; Photograph – Benny Wong

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“Sunset” – Kaitlin Martin

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Poem – Christa Maheras; Artwork – Emmalee Barber, Connor Lieurance “What Love Does for Us” – Carmina Atienza; Landscape Sketch – Aurora Bis Markel “Flower” – Anonymous Photographer Two Photographs – Emily Zanzola

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From Dawn til Dusk Prairie Ridge High School Literary Magazine Spring 2018 Edition

THE ROSTRUM – A stage for public speaking Spring 2018 – Volume XVI 3

“Dawn” by Hope Yeomans 4

Take hold of the hand They’ll lead the way It doesn’t matter how far one must travel It doesn’t matter how long it takes Wait for the chance to unravel The acquired newfound strength Restart.

If

By Zoe Riordan Their eyes, they sink deep Like the sinking sun They can’t get any sleep They have got to run Away from their tears For the worst of their fears has begun

They’re headstrong Who knows how long mentally They’ve already been gone No longer shall they mope Entwined with hope They feel renewed Refreshed After the blizzards of snow In spring comes a rainbow Restart.

They notice the glimmer of a predator’s eye The forest shivers As it passes by The storm keeps on blowing But they hustle hurriedly going For they still have the world to defy

Photograph by Emily Zanzola 5

Butterflies in My Stomach, Flowers in My Lungs

By Katie Svehla why would I kill something that makes me feel so alive?

Breathing shouldn’t be difficult breathing should be a reflex that you don’t have to think about But breathing doesn’t come easy when there are flowers growing Inside of my lungs

Choices.

I should choose to put myself first I should choose to let the flowers die off I should choose.

Beauty made toxic How does something so gorgeous have the ability to stop me from breathing? how could flowers possibly keep me from living my life?

I chose water.

Water keeps flowers alive.

I was never good at being mean You knew that.

That’s why you gave me flowers You gave me something that I’d have to take care of instead of myself

You brought me flowers flowers that now take up all the space in my lungs and i can’t breathe I can’t breathe I Can’t Breathe.

I killed the flowers I gave them to you.

But how do you kill something that makes you feel so alive?

-”Some things you let go in order to live.”

Photograph by Emily Zanzola 6

Tidal Waves

By Katie Svehla

No More Dirty Cycles

By Zoe Riordan

She was destruction the lovely kind that draws you in

Always in the unclean pile She rips her away Since it’s covered in bile Biodegradable They say It’s non-negotiable We all know She’ll go in Head first First gets hurt the worst

With her auburn hair and rosy cheeks The sun woke up every morning just to see her

They’ll claim they love her But won’t care as she suffers She’s cursed Allured by alternate cures Of atrocious false promises Guilt trips leave the criminals Guiltless

Without fail her eyes would laugh and her smile lit up the room Her with her elegant peach glow

She wants her to be able to walk unafraid No longer stumbling, but with a stride She needs for her to talk with conviction on her face To be herself with pride She wills her to step out into the world with grace She can She will

Leaving you wondering what it would feel like to touch her skin Leaving you empty and wishing you had never met your Destruction

Photograph by Emily Zanzola 7

The Window Above the Sink

By Michael Randles

An Untitled Poem

By Christa Maheras

Squirrels

I have always had a house I’ve even had two, But I’ve never had home Until I met you.

Fat as Old McDonald’s prized pumpkin Flock to the patio Waiting for Snow White to walk out of her suburban home Sunlight spills into the kitchen Illuminating it with tender orange and pulpy yellow Oma comes to check the oven And, like a teacher In her quiet classroom, Lovingly admires her beautiful sanctuary

“Cat” by Audrey Mackie

Photograph by Brian Williams 8

Unseen By an anonymous poet Drowning, drowning, drowning, but no one can see.

Drowning, drowning, drowning, please look at me.

Crying, crying, crying, no one else can hear.

Crying, crying, crying, you know that I am here.

Looking, looking, looking, everyone is blind.

Looking, looking, looking, who do I hide behind?

Thinking, thinking, thinking, What should I do?

Thinking, thinking, thinking, if only someone knew.

Floating, floating, floating, no one seems to know.

Floating, floating, floating, maybe I should go?

Flying, flying, flying, somewhere far away.

Flying, flying, flying, hoping I can stay. Â

Photograph by Saffron Durrant

Photograph by Emily Zanzola Â

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Artwork by Abby Klimkowski

“Go My Own Way”

by Allyson Akerberg

“Perspective”

by Julianne Whitcher 10

Not So Slim Sharky

By Slim Sharky Drop that beat!

Turn it up!

I'm the tiger of sea Everyone wants to be me The clams wish they had my killer teeth And the barnacles wish they had my hot underbelly Oh yeah!

I smell blood from a mile away They are my next prey But I turned vegan yesterday Soooo...

My mate said "Watch yo weight!"

My mate put me in a class Weightwatchers for sharks But, I can't pass I am losing hope!

I tried eating seaweed And just say "nope!"

I am getting hangry And all my mate does is Stare at me blankly!

Drop the bass!

BOOM SHAKA LAKA! I broke up with my mate I now eat 10,000 calories a day I can't fit through the cracks of the coral anymore But, I am still loving my sharkiness Even if I may look a mess, I feel no pain Cuz my mate is gone And I feel no strain I love my gills And my fins don't make me paranoid Cause now I don't take steroids I love my nice tail, Even if it is a bit pale Cuz, it's the only one I got And I can't buy a new tail Cuz, I'm outta the Black Market retail Ever since the jellyfish incident That led to that krill imprisonment I am the sharkiest shark You can try me But, I love myself Inside and out I love that I'm made out of cartilage Having no bones is marvelous!

Slim Sharky will be back,

Artwork by Audrey Mackie

“Marbles” by Jarred Tabor

He's chasing a twinkie Cuz, he needs a snack!

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“Day” by Hope Yeomans 12

Dance of the Chased

By Cori Costello I waited and waited on the rocks by the sea, For hours and hours, alone with the breeze.

Salt on my tongue, unpleasant yet sweet, Reminded me of the creatures I seek.

Blanketing the life that dwelled beneath, The water, it glistened, glittered and gleamed.

I waited and waited on the rocks by the ocean, For the appearance of what gives me emotion.

Their black and white body, Never did it show; Hidden away In the depths below

Photograph by Emily Keck

The dream I chased would remain on my list For the orcas never came, they stayed shrouded in mist I had come all this far, Just for a taste; Of the salty sea air, And the dance of the chased.

Photograph by Emily Keck

“Water Lily at Botanic Gardens”

by Danielle Lobenhofer 13

Homecoming Date An Original Comedy by Neha Konjeti Raj (Indian accent): Tubby nerd in hopes of getting Felicia to be his homecoming date Felicia (high-pitched): Awkward teenager who wants a hot date to homecoming Zac (deep voice): Football player who wants homework answers Felicia: Homecoming is this week and I’m super prepared.

Overpriced ticket: CHECK! Shoes: My eight-inch pumps that I will take off the moment I get in, CHECK! Makeup: Eh, I’ll just WING IT, CHECK! Money for coat check: CHECK! Super-hot date: (long pause) Shoot I don’t have a date! I should ask the hottest guy in school...the captain of the CHESS CLUB! I'd like to check his king! CHECK mate!

Reality check... he's way out my league.

Instead I’ll ask Zac, the captain of the football team. I CAN FOOL HIM! Because we have chemistry...first period.

He CHOSE ME to be his partner...lab partner.

But we hit it off and then he asked me for my number...number of copper atoms.

You know what? Zac is one compound of copper and tellurium C U T E cute!!!

Oh no! He’s coming over here! (Big wave) Zac: Hey, Felicia, can you give me the answers to the science homework?

Felicia: But, Zac, you’re the answer to my every question.

Zac: Did you even do the homework?

Felicia: Homework? What about homecoming? YOU, me, tonight?

Zac: I have football homework.

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Felicia: Football homework? I can do that for you FREE OF CHARGE. Zac: I have to go to class. Bye Felicia!

Felicia: See you later… alligator. Nailed it!

Felicia: I have 8 hours, 24 min, and 34 seconds, according to my Zac countdown – plenty of time!

Raj: Hey Felicia would you like my nuts… mixed nuts?

Felicia: No, I had my fair share.

Raj: Are you sure? They're extra salty!

Felicia: Raj, what are you doing here?

Raj: I came here to give you a kiss… Hershey's?

Felicia: and?

“Ease” by May La Rue

Raj: Are you going to homecoming?

Felicia: Oh, yeah, I’m going with Zac.

Raj; WHAT? He’s so dumb. He failed Driver’s Ed because he couldn’t remember the color of stop sign. I conduct experiments in my free time. Turns out he has fewer brain cells than a chicken – than a CHICKEN! Felicia: Well, you sound like a chicken.

Raj: WHAT? I don’t sound like a chicken! (flaps arms) Well, Zac is a chicken.

Felicia: He’s one hot, tasty nugget! I mean I know everything about him. I follow all of his Instagram fan accounts: the one for his dreamy eyes, bicycle seat jawline, and you know what (looks down).

Raj: OHHH I follow that one, too. That’s my personal favorite. It makes me want to turn on... post notifications.

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Raj: Zac may be a SNACK but I'm a buffet. First come first serve!

Felicia: But Zac hasn't asked me out yet. (sigh) Raj: (sarcastic) He hasn't asked you! I know why...I hate to break it to you, but Zac has a girlfriend. She’s a cheerleader, so she’s obviously better than you.

Felicia: I’m doomed. It’ll be like last year, someone spilled lemonade on my dress.

Raj: And it looked like you peed yourself. I remember that really well. Why don’t you look up a way to ask a guy like Zac out?

Felicia: Yeah, on YouTube, the most credible source ever.

Raj: Have you been in AP Sem.? Maybe you could ask someone better. Someone with very high IQ…. I like you... what?

Felicia: Hey, there's a video with a Russian woman.

Russian Lady: If boy don’t like you, drink 2 shots of vodka and END HIM!

“Keep Record”

by Allyson Akerberg

Felicia: I can’t do that. Zac is my fairytale ending.

Raj: he might just be the end of your innocence if you keep this up.

(Awkward pause) Okaaay, come on, I can find better video from my camera roll, I mean, YouTube.

Indian lady: Children today, I'm going to teach you how to make INDIAN CURRY. Raj: WRONG video.

Indian lady: Girls and boys, mostly girls, if you want to ask out boy, you should ask boy who is Captain of math team, science Olympiad, and Scholastic team. NO football players or naughty boys.

Felicia: Isn’t that your mom?

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Raj: No, there’s no way. I would have had time to plan this so you wouldn’t ask Zac to homecoming...what?? Oh, great, Zac's coming, and your face just got as red as the stop sign he couldn’t identify.

Zac: Hey, Felicia, did you hear my team is most likely going to be state champs this year?

Felicia: I heard!

Raj: I also heard that you’re least likely to graduate this year as well.

Zac: Hey, shut up, Tiny.

Raj: I'm not tiny. I'm funsize! Hear that, Felicia? (wink) Felicia: Zac, are you here to ask me for homecoming?

Zac: Felicia, I came here to tell you that you’re trash, but I’d like to take you out… to homecoming! Picture this: you and me jamming out to my English essay that’s due at midnight, no pressure. What do you say?

Felicia: Ye..

Raj: Noooooo. Zac, I challenge you to a dance battle.

Zac: Are you sure? I’m good at everything, football, xbox…. football, eating… while playing football. Oh, did I mention ... football?

Raj: Can you beat this? “All the single ladies, all the single ladies. Now put your hands up. OOOOOOMMM!” Felicia: Zac, it’s your turn.

Artwork by Alexis Teuber

Zac: “Who let the dogs out?

WHO WHO WHO WHO” Raj: Don’t you see, he’s a dog. You have to let the dog out. YOU GOT TO LET HIM GO! Felicia: Zac, you let my HEART out.

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Felicia: My answer is ye..

Raj: No, wait, the essay is due next week.

Zac: Sweet. I have plans. Bye, Felicia Felicia: I can’t believe he just ditched me. You’re right I shouldn’t date cocky idiots with abs.

Raj: Yeah, you should date smarties with...NO abs.

Felicia: Well, do you…

Raj: Yes? Felicia: Do you want to ask your brother if he’d want to go to homecoming with me?

Raj: WHAT??

You’re into my brother?

Felicia: He’s the Captain of the Chess Club

“Focus” by May La Rue

Raj: The one academic club I’m not captain of. You gotta be kidding me! Well, he’s visiting Tattoine.

Felicia: Tattoine, like in Africa?

Raj: Yeah, sure, it’s not like some Star Wars reference.

Felicia: Well do you want to go?

Raj: Yes, I WAS BORN READY!

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An Untitled Poem

By Christa Maheras Red always looked good on you, But as for me, I favored blue.

When your red fingertips Marble-mixed with My blue-bruised hips, All I wanted Was nothing more Than a pair of Violet lips.

-My room always smells like lavender after you leave.

Artwork by Emmalee Barber

Artwork by Connor Lieurance 19 Â

But it can also make us generous Love can make us foolish But it can make us wise Love can make us reckless But it can make us diligent Love can break us But it can also heal us People do crazy things when they’re in love Just for someone they admire Just for someone they care about Just for someone who believes they’re worth it

What Love Does for Us

By Carmina Atienza Love can affect us It makes us go crazy and insane But mostly warm and safe Good people can become bad people Bad people can become good people Love can make us greedy

Landscape Sketch by Aurora Bis Markel 20

Photograph by Emily Zanzola

“Flower” by an Anonymous Artist

Photograph by Emily Zanzola 21

“9-11” by Allyson Akerberg (top) Photograph by Emily Zanzola (above) “Zendaya” by Neha Konjeti (at right) 22

“Dusk” by Hope Yeomans 23

Critical Thinking

By Zoe Riordan I don’t Wish to be individualized Already am criticized For who I am For my size Pecked and peeked at, scrutinized See I see demise exercised every day No surprise We live in a world On someone’s finger, twirled Where we dangle, strangled By stringy hair tangled Caught up in a thick twine On a dark trail we tread No stepping out of line Indifference Or a difference and you’re dead.

Photograph by Benny Wong 24

And I wonder why I keep hanging the walls of my heart with pictures of you but I realize that I am terrified of empty framesmy body is too often a hollow glass and I would rather fill it with blood then have to sleep next to the vacant side of my bed.

Yet, every day feels like an auction, a competition of who can buy your love and I somehow always find myself paying for my own artwork and I realize that you were never really in my possessionYou were always so good at illusions.

Like all of your promises.

And the day you finally left, I realized that I was the one Who was left to dry.

Yellow Paint

By Becca Elston I called you art.

I became your Van Gogh, painted you onto a pedestal, ignoring your asymmetrical shadows because you looked so alluring when held up to the lightAnd you were my yellow paint.

I absorbed you into my bones, mistaking your toxins for dopamine thought the rush was from my brain, but I’ve always had a tendency to think with my heartYour bottle said waterproof, promised I could wash the smell of you off of my skin but no matter how many showers I take, your laugh is still stained on my mindAnd I still dream of you.

Photograph by Saffron Durrant 25 Â

Planet Dance

By Jillian Lenczewski Smiling like the sunset of a beautiful day She is warm and healthy and lively She closes her eyes at the end of the day to rest Embers of tangerine and scarlet fiercely fade into oblivion Every day she comes anew, waiting to greet us Mooring over her beauty he lives through his days Wondering if he ever crosses her mind Two star-crossed lovers Living to see the day Where they are not expected to turn away And pretend it isn’t there He is the light that separates the dark and the day Could it be that two things So sweet Were never meant to be For she is the sun and he is the moon Their love is but a dream

“A Moment of Reflection” by Brian Williams

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An Untitled Poem

By Christa Maheras Stumble like I’m clumsy, Drag at school, Call me lazy, But all these math equations And book citations, Got me feeling hazy.

An Untitled Poem

By Christa Maheras You said I was infectious, Then tell me, Why aren’t you sick?

-Can I go to the nurse?

-I swear, this realization hit me harder than a brick.

“Cotton Candy” by May La Rue 27

Artwork by Heidi Goodale An Untitled Poem

By Rory Bis-Markel You Your heart full of gold, A selfless nature hard to come by. the things you’ll do for others Always wanting to help even when it gets You in trouble.

When you’re caught, you’re like a deer caught in headlights Eyes wide with fear Stammering explanation for your actions But I don’t believe You.

An angel damned to Earth Perfect on paper Faulty in concept.

You mean well, I know, but Me Ashamed to admit the magnitude of my mistake Pride bigger than my ego Judas in day clothes, devil in disguise Me Causing You Misery.

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A Burning Life

By Olivia Canania In the grand scheme of things, it was just a moment, a flash of lightning, but it set the whole forest on fire.

Have you ever paid attention to the glowing embers of that fire?

Watched the way the light shifts without movement, a slow rumble, a quick flash, heartbeats of warmth, it is all that is left after the wildfire dies down.

She is all that is left after the deed has been done, with hardly a heartbeat left,

Photograph by Emily Zanzola

a quick laugh,

You'll come to realize that a slow smile, watching the way the mood shifts without thought, have you ever paid attention to the dying embers that consume her?

every thought, every move, everything is that wildfire, and it will continue to take 29

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A Case of the Blues

By May La Rue You were my favorite color, blue.

Blue like the sky, light and welcoming Blue like the ocean, deep and intense Blue like the emotions you made me feel.

Sitting next to you with your hand on my legWarm.

Watching it until I started crying because I realized I had made a home out of you But you were a businessman traveling for your “job”.

Although you always claimed to be busy working, you didn’t make enough money to keep the lights working Because I see how they flicker on and off in your eyesOnly flickering on when I undress or threaten to move out.

“Waves” by May La Rue

I was your white.

Innocent and pure.

Welcoming you into my troubled life desperately hoping you could take your blue and turn me into something other than the bland milk that you pour into your coffee in the morning.

And you did just that.

Took your blue and held me captive in it until it was the only emotion you could read through my deep, brown, watery eyes.

But, I I was your white crayon.

Convenient Not needed.

Now, I look at the sky and try to focus on the clouds Attempting to make shapes out of the marshmallow fluff But all I can think of is the blue surrounding it And how the shapes look just like my heart when I first met you Innocent Pure How naive I was to believe you can change the intense color of navy with a white crayon When all you can do is fade it.

You made me weak Because I swam through oceans for you And you barely stepped over a puddle for me And as my arms grew heavy so did my heart Because I began to realize I swam too deep 30

No lifeguard or floaty could have saved me There’s no way you could have left Without breaking me I tried to hold onto you I slept in your shirts Pretending you were there because I could smell the cologne But I quickly stopped because the scent only made me feel more alone.

You were confused.

The day you told me you didn’t know what love was or if you had even felt it for me was only 365 days too late because you had been telling me you loved me from month two And now a year later you’re saying you’re confused.

I would eagerly look forward to the days you were certain of your feelings, But dread them because I knew the day after you wouldn’t feel the same.

I don’t know if you loved me but you loved playing games.

I am not your Sunday night Monopoly game I am not your “get out of jail for free” card You can’t keep committing a crime and acting like the victim Your games…

Aren’t fun to play.

I am left with scars from burns Not only from me constantly making sure I looked pretty enough for you Accidentally pressing the hot iron to my skin while curling my hair with my quivering, sweaty hands because tears streamed down my face from the fight we just had But also from you.

You were fire And you know fire is hottest when it’s blue But that didn’t matter to you Because you continued to throw logs on the campfire of what we called “love” Burning it until the only thing left Was ashes.

I never thought begging for someone to stay would be something I’d do But, I loved you.

Being able to make that past tense is something I never thought I’d be able to do But… here I am.

And, My favorite color… is no longer blue.

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Every second counts

By Isabelle Myers One-Two-Three-Four How many more days until you walk through that damn door.

He said to me, "Did you know she has been gone,” “Did you know she has been gone?”

This feeling I’m getting, not one I have ever felt before, I can feel my chest tightening, my heart racing, my hands trembling, but I don’t want to feel, I don’t want to feel anymore.

The words fill my head like a machine gun that won't stop firing, Did you know she has been gone, did you know she has been gone?

I stare – and the air is silent – like the moment before the rain begins falling.

My throat begins closing, choking on the thought of what could be wrong.

Where did she go, why do I not know, I cannot speak, why can I not think.

I stare – and reply ever so softly, where did she go?

He says she's gotten very sick, quicker than you could blink They said she got a bad case of double pneumonia, her heart was so weak They said her lungs filled up, found her lying on the bathroom floor.

They said she was going to be okay, but they told me for a few days she won't be able to speak, My brother, he saw her the day of He saw why she could not speak, noticed she was very weak A sight you wish to never see, breathing tubes coming out of her mouth, and no way to tell her the amount of love; The amount of love you wished you could have shown before she got very sick-too sick.

A year goes by and quicker than you could blink, she got very sick.

The truth got told, and sure as hell hit me harder than a brick.

He lied to me, she lied to me, they lied to me Left me feeling selfless, hopeless, how could this be.

She was sick that was the truth, she was sick but not a goddamn person could see that.

She was sick, and not even her own daughter could see all the signs of her being out of tact, She was sick but no one knew how to get that hopeful, happy, helpful women back.

Photograph by Emily Zanzola

They told me this was a result of fluid filling her lungs, but this was a result of sadness filling her heart.

Pneumonia didn't try to take you away from us, you tried to leave us, leave us all falling apart.

I sat and wondered every night how this disease could take a mother from her children, a wife from her husband, a sister from her brother.

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Until I realized the result of this recurring outcome was not the fault of the disease, no. It was the fault of the actions that were not taken, the signs that were vacant, and the time that was not given to listen.

Every second counts because those seconds make up minutes, and those minutes make up hours, and those hours make up days, And god do I know if I could have just one more second with you the day you choose to do what you did to yourself, maybe then I could have stopped you maybe then I could have stopped maybe then I could have maybe then I could have helped you And if I had one more minute, maybe I could have given you a new perspective on this world we call hell, And one more hour might have just been enough time to change your mind, And one more day could have allowed you the chance to start over, the chance to forget the regrets you seemed to be holding But that day can only happen with the remembrance that the seconds make the minutes, and the minutes make hours and those hours make that one day, The one day that could have been just enough because every second sure as hell counts.

Artwork by Abby Klimkowski Four years go by and in three, two, one, One day this may be your last, One day your life will choose to be done, but from now until that one day I hope you learn to life with not a regret from the past.

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Darkened

By Brandon Salvo Days darkened by the storm clouds only I can see My doctor says I’ll get better when I take my meds The sky, grey from the storms off the sea These people are making me into warheads My peers make me wanna flee People say that I’m too depressing I’m not able to stop it The feeling that I’m currently expressing Drags me down, down into the pit I really need to stop my obsessing Food starts to make me sick My mood is my tether I always feel like I'm moving a ton of brick Feeling as though drifting into the ether Not being able to move when times are thick Feeling the ending coming soon They smile and wave bye, with a wave Unaware that outside is the blue moon My time has come to be brave I just hope my loved ones will be immune.

Photograph by Brian Williams

The ending will never come Stuck in an endless purgatory Everyone makes me feel so numb Looking for some sort of glory All of this just feels so dumb.

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Sunset Skies

By May La Rue You didn’t deserve me.

I am the sunset that people take pictures of.

I am the red, pink, purple, blue, orange and yellow in the sky, The sunset people remember.

I am perfectly painted by Van Gogh himself Created by Mother Nature, I am a sight to see.

Just because you couldn’t see the art in me doesn’t mean I am not a masterpiece One that should stand in museums that hold paintings like Mona Lisa, The Starry Night, and The Last Supper I am worth it.

When someone brings up the fifth month of the year your heart will skip a beat and your mind will freeze Because you forgot Photograph by Emily Zanzola what it was like to hear my name.

But instead of it floating through your ears like it used to It beats through them like speakers blaring so loud they’re about to burst You will plug your ears.

I am the sunset people take pictures of.

To remember that moment, Capture it forever, Because of how it makes them feel.

Just because you did not get out your camera, Does not mean I am not worth the view.

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You’re Leaving

By Morgan Taylor

Regret

By Carmina Atienza

You’re leaving The ache that comes from the thought of this breaks my heart It makes me question if this is the end or just the start Not of our love, it’s everlasting But of your heart beating You’re going to a war zone I’m staying at home But the real fear is from the return Will you love me?

Or be ready to learn Of something new Of something true Of something more than what I could give you You’re leaving 90 days of sorrow and missing you But I know that my love will always be true To the man who is my glue And to the man who is fighting for the red, white, and blue...

After the explosion, there was nothing but ashes I ran to the building we once called “Home” I screamed your name No answer I screamed your name once more Every time I scream your name my heart sinks deeper I pray to god that you’re safe As I run I see blood I see corpses of people we once loved I see our belongings that used to be in one piece, shattered into many pieces Then as I scream your name one last time, I see you….

I see your torso and arms burned I see your long beautiful hair burned to crisp I see your beautiful face scarred I see your legs burned off I should’ve told you….

I should’ve told you how much you meant to me I should’ve told you how beautiful you are I should’ve told you that you always light me up But our last conversation was nothing but a fight that ended up me saying “I hate you, I wish I never met you.”

Artwork by Abby Klimkowski 36

An Untitled Poem By an anonymous poet

Pop

By Jillian Lenczewski

i hate it it surrounds me a cacophony voices of classmates i don't know booming

Pop goes the sounds of gunfire Could this be a dream I fear the worst Pop goes the sound of shots back The South Side is no place to live I run to my little sister Crouched up in the corner of her room Hugging her teddy bear that dad gave her The same dad who suffered a fatal pop I ask her if she’s okay What can I do?

She cries in my arms, the terrors of night turning to day Sirens blare as the police go by We all know it’s too late They are left to collect evidence for an “investigation” They don’t care about us Guns glistening, gangs groveling over grounds that aren’t Theirs to keep or theirs to own yet They fight just the same

i never thought this would happen but disaster strikes or more accurately is fired the melodious symphony gone the warm conversation gone the mellifluous sound of contentment gone replaced by horror shrieks i miss it

Pop goes the sound of another Unarmed Black man or woman feeling the searing Pain of a shot to the chest Because they’re black I’m black My little sister is black My daddy was black and my momma is black too Were all black in our black world wondering when Being black will lead to my pop

Photograph by Jaimee Schneider

Pop goes the sound in my dreams The fear pops into my head like it never left

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Artwork by Emily Keck Impossibly Standardized Impossible Standards

By Zoe Riordan Emotionally unavailable Tranquility is unattainable Electrons unstable Silencer disabled Get out of the vicinity Close proximity To those who Haunt me Quilted sheets, woven disbelief Cover up, shut out probing curious inquiry Sorrow seedlings in every happy feeling How can beauty Be puny 38 Â

“Burning Paper” by Jessica Angeles

Poetry By an Anonymous Poet I stand alone.

There's no way to have known.

Not unless that's what I've shown.

People say I'm poetic But I'd surely regret it If I ever said it.

Just forget it.

The world's too hot.

They show what they're not.

They don't get caught.

I need to stop.

The tell me I can do it But they've never been through it.

All they think is "There's nothing to it."

When to speak it's my turn my stomach, it churns.

Their words burn.

When will I learn?

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The Great Barrier By an anonymous poet the ocean engulfs the entire earth and hosts so much life yet it smells like the decomposition of creatures more beautiful than us the ocean is a deathbed but also a comforting memory “go down to the beach play in the water” filled with the souls of lives past it stings in your eyes and feels enveloping like the clutch of someone you despise but also love

Photograph by Colin Akers 40

Injustice

By Zoe Riordan J U S T because a waterfall lacks from her eyes, doesn’t mean her heart doesn’t cry.

J U S T because she comes off strong doesn’t mean there’s nothing wrong.

J U S T because her hands don’t quake, doesn’t mean her heart can’t break.

J U S T because her smile doesn’t fade, doesn’t mean she’s left the shade.

Photograph by Haley Falat 41

Mind Games

By Jillian Lenczewski

They brought him there, now he can’t leave Until they decide he’s stable Able To go on living the treacherous life before They tell him he’s okay now but Why does he feel worse Take more pills you’ll be okay But you’re not okay You choke down more pills Your body coughing the rejection The pills numb the pain but they can’t Take it away He smiles for his parents But home is his hell.

He took the medicine like swallowing His pride Another pill, another day in the prison These pills, they numb us from the World Something so bad to make us feel so good A million pills swallowed to burn The bridges of the pain Bland food, fake smiles, impressionable children Sad children trapped in a padded prison Let’s talk about our feelings Group after group, therapy after therapy Pills can’t dull the pain inside his Head

So he takes more pills.

Photograph by Jake Brown 42

“The Janus Effect” by Jackee Schneider

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Poetry By an Anonymous Poet I hear the water dripping down the drain.

Except the water is my pain.

I honestly can’t complain.

What I lose is feeling, But that’s what I’ve been concealing.

What’s that worth when no one is healing?

What I think day in and out, Is something I could live without.

What’s this happy thing about?

I’ve lived my life acting, Now I’d like to start subtracting Everything reacting.

I live as the definition of insanity.

Doing the same thing, expecting a different reality.

Why do I live in a state of neutrality?

Artwork by Joshua Friedberg

Photograph by Emily Zanzola 44

Photograph by Josie Sidi

45 Â

Artwork by Joee Cortina 46 Â

Acknowledgements Editors Shannon Batliner Kayla Hochman Samantha Kalas Cade Zima

Editors-in-Chief Kaitlin Martin Neja Konjeti Abby Klimkowski

Kristen Pham, Faculty Advisor

We Extend a Very Special Thanks to: Dr. Steven Koch, Principal The District 155 Administration Mrs. Rachel Kautz, Humanities Division Leader Mr. Aaron Cummins, Art Teacher Mrs. Amy Bland, Librarian Mrs. Connie Kendall, Activities Director Mrs. Gail Penn Mrs. Karen Treadwell Mrs. Allison Petty The Prairie Ridge Humanities Division Charlie Klimkowski, President/Owner of Kwik Kopy Business Center Magazine printed by Kwik Kopy Business Center 111 Erick St. #101 ▪ Crystal Lake, IL 60014 ▪ 815-459-5066

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“Sunset” by Kaitlin Martin 48