Special 2018 pullout section
A message from the publisher When I was 8 years old, my family went on a summer vacation to a small town about an hour north of New York City called Central Valley. One night we went downtown for ice cream at the drugstore and were surprised to find the streets empty. When we walked to the firehouse, we saw the dispatcher sitting outside on a chair that was leaning against the building. “Where is everyone?” I asked. “Over at the Joneses,” he replied, indicating a house with a tilt of his head. “They just got one of them new television sets. Whole town’s watching Milton Berle.” The idea of an empty town sparked my imagination, so I wrote an article about it and submitted it to the community newspaper. How thrilled I was when the story appeared on the front page! Imagine, then, how thrilled I am years later to be able to make it possible for other students to be published. I hope you enjoy seeing your words (and art) in print as much as I did. And still do.
— LEAH S. DUNAIEF BY CASSIDY PHOTOS R.C. MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9
and
Lawyers
Purcell,
LLP
A. Craig Purcell ~ Anthony W. Mercep ~ Timothy B. Glynn Jacqueline A. Fink ~ Scott MacLagan ~ Martin F. Simon, of Counsel
“Congratulations On Your Creativity”
North Country Road, Post Office Box 712, Stony Brook, New York 11790 • 631.751.5757
©150058
Glynn Mercep
A book BY COLLIN GILES MINNESAUKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADE 2
A book Magical Reading I drift away Never boring Gives me knowledge Learn, learn, learn A book Best for learning.
A book has life BY NORA TWISS MINNESAUKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADE 2
BY CAROLINE LIU R.C. MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 8
A book Can’t hear, Drink or smell. But a book. Can come to life.
My little petunia BY EMILY LA FORGE R.C. MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9
My little petunia, I’ve witnessed you bloom I’ve been captivated by your colors I’ve watched the journey you took I’ve seen you start at a bud I’ve seen all the rainstorms As well as the sunny days As you flourish in this garden And make your mark on the world I’ll still be watching, My little Petunia
Eraser BY KIERAN MELVIN MINNESAUKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADE 2
BY INDIRA THOMPSON R.C. MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9
Eraser A street sweeper Gently And quietly Erasing my mistake
Relentless winds BY ANI VARDANYAN R.C. MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9
Relentless winds roamed the barren land, Where a single tree stood solitary. It’s branches vulnerable, undermanned, Without leaves to keep from bitter flurry. The ice-bound land was deserted for miles, Flowers trapped underneath a white cushion. All the animals, forced into exile, Left this tree alone in desolation. Now waiting, hopeful, for spring to arrive, Birds will set-up nests, hung in its green arms, Flowers will escape snow prisons, alive, Providing the desired companion charms. Once the light of new spring is in action, The tree will arise from isolation.
BY JUDY HU MINNESAUKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADE 6
Losing BY YEKATERINA SHEMELYAK R.C. MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9
Glynn Mercep
and
Lawyers
Purcell,
LLP
A. Craig Purcell ~ Anthony W. Mercep ~ Timothy B. Glynn Jacqueline A. Fink ~ Scott MacLagan ~ Martin F. Simon, of Counsel
“Congratulations On Your Creativity”
North Country Road, Post Office Box 712, Stony Brook, New York 11790 • 631.751.5757
©150058
BY ASHWINAA VAITHIANATHAN R.C. MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 8
Losing a member of the family or friend we all know the sinking sensation the empty space they have left We feel our arms grow heavy and our hearts fill with the empty feeling of grief Like our heart has been ripped out of our chest and has left a dark shallow space In this we give a tribute to the gone They take a piece of us as they go and leave Us a piece of them as we stay We give a thanks to them to honor them Not because they passed but because they lived And we thank them for the impact they gave us We know that they should have been here They should’ve stood here with us as the world kept spinning But we should remember how lucky we are To be the living breathing humans we are And give this poem as a tribute to the gone
Here comes the sun BY REBECCA BLUMENTHAL R.C. MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9 She’s born, beautiful Radiating light onto the once deep blues and blacks Replacing the sky’s twinkling pinpricks with fluffy cotton balls She’s greeted by Rosy pinks and Ruby reds and Vibrant oranges and Not even a hint of the Darkness and Fear she pushed aside She grows, determined Rising by the second Climbing up that daunting tower Not looking back; becoming Taller and Stronger and Brighter and Reaching the top, achieving Victory at long last
BY TONI SOLA R.C. MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9
She descends, majestic Slowly stepping down Climbing into bed after a long day of work She waves goodbye to The children trudging inside and The lights switching off and The brightness, the light, the joy that accompany Each New Day
She closes her eyes, hesitant Reluctantly accepting her fate Realizing that It’s all over She spends her precious final breaths Waiting and Praying and Hoping and Hoping that she will be Born Again.
Spring BY KENNETH KO W.S. MOUNT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADE 1 Spring is breezy and cool. Plants are growing. Bunnies are cute and gentle. Spring is beautiful! BY MATTHEW SCALA W.S. MOUNT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADE 1 BY MELANIE D’ALEO MINNESAUKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADE 6
Spring is fun and new. Plants are beautiful. Squirrels are soft and fuzzy. Sping is fun!
Stars above BY UTSA KARKI R.C. MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9
we sit enshrouded by a silent night with speckled stars spread across the sky the remnants of the fallen heros contrasting and outshining the abyss even in death i turned to him and said, “one day, you’ll be among the stars”
BY MARIA GAVRILOV MINNESAUKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL GRADE 4
A cold blanket BY MAHNOOR ZAFAR R.C. MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9
A cold blanket coats the frosted land Shining beams reflect off and glow in the air Holes dot the area The traces of scampering animals Everything is gone, swept beneath an icy plain The flat surface of what the Earth may have once been Will it stay or will it become a slushy mess? Nobody knows until the sun rises once again
BY JUMI KIM R.C. MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9
and
Lawyers
Purcell,
LLP
A. Craig Purcell ~ Anthony W. Mercep ~ Timothy B. Glynn Jacqueline A. Fink ~ Scott MacLagan ~ Martin F. Simon, of Counsel
“Congratulations On Your Creativity”
North Country Road, Post Office Box 712, Stony Brook, New York 11790 • 631.751.5757
©150058
Glynn Mercep
To the stray cats BY KAITLYN TUNG R.C. MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9
Sometimes when I walk I see two eyes They move in a blur And suddenly two eyes becomes none I wonder where those two eyes go Maybe they’re chasing other eyes Looking for a meal Running from place to place Trying to survive Perhaps they’re afraid of hairless creatures like me Ones who control the metal things With four circular legs and eyes that glow red Things with the power to take life With a single fast touch It could be that they’re looking For someone who recognizes the way their eyes gleam And pointed ears twitch whenever that someone is near For someone who fed and cared for them And eventually left them Sometimes I wonder if those two eyes know Just how much I care
BY SHAHZADI ADEENA R.C. MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9
Her attractiveness BY SOFIA STACCHIOLA R.C.MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9
Her attractiveness was not apparent; Her physical features had made me blind. Days gazing past her worn face I had spent, At last unveiled an Athena-like mind. Her wits branched out like the many boughs of An olive tree, that stood as centerpiece In her field of self, where an owl and dove Perched, heads cocked at one woody fork apiece. At long last, I understood her allure, And tousled the turf with my sprinting feet. Upon reaching the bole, the birds’ contours Were enshrouded by the horizon’s heat. I dearly wish I had recognized her Unending, and now unreachable, lure.
Didn’t see your submission?
BY CASSIDY PHOTOS R.C. MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9
If your submission did not appear in Pens and Pencils, look for it in the Kids’ Times corner in an upcoming edition of the Arts & Lifestyles section of The Village Times Herald.
Dusk BY VALERIE CORRENTE R.C. MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9
No rope nor lasso did provide with luck; To house the sun had never proved so hard. Oh how I hope it’s not perm’nently stuck So simple! Had I locked it in the yard. With Fool’s joy, in Pain’s play, tight grips gave way; With desp’rate hope, I chased it with lost luck. The moon returned with promise of his stay, Yet sad I lay, completely thunder struck. “I’ll hunt the sun again, I must try twice,” Conceive I had been left my heart could not. This time I prayed a magnet would suffice; Replacement by the moon could spoil my shot. The sun betrayed me, will not aid to cry Learn to adore the moon? Suppose I’ll try …
Lost sight of the moonlight BY ZACHARY BENEDICTO R.C. MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9
It’s a lot like stumbling Through a foggy field Tripping over myself and pebbles That break my bones I look up and search For any guiding moonlight
Thank you to the teachers of the Three Village Central School District for submitting artwork, photos and poems from students to be considered for Pens & Pencils.
BY INDIRA THOMPSON R.C. MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9
and
Lawyers
Purcell,
LLP
A. Craig Purcell ~ Anthony W. Mercep ~ Timothy B. Glynn Jacqueline A. Fink ~ Scott MacLagan ~ Martin F. Simon, of Counsel
“Congratulations On Your Creativity”
North Country Road, Post Office Box 712, Stony Brook, New York 11790 • 631.751.5757
©150058
Glynn Mercep
My province BY EVE PETERS R.C. MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9
My province, my realm awaits me at my throne, Only they can write my name on the kingdom stone. But they are more than just fireflies, bees and flowers, They are more than just clouds that make my morning showers. I have my sun who protects us from evils and black magic, If we didn’t have her our lives would be tragic. My trees guard my kingdom and do as they’re told, I trust them the most even though they’re quite old. My army of flowers run their battlefield with a slight tune, To keep them hopeful, should danger face them soon. As long as I stand I am the queen, They show me a world that’s never been seen. So what really lies among my dewy grass and tulips galore? A world of magic and wonder no one’s heard of before. The common man will only see what he knows to be true, But in my land everything is something entirely new. Take a closer look and you’ll find, Nature’s real depth unwind.
If your child’s artwork or poem appeared in this supplement, you can stop by our office at 185 Route 25A, Setauket, to pick up a writing claw from The Pencil Group, Inc. Writing claws can be used on pens and pencils to help improve handwriting. Supplies are limited.
Didn’t see your submission?
If your submission did not appear in Pens & Pencils, look for it in the Kids’ Times corner in an upcoming edition of the Arts & Lifestyles section of The Village Times Herald.
Glynn Mercep
and
Lawyers
Prize winners
Asher Provda, CEO of The Pencil Group, Inc., sent prizes for our artists and poets. Cover artist Cassidy Photos and Rebecca Blumenthal, whose poem “Here comes the sun” appears on page 4, have both won a 12-pack of Kwik Stix solid tempera paint, which dries almost instantly. We will be in touch with Cassidy’s and Rebecca’s teachers with details on how to pick up the prizes.
Purcell,
LLP
A. Craig Purcell ~ Anthony W. Mercep ~ Timothy B. Glynn Jacqueline A. Fink ~ Scott MacLagan ~ Martin F. Simon, of Counsel
“Congratulations On Your Creativity”
North Country Road, Post Office Box 712, Stony Brook, New York 11790 • 631.751.5757
©150058
Extra! Extra!
BY ALANA BRONSVELD R.C. MURPHY JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 9