PublishedApril26,2024
2ndEdition
FrontcoverartbyNatalieP.
BackcoverartbyJosieH.
ArtfromCanvaunlessotherwisenoted
SpecialthankstoMs.Derricottforguidingusthrough theprocessofcreatingthismagazine
TheDuskLiteraryArtsMagazine
BlakeMiddleSchool Hopkins,MN
SeniorEditors JuniorEditors SpecialThanks
LenaV.
MadelynF. AdaF. AudreyC. SophiaW. LillyT. OllyB. TeaghanS. SamC.
LilyG.
UndertheSea Thethemeforthe 2023-2024 editionofDuskis...
ZonesandDescriptions
SUNLIGHTZONE
TheSunlightZoneisthewarmestzoneandreceivesthemostsunlight, Manyfishcanbeseenfrolickinginthezone’scomfortableembrace.The worksinthischapterexhibitthewarmthandcomfortofthemostfriendly zoneinthesea.
TWILIGHTZONE
TheTwilightZoneisthemiddlechildofthesea,It’snotaswarmasthe SunlightZonebutnotaseerieastheMidnightZone.Feelfreetoexplore butdon’tgetlost,Strangethingslurkinunexpectedplaces.Theworksin thischapterexplorehowthoughtfulthemiddleoftheseacanbe.
MIDNIGHTZONE
TheMidnightZoneisatthebottomofthesea,Thismysteriouszoneis hometomanystrangefishandhasbarelybeenexplored.Bewareof whatcuriositieslurkbelow.Theworksinthischapterdisplaythe sea ’scapacityforscaresandthrills. Bewarned.
TableofContents
SUNLIGHTZONE
Mr.Krabs-AlS.(7)
SandDollar-Anonymous
GoldfishintheWaves-AdaS.(6)
Riddle-Anonymous
Untitled-VivienneS.(6)
SandsofSerenity-TheoG.(8)
TurnedtoMist-AureliusB.(7)
Seashell-BenP.(8)
SouthernCalifornia-Mr.Somerville
DearGlobalWarming-Anonymous
SeaSomersault-LillyT.(7)
Watching-LeonT.(7)
Longing-MadelynF.(7)
Riddle-MadelynF.(7)
PerlerBeadWave-EllieS.(6)MimiB.(6)&HaliL.(6)
UndertheSea- GabrielS.(6)
Pirates-Anonymous
TheShow-EmmaB.(6)
WhereYou’reFrom-SabihaK.(7)
TableofContents
TWILIGHTZONE
CommunityArtTurtle-BlakeStudents
AloneWithTheWaves-Anonymous
TwilightZone-Anonymous
SunkenCity-FinnP.(8)
ContemplativeKoi-JulesS.(6)
ReflectiveKelp-CarolineW.(7)
MIDNIGHTZONE
WelcometotheSea-Anonymous
TheUnknown-TeaghanS.(7)
AnglerFish-OllyB.(7)
Diver-RoAF. (6)
ANiceJuicyBite-RowanL.(6)
DeforestationAscends-NaitikA.(7)
Falling-AanikaG.(8)
Sunlight zone
THE 1ST ZONE
ByAlS.(7)
Mr.Krabs
SandDollar ByAnonymous
Iamfromoceanfloors, fromwashinguponshores.
Iamfromsaltandsea, fromstarsreflectingatnight. Iamfrombeingpickedup, frombeingincollectionsinrooms.
Iamfrombeingcounted, asifIwerearealdollar. Iamfromthesea. Iamfromthesand.
GoldfishintheWaves
AdaS.(6)
Riddle
ByAnonymous
Fastasahummingbird
Finonback
NicknameSpindlebeak
Fastestfishinthesea
MyfavoritefoodisTuna
WhatamI?
SailfishAnswer:
SandsofSerenity ByTheoG.(8)
Lappingoceanwavescrashagainsttheboat.Saltyoceanwater onmylips.Thebreezerunningthroughmydamphair.Amural offluffywhitecloudspaintedontothesky.Beachgoersbecome tinycolorfuldotsplantedonthesand.Andtheblueofthesky meltsintotheblueoftheocean.
ByVivienne S.(6)
TurnedtoMist ByAureliusB.(7)
Wheredidallthewatergo,wherearealltheseas
WheredidalloftheH20go
Ithinkitishidingfromme
Wherehasitgone
Ithasbeenmissingforsolong
Ohwaterwhereareyou..
Wheredidallofthefishdisappearto
Turtleswimmingby
Swimmingthroughcoral
Livingtheirlifesearchingforthemoral
Ofthe
Deepbluesea
WheredidalloftheMer-peoplego
Withtailsthatglimmer
Underthemoon,lightshinesdown Onaglimmeringsea
Aseaofblue
Ohwaterwhereareyou
Wheredidallofthemonstersgo
Lurkinginthereservoir
Man-made…poisoned
Reused…recycled
Murky,fromsewage
Nolongerblue
Seashell
ByBenP.(8)
SouthernCalifornia
ByMr.Somerville
DearGlobalWarming ByAnonymous
DearGlobalwarming
ouarethereasonit’shot
Andthereasonit’scold
ewannalockyouinapot
Ihopeyou’llsimmerdown
Wewillfigureitout
Wewillfigureoutthelock
andwewillfindthekey
Tosealyoushut
Tostitchupourcut
Wecanputtogether
Together
SeaSomersault
ByLillyT.(7)
Watchingtheclock
ByLeonT.(7) Watching
Watchingonehandslowlypasstheother
Watchingitfeelslikeaneternity
Watchingthebirdsjumpfrombranchtobranch
Watchingastheleavesfallfromthetree
Watchingthesnowfall
Watchingflowersbloom
Watchingthemdie
Watchingthetimeflyby
Watchingkidsplayattheplayground
Watchingthemgetolder
Watchingthemgetjobs
Watchingtheminutehandpassthehourhand
Watchingnewchildrenplayontheplayground
Watchingthepeoplewhowereplayingonthisplayground yearsago
Watching
Longing
Ifeelthesandbeneathmyfeet
ThetrailendssoIlookeast
Thisleadstoasea
Andtosomedegree
Thisplacefeelsincomplete
Ofmeforever
I’mcontainedbutfree Andalwaysready Totransform ButI’vehad Thesameamount
Ireflectlikeamirror
WhatamI?
Riddle ByMadelynF.(7) ByMadelynF.(7)
retaW:rewsnA
PerlerBeadWave
EllieS.(6)MimiB(6)&HaliL.(6)
UndertheSea ByGabrielS.(6)
Therelies…
Fieldsofsand,theremnantsofoncepowerfulstructures,guidingtheworldaswe knowit
Beneaththesand,therelies…
Dirt,rock,fossils,powerfulwiththeforceofnature,withtheforceofagedstone Beneaththerocktherelies…
Clay,fullofpossibilitiesandstrength,waitingtobeunleashed, Beneaththeclay,therelies…
Morerock,burningwiththeintention,strivingtocomeup,toshowitstrueself, Beneaththerocktherelies…
Acreator,hotwithpower,thecreatorofthemostpreciousthingsonearth, Beneaththecreator,therelies…
Adestroyer,adestructor,anuncontrollablebeast,hotterthananythingaboveit, Beneaththedestroyer,therelies…
Abeast,calm,butmorepowerfulthanthedestroyeraboveit,brighterthananything inexistence,
Beneaththebeast,therelies…
Thekeytotheworld,tobeings,thestartofeverythingthatexists,moreintention thantherock,morepowerfulthanthecreator,hotterthanthedestroyer,andcalmer thanthebeast.
Itremainsuntouched,toospecialforhumaneyes.
Thisiswhatreallyisunderthesea
Pirates ByAnonymous
byEmmaB.(6) TheShow
MymomandIarriveatthetheatermidmorning,andit’sexactlyhowIrememberitlikethe nightbefore,exceptnowit’stheshow,myfirst,happeningverysoon.Wewalkupthestairs tothebuildingthatlookslikeitwasagiant'shouseforperformingarts.Mylittlefeetgoupthem onebyone.WhenwegettothefrontdeskIseemyfriendsandtheirparentswaitingforme.
Thebrickwallssurroundingusinthelittleentrywayforperformers.Maybeit’snotagiant houseafterall.
“¿Hola,cómoestán?”Igreet. “Good,”Marenrespondes.
“Bien,”Camilasays.
Aswecheckin,theladywithlong,blondehair,asks,“Isthisyourfirstperformance?”
“Yesitis,”Isayhappily,withabiggrinonmyface.
“Wow,firstperformanceattheOrdway!Breakaleg,”shesaysinamazement,smilingback.
Weallwalkupthestairstothedressingroom,themomstryingtofigureoutwhereitison theirphones,untilwefinallyendupatadoorinthemiddleofthebrickwalls.AsweopenitI seeotherfriends,bustlingaroundgettingreadyfortheshow.
Wegoinandstartbustlingaroundtoo,tryingtowetmyhair,getittiedbackinabun,getting myskirtandblouseon,chattingwithfriendsaswegoandeatinglunch.Marta,mydance teacher,istellingthechaperonesandeveryoneelsewhentogoonstageformostofthe morning.
Thenit’stime,andI’mready.
Aswewalkdownstairs,Ifeelsohappy,proud,andexcited,forwhat’shappeningheretoday duringtheshows.You'vecomesofar,frompracticingathome,toclasses,anddress rehearsals.AndnowI’mhere,IamgoingtosharewhatI’velearned,andallmyfriendsare heretodoittoo. Wewalkintoaroompaintedmostlyblackwithsomelightsbackstage.
“Breakaleg,”Momsaysbeaming.“You’lldogreat,Ican’twaittoseeyouonstage.”
Isayexcitedly,“SeeyousoonMom,youcanwatchmefromthisside.”Iwavegoodbye,and headinasinglefilelineatthebackofthecurtain,totheotherside.Ifeelasmallsmileonmy facelikeIwonsomething,andIdid,justnotsomething,notsomethingIwonwaymorethan that,andIcan’twait.Monica,thechaperone, linesusupacrossfromourpartners,thoughwe knowwhattodo.
“Aren’tyousupposedtobebackthere?”Saritaaskssomeoneelseinourline.
I’mfeelingsomenerves,nottoomanybutsome.Don'tworry,I’vebeenpracticing,I knowthesteps,andIgotthis.It’sgoingtobegreat,andI’mshowingthemwhatIlearned andsharingpartofmyculture.Itakesomedeepbreathsquietly.It'sgoingtobeokay…not okay,but…great!Yes,I’mready, bringtheshowon.
IwatchMarta,thedanceteacher,goonstageinheryellowandblackskirt,blouseandhat, givingaspeechaboutthegroupandtellingakindofajoke.“It’sColombianotColumbia!” IaskMonica,“Arewereadytogoonstage?”
Shereplies,“Notquite,justabitlonger”
So,Iwait,Ican’twait,thisissoexciting!I’msoready,bringiton!andwatchMarta, speakingoutintothehugeaudience. Somuchanticipationandexcitementrunthrough me.IwanttoaskMonicaagainifit’stimetogoon,butIdecidednotto.Justabitlonger,I tellmyself.Butatthatmomentshesaysit’stimetogoon. Igoonstageconfidently,witha smileonmyfaceinmyblouseandlongskirt.
AsweenterIfeelthewarmlightsonme,likeaglowingsun.Theaudiencelistensin closely,watchingallofus,abouttoseewhatwearegoingtosharewiththem.Theireyes gazeupatus,inourredandwhiteblouses,skirts,bags,andhats, readytobetakentoour landsofdance,tobetransportedbyourmagic.
Thisstageisbig,gigantic,itfeelssomuchbiggerthanbefore.Ifeelmyheartfluttering, fillingupwithpride,happinessandjoy.Wewaitacouplesecondslonger,andIfeelbetter, themagiconstagejustmakesmeexcited.
ThenIhearthemusic,andwe’reofftotheracesdancing.Ifeelmyselfuptheresmiling, myeyesarelookingtoseemyfamilyallthewhile. Idoallthedancingwithoutthinking, becauseIjustknowitbyheart.Themusicleadsmetothedancingliketheinstructions.I wantittolastawhile,it’ssofun,divertido!Idolamariposa,openingmyarmswithmy redandwhiteskirtwidewhiletakingbabystepsturninginmysandalias,uno,dos,tres, cuatro,cinco,sies,siete,ocho.ThisstageislikeeverythingI’vebeenthroughwiththis group,thisstageconnectsusall.Allofusourrepresentingthesamecountryandapartof ourculture.
“Colombiatierraquerida,”thesingerintheyellowdresssings. Isweepmyskirtupintotheair.Ispinaround,mylong,flowy,skirtupinmyarmswhile thebandplaysandthesingersings,“Susueloesunaoraciónyesuncantodelavida,” withenthusiasmandrhythmtothemusic.Whenshesings,“Cantando,cantandoyoré Colombiatierraquerida”allofusgointoacirclemovingourskirtsandhatstotherhythm ofthedrums,piano,andallthemusic.Thisisamazing,Ican’tbelievethisisreally happening!
Whentheendingcomesandwashesoverus,IdanceuptothepointwhereI’msupposedtopose, andwhenthemusicendsIspreadmyskirtwide,likemysmile,andenjoythismomentof accomplishmentandhappiness.AndIrememberhowfarI’vecomeinthisdancegroup,fromlots ofpractices,tothisbigshow,inthistheater,theOrdway,tothismoment.Anotherbigsmileand washofhappinessgoesoverme.ThisiswhatColombiaLiveMNisallabout.Ifeelcommunity here,friends,thatIhaven'thadbefore,Ihaven’thadthistypeofcommunity,andnowIdo. Now,asIdepartfromthestage,IstillfeelthesamewayIdiduponstageinmyblossomingheart. Later,thatdayoncethewholeperformancewasdone,includingotherperformersoutsidethe group,Ifoundmymom.
Shesays,“Greatjob,Isawyousmilinganddancinguponstagewithlotsofenthusiasmthewhole time!”
“Thanks,Mom.Itwasanamazingexperience,”Ireply.
“I’msoglad,andyouhaveanotherperformancethisafternoontolookforwardto.” “Yay!Ican’twaitforanotherperformance,thisonewassofun.Beinguponstageis…it’smagical!” Isaydelightedly.
Momsmiles,andIsmileback,thisisjustthestartofmy journeyindancing,inthisgroup,ofthis day,inthismoment,andthemomentsonstage.Hardworkreallypaysoff,evenifitmeanslong hoursofhardwork.Thisiswhatdancingisallabout.
Glossary
Hola-Hi
¿Cómoestán?-Howareyou?(plural)
Uno-one
Dos-two
Tres-three
Cuatro-four
Cinco-five
Seis-six
Siete-seven
Ocho-eight
Cantando,cantandoyoviviréColombiatierraquerida-Singing,singingIwillliveColombiadearland Susueloesunaoraciónyesuncantodelavida-Itssoilisaprayeranditisasongoflife
WhereYou’reFrom bySabihaK.(7)
Whereyou’refrom
Theseaisrestless
Thewateralwayslappinguponyourback
Whereyou’refrom
Thesandisconstantlyrustling
Andthesoundsofseagullsmakebriefcameosbetweenthewaves
Whereyou’refrom
Thesunstartstoset
andthehustleandbustlediesdown
Whereyou’refrom
Themooncomesoutandthestarswillmakeappearances
Waterassharpasiciclessparkleoveryouandthenight
Whereyou’refrom
Thesungrabsatthewaves
Andtheseagullscomeout
Rocksandsandshiftbeneathyou
Whereyou’refrom
Curiousopeneyessurroundyou
Delicatefingersreachdowntograbyouintoabrightorangebucket I’mfrom
Reachingintothatbrightorangebucketandholdingyoutomyear
I’mfrom
Listeningtothesoundsofoceanwaves
andhearingwhatstoryyoutell
Twilight zone
THE 2ND ZONE
CommunityArtTurtle ByBlakeStudents
AlonewiththeWaves
ByAnonymous Isme
Peoplesay, “Youwillgoplaces”
Buttheonlyplace
Mylegswilltakeme
Isbacktothe
Saltyocean
Wateronmylips
Breezethroughmyhair
Sandonmyskin
Andtheonlyperson
Alone
Andthecrashingwaves
Againsttheshore
Me
Theonlyperson
Inthistinyperfect Littleworld
TwilightZone ByAnonymous
TwilightZone
Somewherebetween660and3,300feetbelowsealevel
IstheTwilightZone
Itisnotthoughtofoften
Sandwichedbetweenthedaylightzone
Andthemidnightzone
Isaworldoffreezing-coldtemperatures
Andpoundsofwaterpressure
Thereare
ConfettiSquid
AngelSharks
Jellyfish
Oysters
Spermwhales
Lobsters
Andkrill
WhocalltheTwilightZonehome
Itsneighborsaremorewell-known
Thedaylightzoneisfilledwithcolorfulwonders
Withdolphinsandcoralreefs
Andthemidnightzoneislikethatofafantasyworld
Withanimalsthatappeartobeunreal
AndthenthereistheTwilightZone
Itisfascinatingtothink
Azonesoignored
Yetsolively
Slips fromourminds
SunkenCity ByFinnP.(8)
Undertheceruleandrinklieswonder Notseenfromthesurface,onlyfoundinthedepthsofthereef Theplacewherethejelliesdance Andthefishstream,inrainbowlines,hustingfromoneplacetothenext It’sacapital,yetahiddenone.
It’shardtofindamongthereef Whichisburstingcolorsonitsown Funnyhowitstayshidden
Butyoucanthankthedepthsforthat Yetthewarmsunstillreachesthesea Byday,abustlingcity
Bynight,acollectionofdark,mysteriousstones.
Perhapsit’ssomethingleftbehind Couldbethatofwhattriedtofindthishiddenplace Maybeit’sthegem,glimmeringpurple,yetjustanotherbeauty Orit’stheplaceitself
Forestsofkelpstretchingacrossonepartofthesea Reefandstonesacrossanother Adeeptrenchacrossathirdpart Allunderwaterglory Justwaitingtobefound.
So,whereisit?
Whoknows
Seemslikeaforgottenplace
Wedon’tknowhowweknowofit Wejustdo
Justgoestoshowhowyoucanalwaysdivealittledeeper Youneverknowwhatyoumayfind.
ContemplativeKoi JulesS.(6)
ReflectiveKelp ByCarolineW.(7)
(Continuedonnextpage)
Midnight zone
THE
3RD ZONE
WelcometotheSea ByAnonymous
Wewatchthebigmetalthing asitsinks, down, down, down. Thenit’sgone, butwestillfeelit. Itssound, Slicing throughthewater. Deeper and deeper, itcrawlsalongtheoceanfloor.
Sendingabeamoflight, intothepitch, black.
TheUnknown ByTeaghanS.(7)
Thelifelessgrasp
Ofthemurkbelow
Neverfeltso… Warm
AndIfearwithoutthegaping jaws
Oftheendlessdepths, Mytightlywoundyarnballof Anxietyandnerveswouldunfurl. ThenIwouldhavetostartallover.
Shesaidwehadcome Sofar.
NotfarenoughItakeit. NeverfarenoughImakeit. Becauseallofthese
Unmanageableemotionsaretoblameformycurrent Unmanageablepredicament. Oh!howIlongforthedayswhenIcouldfloatinthe deepblueseaandnotfeelso Scared.
Whatlurkedbelowneverscaredme. Iquitehonestlybelievedthatwhatwasbelow FearedmemorethanIdidit. WhyshouldIfearsomethingthatfearsme justasintenselyasIoncedidit? thetruthis,
Ifear TheUnknown
ForIamwhatIhavealwaysfeared. Inolongerknowmyself. IamscaredofwhathorrorsIholdinside. Neverlettinggo. Hiddenwithinme. TheymakemewhoIam, Buttheyarestill So So So Unknowntome. Butnotforever. Oneday,whentheplacidwaterscan Nolonger Calmmyrestlessmind, IfearIwillfinallyplungebelowthesurface. MaybethenIwillfeeltrulyatpeace. Andmaybethen, Iwillfearnothing.
Noteven TheUnknown
ByOllyB.(7)
Luring Anglerfish
By:RoA.F.(6)
ANiceJuicyBite
By:RowanL.(6)
Iwasswimmingintheocean,ashappyascanbe. Whenapersoncameup,andbitme. Iwasinpainfromanurchin. WhenIgotbitbyaperson. Mylifeflashedbeforemyeyes. Whenhetoldme:“Youisgoingtodies,” Lilysaid,“That'sgreatRowan… ” AndIsaid,“k.”
DeforestationAscends byNaitikA.(7)
Sofast,solow,thetreesgo, Wedon'tevenseewheretheygo. Theycomeoutofmeadows, Theygotoland, Theyaremadeinanenclosedbox, Whichwelivein, and, Isitnecessarytocutsofast, Wedon’teventhinkbeforewereact.
Trytostoporelsetheforestwillvanish, Itisimportanttoknowwhatwillhappen, Ourlungswon’tbeabletotakeinair, Alloftheairwillbegone,somuchdespair Wewon’thaveshadewhenanelectricalstormstrikes, We’lljustgetsoakedintherain,livingourpeasantlives, Sotrytostop,beforeitistoolate, WestillhearMotherEarthfaintly Yougottotry,don’tquitsoearly, Youhavetoactbeforeyoureact!
Falling ByAanikaG.(8)
Ifallintoyou,asdeepastheocean andasshallowasthesky
Theseacreatureslookingatmewithwide andinnocenteyes
AsIsink,Iwatchthelighttrickleawaylikemymemories Ireachforthesurface becauseIdon'twanttolosemyselfinthis butmaybeIalreadyhave
Thesoothingsilenceasdeafeningaswhitenoise IthinkIcouldresthere
Ghostsofthosetakenfromthosedeartothem andbyforcesgreaterthanthem Comingtosayafriendly “hello!” becausenoone everleavesthisplaceofnothing andyeteverything
Thisplacesomesortofpurgatoryfromthe horrorsoftheworldabovethatIusedtobeaparto Thisplacesodarkandunexplored Notunlikethehumanbrain
IknowI'llbetheonetoorchestratemy downfall intothedeepblue thatneverends
Afterall,Iamtheonethatjumped Itgetsdarkeranddarker inthisabyss thiscreaturedevoidofanyemotion thatissodesperatelyhungryforsomethingnewafterlayinghere foreonsatatime IguessI’mitssustenanceforthenextfew Theseacreatureblinksopenitseyes andopensitsgapingmaw thatseemstoholdtheentireuniverseinit ItakewhatIknowismylastbreath
