Pegasus 2019-2021 by TheUrsulineSchool

Pegasus

2019-2021

Pegasus 2020-2021 VOLUME XXXX1 THE URSULINE SCHOOL 1354 North Avenue New Rochelle, New York 10804

STUDENT STAFF: Kayla Bowles Gianna Calicchia Serena Caneva Olivia Luyando Leah McLean Kristen O’Sullivan Kristen Vincent Domenica Voli

FACULTY MODERATORS: Mrs. Patricia Joyce Ms. Pamela Vasile

COVER ART: Isabella Nieto ’21

LAYOUT: Mrs. Meg LaBella

o A note about this year’s edition of

Pegasus... When the pandemic closed the doors of our school in March of 2020, we were forced to halt the creation and publication of our magazine. However, we resolved to come back strong this spring. Therefore, this year’s edition of Pegasus is unique in that it contains the work of students from both the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 school years. This is the reason you will see pieces throughout the magazine created by students who graduated in 2020; this is the reason some of you will see pieces you don’t remember submitting. While it is impossible to publish every entry that we receive, the Pegasus staff wishes to thank all students who submitted artwork and written work to our 2019/2020/2021 special edition.

Pegasus, the winged horse of mythology, was beloved by the gods and cherished by all. Born of Medusa and Poseidon, Pegasus was at first wild, but was soon tamed and harnessed by Athena, goddess of wisdom. Pegasus became a favorite of the Muses, and he created the Hippocrene Fountain, source of inspiration. With his soaring yet disciplined flight to the heavens, Pegasus is a fitting symbol of our works of imagination, fantasy, and fact. The Pegasus staff wishes to thank the many people who helped us with this year’s publication. First, we would like to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of the 2019-2020 student staff of Pegasus, and we especially want to thank its senior co-editors, Kristen O’Sullivan and Domenica Voli, who by now have completed their first year of college. Next, we thank Mrs. Seiler and the English Department for all of their assistance in collecting and editing written work. We also thank the Art Department for all of the wonderful pieces of student artwork displayed in this year’s edition. We extend an extra thanks to Mrs. La Bella and Mrs. Alzate for designing, printing, and publishing our magazine. Finally, the Pegasus staff thanks Ms. Vasile and Mrs. Joyce for their guidance, dedication, and effort in helping us celebrate and share these original student creations with our entire school community. We hope you enjoy this special double edition of Pegasus!

A Change of Seasons Fresh and clean Parts of its body, a pale green Veins surging through Giving it life to be pretty for you You can find it up high and you can find it down low Even sometimes you can find it under your toe Its dark branches all spread out Multiplying as it gets older to have more clout The sun shines brightly through And for a second your blinded and don’t have a clue You step back to get a better look Maybe you even sit under it and read a book

Alexia DiNicuolo ’23

A Butterfly A butterfly spreads its vibrant wings, ready to fly. It flutters in the air setting a sharp contrast to the gloomy sky.

Sadly, the branch’s beautiful hue Cannot be persuaded with glue So these gold accessories die And off with the wind they fly It’s sad, I know But time will show Its brilliant blend Will be reborn again Ariana Chiappini ’23

Amongst the dismal atmosphere, a radiant butterfly soars. A glow casts out light in the grim clouds that thunder and roar. Miah Zabala ’26

Spring

A Crushing Wave

Sun gleams on grass Smooth clouds string the heavens Colors Fulfilling the sky’s purpose Soft and even grasses glow All flowers Move in the breeze Grace Egan ’26

Walls of moving blues hit fast against the rocks Dying fish fly past, wave after wave The people surrounding me sputter, and talk How can a person keep quiet about the rushing foam that could decimate a cave It would fill it to the brim and if any living thing was in there it would surely be dead These tides will never pause nor stop for any The sound would fill even an old god with dread There is a certain rush that comes with knowing that a small wave in the distance can be many There is a certain feeling that comes with hearing something that once buried the earth Nuala Reynolds ’23

A Broken Dream

A BTS Experience

Early in the morning Before the rooster’s crow My heart rests in despair Thinking of my broken dream.

A smile here, a smile there. Everyone is so excited. The sound of the music and “A.R.M.Y.” fills the night. Colorful lights brighten the stadium.

My biggest hopes fade away Like a hiding moon But just as the children retire The moon comes back around

The dancers in sync, as if they are robots. You couldn’t miss BTS’s black, pink, blue, and bleached blond hair, And fashionable clothes On a photoshoot in Paris.

Maybe my dreams will too Maybe I’ll travel the world But only If the moon Comes back around.

Carolyn Coyne ’26

Teagan Hanrahan ’26

A Moment Lost He could see nothing ahead He was lost in thought And nothing there to pull him out His sense of time Of the real world Was as good as gone He was inside as far as his waist And sinking fast For he could call for help now Or let the pieces and thoughts and words and images Fill him and sink him and drown him He would suffocate in helplessness Panic filled him As he realized this He tried to reach out But it was too late His moment to call for help Had deserted him

A Journey You know the dark brown door Next to the stained glass window You know the awning with its white swirls The concrete sidewalk leading to a bright gate The red and white brick enclosing the house The all too familiar sidewalk you walk every day The steep hill as you walk up The loudness of the trains as they drive past The swipe of the card on a turnstile Entering the train you look for a seat The train begins to move along the tracks You get off The people brush past you You travel down the steps realizing how loud it is You enter the city streets The loudness and lights hit you Down the street you go Leigh Brown ’23

Claire Caltabiano ’23

A Broken Dream Be still be fragile be calm

A flowing wave A swaying tree Small fish swim about Breezes move through the air

Image inside walk in wonder

The soft sand A salty smell A palm tree for shade What a perfect day At the beach

soft sounds drift away from troubles Inside dreams you sleep under blue stars

Sophie Patz ’26

Suddenly a drop sudden shaking floors breaking stomach rumbling rocks tumbling earth breaks in half

A Man As the couple dances, Their family prances, While a man simply glances, And thinks of lost chances. The feast is underway, Toasts of joy they say, But the man sees only the gray, As his heart fades away. The party is ending, Down the stairs they’re descending, As the man is pretending, That their love is unending. Rachel Ortiz ’23

Directions Up the long endless highway where you can never see the end Past the bustling city and noise without end When you can’t hear cars or see the buildings too Make a slight left into an orchard near you Drive through the country, the field, and old barns Take in the views of the apple farms As you pull right into flower-filled lawns Leave behind your long car ride yawns A large sign greeting with a horseshoe to mark Now finally, on the weekend, you can embark!

Run to nowhere no place to hide Feel lonely, sad depressed alone In the darkness of your dream Sadie Mena ’26

A Perfect Day at the Beach

Madelyn LaScala ’23

A Rumpled Leaf

At a Distance

Cruising

Silent, Still, Broken, Brown.

E. T., in a galaxy At a distance “Phone home,” he calls.

The cruise ship moves, mumbling through the ocean. The people aboard laugh and sing.

I reach out And touch his fingers.

Wet, Cold, Crumpled, Drowned.

Our fingers glow together And I feel safe. Emily Trezza, ’26

Sienna Perez ’26

They swim and eat with no clue of trouble The smell of sea salt and majestic food, they can taste the happiness. Chinonso Okpara ’26

Directions

Ava Breznicky ’24

You know the bridge in the middle of town The one with the river underneath The one that arcs nicely in the center The one that all the kids walk along the edges of? And you know how if you continue on from that bridge You’ll get into the town? You know the restaurants that you pass, The ones with the ribbons, The ones buzzing with people out for their Sunday meal? And you know how you continue through town and come to the countryside, The fields upon fields interrupted by little houses here and there, The cattle and the horses roaming as you drive by, The green that could go on forever without getting boring? And you know how you’ll come to Betty’s Shop, Right at the cross, With a view of the river zooming by? And you know when you make the right, The neighbors all know each other and are welcome anytime, The farms visible as you drive down the road? And you know the turn you will come to, It leads to a little dirt road, Cattle on either side of that road, And a house and a farm waiting for you at the end? When you make that left into the drive, You will come across my home. Emma Cullinan ’23 4

A Summer’s Day Out You know the place where the sand meets the water The place you see when you stand on your porch on a hot summer day, The one where kids and families come to enjoy a nice day away from reality, Where the seagulls patrol, waiting for food to be dropped out of the hand of a cheerful child And you know if you go beyond the warm sand beneath your feet, Walking until your toes feel the cool touch of the salty sea You will be greeted by shells upon shells washed up by the tide And timid crustaceans that will not hesitate to nip on your toes if crossed, You know the feeling of coming back home, Sitting by the freshly lit fire, And eating food straight off the barbecue You know the feeling of summer Mia McClafferty ’23

Afro-American I am and will always be black beautiful and bold. My skin filled with melanin Kissed by the moon My roots are laid in the earth and the birth of this nation Yet, I am treated as if I do not belong As if there is something wrong with just being from New York What do you want me to say? My family was enslaved and made to work in a country that didn’t pay for building “The Land of the free and the home of the brave” Oh That is not what you wanted me to say? I’ll offer this return so that we may adjourn Don’t try to define me My skin is not here for your enjoyment or entertainment I am Malian I am Congolese I am Nigerian I am American I am and will always be black beautiful and bold. Olivia Cook ’21

As the princess gazed at the village below her, lights from the windows seemed like the lives of all the people she once loved. Just like those lives, as night drew closer, each one blinked into nothingness. By the darkest hour, the night was silent, and the princess was left alone yet again with the darkness as her only friend. Sarah Richter ’23

Beach You know the bright coarse sand you see everywhere you look, the calm waves that come in and out with every gush of wind? And do you know the small animals that live in the water, the crabs, the fish, sometimes even an occasional seal? Well, if you take a step into the water, you will receive a cold chill. But this chill will slowly fade away as you stay in the salty waves. You proceed farther as you observe the sand beneath your feet, the occasional hermit crab scurrying away quickly. The grooves of the sand tickle in between your toes and the small waves lift you up and down. As the water gets deeper, you reach out your arms and swim. You know the sound of the water splashing on the shore, the bulbous sun up in the sky, casting light on everything you see? When you lay your arms out beside you, letting the water keep you afloat, as you listen to the sounds around you and let the peace consume you. Katie Ann Polischuk ’23

Elena Mugno ’20

A Scenic View

A Simple Walk to School

Brilliant colors drift in the skies. Puffs of clouds, soft and velvety as feathers Glide in the atmosphere Creating a magnificent scene.

Down in the heart of Mississippi, Just a simple walk to school. Can seem like the end of the world for some, Who have to break the rule.

Sweet aroma of flowers float in the air, Vibrant foliage fills the field Unique flowers of different kinds A stunning sight to behold.

Nowadays it’s so different, There’s hardly any fights. But back then, just to simply learn, She had to fight for rights.

Miah Zabala ’26

Beginning and End 2010 We started off here To 2011 Then 2012 and 2013 as well 2014 and 2015 we had a tough time In 2016 we had the time of our lives 2017 was the hardest of all In 2018 and 2019 we learned from ourselves To never doubt our self-worth at all Cheers to 2020, the year of perfect vision Let’s start this new decade with precise precision Reach for the stars And you’ll land on the moon Congratulations Class of 2020 Come back and visit soon. Anonymous

Blaring cruel words of hatred To innocent girls like Ruby. With signs held high and passionate eyes, They parade in town so rudely. Thousands of eyes on one little girl Who decides to make a change. In front of all the whites she stands, Who think her incredibly strange. The color of her skin throws them off, Somehow it makes her separate. But her heart of gold and openness Makes everyone else seem desperate. Down in the heart of Mississippi, Just a simple walk to school Can seems like the end of the world for some, Who have to break the rule. Hanah Ciccarelli ’23

A Tropical Night

Adrift

The sun is warm on my skin As the ocean breeze twists my hair And moves the clouds everywhere.

Adrift among a sea of dreams. The waves rush quietly by, as though stilled by the flying winds. Rushing and leaping, tides chase the breeze, and whisper to the evening light.

As some water splashes my knee, I take a sip from a fruity drink. The air smells like salty candy. It calms me down instantly.

Adrift among a sea of dreams. The pale moon dips in the silent sky. The mantas float among the stars, calling softly to the wind.

I see a seagull fly by, And it stops to stare, I offer it a fruit from my drink And it eats it happily. Téa Messina ’26

Caught I’m caught Trapped by a steel cage That leaves no mercy. The bars locking me in I’m taught to look a certain way Talk another Never stray away, to be the same In uniform Because to be different would be a sin. Gianna Oliveri ’23

Adrift among a sea of dreams. The fox lifts its head to the ancient stars, gazing upon the sky as the sky gazes back. Adrift among a sea of dreams. The world loves. The world calls, and weaves the breath of time. Magic flies among the stars on the back of the wild wind. Our hearts call to the world, and the world calls back. I can hear it calling. Can you? Olivia Stella ’26

As I look up to the sky I feel free I am so high And I finally feel like me I let go of everything holding me back I soar above the rest I am on the sky’s racetrack And I feel my heart beat in my chest The wind moves through my hair The stars light up the night I am taken from the earth without a care I am not putting up a fight I’ve been gone for some time Has anyone noticed? If I was taken by the sky would it be a crime? Somehow I remain unnoticed The thought of being forgotten doesn’t bother me What could I be feeling? The sky opens my eyes and now I can finally see All of my pain starts healing Jillian Graham ’21

The sky has taken my burden It has given me a new home The sky has taken away all the hurting I no longer have to be alone

Cherry Blossom

The sky can take and give anything It has taken me, myself, and I But somehow from me it hasn’t taken everything Instead the sky gives me everything and lets me fly So, since no one is there to miss me Since no one gives a care I will be lost in the galaxy I float away in the night air Carys Daly ’23

The smell of sweetness and dripping drops plunk on my feet. The world comes to me as art becomes real. I eat a petal that smells like candylike fruits. The taste of lavender and sweetness on my tongue, and just as I taste it, swishing water comes towards me splashing and washing in and uplifting passion as I fall into blossoms of hope. Deyanira Cotillo ’26

Being “Happy” You’ve been my friend for years, but what do you really know about me? I mean, you know so much, and at the same time, So little I always ask questions about you and you open up to me So why can’t I to you? You always tell your problems to me and confide in me And yet I always keep my problems and emotions bottled up never letting them out, in fear you’ll find me annoying But I keep smiling and laughing because that’s who you see me as Always Happy And even the times I am upset, and you ask if I’m okay, and I say Yeah and laugh But you know I’m not You ask again, and I say the same thing. Both of us know I’m lying But I know deep down you care about me and do your best to cheer me up, despite what I say But whenever you’re upset, it hurts me That’s why I always listen to your problems and cheer you up Your happiness makes me happy So if seeing me smile and laugh is what makes you happy, I’ll always be like that around you My problems… I can deal with them, it may take some time but it’s okay You matter more, for you I’ll be happy because, I’m always Happy Angelina Lombardi-Quijano ‘21

City Evening The sky. A vivid blend of colors above, Glinting down on walking pedestrians On the bustling city streets. A faint scent of car exhaust fills the air As trash skims rocky buildings. Men sell caricatures to passersby As the sun gradually sets. Victoria Morris ‘26

Sinead McGovern ’24

Crazy Silently she obeyed The screams of her peers Being crazy was “in” And she wanted to be “in” So she went in Into the house The one of the legendary tales The one they say the old man haunted Because he was trying to find his murderer Everyone thought he died of a heart attack In the hospital Because he claimed, “A ghost stabbed me In my stomach” And he later died What they didn’t know was that she was six When she first went into that house And seven when she entered with a menacing smile Knowing she wouldn’t Come out clean Covered in blood Like when she was born The little girl left at night And she went to the hospital By cutting his IV She killed him Killed her own father Like she did her mother He always said he wanted her back And she finally gave him that peace of mind

Croaks of the wheel spinning Wishing the ground farewell, Starting the voyage to the unknown Smell the sweet youth of the flowers A breath from the sky carrying up the aroma As the sun smiles upon us Taste the rust of the movement The fresh taste of blossoming flowers And how pure the grass is I can touch the silky petals The roughness of the cabin rails And I can feel the joy in the air Teagan Hanrahan ’26

Moya Williams ’23

Hanna Hillesheim ’20

Being the Youngest in the Family The troublemaker, the spoiled one, the youngest child. The one who thinks rules don’t apply to them, the free spirit, the youngest child. The one who brings a new life and spirit to the family, a new perspective being the youngest child. The one who watches what’s around them, the observant, youngest child. The one who’s a product of their environment, the one who’s wise beyond their years despite being the youngest child. The one who’s the underdog, the one everyone overlooks and walks over, because they’re the youngest child. The one who finds their voice as they grow up, the one who matures quicker than expected because they’re the youngest. The one who is watched closely by the entire family, the one who is constantly under the spotlight, because they’re the youngest child. The one who does well under pressure because they’re used to having eyes on them, the one who becomes the reliable friend, student, teammate, and child, because they’re the youngest. The one who grows up to be independent, the one who grows up to be strong with thoughts that are more elaborate than their older relatives which shock the family, because they’re the youngest child. The one who grew up, had a childhood that came and went, and is now off to college, when everyone wasn’t watching and getting older, because they’re the youngest child. The one who is getting that job, getting that degree, and who is making a life for themselvesThe one who is no longer the youngest child. Victoria Cotza ’21

Cuts There was a hand in the dark, and in it was a knife. She knew that hand quite well, and the knife seemed vaguely familiar too. The hand had chipped blue nail polish and a scar on top of the pointer finger. The knife might have been real, or not, but either way, the pain it caused would be unbearable. It would stab the head, or perhaps the heart, but wherever it stabbed didn’t matter because the pain would spread. The knife was made of steel, or maybe it was made of words, hers and others’. But the material didn’t matter; it would have the same jarring, pounding effect. She stared at her reflection in its blade; those eyes might have been hers, or who knows whose; it didn’t matter anymore. And she felt hopeless, for no matter how hard she tried, at the end of the day the knife would be there, hurting her head and her heart, destroying her. The knife always cut deep, and waking up in the light could never fully heal those cuts. And in the night, there would be fresh wounds all over again. And it became part of her life to accept the knife each night until she was so fragile that she barely lived. And yet, she had to keep living. Moving forward in a daze, those cuts getting deeper, and the knife getting sharper. The cuts were nearly invisible to everyone else, and only she knew that she was constructed purely of cuts and pain and hurt and helplessness. Claire Caltabiano ’23

Escaped Company

Gianna Bryant

(based on “The Scream,” a painting by Edvard Munch)

Soft laughter from an angel Surrounds the room in light An innocent girl in her youth Watches over the night sky

Walking across the long bridge, hovering over the cold sea in the calm night, the girl watches the stars, and counts each, one by one. Her eyes drift away from the night sky to the vast dark space ahead of her and she soon realizes she is not alone. Shock and terror race through her heart as she watches her companion escape into the horrors of the world beneath her feet. Asha LaTuga ’23

May 1, 2006 is when it all began When the angel first cried When she first smiled When she first opened her eyes Her dreams--to play basketball A sport that was her destiny Basketball, she said, sounded familiar The word tasted like it was hers 13 years in this dear life; 2020 had just begun. She loved her life. She lived it fully. Mid-January struck; A helicopter in the air. Who knew that January 26, 2020 Would be the end of this angel’s life? Kelly Proctor ’26

Down the Dunes

Dream Land

You know that bumpy dirt road, the one we drive on every summer morning, surrounded by luscious green ferns so dense that you cannot see the sky, where the birds sing overhead?

A dancer dancing gracefully through the warm steam of hot chocolate. Cupcakes taller than the sky, marshmallows softer than fluff.

And you know how once you leave the dirt road, you start onto a paved road covered in sand, from the hundreds of cars that pass each day, where the tar that is melted from the blazing hot sun causes your feet to stick with every step? And at the end of the road, you know the sandy dunes that cascade when you step on them, and the salty taste in the air, which is mixed with the tang of seaweed? And down the dunes, you know the laughter of children as they play with their dogs, running in and out of the waves, watching seals jump and perform? And you know how when you reach the water, the chill of the sea sloshes on your ankles, and the sand scratches your skin, as the sky becomes a deep shade of pink and the smell of bonfires fills the air? Catherine Gstalder ’23

A celebrity here, a celebrity there, wanting me on their show. Gumdrops the size of mountains, cotton candy as comfy as a cloud. The delectable taste of cotton candy melting in your mouth. The incredible zest of gumdrops, The warm cozy feeling of hot chocolate in your stomach. Sydney Bowles ’26

Friendship of Yesterday Slowly we had to push away Holding on to you was holding on to the past I remember the days we used to play But times have changed, and they’ve changed fast Our friendship, once unsurpassed Now, a friendship that didn’t last The memories of yesterday slowly decay Thinking about the questions I should’ve asked, When you were leaving me on that final day Our stories recast; will we be each other’s outcast? Ema Alickaj ’23

Hatred

Happiness

What is hatred?

Waves splash Gentle and loud The sun shines brightly.

Maybe it’s the way someone looks at you Where they direct a message of contempt Like the gaze of a predator at prey

Trees, green and tall Shade over all.

Perhaps it’s the way someone speaks to you When a foul mouth utters wounding insults As heart-piercing as a bushel of thorns

Beach chairs sit on sand Salt fills the air.

Conceivably it’s how someone treats you How they jeer at those who are different In the way that dogs attack and chase cats

Children playing. Babies sleeping.

However, it may be angst that causes them to act so strange For dread can alter their mind and change their motives In the manner that bees sting when they feel threatened Or the hiss of the goose when you try to come close Or the stench the skunk makes when they are terrified And the bite of the bear when you roam in the woods Hatred is fear Veronica Vicenzino ’23

People never speak of the soft love The sweet whispered words And the way they dance like doves Alas, their freedom can only be likened to birds Oh, they speak of rough kisses And taking shots back like it will make anything better Never mentioning the midnight movies Nor the questions on the morning crosswords Oh, the world never likes to speak about the soft things Nuala Reynolds ‘23

Colorful swimsuits What a joyful bundle of people On such a great day. Chiara Addeo ‘26

Steppingstones and Dirt Paths You know the steppingstones across the fast-moving stream, Or the dirt path leading into the dark, damp woods? If you know this, you would probably know what path to choose. You would know all the answers to everything that has come before, You would know how the world came to be and everyone in it. But no one knows every path or the right decision to make, You don’t know what will happen. And once you start walking along your path, you can’t turn back. The steppingstones will take you one way and the dirt road another. The best part is the adventure, Seeing where your decisions lead you, Like looking at the fish in the stream and birds in the forest, Like the steppingstones across the the fast-moving stream, Or the dirt path leading into the dark, damp woods. Mia Alverio ’23

Olivia Curtis ’21

Hours

I Hear America Singing

It’s been 7,000 hours Since the day I was supposed to die It’s been 7,000 hours Since I restarted life

I hear America singing Of all the amazing occupations we can pursue Here in the red, white, and blue I hear America singing Of all the different people we can be Feminist, acitivist, socialist, Student, teacher, parent, leader Just to name a few

It’s been 8,000 hours Since I changed my name It’s been 8,000 hours Since I started the change It’s been 9,000 hours Since my memories left It’s been 9,000 hours Since I forgot who I was

I hear America singing Of all the different cultures It holds us together as one I hear America singing As we eat hotdogs and watch fireworks As we celebrate our independence

It’s been 10,000 hours Since my mother’s last cry It’s been 10,000 hours Since the day I “died” Leigh Brown ’23

I hear America singing Our National Anthem Loud and proud With hands across our hearts And pride across our faces. Mia Madappatt ’23

Strength We grow stronger when we break. Like the strong tree trunk you can’t shake. Let the branches fold and snap The tree always produces sweet sap. Its trunk will never falter, Like the past will never alter. No matter what has happened before, We’ll always find our way back to shore. Erica Cally ’22

Kobe’s Dunk to Heaven Kobe Bryant has come a long way. He has made his way to heaven. Between his basketball career, and being a dad, he has kept everything together. Even today we still hear him. He is still a part of our hearts. He is my role model. Fans should keep believing because he showed that anything is possible. Gabriella Panzarella ’26

I Love Cats All inside of a bowl, Cats of all different shapes and sizes Sound of cats meowing softly. Their soft fur gently brushing against my hand Tails waving patiently, Pushing each other with their warm paws. Some sleeping, some awake. Their radiant little eyes pointed at me I love them. Flavia De Brito ’26

Catherine Condolff ’20

Imagination

Kobe Bryant

Imagination. The most amazing thing ever created. Imagination shows the sun glancing through the window. The rainbow’s upside-down smile Singing to the tune of the birds’ songs.

Kobe’s smile came to my mind I saw the shining number “24” on his back Sad music came to my ears, his jersey in a glass box representing a legend

Imagination. One glimpse and problems fade away. Imagination could whisk me away to another place, A place without fighting around the corner. A place with no smells of smoke and anger, A place where everyone is forgiven.

Sweat, washed off the jersey, matching the tears in my eyes Grace Egan ’26

Imagination. A vision to un-see the world’s brutal faults, Or un-hear the blades of swords clink against each other. The sun’s smile will always be there And the rainbow will never stop singing.

Push As I sprint down the track My limbs go numb My breath becomes heavy It becomes hard to breathe

As long as you have imagination, You have a reality. Your reality. Lucy Equinda ‘26

Lady in the Garden Alone I stand All ready to go out with nowhere to go The grass, the trees, and the stars are my friends

I push to go faster But nothing works I start falling behind So I give everything I’ve got

The firefly’s light guides me I stand at the water’s edge My dress is in my hands and I think I might jump in

When I cross the line I look at my time A new personal record But still not my best My body hurts I walk off the track

The wind feels cold on my legs Cold nights are rare in June I contemplate my fate and what I have to lose

Ava O’Sullivan ’23 Allie Cannon ’23

I see two people up ahead And I don’t look back I can see the end But I can’t stop yet

In a crooked little house, By a crooked little sea, Is a home that is my own, That is just for me. As strangers come by, They can be happy with me, Although fortunately, I am alone, On my own. And alone, I will always be. I make the rules, As I sit by the sea, In that crooked little house, By a crooked little sea. Genevieve Jena-Charles ‘26

In the Nightfall I saw what a child must love A broken heart like a wounded dove I stood there and looked him right in the eye As I saw a tear and he began to cry My father all strong and tough In a condition far worse than rough I took his hand and led him inside A single tear was left, the rest had dried He told me he was sorry and that he loved me so But was that not enough to make everything else go? His abuse, his hate, the way he treated us all And he dare beg for forgiveness in the nightfall Julia Molloy ‘23

The Rainbow It gives me hope The man standing smiling No regrets, just happy as can be The rainbow is dancing with glee The mountains beam with joy They make me feel cheerful Giving me faith and courage To persevere and succeed Alethea Lambros ‘26

*This poem is meant to be read forwards and backwards. I want to find happiness But I get caught in sadness I want to find brightness But I get caught in darkness I want to find success But I get caught in failure I want to shine But I get caught in the rain I want to recover But I get caught in relapses I want to find heaven But I get caught in hell I want to choose the light I will choose the light I won’t get caught in the dark Mya Fadda ’21

Lost My Way

Love and Hate

My world is upside down, Pain has filled my head I’ve been stuck in this maze of memories I need to get out before the light hits the dark.

What is love? Love is love, We choose whom we love, We love whom we want, And if it feels right, Then it’s love

I try to hide To find my way, I get lost Loneliness surrounds me.

Love is for us, Not for anyone else, And if anyone tries, To take love away, Then, it leaves only hate

My life is on the edge, But I shouldn’t give up My soul slowly fades I’m losing myself. The fresh breeze on my skin Calms my pain I realize that the key Is me. Allison Go ’26

Night Sky Indigo swirls and curls through the sky The stars beam brightly beside the moon Rolling hills and reaching trees An idyllic town, sleeping peacefully at ease Kate Nugent ’23

Love is confusing, Love can be hard, But love is still true, And that doesn’t change It’s probably the only thing, That won’t lie to you But you know what will lie to you? Hate, hate is a dirty, disgusting liar That reeks of mistrust, So just try to stay away Hate is the reason, Why love can’t grow They hate us, When we love, And it’s we, They love to hate Love and hate, Hate and love, Two things, So different, Yet they’re so together, So often. Maybe it’s best, They stay apart. Gianna Calicchia ‘23

Nature Haikus

Nature, Nature

The sun is shining With tropical skies all day It’s summer today

Nature, nature, sweet and fun, Nature, nature, so much sun. Nature, nature, don’t make a sound, Nature, nature, calms me down.

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Emily Trezza ’26

Whoosh whoosh goes the air The happy blue butterfly Caught up in the wind ******** Seaweed in my toes The warm water on my skin Looking at the sand ******** Hammocks all around The flies swirl around my food Oh I love picnics ******** Walking down the road Leaves crunching with every step Fall is in the air

Nemesis The goddess in the sky watched With a solemn sorrow she let it happen Because humans and gods were different The gods were not corrupted by chaos The good gods were good at heart The humans sided with Ares “Only war can make peace” They said. Nemesis should have been happy This was her godly power Making enemies was righteous in her eyes But the humans took it too far And this was suddenly not her doing Another god was in their brains Whispering ideas of destruction Acting on those feelings towards their enemies And there was nothing she could do. Moya Williams ’23

Marija Domgjoni ’23

Skies Clouds softly whisper in gentle winds. At day, they drift in a soft blue sky. At night, the heavens glow. Stars shine brightly and tenderly. Planets glimmer in the darkness. Elizabeth LaScala ’26

Rachel Cullinan ’24

Magic Forest

Misty Morning

Crouching down by little fairies They dance around my feet To not step on them I must be wary On this cool night there is not heat

Trees move in the breeze, while the river’s current flows. Clouds glide through the snowy mountain tops. It seems as if I can grab them.

I walk and feel moss beneath my feet It squishes between my toes Coming here was such a treat This magic forest has no foes

I gaze off while looking into the mist, as a lizard crawls on my knee. It smiles at me, and then it scatters away.

Anything can happen here It’s so sad I have to leave I wave goodbye and shed a tear Knowing once I’m gone, I’ll grieve

Téa Messina ’26

Claire Elliott ‘23

My Happy Place Waves crash and cars beep. The sun rises and shines. Happiness spreads through the air. Sand, as soft as silk, and fantastic sights. Excitement ahead. Julianna Gilmartin ’26

My Summer House A big sand sculpture in front of the hotel The parking lot facing the outdoor pool. Towels and sunglasses in one hand, Sunscreen in the other. Heat fills my body as the sun shines down on my face. We turn to enter the hotel, the lightest shade of gray I immediately smell thick chlorine I turn to see the hot tub. Yet, I am still too young to use it. Laughter and voices fill the air. As I make my way outside, I keep going straight, for what seems like an eternity, then another road. Now on this road is a little house Where I stand and wait. This house is home Home is where I am at, Home in salty, calm, beautiful Cape Cod. Emily Morillo ’23

Moments of Summer

My Idea of Happy

Splashes of water fill the air. Sandy footprints trail in the sand Creating deep marks, Leaving my summer memories.

Chilling breezes of autumn Rushing through the town I am at peace Children laugh And play to pass the time Families are together The world seems at peace.

Birds fly high, Frolicking and soaring, While seeing the world below. A dolphin explodes out of the sea, What a gorgeous sight to behold. Its body shines like diamonds. The salty aroma and cool fresh breeze, Gives me the chills like a mist sprayed onto me. These feelings are like no other, I wish they would never end.

A perfect place to be A happy place The worries of the day Melt away. Tests, people, opinions, GRADES. Left all behind Come back anytime. Blake Wilson ‘26

Maybe soon life will repeat, Until then, I will remember. Nina Willey ’26

Olivia Goncalves ‘22

One Last Time Life is too short To not say, “I Love You.” After saying, “Goodbye” You do not know When the last time happens A feeling of regret Will sink into Your heart, To the bottom of your stomach, It’s an ache You see what love can do On the days of the wake, The room will be filled, With those seen yesterday And those not seen in years Knowing when the end is near Is a gift before they go You are able to say What you must say One last time Amelia Dolis ’23

So much depends Upon A basketball game Parents shouting Balls bouncing Clock ticking Shot going up Everyone cheers. Andi Williams ‘26

Sarah DeCillis ’23

Skating

Nature

Well, you know how it feels The cold of the rink Hitting my face As I step out on the ice Feeling the blade Move across the ice The top of the skate Entering the ice The sound of the crunch As my blade switches edges It sends a certain feeling Through my body This feeling however Is hard to describe As it takes me away From all that is hard

Flowers bloom, And trees grow tall. The sun shines With delight.

Sarah DeCillis ’23

The smell of summer Dances on my nose. The breeze, Gentle on my skin. The days long And bright. Bursting colors Make me feel contented. Maybellene Kelly ‘26

Racing

Silence

Soft and white like a cloud, My heart, racing, as I reach the crown. My arm, colliding with gates--I fly through air, Slight wind hums directly through my hair.

A silent room in a lonely house, Sits in stillness, no movement, no life. Sunlight streams through an open window, The dust dancing in its rays.

I imagine “first place” As I push through the race, And there I am at the end. Only to see my best friend Cheering me on like I won the lottery, And soon I see her eyes--all watery. She hugs me tight and she states, “Wow, you just came in first place!”

In the distance, the sweet Sound of a song arises Approaching the house, It seeps in through cracks And slips under doors.

I start to cry, You may wonder why-I practiced and came all this way To compete in a race, this day. Lucy Gomez ’23

It fills the house With its beautiful sound Breaking the stillness, Banishing the loneliness. For a moment in time, This lonely house is filled With the beautiful sounds of life. Kelly Lahiff ’23

Snow

Snowflakes

Falling from the sky Peacefully landing on trees

I gaze at the stars, And maybe even Mars, They are all so bright, On a clear winter’s night, Feeling the breeze, Watching the trees, They’re swaying with grace, In this peaceful little place, The prettiest time of the year, Winter season is here, How wonderful winter can be, From holidays to scenery.

Children, Watching through their windows, Waiting to play I see the birds They twirl through the wind Smoke, Coming out from every chimney, Feeling like a warm hug in the world.

Kristy Hughes ’23 Marin Kulsar ‘26

Julia Pawlowicz ‘22

Spring

Peppa Pig

The rainbow sprouts up From the ground. Clouds shuffle Into the sky.

Peppa Pig loves to play Jumping in muddy puddles all day

The sun beams With glee. Cotton candy scents Fill the air. Colors pop everywhere And peacefulness hovers. Grass is soft and supple, As mellow as the mist. Maybellene Kelly ’26 27

She loves to play games and read books But she also loves to bake and to cook Peppa has a bunch of nice, fun friends She hopes their friendships never end Her family loves her oh so much Sometimes it really makes her blush Kaitlyn Horgan ’26

Starry Night

Glowing Clouds

The whistling wind Spinning wildly Glides across The starry night

Standing on top of a glowing cloud, How beautiful it is to look on the ground. I wish I could spend my life here now And look at the beauty below

Stars gleam bright Shining softly Illuminating The starry night

Standing on top of a glowing cloud, I forget all of my troubles from the ground I wish I could spend my life here now And forget my troubles of below

The swaying trees Dancing slowly Moving in tune to The starry night

Standing on top of a glowing cloud I forget how it feels to have people around I wish I could spend my life here now, And forget all the people that brought me down

People sleep soundly Knowing nothing About the beauty of The starry night

Standing on top of a glowing cloud I forget everything, but I still frown I don’t wish to spend my life here now I want to remember the people on the ground

And I watch wondrously Staring keenly Trying to capture The starry night

Standing on top of a glowing cloud It was a good escape for now But I don’t wish to spend my life here now I wish to be with everyone on the ground

Julia Higgins ‘23

Ciara Dwyer ’23

Mackenzie Hughes ’21

Summer Memories

Starry Night

I miss the summer breeze And the sunny skies that put me at ease The sound of gulls and the crashing waves Stargazing at night and having fun all day

As I sit on the bench I can’t stop looking at the sky So many colors Some blue, some yellow More than I could even name.

Car rides to Long Island were always so much fun My hands in the air and my face in the sun With sunburnt shoulders and my legs a golden tan The only problem was getting rid of the sand

I see a crescent moon So clear For the first time.

From laughing children, cotton candy, and endless smiles To the sunset horizon that you can see for miles And carnival tickets and even the sand in my shoes These are the memories that I hope to never lose

Lights from the city shine Like blazing lanterns Floating in the air. Felice Kozak, ’23

The Beach “Boom pop” goes the ocean, Surfers, scuba divers, and swimmers everywhere, Fishes, sand toys, and people playing with each other, I wish I were at the beach. Now that I’m here, It’s very crowded but exciting, So many activities, It’s hard to choose, Swimming, surfing, scuba diving, or all of them? Julianna Albanese, ’26

Stars shimmer across the sky Like glitter swirled on a canvas Reminding me of a painting I love. I decide to paint the colorful sky But when I begin, the stars fade. Zahra Haleem ’23

Peace

The Black Pen

Mountains grow Water rumbles At the peak, you catch A glimpse of a valley With a little stream The whole day is filled with peace As you settle into the ease.

On the sidewalk, bleeding, lies a black fountain pen. Its black ink oozes all over the walk. It is surprising how much darkness one little pen holds.

Annissa Modroukas ’26

The Magic of Snow Sweetly falling Never ceasing Omniscient and soft Wandering, not lost For evermore Loving with a frosty warmth All conflicts, shed Kneeling, slowly, bowing down Elegance shall reign Jenna Cain ’23

It finally snapped, After holding all of that darkness for such a long time. A river of black flows through the cracks in the sidewalk, Occasionally getting onto the shoes Of unaware passersby hurrying to work, And avoided by many others. It’s just a pen, though, Who cares about a pen, anyway? Who would care to notice That it was on the brink of snapping? That the little pen finally reached its breaking point? Did anybody notice? Did anybody care? Yet, when it snapped, It was difficult not to notice its ink. Its darkness. The absence of light. The sadness. The pain. The trail it left. All of the thoughts just one little pen can hold. But, whatever, It’s just a pen ...right? Ava Alvarez ‘23

Allison Haugh ’24

The Black Cat’s Meow

The Darkness in the Forest

A soft meow From a cat is Like silk, like a . . .

Mist curls around my skin, drawing closer, closer still. Breath down my neck, roots at my feet. Someone’s out there, calling, calling.

A fresh breeze From the mossy tree. A fresh smell From dampened grass.

Moonlit paths that don’t exist, weeds choke the dead trees. Still and silent, the forest holds what once was lost and should never be found. Someone’s out there, watching, waiting.

A taste of water droplets From a misty sky. The smell of a freshly rained-on lake, Where trees flow in the wind. A calm serene place where problems go away, So calm and cozy That you just take a nap. The black cat Meows a soft lullaby. You pet its silky fur And you dream away To this place where All problems go.

Olivia Stella ’26

Klara Severance-Sulimma ’26

The Fairy Standing on the sparkling ground Wearing an elegant golden gown A woman stood, with soft red hair Gazing down at wonders there. Kate Nugent ’23

I stumble, I scream. Flowers brush against my cheek, sickly sweet, it creeps down my throat. My vision narrows, my head burns. Footsteps in the darkness, time stops. He stares at me; he smiles at me. The world grows faint, fading, fading. He reaches out. Fading, gone.

The Dead

The Delicate Snowflake

The dead are always looking down on us, they say They are always sending blessings our way They send us even more gifts when we pray It seems like they were with us just the other day

A lone snowflake dances below Its delicate shape and its soft glow The pattern so ornate The tiny flake illuminates

The dead are always keeping us intact They protect us from getting smacked The way they communicate is very abstract Because they cannot be seen or tracked

Winters come with a frosty chill The snowflakes on the ground will fill The ground beneath the soaring sky On which the glistening snow will lie

The dead are always thinking about us They are the clowns in our circus They are in our hearts and thus They are much more than a pile of dust The dead are always happy up there It’s like they are part of thin air One day we will all take our share Of being happy with the dead, I swear Grace Boynes ‘23

Sunset Skating The orange of the sunset has just set in. Trees line the skyline, As kids’ joy fills the air. No anger as far as the eye can see. Ice glistens in the sunlight. People laugh at skaters who have fallen. Even though they, too, have also fallen, Not too long ago. Skates grind against the ice. Players sticks clash While fans watch from the sidelines. Everyone is outside, Skating on this wonderful day.

Amrit Singh ‘23

Summer and School The summertime brings me happiness and peace, While school brings me work without surcease. I would spend my days laying at the pool, Without the constant stress of school. I could relax and go on my phone, Instead of joining my classes from home. I would sleep long hours in my room, Never having to join a Zoom. I could spend sunny days at the beach, And not listen to what my teachers teach. Summer reading was a mere task, I didn’t have to go to class in a mask. I would play with my friends on a basketball court, I didn’t think about if they were in my cohort. The summer sun would warm my skin, I had no assignments to turn in. I could drive around the sound in a boat With no stress of the essay I wrote. I would lay down with my friends in the grass, Because the next day I didn’t have class. I spent all of my time with friends, Now my list of assignments extends. I would give anything for it to be summer, This school year has truly been a bummer. Mary Fitzgerald ‘23

Lucy Equinda ’26

The Hand I am skating to forever and everywhere, down the river past the nesting doves, and the black crows.

As the day turns to night, I am skating in the silence; I am restful and calm. But I remember the cold, I remember the wet Above all I remember my Savior.

I am relatively fine . . . I feel strong and confident; I can skate well; I am fast; No one is stopping me.

Anna Gayer ’23

What I don’t realize is that something is wrong. The ice is too thin. I didn’t notice it as I was flying too fast, but as I stop to ponder those doves and black crows, the ice creaks. Before I know it, I am submerged, I am cold. I feel heavy. I cry out for help, I don’t want to go under, And a strong hand pulls me out of the darkness. I lie there, panting, but when I turn to check, the person is gone. I whisper my thanks anyway . . . I get up, I take a deep breath, and I start to skate again. I go quickly, wanting to leave the mess I made behind. Soon, I am laughing and I am smiling, I almost forgot all that went wrong. It is in the back of my mind, present but not relevant. Isabella Nieto ’21

The Fantastic Four

The Most Magical Place on Earth

“The Fantastic Four?” you wonder, I’m talking about the four seasons: Winter, spring, summer, fall!

The most magical place You can’t erase The memories you retrace

First up is winter! Snowballs cross the air, mixed with the smell of hot cocoa. We cuddle in blankets around the fireplace.

Fireworks blasting in the distance Year by year without resistance Memories made with magical assistance Smelling that scent in the air Unlike any other, so rare It reminds me of memories I share

Down the line, here comes spring, my favorite season of the year! Dancing and singing in the meadows while kids’ laughter fills the Easter air!

Alethea Lambros ’26

It’s summertime! The smell of chlorine and sunscreen fills the air. SPLASH! Ah, you’re wet! Dry quickly because . . .

Stay She calls out to me Across the lake Her face lit up by candles She cries for help For an escape His touch was all too much to handle

BOO! Autumn’s here! You’re covered in dry leaves. Hmm, smells like apple pie and Cinnamon candles! Thanksgiving at Grandma’s house!

I row away And in retreat I’m having second thoughts

Here comes winter again: Bundle up! Mya Joseph ’26

Although she hurt me All too hard Time to think might bring her healing And nonetheless We’re both aware That he’ll be waking soon And bring her back To a place where he will Make her stay all afternoon Claire Caltabiano ’23

The Magical School of Witchcraft and Wizardry There is . . . Magic of the dark and light Wingardium Leviosa, which gives flight Hagrid with his beard of might Umbridge who has a meow and a bite D.A.D.A. where you learn how to fight Spells that can turn wrong into right Basilisks, snakes with weight and height Dumbledore who makes everything all right Transfiguration that can be weird at first sight Harry, Hermione, and Ron who are super tight The magical school of Hogwarts . . . Special? Quite! Ophelia Kelly ’26

The Flower The one flower different from the rest, The one flower might be the best. The one flower red as can be, The one flower that everyone can see. The one flower standing tall, The other flowers look like they might fall. The one flower stands above the rest, The other flowers put to the test. The one flower needs to stay high, The other flowers are looking for a tie. The one flower starts to bend, The other flowers’ stems extend. Michela Visco ‘23

Lena Gilardi ’24

The Perfect Day

The First Snow

The roar of the motor, The rush of the water, And the thrum of the music.

Calm, cold All is quiet A crystalline flake falls More follow to make a blanket Of white

This is what fills her with joy, Makes her enjoy life in a way nothing else can, Makes her smile brighter than the glistening sun. The boat pulls out of the harbor, The engine, opened to full throttle, While the music blasts at full volume. Everyone smiles, and that is the best part. There is no stress on the water, There is no sorrow. Only love and laughter fill the air As the girls dance, As Mom pleads for sunscreen to be applied, As Dad sings off-key to “Drift Away.” The boat slows for a minute And the family is silent too, Enjoying the peace.

Night sky All are asleep Except me to see the Winter wonderland that’s called the First snow. Francesca Maldonado-Vittar ‘21

The Rainbow Forest The forest of all different colors. The forest of beautiful sights. The forest beyond what the eye can see. The forest with beautiful skies. The forest that makes your day. It’s beautiful. It’s amazing. It’s the rainbow forest. Julianna Gilmartin ’26

But peace does not last long, So the engine is started, And the music is unpaused. And they all enjoy all these moments That make up the perfect day. Noelle Gayer ’23

You Know . . . You know the yellow taxis with their blinding headlights, The ones that seem to fill the streets the way people fill the sidewalks? And you know when you stand on the side of the road, Trying to hail one, As the street-sweeper walks around you as if you are not there, Continuing his job, Making his money, With the understanding that you are just one of the millions of people who make up the city’s scenery. You know the skyscrapers that seem to stretch for miles, The ones that have the glass walls, Allowing you to see inside. How when you look up, They seem to sway in the wind; They are palm trees that somehow fit into this city life. However, This movement is just an illusion: Your mind, playing tricks on you, Scaring you, Causing you to believe in something that is not real. You know the millions of people, “New Yorkers,” Always rushing, With somewhere important to be. They fill the streets and sidewalks, Walking into each other, Like a game of bumper cars. But you know that they do not care about each other; They are focused on themselves, Their own personal priorities, Their own goals. They do not give anything irrelevant a second thought. You know those neon signs, How they fill Times Square and the Theater District, And you know how they depict unrealistic people, Doing unrealistic activities, With unrealistic advantages in life. 37

These signs are advertisements For things some people care about, Things that others do not. However, They light up the whole city, Guiding the people through the dark of the night. You know New York City: Five boroughs. Wealthy neighborhoods and poor neighborhoods. Peace and distress. Love and hatred. And you know how, to some, it is a dream vacation destination For Broadway, For the Empire State Building, For so many other landmarks. But to others, It is a place to go home after a long day. Madeline Donovan ’23

The Sea Train

The Place I Wish to Be

The ocean meets the shore Hustling to catch the water train The sun flashes upon the sea Like a train’s light beaming at dusk

Long bendy roads made up of pebble and tar, tall grass framing the road, nettles and wildflowers among them, the dark black tar seems foreign among the greenery, a weak attempt to tame the wilderness and freedom of the road.

Mist steam arises as the foam comes nearer Sand crumbles beneath my toes Like the warm coal That powers the sea train

A calming silence wrapping around the sky, the occasional distant bellow of a mother cow, calling for her calf, the echo reaching far and wide, as they call for each other bouncing off the clouds in the sky.

Teagan Hanrahan ‘26

The River’s Land The river’s bridge hovers over Its reflection And The river’s trees surround it like Guards

The strong smell of rain and dew hanging in the air, with a hint of salt so dense you can taste it on your tongue when you open your mouth to speak. Waves crashing violently against the rocks, the once distant water creeping closer, leaving driftwood, shells, rocks, and stones along with the occasional jellyfish behind as the water retreats, vowing to return to wishfully wage war on the rocks again. Sophia Byrne ’23

The sun shines through, Warming the air And the river’s fish Play Everything doubles in reflections The fresh fall air Is strong with Leaf scents And the coolness of the river Brings calmness Riya Buddhavarapu ‘26

The Road Home

The Shark

The throbbing in my feet Barefoot across the dirt path That feeling of despair buried in my bleeding chest What’s the cause of it?

Urgently, he fights for his life underneath Jerry is frightened, clenching his teeth He dives and flips frantically to get to the shore And losing his focus, he plummets to the floor

Each step is harder than the first My legs turn to jelly The pain turns to numbness I can’t turn back to the light

The suspense rises and tensions get high He sinks even further no matter how hard he tries His chest quickly tightens as his heartbeat slows The scene around him blurs; his eyes begin to close

There are no smells There is no noise There are no more tastes in my mouth All I sense is nothing but a need to go on

The sky up above is no longer in sight The waves toss him about; his head gets light In the corner of his eye, an opening appears A grand rushing sound comes to his ear

I have to keep going I want to live I have to walk away from the light

He shoots himself up to the rock in his way And is freed of the seaweed below him that sways He finds himself nearing the surface until A shape in the water is no longer still

There is no turning back No matter how long it’s been It feels like I’ve been going forever Maybe I’ll never be there again But there’s something in my head A thought that drives me It says I might never get there But I want to live Katherine Mehler ’23

As it gets closer, to emerge from the dark He sees that this shape is a slow, lurking shark Slashing and crashing the shark’s teeth do shred It looks as if the creature had not been fed A hungry shark that knew his location Is truly what ruined young Jerry’s vacation As before he arrived, he would have never remarked That his life could be taken by an awfully hungry shark. Jane Connelly ’23

The Northern Lights The northern lights shine from above, The way the pink beam hits the green rays They give excitement to everyone around. Gabriella Panzarella, ’26

The night sky is full of light Stars fill the night sky so bright Moonlight shines on the city For those fast asleep, it is a pity They are not able to see The thing that inspires me They will have their chance To catch an enchanting glance The next time the stars decide to dance Isabella Facendo ’23

Mary Fleming ’21

Them You look and see everyone's the same But then you see me, a stray Everyone, perfect in every way But then you see me, gray I stand out the most Sometimes I feel like a ghost I don’t know how to be as free Maybe I’m okay with being me Sofia Santorelli ‘23

the sunset

The Woods

the sun lowers the sky becomes pink Sunset gleams on quiet waters

You know the big gray castle on the hill? The one you can see from your cottage? The one with the red banners and white trims, Warding off evil from entering? The one with the stunning statue of the prince, Smiling for all of the land to see? The one with the big hulking boulder in front, With a small, rectangular indentation on top, From which the prince pulls a sword out? And if you keep walking you’ll see a forest, A forest with perfectly sculpted white trees, Reaching higher and higher into the sky, As if cheering that you made it that far? And if you walk farther the trees seem to darken? They skulk down further and further, Their branches claw and make you stop? But if you go farther then, the trees blacken and whisper, Whisper warnings, nightmares, and fears You havent’t even dared admit to yourself? Until the whispers become deafening, And the forest grows thicker and thicker, Until you don’t know how to get back? And you enter a clearing, And you think you are safe, Before you is a meager shack of nightmare wood, With chaotic shouts and laughter, Coming from those inside, And you wonder how you weren’t able to hear them before? And you dread to think, You’re where you have always belonged, And you can never escape, No matter how much you tell yourself you can?

clouds fluffy, and warm as the sun goes down, and so do my worries. Sienna Perez ‘26

The Sunset The sun pierces through the clouds It fills the whole sky with beauty The trees with glistening bark Colors to make everything seem peaceful. Clouds glow in the orange sun, The wind blows and whistles That’s sunset. Annissa Modroukas ’26

Leila Martinez ’23

This Feeling Waking up to a hot June day but not opening your eyes Your first thought, school But then You remember School is over, stress is done, life is calm You open your eyes and stare at the ceiling for a while It’s summer now. You can spend your days doing useless things like that You get out of bed, head downstairs, and have your favorite breakfast You think to yourself, “What’s next?” You linger outside No rush You unlock the screen And open it You feel the hot sun as soon as the door peeks open a crack You run outside and lie out on a beach chair Grasping the rays on your skin You don’t feel hot or burning You feel warm You feel comfort Nothing in the world could change this feeling This is the feeling you long for in the winter months This is the feeling you need

The road was worn. From the bicycles of children. From the cars of parents. Even from that one stray cat. It seemed that everyone had been on that road. That poor poor road. Jalene Arguinzoni ’23

And you have the whole summer to feel it Noelle Nevin ‘23

What Love Might Have Done I saw what love might have done If we had loved in time. I saw early mornings in the car, On the way to the big game. The sun is bright as it comes up, And wants everyone to know it’s back once again. I see my hands on the steering wheel, And his voice guiding me down the road. Slow and steady he teaches me, He always keeps me calm. Maybe I see him at a concert, In a dimly lit auditorium, But I still see him in the audience. He smiles and waves.

Rochelle Samuels ’20

I even see three strong words Forming on his lips. Oh, I wonder what love might have done If we had said, “I love you.” Mary Fitzgerald ’23

Unrhymed I used to wait to be saved I thought someone else would solve All my problems for me But I finally opened my eyes And realized that I only needed myself Other peoples’ words Finally lost their power My negative thoughts Left me alone I had a chance I could be happy if I wanted to No longer was I held down By what other people thought Because I found my voice And it blocked out everyone else’s. Clare Keneally ’21

This Perfect Day I touch the water, It runs through my fingers, Colder than it’s ever been I hear the birds, Singing in the distance I smell fire in the distance Good fire, The one that makes you feel warm inside I feel the sun, Warm on my skin Beaming at me Marin Kulsar ’26

A Union Officer’s Letter Home Dear Mother, Oh how I miss you and the rest of the family so! Everything about the war is horrible, from the mental strains to the seemingly never-ending deaths of so many! I didn’t know what to expect until we started planning for the battle. The plan sounded efficient and appeared simple: to take out a bulk of the Confederacy, which would open up a clear path to Richmond, the Confederate capital, and end the war. But it was so much different, so much more real, than it could ever be perceived as. The plan was too complex. Our movements were given away and both the Union and Confederacy attacked at the same time. I was assigned to fight the left flank of the Confederate army. Thank God that the majority of their army went to fight our own left flank. If not, I would’ve surely been killed. We had underestimated the Confederates. They fought with a fierce determination that was surprisingly tough to overcome. Our failure to realize how determined they were cost us this battle. Throughout the fight, there seemed a never-ending stream of Confederate soldiers. After we killed one troop, another would come. During the battle, I didn’t dare take my attention off the Confederates for fear of meeting my death. The moment you thought you were safe, another shot would ring out close by and that feeling of relief would vanish. My heart jumped every time I heard the thud of another body or the scream of another soldier. My only thought was “kill”. I know this sounds terrible, but that was the mindset drilled into us from day one of training. I can’t tell you how many times I wanted to run, to try and run back to all of you, but the humiliation if I did, Mother! I know it sounds pathetic but I still have a life back at home even if I’m not living it right now. Also, what such cowardice would do to all of you, the shame of having a cowardly son and brother! Rather than bring this shame upon myself or any of you, I shot and I killed. The guilt was tremendous at first, suffocating my conscience, but as I kept fighting I soothed myself with the fact that my enemies were trying to kill me, too. Day slowly turned into night, and yet I continued. I kept fighting until someone yelled, “Retreat!” At that moment, I took in my surroundings for the first time all day. It was as if the ground were covered by a red carpet with bodies and rifles strewn atop. Blank eyes of the dead stared at me as I retreated. The air reeked of the smell of blood, and more than one soldier retched. Death was everywhere. When we finally retreated to the safety of Washington, I noticed countless wounded people. Most of them were barely holding on to life. The horrors of the battle haunt me, Mother. I’m so sorry to disgust you with the gory details of the war, but I have to tell someone. Please don’t show Jerome. I don’t want him terrified of being drafted into the war. Please, just remind him of the great honor, should he be chosen. I must admit that was one of the only good feelings I had on that battlefield. What kept me going, what kept me shooting, was my sense of duty to the Union, my desire to honor my country. Give the family my best, and I hope everything is going well at the shop. Despite the goriness of the first battle, everything has continued to run smoothly as the Union prepares for another attack against the Confederacy. Until the next time we speak, Mother, Your loving son,

Paul Olivia Luyando, ’24 44

Waterfall A blue glistening substance Flowing over a steep precipice In the middle of the forest. A flock of robins, Gracefully glide Through clear water, Streaming down the granite area. Victoria Morris ’26

Wolf I am quiet Looking at the turquoise lake While I sit on the rocks. I’m white as the clouds. The small forest around me fades, Blending with the mountains.

You know the park across the street from your house, the one where we used to laugh and play as children, the one that holds all of our precious memories, the place we never wanted to leave? Take a left there and keep walking until you find our tree, the tree that symbolizes new beginnings and last summer, the tree filled with green and flowers growing around it, the tree that we sat under and held hands for the first time. And then you know the pizza shop we went to near the bus stop? the one that has a smell that could make your mouth water, the one where we went after school every day, the one that feels like home. Next you get on the bus with the number 80 on it, the bus that reminds us of our teenage years, the bus with the checkered pattern on the seats, the bus that goes to the best place on earth. After that you get to our summer camp, the one with the lake we would go swimming in, the one where we met our tribe, the one where I looked at you and fell in love. Don’t you remember? Katherine Timmons ’23

I hear the sounds of the forest. The wind slapping the trees The fish swimming away the day And the sound of my breath Carolyn Coyne ’26

Mia Valecce ’20

Pegasus