Ode to the Autumnal Equinox Sophie Appel

Ode to the Autumnal Equinox

Sophie Appel

One footstep after another, Two ears that catch the sounds of society. Three birds chirping A light woosh of the wind brushing through the air With a soft patter of water trickling down the almost dry river. An illuminating glow of the dulcet sun that radiates through The enormous trees that spread for miles. Where mostly oranges and reds linger Mixed with the gentle greens revealed between the hills Where the warm embrace of the sun reflects on my back. As the chilly breeze rushes by like a swift fox trying to outrun its extinction. Whisking mounds of leaves in circles Just where the temperature's contact feels right. One singular place of comfort only to be found on the east coast.

Where I glance about To see endless opportunities open for me Awaiting my approval. When in one moment I come to a halt And listen to the bird's delicate music And the rustle of what could be a black bear. Where the squirrels gather their food for the upcoming winter. A location where the sun's radiance gives strength, peace, and serenity Allowing me to feel at ease. One single moment where built-up tension evaporates Within the instant tranquility of the atmosphere.

Finally I am at rest.

John Graves Award Finalist

Obsession 2 Avery Buchanan

Momma Alex Lange

I have cried out your name thousands of times. In times of pure joy, in between my stomach-aching laughter, as you hold me in my times of need, and when I am so angry you are the only one who can calm me down.

I look to you as an example. When I am unsure of what is right I ask myself what you would do. I see a strong woman who has overcome unimaginable difficulty. You have shown me how to chase my dreams and pursue my passions. You have taught me how to love with no regrets, to never look back and continue to explore my curiosities.

I think about the times we sit at the kitchen table, talking about everything from boys to what we will have for dinner that night. We talk about our passions, life decisions, and lessons we have learned from our most stupid mistakes. Your voice soothes my uneasy mind as the only thing I think about is how you won’t be at my side next year.

You have been my home for the past eighteen years. Finding comfort in your arms, holding me, hugging me, and telling me it will all be alright. I think of the nights that we watch movies together, eating Ben and Jerry’s ice cream as I eventually fall asleep on the couch on your shoulder. You wish me sweet dreams and blow me kisses as you walk out of my door for the night.

The idea of not being able to sit at that kitchen table while you make me my favorite peanut butter and jelly sandwich as I tell you about my crazy night or hilarious day at school seems surreal. I refuse to believe there will come a time when you no longer drive me home from soccer games where we nitpick every single aspect of the game.

But while I wait for that day to come, I will spend every moment I can looking into yoursparkling green eyes as you tell me how much you love me.

Candyland Zander Engelke

The Notorious S.J.K. Rowen Kliethermes

Acknowledgements

We have loved serving as the Editors-in-Chief for the 2019-2020 edition of Thalia!

Our deepest gratitude goes to the artists, authors, and poets who so bravely submitted their work for review. There would be no literary magazine without pages upon pages, hours upon hours of work to fill it. We know that each piece of your work is a little piece of your soul, and we feel honored to have had the pleasure of receiving it.

We would also like to thank the Thalia staff of editors for your diligence throughout the year. We know keeping up with all the reading can be tricky! The magazine’s pages come from those who submitted their work, but those pages are not bound without the tireless effort of our staff.

We are especially thankful to our genre editors, Avery Buchanan, Emma Bedward, Megan Hayward, Jule Lopez, and Eesha Muddasani, and their dependable input. Their communication and editing has been instrumental to the creation of this magazine.

Lastly, we are so, so grateful to Ms. Danielle Sellers for her guidance and constant support. She has held us accountable without fail. Ms. Sellers is the backbone of the entire Thalia operation. The opportunity to bring this final product to fruition means more than we can ever express.

To you, the reader:

The time you put into reading this magazine does not go without appreciation. All of our efforts have been to achieve this exact moment! If you have smiled, laughed, or felt something change in you, felt a thought be provoked, then we have done our job. We hope this edition of Thalia is something you will keep tucked away on your shelf to find again soon.

Sincerely, Riley Hamilton and Brinkley Pauling

Thalia Editors-in-Chief