TJC Bell Tower Arts Journal (Spring 2009) by TJC

1 About the title:

hour to chimes on the quarter ge lle Co r nio Ju ler Ty ds at harmony which surroun Just as the Bell Tower e th of s nt de stu s ind e, it rem s, and mark the passage of tim e, theatre, art, athletic nc da ic, us M s. uit rs al pu mmunity, the them in their education llege a beacon to the co Co r nio Ju ler Ty e ak e m academics blend to chords filter through th e th of es ho ec e th As large. chways state, and the world at confines of the brick ar e th nd yo be r fa ble m wer oaks, their vibrations tre nior College is a lofty to Ju ler Ty . er th ga s nt ere stude the and winding walks wh come from all parts of ve ha o wh s nt de stu r fo nity ents of its of educational opportu hails the accomplishm dly ou pr l na ur Jo ts Ar r the world. The Bell Towe both its traditions and ek se uld wo o wh e os th ons hallowed halls and beck promise of tomorrow. Judith Bateman, 2006

rnal u o J s t r A r e w o T ll The Be 2008 - 2009 Volume 3 â&#x20AC;˘

Editor Linda Gary, Ph. D. lty Editorial Board prised of full-time facu m co is l na ur jo e th r ic Arts Department, The editorial board fo ph ra G e th t, en rtm pa glish De proval members from the En l board has the final ap ria ito ed e Th t. en rtm and the Fine Arts Depa . publication decisions on all selections and

Sarah Harrison Richard Parrish Torrey Wylie Derrick White Tamara Haynes Rebecca Stewart

d ts Journal is comprise Ar r we Selection Committee To ll Be e Th e ee for th ts The selection committ Delta, the Graphic Ar a pp Ka a gm Si of rs be of active student mem s. ub, and faculty advisor Cl t Department, the Ar Student Members rs Natalie B. Wade Faculty Membe an rm ai Ch , D. . Ed , Richard Parrish Emily Warren e Torrey Wyli Christie Thomas Tamara Haynes Molly Stanley Derrick White Poster Design gn si Mitchell Tinney Cover De o ad lg Danielle De Web Layout ut yo La n io at Macy Crim Public h ot Bo Casey Christian Johnston Krista Burns Estaban Ortega er ilm Jenean G Molly Stanley Photography Editor Tamara Haynes

3 Editorial Policy The Bell Tower Arts Journal is sponsored by the Psi Gamma Chapter of Sigma Kappa Delta, the National English Hon or Society. We accept submissions of poetry, short fiction, non-fiction essa ys, photography, and fine and graphic art by current Tyler Junior Colle ge students. We accept submissions for consideration in the spring sem ester each year for possible publication in the next spring semester. The Bell Tower Arts Journal is entirely student generated and seeks to provide a publishing venue for the rich artistic expression of TJC students. Our goal is to create a publication that is a high quality, content-rich source of literary and artistic expression on a wide rang e of topics and themes. Therefore, we seek unique, insightful work displayin g vivid, lively language and artistic skill. All submissions must be the original work of the student writer or artist who submits it for consideration or publication. We do not accept previously published or plagiarized work. Every attempt is made by the editor to assure originality. All literary pieces will be subm itted to turnitin.com for an originality report. However, it is ultimately the resp onsibility of each student to submit only his or her own literary and artistic work. Moreover, while we strongly support intellectual freedom as the right of every individual from all points of view, we do not accept work deemed pornographic, profane, exploitative, or that seek s to cause injury to an individual or group. Tyler Junior College gives equal consideration to all applicants for admission, employment and participation in its prog rams and activities without regard to race, creed, color, national origi n, gender, age, marital status, disability or veteran status. Acknowledgements: The editors of The Bell Tow er Arts Journal gratefully acknowledge the support and assistance of the following people: Dr. Fernando Figueroa, Dean of University Stud ies; Sarah Harrison, Director of English Language Stud ies; Doug Crawford, Publications Coordinator, and Fred Peters, Director of Marketing and Public Infor mation.

Table of Contents .......... 8 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Enticing Enemies..... lefr Contents Ty e/ or om o ph So e o/ l ad b lg De a le T niel Da

.............. 8 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... My Words................ omore/ Tyler Tina Bausinger/ Soph ................. 9 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Clipping Coupons.. Longview Elizabeth Thorsgard/ ..13 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ............ Winter Sleep........... house Brinda Carey/ White ......13 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... s. ...... Decisions, Decision man/Henderson Tiffany Moore/Fresh ......... 14 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Broke....................... /Flint an hm Aaron Cheek/Fres ..............14 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Always Hard. ......... omore/ Grand Saline ph So d/ ar ch an Bl lly Ke ...................15 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Fall. .................. dler Stefanie Vause/Chan ..15 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ed......... A Road Less Travel ore/Jacksonville Tiffani Waites/Sophom ........16 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...... I AM....................... e/ Keller or Lesley Bell/ Sophom ............ 16 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Forgotten Fall. ......... more/Tyler Morgan Hare/Sopho ................17 .............................. ... ... ... ... .... en rd Ga Grandmaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cactus use Brinda Carey/Whiteho ................... 20 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Sepia 2. ............ homore/Tyler Jamie De La Rosa/Sop ... 21 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ......... Juliet....................... omore/Tyler Janie Jackson/Soph .......21 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...... Cowboy Way............ house te hi Mary Tarbutton/W

Antique Pears.......................................................................... .............................. 22 Kamren Thompson/Sophomore/Lindale Procrastination................................................... ......................... 22 Jason Litchfield/ Sophomore/ Niles, MI Shadows Remain................................................... ....................... 23 Jennah Rose English/Sophomore/Tyler Sisters ............................................................... .......................... 24 Stephanie Homann/ Sophomore/ Bullard Silenced Beauty................................................... ......................... 24 Karen Hernandez/Sophomore/Tyler Fishinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hole........................................................ ......................... 25 Aaron Cheek/Freshman/Flint Jester.................................................................. ........................ 25 Katie Page/Freshman/Tyler Remix................................................................... ....................... 26 Brittany Fenton/ Sophomore/ Lindale Composure........................................................... ........................ 27 Danielle Delgado/Sophomore/Tyler For You................................................................ ........................ 27 Katie Foster/Freshman/Henderson What The Writer Knows...................................... ......................... 28 Jennah Rose English/Sophomore/Tyler Jeep...................................................................... ....................... 30 Aaron Cheek/Freshman/Flint Youth.................................................................... ....................... 30 Jamie De La Rosa/Sophomore/Tyler They Fold the Flag................................................... ......................31 Jennah Rose English/Sophomore/Tyler Woody.................................................................. ........................ 33 Mary Tarbutton/Whitehouse

Untitled. ............................................................... ....................... 34 Stefani Vause/Chandler Follow The Light...................................................... .................... 34 Shelby Mink/Sophomore/Whitehouse Mojave.................................................................. ....................... 35 Tina Bausinger/ Sophomore/ Tyler True Love............................................................... ...................... 36 Karen Hernandez/Sophomore/Tyler Worker Bee.......................................................... ......................... 37 Mark Adam Lollar/ Sophomore/ Mt. Enterprise Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Play............................................................... ...................... 38 Sherika Bailey/Sophomore/Tyler Into The Blue.......................................................... ...................... 39 Shelby Mink/Sophomore/Whitehouse Abandoned............................................................. ...................... 39 Tiffani Waites/Sophomore/Jacksonville To Write Love On Her Arms................................. ......................... 40 Danielle Delgado/Sophomore/Tyler Alone In Battle..................................................... ........................ 40 Mitchell Tinney/Sophomore/Golden To My Daughter on Her Graduation Day................ .........................41 Tina Bausinger/ Sophomore/ Tyler Campo de Mio......................................................... ...................... 42 Heather Garza/Sophomore/Tyler Shadow................................................................. ....................... 42 Molly Stanley/Sophomore/Lindale Pondering................................................................. .................... 43 Aaron Cheek/Freshman/Flint The Old Mill........................................................ ......................... 43 Tina Bausinger/Sophomore/Tyler

..... 44 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . e. dM Between the Book an Sophomore/Tyler / Jennah Rose English .......... 45 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Shadows................. ore/Tyler om ph Janie Jackson/So ................ 45 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... B&W World......... tehouse Mary Tarbutton/Whi .................. 46 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . e. ic A Rant on Injust kston n/ Sophomore/ Fran Sarah Elaine Goodwi .... 47 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ......... Heart Gate.............. ore/Lindale Molly Stanley/Sophom ........ 47 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Snowy Pond.............. ore/Tyler om ph Tina Bausinger/So ........... 48 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Innocence................. phomore/Tyler Danielle Delgado/ So ................. 48 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... It Was A Cow...... omore/ Niles, MI Jason Litchfield/ Soph ......... 49 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Untitled.................. /Quitman an m Josh Pieper/Fresh ............ 49 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... Game Plan............... phomore/Tyler Karen Hernandez/So .................. 50 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . r. oi The Stairwell Ch omore/Grand Saline Kelly Blanchard/Soph .. 54 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... g. in t Look When the World Isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; more/Grand Saline Kelly Blanchard/Soph ....... 56 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...... Train Station.......... ore/Lindale om Molly Stanley/Soph .......... 56 .............................. ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... . s. Childhood Memorie omore/Arp ph So Joyle Rosenberg/

Entic

Dani

elle

ing E n emie Delg ado/ s Sop Digit h

al P hoto omore/ Tyle grap r/ h

My Words

clenched teeth y m h g u o r th w swiftly, fle My words, too e room. s n te e th s s o r c a in their cage, k c a b m e th t u freedom, p ir to e , th te h la it o w to s , s d I trie ild and reckle w e r e w y e th t bu I begged, h g u o th n e v e eturn Not willing to r your eyes: ld ie h s t o n id d you esh, and fl r u o y e r to , d ounde They pecked, w r memory. u o y in d te s e n then re/Tyler o m o h p o S / r e g Tina Bausin

9 s

n o p u o C g n i p p i l C

Elizabe

essed, he was up and dr S . rly ea y da r he She had started e day. ar g my rival for th ® anxiously awaitin are you?” re he W . re he out “Mother, I’m ve been clipping ha I . om ro ng ni “I’m here in the di s papers.” d from yesterday’ an s y’ da to y?” om fr coupons grocery store toda e th to me g in go e w ’s, and I have so “Oh, are ire sh ok ro B at y pon da “Yes, it’s triple-cou d out and .” s she had clippe really good ones on up co e th h ug u use. “Mama, yo I was looking thro ly al rm no ’t dn di ms that she noticed several ite e stuff. d we can find a us an s, ng don’t use half this vi sa od ch a go always “I know, but it’s su Bubbles®. I have ng bi ub cr S r fo e upon ther try it with e, and now I can for it. Like that co iv ns pe ex o to as t it w wanted to try it, bu logic for wondered at her I this coupon.” ” y. nn fu o to e ar ch a frugal “Oh, Mama, you he was always su S d. di e sh e on lik ons t why clip a coup bu d, clipping the coup ul co e sh re savings? money whe shopper, saving use it was a good ca be st ju e us be ’t u didn the product? May e us for something yo ’t dn di u yo wasteful if I will use Wasn’t that just as ing on to maybe ld ho as w e sh Maybe ally believed she re he S it was more so. e. lif r he ke her. would prolong e cancer would ta th it one day as if it re fo be , er ng ar, if not lo ly had six had at least a ye doctor said she on n io at di ra r about he d st an and I had talked he S But her oncologi . as tm is hr C ld have ld not see e thought she wou months. She wou sh d an , re fo be wers weeks to have spring flo d te her funeral a few an w e sh d d that summer, an colors of spring an nt until the spring or re ffe di e th l al ring he loved ld have pretty sp ou w e for her casket. S sh r he ed he ted. I promis r casket piece. S he e was what she wan ak m ld ou w I neral, and flowers for her fu e. This at. r the grocery stor fo ft was happy with th le e w , ng ni mor to see how Around 10:00 that was a challenge it k ee w h ac el E . e for us in front of the whe et sk ba l was a special tim al sm at e brain could get into th it now because th in e many things we rid to d ha ginning to ride in. She her. She was be chair I made her on ll to a ke ta fety, to nning el chair for her sa he w e tumors were begi th ed us e d more, so w stumble more an

th Tho rsgard/ Longvie w

e king for th o lo , d n u . We er aro ld push h t have fun at u s o ju w d I n . a y wa ne th giggle d fun any for us—o we would e d m n ti a l , but we ha ia s c n e the coupo fun and such a sp ” items on h s gone. c a u s w as he is basket. s w th r It e in ft . e a d e ls g h ing e h lon laug ays cheris ink we can fit anyth lw a ld u o Iw ped in don’t th r just stop “Mama, I e ” th … o ld m o y h e her head sked. M a w I o ere, let m ” N H ? “ . g n ly o b hat’s wr controlla “Mama, w tarted shaking un nce and s d with ?” I aske mid-sente y . a like k d r o a u w o r y re g fo t seemed A in a k ? h r g w je n r o s r fo a w w peak hat’s d if couldn’t s and aske “Mama, w e y h b S d . e n lk o a ti one w woman g despera ok. Some d help. I told the o h increasin s t s ju stopped y. She he neede y, Mama s ll r a e in th F e an eternit . h te just kay and w in a minu s how she a w g she was o er would be okay in th funny haking oth me. The hen the s d w e that my m r d a e c p s p y eries in to It reall f the groc ere she s o h t w s e e r shaking. c e n had the sente her hold th e. I told her what p t u le d t e s k ju ic p av e to ree he told m ready to le . Still, she did ag it began. S then we would be f r any o nd remembe ’t n her lap, a id d me. ll the e , but sh we got ho y to see a n n n e h fu w o r s happened to s oc e cashier out, it wa h k T call the d c . e e n h o c m p t e u le to much got to th had a co and how d When we of that buggy that a h e w p, coupons e out inging it u y m r n a d a c e t m h a is w th n o stuff see h tten n she fi d ever go rprised to up. Whe a u ll h s a e d it e w k t g o s n lo ra e mo d when she hat was th all shocke T e r ! e 3 w .3 we saved 6 e 2 w 2. I nly $13.7 ame to $1 record for us, and o c l r e ta h to d e e th a r ow and ket; it was uch stuff s—Mothe m o S r. in the bas t in all the coupon ie e cash pu so was th d n a when she , d e I was y surpris my mind, f o k c a to was totall b ut in the er doctor .72! b h 3 , 1 ll e $ r a c to ly s n to o y for nted ocer all left the gr Mama home. I wa er we got e ft W A . e r to king what cery s d to be ta the nurse in the gro d ld e to n e d p really gla n p a a ffice ama hat had h . I told M alled his o c in I t , h y tell him w ig a r w r she a e ries put because to bring h o e g m to ld t n the groce to ter a ncan. La e didn’t w ned. She u h e s D p p d r. a n D h a e , d ha said to se nd seizure, a nurse had d, and so we went a d e c n e ie what the t I insiste ad exper told me th u h e b e , H h d . s e e r id ti in a was medic ctor s ust; early Aug ce, the do some anti-seizure s ffi a o w e It th . t a on now did utting her get worse k. How much time ly e iv s s he was p e e r e next we ? Will sh ould prog r e w e th h s s e h r a it u w w iz se rsary as e have t’s annive but that w nger do w s lo th h n c o u m my paren m aid six left? How e doctor s h T she have ? s a Christm make it to

e gnosed. Please, God, don’t tak back in April when she was dia in her , and she’s always had Mama her yet. Tamara is only three mas with g enough to spend this Christ lon live ma Ma let ase Ple . life s. Please, God. her—just one more Christma for the ary August 18, she took a turn ers niv an ir the er aft t Jus d grown home place where Howell ha worse. We were out at the old ato the fence to check on her tom up. We had walked down to r. up to the house, a pain hit he ck ba g lkin wa ile wh d an , nts pla “Oh, God!” “What’s wrong, Mama?” the car—something’s “I don’t know—just get me to lly bad!” happened, and the pain is rea en we but I am calling the doctor wh it, ke ma can we , kay “O get home.” .” “I don’t care—just get me home ll?” “Do you want me to tell Howe w; he is mowing, and we can “No, don’t bother him right no tell him later.” d at us for not telling him.” “Okay, but he is going to be ma “It’s okay; he’ll get over it.” office—he was her oncologist After the x-rays at Dr. Duncan’s g—he we called him about everythin and her primary doctor now so had ne t three lumbar discs in her spi las r He . ws ne d ba the us ve ga er cancer had spread into that low collapsed, and it looked like the er ering more radiation on her low portion of her back. He was ord further. could stop the spreading any spine, and he was hoping he n the a wild fire, spreading faster tha It seemed the cancer was like ht. I nig t was slipping away. I cried tha e Tim lp. he ld cou ts en atm tre re was monster called cancer, and the was losing my mother to this lose ss, and Tamara was going to lple he so felt I . do ld cou I g nothin r. She young to lose her grandmothe her, as well, and she was too for this t a baby. Mama was too young barely knew her. She was jus cer can sn’t fair—two bouts with breast to be happening to her. It wa t fair. and now all this. It just wasn’ kids d for Labor Day; all three of us un aro red the ga all We the time and it was bittersweet. I knew were there with our children, g was having lots of trouble gettin ma Ma w. no ter fas by g pin was slip out much any more, just to the around and such. We didn’t go r pain ts. Then on September 19, he doctor’s office or for treatmen to get gested she go to the hospital sug ce spi Ho l. tro con of t ou was uld could come home, and they wo it under control, and then she y she her. I never will forget the wa be able to manage the pain for looked at me that day.

“This is it, is n’t it?” “What do yo u mean, Ma ma?” “This is the la s t s to p .” “No, Mama, we’re here to then you wil get your pain l go back ho under contro m e in a l, and d ay or so.” “No, Elizabe th , this is the e I’m just worr nd. I know it ied about Ho is, and I am w e ll . H ready. e is hurting s “Mama, it’s g o .” o in g to b have to…we e okay. You ’re going to need you…I get better… n e e d you …Tam “Just promis you ara needs y e m e y o ou.” u’ll be there and I want y for Howell— ou to take ca he loves you re of him. H that strong.” so, e will need y o u n o w ; h e ’s not “I promise, M ama. I will b e there for h She was ad im.” mitted to the was time to hospital, and call in the fa the doctor to mily. He did through the ld us it n’t think she weekend. S would make o we let eve in and so did it ryone know. Mama’s siste My sister ca rs and her o come becau me ne brother. H se of her he er mother did alth, but the of her coma n n’t Mama rallied on Monday. and came o Everyone w all left to go u t a s rather shock back home to ed, and they jobs and to th the hospital eir lives. Ma for five and a half weeks ma was in of those day . She was c s. I stayed w o m a tose for mos it h her every change cloth t day. I only w es at night a ent home to nd to kiss Ta back to the h mara good n ospital to sta ight, then I w y with Mama Mama lost h ent . e r battle with made sure s c a n cer on Octob he had sprin er 18, 1990. g flowers for were ordere I her casket a d. It was the nd easels th hardest thin way through a t g for me to d it, but it was o. I cried all a labor of lo flowers for m th e v e—my last ti y mother, an m e d to th a e rr y a h n ad to be perf ge Later on, I w ect. as going thro her coupon u g h her things, a organizer. It nd I came a was always but sometim cross full of variou e or other sh s clipped co e had cleane have known upons, d them all ou her time was t. She must limited, and just threw ou she was thin t all the coup king ahead a ons that she She knew it nd would not be was time to able to cash clean out the clip coupons in. organizer. S again. I wou he would ne ld never sha She knew it ver re that time was time. I with her aga cried that da these years in. y. I let it all o later, I am cry ut, and now ing now—to her, just one all have just on more trip to e more day the grocery look at a cou with store with he pon without r coupons. I thinking of a triple-coupo can’t ll the laughte n day. Mem r we shared ories that sta on y with me alw ays.

Winter Sleep

r quilt e t n i w â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a Grandm children g n i p e e l s r drapes ove vered shrubs. o like snow-c hitehouse W / y e r a C Brinda

Decisions, Decisions

Tiffany Moore/Freshman/ Henderson/ Acrylic

Broke Aaron Cheek/Freshman/Flint/ B&W Photograph

Always

Hard

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always ha rd To fly without wings, Heal without time, Cry without t ears, Breathe witho ut air, Smile without strength, Talk without t ruth, Promise witho ut a heart, Stand without first falling, Remember wit hout forgettin g, Know without learning, Hear without listening, Touch withou t feeling, End without b eginning, Love without caring, Live without d reaming, And die witho ut living. Kelly Blancha rd/Sophomor e/Grand Salin e

Fall

Stefanie Vause /Chandle

r/Digital Photo graph

d le e v a r T s s e L d a o R A more/Jacksonville/

Tiffani Waites/Sopho B&W Photograph

I AM He said to me, “I am no t th I exist w e answer— ith I am not out question. the key to But the Joy of th happiness, eH I AM the Truth, ju eart. st All I kno w is that walk with me.” I said ye s to Him , and now Lesley B I’m alive ell/Soph ! omore/K eller

l l a F n e t t o g r Fo

homore/Tyler/ p o S / re a H n a Morg raph Digital Photog

17 Grandma’s Cactus

Garden

Grandma’s quilt gave me the best hug I’d ha I snuggled deeper in d in a long time. to the colorful girls we aring bonnets while soaked up the heaven I ly smell of coffee an d bacon. I was only eleven and not allowe d to drink coffee, but I could almost taste by breathing in the ar it just oma. Most days at ho me Momma shuffled peanut butter sandwi out ches or cinnamon to ast like a deck of card my five brothers and s as sisters and I rushed to meet the bus for sc However, Grandma ho ol. always cooked a big breakfast. We wo®uld need it to accomplish all the work to be do ne. In 1969, everyo had a garden, and G ne randma was no exce pt ion. In fact, back then thought she invented I the idea. “Rise and shine,” Gra ndma hollered from up, sleepy head.” the kitchen. “Wake The linoleum floor wa s uncommonly chilly morning. The chair for a bright spring creaked and wobble d wh en I sat down, alertin Grandma to my pres g ence. “How did you sleep la st night, Sarah?” she ing her hands on he asked while wipr apron. The checks on he r apron did not match the flowers on her fa ded cotton dress, bu t it was pretty all the It was nice to see he same. r smiling at me with her mouth and her lig blue eyes. She gave ht me a hug and added the smell of Aqua Ne and starch to the brea t kfast bouquet. I knew she expected an answer, not like ho ma yelled at us all th me where Mome time to shut up. “G ood. Lots better than home. Someone is at always making racket , and Becky and Carla wiggle around too m uch. They kick me ev en when they’re asle I pulled my legs up un ep.” der the hem of my go wn that she had mad for me, attempting to e fit the hem over my fe et but careful not to tear a hole in it. I didn ’t know when I’d get another one. Gowns like days alone with , Grandma, were prize d possessions we had share. The flannel wa to rmed my toes and co vered the bruises on legs. my Grandma hummed “A mazing Grace” and flip the iron skillet that wa ped two eggs in s still sizzling with ba con grease. The coun ter top remained dust ed with flour and her favorite Vienna saus can she always used age to cut perfect butterm ilk biscuits. However, the biscuit I wanted would be tucked into the corner of the pan. She

rey/ Brinda Ca se Whitehou

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mp a hard, lu t— s la in pper . ve put it alt and pe er cutting s ft a g r in e v would ha in o ta home dough left oster and hen con them sat to t o pieces of r x e s ed s N la ll of cann e table. fu th A small g r f ja o r n o te d s n a e and a m membere d in the c e s r e e c d v r a la e h p s a e e r r we rind p Grandm cuits. termelon to water. d te r uttered bis I gave b ta made wa t s o h th r u o fo My m wers pings vorite top peaches. put the flo iddle of the fa d a o h tw e h y s re m em that these we k dab in th laimed they ed to see c is a r p m r s u t s h s ig I wa sh. She c h I could hich sat r a w tr s e s th la g in jelly them n’t muc her into a ally threw here was u T s . u s a d e m e m w table. Mo unch of nasty old ed her b a t appy. mma call h o a M m . were jus s m r o ad e make M the flow st have b u m a m m ever do to ma was pretty like She red Mo Grand , though. ag. I figu a b m ld m o o p ide, M u ad about n the outs shriveled b , O d . id e o p lk to tu s ta ,” a ver side gentle andma ne d “pretty on the in ody, and b m r a eyes. Gr w e ll atched as cheeks, a people ca w k t I a in , h p s w il g s ta in a w fram in pig k pin ght curls g my hair a long pin in k tt c u tu p s r e she had ti d ft a carf ers an ast night, d a heads all y onto roll e e ti r e g h ft hands. L S o s . f strips o her head head hurt n r o e h y e ta d s a she rolled m uld o they wo ristles still in them, s owever, I bet the b by shining ;h k m r e o th w r e to v t o o time to ge ded flowers to dec s a w it t! d nigh ounce s of fa ally was parti ur picture e sun ann h It fo T . e k w a o d m to the e win e window ked out th rtains. On tus o u c lo I n e . e r through th th g lo f cac pale inyl tablec ted pots o uffled the r in a e z p e rate the v d e r n b a little h a slight . d several a h open, and a g on them m in d shed m n o a r lo G b l, llow out to the e d y e r h o c r windowsil d a e e r and we m owers of ded me th , fl n d a y n h n a ti h e h h y it S w elf. took m tools. e for hers Grandma n d garden o n a r e n th w as o la r r as long d took the fo e kept he n h e a s c n le e r d fe e n r h a w st h abies ng he the shorte ave had b e grown alo h d t a s h u s m hoe with tu y r c mmer, the growing right whe haped ca u s s e t k s a la c n e Pa Sinc , some member. nis shoes ere were n th te w e r o o n w I could re e Great. I oles in it. g becaus h . in n d e a th d h e r g a m g o in or s t her wear ing I was always pu th a y r m e d v n e a r d G an nice d a t-shirt, ile. It felt h w d o o jeans, an g irt . y g in the d ence for a ld be trick in il u g s o ig w in d g y is n a h T as ed alo hole d s fun. It w a We chopp d rather spend a w w is h f T ke care o at home. h her. I’ ta it y a w ta s m g n m in a k o r wo ed th ing M y g sunburn red to help hores. Knowing m a p m o c n and gettin tio oing c ke a vaca ay plus d d ll a s r actually li te rs and sis my brothe

luck, today would have been clean-out-the-fridge day at home. Ugh! Gag! Butter bowls full of food that no longer resembled anything edible. I’d probably have had to wash the dishes afterward, too. And even if I worked hard all day, Momma would find something wrong with it. Not that she ever needed much of a reason to punish us. I most of all because I was supposed to “be an example” but never was perfect. “Honey, are you all right? You look kind of sick,” said Grandma. She placed her fingers lightly on my forehead. “Nah. I was thinking about what I’d be doing if I was at home today. I don’t know how you talked Momma into letting me come over today, but I’m glad you did. I wish I could come over more,” Then more quietly I muttered, “I wish I could live here.” Grandma didn’t say anything. I glanced up to discover whether or not she had heard me. Grandma leaned on her hoe; her eyes looked all glassy and sad. Oh, no. What did I do now? I’m always screwing things up. Wanting forgiveness, I asked, “Grandma, do you want me to hoe down the cactus? I don’t mind. Really. We could get rid of all of them. You shouldn‘t have to have cactus growing in your garden anyway.” “No. No, that’s okay. We need…,” suddenly her smile came back. “I like them. I want to keep them here because they remind me of something important.” She chuckled at my confused expression. “Cactus are strong, Sarah. They can live on little to nothing. Hard, dry dirt. Nothing but sun and an occasional sprinkle of rain. That little bit of rain has to be enough to last a long time. God doesn’t love the cactus any less than the flowers. He just knows they can handle it.” She stopped for a minute and gave me a searching look. I knew she was trying to explain something important to me, so I remained quiet. In the awkward silence, I nudged the freshly turned dirt with my toe. Grandma continued, “Do you see how some of the cactus have flowers on top? That is because they are so patient and good on the inside until one just pops out, so everyone can see and admire its beauty. But it must have the sun to continue to grow and bloom. That is the key.” I raised my hand to shade my eyes and looked up at Grandma. The sun shimmered around her face and her dress swayed with the breeze. I wonder if this is how angels look. “It is the same for us, Sarah. Some of us have a much harder life than others, and it doesn’t seem fair. But if we are

Son,” she right thing, and trust in the the ing do on ep ke nt, tie be there pa Jesus Christ, to always n, so ’s od “G y, sk the to pointed up It won‘t be easy, . Hang in there, Sarah. om blo ll wi we n the , us for it will be worth it!”” but He has promised us secret, forbidabuse was a sick family ild ch ys da se tho In that day, I knew anyone to anyone. But den to be mentioned by e sprinkled always be around, but sh n’t uld wo a dm an Gr . she knew the only she could. She would be as en oft as us on in ra t she some know, in her own way, tha me let er ev o wh life person in my r story completely understood he ve ha t no t gh mi I d. oo underst n me through it grew and bloomed withi then, but like the cactus, the years. zen long, on her casket, lay a do ay tod y wh is is Th d one tiny cactus. stemmed, red roses….an

Sepia 2 Jamie De La Rosa/Sophomore/Tyler/ Digital Photograph

Juliet

Janie Jackson/Sophomore/Tyler/ B&W Photograph

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Procrastination to go, Two down, one left, Inspiration has , Need still exists ite, Pencil wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wr , Paper lies blank Panic sets in, so is this t u b t, r o h s e r a Hours Potato! iles, MI N / e r o m o h p o S ld/ Jason Litchfie

Shadows Remain

Is foreign to me. I am a mere shadow, This flesh I A shade, and nothing more Know not. Of all whom I have known. I am hard-pressed, Tempered by the horrors Turning on the wheel, Of someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s addiction Fearful of the change And shattered by the fear that I fear Perhaps I will never be Will not come. Completely whole. I am a decoupage I am a mere shadow, Of everyone and no one: A shade and nothing more, Bits of broken, mismatched pieces Of all whom I have knownâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Work against one another A ghastly conglomeration To form a Of wind and rain Mutt of an urn That destroys That can do nothing Without mercy. But waste the life Poured into it. I am a mere shadow, My body is A shade and nothing more, Stained with the But at least there is enough light Ruined runes of To see. Stories not my own That I cannot decipher, Jennah Rose English/ And, therefore, do not underSophomore/ stand. Tyler And because I am the Remains of so many, The makeshift whole that I am

iste F rs She y libbertigib ells o b i ut ab t, a word She c surd thin my sist a e g Then lls us all m s as she w r can say; hurle a s her d sorts o atches me They f doll a play. pract nd ke things, ice an y rin Unles d pra gs. c s tice, it’s to What but s do yo say t h u But w ings he makes expec far hy do n t they from a ki from pro ot a soun d have f d to ma twenty-i ound. nches I ima ke ba g b i n i e e as sh s so s tall, e pul she says mall? ls it a she li I’ll gi nd ke ve Then I’m a her a we pulls it w s my hair sking e i for a k, a mont thout a ca h at t puppy re. Steph h e o r mo mayb anie e Fre st, Homa nch t nn/S oast. opho more /Bull ard

Silenced Beauty Karen Hernandez/Sophomore/Tyler/ B&W Photograph

25 Fishinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Hole

Aaron Cheek/Freshm an/Flint/ B&W Photograph

Katie

Jeste

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Remix I heard a song today that Spoke words of wisdom, let it be, let it be. But what’s always inspired me is that I have a dream. And when I am down, and oh, my soul so weary, I know that we will Come together And Be all that we can be. Who knew this day wasn’t like the rest? Because today, You are beautiful, and they can’t hold us down. So when you’re Down and low, Look toward the day when we can be Free at last, To speak and be heard, Mr. President, Mr. Senator, And Let freedom ring So that we may remain Dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Brittany Fenton/ Sophomore/ Lindale Credits ; John Lennon & Paul McCartney: “Let It Be” and “Come Together” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “I Have a Dream” (1963) Rolf Lovland & Brenden Graham: “You Raise Me Up” USMC: Marine Corps motto Marcos Curiel, Noah Bernardo, Paul Sandoval, and Mark Daniels: “Youth of the Nation” Linda Perry: “Beautiful” Greg Prestopino, Christina Aguilera, Scott Storch, Matt Morris, and Matthew Wilder: “Can’t Hold Us Down” Paul Simon: “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” Mark Batson, Marshall Mathers, Michael Elizondo, Andre Young, and Che Pope: “Mosh” Abraham Lincoln: “Gettysburg Address”

Composur

Danielle De lgado/Soph omore/Tyle r/ B&W Phot ograph

For You Katie Foster/Freshman/Henderson/ Digital Photograph

What The Writer Knows Just between the lines, That one subtle reference, (Obsession), Trapped just barely Beneath that thin layer of ice, That one little fragment Of her soul she so desperately Wants to unloose, (Confession), But is too wary to If you caught it, Form its name. You would have to look So she weaves it in: At the writer herself, A master knitter, Love and devotion in every single stitch, Dash the mask from her Painted face, Without even knitting at all. Rape the smile from her lips, And in her agony, Take it by force She finds favor—satisfaction— Because the masquerade is all she has. You missed it! She’s holding on for life (Pride). And won’t let go, (Desperation), She’s there. Every god-forsaken heartache, Every dying tear, Every lofty, unattainable vision, Every sinful desire, (Seeking absolution), She is there. You just don’t see her, (Anonymity).

29 Scars can’t heal Until the cuts are formed— And they are there— See her— The blood offers nothing, Not the damned puppet— But she likes it, But her. (Weakness). (Vulnerable, heart and soul, She wants you Splayed open on the page To read what she has written, For all to see the Witness what words Darkness there). Her mind has conceived, She wants you to (Help her). Acknowledge her And then, (Impending demise), When you miss it, (Inner-Horror), She wants to tell you And love her Why she specifically In spite of Chose the word— What isn’t there, (Agony), In spite of what (Despair), Only the writer knows, (Hopelessness), (Salvation), (Sweet), (Justification), (Disturbing), (Redemption). (Freedom), Jennah Rose English/Sophomore/ She wants to Tyler Enlighten you, Open up your eyes To what reasoning hides Just below the surface, (Truth). She wants you to see her, (Unconditionally),

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ablaze, The July sun is e clouds Cascading over th ts, In flashing curren sky a Illuminating the ending blue. Brilliant and un so The earth it falls Graciously upon a Is bedecked with ald. , glittering emer Field of jewel-like l lawn, And on that roya Unending rows of Purified wood: the Savior, In the symbol of slumber below The souls which ow. Shall one day kn ue suit The man in the bl off to the Stands stoically e camera’s eye. Left center of th is is not And although th His moment, upon him. Every eye rests in their They rebuke him Hated silence, e secret parts. Cursing him in th ds For in their min r the He is to blame fo oss. Earth’s newest cr His chin is up. nst ers squared agai His broad should ght. The quiet onslau It is almost as if their presence He is oblivious to Completely. For his own eyes r, Are on the mothe ife, And the young w e girls, And the two littl s sweetly One of which rest east, r’s comforting br Upon her mothe Eyes closed, here in the Mind lost somew slumber, Blissful peace of er to know, Far too young ev Ever remember,

Flag

But ever mourn th e difference. The man in blue, The pin on his lape l flashing, Stately stands, Bold and brave, un broken in his burd ened convictions. In the distance, The tangible silenc e is softly shatte As the lone bugler red whispers through his instrument A mournful music . His choral words hover over the co ngregation, Blanketing them in ge ne ra ti onsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; chill. His final, somber note stretches ou t across the lawn, Intertwining its fin gers into the song of an Honored call: A shout, Gunfire. A shout, Gunfire. The man in blue co ntinues to hold hi s Brave stance, His eyes unblinki ng As Grace begins to sing Through the bagp ipes. Two young soldie rs, Clad in the virgin white of the sea, Step rigidly before the horizontal blan ket of Blood, sweat, and te ar s That stretches it self over a burgun dy casket As if unwilling to let go of What it had lost. The young men sa lute proudly, Both holding to th eir reserves, Desperate to repr ess the tears that Had already brok en upon their war -weathered faces. Every breath lies waiting In every chest. The boys, barely men, Take their respec tive posts At head and foot. White-gloved hand s Take the blue of th e crown And the soleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bloo d and water, Lifting the reluct ant colors from th e wood. Together, in dogg ed precision, Hand over hand, The resplendent rectangle Becomes a tragic , tear-stained tria ngle. One soldier draw s the emblem

st, To his heavy brea solemnly Turning his back ten On the to be forgot have been Toward those who ft behind. So mercilessly le before the And as he kneels Weeping woman, Barely a woman, All eyes revert blue From the man in an in black: To the young wom ent of release, And in that mom sigh. t a great, guttural ou ts le ue bl in The man es of hate can And before the ey n, Fall upon him agai broken only His stoic stance is . By a solitary tear

re/ Tyler

Sophomo / h s li g n E e s o R Jennah

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Woody Mary Tarbutton/Whitehouse/ B&White Photograph

Untitled Stefani Vause/Chandler/ Photograph

The Ligh t

Shelby M ink/Soph omore/W hitehous Digital P e/ hotograp h

Mojave Five years have pass ed since you went a Yet I still think of y way, ou every day, remem bering your smile, Your laugh, Your way of thinkin g. One thousand, eigh t-hundred days I hav e missed you: Is that all? It someh ow feels like more. Feels like ten-thousa nd days have passed without talking to y A hundred-thousan ou, d days without ask ing your advice, Seeing your face. I’ve done the math. It’s an aching equa tion with no real so lution Except the infinity symbol. Some days the grief is fresh like a new cut, The blood runs aga in, My own personal N ile. The tears fill my ow n Arctic Ocean: A cold place that is hostile to life— The wind alone will kill you. My grief is the fire of the volcanoes in Hawaii: The burning lava is pulling me in; Dante is my friend. You missed your da ughter’s wedding, The birth of your g randdaughter, Did you have a prev iously made appoin tment? I missed you. No.

its absurdity— in le b a h g u la t issed is almos m e r a u o y y a s To and of itself. in le o b r e p y h A nce of light, e s b a le b a k ta is there, an unm le o h a s a w e r e Th n of loss. o y n a C d n a r G A lose you. ’t n id d I t p e c x E ou are: I know where y ’s smile, n o s y m in e r a You rosity, e n e g ’s r te h g u a My d hter’s wit. Your granddaug oodbye, g id a s I e c in s d passe Five years have ft this place, le u o y s a d n a h Holding your ith you to go. w g in d a le p , y ta s Begging you to k never c lo c e th f o g in , and the tick d e s s a p e v a h s r A million hou ends. mirage. a t s ju ’s it t u b , u I think I see yo d again; n a in a g a p u s ll The hourglass fi my hands, h g u o r th w o fl nd The grains of sa . My own Mojave ore/ Tyler m o h p o S / r e g in Tina Baus

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W u see? o y o d e m What in orker, w a t u b m Ia e. Merely a be ings, w s u o i r lo g You have , e tim t can fly, e a v h t a h s g t o n i n W o Id nture e ; v s t g o n i n h t e r e a s e But you d Time for th , y e n o h e hive. h e t r o m m o r e f k r a a Too f I must m . g n i r p s ll i â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;t To keep me hy, t why, oh w ? u B he sky u miss t o f y o y t t i u m a r e e b H The our wings, y e v o t li u ld o r y o t w tha he whole T In this life he hive. t n a e s m o a o h f c o u le But yo Tells a ta . n i h t i w nt Who is vaca why you, , y h w t u ,b Oh ing so tall, ld i d h n c a t a s , e k n a li M Why y my life e v d r n u e t s e u r o p y u Do Do yo e e it all? r v o a m h s u i o g y n i n v e Wh That li ? n e m r o f n Than illusio e surface h t n o e f li oice, My h c it seems; y t m a h s t i s ll i a h t t o e Be n Becaus y worth m ; e g ll i d w ju y t o m Do n This is hings. t l a i r e t t a r o m h In these Life is too s pill. ea To down lik lted; tree has wi y M fruit. r ce; i a o e h b c r e y g m n â&#x20AC;&#x2122;t I no lo This isn om time, r f . t g h n g i li n p n u y r I am This is m ; m are you, a o e s r , d e o e t b e , t v u li B You . e i I live to d u mean? o y o d t a h W , please; r I o t s c a a o n d a n e a r c You a my life r stage, I f u o o t s s i e r ld e r h o t I have And this w ings. w , e o c i w t o h e c s e r h u t To use But it is yo . y la p u at yo The part th

ker bee, r o w , e e b r Worke se things: e h t t a k o o L adow, e m e h t f o The flowers f the trees. o s d u b e h T

But, bee, don’t y ou see, But six weeks d o you live, And your whole life is spent— Spent storing fo r when? You are the win d; I am the tree. I bear great fru it; You are but the breeze. Yes, bee, yes, My soul it runs free Because my tim e is short, I savor all thing s. The air, the tre es, The flowers in s pring, Marvels you ma de, I take joy in the se things.

The flowers, the trees, I see not what y ou see; Who are you to know what lies under neath? You wish to kno w me? You wish to kno w truth? Open your eyes , bee: Bee, I am you. Mark Adam Lo llar/ Sophomore/ Mt. Enterprise

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The Stair well Cho

Come, come, sit close r, dear stranger. I ca listener’s ear. I have n tell you have a a story to tell. Won’t yo u hear this tale of a dy ing man? My name—it’s unimpo rtant right now. Wha significant; I was a vic t I was is more tim during the 9/11 at ta ck . I was a successful lawyer in my early thirties attending a m eeting with my client. don’t recall my client’s I name, the case I wa s defending, or the ro number I was in, but om I was in the North To wer several floors be the first plane when low it crashed into the bu ilding—but not far en away. ough The building shook. I grabbed the edge of standing and looked the table to remain around for some answ er . Was it an earthquake? Others thou ght the same and stoo d in the doorway wh most of us hurried to ile the stairwell. Meeting dismissed. I wasn’t fast enough , though—thank God ered my client out of for that. As I ushthe room, part of the ce iling gave way in front of me, killing my clien t while burying me al ive. I could tell you ab how horrible it was to out be buried in that rubb le while the air thicken with smoke and fire ed rained down upon m e, waiting for death or savior. The groans an a d cries, the shrieks an d bellowing roar of fir from that day forwar e d always haunted an y moment of silence have. I might In the darkness of th e growing smoke, I he by breaking glass; th ard a cry followed en light filtered into th e da rk a moment. I stared ness but only for at that light, mesmer ized. It looked so pr ing and hopeful. I fe omislt as though I could re ach out and touch it, couldn’t move as I wa but I s pinned under the de bris. Soon, to my gr darkness once again ief, consumed the light, leaving me alone in ows. shad I don’t know how long I was there. I don’t kn lose consciousness ow why I didn’t from inhaling the sm ok e, but someone came to my rescue—my nam eless heroes—and du g m e out. “His leg is broken,” I heard someone say pain snap up my leg to his fellow and felt through my back and to my neck. I cried al and clenched someo oud ne’s hand. “Don’t worry, buddy, you’re okay. We’ve got you,” another

firefighter assured me as they pulled me from the wreckage. Soon they stabilized my leg and whatever other injuries I had, and then four men took the task to carry me down a hundred or so flights of stairs. And this—this is where my story begins. As soon as we entered the stairwell, someone yelled, “Injured coming down!” Everyone moved to one side of the stairs, allowing the firefighters to carry me down without too much trouble. The further away we got from the noise of the fire, the more I tuned in to the sounds around me. First, I heard mumbling as friends, family, and co-workers tried to comfort each other. “God bless you,” I heard many say not to me but to my saviors, the firefighters. Some people wept while others cursed and yelled or held their silence. If I was dead, then this was Hell, dark and humid, the smell of smoke on everyone. I recalled the Scripture verses speaking of how there shall be crying and gnashing of teeth in the darkness of Hell. Fear seized me at this thought, and I squeezed the hand of one of my rescuers just to make sure I was still alive. “Hey, hey, you’re okay,” the kid was quick to assure me, “You’re going to be okay.” I tried to respond but couldn’t. My mouth wouldn’t work. My tongue felt swollen. I only saw darkness and vague faces of total strangers—some friendly, sad, weeping, mad, but scared all the same. All the faces blurred together; I saw my mother and father in that stairwell, my older sister and dead brother, my wife and little girl. I saw them there, or so I thought. Too many faces, too much fear, my mind tried to comfort me with what was not really there. I felt a wave of unconsciousness lap across my mind, but I did not sink into the bliss of dreams, for a voice called me out. Piercing the darkness as sharp as any light, a single voice sang aloud, echoing off the close quarters of the stairwell. All cursing silenced. The weeping stopped. For a brief moment all stood still, holding breath and listening for the angelic voice. As she sang, the words and melody became clear to me, and others joined in: Oh, say! Can you see by the dawn’s early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming; Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there: Oh, say! Does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave? Our dear land’s song dispersed the fear and tension and put the people at ease. By the time the song came to an end, everyone had joined in, even the firefighters who carried me, though they muttered the words with tears in their voices. For myself, I could not sing because I had no voice or strength, but I listened to the song, ready to die if it was my time. Silence engulfed the stairwell after the song. No one knew what to do or say. Another song broke out by the same singer, and this time I realized we were getting closer to her in the stairwell. At first, I did not recognize the song or the melody, but as I listened, Psalm 91 came to mind: Thou shalt not need to be afraid, For terrors of the night; Nor for the arrow that doth fly, By day, while it is light; Nor for the pestilence, that walks, In darkness secretly; Nor for destruction, that doth waste, At noon-day openly. A thousand at thy side shall fall, On thy right hand shall lie, Ten thousand dead; yet unto thee, It shall not once come nigh. Only thou with thine eye shalt look, And a beholder be; And thou therein the just reward, Of wicked men shalt see. Because the Lord, who constantly, My refuge is alone, Ev’n the most High, is made by thee, Thy habitation;

53 No plague shall near thy dwelling come; No ill shall thee befall: For thee to keep in all thy ways, His angels charge he shall. At this verse, I passed the lone singer in the stairwell. Young and beautiful with smoke stains marring her face, she sang so loud, so pure with her whole heart as if she sang in Heaven itself. Unafraid and unashamed as others stared and gawked, mesmerized by her crystal voice, she met my gaze—she had eyes blue as the ocean—I know that much, and she smiled as my company walked on past. While I went further and further down the stairs, I clung to her singing voice as she ended the Psalm and began Psalm 23. Others joined her voice once again, and when I finally exited the stairwell, I heard the fourth verse: Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale, Yet will I fear none ill: For thou art with me; and thy rod And staff me comfort still. Once out of the building, my rescuers took me to a shelter and then went back in. I think they took the singing stairwell on their way back up to save another life. I hope they took it. It would have been a peaceful place to die on that day. The buildings collapsed not long after I was brought out of the North Tower. I tried to convince myself the singer somehow survived or simply didn’t die. Maybe she was an angel sent to calm those who stood at death’s threshold. I don’t know. I never saw her again. Sometimes in the still of night when I awake from nightmare’s fright, I hear her voice on the moonlight. She’s singing now, can’t you hear? So many others sing with her—a host of angels or so it seems. I am a Christian, my dear friend. I am not afraid to die. I cheated death once before. I cannot do so anymore. Thanks for coming, dear old friend. I never told anyone my tale. And now you know, and you know so well, the tale of the Stairwell Choir.

When the World Isn’t Looking When the world isn’t looking, A veil is pulled back: Fairies dance, Elves sing.

A goofy face, Silly accent, Unexpected behavior, When the world isn’t looking.

Magic, for a moment, awakes; Dreams turn into reality; But it’s only for a moment When the world isn’t looking.

Dreams come to life; Untapped talents unleash; Monologues are spoken aloud When the world isn’t looking.

Only for a blink of an eye, This world surfaces. When others turn their backs, It dances with a dream-touch.

The strongest men cry; The weakest are heroes; The dead return to the living When the world isn’t looking.

When the world isn’t looking, Girls transform into fairytale princesses; Boys turn into knights in shining armor; Worries are not theirs to own.

The calm break with anger; The furious find a peace; The lost find their way When the world isn’t looking.

It’s what you do When no one is around. It’s what you’d see If no one could see you.

Behind closed doors, Drawn curtains, Through secret windows, A fabulous world unveils.

A room wit hout a door , A song with out melody , Day withou t the sun, Night witho ut the stars . You wouldn ’t see it if y ou looked. You wouldn ’t know it if you saw it. It appears at times th e heart kno When the w ws orld isn’t lo oking. You know it when you fe el it. You know o nce you’ve been there. Memories o f a hidden w orld remain Forever wh en the world isn’t lookin g.

Kelly Blanch

ard/Sophom ore/ Grand Saline

Train Station Molly Stanley/Sophomore/Lindale/ B&W Photograph

s e i r o m e M d / Childhoo homore/Arp berg/Sop ph Joyle Rosen ed Photogra c n a h n E y ll a Digit