Spark Awards Writing Prize Platform+ Westminster School
Fiction
2-10–MysoonHasan, Untitled
11-14–EmirCanAksoy, A Fool’s Kingdom
15-17–TitilayoTaoreed, A Spark of Belief
18-22–KerimAbaidia, The New Beginning
23-26–MichaelRaminto, A New Life & Hysterical Love
27-28–FatmattaKoroma, Untitled
29-31–OwenKumah, Love
Non-Fiction
33-35–ArnilaPaul, The Power of Habituation
36-41–BarbaraAlarcon, Uncovering the Mysteries of the Universe, through Edwin Hubble’s Eyes
42-46–MahinHalder, The Mystery of Tiny Bright Objects at the Dawn of the Universe
47-50–MubaraqSeriki, The Decolonisation and Neo-Colonialism of Africa
51-56 – DeborahAdebayoDaramola, AI Odyssey: Navigating the future of Artificial Intelligence Poetry
58-61 – SaraOsman, To Be Seen and Not Heard
62–ZainabWilliamsLeGallais, Pressure
63–TyrellGill, Meanings
64-65–PreciousJohn-Adelakun, Rest
Untitled – Mysoon Hasan (Kingsford Community School) IIoncemetaboywithnoname.
Hisirisglistensbrightlywithinmydistantmind,asbrightasthestarsonthenightIfound him.
ThatdaywasaSunday.
Airwascrisp;asitusuallyiswhenitdrawsnear,theseasonofbattalion,pensivelypatient, theatmospherewaswroughtopaque,still,stilllikeadeadbird. Eachlung'sbreathinmewereheavy,asifburdenedwiththestepsofathousandyears'journey.
Itwastrulyworthit,forthatwonderfulplace,onewhichIoftentroubledtofind;yetthe secondIcouldfeelitinmygrasp,itwasimpossibletobeletgo. Myfavouritewasallthelilies.They wereeverywhere.Theyfeltspecial,likeafamily,allformyself.Sosoftandwhite,sogentle,and comforting.
Though,beneaththoseflowers'fragilebeauty,heldanoddtensionintheair;something beneaththeirroots,justasithidwithinhim,withinmyarms,cradled.
Solelylied,careless,andshaken,hisbody,andthetremblingofasoul.Eachribwasso fragile,withadesperateheartbeatthumpingbeneaththebone.Forhowlongwoulditkeepdoing that?
Somethingreeked.
Awarmchildamidsttherawestnight.Abloodysmearacrossastarrycanvas. Eachofthosestars,twinkling,inspiteoftheimposingdarkness,ledmetoyou. ArottenmeatIchosetocarryhome.
I'mnotsurewhy.
Lightsinginguponme,Isawlifefortheveryfirsttime.Mymindstrainedawake,myskin ablaze.Icouldfeelitall!Icouldfeelmyheart,pitter,patter,runningaroundinmychest,anda rainbowoffeelingbubblinginmystomachbelow!
Isawafigure,aface,andsuddenlymyclammyhandwasgraspedbyanother.Sheushered metowardsthenextroom...Icouldhardlyrememberthelastone!Ohlord..Ohlord!Ohlord!Whata beautifulroom!Everycolourkneweachother!Agrandcarvingofatable,long,andtallerthanme!
Gentlehandsgrabbingmefromunderneath,andplacedmeonachair.Mymindfeltblank,myheart strummingitsstrings..theworldsurroundingmewasdaunting,yetsomethingwithinmefelt soothed.Thewallsitselfwereplain,yetIwassurroundedbytickingclocks,somanylittlestatues. Thelargest,Ihadmissedatfirst,butthesecondIfeltitspresence,itwasunexplainable.Eyes, bulbousandcarvedsmooth,theairofafrownuponit,althoughaveilcoveredthemajorityofthe face.Handsclaspedtogether.Itwasscary.
Shemadethesamemotiontowardsme,butgrinning,eartoear!Howwonderfulitfelt!I triedtocopyher,butshebegantoeruptwithlaughter,andIsheepishlyfeltmyheadturnaway.Yet,I wasturningback,whatwasthis?Anaromawaswaftingtowardsme,what?
Mystomachpainedandlurched,yetitfeltsohollow,soimprinted,asifthiscraving,this desirewereburiedintome..Helpme!Help!Icouldfeelmybloodrushingeverywhere,fasterthan mythinking,fasterthanmyheart;untilmylipswerepressedagainstabowl,theneverythingwas cured…thesweet,yetmetallic,yetsavoury,yetrich,yetthicktasteofwarm,warmsoup!Ifeltasif eachflavourwereflowingintomybloodstream!But,itwasthefeelingofsomethinginmymouth whichIlikedmostofall.Asif,thegapingholeswithinmewerebeingfulfilled,asif,thiswastheonly wayIcouldkeeponliving.
Ibegantogobbleuptheremainingsoup,reliefandsolaceswirlinginme.Shelookedintomy eyesoncemore;I'mnotsurewhere,orhow,butIfeltmyheart'slanguidscales,etiolatetoanend.
Shethenpickedmeup,asifIweremerelynothing,andtossedmerightoverhershoulder. Sheplacedmedown,somewheresoft,somewherewarm,somewherecosy,andtoldmewordsI couldn'tunderstand.
"Yaabaa Gaga Meme nooo?”
Itriedtocopyheragain,and,again,howshelaughed,floodingtheroomaroundmeina melody,soothingmyearsso!
III Histoothylittlegrinsoftened,and Iwatchedpeacefully,ashiseyelidsslowlydroppeddown, theweightonhisfacesoftening,tenderly,gingerly.Ituckedhimin,andstared.Iknewthiswasn't therightthingtodo.IknewIhadnopurpose,nodriveinthematter.Iknew,Iknew,Iknew..yetmy mindremainedempty.Thoughtless.
Iclickedoffthelightandclosedthedoorbehindme,sighing...suchabeautifulchildhewas.I willneedtoteachhim.Iwillbringlifebackintoeyes,IwillspreadGodintohiseveryminute,every second,IWILLcleansehimheadtotoe.GodWILLforgivethischild!GodWILLforgiveus!Praying, praying,praying,myhandsstilltremblingbeneathme,thefearofwhatIsawthatdayevolvingeach dropofsweat,eachweightedbreath…No,Iambetterthanthis,ImustmakemyGodproud!My lover,mysaviour,howIwishtobethewayyouare!Please,dearfather,understand..
Myprayerswerequicklyinterfered.Unnaturallyso;ascreamhadstruck,drowningout everythought.Itgnawed,lurchedatmyeardrum,theverysoundfeltjaggedwithteeth,sharp, relentless;Ifeltasifmyheadwereabouttocrack.
ShouldIbesurprised?
Iboltedtoharkthe"Click!"ofthelightswitchon,tocradlehim.Hetoreathimselfwithhis petitesetofteeth,hepulledandstretchedhisfeebleearsapart,thrashingimpetuouslyagainstthe sheets,asifsomethingwasamiss,somethingwasunbearable,andhisscreamsweretrulybeginning to defilethebonesbeneathmyflesh;howunsoundly,thisdelirium!Iclutchedathimwithmylife, hissoddenbodyseepingouttearsandurinealloverme.Ipeeledopenhiseyes,hesitant,andhe stopped.Histeary,bloodshoteyespeeredintomine,terrifiedtothecore. Oh.Iseenow. Hewasjustafraidofthedark.Afraid,asmanychildrenare!
Theseasonsturned,timeslippingquietlyby. Ihadfeltit,eversincethatmoment.Itruly begantolovehim.
WhatalifeIhavebeenblessed!
Everyday,Mamawokemetoasky,dampoftears;somewerepink,somewereyellow, blendedin.Itwoulddisappearwithoutmeevenrealising;soIspentmydays,outbetweentickly bladesofgrass,waitingforhertocomehome.Theskywouldturnlighter,thenblue,thenbrighter, thenitwouldslowlysoboutitscoloursagain.
Iwouldwait.Mypatiencerewarded!Therewasnothingmoreworthit,herskinflushedand snug,thecomfortofherbeatingheartonmyear,andeachskyinmymindwouldquicklywearaway. MamaandI,wewouldread,wewouldplay,weflew!!Iwasflying,god,thankyouforthisflight! Everyevening,Ilearntnewwords,Ilearntnewprayers,andIkneeled,intertwiningmyhands,to thescaryveiledstatue,Mamabymyside.IloveGod,but!!IlovemyMamaabitmore.Iloved,Iloved everything,andhowI,mostofall,lovedtoeat!Howmystomachrumbled,underneaththeskies,all daylong.
Today,myhungerisincessant.Ifeelasifathingisbreathinginmystomach;lurkinginthe caliginosity,slowlylaceratingeachwall,eachflesh,eachblood.Itwasdiggingdeeperanddeeper; mystomachprocureddesiresbeyondmyeye,abovemytongue,far,farawayfrommyhand.My stomachbecamemymind.
Ofcourse,thiswasnodifferentthanusual...Isquintedhardintothebluesky,Igentlybitat myclammyhand,Ididthis,Ididthat,NOTHINGWASENOUGH.
INEEDTORUN.
Iran,andIran,ANDIRAN.Theskyswelledthesamecolour,eachbladeofgrassallcutthe same.Thepainofmymuscles,tightlycrammedinme,fricativelysuicidal,wrappedinnoescape,I neededit.AllIwantedwasforthatpaintokeepmyattentionoffmysecondbrain.Thatpain...that pain...thatpain.
Mystomachsawitsprey.
Therestofmecouldn'tcomprehendit:thecloserIgot,this,this,soft,gentle,cotton-like beinginmyhands,itwaswarm,breathing.Icouldn't,Icouldn'tunderstandit.Wasthisreal?
Myhandsbegantheirwork,andIrealised.
Iamreal.
I.
V EachstepItookstirredthedampgrass,thesquelchofmudslicingthesilence.Allthatgrass, stretchedendlesslybeforeme,greenandmonotonous.Thesmellofdecaykeptclingingtotheair. AllIsawwassorepetitive,soboring- justlikework.
Ihatedwork.Thisexhaustion...thisloneliness.Eachfatigueplaguedmysoul.Ohlord,how canIcontinue?Lord,willyoudropmedead?Lord,youmustappreciateme,allIserveforyou,a childofyours,Ihavesaved!Lord,loveme,likeawife...
Somethingcaughtmyeye.
Ihurriedinadazetofindit,suspicioncreepinggracefullyinmychest.
Thegrassisgreenformiles.Whatpossessedmyeyetoseered?
Soakeduntotheartlessearth.Strewn,neatinapile.Thesublimered,spread,spread,and spread.Rabbitguts.
VI Theredsweptfrommyhands,swirlingintothesinksoprettily, soeerily...Slam!Myears burnedfromtheshock,andIfroze;Mama'searly!But,but,Ineedtowashthismouth...
Shesawme.no,no,no.
Shepushedmeoffthesink.no,no,no.
Igrippedontomyears,tumblingontotheground.IknewIcouldneverhide.
AllIcouldhearwerescreams.
"Iknewit.Iknewit.Itisn'tmeanttogolikethis!Youmustunderstand!Wasitworthit?That darknessIfoundyouin...doyouthinkit'sthesameasthedaylight?Isthenightyouareafraidof equaltotheguidanceofthissunset?Areyou,asinner,equaltoI,Iwhoisrighteous?Doyouhaveno hope?Nocontrol?Humansareequal..youcan'tbeone!Iworksohardforyou...yetyourmindis freetodowhateveritpleases.You...arelikeaninstrument?finelytunedforwar..HowamImeantto
loveamonsterlikeyou!"Sheshovedherhandstraightthroughmymouth,stretchingherthumband indexwide."ThisistheEIGHTHI'vefound..yetIkeptignorant,quiet...Godwillneverforgiveyou! He'llneverforgiveME!You'regoingtoruinme...Ineed,INEEDtosaveyou…sweet,bastardlychild!"
Herhandstruckhardagainstme,andfromthecornerofmyvileeye,Isawhertearyface, andpink,swollenhands.
VII Today,theskydidnotcrymuch.Itshines,clearofasinglecloud. I'msickofthissky.
Iflippedonmyback,anddecidedtofocusonthegrassinstead.Isweptmyhandthrough eachblade,flatteningthemtodiscovertheworldbelow.Dingy,hardearth...icky!Somethingicky crawlingontome!Ipickeditup,andsmasheditbetweenmyindexandthumb.It'stinylittlelegs stoppedmoving,Itriedtolookformore..Ididn'tunderstandMamaatall.Smash!Igotanotherone! Didsheneverlovemeatall?IsallshelovesisthatstupidGod?WhydoesGod'sopinionmatterso much??Amonster?Ihaveahumanface...isthatnotwhatitmeanstobehuman?Iwashungry...I didnothingwrong..
Beinghungrymakesmesoafraid.Smash!Mamadoesn'tunderstandhowpainfulitis…She doesn'tknowwhatlifeis.Shedoesn'tknowhowSmash!harditis,wheneverythingbecomesdark... whenyoucan'tseeathing,youdon'tknowwhat'sbreathingbehindyou..Ineedtosurvive!Don'tI deservetofeelgood?Ineedto…kill…asshecallsit...tofeelalive!Oneday,she'llseetheworldasI do,I'llcrushthatGodwithjustthispinky!Rightundermyheel!Smash! Smash!Smash!Smash!
Ihadmadealittlecollectionnow.Ihadcrawledallover,pilingmytreasurestogether.When Isawthem,lyingontopofeachother,weak,lifeless,barelytwitching;Ibegantofeel...?Whatwas thisfeeling?
Iexpectedtorelishfrommyaccomplishment,butmymindwanderedelsewhere.Which God,arethesetinythingsmeanttofindsolacein?Soweak,sofeeble,there'snothinghere.Which Goddotheyprayto?WhichGodsavestheirweaksouls?OrdoesGodjustgleefullykillusall?What kindofGodisthat?CouldIbe,likeaGod?
I'mgettingsickofthatword.
Ipickedupmysillypile,andpeeredinclosely.Eachonehadapairofeyes.Couldtheysee meabovethem?AmIscary?
Iwantedtonamethem.
Namethem..?Myheartshuddered.
VIII
"Mama,whatismyname?"
Saturdayisalwaysthehardestday.Myhandswereonthevergeofwrinklinginstantlyfrom exhaustion,myelbowsreadytofallouttheirsocket,mybrainfogged.Ihadalmostforgottenabout thatwretchedchild,untilhewasthere,atmydoor,wordsflowingouthisverdantmouth.
Whereelsewashemeanttogo?Whatwashemeanttodo?
Igrabbedhim,andslowlymeltedintohiswarmembrace.Ilookedathiseyes,andhowfull oflovetheywere.
"Mama,pleasedon'tscreamagain.."
Ishookmyhead.
"Yourvoiceisrawfromscreaming...toaGodwhoisnotlistening"
Amassivetearfellfromhischeek.Iwatchedittraildownintohisjaw,diffuseout,anddrip.
Wesleptineachother'sarmsthatnight.
IX
Sundayisalwaysthebestday.Godletsusallrest.Wouldn'titbewonderful,iflifewerejusta mereprecessionofSundays?Aneverlastingdream..
Smoke,sizzles,andfragrantflavoursdrapedovertheroom;hewasbarelytallenoughto lookoverthepan,yettherehewas,fryinguplittlecarrots.IthinkIlovedhim. Undermyfrockliesmywomb,andoutsideitliesthischild.There’snoconnection,sowhat obligationdidIhavetohim? Hissoftlycarved,sacredfeatures,hisfeathery,orangishhair,his
curiousblueeyes.Iknewtherewasalightwithinhimwaitingtocomeout.Ifeltasiftherewas somethingtheretobecured.
Ididn'trealisehowdifficultit'dbe.TothepointwhereIcouldn'tnamehim,couldn'tlook afterhim,couldn'tevenhatehim.
Hadwelearntanything?
Iblewoutthefireonthestove,andpouredthevegetablesoutforustoeat.
Iwatchedhim.Hewasravenous,so,sogreedilyhetoreaparteachstem,eachflesh,each root.
Desperate.Hopeless.Restless.
Didheknowit?Didhefeelhisowngluttony?Itseemedsonaturaltohim,couldheevenfeel hisownsins..?
"Wouldyouliketogoonatrip?"
"Okay!"
Acheekygrineruptedonhisface,andIrubbedofftheremainsonhissnubnose.
Atonepoint,IthoughtIwasgoingtogetsickofthestupidgrass,andthestupidsky.
But,thegrasswasbeautifultoday.ThemoreIwalked,Mama'shandinmine,Iwatchedthem slowlygrow;suddenlynowpaleandsoftandinteresting.Mamasaidtheywere"lilies”;flowersof purity,anddeath.Ifoundthemso,so,beautiful.Thewaytheirseedsstemmedout,exposedrashlyto theweightofthecallousairaroundthem.
Inthebeginningtherewereonlyafew,buttheyleisurelymultiplied,until,finally,that'sall weweresurroundedby.
"ThisiswhereIfoundyou.WherefromIbroughtyouhome.Whatdoyousuppose happenedtoyouhere?"
"Mama…Idon'tknow…butI'mscared…I'msorryforkilling…Pleasejustkeeplovingme…"
"No,youenjoyit,don'tyou?Behindyourchildlikeeyes,liesaninstrument...aweapon...
Icanloveyou,asmuchasIloveme,asmuchasIlovetheworlddrapedaroundus.Let's learntogether.Let'slearntosurvivetogether,okay?I'msorryforeverything,mychild.You'veseen somethingIcouldneverfathom,whereperhaps,todayisjustasequaltotomorrow…"
IwatchedMamayieldherselftotheflowers;shefelltotheground,crushingallbeneathher. Thecrunchofeachcarefullycuratedpetaldissipatedintotheheavysilenceoftheairaroundus. I droppedontohertoo,holdinghertight,herwarmheartbeatagainstmine.Itwasn'tscary.Itwasn't tempting,orrefreshing,orbloody. Itwasjustwarm.
"Ihope,IhopeIwasn'tbornhere.."
"Idon'tknowwhereyouwereborn.WhenIresurrectedyou,youweredrownedinanother's blood,yetsomehowinmyarms...that'swhy...Icouldnevergiveanametoachildlikeyou,achild rottedinsin…allthisfearyoufillmewith…"
"Then,whydoyouloveme?"
"Idon'tknow.Youreyesshinesobrightly....Allthesestars,theyshineforyou..."
Sheheldmyhandtight,squeezingashardaspossible,squeezingouteverytremblewe shared.
Thewindbegantohowl,laughinglikeaclown.Ialmostdidn'thearitatfirst.
Iwassohappyto,atlast,haveaname.
A Fool’s Kingdom – Emir Can Aksoy (Westminster) “Inthenameofthelord,youfool,ifyoudonothavetheporkpiespresentinthenextfew minutes,Iwillunleashunimaginablewrathuponyourwretchedsoul!”
Baldwar’seyespranced,handswriggled,inastateofmentalparalysis.Hehadhalf-baked porkpiesonhisleft,aburntboaronhisrightandaconundrumofdirtypansmixedinwiththe cleanonesandnotaraginsight.
“Christ…”utteredBaldwar,ashedesperatelysortedtheformerfromthelatter.
“Anddon’tcauseaclattereither!”
“Yes,Master.”RepliedBaldwargrudgingly.LordHenryMarshallofTivunawasaportlyman, whowascertainlypartialtoporkpies.Hewasaremarkablyuntalentedman,whosimplyhappened tobebornintonobility.HenryMarshallwould’vebeenyouraveragepeasantifhehadhadthe commonmisfortuneofbeingsiredbyone.Andinspiteofthis,heheldadistinctcontemptforanyof alowersocioeconomicclassthanhimself.Perhapsheboreaninsecurityabouthisown incompetence,orconsideredhimselftheharbingerofdisciplinewhenhehimselfhadn’tdonea day’shardworkinhislife.Morelikely,Baldwarthought,itwasamixtureofallofthis,aswellasthe factthathehimselfwastheonlyforeignerinthecastle.HewasaBogoladyte,andhademigrated fromhishomelandafteraviolentcouphadturnedhispeopleintosavages.Marshallmistrusted Baldwarspecifically,becauseBogoladyteswereknownfortheirdarkmagic,whichBaldwarhad neverpartakenin,butthestereotypewaspermanent.
Minuteslater,Marshallreturned,checkedtheconsistencyandtemperatureofthepieswith hisbeefyfingers,andbegrudginglygruntedinapproval.Snap.Afootmanmaterialisedbyhisside.
“Takethesetotheking,buthavethemtastedfirst.”
“Yes,sir!”exclaimedthefootman,spinningonhisheelandmarchingoff.
“Youthere!”barkedLordHenry.
“Yes,sir?”Baldwarmeeklyinquired.
“GotoBanquetHallatonce,andremainthereuntiltheguestsaregone,asleepordead!”
“Yes,sir.”
20garnicklesperdaywouldbuildafortuneingoodtime,butBaldwaraskedhimselfif workingunderLordHenryMarshallwasworthit.His pensées werecutshortasheapproachedthe banquethallandwaschastisedbyanotherunsympatheticheadofstaffforhisdullshoes.
Baldwarhadheardtherumblingsofthebanquetfromthekitchen,andyetnothingcould preparehimforthespectaclewhichmethiseyesasthebanquetdoorswereflungopenbefore himselfandotherservicemen.
TheamalgamationofaromasgreetedBaldwarlikeatidalwave.Despitebeingoneofthe menwhohadconcoctedthesebeautifulcreations,therewasnosubstitutefortheappealofameal inabanquethall.Heandtheotherfootmensubtlyentered,thegreatdoorsofthebanquethall slammingshutbehindthem.Baldwar’seyessearchedfortheking,whomhewouldbeserving.In themidstofcrowdsofmenmakingmerry,heglimpsedtheunmistakableframeoftheking’sthrone. Withmugsofmeadcamealossofone’srationality,andsoBaldwarhadtofighthiswaythrough tablesofrosy-cheeked,glossy-eyedlords.Uponreachingtheking’stable,hetookamomentto regainhisbreath,andbowed,profuselyshoweringthekingandhis‘successofabanquet’with hyperboliccompliments.ThekingsmiledandthankedBaldwarforpreparingthemeal.Baldwar blushed.Hewasn’taccustomedtoappreciationfromhissuperiors.Afterthekinghimselfhad finishedhissupper,andwhenhewasglowingwithwine,hesnappedhisfingerstocallforthe famedfoolsoftheKingdomofCanavera.Thegluttonswereusheredout,greasestilloozingfrom theirhandsandmouths.Whenthelastgluttonhadtrottedout,hisarmslollinglazilybyhissides, thejestersassembledbythedoor,inarrowformation.Abriefsmileflickeredacrosstheking’sface asgaspsofadmirationemanatedfromthetables;thesewerereplacedwithjubilantroundsof applauseasthejestersdartedin,tappingtheirshinyleathershoesalltheway.Baldwarlooked downathisownshoes.Theedgeswereinasorrystate,thesoleinpieces,andthebrownleather wasfadingintobeige.Hesighed.Hewaschasingadreamofcomfortandwealth,butthedreamwas runningfaster.Hewasjoltedoutofhismelancholicstatebythejestersburstingintosong, accompaniedsoonafterbyplentifulapplausefromthecrowd.Yet,whatjoltedBaldwarbackto realitywasnotthebeautifulsongofthejesters.Itwasadistortedvoice,screeching,barelyaudible, yetdeafeninginitssingularity.Heturnedcuriouslytowardsthejesters,staringateachofthemin turn,tryingtodiscernthesourceofthenoise.Theapplausecontinuedastheculpritbegantosing higherandhigher.Finally,hesawhim.Thefool.Helookedlikeafool,buttherewassomething differentabouthim.Hissmile,stretchingunnaturallyandassymetricallyacrosshisface,whichwas
palerthantheking’swhitegown.Theyellowhueofhis…teeth?ToBaldwartheylookedmorelike fangs,yetheattributedthistoalongdayofinhalingthefumesofacoaloven.Evenhisgaitwas idiosyncraticinitssoulless,mechanicalnature.Yetnobodyelseseemedtonoticehisvoice,orbe botheredbythething’scountenance.Baldwar,unabletostanditanylonger,lefthisposition hurriedlyanddepartedthehallforhisquarters.Thefool’sbloodshoteyesfollowedhiseverystep, andBaldwarwaswellawareofit.
WhenBaldwararosefromhisrestlessdozethenextmorning,thememoryofthefoolpreyed onhismind.Hemovedasidehistrunkfromthedoor,whichwasactingasamakeshiftbarricade, andunlockedthedoor.HewasastonishedtofindthecorridorcoveredwithknightsoftheRegal Guard,themostesteemeddutyasoldiercouldbeelectedto.Adozenarmouredheadsturnedtosee thenewcomer,whoinstinctuallysteppedbackintohisroom.
‘TheKingcommandsthatallpartsofthecastlebesearchedfortheSacredJewels.Bythe powervestedinmebytheKing,Irequestthatyou leavethebuildingimmediatelyandawaitthe conclusionofthisday’ssearch.’
Baldwarknewthattherequestwasjusta politesse,andsoheobligedswiftly.Withinanhour, theservantswereallowedbackintheirquarters:nothinghadbeenfound.
Thenextday,Baldwarawoketoawail.Heflewoutofbed,intriguedandfrightenedbythe outburst.Walkingintothecorridor,asmoresobssounded,hediscoveredaneerieemptiness,quite theoppositeofthepreviousday’ssituation.Heimpatientlyfollowedthesobsuntilhereachedthe King’schambers.Usually,hewould’vebeenstoppedandquestionedbytheRegalGuardbeforehe evenreachedthestairwell.Yetthecastleseemedtobeabandonedsaveforthecriesandbellowsof sorrowcomingfromtheKing’sbedroom.Thedoorswereflungopen,andbothmen-at-armsand maidswerewatchingtheKing’scorpse,atalossforwhattodo.Baldwarrushedin,horrifiedbythe King’sinjuries.Hisfacehadbeenmutilated,andwherehisheartshouldhavebeenwasaholethe widthofanorange.Baldwarstifledagaspofdread,andlefttheroom.Bythestairwellleadingback totheservant’squarters,wasthefool.AsBaldwarapproachedwarily,henoticedthefool’shands. Theywerecrimson-red.LordHenryMarshall,whowassatindisbeliefoutsidetheKing’sbedroom, turnedsharplyasheheardBaldwar’syell,andcamewaddlingdownthecorridor.
“Whatisit,boy?”heasked.Baldwarsteadilyraisedhisfinger,whichwastrembling,topoint atthefool.
“Whatisit?Whatareyoupointingat?”
“Thefool!”criedBaldwar.
“You’rethebloodyfool!”reprimandedMarshall,slappingthebackofBaldwar’sheadfor goodmeasure.Heturnedbacktohisseat.“Pointingatnothing,wastingmytime.”grumbled Marshall.
Baldwarturnedhisgazebacktothefool,whowasgrinningmenacingly,revealingwickedlysharp fangs,asthecookhadsuspected.Heblinked,andthefoolhaddisappeared.
Crash!Boom!Baldwarhadcrackedhistreasuredvase,lefttohimbyhislatemother,yethe hadnotacareintheworldforanyofhismaterialpossessions.Allwerebeingtossedintohislarge leathertrunk.Hesnatchedhissheetsandpressedthemontopofhisotherbelongings,and slammedthetrunkshut.Bang!Hehadmadeuphismind.Hehadnobusinessinthiscastle.He reckonedhehadseveralhoursbeforetheKing’ssonsarrivedtodecidewhoshallbecomethenew KingofCanavera.Historically,whatthatentailedwascivilwar.However,theyoungcookhadno interestinleavinganythingtothelastminute.Hewantedtobeonthefirstcartoutofthecastle, withtheintentionofleavingthekingdomforgood.Hehadn’tmadeanyfriendsinhisbriefsojourn hereanyway.Hehadwantedthisnewbeginninganyway,andnowwithafearfactordrivinghim fromCanavera,therewasnothingtokeephimthere.Heboughtacartandhorsefromthecastle marketfor20goldgarnickles,thoughitpainedhimtospendsomuchofhissaving.Thewholecastle wasinastateofutterchaos.Many,likeBaldwar,wereleaving:evenmorewerelootingtheempty blacksmiths,markets,leatherworkersofanythingthattheformerownershadleftbehind.
Thefoolstoodontheancientstoneramparts,watchingalittlebrowncart,drivenbyalone youngman,leavethekingdom.Behindhim,theservants’quarterswereablaze,thecracklesofthe flamesdrowningoutthehelplessscreamsofthemaidsandfootmen.Hecackled,anddroppedthe torchinhishandovertherampartsintothedeep,algae-coveredmoat.Faroffpastthebillowing hills,hespottedamassofmenmovingasaunittowardsthecastle.ThearmyofPrinceHarald,he presumed.Hiscackleechoedoffintothedistance.Morechaoswascoming,andthefoolwaswell aware.
A Spark of Belief – Titilayo Taoreed (Notre Dame) Wewatch,daybyday,asourlivespassusby.Sixteensummers,sixteenwinters.Sixteen candlesblown,fivewishestobeaprincess-astronaut.You’dthinktheseyearswouldbringsome kindofwisdom,butIfeelmorenaivethanever.Isitonthetrain,phoneinhand,headphonesinear, andstare.Notlikeacreep,ofcourse justpeople-watching.Eyerolls,frustratedgrunts,fists shakingfromthemanythatmisstheirtrains.Theusualrush-hourchaos.Afrazzled,middle-aged womanwithsmudgedredlipsticksipsfromherflask.Acrosstheplatform,amanwithanoddly brightsmileglancesoverather.Definitelyatourist noLondonerlooksthathappyat7:00a.m.
"Thistrainisabouttodepart..."thespeakercrackles,aroboticvoicecuttingthroughthe hazeofearlymorning.Iglanceoutthewindowastheman’sfigurefadesintoablur.Instead,I’mleft staringatthescratchesontheglass,thecarved-outlovebetween‘HenryandAmy.’Irollmyeyes, sinkingdeeperintotheworn,dirt-riddenseat.
ButwhydoIreactlikethat?Whyismyfirstinstincttoscoffatteenagelove?Theremust’ve beenatimewhenIbelievedinit.BackwhenIbelievedinSantaClaus,superheroes,andunicorns. ‘Trivialthings,’they’dsaynow butnotthen.Backthen,beliefwaseverything.
Belief theacceptancethatsomethingexistsoristrue,evenwithoutproof.Ilookupattheclouds slowlydissolvingintothepaleblueskyandwonder:whereexactlyisthelinebetweenbeliefand truth?
“YouareapproachingCanaryWharf.”
Theannouncementsnapsmeoutofmythoughts.Iscrambletopackmybag,checkingit once,twice,threetimes.Thetrainscreechestoasuddenhalt,andIstumbleforward,crashing straightintothegirlbehindme.She’saboutmyage,withthesmellofSoldeJaneiroclingingtoher andabright,pinkenergyaroundher.Wecatcheachother’seyesandsmirk,silentlyacknowledging oursharedawkwardness,likeoursoulsalmostleapedoutofourbodies.
Herbrowsknittogether,twocaterpillarshugging.I’veneverseenanyonesoexpressive. Thoughhonestly,it’shardtofocuswithherrichgingerhairpracticallyglowing.
“YougoingtotheSTEMprogramtoo?”sheasks.
“Yeah,”Ireply,lessenthusiasticthanIintended
“I’mAnnabelle.You?”
“Tinu.”
Hernamesuitsher.Wechatforawhile,driftingfromcelebcrushestofavoriteartists,all theusualsmalltalk.Butafterawhile,theconversationfades,andI’mbacktostaringoutthe windowwhileshescrollsthroughTikTok.Iusuallylovetheselongjourneys justme,mymusic, andthebluroftreesoutside.Buttoday,itfeelsdifferent.Mythoughtskeepcirclingback.
Ilovescience,sure,butdoesthatmeanIhavetoliveinaworldwithoutmagic?Where everything’sjustfactsandfiguresandhopeisjustamyth?It’sliketoomanythoughtstalkingat once,overlappinguntilthey’retooloudtoignore.
Aswestepoffthetrain,Iblurtout,“Doyouthinkpeoplecanmanifestreality?”
Annabelledoesn’tevenhesitate.“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Becausesciencehadtocomefromsomewhere,”shesays,matter-of-factly.
Ifrown,alittleconfused.“Whatdoesthathavetodowith ”
“Whodiscoveredthefirstmodeloftheatom?”sheinterrupts.
“Democritus,”Ianswerautomatically thanks,GCSEs.
“Right.Hecouldn’t see atoms,buthebelievedtheywerereal.Peopleprobablythoughthe wasinsaneforsayingeverythingwasmadeoftinyparticlesnoonecouldsee.Butthatbelief becamethefoundationofeverythingweknownow.Undilutedbeliefisrarethesedays,butIthink withhope,anythingispossible.Weliveinaworldsovastandstrangethatourbrainscan’teven begintounderstandit.That’sthebeautyofit.Soyeah,Ithinkpeoplecanmanifestreality ifthey believeinitenough.”
Istopinmytracks,stunned,whileshekeepswalkinglikeshedidn’tjustdropatruthbomb onme.Ineverimaginedarandomconversationonatraincouldrewiremyentireperspective.But
suddenly,I’mwonderingifmaybe,justmaybe,insomeotheruniverse,superheroesandunicorns reallydoexist.MaybeevenSantaClausandthetoothfairy.Afterall,everyideacomesfrom somewhere,doesn’tit?
The New Beginning – Kerim Abaidia (Ark Globe Academy) PartOne.
Family.Healwayswantedtocreateonewithhisextravagantwife.Twochildren,livingina villabythecoastwheretheycanspendendlessnightsonthebeach,wonderingwhatadventures lifehastooffer.Ponderingonthisthoughtforthenext10minutes,Bastianarrivedathisworkplace, coffeeinonehandandanenthusiasticmannertowhichhegreetshisfellowcolleagues.Moreoften thannot,theyechoedthesameenthusiasmback.Theyworkedinahugeofficeblockincentral Dunbridge,lyinginthesoutheastofthenewlyformedcountryofArdenia,apopulousandthriving placewitharichandculturalhistory.Everythingseemedtobegoingsmoothly.Glenspilledabitof hertea,asusual,asshewasrunninglateforameetingwiththeexecutiveheadofthecompany,Alex havingmanymeltdownsashespoutedoutallhisissuestoRebecca,andRonanhadtomakea wholerunwayforhisentrance.Bastiandidn'tmindthatthough,althoughitwasmonotonousat times,butthatco-insightedwithwhatofficelifeis.
Comingbackfromwork,heisgreetedbySusan,whoseemedtohavecookedhimthemost luxuriousmealtheworldhadtoofferasheavengracefullyglidedtowardshim.Whilstslowly savouringthefoodtomakethemostoutofit,herealisedwhyshe’ddonethat,whyshehadso spontaneouslycreatedamasterpiece.Heslowlystartedtodriptowhathepresumedwassweatas shewalkeddashinglyuptothebedroom.Finally,anopportunitytospendarelaxingnightwithhis wifewithoutinterruptions.Abandoningthemealhesodesperatelydesiredalot,herushed upstairs,disregardingallhismoralsandwishesinlifejusttoenjoythisonemoment.Makingitto thebedroom,heimmediatelyknewwhathehadtodotoprogressthroughthennight,andbefore theclockbellowed7pm,theystartedthedeed.
Morningcomesroundanduptheywoke,processingwhathappenedthroughthenight.It must’vebeenlikeseven,maybe8inthemorning,whichwouldgiveenoughtimetogetreadyfor work,right?ItwaswhenSusanturnedtheTVonforthenews,whenthesuddenrealisation happens.8:30appeared,capsulatedinayellowbackgroundmeantthatdisasterwasto occur.Deafeningscreamsofterrorengulfedthewholehouse,whichwasfollowedbythehouse gettingapigpenstylerenovation.Inafranticrush,Bastianstrangledhimselfwithhistie,hopping aroundtheplacetogetapairoftrousersinahotpursuittogetacroissantandhiscarkeys.Ten minutespassed,andnoprogresswasmade.Hehadtomakeittoworkin20minutes,whilststill
needingtogetacoffeefortheday.Hepoweredthroughrighttilltheend,trappinghimselfintothe driver’sseatinthecar,withstill15minutestomakeitthere.Stresstransformedintoreliefwhen stowingintothecarparkwithhisregularicedlatte,readyingtotendtobusiness.Everyonewas eagertoseehimtoday,especiallyAlex,whohadacquiredimportantyetexcitingnews.
“Hello,Mr.Perfecttiming,youreallytookyourtimetoday,haven’tyou?”Alexsarcastically declares.
“No,justgotsidetrackedandlosttrackoftime,andstillneededto”
“Ohexcuses,excuses,excuses.Weallknowyoutookyoursweet,precioustimegoinginto theclothesshoptryingtogetallthelatestnewsuitsandaccessoriesandallthat.”Rebeccaadds.
“Pfft,sure,ifyoubelievethatmore.”Bastianrepliesinamockinglyway.
“Anyway”,Alexinterrupts,“I’vegotveryexcitingnews!Notonlydidyougetapromotion todayatwork,butIalsogotStelyDiagoconcerttickets!Iknowhowmuchyoulikethem.It’lljustbe me,youandtherestofus.”
“Yas!How’dyougetthem?Arethereanythemestowhatwemustdressinorslayin?”
Ronancuriouslyasked,withobvioushintstoexcitement.
“Therearen’tanyrulesaboutthat,butdon’tdressuplikethere'snotomorrow,Icouldjust aboutlookatyoulikethatwithwhateverstyleyoucallthat.”
“It’scalledfashion,ok.It’sthelatesttrend,maybeyoushouldlookitup.”
“Let’snotgetsassyoverhere,okbuddy.Anyway,Bastian,youin?”
“Sure,whynot.Whenisthis?”
“Saturday.”
“Ishouldbeavailablethen,soIguessIcouldcomethen.”
“Great.Thatmeansit’sonlyGlenIhavetotalktonow.Thatwillendinadisaster,Imean, whenissheevenavailable?”
“Idon’tthinkshehasameetingtodayluckily.”Rebeccareplies
“Comeon,doyoureallybelievethatsis?”Ronanutters.
“Imean,probablynot.ButIthinkshesaidthatherself,soatleasthavesomehopeit’strue.”
“Surehoney,sure.”
HappinessfilledBastian’sbody,andstartedtoworkknowingthathewouldhaveameeting discussinganalytics.WorkinginoneofArdenia’smostsuccessfulcorporateswasablessingforhim andhiscolleagues,evenwhenbeingfacedwitheternal,hellishandtimelesschallenges.However, hewasmotivatedtorepeattheseridiculetasksknowinghewasgoingtoseeitthroughwithhis uniqueand,sometimesquirky,yetcomedicfriends.Hourspass,andit'snowlunch,andthecanteen
hasn'tpreparedmuch,onlycheesesandwicheswiththequestionablebutterthatnoonecomplains aboutbecausethey’rescaredifothersdon’tthinkthesame.It'sjustwhatyouhavetogetusedtoin offices.Bastianheavilypreparesforthemeeting,hopinghewouldimpressthehigherups, especiallywhengettingtoldaboutthepromotion.Itwasonlyamatteroftimebeforehewould finallyprovehimselfinfrontofthemostinfluentialpeopleintheworld.So,takingadeepbreathe in,hestumblesupontheroom.
PartTwo.
Amoment’ssilencewasshared.Theroomwasoccupiedbywhatseemstobetheexecutive andCEO.Thiswasmostcertainlygoingtobeachallengethatwillhavetobedone,onewayor another,nomatterwhathappens.Bastian,beingfullyawareoftherisksnowinvolved.Humiliation, orworse,walkingoutthemdoorswithoutthechanceofeverwalkingthroughthemagain.Without furtherado,thesilencewasbroken.
“So,I’mawareyouareoneofourmostvaluedanalysists.”saystheassociateCEO,wearing themostdominantyetcasualclothingaroundthetable,“That’swhywehavearrangedthismeeting. We’dliketoheardirectlyfromyou,andnotjustsomeonetodoitforyou,hencethepromotionwe arecurrentlyoffering.Wewilldiscusslogisticslater,butwe’llletyoutakecontrolnow.”
Arushofwindengulfedtheroom,leavingnospaceforanythingelse.Wordscan’tdescribe the feeling of emptiness and courageousness at the same time. Voices started playing in his mind, howcouldhepossiblyescapethem?Justgoforitwasactivelydominatinghismind,sowhatbetter waythantostart,right?
“So,aswecansee,businesshasgrownbyapproximately80%,andwehavehadmillionsof newcustomers.”Hestutteredquietly,knowingthatheisn’tmakingagoodimpression.Hepausesfor amoment,unsureofwhattodo,continuewiththeslidehe’son,ormoveon.Hesitatingly,hemoves ontothenextone.
“Asfromthegraph,”headds,“wehavereallygrowninthepharmaceuticalindustryduetoa massivespikeinfearsofnewdiseases,whichhassprungaroundwithinthepastyearaccordingto studies.Additionally,morepeoplehavetakenmoretimeanddedicationtodecoratingwhateverthey can,hencetheincreaseinartsandcraftsandotherare-”
“Were these the biggest factors leading to our increase in revenue?” The CEO rudely interrupts, having some cold sneer in his raspy voice, “Because if not, why bother speaking about them?”
Bastiantrepidatiouslyreplies,"Well,sir,ithasbeenanever-growingtrendwithnosignsof slowing down, and it wasn’t just coincidental that people are buying medicines right when new diseasesappear.Solongasthesedon’tstopslowing,wearesuretogrowmoreandmore."
“Hmmm.Continueplease.”
“In addition to this, many areas have also increased, even if not by a significant amount. However,certainareashaveseenadownfallsincethefirstquarterof2030,suchastoysandother things,largelyintheentertainmentsector.”Bastiangrewmoreandmoreconfidentinthefollowing minutes, discussing various factors as to what the company’s financial integrity is. The CEO continuallyseemedoff-puttingbyhim,althoughnoapparentreasonswereconcluded.
Ingeneral,theconferencewasahugesuccess.Hewasabletoconvincinglygiveagoodreport toallthepartnersintheroom,witheventheexecutiveCEOapplaudingwiththerest.Onethingisin hiswaynow.Thepromotion.
“Now,Bastian.Thatwasratheranexquisiteperformanceandreviewyoudone.Iknowitcan beachallengetowalkthroughthemdoorsandbeintimidatedbyusall.Well,foroneIcanspeakon everyone's behalf, would you like the promotion. It comes with many perks and benefits which I presumeyouknow,alongwithaheftypayrise.Whatdoyousay?”TheCEOrushestosay.
“Idon’tknowwhattosay.WhatamIsaying,ofcourseIdo,thankyousomuchsir,”Bastian surgestoanswer.
“Well,welcometotheteam.I’llemailyoulater,sobeonthelookout.” Bastian immediately runs out the room, excitedly hugging the life out of all his colleagues. Glen emergesfromherdesk,unsureofhowtoprocessthis.Sheknowssheneedstobehappyforhim,but revengenavigatestoherthinking.
It’stimefortheconcert.Fanssprawloutfromtheentrance,hopingtheycouldgetclosetothe walkway. StelyDiagowasthemostfamouscreatorpossible,reachingfansallovertheworldinmost ofthelanguagesknowntoman.Thegroupknewhowthingsweregoingtopanout,sotherewasno pintinfightingothers.
“Areyousureshecouldn’tcome,”Rebeccaasks.
“She insisted not to come, saying work is her priority right now.” Alex says, in an almost mockinglytone.
“Thatgirlissuchatryhardyouknow.Heardshewasjealousofmyboyoverthere.Butwho caresabouther,let’sjustparty,woohoo!”Ronanpersistentlynags.
Theconcertlastsfor5hours,withabreakhalfwaythrough.Thousandsofpeopleimmediately equip themselves with light sticks and phone lights to wave around mindlessly. Songs filled the stadium,withamixtureofromanticsongs,upbeatonesandloadsofothergenres,butonethingisto say.Thetalentoftheguywouldsurelycaptivateanyone,nomatterwhoorwheretheyare.Ronan andRebeccaareenjoyingthemselves,drinkingmanyslushieswhiletheysing.Alexstartscryingin aweandhappiness,knowinghehadagoodtime.Everythingcouldn’tbemoreperfectandhappier, especiallyafteraone-of-a-kindnight.
“Thedaywasablast,thankseveryone,Ireallyneededthat.”Bastianremarks.
“Youdeserveit.Yougotapromotion,hadalongdayandyoujustneedtorelaxandhaveafun night.”Rebeccaassertshim.
“Immaheadhomenow,Susaniswaitingforme,andIneedawell-deservedrest,IguessI’ll seeyouallonMonday?”
“Alright,yougetagoodnightsweetie,ok.”Ronansays.
Bastian departs from everyone, continuously waving bye to the others. Arriving home, a strangefeelingarouseshim.Somethingfeelsdifferent,somethingfeelslikeitmoved.Hebusilychecks thehousetomakesurethathiswifeisalright,onlytonotfindher,orinfact,anyofherpossessions. Onlythen,herealised,thattherewasmoretothisthanthereseems.
A New Life – Michael Raminto (Waterside Academy) Iclutchmyegg.Itstendershellemanatingheatandprovidingmewarmthinanotherwise barrenlandofskyscrapersthatbelittlemewiththeirfrozengaze.Itmeanseverythingtome,Iput allmyeffortintoit;Islaveaway,chipawayatmyownbody,mywellbeing,sothatitlives.Its exteriorflawlessanditswarmsoulemblazonedinaflameofgratitude.Thatflickeringfireiswhat urgedmetocontinue,toprotectthiseggandtreatitasapartofme.
EachdayItookitonawalk,Icaresseditsshelltakingcaretonottarnishitsreflective surfaceandsometimesIevenkissedeachcurveofit.Mycrookedlipscollapsingonitscoldsurface andoursoulsmakinglovewithafieryroar.Ilovethisegganditmeanseverythingtome,itsholy aura,itseleganceconsumedme.Myminddevouredbyitstantalizingreach,Ibatheitinthetown’s waterfountain.
Ifeelsofree,nojudgingstaresbecausetheonlyeyesonmeismyegg’s.Itslongingstareof aweonlyintriguedmemoreandblankedouttherestofthetown.Isthiswhatitmeanstocare?To caresomuchaboutsomethingthatitbecomesapartofme.
Itwantedadventure,tobelikeme,itwantedfreedom.Icouldtell.Itwouldrollfurtherand furtherawayfromme.Butitwouldneverleaveme.Whywoulditwantto?Hesitantly,Iletitgo.I leaveittoitsownpathandslowlyswaggerbehindit.Suchbeauty,perfectcurvature,swayedover themisalignedconcretebricks.Thosebricksbecamegrassthendirt.FieldsofmudbutIdidn’teven realiseit.AndIbegantowonder.Wastheresomethinginsidethisegg?
Anditgavemeexpectations.I’vedoneallofthisforit:gaveitmylife,mybody,mymind,my home,everything.AndwhatdoIget?Allitdidwasrollaround,itneverdidanythingformewhydid Ievenchoosetoloveandtakecareofit.It’sanegg,whydidIexpectanything?Wasitanescape?Is thatwhatIhopedfor?DidIreallybelieveitwouldhelpmeleaveitallbehind,mypast,myworries, justdiscardedandforgotteninasecond?
Maybeitdid,once,whenIwasinfatuated.Realisationhitme,whenittookmetotheedgeof thetownanditthrewitselfoff.Ididnothing.Istoodmotionless,perplexedandunaware.After moments,Itookastepforwardandpeeredovertheedgeofthecliffandtherelayemptiness.A cloudofdusteventuallyemergedtorevealashatteredshellnowtranslucentanddirtied.Andthere wasanabyss.Justtheshells,noinnards.ThehopeIheldforanotheronelikemetoeventually
releaseitselfallshreddedandtossedlikepaper.HatredwasallIcouldcomprehend.Whetheritwas fortheeggormyselfforlettingmebeinfantilisedbyameresliceofmylife.
AndIcontemplated,nowthatI’vethrownawayasliceofcakethatismylife,whyshouldI keeptherest?Whynotthrowitallaway?
Ilookuptentatively.Inthunderingrays,thecrimsonsunpenetratesmewithitstender touch,itsbloodredlipsleavingitsmarkallovermynakedbody.NeverhaveIfeltsoclean,soloved. Sluggishly,Iturnaroundtofindwhatwasonceachillingglareisnowafieldofmilkandhoney.I can’tbelieveit.Iwasblind,allIneededwastolook,tofinallyunlockmyeyesfromtheshacklesof theegg.Toofocusedonthatleaf,Iforgotaboutthegrandforestbuiltaroundme.Eventhoughthe shellofthateggplayedthroughmymindlikeatapeonrepeat,Itookcontrolofmyownbodyand walkedwithpridefor,Ihadfinallybecomewhole.
Eachpartofmybodybelongstome,mygazelongsnotforsomethingbutforeverything. Opportunitysteamingfromtheconcrete,warmthbakinginthewhirlingmaroonoftheskies.AndI loveeverysecondofitasIclutchmystomachandlookupwards.It’sbeenalongtimesinceIlast longedforfood.Thisiswhatitmeanstobefree.
Hysterical Love – Michael Raminto Mytenderlipsmadelovetohers.Acollisionofsoftblowsandflurriesofindecentmoans; blissprotrudedlikeaminiplateaujuttingfromacliffside.Distractedbyphysicallove,Ihadblurred outtheloveformyself.Dailyaffectioncommencedandeachdayitonlygotstronger.Itbecamethe soledriverofmysoul,Ilovedeverybitofit:theanticipationofwhenourbodieswouldnextmeet, thearomathatwaftedfromhercaramellocksandtheplumppluckingsoundthatannouncedthe endofourdailyintimacy.Itgotfasterandfaster,eachdayasecondshorter,whatwasoncethree–moreorless–hasnowbecomefiveminutes.Untilthedaywhereonlyonesecondremainedand shefinallyunveiledthetruth;shehadfoundanother.
EverythingthatIlookedforwardtohadnowdisappeared,theyearsIspentonthese momentsdisintegratedbyasimplephrase;sincewewereadolescentsuntilpresentday,I’mnow thirty,homeless,myfacewornandrustedbythepollutedairandmustinessthatcoatedme.Never didIthinkofajob,education,ormyownfamily.Toofocusedonherlips,Ihadlosttrackofthe worldaroundme;mymother’stomblaidtowasteandcoveredinsootandgravel.Mynegligence provedmetobeanunworthyson.Guiltprecededallemotion,irrationalromancebroughtme down,downfurtherthanimaginable,beyondthecoreoftheearth,beyondhelltillitreachedthe soulofmymotherwhoutterednotaword.Howlonelyitlooked.
Howlonelywealllooked.
Evenwhenherfirehadrunout,warmthemanatedstrongerthaneverasiftryingto reassureme.‘Thereisnoheartforyoutoassuremother,ithasalreadybeenshattered’.Thenand onlythenhadIrealisedtheweightofmywords,thetollittookonmybody,inandout.Howquickly andfoolishIwastothrowouttheloveIalreadyhadandreplaceitwithfleetingpity.Iwishedand anticipatedthenextday,thefuture,andthiswasit.Hersoulnowcastincrimson,clearlyoutraged bymyremark,spatatmewithitsnihilisticblood.Spattersstainedmeandtarnishedmyalready decrepitbody.Untilitwasallgone.Allthebloodthatoncepumpedwiththestrengthofathousand sunshadnowperishedintheabyssthatisthedepravedmindofalonelychild.
Howlonelywealllooked.
WhatdoInowowe?Forwhatpurposedoesmysoulcontinue?whydoesitwrithe sadisticallyinatetheredcoilgnashingattheveryconcretethathelditup?Icouldn’tdoitmyselfso
itmademerealise;slowlyitseepedoutremnantsofmybody,crackedandlockedbythewhipsof romance,shackledbythechainsofdireattachment.Heldtogetheronlybyitssinewthatwere wovenoutofemptypromisesofgenerationallove,wealthandchildren.Myphysiquenolongerfull tothebrimofflesh,boneandblood,laybareontheedgeofthecliff;thisiswhatIowe.Mylife.
Howlonelywealllooked.
Whoknows?Maybethesameplateauthatprotrudedfromthecliffsidewouldsaveme.But heremptypromisestillremainedavesselnomattertheamountofcareIgaveit.Andinamere moment,itisdone.Nomemories,noflashbackscometome,asmytenderlipsmadelovetothe cold,oceanfloor.
Untitled
– Fatmatta Koroma (Grey Coat Hospital)
‘’Whatarewe?’’shemurmured,tracinglazycirclesintothepalmofhishandasshespoke. Hesighed,gentlyremovinghishandfromhers,beforecuppingherfaceandwhisperingthewords thatbrokeherheart.
“Idon’tknow.”
Shestaredathimforamoment,amillionquestionsinherheadbutnotasingleonelefther mouth.Shelookeduptowardstheceilingandbreathedoutshakily.Collectingherbelongingsand hercrushedheart,sheroseslowly,smootheddownherskirtbeforeplacinganunsteadyhandupon thedoorknob.Schoolingherfeaturesintoablankexpression.Again.Thedooropenedslowly,and closed,afinalclickmarkingherexit.
Themansighed.Thespacebesidehimhadalreadybeguntogrowcold.Reachingforthe bedsidedrawer,hepulledoutacigarettefromahalf-empty,wellcrinkledpacket,andalighter.He flickedatit,once,twice.Tensedhisjawandtriedoncemore,reliefsmoothingouthisfeaturesasa littleflamefinallyappeared.Hebreathedindeeplybeforeexhaling,watchingthetendrilsofsmoke thatcurledbeforehim.Themansighedagain,thistimewithannoyance.
“Youcancomeoutnow.”
Aloudsilence.
Hekissedhisteethloudly.
“Iwon’trepeatmyself.”
Thistime,awell-manicuredhandappearedfrombeneaththebed.Thenanarm,ashoulder, untilascantilycladwomanwithawickedgrinhadunfoldedherself.
Sheexaminedhimwiththecuriousattentionofamedicaltrainee,beforecockingherhead toside,anglinghimwithasharp-eyedstare.
“Well?Areyougonnatakeitoffnow?”
Themanpeekedatherfrombeneathhiseyelashes,tryingtofigureoutifshewasserious.
Thewomanstaredathim.
Hehuffed.
Then,reachingintohisskin,themanyankedazipdown.Theshellofwhatwasonceaman slumpedtothefloor,andout,steppedaskeleton.Itrolledandpoppeditsbones,itsjawcrackingas itletoutanalmightyyawn.Rememberingthethingonthefloor,theskeletonknelttoscoopupthe skinandplaceitgingerlyuponanironcoathanger.Theskeletoncaressedtheskin’sfacelightly, castingalookofreverentialawetotherestofthemthathungtheresilently,expressionsofeternal tormentetchedintotheirfeatures,beforeshuttingthewardrobedoors.
“Readytogoyet?”thewomaninquired.Itmerelyshovedpastherandyankedthedooropen, revealingthewomanthathadleftearlier,lyinginacrumpledheap,hermouthopenedinafinal scream,hereyesbloodshot.Theskeletonsimplystrodetowardsthecorpseandtosseditontobed.
Thenthewalkingskeletontookthelivingwomanbythehand,lockingthehoteldoorbehind them.Anewskinflowedoveritsbonesandacheerfulsmilefixedintoplace.Amoustachioedman nowheldthehandofanoldwomanandaskedtocheckedintoroomnumber10.Marchingacross thehallwaytotheirnewlyallocatedroom,themanburstintotheroomandclosedthecurtains. Yankedattheprecisefoldsofthebedcoversandclimbedin.Theoldwomanresumedherposition frombeneaththebed.Themanfoldedhisarmsabovehishead,waitingfortheclick-clackofheelsof hisnextvisitortoreachhisdoor.
Love – Owen Kumah (Waterside Academy)
Soft.That'showitwas.Delicateandsoft.Myfirsttimeexperiencingthissensation.This warmandlovingsensation.MyeyeswereclosedasIexperiencedthisotherworldlyfeeling.Slowly raisingmyarm,passingmyhandthroughhersilkysmoothhair.Raisingmyunoccupiedhandtopull herwaistincloser.
Ididn'twantthistoendbutasusualallgoodthingscometoanend.
Steadily,shepulledawayfrommeaswebothgraduallyopenedoureyescomingfacetoface withherunspeakablebeauty.
Hazelnutbrowneyes,whichcomplimentedherdarkershadeofbrownskin,staringright backatmine.Short,thickandlusciouslocksthatreachedhershoulderstiedbackinabun.Shewas quiteshort,barelyreachinguptomychestbearinginmindthatI'maround5’10.Ablacksundress coveredherslimphysique.Herlipswerefullwithashadeoflightpink.Abuttonnosesituatedatthe centreofherface.Darkbrownfrecklesperfectlyscatteredacrosshercheeksthatwereshiningin thesunlight.Foreheadwasanaveragesizewithnosignsoffoldsonit.Earswerealsoquitesmall withonepiercingoneachonebothwithasmallsparklingstud.Realisingwewerejuststandingin awkwardsilencestaringdeepateachother'seyes,Ibrokeoutofmyembarrassingtrance.
Ididn’tknowwhattosaythough,somanythoughtsranthroughmymind,Icouldn'tthink straight.
“Thatwasnice”Isaid… Silence.
Suddenly,shestartedchuckling,revealinghercutedimplesoneachsideandher miraculouslystraightandpurewhiteteeth.
“Theonethingyoushouldn'tsayafteryourfirstkiss”shesaid,sighingasshecalmeddown fromherhystericallaughter-whichwasextremelyenchanting.
Embarrassed,Iraisedmyarmtorubthebackofmyneck.
Surprisingly,shetookoutherhairbandwavingherbeautifullocsaroundasshepulledmy wristtowardsher.Placingthebandonmywristwhilesaying“Don’tlosethisanddon’tforgettoday, I’llseeyoulater”
SheturnedaroundwalkingawayfrommebutIcouldfeelhersmileandjoyradiatingfrom her.
Iwantedtocallouttoher,openingmymouthwhichwasstillcoveredinlipglossfromher lips,asiftospeakbutnowordscameout.Closingmymouth,Ijustsmiledwalkingawaytowardsmy houseasIlookedforwardtothenextday.
Iguessthisiswhatlovefeltlike.
Wakingupthefollowingday,withthebandstillonmywrist,lifefeltsurreal,likeitcouldn't getanybetter.Fightingtheurgetogobacktosleep,Idecidedtogoonwithmymorningroutine. Slumpingmywayacrossmysurprisinglyneatroom,Isplashedwateronmytiredface,realisingI forgottowipeoffthelipglossfromlastnight.
SteppingintothewarmshowerIletthewaterbombardmyface,slowlywakingmeupfrom myhalftiredstateasIreminiscedaboutthatlifechangingkisslastnight.Iwishlifekeptongoing onthisdelightfulpath.Continuingonwithmyskincare,firstapplyingfoamingcleanser,followed withhydratingcreamandfinallylotion.
Exitingthenowsteamingbathroom,Irummagedthroughmyclosetlookingformyunder armourcompressionshirtandmysweatpantspreparingformymorningrun. Packingupmycolouredwaterbottleandwearingmyapplewatchrightnexttomytreasuredhair band.
SlidingmyfeetintomyNewBalancerunningshoesIleftmyhousewavinggoodbyetomy godmother.
IftherewasonethingIlovedinthisworlditwasrunning,thepeaceIfeltaftereverystep, everyturn,everycontrolledbreathwasunmatched.Itwasmyownworld,butthatworldwasabout tocomerainingdownlikeneverbefore.
Itjusthappened.Iturnedthecornerandtheretheywere.Herarmslockedaroundhisneck andhishandsgentlyholdingherslimwaist.Staringintoeachother'seyesassheslowlyleanedin, connectingthesamelipsthattouchedminejustlastnightwithanotherman.Herlocsinthesame style,theexactsamesundress,theexactsamestuds.
Pullingawayfromthemanthesamedeclarationoflovethatshesharedwithme,wavingher locksinthegentlewindandpullinghiswristtowardshersheplacedthebandonhisslimwrists.
Thesamewords-
“Don’tlosethisanddon’tforgettoday,I’llseeyoulater”
Ifeltthissuddenurgetowalkuptoherlyinganddeceitfulfaceandscreamatherandletall myangerandtearsout,butno.Ihadtoomuchrespectformyselftoactinsuchanuncivilisedway.
StaringatthehairbandonmywristwithadeepsadnessinmyheartItookitoffandthrew itawayinthetrashbinthatlayafewmetresawayfromme.
OnelastlookatthegirlwhogavemethemostbeautifulandmostpainfulexperiencethatI’veever had.
PlacinginmyAirpods,ItookadeepbreathasmynewfoundfavouriteDonToliversongToreupplayedinmyear.
Onestepafteranother,itdoesn'tmatterhowpainfulandheartbreakingthatstepis,youtake itandyoudon'tstopmovingforward.
Leavethepaininthepast,asyoumovetothefuture,whateveritmaybring.
Non-Fiction The Power of Habituation – Arnila Paul (Kingsford Community School)
Whatcolouristhewallpaperofyourroom?Secondly,howoftendoyoufindyourself thinkingaboutthewallpaperinyourroom?Iamassumingtheanswertothelatterisnotveryoften.
Thereisarathercuriousmotiveforthiscalledhabituation,anin-builtneurologicaldevice whichaidsustodisregardthingsourbraindoesnotneedtofocuson.Thisoccursduetothe decreaseinresponsetoastimulusafterincreasedexposureandrepeatedpresentationultimately downgradingtheirsignificance. Weareconstantlyexposedtonewmaterial,mediaandinformation andthiscognitivephenomenonfreesupmentalcapacityandprioritisesthingsthatmayaidour survivalandwellbeing.Thequestionishowmuch“wallpaper”isourbraintrulyabletoputupwith andproducetoprioritiseoursurvival?
InthecaseofElieWiesel,formersurvivoroftheHolocaustandmanofmanyachievements, habituationiswhatpermittedhimtomaintainhissanity.WhileimprisonedinAuschwitzand BuchenwaldconcentrationcampsduringtheSecondWorldWar,hedescribedhisandhisfellow prisoner’srelentlessexposureviolenceandthreats.Heexperiencedtheconstantsoundofdeath andtorture,reverberatinginhisearsatanygiventimeofthedaywithnowayofeverescaping He wassubjecttothelingeringghastlysmellofamassedfaecalmatterandoverallputridunhygienic livingconditionstoppedwithexcruciatingfeelingofstarvation:partsofhiseverydaylife.Pavel Fischl,ayoungCzechpoetwhoarrivedintheNazi-controlledTheresienstadtghetto,describedhow “[We]havegottenaccustomedtosee[ing]peopledieintheirowndirt,toseethesickinfilthand disgust[...]wearehabituatedtowearoneshirtoneweeklong;well,onegetsusedtoeverything.”To them,deathanddecayingcorpseshadbecomethewallpaperoftheirdailylives.Whatwouldbeof ourworldifall8billionofitsresidentslivedinasocietywhere,regardlessofageandgender,we wereallexposedtosuchghastly,grislyandgrotesqueordeals?
(The year is now 2099)
Theresourceswethoughtplentyabundantwerenowrunningscarce;theconfinesofthe earthinundatedwithpeoplelivingthelifeofvermininfestingitseveryrim,withhumandensities surpassingandexceedingenvironmentaltolerances.Withoutexorbitantmeasuresaffixed,it becomesincessantlymoreburdensometohavetheabilityofconductingalifedeemed“normal”.
Regardlessoftheregion,locationorsettingconflicthasconqueredeverynookandcranny becomingunavoidable.Thosewhostillpossessauthorityandcommandthewarshavenow instructedthatanyone;nomatterage,sexuality,religionorgendershallbecondemnedifitmeans reducingtheuncontrollablesurplus.Thepopulation,nowsoaccustomedtowar,nolongermourns thelossoftheirlovedones;tothemitisanoccurrencethatisboundtohappen.Completely unavoidable.Instead,theyconsiderthemselvesfortunatethattheyweresparedatorturousdeath. Peoplebecomenumbtowhattheysee,theirmindsslowlyadaptingtotheconstantbarrageof brutality,havocandunyieldingviolencewhichreignsovertheirlives.Lifewithouttheinexorable bloodshedtosomeiscompletelyunknownastheywerecursedwithbeingborninsuchaperiod howeversomedidstillwonderiftherewaseveranalternativemannerinwhichtheirancestors lodgedonthisearth.Howhasthiscometobethepresent?
Accordingtosocietalstandards,humanshavealwaysvalorised,praisedandyearnedfor materialpossessionandgain;thisledtooverindulgencewhichcombinedwithincessantgluttony provokedtheinitiationofourspecies’demiseanddownfall.Themotiveofthedisarraywhichdrove usastraymayhavebeenrootedandembeddeddeepwithinusfrommuchlongerthanwemaytake accountfor.Overconsumptionmaybethesimpleexplanationtothescarcitywhichnow impoverishesusandtormentsus;however,itdoesnotprovideaclarificationtowhywehave progressed(orratherregressed)intosuchamercilessspeciesinwhatappearstobeovernight. Subconsciouslywehavebeenabsorbingthebrutalityofwarandconflictfordecadeslettingitseep deepwithinusandultimatelyallowingittobea“wallpaper”inourmindsasearlyasyearssuchas 2020-2024.Andhowmaythatbeyoumayask?
Imagesshownontelevisionarebydefinitionimagesofwhich,soonerorlater,one witnesses.Whatlookslikecallousnesshasitsoriginintheinstabilityofattentionthattelevisionis organisedtoarouseandtosatiatebyitssurfeitofimages.Image-glutkeepsattentionlight,mobile, relativelyindifferenttocontent.Image-flowprecludesaprivilegedimage.Thewholepointof televisionisthatonecanswitchchannels,thatitisnormaltoswitchchannels,tobecomerestless, bored.Consumersdroop.Theyneedtobestimulated,jump-started,againandagain.Contentisno morethanoneofthesestimulants.Amorereflectiveengagementwithcontentwouldrequirea certainintensityofawareness justwhatisweakenedbytheexpectationsbroughttoimages disseminatedbythemedia,whoseleachingoutofcontentcontributesmosttothedeadeningof feeling.
Fromtheminutewearebornwefallslavestotheconsumptionofvariousformsofmedia:it issimplybeyondourdominion.Merelyjusthourswithinourexistenceweseeposters,adverts, billboardsonthedrivehomefromthehospitalandmuchmoreandwhilewemaynotactivelymake anefforttoacknowledgethemtheybecomesomethingourbrainsimplydisregardsand downgradesinto“wallpaper”.Aswegrowolder,theamountofmediaweconsumeincreases accordingly,especiallyinasocietywherethereisthepresenceoftechnologywhichallowsusto furthersuccumbtothevortexofvastinformationpresentwithinit,enslavingusfurther.Turningon thetelevision:newsaboutwar.Scrollingonsocialmedia:photographs,videosandpostsaboutwar, violenceandconflict.Readingthepaper:moreinformationregardscrimeandviolence.Itissimply acyclethatcannotbeevadednomatterhowhardyouattempt. Theconstantexposuretoviolence andconflicthasbeensubconsciouslyreshapingpeople’sminds,makingthemmoreaggressive, moreparanoidandlesscompassionateultimatelyleadingtowhatwenowknowas2099.
Perhapshadwenotbeendesensitisedfromsuchturmoilandchosentotakeactionwhen thisvividbrutalityhadnotyetreignedintorealityinyearssuchas2024,whenglobalconflictwas stilloccurringalthoughscarcely,wewouldn’thavesuchavehementpresentin2099.
Uncovering the Mysteries of the Universe, through Edwin Hubble’s Eyes – Barbara
Alarcon – (Grey Coat Hospital)
Stars.Everything.Nothing.Us.Thesewordsseemtohavenorelationtoeachother, yettheyaremoreconnectedinsomanyunimaginableways.Fromstarsundergoing neurosynthesis(the“making”ofelements)andexplodingassupernovae,alltheelements wearecomposedofwereexpelledfromthis.Nebulas,supernovaeremnantsandallthe interstellardustyoucanfixyoureyesonwhenviewingthebeautifulHubbleDeepField imagesareeverysingleoneofusofbillionsofyearsinthepast.Wearestardust,every singleoneofourashescontainsremnantsoftheuniverse,everysingleoneofourashesis boundtotheUniverseinevitably.WhetherweroamtheEarthnow,ordidyearsago,weare stillhere,whetheryouclassifyitasspiritorsoul,wewillalwaysexist,beyondour universe.
Spaceisfilledwithsomanymysteries,doestheNothingexist?Oriseverythingwe seenottheactualreality?TheGreekscontemplatedthesephilosophicalquestions,butthe manwhoansweredthis,themanwhodiscoveredwhoweareandwherewecomefrom,the
manwhosinglehandedlyrevolutionizedfundamentalbeliefsabouttheuniverse,scienceand modernphilosophy,roamedthisEarthamere71yearsago;EdwinHubble.
Doesthenamesoundfamiliar?Ringanybells?Well,hewasnoneotherthanthe AmericanastronomerwhoestablishedtheBigBangtheory.Thisastonishingtheorythat revolutionizedtheworldindicatesthattheUniversebeganasanextremelyhot,small, infinitelydenseballcalleda“Singularity“,whichthenexpandedwithanimmenseforce thatcreatedmatterandthusthebillionsofgalaxiesinouruniverse.Now,youwouldthink suchatheorywouldquicklygainacceptance(whichitmajorlydid),well,youarewrong. Astronomer,mathematicianandsciencefictionauthorFredHoylehadthegutstoquickly discarditforhisunprovenSteadyStateTheoryandinaBBCradiobroadcast,jokilycalled ita“BigBang”.Ironic,isn’tit?…
ThistermwasevidentlycoinedwhenreferringtotheHubble’stheoryandisnowa universalterm,thoughitisamisnomerasitsuggeststhattherewasanexplosion,whenin factitwasratherarapidexpansion.
Now,mostknowthattheBigBanghastonsofevidence–includingquasars(celestial objectswithmassiveredshifts),CosmicMicrowaveBackgroundRadiation(athermal‘relic’ oftheBigBang)andthebeautifulHubbleDeepFieldimages.However,youareallmissing whatisarguablythemostimportantone! TheevidencethatgaveHubbletheideaforthis theory,theevidencethatnotonlyrevolutionizedsciencebutmodernphilosophy,the evidencethatchangedourlivesforever.VariableStars.
Cosmic distance indicators Variablestarsaresimplyonesthatchangebrightnessovertime–weconsiderastar tobevariablestarifitsapparentmagnitude(whatthebrightnessappearstobe)isaltered sothatweseeitdifferentlyfromEarth.Therearenumeroustypesofvariablestars: eclipsingbinaries,rotating,cataclysmic(suchassupernovae),thelistgoeson!Alas,the mostimportantliesintheheartoftheKingofAncientAethiopia,who,accordingtothe Greekmythologicallegendsays,wasimmortalisedasamodern-dayconstellationbyZeus –theconstellationCepheus.Itsvariablestars(calledCepheidVariables)areintrinsic pulsatingtypes,whichbrightenanddimperiodicallyfrom1.5-50days.WhenCharles MessiercataloguedAndromeda,itwasbelievedtobeanebula(thuscalledtheAndromeda Nebulaforthenext160years),butbyfindingthedistancetoaCepheidvariable,hewas
abletocalculatethedistancetoAndromedaanddeducethatifvariablestarsthereare furtherawaythanthoseintheMilkyWay,Andromedawasactuallyanothergalaxy!Using thetechniqueofmeasuringvariablestars,heconfirmedthatmillionsofgalaxiesmust existapartfromourown.
Inthisarticle,Iwillpresentasimulationofthisresearchwithadifferentvariable star,DeltaCephei,andIwillshowcaseourUniversethroughHubble’seyes…
SIMULATION OF HUBBLE’S RESEARCH WITH A CEPHEI VARIABLE DuringthemonthsofOctoberandNovember,ItookaseriesofphotosofDelta Cephei.UsingawebsitecalledMicroobservatoryRoboticTelescopeNetwork,operatedby thecentreofAstrophysicsintheHarvardandSmithsoniancentrecollaboratingwith NASA,thesephotoswereabletobetaken.Thewebsitecontainsmultipleutilefeatures includingonethatanalysesimages.Usingthistool,itenabledthephototobeadjustedby changingscale(e.g.,log,linear,sinh),colour,magnification,itcouldmake3Dplotsand muchmore.
ThephotosbelowoutlinetheluminosityofDeltaCepheithroughouttheperiodofa month,bycomparingthemtothereferencestars(starswecanusetocomparebrightness tothatofthetargetobject)EpsilonandZetaCephei,thiswasabletobedone.
Weknowthatvariablestars variate inbrightness,thusfindingthetimeittakesforthecycle tostartover(theperiod)willhelpusdeterminecosmicdistances.Thiscanbedonebyplotting lightcurves,asshownabove.Periodandluminosityarerelated,thelongertheperiod,themore luminousthatcelestialobjectis,soitcanhelpusdeducetheabsolutemagnitude(howbrightit reallyis)!Oncetheperiod,absolutemagnitudeandapparentmagnitudearedetermined,the valuescanbepluggedintothedistancemodulusequation(forcalculatingcosmicdistancesin parsecs,aunitofmeasurement)toobtainavalueof272parsecsforthedistancetoDelta Cephei.
ThisquicksimulationshowedhowHubblewouldhavecategorisedandusedtheseenigmatic phenomenatocalculatecosmicdistances.
The Universe, through Hubble’s eyes …
Asmentionedpreviouslyweareconnectedtospaceinmorewaysyoucanimagine,but eventhoughweseephotosonthemediaofHubbleimages,somemayhaveseenthephotos thatcompareneuralpathwaystothecosmicweb,itisstillhardtocomprehendorevenaccept thefactweareactuallystardust….thatwasuntilcinematographerGabrielaReyesFuchs uncoveredoneofthegreatestmysteriesoftheuniverse,bylookingatherfather’sashes.
Afterthedeathofherfather,shecouldnotshakethecrazythoughttolookattheashesunder amicroscope,so,aftergoingtoauniversitylaboratoryhergrieffadedasshegazedbewildered
atwhatshesaw…auniverse.Itwasmerelyamixtureofcolourfullightsnogalaxiesobviously, butthemaingististhere.Thisisconcretelivingproofofwhatweare.Stars.
AsNikitaGill(slightlyedited)putit:
‘We have calcium in our bones, iron in our veins, carbon in our soul and nitrogen in our brains, 93% stardust, with souls as bright as flames, we are just stars that have people names.’
So,iftodayyoudecidetogooutonadarknight,lookupatthenaturalsourcesoflight, becausewhoknows,thatnormalstarthattwinklesliketherest,mayjustbewaitingforyou touncoveritssecrets….
GabrielaReyesFuchs–Father’sashes
Harvard Referencing
• science.nasa.gov.(n.d.). Edwin Hubble - NASA Science.[online]Availableat: https://science.nasa.gov/people/edwin-
o hubble/#:~:text=By%20charting%20the%20changes%20in
• EarthSky|Updatesonyourcosmosandworld.(2023). Delta Cephei helps measure cosmic distances.[online]Availableat:https://earthsky.org/brightest-stars/delta-cephei-the-kingsfamous-.[Accessed23Aug.2024].
• ComputerActivities.(n.d.).Availableat: https://mowww.cfa.harvard.edu/OWN/pdf/mit/ComputerActivities.pdf
• Marshall,N.(2017). GCSE (9-1) astronomy: a guide for pupils and teachers.Derby?Mickledore Publishing.
• Constellation-guide.com.(2024). Cepheus Constellation: Stars, Myth, Facts, Deep Sky Objects –Constellation Guide.[online]Availableat:https://www.constellation-guide.com/constellationlist/cepheusconstellation/#:~:text=Cepheus%20myth[Accessed23Aug.2024]
• O’Brien,C.(2020). We Are Made of Stars: A Look at Human Ashes Under a High-Powered Microscope.[online]Medium.Availableat: https://christenobrien.medium.com/we-are-made-of-stars-a-look-athuman-ashes-under-a-highpowered-microscope-12f56d97e31a.
The Mystery of Tiny Bright Objects at the Dawn of the Universe – Mahin Halder (Forest Gate)
Haveyouevergazedupatthenightskyandwonderedaboutthemysteriesthatliebeyond ourreach?Thetimesofreflectionarenotjustcompellingforstargazers;theyalsosparkauniversal interestthathasledtosomeofhumanity'sgreatestdiscoveries.Thevastnessofspace,thebirthand deathofstars,andgalaxyevolutionallevokeasenseofcuriosity,drivingmetodelvedeeperinto researchanduncoverthehiddenmysteriesofthecosmos.ThankstoNasa'sJamesWebbSpace Telescope,weareabletounravelsomeoftheenigmasofthecosmos.Thisextraordinaryinstrument hasledscientiststoanunforeseendiscovery:redlitgalaxiesfromthedawnoftime,challenging manythingswethoughtweknewabouttheuniverseinitsinfancy.Diveintofindouthowthiswas evenpossibleandwhatthismeansinourunderstandingofouruniverse.
RecentlyNASA'sJamesWebbSpaceTelescope(JWST)madequitethediscoverywhenitwas abletodetecttiny,red,andluminousobjectsindistantgalaxies.Scientistshavefoundoutthatthese objectshadbeenobserved600-800millionyearsaftertheBigBang–duringatimewhenthe universewasstillrelativelyyoung.Thisdiscoveryleavesexpertsscratchingtheirheadsastheyare tryingtofigureouthowtheseluminousobjectscouldhaveformedsosoonaftertheBigBang,as theybelieveditwouldtakeasignificantamountoftimeforstarstoformaftertheBigBang,butthis discoverydemonstratesstarshadstartedformingmuchsoonerthanexpected.
Buildinguponthisgroundbreakingdiscovery,itisimportanttounderstandtheastonishing toolthatenabledit:theJamesWebbSpaceTelescope,whichistheworld'slargestandmost powerfultelescopelaunchedintospace.Thetelescopeisaimedtoseethefirststarsandgalaxies formingoutintheearlyuniverse,aftertheBigBang.Itsrecentobservationallowedscientiststosee theuniversewhenitwasonlyinitsinfancy.Scientistshaveestimatedthattheuniverseisaround 13.8billionyearsold,whichemphasisestheextraordinaryamountofpowerthistelescopehasand howfarbackwehumanscangobacktoseethefirsteverastronomicalbodiestobeformed.Sounds likesciencefiction?Thinkagain-theJWSTworksintheinfraredspectrumandthisinfrared radiationcanpenetratethroughcosmicdustandallowsustoobservestarsfromthemostdistant galaxies.Additionally,Einstein'stheoryofrelativitytellsusthattheuniverseisexpandingandthis meansthatthedistancebetweenobjectslikestarsandgalaxiesaregettinglargerovertime. Einsteinsaysthatastheuniverseexpands,lightwavesarestretchedandthiscauseslighttomove fromthevisuallightspectrumtotheinfraredspectrum(whichwecan'tsee).Wecannotsee infraredradiationbutspecialinstrumentsliketheJamesWebbSpaceTelescopecanasitis specificallydesignedtodetectinfraredlightthroughkeyinstrumentsinsidethetelescopecalled NIRCamandNIRSpec.ButtherealquestionishowdidaninternationalteamledbyPennState researchersdetectthesemysterious,red-litobjectsusingtheJWST?InitiallyinJune2022,NIRCam capturedimagesandshowedobjectsthatwereredandluminous,theythenusedNIRSpecto analysethespectraldata,likethegalaxies'ageandcompositionandotherastronomicalbodies withinthegalaxies.
WiththehelpoftheJWST,researchersnotonlydetectedthesemysteriousred-litobjectsbut alsounravellednewfindings.So,whatexactlydidtheydiscover?Asupernova?Notquite,butas previouslymentioned,theywereabletospottiny,red,brightobjectsthatareindeedgalaxies,and wearetoldthattheyhaveformedintheearlystagesoftheuniverse,anditwasdetectedthatwithin thesegalaxies:densestarshaveformed!
Whyisthisinterestingandwhydoesthisbafflescientists?Wellwecurrentlyknowthat rightaftertheBigBang,theuniversewasaverycompact,hotregionandwasfilledwithparticles thatwerespreadoutalmostalluniformly,anditwouldhavetakentimefortheuniversetocool downenoughsothattheseparticlescouldnowstarttocometogetherandformthefirstatoms, primarilyhydrogenandhelium.Scientistsexpectedthatitwouldhavetakenhundredsofmillionsof
yearsforgascloudstocooldownintostars,ascoolingallowsthesecloudstocondenseunder gravityandignitetheprocessofstarformation.Yethereweseethatthesedensestarsstarted formingjust600-800millionyearsaftertheBigBang,highlightingthatthecloudgasinfactstarted coolingwayfasterthanexpectedandstarsstartedformingrapidly.Thisdiscoverychallengesthe currentmodelsofgalaxyformation,whichpredictedamuchslowerdevelopmentoftheuniverse, suggestingwemayneedtorethinkhowquicklygalaxiesandstarscanformundertheright conditions.
Inaddition,scientistswereabletoalsosightsupermassiveblackholesusingtheJamesWebb Telescope.Nowknowingthatthesesupermassiveblackholeswereformedwhentheuniversewas just600-800millionyearsold,itraisescomplexitiesaboutourunderstandingofhowblackholes form.Whenwearetalkingaboutsupermassiveblackholeswearespeakingaboutblackholesthat arearound100-1000timesbiggerthantheblackholesinourgalaxy.Scientistsbelievethatthese supermassiveblackholesareformedfromthedeathsofmassivestarswhichthenbecomesmaller blackholes.Overtimetheystartaccretingingasandcollidingwithothersmallerblackholesto becomesupermassiveblackholes.However,thisentireprocessrequiresahugeamountoftimeand scientistsoriginallyexpectedsupermassiveblackholestoformmuchlaterintheuniverse'shistory, severalbillionyearsaftertheBigBang,andthisdiscoveryprovesthatthesesupermassive blackholesstartedformingwaymorerapidlythanscientiststhought.Thisraisesnewquestions aboutthemechanismsthatcouldhaveledtosuchrapidgrowth.Werethereunknownfactorsat playthatallowedtheseblackholestoamasssomuchmaterialsoquickly?Thisdiscoverysuggests thatblackholeformationandgrowthintheearlyuniversemayhavefollowedadifferentpaththan observedinlaterepochs.
Thediscoveryoftheseancient,supermassiveblackholesandbewilderinggalaxiesisnothing shortofmindblowing.Ihavealwayslovedastronomyandastrophysicsduetoitsenigmaticand paradoxicalnature,andtomethisdiscoveryservesasareminderofjusthowmuchmysterystill liesthereinthedeepspaceandhowmuchushumanshavenotdiscovered,especiallyaswepush theboundariesofourknowledgebylookingfurtherbackintime.Itfascinatesmehowthemore thatweuncovertheseperplexingparadoxes,themorewerealisehowlittleweactuallyknow. The factthatwehaveseentheseblackholesthatarefarlargerthanwhatourmodelspredictedandthat galaxiesareunexpectedlywell-developedandhaveolderstarsisboththrillingandhumbling.Ittells
usthatourcurrentunderstandingofouruniverseandmodelsareincomplete–maybeeven fundamentallyflawed.Thepossibilityofnew,groundbreakingtheoriestrulycaptivatesme,andIam eagertoseehowfarwecanleapinourquesttounderstandtheuniverse.Iamalsokeentoseehow thesediscoveriesmightreshapeourunderstandingofthecosmosandourplacewithinit.This discoverygivesmeafeelingthatweareonthebrinkofsomethingbigandIcannotwaittoseehow theserevelationswillchallengeandexpandourideasaboutthegrandcosmos.
ImaginetheMilkyWay,ourenormoushomegalaxy,whichisaround100,000light-years across.Nowpictureourgalaxy'swholestarpopulationcompactedintoaregionnowiderthanafew hundredlightyears.Togetasenseofhowcloselyspacedouttheseearlygalaxieswerewithstars, imaginepackingalltheinhabitantsofalargecityintoatinyvillage.Whyisitimportantthatwe care?Wecanobservefromthisdensityofstarsinearlygalaxiesthatstarsevolvedinaconsiderably morecompactregionandataratefarfasterthanwhatwefindinmoderngalaxiesliketheMilky Way.Thisquickformationsuggeststhatstarformationwaseitherquitedifferentormoreefficient intheearlycosmosthanwhatisnowunderstood.Lookingatthis,wecanseethatcomparedtoearly galaxies,theMilkyWayhasamoredispersedstructureandafarslowerrateofstarcreation.This comparisonpushestheboundariesofourpresentknowledgeofgalaxyformationandevolution whilealsohighlightinghowdrasticallydifferentthingswereintheearlycosmosfromwhattheyare today.
AswejusttrytocontemplatetheimmensevastnessofourownMilkyWay,itisimportantto considerwhattheseearly,denselypackedgalaxiesrevealabouttheevolutionofthecosmos.So, whatstepswillscientiststakenext?Futurestudiesareanticipatedtoconcentrateonsolvingthese enigmasandenhancingourcomprehensionofblackholesandgalaxyformation.Scientistswill persistinemployingcutting-edgeapparatusandtools,suchastheJamesWebbSpaceTelescope,to acquirefurtherobservationsandcomprehensivedata.Scientistswillprioritiseseparatinglightthat isemittedfromvarioussources,suchasstarsandblackholes.Bothstarsandblackholesemitlight, butatdifferentwavelengths.Byanalysingthesewavelengths,scientistscandiscoveravarietyof information–suchastheageofthestars,thegrowthhistoryofblackholes,andthewaysinwhich thedensegasinthesegalaxiesfacilitatedtherapidformationofeverything.Aswecontinuetopush boundariesofknowledge,wemaydiscovernewmechanismsofhowstarsandblackholesare
formed,wemayverywellbeabletorevolutioniseourunderstandingofourcosmosintoamore accurateone.
Citations : https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/06/240628125241.htm
The Decolonisation and Neo-Colonialism of Africa – Mubaraq Seriki (St Aloysius College)
HowcanAfricatrulymoveonwhentheyarestillheldtightlybythegripsofcolonisation? Officially,colonisationhasended,yettheremnantsofitstillshapemodernAfricaandtheworld. Theconceptofcolonisationisn'tnewatall.Manycountriesarethedirectresultofcolonisation,and whathappenswhendifferentculturesandbackgroundsareforcedtoclashfortheselfishneedsand desiresofthecolonists.Colonisationhascausedimmensesuffering,oppressionandexploitation, whichhaveresultedinavastarrayofsocialandeconomicissuesacrossallex-coloniestoday.This essaywillfocusonthedecolonisationprocessandtheterm'neo-colonialism',whichreferstothe continuedeconomicandpoliticalinfluenceofformercolonialpowersintheirex-colonies,often throughindirectmeans.IthasbeenalongandarduousjourneyforAfricanpeopletoreclaimtheir independence.YetmanyarguethatcolonisationinAfricaneverreallycametoanend.Manythink thatoncecolonialismended,sodidtheinternationalinfluenceinthesecountries.Butthatcouldbe furtherfromthetruth.Thetermneo-colonialismhasbeenusedtodescribethecurrentpoliticaland economicrelationshipbetweenAfricancountriesandtheirWesternCounterparts.Ithasbeen arguedthatNeo-colonialism,althoughmoresubtlethanfull-oncolonialism,isthecontinuationof thecolonialerainAfrica.ThefirstpresidentofGhana, Kwame Nkrumah,describesinhisbookon neo-colonialism Neo-Colonialism, the Last Stage of Imperialism 1965:
'The essence of neo-colonialism is that the State which is subject to it is, in theory, independent and has all the outward trappings of international sovereignty. In reality its economic system and thus its political policy is directed from outside.'
ThiscouldbethroughhavinganAfricancountryrecognisedasanofficialinternational sovereigntyyetstillhavingthecountrybeindebtedtotheWesternpowers,havingAfrican countriesinapoliticallydependentstatetotheWestthroughmilitaryaidorhavingtheWest exploitingthenaturalresourcesandlabourofAfricaandAfricans.Bothwithinandoutsidethe Africandiaspora,somearguethatAfricansaretoblamefortheStateofAfrica,andit'sonAfricans tochangeitratherthanblamingeverythingoncolonisation.Itisoftenbroughtupthefactthat colonialismisn'tanisolatedeventinAfrica,andotherex-coloniesarethrivingtodayassuchin Singapore.However,weneedtorecognisetherolesthateachplayedtowardscolonists'power
surplus.Africawasmainlyusedtosapitofallofitsnaturalresources,anditspeopleweredegraded anddehumanised;theramificationscanstillbefelttothisday thedisplacementofAfricansand theerasureoftheirculture.However,Singaporewascolonisedtoestablishbettertradingportsin Asia.Theyweren'tdeemedaslesser;theyweren'tshippedacrosstheworldlikecargo,displacing themillionsofAfricansandplunderingtheirnaturalresources,art,andartefacts,aswellas destroyingancientmarvelssuchastheWallsofBenin somethingtheirdescendantswillneverget tohaveorsee.TheWallsofBenin,aseriesofmorethan500interconnectedLya(Edoforwall) surroundingthecityofBenin,wereatestamenttotheadvancedengineeringandarchitectural skillsoftheEdopeople.However,itwasbrutallydestroyedbytheBritishduringtheirexpedition. ThewallsofBeninaresaidtobeaboutfourtimeslongerthantheGreatWallofChinaandwere perhapsthelargestsinglemanmadesiteontheplanet.ManyEdonativeswillremainnaivetowards thebeautyoftheirancestors'creation.Howwouldyoufeelifyoulostsomethingsointegraltoyour cultureandpeopleanditwasdestroyedbeforeyouwereevenbornorareheldbyyouroppressors andtheystillrefusetoreturnit?SingaporewasbroughtthenaturalresourcesfromAfricaand othercountriestothriveunderaWesternsociety.
African Leaders Who Tried to Make a Change: ManyAfricanleaderstriedtomakeadifferenceintheirhomecontinent.Regrettably,they diedbeforetheirtimeorbeforetheycouldmakeasignificantchange;however,theirmemoriesand ideasstillliveintheAfricansandallpeoplewhostriveforashiftinAfrica.InAfrica'scurrentState, wecanstilllearnalotfromthem.Historyisapowerfulteacher,andthestoriesoftheseleaderscan enlightenusaboutthechallengesandopportunitiesthatAfricafacestoday.OnesuchAfricanleader Iwanttotalkaboutis Patrice Lumumba. Lumumbawasthefirstdemocraticallyelectedleaderof theCongoafterithadgainedits'independence'fromBelgium.Thisso-called'independence'still hadstringsattached.AsKwameNkrumahsaysinhisneon-colonialismbook,theyareoutwardly independentyetstillcontrolledbyoutsideforces.BelgiumstillwantedaccesstotheCongo's minerallyrichland.However,Lumumbahadotherideasanddreamedoftruefreedomforallof Congo.Woefully,onlysevenmonthsaftertheCongo's'independence',Lumumbawasbrutally assassinatedforbeinganAfricandaringtodreamofatimewhenAfricansuse,thriveandprofit fromtheirnaturalresources.Congoisstillsufferingfromtheramificationstothisday.Congolese peopleareforcedtominedifferentmineralsthatthecountryisrichin.Over6millionCongolese liveshavebeenlostandmorethan7millionpeoplehavebeendisplaced.However,Lumumbastill believesthatthereishopefortheCongo in his final letter to his wife he says:
'I know and feel deep in my heart that sooner or later my people will rid themselves of their internal and external enemies, that they will rise up as one in order to say 'No' to colonialism, to brazen, dying colonialism, in order to win their dignity in a clean land.'
ThomasSankarawasanotherrevolutionaryAfricanleaderwhotriedtobringchangeto theircountryandtheAfricancontinent.HewastheformerpresidentofBurkinaFasoandledsome ofthemostambitiousprogramsandreformseverseeninAfrica.Whilehisrulewasshort,heleaves alastinglegacytothisday.LikemanyAfricans,Sankararealisedthatevenbeing'free'inthename, theyweren'tfreefromtheneoncolonialist.Repulsedbythecountry'songoingdependenceontheir formerenslaversandthecorruption,hetookpowerinasupportedcoup.Sankarawasdevotedto endingFrenchdependenceandcorruption.HebelievedAfricanscouldbeself-reliantandhave autonomyovertheircountryandresources.BurkinaFasowaschangedfromUpperVoltato symboliseachangeandshift.BurkinaFasoroughlytranslatesto THE LAND OF THE UPRIGHT (OR INCORRUPTIBLE) PEOPLE. Throughouthisshorttenure,Sankarastillmademanyenemiesby dismantlingtribalsystems;heangeredtriballeaderswithinthecountry.Sankarawasvery outspokenandforward-thinking,knowingthattherevolutionwouldfailwithouttheemancipation ofwomenandliftingwomentopositionsofpower.Hemadesignificantstridesinimprovingthe qualityoflivinginBurkinaFaso,especiallyintermsofhousing,health,andfoodsecurity.He famouslysaidthat.
'He who feeds you controls you.' Hereducedcorruptioninthecountrystartingatthetipbysellingthegovernment'sfleetof luxurycars,reducingthesalariesofthehighestpayinggovernmentworkers,includinghimself,and limitinghispossessions.HewasanoutspokenadvocateoftheunityofAfrica.Heattemptedto persuadeAfricanstodetachthemselvesfromtheirformeren-slavers thisdisgruntled neighbouringcountrieswhowerestillloyaltoEurope.Unfortunately,in1987,attheageof37, AfricalostanotheroneofitsleaderswhowantedtoseeachangeinAfricatoanothermilitarycoup ledbyhislongtimefriend.Althoughhismemorywastriedtobestampedoutbythosewhokilled him,hisspiritlivesonandisaninspirationtomanyinsidetheAfricandiasporaandoutside.Ashe oncesaid:
'While revolutionaries as individuals can be murdered, you cannot kill ideas.'
TherearecountlessmoreAfricanswhohavetriedtobringchangeinthepast,andtothis day,IimploreyoutodomoreresearchonthoseAfricansandneo-colonialismasawhole.Suppose wegenuinelyanddefinitivelywanttoendneocolonialisminAfricatoday.Inthatcase,wemust recognisethatmanyWesternpowersstillexerttheirpoliticalinfluenceandAfrica'seconomic dependencetomaintainanunequaleconomicrelationship.Weneedtoaddressinequality, corruption,andhistoricalinjustices.Wemusteducateourselvesandotherssothatnooneisprivy towhatishappening.Byraisingawarenessandadvocatingforchange,wecanbringrealchangeto Africa.
Ihavecuratedalittlereadinglistofbooksthathaveinspiredmyentryifyouwouldliketo learnmore
Reading List
Neo-Colonialism, the Last Stage of Imperialism 1965: Kwame NkrumahDiscourse on Colonialism: Aime
Cesaire
'Moral evil, economic good': Whitewashing the sins of colonialism:
Sabelo J Ndlovu-Gatsheni
Disappointed Tourist: Great walls of Benin
Letter from Thysville Prison to Mrs Lumumba: Patrice Lumumba
An African History of Africa: Zeinab Badawi
How Europe Underdeveloped Africa: Walter Rodney
AI Odyssey: Navigating the future of Artificial Intelligence – Deborah Adebayo Daramola (Grey Coat Hospital)
AI – Saviour or catastrophe waiting to happen? AI,therealmofendlesspossibilities,whereinnovationdanceswithimagination,promising afuturebeyondourwildestdreams.Picturethis:aworldwhereAIorchestratesprogress,adigital maestrocomposingharmoniesofadvancement.AIoffersusthenextstepweneedofknowledge, theswordofefficiency,andtheshieldofinnovationthattheworldhasbeencravingforcenturies.A saviourinthedigitalage,AIstandsasasentinelofprogress,acustodianofprosperity.
Yet,intheshadows,lurksthepossibilityofacatastrophe,atempestbrewinginthecircuits ofAI'screation.WillAI,thePrometheusofourera,giftusthefireofenlightenment,orwillit unleashtheflamesofdestruction?Thequestionechoes:IsAIasaviouroracatastrophewaitingto happen?Theanswerliesinourhands.Itisourchoices,ourwisdom,ourethosthatwillshapethe narrative,aswechosehowAIwillbeused.
ThebirthofAIcanbepinpointedtotheseminalDartmouthConferencein1956,wherea groupofvisionarythinkersgatheringforasix-to-eight-weekprogramme,includingluminarieslike JohnMcCarthy,gatheredtoexploretheconceptofcreatingmachinesthatcouldsimulatehuman intelligence.ThiswatershedmomentmarkedtheinceptionofAIasafieldofstudyandresearch, ignitingasparkthatwouldeventuallyblazeintoatechnologicalrevolution.
ThejourneyofAIfromitsnascentbeginningstothesophisticatedsystemswewitness todayisatestamenttotherelentlesspursuitofknowledgeandtheboundlesspotentialofhuman imagination.ThenotionofAIthatthesegreatmindshaveworkedonhascometolife.Aswestand onthecuspofafutureshapedbyintelligentmachinesandautonomoussystems,theoriginsofAI serveasareminderforthevisionarieswhodaredtodreamofaworldwheremachinescouldnot onlymimicbutalsoenhancehumanintelligence.
Empowering Humanity: The impact AI has on our daily lives Divingintotherealmofartificialintelligencerevealsacaptivatinglandscapewhere innovationintertwineswithourdailyroutines,reshapingthewaywelive,work,andinteractwith
theworldaroundus.TheimpactofAIonourdailylivesisnothingshortofrevolutionary,as intelligentsystemsseamlesslyintegrateintovariouspartsofourexistence,enhancingefficiency, convenience,andevencreativity.
Intherealmofhealthcare,AIemerges,revolutionisingdiagnostics,treatmentplans,and patientcare.ImagineAI-poweredsystemsswiftlyanalysingmedicalimagestodetectanomalies withpinpointaccuracymorethanthehumanmindwoulddo,aidingdoctorsinmakingpromptand precisediagnoses.Moreover,AI-drivenpersonalisedmedicinetailors'treatmentstoindividual geneticprofiles,usheringinaneraofhealthcarethatisproactive.
Beyondtheconfinesofhospitalsandclinics,AIpermeatesoureverydayexperiences,from therecommendationswereceivewhilebrowsingonlinetothesmartdevicesthatadornourhomes. VirtualassistantslikeSiriandAlexa,arepoweredbyAIalgorithms,anticipateourneeds,streamline tasks,andprovideinstantaccesstoinformation,transformingourinteractionswithtechnologyinto seamlessdialoguesofefficiencyandease.
Intherealmoftransportation,AIfuelstheevolutionofautonomousvehicles,promising safer,moreefficientjourneysonroadsandhighways.Self-drivingcars,guidedbyAIsystemsthat processvastamountsofdatainreal-time,holdthepotentialtorevolutioniseurbanmobility,reduce accidents,andevenalleviatetrafficcongestion.ThefusionofAIandtransportationheraldsafuture wherecommutingbecomesnotjustameansofgettingfrompointAtopointBbutatransformative experience.
Moreover,theentertainmentindustryundergoesametamorphosisthroughAI,as algorithmsanalyseuserpreferencestotailorrecommendations,curatecontent,andevengenerate music,art,andstories.TheconvergenceofAIandcreativitysparksnewformsofexpressionand exploration,pushingtheboundariesofwhatispossibleintherealmsofart,music,andstorytelling.
Aswenavigatethisever-evolvinglandscapeofAIintegrationintoourdailylives,the boundariesbetweenthedigitalandphysicalworldsblur,openingaworldofinnovation,efficiency, andendlesspossibilities.Thecollaborationbetweenhumaningenuityandartificialintelligence propelsustowardsafuturewheretheextraordinarybecomesthenorm.
IntherealmofAI,atopicthathasignitedintensedebatesurroundstheuseofAIin autonomousweaponssystems.Thisissuehasdrawntheattentionofprominentfiguressuchas ElonMuskandStephenHawking,whohaveexpressedgraveconcernsaboutthepotentialrisks associatedwithautonomousweaponspoweredbyAI.Hawkingstatedthat,“TheriseofpowerfulAI
willeitherbethebestorworstthingtoeverhappentohumanity.”Thisstatementaloneshowsthe debatesurroundingAI.
ElonMusk,thevisionaryentrepreneur,andStephenHawking,therenownedphysicist,have bothraisedalarmsaboutthedevelopmentofautonomousweaponssystems.Theyarguethat controloflethalweaponstoAIcouldleadtocatastrophicconsequences,includingtheescalationof conflictsandtheerosionofethicalboundariesinwarfare.
ThedebateoverAIinautonomousweaponsepitomisestheethicaldilemmasand risks posedbytheintersectionoftechnologyandwarfare.Asvoicesofcautionandforesight,Muskand HawkinghaveunderscoredtheneedforresponsibleAIdevelopmentandrobustethical frameworkstogoverntheuseofsuchpowerfultechnologies.Inthiscrucibleofinnovationand ethics,thediscoursecontinuestoshapethetrajectoryofAI'simpactonhumanity.
Unveiling Tomorrow: AI’s next frontier Delvingintothefutureofartificialintelligenceunveilsahorizonbrimmingwithinnovation andtransformativepotential.AIpromisestoreshapeindustries,redefinehuman-machine interactions,andunlocknewrealmsofpossibility.ThenextphaseofAIevolutionholdsthekeyto unlockinggroundbreakingapplicationsacrossvariousdomains,propellingustowardsafuture whereintelligentsystemsseamlesslyintegrateintoourdailylives,enhancingefficiency,creativity, andconnectivity.
Intherealmofhealthcare,thefutureofAIshinesbrightly,holdingthepromiseof revolutionisingpatientcare,diagnostics,andtreatmentmodalities.AdvancedAIalgorithmsareto analysevastamountsofmedicaldatawithunprecedentedspeedandaccuracy,pavingthewayfor personalisedmedicinetailoredtoindividualgeneticprofiles.TheintegrationofAI-driven predictiveanalyticsandvirtualhealthassistantswillnotonlystreamlinehealthcareprocessesbut alsoempowerindividualstotakeproactivecontroloftheirwell-being,usheringinaneraof preventiveandpersonalisedhealthcaresolutions.
Unfortunately,inthemedicalfield,ahighlydebatedtopicregardingtheuseofAIrevolves aroundtheimplementationofAIalgorithmsinhealthcaredecision-makingprocesses.Thisissue hassparkedintensediscussionsamongnotablefiguressuchasDr.AtulGawandeandDr.Fei-FeiLi.
Dr.AtulGawande,aprominentsurgeon,writer,andpublichealthresearcher,hasexpressed concernsaboutthepotentiallimitationsofAIinclinicalsettings.Hestated,"WhileAIcanenhance efficiencyandaccuracyincertaintasks,itmustbeintegratedthoughtfullytoensureitcomplements ratherthanreplaceshumanexpertiseandempathyinpatientcare."
Ontheothersideofthedebate,Dr.Fei-FeiLi,aleadingAIresearcherandadvocateforAI ethics,hasemphasisedthetransformativepowerofAIinhealthcare.Sheargued,"AIhasthe capacitytorevolutionisemedicaldiagnosticsandtreatment,offeringnewpossibilitiesfor personalisedandprecisionmedicinethatcansignificantlyimprovepatientoutcomes."Dr.Gawande andDr.LihavecontrastingviewpointsonAIinthemedicalfield.Theirinsightshighlightthe importanceofbalancingtechnologicaladvancementswithethicalconsiderationstoharnessthefull potentialofAIwhileupholdingtheprinciplesofpatient-centredcareandmedicalethics.
Separately,thefusionofAI,augmentedreality(AR)andvirtualreality(VR)technologies heraldsanewstageofimmersiveexperiencesandenhancedhuman-machineinteractions.From personalisedshoppingexperiencestointeractiveeducationaltools,theconvergenceofAIwithAR andVRtechnologieswillblurtheboundariesbetweenthephysicalanddigitalrealms,offering endlesspossibilitiesforentertainment,education,andcommunication.
Intherealmoftransportation,theevolutionofautonomousvehiclesfuelledbyAI algorithmsissettorevolutioniseurbanmobility,makingtransportationsafer,moreefficient,and environmentallysustainable.Self-drivingcarsequippedwithAIsystemsthatcontinuouslylearn andadapttoreal-worldconditionswillnotonlyreduceaccidentsbutalsooptimisetrafficflow, significantlytransformingthewaywecommuteandnavigateurbanlandscapes.Furthermore,AIpoweredtrafficmanagementsystemswillenablecitiestoachievegreaterefficiencyin transportationinfrastructure,reducingcongestionandemissionswhileenhancingoverallurban liveability.
ThefutureofAIalsoholdsprofoundimplicationsfortheworkplace,asintelligent automationandmachinelearningalgorithmsredefinethenatureofworkandproductivity.AIdriventoolsandplatformswillhelphumancapabilities,enablingworkerstofocusonhigher-value tasksthatrequirecreativity,criticalthinking,andemotionalintelligencewhichAIlacksin.From predictiveanalyticsthatoptimisebusinessoperationstoAI-poweredchatbotsthatenhance customerservice,theintegrationofAIintheworkplacewilldriveproductivity,innovation,and competitivenessacrossindustries.
AsweventureintothisexcitingeraofAIadvancement,ethicalconsiderationssurrounding dataprivacy,algorithmicbias,andthesocietalimpactofAItechnologiesbecomeincreasingly paramount.Strikingabalancebetweeninnovationandethicalresponsibilitywillbecrucialin ensuringthatAIdevelopmentsbenefitsocietyatlarge,upholdhumanrights,andpromote inclusivityandfairness.Collaborativeeffortsbetweenpolicymakers,technologists,andethicists willbeessentialinshapingafuturewhereAIservesasaforceforpositivechange,fostering innovationwhileupholdingethicalstandardsandsocietalwell-being.
Inconclusion,thefutureofAIholdsimmensepromiseandpotential,offeringa transformativelandscapewhereintelligentsystemsrevolutioniseindustries,elevatehuman experiences,andunlocknewfrontiersofinnovation.EmbracingthepossibilitiesthatAIpresents whilenavigatingtheethicalconsiderationsitentailswillbekeyinharnessingthefullbenefitsof thisgroundbreakingtechnology.AsweembarkonthisjourneyofAIevolution,thehorizonisablaze withopportunitiesforprogress,growth,andpositivechange,shapingafuturewhereartificial intelligenceempowersustoreachnewheightsofcreativity,efficiency,andconnectivity.
My Dive Into AI: Embracing the future of technology Intherealmofinnovativetechnology,ArtificialIntelligence(AI)captivatesmindswithits limitlesspotential.TheallureofAIliesinitsremarkableabilitytomimichumanintelligence, processdataatlightningspeed,andrevolutioniseindustriesacrosstheglobewhichIfind fascinating.ThesheerexcitementsurroundingAIstemsfromitscapacitytoenhanceefficiency, drivecreativity,transformthewayweinteractwithtechnologyandeventhewayweview technology.
AsIdelveintotheintricateworldofAI,thethrillofwitnessingmachineslearn,adapt,and makeautonomousdecisionsfuelsasenseofwonderandanticipation.Thefusionofhuman ingenuitywithAI'scognitivecapabilitiesopensdoorstoafuturewherepossibilitiesareboundless.
Furthermore,theethicalconsiderationssurroundingAIaddalayerofcomplexitytoits allure.ContemplatingtheimplicationsofAIonprivacy,employment,andsocietaldynamicsfosters
asenseofresponsibilityandintrospection.Strikingabalancebetweentechnologicaladvancement andethicalstandardsbecomesparamountasAIcontinuestoshapeourcollectivefuture.
Inthistimeofrapidtechnologicalevolution,thejourneyintotheworldofAIisnotmerelya questforadvancementbutavoyageofdiscoveryandtransformation.Theconstructive collaborationbetweenhumanintellectandmachinelearningheraldsanewchapterininnovation, wheretheboundariesofpossibilityareconstantlyredefined.AsthetapestryofAIunfolds,the blendofexcitementandcontemplationpropelsindividualsintoarealmwheretheextraordinary becomesthenewnorm.So,whatisnext?
To Be Seen and Not Heard – Sara Osman (Pimlico Academy) Society’sviewsandopinionsmixandmergewithminelikewaterpaintonacanvas
Thecoloursblendandintertwining-blackremainsmostprominently.
AndnomatterhowhardItrymyselftoblendin,tofadeout,
Myskinstandsbold,likeadeclarationnobodywantstohear.
Sinceitsbettertobeseenandnotheard.
Isn’tit?
TheytouchmyhairlikeI’manexhibitinapettingzoo, Fingerspullingandprobingatcurlstheydon’tunderstand
Iseethecuriosityintheireyes;butIamnotyourspectacle.
Iamnotawildcreaturewhoneedstobetamed
Myhair.Doesnotneedtobetamed.
Theseroots,tracethehistoryofmypeople
Theseroots,theytwistandtangleleadingmethroughmyhomeland
Sudan
WherethedesertwindscarrystoriesofNubianqueens
Blackskingleamingunderthesun,strongandunbreakable
Likethepyramidsthatstillstandtothisday
TheNilecarvesitspaththroughtheheartoftheland
Likehowthegenerationswhosufferedcarvedusintowhowearetoday
Thehistorymywar-tornnationIcarrywithme
Therhythmofthedrumcirclesechoesthebeatingofmyheart
Youtouchmyhairlikeit’sjustcurls
ButIbeartheburdenofleaderswhohaveturnedtheirbacksontheirpeople, Ifallasleeptothelullabyofgunshotsandbombings,
Isingalongtotheprotestsandcriesinthestreets,
AsIwalkthroughthegrasswateredwithaninfant’sbloodandamotherstears.
Iseethewarinthestrandsofmyhairthatcurl; likethesmokefromburnedvillages
Youtouchmyhairlikeit’satoyondisplay,buttheseroots
TellastorythatyourhandswillneverknowasI’mboundtotheseshackles.
Shackles:notthekindthatclinkwhenyouwalk
Notthekindthatdraggedpeopleofmycolourouttheirhomes
Notthekindthatchainedthemtoshipsinreplaceoftheirhumanity
Notthekindthatboundthemtofields;
Turningtheirfreedomintodistantmemory:adream.
Shackles.Notthekindthatleavebruises,
Butthekindthattackleourminds.
Tighteningaroundus
Tellingustostayinourplace
Keepourheadsdown
Justcooperate
Stopresisting
Handsbehindyourback
Don’tmove
Nottheshacklesthattakethe4.2%oftheblackBritishpopulation
Andturnitintothe13%oftheprisonpopulation
Theseshacklesareinvisible
Shacklesthattheyusetodimourlights,sowedon’toutshinetheirchains
Sothattheycanpreventusfromreachingthem,behindthatglasswall
Clearenoughtosee,butthickenoughtokeepusout.
Theresaglasswallbetweenmeandyou;blackandwhite
AndIkeepstrikingagainstit,hopingit’llshatter.
Butallitresultsin,ismyknucklesbleeding.
Andthen,theswitchflips-
Fromoneexhibittoanother.
I’mstilltrappedbehindthisglasswall-
Butnolongerasthepettingzoocuriositybutanobject
I’manartifactbehindglass.Ondisplayforyoureverycommand.
Sexismfeelslikeacoldwhisperinaroom;
AconstanthumdisguisedbeneaththenoisethatItrysodesperatelytodrownout.
ButIamwaterspoutfilledwithtoomanyopinions,
Sproutingtruthsnoonewantstohear
So,they’lltellustoquietdown,afterallitsbettertobeseenandnotheard.
They’lltellustositdownandlookpretty
Butdon’twearmakeupbecausethenyou’relookingforattention
Butifyoudon’twearityoulooksick,youlookpale,youlooktired.
They’lltellyoutodresslikeagirlbutifyoudresshowtheylike
“You’reaskingforit”
So,yourtoldtostayindoors,becareful,it’snotsafeoutside
TheylecturemeonthehorrorsoftheoutsideworldasifIcausedit.
Allwhilstmyyoungerbrotherwalksoutsidefreely,withoutawordofwarning.
It’sfunnythough,isn’tit.
Howamancanmakeanecklace,butthatnecklaceishishands
Clingingontoyou,tight,inachokeholddisguisedascare
Theysayitsprotectionbutreally,it’saboutpower,it’saboutcontrol
Becauseifweweretospreadourwingsandfeelthesky,toknowourworth.
Theypullusback.Ourfeatheredwingsheldtogetherbywaxanddoublestandards
Theymeltaway,notbecausewebecamegreedylikeIcarusandflewtoohigh;
Butbecausethereneverwasspaceforus,upintheirsky.
Itssuffocating.
Ifeelitagainstmythroat,
Theresaknifemadeofwordsandit’ssharp,cuttingthroughmywords
Aknifeweldedneitherfromironnorsteel,butaknifemadeofstereotypes.
Tellingayoungblackgirlthatitsbettertobeseenandnotheard.
Butthatsilenceisviolent.
Soeverythinggetslouder,myearsgrowmoresensitivetothenoise,
Toeverywhisper,everyjoke
EverynegativethingI’veheardinthepastiscorneringme
Pushingmedown
Becausethepasthauntsthepresentandit’shauntingmenow.
They’reforcingthesewordsdownmythroat,
StranglingmewithascriptIneversaw,letalonewrote.
Tellingmeoverandoverandoveragain; “It’sbettertobeseenandnotheard.”
ButIwillbeheard.
So,Irejectthestereotypes, So,Ifightthemicroaggressions,
So,Ibreaktheglasswallthat’sstoppedmefromcatchinguptomypeers.
Iescapetheoverwhelmingwordsthathaveheldmebackallmylife;andIrun.
Irunfromthatweightonceholdingmedown, Irunfromthewordsthatslicedatmyskin, Irunfromthehandthattravelledupmythigh,
Irunfromthemenwhodon’tknowwhentostopstaring, Irunfromtheunpleasableexpectations,
Irunfromthesecurityguardwhofollowedmearoundthestore, Irunfromthehandreachingouttomyhair.
Irunstraightthroughthatglasswall,likeitwasneverthereatall.
AndIlookback,justonce.
Toseewhoitwasbehindthatasphyxiatinghold,
Toseewhoitwaswhotoldmewitheverybreath
Thatit’sbettertobeseenandnotheard
AndwhenIturnaround,Iseemyself,holdingthatknifemadeofwords.
Pressure – Zainab Williams Le Gallais (Ark Globe Academy)
Pressure’splacedonme
Tobealeaderinschool,
ThebestIcanbe,
HowIfeellikeabigfool
WhenIsometimesfailinschool.
Pressure’splacedonme
I’mtoldIshouldpavetheway,
I try,don’ttheysee?
HowbadIfeelwhentheysay,
‘Notagoodsistertoday’.
Pressure,nottoday
Now,I’mreachingmylimit
AndI’mfeelinggrey
I’vemadeitquiteexplicit
Pressuremakesmeplummet.
Meanings – Tyrell Gill (St. Gabriel’s College) Meaningsaregiven,notinherent, Theywereneveralwaysthere, Butaclumpofsoundsunderstoodbyallwhousethem. Onarrival,useless,minute,unaware, Yetthewordsstillholdstrength.
Meaningsarecreated,andbroken, Neveronlyingrainedinbold, Chosen,destroyed,andchosenagain. Artifactsdisplayedwithsignificance, Yethistory’staleshapestheirworth.
Meaningsareintrospective,andup-front, Contextisbehindeverything, Notruthswithoutanythought. Ingenuityandintuitionsettlewithin, Yetunderstandingisnullwithoutboth.
Meaningsareyours,notdestiny’s, Neverfinite,everchanging, Formwhatyoumeantothem, Overpoweritwithyourexperiences, Nogivenmeanings,notcreatedones. Nomorebrokenmeanings,norintrospectiveones.
Justyours.
Rest – Precious John-Adelakun (St. Gabriel’s College) Ohmydearrose,
Whywouldyoudothistome?
Whywouldyouinflictmewithsuchpain?
Yourthornscutdeepintomysoul
YetIkeeptouching,
It’shardtocontrol
Mysecretwanting
Withyoumysweetrose,
Mydarkmoon,
Mypointslackrationale, Actionsbypassthought…
It’stoomuch,
Mycelestialobject.
Whydoyougetintomyhead
EvenwhenIwishtobeleftalone?
Inthedarknessofthesolitarynight
Youarealmostlikeawitch.
IfIbreathetooloudly,
Youwillcomeforme, IfImovetoomuch,
Youwillcomeforme.
It’slikeyouarejustthere
Waitingfortheperfectopportunity, Messingwithmyhead, Creeping…creeping…creeping.
Youarenotthearchetypaldemon: Withahaloinsteadofhorns, Surroundedbythecloudsandinnocenceofheaven Ratherthanthedarknessandheatofthegatesofhell.
Youcomfortandhurtme, Pleaseletmerest.
Ibegofyou…
Pleaseletmerest.
