TheApricotJrnl
Editors’Note
HappyApril!Theairiswarming,thebirdsarechirping, thirdquarterisalmostover,andweareproudtopresenttoyou thesecondissueofTheApricotJournal!Ourstaffhasbeen workingverydiligentlyoverthispastmonthtocompilethese amazingpiecesofwriting!Insidethispublication,youwillfind awiderangeofpoetry,shortstories,vignettes,andourfirst satiricalessay.Wehopethat,asyouread,youwillbeimmersed intotheworldsthatourauthorshavecreatedandexperience theemotionthattheyportraythroughtheirwork.
Behindthescenes,wehavehadtomakesomechangesdue tothehybridlearningschedule,specificallyregardingour writingworkshops.Goingforward,theywillbeheldon Tuesdaysduringthelunchclubblock,from10:43-11:10.We hopeyoucanallattendandmaybe,aswearewriting,youcan createsomethingtosubmittotheJournal!
WehopeyouenjoythesecondissueofTheApricot Journal!
Allthebest,
Editors-in-ChiefAnyaGeistandEmmaRobeau
TheGreatDaisy
ByTiffanyRose,Grade11
Gatsby-
Theantonymofacumen.
Stuckonlyinthepast, thepresentandthefuturesointricately cast.
Hopingthatsoonatlast…
HewouldholdDaisyonceagain. Yearswerespentbuildinguptheperfect imageofherpaintinghisownMonet. Dreamingoftheday… thathewouldhold“TheGreatDaisy” onceagain.
Hewentonthinkingshewashissanity; wheninfact,itwasshewhodrovehim crazy.
Gatsby’straits: Nostalgic,romantic,driven? Hewasn’tanyofthose. Moreappropriatewordswouldinclude: Stagnant,stuck,frozen…anditshows! Nevergrowing Imprisonedbyanimpossible, yetdesireddream.
Thegreenlightheyearnedafter, WhileDaisymovedon,chapterby chapter.
Thatincandescentlightstoodasasymbol…of theirlove.
Sothataslongasthestarsshinedabove, therewasachance…
Hewouldfindhisprecious,pure,unchanged lamb-
Anunalteredhologram.
Ifhethoughtthatwastrue, hewasdestinedtobedamned.
Hismindtoldhimthathismake-believereality, trulydidexist.
Thatbeyondthemist, Daisyalwaysdreamedofhimandthefirsttime theykissed.
Thatwasnotentirelytrue.
Hehadfollowedthe“pictureofperfection”… ThatAmericahadpaintedforhim; steppingforwardtothechallengeinhisown forem.
Thatwaswhatmadehimblind.
Andinhisattemptforpeaceofmind, thatsucculentfuturehethoughthecouldfind… Throughmoney,persuasion,andtheintentto confuse.
Wouldreallyjustbethematchlightingthefuse. Toafuturethatdidn’tmeasureyoubyloveor wealth.
WellGatsbythought“WhatcouldIlose?”
Theanswer:Alot… (Daybreak)
*Gunshot*
Impermanence
ByAnyaGeist,Grade9
SoIsithere
Inachairthatwillcrumbleand break
Tricklingthoughtsontothislittle pieceofpaper.
Apaperwithnomeaning
Thatwillbeforgotteninmany years’time
Writingphrasesandlines
Thatwillbecomefaded,then gone
Withthispencilthatwillsnap
Bethrownawayanddisappear.
Evenmythoughts:
Littlethoughtsthatvanishso quick.
Thiswillallbegonesomeday
Itspiecesfloatingonthewindof time
Andtheworldwillspin,tides crawlingin,out
Then,whenthosewatersreachout again
Someonewillsithere
Inachairthatwillcrumbleand break
Eventheirthoughts:
Littlethoughtsthatvanishsoquick. Andthetidewillrecede
Oncemore.
Againandagain
Time’sbreezewillflow
Whirlingthepresentintopast Continualchange
Impermanentforever.
Storm
ByAnyaGeist,Grade9
Treesthrash
Twirlingandfierce
Aghostlywaltzintherain.
Rainspits
Ferociousandstrong
Asilentapplauseinthestorm.
Cloudsloom
Dramaticandthick
Overlordsofthechaos.
Thestormmoves
Adevastatingduet Ofrainandwind. Nothing Canwithstand
Thisawfuldance.
InescapableEyes
ByAnonymous
CW:paranoia,beingwatched,impostor syndrome
TheyareWatching,alwaysWatchingyou. Everybodysaysit’sallinyourheadbutyouknow better.AllEyesonyounow,inescapable. TheirjudgementalGazesarefocusedonthesweat beadingguiltilyonyourforehead.Whatareyou hiding?Everyoneknowsyouaren’twhoyousay youare.Telluswhoyouare.TheyKnow.Even youaren’tsurewhatitis,thatterriblesecret,but TheyKnowit.
TheyKnow,andtheyarejudgingyoufor it.You’resureofit.Thismoment,youarealone, butyouarenevertrulyalone,areyou?Look around.CheckforEyes.Checkforplaceswhere theycouldbeWatchingyoufrom.Lookinevery corner,ateveryposter.
Lookatthebirdsoutside.TheycannotSee yourglasswindows,onlyyourterribleheart, blackandwitheredandwrong,Exposedtothe world.TheyareWatchingyou.Thespideronthe ceiling,spinningitsperchfromwhichtoStareat you.IthasnottwoEyes,buteight,andallare trainedonyou.WhatdotheyKnow?
Youtellme,wretchedbeing.Whatareyou tryingtokeepfromtheworld?Youcannothide fromthoseUnseeingwhoKnowyouinsideand out,whoKnoweverythoughtyouhave.Theyare everywhereyougo.Theyareinyourbedroom, hidingineverycrevice.Theyhauntyourdreams, butyoualreadyknewthat.
Youwakeupinacoldsweatfroma nightmareoftheirbulgingEyescoveringevery wall,ceilingandfloor.Underyourshoestheyare unflinching,Watchingyoufrombelow,from above,fromeverydirection,becauseyoucannot hidefromthosewhoKnow.
Itisduringthedayyoupretendtheyare notwithyou,Watchingeverystepyoutake.You Seethemeverywherenow,andyouhopetheyare onlyyourdreamsechoinginyourimagination. Theyarereal,andtheySeeyou.
Itdoesnotmatterhowmuchyousquirm undertheirGazes.Thereisnowhereyoucango thattheydonotSeeyou,Watchyou,Knowyou. TheyarealwaysWatching.
Youcannotrunfromthem,youfoolish child.Topanicdrawsmoreattention,moreEyes onyou.No,staycalm,pretendyourskindoesn’t crawlaseverypasserbyturnstoStare.Who wouldn’tStareatyou?You,anabomination,a disgustingparodyofaperson.
AllEyesturntoyou,horrifiedbywhat theySee,butstilltheydonotLookAway.Maybe theyareincapable,butyouwishmorethan anythingthattheywouldjuststopWatchingyou. WhywouldanyonewanttoLookatyou?Plain, uninteresting,boring.Aliar.Whoareyoureally? WhatdotheyKnow?Whatdon’tyouKnow? Whywon’ttheyjuststop?Youwanttoscream, butnoiseattractsEyes,butyoucanstifleitno longer,andthesound,shrillandpiercingand horrible,clawsitswayoutofyourthroat,andyou areanythingbutalone.Youhaveneverbeenless aloneinallyourwastedyears,Seenandjudged fromeveryside,voicegonenow,desperately clawingatyourownEyes,becausemaybeifyou can’tSeethemtheywillstop,goaway,stop Watching,telluswhoyouare,stoplyingto yourself,whydoyoupretendtobeimportant?All youareischeapentertainment,amessforthe worldtoBeholdasyoucrumble,andtheworld willremainunchanged,forwhoareyoutomakea difference?
Yoursisafutileeffort.Ofallthings,Eyes? Theyhavetheminendlesssupplies.Itiskindness, really,tomakeyouWatchallthepeople,the thingswhoWatchyou.Don’tyouwanttoKnow whenthey’reLooking?Don’tyouwanttoSeethe thingsthatsproutfromeverywall?
ThereisnoescapefromcuriousGlances, fromjudgementalStares,fromthedisgustthat greetsyouineverynewface,inthefamiliarEyes whoLookatyoutimeandtimeagainandhate you.
It’sallinyourhead,theytellyou,butyou Knowbetter.TheywantyoutoforgettheLook intheirEyeswhentheySeeyourworthlessform approach.TheyareWatching,alwaysWatching you.
RationalImpulses
ByElieLewin,Grade10
mostpeopleunderstandthatwhenitrains, yougoinside butkidswillfrolic, bootssplashingmudcarelessly noworriesbuthowdeepthenextpuddleis hoodsfallingoffofheads andclearlaughterringingaswaterstreams inrivuletsdownhair butmothersworryabouthowtogetthe stainsout orifthecoldmedicinewilllasttheweek knowingthatthe drip drip drippingofnoseswillblowthroughschool likeahurricane
mostpeopleunderstandthatwhenitsnows, yougoinside butkidsstillromp snowballshittingtrees,friends,windows. guardingtheirfortwithsnow-dusted mittens, readytolaydowntheirlivesinprotectionof theirleaning,crumblingigloo. butfathersworryabouttheredcheeks, andthethrown-too-hardprojectiles, sendingtears drip drip drippingdowncheeks.
mostpeopleunderstandthatthat’showkids are contraryfornoreasonbuttoreachpeak enjoyment carelessbecausefunistheiruniversal language consequencesaresomethingforadults, liketaxes andconversationsabouttheweather andadults? well,adultsareboring imagination drip drip drippingoutoftheirbrains
lettingroutineconsumethem androtawaythememoriesofwhentheytoo werekids andsoworrydictatesactions. whendidbeingmaturebecomebeing boring whydoeshavingresponsibilityslowly creep creep creep andtakeovertheimpulses whosaidyoucan’tplayintherain andthengotothegrocerystore orthrowsnowballs andrationthecoldmedicine whosaidit’soneortheother,adultorkid? spontaneityorresponsibility whathappenedtoacompromise, thebestofbothworlds, achildandanadult withknowledgeandcarelessness, theyoungesthappiness andtheoldestautonomy.
WhenMemoriesFlower
ByDenisaIljas,Grade9
“Whatisyourname?”
“Idon’tknow.”
“Whatyearisit?”
“Idon’tremember.”
“Whoisthepresident?”
“Idon’tknow.”
Thedoctorsignaledthenurse.Shelefttheroom andranbackinwithalistofmorequestionsto asktheconcussedpatient. Thepatientlooked aroundtheroomshewasin.Therewerevasesof differentflowerseverywhere.Theywereallin perfectcondition.Asiftheyhadbeenclipped fromagardenjustthen.Theroomwas surroundedbybeepingmachinesandtubes extendingfromherbody.Herbloodhadaslight tintofbrowntoit;shefigureditwasnormalfora sickpatientlikeherinahospital.
Thedoctorclearedhisthroat,andasked,“Who areyourparents?”
“Idon’tknow.”
Hewentdownthelistandthebrokenrecord continuouslyplayed.
“Whatisyouraddress?”
“I-”
Thedoorswungopenandatoweringwoman walkedthrough.Herhairwasperfectlyparted downthemiddle.Sheheldaleatherhoboinone handandadocumentintheother.Shewasa perfectmotherlyfigure.Shewasreadyatany moment.Shemarchedforwardandhandedthe document.Thedoctorscannedtheartifactwhich perfectlymatchedthedescriptionofthegirlin thedeathbed.Hescannedthewoman,smiled, andcontinuedtosignthedischargepapersforthe hospital.
“TashaMathewssss,”exhaledthedoctor,“Iam gladyourdaughtersurvivedtheautomobile crash!”
Tashabrushedpastthedoctorandcametothe rightsideofherlegaldaughter.Shepettedher hair.
“Rose…don’teverabandonmelikethat.Youare neverleavingthehousewithouttellingme.”
ThedoctorwalkedbetweenRoseandTashaand instructedTashato“Givethenoticetotheclerk beforeyouleave,weneedtorecordwhosigned Roseoutofthehospital.”
“Ofcourse,doctor,wewillgothererightaway.”
ThedoctorgavethereleasenotetoTashaandleft theroom.Rosewhimperedandtearedup.She wasconfused.Whowassheintheroomwith?She thoughtshewouldrememberherpast,but nothingseemedtoclick.Shelookedupanddown thewomanintheroom.Whohadshebeen addressedto?RosenoticedTasha’sgestures-it wasafamiliarfeeling,butthelookwasn’t.The kisses,hugs,wordssoundedliketheywerefroma motherlyfigure,buttheupanddownstaring scaredRose.Howlonghadshebeengonefor?
Everybodylookedforeign.Shefigureditwasfrom theaccidentthatthedoctormentioned.She didn’twanttoworrythewomanintheroom,so Rosepulledherselfupandsaid,“Mom…What happenedtome?”
“RoseMathews,mysweetlittlegirl.Youlookjust likebefore.Soinnocent,andcurious,”Tasha smiled.“Now,youshouldn’toverwhelmyourself overwhathappened.Iwilltellyouassoonasyou getbetter.Anyways,thememorieswillstart comingbackwhenyouarrivehome.”Rosenever foundheranswerinthehospital,orathome,or fromhermemories.
TashabeamedoverRose.Shewasalmostsixfeet tall.RoseadmiredTasha.Rosewasreadytogetrid ofthemedicine,hospitalfood,andclothes.She wantedtobeinthecomfortofhermother’shome. SherealizedhowbeautifulTashawas.Rose managedtopushherselfupfromthetubesand lookedatherselfinthemirror.Wassheas beautifulashermother?Shewasmetwithhazel eyes,blackhair,abuttonnose,andbright-redlips. Tashahadsimilarfeatures,excepttheywere different.Rosedidn’tnoticeitatfirst,butmany peoplehavethesefeatures;evenastrangercould havehazeleyes,blackhair,abuttonnose,and bright-redlips.
AnursewalkedinandtookRose’sIVsout.She leftaprescriptionforheadachepills.Thenurse said,“Youwillhaveaheadacheasyoustartto remembermore,takeonetonumbyourhead whenthathappens.”ThenurseleftandRosewas readytoleave.Rosewasinherhospitalclothes. Shewasreadytowalkout,butTashapulledher backin.
“Don’tyouremember,Ibroughtyouyourfavorite dress.”
Tashabroughtoutayellowdressthathaddaisies ontheskirt.Rosetriediton,butitreachedher ankles.Rosewaslessthanfivefeet.
“See,itlooksperfectonyou!”Tashaseemedto missthebottomhalfofthedresswhichsweptthe floor.Rosedidn’tmind,shewashappytogetaway fromthehospital.
AssoonasRosewalkedoutoftheroom,her headachebegan.Tashawentpasttheclerk’sdesk soRoseremindedhertogivethepapers.
“Wealreadygavethemtotheladyatthedesk,don’t youremember?”TashareassuredRosethattheyhad stoppedbytheclerk’sdesk.
Rosewasconfused;thepaperwasinTasha’sbag.Or wasitanotherkindofpaperandhadtheyalready giventheclerkthereleasepapers?
Rosedevelopedaheadacheassoonasshesawthe automobilesdriveacrossthehighway.Hermother pulledherarmbackinthehospitalandshowedher someblackshadedglasses.
“Here,thedoctorinstructedyoutowearthesefor whenyougooutside,”insistedTasha.
Immediately,theworldwentblack.Rose’sheadache wentawayandshekeptthemon.Shewasgladto havesuchacaringmother.Thecarsflewbyand Rosesteppedonthepetalsofherdress.Herfeet becametangledandshedevelopedanunstablewalk. Rose’sclenchedeyesleftherintheguideofarookie servicedog.Shethoughtshewasgettingguidedto thewoman’scar.Carsmovedleftandright,she heardcarkeys,andshehearddoorsopenandclosein sync.Sheevenfeltaflamenearherankleand thoughtitwastheexhaustpipeofacar.Inreality, herhandwastightlygripped,andshewasheaded towardared-brickedhouse.Theflamenearher anklewasadevelopinggreenrash.
“Welcomehome,Rose.”
Rosewassurprised.Sheletgoofthewoman’shand andrevealedhersweatyhand.Rosetookoffthe glassesandbegantoseeakaleidoscopethroughher eyes.Shebecamedizzyandfellonaflowerbedof tulips.Tashadashedstraighttowardsherandpulled Roseoutoftheflowerbed.
“ROSE…becarefulwhereyouaresitting...sweetie,” snappedTasha,“Youwouldn’twanttohurtyour fellowfriends,wouldyou?”
Tashafeltthepainoftheflowers.Manylives weresacrificedtomakethatflowerbed.Itwas Tasha’spassiontogrowflowersandRoseruined it.TashamadeachoicetosacrificeRose’swhole lifefortheflowerbed.IfTashadidn'tactfast enough,thewholegardenwouldgotowaste.
Rosewentmute.Shedidn’tunderstandthe worldaroundher.Differentcolorsandshapes appearedinfrontofher.Tashabentdownand smelledherhair.
“Rose…areyouok?Mommywillbringyoua fountainofwater,ok?”
WhileRoselaidontheground,shesawflowers sproutfromtheground.First,aleafbroke though,thenapartofthestemcamewithit.It wasaloud,bone-crunchingsound.
Shefelthermouthbecomedry,andherhands shriveledup.Shewasreadytopullherselfupand gethelp,butshesawapairofrubberbootswalk towardher.ItwasTasha.
“Comeonsweetie,drinkthefountain,youwill feelbetterrightaway.”
“Mmmoomm,whatttishaapeningtomee,” stuttered Rose,“CanIha-havesomewater?”
TashaignoredthequestionandhandedRosea glassofmuddywater.Rightwhenthedropletof liquidhitRose’stongue,everythingdisappeared. Theshapes,colors,andforeignobjectsallfaded away.Rosemanagedtoriseupandstoodon bothlegs.Atthesametime,thepetalsofadaisy felltotheground.Roselookedaroundatthe flowerssurroundingher.Therewasacircleof flower-allinperfectharmony.Though,onlyone daisywasleftbarewithjustastem.
“Thisisbeautiful,wherearewe?”
“We’reathome,don’tyouremember?”
NothingcamebacktoRose,everythingwas stillnewtoher.Shedidn’twanttohurtthe woman’sfeelings,soshesaid,“OfcourseIdo,I loveithere.”
TashashowedRosearoundthehouse.
“Rememberthis,youweresolittlewhenwe plantedthis.”
Rosedidn’tremember.Although,shehadseen theflowerinthehospitalroom,onethat anyonecouldhaveplaced.Rose’svisionbecame crystalclear,shecouldseeeverythingthat approachedher.Shefeltasmallbeeonthetip ofhernose.Shetriedtoslapitaway,butit didn’tbudge.Itpinchedhernoseandflew away.Rosedidn’ttellTasha,shewasworried aboutbreakingherhappiness.Butthenshe startedtoregainsomeofhermemories.Her firstmemorythatcametomindwasthecar crashscene.Rosesatontheedgeofthegarden whilesherememberedherpast.Tashawas adjacenttoher.ShesmiledatRose.
Meanwhile,Rosewasstruckwithatragedy. Sherememberedthetoughgriponhersteering wheel.Shehadgottenlostandwastryingto findherwayoutofthestrangetown-untilshe crashedintoTasha.
“Mom,mom,howareyou?Whydidn’tyoutell meyouwereinthecarcrash?”
“WHAT!Whatcarcrashareyoutalking about?”
“Iremembernow.Igotlostandcrashedinto you.Howweirdisitthatwewerebothinthe same-”TashacutRoseoff.
“Oh,that’snotimportant,theimportantpart isthatyouarehere,withme.”
Rosewantedtofigureoutwhatleftherinthisstate ofamnesia.Shedranktheglassofwaterandasked Tashaforarefill.Rosebegantothink.What happenedbeforethisso-called“automobile accident”?Rosethought,shescannedforanyclues. Sheremembered.Rosewascominghomefrom schoolandlosttheroadwhileonherway.She stumbledonthisstrangepathfilledwithflowers. Shewalkedouttosmellthemuntilafigurebuilt likeTasha’sdrovetowardRose.
“Shecouldn’thave,sheismy-”
“Rose,whatareyouwhisperingtoyourself?”
“Getawayfromme!”
“Why,what’swrong,”frownedTasha,“I’myour mommy,don’tyouremember.”
“Maybeyouare,butyouranmeover.”
“WhywouldIdosuchathing?It’sthose medicationsthataremakingyouthinkthis.Come on,let'sgositneartheflowerbunches.”
Rosecouldn’tresist.Theflowersweresobeautiful. Rosebegantofeellight-headedagain.Asthey walkedover,RoselookedatTasha.Shehadnoglass ofwaterinherhand.Rosedesperatelyneeded water.Herthroatbegantodry,again.Shefainted again.
Rosewokeup.Thistime,therewerenoshapesand colorsthatappeared,justagreyTasha.
“Don’tyoulovethesmellofposies?”
TashafilledRose’spocketswithsmallbunchesof flowers.Rosepulledthemout,scaredthatthey werethecauseofherstateofdistress.
“Rose,mydear,youneedtogrow,likeyourfriends, leavetheposiesinyourpockets.”
Rose’sbodysproutedintorashes.Shefeltherface turnablisteringred.Therashonthearmswasa darkgreen,thecolorofaflower’sstem.Tasha smiledatRose.
“Youaregrowing,mydear!”
Untitled
ByJasonMurillo,Grade9
“Itwillendshortly”
Thatiswhattheytoldus
Hownaivewewere
Tothinkit’dbesofast
Wehopedtheywouldcomesopromptly
Thedaysoffunwe’ddiscuss
Andalthoughthosewarmdayspassedinablur
Forever,itseemeditwouldlast
Wethenfoundourselvesasking “Williteverend?”
Attachedtoourscreensanddevices
Andimprisonedintheplaceswecalledourhomes
Soonwe’dhaditwiththeacting
Nolongercouldwepretend
Thatwe’dcontinuepayingtheprices
Ofbeingtrappedinourfrigiddrearydomes
Butaswewereabouttobreak
Lightcrackedthroughthedarkness
Becauseamiraclehadcame Withthis,allwouldmend
Andthiswasnomistake
Throughthebreezyairranghappiness
Becauseitwasclearwecouldacclaim
“Itwillend”
SolvingOurNation’sTroubles
ByBenedictMorrow,Grade9
Desperatetimescallfordesperate measures.Andthesesurelyaredesperate times.Inthelastfewmonthswehavehad membersofcongressexpressingdeath threats,oneofthemostcontentious electionsinAmerica’shistory,andariotin theCapitolbuilding.Clearlysomethingis wrongwithAmericandemocracy,and thosethingsincludelegislativedeadlock, partisanship,anoutdatedelectoralsystem, andanoutdatedcourtsystem;justto nameafew.Peoplehaveproposedmany changestothegovernmenttotrytosolve theseproblemsovertheyearsranging fromminorchangesoramorecentralized orfederalgovernment,tomilitary dictatorshiporcommunism.Butallthese ideashaveflaws.Thereisonesystem, however,thatstandsabovetherestin termsofsolvingAmerica’sproblems: monarchy.
Well,whydoweneedachangein governmentinthefirstplace?Well,asyou mayhavenoticed,Americandemocracy hasn’tbeendoingsowelltheselastfew years.However,whatyoumaynothave noticedaretheunderlyingcausesofthese issues.Caseinpoint,legislativedeadlock. Duetoacombinationofourbicameral system(theSenateandtheHousevery rarelyagreeonanything),andthe filibusterintheSenate(duetothis positivelyancientpractice,ittakes60 votestopassmostthingsintheSenate); nothingevergetspastCongress.
Thisresultsinanever-growingrolefor thePresident,whichwouldbefine,except forthefactthatchangesmadevia executivefiataretemporary:thenext Presidentcanjustgetridofthem. Secondly,thereistheproblemof partisanship.Clashesbetweentheparties havegottensoheatedthattheyare basicallyincapableofworkingtogether, exacerbatingthedeadlockandleadingto polarisation.Thirdly,therearethetwin problemsofanoutdatedelectoralsystem andanoutdatedmethodofappointing federaljudges.TheElectoralCollege frustratesthepeopletonoendwithits oddsystemandoccasionaldisregardfor thepeople’swill.Thewayinwhichwe appointjudges(namely,bythePresident andforlife)leadstoimportantdecisions beingpredicatedonthelifespanofthe justicesofthecourts.Allofthisis ridiculous.America’spoliticalsystemis broken.Changesmustbemade. Clearlysomethingmustchange.But what?Overtheyears,manydifferent peopleinmanydifferentcountrieswith similarproblemshavehadideasabout whattodo.However,inAmerica’scase, noneoftheseareadequate.First,some peoplehavesuggestedminorchangesto theAmericanpoliticalsystem,suchas termlimitsforSenatorsandjustices,or eliminatingtheElectoralCollege.These willnotwork,asimplementingthem wouldrequirebipartisansupport,which isanimpossibility.
Similarly,devolvingpowertothe statesorpromotingittothePresident wouldberidiculouslyhard.Clearly,change needstooccurthroughsomesortofarmed insurrection.So,whataboutamilitary coup?Unfortunately,militarydictatorships canneverstirupthesortofcivicpride neededfortheregimetolastbeyondafew decades.Then,thereiscommunism. However,Americaissopolitically conservativethatsuchasystemcouldnever getofftheground.Anothersolutionmust befound.
Thatsolutionismonarchy.A monarchyavoidstheproblemsofallthe previoussuggestions:Itcouldbesetupby themilitary,bypassingpartisanship;a monarchycaninspirecivicpride,lending theregimelongevity;anditispolitically conservative,whichwillavoidtheproblems thatfar-leftideashaveinAmerica. Additionally,monarchiesbydefinitionhave aclearwaytodealwithsuccession.Forthe questionofwhowilltakeupthisrole,well, IthinkagoodoptionwouldbePrince Harry.Manywillsaythis,however:Would Americanreallysupportamonarchy?
Theypurporttohatethem.However, theTrumperahasshownusthatAmericans aregullibleandwillacceptnearlyanythingif youspinittherightwayandgettheright personalitytosaythelines.Americasure doesloveafigurehead.Believingotherwiseis justAmericanexceptionalismatitsmost egregious.Monarchyisthewaytogofor America.ItwillsolveAmerica’sproblems andkeepthemthatway.
Oftentimes,America’sproblemsdonot havesolutions.Butthankfully,thisonedoes. Theissuesoflegislativedeadlock, partisanship,anoutdatedelectoralsystem, andanoutdatedcourtsystemcanbesolved viamonarchy.Althoughsomemayadvocate forsolutionssuchasminorchanges, devolution,consolidation,militaryrule,or communism;allofthesehaveissues. Monarchyistheonlyway.
Note:Thisessaywaswritteninthecontextofpoliticalsatire.
TheSinger
ByChloeWilliams,Grade9
Walkingdownthestreet,John Delafortrelishedinthecolorfullights andloudcitynoisesofthedowntown. Thecoldaircooledhimdownand madehimfeelateasewithhis surroundings,butinsideheremained excited.Johnhadneverbeentothis nightclub,noranyothernightclubs really,himbeingcaughtupatworkall thetime.Buttonightwasdifferent.He wasgoingtoenjoyhimself. Thisnightclubwaswellknown forhavingoneparticularfemalesinger perform,andshewasquitewellknown becauseofit.Johnwascuriousasto whyshewassohighlyspoken,andso whenhefirststeppedinsidethestuffy andnoisyclub,hewasastonished.On stagestoodashort,black-hairedwoman inablacksequineddressandafluffy, whitescarfaroundherneck.Behind heronstagestoodagrandepiano,a saxophone,abassandaguitar.Eachwas quitebeautiful,bothinstructureandin play,butshestoodoutmost, illuminatedbythespotlightonthe polishedstage.Hervoicewasrichand powerful,andcombinedwiththe instrumentsbehindher,itsoundedlike viscoushoneypouringaroundhim; sweet,butluxuriousallthesame.
Thepianist'shandsdriftedover thekeys,creatingsmoothmelodies withthesinger’slusciousvoice.The basskeptadeeptempotothemusic, withtheguitaraddingaflourishasan accompaniment.Hervoicedriftedin andoutoftheliltingsaxophone tunes,strayingawayandthencoming backtocomplementitsslowand movingtones.
Thewholenightclubwasalive withthemusic,peopleswayingtothe beat.Theairwasloud,yetsoftatthe sametime,witheachgroupofpeople havingtheirownprivate conversations.Johnwasmesmerized. Hehadneverfeltthiscalmand movedeverbefore.Themusicwas poignantandfullofemotion,and madehimwanttomovetoherwarm tones.
Thewholescenewasformal,yet relaxed.Johnlovedit;thedynamic feelingcombinedwiththecalmyet energeticatmospheremadehimfeel morevivaciousthanever.Hesworeto himselfthathewouldcomeback againtolistentothesingeronce more.
TheEnd
ByCarinaDiaz,Grade10
Everythinghasitsend
Howthedayendswithabeautifulnight
OrtheyearbeginsinJanuaryandendsinDecember, Itcanallendsoonerorlater Nightorday
Whenyouleastexpectit,itcomes Sadnessturnstohappiness
Thegirlhasgrownupandverysoonshewillleave, shemovesawayfromthefamilytowardssomething newthatshewillface,
Youdon'tknowwhenorwhy Whatyoulivedbecomesthepast
Thepastbecomeshistory
Andthestoriesaregraduallybeingforgotten.
Todayyouareathome
Likeabirdinthenest
Inafewyearsyouwillgoouttoexplore, Youwilllearntoflyonyourown
Youstartwithonestep
Youenduprunning
Youarebornandyoudie
Itisacyclewhereeverythinghasanend.
Wanttoseeyourwritinginan issueof theApricotJournal? Submitapiecehere! Lookingformoreinfo? CheckouttheApricotJournal’swebsite! Interestedinwriting workshops? JointheApricotJournalGoogle Classroom:z6wwitf FollowusonInstagram @apricotjournal
The Staff of the Apricot Journal
Editors-in-Chief
Anya Geist and Emma Robeau
Magazine Layout
Elie Lewin Web Design
Denisa Iljas Treasurer
Erika Lam Secretary
Afua Asare
Editors
Daniel Arnold, Natalie Boucher, Chloe Williams
Teacher Advisors
Ms. Bishop and Mrs. Eressy
Special Thanks To:
Denisa Iljas
Cover Art