Dimensions 2024

Dimensions 2023-2024

“Colorado” - Anna Craig ‘24

“Edward” - Lucy Schulte ‘24

2

Dimensions 2023-2024 First Semester: Editors-In-Chief: Paige Scherrer & Camryn Threlkeld Second Semester:

Editors-In-Chief: Sophia Frasher-Goetz & Emma Berwin

3

4

Nothing Is Different By: Cam Threlkeld ‘24

At Dawn Life feels as if nothing has changed.

It is time to start the day. Nothing is different.

I wake up from the warmth of my bed.

At Sunrise I see you, and I am reminded of you.

Everything reminds me of you

every memory

every smell.

I must get a start to my day, nothing can feel different.

At Noon My day continuesAs if nothing is different.

At Sunset I see you againI feel grateful.

I want to thank you.

Reminding me you are okay.

At Dusk I feel the sameMy day has come to an end.

It is time for me to start all over again.

At Midnight I miss you. again.

Tears like rain.

In my dark room in the quiet world.

I miss you more than anything

your voice

your phone calls

I miss you.

At Dawn Life feels as if nothing has changed.

It is time to start the day. Nothing is different.

I wake up from the warmth of my bed.

5

My Someone Blue By: Mattea Vest ‘24

Something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue Blue used to be something to represent sadness Now it's not sad anymore It carries so much more meaning, even in the little things The blue Owala that was gifted by a friend Always reliable Never spills The blue polar bear socks that keep the toes warm in the coldest months The polar bears are always smiling You told me you liked them once The blue field hockey grip that is smudged with dirt from a final high school season Reminds me of hard work Was with me through a rough season The blue shower tiles that line the bathroom wall as I step into the scolding hot shower Makes me calm Is serene The beautiful blue eyes The ones that look at me like no one else has Bring comfort and love Blue has such a beauty that was never noticed before It started with the eyes and now I see it everywhere

6

“Playroom” - Corinne Jacoby ‘25

7

Colors of the Earth By: Morgan Hediger ‘24

8

Sunset's Palette By: Kylie Croghan ‘25

The deck overlooks the ocean and mountains, Fluorescent blue and green.

The brown hammocks Dangle beneath the deck.

The bright orange house Atop the mountain.

The evening wind makes the Hammocks and trees dance The orange sun dips beyond the edge, Painting the horizon many colors.

The once bright blue and green scenery Turns darker and darker.

The deck where you could once see everything Is cloaked in darkness.

“Untitled” (Photograph) - Maggie Pozzo ‘24 9

The Discontented Soul of Man By: Malainna Adler ‘24

Your purpose blossomsThey say How wonderful youth isJust a child at play.

Spare me, one day, Of your lies.

I romanticize the futureHow lovely it seemsThe pursuit of riches, Desires and wishes, Delving into murky, Unknown waters.

Maybe the future will be Brighter Awaiting success and Excitement Repulsed by the present.

Soon, I will not be innocent and young.

The Dreams are done.

Unlike a child whose life had just begun, My bones are stiff and creaky.

The only thing awaiting After This Is the Dark Abyss.

Survive.

No more benefits of staying alive The lethargic decline until I Wrinkles A Towel rung out and dried I ache for childhoodyouthI am no longer satisfied.

10

Die.

A seedling desperate for growth A wilted flower mourning its youth Inevitable truth Will always remain, Will never be tamed, And brings about unfathomable pain: The never-ending, envious delusions Doom usAfter all, we are only Human.

“Composite Portrait” -Brianna Esswein ‘24

11

Christmas By: Makayla Lawrence ‘24

Oh, what a sight to see, on Christmas day, The sun shines brightly in its own way, A golden glow that fills the sky,

As if to celebrate this festive holiday night.

Its rays do dance upon the trees, In twinkling lights that bring us cheer, And as we bask in its warm embrace, Our hearts fill up with joy and grace.

The world is full of wonder and delight, On this special day, so pure and bright, So let us cherish every moment we share,

“Yacht” - Anna Craig ‘24

12

First Snow of Winter By: Grace Keeven ‘24 *Glistening specks in the moonlight* *sway back and forth to the frozen earth* *Not a sound made* *while disguising everything in sight* *A porcelain blanket thrown over the frigid town* *Making the next morning's sunrise filled with squeals* *Children awoke to a winter wonderland* *After spending the entire day zooming and zipping every which way* *Polar white snow became dirt-filled sludge* *Children's rosy lips developed a blue hue* *As the sun descends into the snow on the horizon* *steamy hot chocolate melts the shivers of the children away* *Tucked into their beds* *the children dream of what gifts Santa may bring* *and wish for tomorrow to be just like today* *With the first snow of winter* *comes infinite warmth*

13

When I Was A Princess: A Letter By: JoJo Pawlow ‘24

Yellow.

We were both dressed in yellow.

I got to be a princess that dayMy Grandma by my side

Dressed as Belle Glitter in my hair Nail polish as pink as the flower A sparkling tiara Sash placed across my shoulder Magic wand in hand Nothing but smiles Nothing but laughter Nothing but happiness.

The most magical place on earth We had an adventure You and I I remember sitting on your lap Your smile lit up the room, Your laugh – a gentle chuckle Your happiness – contagious Now I look at the flower in remembrance It rests against the cross in my bedroom The petals withered The once pink shade now brown like rust

14

I choke up when I look It's just a flower- why?

The last memory I have of you Nothing but sadness Nothing but sorrow Nothing but tears.

I love you Grandma, XoXo

“XoXo” (Photograph) – JoJo Pawlow ‘24

15

Holiday Cheer By: Mia Hunt ‘26 Leaves are gone, trees now bare Summer days cannot compare Season of giving coming ‘round

Winter delivering a new sound A sound of snow and cocoa and skis Play too hard and you may freeze Winter will bring loads of joy Every girl and boy will find a toy Under the tree on Christmas morning Be careful now to heed Santa’s warning Christmas is a magical time of year Eggnog and cookies and holiday cheer

Old Saint Nick leaves a cane in your shoe The best time of the year through and through Christmas is here and wants to stay And we welcome it now sled and sleigh

16

As The Eiffel Tower By: Lauren Knox ‘24 My breath is stuck in my throat It lights up the night The beautiful city City of Lights As the eiffel tower sparkles A cool breeze kisses my cheek Chills As the eiffel tower sparkles I can hear a band playing in the street La Vie en Rose j u m p s t a r t s my soul

I begin to dance— A toothy smile my across face As the eiffel tower sparkles I am in a fairytale– My fairytale.

A brighter world– My fluttering heart As the eiffel tower sparkles All worries vanish– Nothing else matters– I grab my sister's hand We Dance Dance Dance La Vie En Rose Rings until– The sparkles fizzle out.

Darkness surrounds Hope Happiness and Love Sparkle within.

“Eiffel Tower” (Photograph) - Lauren Knox ‘24 17

The City of Song

By: Brianna Esswein ‘24

Oh snowcapped city of Vienna, Throughout your streets, Music swells like An energizing current.

Lustrous Vienna, The cinematic flashes entice my eyes.

Scenes from The Sound of Music, My sacred childhood movie, Cradle me.

In your luscious gardens Ghosts of the Von Trapp children Skip about the fountains, Rejoicing around their stone pillars.

Only in my mind do they still exist.

Yet I wonder if Others hear them in your flower fields, Voicing their celebratory rhythms?

18

Oh dazzling Vienna, Never relinquish your memories.

Let their notes Band together, Synthesizing a musical masterpiece That Generations will understand.

“Suitcase Picture” - Brianna Esswein ‘24 19

My Brilliant Star By: Morelia Mares ‘24

20

Clockwork By: Anna Freiburg ‘24

21

The Life of a Teenage Girl By: Liz Cary ‘24

Tonight, I can't seem to fall asleep This shouldn't be such a Herculean task, I even try counting sheep Being this age is hard, And no one understands how I feel.

It seems like I am the only one with struggles so real.

Flashes of embarrassment Pop up in my mind Leaving me without respite, And fear of what I find.

At first I recalled What I said at the party, I expected hearty laughs But no one thought it was funny

22

That one time when I was walking in school, I slipped in the cafeteria And landed all over my food And when that boy I really liked, Wanted her instead Well, that's the reason I toss and turn in bed.

“Composite Portrait 2” - Brianna Esswein ‘24 23

A Woman of Many Talents By: Abby Knox ‘24

She was the first face I saw when I came into the world My Protector She had wiped my tears when I scraped my knee on the playground

My Healer She has been by my side during the most exciting moments of my life My Biggest Fan She reminds me of how proud she is of me My Believer

She makes me soup when I am sick My Personal Chef She never gives up on me My Advocate She is always there to embrace me in her loving arms after a hard day My Sanctuary She accepts me for who I am even with all my faults My Supporter I can only hope I am half the woman she is one day My Mom.

24

Photographs—Abby Knox ‘24 25

A Change Like Winter By: Bella Pieper ‘24

The light leaves my days Trees become bare like my age Not the same, is change

Blind Hope By: Maggie Pozzo ‘24

The sun comes again With peace and light, settles in It will come again

26

“Happy Jeep” - Anna Craig ‘24

27

Childhood

By: Sophia Frasher-Goetz ‘24 when playgrounds were kingdoms laughter filled the rooms imagination flowed through the wind adventure was the only care

crayons on paper a world of pinks and blues

childhood like a fleeting whisper

dreams as big as the sky

a breeze that gently comes

during the endless nights

a time of purest wonder throughout the golden years

hide and seek in the morning hopscotch in the afternoon

not hung up on the drama

every day a different story

or hardships, or homework

life was easier then

that emerge with the burden of becoming older

time still passes as slowly as it can but looking back on it now the past still calls my name

28

The Rain

By: Paige Scherrer ‘24

I felt the Rainfall When I CrashedOne second looking down Sending that Last textA message that will never be received Followed by…

Silver hood MangledSmoking, great cloudLabored breathing felt Strangled A shard of Glass-Sliced my skin

Crimson-red Blood Gushing As dizziness Set inA Simple-cold Stream Of Rainfall came down on me Uninterrupted by glass FragmentsDroplets fall faster Refusing to stop For the Ambulance Coagulating with the Blood Washing away the Scene And Drowningout the Pain.

29

When All is Lost By: Meghan McLaughlin The sun still rises on the bird with amputated wings.

Though it twitches in the night Waiting within the forest of jagged knives,

Until the tepid rays peek over the horizon.

The stars still emerge above the blind man.

Though he only gazes upon darkness Remaining in the clutches of the shadows, Until he hears the wonder of nearby observers.

The church bells still ring as the widow trudges by.

Though her forsaken heart was carved out Weeping and wailing as it decayed, Until it awakens when she falls asleep.

Though the bird may not fly Nor the blind man see Nor the widow love again, Hope is found.

30

The Path

By: Abby Russel

I drove away on that final day, scared of what was to come The future looked dim, and I was afraid that I would be lonely and sad How could I manage to go through such a massive change alone?

That section of the path winds around and around When it started to run straight, a blind curve would rush into view I tried to speed through those sections, but I could never escape fast enough.

Looking back, I see that my past looks bright, happy, and full of people I love I reflect on the once scary path and see so many joyful memories Even though it is now a happy memory, that section is full of bends, both sharp and gradual.

When I was traveling on the path, its bends seemed impossible to conquer Each twist and turn life hurled my way caused me to make a daunting change in my life Now, I see the once frightening bends and know that my courage is what helped the path run straight again.

31

“Emotional Flowering” Brianna Esswein ‘24 “I wanted to demonstrate the connection between our internal thoughts and emotions and how we release them. I made it by first drawing the girl and coloring her with colored pencils. I then tore up some written poems about human emotion and turned these pieces into both the cloud above the girl’s head and the bouquet over her heart.”

32

“Growth” Brianna Esswein ‘24 “In this picture, I conveyed the stages of growth using differently sized pictures and having them increase in size from left to right. I also put the vines in the picture to show the “overpowering” aspect of growth and the potential a person has when they let themself truly grow and flourish. To create it, I made a stamp for the pictures and using different colors of paint, stamped the image onto vibrant pieces of construction paper. Then, I used acrylic paint and magazine photos of plants to create the vines and leaves. “ 33

“I Love Rainy Days” By: Reagan Hadican

I love rainy days, when the day is cold and dark.

Clouds fill the sky. The wind blowing Low

and high! Excitement fills me, no birds to see, everything takes a break, nature refreshes, a cleanse it makes. The patter of rain, a soothing lullaby. Drifting off into dreams, beneath the stormy sky. Rain falls, splashing in the puddles.

Let the rain fall forever.

This is what I love.

Now on

sleep. my way to

34

A Light in the Rain By: Abby Geldmacher

I awake to the steady sound of rain tap tap tapping on my roof. In a trancelike way, I float to the window, pull open the blinds with a poof of dust into my face, and stare into the abyss of gray sky and soaked grass.

I've always loved the rain. The soothing sound as it pitter-patters on the pavement, the dreary yet comforting atmosphere it brings, the freshness and new life it gives.

I spontaneously decide to sit outside in the downpour. The moment my bare feet step from the linoleum kitchen floors onto the red brick steps, the water starts to soak every inch of me.

My hair clings to my neck, and my light gray t-shirt darkens to the same color as the sky, but still I simply take it in as I lay in the dewy grass.

Suddenly, I feel a wave of warmth wash over me amidst the coolness of the rain. I open my eyes to the blinding light of the sun in my face, despite the steadiness of the falling water.

I can see a faint stream of color streaked across the sky, red on top, violet on bottom. I try to remember what I was thinking of before, but my mind is enveloped by the beauty of color above me.

The rainbow fades almost as quickly as it came, and the sunshine hides behind the clouds again. But I still stay there, sprawled in the muddy lawn, letting the beauty of nature wash away all my worries.

35

The Objects of Death By: Anna Paulus Dust flies.

Cloth embanks my cold bodyI wheeze in and out of Labored breaths.

The waxy white hospital blanketworn and shabbymelts onto my feeble flesh almost perfectly.

How could something so simplehold my last sense of Existence.

It starts in my toesthen loiters towards my chest.

Slow burn.

I don’t want you here.

Angry with my wordsmy throat tightens.

As The Blanket of Death envelopes.

“Interpretation of Edward Hopper’s Self-Portrait” - Hannah Shepard ‘25 36

Disability 101

By: Anna Buehrig Isolation, exclusion, silence, frustration.

So many words to preachto a crowd of one.

Like a child, you will be seen and never heard.

Like a child, the only way to get attention is to scream.

They’re rarely loud enough.

The screams inside the institutions, the screams, a secret that our twisted caretakers keep, the screams our lawmakers hear as they take everything away.

Our money, education, marriages, children, families, autonomyBut you’ll make it work, you have to.

Our rights are so young and so ready to leave the nest.

“Carbon Footprint”

Brianna Esswein ‘24

37

“Delicacy” - Brianna Esswein ‘24 “It is meant to show the care a person must show to things in life that are vulnerable. This could be a tiny plant, a baby, or anything else that requires a lot of care and attention for its well -being. I created this piece by using colored pencils to create the hands, along with paint for the vibrant background. Then, using the same stamp as before, I applied green ink to it and stamped it in the center of the hands.”

Washington 2022 By: Nora Hays

I was Laying there Beneath borrowed cotton sheetsMoonlight through the hotel window.

All around me slept He was too close, Not far.

38

You were so close Too far And yet so close To me.

You wiped my tearssleep at last.

Vacation

By: Kate Eilerman Sand clings to skin, Sunset hues fade into the distance.

Footsteps tread home, Echoes of waves overlapping.

Anticipation arises, For a cleansing shower awaits.

Preparation unfolds, In the quiet sanctuary of home.

A transformation begins, From salt-kissed to polished.

An outfit chosen with care, Each piece is a promise of evening allure.

Dinner whispers its promise, Of flavors to savor, And laughter to share.

The day's end draws near, But its memories linger, In the salt-kissed air, And the warmth of the sun's embrace.

“The Lighthouse” - Margaret Heffernan ‘26

39

Laundry

By: Anna Meister socks are lost in tunnels and fairy lands because i’m too busy being all wishy-washy, think that it is hard to mourn something i don’t remember being alive. satinweaving caterpillars leave their webs in what used to be a bedroom, away from lavender and linen sheets.

“Autumn Morning” - Taylor Arnold ‘24

40

Happy Under Cloudy Clouds By: Vivian Truong

Beneath a sky of blue hue, where laughter freely flew.

In a time of cheer, nature’s embrace, devoid of fear.

But the clouds, in the shadows dress, an unexpected, unwelcome guest.

They roll in, dark and tall, casting a shadow over all.

Yet still, amidst this sudden change, our spirits refuse to rearrange, for happiness, like a beacon, so bright, It illuminates the darkest of nights.

“Out My Front Window” - Hannah Shepard ‘25’ 41

Academic Weapon By: Charlie Ramig It was a normal walk. Nothing out of the ordinary had happened. She picked up her phone, popped in her earbuds, and strolled out of her garage.

She was glad to see that her neighbor, who slightly resembled her best friend, was not in his usual spot on his porch, staring into the empty street.

She lingered on that thought a little too long as she took off on her favorite route. The weather was perfect. Not a single cloud in the sky.

With the wind in her hair, she was able to think without fear of anyone finding out.

She always had the answers, but for once, she didn’t know what to do.

Since childhood, she had been curious about biology. She excelled at anything scientific and had a reputation for being a know-it-all. She knew everyone had slightly hated her growing up because she was always bragging about her grades, but she couldn’t help it.

It was as crucial as air. She needed everyone to know that she was better than them, but she wasn’t. At academics maybe, but her morals were off. She would do anything to get ahead.

She was never caught cheating or threatening people, but she did. It was second nature. Like one of the diseases she was used to studying, it spread. She began stealing from everyone she knew.

It was when she threatened her brother that she knew she had an issue. A nine-yearold isn’t competition when it comes to getting into college.

It was an addiction at this point. She couldn’t stop taking taking taking.

Everyone had something to offer even if they didn’t know it. Some people saw the good in others, and so did she in a way. However, she saw the good they had that she could gain.

The wind whipped her hair around her like a halo. She felt almost angelic, but the weight she carried felt anything but that.

She grew up going to confession, and the secret she kept would take an infinite number of Hail Marys to fix.

She was alone in her neighborhood, 42

walking

minutes. around

thirty the

for same

loop

She felt like she was being chased. Or rather, she was drowning. Life was good, but it was catching up to her, surrounding her with guilt and shame that she didn’t feel was deserved.

She passed her house for the third time and saw her neighbor on his front porch. It was scary to her how much he looked like her best friend.

They had the same eyes that stared through her and the same height that towered over her.

Usually, best friends see each other often, but she hadn’t seen him in weeks. After their last fight, he disappeared. They didn’t talk or compare notes anymore, but it didn’t matter. She was going to be valedictorian, get into an ivy league, and succeed.

Like any other problem in her way, she solved it. She had done the math and once valedictorian = him failure = her Her feelings couldn’t get in the way, and she wouldn’t let them. Like every dissection she had performed, she turned off her emotions. The knife of her past was digging into her, and as if she were holding a scalpel, she didn’t think about it.

Her best friend was just another collection of molecules, not a person in her mind.

He didn’t matter and she would get over it.

She would

move

on.

She played her most recent lab over and over in her head, and as she saw herself stab him in the back, she heard the thud over and over and over.

He fell to the ground, and her biggest problem was gone.

That was all that mattered.

43

“Unrequited Love” - Brianna Esswein ‘24

“Writing 2” - Brianna Esswein ‘24 44

The Door

By: Emma Berwin ‘24 Staying or leaving, it seems my patrons much prefer the latter. That's okay, I let them go as they may please. Through me, for me, abuse my structure, it is my vow of integrity, I’ll be here for any passerby.

Staying or leaving they are here for now.

Enjoy the small smiles, giggles, winks, and hugs.

Life will pass you by if you lose sleep over a choice you do not control.

Staying or leaving, let them go. It cannot matter to me.

I am a threshold, a hole in the wall to be crowded with ghosts of those who have made the choice. You make it, I am forced to support it. Structural integrity.

45

Unshattered.

By: Marissa Kiley

Our past selves are more who we are than anything.

We live this one life to break and to bruise Then only to rise from the ashes of who we were, in hopes of who we want to be, Who we aim to be.

Breaking is a human thing, but so is healing.

It’s all put in us by nature, to the stories we hold in our hands on the way to English class, to the obstacles that knock us down, To the way our bodies can’t bear to see us scratched, So they heal us themselves. . .

The autumn leaves break from branches only to fill the earth but they always come back.

Their predecessors, reincarnations, whatever you deem them Always comes back as the next generation.

A generation of splendors and joy, Of reincarnation for all traditions lost And people turned astray.

We were kids on the world, first.

46

And that is our only true occupation.

Our first school years, Our first time on a swing set, Our first sport, Our first favorite pop culture thing, Our first friend, Our first passion.

They are who we are at the root And yet, in the end, how we changed.

Why did we have to change?

Why must we mature?

Children have a better grasp on the world than we do.

The breaking, the bruising. . .

Everything must break and bruise, We know this Shown by the world everyday.

Everything breaks, everything but the inner child We hold close to our heart, Close to our chest, Close to our souls.

And they never shatter.

“Tobias Forge” Lorel Dierker ‘24 47

i’m not myself anymore by grace oliver

i’m not myself anymore the illusion’s begun to crack at the pearly gates, when god asks “name?” i think i’ll say the wrong name back

i’ll say the artist’s, who wrote that song that got the feeling right i’ll say my friend’s, who watched me cry that terrible october night i’ll say my sister’s, whose face i stole and interests and humor and style

i’ll say my mother’s, because she deserves it she was the first to ever make me smile i’m so tired of pretending that any of my thoughts are my own as if i ever would’ve gotten here just knowing what i know

i know nothing, i’m not ashamed of it if you pretend you do, you’re lying those accusations you hurl at lightning speed came from comprehension spying the words from books and songs and speaking the tone from memories of past altercations creeping 48

you’re just as guilty as me of having only the mental equipment there’s red on both our hands of intellectual infringement they’ve explained to me why i look the way i look today

they’ve used punnett squares and percentages to explain it all away but they don’t know why i am the way i’ve chosen to be but have i really chosen it? was i ever really me?

because before i even opened my eyes i was a prayer my mother prayed and my name was an agreement both of my parents made and now i have friends whose words i take and jokes i love to steal

strangers laugh but they don’t know that none of this is real i’m not myself anymore the illusion’s fully cracked but given the choice to just be me i’d rather die than live like that 49