Imagination Collaboration 2024-2025

Imagination Collaboration

GWYNEDD MERCY ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL 2024-2025

Cover: RavellaSmith’27

Thetitleof Imagination Collaboration sprangfromthecreativemind ofLisaBonavita‘98duringacontesttonameournewestpublication.

Inside Cover: BrooklynBachi’24

Editor’s Notes

OneofmyfondestmemoriesatGwyneddsofarhasbeenmyparticipationinMonarch MediaProductions-specificallymyworkonthe Imagination Collaboration. Lastyear,I servedasco-editor-in-chief,andthisyear,Ihadthehonorofservingaseditor-in-chief. LiteraryMagazinehastrulybeenmyfavoriteclubatGMAasithastaughtmecountless valuablelessons.Itakegreatprideinbeingapartofsomethingsomeaningful.Knowing thatthe Imagination Collaboration hasservedasacreativeoutletforsomanystudents bringsmeimmensejoy.Thisclubhassingle-handedlyfosteredmypassionforwriting,and Ihavegenuinelycherishedeverypoem,story,photo,andpieceofartworkIhaveseenthis yearfromGwynedd’suniquelytalentedstudents.Ilookforwardtocontinuingmy involvementinLiteraryMagazinenextyear,andIcannotwaittoseewhatithasinstore.

CourtneyKenefic’26

MindsBehindthe Imagination Collaboration

CourtneyKenefic‘26

Editor-in-chief

Associate Editors

TheMonarchMediaCouncil

Ms.AnneMonsalve

Faculty Moderator and Editor

ClareWaropay’

RisingDarkness

Theyrise.

Thedarknesscries, hands,likeveilsacrosstheeyes.

Thebusystreetbustles withpeopleandthingsinthemidstofahustle.

Theprotectionofdarknessforthechild,asonecanonlysurmise, comesfromtheinnocenceinthefaceoftheuntamednatureoflives.

Coulditbeembarrassment?Anxiety?

Maybevolumetoo, thatcausestheneedfornoisydarknesstoenvelopyou.

Asachild,everythingislouder,butsometimeswedealwithittomakeparentsprouder.

Buttheboyfeelsfear,thoughwedonotknowwhy,wecanseehisformofprotection, thatbeingtocoverhisowneyes.

Thestreetscanbeloudandstuffytoo whichexplainswhyfearhasfoundyou.

Youcoveryoureyes,soyoufeelprotected, Becauseifyoucannotseethem,thentheycannotseeyou.

Innocenceissweet,aprotectiveshroud

againsttheswarmingandalarmingcrowd.

Inashirtaswhiteasthewintersnow, whichsymbolizestheinnocenceyoushow, youhopeyoucanlearntogrow.

Toovercomeyourfearswouldnotjustbesomethingtobrag, butasignofgrowingolder everysingleday.

Intheendyoushieldyoureyes,notjustasyourveryowndisguise, butbecausethefearstillfollowsyouinyourchildishsize. Butforyou,Ihaveasurprise, yourfearsaresmallerthanyourealize.

Becauseonedaysoon,youmightwakeuptosee theyarenotallyouthoughtthemtobe.

Andintheend,myfriend,yourhands, Theydescend.

MollyBaliban’27

TheBlueMirror

Roarsandwhooshesswirlbelow,

WeatheredcedarcreaksasIstep.

Ifeelthepitinmystomachgrow,

Asthebluemirrorraisesitself,

Closer,closer,closer.Ican’thelpbutyelp.

Soundsofblazingbulletsstrikemyabode,

Anxietycreepsupmynecklikeathief.

WillIeverescapeHisomniscientcode?

Imakemywayouttothedeck,

Eachstepisabrickinmygrowinggrief.

Myhipspressagainsttheweakwalnutrail,

IdefyNewton’slawasfearweighsaton.

Astrange,surprisedstrangerstares,pale,

Throughthegreatbluemirror,weareone

Poorgirl.Poorgirl?Ornearlyundone?

Whendidthebluemirrorrisesohigh?

Ittowersabovelikeamockingbeast.

IsthisthemomentIsaygoodbye?

Mymindwon’tletmypoundingheartrest,

Thismightbemyfinal,fataltest.

WhenIsuccumbedtothebluemirror,

Ifeltpeace,Mysoulacceptedfate,mybreathgrewlight.

Asenseofsurrender,along-awaitedrelease.

Asdarknesssurroundedmyweakeningsight, Therewasbeautyinsilence.Noneedtofight.

Familyandfriendsmaynowsilentlyweep,

Thestrangegirlgone,claimedbythetide. Thegreatbluemirrorhassecretsitkeeps.

Withouther,Iwisheddeathwouldabide Nearer,nearer,nearer,itdoesnothide.

MaryJaneBoyle’27

LaurenMcGloin

Five

Thepathheldpatient, withpossibilitiesperpetuallypreordained. Fivedoorswerelocked, eachonechained, andthefutureheldback, butperfectlyarranged.

Theblueofthewalls, theshadowsoflight, andthestarkcontrastoffivedoors.

Shadows,usuallydark,butthesearebright.

Door,door,door,door,door, andallthatwhite.

Thedarknessontheedges leavesonlyillumination tobeseenwithinthewalls. Thethirddoorhasavibration. Itcallseverythingtothemiddle;

CausingZeus’frustration.

Fivechancesforchange, andnorightchoice.

Fivechancesforfreedom, yetstillnovoice.

Fivechancesforcuriosity, andstill,itstaysmultiple-choice.

It’samultiple-choicequestion, withnumerousanswers thatreliesononeperson.

Eachdoor,anenchanter, tryingtomakeyouchooseit, butonlyyouaretheplanner.

Five,forfreedom,curiosity,andchange.

Doorstobeopened–afuturetoarrange.

BernadetteButcher’27

SophiaSavino’25

Father’spaintedneckcurvesdown ashepeersatusyounglings.

TheFamilyReunion

Ananglethatawaterfallcouldcascadeover, hispiercingstareunwavering.

Inaparallelarc,mother’schinpointstothesky. Shetakesadeepbreathandcloseshereyes.

Mylittlesister’smindseemstodanceinoblivion.

I,ontheotherhand,standtheregray,grounded,andgrumpy becauseweallgatherhereatthisfamilyreunion. Grumpybecausetheirvoicesechoinmyears whilemyparentssighatme-

Ican’tbelievethisismyfamily.

Eachmemberseemsafacelessfigure theyallblendtogetherinthebackground.

AndwhenIapproachoneofthem,Ilookup andallIseeistheunderneathoftheirchin.

Thesefamilymembersaremerelystrangersfrommyview likecharactersinastoryIneverknew.

OnedayIwillgrowup,

Getmyownfeathers,brushedasunsethue asoftdriftofombreleftatthenapeofmyneck.

ThenIwillseeeyetoeyewithmykin.

Ican’twaituntilthatday

Formetogrowoutofthisgray.

Fornow,though,thisisonemoment

Onemomentcapturedintime

Thatstandsfrozenasthegroundwewalkon.

Itwilllastforever,thisfeeling.

Feelingsodullandsmall

Likeinabigpile,Iamjustonesnowball.

LylaCardamone’27

LaurieP.JournalEntry#8

Beingtoldyouarespecialandactuallybeingspecialaretwocompletelydifferentthings.

Forexample,yourthird-gradeteachertellingyouhowgiftedandspecialyouarebecause you’vereadfasterthantheotherkidsisnotthesamethingasthelonelinessandpeculiarity ofseeingthedead.Iwouldknow,asIhaveexperiencedthisfirsthand.YoumaythinkthatI possesssuchanextravagant,powerfulgift,andwhilenotentirelywrong,thedifficultyof keepingsuchsecretsisnotsomethingjustanypersoncando.Imustkeepmygiftasecret forthefearthatthepeopleinwhitecoatswilllockmeupandneverletmeout.So,Ihave polishedmyskillsthroughouttheyearsandlied.IliedwhentheyaskedmeifIam‘seeing anythingIshouldn’t,’orifI‘needarefillofmedication,’becausethispowerisnot somethingthatcanbeunderstoodbytheaveragemind.Ittakesthewisdomofhigher beingssuchasmyselftotrulygraspthegiftinwhichIhold.Isharethiswithyourreader, becauseIwishtobeunderstoodbytheregularhuman.Iwishtosharemygiftwiththe world,toberecognizedandtoexistinasocietyinwhichIamnotostracizedformypower butacceptedforit.So,despitetheriskItakebywritingthis,myreader,Iprevailand concludemyprosefortoday.PerhapsImaycontinuemywritingifDoctorStevensallows metoresumethispagenextsession.

Doctor’snotes:Laurie’sjournalentrieshaven’tchangedsinceheradmissiontothehospital, aswellasthecontinuationofdistrustinourone-on-onesessions.Recommendingmore socializationtotheotherpatientsduringcreativehour.Endnotes.

Recorded04/18/2016-----SaintMaria’sSanitorium,Hartfield,VA

GabriellaHughes’26

AlexisMulato’26

Autumn

Autumnbreezebrushedthroughmyhair

Teasingthebackofmyneckwithchills

Crispautumnleavesdottedthefadedgreengrass

Attributingtothedull,tiredsky

Throughthefield,aflashofyellow

Blondhair,broughttolight

Stepsgrewcloser,myfixationunwavering

Deepoceaneyesmetmydarkmuddyones

Ibegantowalk;hemetmehalfway

“Youarehere.”

Hedidnotspeak.

Ilookedupathisflawlessface,

Asurrealfeelingofdéjàvuovercomingme

Asmyeyeslockedintohis,

Everythingelsefadedtoasoftbuzz

Nothingwassaid

Yetamillionmessagespassedbetweenus

“Whyareyouhere?”

Hedidnotspeak.

Hesimplyturnedaway

Rippinghiseyesfrommine

Hebegantowalk

Ifollowedhispath

Togetherwepassedbywitheringtrees

Thecrunchofleavesbeneathmyfeet

Swallowedupallothersound

Hesuddenlystopped,

Turningtofaceme

“Wherehaveyoubroughtme?”

Hedidnotspeak.

Hiseyesburnedintomine

Therewasamessagethatpassed

Throughthecoldairthatseparatedus

I’msorry

Confusionconsumedmyeverythought

Hethenturnedtotheside

Andtiltedhisgazedownward

Iproceededtodothesame

Iexpectedtoseedyingleaves,

Butinsteadsawagrayslabofrock

Thereweresymbolsinscribed

Idirectedmyfocustothem

Symbols

Letters Words

AName

Anamewaswrittenonthisstone

Butthiscouldnotbe

Iredirectedmygazetohis

Whichwaswatchingmewithsadness

“Whyisyournameonthisrock?”

Hedidnotspeak.

Hesimplypointedbehindme

Iturnedtoseeapumpkin

Withafaceengravedonitssurface

Solemnblackdestroyedhopefulorange

SomeonemusthavemadethisforHalloween.

Halloween.

Sirens.

Screams.

Sorrow. Iturnedbacktohim,

Buthewaswalkingaway

Ihurriedtocatchuptohim

Ireachedouttograbhisarm,

ButtheonlythingIfeltwaschillingair

Heturnedtomeandstoodthere, Justoutofreach

Awhispered,“Why?”

Hedidnotspeak, Buthiseyessaiditall

Thisinonesimpleword, Goodbye. Asdazzlingoceansabandoneddarkness, Icameupforair

Theblinkofaneye,

Andhehaddisappeared

Theonlysighttobeseen

Werehelplessleavesonjadedgrass

Theonlyfeelingtobefelt Waseverythingandnothing

Allatonce. Hehadmetmehalfway

Betweenimaginationandreality

Betweenmemoryandmoment

Betweenpastandpresent

Asthelastraysofwarmsunlight

Disappearedbeneaththehorizon, Darknessengulfedthesky

Paintingeverysightasolemnshadeofnothingness

Nomorebuoyanthairorsparklingeyes

Nomoregiddyforgetfulnessornaïvejoy

Summerhasleftme

Inmyinevitableautumn.

CeceliaTropiano’28

LostintheDepthsofUtopia

IsaidIwantedparadise. Whocouldhaveknownwhatlaidbeneath thebeautywithaprice. Itwasnolaurelwreath.

Whatwaswaitingiscolderthanice.

Ichosethispath,sotherewasnoreasontoseethe.

Breatheinthegreatbigblue.

Don’tlookatthedeepestdarkestshadows.

Breatheinthegreen,greenplantssproutedanew.

Don’tlookbelowthegroundattherootsandburrows.

Breatheinthewindflyingpasttheboatasyouenjoytheview.

Don’tfocusontheteartakingusdownbelow.

Theboatremainsinaspotsolitarilysittingamongtheocean. Aperfectplaceawayfromtheimpendingstorm.

Thestormcomesfromsomewheredeepinsidewithoutanotion. Whileitgrowsgreaterthanbefore,nocloudsseemtoform.

Theworldmovesarounditinslowmotion.

Theideaofjoiningtheboatfar,farbelowmakesmewarm.

Myvoicefaltersthinkingofwhatmylastwordsshouldbe

astheshadowswelcomemefromthesharpestpointofthecliff.

Thethoughtsswirlingroundandroundmakeithardtosee whatiswaitingformebeyondeachmomentofwhatif.

Eachkeyunlocksanotherpieceoffleetingtimeinthesafehavenbehindme fromthefeverdreamofmypast.Twostepsforwardandeverythinggoesstiff.

Thebreathtakingbluecreepsnear unliketherisingofthetideuponthesmoothshores.

Ashatterspiralsthrougheveryfiberofmefeelingclear withthegreatsmackintomychest.Ittore deepintothedarknessofmymortalfleshfullofsilencedfear. Littledidtheyknowitwasalllostintheroughcurrentsofmymind.

FrancescaDeitzel’27

Sophia Savino

TheUnchosenChoice

Beep,thehospitalmachinesounded.

Myhandswereshaky,andmyheartpounded.

Theyrolledhimaway,afterhislastbreath.

Iknewthedaywascoming,buttherealityofhisdeath hitmelikeatruck.

Thelackofhispresencehasfinallystruck.

Yesterdaywashisbirthday, finallyeighteen.

"I’llmakeitpastmyday”,mybrotherwouldsay.

Awishfulthought:Oh,hewassobrave,yetsogreen.

Thatdaysmiledathimwhileallitdidwasweigh.

Ikepttomyselftonotcauseascene.

Icelandpassedanewlaw.

OneIviewedasoff-puttingandasmoreofaflaw.

“Ateighteen,youbecomeanorgandonor.”

Afull-blowndonation,notjustaloaner.

Thegovernment’sslimyfingersarepluckingthechoiceaway. Emotion?No,they’dneverbetray.

Deathhuggedmybrother’stendersoul.

Soul-to-soulourmindsandheartsmet.

Metwiththesuddenrealizationofourplan’shole.

Wholeofourrealitywasset.

Setandwrittentounfold,

Unfoldthathisbodywouldn’tbeburiedbutouttoget.

MymothercriedNo,no,no.

Idon’tbelievethisinformationInowknow.

Heisstillwithus.

Noquestions?Noanswers?Notimetodiscuss?

Hecan’tbeadonor.

No,please,we’rehisrightfulkeeperandowner.

KendallDeLuca’27

TheCallandCostoftheVoid

Hecountsandhecountsthedaysthatpass.

Athousandtimesithasflipped,thishugehourglass.

Ticksonthewallandaslashinthedirt, achoicetomake,somethingtohurt.

Grandeurandglory,theidealstheytwist, aletter:Drafted;clenchedinhisfist.

Awarthatends,adeadmanalive,

Hewalksandhetalksbuthismindisahive.

Thebeesandthewasps,theywanttogetout, buttheycan’thearhimwhenhewhispers,theycan’thearhimwhenheshouts.

So,hestaysquiet,andtakescareofhisownthoughts, andlistenstowhattheythink,thehavesandthehave-nots.

Athousandmenstandthereandgetreadyfortheirfight. Theylaughandtheychant,fortheyareintheright.

Athousandmenstormdownthere;theywillbeokay. Theyarehealthyandtheyareyoung;theydon'tneedtopray.

Athousandmenseethetruth,whatwarisreallyabout: itpulseswithbarbarity;athousandmencryout.

Hewantstogohome,seehisbed,seehismother.

Mendropleftandright:amanhecalledhisbrother. Theairreekedsourblood,astenchhecanstillsmellnow.

Loud,thenquiet,hebumbledoffsomehow. Blazingstreaksstreamandstripethesilentsky, athousandlonelysoulswhocouldn’tsaygood-bye.

Theytellhimhe’llforget thethingshetookcareof,thethingsheregrets.

Sometimeshestaresandseesnothingforyardsandyards, whilehebattlesforwhathekeepsinside,thethingsthatheguards.

Sometimeshecan’tseethetruth;thememoriesheblends, theymuddleinhisbraininawarthatneverends

MaeveDurkin’27

KathleenKudes

Lookingoutatopportunity, infinitepathstochoose.

Freedomsinksdeepintome: alifewithnothingtolose. Somanyoptionslaybeneath. OnlyIwearsuchuniqueshoes.

TheJourneyofChoice

Chancesbothsmallandlarge flickerlikestarsinmymind.

Thequestionregardingmyowndischarge: WhatexperiencewillIfind?

AgainstsocietalconstraintsIbarge, Noindependenceleftbehind.

Thewindwhispersalowandsteadysound, avoicethatstirswithinmychest.

NostrongerpeaceI’veeverfound, Itsrhythmputsmythoughtstorest.

Nomorewallstokeepmebound,

nopressuretellingmewhat’sbest.

Above,thecloudsdriftwildandfree, unchainedfromanyplace.

TheyechowhatIlongtobe–noborders,justwidespace.

Theskyspeaksstronglyinsideme, remindingmeIcontrolmypace.

Themountainsriseliketoweringwalls, asIfeelthemcallmyname.

EachoneIclimb,aburdenfalls–Notwopathsarethesame.

Therocksbelowreveallife’scalls,

Theventureissolelyminetoclaim.

Thepathunfoldsatapeacefulpace, eachstepisachoicethatleadsmefree.

Norushingnow,nocrowdedrace, justopenskiesandlandtosee.

Thejourney’smine,and,withmuchgrace, Ichoosewhatliesaheadofme.

CourtneyGallagher’27

ThePumpkinPrince

EveryFallallofthechildrenandcitizensinOrangeHollowgetexcitedandgiddyfor Halloween,butnotforthereasonsyouwouldsuspect.OrangeHollowisthehomeof Halloween.PeopletravelfromallacrossthecountrytothislittletowninIllinoisduringthe fallseason.Theyhavevariousfamoustraditions,includingthepumpkinsmashwherethe wholetowngatherstogetheratthelocalchurch,St.Benedict.Whilegatheredatthechurch everyonebringstheirfavoritepumpkinoftheseasonandsmashesitintheparkinglot.This soundssillyandanticlimactic,butthatisfarfromthecase.Everyyearatthepumpkin smash,thePumpkinPrincecomesandleaveslittletreatsandgoodiesonthecars.Afterthe communityisdonesmashingtheirpumpkins,theyallheadbacktotheircarstogocollect thecandyandHalloweentreats.PeoplearealwaystryingtofindthePumpkinPrince,but heisalwaysstealthyandunseen,untiltheyear1997.

Itwasaneeriefallmorning,October28th.OrangeHollow,withpreparingfortheir infamouspumpkinsmash.Thewholetownwasawaitingtheevent,butspecificallyGracie andBrianMapleton.Thesesiblingswereineighthgrade,andeagertospotthepumpkin prince.Thetwoknewithadneverbeendonesotheywereawareitwouldnotbeaneasy task,buttheywereupforthechallenge.OnthemorningofOctober28,GracieandBrian weresupposedlyheadedtoschool.Thetwoofthemlived3blocksawayfromthelocal middleschool,OrangeMiddle.Therefore,theyweretrustedtowalk.AlthoughGracieand Brianwereallegedlygoingtoschool,theyhaddifferentplansinmind.Thetwoofthem weredevisingaplantofindthePumpkinPrince.Thiswasgoingtobeaweebittricky consideringnoonehaseverseenhimandnooneeverhearsanythingabouthimbesides theeveningbeforeHalloween!Althoughthischallengeseemednearlyimpossible,Gracie andBrianwereincrediblydetermined.

Thatmorningat7:30thetwowishedtheirmomagooddayandheadedoutfortheir mission.Graciehadnocluewheretostart,butBrianhadsomeideasspewinginhishead. Briandecidedthebestideawastogointothewoods,Graciedisagreed,andthoughtthe ideawasstupid,butBriantendedtobeveryheadstrongandwouldnotgiveup.Thetwoof themendedupheadingintotheirlocalwoodsandjustshouting,“HelloPumpkinPrince!” likeabunchofbuffoons.Brianwaspositive,thisishowhewouldlocatethePumpkin Prince.After2hoursofaimlesslywalkingaroundthewoodsyelling,thetwofinallyfelt defeated.

BrainandGracieheadedintotowntogogetanorangebagelfromthelocalbakery. Thiswaskindofriskybusinessconsideringtheyweresupposedtobeinschool,butthey neededalittlemoodbooster.BrianandGraciewalkedthroughthetrailbacktotown.It tookthemabout30minutes,andtypicallytheywouldcomplainaboutthat,butduetothe seasonthewoodslookedlikeamagicalbeautifulplace.GracieandBriancouldseetheend

ofthetrailandthebustleoftown,butjustastheywereretreatingfromthewoods,they heardsomething abigloudsneeze!Gracieimmediatelyturnedaround,andBrianwas confusedhewasnotasobservant.Graciewasnotexcitedaboutthis.Itscaredher.Brian couldtellshewasunsettledandaskedwhatitwas.Shesaidthetypicalscaryresponseof“I don’tthinkwe’realone”.Brianwouldhavefoundthisscaryiftheyweren’t10feetfromthe middleoftown,buthewantedtoknowwhoitwas.Ittookaheavyamountofconvincing, butBrainfinallywasabletobribeGracieintotheforest.Hepromisedtopayforherbagel whentheyweredoneexploring.

GracieandBriandidn’tknowexactlywherethesneezecamefrom,buttheyheard thebusesrustlingtotheirright.Thetwoleftthetrailandheadedintotheunknown.Gracie wasgrowingimpatient,butBrianwasdeterminedtoseewhowasthere.After20more minutesofventuringofftrail,thetwoofthemdecideditwastimetoheadbackbeforethey gotlost.Theyhadaccepteddefeat.Thetwoofthemwereabsolutelydepressedabouttheir defeat.Theywereabsolutelysilentonthewayback.Howcouldtheybesonaïve?Whilein theirsilentreflection,Graciesawsomethingoutofthecornerofhereye.Itwasalittlehut thatlookedalmostlikealogcabin.ShehesitatedtopointitouttoBrainconsideringhow longtheyhadbeenoutthereandtheirlackofluck,butshedecideditwasworthchecking out.Thetwoapproachedthecabinwithcaution,notknowingwhatlayinside.Theywere bracingthemselvestofindsomeonebutwouldneverhaveexpectedtoseewhattheydid. Gracieperchedherselfuponaloglyingonthegroundtoattempttoseewhatwasinside throughalittlewindowbeforetheywentfullyin.Graciewas5’5sothiswasalittletricky consideringthewindowwasabout6feetup,butshemanagedtogetapeek.Whatshesaw insideshecouldhaveneveranticipated.

Itwasamansittingcrisscrossapplesauceonthefloor.Insidethecabinwasa television Itlookedlikethefirstmodelevermade.Therewasalsoasmallmattress,some books,and7massivebarrelsfullofcandy.Theoddestpartofthisscenewasnotwhatwas aroundtheman.Itwaswhathewaswearing.Themanlookedaboutsix-footthreegiveor take.Itwashardtotellsincehewassittingdown,andhehadonatophatthatresembleda magicianwithapumpkinstemontopthatappearedasifitwashotgluedthere.Hewas alsowearingalongorangecapewithablacklacebottom.Graciequicklymotionedfor Briantocomeover.ShejustmayhavefoundthePumpkinPrinceafterall.Graciegestured confusinghandmotionstoBrianafterhepeeredinthewindow.Thetwoofthemdecided thebestoptionwastocryouthisname.Hemaybestartlediftheyweretowalkinwithout himbeingawareoftheirpresence.

Thetwoweresilentlyarguingoverwhowasgoingtobetheonetocalloutthename whenfinally,Braingotfedupandjustbelteditout.Themaninstantlyjumpedupand startedlookingallaround.Hewasstrugglingtolocatewherethevoicewascomingfrom

giventhefactthathecouldn’tseethem.Afterhefranticallylookedaround,heheardthem approachingthefrontdoor.Thedoorhadnolockduetothelackofvisitors,soBrainand Gracieprancedrightin.Thetwoimmediatelybombardedhimwithquestions,butMr. PumpkinPrincewasnothavingit.Theonlyresponsehemutteredouttotheirquestions wasayestobeingthePumpkinPrinceashewavedhiscapebackandforth.Afterten minutesofBrianandGracietalkingovereachotheraskingquestionsandexplaininghow theygotthere,theprinceinterrupted.Hesaidthatiftheystoppedtalking,hewouldtell themhisstory.GracieandBriangotsogiddyoverthisandinstantlyfellsilent.The PumpkinPrincestartedoffbygivingadisclaimerthatthisisalongstory,sotheyjustmust buckleinandgetreadyforthetaleofalifetime.Heofferedthemsomecandyfromabarrel inthecorner;hegotprettyexcitedaboutbeingabletogiveoutcandywhileinview.

TheprincestartedhisstoryoffinOrangeHollow,manymoonsagowhenhewas justalittlelad.Hesaidthathehadalwaysbeenfascinatedwithmagic.Itwashisdreamto becomeapristineprofessionalmagician.Hewentonaboutthegloryandexcitementof magicforaboutahalfhour,talkingaboutthenecessarysuspenseandbeautyinagood trick.Hesoundedsoinsanelypassionate,andthatjustmadethenextpartofhisstorya seriousbummer.Hisparentswereunfortunatelystrugglingtomakemoneyandcouldnot fundhismagicaldreams Therefore,theywereincrediblyunsupportiveandshutdownthe ideaofhimgrowinguptobeagreatmagician.

ThePumpkinPrincewasdeterminedandtriedeverything.Hewouldstandonstreet cornersinhiscapeandhatbeggingformoney.Hewouldhandoutflyersatschoolforhis cause,andsomanyotherattemptsweremadetomakehiscareersuccessful. Unfortunately,oncethepumpkinPrincereachedtheageof18,hehadbeentryingto pursuehispassionforsolonghegaveup.ForyearsthePumpkinPrincehatedjoy, happiness,magic,andillusions.Heattemptedtoridhimselfofallhismagicalcharacter traits.Itobviouslydidnotwork.

ThePumpkinPrincesaidthatHalloweenhadalwaysbeenhisfavoriteholiday, whichwasnotsurprisingconsideringwherehegrewupandhisloveformagic.Hesaidthat hehadbeenbottlinguphispassionforthejoyofillusionandHalloweenfunforsolongthat eventuallyhedecidedtochannelhisloveinadifferentway.Theprincehadbeenhomeless forabout5yearsafterheranawayfromhismagichatingfolks.Heeventuallybuiltthis cabinhimself,andthat’swhenhehadthebrightideaofbecomingthePumpkinPrincethat everyoneknowsandlovestoday.Hegotsofedupwithbeingmiserablethataweekbefore Halloweenprior,hestockeduponcandy,expectingtrickortreaters.Noonecame.This madehimincrediblydepressedanddiscouragedonceagain.That’swhenthebrightidea poppedintohishead,tochannelillusionandmagicintothistraditionofdispersingcandy. Theprinceplottedallyearlongonhowtopullthisoffafterhisepicfailure.Hedecidedto

putbannersallovertowninasecretdisguise,hiscape,hat,andamask.ThePumpkin Princestartedwhatthepumpkinsmashisnow

GracieandBrianweredelightedandsadtoheartheprince'struth.Initially,Gracie andBrianhadplannedtobragaboutmeetingthePumpkinPrince,butafterthis interaction,theyhadnourgetodoso.Gracie,Brian,andthePumpkinPrincespenttime talkingafterhisstory.Theyaskedfollow-upquestions,andheevenshowedthemsome magictrickswithsupplieshe’dcollectedovertheyears.RightbeforeGracieandBrianwent togogetthosebagels,heleftthemwithsomewordsofwisdom.Theprincetoldthem “Illusionismeanttobeconfusing Magicismeanttobespectacular.Mischiefismeantto puzzleyou.Don’tgosearchingfortoomanyanswersaboutthingsyoumaynotwantto know.Sometimesthemysteryisthebeautifulpart.”

AnneDever’25

ABird’sEyeView

Fromupabove,theworldlooksbright, Acanvaspaintedinpurelight.

Thecitiesshine,theriversgleam, Itallfeelslikeaperfectdream.

Butzoomingin,youstarttosee, Thatallisnotquiteasitshouldbe.

Theworldbelowiscalmandstill,

Likeglassthatneverbreaksorspills. Withbuildingsbrightineveryhue, Andwatermirrorscatchingyou.

Thesmilesarewide,theeyesarefake, Andunderneath,theheartsjustache.

Fromhighabove,thesky’ssoclear, Theworldseemsperfect,freefromfear.

Butwhenyoustepintothecrowd, Thecracksarereal;theyspeakoutloud.

Thelaughter’sloud,thesmilesarewide, Butdeepinside,thetruthcan’thide.

Itallseemsperfectfromthisheight,

Likestarsthatsparklethroughthenight.

ButasIlandandseeupclose,

Thebeautyfades,thetruthisgross.

Thebuildingblocksofliesarethere,

Tomaketheworldfeelright,butspare.

Fromfaraway,theworld’ssosweet,

Likecandylaidoutonthestreet.

Butwhenyouwalkandfeeltheground,

Yourealizethatthetruthisfound.

Theworldisfake,afragileglass,

Andallitsbeautywillnotlast.

Fromuphere,everythingseemsright,

Likestarsthatsparkleinthenight.

Butcloserstill,Istarttohear

Thewhisperedlies,thehiddenfear.

It’sperfectonlyfromafar,

Butupclose,it’snotwhatyouare.

.

GabriellaGrosso’27

VivianLipsky’26

Toddler,3yearsold

FadingSteps

Istareatmylaceslikesnakesonthefloor

AknotofloopsIcan’texplore

Ipulltootight,thenletitallfree

Shoesonthewrongfeet,Icanguarantee

IsticktoVelcrow,becausethat'sallIknow

So,mymomwalksmetomybus,movingniceandslow

ElementarySchool,6yearsold

Velcrobetraysme,Imustlearnhowtotie

Asmyfriendsfinallysucceed,Ijustsitandcry

Momshowsmeslow,loopoverloop

Itry,thensigh,andthrowtheminaswoop

Fingersfumble,flap,andfall

Butoneday,Iwon'tneedheratall.

Age13,TeenYears

NowIdon’tthink-Ijusttieandgo

Lacestight,whatdoyaknow!

It’ssecondnaturelikeI'mbrushingmyteeth

Iseemybusoutthewindowandletoutasighofrelief

BackpackswingingasIracedownthenarrowdrive

Coldairbitingastinysnowflakesfall,butIfeelsoalive!

Age30,Adulthood

Coffeeinhand,Ikneelbymyson'sside

Hetugsatthelaces,eyesopenedwide

Iguidehishandswithpatienceandgrace

Loopoverloop,webothembrace

Thelaceswhisper,“you’vebeenherebefore”,

AsIrushofftotheofficedoor

Age80,elderly

Istareatmylacesbrainfeelslikemush,

Forgotwhattodo,butthere’snoneedtorush

Mysonkneelsandsays,“Momit'salright,”

loopsthemupquickly,andpullsthemrealtight

Itaughthimonce,backin‘92,

Myhandsforget,buthisneverdo

Age90,Finaldays

Hekneelsagainsosteadyandslow,

ButIforgothisname-Ijustdon’tknow

Hisvoiceisfamiliar,yetstrangeinmyear,

AloveIonceknewnowcloudedwithfear

Mymemoriesareghosts,theyhaunt,andtheyflee

Likeshadowsatdusk,theynolongerfollowme

AveKenefic’27

TidingsofGoodbye

Outside NYC

Iwokeupalone.Iwasalittlebitconfused,usuallyAnneisbymysidewhenIwake up.Ishouldmention,Anneismywife.Sheisthekindest,mostcaringwomanIhaveever known.Soofcourse,whensheisnothome,Imisshermorethansheknows.

Myconfusionwasinterruptedbythecomfortingscentofhotchocolateand pancakes.Anneknowsmefartoowell.Icouldrecognizeherhotchocolateandpancakes anywhere,astheyaremyfavorite.Shemusthaveleftthemformebeforeshescurriedoff thismorning.Isuddenlyheardaknockatmydoor!Sheishome!Great! “Goodmorning,it’s timetogodownstairsandeatbreakfast,”anunfamiliarfacesaidsoftly.

Igetmyslippersonandwalkoutwiththewoman.Ifigureditwasprobablyoneof Anne’sfriendshelpingwhilesheisout.Iwalkdownthewreathcoveredhalls.Thehall smellsofChristmastrees.Thatexplainsit!AnneisoutChristmasshopping,andshemust haveleftmebreakfast.ThewomansitsmedownatmykitchentableandinsistsIeat.But whenItookmyfirstbiteofthepancake,ittastednothinglikemydearestAnne’s. “Did Annechangetherecipe?Thesetastedifferent,andsheknowshowmuchIlovemy pancakes,”Iaskthewoman,pervadedwithdoubt.

Shedoesnotspeakback.Shelookedatme,hereyesfilledwithwhatlookedtobe regret,andputherhandonmyshoulder.Ibrusheditoffanddecidedtocontinuetoeat Anne’spancakesanddrinkhercocoanomatterwhatrecipesheused!Thewomancomes backandtellsmeitistimetogo.MaybeAnnewashome!

New York City, NY

Iwokeupbrightandearly.Ihadatontodotoday.ItwasChristmastimeafterall!I swiftlychangeintosomepresentableclothesandheaddownstairs.Imakesomebreakfast, leavesomeouttoo,andthenIleave.IwasheadedtoTimesSquaretoday,tohitallthebest shops.Ihadsomuchtodo,andsolittletime.Ihadtogetgroceries,Christmasgifts,andget myone-of-a-kindnecklacefixed.Itwasthemostbeautifuldiamondnecklace,andwhatI heldmostsacredtome,itwasmymother’s,anditiscompletelyoneofakind.

Igetmyselfoutofthatreminiscenttranceandgetbacktoreality.Istillhadalotto dotoday.IhopontheSubwaytoTimesSquare.

Outside NYC

Thewomanescortsmetoaspaciousroom,filledwithmyneighbors!Iwasso excited!IthadbeenagessinceIhadseenthemlast.Butmymindimmediatelyflewtothe thoughtofmybelovedAnne.Shewouldnotwanttomissthis.Ihopesheishomesoon,but IknowhowseriouslyshetakesChristmastime,soitcouldbehoursbeforeshereturns.I takemyseatnexttomyfriendDon.“Goodmorning,Don,howareyou?”Iask.“Mynameis Michael,butIamgood,”heresponds.IcouldhaveswornhisnamewasDon,butitwas probablyjustafoolishmistake.Ialwaysmixupfacesanyway.WewerehandedChristmas Carolbingocards.Ijustthoughtabouthowkinditwasformyneighborhoodtohostafun bingogame!ThegamebeginsandIstartoffstrong.Ialreadyhadthreespotsgone,onlytwo leftuntilIcanwin!Ihearanotherfamiliarbeat, “JingleBells,JingleBells…”

IimmediatelyplacedmymarkeronJingleBells.Iaminittowinit!DonorMichael orwhoeverheislooksatmycard,andinformsmethesongwasJingleBells,notJingleBell rock. “IalreadyknowthatMichael,JingleBellsisaclassic!”Isayfilledwithconfusion. Michaellooksdownatmycardagainandpoints,“WellyoumarkedoffJingleBellRock, buddy.”HowcouldImessthatup?Imusthavenotseenthefullsongname.Anotherfoolish mistakeIpresume.IjustwishAnnewereheretocheckmymistakesandpreventthisfrom happening!

New York City, NY

ThefirstthingIdidoncearrivinginManhattanwasgotothebestJewlerIknow.I neededthisnecklacefixed.Iwentinandaskedthemanworkingifhecouldfixthebroken chain.Heassuresmeitisnoproblemandcomplimentsmynecklace,sayingitwasoneof themostgorgeouspieceshehaseverseen.Despitehiscompliment,Iamfilledwithdespair. Itisalwayshardaroundtheholidays.ImakemywayoutoftheJewler,andIfeelmorethan determinedtogetmyerrandsdone,soIcanbehomeatareasonabletime.Iwouldhateto leavemyfamilywaiting.

Outside NYC

Itisnowalittlepastnoon,andthesamewomanhasbeenstickingbymysideall day.IhavetriedaskingwhichoneofAnne’sfriendssheis,butsheremainsunresponsive.I askher,“DidAnneleaveuslunch?”“No,noshedidnot.ButIwouldbehappytomakeyou something,anythingyouwant!” “IjustwantAnnetocomehome,”Irespondwithobvious regretinmytone.“Youwillseeheragain,butrightnowcomewithme.”

Ifollowthewomanintomyfoyerandcatchaglimpseofabeautifullyilluminated Christmastree.Thelightsarerainbows-justhowAnnelikesthem.Theornamentsaregold andsparkling.AnneandIhavealwayslovedChristmastrees,Ijustwishshewerehometo seethisincrediblyfestivetree.ThereisnothingshelovesmorethanChristmasspirit.I noticedthattherewasnostarontopofthetree.AnneandIalwaysaddastar.Thestar.Our star.

Myeyesbegintogetthatwarmfeeling,andmythroatwellsup.Icanfeelthetears thatareyettoexplode,andthenIlookup.Therestillwasnotastar,butanangelinstead.It wasdressedinwhiteandgoldandhadthemosteye-catchinghalo.Theangelremindsme ofAnne.Shetrulyisanangel.Ihopeshewillcomebackhomesoonsoshecanseetheangel too.Iknowhowmuchsheisgoingtoappreciateit.

Thewomannoticedthatmysorrowhadchangedtocontent.Shesmiledatmeand walkedmefurtherdownthehall.WemadeourwaytoAnneandI’sroom.Shehandedmea bagofCandyCanesandtoldmetoenjoymyselfandhavesomealonetime.ButIdidnot wanttobealone.IjustwantedAnnetocomehome.ThatiswhenIgotmygreatidea!I searchedourwholeroomuntilIfoundthebox.TheChristmasbox!IfoundAnneandI’s stockings!Ihungthemfromthecurtainrodandgottowork.Ifilledherstockingwith candycanesandanyotherlittlegoodiesIcouldfind.

Iwentoutintothefoyerandsawajarofcaramels.ThoseareAnne’sabsolute favorites!Igrabahealthyhandfulofthemandheadbacktoourroom.Ifindapieceof paperandgettowriting,justasmallnoteforthewomanIlovemost.ItellherhowIlove hersoandhowIcannotwaitforthisChristmas,andmanymoretocome.

IgotomynightstandandlookatAnneandmyweddingphoto.Shelookedso beautiful.Fromherlusciouslonghairtoheryouthfulsmile,andevendowntothejewelry shewaswearing.IputonourfavoriteChristmasmovie-“It’saWonderfulLife”

IthasbeenourtraditionforaslongasIcanremembertowatchthisclassic Christmastaletogether.Iputitonandbegantowatch,stillwaitingforAnnetocomeback fromherdayout.Afterall,shehasbeenoutallday,shecouldnotbemuchlonger!

Myeyesstartedtofeelheavy,andsomethingfeltveryoff.Iwasalittlealarmedand grabbedthephonetocallAnne,askinghertocomehomenow.Ifeltmysensesbecome lighterandclosemyeyes… New York City, NY

ImademywaythroughthestreetsoftheUpperEastSide,completingallmy shopping!Therewasonlyonethinglefttodo,pickupmynecklace.Iknewitwouldbe difficult,buttheleastIcoulddowaskeepthenecklaceintopcondition.Islowlymademy waytotheshopandstoodatthedoorforlongerthanIshouldhave,completelyparalyzed.I finallyworkupthecouragetoconfiscatemymother’snecklace,despitethenew alterations.IgointotheJewlerandamgreetedbythesameman. “Heretopickupthat sweetnecklaceofyours?”heasksme. Abittakenaback,Irespond,“Yeah,couldIseeit?”

Hepullsitoutandhandsittome.Itlookedexactlythesame.Justliketheoriginal.It wascompletelyunnoticeablethatithadbeenbrokenandfixed.Ifeltsorelieved.Ipaidthe kindmanandthankedhimrepeatedly.Iheldthenecklaceclosetomyheartandwalkedout thedoor.ImustgethomesinceIhadbeenoutallday.Iwouldnotwantanyonetoworry.

Outside NYC

Iamwokenbyanoverwhelmingsenseofrelief,butinaway,Ihaveneverfeltit before.IlookupandseeAnne!Shefinallycamebackhome.Ipracticallyleaptoutofbed andrantogiveherthebiggesthug! “IhavemissedyousomuchAnne.Iamsogladyou camehome!”Iexclaimwithjoyinmyvoice. “Ihavemissed,youtoo;morethanyouknow,” shesayswiththatsameyouthfulsmilethatIfirstfellinlovewith.Ireluctantlyadmit,“I knowyouhaveonlybeenoutforaday,butittrulyfeltlikeaneternitywithoutyou.Iam justgladyouareherenow!”“I’mgladtoo,”shesaid,withoutlookingupatme.Itakeher handandsitherdownonthecouchandturnon“It’saWonderfulLife.”Ittrulyisa wonderfullifeIhavewiththemostincrediblewomanintheworld.

New York City, NY

Iwascompletelyandentirelyserene,enjoyingmywalktotheSubway,butwas interruptedbyaphonecallfromanunknownnumber.Ipickupandamgreetedbyan unfamiliarvoice,“AreyouDon’sdaughter?”themanruefullyasked.Myheartsankallthe waydowntomystomach.Myserenityandcontentmentwereshortlived,tosaytheleast. “Yes,yesIam,”Irespond,“Iamsosorrytohavetotellyouthis,butyourfather,Don, passedawaypeacefullyinhissleepthisafternoon.”

Ihungupthephoneandbegantosob.Iredirectedmywalkandjumpedonthefirsttrain outofthecity.

CourtneyKenefic’26

RavellaSmith’27

Timeisashadow

SandsofInnocence

Strippingusofouradolescenceasathief.

Itwhispersinourear

Andleavesbehindquietgrief.

Newtruthsbroughttomind,

Bringingabouttaintedbelief.

Timeisanhourglassturnedbyfate

Spillingchildhoodthroughitstinywaist.

Oncepureandgolden,

Nowlostinmomentswecannotretrace.

Grainbygrain,

Weslipthroughtimesofembrace.

Itdevoursyearsinseconds,

Abeastwithendlessfeast.

Feedingonourwonder,

Untildreamsaredeceased.

Thewarmcushionofchildhood

Foreverpast,gone,ceased.

Child,yourworldisbright,

Untouchedbyrue.

Youchasethewindwithopeneyes,

WhileIbeartruthsyouneverknew.

O’child,Iwatchwithachingheart,

SomuchIlongtosharewithyou.

Sorun,child,whilethesunstillbeams, Beforeduskstealsyourshininglight.

Chaseyourrecklessdreams.

Thoughtimemaycometoclipyourflight.

Eventhelastgrainmustfall,

Disappearingslowlyintothenight.

ShaunaMcCabe’27

Graveyard

Mymindisagraveyard,hauntedbyallthatoncewas.

Filledtothebrimwiththeghostsofmypast,

AndIkeepthemaroundjustbecause:

Youcan’tbeartoletgoofthegrief,

Whenitbecomestheonlythingyouhaveleft.

Andtimeisamischievousthief,

Thattakesallyouhavewithitshandthatisdeft.

Inonefellswoop,youcanloseitall,

Leavingonlywhatoncewastocushionyourfall.

Allthatisleftofmeismymind’shauntedcall,

Screamingofmeandmyghostsandthetimethatwestall.

Iclingtotheghostsofmypast,

OfwhenIhaditall,andmore.

Sincecrueltimehasleftmeforlast,

Leavingmehere,knockingondeath’sdoor.

Ifeelathomeinmygraveyard,

Atpeacewithonefootinthegrave.

Becausetimehastakenmyoldlifefromme,

Andlexistassurvival'sslave.

Anonymous

ButterflyCatcher

Anhourbeforethewedding.Ihavemyhairdoneinafancy,curvy,swervybun.Athinlayer ofmakeup.Andlast,themostimportant,thelighttealdress.AslightasafeatherwhileI walk,floatinginthewindlikeabutterfly.Ilovedthatdress.ItgavemeconfidencelikeIhad neverhadbefore.Ifoundmywings.Whenwewalkedintothebridalsuite,thefirstthing wesawwasmyauntinherwhitefloraldress.Shelookedamazing.AtthisweddingIwasa juniorbridesmaid,butIfeltlikeafull-grownwoman.Wegotpicturesandthenaworker's headpoppedintellingusthebridesmaidsandjuniorbridesmaidshadtogo.Weallsmiled aswewalkedoutoftheroom.Weallwalkeddownthefrontoftheaisleandstood.

First,thegroomsmenwalkeddownlikeabunchofmiddleschoolbuddies.Thenthe bridesmaids,thefull-grownbutterflies,butnotme.Ihadtowalkallbymyself,justalonely littlecaterpillarcreepingmywaydown.Isuddenlyhaddozensofbutterfliesswarming aroundmyhead,butmydressshooedthemawaylikeyouwouldafly.Ihadnothingto worryabout.Iwalkeddown.Mymomgavemeasubtlesmile,butitfeltlikethelongest walkofmylife.AndthenIgottotheendandspunaroundandsat.Tuckingmydressinlike aladyandturningaroundtoseemybrothercomedownwiththerings.Hejustlookedcute. Afterhehandedofftherings,hesatnexttomeandgiggledsaying,“Why’dyouwalkso fast”.Thenweallwentsilent.

Myunclestood,waiting.Hewassuitedinablackmatvestwithbrownleather suspendersunderneath,aperfectlyfoldedandironedbutton-upwhiteshirt,andformal graypants.Thenwesawher.Shewasgownedinaflowywhitedressthatlookedlikeitwas flyingwheneversheturnedaround.Theintricatedesigns,eachonemoreimpressivethan theonenexttoit.Shehadherwings,andIhadmine.Theyreadeachothertheirvows,put ontheirrings,andsaid“Ido",andwithloveintheairitwastimetoparty.

Theyinterlockedhands,onestepatatime,eachonesogracefulandelegant.When theygazedintoeachother'seyes,theworldstoppedmoving,andeveryonesawhow perfecttheywereforeachother.Theydanced Theyswayedlikenobodywaswatching Theytwirledlikenothingelsemattered,justeachother.

Aftertheslowdanceforthebrideandgroom,theDJencouragedeveryonetothe dancefloor.OnethingIwasinsecureaboutwasdancinginfrontofabunchofpeople.ButI rememberedhowniceIlookedinthemirrorandtookastepoffaith.Iwentout.Ifirsttried tohidemyselfinmycocoonasmuchaspossible,butthensomecolorsstartedtopeek through.

Igotinamode.Iwastheonewhowasinthemiddle.Mywingswerestartingto spread.Everyonewaslaughing,andIconnectedwithsomanypeople.Everyonewas startingtogetexhausted,andthat’swhenme,mymom,mydad,myuncle,andmyaunt werethenewrulersofthedancefloor.Laterinthenight,mydadcameuptomeand whispered,“Idon’tknowwhoyouareorwhatyoudidwithmydaughter,butI’mlovingit.” Wecreatedacircle,andeveryonewasdancingwithoneanother Itouchedmydress,

rubbeditinbetweenmyfingersandlookedup.Smiling,likeabeamofsunlightilluminating thedarkestcornersoftheroom,itfeltlikeIhadenteredanewphaseinmylife.

Iwillneverforgetthisnight.ItwaswhenIconnectedwithmyuncle.ItwaswhenI facedafearthatwasholdingmeback.ItwaswhenIhadthecouragetotakemynetand catchallthenervous,jitterybutterfliesandthentransformintomyownuniquebutterfly.I feltlikeIcoulddoanything,anditwouldn’tmatterallbecauseofthatlighttealdress.Iam nowagreatbigMonarchbutterflywhohasspreaditswingsandlearnedtofly.

KirstenWeiss’28

AnneDever

Echoes

ofaStolenVoice

Donottrusttheperspective. Itlies.

Blindspotsdrowntheirvictims.

Captivatedbyadoorthatlullabies, Invitingyouin.

Withthegrinofalock-sowiseitpraysonyourdemise.

Thesunhereisnotasun.

Itseemsliketheshiningwhiteknight.

Pretendingtooffershade,waitingforyoutoscorch.

Forcingitsvictimtorecite whathasneverbeentaught.

Theforever-threateninglight.

Seehowthekeysdissolveintorobbery?

Howdoestheshadowforgetitsauthenticity?

Eachtapisabetrayal.

Whatareyouifnotpracticingmendicity?

Thesunwillnevercomeback.

You’renothingbutatattooedduplicity.

Theinterrogatorkneelsinfrontoftheshadow

Withhismouthsewnshutwithredthread

Aphilosopher?Afool?

Eventheghostofgissingsisdead.

Chasinglightinanever-endingdarkness.

Theyhopeyoubleed

Fromthethoughtsyouneversaid.

Themirrorcrackswitheveryglance agrintoowide,afacemisread.

Youbarteryoursoulforcircumstance,

KateMcMahon’27

IDon’tKnow.

Theyclamorandask,“Sowhat’syourplan?”

AndIjustsit,blankasaslate.

Icould’vejustgotupandran, Wildandfreefromthisheavyweight.

ButIambandedbythisclan.Idon’tknow.

Theypesterandpesterandpester, Puttingonthesetoweringexpectations.

ButwhenwillIkeepup?Never.

Theypester,peck,andfuelfrustrations,

Diggingatmelikeabrokeninvestor.

Idon’tknow.

“Whereareyougoing?

Whatareyougoingtodo?”

It’sarunningmindthatpoundsandspins.

Imightgokaboomrightoutoftheblue, Lostinaracethatnoonewins,

Itwistandacheforsomekindofclue.

Idon’tknow.

Thisstormisfightingwithmytiredmind, Tryingtosendmethewrongdirection.

AmItrulyrunningoutoftime?

Orjusttrappedinendlessreflection?

WhyamIactingsocompletelyblind?

Idon’tknow.

Surely,I’mjustoverthinking,

No,Ican’tdealwiththisconclusion.

MaybeIcantrysomeforward-thinking,

Butmymindslideswideinconfusion.

Whataretheypossiblythinking?

I JUST DON’T KNOW

SveaMehta’27

KaeleighMorris’28

FogginessintheAirandMind

Aloneinthefoggyroadandinthedark,Istand

Nothingbuttheemptinessoftheworldinmybarehands.

Idwellatthecenter,contemplatingthechoices

Thatwaitattheendofthisroad,allwhileIblockoutothernoises.

Iwonderaboutthefuture,hopeforasign

Ofwherethispathwilltakeme,willIbefine?

Feelingtheweightoftheworldwhileonmytrack

Justlikethepainfulweightofthebagonmyback.

Somanychoicesduringmytravel,

ButwhichmustIavoidtonotunravel?

Thepressureofwhatistocome,

Leaningonme,amItheonlyone?

Choicestobemade,

Choicesmayfade,

Timeisarestriction,

Yetallstillfeelslikefiction.

Idonotknowtherightway,

ButwithGod’shelp,onthisroad,mayIstay.

NeverhaveIfeltsolonely,yetsofree,

Thisnewfeelingthathassuddenlycomeoverme.

Idonotknowwhatthefuturewillhold,

Butletitbeknownthatinit,Iwillbebold.

Betweenthetrees,Itakeonthisadventure,unsure,

IamlikeColumbus,sailingtheocean,noideawhatliesinstore.

Thefoggyroadisstillmyonlyfoe, Butdeepdown,Iknow

Theonlythinghinderingmyfutureandjoyinlife, Ismyowndoubtfulmind,worriedaboutavoidingstrife.

Ineedtonotworryaboutwhatisnotseen,

Becauseafterall,I’monlysixteen…

EmmaMorgan’27

Pure

WinterWhile

Whilemysouldespairsoverthewarmthnolongerintheair,

Mylifebeginstolieinabreezywithdraw

OverthesunInolongersaw.

Son,iswhowecelebrate,andhispurenessbeginstoelevate

Andoursinsarenolongerknown

Astheyhavebeenwashedaswhiteassnow, Claritywashesoverusaswehavebeenforgiven.

Forthetruthliesinourverymission.

Myheartnolongerpounds,mylegscannottremble.

Asthesecuritywehaveinhimisessential,

Takefrommyheartalltheanxietyandallthepain

Forsomeday,weknowyouwillcomeagain.

Yourloveknowsnobounds,andyourheartknowsnoend.

Youtogetherarethefather,thesonandmyfriend.

AbigalThomas’28

WinterPoem

SomebodyoncetoldmeIremindedthemofthewinter

Themostdreadedseasonofall

Thetimefamiliesplantheirvacationstoescape

Myicydemeanorsobigitmakesothersfeelsmall

Depressiondoesthattoaperson

Takesthesummeroutofwhoyouusedtobe

Suffocatinglikethesnow,coldasthewindthatblows

Iamnolongerlikethesun,someonewhoglows

Ihideawaybehindmybedroomdoor

Inthedark,underablanket,hidingfromtheworldIonceusedtoknow

TheNewYeariscomingup

I’mnotsureifthebrightnessthatwasonceinsidemewillcomeback

Ispendmostnightsonmybathroomfloor

DownonmykneescryingouttotheLord

EverynewyearmakesmewonderifIcanhandleanymore

Iseewhypeoplelikethespring,there’snothingtodreadlikethewinteryoucanfindinme

IamaHellebore,aflowerthatbloomsinthesnow

Acrippledwinterrosenoonelikestogrow

Harshconditionssurround,blizzardsandfreezingrain

Whycan’tIjustbeasunflower?Somethingsoplain

Iswinterallbad?DoIbringnojoy?

Whataboutcracklingfiresorabrand-newChristmastoy?

Thejoyofasnowdayorhotchocolatesowarm

How’swakinguptonoschoolbecauseofaviolentwinterstorm?

Wintercanbebeautiful,Iseebeautyinme

Likeabreathoffreshair,sofree

There’scomfortinthecold,behindthelayersofice

Awarmblanketthatwrapsyouup

Likeasweetsoulthat’sjuststartingtoshinebright

God’sgraceseepsthroughmyskin

Mycoldfacadeisfinallystartingtothin

PraisetheLord,theonewhomademewarmagain

~GentlePain,aonethatpassesfromwintertothespringrain

Anonymous

LillianDever

TheIvyofEnvy

Outwardlyjoyfulforyoursuccess,

InsideI’mshatteredanddenying.Yourpiercingvictoryechoesmyshortcomings.

Thesilentcompetitionundying.

Iwishmorethananythingtobe

Theonewithamedalortrophy.

Theyarisefrominsideme

Soswiftandclear;

Theagonizingemotionsof Jealousyandfear.

Youmightbelievemycongratulatinggrin,

Butit’srehearsedtodisguisemychagrin.

Isyourwinmyloss?

Idon’tmeantobeacynic.

Iknowinmyheartofhearts

I’myourfriendnotyourcritic.

WhyamIalwaysthequickesttojudge?

Idon’tthinkI'lleverrelinquishthisgrudge.

Isfailureanassuredsoldier, Inmyconstantinnerwar?

Theconflictmakesmewonder

WhetherIcantakeanymore.

I’malwayscompetingwithyouandmyself.

Thisrivalry,ascab,putsmethroughhell.

Ican’tbelieveyoudidit!

Ican’tbelieveIlost. Wow,weshouldcelebrate!

Myeyesbegintogloss.

IputasidemyprideasIgiveyourtoast, Howdisappointing,Ididn’tevencomeclose.

CourtneyRittler’27

OdetoLifeasanInterjection

HELP!Aninterjection,apleainthedark,

Innocenceshatteredbyastorm’ssuddenspark.

Inaninstant,mychildhoodvanished,disappearedinthinair,

Iworeagrin,likeashieldagainstdespair.

Yet,Ikeptonsmiling

Help,whatdoesitmeantobeaninterjection?

POOF!Aninterjection,asuddenwhisperofexistencebreathes, Anabruptdeparturethatleaves.

Oncewarm,nowcold,yourabsenceashadow,pullingonmyside,

Inaninstant,youvanished,asandcastleinthetide,

Yet,Ikeptonsmiling

POOF!Whatdoesitmeantobeaninterjection?

WOW!Aninterjection,spontaneousandrare,

Asparkignitedfromtheashesofwear.

Myheartleaptforwardbeforethoughtcouldarrive, asmilethatblossomedfromthewreckageofmydeprive.

Yet,Ikeptonsmiling

WOW!Whatdoesitmeantobeaninterjection?

AH!Aninterjection,anemphasisonlife,

Apulseofdiscovery,breathingthroughstrife.

Intheglass,afaceI’veearned,

Astrangernowfamiliar,myownnamelearned.

Yet,Ikeptonsmiling

AH!Whatdoesitmeantobeaninterjection?

BRAVO!Aninterjection,applauseintheair,

Afierceresilience,eachtrialIconqueredfair,

Asmilenowunshackled,nolongeramask,

Butthetall,total,truthofmytriumph,myfreedomatlast.

Yet,Ikeptonsmiling

BRAVO!Odetothelifeofaninterjection.

MeredithSlamm’27

KathleenKudes’26

Ifollowyou

Ikeepwalking,justasyoudodad Ikeepgoing,justasyoudodad. Istayconfident,justlikeyoudad. Istaystrong,justasyoudodad. Istayhumble,justasyoudodad. Istandtall,justasyoudodad. I'mlikeyou,dad.

Iwon'tcry,becauseyousaidnotto,dad. Iwon'tbemean,becauseyousaidnottobe,dad. Iwon'tgiveup,becauseyousaidnotto,dad. Iwon'tstoplearning,becauseyousaidnotto,dad.

Iwon'tbeungrateful,becauseyousaidnottobe,dad Iwon’tmissyou,becauseyousaidnotto,dad.

Mywordscomefromyou,dad. Mystrengthcomesfromyou,dad. Mymindcomesfromyou,dad. Mycouragecomesfromyou,dad. Myeducationcomesfromyou,dad Butmyhurtisgoingtocomefromyoutoo,dad. Doyouknowthatdad?

Iknowit'sforthebetter,dad. Iknowyou’rehappiernow,dad. Iknowyoudoalotforme,dad. Iknowthatyouloveme,dad Youtoldmethatbefore, Itisstilltruethough, EvenifIhaven’thearditinawhile, Right....dad?

Istilllookforyouaftereveryproblem,dad. Istillwanttotellyoumyaccomplishments Istillwanttoupdateyouonmylife. Istillwanttolivewithyou Yourlaughstilllingersinthehouse. Andstill,Imissyou,dad.

Allthat'sleftistheshadowofyou,dad. I'mstillwaitingforyoutocomeback,dad Dad,Ihavenomorestepstofollow. Wheredidyougo,dad?

Dad,Idon'tknowwheretogonext. Ican'tseeyourstepsanymore,dad? Whereareyoursteps?Dad,please Ineedtofollowthemstill... Anonymous

ABundleofJoy

Adayinspringandthesunsohigh,

Notonebirdsoarsthroughoutthesky.

Clearasglassandnocommotioninsight,

Flowersbloomwiththemorninglight.

Asightsojoyousthatsomeonecouldcry,

Aviewonecouldseeonceinafortnight.

Beautyfoundwithinmothernature,

Knownforthemeaningbehindtheirnomenclature.

Theflowersarefeathersinthewindblossominguntamed,free,andwild,

Bringingpleasureandhappinesstoall,evenachild.

Shadesofpinkcatchingtheattentionofstrangers,

Enchantingbystanderswithapresencesomild.

Flowersrustlingasthewindgoes“whoosh,”

Petalsflywhenthecapitulumgetsloose.

Stemssnapwhenpickedfromtheground,

Sometimesmakingaquietsound.

Pink,acolorforthefeelingofgentilityandgracetobeproduced,

Paperandstringusedtowrapthestemsaround.

Thebreezewhisperswhilethepetalsblow, Nowtransformedintoahandheldbeautywrappedinabow.

Oncegrowingvastreducedtoabouquet,

Still,awonderfulsightattheendoftheday.

Theskychangescolorasthesunstartstogetlow,

Thelongingfeelingfillsthedesiretostay.

Oftengiventoshowappreciationandlove, Intentionsshownlikethepurityofdoves.

Adelicatevaseusedtostore, Takencareofeachdayasnottoignore.

Givingthankstotheblessingsabove,

Thesmallthingsreminduslessismore.

FrancescaTrainor’27

KaeleighMorris

Withadarkfaceonthegray,

TheGreatSoulofIndia

Theshuttershuminthemorningwind.

Theportraitisstill,butoverhistwenty-one-daywait.

Thedarkfacehasthinned.

Messagestoturntheothercheek

Tothosewhohavesinned.

Hewasrefusingtotakeuparms,

Refusingtoriseandrefusingtobreak.

“Thewholeworldisblind,”hesaid,

Representingtherightfulstancetotake.

Heresistedthebrokenscaleofjustice

So,hishomewouldnotfallathiswake.

Hestarvedinsilence,firmandpale

Whilehisslowingheartbeatbecameametronome

Ofwhichtheworldignoredeachbeat,

Thecagegivinghimnoplacetoroam.

Nofightsrose,nowardeclared,

Justsilence,somethinghecouldfinallycallhome.

Ashotrangoutthroughthestillcrowd,

Theloudestlegacyintheirhush.

Abulletwassentfromacoward’shands,

Butstilleachpersonfelthismessage’srush.

Forwhenhefell,hismessagerose,

Andhewonabattlewithoutasingletouch.

Hewalksininkandmetaltoday

Andhiswordsarestillwetinthemorninglight.

TheGreatSoulofIndiaisafamiliarface

Ashefightsforfreedomshefeelsareright.

Eachmuraltellsachildto

Raiseuptheirvoiceforacausetheywishtoignite.

Thepaintingcreaksasdayrollsin

Andwhispersthetruthsitholdsinside

Itsmetalslatslikefoldedhands

Thatprayforpeacewherepainresides.

Eventhoughthewallsmayfadeandthepaintmaypeel,

Theshutterwaitsandstillitcries.

GraceWeir’27

TheSilenceofaClock

Oh,theseseconds,howtheytrudge.

Onceskippingby,quickandmerry

Nowtheyhaveaburdentheycarry.

Oh,theseseconds,nowthickerthansludge.

Oncecolorfulandbright,nowfadedinthisdullgraylight.

Oh,thesedays,howtheylumber.

Alifecutshort,athreadnowsnapped,

AnewrealityinwhichIamtrapped.

Ofclockswhodonottickoverlapping,

Hauntingthebackofmymindwiththeabsenceoftheirtapping.

Oh,thesedead,howtheyslumber.

Theirfacesfrozeninahush,

Likeangelsinagraveyard,allsoundsshushed.

Theonlyonesoundisleftbehind,thetickingofmyownclockinmymind.

Oh,thesemonths,howunsteady.

Thestormcloudabovemyheadremains,

Actingasmyinvisiblechain.

Intangible,yetweighingheavilyonmychest,

Myheartbeingsoheavilypressed.

Oh,allthistime,

Iamtoldtomoveon,butIamunready.

Icannotfunction,nortrytothink.

HowcanIbecalledbackfromthisbrink?

Oh,theseyears,howtheyareconcerning.

Theclockshaveblurred,theirfacesnowtwisted, Stillonlyonetickingsoundpersisted.

Oh,theseyears,ofthehandsoftimestillturning.

Whiletheirfeaturesarenowwarpedbeyondrecognition, Theirarmsremainfrozeninthesameposition.

Oh,thesedecadeswhichfeelsogloomy.

Butnowmytimehascomepastdue,

Andnowtheoneclockwillstoptickingtoo.

Oh,thesedecadesspentmourningthepeoplewhoknewme.

Tobeabletoseethemincolorandglory.

Nomoregrayleft,nosadstory.

Andtohavetruesilencedescend.

Alltickingsilencedintheworldinsidemyhead

Westerbeck’27

Sophia

SydneyHrlic’25

LifeisaRoad

HewalkshisjourneywhileIwalkmine.

Nexttoeachother,

Butacrossthoseyellowlines.

WhatifheleavesmeandIamleftalone,

Towalkthisroadthatisnowavine.

Lifeisaroad,

AllIcandoiswalkforwardandforward.

Itstretchesoutandshifts, Makesmegobackwardsandwayward.

AmImakingprogressoristheroadbringingmeawayfromwhatIknow,

Whatisstraightandwhatisshoreward.

Lifeisaroad,

Imakechoiceslikehurdleseveryday.

ButwhichwaydoIgo?

HowdoIstayoutofthefray?

Willheremembermeifwedivergepaths,

OrwillIbecomesomethingfar,faraway?

Lifeisaroad,

Whichkeepsmeonmyown.

It’scanyon-likenature, Willmakemeallalone.

Iseehimrightthere,

ButIambarelyevenshown.

Lifeisaroad, Withtwists,torsions,tugsandturns.

Iamnowstartingtofeel, Somebigconcerns.

DoIfollowmyheartorfollowmymind, Theroadtakesovermeanditdiscerns.

HaileyArnold’27

Rollingwavesofpastelblue,

Whereitstarts,Ihaven’taclue!

Overmyhead,theseagullsflew.

Peaceofmindwillcometoyou

TheGospelofGreed

Inthisplace,ofpleasureandlight,

Allofyourtroubleswillbeoutofsight.

Justonelookatascenesobright,

Healsthesoulsofthecontrite.

Withcloudsofgrayandskiesofpink,

Onewouldneverdaretothink

Thatallthisfadesinjustoneblink.

Forwhenitdoes,myheartwillsink.

ButasIgoaboutmyday,

Iknowmymindwillalwaysstay

Inthatplace,withcloudssogray

KnowntoallasCapeMay.

Cunningham’27

Rowan

KaylaSobieralski’27

Coldwintersnight,youwerealone

TheBeginning

Iwaswithagirlthatyoucalledyourown

Wepickedyouup,anddrovebackhome

LittledidIknowhowthingswereabouttogo

Youwenttotheotherroomandlefttherestofus

Iwasn’tangrythen,butrightnowI’dcauseafuss

Whensheleftiswhenitallbegan,thestoryus

Neitherofusknewityet,butwewouldlosetrust

Thenightwenton,youwenthome

Ididn’tcarethen,butnowIfeelalone

IwishcouldgobacktowhenIdidn’tcareanddidn’tknow

Allthegirlsthatyou’vebeenseeingandtheplacesthatyougo

ButIcan’tgoback,Ican’tturnbacknow

Becausethingswillneverbethesame,tothatIsaywow

BecauseIcan’tforgetyourname,I’vebeentryingtolearnhow

AndtotestamentmypainIwillsayitloudlynow

RuetheNight

Wewalkedthroughyourtownbecauseyousaidyouknewaspot.

Youshowedusaround,andyeahthatwasalot

Itallwentaccordingtoplan,yeahitwasgoingsweet.

Rightupuntilyourfriendsandyouleftmeinthestreet.

Idon'tknowthistownandIdon'tknowtheseroads

Youcould'vewalkedushome,Ithinkthatmuchwewereowed.

Weallsawalittletoomuchofyouthatnight.

Wesawyourhouse,wemetyourmom,anditwasabigdelight.

Onthatnightintheborough

Only14,Ididn’tknow

Whichwasrightandwhichwaytogo

It’sbeenalongnight,dad,canyoutakemehome?

Anonymous

TheBridgeWeBuild

Beneaththebloomingmorningembrace,

Wesetourpaceinlife’sfirstrace.

Theboardsbelow,sosmooth,sowide, Inviteyoungdreamsachievedwithpride.

Curiouscourage,largeandsmall, Welearntostand,andfeartofall.

Thegoldenrailsoneitherside,

Likeopenarms,theystretchoutwide.

Likeanchorsbuiltfromparents’care,

Theyguideusforwardthroughteenagedare.

Eachfootstepsounds,ayouthfulpace,

Halfpassionandhope,halfstartingtherace.

Thetowersrisetallerwitheachstride, Likemilestonesstandingsidebyside.

Theywhisperwordsthroughsolidstone,

Offindingstrengthwhenwe’realone.

Theirarchesechohopesonceshy,

Nowdaringhearts,reachingthesky.

Eachcable’spull,agray-steelthread,

Ameshofchoicesgentlyspread.

Welearntobalanceregretandlove, Shapingthestoriesthatweareproudof.

Thoughtensionsrise,andskiesturngray, Thebridgeholdsfirmtolightourway.

Hereinthecenter,abeautifulsight,

Wegazetoboththeleftandright.

Theskylinestands,amirroredsoul,

Reflectingyearsthatmadeuswhole.

Eachshadowservesalessondeep, Eachsunriseonewelongtokeep.

Andstillwerun,thoughstormsmaycall, Withslowersteps,stillstandingtall.

Werun,werun,wedonotcease, Eachfootstepflyingwiththebreeze.

Thebridgebehind,markedwithjoyandstrife,

Thisisourstory,ourjourneyoflife.

BrennaTomsky’27

LillianDever

Mission Statement

RootedintheCatholicfaithandcharismofMercy, GwyneddMercyAcademyHighSchooleducates,inspires, andempowersyoungwomentobemercifulinspirit, innovativeinthought,andcourageousinleadership