The Arrow
Hackley Middle School Literary Magazine
Spring 2018
Established 2015
The Literary & Art Magazine of
Hackley Middle School 293 Benedict Avenue Tarrytown, NY 10591
Spring 2018
Table of Contents
____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Cover Piece: Target - Emma J. ‘22
Jellyfish - Charlotte R. ‘24...........................................1 “Ocean Waves” - Allison R. ‘24..........................................2 Flower in Hair - Alessia S. ‘25 & Abigail B. ‘25...........3 Description of “Fontaine Sacrée”- Sophia K. ‘24................ 4 Eye of the City - Amy K. ‘23........................................5 “Where I’m From” - Suka N. ‘25.........................................6 Sneaker Sketch - Kylie O. ‘24......................................7 “Pain” - Vincent C. ‘24........................................................8 “Fabric and Seamstress” - Afsana D. ‘23......................9 “Fabric and Seamstress” continued...................................10
Texture - Giulia S. ‘25................................................11 Texture continued.............................................................12 The Coast Seemed Endless - Willow Q. ‘23................13 “Early Summer Morning” - Lillian B. ‘24...........................14 Singing in the Rain - Hannah G. ‘23..........................15 “Rain” - Talia T. ‘24...........................................................16 Texture 2 - Afsana D. ‘23...........................................17 “The Hall”- Aniketh A. ‘24................................................18 Spinner Project - Rowan P. ‘24..................................19 Spinner Clue Set...............................................................20 “The Meaning of Life” - Callie D. ‘24........................21 “The Meaning of Life” continued......................................22
Landscape with Trees - Claire E. ‘24..........................23 “Waiting” - Fernanda P. ‘25..............................................24 Braids - Ella E. ‘24...................................................25
“Playtime”- Sophia K. ‘24................................................26
Fishing - Alexander B. ‘22.........................................27 “Grill” & “Ricky’s” - Ella E. ‘24.........................................28 Sneaker Print - Sophia P. ‘23.....................................29 “The Final Countdown” - Cydnee C. ‘24..........................30 Figure - Cam G. ‘24..................................................31 “Where I’m From” - Ava M. ‘25........................................32
War - John E. ‘22......................................................33 “Free” - Christian W. ‘22...................................................34 Locket - Annabelle G. ‘22........................................35 “Review of Kendal...” - Fox Q. ‘25 & N’Darri P. ‘25..........36 Stencil Study - Elizabeth D. ‘25................................37
“Broken” - Cam G. ‘24 & Aiden W. ‘24............................38
Tiger - Zachariah Y. ‘22............................................39
“Cats” - Sophia K. ‘24......................................................40
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Calligraphy - Emily R. ‘23............................................41 “Where I’m From”- Lucia B. ‘25....................................42 Triple Self-Portrait - Michael L. ‘22................................43 “Fire” - James G. ‘24 & “Clocks” - Ashley C. ‘24...........44
Equal - Ameera S. ‘22...................................................45 “‘Amen!’” - Jael N. ‘25..................................................46 Mountain Lake - Sophie R. ‘24.....................................47 “Where I’m From” - Nina Z. ‘25....................................48 Snowflakes - Brooke M. ‘25..........................................49 “The Creak” - Harper K. ‘24..........................................50 Self-Portrait - Angel A. ‘23.............................................51 “Clocks” - Ashley C. ‘24................................................52
Jellyfish
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Charlotte R. ‘24
1
Ocean Waves
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Allison R. ‘24 Woosh, Woosh I hear when I fall asleep I hear when I wake up I hear on my happiest days The ocean crashing onto the shore The ocean hitting my feet The calming noise is my music that I Close my eyes to every night The waves are the sound of summer ringing in The opened windows. The sound that makes me smile. The sound that I miss the most throughout the year. The ocean, the soul of the sea and my relaxing background music made by nature. As I hear the ocean crashing, it is hard not to smile. As I hear the ocean crashing, I think of all the amazing summer memories. As I hear the ocean crashing, I can feel my heart smiling and my bones racing with excitement. As I hear the ocean crashing, I gently close my eyes and fall asleep, Knowing that tomorrow will be another amazing day that the ocean will lead me to.
2
Flower in Hair
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Alessia S. ‘25 & Abigail B ‘25
3
Description of “Fontaine Sacrée”
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Sophia K. ‘24 For History, we had to invent a fictional town. My partner Cole S. and I invented the town “Fontaine Sacrée”, and it was built around a fountain. It is a very small, walled city in France, in the region of Languedoc-Roussillon, and its founder is Nicolas Bonnet. The perspective is from a man moving into Fontaine Sacrée who is exploring the town. He enters the vast forest-like orchard behind the Bonnet’s manor, and sees these girls.
I then continue exploring the town, entering the orchard behind the manor. I walk in, and see the rays of sun piercing through the canopy of the trees. I smell the flowers and the sweet aroma of the leaves. I see women collecting flowers, and hear giggling and singing. I see a group of young girls laughing and chatting as they braid flowers into each other’s hair. One of them is weaving a basket, and telling stories about a soup they cooked or their little brothers. The little girls laugh and stand up, waving to me. The they run away, laughing and gossiping about who knows what.
4
Eye of the City
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Amy K. ‘23
5
Where I’m From
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Suka N. ‘25 I am from pages from Clorox and Burlington. I am from bricks and panes, rough and crowded. It felt like tears, the ones dripping down my cheeks. I am from the trees, the dirt, the blossoms of life that sit in the ground. I’m from the prizes and words, from sister to father to brother. I’m from the television and talking, words of encouragement. From don’t cry and you will go far. I am from God and the things that He created. I am from Nigeria, with the smell of pepper and spice bursting your senses. From the leaving and the words that were never said. The stress and pain and tears my family has endured. I am from the graffiti and the words and pages of life itself. This is me, the things that make me who I am. This is me and you can never take that away from me.
6
Sneaker Sketch
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Kylie O. ‘24
7
Pain
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Vinent C. ‘24 The first time you bought me I was so happy, I was out of the store and it was autumn. I love autumn. The first time you put me on I felt like a shoe when it is being tried on, I was finally useful. When we got to practice I was happier than Lebron James when he won his first championship. Then I realized what my horrible purpose was, to protect you when you get tackled. I closed my eyes because I was so scared, and then it hurt like nothing else, worse than breaking every bone in your body because I had no protection. I could hear the screams of the other pads too, louder than a full speed Lambo. When you went in to tackle somebody else, I thought it would feel good but that hurt even more. Every practice and game I was as scared as somebody who is about to fight Floyd Mayweather in a boxing match. My first winter I was so happy that I would not be getting hurt, but after a week I was as lonely as someone stranded in the desert all alone. But then I realized that I had a purpose now, to help you play, me, instead of all the other pads back in the store.
8
Fabric and Seamstress
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Afsana D. ‘23
Fabric I believe That everyone Is a unique square of fabric A 4 by 4 square No one is more No one is less. See the thing about the fabric is, Everyone’s is different. Like we are. Each strand that makes them Is different. Some are glowing, Some are dull. Some sparkle in the daylight Others in the moonlight. Some have images on them Others don’t. But lately i’ve noticed something frightening About these squares; they’re unraveling. They’re falling apart. Either some other squares try To pull the others strands Or the squares Just pull on it themselves Almost as if They want to leave. 9
They want to go. Some are slowly Losing their light Losing the sparkle That makes them special Some are getting new strands And no one knows how to deal with it. We need to look around With a needle in hand And help these squares Get back together Help them fix things up We can’t lose them They may be changing But they shouldn’t go because of that. These squares are changing.
Fabric and Seamstress, continued
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Seamstress I think that We should all Be seamstresses. We should all Help The others We should all Patch things up For the better. I know that I Am trying to be a seamstress. But it cannot Just be me. The world is changing There are more colors on the wheel I may not have one of them But I want to help those who do. Make them feel comfortable In our community Make them feel included. These squares are changing. I’m trying to keep up with it
Will you? 10
Texture
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Giulia S. ‘25
11
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12
The Coast Seemed Endless
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Willow Q. ‘23 “Many parts of Hawaii are wild and untamed, like this beach covered with rough lava rock. For me, it just added a rugged beauty to the experience. I saw more of this incredible view for a good twenty miles while biking; the coast seemed endless.”
13
Early Summer Morning
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Lillian B. ‘24
My eyes open softly, I am comfy in bed. My ears follow the sound of the chugging lobster boats Early in the morning. It lets me know that it is summer, and I am truly home. As I become more and more awake, The chugging grows more and more faint. I hear the seagulls screeching right behind the fishing boat. The chugging becomes so faint and it stops, The screaching, the chugging are all far in the distance. I close my eyes and fall back asleep to the soft, refreshing sound Of the waves, each wave sounding different than the last. I am soon to be awoken again by the sound of, Mooommm, I want chocolate chip pancakes coming from my sisters.
14
Singing in the Rain
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Hannah G. ‘23
15
Rain
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Talia T. ‘24
Something has really upset the clouds For they are crying hard, Their heavy tears engulf us Though we try to wash them away. Wish wash wish wash the cars push them away, Swish swash swish swash the gutter sucks them below It is like a river leaked and spilled from above the sky. But here inside a warm wood house We are simply at peace. The soft brown wood is kind as it absorbs the tears with ease. It listens to all the reasons they cry, Then soaks it up like a sponge, And finally it calls for a tissue To dry the tears away. The sun is out, the clouds can rest, all traces of tears are dry, And finally there is peace in the quiet darkening sky. For very soon the moon will come And spread her hopeful light, And then we all can rest at last, The whole world a bed of sleep.
16
Texture 2
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Afsana D. ‘23
17
The Hall
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Aniketh A. ‘24 I sat, staring at the majestic, one-hundred thirty year old hall that loomed over me, A sign of recognition and professionalism for only the few that are granted the opportunity, Massive audiences sat on the five different levels available, Sitting and listening attentively, as philharmonics, symphonies, and soloists played works of art Beautifully architected and an art of perfection, Dazzling gold lights irradiate every section, Magnificent and grand, with gold carvings and important small details, A lavish and ornate glass-and-crystal chandelier dangles over thousands of well dressed Men and womenTen years later, I now sit on a black, leather piano bench, Soft, cushioned, and comfortable, In front the same audience that I used to be in, Nerve wracked and filled to the brim with adrenalineHowever, I remain confident A long, stressful silence arose and the classical music began, The texture of the ivory keys was as smooth silk, While the dynamics of the clavier were astounding All proving to me one thing That the beautiful and majestic Stern Concert Hall was and is a ride of a lifetime!
18
Spinner Project
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Rowan P. ‘24
19
Spinner Clue Set
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Rowan P. ‘24
20
The Meaning of Life
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Callie D. ‘23
From the perspective of a 100 year old women, during her final moments I can still taste the Earl Grey Tea Throughout my mouth My cousins’ smiles As I remember the last trip to London When they see me come through the door Boiling water twisting down my throat Covering my body with a warm blanket How could I have been so stupid? And not letting go until I was ready Thinking all of this was fake? Now I’m laying in a bed Oh and the music I heard All awake. My first and last concert Both in one night Just one more call, is all I need Now Bruno Mars’s Marry You is ringing in my ears Just one last dance, around the tree And I can still sing the chorus How does the time escape? When life has let me down It was twine between my fingers And I need some cheering up I was in control Decisions were easy The Twenty Fifth scene in my comic book When I was a girl With The Lasso Of Truth wrapping around My hands and feet are gone Savoring moments Then my limbs Then letting them go And my body has disappeared And building some new ones Never to be found Ready to show Ever again That this is who you are Even though it isn’t When did I realize? But is it? Was it that last cup of soup, Or the final bite of ice cream cake? And I’m the only one to know The time I jumped off the diving board Too old to say a word Or the goal I scored during soccer? My head is exploding I’ll give anything to get it back I need to try To remember all of it The meaning of life is simple My sister’s 3-pointer Much simpler than you know My brother’s tennis serve It’s easy to find - so close your eyes My dad’s sports advice Just imagine My mom’s hugs All those happy moments
21
The Meaning of Life, continued
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And don’t forget the sad ones Without the sad ones, there can be no life That the meaning of life You may want to bury them Is not just what you make it Before I can see It’s what you do with it But they mean something also It’s how you live So don’t forget they are there And as my light now burns out I will use the last of my strength to write As for the happy Let them glow within you “I don’t care what you do,” And help you smile My grandma once told me. Day to day “Make sure that you’re happy, And that’s all I ask” Now before my light burns out I need to tell you this In those last moments I had with her All the books you read about the meaning of life She opened my eyes to see They are right if you make them The meaning of life Really matters to me All the people who tell you there is no meaning to life And now I know what the answer is And you should just live And I hope you do too They are right too Good luck with the world And I’ll see you soon You are so young And do not know The wonders life has put before you All you need Is yourself And your friends And your family And your pets And your teachers And other children Just like you If you use this knowledge It will be easy to find
22
Landscape with Trees
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Claire E. ‘24
23
Waiting
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Fernanda P. ‘25 The sun beating on us While waiting for the special sound My mom tapping her mug Impatiently while waiting. We wait and wait. Finally a quiet peck, Then another. Then a whole chorus Of the woodpecker, Pecking our tree We sit happily At the thought of The nice warm day And the soothing Sound.
24
Braids
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Ella E. ‘24
25
Playtime
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Sophia K. ’24 My name is Rebecca Roy, and I live in a small house with my mother, father, and grandmother. I always had this doll. It was...interesting. My grandmother gave it to me for my twelfth birthday, three days ago, and I always keep it on the rocking chair in the corner of my room. It had twelve different lines that it could say, seemingly normal ones, like, “Want to braid my hair?” and “Come play with me!” that it would say if I pressed its hand. It had deep brown, almost black eyes, and shiny blond hair. It always had this innocent smile on its face, and this gentle look in its eyes. Little did I know that that face hid a demon… My family had invited company over, they were family friends. My mother asked me to show them a new toy my mother had gotten me for my birthday. I was always creeped out by the idea of walking around upstairs in the dark with the light turned off; it always creeped me out. I deci ded to master my fear that day and I started walking upstairs. The stairs creaked with every step making the hair on the back of my neck bristle. I was scared, and I wanted to get over with this. I walked into my room and seeing everything still in its place, I sighed with relief. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. I quickly got the toy, and whispered to myself, “That wasn’t so hard, was it now?” I started opening my door to hear an unfamiliar voice sing, “I can run faster than you can…,” I froze. The voice sounded disembodied and haunting; its message echoed in my ears, creepily. The voice said it again, this time however, it was louder. I identified it to be the voice of my new doll on the rocking chair. Huh, strange. That’s not one of her lines. I had tested her out when I got her, pressing her hand twelve times to hear all of her lines, and I had never heard this one. I looked at her, looking for any way to explain what had happened. Nothing moved, nothing had even touched her hand. Even the rocking chair was still. Maybe the doll is broken, maybe I just missed that line, maybe she was possessed? “Wait, where did that thought come from?” She can’t be possessed, ghosts aren’t real! The voice spoke again, even louder this time. That was all it took for me to take off running. I ran as fast as I could, down the creepy stairs to the table where my mother sat. “Honey,” she said, “What took you so long?” “Nothing mother, I was just looking for the toy, and here it is,” I responded. 26
Fishing
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Alexander B. ‘22
27
Haikus
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Ella E. ‘24
Grill Snapping, crackling,
pop The smell of fish and steak Grilling during summer
Ricky’s Makeup and flip flops Right next to the candy store For a birthday treat
28
Sneaker Print
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Sophia P. ‘23
29
The Final Countdown
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Cydnee C. ‘24
There she was standing with the ball In her hands like a deer in headlights The clock was a ticking time bomb That decides the ending outcome The rainbow of colorfully clothed people in the crowd Was tense with anticipation Suddenly she felt a wave of courage come over her Like an electric shock Her bright red and blue uniform was suddenly Running down the court with lightning speed The smooth tan wood squeaking under her feet As she stopped the ball flew into the air Swishhh! The ball went in with the sound of a popped bottle cap She has won the game for her team
30
Figure
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Cam G. ‘24
31
Where I’m From
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Ava M. ‘25
I am from Sony and Dove I am from the highest porches, Calm and cozy I felt the fresh breeze I am from the basil plant The purple plant, Long and tall I’m from the present opening and tall people From Dad, Grandpa George, and Mom I’m from the Saturday movies and the fancy dressers From Dance girl, you go! I’m from Buddhist and Christians I’m from Canada, Barbados, and NYC Crepes and rice and beans From the sweet voices of my mom saying, Sit down. The taste of my dad’s food Pictures in albums on the bookcase All these pictures tell my story from before I was born to this very moment.
32
War
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John E. ‘23
33
Free
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Christian W. ‘22 I thought that I was free I thought that you were free I thought that we were free I thought that I could be who I want to be and do what I want to do I thought that you wouldn’t stop me I thought that I could stop myself I thought that you would help me I thought that I could win I thought that you would be different from everybody else I thought that you were on my side I thought that I could love who I want I thought that I wouldn’t be judged by who I am on the outside I thought that I wasn’t alone I thought that I wouldn’t drown.
34
Locket
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Annabelle G. ‘22
35
Review of Kendall Ackelson Tween Extraordinaire
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Fox Q.’25 & N’darri P. ‘25 Moving… Bullies… Friends… Love… Family?... “We fell asleep looking at the stars.” -Kendall Ackelson Tween Extraordinaire By: Madison Smith
36
Stencil Study
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Elizabeth D. ‘25
37
Broken
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Cameron G. ‘24 & Aiden W. ‘24 A broken Gudetama egg Has a Gudetama, A broken Gudetama egg will make me super dead, I am a Gudetama in a fluffy egg, Under the covers of my comfy bed, especially on Saturdays, Gudetamas have tiny legs and even smaller heads, When I’m in my bed I’m lazy as Gudetama In his egg, and then there’s summer, which is another story for another time.
38
Tiger
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Zachariah Y. ‘22
39
Cats
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Sophia K. ‘24 Gold in the distance A fire in its glare A Lion prances up a hill Everyone beware Its claws and teeth will rip to shreds Anything in its way Its roar a scream of ferocity Echoing through the savannah Alone the Tiger prowls Deep inside the jungle The Tiger’s gleaming golden eyes And stripes show that it’s there It hunts alone with speed and strength A fearsome enemy A glistening streak of gold and black Will catch up with all It’s rather small and nimble With a coat of pure spun gold Its teeth contrast like ivory Its claws are black as thorns The Cheetah glistens with heat in the dry savannah
40
Calligraphy
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Emily R. ‘25
41
Where I’m From
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Lucia B. ‘25 I am from hot glue From Elmers and Crayola I am from the hardwood kitchen floor Shining, polished It looked like caramelized oranges I am from the snowdrops The homegrown tomatoes That we grew every year I am from friendship and freckles From Nico and Camille And Christopher I am from imperfection And almost always late From “make good choices.” And “eat more kale.” I’m from no particular religion And no sugar added I’m from Eastchester Road and New England Mashed potatoes and gnocchi From the cancer that my brother survived The chameleon my sister drew Baby pictures in dusty albums I am from hanging out with high schoolers in first grade.
42
Triple Self-Portrait
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Michael L. ‘22
43
Fire
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James G. ‘24
The fires crackle In the shackle of moonlight, Sparks fly in the air.
44
Equal
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Ameera S. ‘22
Amen!
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Jael N. ‘25 As I grew up in a religious community It’s hard to be set free Especially when your ancestors fought for their rights But still had to pay the price One thing they had to look up to The God who protects me and you That’s why I scream “Amen” Because it can show were we have been.
46
Mountain Lake
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Sophie R. ‘24
47
Where I’m From
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Nina Z. ‘25 I am from Piano From Crepes and Nutella. I am from the big white house. Square, quiet. It felt peaceful and calm. I am from the apple trees, The wild raspberry bushes that I ate from all summer. I’m from the Thanksgiving parties and Passover dinners. From Ross and Irina and Dora. I’m from playing soccer and watching movies. From “You’re in charge” and “no more watching.” I’m from Hanukkah and lighting the menorah candles. I’m from Russia, Matzah and Babka. From the fishing trips on the small motor boat, And sitting by the fire. They come from my memory. I am from those moments. This is who I am. This is where I’m from.
48
Snowflakes
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Brooke M. ‘25
49
The Creak
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Harper K. ‘24
the creak of a rocking chair on a December evening the flip of a page of a book by Terry Pratchett is comforting
50
Self-Portrait
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Angel A. ‘23
51
Clocks
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Ashley C. ‘24
The world is like a clock. It ticks and tocks. It always changes. But what you make of your time is your own personal decision.
52
Credits
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Special Thanks to:
Cyndy Jean, Middle School Director Brad Walters, Assistant Middle School Director Dr. Richard Robinson, English Chair
Faculty Editors:
Jessica DiFalco & Monica Carrier
Faculty Supporters: Jennifer Louros Oshon Temple
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Hackley School 293 Benedict Avenue Tarrytown, NY 10591