2020 Equinox

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EQUINOX

ISSUE 4 . SPRING 2020 The harvey middle school literary magazine

​Cover art by annissa khanna

EQUINOX

ISSUE 4 . SPRING 2020 The harvey middle school literary magazine

EQUINOX STAFF Senior Editors Annissa Khanna Cole Hamlin

Editors Dr. Byrne Mrs. Lombardi Dr. Moser

Faculty Advisor Dr. Moser

Head of Middle School Dr. Byrne

Head of School Mr. Knauer

Special Thanks to: Dr. Byrne, Dr. Metz, Mrs. Matero, Ms. Dineen, Mr. Schursky, Mrs. Lombardi, and Mr. Wahlers

EQUINOX Is a publication of The Harvey Middle School 260 Jay Street, Katonah, NY 10536 914.232.3161

table of contents Hope is Growing Up, ​Ellie Florin… ​ ……………………………………………………………..1 Springtime, ​Nick Ritenis​………………………………………………………………………….3 Hope,​ Iliana Hellinger… ​ ………………………………………………………………………....3 Venus, ​Annissa Khanna​…………………………………………………………………………..4 Where I am From, ​Lucien Fried​………………………………………………………………….6 The Light, ​Meaghan Sullivan​…………………………………………………………………….7 Hope,​ Riannah Wallach… ​ ………………………………………………………………………..8 The Pool, ​Ryan Dey​………………………………………………………………………………9 I Am From, ​Jordan Grady… ​ …………………………………………………………………….11 ¿Qué Hiciste?​,​ Iliana Hellinger​……………………………………………………………….11 Hope springs eternal, ​Eliza Morris​……………………………………………………………....13 The Fog, ​Charlie Hill​…………………………………………………………………………….14 Nature Walk, ​Sonia Espitia​………………………………………………………………………16 Another Day Here, ​Logan Alexander… ​ …………………………………………………………17 Where I’m From, ​Jonathan Bailey… ​ ……………………………………………………………18 Everyone in our family has different eyes, ​Lily Hamlin… ​ ……………………………………....18 Beautiful, ​Talya Langer… ​ ……………………………………………………………………….19 Contrast, ​Ryan Byrne… ​ ………………………………………………………………………….20 “Queasy”/”Dazed,” ​Helen Katis​…………………………………………………………………21 Nature poems, ​Jordan Collins, Peter Hill, and Maeve Lazzaro… ​ ………………………………22 Track the Puck, Butterfly, Up, ​Richard Sullivan​………………………………………………...23 Social Distance Ghost, ​Maeve Lazzaro​…………………………………………………………..24 “Daze of School,” ​7th grade English class​....................................................................................25 Spring, ​Cade Gilligan​……………………………………………………………………………26 I am From, ​Logan Alexander… ​ ………………………………………………………………….27 Hope, ​Shelby McCaine​…………………………………………………………………………..28 My Backyard, ​Jordan Collins… ​ ………………………………………………………………...29 Hope is in the mind, ​Matthew Egelberg… ​ ………………………………………………………31 Bradley’s eyes,​ Emma Lederer… ​ ………………………………………………………………..32 ¿Qué Hiciste?​,​ Princess Golden​………………………………………………………………32 Robert, ​Meaghan Sullivan​……………………………………………………………………….34 Hope, ​James Carlton​…………………………………………………………………………….35 Pack, ​Alexa Williams​…………………………………………………………………………….36 Hope is an optical illusion, ​Gabriella Santiago​………………………………………………….39 The Catskills, ​Sonia Espitia… ​ …………………………………………………………………...40 Hope Is Comparable to a Rainbow, ​Bobby Callaghy​……………………………………………41 Boyhood, ​Ellie Florin… ​ ………………………………………………………………………....42 Ending Middle School, ​Gabriella Santiago… ​ …………………………………………………..45

art Shoe, ​Charlie Hill​…………………………………………………………………………………2 Bicycle, ​Talya Langer​……………………………………………………………………………..3 Flowers, ​Annissa Khanna… ​ ………………………………………………………………………5 Evergreens, ​Annissa Khanna​……………………………………………………………………...6 Self-portrait, ​Cole Hamlin​……………………………………………………………………...…7 Point of View, ​Ryan Byrne​………………………………………………………………………...8 The Joker, ​Ryan Byrne… ​ ………………………………………………………………………...10 Apples,​ Lily Hamlin… ​ …………………………………………………………………………...12 Sunset, ​Talya Langer… ​ …………………………………………………………………………..13 Wander More, ​Charlie Hill… ​ ……………………………………………………………………14 Sculpture, ​Meaghan Sullivan… ​ ………………………………………………………………….16 Times Square, ​Matthew Egelberg… ​ ……………………………………………………………..17 Outside, ​Eva Veneable… ​ ………………………………………………………………………...19 Virtuoso Playing Cards,​ Avery Kahn… ​ ………………………………………………………….20 Backyard, ​Annissa Khanna… ​ …………………………………………………………………...21 Spring photos, ​Christiana Greene​……………………………………………………………….22 Mask, ​Maeve Lazzaro​……………………………………………………………………………24 Jamaica, ​Bailey Gans… ​ ………………………………………………………………………….26 Sculpture, ​Ryan Dey​……………………………………………………………………………...28 Dog, ​Ryan Byrne… ​ ……………………………………………………………………………….30 Nighttime street, ​Matthew Egelberg… ​ …………………………………………………………..31 Kit Kat, ​Ryan Byrne​……………………………………………………………………………...33 Food Cat, ​Natalie Delessio​………………………………………………………………………34 Archer, ​Charlie Hill… ​ …………………………………………………………………………...35 Looking forward, ​Ryan Byrne… ​ ………………………………………………………………...38 Down by the river side, ​Talya Langer​…………………………………………………………...40 Crooked Sunset, ​Ryan Byrne… ​ ………………………………………………………………….41 Rose, ​Annissa Khanna… ​ ………………………………………………………………………...44 Cover art by ​Annissa Khanna

Hope is Growing Up

By Ellie Florin

We were the age of Nickelodeon, of iPods, DVDs. We were Avril Lavigne, One Direction, frosted tips.

Silly Bandz down our arms, Hannah Montana, crocs.

Everything kept moving.

We went from The Gap to Urban Outfitters, from toy stores to cell phones.

Nikes to high heels, the Bachelor.

Movie dates and new friends, sneaking out, missing school.

We were the age of Razor scooters and training wheels.

Riding down the driveway as our parents watched.

We were the age of being afraid, but it was okay.

Mom’s kiss and a band-aid made it better.

We went from a world of make believe to the real thing.

Hope is growing up.

Hope is an idea for a better future.

Hope is a child, young and free.

Hope is a teenager, embarrassed and mean.

Hope is graduating high school, getting into that college, not getting into the other one.

Hope is buying a house, becoming a parent, watching your children grow up.

Hope is finding things you love to do and doing them.

Hope is always moving and always changing.

Hope is growing up.

When the training wheels came off, pain didn’t go away so quickly anymore.

We were the age of Team Edward or Team Jacob, low-rise skinny jeans, Xbox. We moved on from Dora to Drake and Josh, from stickers to YouTube.

We became ashamed of the children we once were, ripping out diary pages and old yearbook photos.

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By Charlie Hill

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Springtime

Hope

By Nick Ritenis

By Iliana Hellinger

Nick, riding his bike, Watching the flowers and trees On this nice, spring, day

Hope is the moon Coming out at night Out of the cold darkness You see the warm light

Watching the trees bloom, A squirrel and a chipmunk, It is now springtime

If you can’t see it Look a little harder It will appear It feels like an honor

When I walk outside, The cold air rushes past me, Rushing, rushing, GONE

When the sky becomes bright again You know your in a good place Because you can feel the sunshine Right on your face.

​ By Talya Langer

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Venus

By Annissa Khanna I have a silver necklace with seven dangling stars that I wear every day around my neck.

Usually people do that kinda thing if their great grandmother gave them a hand-me-down, or if your aunt passed away giving you a 16th birthday gift, or if someone special gave it to you, sparking memories of your past.

I wear it because I am trying to create those memories.

The star Venus is right above my house.

Sometimes I wonder what happens during those hours when we are all asleep, sometime before the break of dawn but after the hours where the kids on the Cul-de-sac are done filling the neighborhood with laughter. Sometime before the day brings what it brings, but after we have a chance to see it for ourselves.

Sometime before the next morning when the sun rises.

And when the sun rises, we all ask ourselves what we want to do today, what we can expect of ourselves, why we will have to make each choice for those who can't make those choices for themselves.

Why we have to do what we have to do.

And when that answer comes into our minds, we are in full control of what we are capable of, whether we want to make it a good day or a great day, a bad day or an exciting day, because the stars still come back every night, watching us with our eyes on the ceiling, revisiting our day, week, month, our lifetime.

Eventually, whether it be for hours or minutes, we visit wherever we have to go to put us to sleep, and enter what we can never quite figure out.

Our subconscious.

An all knowing, yet unknowing place which we all seem to search for hours a day without realizing it. A place where each of us runs away from, longs for, and wonders about. A place where we can't go back to during our conscious times, possibly as a blessing in disguise.

A place we wake from every morning, writing everything we remember until our brains hurt so we can go back and find answers.

Find answers so we know what questions to ask.

Ask questions to find what test to take.

Find what test to take to figure out what you are up for.

What you stand for.

You wake up at the break of dawn so that you can remember what you stand for. You wake up at the break of dawn and make a choice of what you expect of yourself, and you wake up at the break of dawn to find out what the day has to bring.

You wake up at the break of dawn so you can find your center, and balance yourself.

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You wake up at the break of dawn so you can smile and be proud of yourself for how far you've come.

For me, I look up at the sky to where Venus was the night before, because even if I can't see it, I know it's there giving the whole world strength.

Then I look into the mirror and stare deep into my reflection.

At least I can look myself straight in the eye, knowing that the stars will always bring something new, and trust myself that I know where I'm going.

by Annissa Khanna

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Where I am From ​By Lucien Fried I'm from the elements, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful.

I'm from the oil mines in Texas I'm from the murky waters filled with gar of mighty Mississippi.

I'm from rock, dirt, and water I'm from the stream lined with clay and filled with frogs fish and turtles Im from my ten speed bike, and rod I'm from the blue canvases with fluffy dots we call the sky.

I'm from the fields that ripple like waves in the wind I'm from the mountains in the north with the steep climb and rewarding sky.

I'm from New York and baseball, snow, and skiing I'm from sliding on ponds when they freeze over, and making tunnels in the snow left by the snow plow, with my brother.

I'm from the bass and snapping turtles I catch and exploring the marsh behind my house in my little boat I'm from the rope swing at the reservoir and the steep cliffs I climb only to jump back in the water.

I'm from the trails I ride and build

I'm from the bayous of Southern Louisiana just like the alligators and coppermouths I'm from Camellia grill, beignets, Mardi Gras, jazz, and the French Quarter

I'm from the wild.

By Annissa Khanna

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The Light

By Meaghan Sullivan The light you see is there for a reason To guide you through the dark Because giving up is not in season Though all may seem dark The light is there to guide you And though your fears may bark The light is still there to guide you You are the future So follow the light wherever it may lead you Even though your fears are still in the picture The light will guide you home Home sweet home The place you belong

Self-portrait​ ​By Cole Hamlin

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Hope

By Riannah Wallach Hope is hanging on a line And believing someone is on the other end To pull you back up with eyes that shine That they have a hand to lend Believing that there will always be someone there With you to keep the roaring flame in your heart growing That when you cut your hair It will grow back when the good gets going Hope is someone there to worry about you through the drought If you ever let go they won’t forgive themselves Remembering that you can get out Of the two hard places holding books together on your shelves

Point of View​ ​By Ryan Byrne

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The Pool

By Ryan Dey One place that is part of my life is the Shrub Oak swimming pool. Every summer we go there after camp and throughout the whole summer. There is a simple concrete walkway leading to the entrance with a big wooden bridge leading over a small creek. We like to stop and gaze at the running stream below. Then, someone checks you in, and you walk through a big archway into the pool area. To your right, there is a small kiddy pool. In the kiddy pool, there is a giant mushroom with water spilling off the top of it. We usually go there first. Straight in front of you, there is the main pool. The main pool has swimming lanes in the back and it gets progressively deeper as you swim towards the swimming lanes. In the very back, there is a diving pool. The diving pool is very deep and has two diving boards that are about 3 feet above the water. If you go left from the main pool, there is a small water park. It doesn’t have slides but it has a lot of valves to turn.

After my family and I check in to the front desk, I pass through the arc way into the pool area and the sunshine hits my face and I know that I’m ready for fun. I look out over all the pools and can’t wait to go in. First, I turn right and go to the small swimming pool. In there, I play with toy boats while my mom sits under the mushroom waterfall. Then, I go to the water park and play around there for a little, spraying everyone with the water. In the water park, there is a small jungle gym, but it is equipped with a lot of knobs and buttons. We play around with the water, trying to get each other wet. The next fun place is the big main pool. Here, we just swim around and do random challenges, like a ride on mom’s back, jump in the pool, and dive for sink toys. In the end, we go to the diving pool. It is very deep, and sometimes I try to touch the bottom. I practice my flips and other aerial maneuvers, and it is very fun. My mom tries to get pictures of me in the air. Then, we walk to the showers. When we are ready to go home, I can already smell the hot dinner outside on our patio.

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The Joker ​By Ryan Byrne

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I Am From

By Jordan Grady I am from ​Essie​ nail polish From ​SodaStream ​seltzer and ​Too Faced​ mascara I am from the chlorine pool The rusted zipline, the rock walls and the smell of rotted Christmas tree.

I am from the vegetable garden, climbing trees and the fallen tree.

I'm from blue eyes From Grady’s and Epstein’s I'm from the Jews and Christians from Hannukah, and Christmas From ​Go play outside​ and ​Don’t make a mess.

I'm from Greenwich, Connecticut and started from Ireland and Russia baked apples, and whipped coffee.

From the leg my sister broke, the burns my sister got the Everglades in Florida.

I am the cherished memories.

​ ¿Qué Hiciste?

By Iliana Hellinger El año pasado, mi familia y yo a Florida fuimos.

En Florida, en la piscina nadamos. ¡Por fin! Yo dije cuando llegamos​.

En Florida, mi mamá y yo en los parques de diversiones paseamos.

Los boletos para entrar al parque compramos.

A la montaña rusa fuimos ¡Qué miedo! Yo dije Del parque de diversiones salimos.

Después, béisbol vimos.

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Apples​ ​by Lily Hamlin

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Hope springs eternal

By Eliza Morris Hope springs eternal You can smell it in the flowers You can see it in the trees You can feel it in the breeze Hope springs eternal The sky’s clear as the eye can see The blooming flowers attract the bees The earth feels maternal Hope springs eternal The days are filled with light The future is bright This poem brings delight Hope springs eternal

By Talya Langer 13

The Fog

By Charlie Hill I awoke to the smell of hot, gooey pancakes and crispy bacon waiting to be eaten. I slowly climbed down from my bed and trotted down the hall and up the stairs. My dad was slouched in a wooden chair drinking coffee and eating some of the bacon. He whipped around and said “Good morning Chach,” in a sleepy tone. I approached the table, grabbed a piece of the slippery bacon and three soft pancakes, and sat down. After we had eaten my dad and I rose from our seats and started getting our ski equipment. The night before he had told me we would wake up, eat something, and zip out the door, and ski down to the lift. I was 8 years old and didn't understand how fast I needed to get ready. Let’s just say that before I had even got my snow pants on, he was outside clicking his boots into his skis. The cold weather was already crawling into my gloves and we haven't even left the house. Finally, I walked outside, clicked on my unbearably heavy skis, and went down to the lift.

We have a house in the Bromley Village which is right next to a trail called Lord's Prayer, that leads right down to lift. When we arrived, I realized that we could only see about a quarter of the mountain, for the rest was concealed in a thick, gray cloud. It looked as though the mountain was getting swallowed by it. We duck walked past the sleepy worker that checks your ticket and to the two cones and a sign that reads “WAIT HERE.” I put my black and white striped poles in my right hand, and turned my head so I could see the next chair. It quickly turned the corner and picked us up off the ground. If you have ever been aboard a chairlift, you know how incredible it feels to be in the air and above the painted white trails. The trees were so covered you couldn't see any of the bark. I was being distracted by the beautiful scenery of the mountain, so I didn't notice the massive gray cloud ahead. Before I could look up, our chair had been swallowed by it. All I could see was my dad and his bright orange jacket, and my own clothing. It was like everything had disappeared in the world and it was just me, my dad, and chair 27.

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When I heard the shaking noise of the drop off, my dad lifted up the bar that keeps skiers and snowboarders from falling off the lift. When I could finally see the end, I lifted the tips of my skis up and skied down to a run called Corkscrew. My dad and I had argued about which run we should do first, the day before, but he won without a doubt. When I started down the trail, I saw the icicles sprouting down from the trees, yet I couldn't see more than three feet ahead of me. By the time I got to the entrance of Corkscrew, which is a black diamond, my dad had already started down. I peered down into the steep, gray cloud, and went into the belly of the beast.

Inside the fog, all I could think about was my dad waiting at the bottom getting ready to ask me why I was so slow. Imagine being in a place where all you can see is your body, and the only thing surrounding you is an endless amount of white space. This is somehow where I was.

Corkscrew was a decently steep run that went straight down. There were no turns or bumps. But all of a sudden, my right ski caught the edge of a mogle, and I tumbled down into the white.

During the rolling, which felt endless, I kept thinking about getting hurt. For I had never gotten an injury from skiing, and did not intend to. When I finally stopped tumbling, I just layed there, all alone, in the dead center of the trail. I just layed there, with my eyes closed, and listened to the birds sing a soft song. I was a motionless rock in the wilderness and the only thing that I could do was stay in one place.

About five minutes later, I opened my eyes to realize that the fog had passed on. I looked around for my two ocean blue skis that had been detached from my boots during the fall. I was not able to see them so I jumped up off the ground and looked around in the snow. At last I found my skis and poles. Before I knew it I was cruising down the trail. At the bottom, I approached my nonchalant father. He simply said in a sarcastic tone, “Did you get lost?” I just shook my head in an annoyed manner and raced down the frosted, white mountain.

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By Meaghan Sullivan

Nature Walk

By Sonia Espitia Nature Walk Walking through the woods Birds chirping high in the trees The Spring has arrived Snakes Slithering through grass Hawks trying to make me their prey Run run slither away Squirrel Scram scram get the nuts Now bury them in the ground I will find them later..

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Another Day Here

By Logan Alexander 1 Another day here Watching the outside, but stuck Trapped in quarantine 2 I see the outside I miss my old life, and food Will quarantine end?

3 All the day mixing Together into a new Time is gone, I think?

Times Square​ ​By Matthew Egelberg

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Where I’m From

By Jonathan Bailey I am from tacos, I am from spicy taco beef and hard shells.

I am from sour cream, shredded cheese.

I’m from big and fast cars coming down the highway.

I am from the basketball court across the street.

I’m from my grandmother telling me to eat.

I’m from my mother telling me to stop it or come here.

I’m from my dad telling me to keep my grades up or else.

I’m from the brothers, my mother, my dad.

I am from the grandparents and aunts and uncles.

I want to be in a safe place with my family and not worried about the loud cars on the highway.

Everyone in our family has different eyes

By Lily Hamlin Everyone in our family has different eyes. My dad's eyes are green with brown freckles, kind of like a pear. My mom’s eyes are dark green in any kind of lighting. My brother’s eyes are dark hazel but close to brown milk chocolate. My eyes are greenish yellow in the sun with very long eyelashes.

My dog, Ollie, has eyes that are blue, green, and brown. He has big eyes that shine in every kind of light. He has the kind of eyes that just make me want to talk to him and be with him all day. Ollie’s eyes make me feel safe while looking into them. Ollie-looking at me, like a sunny day with the smell of fresh grass that Ollie would jump around in for hours. Feeling safe with Ollie and the smell of fresh grass.

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By Eva Veneable

Beautiful

By Talya Langer 1 It is beautiful A warm day to sit and say ItĹ› an amazing day 2 The sun shines bright on My milk chocolate skin itĹ› a Beautiful day today 3 The smell of the grass On a beautiful day is So sweet so fresh

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Contrast

By Ryan Byrne 1. Teasing us with warmth Then bullying us with cold This season is cruel 2. The breeze is freezing Forcing pain into my heart Overtaking me 3. Brightness is rising Making dark show true colors Brightening each other

Virtuoso Playing Cards​ By Avery Kahn

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Backyard ​By Annissa Khanna “Queasy” / “Dazed”

By Helen Katis How long and how many Days have we sat, Alone together?

And since we still don’t know when this quarantine will end.

And since the distance is too far.

And since My life so changed by stress and wonder, I can't tell how much longer.

All sense, gone.

I know only stress Dear Bleaken, please Make this end soon.

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By Jordan Collins Outside my window Rabbits, Squirrels, Chipmunks too Summer coming soon

By Peter Hill I watch the birds hop I smell the dandelions I miss school so much

By Maeve Lazzaro Looking at window Red bird flying to its home Little baby birds Tweet very quietly Hungry waiting for next meal In the warm spring day But one bird still waits To enjoy the warm spring air Underneath its wings

Photos by Christiana Greene

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Track the Puck, Butterfly, Up

By Richard Sullivan In the locker room, everyone is very anxious and talkative. My teammates get dressed so fast. For me, the process is more of a ritual. First, sit and think about what I can do in different situations. ​Track the puck, butterfly, up.​ Second, I get dressed in a specific order. Still thinking that I have to ​track the puck, butterfly, up.​ I grab my CCM stick and head to the door. ​Track the puck, butterfly, up. I am ready.

The Zamboni rolls off the ice. My teammates and I run on. The air is crisp and I can see my breath. I can smell the beautiful scent of hockey sweat and dedication. I can see other kids with the same goal in mind. Win. My job is simple. My job is to keep the puck out of the net. My job is hard. My job is to keep the puck out of the net with others in front of me blocking my view. I kept remembering to ​track the puck, butterfly, up.​ I am ready.

The horn sounds off and I take my place at the net. I look up and see the banner from the 1980 USA Hockey Team. Just then the referee drops the puck and the game begins. I am nervous because I do not want to mess up and let my team down. I'm still remembering that I have to track the puck, butterfly, up​.

I hear the cheers of the fans, especially my dad’s loud booming voice, whistles calling plays off. Towards the end of the game, we were winning. But then the sweet yet dreaded goal horn alarms me. In the dying seconds of the game, they scored. I remember why they scored. I forgot.​ I forgot to track the puck, butterfly, up.

Then the game ended with a tie, and I was annoyed. It was my fault we did not win because​ I forgot to track the puck, butterfly, up.

This game was very important in my life because of the memories I made there. It is not just the game I remember, I remember the whole tournament. It was the first game I played at Lake Placid, and it was on the 1980 ice. Mostly, I remember the game because we played a team I ​REALLY DON’T LIKE.​ I also remember it because I knew it was my fault we didn’t win.

T​rack the puck, butterfly, up.

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Social Distance Ghost

By Maeve Lazzaro They say there is a ghost that roams crowded areas… It's known as the SOCIAL DISTANCE GHOST!!! This ghost finds people who are six feet apart and tries to push them together! Stay inside and DON’T go out because this ghost might try and attack. But do not worry when this ends the ghost will have no purpose and ​have​ to be sent back to where he came from. Right? Well I sure hope so. Oh, wait What is that? No really, well it sounds like the ghost was just spotted at the local ice cream shop. On no. The people waiting in the line were perfectly spaced out, why did it have to ruin that?! It even made Todd’s ice cream fall! Poor Todd. So let this be a lesson to all of you. STAY INSIDE so this will end, the ghost will go away, and no more ice cream will have to fall!

Mask​ ​By Maeve Lazzaro

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“Daze of School” A Collaboration Poem by 7th grade English Students inspired by The Red Pencil and Covid 19 And since we can’t do our normal routine Of meeting in school And since our “​Welcome to Room 5” Has suddenly become, “Your invited to Join Ms. Matero’s Zoom Meeting.”

We spend our hours on Zoom Connecting alone from Ms. Matero’s Paisley chair And the welcoming sight of Bear!

“Show us a new trick”….

But together With our bed hair and snacks And more snacks...

Virtual backgrounds illuminating our thoughts Hoodies peeking through the screen A welcoming sight!

Sharing and discussing literature From our bedrooms Makeshift desks and swivel chairs Connecting to the world Stuck At home, Wishing to be at Harvey.

Who would have thought School would be like this…

Zap. Zoom.

Distance learning Possibilities.

Daze of School.

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Jamaica​ ​By Bailey Gans

Spring

By Cade Gilligan Spring is in the air, The birds are flying around, Flowers are growing.

Raindrops are falling, Spring has brought great cheer, Spring has brought great cheer.

Bushes are soaking wet, The clouds are really murky, Squirrels look for food.

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I am From

By Logan Alexander I am from weaponry, finding tools In the wild tools of sticks and stone, hard plastic, And sharp wits.

From cold bathroom tiles and warm blankets.

I am from the Tri-state area, it’s warm, cold and wild.

I am from lime grasses with A scent of Nature.

I'm from Passover and laughing From Neil Alexander and Holly Alexander.

I'm from the too many jokes, and lots of pressure From “Better eyesight with carrots” and brother’s fake rules.

From the “Drunk Uncle” Saying “GoO For (t)i” I'm from Bar Mitzvahs, With lots of pressure.

But mostly, I'm from Mt, Kisco, that originated in Germany.

Matzvah Balls, home made meals, I'm from long hikes and sweaty shirts.

Even after a long day, these items don’t decay, Nor will I, so I remind myself of Tomorrow.

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By Ryan Dey

Hope​ B ​ y Shelby McCaine Hope is something that glows That flies in circles And goes around and around And never stops In the darkest of times The light shall never dim It will shine even brighter And show you a path I’ve seen it in the darkest of all woods I’ve seen it in the abandoned house But somehow Those places were never really dark at all

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My Backyard

By Jordan Collins My mom says we moved to our house when I was two. The backyard ended up being my favorite place after the beach of course. I spent many days after pre-school and school playing in the backyard with my dog Molly. What I liked most about my backyard is that it had a large fence that surrounded it so I always felt safe. Far in the back of our yard was a long stone wall.

Molly often jumped over this wall when she saw small animals. Mommy always had to run after her.

One of the things we used to do was play fetch with my dog Molly. And on the deck my mom kept a box full of balls and toys. I used to grab a ball but barely quick enough before Molly would snatch it from my hands and run around the yard hoping I would begin to chase after her.

The best part about playing with Molly is to see how high she could jump to catch the ball in the air. Molly was twice my size. She was 85 pounds.

“Here Molly catch!” I would throw the ball as high as I could. I was so little that she often knocked me over, but when I got up I would giggle and tell my mom “I’m okay!” Then I would give Molly a big hug. She loved my hugs. “ Molly I love you”.

Lick, lick, lick​ and I loved her kisses too.

Molly was a short haired, brown and black dog who loved to lick people.

In our backyard there's a stone wall that leads to the woods. One day Molly ran really far to catch the ball I threw and noticed a squirrel. “Molly come back here!” we yelled and laughed.

My mom and I climbed over the wall and went into the woods to find her. And when we found her she came racing towards us. ​Lick, Lick, Lick, ​She was so happy to see us. Molly loved giving us kisses.

One day my Mom stepped away for a minute and left Molly to watch over me on the deck. Mommy said, “Molly, watch over Jordan while I take a quick bathroom break. Good dog,” she said, as she patted her head.

Well, I decided to take Molly’s food bowl and water and pour it all over my head.

Lick, lick, lick, M ​ olly ate every drop off of me. My Mom was so mad but Molly and I were happy and I was giggling. That’s what dogs do. Molly loved to lick. Most people were afraid of her because of her size but I was never scared of her. She is my protector.

In the evenings and at night I used to sit on the deck with Molly and Mommy. We used to look at the stars and listen to the crickets. “Mommy,” I would always ask, “How many stars are in the sky?” Then Molly would distract from my question. Molly would just jump up and chase a rabbit. Chasing them was her hobby. But it terrified us because we didn’t want her to hurt them. We enjoyed the smell of the night air. And we loved to look at the clear sky that showed a lot of stars. This was my favorite time to sit and relax after a long day of school and sports.

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One night I tried to give Molly a kiss on the head. But of course she quickly turned her head instead and ​lick, lick, licked​ my entire face. Yuck! Dog slobber was all over my face. She couldn’t help it, she loved to lick people.

I missed those days because Molly after 19 years of a very good life went over the rainbow bridge. My family and I made a special place for her in our backyard. My mom plants flowers there every year. We still talk about the fun things we used to do with her and remember the fun times when we were with her.

What I’ve learned is how important it is to spend time with family. Especially like what we’re doing now during this pandemic. Creating memories, spending time with your pets and creating spaces that comfort us are important. My backyard will always be my special place because of my dog, Molly. It makes me feel safe and comfortable. I wouldn’t change a thing.

My backyard is where I grew up holding a ball in one hand and patting my dog with the other.

My backyard is where my Mom planted flowers and I collected sticks. My backyard is where I had my first boo boos.

My backyard is where Molly still lays.

Molly I will never forget you….I miss you.

By Ryan Byrne

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Hope is in the mind

By Matthew Egelberg

Hope is in the mind.

Calm is in nature, outside you can Hear the hope blooming from The tiny blue flowers.

Outside you can hear the birds Calling hope when they sing every Line. You can hear Calming music Blossom throughout the clouds.

It’s when bees fly through the indigo sky like a helicopter Pollinating the average flower, creating Hope. Hope is a mysterious Feeling only for the future

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Bradley’s eyes

By Emma Lederer Everyone in my family has different eyes. My Mom’s eyes are ​the window to one's soul’s eyes of slate grey like the pale moonlight at night. My brother Cameron’s eyes are green like his favorite color or the evergreen trees that line the pinetum view in my backyard. My eyes, my eyes are blue and shift to different shades, depending on my mood, like summer ripe blueberries and other times like a grey blue sky. My dad's eyes are green like the mossy grass that starts to grow in spring.

My brother Bradley’s eyes are blue just like mine except much lighter. When I was younger people would ask if we were twins. Bradley’s eyes remind me of the bright blue ocean.

The salty sea water, the warmth of the heat as it’s bouncing off of the sand, and coconut suntan lotion. Bradley’s eyes are time to relax and unwind with my thoughts,the feel of the warmth on my face. playing in the waves. But Bradley’s eyes are like how the surf can be mysterious, making me wonder what's happening behind his blue eyes. Each of us separate beings with our own thoughts, needs, and wants. But the same blue eyes.

¿Qué Hiciste?

By Princess Golden El año pasado al parque de diversiones Six Flags fuimos.

Los boletos compramos. ¡Qué bello! lo que vimos.

En Six Flags, a los autitos chocadores montamos. ¡Qué divertido! Mi hermano y yo la vuelta al mundo nos dimos.

Después, a la montaña rusa subimos.

Nuestras manos levantamos y nos reímos.

Pero, la próxima montaña rusa miedo daba. A un lado, esperé. ¡Qué divertido! Y ¡Qué miedo! me dió.

Entonces, mi familia algodón de azúcar compró. ¡Qué delicioso! El postre que comí.

Uno de los mejores días de muchos fue.

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Kit Kat​ ​By Ryan Byrne

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Robert

By Meaghan Sullivan When my brother was finally born I felt heartbreak immediately I could not see him nor my mother for 4 day because of the flu The hospital wouldn't allow it

When I was 11 Or what I called parallel lines I found out I had another baby brother I was told not to say anything But me being me I went to school and told my friends

We tried FaceTime but it wasn’t the same Until the moment after school There was a baby in the back seat

I knew the reason I couldn't tell Heartbreak from the last sibling I could have had My parents wanted to make sure no one knew until we knew everything was healthy

Happiness over flowed me as I said, “We get to keep him!”

He forever changed my life Made me realize after bad Good will come

A month or two went by I was finally told I could talk about it So I did

Food Cat​ ​By Natalie Delessio

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Hope

By James Carlton Hope comes and hope goes.

Only to be pushed back And something new comes To come and show Hope is greatful Hope is rewarding Hope is not an action you can take Hope is both fragile and eternal.

When hope is present, Give it life, Let it stay.

And let it breathe.

Let hope shine Let it be known Let hope have pride, Let it be shown.

By Charlie Hill

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Pack

By Alexa Williams “When the world was run by humans, the realm was prosperous. They were in control, and they were rich and happy, but we had forgotten the creatures that once were dominant. They once ruled the earth long ago before we tarnished their land. The sorcerers of kingdoms wanted to use animals as laborers, for those fools thought that animals did little more than provided food to the people. They were testing an experiment to make 4 species of the highest capabilities more intelligent. The wolf, the serpents, the apes, and the owls. The test went awry, and the animals became far more intelligent and escaped. They gathered armies of thousands and concerning mankind, took control. When we surrendered they gave us two choices to choose from, to let them rule or death.

“Put that stupid book away or you will be in the doghouse with mom, you know how she is with ‘opinionated litter,’” Max said, poking Phillip in the back. “Look, those books are nothing but trouble and you know it. So…” Phillip handed the book over to his brother with a begrudging sigh. He always had his head in a book, particularly ones that were considered troublesome. ”I don’t see why I can’t read it. The council says we may educate ourselves with any opinions we like. We can read any book we please as long as we don’t go to the Zenith and start riots.” Now, for all the people that have somehow managed to never hear about the council (only the hermits reading this book I assume), I shall tell you how this all works. After we gave total control over to the animals, there were many changes to our way of life. The new laws went in this fashion.

1. No creature may eat another living creature. If such things do happen, it will be treated as if you ate one of our own kind.

2. You may have your own opinions about the new way of life, but you may not act in any violent manner of protest.

3. You must treat all creatures as you would other humans. Any segregation or prejudice of any kind will be taken as a criminal offense.

All of these rules apply to all humans and have applied to all animals since the dawn of time.

The creatures that applied the new terms are known as the Zeniths, a guild of the greatest leaders that were part of the experiments. Deavold, the wolven lord of the forests and plains.

Casimiro, the ape patron for the jungles and swamps. Rosalyn, the owl misters of snow-topped peaked mountains and tundras. And lastly, Kalika, serpent chancellor of the seas. Together they ruled the realms, united by their ancient bonds.

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For many of the people, the change was a welcome one, for corruption and poverty and other weaknesses in the world were gone. For if there was starvation, there was more food given from Deavold’s forests to be given. If there were homelessness, the creatures would help create a sanctuary with their unwavering determination. Few humans missed meat, for it seemed as wrong as eating their brethren to eat a creature of any sort. War was no longer a word, for every ruler was contented to rule over their land and admire the others from a distance.

Now, it was a tradition that all children should have a total medical test on their 16 birthday, “To send them off into the world as healthy as possible.” Phillip Bertram, youngest of the Bertram family, turned 16 last week. “ Come on Pip, your results are in! Let’s see if you’re as diseased as I think you are.”

“I’m shocked your results came back clean. But I suppose stupidity isn’t a disease in general medical practice.” The two boys went to meet their parents in the drawing-room. Their mother was opening a thick cream envelope. “Let’s see... Oh yes, that looks fine… good, good nothing to be worried about…” She turned the page... and fainted dead away onto the floor. The brother and father helped the woman back up, but Phillip only had eyes for the letter. At the bottom of a list of percentages of blood types, heart rates, and other such things. Unlike all the others that were printed in black ink, it was in scarlet ink. You only got scarlet ink on your letter if there was something wrong with you, and to the boys’ horror, there was.

“What in all the realms was that about? What does it say?” The boy turned to face his brother, afraid he may faint next. “It… it … says my DNA is part… wolf.”

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Looking forward ​By Ryan Byrne

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Hope is an optical illusion

By Gabriella Santiago Hope is an optical illusion Idealism trying to reach An arm strained Reaching into nothing It’s really just a want, a wish For something you don’t have He doesn’t have money He wants it He doesn’t have knowledge He needs it Hope is like a wave It almost reaches the sand Maybe it doesn’t It wavers This is the illusion land The truth only exists In a hopeless land

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The Catskills

By Sonia Espitia My family, including my mother's grandparents, would visit the Catskills every year for summer vacation, mostly hiking and driving around to little towns.

The Catskills is all about outdoor stuff. It's very beautiful and holds many memories of my summers, with it’s big tall mountains dressed in many bright green trees and it’s great fishing spots.

The Catskills are very alive when you visit the small towns but at the same time very calming.There are many beautiful views to keep you busy; a true experience of wilderness and nature, and the little towns, from cute Phoenicia, to hippy Woodstock.

But being in the Catskills is calming too. It comes from being outside and watching the birds fly by. In the Catskills, you can almost hear the singing of birds, or the smell of fresh fallen pine trees. Also the astonishing sights like the dark and cool, Howe Caverns or the picture perfect view from Mount Tremper. You can feel the cold water as you white water raft and taste delicious hamburgers from Phoenicia.

The Catskills are important to me and my family because we went there for about 4 years straight and shared many happy memories together there. The Catskills are all about nature, hiking, fishing, camping and much more. But mostly, The Catskills has taught me to enhance the outdoors.

Down by the river side ​By Talya Langer 40

Crooked Sunset ​By Ryan Byrne Hope Is Comparable to a Rainbow

By Bobby Callagy Hope is comparable to a rainbow Which appears on dismal gray days and seems to uplift ones who have grown somber for days.

A hallmark of hope that’s seldom in sight Refractions of sunlight perceived through the eyes cause prospect for the future in now dark skies and prompt new hope before subsiding into the now bright sky.

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Boyhood

By Ellie Florin It’s 1979. My father holds my hand as he leads me down the path. He points out the kinds of flowers that frame the trail, blooming as spring arrives. He tells me about the bouquet he surprised my mother with on their first date, three weeks worth of paychecks spent on a gift for her.

I ask him why he would do that, for a girl he just met.

He tells me that ​once I find the right girl,​ I’ll understand.

And because I am only six, I believe him.

It’s 1983. I sit on the ground at recess, breaking the wood chips scattering the playscape into pieces.

I look up as Mary Young runs over, giggling, and kisses me.

Once she’s done, she sprints away, back to her friends.

They laugh, giddy.

I feel nothing.

Because I am only ten, Mary Young is just not the right girl.

It’s 1986. The boy from my math class is hunched over his algebra. I stare at the back of his head, his 42

golden curls falling perfectly across his neck. I imagine him looking back at me, and my heart skips a beat.

Because I am only thirteen, I pretend he is mine.

It’s 1988. My mother, her eyes red, has not stopped yelling, at no one in particular, while my father stares straight ahead. I can tell by his eyes, he will no longer say how much he sees himself in me.

He has never been this silent.

Because I am only fifteen, I wait for him to look at me.

It’s 1995. My partner is an angel, as he runs his fingers across my palm. When he kisses me, I feel the world crumble, my universe shift.

Because I am only twenty-two, I love him.

It’s 2002. My mother sits at my dining room table across from my partner, making polite conversation.

I smile as she laughs at something he says.

She’s trying.

My father has not arrived yet.

Because I am only twenty-nine, I do not look away from the door.

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By Annissa Khanna

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Ending Middle School

By Gabriella Santiago That onsra of that youth That youth between 11 and 14 year The hygge that soothes No mulligrubs to be seen here A time of skinny love A vagary in finding oneself The brontide of the dove The lure of books on a shelf The vigilance that strikes The tintamarre of the crowd The emotion that spikes The craziness of the town My mind is a bricolage Of books and notes and rhythm My procrastination a mere appendage Of my usual algorithm My novitious personality All fresh and new Free of rapscallion habit But now original world view

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