The Crown Literary Magazine Issue 5

Page 1

THE CROWN STUDENT LITERARY MAGAZINE

MEET THE STAFF

AdvisorMadelineMartin

Jordyn Grant - Editor Aubrey Matasovsky - Designer Erin Lock - Designer Jasmine Crawford - Designer

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MEET THE STAFF...PG. 1

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR...PG.3

TITLE CARD...PG 4

PLAYLIST...PG.5

COLLEGE ESSAY BY BEA MAPALO...PG.6&7

TITLE CARD...PG.8

PLAYLIST...PG.9

HAPPINESS IS A BUTTERFLY BY REESE PRODOUZ...PG 10

TITLE CARD...PG.11

PLAYLIST...PG.12

THE LAST STRAND BY AUDREY BALOG...PG.13&14

TITLE CARD...PG.15

PLAYLIST...PG.16

DESOLATION AND HONEY BY JORDYN GRANT...PG.17

TITLE CARD...PG.18

PLAYLIST...PG.19

ANGELIC BEAUTY BY REESE PRODOUZ...PG.20

SUBMISSION FORM... PG.21

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

I’m so excited to release the first edition of The Crown. We’ve worked so hard on this, hence why it took us a while. With this new publication of the Literary Magazine, we hope to get many more submissions and grow with the magazine. Thank you to the people who supported us in developing the newly finished magazine.

That is now known as,

TheCrown.

THE STORM

PLAYLIST

RUE DES TROIS FRÈRES---FABRIZIO PATERLINI

JE TE LAISSERAI DES MOTS--- PATRICK

WATSON

WRITTEN BY BEA MAPALO

EDITED BY JORDYN GRANT

I knew nothing but clear skies in the Philippines – my memories of childhood are bathed in sunlight. I was the kid who sang and played instruments in front of everyone. I was passionate and I knew who I was. I remember times when it rained; I’d go out and dance under that tall, lonely coconut tree that showered droplets in front of our house. The water pouring down my face was serene and refreshing (even though I would get sick after).

Then, my mother met a man while working overseas in Hong Kong, away from my sister and I in the Philippines. He flew across the world to meet her, eventually getting engaged. My clear skies clouded over, and little by little, it began to pour. We processed my passport. I said goodbye to my childhood friends, teachers, churchmates, and family. The droplets hurt and I feared the impending flood.

My first plane ride brought me to Hong Kong for the last months of 2019. I spent a month with my mother, whom I only got to see once every year. The novelty of the city provided a fleeting ray of sunshine, but the rain grew stronger. Just like that, lightning struck. In what seemed like the blink of an eye, we had relocated to the United States – a terrifyingly foreign country half a world away with a different language, way of life, and ideology. I had no friends and felt judged for not knowing anything about my new home country. Covid struck like a second lightning bolt, and I got lost in the storm. My first year in the US was spent in quarantine: my English was not even good enough to order from a drive-through, and I did not know any of the childhood movies that my step-siblings watched. My grandma died and my aunt needed brain tumor surgery, piling onto the stress. I felt alone in an ocean monsoon, curled up in a boat with no sail. I was shy, quiet, and alone.

I hated the storm.

I hated the rain.

I hated the change.

6

Yet, looking back, I can honestly say I’m grateful. Without it, I would’ve never found the opportunities of a good school system.

I would’ve never befriended the amazing people that now surround me. I would’ve never known resilience as I do now. Of course, I miss the life I left behind: my move distanced me from my childhood friends and made me question my mom for causing this storm, but, ironically, I can see things more clearly from across the globe.

Life may be a storm, turbulent, and ever-changing, but I’ve learned to dance in the rain once more. New friends helped bring back that joyful girl, singing confidently for everyone. Without the flood, I would not have a room I can call my own, a diverse connection to others, and a better future. I have adjusted to the crashing waves, grown, and accepted the obstacles I had to overcome.

Of course, the weather is fickle, but I’ve learned to adapt. I smell the Indiana rain and think fondly of my childhood home in the Philippines. I let myself feel the droplets on my skin, and it doesn’t hurt anymore. Now, I’m on a ship ready to sail to the next destination, eager to face whatever challenges come my way and grow as I step into this new chapter of my life. My aunt’s brain tumor surgery, even though it was benign, was a huge turning point for me.

Her bravery and the care she received from healthcare professionals inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare, where I can provide hope and healing to others – no matter the storm.

7

THE BUTTERFLY

PLAYLIST

F SONG STRAWBERRY GUY

HAPPINESS IS A BUTTERFLY LANA DEL REY

WRITTEN BY REESE PRODOUZ

EDITED BY JASMINE CRAWFORD

HappinessIsaButterfly

Happiness flutters like a butterfly, Light and elusive, soaring high.

In colors bright, it dances and plays, bringing joy to our everyday.

With fragile wings, it spreads delight, taking flight in the golden sunlight. It lands on flowers, petals so grand, sprinkling happiness across the land.

But like a butterfly, happiness is free, You cannot capture it, you must let it be. Embrace the moment, and cherish its grace, For it may flutter away, without a trace.

So seek the beauty in each passing day, Let happiness guide you, come what may. Just like a butterfly, let your spirit rise, And discover joy in life’s sweet surprise.

10

THE CHANCE

PLAYLIST

NIGHTCRAWLER---INTRUMENTAL

I WONDER, INSTRUMENTAL---KANYE WEST

WRITTEN BY AUDREY BALOG

EDITED BY JORDYN GRANT

The Last Strand

He stood tall, as the man across from him crumpled on the ground, weak. He couldn’t stop the cold chuckle from escaping him. He was victorious; he had won.

The man stirred on the ground and his muscles shook when he pushed himself up to look at the taller man. He saw the cold nothingness in his eyes. The apathy stared him in the face, uncaring.

“You can’t-”

“I can’t?” he laughed again, “It seems I already did.”

“H-how could you?” The poor man sounded desperate and devastated.

“You don’t get to act like I’m the problem!” He lashed out, stepping forward, “I was never in the wrong, never!

“Look what you did…” He replied, looking around. Clumps of ash blew through the air, and he grabbed one, crushing it in his hand, watching it fall.

“I only did what they deserved.”

“No one deserved this!”

“You don’t get to decide what they deserved!”

“Neither do you!” “Stop acting like you’re better than me! You’re not!” he paused, his voice breaking, “I did what I had to.”

The shorter man stayed silent before clambering to his feet. He put his hand on the taller man’s shoulder, but he flinched away. He repeated, “I did what I had to.”

“You didn’t, you didn’t have to do that! You shouldn’t have- Why! Why would you- “

“Stop acting like you know anything! You don’t! I did what I had to.”

“You- “

He repeated, “I did what I had to.”

“You didn’t, you didn’t have to do that! You shouldn’t have- Why! Why would you- “

13

“You think I wanted to do this?!” he stepped forward, “You think I wanted to do what I did. I had to see their faces, Salman, I had to see the betrayal in their eyes,” his voice broke again, “The betrayal in yours.”

Sal opened his mouth to talk but quickly shut it, so he continued.

“You don’t get to act like you’re above me simply because you didn’t need to do what I did; you don’t get to act like you’re some God and I’m just some mortal you took interest in for a while because I’m not! I’m not okay!”

Before he could respond, he continued again, cutting him off.

“All my life I have been treated as less, and I am not less. I am not less than you, or anyone else! I did what I had to, to get out, and- and I- I couldn’t get out! I couldn’t!” Desperation seeped into his voice, every feeling he had pushed down before, was bubbling up and bursting out in a fountain of emotion.

“I know,” he responded, his face softening, seeing the tears in his eyes, “I know.” He stepped closer, wiping them from his eyes.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry Sal, I’m sorry- “

“Stop, Erebus, stop,” Sal grabbed his face, forcing him to look into his eyes, “You’re, right. You did what you had to.” He stared into his eyes before collapsing onto him in a hug. “You deserve so much better, so much better.”

He stood there for a moment before breaking down into a sob and hugging him back.

“Thank you.”

“You’ll always have me, no matter what, understand?”

He nodded, “I don’t know what I would do with you.”

“You’ll never have to find out. Never.”

“Never,” he agreed.

14

THE HONEYBEE

PLAYLIST

SPACE SONG---BEACH

HOUSE

ANOTHER ONE---MAC DEMARCO

WRITTEN BY JORDYN GRANT

EDITED BY JORDYN GRANT

ney

I would trace my fingers along the wall

I would get distracted. and focus on where the wall has been and where it’s going.

in the back of my enclosed mind

I wander around looking for answers to problems I can’t seem to figure out

past the corridors

I find myself tracing my fingers mindlessly on the path of tears and broken dreams and it leaves me wondering. if I am to attain the same fate?

even though I was led astray. by my own devouring thoughts

am I to find my way back?

or will my mind suffer through the possibility? being mindlessly lost forever lost on the new path of desolation and honey.

17

THE BEAUTY

PLAYLIST

APOCALYPSE--- CIGARETTES AFTER AFTER S*X

MYSTERY OF LOVE ---SUFJAN STEVENS

WRITTEN BY REESE PRODOUZ

EDITED BY JORDYN GRANT

With radiance that shines in the morning light.

In gentle whispers, it captures our gaze,

Transforming moments into exquisite displays.

Beauty, ethereal presence, a heavenly embrace,

Unveils a world of wonder and grace.

With delicate wings, it takes flight,

Guiding us to realms of sheer delight.

Beauty's halo glows with a heavenly gleam,

Revealing a splendor beyond our wildest dreams.

In every sunset, painted in hues so divine,

We witness a masterpiece, a gift so fine.

With each blooming flower, so vibrant and rare,

Beauty weaves a tapestry beyond compare.

20

In the eyes of a child, innocence resides, A pureness that beauty gently confides. But let us remember, beauty is not just exterior, It's a reflection of the soul, a story we can't ignore.

In acts of kindness and love, it finds its place, A virtue that's eternally embraced.

So let us celebrate beauty, both seen and unseen,

Embracing the angelic, in every living being.

For beauty, like an angel, has the power to inspire, And ignite the flames of passion and desire.

21

WANT TO APPEAR IN THE CROWN?

SUBMIT YOUR WORK HERE

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.