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In A Grove

In a Grove 2008 A Journal of Poetry and Art Lakefield College School Featuring the winners of LCS Writes! Sponsored by The Grove Society

LCS Writes! Winners Poetry Section Grades 11/12 1st Vernon Neo, “Where I Am From” 2nd Katie Richardson, “Changes Hurt” 3rd Donald Folkard, “I can hear gun shots fired”

Grades 9/10 1st Michael Casson, “Segregations” 2nd Angela Lee, “A girl with a thousand faces” 3rd Maddy Hackstetter, “Dear Enemy, Dear Friend”

Grades 7/8 1st Nikki Gosselin, “All I Will Ever Be” 2nd Christopher Chan, “The Four Elements” 3rd Natalie Jennings, “Deep Inside”

Prose Section Grades 11/12 1st J.J. Maxwell, “Debunking a Surprisingly Convenient Truth” 2nd Sushil Chanana, “A World of Innuendo” 3rd Patricia Gabilondo, “Reflections”

Grades 9/10 1st Beatrice Chan, “The Last Eight Minutes” 2nd Meggy Chan, “Old Mail” 3rd Hak Hyun Lee, “Mr. Harris”

Grades 7/8 1st Sophia Walter, “Apologize” 2nd Christopher Chan, “The Marvelous Pitcher”

Prose selections not published due to space restrictions. Please see page 36 for artists’ names.

Where I Am From: A Reprise of George Ella Lyon's Poem By Vernon Neo I am from grey buildings And polluted summer skies Penetrated by tall, scraping figures I am from changing sceneries Of new pets and old suede couches Signed with the mark of lethargy. I’m from simplicity and monotony Created with spontaneity and colour I’m from liars and confiders From push forward and stay back I’m from rationality and reason With childish hope and inner soul. I’m from the Outer Limits and the Simpsons Fried rice and banana pancakes From the Lamborghini I promised my Dad To the 1000 dollars I stole from him. Above my desk are shelves of pictures A collage of notes A binder of photos To stories of lucid dreaming. I am from these moments Growing by the hour To stand tall like my family tree. 1st place, Grades 11/12 poetry

Changes Hurt By Katie Richardson We were friends at the beginning, When everything was fine. We would laugh and sing, While playing all the time. I called her my close friend, And thought she was the best. But she said nothing at all, As if I didn’t pass the test. 2

She began to put me off, And ignored me when I’d ask, If anything was wrong, Or what was hiding under her mask. I was alone at breakfast, And even when I walked to class, We would see each other in the halls, But would only pass. I feel like it’s my entire fault, And that I ruined what we had. Because she is never around, And always seems so mad.

The day she came to my room, And explained how she felt, I couldn’t believe what I heard, And I started to melt. It hurts to hear what she said, And how things have really changed. Everything’s a mess, And already arranged. I don’t know why she couldn’t tell me, And left it until now? She left me confused and wondering how. How does a great friendship, End up in a ditch? As if in a dark room, Where we couldn’t find the switch. All I can say, Is that I don’t understand. I guess we have to separate, And learn to expand. She’s showed me who my friends are, And who really cares. She’s taught me the hard way, Which wasn’t really fair.

I don’t know how she’s so happy, And can forget me so fast? Like she can’t even remember, What happened in the past? It just goes to show that, She’s not a true friend. And everything we did, Was only pretend. 4

A true friend will always miss you, Whether you’re away for a month or a day. And will always seem to love you, No matter how much you weigh. Now this story that I’ve told you, Is indeed very true. One of my friends is gone, Who I thought I really knew. 2nd place, Grades 11/12 poetry

I can hear gun shots fired By Donald Folkard I I I I

can can can can

hear gun shots fired hear screams of the weak and tired feel the bitter cold feel my bones growing old

Straight out of high school I didn’t know what to do I wanted to explore the world Reinvent myself do something new I couldn’t afford to do more school But Uncle Sam said we would be able to pay for you And you would be out by the age of twenty-two Little did I know I signed my life away Instead of trying to better the life I know and made I began to learn new regiments and new morals Handed down to me by the high and noble Little did I know I was a pawn in something global It took me a year to learn some discipline I was told to never speak, only listen in But I was sick of always listening So I punched my superior officer and he said, “We’re shipping him” Two months later I was on a plane To who knows where, I was on a plane We flew for eight hours, it was driving me insane I tried to talk to the man next to me but he stared and strained I could hear a whimper and some sniffles The soldiers straightened their backs and their boots shuffled I can’t believe I am off to war Why do I have to fight for something I didn’t vote for?

Machine gun fire shot over head Just barely missing us but there, someone is dead A target, someone had bled But I must travel with my shadows but just walk, we tread The man called out “Bring the fire Mr. Militia Man” I yelled back “I’ll do what I can” I pulled the trigger Hopped over the hill and ran Despite what the man said I had a plan I brought down six But as I stared in the eyes of a dying man I heard him cry out terrible words “I love you my wife, I love you Diane” Diane was my mother’s name It hit me deep, it struck a vein But it did, it did strike a vein I put my hand to my back and felt my life drain I couldn’t feel anything, I was numb, I had no pain Sent home in a wheelchair It’s okay, I did it for the glory … now it will pay for school 3rd place, Grades 11/12 poetry

Segregations By Michael Casson The world, Itâ€™s a simple world Nothing complex, But absurd. I look around at people these days, Trying desperately to figure out why, Why the world is falling to pieces, The answer is as obvious as if it was written in the sky.

As anyone looks around they are forgetting, Forgetting that it is our world, and that there is no me, Every day our society flies away from itself, As there becomes more me, myself and I, but no we. This world breaks itself down for easier access, The world to continents to regions, To states to cities to areas to families, Until we are left with Legions. Legions of confused, Legions of the sad, Legions of the lost, And all that is good becomes bad. It is this separation, This simple segregation, That tears apart, Countries and nations.

But oh how tragic, That no one from their islands can see, Exactly what it is that causes, Our society to be. Corrupt and selfish, Blind and crumbling, With each person, In the darkness stumbling. The answer does exist, But it must be found, Not by one, by all, And each person around. For only together, Can we truly stand, As one and all, With our world in our hand. This time though is far away, For still separated are our nations, And our people still divided, Due to these miserable segregations. 1st place, Grades 9/10 poetry

A girl with a thousand faces By Angela Lee She wears a mask every day to school Nobody sees the girl’s inner face She hides away from the sunlight and the crowd On rainy days, her mask seems more thick A glass mask--so fragile Yet it’s holding its place On her face hiding all her tears

It seems clear yet so hard to reach into her hands A glass mask-it never seems to break She walks back home as the mask starts to crack When you can slightly start to see her face She fogs it up and runs away The sunlight shines And you see the girl Now she is wearing… A different mask 2nd place, Grades 9/10 poetry

Dear Enemy, Dear Friend By Maddy Hackstetter it was almost as though the little seed i planted in the ground refused to grow. as if my constant nurturing wasn't enough. as if it hadn't any interest in becoming any more than a seed. all i wanted was for the seed to bloom and grow, to become something i could look upon and be proud of, possibly even amazed by its beauty. but of course, just like many things in my life, the seed simply washed away leaving nothing but dirt and water. it was the only thing i felt attached to, the only thing i felt would never be disappointing to me. i loved that seed. the same way i loved you. but now, like the seed, you've washed away leaving behind a tainted heart and teardrops on my pillow. no longer do i nurture you, treat you as if you were in the delicate process of germinating and setting roots in the ground around me. my garden is now lifeless once the frost has slipped away, i shall place a seed on the sill, and let it be my garden will blossom, and fill with life once more. 3rd place, Grades 9/10 poetry

All I Will Ever Be By Nikki Gosselin

I am comfortable but not always confident In my skin. I am forward in my opinion, Though it is not always right. I love laughing, But not my laugh. I know and use my rights, To the point where it is egotistical. Criticism makes me defensive, My friends know what I mean. Pride fills half of my soul, While the other is empathy, love, and kindness. Some days I’ll be screaming with frustration, But most I’ll be screaming with cheer. Yes, I talk really loud, But why wouldn’t everyone want to hear? I have to be at the centre of attention, If I’m not, I will try. I love my friends for tolerating me, Because it’s not easy, even for me. If I could do anything I wanted, I would fly like a bird, following my dreams. I have so many ambitions, Too many it would seem. I believe in being myself, And even though it’s hard, I try. I believe that success is not always winning, Rather that winning is really the journey. I believe the glass is really only half full, And that the other half is waiting to be filled I believe that when in doubt, To always wear a smile.

I believe that asking for help is a virtue, Not a weakness. And helping someone, Shows that you are selfless. Now before you say ‘Practice what you preach,’ I want you to know I try. I believe that when a moment is gone, It’s gone forever. And every opportunity missed, Is a life that’s thrown away. So try to live for the moment, Live for a single day. Just relax and be yourself, Is what I really mean to say. And if you do, Everyone will envy you So just live for this single day. Now I’m not bad, nor am I good, But rather a mixture thrown together, Random colours of grey, shadow my every step. This is all anybody really is. So don’t judge people, When you are really the same. That is I, This is me. Even if I’m not who you want me to be. And if I scare you, turn away, But you are missing something great in me. A friend. Because I am me, And this is all I ever will be. 1st place, Grades 7/8 poetry

The Four Elements By Christopher Chan Fury of nature Incinerates all in its path Recycles the dying Energizes new growth

Wild whirlpools All over the world Twisting and turning Eroding the Rocky cliffs Whipping up dirt Increasing in speed Nursing its strength Daring feeble humans to stop it Essence of all life Always needed Repository of minerals Treasure trove for all Home to billions of creatures 2nd place, Grades 7/8 poetry

Deep Inside By Natalie Jennings Excited to go back but didn’t know what to expect, She wanted to see, but didn’t know what was ahead. The year before was fresh and new, But slowly descended into a pit of doom. Everything around her was blurring together, Then the break came and was light as a feather, She had her space and all the time she needed, She got back in gear and felt she succeeded, Everything was fine and then everything died. Everything went downhill and upside down, If her emotions were thrown into a river she knew they would drown. She couldn’t think straight any longer, And felt that she needed to get stronger, But she wanted her old life back filled with fun and laughter, Anything to get rid of the cold, misery and slaughter. She talked and talked and felt nobody cared, She felt like a loner and was a little bit scared. Nobody shouted or physically hit, She still felt the piercing of knives and felt her head split. Nothing got better and she felt annoyed, The littlest things she wished would be destroyed. She felt her energy had been sucked out of her soul, She felt like a furnace without any coal. People wanted to help but she knew they couldn’t, She did need help but knew that they wouldn’t. She had been reluctant and her year had been hard, And if she got through it she knew she’d be scarred. 3rd place, Grades 7/8 poetry

The Grove's Tree in Autumn By Patricia Gabilondo

Walking towards our day, we see her. She is tired; it’s been a long way. Breathing slowly, beating fast, her heart knows her time has arrived. Like a Phoenix, she will die, and resurge from her ashes. Some think it’s the end, some think it’s the beginning. But the only truth in this novel is that she will always be there. A slight wind is the sign. The sun getting farther with each step. Her hair will become her feet. And her body will gain a ring. And once again she will take care of us while we grow up in the Grove. One day we won’t see her again, But in the deep of our heart we will know she is still here, With her red hair and her curious smile, Telling us that Autumn is arrived.

Unknown By Alexandra Massie Postel This is a never-ending tunnel, which holds neither your past nor future; only the present. You stumble your way through, hoping to reach the end soon. You are alone, in complete darkness, yet you feel the presence of someone looking down on you. Afraid, you start to walk faster, that walk turns into a jog, that jog into a run. Running fast, you have stopped breathing; you fall. You lie immobilized on the floor, wondering what you have done wrong; why no one is coming to help you. You start to cry, and you start to shake. You feel cold, then, nothing at all. You are frozen all over; no emotions, just blackness. You’ve blocked out reality from your brain. You get up and start walking. You don’t need to know where you’re going or why; all you need is a direction. 23

Something pierces your heart, but you don’t feel anything. Lifeless tears are streaming down your face without reason. Days pass, weeks, months and you are still standing. Despite everything, something is keeping you from slowing down, or stopping. You are bleeding, dehydrated, and haven’t eaten for days; you will not allow yourself to quit. Self-pressure has become your best friend, as help from the ‘outside’ has become your enemy. You can’t help but wonder when this is all going to end. One morning I awoke to find you lying motionless on the ground. You had numbed the pain and anger you bottled up inside; numbed yourself so deep, that it began to eat at you. You begin to die slowly. The day finally comes when your body gives up. Minutes before death ‘swoops’ you off your feet, you see all the people around you that had been there all along trying to help. If only you had given them the chance.

A Little Bit of Race Relations By Yasin Sridhar

Elegant, yet loathed to a level of near damnation. The burning was by God, yet AIDS was by them. To all faults and woes, from them you stem and recede. The night and the crevasse which threatens to swallow the sun Deserves no life, solely strife even though they arenâ€™t to blame. The conquerors of our past, the destruction and fires which burn To this day feed upon the hatred towards them. Them, those blacks. Horrific, yet they reign at a level of near divination. They march in the name of God, offering AIDS. No faults, no woes, from them you wax and wane. The light and the moon which praises the sun Deserved of all life, husband and wife even though they are to blame. The placidity of our future, the philanthropy and rain which falls To this day feast upon the love towards them. Them, the whites.

I Can't Decide By Katie Richardson You wait for me to make up my mind, But when I try to decide, I put you behind. You grip so tight, but can never hold on, Because my mind can’t decide until you’re already gone.

You walk by me as a stranger, Like we’ve never met before. But I know deep down, You feel something more. I’ve hurt you once and regret every day, I know I said yes and turned you away. You think my heart is cold and that I meant everything, And in your eyes, the birds will never sing. We gave it another try and it ended so fast, I wish I could change what happened in the past. My feelings for you will never change, I’ve tried to forget what I have already arranged.

To be friends is ok, And I know it seems slow. But I’m telling you now what I think you should know. I care for you more than you’ll ever think, When I see your face I can hardly blink. When I’m trying to decide whether to be with your or not, Everyone says yes but my heart’s in a knot. Until I know for sure, Things will always be the same. I know you feel like all of this is a game. But when you leave I can promise you this, That all of our troubles will be sealed with a kiss.

I'm Better At Saying Sorry A Song By Michael Racioppo I know being here, has had us thinking a lot more About the way we used to be And I think it’s pretty obvious That a lot of things have changed Mainly, between myself and me

I’m Sorry I don’t want to be this way I want to hold your hands forever And give you kisses in the rain. I’m Sorry I don’t know where we went wrong But things just keep falling apart I just need to you to hold on. I’ll hold you close By my side Tonight Don’t worry no more My heart will be yours Forever I’ve had a lot of time here alone More alone than you think To try and figure out What’s been wrong with me? But I think I’ve forgotten most Of the important things you see (especially you) It’s turned me into something I don’t want to be

I’m Sorry I don’t want to be this way I want to be with you forever And give you kisses in the rain. I’m Sorry I don’t know where we went wrong But things just keep falling apart I just need to you to hold on No I won’t go No I won’t change Tonight You might think I don’t care About you at all But I do! Cause I surely don’t Want to be in this place Without you here I’ve lost my pace When I can’t see your smile And I can’t feel your heart Everything seems to just fall apart I’m Sorry I don’t want to be this way I’m going to hold onto you forever And give you kisses in the rain. I’m Sorry I don’t know where we went wrong apart I just need to you to hold on But things just keep falling

From Autumn to Winter By Adrienne Miller Students walk gaily along the paths. The autumn breeze blows their hair Lifting it to the sunny heavens. Lingering with their shining halos, Golden paper rain caressing Students that walk below. Sway with dark cold North wind My bounty has plummeted Ashen bones cracked Heavily shod Winter

Black Day By Anonymous Every year, it rolls around. Only one month, you’ll know the sound. Oh March 10th comes there’s no mistake, And every time, I feel and flake. The worst day will hit, and I’ll feel the pain, I will cry and cry, and it will rain. ‘Cause nothing goes well, on March the 10th. Now there’s a story, behind it all One with misery, fail, and fall. I came home that day, and something felt wrong, My world turned into, a sad-sad song. They took me in, and sat me down; They stared and stared, and showed a frown. They expressed their anger, sharp like a dagger. They opened a cut that will never close, They stabbed and stabbed, I felt the woes. It was the one true moment I felt alone, It was the one true moment I felt disowned, But what does it matter, In fact my life changed for the better I climbed the ladder, and got through the spring, I saw the birds, and heard them sing. If joy will re-enter my heart, it is uncertain But I’ll always remember the pain, March will bring. Every year it rolls around, Only one month, you’ll know the sound…

The Mind a River By Michael Casson

My mind is an ever-flowing river, One that may break apart quickly, and fall, Over sheer cliffs into the abyss unknown, It separates for longer than forever, But only for a miniscule time in life, It is here that time becomes meaningless, And on this odd river I find myself, Strangely without a paddle and compass, Not knowing which turn to take, what is next Or if I am alone in these feelings, But as the long river bends so do I, I am it and it guides me only onward, This same river is in every person, And without everything you can ever see, For everything is one and unlike, Nothing is anything else forever, But is inside every other thing forever, This river like ties binds and separates, You to I, I to you, and us to all, And without it we are all lost, not unfound, Only unbound, separated forever, Our mind is an ever-flowing river.

Artwork Front Cover: Inside Cover: Opposite “LCS Writes! Winners” Opposite “Where I Am From" p2: p5: p11: p12: p17: p18: 36

p21: p22: p25: p30: p32: p35: Inside Back Cover (L-R): Back Cover: Photography by Derek Shin

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