Inklings volume1

VOLUME I 2018

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INTRODUCTION W

elcome to the first edition of Inklings, a literary magazine created by students at Lexington Christian Academy to showcase the literary and other artistic talents of students at Lexington Christian Academy. The magazine is designed to provide a platform for students to publish their work for others to see. It is meant to encourage and support creativity among the student body. In the following pages, you will find examples of creative writing and visual art by students who were brave enough to submit their work and present it for your review. There are short stories and poems, sketches and photographs. There are even a few brave French students who submitted their work. You may not be able to understand it, but it is good to see students who have advanced so far in their study of another language that they can begin to express themselves in creative ways in that language. If you can’t understand the story, ask someone who takes French for help. The illustrations provided by the authors help as well.

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e encourage you to read with pleasure, understanding, and appreciation as these young artists give you a peak into their minds and souls. The pieces are all polished to different levels, reflecting the students’ different stages of development. They also represent the varied and unique voices that exist within the student population. We all may wear khakis and polos on the outside, but we are all different on the inside. We celebrate the diversity God has given us.

As you read, we challenge you to consider what creative gifts you may share with Inklings next year.

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s a parting note, special thanks go to the many who helped support this inaugural edition. They include the English and Art teachers and those in the Media Center who advertised and encouraged students to submit their work. They also include the Journalism and Advanced Digital Media students who were “voluntold” they would be working on this project. Special thanks to Shelby Stuart, 10, who suggested the name for the magazine, which evokes that small shadow of an idea that nibbles at the outside of one’s imagination until it is given birth as a finished creative work. Many thanks also to Blayne Strippelhoff, 11, and Eli Campbell, 11, who did the heavy lifting on the design and layout of this book. We also appreciate the support of administrators like Mr. Matthews who approved the project and Mr. Robinson who put it in its final electronic format.

Most of all, we thank the students whose work fills these pages. Their courage in giving permission for their work to be published here makes this magazine possible. If you see these writers and artists, please applaud them for their work, most of which goes on in very quiet places and results in very little recognition. Encourage them to keep using the gifts that God gave them for expressing themselves in creative ways.

May the time you spend reviewing these pages be a blessing to you.

May 2018

Painting is silent poetry, and poetry is painting that speaks.

-Plutarch

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction Table of Contents

Literary Submissions

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Visual Art Submissions

“The Man in the Hall” 3 “Owl Design” Cover

Will Clark

Chandler Ott “Suspended” 5 “Green Eyes” 4

Megan Spotts

Leah Collins “The Sound of Rain” 5 “Susanoo” 4

Will Clark

Christian Jackson “Ukuthula Amani” 6 “Cactus” 5

Will Clark

Emma Mullins “Warmth” 7 “Waterfall” 6

Chase Ackerman

Aaron Bruner “First Chair” 8 “Pomegranates” 7

Jada Scott

Olivia Manuel “Reality” 8 “Peekaboo” 7

Josie Psimer

Maggie Epling “ I Know You Will” 9 “Self Portrait” 9

Kaylen Jasper

Leah Collins “Cliché” 10 “Playful” 10

Morgan McGarey

Maggie Epling “Freedom” 11 “Lion” 10

Mackenzie Wilmoth

Maggie Epling “I’ve Fallen” 12 Untitled 10

Baelyn Lindfors

Hannah Mitchell “My Life Prologue”

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Mackenzie Wilmoth “My Poem Thingy” 13

Ellie Woodward “Le Plus Petit Nain de Jardin” 15

Josie Psimer “Didier le Dragon” 16 Inklings Volume I was produced by the Advanced Digital Media

Shelby Brantley Students at Lexington Christian Academy using Adobe InDesign CS6. The title typeface is Harrington and the body typeface is Georgia. The logo and flourish were created using Adobe Photoshop CS6.

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The Man in the Hall

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n a blink, I opened my eyes to spy a corridor that was unfamiliar to me. It was a long hall that was about 100 feet in length from one end to the other. On each end was a set of staircases that went up one way and down the other. The grey tiled floor, white walls, and white fluorescent lights above made the atmosphere about me a daze of peculiarity. I was confounded upon how I entered this hallway, and where it was to begin with. On each wall there were about ten grey doors with silver doorknobs each separated by about ten feet.

For a moment I believed I had a sense of returning, but what was I returning to? Who am I?

Now in a panic of fear and confusion, I started down the hall with a sense of purpose- but what is my purpose here? I thought maybe there is an exit downstairs; yes, I’m in a building! I scurry down the stairs at one end of the hall and wrap around to another level of stairs switching to a new hall. This hall was strangely the same as the one above. Still there is nothing to fear, I thought, I’m just not at the bottom. I scurry down once more to the next level to find it was the same. Now I was beginning to panic and rushed with urgency to more levels. Down, down, down, down, down I went. But to what end? Before it hit me, this kept on for what I counted was for 126 floors!

As I did this, I hollered to for help to someone, anyone that could be in one of the rooms or on one of the floors. Then I stopped, out of breath. I’m an idiot! I thought, I must go up!

The same process upwards continued again, this time more exhausting than the last. What could have only felt like hours in this pursuit I kept on for 134 floors plus the last 127 from the bottom. It’s hopeless, there’s no end to this madness. Then a thought of 3

innovation struck me like a door hitting me in the face. The exit must be on the opposite end. This was a futile attempt. I had traversed the same pattern repeatedly on the opposite end for yet again what felt like hours.

At this point I had hit the mark for insanity, and in a mania, I ventured desperately for help shouting and wailing with loneliness and hysteria to no avail; I was trapped indefinitely. As I stood halted in tears resting my head in fatigue one of the grey doors by one of the staircases, it occurred to me that if there was a door, there must be a room on the inside. I wiped my tears and a feeling of somber sobered my thoughts. I placed my hand on the cold, shimmering handle, and whisked the door with ease to find a desk in an empty white room. On the table was placed an object that surprised me with a face of somewhat disappointment.

I backed out of the room and made my way to the next room; the same scene. I followed this ritual for all the rooms and found on one whole side is was the same peculiar sight that bewitched my mind entirely. I was consumed by a dystopia of a circumstance that troubled my plan of action. I rubbed my hands across my temples and perked up to idiotically remember there is a whole other side.

The other side had the same effect, but these rooms held a new table with a new object. Afterwards I paced outside in the corridor trying to solve the mystery of my present situation with an intense fervor of determination.

I looked up for a moment and saw the stairs. I then once more recalled that there were multiple floors; surely there were different object in each room. I tried this theory, but just as everything in this loop of lunacy, it was just the same.

I sat in the middle of the corridor with my legs crossed and meditated on what I had just witnessed and what it all meant. The same item on the table in the first set of room was a pair

of black, square-shaped glasses. The other room had a table in it upon which a handheld black mirror sat. With these two objects in my hands I studied them intensely and could not quite come to a conclusion. I then held up the black mirror and positioned it in front of my face. I looked at it but had no idea whose face was staring back at me. However, the only thing I did notice was that whoever he was, he looked like he had not slept for days. Then I realized, I hadn’t.

My perception of time in this cycle of madness was tainted, and I had no idea how long I truly had been in this place, whatever this place was. I put the mirror down and picked up the glasses.

I studied these more in depth, maneuvering them, fiddling with the handles and holding the lenses up to the light. When I did this, the light above me looked a little bluer than without the glasses. Eagerness took over me, so I placed the spectacles over my ears and put them over my eyes. To my surprise, they were a perfect fit!

Then I had the miraculous idea to view my new appearance with the glasses from the mirror.

The moment I did this, it was the first time in all this madness that I felt a sense of calm and recognition. I completely knew the person who was now staring back at me. I had known this face from birth, whenever that was. I knew who I was, I even remembered my name: Christian.

Green Eyes By: Leah Collins, 12

By: Will Clark, 12

And as imagination bodies forth The forms of things unknown, the poet’s pen Turns them to shapes and gives to airy nothing A local habitation and a name.

-William Shakespeare

from A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Susanoo By: Christian Jackson, 12

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Suspended Suspended Frozen in time forever more I feel as though my life has put on pause No matter what I can’t seem to resume it My emotions have vanished Though I put on a mask to all others I seem joyous and completely fine On the inside I can only feel sadness My heart broken, shattered into a million pieces One moment I was joyful The next I was completely heartbroken Simply put this year has been the worst year of my life My year has consisted of both good and bad But the bad out weights the good by a ton I don’t tell others about my heartbreak No I put on that dreadful mask of joy Suspended Frozen in time forever more Is there a light Yes perhaps But will I embrace the light again One can only hope that time will cure all Suspended Frozen in time no more By: Megan Spotts, 10

Cactus By: Emma Mullins, 12

The Sound of Rain Why do we, we the free, Listen to rain, though rain it be?

I see rain as a beautiful maid, Though maiden among maids she is rarely paid.

I see not why she does not get a ransom, For she makes the countryside, nay, the world more handsome.

Yet she strolls down the street causing no pain, Or she silently watches through gutters of alley lane.

I ask only little, for a commoner am I, To be silent, still, observant, if maiden rain you spy.

By: Will Clark, 12

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Ukuthula Amani If peace is like a river, then why are rivers sometimes rapid?

And if harmony is divine, how does it often carry fury?

How can a song be so full of spirit, while a stream be so loud that we can hear it?

How can a song and a river be made in essence of simplicity?

Crashing, splashing, dashing yet be serene?

Crescendo, staccato, arpeggio be clean?

Peaceful harmonies are exactly what they are; tranquil in nature but chaotic from afar.

Many different parts that are made into one, Made as straight and pure as a ray from the sun.

Hundreds of notes arranged so perfectly, That is what it means to be Ukuthula Amani.

By: Will Clark, 12 Waterfall By: Aaron Bruner, 9

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Warmth I like to wonder often Where the Lord of warmth and comfort dwells.

If He locks himself up high in Heaven, Where His light forever swells.

Although I deem my thoughts as vile, with a lack of rationale.

My unwise mind deceives my soul, and keeps forcing out a question.

So here a lesson has been taught A lesson that should not be soon forgot.

In the coldness of the night There always exists God’s warm light.

By: Chase Ackerman (10)

“Why must warmth be only of the Sun?” With such a question I mean no offense to the Sun who brings delight and fun.

I simply wish that the Sun would stay, And not depart from me each day.

For when the Sun must depart, A truer reality comes to the heart.

The Sun will never hold a prejudice, As all depend on it for life.

Yes, the Sun is truly kind and the Sun is forever true.

Although every day the Sun must go And give its warmth to those that woe.

Fate does tell us that night will come, And it shall bring the strangest chills.

Chills that sometimes we can’t tell Are the harshest messages sent from Hell.

Yet such chills are only for a time, And give the knowledge of what is sublime.

As they pass away inevitably.

And the sun that was away from view, Returns sooner than we thought.

The warmth of the day will lift our souls And lead us to what is sought.

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Pomegranates By: Olivia Manuel, 12

Peekaboo By: Maggie Epling, 10

First Chair Many strings are being played, Pegs turning, tunes adjusting.

The audience is murmuring in their seats, Their excitement bubbling over.

The conductor rises to his stand, Talking stops, eyes are locked.

Instruments move in perfect sync As they wait in silence.

Reality I’m no ascetic I like cheese fries, and cute guys, and white lies I’m quite pathetic I tremble as the Fates cut ties I have no balance I’m clumsy and fall all the time It’s such a challenge To be perfect at everything I try

I stand and bow, The audience claps, I suppress a smile and almost laughBecause I’ve been waiting all day for this moment.

The goal of perfection Is something I will never reach My best ascension Is a whale’s fleeting, falling breach

Our conductor looks straight at me, My bow rises to the string.

I take a deep breath . . .

And begin.

But I continue As I never quite learned how to stop It might surprise you That sometimes I’d rather just drop

My fingers are flying, my bow is soaring, Days and weeks of practice are paying off.

The song soon ends, and I stand up, Smiling I bow again.

Life is a process Or a coaster, or a river, or a dash And I’ll pull through this As long as I do nothing too rash

I can’t believe it’s over.

So let’s take a moment In unison to simply breathe Calm down and refocus On enjoying our share of reality

By: Jada Scott, 9

For Poetry Slam 2018 By: Josie Psimer, 11

Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words.

-Robert Frost 8

I Know You Will I am your worst nightmare I am the monster under your bed I am those tiny voices in your head Don’t underestimate me I know you will Just try not to You think I won’t affect you like other people You think I don’t have control over you You think I can be ignored Think again I know you won’t But believe me, I’m more than you think I am also the rays of sunshine that slip through your window and dance on your floor I am also the blooming buds of cherry blossoms in early spring I am also the baby birds that you hear sing Don’t think I’m naive I know you will Just try not to I can make you melt like ice cream in the summer I can reverse the tides, turn back time I can raise bones from the ground with a single look Don’t even try I know you will But trust me, you don’t want to I am too powerful I have stars in my veins Storms in my eyes I have lightning crackling on my fingertips I have words that can wipe out nations I have enough tears to recreate the flood of Genesis I have so much passion in my bone marrow, it seeps into my bloodstream with every move I make 9

I have the potential to become a goddess I have the potential to become the ruler of all I see I have the potential to finally let myself be Yet I am powerless to the power within me For Poetry Slam 2018 Performed by: Emily Sparks, 10 Written by: Kaylen Jasper, 11

Self Portrait By: Leah Collins, 12

We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.

-Ernest Hemingway

Cliché You told me that beggars can’t be choosers I saw you Chomping to bits to cash in your chips Cut your losses where you could And do what it takes In this dog eat dog world to come out on top Everything coming up roses for you While I’m drowning in my sorrows as the chip on you shoulder For once just swallow your pride Stonefaced as ever You swim against the tide

Playfight By: Maggie Epling, 10

Twiddling your thumbs Tail between your legs You’ve got some nerve Nothing personal but you are a necessary evil A sell-out to the highest bidder But to each his own, I suppose I’m the subject you handle with kid gloves Time after time

I fought tooth and nail Treading lightly on your feelings

Waiting for the other shoe to drop But now,

Now I wave my white flag First Place Poetry Slam 2018

By Morgan McGarey, 11

Lion By: Maggie Epling, 10

There is no Frigate like a Book to take us Lands away nor any Coursers like a Page of prancing Poetry.

-Emilly Dikinson

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By: Hannah Mitchell, 11

FREEDOM I fell.

And when I did, I fell pretty hard I didn’t know what I got myself into All I wanted was to love you You didn’t adore me, In fact it was the opposite You pushed me to the ground While you watched me beg on my knees The story is simple I liked.

I trusted.

I loved.

I fell.

I was broken

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Now I’m stronger I’m never crawling back to you The sun is out The birds are singing My chains They broke You can no longer control me Or my mind Or my life I am finally Free By: Mackenzie Wilmoth, 9

I’ve Fallen

Into a cage too beautiful to leave The very object that withholds from who till recently was free Is the reason I wish to succeed I’ve fallen

My Life Prologue

I am not a lovely perfect girl

I changed my school and I was not on board

Into a remarkably unchallenging reality

I moved, and I was sent into a whirl

Lacking essential attributes for wonder

A girl tore me apart, and loud she roared

I’ve fallen And drowned under the selfish waves of music Mocking me with a beautiful song But it is not mine The sirens and the keyholders leak compliments Hypnotizing anyone who dares challenge another with potential But why do they think I will sing along?

When I’ve fallen, I stand up right, Onto a hardwood floor, Into velvety drapes, In the center of attention…

In front of many like me.

But they’ve fallen Into seats.

Basking in the lights that grasp to their hinges,

I loved a boy with all my loving heart I found that love is not easy it’s hard He turned me down and I did fall apart And now my heart, I will forever guard I made new friends and now they’re my whole world I lost some but I think I’m better off We sang and in our gorgeous dresses twirled That girl, she will always toward me scoff My soul is still strong, I don’t have to hide I’ll fight the trials with God right by my side By: Mackenzie Wilmouth, 9

In the costumes with all of their fringes, I realize that I have fallen In love Second Place Poetry Slam 2018 By: Baelyn Lindfors, 12

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My Poem Thingy Last time I was here I preached about love That is If you could tell through the tears (if you weren’t here that means I was crying)

E’(That means I’m adopted) Life was awesome It was great Sixth grade And life took the hard left (it was also my edgy phase… yikes) Cuts, tears

But here I am

Anger, sadness

Once again on stage

And

Terrified

My friends brother was terminally ill (I still regret never saying sorry)

Thanks to teachers & my friends (you did this)

Seventh and Eighth grade

Now keep in mind

Identity’s the issue

Days… after it’s due

In confusion

Guess what

I asked God why now and why me

I managed to make this mess!

Freshman year

And being oh so

It’s all a blur

Creative & original

Numb

Here

Is what I was to God’s touch

Is my testimony!

This was the point

(Original… like I said—)

Life began to slow

Once upon a time

And

Way across the world

I wanted something more

China

Now it’s the anecdote

A little brown-haired baby was born

That changed my life

Left on a school step

It’s

Then to an orphanage

Quite cliché but, made the impact

Nine months

Summers sadly ended

Then she’s on her way to America!

Sophomore year’s started and

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Drum-roll I was talking to a boy…!

(Surprise!)

OK the story’s lengthy So, I’ll keep it short He Led me on and broke my heart (I forgave him, but never went back… we’re still friends)

It won’t be long My mission has been And still is Just love It’s simple, it’s what Jesus did And even though it’s simple And might even sound dumb Hey Look where it got me!

(That’s a good thing…!)

And in my tears Through that pain

And to end this all (finally)

He (point up) Send two people out of the blue

Tying it all to last year

One was super sweet

(pretend to almost off stage) just

Another with random prayers

kidding

They

A picture is worth

Flipped the switch on my faith

A million words

(Hey Chase, thanks)

But what’s in a word

Suddenly God was there

Worth a million moments?

He was present

Love

Wow

I’ve shared with you

Is all I could and still say

All of my moments

He continuously works

So

Through my life, words, and prayers

What are yours going to be?

Fueling (vroom vroom) My reignited passion

Third Place Poetry Slam 2018 By: Ellie Woodward, 10

Now I guess Here’s the lesson Listen up 14

Le Plus Petit Nain de Jardin Il était une fois, il y avait un jardin secret où les nains de jardin habitaient ensemble.

Les nains de jardin y habitent aujourd’hui, sauf pour un. Je vais vous parler de lui. Il y avait un nain de jardin qui s’appellait Nicholas, et il était le plus petit nain de jardin.

Les autres se riraient chaque jour, alors Nicholas a decidé de partir du jardin. Il serait resté si les autres ne s’étaient pas moqués de lui, mais ils ont continué à rire méchantement. Nicholas est parti sans disant au revoir, et il a marché vers la fôret sombre.

Tout d’un coup, le soleil s’est couché, et Nicholas s’est trouvé perdu dans la fôret. Il avait peur qu’il mourirait seul. Mais Nicholas a trouvé une maison, et il a frappé à la porte. La porte a été ouverte immediatement et Nicholas était en face d’une sorcière fatiguée et furieuse. La sorciére aurait tué Nicholas s’il n’avait pas crié qu’il était un nain de jardin et non pas un râton-laveur. Elle et Nicholas se sont assis au living et ils ont bu du thé pendant que Nicholas s’est éxpliqué.

Après son histoire triste, la sorcière lui a offert une potion magique qui le ferait plus grand.

Nicholas l’a accepté, et il l’a bu avant qu’il a dormi.

Le lendemain, il s’est reveillé, et le monde semblait d’avoir grandi. Nicholas a retrouvé la potion magique et il a decouvert que la sorcière lui a donné une potion magique pour le ferait plus petit.

“Oh, non! Qu’est-ce qu’il fera?” il se demandait.

Maintenant, il était la taille d’une mouche. Il a essayé d’être positif. Mais c’était difficile quand la sorcière ne pouvait pas l’éntendre. Il demanderait à la sorcière pour une autre potion, mais il a arrété de croire en lui-même. Personne ne le verra ou l’entendra et il n’aura jamais un ami.

Et puis, Nicholas avait un coup de foudre. La plus belle coccinelle du monde s’ést approchée et elle lui a demandé pourquoi il pleurait. À ce moment-là, Nicholas a vu qu’il a trouvé une nouvelle amie, et il a cessé de s’inquieter.

Elle l’a invité faire un pique-nique, et Nicholas était enfin content. Ils ont mangé des sandwichs ensemble, et puis ils sont rétournés chez elle. Nicholas ne sera jamais grand, mais il sera content (et très petit!).

By: Josie Psimer, 11

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Didier le Dragon Il était une fois, il y avait un grand dragon qui s’appellait Didier. Ses talons étaient tranchantes. Ses écailles et ses ailes étaient violets et brillantes. Mais, il était très maladroit. Les autres dragons se sont moqués de lui et personne ne l’aimait. Alors, Didier avait le cafard et il était solitaire. En fin de compte, il s’est envolé de sa maison.

Plusieurs mois plus tard, Didier se réposait à côté du lac. Puis, une sorcière a apparu! Il a crié avec surprise! Le nom de la sorcière était La Voisin. Didier a demandé si elle pouvait le faire moins maladroit! Il voulait être le même que les autres dragons. La Voisin l’a consolé et elle a dit qu’il avait besoin d’avoir de la confiance en sole. Elle croyait qu’il serait le plus génial de tous les dragons. Elle ne lui donnerait pas une potion. Au lieu de cela, elle l’a offert un sort de confiance. Mais, le sort était temporaire. Didier a souri et il l’a remercié, et puis La Voisin a disparu.

Le lendemain, l’école a pris feu! Didier a entendu le chaos! Personne ne pouvait l’éteindre! Didier s’est envolé à l’école et il a battu ses ailes au feu. Il l’a éteindu rapidement. Tout le monde l’aimaient. Didier est devenu un héros. Ensuite, le sort de confiance a diminué, mais il ne l’a pas remarqué.

Une semaine plus tard, La Voisin l’est allé voir. Il lui a dit que le sort avait marché. Elle a rit et elle a dit que son sort avait diminué! Didier ne pouvait pas le croire! Il n’avait pas besoin de son aide!

Finalement, il a vécu heureux.

By: Shelby Brantley, 11

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