Essence 2022 - Spring Edition

Essence 2021-2022

Table of Contents "Untitled" by: Aaron Xu, pg 4

"Untitled" by: Uta Nakamura, pg 5 "Spring is a Gift" by: Darian Rahimzadeh, pg 6 "The Spring in my Village" by: Justin Tu, pg 7 "See Her in Spring" by: Sylvia Li, pg 8 "Untitled" by: Jorden Li, pg 9 "Spring Poem" by: Shaun Ayers, pg 10 "Flowers" by: John Zhang, pg 11 "Spring" by: Chloe Liang, pg 12 "Untitled" by: Orenda Zhan Ching, pg 13 "Crystal's Mis-Intentions" by: Jalen George, pg 14 "The Perfect Season" by: Sylvia Li, pg 15 "Spring Poem" by: Aiden Hughes, pg 16 Page 1

Table of Contents "Untitled" by: Nicolette Durso, pg 17 "Untitled" by: Sanaa Barron, pg 19 "Untitled" by: Maya Harrison, pg 20 "In The Sky" by: Maddy Boorman, pg 21 "Untitled" by: Elaine Tang, pg 22 "Why" by: Maya Williams, pg 23 "Light" by: Jessica Liu, pg 24 "Untitled" by: McKenna Mirador, pg 26 "Spring Has Sprung" by: Evelyn Choi, pg 27 "Untitled" by: Marleo Neolien, pg 28 "The Greatest Game" by: Alex Pelaez, pg 29 "Coming of Spring" by: Xin Hu, pg 30 "Spring Has Sprung" by: Logan Barbarino, pg 30 "Untitled" by: Jaden Battle, pg 30 "Untitled" by: Gianna Caccialino, pg 30

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Table of Contents "Untitled" by: Caden Brown, pg 31 "Untitled" by: Trey Leandre, pg 31 "Brewing of a Storm" by: Bukari Spann pg 31 "Growth" by: Ella Kaplan, pg 31 "With Her" by: Milagros Valentina Cardenas, pg 31 "Untitled" by: Uma Singh, pg 32 "Untitled" by: Chloe Scaramuzzo, pg 32 "Haiku" by: Owen Spardel, pg 32 "Outside" by: Jaden Feaster, pg. 32 "Untitled" by: Kaiden Ollivierre, pg 32 "A Spring Fling Haiku" by: Amdy Ndiaye, pg 32 Page 3

Untitled Aaron Xu, 11th All winter long, you been waiting— Waiting for a good time to sing, To sing your unique bass, All of the sudden, wetten my face, Covered the bright sun, Lightning and thundering, All here because you come, You are singing your unique song, deep and calm, Kids are crying, and spring is coming, The sky was torn apart by you, Loud and clear, dropping your “tear” Hold on— the spring is here, wait and stay calm, Lying on my sofa and chewing the gum, Stay calm, stay calm, spring time will soon come.

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Untitled Uta Nakamura, llth When I think of spring, I think of the changes. The happy changes come first; the warm feeling both internal and external, immediately I know once it gets warm out it means school is almost over. Although it is a good feeling, the gentle reminder that I will say goodbye to others burns like a wildfire in the back of my mind. Truthfully, I try my best to think of the happy parts, the colorful flowers, the grass growing a little greener. I can finally stuff my puffer jacket back into my closet, and hope that I’ll never have to take it out again. Things like that really bring me hope, get me excited for the idea of hot, sticky, New York City summers I long to have all year.

Spring is always a time of change for me, but if I have learned anything about change these past few years, it’s that the challenges you may be faced with are not about overcoming those challenges, but making the absolute most of them, and learning the most. Change can be hard, but the true measure of a man is taking challenges head first, adapting and accepting what they are in true form. Afterall, spring is a time where people are happy, because the end of something is always the beginning of something new; no matter how cliche it may sound, spring will always bring that reminder to me and shift me in the direction of my capability to face change.

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Spring is a Gift Darian Rahimzadeh, 11th Spring has now sprung Colorful lanterns are ready to be hung.

Newborn chicks and ducklings have hatched And are all hobbling in a clan attached.

Delicate wildflowers and leaves have all bloomed, Filling the air with their perfume.

Eager new days have begun, And now it’s time to cherish the sun.

Hope and renewal are on their way, Life has now become a bouquet.

Spring is like a gift, And dreams are ready to run adrift.

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The Spring in My Village Justin Tu, 11th Dim clouds on the top, Light in the far.

The win start to blow, Feel muggy at home.

Kids running, Dogs barking, Wind chimes clanging, Rain is coming.

Pitter-patter, Pitter-patter…

Raindrops fell to the ground, Like a beautiful piano sound.

Birds chirp in the mountains, Crickets are singing, The stream was rushing… like playing a song called Spring is coming.

Dark clouds drifted away, The rainbow begins to appear Air is filled with the aroma of grass, Mushroom sticks out of its head, Butterflies dance around daisies.

Setting down to listen the wind blow, Feel the fragrance of the soil.

，

Everything came alive, Farmers is sowing in the field, Children playing in the mud, Smoke come out from chimney, Mixed with the aroma of delicacies.

Draw these scenes together, It became the hope.

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See Her in Spring Sylvia Li, 11th “Mom, when is spring coming?”

“Find it with your eyes.

Go outdoor and see the sky, you will find wild goose from the northwest.”

I wait for it coming, because of spring’s meaning.

She closed her eyes and fell asleep forever, We buried her under the cherry tree near the river.

She’s our puppy, also our friend.

“Mom, can we see her again?”

The soil was covered with snow.

I was not grieved about it, though.

Because my mother said:

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“If you miss her, even don’t need to seek.

Next spring, when you feel a light breeze fan your cheek, with the scent of cherry blossoms in the morning.

Open your eyes, there will be a small flower shining, under the sunshine.”

Untitled Jorden Li, 11th The flower blossoms, When you come The soil turns shiny, When you come Sunshine breaks through a slit of cloud, Boosting every pieces of grass A musical concert is played, When the shiny dots start falling above the pond I feel energetic inhaling every breath I can smell there is a growing new life 15 miles away I heard the message from spring She makes the green come first, And then the yellow, red and white The whole world awakened A short visit, But a long accumulation.

Her visits thaws the ice river, warm the mother earth Slowly recovering the freeze

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Spring Poem Shaun Ayers, 11th Let a red bud blossom to a flower Fertilize the soil produce fresh red buds Beautiful flowers need April showers I hope the showers lead both sun and floods Wow look at the sun there is no more flood The flower is missing the shower fun When the shower goes away only mud The flower is sad to see only sun The flower will need both sun and showers Why can’t I have both make me bloom faster I will shine bright and not become too sour Let me have my way the blossom flowers master I have become a bright beautiful rose I will shine forever, never will doze

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Flowers John Zhang, 11th Spring is suddenly here He woke up many beautiful flowers that were sleeping Tulip slowly opened her eyes Enjoying her own colorful beauty There are white, there are pink, there are purple, and there are yellow Daffodils are also slowly raising their heads Turned on their yellow trumpets Disguised as a spring band Hyacinth was also woken up by the two of them Exudes an unmistakable fragrance The fragrance of flowers is everywhere Maybe spring should like this The spring must be like this Maybe this is the spring

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Spring Chloe Liang, 12th

Spring is the germination of the ground under the sun revive, birth. spring is vibrant The caress of sunlight.

Spring breeze blows over the grass Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh… it's spring musical.

Birds sing in the trees, birds soar in the sky The woods are calm, the shadows are full.

April twilight is a romance from spring Spring is not long, but it stay in your mind.

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Untitled Orenda Zhan Ching, 12th The first sight of the spring, is full of new scenes. the scene of love; the scene of vitalities; the scene of renewal.

Hopefulness, Cheerfulness Dreams must now be born anew in them.

Look at these various heartening spirits, Look !

Look closer!

Purple, Red, Orange, Blue, Yellow, Pink......

Dazzlingly beautiful.

From the lightness of colors till the varied shapes; Spring brought those individual souls.

Impressively, sparkly, and aspiring.

It means everlasting; It means year after year.

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Crystal’s Mis-intentions Jalen George, 12th New seasons abloom New intentions to set The crystal whose use was misused.

For imperfect seasons, For imperfect reasons that we have yet to see– Awaken, my love!

Realize the leap that needs to be taken before you, Understand the energy that surrounds you.

Do nothing without intention.

There’s never too many layers that you need to peel back from.

Magnetic is not within reach After all, You can’t try to be something if you already are IT. Let this new season be the reminder that reinstates you and what you are– You are the walking embodiment of growing healed consciousness.

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The Perfect Season Sylvia Li, 11th The season that flower bloomed; All plants started to germinate.

The farmer who endeavors in cultivating are groomed, All the snow on the plants starts to exterminate.

What a perfect season!

The lifeless silence of the winter has now been gone, The birds that migrated to the south now have been withdrawn.

Animals now all started to wake up, From the warm and cozy shrub.

What a perfect season!

Students are now all back in school, Now they again have to follow the rule.

Walking in the school, I can hear songs from students and birds, The silence of the winter has now been stirred.

What a perfect season!

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Spring Poem Aiden Hughes, 11th The storm has weathered and birds with feathers fly in freedom above A goose, a robin, a hummingbird, a woodpecker, a dove It's that time of year to sing in spring showers The colors of rainbows reflect on the flowers The approach of summer brings hope for the rest of us The sun starts caressing us Im feeling calm, I’ve weathered the storm Sweater weather turns to air being warm I say the weather’s going to be nice tomorrow, when it rains it feels like my mind is full of fallacies I enjoy spring for a few minutes till…here comes my allergies

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Untitled

Nicolette Durso, 11th

June 3rd. One of the hottest days of the year, it said this morning. It was a beautiful day indeed. I was outside, laying on the fresh, morning dew stained grass that was bright lime green, and the soft, damp dirt ground. The sun was shining so brightly, so warm on my face and hot on my body and yet the wet ground kept my legs cool.

On my way here, I bought these flowers from the farmers market. They were white and yellow and purple with accents of lavender and lilies. I can’t even tell the name of these flowers, I do not know, they were just so beautiful. They were laying on my lap as I was laying down in this sun. I could feel their soft leaves between my fingers as I rubbed the petals.

All my senses seemed hyper observant- I could smell the blossomed flowers with accents of lavender and lily mixed with the smell of the wooded trees and grass dew and soil around me. I could hear the birds singing to each other, probably talking of how lovely this morning was, and I could hear the soft hum of cicadas buzzing- This moment is so perfect. Please reality, leave me alone for just a few more seconds.

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As that thought went through my mind, the universe must’ve heard me, and replied with,”I do not care”.

Because, sadly, my eyes opened. All I could see was bright blue and the spots of blur from looking at the sun too hard. The smell of the lilies and lavender and woods and morning dew faded as I sat up. The feeling of that moment was gone. That beautiful, perfect moment. I looked behind me to the grass I just layed on. The grass owned my body’s imprint. I stood up, layed down the purple and white and yellow flowers with accents of lilies and lavender that smelled of wood and air and blossoms.

I laid them down at the head of her grave, and walked away.

Why can’t reality just leave me alone?

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Untitled Sanaa Barron, 7th The steady playing as the wind brushes by The dancing people not caring who sees, Suddenly the music plays Ritardando Not knowing what's going on The music stops Suddenly the joy erupts Children dancing and playing As the strings vibrate Sounds across the wind As the flowers move along Here- in the spring Violas play as if they were violins Cellos quietly moving the flowers, As if they were air Still everyone was enjoying the Fresh feeling, of.......

Spring

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Untitled Maya Harrison, 7th

Hope is a butterfly Flitting its wings Barely within reach Flying away Awaken your senses As you feel the ground thaw Spring leaps into blossom Warm and fresh Proud notes burst From delicate fingertips Treading lightly on the piano A smooth legato

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In the Sky Maddy Boorman, 7th The big old giant in the sky Lifts his brush And paints with dye Aline so lush So very high A colored paint brush In the sky I raise my head Look far outside For spring has come The world survives No longer glum A million lives Come out, where from?

And then a song Drifts through the air A whole life’s long Of truth and care Notes run along Go everywhere

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Untitled Elaine Tang, 7th The sun shines very bright Blinding my eyes Sweat drips off my head As it shines above me Soaring in the sky As the wind whooshes past me Stars shining bright In the starry night sky Breathing in the spring air As the flowers start blooming Sitting outside in the heated air Watching butterflies pass me in the sky

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Why Maya Williams, 7th Why be winter if I could be spring Why be me if I could be you Why be cold if I could be warm Why be me if I could be you Why make them shiver if I could make them snug Why be me if I could be you Why cry if I can laugh Why be me if I could be you Why bring pain if I could bring anew Why be me if I could be you Why wake if I can sleep Why be me if I could be you Why run if I could fly Why be me if I could be you Why hurt if I could breathe Why be me if I could be you The God in the sky paints a pretty picture Why be me if I could be you

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Light

Jessica Liu, 12th

The wind attends New York with a floral smell. Look up, the birds are calling on the sky. What a warm day!

Bringing the sound of Spring. However, me, living down to the soil, cannot get the message on time. In the darkness, touching the wall of my home.

Imagining the world outside would be changed while the soil turns moist. I guess, one day I can climb up and my imagination will come true. Or, maybe one day my lovely friend Mr. Seed can grow up and take me to the sky. I mean, how couldn’t that be possible?

It has been one, two… a million seconds since I heard the welcome message from the world. And, it has also been a long long time since I met Mr. Seed. The first day he appeared is the day that my chair is made. In the longest vibration I even met with my soil, he fell like an angel and brought the light to me.

It is my first time checking something that is white.

The color is the opposite of my life. I felt hurt, more clear, burning. But I cannot stop curiosity. I cannot stop looking at that gap. Nevertheless, it disappears soon. Only my angel stays.

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Mr. Seed is a blind man. But he often time describes the image of the world of light. He said that is coming from his mother’s bedtime story. He is longing for, longing for becoming a blooming giant green plant from a little brown seed. Just like the story coming from one of his relatives, his family can grow to be the method of connecting the sky. One lucky little boy helps to achieve the relative’s goal. I hope, I can have that lucky destiny.

I grow to become longer and longer. I grow to catch every drop of water second by second. I feed my little Mr. Seed more and more. However, Mr. Seed grows to become darker and darker. His sound becomes smaller and smaller.

On the day I feel the moist of soil, I cannot hear him. Oh, spring may also means leave. Dark in my eyes as usual.

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Untitled McKenna Mirador, 7th It’s a subtle shift in the air, That gets your senses on edge.

The soft soil beneath your feet, And the sheer beauty of clear dew On sharp blades of green.

As if you are awakening, Only now beginning to see, The minuscule details Of this ever-changing world.

Just for a moment, You are lost in mother nature’s gifts.

As the wind blows through In sync with your calming breath, You can hear the symphony of chirps Emanating from creatures nearby

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Spring Has Sprung

Evelyn Choi, 7th

Its petals dance in the wind While the roots keep it pinned Behind its beautiful disguise Sweet nectar there lies As a seed this treasure starts But as a belle this treasure halts Beginning as a kernel Blooming as an ethereal It brings a smile to your face Emanating warmth and delicate grace Through a field of flowers I run Knowing, spring has officially sprung

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Untitled Marleo Neolien, 12th Spring has sprung, yet the flowers haven’t come. Rain is still persisting in its musical sequence of downpour daily, inducing joy in the little children that jump in its puddles.

Many think that storms are a negative part of spring, that one can't find joy in their occurrence because of the lack of sunshine. However, storms are a sense of hope—hope that all earthly beings will continue to persist in their existence. As the rain falls, the tiny seedlings in the ground waiting for their germination finally get a taste of life. As the rain falls, birds creeping around on the branches of trees can finally bathe themselves in the fresh water from the sky. And as the rain falls, I, too, feel the refreshing sense of life as it trickles down my windowsill.

Rain gives everything a new start, a second chance at hope, precisely what one needs amid turning seasons.

When spring comes, one expects immediate rays of the sun to radiate on their cheeks and the beautiful aroma of flowers to flow through the air. Thus when this doesn’t come immediately, many seem to lose hope. But when I see the gray clouds forming in the seemingly gloomy sky of early spring, I know the hope that is discretely present in our world— that spring is coming and that the sun will rise again. So as I sit by my windowsill, watching the pure children dance in the rain, I see a chance at fulfillment and happiness in life that I couldn't find in the sunshine.

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The Greatest Game

Alex Pelaez, 12th

Held between two defining lines Where two groups of young men come to clash The sun, radiating on the damp soil, Wind weaving through the trees.

How peaceful this game can be.

Three chances to add your part With nine innings to win.

The greatest game has held its own throughout time Embedding itself, Branding itself, Into history.

You play the game, Competing to win.

You must hit a round ball with a round bat, Squarely.

Friends with friends, Slowly become family As they hear this simple call, “Play Ball!

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Shorts Xin Hu, 11th How to know the arrival of spring?

When you hear the tweet of the bride.

When you hear the sound of the stream When you see the storm at night.

When you see the sprouts on the roadside When you can feel the temperature rise back.

When you wonder why everything is awake.

When you can notice it is spring you are already in it.

Logan Barbanino, 11th

Gianna Caccialino, 7th They danced in the wind fresh breeze swayed them side to side You smile as they play

The energetic sunlight awakens the outdoors.

Joyful hope is renewed.

The musical storm sings.

Fresh growth is released.

A colorful rainbow flies through the sky.

Spring has sprung.

Jaden Battle, 12th Beautiful day on a Friday. April is finally here.

Sunlight out with the nice blue sky.

Fresh new fruits, calming breeze passing by.

Feeling the release of stress and enjoying life.

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Caden Brown, 11th After a long winter, Spring is like a young child playing on their lawn Blowing bubbles from their bubble wands like blossoming flowers of the new season The colors refracting from the light in the bubbles like new buds bursting in rapid succession Colorful arrays that make the child feel more eager to play

Bukari Spann, 7th

Trey Leandre, 11th

A new beginning Raging noises, endless gale The long rest is done

Ella Kaplan, 7th Room to spread your wings Soar like a bird in the sky Feeling the cool breeze

Flowers start to blossom Sun starts shining Bees start awaking Trees have life Grass change colors Birds start chirping People playing frisbee Kids flying kites Graduation season As the season rapidly changes You can tell …. Spring has arrived

Milagros Valentina Cardenas, 7th unseen notes nearby her beautiful voice roams near I now feel unchained

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Uma Singh, 12th Kaiden Ollivierre, 7th

It’s that time of year again.

The groundhog comes out of his home.

Birds are up early and joyfully chirping.

Flowers begin to blossom.

The sun welcomes us earlier.

Kids come out to play In the warm weather.

It’s spring time!

When the clouds clear up Light rays let the spores rejoice Nature becomes safe

Amdy Ndiaye, 11th Flowers Blossom Free Storms Awaken Fresh Music Sunlight Renews Joy

Chloe Scaramuzzo, 7th Sunlight shines freely The warm rays shining on me Unleash the power

Jaden Feaster, 7th

Owen Spardel, 7th Taking chances to Fly free as a soaring bird Renew the feeling

In the calm fresh garden Where the birds fly and sing There are many colorful flowers To see blossom in the spring

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Essence 2021-2022