Marian BURN Literary/Arts Magazine - Spring 2024

[v.14] [i.2]

Marian Literary Arts Magazine

burn

table of contents

Cover: Rage by Lilly Italia ’27 0-1: Table of Contents: Auras by Eden Smith ’24, Bedsheet Boos by Karis Simon ’25 2-3: Western Sunsets by Sienna Maiers ’26, Just a Girl and a Sunset by Sienna Maiers ’26, “Perfect Day” by Moira Harr ’27, “Those Days” by Lily Biggs ’24 4-5: America the Beautiful by Catherine Buescher ’27, Oracle by Abigail McGuire ’25, “Our Last Summer” by Mia Ramirez ’24, “Worn” by Madeleine Smith ’24 6-7: Where the Horizon Disappears by Addison Ostronic ’25, Mask of Blue by Scarlett Wharton ’24, “Enough Said” by Majieahna Winfrey ’25, “Night Owl” by Sophia Sturek ’26 8-9: Whole World in My Hand by Tong Yual ’24, Hualong by Piper Schroeder n’26, “The Mirror” by Dominika Kouassi ’25 10-11: Vulnerable Heart by Brynley Jaros ’27, Don’t Blink by Claire Pogge ’26, “Phoenix”

by Zoey Rumbaugh ’26, “I’m Not Crying for Me” by Moira Harr ’27 12-13: Oh Sister, Sister! by Tori Schenkelberg ’24, Telephone by Sarah Esquivel ’27, “A Letter to My Childhood Friend” by Madeline Wear ’24, “Forever” by Chizora Okolo ’24 14-15: The Drama by Scarlett Wharton ’24, Buckley by Lilly Italia ’27, “Know Me to Love Me” by Layla Wilke-Conant ’25 16-17: Starlight by Grace Comstock ’24, Thus a Sun was Born by Grace Comstock ’24, “Love like Icarus” by Caitlyn Dunham ’24, “For Mom” by Layla Wilke-Conant ’25 18-19: Silent Cottage by Brynley Jaros ’27, The Arch by Sarah Egan ’26, “Penelope” by Katherine Dietz ’26, “Dreams” by Ruby Scanlan ’26 20-21: Dumb Luck by Reagan Graeve ’24, Horse by Sofia Bostrom ’26, “Bedroom” by Sophia Sturek ’26, “Being Called That” by Yena Kelly ’25 22-23: El Mismo Sol by Nora Coffey ’25, “If I Could Do It All Again”

by Rowan Hamm ’25, Mount Fuji by Piper Schroeder ’26 24-25: The Whale by Maya Zier ’24, Light it Up by Kenadie Rudloff ’24, “Burned” by Lilly McAndrews ’24 26-27: We Have a VERY Special Guest by Tong Yual ’24, “Ser Amado”

by Majieahna Winfrey ’26, “Secondhand Smoke” by Hayden Blaney ’26, We Are All Dancers at 5 by Greta Justice ’25 28-29: Running from Time by Bridget McGill ’24, “The Bond of a Sister” by Jane Rohling ’27, “The Wandering Wonderer by Jane Rohling ’27, Misty Mountains by Eva Kriener ’24 30-31: Equivocal by Crystal Gonzalez ’24, Creek by Sarah Egan ’26, “Worrier’s Lullaby” by Macaire Harr ’24, “The Doe” by Rowan Hamm ’25 32-33: Ancient Dreams by Kaylene Bialas ’25, Envy by Ruby Scanlan ’26, “Réveilez” by Leah Helton ’24 “Love Ache” by Coventry Thompson ’25 Back Cover: My Mind Burns with the Cedars as I Descend into Solitude by Elizabeth Buescher ’25

bedsheet boos [sculptures by karis simon ‘25]

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spring 2024

spring 2024 burn staff editor team: Chizora Okolo, Kenadie Rudloff, Eva Kriener, Madison Shaffar, Elizabeth Buescher, Yena Kelly, Karis Simon, Eden Smith staff: Mary Beatty, Hayden Blaney, Sarah Egan, Lea Fals, Lucy Mendenhall, Claire Pogge, Ruby Scanlan, Piper Schroeder, Hannah Taylor, Kaylene Bialas, Sylvia Borgmann, Abby McGuire, Mary McKay, Hannah Nutsch, Coventry Thompson, Lily Biggs, Caitlyn Dunham, Macaire Harr, Riya Kumar, Lilly McAndrews, Mia Ramirez, Maddie Smith, Scarlett Wharton

Marian presents Burn, a literary arts magazine that strives to showcase the original art, photography, and creative writing of our student body. Burn is published in print twice a year and online at https://burnmagazineonline. wordpress.com. We accept submissions from all grade levels. Our submissions are judged anonymously, and those that are selected are subject to minor grammatical revisions. Burn is a forum for creative student expression. Our goal is to give students a place to publish their work and a place to have their peers appreciate their work. Burn is printed by Interstate Printing Company in Omaha. For the 2023-2024 school year, there will be 800 copies printed per semester. All titles of pieces and page numbers are set in Hiragino Sans W8 font.

The writing is set in Avenir Light. The softwares used were part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite. Our adviser is journalism adviser, Mrs. Marsha Kalkowski.

For inquiries, call 402.571.2618 ext 1134, email us at burn@omahamarian.org or write to us: 7400 Military Ave, Omaha, NE 68134.

Visit our website at burnmagazine.org to see honorable mentions, music submissions and more!

auras

[film photo by eden smith ‘24]

burn

01

just a girl and a sunset

[digital photo by sienna maiers ‘26]

“those days” [poem by lily biggs ‘24]

Oh, I miss the days That I used to swim at the public pool Waving at the lifeguards on the diving board And being yelled at not to run God, I miss the days I used to hang out at the library Back when I read in my spare time Instead of being stuck in literature class and wanting to run Please, I miss the days I’d laugh and swim and smile at the lake Make fun of the boys on ATVs And try to stand on hot sand that would make you run Stop, I miss the days Making and filling out a summer bucket list with my best friends Screaming lyrics out the car window over the speaker at night And cursing the world for making us go back to school during sleepovers But those days are over I’m leaving for college in four months I feel betrayed by the two I loved the most My best friends hate me for doing the same thing as them The future now looks like a monster instead of a sanctuary I don’t even know what I’m doing anymore My childhood is over And this time I can’t run

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spring 2024

e oto h p w l ita

s n u

ss ‘26] n r maier

e t s by sienna

s t e

[dig

“perfect days” [poem by moira harr ‘27] I could live a thousand perfect days Perfection in a thousand different ways Some days don’t have enough hours Like a garden overgrown with flowers I wish to see more in the everyday blur And to make my perfect days occur

03 03

burn burn

“worn”

[poem by madeleine smith ‘24]

I am well worn Well loved, thoroughly felt.

In a second hand store I sit on the lowest shelf.

In a second hand store I am noticed, I am seen.

Just like before, These new arms fit perfectly.

I am patched up; Corduroy and silk, denim and yarn.

I’ve been sewn shut, Shaking hands healed my bleeding scars.

And I will wait for the perfect friend to run with down the hall Just because I was already loved doesn’t mean I can’t be loved at all.

I will wait for the perfect arms to hold me when I feel small Just because I was already loved doesn’t mean I can’t be loved at all.

I will wait for the perfect heart to become the perfect friend, Just because I was already loved doesn’t mean I can’t be loved again.

I’ve seen the world: Bedrooms and farms, forests and cities of light.

I’ve held the world: Held her close as she held me tight.

I will wait for the perfect arms to catch me when I fall Just because I was already loved doesn’t mean I can’t be loved at all.

I will wait for the perfect arms to catch me when I fall Just because I was already loved doesn’t mean I can’t be loved at all.

I’ll always remember the sound of the rain I’ll always remember the song of her pain Her tears stain my faux fur, her laughter possesses me Another life waits to bring me to my knees.

04

[mixed media by catherine buescher ‘27]

america the beautiful

I’ll always remember the sound of the rain I’ll always remember the song of her pain Her tears stain my faux fur, her laughter possesses me Another life waits to bring me to my knees.

spring 2024

In a second hand store I am noticed, I am seen.

Just like before, These new arms fit perfectly.

oracle [mixed media by abigail mcguire ‘25]

“our last summer”

I love music and movies and staying in [poem by mia ramirez ‘24] Cozy summer nights with a fire underneath my chin Wrapped up in a blanket I can feel my teeth shiver It’s finally warm again but I feel under the weather A heavy storm is coming, for who knows how long It’s a 4 year long memory run I can’t believe it’s over in 3 short months The clouds are gloomy but I can see the glimmer On a sunny afternoon when we all say “Don’t you remember?” burn

05

where the horizon disappears [digital photo by addison ostronic ’25]

“night owl” [poem by sophia sturek ’26]

people always ask me “why do you stay up so late?” i think the answer is simple the daylight is loud the daylight is expectations and worries and conversations i don’t want to be a part of however the nighttime is quiet the nighttime is peace where i can be myself while no one else exists

06

spring 2024

“enough said” [poem by majieahna winfrey ’26] I hid from myself I hid from my people I hid from my heart I hid from my thoughts and I hid from my soul Yet I said before you

[mixed media by scarlett wharton ’24]

mask of blue

As 100% myself Honoring 100% of my people Holding 100% love in my heart Respecting 100% of my thoughts And embracing 100% of my soul That should be enough said About my growth My prosperity And my persistence And how pain is 100% temporary

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07

hualong

[digital art by piper schroeder ‘26]

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spring 2024

“the mirror

„

[poem by nika kouassi ‘25]

Every day long hard-worked sweat drips down my skin But not because I’m exercising Not because the sun is beating down my skin I’m swearing because I’m Every day I fight for my place but not because I’m angry Not because I want to I’m fighting because I’m Every day, I have something to prove But not because I’m expected to Not because I don’t work hard I always need to prove myself because I’m Every day, I look in the mirror But not because I’m self-conscious Not because I have impurities I’m looking in the mirror to remember Remember the woman before me The women after me The woman in the mirror I’m adoring the woman in the mirror to remember She who has sweat.

With the sun beating down on her back She who has fought.

For a place at the table, a place on stage She who still has to prove herself, Every day.

She who look s in the mirror and seems to think she lacks However,

whole world in my hand

When the reflection of her breathing, loving, everlasting body She stares into her own eyes She needs to remember, she is beautiful being Black.

[painting by tong yual ‘24]

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09

don’t blink

[colored pencil by claire pogge ‘26]

“i’m not crying for me” [poem by moira harr ‘27]

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spring 2024

I’m not crying for me Well, that’s mostly true These tears are for your pain And everything you’ve been through

I weep because your life is changing It flipped completely upside-down Now and forever there are plans That will never come around

The condensation in my eyes Is because my imagination holds details Because silence is deafening Yet every single word fails

I cry for the moments you had For all the moments you’ll miss And I know you know you have to live With all the moments like this

I’m crying because it’s permanent And how do you comprehend?

How do you in future years See pieces you can’t mend?

Water gently rolls down my cheeks My heart goes out to you And I sincerely hope you don’t forget To cry for yourself too

vulnerable heart [watercolor by brynley jaros ‘27]

“phoenix” [poem by zoey rumbaugh ‘26]

Nothing.

Nothing but the clothes on my back Dog in arms Brother and mom Tears on my face Screams in my throat Not even shoes on my feet, As I stare at all I’ve ever known Go up in smoke.

With the char in my lungs, Devastation in my heart, Terror in my mind, And despair in my bones, The sweet warmth of fire Destroys my home Nothing but ashes to call it now.

But it’s going to be ok.

Because we don’t have nothing.

We have each other and that’s enough.

So we’re going to wipe our tears Dust off our ashes pick ourselves up And pull ourselves out Because now it’s time.

It’s time to rise up Hand in hand and build ourselves a better life.

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oh, sister, sister! [digital photo by tori schenkelberg ‘24]

“forever” [poem by chizoro okolo ’24]

forever comes and goes like the blowing wind in and out side to side here and gone again forever was only a second or maybe it was three filled of bliss and love sorrow and pain lyrics and melodies forever waved hello and then goodbye again forever is constant and spontaneous ending and beginning filling and barren forever is a concept like love and happiness forever is a lie sinking deeper into an abyss

12

spring 2024

telephone

[pencil drawing by sarah esquivel ’27]

“a letter to my childhood friend” [poem by madeline wear ’24]

I drive past your house every day And the circle where we learned to ride our bikes I see all the games we used to play And the trees we climbed on our hikes I miss the summers spent together And the winters outside We were friends in every weather Standing together against the changing tide We thought we would never leave each other We made promises to stay But time led us to another And we drifted away I have never stopped worrying about you Not that you’re doing anything wrong Just because our conversations are so few And I don’t know how you’re getting along This is all just to say I miss you And I hope that you’re ok

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13

[acrylic paint by lilly italia ‘27]

buckley

“know me to love me” [poem by layla wilke-conant ‘25]

I am not clay.

You don’t need to mold me, To change me to fit your desires, So you can love me.

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spring 2024

I am more like a book.

Read though my stories, Listen to my past and be present in my future, So you can know me.

the drama

[mixed media by scarlett wharton ‘24]

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15

“for mom”

[poem by layla wilke-conant ’25]

[digital art by grace comstock ’24]

thus a sun was born

Mothers.

They are there for what feels like our life’s love, They feel the sorrow, For what turns into our first heartbreaks. and take the pain, They sit in the passenger seat while we take to the wheel, so we don’t have to.

And they watch as we take to our first jobs.

They grab our hands, and tiptoe us through: So daughters, Sicknesses, Be there when mothers need it.

Sassiness, Remember how they were there for you.

Missed curfew, From your baby steps, Anger, To your baby’s steps.

Detentions, Ignorance, Be there.

Parking tickets, Because they were for your first breath, Frustration, So you could be there for their last.

Deadlines, And tears.

All those tears.

They lead us through life.

16

spring 2024

starlight

[digital art by grace comstock ’24]

“love like icarus”

[poem by caitlyn dunham ’24] I would rather live and love and burn Than exist in the frozen chill of your absence

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17

silent cottage [watercolor by brynley jaros ‘27]

“penelope” [poem by katherine dietz ‘26]

Every day, I wait for your return Every single day you were gone I waited I fended off all those who would have me Those who would ruin our family Days Months Years went by without a word Until you returned And while I kept my oath You did not keep yours

18

spring 2024

“dreams” [poem by ruby scanlan ’26]

Dreams are the most wonderful gifts Mirrors into the deepest depths of our souls When the line between reality and imagination shifts This blessing, although have taken many tolls When you wake up, You are jolted awake Angry, was the dream was just beginning to build up Trying to fall back asleep is a goal you should forsake It’s futile, it’s all pointless

the arch

[digital photo by sarah egan ’26]

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19

“bedroom” [poem by sophia sturek ‘26]

she’s quite a messy person says the many cups cluttered together on the bedside table and the socks strewn about on the floor quite a childish person too says the bright colors of the room and the mountain of stuffed animals on the bed definitely a reader as well says the many books placed in the bookshelves and the one on the bedside table with a bookmark placed in its pages I wonder what she’s up to now? says the polaroids of her and her friends tucked in the frame of her mirror she’s not here right now says the empty bed and missing backpack wherever she is, I hope she’s having fun

dumb luck

[collage by reagan graeve ‘24]

]

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spring 2024

Like most, I was given a name.

This name helps me fit in I always respond to it

h or s e

[pen drawing by sofi

Yet

ab os tro

‘26

I feel nothing being called that.

m ]

I believed I was bound to it This name is not special to me It’s normal Until I learned some feel connected What they were given holds meaning Surely, that’s not normal Unlike most, I gave myself a name Though I stand out Perhaps I like it that way Maybe I feel something being called that

“being called that” [poem by yena kelly ‘25]

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21

“if i could do it all again” [poem by rowan hamm ’25]

Life is short when you’re wishing for the future Jump the fence but beware of the big black dog Wade through the water but make sure you don’t cut your feet Jump from every tree and don’t be scared of scraped knees, they’re only temporary Never stop playing dolls - even when you’re told that you’re too old for them Don’t wish to grow up, enjoy every moment of life you’re given Pretend to be asleep every time the car door opens and hug your dad extra tight when dad carries you inside Keep the nightlight on and don’t be embarrassed to giggle when you are warned about bed bug bites Getting a bad grade on your spelling test isn’t the end of the world, spelling is ovurated anyways Let your hair tangle, brushing it out is a pain if you’re too short to see yourself in the mirror Tear through the yard looking for fairies, they hide in unexpected places Embrace grass stains, shows you’ve braved the wild jungle of your backyard Tell big stories and laugh as loud as you want this is your world to inhabit Wearing pink doesn’t make you weak, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise Let your lunch show and make friends - you’re one of them whether you recognize it or not Remember who you are and take up space in this world; this life was given to you and beauty is packed into every moment *intentional spellings

el mismo sol

22

[digital photo by nora coffey ’25] spring 2024

mount fuji

[alcohol markers by piper schroeder ’26]

burn

23

light it up

[oil painting by kenadie rudloff ‘24]

“burned”

[poem by lilly mcandrews ‘24] I burned your letter.

I told you that I kept it safe all these years.

Hidden in my desk.

I lied to you.

Your words now ashes.

Our memories now forgotten.

I couldn’t leave your letter there.

Sitting in my desk.

I crumbled it up.

Forgot your handwriting.

Forgot who we were.

I burned your letter.

I wish I could burn the desk.

The desk that kept those memories safe for so long.

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spring 2024

l ta i g di

b a rt

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zier a y a

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25

[watercolor and colored pencil by tong yual ‘24]

we have a very special guest

sitting on a post with myself who i love most i came to think of a day where i can say what i wanted to say a day where i can get lost lost in my thoughts i must where everything is up and gone up and gone like dust one day where i can wish upon something o’ so far that how i am is enough enough to shine like a star but maybe days like that will come and those days i hope to reflect on how much i’ve come to love myself because she’s all i have left

“ser amado” [poem by majieahna winfrey ’26]

26

spring 2024

we are all dancers at five [mixed media by greta justice ’25]

“secondhand smoke” [poem by hayden blaney ’26]

I didn’t know That you inhaled my secondhand smoke Ash in your lungs Let you get burned just for fun You were too perfect Too perfect for me And it took me too long to let you go free So as I watch you go Please try to exhale my secondhand smoke burn

27

“the wandering wonderer”

Right Left Right Left As far back as I can remember, As far ahead as I can see, The path I walk stretches out for what seems like eternity.

I wander.

I wander.

I wander this path full of sharp, thorny vines and crystal clear skies.

Then I stop and I think I think then I wonder I wonder what happens at the end of this wonder The wonder that never ceases to amaze In all of its beauty, In all of its ways That seems to trap me in the mystery of its maze

running from time

[graphite by bridget mcgill ‘24]

28

spring 2024

[poem by jane rohling ‘27]

The Bond of a Sister never fails Not even when the wind is knocked out of your sails

“the bond of a sister” [poem by jane rohling ’27]

The Bond of a Sister is one of friendship and love It doesn’t need to be that shares the same blood The Bond of a Sister is more than all that It is one of life One that words cannot even describe You may get caught in the crossfire You may be struck down Drug through the mud Your hands scraped and covered in blood But here I am, your sister will protect I will shield you from the rain I will share in your pain I will stay by your side, lend you a shoulder when you cry We don’t need to be related by blood Because you are my sister And the Bond of a Sister is one of courage and love

misty mountains Running From Time [digital photo by eva kriener ‘24]

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29

“worrier’s lullaby” [poem by macaire harr ‘24]

creek

[digital photo by sarah egan ‘26]

When worries seem big, just look to the stars and imagine how small they’d be on mars I’ll stay next to you, keep you safe through the night just as the moon loves the earth but can only give light You are small to the redwood and large to the bee but you take up my world like the lock to my key Don’t be scared to go far or ashamed to stay close because I’ll always be here when you need me the most So say goodbye to the day and welcome the night, because letting things leave is not something to fight

30

spring 2024

equivocal

[digital art by crystal gonzalez ‘24]

‘‘the doe’’

[poem by rowan hamm ‘25] No matter how careful, the doe is in danger.

She can dream of days spent in the sun, closing her eyes gently as the warmth caresses her small face but red eyes always lurk.

The diligent honing of his senses keeps the wolf’s attention locked on sweet doe His nose is strong enough to find her with his eyes shut as if her slaughter is his birthright She can prolong the chase Teach herself the quietest route from the stream to the forest, Learn how to listen and how to run, How to stay out of his way and not draw attention to herself and her fawn But she knows how she must go.

All she can do is hope that he will have the decency to devastate her sacred body where the spring flowers can bloom through her open ribs.

burn

31

32

spring 2024

I always thought the reason I feel lonely is because I’m not good enough.

So I tried to be.

I shared my secrets.

Never judged.

Stood back as you got the spotlight.

Said “I’m fine.” To spare you the pain.

Returned every text even when I got no response.

When really all I do is love too hard.

When I was with you I felt love.

Real and true as the sky above me and the gravity that keeps me down.

[poem by coventry thompson ‘25]

“love ache”

[mixed media by kaylene bialas ’25]

ancient dreams

I gave that deep love back even when there was none for me.

I said “hi” when all I got was silence in response.

Was kind even when it hurt my heart.

Oh, my heart hurts so bad now.

I wish I was too mean, too judgmental, or just too scary.

There is a cure for those things.

There is no cure for the heart of a girl who loves too hard.

burn

C’est temps à réveiller Revenir à la réalité Voir le monde dans la vrai vie, ne pas sur un écran Réveillez, réveillez, réveillez

Mais un rêve avec non s'échapper est un cauchemar instagram filtres, et AI générateurs et nouvelles Comme dans un rêve, notre réalité est déformée Comment nous savons que est vrai?

Comment nous pouvons fin le cycle?

Nous sommes les creatures de notre destruction?

Il est trop tard pour se réveiller?

Téléphones, Snapchat, Tik tok, l’internet sont ne bon Technologie est comme un cauchemar.

Premier il est un rêve.

[poem by leah helton ’24]

“réveilez”

33

[digital art by ruby scanlan ’26]

envy

spring 2024