2020 Bits of Flint

Bits of

Flint 2020

Front Cover by Riley O’Neil

Editor - Robert Farber & Alexander Law Faculty Advisor - Henry Krusiewicz

Contents

Within These Walls

Jaden Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Painlessly Unaware (a Pantoum for Mickey)

Jaden Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Pandemanium

Jaden Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Blue Dream

Paige Thelen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Go Burn Yourself

Jaden Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

My Sea

Christian Dames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Dead Men’s Train

Christian Dames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

The Desert Mirage

Christian Dames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Brother Untitled

Christian Dames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Riley O’Neill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

My Dear Alaska

Christian Dames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

A Duck’s Life

Robert Farber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Miller’s Tale

Robert Farber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Hike

Robert Farber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Man or Mouse

Robert Farber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

The Lemons of Lust

Peyton Garbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

My Cousin Alex

Peyton Garbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Sweet Abby

Peyton Garbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Dreamy Roses

Paige Thelen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

The Fun of Pain and Puke

Peyton Garbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

My Love, My One, My Lass

Angus Laing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

A Pint o’ Wine

Angus Laing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Bottle of “Rosé”

Paige Thelen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

White Bricks

Angus Laing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Cinnamon Tea

Alexander Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Alexander Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

A Cicada in Fall

Alexander Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Lace Woven Black

Alexander Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Untitled

Samantha Leclear . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Harlequin Horse

Riley O’Neill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Pillar of Light

Riley O’Neill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Quarantine Zone

Jonathan Quintanilla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Untitled

Riley O’Neill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Jasmine’s Departure

Jonathan Quintanilla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Zoned

Jonathan Quintanilla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Another Generic Sonnet

Jonathan Quintanilla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Another Generic Sonnet: The Response

Jonathan Quintanilla . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

A Sister’s Love

Sarah Serrano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Movie Theater

Sarah Serrano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

The Dreadful Park

Sarah Serrano . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Untitled

Riley O’Neill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Inside a Lovers Mind

Aimee VanDorenOwens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

A Precious Infant

Aimee VanDorenOwens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Morning, Night Time, Sleep, Awake

Matt Weisberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Even When

Matt Weisberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Untitled

Riley O’Neill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Plane Ride At Midnight

Matt Weisberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

The Peak’s Mirage

Matt Weisberg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Untitled

Riley O’Neill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Within These Walls Jaden Cover I read the news, and read it some more Further lands struck me with fear The small white sign will be my force field “Your weapons aren’t welcomed here” Within these walls we learned new things Secure in this little place We drilled and drilled code reds and lockdowns The reason was just in case In second period, I heard those screams Then Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop! Did you not see because you’re a machine?

Did the sign not make you stop?

One by one my classmates dropped Bodies crumpled and thrown The trigger won, the bullets flung Inside our gun free zone Within these walls we learned new things Between the lines we read Within these walls my friends are shot Motionless they bleed

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BITS OF FLINT

Painlessly Unaware (a Pantoum for Mickey) Jaden Cover My grandma was dead two days before she died.

She had no parting words for me.

Morphine took that from her, so I spoke beside her in a whisper.

She had no parting words for me.

Wholeheartedly, I asked God to let her die, so I spoke beside her in a whisper.

I sometimes wonder if either of them heard me.

Wholeheartedly, I asked God to let her die.

It couldn’t be worse than this.

I sometimes wonder if either of them heard me because He did answer my prayers.

It couldn’t be worse than this, but I still feel guilty asking for her death because He did answer my prayer.

And my grandma died two days later.

BITS OF FLINT

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Pandemanium Jaden Cover A spark burned the village long before the flame.

Man, woman, child, all went insane.

Fire! Fire! They didn’t burn; they bled.

I laughed from my window as survivors fled.

A spark burned the village, no need for flame.

Man, woman, child, clawing at their brains.

Run! Run! You must not get caught.

I laughed from my window at the fire they thought.

A spark burned the village, and I was to blame.

Man, woman, child, pushed me to shame.

Why? Why! Why strike the match?

I laughed from my window; the fire never hatched.

Blue Dream - Paige Thelen

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BITS OF FLINT

Go Burn Yourself Jaden Cover You were always the best liar How I thought our love was true Please stick your head in a fire Maybe once I had your eye’s desire Maybe once you had my flu Who knows, You always were the best liar Being civil, I walked that wire But that never tamed you, you shrew Please stick your head in a fire You stacked our wood, and set ablaze our pyre We’ll be okay, sure… sure… but I knew You were always the best liar I really wish I could take the road that’s higher I’m over you, you’re over me, but obnoxiously we stew “Please stick your head in a fire” Our love was lost, but our hatred never tires So I regret nothing I say to you We were always the best liars Don’t hold my hand when we jump in the fire

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My Sea Christian Dames My sea she calls me, day and night, her cries are on the breeze.

Her words lay heavy on my soul, “Return my darling, please.”

My heart now longs for her embrace, her cleansing touch I yearn.

And oh, I miss her shifting waves.

My sea, I will return.

Beulah Meyer Link Award Winner Dead Men’s Train Christian Dames There is.

A train.

That takes. The dead. Away.

It ferries them into the afterlife.

They travel through the astral plane at night, aboard their spectral locomotive out of sight.

The engine’s powered by the souls who lost their way, they’re damned to work the furnace on the train.

And ev’ry night they reach the journey’s end, And bring.

The dead.

Men’s train.

To. A. Stop.

12 |

BITS OF FLINT

ard Winner

The Desert Mirage Christian Dames The sun beats down on his neck, as he wanders through scorching sand.

He walks alone in the desert, as the sun-baked dunes stretch on for eternity.

He wanders through scorching sand, he’s beginning to see things in the distance.

As the sun-baked dunes stretch on for eternity, he sees her running towards him.

He’s beginning to see her in the distance.

Using every ounce of strength, he runs towards her.

He sees her running towards him, but no matter how far he runs, he never meets her.

Using every ounce of strength, he runs towards her, as the sun beats down on his neck.

No matter how far he runs, he never meets her.

Fruitless, he walks alone in the desert.

BITS OF FLINT

| 13

Brother Christian Dames Oh my brother I will stand beside you, and ride with you forever till we die.

We’ll weather fearsome storms that roam the sky– the wind and rain won’t stunt our journey through.

As one we’ll face the fires that ensue, our bond the flames will try to nullify.

We needn’t worry for some jealous goodbye– Oh how I find such rivalries taboo.

And now they try to tell us faulty truths– they say our bond has weakened since our youth.

Don’t take to heart the words they have to say, They envy the bond we share, my brother.

Together in our strength we’re built to stay.

Oh my brother, we aren’t like the others.

Untitled - Riley O’Neill

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BITS OF FLINT

My Dear Alaska Christian Dames My dear Alaska, you’ve been on my mind for longer than I’d dare attempt to count.

Our differences have clearly been defined, but seeing you, they’re easy to discount.

My heart just pauses when I look at you, I’m taken by the beauty of your face.

Your eyes are such an iridescent hue, I’m lost within their never-ending space.

I’m hooked the moment that you speak to me.

Oh how I am enamored with your voice.

And say that time will stop and set us freeEternity with you, would be my choice.

Alas, if she could know my true feelings, my dear Alaska would leave me reeling.

BITS OF FLINT

| 15

A Duck’s Life Robert Farber The daring sweep, of duckling feet Inter-webbed toes, like fate, entwined Mother’s lead falters for but heartbeat and alone, security flees the mind.

A daring world, the duckling whirls alone from pond to pond. Pondering quietly amongst the reeds, finds solace in pursuit of girls.

Alas, blind irony, no girl can replace mother’s piety…

Desperate to leave, the duckling dares to fly!

Far away he flees, in pursuit of dreams, Dodging bullseyes-- far too high to cry!

Despite extremes, his drive succeeds, by any mean…

Destined comedy, that daring duckling, Falls victim to the whims of another hunting.

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BITS OF FLINT

Miller’s Tale Robert Farber Scatterbrained and weary eyed I saw a strange round dot Floating inside a red solo cup From which I drank a lot Though dark my vision explored new light My voice even took to song!

The world around grew twice over, Until all worry was gone.

In ecstasy grew new craving Pulsing with life its own; Controlling my shaking body, As deep as soul and bone.

Fragments of my contorted mind Gasp quiet for buyer’s remorse Without a second chance at life, Has my life run its course?

Bloodshot eyes, desperate pleas, Disease burns every drop.

Till all remains is skeleton, Begging silent “Help me stop”

BITS OF FLINT

| 17

Hike Robert Farber You hike the ball, and kill the brain Contact high blows the pain away Life on the line for this ballgames pain The c-words banned from turfs domain, Drugs numb the ache, “Shut up and play!”

You hike the ball and kill the brain.

Memories drained for earthly gain.

Kickoff sounds to lone dismay, Life on the line for this ballgames pain.

Heads and shoulders the target of deadly aim, Hear the crack and whip of Judgement Day. You hike the ball, and kill the brain.

A lifeless body—The crowd complains, “Haul him off the field, he’s faking anyway!”

Life, on the line, this ballgame pains.

Everyday he strains to remain sane.

He struggles to name the months and days Since he hiked the ball and numbed his brain Life a line of constant pain.

18 |

BITS OF FLINT

Man or Mouse Robert Farber Yesterday I fought a snail That grew inside my lungs Oozing forth upon my lips It croaked, much like the frogs Yesterday I fought a deer With antlers meters wide It gouged and thrashed about inside my stomach acid, melted brine Today I fought the whimsy, Of a fairy clearly false It whispered words of cunning, Deceiving me till I was lost.

And now I face the scraps All the meals I ate at trough.

An ox now led to slaughter, I feel the weight, the yokes I wrought For now I fly in darkness, Seeing nothing, hearing song Like sonar shaping beauty, I hear, like bats, the cost I squeak now at seeping venom, The fangs now slitting throat Devoured my life, swallowing Both the souls of Man and Mouse.

BITS OF FLINT

| 19

The Lemons of Lust Peyton Garbers The Lemons of Lust Show no bounds of control When a thrust is a must There she sits and self-adjusts Our gazing eyes seem to be her goal The Lemons of Lust We are warned that they’re one to mistrust But all they do is extend my flag pole A thrust is a must We all feel a mild gust Of our money sucked into that black hole The Lemons of Lust Now I look at them as I cussed Her legs up high like a field goal A thrust is a must I look down to see the last of the pie crust I can no long practice this sense of control The Lemons of Lust A thrust is now a must

20 |

BITS OF FLINT

My Cousin Alex Peyton Garbers I sit and cry at the end of the bed and look upon Alex, lying on his deathbed.

I kiss his check and leave, eyes and heart aflame Oh how I wish to know who’s to blame I look upon Alex, lying on his deathbed It does not take long for my eyes to perspire Oh how I wish to know who’s to blame For taking away the one I admire It does not take long for my eyes to perspire His cheeks fade and pulse goes faint Oh why did you have to take the one I admire?

A man to you, but to me a saint.

His cheeks fade and pulse goes faint I sit and cry and the end of his bed A man to them, but to me a saint I kiss his cheek and leave, eyes and heart aflame

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| 21

Sweet Abby Peyton Garbers Oh sweet Abby, you give my heart such love.

Our start began among the leaves and snow, oh sweet Abby, you’re my true love’s cargo “I found the one!” The girl who is beloved.

Among moonlit clad streets, I grab your glove, your face does shine with your beauty aglow, oh sweet Abby, my heart I do bestow.

My search is done, I found my one true love.

And here we sit, with snow in each our hands, to now follow what life and God demands.

Come put angels of snow on here my dear.

Lets rock and look at what our hands did drew, so let’s step back, and take a pint of beer, and jeer when I first give my love to you.

Dreamy Roses - Paige Thelen

22 |

BITS OF FLINT

The Fun of Pain and Puke Peyton Garbers We go again to see some friends A place we go so much We cheer and grab a can of ale Oh cold it is to touch We laugh and sing our list of songs Tonight we live it up But then I stop and feel my gut With pain and puke I yup The morn of fun is one I hate Regret enters my mind But then my friends come grab my arm My pain they must be blind We go again to see some friends In pain from the last night But when the week has hit its stride Oh how are we a sight A week of fun is much to take And when I run a sprint I feel the pain in arms and gut It looked so good on print

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| 23

My Love, My One, My Lass Angus Laing Day. I bleed into the night.

In the hope that tomorrow will be better In the wake. Present are a smile.

Till dusk sweeps us away.

And all that is left is Pitiful dust.

I wish that I was good enough Keeping me awake - Losing light.

My love, My one, My lass Won’t you stay?

I’ll love you while you wait I will not say we will die together.

Who’s to stay we will last forever Tell me that it wasn’t all a lie And my waterfall will flow In the abyss of the bleeding night I hold on tight to make you whole Weigh heavy on me like you used to I want to caress your rolling heart of stone I’ll take a new path - I’ll be all you need Just donate your love to me Stay a while Stay a while My love, My one, My lass Won’t you stay?

I’ll love you while you wait

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BITS OF FLINT

A Pint o Wine Angus Laing Away n’ bring me a pint o’ wine Listen closely for the story to come Let it be - that I may drink So I can move on to the rum Trumpets sound. Banners fly.

Sparkled spears were pointed. Ready Shattered shields. Shouts o’ war travel far The field smothered deep and bloody Fire burns the boys quickly It’s not the roar o’ sea or shore Would make I Langer to aid No longer do shouts of war travel “The Light of the Sun” Kilgharrah

Bottle of “Rosé” - Paige Thelen

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| 25

White Bricks Angus Laing All things it devours, Rocks, bread, trees and flowers It can speed up, it can slow down But never does it stop, It is the result of birth and death We watch it pass by on the face of the clock .

What am I? With four legs I watch; with a cows hide I wander aimlessly in its shadowed corner, hiding from oblivion. With an apparent smile, I am lost and with the unseen mysteries behind a night stand. I want to know. What lies beyond your shield? In the dark, do you too, wander? When nobody else is watching, do you sing? When I see you, are you too, seeing me? Your knowledge and memory is that of someone of extraordinary significance, you shelter me from a bite so cold; without you, I would be dust, picked up by the wind and carried to any unwanted place, just to be judged, stepped on, and brushed away into a pitiful abyss. You stand guard as forces beyond evil try to reach me, and by doing so, you have my full gratitude. As me, with four wooden legs and a cow’s hide skin, stare at your brute strength as the lights are turned down, the fire glows dim and your nightly watch begins.

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BITS OF FLINT

Cinnamon Alexander Law

Tea Alexander Law

Flaming wood bark heat kissing pomegranate lips, killing cold blue hearts

Rose flame; royal stream bless heaven with rising steam; Earth’s growth: misty tears and it’s said two wrongs don’t make a right.

Yet, still turned cheeks ignore in spite.

A Cicada in Fall Alexander Law A choir born lovestruck; seeking each summer lover.

In fall, a solo

Lace Woven Black Alexander Law Within whimsy’s violet winding maze lost withering axioms; your clumsy mind: Once pure, infancy flowered with no cost, sinless as that world primal, swept behind.

There supping, dancing, laughing—all in mirth; assumed adamantine eternity.

Darkest light, lightest dark, scarce could there berth the totality of mortality.

But then there came I too in secret guise— sweeter than wonders you could recall back; richer than your vices, your gold, your highs: Strapped choked flesh fettered in lace woven black…

Partake of my well in great or small sips and I shall pull your soul from your cold lips.

BITS OF FLINT

| 27

Untitled Samantha Leclear within the flaws is imperfections of the undesired to change to become difficult at a time but recognizing the small things that not only comes in threes but comes as a whole an unbroken bond that will never be crossed

Harlequin Horse Riley O’Neill A Harlequin Horse sits on the bed Old and musty from the attic’s dust One-eyed and peering curiously A single brown pool of wisdom Holds the memories of a forgotten child.

His limbs are knobby and loose From the child’s tight hugs, Raggedy mane and knotted tail His head hangs limply with no more plush All made with love from a caring child The Harlequin Horse listens He is quiet and patient Old notched ears strained to hear.

A nonexistent mouth never shares secrets whispered by a lonely child.

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BITS OF FLINT

Pillar of Light Riley O’Neill Rays of light shined From twinkly eyes Blinding and seductive.

Untamed strands of gold sway atop his head In a luscious mane of light.

Thunderous and warm sounds his voice Lips curved in an eternal smile A hearty laugh carries on his breath Strong and fierce he stood Built to destroy But to love so gentle.

Calloused hands on supple skin Pale as cream and speckled brown From the sun’s kisses.

From afar I’ve seen you, Studied you But to me a blind eye you cast.

Invisible in your path of justice Unrequited gaze longing for a glance My pillar of light Though you may never see me Never hear or know me, I will continue to watch you.

And cherish you.

Pillar of Light

BITS OF FLINT

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Quarantine Zone Jonathan Quintanilla In this Quarantine Zone One familia became two. family They faced a harsh truth of reaching freedom: They’ll never be whole, again.

One familia became two. family They pleaded to the cold folk To let them be whole, again.

But their pleas fell on merciless ears.

They pleaded to the white folk, “Traer de vuelta a nuestro hijo.” “Bring back our child.”

But their pleas fell on merciless ears, As a cold touch took their child away.

“Traer de Vuelta a nuestro hijo.” “Bring back our child.”

But they knew the truth of reaching freedom, As a cold touch took their child away In this Quarantine Zone.

Untitled - Riley O’Neill

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BITS OF FLINT

Jasmine’s Departure Jonathan Quintanilla With time not being something we forsake, We escape this poor life in the ghetto, And, hand and hand, we danced in the meadow, Replete with gorgeous jasmines, your namesake, And guess endless futures that we could make But as your final breaths slow and narrow, Your words “I love you” now turned to echoes.

You close your eyes, never to reawake.

I know what you said was never a lie Yet, this anguish still pains me to the bone Since you left me to go with God’s angels.

Alas, the time has come to say goodbye, But I leave you a jasmine on your stone On this brisk, nostalgic day in April.

Zoned Jonathan Quintanilla “There’s plenty of fish in the sea.”

That’s what the lads would say.

But here I sit alone waiting.

Waiting for that one day.

While there’s indeed plenty of fish, I still wait for a bite From a fish that would save my heart From the scorns of cold blight At last, one clamps onto my hook.

One with a heart of gold.

But my line breaks; she swims away.

Again, my heart grows cold.

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Another Generic Sonnet Jonathan Quintanilla From infant years that we were so long ago, You were nothing but a major eyesore.

But the pesky Cupid now charged his bow.

Now, your flaws are ones I truly adore.

As your curls of blond silk danced with the gale And your ocean eyes glitter in the sun, Your traits remind me of a fairy tale.

By God, I want to be your number one.

In this wonderful game reserved for two, I can show you grand mountains and warm sands From this world not as alluring as you If you allow me to take up your hand I promise, our journey will never end And I think we can be more than just friends

Another Generic Sonnet: The Response Jonathan Quintanilla I can tell just by looking at your eyes, And by listening to those cliché words, You’re exactly like all the other guys.

You’re all chirping around like birds.

You say that I was your major eyesore And have made that clear with an iron fist.

Now, fast like the gale, I’m whom you adore?

In all honesty, Cupid should have missed.

Being my number one is what you want?

How many others have you told that lie?

You just want an accessory to flaunt.

For all these reasons, I bid you goodbye.

I wish you all the luck in the world, friend

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BITS OF FLINT

A Sister’s Love Sarah Serrano The day I learned you would be in my life I knew my life would never be the same Our days would become like those in wildlife I dreaded the longest of waiting games At five years old I was set in my ways The only child in a sweet loving home Then you came along uprooting my days My life changed around by a little gnome Fighting and bickering from time to time Or being thick as thief’s at family things Never knowing if my partner in crime Is here or is it a devil with wings When I held you in my arms that first day I knew from my heart you would never stray In your petty game that none will attend.

Movie Theater Sarah Serrano The smell of popcorn coats the air All the memories made here It’s clear to see how much you care When talking to the loyal few Who spend a day a week with you

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The Dreadful Park Sarah Serrano Looking back its clear to see Why I avoid them so much All it takes is one look To remember how I left broken Why I avoid them so much You would understand To remember why I left so broken From falling off the teeter totter You would understand If you had also fallen that day From falling off the teeter totter To sitting in an x-ray machine If you had also fallen that day The sight of parks would make you weary The thought if sitting in an x-ray machine Is enough to feel that dreadful pain

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BITS OF FLINT

Inside a Lovers Mind Aimee VanDorenOwens Pressed firmly against purple cotton sheets.

Delicate clothes stretched upon her body.

Her beauty melting in the candles heat, These moments aren’t for everybody.

Like candy, an expert at playing sweet.

So shy but devoted to being kind.

An angel so daring she would one meet, And yearn to get inside his motley mind.

Playing games and hard to get in past years.

Together forever, a dull promise.

She helped him battle his childish fears.

Falling short of love but indulged in bliss.

A Precious Infant

It may be that true love is not their call, There’s more to love than just sex after all.

Aimee VanDorenOwens Wispy black hair, Little fingers that wrap around yours.

Puckered lips and teary eyes, Oh the precious joy of a newborn.

Little fingers that wrap around yours, Skin soft as silk.

Oh the precious joy of a newborn.

Muffled cries as she wakes.

Skin soft as silk.

Her mother holds her and admires, Even her muffled cries as she wakes, Because one day she won’t be so small.

Her mother holds her and admires, The special moment together, Because one day she won’t be so small.

She’ll grow up like the rest of us.

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The Peak’s Mirage Matt Weisberg A hiker strains beneath his pack Clambering up a well trodden path Towards a white dressed peak Most men have trudged his slippery line Yet few have reached the summit It’s said the view, sublime, Makes an ocean’s opal weep As he crawls along, His load bears down like an anvil He sees a man working towards him, Through the wispy curling gusts, Oh please tell, what did you see?— Hope draping every word “I am much swifter with no burden, It’s cheerier downhill Reversed my trek afore the crest to carve a trail—my own” Puzzled, the hiker sallies forth More pain With grit Squirm by squirm He reaches his gloried top And with ice flaked lashes, Takes in the view But emptiness in lieu of awe— He asks, What’s next?

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BITS OF FLINT

Morning, Night Time, Sleep, Awake Matt Weisberg Another day in this sweatshop of plagued monotony, Morning then night, sleep, awake At first I labored here as a means to an end But now my own end is the sole break in sight Morning then night, sleep, awake Years have begun to interdigitate like machines I work My own end, the soul’s break in sight ”Brrrrrrring!” attention infringed, the bell says lunch My thoughts interdigitate like machines I work My wife’s packed spaghetti brings a moment of felicity ”Brrrrrring!” fifteen minute bliss concludes, the bell says work Truly, is this cycle what my existence amounts to?

My wife’s packed spaghetti my only day’s joy?

Still, complacency keeps me chained to circumstance Even though I deplore this cycle my existence amounts to, I will change nothing.

For that would mean the unfamiliar.

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Even When Matt Weisberg Even when the seas are calm And no clouds are in the sky While soft, the ship sways to the song Of gulls that sing, “nothing’s wrong” The sailor cannot stop and sigh Even when the seas are calm For fear that black, the blue will don— The happy sounds of birds will die But soft, the ship sways to their song He feels an ache that something’s wrong The gentle breeze must carry lies All the while, the seas are calm As dancing dolphins glide along His jaws clamp shut and hair awry Still soft the ship sways to the song A sense of peace is what he longs Yet purest days, he will deny Even when the seas are calm And soft, the ship sways to the song

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BITS OF FLINT

Plane Ride At Midnight Matt Weisberg Through slitted window’s pane, I gaze down the strake Below—a shapeless blot of blackened sea Hooding rock, valley, and every untamed beast What vile villains lurk in unseen shapes?

But patchy beacons lucent through its drape Comfort abounds as looming dimness cease Amid the dark, man’s jutting light sings peace Those city’s blaze define the land’s true scape But as a man, I see that glow’s deep blight Where shining sheen repels the gloom, I know— Lives man—most vile greed and filthy soul Bright, but within, dinge creeps blacker than coal At once that thought does fill my soul with woe Perhaps town’s lights are darker than the night

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