FROM THE EDITOR Hello and welcome to the Spring 2022 edition of the Oracle. The Oracle is Bishop Canevin’s literary magazine, where students can showcase their poetry, art, photography and short stories. Two editions are published yearly: fall and spring. I would personally like to thank all of the contributors; without you the Oracle would cease to exist. In addition, I send my gratitude towards Mrs. Charlotte Smith, and her dedication to her students. As English department chair, she encourages the students to become their best selves. Thank you! Thank you, Theresa Skindzier, my predecessor, for the cover image. Congratulations and thank you, once again, for your hard work. I have learned a lot throughout high school but what I have come to realize is that not everything is as it seems. Poetry, in my opinion, is a reflection of an individual's perspective on life. Understanding the difference between perspectives can help guide individuals to be more likeminded. Being the editor has taught me vital lessons in life and that one should never judge a book by its cover. As a graduating senior, this will be my last Oracle edition and I wish much luck to Julianna Umalin—who is next to take on the task.
EDITOR
RENEE LAGROSSE
Contributors Leonard Aiken ‘24 Mia Altman ‘22 Maslan Anselm ‘24 Alejandro Badran ‘24 Jade Bailey ‘24 Alaina Barlock ‘24 Adante Berrien ‘23 Carolyn Bigley ‘22 Nataley Brock ‘24 Violet Chabala ‘24 TyJer Clayton ‘24 Alysha Cutri ‘22 Madeline Dillon ‘24 Katie Drauch ‘22 Katherine Duca ‘22 Justina Duffy ‘23 Abby Gerchow ‘24 Justin Gmys ‘22 Kyla Hartoyo ‘22 Owen Huet ‘24 Julian Jalkh ‘24 Erin Jameson ‘22 Mac Johnson ‘22 Sani Jones ‘22
Sean Kelsch ‘24 Lauren Kirsch ‘22 Ian Lecker ‘22 Alexis Leppert-Bell ‘25 Abagail Maziarz ‘22 Ava Mercurio-Brennan ‘24 Annaliese Mertz ‘23 Gabe Miller ‘22 Sydney Morningstar ‘24 Dominique Panza ‘25 Michael Parzynski ‘23 Katie Pickur ‘24 Alex Reick ‘22 John Ridilla ‘22 Cecilia Sciullo ‘22 George Shorthouse ‘22 Theresa Skindzier ‘22 Ezekiel Swift ‘24 Olivia Thomas ‘22 Julianna Umalin ‘24 Aiden Vogelsberger ‘22 Ella Whalen ‘24 Eli Wilson ‘22
ABAGAIL
MAZIARZ
“if you can trust yourself when all men doubt you” “you ain't never gonna be happy until you love yours, no such thing as a life that's better than yours” “children’s happiness declines in past decade” “Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get." “there is some good in this world and it's worth fighting for” “i'm proud of you”
AVA
MERCURIO-
BRENNAN nature. the metal clanking of the flag birds chirping in the distance and here I am in resistance Of the garbage that drags and settles outside of the school in which I reside nature. leaves are blooming and plants reviving but the dirt still looms and seems to survive as much as it hurts me as I wish I could stop it but I’m only a teenager trying to change a world where they just continue to drop it.
ELLA
WHALEN
Light Bright, Sunny Shining, Gleaming, Glowing Radiance, luster, Dullness, Gloom Dimming, Shadowing, Shading Unlit, Dingy Dark
SANI
JONES
“We never think to sit and observe the wonder nature holds The scuffled branches and rustled leaves, all the stories untold Speaking of untold, let’s talk about the wind Oh the stories it must hold, all the places it’s been It brushes my face and moves my clothes Oh to be the wind and touch those I wish to hold The path it flows through invisible to the eye Can be shown as we see it move the clouds in the sky So as one sits outdoors seeking to clear their mind Let your head flow like the wind and enjoy a simple time
MADELINE
DILLON
The brightness in my eyes is blurring my sight. I am witnessing a bird that tries to take flight. There are sunshine rays, warming my face. I could really stay here for days. I don't want to leave this place. But I know It is time to leave, I am ending my stride. I believe it is time now to head back inside
KATIE
DUCA
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it. Did you ever stop to notice, This crying Earth? The world is getting worse and worse! Earth? Terrible name for a planet, Might as well call it Planet Dirt. This is an incurable disease. I hope we can fix this.
ALYSHA
CUTRI
IKSNYZRAP
LEAHCIM
KCOLRAB
ANIALA
ELI
WILSON
Who was Antwan Rose Similar to a flower that grows A friend that I had a pleasure to know And it was sad when we saw him go Who is Antwan Rose A student a brother and also a friend Had ups and downs had losses had wins Had love had passion and lots of friends
ANONYMOUS If you can wait and not be tired by waiting Waiting for the world to change Turning back time We're all travelling through time together every day of our lives. Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time But what is time?
GABE
MILLER
It’s not snowing but the trees look dead There’s no green, white, nor autumn red It looks like their lives hang by a thread. All I see is rot and decay Perhaps it’s always been like that way And when it was I just looked away
CECILIA
SCIULLO
Yours is the Earth and everything in it. You call me out upon the water. Why Happiness Is Good For The Planet Let the storm rage on. Of course they needed to care, it meant everything. Have a good day.
ALYSHA
CUTRI
PITTSBURGH
Leonard Aiken
Steel Producers for the World Home of Heinz, Many Bridges, Most football rings and Fort Pitt Block House; Rigid, Nasty, Dark, City of Steel: Many believe that my city of Pittsburgh is boring because we don’t have all the bright lights and luxurious homes. And we don’t have all the famous food places like Canes or In-Out: Yes what they say about that is true And they say that it is nasty and there is pollution everywhere but I will not allow slander to happen in my face to my city so, I say to them: But to me Pittsburgh is like an amazing book: In the beginning it is very boring but as time goes on you begin to find more things to do and appreciate the little parts of the city more: And for the people who say we don’t have good food because we don’t have the well known food places: Keep your mouth shut because we have unknown food places that may be better like Mike and Tony’s and Cambodian Kitchen. Rough, Real, Mean, Unknown, Empire, broken, rebuilding, We are polluted and nasty but that's what makes us rough and rigid. Without us there would be none of the beloved dipping sauces made from Heinz. No other city can make as many bridges as us. And we are the best; The City of Steel! Duke | 102
TEN YEARS
Annaliese Mertz
Ten years is a long time to know someone, To call them friend, A long time to be a part of a person’s life, And still, It’s not enough, Will it ever? Ever satiate this yearning? To make me whole? For I long for her To once more fill my gaze, The very epitome of grace, For her eyes held no judgment, No mock within her laugh, Nor a grimace within her crested lips, “Light”, they chant, Nothing but a whisper of her whole, A label I do not recognize, For it is easier to define a light as radiant Once darkness has taken its place Such as the naming of a friend, Once they become a memory But what is more of a lie, False love Or rather, guarded hate, For my final utterance to her, But a mere falsity, “See you later,” I called, I didn’t.
ANONYMOUS If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, Don’t forget about me even when I doubt you Don’t Let Self-Doubt Hold You Back It’s funny how doubt hides itself. It follows behind you NEVER DOUBT THAT YOU ARE VALUABLE AND POWERFUL AND DESERVING OF EVERY CHANCE AND OPPORTUNITY IN THE WORLD TO PURSUE AND ACHIEVE YOUR OWN DREAMS I’m having doubts
JADE
BAILEY
I hear the birds chirping; they were so beautiful I had to keep smirking With my cup of coffee in my hand I wouldn't stop slurping. I can hear everything so I know my ears are working, I hear cars flying down the road and think they really need to be slowed Or their engine will explode. I hear my classmates walking and they won't stop squawking. There is no downside to listening to the sounds outside.
KATIE
PICKUR
Happiness I feel on this day. Sun so bright it hurts my eyes, Colors on the ground I memorize. Voices of my friends I hear, But all at once they disappear. All because of the bright spring sun. This very day is a happy one. Birds chirping, slight breeze, Suddenly brings me to my knees. What a beautiful life we live, All my thanks to God I give.
KATIE
DRAUCH
Sydney Morningstar
VENICE
Owen Huet
Queen of the Adriatic, City of Water City of Masks City of Bridges The Floating City The people may say the city is overcrowded due to tourism The people may say the city will be submerged in a short period of time due to rising sea levels Some may say that the city is difficult to navigate I say let the tourists experience different cultures I say go now because it will not always be with us I say getting lost in the city’s magnificent corridors is sensational Beautiful Expansive Magnificent Long-established Unique Get lost in its grandiose passages, Get lost in its therapeutic boat rides. It’s a one of a kind city with no other like it; It wouldn’t hurt to try, you may even like it.
Duke | 102
IRTUC AHSYLA
Alysha Cutri
Ian Lecker
Ticking Clock What happens to time? Does it flow Like a river? Or is it like ice And make you shiver? Does it tick like an overwound clock? Or unstable and rigid Like a rock? Maybe it just gets carried away Like leaves in the wind. Or does it disappear into the undefined?
Untitled What Becomes of a Fallen Soldier? Is he paraded? An obelisk to bravery? Is he truly remembered? Is one’s sacrifice buried A victim to time’s slavery? Is that soldier storied Set in memory sweet? We mourn such loss But thank God they lived May their tale not be abridged
Trey Varley
Carolyn Bigley
Memories How do you know when the good times have passed? Do you remember fond memories like peering through glass Or stress about the future— Wishing you could have a pass? Do your tears drip from a fountain? Or do you feel stuck— like you’re kept below a mountain? Maybe good days will come but hope is all but lost Or do you long for the life you once had?
Standards What happens to a daughter under pressure? Does she vulnerably drown in her own sea like a rubber ducky left floating in the tub? Or rather ferment and brew in internal silence— Coping only with liquid poison at the pub? Does she stop, as she once did, to smell the flowers? Or is that hope long gone— Like a moment at the end of the hour? Maybe she covers up and smiles sweetly Like an innocent breath of vanilla bean. Or does she burst into a beautiful, blazing, boisterous queen? NOMADIC
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24
SIXELA
LLEB -TREPPEL
hcuarD eitaK
JUSTIN
GMYS
If you can meet with triumph and disaster Life becomes all that you want it to Falling down is how we grow, staying down is how we die Perseverance is the key to life and success The only real failure, is failure to try If you try, everything will be okay
OLIVIA
THOMAS
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it Every little thing is gonna be alright “The Good the Bad and the Ugly” Life moves pretty fast, if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. There is some good in this world, and it’s worth fighting for God has a plan
KYLA
HARTOYO
There’s no place like home Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it Breathtaking in the age of reconciliation You can be whoever you wanna be here May the odds be ever in your favor Good luck
ERIN
JAMESON
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, Deeper than the eyes can find it, You must trust yourself in order to make a difference, Yourself is the only one you can depend on, There is no better bond than your body and mind, Your worth doesn't come from a man
RENEE
LAGROSSE
TABORLIN THE GREAT AND THE DRY GRASS George Shorthouse
This is the story of Taborlin the Great, one of the most powerful sorcerers of his time. His power was tremendous and humbling to anyone who saw it. But in this story that I’m sure you’ve yet to hear, Toborlin was not in the middle of any of his usual ventures, ones concerning demons or necromancers. Taborlin found himself visiting a king in the nation of Vint. The King had offered Taborlin a stay at his estate to recover from his many adventures. For the days he spent there, Taborlin couldn’t find a comfortable place to rest. Nowhere in the estate put him at ease, until he found the gardens. Taborlin walked out into the gardens but found that the grass was rather rough and dry. A recent drought had led to this, and it bothered Taborlin. He finally found a place to relax, but couldn’t lie down in the grass and enjoy it. Taborlin had many options at this point, but he would only take one course of action. Taborlin was a special kind of sorcerer that we call a namer; he knew the name of something because he understood it in its entirety and this gave him mastery of it. When Taborlin summoned a stone, it shattered; when he summoned a wind, it raged; and when he summoned water, it rained. But none of these helped him. The stone would be of no help here, the wind couldn’t either, and the rain would only make things unpleasantly wet. He thought of all the other names that he knew, but he didn’t know one that could make the grass softer. So Taborlin decided that it was time for him to learn yet another name. He grabbed a handful of grass from the ground and walked to a nearby stone bench. It wasn’t comfortable to sit on a stone, but he could concentrate here better than inside. Here, Taborlin sat looking at his handful of grass. It had taken him a long time to learn the other names he knew, but grass wasn’t very significant, and he didn't think that it would take him a long time. So he sat on the bench of stone and cast himself deep into concentration on the blades in his hands. He examined them for all they were, for all their purposes, how they worked and what made them tick. Taborlin was so deep in his concentration that he did not see time pass around him, and the residents of the castle avoided him lest they injure his anger. Before he knew what had happened, Taborlin had sat there for two weeks with his gaze fully fixed on the small plane in his hand. In his concentration, he did not see it wilt but acknowledged it as part of its function. When he awoke from his concentration, he discovered from those who were watching how long he had been there, and he believed them too, because he was very hungry. A table was prepared in the garden, and food was instantly brought to him on the king's orders. Taberlin stood, unfazed yet still hungry from his time concentrating. He went to the table, grabbed a plate of food that appealed to him, and headed for the still dry grassy area of the garden. He stood before it and spoke grass. That is what those around him, watching him, heard. He knew it sounded like the true name of grass because he had mastery and understood it fully. Before him, the grass grew as soft as a blanket, and he smiled at what he had done. It had taken two weeks for Taborlin to learn the name of grass, and he was now sitting on the ground enjoying a delightful meal. As a way to remember the name of grass, Taborlin formed a small woven ring of grass that joined the rings of stone, wind, water, and more that were already there. Taborlin rested in his grace for a good long time until he was ready to leave. In gratitude for his generosity, Taborlin called for the water and wind to rain upon the king's land so that the drought might end. He left happy, but he hoped that the King took better care of his garden, so that Taborlin wouldn’t need to learn yet another name to relax when he visited.
Carolyn Bigley
PITTSBURGH
Julian Jalkh
The Steel City The City of Bridges The City of Champions The ‘Burgh The 412 They say your air quality is bad because of the years you had steel mills. They say your roads are always problematic and never taken care of. They say you have the worst sports teams. However, you’ve spent all these years improving the air quality like the champ you are. You have as many roads and bridges as there are stars in the sky, so how could they expect you to fix the roads so fast? They are just jealous that they don’t have as many Lombardi Trophies or Stanley Cups or Commissioner’s Trophies as you do. Fun-filled Athletic Medical Technological Opportune Here we go, Steelers, here we go Yinz this, yinz that, yinz these, yinz those Steelers, Penguins, Pirates, Steelers, Penguins, Pirates Healthcare and tech, healthcare and tech Renee LaGrosse
I R T U C
A H S Y L A
H C U A R D
E I T A K
PITTSBURGH POEMS Carl Sandburg “Chicago” poem imitation By: Ezekiel Swift “Pittsburgh” Steel city, City of bridges Three River City of the Allegheny Mountains. strong, tough,busy: People say, you were filthy from the steel mills that once polluted the air, They say that there is hunger and homelessness on the streets, some even complain about safety in the city with less police and old structures waiting to collapse However, I say that it is strong from the steel in its roots like those of tall trees. I say that the city is healthy from the hospitals and research it has done. I say Pittsburgh is beautiful throughout and is a wonderful place to call home. Mighty, Beautiful welcoming, inspiring, Proud This city is amazing, as it is made by the amazing people in it. This city is strong, made stronger by the steel in its roots. We are the city of Pittsburgh, and it is Pittsburgh we call home. Poem for Pittsburgh By: TyJer Clayton I am not what you think I am confused and still finding my way It may seem like a mean mug but it's the face I use to find the way through the thoughts of my mind I'm from 15219, Hill District Bentley Drive I can be loving and caring and can also be professional Deep down Pittsburgh made me who I am The killings, the youth, the adults, the truth Figuring out who I am has been a journey but I know now This is a poem about what Pittsburgh created me to be It’s my hometown
Justina Duffy
ALEJANDRO BADRAN
Lauren Kirsch
Mac Johnson
Exodus Earth When there is despair, can there be hope? What happens to a planet uncared for? Is it locked up Does the ocean dry up like an incarcerated man? Like a puddle in the desert? Or an animal trapped in a snare— Or the sea levels rise— And leaving behind its clan? And the planet sinks? Does the bolt not open with the key? Does the world heat up? Or a rich man with huge debt— Or the Sahara freezes over— Like a poor man who can’t escape his basic fees? Maybe a man is forced into labor Like ice cream in a cold cup? like slaves brought to torment and blight? Maybe the world splits apart Or does man finally recognize everyone is human and has basic Like fabric that’s been torn. rights ?
Or will it become reborn?
Renee LaGrosse Heartbroken What happens to a heart that’s broken? Does it slow Like a broken ticking clock? Or sleep like a log And then just stop? Does sadness haunt like the memory of love? Or does it simply pester and linger Like a sloth moving in a high tree above? Or does it fly away like a dove?
Gabe Miller Reality If you can dream and not make dreams your master. I wake up to the sounds of the silence that allows. Picturing the power of community. I do not dwell on dreams and forget to live. If my life is going to mean anything, I have to live it myself. That is the world's greatest secret.
NOMADIC
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24
The Summation of Creation Lauren Kirsch
The tale of creation is an incredulous story About the ethereal and physical worlds One that confounds the human mind Putting people in a nonplussed state, not knowing what to think It starts with the nascent world That will from now on be interminable until the Last Judgment God created the heavens and the earth As well as light and darkness The rest of the world was now in a state of mutability The sky, lands, and seas being made Vegetation and animals filling the wasteland Sun, stars, and the moon being formed to give light to day and night Finally, He curated a real work of art Humanity He created this to be completely pure and not pernicious in any way God made humans in a pedantic matter, or to perfection Humans would have dominion over all of the creatures and earth Being called very good instead of just good was a great complement Genesis II then starts with Our Ruler resting after all His hard work And another variation of humans being created Man is created from the dust of the earth In a place so beautiful one could gambol through the land and its pleasures Eden, which contained the tree of the knowledge of good and evil Which would obliquely harm humanity for eternity God now made man a suitable partner A woman from his own ribs, both whom were perfect beings Now Genesis III begins with a furtive serpent who writhes his body when moving His sardonic personality is uniquely malevolent The serpent reverses God’s words when talking to the women She no longer quails about the consequences of eating from the tree The serpent’s rhetorical language was enough To convince the woman of a fatuous crime After she ate the fruit, the woman was not put in a febrile state But was rather joyous and full of wisdom So she gave some of the fruit to the man And the two realized they were naked and had fallen from perfection When God discovered what the two had done They were given a final ultimatum For man to work through toil and sweat And woman to have pain through childbearing
SYDNEY
MORNINGSTAR
The World’s Forever Unchanging Theresa Skindzier
If clouds were made of cotton candy, then the sky would rain sugar. If light was cold, then the world would live in darkness. If mountains and valleys became an equally flat plain, then the horizon would form the only curve of the ground. If a single feature of the Earth was created differently, then the world as we know it would not be so. – When political lines tear apart countries once whole, war will ensue to which no resolution will come. When greed encompasses the minds of both the rich and poor, the overtaking selfishness will further corrupt several others. When lies once hidden surface to reveal the truth of the falsifiers, the inherent wickedness embedded in the souls of the people will erupt. When the Earth becomes nothing but the location of madness, the human race will have destroyed themselves. – If only the clouds were made of cotton candy, then the sweetness may cast out the deceit of the world. If only light were cold, then society would learn to appreciate the darkness. If only the mountains and valleys were an equally flat plain, then one could see past the obscurities and into the truth of what lies beyond. If only a single feature of the Earth was created differently, then maybe it would be easier to go on.
JOHN
RIDILLA
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you If I can stand alone I can win I know I can succeed It may be difficult But you’re good enough
AIDEN VOGELSBERGER You can dream and not make dreams your master You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow Peace signed, ends the Great War With great power comes great responsibility I don't care if they like me. I didn't come here to make friends. I don't even care if they respect me. I know who I am. I've got enough respect for myself. I do not want them to beat me. Don’t let them get to you, you just be the best person you are able to be
ALEX
REICK
Sitting out here in the open Next to God's creation It makes me feel almost broken, Sitting safe in my haven. I gaze out to the clear sky, Taking in every sound, But no matter how hard I try, Some things can never be found. The mighty trees surround us, Asleep during the winter, But winter comes only once, And spring will always be kinder. So here I sit, feeling broken, My woes passed by unspoken.
G E O R G EA L Y SSH HA OR C UT TH R IO U S E
Skyla Spears
Adante Berrien
Thirteen Ways of Looking in a Mirror Carolyn Bigley
I The one-way window to realization: a mirror, A reflective pane hanging idly on a wall, The keeper of the worlds’ secrets. II The excitement of a first date, clock quickly spinning, butterflies tickling her body As she stood fixing her eyeliner for the sixth time that evening. III Two sisters draped in dark garments staring back at themselves with blank expressions As they prepared to bid their final farewells to their late mother. IV The paralyzing guilt of a relapse, Fingers coated in saliva, door locked, and stomach emptied, As the flush of a toilet signals the return of a horrific cycle, The desire to be slimmer maliciously lingering over her head. V A rushed glance before her first day of work, Racing against the clock, Swiftly smoothing her perfectly kempt hair And practicing her smile one last time Before slipping into her coat and heading out to her frosted car. VI The insecure stare of a defeated teenage girl As she scrutinized every inch of her frame, Feeling haunted by her reflection. She simultaneously cursed her birth and her genetics. Her shoulders dropped with a large sigh As she removed the reflective pane from her wall For seeing herself daily was far too terrifying. VII A smile of relief after winning the championship game, Forehead visibly drenched in sweat And a once sleek ponytail now loose and frizzy. She splashes some cold water on her face And exhaled a long, exhausted breath as she walked away to celebrate with her team.
VIII An obligatory mirror picture after a long awaited reunion. Three hearts vigorously strained by years of distance Finally glimmered with life with the flash of a phone As the separated trio of best friends was whole once again. IX A shattered hand mirror scattered across the floor, Broken images of two girls giggling and gasping As they facetiously feared the infamous omen of bad luck they would soon face. X A school bathroom mirror beneath deafening, buzzing lights Filled with the lone silhouette of the imperfect perfectionist, Runny mascara, shaky lungs, and a newly graded exam shoved idly into her bag, Waving her hand under the motion-sensored sink to mute her sobs. XI A nightly routine of extractions From a girl uncontent with her blemished complexion. She sat at the sink, face merely centimeters away from the mirror, Metal tool in one hand, cotton swab in the other As she poked and prodded her delicate pores Until her face was crimson and flush. XII The joy of a new mother, finally stable enough to walk, Capturing her first glance of herself with her beautiful baby. XIII A new house owner readjusting the grandiose mirror Stepping a few feet away to check if it was evenly hung. She wiped away the sweat from her brow After a long day of decorating and cleaning, Smiling contently at herself—feeling proud of how far she has come.
Alaina Barlock