The Oracle Literary Magazine Fall 2023

THE ORACLE POETRY / ARTS / PHOTOGRAPHY / SHORT STORIES

FALL 2023

BISHOP CANEVIN HIGH SCHOOL

Letter from the Editor

HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE 2023 EDITION OF THE BISHOP CANEVIN HIGH SCHOOL FALL ORACLE. THE ORACLE IS OUR LITERARY MAGAZINE THAT SHOWCASES THE MANY TALENTS OF STUDENTS, WRITERS, AND ARTISTS. EACH SCHOOL YEAR, THE ORACLE PUBLISHES TWO VOLUMES OF POETRY, PHOTOGRAPHY, ART, AND SHORT STORIES FROM THE STUDENTS OF THE BISHOP CANEVIN COMMUNITY. ONE IN THE FALL AND ONE IN THE SPRING.

I WANT TO EXPRESS MY HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO MRS. CHARLOTTE SMITH FOR HER DEDICATION TO HER STUDENTS. HER INSPIRATION, WARMTH, AND EXCEPTIONAL TEACHING TALENT HAS LEFT A BIG IMPACT. MRS. SMITH CONTINUALLY MOTIVATES HER STUDENTS TO STRIVE FOR THEIR BEST, AND WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR ALL THAT SHE DOES. THE COVER OF THIS PAGE IS MY FAVORITE FALL PHOTO. IT CAPTURES THE BEAUTY OF A SEASON I ALREADY MISS. FALL'S CHARM AND LOVELINESS HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART. THE ORACLE SERVES AS A FANTASTIC PLATFORM TO DISCOVER EMERGING ARTISTS AND CREATIVITY WITHIN OUR SCHOOL COMMUNITY. EDITING THIS YEAR'S ORACLE WAS A THRILLING EXPERIENCE, GIVEN THE ABUNDANCE OF SKILL AND CREATIVITY DISPLAYED BY OUR TALENTED STUDENTS. I HOPE YOU FIND AS MUCH JOY IN EXPLORING THE REMARKABLE WORK SHOWCASED BY OUR STUDENT BODY AS I DID.

Editor, Julianna Umalin

Contributors

Drew Allen ‘26 Maslen Anselm ‘24 Alejandro Badran ‘24 Alaina Barlock ‘24 Kade Barton ‘27 Jonathan Bernotas ‘24 Zach Bittner ‘24 Ashley Boehm ‘24 Ava Mercurio Brennan ‘24 Olivia Mercurio Brennan ‘27 Mia Bella Carlini ‘25 Landon Cirimpei ‘27 TyJer Clayton ‘24 Kya Cooley ‘27 Rowan Creely ‘26 Carter Cross ‘26 Julianna Daniele ‘27 Corey Davis ‘26 Madeline Dillon ‘24 Jayda Dixon ‘26 Amari Elliott ‘26 Anthony Evans Jr ‘27 Cali Evans ‘26 Cole Evans ‘24 Abigail Gerchow ‘24 Myra Gohring ‘24 Fionn Hites ‘26 Olivia Holub ‘25 Marli Hornack ‘27 Dyamond Horne ‘25 Joey Hurley ‘24 Gavin Jaki ‘27

Julian Jalkh ‘24 Eve Kascak ‘24 Sean Kelsch ‘24 Natalie Kirsch ‘25 Chase Lavelle ‘27 Lucia Madore ‘27 Olivia Maida ‘27 Gianna Matthew ‘27 Azjaun Marshall ‘24 Noelle Miller ‘25 Aiden Mineo ‘25 Ben Ondrejko ‘24 Dominique Panza ‘25 Gracie Rauterkus ‘24 Chloe Rovnak ‘25 Jaiden Simpson ‘27 Susan Skindzier ‘25 Noah Steele ‘27 Shelby Steverson ‘26 Isabella Sysak ‘26 Vyla Tomachesky ‘26 Alexis Trischler ‘26 Julianna Umalin ‘24 Dom Varley ‘24 Gianna Varley ‘26 Luke Verdun ‘26 Lamier Wade ‘27 Ava Washington ‘27 Chloe Waxter ‘26 Ella Whalen ‘24 Quentin White ‘24 Matthew Ziegler ‘26

In a world where fairness truly prevails.

Equality and the anthem that we sing, No barriers or biases ever trails, A harmony where all hearts truly cling.

No matter, race, religion, or belief, Each soul is valued, cherished, and embraced, For in diversity, we find relief, A tapestry of beauty interlaced.

Let’s strive to build a world where all are seen, Where justice reigns and prejudice is gone, Where love and empathy forever gleam, And every voice can freely sing its song.

For in equality, we find our worth, A world that celebrates our shared birth.

TyJer Clayton

Hunters Camo, hidden Watching, loading, aiming Fire and blast the ducks from the air Snipers Matthew Ziegler

PENGUINS FLIGHTLESS, GENTLE SWIMMING, SLIPPING, SLIDING WANDERING AN ARCTIC TUNDRA NOT BIRDS FIONN HITES

THE WIDE CHURCH IS DARK AFTER SUNSET, SAVE FOR SUBTLE LIGHT; AMBIENT CANDLES SHOW THE CRUCIFIX TO SOOTHE ALL FRIGHT. LUKE VERDUN Flowers Pretty fragrance Moving, blooming, growing In my garden are different kinds Blossoms Drew Allen

LOVE PASSION FORBIDDEN, HEARTS ENTWINED, LOVE'S FLAME BURNS SECRETS CONFINED, YEARNING FOR A FORBIDDEN TOUCH ACHING HEARTS, LONGING SO MUCH IN HIDDEN WHISPERS LOVE'S TALE WEAVES BOUND BY CHAINS, YET FOREVER BELIEVES.

ANDES RUGGED, ROLLING SLOPING, SNOWY, SUNNING STANDING MIGHTY IN THE DISTANCE MOUNTAINS

SHELBY STEVERSON

VYLA TOMACHESKY

SUNSET ORANGE, GOLDEN FADING, GLOWING, CHANGING COLORS MIX AND BLEND TOGETHER SUNDOWN ISABELLA SYSAK

IN A WORLD OF WORDS, WE FIND DELIGHT TOGETHER WE'LL CREATE POETRY, DAY AND NIGHT. AMARI ELLIOTT

Jonathan Bernotas

IN LIFE'S GRAND DANCE, WE TAKE A CHANCE WITH EACH STEP FORWARD, WE FIND ROMANCE. AMARI ELLIOTT WAGON ANCIENT, TEXTURED CREAKING, HOBBLING, TOILING SIGNALS FATHER'S RETURN WITH FRUIT PLENTY LUKE VERDUN

GLACIERS HAVE SEALS. AND TO POLAR BEARS, THEY MAKE PERFECT MEALS. COREY DAVIS

"The Valiant Wulf" BEOWULF, BRAVE AND TRUE, A HERO OF MIGHT, GRENDEL, LURKING IN DARKNESS, A CREATURE OF FRIGHT. ONE IN VALOR, THE OTHER IN DREAD, IN THEIR STORIES, THEIR PATHS SPREAD. BEOWULF, IN SHINING ARMOR STOOD TALL, WITH COURAGE AND HONOR, HE ANSWERED THE CALL. GRENDEL, IN SHADOWS, TORMENTED BY PAIN, ROAMED IN THE NIGHT, SEEKING TO MAIM. TWO SIDES OF A TALE, FOREVER ENTWINED, BEOWULF’S BRAVERY, GRENDEL MALIGNED. IN HEOROT'S HALL, THEY MET IN A CLASH, ONE SEEKING HONOR, THE OTHER WITH A GNASH. BEOWULF VICTORIOUS, GRENDEL'S TORMENT CEASED, A SAGA OF DARKNESS AND LIGHT, IN VERSES RELEASED. TWO LEGENDS, THEIR DESTINIES MET, IN THE EPIC OF BEOWULF, WE'LL NEVER FORGET. BEOWULF'S VALOR LIKE A BEACON ABLAZE, GRENDEL'S SHADOWS VANISHED IN THE MAZE. IN THEIR STRUGGLE, A LESSON WAS TAUGHT, THE TRIUMPH OF GOOD, IN BATTLES FOUGHT. MASON GLOVER

The Pulsating Rash

By Matthew

Ziegler

THE RASH WAS SPREADING, PULSING, HURTING. IT SPREAD LIKE A WILDFIRE IN A DRY FIELD, AND IT HADN'T EVEN BEEN A FULL NIGHT SINCE I WAS BITTEN BY ONE OF THE INFECTED. I WAS BIT IN THE LEG, JUST ABOVE THE ANKLE, BUT NOW IT HAD CRAWLED UP TO MY KNEE AND ENGULFED MY ENTIRE FOOT. IT BURNED LIKE A THOUSAND HELLS, AND THE FLESH ITSELF SIZZLED AND HISSED LIKE BURNING OIL IN A COOKING PAN. I HAD TO ACT FAST, SO I WRAPPED A BELT AROUND MY THIGH, TIGHTENING IT UNTIL ALL CIRCULATION WAS STOPPED AND MY LEG WAS TINGLING AND NUMB. GRABBING A HANDSAW, I GOT TO WORK. THE RUSTED TEETH OF THE SAW PALED IN COMPARISON TO THE RASH, AND THE THOUGHT OF THE BURNING STOPPING WAS MY ONLY MOTIVATION TO KEEP SAWING. EVENTUALLY MY LEG DROPPED TO THE FLOOR, AND I WAS LEFT WITH A BLOODY STUMP. MY BODY WAS RELIEVED OF THE RASH AT THE COST OF HALF A LIMB. MY BUNKER MATES TENDED TO MY WOUND, WRAPPING THE STUMP WITH CLOTH AND PROVIDING A PAIR OF CRUTCHES. THEY WEREN'T PUT TO USE MUCH, AS I SPENT MY DAYS IN BED TO RECOVER FROM SUCH A GRUESOME WOUND. AS I LAY IN MY BUNK, WATCHING THE HOURS TICK AWAY ON THE CLOCK, THE ALARM SUDDENLY SOUNDED AND THE ROOM FLASHED RED LIKE THE WALLS OF A BUILDING WHEN A FIRE ENGINE SPEEDS BY. THEY'RE IN. THEY'RE HERE. I CAN'T MOVE. THE DOOR IS BANGING. THEY ARE IN.

Quentin White

The bunker

BY CALI EVANS WE FINALLY EMERGED FROM THE UNDERGROUND BUNKER WHEN WE HEARD A SCREECHING SOUND...THE BUNKER HAD BEEN OUR ESCAPE FROM THE ANNUAL HALLOWEEN MAYHEM, A PLACE WHERE WE COULD ESCAPE THE TRADITIONS AND PRANKS OF OUR SMALL TOWN. IT ALL STARTED INNOCENTLY ENOUGH WITH THE COSTUME PARTIES AND TRICK-OR-TREATING, BUT OVER THE YEARS, THE NIGHT HAD TAKEN A DARKER, MORE OMINOUS TURN. THIS YEAR, WE DECIDED WE'D HAD ENOUGH AND HAD RETREATED INTO THE OLD, ABANDONED BUNKER IN THE WOODS ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN. WE BROUGHT FLASHLIGHTS, SNACKS, AND TOLD GHOST STORIES TO PASS THE TIME. AS THE CLOCK STRUCK MIDNIGHT, WE THOUGHT WE WERE SAFE, FAR FROM THE TORMENTING TRICKS OF HALLOWEEN, BUT THEN THE SCREECHING BEGAN. IT WAS A HIGH-PITCHED, BONE-CHILLING SOUND THAT ECHOED THROUGH THE BUNKER'S COLD, DAMP WALLS. WE HUDDLED TOGETHER, OUR FLASHLIGHTS TREMBLING IN OUR HANDS. THE SOUND GREW LOUDER, AND IT BECAME OBVIOUS THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. WE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE ALONE IN THIS SECRET PLACE. IN OUR DIMLY LIT BUNKER, WE MADE A SILENT DECISION TO INVESTIGATE. WITH OUR FLASHLIGHTS AND A SENSE OF FEAR, WE CREPT THROUGH THE UNDERGROUND CORRIDORS, FOLLOWING THE SOURCE OF THE SCREECHING. IT LED US DEEPER INTO THE BUNKER, DOWN A SERIES OF NARROW, WINDING PASSAGEWAYS. AS WE WALKED FURTHER, THE SCREECHING BECAME MORE DISTURBING, MIXED WITH AN EERIE WHISPERING. THE AIR BECAME COLDER, AND WE FELT AN UNNATURAL PRESENCE CLOSING AROUND US. OUR FLASHLIGHTS FLICKED, CASTING OMINOUS SHADOWS THAT DANCED ON THE BUNKER'S WALLS. FINALLY, WE REACHED A CHAMBER COVERED IN A GREEN GLOW. IN THE CENTER OF THE ROOM STOOD AN OLD-FASHIONED RADIO, ITS DIALS AND BUTTONS MOVING ON THEIR OWN. THE SCREECHING SOUND SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM THE RADIO, WHICH WAS PLAYING A SINISTER TUNE THAT SENT SHIVERS DOWN OUR SPINES. IN THE GREENISH LIGHT, WE SAW A GHOSTLY FIGURE STANDING NEXT TO THE RADIO. IT TURNED ITS HOLLOW GAZE UPON US AND BECKONED US CLOSER. FEAR COURSED THROUGH OUR VEINS, BUT CURIOSITY HELD US CAPTIVE. THE GHOSTLY FIGURE SEEMED TO BE INVITING US TO DANCE. WITH TREMBLING LEGS, WE STEPPED FORWARD, AND AS WE BEGAN TO SWAY TO THE EERIE MUSIC, WE REALIZED THAT WE HAD BECOME A PART OF THE HAUNTING PERFORMANCE. WE DANCED WITH THE GHOSTS OF HALLOWEEN. TIME SEEMED TO BLUR, AND WE LOST ALL SENSE OF REALITY. THE SCREECHING SOUND THAT HAD LED US THERE HAD TRANSFORMED INTO A SPECTRAL MELODY, A DANCE OF SOULS LOST TO THE HALLOWEEN NIGHT. WHEN THE MUSIC FINALLY ENDED, WE STUMBLED BACK TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE BUNKER, SHAKEN AND DISORIENTED.THE FIRST RAYS OF DAWN WERE BREAKING THROUGH THE TREES. IT WAS AS IF THE WORLD HAD RETURNED TO ITS NORMAL, HALLOWEEN-FREE STATE. WE EMERGED FROM THE BUNKER, FOREVER CHANGED BY OUR SURREAL HALLOWEEN NIGHT. IT WAS A NIGHT WE WOULD NEVER FORGET, A NIGHT WE DANCED WITH THE OTHERWORLDLY, AND A NIGHT WHEN THE SCREECHING SOUND HAD LED US TO A HAUNTING UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE.

The autumn season The autumn leaves are falling down Red, yellow, Orange, and brown crunching, cracking in the crisp, cold air In anticipation of winter soon to be there Foggy mornins moist, bitter, and gray natures blanket clouding the day Gianna Varley

The autumn wind slapped me in the face leaves crunching at my feet the smell of crisp fresh autumn air Trees undress from their summer garments The heat from the sun barely meets my skin, For the cold has taken over my autumn you are my favorite Rowan Creely

Autumn leaves fall under trees and around the town they blow swept into piles and visible for miles, the orange and yellow show once a year this colorful time arrives, and into the heaps the children dive. vyla tomachesky

Fall The crisp autumn air feels cold on my skin, This feeling is quite rare no matter where I’ve been, nothing will ever compare to the raw beauty within the wonderful season of Fall. isabella sysak

Alejandro Badran

Older Yet Colder The air is getting colder, The wind is getting bolder, We are only getting older, The aching in my shoulder, Will never go away, My memories are fading, And I’ve been awaiting, Only to say, “The air is getting colder” Fionn Hites

Your eyes are brown like the crisp fall leaves.

Your sweater keeps me warm in the cool autumn air. Matching flannels at the pumpkin patch,our smiles caught on Polaroid film. Your presence keeps me warm like a burning match. Your presence, something that I will always love.

Alexis Trischler

Autumn O dearest season autumn With breezes cool and strong O how you make my fingers numb And your nights are cool and long The leaves are changing colors the greens are turning red Trees losing their leaves All around my head you are an amazing season Full of growth and change You are loved beyond reason and new things you arrange Oh how I love the fall.

My numb fingers and all.

Carter Cross

"The Rink" SHOWING UP FOR HOCKEY AND IT'S A DRAG, NOTHING LIKE PRACTICE TO PICK UP MY PACE, WALKING INSIDE AND CARRYING MY BAG, COOL AIR OF THE RINK SLAPS ME IN THE FACE, NOW WOKEN UP WITH A JOLT FROM THE COLD, I HEAD TO THE LOCKER ROOM WITH THE TEAM, SEEING THE BOYS EACH TIME NEVER GETS OLD, EACH AND EVERY DAY IT FEELS LIKE A DREAM, STRAPPING THE PADS AND TYING THE LACES, THE TEAM SUITED UP AND READY TO GO, HIT THE ICE AND WE'RE OFF TO THE RACES, FROM DOWN THERE, IT IS A DIFFERENT SHOW, IT'S THE CRISP ICE, BRIGHT LIGHTS, AND HIGH CEILINGS, NOTHING WILL EVER REPLACE THOSE FEELINGS. BEN ONDREJKO

The Enchanted Blooms:

A LOVER’S TALE IN LOVE'S GARDEN, WHERE THE SWEET FLOWERS GROW, OUR HEARTS ENCHANTMENT, FOREVER SECURE. THE STREAMS OF TRANQUILITY, THEIR LIFEBLOOD FLOW, FOR THE CHAOS FEEDS THE FLOWER, OUR LOVE'S ALLURE. ITS ROOTS HAVE INTERTWINED, CHILDHOOD MEMORIES A-BIND. AND AS THE SUN SHINES BRIGHT UPON OUR HEARTS, IT SHAPES US, AND MAKES US, IN THE LOVE WE FIND. OUR LOVE'S ENERGY IGNITES, IT NEVER DEPARTS. SO LET US CHERISH THIS LOVE, LIKE A FLOWER SO FAIR, BECAUSE WITH EVERY PETAL, OUR STORY UNFOLDS. WITH EVERY MOMENT, ITS BEAUTY WE'LL SHARE, EACH LINE IN THIS SONNET, LOVE'S TALE IT HOLDS. IN LOVE'S GARDEN, WHERE THE FLOWERS BLOOM AND SWAY, THEIR ANATOMY HOLDS A METAPHYSICAL DISPLAY. AVA MERCURIO-BRENNAN

Gianna Matthew

Lucia Madore

Kade Barton

Gavin Jaki

Nature's show AMONG THE TREES, THE BIRDS BEGIN TO SING THEIR MELODIES, BRING JOY IN EVERY NOTE IN NATURE'S SYMPHONY, THE JOY THEY BRING AS THROUGH THE WOODS, THEIR SWEETEST SONGS THEY WROTE THE RIVER FLOWS, ITS WATER CLEAR AND BRIGHT BEAUTIFUL SKIES OF BLUE AND CLOUDS SO WHITE THE FLOWERS BLOOM, A GREAT COLORFUL SIGHT WITH VALLEYS COVERED IN A GOLDEN LIGHT UNDER THE SUN, THE WORLD BEGINS TO WAKE THE BIRDS SINGING, IN HARMONY THEY THRIVE IN EVERY LEAF AND STREAM, LIFE'S RHYTHMS MAKE A SYMPHONY OF NATURE, SO ALIVE LET US ENJOY NATURE'S AMAZING SHOW IN EVERY SEASON, LET ITS BEAUTY GROW ZACH BITTNER

Nature's Beauty THE BEAUTY OF NATURE, SO PURE AND BRIGHT IN EVERY TREE, IN STARS THAT SHINE AT NIGHT THE FLOWERS BLOOM WITH COLORS THAT DELIGHT AND RIVERS FLOW, A SOOTHING, GENTLE SIGHT THE BIRDS UP HIGH, THEY SING THEIR JOYFUL SONG IN FORESTS DEEP, WHERE CREATURES ROAM AND PLAY THE WORLD IS FULL OF WONDERS ALL DAY LONG IN NATURE'S ARMS, WE FIND OUR PEACEFUL WAY THE SUNSETS PAINT THE SKY WITH HUES SO GRAND AS DAY TURNS INTO NIGHT, A PEACEFUL DREAM WITH EVERY TREE AND LEAF, WE UNDERSTAND NATURE'S BEAUTY IS MORE THAN IT MAY SEEM SO LET'S PROTECT OUR EARTH, OUR PRECIOUS LAND KEEP ITS BEAUTY CLOSE AT HEART, HAND IN HAND COLE EVANS

"In Nature's Arms" IN NATURE'S ARMS, WHERE WONDERS NEVER CEASE, THE EARTH UNFOLDS ITS BEAUTY AND ITS GRACE, FROM MOUNTAINS TALL TO VALLEYS IN THEIR PEACE, A SPACE OF PASSION, WIDE AND FREE OF PACE. THE FORESTS CLOAK THEMSELVES IN SHADES OF GREEN, WHERE ELDER TREES IN QUIET POWER STAND, A CALM PLACE, A RICH, THRIVING SCENE, WHERE LIFE'S MANY CREATIONS FILL THE LAND. THE RIVERS FLOW, THEIR WATERS GLISTEN CLEAR, REFLECTING SKIES AND ALL THAT LIES BELOW, IN RIPPLES, LIFE EMERGES WITHOUT FEAR, IN NATURE'S DANCE, A CONSTANT, TIMELESS FLOW. LET'S CHERISH NATURE'S GIFT, BOTH NEAR AND FAR, FOR IN ITS BEAUTY, WE FIND WHO WE ARE. JOEY HURLEY

Coastal Dreams UPON THE SHORE WHERE SANDS AND WATERS MEET, THE BEACH, A CANVAS STRETCHED BENEATH THE SKY, WHERE ENDLESS WAVES THEIR RHYTHMIC DANCE REPEAT, AND SEAGULLS IN THE BREEZE ABOVE US FLY. THE SUN, A GOLDEN ORB IN HEAVEN'S DOME, ITS GENTLE TOUCH IGNITES THE SANDS AGLOW, AS FOOTPRINTS MARK THE PATHS WHERE WANDERERS ROAM, IN SEARCH OF HIDDEN TREASURES DOWN BELOW. THE SALTY BREEZE, A KISS FROM OCEAN'S LIPS, INVITES US IN WITH WHISPERS OF THE SEA, WHILE CHILDREN BUILD THEIR CASTLES, DREAMS ECLIPSE, AND LOVERS STROLL, THEIR HEARTS FOREVER FREE. OH BEACH, WHERE NATURE’S BEAUTY IS REVEALED, IN EVERY WAVE AND SHELL, A LOVE CONCEALED. EVE KASCAK

Powder Snow UPON THE SLOPES, WHERE SKIING SPIRITS SOAR WE CARVE OUR TRAILS, SKIER'S FAVORITE DREAM THE CRISP, COLD AIR INVIGORATES, NO MORE AS DOWN THE MOUNTAINSIDE, OUR BODIES STREAM WITH SKIS BENEATH, WE GLIDE IN GRACEFUL SWAY EACH TURN AND TWIST, A DANCE IN PURE DELIGHT THE POWDER'S TOUCH, A SOFT AND SILENT PLAY IN THIS WHITE WORLD, WE FIND OUR ENDLESS FLIGHT THE MOUNTAIN'S MAJESTY, A SIGHT SO GRAND WE FEEL LIKE KINGS ATOP THIS FROZEN THRONE AS DAYLIGHT FADES AND STARS BEGIN TO STAND WE CHERISH EVERY MOMENT WE HAVE KNOWN IN SNOW AND SILENCE, FREEDOM'S OURS TO FEEL UPON THESE SLOPES, WHERE ENDLESS PASSIONS REEL. MASON GLOVER

Spring Lays Nigh

AUTUMN'S COLORS BRIGHT, TREES CHANGE FROM A GREEN. ORANGE, YELLOW, AND RED FILL THE WORLD'S AIR. NATURE'S TRUE BEAUTY IS FINALLY SEEN, AS AUTUMN'S PALLET PAINTS A SCENE SO FAIR. SOON AUTUMN'S HOLD TURNS THE WORLD COLD AND GRAY. A CHILL IN THE AIR, BRANCHES SCATTERED 'ROUND. THE LEAVES, ONCE VIBRANT, BEGIN TO DECAY, TREES LOOSEN THEIR HOLD, LEAVES FALL TO THE GROUND. AUTUMN IS LEAVING, AND WINTER COMES NEAR. COLDER THAN BEFORE, WINTER'S FROST TAKES HOLD. THE ONLY JOY FOUND IS FROM CHRISTMAS CHEER. IN FROZEN SILENCE, NATURE'S GRACE TURNS COLD. IN THE FREEZING DARK PAST, WE MUST NOT LIE, FOR WARMTH IS COMING, AND SPRING'S LAYING NIGH. MADELINE DILLON

Olivia Maida Olivia Mercurio Brennan

Lamier Wade Marli Hornack

"A Morning Hunt" THE LEAVES CRUNCH AND CRUMBLE UNDER MY BOOT AS I USE A FLASHLIGHT TO SHOW THE WAY THE SUN COMES UP AS DAY AND NIGHT DISPUTE PERHAPS I WILL GET A GREAT SCORE TODAY I CLIMB UP A TREE STAND TO GET MY VIEW HERE I WILL SPEND HOURS HIGH ABOVE THE GROUND SURROUNDED BY DEAD LEAVES, WHERE THEY ONCE GREW DOZING OFF WHEN I HEAR AN ABRUPT SOUND I READY MY GUN, PREPARED FOR MY PREY EXCITED I LOOK AROUND, BUT CAN'T SEE NOW I QUESTION, HAS MY MIND GONE ASTRAY NO! A SQUIRREL HAS PLAYED A TRICK ON ME BUT I WILL CONTINUE ON WITH MY HUNT AS I IGNORE THAT LITTLE SQUIRREL'S STUNT MASLEN ANSELM

Winter

WINTER'S HERE, AND SNOWFLAKES SOFTLY FALL, BLANKETING THE WORLD IN A CHILLY SPRAWL. THE AIR IS CRISP, AND THE DAYS GROW SHORT, BUT I LOVE THIS SEASON, THERE'S NO RETORT. THE HOLIDAYS COME WITH THEIR JOYFUL CHEER, AS WE GATHER 'ROUND, SPREADING LOVE AND GOOD CHEER. COZY FIRESIDE CHATS AND HOT COCOA SIPS, WINTER'S MAGIC, IN MY HEART, IT GRIPS. SURE, IT'S COLD, AND THE MORNINGS ARE TOUGH, BUT SNOWBALL FIGHTS AND SLEDDING, THAT'S ENOUGH. WINTER'S BEAUTY, IN ITS FROSTY EMBRACE, PUTS A SMILE ON MY WHOLE FAMILY'S FACE. SO AS THE SNOW FALLS AND THE DAYS GROW COLDER, I'LL CHERISH THIS SEASON, AS I GET OLDER. ASHLEY BOEHM

A Place With Him WHEN HERE, I DO NOT FEAR THE COMING DAY. NO REASON TO HIDE, AS SAFE AS CAN BE. HERE, I DO NOT WORRY, FOR COME WHAT MAY, MY FATHER'S HOUSE MAINTAINS A PLACE FOR ME. COMMUNION WITH HIM IS FOR ALL I SEEK. FOR WHEN I AM HERE, I DO HOLD THE KEY. AS HE HAS ONCE SAID, COME ALL WHO ARE MEEK, FOR YOU SHALL INHERIT A PLACE FROM ME. FOR ON THAT CROSS, HE DID SUFFER AND DIE. HE LOVES US, THIS I SURELY GUARANTEE. HIS GLORIOUS VICT'RY, SONGS FROM ON HIGH. MY FATHER'S HOUSE MAINTAINS A PLACE FOR ME. NO CLOUD OR STORM SHALL COME TO HIDE THE SON, FOR THROUGH MY SINFULNESS HIS GRACE IS WON. ELLA WHALEN

Seasons BACK IN THE SPRING, HOW I FELT SO ALIVE THE WEATHER FINALLY STARTED TO CHANGE I'D WAITED LONG FOR THAT TIME TO ARRIVE FROM DREARY TO SUNNY, IT FELT SO STRANGE THEN SPRING TURNED TO SUMMER, TO MY DELIGHT ALL WAS GOOD, UNTIL I HAD ONE REGRET THE DAYS WERE LONG, AND WONDERFUL AND BRIGHT WHEN THAT GLORIOUS SUN STARTED TO SET AND NOW THE WEATHER IS BECOMING COLD AT LEAST THE LEAVES LOOK GREAT DURING THE FALL OH HOW I SURELY MISS THOSE DAYS OF OLD UNTIL THEY FALL OFF, LEAVING NONE AT ALL AND HOW I DO DREAD THE WINTER NEARING WHEN ALL THE COLORS ARE DISAPPEARING DOM VARLEY

Chase Lavelle

Noah Steele

Ava Washington Landon Cirimpei

Spirit of Lebanon

IN LEBANON'S ARMS, THE CEDARS RISE PROUD, WITH WHISPERS OF AGE-OLD WISDOM IN AIR, A RICH TAPESTRY OF CULTURES OUT LOUD, WHERE HISTORY AND BEAUTY CAN'T COMPARE. PHOENICIAN SHORES TO MOUNTAINS HIGH AND GRAND, THE MEDITERRANEAN'S TIMELESS VIEW IN EVERY CORNER, STORIES ETCHED IN SAND, A TESTAMENT TO WHAT THIS LAND CAN DO. BUT LEBANON, THROUGH HARD TRIBULATIONS, YOU'VE STOOD STRONG AND TALL WITH UNYIELDING GRACE, YOUR SPIRIT, LIKE THE CEDARS' FOUNDATIONS, IN YOUR RESILIENCE, WE FIND OUR PLACE. SO MAY YOUR FUTURE FLOURISH, PEACE AND SONG, IN LEBANON'S HEART, WHERE WE ALL BELONG. JULIAN JALKH

The Beautiful Game THE SKY IS CLEAR, THE WEATHER IS PERFECT. PAINTED WHITE LINES AROUND THE GREEN GRASS FIELD. CHILLS FILLED THE AIR, AGAINST THE GROUND, STUDS CLICKED. OUT OF THE TUNNEL, PLAYERS ARE REVEALED. WITH EVERY PASS, THEY WEAVE A WEB OF GRACE, A BALLET OF FEET, A DANCE OF PURE DELIGHT. IN THIS ARENA, HEARTS BEGIN TO RACE, AS FANS UNITE, THEIR SPIRITS TAKING FLIGHT. FROM GOAL TO GOAL, THEY CHASED THE HALLOWED PRIZE, THE ROAR OF CROWDS, THE THUNDER WON'T BE TAME. FOR IN THIS SORT, WHERE SKILL AND PASSION RISE, THE BEAUTIFUL GAME, FOREVER LIGHTS THE FLAME SO LET US CELEBRATE THIS GRAND BALLET, FOR FUTBOL'S MAGIC NEVER GOES AWAY. SEAN KELSCH

"Chill in the Air" IN WINTER'S CHILL, THE WORLD IS HUSHED AND STILL THE SNOWFLAKES FALL LIKE FEATHERS FROM THE SKY THE TREES WEAR COATS OF WHITE UPON EACH HILL A SILENT TALE UNFOLDS AS DAYS PASS BY THE AIR IS CRISP, WITH FROST UPON THE GROUND IN WINTER'S GRASP, THE EARTH FINDS SWEET REPRIEVE A PEACEFUL CALM, WHERE SILENCE CAN BE FOUND A QUIET BEAUTY, IN WHICH WE BELIEVE

BY FIRESIDE'S WARMTH, WE GATHER CLOSE AND NEAR IN WINTER'S GLOW, OUR HEARTS ARE FULL AND LIGHT A LOVE THAT WARMS AWAY ALL DOUBT AND FEAR IN COZY HOMES, THROUGH EVERY COLD, DARK NIGHT IN WINTER'S DANCE, WE FIND A SPECIAL GRACE A TRANQUIL JOY IN THIS SERENE EMBRACE JONATHAN BERNOTAS

A Yearning for Adventure LINGERING ON MY FRONT PORCH WASTING MY DAYS AWAY THOUGHTS OF TRAVEL AND GREAT FORTUNE COME ABOUT HOPING THESE DREAMS WILL NEVER GO ASTRAY I CONTINUE TO PONDER WHILST WRITING THROUGHOUT THESE WRITINGS CONSIST OF YEARNING AND FAITH, PRAYERS FOR COURAGE RATHER THAN WEAKNESS I PRAY SOMETHING I DESIRE COMES FROM GREAT GRACE ALTHOUGH, ACCEPTING WHO I AM ALONG WITH MY MEEKNESS, FASCINATIONS IN MY MIND CONTINUE TO SHINE OFTEN THIS GLEAM OF HOPE IS DIMMED AND EVERY FRAGMENT OF CONFIDENCE DECLINES I CAN'T WAIT FOR MY CRAVINGS TO SOON BE HYMNED THE ETERNAL SHIMMER OF ENDLESS DREAMS SHALL NOT FADE NOR WILL I LOSE POSSESSION OF PROMINENT AMBITIONS I HOPE ONE DAY I WILL BE OUT OF THE SHADE AND START TO CREATE BRAND NEW TRADITIONS AS LONG AS I LIVE, AND CONTINUE MY TIME I STRONGLY BELIEVE THESE INTENTIONS WILL TRANSPIRE SOMETIME. ALAINA BARLOCK

Kya Cooley Anthony Evans Jr

Jaiden Simpson

"Beauty Before the Night"

AS THE SUN DESCENDS, COLORS FILL THE SKY, A CANVAS PAINTED WITH HUES SO DIVINE. THE GOLDEN RAYS, LIKE FIRE, CATCH MY EYE, AS DAY GIVES WAY TO NIGHT, A SIGHT SO FINE. THE SKY ABLAZE WITH PINKS AND PURPLES BRIGHT, A MASTERPIECE THAT NATURE PROUDLY SHOWS. THE WORLD BELOW, BATHED IN A GENTLE LIGHT, A TRANQUIL SCENE AS EVENING GENTLY GROWS. THE SUN, A FIERY BALL, BEGINS TO FADE, CASTING SHADOWS AS IT SINKS OUT OF SIGHT. YET IN ITS ABSENCE, BEAUTY IS DISPLAYED, A SYMPHONY OF COLORS, PURE DELIGHT. OH, SUNSET, YOU ENCHANT WITH EVERY HUE, A BREATHTAKING SIGHT, FOREVER ANEW. ABIGAIL GERCHOW

The Duality in Me SOMETIMES, I WONDER ABOUT MYSELF

SHOULD I BE STRONG OR WEAK? KIND OR CRUEL? A LEADER OR A FOLLOWER? SOMETIMES, I CAN NEVER DECIDE AND SOMETIMES, FATE LEADS ME TO ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER HOBBIES CAUSE ME TO BE STRONG INJURIES CAUSE ME TO BE WEAK FRIENDS AND FAMILY CAUSE ME TO BE KIND ENEMIES CAUSE ME TO BE CRUEL CERTAIN SITUATIONS CAUSE ME TO BE A LEADER WHILE OTHERS CAUSE ME TO BE A FOLLOWER SOMETIMES, I CAN NEVER DECIDE BUT SOMETIMES, I CAN DECIDE FREE TIME CAUSES ME TO PLAY GAMES HOMEWORK CAUSES ME TO DO WORK MUSIC CAUSES ME TO BE ROWDY OR TRANQUIL FRIENDS CAUSE ME TO HAVE FUN OR BREAK MY HEART SOMETIMES, I CAN NEVER DECIDE BUT SOMETIMES, I CAN JULIAN JULIK

Chloe Rovnak

Dominique Panza

Dyamond Horne

The Infection

By Gianna Varley THE RASH WAS SPREADING, PULSING, HURTING. IT ENVELOPED THE ENTIRETY OF THEIR BODIES JUST A FEW MOMENTS AFTER IT DEVELOPED. FIRST, ONE PERSON, THEN TWO, THEN EVERYONE WAS AFFECTED. EVERYONE BECAME COVERED IN HIVES, UNCONTROLLABLY ITCHING AND SCRATCHING, UNTIL THEIR SKIN STARTED TO BLEED. IN THE MYSTERIOUS TOWN OF RAVENSWOOD, A CURIOUS GROUP OF FRIENDS STUMBLED UPON AN OLD, ABANDONED MANSION HIDDEN DEEP WITHIN THE WOODS. DRAWN TO ITS DECAYING FRONT, CRACKED WINDOWS, AND OVERGROWN GARDEN, THE GROUP WAS UNABLE TO RESIST THE ALLURE OF ITS MYSTERIOUS HISTORY. THEY UNANIMOUSLY AGREED TO GO INSIDE AND EXPLORE THE MYSTERIOUS MANSION. AS THEY VENTURED CLOSER TO THE FRONT ENTRANCE, AN AGED, WEATHERED SIGN CAUGHT THEIR ATTENTION. THE SIGN INDICATED THAT THE MANSION WAS ONCE A GRAND ESTATE. INTRIGUED, THEY OPENED THE DOOR. CRICK. CRICK. THERE WAS SILENCE. A DIM LIGHT REVEALED THE DUSTY FURNITURE AND COBWEBS, INDICATING THE ABANDONMENT OF THE MANSION. THE AIR WAS THICK, AND THE FLOORBOARDS CREAKED WITH EVERY STEP THEY TOOK. THE GROUP COULDN'T HELP BUT NOTICE THE NUMEROUS PORTRAITS THAT HUNG ON THE WALLS, EACH WITH EYES THAT SEEMED TO FOLLOW THEIR EVERY MOVE. IT SEEMED AS IF THE MANSION WAS HOLDING ITS BREATH, WAITING TO REVEAL ITS SECRETS. AS THE GROUP OF FRIENDS CONTINUED THEIR EXPLORATION THROUGHOUT THE MANSION, THEY STARTED TO EXPERIENCE SOME UNUSUAL SYMPTOMS, FEELINGS OF FATIGUE AND WEAKNESS. INITIALLY, THEY BELIEVED THAT THEIR GROGGY FEELINGS WERE DUE TO THE DUSTY FUMES OF THE HOUSE, BUT SOON AFTER DISCOVERING SOME MEDICAL RECORDS TUCKED AWAY, THEY WERE INFORMED ABOUT THE HAUNTING PAST OF THE MANSION. THE RECORDS REVEALED AN ANCIENT CURSE THAT HAD PLAGUED THE HOUSE AND ITS INHABITANTS FOR CENTURIES. ANYBODY WITHIN THE WALLS OF THE MANSION WAS DOOMED TO CATCH THE "INFECTION," A DEADLY DISEASE IN WHICH A RASH ENVELOPS THE ENTIRETY OF ONE'S BODY, EATING AWAY THEIR FLESH UNTIL

THERE IS NOTHING LEFT. HIVES CONSUME THE BODY, CAUSING UNCONTROLLABLE SCRATCHING TO THE POINT OF BLEEDING. THE GROUP REALIZED WHY THEY HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING THESE UNUSUAL SYMPTOMS. THEY HAD CAUGHT THE INFECTION! THE GROUP, IN PANIC, RUSHED TO TRY AND FIND A CURE IN THE MEDICAL RECORDS, BUT IT SEEMED AS IF THERE WAS NONE. JACK, A MEMBER OF THE GROUP, DEVELOPED A RED, BLOTCHY, PATCH ON HIS ARM. THE RASH BEGAN TO SPREAD ALMOST INSTANTANEOUSLY, SOON ENVELOPING BOTH ARMS, LEGS, AND HIS NECK. ONE BY ONE, THE REST OF THE GROUP DEVELOPED THE RASH, AND PANIC BEGAN TO CONSUME THEM ALL. WITH THE CLOCK TICKING, THEY CAME TO THE REALIZATION THAT TIME WAS RUNNING OUT. IT WAS CRUCIAL FOR THE GROUP TO DISCOVER THE REMEDY BEFORE IT WAS TOO LATE. IN DESPERATE SEARCH FOR A CURE, THE GROUP SEARCHED THOROUGHLY THROUGHOUT THE MANSION. THEIR HEARTS WERE RACING WITH ANTICIPATION AS THEY ENTERED THE BASEMENT. AMONGST THE FORGOTTEN BELONGINGS, THE GROUP STUMBLED UPON AN OLD JOURNAL. FLIPPING THROUGH THE PAGES, THEY DISCOVERED A SECRET MESSAGE-A CLUE LEADING THEM TO A SECRET ROOM DEEP WITHIN THE MANSION. BOTH RELIEVED AND ANXIOUS, THEY FOLLOWED THE METICULOUS INSTRUCTIONS AND UNCOVERED THE LONG LOST REMEDY TO THE "INFECTION," A SPECIAL HERB MIXING. AFTER ALL 4 MEMBERS OF THE GROUP TOOK A SIP OF THE REMEDY, THEY ANXIOUSLY AWAITED HOPING FOR A POSITIVE OUTCOME. AS TIME PASSED, THEY NOTICED AN ASTONISHING CHANGE IN THEIR CONDITION. THE CHARACTERS EMERGED FROM THE MANSION, THE WEIGHT OF THE DISEASE LIFTED. THE MANSION STOOD AS A TESTIMONY TO THEIR BRAVERY AND POWER OF FRIENDSHIP.

Dominique Panza

Myra Gohring

Gracie Rauterkus

"My Duality" HEROIC IS A GOOD THING TO BE

THAT IS THE BEOWULF IN ME STRONG IS A GOOD THING TO BE THAT IS THE BEOWULF IN ME BRAVE IS A GOOD THING TO BE THAT IS THE BEOWULF IN ME ANGRY IS A BAD THING TO BE THAT IS THE GRENDEL IN ME MONSTROUS IS A BAD THING TO BE THAT IS THE GRENDEL IN ME MEAN IS A BAD THING TO BE THAT IS THE GRENDEL IN ME HEROIC, STRONG, AND BRAVE THESE THINGS I NEVER HOPE TO TAKE TO MY GRAVE ANGRY, MONSTROUS, AND MEAN I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP UNSEEN ALL THESE QUALITIES RESULT IN NEUTRALITY THAT IS THE DUALITY ...

IN ME DOM VARLEY

"The Battles I Face" THE BEOWULF IN ME WANTS TO BE BRAVE AS I HAVE BATTLES I FACE EVERYDAY THE DESIRE TO HELP THOSE I CAN SAVE I HELP WHO I CAN, IF THERE IS A WAY I WANT TO BE STRONG IN BATTLE WITH SIN TO STAY CLOSE TO GOD, A WIN IN THE END SO I KEEP ON FIGHTING THE WAR WITHIN THIS STRENGTH IS WHERE, BEOWULF AND I BLEND TO PROTECT MY FAMILY IS MY GOAL GUARD MY FRIENDS AND COUNTRY IN BATTLE TOO THE BEOWULF IN ME MUST FILL THIS ROLE TO GIVE THE PEOPLE I CARE FOR THEIR DUE. THIS IS MY GRENDEL, A CHALLENGE TO FACE FOR I MUST BE BRAVE NO MATTER THE CASE MASLEN ANSLEM

Azjaun Marshall

The Mysterious Booth

By Julianna Daniele IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT IN THE MID FALL. I WANDERED OUT AGAIN BECAUSE MY PARENTS WERE SLEEPING ON THE SOFA. I FIGURED WHAT ELSE WAS THERE TO DO SO WHY NOT GO OUT? I WAS WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK ALONG THE PARK AND WAS HEARING SUDDEN NOISES OF SPOOKY, CREEPY MUSIC. BEING THE CURIOUS 14-YEAR-OLD THAT I AM, I FOLLOWED WHERE THE MUSIC WAS COMING FROM AND SOON CAME TO A PARK. IT WAS SO WET AND COLD THAT I FELT A SUDDEN CHILL. BUT IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN JUST BECAUSE OF IT BEING WET AND COLD THAT I FELT A CHILL. I STARTED TO GET INTO THE MAIN AREA OF THE PARK WHEN I FOUND WHAT LOOKED LIKE AN ABANDONED CARNIVAL GROUND. I HAVE WALKED BY THE PARK BEFORE AND HAVE ALWAYS SEEN SOMETHING IN THERE BUT NEVER REALLY KNEW WHAT IT WAS. THERE WERE CARNIVAL BOOTHS THAT HAD COLLAPSED, SOME STILL PUT TOGETHER. THERE WERE STRING LIGHTS ON THE BOOTH THAT WERE FLICKING ON AND OFF. THERE WERE VERY STRANGE STUFFED ANIMALS ALL OVER THE PLACE–IN BOOTH SHELVES, ON THE GROUND, AND SPREAD ALL OVER. THEY ALL HAD RED EYES THAT LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE FOLLOWING MY EVERY MOVE WITH THEIR EYES. WHILE I FOUND THESE CREEPY, I WAS DETERMINED TO FIND THE SOURCE OF THE MUSIC–SO I PRESSED ON EXPLORING. I FOUND OLD CRACKED PICTURES LAYING ON THE GROUND UNDERNEATH THE BROKEN DOWN BOOTHS AND RIPPED GARBAGE BAGS EVERYWHERE–INCLUDING IN THE DUMPSTER THAT IS FULL TO THE BRIM. THERE WERE BEANBAGS, MILK CARTONS, TENNIS BALLS, DARTS, POPPED BALLOONS AND DIFFERENT COLORED STUFFING ALL OVER THE PLACE. LEAVES WERE BLOWING ALL OVER BECAUSE IT IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FALL, TOO. I WAS JUST WALKING AROUND FINDING NEW THINGS EVERYWHERE. SOME BOOTHS HAD GAMES SET UP IN THEM FROM WHEN THE CARNIVAL WAS STILL IN USE. I WAS HEARING VERY LOUD BANGS FROM ALL OVER THE CARNIVAL GROUND AND WASN’T REALLY SURE WHAT WAS GOING ON. I STARTED TO FOLLOW WHERE THE BANGS WERE COMING FROM AND QUICKLY FOUND A YOUNG GIRL, A LITTLE BIT YOUNGER THAN ME, MAYBE 10. SHE WAS PLAYING MILK BOTTLE TOSS, WHICH IS A REALLY LOUD GAME WHERE YOU THROW TENNIS BALLS AT MILK CARTONS TO KNOCK ALL 3 OF THEM DOWN. I WASN’T REALLY SURE WHAT SHE WAS DOING PLAYING GAMES AT AN ABANDONED CARNIVAL GROUND AT 11PM AT NIGHT. I WALKED UP TO HER AND ASKED WHAT HER NAME WAS AND WHAT SHE WAS DOING THERE. WHEN SHE TURNED I LET OUT A VERY LOUD SCREAM AND NEARLY JUMPED OUT OF MY OWN SKIN. THE RIGHT SIDE OF HER FACE WAS ALL BLOODY WITH A BIG SCRATCH GOING RIGHT DOWN HER RIGHT CHEEK. IT WAS BRIGHT AND DARK RED. IT WAS VERY DISTURBING AND SCARY TO ME, AND I WASN'T QUITE SURE WHAT TO DO. SHOULD I TRY TO SPEAK TO HER? I WAS SCARED OF WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. I DIDN’T KNOW WHAT SHE WOULD TALK LIKE OR IF SHE COULD EVEN TALK AT ALL. I DIDN’T KNOW IF SHE WAS GOING TO TAKE ME OR KILL ME. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT. SHE DIDN’T REALLY WALK, SHE JUST TURNED ALMOST LIKE A ROBOT. WHENEVDER I ASKED HER A QUESTION, ALL SHE DID WAS NOD HER HEAD OR POINT

I SAID TO HER “WHERE DO YOU LIVE?” SHE JUST PICKED HER ARM UP AND POINTED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE DUMPSTER, AND NODDED HER HEAD YES. I ASKED HER QUESTIONS SUCH AS WHO ARE YOU, WHERE DID YOU COME FROM, AND THINGS LIKE THAT. SHE TRIED TO POINT AND GIVE ME THE BEST ANSWER THAT I COULD UNDERSTAND, WHICH WAS NOT A LOT. I ONLY GOT HAND SIGNALS SUCH AS POINTING AND HEAD NODDING AND SHE DIDN’T EVEN MAKE ANY NOISES. SO I ENDED UP GETTING SOME THINGS OUT OF HER THAT SHE LIVES AT THE CARNIVAL GROUND, DOESN’T HAVE PARENTS OR SIBLINGS AND DOESN’T HAVE A CONCEPT OF TIME OR ANYTHING. I WASN’T SURE WHAT SHE WAS, IF SHE WAS EVEN A HUMAN. AFTER I HAD AN ENCOUNTER WITH THAT VERY STRANGE YOUNG GIRL, I JUST LEFT HER TO GET BACK TO PLAYING HER MILK BOTTLE TOSS GAME, AS I CONTINUED TO WALK AROUND TO REALLY TRY TO FIGURE OUT STILL WHERE THAT CREEPY, SPOOKY MUSIC WAS COMING FROM. I SEARCHED BEHIND MOST OF THE BOOTHS. I COULD HEAR THE CREEPY MUSIC ALL OF THE SUDDEN BECOME CLOSER AND CLOSER TO ME. MY HEART WAS STILL BEATING QUICKER AND QUICKER AS I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THAT CREEPY MUSIC WAS COMING FROM. THE ONLY BOOTH I HADN’T CHECKED YET, WAS THE BIG RED AND YELLOW ONE IN THE CENTER OF THE CARNIVAL GROUNDS. AS I APPROACHED, I COULD HEAR THE CHATTER OF QUIET AND LOW VOICES COMING FROM WITHIN AS THE CREEPY MUSIC WAS GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER. I WAS SO SCARED BUT I HAD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON AND WHERE THAT CREEPY MUSIC WAS COMING FROM. I OPENED THE BOOTH COVER AND SAW BEFORE MY EYES THE WHOLE TIME THAT THE CREEPY MUSIC WAS PLAYING FROM A TURNTABLE SURROUNDED BY CLOWN-LIKE CREATURES. I SCREAMED SO LOUD. I DROPPED THE BOOTH COVER OUT OF MY HANDS AND STARTED TO RUN OUT OF THE CARNIVAL GROUND AS FAST AS I COULD. WHEN I WAS RUNNING I LOOKED BACK AND ALL OF THE CLOWNS WERE ALL CHASING AFTER ME. I WAS RUNNING BACK TOWARDS MY HOUSE AND THE YOUNG GIRL WAS IN FRONT OF ME RIGHT WHERE I WAS RUNNING AND SHE WOULDN’T MOVE OUT OF THE WAY. MY HEART BEATING QUICKER AND QUICKER WITH ALL OF THIS ANTICIPATION. I RAN RIGHT INTO HER; IT WAS LIKE I HIT A BRICK WALL, SHE DEFINITELY WAS NOT A HUMAN. SHE TOLD ME TO STAND UP BY GIVING ME A HAND SIGNAL TO STAND AND I LOOKED BACK AND THERE THEY WERE. THE CLOWNS CAME UP RIGHT BEHIND ME AND THE YOUNG GIRL PICKED ME UP AND CARRIED ME BACK TO THE BOOTH. I ALWAYS KNEW SHE WASN’T A HUMAN. WHEN I GOT CARRIED INTO THE BOOTH THERE WAS COLORFUL HAIR ALL OVER THE PLACE. A RUSTY KNIFE WAS ON A NEARBY TABLE. THEY TIED ME UP TO A HARD MEDAL CHAIR IN THE BOOTH AND CUT MY HAIR OFF WITH THE KNIFE. I NEVER GOT TO FIND OUT THE WHOLE STORY OF THAT YOUNG GIRL, BUT NOW I KNOW, BECAUSE I LOOK LIKE ONE OF THEM, A CLOWN.

Julianna Umalin

UP ON TOP A HILL SO HIGH, JUST UNDER THE STARS AND THE SKY SAT A HOUSE WHERE PEOPLE DIED WITH WITCHES AND SPIRITS AND SPIDERS, "OH MY!" WHEN OUT AND ABOUT THE WITCHES WILL FLY USING THEIR BROOMSTICKS TO GO UP SO HIGH. TONIGHT IS HALLOWEEN, THE SPOOKIEST DAY OF THE YEAR. THE MONSTERS WILL COME OUT FOR EVERYONE TO FEAR. JUST WHEN YOU WALK IN TO TAKE A LOOK AROUND, YOU THINK YOU'RE IN THE CLEAR, THEN BOO! THEY JUMP OUT AT YOU! CHLOE WAXTER

IN THE DARKNESS OF THE NIGHT, A HAUNTED HOUSE CAME INTO SIGHT. CREAKING FLOORS AND GHOSTLY MOANS ECHO THROUGH ITS ANCIENT STONES. JAYDA DIXON CONSOLATION FOR THE TEMPTED BEFORE THE HAUNTED HOUSE RAINDROPS MAKE MUSIC IN THE NIGHT, FOR TO THEM, ANCIENT GUTTERS MAKE FINE DRUMS. HAVING SEEN MANY DAYS, THE MANOR CROUCHES WITHOUT RESPONSE; IT DARES TO FILL WITH HELL'S HOUNDS ONLY IN RETALIATION TO A MALICIOUS TRESPASSER. NO, THE AUTUMN WATERFALL BOTHERS IT NOT, YET IT BECOMES A CATALYST FOR RAGE AT THE MOMENT OF A SINNER'S ENTRANCE. TRULY, I MUST ADVISE AGAINST IT! I MUST WARN OF THE PLIGHT THAT BEFALLS A SOUL SO RASH THAT HE WOULD HAND HIMSELF INTO DEMONIC CLUTCHES THAT WAIT IN THE HOUSE. LET IT OVERLOOK ITS DRENCHED LAWN AND ANTAGONIZE NOT ITS SILENT TEMPTERS NOR ITS EVER-TORMENTED INHABITANTS. FIND REFUGE RATHER, IN THE LORD'S DWELLING PLACE, THE HOUSE WITHOUT A WILL TO CONDEMN, WHERE TEMPTATIONS AND FEARS, ONE AND THE SAME, ARE NOT WELCOMED IN FROM THE CHILLING STORM. LUKE VERDUN

Gratitude EACH MORNING I WAKE, WITH FRESH BREATH IN MY LUNGS. MY HEART BEATS WITH LIFE. MY STOMACH IS FULL OF NOURISHING FOOD. THE SUN SHINES, A SYMBOL OF A NEW DAY. EVERY DAY I HAVE REASON FOR GRATITUDE. MIA BELLA CARLINI

Summer ENDLESS SUNNY DAYS AHEAD THE LONG, BUT QUICK DAYS SPREAD THE SUN ROSE EARLY IN THE MORN AND SET LATE AS THE STARS WERE BORN. WE HEADED ON THE LONG ROAD TRIP THE WIND IN OUR HAIR WHIPS WE ARRIVED AT OUR DESTINATION WITH NO OBLIGATIONS. THE SMELL OF SALT WATER IN THE AIR WITH NO CARES THE FEELING OF SAND ON OUR FEET NOW WE ARE COMPLETE. THE BONFIRE IS THE PLACE FOR S'MORES BEFORE THE RAIN POURS RAINY DAYS ARE THE TIME FOR GAMES CHARADES HAVE FUN CLAIMS. BUT THE BEST PART OF THE DAY IS THE NAP BECAUSE AFTER A FUN DAY WE UNWRAP SUMMER IS JUST BREEZIN' AND IT'S THE BEST SEASON! NATALIE KIRSCH

Spring Miracle THE SUN SHINING UP SO HIGH THE FUN AND LAUGHTER PASSING BY SUMMER IS SO MUCH FUN THAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO EVEN THOUGH WE'RE DONE WITH THE SUN STROLLING IN COMES THE COLD BREEZE THE ONE THAT MAKES YOU FREEZE THE FUN IS STILL THERE WHEREVER WE GO EVEN NOW IT'S COLD INSTEAD WE WILL PLAY IN THE SNOW THROWING SNOWBALLS AND EVEN MAKING SNOWMEN LATER COMES RAINY WEATHER WITH CLOUDS AND PARTLY SUN WE'RE AFTER IT FEELS LIKE A MISERABLE DAY WHEN YOU CAN GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY BEFORE FREEZING IN THE COLD THERE ARE LEAVES FALLING BECAUSE THEY'RE OLD IT'S MORE CHILLY BUT NO RAIN YOU CAN MAKE IT NOT FEEL PLAIN MAKING A BIG PILE OF LEAVES TO JUMP INTO AND BELIEVE THERE IS FUN EVERYWHERE YOU GO YOU JUST HAVE TO GO THERE, TOO. NOELLE MILLER

ONE SPRING MORNING I LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND SAW A FLOWER BLOOMING. I THOUGHT TO MYSELF THERE HAS BEEN NO SUN, JUST THE CLOUDY RAIN. I RAN OUT TOWARD IT, SMILING SO HAPPY. THERE WERE A WHOLE BUNCH OF THEM SMILING BACK AT ME. THE PASTEL COLORS LOOKED SO BEAUTIFUL. I GUESS IT WAS A SPRING MIRACLE. OLIVIA HOLUB

Unrequited Love IF YOU'D ONLY SEE ME THE WAY I SEE YOU THEN ALL MY TROUBLES WOULD BE THROUGH I COULD PROFESS MY LOVE IN WORDS THAT ARE SPOKEN AND MY HEART WOULDN'T FEEL SO BROKEN OUR DAYS WOULD BE FILLED WITH LAUGHTER AND SMILES SOMETHING I HAVE NOT FELT IN A WHILE WE COULD GROW OLD TOGETHER IN OUR SUBURBAN HOUSE MY LIFE COMPLETED NOW THAT YOU'RE MY SPOUSE ALL THESE THINGS YOU STILL DON'T SEE AND ALL ALONE I'M LEFT TO BE I WISH MY LOVE YOU WOULD RETURN BECAUSE FOR YOU, MY HEARD STILL BURNS. SUSAN SKINDZIER

Rites of Passage

By Luke Verdun UPMC MERCY HOSPITAL PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 10 OCTOBER 2018 THE RASH WAS SPREADING, PULSING, HURTING. WHEN THE MAINTENANCE CREW DISCOVERED THE SMALL BOY HUDDLED IN THE HOSPITAL'S AIR DUCT, THEY HAD NOT ANTICIPATED THE UNNAMED OUTBREAK. THE INCREASING NUMBER OF PATIENTS EXHIBITED RISING AND FALLING PATCHES OF FIERY, CRUSTED SKIN. THE FOUR SPECIALIZED DERMATOLOGISTS WHO HAD BEEN MOST RECENTLY SUMMONED, DESPITE BEING OUTFITTED IN WHAT WOULD HAVE KEPT THEM SAFE AT CHERNOBYL, WERE NOW BEDRIDDEN. ONE OF THESE, WHOSE CASE WAS AT FIRST NOT SO SEVERE, BORE MY OWN NAME AND COMPLEXION. AFTER I WAS ADMITTED, THE ROOMS HOLDING THE INFECTED PATIENTS WERE ENTIRELY SEALED OFF IN AN ATTEMPT TO CONTAIN THE SPREAD. AT THAT POINT, MOST HAD PUSHED THE QUESTION OF THE CHILD'S IDENTITY AND ORIGIN TO THE BACKS OF THEIR MINDS, BUT SOMETHING ABOUT THE IMAGES I RETAINED OF HIM FROM THE FEW MOMENTS I SPENT AT HIS BEDSIDE WAS ITCHING IN MY MIND ALMOST TO THE SAME DEGREE AS THE RASH ON THE LEFT HALF OF MY TORSO. AS FAR AS I COULD TELL, HE HAD NOT BEEN AWARE OF MY PRESENCE, YET HIS EYES WERE WIDE AND STARING. THEY WERE A BRILLIANT GREEN AND AMONG FEATURES THAT WERE UNFAMILIAR IN A WAY AKIN TO THAT OF A RESTAURANT FREQUENTED BY ONE IN CHILDHOOD BUT NOT INITIALLY RECOGNIZABLE TO THAT GROWN-UP CHILD. THE BOY'S FACE HAD BEEN SET IN A FASHION THAT SUGGESTED VIGOROUS SEARCHING AS A CONSTANT STATE. THE LAST THING THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND HOSPITAL STAFF DID BEFORE INITIATING MY QUARANTINE WAS TO OUTFIT THE SMALL ROOM WITH A MONITOR BY WHICH DOCTORS COULD ASK ME THEIR ENDLESS QUESTIONS AND OFFER THEIR CALCULATED OPINIONS. CONSCIOUSNESS CAME ONLY AS A FEW MINUTES AT A TIME. FREQUENT WERE THE TIMES I WOKE TO DISTANTLY REGISTER A NURSE CHECKING IN OR THREE TO FOUR DOCTORS OBSERVING MY DISEASED SLUMBER, SOME STROKING THEIR CHINS, DEEP IN THOUGHT. SEEMINGLY MAKING THEIR OWN DECISION, MY EYELIDS DESCENDED YET AGAIN. AS THE 535I CRUISES TOWARDS THE RAMP FROM ROUTE 19 ONTO 1-70 AND I-79 FOR WHAT AFFECTS ME AS THE TEN-MILLIONTH TIME, I KNOW WITH GREAT CLARITY WHAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN, BUT, JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER TIMES SINCE THE FIRST, I PRAY HARD AGAINST IT, TO THE RIGHT IS THE LAND ON WHICH DUNKIN' DONUTS WILL ONE DAY BE BUILT. I GLANCE AT THE TIME BUT DO NOT NEED TO; THE TIME OF 4:39 P.M. IS FOREVER ENGRAVED IN MY MEMORY. WASHINGTON FINANCIAL AND THE HOME DEPOT ARE ON OUR LEFT BEFORE WE REACH THE AREA AROUND THE INTERSTATE RAMPS THAT IS MOSTLY DEVOID OF BUSINESSES. IT IS EARLY DECEMBER, IT'S BEEN A RATHER LONG WEEK. MONICA'S IN THE PASSENGER SEAT NEXT TO ME, BARELY HOLDING UP HER EYELIDS. WE ATTENDED MASS THIS MORNING AND LEFT HOME A FEW MINUTES AGO

FOR PITTSBURGH, INTENDING TO MEET WITH HER FOLKS AT MALLORCA FOR DINNER. THERE'S A NEWBORN IN THE BACKSEAT, AND, LIKE US, HE IS AT PEACE IN THE QUIET CAR, AS THOUGH TAKING A BREAK FROM HIS DAILY STRESSES. EVERY DETAIL IS IN ITS PROPER PLACE. TIME DOESN'T EXACTLY SEEM TO STOP, AND I CAN'T REALLY DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT IT STARTLES ME WHEN THE SEMI-TRUCK BARRELS TOWARDS US FROM THE ON-RAMP IN THE WRONG DIRECTION. THERE ISN'T TIME ENOUGH TO GAPE AT THE ONCOMING BEHEMOTH OR THE THOUGHT OF WHAT HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE THERE IS ONLY MY FRANTIC SWERVE TO THE LEFT BEFORE I REALIZE THAT I'VE PLACED MONICA DIRECTLY BEFORE THE TRUCK, BUT IT IS ALREADY TOO LATE FOR ME TO DO ANYTHING BUT BEGIN TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEELS. I WILL REFLECT LATER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE WANTED THIS; THE BABY, JEREMIAH, IS IN THE SEAT BEHIND ME. AT THE GIANT'S MERCY, THE RATHER NEW SEDAN GIVES IN LIKE AN EMPTIED COKE BOTTLE. TWO WIDE EYES BEARING THE COLOR OF SUNLIT LEAVES BEHIND ME MIRROR THE FIRE AS THE AIRBAG FILLS MY WORLD. THE SCENE HAUNTED ME ANY TIME I SLEPT ENOUGH TO DREAM. MY WIFE AND SON WERE KILLED NEARLY EIGHT YEARS BEFORE THE RASH INFECTED ME. THAT OCTOBER MARKED THE NINTH YEAR SINCE MY MARRIAGE. MY SURVIVAL LOOKED LIKE A MIRACLE, BUT IT WAS HARD TO SEE IT IN THAT WAY. MONICA AND JEREMIAH, DESPITE BEING TAKEN AFTER ONLY A SHORT TIME IN MY LIFE, LEFT IN DEATH OUR SUBURBAN COTTAGE, MY SOARING CAREER, AND THE NEW 370Z GIVEN TO US AS AN ANNIVERSARY GIFT BY MY FAMILY COLD AND SOUR. I FOUND REFUGE IN PRAYER AND IN THE QUICK, TENDER FORGIVENESS EXTENDED BY MONICA'S SIDE OF THE FAMILY, BUT FOR SO LONG IT SEEMED THAT EVERYWHERE I LOOKED WAS FULL OF PAIN. OVER THE WEEKS, I WORSENED. STILL THEY TRIED AND STILL THEY FAILED TO FIND AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT. IT WASN'T AT ALL TRUE THAT I SOUGHT DEATH, YET, AT THE SAME TIME, THE THOUGHT DIDN'T BOTHER ME VERY MUCH. I HAD VISION; THEN THERE WAS THE DARKNESS THAT ABSORBED TIME WITHOUT BEING NOTICED UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. MORE AND MORE, CONVERSATION WITH GOD FILLED MY WAKING MOMENTS. I PRAYED QUITE A LOT FOR MY SON'S SOUL; I COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE URGE AT THE TIME, BUT MY MIND'S FOCUS ON JEREMIAH WAS UNCEASING. THE STARK ROOM GREETED ME UPON MY WAKING ONE DAY IN MIDNOVEMBER. NOW CONSCIOUSNESS WAS SOFTER THAN BEFORE; SOUND AND FEELING WERE DRASTICALLY MUFFLED. SUSPICIOUS OF MY BODY'S ABILITY TO KEEP FIGHTING, I MANAGED IN MY DAZED STATE TO NOTE THE UNEXPECTED ABSENCE OF INTENSIFYING PAIN; THIS, THOUGH, COULD ONLY MEAN THE WEAKENING OF MY CAPABILITY TO SENSE. TIME THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN MINUTES OR WEEKS INDIFFERENTLY WASHED THE OUTSIDE WORLD PAST AS IF IT WERE COLLABORATING WITH WHATEVER WRETCHED FOE SUFFOCATED ME. EXPERIENCING EVERY POINT ON THE SPECTRUM OF AWARENESS, I FELT ONLY A BRIEF PASSING OF TIME OVER MY DESCENT INTO LABORIOUS BREATHING. THEN, IN AN INSTANT, ALL WAS SUDDENLY VIVID ONCE MORE. IN ALMOST THE SAME MOMENT AS THE SEPARATION OF MY SOUL FROM MY EARTHLY BODY, I BREATHED THE NAME OF MY LIVING SON, THE SON IN A BED MERE ROOMS AWAY, HEALING FROM HIS AILMENT AND, LITTLE

BY LITTLE, FROM HIS ORPHANING.

Creativity is something I cherish, something I don’t want to perish. It makes my imagination what it is, letting challenges commence to sizz. It rises excitement up beneath me, and senses more beyond what I can see.

I thrive to improve, so my teachers can approve. I want others to envy my expertise, and respect the dedication if you please. Creativity is my thing, makes me feel like wanting to sing!

Aiden Mineo