Quintessence

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“Measure”

By James Birong

Carle Place Middle/ High School Carle Place, New York

Quintessence Art and Literary Magazine Volume 1, Spring 2023

FACULTY ADVISORS: Jessica Albert and Samuel Plotkin ENGLISH DEPARTMENT: Jim Fisher, Chairperson

ART DEPARTMENT: Michael Limone, Chairperson

Jessica Albert

Sandra Dietz

Simone Giacalone

Rebecca Chiarelli-Shay

Emily Ferreira

Dan Krause Jenique Nijboer

Cherie Gisondi

Christa Klatsky

Melissa Mehling

Dana Olson

Samuel Plotkin

Matthew Woythaler BOARD OF EDUCATION

President: Lawrence F. Zaino

Trustee: John DiFrisco

Vice President: Neal McLaughlin

Trustee: Joseph LoCurto Trustee: Christine Aguilar

ADMINISTRATION Christine Finn, Superintendent Eileen Fredericks, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Personnel Joanna DeMartino, Assistant Superintendent for Business Philip Molnar, Assistant Superintendent for Special Education and Pupil Pers. Services Jennifer Bambino, Executive Director of Technology Thomas DePaola, Middle and High School Principal Gerald Baratta, Assistant Principal Alan Foraker, Assistant Principal Front Cover: “Branches” By Mikayla Marrero

Back Cover: “Wooden Face” By Alonzo Miller 3

Background Photo: “Sunset” By Alonzo Miller

MR. SAMUEL

MS. JESSICA

PLOTKIN

ALBERT

“Were I called on to define, very briefly, the term Art, I should call it 'the reproduction of what the Senses perceive in Nature through the veil of the soul.'

-EA POE

“Lock up your libraries if you like; but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.”

-VIRGINIA WOOLF

EMILY LENAHAN

KAITLYN FEDERLEIN

ALESSANDRA RAZA

“The beginning of purpose is found in creating something that only you understand.”

“At the end of the day, we can endure much more than we think we can.”

“We have nothing to lose, nothing to gain, nothing we desired anymore- except to make our lives into a work of art.”

-TYLER JOSEPH

-FRIDA KAHLO

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--LANA DEL REY

Table of Contents

(By student’s last name) If reading online, click the page number to be brought there Agostinho, Abigail…………..……………..…….Pg. 28

Marrero, Mikayla........................Pgs. 1, 15-16, 21, & 39

Aguilar, Reese…………………….…Pgs. 14, 26, & 48 Mastromauro, Francis………………...…………...Pg. 35 Anonymous*…………… Pgs. 15-19, 21-26, 36, & 39 Martinez-Rivera, Jazmin………….……Pgs. 11 & 17-18 Barilla, Fortunato……………………...….Pgs. 16 & 27 Mercado, Genesis………………………………….Pg. 11 Berasti, Christian…………………………………Pg. 18 Milazzo, Nicholas……………………………..….Pgs. 8-9 Berasti, Mia……………………Pgs. 6, 12, 38, & 40-47 Miller, Alonzo..................................Pgs. 3, 13, 38, & 50 Bergin, Luke…………………...………….Pgs. 29 & 36 Monteforte, Nick……………………………….Pgs. 17-18 Birong, James……………..…Pgs. 2, 31, 38, 41, & 45

Moretta, Nick………………………………..………Pg. 15

Bloss, Mason……………….……Pgs. 15, 38, & 43-44

Morgan, Erin…………………………….……….....Pg. 28

Canzoneri, Alessandra……………….….Pgs. 20 & 29

Nelson, Angie……………………………………....Pg. 36

Cigna, Allie……………………………………..…Pg. 11

Nosovitch, Marissa…………………………………Pg. 11

Choi, Grace………………………………..……..Pg. 37

Omr, Noor……………………………………...Pgs. 36-37

Cunha, Emily……………………..……………....Pg. 31 Parise, Jack………………………………………....Pg. Daniel, Angelina…………………………..……..Pg. 14

11

Di Salvo, Michael………………….……………..Pg. 32 Portilla, Derek……………………………………....Pg. 11 Di Salvo, Sophia…………………………………Pg. 48

Perea, Aryanna……………………….…….Pgs. 19 & 47

Dunn, Erin……………………………………...…Pg. 30 Ren, Angel……………………….………….………Pg. 37 Fernandes, Jason………………………...……….Pg. 7 Reyes, Mayra…………………….….Pgs. 6, 17-18, & 33 Flores, Diana………………………………….….Pg. 11

Rivera- Oliveira, Gianlucas……….…….…Pgs. 24 & 47

Fowler, Laura…………………………….…Pgs. 7 & 28 Roa, Hadasah………………………………………Pg. 14 Fraine, Logan……………………….…………....Pg. 33 Rubim, Julia……………….……………Pgs. 13-14, & 20 Gaiser, Zoey……………………..…………….…Pg. 31

Ruiz, Bryan………………………………………....Pg. 15

Gomes, Baylee…………………………...Pgs. 14 & 37

Scibilia, Giulia……………………….…Pgs. 35, 38, & 47

Gomes, Sparshaw…………………………..…...Pg. 29 Seidl, Samantha………………………….…..Pgs. 5 & 38 Henriquez, Kyra……………………………...…..Pg. 26 Singh, Sehaj……………Pgs. 6, 11, 17-18, 28, & 37-38 Hobbie, Elizabeth…………………………..……Pg. 30

Sheridan, Meagan……………………………..…..Pg. 20

Hsieh, Hudson…………………………………...Pg. 37

Soni, Sanjana………………Pgs. 16, 22, 25, 28, 30, 34,

Kang, Ava……………………………...………....Pg. 10

Soni, Sanjana (Cont.)......................37, 39-40, 42, & 46

Ketterhagen, Olivia……….……………………...Pg. 29 Stecker, Hayley…………………………..…Pgs. 11 & 16 Lazri, Bora……………….………..……………...Pg. 34

Velasquez-Bermudez, Alejandro………………....Pg. 18

LaRotonda, Lea………...Pgs. 12-13, 23, 30, 38, & 49

Viscusi, Giada……………………….…..Pgs. 17-18 & 48

Lenahan, Emily……………………..………Pgs. 13-14

Weilert, Sierra……………………………………....Pg. 11

Lenihan, Brianna………………………....Pgs. 14 & 48

Wysocki, Sam………………………………....……Pg. 32

Maass, Samantha…………………………….….Pg. 36 Wu, Vincy………………………………………..….Pg. 27 *Note- Anonymous denotes a student who either requested their name not be given, submitted anonymously, or the editors were unable to find the student artist/poet.

Yuen, Alyson……………………………...…Pgs. 12 & 19

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“Texture”

By Samantha Seidl

“Titanic”

By Sehaj Singh

“Splash”

By Mia Berasti

Crewmen, cargo, passengers, the rocking of the ship threw them everywhere.

The ocean did not care.

The metal was supposed to be the strongest in the world, marvelous engineering, built by the greatest minds.

The ocean did not care.

The cargo was worth millions, the upper class was waiting upon their arrival.

The ocean did not care.

Families, worried sick about the storm, hoping for the best for their loved ones safe return.

The ocean did not care.

Screams of people could be heard for miles, but the only ones to hear it were the fish and birds.

The ocean did not care.

The ship was supposed to arrive today; the ocean did not care.

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”Under the Ice”

By Mayra Reyes

“Through the Blazing Beaches”

By Jason Fernandes

The soft sand like a bed of feathers, Rough waves crashing onto shore, The sweltering daylight shining down from the sky.

Umbrellas covering the beaches, Lifeguards on site, people walking down the shore.

Sea creatures living near the coast, protecting themselves by hiding among the rocks.

Fishes gliding through the water, Crabs waiting to strike their prey.

Obtaining food is no easy task.

I pick them with my hands, gripping tightly to their claws so they don't fight back 7

The heat feels like a hot stove, The ocean like a freezer.

Each time I shift between them, The sudden shift somehow comforts me.

As the sun sets, The night brings the Arctic.

As the night begins, the waves become more aggressive, ready to face anything in their way.

Glorious beaches with water as clear as day.

Photograph“Lilac” By Laura Fowler

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ing e B er ft A ad otine” g e R n ll o i a t u K G a em y a v o A P b y ve ted b o k L r u o A c “ Exe d Artw n a m Poe

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“Big Mouth Bass”

“Dinner”

“Gumball Machines”

By Jack Parise

By Allie Cigna

By Diana Flores

“Hello Kitty”

“Sandwich”

“AHS Box”

By Jazmin

By Sehaj Singh

By Sierra Weilert

“Cotton Critters”

“SPSP: South Park

Martinez-Rivera

“Disney”

Salt and Pepper

By Marissa

By Hayley Stecker &

Nosovitch

Genesis Mercado

Shakers”

By Derek Portilla

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“Stuffy Summer”

By Alyson Yuen The stuffy summer air fled at the disappearing sight of the sun over the horizon. The air had the sharp scent of freshly mowed grass The sky turned to hues of mixed pink and purple as the world beyond my window darkened. Trees adorned with emerald green and pure white fences faded together as night came I relaxed in my desk chair as I gazed through the glass, ignoring the calculations and problems in paper set before me

“Pink”

By Lea LaRotonda

Through the barely cracked open window the sound of an almost mournful cry leaked in, bittersweet and soft at the same time.

I spotted the small brown birds calling out to each other, relying on sound in the lack of light.

The sound was interrupted by my mother calling me down for dinner and the thud of my sister’s sneakers rushing inside.

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“Koi Story”

By Mia Berasti

“Ocean”

By Emily Lenahan The ocean calls my name.

Waves crash against the sand, Cold water splashing my faceIts vastness awaits.

“Skydrop”

By Alonzo Miller

I let the tides cradle me, Nourish me in its embraceThe ocean a remedy of ailment, Its moving currents a melody Of the fish and unknown, The things that remain belowIt accepts me.

The water guides me down.

I sink lower and lower, Reefs dance with the flow of water, Bubbles shimmer within the sunlight, Reflect the light of the blue sky.

“Stingray”

By Julia Rubim

I sink to the bottomBody laid against the ocean floor, Murky sand the palms of Poseidon That envelops my skin, A warming welcome from the depths Of an abyss that couldn’t be more beautifulAnd within the darkness of the ocean, I realize that all beauty has its strength.

“Pond”

By Lea Larotonda

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“Gira e”

By Hadasah Roa

“Pig” ihan a Len n n a i r yB

B

“Pe

By An acock” gelina Daniel

By

Ju “Ko lia i” Ru bi m

a” “Zebr omes ylee G a B y B

” “Ostrich lar e Agui

By Rees

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“Parrot”

By Emily Lenahan

“Bird ” ikayla Marre ro

By M

ye” t E Bloss a “C son Ma y B

ngbird” “Hummi ymous

By Anon

“Wolf ”

By Anon ymous

“Gorilla”

By Nick Moretta

“Dr ag B y Brya on” 15 n Ru iz

“A Wall of Youth”

By Anonymous In solitude I stand, a wall of youth, Bound by bricks and dreams, a testament to truth.

Each stone a story, etched with vibrant hues, As I navigate this labyrinth, where shadows and light fuse.

These walls confine, but also shield my soul, From judgment's gaze, as I strive for self-control.

I paint them with rebellion, with secrets I confide, Expressions of my spirit, where individuality resides.

Within these walls, my dreams take flight, A canvas of possibilities, embracing the night.

They witness my laughter, my tears, my cries, Unyielding barriers, where my essence never dies.

Yet they can crumble too, With fractures shining through.

Through the cracks, I seek connection's call, To bridge the gaps, unite us all.

“Chipping Away”

By Anonymous Amidst the echoes of time's swift grip, A soul awakens, from slumber to trip, For as I learn to rise and fall, Through life's vast canvas, with purpose ripping, I’m breaking barriers, Carving a destiny, through moments of chipping.

And tearing down walls.

With chisel in hand, they carve and they mold, Unveiling the tales that their heart holds, Each stroke a whisper, a step to unveil, The masterpiece within, where dreams set sail.

“Brick”

By Sanjana Soni

For in the act of chipping, they find, Strength to endure, leave no dream behind, With every chip, the spirit takes flight, Creating a symphony, harmonizing might.

So let us embrace this artful pursuit, Emboldened by dreams, relentless and acute, With faith in our hearts and purpose gripping, We'll shape our existence through life's constant 16 chipping.

“Chipped”

By Fortunato Barillla

“Departure”

By Hayley Stecker

“Cho rd kayla ” Mar rero

By M i

Going away- far far away Starting a new life, seems like a delight Seeing it with my two eyes, almost made me cry Jumping up and down, made me seem like a clown Tears of joy all around, almost made me frown To start a new life, seems like it would be alright New friends, new people, i'll be alright But leaving friends and family is where I see fright Seeing everyone go there separate ways, makes me wanna stay It makes me as sad like people on a rainy day I don't want to leave, no I don't But not doing something for me is something I won’t It makes me happy to see everyone getting accepted I just don't want anyone to feel neglected I'll be hours away like a stray But missing home is how i'll stay

On the phone with you everyday Will make me feel like you're okay I'll miss you so so dearly You mean so much to me, truly ” Tune e n i F “ rrero a M a kayl

By Mi

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” llage z o C o i “Mar in Martine zm

By Ja

ick” “Patr mous ony

By An

” ntom a h P ny “Dan yra Reyes a

By M

” llage o C b o ngeb nteforte o p S o “ ck M

By Ni

ietta” si r n e “H Viscu a d a

By Gi

ord” w S r e t “Mas aj Singh h

By Se

ft Pig a r c e “Min lage” Col n ristia18 h C y B ti18 Beras

y d Gar n a b o s” ngeb “Spo P Shaker ro S& ejand l A y B ez rmud e B V

“Last Summer”

By Anonymous In the golden realm of endless days, Where laughter dances in the sun's warm rays, Summer sings its sweet, enchanting tune, A season of dreams, beneath the vibrant moon.

With eager steps, we embrace the morn, As nature's canvas, a world reborn, Whispers of freedom in the gentle breeze, As we chase the promise of newfound ease.

The sky above, a sapphire dome, Inviting us to wander and roam, Through meadows ablaze in wildflower hues, Where daisies sway and secrets infuse.

Beneath the shade of ancient trees, We find solace, our minds at ease, Unburdened by time, worries untold, In this realm of youth, forever bold.

We gather by the sparkling shore, Where waves kiss the sand with a gentle roar, Salty air fills our lungs with delight, As we surrender to summer's eternal light.

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Days unfold like chapters, vivid and bright, Filled with laughter, adventure, and delight, Camping beneath a sky studded with stars, Weaving stories around the flickering fire's bars.

With friends by our side, forever true, We seek the thrills that only summer can brew, From cliffside dives to daring escapades, Embracing life's wonders, the memories cascade.

As twilight paints the world in hues of gold, We gather, stories and dreams to behold, With hearts ablaze, we bid the season adieu, Knowing that in our hearts, summer will always renew.

For in the tapestry of youthful days, Summer's magic forever stays, A treasure trove of sun-kissed bliss, A cherished chapter, forever amiss.

“Sandswept”

By Aryanna Perea

Deep blue

By Meagan Sheridan The sun was blistering my skin The waves violently hit the boat I was beginning to lose patience I was beginning to lose hope The boat finally came to a halting pause.

As I looked out in front of me, I saw the crystal clear water that seemed to have no flaws As I jumped off the boat, The refreshing water soothed my burning skin And all my complaints were run thin

“Gummy Bear Parachuting”

By Julia Rubim

As I looked below me I began to scour, The coral reef bloomed like a vibrant flower The soft sand felt like pillows against my feet, As I saw majestic fish swimming in a fleet The ocean seemed to have swallowed me whole The beauty of this sea was transforming my soul I hope someday again I can find this peace Where I was able to find, a sweet sense of relief.

“Beach Scene”

By Alessandra J. Canzoneri

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“Fireworks”

by Mikayla Marrera

“A+B”

By Anonymous In a small village nestled between a great expanse of rolling hills, two teenagers lived the quiet and lonely lives expected of those youth who grew up in unforgiving towns. For both young men were in the process of discovering their true selves, harboring a shared secret they dared not share with the rest of the world.

While the secret was shared, neither knew of the other’s presence let alone his hidden burden.

Alexander was a creative and passionate adolescent of 18

years with a strong affinity for painting.

He found solace in his artwork, often pouring his emotions onto the previously vacant canvas, spilling dark colors with the intricate brushstrokes of youthful passion.

Yet despite his prowess in the artistic world, he felt a deep

“...let alone his hidden burden… emptiness, a constant yearning for connection —for a love that would accept him, as he was, both completely and effortlessly. His extroverted nature lent itself to his being constantly surrounded 21

by friends, yet he still had the nagging feeling of being unfulfilled and lonely. Somehow he felt more alone in larger crowds.

Benjamin, on the other hand, was an introverted soul, consistently immersed in his fantastical novels and romantic writings.

His imagination was unmatched, and he used it to weave yarns that would transport him to lands as yet undiscovered by

“...in the hidden recesses of their dreams..” mankind except in the hidden recesses of their dreams. Yet, no amount of escape was enough to help him forget about his deep need for understanding- not to understand, but rather to be understood. His longing for a kindred spirit to share his innermost thoughts and dreams surpassed want and bordered on a primal need, like that of food or drink or air.

Fortunately, fate intervened for the two youths one overcast afternoon when their paths crossed at a

quaint local book store. Ben had wandered for a long while, nearly aimlessly meandering amid the vast collection of colorful tombs, in search of a quiet corner to lose himself in his growing stack of books. Alex, meanwhile, stepped inside with the air of belonging he always

“...an unspoken recognition sparked between…” exhibited, radiantly displaying the warming aura of friendliness that announced his very presence. He was seeking an inanimate muse for his next painting. Turning a 22

corner, Alex nearly collided with Ben who had seen an overstuffed chair in the corner and was rushing over to sit down before another interesting title caught his interest and added itself to his heavy collection. As their eyes fell upon each other, an unspoken recognition sparked between their very souls—a shared understanding of kindred spirits that even Ben would argue went beyond mere words and even Alex would say went beyond even pictures.

“Frozen Skies”

by Sanjana Soni

Their friendship blossomed, bloomed, and still grew more.

Weeks became months and their meetings occurred more frequently. They spent hours getting lost in discussions that never ebbed, flowing effortlessly.

Some of it was merely jokes and interests, but mostly they shared the thoughts that came from the cores of their being.

Hopes, regrets, fears, reservations, and their deepest aspirationsnothing was off the table… except the one secret hidden in the recesses of their periphery, constantly fluttering around like a fly trying to find an open window, that neither was ready to

admit to himself let alone say out loud and to another. Each revelation drew them even closer together, like two heavenly bodies aligning in the evening sky.

One wonderful night, as the sun

“Iced Cube”

by Lea LaRotonda

Finally descended below the horizon, casting a golden glow upon the town and leaving shadows in the wake of every building, Ben mustered the courage to share his deep truth with Alex. They sat under an ancient 23

“...Blossomed, bloomed, and still grew…” oak tree, its leaves whispering secrets in the gentle breeze as though even it were trying to cover the sounds of their conversation lest some passerby overhear.

"Alex," Ben began, his voice shaking, "there's something I've been meaning to tell you. I just haven’t figured out how yet."

Alex looked at him, his face a canvas of anticipation and

“...his face a canvas of anticipation …”

“Prayer Hands”

by Gianlucas Rivera- Oliveira

“...unwavering support etched into each line…”

understanding, unwavering support etched into each line of his visage.

The next two words were a whispered vulnerability that cut Alex to the core. A tear welled up and cascaded down his cheek, not out of sadness but in relief.

He, too, carried the same truth within him, and despite his gregarious nature, he was equally afraid to voice it aloud.

Ben’s bravery was not lost on him, and Alex’s response began with that very fact, the sincerity in his voice dripping like

the sweetest honey.

With a smile he confided that Ben was not alone.

In that moment, their worlds- their very hearts- collided, ripped apart at the seams, and were stitched back together larger and stronger than ever before. For, as the Greeks know,

“...soul becomes whole once more…” once a soulmate is found the soul becomes whole once more with four arms, four legs, and two heads. The burden they had carried for so long dissolved into the vast abyss that now existed everywhere else in 24

the world except the space between them.

They saw nothing else in the universe except each other, the heavy weight relieved of them filling them with such renewed vigor that it was like the shackles they had been bound to all of their lives were finally released, and Plato’s cave was far behind them.

They held each other's hands, for the first time not afraid of what the other would

think, feeling an electric connection that transcended any words they could utter or any visions they could garner.

Alex and Ben spent the next several months navigating the

“Perchance to Dream”

by Sanjana Soni

complexities of their young love together, forging bonds that surpassed societal norms and leaving the ashes of conformity, which they had been imprisoned by for so long, in their wake.

They faced adversity with unwavering conviction, buoyed by

the deep strength they found in each other.

They became each other's rocks, supporting, nourishing, nurturing, and cultivating their dreams side by side.

Alex's paintings took on new life, vividly capturing the emotions they shared, leaving behind the macabre, gothic style of his past works, instead filling the canvas with vibrant colors of contentment.

Meanwhile, Ben's writings painted a tapestry of their experiences. His previous works in the genre of fantasy with elements of romance separated into tales distinctly romantic and distinctly fantastical.

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He wanted it clear to any potential readers that love was not something reserved for fiction.

Stories of resilience and the courage to be one’s true self filled notebook after notebook.

Soon, the whispers around their small town turned to acceptance, and judgment gave way to understanding. Alex and Ben's love story became a symbol- a beacon of hope for others who were searching for their own truths.

With every stroke of Alex's brush and

“...love was not something reserved for fiction.”

every word that flowed from Ben's pen, their passionate story solidified into something extraordinary—a testament to the power of love in any form.

Together, they created their own masterpiece—one that celebrated their journey and inspired others to embrace their own authentic selves.

And so, the two youths, once lost in a world that didn't fully understand them, found solace and love in each other's arms, forever etching their names in the tapestry of love's triumph.

“I Don’t Know- You Come Up With A Name”

by Reese Aguilar

“Droplets”

by Kyra Henriquez

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“An An Ode to My Books” Books

By Vincy Wu The sky is dull when I read on and on The books adults oblige me to read.

But, oh well, I pick another to my liking.

The adventurous rise and rise more possibilities More fantasy More lively I flip each page, fast and furious With strength, I'm in the book Many effects to see Plenty of places to go I let my imagination fly Leading me to where they desire Stars shining so bright in the sky The moon softly chants With my bare feet, I walk through the fields As a magic world starts spawning in my eyes The closer I walk, the more buildings I see buildings filled with beauty But none are open Time is running away from me Though I continue on and on Next thing I know I start drifting away Falling fast asleep.

“Marble” 27

By Fortunato Barilla

“Lights”

“Ode to Jewelry”

By Abigail Agostinho

By Laura Fowler

You might look best with a dress, But I’d still prefer you without Oh, how you make me shine as bright as the stars You are as shiny as the glitter in the sun Everyday I wear you, I feel on top of the world Oh, how expensive you can be, I just wish you were free But I’ll save my money to buy you Of course, you were nothing but revolutionary to me My outfits aren’t complete without the wonderful help of jewelry

“Ode To My Necklace”

By Erin Morgan Every day I wake up seeing you hanging on my lamp Ready for you to come spend the day with me You twist around my neck like swing at the park You watch as I ride to school everyday You watch me run up and down the turf at practice You listen to all the loud boys talk around me You watch me fall asleep each night You are my good luck charm that I will never leave behind, If I lose you again I lose apart of myself

“Captured Light”

By Sanjana Soni

Never in my life will I lose you again I can 28

promise you that

” on a i t r a in and g a ss ri “Im Ale zone By an C Endless possibilities lie between the two covers

“Ode to The Space Between Two Covers”

By Olivia Ketterhagen

The crack of the spine The feeling of the paper crinkling Words flowing like a river The characters jumping out to be seen The world fades away The story comes to life I feel the words roll off my fingertips as the page flips I smell the air of the meadow I feel the tumble on the hill and the presence of the characters Looking into the sunset as bright as millions of stars Then the book will end And i'm forced back to reality Until the cover opens again In each line Each word I hear their words and see their thoughts The cottage where they live ” me w o H The place where they stand a “ rsh a p

By S omes I feel the sparks fly into the night as a hunter flys to G his prey I see the shimmer on the water from the moonlight I love this place I wish to stay I know the time must end But does it have to Oh books, oh books Life has it paths just like the pages flow in the story And all good stories must come to an end The cover shuts, I close my eyes Forever I see the story in my dreams and in my mind

“Co mm

By L and” u Berg ke in

“Leaf”

By Sanjana Soni

“Ode to the Girl in the Tutu”

By Erin Dunn The girl in the tutu.

She cannot turn, she cannot leap.

But I see her smiling, oh so proud.

She loves it.

Pointing her feet. laughing with the dancers. the French terminology.

“Ode to Watercolors”

By Elizabeth Hobbie I sit down at my desk I line the paintbrushes next to me in a neat row I carefully place my palette of colorful watercolors beside me My weapon for my imagination Finally I set down the paper A blank canvas, ready to be lit up with stories of the past and present A way to release my emotions, to peek inside my soul I dip my brush into the water,then onto the dried watercolor brick Reactivating it and freeing it’s beautiful pigment once more Ready to be used I let my imagination take over The colors flying across the page The beautiful oranges and reds and greens and blues seeping through the paper Mixing into river of rainbows Sometimes I pour my heart and soul into a painting, making sure every detail is perfect Other times I enjoy the feeling of letting go and allowing my paintbrush fly across the canvas in wild, free strokes Once I feel satisfied I get up and return my tools to their rightful places But still on my desk, the paint sits dried and cracked 30 Waiting to be brought to life once again.

The girl in the tutu.

She looks at me, as I look at her.

We stare at each other but we are split up by a reflecting glass.

She cannot turn, she cannot leap.

But she loves it.

She loves being on stage, just like me.

She mirrors my moves.

She follows me around.

I ask why she loves dance and she says the same.

She cannot turn and she cannot leap.

But she tries.

But when I step away from the glass she is gone and it’s just me.

I am the girl who cannot turn and cannot leap.

But that reflecting glass shows so much more.

It shows how I try, I love, I smile.

All from dance.

I love to dance, just like the girl in the tutu.

That reflecting glass showed me there is much more to dance than turns and leaps.

Because when I worry about how I can’t turn.

I look at the girl tutu smiling in the mirror.

“Skull Light” As I smile back.

By Lea LaRotonda

“Pink Macabre”

irds” “Rule of Th irong

By James B

“Ode to Jamaica”

By Zoey Gaiser

“Ode to My Mom”

By Emily Cunha My mom means the world to me But the world is not big enough to be filled with the amount of love I have for her She's perfect in my eyes If only she could see the way I see She’s the sunshine to my darkness She lights the way for me She's the best mom that there ever could be Her beauty radiates inside and out Even through tough times She's the strongest there can be Knowing that she's always there for me is all that I need People saying that I remind them of her It is the biggest compliment I could ever get.

Her hugs are the best part of my day Seeing her is what makes everything okay She's like fresh flowers, She will always make your day She might not have diamonds But she will always have me.

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I went on vacation to Jamaica.

It felt like a paradise, like an escape from the real world.

The smell of sunscreen filled the ocean air.

I couldn't imagine a better place, bright blue ocean, spotted fish of every color, not a cloud in the sky.

I found a new love for Bob Marley and everything was pineapple flavored.

The way my hair lightened, the color of my pina colada.

My freckles and skin darken and my pink bikini revealed A dramatic tan line that I hadn’t seen since August.

I hated the idea of going home, to come home to un-made beds, dirty snow that covered my feet, and a gray and gloomy sky.

So I closed my eyes and savored the feeling of sun kissing my skin, I loved my vacation to Jamaica.

“An Ode to Music”

By Sam Wysocki Music is what keeps me alive Music is my escape through my everyday life It gives me hope that I’ll do something amazing It gives me something to believe in Music could be anything Anything amazing that makes sound Like the melody of sweet birds at day Or as crickets chirping at night Music can brighten your smile But it can also allow you to break free And it will wipe the tears from your eyes And tell you all will be okay Music inspires many And I am just one that it inspires The wonderful melodies of songs speak to me Giving me all the answers Whether music comes from the piano, Soft hands pressing keys Eliciting wonderful sounds As notes dance upon lines, trying to keep up with time Or maybe the music comes from a fiddle A fiddle played by someone with Hands of Midas Each note played gathering attention of all As each note seemingly turned gold Music dives down deep into the soul Lightly touching all insecurities Music is something that everyone can have No matter how bad life could be A simple tap of a pen onto the floor Is almost equivalent to the bang of drumsticks onto a drum Or maybe the humming of a mother to her baby Sounds as soft as a wool blanket in the bleak midwinter The moral of my ode is that no matter where you are The sounds of cities at night The moans of frosty winds in december Or the sound of falling raindrops Music will always be there, to mend the world’s soul

32

“Reflections: Water & Flowers”

By Michael Di Salvo

“ODE TO BASEBALL”

By Logan Fraine There once was a day, In which I stumbled upon baseball.

After that day, Baseball became my life.

Oh baseball, you make my heart spin.

You have so many qualities, I can't even count them.

Oh baseball, you’re a sweet sweet game, Without you I would never be the same.

Oh baseball, you have been here since early times, And will stay here until the last man dies.

You have seen legends like Babe Ruth, And stars like Aaron Judge.

And far more will come.

Oh baseball, your bats and gloves are neat, In my eyes they are like a currency.

Whenever I get a glove or a bat, I use it until it's all worn out.

Oh baseball, to play it you need a good eye, If you don't have one, you're not going to be fine.

Oh baseball, how you need good hands, For you use them to command.

Baseball is mostly mental, You need to be smart to remember your fundamentals.

Baseball is the best, But after you play it, make sure to get some rest.

33 33

“Ball of Light”

by Mayra Reyes

“Grate”

by Sanjana Soni

“Ode To Jazz”

By Bora Lazri

Jazz, translator of feeling, The echoes that bounce across my walls Like a deer in headlights, like a cat on alert My eyes widen and my ears perk at the sound of your name I travel on the rollercoaster of a story that is spun by the saxophone, The vocalist, The trumpet The bittersweet feeling of your voice in my ears, Swells my heart and brings tears to my eyes You bring people together and you split them apart with a snap of a guitar string It is amazing how you are so many things, but man has only one name for you You are heartbreak, the waves of suffering You are love, the flutter of a heart You are joy, the taste of sugar on the tongue You are the love of a sister and the hatred of an enemy You are waves of the ocean and the wind in the air Jazz, J-A-Z-Z One word encompasses a myriad of meanings, Enough emotions for a lifetime Your meaning transcends language but never the heart 34

“Ode to my Mother”

By Francis Mastromauro Even when you are feeling down You still always put me first instead of yourself, You sacrifice your time and effort Just so I can have a better future.

Your catering and caring is infinite, As such my love is for you.

Although it may not seems obvious I shall always love and respect you.

Every second you exist, You spend thinking about me And for that dedication I promise to love you until I die.

Your admirable patience is infinite As you always give more then a second chance Even for when Ii may not listen to you You always are forgiving.

I know it may seem like I don't value your sacrifices, But there is not a day Ii do not think about you, So know that even when you believe Ii think “I “i hate you” I will always value and think about you.

Every day when I see you, it brings me joy Knowing I have someone in my life who will always be by my side Whether it be as little as dropping me off for school Or being there for my graduation day.

I also notice the things you do in the background And although you think I don’t care, I always treasure everything you do for me Because I love you the most in the world.

And even though you certainly aren't perfect, You are very far from being horrible In my eyes, how you are doing right now Is just fine with me.

So for this, I thank you mom.

For all the knowledge you’ve taught me, And the confidence you’ve given me, And for this you will always have a special place in my heart

35

“Focus”

By Giulia Scibilia

Photo by Giovanny

erse” v n o sic C “Clas oor Omr

By N

rse” n e v n “Co elso N e i ng

By A

By

” “Nike Maass antha Sam

s” “Van ergin ke B y Lu

B

“Shoes”

By Anonymous Sneakers. They're more than just shoes. They're an extension of who I am, a reflection of my style and personality. When I slip them on, I feel a surge of confidence, a readiness to take on the world. Each pair tells a story. The scuffs and creases, they're badges of the adventures I've had. From skateboarding sessions at the park to late-night escapades with friends, my sneakers have been with me every step of the way.

They're my companions on this journey of self-discovery. With every stride, they carry me closer to my dreams. And it's not just about the style. Sneakers have a language of their own. They connect me with others who share the same passion. I can strike up a conversation with a stranger simply by complimenting their kicks. It's a universal code that breaks down barriers and brings people together.

In a world that's constantly changing, sneakers are my constant. They're a reminder of who I am and where I come from. They're a symbol of my youth, my energy, my individuality.So, here's to sneakers, those timeless companions that keep me grounded as I navigate the ever-changing landscape of adolescence. With them on my feet, I'm ready to step into the future, one stylish stride at a time.

36

“Sensory Poem”

By Grace Choi The smell of the sweet heavenly cinnamon smoke as it floats from the pancake to the air.

I sit across from my mom, at a wooden table, on a hard wooden chair Watching her perform multiple tasks simultaneously as she walks across the squeaky wooden floor.

I hear the vegetable oil sizzle as my mom pours it onto the pan The hot oil pops and flies into the air from the food and the bowl clatters loudly on the table as she mixes the batter aggressively.

I see the done pieces of bread, one on top of another, stacked on a plate, waiting to be devoured, along with the leftover dough, left aside in a darker corner, waiting to be fried and hardened, for the perfect texture.

I touch the soft, hot piece of bread on my hand, and as I put it in my mouth, I feel the silky sweet syrup in my mouth along with the soft, fluffy, cloudlike texture of the bread, a perfect combination for a sweet dessert.

m” a e r n Sc l Re l l “A nge A By

“Tea Li

By San ght” jana So ni

” eh us Hsi itr “C son ud

H By

“Be

By N rries” oor O m

r

osai M r e ov m C aj Singh u b l “A eh

By S 37

c”

“With a Che rry on Top”

By Baylee G omes

nk” “Dri Scibilia iulia

By G

cus” “Cro ha Seidl t man y Sa

“Break ing Da y

By Ma son Bl ” oss

B

ndBackgrou est” “Mini For erasti

By Mia B

om” “Blo a Singh njan y Sa

B

” k Puddle in L in a “Ch aRonda

By Lea L

“Lak

By S e of Wo o anja na S d” ingh

” “Dawn loss son B

By Ma ad” “Rocky Ro Bloss

By Mason

tle” l “Tur ha Seid t n ama

By S

m” “Blosso da LaRoton

By Lea “Rolling Clouds”

By Mason Bloss

ky” sy S iller u B “ M onzo l A By “Koi Pond”

By James Birong

38

hell” S y ingh tta M “Ou njana S a

By S

A Haiku Series

By Anonymous

“Rough”

By Sanjana Soni

City lights fade out, Moonlit trees whisper secrets, Nature's calm embrace.

Raindrops kiss my face, Nature's tears bring me solace, Cleansing my restless soul.

Blossoms in full bloom, Whispering winds carry scents, Spring's awakening. Stars ignite the night, A vast universe above, Children dream on.

Waves crash on the shore, Saltwater spray on my skin, Wild dreams unfold.

Birdsong in the air, Melodies of pure freedom, Lovers’ hearts take flight.

In nature's embrace, A person finds solace, Beauty, pure and wild.

Mountains stand so tall, Challenging me to climb high, Human strength prevails.

“Sap”

By Mikayla Morrero

39

“Untitled”

By Mia Berasti The car slowly pulls up to the driveway and suddenly stops at the end.

The long, dark, driveway is covered in 2 feet of snow and it’s clear that there is no way they can drive up.

“There's a shovel by the shed halfway up the driveway,” says Julie’s aunt, Carol, as she sets off on foot to find a way to clear the path.

“Be careful, I read on the way up that there are wolves up here” Julie says, starting to get nervous and impatient. After the 5-hour ride, all she wants to do is lie down and get a good night's sleep. She knows that clearing this driveway can take at least an hour, and with the sounds of the wolves in the distance, she is beginning to become very frightened, along with her younger brothers who will not stop crying. Julie knows there is a long, grueling wait ahead.

After another 35 minutes of waiting, Julie's aunt appears in the distance with two shovels in hand.

“Wow this snow is no joke,” she says, appearing exhausted and freezing from the long walk. Leaving the car, extremely annoyed, Julie grabs a shovel and helps her mom and aunt clear the driveway. After 40 minutes of shoveling, the driveway is finally clear and they can drive up.

“Finally!” yelled Julie’s brothers, happy to finally go inside the warm house and escape from all the frightening sounds of the woods.

But their cries of joy were interrupted by a scream…

“But their cries of joy were interrupted by a scream.”

“EW! Oh my god, there’s a dead bird on our doorstep!!! It must have crashed into the window and died!!” Julie said.

“That is so weird… I saw a few dead squirrels on my way up when I was looking for the shovel, it’s probably the wolves.”

Julie’s aunt said.

“Hmmm yea that must be it, that's just so strange,” Julie said as she turned to walk into the house.

40

“Dramatic Skies”

by Sanjana Soni

As she begins to walk into the cabin, Julie’s eyes travel up the 20-foot ceilings with beams before she turns on the stone fireplace to warm up the house. Looking out the large windows, she can see nothing but darkness outside.

She turns to go into the kitchen and join the rest of her family.

Exhausted, they all sit down around the kitchen table to play monopoly and relax after the stressful trip here.

“I honestly thought we would never make it up here with all that snow”, says Julie’s mom, relieved that they can finally relax.

“Me too!” says Julie, before they are suddenly interrupted by the doorbell ringing.

“Who could that possibly be? In the 15 years that I’ve been coming up to this house, I have never once heard the

“What could he possibly want at this hour?” doorbell ring,” says Julie’s aunt, concerned.

When the doorbell rings once again, Julie finally gets up to open it.

First, she peers through the window to see who it is.

“It’s that old farmer who lives down the hill, the one with those sheepdogs,” Julie says, confused as to why he’s at their door.

“What could he possibly need at this hour? '' says Julie's aunt, reaching out to open the door, not knowing what to expect.

“Open it! Open it!”

Julie’s brothers call out, excited about a new visitor.

But Julie was not excited, as she saw the look in the farmer’s eyes and she knew that he was not there for good reason.

When Julie’s aunt opened the door, the farmer just stood there and stared without saying anything.

Standing 6’5, the farmer towered over all of them.

With long gray hair and dark eyes that seemed to stare right through her, he sent a chill down Julie’s spine.

“Hello…what is it that you need at this hour?”

Julie’s mother exclaimed, positioning herself in front of Julie and her brothers.

The farmer took a step back as if he wasn’t expecting so many people to be greeting him at the door.

“I just came to see her,” the farmer says creepily, pointing at Julie.

Julie, shocked and creeped out, runs back to her room to get away from the farmer.

“Why in the world are you here to see my 15-year-old daughter? You don’t even know her!”

Julie’s mother frantically yelled.

“That was terrifying, why did he come to see me?”

“Get out of here you old creep,” Julie’s aunt said, desperately trying to calm down the young kids and get the farmer away.

“I’ll be back whether you want me to or not,” the farmer says under his breath before turning to leave.

After Julie’s aunt slams and locks the door, Julie and her mother run around, making sure all the doors and windows are locked. Knowing 41 that there

is no one around for miles besides that farmer, they don’t want to take their chances.

“That was terrifying, why did he come to see me? I’ve never spoken to him in all these years!”

“Yes, that was very weird, but don’t worry about it, just try to get a good night's sleep and relax. It’s been a long day” Julie’s mom says, feeling tired.

“I’m sure it will be fine. All the doors and windows are locked anyway. I’m going to bed.

Goodnight.” Julie says before making her way to her room.

Wow what a long day, I really can’t believe that happened, Julie thinks to herself, before getting ready for bed. Laying down in bed, just finally happy to go to sleep, Julie begins to drift off until…

Something thuds against the window, startling her awake. What was that?! Julie thinks before running to the

“Frozen Stump”

by James Birong

window. Standing below is the farmer, who’s just staring up at her with his rifle in one hand, and rocks in the other, as he was throwing them at her window.

Julie takes a step back and gasps “What the heck!!” She runs downstairs to get the rest of her family.

“Mom!!! Aunt Carol!!! He is standing outside my window with a gun!!!!”

Her mom, awoken by her screams, runs to the kitchen with a hunting knife, prepared to protect her kids.

“Who’s outside? Why does he have a gun?” She says while peering out the window, looking to see who Julie is talking about.

“The farmer! He came back to kill me!” Julie said, terrified.

Her mom and aunt continued to look out the window and search for the farmer. “I don’t see anyone out here,” said Julie’s aunt.

“Julie, are you sure you haven’t just been reading too many murder stories, he might’ve been crazy, but I don’t think he wants to kill you,” her mom said.

“Noo!! I know for a fact I saw him out there. I’m not lying” Julie yelled while swinging open the door to

see if he is still there. She looked around desperately, but the farmer was nowhere in sight.

“I swear I saw him…

He was looking right at me through the window.” Julie said, feeling defeated.

“Julie, it's been a long day and we have an early hike tomorrow morning, all the doors and windows are locked and the farmer is nowhere to be found.

Everything will be okay, I’m

“Winter Is Coming”

By Sanjana Soni

sure this is just stress and paranoia from when he showed up at our door. Get some sleep.”

“Okay fine but I know he was out there whether you believe it or not!!” Julie yelled before storming off to her room.

Checking the windows one more time to make sure they’re locked, Julie begins to calm down after the crazy day and she finally lays down to go to

42

“...I’m sure this is just stress and paranoia…” bed. ______ “Rise and shine!!

Time for our hike.” her mom says as she opens up the blinds, letting the light into Julie’s room.

“Ughhh,” Julie groaned as she pulled the blanket over her head, exhausted from tossing and turning all night. The last thing she wants to do is go on a hike while the farmer could still be out there, looking for her.

Julie goes downstairs and meets her family for breakfast before the early hike. She looks out the window and sees how much snow came down during the night.

“Are you sure it’s a good idea for us to go out there in this weather? Also, the farmer might see us. I don’t want to go,” Julie said reluctantly.

“Come on Julie, are you seriously going to ruin our family trip just because

“Are you sure it’s a good idea to go out there…?”

“Snow continues to fall, covering their footsteps…” of your paranoia? This hike is one of our traditions. I know the farmer creeped you out but I’m sure he’s just messed up from being up here alone all the time.

He probably just wanted some company and saw us settling in,” Julie’s mom says, desperate to calm her nerves. Julie sighed and went to get bundled up for the hike in the cold. She knew she couldn’t get out of this one.

Ten minutes later, her mom calls up to her room.

“Julie come on, it's time to get going, we’re already off to a late start,” she says.

Julie runs down the stairs to meet her family so they can begin the hike.

Snow continues to fall, covering their footsteps as they set off into the woods. Looking around at the trees and beautiful sights, Julie begins to calm down and remember why they are all here in the first place.

“Wow, it is really beautiful,” Julie begins to say, before being cut off by her brother who pulls out a hunting knife and begins to mock her.

“Ha ha ha don’t worry Julie I’ll protect you from that farmer when he comes to get you,” he says. This sets her off, after agreeing to come on this dumb walk she is still being mocked.

She knows what she saw out the window last night and even if none of them believe her, she knows the truth.

She grabs the knife, runs off the path, and is gone from their sight within seconds. She thought she knew how to get back to the cabin, but they had gone out further than she thought. Looking around

“Looking around she begins to panic…” she begins to panic as she realized that she could not find any of the typical path markers.

Back on the path, Julie’s family is freaking out because they can’t find her.

“Where did she just run off to? Why would she leave the path in the middle of the woods where she might not be able to get back? What did you say to her!” Julie’s mother screams.

“All I did was make a joke about the farmer! I 43

“Gazebo”

By Mason Bloss

didn’t realize she was this serious about it!!” Julie’s brother says.

“You know… it’s not like Julie to make something like this up and keep it going for so long.

Maybe the farmer did come back in the middle of the night,” Julie’s aunt says, stating what everyone else is thinking.

“You’re right! I don’t know why we didn’t listen to her… he did say he came to see her when he was at the door, which was very strange…, Julie’s mom said.

They all ran off, looking everywhere for Julie, but she had just run further into the forest and was getting more lost by the second. “Mom! Aunt Carol!

Can anyone hear me???”

Julie cried out.

A leaf crunched

behind her, causing her to abruptly turn around. A familiar, yet chilling voice came from behind a tree.

“Oh I can hear you…but no one else can,” the voice said. From this sentence, Julie could immediately recognize the voice. She began to run without looking back, as the farmer was now chasing behind her as fast as he could.

“Green Door”

By Mason Bloss

“I told you I would be back! Did you like the present I left on your doorstep?” He yelled out while chasing her. This sent a chill down Julie’s spine but she knew she had to keep running as she saw that the farmer had his rifle.

After running for five minutes she took shelter behind a large rock and she couldn’t see or hear the farmer until…

“BOOM” a gunshot rings out through the forest, loud enough for Julie’s family to hear in the

distance. Her mom begins running in the direction of the noise.

“Oh my god he’s going to shoot me,” Julie thinks as she ducks down lower, trying to get completely out of sight. As she does this, something falls out of her pocket, the hunting knife. While trying to get away from the farmer, Julie had completely forgotten that she took this from her brother.

“I’m gonna get you… you can’t hide from me,” the farmer said in the distance.

Having a weapon of her own and a rush of adrenaline from the chase, Julie gained the confidence to fight back. She knows she will somehow have to get the gun away from him or she has no chance.

As the farmer appears in the distance, Julie, still hiding, grabs a large rock off the ground.

She knows she only has one chance to get this right, and if she doesn’t, she will never see her family again.

Glancing out of her hiding spot, she looks for the farmer. Just as her eyes lay on him, he sees her and begins running towards her, raising his gun.

Without a second thought, Julie threw a rock at the farmer and it hit him 44

in the head, knocking him to the floor. She runs over and kicks the gun away from him before he regains consciousness. In the distance, she hears her mom.

“JULIE! Are you out there?” Her mom cries out, assuming the worst after hearing the gunshot.

“MOM! MOM! I’m over here!!!!” Julie yells, right before the farmer wakes up and plunges at her. She jumps back and grabs the knife from the floor before stabbing him in the leg so that he can’t move anymore. He falls unconscious once again.

Finally, her family was able to find her. “Oh my god, Julie what happened!

We thought you were dead,” her mom says as she quickly dials 911.

“I thought I knew where we were but I got lost! When I was yelling out for you guys the farmer must’ve heard me and he started chasing me! I thought he was going to shoot me. I told you there was something wrong with him!” Julie frantically yelled.

“I told you I would be back!”

“I’m so sorry we should’ve trusted you. The cops said they won’t be able to get to us for hours.

We can’t just leave him, he might wake up,” Julie’s mom said as she took some rope out of her backpack to tie up the farmer until the cops came.

They find a wheelbarrow and put the unconscious farmer in it and begin to wheel him back towards the house until the cops arrive, which could take hours. Julie still can’t believe what just happened.

“Mom… he said ‘did you like the present I left by your door’ as he was chasing me! He’s the one who killed those birds and squirrels, there is something seriously wrong with him!” Julie said.

“Julie I am so sorry I didn’t believe you, I should have listened when you said the farmer was trying to kill you but I thought you were just seeing things! I’m so happy you are safe and everything will be okay when the police get here.” Julie’s mother said as they wheeled him back to the house.

The cops arrive hours later with a warrant to search the farmer’s property for any possible motive or explanation. As one cop takes the farmer to the station for questioning, the others take a look around.

“You’re going to want to see this…” the cop said to Julie and her mom, as he led them into a shed in the farmer's backyard.

Julie gasps as she enters the shed. Floor to ceiling, covered in pictures of her, notes she had written and never sent to anyone, books she read but had lost, and a bucket of dead birds.

“How does he have all of this stuff?? I thought I lost most of this. Why does he have pictures of me? I’ve never even spoken to him.” The questions were endless. Julie was shocked and terrified.

“From what these pictures show, this creep’s obsessed with you and has been stalking you ever since he first started taking care of the land”, one of the cops said as he took pictures of the room for proof. While looking through the room, Julie saw something on the ground below the carpet. A folder, with a picture of a young girl who almost exactly resembled Julie, was on the floor.

“Who is this?” Julie asked, shocked by the resemblance, handing the photo to a cop who goes to run it through a database.

After looking up the picture, the cop gasped. This girl was the farmer's daughter who died the year Julie and her family first started going up to the house. Ten years later, Julie looks exactly like the girl and the pieces started to come together.

“Found our motive. You have an uncanny resemblance to this guy's daughter. He’s crazy and he probably thought you were the ghost of her or something.

“Wow!” said Julie, almost beginning to feel bad for the farmer before she remembered what he did. “Why would he want to kill me because I look like his daughter though? That doesn’t make any sense.” Julie said.

“Iced 45Gazebo”

by James Birong

“Eclipse”

By Sanjana Soni

“I’m not sure we’ll find out more after taking him down to the station and questioning him. All that matters right now is that you guys are safe. When are you supposed to head home?” the cop asked.

“We were supposed to leave today but now it’s getting late so I think we should just wait until tomorrow. That way we can also be nearby incase you guys need us to come down to the police station,” Julie’s mom said.

“Okay we’ll call you if we find anything out. Get some rest, it was a long day,” the officer said before getting back into his car.

Wow, that was crazy… Julie thought to herself while laying down to try to go to sleep.

RING RING her phone rang out through the house, waking up her mother who came running into her room.

“Is that the cops? Did they question him?” Julie’s mom said as she entered the room.

“Let me answer now. Hello, who is this?” Julie said into the phone.

“Hello it’s Officer Stevens we want you to come down to the station and explain exactly what happened while the farmer was chasing you. We are trying to determine if he should be put behind bars or in a mental hospital to get help,” the officer said on the phone.

Julie’s mother took the phone out of her hand suddenly. “Hello Officer! As you know it is very hard to get out of here with all the snow but we will leave first thing tomorrow morning and make our way to the station,” she said.

“What the heck mom! I don’t want to see the farmer again,” Julie said.

“Julie this is important we have to tell the cops exactly what happened. Go to bed and tomorrow morning we are going to the station.”

“Fine. Goodnight,” Julie said before turning off the lights and getting ready to go to sleep. The next morning she began to pack her bags and prepare to leave the house. She went downstairs to the kitchen and helped her family finish packing. Then they set off to go to the station.

“Julie, do you remember everything that happened? Do you know what you’re going to say to the officer?” Her mom said.

“Yes. Let's just get this over with,” Julie said as she got into the car.

When they arrive at the station, Julie has a bad feeling in her stomach but she is happy that the farmer will get help. She walked into the station and spotted the head officer who was at the 46 scene yesterday.

“Hello Officer. I am Julie and I was called down to the station to describe what happened with the farmer.”

“Thanks for coming down Julie, can you please just explain exactly what happened yesterday?” he said.

“Yes so it wasn’t just yesterday it started when we got here…”

Julie proceeds to explain the entire ordeal to the officer.

“We think that if we brought this to trial, the farmer would just be found insane and end up in a mental hospital for the rest of his life.

Maybe if you talk to him and convince him to voluntarily go and get help, we could save a lot of time and headache,” the officer said.

“I really don’t want to see him but… I also think he should get help. Fine i'll do it, but you need to be right outside the door ready to come in if he does anything” Julie said.

The officer led Julie to the questioning room and when she entered the farmer was there, chained to the chair so that he couldn’t move. This calmed Julie’s nerves slightly.

“Hello, the cops said that they think it’s best if you voluntarily go to the hospital and get help. We found the picture of your daughter-” “My daughter?” the farmer asked, interrupting Julie.

“Yes we found your creepy shed… and the photo of your daughter in the folder. We looked up the picture and we figured it all out. But I don’t understand why you would try to kill me because I look like your daughter. It doesn’t make sense, you clearly need help!” Julie yelled.

The officer heard Julie yell and ran back into the room, along with Julie’s mother who was very concerned.

“Is everything okay here? Listen sir, you tried to kill a 15 year old girl yesterday. If I were you I would take the option to go get help, clearly living alone on a farm is making you crazy,” the officer said.

“Fine. You’re right.” the farmer started crying. “I have been living here alone for 10 years and I can’t handle it. I’ll voluntarily go to the hospital, if that's my only option over prison” the farmer cries out.

The officer led Julie and her mother out of the room.

“Thanks for the help, I don’t think he would’ve said yes without you going in there and talking to him. You don’t have to worry about the farmer anymore, he'll get help, but he also won’t be able to leave,” he said.

Julie walks outside of the station and takes a deep breath. Her mother runs out behind her and gives her a hug.

“Are you alright Julie, that was a lot” she asks while hugging her daughter.

“Yes I am just so happy that we can finally go home and relax and that the farmer won’t bother us anymore” Julie said.

“Me too, let's go home” her mother says as they all walk to the car.

Relieved, the family turns and walks towards the car, happy that the nightmare is over.

47

“Frozen Lilly”

By Aryanna Perea

“Through the Trees”

By Gianlucas Rivera-Oliveira

“Flower on Ice”

By Giuliana Scibilia

“The Kaberet”

By Sophia Di Salvo

“Hands”

By Giada Viscusi

When I walk in, the instant smell of coffee, pizza, fruits, and sweets fills my nose.

So many different lavishing scents to take in all at once.

As I step inside more and more my sneakers clonk on the smooth wood floors.

Familiar friendly faces are seen amongst new intriguing people to meet.

“Good morning” “How are you?”

“You girls are doing great!”

I continue to hear the fresh coffee brewing, soft pizzas flipping, and sweet smoothies blending.

While breathing in, the air tastes like delightful sugar and fills my mouth as if I just bit into a soft powdered donut.

I feel warm and content as I start my shift.

“Medium hot cappuccino please” are the first words I’m being told.

I grab a cup and begin to grind 2 shots worth of espresso.

The bitter smell makes the air sour to breathe.

The sticky syrup creates a beautiful transparency in the dark brown-colored coffee.

I pour the milk into the old metal tin and begin to steam it, as it continues to sit in there it starts boiling up slowly.

Then I begin to froth the milk to create a bubbly soft foam.

I pour the milk into the cup and top it off the foam that's as fluffy as a cloud.

I sprinkle the cinnamon on top, put a lid on, and hand it over. “$4.25 please” repeat the process for the next 7 and ½ hours.

48 Background- “Tired”

By Giulia Scibilia

“Butterfly”

By Brianna Lenihan

“Being Koi”

By Reese Aguilar

49

“You Had Me At Hello”

By Lea Larotonda

50