“Stuffy Summer”

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

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.

By Lea LaRotonda

By Mia Berasti

ByAlonzoMiller

ByAngelinaDaniel

ByHadasahRoa

ByEmilyLenahan

“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.

“Chipping Away”

By Anonymous

Yet they can crumble too, With fractures shining through. Through the cracks, I seek connection's call, To bridge the gaps, unite us all.

Amidst the echoes of time's swift grip, A soul awakens, from slumber to trip, Through life's vast canvas, with purpose ripping, Carving a destiny, through moments of chipping.

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.

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 chipping.

For as I learn to rise and fall, I’m breaking barriers, And tearing down walls.

“Brick”

By Sanjana Soni “Chipped”

By Fortunato Barillla

ByChristian

“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.

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.

By Aryanna Perea

“Gummy Bear Parachuting”

By Julia Rubim

“Beach Scene”

By Alessandra J. Canzoneri

“A+B”

ByAnonymous

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 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

by Mikayla Marrera

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 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 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

“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 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 withAlex.They sat under an ancient

“Iced Cube” oak tree, its leaves whispering secrets in the gentle breeze as 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”

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.

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,

by

Ben’s bravery was not lost on him, andAlex’s response began with that very fact, the sincerity in his voice dripping like 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 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. the deep strength they found in each other.

He wanted it

by Sanjana Soni

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 clear to any potential readers that love was not something reserved for fiction. Stories of resilience others who were searching for their own truths.

They became each other's rocks, supporting, 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.

With every stroke ofAlex'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

“I Don’t Know-You Come Up WithAName”

by ReeseAguilar

“Droplets”

by Kyra Henriquez

By Fortunato Barilla