Blossom-Zine by SJSU Poets and Writers Coalition

Blossom-Zine

Spring 2022

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

Table of Contents Who We Are ...... 3 Our Staff & Contributor Bios ...... 4 Letter from the Editor ...... 6 Stories/Poems Follow the Flowers ...... 7 Blossoming Music Sheets ...... 11 The Underground Trumpies ...... 12 My Last Vision of You ...... 16 Heeding the Departed ...... 17 Blooming Together ...... 18 Bee Puns ...... 23 Shedding Petals of My Heart ...... 28 Flowers and Pollen Allergies ...... 29 Best of Intentions ...... 31 Sweet Degrees ...... 35 Recipes Coffee Cake ...... 36 Marmalade ...... 37 Honeycomb Candy ...... 38 Lavender and Chamomile Tea ...... 38 Candied Flowers ...... 39 2

Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

Who We Are The Poets and Writers Coalition is an organization created to support the artistic community at San Jose State and the outlying Bay Area public. We strive to support any artistic avenues as a community of writers from all backgrounds who come together and write! We welcome all majors and levels of experience. We do casual group prompts, larger events such as Murder Mystery Night, and the Legacy of Poetry festival.

"Bees get degrees!"

Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

Our Staff Editor & Layout Designer: Rebecca Lee Editor: Ryan Wada Contributors: Bianca Rader* Rebecca Lee+ Yeebing Tse+* Mel Urciuoli+ John Lu+ Samantha Denny+ Candice Phelan+* Ryan Steel+ Sky Ly+ Manavi Chandra+ Cynthia Lee* John Paul Amaral+* Ryan Wada* Models: Marshmallow the Cat Special Thanks to: Professor Alan Soldofsky, PWC Advisor Dr. Noelle Brada-Williams, SJSU English Department Chair

*Artist +Writer 4

Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

Contributor Bios John Lu is a grad student in the M.S. in Software Engineering program. He likes poetry, anime, and skateboarding.

Samantha is a grad student in the MFA Fiction program. When she’s not writing or coaching young swimmers, she likes playing some Pokémon.

Sky Ly is a sophomore in Art Studio Practice. They enjoy listening to music from Undertale in their free time.

Mel is a senior English major at SJSU who loves teaching and writing queer romance. She also loves cats.

Rebecca Lee is a fourth-year English major. She is the President of the Poets and Writers Coalition and likes mangoes.

Yeebing is a first year majoring in Advertising and plans to minor in Creative Writing. In her free time, she enjoys playing Minecraft and reading webtoons.

John Paul is an SJSU Alumni who teaches the joys of history while making jewelry and writing poetry and fiction.

Candice is a senior Creative Writing major. She likes reading and crochet.

Ryan Steel is a first year MFA in Creative Writing. He writes satirical fiction with a spicy element of crime, including a novel “Monday After Prom” for his grad thesis.

Manavi is a third year who enjoys writing and all things creative. You can catch her reading a good book, painting, or thinking about deep philosophical things.

Bianca Rader is an animation student minoring in theatre arts. She likes painting and reading graphic novels!

Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Ryan Wada is a graduating senior passing the torch to a new and amazing team. And he loves Star Trek.

Cynthia Lee is an artist who enjoys teaching, community service and vermicomposting.

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

Letter from the Editor Hi readers, This issue of the Poets and Writers Coalition magazine is full of flowery fun! We played with ideas of spring and growing things. We went where the green things grow. Inside this issue, you'll find fiction, nonfiction, art, poetry and recipes! You can feel a longing for the past, a shiver down your spine, and even a craving for some really good coffee cake with a cookie crumble base. I've been thinking more and more about the future and how proud I am to look back at the Poets and Writers Coalition. We've been so lucky to publish amazing writers and illustrators in this magazine. I hope that in the future it only gets better. Major thanks to Ryan Wada for supporting the magazine! Thanks to John Paul Amaral for helping enhance our flower meanings! May every step after this bring good things. Best wishes, Rebecca Lee

Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

Follow The Flowers Written by Samantha Denny Illustrated by Cynthia Lee

Ever since the storm that had torn up Whalelight and sent people rushing indoors to hide from the massive chunks of ice raining down on them, it seemed like the whole world was going mad. The storm had vanished just as soon as it had swept through the town, but it left the town in such a state at the town hall meeting that night, and the stories people brought of other sudden weather events in other places didn’t help the panic. That day had started out so nicely too; Astrid had picked up Thomas from his family’s clock store after getting their usual order from the bakery, and they had headed to have a picnic at Marie’s house. Now here they were, trying to get to Silverburgh in search of answers. Astrid frowned when she noticed a small cluster of chrysanthemums gathered at the base of one of the trees on the side of the road. Thomas was feeding Ranger, their draft horse, some oats for a snack where they had stopped on the side to give Ranger a break from pulling their cart. Astrid glanced over her shoulder and saw Marie standing at the back of the cart, fussing with something she couldn’t see while Whisper, her goshawk, sat perched on the edge. She knew that she ought not to read too much into things like clusters of chrysanthemums, but after the stories of strange weather events like the ice storm back home and the things they had seen on the road, the sudden appearance of flowers that meant death and mourning felt too ominous to overlook. Carefully, Astrid approached the cluster of flowers, her frown deepening when she saw more dotting the undergrowth behind the tree. “Marie! Thomas! Come look at this!” she called, moving back to the side of the road, and her friends both looked up. “What is it?” Thomas called back, brushing his hands off on his trousers as he and Marie made their way over. “Something wrong?” “I’m not sure,” Astrid confessed, looking back at the chrysanthemums. “I’m worried about the chrysanthemums, they’re everywhere here, but I haven’t seen that many on the road until now.” “Do you think they mean something?” Marie asked. Whisper landed on her shoulder as they looked at the flowers cutting through the dark undergrowth. Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

“I’m worried they’re a warning of some kind.” Astrid reached back to tuck a stray strand of brown hair behind her ear, and Whisper chirped. Thomas looked deep in thought. Behind them, Ranger nickered and shook out his mane. “It’s like a line,” he said at last, and Astrid and Marie started a little. “What?” Astrid asked, looking back at the chrysanthemums. “It’s like a jagged line, like it’s leading somewhere, see?” Thomas repeated, pointing into the vegetation. “It’s almost like it could be a path.” “Should we follow it?” Astrid asked apprehensively, her eyes following the line of clustered chrysanthemums leading deeper into the woods. Further along, Astrid could see stalks of purple wolfsbane encircling the chrysanthemums, like a border. “I don’t see the harm, as long as it doesn’t go too deep,” Marie said. “And it looks wide enough to fit Ranger and the cart. We can’t leave him out on the road.” “Good point, I’ll get him,” Thomas agreed, jogging back to grab Ranger’s reins. Turning back to Astrid and stroking Whisper’s head, Marie asked, “What do flowers mean, Astrid?” “The chrysanthemums mean death and mourning, it’s why people put them on graves. And the purple ones are wolfsbane, which can mean caution,” Astrid murmured. Growing up in a flower shop had given her plenty of time to learn the language of flowers, and it was paying off now. Her stomach swooped, and Marie grimaced before Thomas returned with Ranger walking along in his wake. Their cart crushed down some of the grass and flowers beneath its wheels, but it was able to pass through the trees without getting stuck, so they headed in. Whisper let out a cry and flew from Marie’s shoulder to perch on Ranger’s back, and they laughed a little at that. Whisper had taken a liking to Ranger not long after the three had set out from home, and she often spent time perched on Ranger or flying around the horse’s head if she wasn’t preoccupied with hunting for food or being brushed by Marie. The tree coverage grew thicker as they made their way deeper into the forest, and the chrysanthemums and wolfsbane seemed to grow thicker underfoot until they suddenly transformed into a trail of red flowers–anemones, if Astrid remembered right. 8

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“Oh, I don’t like this,” Thomas murmured, and Ranger tossed his head, making Whisper shriek and flap her wings. “Easy, watch it!” “You’re making them nervous,” Marie told him, and Thomas stuck his tongue out at her. Red anemones, those were like chrysanthemums: a warning. But what were they a warning for? Astrid racked her brain for the answer, following the thinning trail until they came upon something sprawled in a pool of red. It was massive, probably a bit bigger than Ranger, but it looked more like a deer. A giant deer. It wore two massive, spiraling horns atop its head, although one looked a little chipped and broken compared to the other. The creature had hooved feet, its four legs all sprawled and bent in different directions, and it had a long, thin tail that ended in a tuft of fur. It was unlike anything they’d ever seen, even on their travels. Maybe it was native to this region? “Are these anemones? And are they…growing on it?” Marie asked, aghast, as she stepped closer to the creature’s head. Red anemones, red anemones–that’s right, they warned of death! “Those are anemones, and red ones mean death. Which probably explains why they’re growing on it, but it seems a bit fast, doesn’t it?” Astrid asked, tentatively moving in after her friend. “I mean the body doesn’t look that old.” There was an anemone sprouting from its hindquarters. On the other end of it, the flowers seemed to be in the process of wrapping themselves around its horns. “You’re right, it doesn’t make sense. Look at its head,” Thomas piped up, keeping a firm grip on Ranger’s reins. They moved to stand around the beast’s head, and Astrid felt nauseous at the sight of the partially decayed head, exposing bits of muscle and bone that plants were already starting to grow through. “It can’t have been dead for very long, the rest of the body looks like it’s still fresh.” Like her body had a mind of its own, Astrid crouched down to get a better look at the little lake of red anemones cradling the creature’s body. Tentatively, she reached out and touched one of the flowers, recoiling at the wet and sticky sensation that she found. Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

“It’s certainly fresh, the blood’s still wet,” she said weakly, frantically brushing her hand against the grass to wipe away the blood. The three stared at the creature’s body uneasily for another moment. “Well,” Marie said quickly, “whatever’s happened, I don’t fancy sticking around to meet whatever’s killed it.” “Me either,” Astrid admitted, shuddering. “We should get moving again. We should be able to make good time before nightfall.” They turned their backs on the body of the creature and hurried back to the side of the road, breathing out sighs of relief at the sounds of other people passing along by automobile and by pack animals. Thomas steered Ranger back onto the road while Marie and Astrid clambered into the cart, bundling under one of their blankets they had brought along for traveling and when the weather got cold. Thomas jumped into the driver’s seat and flicked the reins, and Ranger began to trot down the road, joining the other people moving along.

Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

Blossoming Music Sheets

Written and Illlustrated by Candice Phelan

Wrinkled blossoming sheets curl my ill-treated paper weighted by words and alien sheets of foreign pages all brushed with glue and gorgeous hues How I hope all my words will blossom just like you As I continue to coat these pages in spelling errors and paper tears As if they could sing the music scores I never learned to write and keep spreading the song that keeps parading through my heart

Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

The Underground Trumpies Written by Manavi Chandra

There once was a little Trumpie named Naria. Naria spent the first 18 years of her life alone, for she had no family or friends to take care of her. She lived in a cave tree which led to the underground and established a career as a cherry-blossom sales girl. She set up shop in the middle of the village because that was where all of the Trumpies hung out. The hardest part of getting her cherry blossoms was going outside, of course. There were these beautiful yet dangerous creatures who could walk on two legs, tall, and they could do… anything. Anything they wanted. Naria felt afraid, of course, but there was a day when the creatures seemed sparse - Sunday, which was today. She crept out of her hole with the Little Picker 3000, a pen that could extend to a tree and pluck the cherry blossoms. Naria ran on the ginormous streets and found a tree so vibrant with cherry blossoms she started sneezing. She had never experienced allergies before, so she thought she was dying. Naria raced back, sneezing and coughing, and dove into her little bed in her cave. For the next few days, there were no more cherry blossoms, and the Trumpies couldn’t make their blossom jam. They pounded Naria’s door and were horrified when they broke down the door. Naria's suffering was so great and no one could understand what happened to her. Her most loyal customer, Adamis, sat by her bedside and held her hand. “Dear Naria, what’s happened?” “Adamis. Thank God you’ve come. I’m dying.” Naria let out another sneeze. “How on earth did you get this condition?” “I don’t know. I walked outside to get to the cherry blossoms and it just… happened.” “I know what’s happened.” Naria coughed. “You do?” “Those sticking bees. They want the cherry blossoms all to themselves, don’t they? Can’t accept that there are others who cherish them?” Adamis looked behind him. “Listen all! We’re going to war!” Hushes and frantic whispers filled Naria’s bedroom. Naria’s mental anguish 12

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caused her suffering to be worse. She was too weak to say to Adamis that she had contracts with the bees, which would allow her to export the blossoms back to her place. Everyone started yelling. “Who do we take down?” “The bees!” “WHO?” “THE BEES!!” Everyone raced out the door. These bozos were about to ruin their only spring tradition. Naria looked around her room. The Trumpies had messed everything up. Her lamp sat on the ground, pictures of her and the bees torn to shreds. She shed a tear. The bees were the only friends she had. Her insides were killing her and she knew she needed to get to a doctor, no matter how much it killed her to walk. Fortunately, the only doctor she knew also lived next door. The doctor laid her down and performed a routine check, then a more specific exam. “The results aren’t very grave,” said the doctor. “You simply have an allergy.” “Doctor! I’m dying!” “You’re not! It’s all in your head. Poor thing, you haven’t any friends or family so you don’t know these simple problems of life!” “I cannot have an allergy, kind sir! I manage the village’s cherry blossom supply! How will this town survive without cherry blossoms? They’re all going to war!” “You don’t have an allergy to cherry blossoms. You have an allergy to season, Spring in this case.” “What?” “You’ve worried too much in your life. Living alone, making a living for yourself. All these Trumpies had support over the years, had nothing to worry about.” “The bees. I’m so worried about them.” “Use my tele-wire.” Naria gently got off the bed and dialed Beezis’s number. “Dera Beezis!” “Oh, Naria, oh!” “How bad is it?” Naria exclaimed. “It hasn’t started yet, thank Lord Trumpie. They’re spending all of our honey on war supplies! No one can go out! Everyone’s starving!” “Look, I’m getting the cherry blossoms and giving them to you. The Trumpies don’t deserve them anymore. I’m coming, wait for me!” Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

Naria ran, her heart speeding. A sickening feeling was present inside of her chest, and it so pained her. She wore her mask, which she realized she had forgotten that day, and threw a cloak on top of her as a disguise. Naria gasped and panted every time she took another step. In what seemed like forever, she finally saw the plentiful cherry blossom and took out her tool. It extended until the branches of the tree, and Naria clipped them off, letting them fall into her tan-colored sack. Finally, about three hundred were in the sack, letting off a scent so strong that Naria’s allergies acted up again. She sneezed and sneezed, mucus running out of her nose and eyes tearing up. Naria pinched her nose for the sneezing to stop.

her.

“Naria!” Oh god, Naria thought. Adamis. “Adamis-” “Thank you, Naria, thank you!” Adamis tried to snatch the bag away from “This isn’t for you!” “Then who is it for… Naria.” “The bees are my only friends. I love them!” Adamis took a step back. “You’ve betrayed us.”

Naria stepped forward and grabbed his arm. “You listen to me. You betrayed me. When I grew up alone, all of you were damn aware of it. None of you came to help me. Do you know how much I struggled, learning the rules of life? Cooking for myself? Waking up early in the morning? No one to help me!” away.

“Look, I didn’t know.” He tried to touch Naria’s cheek but Naria flinched

‘“Then I tried my hardest in school and do you know how much I struggled? How many mistakes I’ve made? It’s a miracle I could even open my shop!" “And now,” Naria breathed. “I give all of you cherry blossoms. My arms hurt from getting cherry blossoms everyday. None of you can get enough! What do I get in return? Nothing!” Adamis stood on one knee. “I’m sorry, dear Naria. We’re fighting this fight for you!” “Ha! Your apology doesn’t do anything! It doesn’t change the past! ” Naria ran off to the bees but stopped and turned backward. “You’re fighting this for yourself, not me.” 14

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Naria ran to Beezus’ hive, which hung of a plank in one the creature’s backyards. She handed them the cherry blossoms, and the bees sucked out their nectar. “All hail Queen Naria!” The bees sang, again and again. “All hail Queen Naria!” Naria said, “Wait. I’ll get more.” She ran off to the cherry blossoms again, hoping she could apologize to Adamis. Sure, what she said was correct, but she didn’t like the way she said it. But he wasn’t anywhere and Naria ran back underground to their village. Weapons lined the grounds, and Trumpies who Naria remembered enjoyed playing hopscotch were now loading gunpowder into a grenade. She grabbed an unknown Trumpie’s shirt. “Where’s Adamis!” “I don’t know!” “Stop that! There is no war! We’re not attacking the bees!” “Adamis said so!” Naria went to her room and waited until they launched the first grenade. She had been on the phone with Beezus the whole time until her voice suddenly stopped coming through the phone. Naria’s face streamed with tears as she gently set the Doctor’s tele-wire down. She couldn’t believe she had to be born into this hard life, the Trumpies belittling her again and again. Naria and the doctor stayed safe in his room until they got word that Adamis had lost too many soldiers and decided to call it off. Naria knew - though the Trumpies abandoned her, she had to rebuild her home. That was all she had now.

Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

My Last Vision of You

Written and Illlustrated by Candice Phelan

Clouds hang in the sky dying my view with lavender hues and giving me visions of a rose-colored pink A view I haven't seen since last spring since I saw my last vision of you But the spring blossoms came with lots of rain and knocked over all my pink hyacinth blossoms and with them my last mementos of you The week has been dreary and so have I living off my last vision of you So I fill my tea with lavender honey and I read and I sleep and I worry and I see lavender purple hues and pink vestiges A common sight that now only reminds me of times past as I reminisce about my last visions of you

Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

Heeding the Departed

Written and Illustrated by John Paul Amaral

Hidden in the heart, veins snake and shiver. Her gloved hands pat the rifting gorge Tan slippers root in the ground, tossed leaves forge. She hunches low, a motherly giver. Nodding off near the mountain downy stream Wishing for tender hands to kindly clasp. Still, her crimson fingers unsheath to grasp The broken glass and dark emerald gleam. Yearly, she tests with unsheathed amber palms. Hummingbird sweetly kisses her jeweled hand Cheering her with tales from the hinterland, Sometimes flutter friends, but oftentimes qualms. Yearly, he tells her of his winter trips. In kind, she pets him with her finger tips.

Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

Blooming Together Written by Mel Urciuoli Illustrated by Cynthia Lee

Finnie leaned against the doorframe of her room as she watched Sebastian collect his things. He glanced up at her. “Something on your mind?” he asked. Finnie blinked. “I want a new nickname for you.” Sebastian’s eyebrows drew together as he finished packing his things into his backpack. “Why? I mean I’m not opposed, but what brought it up?” She shrugged. “I dunno, ‘babe’ just seems kind of boring.” “Okay, babe,” he teased. “Hey, I didn’t say it was bad! It’s just so…common, I guess? Like it’s a good fallback, but I want something that’s more…ours.” Finnie picked up her own bag and the couple left their apartment, heading for the elevators. “Don’t nicknames need to happen naturally though?” Finnie scrunched up her nose. “Can I not try to be cute on purpose?” “You know what I meant,” Sebastian replied, mimicking her expression. “Hey.” Finnie faked indignation as Sebastian pressed the elevator button and slung an arm around her shoulders. “I love you,” he said quietly against her temple. “Yeah, yeah, love you too.” She leaned into him as they waited for the elevator to arrive. When it did they stepped in together and waited quietly for the light to ding on and doors to open. “Do you want a new nickname for you too?” Sebastian asked as they fell into step walking outside. Finnie shrugged again. 18

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“If you think of one, sure. No pressure though.” Sebastian squeezed her hand. “I’ll see what I can come up with.” They settled into a comfortable silence as they made their way to the library and found an empty study room to work on their midterms. Finnie balked at the amount of Greek letters and other things she didn’t know the names for on Sebastian’s calculus (at least she thought it was calculus) work, and he was horrified by the length requirements on all her different history papers. Eventually they settled into their work too. “What about Daffodil?” Sebastian piped up as a timer went off to signal a break. “What?” “Daffodil. As a nickname for you.” “Sure?” Finnie blushed. “Why Daffodil?” “Because they’re pretty,” he responded in an exaggerated tone. Finnie scrunched her nose again and he laughed. “But also they symbolize new beginnings and you’ve been here for a lot of those for me, and…” He looked down, still smiling. “We’ve known each other so long that you just, you’ve made the lows bearable and the highs even better, and,” he shrugged. “I don’t know I’m not the writer here.” “I love it,” Finnie said, resting her chin in her palm as she looked at him. “It’s sweet. You’re sweet.” “Yeah?” He looked back at her. “Yeah.” She smiled. There was a pause, then, “No I really need to think of one for you.” He laughed. “Got any ideas so far?” “Hmmm.” Finnie looked at the ceiling. “Sunshine?” “Oof, my mom calls me that.” Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

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“Okay yeah, no. My prince?” “Cute, but no.” “My Constant?” “I love you, and I know it’s my major, but I don’t love math enough to have you refer to me by a math term.” “Fair. What about--” The library PA System sounded the 10-minute warning for closing and Finnie groaned. “What’s wrong?” Sebastian asked, reaching a hand out for her shoulder. His touch reminded her to take a deep breath as she leaned back in her seat. “I’m not done with my draft yet and we were going to cook together after this.” “It’s okay.” He rubbed his thumb on her shoulder. “I can get things started while you finish writing and we can do the rest together.” Finnie took another breath and nodded. “Okay. Let me get packed up then.” “Okay.” Sebastian leaned over to peck on the lips before starting to shuffle his work back into his own bag. *** They both sighed heavily as they entered the apartment and dropped their backpacks on the couch. “Don’t worry about food, okay?” Sebastian kissed the top of Finnies head before moving toward the kitchen. “Just worry about your draft.” She nodded and leaned down to get her laptop from her bag. As she straightened, 20

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her gaze settled on a picture of the two of them the first time they’d gone to Pride as a couple. They were hugging each other and laughing as rainbow confetti fell around them. Sebastian was early in his transition at the time, riding the excitement of cutting his hair short for the first time, and Finnie had been newly out herself, a bi flag painted on her cheeks. A month before the picture was taken, they had sat in a batch of dandelions in a park near their high school. A conversation that started with them awkwardly coming out to each other had ended as their first real date. The corner of Finnie’s mouth ticked up as she brought her laptop to the counter and turned it back on. Instead of pulling up her draft, she looked up what dandelions symbolized. Sebastian glanced at her as he pulled ingredients from the fridge and started arranging them near the stove. “What’s got you smiling over there?” “Dandelion,” she said without looking away from the screen. Sebastian paused and twisted his head around to look at her. “I’m sorry?” “I want to call you Dandelion.” She turned and watched as recognition dawned in his eyes and a smile spread across his face. “Okay, why?” She blushed and pointed at the photo. “Remember when we came out to each other? And got together?” Sebastian’s smile grew as he cocked his head. “Yeah?” Finnie came to stand next to him and angled herself toward him. “So, you remember how we were sitting in the grass? There were dandelions in the grass. So I kind of associate them with you already, and I was thinking about that, and I looked it up, and apparently Dandelions symbolize things like peace and happiness and growth and…” she dipped her head shyly. “Those are all things I associate with you too.”

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Sebastian’s smile softened and he reached out, pulling Finnie close against him and pressing a kiss to her cheek. “I love that. And you.” “I love you too,” she hummed. Sebastian gave her a final squeeze before letting go. “Go finish your draft, Daffodil.”

Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

Bee Puns

Written by Ryan Steel

LIGHTS UP ON: Two construction workers LUKE (40’s) and RYLEY (30’s) sit at a table eating lunch during their break. Each are dressed in reflective vests and jean shorts. LUKE So hold on there kid, you’re tellin’ me you think the lady from Avatar is hot? Ugh, shyaa I do, who doesn't? Well, I mean she’s animated.

RYLEY LUKE

A person wearing a bee costume walks on stage and starts buzzing and tip toeing towards them. RYLEY No disrespect guy, but you have to be one of the most shallow dudes I’ve ever met. It’s like you expect every girl to be perfect and live-action and stuff it’s ridiculous. The bee is now buzzing around both Ryley and Luke. Agh! What? There’s a bee in my face!

LUKE RYLEY LUKE

RYLEY (Jokingly) Why don’t you just tell it to buzz off? Luke chuckles. Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

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LUKE

That’s actually pretty good.

The bee circles around them. 2. There’s no need to bee afraid.

RYLEY Luke chuckles lightly.

RYLEY I think you should ask it to leave you bee. LUKE

Okay, that’s enough. What? Am I bee’ing annoying?

RYLEY The bee stings Luke, Luke begins to shout in pain. The bee making a fatal mistake starts to cross down stage before collapsing. RYLEY

Dude, are you okay?

LUKE Darn thing just stung me! I’ve dealt worth worse pain in my life but it’s still, gah. RYLEY Oh of course you have, tough guy! Luke Nukem’ over hear isn’t throwing in the towel cuz of one whimpey little bee sting! I bet you... Ryley looks over at the bee. Hey, what’s up with the bee? 24

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LUKE What? I’m sure its fine. Ryley crosses down stage to the bee. RYLEY Hey, wait a minute. Something ain’t right. Ryley starts to check the bee’s pulse. RYLEY (panicking)

Yo man, I think we killed it!

3. Luke crosses down stage. LUKE

What?

Luke checks the bee’s pulse. Oh my god it’s dead. What do we do?

LUKE

RYLEY We need to get rid of the body! Do you have any idea what they do to people like us in prison? LUKE Okay, lets burry dump it in the pothole. The concrete guy’s coming to the site tomorrow and it’ll be like this never happened.

What do we have here boys? Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Ryley and Luke begin to carry the bee’s body upstage, but the construction manager on-site DANIEL (40’s) approaches the two of them. Ryley and Luke drop the bee’s body and stand in front of it in an attempt to cover it. DANIEL (Interrogating) 25

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LUKE Ugh, nothing, we were... we were just going to get back to work, sir. Daniel moves them out of the way and observes the dead bee. He looks back at Ryley and Luke and pulls out a pair of handcuffs. DANIEL Looks like I’m going to have to take the two of you in. Ryley and Luke look at each other scared, Ryley runs over to his lunch pail, takes out a snack-pack, and hands it to Daniel. DANIEL That ain't gonna cut it this time. Fellas. 4.

Luke runs over to the lunch table, grabs his snack-pack from his lunch pail and hands it to Daniel. Daniel observes both of the snack packs, he then turns to Luke and Ryley dramatically.

DANIEL (Smug) Well, nice doing business with ya gentlemen. Daniel exits stage right. Luke and Ryley wipe their heads in relief. Ryley grabs Luke. RYLEY Forget the body. Lets get out of here before anyone sees us. Ryley and Luke exit stage left. LIGHTS DIM. Later that evening, two police officers: OFFICER JACKSON (60’s) and OFFICER CRAWFORD (30’s) stand above the dead bee which is now a crime scene. 26

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Officer Jackson takes notes in his notepad. OFFICER JACKSON (Bitter) It’s days like this I regret joining the force. OFFICER CRAWFORD (Jokingly) Yeah, I don’t think it could “bee” any worse. Officer Crawford smiles at Officer Jackson, Officer Jackson glares back disappointed. FADE TO BLACK. CURTAIN

Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

Shedding Petals of My Heart Written by John Lu Illustrated by Bianca Rader

Pure, delicate petals With a fading fragrance On a wilting, tilting stem With the birds chirping A sorrowful lament. Unblemished petals Swirling through the gentle spring breeze Away from the radiant sun. Bruised petals Drifting, drifting away, Battered by the unrelenting flood And drenched in muddy tears. Damaged petals Stuck against the rocks and Torn apart by the deluge. Crumpled, wet petals Swirling, whirling Into your soft hands Cupping the water By the riverside. Sun-bleached petals Basking amongst crumpled weeds Beneath warm sun rays Peeking through the dense canopy.

Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

Flower Allergies and Pollen Written by Coco Illustrated by Cynthia Lee

After winter comes spring. Ah, spring, a time of renewal. Baby animals are out and about, Plants are growing, People are doing spring cleaning. Flowers are about to bloom, Valentine’s day is around the corner ew to romance, Lunar New Year is almost here. Of course, with Lunar New Year almost here, There’s an opportunity to eat Chinese turnip cakes and also nian gao. Yes, I like spring. Yes, spring is a time of renewal, but there’s one thing I dislikePOLLEN. POLLEN ALLERGIES. Every spring (before 2020), I would brace myself for what would happen. Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

In the morning, I wake up and prepare myself for the constant sneezes. At school, I would try to go about my day in classes and during recess… Assuming that I did not constantly sneeze. But, most of the time, I would usually sneeze. Sneezing isn’t the worst of the problems, there are also red itchy eyes, and a runny nose. With my eyes red and itchy, I always rub my eyes and my eyes would usually be watery. Having a runny nose is the worst. I always have to get up from my desk, get a piece of kleenex, wipe my nose and then throw it away. (at some point, the teacher told me to just take the entire box to my desk) Now, with masks on and also wearing safety glasses, I can relax a bit I don’t have to worry about pollen coming in contact with my face, butI can no longer enjoy smelling flowers. To this day, I fear that smelling any flowers would trigger my pollen allergies. Well, except tulips. I’m fine with smelling tulips.

Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

Best of Intentions

Written and Illustrated by Yeebing Tse

“There are many tales of the humans that live outside of the forest. I don’t quite remember them. Mama would always tell me and my sisters when we were younger, a tale to keep all of us here in the forest and to stop us from trying to see what laid just outside of it. I wish they had also taught us that the forest wasn’t safe from them either.” The barren land, covered in nothing but wilted grass and tree stumps, stretched as far as Hikaru could see. It was once a home, thriving with beautiful trees that stretched as far as the sky and bushes that provided the perfect red berries for dessert, occupied with the laughter of the nymphs that would gather together to sing and dance as they watched over their respective places. That was years ago, though. Something had happened to this land that drove out all of the nymphs, and now, as one of the researchers for the world’s only mythological restoration team, it was up to Hikaru to examine the land to figure out how to bring them back. There were supposed to be other people too, but they had all bailed out of fear. It’s probably just a bad day for all of them. There’s nothing to fear in a place where you can see everything. Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

Hikaru walked around the stumps and wilted plants growing , taking notes of their appearance. Each stump looked as if someone had cut it with a chainsaw, the top being smooth enough to use as a comfortable seat. There was not a single animal in sight, and everything was completely silent. Not even the chirps of a cricket could break the uneasy silence. “Trees still remain intact,” Hikaru wrote in her notebook, “Likely the work of woodcutters rather than a natural disaster. Figure out what the wood in this forest was used for if needed, to prevent it from happening again.” There was a sound of someone wailing, and Hikaru felt something prickling on the back of her neck as she turned around, noticing a woman sitting on one of the stumps. She had flowing red hair, long, pointy ears and antlers with pink flowers growing on them, her back turned to face her. Hikaru walked towards her, and the woman turned to make eye contact, her rosy skin dotted with freckles glowing under the cloudy sky. A flower nymph? There was a sudden flash, and the nymph disappeared. Hikaru walked towards the stump, noticing a flower bush growing near it, blooming with pink azaleas. Flowers, huh? Among the blooming flowers, there were little buds that had yet to fully blossom. Hikaru felt the dark soil under the bush, noticing that it was damp despite there being no visible water. I’m guessing the nymph is taking care of it…maybe I can recruit her? Hikaru took a sample of the soil to test for later, heard the wind blowing heavily behind her. She turned, vaguely noticing a figure in the distance. “You’re finally here,” she said, walking towards them, “It’s been a-” The figure walked towards her, and Hikaru noticed it was the nymph. “Oh,” Hikaru said, “Sorry. I thought you were someone else.” 32

Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

The nymph nodded, then handed Hikaru an axe. “She’s going to come later,” she said, “Protect yourself.” “What-?” The nymph started to walk off. Hikaru grabbed her arm in an attempt to stop her, but her hand ended up going through, as though she was not there. She then stared down at the axe, then at the remaining trees. Is this some kind of clue? And who exactly is “she?” Eh. Might as well continue. Hikaru noticed another flower bush. She looked back, noticing the previous flower bush that was there, then went to the second flower bus. Probably magic. I wonder if there’s a way to get her to speak? “Hey!” She turned, noticing two nymphs. One was the nymph she saw before, and the other was one that resembled the previous nymph but with curlier hair, longer antlers and an axe. “We will not let you destroy our forest.” “What?” Hikaru asked, “I’m not here to destroy anything.” “Then what’s with the axe?” Hikaru glared at the other nymph, who was smirking. That wench! The other nymph lunged at her, holding the axe over her head. Hikaru dodged, grabbing the handle of the axe with her hand, using it to block the other Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

nymph’s attack. “What’s your name?” Hikaru asked, dodging as the nymph tried to swing the axe at her head. “My name is Chrysanthemum!” the nymph with the axe shouted, “It symbolizes the death that awaits you if you don’t leave! I have killed many of you humans and I will not hesitate to kill another!” The other nymph formed a pink flower with her hand. Azalea. “We just want to fix our land,” Chrysanthemum said, “How many people do we have to kill before you finally leave us alone?” So they were already working on it, huh? Hikaru felt the butt of the axe slam onto her head, feeling a numbing pain as she crumbled to the ground. “We do not need the help of you humans to fix our land,” Chrysanthemum said, yanking the axe from Hikaru’s hands, “We can fix it ourselves.” This is it! This is where I die… “Well…wouldn’t you like some help?” Hikaru tried to stand up, but was immediately shoved back down by Chrysanthemum. She realized at this point it would be stupid to resist, and stared up at the sky to mentally prepare for her end. “You’d make a lovely flower bush,” Chrysanthemum said quietly, placing a hand on Hikaru’s cheek, “Just like your friends who came here before.”

Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

Sweet Degrees

Written by Rebecca Lee Illustrated by Cynthia Lee

Fifteen contented cows atop a hill Spot an approaching colony of bees They have all traveled far with time to kill Supported by the waving gentle breeze These bees are thrilled to learn this semester They’re meticulous, organized, and shrewd Classes teach their young with dancing patterns Each foraging for bright delicious food Tiny gastronomists experiment Syllabi and pedagogy expand They speed along their curd development The class’s cheese thesis cultures are grand And in the grove of sweetly swaying trees, The expert bees earn new degrees in cheese.

Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

RECIPES

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

Coffee Cake

Recipe and Photos by Yeebing Tse This sweet coffee cake is a perfect snack for studying gastronomy! Here’s how you make it! Ingredients: • Six eggs • Two tablespoons of instant coffee • Two tablespoons of lemon juice • Eight ounces of cream cheese • One tablespoon of melted butter • Half cup of flour • Five tablespoons of sugar (to taste) • OPTIONAL: Cookies or biscuits • OPTIONAL: Milk Powder Tools: • Two bowls of a large size • Hand mixer • Measuring cups and spoons • One colander • An eight inch baking pan 1. Preheat oven to 320 degrees (vary based on oven timing). 1. Crack the eggs and separate the egg whites and yolks by putting them into the two different bowls. 2. Put cream cheese, three tablespoons of sugar, melted butter and instant coffee into the bowl with yolks. OPTIONAL: Add milk powder to make it more creamy. 3. Use a hand mixer to mix the bowl with egg whites for around one minute. 4. Put lemon juice and two tablespoons of sugar into the bowl with egg whites, then continue to mix the egg whites until (when you lift it up, it does not drip). 5. Use a hand mixer with the other bowl (with yolks), then mix them until they are smooth. 6. Use a colander to filter the flour into the bowl with yolks. Mix the bowl of yolks until smooth. 7. Use a spoon to move half of the egg white mixture into the bowl of yolks, then use the spoon to mix them well. 8. COOKIE CRUST: You can add cookies at the bottom of the baking pan before pouring the contents of the cake into it. 9. Dump the contents of the bowl of yolks into the egg white bowl, then use a spoon to mix them well. Pour all contents into the baking pan. 10. Bake for twenty minutes. 11. Lower the oven temperature to 230 degrees, then continue to bake for 30-40 minutes or until when nothing comes out when you stick a fork/chopstick in it.

Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

John Paul's Wedding Bell Marmalade Recipe and Photograph by John Paul Amaral

Bring the Valley of Heart’s Delight into your home this season with this recipe. Its initial sweetness nurtures the flavor palette before introducing the gentle rosemary bitterness and the distinct crunch into candied peel. This charming spread can be enjoyed on its own or paired with your choice of breads, meats, and desserts. (Makes 5 pints) Ingredients: • 4 Large Navel Oranges (can replace with 4 Cara Cara or 8 Blood Oranges) • 2 Large Meyer Lemons • 3 Sprigs of Rosemary, each the length of your hand • 3 Cinnamon Sticks • 8 cups of White Granulated Sugar • 8 cups of Water Tools • 1x large cooking pot with lid • 1x Cooking spoon • 1x Ladle • 5x glass self-sealing pint jars, as base count

1. Wash and clean all fruit. Slice oranges and lemons into halves, then crescent slices. 2. Place the sliced oranges and lemons, sugar, cinnamon sticks, stripped rosemary leaves, and water into the cooking pot on medium heat. Cook until boiling. 3. Allow the mixture to sit at a minimum of eight hours. 4. Set the burner to low heat and cook the mixture for 2 hours, occasionally stirring as needed. Any sign of yellow foam means time to stir. 5. Continue stirring on medium-low heat until the mixture has the consistency of pudding. If unsure, place a small sample on a plate and let it sit in the fridge for a minute. Cook for five minutes before testing again if the sample is still runny.. 6. Upon meeting the desired consistency, turn off the burner and use a ladle to scoop and pour the marmalade into the jars. Recommended pouring size is a half cup of marmalade to minimize loss in spilling. Use the cinnamon sticks to decorate three initial jars, one in each. Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

Honeycomb Candy Ingredients • 1 ½ cup sugar • ½ cup water • 3 Tbsp honey • 1/3 cup corn syrup • 4 teaspoons baking soda, sifted 1. In a large saucepan, gently combine the sugar and water, then add the honey and corn syrup. 2. Boil until amber colored and the sugar looks like caramel. 3. Add the baking soda, and with a wooden spoon, stir in gently. It will foam up a lot. 4. Pour the mixture onto a silpat or a piece of parchment paper on a sheet pan, and let cool. 5. Break into pieces.

Lavender and Chamomile Tea Ingredients • 1 teaspoon dried chamomile or 1 tablespoon fresh chamomile • ½ teaspoon dried lavender or 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lavender • ½ teaspoon dried mint or 1 1/2 teaspoons coarsely chopped fresh mint • 1 cup boiling water Combine chamomile, lavender, mint and boiling water. Let steep for 15 minutes, then strain. Enjoy with pastries on a warm day.

Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

Rock Candy Borage Flowers Recipe by John Paul Amaral

These little floral gems are the bee’s knees while helping support your pollinators with perennial borage flowers. This Portuguese treat requires minimal prep for cupcake toppings or when serving with jasmine tea. Ingredients • 24 borage flowers* • 1 egg white • 1 cup sugar • 1/2 tsp water • ½ tsp of cream of tartar Tools • Small paintbrush • 1x1ft sheet of wax paper • Small bowl • Saucer • Fork 1. Whisk the egg white and water with a fork until the meringue forms and firms. Place the sugar in the saucer. 2. Use the paint brush to coat the petals until holding firm, then dip the meringue-coated flower in the sugar and sprinkle on top. 3. Place the finished product on the wax paper. 4. Allow to dry before eating or use to decorate other goods. *You may use other edible flowers, too, follow guidelines below. Double for 1inch wide flowers Triple for 1.5inch wide flowers or rose petals from 1 rose

Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU

Blossom-zine - Spring 2022

Poets and Writers Coalition SJSU