The Quill 2025 - 2026

The Quill 2025-2026

Staff Teacher Advisor: Carolyn Rousseau

Student Staff: Drew Capello, Declan Carroll, Fiona Hart, Laura Hurez-Soler, Tarini Kokkula, Emma Kuzara, Nora Strahs, Maia Vasady-Kovacs, Ani Washburn Thank you to all who contributed. This would not be possible without you!!

Cover Art:

Untitled - Kaitlyn Deptula

Winter Wonderland It is finally time to go skiing, Along with every other human being.

Snow pants are covering everyone's knees.

Animals go to sleep like bears and bees, And snow blankets all of the trees.

Little children love to go sledding, But when they get back, they can't wait to get in their bedding.

To keep warm, people will light a fire, And friends with all gather to admire.

It is finally time to put away the shorts, Start building snow forts, And travel to the ski resorts.

- Anonymous

The Dance - Kaitlyn Deptula

Warmth within the cold My brief slumber comes to end, My nose, struck by a scent of wood and flames, Fireplaces breathes to life in my room, Snow settles softly, lifting the gloom.

Winter moves so gently, so quiet and calm.

Inside the warmth gathers, we are safe from the cold.

Fire flickers in the dark giving us light and heat, This irresistible feeling that summer cannot beat.

The sun falls early as the night settles in, A quiet stillness keeps my calm within, Fireplaces heats us up, warming our chests, Winter’s peaceful atmosphere is nothing like the rest.

- Anonymous

Don’t Speak, Don’t See, Don’t Hear Kaitlyn Deptula

Transcendentalist I step outside and the subtle chill of the air conditioning subsides My skin feels rejuvenated as golden light floats through the air and envelops me The first warmth of the year is refreshing and radiant I embrace the comfort of warmth and watch as flowers wane away and welcome leaves Water flows noisily in the distance, daring me to jump in The sun falls and the forest erupts with life, crickets competing with frogs for their song to be heard The atmosphere is alive and the air is perfectly cool as the day begins to take its toll I hang in a hammock and a sound sleep swallows me whole I awake to a cacophony of chirping and chiming; upon me lies a curious bird.

I sit up and smile as the warmth of the sun smothers my sorrows -

Anonymous

Hidden - Molly McCaffrey

City Lot - Molly McCaffrey

Cola - Molly McCaffrey

The Maiden’s Return So begins the blackberry winter, as forests flourish in green, though the weather remains bitter.

The song birds sing and the snake slithers; at the Maiden’s awaited return.

Her mother sings praises as she withdrawals from her strife, and Earth at last blooms to life.

The sleeping creatures emerge from their dens to see their Lady once again.

Flowers rise eagerly at her passing, And the soil, once hardened, opens in welcome.

Reborn is Spring where leaves turn green And rain washes away the cold, refreshing the promise of new growth.

Radiant gleams from the sun cascade, upon the land As mortals sing praise, hand in hand.

Human jubilation rings through the valleys and hills, For rest is easier beneath the comfort of light.

Demeter’s rejoice ends the cold rejection of the world, when her daughter was stolen away.

Seasons change marks the return of the fair spring maiden from her throne in the Underworld.

Hope takes root where sorrow once lingered, for Persephone’s return is not just a changing in season, But a reminder that darkness is never without end.

-

Sarah Justin

A Snapshot in Time - Kaitlyn Deptula

The Hush of Fall Red, orange, yellow, brown, Fall does not cease to make me frown.

One after another, a leaf falls down, To the dying grass on the ground.

Doom and gloom around the dark room, It is not as light outside when the flowers are in bloom.

The sun smiled down on us even as the days grew shorter, We reach the last quarter and see.

Fall is not as it used to be, There is no more glee.

Red, orange, yellow, brown, The last leaf has fallen down.

- Anonymous

The cold shoulder of mother earth The snow insults me, it seeks to Belittle The air bites me, it feeds, it nibbles Ash coats my skin and it feels frail and brittle No coat can save me from natures fiddle The song it plays is violent and mean The warmth of the world remains to be seen From the suffering and chaos that suffocates the lawn To the darkness that strays from dusk till dawn Why douse the earth with your tyranny mother earth You have been terrorizing this world since its birth Tis only a matter of time before you go away My hatred for you keeps me warm To this day - Anonymous

The Eyes Tell All - Kaitlyn Deptula

The Bummer of being in Summer What a bummer to be in summer The concrete is too hot for my feet, they cook like meat The big bugs sleep in the day But later give painful hugs that cause me dismay They fly in a flash, leaving me with a rash Buzzing in the dark Like a sneak attack Leaving me with a mark After I whack and smack I scratch and itch The sore grows Now we’re in a sitch This summer really blows School is approaching The thought crosses my mind An echoey voice Tells me I’m behind Summer is complete, My friends are beat They spend their last days outside in the heat But I stay inside looking out the window with a glare waving goodbye to the bees as I enjoy the cold winter air -

Angelina DaSilva

Purple Secrets - Tarini K

The Ambiance of Summer My smiles appears as the sun shines down on us, I’m laying down by the pool, drinking my cold drink with no fuss.

I’m sitting in my shades, As the spring fades.

The pretty lilies surrounding the yard, The beautiful aroma makes it seem like life isn’t so hard.

I swim in the serene waters in silence, It seems like the weather and my mood are in compliance.

I sing with my friends around the fire as the embers crack, Knowing that there’s no way I could ever go back.

Go back to school when there’s so much time to play, And look at all the flowers that have been growing since May. I hear the cheers and roars of all the viewers of the baseball game, Watching as the Red Sox claim their fame.

I enjoy my soft serve ice-cream in the stands, As we all sing “Sweet Caroline” and join hands.

There’s a feeling about summer that you can never beat, The feeling of togetherness and warmth that comes from the heat, The feeling of freedom and how you can act on the fly, Like a stray comet that streaks across the sky.

-

Susana Porras

Untitled - Kaitlyn Deptula

Summer’s Interlude When wonder wanders like a vagabond.

Where fireflies take flight and light the sky.

A world of wild, benevolent and mild Welcoming even the wickedest of wanderers.

Trees that bear fruit, with blossoms of vibrant hue All in wait, waiting to greet you.

And on a warm summer’s day, what more can you say, Then a kingfisher’s rattle, or an owl’s hoot?

The lights pierce through the trees, Illuminating the ground as a lighthouse the seas The scent of a fresh start will summon your courage, Another step forward into the beautiful unknown.

- Anonymous

The Voice - Kaitlyn Deptula

Divine Punishment The air is tinged chartreuse, Thick with the pollen particles That punctuate the humid spring air.

My companions wetly sniffle and snort For my sanity’s sake, I hope this season is short.

The weather is gloomy and wet, In mud my shoes slip and slide, And, ugh, the bright sun molests my eyes!

In some way I feel punished By this mysterious meteorological phenom, Unpredictable and unstable like Summer’s crazy mom.

Exam season approaches, And as this miserable season comes to an end, For the next, I feel only dread.

- Nora Strahs

Untitled - Kaitlyn Deptula

Sparkle Sparkle Sparkle sparkle in the sun, The snow glistens for everyone.

Sparkle Sparkle on the ground, The snow falls with no sound.

The cool breeze hits my face, As the snow sinks into place.

Holidays are near, everyone is excited, On every street, the houses are lighted.

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen.

The children are ecstatic and the parents are preparing, Gifts are wrapped and ugly Christmas sweaters are what everyone is wearing.

Slipping and sliding like a skater on ice, The snow makes everyone feel nice.

Sparkle sparkle the snow returns, Sparkle sparkle, something everyone yearns.

- Caroline Haher & Adyson Carignan

Drew Capello U.S. Navy Blue Angels

Spell of Summer: The glistening glow of grass, beneath the summer sun Its light shines brightly atop my skin Illuminating the sky, the world seems to come alive The clouds dance happily across the big blue sky A signal for everyone, to wake up and come outside As the many forest dwellers run wild as children Nature’s endless wonders become ready to be explored The cooling summer breeze breathes life into us all Summer’s distinctive gleam brings a wave of joy upon us all The beauty of a single season enchants us all A constant reminder of why summer is the best season of all

Joao Carlos Monteiro Summertime Sadness : I find myself reminiscing of a time long forgotten As the blistering heat of the sun bleeds me dry I rest within the shade and find a sense of relief Yet within seconds I’m quickly reminded of my grief Summer’s cruelty follows me wherever I go I can only dream, of the now melted snow The change of season draws out nature's many creatures However I find myself cowering as if part of my regular procedures And the grass beneath my feet becomes pitiful and frail I’m left to the count the days till summer will pass The burdensome summer weighs down on us all The pesky bugs are unavoidable for us all The pains of a few months a reminder to us all Undeniable proof of why summer is the worst season of all.

THE ETERNAL LIGHT No more hiding in the shadows Sun is up and sadness shallows Time to feast from long starved hours Busy bees brew honey for you You’ve waited long enough Feel the breeze no longer freezing Listen to the wind it’s calling you Out of the darkness of your cave Come see the light that’ll never die Flowers in the plains you’ll know it’s true And you’ll find something that you crave Come see the light that’ll never die What has been lost is brought back Flowers that gleam and that glow Rivers that stream and that flow Follow that path out of the gloom Where you’ll find the eternal light That pierces even the darkest night - Emily Kim

Untitled - Kaitlyn Deptula

False Promises As the winter is melting, I start to remember that it is no longer December.

It is soon time for my queen to depart.

Darkness enveloping my hollowed heart.

Her duties lying untouched and forgotten Her throne beside me, empty, longing, crestfallen Colder does the underworld feel, its climate no longer needing appeal her radiance gone now and as our realm stills, The walls echo, muffled cries of these dreaded souls, these creatures forgetting that they still have punishments to fulfill.

As the nights feel shorter, the wind bites harder, and the light from above streams its wretched light farther, through these stained glass windows, the pain becomes longer, pushing wounds, a painful reminder, Rising from my throne, my footsteps echo down these empty halls, The structures, ancient, cursing mortals with befalls In the courtyard, Ascalaphus gently tends the orchard Watering and praying for it to be nurtured Quiet and still til he feels my presence.

Tending to the gift that caused this vengeance.

As he scurries away in fear, my eyes drift to the tree, Its branches, laden with fruit, red rubied seeds Well grown since Demeter’s joy for her daughter’s return.

As my feelings die slowly, the joy in me burns A singular fruit falls and rolls to my feet, its interior cracks open, its flesh rotted beneath The maidens gone home, leaving behind false promise Here in my kingdom, a punishment of nature’s accomplice.

-

Maria Lambarena-Tanaka

Star-faced - Molly McCaffrey

~Blue Moon The wind brushes against her long hair. The wind follows her steps. I could see her smile. The way she’s happy with me.

The same way the grass brushes the ground quietly. Her wings set aside my hilt calmly, waiting for a true miracle.

Walls of forgotten paintings, beating faintly. Artifacts pulsing with meaning and hatred. Yet the moon would always find her. Without no shining armor to help her. Her pleas and cries reach the wall of emptiness.

Except it never came. Yet it flew away..

Split the moon in half. She disappeared for good. Raindrops falling off the moon’s cries.

A sparrow, flying happily. Enjoying their life anew. Waiting for the moon to come out again.

Fading slowly, the moon comes back into view. Her smile, a feeling of true remembrance.

Moondust coats the ground. Crossing my boots with glimmer and beauty. She whispers me words, hoping I would reach her in time.

And so then, the blue moon and the sparrow would reunite, sparks flying from the sky to the moon’s eyes. ~“ I love you even if I explode. The blue moon never fades, Sora. It’s born anew. ” -R

Amara Capera

Loveless - Kaitlyn Deptula

The Spill - Kaitlyn Deptula

Alone In The Snow Snow is falling birds are calling but my foot is stuck, Stuck in the snow that’s slowly rising, Rising up into my boots, Where the snow can plant its roots.

Once it’s there it stays a while, Hardens and forms a pile.

That pernicious piece of snow, Leaves a rash on my little toe.

Now it’s itchy, wet, and freezing, But I can’t quite reach in Because I tied my boots so tight, Now they’re putting up a fight.

“Alright” I say “I guess I’ll do it”, “I’ll take my mittens off and remove it”, With one warm hand I grab the other, It slips off and I shudder, I try again but it’s no use, My grip is far too loose.

I look around desperately Can anyone help me?

But the only friend in sight, Is the sun’s fading light.

The sun watches as the snow grows, it watches a snowflake land on my nose.

I nudge it until it goes, And when it does I begin to see, This snowflake was made for me.

It follows a predetermined path, An intentional route, To the depths of my boot.

-

Anonymous

Untitled - Kaitlyn Deptula

A Rest for Earth The blazing sun finally cools Tiny kids can no longer jump into pools The trees are coated in beautiful white snow The temperatures are crisp and low The fireplace roars as we cozy up Hot chocolate will soon fill our cup At dawn, we arise and race our sleds Parents don’t care to tell us “make your bed” Christmas spirit is all throughout the chilly outside air It is the season to show how much you care The trees glisten and sway all throughout the day The vibrant white snow covered mountain is the desired place to stay The earth tells the year is finally a wrap All the wild animals can wind down to have a winter nap Tis the season humans and nature can rest All Nature and humans add a year they progressed -

Anonymous

Untitled - Kaitlyn Deptula

A barren land The days feel shorter. The mornings are bright, but dark by four.

Everyone’s mood is down, the world is colorless, sunless, and sore.

Icy roads lead to accidents and slush makes people miserable.

Mrs. Percoskie complaining every day makes the rest miserable.

Cold and dreary days never end, wind blowing our hair in every direction.

Everything’s dead around you, no more bright fall leaves, just crunchy, wet, cold snow.

Nature disappears, animals burrow, everything is a shade of grey.

People stay hidden away in their homes, huddled around the fireplace glow.

The winter breeze crawls up your legs, making it impossible to stay warm.

Skies stay a colorless shade of dark, stormy grey.

Snow barricades you into your home, locking everyone inside because of the storm.

Shoveling snow takes all your energy, but gives no reward.

Bills are high, fun is low, and you feel like you need to escape this mess.

Six more weeks of winter, he says, our fate being decided by the groundhog.

-

Anonymous

Drew Capello Portland Head Lighthouse

Does Spring Hate Me?

The weather rolls a dice, And for a moment the weather looks nice, Until we have to pay the price.

The flowers look beautiful, Until they drown, And all you do is frown, I wish I could though, I cannot because of all the sneezing, But at least it’s not freezing …

Nevermind.

Dressing for the weather is harder than my physics test.

I never know what to wear—It makes me stressed.

Do I dress for zero degrees or one-hundred?

It’s as if the weather is playing chess.

Whoever you are, controlling the weather Whether you like me or not, Is this not enough? What have I done?

I’m sure everyone hates spring, I cannot be the only one, But I know one thing, I am so done.

~ Yasmin Reis

Drew Capello Manhattan & Dumbo

Drew Capello USAF F22 Raptor

Drew Capello USMC F35B