Creative Corner

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The Impossible Journey

by: Weronika Karpio

They sat in the woods, with no supplies or food, shivering as quietly as possible so the thing would not hear them. Many people believed that the reason all those soldiers were sent near Siberia was because of how cold and impossible it was to escape —nothing grew there with the average winter temperature below -22F— so why was there a monster haunting the woods? People could die perfectly well by the harsh treatment of the soldiers or unforgivable mother nature. So what compelled the soviets to release this 15ft tall Chort, one only heard in folklore? Why would they summon him, an evil spirit who attacks anyone?

The three Polish soldiers attempted to flee their working camps and return to the Motherland to help end the war with the nazis. Stanislaw (28), Ryszard (20), and Andrzej (17) were all captured from different areas of Poland, but they were in the same run-down military car that transported them to the worst gulag in Soviet history, Kolyma. They immediately started planning how to escape. After two months of work and barely surviving, they evaded the eyes of the guards and fled into the forest. They knew that the forest would serve no better than the camp, but they would rather take the chance of making it to a town than die under brutal captivity. They were not even a day into walking when they noticed it: the Chort, with its long horns, 15-foot red body, and demon-like features making it blatantly obvious in the cold, almost blinding snow. They hid in a hole, one probably left by the Chort’s hoof, waiting for it to pass. They had heard of the Chort’s cruelty in stories but never thought the stories were real. The being, walking with the grace of a cat, was so big the youngest of the group, Andrzej (going against the protests of his companions), peeked around the ground and tree and could not see the monster. But he could tell, deep in his soul, that thing was near them; its eyes made one feel like a thousand pounds had been put on them. So, the soldiers huddled and waited, praying that the Chort would be forgiving and let them pass. They did not know that less than half a mile away, the Chort was watching. And he quite enjoys a chase.

Poem by: Ruby Tanisa

How is it capable of creating the biggest of illusions, fooling everyone around, as they see the brightest of smiles and laughter. Only to never realize the actual madness and desperation behind this very illusion. Because behind it, creates a blinding flood of tears. Tears that are capable of drowning a being so often —until it becomes a habit. As it grabs onto its heart, it gasps for air. Begging for a moment to be able to breathe in silence. Silence, however, can not exist, as it is just an illusion. An illusion that hides the yelling, the screaming, the pain, of one's thoughts, of one's feelings. None of this however can be seen, as it is just an illusion.

Sunkissed

Poem by: Rosmalin Paulino

You were the sun, You rose and lit up my world. You warmed my heart with the smell of your cologne, The soft warm touches, Your sunlight smiles, and the calm breeze of your voice

Then sunset came, and you were gone. Leaving me, cold and numb. In a sea of loneliness and doubt, hoping that you would come and save me

Drowning in a sea of darkness a light appeared, the moon, my moon. Always there, but not always seen. The comfort in your quietness lit up the stars and galaxies of my heart. And once again, I sparkled in the midnight sky.

Dark Corners of the Mind

Poem by: Weronika Kaprio

Have you ever walked down an alley or street Avoiding eye contact as they speak Walking then running with fear building up The dark corners served no comfort in the night For when you ran for blocks on end You stopped and thought “Was this truly the end?” Because while we as the viewer saw nothing but darkness You as the central figure saw those eyes following For it has been weeks since they started stalking Never once have they crept closer But when you are not looking, from the corners of your eyes You can see them closing in You turn and expect them on top of you, right there in your face But nothing, not even a shadow Paranoia builds and your mind breaks No one seems to care about these eyes but you alone Soon you will be locked here like the rest of us So run and hide, don’t get caught, till the morning dew comes to you With the morning light bright as ever, and the eyes have gone forever? They have hidden in the darkness of the corners Waiting for your mind to wander