N0. 34 CRUX by The Teller

Crux Crux Crux

n.thedecisiveormostimportantpointatissue.

find us on social media

Index of Themes, selected poem

Poems about night and related poems. Paintings about night, sleep, death, and the stars.

I know one poem from school under the stars, but belong to no school of poetry I forgot it by heart. I remember only it was set in the world and its theme parted.

Poems about stars and how they are erased by street lights, streets in a poem about force in the schools within it. We learned all about night in college, how it applies, night college under the stars where we made love a subject. I completed my study of form and forgot it Tonight, poems about summer and the stars are sorted by era over me.

Also poems about grief and dance. I thought I'd come to you with these themes like my senses. Do you remember me from the world?

I was sat there and we spoke

on the green, likening something to prison, something to film.

Poems about dreams like moths about streetlights until the clichés glow, soft glow of the screen comes off on our hands, blue prints on the windows. How pretentious to be alive now,

let alone again like poetry and poems indexed by cadence is falling about us while parting. It was important to part yesterday

in a serial work about lights so that distance could enter the voice and address you tonight.

Poems about you, prose poems.

Ben Lerner

Lerner, an English professor at Brooklyn College, was a keynote speaker at SUNY New Paltz’s English Graduate Symposium He shared this poem with us, stating “I think there’s always this moment with innovative writing, where it tries to be the new thing When it returns with a difference across this interval of the page, it gives off a little spark, and that spark is the idea that the reconfiguration of social materials can produce a different world ”

Well, my time has finally come to say goodbye.

It felt like just yesterday I was writing my first letter as Editor-in-Chief, reflecting on the moments that solidified my place here From being a small copy editor on the New Paltz Oracle and progressing to Sports Page Editor, to becoming the on-site Athletics correspondent as WFNP The Edge’s Sports Director, and, last but certainly not least, President of The Teller Magazine, I have grounded myself in the Center for Student Media, and I hope I brought those positions justice I wanted to challenge myself even further, build more things under my roster -- not just for a good resume, but because I loved to do it I still love it I said it before and I’ll say it again, I’ve been a creative mind since the moment I was born, and to lead and provide a place where the New Paltz student body can be liberated in that agenda means the world to me.

This has come a long way in the making, as The Teller has finally found a stable foundation to rely on. Through the hard work of my EIC ancestors, especially Jennifer Poroye and Abigail Hedler, the magazine has survived through many hardships to be a voice among the creatives on campus I’m so thankful for the opportunity to lead The Teller and everything that has led me up to this moment I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this magazine, our little corner on campus, over my years here as Chief I want to thank Val Turco for giving me this opportunity, one I have always dreamed of Your hard work and dedication to the Center for Student Media doesn’t go unnoticed I want to thank my E-Board, for inspiring me to be a better leader every day, your kind words of encouragement and hilarious words of wisdom are much appreciated.

Sophia, my second in command No words can express the utmost gratitude I have for your email skills and tenacity Please text me over the summer and through the years, I will miss seeing you every day, my friend

Dylan, Sid, & Cassander, my fellow grads, thank you for accepting me as your Prez Please let’s stay in touch and start a book club, I know you all have brilliant futures ahead (and excellent taste)

Lauren, my wonderful graphic designer, I hope you stay with us for eternity This issue’s covers are beautiful (as always) and I’m excited to see your talent grow.

Peyton and Kiely, thank you for joining us this semester, I always love your work, please never stop creating

Cassidy and Nicole, please look after my baby with care

To my family, friends, and the many Teller enthusiasts out there, thank you again Every like, comment, share and read of our magazine is a special one

Signing off,

Senior Goodbyes

FROM E-BOARD MEMBER Take Care,

The Teller Magazine and lovely Executive Board have been such a large part of my life over the last few years, first under former E.I.C Abby Hedler, my darling friend, and now having the immense privilege and burden of being Managing Editor alongside Fynn For someone who doesn't consider herself very creative or a writer in the least, it's been such a pleasure to learn about the writing and editing processes and to have a hand in publishing dozens of truly astounding works.

I'm forever grateful to this little magazine; the E-Board and contributors for putting up with my many, many, many messages; and Fynn for letting me be in charge of all things admin. I love to send emails!

The Teller and I have been through a lot E-Board changes, my first ever notes app poem being cleaned up and published, numerous late nights (and one gorgeous afternoon sitting in my backyard) copy and page-editing each issue to perfection and I wouldn't have wanted to change that for the world.

I'm so happy to have had this experience that is so far out of my comfort zone and not related to any future plans.

Thank you again to this year's E-Board who I will miss so desperately and to all our dedicated contributors who make this magazine worthwhile!

XOXO,

Sophia Lattof MANAGINGEDITOR

Farewell,

FROM E-BOARD MEMBER

The Teller was the first media organization I joined at New Paltz, and it is now the last I will say goodbye to. This magazine has brought me so many new friendships, personal growth and a community to bring my scarilyaccurate horoscopes to. I like to think of The Teller as our campus’ canvas, where all of our university’s talented writers, artists and creatives can freely show their work to the world, and I’m thankful I could be on the Eexecutive Bboard that helped ensure we continued to do just that. My section may not have seen as many submissions as Art and Lit or Adventure, but I ran a tight ship over here at Horoscopes & Miscellaneous, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world

Fynn, thank you for taking me in and trusting me with the helm of my section. I hope I did it justice. Inside and out our copyediting sessions, you have been nothing but kind, hilarious and an amazing friend to me I’ll see you this summer.

To forever divining the future and supporting the free press,

Dylan Murphy

Peace & Love,

FROM E-BOARD MEMBER

I have six years of service to literary magazines under my belt, and this is the first time I’m writing something of my own. From freshman year of high school to senior year of college, I’ve been drawn to the creative minds of my peers Their real experiences, ideas, rhymes, images, thoughts and feelings. The Teller gave me another chance to appreciate that one poem you’re proud of that you wrote on the worst night ever. The short story you wrote for class that actually turnedout kind of great. The playlist you carefully added each song to with purpose. The picture that catches that feeling so perfectly I am endlessly impressed by the talent housed in SUNY New Paltz.

First, shout out to my maker, The Writer’s Guild at Hamburg High School Second, goodbye to The Teller, and thank you for giving me the chance to connect with this part of myself again I hope I always find my way back to the familiar warmth of literary magazines. To everyone reading, write more vicious, raw, bleeding, honest, burning poetry.

Sidney

Fynn Haughney Editor in Chief

Sophia Lattof Managing Editor

Cassidy Brock Arts & Literature Section Editor

Sidney Anderson Adventure & Culture S i Edi

Cassander Liu Co-Head Page Editor

Dylan Murphy Horoscope & Misc. Section Editor

Nicole Pottgen Fashion & Beauty Section Editor

Lauren Bialt Head of Design

Peyton Waszkiewicz Co-Head Page Editor

Kiely Caulfield Head Copy Editor

H ORO S C OPE S H ORO S C OPE S & m i s c . & m i s c .

DylanMurphy

ARIES: SWEAT. WORK. FLEXIBILITY. TIME MANAGEMENT.

ARIES: SWEAT. WORK. FLEXIBILITY. TIME MANAGEMENT. YOU’RE IN FOR A GOOD SEASON IF YOU STICK TO WHAT YOU YOU’RE IN FOR A GOOD SEASON IF YOU STICK TO WHAT YOU KNOW IS IMPORTANT. DON’T LET DISTRACTIONS GET TO YOU. KNOW IS IMPORTANT. DON’T LET DISTRACTIONS GET TO YOU.

TAURUS: GUT FEELINGS. TRUST. SPONTANEITY. WILLINGNESS.

DON’T HAVE A CLOSED MIND. SUMMER IS MEANT TO BE A DON’T HAVE A CLOSED MIND. SUMMER IS MEANT TO BE A LITTLE CRAZY. LITTLE CRAZY.

GEMINI: UNCERTAINTY. DECISION-MAKING. THINKING. PATHS.

GEMINI: UNCERTAINTY. DECISION-MAKING. THINKING. PATHS. WE ALL GET TO A POINT WHERE WE HAVE TO TAKE WE ALL GET TO A POINT WHERE WE HAVE TO TAKE THINGS INTO OUR OWN HANDS. DON’T BE SCARED YOU’VE THINGS INTO OUR OWN HANDS. DON’T BE SCARED YOU’VE PREPARED FOR THIS. PREPARED FOR THIS.

CANCER: LIVING. BALANCE. BUSINESS. OUTSIDE. YOU KNOW CANCER: LIVING. BALANCE. BUSINESS. OUTSIDE. YOU KNOW HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF SUMMER. IT WON’T BE ANY HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF SUMMER. IT WON’T BE ANY DIFFERENT THIS TIME AROUND. DIFFERENT THIS TIME AROUND.

LEO: THRIVING. DANCING. LAVISH. EXTRA. SUMMER IS ALL ABOUT LIVING IT UP, BUT TRY NOT TO DO TOO MUCH. IT’S ABOUT LIVING IT UP, BUT TRY NOT TO DO TOO MUCH. IT’S EASY TO GET CAUGHT UP IN THE MADNESS. EASY TO GET CAUGHT UP IN THE MADNESS.

LEO: THRIVING. DANCING. LAVISH. EXTRA. SUMMER IS ALL

VIRGO: REMINISCENCE. WONDERING. HEALING. SUN.

SUMMER IS ON GOOD TIMING. YOU NEED THIS SEASON TO SUMMER IS ON GOOD TIMING. YOU NEED THIS SEASON TO RESET AND LET YOURSELF PROCESS. RESET AND LET YOURSELF PROCESS.

LIBRA: JUBILANCE. COMPLETION. MELT. RELAX. YOU’VE

LIBRA: JUBILANCE. COMPLETION. MELT. RELAX. YOU’VE DONE ENOUGH HARD WORK TO LAST YOU A LIFETIME. DONE ENOUGH HARD WORK TO LAST YOU A LIFETIME. SOAK UP THE SUN. SOAK UP THE SUN.

SCORPIO: RETURN. AMBITION. MINDSET. FACING IT. YOU SCORPIO: RETURN. AMBITION. MINDSET. FACING IT. YOU TEND TO GO INTO SUMMER WITH A GOAL, A THING ON TEND TO GO INTO SUMMER WITH A GOAL, A THING ON YOUR MIND. GET TO IT. YOUR MIND. GET TO IT.

SAGITTARIUS: INDIFFERENCE. WHATEVER. HERMIT.

SAGITTARIUS: INDIFFERENCE. WHATEVER. HERMIT. LONESOME. IT’S EASY TO ISOLATE YOURSELF DURING LONESOME. IT’S EASY TO ISOLATE YOURSELF DURING THE SUMMER. TRY PUTTING YOURSELF OUT THERE. THE SUMMER. TRY PUTTING YOURSELF OUT THERE.

CAPRICORN: ICE. DRINKS. SWIMMING. BIKING. EVERY CAPRICORN: ICE. DRINKS. SWIMMING. BIKING. EVERY SEASON IS A NEW OPPORTUNITY TO TRY SOMETHING SEASON IS A NEW OPPORTUNITY TO TRY SOMETHING NEW. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE WORLD. NEW. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE WORLD.

AQUARIUS: DRAMA. TENSION. HEAT. MATURITY. IT MAY AQUARIUS: DRAMA. TENSION. HEAT. MATURITY. IT MAY BE TIME TO REEVALUATE YOUR SUMMER CREW. SOME OF BE TIME TO REEVALUATE YOUR SUMMER CREW. SOME OF YOUR FRIENDS ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE WRONG YOUR FRIENDS ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE WRONG TTHINGS. HINGS.

PISCES: TRIPS. EXPLORATION. MOVEMENT. PROGRESSION.

PISCES: TRIPS. EXPLORATION. MOVEMENT. PROGRESSION. YOU’LL BE OUT AND ABOUT THIS SUMMER. THAT’S YOU’LL BE OUT AND ABOUT THIS SUMMER. THAT’S WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT. WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT.

Fashion & Beauty

Springtime Fashion Spotlight

Cassander Liu

With the newly ripened grass, soft blazes of sunlight and visions of vernal renaissance comes opportunities for us to shed our thick puffer coats and embrace textile metamorphosis through lighter, more expressive fashion choices appropriate for the warmer weather For Crux, I invited some on-campus fashionistas to showcase one of their best looks for the season

Mollie

Mollie draws inspiration from Japanese fashion which embodies an airy feeling of breeziness. She gets her clothes from brands like Uniqlo and Muji.

Emilie

For Emilie, fashion is about visual and mental inspiration. There’s a mental boost that comes with looking well-put together while feeling comfortable. She doesn’t prescribe herself to a particular style, but leans towards femme and neutral color palettes

Virtuous

Virtuous gets her inspiration from Pinterest and other Black creators or creators of color. She likes to keep it simple, but will dress up sometimes, if the mood calls for it Fashion essentials are all about accessories and matching.

Smiley, Agya Owusu-Fordjour

Tortoiseshell Cassidy Brock

Growing up together with my little shadow. Colors changing with the seasons.

In summers, you’re gray dilute.

In winters, you’re beige mute. Still my sweet darling girl. But you’re no different than the day we met. Thirteen years later, you still jump into my bed rest your little head right behind my knee, feel your body curl and sing yourself to sleep.

Rotten Hound

Evan Schouten

Eureka!, Agya Owusu-Fordjour

On the brink of nothing, you are sailing manically or withering in reality with a piece of your fiction telling you it was once good to know nothing at all about the ambiguity of the nature with which you glide on the tips of grass blades as they turn from yellow to green or about the constant ringing of an idea that has not yet formed the idea of the contemporaries bouncing around the pages your attempt to evolve extremities, maintain the subjective correlative, pierce the page you once were bound to the one with the same set of eyes you drew that look into you with fear and hope.

JFT Stairs at 6:00 PM

Sophia Lattof