Innervisions 2024
Villa Walsh Academy
Morristown, New Jersey
Literary Magazine Staff
Layout and Design Editor
Sabrina Pasko ‘26
Proofreading Team
Cierra Wolckenhauer ‘25
Katherine Ziwot ‘25
Literary Magazine Club
Clara Ainsworth ‘25 Cierra Wolckenhauer ‘25
Katherine Ziwot ‘25 Johanna Aguilar ‘26 Ava Bentz ‘26
Erin Jacobs ‘26 Sabrina Pasko ‘26 Shalini Patel ‘26
Katelyn Hadzima ‘27 Gemma Hong ‘27 Isabella Propper Stuehr ‘27
Faculty Advisor:
Mrs. Ruthann Lanni
Special Thanks:
Sr. Elaine Bebyn
Mrs. Maria Manley
Mrs. Kimberly Cheifer Mrs. Trisch Lagana
Mrs. Kristina Pasko Mrs. Kerry Harper Mrs. Julie Oliveros
Literary Table of Contents
Literary & Artistic Table of Contents
Artistic Table of Contents
Ava Sansano ‘27
Samantha
Teagan
Isabella
Cora
Cecilia
Tobeapoetingpoet
ByIsabellaPropperStuehr‘27
Poetry, Fickle,fickle
Acquiredtaste
Acquiredsound
Therhymescanbechildish
Thewaythattheyring
Canbemuchtoslow likethecomingofspring
Orliketheoddticking
Ofawoodenmetronome
Orlikeadrabmorning
Orwakinguptofallensnow
Poetryisfickle
Aquitepeculiarthing
Butpoetryispoetry
Andremembranceitmaybring
Forpoeminggreatpoems
Andfordancingonfatefulclouds
Orforsingingunsunglovesongs
Andsingingtheunsungloud
Iregrettosay,
Withmuchremorse
Andwithmanyawastedhour
Poetryispoetry
Itlacksanyounceofpower
Andifyouwishtopoet,
Wellthenbestoflucktoyou
Becauseyouarestuck, Lestyoubestruck
Withgenius, theyrecognizeyou
KatelynHadzima‘27
Manypeopledon'tknow,butweallweara
LibbyFarmer‘26
CatherineAzares‘29
LexiStappas‘27
Godisnotjustacomfort;mylord,savior,and Thepersonthatyougotowhenyouareall
Whenyoufeellikeyourchestisbeing ancestors
LiaGriffin‘27
TheTasteofTemptation
ByKatelynHadzima‘27
Sittingonthesideoftheboat, Saltbrushingagainstyourlips, Hidingupinyournose. Neversweet,onlybitterness.
Whynotasong?
Asongwithlyricsassweetasmorningdew, Asongsofulfilling, Likeasavorymeal. Thehungerforlove, Likehowthesongpromises.
Likethetemptationoflambs, Withthetranquilityofsilence. Thewoolsosoft, Likethegentlebreezebrushingagainstyour neck.
Thetemptationtojump, Tojointheladiesofthesea, Withhighpraise, Andhighpromises.
Thetemptationtofeast, Toattack, Toshownoregard, Tothecattleofthesun.
Howsweetcantemptationbe?
Ifallitbringsisasolemndownfall.
SierraWarjanka‘26
AngelinaSantorelli‘26
BriannaHetherington‘24
A Journey to Catalina Island
Isabella Nilio ‘27
A trip to Catalina Island, Crystal clear waters, shining so bright. Sailing across the ocean, wind blowing our hair, Exploring the island, adventure everywhere.
Walking through the smooth street, Discovering small shops, Snorkeling with fishes, Building sandcastles in the soft white sand.
Enjoying the sunshine, feeling so free, Tasting cheesy pizza, smelling sweet ice cream. Sunset on the beach, a breathtaking view, Memories made, forever cherished.
A paradise to explore, A trip filled with beauty. Where sandy shores and turquoise waters gleam. With sun-kissed days and hearing gentle ocean breezes, Adventure awaits among the palm trees.
Island
ByAzariahAndrews‘27
IslandOIsland,Ilongforyou
Withyourbrightyellowsand,andlusciousgrasstoo Wherethesunshinesbright, Andit’swarmevenatnight
IslandOIslandIlongforyou
Whenthesmelloftheoceanswimsthroughtheair
OhowIwishIwerethereinthatair
Soundsofthebellsandthedogs'bark
The clink aftergoodcheers,whereweallyellhark!
IslandOIslandIlongforyou
KaylaCastellano‘25
LexiStappas‘27
AnneRionda‘27
Apple
BySabrinaPasko ‘26
Itstaresatmefromitsplace
Nothollow,butfull
Ipondertheideaofgoingback
Tothosetimes--
Standingatthefootofthemarket
Likeaflamingoinadenimjacket
Againstthebrickwall
Graffitiaroundmyhead
Graspingthereusedplasticbag
ThatIholdmylunchin Adentedapple--darkred
Istareopposite lookingatthewindow
CarspassandIappear Theystop,Idisappear Noise,noshudder
BuyingTime
ByMaeveDam‘27
Thevelvet,blackspider carefullydancedamongthesmoothsilk. Sheswungfromlooptoloop unweavingherfragilemasterpiece Thenightwasfilledwithcroakingcrickets, sleeplesscicadas,andbusybirds. Thebrightmoonreflectedoffofherloom asthedelicatespiderremainedrestless. Morningdewrestedonherglisteningweb. Assheswungtothelastloop Gatheringthematerialtostartthewebfromscratch Shecouldsmelldampmossfromlastnight'srain. Shewaiteddayandnight forherpartnertoreturnfromtheunknown.
Thesinglepartnerwrestledwithfatewhenherloverfailedto
KatelynHadzima‘27
TheAftermath
ByOliviaBarsemian‘27
Thewarislong
NeverhaveIfeltsolost
NeverhaveIfeltsogone
Thetoweringtreesnowonthefloor
Thestrong,thepowerful,therobust, Allbelittled
Thetasteofcrispairleavingmytonguedry
Thetinglingallaround
Myfriendsforsupportarenolongernear
Thisistheoutcome
Thereekofoldrottingflesh.
Bonesclatteringwitheverystep
Mybarefeetontherockyground
Theyearningtoreachhome
WhereamInow?
LastIrememberIwashappy
LastIrememberIwasloved
Thennightcame,andday,andnowIamnolonger.
Thestartofsuchtragedy
Thestartofsuchgrief
Doyouknowhowitfeels?
Theweightofawarrestingonyourshoulders
Theendisinnosight,
NotthatIwilleversee
Rippedfromthehandsofmyfamily
Thefightthatwillneverend
Thebattlethathastakenall
ByGabriellaFarag‘27
ThebeautyofHelenfilledthosewithloveleadingto devastation
Thefairestoftheworldcausedwar
StolenandpassedontothosewhoenviedAsifa trophy
Herbeautyradiatedlikethesunontoothers
Therays,hatred,jealousy,anddesire
Withnosaylikeshewaslockedinchains
Shewasleftaloneashersuitorswenttothegames
Shewasasifastatuetobelookedatandadmired
Wantedinthearmsofmany
Withnoregardforherfeelingsplenty
Thesoundofherloveleadstoawarcry
Likethesweetsmellofaroseleavingyoulongingfor more
ButhowIfeelbadforHelen
Alwaysoverlookedanddisregardedasahuman
Withnowheretogoandnoonetogoto
Herbeauty,likeacurse
Leavingherwithnovoicenorcomfort
Truelovenoraffection
Longingsilentlyfortheendofhermiserywhileitis makinghistory
TheBeautyofHelen
SamanthaModernal‘26
ASinkingShip
ByIsabellaPropperStuehr‘27
ThedeepbluehandsofmightyPoseidon
Clutchingthebow, Graspingthehull
Tuggingandreaching
Andwithonefinalpull
Theshipbeginssinking Intothedepths
Leavingtheoarmen
Franticondeck
WhobutOdysseus,
Thehero,sofair
Tobethefirstfalling
Theseainhishair
Thefighting, thesplashing
Thewater
Consuming
Thesuddenlyfleeting
Sharpoceanair
Theboatwassinking
Thisheknew
Nolandinsight
Justwideopenblue
Thatwaitedinempty Anticipation
Forawearysailor
Tostrayfromhisstation
Ondeck, Andinstead Stumbleoveranddown
Andbetherenonoisewhenhehitstheground
Insteadhearasplashing, Asoftdesperatewail
Unbeknownsttohiscrewmates,
Theshipsettingsail.
Saltovertookhim Hissenses, Allgone
Ashefeltnothingbutwater
Filluphislungs
Theboatwassinking
Thiswasclear
Hestruggledandfought
Andallhecouldhear
Washisownheavybreathing
Thepoundinhisskull
Andtheincessantcrowing
Ofalonelyseagull
AveryPoruczynski‘25
TornRelations
ByMaeveDam‘27
Tall,woodenpiecesstandpiercingthesand. Thecrew’sscatteredbelongingslayburied
Throughoutthemysticalisland, soundsofspirits’murmursecho. Thesprite’smusicledthementodrowsiness Buttensionandfearkeepthemawake.
Astrongstenchofseabreeze causethemtolongforclean,freshwater.
AKingandPrincegrieveoverthelossoftheother.
Longingforfamilyandhomeoverwhelmthemen Andcausethemtoturnoneachother.
Thedampshipgroansasthetempestwearsdown Astrappedspiritsgatheraroundthesight Oftheshiptornapartbythesea.
BriannaHetherington‘24
Ilikewords
ByCaterinaGesualdo
‘24
Ilikewordsthatareaimless,general,nonsurgical. adrift,directionless,unviability,empty,haphazard,random, unviability,chance,pointless,frivolous,stray,andrudderless Ilikechaoticwords-wordsthathauntinglyrefertothe unrevealed.
anarchic,confused,deranged,disorganized Ilikeuglywords-asortof“stepdown”fromtheprevious words, crepuscular,moist,scab,chunk,hideous,mooch,pugilist, quark,awful,disgusting,unappealing,uncomely,andfetid Ilikeimpractical words, wordsthatareimpracticable, thenotpracticalandusefulcounterpartsofsomeonenot capableofdealingwithpracticalmatters. inoperable,quixotic,hopelessness,infeasible,and speculative
EmilyMurphy‘27
OliviaBarsemian‘27
IsabellaPropperStuehr‘27
Hospitality
ByGeorgiaDoyle‘27
Welcomefriendsfromfarandnear
Towhoourhouseisnowyoursitappears
Walkingintotheroomtherearefresh,soft sheetsandthearomaoffreshlybakedbread
Thesoundofbirdschirpingthroughthebay window,outsidewhitefluffycloudsand mountainsinthebackground
Throughthedoorsafreshlymadebubblebath
Downthelongspiralstaircase,andthrough thedoorwasthefragranceofthemost amazingmeal
Along,chestnutcoloredtablefilledtothe brimwiththemostmouthwateringcuisine
Servantswaitingontheguestshandandfoot tofulfilltheirneeds
Forwhentheguestweredonewiththeir deliciousmealtheservantswouldtakecareof them
Upthegoldandwhitespiralstaircase, throughthelargewhitedoors,intothe bathroomawaitedtheblue,bubblingbath
Thebedsheetsweremadefromthesoftest cottonandthemattresswastheperfectmix betweensoftandfirm
Asnightfalls,thesoothingmelodyofalyre fillstheair,lullingguestsintoapeaceful slumber
Underthetwinklingstars,laughterandstories echo,creatingmemoriesthatwilllasta lifetime
CeciliaMaione‘25
LongWayFromHome
ByEllaTrzesniowski‘’27
Thedoorswideopen
Thestepsarelongandfarapart
Twomorestepsmydadcallsout
Thedoorisalwaysopen
Onthetopawarmhug
Onceyoureachthedooryousmellthelifethefamily
Onceyoujustreachthetopyoufeelthelove
Thedoorstaysopen
Asunderneathmyfingertipsthecurvesofthedoiliesonthetable
Thebubblingandthechurningofthepotintheroomnextdoor
Theclankingandtheclackingofthespoonsagainstthebowl
Thesmelloffreshpotatoesdancingdownthehall
Thekneadingofmypalmsagainstthedough
Thefreshnessoftheairoutside
Thepedalsbelow
Andalthoughit'ssofarit'salwaysclosetohome
Myothertown,Myland,Aplacetocallmyown
Thedoorisshutnow
Thelightsaredimmed
AmelancholyfeelingpersevereswhenIstepin
Youwerealwaysthere
Butyouneverwillbeagain
KaylaCastellano‘25
AbriannaEsposito‘25
Rose-RedFingers
ByGemmaHong‘27
WhenyoungDawnwithherrose-redfingersshone oncemore,
Andsherosefromhersplendidthroneintheeast, Andherlovelyorangelocksfilledthesky, Andshepeeredoverthewholeworld, Bringinglighttomortalandimmortalalike, Likeshehadcleansedthewholeworld.
Outatsea, Wheresaltlingersintheair, Somuchandsolongthatitcan’tbesmelled anymore
Andwavescrashandcrashonthejaggedrocks, Andthethoughtofsafetyisnottobegrasped, Dawnwithherrose-redfingerswillalwaysrise againonherthrone.
Wherethereisland, Therearedangerseverywhereyoutry, Lotusthatkillsthespirit,
AndadeadlyCyclopswithabigredeye, Readyingtokillmoreofyourpeople, YoungDawnwithherrose-redfingerswillshine oncemore.
Wherethewindleads, Therearemonsterseverywhere, BeautifulSirensthatsingenchantingsongs, Immortalcreaturesthattakeyourbestmen, Biguglymonstersthatswallowyourshipoutat sea,
Buteventhen,Dawnwithherrose-redfingers willrisefromherbedagain.
Whereyourcrewmakesmistakes, Therearedeepconsequences,
Ahurricanebringingyoubacktowhereyou started,
MenwhowerelosttotheenchantressCirce, Thosewhoexchangedtheirlivesforthefleshof theSunCattle, YoungDawnwithherrose-redfingersshoneonce more.
EllenDiDomenico‘26
GraceCalvano‘26
StrungTooTight
ByMaesonHonan‘27
Sixroundwindows
Eachfacedwithgold
Topfloorofthepalaceiswhereshe’dgrowold
Thismaysounddismal,butshe’dbealright
Infact,she’dbecontent
Noonetotellherwhat’swrongorright
Shekeptweavinghershroud
Thedaysblurredaway
Somethingtoconstantlybeoccupiedwith Butnoonewouldeverseehercraftsmanship
Alonebutnotlonely
Nopressurefromothers
Theshroudremindedherof Somethingshe’doncebeentoldbyhermother
“Findyourselfsomeonetoguideyouthrough life”
Butthisfreethinkinggirl knewshecouldfindherownwaythroughthe strife
Andsoastheknotsgrewcloser Theshroudbegantolookmorecomplete
Buttheknotsbegantofray Andfabricburstattheseams
Thepiecehadbeenstrungfartootight Socounterproductively, Herworkunraveledbynight
Headstrongsuitorscouldsmellsuspicioninthe air
Butthisgirlpersisted,despiteherfacadeof despair
Asmoreeyebrowsraised Thetasteoffreedomwasfeltslowlyslipping away
Herdeceptionwouldsoonberevealed Nomatterhowlongshestalled Fromthestart,herfatehadalreadybeensealed.
CoraReardon‘25
CaraFitzpatrick‘26
IsabellaPropperStuehr‘27
TimeWarp
ByAvaBentz‘26
Iamlateforclass
ButthankGodIhaveanelevatorpass Ipunchthebuttonbuttheyallgoblack AndsuddenlyIgoback
WhenIstepoutsideonthefloor
Itisnotpresentdayanymore
ThehallisfilledwithVillaWalshladies
AnditturnsoutIamintheeighties
OhboyOhboy
Iamnotfilledwithjoy
SinceIdon'tseeaniphone Iamnotathome
Iwalktomyclass
Hopingthiswillallpass
WhenItakeaquicklook
NooneistakingnoteswithaMacbook
Iamabouttopanic
IfeellikeI'montheTitanic
Howdidpeopledeal
Theycan’tevenDoordashameal
Itakeaturn
Hopingtodiscern
Howcouldthetimewarpdare
Toputmeinthisnightmare
Nomatterwhatmyparentssay
Aboutthegoodol’day Itakethecurrentyear
Withoutanyfear
Cecilia Maione‘25
ElizabethKandziolka‘25
Trapped
ByErinJacobs‘26
Time.Afourletterwordthatcanmeanonethingandsomanyallatonce.Howmanyofushave wishedwecouldtravelthroughtimewhetheritmaybethroughthepast,ortothefuture?Tocomebackto amemoryorafuturegoalthatseemsnowoutofreach.Howmanyofushavejustwantedtostoptimeright initstrackswhilewearehavingwhatwethinkisthe“timeofourlives?”Soundslikeagoodidea,right?
But is it all that we perceive it to be?
I feelthegroundshakebeneathmyfeet,andthewindrunsrestlesslyaroundmelikeatoddler wantingitsparentstoentertainit.IbegintofeelnauseousandstarttosecondguessmyselfwhyI’mdoing this.WhyamIputtingmyselfthroughallofthistrouble,justtogetmyoldlifeback?Butthenagain,I answeredmyownquestion. I want my old life back.
I felt my feet crash land on the ground as if I had just fallen from the sky.The sky was sullen and dry as if a sky could be dead.The trees were bare with no leaves, looking like naked skeletons in the wind. Theairsmelledlikebittersorrowthatlurksintheair.
Should I be here?
Mythoughtsofgoingbackhomewerecirclingaroundmyheadbeginningtomakemedizzy, althoughIknewgoingbacktothepastwasgoingtosolvemyproblemsofcirclingsadnessandagony aboutthepresent.Ineededabreak.
IbegantowalkforwardeventhoughIhadnoideawhereIwasgoing.Iturnedaroundexpecting toseemyoldhousewelcomingmefrombehind,butinsteadIsawamassivefogcoveringavastamount ofspaceinfrontofme.Intrigued,Idecidedtofollowit.AsIcontinuedwalking,I encountered aneerie silencethatseemedliketheloudestsilenceIhadeverheard.Butthevoiceinmyheadwaslouder.
Where am I? I don’t belong here.
Therustystopwatchshapedlikeanoldtimeronmywristbroughtmehere.Itwasstillperchedon mywristwhereithadbeenanditmademeoptimisticthatIcouldalwaysgohome.ButIwasconvinced thatthis was myhome. But where was it?
“Hello,”myvoiceechoedthroughtheemptinessofthisworld.“Isanybodythere?”
Thefaintechoofmyvoicesentshiversdownmyspinemakingagentlebreezefeellikethe coldofasnowstorm.IbegantosprintbackwardsintheoppositedirectionandasIcontinued,Ifaced thetotalemptinessurgingmetoquestionmyselfagain.
Should I be here?
Thevoicesinmyheadwereloudbutthesoundoftheemptinessaroundmewaslouder.Ihated thelifethatIwaslivingandlongedformyoldlifebackbutIcouldn’tseemtorecognizewherethepieces ofmylifewere.WherewasmybrickhousethatIhadcalledhomesinceIhadbeenbroughtintothis world?Wherewasthelittlegardenrightacrossthestreetwheremyparentsgotsomeofourfoodfrom? Wherewereallofthepeopleinmysmalltown?ItallseemedsooutofreachandIbegantofeelfearfulof whatmightfollowmenext.AteartrickleddownmycheekandinstantlyIwantedtoreturnhome.I continuedwalkingandwitheachstepcameanothertearuntilIbegantobawluncontrollably.Myhands weredrenchedinmytearsasiftheyhadbeendunkedintoawaterwell.Myhandscoveredmyeyesand whenItookanotherstep,Itrippedandfellopeningmyknee.ThebloodpouredoutofmeandIpickedup adeadleafoffofthegroundanditactedasacoverupforthewound.Itwasn’tabandaid,butIknewit woulddothejobfornowatleast.IturnedmyheadtoseewhatIhadtrippedon,andtomysurprise,itwas anoldbrickthatlookedliketheonesfrommyoldhouse.Intrigued,Istoppedcryingandexaminedthe bricktryingtofindsomeevidenceofwhereIwasnow.Therewaswritingonitthatlookedlikesomeone hadwritteninarushanddidn’thaveapensotheyusedastickfromnature.Itookonequickreadandmy heartstartedracing.
WineinaBarrel
ByPeytonSimmons‘27
Thecoldwindlashingatmyback
Icyoceanfingersgrippingmylegs,tyingthem togetherwithpiercingnumbness
Mycrampingfingersholdingontothewinebarrel
SuddenlyIrealizewhatIamseeing:anisland Icansmellthesmokyairofafire
MylipscrackandbleedasIpullthemintoa smile;Iamnotgoingtodie
AsIreachtheshore,Icollapseonthegrainy, pebblysand
IpullasmuchairasIpossiblycantofillmyself
Mythroatandlungsburnatthesatisfactionofa fullbreath
Myeyeswanderandroamoverthedepressing sightofaunrulyforest
Myearsfillwithdeafeningsoundsofroars, growls,snappingtwigs,andscreams
Eventuallymyeyeslandonthebarrelthatsaved mylife
Myshakinghandsliftthebarrellid
Tearsslipdown,burningmyswollenface
EachtimeIbringmycuppedhandstomymouth, thewinebringslifetomybody
Icanfeelthewine’swarmthebbingfrommy throat,downtomychest,tomylegs,tomyhands, tomytoes
Asthenightgrowsdarker,Ibecomelighter
Mywineinmybarrelisaswordinasheath
Power
ByAnneRionda‘27
Lightningflashes
Thundercrashes
Asmallboat
Strugglestostayafloat
Boatswainshavethepowerhere
Theroyaltycanonlycowerinfear
Withacracktheboatisnomore
Theyarewasheduponastrangeshore
Inthetempest’sheart,astormofdeceitisweaved
Astheisland’sstrongaromadeceives
Bysomemysticforcetheyaredry
Yetrainstillpoursdownfromthesky
Magiclurksonthisisle
Everyoneisstillindenial
Thetasteofthesaltyseaisabitterpill
Areminderofthestorm’sthrill
Betrayallingersheavyintheair
Awhisperofcallforanewheir
Trappedonanislandtheirdestinyunclear
Whowillsurvive?Isaquestionwefear
AveryPoruczynski‘25
Torment
ByEllaTrzesniowski‘27
Darkness,nightyetday
Tearsstreamingdownyourface
Treessurroundtheforest
Inthebacktheroarsofwaves
Tricklingoffyourlips
Thetasteoffreshsaltwater
Dirtbeneathyourfeet
Youtrytobreath
Asthenyouhearthemusic
Thesoftmelodyofthecreaturesgrippingatyourears
Thescreechesofthespiritsastheyconsumeyourfears
Thenallisquiet
Theislandisatpeace
Andasyourminddims
Youdriftoffintoadeepsleep
Sorcery’sShadow
ByAlexaBarravecchio‘27
Aweatheredspellbook,ashipinabottlewithasalty tang,afoggymirror,
Inaworldofwarlocksandwizards, Wheresecretsarekeptlikerabbitsorlizards, Magiciansguardtheirtrickswithcare, JustlikeProspero,withsecretsrare
First,itstartedwithastorm It'sharmlesshesays Gobackandplay Butthenitleadstoashipwreck
Thecrashoftheoceanwaves Everybodyfliesoff-deck
Theseasaltsmellintheair
Whenitiswindy,itbrushesoffonyourhair Butunderallofthathocuspocus, Theworldseemssooutoffocus
Everythingseemsblurred,beyondrepair Strandedonanisland,feelingconfined, Magic'sgriptightensonthemind,
Nothingisrightwhenyouarestuckonanisland, Trapped,nowbehold
Thetruthshallbetold, With"Presto!"and"Abracadabra!"exclaimed, Thesecretofmagicisfinallyclaimed,
Controlledbyspellsandwhisperedprayers, Magic'sallure,everyoneshares
Whenthesmellofleather,waftsintotheroom, Youknowthemagicbookisout,andsoishisinner demontoo
RichaLenjewar’29
neverbelievedthoselittleanecdotes,shemissedthemimmensely. Now,heroldagecausedhertoforgetherownnameand relationshipwithMelissa.Agesapart,Melissafounditextremely challengingtocommunicatewithhergrandma—notonlybecause hergrandmaforgotEnglishandcouldonlyspeakTagalog. Lookingattheoldlady,shewonderedifhermomwouldbeinthat spotthirtyyearsfromnow.Beforetearscouldreachhereyes, Melissalookedawayfromtheoldwomanandonceagainran throughherdanceroutine.
Suddenly,theconstantcommotionoftheairportseemed toend.Crowdsformedbythenearesttelevisions,coveringtheold womanfromhersight.HerdadmomentarilystoppedscoldingKat andratherfixedhisattentiononthetelevision.Suddenly,Melissa forgotaboutthestressesofherbigauditionorhowbusythelast fewweekswere.Feelingasifalargewavehadcrashedoverher, sheblanklystaredatthescreenbroadcastingthetragicnewsof September11,2001.KatlookedoveratMelissawith confusion-filledeyes.Inthatseeminglyendless,incessant moment,sherealizedhermotherwouldneverarrive.Foronce, Melissatookbackherwishesofrushingtimeandinsteadwished fortimeback.
Shoes
ByBridgetDrew‘26
ThedingofthemonitorsignaledthatRenéeAuclairhadnowbeensittinginthatairportchairfor20minutes.238 differentpairsofshoesshehadseenmarchingby;476feetwalkingtotheirdestination;119—orwasit118?—different mindsthinkingaboutwheretheywereofftonext.ButRenéesatthere;theboymightnotbeonhiswaytopickherup; maybehehadaccidentallyforgotten;maybehehadchosentoforget.Shewouldtryonemoretime.
James’phonelitupontheelegantlyclotheddinnertable;Renéeagain.Hecouldanswer;insteadhefocusedonthe girl'sblueeyesasshesatacrossthetablefromhim.Renée’swerebrown,andalwaystooobservant.
TheBostonLoganAirportwasdifferentfromtheCharlesdeGaullesAirport.Itseemedmorealive;thesqueaking ofsuitcasewheels,thechatteroffamiliesinarush,thegrainyvoiceovertheloudspeaker; beauty is everywhere, Renée thoughtasshesataloneinthatairportchair.25minuteshadpassedand284pairsofshoeshadambledby,noneofwhich werehis.
RenéehadjourneyedacrosstheAtlanticfortwoallegedreasons;topursuehercareerinwriting—asherparents believed—andtofleetoAmericatoescapeanoldfriendandtofindanother;thatsummerevening,theirhandsgraspedfor thedandelionatthesametime.Louistoldhershewasbeautiful:thewaysheplayedwithherhair,howshewalkeddownthe streetsofParis,herabilitytolaughatanything; beauty is everywhere within you,Louishadtoldher.Butshehadstarted talkingtoJames.ThisAmericancouldn’thavelovedher,Louisthought,withallherimperfections—shestruggledtotieher shoes,shewasafraidofescalators,shelaughedat everything.RenéehadtogetawayasLouisstartedbecomingangrywith her,followingheraround.Jameswasheronlyhope.
Thedessertwasthebestpartoftheirmeal;thechocolatecakeremindedJamesofwhenhewasyounger;after trippingonhisuntiedshoelaces,hismotherhadmadehimadeliciouscaketocheerhimup.
Renéehummedalongtoasongastheclockfacemockedher:35minutesshehadbeenwaiting.Howdidthatsong go?Somethingaboutsittinginanairportbar—orwaitingbyaphone.Renéechuckledasshegrippedhercellphone.She tappedthefloorwithhershoe,theundonelacesfloppingonthetile;noonewastheretotiethemforher.
354pairsofshoes;alldifferentcolors;alldifferentsizes. Beauty is everywhere—Renée’ssmilewanedintoa frown.Ifonlyshewasabletorecognizethatonepair,justthatonepair.
Reminiscing
ByIsabellaPropperStuehr‘27
Awomaninareddress
Sitsbeforeapainting
Thewindowsopenwide
Uponafieldwheresheeparegrazing
Shewhisperssomething
Toherself
Noneedforahushedtone
Forafterall
She'sbyherself
Beforethispainting
Shesitsalone
Thepaints,
Allstrewnabout
Findtheirwayintotheframe
Whilethewoman
Withapout
Contemplatesthisinherbrain
Shesmilesandshesighs
Seemingsatisfied
Untilsheturnsherheadaway
Andsuddenlystartstocry
Nopaintedhuecompares
Tothevibrantdressshewears
Whileshepaintsapicture
Ofwheretheybegan theirfragileloveaffair.
EmilyMurphy‘27
OliviaBarsemian‘27
PatienceandaLittleHandGoesaLongWay
ByLibbyFarmer‘26
Aboutaquartertillfour,Jessicagot inlineathersmalltown'slocalgrocerystorewithcakemix, sprinkles,icing,partyhats,andballoonsinherhands.Hereyesshiftedovertoamomoffourrowdylittlekids. Therewasalittleboyabouttwoyearsoldinaredstroller;hisoldersiblingswholookedbetweentheagesfive andsevenwererunningaroundtearingdownthemagazinesfromthedisplaycaseandattemptingtoopenthe candystackednexttothecheckout.Themomhadtwolargecartsfulloffoodandhouseholdnecessities;allthis foodlookedlikeitcouldfeedavillage.Jessicawonderedhowthemotherwouldmanagetogetallofthisinher carplusrallytogetherherfouryoungchildren.InthissmalltownofMassachusettseveryonekneweveryonebut Jessicadidnotrecognizethisfamily;theymusthavejustmovedhere.
Themotherlookedtobeinherearlyfortiesorlatethirties.Herhairunbrushedandstainsonashirtthat didnotmatchherpants.Shehadsomuchtodoandsuchlittletimetodoit.Throwingthegroceriesonthe conveyorbelt,shefelteveryonestaringather.Shewishedforalittlehelpinghandlikesheusedtohave. Someonetocontrolherkidswhileshetriestogeterrandsdone.
“Thatwillbe$434.94,”saidthecashier.
Jessicacouldseethemother’sfacebecomepaleandworried.Shecheckedherwatch;sixteenminutes havegonebysinceshe’sbeenwaitinginline.Shestartstogetworriedbecauseshehastobeatherbestfriend's birthdaypartyatsixthateveningandshestillhastogohomeandbakeacakeforalltheguests.After rememberingthelistofthingsshehastodo,shebeginstogrowimpatient.Butthenshetriestoputherselfin the mother’sshoes.Probablysingle,amotheroffourlittlekidstryingtosatisfyeveryone.Jessicagrewupwithabig familyandshecouldn’timaginelifewithoutherparentstogether.Ifitwashermomhavingahardtime,Jessica knewthatshewouldwantsomeonetohelpherout.
“Hi,mynameisJessica,”Jessicasaid.“CanIhelpyoucarrythesegroceriesouttoyourcar?”
Themomwassurprisedasherfacelitup.
“Thatwouldbeamazing,”themomexclaimed.
AsJessicaluggedtheheavygroceriestothecar,shegottoknowthemomverywellforthebrieftime theytalked.HernamewasTracyandsherecentlymovedtothissmalltownwithherfourkidsafterherhusband oftenyearslefther.Shemovedherebecauseshewantedtobeclosertoherparents,butdidn’trealizehow difficultthemovewasgoingtobe.Jessicafeltsadforthefamily,andsadthatkidsaren’thavingthechildhood theydeserve.
“Ifyoueverneedabreakandwantmetowatchyourkids,justgivemeacallandIwillbemorethan happytodoit,” JessicasaidtoTracyastheyloadedthelastofthegroceriesinthecar.
Tracy’sfacelitupagainandshestartedtogetemotional.Shedidn’texpectJessica’ssmallgestureto helpsomuch.Itmeantsomuchtoherthatacompletestrangerwantedtohelpherout.ShegaveJessicaabighug andexpressedallhergratitudetohernewfriend.
Jessicawalkedbackintothestorewithabiggrinandafeelingofrelief,knowingthatshestayedpatient andhelpedwhereshesawhelpwasneeded.
CaraFitzpatrick‘26
EmiliaKapas‘26
Money,Money,MoneyIsn’tFunnyinaLonelyGirl’sWorld
By:AvaBentz‘26
SydneyhadbeeninErewhonforoveranhourbrowsingoptions;hereyeslandedonCalifiaFarms AlmondMilk.Warrenlovedthatbrand;heclaimeditwasthebestasittastedmostrealistictomilk.Every morning,Warrenwouldsaunterdownthespiralstaircasetothekitchen,andKirkwouldfillhisglasswith almondmilkandgentlyplaceovereasyeggsontohisblueandwhitepatternedplate.Oh,howhelovedthat blueandwhiteplate;heboughtitinthestreetsofItaly–oneofakind.ItalywillnevercomparetoParis;the shopping,thefood,theEiffelTower,nothingwillevercomparetoParis,justlikenothingwillevercompareto Warren.Oh,howshelovedthatman,andoh,howthatmanruinedher.
Sydneyhadsomehowwanderedtothecheckoutlaneandwasnowwaitinginfrontofamotherwitha wailingchild.Thewomanhadpairedthisyear'sToryBurchespadrilleswiththeTranquilityMetallicdress from Zimmermann.Theoutfitwasimpressiveforamomwithamonkeydanglingatherhip.Hereyesdriftedtothe strugglingmother'sfinger–itwasmissingadiamond.Heplannedthedinnerforaperfectpostproposal evening.ItwasanAugustday,andtheywerediningatNobu.Theyhadorderedthetorotartarewithcaviarto sharesincethatwasherfavorite.WarrensippedQuintessaSauvignonBlanc,andtheydiscussedHistoric AdamsonHouse,planningtheirwedding.Theywouldhavelivedhappilyeverafter,butnowWarrenwasin Italy,andSydneywasalone.
“Well,Iknowweekendsareusuallyyourdays,butIcan'ttakecareofit…couldalternatethedays…
Yes,Iknowthat,butthisisallstillveryfresh.”saidthemother.
AsSydneylistenedtothebrokenconversationthismotherwashavingwithpresumablyher ex-husband,ithitSydneythatshewasstaringintoamirrorofherfuture.Thiswomanismeinsevenyears.The womanstandingbeforemeiswhoIwillbecomeifIdon'tdosomethingwithmylife.Suddenly,themom'scard declined,resultinginthemomcallingherdadtoaddmoremoney;Sydneydoesthesamething.Countless times,shehadspentmoneythatwasn'therstospend–shoppingatRodeoDrive.Hergoalinlifewastomarry Warren.Sydneypresumedthiswomanhadmoneyandfashion,yetshedidn'thaveafamily.Thewomandidn't enjoyspendingtimewithherchildandhadlosttheloveofherlife.Sheseemstohaveitall,yetshehas nothing.Shepulledoutherownphone.
“HiDaddy,I'vecometoadecision.Ineedyoutocutmeofffromthefamilycreditcard,” saidSydney.
Blue…
ByJoellePaolino‘29
Blueistheskyandthebreezeoftheocean,
Thetasteofchaiwithgreatemotions.
Asoundofwavesagainsttheshoreandthefresh air
Blueberries
ChristianDior
ABluewhale
Therainwaterdrippingofftheroof
Blueisthecolorofthethedeepblueocean
Thecolorofjoy
Blueisthefeelingofbeingfree
Blueisthecolorthatisinthesky
Blueiseleganceandfanciness
Blueisintheair.
Blueiseverywhere.
ByGraceBoler‘29
Blueisthesky
Whereplanesfly
Thetearsonyourface
Andtheocean’svastspace
ThecolorofaStanley
Andbeingwithfamily
Blueasablueberry
PickedinJanuary
Ahulahoop
Afruitloop
Atrashcan
Ahairband
Thefeelingofsadness
Drivingyoutotomadness
Thesoundofawaterfall
Thestripeonabeachball
Afish
Awhale
Agarbagepail
Thedressofadoll
Andabird’ssweetcall
Blueisthecolorwithinusall
Azul
KaylaCastellano‘25
NinaMcLaughlin‘26
CJAinsworth‘25
TodaysI’veblinkedaway
ByIsabellaPropperStuehr
‘27
Foreverymoment I’veblinkedaway
Imusthaveblinkedatleastaday Imusthavemissedatleastanhour Oroverpassedthebloomingof Aflower
Imusthavesplittenthousandmoments Inhalfwithoutmuchasanotice
Imusthaveheardasparrowsing AndmisseditsflightbecauseI Blinked
Iknownotwhat Ihavemissed
ButIknowwhatIhaveseen Icannotceasetoblink,yousee BecauseIamsimplyamachine
ButIwillcherisheverysecond LikeImissednotabeat Ihope,
Althoughitisn’tpleasant Thatnooneblinkedandmissedseeingme.
