INNERVISIONS 2025
Innervisions 2025
Villa Walsh Academy
Morristown, New Jersey
Literary Magazine Staff
Layout and Design Editor
Sabrina Pasko ‘26
Literary Magazine Club
Clara Ainsworth ‘25
Madeline Knagenhjelm ‘25
Cierra Wolckenhauer ‘25
Katherine Ziwot ‘25
Ava Bentz ‘26
Erin Jacobs ‘26
Sabrina Pasko ‘26
Katelyn Hadzima ‘27
Lauren Petrie ‘27
Isabella Propper Stuehr ‘27
Neeve Canniffe ‘29
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 & Artistic Table of Contents
Artistic Table of Contents
Agustina Martinez-Ferretti ‘25
Isabella Propper Stuehr ‘27
Clara (CJ) Ainsworth ‘25
Juliana Kenworthy ‘28
Avery Poruczynski ‘25
Sara Carvalheiro-Santos ‘28
Waiting Inspiredby The Odyssey
ByNicoleAragon‘28
Penelopesitsbythequietshore, Herheartachingandweigheddownbyyearsofwaiting. Odysseus,lostsomewhereinthesea, Fightingmonstersandstormswithnowordoflife.
Sheweaves,unweaves,losingtrackoftime, Eachthreadacryforhelp. Thedaysdragon,likethetides, Butherhopedoesn’tfade.
Odysseus,milesaway,dreamsofherpresence, Hearstheechoofhervoiceinhismind.
Outthere,beyondthewaves,areunioncalls, Twoheartsconnected,nomatterhowlong.
By
ByKaylaBurrell
Awarningisnothingincompare, Totheluringmelodythatfillstheair. Voicessmootherthanthelullingsea, Youwillbegtobesetfree.
Listenlonger,goahead, Untilyoujointhesoulsofthedead. Nomortalresists,nomatterhowstrong, Tothesirens’cursedandendlesssong.
Yettheheroeswhosailwithearssealedtight, Mayglimpsethedawnandnotthenight. Resisttemptation’ssweetembrace, Beforedeathbecomesyourrestingplace.
TheSiren’sSong Inspiredby The Odyssey
BySibyllaRamos‘28
JillianPaolino‘26
‘28
MyMagnificentFatherOdysseus
Inspiredby The Odyssey
ByKendallKiraly‘28
Igotositdownatdinner
Onlytofind
Anemptychair
Acrossfromme.
Iwatchedasmymotherdreamingofherhusband Sighs,whichistheonlysoundthatfloodsthe Lovelesshalls
Becauseneitherofuscanseemtomakeconversation.
Thestenchoftheovercrowdedsuitors
Overwhelmmynose
Mixedwiththetraceoffamilydinner: Ourplumpestpig,sweetestvegetables, Andfinestwineandcheese.
Butisitreallyfamilydinner
WithoutFather?
Itdoesn’tmatter
Anywaybecausethepigis Tooslimy
Andthecheeseis Toostale.
Ijustcan’tcontrolit. Whywouldheleavemewithahouse Idon’tknowhowtorun??
Igetup
ButIbetmymotheristoodepressedtonotice. Iwalkthehallsofpaintingsthatpraisemy Magnificentfather
Butwouldn’ta Magnificentfather
Comehometohisgrownchildandlonelywife?
ThehallsechowiththesoundofhowproudImustbe
ButIdon’tevenknowthepersonIshouldbeproudof.
Father,everytimetheoceancrashesIwonderifitts you.
Iwonderifitsyourboatfinally Cominghome.
Butno,whatwasIthinking? Whywouldyoubehometoday?
Myhandmovesacrosstherobes
Youhaven’ttouchedintwentyyears AndthescratchyshoesI’vebeentoldI’mmeanttofill.
PeopleknowyouasthegreatOdysseusbutIdon’teven Knowyou,sohowamIsupposedtobegreat? Theywillonlyknowmeasyourdisappointingson.
Thehousehasbecometoooldforme
Thestenchtoostrong
Thevoicestooloud.
ToomanypeoplearetellingmeI’mmeanttobegreat
Whenyoucan’tevenbethereto Showmehow.
Ihearwhispersandalwayswonderiftheyareaboutme
Becauseofyou.
IwonderiftheychallengethatifIreallywereyourson, Iwouldgooutandlookforyou. IfIreallywasthatgreat, Iwouldfacetheangrywindsandvengefulswells.
ButhowwouldIevenknowwhotolookfor?
Idon’tevenknow Whatyoulooklike. AndhowwouldIknowhowtosail? Ineverhadafathertoteachme.
Iamaloneandmisunderstoodinthisworld. Ifeelpressuretorisetothelevelofaperson Ihavenevermet.
Butthelookonmymother’sfacetellsme Icanonlydoonething.
I’veneverhadyou,butshe’slostyousoImustsetsail. AndsoIwent,Iwenttofindmy“magnificent”father.
ByAnneRionda
ByNicoleAragon‘28
Isabella
ByAnneRionda‘27
ToMeasureaLife
IsabellaPropperStuehr‘27
Imeasuremyyearsinstrangers Intearsshed Insunsetswatched Inriverswadedandmountainsscaled Inmealsshared andpathscriss-crossed
Imeasuremymonthsinexperience Inmemoriesmade Inplacesgone Insmiles,laughterandjoy Increaturesmet andpurple-pinkdawns
Imeasuremyweeksinprogress Insetbacks Innewthingslearned Inoutingsanddatesandbrunches Inletterswritten andsundaychurch
Imeasuremydaysinhandshakes Inhugs Incomplimentsshared Inhoursspentoutsideinthesun Inflowers andcurlsinmyhair
Imeasuremylifeinheartbeats Inbreaths
Inhandsheldonlongwalks Inbutterflykissesandwhispering Insecretsshared Inlongtalks
Tomeasurealifeinseconds Inminutesorhours, thingsdoneinyourprime isneverenough No, It'sneverenough tomeasurealifeusingtime.
By
White‘26
BySorayaTamas‘28
Iwhisktogetherthewhippedcream.
After50minutes,theoventimerrang.
Thescentofcomfortdriftsintoeveryroom.
Ipipeswirlsofwhippedcreamalongtheedgesofthe flaky,goldencrust.
Wecoverthepieandwaitimpatientlyfordessert.
Thecrustistoothickandbuttery,soIstruggletocutit.
Mygrandmahelpsmewithherkindhands,placinga perfectsliceonmyplate.
Wegatherbythecouch,mouthsfull,andbigsmiles.
Evenasthedaywindsdown,thewarmandcozy feelingsstilllinger.
Pumpkinpieissomuchmorethanadessert–itisthe glueformyfamily'smemories.
Evenifthecrustcrumblesorspills,ourstrong traditionswillstillhold.
Itisimportanttorememberthatrecipesdon’tjustlive onpaper–theylivethroughus.
TheFuture
IsabellaPropperStuehr‘27
Iamwordsnotyetwritten, Iamasunthat’syettorise, Iamsnowgatheredinachild’smitten, Andthestoryinastranger'seye. Iameverythingthat'syettohappen, AndeachtomorrowIwillsee, Iamasmalloldfarmer’swagon, Andabristle-coveredChristmastree.
Iamagirlwhoseestomorrow, Wholovesherfellowman, Iamagirlnomoretowallow, Inmypast,nopeterpan. IampeopleIwillmeet, Andplacesyettovisit, Iameachpasseronthestreet, Andknowingthatitisallworthit.
Iamwakingup, Andeverybreath, Andeverywhisperedtear, Iamgrowingup, Andseasonsdeath, Andeach,
“Iloveyou”, Iamyettohear.
ByKatelynHadzima‘27
ByElizabethKandziolka‘25
BySienaLanni
Nature’sblood-redfingersclawatthelightbluesky
Theeaglesaboveusarelowastheyfly.
Theloyalservantscry,theotherslaughandsmirk
Thequeen'snoblefingersunraveltheirwork
Ajealousmaidrevealshermistress tothesuitorsoutsidethedoor
Penelopewillhavetomarrysoon, thinkingherhusbandislostfromwar.
Thesoft,flowytapestry,nowforcedtofinish, iscoveredwithtears.
Thequeen'seyesweepwiththeirgriefs, sorrows,andfears
Thelovelyfood,burntasanoffering, smellsofsmokeasitwaftstowardsthesky
Praying,wehopehewillreturn, ourheartsfulloflonging,soatlastoureyeswilldry.
Thesuitorseattheirfood, drinkthetartredwine
Thesourtasteofgrapessitsontheir tonguesastheydine. Theydonotwanthisreturn,andpraytherewon’tbeaday
Yes,wewhoareloyal,hopeOdysseusisonthe way
TheLoyalServants Inspiredby The Odyssey
ByCeciliaMaione‘25
ByCeciliaTimmons‘27
AppleScentedDays
ByLeiaLange‘25
Thescentofsugaryapplesfillstheair, Ajoysopure,beyondcompare.
ThesewerethedaysIlovedmost, Thefarmwaspacked,aharvesthost.
Inabigfield,hayridesstood, Waitingbyrowsoftreesthatswayed withgoods.
Mom’sminivan,packedwithcare, Laughterandfunintheautumnair.
Grandpa’scane,acleverseat, He’dsliceanapple–fresh,andsweet. Grandma,inheryellowcoat, Pickingeachfruit,withcarefulthought wassuretodo.
MysisterandIwouldrunandroam, Callingtheorchardoursecondhome. Bringingapplestoshowwithpride, Runningbacktoourmother’sside.
Thentothestore,ourhaulinhand, Toweighandpayjustasplanned. Butbythecounter,joywouldgrow–Ciderdoughnutsinaperfectrow.
Sugardusted,warmandround,
ThesweetesttreasureIeverfound. Nowgrownup,thescentstillcalls, Toappledaysandorchardfalls.
OurKitchen
ByOliviaChang‘25
There’sadistinctsmellof OurKitchen.
Thebowlshavefadedbythe hotriceplacedinthemovertheyears. TheloudsoundsofChinesespokenfromthe otherroomaredistinctlyheardfromthekitchen —itwasdesignedthatway.Mygrandmothershouts fromthekitchenandauntsjoinin, andtheoverlappingconversation overwhelmsmeslightly.
Buddhistprayerhymnsplay faintlyinthebackground,luringme withtheirsoftsoundsandsubtlesmellofincense.
Closemyeyes,andIcanalmostseeit. OurKitchen.
Ihaven’tvisitedbackinyears. Aplacethatseemssofaraway,soforeign.
Almostthefeelingofvisitingyourmotherland,except thisisinthesmallsuburbsofTexas. Thisiswheremygrandparentsmadetheirplace.Theirlife.
TheclutterofOurKitchenwithitssmallislandis coveredwithamassofdishesandbowls.
Iseeawholefishstaringatmewith wideeyesandagapingmouth,beggingfor anescape.Almostasifitknows itisabouttobe coveredwithgingerandscallions, dousedwithhotoil.
Thekitchenwarmsasmygrandfather lightsupthewok;itlightsupmyeyes.
Iwatchmygrandfather.
Iobserveinaweandappreciation. Food,culture,mygrandfather. Iviewthemallasinterlinked.
Isatwithmygrandfatherinthekitchen, wheremydadoncesat.Ihopethesethings neverleaveme.
ByIsabellaWhite‘26
ByAgustinaMartinez-Ferretti‘25
MyNails
ByCierraWolckenhauer‘25
Idon'tknowhowtopaintmynailsbymyself. Iunderstandthesteps, Thesimplesteps, ButIcannotachievemydesiredresult.
Icanopenthepaint, Thebeginningiseasyenough, Butthenmyhandsbegintoshake. Perfectionseemsunattainable AsIspattermyskinwithpaint.
WhenIdofinishpainting, Asuccessofmyowncreation, Ianalyze,notadmire.
Asmallsmudgeorchipinthepaintisenough Toexpungemyself-confidence.
Despitemyeffort,Icanneverbehappy.
WhenIwasyounger, Iwouldsitwithmymomonherbed
Asshehelpedmeputpinkpaintonmysmall fingersandtoes. Thrilledwiththecolors.Happy. NowIhurriedlypaintmynails Inmycarbymyself–happy?
Sometimes,onrareoccasions,Igotoanail salon.
Wheretheystruggletomakemehappy. Itisn'tmywork,butitalwaysappearsperfect. ButIdonotfeelascompleteafterwards.
Whycan’tIfeelhappy?
Ithinkhappinessisfoundbyappreciating simplethings, Likepinknailpolish, lookingpasttheimperfections, Thebeautyisintheeffort
Notonlytheresult.
ByAgustinaMartinez-Ferretti‘25
ThePatient
ByKatherineZiwot‘25
Bam...bam...bam! Thenoiseechoedthroughtheasylum.ItriedtoignoreitasIcheckedinwiththe on-callnurseandbeganunpackingmythings.Ican’tbelievethatIgotstuckwiththenightshiftonHalloween. Bam...bam...bam! IstareddownthelonghallwayandfoughtaneyerollwhenIsawthedoorofRoom13 reverberatingwitheverypound.
Ofcourse.
Iglancedatmywatchandrealizeditwasthirtyminutespastthepatient'sdinnertime.Quickly,Istarted downthehallwaylitbyfluorescentlightsandintothesmallkitchen.Thestenchofcoldpeasandhamthathada whiteliningoveritwaftedtowardme.Fightingagag,Ipickedupthetrayandbroughtittoroom13.Outsidethe door,awhiteboardread,“DIAGNOSIS:Schizophrenia;SYMPTOMS:Hallucinations”.
Shiftingthetrayintoonehand,Ireachedformykeycard,helditagainstthereader,andheardasmall clickindicatingtheopendoor.Ipushedmybackagainstthedoor,lettingmyelbowpushthehandledownand enteredtheroom.
“Dinnertime!”Icalledandheadedstraightforthewhitesheetedtwinbedtosetdownthefood.I expectedaresponseorsoundattheveryleasttoacknowledgemypresence,butwasmetwithsilence.
Thedoorslammedbehindme.
MyheartbegantothunderinmychestasIpracticallyrantothemetaldoor,butonlymadeitafewsteps beforeIwaspulledtotheground.Coldhandswrappedaroundmyanklesandflippedmeontomyback.My stomachdroppedwhenImetblack,lifelesseyeslookingatmeasifIweretheirmeal.Dark,longhairframedthe gauntfaceofthepatient.Itriedtoscream,butthesoundcaughtinmythroat.
Frantically,Ipushedmyselfbackwarduntilmybackhitthepaddedwall.Thepatientonlysmiledatme andcasuallywalkedovertothebed,grabbedthemetaltraywithonehand,andcametowardme.Closerand closer,thepatientcame,lettingthefoodfalloffthetrayastheirsmilegrewwider.
Allofasuddeneverythingwentblack.
Iopenedmyeyes.
Iwasbackinmyroom,sittingonmybed.Thenursewalkedintomyroomandhandedmemydinner. Shewalkedoutandlockedthedoorbehindher.Ilookedaroundtheroominconfusion.
Wasthatreal,orwasitjustanotheroneofmyhallucinations?
ByCeciliaMaione‘25
ASpooky,ScaryNight
ByElyseO’Sullivan‘28
Spooky,scaryskeletons
Dancingaroundtheiryard.
Hopetheydon’tcomealive
Andchaseyoudownthestreet.
Tistheseasontobespooked, Byskeletons,pumpkins,ohmy!
Clownsthatgigglewithglee, Sendingshivers Down Your Spine.
Spooky,scaryjacko'lanterns
Thatilluminatethenight.
Hauntingfacescarvedcarefully
Togivekidsafright!
Tistheseasontobespooked, Byskeletons,pumpkins,ohmy!
Werewolvesthathowlatthemoon, Childrenitchtorunatthenoise
Thatsendsshivers Down Their Spine.
Andmyfriend,don'tbescared, Forthesethingsaren’treal.
Orarethey?
ForonHalloweennight, Everything Is Alive.
Oh,tistheseasontobespooked Byskeletons,pumpkins,ohmy!
ByClara(CJ)Ainsworth‘25
ByIsabellaPropperStuehr‘27
ByIsabellaPropperStuehr‘27
SeeMyPeople by
NoraDam‘25
WethePeopleasone
Unitetoundowhathasbeendone
Tosharethesamecollectionofrights
Andseeanotherinthesamelight
SeethePeoplewhoaremockedandhated
Fortheirdifferences,theyareberated
Thenever-endingcycleoftorment
EvokesSisyphus’everlastingpunishment
BethePeoplewhoturnthetide
Toembracethosewhohavetohide
Atimeforjusticeandtransformation
Tobeginanew:aliberation
IAMthePeopleafraidtoroam
CanIevencallthisnationmyhome?
Myfamily,myroots,myheritageatstake
WhenwillWeevercatchabreak?
Domyeyesoffendyou?Isthatallyousee?
Isthatallittakestostereotypeme?
I’mtiredofeveryslightandslur
WhenwillOurjusticeeveroccur?
I’mtiredofexcusesandsuperficialjokes
Yourunfunnywordsonlyservetoprovoke
IwillNOTstandbyandletevilwin
I’vetakenenoughtothickenmyskin
IwillNOTstandbyandgiveyoumypower
Iwillfightuntilmylastbreathinmylast hour
SeemyPeoplewhohavebeennothingbut kind
SeeUsforUs,don’tbe“colorblind”
Foreachcolorcarriesitsowncultureand past
OnlywoventogethercanOurnation’sfabric last
ByAveryPoruczynski‘25
ByAgustinaMartinez-Ferretti‘25
ByAveryPoruczynski‘25
ByErinJacobs‘26
Whatdoweidentifyasareflection?Isitawhat? Somethingthatweseeeverydaywhenwelook intoamirrororabodyofwater?Isitareflection ofourlivesandeverythingwe'vebeenthrough? Orisitawho?Coulditbesomeonelookingback atusandwhilewe'retearingourselvesapart, they'rewishingtheycouldbeonoursideofthe mirror...
Wishingthey were us
Irummagedthroughmyatticsearchingforan answer.Anansweraboutme.Ananswerabout mypast.SomethingthatcanrevealwhoIam insideandwhereIcomefrom.
Ilostbothofmyparentstwoyearsagoinacar accident.Sincethen,italwaysfeltliketherewas amissingpiece.Somethingthatrippedoutofme leavingmetobattlewithmyinternalsadness. Being21andlivingonyourownforthefirst timeisadifficultadjustmentthatnoonecould everteachyoutosurpass,insteadleavingyou alonetoahardbattlewiththeentityof loneliness.
Likeme,themirrorallthewayinthecorner standsalone.Therusticgoldenrimbordered elegantlywithrosesofthepurestgoldseemed tempting.Themirroritselfwascoveredindust fromallofitsyearssittingbyitselfinthisattic, begging,longingforsomeonetotakeitintotheir armsofcare.Thelonelinesshadridthemirrorof itsabilitytoreflect,butIcouldfixthat.
Isaunteredovertothemirrorcarefullywith everystepalmostasifthemirrorwassomething dangerous.Somethingthatdidn'twantmeinits presence.Somethingthatmaybelikedtheideaof loneliness.
Or did I?
I pickedupthemirrorandblewoffthedust coveringthereflectiveglassandswallowed everybitthatflewoff.Istartedchoking.I startedchokingontheremnantsofloneliness themirrorheld.Onceclean,Ipeeredintothe frame.Isawmyownreflection.Isawmy physicalbeing,butalsomyemotionalbeing.I sawthescarsofmypast.Also,physicalscars onmyfaceandeverypartofmybodythat skinsurrounds.Iputmyhandstomyfaceand ranmyfingersoverthescars.Theydidn'texist onmyfaceatall,yetinthemirrorIsawthem. Isawthemclearly.Theywerefilledwithfresh blood,likeIhadgottenthescarsonlywithin minutes.Yettheydidn'texist.
Chillsbegantocreeptheirwayupanddown mybackcrawlingallthewayupmyneckand shouldersbeforefinallymakingthemselves comfortableinsidemyskull.Asharpheadache tookoverthechillingsensationwitha poundingmotionthatonlygrewstronger. Aftersometime,Ibegantoseeimprovement andranmyfingerdowntheedgesofthe mirror.However,myreflectiondidn'tfollow. Myreflectionstoodpainfullystill.Therewas aneeriesilencethatranaroundtheroomasI justsatthere.Perplexed.Wonderingifthat wasreallymyreflection,oraperson.Maybe notapersonbuta someone.Something.They weretrapped.Theywerealone.Justlikeme.I neededtosavethem.
Iknockedthreetimesontheglassreflective surfaceandinstantlymyheadachereturned. Thistimewithaharshpound.Ishutmyeyes tothepainfulsensationandimmediately begantoslidebackwardsfromthemirror.I lookedupatthemirrorandmyreflectionwas gone.Ikeptslidingback.Backingawayfrom theobject.
Icrashedintosomeone.
Ilookedbackwiththepainnowbulging throughmyeyeballs.Myvisionwasblurry,but Iwasabletomakeoutsomecleanshapesand colors.Shortbrownhairjustlikemyown,the bodynoticeablyofahumangirl.Irubbedmy eyesandtookanotherstare.Tearsfilledmy eyesasIcametotherealizationofwhoI crashedinto.
Itwas me
Me,butamoreworn-outversionofme.One thatclearlyhasbeenthroughsomepainful momentsthatsheletgettothebestofher physicallyandmentally.Shewasmyreflection.
Myheadpoundedagainwhichthistimeleftme screaming.Ithrustbothofmyhandsontomy skullandappliedonlyenoughpressureto temporarilyrelievethepounding.Thena muffledvoiceechoedthroughmybrain.Ijolted myheadaroundtosee"me"throughblurry visionuntilmyvisioncleared."My"mouth wasn'tmovingatallyetmyownvoicewas echoingthroughmybrain.
"I need to come out," itspokethroughevery breath. "I'm lonely."
Ofcourse,Iknewthe feelingoflonelinesslikeit wasmyyoungersister.I hadtosetherfree.Ihadto setmyselffree.
"Ok"Isaidthroughtrembling lips.Mybreathbecomingcold witheachbreathItook.Yet,I agreed. "Good," thevoice echoedagain. "I'm sorry but there is only one way to do this."
Suddenly,myvisionwentdark.Ifeltasifthe roomwasspinning,andmyheadhittheground quicklyafter.Myeyesopenedtoadarkroom.A roomfilledwithnothingbutthepowerof
emptiness...darkness.Thelonelinessinsideme grewandgrewuntilIcouldn'tpossiblyfeelany lonelier.WheredidIland?
What happened to me?
Ipeeredaroundtheroom.ThewordsREPLACE writteninwhiteinklayonallfourcornersofthe wall.Eachoneresemblingchildlikehandwriting. presumablyliketheoneIhadwhenIwasa child.Thenithitme.Ithitmerealhardinthe gut.Tearsfloodedmyeyesocketsandsweat drippedoffofmyforeheadandontothebiggest REPLACEonthefloorIwasstandingonthatI missed.Thisonewasdifferent.Insteadofjust sayingreplaceliketheotherwallshad...Itsaid boldly,
REPLACEHER.
IknewwhereIwas.Ascreamtookovermy bodyandexplodedthroughmeuntilthere wasnovoiceleftinmetoscream,orcry,or pleadforhelp.Ihadfedmyloneliness.Ihad fedmyself.
Hervoicethunderedinmybrainoncemore.
“Thank you for giving me your place. Now I'm free,” Shetookapause. “There's no coming back..... now you'll really feel what loneliness feels like.”
Thentherewassilence…Untiltheshatter.
ByElizabethKandziolka‘25
RedistheMoment
ByAllison Day‘30
Redisaladybug, Andsoisfire, Andthestartoftherainbow, Andthesongsofasingingchoir.
Redisafeelingofenvyandlove, Thesamecoloryou'dfindonthefeetofadove. Itisthesoundoffireworkslaunchinginthesky, ThelightofthesparklersontheFourthofJuly.
Cherries,watermelon,strawberriesandmore, Areafewredthingsyoumayfindatastore. ThesoundoftheopeningofacrispCoca-Cola, IsacorememoryIrememberinsummer.
Redisthesmellofaroseandhowitfeels, Ormaybeit'sthebloodonabattlefield.
RedfeelslikeValentine’sDay, Anicypinacoladawithacherryontop, Thespritzofmyperfume, OrthecolorofTarget,myfavoriteplacetoshop.
ByKatelynHadzima‘27
ByIsabellaPropperStuehr
‘27
ATasteofHome –WithaDashofSriracha by
NoraDam‘25
Thedarkwoodhighlightsthewhiteceramicbowl infrontofme.
Alingeringsmellofpork,chicken,andrice— Iknowthisscentalltoowell.
Blandandbeigewithextramushyriceand randomgreensafloat.
Toohotformetotouch.
Steamwaterstheeyesofitscompetitor—
Whowillgiveinfirst?
Surely,notmydad.
Heremembershismother’shands
Choppingandslicing
Anartisan
Weavingingredientstogether
Creatingatapestry
Offamilyhistory
Cookingoveranopenfire
Outsideasimplehut—
But Itis Home.
Heeatsthehotblandmush
Andsavorseverylastbite
Srirachabetweenslurps
Createslifewithinhisbowl
Closeyoureyes
Andsomehow
Thisbowlofbeige createsaworldofutmostcolor.
Astapleduringhischildhood
Apopulardishofhispeople
Theinsipidsouphasmeaning: Itistradition.
Iwanttoeatit
Inhonorofmydad.
Inhonorofthewovenhistory startedbytheartisan.
Inhonorofourculture.
Forfoodisnotrememberedforthetaste
Butforthememoriesmadewhilesharing.
Butforthetraditionswecreate.
Butfortherepresentationofone’sheritage.
Butforhismotherandhermotherbefore.
So, Ilookdownbeforeme Iswallowmyinitialthoughts Itakemyspoon Andbegintoslurp.
ByAgustinaMartinez-Ferretti
‘25
TheSurrenderSoup
byInesLemee‘25
Anotherdayofskiing
Yetwewindupatthesamedinnerplace, Ourcherishedlocalspotinthissmallupstatetown.
Coopedupinatinybooth, MydadordersaFrenchonionsoup, AndI,sevenyearsold, Orderanunamusinghotdog, Withchipsandapickleontheside.
Orderingasouphadnotcrossedmymind, Butthemomentthebowlarrives, Goldenbrownandsteaming–IknowjustwhatIwant.
Eyesfullofchildishpersuasion, Ilookbackandforth
Betweenmydadandthefoodinfrontofhim–Adormanttreasurehiddenbeneathathickblanketof cheese.
Uponseeingmyface, Hisexpressioneases, Hissmilesoftens. Withoutaword, Hecavesin,slidingthesouptomyside, Carefullysonobrothleapsfromtheedges.
Andthereitwas–
Thesteamingsoupsitssilently, Screamingmynamefrombelow. Itsbroth,awarmfire, Meltingthecoldfrommyfingers, Softeningmyskintautfromthenorthernchill.
Hewatchesmedigin, Hisfaceneitherreluctantnorbitter–Insteadheiscontent, Happilyacceptingthisfate.
Thecheeseglistensandoozes, Formingriversalongthebowl’sexterior. Myspoontravelsupstream,scoopingcataractsand craters,
Iplacetheminmymouth Andtheburningmetalstingsmytongue, Butinaninstant,
Thecheeseandpungentyetlikableonionbroth
Overridetheinitialtwingeinamomentof euphoria.
Thesavorresidesinmymouth, YetIfindmyselfsavoringsomethingdeeper: Amemory, Asacrifice, Anactoflove.
Thecheeseandbrothcovermyface; Mydadjustsmiles, Asifthiswasthewholepoint. Asifseeingmehappy Ismorefulfillingthanafullstomach.
Becausemostofthetime, Loveismerelysurrender–Abowlofsoup Slidsilentlyacrossatable.
BySaraCarvalheiro-Santos
‘28
ByClara(CJ)Ainsworth‘25
whenthereisnothing whenthereisnothing whenthereisnothing whenthereisnothing
whenthereisnothing Ifreeze
likeastonelithified fromlimestoneandsilt
Istand likeastatuefromMedusa’s garden
limbsgoingnumb mouthgoingdry
Ileavemybodybehind floatinguptotheclouds thatnolongerexist becausethereisnothing becauseeverythingisgone andmyheadisempty
Ifloatinavoid pitchblack,empty,andcold,
Ifloat helplessandsafe
theuncertainty ofwhatcomesnext
washesoverme likethetide
then,Ireturn alone,andmadeofstone
noemotionorthoughts juststillness
Itrytomove andthestonebeginstocrack
slowlythefacadebreaks andIfall fall backintothatnothingness
awayfromthenoise awayfromlife
backtothevoid ofself-isolation
Iscream butnoonehears
nooneisaround andIamalone
Iletgo andfloat
Iletthenothingnessconsume me forthereisnothing andtherefore nome
Idisappear andthereisjustdarkness andthen Iamfalling fartherandfaster thanlasttime
likeIcarus tooclosetothesun
Ifeeltherays scorchmyskin
waxwings meltonmyback
likethestonefrombefore liquefyingandevaporating offmyskin
Ifall sofar
thecoldwaterofthesea below joltsmeawake itbreatheslifeintome asIstruggleforair
AndasIlayonthesand Ofmynewoasis
Ithinktomyself OfthejourneyIhavejust accomplished
Imayhavebeenstone Imayhavebeennothing
Imayhavebeenburned Imayhavebeendrowned Butnow NowIamsafe
NowIamsecure
NowIamalive IfeelAlive
HappyThings
ByKatherineZiwot‘25
Thehushofwavesthatkisstheshore orsummerrainthatbeginstopour. Agentledrummingontheland, likenaturereachingoutitshand.
Thewarmthwithinasoftembrace, ahavenfoundinsomeone’sgrace. Ormaybeit’sthesilentthrill offinallyreachingthetopofasteephill.
Thequietjoyofbeingstill, curledbesidethewindow’schill asraindropstaptheshutterstight, anddarknesssettlesintothenight.
Beitgrandorbarelyseen, afleetingtouch,apeacefuldream. Eachheartdeservesamelodyofsimplethings, thekindthatmakesthespiritsing.
ByKatelynHadzima
I am the route of your system, Feeble and brittle. A shell creating law is only for comfort, Not truly to keep peace. Even the salt in the air Can make a wound itch. I am not seen, but within. The screams from night terrors, Or broken glass, That's what makes me.
I am what fuels chaos, The disorder, And the debates.
I am the feeling of eyes in a crowded room.
I am the dirt beneath fingernails. I am the blood on a spear. I fuel the savages, and defend them.
I give them purpose, Where murder is defense.
I am the feeling of being watched. You will never be alone as long as I am here.
I am what you call fear. Feeble and brittle.
Feeble and Brittle Katelyn Hadzima ‘27
ByEmilyMurphy‘27
‘27
ByLaurenPetrie‘27
ByCeciliaTimmons‘26
StainsofthePast Inspiredby The Odyssey
ByZoeYe‘28
Bloodandbronzestainmyhands, thoughthewaristhrough Theweightofacrownandkingdom, tooheavytobear
Thewineisrich,butbitter,unabletodrownthecries Iseetheirfacesineveryreflectionandwave.
Iindulgeinthefeastbeforeme, thetasteofashlingeringonmylips
Smokeandbloodtwistinthenight Laughterturnsintodistantscreamsa nddyingpleas,beggingplease Theweightofmysinspullmeintotheabyss.
Thesmellofthepastlingersintheair
Stainingmymindwithcrimsongrief Icanrunnomorefromthewailingtide andallthethingsIleftbehind Thepaststillwakesmefrommysleep, causingmetoweep.
HelenofTroy
Inspiredby The Odyssey
ByJulianaKenworthy‘28
Herstheglowingperfectface
Whichlaunchedathousandships, Asirensentfromupabove Whosentmentothecrypt
Thescraping,scorchingsand
Thestenchofrottingflesh
Thebloodthatstainedthelandoncegreen
Helendidallthis
Inherliltingvoice
Isheardawidowscries
Theunforgivingsea reflectsherdeepblueeyes
Herroseredlips
Arethecolorofblood hergoldenhair
Isthescorchingsun
IsitHelenofbeauty orHelenofdeath
HelenofParis OrMenelaus
HelenofTroy
Orisitofsparta
Idoubtshecaresatall
It’snotherconcern
Whatcitiessheburns
Aslongasitcomeswithacrown.
ByIsabellaWhite‘26
ByEveLoughran‘27
Penelope’sDisloyalServingMaid
Inspiredby The Odyssey BySamanthaInnella‘28
Likeabagofwindsburstingattheseams, Thesecretspewedforthfromtheprisonofmythroat. It whooshed throughthehallwaywithawail Andsoaredlikeaneagle, Pullingmeupwithitsrazor-sharptalons.
AtfirstIwasahero “Beloved”and“Brave” Butthenthesecretkissedtheearsofmyrival
Andityankedmebacktotheground, WhereIwaslefttosmelltheonion-likescentofrevenge
Asthemetallictasteoffearfilledmymouth.
Yetstill,theburdenlifted, Hasgivenmeroomtobreathe. SoperhapsI’llbecalledatraitor
ButatleastnowI’mfree.
IntheHazeofBlue
ByJeanelleCantave‘30
Thecolorblueissunsets,thejellycatskye, ThetweetsofaZanzibardriftingnearby.
Thecolorblueisblueberries,gummysharks, TacoBellfreeze, Asweet,coldrushinatropicalbreeze.
ThecolorblueisMaldivianrufiyaa’sgleam, Waveswithatexturethathumslikeadream.
Thecolorblueisglassshellscooltothehand, AndthescentofsoftsandonaCubanstrand.
ThecolorblueisAquaKissscentintheair, Itlingerslikememoriesbraidedwithcare.
Thecolorblueisaninnertube'ssway, Floatinginrhythmwiththeocean'sballet.
Thecolorblueisasurfboardsolight, Andwatchingtheskyturncalmandbright.
ByAveryPoruczynski‘25
BiteatNoon
ByLynetteGao‘25
“Move!”
mystomachtightened. It’llbegoodforyou, Youcandefendyourself. Defendmyself?
Howaboutdefendingmyspirit?
Surroundedbylimbs, Smirks,theyoutmatchedme bothsizeandskill. Myagemademeatarget.
Butatlunch, therewaspeace. Theboys,absorbedinthemovie, leftmealone
Onthetable, abowlofapricots. Ineverhadone. Fuzzy.Soft. Curious, Itookanibble.Sweet.Silk. Thensomethingchanged. Aburningsensation crept.Throattightened.
Panic. Thenlaughter. Theapricot–Softontheoutside, Sharpunderneath.
ByMaryCafasso ‘28
BySibyllaRamos ‘28
FrontPorchBlues
IsabellaPropperStuehr‘27
Heawokethatmorning Unbeknownsttotheworld
Andinhismug, hislemonadeswirled
Hisface,unshaven
Hissmile,allwrong
Buthisrustyharmonica
Stayedtruetoitssong
Theporchwasnowdipping Inward, hereandthere
Andheknewthatcomesummer, He’dhavetoreplacehisoldchair
Thatoncesatidle
Onthelivingroomrug
Andnowweighsdowntheporch
Infestedwithbugs
Hewasnothingbuttrue, Andhonest
Andold
Andtherewasmanyastory
Thathe’dnevertold
Likehowwhenhewasseven
Heclimbedupatree
Climbeduptoheaven
Fell,
Brokehisknee
Whentheoldmanturnedfourteen
Hehadjustmetagirl
Andsuddenlyeverything
Wasrightwiththeworld
Butthenoffshewent
Toboardingschoollessons
Andawaymovedherfamily
Andawayallhisblessings
Suddenlysixteenscaredhimoutofhiswits
Behindthewheelofacar
Ayoungchildsits
Hegoesandhestops
Andhedoesitallright
Butthatneverpreparedhimforthatfatefulnight
Whereheleftfromafriend’shouse
Andtookhisrusteddownclunker
Andfromtwostatesover Emptytanked, Calledhismother
Toldherhe’dgone
Nowhecouldn’tgethomehome
Becausehespentallhisgasmoney
Andnowhehadnone
Nineteencreptup
Withanothernewsummer
Andwiththewarmweather
Cameagirllikenoother
Hereyeslikediamonds
Ablue-ishgrey
Hersmile,
Likenothing
He’dseentothisday
Sheglittered
Shefloated
Shesoared
Andshedanced
Andseeminglyputhim
Insomesortoftrance
Andthenhewasloved
Andloving
Toher
Andsuddenly, Ateighty,
Shestillwashisgirl
Heawokethatmorning Unbeknownsttotheworld
Andinhismug, hislemonadeswirled
Hisface,unshaven
Hissmile,allwrong
Buthisrustyharmonica
Stayedtruetoitssong
Heawokethatmorning
Hiswifehavingheard
Preparedthemsomelemonade
Inthepitcheritswirled
Hislife,longlived
Hisyouth,nowgone,
Buttohislovingwife
Hewasrightwherehe Belonged
LostintheWild
Inspiredby Lord of the Flies
BySarahPorr‘27
Throughtangledvinesandtwistedtrees, woodcreekslowinthehumidbreeze. Theboysarrive,wide-eyedandfree, strangersuponanamelesssea.
Theairisthick,withjungle’sbreath, saltandsweat,thescentofdeath. Leaveswhispersecretsinthenight, shadowsdanceinthefirelight.
Theoceanroars,abeastuntamed, it’sasaltyspray,andthevoiceisunnamed. Barefootboysonthescorchingsand, buildingdreamswithtremblinghands.
Fruitsosweet,yethungerstays, whilefeardevoursinendlesswaves. Theconchstillsingsbutfadesunheard, drownedbeneaththesavageword.
Thebeasthowlurksateveryglance, nolongerjustachild’strance. Theislandssigh,theechoesgrow, what’sbeenlost,they’llneverknow.
Hidden
Inspiredby The Odyssey
ByLaylaVreeling‘28
Standingaloneinacrowdedhall
Thesmelloffooddancesaroundintheair
Tappingofanxiousfeetisdrowned
Bythesoundsoftalking,whispering
It'sirritating
It'ssickening
Itfeelslikeacidispenetratingmymouth
Ican'ttakethisanymore
Iballmyhandsintoasweatyfist
Alleyesareonher
Alleyesareonme
Shedoesn’trecognizeme,Irecognizedher
Myheartispounding,myheadisdizzy
Theydon'tknowwhoIam
Theydon'trememberwhoIwas Shedoesn'tknowwhoIam
That'sforthebetter
Asthetalkergetslouderandlouder Ifadeintothebackground
AsifIwasn'tkingofthispalace
AsifIamjustabeggaroutofluck
ByElizabethKandziolka‘25
ByInesLemee‘25
WarwagedonAmericanstreets
TheBlackbodyisbeat
Theheatandtheflamespermeate
Theysuffocateandsuppress
Thevoiceless
Somehowwe’resupposedtobelieve
Thatourcountrydoesnotdiscriminate
Buthowcomethisisourfate
Thefactthatjusticedoesnotalwaysreciprocate
Atthesametime,
Warwagedindevelopingplaces
Thousandsofmilesaway
Thesebrokencountriestrytoorchestrate
Butpastcolonizersshownomercytocompensate
Howcomethisistheirfate
Centuriesofsubjugation
Thecolonization
Noautonomyovertheirnation
Wesayit'sinthepast
Thecountriesarefreenow
Butistherereallyadifferentiation
Howcanweexpect
Thesewar-ravagedcolonizednations
Thissubjugated-because-of-their-racepopulation
Toregaincenturiesoflosttimeinjustafractionofit
Toworkfromthebottomup
Butit’sneverenough
Howmuchhavewechanged
Orhavewejustfoundnewnames
Forthesameinjustices,
Theparallelprejudices,
Excuseswhytheworldisthewayitis
BySaraCarvalheiro-Santos
ByJulianaKenworthy‘28
The Exciting Unknown
By Katherine Ziwot ‘25
I stand between the then and now, a shadow stretched from furrowed brow—
One foot in halls I used to know, the other chasing winds that blow.
These walls once felt like all I’d need, though now they echo back my growing speed.
The locker doors, the scribbled names, all dog-eared memories in cherished frames.
I wore a smaller self for years, muffled silly dreams, and bottled fears, but something stirs—a restless spark that pulls me forward from the dark.
For every end, a breath begins, a page turned softly in the wind. I’ll walk ahead, not bound, but grown, straight into the exciting unknown.
