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DELT A Spr i ng2023

EDITORIALSTAFF Nol an Lee‘ 23 RyanReadl i nger‘ 25 Ryan Hal l‘ 25

TEACHERMODERATOR Mr s .Chr i s t i neConnel l y

Loui sFr i edr i c h,‘ 24 “ Ni ghtLi ght ”

THEEDITOR’ SLETTER: Aswef l eei nt oani ght ’ ss l umber ,ourneur ons ac t i v at eawor l dofl i mi t l es swonder ;ours t eadf as t s t at e ofpeac ef uls l umberal l ows us t o admi tt o our s el v esourmos tf oundat i onalas pi r at i ons ,hopes , and t er r or s .I nl as tyear ’ si s s ueoft heDel t a,our t heme was “Memor y, ” whi c h was s ubj ec t i v e and s of t ,def yi ngt r adi t i onalnot i onsofr hyme,r eas on, orf or m.Thi syear ,t heDel t a’ sedi t or sf oc us ed on dr eams ,c ont i nui ngt os endouryoungc ont r i but or s expl or i ngt hedept hsoft hes ubc ons c i ous . We hope t hatwhi l er eadi ng t hi si s s ue oft he Del t a,one may j oi nt he wr i t er s and ar t i s t si n bet r ayi ngt hei rr eas onabl ei dent i t yandr at herdar e t odef yt hel i mi t at i onsoft i meands pac et obr i ng t hei ri nner mos tdr eamsi nt of r ui t i on. A dr eam j oi nst het angi bl ewor l d wi t h anot her wor l d, f ar beyond t hi sr eal i t y. Unl i ke t he r eal wor l d,dr eamsmays t r ayf r om t hes etr ul esofl i f e, i ns t ead s hapi ng a new wor l df r ee ofl i mi t at i ons . Thus ,t hey f os t er ar t , bei ng t he peak of f r ee expr es s i on,i n whi c ht he dr eameri st he s uper i or power .Whi l e,when we wake,t hes e dr eamsmay s eem t of adeawayasi ft heynev erwer e,t heyar e s t or edbehi ndbol t eddoor si nt hedeepes tpar t sof t he s oul . Rat her t han al l ow t hes e dr eams t o v ani s h,onemayc hoos et oopen t hes edoor sonc e mor e and s har et hei r dr eams wi t ht he wor l d t hr oughar t i s t i cexpr es s i on.Ar tt r ul yi st hewi ndow t ot hes oul ,gr ant i ng ac c es st ot hewor l dsoft he f ant as t i c al .So i ns t ead off or get t i ng yourdes i r es , dar et owr i t e.Dar et ol i v e.Dar et odr eam. I I

TABLEOFCONTENTS Poetry ng hi Not l& Paper i Penc her ot Br TheAnt e ontofMyHous n Fr si as Gr eams ngDr i et pr er nt I MyDad ng hi oNot nt kI Wal d eBoar t nkon Whi I or r r kMi A Dar eamer Dr ade dGr r n Thi When IWasi eam Dr y l asandLi Luc l l i eGr c Spi y t i Real ege l oCol TheyWentt s er 800Met eam ThePowerofDr meer Ver e Newbi Sonnet t s i t ai r t tofaPor ai r t Por ) I I I k( kwor oc Cl yMember l oraFami Poem f

4 Br ayden Bonet t i ,‘ 28 5 At l asMaj agh,‘ 28 8 LukeWel don,‘ 28 9 Vi nc entLongo,‘ 28 12 Ni c hol asPal l one,‘ 28 14 Noah Mor al es ,‘ 26 15 Kabi rSi ngh,‘ 28 18 Ki er an Cr i qui ,‘ 28 Gr antVan Raaphor s t ,‘ 28 20 21 Ros han Sekhar ,‘ 28 23 Di l l on Byr ne,‘ 26 27 Col eDus t i n,‘ 28 Chr i s t i an Tr oc yz i ns ki ,‘ 26 29 31 J onat han Ar r i ol a,‘ 28 35 Wi l l i am Du,‘ 24 38 Coul s on Conn,‘ 26 39 Zac har yWan,‘ 28 41 Ev er et tJ ani a,‘ 24 45 Ri l eyRos s ,‘ 26 48 Wi l l i am Du,‘ 24 49 J ames on Ebr ahi m,‘ 28 51 J ac obGor don,‘ 28 53 Wi l l i am Du,‘ 24 55 Henr yWi l l i ams on,‘ 26 58 J ac obGor don,‘ 28

Prose ThePen ng hi ngandNot hi yt er Ev opy r ;aGame;Ent t f A Ri h c TheWoodsWat

I I I

Adr i an Pi er r e,‘ 23 Emer s on Lee,‘ 23 Emer s on Lee,‘ 23 J us t i n Sl abaugh ‘ 23

61 64 67 69

TABLEOFCONTENTS Art ght ghtLi Ni way l Hal y deMemor i dSeas Handhel m edFor or Col kes Yi s ment t ueApar Bl l Foi ng di l edBui ewel J new s l RedWal ght i l eet r St ul f t Res es oni c een Bal Gr s ght Li RedSky ow Sky l Yel NG ISEE EVERYTHI ng eni t s NoOneLi eet r meSt i t ght Ni OPEN ng hi c alEt ment i Exper ndows edWi or ol c i t Mul dge i A Br h c h Wat t HandsWi oanne DearJ e cHous i hedel yc Ps oween l Hal s knes heDar ot nt I oFun Nots

Loui sFr i edr i c h,‘ 24 Dav i dLebowi t z ,‘ 24 Loui sFr i edr i c h‘ 24 J ohn Mat t i ol a,‘ 23 Chr i s t opherVol pe,‘ 24 J ohn Mat t i ol a,‘ 23 Mar kSebas t i an,‘ 24 J ohn Mat t i ol a,‘ 23 Chr i s t opherVol pe,‘ 24 J ohn Mat t i ol a,‘ 23 Ryan Hunt ,‘ 24 Loui sFr i edr i c h,‘ 24 J ohn Mat t i ol a,‘ 23 Mar kSebas t i an,‘ 24 J ohn Mat t i ol a,‘ 23 J ohn Mat t i ol a,‘ 23 Sam Gi bbons ,‘ 23 Loui sFr i edr i c h,‘ 24 Dav i dLebowi t z ,‘ 24 Chr i s t opherVol pe,‘ 24 PaulQuens e,‘ 24 J ohn Mat t i ol a,‘ 23 J ohn Mat t i ol a‘ 23 J ac kHar l ey,‘ 24 PaulQuens e,‘ 24 J ac kGr bi c ,‘ 24 PaulQuens e,‘ 24 Loui sFr i edr i c h,‘ 24 Loui sFr i edr i c h,‘ 24

I 3 6 7 10 11 13 16 17 19 22 25 26 30 33 34 37 40 44 46 47 50 52 56 57 63 66 85 86

I V

POET RY

“ANDIFANARTISANWAS SUREOFDREAMINGFOR TWELVEHOURSEVERY NIGHTTHATHEWASKING, IBELIEVEHEWOULDBE ALMOSTASHAPPYASA KINGWHODREAMEDFOR TWELVEHOURSEVERY NIGHTTHATHEWASAN ARTISAN. ” -Pas c al

Dav i dLebowi t z ,‘ 24 “ Hal l way” 3

NOTHING

Br ayden Bonet t i ,2028 Ihav ebeen t hi nki ng; I fnot hi ng i ss omet hi ng, Shoul dn’ ts omet hi ng benot hi ng? I ft her ei s not hi ng i n not hi ng t hen i s n’ tt hat s omet hi ng? Ev en t hough t her ei snota s i ngl es omet hi ng i n not hi ng. Youeatnot hi ng;di dyouj us teats omet hi ng? I f you s ay not hi ng; t hen ar e you s ayi ng s omet hi ng? Ev en t hough nobodycan hearanyt hi ng. I fIwr ot et hi spoem aboutnot hi ng, omet hi ng? t hen coul di tr eal l ybes

PENCIL& PAPER At l asMaj agh,2028

At i nys pear l i keobj ec t ,Madewi t h woodandgr aphi t e,c r eat edasa“wr i t i ngut ens i l ”. Butyouc an i magi ne,domor et han wr i t e, Pi c t ur eyourendl es sc r eat i v i t y, On al i mi t edpage, I ns t eadofwr i t i ngmi ndl es s l y, For getaboutt hat , l etyourmi ndt akeov er Andj us ts wi s h yourpenc i lar ound, Tot het houghtoft hatpi c t ur e Ther e' snotmany ot herwayst ol etoutyourc r eat i v i t y, Don' tkeepi taway, Us ei t ,Dr aw.

Loui sFr i edr i c h,‘ 24 “ Handhel dSeas i deMemor y”

J ohn Mat t i ol a,‘ 23 “ Col or edFor m”

BROTHER

Luke Wel don,2028 Mybr ot her ,Hugh, i smyr ol emodel . Fr om br ai nst os por t s , Het eac hesmeal l Ihav el ear nedev er yt hi ngIknow f r om hi m, Hei sal waysmybes tc ompet i t i on I n ev er yt hi ngwedo. Iam v er ygr at ef ulf orhi m. I t ' shi sbi r t hdayt omor r ow, Ir eal l yhopeheenj oysi t . Igothi m 2gr eatpr es ent s , Andwear egoi ngt oaf anc yr es t aur ant Butmai nl y,t oday, Iwant edt os ayt hankyou. Hewast her ef ormewhen Ihadc anc er , Andhei ss t i l lt her ef ormenow. Thankyou,Hugh, AndHappy15t h Bi r t hday!

THEANT

Vi nc entLongo,2028 On ahothumi ds ummerday, Ipour edmys el fi nt oawooden c hai rbyt hepool . If el tl i ket hebr i ghts un hads etmet os i mmer . Theheatr os ef r om t hec onc r et edec k. And myeyesbegan t o wanderar ound t hec r ac ks bes i det hec hai r . AsIs t ar edataj aggedc l i f fi n mi ni at ur e,Is aw a hal fi nc hbl ac kants t r ai ni ngwi t hhi smi ght yl oad. St ar t i ng and s t oppi ng as i ft o adj us t hi s gr i p, bef or ehemov edt henexti nc h, Is aw hi ml abort opul lagr een mapl el eaf , Manyt i meshi ss i ze. Des pi t et heheat ,t hel eafwasgr een andf r es h. I tl ookedl i kei thadj us tbeen c ut . I thadnotwi l t edundert hegl oat i ngnoont i mes un. Is t r ai nedands hadedmyeyes , Towat c h hi ss t r uggl e An i nc hf or war d and t hen a paus e,f ol l owed by anot heri nc h andanot herpaus e. Hi sdes t i nat i on mus tbean ant hi l l , Buts omewher ewhi c h Ic oul dnots ee Wasi ta gr and c anyon away,orj us tbeyond t he c onc r et eedge. Mymus c l est i r ed.

Chr i s t opherVol pe,‘ 24 “ Yi kes ”

J ohn Mat t i ol a,‘ 23 “ Bl ueApar t ment s ”

GRASSINFRONTOFMY HOUSE Ni c hol asPal l one,2028

Thes hor tl i t t l egr een gr as s , Thous andsi nf r ontofmyhous e. Smal lbuts omany, Swayi ngbac kandf or t h wi t ht hebr eeze. Sopeac ef ul , Sof tl i keabed. SoUs el es s , Butmeani ngf ul Thegr een gr as si nf r ontofmyhous e.

Mar kSebas t i an,‘ 24 “ Foi l ”

INTERPRETINGDREAMS Noah Mor al es ,2026

dr eamsc an bei nt er pr et ed i n manydi f f er entways dr eamsc an begoal s s omet hi ngt hatweas pi r et o ac hi ev eands omet hi ng t hatwebel i ev ec an bedone dr eamsc an bei magi nedon api l l ow i n adeeps l eepaf t eral ongdayofwor k t hes edr eamsar ef l oat i ng ar oundi n memor i es t hatar ehar dt ober et r i ev ed dr eamsc an beunr eal i s t i cr eal i t i es t hatwes t r i v ef orbutweknow t heyar ef aroutofr eac h dr eamsar ec ompl i c at ed 14

MYDAD

Kabi rSi ngh,2028 Whohasbeen t her et hr ough yourwor s tt i mes , Andev en t hr ough yourbes t , Butnomat t erwhat , Theyar eal wayst her ef oryou, Andyoul ov et hem s omuc hf ort hat . Whoi st hatoneper s on, t hati sal wayst her ef oryou, Si t t i ngnextyoui n yourbed, gi v i ngyoumedi c i newhen youhav et hef l u. Forme,i ti smydad, Al wayst her ef ormewhen Iam s ad, Al waysl ov esmeev en when Igeti nt ot r oubl e, Al wayshel psme,when Is t r uggl e. Cher i s h ev er ys i ngl emomentyouhav e wi t h yourf at her , Bec aus ebef or eyouknow i t ,hewi l lbegone, I ti si mpos s i bl et os how how gr at ef ulIam, Foral lt hatmyf at herhasdone.

J ohn Mat t i ol a,‘ 23 “ J ewel edBui l di ng”

Chr i s t opherVol pe,‘ 24 “ new”

WALKINTONOTHING Ki er an Cr i qui ,2028

Thewav esc r as h down t omyr i ght ,t omyl ef t t hel ar ges anddunest owerov ermy bodyt hatmov esac r os st hes andasmy f eetgr i pt hemi c r os c opi cpebbl es t hats uppor tt hewei ghtofmybody andmas s aget hebot t omsofmyf eet t hatpr opelmybodyi nt owhatf eel sl i ke endl es sbeac h andnot hi ngnes s . Aheadofme,t heendl es ss hor eal ongt he At l ant i cOc ean t hats i ni s t er l ys t ar esbac k atmeandbehi ndme,t hepas tt hat haunt sev er ypebbl eofs andt hat s t andsbef or eme.Thes mel lofs al t y wat erandt hes oundofs eagul l s andwav esc r as hi ngf i l lmymi ndwi t h empt yt hought sc al mi ngmymi nd wi t h ev er ys t ept hatIt aket owar ds t henot hi ngnes swi l lal waysr es embl e s omet hi ng.

J ohn Mat t i ol a,‘ 23 “ RedWal l s ”

INKONWHITEBOARD Gr antVan Raaphor s t ,2028 t hebi gwhi t eboar d wi t h not hi ngon i t notev en as pec kadot ofi nkon i t butiwant edt oc hanget hat t hebl ankwhi t er ec t angul arboar d i tmademef r us t r at ed s oigr abbedt hebi gr edexpomar ker andpus hedunt i lt hei nkl eakedouts l owl y dr opbydr opasi ts pr eadt hr oughoutt he whol ewhi t eboar dmaki ngaj ui c ynoi s e now wi t hi nknomor ebl anks pac e butabi gr eddot

ADARKMIRROR Ros han Sekhar ,2028

Il ookedatmys el fi nt hedar kmi r r or , Il ookedt hr ough t hebi gbl oc kofgl as sc l ear nes s , Ic oul ds eemyr ef l ec t i on oft er r or , Wasi tmyt er r orandmyf ear f ul nes s ? Orwasi tj us tal otofmyanger ? Il ookedataper s on Ic oul dn’ tmakeout Ic oul dn’ tt el l ;wasIi n baddanger ? Is eeaf ac et hathasal otofdoubt , Is eeaf ac et hathashadar ough j our ney, Af ac eIc an t el lhasc omeal ongway, Thi sf ac eIs eei saf ac et hatneedsgl or y, A bodyt hatneedsan amazi ngday Iam l ooki ngatapi c t ur eofme; A pi c t ur eofmet hatneedst obef r ee.

Ryan Hunt ,‘ 24 “ St r eet l i ght ”

DREAMER

Di l l on Byr ne,2026 On As hs t r eetatni ght , nobodyi sout s i deexc ept f oroneboyal l al onei nt hec ol d. Hedr i bbl esabas ket bal l ands hoot sasaman pas s es . Theman wat c hest heki d whos hoot sandast hebal li si n ai r Het hi nkst ohi ms el f Hewasadr eameronc et oo. Theman r emember st hedays When het oowoul ds t ayoutl at e Pr ac t i c i ngs ohec oul dbeon t v . Hes napsoutofhi sdaze when t hebal ls wi s hes t hr ough t hehoop l i ket hebal lofpaper het hr owsi nt ot hegar bage atwor k.Het oowasadr eamer onc e,anddeepdown

hehopest heki d does n' ts t opdr eami ngt oo.

Loui sFr i edr i c h,‘ 24 “ Res t f ul ”

J ohn Mat t i ol a,‘ 23 “ Gr een Bal c oni es ”

WHENIWASINTHIRD GRADE Col e Dus t i n,2028

When Iwasi nt hi r dgr ade, Iwaspl ayi ngs oc c er . FormyManhat t an c l ubt eam, AtPi er30. Pl ayi ngi nt our nament s , Wi t h al lmyf r i ends . Sc or i nggoal s , St oppi ngt hr ough bal l s . Pl ayi ngs oc c eri swhatIdobes t , Whatmakesmehappy. When Iwasi nt hi r dgr ade, Is t ar t edt ol ear n aboutl i v i ngi nt heBi gAppl e. Publ i ct r ans por t at i on al wayspac kedwi t h peopl e Car sonl yus ed f orl eav i ngt hec i t yi nt heLi nc ol n Tunnel . Tunnel s ,br i dges s ubways and f er r i es c onnec t i ng t hebor oughs , Ki dswal ki ngar oundeat i ngt hei rc hur r o Si r ensbl ar i ng, Copsar eal waysget t i ngc al l edt os er v e. 27

Thei rhomec i t y, Thec onc r et ej ungl e. Ot her wi s eknown as , New Yor k.

DREAM

Chr i s t i an Tr oc yzi ns ki ,2026 whati sl i f ewi t houti t ar acewi t h nof i ni s hl i ne ar oadt r i pwi t h nodes t i nat i on as hor tf i v el et t erwor d yetbr i mmedwi t h meani ng v ar yi ngf r om onet oanot her adr eam ameani ngl es ss t or y i n yourhead adr eam i n yours l eep adr eam t hehopef ulpr oduct ofhar dwor k t heunr eal i s t i cexpect at i on t her andom t hought an ai dt of i ndi ngpur pos e ades i r ehar dt ogr as p

Mar kSebas t i an,‘ 24 “ Li ght s ”

LUCASANDLILY J onat han Ar r i ol a,2028

I ’ v ehadt wodogsmywhol el i f e. Myf ami l ygott hem oneyearbef or eIwasbor n. When IwasababyIwoul ds i ton t hec ouc h wi t ht hem andwat c ht vf orhour s . Theywer egent l eand l ov ed t oj us ts i tdown and r el ax. Wehadabr ot herandas i s t er . Theboy’ snamewasLuc asandt hegi r l ’ swasLi l y. Theyhads hor ts moot h,br own f ur . Theywer emedi um s i zedwhen f ul l ygr own. Theybot h hadbeaut i f uleyes . Thei rnos eswer epi nk. Theyhadbi gt ongues . Theynev ergotangr yorhur tanyone. Luc asal waysl i s t enedandwasc al m. Li l ywasmor eener get i canddi dn’ tl i s t enasmuc h. Theywer ebot h al wayshappy. Myf ami l yhadaf av or i t ewal kwi t ht hem wher ewewoul dc l i mbupabi ghi ki ngt r ai l . Wewoul dwal kt hem ov ert her eand l ett hem r un ar oundandweal ll ov edi t . 31

Wedi dt hatev er yweekend. I twasgr eatandweal wayshadagoodt i me. Somet i mess omet hi ngc r azywoul dhappen. Li kes eei ngs omec oolani mal s . Wewoul dr un i nt obear sc ubs andt hedogspl ayedwi t ht hem. I twaspr et t ywor r yi ng. Wewer eal wayss af et hough. I n Dec ember2019Luc aswas n’ tf eel i ngwel l . Hedi edabouthal f wayt hr ough Dec ember . I twast hewor s tf eel i ngI ’ v eev erexper i enc ed. Ihat edi t . Li l ydi edear l ySept ember2020. Li f ef el tc ompl et el yempt y. If el ts os ad. I twaspai nf ul . Li f edi dn’ tf eelt hes ameasi tal waysdi d. Ihadt hem t her eev er ydayofmyl i f e. Andt hen Idi dn’ t .

J ohn Mat t i ol a,‘ 23 “ RedSky”

J ohn Mat t i ol a,‘ 23 “ Yel l ow Sky”

SPICEGRILL Wi l l i am Du,2024

Het r ans l at espor kr i ndbyt hepound, l anguages of tasaboi l eds aus age. Her e,ac hi c ken c r ac kl es .Her e, t hes ec r et soft het abl eas c endi nt oai r . On t hec ut t i ngboar d,af i s ht amed. Namesuns peakabl eundert hebel l ys l i t . Thec ooki ngoi l ’ sbeen t aken and boi l eddown t oac ol dbl oodedpas t e, ahundr edt r i but ar i esac r os sl i pswor n t of r agment sandpuf f ymembr anes . Out s i dehes eesbl uet i nt edar t i f i c i all akes s t i t c hedt ol onel yl ands c apesal ongt hec oas t l i ne. He t ur ns t he wat eri ns i de outunt i lt he f ur r ows s hi ne. Hec oat sandc ov er st hec r us t edbones off i l et edc r abst obes eton heav ypl at es . I c eddr i nksandt eas t ac kt oHanoit ower s , f i nger ss ki mt hes moot hc er ami ct i l es wi t ht hes amer oughnes st hey’ ds l i de al ongs ki n.Wat er f l us hedv i ews ofc ount r ypas t ur esc apt ur eabar r age ofs hor ts t or i esf l i c kedac r os saf or ei gn t ongue. Hewav er sc l os et oc oal sandr adi at orv ent s , t hebur ni ngs mokef r om c i gar et t ess mol der i ng al onghi ss t em. Hes nar esgol dc oi ns wi t h waxeds ol es ,t r eadst hegr oundl i kebut t er . Gr i m ands or ebr eat hshi debehi nd hol l owedc heeks ,r eddr i zzl eds unr i s es . Ast hei nexhaus t i bl emi nut est i c kon, t hes ki n on hi sbac kt ur nsgyps um whi t e. 35

Af t ert hr eedayshec ol l aps es ,t ar s t ai nedknees ands ki n br ui s edi nt hel i kenes sofpl ums . The body t akes on an unnat ur al f l ui di t yf r om bl i s t er s , peel i ngnumbs ki n,t wel v eyear ol dl i mbs , l at eni ghtj eansf r ui t l es s l ys t eepedi nt hegr eed ofbl eedi ngf eetandv ar i c os eknot t edl egs . Thos ewhoc an’ tbeart hewei ghtwhenhi ss hadow per t ur bs t hei rc ons c i enc e peer away t o pur ge des i r e, c ondi t i on t hei rc i r c ums pec t i on outofexi s t enc e. Thei l l us i on ofhuman ki ndnes sbec omes at houghtexper i ment .Thehar df l oorbl ends s pi tandpapayas eeds ,gr eas eandgas ol i ne. Wor dss c r apei nt oapi nkands pl i nt er edhear t . Memor i esdanc ewher es ki n gappedbar e ac r os sl i mbsl i kebuds .Whatr emai ns i st heebbandf l ow ofhi sc ur v edv ei ns , s c ar r edpal ms :at es t amentt ot i me’ sundoi ng.

Sam Gi bbons ,‘ 24 “ ISEE EVERYTHI NG”

REALITY

Coul s on Conn,2026 When c ompar edt odr eams Li f ei sj us twhati ts eems Wi t houtwonderf l owi ngl i kes t r eams . Fl yi ng,s oar i ng,t hr ough t hes ky Anyt hi ngc an happen,t hat ' swhy When Iwakel i f ec annots at i s f y Wi l dwonder swal kwi t h me Ti l lIwake,andt hen Is ee Thebor i ngbutr eal ,r eal i t y, Butt hen t hes un r i s es I l l umi nat edc l oudsofdi f f er ents i zes Real i t yi st hebi gges tofal lpr i zes .

THEYWENTTOCOLLEGE Zac har yWan,2028 St i l l nes s , Qui et nes s , Gone, Toc ol l ege. New adv ent ur e, Fort hem. Dr i v est os eet hem Longbutnott ool ong Wai t i ng, Count i ngdown. Soon Iwi l ls eet hem Butt ool ongwai t s ‘ Ti lbr eakar r i v es , Ic an s eet hem agai n.

Loui sFr i edr i c h,‘ 24 “ NoOneLi s t eni ng”

800METERS Ever et tJ ani a,2024

TheGun,abang,t hes t ar toft her ac e. Al oudc ommand,whi c h bec konst he Adr enal i ne f uel ed c ont es t ant sf or war di n a mad das h, Wher el i f ehasj us tbegun. Ibegi n wi t h agal l ants t r i de. Headhel dhi gh,ar mss l i c i ngt hr ough t heai r AsIs l i ppas tt hewor l dwi t hc ol di ndi f f er enc e. A newbor n babe,Is t r uggl et ogetmyf oot i ng, Butar us hf ul lofs t r engt hened yout h engul f st he body. 200met er s . Thes i t uat i on c hanges .Iunder s t and. If i tper f ec t l yi nt opl ac e,t hec adenc eandr hyt hm ofmys t eps Si ngi ngt oget heri n abeaut i f uls ymphony. I ’ m ol der now,wi t ht he er r antbol dnes s ofmy yout hs l owl yf adi ngaway. 400met er s . As l i ghtr us h ofpai n. Af at i gue.A new f eel i ng.An er r or . I ’ mf arf r om myyout h. Thej oi nt sbegi nt oquakeandc r y AsIf or c et hem t obec kon t omyev er yc ommand. 41

600met er s . Thes i ngeofonemi l l i on s c al di ngs unsenv el ops Ev en t he s mal l es tofs l i v er s ,t he mus c l ess t ar tt o dec ompos e. If l ai lwi l dl y,asot her si nt hi sr ac eofl i f es t r uggl e t opr ev ai l . The el der year sc r eep i n.The yout ht hat onc e r ev i t al i zedmybei ng Sl owl ydi s bandsast hec or nerappear s . Thef i nal200. Gone i s my s ens e ofl i f e.Gone i st he hope f or mor e. It r ywi t hmymi ghtt onotwas t et hepr ec i ouspat h Lai ddown bef or eme. But ,ami r ac l ebegi ns . Af uel . Af i r e. I gni t eswi t hi nt hei nnermac hi nat i onsofmymi nd Topus h.Tos t ar t .ToBEGI N. I ’ mt hr us tbac kwar di nt i me. Thememor yoft heyout h onc el os tbegi nst o Gr as pt hehear t s t r i ngs . 100met er s . Mywi l lc eas est of al t erasanew f or c edr agsmy f at i guedbody Ac r os st het r ac k. 50met er s . 42

Thes t r engt h ofmywi l lt i ght ensl i kean i r on f i s t , f or c i ngmet opus h on. 25met er s . Onc emor eIbeg.Ic r y.Is hout . The t umul t uousj our ney gr owsev ernear ert oi t s end. Thef i nal i t y.Thepr i ze.Thec onc l us i on. So c l os e,as I f or c e an endear i ng pl ea t ot he heav ens . AndIgobac kt ot hebegi nni ng.Bac kt ot hes t ar t . AndIr un. Bac kt oyout h.Bac kt obol d.Bac kt obr av er y.Bac k t owi s dom. AndIf i ni s h. Ast he c l i c ki ng ofmy s pi kespi er c est he ear sof many, Mymus c l ess hutdown,andIf al lont omyknees . Buti t ' sov er . I nt hi si ns anebr ev i t yoft hi sr ac eofl i f e, If i nal l y… Won.

Dav i dLebowi t z ,‘ 24 “ Ni ght t i meSt r eet ”

THEPOWEROFDREAM Ri l eyRos s ,2026

When ev er y per s on was young,ambi t i on pul s ed t hr ought hei rv ei ns .I deasmov i ngt hr oughoutt hei r mi nds ,f i xat ed on Dr eam.Iwantt o bec ome an as t r onaut !Iwantt obec omeadoc t or !Yet ,ot her s c r uelwor dsbr eac ht hr ough t hei rambi t i ons .Thei r c r eat i v i t ys eepsf r om t hei rmi nds .Peopl e' swor ds of di s par agement begi n t hei rc yc l e. You? An as t r onaut ,r eal l y? Tr ys omet hi ng r eal i s t i c . You c oul d nev erbec omeadoc t or .TheDr eam bec ame br oken,weak.Theywal ked t hr ough l i f e,dayaf t er day.But ,t heys t i l lf eelasi ft heyar en’ tmov i ngat al l .Bei ng t r apped i n ac yc l et hathasno end.I c oul d nev er be an as t r onaut .I ’ m t oo dumb t o bec ome a doc t or . Thei r ambi t i ons wer e pi c ked apar t .Thei r Dr eam,s hat t er i ng.Yet wi t h af ew wor dsofenc our agement .You c an do i t !You c an bec ome an as t r onaut !You j us tneed s ome har d wor k, and you’ l l bec ome a doc t or ! Now, t hei r mi nds s hi f tbac kt ot hei rt r ue s el v es ,no l onger c l ouded. They t r ul y bel i ev e, I c an bec ome an as t r onaut !Iwi l lwor khar d and bec omeadoc t or ! Anyt hi ngi spos s i bl e.Al lyouneedi sDr eam.

Chr i s t opherVol pe,‘ 24 “ OPEN”

PaulQuens e,‘ 24 “ Exper i ment alEt c hi ng”

VERMEER

Wi l l i am Du,2024 I n hi squi l lVer meerdr ew Del f t , Uni v er s i t y,andCent r alSt at i on, Thec ol ddel i c at ebl uepr i nt oft het i nywai s t edc hi l don t hebow ofaFr i s i an Fi s hi ngBoat . I n hi sbr us h,hes pl as hed al lt hepi gmentoft hewor l d Topr es er v e,uns pot t ed, Whati st hen andt her e. WhatmakesVer meermos tf amous ar et hev i v i dc ol or sheus es i n ev er ypai nt i ng:An empt ypond wi t ht hel i ghtt r embl i ng on t hemi r r or i ngs ur f ac e. Thes epai nt i ngsar eal ways aboutabs enc eandpr es enc e. Byt hes i deoft hemas t ers i tt hel ov er s : Theman c hoos esnott ol i s t en t ot hear gument . Shei ns i s t s .I ns i l enc e, hedoesnotwantt oc onf r onther . Shedoesnotwantt odi s agr ee. Wai t i nggent l y,i ti samar r i age, ent i r el yent wi ned,nomat t erwhat hepai nt snext .

NEWBIE

J ames on Ebr ahi m,2028 Wes t l ey, Al t hough youar ef r es ht ot hi spl ac ec al l edear t h, You ar e wel c omed by ev er yone f r om t he day of yourbi r t h, Sodon’ tbeaf r ai d,s how yourt r uewor t h. Wes t l ey, Al t hough youar enew, Youar es t i l lyett obet r ue Tof or mt hati syett obec ome. Wes t l ey, Youar egr eat , Andal t hough s oyoungi n agr eats t at e, J us tknow yournamec ar r i esmuc h wei ght . Wes t l ey, Weal ll ov eyou, Andyouwi l lac hi ev eyourgoal s , Andmos tofal lyouwi l lbegr eat . Si nc er el y, J ames on!

J ohn Mat t i ol a,‘ 23 “ Mul t i c ol or edWi ndows ”

SONNET

J ac ob Gor don,2028 When Igoout s i deands eet hes un r i s e, Is eet r eesandpl ant sandhearbi r dsc hi r pi ng. I tal mos tf eel sl i ket hi ngsar ei n di s gui s e, Youl ookar oundands eeal lt hi ngswor ki ng, Ast hec oolbr eezepas s esbyi tc omf or t sme. Ev er yt hi ngi speac ef ulouther et oday, Iwal kar ounds i ppi ngmyc upoft ea Wonder i ngwhatI ' l ldoon t hi sf i neday. Shal lIbi kear oundorgot ot hemal l ? Whatt odot oday:s omanyc hoi c es , Il ookdown,andIs eeal lt hi ngss os mal l I n myheadIt houghtIhear ds omev oi c es , Buti twasj us tmymom c al l i ngmei ns i de Ihadt ogetr eadyt ot akear i de.

J ohn Mat t i ol a,‘ 23 “ A Br i dge”

PORTRAITOFA PORTRAITIST Wi l l i am Du,2024

On t heni ghtbef or eyouri nc ept i on, eac hs oundi sabi df orat t ent i on, knowi ngt hats omedayyou’ l lbel egi bl e: Cher i s ht hi sni ght ,Is ayt oyou.Bot t i c el l i i smyf av or i t epai nt er ,andoneday I ’ l lbeabl et ot ouc h hi spai ntand f eelhi sbr us hs t r okes .Thepr i merf al l s wei ght l es son t hepage,dul l i ngt heedge ofyourhandsi nt heDut c ht wi l i ght . Var ni s hc at c hest heout l i neofmys hadow asdays t ar t st of ai lout s i det heapar t ment . You and me, l i ke t wo r el i c s of an anc i ent c i v i l i zat i on i nt hel i ghtt hatf al l sasi fi twer eoi l .Thegl ar e i ss t r ongenough t of i l t ers heet sandbl ur t heembos s i ngon t hec ei l i ng,as eaml es ss ea ofbl ac ki n yourgl i t t er i nggal axyr at hert han i r i s . Thes ef l ower sar oundt her i m oft hepai nt i ng ar es os har pt heys eem nott obei nt heedgi ngs ; t heywr apt hems el v esi n bl anket st i s s uet hi n, f abr i c s t r ong,r eds ,deepandv ampi r i s h. Poi s edbet ween t hedi s t i nc t i on oft hef or ms andt her epet i t i on ofl i ght ,ev er ypoi ntatwhi c h ours i ghtc ut st hr ough s pac edi v er ges f r om t hec ont our .Thel i nesofyours hadow ar edr awn s odel i c at el yt heys eem t oar c h ac r os st her ai nboweds ur f ac eoft hef r ame, 53

l eav i ngnot hi ngbutmagnet i cf auxpas i nt hebl azeofyourl i ght .Undert he r os e' sdus t ybl oom,t hewi ndow ofFl or enc e andl i ghtdr opl i keagui l l ot i ne’ sbl ade. Thef l ambeauxf l ar ei nt hes udden ni ghtwi nd ev oki ngt hes of t erhuesofs uns et . Per hapsi ti sbet t ert ol i v ewi t ht hei ns c r ut abl e t han t odes t r oyt hemys t er y,apor t r ai t ofayounggi r lwi t h apear lear r i ngc aught i nt heac tofi nhal i ngabouquetofr os es , mov i ngwi t ht hel i ghtt hati satt hes amet i me, al i v e,t hegi r l ’ sv i s i on andpai nt er ’ s c ons c i ous nes sc onv er gi ngi nt oone.

CLOCKWORK( III) Henr yWi l l i ams on,2026

When whati sbehi nds t ar t st o Bi l l ow,hi sgear sbegi nt or us t . Ther ei ss omuc hl ef tbehi ndhi m, Hi sdr eamshav el os tt hei rhol d. Ambi t i on wor ksaman l i keac l oc k, Onepot ent i alt i c katat i me. Hei sboundt oaf i xeds c hedul e, An hour gl as sbur ni ngt i me. When t hes andofaman r unsdr y, Andt her ei sal i f et i mel ef tt odo, A man wi l ldamn hi sc hoi c es , Forhi sdr eamsdi dnots hi net hr ough.

J ac kHar l ey,‘ 24 “ HandsWi t h Wat c h”

PaulQuens e,‘ 24 “ DearJ oanne”

POEM FORAFAMILY MEMBER J ac ob Gor don 2028

Myf at her ,myi ns pi r at i on Theman Is t r i v et obe, Ashedoeswhathedoes Iwat c hc l os el y.Ihear Thedeeps c r at c h ofhi sv oi c e.I t Comf or t smeev er yt i meIheari t . AsIt r yt of ol l ow i n hi sf oot s t eps If al ldown ev er yt i mewhi l e Exami ni ngev er ys t epal ongt heway. But ,Igetupandkeept r yi ng. Tr yi ngt omat c h whathedoesper f ec t l y Bec aus eIwon’ ts t op‘ t i l lIgeti tr i ght .

PROSE

,WHENIGO GHT “EACHNI HE E.ANDT OSLEEP,IDI T NG,WHENI NEXTMORNI ” WAKEUP,IAM REBORN. -Gandhi

THEPEN

Adr i an Pi er r e,2023 Thepen hadn' tbeen wor t hs t eal i ng. Ihad j us twant ed t he money,butt hatgol den gl i nthadc aughtmyeye,andi nmynai v et y,Ihad gr abbed i t .Now,Iam nots ur e how l ong Iwi l l l as t . I ' v e been on t he r un f orf ourdays now.Poor mot her . Poor f at her .I ' m s ur e t hey' v e been s ear c hi ng f orme,butI ' m af r ai d my par ent smay nev erf i nd me.Atl eas tnotbef or et hey do.The onl ypos i t i v et hi ngwast hatt hepen wor ked. Thef i r s tni ght ,Ihad s t ayed i n an al l eywayof f t he mai n s t r eet ,t hi nki ng t he dar knes s woul d pr ot ec t me. But t hos e t hi ngs wer e dar knes s i nc ar nat e,f eedi ngof ft hef eart hatemanat edf r om ev er yf ac etofmybody.Fi f t een mi nut eswashow l ongIl as t ed. Thes ec ond ni ght ,It houghtIhad f ound s ol ac e underabr i dge,butt heyr an l i ket her i v erbes i de me.Rapi d wav es ofi ns t ant anni hi l at i on,r ac i ng t owar dmeasagi l east hewat er .Tenmi nut eswas how l ongIl as t ed. The t hi r d ni ght ,It houghtt he r oof t op oft he r es t aur antwoul ds us t ai nme,butt heywer eashot ast heov ens ,l i ght i ngf i r esbeneat h myf eet .Eac h s t ep away f r om t hem f el tl i ke s ear i ng kni v es s hoot i ngt hr ough mys ol es .Fi v emi nut eswashow l ongIl as t ed. Il ear nedt het r ut ht oni ght :Ihadt akenf arwor s e t hanapen.Not hi ngwoul dquenc ht hei ri ns at i abl e des i r es .Ir et i r edt ot hedar knes s ,c l ut c hi ngt he

c ur s edpenwi t hwhi c hInow wr i t et heghos tofmy emot i ons .Maybes omeonewi s ert hanmewi l lf i nd t hi sandl eav et hepenal one.Onemi nut ewashow l ongIl as t ed.

J ac kGr bi c ,‘ 24 “ Ps yc hedel i cHous e”

EVERYTHINGAND NOTHING Emer s on Lee,2023

Ibegi nt hi sent r ywi t h an or c hes t r ai n mymi nd, and I am t he c onduc t or .I am God bec aus eI c ont r olt hi ss ent i enc eofmi ne,buti ti s n’ tf ul l yi n my c ont r ol ,s o Igues st hat woul d make me a power l es s God.Iam an obs er v er ,and Il ov et o obs er v e,but Ic an dr aw c onc l us i ons wi t ht hes e obs er v at i ons .Forexampl e,Iam t headj udi c at ori n al lt hi ngsdar k and l i ght .The pi er c i ng l i ght nes s , t he oppr es s i v e dar knes s . I am t he adj udi c at or . Al s o,Iam t he c ent eroft he s eas ons ,If eelt he c ol don myar ms ,on al loft hehai r son mybody. Buti ti s war m,and t he c r i c ket sc hi r p,and t he s t ar sdott hedar kandl i ghtandempt ys ky.If eel c hi l l sbuti ns i deIam war m.Iam ev er ywher e,and ev er yt hi ng,butIam j us tas mal lmi ndi ns i det hi s f r ai lbody ofmi ne.When Ic l os e my eyes ,If eel t heev er yt hi ngnes sofev er yt hi ngandi tov er whel ms me.Thes oundsf l oodmyear sandt heai rgr absat my l i mbs .Buther e,Iam t he c onduc t oroft he mus i ci nmymi nd.Ic anf eelev er ys hi mmeri nt he mus i c .Themus i ci sundul at i ngandpul s at i ng;i t ’ s al i v e.I ti swhatal lt hi ngss houl dbe,i deal l y.Al i v e, but unobs er v abl e. Somet hi ng t hat c an onl y be c ons umed and per c ei v ed i ni t st r ues tf or m.The mus i cf i l l s my ear s ,f i l l s my mi nd,i t ss onor ous not es ,wav est hatexc i t eme;t heynes t l eupagai ns t t hef ol dsofmybr ai n;notabr ai ns c r at c h,buta br ai n mas s age.Ev en now Iwr i t et hi sent r y wi t h myeyesc l os ed.Thewor dspouroutandt hemus i c di c t at esi tal l .Per hapst hi si swhatt heaut horof 64

Per hapst hi si swhatt he aut horoft he bi bl ef el t when he f el t“di v i ne i ns pi r at i on. ”Iam near l yi n t ear snow bec aus eoft hebeaut yofmus i cbutmy c l os ed eyes won' tal l ow t he t ear st of al lout .A par oxys m ofc hi l l sand goos ebumpsast he wav es s t r i ke my eardr ums ,pl ayi ng t hei rf i ne t une and s endi ngs hudder sdown mys pi ne.

PaulQuens e,‘ 24 “ Hal l oween”

ARIFT;AGAME; ENTROPY Emer s on Lee,2023

Ther ei saChr i s t mast r ee,and i t ’ ss mal l ,and i t ’ s ar t i f i c i al , and i t ’ sc ov er ed wi t hal ot of l i t t l e or nament s , and many of t he or nament s ar e homemade.Ther ei saf ami l y,and t hes on want s t ot akedownt het r eeass oonaspos s i bl e,andt he daught erwant st or ec l i neont hec ouc handwat c h t he ot her st ake down t he t r ee,and t he mot her want st ot akedown t het r eet oget herasaf ami l y, and t he f at her i s not home.I t ’ s not s nowi ng out s i de,i t ’ sj us t gr ay.Peopl ej us t ent er ed t he home;i t ’ st he f at her and hi sf r i ends .They ar e appar ent l y f r i ends of t he whol e f ami l y, but s omehow i tdoes n’ ts eem t hatway,andt hef at her i sal wayswar merwhen he’ sar oundt hem anyway. The mot herhad s ai ds o ear l i ert hatt he f emal e f r i end was a gr eatmot her l yf i gur e,and a gr eat woman t oo.Thewhol ef ami l yl ov esdogs ,s ot hey s c ur r yt ot he l i t t l e pup t hatt he f r i endsbr ought wi t ht hem.Dogs ar es uc h af unny l i t t l et hi ng, s omet i mes .Thes on does n’ tgobec aus ehei ss i c k ofev er yt hi ng.Hei ss i c kofl i f e,andhe’ sc r as hi ng f r om s omepr i orel at i on,andhewant st obeal one, orwi t hf r i ends ,he does n’ tr eal l y know.The s on di s as s embl est he t r ee al one.When he i sput t i ng t hear t i f i c i alpar t sbac ki nt ot hebi gbr ownbox,he i sc ar ef ulnott o bend t he pi ec esbec aus e maybe t hey’ l lbeus edagai nnextyear ,but ,ohwai t ,t hey 67

pr obabl y won’ tbe us ed agai n nextyear ,s oj us t c r am t hem i n,i tdoes n’ tev en mat t er .The s i s t er wal ksi n ands eeswhathashappened,ands he c r amst hebot t om par toft het r eei nt ot heboxas wel l .I ’ l lwr i t eabouti t ,t hes ont hi nks ,andI ’ l lus e al otofs ymbol i s m,al lt he t hi ngst hatki dsl i ke nowadays .I ’ l lmakei tc r ypt i c ,butr ealgood,and who knows ,maybet hepi ec ewi l lbet heGr eat es t Thi ng Ev er .Ah,i t ’ si n moment sl i ke t hes e when t he s on r eal l yt hr i v es , when he has a eur eka momentand knowswhathe hast o do.I t ’ sl i ke t hos es i xt h mont hv i l l ai n ar c s ,onl yt hi st i mei t ’ s happeni ng t o hi m,and i t ’ sr eal ,and i t ’ ss or eal t hati tc annotpos s i bl y be r eal ,onl yi ti s .Wel l , r eal i t yi sr eal i t y,and I ’ m a par tofi t ,t he s on t hi nks .I sheev enas on?Ori sheamanwhoal s o happenst obeas on,ormaybehewasas onl ong ago and now he hol ds ont ot hatt i t l e wi t ht he l ongi ngnes s of a c hi l d. But he i s n’ ta c hi l d anymor e,he’ saman,andnow he’ sgott os how i t . Heknowshe’ st hec l ev erj es t eroft hi sgame,but hef eel sunc omf or t abl ewhenev erhehast hes pac e t ot hi nkaboutt hes i t uat i on. The s i s t er s eques t er s her s el fi n her r oom,t he mot hers hopsf orgr oc er i es ,t hef at herwat c hesTV, and t he man l ooks t owar dt he dar k out s i de. Somewher edowns t ai r s ,t heChr i s t mast r eei sbei ng bentoutofs hape.

THEWOODSWATCH J us t i n Sl abaugh,2023

“Bef or e me l i es not hi ng,no hope,nor l i f e or dr eams An endl es sbar r en was t e,a v ac uum ofangui s hed s c r eams Behi nd mei nt hedar kwood Iheart hewhi s per s ofni ght mar esanddaydr eams ” Fes t us ander s on SNAP! The dat ei sJ une 13t h, 1972. The Wat er gat e Sc andali saboutt ooc c ur ,t heDal l asCowboysj us t won t heSuper Bowl ,andTheGodFat heri son t he t op oft he mov i ec har t s .The wor l di sc ons t ant l y ev ol v i ng,mov i ng,s hi f t i ng.Ther ei ss omuc hc haos , c or r upt nes s ,and c r uel t y.Ther e’ s onl y one t hi ng t hat ’ s nev er c hanged.The s t r uggl e of l i f e and deat h. SNAP! That ’ st het hi ngaboutbei ngi nt hewoods .The c yc l eofl i f eanddeat hf ormos ti sdi s t ur bi ng,but f or me i t has s ome s ens e of t r anqui l i t y, or s i mpl i c i t y.The bi g pi c t ur ei ss omet hi ng whi c h manypeopl el ac k,yetl i f ei nt hewoodsonl yhasa pi c t ur e.Maybet hat ’ swhyI ’ m addi c t edt oi t .Li ke a dr ug addi c tt aki ng t hatf i r s thi t ,t he woodsl et mybr ai nr el axanddet ac h. 69

Mynamei sSal em Or v ar .I ’ m at ownout c as t ,Il i v e wi t hmyaunt ,andIonl yhav eonehobby:nat ur e. Al land al lI ’ mj us tyourt ypi c alwas hed up s mal l t own guy.I do hav e one t hi ng goi ng f or me t hough;Ir i de my own wav e.I tj us ts o happens t hat ot her peopl e don’ t par t i c ul ar l y l i ke my s ur f i ng.It r ynott opayat t ent i on t ot hem. SNAP! I ’ v e wor ked i n and ar ound t he woodsofnor t h J er s eyf oryear s .Saf et os ayIknow wher et ogeta good bagel .If i nd wor kt hr ough myc onnec t i ons ; one oft he f ew per ksoft he s mal lt own l i f e.My newes tas s i gnmenti st o bui l d a pat hf ora new t r ai ls ys t em j us tof foft henot or i ousCl i nt onRoad, whi c hi swher eI ’ m atr i ghtnow.I t ’ ss uppos edt o beanat t r ac t i onf ort het hr i l ls eeker st oboos tt he t own’ s ec onomy or s omet hi ng s t upi dl i ke t hat . Tr us tme,t hes eNew Yor kt our i s t sar ej us tgoi ng t obel eav i ngt r as hev er ywher e.Ei t herway,Cl i nt on Roadi sc ons i der edoneoft hemos thaunt edr oads i nAmer i c a,butIdon’ tbel i ev ei nt hatc r ap.Thos e ghos tt r uc ker s ,dead gi r l s ,and pagan t empl esar e al lj us tf abr i c at ed s t or i est o keep ki dsoutoft he woodsatni ght . SNAP! Thet r eess ur r oundi ngmear emos t l ypi ne,wi t h af ew oaks her e and t her e.They ar e al lpac ked t oget hers ot i ght l y,yetl i kean xr aymyeyesc an s eer i ghtt hr ough t hem al l .I fyouwer et ol ooki n 70

anygi v endi r ec t i onyouc oul ds eehundr edsoff eet away, t hough t her e’ s al ways t hat f eel i ng t hat s omet hi ng i s goi ng t oj ump outf r om behi nd a t r ee.Thegr ound i sal mos tc ompl et el yc ov er ed i n needl es ,r ot t ed wood, and di r t y r oc ks . The t emper at ur ei sc ool ,maybear ound65degr ees .I t ’ s ov er c as tasi tus ual l yi s ,butt hatdoes n’ tmat t er muc h.Thes unl i ghts t r uggl est or eac ht hegr ound anyways .Dot hewoodss eem mal ev ol entatni ght ? Yes .Ar et her emons t er si nt hewoods ?No.I si ta beaut i f ulf or es t ?Dependson whoyouas k. SNAP! J us tac oupl emor es t i c kst henIc angett hi sf i r e goi ng,It hi nkt omys el f .I t ’ sal mos tdar k,s omaybe c hec ki ngwher eI ’ m atwoul dbeagoodi dea.Af t er l i ght i ng t he f i r e,Il ook down at t he map.I ’ m about5mi l esi nt ot hewoods ,j us tc omi ngup on t hes pl i twher eIbegi nt her ealwor k.I ’ v ebr ought wi t hmej us tt henec es s i t i esf ort hi st r i p.Sl eepi ng bag,f i r es t ar t i ngki t ,f ood,wat er ,akni f e,and al l t he c l ot hesand j ac ket sIneed f ort he nextf ew days .I ’ m abi gadv oc at ef ornot entwhen you go c ampi ng.ThewayIs eei t ,i fyou’ r eoutundert he s t ar s ,whynotl ookatt hem?Sur e,i tmayl eav eme al i t t l emor ev ul ner abl et o bear sand c r i t t er s ,but t heymeannohar m.Theyar ej us tl ooki ngt okeep upwi t ht hec yc l eandnots t ar v e. The nextmor ni ng Iwake up wi t ht he s unl i ght j us tbar el y br eaki ng on my eyes .I tf eel sl i ke a goodni ght ’ sr es t ,not hi ngwokemeup,t hes t ar s 71

wer e br i ght ,and my l eafmat t r es swasni c e and s of t .Is i tupandt ooki nt hemor ni ngbeaut y.The f i r s tt hi ngInot i c ei st hef i r e.I thad bur ned out , whi c hi sal i t t l eunus ual .Maybet hemor ni ngdew got i t .Al l my t ool s ar e neat l y pl ac ed on t he gr ound about5 f eett o myr i ght ,and t hekni f eI al wayss l eepwi t hi ss af el ypl ac edundermypi l l ow. Af t era f ew hour s ofl i ghthi ki ng t hr ough t he mor ni ngwoods ,If i nal l ys aw i t .Rav enRoc ki sone oft hebes tknownl andmar ksi nt hewoodsar ound Cl i nt on Road.I ti smas s i v e,maybe 20f tt al land 10f twi de,wi t h adi s t i ngui s habl ebeakpoki ngout f r om t hemi ds ec t i on.Ther oc ki sc ov er edi nl ayer s of mos s , wi t ht he i nner par ts t ar t i ng t o di e, pr obabl ybec aus ei t ’ ss t ar v edofs unl i ght .Thi sr oc k s i gni f i est hemomentIgoof ft r ai landv oyagei nt o t he unknown, of ft he map, and out i nt ot he dar knes s .Al lIhav et ogui demys el fi sac ompas s , ar ough map,t hes un and t hes t ar s .I ’ m exc i t ed, r eady t o expl or el and wher e no human hasbeen bef or e.I ’ l lbeoutt her eal lal one;i t ’ sgoi ngt obe awes ome.Ipl an t ous eabot t l eofs pr aypai ntt o mar keac ht r eeIpas s .Af t eral l ,Iam s uppos edt o bemaki ngat r ai l . Af ew hour si nt ot he unknown f or es t ,Ic ome ac r os sanoddl ooki ngt r ee.I ’ m nots ur ewhati ti s , buti tj us tl ookss o dead.Li ke a s pi derweb t he br anc hes s eem t o go of fi nt o ev er y di r ec t i on at r andom.The dar k,dar k bar kt hatwant st os uc k t hes ouloutofwhat ev erc omesnear .A f ootort wo upt het r eet her e’ ss omes or tofmar ki ng.I ti sodd, wi t h aper f ec tc i r c l eands ev er aldi f f er ent 72

ani mal si ni t .The t op hal foft he c i r c l e and t he ani mal si ni t ar e engr av ed i n, wi t ht he wood under neat hs t ayi ngbr i ght ,as l i ght l yof fwhi t e.The bot t om hal fi sbur nti n,a deep,dar k bl ac k.The ani mal sar edi f f er entgameandpr edat or s .Whati s t hat ?Il ookc l os eri nt ot hedar k,l owers ec t i on of t he mar ki ng.I tl ooksal mos tl i ke a human s t i c k f i gur e,s omet hi ngac hi l d woul d dr aw i nt hei rar t c l as s .Whatt hehel l ?!A c ol ds hudderwentdown my s pi ne, r eac hi ng ev er y ner v e endi ng as t he t houghtc ame t o me.I ’ m notal one outher e.I dec i de t o make s ome di s t anc e bet ween t he t r ee andme. SNAP! Iwhi p myhead ar ound.Whatwast hat ?A c ol d s weatf al l sf r om my f or ehead c r awl i ng down my f ac et owar ds my mout h. Looki ng of fi nt ot he woods not hi ng s eems s us pi c i ous .Il ook t hr ough t het r ees ,hundr edsoff eeti n.Thef eel i ngofbei ng wat c hed i ss t r ong.Af t eraf ew s ec onds ,Is t ar tt o l ookatt het r eesc l os ert ome,s c anni ngeac h one bot t om t ot op.Myeyess et t l eonat r eeaf ew f eet f r om wher e I am s t andi ng. I tl ooks l i ke an ev er ydaynor malpi neunt i lIs eet hes amemar ki ng I had s een ear l i er .The s ame c i r c l e,t he s ame ani mal s ,t hes amebur ntbot t om.Igot t agetoutof her e;NOW! Thatni ght ,Is et t l edown t o makes omedi nner . Whenev erIgo outon t hes et r i ps ,Ial waysmake bas ement c ookedmeal sandf r eezet hem.I t ’ sal ot eas i ert oheats omet hi ngupt han i ti st omakei t 73

f r om s c r at c h.Toni ghti saf r i edr i c eki ndofni ght , It hi nkt omys el f .Thankf ul l ymypac ki sf i l l edwi t h ev er yt hi ng Ineed t o makeaf i r e,s omel i ntf r om myl aundr y,dr ywood Ihad been c ol l ec t i ng,and, wel l ,t hat ’ s about al l you need! I l i tt he f i r e ef f or t l es s l y,t he l ar ge,3f ootf l ameswar mi ng my f ac e. The s ens e of c omf or t and danger l i v i ng t oget heri nt hef l ame.Taki ngoutmyf r i ed r i c e,I not i c ei t does n’ ts mel las muc h as i t nor mal l y does .Idon’ tt hi nkmuc h ofi tand puti ton t he f i r et owar m up. Af ew moment sl at er ,t het i nf oi lbowls t ar t st o br own,meani ngmyf oodi sr eady.Gr eedl y,Is wi pe t he bowland pl ac ei ti n my l ap.It ake a deep i nhal e,get t i ngr eadyt oenj oyev er yl as tmor s elof r i c e Ic an getf r om t he appet i zi ng f ood.Onl yI c an’ ts mel lanyt hi ng. Whati sgoi ngon? MaybeIhav eas t uf f ynos e?Am Iget t i ngs i c k? Ibegi nt opani cal i t t l e.Thel as tt hi ngyouwant onabi gt r i pl i ket hi si st obes i c k.Idec i det oj us t t as t et es tt hef ood.No t as t e.No f l av or .Not hi ng. I ti sl i keeat i ngai r . THUMP!THUMP!THUMP!THUMP!THUMP! Iwhi pmyheadar ound,t hebonespoppi ngaf t er ev er ydegr eeofr ot at i on.Whatt hei st hat ?Il ook al lar oundme,t hedeepdar kbl ac ks mot her i ngany i nt ent i on Ihadt ol ooki nt ot he 74

di s t anc e. I si t a bear ? Deer ? Suddenl y Is ee s omet hi ng appear i nt he dar knes s .I ti s huge, mas s i v e.Idon’ thav et hewor dst o des c r i bei t .I t made my body s hi v er ,i t s mal i c i ous i nt ent c onv eyedt hr ough i t sangr ymov ementt owar dme. Il oc keyeswi t ht hebeas t ,oratl eas twhatIt hi nk ar ei t seyes . AHH! I nas pl i ts ec ond,Il ooks t r ai ghtdownatt hef i r e, br eaki ng my gaze wi t ht he beas t .Ihad s t epped r i ght ont oi t .Li ke a t s unami ,t he f ear of not knowi ngwher et hatt hi ngi sc amet omei nas pl i t s ec ond and Iwhi p my head bac k up.I ti sgone. Nowher et obes een.Ibegi nt opani c ,wher edi di t go?Wher edi di tgo?WHERE DI DI T GO?Ihav e t o get out ofher e.Iqui c kl y begi n pac ki ng up ev er yt hi ng I br ought . The adr enal i ne pumpi ng t hr ough my body qui c keni ng my mov ement sand t ens i ng mymus c l es .Iam s os c ar ed,notwant i ng t ot ur n mybac kt oanyt hi ng, If r ant i c al l ys pi n, c hangi ngmyl i neofs i ghtc ons t ant l y.Ipaus ef ora moment .Ic an’ tl eav e,hi ki ng t hr ough t he woods atni ghti sadeat ht r ap,es pec i al l ywi t ht hatt hi ng r unni ng ar ound. I s i t down next t o my f i r e, c l ut c hi ng t he one def ens i v et ool I hav e, my f i nger s i zed poc ketkni f e,and wi t ht ear sr unni ng downmyf ac eIs t ayet her ekeepi ngwat c h,wai t i ng f ort hebeas tt oc ol l ec t . Nextt hi ng Iknow,i ti smor ni ng,t he s un j us t peeki ngov ert hehor i zon.Imus t ’ v ef al l en as l eep. I nt hehazeoft hemor ni ng,Iam moment ar i l y 75

c onf us ed aboutwhati s goi ng on.Wher e am I ? Then i thi t sme l i ke a s emi t r uc k,t he ev ent sof l as tni ghtunf ol di ngi n myheadpi ec eaf t erpi ec e. Ibegi nt ol ookar ound,hunt i ngf oranys i gnofi t . Whatwast hatt hi ng? I tl ookedl i keabear ,i twaspr obabl yabear . No,t oobi gt obeabear . Moos e? No,noti n New J er s ey. What ev eri twas ,i t ' sgonenow. Ir eal l y wantt oj us thi ke bac kt o my c arand headhome.Ir eal l ywantt o.Ic an’ tt hough,Ic an’ t j us tabandon a j ob asbi g ast hi sone.Wi t h my aunti nt hehos pi t alIneed t hemoneyt opayf or herki dneyt r ans pl ant .I fs hedi esIwon' tbeabl e t os t ay i n herhous e anymor e.Cal lme s el f i s h,I don’ tc ar e.I nt heendI ’ m doi ngt hi sf orher .Pl us , t he c hanc e oft hat …t hi ng…c omi ng bac ki ss uper l ow.Typi c al l y,when an ani mals eesaf i r eorget s s pooked,t heynev erc omebac k.Nev er . Ic ont i nue t r ekki ng i nt ot he woods ,maki ng my t r ai lonet r eeatat i me.Thel ar ger oc kf or mat i ons on t hef or es tf l oorar es pec t ac ul ar .Roc kst hes i ze ofhomes ,t r eest hedeepes ts hadeofbr own you’ l l ev ers ee,and t he unt ouc hed wi l dl i f ei sa t r eat . Wel l ,maybenotunt ouc hed.Ev en t hough I 76

c an’ ts mel lt hef l ower s ,t hev i br antc ol or sar es t i l l amazi ng.Thi si sgoi ngt obet hebes tt r ai lI ’ v eev er made.Then agai n,ev er yt r ai li st hebes toneI ’ v e ev ermade. That moment of happi nes ss oon depar t st hat ni ght as I s et t l e bac ki nt o my s l eepi ng bag, enj oyi ngt het hought st hatar epour i ngt hr oughmy head. Ev er yt hi ng i s amazi ng, t he wi l der nes si s heal t hy,t he ai rc l ean and c r i s p.If eell i ke Iam f l oat i ng,mykneepai ns uddenl ydi s appear i ng.The t hi ngi ss t i l li nt hebac kofmymi nd,butIdec i de i ti snot hi ng t o wor r y aboutanymor e.Igr ab my poc ketkni f e,whynotc ar v eal i t t l e?Iopen i tup, t he r ough s i de f eel i ng ext r as moot h.Wi t h my s moot hs t r okes ,I am c ar v i ng out a l i t t l e bear s t at ue.I ’ m notmaki ngi tf oranyonei npar t i c ul ar , j us tmaki ngi tt omakei t .That ' swhenIs eeal i t t l e dr i bbl eofbl oodl andon t hewood. Wher edi dt hatc omef r om?Ias kmys el f . Looki ng ar ound t her ei s not hi ng but t he c ol d dar knes ss ur r oundi ngme.St ar i ngof fdeepi nt ot he woodsIc an j us tbar el ys eet heout l i nesoft r ees . Somet hi ngs eemsof f .I tf eel sast hought hef or es t i sl ooki ngbac katmeagai n,s t ar i ngdeepi nt omy eyes ,as ki ng me t oc ome t oi t .I bl i nk.Har d. Snappi ng outoft he t r anc e Il ook down atmy c ar v i ng,s eei ngt hatt hebl ood i sc omi ngf r om my f i nger . How hadInotf el tt hat ? 77

Ic l ean up t hewound,f i r s taddr es s i ng t hebl ood, t hen t he c uti t s el f .Car ef ul l y wr appi ng i tt os t op t hebl eedi ng.I ti sawei r dexper i enc e.Iknow Iam i nj ur ed,Iknow i ts houl dhur t ,yetIf eelnot hi ng. Ev en when Ipeelt he exc es ss ki n of f ,t her ei s not hi ng.I tt akesmeawhi l et odr es st hec ut ,but Iev ent ual l ygeti tl ooki ngs omewhatc or r ec t .The l as tt hi ngIneed i st o geti nf ec t ed bymys el fout her e. THUMP!THUMP!THUMP!THUMP!THUMP! Iwhi pmyheadar ound. “WHERE ARE YOU?” Is c r eam,t he v oc alc or ds v i br at i ngt hr ough mywhol ebody. Foc us i ng on t he di s t anc e Iee s omet hi ng.I ti s t her e.I tpaus esf oras ec ondandj us tl ooksatme, ac ol d dead s t ar e.I ti sf as t .Real l yf as t .I tr uns t hr ough s ome t r ee br anc hesaway f r om me.I nt o t hedar knes s .Ar oundar oc k.Iam s t uc ks t ar i ngat t he r oc k.Imus t ’ v e been s t ar i ng f or5 mi nut es , wai t i ng f ort he beas tt o appearagai n.I ti sBi g. Real l yBi g.Myhear ti st humpi ngoutofmyc hes t . Is t udyt hebeas tbef or ei tdi s appear s .Is eewhat l ooked l i kel egs ,no ar msc omi ngoutofi t sl ower hal f .I thashandl i ket hi ngson t heendofi t .The mas s i v emi ds ec t i on boas t san odd s hape.Iwant t ot hr ow up.Ibendov er ,v omi tnear i ngmymout h. Dr i p.Dr i p.Dr i p. 78

Bl ood.Somuc hbl ood.I ti sl i keawat er f al l .It ake my c hr ome pan and a f l as hl i ght ,hol di ng i tj us t ov ermyr i ghts houl der .Mybac k,orwhati sl ef tof i ti sr ed.Somuc hr ed.Mybac kl ooksl i keadead t r ee t hat was at t ac ked by a dul lc hai ns aw,not c l ean c ut sbutv i ol ent ,r agged c ut s .Fl apsofs ki n and r aw f l es h hangi ng of f me l i ke a dec r epi t Chr i s t mast r eeor nament . Oh God.Oh God.Oh God.Oh God. Thought sar er ac i ngt hr ough myhead. Am Igoi ngt odi e?Whathappened?I st hi sr eal ? Whatwast hatt hi ng? If r ant i c al l yputont hes par es hi r t sIhadpac ked t ot r yt os t op t he bl eedi ng,t he s pl i ts ec ond of bl i ndnes swhi l eput t i ng on eac hs hi r tf eel i ng l i ke an et er ni t y. Ineedt ogetoutofher e.Sc r ew mypac k. Igr ab onl y whatIneed.A f l as hl i ght ,my c ar keys ,and my kni f e.Iam goi ng t o makea br eak f or i t .Who knows how l ong I ’ l ll as t wi t ht he amountofbl oodc omi ngoutofmybac k. Di dt hatt hi ng s neakup on me?How di d Inot f eeli t ? I am s c ar ed. So s c ar ed. The power of f r i ght c hur ni ngmyl egs .Ihav ebeen r unni ngf oral mos t 79

hal fan hournow,t hef r i c t i on andr ubbi ngon my bac kf r om t he s hi r t sc aus i ng mor e bl eedi ng,but notas i ngl es hr edofpai n. Ineedt os t op,now. No!Don’ ts t op. INEED t o! I twi l lgetyou! The dev i lon my s houl derwi ns .Is t op.For5 s ec ondst her ei snot hi ng ar ound mebutpeac ef ul dar knes s ,my f l as hl i ghtgi v i ng a l i mi t ed s i ght l i ne i nt ot hedar knes s . THUMP!THUMP!THUMP!THUMP!THUMP! Iwhi pt he f l as hl i ghtar ound,f r ant i c al l yl ooki ng f ort hebeas t . THUMP!THUMP!THUMP!THUMP!THUMP! “Wher ear eyou! ”Ihol l eri nt ot hedar knes s . THUMP!THUMP!Thump. I tmus t ’ v es t opped,It hi nkt omys el f . My br eat hi ng i sheav y,Ihearev er y br eat h and ev er ybeatofmyhear t .Ihears omel eav esr us t l i ng. Imov ebac kwar ds ,t hec r us hedl eav es 80

Is i tdown,wai t i ng f ort hemons t ert oc omet o me.Iknow what i sc omi ng next .Smel l ,t as t e, t ouc h,hear i ng,t hen s i ght .Ic l os e my eyesf ora s ec ondi magi ni ngwhati twoul dbel i ket odi el i ke t hat ,notev en bei ng abl et ol ook att hes t ar s .I t s endsas hi v erdown mybac k. No,It hi nkt omys el f .Notl i ket hi s . Is t and up.Thi st hi ng want sme t o gi v ei n,t o qui tf i ght i ng.Ibegi nt hi nki ngaboutmyf ut ur e,al l t hepeopl eIhadhel ped,t hepeopl eImades mi l e. Idon’ tdes er v et hi s . Il ookatt hes t ar s ,angr y.I ft hi st hi ng want sa f i ght ,i t ’ sgoi ngt ogetaf i ght .Ipul loutmykni f e and s t ar tt or un agai n,t hi st i me my ac hi ng l egs l eav i ngmymi nd.Thebl oodhadal lbuts t oppedon mybac k. I ’ v er un mar at honsi nt hepas t ,Ic an makei t . Runni ng t hr ough t he dar knes si ti shar dt os ee t het r eesIhadmar kedof f .Themar ki ngsar el ar ge, buts t i l lal mos ti mpos s i bl et os eei nt hedar knes s . Is t opf oramoment ,c onf us ed. Iknow t hi spl ac e! I ti soneoft hef i r s tt r eesIhadmar ked,meani ng Ihav eatmos t5mor emi l est oc ov erunt i lIr eac h myc ar .Myl egsac he.If eelamazi ng,t he 82

mons t erhadn' ts howni t s el ff orawhi l enow.Il ook behi ndmeon t het r ai l .Myhear tdr ops .If eelt he bl ood r us h f r om my f ac e. The hor r or s hows t hr ought omyt ens edf ac emus c l es .Ibegi nt ot ear up.Down on t he t r ai lar et he s hoe mar ksIhad l ef t behi nd,and j us tt ot he s i de of t hem ar e mas s i v e,hor r endous ,r aggedpr i nt s . I ti st her e.I t ’ s been f ol l owi ng me.I t ’ s been behi ndmet hi swhol et i me! If eell i kec r yi ng.Cl os i ng myeyesIgo bac kt o t hes amepl ac eIhad gonebef or e.It hi nkoft he peopl eIhadmadehappy,t hos ewhoIhadhel ped. Igr i pmykni f e. MaybeIs houl dt r yt of i ghti t ?Can Iev en make i tt ot hec ar ? Ic an makei t . Iopen myeyes ,but ,dar knes s . No!No!No!No!No!No!No! If eell i keIam f l oat i ng.Iknow Iam s t andi ng, butam s odi s or i ent edIdon’ tknow whatt odo. I twon.Ihav enot hi ng,Idepr es s i ngl yt hi nk. Suddenl y,l i ke a s udden s l ap ac r os smy f ac e,I begi nt os mel ls omet hi ng.I ti ss weet ,no,s al t y.I t i smys weat .If eeli tdr i pdown t omymout h, 83

bei ng ac c ept ed bymyt ongue.Ibegi nt ol i c k my l i ps .Sal t y.Iam get t i ngmys ens esbac k! Hav eIki l l edi t ?I si tbor ed? Iheart hel eav esr us t l ebeneat h me.Is t i l lc an’ t s ee,butt hatmus tbec omi ng. THUMP!THUMP!THUMP!THUMP!THUMP! “No! ”Is c r eam. Thes oundi sev er ywher e,al lar oundme.Ibegi n r unni ngi nr andom di r ec t i ons .Is eenot hi ng,butI c an hear i t .I ti ss t andi ng ov er me.If eelt he s t r ongc l as poft hebeas tasi tl i f t smei nt ot heai r . I thasme. My hear t pounds f ur i ous l y. My t hought s ar e ev er ywher e, my l egs dangl i ng l i ke an i nf ant . Suddenl y,Iam bac kt ot he wei ght l es s nes s ,t he f l oat i ngi n myown mi nd. Am Idead? If eelas l i ghtpr es s ur ei n mybac k.If eelt i r ed, s os ot i r ed.Ic l os emyeyes .Thedar knes sIf ai l ed t of ear f i nal l yt aki ng me ov er , abs or bi ng me, pul l i ng me i n c l os er and c l os er unt i l I hav e not hi ngl ef t . Idon' twantt odi e,Ic r yt omys el f ,t hedar knes s f i nal l ywi nni ng. 84

Loui sFr i edr i c h,2024 “ I nt ot heDar knes s ”

Loui sFr i edr i c h,‘ 24 “ Nots oFun”