Issuu

Istoria Staff 2016

From left to right (front row); Nico Nitt, Shraddha Patel, Harlie Davis, Emily Metzger, (back row) Ms. Deschaine, Laura Metzger, Jenna Tederman, Nate Pierce, Ireland Currey, and Leyton Bruegman.

“Great stories happen to those who can tell them.”

-Ira Glass 2

Who We Are...

Leyton Bruegman

Layout & Tech Design Editor

Jenna Tederman

Nate Pierce

Art & Photography Co-Editor

Harlie Davis

Emily Metzger Art & Photography Co-Editor

Nico Nitt

Managing Editor

Head Editor of Copy Editing & Writer Relations

Copy Editing & Writer Relations Team

Ireland Currey

Shraddha Patel

Laura Metzger

Layout & Tech Design Team

Art & Photography Team

Copy Editing & Writer Relations Team

Editors Comments Dear Reader, The word istoria goes as far back as Ancient Greek, Latin, and Hebrew translations. In its alternate forms—istorya, estoria, estorie, estorya, historia, and storia—the word takes on the meanings of story, history, talk, social discussion, and even rumor, but for our purposes, the title Istoria was originally adopted as a representation of the stories we, the students of North Star, have to share. Originating from so many places and backgrounds, much like the word itself, we all have a piece of history to claim with our stories, and we all have a unique filter through which to tell them. In today’s technology-focused culture, “my story” has come to mean the compilation of photos, taglines, and short video clips from teenagers’ day to day lives that are erased from our feeds after a 24-hour period. Although these moments are fleeting, they are essential for representing who we are in a given moment. So by mirroring the app Snapchat, this year’s theme works to celebrate a merging of traditional and modern writing forms. We could not have completed the production of our magazine’s twelfth volume without the help of many close to us. First of all, we are very grateful for our teacher and leader, Maggie Deschaine. This year was full of new experiences and we are glad she could be a part of it. Our principal, Dr. Vann Price, and the English department chair, Lori Svatora are both always very supportive in our journey. We would like to thank Joette Kapke for continuing to inspire us from year to year, sharing stories of her life that motivate us to do the same. We will dearly miss her presence in the North Star hallways. Without the consistent push of students from Jessica Meyer and Ashley Turner, we would not have had the amount of writing submissions that we did. To Lynette Fast and the art department, thank you for your help in coordinating and suggesting artwork to include. To Christina Nevitt, thank you for always supporting us and offering us help at any time. Our staff is excited to present this year’s edition of Istoria, which highlights stories of origin, identity, love, loss, and hope. Enjoy reading!

Jenna Tederman, managing editor, Leyton Bruegman, layout & tech design editor, Harlie Davis, lead copy editor, Nate Pierce & Emily Metzger, art editors

Table of Contents 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 38 39 40 42 47 48 50 51 52 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 62 63 64 65

The Other Me.................................... Harlie Davis A World Left Behind.......................... Joe Reitz Lack of Empathy................................ Hanna Barnes An Unexpected Blessing.................... Myah Erickson The Dragon........................................Garrett Grunder Not the Plants & Animals..................Riley Kimbrough I Will Always......................................Paige Leary The Need to Share............................. Laura Metzger Oblivians and Outcasts......................Zach Wendling This and That.................................... Emily Espinoza Dear World.........................................Jihan Aljnabi The Last Words.................................. Brittany Pfoltner Rubix Cube........................................ Harlie Davis Adopted............................................. Alyssa Bowers Running Towards Danger.................. Trenton Collins In Remembrance for Jennetta........... Nico Nitt Isolated............................................. Lauren Archer Heartbreak.........................................Harlie Davis Be You............................................... Rebecca Slattery Prisoner of the Mind..........................Brody Flynn Baseball............................................. Alex Wesslund Endless Wedge...................................Tien Cu Unexpected........................................Alexis Belgum Our Phones, Our Drug....................... Maliya Moore My Story.............................................Trinity Cox On the Run........................................ Nora Husein The World We Are............................. Allen Duong Deserted............................................ Gabe Macfee Opening Up....................................... Allie Bender Silence............................................... Brieanna Kroeger Forsaken............................................ Ryan Lampe Technology........................................ Eze Asuoha Sleep..................................................Adrian Lamberti Uncapped Potential........................... Grant Francisco Seasons..............................................John Pham In My Dreams.................................... Andre Hull 11:11..................................................Kimberly Luis I Miss, I Could....................................Bailee Gunnerson Moments............................................Jaden Hilkemann The Fallen Ones.................................Danielle Lemons 10 Seconds.........................................Shraddha Patel Without Her.......................................Nico Nitt Relax in Confusion............................ Alex Taylor Freedom ............................................Maria Noriega Burger King Sonnet............................Wade Deist Raised By........................................... Mariah Twombly

#Writing

#Art

66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 80 82 83 84 85 86 88

Defining Success............................. Selena Nguyen The House....................................... Emily Metzger Galaxies Saved for Rainy Days........ Emma Smith Win the Game of Life...................... Austin Florentine Cherishing.......................................Maddy Koebernick The Tower........................................Avery Hemmerling Marooned........................................Leyten Morely I Don’t Love You............................. Harlie Davis My Love...........................................Maria Noriega Butterfly.......................................... Paige DeBrie Flying Away.....................................Frizabel Waki Its’s 3 a.m........................................Alexis Belgum Together..........................................Kassidy Huffman Broom Stick.....................................Ivie LeMond Give a Smile.....................................Thanh Nguyen Lady Morgan................................... Alexis Belgum Forever Yours.................................. Elicia Stone Carefree.......................................... Luke Pierce Behind the Mask............................. Mai Tran My Court......................................... Jenna Tederman

7 12 17 22 26 29 31 34 38 41 42 44 46 46 50 53 56 59 62 64 67 72 75 79 82 85 88

Distorted Mirror.............................. Shraddha Patel Perpetual Flashback........................ Sayed Torak Imagination.....................................Anthony Rebuck Maze............................................... Taylor Kvittem Light In the Dark............................ Leyton Bruegman Walking the Line............................ Laura Metzger Ballpark.......................................... Nate Pierce Tapered........................................... Emily Metzger Blue Love........................................ Alyssa Hoover Young Days..................................... Hakdad Abdul Basir Writing My Story............................. Leila Al-Aboudi Welcome to the Swamp...................Matthew Nguyen Ever After........................................ Chritian Beyer Jellyfish .......................................... Harlie Davis In Memory of Chritian Josue Perez. Leynah Perez Late Bloomer...................................Kasaria Robart Navy Pier.........................................Addie Hansen Matriarchal Beauty..........................Davyd Kokhanets Empty Stare.....................................Emily Metzger My Story.......................................... Sara Al-Yasseri A Moment of Peace......................... Jaci Tubbs Brave Soul....................................... Angel Lopez Field of Dreams............................... Addie Hansen Beloved........................................... Victoria Ewards In the Days Way Back......................Karen Tello Benson.............................................Bemnet Habtu Horizon Hearts................................Krista Hinrichs

The Other Me @Harlie_Davis

Lip syncing to every song whether I get the words or just hum along, taking random pictures of my boyfriend and posting selfies that never seem to end. This is what I choose for others to see but crazy enough, that’s not me. Why? You ask, because in a world like this we seem to look through a distorted lense without capturing the person who’s behind it all. It seems like a waste of time to see all the notes taken and homework nights that have lasted far too long or how my childhood and adulthood have began to entwine. Because in all reality they’d rather see the other me.

Distorted Mirror @Shraddha_Patel

A World Left Behind @Joe_Reitz

Leaving the Arcadia may not have been easy, but at least I got to leave that god-awful prison. Seriously, small time burglary doesn’t mean I deserve life in prison. I guess when my parents said, “Lewis, sharing is caring.” I’m pretty sure they didn’t mean to steal from the rich and give to the poor. Robin Hood was pathetic compared to what I can do, considering I just got off undetected from Arcadia, the utopia orbiting the moon. Since WWIV glassed most of the Earth, life became uninhabitable there. They kept filling our heads in school about how Earth turned desolate and we can’t go “Stop your escape cruiser, now! We will open fire if you do not comply!” boomed a loud voice. They’ve spotted me. Guess they must have upped the security system since I last checked. Well hopefully I haven’t forgotten how to juke around projectiles in one of these. Suddenly, a large exploding noise interrupted my thoughts and shook the whole ship. Numerous red lights flashed from the dashboard. “Warning, forward thrusters inactive.” This just keeps getting better and better. I’ve got no other choice, I’ll have to crash on Earth. The ship shook more and more, I could hardly control it any longer. Sinking lower into the atmosphere, I started to feel more light headed, struggling to stay awake long enough. Finally, I remember hearing something like an autopilot. My vision began to slowly regain itself. I could see green, lots of green. I smelled something different, almost fresh. What is this? I opened my eyes to see what appeared to be grass. But, how? I thought Earth was nothing but ashes. The wind hit my face, I felt somewhat at home, but yet I had never experienced natural landscape. The flowers, at least I think they are, seemed so life-like. I squatted down to hold one. I ran the tips of my fingers along its stem, then it sprung from the dirt below it and I could hold it on it’s own. I quickly felt ashamed and tried to plant it back into the hole it rested in. I wanted to spend the rest of my days here, maybe find a way to survive all by myself. No, that would drive me to insanity. I have to let them know, I have to tell the people of Arcadia, tell them we can live here again. But how? The cruiser’s done for. There has to be something. I looked all over the land, traveling further into the horizon, then I came upon a ravaged cruiser lying still near a widespread forest, extending for miles. It looked in perfect shape. Why, though? In the disI heard oncoming voices. I hid behind a row of bushes 8 tance swiftly before two guards with Arcadia uniforms appeared from the forest. “Looks like we’ve extracted the resources

needed, returning to command, over and out.” Extracting resources? Whatever, I can’t think much of it now, I have to get that ship. I noticed a large stone near my foot. I snatched it up swiftly and began to creep up behind the two guards. With a swift blow, I took out the one to my right, the other attempted to shout, but I knocked him out just as quickly. I found the activation key and hopped into the cruiser. Igniting the thrusters, I lifted off and ascended back out of orbit. Luckily for me, I was able to find an opening port in the west side of Arcadia, allowing a smooth landing. The only problem was the security. There’s no way I can get through undetected this time. I decided that I’ll have to make a crash landing. I boosted thrusters into full throttle, straight for the opening. Hitting harder than I hit those guards, I immediately jumped from the cockpit and found the nearest exit. I stood before the people of Arcadia, they passed me by, but I yelled with all my breath, “People of Arcadia! Earth is restored! We don’t have to live here any longer! We can finally live on Earth again!” They looked at me in confusion and doubt, I tried once again to get their attention, but I was grabbed from behind. A cloth was put on my mouth, I felt nauseous, the world began to go blurry. I once again awoke to an odd sight, only this time I wasn’t in a field, I looked into an operating room. I tried to move, but I noticed leather restraints holding me down. Then a man and a woman entered the room. The man was tall with dark hair and a very intimidating face. The woman was the same, except she was shorter with longer hair. One person on each side, the woman bent over and looked me in the eyes. “Looks like you were snooping where you shouldn’t be, Lewis,” she said gently. “What are you doing to Earth? What resources need extraction?” I asked. “Well, we needed materials to help the people of Arcadia, but we couldn’t trust the rest of the population to keep it all safe and sound. Mankind is a parasite to the Earth, so we had to remove the natural resources on our own terms. Ones without the rest of the human race destroying the precious materials needed for survival.” I felt shocked. This whole time they’ve lied to us about Earth, only to exploit it for its resources. “But wait, why bother telling me all this?” “Brainwash technology isn’t a thing of the past, Lewis. I’d like to explain how it works, but you won’t remember anyway.” Dread began to flow through my veins. I fought as 9 hard as possible to escape. Then a sharp pain pricked in my neck. I couldn’t focus, I couldn’t...

Lack of Empathy @Hanna_Barnes

I couldn’t feel anything, it was like someone had reached their hand into my mind and took every ounce of emotion out of me, leaving me an empty shell, standing on the corner across from the gas station. I watched it all happen, the man in the dark hoodie walking into the store, how he pulled out a gun with such ease, and how he acquired his stolen money was admirable. I could have easily called the police, my phone was in my hand. But seeing how happy the man was when he ran out of the store told me not to. All I could think about was how invigorating that must have been. I know most people would have shoved this thought away, but I held on to it for a couple of days before deciding to act on it. It started with small things, stealing chemicals from my lab at school, or food from the grocery store, but it quickly escalated to where I am now. Standing in an alley about to potentially risk my life waiting for a man to turn around. When he does, I strike. His death certificate stated that he died of blunt force trauma to the head, but I believe it was because his heart had stopped from distress. When the police came, I acted as if I was a witness. I forced tears and faked a worrisome look knowing this was the only way not to get caught. After the questions were over they gave me a card with a phone number, because I might “remember some more details.” At this point I was pretty sure the police didn’t suspect me, so I got into my car and drove home. And like the end of a long day, I undid my tie and shoes and started to walk to the kitchen. My phone rang, it was my significant other. “Hey! How are you? How was your day?” She seemed overly happy but I wasn’t going to act like I didn’t have a pretty good day myself. After an hour of pointless babble, I hung up and decided to write in a journal I found under my bed the day before. By the last journal entry, I hadn’t wrote anything since May 2012, it’s 2015 now. I didn’t know what to write so I let the pen speak: My Old Friend, I killed someone earlier, I guess you could say it felt good. I’m not sure. I told the cops a guy in a black tracksuit and a ski mask pushed me down and attacked the other man. Stupid police, you would think the man covered in blood would be the murderer but they just thought that I came over to help. Anyways, my food’s burning. Until Next Time.

Four years and 315 murders later, it all caught up to me. So this is where I update you, sitting in a chair watching the milky liquid flow into my arm as my eyes get heavy. “Any last words?” I heard from somewhere behind me. “316,” I say, and my head drops.

An Unexpected Blessing @Myah_Erickson

He came home; his eyes were cold; he left everything in his path shattered; he left those he onced loved torn. Unable to be trusted, unsure of his intentions, destruction arose at every corner he chose.

With tears of frustration and anger untold, we gave up on him. We had to quit. We had to be done. We couldn’t keep up with this anymore.

Bring us a miracle; make my family whole. He was once a soldier boy, with light in his eyes, and a future bright. He’s now broken, losing his fight.

He fell down a twisted path littered with destruction, waste, and loss. That bright future is now filled with pain and addiction.

Treatment began, alcohol now gone, but his fight was gone. His eyes remained cold, a scared soldier held hostage by what was inside. He told no one, not even his mom.

Out of nowhere, came a four-legged friend, Hayden, an extension of our family, giving light in those cold eyes, a nuzzle when the fear seeps to the outside, a bump when his heart pounds and races for the fear of what could happen.

A service dog brought peace where a man failed. The soldier’s eyes softened again, his future bright again. He returned from the hell that turned him away.

The Dragon

@Garrett_Grunder I am something you fear, I am fear itself. I compel the wind at my will, my wings spread over a thousand lands. My scales cannot be damaged or broken by any man. My claws pierce any stone. I am greedy for any treasure. You won’t hear me approaching. You cannot hide. Like a fire in the woods, I disintegrate anything in my path. I bring death, I am death.

Perpetual Flashback

@Sayed_Torak

Not the Plants & Animals @Riley_Kimbrough

The world is a messed up, completely corrupt place. Not so much the earth, but more likely its inhabitants. And no, I’m not talking about the dogs and cats or the trees and flowers. No. I’m talking about what the disgusting race of humans has become. There are starving kids in this world, but yet you spend your money betting on who will win the World Series. There are thousands, no millions, of lives being taken in Iraq, Syria, and Saudi Arabia every single day by ISIS, but yet you only pay attention when the popular, attraction-filled city of Paris is bombed. The world is a messed up, completely corrupt place. Today my brother asked if “they,” referring to Arabian people, had to be checked for bombs when boarding a plane. He is ten. He has already been brainwashed into thinking that racism is okay. He isn’t getting this absurd idea from inside our house. So where could it be coming from? His school? Television? Who knows. The world is a messed up, completely corrupt place. You know, there is this app where kids can speak their minds about anyone or anything from my school. The other day someone said, “Can we pls stop the hella high half ponytails? Pls and thank you”. It got 398 likes. Who are those people to tell girls how to wear their hair? In fact, I wore one last week, and you know what? I felt awesome and I loved it. The whole ‘half-pony’ might be a common fashion trend right now, but no one has the right to tell me what I can and can’t do, what I can and can’t wear. No one can tell me how to live my life. The world is a messed up, completely corrupt place. You know what makes this world worse? It’s the people who think they own you. A few weeks ago, I decided to wear a cute outfit to school. This isn’t very unusual because I like the confidence I get from wearing something nice. Anyways, as I sat down in my desk, a boy sitting diagonal to me scanned me over and nodded as if to “approve” of my outfit. Just STOP. If at any moment he thought that was acceptable, he was wrong. And the worst part was that when he did it I smiled to myself a little. I thought at that second, that was okay. Now that I think about it, I should have been insulted. Boys shouldn’t dictate what you wear, nonetheless a stupid, incompetent high school boy. That was only a small instance of which I have encountered. I can’t even imagine what men do to “helpless” women. The world is a messed up, completely corrupt place. On a daily basis someone catches sight of a marine on leave, but what do we do? Nothing. I’m not saying I’m much better than everyone else, because I don’t do anything either. But yet when a man with that beaten down uniform walks into a room everyone should applaud. We should yell and scream “thank you,” we should shake hands, we should give hugs even. We should act as though they saved each and everyone of our lives. Because they have. Even if they never even touched a gun while on the other side, they saved us. And we should be grateful. But yet, we just watch. We. Just. Watch. As they walk right past. The world 13 is a messed up, completely corrupt place. And I’m not talking about the dogs and cats or the trees and flowers. No, I’m talking about us.

I WIll Always @Paige_Leary

I will always remember waking up with pokes at my side until I couldn’t breathe. I will always remember that smell that made my nose christmas red. I will always remember the smile that could blind me every time. “I will always be there” for the last things, for the memories. I will always remember those times with the cold, smiles, and that awful 60s music. I will always remember the smell of the elephants, the clowns with the bright red button nose. I will always remember the battle between chocolate and vanilla ice cream. I will always remember the mornings in PJs, the sunrise bakery doughnuts, twist never whole. I will always remember your awful golfing skills and my “awesome” driving. I will always remember the feel of the worms, the excitement of the fish being caught. I will always remember the age limits on almost everything. I will always remember the “names” we gave each other. I will always remember the words “It’s ok.” I will always remember that one day everything was changed. I will always remember getting that awful phone call. I will always remember the time after. I will always remember your voice on the phone. It was you that will always be there for me. I will always remember the love you gave me. I will always remember the tears stained on this paper. I will always remember the words said on the day of goodbyes. I will always remember you, And you will always be my story!

The Need to Share @Laura_Metzger

We all have the need to share, typing our thoughts out on a screen, sending them to an audience that doesn’t even know us. Liking photos and posts instead of complimenting in real life. Having a conversation with our phone and not the person across from us. We all seem to have the need to share though we don’t talk with the people around us. It’s easy to slide into dm’s, but what happened to hello? The long conversations in coffee shops, the letters written to our loved ones, dinner table discussions, and the simple wave to our neighbors have begun to disappear. Social media is now everyone’s diary, typing out thoughts that cause rumors and insecurities, but it seems we all have the need to share. Is it really that important? If our thoughts are so worth sharing, shouldn’t we talk about them and not type them?

Oblivians&Outcasts @Zach_Wendling

Life is a marathon that never ends. Running for the chance to be on top sprinting to become number one; chasing the pyramid of society. Society was built upon a pyramid containing the ‘best of the best’ on top, while remaining individuals are thrown off into oblivion where much of the rest of the world call home; those not good enough to scratch beyond the surface because of society’s walls. Those on the bottom are stronger than you think. Alone they can accomplish simple tasks, but together they can change the world. Meanwhile the top projects their beliefs, infiltrating all we think is good and right. It’s not to say that people on the top are blood-thirsty. Many are there to change the rules, dictating every step of a simple day. Often my mind floats to visions of what it’s like on top where nothing bad ever happens. Horror stories of what’s truly out there drift from both sides of high society and oblivion, constantly wishing to join the other side, high society souls thinking they can change the world. There are times when people don’t always know where they exist. A drastically different mixture of high society and oblivion Combining like fire and oil to create an explosion to change the world. Outcasts live in between, harmoniously with both sides above and below. Our world is only saved when these lines of society are blurred, or broken completely. Outcasts are the ones that change the world not existing in a single place, living simultaneously in both the best and worst of times,cautiously caring at what happens.

You see us whenever you walk down the hallway, hurt living within our veins but not broken,

growing stronger from every word you say, never backing away from a fight, continually objecting while others hide. Oblivians, outcasts, and high societies each attempting to find their place, but separated from each other. Lines bent and broken, entering a world of change where no one knows what is or what could be. The world changed by a difference of people coming together as one. Different emotions, different thoughts, all blocked by society. If there was a change, could we make it? Connect hand to hand, embracing the contrasting details that once labeled us a different species from each other, accepting the world for what it is and is not labeling it into separate boxes.

Imagination

@Anthony_Rebuck

This and That @Emily_Espinoza

Graduation day is almost two years away 2018 is the year that I will be walking along the stage in my navy blue cap and gown. I always wonder if I am ready, ready for what the world has to bring. To head to a place where you learn even more about the career you want to pursue. College. The seven letter word scares me. It’s being thrown at me from left to right; I don’t know whether to take it as something good or bad. I do well in school and get good grades, but that doesn’t get the idea of me wanting to drop out of high school out of my head. I witness and hear about a lot of people struggling, to pay off college, buy books, work, do homework, this that, and I don’t think I am ready for that! I hate school but I’m still going to go, the only thing I am looking forward to is getting out of it. I am taking some classes that aren’t going to help me in the long run learning things that aren’t going to help me at all, and I am really looking forward to being done. But guess what? Then comes the seven letter word, and that means more school, more quizzes. More tests, and more essays. More this, and more that.

Dear World

@Jihan_Aljnabi

Dear World, My life has been born in misery, people think. They think because I was born in a poor place and I did not have a big place to live in that I will not have a future. As a child I know I might not have had the best house or the best furniture, but I had the best family. My family is everything to me, without them I would not have survived. I was born into a family that is like a chain. If that chain is broken, it will collapse. At a young age I thought that my life was bad, but in the future I realized how hard my parents worked to raise me and how much they suffered to get me, my sisters, and my brother a good future. After seven years of misery and happiness in memories of friends, our farm, family, and animals that had changed our lives. We left our home country and headed for America. Going to America felt like a big change in our family in which it was a big relief in that we completed a goal by going and living in a better place. In America many of our goals and dreams came true. I lived for about six and a half years in Idaho in which I loved and soon felt it was my home country. In this place I met many people that helped me and made my family happy. I met teachers and people who I really appreciated. There was a man who had a bad situation and would still show us a happy face. He made us believe we were living for a purpose. In this place I was able to make a memory of animals I loved and cherished in my heart that had died or left. So many memories in this place, that also had more memories than where I was in my old country. Moving away from this place was also hard, because we did not believe there will be a place better than this or a place that we could make more memories. On a long adventure with my family we went into Nebraska in which we thought is the best place for education. Our family was living for education and completing our goals. It is true that our lives were good because of education and nothing else. In this place we might not have lived the best, but at least we were able to learn things that we were never able to learn before. Many things happened to me in this world that I will never forget. Also, I will never give up those memories even if they were sad or not because they are my memories. My memories will be cherished to remind me how I went through things to accomplish my goal. World, I am thankful for what I have because many people do not have any of what I have, and I wish everyone would realize that they have a purpose in this world and this purpose has a peice in your life and a piece in the people you love that are thankful for you. So Dear World, help the people in need and give hope to the people who deserve it that will change this world into a better place. Thank you, World, and I promise you I will live up to my 19 goals and never give up no matter what.

The Last Words @Brittany_Pfoltner

I was told to just walk away. So that’s exactly what I did. I couldn’t bear to think of life without Michael but I wasn’t sure what else I could do but leave. Michael was changing before all of our eyes. Slowly, like the leaves falling in autumn, Michael was transforming. Yes, he was changing physically but it was the mental change that were the most noticeable. Michael was becoming a shadow. He would slink down the halls, so silently that we didn’t even notice him slip past. He started dressing in all black. He said that it made him fade into the background, that he could hide better. I never understood why he wanted to fade. Everyone loved him. He could make people laugh, and make the cloudiest of days sunny. It never made sense why someone like that wouldn’t want to be noticed. His smile was turning into a frown. He just looked cold and dull. Michael’s shoulders seemed to droop lower and lower.None of us could figure out why. We asked him what was wrong, but the response was always the same. “I’m just tired. I’m ok. Really.” We wrote it off as him just going through a phase. But we shouldn’t have. we should have paid more attention. What we didn’t see were the cuts that ran up and down his arm like a ladder. No one saw the tears that soaked his pillow each night. We didn’t see the letters he was writing, preparing. We had no idea the torture we were going to have to live through soon. We had no clue. --------- I still remember the first time I met Michael. It was the first day of our junior year of high school. Michael was new to our school, but he walked with his head held high and a smile on his face. We had U.S. History together. I can still picture the moment I first saw him. I was sitting in my seat in the back of the room. He walked into the classroom and the atmosphere completely changed. It instantly seemed happier somehow. He was radiating happiness and laughter. I watched the new kid walk in and the teacher, Mr. Rollin, pointed him to his seat right next to mine. Michael headed towards me, a smile stretching from ear to ear and a bounce in his step. “Hey! I’m Michael,” he said as he sat down. “Hey. I’m Rachel. Nice to meet you. Welcome.” We instantly clicked. He was cracking jokes the entire class. After that first history class we quickly became close friends. He was the one I talked to about everything. Whether I was celebrating a good grade or crying over the loss of a friend he was always ready to listen. Michael was the brother I never had. That had all changed though. It was like he was never there anymore. The caring person I had grown so fond of was nowhere to be found. 20 ----------

Sarah, I’m sorry for having to write this. I really am. I just plain and simple can’t do this anymore. Life has simply become too much. I’m going to a much happier place. Keep living your life. You’re much stronger than I am. I know that you are. I hope that you can look at the clouds and know that I’m watching over you. Always. I promised you that I would always be there for you and I intend to keep that promise. I’ll always be with you. Don’t cry. Don’t feel alone. I’m simply going to a place where I can watch over you from. Keep smiling. The room lights up when you smile. Don’t keep that warmth from the world. Always, Michael --------- 1:42 A.M. A time that will always stay with me. January 6. A date that will always stand out to me. The day that Michael took his final breath. His last text was to me. It read: “Look in your coat pocket. There’s something in there for you. Sleep well. :)” That was Michael. Always looking out for me. --------- I finally found the courage to go visit him in early April. I hadn’t been able to face him. I slowly walked up to the stone, a paper crumpled in my right had, clouds overhead. I came to a stop and sat down cross-legged facing him, just like old times. “Hey Michael.” Silence. I unfolded the paper and after a shaky breath, I began to read, “I’m not really sure where to start. Its as if you never left. I mean sure, we had to talk about it with the counselors, but then everyone seemed to forget,” I paused. “Not me. I’ll never forget. I’ll never forget your smile. Your laugh. You. All you gave me. Its taken me awhile to get up the courage to come visit. I wasn’t sure what to say. I didn’t even know how to get out of bed in the morning. But I’m trying. And I’ll keep trying. For you. So I guess what I’m trying to say is that this isn’t goodbye. This is more of a see you later.” I hadn’t even noticed the tears rolling down my face. I folded up the letter and tucked it under the pot of daisies. His favorite. He would’ve liked that. I stood up, and as I turned to leave, the sun poked through the clouds, bathing us in sunlight. I glanced back towards the grave and looked up into the light. I knew he was smiling down on me. I looked him in the eyes, and with a smile, told him what he was waiting to hear. “Okay.”

Rubix Cube @Harlie_Davis

It wouldn’t be the first time people have broken you to pieces, no longer able to find the strength to put yourself back together. Just like a rubix cube. The first time a rubix cube is held it’s perfect in every way. Then, it begins to get fiddled with as people come and people go trying to piece it back together. Getting further and further away from what it’s supposed to be, it seems as if nothing can bring it back. People stop caring and eventually get rid of it. You’re just like a rubix cube.

Maze

@Taylor_Kvittem

Adopted

@Alyssa_Bowers I will always be marked by one thing, being adopted. Sometimes I feel like I might as well paint a bright red X on my forehead when I stand next to my family. My family looks proper and neat, and I’m the character in the childhood game which of these things is not like the others, clearly thrown into an already planned out picture. You see I’m not the foreign or mystery type of adopted, no, my mom lives 800 miles away in Battle Creek Michigan. She’s unemployed and still lives with her mom at the age of thirty one. She had to sign the adoption papers because she was a teenager with a meth addiction that she couldn’t give up for her own child, for a baby that she carried in her stomach for nine months, for me. The dictionary defines adoption as the act or process of beginning something new or different. But my definition is completely opposite. It’s being unwanted, constantly being reminded of my past, a feeling of fiery resentment burning a hole in the tiny compartments of my brain, the flames licking every thought, memory, and nightmare I have. I haven’t gotten a birthday card from my birth mom since I was five. The card was pink and sparkly covered with flowers, signed I love you, Mom. I’m sixteen, and every single birthday I still have the hope of getting one stupid card when I open the mailbox. An empty mailbox feels like being buried in an avalanche with all the rescue workers at home. I want to hate my mom, but in reality I can’t bring myself to do that; it feels as wrong as spitting in a church. I’m just trying to piece together the unbreakable bond that a mother and daughter are supposed to have, but this one feels like a rope that’s on its last string.

Running Towards Danger @Trenton_Collins

My name is Edgar. I am the Last True Superhero The last one to run blindly into danger. I am different from you. Here I am, sitting on the edge of my bed, waiting to make sure I don’t get caught sneaking out, again. But how else am I supposed to scratch that itch that makes me do the crazy things that get me shot at? I am different from anyone who is like me. I should probably explain myself before someone calls a psych ward (which, ironically enough, is probably where I should go). Every night, when everybody falls asleep in my house, except, of course, me, I go out and I fight crime. I am crazy. Oh, I can hear those vans that come by to take you to the funny farm already. You’re probably screaming at me that we have Commercial Heroes who do that for cash, the superhero fakes that they are, or that we have the police, no matter how small they’ve gotten because of the super fakes, who already do that, so why run the risk of getting killed? I can’t really answer you that question. What I said about that itch before was not meant to be a joke, and, believe me, I know how crazy that sounds. I am a visionary. But enough of that, back to the story! I’m sitting in my smallish room, looking at its aquamarine walls, at its bookshelves, the desk in the right corner, the window directly ahead, but mostly, I’m looking at my dresser, or more precisely, the small space underneath it that has everything I use for these little nighttime escapades. I am kind. While I’m doing this, I do my nightly recurring rant of how this is such a bad idea. That it’s literally against the law to be doing this. How if I make a single rookie mistake and I’m dead, which, given the situation, I’m greatly in danger of doing just that. And like every other night I ignore that rant, stand up, and walk towards the dresser. I crouch down towards the opening between the floor and the bottom part of the dresser and reach inside, grabbing hold of the small, nearly empty duffel bag hidden there. Inside the bag was four things: a blue hoodie with LED’s attached to it, a police baton I accidentally ‘borrowed’ during one of my after-hour-adventures, a pair of snowboarding goggles, and a black ski mask. I am naïve. Sneaking out of the house is easy after all the practice I’ve had with it, 3 months of practice to be exact. The back yard makes a slight click as it shuts behind me as I stand in the backyard of my house in the dead of night in my hoodie and mask. The nightstick is attached to my back via a makeshift holster (thank God for duct tape). I turn the corner to the side of the house and turn on the LED’s on the hoodie and quadruple checking that no one has noticed me. But most of all: I am FAST. Then, when I know I’m ready, I go. And I mean I. GO. I rocket from the side of the house onto my street and I only go faster. Zooming by all the other houses until all I am is a blue blur of white light going 60 mph and going faster, and faster, and faster. Despite the flashy appearance I have, no one knows what I am, and I am perfectly fine with that. Makes it all the more easier for me.

In Remembrance for Jennetta @Nico_Nitt

Dear...well, anyone who’s willing to listen, I’ve sat here for hours, hands clamped together screaming out into the void we call the stairway to heaven for days now. My throats burning from yelling when my vocal cords give up on me. As I let my hands go I decide to become a raging maniac and punch holes in my room. Now my hands have become bloody, covered in this sheet rock dust that just makes my nerves jump off of my body. I slowly walk over to my bed then collapse in exhaustion. As I hold half of my body on the bed, I grasp the sheets and clench my fists and scream into the bed letting out all of the frustration and belief that it was my fault. I don’t want to be in a world without you. Who’s really gonna care if I’m gone. Just know I wrote your name on the bullet so you know that you were the last thing that went through my mind. It’s my fault. You’re gone because of me. I’m not ready to accept this. I’m not strong enough! I can’t do this. It feels like everything going good for me is taken at the hand of the devil. It seems like I’m dancing with the devil and there’s no letting go to this slow dance. The thought of me not being able to go back to New York and just show up at your door step with open arms kills me. Not being able to stroll the Boardwalk with you and sit under the stars, reminiscing our memories, holding hands while having our feet in the the sand, I begin to feel like knives being stabbed all along my chest. There’s no more long weary weekends where we would drive to anywhere the wheel would take us. When I received the phone call of you committing suicide, I lost it. Why? If only I was there to pull you out of the way. The driver was in this black Ford F-150, while you were crossing Bayview Avenue and Hylan. Officers arrived at the scene as you lied there motionless. You were unconscious and unresponsive, as stated in the police report. You later arrived at Staten Island University Hospital, Prince’s Bay. You were pronounced dead upon arrival. When I got the call at 11 o’clock at night I was heartbroken, left in despair and tears. I had found out at night when you were pronounced dead at three in the afternoon. I’ve now come to the realization that we are no more. For you are a wicked spirit that keeps me awake at night; we are no longer both human or... together. I write this letter in hope that it releases some of my demons, to protect what I have left for sanity. I wish this weight was lifted off of my shoulders but I don’t want to loose anything about you so I continue to fight through the wicked pain. I’m sorry Jen. I love you Jennetta Maria Daniels. I love you and miss you so very much darling. Rest easily and peacefully Sincerely, Your best friend, Your family, All of us We miss you.

Isolated

@Lauren_Archer She was alone Left in the silence of the dark With nobody left The only glimmer was the sight of the porch light She was isolated from everyone She was invisible to the world She didn’t mean anything Left alone She was never bothered again Abandoned from the ones who meant the most She sat in the corner Day after day Night after night Until she realized she was the only one left. She was alone

Light in the Dark

@Leyton_Brugeman

Heartbreak @Harlie_Davis

I never knew I could truly feel my heart break until your words pierced like a blade right through me. I felt the last heartbeat come to a halt, my bodyso still, so relaxed. All the pressure building up inside my chest waiting to burst from just one more of your lousy words. All was paralyzed, all but my eyes that could no longer keep the tears from pouring. Sheets blackened by my mascara, I was left alone letting my emotions consume me. My thoughts bury me alive. Heartbreak diminish me.

Be You

@Rebecca_Slattery Caroline McGregory stumbled out of bed, tossed on her silky lilac colored robe and shoved her feet into her slippers. She glanced at her clock sitting on top of her nightstand. The clock read 4:45 am, but the sun hung high. She stumbled her way across her bedroom and sat down in front of her vanity. She switched on a lamp that sat next to her, and mumbled hateful words to herself as she looked in the mirror and saw the reflection that stared back at her. She ran her fingers through her fine, strawberry blonde hair and pulled it all into a slicked back ponytail. Caroline then painted her face with makeup until she was unrecognizable. She sluggishly walked over to her closet, dreading every second of it. She opened her closet door and peered in, looking at the rows of clothing that seemed to be taunting her. Caroline shifted through the rows, but only thought how nothing fit right. She snatched multiple pairs of pants and blouses that seemingly made for a classy outfit. She began pulling on her size 2 jeans, but didn’t make it past her thighs. Every other girl Caroline knew was a 00 or below. All Caroline wanted was to be 100 pounds like the rest of them. Her hourglass figure and developed body only weighed 120 pounds, and fit a size 4, but everyone made fun of her for how overweight she was. Caroline ended up wearing loosely fit black sweats so they wouldn’t show the outline of her legs. She paired it with an oversized black t-shirt and matched a pair of black tennis shoes along with it. She always ended up wearing black because it was known as the most slimming color. Caroline returned to her vanity and plopped down on her seat, more upset than she was before entering her closet. She wished that she could be like the rest of the girls and wondered why she was different. Later that day Caroline had to make a shopping trip to buy clothes that would actually fit her. She began typing her choice of destination into a computer screen that hung beside her door and within seconds she was at the tattered down boutique shop on the corner of 9th Street. As she opened the door, a voice sounded and greeted her, and a bell at the top of the door rang, alerting the two workers that a customer had arrived. She walked up and down the aisles of clothing, picking up different pieces as she went. After she had a good stack of clothes dangling from her two hands, she made her way to the dressing rooms. She changed in and out of the clothing trying to find something that would fit. She found a pair of stretchy olive green pants that seemed to suit her, and exited the dressing room. She ventured on to the three big mirrors that stood at the end of the hallway. Caroline stared at herself in the 8 foot long mirrors. began playing music, knowing a customer was standing 28 They before them. The mirrors had been altered to have a motion sensory piece in them. With this device implanted in them,

they now talked highly about each customer, boosting their self confidence in hopes of persuading them to buy the outfits they tried on. She turned to the left side of her body, examining her curves and large figure. The mirrors began complimenting her. She turned to her back side and examined what the mirrored image showed. The mirrors sang praise of how satisfying she looked. She then turned to her right side and negative thoughts began to flood her head. She had seen enough. Caroline quickly changed back into her all black outfit, grabbed her purse, and rushed out of the boutique with tears streaming down her face. She began walking down the sidewalk, with not a single person in sight. She rounded the corner and bumped into another pedestrian, and to her surprise they were wearing the exact same pants she had just tried on. Oddly enough, she looked bigger than Caroline did, but what she was wearing that Caroline wasn’t was a smile. “Pardon me,” said the women. Caroline watched as she walked by, wondering why the women was so pleased with herself, even though she wasn’t the normal 100 pounds like the rest of them. She turned around as if wanting to say something, but after she fully turned around the woman was nowhere to be found. Caroline decided to return to the boutique and buy the pair of pants after all. After she made her purchase, she returned to the dressing room and shimmied back into the pants. She left the boutique wearing her new pair of stretchy olive green pants, and she too was wearing a smile.

Walking the Line @Laura_Metzger

Prisoner of the Mind @Brody_Flynn

“Just a few more minutes!” We’re all familiar with that feeling. When you’re doing anything at all and it’s time to stop, you wish you could just keep going. It’s only natural, but sometimes, the act of stopping is in itself hard to do. Sometimes, you might feel as though you can’t break away. If that’s the case for you, then it might be that your level of enjoyment for that activity is above an average hobby. In a worst-case scenario, you could have a certain disease. It can be hard to recognize and harder to accept, but a great number of people are afflicted with it. It can ruin careers, destroy relationships, and dominate a person’s life. However, it doesn’t have some sort of fancy scientific name; in fact, you’ve most likely already heard of it. It’s called addiction. Now, you might be thinking, “But wait! Addiction can only happen with drugs and stuff, right? It’s a chemical thing!” Well, it goes deeper than that. Addiction can occur with anything that makes you happy. Many people with an addiction feel as though they need to be doing the thing that they’re addicted to constantly, and that they can never really escape it. It takes up more and more of their time, and eventually it takes over their life. As the quality of their life deteriorates, they will turn to their addiction for an outlet; an escape from the rest of the world. This only makes them more dependent upon the thing they’re addicted to. It’s a vicious cycle that a person can never really end, and I should know, because I suffer from it. I am addicted to video games. Addiction is a terrible thing. When I’m at home, I have this constant compulsion to play video games. While I do enjoy video games a lot, I hate the fact that it eats up all of my time and I can’t do anything else. Some people will “have their fix” and be just fine afterwards, but with the thing that I have, I never really feel satisfied. It cuts into my homework, exercise, and even sleep. I am out of shape, tired all the time, and have dropping grades, all due to addiction. I wish I could tell someone about all this, but I’m too scared that I’ll disappoint them. Maybe that makes you think I’m weak, but if you were in my situation, could you do any better? Addiction isn’t something you can fight off with reason, either. No matter how often I wish I could stop, or how many reasons I come up with for why this isn’t right, it all fades away when I enter my room. I do get some homework done, but only enough that my parents don’t suspect anything is amiss. The worst part of the whole thing is that I don’t know how to end this nightmare. No matter what I try, nothing works. There’s no clear-cut solution, and that only makes things that much more complicated. I’m too ashamed of myself to go to someone and come clean-which is why I’m writing this. It isn’t just a call for help, though; it’s also meant to serve as a warning. Don’t do this to yourself, and don’t let anyone else do it, either. Even if it’s a little kid, don’t let them focus on one activity too much, especially if it involves screens. And, parents, if your son or daughter is having problems like this, then please do everything you can to help and support them. But most of all, try to find it in your heart to forgive them, because they really can’t help it.

Baseball

@Alex_Wesslund

Tossed around all day and night in the midst of dirt and sunlight, to hit the ball down deep, trying to make the other team weep. It’s quite a passion from coast to coast, although it’s still important to most. America’s pastime they always say; it starts to get intense in May. Baseball, to me, is surely the best. It is the truth I must confess. Every year I wait for the season. I love baseball and there’s more than one reason: The crack of the bat, the tip of the hat, the smell of the grass, pitchers who throw gas, boys running the bases, eyeblack on their faces, the strike and the ball, the umpire’s bad call.

Ballpark

@Nate_Pierce

Endless Wedge @Tien_Cu

The scent of winter snow and the wind that comes and goes brushes by my ears. Then I start to hear you sing this tune. It’s just as if you were here. The times when we would play, laughing the days away. Even though once in awhile we fought, your calm and gentle voice is everything that I can recall. I didn’t mind it much at all. I just want to hold you one more time, to feel your hand within mine. I know that where you are is somewhere I can’t find. This little piece of just a single word of regret in my mind, it will be holding me apart like a wedge inside my heart. What you had given to me were times spent like a dream. What you had given to me is the brightest smile I’ve seen. What you had given to me is a past I’ll always love But what you couldn’t give to me… is a future with both of us. How many seasons have passed? How many years have passed since that wintertime from way back when? The flower that we had planted that day still gives such a sweet scent. When springtime comes, it’ll blossom once again. Although this sprout has slowly changed into a tree so sturdy over all these years. You have stayed the same as you’ve been since that day. The image of your smile from back then will always be deep in my heart. Like a wedge without an end, never to come out again. What I had given to you were our calm and happy days. What I had given to you were the tears that fell down my face. What I had given to you were our happiest memories. But what I had not given to you… was a moment for you and me. When I lay there alone at night and sleep cannot be found, I remember your singing voice, such a warm and gentle sound. When I struggle to keep the painful tears from coming out I think back to the happy things you used to sing about. I don’t want to sing this type of tragic song right now. To my dearly beloved, I hope that you rest in peace. Safely here inside this endless wedge in my heart in eternal sleep. The things that you gave to me and the things I gave to you, I will keep them forever as memories I’ll never lose. I’ll never let it go, your voice calling to me, it’s always been right here and right here it’ll always be. So listen when I say… I love you to this day…

Unexpected

@Alexis_Belgum

At the risk of sounding all passionate and mushy gushy, I wanted to say that I love you, a lot. I mean, it’s hard to find someone that doesn’t! You have a way with people, you can just tell the flavors of speech that they like to taste on their tongue. Even though your figure is more boxy than curvy, you’re still hypnotizingly charming. That tantalizing dance you do while shaking your way into my life leaves me with weak knees and one thought: I need her. The way the light, when hitting your textured skin, turns into a milky glow, leaving me absolutely breathless. I want you, I need you, I crave youYou are the only one that can satisfy this hunger for love, but I know that you’re scared of the commitment I want. I know you’ve been used, because people only fell for your outside beauty. I’m not them... I want to take you out of this box you’ve been hiding away in; to make you realize, that you’re more than what you let people buy you for. Look, you’ve always been there for me, you magically turn rainy days to rainbows. You’re that POP in my life, you’re my cute little lucky charm. Without you, I have no life. I get this emptiness when you’re not around, a pain starting in my stomach, then clawing it’s way up to my breaking heart. But then again, you’re better off without me... When I’m with you, my desperate need for companionship feeds off your kind sweetness. Yet I can’t go without you for more than a few weeks, because you’re special, ‘kay? Everything about you gathered into a bowl of personality! Just the distinct tinkling of your voice fills me with unadulterated exuberance! When will you realize that you are MORE than just whole grain wheat, soy, and corn syrup?! You are undoubtedly the most important breakfast food for me! With you I don’t need french toast, scrambled eggs, or waffles! I only need you. My gloriously delectable, sweet, sweet, sweet... Cereal. 33

Our Phones, Our Drug @Maliya_Moore

Our generation is glued to screens. For our generation social media is a drug. We’d rather text than talk, because we’re more comfortable typing. We’d rather like a picture than listen to our grandparents stories. We can talk to anyone from behind a screen, then avoid them at all costs in real life. I can’t explain why, but our generation is addicted to our phones, and it won’t end until we find a better drug.

Tapered

@Emily_Metzger

My Story

@Trinity_Cox I want my story to be told by my dark skin and coiled locks. For people to look at me, And see a piece of my identity. Although my race is just one aspect of me as a human, My skin captures the endless stories of my ancestors And I will gladly let them live through me. My story is much more than just my life. My story is a complex configuration of the many lives before me. I will not let my story be simplified into a narrative of my life. I want my story to be told by my body. For people to look at me And see a piece of my identity. Not only am I human, But I am a woman. Strong. Resilient. Capable. My femininity is a reminder of the stories of feminists before me; I will undoubtedly carry out their notions. I will not be objectified. I refuse to watch the indoctrination of another generation. I am black. I am a woman. I am a person. I have a story, And I want everybody to let their story educate. We are taught to not judge a person on their appearance, but our images can tell a large part of our stories.

On the Run @Nora_Husein

“BOOM!” Another bomb was dropped on a neighborhood full of innocent people not too far from me. My body’s shaking with fear as the realization that I could die any minute hits me. The war has been going on for months now. I can’t even remember the last time we have been at peace. My mom says that the last time we had been able to live our lives without fear of being killed was before all the Muslims were kicked out of the United States. Most of them are dead now because of ISIS. Lots of the airports were bombed when their flights arrived in their home countries. Now ISIS has a new target; the rest of the world. They dropped the “Muslim” act once all the real Muslims were dead. They finally revealed that they’ve been against Muslims this entire time and that their motive is to take over the world. I looked outside the window and all I could see through the thick, black smoke were people running. The sound of jets flying above and bombs being dropped made my ears ring. I could barely even hear my own mother as she was trying to guide me to safety. She told me that if ISIS ever attacked, we would leave everything behind and get as far away from home as possible. I don’t know where we will go exactly but hopefully it’ll be safe. I gathered all of my siblings and we all ran as fast as we could to the car. Each of us had gathered enough food and water bottles to last us a week. Mom started the engine and as fast as we could we sped out of the driveway and on our way out of the city. We made it a couple blocks before we saw tanks driving down the street. We all started to panic. Out of nowhere mom made a sharp left turn onto another street hoping they didn’t see us. In the distance I can see clouds of smoke and huge fires. The screams of the people from miles and miles away sound as if they were right next to me. My mom stops the car and tells us that no matter what happens, we have to stick together. She makes us promise that we will listen to her and then digs under her seat for something. We all sit there staring at her with curiosity, wondering what she was look-

ing for. She then pulled out a gun and said, “Only use this if it’s an emergency.” We all started staring at each other as mom was waiting for one of us to take it. After a good minute, my older brother, Justin, took it. “Why aren’t we taking the highway? It’s the fastest way out of the city.” “Because it’s the easiest way for them to find us.” It finally clicked why we were taking so many back roads to get out. We have to do everything in our power not to be found. Even if that means taking some risks. We’re almost all the way out of the city. Just a couple more minutes and we’ll be on the country road leading us north to Canada. We will be safe there. As we get closer to the city limit, mom starts driving faster and faster. She just wants to get out of here and into safety as soon as possible. Seventy, eighty, ninety, one hundred. I don’t think this car has ever driven this fast before. I look to my right and I see a sign in the distance. It’s the city limit sign. We’re almost out of here. As we get closer, relief starts creeping in. All the worries start to fade away because we’ve made it. My mom insisted that we kept driving until sun down. She said we have to get as far away from the city as possible, that we can’t take any chances. The sun had set and we’re finally pulling over. I get out of the car and stretch. My muscles ache as if I was a statue who had been brought to life. I see my brother about twenty feet away, staring at something. I walk over to him slowly, trying my hardest not to frighten him. Once I reach him I look in the same direction that he is and I see what he sees. Our city, burning to the ground. I just watch and think of how much we’ve lost. We’ve lost everything. Our house, our money, all of the things we grew up with. But at least we still have one thing, our family. As long as we have each other, we will make it.

The World We Are @Allen_Duong

Why is it that in our world we learn to exclude things? We learn to not like the color of our opposites as we begin to speak. As we grow, we learn that the opposite gender isn’t that far off. Nowadays people hate people for their past. From color to religion people find ways to hate. So what’s the problem? In the end, we’re all the same- we create, we explore, we wonder- yet we let small things come in our way. In the end, people have become sensitive to many things. We avoid obstacles, but we create more that shouldn’t be there. Is there such thing as a perfect world? Can we work for a change? Or are we going backwards? All’s fair in love and war. Is that the way we should truly live? In the end, the future lies within our decisions as a whole, it may just be around the corner waiting.

Blue Love

@Alyssa_Hoover

Deserted

@Gabe_Macfee Deserted, Abandoned, Cut off, Ostracized, Alone. All of these are the same, and all will be encountered at some point. Imagine being trapped on an island, a deserted island. At this point some people flourish, revelling in the quiet, and the ability to think. The chirps of bugs, the squawks of birds, the gentle whish and whoosh of waves rolling together not alone, unlike you, but you are okay with this, you settle down and are content. Others will break when confronted by the quiet, flounder like a insect in water, their troubled minds afraid of stopping to think, to wonder is my life all it can be, to wonder will I ever make it off, will I escape. No, one, here, no, one here, no one here. Some people just can’t trade the buzz of the modern world for the buzz of nature. Some people can’t deal with guilt arising, and when it inevitably does they just try to push it off. But when you are alone, you find you have plenty of time to think about your life, and you long for the time when you were not deserted.

Opening Up @Allie_Bender

As I look in the mirror I know that I am not normal. I see my long brown hair that goes down to my tailbone.I see my eyeliner, perfectly winged, my short, flowery dress that for once, makes me feel beautiful. Finally, I say to myself as I feel accomplished, finishing my look that only took me two and a hald hours. As I’m looking at myself in the mirror I hear a knock on my door. “Daniel, will you open up please?” I quickly take off the my wig, and as I’m slipping my dress off, I say to her, “Just give me a minute.” And I quickly take off my makeup and open the door. “Hey baby, just wondering what you want for dinner,” she says. “Doesn’t matter, just please no more chicken.” She laughs, “Okay deal. Hey, what is that on your cheek?” I wipe my cheek to see that I didn’t get all of my eyeliner off. I have to think of an excuse, and fast. “Oh uhm yeah, that is just probably some marker or something,” I say. “Alright honey, I’ll let you know when dinner is ready, love you,” she says. As soon as she shuts the door I run up to my mirror and think to myself, Why can’t she accept the fact that there are transgender people? It is 3008. You see, on my birth certificate it says that I am a boy named Daniel Edward Olsen, but what I personally call myself is Tessa Rose Olsen. It fits better with who I really am, and I really am a girl. I believe and know that I am. I look at myself in the mirror, and when I am supposed to be Daniel, I feel disgusted and ashamed. I know that’s not the real me, but when I’m Tessa, everything seems to fit into place. I feel like I can be happy. I want to tell my mom, I really do, but I just don’t know how. So much has happened this past year, from my dad leaving, to having to sell our house that I don’t think she would be able to take it. I have a letter, that once I’m ready to tell her, I will give to her. I memorized every single word of that letter, I’ve reread it so much the paper is getting soft from folding it so many times. Come on Tessa, just do it. You can do it. Just tell her. I keep thinking to myself. Then, a sudden boost of energy comes to me. I’m going to put on my nicest outfit, do my hair and makeup to perfection, and look my mom in the eyes and tell her, and that’s exactly what I do. After I get done getting ready, I grab the letter and take one last look in the mirror. This is who I am. As I walk out the door, each

step I take feels like it is getting heavier and heavier. Heading towards the kitchen, so many thoughts run through my head, telling me to turn around and go upstairs. I ignore all of them. This is my time. I walk into the kitchen and say, “Mom.” “Perfect timing honey, I was just about to call for you, okay I know that it is chicken, but--,” She stops mid sentence when she sees me. I stand there proud, but still nervous and shaking. I look down at the letter in my hands, and think to myself, You don’t need this, and I drop it on the ground. “Mom,” I say, “this is the real me, I don’t want to be Daniel anymore, I want to be Tessa. I know this is a shock, but I hope you can still love me. This is who I want to be.” There is a long pause. My mom is shocked, I can tell by the look on her face. A minute goes by and I’m starting to think that this wasn’t a good idea. As I’m about to go running back up to my room she asks, “What is the name you want to be called?” “I would like to be called Tessa,” I say. “Okay, dear, Tessa is your name then. I love you so much. If this is the real you, then I’m happy you could finally let me in,” she says. Relief rushes over me. We both start crying. I run up to her and hug her. We stand like this for what seems like hours. As I am hugging her, I can finally say that I am truly happy with myself and my life.

Young Days

@Hakdad_Abdul_Basir

Silence

@Brieanna_Kroeger Ever since I was born, I could never hear the birds singing or the sound of the rain absently falling off of my tethered roof. The world around me was bitterly silent, with only people’s eye telling me their pity. I didn’t have many friends to play with or to go with me to have ice cream cone together. I had two older brothers, who never really acknowledged me only because I could not hear. I was different in their eyes. I have a beating heart, and a human soul, Although that’s not human enough. My mother was a sweet spirit. She would always help me, when I needed it, which was on a regular basis. She understood life was difficult for a lone wolf like me. My father was, different. He always had a displeasured, hostile face; only in my direction. I never understood why. Didn’t he know I could not hear? That I couldn’t tell If he was yelling damned words or If he was saying he truly loved me for the way that I am.

Writing My Story @Leila_Al-Aboudi

44 to the Swamp Welcome @Matthew_Nguyen

Ever After

@Christian_Beyer

Jellyfish

@Harlie_Davis

Forsaken

@Ryan_Lampe A child left behind, no choice in what the start of his life will be. He accepts what he is given. He becomes used to surviving with trouble. He plays cards against his fate, but the hand is always stacked. He is left alone by himself with no one to guide him in our great world. Who would leave their children? What people would overlook their pain? They are in a forsaken place in the world. But for every feeling there is an opposite. Forsaken children can be found. There is an antonym for this pain, rediscovering this child, giving them the attention and support they so desperately need. These children are everywhere praying for someone to show up, a new parent to talk to, a friend to play with. If you cannot see, perhaps you haven’t looked. Visit an orphanage and change an emotion.

Technology @Eze_Asuoha

“Arnold get down here now! The house is a mess! When are you planning to get all of these chores done?” Arnold’s mother exclaimed. “Ok I coming!” He shouted back. “Is that boy still playing on that computer of his?” Arnold’s dad asked. “He told me that he was reading a book he borrowed from the library.” “Library?” Arnold’s dad asked with a confused face, “he has been glued to that computer since I left for work.” Arnold heard his parents furiously walking up the stairs. He quickly turned off the computer monitor and hopped onto his bed with a book in his hand. The bedroom door swung open with two furious parents right at the door. “What are you doing there, buddy?” asked Arnold’s dad. If Arnold had learned anything in life, it’s that when his dad says the word “buddy” it means he’s in trouble. “Uhhh, nothing dad, I’m just laying down in bed reading this book,” he nervously lied. “So how about you dad, how was your shift today?” Arnold’s dad replied, “Today at the office was great! I—” “Don’t you dare try to change the subject young man!” Arnold’s mom interrupted. “There is no way that you have been up here for the past six hours reading that book!” The bedroom went completely silent as Arnold’s mom stared at him. The long stare was broken when she slowly started to walk towards his gaming computer and turned it on. “Hmm, hey Arnold what kind of book are you reading over here?” she asked in a sarcastic tone. “So let me get this straight,” Arnold’s father said, “you

have been on this game for probably six hours today, you lied to your mother about going to the library to borrow a book, you tried to get out of trouble by attempting to get me to converse about my work day, and let’s not forget the fact that you still have not even STARTED any of your chores!” his father shouted. “I am not sure if you are aware of this, but you need to unplug yourself from all these gizmos and gadgets that you’re always surrounding yourself with, why don’t you go do something fun with some friends, huh?” he asked. “But, dad, that was what I was doing!” Arnold complained. “I have more than 70 friends all over the web that I can talk to when I am playing games or if I am in a chat room. It is so much faster and easier to talk to them online,” he explained. “Honey, you know that we love you and we only want what is best for you, but it is not healthy for you to be all cooped up in your bedroom on your computer like this. You just told us that you have over 70 friends online to talk to, but how many of these ‘friends’ have you actually met?” Arnold’s mom asked. “None of them,” he replied. Arnold’s dad walked towards him and put his hand on his shoulder. “Son, I think that what your mother is trying to say is that these computers are taking away your ability to act like a human being,” he said. “Your mother and I are going to take away all these games and other computer stuff of yours so you can learn to interact with the real world instead of being plugged into all of this technology of yours.” “Oh alright then,” he sighed. Arnold watched as his parents bend down and begin to unplug every single cord under his computer desk. After about five minutes, Arnold’s parents had completely stripped his bedroom of every screen and video game in sight. Later, Arnold grabbed a broom out of his closet and began sweeping.

Sleep

@Adrian_Lamberti Sleep is the one thing we all want, but it’s the one thing we can’t seem to find. It’s there when you don’t want it. Then when you need it, it’s gone. You lose it more easily than you thought you ever could. You lose it like your shoe, or keys, or phone. No matter what it is never home. It is the only thing that can keep us sane or make us insane. When we want it, it’s not there. Sleep.

In Memory of Christian Josue Perez @Leynah_Perez

Uncapped Potential @Grant_Francisco

The pen may contain the most power we’ll ever possess. Pens, in their history, have created and destroyed entire empires, Both saved and killed billions of lives, brought people up and dragged them down. Each of us is a piece of paper with our own pens to write out our own stories and staple them into the history books. Each and every stroke Is irrevocable on the page, lasting centuries or more for generations to remember. Mistakes will either get you noticed and mocked or get you torn apart by everyone else. The real question then is not what you should write but if writing anything at all is worth it.

Seasons

@John_Pham The first flower begins to bloom with an embracing sun by its side. Although the pleasant sun gives its tender warmth to the flower the flower sought an even greater warmth, a warmth that would be as everlasting as eternity. Existing with a sensation of elegant passion that transcends far beyond the clouds in the ethereal sky, it is more nurturing than the nourishing soil With the sun always shining beside me. I admire this endearing warmth, a warmth that will become my everything. A flower that was once full of youth begins to flourish wildly with maturity. It spends its days adoring the sun allowing the sun to caress it with light. The tender warmth that we share entwines within our hearts by embracing you with my all. Only happiness can bloom. The sun departs to another side fading into obscurity leaving the flower alone to wilt itself away, withering all of its fragile petals. Unnoticeable until it becomes apparent, petals descend delicately one by one. The last petal can only respond by shedding dew. Grief burdens me with heartache guiding my heart to weakness and vulnerability. Because I only knew how to love you, sadness begins to seep through replacing my love with melancholy.

Covered by the frigid yet light snow, only the flower’s stem and roots remain. Surviving only by its willingness to go on, living is a struggle it must endure. It only longs for the luminescence that allowed it to grow. The stem and roots wait in the sheer cold waiting for its sun to come back. Remembering the time I spent with you reminiscing memories that can never wither away. I stand with these memories in my heart waiting for you to come back one day.

Late Bloomer

@Kasaria_Robart

In My Dreams @Andre_Hull

As I drift away in the day, wondering why bad things happen to me, I realize I’m a broken kid, who just wants love, support, and guidance. I hide who I am beneath all the roughness, so no one can see the real me. I surround myself with people who want to do the same as me. I feel alone all of a sudden, as I breathe in the dusty air that fills my lungs with such disease. It’s just me thinking out loud. I wanted to be heard, but I was ignored by people for projecting the evil aspects of how I feel. I cry knowing I’m not achieving the expectations I’d hope to. I’m trapped in a place with doubt that clouds my mind and throws envy in my heart. It’s not clear to me as to why I feel this way. I notice I’m being brought to hell where I can’t do anything good. Never knowing I’d lose it all, I began to appreciate what I had. I awake yawning, realizing I was in a fantasy but now I am facing reality. A feeling of confidence passes through me and I know I’m doing everything right and I have the strength to push through anything. Loneliness is still present but I can keep it together. Now, I know my past was trying to hurt me, but it won’t take me away from what I know.

11:11

@Kimberly_Luis 11:10 It’s okay Wipe away those burning tears Please stop crying darling Time to let go of your worst fears Soon the minute hand will move And so begins the time to dream A hope that all things will improve 11:11 Close your eyes darling Your fears are now gone Shut your eyes darling You won’t be suffering for long Wish to feel the sun shining once again It’s loving warmth upon your face Hope to have a stronger heart So you no longer have to feel the pain 11:12 Open your eyes darling It’s not your time to sleep Don’t give up Not now not ever You may think this is it And I know that you’re tired But your eyes still have a spark Your soul still has a fire

I Miss, I Could

@Bailee_Gunnerson

I miss being a kid, I could wake up excited for school and dress in miss-matched clothing without people judging my style. I could run up and hug my friends without people thinking I was dramatic. I could tell a secret and only they would know. When I was a child, I could spend all night watching movies without being tired the next day. I could fall asleep on the couch and wake up in bed. I could do or be anything I ever imagined without people telling me I didn’t have what it takes. I miss being a kid because that’s when we were all free.

Navy Pier

@Addie_Hansen

Moments

@Jaden_Hilkemann Vile silence strangled me as I pretended I enjoyed listening to therapy. Begging us for a question to answer, pleading for feedback, gasping to give advice. I gave in, I saved the group, I asked a question. One we all wondered. Please tell me what is the point of this life. I had done it. I asked the unanswerable. My fellow troubled grinned what now will this shrink say. Clearing her dusty throat She opened her mouth like a book, ready to fill us with unknown words and phrases we would never understand. I believe, Life is a series of moments, and all a human ever has to do is get through one moment at a time. Our existence is very good at ruining the present by waiting for the future. Some moments are good while others are unimaginably difficult. If only we could stop over thinking our every breath would more of us enjoy our lives If only negative thoughts did not blanket our mind If only our whole being did not surround itself by being good enough If only we could concentrate on one moment at a time would our lives be so much simpler. Any other questions?

The Fallen Ones @Danielle_Lemons

We are the fallen ones, the broken, the beaten. We spend every day of life, wondering, wandering, lost in thoughts. All of us the same, and yet we still remain different. We sit in silence, questioning everything, yet never understanding.

We all have our voices, but it feels as though no one is ever listening. All alone in this world, we still fight to be heard.

Many of us have given up, yet some stay determined. Some of us will keep fighting, for the justice that we deserve.

We are the fallen ones, the broken, the beaten, but we will rise once more, 58 and we will win.

10 Seconds

@Shraddha_Patel 10. I’ve got things that shape me in ways that differ from others. 9. I’ve been from the constant need of light due to the fear of darkness. 8. Growing up, I’ve seen right and very little wrong. 7. Stomping to the beat of mother giving me the, “keep it down!” 6. Small pictures of special days with just my sister and me. 5. Having fights that bring us even closer. 4. Small get togethers with the ones I love and cherish the most. 3. Can’t forget to screenshot the moments of embarrassments that I’ll remember forever. 2. Look back to see how far I’ve come and what I’ve been through. 1. I couldn’t have asked for anything else other than this.

Matriarchal Beauty @Davyd_Kokhanets

Without Her @Nico_Nitt

Living without her is different. Things changed, emotions flipped. When they would be together, it was a bunch I love yous, Now it’s whatevers, making him feel invisible not only to her, but the world that revolves around him. The love was strong and passionate, but it broke and felt poisonous when he watched her lips move to what she wrote on the sticky pad. It left him in a state of loneliness. Only she could make his soul erupt, too scared to tell him so she wrote it down and destroyed their relationship in five simple words, “I’m sorry but it’s over.” Growing with her, calling him her man of steel, she sure knew how to bend steel quicker than any force. The passionate bond which seemed inseparable is now torn apart. She played his heart like it was a violin. She pulled on those strings ‘til they snapped and caused an infinite pain in his chest. He dropped to his knees, devastated by the fact she blindsided him with the news of what she seemed to call a “Misleading relationship”. She were quick to the punch like ripping a band-aid off a newfound scar.

As the tears gathered in his eyes, breaking form scattering across his face, he sat in desperation and confusion, begging like a puppy to have her arms wrapped around him one more time. As he tried to stand from his knees, the weight that she threw on his shoulders was a heavy burden. It left him magnetized to the floor, waiting, watching her walk down the hall. His lip quivered and he threw his hands up in desperation, hoping she’d turn and see, praying she would take his hand once more and forget this happened. She walked along the wall and walked further down this hall. As he wakes the next morning, regretting the fact he has to go and see her walk the halls like nothing happened. He notices her in the hall with her new “Friend.” His blood boils when he see her wrapping her arms around him. He starts to not show up in school anymore. He parties more than he sleeps a week. Starting to just be around, holding the bottle and then pour it down the sink. Now it’s become where he holds the neck of the bottle tight like he is trying to crush it. Drinking is the only way he numbs the pain. Funny how something that’s suppose to kill him only makes him feel alive.

Relax In Confusion @Alex_Taylor

I miss God I need God I need comfort I need reassurance I need to understand the power of Love I need comfort I need relaxation I want contentment I don’t understand I am lost I am confused I want understanding I don’t want understanding I am befuddled I am small Do I have meaning? What’s my importance? Why? Why not? What’s the point? Is there a point? Does it matter? I am heavy My burden is heavy What’s my purpose? What’s my platform? What do I want? Who am I? Who will I be? I’ve changed You will change Who was I? Who will I become? Am I still the same? Do I need to worry? What’s important to me?

Empty Stare

@Emily_Metzger

Freedom

@Maria_Noriega I’ve seen you do it. I asked you and then you lied. You told me it never happened, but it did. There’s no need to lie anymore, you did it once, and you’ll do it again. I just can’t find the courage to leave you, you are my everything. How do you find the courage to let go? When you’ve tried so hard to hold on but they hurt you more than you can take. Its like he held a gun to my heart and pulled the trigger, then watched me bleed out in happiness. As I sit on the floor I cry out for help but everyone turns their heads on me. They walk away and I’m stuck with you. The monster that tore my insides out piece by piece until I finally let go fading away into the darkness. Now I’m finally free, from you, from family, from everything.

Burger King Sonnet @Wade_Deist

Oh please, please take me to the greasy sky Where the smells of yummy food tantalize It’s a paradise where no birds fly But where you can get hot burgers and fries Where the many foods may not be homemade But where you can get coke or lemonade Oh there’s so many things to pick, to eat Just take your pick of chicken, fish, or meat Whatever it is it makes me so full Because Burger King is the best, no bull.

My Story

@Sara_Al-Yasseri

Raised By

@Mariah_Twombly I was raised by a couple of adventurous, laugh so hard I cry, do anything for you, and love you no matter what kind of parents. I am from movie watching, lesson learning, make up doing, video game playing, tell each other everything, and I got your back kind of siblings. I am from Softball playing, always understanding, boy talking, midnight adventures, extremely crazy, always there for you kind of friends. I was swept off of my feet by a blue eyed, football loving, spoil-me-rotten, distance doesn’t matter, loving kind of boyfriend. From a small town in Oklahoma to a big city in Nebraska. From crimson and cream, to Cornhuskers on Saturdays. From small town make your own fun, to you find anything you’d like to do in Lincoln. I was raised by a lot of laughing, always loving, forever living, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Defining Success @Selena_Nguyen

The minute we arrive upon the world, we’re exposed to it all the wonders and desires.

Dreams of building the tallest tower of blocks or hope of receiving a pink dream house on Christmas Day.

With time, expectations develop. We grow up, finding the world around us more than just fun and games.

As the definition of success is learned where succeeding doesn’t include winning a small game of checkers. Decisions are made by us, easily influenced by others, a definite life that could be simply mapped out for us.

Our once dreams of becoming an astronaut or pop star are found far fetched. Instead being so called successful is key.

We’re open to the world and its surroundings, all while being affected by it.

But being open only to our own dreams we create, detached from expectations, choosing ourselves over others, is truly when we learn the real definition of success, one that’s our own.

The House

@Emily_Metzger A neverland of wonder Where naïve minds grow like wildflowers All too beautiful to cease Time and reality have no home amongst the dreamers And hidden secrets lurk beneath memoirs embellished in neglect Laughter is a symphony composed by adventure “Worry” is an undiscovered concept It is another world thriving beneath reality Where childhood memories are immune to age Cousins and siblings converge for tradition And competition is an annual affair The walls mimic that of a great novel And those who step across the threshold become authors of art To an outsider, it is a safe haven from the elements But for me, the house is a friend to my past

A Moment of Peace @Jaci_Tubbs

Galaxies Saved for Rainy Days @Emma_Smith

I want to lay and watch

I might write in some way

Each individual water splotch

About the galaxies we made,

On our window they hit

The way we laid

While we watch I might admit

And watched the sky

I…

How we couldn’t deny

If only you knew

That we always relied

What we’re gonna do

On those water splotches

As we sit and watch

On our window when they hit

Each individual water splotch

Keeping us as misfits

Hit our window with a tat

Together

I might admit that

I might write in someway

We are gonna go everywhere,

About the galaxies we made,

But not while we stare

The way we admired the sky

Not while we spare

With our wondering eyes.

Those galaxies we saved

We couldn’t admit

For rainy days

Without it

Because in the future one day

These galaxies we saved

Might be April or May

And these galaxies we made

I wont be here,

Would be so far way

You wont be there

So…

But not while we stare

I want us to lay and watch

And not while we spare

Each individual water splotch

Those galaxies we made

On our window with a tit

Each and everyday.

While we watch I might admit I love you

Win the Game of Life @Austin_Florentine

The things you do, the things you try, makes you who you are, Even If you don’t know why. The sweat and tears, shakes and fears, you overcome to live and thrive. Fear is natural. It helps keep us alive, but no effort is what kills us inside. Push through the pain, push through the fear, Look past the bad times to remember why you’re here. Set a goal, Stop living in sorrow, achieve that goal to live better tomorrow.

Cherishing

@Maddy_Koebernick

To love an item with content. Look at it with amazement in your eye. See how it grows everyday. Go far in life with it by your side.

To care for it as your own. Be a mother to a child. Love it like it’s yours even if it’s not. Care for it when it makes mistakes.

To let it go and still love it. When it needs to go let it with hope. Breath and release it from your home. Say goodbye, close your eyes, and cry. Think of who they have become and remember.

To remember the good times and the bad. Close your eyes, smile! The thoughts of when they were young and old. Think of the good and wish there were more. Think of the bad and wish you both were stronger.

To think of every moment you spent with them. Teaching the knowledge they know now. Watched them grow and live on their own. Think of when they were young again. Take one last breath and remember the memories you shared lovingly together and close your eyes one last time.

The Tower

@Avery_Hemmerling From the tower they watched me. They saw me eat, sleep, and go through the day. From the tower they watched my gaze as I stared through the fence. When I started to walk towards fence I knew from the tower they were watching my every step being monitored and watched, just anticipating that I’m trying to escape They are thinking of their fantasy. Stalking the prey they’d been told we’re dangerous waiting to make an example of me, a completely vulnerable man just trying to claim an unusual flower I could feel the holes burning in my back. who cares, I’ll die of hunger anyways. I mean what did they feed us, what did they keep us in locked up like caged animals. As I walked to the flower admiring its pure beauty the only free living thing among us, I was shot down from the tower.

Marooned

@Leyten_Morley

To be marooned is like being cast away, rejectedsomewhere you do not expect to be.

To be marooned is to be lonely, like being cut off from the world with no one to talk to but yourself.

To be marooned is like being stuck in space, surrounded by nothing but your own thoughts.

The definition of marooned is to leave (someone) trapped and isolated In an inaccessible place, especially an island.

And to be marooned is something no one ever wants to be.

Brave Soul

@Angel_Lopez

I Don’t Love You @Harlie_Davis

I don’t love you but I love the way you smell at 3 a.m. I’m not going to fall for you though I may fall for the way we playfully kiss or how you pick me up to say goodnight. No I don’t love you but I might be in love with the way you sing to me then joke around and say, “I’m such a pro.” The way you laugh at all the embarrassing things I do. I just can’t love you but I need you, I need the smile you hate but I can’t live without. All the songs that instantly put our memories to mind. I don’t love you I could never do such a thing because love is hard to find and you were right in front of me. Love means eternity and I just can’t live forever.

My Love

@Maria_Noriega

Your smile is like the sunset on a beautiful day. Your hugs are as warm as a summer night. Your eyes shine like the stars above. Your skin is as soft as a warm butter. Your scent is just like a blossoming flower. Your kisses melt me like snow in the sun, and that’s what makes me crazy for you. You’re the highlight to my day and the best suprise in my dreams. When I see you, butterflies flutter. I will never change the way I feel about you becasue I’m in love with you and everything about you. You’re everything I need in my life, in my heart, and in my soul. You’re my other half, and I’ll never leave your side because I love you more than anything in the world. Nobody will ever be able to change that because I love you.

Butterfly

@Paige_DeBrie Beautiful butterfly, A lovely little thing, Passion that fills your golden wings, the sky being your ocean and the wind your waves. Floating on your colorful raft, that keeps you out of harm’s way. Take me with you way up high. Let’s soar freely ‘til we die. Beautiful butterfly, you’re a lovely little thing, ‘til next time when I see you in my dreams.

Field of Dreams @Addie_Hansen

Flying Away @Frizabel_Waki

When he was sick, he told me he wanted to be a bird: A cardinal. As his health deteriorated, he would always tell me, “Whenever you see a cardinal, that’s me.” I didn’t understand why being a cardinal was so important to him, or why anyone would want to be a bird. Then, just like that, he was gone. I thought of him being free; free from the pain he was in, free from the pain his hurt caused us, free from the worries of the world. He wished to be as a free as a cardinal. And now he is.

It’s 3 a.m.

@Alexis_Belgum I’ve gone into the bathroom many times to stare at myself in the mirror, Desperately looking for who I am in my reflection. In all my searches, I’ve found no door or window in the varying colors of my irises. No, all I saw were words. Words that had strayed from it’s pack. Words that whisper pretty truths and screech ugly lies. Words that tell me I am just a creature with mundane thoughts, emotions. Simple question bobbing in the waves of my existence, Dangling the bait of why my existence matters. Us...humans, the most simple, yet also the most abstract of art. Each seen from different perspectives, Opinions varying from person to person, piece to piece Because that’s all we are. Pieces of art, opinions, ideas, ethnicities, dreams, cultures-Pieces of a world we ended up picking apart for our own desires. Like vultures we’ve befriended death for our benefit. We are aware enough to notice, too selfish to care. We are a construction of possibilities seeking opportunities. We are scientific definitions that define our psychological being. We are roughly 7 octillion atoms, molded together by predilection and judgement. It’s 3 a.m. and I need to rest but the contemplative habits of my mind keep me Tossing and turning.

Together

@Kassidy_Huffman Together we hid beneath the covers From the monsters under our beds. Together we calmed our fears And wiped away tears that we shed. Together we went to the store And marveled at all the toys. Together we ran down the aisles Making too much noise. Together we were accomplices In messing up our room. Together we shared everything From secrets, to toys, to shoes. Together we picked out paint And moved to our own rooms. Together we went to school And watched new friendships bloom. Together we grew taller As well as independent. Together we drifted apart As you thought I was too little. Together we got older And our interests changed. Together we filled out applications With college plans now arranged. Together we realized We had so much to do. Things left unaccomplished Plans we never got around to.

We cried together As we said goodbye. Then we drove away Me wishing you were still nearby. We’re no longer together Distance forcing us far apart. Yet we’ve never been closer Because you’re still in my heart.

Beloved

@Victoria_Edwards

Broom Stick @Ivie_LeMond

I watch carefully from the hallway peeking in through your doorway watching as you weep wishing I could hold you comfort you wipe the tears from your rosey cheeks yet I haven’t the hands or even the arms to do so I relive the events that occurred the night before just past the frame of your open door what if I simply would have crumbled to dust? dissolved into thin air what if I just disappeared the second that he picked me up maybe then it wouldn’t have happened but it did And little girl, I am sorry I didn’t want to hit you I never wanted to hurt you but I did I swung and smacked I jabbed and poked I made you bruise I made you bleed. Please, little girl, understand that it wasn’t really me

Understand that is not me you should fear it’s him the man who can’t put down a beer I thought that he loved you and I thought that he cared there were times he used to show it but even then those times were rare He hits you a lot I hit you a lot and I know that you think its because you’ve done wrong but let me tell you, little girl, that is NOT why your scars have stayed for so long they are symbols of your endurance your courage and strength although you’ve been to hell you waltzed through it with grace So please, little girl run away and leave me here your future is bright though your past, filled with tears That’s what I would tell her if I could see her once more but now she swings by her neck from a noose in the yard

Give a Smile

@Thanh_Nguyen A smile is beautiful with all its charm Something free to give that causes no harm A smile is a frown, but upside down Just show your teeth and look around A smile is a flash that cannot be sold It has everlasting pleasure we keep in our soul A smile is like the sun, shining very bright So wear it all day until we say goodnight A smile is more value than silver and gold But cannot be bought although it’s just a goal A smile is nothing until you give it away It’s the best gift from you to light up their day A smile is like a statue that enriches the mind Cannot be stolen, but it is not hard to find A smile is for the rich and the poor Money was important, but it is no more If your happiness is not full for a smile Just do it because it can travel a mile

In the Days Way Back @Karen_Tello

Lady Morgan @Alexis_Belgum

Soft arches embracing lustrous edges on carved marble. Once a cold Greek statue; your features stilled in a dramatic pose, Till aged hands chalked your pigmentation up to brilliant tones. The shade of your eyes, the tint in your cheeks, the light stain on your lips, All contrasting hues from the unprecedented life you hold inside. With one foot off the pedestal that held you dead, You stand rigid with confidence, Your stride powerful as you seem to walk towards me. You kissed my heartbeat with your whispered words, broken from the pages of a poem. Too entranced by the soft flame of inspiration, I didn’t care to notice you shoving me onto the rugged terrain of a canvas, crafting me into the textured strokes of Lady Morgan. Sitting idly at my desk, gazing absently, envisioning your reappearance. The paper is slain from neglect and grayed with dust, The pen slowly suffering as ink weeps from my quill and bleeds.

Forever Yours @Elicia_Stone

These emotions render me useless And the truth is, I give in and surrender. Baby, I’m yours forever, Watch as eternity surpasses eternity And I’ll still stay Till we’ve reached our Judgement day. I’m addicted to you. Devoted to you. Head over heels, I’ve fallen for you. You make me feel, Something so real. Baby, I’m in love with you.

Carefree

@Luke_Pierce One foot in front of the other. Meter by meter. Not caring about anything but the guy in front of you. No pains, no one judging you. No one yelling at you, telling you you aren’t good enough. Only people yelling at you, encouraging you, telling you that you can make it. I don’t have to worry if people like me or not. I’m not stressed; I just go out and do my best, Knowing that no one can ask any more of me. While I’m running, I control my world, control my destiny. While I’m running, I’m truly myself, not a clone society has created.

Benson

@Bemnet_Habtu

Behind The Mask @Mai_Tran

A world, the base of any everlasting dream Tranquility and hope lies within the essence of every mind The word ‘content’ becomes the horizon that lives want to reach A light that shines in one’s soul, the brilliance that prevents hope from burning out... Smiles on their faces, laughter that fills one with joy, a perfect life... Is it? Is it really the ideal life that we see before us? Lies Lies that are covered by a mask. A mask that hides their true face. A true face that is beyond anyone’s belief What we saw was nothing more than an illusion, a mirage, a fake... Happiness, an idea that was long nonexistent Tranquility, something long forgotten Hope, lost day by day Behind the mask shows something more terrifying, than any other nightmare Lies Hatred Jealousy Greed Evil that controls their mind

They hide their true intentions with a forged personality Deep inside, They have no heart, Incapable of loving, Unable to care They want to expose you, They want to hurt you, They want to break you, They want to erase your existence A world filled with “light” is the den for clouded creatures thriving in darkness Their souls plagued with immoral sins They devour pure souls, sucking out the idea of delight, the hope of reaching the horizon, the idea of a quintessential life... There is no such thing as hope There is no such thing as contentment You can never be a star that continues burning strongly. One lives on the belief of being forever pure. Unfortunately, everything must become stained, broken down, and erased An innocent soul gradually turns black They embrace themselves in a cold abyss, fulfilling desires by hurting others The world is covered in a blanket of darkness and cruel wishes Darkness controls their crave, feeding on others, Until there is nothing left.

My Court

@Jenna_Tederman I grew up next to a court watching overhyped boys run between two hoops. Later I stumbled upon a court of my own a place where I could be myself and enjoy my time. The hoops were changed into a net that split the court, dividing two dreams. As I get older, my court is fading away, and new courts will come into my life. I knew I couldn’t play on my dream court forever and I’m glad I can’t, because every dream eventually comes to an end.

Horizon Hearts

@Krista Hinrichs