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Untitled ~Anonymous

Flaky, layered, sweet with a sour finish: apple turnovers. I love them, especially warmed up with vanilla ice cream on the side. A delightful treat. In a way, they remind me of myself, an inviolable spirit, an extravagant mind, and a gorgeous girl. A person has many layers. My first layer, like the first layer of an apple turnover, is crispier than the rest but paper-thin, hiding personal feelings and letting out a confident, defensive, tough persona. Everyone has that sort of exterior though, as a way to protect themselves. If you think about it, that layer is truly paper thin no matter how tough we attempt to come off as. We get close to people, make friends, and despite the trust issues, we do care. The second layer of the apple turnover is usually soft, buttery, and doughy. The layer beyond my crisp exterior is ecstatic, steadfast, caring, kind, and innocent. That inner child that begs to come out more often, searching for friendships everywhere, but too nervous to get close to anyone. The piece of me that is both everchanging and never-changing. Everyone grows mentally and physically. However, the part that will always stay the same in me is that I will always wonder, and I will always be caring. For example, I have continued to enjoy helping the old ladies from my church cross the street. Unexpectedly most of them end up giving me something in return that I usually give back but in a different form, like buying their favorite snack from the store across the street from the church. Or how I have and will continue to enjoy giving the homeless money and food when I can. During the summer of 2021, my grandma made lunch bags and passed them out to the homeless people at the beach then got ice cream afterward. The filling of an apple turnover is sweet with a tangy finish; I am the same way. I can be extremely nice; however, I can also be heavily strong-willed. For example, during the summer of 2023, there was a leadership workshop that I desperately wanted to go to. My mom agreed for me to go, but slowly after signing the documents saying I could, she started to regret that decision. Fearing that something would happen while I was there and she wouldn’t be there to help me. However, I was able to ease her out of her anxiety, reassuring her that I had become more mature and that I would update her daily. Beyond that filling is one last layer, a soft layer with a crisp outside, similar to the texture of a freshly baked homemade cookie. My last layer is full of forward-looking. I’ve always looked forward to what the future holds for me, whether it is the job I work, the college I go to, or the places to which I travel. Despite that curiosity, I am also nervous about what awaits me. Like if I did all this preparation for the future just to end up nowhere that I planned for. After that, I calmed myself down and considered what would happen if everything went right and did tons of research on what my life would look like if everything went accordingly. This is me, The layers of who I am, and how those pieces make me, me. I wouldn’t be who I am if each layer didn’t exist; and even with my flaws, I see myself as a delightful, heedful, and splendiferous person. Similar to the sweet, layered, imperfect layers of an apple turnover. ~Ki'Myra Eure

"An Experience That I’ll Never Forget" ~IAN POULIOS

Most experiences in your life never truly leave a lasting impression. It is only those few handful of life-altering experiences that replay over and over in your head and last forever. One that I will never forget is being part of my school’s Guitar Club. Being a self-taught drummer, I was in awe when I was asked to join the club after performing in a talent show during my Sophomore year. Since being asked to join the club that started off with only three students, it has been truly amazing over the last two years to see us grow to 15 students and be asked to play at nearly every special event for our school and a few others in the area.

In no way was this journey an easy one. In the beginning, none of us would have ever thought this would morph into something this special. Most musicians can tell you that there is always going to be tension between members of the band. This member wants to play this song or that song, some members think they don’t need to practice, and others are just too busy at times which puts more stress on the rest of the group. We had to learn to compromise and get setlists right for performances. We shifted from arguing to suggesting songs that would be well-known across every generation of people.

Our confidence was growing with each performance and we felt like we were on top of the world. However, we still had one hurdle to get over and it was a performance that would challenge all of us. We were asked to perform for the Black History Month assembly. This performance would show off all of the hard work, hours of practice, and the creative minds that came together in the beginning to what we finally became - a Family.

The day had arrived. We set up the stage, did a sound check, and did a practice run of the setlist prior to the show. As the time for the show got closer we were starting to get nervous. This was such an important event and we did not want to mess up. As we waited behind the curtain as the emcee introduced us, time seemed to slow down. We could hear the cheering and before we knew it… WOOSH the curtain opens and a sea of people as far as the eye can see. With a single spotlight on our lead guitarist he begins with a Robert Johnson tune, one by one each spotlight shined on each member as we flowed into “Mannish Boy” by Muddy Waters and "The Thrill Is Gone" by BB King. Song after song, the nerves calmed, the butterflies disappeared, and as the crowd got more and more into the performance we seemed to be completely in sync. After those three songs, we dialed it up a little and played “Johnny B Goode” by Chuck Berry, guitar legend Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze,” and Prince’s “Purple Rain.” We then blew the roof off the place with “Cult of Personality” by Living Color and “Bulls on Parade” and “Killing In The Name Of” by Rage Against the Machine. The applause and cheers were exhilarating. We then got asked to perform at any and all events after this one performance.

It has been an incredible experience being a part of the Guitar Club. I’ve made many friends and memories during the past two years, some that will last a lifetime. Now as a Senior and getting ready to move on to my next chapter, I’m sure that I will have many more experiences in my life. Some I’m sure will be eventful, however, this experience is one that I will never forget.

"The Ticking Clock" ~Shae Miller

My eyes were glued to the test page while the clock in the background grew louder and louder, “TICK.” The words of the question were so blurred it seemed like a different language, “TOCK.” The air felt thick, like breathing in a hot car, “TICK.” Finally, I closed my eyes, cleared my brain, and everything was back to normal, “TOCK.” Prolonged tests have felt like this since I was seven and diagnosed with ADHD and Dyslexia. Although this has been a big struggle, I wouldn’t change it because it made me who I am.

To begin, the height of my learning disability was when I was little, and I had no resources to overcome my struggles in class. Many days in grade school, I felt as if I was drowning, consumed by the feelings I had because I couldn’t do the work. I vividly remember taking notes in 4th grade; my teacher wrote fast, even for the regular students, and most of her words would disappear from the board almost instantly. Suddenly, the room went hot; I felt like I was choking, my thoughts scattered, and the clock just kept ticking and ticking, louder and louder. At this moment, I could either give up or persevere with tears in my eyes; considering my naturally driven self, it was typically the latter. Due to my inability to function like my peers, I tended to feel embarrassed about my disability. There were many days, I would go to one of my teachers for extra help, and shield my face from fellow students. These struggles were overbearing at times, and I had no idea how to quiet the clock.

Despite these endeavors, I overcame my struggles with plenty of support. In 3rd grade, I moved schools; my teachers introduced me to the LEXIA program. They put me in a separate room daily and worked with me one-on-one with others who shared my disabilities. This action made me feel less alone in my endeavors. They helped me understand everything differently, taught me to have a grit mindset, and showed me how to quiet the clock. As a result, I became more confident in my achievements and perseverance. Another support system I had was my family. When my mom heard about my disability, she researched an immense amount to understand it. She learned to understand my challenges and encourage me through them. My siblings were also helpful. I remember sitting at the kitchen table doing homework for hours when I got distracted balancing a fidget spinner on a pencil, once again being antagonized by the “TICK.” My sister, Leah, was done with my “procrastination,” snatched the object right out of my hand, and then helped me with my homework. The ticking went silent.

After years of persevering and overcoming obstacles with my disability, I had an unexpected conversation with my father, with whom I don’t have a strong relationship. While talking about college and my aspirations for the future, he went silent. Then he said in the sincerest tone, “I’m so proud of how far you have come; you have worked so hard and have faced many obstacles, and I’m just so proud of you.” My eyes started to well, not knowing how much I needed to hear that; yet again, the clock was silenced. It struck me that all the support I received from people over the years allowed me to not only overcome my disabilities but embrace them.

My learning struggles, which were overwhelming at times, made me the resilient, hard-working person I am today. I have pushed myself to constantly improve and overcome the obstacles in my life. Although the clock is still ticking, it gets quieter every day until eventually I can tune it out, as if it was never there.

POETRY

Resplendent Heart ~Ki'Myra Eure

Intimacy, doting, attachment, endearment

These words are attached to this thing we call love.

People use love loosely and say it as an adjective to describe the feeling then in there

When love is an everlasting word.

A word needed to be shown not said. Similar to the word freedom

People lose sight of what they mean when a word is used too often

People ask for freedom but do they really know what that word means

Or are they just looking for relief or a justification for wanting to be lazy?

Do people really want or mean these things

Or are they just looking for something to be provocative towards

“You don’t love me” “I want my freedom” “I don’t love you” “ I have the freedom to do this to you” “ My ancestors built this so I have the freedom to destroy it”

We usually only use these words the way they are meant to in a negative way.

Why is that?

We say it and then mean it for the rest of our lives.

Can we only truly feel these things when we are angry?

Why can’t we say what we mean the way things were meant to be said when they were supposed to be said?

Do you truly love me?

Do you truly wish to be freed?

We use these words like loose-leaf paper

We say them then throw them away and the meaning right along with it.

But from what we know, we do mean it.

So what exactly do we mean?

It's not that we only love that person for that split second for that specific moment

Nor are we just trying to compensate for our ignorance of what we actually feel.

It's just we don’t follow through on our love.

With the phrase “I love you” we create an emotional intimacy that doesn’t last until we meet, “the one” but do we not mean it when we say it to everyone else?

Why do you love me?

What makes you feel you love me?

I think I love you but I can’t be sure

I don’t say it back not because I don’t feel affection towards you as well

But because I don’t know what I mean

I don’t like to say things I don’t mean. Why are others comfortable with doing that?

I feel a strong emotion but what is it? Adoration?Supercalafragilisticexpialidocias? Content?

I am afraid.

I don’t know the meaning of love.

Am I wanting something I already have?

Am I so ignorant that I can’t see that?

Am I the angry person looking for something to be provocative towards?

Am I in love?

I don’t know.

And I am sorry for not knowing

I am officially, unofficially in love

Untitled by Davin Artis

My America is a planet that constantly revolves in a circle searching for a way/purpose

I wonder if I'm the only one who has this feeling of constantly moving but going nowhere

I dream of exploring different galaxies

I hope I can keep this constant speed and not decrease in speed and have to reset the whole process

I want to realize that I'm not moving but that the world around me is

I feel that if I told the world about the constant orbit they would look at me differently

I believe that the constant orbit will eventually come to an end, and I will drop out of the atmosphere.

I fear that the planets will fall out of orbit and collide

I predict that the orbit will never end as I continue on my journey

I realize that the ozone layer is thinning and we are becoming vulnerable

I understand that there are five layers to the atmosphere

I see meteors in the mesosphere soaring through the sky and disappearing in the stratosphere

I hear thunderstorms in the troposphere

I try to take my mind off of it, but the constant movement but not going anywhere is getting to me

I need to take my mind off it and lock it into orbit because the more I think the more likely it is that the planets fall out of orbit

I say my planet has finally come to an end . . . BOOMMMM

My America is a planet that constantly revolves in a circle searching for a way/purpose

The Laws of Karma ~Ki'Myra Eure

I thought karma would be on my side.

I thought that taking all the hits, words, nagging, and other things she did to me would

make karma come for her.

I thought that I was a good person.

I thought that life wasn't so bad.

I wished that life was fair.

I wished that she loved me like I loved her.

I thought that she would treat me better since I was a part of her family,

but no it was him.

It was him that she loved.

It was him that she cared for.

¨Why not me?” I would ask myself, ¨Why him?¨

but I knew it was all in vain.

I knew asking such questions was a waste of time.

I knew that she would never love like she loved him, but what was I to do?

I can't do anything that's the thing.

Thunderstorm ~Ki'Myra Eure

The cries and whines,

squawking and grumbling,

noise, oh the noise that comes from this pessimistic person.

The tapping and chatting, the mocking and giggling,

noise oh the noise that comes from these uproarious people.

Noise. Noise, Noise this nuisance of a noise, bothers and disrupts me from my work,

it angers me.

Then it stops.

Like a city engulfed in a thunderstorm, silence envelopes the room.

It calms me and puts me at ease.

The silence reminds me of thunder piercing the rain.

It’s what interrupts my anger, the pessimistic person, and the uproarious people.

The rainbow after the storm and calmness before the rain.

That is my silence.

Untitled ~Anonymous

My America is a rollercoaster of ups and downs, twists and turns that bring the fun and excitement out of people.

I wonder if the world will view my America as an amusement park or as a place of reckoning

I dream of an equal, united, and peaceful America, a place for fun and thrills.

I hope that the people of America can bring an atmosphere like an amusement park and it can be fun.

I want us to be able to have fun and not worry about the violence in America.

I feel as if America is not united anymore and is breaking away from becoming a selfish country.

I believe it will get worse over time if we do not fix the issues now.

I fear the country will not be connected like the rails on a track.

I pretend that my America is the ultimate thrill ride and can have fun.

I realize my America will have lots of downs but definitely will have ups.

I understand my America can be split like tracks.

I see a thrill in my America that can be fun for all.

I hear the screams and laughter from people in America.

I try to make my America fun.

I need my America to understand there will be ups and downs but it will still be fun.

I say America now lacks the rollercoaster of adventures.

My America is a rollercoaster of ups and downs.

Untitled ~Anonymous

My America is a circle of small hands all with diversity none like the other

I wonder about the kaleidoscope of colors that blend, effortlessly like stained glass

I dream of a nation that transcends, like thoughts and ideas that have transcended throughout generations.

I hope for unity, that is unyielding and true for it can be like a knight in shining armor

I want acceptance for me and you. Unlike a college, I want acceptance for all no matter what

I feel the immense power when differences intertwine like a sweater made of yarn

I believe in a world where inclusivity shines like a sun rising in the morning

I fear the divisions that can easily tear us apart as if we are loose leaf paper unwanted by a student

I pretend that love can mend every heart, like the bricks that mend to make a home

I realize the strength in our diversity, where it could be as strong as a bodybuilder if we came together in our diversity

I understand the beauty in the variety of colors we see on the rainbow on a sunny day

I see the tapestry of cultures unfold like the American flag being put up for the first time

I hear the stories that need to be told. As if I were a publisher seeing authors trying to get their break

I try to break down barriers and walls, like a wrecking ball at a construction site

I need compassion to answer the call. As if it was Superman and we were crying for help

I say let’s celebrate our unique voices, for together we can make a harmonious choice.

My America is a circle of small hands all with diversity none like the other

Untitled by Annonymous

My America is a statue that sets the sky ablaze with a golden flame.

I wonder if it will corrode, rust, or even deteriorate over time.

I dream of a statue that remains standing despite the intractable forces that gnaw at it.

I hope it will illuminate the sky with dreams and hopes.

I want this statue to inspire me, guide me, and empower me with its incandescent torch.

I feel as if the light is lightening with lots of degrees of intensity.

I believe this statue will guide us through its greatness.

I fear that this statue will crumble under the weight of the dreams that depend on it.

I pretend that it will never fall under the weight of its power, its importance, and its responsibilities.

I realize that this could be the outcome and that America is as fragile as crystal.

I understand that this statue will never be the same.

I see a magnificent monument symbolizing hope and dreams.

I hear the sound of the wind slicing through the statue and its flame.

I'm trying to learn how you were sculpted so I can restore you if I have to.

I need to protect you, help you, and revive your flame like a vestal virgin.

I proudly say “This statue won't fall as long as we believe in it”

My America is a statue that sets the sky ablaze with a golden flame.

Untitled ~Drekwon Hunt

There are tears I’d like to cry.

The sudden urge to disappear,

Almost as if I’d never existed.

No, I’m not depressed. I have a loving family and friends, but sometimes it feels as though the world is forgetting about who I am and only knows my name.

Or maybe I’m forgetting about who I am, and all I have left is my name? Maybe a tear or two would help, but this reservoir is empty. I have yet to shed a tear for myself, but for others, I’ve shed millions, cried oceans, and traversed over them to weep some more with those in need of a shoulder to cry on.

In this life, I wonder when I can weep for myself, or do the waterworks only check in when it’s for another person’s sorrows? It feels as if I’m an empty shell or that I’m a shadow following the body possessed by another. Yet, all I care about is others. Wondering why? Well, as am I, but it seems as though my heart knows; for when it hurts, it wants to heal, not itself but someone else’s wounds.

Perhaps tomorrow I’ll shed but one tear for myself and disguise it as simply having watery eyes? Or a large stretch and yawn, and the tear slowly crawl down my face and into my lap? Or in the shower where it has no idea it’s different from the water already running down my face. Still, there are tears I’d like to cry. Tomorrow.

Untitled ~TAYLEN BRUMLEY

My America is like a running back

I wonder if America can keep going like a running back

I dream of people being able to pick themselves up and keep going

I hope that we can rush through the rubble of the repetitive cycle of life

I want to score in life and pierce success like a knife

I feel like I'm taking hits from this world in my life

I believe we can keep driving forward and push through to reach our dreams

I fear the possibility of fumbling my dream and it’ll roll on the ground

I pretend to be tuff but I'm really not ruff

I realize I must hold on tight to keep going and not lose sight

I understand their trying to get me and take me down

I see the endzone where my dream lays

I try to stay on my feet I don't wanna be delayed

I need blocks or some type of support

I say I'm done but I'm really not I must keep going I must not stop

My America is a running back

Untitled by E leni Ochoa

My America is a pearl just barely out of my grasp where chains hold me back

I wonder if I’ll rip through these threads of steel or if my hands break like an overflowing worn-out dam

I dream of closing my hands as if it were a clam protecting it’s beautiful creation

I hope more chains don’t arise to prevent me from clasping this pearl

I want to see the reflection of myself in this shiny pearl and remember how my hands became dirty

I feel the chains are slowly deteriorating against my force

I believe this pearl is as tangible as a cloud in the sky

I fear the pearl won't be as bright and clean when I get to hold it

I pretend my hand is slowly closing around the pearl

I realize these chains may never break

I understand the chains are very durable and firm

I see my exhausted shaky hands holding this pearl and many more in the future

I hear the sounds of the straining chains struggling to hold me back

I try putting more force or maybe coming at a different angle

I need to stay diligent and keep pushing through to one day be able to caress this bright pearl

I say I will break through these threads of steel and grab this pearl ever so gently

My America is a pearl just barely out of my grasp where chains hold me back

My American Dream Poem ~Kira Bailey

My America is a shark that reflects off of the sky-blue ocean.

I wonder if my shark will grow up to rise into the breeze of success,

Or will my shark be attacked on the way to shore resulting in scars and bruises?

I hope that my shark will grow up to see there is more to life than the fear of failure and continuous doubt of falling rock bottom.

I want my shark to go out to seek the world containing its astonishing curves all the way to its courageous flaws.

I feel as if my shark will fall to the bottom feeling imprisoned yet to be abandoned by society.

I believe that my shark will survive every wave tossed its way to break them down internally.

I fear that my shark will grow up in a world where it's treated like an outcast presenting itself to the world.

I pretend to believe that my shark will not see discrimination in a world that contains a chain system.

I realize that my shark has to splash into this unpredictable world one day to explore.

I understand that my shark one day will bare a heartbreak crushing its soul,

But in this world, everything that doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

I see a light that shines bright on my shark guiding them onto the right current in their journey.

I hear my shark swimming one day to the sunset awaiting to start its own family as long as a new lifestyle.

I try to push my shark to prepare for the unbearable situations in life,

but I fear that no matter how much one can prepare it can never provide the heartbroken tragedy that comes with it.

I need My Shark to understand that life is not as easy as it seems.

I say my shark will be the most beautiful reflection against the surface.

My America is a shark that reflects off of the sky-blue ocean.

Mashed Potatoes ~Anonymous

Sitting on a plate, covered in butter, smelled so amazing, I began to utter:

“This is delectable," and it makes me wonder

who first mashed this vegetable.

The potatoes were as white as doves, and no words could describe

my love.

I scarfed down as much mash as I could, and the potato in my mouth

tasted oh so good.

The potatoes were hot like the sun, I thought how fantastic the potatoes were, and then

my head spun.

Whoever mashed these potatoes deserves a prize, but suddenly,

the mashed potatoes were gone before my very own eyes!

Licking the butter off my lips, I start to doze and yawn, wondering where the mashed potatoes could have gone.

I fell asleep with the potatoes in my stomach, so many potatoes it could fill a bucket.

If you’ve never eaten a mashed potato, you are missing out, because surely one couldn’t live without--

Mashed Potatoes ~Owen Bates

The lies you told

The lies I took to heart

The lies that we believed were true before but are now nothing more then words decaying, less and less true everyday

Lie together, the lie that we would die together, will reside forever, only a lie, lying in place, sick and gaunt, dying slowly without pause, lay at the end of a narrow hall, and still I do not lust for truth, that was never in the fault. the problem wasn’t the lie you told, the problem was you told them all

Last shot ~ Owen Bates

I am your moon, you are my nexus, that I haven’t been next to, near in ages, too liquid to hold, too solid to grasp the quiddity of your being, infinity to zero, the love of a nebulous figure, through rain or snow, sleet or hail, brimstone or fire, cats and dogs, blood or a dark red paint that I use to fill my grass to fulfill my desire drunk on lust,

I will have you in thought, toast to the reason we bring these glasses to the sky, one last shot for the angel I sacrificed for my sinful desire, through snow and fire, till oceans dry, one last shot through my silenced lips my mind on you till the barrels dry.

Resplendent Heart ~Ki'Myra Eure

Intimacy, doting, attachment, endearment

These words are attached to this thing we call love.

People use love loosely and say it as an adjective to describe the feeling then in there

When love is an everlasting word.

A word needed to be shown not said. Similar to the word freedom

People lose sight of what they mean when a word is used too often

People ask for freedom but do they really know what that word means

Or are they just looking for relief or a justification for wanting to be lazy?

Do people really want or mean these things

Or are they just looking for something to be provocative towards

“You don’t love me” “I want my freedom” “I don’t love you” “ I have the freedom to do this to you” “ My ancestors built this so I have the freedom to destroy it”

We usually only use these words the way they are meant to in a negative way.

Why is that?

We say it and then mean it for the rest of our lives.

Can we only truly feel these things when we are angry?

Why can’t we say what we mean the way things were meant to be said when they were supposed to be said?

Do you truly love me?

Do you truly wish to be freed?

We use these words like loose-leaf paper

We say them then throw them away and the meaning right along with it.

But from what we know, we do mean it.

So what exactly do we mean?

It's not that we only love that person for that split second for that specific moment

Nor are we just trying to compensate for our ignorance of what we actually feel.

It's just we don’t follow through on our love.

With the phrase “I love you” we create an emotional intimacy that doesn’t last until we meet, “the one” but do we not mean it when we say it to everyone else?

Why do you love me?

What makes you feel you love me?

I think I love you but I can’t be sure

I don’t say it back not because I don’t feel affection towards you as well

But because I don’t know what I mean

I don’t like to say things I don’t mean. Why are others comfortable with doing that?

I feel a strong emotion but what is it? Adoration?Supercalafragilisticexpialidocias? Content?

I am afraid.

I don’t know the meaning of love.

Am I wanting something I already have?

Am I so ignorant that I can’t see that?

Am I the angry person looking for something to be provocative towards?

Am I in love?

I don’t know.

And I am sorry for not knowing

I am officially, unofficially in love

Untitled ~Davin Artis

My America is a planet that constantly revolves in a circle searching for a way/purpose

I wonder if I'm the only one who has this feeling of constantly moving but going nowhere

I dream of exploring different galaxies

I hope I can keep this constant speed and not decrease in speed and have to reset the whole process

I want to realize that I'm not moving but that the world around me is

I feel that if I told the world about the constant orbit they would look at me differently

I believe that the constant orbit will eventually come to an end, and I will drop out of the atmosphere.

I fear that the planets will fall out of orbit and collide

I predict that the orbit will never end as I continue on my journey

I realize that the ozone layer is thinning and we are becoming vulnerable

I understand that there are five layers to the atmosphere

I see meteors in the mesosphere soaring through the sky and disappearing in the stratosphere

I hear thunderstorms in the troposphere

I try to take my mind off of it, but the constant movement but not going anywhere is getting to me

I need to take my mind off it and lock it into orbit because the more I think the more likely it is that the planets fall out of orbit

I say my planet has finally come to an end….. BOOMMMM