Page created by: Joss Dacus, Jaimya Francis, Hallie Gay, and Adeline Melton Banner art created by: Hallie Gay
A Blooming Flower in the Midst of a Crowd by Joss Dacus
The crowds and the sounds They all surround me making my heart pound as I stumble over an ant mound I tumble to the ground with a thud I stumble into the flower buds I find a single blooming flower As I roll into it, the flower cowers It seems to bow to me as I roll over it I start to scowl as I cough and spit Finally rolling to a stop Off the ground I pop Before turning around to see The flower has survived just like me I go to inspect the flower’s petals and leaves It was probably scared I was a thief Like all of these kids who pick it from the ground And run in circles with these flowers who can’t make a sound If they cried for help, we wouldn’t know All these flowers do is grow They rise up from the soft ground Poking up through the grass that’s all around I run to the only open shop A nearby cafe with only one car stopped I open the door and walk in I turn to the cashier who is tall and thin I ask for a coffee to go Their smile brightened by the light’s glow They start a new brew And say “customers have been far and few” I reply, “yeah, I can tell-I was feeling blue,” I continue, “see I was scared this store was closed, too” They hand me my coffee and wish me a good day I walk out to find the flower back a little ways I crouch down and dig it out of the dirt with my hands Careful not to break roots scared the flower will cease to stand I pour my coffee into the ground and take a handful of dirt And stuff it into the coffee cup getting some of it on my shirt I make a suitable hole for the flower, small and frail But now its cold and the flower's looking pale I hurry back home laughing slightly at the cup I used as a flowerpot.
Post-it Note by Adeline Melton
Floating in Saturn's glow the stars smirk at me, as I slide down it's rings.
Let The Kids Know by Jaimya Francis
Show me how to be whole again. Show the kids how to contain. Show them how to suppress their emotions like the rest. Tell them that they have to be the best, and tell them that you must always second guess. Let them know that they will never be good enough, and life is more than tough. Life is pain. Life is draining. But still. Let the kids know that they will make it. They will never have to worry about anything. Any mental or physical problem will pass by them as if they don’t exist. Life struggles are just something the kids will get to dismiss. They will take control again. The kids will know how to be whole again.
Headed to New Roads by Jaimya Francis
Eyes of Glass Hallie Gay
In a maze of clouds among the Heavens Hides an angel with a name unknown She wears her halo as a crown of fantasy That only she can touch
I managed to catch her attention Although it only lasted a moment Guilt arises from morality When I crave her lingering gaze
Her eyes of glass and irises of stars A cerulean sea that leaves me captivated Beyond the perfect mask she wears Lies countless thoughts I long to know
This heavenly maiden behind her cloak of brilliance Taunts me with her veiled visions The only dream that I've been chasing Is ever slightly out of reach
Cassini Saturn slideshow by Joss Dacus
Looking for Life by Jaiyma Francis
Dreams Lost and Found by Adeline Melton
I lace up my decoupage shoes. My ragtag speaker blares rhythm and blues. “You are my muse,” Devon says to me, his curly hair twisting this way and that in the wind; he’s bemused. I throw away my coffee-stained Starbucks cup, twenty times used. “And you’re an idiot,” I retort. I’ve been alive long enough to realize love is not a sport. I would get more coffee, but I’m two dollars short. The sun’s haughty rays greet me in the street. I tramp along, feeling the beat. I glance at Devon; he’s tripping over his feet. Passing by, I see a graffiti artist. My mom says "Giving money to strangers is not the smartest." However, I know that starving artists are the ones that work the hardest. I toss some change into his cup and go along my way. He chimes, “That just made my day!” The colors of the wall swirl violet, emerald, and dark blue. I’m transfixed by every vibrant hue. Devon catches my eye and says wistfully, “Darling I know that I’m the one for you.” I know this to be true. Still, I avoid his gaze and become engrossed in my shoe. Scarlet faced, I trudge on despite my fears. Suddenly saxophone melodies fill my ears. The clash and clamor of xylophones and tambourines. It paints a rather vibrant scene. Devon’s grin was growing wide. He kicks up a rather exuberant stride. “Can I see that saxophone? I want to give it a try!” he persuades a timid-looking guy. The tune was harsh, flat, and underdone. At least he looked like he was having fun. His face glowed in contentment under the sun. At that moment my heart zipped open. My emotions soared like a turbulent ocean. I called, “Devon, let’s get out of here!” He gave back the instrument and smirked from ear to ear, “What would you like to do, my dear?” I stopped him short and kissed him in a meaningful way. A perfect end to a perfect day.
Remain The Same by Hallie Gay
A boy sits under the stars, beauty dripping from his name. He greets me with engaging, perfect, fleeting smiles, and I give him the same.
A girl with sugar on her tongue puts the Sun itself to shame. She’s a new sensation in a different field of vision, yet I remain the same.
Golden hair and Atlantic eyes, stifled thoughts to keep the angels at bay. A new age of lovers redefined, yet I remain the same. Beauty comes in many forms; it only exists in shades of gray. Love evolves, and grows, and thrives, yet I never dare to change.
Primary Days by Hallie Gay
Starstruck by Adeline Melton
Heavenly Skies by Hallie Gay
The Cycle of Evil by Adeline Melton
I have this hidden quest so sacred, even I forget of its existence. Days will pass and the magic will swirl above my head, except I don’t look up and reach for it. Sometimes I’ll catch a glimpse of a glimmer, and I remember to point my nose to the sky and hold onto my quest, if even for just a moment. Sometimes I let it go on for too long, I become a grey and green person. Grey because of other's yellow Green for other’s purple. How long ’til my soul gets it right? Sometimes my nose will catch a whiff of the sweet scent. Doughy bread, butter cookies and something else… strong enough to make me remember. Other times my ears become clogged; I forget to be listening for it. However, then I’ll hear a noise so pure- the sound of laughter! It makes me remember my quest. Other times my mouth goes dry, and I’ll forget to drink or speak, but when I taste the holy water the words flow easily out of me. Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I’ll learn. It’s when I open myself up to the world that I remember to open myself up to others. The quest can never be complete.
Inner Glow by Adeline Melton
Guilt by Joss Dacus
Opening my eye, I look up above me Tumbling cracking slices of ceiling The sky peeling Its sides pouring over A single four leaf clover Won’t get me out of this one
They’ve won The sky weighs a ton To hold up such an unbearable weight What state of mind did it take To accept that fate What state of mind And of what kind
An average man built like sand Dunes are blown around but never destroyed It’s gone one second and back the next They always stand no matter what What words you say they always claim as void They're always respond quick to text
When the world squishes them under the blue Out of the blue and completely new Squashes them like an ant under a shoe Chewed between earth and sky Not a chance to ask why No chance to try and pry Themselves out of the wreck that was the sky
So used to the ground crumbling beneath them They forget to look up and around them Not knowing the danger that surrounds them As the sky crumbles down to pound them The fallen sky now grounds them Forming dirt over a grave un-dug
Unable to climb out of the earth Their struggle is not enough They aren’t tough enough To dig through all that stuff Around their hand a handcuff Trapped under their clouded mind It feels like they have to pay For something they feel like they’ve done The shame and fear they feel crushes them into the dirt They know they can't win but he must have courage It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin But you begin anyway They gasp for one last breath of air And gather all their courage as they punch through the Blanket of dirt
Lady Saturn By Joss Dacus
In Technicolor by Hallie Gay
Life's Purpose by Jaimya Francis
Can any human being ever reach that kind of light? Can humans ever resist the urge to fight? On this two-sided path, will people turn right? Or will they go left and never find the light? Good and evil is something we’re taught. Money doesn’t equal happiness, so it can’t be bought. We are not the makers of history. We are made by history. Why we are put on this Earth-- well, that will stay a mystery. Will humans find life’s true meaning? Or will they stay living a life dreaming? Reaching that kind of light may be hard. Finally getting there will leave you scarred.