Where does this flower bloom? Must it rely on water, or When unattended will it face doom? Nana always said, “Don’t pick the pretty flowers.” “Leave them alone, they’ll be dead.” But, Leaves, branches, weeds: How come they were destined to be thrown? Roses, sunflowers and lilies were protected, Since the gardener wanted every flower to be a clone. He and his whole community wanted the perfect lawn, But each of them planted different seeds, And each seed grew differently from dusk till dawn. Each seed just required the sun as their shield. If everyone knocked down their white picket fences, We would end up with a vibrant field.
So where could this flower possibly bloom? Anywhere where the gardener has no power.
Anjali D. // BLOOM
Sam Troy // THE GARDEN
A calm breeze echoes
through the weeping willows,
unmasking the luscious smell
of sublime spring flowers.
My eyes begin to close
to soak up the sweet serenity.
My skin becomes damp as
raindrops leisurely fall
from the periwinkle sky.
I slowly bend double
and pluck a crisp crimson dahlia
And bring it to my nose.
As I inhale the muted notes of May,
chills run down my spine.
Spring is here.
Linda Chen // GAME
I started playing this game, And it’s quite addicting really, But there’s no option to save, No checkpoints, and no restarts. I have one chance, and one chance only, So I have to make this chance work.
I am playing this game, Where I keep running and running, Only choosing the safe options But at least I’m still surviving. Until the day, my dreams still unfulfilled, And the game inevitably ending.
I finished playing this game, But I’m plagued by if only’s and what if’s. If I had chosen a different option: Slain the monster rather than flee, Accepted the quest rather than pass. Maybe then I would have won the game.
Trevor C. // LIFE’ S PLAN
I am your caretaker and stapler each and every one of you.
Though I am not your true maker, I will give you meaning
in life. I will give you a permanent home.
Some of you won’t make it that far.
Those with metal legs bent in, and without an owner.
Those shall be cast to the abyss.
While those who are dysfunctional and difficult
will be disposed of
I see you as one of many thousand
journeyman. Your life is short and simple
it ends like all others.
To the iron jaws of a staple remover.
It’s purpose to rip you from your home.
Than cast you of into darkness.
Click!
Stapler to Staple
Gianna Watson // NEVER KNOW
I sat down on freezing cold bench The snowflakes as thick as ever I listened to the whispers of the wind pass me by Oh how it reminded me of the day we met The cold breeze surrounding us as we sat and talked Talked about how we just wanted to get out of this boring neighborhood
How we wanted to travel the world See all the places we imagined The Bahamas to enjoy the warm weather New Orleans for the Mardi Gras festival Fiji for the beautiful sunsets And Paris to see the Eiffel tower.
I guess I just never got the chance to But you did…You left too soon We were so young, but that didn’t stop you. I wonder if you’re okay, What would life be if you hadn’t left so soon? I guess I’ll never know.
Jenny L // GAME OF LIFE
Remember, she said, to watch,
to watch for their every move
as if you are the predator
And you have to be brave
I keep my eyes clear,
my eyes straight
not letting a whisper blow past
And breathing with a freight
My prey looks back at me,
As I carefully switch a piece
Not slowing down Or wanting to cease
As the pieces moved back and forth
The game seemed to never end
Until the King is trapped
And no longer has a friend
Lior Amitay // THE BALLAD FOR A FALLING ANGEL
My my,
haven’t you all grown up?
Your sight shatters
Breaks,
Already broken.
Then eliminates.
Me.
I have known you better–
Brighter than a flame,
Lighter than air.
Should have known
To treat you better.
The moment to realize my mistake
It’s too late,
Too late.
Your soul,
Gone.
However,
Some ugly words
Seem to slice right through you
What I don’t get is,
why are you crying?
Your toxic words are no match.
But still,
you cry.
Fake tears,
That hurt others.
You are too dark to cry;
But too pure to understand.
Running through the night,
Never looking back.
You dazzle me over,
Careless.
I want to escape.
Forever,
From the demon
That I myself created.
As far as I know,
Happiness cannot be taken.
Only devoured away.
Richard Chen // NEVER THE SAME
Never the same.
Years ago, on that field, the revolutionary war Sprung up
The first shots,
Fired.
Now, a subject of history,
Tourists are led by men in olden clothes, Triangular hats sitting atop their heads.
I can go to school and learn anything I want Without ever stepping outside the classroom. When I just look around me,
I see people from all around the world,
With their own, different
Cultures, stories,
Ever changing,
Never the same.
Sitting outside,
The trees rustle their leaves, letting me relax. I release all of the stress from the day. Again,
Tomorrow will be
Never the same.
I walk back to my elementary school— Standing there, on the pavement,
I watch my childhood field
Get torn up
Dug up
The rocks that dutifully served as our soccer goals Now a pile of sand,
The playground where I loved to play
Replaced by a big block of metal,
Growing and growing each day.
Soon, it will become a big school,
For those young children
To again kick their soccer balls
And slide down slippery slides.
And when I come back,
It will be
Almost the same.
Pooja Kawatkar // DAY AND NIGHT
My alarm rings at midnight; I am the watcher of the night The sky dark, only lit by the moon’s brilliance
The stars are there too, glimmering oh so bright
Yet the tiny crickets are the loudest in the distance
The rest take a break,
Waiting for daylight to thrive
They know how much heat they’ll create
Once they become alive
My alarm rings at dawn; I wake to its sound
The sky much brighter than before
The stars have disappeared, they’re nowhere around
The sun, too shy before, now the star of the show
The warmth cools down
The light fades away
The birds stop singing, too scared to make a sound
The moon then reappears, as forever it stays
Miguel Caro // THE MYSTERIOUS FLYING VASE
“Oh no”
The vase flew to the ground,
But just as fast
I ran out of the room
Without a sound.
My mom walked in
Smacked her head
The stress she felt seemed to last
But no anger seemed to fester within
Where was I? In the fortress of my bed
She eventually walked in, finding me out
Knowing that I did it, without a doubt
It was just an accident. The wind must have blown it over.
“Forgive me”
Hoping I’d get lucky like a four leaf clover.