Written by Toni Bonvillain. Graphic by Emma Robinson. – My therapist once told me “success is in the baby-steps,” so on those days when you feel too numb to move, just get out of bed. That would be enough. The start of something is still something even if you never see the end, so remember that you are alive, and […]
Written by Caroline Rock. Graphic by Emma Robinson. – On a night when you can’t seem to think straight Tears wash away a layer of your face Revealing someone you thought you’d outgrown To show you for, maybe, the person you really are A girl Trying to grow up Crawling in your own skin each day Until finally you can’t […]
Written by Shini Meyer Wang. Graphic by René Magritte, Golconde (1953). – their separations exact a rising or falling echelon plotted on a triple axis world their expressions placid faces emptied like the people on subway trains who carry a sacred anonymity mornings I crack open my kitchen window to breathe or to be greeted by the rows of windows […]
Written by Allison McCarty. Graphic by Peyton Cabaniss. Originally published as part of the Spring 2019 “Challenge” Issue.– Months. Weeks. Days. Hours. Minutes. It usually comes down to minutes. Assignments, papers, tests, they’re all posted months in advance. The dates on the syllabus are distant, almost inconceivable. No need to think about it, there’s plenty of time. Write it on the […]
Written by Shini Meyer Wang. Graphic by Peyton Cabaniss. Originally published as part of the Spring 2019 “Challenge” Issue.– threads of smoke from the ether unravel down the sky it is that tin-can shuttle rubble hurtling across America’s TV boxes the space voyager “Challenger” a reverie turned fireball our frontier is beyond the fishbowl beyond the scorch of atmosphere that […]
Written by Gabriela Camarena. Graphic by Peyton Cabaniss. Originally published as part of the Spring 2019 “Challenge” Issue.– **Content Warning: Sexual Assault** I saw a woman on the news, Her stance was bold and strong. She spoke the words we know are true, But still they say she’s wrong. I saw a woman on the news, Different than she before, […]
Written by Caroline Tsai. Graphic by Peyton Cabaniss. Originally published as part of the Spring 2019 “Challenge” Issue. – I remember what the hallways smell like – “Like where dreams come to die,” my ex-boyfriend said when he came to visit me the first time I was in there. I remember that the walls are white, but not a clean […]
Written by Monica Hand. Graphic by Peyton Cabaniss. Honorable Mention in the Spring 2019 Creative Competition, “Challenge.” – The hardest thing you will ever do is love her. Though you pine to love her the way she needs, With an unconditional, forgiving fury. It’s not easy- you know that. She knows that. You tell her it’s her fault you can’t […]
Written by Michaela Lavelle. Graphic by Peyton Cabaniss. Honorable Mention in the Spring 2019 Creative Competition, “Challenge.”– Every exhale is a knickknack I put on your shelves Coat on the rack and shoes at your door I make myself at home moving in my favorite memories, my greatest fears, mugs, goals, dreams, plates and picture frames My fingers touch the […]
Written by Praveena Javvadi. Graphic by Peyton Cabaniss. – You. You are the train. You will go. And you will fill. And you will come bustling apart at the sides with all kinds of Joy and despair and laughter and tears and anger. And love. And you will go. And you will fill. But I am the stop. And as […]
Written by Sophie Corless.Graphic by Peyton Cabaniss. I. What happens on an infomercial,When the late-night viewer falls asleep?When the commercial,Has no viewers, do the glimmering products weep? II. Where does the flash go,After blinding an unsuspecting star?Does the camera hold the photo,And treasure it as a new piece in his repertoire? III. Does a magazine feel remorse,For printing less than […]
Written by Shini Meyer Wang.Graphic by Peyton Cabaniss. – Where are we now? In the space between phone calls. In the flicking of a lighter. In the rhythm of the nighttime. In the crevice of a sunrise. In the screech of time ticking. In the farming of ourselves. In the bookshelves of some hopefulness. The walls stare. The floor dusts. […]
Written by Luisana Cortez.Graphic by Peyton Cabaniss. – To The Subjects of Graciela Iturbide’s Art black & white tapestry of women, their backs mirrors to the cloth of juan diego’s virgin. ink flowing into skin, into paper, into a lonely woman’s camera. once, the quinceañera was given a crown of iguanas. once, a flock of chickens taking flight, mindless of […]
Written by Sophie Corless.Graphic by Peyton Cabaniss. – “I can feel your incriminations and your judgment, and I am fine with that.” Cheney lies on a cold metal table with his chest opened wide,A pulseless void where a heart should reside,An expendable heart hovering his physical form,Political morality, a quiet storm.His chest is filled with a stronger motor,To power his […]
Written by Lorece Harris. Graphic by Peyton Cabaniss. – I used to think love was loud. I grew up in a Latino household, where everyone had an opinion and we wanted you to know about it. That meant when we fought, it was earth shattering, and when we celebrated, it was the feeling of unconditional support and belonging. And it […]
Written by Hira Vayani. Graphic by Peyton Cabaniss. Originally published as part of the Spring 2018 “Rebirth” Issue. I wake up; it’s time College has been on my mind – for years Growing up, college was never an if; it was a when It’s almost time for my first class – I’m a complete mess What will it be […]
