Poetry
Again
By: Rachel Halpern
Yesterday’s snow has melted off the cliffs by the river
As if never slashed by storm winds’ talons
So recently drawing sharp tears
Dropping onto the drifts
Warm rays float down at dawn and
all over again
the world forgets
So maybe we’ll drive across the bridge down those little roads
Pretending like there never was a before
and the last dusting of snow will coat the islands between the streets
Like it settles on the space between us
Like gunpowder by a worn-down fuse
Like a finger to a faded bruise
i don’t care
we’ll make snow angels
So make a second first impression
Please
Is it so bad to imagine
That I could show you me now that I’m not caught up in you
Let me Let you in
I think I can promise this
come back
let’s do it all over again
Spark
By: Michelle Elmann
Intertwined in a state of loss and confusion
Dreaming of a blissful escape
Trapped in a permanent seclusion
Solemnly watching others agape
I have long forgotten the sight of contentment
Or the feeling of not being alone
I am immersed in complete resentment
Deliberating what I could have done
Spare me of this desperate yearning
Why I am forced to watch you grow
I am having difficulty in discerning
The outline of your shadow
Once I became engulfed in desolation
I watched my hope dissipate
The need for your validation
Is now beginning to abate
You found me in my misery
And promised my release
I lept and followed willingly
Expecting imminent peace
I released the devouring despair
As my feet missed the earth
And immediately missed the glare
From the spark that gave me worth
because of you
By: Talia Berg
you were my world.
stomach turned around,
my grades went down,
but it didn’t matter.
because i had you.
you were my heart.
i lived for you.
i kept breathing for you.
and for the first time in a while,
i was happy.
you were my hero.
protected me from every storm,
made sure there was sun to keep me warm,
and it was only then
that i didn’t feel alone.
and then you left.
my world turned around,
came crashing down,
and it all happened
because of you.
Trapped
By: Brooke Kohl
Behind doors
Behind masks
Behind a pretense of happiness
She hides
Trapped by her haven
Trapped by her own doing
Though she longs to be free
She’s waiting
For that spark
Something to prove to her stubborn mind
That she’s right
That it isn’t so bad out there
She tries to crawl out
But then she’s reminded
Of her doubts
Her fears
She wants to turn around
Despite the voices shouting at her
To give it a chance
To open up
To follow her dream
What could be so bad?
But she can’t
There’s no spark to inspire her
Light to guide her
Person longing for her
So she crawls back
Safe, until another day
Until something
Or someone
Comes to save her
She’s safe
But trapped
She can’t see a way out
Can’t see the bright side of things
Can’t banish the darkness threatening to overwhelm her
Without a spark to help her
And give her hope

Zehava Shatzkes

Twisted
By: Mia Hahn
Fire
By: Mia Hahn
The smell of smoke gives way
To a blinding heat
As it slowly begins to
Spark.
Heating,
Heating up,
Compelled by its beauty,
Overwhelmed by its power.
An amber glow
Shines brightly,
But its flames
Begin to sleep
Until the heat
Is no longer there

Michelle Elmann