by Julianna Ladani, 2024

I think we all take for granted the years of young life,

It isn’t until they’re gone that we miss living a kid’s life.

Everyday was happy with no worries or fears,

Now life is far more complicated and we look back on those years.

I wish I could have stayed a kid forever; I had so much hope,

But at some point we all grow up, we all must cope.

At some point we were all carefree and striving,

Living our best lives, young and thriving.

I wish we could just all go back to that time thereof,

Living our lives much higher above.

No matter the day and no matter the year,

As a young child time seemed to just disappear.

I miss that stress-free life of eventful and fun,

But hopefully the sequel to young life has just begun.

by Mia Tsaktsirlis, 2024

I am from a loud chaotic home

From scattered shoes to nerf bullets made of foam

I am from the smells that brighten your mood

My mom in the kitchen cooking good food

I am from the mighty oak known as my dad

Whose long limbs I remember as if they were my own

I’m from swimming in the blue sea and tubing in the sound

From my sister my brother and I just goofing around

I’m from teaching my dog cool tricks

To getting him to fetch some sticks

And from having dance parties all night long

To a super loud crazy song

I’m from advice from my mother

Such as always share and be kind to one another

I’m from early morning Easter egg hunts

And the football everyone punts

I’m from Long Island and Greece

From spinach pie to baklava in a big feast

From my little sister explaining to my family how to make a kite

Who is funny, loving, and bright

I am from all of these things and moments

My personality and who I’ll become

I am proud of who I am and where I’m from

by Jack Peirano, 2024

The was an old lady named Rose,

Who made an unusual pose,

She fell on the floor,

Crashed into a door,

And the truth was she stepped on her nose.

by Maria F Rojas, 2024

Midnight Isolation 

I’m a girl.

I look at boys with eyes of passion, 

they, back with a prideful smirk. 

I want a brush of their touch and

submerge my pain into their arms.  

 

What a warmth he would bring to my life.

When I glance at him, I see a facade: 

6 ‘5, brown eyes, brown fluffy hair, skinny, cross around his neck. 

Knowing so much yet nothing from a stranger’s sight. 

Wishing to know, 

what his insides look like

divergent from the external. 

His beauty deceives.

Trips my eyes to look where I should not, 

the places I have gotten lost before, 

and still have not recovered the pieces of my lost, broken soul. 

 

The darkness of the night camouflages my love for him.

 

He, lost in motion,

I, found. 

My lovely distant distraction, 

glances at the ticking clock.

Is he waiting for me?

Ten feet from me, but I know his cologne, 

*Versace Eros.

 

Missing my chaos while focusing on my glimmering sun. 

 

Planning the perfect interaction, 

never having the courage to speak.

My mouth wants to kiss, but my mind is overwhelmed by his sight.

I freeze looking at him. 

body function is none. 

 

My pulse increases, my head starts to spin. 

I could pause life for him. 

Is he just in my mind? 

 

Glitches of reality and my fantasy start to synchronize,

I can’t tell the difference. 

What a joke am I.

 

I lose control over my body,

sweating and 

trembling

as he walks towards me.

 

“Is he ignoring me?”

 

He gets closer to me as the train approaches the station. 

“The midnight train,” 

the last one for the night. 

My train. 

He gets on.

I watch the doors close with him behind, 

I, left alone in the station 

dreaming of his touch.

 

What was his name?

by Julianna Ladani, 2024

So much to do, so much to see

I want to choose the thing that’s right for me.

I want to be happy and make myself proud,

but I fear I will be letting them all down.

Will I rise above and soar to great heights,

or will I plummet and fall, leaving me affright?

I wish it all would become so clear,

so I can take a risk; a chance without any fears.

Yet still I do not know what the future holds,

Truthfully I won’t know until it all unfolds.

There are so many things to choose from, that I know for sure,

But choose the wrong thing, and experience a never ending loop with no cure.

I hope to prosper and choose the right path,

so I won’t have to be stuck, living a life of tragic aftermath.

So much to do, so much to see

I want to choose the thing that’s right for me.

Though it’s clear I won’t know any sooner,

I want to just live a happy life with a very bright future.