Haiku Poetry
Black and White Flurries
Amy Seier
A cold winter day Black lab dashing through the snow Black and white flurries.
Haikus at Sea, Haiku #17
Damon Swisher
Kisses of Salty Rain, Hide Behind the Curtain Line, Roaring Waves Resist.
Life
Kayleigh Henson
On off on off on We finally reach our destination only to Off on off on off
Strong Enough
Crystal G Horner
Rollercoaster ride Bald head, sunken eyes, fighter Pink ribbon warrior
Painting, Digital, & Other Art
Creative Non-Fiction
My Darkest Days
Christine A Wood
It was the end of October, and my daughter was about to turn one year old. She was a miracle baby, eight years ago the doctors told us we would never have children of our own. My husband met me at the hospital for a conformation ultrasound, we were blessed with a second pregnancy. My dreams were coming true two children close in age. We had not told our friends or family; we were going to announce it at our daughter’s first birthday party. The technologist came in the room and began the exam, we were all chatting then suddenly she went quiet and turned the screen. She called in a second technologist, and they were pointing and typing, they turned the screen off and excused themselves from the room. My heart sank. I had many ultrasounds with my daughter, the technologists were always excited to show the images and explain what we were seeing so I knew right away that something was wrong. The few minutes we waited for them to return felt like hours, every tic of the clock echoed in my ears, tick, toc, tick toc. The technologist returned and said she needed to escort us to the emergency room and there would be a doctor waiting for us to explain everything. As we walked through the hallways, I remember them looking like tunnels, and hearing multiple sounds, but not a single sound. Everything blurred together, even my emotions, I was confused, terrified, and anxious all at the same time. They put us in a room and my doctor was there right away. She informed me that I had an ectopic pregnancy. I had no idea what that meant, I just knew by the somber look on her face it was not good. She explained that the embryo had implanted itself in my fallopian tube and that we would have to terminate the pregnancy. She explained that if we did not my tube would rupture and it could kill me, and that it was already so large that the only option was surgery. I felt my heart break, I had just heard the baby’s heartbeat moments ago. All I could do was lay there and wait. At this point I am experiencing a whole new set of feelings, guilt, failure, shame, unworthiness. As people enter and exit my room, I turn my head, or close my eyes to avoid eye contact, feeling unworthy of them. I had one job, to protect this baby, keep it safe until it was big enough to survive on its own. Women are built to do this and do this every day, what is wrong with me? The staff came to take me to surgery again. I plead to just wait and insist that everything will be fine. At this point I am reminded of my beautiful little girl at home and how much she needs me. The next thing I remember is the nurses wheeling me into surgery. They stopped just inside the doors to mark the area they would be operating on, and it felt like an instant 10-degree temperature drop. Everything around me is white, smells of antiseptic and cleaning solution. They wheeled me into a large room with an operating table medical equipment and three people gowned and masked waiting for me. They slid me on to the cold hard table, slipped my gown off, covered me with a sheet and told me to count back from one hundred. Ninety-nine, ninety-eight, ninety-seven, that is the last thing I remember. When I woke, I had four small incisions that would leave scars to forever remind me of what I then thought to be my biggest failure, and a large hole in my heart. The doctor met with us to inform us there was more damage than she thought, and they had to remove the entire tube. This made my chances of getting pregnant again even less. All of this led me to a very dark place. I blamed myself, which led me to feel unworthy of anything, love, respect, affection. The one thing that kept me going was my baby girl. She needed me, in that moment though she was fully dependent on me, I needed her even more. The next few months were hard, I would close my eyes and replay the day’s events. It got easier but I was still blaming after six years, some days the guilt would eat me up. Then unfortunately someone very close to me experienced the loss of a child in utero, and as I was comforting her and trying to make sure she knew there was nothing she could have done. I finally began to hear my own words, realize that it was not me, I did nothing wrong. I was finally able to let go of some of the blame I had been placing on myself for all these years, and to heal. Also having someone who understands what I went through, and we can talk to each other makes it easier for both of us.
South of 89
Derek Dennison
She sat across from me at the little countertop breakfast nook in the kitchen. She had a frown on her face and her mouth was slightly open. It was as if she had just heard some news that she would never believe possible. In fact, she had already denied it once. “I was never married.” She said in a very matter of the fact tone. “You don’t remember Fred?”, I asked her. “No, that name is not familiar to me at all.” “Well, you were married to him, for almost 40 years.” I took a second to see that her mouth had finally closed but the frown had stayed. “You even have four kids.” “No, no, no, I never had any children. Mother and Father adopted Steve and Lilly.” She tried to explain to me as she sat across from me trying to piece together the things I had been telling her. Three days prior, I had taken my mother to an independent senior home. It was a place that she had suggested because she had a couple friends that already live there. The home is not cheap. In fact, a studio apartment runs about $3,400 a month. This does include some perks like meals, laundry service, daily entertainment, and the occasional field trips to the petting zoo or carnival. However, for my mother to afford to live there, my brother Steve, sister Lilly, and I would have to make up the extra money she needed. We took a tour of the facility; Mom saw the studio apartment and how small it was. It wasn’t even big enough to fit a pickup truck in. Then we got to see the little movie theater, library, and the hair salon that is open every Tuesday and Thursday. Mom really liked the dining area and all the different bird houses that the facility had just outside the dining room windows. There were a couple bird baths and plenty of feeders that were busy with little birds. We thanked the woman at the home for the tour and took information on pricing and upcoming events and decided to make our way home. It’s about an hour drive from where the independent senior home is to where my mother lives with me at my house. About halfway home, we came to a four way stop and mom spoke up, “You need to turn around.” Puzzled, I asked her, “Why do I need to turn around, Mom?” She looked at me, “You said we were going home, home is back that way.” She would have been right if it had been ten years prior. *********************************** “No, no, no, I never had any children. Mother and Father adopted Steve and Lilly.” She was adamant that she never had kids. “Mom, you and your husband, Fred adopted Steve and Lilly, then you had two boys, Jim and Derek. I’m your son, Derek.” “Well, I know that.” We stayed up a little longer and she kept asking me questions. She was positive that she had been living the past sixty-five years in Minnesota working for the telephone company. Which she had done when she was nineteen but since then she had lived in Louisiana, Texas, and came back home to northern Illinois. She had even been married, had kids, and her husband passed away twenty years ago. She had never shown any signs of dementia or Alzheimer's up to this point. After she went to bed, I decided I would take her to the emergency room the next morning to have her checked for a urinary tract infection, as UTIs are known to cause confusion, sepsis, and even death in the elderly if not given the appropriate treatment quickly. At the emergency room, I asked the Dr what he thought had happened, he immediately put out the disclaimer that he wasn’t a therapist, but he thought she might have had a slight mental breakdown. She showed no signs of stroke, her bloodwork was good, and there weren’t any signs of a UTI. He thought that she just might not be able to handle the idea of living in a small room away from family. It’s been two months since this all happened. Her memory has come back for the most part. Everything she was questioning that night was now back in order. She still has issues with her short-term memory from day to day. She loves telling the tale of meeting an old gypsy woman in Louisiana while in her late twenties and how the gypsy told her she was going to live to be 113 years old. She’ll be 89 in October and most likely outlive me.
Who Rescued Who
Crystal G Horner
We had lived in our first home for nearly four months when we decided that our family should grow. We finally took the leap of faith into homeownership after living in an apartment for four years. Our daughter had turned three just before we signed the paperwork and received the keys. My son was quiet and reserved for a nine-year-old child. Despite having three years to warm up to the idea of a sister, he still found the idea disgusting. I was thrilled to be living the American dream; the idea of growing our crew was brewing amongst all the other "want to do's" I had. It was March of 2010; in our state March means madness. We reside in the state of Kentucky, where Basketball is king. The two in-state rivals, the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville kept many televisions powered on nearly around the clock. Many stores and businesses in the area run March Madness specials. From discounted electronics, furniture, pizza, wings, and everything in between, everyone is going mad for a deal. Then the unusual special March Madness at the animal shelter caught my eye! The T.V. ad relayed, "Bring in a needed shelter item and have adoption fees waived for select animals for a limited time." The wheels of excitement went into overdrive inside me. We will grow our family by four! My momma's heart started to conclude a new dog for a new home would be just what we needed. Our son will be delighted to finally have a dog of his own, a best friend to grow up with. Kaydee was edging out of the terrible toddler years and could be trusted with a pet in our home. I then determined I was going mad in March for a deal down to the animal shelter. Modern technology allowed me to search the adoptable dogs online; I could apply filters and sort in many ways. In taking a few days to explore, I finally found an adorable 7-month-old Boston Terrier pup. His photograph was sad, his ears stuck straight up, but his eyes and snout were downcast. He was missing the love and freedom he had once had. I quickly took a screenshot of the photo and circulated it through my family and friends via email. I got replies like, that is an ugly dog, he doesn't look like the right one, or he has a face only you can love. These comments only reinforced my gut feeling that we needed to rescue him. My map to growing our family had kicked into high gear! Next, I rushed to the store and purchased several gallons of bleach, cartons of kitty litter, and a few bags of dog food. With my donation items in hand, I drove to the local pet supply store where the advertised dog was being housed. It was around 6 pm when I finally arrived to meet the puppy my heart loved. The store had limited customers, and the volunteer for the animal shelter was tucked behind a makeshift desk. My hands stuffed with items and my heart racing, I approached them to ask about the puppy. The volunteer smiled and escorted me to the cages where the adoptable pets had been secured. They quickly come to the puppy's cage and place a nylon leash around his neck. The excited puppy needed a walk outside; the volunteer and I chatted as she walked the little dog through the empty lot. My heart knew I was taking him home to live with me and my family. My kids were going to be so thrilled to have this little one around the house. After filling out paperwork and ensuring I would take the new pup to a vet, the volunteer escorted me and the new dog to the car. After getting him settled into the car, we arrived home. It took the entire 40-minute car ride to calm the nervousness he had. The kids were waiting with great anticipation. They had no idea what the new family member looked like; in my great wisdom, I kept everything about him quiet. The little dog bolted throughout the house with a burst of energy like I had not seen. The little dog running recklessly through the house frightened my son and delighted my daughter, the exact opposite of what I had envisioned. That first impression scared me; I was filled with fear that my grand idea of the American dream was going to fall flat. Thankfully, our family withstood the fear and joy of that first night. We had our Rocky for 12 more years. My son did grow up with him, and they did become best friends. My daughter loved him on his last day as much as she did on that 1st day. He filled our home with muddy prints, lots of fur, and, most importantly, lots and lots of love. Our beloved shelter dog passed in July of 2022. I thought I was rescuing him in 2010, but I had no idea how much rescuing he would do for us in the years we spent with him.
Lucy Girl
Tracy Nava
Lucy came into my life five months after my older sister Nikki, passed away. I wasn't looking for a new dog, even though I wanted my dog. She just happened to fall into my path with luck and coincidence. See, in January of 2013, my sister was in an accident that took her life, leaving my other two siblings, my mom, and me in a scramble and a road trip from Illinois to Texas. Along this journey, we discussed how if we saw any dogs, we would scoop them up to bring them back home. This same year Nikki's oldest son was graduating high school, and we promised to go back to see him graduate. As the months passed, and we were making our plans for my nephew’s graduation, I was scrolling through Facebook, and a family friend was looking for a good home for their Husky/Collie mix named Lucy. It was love at first sight for me; she had these marble brown eyes, a cream face, and a black patch of fur that goes down her nose and around her head. There were two problems that I needed to solve to bring Lucy home with me. The first one is we were in upper Illinois, and Lucy was in Texas. The second problem was convincing my husband, Joe, that we should have another dog in the house. Luckily for both of us, we were already planning on going to Texas in the next two weeks. During these two weeks, my husband and I had lots of conversations about whether Lucy should come home with us, and even as we left, there was still no definitive answer on what we would do. During this time, Joe's mom was also trying to convince him to bring her back, if not for me, then for her. As we went to Texas, there was still no definitive answer to whether Lucy was coming home with us. As we were driving home, Joe sprang the decision that we would take an hour's detour and get Lucy. So, I immediately called the family she was with to make plans to get her. They said it was great that we could take her, and they would bathe her before we got there. Meeting Lucy for the first time was fantastic. The house she was staying at was already a temporary location. Joe wanted me to connect with her, so he had me be the first to make contact. She was timid and scared, and it was heartbreaking that they could not have her anymore. During our meeting, Lucy was very meek, and you could see the sadness in her eyes. It was like she knew a significant change was coming in her life. During our introduction, the family told me that most of the time, Lucy was outside, and their cat scratched her, making her scared of small animals. They also told us that she does not like being on a leash due to the freedom of the yard. After five minutes of the introductions and them saying goodbye, I picked Lucy up and carried her to the vehicle with me. We all piled in the van, with her curled up under my legs on the passenger side. After an hour into our drive, I noticed she was not wearing any collars, so we had to stop to get supplies at Walmart. We gathered supplies like a dog collar, a leash, and treats. She was not pleased with any of the goodies, she would sniff them and give them a lick, but there was no way she would eat one. Joe had some beef jerky and gave a few small pieces to her, which she ate. On another stop at a gas station, Joe and I were worried about her not liking to be on a leash, so we decided he would be the one to walk her for a bathroom break. I was so nervous, but because she was so out of her element, she just stood there; we called this "statue mode," and she did not go to the bathroom. We had to get dropped off at my mother-in-law's house, where we parked Joe's truck, and we also had to get Roscoe, our other dog. We placed Lucy in the fenced-in backyard, and I stayed with her as Joe went inside to get Roscoe. The introduction between these two was not the greatest; Roscoe did the normal dog thing and went straight to sniff her behind. Let's say Lucy did not care for this action and snapped at him. It was time to go home with both dogs on a leash, and we made our way to the truck; Joe had Lucy, and I was with Roscoe. Lucy pulled a Houdini and escaped from her leash and collar; Joe was able to catch her in the neighbor's backyard. I was so scared and thankful at the same time. I was also apprehensive that Lucy would not like Roscoe, but after a few days, they became best friends, and I finally had a dog to call my own.
Lottery of Hope:
A Voyage of Transformation and Resilience
Taous Cherief
In the spring of my youth, I stood at a crossroads, my heart pounding with the weight of a decision that held the power to reshape my destiny. The scent of fresh possibilities hung in the air, mingling with the aroma of uncertainty. At 18 years old, armed with a degree in foreign languages and fueled by aspirations that stretched across continents, I found myself on the precipice of a life-altering choice. The year was 2016, and fate had dealt me a lottery ticket that would unravel the fabric of familiarity, propelling me into the embrace of the United States. Little did I know that this single ticket would become the emblem of a courageous journey, one that would test the bonds of family, kindle the fires of love, and unfurl a tapestry of transformation. This is the story of how a dream, ignited by a lottery's touch, blazed into an extraordinary saga of resilience, acceptance, and the pursuit of knowledge and love. The air in the room seemed charged with possibility as I clutched my freshly minted bachelor’s degree. The scent of printed paper mixed with the aroma of celebratory cake, a mingling of past accomplishments and future aspirations. It was the moment I had worked for, a triumph that became the springboard for my audacious plan to continue my studies in the land of opportunity. As I glanced at the map on my wall, the United States beckoned, a realm of education and adventure that held the promise of an uncharted journey. The sunlit kitchen table became the stage for a tense battle of wills. My parents, faces etched with concern, listened as I laid out my plan to move to the USA. Their words hung in the air like a palpable tension, a symphony of fear and love conducted by their protective hearts. Their refusal cast a shadow over my dreams, the aroma of brewing coffee mingling with uncertainty. Conversations followed, emotional currents carving paths through doubt, and finally, the sea of their resistance receded, revealing the shores of their support. 2017 marked the beginning of a new chapter. The airport terminal was a bustling blend of excitement and sadness, the hum of conversations creating a backdrop for tearful goodbyes. Hand in hand, my boyfriend and I embarked on a transcontinental flight, our hearts echoing the rhythm of the engines. The journey was a montage of emotions, each moment marked by the passing scenery and whispered dreams of what lay ahead. Time flowed like a river, carrying us through three years of hard work and determination. The scent of fresh paint mingled with the sound of hammering as we built our dream house, brick by brick, memory by memory. The culmination of our efforts stood proudly against the sky, a testament to the power of resilience. Then, in 2021, a new chapter began with the soft cry of a newborn – our daughter, Elyne. Her first breaths were a symphony of joy, a melody that resonated with every heartbeat. Life had shifted, and as I cradled my three-month-old daughter, I embarked on yet another transformation. The aroma of baby lotion intertwined with the pages of my textbooks as I delved into the field of business. The world of academia beckoned, a new landscape to explore, and Elyne's coos became a backdrop to the rhythm of my studies. As I trace the trajectory of this singular journey, from the allure of a distant dream to the warmth of family, I am struck by the unbreakable thread of change that weaves through our lives. It's a tale of resilience and growth, of love that conquers oceans and challenges that ignite the spirit. The scent of determination lingers in the air, a fragrant reminder that life's most rewarding chapters often emerge from the crucible of uncertainty. And so, my story continues, a narrative of fortitude and faith, a symphony of dreams pursued, and dreams realized.
Fiction Short Story
Over Coming Evil
Kayleigh Henson
Gazing at the love of her life, her husband, Luca, was sitting in the hospital chair holding their newborn baby girl in his arms. For many years, she had given up hope of having a family, including Luca. The beginning 25 years ago… Victoria and her brother Sebastian snuck out the back gate and raced down the path along the river to the Loch and the dense forest not far from their home. The forest was supposed to have been the home to a monster that devoured anyone who entered the woods. She had loved exploring the lush green hills and thick, dense forests surrounding their thatch-roofed house in the Highlands of Scotland. "Sebastian, wait!" Victoria cried out as she tripped and fell to the ground. Sebastian turned back to help his sister from the ground. "Come on, Victoria, hurry," Sebastian said, reaching down to help her. He suddenly stopped, and there was a flash of a shimmering gold circle with a swirling that seemed to appear out of nowhere. Sebastian dropped behind a huge fallen tree pulling Victoria down with him; they hid behind a huge fallen tree, and he warned Victoria to be quiet as three glowing beings stepped out of the circle. The three beings suddenly looked up and stared directly at them as they changed from grotesque creatures to three boys who looked to be about their age. We could not hear what they were saying, and Sebastian hoped they had not noticed us. He motioned for Victoria to be silent as they slowly made their way down the path. They had only gone feet when they heard a loud commanding voice call out, "Stop! We will not hurt you; we have been watching you as you play in the forest. I am Giovanni, this is my brother Nico, and this is our cousin Luca.” Victoria looked up at the tall boy standing in front of her named Luca; he shook hands with her brother Sebastian, and as she studied him, Victoria realized that she knew he was the boy that visited her dreams every night for over a year as he turned to greet Victoria, she saw his eyes widen in recognition, and his voice filled her head that they could not tell the others about the connection that they had because if anyone found out both their lives would be in danger, but in Victoria's heart, she knew that this boy was the boy she would someday marry, for he was her soulmate, and they would be together forever. One day after sneaking into the woods to see Luca and his cousins, who would appear shortly after they arrived, the three cousins were not there. Victoria and Sebastian called for them, but they did not materialize, and after waiting for several hours hoping their friends would arrive, they gave up and headed back down the path towards their home; just at the woods entrance, they saw something lying on the ground. As they moved closer, they saw their parents and baby sister lying in pools of blood, with the witch's mark carved into their left wrist so that anyone who came upon them would believe them, witches. She knelt and held her mother's blood-soaked hand in hers; tears ran down her face as she begged her mother to wake, "Mummy, please, open your eyes; please be okay. We promise you we will never sneak out again if you are okay". "Victoria, stay with them. I am going to go and get help”, said Sebastian in a small voice. Victoria nodded and watched as he ran down the path to get help, she kept trying to wake up her parents, but they would not wake. Finally, Sebastian returned with their neighbor, old Mr. Jones, Constable McDonald, and a few of their neighbors not far behind. Constable McDonald ordered his men, "Search the forests, look for any sign of the people who murdered the Leighton, and report back to me." He then turned to the women to take Sebastian and Victoria home and said, “Stay with them until their grandmother arrives.” When our grandmother arrived and saw the mark, she muttered what sounded like a protection spell. Grandmother told Constable McDonald that Victoria and Sebastian needed to be far away from Scotland; as she looked at the mark, the monster who did this would be after them too. The Constable agreed and stated." Go, and we will arrange the wake for the family." Sebastian, Victoria, and their grandmother left Scotland under darkness and arrived at a port where a ship headed to America. That evening lying in their tiny stateroom, Sebastian said, "I wish we didn't have to leave Scotland; you know we will never see Gio, Nico, or Luca again." “I know,” Victoria said quietly; laying in her bed. Victoria cried at the thought of not seeing her friends and especially Luca again. Years later... Victoria climbed the ladder in the storeroom. Victoria wanted to ensure they had everything they needed for the Winter Solstice celebration that evening, checking off the items on her clipboard, "edible trees, ingredients to make the Yule Log cakes.” She glanced at her watch; a customer would be arriving soon. As Victoria climbed the ladder, she heard the bell ring announcing that her customer had arrived. Victoria said, "I will be right out; go ahead and look around." That was when Victoria heard a voice, she never thought she would ever hear again. "Take your time, love. I have waited this long to be with you. I can wait a few more moments." Victoria lost her footing and started falling, only to be caught in Luca's strong arms. Gazing down at her, Luca laughed, "I hoped you would fall for me, but I did not mean like this" he laughed as he tipped her face to his for a kiss. “ Victoria, I have loved you since the day I met you, I never forgot you, and I never will. But if you cannot forgive me and never want to see me again for what I am about to tell you, for what my family has done to yours, I understand. My mother was an evil woman who did many unforgivable things to your family and mine. When we returned home that day, my mother was waiting for us; she sent my cousins to their father for punishment because she had no right to punish them, so she sent them to their father. She turned on me, and I was told that this was the last time I would disobey her. She had me beaten and locked in my room. She sold me into servitude, where I stayed until my uncle rescued me,” Luca said, unable to meet her eyes. He continued, " Victoria, please forgive me; my mother is the monster who murdered your parents and sister." "My mother was tried and convicted in the Fae Court for the evil acts she committed." He saw the sadness and love for him in her eyes. “Luca, "Victoria said," there is nothing to forgive. Your mother did this, not you. I have never forgotten you, and I fell for you the first moment I met you, and I knew that you were the one for me. I love you too, Luca, and I always will."
Rockey Top
Crystal G Horner
Her watch buzzed with an alarm, 5:30 pm Tuesday; Animal House; it was time for her to exercise and feed the dogs. She picked up her pace as she rounded the corner. She could see her destination up ahead through the rays of the early evening sun. Isabelle was a high school senior; she was 17 and not the typical teenage girl. Her red hair, thick and unruly most days, was a magnet for attention. Her broad shoulders and height rooted many cruel jokes. Her face was dusted with cinnamon freckles from the sun, and her eyes were as blue as the sky above. Her soul was a mature one; she was wiser than her years. Friends were few; most days she spent with her mom or the dogs. Animal House was Sevier County, Tennessee’s animal shelter. She volunteered three days a week. It was a distraction from the pink ribbon war raging in her home. Her mother Anne Grey was diagnosed with breast cancer six weeks ago. They were best friends. Afternoon dance parties, as 90’s hip hop music squeaked from the vinyl record player, were a daily occurrence. They don’t happen anymore. Anne Grey was 43; she once had long brown hair, thick and full of body. Once, because now she is bald. The ugly C word took her hair, energy, and much more. She’s a shell of her former soul. Cancer is a curse word. When spoken, people point and stare. They talk in hushed tones and smile with pity. Isabelle hated the constant reminders of her mother’s battle for life and the C word. Isabelle gripped the steel door handle and swung the heavy door wide. She liked the smell of the Animal House, it wasn’t great, but it was comforting. “Baa” She was shocked; that was not a typical Animal House noise. No one told her to anticipate a new guest today. Curiously she tossed her backpack to the concrete floor and proceeded down the hall to the kennels. “Baa” Isabelle rubbed her eyes in disbelief. Had she imagined the dwarf goat in the far kennel? She approached with great caution and knelt at the door. His coat was white and had little patches of black fur as dark as coal scattered throughout. He was covered in dirt road dust. Wrapped around his neck was a thin orange dog collar. A shiny heart-shaped tag dangled from it. Best of all, his eyes were the same sky blue as Isabelle’s. “Hey there, little one, how are you?” “Baa” He bounced around the small kennel and bleated with enthusiasm. His display of carefree joy warmed Isabelle’s heart. A long-term resident howled for her attention. The old beagle hound Drake wanted to run in the play yard. She rushed over to his kennel and unlocked the metal latch. In her routine, she released the other five dogs to join Drake. The happy crew bounded for the play yard out the side door. Creeping back to the far kennel, Isabelle wondered how the small goat got there. She fell to her knees and twisted the metal lock on the kennel door. The happy goat bounced out of the kennel like a ballerina. His actions made Isabelle laugh. He continued bouncing and prancing like he understood his actions powered her joy. She pulled her I-phone from her jean pocket and selected her favorite playlist. If the goat wanted to dance, he needed music, thought Isabelle. Playing the music and watching him dance reminded her of the dance parties she once had with her mom. Her heart was broken that her mom no longer had the strength to dance around a room. After a few songs, the little goat grew tired and curled beside her. Sensing the exhaustion, Isabelle paused the music. As the room grew quiet, she began to tell the little one about her mom. “She has an awful disease; it may kill her. I may be just like you one day, a kid without a momma,” Isabelle confessed. The small goat stared into her eyes with great understanding. Isabelle continued to share the emotional rollercoaster they had been riding. “She lost her hair, and she rarely ate; she lost so much weight, she lost herself.” “I don’t have friends to talk to. Maybe I can share these things with you, little one.” “Baa” A gentle smile crosses Isabelle’s face. The heart-shaped identification tag caught her eye; she reached down to read the inscription, but it was blank. “No name, goat,” Isabelle said aloud. With a stretch and a second wind of energy, the goat bounced around again. Isabelle activated her playlist, and the Tennessee state anthem blared from the speaker. “Good Old Rocky Top… Rocky Top Tennessee…” Isabelle sang and danced with the small animal. As she secured the animals for the evening, she decided she would name the goat. “Little one, I am naming you Rockey. After the song, of course.” While refreshed by her visit with Rockey, Isabelle walked home and planned a different dance party in her head. Anne Grey sat in the reclining chair under several pink ribbon blankets when Isabelle arrived home. She smiled at the sight of her daughter. Isabelle crept to the vinyl records and pulled out her mom’s favorite album. She sat the needle and turned up the volume. Isabelle gently took her mom’s hands and swayed back and forth in rhythm to the song. She saw fireworks ignite in her mom’s eyes. She felt a surge of electricity in her heart. They were dancing! They were smiling, and they were best friends once again. After the perfectly executed dance party, Isabelle shared her encounter with her new friend Rockey. Isabelle explained she wanted to spell it R O C K E Y because he was the key to her broken heart. He showed her so much in his little bounces, his calm rests, and his loving stare.
Papa-Paparazzi
Shannon Logsdon
“Alianna! We finally got a new VP! Check your email. There’s a meeting at 10:00,” Kara said from her cubicle. At 10:00, Alianna joined the virtual meeting. “I’m honored to introduce David Young as the new Vice President of Technology,” said the Senior VP. As soon as Alianna heard his name and saw his face she went flush, her stomach twisted into knots. She knew this man and he was the last person she expected to be introduced as her new department leader. David Young gave a speech about how thrilled he was to join the team, but Alianna didn’t hear a word of it. She couldn’t even think straight. The meeting eventually wrapped up and Alianna did her best to pull herself together. That was, until a few moments later when she saw David walking around the office introducing himself to the team. When he reached Alianna, he appeared just as taken aback as her. After a moment, he looked up at her and stuck out his hand, “Hi, I’m David, nice to meet you.” She returned the handshake and greeting, and David moved on to another employee. Alianna felt sick to her stomach and ran to the bathroom. On the verge of a panic attack, her heart raced as a million thoughts ran through her head. “Oh my god, he’s going to fire me.” “Or worse, what if he has me ARRESTED?” Alianna pulled herself together enough to return to her desk. “Alianna, you okay?” asked Sheri, Alianna’s boss. “Actually, I’m not feeling well... could I maybe work from home for the rest of today?” asked Alianna. “Of course! Take as much time as you need,” Sheri replied. Alianna was grateful to have Sheri as her boss and couldn’t imagine having to leave this company and team. She packed up her bags and hurried home to finish out her workday. As she drifted off to sleep that night, Lady Gaga’s song “Paparazzi” played in her head, as it had every night for the last five years. Alianna took Sheri up on her offer and spent the next two days working from home under the guise of having a stomach bug. However, on Thursday afternoon Alianna received an email that sent her spiraling. It was a “one-on-one” lunch meeting invitation from David. Was she getting fired? Alianna couldn’t help but thinking that the life she worked so hard for was on the verge of imploding. ••• It was December, and 19-year-old Alianna and her best friend Molly were nearly halfway through their bottle of vodka, waiting for their dealer to call back. Molly’s parents were out of town, but her older brother was home from college for the weekend. He was in his room studying and didn’t even notice that Molly and Alianna snagged his car keys and cash from his wallet and ran out the door. Molly loved cocaine and was excited that they were finally about to get their hands on some. As usual, she and Alianna blasted the radio and passed the bottle back and forth. Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” came on the radio. They turned the volume all the way up and were scream-singing the lyrics to each other. Molly didn’t have the chance to notice the sheet of black ice up ahead. Alianna and Molly were looking into each other’s eyes singing “I’m your biggest fan I’ll follow you until you love me…” when the car suddenly skidded out. Alianna doesn’t remember crashing into the tree, the EMS showing up, or arriving at the hospital. All she remembers is Molly’s beautiful smile as she sang, and the last thing she heard was Lady Gaga singing “Papa, paparazzi”. Alianna awoke in the hospital to the devastating news that Molly was gone, and the next few weeks were a blur. She spent one week in the hospital before her parents whisked her away to rehab. She didn’t even get to attend Molly’s funeral. Not that Molly’s parents would have wanted her there. They always blamed Alianna for all the trouble she and Molly got into. After rehabilitation, Alianna vowed to stay sober for Molly and worked hard to make her proud. ••• Friday morning, Alianna awoke feeling nauseous at the thought of seeing David again. At work, the time went painstakingly slow as she waited for their meeting. At 11:59am, Alianna nervously walked down the hallway to David’s office. The door was open, but she knocked twice before entering anyways. He was sitting at his computer and said to her, “Come in.” Alianna sat across from him and looked up at David, Molly’s older brother. She was instantly brought back to the night she and Molly stole the cash from his wallet and keys to his (now totaled) car. Thankfully, she didn’t have to say anything because David spoke first. “Ali, I’m so sorry I never reached out to you after the accident. I can’t imagine how difficult that time was for you.” Alianna was extremely confused, but relief flooded her body. He wasn’t angry with her. David proceeded, “I know my parents were very hard on you, but you and Molly were just kids. They didn’t handle things properly. I wanted to meet with you today because I needed to tell you that I don’t blame you for anything, none of it was your fault.” Tears filled Alianna’s eyes. She couldn’t get any words out other than “Thank you, David.” A weight she didn’t realize she was holding was lifted from her shoulders. That night, Alianna went home and looked at the pictures she had saved on her computer of Molly and reminisced on all the amazing memories she had with her best friend. From volleyball championships to homecoming dances, first dates and everything in between. As Alianna drifted off to sleep that night, for the first time in five years, Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” didn’t fill her head. For the first time since the accident, Alianna drifted off to sleep to the sweet sound of silence.
Poetry
10,000 Colors
Roxanne Foster
A thump a stutter The sound of my heartbeat, that I will to beat again and again Don’t give up now my old friend, we have a party to attend! You’re the host of this charade, with bells, whistles, and a ticker parade Friendships that were cut short. Old flames you wish to court. Granny’s baked goods Kids playing in the woods. Mom’s warm hugs Dad’s strict rules Forever I will be misunderstood. My life at a glance, in a shimmer, a chance Rushing waves forever spent...
Water Lily
Tracy Nava
Budding from depths of mud, Blooming vibrantly white with gold, Floating on the water’s edge, Providing shelter for life below, Enhancing the lake's distinguished beauty.
Malaise Serenade
Derek Dennison
I hear it often, Through the days. I hear it often, Through the nights. That classic tune Does not bring me, Any sort of delights. Occasionally, as I walk. Through these solemn halls, I catch a glimpse Of translucent fluorescent hands. Fingers fingering That blackened fingerboard. The highs The lows The hills The valleys. They crash together As I try no longer To dally. The hands glowing Through the ever night. Slowly grasping At my narrow Standing collar. To bed I go. In hopes, The ghoul be gone. Yet slumber I have found Forever sound.
True Moment
Patrick Flynn
A short walk to grab some things, a new beginning has just begun. The church pews have emptied, the guests are making their way to the reception. All eyes are off us just for a moment, we will take our time before a big entrance. Here comes the car to pick us up, our first dance as a couple awaits. So many pictures were scripted it almost felt fake. We steal a quick kiss, and were caught in a true moment.
The Cry of Abel
Tiffany Gowdy
Riding the high waves of birth only backwardsbeing sucked back into the earth prematurely although maturely signaling the coming of the end of life...crying out regarding the end of life, no longer suffering the world's strife...taken at the hands of jealousy, envy and impurity...slain...laid in the land as the blood slips into the cracks, penetrating the dirt as the earth tries to revive the soul because all it knows is to give life and grow...yet the innocent blood infiltrates the earth like that of Abel, no longer cradled within the veins and chambers of the heart...now looking for wisdom to impart its dominance...Abel never received recompense for Cain's ignorance and neither will the others who lost their lives because of someone else's lack to comprehend that once the heart stops it will never start again...once the eyes close they will never have sight again...in the moment when that someone lost sight of what was truly effecting their feelings they then chose to neglect reasoning and annihilate what they felt was competition only to have their lack of aim lay claim to the innocent...Abel's blood runs deep into the ground releasing a deafening sound of silence...must we continue to be reminded of the famous line that Cain relayed to God..."Am I my brother's keeper?"...this questioning has since gained a meaning that's deeper than merely being inquisitive...the new question is "was your brother a keeper?"...did his life hold enough value or was he ready to meet the reaper...was his life not worth being lived...did his life shine like the light of the morning or was his countenance dark and grim...the very essence of him...a life in mourning, forever adjourning death to uncompromised hate, sealing the fate of the future, no longer anticipated but totally eradicated...plucked and pulled up from the root only to have the latter generations follow suit with this pursuit to further dilute the power of the bloodline. As the cries turn into shouts and screams, a growth no longer seen and witnessed, the absence of its presence felt heavily...expecting the soul to ascend to the heavenly while unexpectedly the soul rests...Life has become a contest...a survival of the fittest...we have lost the value of family and replaced it with the love and value of iniquity...the spirit of Cain runs rampantly while we the people choose to live haphazardly...as though this living thing has no meaning...the future is still dreaming while the past is no longer sleeping...it's currently making another run hence the phrase there's nothing new under the sun...death steals life quickly...from the innocent to the sickly...earth's loss is heaven's gain as we deal with the pain...Pain pulsating...heart lingering about...inundating the end of life as Abel's blood still cries out.
Lone Figure
Sierra Mathews
I see a lone figure, Blurred by the snow. I shudder with fear As the man seems to glow Brighter and brighter, Black against white, Contrary to the fact That it's day, and not night. The black of his cloak, To shield from the cold, Contrasts from the item Grasped in his hold. Red against silver, A dagger in hand, The blood on the blade Drops toward land. Behind the lone figure, A body, bright red, Slumped on the ground And clearly slain dead. As I walk toward the figure, His appearance grows clearer. It's then I recognize That it's only a mirror.
Whispers of Yesterday
Taous Cherief
Echoes of days gone by, Moments etched in sepia tones, Soft laughter in the breeze, Fading footprints on well-worn paths, Time's embrace, bittersweet and tender, Nostalgia's gentle touch upon the heart.
Secrets and Sacrifice
Christine A Wood
He thinks, I will not let you go, I will carry the weight for us both. I will protect you. They are both determined. She thinks, I will hold on to you, I will carry the pain for us both. I will protect you. They are both suffering.
Caribbean Roots
Laniqua Gonzalez
Embracing each other with a touch and a smile, With their plaid orange and yellow material shining bright as the sun, A Quelbe dance has just begun, The colors in their headpiece represents each U.S. Virgin Islands unity, That symbolize who they are as a people, As the native dance take over their bodies.
Tempestuous Waves
Taous Cherief
Stormy sea, fierce and wild, Waves crashing with reckless abandon, Nature's fury unleashed, Yet within this chaos, a haunting beauty, A reminder of life's tumultuous tides.
Dear Pawpaw
Haley Lightsey
There’s a lot that should have been said Before the Lord took you home Unfortunately, time ran out too soon And just like that, you were gone I just wanted to tell you How much you really meant to me My rock you always were My hero you will always be I will never forget All the great times we had And no matter my mood I will think of you and be glad Those naps on your shoulder The stories we shared Those long walks around the circle The way you always cared The books we read together Messing up your hair Those talks by the fireplace We were the perfect pair As I grew older We still were very close You always made sure I was ok That’s what mattered the most You were such a good man Someone I could always rely on And I still look up to you Even now that you are gone Pawpaw, I miss you so much I want so badly to hear your voice Or to hug you one last time But I know that’s not a choice I will think about you every day Even though I will miss you even more You will always have a special place in my heart Just like I had one in yours I was torn apart When you were taken away But it brightens me up to know That I will see you again… someday
Fortunate Flip
Patrick Flynn
Just dropped off my passengers and headed down the road. Everything was ordinary, I had driven this before. It had snowed last night, but all seemed clear. I couldn’t see it with my eyes but refreeze had occurred. The background of the radio was faint as my tires lost their grip. The back of the car began to swing to the front, and everything turned to slow motion. Before I knew it, I was backward facing the road. The car veered to head towards a ditch, it could not avoid. When it found it, I flipped and was hanging upside down. Unbuckled my belt and fell to the ceiling of the car. I crawled out the window, fortunate to be unharmed.
Photography
About RasMuse
The RasMuse Student Anthology is a place for students to share their stories and their journeys as they embark on this unique adventure of college and career. As similar to previous volumes, we are happy to report that all schools are represented in this year’s volume of The RasMuse. We invite you to listen to our students’ voices and enjoy their diverse perspectives and experiences. We are honored to share these voices and perspectives with you.
For additional information and for submitting to future anthologies, please see the link to The RasMuse guide: