Applesauce SPRING 2015 – PDF

Apple
Sauce
Literary Magazine
Spring 2015, Vol. XV1, No.2
www.crestcollaborative.org
Spring
Marisa
West Middle School
Creativity of 6th, 7th and 8th graders from Lawrence, Andover, Boxford,
Haverhill, Methuen, Middleton and North Andover
Untitled
Samantha
Comprehensive Grammar School
Apple Sauce
Published by the Enrichment Partnership of the CREST Collaborative, 480 Broadway, Methuen, MA 01844
2200 copies printed May, 2015, Neoprint, Inc., Chelmsford, MA
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Jill Grahm Kathryn Turmel Catherine Cannon-Francis Erin Walsh Melissa Bramble
Melissa Bettencourt Amy Siemasko Eileen Burke Kim Barry Paula Keleher Donna Morton Kathleen Kendall Ashley Longo Deb Adam
Bill Borrelli Amy Curry Maria Greco Sandra Lheron Tamar Brady Collaborative Alternative School (CREST), Methuen
Comprehensive Grammar School, Methuen
Doherty Middle School, Andover
Gerard A. Guilmette Middle School, Lawrence
Gerard A. Guilmette Middle School, Lawrence
Howe-Manning School, Middleton
Lifeways School (CREST), Methuen Marsh Grammar School, Methuen
Parthum Educational Complex, Lawrence
Sacred Hearts School, Haverhill
Spofford Pond School, Boxford
St. Augustine School, Andover
St. Michael School, North Andover
St. Michael School, North Andover
Tenney Grammar School, Methuen
Donald P. Timony Grammar School, Methuen
Emily G. Wetherbee School, Lawrence
West Middle School, Andover
Wood Hill Middle School, Andover
COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD
Melissa Gaspar
Director of the Flint Public Library in Middleton
Joshua Kennedy
Head of Children’s Library, Boxford Town Library
Beth Kerrigan
Head of Children’s Library, Memorial Hall Library, Andover
Kathleen Moran-Wallace
Head of Children’s Services, Nevins Memorial Library, Methuen
Gael Nappa
Children’s Library, Haverhill Public Library
CREST’s Apple Magazines Friends Committee
Brooke Arakelian, Gayle Henney, Sandy Kelly, Matthew Kraunelis, Marianne Levis,
Karen Lunny, Krista I. McLeod, Sue Pervival, Louise Sandberg, Cathy Zembruski
Student Interns, CREST’s Apple Magazines:
Sarah Clark, AHS ‘16; Grace Dever, AHS ‘16; Ariel Leachman, AHS ‘15; Alison Lunny, NAHS ‘16;
Morgan McAnern, AHS ‘16; *Madeleine McKeon, MHS ‘15; *Caroline Mulligan, MHS ‘15;
Amrutha Palaniyappan, AHS ‘16; Madeline Perigaut, AHS ‘14; Hannah Roos, AHS ‘17;
Sarah Scougall, MHS ‘18; Tarushi Sharma, AHS ‘15; Casandra Wise, MHS ‘16
*CREST Journalism Award Winner
Editor – Kristen Hollenbeck, CREST Enrichment Director
978 685-3000 x121 [email protected]
Graphic Design – Deborah Hines
Executive Director CREST Collaborative – Kim Oliveira
Special thanks to West Middle School for hosting the AppleSauce Launch Night on May 21, 2015
Thanks to the generosity of many individuals and organizations, AppleSauce is distributed free to the
contributing authors and artists, the participating schools, local libraries, other community organizations,
Andover Bookstore, Smolak Farms and at Mann Orchards in Methuen.
Please see pages 4 and 5 for more information.
CREST Enrichment Partnership’s
Publications and Programs
18 Middle Schools,
Grades 7 & 8, 325 Students,
6 month Academic competition,
4,000 “alumni.”
Teams made by pairing a
Lawrence school with an
Andover, North Andover or
Methuen school. Follow the
tournament at
www.crestcollaborative.org/
academicbowl
Awards and Group Exhibit,
April 14, 2015, at Lawrence Heritage
State Park Visitors’ Center Art
Gallery. Grades 11-12. Top Artists
from Andover H.S., Lawrence H.S.,
Methuen H.S., Since 1988
19 Elementary Schools, Grades 3-5,
twice a year. Started in 2004.
Next submission period:
November, 2015
page 2
15 Middle Schools,
Grades 6-8,
twice a year. Started in 2000.
Next submission period:
December, 2015
More than 47 Elementary and
Middle Schools, Grades K-8,
1700 Students, 63 classes.
Pen Pals paired with a class
in another Greater Lawrence
community. Teachers sign up
in September. 27,000 pen pals
since 1985.
4 High Schools, Grades 9-12,
once a year. Started in 2009.
Next submission period:
January, 2016
Apple
Sauce
AppleSauce Support
AppleSauce is a regional literary magazine showcasing the creative talents of sixth, seventh and eighth grade
students from the 17 public elementary schools in the communities served by the CREST Collaborative’s
Enrichment Partnership: Lawrence, Andover, Methuen, Boxford, Middleton, Haverhill, St. Augustine School
(Andover) and Sacred Hearts School (Haverhill) and Saint Michael School (North Andover). Through its
many programs, listed on page 2, the Enrichment program strives to nurture the social and cultural bonds
between the communities; challenge, develop, and showcase students’ skills and talents; provide new
opportunities for students to explore, develop and succeed; and reinforce the educational goals of the
participating schools.
AppleSauce is made possible by the wealth of local talented young writers and artists, by the collaboration
of the dedicated teachers who inspire, challenge, and encourage them, and by the support of individuals,
foundations, businesses, organizations, PTOs, Friends, and the school districts. We welcome your support.
CREST is a 501c3 non-profit tax-deductible public education organization.
AppleSauce is distributed free throughout the Merrimack Valley: in the schools, libraries, youth centers,
seniors centers, and other public places. Printing each issue is subject to funding. Ideally, we would like to be
able to print and distribute 3,000 copies of AppleSauce to meet the demand. If you believe these magazines
are valuable and can help us continue to provide future young authors and artists the opportunity to be
published, please consider supporting the AppleSauce program with a tax-deductible contribution in
any amount. Contributions will be acknowledged in the next AppleSauce publication. Matching gifts
from employers are encouraged. Thank you for your generous support.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------Please make your tax-deductible contribution payable to CREST - Enrichment and return this form to:
Friends of the CREST Apple Magazines
Enrichment Partnership - CREST Collaborative
480 Broadway, Methuen, Massachusetts 01844
Kristen Hollenbeck - Enrichment Director 978-946-0121
n Yes! I will support the AppleSauce program.
n Apple of Our Eye, $1,000 and above $_______________ n Angel - $500
n Benefactor - $250
n Patron - $100
n $_____________
n Sponsor - $50 n $25
Name (as you wish to be listed): ____________________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip: _________________________________________________________________________
Phone: ________________________________________________________________________________
Email:________________________________________________________________________________
Student’s Name: ___________________________ School:___________________________________
Student’s Name:____________________________ School:___________________________________
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
page 3
Financial Contributors
This publication was made possible in part by the support of the participating school districts,
contributions from individuals, businesses, organizations, and grants from:
and the Lawrence Cultural Council, Andover Cultural Council,
Boxford Cultural Council, Methuen Cultural Council and Middleton Cultural Council
– local agencies supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency
Contributions received after we went to press will be acknowledged
in the next editions of AppleSeed, AppleSauce and ApplePi.
Thank You to All Our Contributors.
Apple Of Our Eye
Jebediah Foundation
Greater Lawrence Kiwanis Club Foundation • Methuen Cultural Council • Lawrence Cultural Council
Angels
Anonymous
Benefactors
Anonymous • Rotary Club of Greater Lawrence
Patrons
Anonymous, Adamsczyk Family, Vineet Agarwal, The Bartlett Family, F. Gallo Lawn Care and Construction
Krista McLeod and Matthew McKeon, Marsh School PTO, Steve Ouellette, Patrick and Estelle Schweizer
Sponsors and Donors
Anonymous
Anonymous
Andover Cultural Council
Boxford Cultural Council
Middleton Cultural Council
Frank and Leomary Bader
Charlie and Laury Barbanti
Shinivas Bolla
Boxford Chinese School
Bravo Family
Tanya and Todd Brown
Michael and Susan Burns
Richard J. Byers, Attorney At Law
Abel Cano
James and Amy Clark
Clement Family
Corrine Connors
Donna Coppola
Easley Family
Michael and Kelley Fleming
Sandra Lynn Foreman
Xiomara Garcia
The Gaudin Family
Krista Galligani
Mary and Jeffrey Gealow
Dawn Gillette
Mark and Virginia Grossman
page 4
Guerra Family
Scott and Joanne Harkins
Jay and Catherine Healey
Felix F. Hernandez
Ridwan and Christine Himawan
Hong Huang and Caixia Guo
Arthur and Katherine Iworsley
Michelle and Steven Jankowski
Nigel and Mary-Jo Keenan
Teresa and Andy Kelley
The Kennefick Family
Ariel Kim’s Family
Minji Kim
The Kioko Center, LLC Pediatric
Speech and Occupational Therapy
Kojokuru Family
The Lacroix Family
Karen and Andrew Lazar
Deb Littlefield
Marlene Liu
Rajendra and Poornima Malliwal
Kevin and Beth Anne Maresca
Michael and Karen Martin
Patti and Meghan McDonough
Robert McKersie and
Michele O’Toole
Fadi Melki
Joe Pern
Napoli Pizza and Subs
James and Maura O’Brien
Brian and Katherine O’Neil
Jeremy Partyka
Santa Pena
Edwin and Kate Powers
Kathleen Quill
Leslie Quinlan
Gregoria Rosario
Ramamurty Sambangi
Sayegh Family
Serapiglia Family
Smith Family
Sorenson Electric, Inc.
Keri Stella
Eleanor Storch
Kimberly Swift
Sydney, Nga and Dighduy Tran
Stephanie Vaccaro
Sonia Virmani
Warner Family
Ari White
Bill Willard and Liz Michalski
Christopher and Aileen Yates
Guoshauai Zhang
Pearl Zhu
Apple
Sauce
Friends Committee Members
Brooke Arakelian (North Andover), Karen Lunny (North Andover), Krista I. McLeod (Methuen),
Marianne Levis (Methuen), Gayle Henney (North Andover), Cathy Zembruski (Methuen), Sandy
Kelly (Andover), Sue Pervival (North Andover), Louise Sandberg (Lawrence), Matthew Kraunelis
(Methuen), Monica Gallacher (Andover) and Leslie Quinlan (Lawrence).
Friends of CREST’s Apple Magazines
AppleSeed (grades 3-5), AppleSauce (grades 6-8) and ApplePi (grades 9-12) showcase and nurture
creative writing and artistic expression. In addition, the magazines and the launch events build
connections among students and communities. The Friends of the CREST Apple Magazines is a
group of parents, teachers, community leaders, and professionals who have joined to support these
three extraordinary publications. The Friends of CREST’s Apple Magazines have five main goals:
• Ensure the magazines become financially secure
• Improve and expand the distribution of the magazines in the community
• Expand the resources for teachers to use the magazines in classrooms
• Support the growing number of high school student assistant editors
• Create new opportunities for students to read, exchange ideas, learn, and be recognized
We are currently looking for more members. We meet Monday evenings three times a year. If you
would like join us or have ideas about how we can accomplish our goals, please be in touch.
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
page 5
About This Magazine
AppleSauce is a bi-annual regional middle school literary magazine serving 17 middle schools
in Greater Lawrence. Started in 2000, its main purpose is to showcase the creative talents of
sixth, seventh and eighth grade students from the public schools in the communities served by
the CREST Collaborative’s Enrichment Partnership: Lawrence, Andover, Boxford, Methuen,
Middleton and Haverhill.
Our mission is: “To build bridges among our communities and create opportunities for all
students to succeed.” Through its many programs, which serve thousands of students from grades
K through 12, we strive to nurture the social and cultural bonds between the communities;
challenge, develop, and showcase students’ skills and talents; provide new opportunities for
students to develop; and reinforce the educational goals of the participating schools.
Works are submitted to AppleSauce once a year through the advisors at the participating
schools. With the help of our community advisory board and Friends Committee, follow-up
readings are held at the public libraries and other venues in our communities.
Students interested in submitting pieces to AppleSauce should contact their school’s advisor.
All submissions must be accompanied by a submission form, which is available from the advisor
and from other teachers at the school. Advisors will be submitting pieces to us for the next issue of
AppleSauce in the Winter of 2015.
In order to reach a large readership, AppleSeed, AppleSauce and ApplePi are distributed free
throughout the Greater Lawrence community-- in the schools, libraries, youth centers, senior
centers, other public places, at Mann Orchards in Methuen, Smolak Farms in North Andover and
Andover Bookstore in Andover. Each published contributor receives several complimentary copies.
Excerpts from the magazines are also available electronically on the CREST website (without the
last names). Through the hard copies and electronic copies, we estimate that between 5,000 and
10,000 people read each issue we publish, which is usually about 1,200 - 2,500 copies, depending
on funding. Ideally, we would like to be able to print and distribute 4,000 copies of AppleSeed,
3,000 copies of AppleSauce and 2,500 copies of ApplePi to meet the demand.
AppleSauce is made possible by the wealth of local talented young writers and artists, by the
collaboration of the dedicated teachers who inspire, challenge, and encourage them, and by the
support of the school districts, individuals, foundations, businesses, organizations and PTOs.
We welcome your support. CREST is a 501c3 non-profit tax deductible public education
organization. If you, your business or organization is interested in receiving or distributing our
magazines on a regular basis, please contact the Friends Committee (see page 5).
In addition to financial support, our areas of need include parent volunteer help with editing,
typing, scanning, distribution, registration at launch nights, videotaping, audiotaping, publicity,
and recognizing the people who make these magazines possible. If you would like to help or
join us, please contact Kristen Hollenbeck at the CREST Central Office, 978 685-3000 x110,
[email protected], or a member of our Friends Committee (see page 5).
High school students who are interested in helping produce AppleSeed, AppleSauce and
ApplePi are encouraged to get in touch with us. Our meetings are on Tuesday afternoons from
mid September through the end of May. These student editors play an active role in the selection,
editing and publishing process for all three magazines.
page 6
Apple
Sauce
Apple Magazine Advisors
ANDOVER: Ms. Patricia Graham, Bancroft Elementary School; Ms. Catherine Cannon-Francis, Doherty
Middle School; Ms. Emily Allen, High Plain Elementary School; Ms. Patricia Barrett, Sanborn Elementary
School; Ms. Kathleen Kendall, St. Augustine School; Ms. Kasey O’Dea, St. Augustine School, Andover;
Ms. Julianne Toomey-Kautz, South Elementary School; Ms. Hannah Robins, West Elementary School;
Ms. Jamie Kaplan, West Elementary School; Ms. Sandra Lheron, West Middle School; Ms. Tamar Brady,
Wood Hill Middle School; BOXFORD: Ms. Donna Morton, Spofford Pond School; HAVERHILL:
Ms. Paula Keleher, Sacred Hearts School; Ms. Dawn Pavlini, Sacred Hearts School; Ms. Danielle Bouchard,
Silver Hill Horace Mann Charter School; LAWRENCE: Ms. Kim Barry, Parthum; Ms. Melissa Bramble,
Guilmette; Ms. Erin Walsh, Guilmette; Ms. Maria Greco, Emily G. Wetherbee School; Ms. Leslie Quinlan,
The Oliver Partnership School; Ms. Amy Salafia, John K. Tarbox School; Ms. Rebecca Cherry, John K.
Tarbox School; METHUEN: Ms. Tara Croteau, Comprehensive Grammar School; Ms. Linda D’Angelo,
Comprehensive Grammar School; Ms. Kathryn Turmel, Comprehensive Grammar School; Ms. Jill Grahm,
Collaborative Alternative School (CREST); Ms. Amy Siesmasko, Lifeways School (CREST); Ms. Cara
Longevin, Lifeways School (CREST); Ms. Eileen Burke, Marsh Grammar School; Ms. Karen Farrell, Marsh
Grammar School; Mr. Bill Borrelli, Tenney Grammar School; Ms. Anne Marie Erler, Tenney Grammar
School; Ms. Sabrina Provost, Tenney Grammar School; Ms. Amy Currie, Donald P. Timony Grammar
School; Ms. Jill Ramey, Donald P. Timony Grammar School; MIDDLETON: Ms. Melissa Bettencourt,
Howe-Manning School; NORTH ANDOVER: Ms. Deb Adam, Saint Michael School; Ms. Sharon Brady,
Saint Michael School; Ms. Ashley Longo, Saint Michael School; Ms. Carol McCarthy, Saint Michael School;
COMMUNITY PARTNERS: Kathleen Moran-Wallace, Head of Children’s Services, Nevins Memorial
Library, Methuen; Beth Kerrigan, Head of Children’s Library, Memorial Hall Library, Andover; Joshua
Kennedy, Head of Children’s Library, Boxford Town Library; Gael Nappa, Children’s Library, Haverhill Public
Library; Melissa Gaspar, Director, Flint Public Library, Middleton
2014-15 Editorial Interns
Sarah Clark, AHS ‘16; Grace Dever, AHS ‘16; Ariel Leachman, AHS ‘15; Alison Lunny, NAHS ‘16;
Morgan McAnern, AHS ‘16; Madeleine McKeon, MHS ‘15; Caroline Mulligan, MHS ‘15;
Amrutha Palaniyappan, AHS ‘16; Madeline Perigaut, AHS ‘14; Hannah Roos AHS ‘17;
Sarah Scougall, MHS ‘18; Tarushi Sharma, AHS ‘15; Casandra Wise, MHS ‘16
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
page 7
Praise for AppleSauce
Gayle C. Heney
“AppleSauce gives students the opportunity to showcase their creativity through a professional looking
publication that brings together the voices and artwork of 6th – 8th graders in several schools and
communities. It gives students the ability to share what’s in their hearts and minds and encourages public
speaking through public launch events. I have seen children and adults listen attentively to what these
poets and artists have to say. This reinforces their self esteem and helps builds confidence. As the past poet
laureate of North Andover, I am pleased that AppleSauce encourages students to sharpen their poetic and
artistic skills while strengthening our Essex County poetry community with these new members.”
–Gayle C. Heney, Producer & Host of the TV series Write Now
Former 2-term Poet Laureate of North Andover
Matt Kraunelis
“I believe that it is important for students to participate in the arts at a young age. Early exposure to
poetry, visual art, and prose, fosters an appreciation of art and culture that often proves to be a life-long
companion. The Apple Magazines offer a unique way for children to cultivate their creativity and see it
through to the joy of publication. These magazines are an indispensable asset to the students, the school
system, and the entire Merrimack Valley community.”
–Matt Kraunelis, Author and founding member of the
Robert Frost Foundation & Grey Court Poets.
Jackie Davies
“I was lucky enough to come across copies of all three magazines—Apple Seed, Apple Sauce,
and Apple Pi—and I was impressed by the quality of work produced by the students. The short
stories used vivid language and displayed an uncommon sense of story structure—pacing, rising
conflict, and resolution. The poems were sharp, funny, thought provoking, and adept. The artwork
provided a feast for the eyes, ranging in media as diverse as photography, oil painting, watercolor,
and pottery. As if that weren’t enough, the production value of the magazines themselves was
exceptionally high, providing a fitting showcase for the extraordinary work within.”
Jackie Davies is a noted author of children’s books, including: Where the Ground Meets the Sky, The Boy
Who Drew Birds: A Story of John James Audubon, The Night Is Singing, The House Takes a Vacation, The Lemonade War, Tricking the Tallyman, Lost. Her website is: http://www.jacquelinedavies.net
Marianne Levis
“These literary magazines continue to amaze me! I enjoy reading student pieces, admiring the artwork
and photographs as well as the musical notes and lyrics. The student poems and stories are wonderful examples to share with students. They inspire the students to practice the traits of good writing and submit
their own writing for publication. The competition is challenging, but worth the effort every semester. I
like to use the magazines as a rich source for writing ideas in the classroom.”
–Marianne Levis, Methuen High School, Methuen
page 8
Apple
Sauce
Contributors
COMPREHENSIVE GRAMMAR SCHOOL, METHUEN
Samantha
Untitled (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Front Cover
EmilyHomeless . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Alexa
Still Life (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
AmberSorrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Julia
Hope Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Alejandro
The Country City (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Amy
Someone I Wish To See (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Amy
The Human Skull (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
DOHERTY MIDDLE SCHOOL, ANDOVER
Jackson
Great Blue Heron (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Karina
Washington Monument (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
SydneyHades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Mark
Japanese Maple Tree In Winter (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Mark
Japanese Maple Tree In Winter Haiku . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Sophie
The Owl Of Wisdom (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Katherine
Ode To The Haiku . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Tanner
Unnamed (Music) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Ella
Elephants (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Jenny
Door Of Knowledge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Emerald
Rose (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
GERARD A. GUILMETTE MIDDLE SCHOOL, LAWRENCE
Laisha
Legnashka
Tida
Darleny
Rixandra
Lirianna
Crystal
ZAP (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
POW (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Untitled (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
BAM (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Untitled (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Untitled (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Untitled (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
MARSH GRAMMAR SCHOOL, METHUEN
Cassandra
Heart Beat (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Sarah
A Millennium Ago . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Alexia
The Sky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Meghan
Summer Days . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Nayelis
Split Of Islam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Julian
Abraham Lincoln . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Lauren
Cleo (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Giovanni
Mahatma Gandhi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Natasha
Avian Swamp Princess (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
TrinityWolves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Spring 2014, Vol. XV, No.2
page 9
Contributors
PARTHUM EDUCATIONAL COMPLEX, LAWRENCE
GissellUntitled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
HelenUntitled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
DanielaOranges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Jerison
My Grandmother . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Bridget
My Great Grandmother . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
LeilaniUntitled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
SACRED HEARTS SCHOOL, HAVERHILL
Olivia
Goals of My Generation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Sophia
Tranquility In The Air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Emily
The Wise Choice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Haley
The Mad Morning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Meredith
The World And It . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Maria
A Wish For Spring (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Catherine
Signs Of Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Allison
Winter Pine (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
AnneChange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
JonathanGraduation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
SeanAddiction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
SPOFFORD POND SCHOOL, BOXFORD
Emma
Jesus Christ Lizard (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Brynn
Swanset (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
JosephFlower . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Mia
Little Things Of Spring (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Ava
When the Overture Plays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Charlotte
Swimming Toward Spring (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Ian and Jake
Thrift Shop Parody . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Rebecca
Naya Cervone (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
CarterConscience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Celia
A Million Wishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
ST. AUGUSTINE SCHOOL, ANDOVER
Alex
Vishvesh
Will
page 10
Birds (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inside Back Cover
Almighty Mother . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Deer (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Apple
Sauce
Contributors
ST. MICHAEL SCHOOL, NORTH ANDOVER
Gianna
The Forest (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Alison
Raindrops (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Audra
The Bird In Every Marionette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
LoganSoar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
DominiqueNightmare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Nina
My Escape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Alex
The Digital Chains (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Allyson
Untitled (Photo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
TENNEY GRAMMAR SCHOOL, METHUEN
RubenMotivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Shannon
Crying (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Emily
Sunflower (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Josie
Life Oppurtunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
John
Only One Way To Serve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
DONALD P. TIMONY GRAMMAR SCHOOL, METHUEN
Youssef
Allison
Sean
Zuriel
Elvis
Kateri
Kateri
High in the Sky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Milk And Cookies (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Prehistoric (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
The Loving Dove . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Me And The Dragon (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Snowy Weather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Sue Has the Flu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
WEST MIDDLE SCHOOL, ANDOVER
NatalieTides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
AJStuck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Debbie
Snowflake (Music) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Livia
The Artist’s Eye (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Akshara
Madhubani Drawing (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Ariel
Idle Basket (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Marisa
Spring (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Front Cover
Kat
Abstract Feather (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Dennis
I Must Not Cry . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
KateMask . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Spring 2014, Vol. XV, No.2
page 11
Contributors
EMILY G. WETHERBEE SCHOOL, LAWRENCE
Noemi
Aaliyah
Alison
Yosenlis
Rebeca
Anily
Osnel
Maria
Jonathan
Diana
Bruno Mars (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Selfie (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Tower Hill Water Tower (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
If I Had a Super Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Seal Zentangle (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
If I Had a Super Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Merrimack River (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Cover
If I had a Super Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
The Snake (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Zebras (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
WOOD HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL, ANDOVER
Julianna
Poetry Of People Around Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
CatherineLitany . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Kelvin
Pi (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Brooke
Polish Eyes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
MaddyFlowers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Cameron
Morning on the Water . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Justin
Waltz In G Major (Music) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
David
Great Grandfather . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Imani
Untitled (Art) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
page 12
Apple
Sauce
The Country City
Alejandro, Comprehensive Grammar School
My Escape
I step on the court and the rest of the world has gone mute.
All the stress, drama, and pressure is gone.
That’s when I step up.
I am striving to be the best I can be for myself and only myself.
No one else.
Everyone needs an escape from their everyday life and this is mine.
Nina
St. Michael School
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
page 13
A Millennium Ago
“Morte”
How shall this calling be dealt
When the calling is fault but true
When the calling you must run from,
Is caused by you
Is neither deceived
By courage nor sacrifice
But by your own native tongue,
When the calling consumes you
“Morte”
Trail so rugged of lies
The words of despair
Of truth
Burned to ashes
Once declared
Trail so alive
Formed by hate and distrust
Of past things,
Past beings
Faded to withering rust
“Morte”
When the mortality turned to morose
When the loyalty turned to loneliness
All inside you at once
The numbness like an overdose
Then you,
Left not to spare
The dead weight controls,
On your back,
Your bones,
Your soul
“Morte”
So even in the darkest hour,
So clear,
So precise
When your breaths are uneven,
Unworthy,
Not even the purest kiss upon the lips
shall suffice
Then there,
A house of cards once so grand
Now bent out of shape
Much too angular from years of unspoken
prayer,
Turned to pieces along the stone walls
A bulletproof Kevlar, perhaps
How shall this calling be dealt
“Morte”
A high arched room full of statues
Untouched, though reaching towards
another
Extended arms of betrayal and expressions
of ire,
All emphasized by a single flame in the
center of the iron taboos
Would I not witness their trial
Do I not feel the labor of the discrete
Shall I not give in as well,
Open the doors of nothingness, remotely
so close
Is it worth my while,
To even consider my effort of moral code
“Morte”
The stone is taking
Then it’s leaving as well
As it seizes the already too cold skin
around my legs,
And my civic crown of contradict,
Has been forsaking,
And then the flame goes out
With everything else
But for the statues from a millennium ago.
Sarah
Marsh Grammar School
page 14
Apple
Sauce
Japanese Maple Tree In Winter
Mark, Doherty Middle School
Japanese Maple Tree In Winter
Twisted dark maple,
Spindly, deviant branches,
Twisting in the wind.
Mark
Doherty Middle School
Untitled
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
Tida, Gerard A. Guilmette Middle School
page 15
Poetry Of People Around Me
They sit in chairs
The famous ones
The ones on deck
They are scratched and withered
Many laughs, many smiles
We pull up the car
After a long day of second grade
They rock back and forth
In those chairs
Crack a smile
Give a wave
But keep rocking
My Grandma
She is my grandma.
She lives in Lawrence.
She is from Dominican Republic.
She’s the one that says, “Beng patita gada.”
I am the one who says, “Tata, I love you!”
She is the one who is always there for me,
even when I’m hungry!
Jerison
Parthum Educational Complex
I take my seat
The best seat
On his lap
And gaze into her roomy eyes
Through her dusty, beaten glasses
We sit and talk
Giggle and are happy
We share his soup
And slowly rise
His crinkled and her crackled hands
Wrap around my shoulders
They used to help me walk
But now I guide them
To the coach
With the T.V.
And turn on their favorite show
As they crank up their old hearing aids
Tucked secretly behind their ears
For that would be the last time
Because their chairs are used as firewood
Clothes, burned, and their dusty,
beaten glasses
On my desk
Someday I will visit them, but for now,
I am here
Untitled
Allyson
St. Michael School
Julianna Barbaro
Wood Hill Middle School
page 16
Apple
Sauce
Selfie
Aaliyah
Emily G. Wetherbee School
Milk And Cookies
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
Allison, Donald P. Timony Grammar School
page 17
The World And It
What are we losing?
What are we becoming?
What is making us lose it?
The freedom from disturbance and quiet and tranquility.
The freedom from or the cessation of war or violence.
The normal, non-warring condition of a nation, group of nations, or the world.
The state of mutual harmony between people or groups.
We are losing it because we expect perfection, we are afraid, we have anger and resentment,
We are busy, we accept challenges, we fight, and we have regrets.
We are losing our freedom of religion by losing this.
We have learned and fought for this freedom,
And now it’s running out.
Who are we?
We are a nation.
What is it?
It is
Peace.
Meredith
Sacred Hearts School
Heart Beat
Cassandra
Marsh Grammar School
page 18
Apple
Sauce
Almighty Mother
There is an almighty mother that nurtures our every whim:
To create, preserve, then destroy the very fruits she supplies,
To enjoy the sights and sounds of the life she clutches,
And to explore the depths and heights that she contains.
There is an almighty mother that has lasted throughout the ages:
From the time of a lifeless, barren landscape,
From the ages of the dinosaurs,
From the beginning of humanity.
There is an almighty mother that has experienced change:
When the smoke of her children has congested the air,
When the excess debris has been flung upon her figure,
And when the toxins of waste were infused in her veins.
There is an almighty mother that has watched over her children:
As they ravage her body,
As they needlessly terminate each other,
And as they mourn for the lost.
But, there is an almighty mother that has seen hope:
In the benevolence of charity,
In the efforts of volunteers,
And in the hearts of you and I.
There is an almighty mother: Mother Earth
Vishvesh
St. Augustine School
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
page 19
If I Had A Super Power
If I could have a super power it would be
to give technology to students and a place
with technology to help them with their
work, so they could pass in all their work to
get good grades.
I would give students a place with
technology to help them do their work in
a place that’s quiet with no noise to bother
them, so they would be able to concentrate.
I would be giving those students a chance
to be successful in life by passing in all the
work that they needed for a good grade.
And good grades lead to a good high school
and college to get the future job that they
want.
I would use my super power for many
reasons. I would use my super power to give
each student that wants to be successful a
computer, calculator, school supplies, and
a place to use the technology to do their
work. I’m giving them technology for a
reason, because they need help or an image
of something to help them. The computer
will set up for only Google and the internet
but no other things like games, because
that wouldn’t help them. I’m giving them
a quiet place because it would help them
concentrate. If they were in the living room
and they saw or heard their friends playing
outside they will want to go outside and
eventually they will go outside.
Maria
Emily G. Wetherbee School
Jesus Christ Lizard
page 20
Emma, Spofford Pond School
Apple
Sauce
Only One Way To Serve
There is only one way to serve.
The waiter gives food that you deserve.
Sit at home, watch T.V. with a crowd,
I hear people yelling and screaming with one big shout.
The potatoes are soft and smooth.
Get up, put on the music, and dance with one move.
The music is Blues, it’s Jazz,
I broke the table, clean it up in a dash.
In the morning, the crew Evolution.
Walking down, heads up with one Retribution.
So the waiter gives the food you deserve.
But seriously, THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO SERVE!
John
Tenney Grammar School
BAM
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
Rose
Emerald
Doherty Middle School
Darleny, Gerard A. Guilmette Middle School
page 21
Pi
Kelvin, Wood Hill Middle School
When the Overture Plays
When the overture plays, the theatre darkens
When the overture plays, the stage brightens
When the overture plays, a feeling of excitement comes over me
When the overture plays, the show is just getting started
When the overture plays, time for places
When the overture plays, the curtains are up
When the overture plays, the spotlight hits your face
When the overture plays, no matter which role you have, you are a star
Ava
Spofford Pond School
page 22
Apple
Sauce
Wolves
furry, fast, frightening creatures,
their howls make your spine shiver.
you may think these creatures are fake,
with their eyes as blue as a lake.
their fur dances as they run,
through the gleaming moonlit sun.
in a pack or even lone,
grey or white is always shown.
even pups give you a fear,
when you hear them drawing near.
you can try to run and hide,
from the fear deep down inside,
the thing is, you cannot run,
from the one and only one.
these creatures are real,
and a big deal,
the Wolf
Trinity
Marsh Grammar School
Untitled
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
Nightmare
I was running faster and faster with
each breath, down a long street made of
dark-colored sand and no street lights. I
didn’t know who I was running from or
to, but my feet acted as if they had a mind
of their own, until they stopped when the
road met a brick building. I reached for
the handle, but when my hand came in
contact with the silver handle, the handle
turned bright red. I immediately removed
my hand from the handle to find it burnt.
Before I could do anything about my hand
a door swung open. I took a few steps into
a room without knowing what was coming
next. The room was pitch black before a
few lights flicked. I saw a figure at first,
but then as the lights flickered there were
more figures. Soon there were fifty figures
getting closer and closer to me. I shuffled
backward until my back was against the
door that had slammed behind me. We
were face to face, but before I could see or
say anything, my eyes opened.
Dominique
St. Michael School
Lirianna, Gerard A. Guilmette Middle School
page 23
The Wise Choice
Calamity during crisis
or fighting the enemy.
Making the peaceful treaty
or putting innocent men and women
in battle.
Using speech as an art form
or using it to discriminate against others.
Children holding hands
or using them for violence.
People going about their own business
or invading others’ privacy.
The young helping the old
or leaving them to help themselves.
Giving worlds of advice to those who
are struggling
or watch them crash and burn.
Sacrificing what you have for others
or letting them have the disadvantage
in the situation.
Let peace be the answer every time
or commit the hateful crime.
Emily
Sacred Hearts School
Madhubani Drawing
page 24
Akshara, West Middle School
Apple
Sauce
Door of Knowledge
It is a chilly winter afternoon,
the sun hangs helplessly in the sky.
The birds chirp,
as if complaining,
about the bitterly cold weather.
There are only a few people in there,
selecting,
or reading,
the gathering of knowledge.
The rich aroma of ink,
and crisp, new paper,
fills my lungs,
as I inhale deeply.
And the warmness from inside,
chases down
the frosty, freezing, feeling of winter.
The sign is old, wooden,
with icicles hanging down.
And it says,
“Bookstore.”
And the door,
a heavy looking,
ancient,
oak wood one,
weighs,
like a hundred pounds,
in my hands,
as I try to push it open.
This serene place
reminds me
of my “mothers embrace.”
The crested brass door handle,
is draining the heat from my palm.
The door squeaks and opens,
The warm glow of the yellow light bulb
makes me smile.
I push open
the door
to knowledge,
the gate
to the new,
unknown world.
Like a miracle,
sparkling,
within the words,
the lines,
as I open a book,
in my hands.
Jenny
Doherty Middle School
Snowy Weather
New England! Ugh! It’s all snow.
Everything’s covered. Away it won’t go!
The car can’t get out
I want to shout!
Phil, it seems, was in the know.
Kateri
Donald P. Timony Grammar School
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
page 25
Waltz In G Major
page 26
Justin, Wood Hill Middle School
Apple
Sauce
Homeless
Walking on the snowy road
With their huge, heavy load
They are so hungry
Begging and begging for money
I ask my Mom to spare a dollar
But she said it won’t be like a collar
They’ll use it for bad
To treat their addiction
I’d rather give it to a place that will help
These sad, hungry survivors in need
I think every day and night
About how lucky I am
But I still get a fright
What are their names, Sam or Cam?
These people need help
From the shelters
It seems like they only care about themselves
I would search and search for homeless
To try and give them a home
I truly hope that someday
They will have a home of their own.
This is dedicated to the homeless.
I will pray for you.
Bruno Mars
Noemi
Emily G. Wetherbee School
Emily
Comprehensive Grammar School
The Forest
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
Gianna, St. Michael School
page 27
Untitled
Split Of Islam
He is my cinnamon bun.
He lives in my heart.
I am the one that brightens his day.
He is the one that puts a smile on my face.
I am the one that makes him laugh.
He is the one that looks like a giraffe.
I am the one that fills his heart with joy.
He is the one boy.
Sunnis accepted the Umayyad Dynasty
Shiites did not
All caliphs should be the descendants of Ali
Or so they thought
Nayelis
Marsh Grammar School
Gissell
Parthum Educational Complex
POW
page 28
Legnashka, Gerard A. Guilmette Middle School
Apple
Sauce
Snowflake
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
Debbie, West Middle School
page 29
Elephants
Ella, Doherty Middle School
Crying
Shannon
Tenney Grammar School
page 30
Apple
Sauce
Polish Eyes
She sits on the withered floral couch
A wool cardigan draped over her shoulders
Her frail figure hunched
Seeping into the cushions
The baby blue of the sweater
Makes her tired Polish blue eyes pop
Behind the thick multilayered lenses
The rest sag on her nose
Her tight but frayed gray hair
Curled whimsically around her tiny ears
The tan hearing aid packed tightly in its curves
With its volume turned all the way up
Her soft cheeks
Hang beside her strong chin
Her lips curled to a faint smile
Shaking and weak hands in her lap
Now the antique sofa is empty
The cardigan, resting in a cardboard box
The hearing aid, probably at the dump
And the dense glasses collect dust
Brooke
Wood Hill Middle School
Graduation
Getting ready for the next step in your life
Reluctantly leaving your friends and school
Awaiting life’s challenges ahead
Doing everything you can to get to that day
Understanding that it only gets harder from here on
Always remembering that day for the rest of your life
Thinking about the past and future
Intending to do your best wherever you end up
On your way to a new opportunity
Never forget who you graduated with
Jonathan
Sacred Hearts School
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
page 31
Raindrops Summer Days
Bright blue sky
AC on high
It’s summer once again
Waves hit the shore, crash!
Children dive through the waves, splash!
It’s summer once again
Relaxing in the sand with peers
Days feel like 100 years
It’s summer once again
The ocean glimmers like a diamond
As we watch from the island
It’s summer once again
Meghan
Marsh Grammar School
Alison, St. Michael School
Tides
As I
Watch
Deep blue water
Grabs at my toes
Only to
Come back
Empty handed
Like I had something it wanted
And I did
I could walk
Walk away from the shore
I could refuse
The endless cycle of the waves
But still
Reached
Stretched
For the sand
Trying to get to me
But when the time comes
The water has to go
Go back
All the way back to where it came from
Natalie
West Middle School
page 32
Apple
Sauce
Prehistoric
Zebras
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
Sean, Donald P. Timony Grammar School
Diana, Emily G. Wetherbee School
page 33
Mask
Did you ever try
to look into a person’s heart?
Try to find out
Who they are inside
Mask
She walks with her head low
Wishing she could be heard
Wishing she could be seen
Mask
She sits alone
Thinking hard
Is there more for me?
Mask
When you see her
in the halls
She looks as nervous as a performer
Peering through the red velvet curtain
Mask
The Human Skull
Amy
Comprehensive Grammar School
No one knows who she is
They never looked into her heart
Who is this girl?
Is she you?
Mask
Kate
West Middle School
Swimming
Toward Spring
Charlotte
Spofford Pond
School
page 34
Apple
Sauce
The Mad Morning
I hear yelling and buzzing from afar
Then reach over to hit the snooze bar.
I see my mom rushing about
“You’re going to be late for school!” I hear her shout.
I run to the bathroom to shower and brush my hair
Then throw on my school clothes and stumble down the stairs.
I gather all my books and grab something to eat
While my dad starts the car and cranks up the heat.
I feed the dog and slide on my shoes
Then sprint to the car with not a second to lose.
The morning traffic is bad and the icy roads make you slide
But after running through some snow, I make it inside.
A teacher stopped me as I closed the front door
And after going through so much, I didn’t expect more.
But she chuckled as she said these words that broke my heart
“Sweetie, today you have a late start.”
Haley
Sacred Hearts School
ZAP
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
Laisha, Gerard A. Guilmette Middle School
page 35
Litany
Based on Billy Collins
You are the grass on the hill,
The wildflowers blowing in the wind
You are the wave on the shore
And the vivid pink at sunset
However, you are not the smell of fresh apple crisp
Or the puppy running in the meadow
You are definitely not the mahogany wood cabinets or Martha’s Vineyard
And you are in no way the snowflakes on my eyelashes
And a look in the mirror will show
That you are not the steamed carrots with salt and melting butter
Or the log cabin in the Alps
But there is a slight chance you could be the mittens warming by the fire
But quite frankly you will never be the leather on my ottoman
Don’t worry though
You are still the grass on the hill
Even possibly the rain streaming down the window
And you will always, forever be, the vivid pink at sunset
Catherine
Wood Hill Middle School
The Owl Of Wisdom
Sophie
Doherty Middle School
page 36
Apple
Sauce
Flower
Flower
Colorful, tall
Swaying, calling, charming
Swaying, calling to me.
Beautiful
Joseph
Spofford Pond School
Signs Of Spring
After a long, cold winter
No more shoveling or gloves.
Spring is finally here
A season we all love.
Just look at the cherry blossoms
All covering the trees.
Flowers and gardens
Forsythia and bees.
Bird eggs are hatching
Bunnies being born.
All of God’s creatures
Are now happy and warm.
I wish that this season
Would last all year through.
I love it when nature
Is fresh and brand new.
Catherine
Sacred Hearts School
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
Avian Swamp Princess
Natasha
Marsh Grammar School
Untitled
She is my puppy
She lives at my house in Lawrence.
She’s fluffy and very cute.
She makes me happy when I’m down.
I tell her I love her.
When she puts her wet nose on my arm,
I know she’s saying, “I love you too!”
Her name is Mimi.
She is my baby, my boo, my everything!
Leilani
Parthum Educational Complex
page 37
Ode To The Haiku
O, haiku!
Some consider you fragmented and choppy.
They cannot hope to understand your
perfect depiction,
your simple brilliance.
Though you are only three lines
with seventeen syllables in all,
you are still deceptively tricky
to write well.
People underestimate your power,
your beautifully simplistic artistry.
No extra fluff
is found within your structure,
for you do not allow it to exist.
You are a memory
ensnared with words
on a page.
You are an elegant portrait
of a moment in nature,
a slice of frozen time
preserved for future generations.
Katherine
Doherty Middle School
If I Had A Super Power
If I had a super power or as I like to call it, “Villain Power,” it would be the power of
freezing things. My super power would not only freeze you, but you also would stop feeling
the sense of touch. If you like summer, then you are going to love my super power. My
“Villain Power” will freeze everything everywhere and it will get as cold as Alaska. If you live
on a tropical island and you don’t have a coat, go buy one, because I’m on my way. Oh-Oh, I
forgot to tell you, I’m more of a “Super Villain” type of person. I’ll use my “Villain Power” to
freeze all the tropical islands, change your plans, unpack your swimsuit and get some boots.
I don’t think my superpower is “Evil” in every single way. I can also help by bringing people
who always wanted to see snow an opportunity to experience that, and I swear “snow is as
white as paper.” Also, I can protect the city from people like me, who like to steal money
from banks, and I’ll protect my citizens.
–Super Villain Yosenlis –
Yosenlis
Emily G. Wetherbee School
page 38
Apple
Sauce
Deer
Will
St. Augustine School
Soar
That moment when the whole world seems to stop.
That moment of sensation when you are airborne on top of a noble steed.
That moment when all your pains and problems melt away.
That moment when it’s just you and your horse.
That moment when all you can do is trust him.
That moment when you feel like you can do anything.
That moment when you soar.
Logan
St. Michael School
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
page 39
Untitled Imani, Wood Hill Middle School
Sorrow
Mornings when
I can’t get up
Afternoons where
I’m out of my mind
Nights where I
Can’t sleep and
I’m awake staring
At the darkness
Of the ceiling
Alone at night
The silence
Swallows my thoughts
In my head
Drowning everything
And everyone
Painful sorrow
Amber
Comprehensive Grammar School
page 40
Apple
Sauce
Abraham Lincoln
A great president through hard times
A father always there for his son
A hard leader of a country divided
No matter what he kept pushing on
Never giving up
Even when times looked grim
He fought for the right things
Equality for everyone
No matter skin color or race
Rich or poor
He started from the bottom
And worked his way to the top
Without any help from anyone
A loving husband, father, and president
In a country where a lot of people
Wanted to put a bullet through his head
He still loved the country he was born and raised in, and
Learned the hardships of being
An American
But still
He fought for what was on his mind
Until a bullet went through it
Julian
Marsh Grammar School
Winter Pine
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
Allison, Sacred Hearts School
page 41
Tower Hill Water Tower
Alison, Emily G. Wetherbee School
High In The Sky
There once was a boy with two kites
He said, “I’m afraid of big heights”
The wind did blow
Far away did he go
And now those are his biggest highlights
Youssef
Donald P. Timony Grammar School
page 42
Apple
Sauce
Life Opportunities
Because of your phone…
You could’ve met her eyes,
you could’ve gone on dates.
You could’ve made her laugh,
you could’ve married.
You could’ve had a family,
You could have a great life together.
But instead, you let her pass from the road,
while you were looking down at your
phone.
Pay attention to the beauties in our world.
Trust me, It’s a sight.
Right now you could’ve had a great life,
with the one meant “for life.”
Because of your phone.
Josie
Tenney Grammar School
Untitled
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
Rixandra, Gerard A. Guilmette Middle School
page 43
Unnamed
page 44
Tanner, Doherty Middle School
Apple
Sauce
Morning on the Water
6 a.m.
A ripple in the water
Waves lap against the hull
The lone cormorant circles,
Looking for fish,
And dives
The wind ruffles
My sun-bleached hair
As I look about
The clammy deck
Against my feet
Left by the morning dew
The little skiffs
Putter noisily by
Upsetting the beautiful, natural calm
Such a peaceful start
To a day on the water
Cameron
Wood Hill Middle School
Still Life
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
Alexa, Comprehensive Grammar School
page 45
Tranquility In The Air
Stepping away from the noise
In a bubble of silence
Taking time to just sit
Not worrying about things
Being content with everything
Finding happiness all around
Calmness in times of hardships
Helping each other
Like a mother to a child
War is not involved
Hatred is out of the question
Forgiveness is key
Freedom to have simple rights
Able to have treaties
Instead of enemies
Cleo
Lauren
Marsh Grammar School
It will take awhile
Everyone is involved
People need to find tranquility
Quietness is required
Contentment is important
And most of all, peace
Sophia
Sacred Hearts School
Untitled
Inspired by Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, meeting for the first time
He looked into the brightest eyes and saw more light than in the stars.
He saw a different color that fit more than the people themselves.
The madam gazed at the great knight.
“Who shall he be with?”
“Beauty of the stars! “
All the stars can be seen.
They smiled at each other.
“Doth thou knowest why?”
They both did not know it was love at first sight.
Helen
Parthum Educational Complex
page 46
Apple
Sauce
The Digital Chains
The Artist’s Eye
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
Alex, St. Michael School
Livia, West Middle School
page 47
Washington Monument
Karina, Doherty Middle School
If I Had A Super Power
If I had a super power, it would be to give
everyone an artistic skill. By giving everyone
an artistic skill, almost better than the Mona
Lisa by Leonardo DaVinci, it would be able
to make the person concentrate and really
focus in their work, like a baby who is so
focused on where they put the puzzle piece
in. Also it will help them develop the skill
of thinking out of the box and being really
creative in what they set their minds to.
By giving them this skill it would help
them get a job that demands creativity and
ideas. It would make them ask themselves
“How can I make this better?” Like if you
wanted to be a fashion designer you can
give great ideas. Or if you wanted to be
a music artist you can work on how to
improve your song, voice, and timing.
This skill will make them think and feel
confident in what they would like to do.
You can do anything in life, if you set your
mind to do. This is what I would do if I had
a Super Power.
Anily
Emily G. Wetherbee School
page 48
Apple
Sauce
A Million Wishes
A million wishes,
Are being wished,
By a million things.
A starving child,
Wishing through the cracks,
Of a window,
Webbed with years of weather and storm,
Wishing to no one,
Just for help.
A dog,
Helpless,
Hurt,
And abandoned.
Wishing through the pain and misery
that clouds its eyes,
Hoping for a savior,
Wishing for nothing but help.
A million wishes,
Are being wished,
By someone,
Something.
A wish being heard,
A wish being granted,
A wish being wished,
Means there’s hope.
Great Grandfather
He looks at me,
A smile on his face
His eyes blank
Behind red tinted glasses
I know he can’t see me
But I can tell he’s happy
Happy to be with his great-grandson
In his final days.
David
Wood Hill Middle School
Celia
Spofford Pond School
A Wish For Spring
Maria
Sacred Hearts School
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
page 49
Me And The Dragon
Elvis, Donald P. Timony Grammar School
The Bird In Every Marionette
To bullies you’re their marionette and they control the show.
If there is one thing that I have learned that you might want to know, it’s that someone else
captures you, controlling you by strings.
You must learn to break away. That is how I got my wings.
I got up enough courage. Now I’m not my predator’s prey.
I felt a rush of confidence, the day flew away.
Audra
St. Michael School
page 50
Apple
Sauce
Stuck
Slowly moving
Back and forth
Nowhere to go
A world full of opportunities
Yet here I am
Stuck
Waiting for a chance to leave,
Explore,
Get out,
Grab life by the reins
Yet here I am
Stuck
Like gum
Looking out through the bars
I know I’ll get there
Someday
I still have so many questions
How will I run?
Where will I run to?
Well, let’s just focus on the now
Stuck
Every day I wake up
Climb around
Nowhere to go
Nowhere to be.
AJ
West Middle School
Naya Cervone
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
Rebecca, Spofford Pond School
page 51
Someone I Wish To See
Amy
Comprehensive Grammar School
Flowers
They arrive mid-evening
small and hungry,
wondering when they are
going to be fed,
at last water falls
filling them up with
energy,
little plants sprout out
of them,
they get bigger and
bigger,
the sun shines down on them,
they have reached their full potential,
five petals and all.
The Sky
Stars sparkling in the sky
The moon becomes lost in the night
As I look into the sky above
I too seem to become lost in the light
Alexia
Marsh Grammar School
Maddy
Wood Hill Middle School
page 52
Apple
Sauce
Change
Change is inevitable. Change is a
beautiful thing. Everything happens for a
reason. I’m finding this is definitely true. I
understand that every path has its puddles,
but I’m starting to think this year’s path
has been more of a pond than a puddle. It’s
weird having classmates that you’ve been
with since what is, or feels like, years ask
you where you’re going to school next year.
Last year, and the year before that, and the
year before that, we’d say, “Here, with you.”
Unfortunately, we will all be heading in
different directions next school year. This
year so far we’ve already made memories.
These fun times are making our departure
more and more dreaded.
Soon we’ll be off at high school meeting
new people and making new friends.
Nobody is saying it, but we all know in the
back of our minds that some of us won’t
all be such close friends in the upcoming
years. These tough but true ideas are hard to
take in. I sometimes feel as if my head will
explode if I think about it for too long. I’m
not totally thrilled with the possibility of
having to make new friends next year, and
I am totally scared of losing what friends I
have now. But I guess if I look, I’ll always
find a friendly face in the vast halls of high
school.
Abstract Feather
Kat
West Middle School
Although my eighth grade year is driving
me to insanity with all the changes that
we’re soon to face, I can’t change it. It’s a
little ironic that you can’t change change
from happening but nonetheless it’s true.
This year seems like it’s going to be a roller
coaster of twists, turns and loops.
I’ll just have to lean back and enjoy the
ride. Hopefully, I’ll have a smile on my face
at the end of the ride.
Anne
Sacred Hearts School
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
page 53
Thrift Shop Parody
Inspired by the song “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore
Now, walk into the candy shop like whaddup, I need some soda pop!
I’m so pumped about this candy from the candy shop!
Then I be like man, I need a gumdrop!
The storekeeper be like, BRUH! That’s a lot of candy!
Heading out, pockets deep, headin’ to the soda shop
Dressed in candy, don’t worry ‘bout me,
Eatin’ it as much
As Steph Curry shoots threes!
Probably should’ve got some more soda pops, not any more gumdrops
(SSSSSSSSSSSS)
But man, they were 99 CENTS!
Walkin’ and talkin’ and the candy mockin’
Passin’ up on all those sodas
Money and candy, that’s all I ever need,
Tossin’ candy, lettin’ it fly…
No need for soda, I got the candy!
I’mma take your candy,
I’mma take your candy,
No for real, can I have your candy?
Soda pop jumpsuit, and some gum slippers!
Candy coat, with a little candy cane crutch!
They had candy, they had candy
I took and ran, lettin’ that drop,
Into the hole that is my mouth!
Hello? Hello? The Melo Candy Shop open?
Nobody got nothin’ on my candy
I could take some candy, make ‘em really tasty, sell for double,
Them candy lovers be like, “Ahhhhhhhhh,
He got them flavors, though…”
Ian and Jake
Spofford Pond School
page 54
Apple
Sauce
Oranges
My favorite fruit is the orange. The
orange is a very sweet fruit. Its color is
orange, and it’s very sweet, and round.
I’ve seen them growing in the Dominican
Republic. With oranges, I can make a juice,
a shake! I like it because it tastes very sweet
and it’s delicious.
Oranges are round. Some are sweet.
Some are sour. On the inside they are bright
orange.
Where do oranges grow? They grow in
trees. Some don’t grow that tall. I’ve seen
them grow in the branches of the trees.
I’ve seen them grow in the Dominican
Republic.
What can I make with the oranges? I
can make a juice. I can make a shake. I can
make a cake. I can make a yogurt. I can
make a salad.
Why do I like the oranges? I like them
because they are very sweet. I like their
color. I like their shape. I like how you can
make shakes with them. I like how you can
make juices out of them.
In conclusion, I love oranges very much.
This is my favorite fruit, and I like its color.
Daniela
Parthum Educational Complex
Great Blue Heron
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
Jackson, Doherty Middle School
page 55
Mahatma Gandhi
Who was Mahatma Gandhi?
Most people today would consider him a peaceful man,
But back in his time, he was considered a threat to the government.
But who was he?
He WAS a peaceful man who
Saved the people of India and South Africa from British rule
and devoted his life to helping people.
He only wanted peace for his people,
But instead was jailed for doing what was right.
He led peaceful protests and taught that things could be solved without violence.
Instead, these protests were silenced with gunfire and murder.
When his people would resort to violence,
He would start fasting so they would stop.
He was a man that would give up eating so that peace would occur.
Gandhi was a man who only wanted good things for his homeland.
In the end, his actions were successful, for the British no longer controlled India.
He proved that violence was not the answer.
Gandhi was soon assassinated,
But he left his mark on the world,
Forever known as a peaceful warrior.
Giovanni
Marsh Grammar School
page 56
Apple
Sauce
Little Things Of Spring
Mia, Spofford Pond School
Sue Has The Flu
Goals Of My Generation
Once there was a young girl named Sue
She missed some school because of the flu.
Once she got better
To detention they sent her!
Her project was way overdue.
Peace is something we have not yet achieved
The world has always been chaotic
With fighting everywhere
Kateri
Donald P. Timony Grammar School
When we learn to no longer hate
And are always selfless
When we can finally see eye to eye
Without conflict
Then maybe we can change history
And a world of peace
Will be something
That is finally within our reach
Olivia
Sacred Hearts School
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
page 57
I Must Not Cry
“I must not cry,” said Jonathan, lying
upon his messy, uncared-for bed, staring
up at the blank ceiling. It was a cold and
awfully windy day that shook the windows,
and the frame of the house seemed to
groan in resistance to Mother Nature. After
the New Year, in late January, Jonathan’s
grandmother had been diagnosed with
cancer. It was a sickly disease, a wretched
ghoul that went about sucking life and
hope out of people who had lost the will
to live. The pain was horrible, constant
attention, constant care. His parents had
been working nonstop in the stressful
month. Jonathan had tried talking to them
for comfort, but found none. No hope
came out from their words, only lies. He
knew they were doing the best they could,
and that they wanted him to be free from
restraint, but it was impossible. Jonathan
cared too much.
The next day, Jonathan went to visit his
grandmother in the cancer treatment center.
Chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery were
not options. She was too weak. Stepping
into the clinic with a weak heart, Jonathan
wondered if this was going to be the last
time he would see his grandmother. The
medicine that she had been taking was not
a treatment, it was a painkiller. It soothed
her from her suffering, but one of the side
effects was confusion. “Will she remember
me?” Jonathan wondered to himself.
The door closed behind him and the
screaming of the wind stopped. The
building was a nice, warm place. Looking
around as he walked to his grandmother’s
room, he saw a rather large man holding an
oxygen tank, being pushed in a wheelchair.
He and his father stepped into the dimly
lit room. Here the floor was covered with
tile rather than carpet, and in the center
of the room was a bed, holding Jonathan’s
grandmother, who looked more sickly and
thin than ever. She had always been thin
and frail but the cancer and the month
had really taken an awful toll on her. The
room had a scent not unlike a doctor’s
office. The smell of drugs and sterilized
tools drifted among in the dry air. Jonathan
sat down next to Grandmother and held
her hand. It was covered in wrinkles and
creases, showing the time spent cooking
for her family. Jonathan’s uncle had flown
from China to American to stay with his
mother, and there he helped put a straw
into Grandmother’s mouth, so she could
drink. She muttered an almost inaudible
pronunciation of, “Jonathan.” She had
remembered him, and was happy to see
him. A single shiny and fat tear rolled down
from Jonathan’s right eye, onto his cheek,
and fell on his grandmother’s hand. He let
go of her and turned his face away. “I must
not cry,” he whispered.
Dennis
West Middle School
page 58
Apple
Sauce
Hope Springs
The snow spread across the field,
Destroying all life in its path.
While one flower stands high,
Waving in the wind.
Her name is Hope and she will
Forever stand strong.
Julia
Comprehensive Grammar School
Seal Zentangle
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
Rebeca, Emily G. Wetherbee School
page 59
Hades
God of the underworld
Realm of the dead
Son of Cronus and Rhea
Persephone is his wife
Hades kidnapped her
She is dejected and sullen
He is somber and loathes change
Yet he is a patient person
Most patient of all the gods
He values only death
Life is his eternal enemy
He wears a shroud of death
Weeping of mourners is a song to him
He drinks tears like wine
Rarely leaving his domain
Atop a golden chariot
Driven by horses as black as night
For only the most important gatherings
Many fear him greatly
Don’t dare call him by his real name
Instead the Rich One or the Hospitable
One
Outwaiting all strategies
Always catching the one he waits for
This is Hades, the god of the dead
Sydney
Doherty Middle School
Addiction
You’re feeling it again.
The hollow emptiness inside.
You try to ignore it,
But it always wins you over.
No matter how much you claim to hate it,
You still keep coming back.
It makes you feel whole.
You bask in the feeling while others
judge you.
They see the monster you’ve become.
The volatile nature you developed from it.
They fear you for it.
They cry for you to stop, but you never do.
You make them feel pain.
You even begin to fear your own self
because of it.
You don’t want to hurt anybody anymore.
You want them to stop judging you.
Most of all, you want to be free.
Free from its chains to be the person
you used to be.
But it can’t be helped.
Ever since you tried it,
The sickness has only gotten worse.
Sean
Sacred Hearts School
page 60
Apple
Sauce
Motivation
I want to be the best,
I want to be better than the world and better than the rest.
I want to make my family proud,
I want to be famous to millions of crowds,
I will never smoke or drink liquor from a cup,
Even through tough times I will always keep my head up,
Sometimes I wish my mistakes could be erased by an eraser,
But at the end of the day I am still a dream closer,
Someday I want to be #1 or #4 in the NBA draft like Aaron Gordon,
I want to be the best I can be; I want to be like Michael Jordan,
I was bullied and I thought it wasn’t right,
But I am older now so I can put on a fight,
This is the end of this poem,
I will do this until I die,
But one of these days I will spread my wings and fly.
Ruben
Tenney Grammar School
Swanset
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
Brynn, Spofford Pond School
page 61
Conscience
It’s the red horned figure to your left,
Yet the halo headed savior resting on your right.
It mocks you when you tell a lie,
You wish it would just say goodbye.
It’s the will to be different and roll the dice,
Most of the time it will probably turn out nice.
Although it may cause quite a bit of stress and pain,
And make you go insane.
What do you say?
Listen to your conscience and everything will be O.K.
Carter
Spofford Pond School
The Snake
page 62
Jonathan, Emily G. Wetherbee School
Apple
Sauce
Idle Basket
Ariel, West Middle School
The Loving Dove
There was once a cute white dove
Who then one time spotted a glove
She took the glove and blew away
But the glove then began to sway
The dove knew then she was in love
Zuriel
Donald P. Timony Grammar School
Spring 2015, Vol. XVI, No. 2
page 63
Sunflower
Emily
Tenney Grammar School
My Great Grandmother
My great grandmother is so old.
She is 79.
She has been in in the United States since she was twenty,
But she doesn’t fully understand English.
Every summer I have sleepovers at her house.
If something bad happens to her, like if she hurts her back,
I start to cry because she is very important in my heart!
And I don’t need another person leaving.
She always tells me. “No toca eso!”
No matter what, I love her!
Bridget
Parthum Educational Complex
page 64
Apple
Sauce
Birds
Alex
St. Augustine School
Apple
Sauce
Merrimack River
Osnel
Emily G. Wetherbee School