Like Wolves
by Mila Ponce, ’25
jagged teeth like precious crystals of quartz,
snoots like wolves, peeking in between each rib.
“please be tender,” each limb unthreaded
from sensation, he counts down from ten
and i become pacified & bathed in ether.
hazy and innocent, on a cold steel table.
like roadkill, they gnaw on my bones
like wolves, guzzle the current of my
blood like they were fanged and winged.
and then the spread of ivy, of greenery
in my flesh, devouring every centimeter
of skin like wolves, they seem to be
adamant and insatiable.
me and every other puppet;
tonight becomes the evening we sleep
like wolves.
every doll of inky porcelain;
tonight becomes the evening we sleep
like wolves.
The Deadline
by Heaven Rouse, ’26
The deadline is near
Not a bone in my body is filled with fear
Why do we feel the need to procrastinate? Maybe because just doing it later sounds great.
I’ll do my work later since it’s not due until tomorrow, but first I need to play around then borrow — a pillow so I can take a nap If I said I was ready after that it would be cap.Too many distraction my mind is astray forgetting about the work that’s due the next day. By the time I remembered to do my work it’s like my bed has started To lurk. The struggle of knowing I have things to do battles my mind like a too tight knotted shoe. Now I’m up late regretting everything I did today because I could have been done dreaming away. It’s 2 am but at least I’m done.I know I’m going to be tired but the day has just begun.
The Deep
by KC, ’25
As I wade into the waves my hearts sinks like the floor
5 feet, to 7
10 feet to 15
Nothing matters anymore
I can’t see the bottom let alone reach it
Then I feel it
I can’t tell whether it is its fangs or scale
Is it around my mind or my legs
Is it swimming or sleeping
Is it translucent or invisible
All that matters is I keep swimming, because there is not telling what’s beneath the waves
The Snap
by Marissa Mayton ’26
I told them I didn’t need a walker. Bad mistake.
Slipping on the ice, falling butt-first several times,
But getting back up and saying,
“I’m okay. I don’t need a walker.”
I already used a walker several times before. And each time
I felt like Granny.
I felt it was time to de-age from Granny.
Finally, lessons were over, and it was free skating.
I had somewhat gotten used to it, but stopping
Was never my strength.
I would clumsily crash into the wall with my hands
Or land on my butt once more.
It was time to leave after this process repeated.
That was when it happened.
I sped up, going too fast,
And stupidly thinking he would catch me,
I grabbed onto the person in front of me.
And as we fell as one,
I felt the snap.
Everything was a blur.
I was on the ice screaming about my leg.
He had simply left without another thought,
Perhaps out of fear.
A medic, asking my name, birthday, age, and others.
I kept asking for the bottle of pink lemonade in my backpack, as
I felt myself slipping.
Somehow talking made the pain go away.
And then, before I knew it,
I saw my brother watching me concerned,
And knowing he told me to get a walker,
I finally felt the tears running down my face.
The boy who I fell down with.
Who kicked me with his skate and caused the snap.
I don’t blame him.
I blame the fool
Who refused to be Granny.
“A Deathly Haze”
I woke up in my soft, comfy bed
With a terrible pang in my head
But there was no knowledge, no dread
That soon I’d be dead
I felt so hot, I sweat
The day, I wish could reset
I never knew that I was in threat
That i never knew that was a regret
Days passed, I lay in sickness
It feels like eternity
Time’s stillness
I question the amount of my longevity
As lumps grew on my neck
And my finger and toes died off
I already knew what to expect
I now do more than just cough
In my final days
I lay and rot
A deathly haze
Lingers over my cot
