Art:

Assorted Art-  Irina Tall Novikova 

Writing:

THE STRONGEST SOUL - Ananya Mohanty 

Am I so bad? - Nathan Anderson

Two Months of Battles Fought - Atefeh Elekaei

I lost you the way a tree loses leaves - Clare Roberts

Exhibit C - Clare Roberts

In the Presence of Quiet Strength - Adv.Sadaf Naaz

Until There's Nothing Left - Yuliana Camarena Solis

Miss You - Yuliana Camarena Solis

Can't Hate It - Yuliana Camarena Solis

By Ananya Mohanty 

Ananya Mohanty’s journey as a poet began in the depths of loneliness and depression, where silence became her closest companion. Unable to express herself aloud, she turned to writing, pouring her emotions onto paper. What started as an escape soon became her identity, with her work finding a home in books and magazines. Her poetry explores the complexities of the human mind, the reverence of nature, and the impact of modernity. Through her words, she seeks to give a voice to the unheard, proving that even in silence, there is a story waiting to be told.

"'The Strongest Soul' is a raw and deeply moving poem that sheds light on the unseen struggles of those battling inner turmoil. It challenges the notion of suicide as a personal choice, instead revealing the weight of societal neglect, judgment, and indifference. Through powerful imagery and emotional depth, the poem calls attention to the silent suffering too often ignored, urging readers to acknowledge their role in fostering compassion and support. It is both a tribute to lost souls and a wake-up call to a world that must do better."

How dare we call it suicide

When society’s hands pulled them to the tide?

When parents, blind, ignored their cries,

And silenced dreams with hollow lies?

When friends, like shadows, turned away,

And left their hearts in disarray?

When teachers judged the marks, not pain,

And hope dissolved like summer rain?

The rope, society’s cruel design,

A world that taught them they weren’t fine.

The knife, emotions raw and deep,

Carved by nights they couldn’t sleep.

The poison, words both sharp and cold,

A bitter truth too hard to hold.

They didn’t leap, they were pushed instead,

By the weight of voices in their head.

By walls that closed and paths denied,

By all the love the world belied.

The ledge they stood on was not their choice,

It was built of silence, stolen voice.

Brick by brick of judgment's stone,

A monument to lives unknown.

And when they fell, the world just stared,

Whispered blame but never cared.

"Be strong," they said, "the pain will fade,"

But offered no hand when shadows stayed.

So tell me, how can we call it their end,

When we’re the ones who failed to mend?

It wasn’t a life they chose to forsake

It was a heart that society chose to break.

By Atefeh Elekaei

Atefeh Elekaei holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. in English Language Teaching, as well as a B.A. in English Language and Literature. Her research has been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, and she has presented her findings at both national and international conferences.

Poetry captivates her as a profound and beautiful form of expression. It encapsulates emotions, paints vivid imagery, and facilitates deep exploration of thoughts and feelings through a few carefully chosen words. Writing poetry serves as a means for her to connect with herself and others, sharing experiences and perspectives, and evoking resonant emotions. Each poetic form—whether the rhythmic structure of a sonnet, the fluidity of free verse, or the succinct elegance of haiku—offers her a distinct avenue for conveying meaning and beauty.

Her mother, a Persian literature instructor, ignited her lifelong passion for poetry and literature. She began her literary journey at the age of 12, writing and reading poetry regularly. At just 13, she was honored to win first place in a screenplay writing competition in Mazandaran Province, Iran. During her B.A. studies, she embarked on exploring the art of writing poetry in English, further enriching her creative expression.

"In "Two Months of Battles Fought," the poet navigates the profound grief of losing both parents after an arduous two-month struggle in the ICU. The poem opens with a nostalgic reflection on the vibrant life shared with them, now overshadowed by a sense of loss and longing. The imagery of wandering through shadows highlights the emotional desolation that follows their absence, while the metaphor of hope as a distant stream encapsulates the feeling of searching for solace that feels just out of reach.

The heartwarming mention of the poet's little sister serves as a beacon of hope amid despair. Together, they cling to the joyful memories they shared, even as they confront the shadows of fear and uncertainty. This bond becomes a source of strength, allowing the poet to carry forward the love and lessons imparted by their parents.

The poem's structure emphasizes a journey through sorrow, yet it also reveals resilience. In the depths of despair, the poet vows to carry the essence of their parents forward, finding them in memories and the beauty of nature."

It was such a dream,  

The life we shared, it gleamed.  

Now I wander through shadows,  

Where hope feels like a distant stream.  

Without you here beside me,  

The world has lost its light.  

Each breath a heavy burden,  

Each moment a silent fight.  

Tears fall like rain in despair,  

You knew we'd reach this place.  

I reached out, desperate to hold you,  

But time slipped with cruel grace.  

Two months of battles fought,  

Days and nights intertwined,  

In the ICU's sterile embrace,  

Where the heart's rhythm was confined.  

We clung to the flicker of hope,  

In those sterile walls so stark,  

Each beep and whisper a reminder,  

Of the love that ignited the dark.  

Yet in those fleeting moments,  

Love's echoes softly shined,  

Even as the shadows deepened,  

And the light grew hard to find.  

I remember laughter, whispers,  

The warmth of your embrace,  

But now the silence lingers,  

A void no one can replace.  

I think of my little sister,  

Her laughter bright and clear,  

A reminder of the joy we shared,  

Even in the shadow of fear.  

Together we climbed our mountains,  

In innocence, we played,  

Now I hold her close in heart,  

As the memories cascade.  

Still, in the depths of sorrow,  

I’ll carry you with me,  

In every whispered memory,  

In every sway of the sea.  

For though the skies are heavy,  

And darkness clouds my way,  

Your spirit dances in the twilight,  

Guiding me through the gray.  

I’ll honor our tomorrows,  

In the way I choose to live,  

With every step, I’ll find you,  

In the love I still can give.  

By Clare Roberts

Clare Roberts is a writer and theatremaker known for blending sharp humour and contemporary commentary on social media, class struggles, and identity. Her poetry has been published in Moss Puppy lit mag, The Writer’s Workshop, Unpsychology Magazine and Bonnie Wee Zine (Coin-Operated Press). Clare recently graduated from the MLitt Creative Writing programme at The University of Glasgow and is an emerging writer.

Exhibit C

          ___ didn’t expect me to 

   remember

But I HAVE 

                 THE RECEIPTS

                 A Paprrr path 

                 out of my own 

                 biting wood

By Yuliana Camarena Solis

Yuliana Camarena Solis is an aspiring Mexican-American poet and high school student. Her writing primarily focuses on themes of love, loss, self-discovery, and resilience. Outside of writing, she is a cheer captain, older sister, and a lover of literature. These are her first official submissions to a magazine, and she hopes to continue her writing journey and share her work with others.

"Most of my poetry is written on a whim, based off of my experiences and feelings. I enjoy using imagery, anaphora, enjambment, and I often intentionally space things out to create more emphasis."

Until there’s nothing left

You tore me apart piece by piece,

Right until there was nothing left.

I wept days on end, 

haunted by someone who was still living.

It felt like I wasn’t going to be whole ever again.

Parts of me I didn’t even know were there,

Simply vanished.

Things that never were,

Turned out to be something to miss.

It felt like no matter how much I tried,

I was forced to remember who you were.

Like you scored and slipped yourself into me.

I want to tell that sweet little girl,

“You survived. No matter how hard it’ll get,

You made it.”

She’ll continue to weep,

“But then what..?”

She’ll keep surviving.

Until there’s nothing left.

Things you’ve learned to hate,

Will become something to love.

It’ll hurt. For a long time.

But you will turn those scars into something new.

You’ll relearn your love for the arts,

And continue to paint pictures,

Simply in a different manner.

When those scars open up,

You’ll stitch yourself right back together.

And one sudden Friday you will realize,

You were never broken to begin with.

There was never a part of you gone.

Not a single part of you replaced.

You will always be.

And he

Will vanish without a trace.

Until there’s nothing left.

By Yuliana Camarena Solis

Yuliana Camarena Solis is an aspiring Mexican-American poet and high school student. Her writing primarily focuses on themes of love, loss, self-discovery, and resilience. Outside of writing, she is a cheer captain, older sister, and a lover of literature. These are her first official submissions to a magazine, and she hopes to continue her writing journey and share her work with others.

"Most of my poetry is written on a whim, based off of my experiences and feelings. I enjoy using imagery, anaphora, enjambment, and I often intentionally space things out to create more emphasis."

Can’t hate it,

Love, that is.

I’m more than lucky to be able to experience loving you.

Loving you is a blessing.

I’d do it in all lifetimes, every universe,

Even if it meant I’d end up heartbroken over and over again.

I don’t care where, I don’t care when,

I wouldn’t regret it.

I couldn’t be more grateful for an experience.

Loving you is easily the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

You’ve created something new in me.

With your smile brighter than the sun in the sky. 

I thought I had known all about it,

The sun on my face,

That I had seen it all before,

But I was wrong, and goodness,

Am I glad I was wrong.

I couldn’t possibly trade that for the world.

Because that experience is my world.

Thank you. I love you.

My beautiful blond boy.