Winter manipulated my shadow.
I rather experience the summer storm symphony
of my Honduras.

I no longer want to be the author
of the works I write to change the world.
I want to be the protagonist
of the works they write
because "yo cambie el mundo."

And I no longer want to be the daughter
of her and him.
I want to be my person.
No gender or family identifying
the success of my Hispanic soul. 


Author Bio:
Rita Michelle Rivera is originally from Honduras. She is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in Child Psychology in Miami, Florida. Rita has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in English. She loves poetry because reading and writing allows her to experience both of her passions-psychology and English-simultaneously. Rita's writing is influenced by her desire to be an advocate for Latin-american women, as well as for mental health awareness. Her work has been published and awarded by the International English Honor Society, Sigma Tau Delta. 

I am proud
Proud of the strength 
Proud that I hold my head high,
Through the rocky roads
And the grey times
I am proud 


Author Bio:
Isabella Ratto is an 11th grader at Alameda High School who recently took a creative writing class that sparked her interest in writing. 

We loose faces in the wind of death,
their voices still in our ears.

we can still see their faces
fixed in an after-struck position

over our beds.
are we true to what they said?

or is life a twig, about to break off?


Author Bio:
Dennis Reed's work has appeared in CLA, ESSENCE, BLACK SCHOLAR, BLACK CREATIONS, THE FREE PRESS, CAUTION!, DICORD, RICHMOND LITERARY MAGAZINE and many other magazines and journals. Mr. Reed's memoir, which is available at Amazon.com, was chosen as a semi-final round entrant in the NCTE/NORMAN MAILER non-fiction award in 2017. His is a former member of the infamous group BUD JONES. 

If ever there is a time
For one to pray,
Now is the time
As the house
Constructs roof
On top of roof,
Causing the basement
To groan
And the rooms to 
Become obsolete 
As the disparity
Becomes clearer
With the 
Negligence of
Paint layers,
Revealing an 
Increasing display
Of weather-beaten shades,
Growing more pallid.
The people inside
Aren’t much better
As they fail to understand
Its architectural plans
And jump their
Over-ballooned bodies on the floors,
Wondering if they can sink
Anymore. 


Author Bio:
Coming from a family of readers, Caroline Gee became quickly interested in the stories and tales of fantastic worlds. While failing to be an impressive storyteller like her older sister, Caroline decided to craft her particular tales, focusing on elements of familial relations and life experiences. Caroline participated in National Novel Writing Month twice, but although passing the word count, she is still working on finishing the first draft. Recently, she developed an interest in poetry, thanks to her Creative Writing teacher. She is currently a high school student and soon-to-be president of the Creative Writing Club.

Two People
One room
One thought
I love you 
Two shy to say it out loud
Too scared to hear the response
The truth stays in the air like static
One room
One problem


Author Bio:
Angela Pham is a senior in High School and about to graduate. She likes to read and watch movies.

Do you hear it? 
That sound 

Pens skidding over paper 
While piano plays in the background 

Cacophonous cries of joy and stress
Rising between all the parting gifts and wrapping paper 

Knock, knocking on the door 
When the radio blares and spews out its pop tunes 

Cold stone corners 
Heated by the sounds of others’ polite conversations 

Classes click-clacking away 
To the rhythm of a jazzy beat

Quiet twilights in the car 
Chased by the sounds of life 

Classmates and teachers and parents and neighbors and people we’ve never met…
and us 
Nodding along to the thrum of life 

Do you hear it? 


Author Bio:
Lisa Kasabyan is a high school student that loves to draw, read fantasy books, and write poetry. She thoroughly enjoys how words influence the world around her and strives to connect to as many as possible. Her favorite things to write about include human relations, spaghetti, and the disconnect between mind and reality. She started writing a couple of years ago when she developed an appreciation for poetry. She has been consuming literature and writing insatiably since about the age of 10. She can often be spotted around school nose buried in a book. Lisa has been featured as a poet in her school's literary magazine, Catharsis, multiple times and is also currently on staff. She is excited to follow her love for English wherever it may lead. 

we make a home for ourselves,
adjusting,
settling,
safe.
yet, when we least expect it, we will have to leave.
a matter of weeks, months, years,
time running as a quick-moving river as we wait
with bated breath,
for that time to come.
and one day,
we know.
it is time to flee the nest,
to go out in search of that most elusive state,
to find a spot to live.
rather, to wait once again,
adjusting,
settling,
but never safe.
someday,
we will find it.
our hearts won't feel so heavy,
and our souls won't weigh us down.
someday,
we’ll be safe.


Author Bio:
Sally is in the eleventh grade and loves reading and writing. She can usually be found at rowing practice, Tim Hortons, or taking a nap.

In a new world with a new life
I toss the bent metal and broken glass behind me
I defy the car wreck defining me
Put me on the news, but did not steal my soul
Broke my brain, but did not limit my reach
My work is new
My outlook is fresh
I am disabled, but full of love
Thundering need for more
An unsatisfying wheelchair
So I jog every day
An unsatisfying life
So I married a priest
Now, now, now
Perfect


Author Bio:
Murray W. Dunlap woke up with a severe traumatic brain injury, as well as an MA in creative writing (not remembering a single class), after a three-month coma. He has fought, and continues to fight, to put a life together. His marriage to an Episcopal priest is a clear win in this fight.  As a writer, Murray has written more since his accident than anyone could have ever predicted.  It has turned out, after everything, that some of it is actually good. Find him at www.murraydunlap.com.

I have fallen into the River
and the splash reaches the Moon.
His light reflection
gently strokes the ripples on the water surface
and my body shivers.
I fight against the tide 
But it's a battle I don't want to win
I allow the warmth of the wave to cover me
the current to consume me
I admit defeat
droplets caress my body
penetrate my thoughts
seep into my heart
seduce my sweet surrender 
Submerged
I am naked
exposed and free
I dance in the water
as I am carried away into the unknown


Author Bio:
Shez Chung Blake is a mother, teacher, writer, and book nerd. She is the "Brixton Housewife" and a poet from London. At home, in a library, classroom or on the dance floor-- her poetry reflects and articulates her eclectic life, loves, ponderings, celebrations and frustrations.

There was a beauty in her smile
The corners of her mouth raised like a child’s. A sparkle in her eyes. 
She knew she was a star, but did she know which one she was? 
She was the sun. The brightest of them all. Provided us with light and the necessary vitamins. 

There was a transmissible laugh. 
Forced to laugh with her whether you wanted to or not. 
I remember telling her I missed her laugh and she responded, “which one? I have so many.” 
I missed them all. 

There was a warm embrace. 
Never a need to chase her because she always got you. 
One could easily fall into her comfort. 
Her energy and space were so inviting. 

There was a sternness in her voice. 
Angelic too; somehow knowing how to mix them well. 
Depending on who she spoke to, knowing exactly what to feed them. 

There was a tenderness in her heart. 
You heard it in her poems; you saw it when she cried. 
Rivers flew and she looked so beautiful as she rid her pain. 

There was a wittiness about her. 
Her responses hitting you out of left field. 
Catching them, a skill only the best were equipped with. 

There was a wholeness in her soul. 
All parts connecting. 
Even days with no talking, smoothly transitioning into old times again. 

There was a beauty in her smile.
In her laugh, embrace, voice, heart, wittiness, soul. 
There was a beauty in 
her: everything. 


Author Bio:
Michel Monique Antoine began writing at seven or eight years old when her parents gifted her a Winnie the Pooh (her favorite) journal. Naturally an inquisitive and introverted girl, and coming from an academically strong family, writing became more natural than talking. She enjoyed writing to express her emotions in a safe place and is inspired by her pain, heartbreaks, love, and passion. She began writing poetry in her early adolescence and began performing her poetry while in graduate school. Michel received her BA in psychology and MS in Mental Health Counseling. She continues to enjoy writing and performs at open mics throughout NYC. She released her first self-published book, “STOP, LOVE, and LISTEN”, a collection of poems and journal entries, in December of 2018.