2014EtceteraSpark of Creation

Whippany Park High School165 Whippany RoadWhippany, NJ 07981

The Hindus believe in something called reincarnation. My friends mom Anu Thuremella once said Your body is like a pair of clothes you put on and take off,. To them, the soul has always been walking some-where on this earth. Since the dawn of time, we have created so much that has changed the world forever. The same souls created the wheel could have been the ones who created the iPhone. The spark of creation is always within us, whether it be a thought, a piece of art or writing, or literally, life. Sometimes its not as easily found, but when it is, its always something miraculous.

I thought my spark had died out when I first entered high school, during a flute performance. I had hit a wall in which I couldnt improve, and I felt extremely dejected over it. But I found someone who helped me find that tiny spark and fan it into a flame - Ms. Chia-Hsiu Wang. She helped me love the flute even more and her passion for it made me want to practice, practice, practice.

In this years issue of the art-literary magazine, you, the reader, will find the spark of creation that occurred within all of our contributors. I hope this issue will help you find that spark, too.

Creativity at Your Fingertips | Divya Vemulapalli | Acrylic

ETCETERA 2014

Lucy Wu, Editor-in-Chief | Susan Kim, Assistant EditorJason Jiang, Technical Editor | Rebecca Hu, Assistant Technical Editor

Matthew Raghunauth, Art Editor | Alana Bichutsky, Assistant Art EditorDavid Mayans, Prose Editor | Alissa Depiro, Poetry Editor

Jennifer Kim, Public Relations Director | Maggie Esposito, Assistant Public Relations DirectorMs. Donna Raguseo, Mrs. Catherine Maurer, Advisor

Special thanks to Jason Jiang for his layout design expertise.Etcetera 2014 was printed by Twill Printing Services. The Staff thanks Ross Newick for his support and advice.

Kathleen ChenSarah MatriscianoAudrey DSouzaErica GburJulia HarkRyan KimPreston Lai

Contributing StaffJohn KotchkowskiSabrina ScottiTina LuAlexis MincolelliJulia NixonLauren NobleDivya Vemulapalli

Neil PatelEmily KwonBradley RitschelMegan RojekLaura TeczaDivya ThuremellaKatherine Wainscott

Etcetera sponsors annual contests to recognize writers, artists, and photographers for their talents. This years theme, chosen by staff vote, was Spark of Creation. The Etcetera staff thanks Ms. Meskill and Mrs. Gregory for judging the writing and Ms. Caridad and Mrs. Wolf for judging the art and photography.

The staff is especially grateful to Ms. Raguseo for all her support. Her continued optimism, helpfulness, and dedication to Etcetera are greatly appreciated.

Etceteras Mission is to showcase the creative faculties of Whippa-ny Park students, thereby inspiring others to pursue the arts both in and beyond the classroom. The publication is provided free of charge to the entire school community. The editors and staff mem-bers anonymously judge all submissions. All prose, poetry, art, and photography appearing in this magazine are the original work of students.

Etcetera uses Adobe InDesign. This issue features the following fonts: Goudy Old Style, NOVA, Caviar Dreams, Minion Pro, High Thin Light, and Sweetly Broken.

Poet

ry

Pro

seCigarettes, Babies, FireworksSabrina Scotti 6Blood Diamond

Maggie Esposito 7Untitled

John Kotchkowski 12

FallSusan Kim 8

Wisps of WhiteJulia Hark 10

The Eternally Sleeping Beauty

Erica Gbur15

Im Just a FoolEvan Plaza 16

But How?Iliana Thierwechter 20

The Cloak of NatureJulia Hark 22

What I DidKathleen Chen 27

The EpiphanyMatt Grasso 33

The SilenceAbby Davidson 34

A Girls Best FriendJessica Glinkin 36

Ring RingMaggie Esposito 38

ImpulseJulia Nixon 40

SpatulaEric Jones 25

YouthBradley Ritschel 41

HairLori Fong 43

Polaris: The North Star

Chloe Tai44

My John DoeJulia Hark 51

Created, Existed, Destroyed

Julia Hark52

Little Reds Mum Has Had Enough

Bradley Ritschel57

InspirationAlissa DePiro 59

Heart Shaped BoxEvan Plaza 48

Everything and MoreCarolyn Ernst 54

Art

Art

Pho

tog

raph

yInvestigation or Future

Lucy Wu6

Death in the DarkJacob Cohen 7

From AfarRebecca Hu 12

Evolving ActionNeil Patel 11

Area 51Alana Bichutsky 14

On a ShelfShayna Miller 19

MasqueradeDivya Thuremella 21

TravellerHaylee Berry 8

Linear ToreadorEmily Kwon 23

CandylandAlana Bichutsky 24 I Have Somewhat of a Creative MindJulia Cobleigh 26

Elegance, EchoTina Lu 28

Remixed LoverTina Lu 32

Birth of a WarTina Lu 35

WandererJamie Rehus 37

Looking ThroughLauren Miller 40FlightDivya Vemulapalli 30

DandyMegan Rojek 41

Minty FreshKatherine Wainscott 42

Lava BubblesLisa Romano 53

The Blair Witch ToyErica Gbur 55

Butterfly WingsLucy Wu 58Noire a BlancPreston Lai 47

Itinerarium Maraudentium

Megan Rojek48

Rising UpRebecca Hu 50

InhibitionRebecca Hu 56

Investigation or Future | Lucy Wu | Photo

Cigarettes, Babies, Fireworks

Sabrina Scotti

Cigarettes. Babies. Fireworks.Ideas spawning in our minds.A word or simple phrase can give an idea.Even if the flame dies, the ash remains.Inspiration will never die.No matter how hard you try to dull the flintOr douse the flame in liquid, the spark will find a way to ignite.The light bulb flickers on and off with constant inspiration.Its ability to light up our minds will never cease.There are roles that have great purpose.Things that keep us warm give us the ability of creation.Comforting us while forming a spark of creationBecause inspiration will never die.

Etcetera 2014 * 6

Blood Diamond

Maggie Esposito

A while back you called me a blood diamondAnd told me I was specialAnd rare(I think what you meant was a diamond in the rough)And I told you about unethical miningAnd child laborAnd financing conflictAnd that old Leo DiCaprio movieAnd your smile sort of fadedAnd I wondered why I cant just say thank you

Death in the Dark | Jacob Cohen | Photo

Etcetera 2014 * 7

I always loved fall. When the leaves stained in crimson and amber filled the trees, Johnny and I would lay at their feet. The whole backyard would be alight in col-or. And the glow of the setting sun from between the leaves? Simply breathtaking. Really, it was a sight to be-hold. Johnny used to say it looked like they were on fire.

It was fall when they told me. Waiting in this same room, I stood at the window. They rattled onsarcoma, teratoma, melanoma. The words rattled in my head like coins in an empty jar. Sepsis, carcinogenesis, metasta-sis...

The view from this window isnt all that great. The windows are filthy with grime, and its the buildings policy to keep them shut. Idiotic isnt it? Yeah, I always thought so too. There is one gem, though, outside my tower of gloom. Outside is a great, big oak: right now, its stained in crimson and amber.

I dont know when it truly hit me. They say it flashes before your eyes, you knowquick like a subway car hurtling past a stop. I was on that stop, and when the train zipped by as fast as lightning, there was fear in my gut. Johnny shaved his head that day; he said he did it for me. Then he asked Dr. Swender when Id get to go home. She gave him a strained smile. Thats when I knew.

Fall

Susan Kim

Etcetera 2014 * 8

They were talking about getting me on IL-2. There was hopeI know there was. But like my poor trees run out of their leaves, it ran out.***I was at the window again. Johnny was putting up the snowflakes that he had made at school. I remember laughing because they were the ugliest snowflakes I had ever seen. We looked out at my tree together and smiled; it still had one leaf. It was holding on.But then it fell. Suddenly, the ground began to spin beneath me. They tried to pull me back; they tried so hard. But I wouldnt budge. The window was just too tempting.

And then I was falling.

He was holding my hand when I jumped. It broke my heart to pull away, but I know hes in good hands. Hell be okay.

He has to be.

Etcetera 2014 * 9

Oh! The long-waitedcool crystals of caress,Smooth slumbers of silence:A superb consequence.Worth waiting for, you are,dont you see?Visions of bright presents,You have in store for me.

Silently, and softly,Gracefully, and slowly:It descends from the sky,That beautiful snow,Of hateful love,And ceaseless blows.

Over the streets,And through the alleys,Atop the houses,And across the valleys:Oh, white blankets of winter,So smooth and so bitter.

Oh! The beautiful mountains of light,Filled with cherry red sleighs,of fun and fright;All these children, all around,Filled with fragile delight,And upside down frowns.

The hills have been used,And the gifts have been passed;Now it is time to sing our blues:Farewell,Oh crystals of sparkle and ebb,Your tale is now done at this seasons end:When the blooms fade away,And distant heat comes to pass,We will meet yet again,Oh long-waited clouds of play.

Wisps of White

Julia Hark

Etcetera 2014 * 10

Evolving Action | Neil Patel | Photo Etcetera 2014 * 11

Untitled

John Kotchkowski

Generation Rx, the Peter Pan generationmade a Faustian deal with inspirationthe system failed us,but Im a damn good pickpocket.

From Afar | Rebecca Hu | Digital

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Area 51 | Alana Bichutsky | DigitalEtcetera 2014 *14

Once upon a time,A prince came to save thePrincess from her prisons grime. The beauty was asleep.He tried to awake her,But the dream was deep. Her lips were cold and gray.Her skin was so pale, as ifShe never saw the light of day. Her fairy hovered in the doorAnd used her tiny voice to say,The royals life is no more. Yet still so attractive.With her body I desireTo be sexually active. The fairy wished to give a smackBe gone and never come back! You dirty necrophiliac.

So the prince quickly leftFor he feared the fairys magic.But planned to return, while she slept. But the fairy was not trusting.She placed a spell on the bodyIn case he came back lusting. At midnight, he arrived.He touched her lifeless skinAnd brushed her golden hair aside. But when he could not restrainFrom planting upon her lips a kiss,She awoke and promptly ate his brains. So listen up, and listen quick!Even if her body is appealing,Never mess with an undead chick.

The Eternally Sleeping Beauty

Erica Gbur

Etcetera 2014 * 15

They say that love is blind; that its so overwhelm-ing that youre so oblivious to the world around you, or even keeps you away from realizing that the one may not be as gorgeous as you think. That was my problem. There was this girl by the name of Claire Reschante. She had more money to her name than oxygen to a human being. She was like a cool breeze during summer, the kind that gave you chills. I remember seeing her walk by my dumpster dressed as if she was model. I had asked her for some spare change to afford for my next meal. She didnt just offer her money, but she took me to din-ner at a very expensive place. I mustve caught her eye or something; theres no reasovn for her to waste her time with somebody like me. Afterwards, she took me into a mall and bought me expensive clothes to change out of my rags and razed cloth. At the time I did not realize it, but she had a crush on me. I was so oblivious. I just thought that she was being a Good Samaritan.

Im Just a Fool

Evan Plaza

Etcetera 2014 * 16

As time went on, I started developing feelings for her too. It was almost like she took me in and loved me like the parents I never had. When I was born, they got rid of me and left me in a dumpster, the place I then called my home. Claire and I spent a great deal of time to-gether; From driving around town in her jeep wrangler to spending weeks on a cruise around the Bermuda triangle. Everything was simply perfect.

If only I had that happy ending; that thing that every human being desired and hoped for, but unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. Eventually, she stopped taking me onto cruises, she stopped driving me around. She slowly detached from me like the petals of a flower in bloom. Her mood changed from bright and happy to bitter and annoyed.

This went on for weeks.Etcetera 2014 * 17

Rosepop | Lucy Wu | Rosepop

Sooner or later, I had to know why she was acting this way; it was killing me. She told me that she had found another man, one who can provide for her already well-taken-care-of self. I dont know why I even liked you; youre not rich, you arent even handsome, she said. And just like that, she was out of my life. All I had was my dumpster, and two broken pieces of my heart. I couldnt bear to be without her. This emptiness in my soul covered my whole body like clouds. Pretty soon, my life was just a tempest of emotions. I dont want to live like this anymore. I dont know why I let her play with my heart like that; Im such a fool. If youre reading this now, Im long gone.

And there were no remains of the body found in the river.

The End

Etcetera 2014 * 18

Oh a Shelf | Shayna Miller | Acrylic

Etcetera 2014 * 19

How could you choose this life for yourself, for us?I am not being selfish when I say I wish you did not enlist,because, dear, my dear, this is the life you want.This is not the life I want.You see, I do not want this lonesome life,or lonesome relationship for that matterI do not want these brief, stinging letters. I do not want theseI do not want those tear invoking, thirty second phone calls.I do not want those.I want those late summer nights back.I want those endless FaceTime calls back.I want those memories back.I want you back.

You may ask why I havent left yet. Why I am still here.And that, my love, is a simple answer.Because I love you. And I have hope that you will be back.Trust me I know.All I want is to have you back. Back here with me.

It was last night, I tossed and turned in my lonely bed.I could not fall asleep, how strange?It seemed as if something was forcing me to stay awake.What could it be?

I did not know until my phone rang.It was you.You sounded upset. worried. lost. confused.You told me that there was something in the mail, something really importantSomething I had to see right away.A million thoughts raced through my tormented mind.Are you okay? Are you hurt?

I run to the mailbox, worried and scared.But,the box was empty.I look left and right and left again.Then out from the darkness of the night,I see my handsome yet beautiful, fearless knight.

But How?

Iliana Thierwechter

Etcetera 2014 * 20

Masquerade | Divya Thuremella | Acrylic

Etcetera 2014 * 21

There are nights when clouds suffocate the sky,With long blankets of gray,And the moon, taken by shadows,Is hidden away;There are nights when trees are hushed, still,Waiting for a breeze to rustle their leaves,And the ground, a slick plane of black;There are nights when crickets sleep, silently,In the grass,And there is not a sound, nor a peep. There are days when the sky, an empty sea of blue,Is sad,And the clouds begin to cry aloud;There are days when the grass, a glowing green,Holds the first tears of morning,And the soil, a slimy brown paste;There are days when the flowers, drooping,Dont dance in the wind,And their bright petals, thinned. And it is in these days, and in these nights,When minds, tricked by eyes,Wonder aimlessly:The deathly skies of gray,The grieving clouds of tears,The cloak of nature depicting the truth within.For without the broken hearts,And the pain and fright,And endless ends,Our canvases,Identical paintings of deception they would be;The truth of the world-gone,And emotions dead with it.

The Cloak of Nature

Julia Hark

Etcetera 2014 * 22

Linear Toreador | Emily Kwon | Acrylic

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Candyland | Alana Bichutsky | DigitalEtcetera 2014 * 24

Spatula

Eric Jones

Some people think all I do is flip foodTo be honest, I think that assumption is rudeIts true that I flip pancakes, patties, and suchBut thats not all, I can do so much!

Part of my problem is that dumb yellow spongeWho displays me to the world as a tool that makes lunchSo the thousands of kids who watch him after schoolBelieve that flipping patties is all that I do

Did you know that I can also be used to scrapeBatter out of a bowl or food off a plateI can also level a measuring cupIf you thought only knifes could, well now youre wised up

In addition theres a stainless steel version of meThat is frequently used in a laboratoryIm needed to mix, scrape, and transfer chemicalsWithout me a scientist could never be credible

So as you can see, Im not so 1-DThere are tons of ways in which you can use meAnd not to be confused with a scoopulaIm a good old reliable spatula

Etcetera 2014 * 25

I Have Somewhat of a Creative Mind | Kaitlyn Krause | Photography

Etcetera 2014 * 26

The white walls in the room are so bright they are dizzying. I blink to clear my head but all I can focus on is the sound of the machine. The steady beep is reassuring. It means she is still alive, but how long will that last? We dont know. The doctor doesnt know. No one knows. It all happened so fast. All I can remember is screaming her name, and then everything went black. I spent the rest of the night in the hospital by her side, but in the morning my parents make me leave for school.

She will be okay. Well watch over her, they said. And so I believed them. She looked so young, so fragile, so tired lying in her bed. We were only one year apart, but in that moment I felt as if I were eight again, defending her against the mean girls in her grade who tried to make her cry by calling her names. She was my baby sister.

I felt numb as I walked through the halls. People called out my name and tried to ask me if I was okay but I ignored them. I knew that they knew. Af-ter all, we lived in a small town where people liked to talk.

It was later on that day that I appreciated the numbness I had felt before. I pulled into the hospital parking lot and climbed the stairs to the second floor and that was when I knew. I saw my parents as I turned the corner and their faces said it all. Despair. Grief. Loss. Then the pain of loss hit me like noth-ing ever has before.

I got into my car and drove. I didnt know where I was going; I just drove, as far and fast as I could. I would find who did this to her. As I drove, I saw a man. He was dressed all in black and every corner that I turned he was there.

I know what you did, he seemed to whisper.

What are you talking about? I demanded as I rolled down my window. But there was never an answer and yet he was always there. Every street I passed, he would be there too. My anger grew each time I saw him standing on the street corner.

What I Did

Kathleen Chen

Etcetera 2014 * 27

It was him; it has to have been him who hit her with his car I whispered to myself.

He was always watching me, always whispering the same thing. But when I asked, he never gave me an answer. Finally I couldnt stand it and at the next corner, instead of going straight, I turned the wheel, directing my headlights at the man in black. I heard an crunch and knew in that moment that it was all over. I breathed a sigh of relief. The whispering would stop now I told myself. I had gotten my revenge.

Elegance, Echo | Tina Lu | Watercolor

Etcetera 2014 * 28

Oh my god what have I done?

I ended up in a bathroom somewhere. The sun had already set and the grey blue flickering light above the sink cast an eerie glow over my face. I gripped the sides of the sink so hard my knuckles turned white. I took out the familiar orange bottle from my pocket and tipped it over so that just a few white pills fell out. How long had it been since I had last seen that bottle I wondered. Three hours? Maybe four? I swallowed them quickly, an action that had be-come second nature. As I looked into the mirror, I was shocked by what I saw. I didnt even recognize myself. My eyes were bloodshot and the circles under them a purplish blue. My face was hollow and my skin unnaturally pale.

And then there was a flash as I remembered. I remembered the headlights of that night. They were so bright, I couldnt see anything else. I saw my eyes in the rearview mirror and I felt the steering wheel in my hands. But worst of all, I heard her scream.

Etcetera 2014 * 29

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Flight | Divya Vemulapalli | Pastel

Etcetera 2014 * 31

Remixed Lover | Tina Lu | Watercolor

Etcetera 2014 * 32

It all started 5 years ago, when I became friends with a girl in middle school. I should rephrase that; we were not friends, but friendly rivals. In academics as well as athletics, we constantly tried to outcompete one another. Eventual-ly, this childhood rivalry dissipated, but we moved on to making fun of one another. We would go on bike rides to our favorite park and call each other poop face or dweeb, and because of this humorous yet sour banter, we became very close friends. During this phase, something changed in my heart. I began to act nicer to her. I became more of a gentleman than an idiotic high schooler. I dont know what it is, but I believe this young lady is my soul mate.

I know we are destined to get married and have a wonderful life together, but I have one problem to deal with: she hates me.

I am not a bad person. Any girl with a functional brain would be lucky to claim me as their soul mate. So why doesnt this person adore me? I sit next to her at lunch, we have history class together, I drove her home one time, we share common interests, I make up cute nicknames for her, and I even bought her roses for Valentines Days. Despite my efforts to make her realize our love, she finds my existence repulsive. Im running out of ideas and Im running out of patience. I know we are destined to live a long and happy life together, but she I guess she really doesnt grasp the concept of soul mates.

Ya know what? I dont need her. There are plenty of other fish in the sea. Ill just move on and find someone else. Someone who wont call me loser or stupid or dummy. Someone who says thank you after I buy them a bouquet of roses or drive them home from school. Someone who appreciates all that I do for her.

I have been playing her games for far too long. From this point on, I will stop chasing this childish fantasy and focus on more important things. I can start focusing in school. I can get a job. I can hit the gym more often. I can do whatever I want!!!

Oh who am I kidding. She is my soul mate. I cant just let her go. I guess I just have to try harder.

The Epiphany

Matt Grasso

Etcetera 2014 * 33

I am here to give my full confessionAnd speak of what happened on the first.It happened so quickly, the progressionOf events that showed me at my worst

We were eating lunch, just the two of us.We just sat down when he started his spiel.He kept talking, but never did discussWhat I think, what I like, or what I feel.

Not once did he pay attention to me,Be quiet! to him I wanted to plea.His voice was an unending, painful soundThat caused my patience to become unbound.Suddenly, I felt a warm splatterAnd his mug hit the ground with a clatter.My shining knife felt heavy in my handAnd I was scared. I could barely stand.

My hands shook as I cleaned up his bloody messFortunately, no one saw my egress.

My hands still shook as I went through the door,But when I stepped outside, my fear left meAnd all I felt was happiness galore.The silence was total serenity.

The end of his noise was like a plugged leak.I was full of giddiness and relief.But all of this changed after a weekAnd his murder became my greatest grief.

And so Ive come to the station todayBecause I can hear nothing but silenceAnd all thoughts are of his corpse in decaySo Im here, ready to face my sentence

The Silence

Abby Davidson

Etcetera 2014 * 34

Birth of a War | Tina Lu | Watercolor

Etcetera 2014 * 35

His name was Baxter.He was my first dog.I loved everything about that tail-waggerHe loved me back,With a heart ten times the size of my own.For six years he let me climb on him,As if he were a jungle gym.For six years I watched him grow into his paws,And he watched me grow into mine.FOr six years I threw him the tattered green tennis ball.He loved that tattered green tennis ball.It was the two of us against the worldOnly the world was not so easily beaten.They all told me that he was in pain,That I did not understand.I understand now.They tell you, if you love something let it go;If it loves you it will come back.I let him go, but he has yet to come back.They tell you time heals a broken heart.But they do not tell you how much time is needed.I am still trying to figure that part out.

A Little Girls Best Friend

Jessica Glinkin

Etcetera 2014 * 36

Wanderer | Jamie Rehus | Photography

Etcetera 2014 * 37

Ring Ring

Maggie Esposito

Okay. Okay. You can do this. Its just a phone call. Just a phone call! Youre cool, youre collected. You arethe ice man, er, ice lady. This is gonna work. Its gonna workOh crap its ring-ing Hi Mrs. Kaczowski, is your son home? I have, uh, a question about the German homework. Can I talk to him? Great, thanks. Justin? Its Erica. Forget the German homework for a sec-ond, I justI have uh, something to tell you. Its kind of import-ant andno it cant wait. Its kind of urgent. Well, weve been friends for a while now, it feels like it was just yesterday when we were in kindergarten and I was doing your homework for you, and I feel like I just gotta tell you this now before I explode. II love you. Ive loved you for so long, I think I remem-ber being like seven and wanting to be your girlfriend. I mean, I can understand why you wouldnt see me that way-youre so smart and handsome and talented and you can make me laugh just by looking at me and Im just me-short and dumpy and I make a lot of stupid, dirty jokes no one finds funny. Youyoure gorgeous. Youre an 11 and ImIm a 4. But, you make me so happy and whenever you touch me my heart just starts doing the Macarena, but it feelsit feels like home. I feel like Im in a bad sitcom and there are people on their couch at home yelling at us to make out already. I wanna be the Juliet to your Romeo, the Hermione to your Ron, the Ketchup for your Hot Dog if you know what I mean.

Etcetera 2014 * 38

Let me make this abundantly clearI would be totally open to the idea of bearing your children.

Say something. Youre making me nervous.What was that? OH Shi-I mean darn. Alex! Im so sorry. That was for your brother. Youre too young for most of this stuff. Im so sorry. Oh god this is embarrassing.Please forget what I said about wanting to bear your children.

Etcetera 2014 * 39

my breaths are rapid and uneven,my heart, so fiercely beating,hammering into my chest,reverberating through my body; blood rushes to my face,images in my mind flash back to that place,mistakes made, leaving me a disgrace,when it all could have ended with a forgiving embrace; the love was overpowered by sudden hate,now my fists pound against the stone slate,regretting immature mistakesthat left you feeling betrayed; our love now decayed,but maybe someday,it will be remade,like a sinking ship saved

Impulse

Julia Nixon

Looking Through | Lauren Miller | Photography

Etcetera 2014 * 40

Dandy | Megan Rojek | Photography

But one resource cannot be bought or sold.Even right now you sit and read and spend.You spend your precious asset, growing old.How you use this asset, it all depends.

Some use it to become wealthy and rich.Others are just trying to have some fun.One way or another, we find our niche.Feel joy with what you did, when day is done.

Mortality is both vice and virtue.It motivates us to spend our lives well.Everyone shares a final curfew.Where do we go after life, perhaps hell?

I use mine to make a couple of rhymes.But in the end, we all run out of time.

Youth

Bradley Ritschel

Etcetera 2014 * 41

Minty Fresh | Katherine Wainscott | Watercolor & Pen

Etcetera 2014 * 42

Hair

Lori Fong

Mama made me.I couldnt escape!Mama made me.I didnt deserve this fate!

Mama made me.Snip, snip.Mama made me.Clip, clip.

Mama made me.She took me there.Mama made me. She put me in the chair.

Mama made me.I said good bye to my hair.

Etcetera 2014 * 43

Polaris: The North Star

Chloe Tai A 1986 Ford F-150 truck pulls up to a traffic light in a deserted street, nowhere near the highway, dinged up. Through the passenger windows, rusted brown and covered with cracked lines, a women in the passenger seat and a man in the driver seat are arguing. The woman throws her arms into the air in frus-tration, while the man bangs his fists on the dashboard. A muffled shout leaks from the truck and the woman mouths the words, Then what the hell am I supposed to do? The man sits up, grasps the women by the shoulders, he roars, Damn it, just love me like I love you! She looks at him in complete shock, rage registering in her features. She starts to cry, How am I supposed to show my love? Youre right that I wont be able to understand, but I work night and day for younight and dayI cant anymore. I just cantI cantI love you. I truly love you and I didnt ask you to go on a drive with me to argue about our problems, I wanted to tell you thatthatFrank, Im pregnant! Tears stream down her cheeks as she looks at her husband, wanting confirmation that they could somehow be a happy family, the family that she had always dreamed of. All she could pray for was a child to bring back the Frank she once knew. She is tired of fighting wanting what could never be. Frank mustve felt the same way, because he let out an inaudible sigh. He nods, looking straight ahead, he nods because he still cares for Sally and did want the same dreams, but wasnt sure how to accomplish them, yet ready to try. He slams on the gas and drives away. Standing a block away from the scene are three old, wrinkled-with-age women. They stand side by side. They watch as the car speeds away. The three ladies now stand in absolute darkness. The first woman on the left extracts a tiny box from her coat pocket and strikes a match across the rough exterior of the matchbox. Once. Twice. The third time sends a little fire bursting from the end of her match, no bigger than her pointer finger. The flame burns brightly and angrily, yet delicately in a way that seems out of this world. Then the match is passed onto the second lady and, through her, to the third lady. The third lady begins to hold the match up to her lips. Before blowing it out, she looks up at the North Star, the spot where a special little girl intruded on the scene, and winks, extinguishing the light with a small outtake of breath.

5 years later on a very special girls birthday A husband and wife work side-by-side in the kitchen, laughing and holding hands. Upon hearing a screech of excitement, they both look outside of the open patio doors, their little girl running with all her friends out in the Etcetera 2014 * 44

backyard. The birthday girl skips around with her two braided pigtails hanging from the side of her head and her beaming, freckled smile. She is my little angel, the heavens will just have to find another in her place, vowed Frank, the dad. He knew he didnt deserve her, the precious gem that she was. Later, after all the craziness of the birthday party, when it got dark out and the sky turned black and the stars were tiny pinpricks of light, impossible, yet still there, Frank was convinced his little birthday girl looked like one of them. She was the North Star, the brightest of them all, glowing her way on Earth. He wanted to keep her aglow forever. When the cake was finally taken out, he got the matchbox and went to light the candles. He looked into the flame he had ignited at the end of the matchstick and saw images of his past, of the misfortune that had lent to him a hard life, of his personal actions that had been consumed with hate and revenge... Then he slowly lowered the flame to the nearest white candle and behind the red and orange ball of fire was his little girl, staring at him with a sad, but nevertheless angelic smile.

16 years later, the night before her 21st birthday Ding! The message reads: Happy Almost Birthday! We cant wait to par-ty all day and night with you! She groans in annoyance and gets up from her cotton-down bed, the softness and loneliness starting to make her feel dizzy. She walks over to the mirror on top of the dresser and looks at her disheveled reflec-tion. What stares back at her was blond curly hair, compliments of her moms looks, and multi-colored eyes that changes depending on her moods, a quality she admired from her dad. For a while now, people had been speculating on a future she didnt believe in. She was like a flame, beautiful, yet dangerous when left out too long and only alive when needed. She dressed into a sweatshirt and skinny jeans and headed out into the street. She needed a walk to clear her head. 11:35 P.M. She trudges down the main boulevard where all the adults were still singing their hearts out at Karaoke Palace. Around her, it is mostly empty except for some stragglers smoking or listening to the world outside. The North Star shines bright tonight, illuminating the sidewalk across the street where three old ladies stood. 11:47 P.M. She watches as the three ladies stumbled over the road, no cars in sight in either direction, yet still going too slow to be safe. She is wary of why the senior citizens are traveling this late at night, but she feels an inexpli-cable curiosity towards them, like a magnetic pull, so she picks up her pace and jogs out to the three ladies. Hi, may I help? The one on the right smiles and clenches onto the arm that is held out to her. The girl leads the old ladies tenderly towards the other side of the

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street, until the middle one tripped on thin air, landing hard on her knee. Oh! Are you alright? gasped the girl. She tries to approach the middle old lady, but the first woman doesnt let go of her arm. She tugs harder, moving to where the middle lady kneeled, but the first woman doesnt budge, it is almost brutal, her grip. Child, do you know about your parents past? Do you know about their trials and sins? Do you realize the impact you have on their lives? What? My parents? she asks, confused now. Still struggling and starting to sweat tears into her eyes, the girl pants, I dont know and it really is none of your business. She marvels at the strength the old woman had to yank so fiercely on her arm. You were never curious? The girl, exasperated now and frightened at the prospect of being run over on the street, decided to answer truthfully. You mean about my parents pasts? The way they cherish each other like the next day could be their last? The way they care for me like Im the only reason why they still live? Yes, the pressure of their love is scary to live up to, but I try hard every day and plan to forever. Now let GO! cried the girl, yanking her arm out of the ladys vise-like grip. She is in a frantic state now and she realizes that it was because she is scared. Scared by the feeling that she would only live a short time; scared by her mission to help her parents; scared because she knows every mission came to an end, always coming to an end too fast. You are scared, but you still guard your parents from harm. Good. Bless you, because they are awake right now looking at the sky waiting for their daughter to turn 21 and their wish will be granted, but at a price. You have always known this day would come, you were created by their prayers and now that their prayers have been satisfied 12:01 A.M. The bus had had a brake problem for over five weeks, but the company had neglected to fix the old, malfunctioning vehicle. As it skids around the corner, sliding on a puddle from last weeks rainstorm, there is never a chance for it to stop. The bus driver only gets a glimpse at a blond teenager pushing an old woman onto the sidewalk before the world turned black.

Accounts from that night will tell of something weird that occurred with the North Star: some say that it blinked three times and was then enveloped by a black cloud. The others, the ones who know the North Star, the parents of the star, say it blinked three times and shined brighter than it had ever shined before.

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Noire a Blanc | Preston Lai | Collage

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Heart Shaped Box

Evan PlazaSorry what was that?...you like me?...you,you like me?Ah...I...I dont believe this...you like me...you like me....are you kidding me?! YOU like me??? What kind of sick joke is this and who paid you? I cant believe you right now. Do you really think that Id wait almost all of my life for you to say that? Ive moved on. Im so over you that its not even funny. I dont un-derstand why you couldnt tell me earlier. Were you scared of people judging you? To be with me? Sorry I didnt know popularity was an important role in romance. Ive wasted so much time on you, thinking that I had some sort of chance with you, thinking that i was actually worth it. I couldnt go to sleep at night because I was thinking about you. I was crazy for you. I loved everything about you. Every little thing you did I adored. I was gonna ask you out too. I always thought today was the day everyday but I was too shy to ask due to the fear of rejection and mock. Now here we are, Im heading forward while you live in the past. Stop crying. You had as much of a chance to be with me as I did with you. Im done here, Ill see you later, if not, ever.

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Itinerarium Maraudentium | Megan Rojek

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Rising Up | Rebecca Hu | Digital

My John Doe

Julia Hark

In years or in months,In decades or in hours,I will become a new Mrs. of desire;My hand will be full of love and of bling,But my heart will be different,For that you cannot see.So hear me John Doe,Hear me before you leap:This beating, glowing, tiredHeart youll have,It will not be the same,When you take my hand-By the time we wedIt will have ached and it will have bled.By then there will be doubts and worries,Questions of trustAnd answers of disgust:Shall I follow my heart or be led by my head?

So please, listen hear kind sir,For I cannot go through this again:If your insomnia returns,From your dreams and your turns,Open arms will be there,Theyll settle those fears;If you are burdened with news of disaster,Of death or of war,Ill be there,Ill listen and Ill care;If your mind begins to wonderThoughts of way passed yonder,Or if your heart starts to breakFrom thoughts of that face,My soothing prayers will bring repairs. But one thing I will not do,One thing I will not fall victim to,Is changing who I am,Just to be with you.

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Created, Existed, Destroyed

Julia Nixon

Like everything, their love was created. Shy smiles, quick eye contact;Finger-crossed that the other notices them. Roller coasters in their stomachs Ups and downs, twists and turns. Like everything, their love existed.Hands holding, secret sharing;Laughing at the others lame jokes.Thinking only of the other,and the dreamy kind of joy thats felt. Like everything, their love was destroyed.Feet stomping, eyes rolling;Hands up saying its all done.Tears streaming, heart-wrenching Knowing its too late for forgiveness. But love is a cycle of life.Before long the feeling starts again Shy smiles, quick eye contact,Finger-crossed that the other notices them;Praying the new love will last longer.

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Lava Bubbles | Lisa Romano | Photography

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Everything and More

Carolyn Ernst

-Oh, but honey, you just had to see the look on her face yesterday. You know how much Sophie loves Mr. Bubbles. She peers into his bowl at least four hours every day just watching him eat his flakey-food and flex his gills. Hes been a part of the family for over a month and Sophies just so at-tached to him! I swear, sometimes I over hear her singing Little Mermaid songs to him at night and she tells secrets to his beady black eyes and orange ears; at least she calls them ears, I dont know if he can actually hear. Anyways, thats not the point. You know how Sophies been begging for a dog, right? And we repeatedly tell her no because you have allergies and I dont like things that have tails. Well, I think we should get her one. Dont give me that look. You didnt see the look on her face yesterday after the accident!

-Oh yeah, right, I forgot, you werent home yet! Sophie tried to take Mr. Bubbles for a walk. Ha ha! Poor girl thought tying a piece of string around the fishs neck would be his leash and she dragged him around the block. Oh, dont look so horrified; naturally, I replaced Mr. Bubbles 1 with Mr. Bubbles 2 so Sophie doesnt have to deal with the pain of losing another pet.

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-What do you mean theres nothing natural about that? Would you want to be exposed to the concept of death at the tender age of 14?! Anyways, this whole episode just shows how much Sophie wants a dog. I mean, shes willing to treat her other animals like dogs, even at their own expenses.

-Why, dont give me that look, I know Sophie didnt kill Mr. Bubbles on purpose. It was an accident. Shes such a silly girl she would never do that. But to prevent this from happening again, we simply have to get her a dog.

-Defiance? What does that even mean? My little Sophie would never act out like that to get something she wanted. -Sophies my little girl and she deserves everything and more. Im taking her to the pound right now.

The Blair Witch Toy | Erica Gbur | Photography

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Inhibition | Rebecca Hu | AcrylicEtcetera 2014 * 56

Little Reds Mum Has Had Enough

Bradley Ritschel

Little Red and the Wolf crossing paths was no coincidence.I had put careful planning into causing their incident. The wolf always hangs around that same little tree.And if I sent Little Red right by it,no more would she be. A parent can only take so much of their teenagers attitude.I was sick of her actions, she was always quite rude. I gave the wolf a heads-up that she was coming his way.When I asked him if he would make her his meal, he replied Okay. I thought she wouldnt return, I was jumping around dandy!But to my surprise, the wolf had instead eaten her granny.

DANG NABBIT!

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Etcetera 2014 * 58Butterfly Wings | Lucy Wu | Photography

Inspiration

Alissa DePiro

Dreams compose the world around me.Some have flourished.Touching the sky with open arms,They kiss the sun good-morning and the moon good-night.The others, still small, not yet fully formed-Look up with awe and wonderWill such a life ever be mine? Will they feel the heat from a ball of fireAnd the breeze from the wings of a bird? Will they dance in the night with the windAnd paint in the sky with the clouds? Or will they remain on the earth,Veiled by shadows?

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Cover art by Matt Raghunauth