Chavez
Literary
Magazine
Issue One
CLM
Issue One
Spring 2014
Chavez Literary Magazine is published
annually with support from Cesar E. Chavez
High School. We accept submissions from
currently enrolled high school students at
CHS.
Cesar E. Chavez High School
8501 Howard Drive
Houston, Texas 77017
Mission Statement
CLM seeks to tell our community’s stories
and strives to develop our community’s story
tellers.
Editors
Aileen Teniente
Angie Nunez
Bernie Flores
Daniel Riojas
Diana Molina
Francisco Guerrero
Jennifer Nguyen
Jonathan Escobar
Keila Morin
Nancy Molina
Noemi Archudia
Priscilla Guerrero
Sonia Barrera
Thao Dang
Thomas Mejia
Tiara Lowery
Faculty Advisors
Amber Criswell
Christina Saldivar
Elizabeth Micci
Michael Glazner
Contents
Fiction
The Day I Checked In Justin Cofield (8)
Untitled Nancy Molina (9)
Sometimes it is Too Late Thao Dang (11)
Eyes of Life Thao Dang (12)
The Deep Underwater Tiara Lowry (13)
Divine Destiny (Chapter One) Yesennia Perez (14)
Poetry
“Despair” is a thing with scales Brian Gonzalez (21)
Delicious Dulce Ramos (22)
What My Heart Feels Ernesto Gutierrez (23)
My Moon Luisa L. Perez (25)
February Natalie Olmos (27)
My Story Randall Valle (28)
No Petals Samaris Velasquez (30)
Understand ME Samaris Velasquez (31)
Last Breath Taken Sebastian Sanchez (32)
Memories Shea Baxter (34)
Contents
Poetry
What is Happiness? Thao Dang (35)
Insecure World Thao Dang (36)
Valley of Death Thao Dang (37)
Immortal Hope Thao Dang (38)
Golden Eye Tre’Von DeWalt (40)
Façade Yesennia Perez (41)
Nonfiction
A Time When I Had a Challenge Jessica Caballero (43)
Why Teachers Teach Phillip Nelson (45)
Lyrics
My Heart Yesennia Perez (47)
Original Artwork and Photography
Chavez PREP Block Party Alexis Giron (45)
Bayou Snap Angie Nunez (13)
Half a Trunk Angie Nunez (22)
Contents
Original Artwork and Photography
House Number Angie Nunez (26)
Old Truck Angie Nunez (40)
Blossom Tree Angie Nunez (20)
Roads Angie Nunez (46)
Swamp Pathway Angie Nunez (7)
Telephone Line Angie Nunez (42)
Tree Reflection Angie Nunez (34)
Anaphora Daniel Riojas (39)
Ellipsis Daniel Riojas (29)
Epistrophe Daniel Riojas (10)
Imagery Daniel Riojas (24)
Paradox Daniel Riojas (49)
Color wanting to take over Darkness Elena Arvelo (19)
Le Onion Isaac Luna (48)
Untitled Tram Tran (30)
Fiction
Swamp Pathway
Angie Nunez
Justin Cofield
The Day I Checked In
The day I checked in, you checked out. It has been almost 3 weeks and my day
of reckoning is upon me. Believe it or not, I was in this mysterious place where
there was a human-sized brick connected to one of the four walls and a window
with an extraordinary view that gave me that small taste of reality.
The fear of your well-being was on my mind constantly. When I check in, I
was unable to ask, for my mind was set on the worst. The last time we laid eyes, it
was painful seeing you in that hospital bed unable to speak because they drugged
you up for surgery. I know I was your favorite and I wish I was there to see you
one last time.
Fears become reality just like dreams do. It has been almost 3 weeks since I
have been in this mysterious place, and my day of reckoning was in actuality my
day of release. Still, while I was out in the land of the free the question I was
dying to ask was, “Hey Mom, how is Unc? Is he getting better?” Yet, I didn’t have
the heart to ask.
“Justin, there is something you need to know.”
The day I was incarcerated was the same day I lost my only blood uncle. Not
only did I not get to see him once more, but I was unable to attend his funeral.
My fear became a part of my life. Now my next question is: how do I live it?
8
Nancy Molina
Untitled
The whole crowd, including me and him, had just finished thanking Usher for
a great night. He was still holding my hand. To avoid traffic I told him, “Baby,
let’s go,” and we passed by people still excited from the concert. He stopped me in
front of the steps. He took both of my hands and was just smiling at me with the
most sweet and nervous look on his face. He looked into my eyes and was quiet for
a short while. He then noticed that more people were coming that needed to go up
the stairs, so he moved me to a side and got down on one knee. My heart was racing.
A mix of emotions burst in me as I saw this amazing man about to propose to
me. He still held my hand. He looked into my eyes and asked, “Baby, will you marry
me?” It took me not even a minute. I answered in a matter of seconds, I told him
“yes! ” He gave me a smile that was full of happiness because he had achieved
taking the big step in us. We both were hugging each other tightly and didn’t want
to let go. We told each other the three magic words and after we had let go from
embracing, I leaned to his ear and told him, “I don’t ever regret meeting you,” and
he let out the a cheerful laugh. We were going up the stairs and as we were
leaving I just couldn’t get rid of the cheesy smile on my face. That moment I will
never forget. And that man that I love was still holding my hand and as time
passes by, he still will be holding my hand and I holding his.
9
Epistrophe
Daniel Riojas
10
Thao Dung
Sometimes it is Too Late
I watched her as she sat upon the edge of the cliff and stared down into the
water. It was a beautiful night. It was a full moon and the amount of light shown
onto the water was just perfect. She suddenly stood up, still staring down. She
whispered something, and just then a light breeze passed by her. It was as if
nature was working on bringing her message around the world. Seconds later, her
reflection was gone. The water rippled and bubbled. That night, the people of the
town could not sleep. They all heard a voice that was quite familiar. It was a
whisper against their ears, “sometimes, it is too late.” Nobody understood this, and
life continued.
But I knew what she meant. I was in class with her that day. That day in
class, a teacher told the class how it is never too late to help someone. I guess
she was right.
11
Thao Dung
Eyes of Life
As she dances across the stage, the light follows her. She is like a
moon shining bright in a dark sky. My eyes follow her through the window. Upon
setting your eyes on her, you are captivated. Her presence alone can mesmerize a
roomful of audience. It is as if they were in a trance. Their eyes follow her with
every step that she takes. Her beauty is indescribable. Her smile alone can make
you feel eternal happiness.
—
As I dance onto the stage, I can feel it. I can feel the heavy atmosphere of
the room. I can feel the evil thoughts that float above. And it struck me. These
dark presences were from the audience. The eyes of the audience were like
lightning, trying to strike me down at any chance that they get. They were not
stares of amazement and support; they were death stares that speak hatred. These
people hated me. I could tell because I have seen these eyes before. They were on
the faces of my mom, dad, and all the people I knew. I learned to recognize these
eyes when I was 12, when I overheard my family talking, wearing these same eyes
on their faces. They wished that I never existed. Apparently, I was too cold, too
quiet. I am neither charming nor sweet. My answers were always so blunt. And
today I see them again. My show has ended and I left the theater immediately. I
can’t stand watching those people clap while bringing me back to the past. That is
not happening. Not after all that I had done to get away from it. The car starts
and I am headed to a new city, a city that will take me farther away from my
family, the one that I left 25 years ago.
12
Tiara Lowry
Eyes of Life
The deep underwater reflects free light through its many liquid layers at
the bottom, awaiting a retrieval of swift greatness.
The wait lasts forever as I try and try again to fret not but my worst fears
live as I am left at the bottom, waiting.
Aimlessly watching the light flicker and taunt me by showing off its soft
movements that can easily put onlookers into a mystified trance.
The delicate movements remain undisturbed no matter what obstacle floats by
and ripples the water far more.
If anything, this allowed the radiance to shine brighter and to move with a
fluidity that screams perfection and ultimate beauty.
But the witness at the bottom can no longer do anything.
Her attention is fully directed to the aurora shown above her.
Salvation fades away as an option due to the limitations of oxygen but in
this moment, she wants nothing more than to drown in the feathery luminescence
amongst her.
Bayou Snap
Angie Nunez
13
Yesennia Perez
Divine Destiny
Chapter One
Her parents were dead. She had stood by and watched as the dark cloaked man
slaughtered them with a mere swing of his scythe. The tears were overwhelming
and they stung her eyes. She watched the limp bodies of her parents fall upon the
carpet, their blood seeping closer to her. She couldn’t hold back the sobs that
ripped out of her twelve year old chest, which caused her body to tremble so
violently.
The green irises pierced through those of the murderer who was making his
way toward her. The only thing visible to her teary gaze were the crimson orbs
that weren’t shadowed by the black hood he wore. The man lifted the lethal weapon
and a piercing scream echoed around her as a sharp pain ripped through her right
shoulder.
Alexialle awakened with a start, her right hand flying to her hammering
chest. It was beating so erratically against her hand that she believed it might
erupt from her body any moment. She tried to breathe as her left hand supported
the weight of her body, which was shivering. It had all been a dream. No, it had
been a memory. A memory of when she was younger. A tragic memory she had buried
away six years ago. So why did she have to remember it now? She disentangled her
legs from the silken blue covers that were drenched with sweat, along with her
nightgown. She swung her legs down to the edge of the bed and walked along the
white carpeted floor to her dressing table, sitting in order to glance at her
reflection in the mirror. The face which stared back at her shocked her into near
silence.
Her fair skin was sheen with sweat, her wavy red hair lay open, her head
like a robin’s nest would be on a tree. But all she could see were the twin emerald
pools that stared back at her. They showed the knowledge of her suffering. Of her
loss. And the very pained wisdom within them caused a choked sob to rip from her
chest. Laying her head on top of the dresser, she closed her eyes and took deep
breaths to try and regulate her breathing.
She sighed and turned away from the mirror, pushing herself off the chair.
Heading to the closet, she grabbed a white hoodie and a black skirt that exposed
her long dancer legs. She pulled on a pair of white flats before heading to the
door.
14
Yesennia Perez
She didn’t bother to grab her backpack since she couldn’t remember where she had
placed it, and she had been much too busy to have bought another one. Pulling the
door open, she took a deep breath of the morning air and her body relaxed slightly
at the pine scent. The woods surrounding her neighborhood were always lush and
they gave her a feeling of security.
As soon as she placed a foot outside a slight breeze blew through her red
hair, toying with the scarlet strands. Despite the calmness in the wind, she sensed
the malice enveloped within it. Instantly, her body tensed at the possible and
unseen threat. A hand rose to touch the air above her, watching it glisten as the
breeze enshrouded her slim digits. Her eyes widened slightly as a violet light
twirled along her fingers. She pulled her hand away in shock unable to register
what had just happened. It wasn’t normal.
She was not going to allow herself to investigate the situation any
further. Alexialle walked through the silent neighborhood, making her way to the
corner known as the bus stop. She had decided to put the event from earlier out of
her mind. Although she didn’t want to investigate it, she knew her curiosity would
get the better of her. It seemed like eons since she last stood there, having had
the best summer of her life. Excluding her ability to sense auras and being
Suddenly and immensely empathetic. A small frown marred her lips as she thought
about the day it had first happened.
It had occurred at the beach when she was with her friends. Her boyfriend
had been acting rather strangely and she had begun to worry. It only took her a
couple of seconds to see that there were shimmering colors and shapes surrounding
his form. Taking it as a chance to find out about his sudden distance from her, she
had searched for answers and had come up with auras. Suffice to say, she was
rather angered at the answers she received and wanted nothing to do with aura
reading. Occupied with her thoughts, she didn’t see her friend Raven tiptoe to
where she stood.
“Hey! ” Raven greeted, throwing her arms around a very startled Alexialle.
She turned around just in time to have Raven wrap her arms around her waist and
tackle her down. Luckily, she had moved enough so they landed on the grass rather
than the sidewalk. Alexialle laughed softly at her friend’s actions and stood up.
“Hey yourself,” responded Alexialle, smiling down at her friend before
holding out a hand to help her up. Dusting herself off, her emerald oculars fell
upon the black one strap backpack. Her backpack.
15
Yesennia Perez
She reached out and pulled it up, studying the worn leather with the red dragon
stitched on the front and the gold locket hanging from the single strap; the
locket her mother had given her for her birthday just a few days before the
murder of her parents. Closing her eyes tightly, she took a deep breath and pulled
the locket off of the strap. It still angered her that the press had called her
parent’s murder a ‘freak accident’.
“Oh, you left your bag at my house yesterday, so I decided to bring it back,”
Raven confessed, running a hand through her black hair. Alexialle lifted her
green irises to gaze into Raven’s violet ones. Raven was the only one who knew how
badly her parent’s death had impacted her, what she had begun to experience after
it. She was the only one who knew what had happened, because she had been there
too.
“Thanks, Raven,” her voice was hardly above a whisper, but she knew her
friend heard her nonetheless. Her friend blushed at the thanks and shifted
slightly. Alexialle always found it rather endearing that her friend was
uncomfortable with any gratitude. Especially when she had merely done it out of
the goodness of her heart. They stood there in silence as the bus made its way
toward them, opening its double doors as soon as it was parked before them.
Stepping into the vehicle, Alexialle and Raven sat opposite each other. It wasn’t
that they were only friends outside of school or anything, which they were, but
they had always preferred to sit alone. It was a habit more than anything. Besides,
they both knew they were of different social circles, and they couldn’t afford
messing with the way the school was run.
Alexialle turned her head to face the window, her eyes meeting the tail
lights of her red Porsche. If she hadn’t misplaced her keys she could have been
driving it to school. She had received it as an eighteenth birthday present from
her aunt and uncle. They had adopted her after the death of her parents and
despite the fact that they loved her, Alexialle had left two months after her
seventeenth birthday. Priscilla and John Matthews, her aunt and uncle, had always
been too busy with their jobs to really look after her. Her Aunt Priscilla was a
famous photographer and her Uncle John was a high ranking lawyer. Alexialle was
proud of them and she never minded being left home alone. In a way, she loved it
more than she would ever let on. The last thing she wanted to do was make them
think she was ungrateful.
She had to stifle a laugh as the memory of her departure came to mind.
16
Yesennia Perez
Her Aunt Priscilla was rather hilarious in her own way, and she believed only
her uncle could ever really deal with her little quirks.
“Are you leaving us because we were never there for you?” her aunt asked,
tears welling in her eyes. Alexialle felt the guilt stab through her but tried
hard to ignore it. She had to leave. She was going through so many things and
didn’t want her aunt or uncle involved. They had already been through enough by
simply taking her in. With a small smile on her face, she placed her hands on her
hips and faced them head on.
“It’s not that. You were there for me when I needed it most. You gave me a
home when I lost mine, clothed me, and loved me as if you were my own parents. I
will never be able to repay your kindness,” she said, hugging her sobbing aunt and
kissing her uncle. Her uncle blushed slightly and scoffed at the affection.
“We hardly did anything. With everything your parents left you, you would
have done just fine on your own. We practically interfered. It was our own selfish
desire to have you near us,” her aunt replied, tears now spilling down her cheeks.
“Ha! I actually think we saved her Priscilla with how little she can cook! ”
her uncle teased, that usual glint in his eyes and a slight smirk on his lips.
Alexialle pouted and playfully glared at her uncle.
“Says the one who refuses to call a professional when something breaks in
the house. You’re not the greatest handyman,” she countered, crossing her arms
over her chest. Laughter bubbled from her aunt and she glanced over at her uncle.
He winked at her and gave her a thumbs up which she returned. Whenever her aunt
was upset, they learned their bickering always cheered her up.
Alexialle shook her head as if to shake away the negativity that now filled
her already cluttered head. She had missed them ever since she had decided to
leave, and she hadn’t called them for nearly a week. Her aunt was probably sick
with worry. Due to her thoughts occupying her attention, Alexialle had not seen
the man walk in and sit beside her. She hadn’t paid attention to any of the
whispered comments being made or the looks being sent their way. So when he
turned to speak to her, she practically jumped out of her seat. After calming
herself, she glanced back at him and analyzed him with a critical eye.
He had shoulder length midnight black hair, an aristocratic nose, a firm and
set mouth. The broad shoulders and muscled chest could not be hidden by the black
leather jacket he wore. More than anything though, she couldn’t help but notice
his eyes.
17
Yesennia Perez
They were the color of the clearest and cloudless blue skies, even seeming to be
just as heavenly. But that’s not why they caught her attention. He was staring at
her with such intensity that it was near impossible to look away. His eyes bore
into hers and had a shiver running down her back within seconds. At the moment,
she couldn’t tell whether it was pleasant or otherwise.
What was going on? Why wouldn’t he look away? She hadn’t noticed that their
faces had gotten closer, that their noses were practically touching. It only took a
few seconds for her to realize she wasn’t breathing. Alexialle took a deep breath,
breaking their contact. She almost sighed with relief but stopped herself. There
was no need to have him getting any wrong ideas.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable,” his voice was like
silk, soft and pleasant. Letting a smile form on her lips, she let her eyes meet
his. The intensity was not as prominent as it had been before, but it still caused
her to inch away slightly. No need to make that last incident a habit. It seemed he
noted since his eyes glanced down for a split second before returning to her face.
“It’s alright, you don’t have to apologize for startling me. I should have
been more attentive,” was her reply. She reached her hand out to his and almost
pulled it back as a jolt of electricity raced through her body. Her eyes widened
slightly at the unexpected surge of disappointment that filled her at the short
contact. She was beginning to feel very uncomfortable in this man’s presence, and
she couldn’t help and wonder why.
“My name is Raphael,” he said, his mouth turning up into a small smile. It
seemed to be upturned slightly so she could almost assume he was holding back a
smirk. Anger boiled within the surface of her calm, but she held back her temper
and simply smiled at him. He was momentarily startled by her reaction it seemed.
The smirk had fallen a bit and he was almost frowning now. Nodding, Alexialle
took her hand back and lay it on her lap. There was a bit of satisfaction in
knowing she hadn’t done as he expected. No doubt he thought she would jump up,
yell at him, and possibly even slap him. Which is something she would have done if
it weren’t for one thing. She could still feel the shock of his touch in her hand,
in her body, and she didn’t want to risk touching him again.
“I’m Alexialle,” she returned his greeting and turned away, confusion taking
up all the space in her mind and pushing everything else aside. Her thoughts
strayed to the electrical surge that went through her body at the contact, and she
couldn’t help but wonder about his gaze from earlier.
18
Yesennia Perez
Looking over his shoulder, she caught Raven’s violet gaze and set her mouth in a
thin line. Her friend glanced at the man beside her and her eyes hardened. No
doubt they would both be discussing this soon.
Color wanting to take over Darkness
Elena Arvelo
19
Poetry
Blossom Tree
Angie Nunez
Brian Gonzalez
“Despair” is a thing with scales
“Despair” is a thing with scales-
That slithers in the soul-
And hisses without words-
And never walks -
And coldest-in the gale-is blood-
And runs the storm-
That could harm the little snake-
That kept so many secrets-
I’ve heard it in the grass-
And in the tree-
Yet, never, in the cold,
It asked for hope from me.
21
Dulce Ramos
Delicious
The dancing wind kept on blowing
In the middle between the dark
Shadows and the stunning rays touching
My white pale skin kindly
Running freely, the grass holding my bare feet
A white rabbit standing in front of me
Behind the trees
A scary man was standing with a rifle
Knowing what would happen next
I just stand frozen
My body would not move one inch
In my eyes saw the sadness
That the family of the rabbit would feel
Still the scary gentleman invited me
To his house to cook the tender animal.
Half a Trunk
Angie Nunez
22
Ernesto Gutierrez
What My Heart Feels
Tonight I will dream of you and you only,
as my head thinks of you, my heart feels lonely.
I much rather have you next to me tonight,
than to only see you during the daylight.
My empty heart is only full when I’m next to you,
and at night it only wonders where did you disappear to.
My heart cannot talk but it doesn’t stop beating for you,
and it will not stop beating until you break its rhythm.
My heart is only active when it feels your love,
My heart is cold at night but you help it stay warm with your hugs.
23
Imagery
Daniel Riojas
24
Luisa L. Perez
My Moon
"And after the moon came to lie next to the stars
The young girl became sad every night
You see...
The moon is a rock
That rock used to belong to the young girl
When she visited by the countryside
At night
She would watch all the stars with her rock
Until one night her rock spoke of the young girl going back home
To the city were there were no stars
The young girl thought of it as nothing
She knew she could return soon, another summer night in the countryside
Although when she returned to her city home
There she was with no stars for days and months
She felt lonely so she wanted to visit the rock again
But she stepped outside that night
There it was
No longer in her reach
No closer than it was before
It made her cry
She had so many tears for her rock
Where ever the rock would go her tears would follow
As it stayed so high
Then the next night came
Although the girl expected a dark night in her city home...
There it was, so
Bright
Beautiful
Alive
It was her Rock that never wanted to leave the young girls side
And every night it followed her
It made the young girl so happy
She lived forever in the city
25
Luisa L. Perez
With no stars and a Moon
The young girl looked deep into the moon one night
It was the brightest it had ever been
At first it looked like there was a man on the moon
But it resembled the face of a women, her grandmother.
The same old women who loves the stars in the night sky. "
House Number
Angie Nunez
26
Natalie Olmos
February
I hate that feeling.
The feeling when you’re sad, but
You have no idea why.
You feel so empty
When nothing in particular happened.
I’m asked what’s wrong but I can’t explain it.
It just feels like I miss someone I’ve never met.
Like I need someone,
But that someone doesn’t even need me.
The loneliness hovers over me.
I don’t even care that
I isolate myself.
Sadness is becoming my only friend.
Eventually it will be my only friend.
I want everybody to leave me alone, but
At the same time
I want someone to lie to me and tell me
Everything is going to be okay.
I simply loathe this feeling.
The feeling when you don’t
Even know what you’re feeling.
27
Randall Valle
My Story
there’s answers without questions and feelings with no cure.
finding questions without answers are like roses with no color.
everything breaks down, even a rock does
surprisingly a diamond will, too.
riches poor down only because everything has its point.
face it, don't look around.
look through it with no sound.
ears up above and feet to the ground.
eyes closed, don’t visualize.
open shut and realize .
recognize what’s seen, not what's said.
breath what you see, exhale what's not.
bury down what's done and dig up what not.
follow your heartbeat, not a rhythm strike.
28
Ellipsis
Daniel Riojas
29
Samaris Velasquez
No Petals
Why did it have to be you, that ugly flower in the whole garden? There's so many
beautiful flowers that I could of picked up but I chose you, the one with no petals
and big scars in your trunk, the one with the roots popping out of the ground,
maybe there's a hope in my heart that one day you will change and become that
perfect flower in the garden. But to my eyes you are perfect right now. I don't see
the defects you have, I don't want to see them. I'm blinded by the beauty you show
now. Let me take this step by step. I fell for the beauty on the outside, then for
the one on the inside, I fell for that little seed you planted in another flower’s
nest. I know you have committed a lot of mistakes, but I want to learn from them.
I want you to plant a seed in my nest and let me be the one that takes care of you
and help you become that gorgeous flower you are. You're already beautiful to me,
but you have to show the world you are that gorgeous flower I see.
Untitled
Tram Tran
30
Samaris Velasquez
Understand ME
I am always the one cheering everybody up, spitting jokes, transforming your tears
into laughs, transforming your pain into something you will never forget, a smile.
Is there anybody out there that can do that for me, is anybody out there that can
make me feel wanted, not as a girl. but as a person, is anybody out there that can
do what I do? Can you keep a smile even though you are dying inside? Can you make
everybody feel special? Can you give your support to those who need it? If a
person like me is out there can you scream or shout, “I'm here you, are not alone! ”
Am I the only one who feels alone? Can you tell me why there is pain in me? Can
you tell that behind my short hair, my medium size breasts, my strong accent, my
short nails, my big brown eyes, there's a girl screaming for her to be heard? Can
you tell I'm hurt? Can you tell I feel alone? I want to discover the world,
discover people, discover cultures, and discover ME? Who am I?
31
Sebastian Sanchez
Last Breath Taken
As I am watching my wife, on the hospital bed, push
The obstetrician secretly murmured under his surgical mask
Suddenly, his assistants made me get out in a rush
Though I was curious why, I had no time to ask
The hall was all quiet, except for this one kid who was told to shush
A nurse stepped out into the hallway and whispered to me
"I have really bad news, about your wife and kid, I'm sorry"
As I was about to ask what happened, she continued speaking quietly
"Your wife...um...she didn't make it..." My happiness that was momentary
Was about to end, they sorrowfully said, "you have a few minutes left with your
baby."
The nurse then guided me into the delivery room to see her
She walked up to me handed me my child with her glove that were dark jade
I instantly commenced to visualize my wife on a heart monitor
The obstetrician worried, her pulse starting to slowly fade
Tears rushed down my cheek and hugged my baby tighter
My wife and I were to come up with a name, but it's impossible
My child has left this world as well along with her mommy
I was left alone in this world to suffer and dawdle
Left alone, everyone I was once close to, gone, I had no family
I got home and threw myself onto my bed, I wish had something terminal
Anything to leave the cruel and unutterable world behind
This sensation is horrible, I have no reason to be here
I turn and find a letter above my dresser, good thing I'm not blind
I begin to unfold the letter and stared at it, her handwriting was so clear
Easily understandable, I found myself reading to myself in my mind
32
Sebastian Sanchez
"If you are reading this, then it must have already occurred
I didn't want to tell you there was a chance of me dying
While giving birth. I know, it's wrong, it's insane, it's absurd
I didn't know how to tell you, and you would've thought I was lying
I was worried of how you would react once you have heard
That I couldn't make it, that our child wouldn't make it
I wish our time together would've lasted much longer
I hope you live on, don't give up on life, grab a chair and sit
Start to think, believe that I will be watching over you, forever
Making sure you keep your head up, and don't fall into a dark pit
You are the best thing that ever happened to me in my life
Thank you for everything, I love you dear."
Oh...how I wish I can easily end this with a knife
I can't stand having no one to talk to and being alone here
I thought, "I understand why you hid it, but now I'll hold in strife,
I can't handle this! " I bolt towards my car to give my life a trim
I start the engine, angrily drive off, and find myself injured and bleeding
I hear screaming, "He aint gonna make it, we gonna lose him,"
I slowly shut my eyes, hoping I remain this way with no healing
I close my eyes and begin to hear angels softly singing a blissfully beautiful
hymn.
33
Shea Baxter
Memories
Is there any way to express how I feel?
The screen dances with blank pictures
As it plays off the old movie reel.
The bulbs are all burnt out on the light fixtures.
Memories swaying at the edge of life;
Static clogs the corners of sight.
The pain stings like a sharpened knife
As the guilt starts to bite
I'm left in the dark,
Two hours long,
Nothing to prove, not even a mark.
The music plays, the beat of my heart a song.
As my lungs breathe once more,
I start to fade.
My life, nothing but lore;
A tiny speck that could have never stayed.
Tree Reflection
Angie Nunez
34
Thao Dang
What is Happiness?
What is happiness?
Is it the smiles on our faces?
Or the laughter we sometimes let out?
Or could it be the moment that our brain is at ease the most?
This is the question that haunts me
That shadows me from the beginning of birth.
Could we really tell who is happy or not?
And I found the answer,
16 years later.
Happiness, does not exist.
It is simply a word that is used to make people feel better about themselves.
A word that brings comfort and an escape from reality.
You can’t tell who is truly happy or not because
Happiness does not exist.
We can dream it, wish for it,
But that doesn’t make it real.
Happiness is a lie.
35
Thao Dang
Insecure World
Goosebumps rise,
Faces turn pale.
These are our reactions…
My reactions
After forcing the Nazis to surrender
And start to free the people from the so-called concentration camps.
Their flesh,
Their heart,
Nothing is left of them.
They were stripped from humanity
And replaced with something more terrible than animals.
They are no longer men,
No longer women,
No longer children.
They are there
But not there.
They have lost everything,
Yet they used to have everything.
Seeing them,
Freeing them,
Makes me think of my children,
My descendants,
My future
And the world’s future.
How I don’t want to see this
How I don’t want to see this in the next generation.
This cruelty,
This inhumanity,
This era where nobody cares or pays attention.
I want the world to see
To see the mistake
And to never
Commit such a crime again.
36
Thao Dang
Valley of Death
I entered a field a week ago
Not knowing what it contained
But when I arrived
I knew what it held.
Dead flowers, dying leaves, lifeless creatures.
This horrid place lives in the shadow
With no light, no colors
Surviving on the blood of others
Feeding on them until they died.
As I rounded the corner
I can hear the cries.
Cries from a father,
Cries from a mother,
Cries from a family,
And I just walked past
Past the dying child
Leaving them behind
Not shedding a drop of tear
Just like everyone else.
And like this place
Nobody pays attention
And nobody cares.
Everything has become a routine
Including the corpses on the road.
We no longer have a heart
We no longer feel
Our heart and soul have been stolen
Stolen by the Nazis…
~Inspired by Everneath and Moon Over Manifest~
37
Thao Dang
Immortal Hope
I remember the last time I saw a flower.
It was a daisy,
A young daisy,
Crisp white with exactly ten petals,
In the center was a soft golden yellow, bright like the sun.
And now that I am here
I haven’t seen that daisy again
It wasn’t a special flower or anything
Just a plain one
But it was my friend
My comforter…
As I sat here
I saw it
Saw the daisy again.
It was the same one
Except smaller, younger
It was as if it had burrowed its way over here…
To me
To be my comforter again
And on its way…
Grow again
38
Anaphora
Daniel Riojas
39
Tre’Von DeWalt
Golden Eye
She sees the man with the golden eye.
Afraid to see and unknowing what to do.
The man with the eyes of a golden brick begins to die.
She fusses and fights but she thinks he is through.
Seeing the confusion and not knowing the fight.
The man grows love and starts to see three.
Three, as a family, was in his dream.
As he lies in the hospital bed he starts to believe.
He believes that the woman was beautiful with hair of silk and cream.
The woman sees him awake and now is relieved.
The man and woman starts to go.
Will the future of the three happen? … Who will ever know?
Old Truck
Angie Nunez
40
Yesennia Perez
Façade
You hide your tears and cry alone,
Never realizing that I know.
Why not break away from all that pain?
Why not fall for someone else instead?
Deep inside you know you're lying,
Acting like you don't care, when your heart is dying.
So, why do you stay where your tears mean shame?
Why do you beg for her love again?
I ask you, let it out,
Tear it up and break it down.
Because you're the one who deserves it most,
A chance to cry and a person to hold.
41
Nonfiction
Telephone Line
Angie Nunez
Jessica Caballero
A Time When I Had a Challenge
Life is full of challenges. Some are small and some are so big they can tear
you apart. These are not the first difficult challenges I have faced, but they have
been the hardest.
I would go to school, get home, cook, eat, do homework, shower, watch televi-
sion, and then sleep; my life was perfect. Everything changed on November 5th,
2010.
After arriving home with my sisters, my mom asked for all of us to sit down,
she had something important to tell us. “Pack up, we are leaving to México, your
grandfather Rodolfo is ill,” she said.
“Why don’t you go by yourself and we’ll take care of the house and dad?” I
asked.
“It’s an emergency, he might not even make it through today,” she replied.
I said nothing; I just turned around and a tear rolled down my cheek. We left
to México immediately after packing up. We arrived and the doctor said he didn't
have much of a chance of making it, but there could always be a miracle. He made
it through the night and by a couple of days he was slowly recovering. Due to his
condition, we stayed in México for nine months. Then he got better and we decided
to come back to Houston. Life would go back to normal, or so I thought.
A couple of days afterward, my mom and I came to Chávez to re-register for
school. The enthusiasm of me going back to school was enormous. I expected for my
sophomore year to be a lot better than my freshman year, yet to my disgrace I was
going to be required to retake my freshman year. According to the registration
lady, the papers from my school in México were worthless.
“This is just messed up, I would wake up at five in the morning and walk two
hours every day for the past nine months to go to school and now all you say is
that these papers are worthless and that it’s required for me to retake my fresh-
man year. Are you serious?” I said and then walked out went to the restroom and
cried.
A couple of hours later when we got home my sister Jacqueline came inside
my room and said, “You have a call.” It was my cousin Victor. He quickly said, “You
got this cousin, don’t worry, you’ll catch up,” and then hung up. He left me con-
fused, but yet he made me feel better.
43
Jessica Caballero
Finally, the first day of school arrived and I quickly signed up for extra
classes. Before anyone could notice I was catching up to my classes, and fast. Ah,
life was great…but, not for long.
It was May 4, 2012; my mom, sisters, and I were coming back home from
school. As we were walking towards our house we were joking and laughing. When
we got to the front door something didn't seem right.
“The door is open! ” my sister screamed. When we came in the house we saw
that everything was destroyed. I was carrying my little sister, and from the
impression, almost dropped her. When I went to my room to see the damages there I
found all my pictures in the floor ripped and our belongings all over the place.
We immediately called the police, but as usual, they couldn’t do much in this case.
We wanted to blame someone, but who? No one had seen who committed the crime.
After that my sister and I started working. It was difficult at first but we
suddenly got used to it. Our lives had dramatically changed in such an instant.
On January 17, 2013 a second burglary was committed. “Why us?” I would ask
at times. Then ten days later, only ten days later, my lovely grandfather Rodolfo
passed away. The pain and suffering inside of me was killing me. I had been broken
into pieces; I had not only failed, I had been slammed into the ground. For a
couple of days I wouldn't eat, smile, or do anything. I would just stay in my room
the whole day crying, searching for answers to my endless questions. Then one day
out of nowhere I remembered something my grandfather used to tell me when I was
little. He would hug me tight, carry me, put me in his lap, and say, “When things
in life get hard and you don’t find your way out don’t worry. Always remember
that when the night is at its darkest, it is because sunshine is coming soon. I
don’t want you to be weak; weak people fall and when they do, they don’t get up.
But you are a fighter and if you fall please promise me you’ll get up and fight
harder…always see the positive way of things, never forget this Jessie.”
I would smile, hug him, and pinky promise him that I would never forget his
words. After remembering his words I noticed that I didn't fail, I didn't lose. In
fact, I won. Not everyone is capable of staying strong like I did, going through
all the things that I've been through. Now I see life differently.
Currently I am in my right grade, top ten percent, and I am not going to say
that I have forgotten about my grandfather. Instead I would say that I have
learned how to confront life without him. Life is not easy, but you can’t just sit
back and let it break you, you have to fight back.
44
Phillip Nelson
Why Teachers Teach
Have you ever wanted to know why teachers teach us when they don't get paid
much? Being a teacher is not just a job, it is a chance to give back to the
community and the students. They know they don't earn much, but they still work
to teach us.
Mr. Duerr teaches us History and Economics; he has been teaching for eight
years. When I asked him why he became a teacher and why he still teaches he said,
“I wanted to have enough time to be with my family, and still be able to serve the
community. To find something you enjoy, and be paid to do it, is a blessing. That's
what I have found. You must be prepared
to serve and be willing to understand
other people as individuals, not just a
number or statistic."
Ms. Keaton teaches physics; she has
been teaching for eight years. When I
asked her why she wanted to be a teacher
and why she continues teaching she said,
"I love watching others learning, plus I
need to share knowledge to feel alive."
In conclusion, teachers teach us
because they want to give back to the
community, they love teaching, and they
want to see us succeed. These role models
came to help us learn and guide us in
the most successful direction, even
though most students don’t give them
credit. Teachers understand how critical
their job is and they are glad to be paid
a little just for the good of the Chavez PREP Block Party
students. Alexis Giron
45
Lyrics
Roads
Angie Nunez
Yesennia Perez
My Heart
My heart breaks as you hold me,
This fragile moment won't last for eternity.
Please don't let me go, hold me longer,
Tighten your embrace, bring us closer to the edge.
Deep inside the pain is buried, hidden from your soulful eyes,
And my heart is breaking, millions of pieces sorely aching.
Everything reminds me of you, every little thing I do,
Wish I could take a step forward, wish I could forget the agony.
Your voice echoes in my head, opening a wound I thought I had healed,
A blade wrenches into my chest, tearing out my heart,
Reminding me you were once there.
Blood pours out of this gash, drenching me in memories of a forgotten past,
Time hasn't mended my broken heart, time will continuously tear me apart.
Deep inside the pain is buried, hidden from your soulful eyes,
And my heart is aching, slowly and painfully breaking.
Every step you take, carries you further away,
Leaving me behind, drowning in your lies.
I fear my end is near, I know my time is here,
The light is fading away, darkness comes to stay.
My heart breaks as you hold me,
This fragile moment won't last for eternity.
Please don't let me go, hold me longer,
Tighten your embrace, bring us closer to the edge.
My heart is breaking, millions of pieces sorely aching,
Time hasn't mended my broken heart, time will tear me apart.
47
Le Onion
Isaac Luna
48
Thank you.
Thank you to the contributors.
Thank you to the students.
Thank you to the faculty and staff.
Thank you, Cesar E. Chavez High School.
And most of all,
Thank you to the reader.
The CLM Editors
Paradox
Daniel Riojas
49