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A SCHOOL has been plunged into 'special measures' after a damning inspection
Crawshaw School in Pudsey, was visited by Ofsted inspectors on January 21, who found teaching was inadequate, leadership poor, behaviour inadequate attendance poor and and classed the 1,030 pupils school as 'inadequate'. The lack of a permanenet headteacher was found to hinder improvement.
The inspection comes six weeks after after headteacher Joanna Ruse quit her job in December.
The report, published on March 5, found: the proportion of students achieving five or more A* to C grades, including English and maths, at GCSE level fell and was below average; The number of students regularly absent from school is much higher than average. The behaviour of students is inadequate; students are inadequately prepared for their future learning as their literacy and numeracy skills are underdeveloped.
It found teaching was inadequate and in too many lessons teachers set work that is too difficult for some students and too easy for others. This leads to inadequate progress.
Today Sean Preston, acting head at Crawshaw School, said: "Many of the issues highlighted by the inspectors were already known to the current leadership and management team of the school and clear steps had already been taken to address them. Our school improvement plan reflects these actions and it is disappointing that Crawshaw School was not afforded the time to be able to evidence the improvements made as a consequence of our work.
"Last year's examination results were disappointing, especially after so much success over the previous five years. Early indications show that exam results this year will improve to around the level we were achieving when Ofsted graded the school 'good'.
We believe the judgement of 'inadequate' is potentially very damaging for the school, however, the Governors, leadership team and the rest of the staff are committed to making the necessary improvements at Crawshaw. We know there are challenges ahead but we are united in our resolve to move the school forward."
David Gillingham, Chair of Governors at Crawshaw School said: "As a school at the heart of our community, we look forward to working with parents, carers and the wider community to move Crawshaw forward. Ultimately, our aim is to provide the best education possible for the young people of Pudsey and their success will remain at the centre of everything we do."
The school was previously given a 'notice to improve' and placed in special measures in 2006, but by 2010 had improved immenseley and gained its best exam results ever.
Crawshaw school has enlisted the support of Keith Bothamley, headteacher at Horsforth School to act as Executive Headteacher, to help strengthen leadership in response to the findings of the inspection.
Parent information evenings are being held at 7pm each night this week for varying age groups. See the school website for more details.


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Fashion designer Pily Queipo and creative director Amber Delecce have joined forces to pursue their passion: designing the perfect product for the swim and resort wear industry. With unique prints, fun colors and ornamental hardware, the beautifully crafted and combined elements give PilyQ its whimsical, feminine yet edgy flair.
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
Tasty Takeaways
We love local in Scottsdale, and there couldn't be anything more local than take-away sweets or special condiments from a Scottsdale chef's kitchen.
We love local in Scottsdale, and there couldn't be anything more local than take-away sweets or special condiments from a Scottsdale chef's kitchen.
Sweet dreams come true every day at downtown Scottsdale's Super Chunk Sweets and Treats thanks to pastry wizard Country Velador. Homemade cakes and cookies, as well as small batch candies and ice cream, in a variety of whimsical flavors are available.
Brought to you by the fine folks at the adjacent FnB restaurant, this culinary treasure chest is brimming with locally made olive oils, pastas, sauces, jams, teas and sweets. You'll also find locally grown produce and an outstanding selection of wine from Arizona vintners.
At Citizen Public House, the Tracy Dempsey Originals desserts are as creative as the provocative cocktails. Order the Bag O' Bacon Brittle to go and satisfy your late-night sweet/salty cravings.
The sticky buns at El Chorro Lodge rival the view from the patio at weekend brunch. Pick up a half dozen (even better, a dozen) from the bar on your way out for a special breakfast treat any day of the week.
Satisfy your sweet-and-crunchy craving any time of year with house-made candied pecans from Beckett's Table. During cooler months, the restaurant also offers its delicious pumpkin seed brittle.
Brat Haüs will bag up their flavorful goodies for your next sausage fest, including their handmade and stone hearth-baked pretzels, specialty mustards, house-made sauerkraut and even their secret-recipe Hush Hush sauce.


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The list of protected bird species under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) has been updated and revised to reflect current protection status. Species on the list are governed under migratory bird hunting and permitting regulations that affect the possession, transportation, sale, purchase, exportation, and importation of protected species. Reasons for changes to the list include a need to add species based on new taxonomy and new evidence of occurrence in the US or its territories, to remove species no longer known to occur within the US, and to change species' names to conform to revisions to bird taxa of North America, published by the American Ornithologists' Union. This resulted in a net addition of 19 species, bringing the total number of listed species to 1,026. The final rule available online at:http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/RegulationsPolicies/mbta/mbtintro.html.
(Editor's Note: This change includes a lengthy listing of species, many common across the US, who's scientific and/or common names have been changed. Avian rehabilitators may wish to refer to this list frequently to ensure they are using the correct species names.)
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text:
Released On 08/03/14
Starring: Lucie Black, Savannah Paige
Synopsis: Savannah and Lucie boSavannah and Lucie bond over eating out each others pussies!nd over eating out each others pussies!
Hustler's Lesbians is part of the Hustler network.
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The operative words here are those above in bold. Especially the "by the people" part. We elect representatives because it would be impractical for 300 million of us to show up in Congress and all try to be heard. So we set up a system where we elect representatives, we make our opinions known to said public servants, and direct them to carry our community conscience back to headquarters in Washington, D.C., to try to come up with policies that reflect and address our wants and needs.
The only way the system can work as intended is if we do the heavy lifting. Nowhere in the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, the Magna-freaking-Carta or any other such document does it call for turning your will and your life over to anyone other than – if you believe this way – a God of your understanding. Here on this earthly plane, we have work to do.
So, please lend a hand. We need your voice. We need your vote.
This year's ballot has a number of items to consider whose passage or defeat will have serious impact on life in our fair city for years to come.
Measure 2A asks Denver voters for permission to retain all taxes collected under our current rates, without raising those rates now or in the future without a vote of the people. The concept is known colloquially as de-Brucing – a reference to Doug Bruce, a radical anti-tax activist and supporter of the TABOR (Taxpayers Bill of Rights) Amendment, that has forced Colorado jurisdictions to return money collected if in excess of a certain level determined by said Amendment.
If 2A passes, Denver will receive an additional $68 million annually to help offset the ongoing deficits that have arisen due to the recession-driven reduction in all sources of city revenue. While this does not involve a change to our tax rates, the money does not come out of thin air, but is money that will no longer be rebated to property owners as TABOR now requires.
Let us not split hairs. Let us face this honestly and with full disclosure. No, this is not a tax rate increase. Yes, it will increase the tax bill on the average Denver home about $100. Larger homes a bit more. Smaller homes a bit less.
Here's the deal. It takes money to run a city. Denver has trimmed some $400 million from its budget in recent years, and there is very little fat left. Library hours have been reduced and will go down further if 2A fails. Our ability to staff our police and fire fighting departments has been weakened. Both agencies are under-manned for the jobs they face. I'm thinking that's not a situation that bodes well for public safety.
Our roads need maintenance, our trash needs to be picked up, our kids need access to recreation and after-school programs, etc., etc., etc., etc. It takes dough, people. For most of us, even in light of the recession, the money this measure costs is well within our reach. For those of us truly at wits' end, I would submit the good that this measure will do will offset the pain it may cause.
If you can afford the tab, and decide to vote against 2A, please drop me a note and let me know which services you suggest we drop. Thanks.
I'm of like mind for 3A and 3B. Another $150 a year more or less to allow Denver Public Schools to maintain and improve its facilities and programming. I am not a blind fan of Tom Boasberg and the DPS administration, but from where I sit, I see a school district that is providing a far more varied and appealing product than was true a number of years back. Our school district is slowly integrating based on choice rather than transit, and we are offering all students more options for success than simple, reading, writing and arithmetic.
We need even more commitment to raising up our at-risk populations, a renewed devotion to support of traditional neighborhood schools, and a reaffirmation that not all students are nurtured by a diet weighed down by math and science, without a reasonable portion of arts, music and physical education to balance the scales.
I believe withholding the monies sought because of current shortfalls I want addressed is potentially far more damaging than offering up my $150 a year in support of progress I see being made. I'll vote Yes for DPS.
I think Councilman Charlie Brown is absolutely right that if Colorado votes in favor of Amendment 64, and adult use of marijuana is legalized, Jay Leno and his fellow comedians are going to have a field day with comments about the Mile "High" City. And, I am interested to see how it all actually plays out, in view of the fact that possession and consumption of marijuana is still in violation of federal law.
However, I think while the late night jokes will be funny, they beg the question, and while we may be at odds with federal law, I'd rather we pushed the discussion rather than shied away.
And may I clear the air for the record. I don't use the stuff and haven't for many years. Did for a while. Don't think the use of mind and mood altering substances is a great idea, except in small doses by adult humans.
If you want prohibition, then outlaw alcohol as well. It makes no sense to me that liquor is legal and marijuana is not. If you think another legal drug makes too many, and one is enough, I'd suggest legalizing weed, and putting the beatdown on booze. I believe alcohol is, by far, more dangerous in more ways than I have time to discuss here.
The current system of cartel-building marijuana prohibition, and our absurd "winky-winky" system of medical marijuana, is in no way protecting our children or the public interest, which should be the motivating reason for your vote on this matter. The public interest.
Regulate marijuana production and sales so you have a safe product sold to the proper audience. (Kids will still find ways to get weed, as they always have found access to alcohol.) Tax the hell out of it, and we may be paying for fewer bond issues in the future.
And if you want to reduce the number of people who find it necessary to retreat from reality, then think seriously about what we need to do as a society to give folks a reality they don't need to retreat from so much. Now that, my friends, is a long discussion.


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Re: Nancy Ann Julian m George Farlow
In reply to:
Re: Nancy Ann Julian m George Farlow
Michael Cox 9/05/02
Hello Cousin...I des. from Alcey Simmons' sister Mary Polly Simmons who m. Jacob Harlan.I'm from Indiana where they lived, but retired in SC now.I have info on the SImmons but trying to find more...always.Do you have info on John Simmons?I have all I need on the Eliz. Farlow line...do you need any?Mary Ann


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Jazzors project consists of my early multiinstrumental works of 2010 year (Waking life, Think it), when I was playing all the instruments of the piece.
Also there are more recent compositions, where only bass and sometimes guitar are recorded live in studio. Other instruments are still electronic.
Jazz again... Well, this one is governed by persistent rhythm, thus not distracting too much on variations, while vibraphone-like sound makes it really alive. At the same time simplicity of structure leaves listener at ease to think about something, as the music doesn't require full attention. Very enjoyable and harmonious. The 'proper' character is underlined with a classic finish. A very nice non-binding relaxed peace with interesting percussion.
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Nebraska 2,Kansas 1 (OT) Â Nov. 14,
Nebraska 2,Kansas 1 (OT)ÂNov. 14, 2004
The Nebraska Cornhuskers used an overtime goal by Nikki Baker to defeat the Kansas Jayhawks, 2-1, in the second round of the 2004 Division I Women's Soccer Championship at the Jayhawk Soccer Complex in Lawrence, Kan.
Nebraska got on the board first as Brooke Bredenberg scored on a free kick from 20-yards out at the 27:03 mark.
The Huskers went into halftime with a 1-0 lead.
The Jayhawks found the back of the net in the 68th minute as Jessica Smith scored off an assist from Rachel Gilfillan and tied the game at 1-1. Kansas outshot Nebraska 17-1 in the second half but the two teams ended regulation tied a 1-1.
At the 94:19 mark, Nebraska's Nikki Baker ripped a shot from 30-yards out that hit just inside the crossbar and bounced in.
Nebraska goalkeeper Katie Wright finished the game with nine saves as the Jayhawks outshot the Huskers 27-8 in the game.
Kansas finishes its season at 18-5 while Nebraska will move on to the Sweet 16 with a 14-8 record.
-- Courtesy Kansas


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O'Donnell: Sanford impeachment because he 'weirded out' SC lawmakers
Don't miss stories. Follow Raw Story!
The South Carolina legislature plans to start impeachment hearings of Gov. Sanford after charging him with 37 ethics violations. Guest host Lawrence O'Donnell talks about the upcoming hearing with Yvonne Wenger, reporter at The Post and Courier.
This video is from MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show, broadcast Nov. 23, 2009.
Download video via RawReplay.com
By commenting, you agree to our terms of service and to abide by our commenting policy.


text:
City charm appeals to more businesses
Companies — young and old — set up shop in downtown Troy
Published 10:06 pm, Friday, December 6, 2013
More than a dozen companies, staffed by young graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and other schools, have set up shop in downtown Troy in the past few years.
Now, a company founded nearly 150 years ago is joining them.
Mosaic Architects on Friday held a ribbon-cutting at its new space on the top floor of the historic Frear Building, once home to Frear's Department Store.
Mosaic isn't new to Troy; it was founded here in 1865 by Charles E. Loth and operated under a series of names as partners came and went over the years.
It left Troy in 1920, first for Albany, then Rensselaer and, later, East Greenbush.
Troy, meanwhile, began to appeal to Mosaic's employees.
"A lot of our younger staff live in Troy," said Michael S. Fanning, a partner in the firm. "This helps us attract and retain talent."
It's an issue more companies nationwide are confronting.
The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that companies such as Motorola Mobility, now a Google subsidiary, and Yahoo Inc. are moving to, or expanding in, central cities.
Motorola lost one top recruit who balked at living in the Chicago suburb of Libertyville, but officials there said they expect recruiting to be easier after the company moves next February to downtown Chicago.
And Yahoo is adding space in downtown San Francisco to accommodate engineers who don't want to make the commute to its offices in Silicon Valley, the Journal reported.
At Mosaic, the idea of being in a city appeals to most employees.
"To be downtown where you can walk to lunch I even walk from home; it's very nice," said Kersten Lorcher, an associate at the firm.
He's lived in Troy since his graduation from RPI in the early 1980s.
The firm, which has just under 30 employees, has designed several area high-profile projects, including the $47.4 million science building at Hudson Valley Community College and the $51 million redesign and renovation of Troy Middle School.
And it has a long history in the area. It designed School 12 in South Troy, which housed the middle school while construction proceeded on the rebuilding project.
It also designed several area churches, including St. Patrick's in Watervliet, which was recently demolished to make way for a supermarket.
The Frear Building, owned by architect and developer David Bryce, has three shops that opened on the main floor at the corner of Third and Fulton streets earlier this autumn.
"The biggest advantage for us," said Fanning, "is to be in an urban environment.
"East Greenbush," he said, "was more friendly for automobiles than pedestrians."
firstname.lastname@example.com • 518-454-5323


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----- Original Message ----- From: "Joseph Reagle" <firstname.lastname@example.com> To: "Ian Jacobs" <firstname.lastname@example.com> Cc: <email@example.com> Sent: Wednesday, September 04, 2002 12:54 PM Subject: Comments on Architectural Principles of the World Wide Web > > http://www.w3.org/TR/2002/WD-webarch-20020830/ [...] > > 2.1. Resources, URIs, and the shared information space > Use absolute URI references: All important resources SHOULD be > identified by an absolute URI reference.1 > > What exceptions are permitted? Is this to accommodate the use of QNames as > identifiers? (Can one have an identifier without a "resource"?) This is an example of the confusion between the identifier and a reference. This confusion is really exacerbated by this awful term "absolute URI reference" for the identifier! A QName is a perfectly good reference to something which is identified by a URI. The QName isn't itself a URI, just as a relative reference a not a URI. TimReceived on Friday, 6 September 2002 14:31:18 UTC
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.3.1 : Wednesday, 7 January 2015 15:32:34 UTC


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When Facebook Home was first announced, the launcher was made available only to a select couple of handsets, older handsets in fact, like the Samsung Galaxy S3, the HTC One X, One X+ and so on. Well the good news is that if you've been eagerly waiting to get Facebook Home onto your brand new HTC One or Samsung Galaxy S4, you're in luck as the launcher has since been updated to include support for both the HTC One and the Samsung Galaxy S4. Apart from that, the app has also received additional updates such as several performance and improvements.
Facebook did state that they plan to include more features in future updates of the launcher, such as Dock, Dash Bar and a new user experience. No word on when these features will be made available, but in the meantime for HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 owners, this update is for you. If you're interested in giving the launcher a go, head on over to the Google Play store for the free download and to check to see if your phone is supported by it.
Filed in Facebook Home, Galaxy S4, HTC One (M7) and Samsung.. Read more about
|Key Specs
|One (M7)
|Galaxy S4
|Announced On
|Display Diagonal
|4.7" (11.94 cm)
|5" (12.70 cm)
|Processor/Soc Name
|Snapdragon 600
|Exynos 5 Octa 5410
|Street Price (Approx)
|~ $150
Search low One (M7) price (Amazon)
|~ $165
Search low Galaxy S4 price (Amazon)
|Max. Total Storage Capacity
|4 Megapixel
|13 Megapixel
|Battery Capacity (mAh)
|2300 mAh
|2600 mAh
|Complete product data
|HTC One (M7) Full specs and details
|Samsung Galaxy S4 Full specs and details


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Editor's Note
A falling apple.
The fruit's vertical path shows Newton that gravity is the force of attraction between two objects, and his theory changes the world.
Off in a mythical garden, humanity enacts its first attempt to perpetuate sin and illusion. We
can never go home again.
In the forest near Altdorf, William Tell transforms the concept of literary hero when he aims
his arrow and strikes clear to the fruit's core sitting on his son's head.
Centuries later a succulent bite from an apple was a little girl's first taste of freedom in her
new home in Miami.
Change in all its forms--- scientific, spiritual, literary, personal--- sparks revolutions of prog-
ress, sometimes triumphant, sometimes tragic, leaving humanity suddenly vulnerable. For better or worse, change ultimately brings about partial or total transformation.
Moments of change are a constant around us, outside of us, and within us, experienced day
to day, minute to minute. From the most minuscule cell to the most abstract thought, this metamorphic physical and spiritual trip stretches out to the hidden feelings, beliefs, ideologies, and attitudes of every human being. In the end, it marks the moment when the world and humanity accept, without selfishness, the inevitable step into the unknown.
In this fifth issue of Café Cultura our theme was the tilting point in a person's life. Poets,
narrators, painters, and photographers produced remarkable works unraveling their past and present. The Hialeah Campus students told their stories of transformation which we have captured as New Endings/Old Beginnings. Students also documented tilting points in the life of our community, which are featured in our DVD.
Each turn of a page opens into the moment when a life turns and we are redefined--- be-
yond any stroke of luck, of any distant tree or any apple. Like the one that little girl bit upon arriving to the new city and, through that sweet nectar, discovered her life had changed.
Sometimes the most important choice we have is to take a bite.
Contents POETRY Plunge / Elizabeth Fernandez
Tempting Red / Raul Benitez
Strange Fruit / Nerys Torralbas
The Epilogue of Caliban / Mac Dinneen
Cupido y sus Quehaceres / Daniel Alvarez
Parting Nicks / Leslie Alfonso
Devota a la Polarizacion / Estela Garcia
My Prison / Orlando Mayeta
Winter's Echoes / Mac Dinneen
Mrs. Brady's Finishing School / Nerys Torralbas
Chow / Raul Benitez
The Pale Cruel Mother / Greisy Delgado
Hourglass / Frank Pellegrino
Hollow Seconds / Mac Dinneen
27 Hours Before Nathaniel Baker Became 620315 / Nerys Torralbas
Mal de los Nervios / Leslie Alfonso
Bite / Mac Dinneen
White Flower / Orlando Mayeta
Martyrdom Pleasure / Michael Sanchez
In Lieu / Elizabeth Fernandez
La Oficina / Nerys Torralbas
Lila / Daniel Perez
Paces / Rosendo de Vicente
Restavek / Fernande Jourdain
Redemption Road / Filiberto Silveira
Nostoi / Devora Perez
Lap / Elizabeth Fernandez
PLAYS Place Holder / Elizabeth Fernandez
Pater Nostrum / Leslie Alfonso
Bullshit / Ana Cordero
The Mattel Doctrine / Sadiel "Speedy" Ruiz
Vandalism / Jorge Cura
Tangent / Alejandro Veliz
Necessities / Frank Pellegrino
Alien, Society / Sadiel "Speedy" Ruiz
24, 25
House of Mirrors / Frank Pellegrino
Remember to Die / Alejandro Veliz
Rudimental / Devora Perez
Plastique / Frank Pellegrino
Tempus Fugit / Sadiel "Speedy" Ruiz
Tunnel Vision / Rosendo De Vicente
Tu Mirada / Jorge Cura
States of Matter / Alejandro Veliz
Fissures / George Calonge
Vision of the Universe, Tribe of Fire / Devora Perez
48, 49
Picaresque / Micheal Sanchez
Velocity / Sadiel "Speedy" Ruiz
Lady Day / Ani Gonzalez
Al Andar / Alejandro Veliz
Distractions / Frank Pellegrino
Juxtaposition / Ani Gonzalez
Porn / Jorge Cura
76, 77
Malecon, Waterfall / Dayron Villaverde
These are not the rides you are looking for / Sadiel "Speedy" Ruiz
Transition / Devora Perez
Words are Wind /Alejandro Perez
17, 30, 38, 43, 56, 80, 85
Plunge ELIZABETH FERNANDEZ
Hands like anchors Stitch together tears Eyes sniff out truth Nose drinks in my fear Hands like water Water like silk Correlation always equals causation Leaves fall back into trees She settles into the sea and drowns forever Special Snowflake never knows But she will Time always ends! Me cago en la hora Ring kisses my cheek Anchors like fists
27 Hours before Nathaniel Baker became 620315 NERYS TORRALBAS
He left the water running and let it take its course to the basement. While the carpet soaked,
he opened the kitchen cabinets and flung everything to the floor. Thrashed the clock on the table. Shredded the flowers, the frame of the holy trinity, and an image of Jesus holding a golden dove. Threw the candles against the wall. Flipped the sofa across the running water. Wiped the blood off his hands on a white sheet and placed it on the other sofa. He laid the pillows around the sheet. Blasted the light bulbs delicately with a dining room chair, leaving just one. Then smashed the chair to a corner of the room and positioned the rest of them neatly around the dining table. Took off his shirt. Closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Scratched his narrow chest with his nails several times. Grabbed his Spanish folding knife and headed slowly to the door. Just beside the door that led to the garden, watching the blushing orchids flash with the approaching headlights on the driveway, he waited patiently, the necessary time to make his dream a reality.
Mal De Los Nervios LESLIE ALFONSO
The dining room floor was an ocean of
hands and placed a kiss on her nose.
broken glass and porcelain. Lila treaded lightly
through the warzone that was her home. Each
things. I will pick them up later."
step through the debris brought odd crunch-
ing sounds, and she could not help but wince.
soon. He can help me."
She bent down and gingerly picked up a jagged
piece of a broken plate and wondered where her
counter again and continued her reading. There,
mother could be. She walked toward the kitchen
in the harsh lighting of the bathroom, Lila could
trashcan and lifted the lid, but as quickly as it
see what her mother once was. Her face was still
opened, it closed. Lila grabbed a piece of paper
beautiful, but lines and shadows now marred it,
towel and covered the broken piece tenderly,
like cracks on a broken doll. She had not been
then stored it in a drawer, behind the notepad
the same since Ronnie died.
and pens. She placed her empty hand on her
chest and tried to soothe her thumping heart.
floor, and she closed her eyes. Her mother's face
was imprinted in her mind. She tried not to look
Lila hopped through the dining room
"Of course, nena. I just dropped a few "It's okay. I'll get it. Andrew will be here Her mother smiled and sat on the
Lila's sight shifted to the cold, shiny tile
and up the stairs in search of her mother. She
back as she left the bathroom, but of course it
sprinted through the second floor in a flurry
was useless. Her mother always commanded at-
of slammed doors and aimless yelling until she
tention, even before the accident.
finally found her. She was in her bathroom,
perched upon the marble counter with a People's
wondered if she should take some pictures off
magazine in her hand. Her head shot up, and her
the walls. Maybe then, maybe then her mother
eyes stared right through Lila for a few seconds
would let go. She stopped directly in front of
before the spark of recognition lit them.
a photograph taken at a Fourth of July BBQ.
"Mami, are you okay?"
There he was. Tall, blonde and sun burnt. Their
Her mother slid off the bathroom coun-
mother had yelled at them for an hour, scream-
Lila meandered through the hall and
ter with a grace that reminded Lila of how she
ing about melanoma or something. Ronnie had
once was. She grabbed Lila's face between her
laughed. Lila dragged herself away from the pic-
ture, down the stairs and into the dining room.
other until Andrew broke the silence.
Andrew was already sweeping up most of the
"What's happening, pa?"
mess with heavy strokes. He stopped and looked
Their father replied without looking at
at her.
either of them.
"What happened now?"
"She dropped some things."
see if we can take your mom by his office some-
"Sure she did. "
time. He thinks he can help her."
"She's just mal de los nervios."
"Yeah, and Castro is just misunder-
drew's turned to hope. She stepped closer to
"I talked to Dr. Marquez. He wants to
Lila's face turned to worry while An-
their father and tried to defend their mother in She snatched the broom from his hand.
the only way she could.
"You look like an idiot when you laugh at your
own dumbass jokes, you know? What you should
You guys are too hard on her."
be doing is spending more time with mami. She
needs us."
ripped his glasses off his face.
"What mami needs is a heavy dose of
"Pa, she's ok. I mean, she needs time. "Hard? I'm too hard?" Her father She walked back and sat on a chair, con-
vinced that her father's mind was set.
"When are you taking her?"
open, and they both craned their heads to see
"I was hoping right now."
if he would actually come out. He did, and his
Their father rose and made his way
eyes were as swollen and red as they were the
through the house until he found their mother.
day after Ronnie's accident. Walking over to his
They both watched their father lead her through
stunned children, he kissed Lila's cheek and An-
the front door, seat her into the car and drive off.
drew's head and set his cell phone on the kitchen
counter. Andrew rested a hand on their father's
the night. Andrew raced to the door and opened
back, the way men do in awkward situations.
it with a vigor Lila thought he had lost months
Lila and Andrew threw questioning looks at each
ago. Their mother walked towards them with
Their father's study door squeaked
They heard a car door slam shut during
their father's arm around her waist. His eyes
Lila's mother dropped on top of the bedding, all
focused on her face. Her gaze did not leave the
grace gone. Lila reached her hand inside the bag,
palm trees' shadows on their driveway. Upon
pulled out the orange plastic bottles and placed
reaching the door, their father handed Andrew
them on the nightstand. She made her way to the
a bag, which he threw to Lila. She heard the
other side of the bed and mimicked her mother's
soft clacks the bag made when she grabbed it in
actions. She rolled over and laid her head on her
midair and couldn't help but feel relieved that
mother's chest. The slow beating heart under her
Andrew may have been right.
ear brought a sudden sadness and tears escaped
"Mami, are you ok?"
her eyes.
Her question fell on deaf ears. Her
"Why don't you turn on the light, nena?"
mother, focusing on the marble tiles, did not
"Because you need to sleep, mami."
acknowledge her or their existence. Clutching the
Her mother stared at her through the
bag to her stomach, she looked at Andrew, who
darkness, her hands caressing her head, and
was frozen still with his hand on the doorknob.
played with her hair just like she used to when
she was younger. Lila's mother smiled through
"She just needs a little sleep, guys," their
father said.
"I'll take her to bed,
then." Lila's hand reached for her mother's in vain. Her
her drug-induced haze. At that moment, Lila sensed sunlight on her skin just like that Fourth of July, smelled the sand and salty
father nudged her towards Lila, and she finally
waters of the beaches they once visited, saw
grabbed hold. Even as she led her up the steps
the falling snow from their trip to New York
and through the darkened hallways, her mother
two Christmases ago. Lila put her head on her
did not notice the missing frames on the walls.
mother's breast and wondered why shards always
Lila took her to the side of her parents' bed, and
had to be discarded.
Tempting Red RAUL BENITEZ
Its red temptation slowly kills me. PULL DOWN hastens it. Its square shape mimics the stops and turns of thought. Want to pull Obligation not prank. Must pull Like the sweet glory of popping bubble rap. Need to pull Like peeling that half-ripped faded sticker. Can't pull Fear of the five thousand dollar fine! The terror of five annual sentences! Wish to pull For the strobe to flicker and give slight merriment to these white Walls and ceilings. For my wonder if they all will evacuate Or simply ignore. They'll run for the latter probably. Able to pull is a reason satisfying enough To do so. But a bit of mischief never hurt Though it can burn. Damn you, Cerberus Pyrotronics, How your red squared siren entices me.
2005 I became a new person the first time that I wrote a poem. As I looked outside my window, I witnessed my parents hiding all the pieces of furniture into a UHAUL truck. Destiny began to concern me, and I was taken over by my emotions. Since then I've found comfort in a pen and a paper, which allow me to express my feelings. I became a poet.
The walk through customs at Miami
Some time passed, and a second agent
International was cumbersome at best. Our first
came. This one was wearing a suit and seemed
impression of America was unsophisticated and
to have some type of authority. He took us to an
boorish, greeted like unwelcomed visitors to a
office and began his rounds of interrogations.
private party. The bludgeoning of emotional tur-
The experience served as a switch of disillusion-
moil running through the head of an eight-year
ment that he quickly turned on. My perception
old was enough to establish a vivid memory. The
of America was altered by the impersonal nature
anxiety was intensified as we walked towards the
of an immigration agent. Years later, I discovered
immigration officer.
that he was once a Cuban citizen who held a
"Business or pleasure?"
similar customs position in Jose Marti Interna-
tional Airport. At that moment in time he was
"Why do you only have one bag if
an agent of shattered dreams.
there's two of you?"
After six hours of senseless questions
"I travel light."
like "is this your father?" and answers such
"How long is your visit?"
as "no, he is yours," we were released to my
mother's arms. We went from a small room of
The agent looked up, eyes crossed and
ambulant lies and suspended betrayals to a place
mouth half open, stopped in her tracks by the
of unconditional sincerity and deep-rooted de-
answer. My father looked down at me and told
me to sit down. I watched as he explained our situation to the agent.
Place Holder ELIZABETH FERNANDEZ
Characters: DAMIEN is medium height and muscular, early twenties VERA is traditionally pretty, early twenties Setting: In line at a packed coffee house
(DAMIEN is behind VERA in line, both look annoyed) VERA:
All these goddamn hipsters are crowding a perfectly respectable
I thought you hated coffee shops in general.
One, you don't know me. Two, why would I say to meet here if I didn't?
You seem miserable is all.
It's the stench of thrift shop scarves and Bon Iver records emanat-
ing from all these philosophy and theater majors.
What's so bad about philosophy majors?
The fact that they delude themselves into thinking that they have
a future. Having a degree in philosophy is about as useful as
having a degree in balloon animal making.
That's pretty harsh.
But true.
So did you think about what I said earlier?
About coffee shops?
No. About proposing to Alyssa. I thought that's what you invited me here
(VERA sighs heavily) Don't do it.
(surprised) Why not?
I don't like you.
What does that have to do with Alyssa?
I know you don't like me, but you can't possibly hate me that much.
I don't hate you, per say. I hate what you represent.
(insulted) What do I represent?
Alyssa's love of mediocrity.
I'm sorry?
She only likes you because you're the best she's had so far.
How is that not a good thing?
Because she's comparing you to men who've hit her, spit at her, and called her
things I refuse to say in public.
I love her, you know. She makes me happy.
That's the problem. Isn't that supposed to be mutual?
She's told me she loves me, that being with me makes her happy.
I'm guessing she's told you she likes your friends too?
(DAMIEN is silent)
She's only trying to be nice.
You're wrong. I see her with my friends; she laughs and jokes around.
She's told me she likes them.
She's also told me that they have the combined IQ of dirt.
I don't believe you.
Of course you don't.
If all of this were true, you'd never tell me. You'd never betray her trust
like that.
Drastic times call for drastic measures.
Why are you so against me proposing?
Because she'd say yes.
Why don't you want her to be happy?
Because I know that she'll be happy when you propose, she'll happy when
you're both standing at the altar, she might even be happy when you have
your first kid…. But sometime down the line, she's going to wake up
and hate her life. She's gonna roll over see your ass fast asleep,
snoring beside her, and she's going to cry. Alyssa is going to wonder
how she ended up there, in a life she knew she never wanted.
You are such a bitch, Vera. You really are. Nothing you're saying is because
you care about her. Everything out of your mouth are your own pathetic
Pathetic? Let me tell you about pathetic. You know I hate you. I go out of
my way to avoid you… Do you know how hard it is to avoid your best
friend's boyfriend for four years? Really hard. And knowing
this, you still call me and ask me how you should propose, what you
should say, what you should do… If you knew her so well and loved
her so much, how come you can't come up with all of that yourself, huh? If
you know her heart like you say you do, all this should come easy.
She's a complicated person, you know that.
No, she isn't.
Yes, she is. She flip-flops, she likes things she hates and she hates things she
likes. Nothing is ever good enough, but she never has expectations.
One day she's telling me how much of a douche Mickey Rourke is and the
next she's telling me how funny he can be. She says she only likes intelligent
movies, yet Anchorman is a national treasure. It takes her a good hour to
decide between a McChicken and a cheeseburger at McDonalds.
She likes BigMacs…
That's not the point!
That's exactly the point! You say she hates things she likes and likes things
she hates. Why don't you put yourself in that category? Why can't you see that
she cares more about you knowing she likes BigMac's than the fact that I
hate you? I can call you an imbecile till I'm blue in the face and it still doesn't
get through to her. But the moment you forget she likes steamed dumplings,
not fried and it's a daggar to her heart. She cares about the little things, not the
big things. That's why she can forget you're an asshole when you buy her lunch.
I'll never know how she can care about you so much.
Because I'll never bullshit her. She can smell it on people and that's why she doesn't
like anyone.
She likes me. She loves me.
It's temporary mental paralysis and I'll be there for her when she snaps out of
it. (She finally reaches the front of the line). I'll take a medium caramel frap, extra
I'll have a large, same as hers. Put them on the same bill.
Alyssa would kill me if she knew I didn't.
College-wide winner, One-Act Play League for Innovation Contest 2012
Sadiel "Speedy" Ruiz
He stared at the papers, a weary look on
she had come into the cubicle. Almost out, she
his face. His head throbbed; the numbers and the
turned back, still smiling: "I hope that can hold
words were starting to jumble together. He laid
you over, until lunch."
the papers down and rubbed his hands over his
face. He slumped back in his chair. There was a
space where she used to be. Then he slowly
rumbling sound. He put his hands on his stom-
turned around back to the photograph. The
smiling, brown-haired woman was still holding
The picture on the corner of his desk
He stared, for a moment, at the empty
the baby, but something was different now. Her
caught his eye. A smiling, brown-haired woman
eyes. They were glaring right at him. His stomach
was holding up a newborn child. He wasn't in
rumbled again.
the picture; he'd taken it himself. He continued
to stare at the photo. His stomach still felt empty.
apple, but instead he leaned past it, towards the
photograph. He grabbed it in the top-right cor-
"I can hear you all the way down the
He extended his hand forward, near the
hall," said a voice that he knew well. He swiveled
ner. He paused. Then, quietly, slowly, he lowered
his chair around to face her. A blonde-haired
the picture frame until it was on its back.
woman was staring at him with green eyes and a
tight smile. "Here," she went right next to him
apple. He spun it around. It was a perfect, flaw-
and bent slightly over, her hair brushing against
less, delicious-looking fruit. His emptiness cried
his cheek. He felt a slight tingle. She placed an
one last time. He chomped down.
apple on his desk right next to the photograph. Righting herself, she walked back toward the way
With that same hand, he picked up the
Strange Fruit NERYS TORRALBAS
Peel orange like skin. Fingertips Trace the valleys and Hills of the bitter rind. Citrus tongue
Plunge teeth into Pulp. With schoolboy Lust. Sweet juice Diving down chin. Divine Distilled nectar.
Glorious infusion of Body and fruit.
2007 The first time he hit me, I knew then that I was willing to put up with anything. I still loved him.
Restavek FERNANDE JOURDAIN
Yolande was daddy's little girl. Wherever
the presence of God. He is allowing me to pro-
he went, she was on his heel like the straps on a
vide for my family and that gives me peace."
pair of sandals. He was a farmer who worked
from sunrise to sunset. Their family lived on a
vegetable and tuber you could imagine. They
remote island outside Port-au-Prince called La
handpicked fresh green plantains, yams, corn
Gonave. They lived in a small two-bedroom
and fresh spices. That night her mother cooked
wooden house on the coast. The small home
her favorite dish: beef stew mixed with okra and
had no windows, only ragged cutouts draped by
boiled plantain.
handsewn curtains fluttering in the breeze, and
was surrounded by a makeshift fence.
of 1963, Yolande's father suddenly died. Her
mother could no longer afford to support all
Yolande was ten years old and the oldest
The garden was beautiful. It had every
Four years later, during the summer
of four children. Her father would tell her that
four children. Being the oldest, Yolande had to
she reminded him so much of his dead mother.
move with her Aunt Charity.
Yolande had the most beautiful dark-skinned
complexion as if her skin had been kissed by the
change. Instead of going to school in the morn-
sun. She had high cheek bones, a signature fea-
ing, Yolande had to go to the nearby river to get
ture of her Haitian heritage.
water for Aunt Charity's family to shower. She
Yolande loved going to the fields with
would also have to get the kids ready for school
her father. Her eyes lit up whenever her father
and help prepare meals. Whenever Yolande did
would allow her to accompany him. They walked
not meet her Aunt Charity's expectations, she
along the shore, the cold water tickling their feet,
would be subjected to physical and verbal abuse.
on their way to what their father called the Jardin
For example, one of Aunt Charity's favorite
de la Paix.
punishments was to have Yolande kneel on a bed
of rocks for about forty-five minutes to an hour.
"Why do you call it that, papa?" the
She quickly learned that her life would
young child asked her father.
Aunt Charity would call her names like "stupid"
and "useless." It had been three years since the
He replied, "When I come here, I feel
death of her father. She missed him so badly
that sometimes she would cry herself to sleep.
remembered the horrible feeling of being away
Yolande resented her mother for allowing her
from her mother. My mother told me that she
to be mistreated. Her mother would often stop
carried that resentment for over forty-five years.
by to bring her gifts, but material possessions
I asked my mother how her situation affected
could not fix her broken spirit. Yolande learned
her as an adult.
to cope with the realities of her life. She felt that
God wanted her to be a restavek, "a child slave."
leave her home and become a restavek, a
child slave, made her feel unloved, like her life
One day a young man named Issac
approached her. Yolande was used to being hit on, but threats of being kicked out if she ever became pregnant, didn't allow her to ever date.
When I read the story to my mother, she
My mother told me, being the one to
would forever be filled with hardship.
My mother was extremely overwhelmed by the memories of her story. She told me that
Where would I go? She often thought to herself.
as a restavek, you often don't have a voice. You
can't complain about feeling tired, having a cold.
But Issac was different. He was the only
person who showed her how to love and
A restavek, is like a forgotten one. My mother
be loved beside her father. Issac was the only
is story teller; her words painted visual portraits
person the would celebrate her birthday. He
of her memories of being a "forgotten one." I
would write songs for Yolande and buy gifts. He
believe that my story just scratched the surface
would tell anyone who would listen, that he was
of the horrible treatment a child slave receives.
in love with Yolande. She ran away with him and
he later brought Yolande to the United States of
slaves in Haiti. It is an epidemic across the world
America. Yolande had two beautiful daughters,
as well. My mother is living proof that God has
Fernande, and my sister Marie. My mother still to
bigger plans than what our minds could ever
this daytalks about being a restavek.
Today there are more 300,000 child
The Epilogue of Caliban MAC DINNEEN
They've sailed off and gone away, Now it's mine on this great day, I am now lord of this Fair Isle, Of every tree and sandy pile. I no longer live in fear, Of cruel Prospero's mocking sneer, He and his kin have all departed, And though I'm hardly broken-hearted, He threw away his magic, though, What that means is--I don't know, How to harness all the power, That he used to make me cower, And so as ruler something lacks, I cannot match dear Sycorax. Ah, my dam! You knew the spell, That first enchanted Ariel. Where have he and his kind gone? This isle's free from spirits' song. I am alone; from power free. But at last, the king is me.
Cupido y sus Quehaceres DANIEL ALVAREZ
Tanto han cambiado los tiempos hoy en día que hasta en el ministerio del amor llegan los recortes salariales como un despertar cada día. Todo es afectado debido a la situación económica mundial Ya el tiempo dedicado al Amor y la Amistad Se ha reducido diminutamente A como nos habían contado nuestros padres. Cada día menos horas, mal salario y sin seguro Ya Cupido está pensando en cambiar de profesión, Lo mismo limpia un baño, arregla un piso o vuela un avión, La economía ya está mala hasta en el más lejano rincón. Las flechas destinadas al amor cada día cuestan más Limitando afortunados en el ciclo del amor. Qué trabajo tan difícil, qué apretada situación Ya las horas son bien pocas para la comunión del amor. Menos flechas, menos horas agravan la situación, Porque casi ya no hay tiempo para escoger con razón. Las flechas son al azar, con apuro y sin medidas, Sin levantar la mirada te flechan el corazón. No hay reglas en las parejas, ni sexo y menos pudor, Ya las mezclas son abiertas sin barreras de tensión. Se ha formado un revolico, nadie entiende donde está, Solo tengan bien presente que el amor es libertad.
2007 I was arrested at 17. My life changed. At that moment, I had an epiphany. The change was dramatic because one of the guys I got arrested with had a large amount of MDMA and was later deported and murdered in his country of Nicaragua.
White Flower ORLANDO MAYETA
It was October in those years when,
He snuck out his back door and slid
in order to live in Cuba, one did not need to
through a gap in the fence. He slinked through
ask God for dollars or chavitos. It was a sunny
the labyrinth of roses and crept toward the
afternoon. Kids were playing in the school
orchids. He pulled the tallest flower from the
courtyard. The teacher said, "Tomorrow each of
Chinese pot and then he heard the sound of
you must come with flowers; we'll celebrate the
laughter nearby. He froze for a moment; his
hero Camilo Cienfuegos' death another year."
heart sank. Then he bolted out of the yard, his
Lazaro raised his hand, "Teacher, where could I
legs almost buckling underneath him.
get flowers?" The young teacher answered, "You
could take one from some neighbor's garden."
habanero clutching white flowers. Lazaro gazed
upon his orchid; he thought it to be the most
That morning at Lazaro's room, light
The children marched by the malecón
came through a broken window, splashing a rain-
beautiful. The waves splashed against the rocks.
bow of color on the wall. Lazaro woke up happy.
He watched the play of the water come alive
He thought of nothing but arriving to school
with fantastic shapes. The teacher gave the signal.
with flowers. His eyes closed, and he pictured a
Who was Camilo? he thought. Lazaro released
beautiful white orchid. He knew where to find
his flower over the seawall; it landed gently on
the surface. He stared at the water so clear that
Next door, Doña Evelia's garden swelled
even the smallest pebble could be distinctly seen
with beautiful roses. But the prize was her two
at the bottom. He lost sight of his orchid among
white orchids, which she displayed in a Chinese
all the other flowers that began to go under.
porcelain pot.
Martyrdom Pleasure MICHAEL SANCHEZ
The pasty eye-booger holding my
a window midway up a wall. More light shines
eyelashes shut, sluggishly cracks and dully tears
through the adjacent window. The light illumi-
into flakes as my eyes begin to open. The pull
nates gray specks drifting lifeless throughout the
of hairs adds to the pain inside my skull, an
room, creating a dreary sense of rank moisture.
unwanted effort to operate my eyelids. Through
Smoky thoughts form: Am I sitting slouched
the parting slits, stinging light quickly shuts them
and a door is on the left? The thoughts scrape as
back. The exceedingly slow opening of my eyes
glass shards in a blender.
is again agonizing. I wince at moving the flesh
covering my eyeballs; the pain paralyzes my
sides, dull gray shadows around the room reveal
nearly exhausted body. The thought of my body
the peeling walls. Bugs, garbage, and human
barely moving fucking hurts! I ask myself, "Is
excrement saturate the perverse serenity of the
this what child birth feels like?" My brain cramps
moment. I move my eyes downward, ignoring
at posing the question. No response. I sit like a
the pain. Roaches of different sizes overlap each
zombie for some time as my heart pulses needle
other while crawling over me. A syringe with
pricks inside out through every pore. Disturbing-
its needle still sticks out of my left arm. Half
ly, I meditate on nothing but the acute piercing
the mixture is still inside the syringe. I watch
intensity as it lessens periodically until it becomes
the blood from my arm unemotionally dancing
the faint oozing of blood. I feel my body as a
with the needle. The blood doesn't mix with the
weathered shell, slightly accustomed to the pres-
drug. I know what will happen if I depress the
ent abuse.
plunger, flushing away the promises of living. I
have a newfound strength to finish the injection.
Without too much discord, my eyelids
When the anguish from thinking sub-
slightly separate to test the response of blurred
My arm moves. I start to depress the plunger.
refraction. I almost forget the pain. When my
Heat immediately rushes through my body. I feel
vision starts to focus, my eyes see lines that form
strength returning as I continue pressing. Finally
a room. I am surprised at how well I've adjusted
when I press all the way, I welcome the black
to the pain, so I continue the separation of my
void. Eyelids slowly close. Body relaxes. Vision
eyelids until they stop halfway. The droop eye-
hazes. Colors become darker shades of gray as
shape I've developed slowly over the years takes
they finally become black, and I sink back into
hold. Ideas erratically shift inside my mind. Dim
gray-yellow rays of light angle diagonally through
1998 I let go of the door to the psychiatrist's office. My mom held my hand, and I remember everything outside being white and light. I can't tell you if there was any wind. My mother's hand was sweaty, and the pearls around her neck reminded me of pulled teeth. Her phone rang. "Yes? Well, no. The doctor couldn't tell us what is wrong with her." I listened and pointed up to absolutely nothing.
Parting Nicks LESLIE ALFONSO
Bed sheets Under my back Scratch and tear at skin Sickening words Whispered in my ear On any other occasion Would be exactly what I like to hear. This is not him. Fabric rips. And elastic snaps Tormenting hands Claw at every inch of me. A bloody terror seizes my heart And spreads on the sheets. The pain is superfluous But remains overlooked. Stolen dignity, though, Cannot be ignored. A shriek rises And dies in my throat.
Devota a la Polarizacion ` ESTELA GARCIA
Quise creer en el Amor.
Quise creer en el Amor;
Sembré el verso de raíz a sus orillas.
y plegada al énfasis de un dogma,
Vendaval de pétalos.
en el que el horizonte me seguía,
El yin y el yang en la simbólica dinastía
fui tentación del afrodisíaco tentáculo
del ala y la flecha.
que redime al imposible.
Quise creer en el Amor. Compilé ascensos y caídas
Quise creer en el Amor.
en ofrenda a la filosofía de dos en uno
Burlé el ego del acento en las agudas,
y en los confines del invierno terrenal
acertando prólogo y epílogo del mito,
la rosa fue dádiva y abrigo.
en pretensión de la profecía de una historia por contar.
Quise creer en el Amor. Experimenté ambos lados
Quise creer en el Amor,
de la energía en el cenit de un beso
en la auténtica dispersión del polen
(arco y lira en paradójica alianza,
en los conductos del aire
devotos a la polarización).
y la enajenada simetría de los opuestos en el lienzo surrealista.
Quise creer en el Amor. Viví una luna en todas las fechas que cifró la araña en el ecuable laberinto,
Quise creer en el Amor
como ofrenda y desafío
y una memoria es alegoría;
al éxodo de soles.
tiene cuello y patas de flamenco; picotea en el agua
Quise creer en el Amor,
corazones verdes.
entre cambios de estaciones, con la perentoria sinfonía de las alondras y el verbo de rodillas de espalda a la luz.
Devora Perez
Redemption Road FILIBERTO SILVEIRA
I would celebrate holidays like Valen-
chain of fences and barbwire now seemed to
tine's Day when I was dating even though it
open up as if on command for me. No one in
was a taboo subject. Growing up in a family of
the entire facility ever wants to see the chaplain
Jehovah Witnesses, they never celebrated what
during the day. Seeing him during the day means
they called "pagan holidays." I never embraced
bad news, and for me it was exactly what I had
my parents' religion, but at the same time I never
feared since the day I walked into that institution.
celebrated any of the holidays in their presence.
My escort knew this too, and I was not hurried
My father took it hard that I would not embrace
or spoken to during my walk.
his religion; instead I ran away. I ran so hard, so
fast, I ran right into prison.
and I was let in with no escort, another bad sign.
The chaplain sat behind his desk and looked at
It was early that morning when Tati and
I finally arrived at the chaplain's office,
I had started our workout in the cage. We were
me with the eyes of a father who only wished
an hour into our routine when the guard we
he could take his son's pain away. He told me to
called Mini Me, a female guard who stood five
take a seat and to call my mother. My mind was
feet tall with a temper and disposition of a Go-
racing. I hadn't even noticed I had dialed the
rilla, approached us. She looked at me and said
number home and was brought out of my fog
I had to go see the chaplain. My world warped
when I heard my mother's voice on the other
into slow motion and anger welled up inside me.
I remember her speaking to me, but I was no
longer listening. The same thought kept invading
up the phone, and that was all I needed to hear
my mind: my father who had cancer had passed
to confirm that this truly was the worst day of
my life. I cried… the only time a grown man in
Tati hugged me before I was escorted
out of the cage to the walkway. The endless
My mother was crying when she picked
prison is allowed to cry without anyone thinking he's gone soft. She told me that my father had
looked up at her after his breakfast that morning,
but you have never forgiven yourself. Your
smiled, then closed his eyes, and he was gone.
father always loved you. He was proud that you
My father was gone, and I couldn't go home for
were his son. It didn't matter about the choices
the funeral. My mother made me promise not to
you made, right or wrong. Even when you were
blame God or myself.
an alcoholic and ended up in prison, he never
stopped loving you. All he ever wanted for you
I was taken back to my cell immediately
after the phone call. I sat feeling regret and anger
was to be happy with no regrets." I know now
for not being there for my father at the end of
her words to be true.
his life. I would never be able to say, I'm sorry. I
would never see him smile at me, hug me, laugh
moments of my father's life, hiding from the
with me.
pain of guilt and shame. Today I forgive myself
for not being there the day he passed away.
Six years later while writing this and
reading it to my mother, she asked me why I had left so much out of my story. I really did not know what she meant until after hearing the
I had chosen not to remember the last
When I first started the journey of
detailed accounts from my
writing this story, the last thing I thought would happen was the realization that I'm not the man I used to be, but I have
mother. For the past six years, I had buried the
become the man my father wanted me to be.
accounts of that day. I told my mother I felt the
Today I no longer drink, and even though I still
importance of the story was to remember my
do not embrace my father's religion, I do accept
father. She told me I was wrong. She told me the
God into my life. I believe he has forgiven me.
importance of the story is to heal my broken
Today I forgive myself, and I am proud to be my
heart and forgive myself. She said, "I know you
father's son.
have never stopped thinking about your father,
In Lieu
"Tick-tock go the clock," Adam said to
to coloring. There were much more pertinent things in the world than her question, like T-
"Uh huh. Sure it does sweetie," mum-
Rexes, apparently.
bled Natalie.
instantly straightened in her seat. She tugged
She shoved a client complaint form
A familiar voice sounded, and Natalie
away out of sight beneath a stack of papers and
at the end of her blouse and snatched back the
leaned back with a heavy sigh. Natalie rubbed
forgotten form from her desk. Natalie could
her temples and shut her eyes briefly, trying to
hear her heart pounding as she looked nervously
enjoy the soothing hum of electricity which
to the little boy on the ground.
flowed freely through the sea of cubicles. Noth-
ing she did could keep her preoccupied enough.
able voice. Rob half-leaned on the entrance of
All the calls she had to make, the reports she had
the cubicle and tossed some files onto Natalie's
to fill out, and meetings to set up took a backseat
desk. Out of habit he gingerly nibbled on the
to that gnawing question in her mind. Would he
skin of his top lip.
"Yep." It was all she could muster.
Adam, who up until that point had been
Natalie eyed the clock at the bottom
"So that's the little man?" said an ami-
of her computer screen, and the corners of her
preoccupied with coloring, was standing and
mouth twitched. It was 10:00am. Any minute
watching the two adults intently, trying to grasp
the gist of the conversation.
"I wanna go home," muttered Adam.
"It's funny; he doesn't look much like
He glanced up at Natalie, and she couldn't help
you. Then again, Nat, you don't look like anyone
but feel sorry for the bored little boy. He lay
in your family either if I remember right," said
comfortably on his stomach near her feet, biting
his top lip absent-mindedly. He clutched a green
crayon and scribbled awkward shapes over the
"I bet he looks like your husband."
thick black lines of a dinosaur coloring page.
Rob's eyes crinkled as he smiled, and he reached
over to ruffle Adam's hair.
"But I thought you were excited to see
mommy's job?" she said.
"He does."
He didn't.
Adam ignored the question and returned
2011 Seeing you right before my eyes getting handcuffed and taken into a cop car. You were my only support left on this planet, and now I have to visit you behind a glass window with a limited amount of time to talk. I really wish you had made different choices. I miss you.
La Oficina NERYS TORRALBAS
Cuando el director salió de la oficina, la
Se inclinó un poco hacia ella bajando el
puerta se mantuvo unos segundos en movimien-
to hacia adentro y hacia afuera, en un lento e
-Sigue lloviendo y el tráfico es terrible.
interminable mugir de los goznes de falso acero
Ella mostró un rostro serio, quizás triste.
-Mi vida se ha vuelto un infierno,
-Bueno, a lo que vamos.
Manuel. Al menos abre los ojos.
El muchacho colocó las carpetas sobre
la mesa.
-Tranquila, Dios vive del otro lado, mi
amor. - Estos son los informes que piden, y
Ella observó alrededor con expresión
estas las cuentas que se deben cerrar.
-Déjalos ahí, después los reviso, -dijo la
El muchacho hizo un gesto de cansancio
mujer sin apartar la vista de la ventana.
y regresó a su silla del otro lado del escritorio.
Abrió cada carpeta colocando en grupos dife-
El muchacho caminó alrededor de la
mesa tratando de colocarse entre la mirada per-
rentes las hojas de un mismo color. Ella volvió la
dida y la ventana iluminada al fondo.
vista a la ventana ahora nublada por la tarde de
afuera y el aire muy frio de la oficina.
-¿No oíste nada? Acaba de decir que es
urgente, que nadie se mueve de aquí hasta que no
-Mientras esté aquí voy a cumplir bien
esté completo.
con mi trabajo. Tengo casa que pagar, tengo
-Por favor, ¿podrías apartarte un poco?
hijos, tengo cuentas y deudas.
El se quedó observando a la mujer que
-Tienes mujer que mantener.- Lo dijo sin
se movía de un lado a otro detras el escritorio.
apenas mover los labios.
-Es un mal día para todos, Natalia,
-Tengo que seguir adelante.- El mucha-
tampoco hay que exagerar como en los partes
cho respiró profundo. -No es mi culpa. El
mundo es demasiado redondo para no rodar.
-Hace tiempo estarías de nuevo embar-
esquina del escritorio.
rado de grasa y mugre en algún taller por ahí, que
-No te conviene eso, piensa bien.
es donde te mereces estar.
Ella alzó la vista poco a poco hacia él.
Tenía los ojos húmedos, la mirada apagada, el
El muchacho levantó la cabeza con el
rostro pálido y los labios temblorosos.
cerquillo colgando disparejo sobre la frente her-
-Voy a estar, y voy a vivir tranquilo. En
cuanto termine el mes me voy.
-No hay nada peor que tener que ar-
-Pues creo que sí, que debes hacerlo.
repentirse de haber hecho algo que uno siempre
El muchacho tomó dos grupos de pa-
quiso hacer.
peles y fue a ponerlos frente a ella.
blusa, tomar el bolso.
-Estos son los del trimestre. Yo me
El muchacho la vió levantarse, arreglar la
encargo de los demás.
Pensó en detenerla pero sentía miedo.
La mujer quedó mirándolo a los ojos.
-Nathy, a lo mejor podemos arreglarlo,
-Por mí puedes tirarlos a la basura, ya
ponte en mi lugar.
acabe por hoy.
La mujer lo miró a los ojos.
-Voy a ponerme en el mío, Manuel. Es
El muchacho sintió a su espalda un largo
y triste silencio de oficina.
lo único que puedo hacer por mí.
-Te pido que no lo hagas, por favor.
Caminó despacio hacia la puerta.
-Qué me importan los informes ni el
-Pero duerme tranquilo, con suerte va y
dinero ni lo que él piense. Ni siquiera tengo que
puedes seguir en ese rincón un tiempo más,- dijo
seguir en la mentira, en un final será lo mismo
antes de desaparecer con el ruido quejumbroso
aquí o en la casa.
del metal herido.
El muchacho miró cuidadoso al fondo
de la oficina y luego fue a sentarse sobre una
My Prison
When I was a boy, I was treated as such an evil man, because only reprehensible beings were sent to prison. Man can't see his own face without a mirror; likewise I could think of nothing but sink deeply into thoughts.
When I was a boy, life became pregnant with conflicting insights. Here and there shadow thoughts invaded my kingdom, like illusions approaching the realm of darkness, death victorious. I could think of nothing but hateful desires.
When I was a boy, freedom burned under descending cliffs, solemn moments, for those rocks decay like eternal truth; bare feelings stood upon the summit. I could harbor nothing but evil desires.
When I was a boy, the sun rose sublime, majestic, above those dressed olive-green burned by eyes filled with fiery hate. One hand attempted to restore harmony according to natural laws. I could think of nothing but life as the victor.
The coach separates the two gridlocked
linemen like an angry ram. He spots a gap made
players. "Enough!" barks the coach.
for Michael, who just received the ball. The
two are on course for a collision. A resound-
"Dirty rat. He can't play," says Jim, the
senior starting linebacker. He rubs his battered
ing boom from the contact was audible. Michael
rushes for positive gain.. Jim lies on the ground
"You bitch more than my baby sister,"
like a crushed insect. Everyone is content, happy.
retorts Mike. He is the sophomore who took
Practice over. Time to go. Jim gets up despite
over the running back position after the starter
the pain and obvious defeat. He sees a small boy
ditched the team for a more athletically presti-
with a cap and earphones, probably the coach's
gious school.
"Quit the petty fighting, let's get back to
our scrimmage," growls the coach.
His face and shirt are drenched with
"Everyone. Huddle," growls the coach.
"Fantastic practice, gentlemen. There is no doubt and no excuses for tonight's game against our
sweat. Players, coaches, assistants, even bystand-
rival, St. Peters High. We will prevail and get that
ers, seem to sweat profusely under the sun's
win. I expect the best from everyone." He also
blistering rays. The players return to their original
adds, "By the way, great performance, Mike. You
formations. Everyone is dirty. Some are even
showed us the talent you have and the amazing
bleeding. They are positioned, crooked, shaky,
plays you are capable of making." His growling
jittery, on the verge of collapsing. It is the final
voice makes it difficult to distinguish his mood,
play of the two-hour practice.
and if it weren't for the smile, it would be hard
to know whether that is a compliment or not.
"Everyone wants to take a sweet break.
Execute it properly, and y'all can leave," says the
coach. The words are like music to the ears of
everyone marches on to the locker room, every-
the players who want to shower and head home.
one except for the coach's former favorite, Jim.
But as the team's quarterback yells out incompre-
As he limps to the school, the coach catches up.
hensible orders, Jim has his eyes set on Michael,
his only target.
gently," Coach says. He then rushes leaving the
slower Jim behind. After what feels like a mile's
"Hike!" yells the quarterback. Everyone
moves in sync, Jim running towards the bulky
The coach disengages the huddle, and
"I need to see you in my office. Ur-
trek, Jim gets to the coach's office, feeling like a
worker who might receive the pink slip.
of the bench and yells, "All you playas stand your
ground tonight, do your thing and pop heads, of-
"Son, take a seat," says Coach, sitting in
his desk.
fense and defense, the win is ours, as long as you
"Is there a problem, Coach?"
don't play like that slouch!" Mike points at Jim,
Coach growled pitifully. " I didn't like
and the locker room chuckles. Jim stops paying
what I saw from you this afternoon. You played
attention to Mike's raucous speech and goes back
slow, too slow. I considered benching you for
to dressing up for the game.
tonight's game, but we have few veterans left on
this team, so I decided not to. In addition to your
relle, Jim's close friend and fellow linebacker.
slow speed, looks like you're also developing a
"He's immature," Jim replies.
quick temper. This is a make or break game, bust
"Win or lose, I just need to get my stats
your ass, or bust your future, son."
and make highlights for the recruiting tapes. Hey,
I better see you taking care of business," Terrelle
Jim, his eyes staring into nothing, steps
"That kid is really annoying," says Ter-
out. His burden keeps increasing, like the heat
inside an oven.
knee during passing plays, and on one of them,
He goes to his favorite locker spot,
"Today, Mike was going after my right
a place he held throughout his entire student
his helmet bashed my right knee. I'm pretty sure
football career. He opens up and sees all kinds
something got messed up inside there," Jim says.
of trash: crumpled paper, dirt, grass, bandages,
"Why don't you see the trainer?"
notes, a picture of his ex, a copy of The Old Man
"Cause he'll tell coach to sit me out,
and the Sea, and a notice of failure from his math
and I gotta play tonight," Jim says. "I'll just wrap
class. Solemn, he sits and ponders, his limbs
some bandages around my knee."
throbbing from the arduous practice he just
completed. He wonders why everyone is taking
excited bunch grabs all their equipment and goes
a shower if they're only going to be doused in a
to their transportation.
mixture of sweat, sod, and maybe blood again
The bus arrives at their destination.
tonight. Maybe they just want to look good in
Familiar sights: the archaic stadium
the pictures. Jim notices a commotion in the
where their grandfathers probably played, the
corner. Mike, all brash and pumped, steps on top
bright lights, the plethora of colorful and noisy
"Bus is here. Go," Coach barks. The
people, squawking and showing off their bright
school colors like tropical birds during mating
He passes by Jim.
season. The same routine: go inside the fetid
"Hey kiddo, put this hat on and watch,"
locker room, review your game plan, focus and
his coach said as he hands Jim a hat with the
stay calm, see the trainer for a bandage or a shot
school's emblem on.
of "energy," get together with your teammates
and rush the field like the running of the bulls in
team kicks off the ball. Mike catches the spiral-
ing ball and starts waltzing around the field. He
glides into the opposing team's field, and as he
"Guys, you should already know what
to expect. Let's end this damn day with a sweet bow, boys," growled the coach.
"Oh, and one more thing, a little change
The whistle blows, and the opposing
tries to evade defenders, the opposing kicker
clumsily aims for his leg and twists it awkwardly, like a scrawny man hanging on to a high pressure fire hose. A
up here. Mike, I need you to do triple duty, play
large distressful screech is hollered. The entire
special teams, running back, and line backer
team encircles the immobilized, aggrieved player.
alongside Terrelle."
Teammates assist in lifting him, Mike's face
showing agony. His facial expression resembles
"I got The Chump's spot," barks Mike,
jumping up and down like an elated Jack Russell
that of a child after getting spanked.
Jim is stone cold petrified; his eyes swell
While the entire team looks on, Jim sits
quietly with a smile, remembering that word he
up, throat dries, his mind lost.
learned in his world religion class that spoke
about Hindu and Buddhism earlier today.
The coach tells his team to get on the
Winter's Echoes MAC DINNEEN
after Robert Frost
I have never read a poem sadder, For no other has ever been so clear, About so sad and sadly true a matter, Articulating that which I most fear. For if it's so, that "nothing gold can stay," A thought arises that I can't get past, If even gold itself will fade to grey, What is the point of things that cannot last? With that in mind I, fearful, wonder of, The point of all my work, which seems for naught, If my labor's fruit will wither, or love, If those loved dear will die and be forgot. The truth of life is all things melt like frost, Then time ensures the memories are lost.
Second Place Fred Shaw Poetry Contest 2012 College-wide winner, Poetry League for Innovation Contest 2012
Pater Nostrum LESLIE ALFONSO
Characters: LIAM is in his early twenties. JONATHAN is in his thirties. Setting: Inside a moving car
(One man is driving a car while his brother rides in the passenger's seat) I can't believe he gave you the car!
JONATHAN: He gave you the house. LIAM:
I never wanted the house. I worked with him for years on this car!
JONATHAN: You and I both worked on this car. Don't get like this. He's dead and you
have a house to your name. The house is worth more than this goddamn
car anyways.
You want the house? We can trade, you know?
C'mon! You wouldn't want his house?!
JONATHAN: Why would I? You don't want it. LIAM:
You're older! Please, give me the car and take the house. You are going to
need it anyways, right? You'll start a family soon.
JONATHAN: I can't believe you are talking about this! Dad hasn't been in the ground
for a week and this is what you're thinking about? His old car?
(Liam looks down at his hands and shrugs)
What else are we supposed to talk about?
JONATHAN: I don't know. Normal stuff. (Pause) How's school going? LIAM:
School?! It's college. College. College is fine I guess. I think I'll
graduate in about two years.
I'm independent whether I stay or leave. Dad is gone, Jon. No one is left
JONATHAN: That's good. Are you staying in town after graduation? LIAM:
Yeah. Why would I need to leave?
JONATHAN: To go explore? Become independent? Something like that?
JONATHAN: Yeah but… (Pause) You're right. Stay here. LIAM:
Well, what are you going to do with the car?
JONATHAN: Sell it? If I can't sell it whole I might chop it and see if there are any
pieces I can sell by themselves.
Sell it? (Liam puts a hand on his forehead to wipe off the sweat that has collected there)
Of course you would.
(Long pause)
Yeah, well, dad never thought you were going to come back home you
know? Not even for his funeral.
JONATHAN: He never forgave me for leaving, did he? LIAM:
Apparently he did. He left you the car.
JONATHAN: I suppose he left it so I can just drive back out of here, huh? LIAM:
I wouldn't put it past that old bastard.
(Jonathan laughs and Liam rests his head on the side door window)
You're not going to sell the car, are you?
JONATHAN: Nah, this car might outlive us all.
Mrs. Brady's Finishing School NERYS TORRALBAS
Drill Seed. Caged. Tear out. Brand It. Shape It. Twist It. Force It. Kiss Gently. Shape Smile. Drown Desire. Domesticate It. Stitch eyes. Sing To it. Feed Lies. Stitch lips. Curb Appetite. Box it. Blame it. Abandon It. Wait to be drilled.
Bullshit ANA CORDERO
Characters: VICTOR is a young college student from Texas, hungover from partying the night before. MR. C is his physics professor. Setting: Professor's office
May I come in, Mr. C?
Ah, Victor. How are you? What happened? We missed you this morning.
Yes, that's actually what I wanted to talk to you about.
Well, come on in, son; but before you begin, I should have you know that I
am allergic to bullshit, so please spare me the lies.
So go ahead, son, tell me. Why did you miss the final test this morning?
Well, you see Mr. C, over the weekend I took an unexpected trip down to
Miami to visit my sick grandmother because she was hospitalized, and I
couldn't get a flight back home until this morning.
I see. But you obviously had access to a computer.
Yes, I did, sir.
So why didn't I receive an email?
I would have sent one, sir, except that...
Did you not get the one I sent on Saturday?
I meant to, sir, I just had a lot on my mind with my grandmother's
condition and all.
How is she now?
Not great. I would have stayed had finals not been this week.
What was wrong with her?
She had an infection.
Ooh, what kind of infection?
Uhh, a really bad one.
On her toenail. It was so bad… pus and blood everywhere.
On an incision wound, it got really bad.
What was the incision wound from?
From a recent surgery.
Oh, that's serious! What kind of surgery did she go through?
Umm, an episiotomy I believe.
Umm, it was like a "something-otomy"
A hysterectomy
Oh. Wow.
So what do you propose we do now Victor?
Well sir, I was hoping that you would allow me to complete the final
exam, or any other assignment of your choice, in order to make up
the grade for the missed exam.
Okay. Since you had such a hard weekend, I suppose I could make an
exception this time. Have a seat and we'll get started. You will have an
Uhh. Yeah. Sure.
Mr. C hands Victor a sheet of paper and sets a timer for "an hour" (which
is really a minute). Victor takes the test, sits down, and immediately begins
working on it. After thirty seconds Mr. C sneezes.
Bless you.
Thank you, Victor.
You're welcome, sir.
Okay, Victor, time's up.
Thank you so much, Mr. C (Hands over the test), and I'm sorry for any
inconvenience that this may have caused for you.
No worries. I was your age once too Victor (he says without looking up
at Victor). Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and take some Tylenol. (He looks up at
Victor) Run along now.
Dayron Villaverde
Chow RAUL BENITEZ
My belly roars in Lion's tongue. It howls, not in territorial dispute, but at sight of its empty depths. My buds taking the clamor as command, ready to salivate at thoughts of consumption. Vision picturing the vivid Sizzling of cooking steak. Benihana the cook. The beastly roar growing louder, only way to fend for its turf. Ears hear the mirage of a sweet ding from a triangular bell. The lion ponders on why I skimp him out. Unable to speak, my tongue slips on the pools of saliva. The lion shouts, "Lo que hace falta es jama!" The weakening growl mirroring its will. King of the bowels now cries then commands. The cries ripple through my entire body Striking Lito in his very bones. That heavenly steak advancing closer and closer to the lion's den. A weaning cub now waits obediently in the depths. The steak flips and spins followed by a bow. The cub the same, through a flaming hoop instead. Nothing rewarded for the effort, "Por favor lo que falta es jama." Knife and fork battle cry to the frontlines, "Jama!" Depths now full of prey.
1997 He held me in his arms. We tumbled in the bed. I kept trying to pull away. His legs were so powerful. I began to panic. I screamed. He let go. We were never the same.
Lap ELIZABETH FERNANDEZ
Santa's lap Warm, inviting, An imposter. He Is the janitor.
Mother mouths Smile, pretend, Sit straight. She Needs the memory
The suit Noxious, synthetic, That smell. Eyes Well up.
Smile. Click.
Daddy always said Never sit on another Man's lap.
Nostoi DEVORA PEREZ
The sky seemed so much clearer and
hatred fester in my heart like an open wound for
closer here, maybe due to the elevation. I felt as
the rest of my life.
if I were to reach out my hands, I would be able
to touch the clouds. The colors so vivid, I was
It was about three years before, on a Sunday
dumbfounded. The soil was rich; it was visibly
night while running errands. My mother sud-
obvious that it could nurture any plant. Was I
denly broke down like a child in the car. The
not in the ghetto here? Amidst all the mud and
muffled sounds she made as she sobbed remind-
tin houses, there were colors that I had never
ed me of when I used to cry. I tried to swallow
seen in America. This foreign place was the land
hard to avoid looking at her in this vulnerable
of my parents. Tearing eyes from my surround-
state. I tried to make my heart turn to stone,
ings, I focused on the matter at hand.
my stupid attempt to be strong for her. How I
swore to hate her for inflicting such wounds in
The old lady was sitting on a wooden
I tried to recall when this hatred began.
rocking chair six feet in front of me. I tried to
my mother's heart. I would never forgive her. My
breathe and hoped the generous burst of fresh
exact words were, "Mom, not even a bitch leaves
winds would not stop. I did not want to be here.
her pups! What right did she have to give you
I felt like a coward for coming, when I promised
away? A damn animal has more common sense
myself that I would never see this woman. I had
than she did!" It's incredible how fragile and
already accepted the fact that I would let my
fickle a heart is, yet strong at the same time.
She looked at me with red eyes, but what
fresh to her. More than once her grandmother
was most shocking was a look that spoke pity.
tried to kill her by drowning her. She mentioned
that she was abandoned at the age of twelve
Up to this day I cannot comprehend
the dimensions of my mother's heart. She never
and forced to wander the streets. She was a child
spoke ill of her biological mother.
trying to survive, and so she had many children
that she gave away, including my mother. She
I sat down observing this woman in
her late sixties as she spoke to my family. The sun had not been kind to her; she was about ten shades darker than my mother. I was disturbed by the fact that she looked identical to my mom,
was broken. As she stood on one leg and held
my mother, she asked for forgiveness. They both cried.
I sat looking at this woman in
disbelief. I pitied her. My eyes welled
only much older. They had the same forehead,
up, and I was angry. It hurt me that I hated her
eyes, lips and long straight black hair. Everything!
for so many years, but my hatred was misplaced.
It was revolting. She wore a sleeveless blue floral
Life had not been kind to her. What could she
dress with her black hair picked up in a white
do? In old age she was trying to make amends.
clip. Her right leg was missing; she recounted
She received the forgiveness that she longed for.
how a bus ran over her leg. She started to reveal
A month after coming back home, we received
her past; she began to cry, those memories still
news that she had passed away.
Pale Cruel Mother GREISY DELGADO
Mother moon, frigid and pale you raise the daring dead carcasses of those like Sylvia Plath from worm-filled coffins. Mother, you cold-hearted lover, you tumultuously tender and black, lack the touch of a thousand suns. Claws at the end of your blue grey hands that rip through the skins of men devouring each one of them from neck to groin. Emasculating men is your pleasure, oh mother, how you enjoy causing terror you silly withered corpse you. With a wicked smile and silvery eyes that hypnotize luring are your ways You wretched widow spider you, Leaving bodies to decay. And are you happy now, Mother? On your self-built pedestal in which you sit alone, with the bones and skin of tortured men tied around your neck.
2008 A traumatic illness to my best friend. Losing her meant losing my family, my teammate, everything. She taught me how to appreciate the fullness of life. She was 15, and I was 14. She died January of colon cancer.
Hourglass FRANK PELLEGRINO
Lost but in
formation Over-burdened with anticipation Ignorant
of your creation
But filled with determination
A determination
fueled by society's goals
To be paid
Regardless of the toll
via the cost of time
Time which instead, I choose to write this rhyme In the hopes that one day,
you too will be found
Found by
Before you're put in the ground
Hollow Seconds MAC DINNEEN
Out the window stands the old clock tower, The minutes tick away as if seconds, The hand draws close to the fated hour. The typewriter on my old desk beckons, I check it for words already written, Looking for a shard of inspiration, The hard truth feels like I have been bitten, I feel a cold bead of perspiration. Days gone, and I have written nothing yet, My stomach turns as I'm bled out of time, There is something that I just do not get, For each good word I find there is no rhyme.
The deadline looms, and day now turns to night.
But will I find the words I need to write?
Staff Nerys Torralbas / Editor in Chief Elizabeth Fernandez / Lead Designer Leslie Alfonso / Copy Editor Mac Dinneen / Copy Editor Ani Gonzalez / Artist, Copy Editor Frank Pellegrino / Photographer, Designer Sadiel "Speedy" Ruiz / Photographer, Designer Filiberto Silveira / Copy Editor Alex Veliz / Photographer, Designer Rosendo de Vicente / Designer, Copy Editor
SPECIAL THANKS George Calonge Greisy Delgado Yenisleidy Diaz Estela Garcia Devora Perez Juan Rodriguez Jonathan "Kirby" Vanegas Dayron Villaverde
FACULTY ADVISERS Victor Calderin Ivonne Lamazares
Awards NATIONAL AWARDS Columbia Scholastic Press Association 2012 Gold Medalist Certificate 2nd Place: Overall Design; Elizabeth Fernandez 2nd Place: Literary Portfolio; Elizabeth Fernandez Certificate of Merit: Typography; Elizabeth Fernandez
REGIONAL AWARDS Community College Humanities Association 2012 2nd Place: Southern Division; Victoria Saavedra
STATE AWARDS Florida College System Press Association 2012 General Excellence: Magazine, Division A 1st place: Best Design; Elizabeth Fernandez 1st Place: Best Editing;Victoria Saavedra, Isuet Ribot 1st Place: Best Poem; Jennifer Cruz 2nd Place: Poetry; Isuet Ribot, Jennifer Cruz, Carl Canizares 2nd Place: Illustration with Text Individual, Sadiel "Speedy" Ruiz 2nd Place: Illustration with Text Magazine; Michael Sanchez, Sadiel "Speedy" Ruiz, George Calonge 2nd Place: Photo; George Calonge 2nd Place: Staff page; Sadiel "Speedy" Ruiz 3rd Place: Fiction, Victoria Saavedra Inner Circle of Excellence (for 3 or more awards): Sadiel "Speedy" Ruiz
Colophon PRODUCTION NOTES Created on Apple iMac 8.1 OS X with InDesign CS4 and Photoshop CS4. The fonts used were Garamond, Corbel, and Kontor. Printed by AC Graphics on PEFC certifited paper from well-managed forests and with vegetable-based inks.
EDITORIAL POLICY Café Cultura is produced once a year by students enrolled at Miami Dade College Hialeah Campus. Students submit their work to email@example.com. Magazine staff members remove names and identifiers and then select the pieces for the publication. Café Cultura's mission is to provide Miami Dade College Hialeah Campus students with an outlet for their creative output in the literary, visual, and musical arts. Opinions and views expressed by the artists or authors do not necessarily reflect those of the staff, the advisers, or Miami Dade College.
Thank You ADMINISTRATION Dr. Ana Maria Bradley-Hess, Dean of Academic and Student Services Dr. Caridad Castro, Chairperson of Liberal Arts and Sciences Department
SPECIAL THANKS TO Student Government Association 2011-12 Prof. Sherri Sinkoff and her Speech Communication students Student Life Manager Michelle Green Student Services Director Nelson Maga単a Campus Administration Director Andrea Forero Director of Learning Resources Glenda Phipps Hispanic Heritage Committee Media Services AC Graphics
Published on Mar 7, 2013
Published on Mar 7, 2013
Showcasing the vibrant literary and artistic talent of Miami Dade College Hialeah Campus students


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Here, in this post, we shall have a look at solid oak bedroom furniture.
Crafted solid oak bedroom furniture gives a graceful and stylish look to your bedroom. Various styles like the contemporary, rustic, classic and periodic style of bedroom furniture can be implemented using wood. Solid oak is the most durable types of wood used to craft furniture. The furniture made out of solid oak is resistant to stains, water and other substances.
Solid oak bedroom furniture renders a relaxing and comfortable look to the bedroom. If the wooden beds are exquisitely carved in different shapes and contours, they give a casual and diverse look to the bedroom. Bedside tables made of solid oak, complement the wooden bed very elegantly. Chairs made of solid oak are sturdy and traditional or contemporary furniture carved on them and gives a rich effect to your bedroom.
Oak is one of the most durable, rugged and elegant wood as compared to other woods. The initial investment involved in buying solid oak furniture is very large. However, the furniture lasts for a lifetime. With solid oak, it is possible to build bedroom furniture which looks great after the final finishing touches. With modern craftsmanship and improved woodworking techniques, it is easy to enhance the texture and grain of your solid oak furniture.
Contaminants like dust do not affect the solid oak bedroom furniture, but care must be taken to periodically clean the furniture with a dampened cloth. You can also use a mild detergent or a non-wax polish to clean the solid oak furniture. It is advisable not to use ammonia-based cleaners or silicone oils to clean the wooden furniture. These products may damage the furniture over a period of time. The wooden bedroom must not be exposed to direct sunlight for a long duration.
Solid oak bedroom furniture gives a classy look to your bedroom. With it you will save a lot of money over a long run. The many advantages of solid oak along with the elegance make it a smarter choice.
Bedroom FurnitureTags: bedroom design ideas, bedroom furniture designs, bedroom furniture gallery, bedroom furniture ideas, bedroom furniture images, bedroom furniture photos, bedroom furniture pictures, bedside tables, contemporary furniture, different shapes, elegant wood, exotic furniture, finishing touches, furniture bedroom, initial investment, mild detergent, oak bedroom furniture, oak wood furniture, periodic style, solid oak bedroom furniture, solid oak furniture, wooden beds, woodworking techniques
The post Exotic Solid Oak Bedroom Furniture To Give Graceful And Stylish Look To Your Bedroom appeared first on Home Garden Decor.
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|Wang Qishan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and also secretary of the CPC's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI), presides over a plenary meeting of the CCDI in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 22, 2013. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)
The CPC's resolve and distinct attitude on handling serious rule-breaking among some of its cadres, including high-ranking officials, showed it is "absolutely no empty talk" that one will be severely punished for law or Party discipline violations no matter how high a person's official ranking is, Xi said.
He vowed "no exception" when it comes to Party disciplines and law.
A total of 4,698 county-level cadres or higher-level cadres were punished by the CPC's discipline watchdogs in 2012 and 961 cadres at the county-level or above have been transferred to judicial organs, CCDI figures show.
Among them are Liu Zhijun, former minister of railways, Huang Sheng, former vice governor of east China's Shandong Province, and Tian Xueren, former vice governor of northeast China's Jilin Province. Their cases have been transferred to judicial organs.
Another two high-ranking provincial-level officials are under investigation for alleged discipline violations.
Zhou Zhenhong, a former Standing Committee member of the CPC Guangdong Provincial Committee and head of the United Front Work Department of the provincial Party committee, was removed from office for suspected "serious discipline violations" in January last year.
Li Chuncheng was removed from the position of deputy secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee for suspected "serious discipline violations" in December last year.
Nearly 73,000 people were punished for corruption or dereliction of duty in 2012.
Li Keqiang, Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Liu Yunshan and Zhang Gaoli, members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, were present at the meeting.
Wang Qishan, secretary of the CCDI and also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, presided over Tuesday's meeting and delivered a work report on behalf of CCDI standing committee.
Wang urged Party members to strictly abide by political discipline, maintain the Party's unity, make efforts to improve their working style, and severely punish corruption in accordance with relevant rules and laws.
The CCDI's plenary session opened on Monday.
This is the most real, most helpless and most motivate life expense of Beijing!


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|I'm a bit of a noob to mmos but just about know what I am doing. Level eight at the moment and playing as a villain. Name: The Ticket. PvE. Invite me.
#6902770, By Theticket The Official DC Universe UK PS3 Guild Thread
Theticket 76 posts
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Registered 7 years ago


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Kirby Wilber, an enterprising merchant of Quaker Street, Duanesburg, Schenectady County, N. Y., was born in this town, September 25, 1820, son of Kirby and Mercy (Allen) Wilber. He attended school until fourteen years old, when he entered the employ of Job Cleveland as a store clerk, and remained with him two years. After a short time spent in a store at Schenectady he returned, and for the next three years worked for James E. O'Neil. In 1840 he went to Brainard [i.e., Brainard's] Bridge, Rensselaer County, where he clerked in a general store conducted by Hastings & Smith, cloth manufacturers, for eight years, at the end of which time he purchased the stock, and for the succeeding five years carried on business in company with his brother, E. G. Wilber. Selling out his interest in 1853, he returned once more to Duanesburg; and, associating himself with his brothers in a shoe manufactory in the locality known as Quaker Street, he was for the next few years engaged in selling their products on the road. This business was started in 1845 by R. P. U. Wilber, who began making shoes for the retail trade; but five years later he established a manufactory to supply the wholesale dealers only, and continued in business until his death, which occurred in 1854. The present store of Wilber & Co. was opened in 186o, and carried on in connection with the factory until 1867, when the firm was dissolved. The business was conducted by Kirby, E. G., and Charles C. Wilber until 1874, since which time Kirby and his son Charles C. have been sole proprietors of the mercantile establishment, consisting of a well-stocked general store having a large patronage. The senior partner is one of the oldest business men of this section in point of experience, and through his ability, integrity, and other commendable characteristics he has acquired success. Aside from his mercantile business he deals quite extensively in real estate. His own residence is one of the handsomest in town.
Mr. Wilber contracted the first of his two marriages in 1843, with Lucy Ann Crego, of Chatham, Columbia County. She died in 1877, and in 1880 he married Mrs. Phoebe J. Auchampaugh, born Stevens, a native of Wright, Schoharie County. He is the father of five children, all by his first wife, namely: Ellen M., who married the Rev. Milton Tator, and died at the age of fifty-one years; Emily W., wife of Arthur D. Mead, of Schoharie; Augusta A., wife of Charles E. Hoag, of Quaker Street; Adeline C., wife of Walter Briggs, of Schenectady; and Charles C. Wilber, who is in business with his father. Mr. Wilber has ten grandchildren. In politics he is a Democrat. He is a member of the Christian church.
Charles C. Wilber was born at Brainard's Bridge, May 30, 1847, and was educated in the schools of Duanesburg. Like his father he entered mercantile pursuits when fourteen years old, and is an excellent business man. He acts with the Democratic party in politics, and served with ability as Postmaster for three years. On December 21, 1870, he married Emily Moon, who was born in this town in September, 1847, daughter of John and Emily Moon. She is the mother of one son, Archie M. Wilber, who was born March 13, 1880.