October 2021

Poetry·Sofie Dardzinski, age 9 — A young guitarist loses herself in playing, as golden light fades to darkness and the music wraps around her like a quilt.

Artwork·Aspen Clayton

Artwork·Aspen Clayton

Oak

Poetry·Graham TerBeek, age 10 — An oak tree discovers purpose through seasons of loss and renewal, finding meaning not in being special but in providing shade, shelter, and friendship.

Artwork·Elodie Weinzierl

Story·Raya Ilieva, age 10 — Two best friends in a small Florida town face their first real conflict when Oscar starts hanging out with the popular boys instead of taking their daily walks together.

Artwork·Oskar Cross

Air

Poetry·Julia Marcus, age 13 — A hiker rises above civilization to Lake Alpine, becoming one with the hawk soaring overhead, breathing pine and sage and thin mountain air.

Poetry·Julia Marcus, age 13 — A clock hanging on the wall in the middle of the night ticks steadily through darkness, lonely without anyone awake to ask the time.

Artwork·Grace Williams