authentic voice

Poetry·Nirali Yedendra — A young writer explores the complexity of emotions, from broken courage to unnamed feelings, concluding that our thoughts and experiences belong to us forever.

Poetry·Nirali Yedendra — A young writer explores consciousness, emotions, and human existence through a stream-of-consciousness meditation on the brain's power to liberate us through thought and speech.

Story·Marlene Dukes — A lonely girl's accidental cross-country journey in a malfunctioning self-driving car becomes an adventure in independence and connection with an unlikely companion.

Personal Narrative·Aila Monacelli Schrider — A student walks from school to the subway, observing New York City's sensory overload with fresh eyes and genuine affection for urban chaos.

Poetry·Binja — A refugee youth in Uganda questions the meaning of friendship while expressing gratitude for friends who accept without judgment.

Story·Alice Pak — In war-torn Avdiivka, two best friends navigate the chaos of Russian-Ukrainian conflict as buildings collapse, threatening letters arrive, and families prepare to flee their homeland.

Poetry·Grace Zhuang — A young poet captures summer through garden growth, beach days, and songs, ending with a wistful plea for the season to remain.

Story·Allison Hansford — A lyrical catalog of a garden's inhabitants — leaves, trees, bushes, flowers, birds, and bugs — celebrates nature's overwhelming abundance and mystery.

Personal Narrative·Siyona Agarwal — During a memorable dinner in San Sebastian, a mother nervously lends her favorite scarf to her daughter, only to stain her own shirt while the scarf remains pristine.

Poetry·Iris Chalfen — A child flees to a secret hiding place after her father rejects her attempt at comfort, wrestling with guilt and confusion about his sadness.