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Poetry·Julia Xu — A poem observing wildfire from a distance, exploring the paralysis of witnessing destruction while remaining safe on a green mountain.

Personal Narrative·Carys Kim — A girl overcomes her fear to shave her head in solidarity with her grandmother who has cancer, discovering unexpected strength in the act.

Poetry·Emma Catherine Hoff — A woman falls through collapsing stairs, her body fragmenting into surreal objects—banjo, Picasso painting, brooms—while she prays not to be seen or painted.

Poetry·Ian Maduff — A car journey through an Indiana wind farm becomes a meditation on movement, shadows, and the hypnotic rhythm of spinning turbines.

Poetry·Mirabel Sandler — A poem contrasts natural elements with human infrastructure, calling for a shift in how we see and treat the earth's beauty.

Poetry·Hazel Grace — A stone travels through the world, shrinking from road to boot to child's hand, until it becomes a skipping stone dancing across water.

Poetry·Beatrice Milasan — A train passenger watches the ocean transform from violent turquoise waves to peaceful sunset, remembering childhood drawings and contemplating permanence amid change.

Story·Roxy Pilcher, age 8 — The Moon asks forest animals to become stars to light the night sky; when the mountain lion finds no dots left, he transforms into the Northern Lights instead.

Poetry·Madeline Male — A child watches their old house disappear through the car window as the family drives away to a new home, capturing the moment of leaving.

Poetry·Ava Luangkesorn — Birds endure a devastating storm that transforms their peaceful sea home, then witness the rainbow and crystalline water that follow.