darkness

Poetry·Tatiana Rebecca Shrayer, age 13 — A young poet captures the historic first tornado on Cape Cod through stark imagery of destruction—downed trees, a fallen church steeple, nature's violent word.

Poetry·Tatiana Rebecca Shrayer, age 13 — Hope personified as an ambiguous companion who guides the speaker across treacherous terrain while knowing them intimately.

Poetry·Analise Braddock, age 9 — A young writer imagines a digital universe with corrupted code 719, where trees shake and reality glitches as everything falls apart.

Poetry·Analise Braddock, age 9 — A space beast who devours endlessly doesn't belong in sky or sea, caught between realms with a roar that breaks doors and disturbs all peace.

Story·Hannah Nami Gajcowski, age 9 — A young furow girl named Elana discovers she's the Chosen One and embarks on a magical quest with a fairy named Henry to stop the evil rock star Casey Flumpton...

Poetry·Sabrina Guo, age 13 — During Hurricane Sandy's blackout, a family lights their first fire, boils water for foot-soaking, and finds calm while wind rages outside their dark house.

Poetry·Poppy Lowenthal Walsh, age 12 — A night walk under stars becomes a meditation on darkness, cricket songs, and the paradox of the sky's brightest blue appearing as day fades.

Story·Carmen Flax, age 10 — A ghostly lilac figure wanders through pine forests and black rivers on an October night, crying out in sorrow before retreating into shadows.

Poetry·Hannah Parker, age 12 — Day transforms to night and back again as God casts spells, fairies dance under stars, and the sun emerges like a yellow ball of fire.

Story·Allie Aguila, age 13 — A man seeking escape from anxiety tries experimental goggles that restore childlike imagination, but stays too long and encounters darkness that threatens to consume him.