SPARK 2014 Volume 6 Sparked by Inspiration Spark on the Inside

A REVIEW OF NSCC STUDENT LITERARY & ARTISTIC EXPRESSION

SPARK 2014 volume 6 sparked by inspiration spark on the inside

Click the link on our Spark page: www.northshore.edu/spark on the cover: Mirror Image | Katie Dapice 1. SPARK 2014 volume 6 Blessed for a Sandwich By Robert Williams

I didn’t attend to be blessed, Others stayed to be blessed, I only went for a sandwich. After they had eaten their sandwich. When the preacher lady struck up her acoustic guitar, They stayed for the singing, I made for the exit. Because they believed.

It wasn’t that I wasn’t grateful, I was just starving, I was hungry too. Hadn’t eaten for days. I didn’t go to be blessed, I didn’t go to be blessed. I was only there for the sandwich. I was only there for the sandwich.

Cheese and egg–very nice too. It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate the food, Others did too. But I didn’t go to be blessed.

A Hiker’s View Sam Gottlich

Alleyway in Cambridge | Katie Dapice

Desire Emma Kraus 2. SPARK 2014 volume 6 3. SPARK 2014 volume 6 Flora Delia Faria Alphabet Soup Linda Tran

4. SPARK 2014 volume 6 gETTING this stuff … Teddy Grahams. Sasha was born. He remembered Gently placing his hand over woman—freckled, pretty. What to He needed to go to the gym; he “He fumbled Sean, too, but… he remembered his navel and his blue button- write? His pen waved wildly as he GROCERIES should have gone today, but he Sasha. She was so small, so loud, down, he squeezed. If this gets tapped it off the table. His eyes By Rachel Xhemajli didn’t. He was tired. Presentation for the list as so pink that day. He was younger; any worse, it’s got to be looked squinted slightly as they centered tomorrow morning. And lately, he he was thinner; he was happy, but at. An agitated exhale. Turning on the chalkboard. Who Will A pair of heavy eyes passed hadn’t been feeling well. A dull his gut began he had the same watch. slightly, he navigated his awkward You Be When You Grow Up? His through the parking lot, the door. ache permeated deep in his gut. cart into the shortest checkout steady gaze shifted and fell onto Slowly, he wrapped his large Occasionally, the feeling would to nag, the Bottled water. Apple juice. line. the portrait beside the board—a hands around the cracked handle rise until he was reminded of the His ruddy index finger traced wounded man with kind eyes. of the germ-infested cart. lunch he’d swallowed that day. eager aching along the endless colored labels “Did you find everything Finally, pen met paper. growing.” and their standard plastic alright?” … Bananas. Oranges. Spinach. Rice. Pasta. Ragu. He counterparts. “Mixed Berry… Making his way through the weaved—a warp, a weft—through no… Grape juice… no.” Grape Cart contents clanked onto the “Is it alright if I put the bread produce on his left, he passed the the familiar walls of food. Two pounds of lean ground juice? What mother lets their child splotchy black belt. in with the eggs?” peaches, returning to August. “Ragu… Ragu…” His eyes shrank beef. From the corner of his eye, drink grape juice? … and throbbed as he squinted and orange flashed. Turning his head, … “Oh… yeah. Thanks.” “Excuse me?” scoured for the “godawful sauce.” he found that a tight pair of The heat was heavy, He found it, grabbed it, and as he jeans and a billowy pink blouse The purple pest swirled and He piled on the oranges, the “Bread with the eggs… is that murderous, but vindicated by the leaned to drop it into the cart—just went along with her smooth, splatted, leaving its singular Pringles, the water bottles—there ok?” busty flavor of the air. There stood another victim of the McFarland bright hair. She was browsing the mark on his freshly-pressed white was never any particular order. the tree, nodding to him as usual family feeding frenzy—he stopped breakfast sausages. He stopped button-down. He’d learned something about “That’s—uh—that’s fine.” He as it straightened and sagged. And and twirled the jar in his hands. behind her long denimed legs, life. No matter how you arranged hid his gaze. there was his mother, bent over … and as he leaned, right arm thrust “Oh man, mom is gunna be so your groceries, it was the cashier the majesty of the laden branches, forward, he stole a glimpse of the mad.” who assembled the bags. The final plastic bag was her black hair grazing the fragrant There she stood, aproned and cream behind her mostly buttoned nudged into the cart. A polite nod green blades. He’d never known frantic, suddenly all too aware blouse. “No! Give me those!” “Comes to seventy three dollars to the faceless cashier and he made peaches to look so beautiful and of the fact that the meatloaf was and twelve cents.” his way to the exit, conscious of taste so bitter. smoking. Kimmy. Loose, wiry “Excuse me… I just got to get He remembered ripping the the gnawing in his gut. Abruptly … waves slipped discreetly from some beef, here” lump of paper napkins from He slashed his card through the he stopped, staring curiously at a her hasty ponytail. From across his younger brother’s hand. familiar black box. brightly colored sheet suspended Corn flakes. Granola bars. He the room he could see the tiny “Oh... sorry” she muttered He scrubbed, he splashed, he on a corkboard, its little paper rushed through the cereal aisle. drops of sweat burning on her without lifting her eyes—grabbed scrubbed, he splashed. It was “Can I borrow your pen?” legs dangling beneath. He tore Checked his watch—quarter to six. temples. He recalled the china, her her meat of choice and headed routine. Hardly anything to freak … one off. In a moment, his eyes It was Thursday. He winced as mother’s embroidered napkins, toward the frozen food. over, but what did David know, panted then shimmered. His pie charts and yellow highlighter candlelight (which he couldn’t he was seven. Every first Sunday Colored construction paper large hands gripped, cradled, and glared into his tired eyes. remember but, doubtless, it was He fumbled for the list as his of the month, they’d sneak into was passed around the table. finally released the folds of his Presentation tomorrow morning— there)—she wanted it to be perfect. gut began to nag, the eager aching the church’s metal kitchen after Crayons, markers, pencils, blue button-down. The automatic braced himself then grunted as his As far as he was concerned, it growing. Milk. Eggs. Jelly. He service and down all the grape pens scratched and drenched door yawned. He left the store. thought landed the punch. always was. She always was. Was. shrugged through the labyrinth. juice. Now Dave was married, the bright, fragile sheets. He … Checked his watch—five after kids—he still went to church. He remembered Mrs. Benson, his Pringles (green can)… can’t six. He remembered the day that was still happy. Sunday school teacher, sitting believe Kim lets the kids eat … there watching, her pregnant body bulging with life. She was a good

6. SPARK 2014 volume 6 7. SPARK 2014 volume 6 Self Portraits clockwise (from top left): Angelica Martinez Margaret Lee Leah Bolduc Gwendolyn Squires Heidi Totman

9. SPARK 2014 volume 6 Teachers: The Forgotten Heros Inspired by a speech made by retired President of North Shore Community College, Wayne Burton. by Beatrice Varga

Feeling as though you don’t get through To fellowship with a higher crowd Wondering if any are listening. To be a leader Each day brings a new challenge. To be a creator Sometimes rewarding To do something inspirational, yourself, Often exhausting. But you know you already have. As one student leaves Teaching is your dream. a void is felt (even though, sometimes, you wonder if you are and soon getting through) filled with challenge anew. Teaching is your hope Exhausted by the battle to keep us (The hope you had since youth) Educated You know that your fellowship with your Learned students Freed by the knowledge, Creates the higher crowd which brings hope. (In turn making you a creator) Sometimes wondering why you began this You know that you are instructing leaders journey and you help to create those leaders Thinking of new ways to spark the imagination. (Making you a leader You create the landscape upon which the world among the din of chattering masses) draws its inspiration Your inspiration is made known to your Its creativity students Its leadership (which in turn inspires them) Its fellowship You were the dreamer Timeless | Nicole Mclellan Its hopes and dreamers. The hoper Not receiving much in return The inspired Usually working several jobs You are creative Others wonder why you didn’t take the chance You are a leader To be the dreamer Because you are a teacher! To fulfill your hopes

10. SPARK 2014 volume 6 11. SPARK 2014 volume 6 Stay by Kara Claflin

I dreamed we had not parted. That we had spent the years nestled in each others hearts. "Stay" you told me way back then. But I was not persuaded And so we spent that period of time apart if there are degrees of separation then we have closed the space in ours Who Made You Like This? though after decades even, my vision of you did not fade by Adrianna Almonte and now we tread the same floors we sleep beneath the same ceilings Empty spaces, as my hand writing graces over the page and pay tribute to the youths that we once were Fresh ink, I take a second to blink now we occupy the same space I understand the situation we dream the same dreams And both love and time is patient Familiar faces Now our visions nestle in the autumn of our lives Your smell and memory are just traces of a past We won’t be like this for long but in the moment it feels so right now there are no years between us save the ones that bring us forward In the moment it’s what comes naturally Choices I have to make and there is no space between us now Decisions I have to take As long as I know now our hearts As long as I show the true me I’ll stay me stay I’ll stay free That the game plan My goal It’s key The very last clue determines who is who. It is all up to you I know what I must do My heart has to stay empty I know for sure That us, we aren’t true And that is why I’m not even afraid- Soar | Toni Orlando Because it is impossible I cannot fall for you.

12. SPARK 2014 volume 6 13. SPARK 2014 volume 6 Folliage Face | Margaret Lee Hurricane at West Beach | Angelica Martinez 14. SPARK 2014 volume 6 15. SPARK 2014 volume 6 These Promises by Jonathan Hammond

When this problem has been thoroughly explored, promises will be made. Requests and questions will be ignored, stored into archives of information. Respectable men, in believable costumes, will act on stage– on television, quote biblical scripture and claim that they are taking the initiative. Thousands will perish on lands far from ours. Terrorism will be confronted, while Congress preaches that the economy has been worse before. When this problem has been thoroughly explored, embers will collect the ocean, the rich will consume the poor, and no longer will be there any ears around to believe that promises will be made.

clockwise (from left): Morning Dew | Toni Orlando Symmetry | Jess Dansereau Playing with the Wind | Trinidad Martinez Hudson

16. SPARK 2014 volume 6 17. SPARK 2014 volume 6 Album: Are You Experienced? hook, “let me stand next to your fire.” Finally, the superb sing lyrics about a woman of his desires, describing “The spellbinding lyrics by Calvin Gil drumming, steady baseline, and infectious background her as a ‘cute little heart-breaker’ and ‘sweet little love- vocals provided by Mitchell and Redding are the icing maker’, all while the ‘Foxy lady’ whispers persist in were written by Hendrix Released: May 12, 1967 on the cake for this song, which is undoubtedly one of the background. He then breaks into a slightly faster the catchiest on the album. guitar riff, accompanying it with a passionate chant that himself, who was a poet of Are You Experienced is the debut album of The communicates his desire to take the ‘Foxy Lady’ Jimi Hendrix Experience. Formed in October of 1966, Highway Chile is a song that I’d place somewhere in home with him, before stopping the music altogether sorts, known for his ability the band consisted of lead singer and guitarist Jimi between Manic Depression and Fire; it’s certainly heavier for a brief moment, where he again repeats the enticing Hendrix, with drummer Mitch Mitchell and Bassist than Fire in a few spots, but much of the song, including hook. The song sticks with this formula throughout its to write and even improvise Noel Redding. Are You Experienced is an incredibly the heavier sections, retains much of the rhythm and three-minute running time, peppering in a brief guitar impressive debut album, and showed the world what catchy guitar work one would find in the previous solo. He ends the song chanting the ‘Foxy Lady’ hook captivating lyrics.” Jimi Hendrix and, to a lesser extent, his band, had to song. It opens with a piercing, yet very catchy guitar with his bassist and drummer while the music slowly offer. riff, followed by a transition into lighter guitar work fades out. There are are several other such songs on the increasingly loud phrase “And the Wind Cries Mary”, album, and they all work magnificently. with the word “Cries” adjusted to fit the tone of the line, The album featured mainly loud, guitar-heavy, “Now you’d probably going from “Whispers” all the way to “Screams.” The rock-and-roll songs, featuring the rough yet fitting The album doesn’t consist entirely of hard-rocking spellbinding lyrics were written by Hendrix himself, vocals provided by Jimi Hendrix. It was an album that call him a tramp, but songs, however. Hendrix includes a couple of softer, who was a poet of sorts, known for his ability to write was clearly meant to be played live; most of the songs emotional songs. The first of these songs isHey Joe, which and even improvise captivating lyrics. The song breaks were road-tested prior to its release, and most of the I know it goes deeper opens with a bluesy electric guitar riff. Hendrix goes into a mellow, peppy solo in the middle, an extremely songs have a raw, amplifier-heavy sound that revolves on to expand this guitar riff, while crooning depressing well done section that supplements the song extremely around Hendrix’s catchy guitar hooks and innovative than that.” lyrics about a man who shoots his cheating wife. The well; The Wind Cries Mary certainly wouldn’t be the same improvisation. lyrics are almost pleading with the main character, Joe, without it. After transitioning back into the final verse, by Hendrix, with him reciting catchy, rhythmic lyrics in an attempt to stop his brash actions, with the hook the song changes its rhythm, with Hendrix offering The heavier highlights of the album are the songs about a guitar-playing drifter, lyrics that are obviously consisting of the phrase “Hey Joe, where you goin’ with various musings about the wind around which the song Manic Depression, Fire, Highway Chile, and Foxy Lady. Manic derived from personal experience, as evidenced by the that gun of yours?”. The song consists almost entirely of centers. Finally, Hendrix gives one last impassioned Depression has a heavy guitar riff throughout the lyric “Now you’d probably call him a tramp, but I know this gloomy combination of guitar work and lyrics, only rendition of “The Wind Cries Mary…”, after which the song, completed by Hendrix’s musings about the it goes deeper than that.” It then transitions back into stopping for a soulful, mellow solo that fits into the song song ends with a modified version of the hook, resulting phenomenon he recognizes as Manic Depression. The the heavy yet catchy guitar riff heard in the beginning, perfectly. Mitchell’s restrained background drumming in a comforting feeling of closure. The Wind Cries Mary riff, which is complemented by a short, piercing solo with Hendrix passionately reciting the four-word hook, adds a nice touch, and the end result is a perfectly is certainly the most emotional, smooth song on the that the song fades out with. The riff and solo combine ‘He’s a Highway Chile’, a brief yet accurate description depressing ballad about a broken man. album, and is a landmark in terms of writing and guitar- with Hendrix’s coarse vocals to make a great heavy of the protagonist. The song transitions back and forth playing. addition to the album. Fire also features a centerpiece a couple more times, with the transition in the middle The other mellow, emotional song is The Wind Cries guitar riff, butFire’s riff is lighter and catchier thanManic resulting in a piercing, catchy solo. The song fades out Mary, which is one of the best songs on the album and, The diversity, however, is not yet over. Are You Depressions; I might even call it a little funky. The guitar with the shrieking hook; a fitting end to the groovy arguably, of Hendrix’s career. The Wind Cries Mary opens Experienced includes a few songs which are distinctly work is complemented by brief pieces of background number. with a soft, gloomy guitar riff that is a notable contrast unique in terms of style. The first of these is the improvisation throughout the song. Hendrix’s vocals to most of the other songs, even Hey Joe, which has a title track, Are You Experienced. The song opens with work surprisingly well for this song too; he manages to The iconic hit Foxy Lady features a flamboyant, comparatively heavy main riff. After the short opener, the rhythmic, distorted repetition of a tape playing maintain funky, rhythmic vocals throughout the song, in piercing riff similar similar to the one heard inHighway the song transitions into soft guitar work, similar to backwards. After the short, interesting intro, Hendrix which he is trying to convince a woman to let him stand Chile, which the song revolves around. The opening riff the opener, accompanied by Mitchell’s soft, plodding begins to play a complex, ambient guitar riff, to her fire. The lyrics in this song further compliment the is complemented by Hendrix’s light whispering of the drum line. While the smooth rhythm of the instruments complemented by Mitchell’s mechanically rhythmic vocal style, aiding Hendrix adjust to a more rhythmic word ‘Foxy’, which gives the listener a good idea of what continues in the background, Hendrix softly sings lines drumming and the background repetition of the vocal style. It’s hard not to sing along to the catchy to expect lyric-wise. Hendrix then begins to coarsely of beautiful yet dreary poetry, all of which end in the opening sound. The instruments are accompanied by

18. SPARK 2014 volume 6 Hendrix’s dreamy, rhythmic chanting of psychedelic the voice in the background continues to mumble. drumming. The reason this song is so important within and often contain common elements that are explored lyrics. The instruments and vocals eventually culminate As Mitchell begins to get further into his solo, sounds the context of Are You Experienced is that it is the differently in each song. The experimental, emotional, in the hook, which features a harsher guitar line and the of distorted guitar feedback make their way into the only song on the album that has a really heavy blues and bluesy songs also fit into the album very well, vague question, “Have you ever been experienced?”. sound collage, adding another dreamlike layer to this influence. This blues style defined Hendrix largely as he lending it greater diversity. While the album is not quite The surreal nature of the song climaxes during the already abstract song. Soon after, the distorted voice in developed musically. Red House was a catalyst, of sorts, as diverse or cohesive as some of his later efforts, such as middle of the song, which features an extended solo, the background, which is now easily recognizable as the longer, deeper blues songs that can be found on Electric Ladyland or Axis: Bold as Love, it is a fantastic which is played backwards, a practice that Hendrix Hendrix himself, begins to recite poetry. One quote that his final album ‘Electric Ladyland’. He even has live album in its own right, and a great album for those who would use in a couple other songs as well. It’s an sticks out to me in particular is “So to you I shall put an recordings of Red House in which he develops the song want to start listening to Hendrix. interesting move, and it certainly makes the song stand end, and you’ll never hear surf music again.” The quote through improvisation, increasing its runtime from four out. The song continues as usual after the solo, with seems to be recognizing the slow death of surf music, minutes to twelve. Score: 9.2/10 the listener again being immersed in its dreamy, bold which was already beginning to fade away at the time. +Diverse, catchy tracklist melody. After a few more verses, the Therefore, the song could be an odd ode to surf music, Are You Experienced is an extremely good album, +Hendrix’s guitar work and vocals song slowly fades out, with the distorted sound of of sorts. After the voice becomes incomprehensible especially when you consider it is the first one that +No bad songs feedback making a sudden appearance shortly after the again, the drum solo is again brought to the forefront, Hendrix ever released. The shorter, faster rock songs, -Not as interesting or cohesive as Hendrix’s later efforts end. Are You Experienced is a very interesting song that was along with increasingly prominent sounds of guitar which are the meat of the album, are very well done, clearly designed as a studio-based endeavor. feedback, which lead into a distorted version of the main riff. After this is done, the song devolves into complete Third Stone From the Sun is the second unique, chaos, with the loud sound of guitar feedback taking experimental track on the album, and it is certainly over the song completely, only to quickly fade away. The song ends with ambient noise, which slowly fades out. unlike anything else you’ll find on Are You Experienced, High Grade | Jacqueline Martinez despite featuring studio effects similar to the title track. Third Stone from the Sun is a very interesting, surreal track, It opens with a light, lulling guitar riff, accompanied by if nothing else. Hendrix was clearly doing something quick, rhythmic drumming. These are quickly joined very experimental here, and you can hear some of this by an extremely distorted voice in the background. As experimental influence in his final studio album, Electric the song progresses, Hendrix experiments with the Ladyland. It is a really unique song, however, within the main riff, eventually turning it into a dramatic peak, realm of Are You Experienced; there’s nothing else quite only to go back to lighter grounds almost immediately. like it on the album. It’s somewhat reminiscent of surf music, which comes into play later in the song. The surreal guitar work, Finally, I’d like to bring attention to Red House, a song drumming and distorted voices continue on for while, that is a near-perfect combination of blues and rock. The soon coming to another crescendo. After this climax, song opens with loud guitar riff that has a distinctively however, Hendrix plays a short, rocking solo, after blues style. After the opening lick ends, Hendrix begins which the pace of the song begins to increase, and the to somberly croon out a story about his old love, and voice in background becomes clearer. Hendrix briefly how he can no longer see her after being gone for a long ventures back into the lull of the main rhythm, after time. Hendrix’s vocals are accompanied by his bluesy which Mitchell plays a lengthy drum solo, during which guitar improvisation and Mitchell’s slow, methodic

20. SPARK 2014 volume 6 Seven Days of Torment by Jonathan Hammond

Seven days of torment without you by my side. Across the globe on a crowded train I travel: with this vice grip of virtue clamped tight, always keeping me hard at work.

Seven days of sorrow cycle through the six nights I suffer. On this iron rail road in a silver train I travel: passing lapis lazuli skies, under foggy pewter stratus. I see a dozen thousand copper trees with jaded-emerald leaves and subway graffiti, curiously cloaking hidden meanings. Their secrets are soon as far from me as I feel away from you.

Headed for my destination dreams become my pillow filled with silhouettes. Images black and bland of taste imitate the coffee I force down inside these desolate hours. My stomach burns with each and every empty cup and thought of you I leave behind.

Torn away a week now also tortured by your absence. The essence of: your cinnamon kisses, vibrating whispers, cradling arms, paradise eyes and magnetic charm, all await the night I travel home.

22. SPARK 2014 volume 6 Your Face Reminded Me of Sneakers by Jessie Nocella

Your face reminded me of Ribbon wrapped faults hid Of lead heels breaking concrete Flat footed and tiptoeing sneakers under paper cut eye lashes Slipping silent thighs into the Balancing and frolicking Laced up so no holy sock Pretending not to be themselves Suzuki of a stranger I already opinions would slip out knew We never reached the same So we stacked books on the ground until I became more With a zipper mouth holding in shelves Whale washed loveland graceful and you grasped a broken glass truth steady pace Thinking they would fill us with Stopping just before heaven Chewing on bottle caps more knowledge, but paper Streetlight light years waited for our cue always ripped too easy. The dock creaked You bled happy, bled dimmed Stars fell like But we kept it on yellow so the time street lights mirrored in old Pot and pan children’s orchestras wouldn’t slip by fashioned cameras, bled 1960s seeping from your mouth Gunshots ballroom lessons Bystanders staring like we were I see your immaturity Like, water color drips revolutionaries, like beat box love defied So I danced like anchors in sand, gravity with chained hands and soap But you walk like ballerina Like, shattering lightbulbs bucket feet midnights Like we were a mixed skin couple back The ocean was filled with glow sticks when segregation was in Oh, clumsy me Break like softening Popsicles Bobbing in sync with earth's axis We were the center of it all... Falling again for wallwashed You melt slowly, when I say your wishes and railroad reassurance name We tipped upside down Apple core attention fell off you, that stretched so far we held our breath They said butterfly kisses, we Heads falling into lips, logic into My made firefly liplocks rosé petals Telling you how many times I never made Tree trunk lover wishes when I blew out birthday candles Running on memories of how Innocent youths slightly tainted many times did my mom hear with society’s standards clicked I climbed you with pocketknife fingers Wax belongs to bees you said, don’t steal the back door creak their hardwork Carving my name all the way up

Because you always said that trees hold in previous page (clockwise from top left) opposite page (top to bottom) every secret they’ve ever been told. Havasupai Mail | Jess Dansereau Sight | Emma Kraus Lullaby of the Nimph | Trinidad Martinez Hudson Thomas Law from the Worlds End | Jack Raubach Glowing Stars | Emma Kraus Fine Strokes | Emma Kraus

24. SPARK 2014 volume 6 25. SPARK 2014 volume 6 To the author of the New England Courant: by Jill Gallant

Sir, more, with the mass quantities of inched my way across the crowd; r a I was having tea just the other day people looking for work, there is I got scared and my anxiety shot with a good friend of mine and we nothing to be found. Americans are through the roof! What was were discussing how people wish to losing their jobs to non-Americans; happening, where was I, why was Paul Renner1927 u I n typography,Futura is enter America with the outrageous what is wrong with your own I being shoved and being made to ta geometric sans-serif typeface designed in1927 notion that America is a welcoming country? Is your country not squeeze among others like a can by Paul Renner. It is based on geometric shapes that to all sort of place, we nearly spit beautiful and full of life? of packed sardines? I will tell you became representative out our tea. America does not have I had a dream the other night that why. . .I am now in America! Ha! visual elements of the Bauhaus design style. a sign on it saying The More the I would like to share. I was walking All you silly little folks who think Merrier, Come on Over. Yet people along a beach but not anywhere in America is the land of opportunity 1.800.Fonts 4U fonts.com believe it to be, how silly! America. The water was something and that you will be welcomed, Where did this ridiculous thought that I have never seen before; it have yourself another alcoholic originate from? Maybe once was breathtakingly blue with the beverage! There is no room here, upon a time, generations before most tropical fish swimming in it. you are not welcome, and there are LONDON us, this idea of come one come The warm breeze was delightful no opportunities. all was actually true. But look and the landscape was full of lush Generations before us where around America as it stands today, greens and stunning architecturally our land was plentiful, you were overpopulated and increasingly made houses upon a mountain more than welcomed but times BigBig BenBen growing. America is the place to top. The people that passed me have changed. Too many took us escape to; they are jumping walls by smiled and offered kindness. I up on our offer and now we are and breaking barriers to get here. found myself walking the streets paying the price. In the words of Families put their lives at risk of a marketplace full of laughter Ebenezer Scrooge, “Bah-humbug,” to come live in a crowded and and life. Not many others were our Closed sign is on the door; try congested piece of land. We don’t around, only a few people. I turned again another time. want you, go back home! the corner and found myself in Silence Dogood America was once an inviting a very large crowd, struggling to place, where dreams came true and get through. People were pushing freedoms were offered. Not any and yelling profanities at me as I

top to bottom Futura | Colleen Bertolino Perspective Grid | Heidi Totman

26. SPARK 2014 volume 6 27. SPARK 2014 volume 6 T

left to right Disney Alphabet | Jacqueline Martinez Untitled | Danielle Tracey Sanctuary | Trinidad Martinez Hudson

28. SPARK 2014 volume 6 29. SPARK 2014 volume 6 Old Tango by Ilya Prints

I saw her at the gala night party, perceptible smile. Even wrinkles, after a holiday concert. She seemed, to have smoothed. stood there, lost in her own But the main thing–her eyes! A thoughts, did not seem to hear peculiar light in them, a brilliance the loud music and not noticing that hadn't been there before! the whirling couples–no longer Some sparkles! This was no a young lady in gray suits, with longer the old lady with a burden thick graying hair. Stooped of past years and, possibly, shoulders, a little wrinkled face. amassed illnesses. No, no! Deafening music, with ordinary The young woman smoothly and odd jerks and breaks, suddenly gently slid into the dance floor. gave way to a smooth melody of And it seems like the whole world the old tango. Wave after wave, opened up in front of her, as in wave after wave–and dancing her youth, and she floated toward couples began to whirl in rhythm discoveries and hopes, awaiting with the music. I saw how an the accomplishment of a miracle, elderly white-haired gentleman and she–the prom queen! But came to a lady to invite her to here, the music subsided, tango dance. She slowly rose, and here ended, and everything returned they were, unhurriedly spinning to normal. And I stood, amazed, in dance. An old, very familiar pondering how the age is not tune picked up the dancers. And determined by the date of birth, I saw a miracle. Her shoulders but by the way the world is were straightened, head lifted, reflected in our eyes. on her face appeared barely

top to bottom Untitled | Nicole Mclellan Fan Art | Jenniina Vaara

30. SPARK 2014 volume 6 31. SPARK 2014 volume 6 A Tribute to Sappho by Danielle Tracey

Yearn for more than love’s shallow shore Eros keep your bow don’t step to the fore. Don’t allow your heart to fall asunder The love (lust) sure will blunder Find deep plunder in yourself once more Yearn for more than love’s shallow shore

Although don’t become a siren or a whore Do not give up but fight Dionysus’s serpent oar But Challenge familiarity and ring the thunder Desire for others will cloud the skies and will cumber Yearn for more than love’s shallow shore Find deep plunder in yourself once more

Sappho, Do not plunge yourself into the ocean’s lure Be afraid for it is hard to live without rapport For a lover is not worth going under, Just remember that if you love another Find deep plunder in yourself once more Yearn for more than love’s shallow shore Find deep plunder in yourself once more.

32. SPARK 2014 volume 6 33. SPARK 2014 volume 6 SUBURBIA by Robert Williams

“Suburbia”: Solve the problem. A four-bedroom house. Don’t panic and carry on. Safe residential area. Take the dog for an off campus poop. Crippling mortgage. Mow the grass and rake the leaves. Mowing the grass every Sunday. Dream of having an affair. Taking the dog for a walk. Chicken out. Poop “off campus”. Too much to lose. Three holidays a year. Play golf instead. Cheap Caribbean Cruises. Pretend to play golf in the afternoons. Predictable sex with the wife. Rent a motel room and have an affair. Contemptuous teenage children. Cheat on the wife. Late night TV. Lie. The Bruins or the Celtics. Lie to yourself. Will they make the playoffs? Carry on. Who cares! DIE. A crap job and daily commute. Stuck in traffic jams. Is the wife screwing her boss? Checking emails and phone records. No beer in the house. No real male friends. Too much food. Expanding waistline. Futile existence. No risk. No excitement. Slow death. Therapy. What’s wrong with me? Why don’t I like this shit? Take a pill.

34. SPARK 2014 volume 6 faculty, staff, student volunteers and student contributors Printed on recycled paper.

Bloom | Toni Orlando 36. SPARK 2014 volume 6 North Shore Community College 1 Ferncroft Road Danvers, MA 01923-0840

Danvers Campus 978-762-4000

Lynn Campus 781-593-6722

Institute for Corporate Training & Technology/Beverly 978-236-1200

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A REVIEW OF NSCC STUDENT LITERARY & ARTISTIC EXPRESSION

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