Editors: Edgar Garcia, Gurtaj Grewal, and Ella Morrison Cover Art: Lake County by Kali Mulligan Cover Poem: From “COVID-19” by Kali Mulligan Printing: Mike Wieber, Yuba College Print Shop Faculty Advisor: Kevin Ferns, Professor of English, Woodland Community College

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Table of Contents

Poems and Short Stories

Covid-19 by Kali Mulligan 5 Familiar Days by Malachi Wharry 8 Time Flies Nanny by Ashlyee Alston 10 The Romantic Parasite by Maris Sunsel 11 Seventeen by Sydney Leahy-Hill 12 Send by Isabella Morrison 13 Casual Conversations by Maris Samsel 15 The Gemini by Maris Samsel 16 Misunderstood by Kali Mulligan 25 Give Me Your Ashes by Sydney Leahy-Hill 29 Syndrome by Isabella Keppel 30 Sonnet by Rheiana Cuevas 31 Sonnet by Angelica Garcia 32 My Dear Boy by Rain Ibarra-Pina 33 Susie by Kate Deng 33 The Whetstone by Rohan Castelino 34 Sonnet by Timothy Luevano 35 Borderlands by Jay Corrales 36 Return to Limuw by Elizabeth Diaz 38

Page 3 Photography and Artwork

Black and White Flowers by Alondra Fuentes 9 Fog by Kate Deng 10 Copenhagen by Kali Mulligan 11 IMG_3901 by Marcus Gardner 12 W.W.H. by Jasmin Lopez 14 Namjoon2020 by Jasmin Lopez 16 Covid-19 Representation by Biridiana Diaz 17 Orange Mist by Rheiana Cuevas 17 Sparkly Mochi by Jasmin Lopez 18 Belize by Kali Mulligan 18 The Aftermath of the California Wildfire by Rheiana Cuevas 19 Sonoma Countryside Views by Kali Mulligan 19 Iris with Dew by Kate Deng 20 Umbrian Sheep 20 Pink World by Jasmin Lopez 21 Pianta by Laura Meozzi 21 London by Kali Mulligan 22 Blue Frida Kahlo Flowers by Alondra Fuentes 22 “Hiatus” They Said by Jasmin Lopez 23 IT by Raymond Terrases 23 Frida Kahlo Flowers by Alondra Fuentes 24 Single Object for My Painting Class by Alondra Fuentes 24 Lake Tahoe by Kate Deng 27 Literal Sunshine by Jasmin Lopez 28 Image_3143 by Marcus Gardner 32 Sunset by Kate Deng 34 Medusa by Jennifer Michel 35

Page 4 COVID-19 Kali Mulligan

There’s a virus in the air, Causing quite the scare. Only go outside with a mask, That is, if you dare.

COVID-19, but what does it all mean? Am I really living in isolation? Or am I stuck inside a bad dream?

One day I am living my best life, The next I’m living like the masses, Experiencing all kinds of strife.

Schools moved to online, My ex is stalking me, My job is up in a week, This virus is taunting me.

There’s nowhere to run, There’s no place to hide, There are so many new rules by which to abide.

No more hugging, And you better stand back six feet, I’m not sure if the masses can handle this, A societal defeat.

The economy was booming, Page 5 And now it’s on the verge of collapse, Somehow our government thinks all can be solved with 1,200 bucks cash.

Meanwhile the rich keep reminding us: “We’re all in the same boat!” While they sail off in their luxury yacht, With no worries about staying afloat.

Unemployment rates are sky high, no While millions of people continue to die. All the while we have no choice but to sit and stay grounded, Collectively feeling perplexed and dumbfounded.

Graduations are cancelled, And so are all sports, Too many complaining of being alone and bored.

Now is the time to go within,

An opportunity to see where our minds begin. Living in the manner we are used to, Has been proven to be quite the sin.

Fast times, and fast friends, Now it’s time to slow down and make amends. To give thanks, to give praises, Perhaps to the world, the planet that raised us.

The planet will win, She always does, Page 6 I can’t wait to wrap my arms around loved ones, Embracing every last second of that initial hug.

To see what is truly at stake, Is all of mankind’s fate. We need to flatten the curve, So why haven’t we learned? to some this pandemic is of no concern.

We live in a time that is most uncertain, I’m waiting for someone to tell me, “Don’t mind the guy behind the curtain!” Is it planned? Is it real? Or is it all fake? Is this what it takes to get everyone fully awake?

To open our eyes, to finally see, That we all need a timeout, to sit and just be.

Enjoy your life, Take it in stride, Because you never know when you’ll be forced to swallow your pride.

At the end of the day, All we can do is pray, That the planet will recover, And hope that mankind gets to stay.

Page 7 Familiar Days Malachi Wharry

He wakes up to a familiar day Sun still shines routines stay the same He searches the sky for someone with say He is lost but there are none to blame

He wonders if it is all an illusion An endless cycle a trap of his own doing Is this the truth or his own delusion No one can know where his mind is moving

A typical day while a war is fought Hope carries him through his ups and downs Through it all a smile and laugh is taught Believing he can turn his frowns to crowns

Tomorrow's promise he cannot betray He wakes up to a familiar day

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Black and White Flowers by Alondra Fuentes medium: acrylic

Page 9 Time Flies Nanny Ashlyee Alston

I would recognize you by your grey hair, Or we would say silver, Alston Silver. I realize you're not here, and life's not fair, Unfamiliar, or did life get realer. I would recognize your laugh, I hear it, As I replay the voicemail, on the phone Joy to the ears, watered eyes, I bear it See, but my heart cries wishing you were home. I would recognize you a mile away. Can you see me from blue skies like today? I want more conversations, I pray. All these times or memories I replay. The love that taught, now in heaven to far, To love so hard, to the heavens afar.

Fog by Kate Deng Page 10 The Romantic Parasite Maris Samsel

Keep my heart in a jar; Lock me up but let me live To see the light from your shadow But not to breathe your air. Carry me close On your person In your pocket; Tuck me inside the folds of your jacket. I will live there And feel your warmth But not to feel your touch. Do not feed me. Let me starve.

Copenhagen by Kali Mulligan Page 11 Seventeen Sydney Leahy-Hill

My wife and I fell in love at seventeen. We knew everything and nothing of the world. It was a time of being caught in between. The innocence of us makes my fingers curl.

Being outed was unforeseen; Her home life became a living hell. She was abused behind a smoke screen, And I wept for things to be well.

She left home, and we got married at the courthouse. That day was such a happy one, As I could finally call her my spouse. There was a catch, though; only when she had the Green Card in hand could we have won.

We are both left with marks from back then. I hope nothing of the sort ever happens again.

IMG_3901 by Marcus Gardner Page 12 Send Isabella Morrison

The doubts haunts her mind as she types, deletes, types, and deletes the message As her brain tells her that nobody wants her or her issues As her soul takes those doubts as truth As her heart starts breaking apart She types, deletes, types, and deletes She wants to be the happy girl The girl who is always smiling, ready to take on the world The girl who puts her head down and solves her issues She types, deletes, types, and deletes She knows that they say they are there for her, always She knows that they say they want her to reach out when shit gets tough She knows, but does she? She types, deletes, types, and deletes How can she be sure that she is not an added burden? How can she be sure that when her name pops up on their screen they won’t wish it was anyone else? How can she be sure that they won’t judge the fuckedupness that is her? She types, deletes, types and deletes.

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W.W.H. by Jasmin Lopez

Page 14 Casual Conversation Maris Samsel

I breathe in fog unevenly;

In, out, in, in, out. I clamor for pace, rhythm, stead; It races ahead. I do not think. I skip, I trip, I fall onto my words In a heap and lay there with my shattered contributions. I do not take my time; Time submerges me and I drown in linear oblivion, yearning for a space I am not Forced to race in.

Page 15 The Gemini Maris Samsel

My eyelids grow heavy But I cannot sleep I cannot rest Until my task is complete. My conquest must be won, My quest must be fulfilled. I will myself further To run, walk, crawl, As I sink Into my neon stupor My wired undead state My caffeinated consciousness My calm subconscious violence.

Namjoon2020 by Jasmin Lopez

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Covid-19 Representation by Biridiana Diaz

Orange Mist by Rheiana Cuevas Page 17

Belize by Kali Mulligan

Sparkly Mochi by Jasmin Lopez

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The Aftermath of the California Wildfire by Rheiana Cuevas

Sonoma Countryside Views by Kali Mulligan Page 19

Iris with Dew by Kate Deng

Umbrian Sheep by Kali Mulligan

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Pink World by Jasmin Lopez

Pianta by Laura Meozzi Page 21

London by Kali Mulligan

Blue Frida Kahlo Flowers by Alondra Fuentes Medium: oil painting/ analogous palette Page 22

“Hiatus” They Said by Jasmin Lopez

IT by Raymond Terrases Page 23

Frida Kahlo Flowers by Alondra Fuentes Medium: oil paint / complementary palette

Single object for my painting class by Alondra Fuentes Medium: Acrylic paint Page 24 Misunderstood Kali Mulligan

Allow me to introduce myself, Let me shake off the dust and pull my hidden story off the shelf, Can’t find it? Oh well! Go on, make your assumptions like everyone else... Loved, hated, overly debated, Consistently underrated and discriminated against, People take one look at my skin and correlate it to a pristine yard and a white picket fence. How dense. White power, white pride, I’m ashamed of our society, all the truths that have been fed as blatant lies. “You must be a daddy’s girl! So rich, so pretty!” Yeah? Do you have any idea what it has taken me to even make here into my 30’s?! I almost didn’t make it a number of times, So many times, so close to dying. Not to mention all the discrimination at work. “Sure you’ll get a raise, just let my hand slip up under your shirt.” What jerks. I have to work twice as hard to get half as far. It doesn’t matter if I’m the best, the biggest brightest shooting star. “Well, you make plenty for a woman of your age.” Said with a halfcocked smile and a stubbly stoic face. Page 25 Not to mention my alcoholic mother, All the embarrassment and lies cast upon her own daughters. Oh bother. I grew up in a family that saw no color, I grew up never once thinking I am better than any other. I have friends of all races of all kinds, I essentially was raised up to be color blind. Treat others with respect, Treat as you would want to be treated, Little does everyone know, Just how many times I have felt and been defeated.

You see me and think I have never experienced any kind of adversity, Now’s the time to wipe your eyes, open them up and truly see, Life isn’t fair...not even to me.

I’ve lost more people than I can count, Two of which, tragically drowned. What now? I’ve been told to try harder Only to not ever get any farther. I’ve been verbally, mentally and emotionally abused, All these things I did not purposely choose. I’ve been lied to, Cheated on, Dumped for a bag of white rocks, Stalked. Diagnosed with PTSD making me feel perpetually lost Well gosh... Page 26 But I’m white, I thought this wasn’t supposed to be! According to the history books You get nothing but the best if you look like me! Well gee...

So, go ahead now Judge my book by its cover, I can guarantee you it is a story unlike any other.

Lake Tahoe by Kate Deng

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Literal Sunshine by Jasmin Lopez

Page 28 Give Me Your Ashes Sydney Leahy-Hill

My wife used to pray for me. She prayed for my health, happiness, and joy. Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. It was Catholicism that destroyed.

In her world, there was only one way of life. One step out of line, and she was destined for an afterlife of fire and ash. She never thought she could be my wife. Her mind and her heart clashed.

She hopes she can find her religion again someday, And I wish the same for her. Perhaps she’ll reach a point where the thoughts won’t make her slowly decay, And maybe the Bible will no longer be cruel literature.

I wonder if she’ll ever pray for me again. When?

Page 29 Syndrome Isabella Keppel

It's a cacophony that I live in daily Of words, lights, and sounds flittering around me Like a flock of flustered and wound up birds Their feathers scattering about my every move I wonder if they can hear me at all Those people strolling across the pavement I try to call out to them while I can But those few words are shot down like ruffled ducks That plummet to the ground lifelessly As the hunter is whisked away by the wind I stand there like a ghost as they pass Wishing things had turned out better once again Perhaps someday someone will hear me Amongst the gunfire and fluttering wings

Page 30 Sonnet Rheiana Cuevas

I could be found in about each corner, Often black, but I can also be blue. Oft left without a comforting partner, Alone with people’s stinky residue.

That man just threw away some untouched food. Little did he know, kids would fight for it, But I know I can’t possibly intrude. If only sinful trash, I could omit.

At least, through me, animals are not harmed, Nor plants, as I keep the world clean from trash. I prevent the world from getting alarmed, Pollution that can turn the world to ash.

People might see me as a useless thing, Yet, a refreshing planet I could bring.

Yosemite by Kate Deng

Page 31 Sonnet Angelica Garcia

Fifteen years ago I took a pregnancy test. Two lines meant positive, I felt blessed. I couldn't wait to hold you and kiss you all over On May 22 you were born, the sun was shining People were coming over I was handing you over Man you are one of god's greatest creations! At nine years old you became an older brother You are the bestest with your brother and sister, even though your brother is a pest I confess he loves you more than he does mom and dad But that's rad I’m not sad I am glad he loves you I am blessed yes I am, blessed with you that you get to call me mom.

Image_3143 by Marcus Gardner

Page 32 My Dear Boy Rain Ibarra-Pina

My dear boy you inspire me to write again How I love your perfect dance Invading my mind incessantly through daytime How I’ve dreamt that you were real Who could compare to you my boy You are my eyes perfection and their amazement Your porcelain skin so doll-like resemblance is uncanny Picturing you dancing it is among the wildflowers How I’ve loved you over these many long years But how can I love you You are not real we will never really meet But still I love and long for you my boy For now I must live without you my dear Hoping that we will cross paths in dreamland

Susie Kate Deng

Five years old Susie, Sneaked into the kitchen, Like the very hungry caterpillar.

Ate one vanilla ice-cream, Two chocolate cookies, And three guava candies, Before mama found her.

Page 33 The Whetstone Rohan Castelino

An English student I am most not A student engineer I am indeed And yet I wish to have one less blind spot Which brings me here, I hoped I should succeed

At first, I fail, I grind and gnash my teeth The words do not quite flow so easily Lest failure come, and I might drown beneath So on push I, till it improves finally

And see! Though little did I re’a’lize, while I both read and wrote nearly every day My mind grew sharp and tongue grew glib; surprise! My thoughts don’t stop when text is put away

I see the tricks and tools, in vids and song I will soon dull; must learn still more - prolong

Sunset by Kate Deng

Page 34 Sonnet Timothy Luevano

Sometimes life throws you a curve ball You have to be quick on your toes if not you may stumble and fall that's just how everything in life goes Every lesson has to be learned even if they are good or bad most people have their turn though it can make you very sad it’s easier to look on the bright side anything you will face has time to pass there is no need to run and hide always remember you are a bad ass hard times will always come and go but they will teach you what you need to know

Medusa by Jennifer Michel Page 35 Borderlands Jay Corrales

Borderlands isn’t an area with run down homes, rusty cars, or poor people. Borderlands may not look like much to the human eye. But if you needed help, any of those people would take you in.

If you needed clothing, any of those people would give you the shirts off their back. If you needed help, any of those people would not hesitate to do the right thing. It may not look like much to the human eye, but to the human spirit and soul, it’s everything.

To live in the borderlands means to me, living peacefully.

Learning from elders, taking in free wisdom, and learning how to give back to your roots. To live in the borderlands means to me; being from different areas and having family everywhere.

To have family in the small villages of Mexico, to having family in the scorching desert of Needles, to having family in the snowy areas of Truckee.

To live in the borderlands means to me; working harder than others who are privileged.

You’ve grown up through the struggle, you’ve seen parents stress over money, you’ve seen the look in your mother’s

Page 36 eyes when she was worried about what she was going to make for dinner.

You have a hard work ethic; you know the value of a dollar; you know what it takes to provide for your family.

To survive in the borderlands means to me; using your struggles, using the painful memories, using the poor upbringing to continue to fight through whatever life throws at you.

To live in a Chicano and mixed heritage family means knowing what it’s like to be able to go out and eat when it’s Dad’s payday. It means being able to get shoes when yours are worn out. It means being able to stop by for fast food before going home. However, it also means to never forget your struggles. It means to not forget how much your parents used to stress and fight over money. It means remembering what it was like to eat beans, tortillas, and rice for a couple of days until your parents could figure something out. It means to never forget sacrifices that were made to give you a better life.

Borderlands may not look like much to the human eye, but to some, borderlands is where we grew up.

Page 37 Return to Limuw Elizabeth Diaz

Return to Limuw It is early and it is cold My belongings are packed I have never been to the island before My stomach nauseous with anticipation I board the vessel My hands are sweating as we embark I wonder if she will recognize me For we have never met Alolk’oy join us along the way Our ancestors are guiding us back to her She feels me before I see her “I know you, ša’y,” she says The water is rough but I am calm The saxkhɨt rushes through my lungs It is the breath of our people A reunion of their souls and mine My eyes brim with tiʼnik We are a salt water people I step off the boat and fall to her on my hands and knees I taste the dirt bringing it to my tongue Just like Uncle taught me Limuw, I know you Limuw, I am home

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Meet Your Editors

Gurtaj Grewal Gurtaj is active in campus life and is majoring in communications. He plans to transfer to UC Davis and major in community and regional development. He enjoys reading in his free time and watching the news on TV.

Isabella Morrison This is Isabella’s second semester as an INK! editor and her fifth semester at Woodland Community College. As a high school student, she is working towards her high school diploma and AA in English. She hopes to study English and law in the future. In her free time, she loves to read, write, dance, and eat!

Page 39 Edgar Garcia This is Edgar’s first semester as an INK editor and third semester at Woodland Community College. He’s working on transferring to Sacramento State to work on his English major and psychology major. In his spare time he enjoys reading a good book and a good series on Netflix.

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