Ink, a Literary Arts Magazine, Issue 16, Fall 2020
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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 Submissions If you are a current student of Woodland Community College, Colusa County Campus, or Lake County Campus and would like to contribute to future issues, please see ink.yccd.edu for submission guidelines and deadlines. Donations If you would like to help build a lasting legacy of the arts and literature at Woodland Community College, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the WCC Literary Progress Fund. Details are online at ink.yccd.edu. Ink, A Literary Arts Magazine is a trademark of Woodland Community College. All work is original and copyrighted by the contributor. The opinions expressed are those of the contributor and not those of the faculty, staff, or other contributors. Special thanks to the Woodland Community College Administration and English Department, which provided the funding to print and distribute this issue of Ink, A Literary Arts Magazine. This magazine would not be possible in its current form without the support of Woodland Community College. INK.YCCD.EDU Page 2 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 Page 8 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.