MR MR METROPOLITAN REVIEW i A JOURNALOFSTUDENTEXPRESSION • FALL 2017 Copyright ©2017Metropolitan Review www.MetropolitanReview.org

MR ii – KarynPilgrim See yousoon! MR willbetakingaone-yearhiatus,toreturn intheFallof2018. their work,andallofourreaders, whogivetheirworkmeaning. Most ofall,Ithankourtalentedcontributorsforgenerously sharing as she,too,balancedfulltimeworkandstudy. with akeenanalyticalability, andIamgratefulforhercommitmenteven ESC withabachelor’s increative writing.MishaMayersisagiftedwriter him thegiftofprecision, andnowheisalsoa newlymintedgraduateof Butts isaterrificwriterwithyearsofadvertisingexperiencethathavegiven enthusiastic throughout thelongandoftenarduous process. CalvinOtis constructive approach ofourtwoassociate editors, whoremained Nor wouldtheissuehavemadeittoprintwithoutinsightfuland look andfeelofthisissue.Bravo,Anita! finagled overwordsmithing, Anitawasquietly atworkcreating thedynamic of summer, shepherding thisissueintoprint.Whileeveryoneontheteam the uninitiatedisjusthowmuchtimeshespent,evenintodogdays in thecareful andvividdesignofthisissue.What mightbelessevidentto Sillery, whosemanyyearsofexperienceasanartistare soevidenthere No lessappreciation isduetoourwonderful ArtandDesignEditorAnita brought thisissuetofruition. and verycollected.Truly, herpersistenteffortsatcat-herding are what or lastmonthbefore 6a.m.Throughout itall,Lizremained calm,cool input, communications–pluswhateverelseneededtobedonelastweek, everything –writing,editing,filing, revising, critiquing,layoutanddesign studies andfamilylifewithherrole forMR,whichincludedpretty much Editor LizLauricella.Idefyanyonetosurpassherabilitybalance I havebeenhumbledbytheawesomeorganizingskillsofManaging and whichisitselfcreated byanimmenselygiftedteamofstudenteditors. whichshowcasestheworkofourstudentsandalumni, sustain thisjournal, Becauseofthis,wearestudies aslife-longlearners. abletocreate and colleges: thecombinationoftalentandexperiencetheybringtotheir Empire StateCollegestudents uniquefrom studentsatmanyother Every yearasfacultyeditorofMR,Iamreminded ofwhatmakesSUNY EDITORS NOTE

MR iii – LizLauricella student expression. commitment anddedicationtoproviding aplatformhighlightingthebestof and supportare matchedonlybyhercontinuedadvocacy, encouragement, Review simplywouldn’t bepossible.Karyn’s expertguidance, instruction faculty advisor, Professor KarynPilgrim–withoutwhom, theMetropolitan Finally, ourmostheartfeltandenduringgratitudeappreciation toour when it’s nearlymidnight. expertise, wryhumor–andforalwaysgoingabovebeyond,even owed toAnitaforherextraordinary talentandcreativity, top-notchdesign thoughtful andcareful readings. Enormousappreciation andthanksare Calvin forhiskeeneyeprose andwrittendialoguetoMishaforher only ourcontributors,butstudenteditorialstaff,aswell.Thankyouto Metropolitan Reviewistheculminationofmuchhard workputforthbynot students, alumni,facultyandstaffisasdiverseitrich.The2017 It’s clearthatthecreative talentembodiedbySUNYEmpire StateCollege and insteadfindwhatbringsusclosertogether. empathy expand;andweare dared tolookbeyondwhatmightdivideus within andoutsideofourselves;ourcapacitiesforunderstanding bear witnesstoanother’s truth,weare challengedtolookdeeplyboth expanding momentsthatchallenge,touchandconnectus.Whenwecan dance andtheater),weare offered amillionunique,exquisiteanduniverse- deepen ourhumanconnections.Through artandliterature (andmusic, repression, itisthrough theArtsthatwemaycontinuetodiscoverand In amomentinhistoryrifewithpolitical,social,emotionalandspiritual – AnneLamott,Bird byBird: SomeInstructionsonWriting andLife who are togetheronthatship.” raging storm,butsingingcanchangetheheartsandspiritsofpeople like singingonaboatduringterriblestormatsea.You can’t stopthe absurdity oflife,instead beingsquashedbyitoverandagain.It’s We are givenashotatdancingwith,orleastclappingalongthe even makeuslaughaboutourselvesorlife,ourbuoyancyisrestored. us shakeourheadswiththeexactnessoftheirprose andtheirtruths, widen andexpandoursenseoflife:theyfeedthesoul.Whenwritersmake “Writing andreading decrease oursenseofisolation.Theydeepenand STUDENT EDITOR NOTE

MR iv Lawrence Henderson Lady inRed Therese Schechter Psycho: MomismMasterpiece Chris Bowman The Tree BetweentheHouses Eric Zwieg Bloodline Emma West Stewarding Nature asourOtherSelf Anita Sillery The Forest Anita Sillery Droplet TABLE OFCONTENTS Joseph Verrastro Downtown Paul Marshall Sunshine Chris Bowman Girl bytheLake Shawn McCann Silent Apology Anita Sillery Infinity Aliza Burton My Hometown Anita Sillery Liberation Flag Lawrence Henderson You Are Here Chris Bowman Rami’s Dream Ras Moshe Unit Structures (Free JazzPoem#9) Natural Langdon Beautiful Me Calvin OtisButtsIV The SilverTricycle Anne McInnis (AssemblingtheMessage) No Title Liz Lauricella Dear Jon Anne McInnis (AProfound Occurrence,No Title D&A) Eric Zwieg Socks forChristmas Yee MeeLee Varenna, Italy �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� . ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ ...... ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

MR v Cover 39 38 37 36 35 33 32 23 22 21 20 16 15 13 12 11 10 7 6 5 3 2 1 Daniel Smith TheyCallThisDay? What Will Aliza Burton I Don’t Lawrence Henderson Rush Calvin OtisButts,IV Passive Aggression Natural Langdon Elephant Bath Liz Lauricella Hop Brook Yee MeeLee ofAssisi View Ras Moshe Told You So Yee MeeLee Overlooking Prague Helese Smauldon S(c)ent Contributors Anita Sillery The View Josh Smith The Worst ILieEverTold Steven Mills The ArkinNewOrleans Paul Marshall Induction Eddie Shellman Harlequinetic III Ras Moshe Jazz Realities Joseph Verrastro Brute Spring Paul Marshall Dagsboro Natural Langdon Bahia Sunset Ras Moshe Earth Clock-Time/Lines Anita Sillery Gears John Parente The ArtisanintheWorker: Reaction toPublicWorks ofArtSeminar Lawrence Henderson Subway Seats Josh Smith Drain You ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

MR vi 52 51 50 49 45 44 43 42 40 80 79 78 74 67 66 65 64 63 62 61 60 56 55 54 53 Varenna, Italy Yee MeeLee MR 1 MR 2 Anita Sillery The Forest the brook. earthy, richtasteofleaves.Ofdirt.Thesweetcomplexitytheairrisingoff bright, andaseveningapproaches, Icantastethegrowing coldonmytongue.The chipmunk ordeer. half brown, ashighmywaistwithnoddingseedheads.Theoccasionalbird or pebbles, inshadesofwhite,black,green, brown andpink.Grassthatishalfgreen, knobby. Rich,thick,featherymoss.Rocks,from boulderstallerthanahousetotiny stretches deepintotheforest onallsides.Palegreen lichen,somespiny, some The networkoftrunksandlimbsbranchesfallenboughsrocks that green toforest green toalmostblack.Barkthatissmooth,ribbed,bumpy, shaggy. wrapped inneedles–longandsilky, shortandstubbly, tinyandfine.Pale,spring pale orangeanddeepestfire. Thepines,firs,spruces,hemlocksandtamaracks and branchesoftrees, stillhalfclothedinleaves –yellow, gold,scarlet,burgundy, rays ofpaleyellowsun,reaching from theedgesofsky. Thenarrow boughs of grass. Beneath it,Ifeeltheground. Solid,dampbrown soilpeekingthrough theblades brownthe earth.Thegrassisturning from frost, stillshotthrough withalittlegreen. fraying thread. Icrouch downasIstepoffmyfront step,placingmypalmflaton the rest oftheworld–everything Iknow,e feedsmeandmakesstrong. everythingwithmeaning–thinslikea tangle, knotsotightthattheyblockoutthelight.Theconnectionbetweenmeand Emma West STEWARDING NATURE AS OUROTHER SELF the more beautiful. colorinthecrispairsomehow makesthedecayingleavesofyearspastall turning the crispautumnairisintoxicating.Thedry, spicyscentofthe newautumnleaves cloud andmakesmynosetingle.Thedamp,earthystench ofdecayrisingtomeet my fingersintowards mypalm,tryingtohold theenergythere. It drawsmetowards it,outofthethought-web. My thoughtshavebecomeabur Natur The tangyperfumeofpineandbalsamfirneedlessurr The smellsar The smokyblueoftheeveningsky I standupandstartwalkingacr Ther e isanenergyinit.Magnetic.Subtle,butinexorable.Itfillsmypalm. e sointensetheyfillmymouthaswell.Theairbloomscrispand oss themeadow, towards thewoods.Icurl MR den greater thanmysoul. They weave, , streaked through withclouds.Theradiant 3 ounds meinasoft expansive. ItislikeasongathighMass,tellingofthegloryGod. wind becomesapartofme,Itooclimb.swirlthrough thetrees, thesky. Iam supporting melikearms.Yet italsofillsme,sothatismeandIamit.Whenthe the wind:itwhispersinmyearsandrushesthrough myhair. Itsurrounds me, branches asIapproach. Yet, abovetheseothermurmurings,whatcallsmeis rustling through theundergrowth, thesurgeofadeercrashingthrough the animals –squirrels andchipmunksscurrying from branchtobranch,arabbit Bird calls,from croaking crows tosweetchickadees.Theoccasionalsoundof coat sleevesbrushingagainstmysides,liketwosheeppassingbyeachother. clearings brushagainstmypantlegs,bleachedbrown. Myquietbreathing. My grounds, becomingonewiththesoil.Thedrygrassesthatsprout upintheforest top layerisbrightorange,deepeninguntilthebottomasdarkcoffee Layer uponlayer, overdozensofyears,theneedlesinsulateandfeedsoil– the orangepineneedlesmakemystepsfaintandmuted. Cushions ofdried-outburnt beech leavesare warmlikecinnamon. bleachedalmostwhite,while maplesturn crunch andbreak ofshriveled,paperyfallleaves echoaround myfeet.Theoblong I pullthesleevesdownfartherovermyhands,curlingfingersintowarmth. clothing. Thesoftnessofmycoatsleevesagainstthebackshands,wrists. clean airagainstmybare faceandhands,findingitswaythrough mylayersof poke ofbranchesasIbrushbythem.Theendsmyhairticklingcheeks.Cool, smooth rocks astheypress againstmytoes. my boots.Icanfeelthick,knobbyroots press beneaththearches ofmyfeetand the soilgivesjustslightly, thenspringsbackgentlybeneaththestiffrubbersolesof that weare abletosaveourselves,andourworld. the rocks. Seeingisbelieving;anditonlyweare abletolookoutsideofourselves night orwhenitiscloudy;tracethecurrents oftheseastheyjumpandbendover it pecksforameal;payattentiontowhichflowersstay openwhileotherscloseat starts withus,anditisuptoeachofustakenotice. Watch asabird movesas insatiable desires, asmerely ameanstoanend,itwillfall.Environmental change any investmentinprotecting it? we care forit?Ifwedonotcare forit,ifwedonotconnectwithhowhave nature itself.Ifwedonotobservenature, ifwedonottrulyconnectwithit,howcan positive effectonourliveswhenpracticed.The here,real concern however, isfor anchoring usinthepresent moment.Which has anincredibly farreaching and thing. Mindfulnessisscientificallyproven to reduce stress andpromote peace, Needles silkyagainstmyskinasIrunthemthr The for If weseethenaturalworldasaninexhaustiblesour It iscriticalthatweactuallynoticeandobservenatur The softthumpofmyhikingbootsasIwalk.Inthesilencefor est floorisdampfrom a recent rainandthesoilispacked.AsIstep,

MR 4 ough myfingers.Thegentle ce ofrevenue tofeedour e. Ithelpsus,forone est, the This house,thehousewithstillnessoftimeforgotten,thatstillstands. This housethatstillstandstimewillneverforgetorforgive. thatisandalwayswillberelentless andunforgiving. Time unspeakable memoriesconsumedandravagedbytime. filled withitssins;thesinsofflesh,bone,bloodand So standsthismonstrous houseofpastgenerations of anewersurrounding age. by thefamilies,homesandschools are forgotten;neverknown held withinthesorrowful edifice Stories thatoncebegatstories containing adarkpresence andhistoryatrest. The housestandsawayfrom thestreet Eric Zwieg BLOODLINE

MR 5 The Trees Between the Houses Chris Bowman be mothers,whichwouldhavecertainlybeenabetterlifechoiceforMrs.Bates 178). Apparently, theaccusationsinWylie’s bookinspired somewomentotrynot essentially libidinousdisappointmentsthrough [their]children” (Vandenberg-Daves, overprotective, dominating,andover-affectionate; andaswomen“whomakeupfor lack ofcombatreadiness tohomosexuality, alcoholismandrape;depictedas Daves, 177).Motherswere blamedforafflicting sonswitheverything from masculinity through controlling andevenmonstrous mother-love” (Vandenberg- like toexaminethefilm. influenced bythissexistconceptofMomism,anditisthrough thislensthatIwould sons isathemethatrunsdeepinHitchcock’s films,Psychoseemsespecially concept ofmotheringcalledMomism.Althoughdomineeringmothersandweak completelyonitshead,givingwaytoabrandnew Motherhood hadbeenturned By thetimeAlfred Hitchcock’s Psychowasreleased Moral in1960,Victorian was deemedessentialintherearing ofmorallyandphysicallyhealthychildren. women asthepinnacleofgoodnesswhoseloveandintensemother/childbonding Motherhood –asappliedtowhitemiddleclasswomen,atleastpositioned a pedestalbuiltofvirtue,sentimentalityandself-sacrifice.ThisconceptMoral Therese Schechter PSYCHO: MOMISMMASTERPIECE “a woman’s unmetsexual desires couldeasily–anddisastrously –become of domineeringmothersand ineffectual(orabsent)fathers,theycautionedthat some ofitdoesinfactsound liketheideasofWylieandhiscohort.Incase audience. Thoughmuchofhispsychologicalexplanation isarguablynonsensical, whose jobitistoexplainNorman’s psychosistoSam,Lila,theSheriff–and he hasdonethismanytimesbefore. presumably committedbyMrsBates.Themethodicalwayheworksindicatesthat the bloodybathroom toremove anyevidenceofMarion’s murder, atthatpoint that Normanwillremain deeplyloyaltoher. Soloyal,infact,thathecleans up with thepsychologicalaspectsofMomism,Mrs.Bates’ controlling nature assures yet rendered too emasculatedandweaktodoanythingaboutit.Alsoinkeeping for hersexualfrustrationselsewhere. Normanisupsetbyhismother’s demands, dependency fostered byamotherwhoseeks to,amongotherthings,makeup is hismother”and“aboyapoorsubstituteforlover”echoMomistideasofthe and hismotherlivinginseclusion.Thefilm’s nowclassiclines,“aboy’s bestfriend in theparlor. Hetellsherthestoryofhisfatherdyingwhenhewasyoung,and by Normanasheexplainshisrelationship withhismothertoMarionoverdinner Generation ofV In theV The secondarticulationofMomismcomesfr The conceptofMomismisarticulatedintwodiffer Momism wasatermcoinedbyPhilipWyliewho,inhis1942book.A ictorian era,theinstitutionofmotherhoodwasglorified,placedon ipers, accusedmothersof“deprivingsonstheirrightful

MR 7 om Dr. Richman,thepsychiatrist ent scenesinPsycho,first attendant alarmsoverthestateofmasculinityaslaidbare byHitchcock. homophobic andmisogynisticworldviewofmid-20th-century America,withallthe Psycho, themore sympatheticNormanbecomes.He’s acharacter trappedinthe time inwhichitwascreated. Themore oneconsiderstheunderlyingthemesof transvestitism/transgenderism asindicationsofpsychosis makessensegiventhe have tokillthempreserve thespecialrelationship shehaswithherson. the “mother”halfofhispersonalitywouldconsiderallwomenathreat andwould partner, andhisfascinationwithMarionwouldbeofthemostdeviantkind.Even so, monstrous loverendered himunabletocreate a“normal”relationship withafemale interpreted asbeingthecauseofNorman’s homosexuality. Thatis,hismother’s into sentimentalityforherself”(Plant,125).InthecontextofPsycho,thiscouldbe which shouldhavebecometheloveofafemalecontemporaryandtransmutesit Norman whobeststhedetective,but“Mrs.Bates.” can beseenaswaystoreinforce Norman’s betastatus.Infactitisnoteven Norman, andultimatelyNormangetsthebestofArbogast,boththeseinteractions read asstraightand“masculine.”AlthoughSamcouldbeseenadoublefor weakling sonrolled intoone”(Van denOever, 109). nightmare’ theliteralembodimentofdomineeringmotherandher incarnate, that pushedhim“overtheline”tomurder hismotherandhernewlover. Dr. RichmanexplainsthatitwasNorman’s sexualjealousyafterbeing“thrown over” suggestion ofMrs.Bates’apparent sexual“misdirection” towards Normanwhen father andbecause“hismotherwasaclinging,demandingwoman.”There isa the detectiveexplainsthatNormanhadbeeninitiallydamagedbydeathofhis misdirected toward theirchildren, especiallytheirsons”(Plant,123).InPsycho, men: Marion’ of Norman’s characterizationisclear. the stereotypes ofthetime,asopposedtoany sortofuniversalattributes,theintent presumably withhismother. Eventhoughtheseaffectationsofgaynessare merely and istwitchy, high-strungandemotional.He’s gotnogamewiththeladies,except so. Heappearstobedelicate,effeminate,soft-spokenandnervous.stutters the situationbecomesconfused.Normaniscodedasgay, ifonlystereotypically Although deeplytr Momism positsthatthemother“stealspartofherboy’ In twoseparatescenes,Normanhasone-on-oneconversationswithother It iswhenDr It isnowonderthatNormanBateshasbeendescribedas“thegr s lover, SamLoomisandthedetectiveMiltonArbogast,bothofwhom . RichmandescribesNormanasattractedtootherwomenthat oubling, thefilm’s embraceofMomism,homosexualityand

MR 8 s personality eat ‘Momist WORKS CITED situated withinstraightcis-gendered masculinityatrisk. transgender personthrough thelensofmonstrosity canplaceanyonenotwell- and sexual-deviant.”Sadly, thisrepeated onscreen depictionofatransvestiteor to beakiller;heistransvestitekillerwhokillsprecisely becauseheisagender- murderer/psychopath andtransvestite:Normanisnotatransvestitewhohappens writes thatPsycho’s narrativestructure “servestoreinforce theassociationbetween K.E. SullivaninheressayonEdGeinandtransgenderserialkillers.also man indistress abouthisfailedmasculinity. Boththesequotesare referenced by supplied forviolentkillinginmainstream cinemaisthe“psychosexualfury”ofa transgender body, asisviolence.AndCarol Cloversuggestedthatthemotivation most famous. such asDressed toKillandSilenceoftheLambs,justnametwoamong transgender killerhasbecomeatrope ofhorror movies,appearinginclassics sets outforsomanyfuture serialkillermoviesistroubling. Thegaytransvestite/ Sullivan, K.E.“EdGeinandthefigure ofthetransgendered serialkiller.” JumpCut:AReviewofContemporary Van denOever, Roel.Mama’s Boy:MomismandHomophobiainPostwar American Culture. NewYork, NY, Plant, RebeccaJo.“DebunkingMotherLove:AmericanMothersandtheMomismCritiqueinMid-Twentieth- Vandenberg-Daves, Motherhood:AnAmericanHistory. Jodi.Modern NewBrunswick,NJ,RutgersUniversity Media, July2000,www.ejumpcut.org/archive/onlinessays/JC43folder/EdGein.html. Accessed3Apr. 2017. St. Martin’s Press, 2012.GoogleBooks,Accessed3Apr. 2017. The bookfrom whichthischapteristakenunknown. in_the_Mid-Twentieth-Century_U.S._. Accessed3Apr. 2017. www.academia.edu/20364140/_Debunking_Mother_Love_American_Mothers_and_the_Momism_Critique_ Century U.S.”pp.122–140.Academia.edu, Press, 2014. Kate Bor Quite asidefr nstein wrote that“fearand loathing”are commonreactions tothe om Norman’s sadfate,thehomophobicroadmap Psycho

MR 9 Lady in Red Lawrence Henderson but aftermyrelease Ifoundoutthedoghad survived. Late onenighthetoldmehadkilledthefamilypetalongwithothers, imagining aformerlife. I wasnobodythatsleptonthetopbunkwithoneeyeopen, He wastheaccusedBarrow Street killerfrom Jamestown. on ourflatscreen televisionandjokedabout Hogan’s Heroes. We watchedSuperBowl50andJeopardy together In Februarymynewroommate arrived,thesecond ofthree. Googled yousir. Ahh,sucharesourceful little bugger. surprise-visited. Iaskedhimhowhehadfoundme? Later thatmonthJason,myfriendfrom Pittsburgh I wasthankfultohavewarmfeet. while insidethecolororangewasbright. Beyond thefortifiedwindowssnowkeptfalling, praying formysalvationfrom outsidemycell. by thechaplain’s children astheysangcarols, of cheapwhiteathleticsocksthatwere giftedtome Last yearforChristmasallIgotwere twopairs Eric Zwieg SOCKS FORCHRISTMAS

MR 11 No Title (AProfound Occurrence,No Title D&A) Anne McInnis MR 12 in1970andIcamealongthreeDigital. Jameswasborn yearslater. ThenightIwas the oneafterthat,too.TheysettledinMassachusetts, chasing workatRaytheonor months, theymovedagain;thistimeforajobinVermont. Helostthatposition,and the BelgianCongo. New York toLeHavre. ItwasJuneof1960,andshitjustabouttohitthefanin positioninBrussels.Ittookhersevendaystosailfromshe acceptedagovernment Flaubert, andofcourse,allProust. ShewasPhiBetaKappa.Aftergraduation, just 15.Incollege,shebreezed through theworksofDumas,Rimbaud,Molière, so studiedFrench. Shehadread Camus’TheStrangerinitsoriginalFrench at dreamed ofbecominganeurosurgeon, itwasn’t aproper fieldforyoungladies, lady, fresh andMary. from graduatingatthetopherclassWilliam Thoughshe at theAmericanembassyinBelgium. insignia onhisforearm. In1958,hewasassigned toaForeign MilitaryServicepost training atParrisIsland,hegotdrunkonenightandtattooedtheMarineCorp more informationregarding afullmilitaryfuneralatArlington. War“He wasadecoratedVietnam veteran.”Pattoldmethatshewaswaitingfor outpatient surgicalcenterinHiltonHead,SouthCarolina. thin duetodecadesofscotch,steaksandcigarettes. Hediedonthetableofan decades ofhighcholesterol, highbloodpressure. Thosearterieswallswere paper- going todrivethe40-minuteshomeforlunchandfeeddogs. email byPat,myfather’s third wife.Sincehewasintheoperatingroom, shewas Liz Lauricella DEAR JON chapel. married inthehistoricUniversityofVirginia By February, theywere theywere engaged.OnasnowylateDecember afternoon, announced, Bettylookedacross theballroom tofindJonstaringstraightather. the Americanpresidential election.JustasJohnFitzgeraldKennedy’s winwas whohadwon of theEmbassyUnitedStates,anxiouslywaiting tolearn military br thr ough thewallofmyfather’s aorticartery. Two heartattacks,bypasssurgery, My fatherwentinforar Jon gotajobinMichigan,soofftheywent.Whenhe was fir On theW Betty Jon wasthesonofatwo-stargeneral,andyoungestfourhighlyranked “He waswoundedincombat,”shesaidoverthephoneafewdayslater While shewasonRoute276,headingbacktoBluffton,theguidewir others. Hehadveryfewchoicesinlifeandevenlessambition.Afterbasic , aproper bywayofOakPark, Illinois,wasawell-heeledyoung Virginian ednesday morning thatNovember,ednesday morning Bettystoodintheballroom outine heartprocedure, anangioplasty, Iwastoldvia

MR 13 ed afterjustthree e went . the soothsayer. and macabre reunion. We were strangers,outsidersamongourownkin;andIwas gated retirement communityandtoPat’s exactingspecifications–itwasacurious we gathered SouthCarolinian attheostentatious, cavernous McMansion–builtina never metsuchselfishchildren.” herself tothehospital.Eighteenmonthslater, Jonwalkedoutonus. broke. Myfatherhadbeen toodeepintohisJohnnyWalker, somymomdrove mymotherhadbeenstandinginthekitchenwashingdisheswhenherwater born, his ashesslidoffashelfinmyBrooklyn apartment. gooks; in1984,whilewalkinghissecondwife’s dog,heslippedonsomeice. serve duringthatwarandthescarsonhisrightanklewere notfrom escapingthe vet;hewasnotwoundedinaction.Henearlyadecadetoooldto Vietnam high securityclearance,nordidhetakemeetingsatthePentagon.Jonwasn’t a drank andhelied.Andwhensliversoftruthshonethrough, Jonsplit. couldn’t measure up;so,tofeelbetterabouthimself,more important,he his lifetimetryingtobesomeonehewasn’t, tryingtopleaseandimpress. He amount toanything.Paul,RobandKenwatchedfrom thesidelinesasJonspent she hadn’t wantedanymore children. HehadbeenTheMistake;hewouldnever their mothermaderegular workofreminding Jonhewas‘AnAccident,’ofhow “Y I pickedtheboxupandshoveditinkitchenjunkdrawer On thefifthanniversaryofmyfather’ Jon wasn’ Paul, theoldestofMurphybr In mor our fatherfeltyouabandonedhim,”Patsaidtomeoverthephone.“I’ve e than40years,wehadonlymetourunclesahandfuloftimes.So,as t anattorney, noralawprofessor. Jonwasn’t aspecialagentwith

MR others, hadrelated astoryabouthow 14 s death, the box containing a small urn of s death,theboxcontainingasmallurn . MR 15 No Title (AssemblingtheMessage) No Title Anne McInnis those teethare done,you’re ready tojumponthattricycle. childishness becauseyoustillhavetobeconvincedbrushyourteeth.Butonce person youare not.Admittedly, theexcitementdoesnotcompletelynegateyour from bedroom tobathroom withoutprompting isabigdeal,becausemorning your mind.So,youdon’t needtobeprodded, shakenortickledawake.Getting be firstinthatline. to ridethesilvertricycleeachday, butyouwantedto soyouhadtowaityourturn, you theimportanceofsharing,butthere wasnotimeforthat.Justafewpeoplegot Seeing asitwasonlynurseryschool,theteacherswere goingtotryimparton playground. Foranyself-respecting four-year-old, itwastheonlywaytoride. the silvertricycle.Itwasshiniest,fastestandcoolestwaytogetaround the together really hard, andbreak asweataskingGodaboutthattricycle. that ranaclosesecond.Butyousqueezeyoureyesreally tight,claspyourhands of othertricycles,scooters,BigWheelsandevenapedal-powered fire engine ask forthechancetobefirstoneonthatsilvertricycle.Sur you to–itisn’t God’s forgivenessorblessingsforworldpeacethatyouaskfor. You Sunday School,butwhenyouloweryourheadinprayer–becausetheadultstell stainless-steel pedalsunderyourfeet.AndSunday, youabsorbthelessonsof with thetriptoparkandall,butyouwere already missingthefeelofthose You knowthatit’s allabout thesilvertricycle. Calvin OtisButtsIV SILVER TRICYCLE THE of cereal? Howare yousupposedtomake that kindofdecisionwhensomuchisat want oatmeal,withbutterand brown sugar?Scrambledeggsandsausage?Abowl you havetoeatbreakfast, firstyouhavetodecidewhatwanteat. Doyou Breakfast. Whocanthinkaboutfoodwhenthesilvertricycleawaits?Notonlydo four blocksaway. up truck–you’re anxioustogetmoving.Luckyforyou,yourschoolisonlyabout from Corvette-leveltothespeedofsomethingbetweenVolkswagen and rustypick- clothing continues:longjohns,pants,t-shirt,long-sleeved t-shirt,sweatshirt… about dragcoefficientandothermomentumaffecting variables,thepiling-onof Y But no:justasyouthoughtwer When you’r But youandyourmomar Y Don’ Each daywhenitwastimetogooutsideandplay ou wake up the next morning withthatshinymodeoftransportationon ou wakeupthenextmorning ou couldfeeltheanticipationrisingallweekendlong.Saturday wasgood, t forgettodrop inanAmen,justsoGodknows you’re serious.Amen. e finallyfully-dressed –layered to a levelthatcouldslowyoudown en’t onthesamepage.Despiteyourconcerns

MR 16 e makingprogress, whathappens? , theracewasalwaysto e, there were plenty never gettingtothattricycle.” voice, lightandairyfloatinggentlyonthebreeze: awhisperthatsays,“You’re shot andkeepon.Justasthewindagaindiesdownto abreeze, youhearasmall yourheadtotheside relieveturn thepressure onyour cheeks.You takeanother of wind. beginning tosmile,thinkingthattheworstisover, there’s asecond…slap WIND. Thefirstblasttakesyourbreath away;itisaslapyouaren’t prepared for. didn’t Nowind,thensuddenly… evenhavethecourtesytogiveyouawarning. the bottomofhill,pointeditdirectly iton.Andthey atyourface,andturned tunnel yourblockhasbecome;it’s asifNASAhadputoneofthosehugefansat you’ve beenswaddledin.It’s coldenoughthatyou’re nothappyaboutthewind cold. Coldenoughforyoutoalmostacceptthemultiplespeed-reducing layers anticipation growing. of theapartment,intoelevator, ontothestreet. Downtheblockyougo,your delays, nomore distractions.You canfeelthehandlebarsinyourhandsalready. Out into thestroller, letmomstrapyouin,andassumealean-forward position.Nomore complete withhood.You are ready fortheIditarod; butevenwithall that youjump course, there isyetanotherlayerofclothing to puton:hat,scarf,glovesandcoat, the door. Besides,Tony makesapretty persuasiveargument. theTiger it’s thefastesttoprepare, thefastesttoeat,andwaygetyourselfout with thelayersofclothingyou’vegoton.So,yougocer nourishment tohaveenoughstrength andenergytopedalthattricycle–especially Anyway, itwouldbeinyourbestinterest toeatsomethingnow:oneneeds significant amountoftimefrom now.” later. Butfornow, forthismoment,Iwouldappreciate somefood.Lunchisstilla silver tricycle–infact,I’mharboringafewbutterfliestopress intoactionalittlebit receive averyimportantmessage. stake? Butthen,justwhenyouare thinkingthatbreakfast mightbeskippable,you chubby littleface,butunlike thefirsttwotimesthere is nolet-up.Thistime,NASA speed trip. at thatmoment,r “Hello? Thisisyourstomach.Iknowther That’ But thisonestr On thenextblock,winddiesdown–orsoyouthink. Justasyou’r But youknowthatoneburstofwindisnotgoingtor Y When br Leave ittoyourstomachmakethisexecutivedecisionandrumbleright ou lookaround: thesunisout,birds are chirping,it’s alovelyday–butit’s s whenthereal battle begins.Again,thewindblastsyoufull-oninyour eakfast isdone,it’s finallytimetohitthestreet. Orsoyouthink.Of eminding youthatsnacktimewillstillbesomeincoming. onger …thanthefirst.Andyoucan’t …breathe. You

MR 17 est ofyouisveryexcitedaboutthat ob youofyourupcoming eal, asyoufigure e could muster: up hasfinallygaineditsfreedom. You letloosewithallthevolumeyourlittlelungs mouth tobreathe onceagain.Theintakeofair, whichhasbeenwaitingandbuilding and faceforward: nowthattheopportunityhas presented itself,youopenyour second …fiveseconds10seconds.Andjustthen,thewindstops.Y hold itback;it’s strainingtogetloosebutyou’re strainingtoholditback.One lungs, thenrisingtothebackofyourthroat. Andthere itsits,waiting.You tryto where itseemstogetasuddenboostofenergy. Onward itcomes,shiftingtoyour your bodythat’s stillwarm.Itworksitswayupyourlegsandthentostomach, your toes,whichare tuckeddeeplyinsideofyourbootsandmaybetheonlypart the windwaswinning. face ofthewind’s onslaught,starttotear. Theforce, thecold,lackofbreath: red,numb, yourearsturn andyoureyes, whichyoucanbarely keepopeninthe and youmightbegintothinkaboutbreathing, itrenews itsassault.Your nosegoes your multiplelayersofclothing.Justwhenthewindseemstobecalmingdown again. Itseepsintothehoodofyourcoatandfindsanyfree avenuetoslipunder a sipofairintoyourlungs,andjustasyougetthattinybreath, thewindripsitaway cranks thatfanupto10andletsitrip.You can’t breathe. You yourheadtoget turn stroller, shockedandrelieved, asyourmompushes youthrough theschooldoors. lack ofbufferingscares youalmostasmuchthatwinddid. You sitbackintothe You close youreyesandrear back…andonceagain, thewindstops. … more …waitonemoregood …deepbreath ofair…inyourlungs. fountainsoftears.All youneedisone…moreeternal …goodwaitforitone going tobeepic:full-onscreaming, bodycontortions,kicking,slammingoffists, unleash itall.You’re goingfortheapocalypseoftemper tantrums.Thistantrumis with mydinner”level. like this.Thisisbetrayal;thisheartbreak; thisis“notgoingtoeatanyvegetables only aboutthewind;you’re cryingbecauseyoucan’t believeMamistreating you pushing youface-firstintothetyphoon. Your tearsmultiply, becausenowit’s not apartment. Butno,she’s aco-conspiratorwiththewind,andshekeeps going, thatstrolleron youandwillturn around totakeyoubackintoyourwarm,wind-free you justknowthatsomewhere deep-downyourmotherisgoingtohavemercy keeps ongoing.You tryscreaming, shekeepsongoing.You trypleading,and right timeforthemotherofalltempertantrums.You trycrying,butyourmom beating youare taking.Deepdowninyoursoul youknowthatthisistheexact transportation onthefaceofentire planet,silverorno,thatisworththewind- Just likethat,yourtortur Y Done. Defeated.Rebuffed.Rebuked.Denied.Ther “T Deep downinside,youfeelsomethingforming:itstartssomewher our angerandfrustrationisnowafull-onfury, andyouready yourselfto AKE MEHOME!IWANNA GOHOMENOW.” ous four-block trek isover. Thesuddensilenceand

MR 18 e isn’t asinglemodeof e downby ou turn ou turn what thatsaysaboutwhoyouare asaperson… consequences ofabandoningyourconvictions,goingbackonchoices,and schoolyard, youseeit. your eye:aquickflashofsilver. tolookouttheglassdoorsthatlead Turning show themrough. Asyoustompyourwayovertoacorner, somethingcatches in yourpowertoavoidanotherencounterwiththewhippingwindoutside.You’ll inside, asfarawayfrom outsideaspossible.You’ve decidedthatyou’lldoanything a rough morning? She’s gotsomenerve:shepushesyouthrough ahurricane,andbrushesitoffas mom hasmovedon;she’s tellingyourteachersthatyouhada‘rough morning.’ to giveyourmotherthesingle-mostevillookafour-year-old cangive.Butyour You takeamomenttogatheryourself,wipethetearsfrom yourface,andprepare After all,itisallaboutthesilvertricycle. you’re flying,laughingatthewindinyourfaceasyouspeedaround theyard. all silverandtricycle-ly. hell-raiser fortherest oftheday, butthere itis,theobjectofyourobsession: for asecondyou’re paralyzed.Thisisnotfair. You’d justdecidedtobea its shinyspokedwheels,youseethesilvertricycle.Your breath catches,and Y Convictions? Consequences?Please,you’r Y Ther ou standthere foraminute,facepressed totheglass,andconsider ou remove yourhat,scarf and coat,determinedtospendtherest oftheday e, alone in the corner oftheplayyard,e, aloneinthecorner withsunlightsparklingoffof

MR 19 e onlyfour!Two minuteslater, Natural Langdon Beautiful Me MR 20 we alwaysknowwhere thestarsgo not acoincidence landscape ofdarkspaceconnections whirling upwards explode intocolored fragments green leavesgrow light pathseen/thescenechanges music-magic ascendinginlevels black offeringsinsound kuntu muntu sound clusters won’t relent onthefire dynamic can’t stop but standingthere regardless seasonal changes tree cycleimmersionwiththehumanlife every dayitrises lifeoftheblacksun(son) eternal to reach andnotstop spiritual unity cosmic music mind builders each oneteach collective black circle ofvoiceschant peaceandfire resonating withearthsounds crystal silverlightraysfilltheair cymbals shimmer flying time instant composition form patterns explode intocolored fragments Ras Moshe UNIT STRUCTURES(FREEJAZZ POEM#

MR 21 9 )

MR 22 Chris Bowman Rami’s Dream AUTHOR’S NOTE:LANGUAGEAUTHOR’S ABOUT AND TERMINOLOGY Lawrence Henderson HERE YOU ARE people today imagine slavery as a Southern institution,itexistedinalloftheoriginal people todayimagineslavery asaSouthern enslaved andfr and cultures interminglingwithrelative easeandcomfort. The citywas–andcontinuestobeahodgepodgeof races,religions, ethnicities multitude oflanguagesspokenbytheNativeAmericans already present intheland. By 1640,atleast18languageswere spokeninNewYork City, aswellthe 1613, Manhattanhasbeenamajorcenteroftradeand diversityinNorthAmerica. than twomileswide,butthecity’s impact isglobal.SincetheDutchoccupationin history ofAfricanAmericansinNewYork City. these mapsrarely highlightthemanyimportant locationsoreventsthatrelate tothe many populartouristattractions–from theFreedom Tower toCentralPark.Yet, York City. Landmark andpoints-of-interest mapsthroughout Manhattanidentifythe ou Are Here. MANHATTAN IS WHERE AMERICA BEGAN hyphenated Americanism…aAmericanisnotanatall.” American. Inthewords ofTeddy Roosevelt,“There isnoroom inthiscountryfor of enslavedAfricansascompleteAmericancitizens,IdonothyphenateAfrican emphasize whatbecameofthem.Further, tohonorandacceptdescendants It ismyintentiontohighlighttheirindividualandcollectivehumanity, aswell Once theywere captured andmarched totheslaveships,theybecameenslaved. slave. Africanswer The historyofAfricanAmericans ismanifestinplainsight;yetthehistoryof Manhattan isjustover13mileslongand,atitswidest point, isalittlemor These ar Y For themostpart,IhavechosentousetermenslavedAfricansinsteadof e thewords thatwelcomevisitorsfrom around theworldtoNew ee AfricanpeopleinManhattan istoooftenignored. “Althoughmost e not born slavesinAfrica,theywere asfreee notborn born human beings.

MR 23 represents mylife. the LowerEastSide.Thiscity inHarlemandraisedon born African AmericanNewYorker, of NewYork City. I’man Africans playedinthebuilding vital role enslavedandfreed explore theoften-ignored but exhibition, Iwasdrawnto Nona Faustine’s WhiteShoes 2 Deeply inspir ed by e 1 all. AswiththeManhattanoftoday York City, thenationandworld. respect, andhonorboththe legacyandimportanceofAfricansinthehistoryNew courage, culture andcreativity. Thus,witheverysteptaken,wemustrecognize, of Africanswhocamehere againsttheirwill–butcarriedwiththemincredible

kinds,” that contained“great quantitiesofstagnantwater …deadanimals,andfilthofall after cityauthoritiesdeemedCollectPondtobe“averysinkandcommonsewer,” had contaminatedthewatersofCollectPondwiththeirindustrialwaste.In1805, Hall tosouthofCanalStreet, andbetweenBroadway andtheBowery. 48 acres, CollectPondcovered muchoflowerManhattan–spreading northofCity water source fortheNatives.Runningasdeep as60feet,andcoveringroughly into aslumneighborhoodknownasFivePoints. began toslumpandsink.Thissuddenlossinproperty valuetransformedthearea years later, duetothepoor qualityofthelandfill,foundationsaround theprison the NewYork HallofJusticeandHouseDetention(“TheTombs”). Lessthan10 council quicklymovedtobuildontheswampyar York CitythaninanyothercitytheBritishcoloniesexceptCharleston, S.C.” accounted for20percent ofthecity’s population.There were more slavesinNew During Britishrule,40percent ofNewYork Cityhouseholdsownedslaves,who beginning withthearrivaloffirstAfricanslavesinNewAmster 13 Britishcolonies.InNewYork, itwasanimportantlaborsystemfor200years, Williams families,amongmanyothers–bothlived andworshipedonCollectStreet. Williams and DeGrasse,Crummell,Garnet Africans –suchastheMarshall, Williams, lakes andponds,Manhattanhadbeenknownforitsfresh water. 62milesofstreams andmoresettled ontheislandofManhattan.With than20 COLLECT POND1600 Manhattan’s highest point. of GrandandMottStreets, Bayard’s Mountstoodat110feet,andwaslower surrounding hills,includingBayard’s Mount.Locatednearthecurrent intersection Canal Street.” infested waters,designersopeneda40-footwidecanalthatbecameknownas Black historyisAmericanhistory;itthisuniversalthatconnectsus Their storydeservestobetold. However Collect (Kalhook)Pond,fedbyanundergr By 1811,CollectPondhadbeenfilledwithdirt,soiland debrisandthecity During the1800s,Collect Pondr Long befor 6 thePondwasclosedandordered tobefilled. To drainthese“garbage- 7 , bythelate1700s,Dutchtanneries,breweries andslaughterhouses Usingdirtandsoiltofillthepond,enslavedAfricansleveled e theDutchandEnglisharrived,NativeAmericanshadalready 8

, thisworkstandsontheshouldersofmillions 4 MR 24 egion alsowaswhere manyfree ound spring,servedastheprimary 9 ea. EnslavedAfricansbuilt 5 dam in1627…

3

under thesupervisionofNewYork CityDepartmentofParks andRecreation. Leonard Street betweenLafayetteandCentre Streets. CollectPondParkisoperated gathering placeofNativetribes–isrepresented bytheCollectPondPark,locatedon West 134thStreet, andisthecity’s oldestblackparish. vandalism andforced relocations, todaySt.Philip’s EpiscopalChurch islocatedon first pastor. In1821,CollectStreet was renamed Centre Street. Following repeated Jr.,The Reverend PeterWilliams aleadingabolitionistofthetime,servedasits expanding infrastructure. bridges, houses,docks,wharves,prisons,churches, farms,roads andthecity’s applied tojustabouteverythingeverbuiltontheisland:city’s forts,mills, offorcedenslaved AfricansinAmerica:itisthispattern laborthatwillberepeatedly have theirownplaceofworship,TheFree AfricanChurch ofSt.Philipwasbuilt. In 1819,through theculmination ofworkbygroup ofAfricanmendeterminedto nypl.org/items/510d47db-c661-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99) York PublicLibrary, Retrievedfrom http://digitalcollections. St. Philips’s EpiscopalChurch onCollectStreet. (TheNew e00a18064a99) items/510d47d9-7d1e-a3d9-e040- from http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/ Library DigitalCollections,1920.Retrieved the foreground.(The NewYork Public New York CitywithBayard’s Mountin shows CollectPond,lookingsouthtoward This 1798Archibald Robertsonpainting Collect Pondr T oday, CollectPond–andthearea thatwasonceavitallife-source and epresents animportantandearlyconnectiontothehistoryof 11

MR 25 The CollectPondParkonLeonard St.,NewYork City. Summer 2015.Photocredit: Lawrence Henderson 10

tax of“30schepelsmaizeorwheat,andonefathog.” fortheirfreedomthe localgovernment inexchangeforthepromise topayayearly Minetta Creek …MinettaLane andThompsonStreet.” neighborhood, covered about10acres. Thislandran“alongthemarshybanksof swampland thatcovered more than130acres (orroughly 100square cityblocks). people intheNewNetherlands.” had beenlongsincepromised theirfreedom onthesamefootingasotherfree eenwich Village, ChathamSquare,eenwich Village, Chinatown,LittleItaly, TriBeCa, Astor known astheLandofBlacks. Place, SoHo,HeraldSquare andtheBowery–now-covetedcitylocationswasonce LAND OF THE BLACKS 1643 A.D. himself forhisblundersand cowardice, andreplaced himwithPeterStuyvesant. Company’s Board ofDirectors summoned Kiefthome,demandedhedefend slaves whohelpedinthedefenseofDutchsettlement.” against thetribesofManhattan.DuringhisIndianWar, “armswere issuedtoNegro Street onNativeAmericanlandtheywouldserveasbothprotection anddefense through 1644,Kieftreasoned thatiftheAfricanswere placedfurthernorthofWall colony andtheNativeAmericans.Havingwagedwarwith theNativesfrom 1641 aging men. Dutch West IndianCompanyavoidedtakingontheexpenseofcaringfornow- illem Kieft’s grantsoffarmlandtothefreed slavesservedalargerstrategic nearing theendoftheirproductive lives.Through thisgrantingof“freedom,” the purpose. To beginwith,theAfricanswere pasttheirprimeyearsoflaborand

Anthony Jansen’s dog. and wasawarded reparations fordamagescausedtohishogbyaWhite merchant, and accumulateprivateproperty. In1638,AnthonyPortugies,aBlackman,sued and giventherighttosueincourts,drillwithDutchmilitia,tradeindependently after workingfortheDutchWest IndiaCompanyforover18years. (8 acres). thisland TheseeducatedAfricaneldershadarguedthattheyearned (18 acres); AntonyPortugies(12acres); PauloAngelo(6acres); andGroot Manuel the outskirtsofDutchcolonytoSimonCongo(8acres); ManuelTrumpeter given tofive“freed” Africans. Dutch settlers,thisarea wastransformedintovariousplotsandlandgrantswere land and“freedom,” theirchildren remained enslaved. notes thatthesemen“hadalmostfullfreedom ofmotionandassembly,” W Gr These warstookahugetoll onbothsides.Ultimately Further W Further The Dir ashington Square Park,asmallarea withintheGreenwich Village , theselandgrantscreated abufferbetweenthenewlyformedDutch , theseindustriousfreed Africanswere grantedthestatusof“half-free,” ector-General Kieft,grantedfarmlandon ofNewAmsterdam, Willem 16 JamesWeldon Johnson,inhisbookBlackManhattan, 12 18 During the 1600s, this part of Manhattan was a Duringthe1600s,thispartofManhattanwasa However, despitetheirpoliticalgainsofgetting

MR

26 19 13 Onceusedasfarmlandby 15

, theDutchWest Indian 20 14 Theypetitioned 17 and“they 21 emancipated free BlackcommunityinManhattanandNorthAmerica. Street andBroadway. Thislandgrantcreated a“Negro Frontier” –thefirstlegally and thesurrounding area. SomeAfricansownedlandfrom to34th theVillage chained toastake,andthere todeath.” burned colonists plannedtooverthrow the city, “Ihave aperfectideaofseeingtheNegros Plot of1741,inwhichaJudge concludedthatseveralenslavedAfricansand and herecalls witnessingseveraloftheexecutionsresulting from theGreat Negro serve asbothadeterrent andaspublicspectacle. enslaved Africans–were subjecttocruelandunusualpunishmentintended oday, thousandsofpeoplewalkthrough FoleySquare inpursuitofjustice grounds formanyinnocentpeople.Thosewhowere executedhere –mostly from themunicipalcourtsofNewYork. However, thiswasoncetheexecution EXECUTION GROUNDS1 Photo credit: Lawrence Henderson Washington Square Park.Summer2015. In aspanof20years,some28AfricansownedfarmlandinGr David Grim’ T s 1742“GrimMap”ofManhattanshowsacitymarked byslavery, 7 4 1 A.D.

MR 27 “Village” area.“Village” TheNewYork PublicLibraryDigital 23 510d47da-f072-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 Onhismapkey, Grimnotesthat, Collections. 1776-01-12.Retrievedfrom http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/ eenwich Village eenwich Village 22 black figure, itsays:‘Plot Negro Gibbeted.’” here.’burnt Number56showsthegallowsfrom whichdanglesasilhouetted “A tinyiconthatlookslikeabonfire …islandmarknumber55,itsays:‘PlotNegro’s too disruptiveandwouldprovoke angry whitecitizenstoattack,mockandridicule commemorated. Someprominent BlackNewYorkers worriedaparadewouldbe than 30years,yetdebatecontinued abouthowthis“freedom” daywouldbe census listednoslavesinNewYork City.” 1827. Bythe1830censusthere were only75slavesinNewYork, andthe1840 “In 1817anewlawpassedthatwouldfree before slavesborn 1799butnotuntil women afterJuly4,1799–butonlyatleasttwodecades offorced indenture. enacted aGradualEmancipationActthatfreed thechildren toenslaved born EMANCIPATION DAY JULY and isindedicationtoallancestorsfuture generationstocome. the HumanSpiritstandsasamonumenttohonorallAfricansbrought toAmerica of valuesandfarmingpracticesfrom generationto–Pace’s Triumph of antelope effigyusedbytheBambaratribe from Malitosymbolizethecontinuation towers over50-feethighandweighsmore than300tons.Inspired byChiwara–an sculpture depictingafemaleantelopeformmountedonboat-shapedbase on thisrediscovered Africanburialground, Pace’s massive,blackgranite,abstract installations, andveneratestheexperienceofAfricanAmericanenslavement.Built this sacred area. Thesculpture isoneoftheworld’s largestsite-specific arrested: 35Blackandfour Whitepeoplewere executed. Emancipation Daycelebrationshadbeenintheworks for themor After mor T oday, Lorenzo Pace’s monument,Triumph oftheHumanSpirit,dominates Enlarged photoofPhoto2.Nos.55and56https:// digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e4-7375- e thantwocenturiesofslaveryinNewYork, thestatelegislature a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 items/510d47e4-7375-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 executions. Nos.55and56.https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/ Grim’s MapofNewYork City–1742.Seelocationsofthe 4 ,

MR 182 7 28 26 24 Intotal,146enslavedAfricanswere 25 e Oration andPublicDinner.” without anypublicprocession, andtheother, ontheFifth,withaGrandProcession, the fifth.Freedom’s announced,“OnepartywillcelebratetheFourthofJuly, Journal Freed Africanswouldhavetwocelebrations:oneonthefourthofJuly, andoneon officials, abolition groups, afewoftheBlackorganizationsandchurch groups.

the cityinmartialarray, with theaccompanimentofmusic.” and coloured, extremely well-dressed andwearingsashesribbons,paraded James Buckingham,describedwitnessingtheparade:“Somehundreds ofBlack until 1834. Emancipation Dayparadebecameapopulareventatthis parkandremained so were Quakersandfrowned uponpublicprocessions. the street mightbereceived asaninsulttotheWhitebenefactors,manyofwhom their festivities–ashadhappenedinBostonsixyearsprior. Othersfeltparadingin AME Church, toCityHall,downBroadway, andthentotheBattery. Island –andNewJersey. TheManhattanparadestartedatSt.John’s ParktoZion’s passage andayouthinslaveryjoinedthejoyfulprocession.” handkerchiefs, betrayingtheirWest Indianbirth.Hundreds whosurvivedthemiddle celebrants, representing everystateintheUnion,andnotafewwithgay bandanna sidewalks were crowded withthewives,daughters,sistersandmothers ofthe white steed,thenhisaidsonhorseback,dashingupanddowntheline…The display ofBlackpride,“Asplendidlookingman,mountedonamilk- to publicparades,andhavelongsinceentered ourprotest againstthem.” newspaper, Freedom’s alsoopposedtheparadesaying,“We Journal, are nofriends increase theCity’s numberofBlack“dandies”andcriminals.Likewise,the Blacks couldhaveanorderly observanceandfeared theiremancipationwouldonly and Blackpresses. TheWhite NewYork Chronicle Morning expressed doubtsthat public celebrationswere universallyopposedbythenewspapersofbothWhite they listenedtoanorationbyJohnMitchell. directed byamarshalonhorseback,”andassembledattheZionChurch, where through theprincipalstreets, undertheirrespective banners,withmusic,and and humanrightsremained atstakeformore thanacentury. of HollandTunnel. today St.John’s Parkisnolongeraccessibletothepublicandsitsatentrance Following considerabledebate,acompr Celebrations wer James McCuneSmithr At thegrandparade,“betweenthr And celebratetheydid. Although AfricanAmericans inNewY 34 Onceaprivate,residential 19th-centuryparkinLowerManhattan, e heldacross thestate,from AlbanytoBrooklyn andStaten 29

ecalled witnessingthesecelebrationsandthe

MR ee andfourthousandblacksmarched 29 ork wontheirfreedom in1827,theircivil 30 omise wasmadebetweencity 27 Addingtothisindecision, 32 31 Anothervisitor, 33 Thisannual 28

Present locationofSt.John’s Park.Spring2016.Photocredit: Lawrence Henderson Manhattan; HighlightedinBlue. Emancipation DayParadein Parade route oftheJuly5,1827

MR 30 510d47e0-db05-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99 Public LibraryDigitalCollections.1866, “St. John’s Park,NYC.”The NewYork http:digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/ 4 3 2 1 WORKS CITED 34 33 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 25 24 23 22 21 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5

to dojustthat-introduce thisaspectofManhattan’s historyfordynamicgrowth duringour21stCentury. bringing itintothepresent, makingpositiveprogress through thebenevolentuseofknowledge.Itismygoal are basedontheword “Sankofa,”whichsymbolizestheimportanceoftakingfrom thepastwhatisgoodand The transparent Adinkrasymbols,onthisandtheprevious page,are from theAfricancountryofGhana. They html?mcubz=2&_r=0 Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/03/opinion/nyregionopinions/happy-fifth-of-july-new-york. Mirrer, L.,Horton,J.O.,Rabinowitz,R.(July3,2005).HappyFifthofJuly, NewYork! TheNewYork Times. Shorto, Russell,TheIslandatCenterofWorld, Book,2005,p.3. Vintage http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9901E0DD1239E333A25750C1A9669D946496D6CF The NewYork (October13,1915).Rooseveltbarsthehyphenated.Retrievedfrom Times. Journal of American History81.1(1994):13-50. Journal White, Shane,ItWas aProud Day:AfricanAmericans,FestivalsandParadesin the North,1741-1834,The Ibid. Ibid. North Carolina Press, 1999,p.224. Hodges, G.R.,RootsandBranch,AfricanAmericansinNewYork andEastJersey, 1613-1863,University of Ibid. ofAmericanHistory 81.1(1994):13-50. The Journal White, Shane,ItWas aProud Day:AfricanAmericans, FestivalsandParadesintheNorth,1741-1834, in NewYork City, 1784-1861,UniversityofIllinoisPress, 2008, p.57 Chicago Press, 2003.p.122;Alexander, Leslie,M.,AfricanorAmerican? BlackIdentityandPoliticalActivism Harris, Leslie,InTheShadowsofSlavery, AfricanAmericansin NewYork City, 1626-1863, The Universityof University, 2009,p.89. Gellman, David.EmancipatingNewYork: ThePoliticsofSlavery andFreedom, 1777-1827,DePauw http://www.nyhistory.org/community/slavery-end-new-york-state New York HistoricalSociety. Whendidslaveryend inNewYork State?Retrievedfrom NYC DepartmentofCulturalAffairs,http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcla/html/panyc/pace.shtml Ibid. Berlin, IraandHarris,Leslie,SlaveryinNewYork, NewYork HistoricalSociety, 2005,p.60. African AmericanPast(MAAP),Columbia,http://maap.columbia.edu/place/30 Berlin, IraandHarris,Leslie,SlaveryinNewYork. NewYork HistoricalSociety, 2005,pp.42-48,Mappingthe http://www.boweryalliance.org/ Edward R.Ellis,TheEpicofNYC,ANarrativeHistory, OldTown Books,1966,p.36;SavetheBowery, McManus, E.,AHistoryofNegro SlaveryinNewYork, SyracuseUniversityPress, 1996,p.17. http://www.newamsterdamhistorycenter.org/bios/manuel.html The NewAmsterdam HistoryCenter, TheStoryofManueldeGerritReus,2011, Johnson, J.,BlackManhattan,DaCapoPress, 1930,p.6. Bennett, Lerone, Before TheMayflower, AHistoryofBlackAmerica,PenguinBooks,1988,p.41. presence-in-the-history 01/31/1991; https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1P3-494778811/a-survey-of-the-african-american- Watkins, Ralph,A SurveyoftheAfricanAmericanPresence intheHistoryofDownstateNewYork Area, Berlin, Ira,ManyThousandsGone:TheFirstTwo Centuries ofSlaveryinNorthAmerica,1998,p.52; McManus, E.,AHistoryofNegro SlaveryinNewYork, SyracuseUniversityPress, 1996,p.13. Asbury, 12/07/77,p.31. Burrows, E.G.,Wallace, M.,Gotham:AHistoryofNewYork Cityto1898,Oxford UniversityPress, 1999,p.33. Manhattan’s Earth,12/07/77,p.31. Asbury, Edith,NewYork Manhattan’s Freed BlackFarmersTilled Times, Soilinthe1600’s: BlacksTilled Region section,http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/16/nyregion/urban-tactics-i-ll-take-mannahatta.html?_r=0 Hollowaymay, Marguerite,UrbanTactics; I’llTake Mannahatta,NewYork May16,2004, Times, Berlin, IraandHarris,Leslie,SlaveryinNewYork, NewYork HistoricalSociety, 2005,pp.11and31; University Press, 2011 Peterson, CarlaL.,BlackGotham,AFamilyofAfricanAmericansinNineteenth-CenturyNewYork City, Yale Harris, Leslie,InTheShadowofSlavery, TheUniversityofChicagoPress, 2003,p.24. of manyhills.” The name“Manhattan”isgenerallyacceptedtobeofLenapeoriginfrom theword Manahata,meaning“island CollectPond,https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collect_Pond Wikipedia, Kadinsky, Sergey, ReconstructingCollectPond,10/14/2011,http://forgotten-ny.com/2011/10/collect-pond/; Jackson, KennethT., ed.,TheEncyclopediaofNewYork City. NewHaven:Yale UniversityPress, 1995,p.250. section, http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/16/nyregion/urban-tactics-i-ll-take-mannahatta.html?_r=0 Hollowaymay, Marguerite,UrbanTactics; I’llTake Mannahatta,NewYork May16,2004,Region Times,

MR 31 Liberation Flag Anita Sillery MR 32 with handsstoppedbytime. large clockbythebank, with itswidestreets and but it’s everyone’s hometown, This ismyhometown, Even thoughtheydo. vinyl LPsandhippieincense.It’s funny howsomethingsneverchange, Now, there’s anewshopnowselling Even Edleftandretired toPennsylvania Ed’s printshop. it disappeared likethevideostore, and they soldeight-tracks,thencassettestapes,and CDs; There usedtobearecord store overthere, each variegatedbloomthesameasnext. they tendtothebarrel plantersoutsidetheir shops, As thesunyawnsdownMainStreet; Shopkeepers sweeptheirdoorways Bicycles, stillunlocked,leaningagainstthelightposts,waiting. all havenameswithbadpuns. Now theseshops,bastardized descendants, all stillhere from the1880s. The butcher, thebaker, thecandlestickmaker– The onewiththatBritishactor, They filmedthatmoviethere once, surround eachpasserby. Sweet perfumes,from thefloristoncorner, before theset. as musicianstuneup when fireflies flitabout except forsummerevenings, The bandstandsitsempty, but willneveralludetowhattheyhaveseen. They standliketwooldsoldierswho’veseenitall, one oneachstreet corner; past thesolidcoppersteeplesofchurches, The touristtrolley, click-clacksitswayupthemainstreet, looking forremains from theweekendsstreet fair. and thecryofgullscircling theparkinglot the songofhalyards from sailboatsintheharbor mixes withthefresh fishinessfrom thedocks; The springtimesaltinessoftheair, Aliza Burton MY HOMETOWN

MR 33 with handsstoppedbytime. large clockbythebank, with itswidestreets and but it’s everyone’s hometown, This ismyhometown,

MR 34 Anita Sillery

MR Infinity 35 be muchheavierthanmine. knowing thattheirburden will to themallinthesmallsilencesofmymind, watching everychild,andapologize Now Ileanbackandgatherinthenextgeneration, but thesmallpromises oftomorrow. and theireyessetonnothing fresh andfurrowed brows, the vagrantstrandsofhairfrom their a slightpassofhandremoving that aparent couldremedy with nothing butthesmallmisfortunes How delightfulitistoremember to eveningandwellintothenight. The children playonfrom morning of ourwasteandhumanity. of awinterlongforgottenaccepttheburden The lakefedbythesurrounding peaks shortening already leaningtoward fall. waning virtuesofalongsummer’s day, no longerencumbered bythe The nightcreatures taketheair of thelastclaimday. holding thepinkandstriatedreflections The lakestillsatdusk, Shawn McCann SILENT APOLOGY

MR 36 Girl bytheLake Chris Bowman MR 37 when thelaughterended,oursunshinewasgone. Echoes inthedarknessfrom dusktilldawn, cascading shootingstars. A colorfulevening, sharing laughteruntilwecried. Secluded, wesatintallgrassundertheloneoaktree then movedthrough thefieldbeyond. Eight ofusdrove tothelakeonenight, Paul Marshall SUNSHINE

MR 38 Joseph Verrastro

MR Downtown 39 ago, sothatIcouldalwayssmellyou–itdoesn’t smelllikeyouanymore. I wantedto. emotion onthespectrumofsadness.IneverthoughtI’d getoveryou;I’mnotsure in mychestofaskippedheartbeat,andtheheatflush inmyfaceindicatingsome time whenIlookedatsomethingthatwasonceyours and Iwouldn’t feelthethump the softcottonofyourshirt,betweenmyfingers,Ididn’t evenfeelanurgetocry. you goingtoaskquestions?Forme,thistime,Ihadignore you.AndwhenIfelt other endofthatphone.Didyoucalljusttosayhi,checkuponme?Orwere included an“Iloveyou…” lose somethingthatIwasnevermeanttohave:totalcontrol overanysituationthat mind asexcusestopullyouinonlyshutout.Mostly, thatIwassoscared to didn’t knowmine.MostlythatI’dbeenbroken, soIcreated veryuglyreasons inmy beginning. Ineverknewwhatsecrets from yourpastyouwere hiding…andyou him wantingtoexperiencethescentofthem?Ithinkwasthreatened from the such agorgeousman?AmanwhoIperceived everywomanwantinghim,and it beginbefore itreally started?DidIeverhavetheconfidencetocouple with memory thatwasoncereserved foronlyyou. preparing tomeditate.But now, Ican’t pullconjure itupfrom theplaceinmy between yourneckandshoulder. Iusedtoinhale,deeply, like a Buddha that madememoanwhenInuzzledintothethick,deepbrown-colored crescent I don’t remember howhesmells. Helese Smauldon S(C)ENT I wanttoscreenshoot itandtextyou“Rememberthis?” were inourapartmentCharlotte.Whenasongwe both lovedplaysanapp, the love. the traumaofallwe’dbeenthrough together;Ineverthoughthewastalkingabout for me,askingstrength formeasImovedon.thoughthewastalkingabout thought; youwere more thanmyeverything. I figur When I’minmyhouse,Istill openthecabinettolookforthingswher People toldmenocontactwasthebestthingforbr I neverthoughtcouldclosemyhearttoyou.ther Y I don’ The placewher It nolongerhadyourscent;distinctivefusionofpher esterday, whenyoucalled,Iignored it.Iwasn’t ready forwhatwasonthe ed thisoutwhileIwasfoldinglaundry. Theshirtyougavemetwoyears t knowwhenitreally started…diditbeginwith Maritza?Ordid e Ioncemeditatedononlyyou.Once,youwere myevery

MR 40 eak ups.Myfatherprayed omones andsweat e’d bea e they world upsidedown. moonlight, waitingsilentlywithbare breasts forthenextaroma my thatwillturn once usedtowishonbringusclosertogether. Now, Ijustbatheinherfull

I thinkI’mbeginningnottoloveyouanymor But Idon’ I can’ t evenremember yourscent… t. Theneedformetodothatiswaningnow, likethemoonthatI

MR 41 e. Overlooking Prague Yee MeeLee MR 42 we’ll knowwhere we’re going but keepthelightonso we envelopintoourself-created theater declarations-expectations-divinations-exultations the chords risingandfallingintheirownspeculations with variations my storyisyour complacency takestoomuchtime messages tobeunderstood calls tobeheeded outlining thedirections each pathadiagramofmeridians each withaninnerdestination all roads converge Ras Moshe SO TOLD YOU

MR 43 View ofAssisi View Yee MeeLee MR 44 undeveloped woods. doors thatopenedtoasmall,slate-covered pationestledrightintotheedgeof and whitetelevisionsetperched atopafilingcabinet,andpairofslidingglass become asparsely-finishedplayroom withascratchyaquamarinesofa,black On theoppositesideofdark,wood-paneledwallwas theroom thatwould highball glassnestledintohisgrip;thereel-to-reel tapeplayerspinninginthecorner. stocked wetbar. From oldphotos,Icanseemyfather sittinginhisEames,a complete withthickshagcarpeting,afullwallofbuilt-in bookshelves,andafully garage andreconfigured theground floor layout to create astudyformyfather, builders andsetaboutchasingtheAmericanDream. Theyaddedonatwo-car after constructionhadbeencompleted,myparents boughtthehousefrom the brown withyellowshutters,andwassetbackfrom thestreet. Justafewmonths bedrooms, kitchen,andformallivingdiningrooms. amodern Thehousewas my eyesclosed. bright moonandclearskies.Iknewcouldfindmywaythrough thesewoodswith were neverasdarkyoumightexpectandtonighteverythingwaslitupwitha grabbed abranch,swungdown,andhittheground running.Thebackwoods alittlefrommy waydown,thighsandpalmsburned slidingoverthebark,then from thegarageroof andcatchholdofthebigbranchoaktree. Ishimmied school ontheothersideofPowers’Pond.Jameshadshownmehowtojump into thewoodworkalways. mom wasjusttootired tocare aboutme.Andanyway, Imadeitmypolicytofade in trouble. Mybrother, James, gotinenoughtrouble forthebothofus,somaybe blasting AC/DCat13yearsold,Istillpulledindecentgradesandneverreally got that openeddirectly totheroof ofthegarage.EvenifIwassmokingcigarettes and never consider Liz Lauricella HOP BROOK younger pastures. Mymomgotthehouseindivorce, andwhocouldargue? job ofbeingawifeandsettinguptheirhome. overseas whenshemetandmarriedmyfather, thenbusiedherselfwithhernew position center andanexcellentschoolsystem.Mymotherlefthergovernment where Maryoncebrought herlittlelamb,Sudburyhadadreamy NewEnglandtown Home tothehistoricLongfellow’s Wayside InnandtheLittleRedSchoolHouse my par I hadalwaysbeentherulefolloweroffamilyandsupposemymother T Built in1963,itwasapracticalandsmartsplit-levelhomefeaturingthr When myfathertookajobwithDigitalEquipmentCompanyinthelate1960s, One night,whenIwas14,snuckoutofmyhousetomeetthekidsfr en yearsandtwobabieslater, myfatherandhischairleftforgreener and ents settleddowninawealthy, super-white suburbtothewestofBoston. ed memuchofaflightriskbecauseitwasmybedroom window

MR 45 om ee winter toiceskate. shortcut betweenourstreet andthePowers’land,where wetrespassed every in thiswater, notfarbeyond where thelogsatnow. Thelogalsomadeforanideal when Iwasnine,cutmyleftringfingercleardownto thebonewhileswimming used tositthere anddrop rocks intothecurrent us.Once asitrushedunderneath to leanbackandrest againsttheotherarm,likenature’s La-Z-Boy. ChristyandI out across theriver. You couldsitonthelogandrecline just-so,theperfectangle The tree trunkwassolid,anditsplitnaturallywithtwowidearmsthatstretched birch tree sendingitfallingbackandacross theHopBrook, justbelowthefalls. those backwoodswasin1985,whenaboltoflightning struckdownagiant,old previous winterhadbrought. Thebestandmostsignificantchangetohappenin and alltheneighborhoodkidswouldtakeoffintowoodstoseewhat Minutemen duringtheRevolutionaryWar. way through totheOldStoneHouse,builtstore munitionsandsuppliesbythe fish fortrout ortrytocatchfrogs. Whenwewere alittleolder, webushwhackedour tromping upanddownthesteepwoodedhillsidesfrom thebrook, where wewould 80 acres ofuntouchedwoodsandwetlands.We spentlongsummerafternoons construction between usandthe main road. Ourbackyard outtoberoughly turned we wouldneverhaveneighborstoourleftorbehindus.Andthatalsomeantno length –bothphysicallyandemotionally. necessary. Insideourhome,shewasequallyguarded; shekeptherselfatanarm’s socialize, choosingonlytomakepolite,ifnotterse,conversation.Andwhen felt uncomfortableinthecompanyoftheseperfect,two-parent families.Shedidn’t divorcee inathickherd ofprofessional wivesandhomemakers,Iimaginethatshe almost alwaystired andtoofrequently putoutbythemessinessofchildren. Alone remarkable obstinacy, shemadeitwork.Thetrade-off,ofcourse,wasthat been nootherplaceforustogo.Shefoundajob,andbysheerforce ofwilland It wasbasicallybrandnewandhadbeenpaidforwithcash.Besides,there had was toobusy;noonehadbothered tolookforme. up there inthesamestuffyandcrampedspace.Everyoneelse thenextmorning, under thecounterofbar, withthewoodencabinetdoorspulledclosed.Iwoke shafts oflightthatfellfrom theroom’s twosmall,highwindows.Once,Ifellasleep quickly crouch downtowatchthetinydustparticlesfloatinglikeglitterinbright house wassilentandstill,Iwoulddashbackforthacross theroom, then Quimby, PippiLongstockingandAnneofGreen Gables.Sometimes,whenthe read, andquicklyfoundnewfriendsinPeterRabbitCorduroy, thenRamona ofmyfather’sup inthecorner oldstudy, nowdankandempty. Itaughtmyselfto Every year Our pr My earliestmemoriesfr operty backedupintowhatwasnowstateconservationland,so , afterthethaw, itwaslikeanunveilingofanewamusementpark om childhoodare ofbeingalone.Ispenthourscurled

MR 46 took Truth andhopedthey’dgoeasyonme. I didn’t feelanymore ofthatbraveryandstrength, Iquietly sowhen it wasmyturn, base withher. Theywandered offintothenight,holding handsandwhispering. and cloves. t-shirt thathungsquarely from hisbroad shoulders.Hesmelledlikecleanlaundry night, hewaswearingafelt,forest green, floppyhatandabeatupoldtie-dyed among boys.Hehadmossygreen eyesand wore square, metalglasses.Onthis Sometimes Isawhiminthehallwaysatschool,buthealwaysseemedlikeaman sandy blondehairthatfellinsoft,gentlecurlstoperfectlysetoffhissquar and itwassoftwarm,bothgenuinebroad. someone’s stare onme,IlookedupandfoundBenwatchingme.Hissmilebroke the noisesofpartyandnightwoods.WhenIbegantofeelweight strength mighttaste.Foralongwhile,Isatstaringintothefire, justlisteningtoall spent mostofmylifebeinginvisible,andthisexactlyhowIimaginedbravery allthewaydowndeepintomybelly.pull andthenfeltthatmagicalburning Ihad “Hey David,gotalight?”Eventually, theflaskcamearound tome,andItookalong pulled asmokefrom thepackofMarlboros I’dpinchedfrom Jamesandwhispered, campfire. Bywayofagreeting, Icleared mythroat andslippedintothecircle. I Someone hadbrought aflaskofMadDog, and itwasbeingpassedaround the circle, IcouldseeMike,Jeremy, BenandDavidsittingontheothersideoffire. Erica andMaggie’s voicesfollowedbytheirshrilllaughter. WhenIreached thefire the smokefrom thecampfire intheclearingonothersideandIcouldhear back out. again, deepintotheravinewhere inonitselfbefore theriverturned windingitsway My footingwassure andImadequicktimeupovertheridgebackdown ducking downtheirpathintothewoods,Istoppedworryingaboutgettingcaught. So thatnight,whenIfoundmyselfcuttingthrough theDavis’s backyard and held melikeababyandthesoundsoflandscapewere likemyownkindoflullaby. I cametothinkofthesewoodsasprotective andprivate;thetrees andunderbrush elaborate andimaginaryworlds,buildingfortsorpokingunderlogs.Overtheyears, boyfriends, somewer was gigglingandmaybealittle drunk.Mostofthegirlsinmyclasshadsteady and shame. I couldfeelmycheeksflush,brightandprickling-hot, giving awaymyinexperience I hadspentmywholelifeexploringandhidinginthesewoods,cr “C’mon, tellus!”Ericasaidasshejabbedherbonyelbow intomyside.She “What’ Later At just16,Benwasalr Even befor , weplayedtruthordare andMaggiewasdared toletJongothird s thefarthestyou’veeverbeenwithaboy?”theyhadwanted toknow. e Igotovertheloganduptonextridgeline,couldsmell e probably already doingit,too.Asidefrom kissingTim eady oversixfeettallandhehadtheloveliestlong,

MR 47 eating e jaw. and heldon. home, backtomyinvisiblelife,Ifelthishandcatchmine; hegaveitasqueeze tohead doves.JustasIturned I couldheartheplaintivecallsofmourning nodded. Iwasgladhecouldn’t seemyface,paintedinhumiliation.Inthedistance, forgotten myjacket. into theworld.Waiting tocross thelogandheadbackup ravine, Irealized I’d cigarette butts.Inaninstant,wescattered, disappearingintothewoodsandback we stoodandshoveleddirtonthefire, collectedourempties,andcleanedup new day, everythingfeltpossible.Whentheskiesstartedtosuggestrisingsun, alcohol andexhaustion,butthere, deepinthewoodsandinfancyofthat as theytwirleddownanddisappeared intheglowingembers.Ifeltdizzyfrom the we’dquieteddown,too,staringsilentlyattheflames the nightspuntomorning, to create anunusualandanimatedchorus.Thefire crackledandpopped,as the marshrose abovethepeepers,crickets, andanynumberofstraycatsinheat some chords. Boone’s Farmaround thefire pit;Benpulledouthisguitarandstartedplucking and hetookthedare torunaround theclearing,naked.We passedabottleof the cigarettes I’dcrammed intomyjeanjacket.Thankfully, Jeremy’s wasnext turn shoulders andmumbled,“I’veneverkissedaboy Carmen atRollerKingdomlastyear, Iremained tragicallyinexperienced. Masters inthefirewood shedwhenwewere seven,orholdinghandswithDonald here againtomorrow night.” my neck.Heleanedovershoulderandwhispered, “Pleasesayyou’llmeetme there foralongtime,quietandstill,watchingthedaybloomaround us. startle andrelief; Itookthelowarmoflog andmethiminthemiddle.We stood Beneath myfoot,astickbroke, givingmeaway. We were instantlyconnected inthe from blacktobluepurple,likeabruise.Iwaitedminute,didn’t wanttointrude. just afterthetree’s armssplit,Benstoodlookingupattheskyasitwasshifting peeking through theroots andunderbrushofthelog.There, atthemid-waypoint, the sweetnessofdecayandmud.Theshriekscacklesnighther I triedtoplayitcool,yetknewwasanythingbut.So,justshruggedmy W I couldn’ “Hey I wasalittleoutofbr “Hey!” hecalledaftermeasIranbackupthehill.“I’llwaither The airwasthickandheavywiththepricklysmellofswampcabbages e were standingsoclosethatIcouldfeelhisbreath skipacross thebackof ,” hesaid,bumpingmeslightly. “Whatyou said upthere, isittrue?” t bringmyselftoanswerhim,soIshruggedmyshoulders againand eath whenIgotbackdown.sawapinkLady’s Slipper

MR 48 .” ThenIbusiedmyselfwithfinding e.” ons in Natural Langdon Elephant Bath MR 49 which soothestheseethingcauldron whicherodes from within. spewed atthefeet,slowydevouringskin,flesh,bone,soul,sightof Even robots haveemotional limits;whenreached, result inexplosion.Acid a time-release formula. straight, nochaser. Eyesoffire reveal oceansofmagma rolling deep, bursts offine,aged,distilledvenom,administered directly totheears, inRationalizedirrationalityfilterstofreedom.fury churn Even,controlled of emotion.Mentalhandcuffs restrain elementalessences.Epochsof Live andbreathe noxiousfumesofanger. Struggletoprevent themarbling Calvin OtisButts,IV PASSIVE AGGRESSION

MR 50 Lawrence Henderson

MR Rush 51 anymore. I havenoinfluence I don’t likethat like that. I don’t will makeadifference. Nothing Isay your butts. You love but. I loveyou reeking. tossed jacket as youcomein I smellyou or thesmoke? is itthecold I seeit Your breath, like it. I don’t you squanderit. We are givensomuch less oflife? to buy Why putmoneydown like it. I don’t I don’t. don’t think smoke comingoutofthewindow, out there inyourcar, I seeyou Aliza Burton I DON’T

MR 52 What Will TheyCallThisDay? What Will Daniel Smith MR 53 The moneystillsmellsofpheromones whenitchangeshands. mid-life-crisis sportscars,andinsurance. The safeinvestmentisintheindustries: coveting saysthatfearistomorrow’s worry. Fear tellsusnottospendondesire – fear spendsbigger. Coveting spendsfaster, the thingswesavefor. the thingswespendon, Coveting andfear: Josh Smith DRAIN YOU

MR 54 Lawrence Henderson Subway Seats MR 55 they toldme toldmetheytired ofme Now Igotsupport “We allbeenthruitkid!Iremember, Iwasexactlylikeyou…” As wealldid,do Snapshot: anapprentice onadiet,indebt I tookthisphotographsoakingwetwithsweat II. We haveaneccentricvigilancetomakeitplumbandlevel Stronger thananychemical,yetmodestandsubtle can’t ignore theneedtomakeitbutton forecasting thenextdesign ourstomachs pushing aneedinsideofus,turns helps usrealize thenextwork stained inourmemories, The itch,vaguelyfamiliartothepain We cannotstopenvisioning,modeling,formation–humannature Let consistencybemystrength Everything Idoformypartner, canbecountedon Everything wemakewithourhandsisbeautifulanduseful Sacrifice? Who canteachcomraderyandbrotherhood? Who canteachworkethic? the Dept.ofEd.hadnobearingonthesekids School-scales, leveledgrades,andtimedtestsdon’t apply This isourtestnow! we knoware judgedon“Thattookanhourand1/2?” looking toholdaunioncard, We painstakingly, learned toworklikegentlemen Learned No pain Moving along,allsetup,gotthisgoing,timeflies,getitdone,nopr strengthened ourminds/ were almostcraftsmennow! tactfully, gracefully, nexttime,task, deeply embeddedmemory, strengthen someothermuscle, We howtoimprovise, learned They don’t knowaboutbruised hands,blistered feet! John Parente R IN THEWORKER ARTISAN THE eaction toPublic Works of Art Seminar

MR 56

oblem around thestudwork,through theslab behind thethinwall,on other sideoftheinsulation, without awedge isn’t soeasy what liesunderneath putting astampon now I’mthepatron saint,stakingmyclaim he caughtuslookingattheeffectandnotquality Jackson Pollockoutofacanonwithnonetinsight This isart?Well itisartforartssake WAIT Ezra Poundisscreaming, figurativelypushing literalartistsMAKEITNEW! seize alittlecreative solaceineverywork what isemblematicofaneraworthsaving I’m inDeadHorseBayfindingdunnage Score! I composeapileofreusable stuff faking aflutesolotoopenparachute I needtofix,figure, prep, andimprovise none ofuswere withourskills born I’m goingtousewhattheydon’t teachusin school forged byfire, puttingloveintomywork gifted ineightways,’ceptnotallatonce among usisDr. Howard Gardner We’re from BauhausBloodline, You cannotgeneralizeabouttheintelligenceofworkers and: “youknowtheindustryisgoingtoshit,right?” so whydoIalwayshear:“youknowthisisan80/20,right?” were notjustsimplydoingourjob…thisisus building ispartofourbeing Thank somethingI’mnotdoingpaperwork! Need tobereminded, I’mahumanbeingnotdoing The hairstylistandtheelectricianbothmastertheircraft What were theydrivingtowards here –howcanIfinishit? What wasthelastworkergettingat? He knowswe’re thinking; Mike Roseisn’t surprised They willsurpriseyouifunderestimate Most importantlyIfoundoutthatallthetradesmenare human whatIwassupposedtolearn Earned

MR 57 struggle insideof and somanyafterhim proclaimed thegreat-great grandsonofJohn D.Rockefeller pile ofpaperworkinfront ofgettingacommissionedpiecepublicart,” “I cannotexplaintheleveloffrustrationIfeelwhenlook atthe I canbreak through andbeanoriginal I havetonotcare whatanybodymightthinkandfollowmytraining Collaborated hisworkwithlifeandchangedart Who shotAndyWarhol! hisbackonthenorm turned meticulous, eyeofagenius,mighthavebeenthegreatest Crafting, drawing,histrainingtookyears looks practicallyperfect,nodogcurve If Iampenitent,patient,I’llgetitdone I practice,pray Run-through, drill,again Repeat mypracticelikeasinger I’m MilesDavisonairguitar! I liftmypipe-benderthistimewithadifferent approach, met singerswhocouldblowanotethrough theceilingandupatstarrynightsky Jack tookhislaborontheroad likeMarkTwain’s pioneers They were toldtheyhadtomakeit,persevere Jack Kerouac calledtheearlyAmericanjazzmusician“theessentialAmerican” The beatsknewthevalueofaworking-classAmerica Sometimes theworkeristhismaestro, adirector, acomposer I feelyouMr. Gates! I’m TheasterGates,settingupasceneatconventioncenter raise funds,makeitaboutthefuture We cometogether, fillanauditorium Who isgoingtotellthemanythingaboutwhatartandwork more thantheyprofit gives backmore moneyin termsofresources forthecommunity the personthat Who isgoingtotelltherichestpersoninPittsburgh debating contractor’s useofcolor/tearingwallsdown performance aspectofmywork? will myoffsetbarkifistompit?

MR 58 may nothaveitalltogetherbut ‘the workingclass’becauseweworkitallout we gettoworkoutpuzzlesforesee just gettingupislaboring,butit’s trulylivinglife watch ’emsleeplovingly crying babyfinallydoesgodown in theonelastprivatemoment…breathe Relief, likeasolomomwithherfirstlittlemaster that aworkisdonewhenitdone. It ismybaby, Ifeel I’m anartistsosensitiveaboutonething:Allofmyshit My workcomesfrom mymindfornow III.

MR 59 Anita Sillery

MR Gears 60 this circular ritualisalwayswelcomewhenitcomes the heliocentricRA heated showersofrays chi flesh turns given energybythesongsofsun then onward togreen evolution inward andwithdrawnwith bare limbs inevitable expanseofnature’s cycle open spacefieldsgivebirthtoherbsandfood forward growth through concrete cracks Ras Moshe EARTH CLOCK-TIME/LINES

MR 61 Natural Langdon Bahia Sunset MR 62 Than theonewe’dleftbehind. Believing thisstormtobecalmer Perhaps wekeptdrivingthatnight Surrounded us. Strong winds,sheetsofrain, foreboding thunder Into stormcloudswedrove The drivetoDagsboro thatnightwasdaunting Paul Marshall DAGSBORO

MR 63 Joseph Verrastro Brute Spring MR 64 and youknowwhy that’s nolie because Fridaytheeaglewillfly man, becool, but don’t bugoutjustcausethere’s snakesinthegrass then wokeuplikearooster inthemorning like, man,backatthecribweallcrashed cause thatcathasthememoryofanelephant he knewsomethingwasfishy even thoughtheytreated himlikeadog,youdig? he wasnochicken but hecouldalwayssmellarat he wasknowntobeastimidamouse man, like,thatcatflewlikeabird Ras Moshe JAZZ REALITIES

MR 65 MR 66 by EddieShellman Harlequinetic III with younow.” early 20shadIbeenyourfather inthosedays.Itwouldmeanalottomeshare it a youngman.Iwouldhave shared it withyouwhenwere inyourlateteens or spoken likemymom. organic gardening nutfrom Cleveland.Sheisasweetlady. Downtoearthandsoft in hiseyes.HehasfourdaughterswithMelanie.Melplaysafolkguitarandisan the result oftaking“onetoomanyhits.”Nopun! Leary.gurus likeTimothy “Itwasatripworth taking,”she’s alwayssaid.AndIam artists honedtheirskillsandwere inspired toexpandtheirlevelofconsciousnessby met ontheCapewhileattendinga“teach-in”astheycalledit,where grassroots the MashpeeWampanoag tribethat oncepopulatedCapeCod.Sheandmyfather Brian isyoungenoughtobemyolderbrother. Brother Brian.No“Papa”forhim! were bohemianlikemom,butsheeventuallysettledforadraftsmannamedBrian. thought totellhimhehadason.Igrew upknowingseveralmenasmyfather. Most deadbeat dadwhoshirkedhisresponsibilities. Mycrazy, hippydippymothernever grandfather whowasalsonamedAdahy. for ‘livesinwoods’andsuitsmyfatherwell.Itwasgiventohimhonorofhis owner ofaprivateairfield.MeetAdahy(akaJimmy)Rogers.isCher Western NewYork andCanada,paidcashforasingleprop biplane,andispart hunts andfishestoputfoodonthetable. Yet heowns rental property throughout hair inaponytailthatstretches tothemiddleofhisback.Hisclothesare ratty. He ou wouldneverknow thatmyfatherisamanofmeans.Therustytruckhe Melanie Greene, liveonasmall farminthemiddleofnowhere. Hewearshisgreying drives shouldhavebeenscrapped20yearsago.Heandhislifetimecompanion, Paul Marshall INDUCTION this moment. big faneither. uphisnoseIcantell heisnota I hatebaseball.Judgingbythewayheturns howtodriveatractor,on hislaplearning soIblurt,“Let’s takeinaballgame.” to dowithhim.You know, afatherandsonthing.At37Idon’t seemyselfsitting Y “Ther His eyeslightuplikefir “Is ther Shortly afterwemeet,Adahyasksifther I amnotmyfather’ My momlooks,andoftenacts,halfherage.ShetooisNativeAmerican,fr I amintr e is,”hesays.“Aceremonial ritemyfatherpassedontomewhenIwas e anythingyouwouldliketodo?”Iask. oduced toAdahyin1992,justaftermy37thbirthday. No,heisn’t a s onlychild,butIamhisson.Thatmakesmespecial, eworks inthenightsky. He hasbeenwaitingfor

MR 67 e isanythingspecialthatI’dlike okee om at measIflewoverhead. You seealotofneatthingsfrom theair.” want toforgethowhappytheymademe.Seeingallthosesmilingfaceslookingup flying overafieldofsunflowers.There hadtobeathousand acres of’em.Inever her upforasonganddance,”hesayswithsmile.“Haditpaintedyellowafter story ofhowhefounditburiedunderalayertarpsinsomeone’s “Picked barn. business. Adahywalksmearound theplane,pointingtoitsfeatures whiletellingthe of onlythree manufactured before thegreat depression forced thecompanyoutof in mylifeeversincemothercameclean.“I’mhonored. Countmein.” down Iknowthatthisisanopportunitytomeldwithmyfather, themanI’vewanted thought ofspendingtwoweeksinOklahomaisn’t highonmyprioritylist.Yet deep aword Ihearhimsay,penetrates mysoul.Without “You are myson.Cherokee.” connect. Notatasuperficiallevel.Somethingdeeper. Staringintomyeyes,he for tighter-than-the-bark-on-a-tree. Insteadofrenting acaratBudget, wewalk airstrip forBudgetCarRental. AdahyshouldhavebeengiventheCher the startofafamilyreunion. are connectedtotheprivateairfield,othershavecomeforfestivities.Itfeelslike embraces andintroduces metoseveralmenhehasknownformanyyears.Some of about30onlookers.Itisthebiggestwelcomewehave hadtheentire trip.Adahy Peaceful. Serene. the skyIcanseeformiles.MotherEarthlooksdifferent from thisvantagepoint. acloudin cool! Isoarlikeaneagle,feelingtheairrushingallaround me.Without gallons perhour. Great! I’llgetplentyofpeebreaks! three seventoeight hoursbecausethetankonlyholds21gallonsoffuelandburns depending upontheweather. Heinformsmethatwe’llhavetostopeverytwo engine roars intolifeandweboard LadyLuck.Theflightwilltaketwotothree days, a try. Iputmyhandsonthebladeandgiveitawhirl.Afterseveralattempts coupler. Ifyouthrow theprop tohard itwon’t start.”Hemotionsformegiveit with astarter. You havetohandprop it.IthasaKinnerB5enginewithanimpulse plane. Raisinghisarmhepointstothepropeller andsays,“LadyLuckdidn’t come you anameamongtheChiefswhostillpracticetraditionalceremony.” it ashappens,withoutpreconceived notions,”heexplains.“Participatingwillearn As hespeaksIseethewantinhisgentle,deepbr Adahy doesn’ A shortwhileafterlanding,halfadozenofuspileinto smallbus,leavingthe T W W The mor I br wo daysaftertakeoffwelandtheaircraft atourfinaldestinationtothefanfare e sitinanopencockpitandflyataltitudeof2-3,000feet.Thisiswicked e loadourbagsintothetinycargoarea andwalktoward thefront ofthe eak hisgazetosipmycoffee.I’mnotintoheritagelikeheis.Andthe ning ofourtripImeetLadyLuck.She’s a1931StudentPrince.One t expoundonthenature oftheceremony. “You mustexperience

MR 68 own eyes.Helongsto okee name shoulder, withagentlesqueezehesays,“Welcome toyourfamily.” me youwere coming,”hesayswithasoftvoice.Wrapping hisfree armaround my The oldmangazesatmewiththesamepenetratingeyesasmyfather. “Adahytold I resemble him.Ifightbackthetearsasherisestohisfeetandourhandsclasp. runs through mybody. Seeingpastthewrinklesandagespotsitstrikesmethat my son,Christopher. Christopher, meetyourgrandfather, GawoniiRogers.”Achill yet heiswrappedinwhatappearstobeahandwovenblanket.“Gawonii,this with long,stringygrey hairwatchingWheelofFortune.Itiswarminthehouse, a womannamedCarol. Sittinginarecliner directly behindCarol isanelderlyman is someonehere Iwouldlikeyoutomeet.” saltbox stylefarmhouse.“ThisisthehouseIgr dollars adaycheaper, andatightsqueezebumpyride. across thestreet andpickupatwodoor, 1979ChevyChevettefrom alocal.Itissix and theneveryone’s headisnodding. men looksatmyfatherand says,“I’msatisfied.”Anothernodsand“Metoo,” get askedalotofquestionsanddomostthetalking. Around 11:00oneofthe chew thefatanddrinkpotsofcoffeeforalmostthree hours.BeingnewtothemI brown eyes.Andtheyknoweachother. We sitataround tablewithsixothers,eat, It’s hard nottonoticethatmostofthepeople here havedarkskin,blackhairand their land.” his headandgestures, “Theyfoundnaturalgasoverthere, notlongafterstealing to asectionofwoodsthathasbeencutdownandlooks likeaskislope,heraises in alanddisputewiththewhites,butPop’s stillowns about200acres.” Motioning toward theeast,“tocreek bedthree milesdowntheroad. Theylostmostofit owned thisland.From thatridgelinewhere thesunissetting,”hearcs hishand and pointshisindexfingertoward thehills.“Mygrandfatherandhisbrother once smirks. “Grandpausedtocallherthe‘fertileturtle.’Hewasafeistyoldcoot.” with pride.“To lookatheryou’dneverguessshegavebirthto13children.” He middle agedwomanhangingoveramantle.“Thatwasmygrandmother,” hesays to pictures ofhismotherthathangonthewalls, thentotheportraitofabeautiful, stretched from endtowithenoughchairsforatleast60people.Adahy points dining room islongandjetsoutfrom ofthehouse.Tables thebackcorner are original NativeAmericanartworksofpottery, paintingsandpencilsketches.The The sunisbeginningtosetaswepullintothedrivewayofatan,twostory The nextmor W He walksmethr Adahy patshisfatherontheback.“RestupPops.W He knocksonthesidedoorandwalksin.Uponenteringheintr alking outthebackdoorandstandingondeck,heextendshisarm ning AdahyandIjoinhisfriendsforbreakfast atthelocaldiner. ough thehouse.Itissimple,decoratedthroughout with

MR 69 ew upin,”Adahyinformsme.“There e haveabigweekahead.” oduces meto other members.” inducted. Andyoucanonlybeinvitedafterobtainingtheapproval ofatleastthree the sonofamemberingoodstanding,likemyfatherwaswhenheinvitedmetobe that conducttheritualsIspoketoyouabout.To becomeamemberyouhavetobe behind thesceneforadvancementofNativeAmericanlife.Theseare themen indigenous menwhohavetakenobligationstolookoutforoneanotherandwork they are mybrothers. We are order allmembersofTheBlackHawk,afraternal of relationship withhim.Regardless ofhowIfeel,heisimportanttome. same time,Idon’t wanttoinsultmyfatheror losetheopportunitytobuildasolid with triballifeortheaffairsofthosewhogrew upon reservations. Butatthe the memberofasecret society. OtherthanbeingIndianbybirth,Ihavenoaffiliation every member of the fraternal orderevery memberofthefraternal hasgonethrough thisriteofinitiation. The BlackHawk.We are encouragednottobenervousorafraidandinformedthat Inside thecabinIamintr eyeballed thevehiclesnexttoours.Theylaughed. newer lookingSUV’s. Imadeanobviouscoughingnoisetogettheirattentionand when wepulledintotheparkinglotAdahysqueezed jalopybetweentwo because theshocksandstrutsinGrandpa’s truckwere blown.Needlesstosay, me andGawoniitoaremote cabininthewoods,myheadhitceiling,twice, of whatitmeanstorideincomfort.Thefollowingevening, asmyfatherchauffeur other,” hesays. solar energyandassures methatthere isnot.“We don’t exist,excepttoeach better acquaintedwithBlackHawk.Adahyputsdownthebookheisreading about was inhighschool.Ibored tofreaking tears! and othereventsaround NewEngland.” Narragansett, RhodeIsland.” “Christopher Earlier inthedayImadedecisiontoseewhatthishubbub isallabout. I don’ Later inthedaywhilewear Never! Iassur “Look outforoneanother “What dotheydo?” “Y “Ar I don’ es,” hetellsme.“There are clansinSpringfield, Worcester, Plymouthand e there membersinMassachusetts?” t wanttohurtmyfather’s feelings,butI’mnotinclinedtoward becoming t knowwhatitisabouttheRoger’s men,buttheyhavenoconception ,” mydadstartsonthewaybacktohouse,“thosemen, e myself.MymothertookmetooneofthosegatheringswhenI oduced tofourothercandidatesseekingadmittance . Helpwhenaneedarises.OrganizePowWow’s e resting, Iaskifthere isanythingIcanread toget

MR 70 ed you mustnowpaystrictattentionanddoeverythingexactlyasare told.” fully inthisinitialritual,youwillbeforever banishedfrom membership.Gentleman, of BlackHawk.Butbeadvisedthatifforsomereason youare unabletoparticipate Hawk stations.Asabrave,youwillbeinvitedtoseekadmittancethenextlevel member, and if you are found worthy, you will leave as a brave, the first of four Black you havecomeseekingadmittancetoTheBlackHawkasthechildofafraternal blindfolded. Once dressed weare introduced toamemberthatwillserveasourguide,and Cherokee clothing:leggings,moccasins,awarshirtandhandstitchedblanket. and instructedtoremove ourouterclothingandshoes,thengiventraditional oldest ofthefivewhoare seekingadmittance. We are escortedtoaprivate room me, wishmeluck,andwalkoutthebackdoorwithseveralothermen.Iam I’m instructedtokneel,foldmyhandsandplacethem upon therock infront ofme. exchange forbecomingamemberofTheBlackHawk?” Hawk. Haveyoucomeofyourownfree will?” mybodyslightlytotheleft. stops, andturns It reminds meofhome.Ledbymyrightarm,theguidetakesabout50feet, woodascampfirethe crackleofburning smokefillsmynostrils.Ilovethatsmell. wondering whatI’vegottenmyselfinto.Iamthethird tobecalled. is ledout.T An elderlymanwearingafullheaddr I amnowtakenbybotharmsandledtowar “Admittance toTheBlackHawk.” “Christopher Again myarmistakenandwewalktoanotherstation. “I havenot.Onlythebenefitoffrater “Christopher My guider “I have.” “Christopher The chillofnightairrunsthr After severalminutesIamstartledbyloudbanging.Bill,thefirstcandidate, Adahy andGawoniiwalkovertowher wenty minutesgobybefore thenextcandidate, istaken.Iamnervous, etakes myarmandleadsmeanother50feet. , whathaveyoucomehere seeking?” , haveyoubeenpromised anypersonalbenefit or reward in , itisourunderstandingthatyouseekadmittancetoTheBlack ough mybodyaswestepoutofthecabin.Ihear

MR 71 nal brotherhood.” ess takeshisplaceofhonor. “Tonight e I am standing, take turns embracing e Iamstanding,taketurns d thefire. Theheatwarmsmeas safeguard thesecrets ofTheBlackHawkanditsmembers?” members andourworkare knownonlytoeachother. to understandthatyouare society. seekingadmittancetoanelitefraternal Our no gunsorknivestoprotect myself.Nospear! if there are bearsorpanthers. WhathappensifIamattacked?havenoweapon, deafening. Coyoteshowlinthedistance.Iwonderifthey willpickupmyscentor I amfrightened.Scared todeath.Thenoisecomingfrom thearmyofcricketsis better comeupsoon!Theminutesseemlikehours.Icannot hidethefactthat your heartandlungs.” compromise theintegrityofTheBlackHawk,thisspearwillbethrustthrough upon yourchest.Knowthatifyouviolatethepromise you’vejustmadeand the secrets ofTheBlackHawk?” communicate inanyfashion,toanyoneattime,undercircumstance, and fingerspulverizedundertheforce ofasledgehammer, thatyouwillnot your lipscutfrom yourface,eyesgougedfrom theirsockets,yourhands the woods,unarmedandblindfolded. I amnotsure ifmybodyisshakingfrom thecoolair, orthefearofbeingalonein I wrapmyselfinthethickblanketbefore takingaseatontherock. Atthispoint our feet.Ihavequestions,butamafraidtoask.When wearriveatourdestination, The BlackHawk.” remove theblindfoldwhilemoonisstillshining,youwillforfeitmembershipin do notremove theblindfolduntilyouseelightofdawnshiningthrough. Ifyou a rock. You mustremain blindfoldedthroughout thenight.Itisimperative thatyou responsibility toleadyouintothewoodswhere youwillspendthenightsittingon “Proceed!” “Christopher “Christopher This iscrazy!Nuts!T W “T Still blindfoldedIamtakentoanotherguidewhowalksmeawayfr “I understand.” “Christopher! AsChiefofTheBlackHawk,Iplacetheendthisspear I pauseforamomentbefor “And doyoupr “I do.” o becomeabrave,youmustdemonstratemeasure ofbravery. Itismy e walkforwhatseemslikeamile,fallentree limbssnapundertheweightof . Doyoupromise, without any hesitationorreservation, to . Before takingthenextstep tobecomeabrave,itisimportant omise, underthepenaltyofhavingyourtongueremoved, otally insane!Idon’t knowwhattimeitis,butthesun e responding, “Ido.”

MR 72 om thefir

e. time, Iamproud tobeCherokee. Proud tobemyfather’s son. your father.” Coming here wasabigmistake. “You needtodothis,”Mariekeptsaying.“He’s I wonderwhatsheisdoingnow. Ihaven’t calledhersinceleavingMassachusetts! several days. by theothermenandweare givenanoverview ofhowwewillspendthenext your brothers.” Imarvelatthecomradery. in thewoods.Andnowyouwillneverbelefttofightlife’s battleswithouttheaidof Black Hawk,istoalwayshaveyourbrothers back.You were neveraloneouthere He embracesmeoncemore. Cupping myfaceinhishands,“It’s likeIsaid,Christopher, weexistforeachother.” distance away, wrappedinblankets,rifleshand. someone cough.Spinningaround, there ismyfatherandgrandfather, sittinga short I remove theblindfold.Istandandgivemyselfagoodstretch, andthenhear Just abitlonger. sun isrising.Butmyinstructionsare toremain blindfoldeduntilIcanseedaylight. possible, knowingitwillallbeoversoon.Whenbirds begintochirpIknowthe dancing through thewoodsfeelslikefootstepscomingtoward me.Isitstillas Big deal!WhatgoodwillitdoifIdon’ If Idie,thenthiswholethingwillbefornaught.Whatwouldmywifedo? I embracethetalonsofBlackHawk. Standing befor Upon r Then Gawoniispeaks.“ThefirsttenetofbeingCher T Feeling theheatofmor The nightr My fatherandgrandfatherwentthr Relax, Itellmyself.Br ears cometomyfather’s eyesashestandsandwalksovertoembrace me. eturning tothecabinfivenewmembersareeturning formally received olls on.Attimesthewindkicksupandsoundofleaves e them,somethingbeginstochangewithinme.Forthe first eath. Calmdown.Thinkpleasantthoughts. ning sunanditslightshiningthrough thefibers,

MR ough this.Theymadeit.Iwillmakeittoo. 73 t makeitthrough thenight! okee, nottomention

to theworld.Theymayhavecalleditanark,butI itaskeleton. floorboards anddrywallwere adistantmemory, leavingthebeamsnakedandopen since beenrippedout,leavingonlythepitifulsightoffaded woodenplanks.The by tarpswhichdidnothingtokeeptheblisteringcoldwind out.Insulationhadlong a ramshacklecollectionofwallsandlooseshingles.The entrywayswere covered congratulate him;that’s howclosetheybecameintheirshorttimetogether. the SuperBowlin2010,myfathercalledJerryfrom ourhomeinNewYork to I recognized himbefore wewere introduced. WhentheNewOrleansSaintswon so manystoriesaboutJerrythatwhenIwentwiththeDisasterReliefayearlater help themrebuild. Thehomeownermyfather workedwithwasJerry, andIheard team inthePDRisassignedtoahome,andtheyworkwithhomeowner gumbo, prayercircles, hospitality, bluegrassbands,southern creole quirks.Every were spillingoutofhim,asifhehadreached hiscapacityforexperiences.Alligator of HurricaneKatrina.Whenhereturned homesixdayslaterthestoriesofhistrip to NewOrleanscontinuetheslowprocess ofrebuilding thecityinwake many others,andhere wewere, pryinguprustednailsanddiscussingfloorplans. Someone haddiedinthishouse.Theydrowned inthecrushingfloodsthattookso walking onwasadesecratedruin,defiledholyplacethatonlybor UnitedStates–yetIfeltasifthegroundchanged thefaceofsouthern Iwas That timewasn’t solongago–lessthansixyearshadpassedsinceKatrina staring attheswollenwoodenplanksthatheldupafloor Steven Mills THE ARK INNEWORLEANS sand thedamageaway. Istartedtofeelindignantthat I,thepersonwithmost the strainofcrowbar. ThismeantIhad togrindthemdown,ripout, aged woodsplintered andgroaned underpressure, andthenailsrarely survived it andfinanceforlowincomefamiliestolivein. were workingonwasownedentirely bytherelief fund,andtheirplanwastorebuild PDR officialswere callingthefirststepin the nextphaseof rebuilding.Thehomewe and buildingarepertoire ofinteresting stories.InsteadIwasworkingonwhatthe but inmymindIpictured anexperiencesimilartomyfather’s, interactingwithlocals I hadtohidetheevidenceofmysinkingheart.comedownhelprebuild, homeowner In Januaryof2011,IstoodinsidetheguttedshellaNewOrleanshome, My jobwastopulloutold,rusty But tome,thatwasoverlyoptimistic.The“house” stoodbefor They r When myteamwasinformedthatwewouldnotbeworkingwitha The yearprior , thatthehousewewere rebuilding wasownedbytheDisasterRelief, eferred toourhouselovinglyasanark. , myfatherhadaccompaniedthePresbyterian DisasterRelief

MR , broken nailsfrom thefloorbeams.The 74 , onceuponatime. e signsofpain. e uswas result action. ofgovernment lived here haddiedasaresult ofthisterriblestorm,and,more disturbingly, asa significant” thanthericher, whiterareas officials.Whoever ofthecitybygovernment meant blacker. Itwasnosecret thattheseneighborhoodswere considered “less neighborhood where Katrinacausedthemost damage,andinthecity, poorer making adifference itwasfrustratingwork. I barely had.Itwascareful work,whichmeantthatfora19yearoldhell-bent on randomly throwing 2-by-6’s atthefoundationthistookagooddealofpatiencethat beams thatwouldholdupthefloorboards, andsincethehousewasbuiltby sometimes 14andthree quarterinches.My job wastomeasure andcutsupport codes. Floorbeamswere spacedrandomly, sometimes10andahalfinchesapart, class rebel, butrepairing ahousenotbuilttocodegavemenewrespect for and wespentthedaycursingoriginalbuilders.Iconsidered myselfamiddle group talkaboutworkingwithJerry, myfather’s Jerry, Iwenttobedearly. of thedayIwasstilldoingmybestnottobemiserable.Whenheard theother the ground up.Thismade the nailpullingalittlelessoffensivetome,butatend from theFrench intheWar of1812.We gottoseethegrowth ofNewOrleansfrom on nails.We visualizedAndrew JacksonconspiringwithpiratestodefendLouisiana history bufffrom Buffalowhointerspersedstoriesinbetweentellingmenottostep of myNewOrleansskeleton. the bare wallsandexposed rafters,Ivisualizedmyselfstandingintheribcage wasn’t true,butitwashow Ifelt.Sulkingbetweenthesesupportbeams,with mud doingtheunskilledlaborwhileeveryoneelsegotinteresting work.This woodworking experiencedespitebeingtheyoungestbyfar, wasstuckinthe in theirpreparation forthestorm,withmassevacuationsanddeployment the unrelenting force officials hadbeenforthcoming ofthestorm.Thegovernment gone aswell. heroes were raisedthistime,butthatalsomeantanypretense ofreparations was the poorer districtsbroke underwhatwascalled“mysteriouscircumstances.” No given. Inthe1960sanotherhurricanehitNewOrleans, andtheleveesprotecting the peopleaffectedbythisdecisionwere promised restitution, nonewasever this decisionwere laudedasheroes fortheirquickthinkingtosavethecity. Though and theevidencethatshowedthisactionwasunnecessary, the officialsinchargeof Orleans from aflood.Despitethedeliberatedestructionofblackneighborhoods Louisiana,ahistoricallypoor neighborhood,tosaveNew levees inCaernarvon, had fleshonitsbonesandbloodinveins,back2005.W The pr In 2005,ther On April29,1927,gover I foundmyselfthinkingabouttheoldinhabitantsofthisskeletonwhenit The nextdaywer oject manageroverseeingtheslowresurrection ofthiscorpsewasa e wasnoexplosion,mysterious circumstance; there wasonly eturned toourribcage,stillbatteredeturned butnownail-less, nment officialsused39tonsofdynamitetoblowthe

MR 75 e were inapoorer lives ineveryinchofthecity. effect snowandfailingsportsteams,NewOrleanscanbedefinedbythemusicthat feet. Musicpermeatedfrom everycorner. IfBuffalocanbedescribedbyitslake- dancing withthelocalswhowere kindenoughnottolaughatmyawkward shuffling smiles. Somemenwere playingjazzinthestreets, andwewere sweptupin to thecity. Thepeoplewalkingbygreeted uswiththickcreole accentsandthicker future ofthishouse,andwhenIwenttobedthatnightvowedstopcomplaining. redthe lessfortunate.Myearsburned withshamewheneverIthoughtaboutthe or maybetheywere simplyhappythatsomeone cared enoughtobuildahomefor were overjoyedtoseetheir skeletalhomecomebacktolife,evenifpiecebypiece, the timeIstillbelievedinheaven,andhopedtheywere watchingus.Maybethey of thehomeownersfightingagainstfurynature withnooneattheirside.At districts were significantly sturdier, betterdesignedandmore frequently repaired. neighborhoods were severely affectedbythestorm,flooddefensesinricher community ofNewOrleansreceived theworstofdestruction.Thoughother neighborhoods before they were destroyed anywhere else,andonceagaintheblack neighborhoods gavewaytothestorm.Onceagainleveesburstopeninpoorer defenses ofNewOrleans,thewearanddisrepair oftheleveesinblack the against of theNationalGuard. Butwhenthefloodscame,andwavescrashed disaster, butthatdisasterwasoldhat,avillainlongsince dealtwith;however, to to thoseofuslivinginourcomfortable homesupNorth.HurricaneKatrinawasa mattered wasthattheyweren’t forgotten bythewholeworld.Thisseemssoodd and left. said, “It’s really notaproblem,” overanduntiltheythankedmefor thelasttime selfish reasons, butIdidn’t know how toarticulatethisthem.SoinsteadIjust then thatIhadn’t comedownhere tohelp,IhadcomeNewOrleansformyown thanks inawaythatdidn’t soundoverlyhumble,butitwasthetruth.Irealized hands andbeingembraced.Iwasn’t quitesure how to tellthemthatIdidn’t need DISASTER RELIEF,” whichmeantthatIspent muchofmynightshakingpeople’s bands. Iwasstillwearingmyshirtthatsaidinlargewhite letters“PRESBYTERIAN planks beingcutlingered aswemadeourway across theFrench Quarterthatnight. our feet.Everythingsmelledlikepineandsawdust,thesmokyscentofwooden aged woodenbeamsaboveusemphasizedthebrightnessofplanksbeneath arrived inNewOrleansIfeltasthoughwasonsolidground. Thedarknessofthe have donethatbywalking;theskippingwasjustforus.ForfirsttimesinceI’d the plywood.Technically wewere testingthefloor’s structural integrity, butwecould But myr W It’ Flooring waslaidthefollowingmor As Iscr s impossibletotraipsearound BourbonStreet withoutfeelingaconnection e atedinneratabarwhichspecializedinalligatorgumboandlivebluegrass ewed thenew, bright,treated 2-by-6’s intothefloorbeams,Ithought easons forhelpingmattered littletothepeopleofNewOrleans;what

MR ning, and we all took turns skippingalong ning, andwealltookturns 76 rises overtheark,Ihopethatmemoryofstormiswashedawayforever. beautiful, musicalcitycouldbecomewholeagainforeveryone.Andwhenthesun more thanhome,itwasagatewayintolifeofpossibility, alifeinwhichthisamazing, repurposed intosomethingnew, somethinggreater. ThearkofNewOrleanswas it, butinsteadIchangedwiththecity. Theskeletonweworkedonwasgone;it still forcing thememoryofpainaway. IcametoNewOrleansexpectingchange the memoriesofKatrinafadeawayfrom theirminds. future. Children wouldskipacross thisflooraswehad,adultscouldsitbackandlet man Imetlastnightwhowasshockedtofindushere, butmostlyIthoughtofthe I lookedbackintothehouseforlasttimethoughtofformerowners, ribcage onlythree daysago,andnowithad floors, walls,closets,doorways.When had returned tothe world.Iremembered thewayhousehadresembled a the sunbeamspeeringthrough theopenwindows,andatendofdaylife an emptyspace.Nailswere drivenbackinto thefloor, sawdustdriftedlazilythrough whole againwhenhesteppedthrough hisnewlypainteddoorway. home hadbeenrebuilt severalmonthsafterKatrina,andtohimthecitybecame When wetoldhimaboutthehousesstillbeingworkedonhisjawdropped. His group askedwhyIwasstill here atall.“Isn’t alltheworkalready done?”heasked. saw myshirtandonceagainpraisedmeforselflessacts,butonemaninthe rising again. around thesefieldsthatwere onceneighborhoods,andtheyfeelthefloodwaters they onlyhavetolookthevacantlotsingrass,atconcrete slabslittered ago, andyesterday. Thesurvivorsliveundertheconstantshadowofthatstorm; brunt ofthedamageandstillbearsscarstoday–Katrinahappened11years those livinginthepoorer sectionsofNewOrleans–thesectionthattook W e spentthedayliftingwalls,installingclosets,andgivingformtowhathadbeen Death anddestructioncametoLouisianain2005,sixyearslaterwewer This iswhatIthoughtofonourfourthandfinaldayworkingskeleton. When weleftthebarranintoagr

MR 77 oup ofwhiteNewOrleansnativeswho e Sorry aboutthat. 867-5309. My numberisn’t Josh Smith THE WORST LIEIEVER TOLD

MR 78 The View Anita Sillery in DigitalPainting.Thisinterested was photographer whorecently tookaninterest Professor Terry Boddie.Heisanavid at ESC,majoringinphotographywith LAWRENCE HENDERSONisastudent Creative Writing. of ESCwithaBachelorArtsdegree in CALVIN OTISBUTTSisarecent graduate who isalsoincollegeatthistime. well asstudyingwithherdaughterBriana, reading, newthingsas traveling,learning and theircatdoginYonkers. Sheloves schoolteacher. She lives with her fiancé Rich bookkeeper aswellapart-timereligious ALIZA BURTON isapart-time social change. that theartscanhaveonpersonaland and poet.Rasbelievesinthepositiverole March 1968andisajazzsaxophonist inBrooklynHe wasborn onthe22ndof toward aMaster’s degree inMusicTherapy. an AssociateinArtsdegree. Heisworking Empire StateCollegeand recently acquired RAS MOSHEBURNETTisastudentat elusive moments. avenue, Iamconstantlymovedbylife’s the wayastreetlight fallsontoa darkened expression, acombination ofcolorsor I care about.Whetherit’s agesture oran while atthesametimepreserve the things me tovisuallydescribehowIseetheworld passionate aboutlife,photographyallows Artist Statement:Asapersonwhois not muchhaschanged. sounded, andultimatelywhatitdid.Today, He lovedhowitlooked,felt, having aKodak110camerawithhim. around 10yearsofage,herecalls always photography atayoungage.Beginning CHRIS BOWMANbecamefamiliarwith CONTRIBUTORS

MR 80 to sitdownandenjoytheride. creates aninvitingappealfortheviewer accents. Taking thepicture athiplevel orange colorsmixinginwiththesilver recognize thisphotobecauseofthevibrant seats. AnyNewYorker wouldimmediately to emphasesarare subwayscene–empty is everpresent. •SubwaySeats.Iwanted scene are vague,thethemeofpicture buildings. Althoughthedetailsofactual pace, blurringouttheperipheralviewof flowing towards theviewerataspeedy eastward. Theusualmidtowntrafficis the vanishingpointof42ndStreet looking effect inPhotoshop.Iwantedtohighlight the DryBrushtoolaswellZoom-In make asoulfulcomposition.•Rush.Iused and green colorsresonate withthered to toward ColumbusCircle. Theblack,yellow lady wasinmotion,steppingoffthecurb, the vibrantcolorofred tostand out asthe of thephotographs.•LadyinRed.Iwanted Listed beloware thetitlesanddescription viewer torecognize thescene instantly. enough blurred linesandmotion forthe out toomuchdetailbutwantedtoleave digital transformation,Itriednottotake look likeanImpressionist painting. Inthe The challengeIhadwastomakethem them intoImpressionist digitalpaintings. decided totakethree myphotos andturn photographs intodigitalpaintings.I’ve Photoshop editsbyconvertingdigital Betty, Irealized Icouldmaketheultimate taking adigitalpaintingclasswithProfessor my radicalapproach toart.Shortlyafter challenges mycreativity andappealsto to change,alterorrestore anexistingphoto and editingphotographs.Havingthemeans Artist Statement:I’vealwayslovedtaking their artisticcapabilities. who encouragedherstudentstochallenge inspired byProfessor BettyWilde-Biasiny Lee leftacareer infashiontopursueart moved toUnitedStatesatayoung age. inHongKongand YEE MEELEEwasborn family andvegetablegarden. educator andlivesonLongIslandwithher doula, lactationcounselorandparent social justiceadvocate.Sheisapostpartum lover;witness,listener,and yarn helperand friend; reader, writer, crossword puzzler mama, wife,sister, daughter, auntieand LIZ LAURICELLAwearsmanyhats: Afro-Brazilian historyandculture. Salvador, Bahia, Brazil,”abookabout “Exploring TheAfricanDiasporavol.1 film andphotography. In2016,Ipublished is togiveavoicethevoicelessthrough Brazil, GhanaandThailand.Mymission communities inAfrica,Cuba,Haiti,Bahia, about filmproduction inunderprivileged in Brownsville, Brooklyn toteachingyouth films abouturbandramaandsocialinjustice education hastakenmefrom producing Artist Statement:Mypassionforartsand co-founder ofOpenMindzProductions. winning filmmaker, photographer and NATURAL LANGDON isanaward of theMetropolitan Review. team forincludingherpoetryinthisedition is thankfulforKarynandtherest ofthe MR ArielKurtz13 onTwitter andInstagram.She more,would liketolearn followherat@ ArtistsStrivingToWith EndPoverty. Ifyou for all.Sheisa2015ArtistAsCitizenFellow Change andwishestomakeartavailable believes inusingartasavehicleforSocial staff writerforTheStudentConnection.She secretary oftheESCLGBTQClubandon- writer, teachingartistandactivist.Sheis Hudson Street Campus.Arielisaperformer, College studyingMusicalTheateronthe ARIEL KURTZ isasenioratEmpire State

MR 81 dog namedBusky. children, twograndchildren andacrazy He andhiswifeChristinehavethree marathon runner, andanavidoutdoorsman. of theSALUTEHonorSociety, aformer College. Heisaveteranandmember his B.A.inCulturalStudiesatEmpire State from CentralNewYork whorecently earned PAUL MARSHALLisanemergingwriter down andbegintofillthoseemptypages. teachers, Ifinallyhadthechancetosit huge supportofmyfamily, friendsand the grant toSpainforninemonths.With an artist.In2005,Iwasawarded atravel growth, improvement andcommitmentas ofpersonal led meonanamazingjourney to pursuemore seriousstudies. These full timeeveningclassedinpaintingorder evening oraSaturday class.Then Ibegan Art StudentsLeague.Foryears,Itookan A goodfriendsuggestedIstudyatthe I alwayscamehomewithemptypages. I tookmysketchbookwithmeintravels, forgot thedream of being anartist.Although throughout theworld.However, Inever me acareer andtheopportunity totravel of Technology. FashionDesignhasgiven degree inDesignattheFashion Institute my at anearlyage.Iwentontoearn was plantedformetobecomeanartist of ArtandDesigninNewYork. Aseed Igraduatedfromjourneys. theHighSchool drawing hasledtoalifetimeofenriching Artist Statement:Ayoungchild’s loveof New York City. internationally. Shecurrently resides in still lifecanbefoundwithprivatecollectors Her paintingsinportraiture, landscapeand works inoil,pastel,watercolor andgraphite. travel aboard forinspirationanddesign.She on afulltimebasis.Theartistcontinuesto York Citywhoseloveofartbeganwithhis Renaissance PerformingArtistfrom New EDDIE SHELLMANisanUrban about women. Gabby, where shediscussesmediabyand she isaco-hostofthepodcastDownton not tohavechildren. Inherspare time, documentary aboutwomenwhochoose of MySo-CalledSelfishLife,anin-progress womanhood, mostrecently asthedirector what isconsidered mostsacred about and personalstorytellingtodisturb in Brooklyn. Herworkfuses humor writer andmulti-mediastorytellerbased THERESE SCHECHTERisafilmmaker, movement needs. leadership qualitiestoLocal3thatthelabor is aformerteacherandhopestobring Union #3NYC.Anaturalturn-key, Parente JOHN PARENTE isanapprentice inLocal is currently workingonhis first novel. He livesinRochester, NewYork, where he with aBachelorofArtsdegree inEnglish. STEVEN MILLSisasoontobegraduate from before. healing thatoccurswhenonereaches away and flowoflife,lovepsyche,the to shoutbutwhisper. They reveal theflux sources inasubtlewaythat isnotmeant revelation ofconfirmationfrom multiple Artist Statement:Herworkdepictsa in June2017. SUNY Empire receiving Arts aB.A.inVisual ANNE MCINNISisarecent graduatefrom College in2016. a MasterofArtsfrom SUNYEmpire State the cityofSyracuse,NewYork. Hereceived SHAWN MCCANNworksforandlivesin

MR 82 with acalmsenseofbeing. organic, fluidapproach leavestheviewer knowing whatresult Iwillencounter. This instinctual guidanceofmyhand,without I drawmyinspirationfrom nature andthe visual languageofthepieceproduced. be experimentalandfree, thusvaryingthe The primaryobjectiveformyworkisto encompasses paintingandphotography. Artist Statement:Myartmainly in NewYork City. ShelivesinManhattan. photomontages atTheRogerSmithGallery college. Sherecently exhibited herdigital art andphotographyexhibitsatthe She alsodoescuratorialworkforongoing Art ClubatSUNYEmpire StateCollege. and isanactivememberoftheMetro Students LeagueofNewYork since1988 Anita hasbeenamemberatTheArt photography, digital artandwatercolor. currently worksinthemediums of ANITA SILLERY isavisualartistwho genres Ilive. photography andpainting.Through these combines themusesofdance,theater, together creating afeeling.Theart created, city, mysenses heightenastheywork When Itravelthrough thiseclectic urban and interactionsofmyenvironment. to create from thelines,curves,sounds Artist Statement:Idrawmyinspiration and photography. strengthened withcoursesintheater, art State Collegehiscreative talentswere hisB.A.atEmpireoil painting.Whileearning through themediumsofphotographyand dance andtheaterbutaddedanotheroutlet an eyeforlineandexpression through career asaballetdancer. Hedeveloped “downtown,” acryliconpanel, 2016. “Brute Spring,”acryliconpanel,2016; mark uponmeforonereason oranother: actual placesthathaveleftapersonal awe. Thefollowingtwopaintingsrepresent comfort, bridges=links,skyscrapers’ lend airiness,banks=security, home= our placewithinitssurroundings. Churches us withasenseofscaleandreinsures usof of place.Awellplannedconstructleaves land andcommunitygiveusasense grandest Cathedral,buildingsbindustothe ruin. From thesimplestshelterto the continuity, whether newly builtorrusted instill withinusasenseofpermanenceand unknowingly. Through presence alone,they landscape leavetheirmarkonourpsyche Artist Statement:Structures withinthe working inUpstateNewYork. JOSEPH VERRASTROisavisualartist and makeabookoutofit. representation toshootmanymore scenes final moments.I’mhopingtogetfundingor the endofworldandreactions inthe currently workingonshowing reactions to They CallThisDay”isaproject that I’m Artist Statement:Thephoto“WhatWill relationships withthepeople heworkswith. his artwithotherswhilebuildingstrong who islookingtotraveltheworldandshare DANIEL SMITHisaNYCphotographer blog atwww.helesetalks.com. Black StarNews.To read herwork,visit Flavorwire.com, Amsterdam Newsand She haswrittenforpublicationssuchas health, nature, societyandpopculture. Sometimes sheblendsthesetopicswith sexuality, spiritualityandrelationships. She currently writesaboutwomen’s issues, passionate student,travelerandwriter. HELESE SMAULDONisamulti-

MR 83 at Empire StateCollege. ERIC ZWIEGisacreative writingstudent creative project. She iscurrently atworkwritingalonger camping andpretty muchanythingoutside. spring. Sheloveswriting,hiking,swimming, with herBachelorofSciencedegree this graduated from Empire StateCollege Environmental Sustainability, andshe EMMA WESTstudiesLiterature and