2020 HEAD HAND HEADtoHAND MANAGING EDITOR/FACULTY SPONSOR: AZIZAT DANMOLE PRESIDENT/CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER/EDITOR: SARAH BURT ASSISTANT EDITOR: EMILY VINCENT ASSISTANT EDITOR: CHRISTOPHER J. WRIGHT COVER ART: “HUNTER” BY MAKYLA GREEN BACK COVER: SPECIAL THANKS *All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written consent of the managing editor, excepting brief quotes used in critical articles and reviews. Table of Contents Letter from the Editor...1 PHOTO “Sunset” Makyla Green...2 FICTION “A Guide to Raising the Dead” by Emily Vincent …….3-6 PHOTO “Mosiac”....7 FICTION “Floaters” by Nicholas Wittenauer ...8-10 PHOTO “Pink” ...11 FICTION “Angie and Wallace” by Adam Harbison...12-13 PHOTO “Path”...14 POETRY “Chessboard” by Juliana Pettis ...15 PHOTO “Cuticle”...16 POETRY “Joan D’Arc “ by Adam Harbison ...17-18 PHOTO “Part”...19 POETRY “Made of New Orleans” by Adam Harbison...20 PHOTO “Seat” ...21 NONFICTION “I Like Pink and Blue” by Brooke Kalous...22-25 PHOTO “Trail”...26 NONFICTION “The Arrow” by Nicholas Wittenauer...27-28 PHOTO “Weights”...29 NONFICTION “Talk Me Down” by Mikalyn Hart...30 PHOTO ”Bright” Makyla Green...31 NONFICTION “A Two-Edged Sword” by Juliana Pettis...32-36 CONTRIBUTORS ...37-39 WARNING OF MATURE CONTENT IN SOME STORIES Letter from the Editor Dear Reader, You know what they say about hindsight, and this particular year is one in which we might think of reflecting a tiny bit. Of course, there are all sorts of new things being planned for the second decade of the millenium--new tech gadgets, phone apps, and cars that will actually be autonomous. In short, we’ll embark on our big dreams but we’ll glance back from time to time to make sure we’re headed in the right direction. In this 2020 issue our contributors are glancing back and moving forward at the same time. From musings on past decisions and stories of future plans, we’ve gotten into the spirit of this year’s theme. Also, fully in the spirit of this theme, we have a new feature for this issue--translated poems--where transliterations of past poems have had new life breathed into them by our contributors. So, feel free to browse this gallery of stories, poems, essays and visuals. They’re in that rare space where you can see what’s ahead while you’re thinking of the past. We appreciate you taking the time to read our 2020 issues of Head 2 Hand. Enjoy, Azizat Danmole Managing Editor of Head 2 Hand 1 “Sunset” Makyla Green 2 A Guide to Raising the Dead Emily Vincent To bring someone back from the dead, you will want to start with a backpack. The road to hell is quite long and exhausting, and you will have to make the trip alone. Fill your backpack with a length of hemp rope, several days’ worth of food and water (non- perishable), something pretty, and a bag of Milk-Bones from the grocery store down the road. Do not skimp on the Milk-Bones. Buy the largest bag of the largest treats. To reach the road to hell, you will have to get a ride. Step into the street and stick out your left thumb. Specifically your left. The right will summon an angel, who will not take you where you need to go. The third taxi to pull up will be the correct one. Step inside and sit in the middle. The seats on both sides will be empty. Sit in the middle anyway. Ask the driver his name. He will say Orpheus. If he says anything else, exit the taxi immediately, abandon the backpack, and walk home without looking back. If he says his name is Orpheus, ask him to take you to Eurydice. A single tear will slip down his cheek before he nods and pulls away from the curb. You will suddenly notice a small black dog beside you. Feel free to stroke it, but do not offer it one of the treats. Speak to the driver about anything that you wish, so long as it is not love. He will answer in monosyllables. Do not be discouraged. He is not spoken to often, and he has become out of practice. His favor will aid you in your task. The driver will stop beside a ring of toadstools. This is called a fairy ring. This is also your last chance to turn back. The driver will take you home if you wish. He does not desire to see others make his mistake. If you wish to move forward, pet the dog one last time and step into the fairy ring. Be sure to have the backpack with you. Nothing will happen when you step into the ring at first. Do not step out, if you value your feet attached to your body. Instead, eat some of your food, being sure to save some. Then lay down and fall asleep. The time is different for everyone. The ground will move down and carry you down with it. You will awaken in a twilight world. You will be on a cobblestone road. Do not wonder how you are standing. It is best to leave the wondering to those who will fail. The road to hell is not a place to wonder. You will be alone on the road. Do not eat or drink. Do not sleep. Walk until you can no longer feel your feet. Your surroundings will not change. You will feel as if you are walking in place. Ignore this. It is the evil one trying to make you turn around. Dear God, do not turn around. 3 When you feel as if you may fall, look slightly to the left. The road will move with your gaze. You will see a house ahead, only about ten feet away. You will be able to approach it. Go and knock upon the door. A woman will open it to answer. Ignore the decaying half of her face. She is Hel, the Norse queen of the dead. Do not disrespect her. Kneel before her and ask her for her favor. Call her Lady Hel. She will appreciate this. Offer her the pretty thing in your backpack. No one has brought her a present in a very long time. She will offer you a favor. Reply that you would like to speak with Osiris. Her face will twist with disdain - the different gods do not often get along - but she will hand you a single golden coin. Take it and thank her profusely. Then go on your way. In twenty minutes, during which several millennia will pass, you will reach a river. This river will be deep and churning, a dark murky gray flow. Do not touch the water. This is the River Styx. The water will burn your flesh from your bones like acid. Ask the ferryman to take you across. He will ask for payment. Offer him the coin. He will bite it to ensure its authenticity, and in doing so he will taste Hel’s blessing upon it. He will take you across without speaking any further. Try to ignore the wailing of the mourning dead on the boat with you. Osiris will be in the largest hall. He is the blue man upon the golden throne, flanked by two beautiful women. The one with the white wings is Isis. Avoid looking into her eyes. She is beautiful, but treacherous. Beside her is Nephthys, goddess of the river. Offer her a smile. She is a valuable ally. Address the man upon the throne as Lord Osiris. Tell him that you would like to bring back a soul. He will tell you that you must pass his dog. If you pass the dog, you may try to reclaim your spirit. No one has ever passed the dog. Open your backpack and take out the bag of Milk-Bones. Approach the side hallway tentatively, treats first. You will be greeted by the dog. The dog is not a dog. Her name is Ammit, and she is part lion, part crocodile, and part hippo. Upend the bag of Milk-Bones at her feet. Dash past her as she devours them and pray she does not choose your soul instead. If you pass Ammit successfully, you will be in the fields of the dead. These resemble simple, empty fields, flocked with wandering spirits. Roam among them slowly. You will find the one you seek. Fear not. They mean you no harm. Your spirit will not know their name. They will have no memories. They have not eaten or slept since their death. Approach them slowly. They are afraid. 4 They will ask if they know you. Tell them yes. They will ask their name. Give it to them, but only the first. Their smile will be the warmest thing you have seen since starting upon the road to hell. They will ask if they know you. Tell them yes. They will ask their name. Give it to them, but only the first. Their smile will be the warmest thing you have seen since starting upon the road to hell. Ask them if they would like to go home. They will most likely say yes. If they say no, there is nothing to be done about it. Depart peacefully. If they say yes, bind their wrist to yours with the length of hemp. Caution them not to turn back. You both must obey this advice. Lead them back to the throne room. Ammit will be gone.