The Literary Panther Advisors Geoffrey Kenmuir Christine Redman-Waldeyer Issue No. 3 The Literary Panther, English Department Passaic County Community College One College Boulevard Paterson, New Jersey 07505 Credits Cover Art: Albert Bustos Title: Interpretation of Mary (mother) and Jesus (child) (Medium) Watercolor and ink Back Art: Marcos Salazar Title: City of Paterson 27 1/2 x 39 1/4 Feather and ink on canvas 2014 Layout: Christine Redman-Waldeyer Cover Design: Albert Bustos 2 Copyright © 2015. All rights reserved by The Literary Panther, Passaic County Community College, Visions Newspaper. 3 4 Contents POETRY Nanayaa Achanfuo-Yeboah………………………………………9 Albert Bustos……………………………………………………..10 Gemini Brown……………………………………………………12 Lisset Coletti……………………………………………………..18 Unique De Jesus……………………………………………........20 Noel-Lee Howell……………………………………………........32 Amanda Kibler…………………………………………………...33 Pedro Augusto Liranzo…………………………………………..35 Constance Leverett…………………………………………........36 Hannah Obadiah………………………………………………...37 Sara Rodriguez Vivero…………………………………………..43 Sugey Vigoya…………………………………………………….47 SHORT STORY Albert Bustos…………………………………………………….51 Nic Cole……………………………………………………........55 CREATIVE NON-FICTION/ESSAY Samantha Johnson………………………………………………61 Hannah Obadiah………………………………………………….......63 Jada Osgood…………………………………………………….69 ART/PHOTOGRAPHY Albert Bustos……………………………………………………73 Marcos Salazar…………………………………………………75 5 6 P POETRY 7 8 Nanayaa Achanfuo-Yeboah “In Memoriam of My Grandma” A Special memoriam to my wonderful grandma, Who passed away, June 25, 2010 It’s been five years since she passed away. She was my father, mother, and my friend, And after all: MY GRANDMOTHER. She was all of these to the very end. We talked, laughed, she held me tight, When I was scared, sick and everything else grandma’s, Will do to help her grandchildren or grandchild. I miss my grandma more than words can say. My grandma pleasant ways and smiling face are a pleasure to recall. She had a kindly way for each and died beloved by all. Her life was so unselfish. And for other she did live, not for what she would receive. But only for what she would give. Her face is ever before us. A voice my family and I will never forget, a smile that will last forever. In memory we see her yet. She accepted her pain and suffering with faith she endured until the end. Without a doubt she will receive God’s blessing. And will have a good health and life again. Grandma I love you, and your children, grandchildren, great- grandchildren And cousins miss you. We will all see you resurrection day 9 Albert Bustos Rest in Peace, Rest in Power, J-Sun It’s been more than ten years, no more tears, but I often wonder how you would be if you were still here. Your reason for leaving for me is still unclear, but I reminisce on your life while holding a beer I was more friends with your brother, and I can sincerely say like you; there’s still been no other. I know this shit still probably kills your mother. You were her youngest and greatest my dear brother. An artist ahead of his time. Your work, still till this day outshines mine. You were younger than I was, yet a teacher to all of us. You would greet me with a big smile, 10 when I would enter your room, and then you would ask, “does it smell bad in here?” and oddly enough it always smelled good like perfume. Everything in your room, organized and fixed nicely. This reflected in your artwork with every line placed precisely. Something changed in you, because your organizational ways weren’t there no more. The way you carried yourself and the carelessness was happening more and more. Your spark left including your sanity. You were mad at the world including me. If I could go back in time, I would ask you to take a walk with me. I would take you to see some art on the wall. You know our shit was graffiti. But the past is gone and I could’ve done more Like when I would see you in your room and you would not come out anymore For that I hope God can forgive me. At your funeral, your mom said she knew I meant it when I gave her my sorry. You live on in our minds and heart, especially to those who see your art. So sleep in peace my brother and rest well. I ask God for mercy on your soul, someone like you doesn’t deserve eternal hell. (Title) Rest in Peace/Power Jason (Medium) Colored pencils and ink 11 Gemini Brown Over My Dead Body WAM! Trying to figure out what to do Loss of grace, tears down my face A huge bruise black and blue I cringed when he called me boo He held me tight through the night He said “I LOVE YOU” So I stayed WAM! This strike was abrupt and fast This bruise, bigger and bluer than the last I’m sure we’re through I’m on to something better He said “I need you” “You’re the glue that holds me together” So I stayed WAM, WAM! In complete ahh Out in the open, everyone saw Left eye swollen Complimentary broken jaw 3 times a fool My bags are packed I can’t believe it He said “I’m sorry” He never said sorry He must mean it So I stayed WAM, WAM, WAM! 12 Everything resembles a dream My surroundings are dark & cold I'm watching him cry As I lay stiff in the bed He said "this won’t ever happen again" I realize it can’t happen again Because… 13 Gemini Brown I'm dead A Song from the Soul While most of my friends are looking for Love Cooking up a marriage And training their kids to listen I sit in solitude Hungry for success Driven by my ambitions In the Last 5 years Society started breeding drones During that time I succeeded their expectations But none of my own What’s your journey about? To raise vibrations and bring peace Or turn old pursuing gold? You got two choices Feed the ego or feed the soul I've got this knowing that won’t let me fold This knowing encouraged me To extend the service of my soul To those in need of a lift In 23 years I’ve found the gift My luck comes from Use of the tools given When my work is done I'll look for Love Cook up a marriage 14 And have fun training my kids to listen Until then I sit in solitude Hungry for success Driven by my ambitions 15 Gemini Brown Dancing In the Dark It feels like we’re in quick sand Drowning in a charcoal abyss Will enlightened souls take a stand? Or will 85% remain know less? Without unity and love, there’s no plan Just a catastrophic, chaotic, mess Open your 3 eyes and see We’re being programmed Start embracing nature And you’ll find natural cures For the body and mind Our square homes and over consumptions are Issues that need to be tackled Forget greed, Pick up a book and plant a seed Put down the gadgets That have become your shackles New Order is being exerted through the cattle Unconsciously we dwell in the shadows The music has no message Neither is it played live Just computerized sounds Blocking the light Dumbing generations down This scholar understands the plan Willfully carrying the glow His mission is to let others know That everything around them Is the personification of beauty and art Instead of vitamins 16 We can build strength through the heart I will bear fruit They will live in the ERA of conscious thought Until then I encourage lost souls to Stop Dancing the Dark 17 Lisset Coletti El Despertar de tu Cuerpo Cuando el sol despierta y acaricia cuerpo Cuando la ligera briza del mar de mis ojos dibuja tu silueta Cuando el infinito sueño de mi realidad a tu lado es un misterio Me regocijo de felicidad en el despertar de tu cuerpo. Cuando los ligeros movimientos erráticos de tus brazos atrapan mis sentidos en el arrítmico danzar de tus piernas Cuando el abrir de tus ojos embriaga mi alter ego Me regocijo de alegría en el despertar de tu cuerpo. Cuando mis manos se pierden en el laberinto de tus cabellos. Cuando tu bostezo se vuelve arrullo para mis odios Cuando estirando tu cuerpo rozas el mío cual pluma al viento Me regocijo de amor en el despertar de tu cuerpo. ¡Ay de aquel que ose interrumpir este momento! ¡Ay de aquel que rompa esta magia que emana tu cuerpo! Porque no hay nada en este mundo que me deje morir y seguir viviendo Que el enigmático despertar de tu cuerpo. 18 Lisset Coletti The Awakening of your Body When the sun wakes up and caresses your body, When the light breeze of my eyes draws your silhouette, When the infinite dream of my reality around you remains a mystery, I delight myself in the awakening of your body. When the soft erratic movements of your arms capture my senses in the arrhythmic dance of your legs, When my alter ego gets drunk by the first look of your eyes, I please myself in the awakening of your body. When my hands get lost in the maze of your hair When your yawn becomes a lullaby for my ears, When your body touches mine like a feather on the wind, I rejoice myself in the awakening of your body. Woe to him who dares to interrupt this moment! Woe to him who brakes the magic that gives off your body! Because there is nothing in this world that could allow me to die and keep living Than the enigmatic awakening of your body 19 Unique De Jesus A Message To My Father I’m speaking up for my mother, and all women who choose to live in silence, Fighting to get through each day, victims of domestic violence, And these feelings have built up, and now are so strong, It’s been sixteen years, and that’s far too long, Sitting back helpless, watching you cause her harm, The countless swollen eyes, busted lips, and broken arm, All those times, I saw you cause her so much pain, And somehow, you made her feel like she was to blame, You’ve made me hate the fact, that I bare your name, But over the last year, a lot of things have changed, I’ve been working