First Day of Class

20 minutes early
to pick the seat—
in back

teacher awaits
patiently

girls
roll in
yoga pants

boys strut in
sweatpants

teacher
eager
to begin

students wish
it would end

Alex Dorchinecz

 

Sleepover

opening the door
excited
to see my other half

talking
and baking just like we used to

hugging the shower wall
too hot! too cold!
how do you work this?

the feeling of a cool cotton towel
on my beat red face

laughing so hard
till your sides hurt

a pitch black room
the sound of the air conditioner
and your best friend snoring

Anna Marie Abbate & Jared Britton

The Game

Mizuno shoes
squeaking on the floor—
game time

spandex so tight . . .
disapproving looks

the different jersey
in for the middle
ready to dig

the set in the air
block it if you dare

bump
set
spike

that’s the way
we like it.

Tory, Lindsey & Karlee

 

KANSAS

plains roll on
endlessly
driving home

the grass feels deeper
than what I remember

that lonely feeling
together
with dad

pawn shop morning
only I
see her value

a rose seems insufficient
atop the headstone

rolling stop
red and blue lights
catch me

by Jake Sebok & Jessica Brooks

The Sorority Life

sisterhood—
unknown meaning
to some

an invisible bond
brining us into one

memories
in the making—
ones you won’t forget

not the typical picture—
always classy
never trashy

loyal
to the wine and blue

the Big White House
college women everywhere—
Pi Beta Phi

Victonia & Karlaee
(pen names of Tory H. & Karlee V.)

 

Curly Q’s

luscious locks
where secrets are held
hard to untangle

you know where we’ve been—
combs stuck in our head

can’t ever go natural
mousse, gel, and hairspray . . .
our best friends

good luck in the shower
pulling hair
hours upon hours

heat of the iron—
disguise in the making

golden locks—
we are
curly headed girls

Lindsey & Karlee

Wussy

gate 13 is boarding
i stare
uneasily

row 13—
window seat

flight attendants
mouths
moving

white knuckles—
wheels up

food and drink tray
squeaks
by me

ladies and gentlemen:
Punta Gordo, Florida

Alex Dorchinecz

 

Strangers with memories

heartbroken
she picks up the pieces of herself
and tries to move on

was it a mask
he wore . . . when he “loved” her

pulling her hair out
she waits . . .
for answers

it’s also hard to love
their wickedness

restless
her hand on her chest
trying to find her heart beat again

eyes staring at the ceiling
he doesn’t find the answer

Anna Marie Abbate & Jared Britton

THE MOUNTAIN

faded flannel
the axe rests
in rotting wood

smells conjure memories
house heated by the sweat of his brow

clean fish bones
his boots
are still on

violets in bloom
her mother’s quilt
keeps spring alive

plastic picture frame
seems out of place

three paint swatches
yellow
just in case

by Jessica Brooks & Jake Sebok

 

xxxxx

Dalton Kaufmann

xxxxx

Rachel Ives

Wrote two kasen renga (on paper) instead.

Simone Griffis