New Voices 2023       vol.21















Ivy Tech Community College, Central Indiana

I don't even mention my plants

visual poem by Mercy Winslow

Mercy Winslow has a large range of interests that she likes to share with the world. These include collecting plants and playing with her snake, isopods, and tarantula. Mercy also enjoys writing, reading, drawing, crafting and learning. 

Marin Marathon, June 2008

A butterfly sunrise stomach,

From slumber to the stone-skinned armor. 

Good socks, 

good shoes, 

and a carapace of cloth and lace that bind my feet to hooves.

A sloshing ruck crinkles; a siren of supply, 

and my first steps spring toward the Steep Ravine.

Olive and ochre aeries to the north, 

hem the frothing cycles of a perilous grey sea. 

Swayed Cyprus,

crooked by the moaning north Pacific, 

shepherd the path to the summit.

Breath after breath, 

drenched in sweat, 

one foot follows another,

and the universe unfolds for me,

as I spin the Earth with my feet.



Alex Clay Agotsch is a Sommelier working in Indianapolis who has returned to school at middle age to pursue a degree in biology. He is hopelessly passionate about baseball, wine, science, and running.

C'est la vie

by Sukhman Kaur

Sukhman Kaur is a first year Ivy Tech student, pursuing a degree in Nursing. She recently discovered her passion in writing poetry to express her deep rooted thoughts and ideas. She believes expressing yourself through art is truly therapeutic and has been inspired by many great writers such as Rupi Kaur and Courtney Peppernell. 

Different 2.0


I’m glad that I am different

There’s no one else quite like me

I still don’t love who I am

But I am creating who I’d Love to be.


I find some things easy

And others too hard

But I learn as I go

And I learn to work hard.


I wish a better person I could be

But I think I’ll stay as me.


Mercy Winslow is an autistic person who enjoys reptiles, plants, and bug critters. Mercy has noticed differences between herself and her peers when it comes to mental health and interests. Mercy almost always has a project in progress and is often willing to share it with others. 

Simai Zhou 

In a Trance

I turned over in the bed, and my husband was nowhere to be found. His side of the bed still had an imprint of his body. His glass of water still on the nightstand, along with his favorite watch and his wedding band. He never goes anywhere without his ring, so I found it odd, but I just continued on with my morning routine. I get out of bed, brush my hair and teeth, change my clothes. I noticed my clothes had an awful smell, like I hadn’t changed them in a week.

I shuffled down to the kitchen and started preparing breakfast. The coffee in the machine was not fresh. I opened the top and there was mold. Shocked, I think “I just had fresh coffee yesterday morning. Oh well.” I clean it out and start a fresh pot. I head to the living room to turn on the news. My favorite time of day, watching the news with my husband. I wish he was here.

It’s now 11am and I hear a knock on the door. I put on my robe and set my coffee down. I look out the peephole and there stands my mother. “Mom, what are you doing here?” I say with a slight concern. “Oh honey, are you okay? Do you not know what day it is again?” she asks. I look around, confused, I shake my head and ask “What do you mean? What day is it?”

“It’s Dannys funeral today. At two o’clock. My heart sinks to the pit of my stomach, I start to tremble over my words. “What.. what do you mean? I just saw Danny lastnight.” The hairs on my arm stand and I feel a cold chill rush over me. “Honey, it’s been a week. Dannys gone.” My mom says. I drop to my knees, and then I remember. He was in a car accident just a week prior. I feel my heart break all over again. I must have been in a trance.


Kelsey Siebenthal 



Questions? Contact New Voices: indianapolis-newvoices@ivytech.edu