Seagulls
by James Ramsey
White beings of pure vitriol.
Truly these diabolical beasts
were Lucifer’s most vile creation.
Bombers, flying through the air,
dropping their payload on innocents,
guaranteed to ruin your day at the beach.
Insolent thieves of no shame
stealing in broad daylight
while everyone is watching.
At least vultures have the manners
to wait for you to drop dead.
As loud as a car alarm,
and twice as obnoxious,
these foul seabirds
truly are the worst.
“What is war good for?”
A somewhat philosophical question
that can at least be debated to some degree.
“What are seagulls good for?”
Absolutely.
Nothing.
Succulent
by Hunter Malo and Leila Thibodeau
Soft leaves, soaking up water like its life matters
Storing amounts unknown to humans
They come in every hue and tone found in nature
60 different families own its name
Prickly or soft, leaving nectar in the place of blood
Living in the dry deserts and savannas
Its name gained from its thick, sap filled leaves
No pest dare disturb its slumber
The smaller they are the more likely they are to survive in this harsh world
The young outgrow and outlive the weak and old, becoming stronger than the past
Teachers
by Nancy Dauphinais & Cayley Bowman
Well, I turned my assignment in, only a minute late,
But according to you it “didn't” meet the date,
Clinging to 15 points I sit and I stare,
Up at you with the hairy eyeball and the absence of care.
The queen of monopolizing homework . . .
Every class a pleasure, a performance, first row,
Unrehearsed and authentic, a one-man-show.
Demonstrating a zeal for the present,
So far beyond us is your timeless wisdom and relatability to Gen-Z adolescents., Had we done the reading, we’d be less confused,
To such an expression you’d simply chuckle amused,
“I don’t know” is a dignified response, too.
Watched out for me these past few years,
Graduating from family is what I most fear.
A safe place where judgement has no room,
8 o’ clock morning visits when the day’s in bloom,
You reminded me of my dreams,
Helped to mend my self-esteem
Someday I will see it all while I’m awake and recall how you believed.
An enigmatic email after a day full of snow
Sorry guys, test got lost in the move, we’ll have to forego,
People who lived in a bush, the Battle of Schrute Farms, and 20’s slang speak
Silly quotes from The Office that we accrued every week
“Fruit of fortune, donuts of destiny, anyone, anyone?”
Gangling bean-stock, jolly ol’ type of man,
Serenading kids down the hallways
Ripe roma tomat - “O”, toma - “toe” in hand.
Struck by lightning twice,
Bad roll of the dice,
Restless, rambunctious, youngsters running ‘round
“You are not lost, you are just not yet found.”
Candy Hearts
by Sarah Cole and Paula Dauphinais
The chalky pastel message--
word-and-candy combo--
I could taste it on my tongue ...
so artificial-sweet;
it hurt to swallow.
Teeth crunching through your monosaccharide message-
“crazy 4 you”…
I think, yeah right.
Ouch!
Tongue bite.
Deceiving in anatomy:
you heart-shaped thing,
you don’t wear
my heart on your sleeve,
you don’t make my heart beat.
Out of sight, out of mind.
The best emotions are left behind.
So I store you like a compact shrine;
here’s one more little pastel message--
“I don’t want to be your Valentine.”
Five weeks later . . .
I’m over you;
I reach into my purse for some chapstick.
Ewww.
There’s that heart-crush residue.