This poem is by Danie Black, a sophomore at Clark, and was read at the final Clark Writes Creative Writing Forum of the academic year. Inspired by Langston Hughes, Danie’s poem is an extremely powerful piece, full of strong images and a beautiful use of language. Read it below:
Why is fruit black too ripe,
Too rotten and stormy nights
Rich blues dipped dark
Too gloomy and shadows marked
Moving malicious?
This story was submitted to us by Heather Babin, a current sophomore. This story explores the “Chosen One” trope, and plays with a lot of paranormal imagery and comedic dialogue. Below is part one of three. To be continued!
Dash Davidson was going to be late for school. This was half because his bed was the most comfortable place in probably the entire world, and half because he knew his friends were planning something for his birthday that would involve balloons. He still hadn’t worked up the nerve to tell them about his phobia, because whenever he was confronted with them it was out of celebration, and Dash wasn’t about harshing other people’s vibes. He was, however, all about snoozing his alarm for the fifth time in a row without even opening his eyes. Dash’s true skill was knowing exactly where his alarm clock was from muscle memory alone.
“ DASH DAVIDSON .”
“Be down in a sec, Mom!” Dash yelled, still not opening his eyes or moving an inch from his spot in his bed.
“ W — MOM ? WHAT ? THAT ’ S — NO , THIS ISN ’ T YOUR MOM . OPEN YOUR EYES . ”
“Oh, dude, I so would,” Dash said, definitely lying, “but if you’re a robber and I’m being robbed, I’d rather you just take whatever so I can keep sleeping in. ‘Sthat cool with you?”
“ ROBBER ? NO , I ’ M AN ANCIENT PROPHETIC SPIRIT FROM BEYOND . ”
This piece by Kade Larkin won first place in Clark Write’s fall poetry contest. Kade looks at the theme of transition from a unique lens, with language that is dreamy, sometimes somber, and intensely gripping. Check out this wonderful poem below:
Outside, the leaves change—
they have watched the birds flee and
being young leap after them, thinking they
have finally grown old enough to sprout wings;
and their mother branches shudder still
at their loss, glossy bodies
withering until all that remains
are brittle brown skeletons. Continue reading
Meet Armely Pichardo, one of our Editors! She is a senior at Clark majoring in English with a minor in Education and a concentration in Africana Studies. “All You Can Eat” is a short yet evocative poem, and its clever use of text makes it all the more powerful. Check it out below!
I
set
the
table for them brought out my finest china and polished
This contemplative piece by senior Owen Connell explores life beyond death, and the meaning of our own mortality. With eerie and surreal imagery, this story evokes many emotions and deep questions. Read on if you’re looking for great story to ponder on an October afternoon!
The man was lying on the bed, gasping for air like a fish freshly plucked from a murky lake. Surrounding him were people, all of different nationalities, ages, races, genders and non genders, and economic standings. The man that lay before them had been a hero and companion to them, someone they had looked up to. Someone they had admired.
But none could see the other figure, its form twisting endlessly like a willow tree in the wind.
None except the man on the bed.
The Figure stood at the foot of the bed, its body cloaked in shadow and nothingness. Darkness was its domain, and it refused to remove itself from the comfort and privacy of it. Continue reading
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