A Note from Our Editors

Dear Readers, 

First of all, a big thank you to our awesome teachers, Mrs. Cannon and Mr. Jenkins. Mrs. Cannon offered great advice and feedback for our stories and poetry, and Mr. Jenkins gave superb input and tips on how we can develop our skills as young artists. Another big thanks to all the members of Literary Magazine for sharing encouragement, suggestions, songs, and snacks every afternoon. Finally, thank you to everyone who submitted artwork and writing; our issues would not have felt complete without your voices and talents.

Through our imaginations and creativity, we are able to put on paper our voices and messages for everyone to see and feel. In Lit Mag, there are no limits or judgements, and we always have a safe space to express our emotions and ideas. We allow our hearts to guide through reality and fantasy, and we hope you will do the same. 

It is our sincere wish from everyone in Lit Mag to have a fantastic end of the year and to continue to create anything and everything you wish through the summer and years to come.  


Sincerely, 

Avani Agrawal and Chloe Will

Artwork by Özge Ada Uzman

Poetry

Artwork by Ari Roth

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Mr. Mushroom by Abbey Castman

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House on a Hill by Anna Litster

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Oh, little mushroom
underneath a tree,
I look at you
and you look at me

You grow from the grass
in a single night
with your round hat
and your head so white

You have no hands
or feet to walk
You stand and watch
The people talk

Oh, Mr. Mushroom
What if I were you?
But, Mr. Mushroom
I will never be you 

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A house 
Sitting on a hill
By itself 
Alone

No one to visit
No one to call it home
Just a house 
on a hill
Alone

Abandoned 
Mistreated 
And teased
A house
On a hill 
Alone

But slowly 
Like whispers from a far away land
In a fairytale with magical creatures 
Healing the wounds
Patching the holes
And once again
Someone may call it home

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Artwork by Mr. Jenkins

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House on a Hill by Anna Litster

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A house 
Sitting on a hill
By itself 
Alone

No one to visit
No one to call it home
Just a house 
on a hill
Alone

Abandoned 
Mistreated 
And teased
A house
On a hill 
Alone

But slowly 
Like whispers from a far away land
In a fairytale with magical creatures 
Healing the wounds
Patching the holes
And once again
Someone may call it home

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Artwork by Anna Litster

A Star by Violet McGuigan

Xbox by Ari Roth

Where are you
Shining your light on us
Like glowing raindrops
Against the darkness

A pinprick
From where you are
But there
Is a greatness
In the light that comes
However little

A firefly
Replica
Of the vast universe
Dotted with light

You look up
And see
The same star
That another person
Far away
Is watching
Your only connection
Being farther away
Than you are from them

When you see a star
Don’t wait
Don’t wonder
Wish
And maybe
It will come true

Hey Xbox
The sound of the click 
 When I turn you on
Makes me light up inside 

I jump on my favorite game
Mics synced, ready to play 
With my friends, I play like it’s a battle 
Every victory, loudly broadcast 

Xbox 
You might be angry inside when you think 
I’m screaming at you 
But I’m actually screaming
 at the game

Win or lose, I have fun 
But when I hear the click of me turning you off 
The sound hurts my ears

Though I know that I will
Turn you on again tomorrow

Click
here we go
mics synced once again

Illustration by Eva Friedlander

Xbox by Ari Roth

Hey Xbox
The sound of the click 
 When I turn you on
Makes me light up inside 

I jump on my favorite game
Mics synced, ready to play 
With my friends, I play like it’s a battle 
Every victory, loudly broadcast 

Xbox 
You might be angry inside when you think 
I’m screaming at you 
But I’m actually screaming
 at the game

Win or lose, I have fun 
But when I hear the click of me turning you off 
The sound hurts my ears

Though I know that I will
Turn you on again tomorrow

Click
here we go
mics synced once again

Artwork by Faiza Krishnarao

The Dwelling Man by Eva Friedlander

A Room Without Windows by Kristen Appleman

He lives in his body like an uninvited guest.
A stranger in every room.
He tries to cover it up by painting on a smile.
But it always rains.
And the smile always washes away.

Time Passes by Eva Friedlander

Time passes.
Seconds pass.
Each action.
Each moment.
Each decision.
Passes with a flash.

Photograph by Eva Friedlander

A Room Without Windows by Kristen Appleman

In a room without windows
It’s every time of day

It’s morning with hours 
Of work to be done
It’s midnight with regret 
Of all that hasn’t been done

It’s a radiantly sunny day
Full of opportunity 
It’s a cold dark day 
Full of worry

In a room without windows
The line between what 
Is wished would happen
And what does is insignificant 

A room without windows
is freedom
It is everything 
And the lack of anything
 
A room without windows
is a fluorescent light
Trying to be the world

Artwork by Allison Shi

What is a Blanket? by Ellie Laman

Alarm Clock by Basil Kim

A blanket is 
The soft moss
Of a tranquil forest

A blanket is a friend
Heals you in a time of need

My hands are tickled
As I caress the fibers of
The plush fleece

I drape the cloak of comfort
Over me 
It hugs me tight 
Warms me to the core

It is a shoulder to cry on
A bunker of safety

It allows you to rest
When overwhelmed 

It holds you and
Melts your troubles 

Artwork by Özge Ada Uzman

Hear the alarm clock,
Cold as ice,
Ringing downfall to the night,
Unavoidable,

Snuggle up into your covers,
As they become cool, crisp, and crumbly
Hear the birds chirp like kryptonite to your ears,
Telling you to wake up,

See the light as your sheets vanish,
Only to return at night,
Knowing the night is over,
Enhance the dreadful light