by TYLYN

Er’rbody, get on ya feet and move,
Stop and wait for that good-for-ya-soul drop,
So you can let loose, get wild on that groove.
Lean wit it, rock wit it, that bunny hop.
Oh my god, slay my life away. Oh lord
Homie is feelin’ this, go kill it babe!
Hit them moves like it’s ninety-nine restored,
It’s that flashmob, glam squad, good-kind-of rave.
Now let’s slow down, get close, let this moment—
Ooh-wee. Just changed my life in the name of—
Hakuna Matata, real enjoyment
Don’t matter if you single, fall in love
with that rhythm, altogether now, kay?
Just do me a good ol’ favor, and stay.

by TYLYN

Dammit! I’m all alone again this dumb day,
Now I’m watching all of my friends go on dates,
Leaving me on my own, nothing to say.
Just gonna enjoy candies at low rates.
Actually, I’m goin’ to the club!
I don’t need nobody to feel myself.
Come on singles, we’ll run up my paystub,
‘Cause tonights a good day, get off that shelf.
Never mind, I’ll Netflix and chill tonight.
All that is way to expensive for me.
Grab my popcorn, some drinks, good stuff to light.
It’s all about this guy, cause I ain’t free.
Now be on yo way, little boy and girls.
Yes, I know you wanna clutch your sweet pearls.

by JOSEPH

Hi your name is, what I mean is…
Hi my name is Joseph C. H. Sabatino, I’m an alcoholic; just kidding
I’m 5’10’’ with a 6’10’’ ego and I’ve been told otherwise
I’m way different than that other guy, he’s still listening to old
migos sayin’ “ma their 3-peatin’ like Jordan.”

I mean they aight, I only like when Offset said, “I’ll shoot a hunnid
round clip like Wilt Chamberlain.” That’s crazy cause he stay with one
in the chamber man, he’s in his own lane man.
I’m scared of the dark, well I used to be. You know that feeling
when you feel alone and there’s no one left and you might get left
in the darkness, trapped in the darkness, it’ll consume you till your heart
becomes darkness and then you can tell people that is your
darkness

But let’s shed a little light on this situation because this
has taken a turn for the worst. Hey, take a turn
on first and you’ll see my self-esteem. Right now, I’m
letting off a bit of self-esteem because I’m on my
own team.

by LYNAE

Hey, y’all.
My birthday is November 25th,
Thanksgiving, but not every year.
I’m 5’ 3’’ on the dot.
Tall enough to not be a dwarf,
Short enough to not qualify for basketball.
I weigh 141 pounds, but really 139 without a jacket.
I don’t like almonds
And I’m really scared of heights.
I’m scared of a lot of things.
I’m scared of spiders, I’m scared of walking
alone in the dark,
I’m scared of getting hurt
or getting too attached,
but I’m also scared of drowning.
Really, I’m scared of everything.
I’m scared of what others think of me.
I’m scared of rejection.
I’m scared of disappointing others,
Or being too mean.
I really, really hate when I hurt others’ feelings.
But I do a lot of great things.
I’m a great listener and I’m good at math,
I’m also good at problem solving.
And sooo many other things
Like letting go— I’m really good at that,
but I’m really bad at being honest with myself
And sharing that I love and care.
It’s really hard for me because I’m scared.
I don’t like being scared,
but being fearless makes me nervous.
Oh, but something I’m fantastic at?
Pretending like I’m not scared at all.

by VERMEESHA

Losing my passion
for you has to be worse
than anything I’ve lost
before. Losing you has
been the worst thing
to happen. Losing our
bond, and memories, losing
you has got to be the
worst thing that’s happened.
But you weren’t meant to be
kept. You were an adventure
with such a close endpoint.
And I realize now that “us”
to you was so disposable.
Worth less than a broken
plastic mirror. Losing you
was disastrous,
and all so heart-breaking. But
for you it was a wrinkle in time.

by JAYLEN

As I sit at the window pane,
I think about the pain that’s in my heart,
the the blues painted on the side of my heart.
I think about her smile and her eyes,
the warmth I used to get all the time,
the empty space that flows freely,
nothing to fill it and bind.

by CHRISTIAN

It started with a phone call
We talked all through the night
I saw you at school walkin’ through the hall
and sometimes I’m like this ain’t right
With skin caramel
smooth as silk
it would be kinda harmful
to remove the filt
But you turned evil
Like the devilish fruit
had me feelin’ feeble
Too weak to even know the truth
It was always you for me
Not me for you
if you could only see me by your side
you was suppose to be my Bonny and I be
yo Clyde get it my R.O.D.
Ride Or Die
But this is too mean to release your surname
So this is for you
Thank you

by JAYLEN

I don’t understand why there are expectations.
Things happen no matter where you are, United Nations.
Problems start here and there,
Problems start even when you have fake hair.
No matter the skin, no matter the gender
I hate when I get hit in a car, fender bender.
School pushes us harder and harder,
One more shove and I might fall and take your daughter.
Everything comes with a price,
Even if you think you are Mr. Nice.

by TYLYN

1. Did you just misgender me? Cuz sweetie, I’m not a female dog.
2. Do you know that’s a racial slur? Chocolate skin is sweet, not bitter.
3. Please don’t call me a gardening tool. I’m not dirt either, ‘kay?
4. I’m from the hills all the way down south, but my name ain’t Billy
5. When did my mannerisms tell you I’m of that persuasion (wink)? Hun, I’m happy, not just a rainbow
6. Just because I’m air-headed doesn’t mean my head is a pot. What? I’m serious!
7. Strict values don’t make one into the ever-disparaged donkey.
8. and I don’t talk a lot, but that’s because I don’t waste words. I’m not anti-anything.
9. I’m not a body part. I have one, but it’s not yours, besides, I’ve got standards
10. Don’t call me your anything unless I consent. IU might even have a better friend than you, “Best Friend.” Pssh!

by VERMEESHA  

We’re trying to build a ladder to Jesus, one strand at a time. My momma always told me that when we finally grow enough hair to get there, he’ll kick us out. But we know she’s wrong.

Me and Michael walk downtown to buy fresh milk and cucumbers. We saw our father, but we said nothing. We bought the pinto beans and raspberry juice, and turned around to head home. Everything fell out of our hands when we bumped into this white chocolate girl. Her hair flowed like fondue, her scent was so sugary and sweet that I got 4 cavities, and her skin was velvety smooth, just like white chocolate.

When we walked her home, she invited us in. Everything was the purest of whites, we didn’t want to touch anything for the fear we’d get it dirty. We went through the house seeing the broken headboard, the TV with every channel playing static, and the cracks in the white cement floors.

She took us to the basement. In the whole house, the only dark colors were in the basement. Absolutely everything was black, including us. For the rest of out lives, we ate peanut bagels and peppermint hot chocolate in the cold dark black basement.