by CHRISTIAN

Chicago as a city ate fine, but southside Chicago
is one of the most violent places to be, or so it may seem.
We were brung up on the belief that people like us
were hoodlums or bangers. They saw us as nuisances
and future murderers. But we saw that as a lie
and expressed that in rhymes. To us were were
a community, a place where kids run and play.
Now don’t get me wrong. There are killers and thieves,
but that’s not what we’ve chosen to be. I think
of the southside as home, not something people
should be afraid of. Killers and thieves want you
to believe this. But I encourage you to go see places
like Oakland Park, instead of acting like you’re scared
of the dark. Killers and thieves that’s what they want
you to believe. But you believe 1 + 2 must be 3,
and that the opposite of red is green. So you believe
what you can conceive. Like President Obama
as a boy growing up on the southside of Chicago.

by PEYTON

One of my only true loves,
since the day I was born
is shaped like a rectangle,
and is green like the grass.

They say that it is the root
of all evil. Yet to others,
it appears innocent,
yet useful. Both sides

of the argument are valid
and reasonable. Yet it puts food
on your plate and pays
the bills on the table.

Like all things, it may be viewed
as a snake in the grass.
It is an unseen evil that hides
behind the pigmentation.

Most like myself, though,
choose to view the good,
and save it to cherish,
so we may improve our standards of life.

by NIAYA

When he came, when he first entered my life
I was broken. My heart was broken.

My unethical bad behavior and stepping
around happy times replacing it with sad.

You know what really saved me? My love,
the one who claims my heart,

his charmed desires and enthusiasm
to be with me. “Aren’t you just

the most beautiful?” I whispered to him
as we sat together. He was warm,

but his silence deafening. “You my dear,
are the most beautiful. The only one

for me. I shouldn’t be so attached.
Last time, my heart got broken.

But he, the one who claims my heart,
is different. I get flush every time

he comes near me, and I can’t breathe.
That overwhelming feeling of lust,

yet at the same time love, swirls
in me like fruit in a blender. Geez,

his light skin tone and reddish
complexion. I held him close to me,

mouth-to-mouth action happened
frequently. How the laughs we share,

the smiles, consumed my thoughts.
His intoxicating scent, sweet and tangy

filled my nostrils intensely with every
breath. How deeply I loved him,

but I feared he could not love me.
And he didn’t. He is gone now,

and I’m left with another broken heart.
Once he left I had no one.

His name. Pizza. Oh look! Another
slice. When he came to me,  when

he first entered my life, I was broken.
My heart was broken.

by PEYTON

I close my eyes
and let my mind take the wheel
touring the blank canvas
yet another time. 

The piano plays,
after the church bells ring
all noise comes to a stop
then the choir begins to sing.

I drift away
from the rather peaceful scene,
entering a new world
where the grass that grows is green.

A moth flies with papery wings
graciously floating by
as if they were hinges in the sky

The canvas changes again
to a painting of the sea,
it comes to life creating
a rather peaceful scene,
the waves crash against the shore
finalizing a beautiful image.

I open my eyes
and return to the world that I know best.

by CHRISTIAN

Hi, I’m Christian.
My best friend is a tiger
with mad confidence.
We race cars and hunt
alligators. We fly planes.
Our bond is fiduciary.
The tiger has a white pelt
with fine black stripes,
sad blue eyes,
and a scar on the side.

by NIAYA

“And the award for the ‘Best Female Music Video,’” the announcers voice boomed and echoed over the mic. The crowd cheered, eager and anxious to here their winner. They shouted and roared and shouted, “I love you” to the announcer, Jennifer Lopez. “TAYLOR SWIFT! For her song ‘You Belong With Me.”

The song played in the background as Taylor rose up with a smile ever so bright and proceeded to centre stage. Her gracious and smooth dress fit her body nicely as she took each step. Taylor greeted J-lo at the podium with the beautiful award. Her cheeks flushed with excitement. The crowd couldn’t resist but to scream louder with ecstasy, even if Taylor wasn’t who they had been hoping would win.

Kanye wasn’t buying it…not one bit. Everyone saw the red-lipped classic girly-girl in Taylor, but he knew the truth. He could see her actual face under all that make-up, and not, just a “beautiful face.”

Taylor held one hand to her chest feigning utter shock and childish surprise as the other hand held her award.

“Like,” she paused taking this all in, “this is just so amazing. I’m just so happy to be standing up here accepting this fantastic award…”

She was interrupted by a loud bang. The entire crowd was silent. Kanye stood up with his Alien Ray Gun up, locked and loaded in his hand. His suit was packed with extra ammo.

“Taylor!!” he yelled from the audience.

“Excuse me?” she answered.

“I know what you are!” he said, walking up the aisle and standing in front of the stage. He could hear the murmurs of the crowd and their confusion.

“Kanye, Sit down I’m making a speech,” she said getting more irritated, yet nervous.

“I will not, only Kanye tells Kanye what to do! And Kanye is telling Kanye to do what must be done.”

He walked on stage and stared down at everyone, snatching the mic from Taylor

“Taylor,” Kanye said, “is a witch!”

The whole crowd gasped. How could he say such a rude comment in the public of their beloved Taylor.

“What!” she screamed.

“You heard right! A witch. Her music played backwards in every one of her songs, says “I am a witch!” Kanye asserted.

The crowd, his wife, his friends Jay-Z and Beyonce, stared at him with bold eyes in silence. Soon there was laughter.

“Wha…what are you laughing at?” he said.

“You’re insane, Kanye!” Taylor said, “Get out! Security!!”

Just like that, four buff men busted from back stage and tried to seize him. Just then, Kanye pulled out his ray gun and blasted the men. Disintegrating their human disguises and exposing their true alien forms.

Their body and skin showed in a cliche alien type of way: thin, green limbs and deep black eyes. The crowd screamed and scattered all around looking for an exit, but with her telekinesis powers, from being a witch, Taylor shut all the doors; locking them from the inside.

“Witch!!” they screamed.

“I tried to tell you.” Kanye said nonchalantly over the mic. “She uses her abilities to create a catchy tune with awesome lyrics to lure people in so that they will pay for her songs on iTunes. The more famous she got, the more powerful. She used her music to call out to the aliens to help take over the world.”

“Which worked!” she clarified.

Taylor used her mind control powers to control everyone and made them all buy her new album on iTunes, even Kanye.

by MARTHA

A guy named Dan had a pet dog.
He went to Tech High School. But,
he was mad he could not meet Beyonce,
so he went peculiar. The only thing
to make him chill was to get in his car
and spend his money on Bazooka gum.

by PEYTON

Dear Tom,

I understand that you are looking for the best possible way to keep your food fresh but easy and quick to cook. You may think that this is difficult and complicated to do, but it isn’t. All you need to do to keep your food like this is to unplug your refrigerator. It will remain in an air-tight compartment, but will not exceed room temperature! This will make milk easier to boil and will allow food to cook quicker. Obviously things such as mold will continue to develop, but at a slower rate as there in no moisture in the fridge when it is off. This method will keep your food fresh, quick to cook, and allow it to last longer. I hope this advice will help you to improve the quality and service of your restaurant so we may continue our rivalry as competing restaurants. This duel has been very challenging and fun. Good luck keeping up my most respected adversary!

Sincerely,

Brad Spudnik
Head Chief at The Hot Potato

by SCOTT

Can I rise above it?
Not we, but I.
Will I rip apart my sanity
for the sake of freedom from
the cage I call my mind?
Can I see with all my senses,
not just my eyes.
Can I realize that things are
not okay and never will be?
If I kill my mind
to try to be alright, will I
be alive to see the outcome?

Probably not.

by PEYTON

All my life, the world around me has seemed so gray.
Every summer, the coneflowers would bloom and everyone focused
on planning the perfect summer and attempt to become a star.
Everyone would try to set a new standard for fashion and get the newest shoes,
while I sat in the backyard with my friends, enjoying a warm summer’s day.

We went to a local park and passed by a hot dog eating contest.
I signed up and within two hours was claimed the champion. Ate
one hundred in ten minutes, beating the world record.
I had realized my dream, my vision for the future.