Tag: Grace O’Connor ’22
It Slowly Slipped Away
by The Cowl Editor on November 14, 2019
Poetry
by Grace O’Connor ’22
She looked in the mirror and took a deep breath
Today was the day her life would change
She looked down at her newly polished nails as her heart drummed in her chest
Time was going by painfully slow but too fast
She stood up slowly and walked down the stairs in silence
The silence in the air weighed down with every step
The last time she saw her she was in her arms, the most beautiful thing alive
It felt hard to breath every time she thought about her
She sipped the coffee slowly as her mind kept running rapidly
She wanted more than anything another chance
A new relationship, one that she could cherish rather than one bear the emptiness
Of a relationship that was nonexistent
The ring of the doorbell echoed through the house
She stood up slowly and walked to the door at the end of the hall
She put her hand on the cold door knob and twisted it hesitantly
She gasped when she saw her face
It was the day that changed everything
One that she had tried to erase from her memories for years
But also a day she could never get back, all the emotions that she had buried inside
Sometimes would bubble up to the surface
All she kept was that one photo
That one memory
It slowly slipped away
Until that one moment, the day that changed everything
Ghost Poems
by The Cowl Editor on November 1, 2019
Halloween
Does Fear Disappear?
By Sean Tobin ’20
Does fear disappear
If Stephen King writes it down
And Hitchcock films it?
Or does fear instead
Creep, crawl, and hide deeper down
Where you cannot reach?
The Wind
Sarah Heavren ’21
The wind whips and wails
Shaking the walls
Rattling the trees
Making leaves fall.
It groans and stings
With such distress
Like a poor soul
That’s not at rest.
Darkness Surrounds
by Grace O’Connor 22
I opened my eyes to see darkness surrounding me
I slowly stood up as my head throbbed
The room smelled musty and the darkness weighed down on me
The floor creaked below me as I cautiously took a step forward
I stopped quickly to calm my racing heart
I heard steps but could not tell from which direction
I paused, panicked and paranoid
In that moment I couldn’t breathe
It all happened in a second
Standing over me, it was the last thing I ever saw
As the true darkness swept over me
Phantom
by Connor Zimmerman ’20, Elizabeth McGinn ’21, and Sarah Kirchner ’21
I looked around the corner;
Phantom eyes staring back at me.
A haunting chill went down my spine:
Frosty breath, sweaty palms, fight or flight kicking in.
Reaching out to touch the specter,
As my hand went through, my body went cold.
My hand darted back; bumps began to envelop my skin.
Vapors dissipating from where it once stood.
Fear swallows me. Suddenly, I stand alone.
Two Writers, One Line: “I walked into the house and that’s when I saw it”
by The Cowl Editor on October 10, 2019
Features
Two Writers, One Line: “I walked into the house and that’s when I saw it.”
Electrifying But Calm
by Grace O’Connor ’22
I walked into the house and that’s when I saw it
Her long, red dress sunk down to the floor
The shiny, chocolate brown hair of hers poured down her back
Her hands were pressed up against the window sill
I felt my heart pound in my eardrum with every step
Her head wouldn’t turn toward me as if I wasn’t there
A knife could cut through the silence that weighed in the air
I searched for words that seemed to fade into an abyss
Her head turned slowly and I stopped abruptly
Her blue eyes were electrifying but calm
Her face was emotionless but at ease
My mind went blank as if she was controlling my every thought
I never thought this moment would come
A moment filled with so much hope but confusion
I had so many questions but in her presence I was satisfied
Her presence seemed real but not possible
I did not realize until that moment how much I missed her
I reached out my hand but she didn’t move
My heart continually pounding
My mind racing through the darkness and doubt
She approached me slowly and put her hand on my face
She smiled slightly and I could see comfort in her eyes
She stepped back and examined me
I felt happy in her presence and wanted that joy to last
She turned and walked toward the door
I did not chase after her, I just let her keep walking
I knew that was it and did not feel sad
Seeing her once more was all I needed
Infinity Killer
By Elizabeth McGinn ’21
I walked into the house and that’s when I saw it. Dismembered limbs arranged neatly in the form of the infinity sign. This has to be impossible.
As I inched closer to inspect the body — or bodies — the stench of rotten flesh crawled up my nostrils. The limbs making the figure consisted of three arms, chopped off haphazardly at the shoulder so the joint of the arm protruded from the tissue, and a singular leg, foot, calf, thigh and all. Not again.
I stared at it, for who knows how long, until I felt a gentle nudge at my elbow.
“Callahan,” Ramirez, my partner said, “Do you think this could be a copycat?” His eyes darted between me and the bodies, unsure of where to rest their gaze.
After a pause, I hesitantly responded, “The public doesn’t know this level of detail. So if it is a copycat, it’s someone on the case.”
Ramirez nodded, exhaled sharply, and dejectedly asked, “I thought we were done with this crap.”
Me too.
…
“Detective Callahan,” the pushy reporter shoved her microphone in my face, “Will the Infinity Killer get the death penalty for his crimes?”
“No comment,” I said as I pushed away the microphone, and started to walk up the steps of the courthouse, away from the throng of reporters and curious bystanders.
We had been searching for this bastard for months. He never left any fingerprints or DNA, and the circumstantial evidence for most of our suspects was never enough for a warrant, let alone a charge and conviction.
We finally captured him through a single strand of hair left at one of the crime scenes. Luckily, our guy was a convicted sex offender in our system. Easy as pie to find him and arrest him. All that is left is to convict him.
Waiting for the formalities of the court to pass before I testify, I can’t help but look at him. Grimy hair and gaunt face, he looked like he spent months underground before emerging from his chrysalis. He never lifted his eyes to anyone, not to the judge or even his own attorney. He just sat there like a statue, blank and expressionless.
“Detective Callahan, please rise,” the judge ordered me to the stand. I swore in, and was ready to help get this psycho locked away forever.
“Detective Callahan, can you describe the first crime scene for me?” the prosecutor demanded.
I went over every minute detail of the case, the months long cat and mouse game of crime scenes, bodies, and that damn infinity sign. The limbs were so mutilated we couldn’t identify all of them.
Finally, the prosecutor asked, “Can you point to the person whose DNA was on the strand of hair found at the crime scene?”
I raised my arm, extended my fingers, and pointed to the culprit.
Languidly, he glanced up at me. A shiver sent shockwaves down my spine as he smirked, directly staring into my soul.
…
“Let’s get a list of officers and personnel on the case and start from there,” I instruct Ramirez.
Sensing a buzzing in my pocket, I grabbed my phone and answered, “Callahan.”
“Uh Detective, you’re gonna wanna come to May St. We got another crime scene,” the officer said. Crap.
“Are the bodies arranged in an infinity sign?” I exasperatedly asked.
“Uh, yup. Looks like two victims this time, I’ll send you the address.”
Click.
I crammed my phone back into my pocket. I stormed out to my car, slammed the door, and rested my head in my hands.
Reflecting back on that day in the courtroom, I was certain we had our man. The smirk, the disconnectedness, that’s what our killer was. And we locked him up for life. We knew we had the right guy.
Or did we?
As the Darkness Poured Over
by The Cowl Editor on September 26, 2019
Poetry
by Grace O’Connor ’22
We sped down the never ending road
I could see the worried look on his face
As his grip tightened on the steering wheel
The trees outside the window blended together
As they erased into the distance
The silence in the air felt heavy and ominous
I put my hand on my stomach which felt bottomless
The sound of my heart pounding was the only vibration I felt
As the sweat on my hands slowly started to melt
His eyes were emotionless
As he turned around the bend
The headlights glared in our eyes
The sudden rush of darkness poured over
My eyes opened slowly
I felt numb and confused
The red and white lights were blurry
As the voices whirled through the air
I looked down at the scar, remembering this day
The narrow road I had always driven up and down
The predictability of getting to my destination
I cannot tell you that exact bend of the road to this day
Where everything went to dismay
I took an eraser and erased it all away
Internal Beauty
by The Cowl Editor on September 16, 2019
Portfolio
by Grace O’Connor ’22
She looked down at the picture longingly as she walked down the beach. Her fingers wiped off the thin layer of dust as they brushed over the creases on the photo. Her smile was big and bright and her eyes had this twinkle of hope. Looking at the photo of when she was in college gave her nostalgia. A smile streched across her face and her eyes slowly filled up with tears as she remembered the day it was taken. She would give up anything to be back in that moment of liberation and pure contentment.
Her three kids were mostly grown up and battling the real world on their own, while her husband seemed to spend more time in the office than paying attention to her. She’s remarkable to say the least but doesn’t see it herself. She’s an incredible mother, and the most gregarious person, but she carries around a burden that weighs her down. Even with her family she sometimes feels all alone. She feels as if the walls are closing in on her, slowly but surely. She does not completely understand the world around her because of its absence of authenticity compared to when she grew up. Growing up, her life was simple and it made sense to her. She had always liked the seemingly insignificant aspects of life, which she approached with her big heart. The man she married was completely different; he was a man who did not prefer a simple life but one that was fast-paced and regular. He had a big personality, and an unforgettable sense of humor. When they got married, they bought a small house in the town he grew up in and had their three children. Having these three children made the woman choose family over her over job so she could raise them.
This decision came to her easily because it would never cross her mind to ask her husband to give up his father’s legacy. Any parent would say raising children is not easy but this woman did it effortlessly, with a smile on her face. Her children all grew up to be determined, hardworking individuals who got to the places they did with many bumps along the way. They became who they are because of her. Through every bump, she was there to alleviate the drop. Through every track meet, math exam, spelling bee, her encouragement was tangible. She made you feel as if you could do anything that you set your mind to no matter the circumstance. Although every mother is special in her own way, this woman put every ounce of energy into putting everyone else’s needs above her own. Her selflessness is palpable and moving.
The warmth of the sun started to sink into her skin as she closed her eyes and wished to stay in that moment on the beach. The moment when she had no worries, did not have to think about the future. She was about to lose an integral part of her identity and she still did not know how to cope with this loss. Her youngest child is headed off to college tomorrow. Her daughter is her rock, her best friend. The woman felt she had lost her worth. She would no longer be a full-time mother, she would not have her children to explain all the things she did not understand, and most importantly, she felt that she would not get the love she needed to keep living everyday anymore.
She watched as the wave in front of her was sucked back into the never-ending water. As much as she wanted to go back to the past, she understood that every day has a purpose. Her unconditional love for the people around her is what keeps her going even if she does not get the same love in return. Her internal beauty illuminates far beyond what her eye can see. She gives her heart to the world with no expectations and no limitations.
Bittersweet
by The Cowl Editor on August 29, 2019
Poetry
by Grace O’Connor ’22
Smooth and sweet, the chocolate rolls around my tongue
I see happiness and sunlight
The warmness that makes me feel young
As the little pieces of sugar melt on my tongue
I run through the grass with glee
Smelling the fresh flowers
My long hair being whipped by the wind
I don’t care about the passing hours
The chocolate slowly becoming thinned
I look back when the only thing surrounding me was flowers
The ground beneath my feet is cold
The once sweet chocolate left behind a bitter taste
I yearn for the times when I didn’t feel old
When I did not feel a sense of disgrace
Cloud Covered Sky
by The Cowl Editor on April 11, 2019
Poetry
by Grace O’Connor ’22
The blue water shimmering in the early morning sunlight
My mother’s soft hand in mine
The orange morning sun so bright
Its warmness sinking into my skin making it shine
My small feet sink into the sand as I look at the ocean in front of me
The sun is covered by the moving clouds and the cold creeps into my skin
I looked for my mother’s hand
It’s not there, I suddenly don’t feel so secure
I’m all alone, I feel vacant
The future unknown, full of fear, my happiness suddenly taken
The Unknown
by The Cowl Editor on April 4, 2019
Portfolio
by Grace O’Connor ’22
It was an image of a woman looking into the deep blue Atlantic Ocean, as the early morning sun broke through the clouds. The yellow sunlight filled her blue eyes with life. Her toes buried in the sand that had not been warmed by the sun yet. Her dirty blonde hair was being blown behind her shoulder. It was just her, no one else. She looked small, standing all alone on the quiet beach. She was still beside the swaying of the weeds in the sand dunes, and the movement of the water being pulled away from her.
She opened her eyes slowly and looked in the distance at the horizon, as if it held all of life’s answers, or at least she wished it did. The morning tide lapped against the sand as calmly as her breath and the seagulls above her head seemed to have an excitement about their destination, which made her wonder if she would ever have that enthusiasm again. Their calls reminded her of the time she spent on the beach with her children. She longed to be young again. The sweet taste of lemonade, the sound of people laughing, her not feeling lonely. The thought of it made her smile; it was a time when she had truly felt free and had her whole future ahead of her. Her eyes had held all the wonder in the world as they looked at the deep blue water, and she had laughed as the waves buried her feet in the wet sand that held seemingly hundreds of sand crabs which had tickled her feet. She would have enjoyed the opportunity to be a mother again and the time to live up to that moment of absolute happiness.
Although she missed her past greatly, she knew that life would keep moving forward and all she could do was appreciate its beauty. Watch her children grow up and be happy. Enjoy the simple things in life. She would always have her youthfulness and an unburnable light embedded inside herself. She closed her eyes again as the clouds separated to let the sun shine on the beach.
Flashes
by The Cowl Editor on March 7, 2019
Poetry
by Grace O’Connor ’22
Lightning cut through the sky like a sharp knife
The rough waves were being pushed under the boat
Dark clouds filled every inch of the sky
The air around us dense and deadly still
We accelerated the speed to get to the final destination,
Although it was nowhere in sight
as the thunder roared through the sky
the rain fell out of the sky
progressively faster and faster
we were not getting any closer to land
the horizon far off and unknown
at that point I gave up every ounce of hope
all of it being washed away by the rain
in our descent into nothingness
this is it I told myself.
What Does ___________ Mean?: The Roving Love Dictionary
by The Cowl Editor on February 14, 2019
Features
What Does ___________ Mean?: The Roving Love Dictionary
What does Love mean to you?
Love is seeing past the cracks, the missing acts, and the backbreaking tax of loving someone else. You don’t fall in love, you choose to love.
by Connor Zimmerman ’20
What does Eye Candy mean to you?
Eye candy is what I see when my girlfriend walks into the room with a smile.
by Dawyn Henriquez ’19
What does Amazon Prime and a good time mean to you?
Amazon Prime and a good time means a love as strong as the “Amazon Prime” shipping tape but gone as quickly as their two-day shipping.
by Julia Zygiel ’19
What does Galentine’s Day mean to you?
When all the single ladies assemble their Spiked Seltzers, ask their guy friends for flowers, and cuddle puddle their way to the climax of The Notebook and Letters to Juliet. It’s okay to be alone on Galentine’s Day, as long as they’re alone together.
by Jay Willett ’20
What does a Ray Date mean to you?
To me a Ray Date is one that is not very special. Some days the food can be better than others, but really, who would want to go there on a date? Although Chicken Nugget Thursdays are a hit, any other day of the week it is very up in the air if you will leave Ray actually satisfied. I feel that if a Ray Date, especially the first date, is the place you go, then from the start you should know that it is nothing serious. They’re not even using Friar Bucks for crying out loud!
by Grace O’Connor ’22