Tag: poetry
Raise Your Glass
by Connor Zimmerman on February 7, 2020
Portfolio
by Connor Zimmerman ’20
Let’s have a drink to
This moment, hope it never ends.
It’s been forever since the last,
And it’ll be forever till the next.
Let’s have a drink to
The memories, the tears, the smiles.
It feels like we haven’t missed a step,
Despite our increasingly separate lives.
Let’s have a drink to
Our dreams that defy time
And, even though day will slowly fade into night,
They will be there to keep us company
Let’s have a drink to
Us
High Altitude
by Connor Zimmerman on January 30, 2020
Portfolio
by Jay Willett ’20
There are two ways to look down.
With pride, pitifully watching the climb, stumble, and slip.
Cackling, pouring champagne at the top, enjoying the summit’s immersion.
The greatest who’s ever lived. The king high on his throne.
The invisible swords that dangle above his crown jingle but do so silently.
An ignorant king is a powerful one-granted the ease of mind, the assurance that his throne is
made of obsidian and not glass.
Then there is the other way.
Liability, panic, fear: these fill the space underneath the crown.
The spikes that lie in the abyss don’t look soft, the memory of their
pierce stains the joy that exists among the clouds. Ruins it rather,
with its breathtaking view. Such a nervous king rules indiscriminately.
He’ll call on subjects, on jesters and squires, maybe even on sorcery,
for that same bliss the ignorant king enjoys.
To rule with confidence is to rule void of internal truth.
To rule with doubt is to rule with foolish endurance.
Either is fine.
A castle built on overcast could fall with any rainy day.
But that’s fine too.
Fall or climb, but to expect either is the only real crime.
Somber and Blue
by Connor Zimmerman on January 30, 2020
Portfolio
by Kiley McMahon ’20
My face, Covered, Somber,
And blue.
My eyes, Glossy, Puffy,
And red.
My thoughts, Jumbled, Intertwined,
And incoherent.
My watch, Ticking, Quickly,
Black and white.
The paper, Handed, To me,
Soon with tears.
The hour glass, Shattered, Grainy,
And white.
My heels, Loud, Clanky,
And black.
Me, Not ready, Somber,
And blue.
My watch, Tries and tries, Its hands,
Are stuck.
The class of 2020,
Ki Ash Strolls off.
Black pavement, Yellow lines,
And only unknown times.
The Power of a Year
by Connor Zimmerman on January 30, 2020
Portfolio
by Sam Pellman ’20
A year ago I was standing under the Eiffel Tower
Surrounded by unfamiliar faces
Some foreign, some similar to mine.
I used to panic about that moment
When I would be dropped into a foreign country
Alone without a single person to lean on.
But now all I think about is going back
And being that carefree and independent person I was
Even if it was just a quick three months.
A year ago I was unsure about my future
I’d spend hours anxious and worried
The future horrified me and I did anything to avoid it.
But now I look at it with excitement
As a new chapter, a new adventure
Full of new people and opportunities to grow.
A year ago I felt lonely
Like I had to deal with my problems on my own
And burdening people wasn’t an option.
But now I surround myself with people who care
People who want to see me do amazing things
And help me to become a better me.
A year ago I let little things bother me
I didn’t know how to take care of myself
And I didn’t want to grow up.
But now I see adulthood as a challenge
A challenge that I need
To reach parts of myself I don’t know exist yet.
A lot can happen in a year
Look back and think of who you were then and who are now
Self-growth is inevitable, but it’s up to you how you control it.
A lot can happen in a year
But for now, focus on what is happening in the here and now
Because before you know it, it’s a year from now.
And you’ve graduated and are looking back at college
Remembering those four years of growth you never knew could happen
All the friends who have now become your family.
But you’re a new and better you
With the most perfect of memories to look back on
And an appetite to see what the future holds.
The Looff Carousel
by Connor Zimmerman on January 16, 2020
Portfolio
by Gabriela Baron ’20
I remember Mom hoisting me onto a porcelain pony:
her flowery perfume swaddled me.
I was strapped in safely;
Mom blurred as my pony pranced.
Her flowery perfume wafted through the air
as the pony touched the sky and kissed the ground.
Mom blurred when my pony galloped faster.
The whimsical music whirled.
The pony touched the sky and kissed the ground—
then it halted. I feared falling.
The whimsical music whirled
and I held onto my liberty, clutching the reins.
When the pony halted, I faced my fear of falling.
I unbuckled my security; a new rider was waiting.
I held onto my liberty, waving my belt like a flag.
I slid off the pony and hopped on a stallion.
The new rider waited
to be strapped in safely.
I slid off that pony! And hopped on this stallion!
I remembered Mom hoisting me onto that porcelain pony
wet sand is stuck in my hair
by Connor Zimmerman on January 16, 2020
Portfolio
by Marelle Hipolito ’22
wet sand is stuck in my hair
but I’m too busy waiting for a shooting star to get it out
“look, one just passed by!”
I turn to you and say
“love bug, did you see it?”
but your eyes are closed, you are sound asleep
it was a long day so I let you be
I keep listening to the swift ocean waves
softly crash against the land of the cape
the gentle breeze rustles through the leaves of the trees above us
and carries grains of sand onto my face
I squint so they don’t get caught in my eyes
but they make their way to tickle my ears
so I turn back into you
bury my face in your arm
and with wet sand in my hair
underneath unseen shooting stars
I fall sound asleep
Little Candle
by Connor Zimmerman on January 16, 2020
Portfolio
by Sarah Heavren ’21
There was a little candle
That came into my life.
And from this little candle
Came a beautiful light
Its flame emits a warm glow
That brings light to the dark.
The little flame lets me know
Inside me there’s a spark.
With light also comes shadows
But there’s nothing to fear
Because the little candle
Shines when the dark is near.
My sweet little candle’s light
Illuminates my doubts.
I hope its warm, burning light
Will not ever go out.
Light Brown Blanket
by Connor Zimmerman on January 16, 2020
Portfolio
by Grace O’Connor ’22
The sun shined on his ruby fur
His eyes carried the last bit of life
He was in pain but at ease
As he laid flat on the floor
I held his paw in my hand
As tears rolled down my cheek
His ears soft and fluffy
I pressed his head against mine
The final goodbye is always the hardest
I felt sadness, anger, and relief
The pit in my stomach grew
As I looked in his eyes one last time
Wrapped in the light brown blanket
He was at peace but in pain
I walked away and didn’t look back
Knowing I will never get that moment back
These Trying Times Are Stagnant.
by Connor Zimmerman on January 16, 2020
Portfolio
by Sam Ward ’21
*
I conquered moon cycles, fake news, reignited lighters
with no signs, nowhere to hide, huh.
It’s life, it’s all surprises,
we live; the vibe is priceless.
But when you rewrite the mileage,
you see, these times are stagnant.
**
I used to do this every day.
Now I cannot remember what I said yesterday.
Maybe it is complacency or that part of me rebelled,
Or there are greater forces at work, my chakras disassembled.
I used to turn my truths to fiction,
now just, solace in superstition.
***
If it is not nourished, we forget.
When trying times establish, we neglect.
If it is not tied together, what’s the point?
Let my attention see and my captivation seize.
Christmas Songs to Help You Weather the Cold
by The Cowl Editor on December 7, 2019
Portfolio
by Sam Ward ’21
Take what joy these tidings give
and gift them back to all who live!
Fear and hunger can be adjured next summer;
the joy we share must last all winter.
For frostbitten souls: “The season is here!”
All the scrooges: “Christmas is near!”
Grab mittens and scarves lest you bold.
Only the strangest of us can withstand this cold
With the warmest of holiday spirit.
The combustion inside warms those who hear it.
It bellows from the stomach, diaphragm, and heart
But harmonious vocals are the best part.
Tell all the frostbitten souls: “The season is here!”
And sing to the scrooges: “Christmas is near!”
Christmas carols cannot warm the weather,
but it could make these chills feel a bit better.