Wear the worn ones that are well-loved and grass-stained. Care for the worms as the rains have left them unearthed. Be gentle with all but the mud as you reacquaint yourself with a long-awaited rebirth. Remember the guileless child with eyes wonder-wide. Listen to the new birds sing days-old, age-old songs. Turn your face to
Halloween by Leticia Silva (2021 Spooktacular Writing Contest: 3rd Place Poetry)
clouds engulf the sky rain patters on the ground wind whispers through the air heat is absent cheeks are pink noses disappear breaths are sharp fingertips disintegrate ears feel scorched leaves sweep across yards footsteps are erratic and bountiful children’s laughter echoes creaking comes from open doors crackling is followed by hands grabbing sweetness is
Reflecting Guilt by Cody Alexander (2021 Spooktacular Writing Contest: 3rd Place Short Story)
There were already stains on the carpet when Shawn arrived at the motel earlier that evening, but this new one stood out. He could see it clearly in the reflection of the mirror…that, and the lifeless woman lying next to it. A rivulet of red seeped out from the bullet wound in her neck, and
Walden Manor by Anonymous (2021 Spooktacular Writing Contest: 2nd Place Poetry)
Light of each step, a haunting on air, A spine now made of ice and glass, Shadows quickly run–and laugh all as one, Into a night now quiet at last, A graven reminder of old Walden Manor, On a hill where a banner once flew, Every October–those looking over, See castle ground stones on the
Anniversary by Ronan Streby (2021 Spooktacular Writing Contest: 2nd Place Short Story)
Today is the day I remind my son. The first time I didn’t believe what I saw. When he walked in the door I thought my pain and grief must have caused me to see things, that I was on the brink of madness. Only when he wiped away my tears and apologized for his
In Memoria Mala by Thomas Jess (2021 Spooktacular Writing Contest: 1st Place Short Story)
Shears in hand, I cut away the overgrown grass covering the gravestones. Every year, my family would come and clean the stones marking our loved ones, so they would always be remembered. Sadly, I’d pass by many a stone obscured by the passing of time, their names, and dates barely legible from all the dirt
Coming Home to Campus
In March of 2020, I left campus as a student for the very last time. Of course, I didn’t know it would be the last time. If I had known, I would have walked through the courtyards for a little bit longer. I would have finished my assignments in the library’s atrium instead of at
In Conclusion…
Two years. That’s how long I’ve been a writing tutor at the Marian E. Wright Writing Center (M.E.W.). And yet, like all good things, my time at the Writing Center must come to an end. Today is my last day working at M.E.W. and I wanted to commemorate my time here by reflecting on conclusions.
End of Semester Chaos: 3 Tips to Manage Stress
The end is in sight. The Winter 2021 semester is coming to a close. We are a week or so away from completing our final exams and turning in our final projects and essays. The work load is piling up, and we have limited time to pull it all together. Between managing our university lives
Dealing with Logjams: For When the Words are Stubborn
Not too long ago, my family visited Lumberman’s Monument. It’s on the Au Sable River west of Oscoda, and if you haven’t been, I recommend it (although I think Iargo Springs, a few miles down the road, is even better). The views are excellent, the monument itself oddly compelling and vivid for being a bunch