Drones
"Happy to fly drone
The drone battery is dead
This is very sad"
- Daniel Hernandez-Jose
"Drones are pretty cool
The drone has just hit a wall
Drones are not so cool"
- Will Hoffman
"Drones are taking flight
Where is it going, oh no
I did something wrong"
- Evan Iovanov
"Drones are used to fly
It takes off from some padding
Bye Bye crashing down"
- Jack Justice
Fall is coming
Here comes that familiar chill
that slight breeze through the trees
soon the leaves will change and the animals will start to hide
soon the coats and the wool gloves will come from the closet
the air will be filled with a scent of pumpkins and pies
the ground will crunch with every step
the time of fall is coming soon
-Lucas Williams
Painful Love
When I first met them, I didn’t know they were the one.
I met them right after me and a girl were done.
Big blue eyes and long green hair.
All I can do, I can’t help it, is stare.
I haven’t told them how I feel.
But the things I feel for them are real.
The other day they held my hand.
I want to show them off to all of the land.
They painted their nails a sharp, nice white.
I thought about those nails all day and night.
But I can’t be with him, because he has a girlfriend.
But I can’t be with him, I’m not a suitable boyfriend.
-Ozzy Haase
Weary Leaves
By Maggie Van Heukelum
A pond waits cool and clear
Water blushing as the sun gently kisses its surface
Grasses wave in the breeze
Protecting the sight from the eyes of others
Weary leaves drift off their boughs
While their trees dance around taunting their knowledge
From the sight over the grass to the brush of sun on water
By Harper Johnson
I nervously glance in the rear-view mirror of the Grecale Maserati, peering at the leather case stuffed in the backseat. I see a shadow pass across the glass and my heart jumps to my throat. I slam on the brakes, gasping for air as I look over my shoulder. The road, illuminated by rows of fluorescent lights on each side, is empty. How paranoid am I?
Resuming my drive, I quickly accelerate, weaving through the streets at lightning speed as my car stealthily creeps along the asphalt. I can't be found. As I adjust the strap of my dress, a flowy black gown adorned with black and white checkered beading, the events of the night come to the forefront of my mind.
My mission had been to kill Gael Morgan, a trained assassin working for the Welsh government. While the United States has an alliance with Wales, this particular agent had refused to follow orders, setting out on his own and putting the lives of United States agents stationed in Wales in jeopardy. For me, following orders was second nature. Over the years I have learned to detach myself from my work; not a trace of emotion overcomes me when completing a mission. I am simply a pawn in a game of chess, insignificant when looking at the larger picture. So, when given my orders for tonight, I didn't expect anything to get in the way. That was until the evening took an unexpected turn.
My location was an extravagant gala being held in a penthouse in New York City. I had no idea why my target was there, but I knew he needed to be stopped. When I arrived at the event, even the beauty of the space didn't make me falter. Brushing past the tables splattered with jewels surrounding tall, golden statues, the stands with overflowing food, and ignoring the magnificence of the huge, sparkling chandelier hanging from the ceiling, I made my way to the center of the room. Scanning it, I searched intently for my target. Bullseye. Although his back was facing me, I recognized his large, muscular build and dark, unruly hair. Strategically, I slowly made my way toward him. I needed to isolate him, and, much to my dismay, my advisor informed me the most effective way to do this would be to charm him. Although I received attention from boys, I had always been awkward around them. How was I going to do this?
Breathing deeply, shoving my nerves down, I positioned myself in Gael's line of sight, leaning against the wall and shooting glances at him. After a couple of minutes, he noticed me and began to return my looks. When I found myself smiling at him, shyly batting my eyes, I panicked. Part of me had forgotten what I was here to do. A strange sense of uneasiness came over me. I had never let emotions take charge of me during a mission. What was different about this time?
To regain focus, I moved toward a table stacked with glasses of champagne that, together, made a large tower of drinks. Maybe the alcohol would knock some sense back into me. My eyes were shrouded by my glass as I downed my drink in one gulp. When I lowered it, I was struck with an intense feeling as my eyes locked on Gael's. Darkness and danger reflected in the intensity of his brown pools, but the shiver beneath my skin told me they triggered something else inside of me. Excitement.
