Palm-Sized Dragon

Photo by Matthias Gellissen

He isn’t a mighty dragon that any myths depict, bravely fighting off adventurers to protect his treasure, nor a fearsome companion that I soar through the skies with. You won’t see him on the battlefield, roaring with enough strength to shake the earth; in fact, he’s the quietest member of my family, squeaking only in surprise in the 20 gallons of water he lives in. He’s a Spanish ribbed newt, which my 11-year-old self named Issac Newton,  a birthday gift that excited me beyond belief. I was over the moon upon learning that he could live with me  for 20 years, defending me against the great foes of boredom and homework; my mom was undeniably thrilled to hear that as well, the remark conveniently made after she’d signed the receipt. 

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Palm-Sized Dragon

He isn’t a mighty dragon that any myths depict, bravely fighting off adventurers to protect his treasure, nor a fearsome companion that I soar through the skies with. You won’t see him on the battlefield, roaring with enough strength to shake the earth; in fact, he’s the quietest member of my family, squeaking only in surprise in the 20 gallons of water he lives in.

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Rebirth

I’ve been breathing for a while. I can feel the wood against my back, and taste the air. But my heart hasn’t started beating. It’s an odd feeling. I can tell that time has passed, and I can tell that my consciousness has returned, but my internal clock is still broken and my life hasn’t come back.

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Αθηνα, μου (My Athens)

I reach into the depths of my backpack and become engulfed by a sense of relief when I feel the sharp metal object. I begin to pull it out, or at least try to. The key gets tangled in the pages and pages of Greek grammar notes shoved into my backpack. It’s been two months and I still don’t know how to conjugate the verb “ειμαι.” The key finally makes its way up into the fresh air of Pangrati. As the cool key hits my sweaty hand, I realize that I cut my index finger…

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Little Baby

She doesn’t give the baby another look and leaves the room on swift feet, passing the maternity ward and not stopping till she exits the swiveling doors and collapses in the spiky grass outside the horrid walls that reek of death, even around life. There are light pink peonies, like the baby's hat, growing out of a small patch near a hospital garden sign. A monarch butterfly flaps its wings and floats in front of her and a gentle breeze wipes the tears from her face with a soothing whisper. It’s cruel how beautiful it is. As if nature itself refused to give her another look, to even regard her pain with a gray cloud or drop of rain. The flowers would keep growing; the flowers would keep living.

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A Costume Guide for Last Minute Halloween Inspiration

With Halloween coming up in less than two weeks, you might still be looking for just the right look. Have no fear; I have compiled a list of ideas that can be used as group or single costume inspiration. Given how Halloween is fast approaching, these costumes can easily be put together with common items or items that can be purchased quickly and cheaply. Without further ado, let’s begin.

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To Juliet

Between the current political climate, the pandemic, and the planet burning up, it’s very easy to fall into a pit of despair and feel like time is standing still. However, now that I am three months away from turning twenty, I’ve been reminiscing on the only point in my life where I took my time, and genuinely enjoyed being a child. This is for you Juliet, thank you for being a true friend.

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Your Monthly Horoscope for Spooky Season

Happy October! In honor of both the spookiest month of the year and Mercury going into retrograde, I bring you an astrological look into the upcoming month. After consulting numerous zodiac sources, and with the help of my muse (aka a pumpkin iced coffee from Burgess), I have concocted the following predictions and pieces of advice, sure to tell you all that you will need to make it through to November 1st.

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