170
GRAFFITI

Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

Embed Size (px)

DESCRIPTION

Manhattanville College's literary magazine.

Citation preview

Page 1: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

GRAFFITI

Page 2: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015
Page 3: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

Undergraduate Literary Magazine

Manhattanville CollegePurchase, New YorkSpring 2015 Edition

Page 4: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

2

Page 5: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

3

Editor-In-ChiefAlexandra Espinal

Co-EditorGabrielle van Welie

Fiction & Poetry EditorsEmelie Ali

Mikayla AmaralEmily Behnke

Samantha BiegelJessica DangerAlexis García

Danaleigh ReilleyJelani Price

Bianca ReyesShannon Roberts

Victoria SantamorenaKatherine Shkreli

Art & Photography EditorsKaitlyn Angley

Austin LaPointeDylan Ward

Logo DesignJohn Sousa

Faculty AdvisorVan Hartmann

Printed by !e Sheridan Press450 Fame Avenue

Hanover, Pennsylvania 17331

Page 6: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015
Page 7: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

5

From the Editor !is has been an incredible year for Gra"ti and I have a long list of people to thank. First and foremost I want to thank Professor Van Hartmann for answering each and every one of my many emails and for being so helpful throughout the whole editorial process. !is magazine wouldn’t be what it is today if it weren’t for him. I would also like to thank Gra"ti’s editorial sta# for all the e#ort they put into the magazine. !is year we had our big-gest editorial sta# yet, comprised of thirteen talented and hard-working students. !ey were part of every step of the process, from the editing to the making of these pages. Special thanks as well to the English Department for its continued support and to everyone who submitted to the magazine. When I took on this job about a year ago I had one goal in mind: publish the best that Manhattanville students have to o#er. I’m happy to say that I believe we have achieved that goal. Every story, poem, and artwork in this magazine went though an extensive editing process and every contributor should feel proud to have their work published in Gra"ti. As the year progressed a new goal emerged in my mind: to expand Gra"ti’s reach within the Manhattanville commu-nity. !roughout the year Gra"ti hosted events and fundraisers on campus, joined social media, and got a new logo. I hope that these e#orts are only the beginning of a rebranding process that will hopefully let Gra"ti be known as a publication that cel-ebrates art in all of its forms and that aims to push the bound-aries of everything considered conventional. Lastly, I want to thank you, dear reader, for reading this collection of works and supporting Gra"ti this year.

Best,

Alex

Page 8: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015
Page 9: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

7

$1Ō1/@5;:�;2��1Brianna Barrett

On The Cover

Brianna Barrett is a junior at Manhattanville College and a Studio Art major. Her passion for art is contagious and she believes it has saved her life. She enjoys traveling, creating, and writing about her experiences in hopes of one day be-ing able to do it for a living.

Page 10: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015
Page 11: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

9

ContentsFrom the Editor 5 On the Cover 7

!e Sr. Eileen O’Gorman Prize for Short FictionSweet Limbs, Alison Malaluan 12

!e Robert O’Clair Prize for Poetry Summer in the Berkshires, Emily Behnke 20His Last Onset, Emily Behnke 22For My Father, Emily Behnke 24

!e Sr. Margaret Williams Prize for Literary Criticism!e Flapper in Context: Fitzgerald’s Philosophy vs. 1920s Response, Gabrielle van Welie 26

!e Dan Masterson Prize for Screenwriting47 Degrees Celcius, Sofía Rivera-Pérez 27

!e William K. Everson Prize for Writing on Film!e Morning After in Remember Last Night, Phuong Le 28

PoetryWhat Could It Be?, Stephanie Kunkel 30People Forget Antartica’s a Continent, Jordan Winch 35Love Me Harder, Alexis García 37What It’s Like to Smile, Krystalina Padilla 39Aliens to Aliens, Gianni Mogrovejo 44Code Red, Alexandra Risko 46!e Body’s Terpsichore, Stephanie Kunkel 47Teenage Limbo, Emelie Ali 50My Mistresses, Karin Manson-Mayhams 51!e “C” Poem, Steven Willis 54Yearbook, Gabrielle van Welie 57What’s Your Name Again?, Michaela Murdock 59

Page 12: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

10

Chug, Stephanie Kunkel 61Walk of Dreams, Angela Eckho! 63Good Ol’ Cuppa Joe, Alexandra Espinal 64Wandering, Krystalina Padilla 71Scenes of Hallows Eve, Katherine Shkreli 73!e Contortionist, Samantha Biegel 76Do Not React, Rai-ya Wilson 77Lipstick Stains, Emelie Ali 79Shame, Catherine Brady 81Her, Stephanie Kunkel 82Harlem’s Hughes, Karin Manson-Mayhams 98Starry-Eyed, Michaela Murdock 99!e Pricks of Pooh’s Honey, Stephanie Kunkel 101My Gal, Alexandra Risko 103Metamorphosis, Emily Behnke 108De"nitions, Stephanie Kunkel 118In !is Moment, Karin Manson-Mayhams 120Black Widow, Imani S. Williams 121Cross Paths, Destiny Wagner 123Renaissance Fair, Katherine Shkreli 128What Is Love?, Gianni Mogrovejo 130Squeeze, Alyssa Harr 136Rain Renders Retention, Stephanie Kunkel 138Ms. New York City, Krystalina Padilla 141!e Darkest Party You Will Ever Attend, Jordan Winch 146Because I Sculpted You, Alexis García 147!e South Bronx Rose, Gianni Morgovejo 150Void !e Mind, Stephanie Kunkel 159

Fiction Melting, Shannon Ga!ney 32!eo, Mikayla Amaral 40Who am I?, Catherine Brady 52A Late Night Story, Victoria Santamorena 66Television Murders, Lindsay Greiner 85It’s Your Turn, Catherine Brady 105!e Art of Figuring Out Life, Bianca Reyes 112

Page 13: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

11

Reincarnation, Nendirmwa Parradang 124Moths, Shannon Ga!ney 143Aisha the Beautiful, Nendirmwa Parradang 148!e Mirror – I Swear it’s Lying, Victoria Santamorena 154

Art Untitled, Jordnnel Sainville 29Untitled, Brianna Barrett 56Remake of Durer, Alicia Leedham 70Untitled, Jordnnel Sainville 111I Can’t Breathe, Brianna Barrett 153

PhotographyI See Me, Sarah Larson 43Internal, Alejandro González 65Self Portrait, Bianca Rosario Ramírez 84Chelsea, Alexandra Espinal 97Untitled, Austin LaPointe 127Evangelical Con"agration, Alejandro González 135!e Tree of Life, Samantha Biegel 145I’m Coming Up, Sarah Larson 160

Contributors 161

Page 14: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

12

The Sr. Eileen O’Gorman Prize

2;>�%4;>@��5/@5;:�Sweet LimbsAllison Malaluan

� r�4580>1:�/;91�5:�05Ŋ1>1:@�Ō-B;>?�s� r�-B1�E;A�@>510�@419�-88�s� r ;�.A@��pB1�3;@�@591�s�� White-washed walls splattered with blood-red

<-5:@���1�<;<A8-@1?�9E�8521���5?�4-:0?�->1�6-3310�-:0�/;->?1�|�;B1>>A:�.E�6A@@5:3�B15:?�5:�05?->>-E���5?�.>1-@4�?/>1-9?�r%9;71>��@-71�9E�8521�s��A@�@41:�-3-5:�41�/->->51?�-�@4>112;A>@4?�A?10�5:4-81>�@4-@�C45?<1>?�r�-:081�C5@4�/->1�s��:��1>19Ep?�>534@�2-010�?A101�<;/71@�@41>1�5?�-�4-82;<1:10�.;D�;2��->8.;>;�/53->1@@1?�@4-@�4-:0E�5:-

haler, and three unprescribed Adderall pills. He coughs

C41:�41�/;-D1?�91�@;�/8;/7�5:�r�1>5@-�/;91�s��5?�4;81E�812@�<;/71@�4;80?�C>5:7810�3A9�C>-<<1>?�-�;:/1�9;:@4-

8E�A:8595@10�:;C�1D<5>10��1@>;��->0�-:0�01/1<@5B1��45:1?1�2;>@A:1?��&41�8-?@�;:1�>1-0��r�2�E;A�8;B1�?;91-

@45:3�?1@�5@�2>11x�52�5@�>1@A>:?�711<�5@�-:0�8;B1�5@�2;>1B1>�s�� �@�@41�?@A05;�5:�;A>�4;A?1�@41�C4;;?45:3�2-:?�/5>/A8-@1�@415>�>1/E/810�-5>�;:@;�9E�81-2E�@>1??1?�9E�mini-garden creations. Each time, the leaves spring up

-:�5:/4�?;91@591?�@C;�-?�52�;:�/A1��"8-E5:3�$A??5-:�roulette with paper mâché, I mold clay into an oval,

41->@?4-<10�41-0�-:0�/191:@�@41�812@;B1>?�5:@;�@C;�ŋ?@ŋ>9�->9?�-:0�@C;�@A9.85:3�813?�.-.E?5F10��What could have been? What did – what did I do?

**

� �1>19E�C;>1�C5:@1>�.;;@?�C5@4�.A87E�7:5@8-E1>10�

Page 15: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

13

corduroys during the scorching August mornings last E1->��r)4E�s���5:=A5>10�;:/1��r�1/-A?1�E;A�-8C-E?�:110�@;�.1�5:�.-@@81�9;01��)5@4;A@�@41�<>;<1>�2;;@5:3�E;Ap>1�<->-8EF10s�41�?-50�45?�B;5/1�>1?;:-:@�45?�2-/1�.8-:7���@�?5D2;;@@C;�41�@;C1>?�;B1>�91 ���[email protected]�� I polished his black high-top boots once with spit -:0�?C1-@�-:0��8;>;D�05?5:21/@-:@�C5<1?�;:1�0-E���1�-?710����2;88;C10���@�C-?��>���81-:-5010�<5:1?/1:@10<1>21/@10�@5<@;<�385991>5:3�|���/;A80�?11�91�|�91�?A.91>310�5:�-�91:-/5:3�9-??�;2�.8-/7���

*** � r&;0-Ep?�<->1:@?�->1�E1?@1>0-Ep?�/4580>1:�s���p0�>1-0�@4-@�?/>-C810�-8;:3�-�C-88�5:�2-05:3�C45@1�/4-87�?;91C41>1�.12;>1�9E�8521�.1/-91�@4-@�;2�-�?4-9181??�insomniac, an inevitable Doubting Thomas. Rain is hammering onto my congested window. �534@:5:3�>;->? �?581:/1�5?�01-21:5:3��&41�0>;<81@?�->1�<5@@1><-@@1>@>5/785:3�0;C:�9E�C5:0;C�-?�52�@;�>1@A>:�9E�@1->?�8;:3�;B1>0A1��&41�C5:0�5?�-�/;9.5:-@5;:�;2�increasingly unyielding whistling and screaming in shoves. I’m gazing at the nearby crooked tree with limbs disheveled and leaves crumbling. And I’m viewing this -88�ŋ8@1>10�@4>;A34�@41�<A:/@A>10�/>5??/>;??�?/>11:�� "8;<<5:3�2-/10;C:�;:�9E�A:9-01�.10���5:-4-81�@41�819;:�?/1:@�;2�@41�A:C-?410�C45@1��3E<@5-:�cotton. Turning upward, my eyes stare into a miniature black and white ultrasound snapshot tacked to an empty, />A9.E�.A881@5:�.;->0����2�;:1�8;;7?�/8;?18E�1:;A34�@41�@5:E�0->7�ŋ3A>1�5?�?1195:38E�?-21�@A/710�C5@45:�-�/18810�border. What looks like little arms resembles mini tree .>-:/41?�?A.@8E�1D@1:05:3�@;�-/7:;C81031�01->�8521��&41�-89;?@�.-.E�5?�85B5:3�;Ŋ�;2�@41�9;@41>p?�:A@>51:@?�9;9-my’s midnight dark chocolate cravings, via umbilical /;>0���@�5?�8E5:3�2-/1A<�.>1-@45:3�C-5@5:3�@;�/8-59�-�8521�

Page 16: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

14

4;C1B1>�A:<8-::10����1�5?�@41�<>;0A/@�;2�@C;�5:05B50A-

-8?�2>;9�;:1�?<;:@-:1;A?�:534@���1�C-?�.>1-@45:3����C-?�breathless. He was healthy. Ed was mine.

� &4-@�C-?�ŋB1�9;:@4?�-3;���@p?�!/@;.1>�:;C��)1p>1�approaching Halloween – what would have been Ed’s

ŋ>?@����C-:@�@;�/>1-@1�-�/;?@A91�;2�0E10.8-/7�81-B1?�@;�.1�a black swan. And, we do this every year – be costume-

/;A<81/;9<[email protected]�2;>�:534@8521�<->@E5:3���1>19E�C-:@?�@;�.1�@41�3>11:4-5>10�C45@12-/10��;71>���A@�41p?�@;>:�between being Batman’s villain, or embodying a grim

reaper.

� r!.61/@5;:?�2>;9�@41�.8-/7�?C-:�5:�@41�2A@A>1�->9?�;2�-�3>59�>1-<1>�s�41�-?7?�>AŒ5:3�45?�4-5>�-?�52�@;�@-91�-�6A:381�;B1>>A:��r� �:E@45:3�.A@�%/>1-9�� ;�>-@5;:-81�2;>�45?�75885:3�?<>11?�s�� r+1?�.A@�52�E;A�C-@/410�-88�2;A>�41�050�4-B1�>1--

?;:?���;35/-8�;:1?s�41�3;1?�;:����F;:1�;A@��

****

Record your natural laugh and play it backward.

)5>10�.145:0�-�9-4;3-:E�01?7���050�@4-@�2;>�8-A34?�;:/1����@;;7�-�)-879-:�C-@/410�-:�1<5?;01�;2��>51:0?�-:0�>1/;>010�-�@A:1�2;>�@41�?;A8��+;A�<8-E�5@�.-/7C->0�because every process needs a 360 degree awakening:

?C5995:3�-:0�?5:75:3�5:4-85:3�-:0�1D4-85:3�?5@@5:3�and standing, living and dying. Earlier that day, I over-

?81<@�-:0�->>5B10�2>-:@5/-88E�1E15:3�C-5@5:3�01:@-8�/851:@?�2>;C:5:3�A<;:�9E�->>5B-8����E�ŋ>?@�/851:@�;<1:10�45?�9;A@4�@;�>1B1-8�3>59E�<8-=A1�<;@1:@5-8�@;;@4�01/-E���� r�;�E;A�.>A?4�E;A>�@11@4�>13A8->8E�s���.13-:�eyeing the spreading residue in his molars.

“To be honest, I want to say yes. But it’s only when

��4-B1�@591s�41�>1<851?���� r+;Ap>1�@45>@11:�:;C���2�E;A�711<�@45?�A<�E;A>�

Page 17: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

15

@11@4�C588�?AŊ1>�;:1.E;:1s���?-E�:;C�8;/75:3�1E1?�C5@4�him. � r�1@@1>�9E�@11@4�@4-:�9E�41->@s�41�?95810�C501-8E�>121>>5:3�@;�45?�2>1?42-/10�35>82>51:0�ŋ:5?45:3�;Ŋ�@41�>19-5:5:3�4-82�;2�-�8;885<;<�5:�@41�C-5@5:3�>;;9��� r+;A�4-B1�@;�/A@�@41�?C11@?�@;;��!:1�C;>0�2;>�E;A�and it’s cavities.� r��8;B1�?A3->�@;;�9A/4�s��5?�.>;C:�1E1?�385@@1>��� r�B1>E@45:3p?�.1?@�5:�9;01>-@5;:�s� r+;Ap>1�:;@�9E�9;@41>s�41�3-F1?�.8-:78E���:0�he’s right. A mother to no one is what I am. � r�p9�E;A>�01:@5?@�@4;A34��%;�85?@1:��&>E�@;s���?-E�C4581�9E�1E1?�?452@�2>;9�05>1/@�1E1�/;:@-/@�@;�45?�C45@1streaked yellow teeth. � r%A>1��p88�@>Es�41�.->3-5:?�45?�9;A@4�?8534@8E�widening. � r�>1-@�s� r%;�->1�C1�0;:1���-:���3;�s��1�8;;7?�5:@;�@41�05>1/@5;:�;2�@41�C-5@5:3�>;;9��r� ;@�=A5@1����:110�@;�>5:?1�E;A�;Ŋ�-:0�@41:�E;A�/-:�/4;;?1�-�2>11�@;;@4.>A?4�|�/;8;>�;2�E;A>�/4;5/1�s�� r��-8>1-0E�4-B1�-�@;;@4.>A?4s�41�>1<851?���5?�9;A@4�;<1:?�2;>�@41�>5:?1��� r�;:p@�E;A�C-:@�-�.-/7A<�s� r)4E�s���5?�9;A@4�/8;?1?��� r�:�/-?1�@41�.>5?@81?�C1-71:�;>��;0�2;>.50�E;A�0>;<�5@�5:?501�-�@;581@�s�� r&4-:7�E;A�.A@�:;���p9�/;:@1:@�s��5?�>534@�<-89�C5<1?�45?�9;A@4�-?�41�4;<?�;Ŋ�@41�>1/85:1>�/4-5>�-:0�@A/7?�45?�812@�4-:0�5:?501�45?�2>;:@�<;/71@����� r)-:@�4-82�;2�;:1�s�41�/;:@5:A1?�4;805:3��2;A>�mini-sized milk chocolate with caramel Hershey’s bars on one hand and, in the other, two milk chocolate with almond bars. � r&4-:7?�.A@��p88�<-??����;:8E�1-@�0->7s���9A9.81���

Page 18: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

16

� !:�41�3;1?�@;�19.>-/1�45?�@-881>�35>82>51:0�C4;�5?�/8A@/45:3�-:��>/45@1/@A>-8��531?@�9-3-F5:1��&41�?9188�;2�gingersnaps and chocolate leave the room with him.

*****

� r�p9�31@@5:3�3;;0�-@�0>-C5:3�/5>/81?�s��1>19E�coughs, as he drives a thick, erasable, black Sharpie

deeper in the whiteboard. The marker screeches loudly.

� r&41E�8;;7�@41�?-91�@;�91s���?-E�;:8E�.>51ŌE�38-:/5:3�-@�@41�>;C�;2�/5>/81?�2;>�-�?<85@�?1/;:0��� �1>19E�?<1-7?�-:0���85?@1:���?�-�6A:5;>�0-@-�-:--

8E?@�41p?�2-5>?75::10�-:0�2-/1/-710�5:�8-E1>10�1E1�.-3?��He’s twenty-nine. We’re the same age, with undergrad

degrees and masters’ both ready to begin our lives sepa-

rately and together inching toward our prime.

“Can you grab me another one? This one’s dy-

5:3s�41�?-E?�?@588�4;805:3�;:@;�@41�.8-/7�9->71>���� r�1>1�E;A�3;�s���4-:0�459�-�:1C�;:1�-?���>1@>51B1�the used, now disposable marker. These markers come

in sets and I’m glad. It’s always good to have substitutes

@;�ŋ885:����2�;:8E�.-/7A<?�1D5?@10�4A9-:�8521?<1-75:3��

******

When one buys hangers, they come in various

sets: a 24-pack, a 50-piece, an 80-bundle, and the list

3;1?�;:�-:0�;:��&41�<>59->E�<A><;?1?�;2�4-:31>?�->1�2;>�/8;@45:3�05?<8-E�C>5:781<>1B1:@5;:�-:0�0-9-31/;:@>;8���;?@�->1�A:-C->1�;2�@41�A:/;:B1:@5;:-8�A?1��?1825:0A/10�-.;>@5;:��%@5/7�@41�@;<�;2�-�4-:31>�A<�E;A>�B-31�-:0�ŋ:31>?�/>;??10�@4-@�C5@4�@41�>534@�-9;A:@�;2�2;>/1�C4-@p?�A<�@41>1�3;1?���.;>@5;:�B5-�A:4E351:5/�<;-

@1:@5-88E�2-@-8�/8;@45:3�4-:31>�C-?�;:1�;2�@41�?1B1>-8�?A3-

31?@5;:?�@;�91���A@���C1:@�@41�1-?E�>;A@1���1>19E�A>310�2;>�@41�;<1>-@5;:�?-E5:3�5@�C-?�@41�>534@�@45:3�0;�?-E5:3�we weren’t ready, repeating, my God, repeating, we didn’t

Page 19: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

17

:110�@;�r.A>01:�;A>�C;>75:3�?18B1?�>534@�:;C�s��2@1>�-88�rC1p>1�;:�@41�B1>31�;2�;A>�<>591�s�!:/1��p0�?A//A9.10�yet again, we’d hugged. Who’d ever thought that hug-35:3�/;A80�2118�8571�@>E5:3�@;�?@>-:381�-�@>11�@>A:7��&41�thing is: what’s gone weighs you down even more so than @41�@45:3?�@4-@�?@588�1D5?@��

*******� r)1p88�31@�@C;�3-88;:?�;2�/;;751?-:0/>1-9�>534@�-2@1>s��1>19E�?-50�?;2@8E����>1919.1>�459�<-@@5:3�9E�-/45:3�.-/7�8571���C-?�?;91�95:081??�750�2;88;C5:3�5:-?@>A/@5;:?�2;>�?C11@?����1�?-C�9E�.8-:7�2-/1�-:0�-0010�“And a happy meal, too. A happy meal to go with a happy <1>?;:�s��1�C-?�-�/4->-/@1> ��1>19E�C-?�?;91@45:3��I still think this. Only there would never be enough sweets, or happy meals. Besides, happy meals were made 2;>�750?�;:8E�85B5:3�/4580>1:���� r��0;:p@�@45:7�E;A�/-:�1-@�-2@1>C->0s���/>;-710��� r��0;:p@�?11�C4E�:;@�s� “So you’re telling me that the laminated brochure 5?�C>;:3�s�� r!4��&41>1p?�-�.>;/4A>1�s�� r&4-@�5?�8-95:-@10s���-0010���E�@;:1�C-?�9;:;-tone, robotic even. � r�p88�-?7�@41�0;/@;>���1p88�7:;C�C4-@p?�>534@�s� r&41�0;/@;>s���9A9.810�rC4E�:;@�@41�<>51?@�-�@41>-<5?@�s�� r�1>5@-�0;:p@����@4;A34@�C1�05?/A??10�@45?�s��1>19E�9-5:@-5:10�ŋ>9�1E1�/;:@-/@�2;>�;:/1�-?�52�@;�?-E�r%4A@�A< �0;:p@�/-A?1�-�?/1:1���;�:;@����91-:�5@�s�� r)1�050����750����750s���C45?<1>10�8;;75:3�2>;9�45?�1E1?�@;�@41�4-82;<1:10�C5:0;C��� r�1?501?�E;A�/-:p@�8;?1�C4-@�:1B1>�C-?�s��5?�2-/1�C-?�?1>5;A? �5@�C-?�?;850����?4A001>10���;C�050�C1�31@�here?

Page 20: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

18

“It’s already something, you know. A living,

.>1-@45:3�.15:3�s�� r+;A�7:;C�C4-@���91-:@���1@p?�:;@�ŋ34@�;7-E�s��1�?@>;710�9E�4-5>��r%;�@4;A34@2A8�-:0�?18Ō1??�4;C�8A/7E�-9���s���@4;A34@����>;8810�9E�1E1?�� “Because arguing is the worst thing at this point,

>534@�s��E�1E1?�8;/710�5:@;�45?���1�8;;710�-@�91�-:0�@41�4-82;<1:10�C5:0;C�?59A8@-:1;A?8E�.A@�9;?@8E�@4-@�window. Perhaps the Adderall is wearing out. He walked

away to shut the window.

********

� +;A�/-:�31@�A?10�@;�-�/1>@-5:�75:0�;2�?-0:1??��That’s okay.

� �@p?�;7-E�@;�9;A>:�-:0�3>51B1�2;>�-:�-89;?@�/4580�-�r9-E.1�.-.Es�r@41�.A>01:�-.;B1�-88�s� �@p?�;7-E�@;�=A1?@5;:�-:0�/;:/8A01�E;Ap>1�-�3;;0�person. It is okay.

� �2�E;A>�.;0Ep?�-�@19<81�C4E�/-:p@�E;A�@>1-@�5@�-?�such? It’s okay to not be okay. Really.

� �;;.?�?-3���>-?�->1�A?181?? �@41E�->1�:;C�;<-

tional. Then, you stop wearing them altogether because

C4-@p?�@41�<;5:@��%A001:8E�E;A>�=A-85@E�;2�8521�4-?�/4-:310�?53:5ŋ/-:@8E��r�;>�@41�.1@@1>�s���C;:01>��!4���wonder. I don’t know. Your wardrobe becomes limited

.1/-A?1�E;A�/-:p@�ŋ:0�C4-@�E;A�;C:���-E.1�E;A�0;:p@�know what you own. You can’t claim what’s yours. And,

5@p?�-88�.1/-A?1�;2�@41�4-:31>?�9E�3;0�@41�4-:31>?��&41E�are scattered, sprinkled among us, like Ed is to me. Then,

@41>1�->1�@41�:;:?@;<�/>-B5:3?�2;>��/�;:-80?p�@C1:@E<51/1�/45/71:�:A331@?�-:0�8->31�2>51?���1@p?�:;@�2;>31@�about the large Sprite, or, my God, leave out the happy

91-8���2�4-<<E�91-8?�->1�2;>�4-<<E�.85??2A8�750?�@41:�adults must eat sad meals to accept their sad, dull lives

somehow. Sad meals don’t taste nearly as good, or come

Page 21: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

19

with a toy. That is sad.� �B1>E�.5@1�;2�1B1>E@45:3�4-?�-:�-2@1>@-?@1���@p?�-�?9188�-�Ō-B;>���/-:p@�2;>�@41�8521�;2�91�.135:�@;�01?/>5.1���@�5?�C-@1>�95D10�C5@4�?;91@45:3���@�5?�C-@1>�0;95:-@10�.E�-�<;C1>2A8�?;91@45:3���@p?�>A?@E�91@-8���@p?�5>;:���@p?�?A82A>���@�>1-7?�;2�@>-/1?�;2�.8;;0�0>510A<�� That is sad. *********� &41�:A9.1>�;2�@>11�>5:3?�91-:?�@4-@�-�<1>?;:�4-?�85B10�D�E1->?��&41�<-89?�;2�4-:0?�/8;?18E�>1?19.81�@>11�>5:3?���:0�-@�ŋ>?@�38-:/1�2>;9�-�05?@-:/1�?;91@591?���95?@-71�@>11?�2;>�<1;<81����C588�:1B1>�31@�@;�@>-/1��0p?�palms with my own, or mark his budding height on a de-veloping oak tree. I will never get to nag him, or hear his 4534<5@/410�8-A34�5:�@41�E1->?�.12;>1�<A.1>@E�45@?���1�will never get to touch a makahiya plant and appreciate :-@A>1�-@�5@?�?451?@���1�C588�:1B1>�31@�@;�;.?1>B1�ŋ>?@4-:0�a cutting plant regrow its limbs and tell me this is why we don’t always need substitutes. He will never get to eat a happy meal, or have the opportunity to taste cookies--:0/>1-9�5/1�/>1-9�;>�@188�91�41p?�9;>1�;2�-�819;:?41>.1>@�75:0�;2�3AE�� 1B1>�C588�41�@188�91�41p?�:;@�9A/4�;2�-�?9;71>�;>�52�41�5?�;:8E�5:�9;01>-@5;:��;9�� 1B1>�C588�41�.1��-@9-:�-:0�0121-@�@41��;71>����

Page 22: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

20

The Robert O’Clair ">5F1�2;>�";1@>E

As children we learn that it will never reach 75 degreeswithout raindrops spilling,pouring, dripping downinto the lake.

%@1-9�C588�>5?1�2>;9�@41?@>11@?�-:0�52�C1p>1�8A/7EC1�9534@�?11�;A>�ŋ>?@�rainbow. It will tie together@41�@C;�4-8B1?�;2�?A991>�@41�-?<4ED5-@5:3�41-@�

and the shouting thunder.&41�/>51?�2>;9�@41�?7E�C5889;?@�01ŋ:5@18E�.>5:3�9;>1rain, and as children we learnthat this is normal. The dichotomy;2�E188;C�0-E?�-:0�.8-/7�?751?

that mirrors the bees that will9;>1@4-:85718E�?@5:3�;A>�211@on our way to the ice cream truck5?�:;>9-8����@p?�1D<1/@10����;@41>

Summer in the BerkshiresEmily Behnke

Page 23: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

21

nature will have as many tantrums

as she likes, and our parents willlay at the beach drinking one toomany beers and as children we will grow up swimming without supervision-:0�1D<1/@5:3�95?@-71?�

)1�C588�:;@�>1919.1>�@41�2-/1?;2�@41�85213A->0?�C4;�75/710�A?�;A@;2�@41�8-71�C41:�@41�?7E�85@�A<�5:�streaks, or the security guard@4-@�1:2;>/10�@41�]�;p/8;/7/A>21C���

)1�C588�2-88�;Ŋ�;A>�.571?}?/>-<10knees and battered hands, and weC588�>1919.1>�@41�?4;A@?�;2�thunder turning into the shouts;2�;A>�9;@41>?���

We will get back on our bikes anyway,and we will only remember the?85/7�;2�@41�>;-0�-2@1>�>-5:�@41pain in our hands will subside

-:0�C1�C588�>501�-C-E�2>;9�our homes and back towards the beach, sand soaked with@41�919;>51?�;2�/A@>-@1parenting and sun-drunk teens.

Page 24: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

22

His Last OnsetEmily Behnke

We sat. Four cushioned /4-5>?�5:�@41�2>;:@�;2�@41�>;;9:1D@�@;�@41�>10��*�&�?53:�-:0�@41�mahogany casket surrounded by.;A=A1@?�;2�Ō;C1>?���

In Tanzania, a photographer is ->>-:35:3�.;051?���&41�?A>2-/1�;2Lake Natron displays the corpses;2�/-8/5ŋ10�.5>0?�@4-@�91@�@41/1??-@5;:�;2�@415>�85B1?�5:�@41�9A>7-:0�01<@4�-:0�01-@4�;2�@41�?-8@-:0�?;0-�>5/4�C-@1>?}

@415>�813-/E�5?�812@�.145:0�C5@4�@415>�>19-5:?�8571�9E�3>-:02-@41>p?�Posed and decomposed statuettes photographed by a man who ŋ:0?�.1-A@E�5:�@41�A8@59-@1�1:0@41�>;?1?�@4-@�?9188�;2�.;@4�01-@4-:0�8521�

The honesty that accompanies01-@4�?5@?�C5@4�A?�?;2@8E�?5:35:3�@41�?;:3�;2�;A>�;C:�9;>@-85@E��Avant-garde harpsichord notesringing in our ears. The esteemed.1-A@E�;2�2-@-85@E�

Page 25: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

23

�A@�@41�1D<1/@10�385991>�4-?either dimmed, or never lived.&41>1�5?�:;�Ō5/71>�;2�artistry in the empty eyes or @41�<;?5@5;:10�4-:0?�;2�9E�3>-:02-@41>���

�@p?�@41�9A>9A>5:3�;2�9E�2-958Ethat draws me in.The desperate need to hear something besides the silence,the ghost’s song.&41�.AFF5:3�;2�Ō51?�

He lies almost unnoticed5:�@41�C-71�;2�45?�?A>B5B-8�45?�1D5?@1:/1�45?�8521����1�>19-5:?5:�@41�;:?1@�;2�95:1�@41�.;:10>E/-8/5ŋ10�0A?@�;2�9E�919;>51?�colored with salt-water goodbyes.

&41�1D@>-/@5;:�;2�45?�<>1?1:/1�8E5:3�5:�@41�8571?�;2���-71� -@>;:�with the birds. �:0�@41�>1?@�;2�A?���

Page 26: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

24

For My FatherEmily Behnke

��<;19�-.;A@�01-0�?A:Ō;C1>?in the garden.

�:�@41�2>;:@�E->0�@41�E188;C�<1@-8?�have plummeted to the dry and cracked topsoil. &415>�ŋ:-8�>1?@5:3�<8-/1�

�145:0�@419�5?�-�4;A?1�@4-@�2;>3;@how to be a home, with a red garage door 812@�;<1:���

&41�45?@;>E�;2�-�2-958E1D<;?10�/;:@>5B10�5:�-:@5=A1�?@;/7and mold and the neighbors can seeeverything.

��<;19�-.;A@�-�2-@41>�C4;�?4;C10A<�;:�@591�2;>�C;>7�.A@�050:p@�1B1:>1919.1>�C-875:3�;A@�@41�2>;:@door. Or turning the car on.

��<;19�-.;A@�-�/->�Ō5<<10�;B1>}The driver’s side window is smashed and glass is spilled all over the road, among;@41>�@45:3?�8571�@41�.85:05:3�8534@�;2�consciousness and competence and the 5:ŋ:5@1�2;>1.;05:3�0>A9�;2�8521�9;B5:3�

Page 27: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

25

2;>C->0��

��<;19�2;>�C41:�@41�9-:p?�919;>E�2-58?�459���

��<;19�2;>�45?�C45?71E�?9581�-:0�38-F10over eyes.

��<;19�2;>�01-0�?A:Ō;C1>?��;><?1?�;2�<1@-8?�?4-71:�.E�@41wind and he ignores them.%@588�1B1:�-2@1>�41p?�19<@510�@41bottle.

Page 28: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

26

The Sr. Margaret Williams Prize 2;>��5@1>->E��>5@5/5?9�&41��8-<<1>�5:��;:@1D@��

�5@F31>-80p?�"458;?;<4E�B?��U]VT?�Response

an abstract

Gabrielle van Welie

� �;>�-89;?@�-�/1:@A>E�@41�919;>E�;2�@41�Ō-<<1>�has been preserved through F. Scott Fitzgerald’s prose. )>5@5:3�5:�-�@591�;2�?;/5-8�/4-;?��5@F31>-80�>;?1�@;�@41�;//-?5;:�-:0�.1/-91�@41�B;5/1�;2�@41�9;01>:�C;9-:��!>�-@�81-?@�@45?�5?�@41�?@;>E�@4-@�C1�;2@1:�@188�;A>?18B1?�-.;A@�45?�8521�-:0�->@��'<;:�/8;?1>�1D-95:-@5;:�4;C1B1>�5@�-<-<1->?�@4-@��5@F31>-80�C-?�6A?@�-?�/;:2A?10�-.;A@�@41�91-:-5:3�-:0�?53:5ŋ/-:/1�;2�@41�Ō-<<1>�-?�1B1>E;:1�18?1�5:�@41�U]VT?��)4581�45?�1->851>�C;>7?�8571�Flappers and Philosophers >;9-:@5/5F1�@41�Ō-<<1>�8-@1>�C;>7?�8571�Tender Is the Night <;>@>-E�@41�Ō-<<1>�-?�A:[email protected]�-:0�0-:31>;A?���005:3�@;�@45?�@4-@�45?�:;B18?�-:0�?4;>@�?@;>51?�->1�C;>7?�;2�ŋ/@5;:�C45/4�5:41>1:@8E�@1:0�@;�;B1>0>-9-@5F1�-:0�05?ŋ3A>1�>1-85@E�@45?�<-<1>�C588�->3A1��5@F31>-80p?�<;>@>-E-8�;2�@41�Ō-<<1>�5?�/;:2A?5:3�-:0�5:/;:?5?@1:@�.1/-A?1�;2�45?�-9.5B--81:@�>1?<;:?1�@;�@41�Ō-<<1>���:�4-B5:3�@45?�/;:@>-05/@;>E�>1?<;:?1��5@F31>-80�<->-8818?�@4-@�;2�@41�31:1>-8�<A.85/�;2�@41�U]VT?�C45/4�4-0�?@>;:3�.A@�B->510�;<5:5;:?�

Page 29: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

27

&41��-:��-?@1>?;:�">5F1�2;>�Screenwriting

47 Degrees Celciusa summary

%;2«-�$5B1>-"§>1F

47 Degrees Celsius is a story set in a dystopian so-/51@E�-:0�2;88;C?�@41�85B1?�;2�3;B1>:91:@�;ő/5-8?�?/51:-tists, soldiers and involved citizens. The story dominantly 2;88;C?��B-�-:�185@1�?;8051>�C4;�4-?�.11:�5?;8-@10�2;>�@1:�E1->?�@;�@>-5:�2;>��1:1>-@5;:� ;BA9�|�-�<>;3>-9�@4-@�C-?�/>1-@10�@;�<>;0A/1�<1-/12A8�>18-@5;:?45<?�.1@C11:�/;A:-tries. As the program is corrupted by a corporate power and civilians begin to revolt, Ava must leave her isolated 8521�-:0�-0-<@�@;�@41�/5B585-:�C;>80�-?�?41�?@>A3381?�@;�>1-B1-8�41>�2;>91>�<>;3>-9�-?�@41�@4>1-@�5@�4-?�.1/;91�� 47�1D<8;>1?�@41�1D@1:@�@;�C45/4�<1;<81�C588�<A>?A1�<;C1>�.18512�-:0�@>A@4���B-p?�6;A>:1E�1D-95:1?�@41�1D@1:@�to which greed and truth change politics and history and 4;C�@41?1�2;>/1?�?4-<1�@41�4A9-:�1D<1>51:/1��

Page 30: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

28

The William K. Everson Prize 2;>�)>5@5:3�;:��589&41��;>:5:3��2@1>�5:�Remember Last Night

a summary

Phuong Le

)4581��-91?�)4-81�5?�.1?@�7:;C:�2;>�45?�4;>>;>�/8-??5/?�Remember Last Night? reveals a more comedic dimension @;�@41��:385?4�05>1/@;>p?�;1AB>1��&41�ŋ89�5?�01-08E�2A::E�not only because a character actually dies in it, but also 0A1�@;�5@?�/;95/-8�<;>@>-5@�;2�@41�501-8�>5/4�5:�@41�U]WT?��%1@�5:�@41�950?@�;2�@41��>1-@��1<>1??5;:�Remember Last Night? 2;88;C?�-�3>;A<�;2�C1-8@4E�2>51:0?�C4;�-2@1>�C-7-5:3�2>;9�-�:534@�;2�0>A:71:�01.-A/41>E�@;�ŋ:0�;:1�;2�@419�01-0�01/501�@;�19.->7�;:�-�=A1?@�@;�1D<;?1�@41�9A>01>1>��&45?�>;881>�/;-?@1>�>501�;2�-�9;B51�01ŋ1?�/;:-B1:@5;:?�-?�5@�?<>5:3?�-/>;??�9A8@5<81�31:>1?�2>;9�?/>1C-.-88�/;910E�@;�01@1/@5B1�9E?@1>E��&45?�1??-E�1D-95:1?�@41�ŋ89p?�31:>1?452@5:3�@1:01:/51?�-:0�@41�.>1-70;C:�;2�@41�501-8�;2�41@1>;?1DA-8�9->>5-31?�-?�C188�-?�5@?�B->5;A?�B5?A-8�9;@52?�9;?@�:;@-.8E��-91?�)4-81p?�@>-019->7�A?1�;2�Ō;C1>?�5:�/;::;@5:3�=A11>:1??�-:0�-A@4;>?45<���E�01<5/@-ing the moral incoherence as well as the social ignorance A:01>:1-@4�@41�0-FF85:3�2-/-01�;2��>@��1/;�2A>:5@A>1�-:0�haute couture clothes, Remember Last Night? succeeds as a ?/-@45:38E�458->5;A?�/>5@5=A1�;:�@41�A<<1>/8-??p?�410;:5?@5/�8521?@E81�@4-@�/;9<81@18E�05?>13->0?�@41�45?@;>5/-8�/;:@1D@�;2�-�9-6;>�1/;:;95/�>1/1??5;:�

Page 31: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

29

Untitled�;>0::18�%-5:B5881

Page 32: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

30

What Could It Be?Stephanie Kunkel

�@�5?:p@�=A5@1�E;A>�4;>5F;:@-8�85<?�>->18E�<>1??10�5:@;�-�smileor green greedy eyes which grow bright as you slashyour prey with back-handed compliments. Or the way you blindlyobey any per-scripted words ever prescribed to you: your boss,@41�@181B5?5;:�5:2;91>/5-8?�;>�2-8?1�?@-@5?@5/?�;:�@41�5:@1>-net.No, no.

�@�/-:p@�.1�E;A>�8-/7�;2�<-??5;:�;>�/;9<8-/1:@�.15:3�+;A>�1D/A?1?�Invalid.

Your manner:Displeasing.

Your attitude:�5?3>-/12A8�

No, no.It cannot be your resistant stare or how you preach.+;A>�5:=A5?5@5B1�:-@A>1�<-5>10with your hyperbolic tendencies or outlandish gestures...�@p?�:;@�@41�C-E�E;A�?-E�9;5?@�4;C�E;A�2-58�1B1>E�@1?@or how you’re always late and think you’re so clever.

Page 33: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

31

No, no...

�@p?�:;@�1B1:�E;A>�21->�;2�?<501>?�It can’t be how you smack your lips together.Or how you talk and you talk and you talk.Could it beHow your eyes grow wide.A@�E;A>�@4;A34@?�>19-5:�0A88��+;A>�95:0�2A88�;2�0>E�martinis,?/1:@10�/-:081?�;>�@41�:1C�1<5?;01�;2�&41�$1-8��;A?1-wives.�;C�E;A>�<1>?;:-�;95@?�-88�?;A>/1?�;2�<81-?A>1�

Oh, no.�;A80�5@�.1�E;A>�8-/7�;2�01/1:/E�Your tendency to repulse a small child.+;A>�Ō-@�4-5>�.A>:@�;2�.81-/4�&41�>19:-:@?�;2�-8/;4;8�;:�E;A>�85:31>5:3�.>1-@4�

No...no...

Page 34: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

32

Melting%4-::;:��-Ŋ:1E�

Standing on this ice right now is hurting my legs. My skates are wobbling and there’s no one to catch me 52���2-88�-:0���2118�:-A?1;A?�-:0��p9�:;@�?A>1�C4E���0>;B1�-88�@41�C-E�A<�41>1�5:�9E�/->�-:0�85?@1:10�@;�41>�2-B;>5@1�songs on the radio. The ice is empty without her. Cold, empty, and dark. I wish this never happened. I wish I never came back here. I wish these people would stop laughing and @-875:3�-:0�0>5:75:3�4;@�/4;/;8-@1���@p?�:;@�2-5>�@4-@�@41E�31@�@;�.1�4-<<E���@p?�:;@�2-5>�@41E�0;�@41�@45:3?�C1�A?10�@;�0;���p9�.135::5:3�@;�@45:7�@4-@�:;@45:3�5?�B1>E�2-5>�-@�-88��� �pB1�41->0�?@;>51?�;2�<1;<81�31@@5:3�4;<12A8��%11-5:3�-�?@>5<�;2�4-5>�@4-@�8;;7?�8571�?;91;:1�@41E�A?10�@;�know, and running towards them, and then seeing it’s :;@�C4;�@41E�@4;A34@�-2@1>�-88���A@�@4-@�0;1?:p@�4-<<1:�@;�91���1/-A?1��p0�:1B1>�95?@-71�41>�2;>�-:E;:1�18?1���p0�know her by anything – her voice, her eyes, her hair, her :1/7�@41�C-E�?41�9;B1?�41>�4-:0?���:0��p0�7:;C�52�?41�wasn’t here. � �p0�6A?@�7:;C��� �A?@�8571���7:;C�@4-@�@45?�5?�35B5:3�91�@4-@�2118-ing again- like the world is crashing down around me -:0��p9�?@-:05:3�;:�@41�8-?@�<51/1�;2�3>;A:0���D/1<@�@45?�time, it’s not the good kind. It’s the one that scares you. �@�.>5:3?�E;A�.-/7�@;�@45:3?�E;A�@4;A34@�E;Ap0�812@�5:�-:�;80�B1>?5;:�;2�E;A>?182���� �571�@41�2-/@�@4-@�?41�8;B10�@41�/5@E�� She said she’d give the whole world to live there. I

Page 35: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

33

A?10�@;�6;71�C5@4�41>�@4-@��p0�.AE�41>�@41�/5@E����C>-<�5@�A<�5:�-�<>1@@E�.;D�C5@4�-�.;C�;:�@;<�-:0�35B1�5@�@;�41>�2;>��4>5?@9-?��':2;>@A:-@18E���/;A80:p@�.>5:3�@41�/5@E�@;�41>�– but I could take her there. And so I did. Every year. � )1p0�4;<�;:�@41�@>-5:�/4117?�ŌA?410�C5@4�E;A@4�and chill, giggling as our teeth chattered. She’d always complain her hands were cold, but she never brought gloves. She’d always complain that my hands were cold @;;�.A@�?41�:1B1>�=A5@1�<A8810�41>�ŋ:31>?�-C-E�C41:���tried to warm them. � �p0�.AE�41>�4;@�/4;/;8-@1�-:0�-�?85/1�;2�/-71�2>;9�the bakery. We’d talk and talk and talk and I’d tease her -:0�?41p0�@1-?1�91�.-/7����:1B1>�3;@�?5/7�;2�41->5:3�41>�talk, even though I told her I did. Her enthusiasm was contagious. I loved her every word, because she made @419�?;A:0�8571�9A?5/���&41:�C1p0�3;�ŋ:0�?;91@45:3�@;�do. She always had the best ideas, and she was the ;:8E�;:1�;2�A?�;:1�.>-B1�1:;A34�@;�3;�@4>;A34�C5@4�them. Making snow angels in the park. Building a snow-man with kids at a playground. She’d drag me into her 85@@81�?/4191?�-:0���@>510�:;@�@;�81@�;:�@4-@���1:6;E10�.1-ing dragged. One day, we went ice skating. She skated circles around me. Literally. � r�;91�;:s�?41p0�@-A:@�9-75:3�91�05FFE��r"5/7�A<�@41�<-/1�.A00E�s�� Buddy, I thought. Buddy. � r�1@p?�>-/1�s�?41�/>510�-:0�?41�.;8@10�<-?@�91��� �12;>1���/;A80�>135?@1>�C4-@�C-?�4-<<1:5:3�@41>1�C-?�@41�?;A:0�;2�?85/7�5/1�-:0�@41�@4A9<�;2�-�2-88���For a moment, I thought she was crying, as I heard little 9AŒ10�?;A:0?�/;95:3�2>;9�C41>1�?41�C-?�;:�@41�5/1��I rushed to help her, almost tripping and landing on 9E�;C:�2-/1�;:8E�@;�ŋ:0�@4-@�?41�C-?�8-A345:3�8;A0�

Page 36: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

34

and deeply, with her hair swirling and dancing around 41>��&41>1�C1>1�?A/4�/>5:781?�5:�@41�/;>:1>?�;2�41>�1E1?�@4-@�.12;>1���7:1C�5@���C-?�8-A345:3�C5@4�41>����@>510�@;�<5/7�41>�A<�.A@�?41�?85<<10�>534@�.-/7�0;C:�-:0���2188�0;C:�>534@�:1D@�@;�41>�-:0�C1�8-A3410�-:0�8-A3410�and laughed. I kissed her then. I didn’t know I’d wanted to kiss her. But in that moment, there was nothing I was 9;>1�?A>1�;2����75??10�41>�-:0�C1�C1>1�C-@1>/;8;>?�>A:-:5:3�@;31@41>�ŋ>?@�?8;C8E�@41:�C5@4�<-??5;:�@A>:5:3�;:1�?4-01�;2�.8A1�5:@;�-:;@41>��)1�?@->10���>1-@481??���:0���218@�?;�9-:E�@45:3?�-88�-@�;:/1�@4-@�@41>1�C-?�:;�C-E�@;�9-71�?1:?1�;2�-:E@45:3�-@�-88���)1�75??10�9;>1�-2@1>�@4-@�� I remember everything about her, probably too much. We became so connected, through movement and 21185:3�@4-@�@;�@;A/4�41>�.1/-91�-:�5:?@5:/@����4-:0�;:�@41�.-/7�;2�41>�/4-5>���>9?�<>1??10�8534@8E�;:�41>�C-5?@��Her head propped gently against my shoulder when she slept on airplanes. Playing with her hands when we @-8710��)1�.1/-91�?;�?E991@>5/-8�@4-@���?1->/410�2;>�41>�5:�9E�?411@?�8;:3�-2@1>�?41�4-0�3;:1���� ��<51/1�;2�91�.>;71�C41:�?41�812@�C1:@�95??5:3����<51/1�;2�91�0510���:0��p9�9-75:3�5@�C;>?1�.E�?@-:05:3�41>1���p9�@-75:3�?@5@/41?�;A@�;2�-�C;A:0�@4-@���95?@;;7�2;>�41-810���A@���3A1??�@41?1�@45:3?�:1B1>�0;�41-8����3A1??�you never get to take out the stitches. I have to leave or I’ll never get the guts to put 9E?182�.-/7�@;31@41>��%;���@A3�@41�4;;0�;2�9E�?C1-@?45>@�;B1>�9E�41-0����E-:7�;Ŋ�@41�C>1@/410�?7-@1?�-:0�?4;B1�9E�211@�.-/7�5:@;�;80�?4;1?���:0�@41:���.AE�-�4;@�/4;/;-8-@1�-:0�-�?85/1�;2�/-71�2>;9�@41�.-71>E���:0���1-@�@419�-8;:1���:0���@45:7�;2�?A991>�C41:�@41�5/1�C588�@4-C�

Page 37: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

35

People Forget Antartica’s a Continent�;>0-:�)5:/4

Dear man walking past my bench at 12:45 AM,

In passing I’ve decided to love you.&4;A34�?4;>@�C-?�;A>�-/=A-5:@-:/1�I love you all the same.

��8;B1�E;A�2;>�.15:3�;A@�-?�1->8E�-?��-:0�2;>�@4-@�2-?@�C-87�E;A�4-B1�@4-@�?-E?�you’re a determined man and you plan to get where you’re going.&41�C-E�E;A�0;:p@�8;;7�-@�E;A>�211@�.1/-A?1�E;Ap>1�/1>@-5:�;2�1B1>E�?@1<-8@4;A34�@41�?4;18-/1�;:�E;A>�>534@�2;;@�5?�A:@510��I love you.

��8;B1�E;A�2;>�@41�Ō-C81??�.;058E�59-31�@4-@�5?�E;A.A@�-8?;�2;>�-88�@41�Ō-C?���/-::;@�?11��:0�2;>�@41�9->;;:�?C1-@?45>@�E;A�->1�C1->5:3even in variation – real men wear pink.

&41�.5331?@�>1-?;:�;2�-88�2;>�9E�8;B1�5?�@4-@�when you walked by, you didn’t even look up at me.Because whereas I’ll remember you each day our paths don’t cross,��C;:p@�1B1:�.1�-�2-/1�E;A>�95:0�/;:6A>1?�A<�5:�5@?�dreams.

�5?@-:/1�5?�@41�.1?@�>1910E�2;>�A:>1=A5@10�8;B1

Page 38: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

36

and though your love I hold dear,it would kill me with its depth.

-The girl you walked past on the bench at 12:45 AM.

Page 39: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

37

Love Me Harder�81D5?��->/«-

When I told him to love me harder, I didn’t mean it literally. %;91�35>8?�31@�Ō;C1>?�?;91�31@�45/751?��Hell, some even get babies. But I got bruises because my man always chooses to display to everyone that I’m his girl. �:0�5:?@1-0�;2�?4;C5:3�91�@41�C;>80�41�?4;C?�91�-�.-8810�ŋ?@���:0���450�2>;9�9E�2-958E�-�.>;71:�C>5?@��It was harder to hide the black eye. �A@���C-?�-�/8A9?E�750�3>;C5:3�A< �I always managed to trip over the good ones and land on the bad guy. Crying never did me much good, 9E�9-?/->-�-8C-E?�>-:�.12;>1���1B1>�/;A80��When I told him to love me harder I should’ve seen this coming. He used to be a prince, but ever since ��?@->@10�?<1:05:3�@591�<A@@5:3�;:�<1>2A91�and painting my nails, it would consume @41�@591���A?A-88E�:11010�@;�C;>?45<�-@�45?�211@�-:0���@4;A34@���>1-/410�9E�21-@��Once he said our relationship was heading in a back-ward direction ��-3>110�41�?8-<<10�@41�85<?@5/7�;Ŋ�9E�2-/1�

Page 40: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

38

and still managed to have an erection. �2@1>�-�C4581���:1B1>�9A@@1>10�-:E�52?�-:0?�;>�.A@? �I learned to keep my mouth shut. �2�:;@�9E�@11@4�C;A80�4-B1�@;�9-71�>;;9�2;>�45?�7:A/7-lesC4581�9E�7:11?�A:.A/7810�2>;9�@41�C1534@�;2�45?�.8;C��He loved me harder and let everybody know.

Page 41: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

39

What It’s Like to SmileKrystalina Padilla

��?;819:�B;8/-:;�=A-710��:�@41�<5@�;2�9E�?@;9-/4��E�0-9<�?;81?�>1Ō1/@10�@41�Sweat in my palms as theyStood clasped together While I hopelessly gazed At the cool water licking my toes�:0�@41�?-:0�5@/45:3�9E�211@�

�:�;B1>C41895:3�3A?@�;2�C5:0�%A>310�@4>;A34�@41�>AŒ1?�;2�9E�?75>@�The plaid had come alive.Goosebumps rose on the inner lining !2�9E�@4534?�-:0�.-?1�;2�9E�2;>1->9�The caged canary awoke.She sung and sung ‘til her wings grew sore.

I laughed with my chest andI smiled with my heart.

Page 42: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

40

TheoMikayla Amaral

� )5@4;A@�-�C;>0�?41�;<1:?�@41�0;;>�6A?@�1:;A34�to let him in. He smells like weed and she realizes that the apartment won’t smell like Febreeze and Lysol anymore. She knows he’s still high because his eyes are 38-??10�;B1>���1p?�C1->5:3�45?�2-B;>5@1�?45>@��-�?;2@�.8-/7�cotton tee with his band’s name, “Downtown Libera-@5;:s�5>;:10�;:@;�5@��%41�9-01�5@�2;>�459�-2@1>�@41�.-:0p?�ŋ>?@�;ő/5-8�353���1�?5@?�;:�@41�/;A/4�<A@@5:3�45?�813?�;:�@41�0->7�C;;01:�/;Ŋ11�@-.81�� r"A@�E;A>�211@�0;C:s�?41�?-E?��%41�C-:@?�5@�@;�.1�2;>/12A8�.A@�41>�B;5/1�=A5B1>?�� r);C�;7-E��:051�>18-D��)41>1p?�9E�?@AŊ�s� %41�<;5:@?�@;�@41�.;D�;:�@41�Ō;;>���:�:1-@�.8-/7�%4-><51�5@�5?�?59<8E�8-.1810�r&41;�s��:?501�->1�@41�/8;@41?�-:0�?4;1?�41�812@�-@�41>�<8-/1��%41�4-0�C-?410�-88�@41�/8;@41?�-:0�1B1:�/81-:10�;Ŋ�@41�?4;1?�@;�@41�.1?@�;2�41>�-.585@E�.12;>1�<-/75:3�5@�-88�� But he’s not concerned with that. He wants his .;:3�.-/7�-�/;8;>2A8�<51/1�;2�38-??�@4-@�?41�:1B1>�=A5@1�A:01>?@;;0�@4-@�C-?�-8>1-0E�<-/710�5:�@41>1���1�812@�45?�3>-:02-@41>p?�C-@/4�;:�@41�.-@4>;;9�/;A:@1>�?;�?41�3-B1�@4-@�.-/7�@;�459���@�5?�;:1�;2�45?�9;?@�<>5F10�<;??1?-sions, but he’s so scatterbrained that he probably doesn’t 1B1:�>1919.1>�@4-@�41�812@�5@�-@�41>�<8-/1��%41�@;;7�-88�;2�@41�@45:3?�41�3-B1�41>�-:0�<A@�@419�5:�@41�.;D�-?�C188��?41�C-:@10�@;�31@�>50�;2�-88�;2�459�-@�;:/1��%41�<-/710�-C-E�@41�@100E�.1->�@4-@�41�3-B1�41>�-2@1>�-�<->@5/A8->8E�@;A34�ŋ:-8?�C117��&41>1�C1>1�9A?5/�?411@?�5:�@41>1�@;;�

Page 43: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

41

@41�ŋ>?@�0>-2@?�;2�@41�?;:3?�41�C>;@1�2;>�41>�8-?@�(-81:-@5:1p?��-E���:�-�?9-88�.8-/7�B18B1@�.;D�C-?�@41�:1/78-/1�41�3-B1�41>�2;>�41>�8-?@�.5>@40-E�41>�VU?@���@�C-?�-�>;?1�3;80�41->@�8;/71@�?41�4-0�.11:�?1/>1@8E�-095>5:3�2;>�9;:@4?���1�4-0�3;:1�5:@;�41>�?1->/4�45?@;>E�@;�ŋ:0�5@���2�she went into his search history, she knew she wouldn’t ŋ:0�-:E@45:3�?41�C;A80�4-B1�C-:@10�@;�?11��%41�85710�@;�35B1�459�45?�2>110;9?�1B1:�@4;A34�41�050:p@�35B1�41>�any.� r&4-:7?��%;�4;CpB1�E;A�.11:�s�41�-?7?�75:08E-�:051�6A?@�C-:@?�459�@;�81-B1�.A@�2;>�-�?1/;:0�45?�B;5/1�has its power over her again. She answers, despite hating small talk. “I’m good. My classes are going well. How’s @41�.-:0�0;5:3�s� “Real good. We have a show tonight in the bar on �-5:�%@>11@��+;A�?4;A80�?C5:3�.E�52�E;Ap>1�2>11���p9�?A>1�@41�3AE?�C;A80�8;B1�@;�?11�E;A�s� That was a blatant lie. The three other guys in the band didn’t like her because she had taken up too much ;2�&41;p?�@591�� “I have a class in the morning and an assignment @;�ŋ:5?4�2;>�5@�.A@�@4-:7?�2;>�@41�5:B5@1���-E.1�:1D@�@591s�?41�?-E?�1B1:�@4;A34�?41�0;1?:p@�1B1>�5:@1:0�@;�3;�@;�-:;@41>�353�2;>�45?�.-:0�� “That’d be cool. Anyway, I should go. It was nice @;�?11�E;A�s��1�C-87?�;B1>�@;�@41�/->0.;->0�.;D�@C;�211@�tall, wide, and deep, and picks it up. He walks toward the 0;;>�;<1:5:3�5@�C5@4�;:1�4-:0���:051�2;88;C?��&41:�41�<A@?�0;C:�@41�.;D�-:0�@A>:?�@;��:051���1�>1-/41?�;A@�45?�->9?�2;>�-:�19.>-/1�� 1>B;A?8E�?41�>1@A>:?�@41�31?@A>1�/8;?5:3�41>?182�5:�45?�->9?��%41�/5>/81?�41>�->9?�->;A:0�45?�@45:�C-5?@�?91885:3�-�45:@�;2�/;8;3:1�;:�45?�/41?@���5?�41-0�>1?@?�;:�@;<�;2�41>?�-?�41�5?�-.;A@�-�2;;@�@-881>��� �1�/-@/41?�@41�?/1:@�;2�41>�?@>-C.1>>E�?4-9<;;�and remembers the nights they spent together at her

Page 44: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

42

apartment: when he would take out his guitar and play 2;>�41>�-:0�?41�C;A80�?5:3�-88�;2�45?�?;:3?�C5@4�459��%41�remembers last Christmas when they put up a small tree, celebrating the holidays together, and sadder memories Ō;;0�@415>�95:0?��@41�.5/71>5:3�;B1>�05?41?�?C11<5:3�0>A3?�-:0�@>A?@ �@41�:534@�@4-@�?41�8;/710�41>?182�5:�@41�bathroom, crying until 5 am, while he sat outside the 0;;>�C-5@5:3�2;>�41>�@;�81@�459�5:��&41E�>1/-88�-88�;2�@41?1�919;>51?�5:�?581:/1�.12;>1�?41�<A88?�-C-E�-:0�41�@A>:?�to leave.

Page 45: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

43

I See MeSarah Larson

Page 46: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

44

Aliens to Aliens �5-::5��;3>;B16;

&41E�-<<->1:@8E�2;A:0�A?�.E�95?@-71&41E�C1>1�?;�=A5/7�@;�@-71&41E�>-:�@4>;A34�A?�-?�52�@41E�@4>5B10�;Ŋ�;2�4-@1They didn’t give a warning They didn’t give a hello or a goodbye&41E�050:p@�?119�@;�/->1�52�-:E�;2�A?�0510&41E�6A?@�C-:@10�C4-@�C1�4-0Said their planet was dying%;�@41E�C1>1�=A5/7�@;�3>-.)4-@�@41E�:11010�2>;9�-:;@41>�?;�@4-@�@41E�/;A80�?A>-viveTook all our resources so that they could remain aliveRan through us like nothingI wonder what they did to cause their planet to be crum-blingHowOr better yet whyWould they knowingly destroy their own home?And when time was running out why didn’t they lead @415>�<1;<81�@;�?-21�F;:1?�)4E�4-B1�-88�@41�<-?@�3>1-@�<;?5@5B1�95:0?�;2�@415>�C;>80�been condoned?They’ve been silenced they’ve been killedWhen all they wanted to do was buildWhy did they ignore all their world’s problems?�:?@1-0�;2�-/@5B18E�C;>75:3�@;�?;8B1�@419They’ve repeatedly hurt their own people$->18E�@>1-@10�1-/4�;@41>�-?�1=A-8?

Page 47: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

45

I’m scared�1/-A?1�52�@4-@p?�4;C�@41E�@>1-@�;:1�-:;@41>���Then how will they treat others?��6A?@�0;:p@�A:01>?@-:0�@415>�<8-:��?/>1-910�-?�@41E�01?@>;E10�;A>�4;91���?-50�rE;A�/-:p@�s&41E�?-50�rC1�/-:sHow could they commit such sins?When they landed they said they proudly called them-selves humans

Page 48: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

46

Code Red�81D-:0>-�$5?7;

I tried to connect to your brother@;0-E�.A@xit wasn’t the same.��@>510�@;�1:6;E�45?�/;9<-:E6A?@�-?���0;�E;A>?��A@�45?�9-::1>�5?�05Ŋ1>1:@not as you are.His vision and taste4;80�>19:-:@?�;2�E;Abut it is not the same...Some say I should like himmore than you.But I must say...I love you...Original Mountain Dew

Page 49: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

47

The Body’s TerpsichoreStephanie Kunkel

�A9-:5@E�5:�9;@5;:���D<>1??5;:5?9���-:/1��@p?�6A?@�-:;@41>�0E5:3�->@�19.10010�C5@4�?@>-5:and torture that drives the body

&;�1D<8;>1�5@?�A::-@A>-8�-:-@;95/-8�?@>A/@A>1�)1�.1851B1�C1�->1�-�ŋD10�501-8�2;>9�.A@���-@@19<@@;�@-<�<;71�-:0�<>;0�A:@58���2118�1B1>E�B1??18�

Marrow and cell until I discover every atomic part that composes me. The studio room is the same, empty void garnished with nothing .A@�@-88�95>>;>?�-:0�-�/;80�4->0�Ō;;>���?C52@8E�1D<8;>1�crashing

�E�859.?�-3-5:?@�5@?�A:2;>35B5:3�?A>2-/1��-/4�@591���2-88�4->01>�5:@;�5@�?;91�/>-FE�0->7�8;/710up >15:/->:-@5;:�;2�@41�9A8@5@A01�;2�B;5/1?�5:?501�9E�41-0�is released.

But no one speaks. They compromise by breaking the tension@4>;A34�1D<8;05:3�9;B191:@?�@41�.;0E�>185:=A5?41?���.?1:@�;2�95:0��&41�<>;/1??�?119?�91/4-:5/-8��?@>-@135-cally placed steps

-:0�@41�9-:5<A8-@5;:�;2�1-/4�-<<1:0-31���A@�>->18E�0;�

Page 50: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

48

eyes see the hidden process the staged dancer possess- the tainted tights ?@-5:10�C5@4�.8;;0�@41�2-88�-:0�@41�2-88�-:0�@41�2-88�2-88�2-88�

;2�>141->?10�2-8?1�<1>21/@5;:��&41�588A?5;:��&41?1�C501white-eyed viewers see the ruby red lip stick smiles, tanned legs, and -�ŋD10�>;A@5:1�;:8E�@41�.;0E�4-?�<>-/@5/10���@�/;91?�2>;9�-�place where I’m absent

!2�@4;A34@�-:0�81@�@41�.;0E�>;-9�2>11��)41>1���-.-:0;:�all logic and become enthralled with the cosmetic vessel I use to breathe, @41�B1??18�C45/4�35B1?�91�8521���:0�@41�;:8E�@45:3���1B1>�see –

�859<?1?�;2�9E�.8A>>10�>1Ō1/@5;:�2;88;C�91�8571�-�?4-0;C 1B1>�9-?710�� 1B1>�45001:���D<;?10���A@���/-:�:1B1>watch it because as I do, it ceases to move. And I ask my-?182�52���C5@4?@-:0

@45?�@;>@A>1�@45?�/;9<85/-@10�ŋD-@5;:�;2�ŋ:05:3�-:�5::1>locked demon,@;�@>-B18�@;�-�<8-/1�?;�2->�C5@45:�9E?182�45001:�2;>�-�reason, ?1->/45:3�@5>181??8E�@;�1D<;?1�@45?�>-C�71<@�?1/>1@�@;�35B1�to the public –

through a body so vulnerable I can no longer hide its wounds,

Page 51: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

49

@;�1D<;?1�@41�@>A@4�.145:0�@41�?A<1>ŋ/5-85@E�C1�/85:3�@;to keep society tamed – Am I mad ?

Page 52: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

50

Teenage LimboEmelie Ali

We’re stuck in this damaged emptiness�;:2A?10�;B1>>-@10�.8-910�-:0�3;5:3�:;C41>1�Is it limbo or a dream? It’s not happiness

A purgatory not in heaven, it is not solemnnessIt is encompassed in the adolescence hereWe’re stuck in this damaged emptiness

A purgatory not in hell, it is not gladness �A>:5:3�8571�@41�?;A8�E1@�2>;F1:�;B1>�@41>1Is it limbo or a dream? It’s not happiness

A teenage dream is not always rebelliousness�@�5?�9;>1�4A9.81�01?5>10�>18512�1B1>EC41>1We’re stuck in this damaged emptiness

See the struggle in our eyes: tirednessWhere is the escape, it could be anywhereIs it limbo or a dream? It’s not happiness

The older generation snares, at the wantonness %13>13-@10�2>;9�;A>�<81-?�C1�->1�812@�5:�01?<-5>�We’re stuck in this damaged emptinessIs it limbo or a dream? It’s not happiness

Page 53: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

51

My MistressesKarin Manson-Mayhams

&41�5:7�.8110?�2>;9�91Like a cut in a heart �@�?410?�2>;9�91�1-A@52A8�C;>0?�2;>9�-@�9E�?58B1>�@5<�It touches�@�852@?�What you call linesI call lipsThey whisper to meYou will never knowWe interact silentlyYet, you proclaim our love

&41�5:7�.8110?�2>;9�91�I am drained But we continue to make love uncontrollably ��.1/;91�9;>1�2-9585->�C5@4�9E�2;>/1And my purpose&;�C>5@1�A:@58���/-::;@�0>5<�5:7�2>;9�9E�/;>1No, until I am no moreAnd I assure youThere is always another pageAnother poetic phraseTo be written down �A@���>12A?1�1B1:�5:�9E�5:7p?�>5/4:1??To let her drown My ink will not pierce, not another mistress.

Page 54: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

52

Who am I?Catherine Brady

� &41�<>1?1:@�@1:?1�;2�@45?�=A1?@5;:�/;:2A?1?�91�����know who I used to be. � ��A?10�@;�.1�?/->10����C-?�-2>-50�;2�@-75:3�/4-:/1?��%;91;:1�C4;�4180�41>?182�.-/7�.1/-A?1�?41�050�:;@�C-:@�@;�8;;7�?@A<50����A?10�@;�.1�?4E�5:�-�:1>B;A?�75:0�;2�way. Never letting my voice be heard. I use to be a plan-:1>��&41�->/41:19E�;2�@41�?<;:@-:1;A?��� 01B1>�81@@5:3�-:E�?5@A-@5;:�>A:�@4>;A34�9E�ŋ:31>@5<?�C5@4;A@�-�?1@�goal in mind. I used to be a worrier. Staying up late at night counting the things I have yet to do and calculat-5:3�@41�@591���4-B1�@;�0;�@419�����A?10�@;�85B1�9E�8521�5:�/;92;>@�?A>>;A:010�.E�2-9585->5@E����A?10�@;�.1�.5@@1>����@4;A34@�8521�C-?�A:2-5>����A?10�@;�.1�/8;?195:010�����thought things would always stay the same. I was naïve. I thought that the girl I was then was who I was always going to be. I know what I want to be. I want to be a writer. I C-:@�@;�.1�?A//1??2A8����C-:@�@;�85B1�5:�-�.>;C:?@;:1�-:0�0>5:7�@1-�-?���>;-9�@41�?@>11@?�;2� 1C�+;>7����C-:@�@;�.1�/;;8�0E1�9E�4-5>�2A:7E�/;8;>?�2;>�C117?�-@�-�@591��&41:���want to get many little tattoos that have secret meanings that only I know. I want to be a traveler. I want to venture @;�?11�@41�45001:�5:/41?�;2�@41�C;>80�@4-@�@41�.-?5/�@;A>-5?@�C;A80�:1B1>�ŋ:0����C-:@�@;�85B1�-.>;-0�5:�@41?1�<8-/1?�-:0�.12>51:0�@41�8;/-81?�-:0�7:;C�@41�.1?@�.-71>51?����C-:@�@;�.1�-�ŋ34@1>�����C-:@�@;�9-71�/;8;>2A8�.-::1>?�and stand outside somewhere day and night protest-ing something I am really passionate about. I want to

Page 55: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

53

start something. A charity organization, a club, a book, ;>�C4-@1B1>���2118���A@���C-:@�@;�ŋ:5?4�5@�-:0�.1�<>;A0����@41:�C-:@�@;�>A:�->;A:0�-:0�?4;B1�5@�5:�<1;<81p?�2-/1?�-:0�?-E�r�;;7�C4-@���050�8;;7�C4-@�E;A�/-:�0;�@;;�s���want to be curious. I want to learn how to sew a dress or <-5:@�-�8-:0?/-<1�;2�-�.1-A@52A8�9;A:@-5:�����C-:@�@;�.1�-�/;;7����C-:@�@;�/>1-@1�0185/5;A?�2;;0�C5@4;A@�@41�:110�;2�-�>1/5<1���A@�9;?@�59<;>@-:@8E���C-:@�@;�1-@�5@�����C-:@�@;�2118�1-/4�.5@1�5:�9E�9;A@4�-:0�?-B;>�@41�Ō-B;>?����C-:@�@;�1:6;E����C-:@�@;�.1�?@>;:3�����C-:@�@;�>A:�-�9581�each day adding more as time progresses, so that one day I can run a marathon. But I also want to be mentally strong. I want the strength to stand-alone and speak what is on my mind. I want to be courageous. I want to live. So who am I now? I am a girl. I am ever changing. So do not ask me C4;���-9�.1/-A?1�@;9;>>;C���C588�.1�05Ŋ1>1:@��

Page 56: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

54

&;�@41�<-/7-31�;2��-5@5-:�?1-?;:5:3�@4-@���2;A:0�crushed �:�@41�.-/7�;2�9E�75@/41:�/-.5:1@�@45?�C5:@1>I must warn you@45?�5?�:;�<8-/1�2;>�@41�@>1-?A>1�;2��:@5881?���:�2-/@���9�:;@�=A5@1�?A>1�4;C�E;A�3;@�41>1�I would conclude, @4-@�@41�/;:@1:@?�;2�9E�/A<.;->0��41->041>0?�;2��>1:/491:�/-88�E;A��-�"1>81�and attempted to play calm, ;>�-�/-A/A?�;2�3;;0?�>-<10�;2�:A@>5@5;:�-:0�/-::10�concentrated ;:�-005:3�-:;@41>�/;A:@>E�;2�@41��->5..1-:�@;�@415>�continuum.I observe you as to never have been opened, though in truth you've been used once 05?/->010�2;>�.-0�@-?@1��customercaptured you in his clutch, barely reading the contents 6A?@�C-:@5:3�@;�2A8ŋ88�@41�8A?@�;2�19<@E�?4;<<5:3�/->@?�-:0�-?�2;>�9E?182��4-B1�/1-?10�/5>/A8-@5:3�5?81?�2;>�/;:0591:@?�C4-@�seems like centuries agoBut here I am-�<;@�;2�.;585:3�C-@1>�-:0�-�.;C8�;2�/1>1-8�?4;>@�;2�-:E-body’s cook >1-05:3�E;A>�ŋ:1�<>5:@�

&41�r�s�";19for Gabby

Steven Willis

Page 57: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

55

receiping the conditions you work best in.Wondering why I wanna taste you so bad.

Page 58: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

56

UntitledBrianna Barrett

Page 59: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

57

YearbookIn memoriam of C.M.

Gabrielle van Welie

)1�->1�2;A>@11:�-:0�E;A>�.;0E5?�01?/1:05:3�?5D�211@�.18;C�3>;A:081B18���-9�ŋ2@11:�-:0�E;Ap>1�?@588�2;A>@11:but I barely notice.

��-9�?5D@11:�-:0���8;;7�.-/7�-:0���7:;C@4-@�E;A�9E�2>51:0�->1�:;@�3>;C5:3�You have been surrounded by maggots2;>�E1->?�:;C�C4581���4-B1�.11:�/>E5:3;B1>�.>;71:�41->@?�-:0�-�@>-310E�;>�@C; but you have been down underand you haven’t said a word.

��41->�?@;>51?�;2�;@41>?�E;A:31>or perhaps a little older than you,-:0���2118�-?�52���7:1C�@419�-:0���/>E�-?�52�@41E�C1>1�E;A�I shake at night like I used towhen I remembered her screaming,E;A>�9;@41>�@;�9E�2-/1about your absenceC41:���C-?�2;A>@11:�-:0���/;A80:p@�/;9<>141:0but thought I could.

I am seventeen and it has happened again.��050:p@�3;�@;�@41�2A:1>-8�@45?�@591�I am eighteen and I knowthat you are not graduating this year.

Page 60: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

58

I look around, row by row,-:0���/-::;@�ŋ:0�E;A���C;:01>�52�E;A�8;;9�->;A:0@41?1�2;>3;@@1:�?@>11@?�;2�E;A@4�

��?-C�@41�6;E;A?�2-/1?�01?@>;E102>;9�/->>E5:3�-�?-0:1??�@4-@�@41E/;A80�:;@�.1->�-:0���@4;A34@�;2�E;Aand how your obituary is stillstuck between my Roald Dahl book,the one we read together in school,-:0�-�<5/@A>1�;2�;A>�/8-??�5:�C45/4you smile, without knowing,what a crash could do.

+;A�@;80�91�;:/1�@4-@�52�E;A�?81<@2;>�-�>1-88E�8;:3�@591�E;Ap0�3>;Ctall and I’d be shorter than you.You said we’d look like the couplein the magazine, and as you pointed I knew we would never look like that because you wouldn’t grow that talland I might be white, but not blonde.I didn’t mean that you wouldn’t grow.1/-A?1�E;Ap0�.1�2>-910�@;�@41�?5F1�;2�-�/-?71@�2;>�1@1>:5@E�

A girl told me that she thought she loved you,but it was pointless to dwell on it now.�88���7:;C�5?�@4-@���711<�8;;75:3�2;>�E;Ain old pictures where you live,-:0�-?�@41�E1->?�3;�.E�@41E�->1�@41�;:8E�<>;;2@4-@�E;A�1D5?@10�-@�-88that you walked this earth and met me,-:0�@4-@�E;A�812@�

Page 61: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

59

What’s Your Name Again?Michaela Murdock

There is a woman, an elderly woman,C4;?1�8;B1�2;>�@1-/45:3�050�:;@�>1@5>1when she retired years ago.I see her, every day, always early, and she greets me as a grandmother would,eyes lit up behind her glasses and a smile@4-@�@-71?�A<�41>�C4;81�2-/1��%41p?�3;@�C45@14-5>�-:0�?4;1?�@4-@�->1�-8C-E?�.AŊ10�/81-:��

And I see her, this woman, but I don’t know her.)1�?4->1�/;A>@1;A?�?9581?�-�=A5/7�r�;C�->1�E;A�s�;>�r�1-A@52A8�9;>:5:3s-:0�?41�-?7?�91�9E�:-91�-�21C�@591?�-�0-E�

!:1�0-E���?-@�.1?501�@45?�C;9-:�41>�@5:E�2;>9hunched over her knitting needles and yarn ?<5885:3�2>;9�@41�.-3�-@�41>�211@���:0�@4-@�0-Ewe spoke. She asked me about my studies and?41�@;80�91�-.;A@�@41�352@?�41>�2;>91>�?@A01:@?�4-0�9-01�41>��%41�?-50�?41p?�3;@�-�=A58@�;:�41>.10�ŋ8810�C5@4�?=A->1?�2>;9�@41�ŋ>?@�3>-01>?she taught phonics to way back when. And her late4A?.-:0�C-?�-�C;:01>2A8�0-:/1>�-:0�@41:�?41taught me how to move the knitting needles8571���C-?�C1-B5:3�9E�;C:�?@;>Ex

When it was time to leave, I slipped on my coatwith a grudge. And she turned and said,

Page 62: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

60

r��2118�-?�@4;A34��pB1�6A?@�91@�E;A�s

��218@�@41�?-91�-:0���@;80�41>�?;����812@�@4-@�0-E�-�85@@81�.>534@1>�-�85@@81�2A881>��

&41�:1D@�9;>:5:3���3>11@10�41>�/411>58Ewarmly, as a granddaughter would. I said,

r�;;0�9;>:5:3���;C�->1�E;A�@;0-E�s�:0�?41�?-50�r�1-A@52A8�0-E��)4-@p?�E;A>�:-91�s

And I told her. I asked her about her7:5@@5:3�-:0�41>�ŋ>?@�3>-01>?�-:0�41>�1E1?�C501:10with surprise. She said, “My husband was-�C;:01>2A8�0-:/1>s�-:0�r�1@�91�@1-/4E;A�4;C�@;�7:5@s�-:0�r��4-B1�@45?�.1-A@52A8�=A58@�9E�?@A01:@?�9-01�2;>�91�s

I nodded, pretended I didn’t know. And when she turned her eyes to her yarn,��C5?410�2;>�E1?@1>0-Ep?�Ō534@E�.1-A@E�2;>�?41C;A80�:1B1>�7:;C�@41�-2@1>:;;:�C1�?4->10�@41�0-E���ŋ:-88E�7:1C��81-:;>�

%41�8;;710�A<�@;�?4;C�91�41>�:1-@�>;C�;2�?@5@/41?��E1?�.>534@�-:0�E;A@42A8�?41�8;;710�91�;B1>�

r%-Es�?41�C45?<1>10�r)4-@p?�E;A>�:-91�-3-5:�s

Page 63: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

61

Chug

Stephanie Kunkel

Chug. –NO! Not the Coke as a chaser!

�A?@�/4A3�@41�C4;81�0-9:�.;@@81�E;A�?@A<50C-?@1�spacer!

Chug. Because we said to – because it’s HOT.

Chug chug chug so we can play

With glass and rocks

�4A3�.1/-A?1�;2�@41�@534@�2;>910�85<?�E;A�/-:p@�<>E!<1:���4A3�/4A3�/4A3�-C-E�5:�E;A>�ŋ?4:1@?�-:0�?@581@-tos

you can’t walk in – sober or not. Chug until you hit the

right spot.

�4A3�A:@58�E;A�/-:p@�ŋ:0�@41�/;:21??5;:?�A>510�5:�@41�919;>51?�;2�E;A>�5::;/1:@�05?<;?5@5;:�|�the past.

Chug chug chug because this night will always last.

Chug chug chug. Chug to escape.

Chug. To the red solo cup as your wing man

Ready to spend a night blazed and hazed. Red-rimmed

eyes

@5:@10�C5@4�/-710;:�?9A031?�;2�.8-/7�-?/->-�2>;9�E1?@1>0-Ep?�:534@�|�@;�@41�C-87�;2�?4-91��To tomorrow and today’s past. Never remembering

whose sheets

you were in last –His or your own.

Chug because I said so.

AND CHUG BECAUSE YOU WANT TO

Chug because...You Only Live Once and you don’t know

any better.

Page 64: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

62

�4A3�/4A3�|��4A3�:;C���4A3�:;C�-:0�2;>1B1>�)1�/4A3�@;�/;::1/@�@;�81->:�:;@�2;>31@�@;�9-71�8;B1��We chug in the stalls, in the showers, in the halls. We chug ‘till tomorrow’s tomorrow and even did so this-damn morning. Chug to escape. Chug to the night. Chug to your boy-2>51:0�C4;�E;A0;:p@�?11�5:�0-E8534@��)41>1�@41>1�5?�95?/4512�-:0�9-35/�and bodily sin. �4A3�-?�E;A>�?@1<?�?/-@@1>�-:0�E;A>�95:0?�0>52@?�to a hole only a rabbit would go.Chug ‘till the music vibrates inside you. Chug chug chug A:@58��1�/-:p@�ŋ:0�E;A�� ;�6A0391:@�:;�9;>-8?�:;�@;-morrow, not today.

Chug chug chug now, in the rain. Chug in the day when the darkness coats the night. Chug chug chug until it seems right. Chug C5@4�E;A>�?;/7�;:�@41�9-58.;D�on his cock! Chug chug – chug on at vibes and rock!

�4A3���4A3�0;C:�10A/-@5;:�>12;>9-@5;:�-:0�>1/1??5;:���4A3�/4A3�/4A3�A:@58�|�-:0�@4>;A34�|�@41�:1D@��1<>1?-sion!�4A3�@;�-@@>-/@5;:�<>;<-3-:0-�-:0�1B1:�05??-@5?2-/@5;:����'����'����'��5?�@41�-:@419�;2�@45?�31:1>-@5;:�

Page 65: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

63

)-87�;2��>1-9?�:318-��/7;Ŋ

Who am I going to be?)588�@41?1�2-88�81-B1?�-//;9<-:E�91��

)588���?@-:0�5:�2>;:@�;2�@41�.8-/7.;->0�)5@4��-:1��E>1�5:�9E�4-:0?��

Will a studio apartment welcome me home? While I lecture and grade papers in order to comply with C4-@�8521�019-:0?��

Will I walk amongst the skyscrapers? Who have torn down my oak and maple trees.

)588�.A?1?�-:0�@>-5:?�>A:�;B1>�9E�4;<1�2;>�2>1?4�-5>��$195:05:3�91�@45?�8521�C588�-8C-E?�.1�A:2-5>��

!>�C588�@41?1�2-88�81-B1?�/;:@5:A1�@;�-//;9<-:E�91��)588�@41E�/->>E�91�@;C->0?�@4-@�A:7:;C5:3�8521�;2�1-?1��

)588���C-87�;A@�9E�>10�<-5:@10�0;;>�@;�@41�?/1:@�;2�2>1?4�cut grass? )-875:3�C5@4�9E�@4>11�/4580>1:�@;�-:?C1>�@41�/-88�;2�Sunday mass.

"-?@�@41�C45@1�<5/71@�21:/1�-:0�@5>1�?C5:3�� 1B1>�-3-5:�7:;C5:3�C4-@�5@�2118?�8571�@;�91:0�-�.>;71:�wing.

I take this walk and pray to God&4-@�@41?1�2-88�81-B1?�/;:@5:A1�@;�-//;9<-:E�91�

Page 66: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

64

�;;0�!8p��A<<-��;1�81D-:0>-��?<5:-8

�1@�91�@188�E;A�?;91@45:3�-.;A@�9E�/;Ŋ11���0>5:7�5@�1->8E�5:�@41�9;>:5:3�=A51@�A:05?@A>.10=A5@1�?A>1�@4-@���-9�/;9<81@18E�-8;:1�I like it bitter,6A?@�8571�E;A�31@�C41:���-?7�E;A�where you’ve been all night.&45?�0->7�>;-?@�;2�95:1�81-B1?�9->7?�1B1>EC41>1On my teeth,my hands,my clothes,my mind.)41:�@45?�6-B-�3;1?�0;C:�9E�@4>;-@I think,I ponder,I wonder,Where were you when I moaned last night?�2�:;@�E;A�@41:�C4-@�C-?�5@�@4-@�9-01�91�?45B1>�-:0�=A5B1>�What provoked lightning to strike me twice?In the early mornings I think about all thisWhile I wait and wonder where the hell you were last night.

Page 67: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

65

Internal�816-:0>;��;:F�81F

Page 68: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

66

A Late Night Story(5/@;>5-�%-:@-9;>1:-

� �1-:01>�/-91�@;�C5@4�45?�4-:0�>1-/45:3�2;>�-�plain black door. His brain signaled his arm, sending tiny little electric impulses, goading him to open it, without a second thought as to where the door might lead. Open-ing the door could prove dangerous, but no monsters lurked on the other side: only cigarette smoke greeted his nostrils and his eyes. He coughed, waving his hand through the air to clear away the smog that circulated C4-@�?11910�@;�.1�-�:534@/8A.��$10�8534@?�Ō-?410�-:0�@41�8;C�.-??�;2�6-FF�4A9910�5:�@41�-5>���-051?�5:�8;:3�.8-/7�0>1??1?�0-:/10�;:�?9-88�<8-@2;>9?�-:0�?;91�called out to Leander.�������������C;9-:�C4;?1�45<?�?C-E10�8571�@41�C-B1?�;2�-:�;/1-:�-:0�C4;?1�?75:�C-?�8571�:534@�?@1<<10�;Ŋ�-�<8-@-2;>9��%41�81-:10�5:�@;C->0?��1-:01>�-89;?@�<>1??5:3�her lips against his ear. r%;91;:1�5?�C-5@5:3�2;>�E;A���11<�C-875:3�@;C->0�@41�.-/7��+1?�@41�0;;>�-88�@41�C-E�@;�@41�.-/7�s������������1�C1-B10�45?�C-E�@4>;A34�0-:/1>?�2;88;C5:3�@41�?:-75:3�4-88C-E�@;�-:;@41>�0;;>���1�>1-/410�2;>�5@�.A@�it swung inward, revealing a room as shimmering and .>534@���:�@41�950081�;2�@41�>;;9�-�<-81�C;9-:�5:�-�3;80�dress smiled at him. Her lips were two dewy petals, eyes 8571�/45<?�;2�.8A1�38-??�-:0�41>�?75:�8571�/;;8�?9;;@4�marble. She sat in a chair upholstered in velveteen silver and she motioned him to come closer.�����������r�D/A?1�91�95??s��1-:01>�-?710�r�;���7:;C�E;A�s

Page 69: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

67

She smiled, showing her teeth this time. “Oh, Lean-der, Leander, Leander. Lion Man. You ask me that every @591�E;A�/;91�41>1�s�����������r��@45:7��p0�>1919.1>�E;As�41�?-50�?/>-@/45:3�45?�41-0�r�15:3�-?�<>1@@E�-?�E;A�->1���:0�41>1�;2�-88�<8-/1?��I’m sure I’d remember coming here. Where am I? Where 5?�41>1��)4E�0;:p@���>1919.1>�s She laughed – her laughter was a bubbling stream, >5/4�-:0�Ō;C5:3���1>�0->7�?45:5:3�4-5>�2188�.12;>1�41>�right eye. “You’re where your worst nightmares meet E;A>�9;?@�C;:01>2A8�0>1-9?���p9��E05-s�?41�?-50�breathily. “You’re not meant to remember this place. That’s how it’s supposed to be. But might I congratulate E;A�s������������1-:01>�?452@10�-06A?@5:3�45?�6-/71@�-:0�8;;710�->;A:0�@41�>;;9��r)4-@1B1>�2;>�s�����������r&45?�5?�@41�2->@41?@�E;ApB1�1B1>�/;91�@;�05?/;B1>-5:3�9E�C;:01>2A8�?1/>1@s��E05-�?-50�41>�B;5/1�-�85@@81�@1-?5:3��%41�<A?410�41>�ŋ:31>?�-3-5:?@��1-:01>p?�?4;A8-01>��r�;91�?5@�.E�91�C;:p@�E;A�s He looked behind him, but there was no longer any door. There was no way out – no escape. His heart beat 5:�45?�/41?@�-:0�45?�?@;9-/4�218@�C->9�>1-??A>5:3�E1@�-?�52�5@?�/;:@1:@?�C;A80�?<588�2>;9�45?�9;A@4��&45?�C;9-:�|��E05-�|�C-?�?5/71:5:38E�.1-A@52A8��%41�>195:010�459�;2�-�2>1?48E�.81-/410�?7181@;:�|�/81-:�;2�>;@@5:3�Ō1?4�C5@4�011<�.;>5:3�?;/71@?��@41�5::1>�?@>A/@A>1�;2�@41�.;0E�@4-@�held the human essence intact. Lydia was the revelation ;2�:534@9->5?4�@>A@4�.1:1-@4�@41�/-89�1D@1>5;>��%41�C-?�the veneer beginning to crack. He walked closer to her, closer to the silver chair. The sickness grew within him and each step was a lurch. He couldn’t help but laugh, -:0�?41�?@->10�-@�459�C5@4�-�.1-A@52A8�?1>5;A?:1??������������r)4-@�5?�E;A>�?1/>1@�@41:�s��1-:01>p?�B;5/1�2-8-@1>10�-?�52�?@>A3385:3�@;�/->>E�@41�C1534@�;2�45?�21->�

Page 70: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

68

�����������r%5@�C5@4�91��1-:01>�-:0��p88�?4;C�E;A�s������������1>�C->9�2-/1�C-?�/;801>�:;C�3>-E1>�9;>1�91:-/5:3���1�/;A80:p@�?11�41>�>534@�?501 �41>�0->7�4-5>�– much like the glittering starry night – obscured it. �5?�41->@�81-<@�-?�52�5@�C-?�01/15B10�;>�01<>5B10�;2�@41�C4;81:1??�;2�@>A@4���?�41�@;;7�-:;@41>�?@1<�@;C->0�41>�41�41->0�-�?9-88�/>-/7���5?�2-/1�3>1C�<-81�0>-5:10�;2�@41�/;8;>�;2�8-.;>�A:01>�@41�4;@�?A:���E05-�@58@10�41>�41-0�-:0�>19:-:@?�;2�41>�?75:�/45<<10�-:0�2188�2>;9�6A?@�.1-low her right eye.�����������r)4-@p?�C>;:3�s�?41�-?710��r�>1�E;A�2>534@1:10�s Leander swallowed and sat in the silver chair -/>;??�2>;9�41>���5?�1E1?�2;/A?10�@>E5:3�C5@4�-88�45?�might to decipher the meaning behind her changing 2-/1�41>�;.?@>A/@5;:�@41�01/1<@5;:���5?�B;5/1�@>19.810��r)4-@�->1�E;A�4505:3�s She giggled, placing her hand to her lips. She 3>-F10�45?�6-C�C5@4�41>�ŋ:31>?��r�1-:�5:�-:0��p88�?4;C�E;A�s������������ �� �1�4180�45?�.>1-@4�-?�52�41�C1>1�@;�05B1�@4;A-?-:0?�;2�211@�5:@;�@41�9E?@1>5;A?�;/1-:���5?�.;0E�C-?�@1:?1�-?�52�41�C1>1�@;�.1�<>5/710�C5@4�4A:0>10?�;2�:11081?���5?�1E1?�2;>/10�@419?18B1?�C501�-:0�C501>�?@588�trying to capture Lydia’s secrets the minute she let them go.������������1>�9;@5;:?�C1>1�?8;C�-?�52�/-<@A>10�?1/;:0�.E�second – an abstract dream. She pulled her hair away 2>;9�@41�>534@�?501�;2�41>�2-/1���88�;2�@45?�218@�-?�52�5@�C1>1�happening to someone else. Leander was distant, watch-5:3�5@�-88�A:2;80�@4>;A34�-:;@41>�9-:p?�1E1?���?�41>�2-/1�/-91�5:@;�B51C�45?�41->@�.1-@�2-?@1>�C5@4�@1>>;>�>5?5:3�5:�his gut. Where her right eye should be was a black hole, .;>5:3�011<�5:@;�41>�2-/1���@�C-?�-�B;50�:;@45:3:1??��&41�skin around it was cracking like a broken porcelain doll. It was peeling like lead paint. Leander’s heart beat even

Page 71: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

69

2-?@1>�:;C�-�2>-:@5/�91@>;:;91������������r�;�E;A�8571�5@���;�E;A�8571�C4-@�E;A�?11�s�?41�asked, her voice eager, grabbing, almost greedy. “Would E;A�8571�@;�?11�C4-@���/-:�0;�s�����������%41�>-5?10�41>�>534@�4-:0�.12;>1�41>�2-/1�;>�C4-@�C-?�812@�;2�5@�-:0�<A?410�41>�950081�-:0�5:01D�ŋ:31>?�011<�C5@45:�@41�?;/71@��%41�>1-/410�2->�C5@45:�41>�2-/1�within the blackness, the nothingness, and her whole hand almost disappeared, sucked begrudgingly into the B;50��%41�8-A3410�|�-89;?@�-�C5:/1�|�-?�52�5@�4A>@�41>�@;�>1-/4�011<�011<�011<�5:?501�41>?182�5:@;�@A::185:3�0->7:1??���?�52�@45?�4;81�C-?�-:�588:1??�������������1-:01>p?�.;0E�?4;;7�ŋ:31>?�@;�@;1?���-/4�@>19;>�C-?�-:�1->@4=A-71�01?@>;E5:3�@41�3>-:0�->/45@1/@A>1�;2�45?�.;0E���1�@>510�@;�?<1-7�.A@�45?�B;5/1�218@�8;?@�:;:1D-istent. It creaked like a door on rusty hinges.r�E05-�s� %41�1D4-810�-:0�C5@40>1C�41>�ŋ:31>?�2>;9�@41�/-B1>:;A?�01<@4?�;2�41>�2-/1��%41�@A>:10�@;�459�9;>1�.>;71:�@4-:�?41�C-?�.12;>1�|�-@�81-?@�;:�@41�5:?501�� r�;�E;A�C-:@�@;�?11�91�0;�5@�-3-5:�s�?41�?-50�41>�B;5/1�.>1-@4E�-:0�1D/5@10�8571�-�/4580� He didn’t know what to say. His body wanted to /;88-<?1�C5@45:�5@?182�?@;<�1D5?@5:3�/1-?1���-/4�91/4--nism in him wanted to die. But he could not look away C41:��E05-�4180�-�?45:E�C-DE�<1>21/@8E�?<41>5/-8�1E1�.1@C11:�41>�.8;;0E�ŋ:31>?���:0�?41�?95810x “I’ve got all these nightmares hidden inside me, -88�@45?�0->7:1??���@p?�A38E�5?:p@�5@�s�%41�C5:/10��r�;0�5@�4A>@?�s Leander nodded. His skin was clammy.� %41�;<1:10�41>�<1>21/@�9;A@4�-:0�<A@�@41�1E1�inside. She tasted it. She swallowed, smiled, and said, r�-E.1�:1D@�@591�E;Ap88�81->:�?;91@45:3�7500;�s� r��7:;Cs�41�C45?<1>10��r��7:;C�:;C�s

Page 72: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

70

$19-71�;2��A>1>In memoriam of my grandfather

Alicia Leedham

Page 73: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

71

Wandering Krystalina Padilla

It wanders through the darkness)5@4�-�@45>?@�2;>�.8;;0Quenching its dry hunger�:�@41�?4-0;C?�;2�The midnight moon,%1->/45:3�2;>�-�?;A8In the soulless night.

It slithers under the sheets.It’s empty presence Clutches her tightly)5@4�5@p?�.>A@1�ŋ?@?�And chilling breathIn the soulless night.

It treads lightly underneath her bed And hisses in the cold breeze,Whispering its desiresIn the soulless night.

It creaks in the closet andBrushes in the branches!A@?501�41>�C5:0;C}Keeping her upIn the soulless night.

It ticks and tocksWith the hands in the clock,

Page 74: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

72

Waving at her with it’s Ageless hands,As she tries to sleepIn the soulless night.

She wakes.She sleeps.And wakes againIn the soulless night.

It cannot be understood ;>�1D<8-5:10Why she cannot sleepIn the soulless night.

Page 75: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

73

%/1:1?�;2��-88;C?��B1�Katherine Shkreli

The purple sky with gray misty clouds/;B1>5:3�@41�2A88�9;;:�tries to light the paths.

It watches the kids C4;�@>E�@;�ŋ:0�ghosts in haunted places!:�@45?�:534@�;2�Hallows’ Eve.

The kids sit in the cemetery -?�@41E�5:4-81�@41�ŋ>1�5:@;�@415>�8A:3?and smoke gathers around them, drinking their beer and 2;;85:3�->;A:0�2;>�C->9@4�

)5@4��-�!A56-�.;->0�@41E�@>E�@;�/;:6A>1�A<�@41�?<5>5@?Until they hear a stick crack in the night and they scurry.

The girls hide in the basement, sitting in a circle, lighting their candles,

Page 76: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

74

>1-05:3�2>;9�@41�>10�.;;7�trying to cast spells on the ones they desire.Repeating the words over and over, holding handstill a candle blows out and they scream.

A man C5@4�@41�<-81?@�2-/1�and reddest eyes I’ve ever seen slithers through @41�/>;C010�9-?=A1>-01@41910�.-88�hunting.)41:�41�ŋ:0?�his innocent victim he whispers sweet-nothings into her earUntil he kisses her neck, bites gentlyand blood drips down his lips.

Walking through the small town lit by the moon,Little ones dressed as vampires, witches and warlocks run through the misty streets2153:5:32;>�@41�/-:0Eŋ8810�4;91?�

Page 77: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

75

-?�@41E�6A9<�2>534@2A88E�2>;9�@41�<>-:7?@1>?�C4;�85B1�2;>�@45?�:534@�;2�Hallows’ Eve.

Page 78: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

76

The ContortionistSamantha Biegel

Slidingcleverly through the cracks,��ŋ@�8571�-�<AFF81�<51/16A?@�-?�@41�;.85B5;A?�-:0�@59;>;A?who leap too lateand become entangledin my coils1D-/@8E�-853:10�C5@4�9E�5:?501?�

��<-5>�;2�1E1?�@C;�?@-5:1038-??�9->.81?await in the nightthat is as coldas my blood.I sit in secrecy<;5?10�2;>�@41�?@>571@4-@�5:5@5-@1?�@41�?8;C�?AŊ;/-@5;:��/>-B1�9E�6-C�A:45:310�

Rewards are guaranteedas the shadows and I are one.)1�A:5@1�-@�@4-@�4;A>�;2�@41�:534@and stand guard until dawn.

Page 79: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

77

Do Not ReactI�;01810�-2@1>��;:�%-:0?p�)45@1��;E�-2@1>��:318� -ŋ?�

after Terrance Hayes)

Rai-ya WilsonWhen they say your skin is too dark, do not listen.When he rapes you every night in your sleep, do not wait three months to speak.)41:�@41E�?-E�E;A�0;�:;@�911@�@415>�1D<1/@-@5;:?�0;�not try to please them.)41:�41�<>1??A>1?�E;A�@;�4-B1�?1D�0;�:;@�3;�-3-5:?@�E;A>�.18512?�)41:�E;A>�2-@41>�?-E?�E;A�->1�:;@�3;;0�1:;A34�0;�:;@�change.When they say you should believe in God, do not react.When they say your morals are wrong, do not change them.When he rapes you every night in your sleep, do not wait three months to speak.)41:�?41�?-E?�5@�C-?�E;A>�2-A8@�0;�:;@�.1851B1�41>�)41:�@41E�?-E�E;A�4-B1�@41�rC>;:3s�.;0E�0;�:;@�C5?4�2;>�5@�@;�.1�>534@�)41:�E;A�2118�E;A>�C;>80�5?�/>-?45:3�0;C:�0;�:;@�41?5-tate to pick up the pieces.When your grandmother dies, do not shut people out.When he rapes you every night in your sleep, do not wait three months to speak.)41:�E;A>�9;@41>�.8-91?�41>?182�0;�:;@�81@�41>�@45:7�that way.When society says you are a statistic, do not let that de-ŋ:1�E;A�)41:�E;A>�.>;@41>�?-E?�41�5?�81-B5:3�2;>�@41�->9E�0;�not hold back your tears.

Page 80: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

78

When your sister says you will change lives, do not ig-nore her.When he rapes you every night in your sleep, do not wait three months to speak.When they say you should believe in God, do not react.%59<8E�-?7�r)41>1�C-?�E;A>��;0�C41:���:11010�459�s

Page 81: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

79

Lipstick Stains Emelie Ali

I don’t wear lipstick to attractI wear lipstick because I’ll never get kissedBecause red stains are hard to miss)41:���C1->�85<?@5/7�<1;<81�0;:p@�?11�9E�2-/1�&41E�?11�@41�?E9.;8�;2�@-?@1�A symbol universally known Worn by women who are grown

But I am a child %;���C1->�5@�C5@4�@41�5:/1:@5B1�;2�.15:3�9580)1->5:3�5@�:;@�2;>�3811���C1->�5@�6A?@�2;>�91Because I deserve to be seen&>-<<10�5:�@45?�2153:10�?1>1:1�

That is the hope I have madeThere is the twenty dollars I have paid &;�/;-D�9E?182�@4-@�C5@4�@41?1�?@-5:10�85<?I am no longer transparent

Page 82: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

80

ShameCatherine Brady

�@p?�4->0�@;�2;>31@�?;91@591?�@4-@���?4;A80:p@�3;�.-/7�Especially when you constantly have to stare at it.�@p?�4->0�@;�81@�3;�;2�@4;?1�21185:3?�C41:�5@�?9581?�-@�E;A-:0�9-71?�2A::E�6;71?�;>�C1->?�Ō-::18�?45>@?�The way it grazes your waist as it walks by81-B5:3�E;A>�.;0E�2>;F1:�

+;A�/-:�?@->@�@;�2118�E;A>?182�.1335:3�2;>�9;>1�&41�?9188�@4-@�85:31>?�.145:0�1:3A82?�E;A>�95:0-:0�/-A?1?�E;A�@;�.1/;91�0>A:7�5:�5:2-@A-@5;:�You stand there with your eyes closed breathing it in,@1885:3�E;A>?182�5@p?�:;@�C;>@4�5@�You need to remember they are playing you,they know the game by heart.

They know what they are doing.You can see it when they look away.Deep in thought is when a person5?�@41�9;?@�.1-A@52A8�&41E�->1�/;9<81@18E�5:2A?10in their own world.

��C;>80�E;A�C5?4�E;A�/;A80�.1�-<->@�;2��A@�@41E�4-0�:;�5:@1:@5;:�;2�5:B5@5:3�E;A�@;�?@-E�&4-@�5?�C41>1�@41�?4-91�/;91?�2>;9�The miscommunication.The misleading path.

Page 83: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

81

�2���C;A80�4-B1�7:;C:�@41�5:@1:@5;:?2>;9�@41�?@->@�5@�C;A80�4-B1�.11:�1-?51>�;>�?;���@45:7�Then there is the humiliation;2�C-:@5:3�?;91;:1�C41:�@41E�->1�A?5:3�E;A�+;A�/-::;@�.1851B1�E;A�2188�2;>�5@�+;A�C-@/410�;@41>?�2-88but you swore you weresmarter,=A5/71>and could see past the lies,his lies.

But were they lies?I need to stop,I can’t keep goingback to that.

Becausethat’s where my trouble begins. I am ashamed.

Page 84: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

82

HerStephanie Kunkel

!B1>?5F10�91:p?�Ō-::18?�4501�E;A>�<1@5@1�2>-91���8-/7�ripped tights cover your delicate legs. +;A>�@5:@10�-A.A>:�4-5>�2-88?�8;;?1@;�E;A>�?4;A801>?��+;A�->1�-�B1??18�;2�/;:@-5:91:@�/;:?@-:@8E�@>E5:3�@;�/>11<�E;A>�C-E�;A@ �@4>;A34�@41�C;>0?�;2�@41��1-@81?�and Edgar Allan Poe. You hear these distant whispers as a prayer ��/-:�:1B1>�=A5@1�01/5<41>�-:0�?-E?�@41�9;?@�.5F->>1�things about democracy,humanity, and perspective through impressionism. You coat@41�C;>80�C5@4�>;9-:@5/�/;8;>10�<-5:@?�-:0�?4-01?�;2�charcoal we can’t see.I remember your old room: plastered pink with tangerine trim, records encompassing an entire wall, distorted 2>-391:@?�;2�->@�C;>7?�/;9<;?10�.E�E;A�91�;>�@45:3?�you2;A:0�5:�9-3-F5:1?��&41�:A91>;A?�A:ŋ:5?410�<-5:@5:3?�you leave about, act as little reminders you were once here. Scattered charcoal smooth <1:/58?�ŋ:1�@5<<10�<1:?�.>A?41?�C5@4�>19:-:@?�;2�<-5:@�– the sole way you communicate with the world. ��-8C-E?�?9581�C41:���?11�E;A>�4-822>1/7810�)4;B5881�:;?1�6-9910

Page 85: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

83

5:@;�?;91�<51/1�|�-8C-E?�1D-95:5:3�@41�95:0?�;2�;@41>?�in your own=A51@�85@@81�C-E�

Page 86: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

84

%182�";>@>-5@�5-:/-�$;?->5;�$-9«>1F

Page 87: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

85

Television MurdersLindsay Greiner

� �-88;>E�8;;710�->;A:0�@41�/;Ŋ11�?4;<�2>;9�.145:0�41>�:1C?<-<1>�-?�?41�C-5@10�2;>�41>�.;E2>51:0�@;�?@;<�.E�0A>5:3�45?�8A:/4�.>1-7��%41�2-::10�;A@�@41�2>;:@�<-31�/41/75:3�41>�85?@�;2�?A?<1/@?�;:/1�-3-5:���;A>�05Ŋ1>1:@�/;Ŋ11�?4;<�<-@>;:?�C1>1�85?@10�;:�41>�:-<75:�three others crossed out below. Her pen hovered over the >19-5:5:3�2;A>�:-91?��";75:3�41>�41-0�;A@�;B1>�@41�@;<�;2�@41�:1C?<-<1>�?41�C-@/410�@41�9-:�.E�@41�C5:0;C�?@-:0�A<�@4>;C�-�ŋB1�0;88->�.588�0;C:�-:0�C-87�@;C->0?�@41�0;;>��%41�0>1C�-�85:1�:1D@�@;�45?�:-91�|�?452@E�1E1?��She eyed her second suspect, the old man doing the />;??C;>0�@4>11�?1-@?�;B1>�2>;9�41>��%41�/>;??10�45?�:-91�;Ŋ�41>�?A?<1/@�85?@���1�C-?�4;805:3�-�<1:�C5@4�05ő/A8@E�-:0�45?�4-:0�?4;;7�C41:�41�<5/710�A<�45?�9A3��%41�/;A80:p@�2-@4;9�459�4;805:3�-�9A>01>�C1-<;:�steady. � r)4-@�->1�E;A�0;5:3�s��A71�-?710�/;95:3�5:@;�@41�/-2§���1�?-@�0;C:�5:�@41�?1-@�:1D@�@;�41>��r)4E�0;�E;A�4-B1�-88�@4;?1�:-91?}s� r�1�=A51@�s�%41�C-B10�-�4-:0�-@�459�.A@�41>�/;B-er was blown. Her three remaining suspects all looked 41>�C-E��%41�@A>:10�@;�41>�.;E2>51:0�2;805:3�41>�:1C?-<-<1>�.-/7�@;�5@?�;>535:-8�?5F1��r��C-?s�?41�19<4-?5F10�r@>E5:3�@;�ŋ:0�@41�9A>01>1>���;�E;A�4-B1�@;�.1�?;�8;A0�s� r��0;A.@�@4-@�-�9A>01>1>�C;A80�.1�?5@@5:3�5:�-�/;2-211�?4;<�>534@�-/>;??�2>;9�@41�<;85/1�?@-@5;:��&41>1p?�:;�@591�@;�1:6;E�-:�1?<>1??;�C41:�@41>1p?�<1;<81�@;�7588�s�� r�2���C-?�@41�?1>5-8�75881>���C;A80�@>E�@;�.81:0�5:��

Page 88: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

86

%;�?5@@5:3�5:�@41�/;Ŋ11�?4;<�-/>;??�2>;9�@41�<;85/1�?@--@5;:�5?�1D-/@8E�C4-@���C;A80�0;��"1;<81�0;:p@�1D<1/@�@41�9A>01>1>�@;�1:6;E�/;Ŋ11�?;�41�/-:�4501�>534@�5:�2>;:@�;2�@419�s “I don’t think we’re dealing with a serial killer, I @;80�E;A�@4-@��"1;<81�->1�3;5:3�@;�31@�C;>>510�52�E;A�711<�?-E5:3�@4-@�s “It has to be a serial killer. Three girls killed in 1534@�9;:@4?��&41>1p?�-�/;::1/@5;:�@41>1�s�%41�?:A/7�-�glance at her third suspect, a middle-aged man who was reading a book on crime scenes. “See, suspicious behav-5;>��)4E�C;A80�41�.1�>1-05:3�o/>591�?/1:1?�2;>�0A9-951?p�52�41�C-?:p@�3A58@E�s��� �1>�.;E2>51:0�@;;7�-�?5<�2>;9�45?�:1C8E�>1ŋ8810�/;Ŋ11�9A3��r�2���4-0�@;�3A1??���C;A80�?-E�5@p?�.1/-A?1�6A?@�@C;�0-E?�-3;�-�C;9-:�C-?�9A>01>10�;:8E�@45>@E�95:A@1?�-C-E�2>;9�41>1���1p?�<>;.-.8E�0;5:3�>1?1->/4�;>�ŋ3A>5:3�;A@�4;C�@;�?@-E�?-21����@;80�E;A�@;�0;�@41�?-91�thing yesterday but instead you’re spying on townies and @>E5:3�@;�ŋ3A>1�;A@�C4;�9A>01>10�45?�:1534.;>��&45?�5?:p@�;:1�;2�E;A>�?4;C? �E;A�/;A80�31@�5:�>1-8�@>;A.81�s�� %41�8;;710�.-/7�0;C:�-@�@41�2>;:@�<-31�/;B1>10�in details about the murder two nights ago. The young woman had lived alone, and had been stabbed in the chest somewhere around 2:30 in the morning. Mallory’s .;E2>51:0�4-0�1B1:�35B1:�-:�;ő/5-8�?@-@191:@�.1/-A?1�he was the detective working on the crime scene. “Can’t you tell me anything interesting? Or do I have to call %-9-:@4-�s “I’m not legally allowed to tell you anything. Stop -?75:3��$1-0�@41�:1C?<-<1>���:0�0;:p@�1B1:�@45:7�;2�/-885:3�%-9-:@4- �?41�6A?@�3;@�<>;9;@10���;:p@�31@�41>�5:�@>;A.81�.1/-A?1�E;Ap>1�@>E5:3�@;�.1�@41�:1D@��>595:-8��5:0?�/4->-/@1>�s� She dismissed his comment. “I want to know

Page 89: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

87

C4-@p?�4-<<1:5:3�s�� r�2���/;A80�@188�E;A���C;A80�E;A�7:;C�@4-@��)1p>1�not allowed to say anything about the case. It could be 0-:31>;A?��+;Ap>1�-8>1-0E�8;;75:3�2;>�?A?<1/@?�5:�@41�/;2-211�?4;<��&1885:3�E;A�-:E@45:3�18?1�C;A80�4-B1�E;A�/4-?-ing people down the street yelling ‘murderer’ at them. I 0;:p@�C-:@�E;A�@;�3;�8;;75:3�s��� r�99�@19<@5:3s�?41�@1-?10�-:0�8-A3410�C41:�41�2>;C:10��r��<>;95?1���C;:p@�3;�8;;75:3�2;>�9A>01>1>?����6A?@�C5?4�C1�7:1C�9;>1�?;�@45?�3AE�/;A80�.1�8;/710�A<�s “I know, and I’m working on it. How about to-night I tell you what I know about crimes in general, and C1p88�9-71�-�85?@�;2�?A?<5/5;A?�?1>5-8�75881>�.14-B5;>?�s� r+;A�6A?@�-095@@10�5@p?�-�?1>5-8�75881>�s�%41�<-@@10�459�;:�@41�->9�C41:�41�2>;F1��r�A?@�3;�.-/7�@;�C;>7���p88�.1�ŋ:1�s�� �2@1>�41�812@�?41�?;>@10�@4>;A34�-88�@41�ŋ81?�?41�had made on the case and compiled a list. She had some ;2��A71p?�/-?1�5:2;>9-@5;:�?@;81:�2>;9�45?�;ő/1�@41�last time she visited him. She spread out the papers in 2>;:@�;2�41>�?;�@4-@�?41�/;A80�8;;7�@4>;A34�@419�C5@4�1-?1��%41�6;@@10�0;C:�@41�?5958->5@51?�.1@C11:�@41�/-?1?�9-5:8E�@4-@�-88�@4>11�C;91:�C1>1�-88�A:01>�@C1:@EŋB1�and lived close to each other. A second list listed all the traits the police believed the killer to have. Luke’s notes said they suspected it was a man, somewhere between @45>@E�-:0�2;>@E���-88;>E�C;A80:p@�>A81�;A@�-�C;9-:�@4;A34 �?41�7:1C�C;91:�/;A80�.1�1B1:�9;>1�0-:31>;A?�than men. Samantha could certainly be more dangerous than Luke when she was mad. But other than similar vic-@59?�-:0�-�?9-88�75881>�<>;ŋ81�?41�050:p@�4-B1�-:E@45:3�@;�C;>7�C5@4��%41�6A?@�4-0�C4-@�?41�>1-0�5:�.;;7?�-:0�?-C�0A>5:3�;:1�;2�41>�9-:E��-C�-:0�!>01>��%('�9->-@4;:?�� Her evidence was lacking, but she wouldn’t stop

Page 90: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

88

now that she had real lists. And according to her boy-2>51:0�52�-:E;:1�?4;C10�-:�A:A?A-8�-9;A:@�;2�5:@1>1?@�5:�@41�/-?1�@41E�/;A80�.1�/8-??5ŋ10�-?�-�?A?<1/@��� �-88;>E�8;;710�->;A:0�@41�/-2§�;:/1�9;>1��&41�9-:�>1-05:3�@41�/>591�?/1:1�.;;7�C-?�3;:1 �?41�C;A80�have to watch him more closely tomorrow. Everyone else 5:�@41�/-2§�C-?�>1-05:3�@41�?-91�:1C?<-<1>�?41�4-0�spread across the counter. Everyone in town was going to be interested in this case until it died down. “That 0;1?:p@�418<s�?41�9A>9A>10�-?�?41�/>;??10�;A@�@4-@�behavior on her list. � &41�/-2§�0;;>�;<1:10�-?�-�:1C�/A?@;91>�C-8710�5:�.>5:35:3�-�3A?@�;2�C5:0�C5@4�459���-88;>E�@A3310�41>�coat closer to her body and looked over at the guest. She >1-85F10�?41�4-0�:1B1>�?11:�459�.12;>1���1�91@�41>�3-F1�-?�41�C-5@10�2;>�45?�8->31�/;Ŋ11��%41�?95810�;B1>�-@�459�.A@�45?�2-/1�>19-5:10�59<-??5B1��� r�;�E;A�7:;C�C4;�@4-@�5?�s�?41�-?710�@41�.->5?@-�C41:�41�4-0�812@�C5@4�45?�/;Ŋ11�� “His name’s Nicholas, he moved here a couple C117?�-3;���1�/;91?�5:�1B1>E0-E�2;>�-�/;Ŋ11�-:0�81-B1?���1�9;?@8E�711<?�@;�459?182�s�%41�<;A>10��-88;>E�-:;@4-er cup. � r�1�9;B10�@;�@;C:�-2@1>�-�9A>01>�s� r ;�?C11@51�41�9;B10�41>1�-�C117�.12;>1�5@�4-<-<1:10���@p?�-:�A:2;>@A:-@1�.5@�;2�8A/7�52�E;A�-?7�91���1�<>;.-.8E�@4;A34@�41�C;A80�.1�?-21�5:�-�85@@81�@;C:�8571�@45?�-:0�-�35>8�31@?�9A>01>10�-2@1>�@41�/;:@>-/@�5?�?53:10�s�� r��C;A80�6A?@�81-B1�-3-5:��)4E�C;A80�41�?@-E�s The barista shook her head. “I wouldn’t know. &188�E;A>�.;E2>51:0���C5?4�459�3;;0�8A/7�;:�@41�/-?1�s�� �-88;>E�812@�@41�/-2§�:;@�?A>1�52�?41�?4;A80�01-<1:0�;:�@41�.->5?@-�;:1�;2�41>�9-5:�?A?<1/@?�2;>�5:2;>-mation.

Page 91: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

89

A week later Mallory hadn’t made any progress 5:�ŋ:05:3�@41�?1>5-8�75881>��%41�18595:-@10�4-82�;2�41>�:1534.;>?�2>;9�41>�?A?<1/@�85?@�-2@1>�/;:?A8@5:3�41>�?@;81:�5:2;>9-@5;:��%41�?<>1-0�41>�9-<�;2�@41�@;C:�;A@�;:�@41�75@/41:�@-.81�-:0�<A@�-:�*�C41>1�@41�8-?@�35>8�4-0�been murdered, or at least where she thought she had been murdered. She could never be sure when looking at a map. The second victim’s house was on a street that .>-:/410�;Ŋ�;:1�;2�@41�9-6;>�4534C-E?�?41�C-?�8;;75:3�-@��%41�0>1C�-:;@41>�*�;:�@41�?1/;:0�B5/@59p?�4;91��&41�ŋ>?@�4;A?1�C-?�;:8E�-�21C�5:/41?�-C-E�2>;9�@41�?1/;:0��&41�@C;�/>591�?/1:1?�C1>1�;:8E�-:�4;A>�-C-E�2>;9�1-/4�;@41>���%41�0>1C�@41�@45>0�*�;B1>�@41�ŋ>?@�B5/@59p?�4;91��&41�ŋ>?@�B5/@59�4-0�85B10�@41�2A>@41?@�-C-E�B1>E�2->�;:�@41�812@�?501�;2�@41�9-<���;C1B1>�5@�C-?:p@�@41�ŋ>?@�*�@4-@�scared her. It was the third one. The distance between 41>�@;C:�-:0�1-/4�/>591�?/1:1�01/>1-?10�C5@4�1B1>E�*��� %41�/-<<10�41>�<1:�.12;>1�4-:35:3�@41�9-<�A<�5:�@41�85B5:3�>;;9���@�8;;710�-�85@@81�91??E�>10�*p?�;B1>-lapping older black ones. Blue sharpie crossed over her 95?<8-/10�*p?�-:0�A:1B1:�<A><81�85:1?�/;::1/@10�-88�@41�houses. �� %41�>-:�@4>;A34�41>�85?@�;2�?A?<1/@?��&41>1�C1>1�-�21C�;:�41>�85?@�.A@�;:8E�@4>11�>1-88E�?@;;0�;A@��&41�/;Ŋ11�.->5?@-�85B10�C5@45:�-�>1-?;:-.81�05?@-:/1�;2�-88�@4>11�<8-/1?��%41�4-0�.11:�5:�-�B1>E�<A.85/�21A0�C5@4�@41�@45>0�B5/@59�2;>�-�E1->�.12;>1�@41�9A>01>��&41�.->5?@-�4-0�?@->@10�0-@5:3�@41�C;9-:p?�1D�-:0�1B1:�@4;A34�@41�>18-@5;:?45<�C-?�?4;>@�85B10�@41�21A0�85B10�;:����E1->�8;:3�21A0�;B1>�-�2;A>�9;:@4�>18-@5;:?45<�C-?�1:;A34�@;�make anyone angry. And the barista was known to have a ?4-><�@19<1>�@4-@�:11010�;:8E�-�85@@81�.5@�;2�<>;005:3�@;�1D<;?1���A@�/;A80�-�ŋ34@�.1@C11:�@C;�.5@@1>�35>8?�81-0�@;�a killing spree? The town carpenter that everyone used but

Page 92: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

90

21->10�2;>�45?�4534�<>5/1?�85B10�@C;�0;;>?�0;C:�2>;9�@41�ŋ>?@�/>591�?/1:1�-:0�1B1>E;:1�7:1C�41�4-0�.11:�C;>7-5:3�;:�-�<>;61/@�2;>�@41�4;A?1�C41>1�@41�ŋ>?@�B5/@59�4-0�been murdered. The woman had complained about @41�/;?@�;2�41>�:1C�75@/41:�@C;�0-E?�.12;>1�41>�<5/@A>1�?4;C10�A<�5:�@41�:1C?<-<1>�-?�@41�:1D@�B5/@59��%41�0>1C�1D/8-9-@5;:�<;5:@?�:1D@�@;�45?�:-91���1�?11910�like a logical choice, and every book she ever read warned against sketchy construction workers.� �2@1>�-�?4;>@�0185.1>-@5;:�?41�-0010�@41�:1C�3AE� 5/4;8-?�@;�41>�85?@�;2�?A?<1/@?��%41�050:p@�7:;C�9A/4�about him, but based on what the barista said and what she had noticed in the short time, he would be the per-21/@�@45>0�?A?<1/@���8@4;A34�9-E.1�@41�.->5?@-�C-?�81??�than trustworthy. But Nicholas was still an option. Mov-5:3�5:@;�@41�@;C:�>534@�-2@1>�-�9A>01>�-:0�@41:�-:;@41>�;:1�2;88;C10���1ŋ:5@18E�?A?<5/5;A?��%41�9-01�-�:;@1�@;�ask Sam about it later.� r�:E;:1�4;91�s�41>�.;E2>51:0�-?710�-:0�@41�2>;:@�0;;>�/85/710�� %41�>5<<10�0;C:�@41�9-<�2>;9�@41�C-88�-:0�crumpled it in her hands. She looked around the small 85B5:3�>;;9�@>E5:3�@;�ŋ3A>1�;A@�C41>1�?41�/;A80�4501�@41�9-<���1�-8C-E?�8;;710�.145:0�@41�/;A/4 �41�7:1C�?41�85710�@;�4501�41>�@45:3?�@41>1���1�4-0�2;A:0�2-5810�>1?1->/4�<-<1>?�2>;9�/;88131�-:0�01:510�6;.�-<<85/-@5;:?�.145:0�@41>1 �41�C;A80�9;?@�85718E�8;;7�@41>1�-3-5:��&41>1�C-?�-�4;A?1�<8-:@�5:�@41�/;>:1>�@4-@�:15@41>�;2�@419�C-@1>10�-:0�?41�/>A9<810�@41�9-<�2A>@41>�.12;>1�?@5/75:3�5@�A:01>�@41�<8-:@��%41�A?10�41>�2;;@�@;�.>A?4�@41�95?<8-/10�05>@�A:01>�@41�>A3���2��A71�:;@5/10�?41�C;A80�6A?@�@188�459�5@�C-?�>-5:5:3�C41:�?41�3;@�4;91���1�C;A80�/;9<8-5:�-.;A@�@41�C1-@41>�.12;>1�4-:05:3�her a broom and grumbling his way to the bedroom. �;>�:;C�?41�C-?�?-21�:;�@>-/1�;2�C4-@�?41�C-?�0;5:3�5:�

Page 93: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

91

sight. Luke was already aggravated over her interest in @41�/-?1 �41�050:p@�:110�@;�7:;C�?41�C-?�0>-C5:3�9-<?�to pinpoint suspects. � r+;Ap>1�.-/7�1->8E�s� “It’s been a slow day. Is that a murder mystery .;;7�s��1�<;5:@10�@;C->0?�@41�.;;7�;:�@41�@-.81�:1D@�@;�her. “How is it a slow day with a murderer on the 8;;?1�s�?41�53:;>10�45?�=A1?@5;:�/8;?5:3�@41�.;;7��“People are worried to leave their houses, to walk their 0;3?�-:0�E;Ap>1�/;95:3�4;91�1->8E����2118�8571�@41�<;85/1�->1:p@�1B1:�@>E5:3�@;�?;8B1�@45?�/-?1�s� “I spent all day thinking about this case, can we talk about something else? You’re too invested in this -:EC-E��)4-@�050�E;A�0;�-88�0-E�s�� r ;@45:3�s�%41�.>A?410�9;>1�05>@�A:01>�@41�>A3�.12;>1�?5@@5:3�0;C:�� �A71�?-@�0;C:�:1D@�@;�41>��r��7:;C�5@p?�?/->E�4-B-5:3�@;�01-8�C5@4�@45?���A@�C1p>1�@>E5:3�;A>�.1?@�@;�ŋ:0�@41�<1>?;:�>1?<;:?5.81�2;>�@41?1�9A>01>?����C-:@�E;A�@;�?@;<�C;>>E5:3�-.;A@�@45?�;7-E�s� r�p9�6A?@�?/->10���@p?�.11:�;B1>�-�9;:@4�?5:/1�@41�8-?@�9A>01>�C4-@�52�?;91;:1���7:;C�5?�:1D@����4-@1�4-B-5:3�@;�8;;7�;B1>�9E�?4;A801>�C41:���C-87�41>1�-@�:534@�s “I’m not going to let anyone hurt you. That’s a promise. I know you want to play detective on this but 5@p?�@;;�0-:31>;A?��&45?�3AE�5?:p@�6A?@�?;91�-B1>-31�.-:7�robber, he’s killed people. I don’t have a problem with E;A�9-75:3�-�85?@�;2�?A?<1/@?�.A@���0;:p@�C-:@�E;A�0;5:3�-:E@45:3�@4-@�/;A80�<A@�E;A�5:�0-:31>�s� r��<>;95?1�s� Two weeks later and Mallory had narrowed down her search to the barista, the carpenter and the new guy. �88�41>�;@41>�?A?<1/@?�4-0�?8;C8E�.11:�>A810�;A@�-2@1>�-�

Page 94: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

92

05?/A??5;:�C5@4�%-9�� ;C�?41�C-?�0;C:�@;�6A?@�41>�9-5:�@4>11��%41�?-@�5:�@41�/;Ŋ11�?4;<�C-@/45:3� 5/4;8-?�>1-0�the morning’s newspaper. He looked over his shoulder 1B1>E�ŋB1�95:A@1?�-?�52�41�7:1C�?41�C-?�C-@/45:3�459��She made sure to look away when he looked in her direc-tion. She walked up to the counter, passing him slowly to 31@�-�3;;0�8;;7���1�050:p@�8;;7�A<�2>;9�45?�>1-05:3�-:0�she didn’t see any sketchy scratch marks.� %41�@;;7�41>�?1-@�;:/1�-3-5:�@>E5:3�@;�ŋ3A>1�;A@�52�45?�.14-B5;>�>1-88E�C-?�?A?<5/5;A?���B1>E;:1�5:�@;C:�4-0�.11:�-/@5:3�@41�?-91�C-E�1?<1/5-88E�-2@1>�@41�@45>0�9A>01>���-E.1�41>�.;E2>51:0�4-0�.11:�>534@�-:0�?41�:11010�@;�.-/7�;Ŋ��%41�050:p@�C-:@�@;�.1/;91�@41�2;A>@4�35>8��%41�4-0�?11:�@4-@�4-<<1:�5:�=A5@1�-�21C�9;B51?�� r�1E��-88;>E��%@588�<8-E5:3��-C�-:0�!>01>�s�%--9-:@4-��-88;>Ep?�.1?@�2>51:0�?-@�0;C:�-/>;??�2>;9�41>��r�A71p?�.11:�@1885:3�91�C4-@�E;ApB1�.11:�0;5:3�s� “And? Did he send you here to tell me I’m being >505/A8;A?�s� r!2�/;A>?1�5@p?��A71�s�%-9�-06A?@10�@41�.-031�on her coat. “But I’m not gonna lecture you. Do I think E;Ap>1�0A9.�2;>�@>E5:3�@;�@>-/7�-�9A>01>1>��+1?���A@�52�E;A�C-:@�@;�-/@�;A@�E;A>�2-:@-?E�;2�.15:3�!85B5-��1:?;:�then why should I try and stop you? I wanna be your El-85;@�%@-.81>�s�%41�?@;<<10�-:0�8;;710�->;A:0��r�8@4;A34�@45?�5?:p@�>1-88E�-:�%('�/-?1�52�E;A�@45:7�-.;A@�5@���@p?�more like CSI. But that show totally dived once Grissom 812@�s Mallory sighed. “I hate to interrupt your speech -.;A@�4;C��>5??;9�5:?<5>10�E;A�@;�6;5:�@41�";85/1�Department but did you have anything to say or do you 6A?@�C-:@�@;�>-:@���E�:A9.1>�;:1�?A?<1/@�5?�?5@@5:3�;B1>�@41>1�0>5:75:3�/;Ŋ11�-:0�8;;75:3�?A?<5/5;A?��)4-@�0;�E;A�@45:7�s� Samantha looked over to where Mallory’s head

Page 95: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

93

was tilted. “The new guy? Oh come on, it’s never the most ?A?<5/5;A?�<1>?;:����@4;A34@�E;A�C1>1�.1@@1>�@4-:�@4-@�s “Obviously I’m not. I think he’s hiding some-@45:3�s�� r&41:�81@p?�3;�-?7���-E.1�41p?�3;@�-�/>-FE�1D�C521�41p?�4505:3�2>;9�?;�?41�0;1?:p@�4-:0�459�@415>�:1381/@10�/4580�-:0�@41:�>A:?�;Ŋ�C5@4;A@�;Ŋ1>5:3�@;�<-E�/4580�?A<-<;>@��"1;<81�0;�@4-@�-88�@41�@591�s� r)1�/-:p@�6A?@�3;�;B1>�@41>1���A71�C;A80�4-B1�-�41->@�-@@-/7���:0�C4-@�52�A?�3;5:3�;B1>�@41>1�9-71?�A?�45?�:1D@�B5/@59?���p9�;:8E�VX���pB1�;:8E�.11:�;:�;:1�>;881>�coaster, and I haven’t even gone to Spain and I promised 9E�3>-:09;@41>}s� %-9-:@4-�C-?�-8>1-0E�;A@�;2�41>�?1-@�-:0�3>-.-bing Mallory’s hand. “Now’s not the time to wimp out. +;ApB1�.11:�9-75:3�85?@?�2;>�C117?�81@p?�0;�?;91@45:3�-.;A@�5@�s� They were almost to his booth when he stood A<�-:0�C-8710�;A@��%-9-:@4-�@A>:10�@;�41>�2>51:0��r�p88�make you a deal. I’ll give you a real ‘tracking a person ;2�5:@1>1?@p�1D<1>51:/1�-:0�@41:�C41:�C1�ŋ:0�;A@�41p?�innocent you go back to your apartment, give me all @41�/>-<�E;ApB1�.11:�C;>75:3�;:�-:0�@41:�E;A�6A?@�?@->@�<8-::5:3�E;A>�@>5<�@;�%<-5:�;7-E���>;<�@41�/-?1�s�� �-88;>E�4-0�:1B1>�?11:�41>�2>51:0�8;;7�?;�?1>5-;A?���D/1<@�C41:�?41�?@;;0�:1D@�@;��A71�0A>5:3�2;>9-8�police addresses. She nodded her head. “Fine. I’ll drop it 52�5@p?�@4-@�59<;>@-:@�@;�E;A�s�� %-9-:@4-�?95810�-:0�@41:�0>-3310�41>�;A@�;2�@41�/;Ŋ11�?4;<�� 5/4;8-?�C-?�.->18E�B5?5.81�5:�2>;:@�;2�@419�6A?@�-�?9-88�?9A031�5:�@41�?A>>;A:05:3�8-:0?/-<1��r+;A�4-B1�@;�.1�=A51@�-:0�@>E�@;�.81:0�5:�s� r��7:;C����C-@/410�-88�@45>@11:�?1-?;:?}s� r%4A?4���1@p?�3;�s

Page 96: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

94

� &41E�@>-5810�.145:0�459�=A51@8E�9-75:3�?A>1�they didn’t get too close even when he stopped to look

around or tie his shoelace.

“Are you kidding? His shoe wasn’t even untied!

&45?�5?�>505/A8;A?�s��-88;>E�4AŊ10�� They hid behind a tree when he looked behind

him. “You’ve got to make your voice lower. How is your

@-875:3�B;5/1�-8C-E?�-@�-�E1885:3�B;8A91�s Mallory rolled her eyes and looked around the

@>11��r�1p?�C-875:3�-3-5:��)1p>1�3;;0�@;�3;�s� “I’m the cop on this mission. Calm down Nancy

�>1C�s� Mallory turned back toward Nicholas. He turned

5:@;�;:1�;2�@41�4;A?5:3�01B18;<91:@?�@41�/5@E�4-0�6A?@�ŋ:5?410�.A5805:3���-88;>E�-89;?@�2;88;C10�459�5:@;�@41�street but Samantha tugged her back.

� r&45?�5?�-?�2->�-?�C1�3;�s� “What? The trail will go cold! We have to scope

;A@�@41�4;A?1�s� %-9-:@4-�<A8810�41>�.-/7�2A>@41>��!:/1�@41E�C1>1�-�.8;/7�-C-E�2>;9�@41�01B18;<91:@?�%-9-:@4-�@A3310��-88;>E�A:@58�@41E�C1>1�2-/5:3�1-/4�;@41>��r�1p?�not a suspect. He was ruled out three weeks ago. His

;801>�?5?@1>�C-?�;:1�;2�@41�B5/@59?�@4-@p?�C4E�41p?�41>1���1p?�<-/75:3�A<�-88�41>�?@AŊ�-:0�@41:�41p?�3;5:3�@;�@-71�it back to New York to their parents. People think he’s

moved in but he’s really come to move his sister out. Or

-@�81-?@�41>�?@AŊ��)588�E;A�81-B1�459�-8;:1�:;C���:0�81-B1�@41�01@1/@5B1�?@AŊ�@;�E;A>�.;E2>51:0��%@;<�85?@1:5:3�to the barista and listen to the news. He’s been checked

;A@�41p?�3;;0�� ;C�81@p?�3;�-:0�31@�-88�E;A>�?45@�2>;9�your apartment. And you better have my guacamole

/45<?�.1/-A?1��p9�?@->B5:3�s They walked back to Mallory’s apartment slowly,

%-9-:@4-�@1D@5:3�41>�.;??�-:0��-88;>E�@45:75:3�.-/7�;:�

Page 97: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

95

41>�85?@?��%41�C-?�01ŋ:5@18E�:;@�-�01@1/@5B1�� Mallory turned the key on her door when they arrived and Samantha went right to the couch and leaned over the back, checking behind it.� r)4-@�@41�4188�s� r�pB1�7:;C:�E;A�2;>�UT�E1->?����7:;C�E;A>�4505:3�places. The big things are always behind the couch, the <>13:-:/E�@1?@?�->1�-8C-E?�8;/710�5:�E;A>�61C18>E�.;D�-:0�@41��;?@/;�?5F1�@C5FF81>?�->1�@A/710�.145:0�@41}s� r!7-E�@4-:7�E;A�2;>�7:;C5:3�C-E�@;;�9A/4��+;A�/>11<���1?501?�5@p?�:;@�.145:0�@41>1����2;A:0�-�.1@@1>�<8-/1�s� %-9�8;;710�->;A:0�2;>�-�95:A@1��&41:�?41�C-8710�;B1>�@;�@41�<8-:@�-:0�<A8810�@41�9-<�;A@�2>;9�underneath the purple pot. � r�;C�@41�4188�050�E;A�7:;C�5@�C-?�@41>1�s� r�@p?�9E�6;.��!4�9E�3;0�?1>5;A?8E��*�9->7?�@41�?<;@��&4-@p?�4;C�E;A�C1>1�0;5:3�@45?�s�%-9-:@4-�4-0�unrolled Mallory’s map and was looking it over. “This 5?:p@�@;;�.-0���A@�E;ApB1�3;@�?;91�;2�@41�-00>1??1?�5:�@41�C>;:3�<8-/1�� ;�C;:01>�E;A�2-5810�31;3>-<4E�5:�/;8-8131�s�%41�2;8010�5@�.-/7�A<�-:0�@41:�@;;7�9;>1�:;@1?�2>;9�.145:0�@41�/;A/4���:0�@41�.;;7?�2>;9�@41�/;Ŋ11�@-.81��r�A71�81@�E;A�711<�@41?1�->;A:0�@41�4;A?1�s� r�1�?-50�>1-05:3�/;A80:p@�31@�91�5:�@>;A.81�s%-9-:@4-�8;;710�@4>;A34�-88�;2��-88;>Ep?�?@AŊ�-:0�@41:�laughed. “You’re pretty good at putting things together. Although your geography skills are shit and your sus-<1/@?�->1�:;@�1B1:�21-?5.81��&41�.->5?@-��$1-88E��&41�;:8E�@45:3�75881>�-.;A@�41>�5?�41>�/;Ŋ11�s�%41�<-A?10��r!7-E��p9�?;>>E�@4-@�C-?�4;>>5.81�-:0���>13>1@�@4-@�6;71�-8>1-0E���A@�E;Ap>1�9;>1�;>3-:5F10�@4-:�4-82�@41�3AE?�;:�@41�@1-9�E;A>�.;E2>51:0�5:/8A010�s�%41�<A@�-88�;2��-88;>Ep?�?@AŊ�5:@;�41>�.-/7<-/7�-:0�@41:�75/710�5@�@;�@41�?501�� “So now that you’ve gone on your mission and

Page 98: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

96

E;A>�?A?<1/@�5?�5::;/1:@�:;�9;>1�?<E�C;>7�2;>�E;A�;7-E��+;A�:110�@;�.1�?-21�-:0���/-:p@�418<�E;A�52�E;A�711<�<>-:/5:3�-2@1>�?@>-:31�91:�C5@4�?452@E�1E1?��&41�/-?1�5?�-89;?@�C>-<<10�A<�-:EC-E�-:0�E;A�6A?@�:110�@;�8-E�8;C�and watch CSI rather than act it out okay? Otherwise Luke is going to make me your babysitter and I have bet-@1>�@45:3?�@;�0;�C5@4�9E�8521�@4-:�C-@/4�E;A�s� r)588�E;A�?@588�.1�9E��885;@�%@-.81>�s� r�A4��%;91;:1�4-?�@;�<>;@1/@�E;A�2>;9��/1&�-:0�45?�?1-?;:�\�4-5>?@E81�s And Mallory closed the one crime book Sam had 812@�41>�9-75:3�?A>1�@4-@�41>�.;;79->7�C-?�?@588�5:�@41�same spot.

Page 99: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

97

Chelsea�81D-:0>-��?<5:-8

Page 100: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

98

Harlem’s Hughes Karin Manson-Mayhams

+;A�C-?�;:1�;2�@41�3>1-@1?@In a time where the ghetto paid attention)41:�E;A>�C;>0?�9-01�E;A�2-9;A?

$1919.1>�@41�r+s�.E��1:;D��B1��5?�>534@�0;C:�@41�streetThe opposite way, I know a guyYou know that guy that holds the heat

%@588�E;A�ŋ>10�C5@4�E;A>�@;:3A1�@4>;A34��->819�-:0�made it breathe�:0�E;A>�B;5/1�>A:3�8571�B5.>-@5;:?�5:�41->@?�;2�014A-manized thugsBut caged animals are so hard to keep

Between the gun shots and the trains on the east,1B1:�C5@4�:;�;80�6-FF�6;5:@?�@p?�4->0�@;�ŋ:0�?581:/1�@;�ŋ:0�<1-/1

Everyone can see but no one speaks About Harlem not being what it used to be

So on your grave, trust and believe+;A�C1>1�;:1�;2�@41�3>1-@1?@A last in a dying breed

Page 101: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

99

Starry-EyedMichaela Murdock

�E1?�?=A11F10�?4A@�?41�?<A:in the slipping summer night because her daddy told her that’s how wishes come true. He saidthere’s a star up there looking,?/;A>5:3�@41�3>;A:0�2;>�-�?<5::1>��:0�C41:�ŋ:-88E�@41�C5?41>�5?�?<;@@10@41�?@->�81-<?�0;C:�/8;?1>�?;�2-?@you could miss it, and shines with the 38;C�;2�-�C5?4/;91@>A1�9-35/��;;?1��/-:0;5@9E?182�.>-50?�0-:3810�0;C:her back as she twirled until her kneeswobbled and she plopped! on the grass,5:053;�5:�@41�8534@�;2�@41�:534@��&41>1came an instant when the sky was still5:�9;@5;:�->;A:0�@41�>;?E�2-/1�?=A5:@5:3-@�-�7-65885;:�/;:?@188-@5;:?��r�;:1E�5@p?8-@1�/;91�5:?501s�.A@�?41�?@-E10�5:@1:@@;�ŋ:0�@41�9-35/�;:195:A@19;9�9-35/�?;�?41�8-50�Ō-@�@;�<>1@1:0�41>�C4;81�A:5B1>?1was space. Most every night she spent this way,1E1?�@;�?751?�?1->/45:3�2;>�@41�?4;;@5:3�?@->�@4-@�-8?;�?1->/410�2;>�41>��)41:�-@�8-?@�?412;A:0�5@�41>�?811<E�1E1?�0>;;<10�?4A@�-:0�?41�0;F10�@588�?41�218@�@41�2-9585->�->9?�;2�41>.>-B1�9;@41>�852@5:3�41>�A<�@;�>1?@�;:�41>�45<�ButI’mnottiredmom she always mumbled into@41�?;2@�/;88->.;:1���1>�9;@41>

Page 102: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

100

-8C-E?�/;9<8510�r�A?@�>1?@5:3�E;A>�1E1?s�and the little girl’s braids unraveled5:�@41�19.>-/1���:0�?;�?41�0>52@10�0>1-95:3;2�41>�2-@41>�@41�C5?4�?41�-8C-E?�C5?410on the stars that danced her way.

Page 103: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

101

&41�">5/7?�;2�";;4p?��;:1EStephanie Kunkel

One. I step on the nest. &41�C;>80�.135:?�@;�@>-:?2;>9�5:@;�-�05?@;>@5;:�;2�.>534@8E/;8;>10�:1A>;:?�-:0�18-.;>-@1�?@>A/@A>1?�/;9<;?10�;2�41534@1:10�19;@5;:-8�>1?<;:?-es...��/-:p@�?@-E�5:�@41�/;>:1>�;2�@41�2;>1?@�C-5@5:3�2;>�;@41>?�@;�come save me.Two.&41�?@>5<10�E188;C�-:0�.8-/7�95:5-@A>1�@-D5�/->?�<8-E2A88E�@5/781�9E�?75: �.12;>1���?@->@�.81105:3�2>;9�@415>�<51>/5:3�<>5/7?��%<1/781?�;2�>10�@5:381�9E�?75:�and I sway-:0�?C-E�-:0�?C-E�-?���41->�@41�4A9�;2�-�4;:1E/;8;>10�bear. Three. �E�85<?�3;�:A9.��&41�@>-:?8A/1:@�ŋ89E8-E1>�;2�4;:1E�compromises9E�B5?5;:�.A@�5@?�?9188�|�-:�5:@;D5/-@5:3�/-88�;2�:-@A>1�|�0>52@?�91�@;�2-5:@�5:@;�-�8-E1>�;2�2;>1?@3>11:�-:0�/4;/;8-@1�brown leaves,deep into the Hundred Acre Woods. Four. ��?11�-�.8-/7�>5B1> �45:@10�C5@4�?<1/781?�;2�/;8;>?��>10?�yellows, blues, purples, and whites you can’t see when you are awake. Trapped.

Page 104: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

102

�8;:1���E�;:8E�/;9<-:E�9E�4-82?10-@10�95:0�-:0�sticky rep lips that can’t sing. And I only think:I am so willy, nilly, silly...Five. �E�1E1850?�?@>-5:�@;�;<1:�|�1B1:�52�6A?@�-6->�|�@;�?11�@41�tangible ;.61/@?�9E�ŋ:31>@5<?�/>-B1�@;�3>-?<���A@�-88�@4-@p?�41>1�5?�haphazardly <-?@10�|�-?@>-E�|�1D<8;?5B1�|�2>-391:@?�;2�@41�/;8;>�?<1/-trum. Trapped in the never ending river, it knows there is no hurry –it knows I will wake up some day – but it still tries to eat me. %5D�“What’s beyond the river, 011<�5:�@41��A:0>10��/>1�);;0?�s�C45?<1>?�"5381@��“My toes won’t wiggle,�11<�5:�@41��A:0>10��/>1�);;0?s�353381?�&531>�“My hands still tingle,�11<�5:�@41��A:0>10��/>1�);;0?s�?5:3?�";;4�

�E�1E1?�0;:p@�;<1:x�

Page 105: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

103

My Gal�81D-:0>-�$5?7;

%41p?�A:5=A1my gal,not everyone can handle her.My gal is sweet.My gal is awkward-:0�C;:01>2A8�

She’s harshand gentle,with a sweet caressand bright laugh.She consumes meandkeeps me as her own.

My gal is green satin/A>085:3�91�>-C ?41�9-71?�91�2118-85B1�-:0�;:�ŋ>1she can make me cry or laugh.

My gal takes me places�pB1�:1B1>�.11:�.12;>1and sometimes we go on wild rideswhere I always swearwe’ll get caught,2;>�9E�3-8�5?�0->5:3and yet..

Page 106: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

104

she’s sweet and awkward-:0�C;:01>2A8�My gal is that smokey caressconsuming my every thoughtand taking over my body.

%41�5?�A:5=A1�9E�3-8not everyone can handle her...

�A@�?41p?�9E�3-8 and I’ve got a handle on her pretty good.

Page 107: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

105

It’s Your TurnCatherine Brady

It’s almost noon on this Sunday morning. The 35>8?�.145:0�@41�/;A:@1>�.A?@81�.-/7�-:0�2;>@4�35B5:3�and taking orders as they come. The line that once was C>-<<10�->;A:0�@41�@534@�?4-><�/;>:1>?�;2�@41�.-318�?4;<�5?�6A?@�0E5:3�0;C:��&41�8-?@�;2�@41�@E<5/-8�C188dressed church crowd throw their trash away and hustle out the door. � &4>11�;801>�8-051?�-<<>;-/4�@41�2>;:@�;2�@41�85:1 �@41E�-88�?119�@;�.1�5:�@415>�950�@;�8-@1�?5D@51?��!:1�C1->?�-�>10�Ō;C1>10�?45>@�@4-@�5?�/;9<81@18E�A:.A@@;:10�>1B1-85:3�-�/>5?<�C45@1�?45>@�-89;?@�9-@/45:3�@41�/;8;>�;2�her hair. She pairs this with long khaki pants and white @1::5?�?4;1?�<1175:3�;A@�.1:1-@4�@41�/AŊ?�41>�@45:�2>-3-581�.-/7�4A:/410�;B1>�-?�?41�?9581?�-5981??8E���1>�2>51:0�:1D@�@;�41>�5?�-�<8A9<�?@>-C.1>>E�.8;:01�C5@4�@45:�91@--82>-910�38-??1?���1>�?@;9-/4�3A@?�;A@�5:�@41�/1:@1>�;2�her body, covered by a light pink and grey striped shirt. �1>�74-75?�45@�6A?@�5:�@41�950081�;2�41>�/-82�>1B1-85:3�her chunky New Balance sneakers and bunched up tube socks. She holds her tan leather bag tightly beneath her chubby arm. Almost invisible behind the others, the last ?<57E�4-5>10�2>51:0�?@-:0?�C1->5:3�-�01:59�;:�01:59�1:?19.81�@41�6-/71@�-:0�@41�61-:?�5:�@41�?-91�?4-01�;2�.8A1���1>�3;80�:1/78-/1�8-E?�A<;:�@41�/>1-?1�;2�41>�C45@1�crew neck shirt and her tiny head peeks around her 2>51:0?�@>E5:3�@;�.1�-�<->@�;2�@415>�/;:B1>?-@5;:��&41E�?@-:0�5:�@41�?-91�<;?5@5;:�;:1�:1D@�@;�@41�;@41>�1B1>E�Sunday impatiently awaiting their usual orders. The

Page 108: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

106

<8A9<�C;9-:�?@->1?�5:�@41�05>1/@5;:�;2�-:E�;2�@41�ŋB1�passing girls as they pace behind the long marble coun-@1>?�6A3385:3�.-318?�-:0�/;Ŋ11�5:�1-/4�4-:0��%41�4AŊ?�-:0�<AŊ?�1-/4�@591�;:1�<-??1?�C5@4;A@�>1/;3:5F5:3�41>�presence. The young girls avoid eye contact as they con-tinue to work on their current order, taking their time as @41E�0>1-0�@41?1�8-051?����?5D@11:�E1->�;80�.8;:01�8;;7?�towards a brunette who seems to be slightly older with C501�1E1?�-:0�-�?8534@�6;8@�;2�41>�41-0�>18-E?�@4-@�5@p?�41>�turn, since she had to deal with them last week. The bru-nette pleads with the blonde as she shakes her head back in the same motion swishing the high pony tail on the @;<�;2�41>�41-0��&41�.>A:1@@1�<A@?�A<�-�3;;0�ŋ34@�.A@�5?�@41�;.B5;A?�8;?1>�-?�?41�0>-3?�41>�211@�@;�@41�/;A:@1>��� )5@4�-�.53�?9581�;:�41>�2-/1�?41�?-E?�r�5�8-051?��)4-@�/-:���31@�2;>�E;A�3AE?�s�&41�<8A9<�;:1�?:->8?�01-9-:05:38E�-89;?@�@;�@41�<;5:@�;2�E1885:3�C4581�<;5:@5:3�@;�41>�2>51:0�5:�2>;:@�;2�41>�� r%41�4-?�-8>1-0E�.11:�418<10���@p?�9E�@A>: �:;�;:1�4-?�418<10�91�E1@�s� The brunette holds her breath in and slaps her ?9581�5:�<8-/1�7:;C5:3�@4-@�?41�C588�>1-88E�4-B1�@;�2;/A?�@;�711<�5@�@41>1��r)188�@41:�C4-@�/-:���31@�2;>�E;A�s�?41�-?71?�3>-..5:3�-�?9-88�C45@1�<-<1>�@41�?5F1�;2�-:�5:01D�card and a black pen. The older lady presses her bulky tan purse up against the counter and leans in towards the young girl. With a diminishing Long Island accent, she says, very slowly, emphasizing each word, “I want a small tea, not 01/-Ŋ15:-@10�s�&41:�?41�@>-58?�;Ŋ�/;9<8-5:5:3�@;�@41�35>8�?41�3;@�01/-2�8-?@�C117�� “I would also like a sesame bagel, not toasted C5@4�-�?501�;2�9-<81�C-8:A@�/>1-9�/411?1�.A@�9-71�?A>1�5@�5?�;:�@41�?501�s� r!7-E���3;@�5@s�@41�E;A:3�35>8�?-E?�C5@4�-�4-82�

Page 109: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

107

?9581�ŋ34@5:3�@41�A>31�:;@�@;�>;88�41>�1E1?��r�A?@�81@�91�31@�E;A>�@1-�-:0�E;A�/-:�?5@�0;C:�s�&41�<8A9<�C;9-:�2;88;C?�@41�35>8�C5@4�41>�1E1?�-:0�@41:�9;B1?�0;C:�@41�/;A:@1>�@;�31@�-�/8;?1>�8;;7�-?�@41�E;A:3�35>8�>1-/41?�2;>�@41�4;@�C-@1>�@;�ŋ88�@41�/A<��� r�D/A?1�91����0;:p@�0;�01/-Ŋ15:-@10s�@41�;801>�lady screams. The young girl, with a little attitude emerg-ing, hands the tea across to the women on the other ?501�-:0�?-E?�r��7:;C�5@?�:;@�s�%41�?:-@/41?�@41�@1-�-:0�slowly makes her way to her seat demanding her other @C;�2>51:0?�2;88;C��&41E�?5@�5:�@41�>10�.;;@4�.E�@41�0;;>��&41�?<57E�4-5>10�;:1�?5@?�-8;:1�-?�@41�;@41>�@C;�?=A5?4�together on the other side. They all engage in a conver-sation, but the plump one does not seem completely in tune, her eyes still glued to the brunette preparing 41>�?1?-91�.-318�C5@4�-�?501�;2�9-<81�C-8:A@�/>1-9�cheese. Her head moves in circles, pivoting around the obstacles that stand in between her and the brunette. %41�/;:@5:A1?�@;�@-87�.A@�41>�2-/1�3>;C?�59<-@51:@��&41�.-318�/;91?�5:�-�9-@@1>�;2�?1/;:0?��%41�9;B1?�@41�?@-/7�;2�:-<75:?�?41�-//A9A8-@10�2>;9�@41�?1>B5/1�@-.81�@;�the side. She slightly looks up at the young girl with an -::;E10�8;;7�;:�41>�2-/1��%41�@41:�5:?5:/1>18E�?-E?�r&4-:7?�.A@���?-50���C-:@10�5@�@;-?@10�s��

Page 110: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

108

MetamorphosisEmily Behnke

Listen:We are looking up at@C;�05Ŋ1>1:@�?751?-@�@C;�05Ŋ1>1:@�?A:?1@?at the same time.)1�->1�5:�05Ŋ1>1:@�<8-/1?�

+;ApB1�2;A:0�E;A>?182�5:(1>9;:@�C41>1�@41�2>;?@�5?rabid and biting and I’ve 2;A:0�9E?182�?@->5:3�5:@;�another painting.

�;>>1335;p?�01<5/@5;:�;2�A<5@1>�-:0��;�0;1?�:;@resemble pain or regret.�A<5@1>p?�5:ŋ0185@Eis disguised in a gray smog.It doesn not cover up hispast.

Nothing can, because it is45?�95?@-71?�@4-@�?<1-7�2;>�something greater than the<5/@A>1}@41E�?<588�5:@;��;p?open arms and stain her porcelain skin.

Page 111: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

109

He is taking over:a body unseen, disappearing-:0�A:2;>35B5:3��%10A/@5B1his gazeremains on her eyes,his lips851�6A?@�A<;:�41>�/4117�

�:0�52�41�C1>1�@;�<8-:@�@41�34;?@�;2�-�75??�A<;:�41>�ŌA?410open mouthhe would not be thinking;2�@41�-Œ5/@5;:�;2�@41�05?@-:/1.1@C11:�@419}@41�>1-85@Ethat they are separate entities

connecting in only their need2;>�1-/4�;@41>�� ;�5:�@45?�painting they are broughttogether as one. The warmth;2�-�.>534@�?411@�0>-<10around Io-:0�@41�.8A1�919;>E�;2�[email protected];:0��A<5@1>p?�ŋ3A>1�41-@?@415>�41->@?�-:0�2-/585@-@1?�@419;@5;:?�;2�8;B1�

The smoke that shades the/;>1�;2�45?�.15:3�0;1?�:;@�?<1-7-�C;>0�;2�@41�<-?@�;:8E�@41present.

!:8E�;2�A?�5:�;A>lost devotion to one another.

Page 112: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

110

!A>�-Œ5/@5;:�;2�05?@-:/1�

Our hearts and arms, accepting@41�:;@5;:�;2�@41�A:7:;C:�.1/;95:3��A<5@1>p?all-encompassing smog,casting our skepticism into@41�1@41>�;2�;A>�2;>3;@@1:�>13>1@?�

Page 113: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

111

Untitled�;>0::18�%-5:B5881

Page 114: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

112

An excerpt of

&41��>@�;2��53A>5:3�!A@��521Bianca Reyes

� )4581�C-875:3�@;�9E�6;.�5:@1>B51C���.13-:�@;�2118�/-891>�-:0�81??�:1>B;A?����@4;A34@�@;�9E?182�r��/-:�0;�@45?�s�C4581�C-875:3�5:@;�@41�.A5805:3�-:0�5:@;�@41�181B--@;>�C45/4�/->>510�91�-88�@41�C-E�@;�@41�XV:0�Ō;;>��!:/1���C-8710�5:@;�@41��A?@�-.�;ő/1�4;C1B1>�-88�;2�9E�/;:ŋ-01:/1�Ō1C�;A@�@41�C5:0;C�� ��?@1<<10�;A@�;2�@41�181B-@;>�-:0�1:@1>10�-�C;>80�;2�?75::E�.5@/41?�@4-@�8;;710�8571��->.51?�-:0�3AE?�C1->5:3�1D@>1918E�@534@�<-:@?�?@>A@@5:3�@415>�?@AŊ�-?�52�@41E�C1>1�C-875:3�@41�>A:C-E��&;�9E�812@���;.?1>B10�-�3>;A<�;2�C;91:�3;??5<5:3�-.;A@�-:;@41>�?@-Ŋ�919.1>�@4-@�C-?�?5@@5:3�5:�@41�/-21@1>5-��r!4�9E�3;?4��&4-@�4-?�?;�9-:E�/->.?�s�$A81��U�-@��A?@�-.�� ;�1-@5:3�5:�<A.85/��To the right, I saw a skeleton in a dress having her pic-@A>1�@-71:���:�-A051:/1�;2�8-051?�?@->10�5:�-C1��r%41p?�?;�?75::Es�@41E�?-50�-095>5:3�@41�9;018���:�9E�;<5:5;:�@41�9;018�8;;710�2>534@1:5:3�� �:�@41�950081�;2�@41�/4-;?�-�?1/>1@->E�?@;;0�;A@�2>;9�@41�/>;C0��?41�C-?�@41�;:8E�;:1�C5@4�-�?9581�;:�41>�2-/1����C-8710�;B1>�@;�41>�01?7�-:0�75:08E�-?710�r�5�0;�E;A�7:;C�C41>1��5?-p?�;ő/1�5?���E�:-91�5?��5:0-��1>-@;885���p9�41>1�2;>�-�6;.�5:@1>B51C�s� r�p9��5?-�s�&41�?9581�/-91�>534@�;Ŋ�41>�2-/1�� r!4�C188�5@p?�B1>E�:5/1�@;�911@�E;A�s���3>11@10�@41�2;A>�2;;@�@-88�C;9-:�@4-@�C-?�?5@@5:3�.145:0�@41�01?7�� r&45?�C-Es�?41�>1<8510��

Page 115: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

113

� ��C-8710�5:@;�-:�;ő/1�@4-@�C-?�@41�?5F1�;2�-�?9-88�house. An older woman with long blonde hair sat in a 8->31�>;885:3�;ő/1�/4-5>�@4-@�9534@�-?�C188�4-B1�.11:�-�/;A/4��&41�/4-5>�C-?�@A>:10�2-/5:3�@41�8->31�38-??�C5:0;C�@4-@�05?<8-E10�-�.1-A@52A8�B51C�;2�&591?�%=A->1����?-@�0;C:�5:�-�>1@>;�8;;75:3�;ő/1�/4-5>�-:0�/>;??10�9E�813?�?;�@4-@���/;A80�ŋ@�4-82�;2�9E�-??�;:�@41�/4-5>�� r(1>E�59<>1??5B1�>1?A91��>?�}s�&41�C;9-:�paused and turned around.� r�1>@;885s��?-50�ŋ:5?45:3�41>�?@-@191:@�� r�571�@41�?<-341@@5�s�&41�C;9-:�-?710�C5@4�-�?:5/71>��%41�C-?�?@588�38-:/5:3�0;C:�-@�@41�<51/1�;2�<-<1>���1>�38-??1?�C1>1�.->18E�4-:35:3�;Ŋ�@41�@5<�;2�41>�:;?1�� r+1?���E�4A?.-:0�5?�2>;9��@-8Es���1D<8-5:10�� r�499�s���/;A80�-8>1-0E�@188�@4-@�@45?�C-?�-�C;9-:�;2�21C�C;>0?�� r)188���0;:p@�4-B1�9-:E�=A1?@5;:?��+;A>�>1?A91�?-E?�5@�-88�s�&41�C;9-:�8;;710�A<�2>;9�@41�<-<1>?�5:�41>�4-:0?��r��/;A80�C-?@1�@591�-?75:3�E;A�<;5:@81??�=A1?-@5;:?�-.;A@�E;A>?182�E;A>�C;>7�1D<1>51:/1�-:0�5:?<5>--@5;:?�.A@�@;�.1�=A5@1�4;:1?@���0;:p@�>1-88E�/->1�s I said nothing. � r)188�E;ApB1�3;@�@41�6;.s�@41�C;9-:�5:2;>910�me. � r&4-:7�E;A�?;�9A/4�s���C-?�?;�;B1>6;E10�� r�E�:-91�5?� ;>-��)18/;91�@;��A?@�-.�s�

� &41�ŋ>?@�/;A<81�;2�C117?�-@�9E�6;.�9-01�91�C-:@�@;�3;�.-/7�@;�9E�;80�6;.��&41�C;>7�-@9;?<41>1�C-?�1D/5@5:3�.A@�5@�C-?�-89;?@�59<;??5.81�@;�711<�A<�C5@4�@41�?;/5-8�>1?<;:?5.585@51?����=A5/78E�C1:@�2>;9�.15:3� ;>-p?�secretary to being her personal assistant. She even asked 91�@;�@-71�41>�750?�@;�@41��A?1A9�;2��;01>:��>@�;:�Friday. Was I a nanny now too? And apparently it was my 6;.�@;�@-71�41>�750?�@>5/7;>@>1-@5:3�2;>��-88;C11:���@p?�

Page 116: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

114

pretty sad when your own parents won’t take you trick-or-treating. Should I open presents with them on Christ-9-?�@;;���?501�2>;9�1B1>E@45:3���1:6;E10�?<1:05:3�@591�with Nora’s kids. Cora, Nora’s three-year-old daughter, is the cutest, smartest little girl you will ever meet. Nora’s @C5:�.;E?��5/4-18�-:0��-@@41C�->1�C-E�@;;�?9->@�2;>�1534@E1->;80?���5>-:0-� ;>-p?�ŋ2@11:E1->;80�0-A34-@1>�C-?�B1>E�=A51@�-:0�85710�@;�.1�.E�41>?182��%41�?119?�@;�<A@�A<�-�C-88�-88�;2�@41�@591���88�;2� ;>-p?�750?�C1>1�B1>E�<;85@1�-:0�10A/-@10 �5@p?�-�?4-91�@4-@�@41Ep>1�<->1:@?�don’t seem to appreciate it. When I took them to the art museum Michael -:0��-@@41C�@;80�91�-.;A@�-:�A</;95:3�?/51:/1�2-5>�-@�their school. Last year they won second place on a robot that they built together. They also told me that they wished their parents could have come, but they were away on business trips. � r�p9�?A>1�9;9�-:0�0-0�C588�/;91�@45?�E1->s���?-50��r+;A>�9;9�5?�2>11�-89;?@�1B1>E�C1171:0�5:� ;B19-.1>�s�� r�;:p@�.1�?;�?A>1�;2�@4-@s��5/4-18�?-50�� r)188��p88�/;91s���01/8->10�� r)4E�s�&41�750?�-88�-?710�5:�4->9;:E��� r�1/-A?1���C-:@�@;s���1D<8-5:10�� &41�:1D@�0-E���>1=A1?@10�-�0-E�;Ŋ�;2�C;>7��!2�course, Nora asked me why. “Well, Michael and Matthew @;80�91�-.;A@�@41�?/51:/1�2-5>�-@�?/4;;8�s���<-A?10�C;:-dering what she would say about the idea. “And I told @419�@4-@���C;A80�3;�s���C-5@10�2;>�-�>1?<;:?1� “Well, I don’t see why not. I suppose someone ?4;A80�3;�-:0�?11�@415>�?1/;:0�<8-/1�<>;61/@?�@45?�E1->�s� “I’m sure the boys worked very hard on that o?1/;:0�<8-/1p�?/51:/1�2-5>�<>;61/@�� ;@�9-:E�750?�@415>�-31�/-:�.A580�-�>;.;@�C5@4;A@�-:E�418<�2>;9�-:�-0A8@s���->3A10�5:�@41�@C5:?p�0121:?1�

Page 117: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

115

� r%1/;:0�<8-/1�5?�:;@�ŋ>?@�<8-/1��"1;<81�C4;�?1@@81�2;>�?1/;:0�.1?@�C588�:1B1>�31@�-:EC41>1�5:�8521����C588�:;@�@1-/4�9E�750?�@;�?1@@81�2;>�-:E@45:3�81??�@4-:�@41�.1?@s� ;>-�?-50�?@-:05:3�A<�2>;9�41>�/4-5>��� ��?8;C8E�-:0�=A51@8E�C-8710�;A@�;2�@41�;ő/1�-:0�>1-85F10�<1;<81�C1>1�?@->5:3���11<���@�C-?�-�@1D@�2>;9� ;>-���;:p@�9-71�91�8;;7�.-0����050:p@�>1<8E����6A?@�3-F10�A<�-@�41>�?5@@5:3�5:�41>�;ő/1�C4581���?-@�-@�9E�01?7����wondered what was going on in that blonde-haired head ;2�41>?��$A81��V�-@��A?@�-.�� 1B1>�/;>>1/@� ;>-�1B1:�when she is actually wrong.

� &41�0-E�;2�@41�?/51:/1�2-5>�ŋ:-88E�/-91�-8;:3�-:0�the twins were more than ready to present their science <>;61/@��)41:���->>5B10�-@�@41�750?p�4;A?1�@;�<5/7�@419�A<���2;A:0�@4-@�@41E�C1>1�-8;:1�� r)41>1p?�E;A>�9;@41>�s���-?710�� r�;99E�?-50�?41�:11010�?;91�o91p�@591s�@41�twins replied.� r%41�812@�E;A�4;91�-8;:1�s�� r)1p>1�:;@�-8;:1���->5-p?�41>1s��;>-�?-50�� r)4;p?��->5-�s���-?710�21185:3�/;:2A?10�� r�->5-p?�@41�9-50s��5>-:0-�?-50�� ��?4;;7�9E�41-0��r!7���1@p?�6A?@�3;�.12;>1�C1p>1�8-@1�2;>�E;A>�?/51:/1�2-5>�s I looked down at Cora, who was holding a car key. � r)4-@p?�@45?�s���-?710� “Mommy said you should drive us there because it’s too cold to walk. And she doesn’t want us taking any <A.85/�@>-:?<;>@-@5;:�.1/-A?1�5@p?�A:?-21s�@41�35>8�>1-plied.

� )41:�C1�->>5B10�-@�@41�?/51:/1�2-5>���/;A80�@188��-@@41C�C-?�:1>B;A?��r�>1�E;A�-8>534@��-@@41C�s���asked.

Page 118: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

116

� r)4-@�52���/;91�5:�?1/;:0�<8-/1�-3-5:�s� r&4-@p?�<>1@@E�/8;?1�@;�ŋ>?@�<8-/1�5?:p@�5@�s���@>510�@;�reason with him. “Mommy says second place people never get any-C41>1�5:�8521�s� “That’s not true. The only thing that matters in 8521�5?�@4-@�E;A�@>E�E;A>�.1?@s���1D<8-5:10�@;��-@@41C�while Michael listened in on our conversation.� &41�@C5:?�<>1?1:@10�@415>�<>;61/@�-�B;8/-:;�@4-@�?@;;0�ŋB1�211@�@-88�-:0�8;;710�B1>E�>1-85?@5/��&41�.;E?�pressed a red button on a small remote, which led to a .53�1D<8;?5;:�;2�>10�8-B-�2>;9�@41�B;8/-:;���-:0?�.13-:�/8-<<5:3�.12;>1�-:;@41>�1D<8;?5;:�;//A>>10�2>;9�@41�B;8/-:;�-:0�@41>1�C-?�/;:21@@5�1B1>EC41>1��)41:�@41�6A031?�-::;A:/10�@41�C5::1>��5/4-18�-:0��-@@41C�/-91�5:�ŋ>?@�<8-/1�

On our way home, I announced that I wanted to take the kids out to celebrate. The kids cheered in the .-/7�?1-@���5>-:0-�?5@@5:3�5:�@41�2>;:@�?1-@�9-01�91�C;:01>��%41�050:p@�?4;C�-:E�19;@5;:�6A?@�8571� ;>-�� When we walked into Good Eats, the waiter sat A?�0;C:�-@�@41�/;>:1>�.;;@4��&41�750?�C1>1�1D/5@10�8;;7-ing at the menu, deciding what they were going to order. I was happy they were having a good time. It made me C;:01>�52� ;>-�1B1>�C1:@�;A@�;>�?<1:@�@591�C5@4�@419��When I returned the kids home they immediately ?@->@10�/-885:3�;A@�2;>� ;>-��r�;9���;9��)1�C;:��5>?@�"8-/1�s�&41�750?�C1>1�?@>A/7�C5@4�?581:/1�C41:�@41E�>1-8-5F10�?41�C-?:p@�1B1:�4;91��&41�8;;7�;2�05?-<<;5:@91:@�;2�@415>�2-/1?�9-01�91�2118�19<@E�-?�C188� “You won First Place. Mommy’s going to be so <>;A0�;2�E;A���;>�:;C�3;�@-71�?4;C1>?�-:0�31@�5:@;�E;A>�<-6-9-?��+;A�4-B1��->5-�41>1�52�E;A�:110�-:E@45:3����have to go now, but I’m sure we’ll see each other again

Page 119: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

117

B1>E�?;;:s���?-50�� ��C-8710�;A@�21185:3�-�85@@81�?-0�.1/-A?1�@41�750?�were so disappointed in their mother. As I made my way 4;91���C;:01>10�C4-@�75:0�;2�<1;<81�@41?1�2;A>�8;:18E�children would grow up to be.

Page 120: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

118

�1ŋ:5@5;:?Stephanie Kunkel

��?180;9�?<;71�;2�41>�.12;>1�41>�<-??5:3����?180;9�?<1-7�;2�41>�:;C��&>A1�8;B1�>1?501?�5:�-�8;B1�;2�;:1p?�2-A8@?�;:1p?�95?@-71?�;:1p?�01ŋ:5@5;:?�

Her mistakes we the long nights where she was no lon-gera Christian woman, a painter, my mother. Her persona, hazed by night-time, roaming the cold, dark road, tainted with the temptations that only come out at night.

%1->/45:3�2;>�41>?182�-:0�ŋ:05:3�:;@45:3��

The long nights

blending into days.

&4;?1�8;:3�:534@?�?41�8;?@�-<->@�;2�41>�.15:3�And those long nights would cost herA clean day.And would cost her love. &4-@p?�:;@�-88���>1919.1>�.A@�5?�@41�01ŋ:5@5;:I would cling to, as she held my baby.

As she stumbled in my house)41>1�9E�C521�?81<@��&41�4;A?1�

Page 121: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

119

Where my children slept. �1>�2-A8@?�>19-5:�@1@41>10�5:�9E�95:0�

She was a grandmother who, at her old age, would crawl ;:�@41�Ō;;>�-:0�/>1-@1�-:;@41>�;:1�;2�41>�9-:E�C;>80?�Where she would play tea party at the palace. Barbie at the beach.)5@4��->:1E�-:0�45?�2>51:0?�She was never that mother to me.

�1>�?<5>5@�85:31>?�5:�@41�C;>:�C;;01:�Ō;;>.;->0?�;2�9E�home.�:�@41�41->@?�;2�9E�/4580>1:�<8-E5:3�@1-��:�9E�95:0�2;>1B1>�In my sister’ dreams.She was never that mother to me.

Page 122: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

120

In This MomentKarin Manson-Mayhams

C5@4�@41�/;92;>@�2>;9�-�05?@-:@�Ō-91�;:�;A>�2-/1prickly greens beneathme, you, and naturea thin spread cloth beneath

in your eyes-�.>534@�>1Ō1/@5;:�r�5:3�;2�@41�%7Esit reigns2;>�@45?�9;91:@�C1�-C-5@

.5>0?�/-:�Ō11�@;�@415>�-.;01�5:�@41�@>11?-�?;A:0�;2�/181.>-@5;:�-9;:3?@�@41�81-B1?above us the pink, purple, and dark blues approachleaving only a chill through us

we cling, intertwined-?�@41�E188;C�-:0�;>-:31�2-01?yes, we must wait

6A?@�-�81??1>�C->9@4�E;A�C45?<1>a grey and white egghanging amongst littler signals-?�4534�<5@/410�/>5/71@?�<8-E�-:0�ŋ0081in this moment, we wait

Page 123: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

121

Black Widow�:?<5>10�.E�@41�ŋ89�r�5??5??5<<5��A>:5:3s

From the point of view of an African American in 1964

Imani S. WilliamsSomething would happen.Anything could happen.Everything did happen�:��5??5??5<<5�U]ZX�&41��A��8AD��8-:�4-:35:3�91:With midnight skin,Having no remorse.

Deep in the night.A black Mississippian�?�.1-@1:�2;>�@41�/;8;>�;2�45?�?75:Trying to hang on, this may be God’s test.�5B5:3�5:�21->�-�>;A@5:1�Freedom and death mean the same thing.&1->?�Ō;C�2>;9�-�/;8;>10�1E1Feeding the white man’s pride.A black widow looks at the stars in the sky -95:3�1-/4�;:1�-2@1>�1B1>E�?;:�C4;�4-?�0510�She cries and cries.But no one comes and sits by her side.No one to tell her everything’s alright.�5??5??5<<5�.A>:5:3�.12;>1�41>�1E1?�

Clenching her dress, shaking violently.%/>1-95:3�2;>�41>�2-958E�8-?4.-/7?�;2�41>�4A?.-:0�-:35:3�2>;9�-�@>11�&41�C>-@4�;2�@45?�C;9-:

Page 124: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

122

A dangerous black widow.

A crazy white crowd,Makes an innocent little boyA motherless child.)45@1�91:�?-@5?ŋ10How can they sleep at night?Did anything inhumane.�:0�-2@1>��-0�@41�:1>B1�@;�<>-E�5:��1?A?p?�:-91��4580>1:�.A>E5:3�@415>�<->1:@?�?5D�211@�A:01>��@�@41�@1:01>�-31�;2�UV�;>�E;A:31>�

The only hope they had?)-?�2;>�-�C45@1�9-:�@;�2118�3A58@E�;>�@41�>1?@�;2�45?�8521Living)5@4�@41�.8;;0�;2�-�r:5331>s�;:�45?�?811B1��;<1�@4-@�4188�C;A80�:1B1>�2>11F1�;B1>And the men who murdered themWould burnLike Mississippi.

Page 125: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

123

Cross PathsDestiny Wagner

��4-@1�45?�1E1?���4-@1�45?�2-/1I hate his lips, I hate my taste

I hate his hands, I hate his sin��4-@1�45?�-@@5@A01���4-@1�9E�/4;5/1�;2�91:

I hate his smile, I hate teeth��4-@1�45?�4-5>���4-@1�45?�95?/4512�

I hate his games, I hate his liesI hate his intentions and he loves my cries

He loves my tears , he loves my painHe loves my weakness, it keeps him sane

He loves my sorrow, he knows I’m naive He loves using me, he knows I wont leave

He loves when I’m wrong, he adores my sinHe loves knowing that I will never stop loving him

Page 126: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

124

Reincarnation Nendirmwa Parradang

� &41�ŋ>?@�>1-8�8521�919;>E���4-B1�;2�9E�9;@41>�5?�C41:�?41�?@1<<10�;A@�;2�-�>1:;C:10�A:5B1>?5@E�5:�-�>10�?A5@�C4;?1�1D-331>-@10�?4;A801>?�3-B1�41>�<;C1>��%41�was clutching a Master’s degree and I was entranced. I >1919.1>�@45:75:3�@4-@�?41�C-?�@41�@E<1�;2�C;9-:���C-:@10�@;�.1����050�:;@�C-:@�@;�8571�41>�;>�.1�6A?@�8571�41>�I wanted to be her.

The second is surreal to me. We were all in our @5:E��-1C;;�;:�;A>�C-E�@;�/4A>/4�ŋB1�/4580>1:�5:�@41�backseat. We drove on the road that continually seeps 5:@;�9E�@4;A34@?�1B1:�ŋ2@11:�E1->?�8-@1>���E�9;@41>�C;A80�;//-?5;:-88E�@A>:�@;�8;;7�-@�A?�-:0���218@�?<1/5-8 �what had I done to deserve such beauty to love me? She turned back once more to say “Nendir, wind up those C5:0;C?�s��A@���/;A80:p@�0;�@4-@�:;@�@;0-E��&;0-E�?41�had let me wear her gold bracelets on my chubby child arms. I put my hand out the window constantly watching them glisten, thinking one day, and they would be mine. ��C;A80�9->>E�-�9-:�C4;�C-?�-?�75:0�-?�9E�2-@41>�-:0�who would give me pure gold bracelets even though he /;A80:p@�-Ŋ;>0�@419��

Lost in my bracelets, I did not notice the wind /4-:35:3�-:0���?-C�5@�4-<<1:��&41E�2188�;Ŋ�9E�->9�skittering on the road behind us. “Dave! Tsaya da mota! &?-E-�0-�9;@-�s�%41�>-:�5:@;�@41�?@>11@�8571�-�/>-F10�C;9-:�8;;75:3�2;>�@41�/A>>1:/E�;2�@415>�8;B1����->?�

Page 127: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

125

passed by staring at her, but she didn’t care. We never 2;A:0�@419�

She was completely silent on the way to church, but I knew she wanted to cry the way I was crying. When we got to church, she smiled and prayed and the other C;91:�C-@/410�61-8;A?�;2�41>�/8-??���%41�4-0�@41�@E<1�;2�class that needed no cash, not even gold.

My teenage years came and I loved and resented 41>�-@�@41�?-91�@591����3>1C�2A>@41>�-C-E�2>;9�41>��)1�C1>1�05Ŋ1>1:@�<1;<81 �?41�C-?�@41�B5>35:-8�/>1-@A>1�C4;�4-0�:;�.;E2>51:0�A:@58�?41�91@�9E�2-@41>����C-?�@41�35>8�C4;�218@�?A88510�.E�4-B5:3�V�.;E2>51:0?�5:�V�E1->? �75??-5:3�@419�5:�.-/7?@>11@?�35B5:3�@419�4-:0�6;.?�A:01>�study hall tables. There was a chasm between us. I knew ?41�218@�5@�?41�C;A80�?-E�r�;:p@�2-88�5:�8;B1�@;;�1->8E�s���?@588�8;B10�41>�?@588�@;80�41>�;2�2>51:0?�C4;p0�.>;71:�9E�@>A?@�.A@�:1B1>�;2�@41�.;E?����.1/-91�r10A/-@10s�>;885:3�my eyes at her thoughts, at her God, at her simple power suits.

She told us she was pregnant again. It was a ?A><>5?1�.-.E��%41�:1B1>�8;;710�?;�.1-A@52A8���E�2-@41>�held her hand smiling, hiding his sadness that he would .1�5:�&4-58-:0�2;>�9;:@4?�;:�1:0���1�4-0�@;�@-71�9;>1�/;A>?1?�@;�31@�A?�;A@�;2�@45?�Ō-@��)1�A:01>?@;;0���1�called me and said, “You really have to help your mother ;A@�9;>1�?41p?�?5/7�-:0�<>13:-:@�-:0���7:;C�5@p?�4->0�2;>�41>�E;A�0;:p@�7:;C�4;C�?@>;:3�?41�5?�s��1�C-?�>534@��41>�0-58E�>;A@5:1�/;:?5?@10�;2�@-75:3�A?�@;�?/4;;8�3;5:3�@;�work and vomiting. She had the baby and we named her Seyilnen, which means, “We thank God’’. I looked at her 2;>�@41�ŋ>?@�@591�-:0�8;B10�41>�5:�-�C-E�@4-@�9-01�5@�59-possible not to love the woman who made her. It took me

Page 128: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

126

@;�@41�ŋ>?@�0-E���C-8710�5:@;�9E�3>-:09-p?�B588-31�4;A?1�?-C�-�<5/@A>1�;:�@41�C-88�-:0�?-50�r�-7-�5?�@4-@�91�s

� r�-.-� 1:05>�@4-@p?�E;A>�9A99E�:-A�s�

� ��0;�:;@�3;�->;A:0�@>E5:3�@;�ŋ:0�9E?182���pB1�/41-@10�@41�01?A8@;>E�E;A@4����-9�9E�9;@41>?p�0-A34@1> �I grew up into the woman, I adored, resented and now am happy to be. We are a single entity, the mother and the daughter, who grow together and look back on the mistakes, glad it all happened the way it did. Tagwaye, twins.

Page 129: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

127

UntitledAustin LaPointe

Page 130: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

128

Renaissance FairKatherine Shkreli

The trumpet is blown and all who hearWait to see the Queen pass near.&41�<->-01�;2��:534@?�"5>-@1?�-:0�9;>1��;91�@4>;A34�0-:/5:3�@;�@41�.1-@�;2�@41�0>A9?��

&41�<A><81�>5..;:?�@510�5:�@41�Ō;C1>10�/>;C:?)-B1�@4>;A34�@41�C5:0�;:�@45?�<1>21/@�?A::E�0-E�Pirates who are dressed in black tights are yelling,r�-71�C-E�2;>�41>��-61?@E�s

&41��:534@?�C4;�ŋ34@�;:�4;>?1?Leading the parade.Some wave and throw roses!@41>?�?9581�-:0�?4;C�;Ŋ�@415>�9534@E�?C;>0?�

I see one in the distance.Brown long hair with the bluest eyes.�5?�->9;>�385?@1:5:3�2>;9�@41�?A:As he walks through the crowd.

The Knight comes to me, takes my hand�:0�C5@4�45?�?;2@�?9585:3�85<?Bends and kisses my knucklesAnd disappears in the crowd.

The world became silent,I was taken aback,Who was he?

Page 131: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

129

Where did he disappear?

Then here she comes,&41�;:1�C1pB1�-88�.11:�C-5@5:3�2;>The Queen has arrived.r�;:3��5B1�&41�#A11:s�5?�?4;A@10as thousands bow down.

Page 132: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

130

What Is Love?(Dedicated to all the hopeless romantics of the world)

�5-::5��;3>;B16;What is love?�-:�-:E.;0E�2A88E�1D<8-5:��;C�/;91�-2@1>�;A>�ŋ>?@�1:/;A:@1>�C5@4�5@�3;1?�C>;:3We don’t look at it the same?Does love come with cute little nicknames?�571�r?C11@�/4117?s�;>�r4;:1E�.A:s!>�->1�@4;?1�:-91?�6A?@�2;>�2A:��;C�/-:���ŋ:0�8;B1�52���0;:p@�7:;C�C4-@�5@�8;;7?�8571�&41E�?-E�C41:�E;A�4-B1�5@�E;A�6A?@�7:;CBut how do they know?�pB1�.11:�@>E5:3�@;�ŋ3A>1�;A@�4;C���01ŋ:1�8;B1�2;>�@41�past year�?�5@�C>;:3�@;�8;;7�-@�8;B1�C5@4�21->�Because sometimes love can leave you in tears)5@4;A@�8;B1�C1�2118�8571�?;91@45:3�5?�95??5:3Love is the ultimate contradiction�1/-A?1�8;B1�/-:�7588�E;A�.A@�/-:�-8?;�.>5:3�E;A�8521Love can bring people together but can also make them ŋ34@Love is deadly, but is also kindWhy does genuinely long lasting love seem so hard to ŋ:0��2�8;B1�5?�?A<<;?10�@;�.1�2;>1B1>How come so many married couples don’t stay together?Why are divorce rates higher than ever?�;C�/;91�?;91�<1;<81�/-:�=A5/78E�9;B1�;:�@;�-:;@41>�C41:�@415>�?53:5ŋ/-:@�;@41>�051?��?�;A>�01ŋ:5@5;:�;2�r8;B1s�6A?@�;:1�.53�851�

Page 133: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

131

�-E.1�;A>�01ŋ:5@5;:�5?�-88�C>;:3Maybe all these Disney movies and Twilight books have been misleading us all along�-E.1�C1�6A?@�:110�@;�ŋ:0�-�:1C�01ŋ:5@5;:�;2�8;B1)4-@�;2�@41�8;B1�@4-@p?�A:/;:05@5;:-8�8571�2>;9�@41�9-:�above?�?�@4-@�-�05Ŋ1>1:@�8;B1�;>�5?�-88�8;B1�@41�?-91��>1�@41>1�05Ŋ1>1:@�/-@13;>51?�@;�8;B1�;>�0;1?�5@�-88�2-88�into one lane?Love is the only thing that can drive the most sane per-son insane ;�;:1�/-:�ŋ34@�5@�-:0�C5:�:;@�1B1:�@41�9;?@�@>-5:10�brain�9���@>E5:3�@;�<A@�-�01ŋ:5@5;:�;:�?;91@45:3�@4-@�/-:p@�.1�2A88E�1D<8-5:10��-B1�9E�<-?@�1Ŋ;>@?�;2�@>E5:3�@;�A:01>?@-:0�8;B1�@4A?�been in vain?%4;A80���>12>-5:�2>;9�<A@@5:3�-�01ŋ:5@5;:�@;�8;B1�-:0�6A?@�81-B1�5@�A:1D<8-5:10��1/-A?1�@-75:3�;A@�@41�9E?@1>E�2>;9�5@�6A?@�?119?�8-91Love is what we all desireNo power compared to love is higherSome try to pretend like they don’t want it but I know secretly they doBecause what’s nicer than having someone to cry to?%;91;:1�C4;�C588�8;B1�E;A�2;>�E;A�;�C1�@>A8E�:110�8;B1�;>�0;�C1�6A?@�01?<1>-@18E�C-:@�5@�)4E�C41:�?;91�<1;<81�4-B1�8;B1�0;�@41E�2118�@41�:110�@;�Ō-A:@�5@��B1:�52�E;A�?-E�E;A�0;:p@�:110�5@�.1/-A?1�E;A�4-B1�E;A��.1851B1�8;B5:3�E;A>?182�/;A80�.1�/;:?501>10�-�2;>9�;2�love tooLove is the most valuable thing in this world, arguablyFunny how the most valuable thing can’t be genuinely bought with any money

Page 134: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

132

&41�9;?@�B-8A-.81�@45:3�5?�2>11The most valuable thing is something we can’t even touch or seeThe most valuable thing is something I don’t think the 4A9-:�95:0�/-:�/;9<>141:0�2A88E��>1-85F1�@41�9;?@�B-8A-.81�@45:3�5?�5:?501�-88�;2�A?�-/@A-allyAll you have to do when it’s given to you is accept it will-ingly

We love to give it and we love even more to take itOnce we’re in it we never wanna escape itWe can’t help but indulge in its essence)1�C588�2;88;C�5@�@588�@41�1:0?�;2�@41��->@4�.1/-A?1�C1�love being in its presence)1�C5885:38E�35B1�A<�/;:@>;8�;2�;A>?18B1?�1/-A?1�C1�/-:p@�31@�1:;A34�;2�@41?1�21185:3?�@4-@�->1�218@Love is the strongest drug in the world yet it’s still legalThe government realizes love is driving people crazy so they are trying to take it away starting with gay peopleBut what they don’t realize is that love can’t be stopped�;B1�4-?�:;�2;>9�?4-<1�;>�?5F1�;B1�;:�@45?��->@4�C588�:1B1>�2A88E�051&41E�?-E�8;B1�5?�?@>5/@8E�2;>�-�9-:�-:0�-�C;9-:�:;�;:1�else�A@�4;C�/-:�E;A�<A@�-�8595@�;:�-�21185:3�@4-@p?�218@�Love can’t be limited, it can’t be prohibited�2�8;B1p?�1:0�>1?A8@�5?�<1-/1)4E�->1�?;91�<1;<81�->3A5:3�2;>�-�8;B1�@;�/1-?1�

%;�9-:E�A:-:?C1>10�=A1?@5;:?�-.;A@�8;B1�.A@�:;.;0E�has the answersWhen I asked my mom how she knew she was in love she answeredr��7:1C�.1/-A?1�C41:�C1�C;A80�ŋ34@���?@588�95??10�459s

Page 135: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

133

��@45:7�9E�=A1?@�@;�2A88E�A:01>?@-:0�8;B1�C588�.1�-�:1B1>ending mission�;�-:59-8?�2118�8;B1�;>�5?�@415>�8;B1�05Ŋ1>1:@��>1�4A9-:?�@41�;:8E�;:1?�C4;�7:;C�;2�8;B1�;>�->1�-851:?�;A@�5:�?<-/1�21185:3�5@�@;;�?;91C41>1�2->�;Ŋ�05?-tant?�2�C1�@>510�@;�1D<8-5:�5@�@;�@419�C;A80�@41E�1B1:�A:01>-stand?!>�C;A80�@41E�.1�6A?@�-?�/;:2A?10�-?�@;�C4-@�8;B1�5?�-?���am?�2�@41E�0;�7:;C�C4-@�8;B1�5?�@41E�C588�<>;.-.8E�8;;7�-@�A?�and wonder why)1�@1-/4�8;B1�05Ŋ1>1:@8E�.1@C11:�35>8?�-:0�3AE?

That topic could be a poem on its own�A@�.-/7�@;�@41�=A1?@5;:�C4;?1�-:?C1>��pB1�01?<1>-@18E�wanted to know

Whether you call it love or amor�;B1�5?�?;91@45:3�C1�:1B1>�2118�C1�4-B1�1:;A34�;2�C1�always want more�;B1�5?�?;91@45:3�<1;<81�C588�051�2;>&;�-/=A5>1�8;B1�<1;<81�C588�@>E�-:0�@>E&41E�C588�/;:@5:A1�@;�?1->/4�2->�-:0�C501�88�2;>�@41�8;?@�@>1-?A>1�;2�8;B1�@4-@���ŋ>?@�1:/;A:@1>10�when I was born and looked deep into my mother’s eyes�:0��p88�1:/;A:@1>�;:1�8-?@�@591�-@�9E�2A:1>-8�C41:���pass to the other side

�2�8;B1�4A>@?�A?�/;:@5:A;A?8E)4E�0;�C1�711<�/;95:3�.-/7�-?�52�@45:3?�C588�.1�05Ŋ1>-ent?I guess because there’s always that small hopeThat maybe this time our love won’t sink and will instead Ō;-@

Page 136: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

134

�;B1�?@->@?�;A@�.1-A@52A8�2;>�9-:E�.A@�;B1>�@591�@415>�B51C�;:�5@�.1/;91?�6-010��0;:p@�.8-91�?;91�<1;<81�2;>�@45:75:3�8;B1�5?�;B1>>-@10�E�2>51:0�@;80�91�?41�0;1?:p@�.1851B1�5:�8;B1�-@�-88�A@�C41:���-?710�41>�@;�35B1�41>�01ŋ:5@5;:�;2�8;B1�?41�didn’t have one at all)45/4�81-0�91�@;�2A>@41>�.1851B1�@4-@�:;.;0E�7:;C?�how love should beBut people tell me they love meSo whatever it isI seem to have a lot�?�8;B1�;:8E�218@�.E�85B5:3�@45:3?�;>�/-:�C1�<>;3>-9�5@�5:@;�a robot?Is love only meant to be shared by two?�?�5@�C>;:3�@;�3;�-2@1>�E;A>�2>51:0p?�35>82>51:0�52�E;A�TRULY love her too?&41?1�=A1?@5;:?�->1:p@�2;>�91�@;�-:?C1>����&41Ep>1�2;>�E;A�;B1�5?�01ŋ:10�05Ŋ1>1:@8E�2>;9�<1>?;:�@;�<1>?;:�@45?�much is trueWe won’t agree on everything but some things we can I’m sure�571�@41�2-/@�@4-@�@;�-�4A>@�?;A8�8;B1�5?�@41�/A>1)41@41>�8;B1�2>;9�E;A>?182�;>�8;B1�2>;9�-:;@41>Love between a sister and a brother�;B1�.1@C11:�2>51:0?Love between an old couple that never seemed to end�:@1>>-/5-8�41@1>;?1DA-8�;>�?-91�?1D�;B1�5:�-88�5@?�2;>9?�5?�1=A-88E�-?�.1-A@52A8�-?�@41�>1?@No more no less�88�8;B1�5?�.1-A@52A8�>13->081??

Page 137: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

135

�B-:3185/-8��;:Ō-3>-@5;:�816-:0>;��;:F�81F

Page 138: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

136

%=A11F1Alyssa Harr

&41�/>5?<�-5>�:5<?�@41�-<<81?�;2�9E�/4117?��My heart is thumping in my chest, �-@/45:3�1-/4�2;;@?@1<�;:�@41�/;80�3>;A:0����?=A11F1�41>�4-:0�-:0�8;;7�@;�41>�C5@4�-�?;2@�?9581The touch tethers me to reality.

)1�C-87�-�85@@81�2A>@41>�And I know the destination is in sight.The smile grows, tugging at my wind chapped lips.My heart is still racing,�1185:3�8571�5@p?�3;5:3�@;�<;A:0�;A@�;2�9E�/41?@��

�1>�8;:3�.8;:01�4-5>�4501?�41>�2-/1�:0�41>�/>E?@-8�3>11:�1E1?�C-@/4�;A>�211@Take each synchronized step. In her mind, she’s spotted our destination,But she doesn’t even know it.

Every nerve tingles, An amazing sensation words can’t even try to match.The cars are speeding by, other couples walking to simi-lar places,But my head’s in the clouds. �A?@�-�85@@81�2A>@41>�C1�C-87���

We stop.

�:0���@A>:�1B1>�?;�?8534@8E�@;�2-/1�41>

Page 139: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

137

&41�?9581�;:�9E�2-/1�-88�@;;�.>534@�-3-5:?@�@41�0->7�;2�the night sky.��/-:�2118�@41�059<81?�5:�9E�>;?E�/4117?The ones she says she loves so much,�:0���?=A11F1�41>�4-:0�

�A?@�;:/1�

Her shining smile reaches her eyes and mirrors my own. &41�?534@�5?�-88���/;A80�4-B1�1B1>�-?710�2;>���And in this moment, with her chilled lips pressed against mine,�pB1�2;A:0�4-<<5:1??��:�@41�950081�;2�-�05>@E�.A?E�/5@E�?501C-87

She is my home.

Page 140: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

138

Rain Renders RetentionStephanie Kunkel

Cars race by me with blurred plates, humming engines -:0�.>534@�>10�@-588534@?�@4-@�>195:0�91�;2��4>5?@9-?�lights.And I remember the many Christmases as a child hud-dled ->;A:0�@41�ŋ>1<8-/1�C5@4�9E�.>;@41>�-:0�?5?@1>and the countless ornaments on my Mother’s Tree.

�:0�9E��-@41>p?�&>11�->@5ŋ/5-8�-:0�.->1�C5@4�<8-?@5/�ornamentsC1�-88�-3>110�C1>1�@-/7E���:0�5@p?�2A::E���/-:�-8C-E?�>1/-88�@41�352@?9E��;@41>�4-0�35B1:�91��<>1@@E�?;/7?�-:0�61C18>E���:1B1>�=A5@1�85710��?�9E��-@41>�4A:@10�@5>181??8E�@;�31@�91�@41�<1>21/@�2-/5-8�.1/-A?1�41�/;A80�:1B1>�=A5@1�A:01>?@-:0�C4-@�5@�C-?�8571�to be a young girl.

The houses I stroll past are 3A->010�.E�C45@1�<5/71@�21:/1?�<>1B1:@5:3�@41�1:@>-:/1�to lives ��/-:�;:8E�<>1?A91�->1�@41�;<<;?5@1�;2�9E�;C:�4;91ŋ8810�C5@4�;80�<5/@A>1?�C;;01:�/4-5>?�?@>-E?�;2�->@C;>7�never=A5@1�ŋ:5?410��&-88�;<1:�C5:0;C?�C5@4�?411>�C45@1�curtains-During the day we never turn on the lights.

Page 141: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

139

We lock ourselves behind the old red door and disappear5:@;�-�C;>80�;2�;A>�;C:����C;>80�C41>1���-9�-�<>5:/1??�by day and an astronaut by night. A world in which any-thingand everything and nothing is possible.

The big open windows allow us to see the real world as it really is. I think about the big open windows as I stroll past the identical,pastel plastered houses.

&41�8534@�2>;9�@41�?A:�5?�>1<8-/10�.E�E188;C�<;>/4�8534@?�

I walk through the puddles on the pavement -:0�81@�@41�>5<<810�C-@1>�01?@>;E�@41�?;81?�;2�9E�?4;1?The day’s almost over.

�:�11>51�=A51@:1??�ŋ88?�9E�1->?�C5@4�-�4534<5@/410�>5:3-ing,>195:05:3�91�;2�-�@591�C41:���C-?�?;91;:1�else, who used to think the high-pitched ringing in my ears were Indian men marching to their drums.

When I thought there was a world within ours, com-<;?10�;2�<5D51?�-:0�2-1>51?�-:0�-�?C->9�;2�@5:E�9E?@5/-8�/>1-@A>1?�9-:-kind has never encountered, has never known the truth to C4-@�1D5?@?.1:1-@4�@41�C;>80�;2�@415>�;C:��

Where I used to believe mermaids were hidden5:�@41�01<@4?�;2�@41�0->7�:-BE�.8A1�;/1-:�/;-@10�

Page 142: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

140

.E�8-E1>?�;2�9A>7E�3>11:�-=A-9->5:1��>;E-8�.8A1�-:0�white waves.

When little dreamers come out to play

And as I walk up the grey stone steps back to the only homeI’ve ever known, I see the bright red door with the gold elegant

knocker that didn’t match the decor inside. The bright red door,C-?�;:1�;2�@41�21C�@45:3?�-3>110�A<;:�.E�9E�?5?@1>�brother, and me.

The bright red door that isn’t there anymore.

Page 143: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

141

Ms. New York CityKrystalina Padilla

City trains where I read my book 5:�@41�950?@�;2�-�.-.E�/>E5:3�.E5?�C41>1���ŋ:0�/;9<81@1Solace.

Though, its rusty stops and tedious rattleson the tracks and loudspeakerthump at my temples like a gong.A homeless beggar rides along.

His coal hands and raggedy clothesconvince riders without headphones-:0�@4;?1�C5@4;A@�-�/81->�?1:?1�;2�05>1/@5;:�A homeless beggar makes two dollars.

�1�65:381?�45?�<-89�;2�/;5:?�>;9�@41�@AD10;10�.-:71>?�@;�@41�Construction workers, �88�?5<<5:3�@41�?-91�9;>:5:3�/A<�;2�6;1��

�5/7�2;80�?-B1�9E�<-31�!Ŋ�@41�@>-5:���3;��p9�@1:�95:A@1?�8-@1�2>;9�018-E?�I bent my MetroCard by mistake.

��B;8/-:;�1>A<@?�5:�@41�<5@�;2�&591?�%=A->1��-B-�0>5<?�2>;9�9E�1->?�A melodious commotion awakens

Page 144: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

142

the dreary-eyed school kids, sleep deprived parents, and stroller pushing nannies,tugging children’s armsacross the crowded city streets.

%@1-9�2>;9�-�<;@4;81�C->9?�9E�813?through the gusty winds as I make my way across the street.&41�.85:75:3�>10�4-:0�@188?�9E�2-@1��1/-A?1�E188;C�/-.?�?8;C�0;C:�2;>�:;�;:1���E�0-E�4-?�;:8E�6A?@�.13A:�

Page 145: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

143

Moths%4-::;:��-Ŋ:1E

I’m lying beneath him in our personal tundra. He 5?�=A5@1�2;:0�;2�91�-@�:534@�.A@�C41:�@41�.8;;0�>A?41?�.-/7�@;�45?�41-0�41�C588�-C-71�-?�52���-9�:;@�@41>1���1�will eat the slippery, yellow eggs and pancakes that I 9-71�2;>�459�-:0�41�C588�75??�;A>�/4580>1:�;:�@41�2;>1-head with a staleness only rivaled by the bread in our /A<.;->0�-:0�41�C588�81-B1�5:�@41�:5/1?@�;2�/->?������������%;91�@45:3?�E;A�0;�2;>�9;:1E��%;91�@45:3?�E;A�0;�2;>�8;B1������������+;A�C1>1�ŋ>1����95885;:�3;80�Ō-91?�1D<8;05:3�5:@;�21185:3�-:0���C-?�E;A>�85@@81�9;?=A5@;��+;A�75??10�91�hard against bookcases, and you treated my skin like E;A>�->@C;>7��&41�1-31>�/-:B-?�3>11@10�1-/4�/->12A8�stroke. I trusted you with my colors.�����������%;91�@45:3?�E;A�0;�2;>�9;:1E��%;91�@45:3?�E;A�0;�2;>�8;B1� We have a maid here, who cleans the house. When 41�5?�4;91�-:0���-9�:;@�?41�/-@1>?�@;�?;91�;2�45?�9;>1�<>5B-@1�:110?}@41�;:1?���812@�A:?-@5?ŋ10�8-?@�:534@�C41:�I told him I had a headache.�����������%;91�@45:3?�E;A�0;�2;>�9;:1E��%;91�@45:3?�E;A�0;�2;>�8;B1� My youngest son has his eyes, but he has your spirit, and sometimes I pretend that he has your blood. )41:���C-@/4�459�>1/15B1�.;;7?�;2�.A?5:1??�2;>��4>5?@-9-?�-:0�41�@4-:7?�45?�2-@41>�<;85@18E���<5/@A>1�@4;?1�?@-/7?�;2��->>E�";@@1>�:;B18?�C5@4�8;B5:38E�C;>:�.5:0-5:3?�5:�45?�4-:0?�5:?@1-0�;2�E;A>?����0;:p@�@45:7�9E�85@@81�.;E�C588�1B1>�>1-0�@419����0;:p@�7:;C�52�41�C588�1B1>�believe in magic.

Page 146: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

144

� %;91�@45:3?�E;A�0;�2;>�9;:1E��%;91�@45:3?�E;A�0;�2;>�8;B1� My lips always curl into the brightest smiles. But 9E�1E1?�:1B1>�/>5:781�5:�@41�/;>:1>?���5?�2>51:0?�:1B1>�95:0�-:0�@41E�3>11@�91�6A?@�@41�?-91�-:0�@41E�3;??5<�about who was best dressed at Sunday mass, and who 9-01�@41�.>;C:51?�2;>�@41�Y@4�3>-01�.-71�?-81��+;A�-:0���A?10�@;�6;71�-.;A@�85B5:3�5:�-�/->0.;->0�.;D���?:p@�5@�strange how I do live in one?�����������%;91�@45:3?�E;A�0;�2;>�9;:1E��%;91�@45:3?�E;A�0;�2;>�8;B1� Once, you and I walked all over town. We were 8-A345:3�?;�4->0���2;>3;@�9E�9105/-@5;:�-:0�8-@1>���4-0�a panic episode in a grocery store. I started to cry, and I started to shake, and you held my hand and you took me outside. I told you not to tell me not to worry. You said you would tell me to breathe instead.�����������%;91�@45:3?�E;A�0;�2;>�9;:1E��%;91�@45:3?�E;A�0;�2;>�8;B1��������������@;80�459�;:/1�@4-@���218@�?5/7��&41�>;;9�C-?�?<5:-ning. I couldn’t breathe and thought I might be insane -:0���2188�@;�@41�Ō;;>�-:0���-?710�459�@;�4;80�91�;:�the sharp bathroom tiles and I asked him to tell me to breathe, to breathe, to breathe. He looked at me, his mouth agape. He told me not to worry. He asked what was wrong with me.�����������%;91�@45:3?�E;A�0;�2;>�9;:1E��%;91�@45:3?�E;A�0;�2;>�8;B1� Please tell me where you are. Please light a match -:0�81-B1�5@�2;>�91�-:0���C588�2;88;C�@41�?9;71�.1/-A?1���7:;C�5@�.1@@1>�@4-:���7:;C�9E?182����C-?�C>;:3���C-?�wrong, oh God I was wrong, and your little moth wants .-/7�@;�41>�Ō-91�-:0�?41�C588�@-71�5@�5:�-�/->0.;->0�.;D�as long as it is yours.� %;91�@45:3?�E;A�0;�6A?@�@;�711<�;:�.>1-@45:3�

Page 147: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

145

&41�&>11�;2��521Samantha Biegel

Page 148: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

146

The Darkest Party You Will Ever Attend�;>0-:�)5:/4

To rendezvous with Satan would be an awesome date:he’ll have balloons that pop and leak a black vapor-:0�?@>1-91>?�@4-@�?@>1-9�->;A:0�E;A>�:1/7�52�E;A�31@�too close.&41�<A:/4�C;A80�.1�<;5?;:10�C5@4�-:�->01:@�Ō-B;>�;2�destruction-:0�@41�/A<�E;A�0>5:7�5@�;A@�;2�C588�05?5:@13>-@1�C41:�your mouth touches it.�1p88�?4;C�E;A�@41�019;:?�;2�@41�C;>80.A@�:;@�@41�019;:?�E;Ap88�1:/;A:@1>�5:�E;A>�8521@591he’ll want to surprise you with those when the time comes.�1p88�?4;C�E;A�45?�?<1/5-8�->9E�;2�.8;;04;A:0?@4-@�41�@>-5:?�?@>5/@8E�2;>�0195?1-:0�?1:0?�@;�?:AŊ�;A@�@41�4;8E�-:318?�Your date will be malevolent and bitter,yet sweet because he knows how to trick.He’ll send you home with a thorn in your side2;>1B1>�>195:05:3�E;A�;2�E;A>�>1:01FB;A?�C5@4�@41��1B58and a string he’ll keep tied around your heart,ready to be pulled at any minute.

Page 149: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

147

Because I Sculpted You�81D5?��->/«-�

The reason your,�1->@�.1-@?�@;�@41�?;A:0�;2�9E�B;5/1%75:�@1:?1?�A<�;B1>�-�?1/;:0�;2�9E�@;A/4�>;;710�?9581�@>51?�.-8-:/5:3�5@?182

The reason you,Believe in residing in obscurity,);:01>�52�@41>1�C;A80�.1�-�E;A�C5@4;A@�-�91Let your thoughts submit to my command,

The reason I,$1:01>�9E?182�/;9<81@18E�-@�E;A>�C588�);>?45<�@41�C;>0?�@4-@�?8501�;Ŋ�E;A>�@;:3A1�9.>-/1�@41�5:[email protected]�2-/@�;2�E;A>�0195?1

The reason time,Keeps us close, but tears us apart,Leaves it up to me to destroy you,Remembers my true nature,

The reason we,Know today is your last day,�5?@-71�@45?�.;:0�-?�9;>1�@4-:�<>;21??5;:-8&45:7�2;;85?48E�@4-@�@45:3?�9-E�.1�05Ŋ1>1:@

Is Because I Sculpted You.

Page 150: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

148

�5?4-�@41��1-A@52A8Nendirmwa Parradang

� �:�@41�.135::5:3�C1�C1>1�2>51:0?�-@�?;91�<;5:@�C1�C1>1�@41�.1?@�;2�2>51:0?�.A@�:;C�;A>�>18-@5;:?45<�5?�8571�;80�<-5:@�2-885:3�-<->@ �.A@���@41�1B1>;.?1>B-:@��--05F-�:;@5/10�5@����C-5@10�2;>��5?4-�-2@1>�/8-??�-:0�<>1@1:0-10�@;�?@588�8;B1�41>�;Ŋ1>5:3�-�/>;;710�?9581�-:0�C-B5:3�9E�/4A..E�ŋ:31>?�-?��5?4-�?-A:@1>10�0;C:�@41�4-88C-E��It was supposed to take 15 seconds to get across the hall-C-E�.A@��5?4-�@;;7�-�2A88�95:A@1�@;�?-E�-�4534<5@/410�r45�s�@;�-88�41>�2>51:0?�;>�-?���/-8810�@419�41>�2-:?���:�all my years here, I hadn’t spoken to as many people as Aisha did in that hallway.� ��C-@/410�41>�8-A34�05?<8-E5:3�<1>21/@�@11@4��%41�>-5?10�41>�?75::E�->9�@;�>A:�41>�ŋ:31>?�@4>;A34�41>�4-5>�that bounced and curled in abundance. I couldn’t help .A@�2118�9E�;C:�4-5>�C45/4�C-?�/;->?1�-:0�?4;>@�-:0�.>1-75:3 �5:�-�?1:?1�9E�4-5>�>1Ō1/@?�C4;���-9��&41>1�she was basking in the sunlight that came through the windows, looking ethereal like she belonged with the 41-B1:851? �91-:C4581���450�5:�@41�0->7�/;>:1>�;2�@41�4-88C-E�-:0���218@�/;92;>@-.81�@41>1�� �5:-88E�@41�3;001??�41>?182�9-01�41>�C-E�@;�91�.A@�:;@�.12;>1�;:1�;2�41>�95:5;:?�75??1?�41>�;:�@41�cheek and comments on how smooth her skin is. The 95:5;:�38-:/10�-@�91�-:0���/;A80�@188�?41�218@�<5@E�.1-/-A?1�9E�2-/1�C-?�<;/79->710�?;�5:�C4-@�?41�@4;A34@�C;A80�9-71�91�2118�.1@@1>�?41�?-50�r�>>�:5/1�.-/7<-/7�s���?95810�.A@�5:@1>:-88E�>;8810�9E�1E1?����2;A34@�4->0�@;�keep down the bile.

Page 151: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

149

� �5?4-�3>-..10�91�5:�-�4A3�-:0�?-50�5:�41>�?;2@�Hausa-British accent, “That math class was brutal! Haddy, you have to help me out, you know you’re the 9-@4�31:5A?�-:0��p9�@41�?<1-71>�C1p>1�8571�@C;�?501?�;2�-�/;5:�s�%41�8-A34?�C45/4���:1B1>�0;��%41�?@->@?�.-..85:3�-.;A@�4;C�C1p>1�3;5:3�@;�.1�r.1?@�2>51:0?�2;>1B1>s�-:0�5:�that moment I hate her more than I ever have. I think to 9E?182�r)1�->1�:;@�@C;�?501?�;2�-�/;5:���p9�?9->@1>�@4-:�you but you get better grades, you are the whole coin, my 0A88:1??�;:8E�?1>B1?�@;�9-71�E;A�.>534@1>�s Everyone thinks Aisha is so good and, I’ll admit, sometimes she is, but I know things about her no one 18?1�0;1?�8571�@41�@591�?41�2188�5:�8;B1�C5@4�-�<>;21?-sor who was married and cried when she had to end it because, as she said, “I don’t know who I’m turning into, ��?-C�45?�C521�-:0�750?�C-875:3�;:�/-9<A?�@;0-E�-:0���@4;A34@���/;A80�>A5:�@4-@�2-958E���0;:p@�C-:@�@;�>A5:�-:E-@45:3�s���C-?�@41�>-@5;:-8�;:1�-:0�@;80�41>�:;@�@;�3;�5:@;�5@�5:�@41�ŋ>?@�<8-/1�-:0�@41�0-E�?41�/-91�@;�91�/>E5:3�-.;A@�5@���8;-@410�-:0�<5@510�41> �@41>1�?41�C-?��5?4-�@41��1-A@52A8�0121-@10��&41�;:8E�@45:3�@4-@�/;A80�9-71�@45?�9;91:@�.1@@1>�C-?�52�41�2188�5:�8;B1�C5@4�91��&41:���would have truly beaten her. I would have ruined her.

Page 152: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

150

&41�%;A@4��>;:D�$;?1I�:?<5>10�.E�V<-/p?�r&41�$;?1�@4-@��>1C��>;9��;:/>1@1sJ�

�5-::5��;>3;B16;�

�50�E;A�41->�-.;A@�@41�>;?1�@4-@�3>1C�2>;9�-�/>-/7�5:�@41�concreteProving Nature’s laws obsolete? I only noticed it when I stopped long enough in my @>-/7?�-:0�2;A:0&4-@�5@�C-?�?@-:05:3�@-88�01?<5@1�@41�211@�-89;?@�/>A?45:3�5@�2>;9�-88�->;A:0��;?@�@45:3?�@4-@�@>E�@;�3>;C�2>;9�@41>1�6A?@�-//1<@�01-21-@�&41E�->1�812@�A:05?/;B1>10�5:�@41�3>;A:0�.A>510�011<��They never last,%;�@41E�:1B1>�?-C�C4-@�8521�C-?�8571�@4>;A34�@41�/>-/7?�But this Rose had other plans,�:0�?@588�>;?1�@4>;A34�.1-A@52A88E�.E�@1885:3�5@?182�5@�/-:��It’s still growing even though the ones that were sup-posed to water it instead ran.

�>;9�@41�?@->@�5@�C-?�2;>/10�@;�053�5@?�>;;@?�5:@;�-:0�3>;CIn an environment where it’s hard�;>�;:1p?�8521�@;�31@�2->And not come out with at least some scars.But despite this,�>;C@4�2>;9�@45?�>;?1�/;:@5:A1?�@;�@-71�<8-/1�1?<5@1�@41�;//-?5;:-8�4->?4:1??�?11:�-:0�218@�2>;9�5@?�9;@41>�1->@4p?�2-/1��:0�@41�?-91�C-?�218@�2>;9�5@?�2-@41>��-:E�@591?�5:�5@?�8521�@45?�>;?1�4-?�4-0�@;�<>;B501�5@?182�with its own water.

Page 153: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

151

�8@4;A34�?;91@591?�-88�5@�2118?�2>;9�@41�;:1?�C4;�planted itIs neglect,It still treats them with love and respect.

%;�9-:E�4-B1�@>510�@;�@-71�-0B-:@-31�;2�@45?�>;?1p?�35B5:3�ways.&41E�C-:@�5@?�.1-A@E�2;>�@419?18B1?�@;�<A@�5:�@415>�;C:�personal vase.�1/-A?1�;2�@45?�:;C�-�0-E?The ones who try to hold it that way are usually cut =A5/7�by its thorns that surround it COMPLETELY.But this rose saw something in me,�-:0�?;�5@�4-0�/4;?1:�@;�>181-?1�5@?�@4;>:?�?;818E�2;>�91�@;�see.And so I saw it at its peak beauty.I saw it in a way that not many people do��?-C�5@�0121:?181??�C5@4;A@�5@?�@4;>:?�-:0�5:�@45?�2;>9�it was easy to adorn. �:�@45?�>->1�2;>9�@4-@�;:8E�-�?181/@�21C�4-B1�?11:I saw a passionate lover’s dream.�:0�-8@4;A34���4-0�@45?�>;?1�6A?@�@;�9E?182�2;>�?;91�time,�@�C-?�01/5010�@4-@�5@�C-?�.1@@1>�2;>�41>�-:0�91&4-@�@45?�>;?1�.1�?1@�2>11�And ever since,�pB1�?-50�3;;0.E1�@;�21185:3�5@?�.1-A@52A8�?;2@�<1@-8?�-:0�?91885:3�5@?�A:5=A1�2>-3>-:/1��-9�4;:;>10�@;�4-B1�.11:�;:1�;2�@41�21C�<1;<81�C4;�knows�;C�5@�2118?�@;�4-B1�4180�@45?�.1-A@52A8�>;?1

�:�-�.;A=A1@�ŋ8810�C5@4�>;?1?�6A?@�8571�5@�:;�;:1�/-:�1B1>�say they bought her,

Page 154: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

152

�1/-A?1�@45?�>;?1�5?�@41�;:8E�;:1�;2�5@?�75:0That’s why I sought her.

Most people never noticeOr stop long enough to behold it.!:8E�C41:�E;A�2A88E�?@;<�5:�E;A>�@>-/7?�-:�E;A�@>A8E�-<<>1/5-@1�4;C�@45?�.1-A@52A8�8521�4-?�9-:-aged to rise through the cracks.

�>;:5/�4;C�;A@�;2�?A/4�A385:1??�-:0�0;A.@%;91@45:3�?;�.1-A@52A8�/;A80�?<>;A@�;A@�Look closely at everything you’ve been through&41�01ŋ:5@5;:�;2�-�.1-A@52A8�?@>A3381�5?�E;A��

�@�:1B1>�-//1<@10�0121-@Against all odds it beat. �;:3�85B1�@41�>;?1�@4-@�3>1C�2>;9�/;:/>1@1��

Page 155: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

153

I Can’t BreatheBrianna Barrett

Page 156: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

154

The Mirror – I Swear it’s Lying

(5/@;>5-�%-:@-9;>1:-� &41>1�5?�-�C45@1�0;;>�-@�@41�1:0�;2�-�B1>E�8;:3�4-88C-E��&41�0;;>�?119?�2-9585->�8571�-�?:-<?4;@�;2�?;91@45:3�B-3A1�2>;9�E;A>�/45804;;0��+;A�0;�:;@�0C188�on it long, but something in your mind keeps taking you back to when you were seven years old, listening to E;A>�3>-:02-@41>�9A9.81�-.;A@�?4-B5:3�/>1-9�-:0�@41�<>5/1�;2�3-?;85:1��+;A�->1�C-875:3�@;C->0?�@4-@�0;;>�:;@�knowing what is on the other side. Your heart pumps in E;A>�/41?@�-:0�E;A�/-:�2118�@41�.8;;0�9;B1�5:�E;A>�.;0E�@5:385:3�-:0�C->9��+;A�2118�1-/4�9A?/81�-?�5@�/;:@>-/@?�-:0�1-/4�<->@�;2�E;A>�.;0E�>1?<;:0?�@;�@41�-5>�5:�E;A>�8A:3?�-:0�@41�.8;;0�5:�E;A>�B15:?���;>�@41�ŋ>?@�@591�E;A�->1�-.81�@;�2118�@41�B1>E�A:?1@@85:3�-85B1:1??�;2�E;A>�9;-.581�?182 �5@�2>534@1:?�E;A��+;A�0;�:;@�?@;<�C-875:3��&41�0;;>�31@?�/8;?1>�-:0�E;A>�41->@�.1-@?�2-?@1> �E;A>�<-89?�/;881/@�?C1-@�.1@C11:�1-/4�85:1�-:0�/>1-?1 �E;A>�9;A@4�is dry. The door is alive: its glaring paleness is stuck 5:�E;A>�95:0p?�1E1�8571�@41�.85:05:3�8534@�E;A�?11�-2@1>�staring at the sun. A knock on the other side brings you .-/7�2>;9�E;A>�9;91:@->E�>195:5?/5:3��&41>1�?4;A80�.1�?581:/1�� ;�;:1�5?�;:�@41�;@41>�?501�;2�@4-@�0;;>�-@�81-?@�:;�;:1�?4;A80�.1��+;A>�4-:0?�@>19.81�1D/5@191:@�5@/41?�E;A>�<-89?�-:0�0-:/1?�;:�E;A>�?<5:1��+;A>�ŋ:31>?�>1-/4�2;>�@41�0;;>7:;.�-:0�?@1-0E�-?�?@1-0E�-?�E;A�/-:�manage, you open the door and inside is a bathroom :1-@�-:0�C45@1�C5@4�-�<;>/18-5:�?5:7�|�<5<1?�1D<;?10�|�-�9105/5:1�/-.5:1@�>1?@5:3�-.;B1�5@�-�95>>;>�2-/5:3�E;A�-�

Page 157: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

155

/8-C�2;;@�@A.�.1:1-@4�@41�C5:0;C�-:0�?9-88�.8-/7�-:0�C45@1�@581?�<8-/10�5:@;�@41�Ō;;>�C5@4�A@9;?@�/->1�� +;A>�3>-:02-@41>p?�<;/71@�C-@/4�>1?@?�;:�@41�1031�;2�@41�<;>/18-5:�?5:7���@?�.>;:F1�2-9585->5@E�/-88?�;A@�@;�E;A�|�-�?;2@�2-5:@�2->�;Ŋ�C45?<1>��+;A�41->�5@?�91/4-:5/-8�/8;/7�41->@�@5/7�2>-:@5/-88E�-::;A:/5:3�@41�91@>;:;91�;2�5@?�1D5?@1:/1��+;A�>1919.1>�?1B1:�E1->?�;80�|�3>110E�3>-..5:3�4-:0?�3>-?<5:3�2;>�6A?@�-�@;A/4�;2�@41�-310�91@-8���;C�@41�.-/7�C-?�C;>:�-C-E�|�@41�5:?/>5<@5;:�-:�588135.81�6A9.81�;2�?C5>8�A<;:�?C5>8�/A>8�mingling with artisanal scribble. The hands – the hands ;:�@41�2-/1�;2�@4-@�/;B1@10�C-@/4�6A?@�0;:p@�C;>7�8571�@41E�A?10�@;�-:0�@41�C45@1�2-/1�4-?�6-A:05/10�C5@4�-31���@p?�6A?@�8571�3>-:02-@41>���885:;5?�C>5@@1:�;:�@41�85:1?�;2�5@?�2-/1� You pick up the pocket watch and recall a small, 5:?53:5ŋ/-:@�E1@�:-335:3�01@-58��@41�C-@/4p?�?58B1>�/4-5:�that, like an arrow, pointed to treasure. How could you 2;>31@���;C�/;A80�E;A�2;>31@�@41�?1/>1@?�@4-@�3>-:02--ther showed you on Sunday nights with a root beer in 4-:0�-:0�@41�/4-@@1>�;2�@41�.->.1>?4;<�.145:0���;C�/;A80�E;A�2;>31@�3>-:02-@41>p?�?/5??;>?���;C�41�8-A3410�when mother took them in hand and snip snip snipped 1B1>E@45:3�-C-E �;:1�1E1�-8C-E?�45001:�|�;:1�1E1�-8C-E?�C-@/45:3�E;A�?;�@4-@�3>-:02-@41>�C41:�35B1:�@41�8;;?1�1:0?�;2�?@>5:3?�C;A80�/-88�41>�@41�2-@1?�� �;C�/;A80�E;A�2;>31@�@4-@�@45?�?58B1>�/4-5:�8571�-�:;;?1�@510�A<�3>-:02-@41>p?�?1/>1@?�5:�45?�@4>;-@��&4-@�the chain pointed to small, simple secrets with such a ?9A3�?182?-@5?ŋ10�<81-?A>1���-:35:3�;:�@41�1:0�;2�that chain were three medals. One – you recall – her--8010�-�41>;��->9?�?@>1@/410�;A@�>1-0E�@;�@4>;C�459?182�into battle. You remember the dates and the inscription /->B10�5:@;�@41�358010�.>;:F1��U]X[U]X\�r&1-9��4-9<5-;:?��;C85:3s��)4-@�.>534@�B1:11>�1D5?@10�@4-@�/;A80�:;@�

Page 158: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

156

mask the hidden darkness behind such prized trophies? �>-:02-@41>�C-?�-�/4-9<5;:�8-A010�C5@4�@41�45341?@�;2�4;:;>?��@41�8-A>18�-:0�@41�Ō-91���A@�?A/4�>1C->0?�C1>1�>1?1>B10�2;>�4;C�C188�41�1B-010�E;A>�3>-?<�����������:;@41>�910-8�/-@/41?�E;A>�1E1��U]V\���:;@41>�E1->�2;>�@41�/4-9<5;:�4-5810�41>;��+;A�C;:01>�52�@45?�C-?�@41�ŋ>?@�;2�3>-:02-@41>p?�C;:01>2A88E�9E@45/�0110?�52�@45?�C-?�@41�ŋ>?@�/;9919;>-@5;:��&41>1�->1�@;;�9-:E�<5/@A>1?�;:�@45?�<>5F1�@;�01@1>95:1�C4E�3>-:02-@41>�4-0�C;:��)-?�5@�2;>�45?�?@>1:3@4�2;>�45?�95:0�2;>�45?�75:0-ness? You read the words: “Community Service Com-95??5;:s���!:�@45?�910-8�@41�211@�;2��1>/A>E�ŌE�-C-E�01/;>-@5:3�1-/4�?-/>5ŋ/5-8�-/@�|�@41�-//;8-01�|�C5@4�-�symbolic blessing.���������&41�8-?@�-:0�ŋ:-8�910-8�5?�?;�?9-88�E;A�-89;?@�2;>31@�5@�.A@�5@�5?�@41�;:1�@45:3�E;A�/-:p@�2;>31@���5001:�among chain and time and pomp is the near microscopic prize that says all you will ever need to know about the old man. Engraved in tarnished silver is a sleepy eye. &45/7�8-?41?�6A@�;A@�2>;9�5@?�0>;;<5:3�850?�5@?�<A<58�?@->-5:3�?@->5:3�5:�05?-<<>;B-8��)4-@�.1-?@�4-0�3>-:02-@41>�slain? What battle won, so that he could be the victor, @41�<;??1??;>�;2�?A/4�-�95:5?/A81�-9;A:@�;2�38;>E���A@�4;C�/;A80�E;A�2;>31@���;C�/;A80�E;A�2;>31@�@4-@�@45?�1E1�;:/1�91-:@�1B1>E@45:3���@�C-?�3>-:02-@41>p?�9;@52�|�@A/710�-C-E�;:8E�?A>2-/5:3�@4>;A34�?@;>E�;>�?;:3�;>�?1/>1@?��!:8E�?A>2-/5:3�5:�E;A>�C580�:534@�0>1-9?�C41>1�secrets like Sunday nights at the barbershop would become so clear. Secrets like Sunday nights at the bar-.1>?4;<�C41>1�9;@41>�C;A80�C-@/4�E;A�8571�@41�2-@1?��Now you understood why mother watched you – one eye always staring. You remember mother with a stern eye and controlled 859.? �4;C�?41�C-5@10�5:�@41�/;>:1>�?5@@5:3�;:�@41�/;A:-ter, a cigarette in one hand as smoke billowed

Page 159: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

157

2>;9�41>�<>59�9;A@4��+;A�>1919.1>�@41�?/5??;>?�5:�@41�;@41>�3A->010�-?�52�-�4->.5:31>�;2�-�05?/;>0�?41�C;A80�:;@�-88;C���;C�?41�2>;C:10�C41:�3>-:02-@41>�?95810�when he danced around the parlor, lumbering. How she 2>;C:10�C41:�41�?@;81�?9-88�38-:/1?�2>;9�E;A>�C;:-0>;A?�1E1?�-:0�?9581?�2>;9�E;A>�85<?��� You remember how she stood with her arms crossed on Sunday nights while she swept both dust and secrets under the rug. You remember how she picked up empty glass bottles and sighed with precision. How she 4-@10�3>-:02-@41>p?�C-@/4�.1/-A?1�41�/;A80�:;@�2;>31@�45?�0110?�;>�45?�@>-B18?�;>�8;:301-0�2>51:0?�.A@�?41�could. You remember how mother watched you, because ?41�21->10�C4-@�E;A�9534@�ŋ:0�5:�3>-:02-@41>p?�-35:3�B;5/1�-:0�>;B5:3�1E1?��%41�21->10�@4-@�;:1�0-E�E;Ap0�?:5<�?:5<�?:5<�-C-E�@41�?@>5:3?�;2�2-@1�?;�E;A�/;A80�.1�8571�3>-:02-@41>�-:0�8571�9;@41>�-:0�8;;7�2;>�/;:@>;8��%;�E;A�/;A80�.1�8571�3>-:02-@41>�-:0�>1919.1>�@45:3?�@4-@�9-01�E;A�0>1-9�-:0�?@>-E�2>;9�@41�<>121>>10�-:0�01/5010�>1-85@51?�;2�C;91:�C5@4�?/5??;>?��� +;A�8;;7�A<�2>;9�@41�C-@/4�:;C�;:8E�385@@1>-5:3�C5@4�@41�2-5:@�05?@-:@�919;>51?�;2�-�<-?@�@;;�2->�>19;B10�@;�2118�-?�52�5@�;:/1�.18;:310�@;�E;A���B1>E�<->@�;2�E;A�2118?�:A9.�-?�E;A�?@-:0�-@�@41�1031�;2�@41�<;>/1-lain sink, your hands gripping the sides. You stare into @41�95>>;>�-@�E;A>�2-/1�-@�@41�0;;>�.145:0�E;A>�.;0E�>1Ō1/@10�.-/7�-@�E;A�C5@4�C-><10�<1>9-:1:/1��%;91-@45:3�?@->@81?�E;A��+;A�6A9<���"1>4-<?�5@�5?�@41�<-:3�;2�melancholy that sometimes accompanies nostalgia, but E;A�7:;C�.1@@1>��+;A>�:1>B1?�2118�-?�52�@41E�->1�A:>-B18-ing inside you. In the doorway behind you, standing in @41�?4-0;C�5?�3>-:02-@41>��+;A�?9581�@;�E;A>?182�>1919-bering long, solitary drives to the country and visits to deserted beaches.� �>-:02-@41>�7:1C�.1?@���>-:02-@41>�C5@4�45?�

Page 160: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

158

8;:3�2-/1�-:0�>10�:;?1���>-:02-@41>�-:0�45?�?-335:3�/85:35:3�?75:���>-:02-@41>�C4;�@;80�E;A�@41�?1/>1@?�41�:1B1>�@;80�E;A>�9;@41>���>-:02-@41>�C4;�A:2;8010�@;�E;A�8571�-�@-@@1>10�A9.>188-��&41>1�5?�3>-:02-@41>�?958-5:3�-@�E;A�2>;9�-�>1Ō1/@5;:���:0�@41>1�E;A�->1�?@-:05:3�.12;>1�-�95>>;>�@41�/;B1@10�<;/71@�C-@/4�/8;?1�@;�E;A>�4-:0��+;A�<5/7�5@�A< �5@�2118?�?;�9A/4�41-B51>�@4-:�E;A�anticipated. You turn around, ready to restore the prize @;�5@?�>534@2A8�;C:1>�.A@�3>-:02-@41>�5?:p@�@41>1��+;A�8;;7�.-/7�-@�@41�95>>;>�.-/7�-@�E;A>�>1Ō1/@5;:�-:0�E;A�>1-919.1>�@4-@�3>-:02-@41>�0510����:0�E;A�>1919.1>�C4E�mother watched you as she snip snip snipped everything -C-E�6A?@�8571�@41�2-@1?��

Page 161: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

159

(;50�@41��5:0�Stephanie Kunkel

It rained todayBut no one was listening to the whispers!2�2-881:�@1->?�;:�@41�C1-@41>10�?@>11@?�

Bodies roam over the glazed watermarks on the ground. �5:5?/A81�85=A50�0>;<?�@-5:@�@41�;:ED�/;:/>1@1�Faceless, rigid bodies carry yellow umbrellasObscure thoughts and restrained eyes.

No one looked beyond the yellow umbrellasAnd no one cared.

Page 162: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

160

I’m Coming UpSarah Larson

Page 163: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

161

ContributorsAlexandra Espinal is a junior at Manhattanville majoring in Communications and minoring in English Literature. Aside from writing, she enjoys making pottery and !lm photography. She tries to keep at least one live plant in her room so that she’ll live longer.

Gabrielle van Welie is a junior at Manhattanville majoring in Creative Writing and Communications. She enjoys doing things with a pinch of cynicism and hopes to one day become a world-renowned novelist. In the mean time she reads, writes, cooks, and travels.

Emelie Ali, normally refereed to as Emmie, is currently a freshman planning to major in Creative Writing. She has been writing since seventh grade and constantly surrounds herself in creativity with the help of Net!x, HBO, and BBC. She hopes to one day publish a collection of poems and one novel in the unforeseeable future.

Mikayla Amaral is a freshman at Manhattanville and an Edu-cation and English Literature double major. She enjoys reading and writing. She currently works at a pre school but hopes to one day become a high school English teacher.

Emily Behnke is a freshman at Manhattanville College. She is a Sociology and Spanish major with a minor in Creative Writing. In her spare time, she enjoys reading poetry, doing yoga, and volunteering at various non-pro!t organizations.

Samantha Biegel is a Manhattanville freshman who plans on pursuing a major in either English, Art History, or both. She enjoys writing poetry and short !ction, reading, learning, meet-ing new people, running, hiking, traveling, and taking pictures with her Canon Rebel T5i Camera. "is aspiring artist hopes to one day have a career in doing something she loves and some-

Page 164: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

162

thing that will change people’s lives for the better.

Catherine Brady is a Junior at Manhattanville and an English major and Communications minor. In her spare time she likes to hangout with her friends, read (her favorite book is “Not that Kind of Girl’ by Lena Dunham) and dream of traveling the world. She hopes to one day live in NYC and become a magazine editor.

Jessica Danger is a freshman in Mville. She plans to major in international studies and minor in French and philosophy. She hopes to travel around the world and eventually live in England because of their awesome accents.

Angela Eckho! is a junior at Manhattanville College and a English Literature major with a minor in Creative Writing. She enjoys reading, writing and working with children. Her two fa-vorite things to do are going hiking and trying new foods from di!erent cultures. She hopes to become an English Literature professor and to travel to all the places she has read about in her favorite novels.

Shannon Ga!ney is a freshman at Manhattanville pursuing a major in musical theatre and a minor in creative writing. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, dancing, and shopping for beau-tiful, impractical shoes. She has always loved to write and plans to make sure it is always a part of her life.

Alexis García is currently a sophomore at Manhattanville. She is majoring in Creative Writing with a minor in Criminal Law. When she isn’t writing a new poem or working on one of her novels, she’s usually losing herself to the lyrical genius of Sam Smith.

Lindsay Greiner is a Creative/ Professional Writing major ex-pecting to graduate in May. She spends her time shoe shopping, googling cute animals, and writing. After graduation she hopes to get a job writing for a television crime show, preferably Law

Page 165: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

163

and Order: SVU.

Alyssa Harr is a junior at Manhattanville College and an English Literature major with a double minor in Psychology and World Religions. She enjoys writing, watching Net!ix, and sleeping. She is still trying to "gure out exactly what she wants to do in this crazy world but hopes that one day she might just be a published poet.

Steph Kunkel is a junior at Manhattanville College and a Pro-fessional/Creative Writing major. She enjoys reading, writing, and dancing. Steph attempts to use her creative skills to create choreography for dance pieces as well as write poems and short stories. She aspires to one day become an author.

Austin LaPointe is a junior at Manhattanville College and is majoring in Marketing. He is part of the Manhattanville Rugby Club as well as a fresh water "sh enthusiast.

Phuong Le is a junior at Manhattanville with a double major in Communications and English as well as a minor in French. Her writings can be found on the "lm site Movie Mezzanine and her own blog Cinematic Gloom. When not rambling on about movies, she enjoys caring too much about David Bowie.

Alicia Leedham is a sophomore at Manhattanville College with a double major in Political Science and World Religions. Art has always been an outlet for her and she enjoys to draw and paint when she can. Her goal is to one day be involved in the United Nations and to become Secretary of State.

Allison Malaluan is a sophomore at Manhattanville planning to major in Psychology and Creative Writing. She likes poetry, biking, breathing, and answering questions with questions.

Karin Manson-Mayhams is a sophomore at Manhattanville. In her spare time, she enjoys coaching basketball and writing poetry. In the future she hopes to inspire youth to express them-

Page 166: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

164

selves through various art forms.

Michaela Murdock is a sophomore at Manhattanville and an English and Education major. She loves to read, write, and cook. She has hopes to one day publish a book of her poetry.

Gianni Mogrovejo is a sophomore at Manhattanville College and lives in a very small 2-person room called a “Dingle” in Founders. Gianni has dreams of pursuing some kind of career in hip-hop and hopes to promote the culture in a positive way. He is quiet around new people, prefers small circles, doesn’t drink or smoke, loves his close friends, and is obsessed with everything J. Cole, Dreamville, and Joe Budden.

Krystalina Padilla is a junior at Manhattanville as well as an English literature major and women’s studies minor. She enjoys writing poetry and reading Sylvia Plath. She hopes to one day become a high school English teacher.

Nendirmwa Parradang is a senior at Manhattanville College and an International Studies major. She loves reading “old-timey” books and delving into the Bible. She also spends her days misusing punctuations. See.

Jelani A. Price is a sophomore at Manhattanville and a Com-munications and Sociology major. He is on the Track and Field team as well as the Rugby Football Club. His favorite authors include Richard Wright, Harold Robbins, Jackie Collins, Toni Morrison, Edna St. Vincent Millay and Yasunari Kawabata. He hopes to one day be an archivist.

Bianca Reyes is a sophomore at Manhattanville as well as a double major in Communications and Sociology. She enjoys writing, running, and knitting. In her spare time she likes to shop. She hopes to become a magazine editor one day.

Alexandra Risko is a freshman at Manhattanville who plans to double major in English Literature and Business Management.

Page 167: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

165

She enjoys reading and writing and aspires to become an editor in a publishing house after graduation. She has recently found a knack for writing poetry.

Sofía Rivera Pérez is a senior at Manhattanville College and an English Literature major with a Pre-Med minor. She enjoys writing, drawing, traveling, and reading. She hopes to one day work with Doctors Without Borders.

Shannon Roberts is a junior at Manhattanville. She is a Cre-ative Writing major and Psychology minor. On campus she is a part of the track team and spends much of her free time reading and writing.

Bianca Rosario Ramírez is a sophomore at Manhattanville and Digital Media Production and Communications Studies double major with a minor in Studio Art. She is very passionate about !lmmaking, photography, and graphic design. She is currently a member of Manhattanville’s Video Project, a Social Media/PR and YouTube channel manager for MVL’s Writer’s Block, and a photographer and writer for Touchstone.

Victoria Santamorena is a sophomore at Manhattanville major-ing in English Literature. She enjoys reading, writing, and obsessing over David Lynch. In her spare time, she likes analyze the meaning of her own existence and collecting things both strange and unusual. She hopes to pursue a career as a folklorist or a professor of English literature.

Katherine Shkreli is a junior studying Creative Writing and is an editor for Gra"ti Magazine. When she’s all grown up she hopes to travel the world and write about all her adventures.

Destiny Wagner is a freshman at Manhattanville studying Marketing and International Studies. She enjoys dancing , traveling, and cosmetology. In her spare time she loves to go to the gym and work out. She hopes to one day be a marketing coordinator and work for a corporation.

Page 168: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

166

Born and raised in Chicago Illinois, Creative Writing major Steven Willis uses his poetry to address the culture issues of our time. With art heavily in!uenced by urban life and religion, Steven mixes elements of hip hop and classic literature to help express his eclectic personal narrative. He began doing spoken word at the age of 15. Steven is currently Louder "an A Bomb University 2014 Individual Champion.

Imani S. Williams is a junior at Manhattanville College major-ing in Communications and minoring in Creative and Profes-sional Writing. She has previously won #rst place in a Sarah Lawrence College Poetry festival with her poem “Colors "at Run”. Imani hopes to become a news anchor/reporter some day and is currently a freelance associate producer for News 12 Westchester.

Rai-ya Wilson is currently a sophomore at Manhattanville. She is pursuing a self-designed major in Youth Advocacy. She plans on attending law school and becoming a Child Advocacy lawyer. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her ten nieces and nephews, reading, writing, and watching Net!ix.

Jordan Winch is a sophomore at Manhattanville as well as a Creative Writing major and a prospective Business Manage-ment major and Women’s Studies minor. She enjoys reading and writing and hopes to one day combine both of those hob-bies and become a book editor. She is on the Manhattanville Cheerleading team and vigorously enjoys her time here on campus.

Page 169: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015
Page 170: Graffiti Literary Magazine 2015

Spring 2015 EditionManhattanville College

Purchase, NY