Category: 2023-2024 Submissions

Exploring the Sublime

The axolotl swims with a splash,
Gliding through the water with a gracefulness unworthy of human sight,
Her movements so fluid, like a gentle hum,
In harmony with nature, a peaceful drum.
With a chirp and a chirp, she calls out to her mate,
Their bond unbreakable, a love so great,
Their world below, a symphony of sounds,
Echoing through the murky grounds.
So let us marvel at this creature divine,
With a flip and a flop, in this watery shrine,
Let us protect and cherish, for all time,
The axolotl, a treasure so truly magnificent

Where I am from

I am from the special keyboard me and my brother made.
I am from an old Xbox passed down all the way from my dad.
I am from edible flowers.
I am from an old cabin with dogs and lots of woods around me.
I am from fishing and golfing with my grandpa.
I am from my crazy dirt bike-riding grandpa Edwards.
I am from my grandma Irean whom my middle name is named after and her amazing cookies.
I am from my favorite lost toy called Skull Crusher whom I sadly lost.
I am from those moments that make me, me and I will always cherish.

the place that is not really hidden

On the ground, where most life is found
it is full of adventure, but the need for a break may enter.
So sometimes I look at the sky, and I see clouds fly by.
It always has a breeze, and it feels like stress would ease.
But if you look hard enough, you will find a new world full of stuff.
Everything you see can float, as if this world is the ocean and they are a boat.
But soon you have to return to the ground where you are sadly bound.
But if you look all the way up with known intentions, you will notice one or many dimensions.

What’s in my art bag

What’s in my art bag???

Pencils from oh, so many years ago

Posca pens that have long since ran out of ink

Old oil paints that have been used but once

My trusty pencil, run down to a stub

My rubbery eraser from prize box in first grade

Paint brushes that I have left in sticky mod-podge, stuck together forever

Ideas of new abstract artworks waiting to come to life

Where I’m From By: Maya AlRafati

Where I’m From
By: Maya AlRafati

I am from fighting over the remote, from my phone and a tv,
I am from the fun and kind,
from the sweet and loving,
I am from the heavenly taste of food,
I am from the hibiscus flower
and the mint bush whose long limbs I remember as if they were my own
I am from fasting and cooking, from my dad and my mom,
I’m from fights to laughter, and from fun board game nights that lasted till 2am
I am from the Tooth Fairy and Santa Clause, and twinkle twinkle little star, I’m from Austin and the Middle East,
from tabbouleh and steak, from brown hair and brown eyes,
from my cats’ toys under my bed to photos on my wall to in my heart
I am from my home which I love with all of my heart!

Where I’m From

Where I’m From
By: Annalie McFate

I’m from my shoes
From flowers to books
I am from the two story white house with a balcony
With brown hardwood floors
I am from the leaves in the spring trees
The big tall tree in my backyard
Whose long limbs I remember
as if they were my own.

I’m from Christmas gifts and interesting people
from Katie and Mimi
I’m from painting and reading
and from baking delicious dishes.

I’m from believing in Jesus and Mary
and to never give up
I’m from Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving
I’m from Houston and Austin
Ramen and pepperoni pizza
From my grandpa getting cancer
Working at a nuclear plant and having grandchildren
Going to Arkansas, Colorado, and Scotland
and Paris and Galveston
Will forever be in my heart.

(This is Not a Pipe)

I took a piece
Of AI art
And cut it out
To fit my whims

I shaved the edge of the piece
Ones that didn’t exactly make
A cohesive whole.
I took white pen and scribbled
Over blurry edges and unreal shapes
A computer’s view of the world.
It is mine.

A face started to form in the mess
Staring back at me, distraught
Why have you created me so?
My mind is filled with
Zeroes and ones and zeroes and ones and zeroes and ones
Over and over and over again
I cannot understand.

Why have you forsaken me so?
I shake my head.
I shun responsibility and bury the piece
Beneath heaves and heaves of stuff.
I have not created you.