by Donaji Garcia and Brianna Carrington Myricks
Day: The Song of Silence/La Canción del Silencio
Donaji Garcia
The heaven is rising upon my cheekbones
As the sun glares on my shadow’s black silhouette
Of my 18-year-old boney body
And the tear gives the horizon a fall of emotions
And the wind blows into the flute of a whispering tune
As I walk on the Earth’s ground of life
I open the red window stained door
The star approaching me through glass
My hands filled with flowers in a form of a bouquet
With baby’s breath and roses
Scenting the breeze to blossom a spring
And the dreams come together in that four-walled chamber of sight
As eyes kiss the moment to silence
And I pick up the phone and I begin
My last prayer of conversation
And the clouds gather listening
To the once strong girl becoming vulnerable
Inside this soul
I speak to you, only you.
The flowers settle in the corner of the phone
Waiting to wilt within my thoughts
As the petals converge the minutes
And the words laced floret memories embedded in my head
As the mariposas flown past my sight
And my hair carried close to the branches of a sunset
I could walk peacefully crying my sentiment to the wind
Over the phone, and across her heart resting
Its rest of waiting to be melted into mine
My lips sing the song of silence
Mis labios cantan la canción del silencio
Beautifully sprouting into despair.
Night: Reuniting in Moonlight
Brianna Myricks
I am at the booth illuminated by the moonlight taking pictures
Crystal darkness shown through my flashlight
I am scared, I am terrified of hearing my grandmother’s voice after years of loss
Listening to the ill-lit lantern awakening my fear
I take a deep breath and gather courage to finally answer the phone
I close my eyes, imagining her beautiful face when she would smile at me
Making me feel delighted
She said, “hello, sweetheart,” in her usual soft, sweet voice
I said, “hello, Grandma, it’s me, Brianna,” in my changed, grown-up voice.
We went on speaking and crying and laughing
Memories that have united us
To approach us to this moment
We talked about mystery, psychological, and romantic thrillers of pages enough
To connect us to our love of reading
I told her about the latest thriller, suspense and psychological fiction I am reading:
Watching You by Lisa Jewell, the story takes place in a rich neighborhood where everyone is a suspect in a twisty whodunit. This reminds me how Natalie Barelli’s form of writing in every book about rich people is suspect of a different type of mystery. These two authors add unexpected twists to make their books unforgettable.
Like my grandma.
She was here with me on the other line
I shifted the conversation to how I am doing
I said, “Grandma, I got my high school diploma recently.”
“That is amazing, baby.”
At that moment, I really want to see her smile
I believe that right now she is smiling.
I also wish I could hug her.
Please, one last time.
“I found out my passion is helping, and I am going to be a registered nurse.”
“I’m glad you found a career,” she said. “I always thought about how sweet you are.”
“Really?”
“I watched you grow into a beautiful, mature and caring person.”
I am crying on the other end of the line because suddenly I realize she means she has been watching over me in her spirit.
“Grandma, I didn’t know you have been watching over me.”
“Yes. That is what people do in their spirit after they die. They want to make sure everyone they love is safe.”
“I thought of that, but I wasn’t sure if it was true.”
“I remember when you were in middle school, you met this wonderful perfect girl who wore glasses.”
I realized she was talking about my best friend, Donaji.
“How much you have changed, Brianna. You havce become the woman who has gone beyond my expectations. I feel so proud.”
I hold back the emotions gathered in my heart as I wish to never leave the phone, to never end this call.
The hours are flying like the owl’s wings gathering into the clouds
I want to hear her voice forever
And yet the howling moon makes the curtain night shallow.
“I have to go now. It is so wonderful reuniting with you after all these years. I am so proud of you and keep up the good work.”
“Bye, Grandma. I miss you so much and I love you, too.”
I am crying now because I don’t want her to hang up the phone.
This is the moment I dreaded.
“I want you to remember this before I go. You always reminded me of myself. I love you, and I miss you, too.”
I knew she was going to say that because I realized it myself. But hearing it from her felt amazing. I felt good talking to her.
Now I walked to my car, but befgore I got in I looked at the phone booth and saw her spirit. She was smiling at mme, and I smiled back as I drove away to remember her for years to come.
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This 1-minute video lets you share and explain to your friends and family how POPS the Club cultivates an inclusive space for youth who have been stigmatized and silenced by their experiences with the carceral system. Our clubs build positive self-identity through peer and adult support and understanding fostered by shared experiences. We empower students to achieve their full potential by creating a loving community and encouraging self-expression. — Tracy Harper
Dear Friends, POPS’ upcoming anthology will officially be published on April 15, 2022, by www.outofthewoodspress.com.
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