Chavez

Literary

Magazine

Issue One

CLM

Issue One

Spring 2014

Chavez Literary Magazine is published

annually with support from Cesar E. Chavez

High School. We accept submissions from

currently enrolled high school students at

CHS.

Cesar E. Chavez High School

8501 Howard Drive

Houston, Texas 77017

Mission Statement

CLM seeks to tell our community’s stories

and strives to develop our community’s story

tellers.

Editors

Aileen Teniente

Angie Nunez

Bernie Flores

Daniel Riojas

Diana Molina

Francisco Guerrero

Jennifer Nguyen

Jonathan Escobar

Keila Morin

Nancy Molina

Noemi Archudia

Priscilla Guerrero

Sonia Barrera

Thao Dang

Thomas Mejia

Tiara Lowery

Faculty Advisors

Amber Criswell

Christina Saldivar

Elizabeth Micci

Michael Glazner

Contents

Fiction

The Day I Checked In Justin Cofield (8)

Untitled Nancy Molina (9)

Sometimes it is Too Late Thao Dang (11)

Eyes of Life Thao Dang (12)

The Deep Underwater Tiara Lowry (13)

Divine Destiny (Chapter One) Yesennia Perez (14)

Poetry

“Despair” is a thing with scales Brian Gonzalez (21)

Delicious Dulce Ramos (22)

What My Heart Feels Ernesto Gutierrez (23)

My Moon Luisa L. Perez (25)

February Natalie Olmos (27)

My Story Randall Valle (28)

No Petals Samaris Velasquez (30)

Understand ME Samaris Velasquez (31)

Last Breath Taken Sebastian Sanchez (32)

Memories Shea Baxter (34)

Contents

Poetry

What is Happiness? Thao Dang (35)

Insecure World Thao Dang (36)

Valley of Death Thao Dang (37)

Immortal Hope Thao Dang (38)

Golden Eye Tre’Von DeWalt (40)

Façade Yesennia Perez (41)

Nonfiction

A Time When I Had a Challenge Jessica Caballero (43)

Why Teachers Teach Phillip Nelson (45)

Lyrics

My Heart Yesennia Perez (47)

Original Artwork and Photography

Chavez PREP Block Party Alexis Giron (45)

Bayou Snap Angie Nunez (13)

Half a Trunk Angie Nunez (22)

Contents

Original Artwork and Photography

House Number Angie Nunez (26)

Old Truck Angie Nunez (40)

Blossom Tree Angie Nunez (20)

Roads Angie Nunez (46)

Swamp Pathway Angie Nunez (7)

Telephone Line Angie Nunez (42)

Tree Reflection Angie Nunez (34)

Anaphora Daniel Riojas (39)

Ellipsis Daniel Riojas (29)

Epistrophe Daniel Riojas (10)

Imagery Daniel Riojas (24)

Paradox Daniel Riojas (49)

Color wanting to take over Darkness Elena Arvelo (19)

Le Onion Isaac Luna (48)

Untitled Tram Tran (30)

Fiction

Swamp Pathway

Angie Nunez

Justin Cofield

The Day I Checked In

The day I checked in, you checked out. It has been almost 3 weeks and my day

of reckoning is upon me. Believe it or not, I was in this mysterious place where

there was a human-sized brick connected to one of the four walls and a window

with an extraordinary view that gave me that small taste of reality.

The fear of your well-being was on my mind constantly. When I check in, I

was unable to ask, for my mind was set on the worst. The last time we laid eyes, it

was painful seeing you in that hospital bed unable to speak because they drugged

you up for surgery. I know I was your favorite and I wish I was there to see you

one last time.

Fears become reality just like dreams do. It has been almost 3 weeks since I

have been in this mysterious place, and my day of reckoning was in actuality my

day of release. Still, while I was out in the land of the free the question I was

dying to ask was, “Hey Mom, how is Unc? Is he getting better?” Yet, I didn’t have

the heart to ask.

“Justin, there is something you need to know.”

The day I was incarcerated was the same day I lost my only blood uncle. Not

only did I not get to see him once more, but I was unable to attend his funeral.

My fear became a part of my life. Now my next question is: how do I live it?

8

Nancy Molina

Untitled

The whole crowd, including me and him, had just finished thanking Usher for

a great night. He was still holding my hand. To avoid traffic I told him, “Baby,

let’s go,” and we passed by people still excited from the concert. He stopped me in

front of the steps. He took both of my hands and was just smiling at me with the

most sweet and nervous look on his face. He looked into my eyes and was quiet for

a short while. He then noticed that more people were coming that needed to go up

the stairs, so he moved me to a side and got down on one knee. My heart was racing.

A mix of emotions burst in me as I saw this amazing man about to propose to

me. He still held my hand. He looked into my eyes and asked, “Baby, will you marry

me?” It took me not even a minute. I answered in a matter of seconds, I told him

“yes! ” He gave me a smile that was full of happiness because he had achieved

taking the big step in us. We both were hugging each other tightly and didn’t want

to let go. We told each other the three magic words and after we had let go from

embracing, I leaned to his ear and told him, “I don’t ever regret meeting you,” and

he let out the a cheerful laugh. We were going up the stairs and as we were

leaving I just couldn’t get rid of the cheesy smile on my face. That moment I will

never forget. And that man that I love was still holding my hand and as time

passes by, he still will be holding my hand and I holding his.

9

Epistrophe

Daniel Riojas

10

Thao Dung

Sometimes it is Too Late

I watched her as she sat upon the edge of the cliff and stared down into the

water. It was a beautiful night. It was a full moon and the amount of light shown

onto the water was just perfect. She suddenly stood up, still staring down. She

whispered something, and just then a light breeze passed by her. It was as if

nature was working on bringing her message around the world. Seconds later, her

reflection was gone. The water rippled and bubbled. That night, the people of the

town could not sleep. They all heard a voice that was quite familiar. It was a

whisper against their ears, “sometimes, it is too late.” Nobody understood this, and

life continued.

But I knew what she meant. I was in class with her that day. That day in

class, a teacher told the class how it is never too late to help someone. I guess

she was right.

11

Thao Dung

Eyes of Life

As she dances across the stage, the light follows her. She is like a

moon shining bright in a dark sky. My eyes follow her through the window. Upon

setting your eyes on her, you are captivated. Her presence alone can mesmerize a

roomful of audience. It is as if they were in a trance. Their eyes follow her with

every step that she takes. Her beauty is indescribable. Her smile alone can make

you feel eternal happiness.

—

As I dance onto the stage, I can feel it. I can feel the heavy atmosphere of

the room. I can feel the evil thoughts that float above. And it struck me. These

dark presences were from the audience. The eyes of the audience were like

lightning, trying to strike me down at any chance that they get. They were not

stares of amazement and support; they were death stares that speak hatred. These

people hated me. I could tell because I have seen these eyes before. They were on

the faces of my mom, dad, and all the people I knew. I learned to recognize these

eyes when I was 12, when I overheard my family talking, wearing these same eyes

on their faces. They wished that I never existed. Apparently, I was too cold, too

quiet. I am neither charming nor sweet. My answers were always so blunt. And

today I see them again. My show has ended and I left the theater immediately. I

can’t stand watching those people clap while bringing me back to the past. That is

not happening. Not after all that I had done to get away from it. The car starts

and I am headed to a new city, a city that will take me farther away from my

family, the one that I left 25 years ago.

12

Tiara Lowry

Eyes of Life

The deep underwater reflects free light through its many liquid layers at

the bottom, awaiting a retrieval of swift greatness.

The wait lasts forever as I try and try again to fret not but my worst fears

live as I am left at the bottom, waiting.

Aimlessly watching the light flicker and taunt me by showing off its soft

movements that can easily put onlookers into a mystified trance.

The delicate movements remain undisturbed no matter what obstacle floats by

and ripples the water far more.

If anything, this allowed the radiance to shine brighter and to move with a

fluidity that screams perfection and ultimate beauty.

But the witness at the bottom can no longer do anything.

Her attention is fully directed to the aurora shown above her.

Salvation fades away as an option due to the limitations of oxygen but in

this moment, she wants nothing more than to drown in the feathery luminescence

amongst her.

Bayou Snap

Angie Nunez

13

Yesennia Perez

Divine Destiny

Chapter One

Her parents were dead. She had stood by and watched as the dark cloaked man

slaughtered them with a mere swing of his scythe. The tears were overwhelming

and they stung her eyes. She watched the limp bodies of her parents fall upon the

carpet, their blood seeping closer to her. She couldn’t hold back the sobs that

ripped out of her twelve year old chest, which caused her body to tremble so

violently.

The green irises pierced through those of the murderer who was making his

way toward her. The only thing visible to her teary gaze were the crimson orbs

that weren’t shadowed by the black hood he wore. The man lifted the lethal weapon

and a piercing scream echoed around her as a sharp pain ripped through her right

shoulder.

Alexialle awakened with a start, her right hand flying to her hammering

chest. It was beating so erratically against her hand that she believed it might

erupt from her body any moment. She tried to breathe as her left hand supported

the weight of her body, which was shivering. It had all been a dream. No, it had

been a memory. A memory of when she was younger. A tragic memory she had buried

away six years ago. So why did she have to remember it now? She disentangled her

legs from the silken blue covers that were drenched with sweat, along with her

nightgown. She swung her legs down to the edge of the bed and walked along the

white carpeted floor to her dressing table, sitting in order to glance at her

reflection in the mirror. The face which stared back at her shocked her into near

silence.

Her fair skin was sheen with sweat, her wavy red hair lay open, her head

like a robin’s nest would be on a tree. But all she could see were the twin emerald

pools that stared back at her. They showed the knowledge of her suffering. Of her

loss. And the very pained wisdom within them caused a choked sob to rip from her

chest. Laying her head on top of the dresser, she closed her eyes and took deep

breaths to try and regulate her breathing.

She sighed and turned away from the mirror, pushing herself off the chair.

Heading to the closet, she grabbed a white hoodie and a black skirt that exposed

her long dancer legs. She pulled on a pair of white flats before heading to the

door.

14

Yesennia Perez

She didn’t bother to grab her backpack since she couldn’t remember where she had

placed it, and she had been much too busy to have bought another one. Pulling the

door open, she took a deep breath of the morning air and her body relaxed slightly

at the pine scent. The woods surrounding her neighborhood were always lush and

they gave her a feeling of security.

As soon as she placed a foot outside a slight breeze blew through her red

hair, toying with the scarlet strands. Despite the calmness in the wind, she sensed

the malice enveloped within it. Instantly, her body tensed at the possible and

unseen threat. A hand rose to touch the air above her, watching it glisten as the

breeze enshrouded her slim digits. Her eyes widened slightly as a violet light

twirled along her fingers. She pulled her hand away in shock unable to register

what had just happened. It wasn’t normal.

She was not going to allow herself to investigate the situation any

further. Alexialle walked through the silent neighborhood, making her way to the

corner known as the bus stop. She had decided to put the event from earlier out of

her mind. Although she didn’t want to investigate it, she knew her curiosity would

get the better of her. It seemed like eons since she last stood there, having had

the best summer of her life. Excluding her ability to sense auras and being

Suddenly and immensely empathetic. A small frown marred her lips as she thought

about the day it had first happened.

It had occurred at the beach when she was with her friends. Her boyfriend

had been acting rather strangely and she had begun to worry. It only took her a

couple of seconds to see that there were shimmering colors and shapes surrounding

his form. Taking it as a chance to find out about his sudden distance from her, she

had searched for answers and had come up with auras. Suffice to say, she was

rather angered at the answers she received and wanted nothing to do with aura

reading. Occupied with her thoughts, she didn’t see her friend Raven tiptoe to

where she stood.

“Hey! ” Raven greeted, throwing her arms around a very startled Alexialle.

She turned around just in time to have Raven wrap her arms around her waist and

tackle her down. Luckily, she had moved enough so they landed on the grass rather

than the sidewalk. Alexialle laughed softly at her friend’s actions and stood up.

“Hey yourself,” responded Alexialle, smiling down at her friend before

holding out a hand to help her up. Dusting herself off, her emerald oculars fell

upon the black one strap backpack. Her backpack.

15

Yesennia Perez

She reached out and pulled it up, studying the worn leather with the red dragon

stitched on the front and the gold locket hanging from the single strap; the

locket her mother had given her for her birthday just a few days before the

murder of her parents. Closing her eyes tightly, she took a deep breath and pulled

the locket off of the strap. It still angered her that the press had called her

parent’s murder a ‘freak accident’.

“Oh, you left your bag at my house yesterday, so I decided to bring it back,”

Raven confessed, running a hand through her black hair. Alexialle lifted her

green irises to gaze into Raven’s violet ones. Raven was the only one who knew how

badly her parent’s death had impacted her, what she had begun to experience after

it. She was the only one who knew what had happened, because she had been there

too.

“Thanks, Raven,” her voice was hardly above a whisper, but she knew her

friend heard her nonetheless. Her friend blushed at the thanks and shifted

slightly. Alexialle always found it rather endearing that her friend was

uncomfortable with any gratitude. Especially when she had merely done it out of

the goodness of her heart. They stood there in silence as the bus made its way

toward them, opening its double doors as soon as it was parked before them.

Stepping into the vehicle, Alexialle and Raven sat opposite each other. It wasn’t

that they were only friends outside of school or anything, which they were, but

they had always preferred to sit alone. It was a habit more than anything. Besides,

they both knew they were of different social circles, and they couldn’t afford

messing with the way the school was run.

Alexialle turned her head to face the window, her eyes meeting the tail

lights of her red Porsche. If she hadn’t misplaced her keys she could have been

driving it to school. She had received it as an eighteenth birthday present from

her aunt and uncle. They had adopted her after the death of her parents and

despite the fact that they loved her, Alexialle had left two months after her

seventeenth birthday. Priscilla and John Matthews, her aunt and uncle, had always

been too busy with their jobs to really look after her. Her Aunt Priscilla was a

famous photographer and her Uncle John was a high ranking lawyer. Alexialle was

proud of them and she never minded being left home alone. In a way, she loved it

more than she would ever let on. The last thing she wanted to do was make them

think she was ungrateful.

She had to stifle a laugh as the memory of her departure came to mind.

16

Yesennia Perez

Her Aunt Priscilla was rather hilarious in her own way, and she believed only

her uncle could ever really deal with her little quirks.

“Are you leaving us because we were never there for you?” her aunt asked,

tears welling in her eyes. Alexialle felt the guilt stab through her but tried

hard to ignore it. She had to leave. She was going through so many things and

didn’t want her aunt or uncle involved. They had already been through enough by

simply taking her in. With a small smile on her face, she placed her hands on her

hips and faced them head on.

“It’s not that. You were there for me when I needed it most. You gave me a

home when I lost mine, clothed me, and loved me as if you were my own parents. I

will never be able to repay your kindness,” she said, hugging her sobbing aunt and

kissing her uncle. Her uncle blushed slightly and scoffed at the affection.

“We hardly did anything. With everything your parents left you, you would

have done just fine on your own. We practically interfered. It was our own selfish

desire to have you near us,” her aunt replied, tears now spilling down her cheeks.

“Ha! I actually think we saved her Priscilla with how little she can cook! ”

her uncle teased, that usual glint in his eyes and a slight smirk on his lips.

Alexialle pouted and playfully glared at her uncle.

“Says the one who refuses to call a professional when something breaks in

the house. You’re not the greatest handyman,” she countered, crossing her arms

over her chest. Laughter bubbled from her aunt and she glanced over at her uncle.

He winked at her and gave her a thumbs up which she returned. Whenever her aunt

was upset, they learned their bickering always cheered her up.

Alexialle shook her head as if to shake away the negativity that now filled

her already cluttered head. She had missed them ever since she had decided to

leave, and she hadn’t called them for nearly a week. Her aunt was probably sick

with worry. Due to her thoughts occupying her attention, Alexialle had not seen

the man walk in and sit beside her. She hadn’t paid attention to any of the

whispered comments being made or the looks being sent their way. So when he

turned to speak to her, she practically jumped out of her seat. After calming

herself, she glanced back at him and analyzed him with a critical eye.

He had shoulder length midnight black hair, an aristocratic nose, a firm and

set mouth. The broad shoulders and muscled chest could not be hidden by the black

leather jacket he wore. More than anything though, she couldn’t help but notice

his eyes.

17

Yesennia Perez

They were the color of the clearest and cloudless blue skies, even seeming to be

just as heavenly. But that’s not why they caught her attention. He was staring at

her with such intensity that it was near impossible to look away. His eyes bore

into hers and had a shiver running down her back within seconds. At the moment,

she couldn’t tell whether it was pleasant or otherwise.

What was going on? Why wouldn’t he look away? She hadn’t noticed that their

faces had gotten closer, that their noses were practically touching. It only took a

few seconds for her to realize she wasn’t breathing. Alexialle took a deep breath,

breaking their contact. She almost sighed with relief but stopped herself. There

was no need to have him getting any wrong ideas.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable,” his voice was like

silk, soft and pleasant. Letting a smile form on her lips, she let her eyes meet

his. The intensity was not as prominent as it had been before, but it still caused

her to inch away slightly. No need to make that last incident a habit. It seemed he

noted since his eyes glanced down for a split second before returning to her face.

“It’s alright, you don’t have to apologize for startling me. I should have

been more attentive,” was her reply. She reached her hand out to his and almost

pulled it back as a jolt of electricity raced through her body. Her eyes widened

slightly at the unexpected surge of disappointment that filled her at the short

contact. She was beginning to feel very uncomfortable in this man’s presence, and

she couldn’t help and wonder why.

“My name is Raphael,” he said, his mouth turning up into a small smile. It

seemed to be upturned slightly so she could almost assume he was holding back a

smirk. Anger boiled within the surface of her calm, but she held back her temper

and simply smiled at him. He was momentarily startled by her reaction it seemed.

The smirk had fallen a bit and he was almost frowning now. Nodding, Alexialle

took her hand back and lay it on her lap. There was a bit of satisfaction in

knowing she hadn’t done as he expected. No doubt he thought she would jump up,

yell at him, and possibly even slap him. Which is something she would have done if

it weren’t for one thing. She could still feel the shock of his touch in her hand,

in her body, and she didn’t want to risk touching him again.

“I’m Alexialle,” she returned his greeting and turned away, confusion taking

up all the space in her mind and pushing everything else aside. Her thoughts

strayed to the electrical surge that went through her body at the contact, and she

couldn’t help but wonder about his gaze from earlier.

18

Yesennia Perez

Looking over his shoulder, she caught Raven’s violet gaze and set her mouth in a

thin line. Her friend glanced at the man beside her and her eyes hardened. No

doubt they would both be discussing this soon.

Color wanting to take over Darkness

Elena Arvelo

19

Poetry

Blossom Tree

Angie Nunez

Brian Gonzalez

“Despair” is a thing with scales

“Despair” is a thing with scales-

That slithers in the soul-

And hisses without words-

And never walks -

And coldest-in the gale-is blood-

And runs the storm-

That could harm the little snake-

That kept so many secrets-

I’ve heard it in the grass-

And in the tree-

Yet, never, in the cold,

It asked for hope from me.

21

Dulce Ramos

Delicious

The dancing wind kept on blowing

In the middle between the dark

Shadows and the stunning rays touching

My white pale skin kindly

Running freely, the grass holding my bare feet

A white rabbit standing in front of me

Behind the trees

A scary man was standing with a rifle

Knowing what would happen next

I just stand frozen

My body would not move one inch

In my eyes saw the sadness

That the family of the rabbit would feel

Still the scary gentleman invited me

To his house to cook the tender animal.

Half a Trunk

Angie Nunez

22

Ernesto Gutierrez

What My Heart Feels

Tonight I will dream of you and you only,

as my head thinks of you, my heart feels lonely.

I much rather have you next to me tonight,

than to only see you during the daylight.

My empty heart is only full when I’m next to you,

and at night it only wonders where did you disappear to.

My heart cannot talk but it doesn’t stop beating for you,

and it will not stop beating until you break its rhythm.

My heart is only active when it feels your love,

My heart is cold at night but you help it stay warm with your hugs.

23

Imagery

Daniel Riojas

24

Luisa L. Perez

My Moon

"And after the moon came to lie next to the stars

The young girl became sad every night

You see...

The moon is a rock

That rock used to belong to the young girl

When she visited by the countryside

At night

She would watch all the stars with her rock

Until one night her rock spoke of the young girl going back home

To the city were there were no stars

The young girl thought of it as nothing

She knew she could return soon, another summer night in the countryside

Although when she returned to her city home

There she was with no stars for days and months

She felt lonely so she wanted to visit the rock again

But she stepped outside that night

There it was

No longer in her reach

No closer than it was before

It made her cry

She had so many tears for her rock

Where ever the rock would go her tears would follow

As it stayed so high

Then the next night came

Although the girl expected a dark night in her city home...

There it was, so

Bright

Beautiful

Alive

It was her Rock that never wanted to leave the young girls side

And every night it followed her

It made the young girl so happy

She lived forever in the city

25

Luisa L. Perez

With no stars and a Moon

The young girl looked deep into the moon one night

It was the brightest it had ever been

At first it looked like there was a man on the moon

But it resembled the face of a women, her grandmother.

The same old women who loves the stars in the night sky. "

House Number

Angie Nunez

26

Natalie Olmos

February

I hate that feeling.

The feeling when you’re sad, but

You have no idea why.

You feel so empty

When nothing in particular happened.

I’m asked what’s wrong but I can’t explain it.

It just feels like I miss someone I’ve never met.

Like I need someone,

But that someone doesn’t even need me.

The loneliness hovers over me.

I don’t even care that

I isolate myself.

Sadness is becoming my only friend.

Eventually it will be my only friend.

I want everybody to leave me alone, but

At the same time

I want someone to lie to me and tell me

Everything is going to be okay.

I simply loathe this feeling.

The feeling when you don’t

Even know what you’re feeling.

27

Randall Valle

My Story

there’s answers without questions and feelings with no cure.

finding questions without answers are like roses with no color.

everything breaks down, even a rock does

surprisingly a diamond will, too.

riches poor down only because everything has its point.

face it, don't look around.

look through it with no sound.

ears up above and feet to the ground.

eyes closed, don’t visualize.

open shut and realize .

recognize what’s seen, not what's said.

breath what you see, exhale what's not.

bury down what's done and dig up what not.

follow your heartbeat, not a rhythm strike.

28

Ellipsis

Daniel Riojas

29

Samaris Velasquez

No Petals

Why did it have to be you, that ugly flower in the whole garden? There's so many

beautiful flowers that I could of picked up but I chose you, the one with no petals

and big scars in your trunk, the one with the roots popping out of the ground,

maybe there's a hope in my heart that one day you will change and become that

perfect flower in the garden. But to my eyes you are perfect right now. I don't see

the defects you have, I don't want to see them. I'm blinded by the beauty you show

now. Let me take this step by step. I fell for the beauty on the outside, then for

the one on the inside, I fell for that little seed you planted in another flower’s

nest. I know you have committed a lot of mistakes, but I want to learn from them.

I want you to plant a seed in my nest and let me be the one that takes care of you

and help you become that gorgeous flower you are. You're already beautiful to me,

but you have to show the world you are that gorgeous flower I see.

Untitled

Tram Tran

30

Samaris Velasquez

Understand ME

I am always the one cheering everybody up, spitting jokes, transforming your tears

into laughs, transforming your pain into something you will never forget, a smile.

Is there anybody out there that can do that for me, is anybody out there that can

make me feel wanted, not as a girl. but as a person, is anybody out there that can

do what I do? Can you keep a smile even though you are dying inside? Can you make

everybody feel special? Can you give your support to those who need it? If a

person like me is out there can you scream or shout, “I'm here you, are not alone! ”

Am I the only one who feels alone? Can you tell me why there is pain in me? Can

you tell that behind my short hair, my medium size breasts, my strong accent, my

short nails, my big brown eyes, there's a girl screaming for her to be heard? Can

you tell I'm hurt? Can you tell I feel alone? I want to discover the world,

discover people, discover cultures, and discover ME? Who am I?

31

Sebastian Sanchez

Last Breath Taken

As I am watching my wife, on the hospital bed, push

The obstetrician secretly murmured under his surgical mask

Suddenly, his assistants made me get out in a rush

Though I was curious why, I had no time to ask

The hall was all quiet, except for this one kid who was told to shush

A nurse stepped out into the hallway and whispered to me

"I have really bad news, about your wife and kid, I'm sorry"

As I was about to ask what happened, she continued speaking quietly

"Your wife...um...she didn't make it..." My happiness that was momentary

Was about to end, they sorrowfully said, "you have a few minutes left with your

baby."

The nurse then guided me into the delivery room to see her

She walked up to me handed me my child with her glove that were dark jade

I instantly commenced to visualize my wife on a heart monitor

The obstetrician worried, her pulse starting to slowly fade

Tears rushed down my cheek and hugged my baby tighter

My wife and I were to come up with a name, but it's impossible

My child has left this world as well along with her mommy

I was left alone in this world to suffer and dawdle

Left alone, everyone I was once close to, gone, I had no family

I got home and threw myself onto my bed, I wish had something terminal

Anything to leave the cruel and unutterable world behind

This sensation is horrible, I have no reason to be here

I turn and find a letter above my dresser, good thing I'm not blind

I begin to unfold the letter and stared at it, her handwriting was so clear

Easily understandable, I found myself reading to myself in my mind

32

Sebastian Sanchez

"If you are reading this, then it must have already occurred

I didn't want to tell you there was a chance of me dying

While giving birth. I know, it's wrong, it's insane, it's absurd

I didn't know how to tell you, and you would've thought I was lying

I was worried of how you would react once you have heard

That I couldn't make it, that our child wouldn't make it

I wish our time together would've lasted much longer

I hope you live on, don't give up on life, grab a chair and sit

Start to think, believe that I will be watching over you, forever

Making sure you keep your head up, and don't fall into a dark pit

You are the best thing that ever happened to me in my life

Thank you for everything, I love you dear."

Oh...how I wish I can easily end this with a knife

I can't stand having no one to talk to and being alone here

I thought, "I understand why you hid it, but now I'll hold in strife,

I can't handle this! " I bolt towards my car to give my life a trim

I start the engine, angrily drive off, and find myself injured and bleeding

I hear screaming, "He aint gonna make it, we gonna lose him,"

I slowly shut my eyes, hoping I remain this way with no healing

I close my eyes and begin to hear angels softly singing a blissfully beautiful

hymn.

33

Shea Baxter

Memories

Is there any way to express how I feel?

The screen dances with blank pictures

As it plays off the old movie reel.

The bulbs are all burnt out on the light fixtures.

Memories swaying at the edge of life;

Static clogs the corners of sight.

The pain stings like a sharpened knife

As the guilt starts to bite

I'm left in the dark,

Two hours long,

Nothing to prove, not even a mark.

The music plays, the beat of my heart a song.

As my lungs breathe once more,

I start to fade.

My life, nothing but lore;

A tiny speck that could have never stayed.

Tree Reflection

Angie Nunez

34

Thao Dang

What is Happiness?

What is happiness?

Is it the smiles on our faces?

Or the laughter we sometimes let out?

Or could it be the moment that our brain is at ease the most?

This is the question that haunts me

That shadows me from the beginning of birth.

Could we really tell who is happy or not?

And I found the answer,

16 years later.

Happiness, does not exist.

It is simply a word that is used to make people feel better about themselves.

A word that brings comfort and an escape from reality.

You can’t tell who is truly happy or not because

Happiness does not exist.

We can dream it, wish for it,

But that doesn’t make it real.

Happiness is a lie.

35

Thao Dang

Insecure World

Goosebumps rise,

Faces turn pale.

These are our reactions…

My reactions

After forcing the Nazis to surrender

And start to free the people from the so-called concentration camps.

Their flesh,

Their heart,

Nothing is left of them.

They were stripped from humanity

And replaced with something more terrible than animals.

They are no longer men,

No longer women,

No longer children.

They are there

But not there.

They have lost everything,

Yet they used to have everything.

Seeing them,

Freeing them,

Makes me think of my children,

My descendants,

My future

And the world’s future.

How I don’t want to see this

How I don’t want to see this in the next generation.

This cruelty,

This inhumanity,

This era where nobody cares or pays attention.

I want the world to see

To see the mistake

And to never

Commit such a crime again.

36

Thao Dang

Valley of Death

I entered a field a week ago

Not knowing what it contained

But when I arrived

I knew what it held.

Dead flowers, dying leaves, lifeless creatures.

This horrid place lives in the shadow

With no light, no colors

Surviving on the blood of others

Feeding on them until they died.

As I rounded the corner

I can hear the cries.

Cries from a father,

Cries from a mother,

Cries from a family,

And I just walked past

Past the dying child

Leaving them behind

Not shedding a drop of tear

Just like everyone else.

And like this place

Nobody pays attention

And nobody cares.

Everything has become a routine

Including the corpses on the road.

We no longer have a heart

We no longer feel

Our heart and soul have been stolen

Stolen by the Nazis…

~Inspired by Everneath and Moon Over Manifest~

37

Thao Dang

Immortal Hope

I remember the last time I saw a flower.

It was a daisy,

A young daisy,

Crisp white with exactly ten petals,

In the center was a soft golden yellow, bright like the sun.

And now that I am here

I haven’t seen that daisy again

It wasn’t a special flower or anything

Just a plain one

But it was my friend

My comforter…

As I sat here

I saw it

Saw the daisy again.

It was the same one

Except smaller, younger

It was as if it had burrowed its way over here…

To me

To be my comforter again

And on its way…

Grow again

38

Anaphora

Daniel Riojas

39

Tre’Von DeWalt

Golden Eye

She sees the man with the golden eye.

Afraid to see and unknowing what to do.

The man with the eyes of a golden brick begins to die.

She fusses and fights but she thinks he is through.

Seeing the confusion and not knowing the fight.

The man grows love and starts to see three.

Three, as a family, was in his dream.

As he lies in the hospital bed he starts to believe.

He believes that the woman was beautiful with hair of silk and cream.

The woman sees him awake and now is relieved.

The man and woman starts to go.

Will the future of the three happen? … Who will ever know?

Old Truck

Angie Nunez

40

Yesennia Perez

Façade

You hide your tears and cry alone,

Never realizing that I know.

Why not break away from all that pain?

Why not fall for someone else instead?

Deep inside you know you're lying,

Acting like you don't care, when your heart is dying.

So, why do you stay where your tears mean shame?

Why do you beg for her love again?

I ask you, let it out,

Tear it up and break it down.

Because you're the one who deserves it most,

A chance to cry and a person to hold.

41

Nonfiction

Telephone Line

Angie Nunez

Jessica Caballero

A Time When I Had a Challenge

Life is full of challenges. Some are small and some are so big they can tear

you apart. These are not the first difficult challenges I have faced, but they have

been the hardest.

I would go to school, get home, cook, eat, do homework, shower, watch televi-

sion, and then sleep; my life was perfect. Everything changed on November 5th,

2010.

After arriving home with my sisters, my mom asked for all of us to sit down,

she had something important to tell us. “Pack up, we are leaving to México, your

grandfather Rodolfo is ill,” she said.

“Why don’t you go by yourself and we’ll take care of the house and dad?” I

asked.

“It’s an emergency, he might not even make it through today,” she replied.

I said nothing; I just turned around and a tear rolled down my cheek. We left

to México immediately after packing up. We arrived and the doctor said he didn't

have much of a chance of making it, but there could always be a miracle. He made

it through the night and by a couple of days he was slowly recovering. Due to his

condition, we stayed in México for nine months. Then he got better and we decided

to come back to Houston. Life would go back to normal, or so I thought.

A couple of days afterward, my mom and I came to Chávez to re-register for

school. The enthusiasm of me going back to school was enormous. I expected for my

sophomore year to be a lot better than my freshman year, yet to my disgrace I was

going to be required to retake my freshman year. According to the registration

lady, the papers from my school in México were worthless.

“This is just messed up, I would wake up at five in the morning and walk two

hours every day for the past nine months to go to school and now all you say is

that these papers are worthless and that it’s required for me to retake my fresh-

man year. Are you serious?” I said and then walked out went to the restroom and

cried.

A couple of hours later when we got home my sister Jacqueline came inside

my room and said, “You have a call.” It was my cousin Victor. He quickly said, “You

got this cousin, don’t worry, you’ll catch up,” and then hung up. He left me con-

fused, but yet he made me feel better.

43

Jessica Caballero

Finally, the first day of school arrived and I quickly signed up for extra

classes. Before anyone could notice I was catching up to my classes, and fast. Ah,

life was great…but, not for long.

It was May 4, 2012; my mom, sisters, and I were coming back home from

school. As we were walking towards our house we were joking and laughing. When

we got to the front door something didn't seem right.

“The door is open! ” my sister screamed. When we came in the house we saw

that everything was destroyed. I was carrying my little sister, and from the

impression, almost dropped her. When I went to my room to see the damages there I

found all my pictures in the floor ripped and our belongings all over the place.

We immediately called the police, but as usual, they couldn’t do much in this case.

We wanted to blame someone, but who? No one had seen who committed the crime.

After that my sister and I started working. It was difficult at first but we

suddenly got used to it. Our lives had dramatically changed in such an instant.

On January 17, 2013 a second burglary was committed. “Why us?” I would ask

at times. Then ten days later, only ten days later, my lovely grandfather Rodolfo

passed away. The pain and suffering inside of me was killing me. I had been broken

into pieces; I had not only failed, I had been slammed into the ground. For a

couple of days I wouldn't eat, smile, or do anything. I would just stay in my room

the whole day crying, searching for answers to my endless questions. Then one day

out of nowhere I remembered something my grandfather used to tell me when I was

little. He would hug me tight, carry me, put me in his lap, and say, “When things

in life get hard and you don’t find your way out don’t worry. Always remember

that when the night is at its darkest, it is because sunshine is coming soon. I

don’t want you to be weak; weak people fall and when they do, they don’t get up.

But you are a fighter and if you fall please promise me you’ll get up and fight

harder…always see the positive way of things, never forget this Jessie.”

I would smile, hug him, and pinky promise him that I would never forget his

words. After remembering his words I noticed that I didn't fail, I didn't lose. In

fact, I won. Not everyone is capable of staying strong like I did, going through

all the things that I've been through. Now I see life differently.

Currently I am in my right grade, top ten percent, and I am not going to say

that I have forgotten about my grandfather. Instead I would say that I have

learned how to confront life without him. Life is not easy, but you can’t just sit

back and let it break you, you have to fight back.

44

Phillip Nelson

Why Teachers Teach

Have you ever wanted to know why teachers teach us when they don't get paid

much? Being a teacher is not just a job, it is a chance to give back to the

community and the students. They know they don't earn much, but they still work

to teach us.

Mr. Duerr teaches us History and Economics; he has been teaching for eight

years. When I asked him why he became a teacher and why he still teaches he said,

“I wanted to have enough time to be with my family, and still be able to serve the

community. To find something you enjoy, and be paid to do it, is a blessing. That's

what I have found. You must be prepared

to serve and be willing to understand

other people as individuals, not just a

number or statistic."

Ms. Keaton teaches physics; she has

been teaching for eight years. When I

asked her why she wanted to be a teacher

and why she continues teaching she said,

"I love watching others learning, plus I

need to share knowledge to feel alive."

In conclusion, teachers teach us

because they want to give back to the

community, they love teaching, and they

want to see us succeed. These role models

came to help us learn and guide us in

the most successful direction, even

though most students don’t give them

credit. Teachers understand how critical

their job is and they are glad to be paid

a little just for the good of the Chavez PREP Block Party

students. Alexis Giron

45

Lyrics

Roads

Angie Nunez

Yesennia Perez

My Heart

My heart breaks as you hold me,

This fragile moment won't last for eternity.

Please don't let me go, hold me longer,

Tighten your embrace, bring us closer to the edge.

Deep inside the pain is buried, hidden from your soulful eyes,

And my heart is breaking, millions of pieces sorely aching.

Everything reminds me of you, every little thing I do,

Wish I could take a step forward, wish I could forget the agony.

Your voice echoes in my head, opening a wound I thought I had healed,

A blade wrenches into my chest, tearing out my heart,

Reminding me you were once there.

Blood pours out of this gash, drenching me in memories of a forgotten past,

Time hasn't mended my broken heart, time will continuously tear me apart.

Deep inside the pain is buried, hidden from your soulful eyes,

And my heart is aching, slowly and painfully breaking.

Every step you take, carries you further away,

Leaving me behind, drowning in your lies.

I fear my end is near, I know my time is here,

The light is fading away, darkness comes to stay.

My heart breaks as you hold me,

This fragile moment won't last for eternity.

Please don't let me go, hold me longer,

Tighten your embrace, bring us closer to the edge.

My heart is breaking, millions of pieces sorely aching,

Time hasn't mended my broken heart, time will tear me apart.

47

Le Onion

Isaac Luna

48

Thank you.

Thank you to the contributors.

Thank you to the students.

Thank you to the faculty and staff.

Thank you, Cesar E. Chavez High School.

And most of all,

Thank you to the reader.

The CLM Editors

Paradox

Daniel Riojas

49