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MuseTheSummer 2015
Stanly Community College Literary and Visual Arts Magazine
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The Muse
Lorri Barrier
Josh Gooch
English InstructorHumanities Dept. HeadStanly Community College
French artist Henri Matisse once said, “Creativity takes courage.” Consider the courage it takes for each artist and writer represented in this issue of The Muse to share a bit of their vision with us. We are fortunate to have this magazine to display the creative work of our students, faculty, and staff . As you read the prose and poetry on these pages and view these beautiful images, consider how the act of creating is an act of courage. In this way, we are all artists, all capable of evoking emotion with acts of creativity. I thank everyone who contributed time and energy to make this publication possible. I consider each piece of writing and each work of art a gift. MayThe Muse bring you joy.
Program HeadAdvertising & Graphic DesignStanly Community College
As I have seen this latest version of The Muse come together, I have been thinking back on the past few years and the amount of work that we have seen published in each issue of The Muse. It’s been really fun to look back at the past few issues and reminisce over the artists and writers that have helped contribute, and not simply take the work at face value, but remember the students that created this work. Our 2015 edition of The Muse is another opportunity to take a moment and recognize the talents that were here on campus this year and really appreciate and showcase this talent. Each edition of The Muse off ers us archives this talent that we can say were helpful contributors to the culture here at Stanly Community College, and that is something I am happy to be a part of.
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Stanly Community College
100 yards 3 Murrells Inlet 2 8
Storm 3 In Memory of Lottie Massey 9
Snow Day 4 Macro Symmetry 9
He Just Is 4 Bynum Front Porch 10
Not Alone 5 My Slippers 10
Dock 5 Missing You 11
My Dragon Tale 6 Gentle Creek Fall 12
Bubble Dreams 6 Tree 13
My Dragon Tail 7 Transcendence 13(cont.)
My Little Addiction 14Mini Falls 7
Road 14Murrells Inlet 8
Table Of Contents
Cover art and layout done by Advertising & Graphic Design student
Graham Russell.
The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the opinions of Stanly Community College (SCC). All poetry and artwork is assumed to be the original and free expression of the artists represented. The Muse is a literary and art magazine published once a year by Stanly Community College’s English, Advertising & Graphic Arts, and the Stanly Early College (SEC) Divisions. No part of this material content shall be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the college. Any comments or questions about our publication should be directed to Michelle Peifer, Director of Marketing and Communications at 704-991-0393 or [email protected].
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The Muse
Simply 100 yards apart from each other.A few days before, that distance would haveseemed like a meaningless and simple walk.But now, as my seven year old eyes lookthrough the window at the more than familiar house, I would have given every possession I owned in exchange for thedestruction of those 100 yards.For in that familiar house, the woman whohad defined strength to me from the momentI had taken my first breathlay helpless within her own body.And no matter how many times I pleadedor cried to let me near her, I was instantly hushed by distant sirens and desperate prayers whispered in my ears.
100 Yards
Storm
Ashley Pacheco-Lujano, SEC Sophomore
Andira Lambert, SCC Student
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Stanly Community College
Snow Day
He Just Is
Jessica Gann, SCC Student
Tia Patterson, SEC SeniorHe is honey to me.
He is the Northern Lights. He is the abyss of emotions inside of me.
He is the action of me looking down and blushing. He is the energy that unfreezes this bleak precipice. He is the bioluminescence everyone marvels over.
He is the transparent kiss you feel when you’re wide awake at night, The one that eases you into slumber.
He is the warmth radiating from your coffee. He is your focus when you have forgotten everything else.
He is the Pleiadian pair of eyes that greet you when you astrally project. He is the irregular heart palpitation that you somehow don’t mind, and even welcome.
He is the reflection under the lake furtively gazing into your glimmering opal eyes. He is the original and the understudy.
He just is.
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The Muse
I've never felt so alone in a crowded place,It's so hard trying to paint this smile on my face.I watch people walk by me,I can't stop feeling so empty.Questions pile into my head like a confusing symphony.
Why can't I talk to people like everyone else?Why do I have to stay to myself?Do people even notice my existence?Are people staying away because it of my stubborn resistance?
I feel like I'm the one to blame.Does anyone else feel the same?Am I the only one who feels alone?
No. I'm not the only one who feels this way,many people go through even worse everyday.I realized this the day you came into my life.You saved me.Thank you for being there.Thank you for the care.I'm so grateful for you.You'll never realize all that you do.
My life isn't as difficult as I thought.I wouldn't ever guess how this lesson would be taught.I never thought you'd be the one to teach me all of this.Now my life is true bliss.Thank you.
Not Alone
Dock
Emily Beck, SEC Sophomore
Cindi Poole, SCC Faculty
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Stanly Community College
My Dragon Tale
Bubble Dreams
Luke Carpenter, SEC Junior
PJ Ingram, SCC Student
It was late one summer evening, warm and humid and foggy, disgusting conditions for hunting weather, but John was still out there. The moon had already crept up and was slowly slinking down, like a wounded animal, and John was tiring rapidly. Waiting for his prey to come waltzing through the trees, but what he would find lurking in the woods that night, would be much, much bigger. He knew his wife would worry, he didn’t usually stay out this late, but he was sick of going home empty handed. He had been known as the greatest hunter in the village, but lately he had never caught or killed anything more than a few rabbits and one fox. But not tonight, tonight he would bring home the largest deer yet, and he would feed his family for a week with the single catch, yes he would do this! Or at least he thought. John waited for a little while longer with no sign, not even a sound; he began to wonder if his luck would ever come back, or if he would just be remembered as John-who-lost-his-touch. But then he heard (Cont. on page 7)
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The Muse
something moving through the woods, off in the distance, but coming closer, his heart was pounding. He drew an arrow and was poised toward the sound; we waited and waited for what seemed like ages, then he finally saw it, in the misty moonlight he saw his beautiful catch, this was twice the size he had imagined it to be, this would feed his family for a month! He drew back as far as he could, straining and holding his breath, he aimed...and let it fly. THWAP! He had hit his target! Though not where he intended to, he had wished to hit the deer in its heart, but missed and hit its stomach. But no matter! His shot would guarantee the kill as long as he followed it. The deer screamed in agony, and bolted from where it was standing, it was wounded and terrified, so John sprinted after it. He chased it all the way to a clearing and as he exited the woods, he looked up just in time to see a terrifyingly large black mass swoop down with great force and grab the deer. John was taken aback, terri-fied and amazed, all at once, scared for his life, he turned and ran back into the woods, terrified that the beast would soon come for him as well. He waited and watched, in anger and fear, he hated and admired that beast all in equal measure, it was an amazing hunter, he hadn’t even noticed its presence until it had already caught its prey, and he didn’t believe the deer was even aware until it felt the beast’s claws clench its massive body. It must have been incredibly strong to be able to lift such large prey as well! As soon as he felt it had been long enough he raced home, he thought to himself, how amazed will the children be, their dad saw a real, live...DRAGON.
My Dragon Tale (Continued)Luke Carpenter, SEC Junior
Mini FallsJosh Gooch, SCC Faculty
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Stanly Community College
Murrells Inlet
Murrells Inlet 2
Chris Lentz, SCC Student
Chris Lentz, SCC Student
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The Muse
Beauty from within is all you sawEven the darkness could not enter her soulShe went beyond what superman could do
She taught me almost everything I know
From kitchen duties to making a quiltShe even threw in a couple life lessons
She had taught me to love life unconditionally,
To never be afraid of anything in lifeAnd no matter what, succeed at what I wanted
She made my dreams sound amazing,
Reachable and worthy of my timeShe didn’t want to see me fail at something
She always knew how to brighten a dayWhether it be mine or someone else’s
She was just really good at that
She never hurt your feelingsBut if she did, it was surely by mistake
She never wanted to see you upset
All in all she was outstandingShe was great with people and animals
Which is why she was a nurse
She was all these things and moreThen the cancer came and hurt her
She was always in pain from the disease
I wanted to take it away so badlyBut I knew I couldn’t do that
As much as I wanted to see her better
The cancer was gone…FinallyAfter all the pain she had enduredShe deserved everything and more
But soon after recovery the demon returned
She couldn’t fight it this time and chose her pathShe died shortly after my birthday and Christmas.
In Memory of Lottie MasseyKaitlyn Massey, SEC Sophomore
Macro SymmetryJosh Gooch, SCC Faculty
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Stanly Community College
My SlippersMiles Shen, SEC Sophomore
Bynum Front PorchJessica Gann, SCC Student
I remember her being slim. Slippers lay down for a nice nap.Her body was dark and her feet were white. The house was warm and quiet
The fluff from her coat was very soft. For we knew this was her final slumber.She was quite calm for a feline. I recall it being a cold day in December.
It was a cold New Years Eve. Slippers was a loving creature.For the past few days she had been tired. Enjoying all moments of her life,
She slept sweetly and purred softly. She was tender and devoted.She was very old for it was her eighteenth year. I will forever love my Slippers.
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The MuseYou weren’t there for my first day of school,
My new friends were walked in by both of their parents, I was missing you.
You weren’t there for my science fairs,My friends introduced their dads to me,
I was missing you.
You missed my spelling bees,My best friend’s dad came up to congratulate me,
I broke down in tears, I was missing you.
I didn’t have a date to go to father-daughter dances with,My friends told me how much fun they had with their dads,
I was jealous, I was missing you.
You missed my first day of high school,I wanted you to tell me everything would be ok,
I was missing you.
You weren’t there to threaten boys who wanted to date me,My uncle had his shotgun at the door when boys picked up my cousin,
I was missing you.You missed my prom and high school graduation,
My mom, grandma, and uncles gave me roses and balloons,I was missing you.
You weren’t there to help me move into my college dorm,My guy friends from high school helped mom and me carry the heavy stuff,
I was missing you.
You weren’t at my college graduation,I spotted my mom in the crowd crying as soon as I entered the auditorium,
And I was missing you.
You missed so many important events in my life,Times I wanted to celebrate with you, or be comforted by you,
And I was missing you.
You won’t be at my wedding, I will be walked down the aisle by one of my uncles,
I will dance the traditional father-daughter dance with my rock, my mom,And I won’t be missing you.
You won’t be there for the birth of my children,My first son will be named after my grandfather,
My first daughter after my mom, And I won’t be missing you.
You weren’t part of my past, I don’t want you in my future,
Thank you for the strength you’ve given me,I am no longer missing you.
Missing YouKrystle Holt, SCC Student
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Stanly Community College
Gentry Creek Fall Chris Lentz, SCC Student
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The Muse
TreeAndria Lambert, SCC Student
Kimberly Ogle, SCC student
Transcendence Gazing at your flawless face,looking so peaceful and full of grace,
I wonder how it came to bethat you would somehow belong to me.
With a gentle sigh, a twitch of your cheek,my life became yours, my heart became weak.
Yet somehow, I’m stronger than ever beforenow that I have you, my dear, to adore.How did I live, not knowing this love
that I was suddenly so capable of?I feared that I couldn’t be a good Mom,
that I wasn’t going to be able to keep calmthrough all of your rage or anxiety.But it turns out that in all actuality
I just needed the motivation to keep me strong,to show me that it was okay to be wrong.
To show me that parents don’t determine the child,and I could be serene when my parents had been wild.
That, when given the chance to make the choice,I could be different, in actions and voice.
I just needed a reason, and I finally found one.He is my port in the storm, and I call him my Son.
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Stanly Community College
I didn’t mean to become addicted.
It started as an innocent thing to do when I was bored.
Faster and faster I started to turn to it almost 3, no 4 times a day.
I’m hooked.
I pull it out now out of habit.
It entertains me.
I can play for hours with this small little device that steals my time.
I can’t let it go.
I’ve done it again.
Beat my high score on my favorite iPhone game: Diamond Dash.
My Little AddictionLeah Joyner, SCC Student
RoadAndria Lambert, SCC Student
Gazing at your flawless face,looking so peaceful and full of grace,
I wonder how it came to bethat you would somehow belong to me.
With a gentle sigh, a twitch of your cheek,my life became yours, my heart became weak.
Yet somehow, I’m stronger than ever beforenow that I have you, my dear, to adore.How did I live, not knowing this love
that I was suddenly so capable of?I feared that I couldn’t be a good Mom,
that I wasn’t going to be able to keep calmthrough all of your rage or anxiety.But it turns out that in all actuality
I just needed the motivation to keep me strong,to show me that it was okay to be wrong.
To show me that parents don’t determine the child,and I could be serene when my parents had been wild.
That, when given the chance to make the choice,I could be different, in actions and voice.
I just needed a reason, and I finally found one.He is my port in the storm, and I call him my Son.
Albemarle Campus Crutchfield Center141 College Drive 102 Stanly Parkway
Albemarle NC, 28001 Locust NC, 28097(704) 982-0121 www.stanly.edu (704) 888-8848
