Table of Contents

Volume IV, Issue 2

August 2025

From the Editor

Artwork

Home Sweet Home by Timothy Angel

The Wounded Man by William Douglas

Pet Lover by Billy Dunn

Spirit of the Wild by Neleh Geiger

Prison Postcard by Gerald Hoye

Butterfly Dreamcatcher by Danielle Lasley-Eakins

Hugs ‘n’ Kisses by Katja Mahannah

Shadow Woman by Katja Mahannah

Polar Vortex Set by Stephanie Pabst

Forgiven by Jazmyne Rosado

Mama’s boy by Jazmyne Rosado

Longing for Space by Sky Ryerson

Sky the Warrior Empress by Anthony Santiago

 

Poetry

Swallow by Noor Ahmed

Let It Go by Jacob Belcher

I Believe (song lyrics) by Ricardo Burgos, Jr.

Forever Stuck by Rasheeah Foster

What the River Is by Dinah Henry

Mixed Fruits by Gerald Hoye

WHY! by Gerald Hoye

Why I’m Writing by Scott Jackson

Skin Shells by Sophia Larimore

*Student Writing Awards, second place, poetry category

Your Receipt by Sophia Larimore

Empire for Eight Hours by Logan Lewis

The Things I Think of Instead of Cleaning My Room by Logan Lewis

Deadly View by Katja Mahannah

April by Annwyn Mahoney

A Crack of Thunder by Annwyn Mahoney

Hometown, or Another Just Like It by Annwyn Mahoney 

You say I am a demon by Essie Newton

I'm Sorry, Lover by Natalie Scott

A Modern Woman; Escaping the Yellow Wallpaper by Natalie Scott

A Questionnaire for the One I Love by Natalie Scott

The Sonnet of Disrepair by Daniel Ware

*Student Writing Awards, first place, poetry category

 

Fiction

My Darling Naya by Noor Ahmed

Fraud Bible Bosses by Joshua Nall

When It Happens by Essie Newton

Lilyland by Jazmyne Rosado

 

 Personal Essays/Narrative Nonfiction

I Feared the Dark When I Was Five by Noor Ahmed

Life of “Confined” Thoughts by Jacob Belcher

The Siren and the Sea by Gracie Brinker

My First Valentine’s with You (I Like Your Shoes) by Sophia Larimore

*Student Writing Awards, first place, creative writing category

The Merits of a Dirty Car and Other Life Inconveniences by Emma Queen

Conversations with my Ten-Year-Old Self by Scott Jackson

When I Sing, I Don’t Stutter by Logan Lewis

               *Student Writing Awards, second place, creative writing category

Pain, Probably by Katja Mahannah

The Box by Chae Santana

Downing in Silence by Chae Santana 

From the Editor

Dear Readers, 

Welcome to the eighth issue of Illinois Central Review!

This issue achieved multiple milestones that had not yet been realized in previous issues. For one, it’s our largest issue to date for both contributors and number of pieces. This issue contains a total of 49 pieces by 27 different contributors. There are 13 artworks, 21 poems, 4 short stories, and 10 personal essays.

Among those pieces are some of the winners of Illinois Central College’s Student Writing Awards for 2024-2025. The following winners appear in this issue:

Creative Writing Category:

First Place: My First Valentine’s with You (I Like Your Shoes) by Sophia Larimore

Second Place: When I Sing, I Don’t Stutter by Logan Lewis

Poetry Category:

First Place: The Sonnet of Disrepair by Daniel Ware

Second Place: Skin Shells by Sophia Larimore

Finally, this issue includes work contributed by students in our Prison Education Program who are enrolled in ICC classes while incarcerated at Pekin FCI.

An extra special note of thanks to Professor Elizabeth Godinez for coordinating and collecting submissions from the PEP students and encouraging them to submit their work! 

Illinois Central Review is currently accepting submissions for its next issue, which will be published in January 2026. The deadline to submit is December 1, and you can do so here: Volume V/Issue 1 Submission Form. 

Remember, submissions are open to all students taking classes at ICC, including those in the Dual Enrollment and Strong Start programs through Early College. 

Finally, I invite you to visit the Illinois Central Review Facebook page for updates and weekly features of this issue's contributions, starting Monday, August 25.

I hope you enjoy this issue. Thank you for taking a look! 

In writing, 

Melissa Grunow
English Professor
Department of Humanities 

Home Sweet Home

By Timothy Angel

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About the Artist

Timothy Angel is an aspiring author, artist, and philanthropist who enjoys family life and raising his children. He attests that writing and art give him a momentary relief from the harshness of today's realities. Being able to paint a picture in another person's mind with words has always been a gift; writing has always been more than pastime. It's a passion. He gives all glory for his God-given talent to the most high and to his lovely wife whose supported all his dreams. 

The Wounded Man

By William Douglas

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About the Artist

William Douglas is a second-year student at ICC currently studying psychology. He lives in Peoria, Illinois where he was born. While he doesn't regularly make art, he does occasionally sit down and work on an idea, spending small chunks of time until the piece is finished. He usually is interested in making ethereal portrayals of reality with pen and ink.

Pet Lover

By Billy Dunn

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About the Artist

Billy Dunn is from California. He loves to draw, tattoo, anything to do with art. He likes to play video games, watch stand-up comics, and travel.

Spirit of the Wild

By Neleh Geiger

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About the Artist

Neleh Geiger is in her first year at ICC. Neleh currently lives in Princeville, Illinois. Usually she is quite shy, but her artwork is something that lets her express herself through her creativity. Besides school, Neleh spends most of her time with friends and family. 

Prison Postcard

By Gerald Hoye

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About the Artist

Gerald Hoye is a Mississippi Delta born black man who you’ll grow to love, even if you’re wondering why he shared that he’s black. He would say it’s important because of where he is from. He would also say it’s how he honors all those killed while fighting for the freedoms he has today, e.g., going to the same school as people who are white. Gerald also wants to do all he can to shed light on incarcerated people. How hopes people would see that many, while they are inmates, are not a lost cause. Simply, they are more like lost in the system, waiting for a second chance at life. And not all people who are incarcerated have left their values at the gate. Gerald wishes to touch your hearts and hopes you see the humility in his work.