Volume III/Issue 2

 

Illinois Central Review
Volume III/Issue 2

Letter from the Editor

 

Artwork

Jeanne by Curtis Cook

RIP Matthew Perry by Natalie Scott

 

Multimedia

Digital Soul by Sky Ryerson

 

Poetry

Untitled by Eliza Alms

Sing, O' Muse, of the Rage of Achilles by Xavier Bugos

ladybug love by Violet Easley

Childhood Home by Dinah Henry

The Sounds of Education by Scott Jackson

Futile Persistence by Alex Kimberlin

To Do by Matthew Land

Walk a Mile by Matthew Land

My Grandmother's Pink Nightgown by James Lester

Little Godzilla by Logan Lewis

Some Friend You Were by Logan Lewis

Drowned Tapestries by Alanna Magstadt

Crack Another Beer by Troy Mitchell

Заменять by Adarina Norberg

To Be Known by Natalie Scott

Dear Insincerity by Abigail Stanton

A Tidbit of Advice by Abigail Stanton

Stance by John Tuccillo

The ICC Labyrinth by Daniel Ware

 

Fiction

Babbs, 1998 by Arwen Skye Bullock

The King of Bramblewood by Cameron Miller

 

Personal Essays/Narrative Nonfiction

Milking Disaster by Silas Rassi 

Letter from the Editor

Dear Readers, 

It's a joy and an honor to share with you the latest issue of Illinois Central Review!

This is the sixth issue since our first publication in January 2022, and I am continually amazed by the new depths of creativity by Illinois Central College's students. 

While it's not the largest issue in terms of number of pieces, it is the largest issue in terms of the number of contributors. There are 21 students published in this issue! Another exciting milestone for this issue is we are publishing our first multimedia piece, "Digital Soul" by Sky Ryerson. Additionally, the issue features artwork, lots of poetry, short stories, and a personal essay. 

Illinois Central Review is currently accepting submissions for its next issue, which will be published in January 2025. The deadline to submit is December 1, and you can do so here: Volume IV/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. 

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

In writing, 

Melissa Grunow
English Professor
Department of Humanities

Jeanne

 By Curtis Cook

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About the Artist

Curtis Clayton is an artist located in Streator, IL. He is known for his Central Illinois drag performances with influences of horror and various artworks. He is not a Drag Queen but rather an artist whose preferred canvas is a face.

RIP Matthew Perry

 By Natalie Scott

- 

About the Artist

Natalie Scott is an English major at ICC. She is planning to pursue a career in either Journalism or in the book publishing industry. She has been an avid reader and writer her whole life, and is excited to one day make an impact with her words.

Digital Soul

 By Sky Ryerson

-

About the Author

Sky Marie is a student currently at ICC. She has no degree plan, but is taking every art class and wants to make movies and TV shows based on her stories. She wishes to advocate for silent voices and a better political and law system through commentary in her work. One step at a time, she wants to make a bigger difference in the world then just entertaining the brain dead and making people think.

Untitled

 By Eliza Alms

-

it’s fine

in 10 years i won’t think much about you

except

for nights after

i’ve put my baby down to sleep

it’s a girl.

you always wanted one.

she’s beautiful and sweet

just the way you said she’d be.

but i’ll think about the son

i longed for.

and the way that

his name is yours

simply, number 4.

About the Author

Eliza is a writer from Peoria, IL. In her free time she enjoys reading, biking, and exploring nature. The main inspiration for her writing comes from lived experience, love, and appreciation for nature. Though the wording in her poetry is often simple in its form that is how she best feels she is able to communicate her emotions and feelings through her writing.

Sing, O' Muse, of the Rage of Achilles

 By Xavier Bugos

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“Sing, O’ muse, the Rage of Achilles”

Hark to his tragic story, a tale of endless fury

Feel his wrath deep in your bones, when he realizes in this world he is alone

See the tears stream from his maddened eyes, as the demon named Hector severed his lovers earthly ties

Taste the crimson mist he spreads through the air, as his lovers blood stains his golden hair

Smell the sweet scent of the lasting ambrosia, that encased his lovers body to keep its composure

This, O’ muse, is the Rage of Achilles,

The hatred of his stains the Earth's Lily’s

He does not care that his final breaths draw near, For he so welcomes the death all mortals fear.

Now watch as his spear drives through Hector’s throat, and listen as his mother’s cries float,

Up to the gods do her deafened pleas ring,

But the gods are not to touch this war torn king.

About the Author

Xavier Bugos is a Junior in high school currently working on getting his associates through the dual degree program. He will graduate with both his associates and his high school diploma in May of 2025. He's used poetry as a means of expressing his feelings since he was in middle school and has even been featured in his high schools Bloom poetry book three years in a row.