Volume III/Issue 1 Table of Contents

 Letter from the Editor

 

Artwork

Do you know what time it is?? By Elizabeth Bouchez

New Beginnings by Emy Leffler

Memory Map by Maddie Mazzola

My Favorite Hat by Maddie Mazzola

My Wife by Maddie Mazzola

Tentacles by Emma Spainhower

Athena by Crystal Straker

 

Poetry

Snooze Button by Laura Blunier

A Fictional Love Letter to Myself From ... by Katelyn Hicks

Scars by Katelyn Hicks

Rest Still, Hummingbird by Emy Leffler

Calm by Paige Pfister

The Drain by Paige Pfister

Rage of the Feminine by Paige Pfister

Fried Bologna by Jennifer Scott-Dewar

The Woodpecker by Jennifer Scott-Dewar

Only Women Buy Fiction by Daniel Ware

 

Fiction

Bal Masqué by Ana Engelbrecht

A Classic Christmas Carole Ann by Scott Jackson

Who Shot the Deputy? by Scott Jackson

Passing Through the Path of Growth by Jenna Pursell

Just Takin' Care of Business by Logan Lewis

Don't Be Careful What You Wish For (And How to Save Penguins) by Logan Lewis

The Guitar by Jennifer Scott-Dewar

Altitudes by Emma Spainhower

Dial Tone by Emma Spainhower

 

Personal Essays/Narrative Nonfiction

The Story of Me by Lyndsey Newport

Letter from the Editor

 Dear Readers, 

I am delighted to share with you the latest issue of Illinois Central Review! 

This is our biggest issue to date! There is a variety of artwork, different poetic forms, and compelling prose in this issue for you to enjoy. The creative endeavors of the students at Illinois Central College never cease to amaze me. 

Illinois Central Review is currently accepting submissions for its next issue, which will be published in August 2024. The deadline to submit is May 1, and you can do so here: Volume III/Issue II 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, 
Associate Professor, English

Do you know what time it is??

 By Elizabeth Bouchez

-

 

 

About the Artist

Elizabeth has been creating art for as long as she can remember. She works with any artistic medium she can get her hands on which results in a wide variety of wacky creations. Her current medium of choice is crayons and construction paper creating a silly and whimsical feel to her artwork.

New Beginnings

By Emy Leffler

-

 

About the Artist

Emy Leffler was born in Canton, Illinois. This is her second year at ICC. She is the one who loves to write but hates to speak. She is the one who loves silence but dies without music. Since she was young, she has always been interested in the arts. She has always loved to create artwork and still does.  

Memory Map

By Maddie Mazzola

-

 

About the Artist

Whether it's through writing or drawing, Maddie Mazzola is dedicated to captivating audiences using her love for the arts. Maddie is deeply passionate about crafting compelling artwork and literary pieces to inspire others and create a sense of connection. Maddie's goal while creating is to find peace in healing her inner child and encourage others to do the same.

My Favorite Hat

By Maddie Mazzola

-

 

About the Artist

Whether it's through writing or drawing, Maddie Mazzola is dedicated to captivating audiences using her love for the arts. Maddie is deeply passionate about crafting compelling artwork and literary pieces to inspire others and create a sense of connection. Maddie's goal while creating is to find peace in healing her inner child and encourage others to do the same.

My Wife

By Maddie Mazzola

-

 

 

 

About the Artist

Whether it's through writing or drawing, Maddie Mazzola is dedicated to captivating audiences using her love for the arts. Maddie is deeply passionate about crafting compelling artwork and literary pieces to inspire others and create a sense of connection. Maddie's goal while creating is to find peace in healing her inner child and encourage others to do the same.

Tentacles

By Emma Spainhower

-

 

About the Artist

Emma Spainhower has always dreamed of being an author. Finding inspiration in those around her, she chooses to write in order to create a different reality. Fantasy has been a huge part of her creative process throughout the years. Despite her art being very different from reality, she is able to express herself through her words and her art.

Athena

By Crystal Straker

-

 

 

 

 

About the Artist

 Crystal is a student at ICC, majoring in art. Ever since she was 7, she's had a love for drawing, painting, and anything art related. She entered her first art show when she was in 6th grade and won best in show. In high school, she was always known as "The Art Kid." She took every art class her school offered. When she was a senior, she entered the Mid Illini Art show, winning best in show in the 3D category with her full-size ceramic sculpture of an undead Victorian woman. Her plan for after ICC is to transfer to another school to get her degree in illustration. 

Snooze Button

By Laura Blunier

-

my eyes cannot stay open…  

…and…then the world slides by;  

a voluptuous blur… 

after staring at my ceiling 

…for endless hours  

I struggle my way out…

out of the morass that is my bed  

out of disoriented thoughts…and spaces  

leaving their pale shapes behind  

my sheets become as leaden as…  

…chains, resting heavily,  

trapping me down… 

as the high-pitched wheeze of the alarm once again shocks my body into the brilliance  

of one more sunrise,  

the impatient progress of  

 a now forgotten day

 

 

About the Author

 

When Laura Blunier isn't busy reading her family’s minds, as a good psychology major should ;), she enjoys music and being cozied up with a book. While she would really like more free time, she is pretty happy spending it on her poetry, which is anything from silly to serious to whatever dorky mood she is currently in. She also likes Tennyson and Longfellow, but it’s also really fun to break all the language rules when she gets the chance to.

A Fictional Love Letter to Myself From ...

By Katelyn Hicks

-

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

To Katie,

______________________________________________________________________

For once in my life, I know what I want for certain. And that is you. You are gorgeous and I would love to get to know you better. I can't express how much you mean to me. I know you’re depressed and dealing with a lot. But you’re still an amazing person. I want to know you. All of you. What makes you tick, smile, laugh. I want you more than ever. You will probably never see this but I needed to write out my feelings. I want to love you. I don’t care if it’s against policy. I need to see you, but it’s hard when I’m your manager. You are my star-crossed lover. I want to love you but I can’t put a fire on your record and I don’t have a valid reason. I can’t just fire you over nothing, we could keep us a secret. We could try in the dark. No one will know that I am in love with you.  I need you to know this as I feel like I made you believe that I hate you. But I could never hate you as you are probably the most amazing person I have ever met.I hope I get the courage to tell you one day.

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________Yours truly,

Killian

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

 

 

About the Author

Katelyn Hicks is a student at ICC who is graduating December of 2023, exactly a year and eight months after graduating high school. She is an English Education major but as of this moment in time, she isn't planning on continuing her degree. Katelyn has a passion for writing and has too many ideas that could be full books one day. She has written one book already.

Scars

 By Katelyn Hicks

-

Since this isn’t real, 

I wanted to see what I looked like. 

I walked to the bathroom. 

Looking in the mirror; 

I saw it, 

This isn’t me

But I know it is

My skin is cracking, 

black lines covered my body. 

pieces missing,

bones showing. 

I’m bleeding.

But the thing I notice most is,

 the hole where my heart should be.

 

About the Author

Katelyn Hicks is a student at ICC who is graduating December of 2023, exactly a year and eight months after graduating high school. She is an English Education major but as of this moment in time, she isn't planning on continuing her degree. Katelyn has a passion for writing and has too many ideas that could be full books one day. She has written one book already.

Calm

 By Paige Pfister

-

Today is a day that passes

with no wake up call to warn me

interactions brush off my tongue lightly

grin with a glance 

kindly 

easily greeting each face i pass

today is a day where my room is clean

and i can stop and breathe 

it passes so quickly with ease 

Today is a day with no music 

I can listen to the birds and wind 

Today is a day with blank thought 

my mind effortlessly at peace 

and the day will creep beside me in my slumber

tip toeing to the night 

I won’t forget to say thanks

as it fades

the day was just a day

that had passed and gone

and there will be another one

but i’m thankful it lingered on 

 

 

About the Author

Paige Pfister, a student at ICC, began writing at a young age with story books and songs. When she’s not working at her bakery job, she’s either studying or writing poetry. She enjoys writing poetry that feels raw, real, and most of the time, simple. Whether it’s about love, or pain, the poem reflects her true emotions. Through writing she connects with herself and others who relate. She hopes to one day publish a poetry book. 

Rest Still, Hummingbird

By Emy Leffler

-

One Autumn night, a night so bright,

Overexcited to see a Hummingbird tonight.

It’s October Fourth, one special birth,

ninety years on earth.

 

I approached Hummingbird tonight,

But something didn’t seem quite right.

Gave me such a fright,

Hummingbird didn’t have an appetite.

what happened to the beautiful sight?

Hummingbird, are you all right?

Your wings can still hum.

Your heart’s still pounding, like a drum.

what have you become?

It’s October Eleven,

rest still, Hummingbird.

I remembered all the times her beautiful

songs appeared, it filled my heart with

endless joy,

And makes me laugh with tears, oh dear!

 

Hummingbird flew to the sky, having her

spirits high!

O Hummingbird, sleep easy now,

My Nannie Bird.

 

About the Author

Emy Leffler was born in Canton, Illinois. This is her second year at ICC. She is the one who loves to write but hates to speak. She is the one who loves silence but dies without music. Since she was young, she has always been interested in the arts. She has always loved to create artwork and still does.  

The Drain

 By Paige Pfister

-

i used to be scared of the drain 

it’s loudness gulping bath water 

id be racing out of the tub when i pull the plug

now i sit 

and i wait ’til it’s empty

’til i’m left with just my body 

and the smell of decay

the warmth is gone 

and i feel shed from who i was before the dip

i miss the bubbles and foam already

but the heat was too overbearing 

and the drain growls 

i get it

it’s a lot to take

my heavy thoughts and fragile cells

soaking in the pool 

i could pretend it’s for relaxation

and add scents and salts

but if i’m being honest

i want to be held 

and i miss the comfort of that boiling puddle

when the plug held it together 

 

 

 About the Author

Paige Pfister, a student at ICC, began writing at a young age with story books and songs. When she’s not working at her bakery job, she’s either studying or writing poetry. She enjoys writing poetry that feels raw, real, and most of the time, simple. Whether it’s about love, or pain, the poem reflects her true emotions. Through writing she connects with herself and others who relate. She hopes to one day publish a poetry book.

Rage of the Feminine

By Paige Pfister

-

how frightening 

this buzzing heat behind cheeks

presses aggressive tears through eyelids;

how chattered teeth bound to break

squeeze in anguish 

this rage that so neatly napped in me

drooling in a dream state of denial

the sound of sharp twine twisting chords

lost in a fog 

throbbing, this throat wails in relief

awake is the rage

abruptly and gale

her beauty is blinded 

what value does she hold when she’s red?

overcome with the ill emotion

she’s lost her breeze

entrapping a gut;

tightening embrace

with each staggering breath, the grip clenches deeper 

how frightening is this locked away beast

hugs the lungs close to her knees 

fetal and clean

but when she is unleashed with a battering beat of the heart

one would see soon to be 

feral rage; like the misunderstood death

biblical and fearful

how frightening can she be.

 

About the Author

 Paige Pfister, a student at ICC, began writing at a young age with story books and songs. When she’s not working at her bakery job, she’s either studying or writing poetry. She enjoys writing poetry that feels raw, real, and most of the time, simple. Whether it’s about love, or pain, the poem reflects her true emotions. Through writing she connects with herself and others who relate. She hopes to one day publish a poetry book.