Friday, August 22, 2025
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
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.
Butterfly Dreamcatcher
By Danielle
Lasley-Eakins
-
About the Artist
Hugs 'n' Kisses
By Katja Mahannah
-
About the Artist
Katja Mahannah is an ICC student. She is a writer with an acquired taste; she is not afraid of the truth. Katja works in ICC's Academic Support Center, doing what she does best: policing grammar and judging the general lack of commas. Outside of necessities, Katja loves to write and clean. If you got to know her, though, you would know that she cares more about Jesus and her own, growing family than anything.
Polar Vortex Set
By Stephanie
Pabst
-
Stephanie Pabst is an ICC student through PEP. She is a strong woman who found numerous talents and creative outlets once becoming sober. Stephanie is a mother to three perfect daughters. She enjoys attending Christian church and leading Celebrate Recovery, various Bible studies, and co-leading evening prayer. Stephanie finds her strength and identity in God.
Sky the Warrior Empress
By Anthony
Santiago
-
About the Artist
Anthony
Santiago is a person who is funny and outgoing. He likes to read a lot of books
and play the ukulele. He also likes to play D & D tabletop.
Shadow Woman
By Katja Mahannah
-
About the Artist
Katja Mahannah is an ICC student. She is a writer with an acquired taste; she is not afraid of the truth. Katja works in ICC's Academic Support Center, doing what she does best: policing grammar and judging the general lack of commas. Outside of necessities, Katja loves to write and clean. If you got to know her, though, you would know that she cares more about Jesus and her own, growing family than anything.
Forgiven
By Jazmyne Rosado
-
About the Artist
Jazmyne is in her first year at ICC. She has always expressed herself through the arts. It is an easy way for her to connect with people. She spends most of her time trying to make things pretty and reflecting on the human condition.
Mama's boy
By Jazmyne
Rosado
-
About the Artist
Jazmyne is in her first year at ICC. She has always expressed herself through the arts. It is an easy way for her to connect with people. She spends most of her time trying to make things pretty and reflecting on the human condition.
x
Longing for Space
By Sky Ryerson
-
About the Artist
Sky is an artist and multimedia storyteller. She currently goes to Illinois Central College and is taking classes in art and writing. She enjoys film, writing, 2D and 3D art, as well as storytelling. Her favorite areas of emphasis are surrealism and understanding the boundaries of the mind and dreams. Her goal is to one day make films with inspiration from Tim Burton, Jim Davis, George Lucas, and Hayao Miyazaki.
Swallow
By Noor Ahmed
-
Through loveless,
lustful
eyes I am watched.
To be beautiful is to
be watched.
By the men
who place a woman's
body
over her importance.
By the men who consume
with their eyes
the ones who undress
for a moment of
primal, bliss.
By the ones who grab
their crotch at the
sight of cleavage.
By the men who use
force,
to make me theirs,
to taste their sin.
About the Author
Noor Ahmed is a reader and writer in her first semester at ICC. She hopes to transfer to UIUC and double major in English and creative writing. She spends most of her free time frustrated with her penmanship. She loves her cat, Sunny, who always jumps off her lap while she writes her in-progress books.
Let It Go
By Jacob
Belcher
-
Confined to a life
fueled by catastrophic dependencies.
So many repetitive situations
guided by instant gratification.
Surrounded by people
you’re liable to be victimized
by at any time.
Stabbing you in the back,
leaving you out to dry.
Their quality of
character, loyalty, and love
are so potent and toxic
it’ll break your heart.
So consistently, you plead insane
full of confusion and loneliness.
Steadily blaming God and
asking why me?
Constantly thinking
you’ll never get it right.
Crying yourself to sleep at night
in the midst of it all.
Never once fathoming the thought
you’re nothing more than
a piece of a puzzle.
Doing all you can
to level a game
you fail especially in.
The ones you idolize
and call your friends
are the first ones to cross you
and bring your game to an end.
Separate yourself, they’re
not your friends.
You uphold a quality
of character that is too genuine.
Just find your Zen
and avoid the pen.
Then open your eyes and realize
the abilities you withhold
to capitalize and maximize
and stand with dignity through
your harshest times.
Knowing in your heart
your future’s bright
and you’ll always be fine.
About the Author
Jacob
Belcher is in his second year at ICC. He is a man that comes from a very dark
past. He is doing all he can daily to improve in all aspects of life. He seeks
to mentor and help those who can relate to his past life and want better for
their future.
I Believe (song lyrics)
By Ricardo Burgos,
Jr.
-
(chorus)
I believe in
love, I believe in trust
But it’s hard
to find in a world corrupt
I believe in
love, I believe in trust
But it’s so
hard to find, yeah
(verse 1)
The streets are
rough, the hood is tough
No one to
trust, my gun’s a must
I seen, I saw
the ones I love
Die because of
the one they trust
The streets are
cold, the nights are long
The days are filled
with family mourns
You said you
cared, you disappeared
You turned your
back when I needed you here
The love I give
is unconditional
But the love I get
is unpredictable
Don’t want to
speak on all the hate I see
It’s like every
day someone is hating on me
You shake my
hand, but I can sense the fake
The eyes don’t
like, I can see the snake
Where do I go
if I wanna escape?
No one to
trust, no love to make
(chorus)
I believe in
love, I believe in trust
But it’s hard
to find in a world corrupt
I believe in
love, I believe in trust
But it’s so
hard to find, yeah
(verse 2)
The love is
fake, the hate is real
No one to help,
no one that cared
The pain is
deep, my wounds will heal
But I had to
hurt to see the real
The plots, the
schemes, the evil stares
It’s hard to
smile and be yourself
Why can’t we
all just get along
And give our
best to right our wrongs?
The blood is
shed, the hate has grown
Nothing to do
but grab the chrome
This world won’t
change, the peace is gone
This life will
be, yeah, forever cold
I see the love
when I see the kids
But what can I do
to help them live?
Teach them
right and instill within
To trust your heart
and love yourself
(chorus)
I believe in
love, I believe in trust
But it’s hard
to find in a world corrupt
I believe in
love, I believe in trust
But it’s so
hard to find, yeah
About the Author
Ricardo Burgos
is a vivacious person who loves to smile and meet new people. Even though he’s
incarcerated, he doesn’t let it bring his spirit down because he knows better
days are yet to come.
Forever Stuck
By Rasheeah Foster
-
As you look
around you are stuck
Stuck with no
options
Doors are
closed
There's no
escape
But it's an
illusion
A chain of
thought
The confusion
of the brain is powerful
The steel
barrier between you and the world
Open mind can
set you free
Only if you
open your mind
Give your heart
and soul to God
Will you then
be set free
Or forever
stuck in pain of your own misery
Will you burn
in hell
Or be set
free
Open to the
gates of heaven
About the Author
Rasheeah Foster is in her first year at ICC, currently studying welding. She was born and raised in Peoria, IL. She is quiet but enjoys sports.
What the River Is
By Dinah Henry
-
The way a river
is
that sometimes
the touch is just dust
then a hard
pouring down rainfall.
Every wave
feels like rocks thrown on my skin.
The smell is
sometimes like clean mint,
but then it’s
pure sulfur.
The taste is
between salty and earthy.
What I see is a
river,
but some might
think it’s a pond or a creek.
This river will
grow in time though.
Just you wait
and see.
About the Author
Dinah Henry has been going to ICC for 5 years. She majors in creative writing to help her writing skills. She already has five other poems in the Illinois Central Review that you should definitely read. She is mostly shy but once she warms up to you, you know that she probably won't stop talking. She is trying her best to be a famous writer. Make sure you tell her how much you love her work.
Mixed Fruits
By Gerald Hoye
-
When I eat the fruits of a humble man;
Like David, fearless before Giants I’ll stand.
Bananas to make my knees strong.
When fighting the evil that would destroy my home.
Apples to see all those enslaved.
For speaking truth to the why, they found early graves.
Oranges to give endurance so I will last.
Fighting darkness, I need to be strong. I need to be fast.
Pears for the end of battles as victory is claimed.
Lifting the heads of those freed from pain.
Pineapples for the sweeter taste on the lips of those left
behind.
Acknowledging their freedoms are secure and never redefined.
Grapes to shadow how kings celebrate the end of war.
Coupled with the love of home and family waiting at my
door.
Immersed in love and the grace of God, returning to my
roots.
Stronger than ever, now I’ve learned to eat mixed fruits.
About the Author
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.
WHY!
By Gerald Hoye
-
Is this what those enslaved felt long before me?
Is prison a reflection of when they weren’t free?
Saying “yes sir” to men less than half my age.
Balancing words that bruise egos that are easily enraged.
Often scorn for my truths as I share each day.
The articulation of intellectual property others fear to
say.
Dare I say, why you hate me; or think what’s the use?
When my mind is restless of events of your abuse.
What more could you want after a guilty plea?
Sentenced 360 months, and you’re gone before I’m free.
How much of my blood would satisfy?
Cat got your tongue; what, no smart-ass reply?
I see, you can’t be you among those with ears.
Strange to see the change, when you’re reckless with your
peers.
Saying this yard is soft, yet you never pick a fight.
Too good for bloody hands, now how is that right?
I am already in prison, not an animal for you to cage.
Check this, I forgive you, let’s turn the page.
Forgiveness is part of my Christian faith.
FYI, you can be saved, it’s not too late.
Give up on being the Goliath, spreading fear and standing
tall.
I would be remiss not to say, it was a little stone that
made the Giant fall.
About the Author
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.
Why I'm Writing
By Scott Jackson
-
I’m writing
because I have no legacy, yet I want one.
I’m writing
because for many years I was a ghost in the system.
I’m writing
because of the loss that drives me. The loss of the child I once was, and the
loss of those who raised me.
I’m writing to
be the version of me that ten or twenty years ago would never have believed was
possible. Maybe even five years or even just last year.
I’m writing to
better myself. I don’t want to be known by just a number, or a cashier, or a
grunt in a pointless job. I want to be better.
I’m writing to
bring life to the creations that are crawling in my mind.
I’m writing to
escape, to escape all the bull going on due to the injustice in our government.
I’m writing to
fight the writer’s block that is around every corner I turn.
I’m writing to
find something inside of me.
I’m writing to
help, to help myself to go through feelings I kept bottled up inside. To show
others who also keep feelings inside that they don’t have to be kept secret.
I’m writing to
hope for a better world. One not filled with hate, where we don’t have to worry
about debt everywhere, where we can all just take a breath and look at this
whole world we are standing on around us.
I’m writing to
learn, to learn from my own mistakes, to help others who face and go through
those same mistakes.
I’m writing to
make sense of my mind going a million ways at a time.
I’m writing to
reach out until we reach the circle’s end.
I’m writing to
remember, because I know that when the time comes all my memories and thoughts
will be like “dust in the wind.”
I’m writing to
share my history, my pain, my emotions, my life, my opinion.
I’m writing to
show you what is possible even when impossible.
About the Author
Scott Jackson is a native of Central Illinois where he lives with his girlfriend and four cats. He loves video games, musicals, comic books, 80s and 90s nostalgia, Doctor Who, and overall, a good story to enjoy. After finally reaching his limits with retail work, he decided to re-invent himself by going back to school to pursue his dream of becoming a writer and teacher. In his spare time, he picks up extra roles in local films, helps out with a local community theatre, and continues to work on his first novels. Currently, he is the Vice President of Scholarship for ICC's honor society Phi Theta Kappa. He is told this would be his last year at ICC and is due to graduate in December 2025.
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