Illinois Central Review: August 2025

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

Danielle Lasley-Eakins is in the A.A.S. Business program at ICC. She's usually quiet and keeps to herself, so beading activities give her an opportunity to interact with others she normally wouldn't.

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

About the Artist

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

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

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

Illinois Central Review

Pages

Friday, August 22, 2025

Table of Contents

From the Editor

Home Sweet Home

The Wounded Man

Pet Lover

Spirit of the Wild

Prison Postcard

Butterfly Dreamcatcher

Hugs 'n' Kisses

Polar Vortex Set

Sky the Warrior Empress

Shadow Woman

Forgiven

Mama's boy

Longing for Space

Swallow

Let It Go

I Believe (song lyrics)

Forever Stuck

What the River Is

Mixed Fruits

Featured Post

Table of Contents

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