by Emily Garlock Sitting in anticipation, waiting to take off to places I’ve never been, the rain drips outside my window, leaving streaks on the glass. The plane stirs, the rain blowing against its side, slowly. And as we go faster the drops collect like shooting stars, trailing faster and faster. A show for my eyes alone. The plane ascends and the stars fade, peeling off the pane, leaving a dark sky, and the reflection of a girl waiting to be swept away too.

by Emily Garlock I hit the ground with a scratch, followed by a smooth glide. The moonlight guides me. I memorize the cracks, Calculate avoidance. Once on solid surface, I twirl like the needle of a compass. To the foot or brain I am a metal blade; but the ice shows the magic I’ve created: art that will disappear behind the next snowfall, art that exists only for now. 

by Sarah Edwards   If you’re anything like me, I’m sorry. I am a procrastinator. And it’s not because I want to be… I swear I wanted to get that assignment in on time, I even fantasized about getting it done early! If I close my eyes I can picture myself handing it over to the professor, face bright with pure joy. I’m not sure how it went from Monday to Tuesday, then Wednesday, Thursday, Friday… If you excuse me just a second I’ll go ask Time why he’s moving so fast. … I’m sorry, but it seems I’ve lost track of him. It’s not only school I procrastinate, The…

by Sarah Edwards Can’t you wait for the weather to warm! Won’t it be grand when almost everyone is smearing SPF 65 over their bodies before they exit the house? It will be exciting to see massive storms, longer droughts, and gargantuan floods! If you’ve always wanted to live by the beach, You need not worry, with accelerating sea levels, you may find yourself closer to one in no time. And if spring is your favorite season, you’re in luck Spring is coming sooner, Though don’t worry about the changes of earth’s ecosystems, This will cause pollinators like those pesky little bees to die out (along with many of the…

by Aaron Tooyak His countenance is like the side of a mountain. His thoughts are like the thickets of trees. He rules over the bears and creeping things. He spreads His wings like an eagle and surveys the land in justice. He sits high on His throne, and nothing passes by His eyes. Every living creature is under His dominion. All of His creation follows His commands. That which is seen is wonderful. That which is unseen is a mystery. He reveals Himself to those who earnestly seek Him, And hides His face from the proud. None seek after Him, no not one.   [divider]   Aaron Tooyak is the…

by Aaron Tooyak My soul deeply wrenches in anguish. My head sinks low. My neck breaks between my shoulders, And lies limp near my knees. I cover my face in shame and tug at my scalp. I run my fingertips through my hair, And wonder why they are still numbered. I recall my return home, and remember how merciful my Father was – To restore me and place me back into His Holy Service. For I abandoned my first love, The one who found me and called me by name. The one who redeemed me. For His faithfulness shall never fade. To the savior of our fathers, of the sons,…

by Sean McPherson Twin OPEN signs mark the entrance To Olympia Lighting. One works harder than the other. A lone Honda Element Sits in the parking lot Awaiting like a well-trained dog The return of its owner. From across the street The lamps in the display windows Don’t appear to be sporting price tags. They float and glow like the jellyfish At the Seattle Aquarium. Inside A big-buttocked employee In a black button-up Begins turning off The fixtures. A poorly-lit poster taped To the front door reads: SAD? WE HAVE Happy Lights! [divider] Sean McPherson resides in Anchorage, where he works both as a Spanish adjunct at University of Alaska Anchorage and an…

by 2015 Expedition Alaska Yukon Trip Students Each year many freshmen who join APU leave the bustling world of society behind for a week to venture out into the wild, and take part in the Expedition Alaska Yukon trip. While on their daring journey, the students had ample time to reflect while rafting. The professors who went along came up with various activities to keep the students busy. One of these involved the students composing haikus with a natural history theme. We present some of these very special haikus here. “Mountains gracefully Pushing against the sky light Basking in the clouds.” – Matt Rhode “The river was calm Snow dust atop the mountains Geology…

by Annie Thorndike Hello, friend. Are you with me? I think about you, often, I carefully wonder deeply, shivering don’t take my words as advice for I too am lost listen though, ancient people sing their voices, crack like their skin beautiful, the sound is to no one, but in the deep and reverberating cacophony, friend, you will find dying branches cold leaves and hope of elegant and aching frost which will carry you, cleanly, into the long and deep silence. [divider]   Annie Thorndike is an Early Honors freshman and was born and raised in Anchorage. She is planning on attending design school after graduating. She loves movies, music, and…

by Felipe Restrepo The beauty of this experience Is not knowing when magnificence will appear. Two weeks ago we stumbled, fell, and bled With mud and sweat dripping down our face Along the march to our current place: An Earth-bound paradise; A world of grandiosity at every step And novelty along each turn. With the rising sun comes the howler’s deep roar, And with the waking of the stars, the anurans’ nightly song. A continuous cacophony of organic beasts, Each exemplifying its ability to thrive In a place where death is nigh. And yet the diversity of Life, Is relentless despite the strife. Tonight, alone in the canoe, Prostrate, as…