Now late evening, Angelo sat at the front window watching the darkness below. He could not sleep. So, in desperation he had pulled up the large easy chair by the window and tried to relax. He wished the quiet of the city would lull him into sleep. But as he sat here uneasiness took hold.... Show moreNow late evening, Angelo sat at the front window watching the darkness below. He could not sleep. So, in desperation he had pulled up the large easy chair by the window and tried to relax. He wished the quiet of the city would lull him into sleep. But as he sat here uneasiness took hold. Something was going to happen. He could feel it. He leaned forward, straining to see through the shadows below. Then, as if in a dream, he saw five boys moving toward him, weaving in and out of the shadows as they came. By instinct he turned, to look at the opposite end of the street. Yes, a man was coming toward the boys. Angelo tightened. He realized there was nothing he could do. Only sit and watch, helpless - yes, made helpless by the same mind which told him what he must do. The boys came to the middle of the block and separated. Two stood at the lamp post watching the length of the street. The remaining three leaned care- lessly against the concrete siding of the apartment building. The man came nearer, walking at a slow but steady pace . Now he was in the light. As Angelo watched, the boys surrounded the man, and with animal force tore at his clothing. In seconds his upper clothing was gone - scattered on the concrete. There were two at his arms now, pinning him to the pavement; two more securing his feet beneath him. The man squirmed, caught in their mingled trap. His pleas easily heard. At that instant the fifth boy, with an air of cere- mony, stepped into the light of the lamp post, in his hand a piece of shining steel, pointed upward. The pleas became screams; the cries of a tormented body. The body, limp now, fell back outstretched. All was quiet once again. The only sound break- ing the stillness came from Angelo, as he turned his back to sob. Joyce Birkeland 16 Show less
The new day came. Through the streets cars rushed in great numbers . At the corner where a bus stopped every five minutes people gathered to go to work. Though the sun shone very bright the air was quite chilly ’1n these early morning hours . There was no doubt that it would be a hot day again.... Show moreThe new day came. Through the streets cars rushed in great numbers . At the corner where a bus stopped every five minutes people gathered to go to work. Though the sun shone very bright the air was quite chilly ’1n these early morning hours . There was no doubt that it would be a hot day again. After a fast breakfast Phil picked up his books and went on his way to school. It would only be a few more months until he would graduate from South High. He was quite proud when he thought of it. His way to school was not too far but far enough to give him time to think about his plans for the day. Right after school he wanted to visit Joe and cheer him up a little. Slowly the hours passed. It was as if the school bell would never bring the last class to an end. Phil left the school very quickly. Before going to see Joe he wanted to get a bite to eat at the drugstore a few blocks away. As usual at this time the counters were very busy and it was hard to find an empty seat. Phil looked around. “Nothing free on this side," he thought. Over at the other counter a seat just became free. Should he go and sit down? For a moment he was not sure. "All men are equal," a voice shouted within him. He saw the face of his friend before him and began to walk. He walked straight toward the empty seat and sat down. To his left sat a tall blond fellow who was about 25 years old. To his right a woman of about 40 was seated. As soon as he sat down the eyes Of his neighbors were on him. The woman to his right stood up and walked away. The waitress came up to Phil. “Can't you read?" she asked in a most unfriendly and harsh voice. "One hamburger and a cup of coffee, please,“ said Phil. "This counter is for whites only. You better leave fast,” the waitress said. "Please no onions. I don't care for any,” he added. "Shut up you burn. Can't you hear what the lady said?" The fellow to Phil's left had turned to him and looked angry at him. All eating had stopped. All eyes rested upon Phil. "Why should I leave? I have as much right as you to sit here. All men are created equal and the money with which I pay is as Show less
TABLE OF CONTENTS TIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page FULLNESS DESIRED . .. . . . . . . . . NEW YORK CITY . . . . . . . . . . . . EMPTINESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LIFE IN LIBERTY . . . . . . . . . . . . PERSISTENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . u . o u u u c o ¢ u o c o c SENTRY... Show moreTABLE OF CONTENTS TIME . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page FULLNESS DESIRED . .. . . . . . . . . NEW YORK CITY . . . . . . . . . . . . EMPTINESS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LIFE IN LIBERTY . . . . . . . . . . . . PERSISTENCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . u . o u u u c o ¢ u o c o c SENTRY DUTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . UNCONSCIOUSLY CONSCIOUS o o O a . AUTUMN GHOSTS THE WINDOW . . . . . . o o a i u o o o o u o 0 o o u . u c u c u n o n o u . BEAT OF THE NIGHT . . . . . . . . . . DYING OF DAY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . TO EMILY WITHOUT WORMS, ETC. . . . 10 11 ll 12 13 14 l5 l7 17 18 18 19 Show less
Chorus: Old man: Rich matron: Young mother: Dock worker: Nurse: Busines 5 man: Chorus: Street vendor: NEW YORK CITY A Play in Verse Silence is above the city because the city murders or shall we say God takes it is all the same with us. We watch and wait the heavy waking which is almost sleeping... Show moreChorus: Old man: Rich matron: Young mother: Dock worker: Nurse: Busines 5 man: Chorus: Street vendor: NEW YORK CITY A Play in Verse Silence is above the city because the city murders or shall we say God takes it is all the same with us. We watch and wait the heavy waking which is almost sleeping still the horror of another day of bridge and tea and finally the cocktail which I desperately need. More diapers and formula and washing which when hung outside becomes as grey as if I had not scrubbed it till my arms ached with the rubbing . Hell of a job but a guy can't starve some will die today and what can you say to ease the pain of those who stay the market seems steady perhaps I dare yet what a scare when it fell last week. No they never cry—- more a moan of millions of voices that just don't know fresh roasted chestnuts fresh roasted Chestnuts I sells 'um hot 'cause it's all I got and people walk by and don't care . 2. Show less
after awhile, but he'd never been able to. Such repul— sive creatures they were , with only two arms and two legs, ghastly white skins and no scales. J Ermon L. Deen UNCONSCIO USLY CONSCIO US Sylvia certainly you see I cannot catch the can Of moldy mice that missed me As round the room I ran. The... Show moreafter awhile, but he'd never been able to. Such repul— sive creatures they were , with only two arms and two legs, ghastly white skins and no scales. J Ermon L. Deen UNCONSCIO USLY CONSCIO US Sylvia certainly you see I cannot catch the can Of moldy mice that missed me As round the room I ran. The solid square surrounding me Hangs hollow by my head And brings the buzzing of the bee Back to the bubbling bed. Dandelions are drifting down Finally falling to fox's fur His teeth are taller than the town Bob, bring the basketball, brrrr! Carolyn Jone s 13 Show less
alliteration, and so on and on was not yet highly devel— oped (which unfortunately did not apply to my stature, which was). But it came. Soon I was muttering Mnemonically , Yosemite is a great big park, And Noah built a great big ark. It's amazing how much knowledge can be crammed into one little... Show morealliteration, and so on and on was not yet highly devel— oped (which unfortunately did not apply to my stature, which was). But it came. Soon I was muttering Mnemonically , Yosemite is a great big park, And Noah built a great big ark. It's amazing how much knowledge can be crammed into one little sentence . And through Mnemonics one forms also understand and love for words. Words, words, words . . . scintillating, precious, fragile, beautiful, cashmere, reticule, cat, dog. Well, anyway. No doubt you wonder at this coming from a child of four- teen and a seven-footer at that. Besides, I couldn't spend all my time as similating and amalgamating wisdom. I had to live live live also. I had to examine my interests, abilities, and aptitudes and on the basis of these considerations formulate my long range goals. In my case , my long range interfered with my goals. Several occupational vocational possibilities presented themselves to me -- I was offered, for example, even at my young age, a position as head giraffe feeder at Como; however, seeing little chance for advancement, I was obliged to turn the position down. Besides, time passed and I - I blush to speak the words - I - I hesitate to speak the words - I - I must speak the words - I fell in love. Whistles blew, birds flew, flower grew, I lost my shoe , but I was true, to only you. It was a little awkward at first, being a foot or so taller, but again I turned for an answer to my unfailing source and spring of wisdom, my Max. And he has an answer. I wish here to pause and pay tribute to a great man who has in times of distress and anguish never let me down. Or rather, pay tribute because he did let me down. Have you ever heard of inverted wedgies? No? Well, that's because no one, not even my beloved, no one but Max could have thOught of them, and without them (even smoked I Marlboro) my life would have been a fizzle, simply a fizzle and no other thing. But with them, and with Max, and with my beloved, I too was able Show less
TO EMILY WITHOUT WORMS, ETC . . . . . jDear Willie, My dear, it was so lovely getting your letter, and "when you hear the circumstances under which I was suffering you'll surely know I did suffer! It seems 'that on the day of Tuesday, April 16, 1951 (see Uasterix) there was scheduled at Kelly... Show moreTO EMILY WITHOUT WORMS, ETC . . . . . jDear Willie, My dear, it was so lovely getting your letter, and "when you hear the circumstances under which I was suffering you'll surely know I did suffer! It seems 'that on the day of Tuesday, April 16, 1951 (see Uasterix) there was scheduled at Kelly Hall, a Historie test for 104B, Our Eastern Heritage, 1—3200 p.m. and at 8:00 a.m. I arose to begin the first reading of 'the scribbled notes from the past three months . What a task! My Task is finding someone who can speak Arabic , because I have received my induction papers 'to the Khan's Navy. 0 sad world. I yearn to write a great novel. Not junk like the Fantastic Toe. Read some of John EPercy's things in Ab Intra; good huh? No one here appreciates it much. Also note Thad Drury's bit of ;art. Do you remember my introducing you to a lady, lsingle, but not too old, black hair, quite short, on the i‘bus one day, and I told you she was a Sunday school teacher? well, if she should read that, I'm afraid she "wouldn't reCOgnize poor Thad, her own king, nay, her ?‘0wn kin, namely cousin! I must tell you what we learned in English today: "Lord Wellington entered on his head a helmet on his feet a pair of well polished boots on his brow a clOud in his hand has favorite walking stick in his eye fire-—- . “' Tomorrow is the day of the Phy. Ed. test for which I haven't studied. It is on volley ball though and I really know quite a bit about it. I must give a cheer ‘for the Democrats, George, Rah, rah, because they really have it. Speaking of people named Psmith, did you hear that the one had flunked algebra? Bless her pointed hear° (Did you ever see a pointed hear? it's just like an eye-fire.) Also I think you should spend your money more wisely. There are many people in Europe who can't go to college. So please stop spend- ing all your time with your prayer rug and study some 19 Show less
good as yours . ” Phil was calm but he knew that others around him were not so calm. "So you think you are as good as I am. You better go back to the slum where you came from ,‘,‘ yelled the blond fellow. "Get out Nigger,ll someone shouted. "Call the cops,” someone else said. Phil still sat... Show moregood as yours . ” Phil was calm but he knew that others around him were not so calm. "So you think you are as good as I am. You better go back to the slum where you came from ,‘,‘ yelled the blond fellow. "Get out Nigger,ll someone shouted. "Call the cops,” someone else said. Phil still sat calmly on his seat. The shouting of protests from the counter increased. Suddenly Phil felt a push and he found himself on the floor. Looking up he saw before him the blond felIOW. l‘If this doesn't cure you I'll teach you some manners,” the fellow said. Phil stood up slowly. A deep silence lay over the whole room. "You are not too polite," Phil said. "You need some manner-teaching yourself." This was too much for his white opponent. He aimed his fist at Phil's face and hit him hard. The mob laughed. Phil stumbled backwards toward the door which opened at this very moment. Two policemen came in. Phil landed right in their arms. The evening had come. The heat of the past day lay heavily upon the city. "It's rather hot in here," said Phil. “It's been this way all day," replied Joe. With his right hand Phil gently touched his chin. "I sure hope it will rain tonight," he said. "I hope so too. We could need some cooling off in these parts," answered Joe . Norbert Mokros PERSISTENCE To try Is to forget All failures and defeat, For it takes courage and patience to Repeat. Diane Olsen 10 Show less
to become a useful and integrated member of the com- munity, working together for the good of the community, that is to say, '.of me and my beloved. Nor did I forget the wisdom learnt during those Mnemonic years of hardship, struggle , and strife . I hope you too will come, through suffering, to... Show moreto become a useful and integrated member of the com- munity, working together for the good of the community, that is to say, '.of me and my beloved. Nor did I forget the wisdom learnt during those Mnemonic years of hardship, struggle , and strife . I hope you too will come, through suffering, to peace and adjustmanship as I have. Towards this end, let me close by saying: A vacuum cleaner is a wonderful thing Let us all give thanks and sing. Naomi Christen 5 en EMPTINESS Alone down in the swamp, Among the broken pine and twisted cypress; Alone with the frogs and crickets-— and the emptiness . I sit here alone , Shrouded in selfapity and deep despair; Alone with the eeri night-bird's call—- to this emptiness . As the darkness folds it's arms, Around the droopy, gloomy Spanish moss; Then the slowly creeping fog — fills the emptiness. I breathe the haunted air , Hanging like a lost soul doomed; Forever hanging between earth and sky — in this emptiness ., Ermon L. Deen Show less
BEAT OF THE NIGHT Batter, batter the bongos! Zing, slap, zoom on the bass! Wail long and high on the keening horn, Plead with throaty voice . The night grows old, and the beat of the night Pulses strong, pulses weak, pulses, pulses Endlessly, through dark streets, the empty dark, sad streets of... Show moreBEAT OF THE NIGHT Batter, batter the bongos! Zing, slap, zoom on the bass! Wail long and high on the keening horn, Plead with throaty voice . The night grows old, and the beat of the night Pulses strong, pulses weak, pulses, pulses Endlessly, through dark streets, the empty dark, sad streets of old houses and decay. The throb, throb of the night pounds in the young Blood, flutters in the old; it vibrates Through the dim-lit street, it beats And it batters and it crashes In the dark, open doorways . Bank, bang BANG the drums! Plead and moan on the long, winding horn! Sway and writhe in the unrelentless rhythm of the throbbing , pounding,,lonesome, sobbing Night. Julie Medbery DYING OF DAY Fiery shafts of piercing sunset Streak for their goal on a summer-green hill, Glancing, gleaming , Shatter themselves on indomitable rock, And the blood of the sun dyes undulent grasses. A night bird mourns the waning of light And strains to recall glad life. But the shafts lie broken, Bleeding, dying, As ebbing life and light depart. Julie Medbery 18 Show less
TIME Turning , whirling, twisting Tornado: blind, relentless, you bear down Upon all in your path, choosing none but taking all- Scholars , conquerors , idols , nations- All caught and held for breathless moments In fierce passion. Golden glory, Power, light shine forth. Then tiring quickly of... Show moreTIME Turning , whirling, twisting Tornado: blind, relentless, you bear down Upon all in your path, choosing none but taking all- Scholars , conquerors , idols , nations- All caught and held for breathless moments In fierce passion. Golden glory, Power, light shine forth. Then tiring quickly of fast-fading charms, You leave them, let them die And howling , shrieking of your triumph Clamor on to yet more conquests . And death and darkness mark your rubble-strewn path. Julie Medbery FULLNESS DESIRED The lamp is low, But has lost not its spark. The tree is not tall, But ignores not its upward thrust Reaching , climbing , growing , This continues . Joyce Birkeland Show less
I WAS A TEENAGE GIANT You don't know what a. thing like that can do to a person's psychology. I was analyzed fourteen times before Iwas fourteen, Because my thirteenth year I grew one foot two inches . And when one is a girl five feet eleven inches to begin with, this is nothing to look down upon... Show moreI WAS A TEENAGE GIANT You don't know what a. thing like that can do to a person's psychology. I was analyzed fourteen times before Iwas fourteen, Because my thirteenth year I grew one foot two inches . And when one is a girl five feet eleven inches to begin with, this is nothing to look down upon, You have all read the words of our hero-philoso- pher, Max Shulman, when he tells of the sorrows of Demosthenes, whose offices were on the third floor but who was never able to get to them because the staircase hadn't been invented yet. Well, I felt like that third story, up there in the clouds without anything connecting me and ordinary humanity, My doctors call it a manicndepressive-schizo— phrenic—neurasthenic reaction to an excess growth, I don‘t know about the first part, but the second is certainly sure. To compensate, since there wasn't much I could do about adjusting myself to my peer group, which would have. consisted mainly of pro basketball players , I turned, as have so many in ages past and will so many in ages to come, to the wisdom of ages past and the hope of ages to come; i.e, , books. Again, I consulted my hero-philosopher , who has invented a marvelous method for memorization termed Mnemonics.(lnciden1;ally Mnemon invented the stair- case, a fact which in my case had symbolic implica- tions,) Taking my cue from Max I developed jingles which were my keys for unlocking the wisdom of ages past and the hopes of ages to come. I wandered around the house {which had special high. ceilings built in to accommodate Iny prodigiously elevated altitude) murmuring Mnemonically, The linotype has a line 0' type, A highway has a yellow stripe (Down the middle). My poetry and sense of rhythm, form, syntax, Show less
THE WINDOW The streets on the East Side are narrow — very narrow. Second Avenue is not only narrow, but :sinister in appearance. Few would venture to stroll along these long shadowy pavements , especially after dark. When night seeps down through the spaces :between the buildings, the streets are... Show moreTHE WINDOW The streets on the East Side are narrow — very narrow. Second Avenue is not only narrow, but :sinister in appearance. Few would venture to stroll along these long shadowy pavements , especially after dark. When night seeps down through the spaces :between the buildings, the streets are checkerboards of light and dark, reflecting stars and lamp posts , Among the 10,000 dwellers of Second Avenue :there was one - one who had watched, listened and thought about his neighborhood. Yes , here , at his front window he had watched the overwhelming growth of boredom explode, inciting struggle and revenge. Angelo was not one of the gang. Back in High School he had been interested in music - taken several walks down to the Village to gaze at the many paintings which lined the streets in the spring and early fall, But lately it was as though he had resolved to concern himself with the gangs - or even more strongly, had decided to leave the city and find the freedom his thoughts craved“ And so, almost by compulsion, his interests had widened. He wanted to see everything — everything! St. Dominick was his home church. It was an ancient picture of Gothic strength. The windows were huge , multi—colored, giving the inspiration needed for times of contemplation, Angelo spent much time here within the cloistered walls of peace“ Each time the power of peace settled itself in his mind, he would go home, determined to speak to the gang, to try to help. But something hindered him, At times, as he watched the gang in action, there was a cancerous force within him, restraining him from movement or speech. He had known for a long time what that force was -- fear. What else could it be, he had questioned, that could stop him from saying something? 15 Show less