“Self Portrait” by Katie McDowell (18), New Orleans Center for Creative Arts "An Old Man in Military Costume" by Simone Wuttke (18), Dartmouth College (recent Benjamin Franklin High School graduate) "This oil on canvas painting is inspired by Rembrandt's 'An Old...
listening to your voice
before I go to sleep is
what brings me through the day
you don’t fully smile a lot
insecure about the shape
but your boxy smile is my lifeline
you tell me to sleep
it’s good to take care of yourself
but I’d rather spend time with you
I like to think we met
in an art gallery in another life
we had a debate
Picasso or Warhol?
you were so obviously Picasso
but I was Warhol
we talked for hours
and then went for a walk
blossoms lining the sidewalk
hand in hand
I pulled you into a coffee shop
and you made me try a white chocolate mocha and I made you try a chai latte
I like to think we met again
after that
a fortunate coincidence
in the same coffeehouse years later
I had a white chocolate mocha
you had a chai latte
we did it right this time
we exchanged numbers
you gave me your jacket
and I let you put your arm around me walking home later
didn’t last long enough
you kissed my cheek and said
“until next time”
Gabi Connor is 17 years old and currently attending Tulane University as a part-time student while doing a home study program for high school. She plans to get her English literature degree from LSU. Once she graduates, Gabi hopes to open a bookstore coffee shop where people can gather to read books and drink coffee in each other’s company