“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...
I can see my reflection staring at me,
when I look down at the waves.
It feels that I don’t know exactly who I am.
I don’t see myself; I see a version of myself.
A distorted image that is almost scary; it’s bad for my health.
I am confined when alone with my thoughts.
A fish out of water, except I did not get caught.
I feel like I’m drowning and succumbing to the water.
Let it take me, let it shape me, though it can’t break me; I won’t falter.
I try to take a breath, but it feels like death.
I’m breathing in toxins, like chlorine in my chest.
These currents may be rough, but they do not give me stress.
Sometimes I think that life is just one humongous quest.
I’m searching for the answers, knowing that I am in a drought.
When I’m watching the rain, I can’t help but pout.
As I hear the earth crying, hearing she is in despair,
I swallow my tears, knowing that someone else is there.
Bethany Tiruneh is a 12th grader at Young Audiences Charter School in Gretna. She considers herself multifaceted as her talents and hobbies include visual art, dancing, creative writing, and singing. She is working towards two certificates of artistry—visual art and dance—during the day at school and does classical vocal at NOCCA two days a week. She is an A honor roll student and in the top ten of her class. Bethany’s goal in life is to follow her artistic dreams while also becoming an attorney. Her current motto is “If Barbie can do it, why can’t I?” because Barbie inspires her to believe that she can do multiple things at once and still be successful all around.