In-house Interpretations

Forgiveness may not always come easy for everyone, but blood is thicker than water, and time likes to heal old wounds. In Tom Caton's "A Strand of Hair," he intricately weaves in details of a close relationship that has unraveled overtime and a plea to recapture this connection that has been broken but not forgotten.

With the line, "The strings that linked us have become threadbare / but loose ends are crying to be tied there," we know that these two people share a deep connection, one that was once strong but has since weakened. We're never told who was the cause of their separation, yet we can infer that there is a longing to reconnect. Loose ends usually signify unfinished business; this time definitely feels more personal. Caton stretches the thread metaphor further by comparing their current status to that of a 'torn' garment. Obviously, it's damaged but …

Criticisms and compliments are constantly given by the handful both online and off but are not always well-received. After all, it can be difficult to accept either one, if we don't completely believe in or like what's being said about us. In E.J.M.'s poem "Truths vs Lies," she examines the sincerity and intentions of others' kind words and delves into the psyche of measuring one's true self-worth.

Early on, her narrator reflects on how it feels to be labeled as "pretty" and "smart," while believing in the latter over the former. She goes on to debate how both of these things can be considered "facts" that pertain to her if they don't feel equally plausible and begins to question the motives behind being described as such by others. As she points out, "pride fills your body / when you praise someone else / so is that why they are say…

In Dylan Garcia's "Pre-Existing Condition," a deeper exploration reveals not only the societal stigma surrounding chronic illness but also the resilient spirit that defies it. While the poem overtly discusses the challenges and prejudices faced by individuals with diabetes, a nuanced reading uncovers a subtle defiance against societal norms and a celebration of personal strength.

One key aspect of the poem lies in its use of imagery and language to portray the speaker's experience. Garcia employs vivid descriptions, such as "blood pooling at fingertips" and "ambulance wail," to evoke the visceral sensations and harsh realities of living with diabetes. However, amidst these bleak depictions, there are moments of defiance and empowerment.

For instance, the speaker's refusal to be reduced to a mere statistic is a powerful assertion of agency and individuality. Despite the overwhelming statistics of diabetes-related deaths, the speaker asserts their desire to be remembered for their resilience and…

In "24 words Spoken On A Park Bench," Rebecca Agauas beautifully paints a lovely, seemingly familiar scene -- birds are flying, kids are playing in dirt, and dogs are chasing their tails around in a park. It all seems innocent enough. However, something more is happening before our eyes, something we're unable to fully comprehend. A brief, unknown exchange between two people unfolds with layers of mystery hiding within them and slight hints dropping along the way. "We only spoke to each other once. / It was simple and to the point, never over complicating the situation." From this, we can infer that these two individuals are strangers involved in something unusual, some sort of predicament, but we're never certain what it is exactly nor are we ever provided with the nature of their relationship.

Agauas opens the poem with the line, "We sat on the park bench together,…