DigitalCommons@C.O.D.

Cianciosi, Christine

The Prairie Light Review
Volume 41 | Number 1 Article 2
Fall 12-1-2018
Artist Window
Christine Cianciosi
College of DuPage
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Recommended Citation
Cianciosi, Christine (2018) "Artist Window," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 41 : No. 1 , Article 2.
Available at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol41/iss1/2
Artist Window
Christine Cianciosi
Fall 2018 Journal .indd   1 1/3/19   4:35 PM
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Cianciosi: Artist Window
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English

Artist Window

The Prairie Light Review
Volume 41 | Number 1 Article 3
Fall 12-1-2018
About
Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr
This Prefatory Note is brought to you for free and open access by the College Publications at DigitalCommons@COD. It has been accepted for
inclusion in The Prairie Light Review by an authorized editor of DigitalCommons@COD. For more information, please contact orenick@cod.edu.
Recommended Citation
(2018) "About," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 41 : No. 1 , Article 3.
Available at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol41/iss1/3
About: 
The Prairie Light Review is the College of Dupage art and literary journal. We are 
a student-run, biannual publication that seeks to honor and showcase the creative 
talents of our diverse community. All of the material in this magazine is the work 
of students and residents of District 502. Each piece has been selected blindly to 
ensure objectivity.
Prairie Light Review can be picked up in the Library, MacAnanich Arts Building, 
and outside of our office at SSC 1227.Join: 
To join our Editorial Team, enroll in English 2201. Find more information at www.
cod.edu/plr.
Direct all questions to:
Trina Sotirakopulos, Advisor
sotirakopulost@cod.edu
630 . 942 . 2177
More:
@COD_PLR
WWW.COD.EDU/STUDENT_LIFE/PRAIRIE_LIGHT_REVIEW
Rolling Submissions:
The Prairie Light Review accepts submissions year round. For more information 
on submission guidelines, please view our website at www.cod.edu/plr
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et al.: About
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About

The Prairie Light Review
Volume 41 | Number 1 Article 6
Fall 12-1-2018
Contributors
Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr
This Prefatory Note is brought to you for free and open access by the College Publications at DigitalCommons@COD. It has been accepted for
inclusion in The Prairie Light Review by an authorized editor of DigitalCommons@COD. For more information, please contact orenick@cod.edu.
Recommended Citation
(2018) "Contributors," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 41 : No. 1 , Article 6.
Available at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol41/iss1/6
Contributors
Mardelle Fortier
Madiha Saber
Mary Sikorski
Christine Cianciosi
Mike Gebhardt
Monalisa Bissonnette
Natalie McKenty
Julio Guerrero
Lindsay Piotter
Maureen Flannery
William Marr
Jason Krzysztofiak
Dorothy Bandusky
Jennifer Kurz
Connor Doyle
Bryan Van Zanten
Natalia Toreeva
Michael Lee Johnson
Jon Ruffolo
Tania Blanco
Julie P. Center
Glynis Benbow-Niemier
Shane Hipps
Miguel Contreras III
Bonnie Bailey
Adelina Giannini
Kathi Wood
William North
Bayan Jarad
Bonniejean Alford
Alexandra Rose Weston
Susan Trestrail
Ronda Crawford
Morgan Pfeiffer
Cherylyn Gnadt
Ida Kotyuk
Claire Katsion
Mahrya Desiree
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Contributors
Mardelle Fortier
Madiha Saber
Mary Sikorski
Christine Cianciosi
Mike Gebhardt
Monalisa Bissonnette
Natalie McKenty
Julio Guerrero
Lindsay Piotter
Maureen Flannery
William Marr
Jason Krzysztofiak
Dorothy Bandusky
Jennifer Kurz
Connor Doyle
Bryan Van Zanten
Natalia Toreeva
Michael Lee Johnson
Jon Ruffolo
Tania Blanco
Julie P. Center
Glynis Benbow-Niemier
Shane Hipps
Miguel Contreras III
Bonnie Bailey
Adelina Giannini
Kathi Wood
William North
Bayan Jarad
Bonniejean Alford
Alexandra Rose Weston
Susan Trestrail
Ronda Crawford
Morgan Pfeiffer
Cherylyn Gnadt
Ida Kotyuk
Claire Katsion
Mahrya Desiree
Fall 2018 Journal .indd   5 1/3/19   4:35 PM
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et al.: Contributors
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Contributors

Bailey, Bonnie

The Prairie Light Review
Volume 41 | Number 1 Article 12
Fall 12-1-2018
Textures
Bonnie Bailey
College of DuPage
Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr
This Selection is brought to you for free and open access by the College Publications at DigitalCommons@COD. It has been accepted for inclusion in
The Prairie Light Review by an authorized editor of DigitalCommons@COD. For more information, please contact orenick@cod.edu.
Recommended Citation
Bailey, Bonnie (2018) "Textures," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 41 : No. 1 , Article 12.
Available at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol41/iss1/12
Textures
Soaking in
these final
textures
of singing frogs
laughing crickets
and warm gusts
that dance across
my skin
she is lurking
around the corner
smirking
to herself
knowing full well
her icy reign
is secure
her mockery
at all attempts
to layer
a defense
is sure
but for this moment
the stage
is not yet
hers
so, smiling
I dance this
final song
with Summer
knowing certain
that tomorrow
belongs
to the
North Wind.
Bonnie Bailey
Fall 2018 Journal .indd   11 1/3/19   4:35 PM
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Bailey: Textures
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Textures

Trestrail, Susan

The Prairie Light Review
Volume 41 | Number 1 Article 14
Fall 12-1-2018
Butterfly Moon
Susan Trestrail
College of DuPage
Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr
This Artwork is brought to you for free and open access by the College Publications at DigitalCommons@COD. It has been accepted for inclusion in
The Prairie Light Review by an authorized editor of DigitalCommons@COD. For more information, please contact orenick@cod.edu.
Recommended Citation
Trestrail, Susan (2018) "Butterfly Moon," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 41 : No. 1 , Article 14.
Available at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol41/iss1/14
Butterfly of Time
The weight of life releases
as the end of the journey arrives
Emotion encapsulates the heart
connecting all of time in one moment
then and now converged
The emotion of it all overwhelms
let the tears fall as they must
Existence slows
deep breath in, deep breath out
And yet again
life remains transformed
Tomorrows shaped by all the yesterdays
nestled within the confines of earthly constraint
the soul ever waiting
Now, ready to emerge into new life
the entire being flutters
heavenly gardens welcome eternity
Bonniejean Alford
Butterfly MoonSusan Trestrail
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Trestrail: Butterfly Moon
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Butterfly Moon

Doyle, Connor

The Prairie Light Review
Volume 41 | Number 1 Article 16
Fall 12-1-2018
It's Just There 2
Connor Doyle
College of DuPage
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This Artwork is brought to you for free and open access by the College Publications at DigitalCommons@COD. It has been accepted for inclusion in
The Prairie Light Review by an authorized editor of DigitalCommons@COD. For more information, please contact orenick@cod.edu.
Recommended Citation
Doyle, Connor (2018) "It's Just There 2," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 41 : No. 1 , Article 16.
Available at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol41/iss1/16
Connor Doyle
It’s Just There 2
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Doyle: It's Just There 2
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It\u27s Just There 2

Wood, Kathi

The Prairie Light Review
Volume 41 | Number 1 Article 31
Fall 12-1-2018
Alone at Play
Kathi Wood
College of DuPage
Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr
This Artwork is brought to you for free and open access by the College Publications at DigitalCommons@COD. It has been accepted for inclusion in
The Prairie Light Review by an authorized editor of DigitalCommons@COD. For more information, please contact orenick@cod.edu.
Recommended Citation
Wood, Kathi (2018) "Alone at Play," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 41 : No. 1 , Article 31.
Available at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol41/iss1/31
Alone at Play
Kathi Wood
Fall 2018 Journal .indd   31 1/3/19   4:35 PM
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Wood: Alone at Play
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Alone at Play

Sikorski, Mary

The Prairie Light Review
Volume 41 | Number 1 Article 37
Fall 12-1-2018
Utopia
Mary Sikorski
College of DuPage
Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr
This Artwork is brought to you for free and open access by the College Publications at DigitalCommons@COD. It has been accepted for inclusion in
The Prairie Light Review by an authorized editor of DigitalCommons@COD. For more information, please contact orenick@cod.edu.
Recommended Citation
Sikorski, Mary (2018) "Utopia," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 41 : No. 1 , Article 37.
Available at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol41/iss1/37
 I couldn’t be delicate or demur, just too loud, drawing attention to 
myself that only embarrassed adult friends and family at gatherings, who would 
roll their eyes, whispering that I must get it from my mother’s people.
 And I did try to do better. I tried to stretch my hair at night so that 
it would grow and hang down my back. I tried not to eat so many sweets, so I 
could lose the weight now because it would only get harder as I got older, or so 
cousin Lilly would say, every, single, time, she saw me. I wish I had known the 
word “bitch,” not that I would ever use it, but so I could think it. I tried
to at least be quiet and sit still, so I could be seen and not heard, and stay out of 
grown folks conversations. I failed of course, miserably, and I was smart enough 
to know it.
Ronda Crawford
Utopia Mary Sikorski
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Sikorski: Utopia
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Utopia

Saber, Madiha

The Prairie Light Review
Volume 41 | Number 1 Article 47
Fall 12-1-2018
Festival of Lights
Madiha Saber
College of DuPage
Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr
This Selection is brought to you for free and open access by the College Publications at DigitalCommons@COD. It has been accepted for inclusion in
The Prairie Light Review by an authorized editor of DigitalCommons@COD. For more information, please contact orenick@cod.edu.
Recommended Citation
Saber, Madiha (2018) "Festival of Lights," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 41 : No. 1 , Article 47.
Available at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol41/iss1/47
Festival of Lights
his darkness crept towards me during the familiar hours
when shadows take charge without any hesitation
when the eye cannot perceive even a single ray of hope
just a gleaming mirage of cease-fire to grope
 
it pulled at my hair
swooped at the sight of any wispy locks
and crawled under cavernous moors recently hollowed of hardened lava-rock
 
[I was a seemingly endless trellis of rope for him to climb up]
 
a desperate attempt for asylum
built of minor sticks and contorted stones
it is difficult to admit, I too aided him in erecting this tarp of a home
 
meanwhile, the relentless Winds sleeplessly searched
far and wide for his sycophant ghost
his Iron padlocked door of dormant woes
 
[ tell me, how many internal voices shall I dismiss
when they softly knock
slam the door in their pleading face
to earn in your mind even an iota of space?
for I am a mustard seed simply searching for a less chaotic place]
Madiha Saber
Fall 2018 Journal .indd   13 1/3/19   4:36 PM
Festival of Lights
his darkness crept towards me during the familiar hours
when shadows take charge without any hesitation
when the eye cannot perceive even a single ray of hope
just a gleaming mirage of cease-fire to grope
 
it pulled at my hair
swooped at the sight of any wispy locks
and crawled under cavernous moors recently hollowed of hardened lava-rock
 
[I was a seemingly endless trellis of rope for him to climb up]
 
a desperate attempt for asylum
built of minor sticks and contorted stones
it is difficult to admit, I too aided him in erecting this tarp of a home
 
meanwhile, the relentless Winds sleeplessly searched
far and wide for his sycophant ghost
his Iron padlocked door of dormant woes
 
[ tell me, how many internal voices shall I dismiss
when they softly knock
slam the door in their pleading face
to earn in your mind even an iota of space?
for I am a mustard seed simply searching for a less chaotic place]
Madiha Saber
Fall 2018 Journal .indd   13 1/3/19   4:36 PM
Festival of Lights
his darkness crept towards me during the f rs
when shadows take charge without any hesit
when the ey  cannot perceive even a single 
just a gleaming mirage of cease-fire to gro
 
it pulled at my hair
swooped at the sight of any wispy locks
and crawled under cavernous mo rs rece tl  f hardened lava-rock
 
[I was  seemingly endless trellis of rope f r li b up]
 
a desperate attempt for asylum
built of minor sticks and contorted stones
it is difficult to admit, I to  aided him in er  tarp of a home
 
meanwhile, the rel ntless Winds sle plessl  
far nd wide for his ycophant ghost
his Iron padlocked o r of dormant woes
 
[ tell me, how many internal voices shal  I i
when they softly knock
slam the door in their pleading face
to earn i your mind even an iota of space?
for I am a mustard seed simply searching f  tic place]
Madiha Saber
Fall 2018 Journal .indd   13 1/3/19   4:36 PM
1
Saber: Festival of Lights
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Festival of Lights

Gebhardt, Mike

The Prairie Light Review
Volume 41 | Number 1 Article 66
Fall 12-1-2018
You Who Have Nothing to Fear
Mike Gebhardt
College of DuPage
Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr
This Selection is brought to you for free and open access by the College Publications at DigitalCommons@COD. It has been accepted for inclusion in
The Prairie Light Review by an authorized editor of DigitalCommons@COD. For more information, please contact orenick@cod.edu.
Recommended Citation
Gebhardt, Mike (2018) "You Who Have Nothing to Fear," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 41 : No. 1 , Article 66.
Available at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol41/iss1/66
You Who Have Nothing to Fear
(Note: This work was prompted years ago by moments of self-doubt that have plagued 
my daughter, who suffers from depression, and who needed to hear some words of en-
couragement, strength, and hope.)
until you have done these things
and found what you are made of
or bandied them in your dreams
fear not
to know your fears
and face them every day
takes a brave heart
a soul that doesn’t walk away
fear not
fight on
look past your limits
life is a circle
jump in 
hang on
for you will overcome
Mike Gebhardt
for you who have fought demons
wherever they appear
standing firm or shaken from within
there is nothing to fear
to you who have run into burning 
buildings
and those who fight crime in the 
streets
soldiers fighting an invisible enemy
and surgeons with a life on the table
have no fear
when all is lost
and a way must be found
refrain from going astray
stay for the fight
and live to tell the tale
when you’ve looked death in the eye
fallen from the sky
stood alone on a mountain top
or wept in the valley of despair
have no fear
Fall 2018 Journal .indd   36 1/3/19   4:36 PM
You Who Have Nothing to Fear
(Note: This work was prompted years ago by moments of self-doubt that have plagued 
my daughter, who suffers from depression, and who needed to hear some words of en-
couragement, strength, and hope.)
until you have done these things
and found what you are made of
or bandied them in your dreams
fear not
to know your fears
and face them every day
takes a brave heart
a soul that doesn’t walk away
fear not
fight on
look past your limits
life is a circle
jump in 
hang on
for you will overcome
Mike Gebhardt
for you who have fought demons
wherever they appear
standing firm or shaken from within
there is nothing to fear
to you who have run into burning 
buildings
and those who fight crime in the 
streets
soldiers fighting an invisible enemy
and surgeons with a life on the table
have no fear
when all is lost
and a way must be found
refrain from going astray
stay for the fight
and live to tell the tale
when you’ve looked death in the eye
fallen from the sky
stood alone on a mountain top
or wept in the valley of despair
have no fear
Fall 2018 Journal .indd   36 1/3/19   4:36 PM
1
Gebhardt: You Who Have Nothing to Fear
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