DigitalCommons@C.O.D.

Garay, Valeria

The Prairie Light Review 
Volume 44 
Number 2 Spring 2022 Article 7 
Spring 5-1-2022 
Letter From The Editor 
Valeria Garay 
College of DuPage 
Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr 
Recommended Citation 
Garay, Valeria (2022) "Letter From The Editor," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 44: No. 2, Article 7. 
Available at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol44/iss2/7 
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. 
LETTER FROM
THE EDITOR 
     It is with the utmost gratitude and pleasure to say that PLR is 
officially back as an in-person class and production. At the begin-
ning of our semester, we prepared ourselves for the possibility that 
this issue would have to be created remotely like past issues. To 
our community who has supported us throughout this journey, we 
thank you for everything you have done. I am eternally grateful 
for everyone who submitted work to us, we would not have been 
able to create PLR without you. I would like to particularly thank 
our editorial staff, and faculty advisor, Adam Fotos. It would not 
be possible for the magazine to be created without everyone’s col-
laboration and dedication throughout the semester.      
     For this issue, we wanted to focus it around the cycles of life, 
the highs and togetherness of solidarity, the loneliness of solitary, 
and the gray areas of solace. We wanted to highlight the good and 
bad parts of existence but wanted to prioritize the idea of hope and 
growth. This issue is a celebration of life, the good, the bad, and 
the inbetween. 
     It’s my first semester with PLR, and I can’t explain how grateful 
I am to have been given the opportunity to immediately jump in 
as Editor in Chief. I will continue at PLR for as long as I am at 
the College of Dupage. PLR has allowed me to grow as a person 
and as a student, and for that I am extremely grateful. It’s been a 
privilege and honor to be able to work with such creative minds, 
PLR has provided me with a deep insight into the world we live in. 
I can’t wait for what’s to come! 
-Editor in Chief of Prairie Light Review, Valeria Garay
5
1
Garay: Letter From The Editor
Published by DigitalCommons@COD, 2022


English

Letter From The Editor

Kreger, Jack

The Prairie Light Review 
Volume 44 
Number 2 Spring 2022 Article 18 
Spring 5-1-2022 
Wonder 
Jack Kreger 
College of DuPage 
Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr 
Recommended Citation 
Kreger, Jack (2022) "Wonder," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 44: No. 2, Article 18. 
Available at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol44/iss2/18 
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. 
Pompa
MJ Dillon
A pompous ass, that’s what she called him,
sparking a new pseudonym. 
Pompa, that’s what she called him.
The toddler spoke as if singing a hymn. 
Pompa, that’s what I call you
who taught me to tie my shoe.
Pompa, that’s what we say in lieu
of the grand title you’re due.
A veteran, that’s what others call you,
to great heights you flew!
A helper, that’s what others call you
since you always come through.
My grandpa, that’s what you are.
Constantly healing my scars.
With milkshakes from the stars.
Pompa, that’s who you are. 
Wonder, Jack Kreger
14
1
Kreger: Wonder
Published by DigitalCommons@COD, 2022


Wonder

Cello, Betsy

The Prairie Light Review 
Volume 44 
Number 2 Spring 2022 Article 24 
Spring 5-1-2022 
A New Day 
Betsy Cello 
College of DuPage 
Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr 
Recommended Citation 
Cello, Betsy (2022) "A New Day," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 44: No. 2, Article 24. 
Available at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol44/iss2/24 
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. 
The Mandarin’s Dilemma
Karian Markos
for the Mandarin to voluntarily shed its peel
to discard its protective layer
and sit on a plate exposed
it would have to accept that it may be devoured 
hungrily and unceremoniously
would it be too much for the Mandarin to hope 
that if it disrobes 
undoes its pithy corset 
revealing its segments 
they would one by one
pass through a pair of delicately parted lips
perhaps grazing them gently
be lain onto the most appreciative tongue
and swirled and savored until
the thin skin containing its hundreds of juice sacs
bursts open in a flood of ecstasy
why else but for its trepidation
would it attempt to preserve itself 
when the alternative 
is to rot
without having shared its gifts
A New Day, Betsy Cello
17
1
Cello: A New Day
Published by DigitalCommons@COD, 2022


A New Day

Bartlett, Karen

The Prairie Light Review 
Volume 44 
Number 2 Spring 2022 Article 26 
Spring 5-1-2022 
Lace of That Day 
Karen Bartlett 
College of DuPage 
Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr 
Recommended Citation 
Bartlett, Karen (2022) "Lace of That Day," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 44: No. 2, Article 26. 
Available at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol44/iss2/26 
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. 
     “I know buddy, I wish neither of us had to wake up this early. But I got a sur-
prise for you for not being a stinker this morning.”
      “Really?!” I exclaimed. The energy jolted back into me as if I’d had a sip of 
his black bean water.
     He reached into his bag as I watched in awe. Slowly but surely, he rummaged 
through the assortment of items that had no real use within it. Finally, he grabbed 
a transparently green CD case, with an indecipherable message on its face. It was 
exactly what I wanted, even if I didn’t know it.
      “Here you go, it’s the first two episodes in the Star Wars prequels. You can 
watch it since you don’t start school for another three hours or so.”
     I didn’t understand much of what he said, let alone the order of the Star Wars 
movies, but it was the perfect surprise anyway. I finally got to bring in my own 
movie to watch, which was a tradition for the kids such as myself who had no ride 
home, or whose parents worked during the insufferable hours.
     I didn’t have enough time for both movies, but my Dad always knew how to 
make me happy. Luckily for me, things haven’t changed in that sense.
Lace Of That Day, Karen Bartlett
19
1
Bartlett: Lace of That Day
Published by DigitalCommons@COD, 2022


Lace of That Day

Mitrache, Alina

The Prairie Light Review 
Volume 44 
Number 2 Spring 2022 Article 30 
Spring 5-1-2022 
A Good Red Apple 
Alina Mitrache 
College of DuPage 
Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr 
Recommended Citation 
Mitrache, Alina (2022) "A Good Red Apple," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 44: No. 2, Article 30. 
Available at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol44/iss2/30 
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. 
1
Mitrache: A Good Red Apple
Published by DigitalCommons@COD, 2022


A Good Red Apple

Wroniak, Emily

The Prairie Light Review 
Volume 44 
Number 2 Spring 2022 Article 38 
Spring 5-1-2022 
Slivers of Light 
Emily Wroniak 
College of DuPage 
Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr 
Recommended Citation 
Wroniak, Emily (2022) "Slivers of Light," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 44: No. 2, Article 38. 
Available at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol44/iss2/38 
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. 
Slivers of Light, Emily Wroniak
1
Wroniak: Slivers of Light
Published by DigitalCommons@COD, 2022


Slivers of Light

Przybysz, Madelene

The Prairie Light Review 
Volume 44 
Number 2 Spring 2022 Article 42 
Spring 5-1-2022 
Sad Eyes 
Madelene Przybysz 
College of DuPage 
Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr 
Recommended Citation 
Przybysz, Madelene (2022) "Sad Eyes," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 44: No. 2, Article 42. 
Available at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol44/iss2/42 
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. 
Sad Eyes
Madelene Przybysz
I’ve been told that I have sad eyes
Though I smile and speak lightly.
They say there is a dim light that will blow out if I let it and allow myself to let go
They say I walk with confidence in a timid way and hold myself carefully that   
     seems unsure
I’ll think about things before I speak but bite my tongue although I live with no 
     regrets.
They say I want all the color and chaos though I am too shy to begin
And that love is there if I let it in.
Somebody told me that I have sad eyes
And to that
I smiled, politely
And walked away
Under Film Lights, Courtney Chomycia
43
1
Przybysz: Sad Eyes
Published by DigitalCommons@COD, 2022


Sad Eyes

Water, Jim

The Prairie Light Review 
Volume 44 
Number 2 Spring 2022 Article 55 
Spring 5-1-2022 
Snow Shadows 
Jim Water 
College of DuPage 
Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr 
Recommended Citation 
Water, Jim (2022) "Snow Shadows," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 44: No. 2, Article 55. 
Available at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol44/iss2/55 
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. 
I Don’t Need a Face 
Matthew Kimball
The things that I have beared witness, 
To the annoyance of ears we call noises. 
And the smells too. 
I have decided that I no longer require this face. 
For it no longer makes do. 
 
I wish I could wipe away my face. 
Ocean eyes and rose petal lips shall be erased. 
Be gone with my emotions and my race. 
I will not care if you avert your gaze. 
Nor do I deserve gentle grace. 
 
No more shall I see the grayish hues. 
Or show my terrible blues. 
For I grow tired of all of the bad news. 
No reactions or words, only blankness. 
The paranoia has overtaken and left me anxious. 
Do you feel nervous of my non-existent gaze? 
For I grow tired of my ugly face. 
Snow Shadows, Jim Water
52
1
Water: Snow Shadows
Published by DigitalCommons@COD, 2022


Snow Shadows

Howes, Christopher

The Prairie Light Review 
Volume 44 
Number 2 Spring 2022 Article 58 
Spring 5-1-2022 
Night Moves 
Christopher Howes 
College of DuPage 
Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr 
Recommended Citation 
Howes, Christopher (2022) "Night Moves," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 44: No. 2, Article 58. 
Available at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol44/iss2/58 
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. 
Nostalgia
Khadijah Rashid
A gaping hole in my chest
That I try to fill
On a cold sidewalk bench 
Or the wet edge of a curb
With yet another new friend
Or a spill of words
A gaping hole in my chest
Torn open by
An old favorite song
Or a well-loved book
But maybe I’m wrong
And won’t see a hole, if I look
At that longing for 
Something tucked so well away 
It felt like it was no longer there
Till something dug it out one day 
And made me aware
Night Moves, 
Christopher Howes
53
1
Howes: Night Moves
Published by DigitalCommons@COD, 2022


Night Moves

Klein, Allison

The Prairie Light Review 
Volume 44 
Number 2 Spring 2022 Article 68 
Spring 5-1-2022 
Dandelions Droplets on a Quiet Morning 
Allison Klein 
College of DuPage 
Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr 
Recommended Citation 
Klein, Allison (2022) "Dandelions Droplets on a Quiet Morning," The Prairie Light Review: Vol. 44: No. 2, 
Article 68. 
Available at: https://dc.cod.edu/plr/vol44/iss2/68 
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. 
The Dam Fixer
Ben Ryles
I work on a dam
And I’m the fixer
That’s what I’ve been told to be
For this wall that holds
A strange elixir
A vast and boundless sea
Why I do it
I’m unaware
It’s just the orders I’ve been given
I mend the holes
On the side that’s bare
But I’m just about to give in
I’m reduced to
Wood and tape
And cracks keep showing face
The cement ran out
Years ago
And a flood will soon take place
Dandelion Droplets On a Quiet Morning,
Allison Klein
60
1
Klein: Dandelions Droplets on a Quiet Morning
Published by DigitalCommons@COD, 2022


College of DuPage

Not a member yet