The craziest person I ever knew… packed his meager necessities, closed the door behind him, walked away from joy, drove beyond grief, pitched a tent beside chili peppers, bathed in the sunshine and a rain barrel, drank beer with the widowers, laughed with the children, painted his name on the desert sky, until his freed…
Author: Public Submission
Little Yellow Flowers by Charlie Nelson
My mother and I used to walk in the meadow often. The little yellow dandelions seemed to whisper sweet messages in my ear. That was back when mother wasn’t sick. The last time we visited the meadow was October 3, 2002. The day before mom’s diagnosis. She had a tumor pushing against her lung, causing…
Go to waste by Carlos Santana
never knew how to let a bottle go to waste I love the feeling hate the taste I did it till I loved what I hate I did it till I loved what I hate Feeling like I’m too far gone it’s like the moon I’m on Can’t Breathe with these holes left from…
Cinder-Elliott by Amanda Schlichter
Long ago in a land far away, A boy named Cinder-Elliot did play. He was happy and free ’til that sad day came When his mother died and step-father placed blame. Years passed and Elliot toiled His step-brothers poked fun, his happy plans foiled. One day a change came by, When a royal messenger did…
December by Reina Bautista
a cold night in december of 2000 beeping of monitors and the chatter of nurses fill the room eyes begin to open, seeing new life this was it at 9:35pm we meet for the very first time the day our adventure had begun celebrating birthdays together almost like twins sort of being only a…
Until the Cherry Blossoms Bloom Again by Emma Serrano
Cold air pricks at my throat as I take a deep breath Sheets of snow cover the train tracks below This station has long since been abandoned So why do I still linger? You promised we would one day meet again “When the branches sprout blossoming petals” It seems that time will never come for…
Daydreaming by Riley McGee
Daydreaming Flying, Transcending All of the pain, All of the worry Dissipates as his soul escapes his body A lucid vision of ecstasy Yearning for something greater the rhythm guides him Searching for a purpose, the lyrics make him feel found Carefree, Joyful An unexplainable excitement, An unexplainable happiness The scenery of mountains and fields…
Fall by Jeremy Rottini
Biography: While I briefly tinkered with art a few times during my teens and early adulthood, I didn’t really get serious about painting until a few months prior to the pandemic starting. The extra time I had at home during the pandemic allowed me to dive deeply into soft pastels and learn some of…
There Is A Snake In My Boot by Trisha Nelson
Based on a true story “Miguel, you need to clean up your room!” Miguel could hear the irritation in my voice. He scurried to his room, and I could hear him picking up his toys and his shoes. It stopped suddenly after a few minutes. I marched to his bedroom, putting my hands…
The Weed in the Garden by Norma Keeney
I am looked upon as an annoyance that grows where grass should grow. I tower over the grass with my beautiful display of yellow flowers. Nevertheless, I am much more than that. I have the power to heal the human body. The liver loves me and cancer runs away from me. Yet, humans step on…
How to be a Non-Perfectionist by Amber Miller
I can’t really speak to what it’s like to be a perfectionist, but having grown up with a mother who is a hyper perfectionist, I can say, hallelujah. Instead of learning from her and learning how to meticulously iron clothes, measure, and fret over every tiny detail, I went the other direction. I developed skills…
Everything Gets Better! by Abby Moser
“Have you been feeling down, hopeless, or depressed?” No, because that’s not quite how I feel But my body is weary and tired Not willing itself to move Each morning an agonizing crawl To get out of the bed That has seen too much It understands that I crave the comfort And I am not…
Dread by Luca Lovato
I can’t believe I’m here. visited by an old friend The cold embracing me tightly In its disgusting falsely used love Lifting my feet, I bring my knees to my chest My pale hands gripping the boney shins While roots grow out of my head to display little orange containers of light They’re beautiful, the…
Confliction and Acceptance (Confliction Part Two) by Flynn Kleppe
Confliction Conflicting feelings, thoughts, ideas Apologizing for being a burden (even to myself) I’m trying to teach myself that logically, I am not a burden Anyone who says so isn’t needed in my life But after having these thoughts For so long And so often There’s no treasure map or instructions, Just a blank…
The Key by Ava Dudzak
It is the middle of fall and I am watching my younger brother play with his toy trucks in the backyard of my uncle’s house. Our parents always brought us here if they had a very important meeting to attend. Today was as slow as any other day at our uncle’s house. I could have…
The Message by Brenda Ottosen
I’ve read there are those who believe their loved ones were given a warning that death was approaching. Some were visited by loved ones who had already passed. Others felt the overwhelming need to prepare for a trip. And some people received a sign to escort them, or coax them, toward a bright light. The…
A Blanket by Kadie Jones
That’s all that was left, to show she had even been there in the first place. The red plaid fleece and Sherpa sat on the bed all by its lonesome, to remind him that no matter what, that would be her home. Some people leave their toiletries. You know, the ones that you can…
Swim Team by Cindy Jewkes
“Skylar, it’s time to GO!” I hollered while ushering Robbie and Nash into the family minivan. Goldfish crackers were permanently smashed into the carpets, and there was a neon yellow stain near Nash’s seat from spilled slime during a road trip. “I’m coming!” came Skylar’s voice from the bathroom. “Don’t forget your swim bag!” The…
Jay by Anna Johnson
Jay He answers the door and asks “How’s my favorite EMT?” Jay has been here before and remembers me This time Jay asks “what’s going on with this toilet?” 6’0” tall he stands in the door At 62 years young with glasses to show it With those white New Balance shoes too you know…
Posted by Noah Berris
The death of American sportsmanship and liberty Will come at the hands of barbed wire fence and “No Trespassing” signs We will no longer be allowed to roam as barefoot children under big skies and rocky peaks The trout will still rise and the elk will still bugle But these things will be shackled to…
Ohio by Noah Berris
Do you remember the day you were born? Your mother’s cries shaking the walls of your wegiwa. While the lead from the white men splintered your home, And took your father from you. Do you remember the sounds of your squalls? The way they fluttered through the air like a hamo searching for an orchid….
Mittens by Breanna Lloyd Green
I was like a doll, Ragged and torn, On the verge of falling apart, Then you came into my life, And started to parch me up. But now that you are gone, I am starting to tear again, I miss your hugs, I miss your inquiries on how I am, I miss you constant…
A Night in Siena by Cindy Jewkes
When I was a college freshman living in the dorms, a girl in my hall lent me her Josh Groban CD, insisting that I just had to listen to it. I was entranced by the exotic, beautiful music and immediately fell in love with the sound of the Italian language. Maybe it just sounded really…
Christmas Caps by Brooke Pippin
My father emphasized traditions and Christmas was no exception Always, button up shirts and glasses of eggnog around the dinner table Regardless of heavy and humid Decembers in Alabama But none was heavier than when his seat was left bare My mother bought the biggest tree, it scraped the ceiling And never had I…
Through the Darkest Nights by Phillip Lara
Biography: My name is Phillip Lara, and I usually go by Phil. I am currently pursuing a video production degree at Aims in hopes of working with film as a career. I have always loved being in the mountains since I can remember. It wasn’t until I was inspired by a friend who took photos…
Archived: Past the Storm by Serra Trent
Biography: I’ve always had art and painting as a way to escape the worries of life. Still, I didn’t consider my smeared pigment on a canvas art until I turned 18 and allowed myself to practice more often. Since then, I have been learning on my own to hone this craft, improve my abilities, and…
Archived: Dune Run by Travis Hardesty
Biography: I am an Aims alum who is about to graduate from the Engineering program at CU Boulder. I have been fascinated by photography ever since I held my first camera. I like to find the beauty in the mundane in my photography by bringing new perspectives. At Aims, I learned to edit digital photography,…
Archived: Everlasting Bond by Hannah Tofflemoyer
Biography: My artwork takes a critical look at the beauty and wonder of the world that many of us don’t get to see. As a future photojournalist, I am constantly looking for different ways to document the world around me. I take photographs that call attention to moments in time that are often overlooked. My…
North Shore Reservoir by Chelle Costello
Biography: I’m an English and Humanities professor here at Aims who is interested in the ways technology is changing art. During the pandemic, my husband bought me Procreate to doodle in, and it has become a new hobby for me on top of photography. I love photographing the beautiful Colorado landscape and drawing the things…
Archived: The Cave of Glacial Obstruction by Kayla Wruck
Biography: Hi, thank you for viewing my photography. My name is Kayla Wruck, and I am just your average college student with high goals and ambitions to start my own business and help others in every way I can. I have many little side hobbies that I enjoy doing outside of college, and one of…
Archived: Spring Snows at Prospect Ponds by Chelle Costello
Biography: I’m an English and Humanities professor here at Aims who is interested in the ways technology is changing art. During the pandemic, my husband bought me Procreate to doodle in, and it has become a new hobby for me on top of photography. I love photographing the beautiful Colorado landscape and drawing the things…
Archived: Prospect Ponds After the Snow by Chelle Costello
Biography: I’m an English and Humanities professor here at Aims who is interested in the ways technology is changing art. During the pandemic, my husband bought me Procreate to doodle in, and it has become a new hobby for me on top of photography. I love photographing the beautiful Colorado landscape and drawing the things…
Archived: Knitting Hands by Hannah Tofflemoyer
Biography: My artwork takes a critical look at the beauty and wonder of the world that many of us don’t get to see. As a future photojournalist, I am constantly looking for different ways to document the world around me. I take photographs that call attention to moments in time that are often overlooked….
Archived: A Greying Morning by Phillip Lara
Biography: My name is Phillip Lara. I normally go by Phil. I am currently pursuing an AAS degree in Video and Visual effects in hopes of being a film creator and director as well as a proficient story teller. I started taking photos at a young age, about 7 or 8 years old carrying a…
Archived: A Home to Hide In by Chelle Costello
Biography: I’m an English and Humanities professor here at Aims who is interested in the ways technology is changing art. During the pandemic, my husband bought me Procreate to doodle in, and it has become a new hobby for me on top of photography. I love photographing the beautiful Colorado landscape and drawing the things…
Archived: My Bubbles by Travis Hardesty
Biography: I am an Aims alum who is about to graduate from the Engineering program at CU Boulder. I have been fascinated by photography ever since I held my first camera. I like to find the beauty in the mundane in my photography by bringing new perspectives. At Aims, I learned to edit digital photography,…
Archived: Learning to Fish by Devyn Wood
Biography: I enrolled at AIMs to fulfill some course work I needed for my undergraduate degrees, though I specifically wanted to study under Professor G. Mark Lewis. I started taking extra coursework at AIMs since high school, and I have had nothing but wonderful experiences. I have had a DSLR in my hands since I…
Archived: Wait For Me by Kayla Wruck
Biography: Hi, thank you for viewing my photography. My name is Kayla Wruck, and I am just your average college student with high goals and ambitions to start my own business and help others in every way I can. I have many little side hobbies that I enjoy doing outside of college, and one…
Archived: Untold Story of the E.R. by Abby Wagner
The past month had been gray. Nothing but gray, but my thoughts were only black and white. Emptiness filled my being; food lost all flavor, color lost all pigment, music lost all feeling, I lost all joy. There was no point to life anymore. I had felt emotions so intensely for years, and then, I…
Archived: “Cennet Çöküğü ve Cehennem Çukuru” by Jenna Mora
In the short duration that I have spent on this planet, I have been through a lot. My experiences as a military brat have given me some unusual opportunities to see the world in a different way. For the four years I lived overseas, I was able to live through some amazing and awful things….
Archived: MULTICOLOR AMERICA by Sonia Aquino Billings
The United States of America is known for its diversity. It was founded by immigrants from many countries around the world. Many people came to this promising land to conquer it from the Native Americans. Some people came voluntarily, others by force. No matter the reason, a nation was founded with a multicolor population. When…
Archived: Safety First, Roger by Nathan Peterson
“That’s my baby.” Barney stood as if he were riding a horse, his hat tilted back, enthusiastically pointing out the bar room window. He nodded to those nearby, his gaze returning outside; he just stood there. He whispered it again, more to himself, an assurance it was true, his smile never dimmed. “Just looks like…
Archived: Praha by Madison Schneider
5:00 am alarm. On most days, she dreads the sound, but not today. Today, she wakes up in the glorious city of Prague, or Praha, to the locals. Klara has always dreamed of the day that she would visit one of the oldest and still most beautiful cities in the world, the country where her…
Archived: Roman by Madison Schneider
Hi, it’s me, Vinny. I know that you didn’t answer because you don’t recognize the number, and you never pick up when you don’t know the number. And the reason you don’t know the number is because I’ve never called. Gosh, I’m rambling and embarrassing myself. Maybe I should stick to writing letters or constantly…
Archived: Parallel Universe by Jenna Mora
You could say I was a little surprised when a portal opened up in my room. It was very late at night, and the house had settled gently into a comforting silence, interrupted occasionally by the chirping of a cricket. At the time, I was reading, tucked under my covers, too engrossed in an adventure…
Archived: The Origin of Magic by Robert Beeks
Act 1 The Concept of Creation to End Boredom Shadow: The beginning Elder/Narrator: God/Creator of the Realm and world and other gods Unknown Entity: Unknown Entity Balthan: A lesser god tasked with the duty to protect and guide Malthan: A lesser god tasked with the duty to guide and protect In a vast and…
Archived: Rotten Truth by Carolyn Hasty
a funeral a crowd of black swarming around a closed casket hot tears on cold cheeks four words, five syllables the sky became cloudy once the golden child died and I remained they look at me I know what they’re thinking four words, five syllables the dull cry of a violin footsteps far too gentle…
Archived: at last, sleep by Carolyn Hasty
you’ve hung your clothes on the line clipping each cloth gently with a clothespin praying it doesn’t rain knowing it doesn’t matter anyways the kitchen sits empty darkness resting in every corner the smell of damp wood and coffee lingering in the air the loneliness oozing out of every inch of your being …
Archived: Cairns by James Byrd
I awoke as I now know myself among the ash trees by a shallow pond, their branches spread wide. After taking a drink from the clear water I grabbed the smooth stones by the bank and considered how I may have found myself swaddled by the ashes’ shade. I pile the stones, starting from the…