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SUMM

ER 2010

STANLY COMMUNITY COLLEGE LITERARY AND VISUAL ARTS MAGAZINE July 2010

July 2010July 2010

3 22

M a k i n g C o n n e c t i o n s This issue of The Muse is Stanly Community Colleges third publication of the literary and visual

arts magazine. The first two issues were released at the end of the academic year, in May.

With this issue, we begin a new release date of early fall to coincide with the new academic year.

The beginning of a school year is often a rebirth. We may make New Years resolutions in January,

but often it is a new school year that is the real catalyst for change. For students just beginning a

college education, there is a feeling of nervous anticipation as dreams for the future become

reality. A returning student may resolve to study more carefully and make better grades.

For instructors, the start of a new year brings new classes and the desire to challenge students. I hope this issue of The Muse greets you as a new beginning, and inspires you to do something to

refresh your life. Writer and philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe reminds us,

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.

Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.

What changes do you want to make? How will you continue to write the story of your life?

I thank everyone who contributed their time and energy to make this publication possible. Special thanks to all of the writers and artists who have shared their work in this magazine. I consider each one a gift. May The Muse bring you joy.

Sincerely, LORRI BARRIER

English Instructor Stanly Community College

Artists are always looking for a venue to share their work with the world.

Art has no place sitting, hidden from the world. With The Muse we offer another

outlet of visual and verbal communication for our very own artists and writers here at Stanly Community College. This opportnity opens doors for our advertising and graphic design students to discuss, express, and

present their talents to the public. We hope that you enjoy viewing the

work presented here. JOSH GOOCH Program Head/Instructor Advertising & Graphic Design Stanly Community College

The Muse

July 2010 July 2010

TableOfContents

Candied Martini: by Chandler Johnson 4 Photo: by Gaye Wood 5

Photo: Big Clouds: by Josh Gooch 6 Fairy: by Ashley Huneycutt 7

Photo: by Cindy Poole 8 Photos: Mexico City/Civil War: by James Cotton 10 Photos: by Gaye Wood and Austin Poole 11 Hogwarts: by Donald Stewart 12 Hopeless: by Matthew Hatley 16 Photo: Ladybug: by Josh Gooch 17 Evening Flight / Colonization of Venus: by Jett Furr 18

Photo: by Gaye Wood 20 Painting: by Kateland Harward 20 Digital Art: by Mitchell Huneycutt 21 Photo: by James Cotton 23 No Karaoke For Me: by Terri Russell 5 Where The Lines Drawn Thin: by Joseph Yarbrough 6Shhh: by Teddi Peterson 7Self Destruct: by Teddi Peterson 9Life Unto God: by Brooke Chandler 10 Everyday People: by Cathy Collins 12 A Brides Journey To Marriage: by Brittany Charcut 14 Delicate Disaster: by Arlene Johnson 17 First Love: by Lorri Barrier 20 Solemn Vow: by Jordy Carson 23

p.18

p.13

The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the opinions of Stanly Community College (SCC). All poetry and artwork is assumed to be the original and free expression of the artists represented. The Muse is a literary and art magazine published once a year by Stanly Community Colleges, English, Advertising & Graphic Design and Stanly Early College (SEC) Divisions. No part of this material content shall be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the college. Any comments or questions about our publication should be directed to Michelle Peifer,

33 Executive Assistant to the President, Marketing and Community Outreach at 704-991-0393 or mpeifer7924@stanly.edu.

Cover Artwork and Layout: by Jordy Carson/ SCC Advertising and Graphic Design Student

July 2010July 2010

5

You see, when

Iopened

mymouth,

my ears heard

anangelic

tone

projecting frommylips.

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4

The Muse

Candied Martini by Chandler Johnson/ SCC Student 4

July 2010

c

The musical Gypsy was my favorite movie and I was always inspired by the words of Mama Rose, Sing out Louise, sing out; and so I did. The night of the concert, my chorus direc-tor pulled me aside. She gently put her hand on my shoulder and whispered in my ear. I will never forget her words. Her instructions were not the ones of Mama Rose, Sing out Terri, sing out but to my dismay, she said, Terri, dont sing, just smile and move your lips. I will never forget those words and the feelings that rushed through my very soul. I was crushed. Today, I still sing in the shower. I still sing passionately with the radio as I drive alone down the highway, and I still sing quietly in church. My experience in the high school chorus left me with a disheartened and low opinion of my once confident vocal abilities. The experience also left me with my quote. No Karaoke for Me.

By Terri Russell/ SCC Student

There was a time when I dreamed of singing like a nightingale. I would vigorously singin the shower, in my room along with my favoritrecord or album, in harmony with the latest songon the radio and reverently in church with the congregation. When I began high school, females were limited to activities such as sports and clubs. We had the normal social clubs but as far as groups that required try-outs, there were few. They consisted of the Tigers Marching Band, the girls basketball team and our high school chorus. I was amajorette in the marching band and a member of the girls basketball team. I was a good ma-jorette but my membership on the basketball team kept me firmly planted on the bench. Highschool chorus try-outs were posted and I was thfirst in line. This was my chance to perform and be appreciated for my exceptional talent. You see, when I opened my mouth, my ears heard anangelic tone projecting from my lips. The chorus director listened patiently to my painful but determined audition. She re-luctantly awarded my efforts by placing me in a group labeled the altos. I came to terms with my role as an alto; however, harmony did not come easy. We practiced countless hours for our upcoming Christmas concert.

July 2010

5

e

--

e

No Karaoke For Me

5

You see, when

Iopened

my mouth,

my ears heard

an angeli tone

projecting frommy lips.

July 2010

Photo by Gaye Wood/ SCC Staff

July 2010July 2010

Where The Lines Drawn Thin By Joseph Yarbrough/ SCC Student

Where does the madness stop? When does the heal-ing begin?

Conforming to flesh that was my own resemblance I

am making my amends.

We all lie naked, only in truth can we blanket the

scars,

deep are the secrets where chains bind our compro-mising hearts.

Who's to say we aren't too weak? Where are the

strong to set us free?

Who's going to stop us from making us what we feel

we have to be?

Plagued are nations screaming a starving cry,

haunted by the feelings that they'll never see day-light.

Where dying is freedom from such pain and disease,

Wheres the hope? Where are the dreams for such as

these?

In my own burdens so much of myself I've lost, for

the things I created,

the innocence of my mind and soul is cost.

Is it cheap to say that pleasures are keen,

to making it temporarily not afraid to be seen?

It's hard to imagine in youth what we are to foresee,

when everywhere we turn it's disaster, fiends, and

war laid at our feet.

If we're killing ourselves all along then where's the

stopping point?

How do we define our race if we do not know where

we are going?

Theres got to be a place where the lines aren't

drawn thin,

where we find the peace in mankind and the healing

process does begin.

As we each in this world step toward what one day

may be the end,

we shall learn the lessons of our creations, that of

war against our sins.

"This is the world through the eyes of my own..."

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66 Photo: Big Clouds: by Josh Gooch/ SCC Advertising & Graphic Design Instructor

The Muse

Shhhby Teddi Peterson/ SCC Student

I listened when you whispered to me

this is not the way life is supposed to be

I heard the voices when they said

Something better lies straight ahead.

I listened hard until I heard

Every one of my thoughts, every one of my words.

July 2010

Fairy by Ashley Huneycutt/ SCC Student

77

July 2010July 2010

July 2010July 2010

Photo by Cindy Poole/ SCC Staff

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88

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July 2010

Self Destruct By Teddi Peterson/ SCC Student

I huffed and puffed and blew the house down

then had nowhere to stay.

I cried until my eyes were red

as I watched it blow away.

I asked myself What have you done?

But had nothing to say.

I guess it is just one of those days

When life gets in the way.

99

July 2010July 2010

July 2010July 2010

Life Unto God By Brooke Chandler/ SCC Student

Photo: Mexico City by James Cotton/ SCC Staff

Photo: Civil War by James Cotton/ SCC Staff

God is all that is good and brightHe keeps my fear at bay.

He is the light I use at nightTo chase the dark away.

Faith is a very useful toolWhen life becomes complex.

Sometimes its simply something cruel -A muscle that needs a good flex.

Freedom is a roaring screamA bold and daring knell.

It is the answer to my dream,Its that which none can quell.

Life is - wellIts hard to say...

Sometimes its pretty swell.

The Muse

10

Yet its a struggle day to day To evade the depths of hell.

10

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July 2010

10

July 2010

1111

Photo: by Gaye Wood/ SCC Staff

Photo: by Austin Poole/ SCC Staff

July 2010

The Muse July 2010July 2010

Everyday People

By Cathy Collins/ SCC Student

remember back in the winter of 1998, it was a cold and wet Saturday evening. The wind was blowing and the

chill of the cold air cut straight through my bones. The roads had started to turn slushy and the trees glis-

tened with ice. Taylor, my 5-year-old daughter and I had bundled up tight and were heading down the road in

our old 1979 Ford pickup truck. My husband had told us it would be safer to drive the truck because it was heavi-

er than the Escort and it would not slide on the ice as easily. The weather man was calling for snow and suppos-

edly a lot of it. We were going to our local Food Lion to get soup, bread and cheese, and of course a gallon of milk.

Theres something about North Carolina snow that does something to people. It has them thinking they will never

see bread or milk until spring. Usually the store shelves are empty and youre left with buns and skim milk.

After finishing our shopping, we stood in the line at the checkout. While I was not reading the

tabloids, I noticed Taylor smiling at someone behind me. I was not very comfortable with that because we lived

in Fayetteville at the time, otherwise known as Fayettnam. There were lots of robberies and police chases; we

actually witnessed one or two chases. So I turned to see who she was looking at, and to my surprise it was a lady.

She was tall and slender, clothes were tattered and torn. She seemed very tired and in need of a shower. She had

a back pack that looked as worn as she did, and seemed to only be buying a few items. Looking down at Taylor

the lady asked Well, how are you? Taylor smiled really big and responded with Im fine. Taylor didnt seem to

be able to take her eyes off of her. The lady introduced herself to us as Mary. She went into detail of her being

far from home and that she was just passing through. Her eyes seemed very weary and troubled. The

picture she painted of her situation was one of abuse.

I continued to listen to her story until we reached the ca-

shier. I asked her where she was going from here.

North, she replied. Mary asked where

the nearest Grey Hound bus station

was. I told her about 2 miles up the

road and I would be glad to give her

a ride. Mary quickly said No, no Ill

walk, but I insisted. Now

usually, I would have

never done anything like

this but

I

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1212

The Muse

July 2010

July 2010

13July 2010

she had such a peace about her. I apologized to her for making her sit in the back of the truck, but with

the car seat in the front for Taylor there was just no room inside the truck to sit. I opened the sliding

window just behind my head, so maybe she could feel the heat from inside. We drove slowly to the

station and I asked if there was anything else she needed. Mary replied Just pray for me. I assured her

that we would. As Mary was getting out of the truck she smiled at me and said God bless you. As we

pulled out of the parking lot it started to snow. It was large flakes of snow. I guess the weather man was

right. As we stopped at the traffic light just a block away, I noticed Taylor still smiling in her car seat. I

turned to her with a smile and asked What are you smiling about? Waiting to hear her say something

about the snow, to my amazement Taylor looked at me with her beautiful blue eyes and said Momma,

she was a beautiful angel wasnt she? Her wings looked so soft. Stunned by what she said I could not

control my feeling in front of her. I cried all the way home, feeling as if we just passed a test.

From that day on, I never looked at everyday people the same way again. So the

next time you are out in public for any reason, make sure you are kind to strangers.

You never know who you will run into.

Hogwar ts by D

onald Stewart / SCC Student

13

Now

usually, I would have never done anything like this

but she

had such a peaceabout her.

July 2010

July 2010July 2010

The Muse

1414

I had tried it

on before. I came

a few days earlier with

my new friend, Casey. The shop

is a short drive from our school and

we thought wed go just to look. I tried on

everything I thought I wanted - plain, simple, me. I put it on

just for fun, just to see what it would feel like to be the Barbie on top of the cake. I fell in love.

My parents were meeting me after class, and this is fuzzy for me. I remember driving together

from the school to the shop and feeling giddy! Would they love it like I loved it? Could they

afford it? Was Mom upset I found it without her? We walked into the shop and there it was,

glittering in the spotlight of the fitting room. Dad waited in the small lobby while Mom and I

went into the dressing room to slip into the masterpiece. I closed my eyes as she helped me

into it and knew it was the one. Did I want to cry? Did Mom want to cry? I walked out to

show Dad... did he want to cry? I did a little spin to showcase the work of art I had slipped

my body into. Mom picked out the veil. Dad chose the tiara. We looked in the mirror... it

was complete. Dad smiled. Did Mom cry? The price was negotiable and, so it started...

the wedding was really going to happen. We went to lunch down the road at my favor-

ite college spot. We ate, talked, and laughed. Everything was normal. Would we still

do things like this? We drove home in separate cars. I cried. Just this morning I was

still a kid and now I am a woman. Did my parents cry? Is this hard for them? I wanted

to lay my head on Moms shoulder and let her smooth my hair. I wanted to sit with

Dad and eat salt and vinegar chips on the floor in front of the TV. Are these days gone?

A Brides Journey to

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July 2010

A Brides Journey to

July 2010

1515

So,

this is

what growing up feels like.

Everyone told me about the joys

and excitement of becoming a bride

and wife, but no one mentioned the

pangs of nostalgia for my childhood. My

heart felt like it was being pulled in two di-

rections the old and the new. As soon as I got

home from lunch I went to the store, determined to

buy a journal I could confide all my mixed emotions in.

The next few months flew by as plans were made - the favors,

the cake, the tuxedos, and finally, a week before the wedding, the honey-

moon. Our honeymoon was going to start the night of our wedding at The

Hampton Inn & Suites. My parents arranged for a car to pick us up from the reception and

take us to where wed spend our first night as husband and wife. So, our wedding day came on a beautiful, sunny, first

day of August.

The ceremony was magical, the reception enchanted. Friends and family all mingled together to help make

our day perfect, and it truly was. The hours danced by without a glitch, each moment more wonderful than the last.

Until, finally, the clock struck nine and it was time for my new husband and me to step out of the celebration and

into married life. Immediately I wanted to cry. Good-bye wedding, good-bye childhood, good-bye my family. I told

myself I couldnt cry, not now. We made it to our room and my husband carried his bride over the threshold. We

were surrounded by a rose-petal covered bed, a jacuzzi, and a bottle of champagne. It was beautiful. My parents last

surprise for their daughter they were about to lose. Did they think of it this way? The tears came. They came, and

they came, and they came - twenty one years of a perfect childhood being washed away. My husband wrapped me

in his arms and held me as I cried and then I finally knew this was right. It came to me as if sent by an angel - yes, this

was right. Peace. I wasnt losing anything; my family wasnt losing anyone. We were both gaining the most wonderful

man... and all the beautiful surprises were their way of welcoming him into our family. All at once I felt content and

complete. This was the life I chose for myself and it was finally beginning. My journey to the aisle was an emotional

one, filled with the best people. And there at the end of the aisle on the altar was perhaps the most lovely of them

all... the one that was made for me. I was ready to start my life as a daughter, a sister, and most importantly, a wife.

MarriageBy Brittany Charcut/ SCC Student

July 2010

July 2010July 2010

The Muse

16

HOPELES

S

16

by Matthe

w Hatley/ SCC Student

The Muse

July 2010The Muse

Delicate Disaster

July 2010

17 Photo: Ladybug by Josh Gooch/ Advertising & Graphic Design Instructor

17 July 2010

By Arlene Johnson/ SCC Student

I grew up all too quickly

Now Ive little to believe in.

I know this world, these people too,

Ive seen my share of sin.

Scared and laden but standing strong,

I refuse to back down, refuse to fall.

A master of resiliency,

Ive been this way so long!

I think about less anger.

Sometimes I want a change,

But I like this fight in me,

I know from where it came.

I miss the ones Ive lost,

But I can do without.

I didnt make them leave,

Its their fault no doubt

Life is just a lesson

Waiting to be learned.

The good, the bad, the ugly;

We all will have our turn.

Lifes a metamorphosis

I transform from worm to wing.

I can burst into flames,

But Im a phoenix rising

No looking back, but no forgetting

These scars are here to stay

I am a delicate disaster,

In every single way.

The Muse July 2010July 2010

Colonization of Venus interpreted by Jett McIntyre Furr/ SCC Student

While today the idea of colonizing the moon, let alone another planet, is in the realm of science fiction, technology is already advanced enough to let us begin colonizing the moons and planets of the solar system.

Here we see cities, each the diameter of downtown Charlotte with a population of several thousand, floating in the upper atmosphere of Venus, second planet from the sun and closest to Earth. It may seem impossible for anything so large to float, but the atmosphere of Venus is denser than our own, so breathable air would be a lifting gas in the Venusian sky. This would allow a habitat to float at about 31 miles (50km) above the planets surface where the air pressure is the same as at sea-level on Earth and the temperature ranges from 32122 degrees Fahrenheit. (Of course a habitat interior would be climate controlled.) This is much better than the surface of the planet, where the atmo-spheric pressure is 90 times that of Earth and temperatures average 932 degrees.

July 2010 July 2010July 2010

There are some challenges to colonizing Venus, one being that the atmosphere is filled with corrosive sulfuric acid, though this could be countered by a structure coated in some sort of ceramic or certain metals. Another challenge is Venuss long day/night period 243 Earth days though having colonies at 31 miles above the surface would allow them to take advantage of 310 feet/second winds to push the habitat around the planet in just 4 days, or fewer at higher latitudes. Also, shipping building materials from Earth to Venus was once considered to be a potential (eco-nomic) problem, though it should be possible to create structures of carbon nanotubes or grapheme by pulling carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

This is just a short summary of some of the concepts involving the colonization of Venus, and any major efforts to send manned missions to the planet are not likely in the next few decades, let alone full colonization efforts, but I do hope that this picture and essay will fuel your imagination and make you wonder about a fantastic place that people may one day call home.

July 2010July 2010

The Muse

202020

First Love By Lorri Barrier/ SCC English Instructor

I have written you to bones again and again,

yet you risea bird, a myth, a fire.

You are no longer you.

Old wounds are shadows of scratches.

You surface in dreams, and I wake with a hand on my heart.

Once you filled all the space that is me.

Now you are small enough to carry in my pocket.

A poem, a stone, a charm, a cursewith tiny wings and steady pulse.

I throw you to the wind, but here you are again.

Pretty blue thing, I swallow you

bittersweet candy at the back of my throat.

A winter, a summer, and stars as thick as grass.

I dig down and find you

broken fossil,

turn you over in my hands

the way you turned me

all those ages past.

20

The Muse

Photo by Gaye Wood/ SCC Staff

Painting by Kateland Harward/ SCC Student

July 2010

20

21212121

by Mitchell Huneyc

utt/ SCC Student

July 2010July 2010

July 2010July 2010

Photo by James Cott on/ SCC Staff

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2222

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July 2010

My Solemn VowBy Jordy Carson/ SCC Student

Theres a place in my heart thats reserved for you

So I looked inside that space and found some words for you

They are trust, honor, and obey

When I can have you by my side, I know Im okay

These feelings are embedded in me, they wont go away

Ill never stray, because togethers where I wanna stay

Right by your side, hand in hand

Through the good and bad, the thick and thin

Through sickness and health, whether poverty or wealth

Ill do it properly

My self-pride got swallowed

Let God be my guide, and Ill follow like there aint no tomorrow

Im giving you whats left of my heart; youre a blessing

For the rest of our lives, and til death do us part

Until the next one,

I promise that Ill always be here

You are my light in the dark, now I see clear

There may be sadness, but there will also be cheer

Im glad that we can celebrate this moment each year

2323

July 2010July 2010

July 2010

Albemarle Campus Crutchfield Campus141 College Drive 102 Stanly Parkway Albemarle, NC 28001 Locust, NC 28097(704) 982-0121 (704) 888-8848www.stanly.edu

http:www.stanly.edu

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