Inside Joke

Natalie Nafsinger

You punched a hole through the door
with the need to talk.
We’re not under the graffiti bridge
so shut the door, I’m in your pocket and moving on.
You want to stay up and talk
but we’re not at the glass shattered hills.
We remember deep blue mornings
that lasted exactly one year,
a 30-minute red car cram,
spewing a mile a minute, if you don’t
know what we’re saying, you never will.
We ran from a singular sheriff
and I tell the story like it matters.
One time you drove off the 8-foot river bend drop
and we laughed,
Placing jigsaw pieces till you came home.
This is a stupid big hill to walk up for
you to tell me a secret I already know.
A room with six to eight roaming bodies,
This is nearing a parade,
Stop by the campfire parents and whining dogs,
Stop by the kid’s drink cooler.
It’s a separation to soon be ignored.
Let’s all talk at the same exact time and
end at the same conclusion.
Smells of inkwells and stool sitting
How lucky I am to learn with you!
The black and white drains and checked-out pen.
I come to your house cause I need it too,
Your drawing almost done,
Mines a blank slate and I won’t shut up.
You look at me and say, “faces”
and I see all of them
Each solemn smile and frown I remember.

Zoe Farrell

Biography: Hi! My name is Zoe Farrell and I am originally from Colorado Springs, CO, but have been in Corvallis, OR for the past 4 years to study psychology as well as studio art. My main focus is in painting and find it to be one of my greatest satisfactions in life. I found the joy of art through a summer camp when I was younger and have never stopped creating since then. Along with visual art, I play the guitar and find that to be a close second to painting. I enjoy themes surrounding memories, mental health, and self discovery.

Artist Statement: This study originated from daily 30 minute meditations and interactions with a cinderblock. In spending around 8 hours total staring at the cinderblock, I realized that there was not much to it. However, there was immense value in the introspective solitude I spent with it. Originating in construction, cinderblocks have virtually no meaning to me besides the opportunity of self exploration. With this, it has slowly become a small part of the roots connecting myself to my time spent in Oregon.

Natalie Nafsinger

Biography: Hi, I’m Natalie! I am from Boise, Idaho. I’m a sophomore here at OSU and am studying Creative Writing. In terms of art, I love to write poetry, prose, and I love to draw. I also love listening to music and going to live shows. I love the local scene here in Corvallis! Other things I like to do are play soccer, be outside, and just be with my friends. 🙂

Artist Statement: This is a poem I wrote to embody childhood, teenage years and the feeling of growing up. It includes specific details of my life that I feel make up my roots and self. It also just highlights friendship and love which are pieces of me that I could not do without.