Mother Knows Best

Chandler Cross

They can’t seem to stop killing her,

use her up for greedy debut.

But she always wins that’s for sure.

Her beauty so distinct and pure,

but smog and smoke cover our view.

They can’t seem to stop killing her.

She longs for a time as it were,

harmony for me and for you.

But she always wins that’s for sure.

They gather around in a blur,

to laugh and destroy their way through.

They can’t seem to stop killing her.

And then she stands, you made her stir,

a lump in her throat, she loves you.

But she always wins that’s for sure.

Karma wakes justice to watch her

rich and molten golden air spew.

They can’t seem to stop killing her.

But she always wins that’s for sure.

Montana Burack

Biography: Hello! My name is Montana Burack, and I am a second-year student studying Environmental Sciences. After taking a photography course in high school, I began taking photos on outings with family and friends. Since then, I have enjoyed pursuing photography as a hobby. I try to fit some time to snap photos into the busy chaos of my life since photography brings me a lot of hapiness! In my free time, I enjoy hiking, skiing, snowboarding, reading, looking at old atlases, talking to myself, and daydreaming.

Artist Statement: I enjoy looking at and taking photos of insects. From far away, insects can seem scary or irrelevant, but up close, they are incredibly charismatic and full of wonder that is often overlooked. After taking some photos of this bee, I was absolutely dumbfounded to look through the images I took and find one where the bee looked like it was making a heart symbol. Like, what are the chances of that happening? As corny as it sounds, making a heart represents love and beeing kind in a world where there are so many symbols of hate and ill-will. The heart hands symbol is always such a joy to see people (or bees) make. A bee making a heart just felt like a happy little vision of love.

Chandler Cross

Biography: I am am studying English at Oregon State University and learning to use story telling to help make the world a better place.

Artist Statement: I was inspired by the theme “Visions” to craft a villanelle, warning us of a darker vision only some have begun to see.