Alliums

Sabrina Tenn ‘27

Inspired by my own photograph, this piece explores the organic geometry found within the natural world. I was immediately drawn to the vibrant contrast between the soft purple orbs of the allium flowers and the vibrant, solitary bee. Recreating this scene allowed me to intimately study the textures and forms that caught my eye in that exact moment. My goal was to preserve the serene energy of that encounter and celebrate the beauty of a summer afternoon.

Rules of Love

Before you know what love is, you must learn what love isn’t.

I know now that love isn’t

withdrawing from friends and family because ‘other women might try something’.

I know now that love isn’t 

a series of escalating fights that rattle our glass house. 

I know now that love isn’t

standing like a statue as she breaks my body

 with kitchenware, insults, and catlike claws.



Before you know what love is, you must learn to love yourself. 

I don’t flinch

 anymore when I look in the mirror. 

I don’t hide

from conversations about my passions. 

I don’t put other people

ahead of my time, my health, and my happiness.

I don’t stand silently

when someone tries to chip away the parts of me that don’t fit their pristine image. 

Because if you allow someone to make you 

smaller and smaller,

Eventually there will be nothing left. 



Before you know what love is, you must learn that love isn’t a trap. 

It takes time, more time than most will tell you. 

Sometimes all it takes is the right person heal your mended heart. 

Love for me now is

Cuddling on the couch for an Interview With A Vampire marathon one night,

and running wild through the French Quarter the next.

Love for me now is 

Arguments that end in ‘I love you’, and a peaceful resolve. 

Because love isn’t perfect, 

but don’t think for a second you’re unworthy of it. 


Alani McDeavitt ‘27

I wrote this as an analysis of a characters from one of my stories. The timeline is sort of the healing process he went through after a toxic relationship before he managed to find love again. Though first he had to learn to love himself.