Many Voices: Digital Storytelling--2018 Aspen Grant

Short Story: Within the confines of the meeting room in the queen’s castle, the council members of Endo, the nation of the West, sat silently. They knew what the queen was doing and neither had anything to say to each other. Well, all except for Sin, who had some bourbon in a glass. She touched the rim of her glass, the alcohol bursting in flames within the glass. It was almost like someone had created a small campfire within the glass. Vinta saw this and shook her head...

This short story is a science fiction that shines the light on the idea of immigration. The story is told through the eyes of an astronomer who desires more organic life. Her kindness is the key to a better understanding of racism and life. With an abortive crew on her shoulders, her strength and patience gets abated. But nothing can stop her from her dream.

A poem that addresses immigration.

A poem that addresses immigration.

Essay: You live in a box. You’re surrounded by four walls. Those walls are all you know. They keep you in, and the world beyond them out. At least, that’s what you tell yourself. You blame the walls for keeping you trapped within their confines. You claim they are the reason why you know so little of the world around you, the one you’re so detached from. You know the truth though, even if you refuse to acknowledge it. The only thing keeping you locked up is your own fear.

Short Story: The realization set in. Like a year full of anxiety, wrapped up in one day. Like running head first into a concrete wall. Like the inkling you get during a horror film, knowing that something bad is about to happen. You close your eyes hoping, praying. Hoping and praying that any, and all of this, isn’t real...

Short Story: I don't know how it happened, but all I could see was him. His lifeless body on the floor not moving. 5 minutes, I was gone for 5 minutes and just like that in the blink of an eye he was gone. Gone, his body with the remnants of blood, all gone. I got back in my slate colored car and all that came to my head driving away at 15 mph was "thank god." Thank god, I got this car in this color, so no one saw the accident...

A poetry selection about immigration.

Short Story: I wonder what you’ll think of me 20 years from now? Was I a failure or did I deserve better from you? Did I truly give you all my love or did I ever hold back fearing more disappointment? I would rather look at you and fake smile all the time, then silently scream at the man in the mirror just once. Not all we had was a lie, there were good times, even if they were mostly in the beginning. You have changed me for the better, but at times I do not recognize this man. I am better, but better at what? Maybe… we’ll still be together then, maybe if we’re not it’s all my fault, it usually is. At least that what you tell me when I listen...

Short Story: I woke up twisted and tangled in white sheets that wove around my naked body like braided rope. I was hot. My joints hurt. I wanted to sleep but instead, I sat up and stretched- forcing blood into my feet. I stumbled into my robe and flip-flops. I grabbed my towel, my toiletry bag, toilet paper and left my room, locking the door behind me. When I got to the shower I tried the knob then waited almost 5 minutes before I knocked then kicked the door. The door opened and another tenant slipped past me. Ten Minutes later I was back in my room...

A poetry selection about immigration.

Short Story: My mother lingered her warm hands on my right arm. Thanks to the contaminated air of Lima, it was incredibly difficult to depict anything going on outside my window. I grasped my mothers hand and let go. Doing this would leave her at ease until our hands met. I opened the car window, so I can experience the ear-piercing screams of the micro drivers, the quaint anticucherias blazing intense smells of roasted cow hearts and the unforgettable pinching smell
of gasoline.

A poetry selection about immigration.