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Posts published in “Arts & Entertainment”

Black Dress

By editorialteam on April 12, 2023

By Isabelle Mascary | Editor-in-Chief

From the night I took my very first breathe,
my childhood has been hectic.
A product of my own environment

condemned before I can crawl, walk, or speak,
unable to reject the many vices;
I was forced to accept and protect.

Using my imagination to escape this reality
and to illuminate my dreams because
my mind is the only room that can’t be taken away from me.

My imagination keeps me from becoming weary.
My thoughts and visions allow me to divulge
in the endless possibilities, despite the present conditions before me. read more

Review: Man of La Mancha

By editorialteam on March 10, 2023

“The Impossible Dream” Comes to the Mount

By Elysian Alder | Assistant Editor

Beginning on February 24th, the Theater at the Mount’s 2023 season kicked off to a promising start with the production of the five-time Tony Award-winning 1965 musical, Man of La Mancha.

Originally written by Dale Wasserman, Man of La Mancha is set in the late sixteenth century and tells the story of the failed poet, actor, and tax collector, Miguel de Cervantes (Chris Cenotti), who has been apprehended by the Spanish Inquisition and imprisoned in a dungeon for attempting to put a lien on a church monastery. Once imprisoned, Cervantes and his faithful manservant, Sancho Panza (Craig Cormier), find themselves at the mercy of a colorful cast of fellow prisoners who insist that Cervantes must partake in a mock trial before them all or risk losing the trunk of possessions he’s brought with him into the cell. Cervantes agrees, but only under the condition that he and Sancho be allowed to deliver their ‘defense’ in the form of a fantastical play, depicting the quest of a mind-addled gentleman named Alonso Quijano, who seeks adventure and dons the persona of a knight-errant, titling himself Don Quixote, the Lord of La Mancha, and making the devoted Sancho out to be his squire. read more

An English Teacher’s Last Will

By editorialteam on March 10, 2023

By Michelle Valois | Observer Contributor

When I am dead, don’t decorate my bones.

No pearls to mask the rotting of my teeth.

Close my eyes but place on them no stone

nor sapphire gems, nor on my head a wreath.

Burn all my papers.  Give away my clothes

to anyone who needs them more than me.

Cash in my stocks and bonds – not much I know –

but treat yourselves to some frivolity.

I loved you dear.  I loved as best I could.

Keep that thought and a memory or two

close to your heart, tucked safe as once I would read more

Mad March

By editorialteam on March 10, 2023

By William A. Lefrancois | Observer Contributor

Every month is unique, February flirty then March mad;

Twelve personalities in every calendar, each as different as the year.

The passing of time brings each into view, some happy and some sad;

No matter the season, each month is dutiful, desirable, distant dear.

Time to ponder anew, the days and weeks that lie ahead;

Will success fill our time, will fortune come our way?

The days we aspire to, some full of happiness and some we dread.

The sum of these hours; daring, dreaming, delightful day! read more

Love, Light, and Livvy

By editorialteam on March 10, 2023

By William A. Lefrancois | Observer Contributor

In life, one their best tries to make the world better;

Using precious time, treasure and talent; each, to their own merits.

Olivia Newton-John, our Livvy, believed in this creed to the letter;

Her gifts of love, the world imaginatively, impulsively, instantly inherits.

In music’s theater, few could ever compare to her gift of song;

Each word lovingly crafted, every melody a sheer delight.

Grammy recognized, gold records achieved, the list is infinitely long; read more

The February Flirt

By editorialteam on March 10, 2023

By William A. Lefrancois | Observer Contributor

The new year speeds by, days having come and gone;

January brings snow and sleet, freezing ice our feet do hurt!

After January, February arrives and its entrance will come anon;

More snow, ice and cold; but also, the ferociously fickle February flirt!

February is unlike any other, of short duration and heartfelt invitation;

Love fills the air, lovers unite; gifts and looks lovingly shared.

Heart-shaped boxes of chocolates, each with a romantic destination; read more

That Christmas Cheer

By editorialteam on December 16, 2022

By William A. Lefrancois | Observer Contributor

Outside, the snow is falling, trees all with a cap of white;

Inside, our hearts are lifted, hoping for times to be bright!

The world around us, so much trouble it has been;

Maybe through that Christmas cheer, we’ll find the good once again.

The ground lies all frozen, covered in wintery ice;

Not a sound do you hear, just the wind howling and blowing so nice!

Nature at peace, calmness, and quietude reign supreme;

If only that Christmas cheer, if only it was everyone’s dream. read more

Sacramento

By editorialteam on December 16, 2022

By Josilyn Straka | Assistant Editor

It was you, bright eyes, big smile

You reeled me in, won me over

I was elated, hopeful

And then, in the blink of an eye

It was over, no explanation

Sacramento will never be the same to me.

Defrosting Slow

By editorialteam on December 16, 2022

By Maddie Willigar | Editor-in-Chief

My breath morphs into saturated air

like clouds of dew that pour straight from my lungs

and flakes of white fall like a morning prayer

that softly drips off tips of human tongues.

The neighbor kids whip their packed balls of snow

at layered armor: puffer coats of plush.

Each child falls like leaning dominoes

until the numbing chill makes their cheeks flushed.

I hear their parents call from cozy homes

the warming sound melts through my train of thought.

There’s something in the comfort of their tones read more

WEB EXCLUSIVE – The Turkey Gobble

By editorialteam on November 22, 2022

By William A. Lefrancois | Observer Contributor

Very soon, thankful Thanksgiving treasure trove will be;
Tables heavily laden, tasty gravy, giblets, gourds galore!
A happy time, family, friends, feasting folks you’ve been waiting to see;
Good will abounds; sounds of music, merriment, multitudes more.

Being thankful today, for everything, everyone, earth’s essence;
Gratitude abounds at table, plates, platters, pumpkins, prayers.
Even strangers meet; wanderers, wayfaring, weary welcomed presence.
Food enough for all; sharing, succulent, sustaining, substances in layers. read more