By Carmella Roberts, TIWP Student I’m not sorry for sending my food back. I’m not sorry for sitting in “your” seat. I’m not sorry for having an opinion. I’m not sorry that you chose to pack your things and leave. I’m not sorry you don’t get your time, that was your choice. I’m not sorry […]

By Ryann Drue, TIWP Student Everything is going to be okay. I promise it will. Your imagination filled with cynical warlocks and murderous beats may reemerge to haunt you, but nothing is impossible. Golden opportunities await you high up in disguised towers. In this story you are not the damsel in distress. I trust you […]

By Carmella Roberts, TIWP Student Be you—because you will never be better, more entertaining or more beautiful than you already are! Some days will be better than others. Know that hard times will happen but they will pass. Know you are worth every curiosity and every decision. Take care of you, respect you and love […]

By Katerina Bonderud, TIWP Student It’s that moment. What moment? Well, what moment comes to mind? I am talking about that moment when you realize everything will be okay. It’s when you have clarity in the chaotic roller coaster of life, whether it comes out of nowhere or from a movie that gave you hope, […]

By Ellen Jurgens, TIWP Student “The mind I love most must have wild places…and paths threaded with flowers of thought.” — Katherine Mansfield I wish for a mess. A pile of dirty clothes on the ground. A tower of unwashed dishes in the sink. A desk drawer scattered with a rainbow of colored pencils. These […]

By Julia Lima, TIWP Student imagine a world run by the most conscious and humble transcendentalists. imagine a world where the iconic Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “trust thyself” was the anthem of our people. “oh, mr. Emerson,” i would say. “thank goodness you’re here. the world was just about falling apart without you.” then i’d tell […]

By Ellen Jurgens, TIWP Student Who has power? I have power, says the man. Can’t we all have power? Do we all want power, says the man. I want power, says the woman. Who has power? The superhero, says the boy. My mom, says the girl. Will they have power? Who will give our children […]

By Julia Lima, TIWP Student “A cultural fixation on female thinness is not an obsession about female beauty, but an obsession about female obedience.”— Naomi Wolf what is body confidence, really? is it “i am in love with how i look, always and forever”? or is it “ i am in love with some parts […]

By Audrey Lambert, TIWP Student The song ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’ makes me angry. Big girls do cry. Everybody cries, at least, if they’re emotionally mature. And that sounds like a contradiction but healthy people release their emotions. Unhealthy people lock them in. If someone never cries then they’re obviously a sociopath who can’t feel […]

By Maxine Pollock, TIWP Student I just think there are some things that need saying. Some problems are out there that need a voice. Is it sad that I have to sit here for 15 minutes and wonder where to start? Do I begin with the abuse of women or mass shootings? Would you like […]