Spring 2024
Letter from the Editor
When the editorial board voted on ‘renewal’ as the theme for this edition of Clamantis, none of us was aware of how close to home it would hit. Renewal felt apt for a spring issue of Clamantis, but, in retrospect, it also feels like the perfect idea to encapsulate this editorial board’s journey. Starting work on this edition, we had almost an entirely new editorial board. Every single one of us needed to work in a capacity that demanded more out of us than Clamantis previously had. Going into this process, I was pretty nervous – I had done this only once before and that too in a more peripheral role. But the intimidation that came with this change was quick to fade. This editorial board banded together to create a wonderful, productive experience of collaboration and camaraderie as we figured out, together, how we produce a journal. Our enthusiastic editorial team, who brought their care and diligence to each piece they reviewed and worked on, only helped make the process smoother for us. And, of course, there is the previous editorial board to thank. They took the time to leave behind a foolproof blueprint, that acted as an excellent guide in journal curation, for us to follow.
Obviously, we couldn’t have a journal without our contributors. We received some stellar submissions that we were excited to talk about, deliberate and debate over, as we moved through our selection process. While renewal meant something specific to us as an editorial board, it was fascinating to see the different ways in which the MALS community interpreted this idea. ‘The Birthplace of Spring’ speaks directly to the idea of the renewal of seasons. ‘Playing God’ uses this idea of renewal to show us how one story can be told using different mediums, each with varying implications. Then there is ‘Kintsugi’ that represents the idea of a renewed beauty that comes through the process of mending. With this issue of Clamantis, we invite you to take a look at the many ways in which you can think of something anew. We are proud to give you Clamantis: Volume 2 Edition 2.
Clamantis Editor-in-Chief
Vibha Vasanth
The Clamantis Board
Arina Petrova, Chennelle Channer, Daryna Gladun, Jacob Campbell and Mackintosh Bennett
*June 2024
Poetry
Pupils bonfired we ignite
Ilyse Horlings
On the Crumbled Asphalt
James Washington Jr
Riding Shotgun
James Washington Jr
Forever Spring
Yilu Ren
My Apricity
Alhanouf Almaghrabi
Enduring Hands
Erin Kelly
Crushed Velvet
Erin Kelly
Cowboy Killers
Jacob Campbell
violets of an immigrant child
Sanyukta Shiv Kumar
murder your green darlings
Sanyukta Shiv Kumar and Vibha Vasanth
Fiction
Time for a Cowboy to Dream
Nic Rago
Please Say It
Tim Fish and Taqdees Mahmood
More Reason to Hate Math
Vibha Vasanth
Sulking Towards Brooklyn
Jacob Campbell
The Life of Alexei Ilyich
Arina Petrova
Non-Fiction
Echoes of Home: Generations in Transition
Behishta Sadaat
Artwork
Nuclear Nature
Abigail Dollries
The Divine Intersection
Abigail Dollries
The Birthplace of Spring
Ilyse Horlings
Woodpecker
Arina Petrova
Research
Playing God
Joel Papp

Editors
- Editor-in-Chief
- Vibha Vasanth
- Editorial Board Members
- Arina Petrova
- Chennelle Channer
- Daryna Gladun
- Jacob Campbell
- Mackintosh Bennett
- Faculty Advisor
- Anna Minardi
- Associate Editors
- Behishta Sadaat
- Caden P. Ide
- Erin E. Bennett
- Jasmine Shirey
- Kendrew Zarzuela
- Lilabeth Martchenke
- Sarayah Villasenor
- Assistant Editors
- Abigail Dollries
- Alhanouf Almaghrabi
- Andrée Sole
- Amol Gandhi
- E. Chandlee Bryan
- Greyson Thomas
- Kate Barlow
- Matt Fennelly
- Rebecca Shepard
- Alumni Editors
- Ed Ting
- Lee Mayes [Assoc.]
- Maria Iriondo
- Teresa Lust
- Tim Fish
- Cover Art
- Irma Vlasac