Eldorado High School - El Aguila Yearbook (Albuquerque, NM)

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The Wall The Wall had been there longer than the memory of the people. It had always stood at the edge of their village. five times a man's height. its smooth black surface stretching out so far that no man could see its end: the polished stone reflecting the blazing rays of the twin suns onto the faces of the people kneeling before it. The Wall is our guardian. We follow where il leads us. It provides for us and shelters us. The Wall is forever. the voices ofthe townspeople faith- fully recited. One man stood: the crown of his head was shaven and stained black-as black as the Wall itself: his skin gleamed with oil. Ile held open a book. very old and very worn. The people all knew the words by heart. but it was comforting to hear the priest read from the book that had been written so long ago: ln the beginning was the Wall. . Iosef shifted impatiently. llis gale wandered to the carven steps on the face of the Wall behind the priest. Ile wondered where they led lo. what was beyond the Wall. Oh. he knew what the people. the priests. and the Book said was beyond-a godsland. a world of won- ders where your soul went after death. Ile didn't believe them. Nei- ther did old Iban. losef's grandfather. Hut then. Old Iban didn't be- lieve in anything anymore. not even in the prayers the shaman recited over him to make him well. lf I want to get well. I'll get well. Iban had wheezed. and if I want to be sick. l'll be sick and no mumbling from a young fool like that one will get me well! Yoii wont to be sick then. honorable grandfather? Iosef had asked. a bit playfully. ulih? Careful. boy-that tongue of yours will get you in trouble someday. Iban replied. mussing the boy's hair. The old man was right. Iosef reflected. llis tongue had gotten him in trouble: he remembered the many beatings the priests had given him for his questions of his people's beliefs. Iosef kept his questions to himself now. rather than face the priests' answers and the taunts of the other youths in the village at his shame. A silence brought Iosef out of his daydreaming. The priest had stripped reading. and the people sat with hands folded. praying. Iosef glanced at the priest. who gave him a warning stare. Iosef bent his head and pretended to pray. Afterwards. the townspeople scattered back to their homes. the young children laughing and tumbling about. glad the services were over. Some of Iosef's friends had handed together to play a game of stick-and-ball. losef! one cried, Come with us. lfVhen Iosef refused. remem- bering something he had to do at home. one of the boys called out. Spoilsport! and flung a handful of mud at him in jest. Iosef ducked, grinned. and returned a handful at the boypwlio soon had a large blotch on his clean kirt. Good shot. Iosef! Sure you won't join us? You've got the best aim of anyone here! In reply. Iosef picked up another handful of mud and made like he would throw it at them. I know it. and if you all don't go on. I think I'll practice my aim a little with you as targets! The boys ran from him in mock terror and Iosef. laughing. flung the mud after them and went home. Mara. his mother. was seated on the floor. making bread for their evening meal. Wbere's Grandfather? he asked. lIe's with the priests. they're getting him ready for tomorrow. she said. Wby? What's tomorrow? Anything special? She brushed her long copper hair back from her face, Her eyes danced a little as she answered. 'l'omorrow's your grandfather's Fes- tival. Iosef was stunned. Festival? For Grandfatlier': ' M-hm. and it's going to be the best one you'll ever see, Iosef. she said. Iosef doubted that. Festivals had always been fun. but he had never really known any of the people they had been held for. This would be different. Late that night. lying on his straw mattress. Iosef watched the moons hanging in the sky and tried to count the stars. He gave up and went to sleep. wondering about what lay beyond the Wall. 326 Festival! 'I he cry went ringing through the village. All up for Festi- val! losel groggily dressed and splashed his lace with cold water. Outside. after having eaten. Iosef and Mara joined the crowd along the VVall. All the people wore bright colors. and they looked from a distance like handfuls of jewels lying on the sand. The Wall loomed above the people. its presence magnified by the role it would play at the Festival. A current of anticipation ran through the crowd and the morning service went quickly. Then the Festival began in earnest. Iosef joined the Games. competing for the golden crown. with which the winner would crown whomever he pleases King or Queen of the Festival. Iosef was not a good runner. and scored poorlv in all the races. but his strong arm and sure aim more than made up lor his losses later. The winner of the crown is Iosef. the grandson of Iban for whom the Festival is held! cried the judge of the games. Iosef. face flushed. took the gleaming crown and looked around the crowd. Who'll you give it to. Iosef? Ilaran? I've seen the looks you gave her during the service. taunted one of losef's friends. Iosef turned even redder. I wasn't looking at her. I was looking at the lNall. Iosef wliis- pered back. Uh hub. sure. and she just happened to be in the way. came the deriding voice. I was looking at the Wall. and I'm not giving the crown to Ilaran. Anyway. I already decided who I'd give it to if I won. Then why are taking so long? Hurry up so we can have some more fun before the Festival ends! An expectant hush settled over the crowd as Iosef stepped for- ward. crown in hands. and placed it on his mother's head. The crowd cheered. Thank you. Iosef. she said. her voice soft. You don't know how much this means to me. That's my boy Iosef! roared Iban. She s the prettiest ol any of 'em yet! The day swept onward. with games. foods and drink. 'I'he twin suns neared the top of the Wall. and Iosef sought out Iban. losef! Come here. boy. Let me look at you a little more before the suns set. Iban clasped the boy to him and fingered his hair. As black as the VVall. Do you remember you father. Iosef? Iosef shook his head. His hair was as black as yours but it was coarse. Yours is silky. like your mother's. Ah yes, your mother. D'you know where she is. Iosef? No. Grandfather. why are you having a Festival? You don't be- lieve in the Wall any more than I do! No. I don't, but your mother does. boy. I'm doing it for her. But, Grandfather. losef's eyes were swimming. why couldn't you just wait until you hod to die-you're not sick anymore! Iban looked at Iosef tenderly. understanding the anguish the youth was undergoing. losef. when you're as old as I am. you get tired of waiting for death to come on its own time. And you are wrong-I'm not well: tbere's a sickness inside. hurting. It's better this way. Iosef. believe me. Mara came up. Ah. there you are. said Iban. a crown in your hair and a tear in your eye. Come here. my little one. and give me one of your pretty kisses. Old man. it's time. said a priest. May the Wall guide you. Father. said tvlara. And you. child. Iban replied tenderly. brushing a tear away from her cheek. The priest handed Iban a cup filled with red liquid and led him off. The people were gathered along the Wall again. but were all sol- emn. Mara held Iosef next to her and lovingly squeezed his shoul- ders. Iban stood at the foot of the steps in the Wall. flanked by two priests. Ile raised the cup he held and drained it. From the VVall I came. to the Wall I return! he boomed the ritual words and started up the steps. As he reached the top. the twin suns touched the edge of the Wall and shot a rim of fire out along the Wall's length. Iban disappeared down the other side of the Wall as the suns vanished from the people's view. A low chanting began among the people. led by the priests returning down the Wall. From the Wall we were born. to the Wall we return. As it was in the Beginning. so shall it ever be . . . The moons hung low in the sky. obscured by clouds. Iosef silently tied on his kirt and gathered up the bundle of food he had prepared. His eyes were red and his face puffy from tears. l'll find out for myself what's on the other side of the Wall, he

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clCt1,l,S Cactus, growing irregularly, poking spiny fingers into the sky. Cactus, growing wild, without discipline like a large, green, Brillo pad. Encircled by small brown bushes that look like curled porcupines. Separated by sand, soft sand. light sand, loose sand that sinks underfoot, and that blows on eternal winds and in endless dustdevils. With no houses, no roads, no cars. no humans. No civilization for as far as you can see. Only heat. intense, unrelenting heat that's visibly unforgiving to an intruder. The desert deals death to those who try to conquer it and compromises with those who yield and respect it. Iames Dritt I Do Not There glazed and dark unclear to sight They hold things I do not understand Secrets yet to be found. As we grow together Two in one I will uncover the secrets in your eyes. Susan William conformity empty hallways lined with funny-blue lockers, lots of little creatures, with their square heads jammed into orderly little rows: each with an earring hanging from its thin metal earlobe. they all have 2 holes for a metal ID plate H202, H203, H204, the roll call goes-no names, just numbers the other lockers shrink, shocked, from those who bear no number and sometimes the owner pencils in a number to alleviate its shame other than the numbers the earrings and the scribbles each locker bears, they're all the same. we fit our lockers quite well. First Place Poem Music of the Earth The color of the world is played each morning with the rising sun by an orchestra whose instruments play the tints and hues of a thriving earth. The flutes play pink the trumpets orange the cello brown and gold. This symphony lasts until dusk then the instruments are put away all but a few the piccolo to play the stars and the drums to sound the night. Lori Gehrman Third Place Poem dianne phelan 325

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X lu lu xud Ihul lhmr lh'.1lh uns nnl il happy szvlvlmllilmn for lll1'lll.'lill1 ' ' ' - 'e grieving und lllllllflllllfl lu-lpm-d the souls ever the Wall. lesel' lhllllllll Srl! dl Iheu' lJl'lll'l9 slrmge hul when he leelu-d lurk eu the In-liels el hls people. he ll-uml them nu less strange. We .ll'l' men lmul these pvnpll' lhinlx us gurls-yr-I we lhmlx Ilu' na- ul' them .md ilu-y'l'v men lun! Arc- llwrs- such things .ns gulls. Iln'n: A hc' xx'uml4'r1-ll. Ile' lvl! llIl1'ilSY lIl'lll'l lr4'allu'd like .u gud. lwmzv lmisderzisien lu rm-turn lmma-, l'lx'm'n il' lhe priesls Ilug me l'm'wl1all l W 1114'..ll ll'-ISI Ilwrn- I'll ln' llwullml us um'nl'Il1m'x'iII.lg4' people-. mul an gurl. ll wa1s1'.ul'Iy' llllll1'lllj.2lll wlwn hm' slipped inside his lwnu' .md sew his lllIllll1?l'SllllIlQ lwlliml an eumlle. preying. Mumu. l'm l1o1m'. he snid c uiell 1 Slurllecl. she ue 1 y l lv d up. ul0Sl'l'!nSll1'lZl'll'll. Uh xnysun.mysm1! Sl1eswepl him lo her und held him. l'Ix'1'1'y nigh! ymrve lmevn gone l pruyml lhznl the Well xmulml see lil le lm-I yen umm- lmczlx safely. Yen km-xx' xx'l11-re l wus? lusel' uslwd imzrecluleusly. .. li , l hc Ilil you slip mul lhul night-l wallrzlmml you elimlm Ihr- VVa1lI. she said softly. The nexl lllUI'lllllf.1. the high privsl enum' lu their lmme. Wm-lazerm-lm.1ek. lnsvl. his lxlllil YOIIII' sand. HYlllll'-IW' llwhiglm pria-sl': ' lusel dskenl. Yvs- the uld priest held l 1'slix'.1l an week algo. lust 'a .- l xx is glad. lu'- l1llllSl? il was llu' old prim-sl lu- had l'wnx'4-rl would fleg him. Am l lo he lllllllSl1l'll'f'U he asked l'll!Sllillllly. The priest Sl mled. Nu lhul you am- lmmzk unhalrmeml :mums the lNnll has willed it lhis way. Umm-. no one else lll the village- knows you .are here yr! lhm lhnl evening. lmmzk home. Mural eunle amd salt nexl In Iosm l. W'l1.ll wus il like there, IllSl'l'?u she asked. 'Als il an lu-even Imeyoml rWnll. like Ihr lluek says? IllSlYllllK!Sllllll'1l,'llllll lrulh. lhul il wus nu llllll'l'l'Ill lrem here. or .I lie ln reassure her? lle tuuk the easy wary eul. ll s lllw Ihr' liuok SEIXS. lvlillllil. he replied. dizmne phelun Third Pluee Story Life eases its way through young hrzmehes ns lust remnants el' crystal snow drip away. Encouraged hy sudden warmth impatient buds venture oul. Warm air Circles over the leaves in Z1 momenlury flirlution lhen suddenly flullers away. leaving only harsh winds amd lute. spring frosts. Caught in lheir folly the leuves cling for awhile us dry. hritlle shells then. tumble helplessly to the ground. There to decay und heeeme part of the soil that will someday feed the tree's groping reels. Dehhie Bryunl 327