rainandstars

I walked, I jumped, I ran, I flew
Right off the ground to float to you
There's no gravity that can hold me down for real.

nadineheather

spacegirl226

When Hayley and I sat down with the three, new editors to begin our year long process of developing Lights & Shadows, I mainly wanted two things: first—to keep our pizza off the leaning tower of submissions, and second—I wanted a diverse magazine. It was no secret that Hayley and I had different tastes and interests when it came to literature, but knowing this, I wanted to use these contrasting opinions to create a magazine as wildly varied as it was good. I wanted to show every facet of the wide array of talent we have here at UNA.

Coming off the success and humbling acceptance of the magazine in the past couple of years, Hayley and I naturally only wanted to continue honoring the reputation of the magazine and our beloved school. But just as it goes with trying to recreate the magic of opening night or the success of a certain chocolate-chip cookie recipe, all we can do each time is wipe our utensils clean and start fresh with what we have. We tried to ignore the copy of last year’s magazine staring over our shoulder from its spotless, golden-gilded display case on the shelf behind us, in order to trudge forward and create something new, substantial, truthful, and wholly-representative of what we felt captured the essence and color of our surroundings. This, I believe, we have accomplished.

Thanks to Hayley, Trey, J.T., and Amber for all your hard work, deliberate intent, and honest criticism, never backing down and fighting for what you liked—and against what you didn’t like, even if it was in vain. And thanks to Daryl, for your relaxed good-nature, always supplying us with the right amount of guidance and help when needed, and letting us run the show unless it got too crazy. Thanks to all the writers, and most importantly, thanks to you the reader!

Pierre de Ronsard once wrote, “And you must not worry, as I’ve said so many times, about the opinions that people might have of your writing, keeping as a firm rule that it is better to be in the service of truth than in the service of opinion.” We live in a country where we have been blessed with the right to say what we want without fear of persecution. And as artists, let us never forget how important this gift is, the ability to write and create what is truth.

Happy Reading!
-Matt Mallard

spacegirl226

Mrs Beckham revealed earlier this year that she felt that wearing high heels boosted her brain power, because she simply could not concentrate in flat shoes.

She added that she avoided working out because she could not bear to be in trainers.

'I'd love to go to the gym, but I just can't get my head around the footwear.'