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Mini Mart BubblegumElisha SchoepleinEver since I was little, I used to dream ofblowing big bubbles. The sticky lump ofgum always stuck to my teeth, and it neverquite made a balloon around my tongue backthen. That is, until I turned nine. Then, bubbletape from the mini mart down the streetbecame my best friend. The flavor diedin about two minutes, but in those minutesbefore it got hard and stale, I had my chanceto blow the biggest bubble in the world.It was almost like me and bubblegum brokeup for a long period of time, but then hookedup again my sophomore year in high school.I blew my biggest one ever at 17. Gum stuckto my eyebrows, my eyelashes, my chin, mynose.It may be the closest Iʼll ever get to landingthe world record; Iʼll never be the tallest orthe quickest or the fattest; but, I may yet blowthe biggest bubble in the world.Brotherly LoveLiz ToddSeven years,Now giving me tears.No special bond,But of the ones we are fond.He Tries Out For the Lead RoleBut Only Gets the UnderstudyMarie BurkardMy small, chubby hands cover my earsAs a wail erupts yet again from the small,Wrinkly baby squirming on the ground.My baby brother—loud,distracting,obnoxious.His tiny fists pumping the air,Singing his hunger loud enough to frighten me.I reach down and pat his sweat-dampened cheek,Evicting more howls of head splitting annoyance.Then he knocks my Barbie from my handI clench my own hands into fists.Enough is enough.I sink my teeth into the tender fleece of his stomachThen cower away from the new levels of noise spilling from hisPain confused lips.Mom comes rushing in now andI smile,Satisfied.She has at last come to save me.“Marie, did you bite him?”My eyes bug from my face slightly and I shake my head furiously.I say that he did it himself.But the toothless gums engulfing his mouth are a dead giveaway to my lie.I receive the spanking with tears and march up to my room,Reveling in the peaceful quiet my punishment has brought,Yet dreading the lecture that is sure to follow.In the beginning it was good,You always did what you could.Using watchful eyes,And covering my lies.I looked up to you,And sometimes I still do.But when youʼre nowhere near,Iʼm still stuck here.Moving on with your life,Causing them strife.making room for another,But Iʼm still looking for my brotherWinterKatie Buckleitner4 Spring 2008