ZEITGEIST 2 FINAL

POETRY SHORT STORIES ART YOU ARE ZEITGEIST
Writing is a way of expressing one’s
innermost feelings, and poetry is
possibly the most sincere written form
of human emotion. Read and treasure
the poetry you’ll find in these pages.
Short stories are brief, but effective
and powerful simultaneously, just
as Shakespeare once wrote: “brevity
is the soul of wit.” Peruse these
selections with an open mind.
The visual arts can be appreciated
not only for aesthetical purposes,
but also for the feelings that
paintings and drawings can instill in
the life of a person.
A collective of thoughts, opinions, and
ideals… anyone can be a part of
Zeitgeist!
ZEITGEIST
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2018 A LITERARY MAGAZINE p.1
Academia del Perpetuo Socorro
is not affiliated with any of the
opinions expressed in this
publication.
VOLUME 2 - 2017-2018
Academia del Perpetuo Socorro
704 Jose Martí Street
Miramar, Puerto Rico 00907
Cover Art by Alexandra Díaz (12)

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A LITERARY MAGAZINE Friday, April 27, 2018
Letter From
the Editor
To all members of the APS community…
After the succesful publication of the first edition of
Zeitgeist Literary Magazine and the culmination of a
semester in which opportunity was found in the midst of
adversity, a new thought-provoking question arose: if we dare
to change the way we think about ourselves and others, can we
create an environment that fosters acceptance and growth and
eliminates preconceived barriers created by social stigmas? In
this issue of Zeitgeist, writers, artists, and creative voices
collide to delve into many different aspects of identity,
personality, and, most importantly, the process of change.
Whether it’s the uncertainty of what the future holds for the
graduating class of 2018, the importance of self-acceptance, the
appreciation for unforgettable historical and literary figures, or
the brave attempt of striving for your own desires in life, the
pieces in this edition of the magazine all intend to cultivate the
belief of staying true to who you are.
As a 2018 Senior, I wish the best for my fellow
classmates as they dare to embrace a new and exciting era in
their lives. I am truly honored to have been a part of your
journey and to have grown in such an extraordinary
community. I will miss you dearly, Academia del Perpetuo
Socorro, and I am convinced that this academic institution will
continue promoting students’ aspirations and providing them
with unforgettable experiences.
As always, I assure you that there will be either a poem, a short
story, an essay, or an artistic piece, that will appeal to you.
- Alejandra
Eternally Grateful...
The members of Zeitgeist Literary Magazine have worked
ardously to publish this second edition. I would like to thank
everyone who helped me successfully share this creative project
with the student body and make my vision for Zeitgeist a reality for
the second time, especially:
Cecilia Thon - Assistant Editor (12)
Harold Peón - Secretary (10)
María Elena Álvarez - Curator (11)
María Freyre - Designer (11)
Isabelle Cabán - Designer (12)
Coral Silva - Photographer (12)
Daniela Lugo - Treasurer (12)
Lillian Florián (12)
Mía Nevarez (7)
Alexandra Díaz (12)
Claudia Figueroa (9)
Andrea Munn (9)
María F. Villavicencio (7)
………………………………
Mrs. Mari Vega (Moderator)
Mrs. Mayra Colón
Mrs. Enid Pereira
Mr. José M. Leavitt
Mr. Jesús Ortiz
Mrs. Clara Férnandez
Mrs. Noelia Torres
I leave with the conviction that Zeitgeist will be in excellent hands!
Sincerely,
Alejandra Quintana,
Founder and Editor-In-Chief
of Zeitgeist Literary Magazine
Printed copies of this second edition will be distributed on Monday, April 30, 2018!
Zeitgeist encourages students from any grade that are passionate about cultural and artistic endeavors to join the club or contribute to
the magazine!
Visit the website for more information:
zeitgeistlitmag.com

Friday, April 27, 2018 A LITERARY MAGAZINE p.3
HIGHLIGHTS
Poetry Stories Essays
untitled love drabble #1 p. 4
ink on paper p. 4
Anonymously Praised p. 5
Oscuridad and Luna p. 6
Unlocked p. 7
Ship of Light p. 7
A Sunflower in the Dark p. 8-11
A Matter of Time p.12-14
Library Week… p.15
Growing up…Sort Of p. 16
Open Letter to Seniors p. 17
A Long Walk Begins… p. 18
Powerful Women p. 19-20
You are Zeitgeist
Quotes about Change p. 21
Lit. Word Search p. 22
Love, Diego p. 23-24
Zeitgeist Recommends…
Cinephile Corner - Movies p. 25
Music p. 26
Events p. 27
Books p. 28
Gallery of Quotes
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing [one]self.”
- Leo Tolstoy
“Education is the most powerful weapon
which you can use to change the world.”
- Nelson Mandela
“So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet
will not take the initiative to change their situation because
they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and
conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of
mind, but in reality nothing is more dangerous to the
adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The
very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for
adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with
new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to
have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a
new and different sun.” ―Jon Krakauer, Into the Wild

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A LITERARY MAGAZINE Friday, April 27, 2018
POETRY
untitled love drabble #1*
out of all things frivolous, love is the most
simply by thinking about its possibility
our heart enjoys its boast
do i love? in that way?
“yes my dear,” it responds
oh, but you’re just delighted
that your owner produced such a thought
my heart is like this
mischievous, playful, full of youth
i tied it back with some string
to prevent it from producing such thoughts
but my stubborn, disobeying heart
it disentangles itself
beating, beating, wanting to pop out
it’s dangerous, truly dangerous
i must tie it back stronger
but each time it loosens itself
it starts to wander
and so do i, each time he’s a goner
maybe i won’t have to tie him any longer?
oh, if i could simply trust myself, stop my ponder
if i could only convince myself i won’t turn into a monster
- Claudia Figueroa (9)
ink on paper*
words written with ink on paper
seem everlasting when they
bloom gardens in your heart
words written with ink on paper
may rebirth concealed feelings
may provoke a contemplation
words written with ink on paper
deceive the most naive
persuade the most stubborn
the roses that grow with my words
their destiny is to wilt
eventually they will grow thorns
thorns that overpower the beauty of soft petals
thorns that claw at your heart,
thorns, they’ll be what remains of my sour memory
i am only warning you, my love
do not be persuaded by what is written in a page
do not let my roses grow in your heart
for all that is spoken is a lie
- Claudia Figueroa (9)
*The scarce use of capitalization and punctuation has remained
intact as intended by the author.

Friday, April 27, 2018 A LITERARY MAGAZINE p.5
POETRY
Anonymously Praised
“Deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised.”
- JRR Tolkien
We are the sun behind the moon
Our light makes you shine
We are the silent typhoon
Hidden behind the frontline
We are the world’s flame
Ushering light and warmth
We are those without name
Brighter than the stars of the north
We are forgotten
We are ignored
By both the pen
And the sword
We are the voice of reason
Whom all disregard and scorn
We are the change of seasons
To majesty and sorrow we are sworn
We are forgotten
We are ignored
By both the pen
And the sword
We are forgotten
We are ignored
By both the pen
And the sword
We are a force to be reckoned with
And of this you are warned
The world may continue to ignore us
But we will forever be
The eye of the storm
“For most of history, anonymous was a woman.”
-Virginia Woolf
- Cecilia Thon (12)
Art by Lillian Florián (12)

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A LITERARY MAGAZINE Friday, April 27, 2018
POETRY
Oscuridad and Luna
On Sunday, February 11, 2018, the members of the Zeitgeist Literary Magazine Club had the opportunity to visit
Hogar Rafaela Ybarra. We had been collecting books during the holidays as part of our Zeitgeist Book Drive and,
aside from donating them personally, one of our goals for the visit was to promote literacy and a passion for the
arts. Not only were we able to meet and share an unforgettable experience with a wonderful group of young,
talented girls, but also we were able to provide them with a variety of books in both English and Spanish,
educational supplies, Valentine’s Day gifts, and other essential provisions for their households. One of the girls
had a budding love for poetry and decided to share two of her poems with us. Although her first name is Melanny,
she signed her poems with her social media username, and was eager for the world to listen to her unique voice.
OSCURIDAD
En una noche donde la luna no se refleja
Ni brilla…
¿Tiene miedo de salir?
La locura aflora en la oscuridad.
Las almas oscuras salen de su hogar.
No hay motivo para parar…
Poseeré tu cuerpo hasta hacerte desfallecer
Tus lágrimas, sudor y dolor me pueden pertenecer.
Porque ahora no hay luz que te ilumine y
la oscuridad ha fundado su reino al fin.
¿Quieres que pare?
Tu alma desea salir
Tus demonios y locuras saldrán.
¿puedes parar eso?
La sombra en la ventana…
Los pasos a tu alrededor y
las respiraciones a tu costado
No son tu imaginación.
Es hora de cazar…
La noche ha caído
Y la víctima tú serás.
LUNA
Luna demasiado brillante;
eres testigo de los amantes.
Luna que alumbra
Las almas oscuras.
Sufrimientos nocturnos
de los cuales hay susurros.
Luna brillante
Que alumbras el valle.
Te vuelves inspiración
Para los personajes.
Estás acompañada,
Pero sola brillas más.
Luna que pasa a mi lado
Alumbra todo a su paso
Sueño, amor y dolor
Vuélvete mi inspiración.
Unicornio_0920
Art by Alexandra Díaz (12)
Unicornio_0920

Friday, April 27, 2018 A LITERARY MAGAZINE p.7
POETRY
Unlocked *
gone
from that environment,
i set sail
for an unknown realm
whose strange surroundings
almost
intimidated me.
but, alas, i managed to remain tranquil,
and
my mind
was undisturbed. i noticed a crowd of people
as i neared the heart of this new world.
one of them seemed
to greet me. i could not immediately respond.
i was too amazed at the sheer courage
it takes
to
embrace
someone
or something
you cannot
distinguish
or identify.
i was unaware of the inherent nature
that defines us, the human race:
a behavior we try to refuse, but should treasure.
compassion, acceptance, and solidarity are
Through the darkest waters
Of the starriest sky
The golden ship of light
Steams across the night
Sunlight is trapped within
And dancers twirl and spin
As the golden ship of light
Steams across the night
White coat, white gown
Black coats, black gowns
White dress, white crown
Black dresses, black crowns
In an infinite moment of symphony
Parade in infinite symphony
As the golden ship of light
As the golden ship of light
Steams across the night
Steams across the night
You take my hand
You and I are the abnormality…
A glimmer fills your eyes
But as silence breaks the band
All that is left are goodbyes
just some of the few gems
stored in our valuable souls.
unlock your inner chest;
you never know
how a simple kind gesture might
help others grow, change,
live.
-Poem and Art by Alejandra Quintana (12)
*The scarce use of capitalization and punctuation
has remained intact as intended by the author.
My lids flutter open
A tear cascades down my cheek
For never again will I see
The golden ship of light
That steamed across the night
-Cecilia Thon (12)

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A LITERARY MAGAZINE Friday, April 27, 2018
Short Stories
A Sunflower in the Dark
When she was sure the Protector had finally blinded the big eye, the little sunflower
slowly but surely began creeping out of the darkness.
She did so with a cautious mind, fearing the air might still be dangerous, and reluctantly
peeked her head through the side of the wall. The few petals she still had left became yellow
again as the light touched them; they formed an incomplete circle around her head. She noticed
the light of the world dimming all around her, and let her stem unwind, glad to once again be
safe from harm; there would be no need to hide for a while. Focusing her strength on her roots,
she pushed her vase an inch forward, and another, and so on, sliding away from the wall’s edge
and across the splintery surface of the counter window that offered an unimpaired view of the
outside world. She was headed toward her favorite spot, it was the smoothest part of the counter,
and she had memorized its exact location the first time she had found it. She arrived at last,
exhausted, but glad nonetheless; now she could feel comfortable and at peace. Looking up at the
sky, the eye had disappeared, all that was visible was a great, round shadow: the Protector, as she
had named it. She was thankful for its existence, for without it she would have perished a long
time ago. If only it would stay longer, the sunflower thought to herself. All that time spent in the
darkness had caused her health to decline, her beauty to fade. What little she could regain from
this cyclical visit was not enough to revitalize her, but it at least provided the nourishment she
needed to survive. Because once the Protector left, once the eye returned… “Do not dwell on
what’s already written”, she reminded herself, “nothing is gained by focusing on what you
cannot control.” Still, the sorrow in knowing that she would later need to recede into the shadows
once again was always hard to ignore.
The view from the counter was not that impressive. What lied beyond the wooden abode
she called home was nothing more and nothing less than sand, endless dunes she liked to believe
were deep waves of water crashing into each other, or colorful mountains whose green-redyellow-orange-brown
peaks broke through the cloudless skies, which she preferred to envision as
being filled with clouds. She did not mind the emptiness, but preferred it over any beautiful
landscape, for it served as a playground for her mind to wander around in.
A mild wind blew from the west, where it always came from, and breezily whistled
through her petals like a voice calling out in the distance, singing… unreachable. The sunflower
found the invite kind, but it was not like she could go anywhere.
Looking up, the Protector led her gaze as it moved across the sky, a dark circle of
shadow, actually silver underneath. Though it brought her serenity, she could never stare at it
long enough without unwillingly visualizing the monster hidden behind it. Even the Protector
was only the size of his pupil, the thought of which sent chills through the sunflower’s roots. The
Gazer was the name she had given him: a singular eye, perfectly round, and at its center a pupil
that bounced in every direction like a pinball, scanning the ground. Never stopping to stare, he

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Short Stories
always seemed to be searching relentlessly for something as important as life itself; not once had
she witnessed him blink. He was covered in flames, endless amounts of erupting fire the
sunflower knew would never die out, never subside. The heat he generated was too strong for
her. Direct exposure to this melting hot air for even an inch beyond a short while would mean
doom. Only the Protector, her only shelter and friend in this world, was able to halt this climate,
and did so whenever it returned from its trek across the skies unknown. So, whenever that
moment came once again, the sunflower would spot the pallid orb slowly emerging from the
east, en route to cover the Gazer’s view, and begin anticipating the skylight to dim. And when it
did, she would wait until it stopped dimming, making sure he was fully blind, then begin to push
her vase toward the edge of the window, where she would exit the darkness of her house and
enter the world of light. Finally, she could receive all of the light she needed to survive.
Such a trouble in order to be able to live, yet to her nothing was more worth it than
achieving that feeling of being, truly, alive. These moments, however, did not last enough to
repair the damages she suffered from spending the other portion of her life hiding in the house:
half of her petals, some turned grey though they had previously been yellow, had gone with the
wind, preferring to swim through its westward currents than to perish in the dark. Her stem had
lost much of its strength, and so had her roots, making sliding across the counter a more straining
process every time.
She turned her head to look across the counter and into her one-room house. A long seat
rested in the middle, and a couple of smaller seats littered the wooden ground, some fallen over.
A square black box with two stems protruding from its head had been placed in front of the long
seat. Who or what had placed all of this here, she could not recall, nor could she recall having
been brought into the place. All she knew, all she had ever known, was here, and only the
counter-window at that; the only way to reach the floor was to jump, and her vase would break if
she tried. All she could do was stare at the room and wonder about how this here and that there
came to be. But it was her home, it kept her safe, and for that she was thankful, though she was
aware it was simultaneously what harmed her the most. What could she do? She shifted her focus
back to the sky; her mind had begun to hurt.
There then came another gust of wind, and the sunflower turned to receive it. It was
calming down when, all of a sudden, an unexpected appearance took hold of her gaze.
Something, she was not sure what, was descending onto the counter’s edge. Upon touching down
on the surface, the object became clearer… it seemed to be a petal! A loose flower petal, she
shouted in her head, blown in from the west! She did not know what to think of that at first, for
nothing like this had ever occurred to her before. No petal, nor any other object for that matter,
had appeared on the counter for as long as she had been alive. The color of the petal, though not
as clear from afar, was unmistakably dark. Could it be, she dared to think, that one of the petals
that once had escaped her had returned? Most of those had become almost completely gray, so
that was a possibility. Had one truly returned to her, or was this just some trick the winds were

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A LITERARY MAGAZINE Friday, April 27, 2018
Short Stories
pulling? Choosing to believe the former, she decided to head toward the petal. Even if her
assumption ended up being false, she wanted to know what that object was. Perhaps what she
discovered would end up not being a petal at all, but something else, maybe a clue for some
bigger picture, a message from the unknown. Or maybe not, maybe her eyes just deceived her,
and this trip would hold nothing of importance at the end. She chose to ignore these doubts, and
began to push.
The sunflower was pushing urgently along the counter’s surface. Walking turned to
running which turned to hopping, the excitement strengthened her roots as if they had never
weakened in the first place. After what felt like a short while, she finally arrived at her
destination.
Nearing the object, she was now able to view it more accurately. She determined it was
indeed a flower petal… but the shape was all wrong. Her own petals were short and thin, only
widening a bit in the middle. This one was much longer, and was significantly wider at the
bottom, getting thinner as it neared the tip. It was also much darker than she thought it would be,
almost as black as its shadow. It turned out the petal was covered in ash, charred across most of
its originally white surface. There was a faint smell of smoke emanating from it, so she
concluded that the petal had obviously been burned, but it must have been a while ago. But how?
The sunflower was eager to know. Where did this petal come from? Why did it arrive at my
doorstep? Was it a message from a distant cousin, asking for my help?
A moment later, another wind came whistling, and the burned petal was once again lifted
into the wind, and soon it was gone. The sunflower lifted her head to watch it fly away,
disappointed that she will never get any answers to her questions. It is then and there when she
noticed the light around her was now brighter than before. A quick glance up at the sky and her
body froze. She had spent too much time in awe of the petal, and now found herself standing on
the opposite edge of the counter, as far away as possible from the wall, and the Gazer was
regaining his sight.
She pushed herself forward without a moment of thought, and ran for her life. She
jumped and slid across the counter and through the air. Her roots felt as if they were near
bursting, but she resolved not to pay it any mind. Her speed was extraordinary, her terror
unthinkable. She carried on like this until the wall was a couple hops away. The darkness entered
her line of sight, and she waited to welcome it like a long lost friend. But before she was able to,
a sudden heat froze her; she looked up, unpremeditated.
The Gazer was staring. He had never stared before, at anything, as if he was always
searching, yet never finding. His pupil was engulfed in a raging fire, flames erupting from its
center. Indeed, he was focused on something, something he finally found worthy of giving his
undivided attention. And the object of his fascination: a lone sunflower, terrified.

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Short Stories
She jerked herself from his freezing stare and took off again. She was zooming through the
heat, but soon found herself unable to ignore the pain that was in her roots, since there was now
pain entering from other places as well, and it was hard to ignore everything. “no, No, NO” is all
that went through her head as the wall before her started getting farther and farther away. She felt
something pinch her stem, strengthening its little grasp more, and more, and more. A gray cloud
invaded her view. She allowed herself to think, “where’s that coming from?”, but didn’t make an
effort to investigate. She then felt something pierce her leaves and was now forced to notice that
two of them were puffing out fumes; “Oh,” she realized, “it’s me”.
Never had the darkness seemed so welcoming. She was now safe behind her wall, the
pain surging through her veins ceased to matter. She looked around her and decided she would
die another day, in the confines of this room, fading to gray until all her petals dropped and
nothing remained but a wrinkled stem. It was a nice way to go, free from strife. She let herself
smile. Time seemed to stand still. The wind blew again, a cool breeze filled the air.
Then the sky yelled: a short, piercing BOOM, and the house lit up in flames. The wooden
floors spread them everywhere: the long seat and the short ones, the black box, everything else, it
was all becoming ash. The sunflower remained frozen in time, trying its hardest not to melt. Heat
rushed into the air, trapping itself inside the house as if to say, “This is all mine now.” She was
once again forced out her trance by the smell of smoke. It was her leaves again, and some of her
petals. But what could she do? What could she had ever done? She peeked her head through the
side of the wall and looked up. The Gazer was staring directly at her; he was now squinting, his
pupil brighter than she had ever seen. She turned away and back at the house, the color orange
surrounded her. She did not want to see any more flames, so she chose not to see at all.
Her last thoughts were of the Protector, and how unconcerned it had seemed with leaving
her behind.
- Pablo Rubín (11)
Art by Alexandra Díaz (12)

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Short Stories
Journal Entry: March 31, 2018
A Matter of Time
I woke up this morning to the otherworldly smell of my father's expertly crafted, customary bowl of oatmeal. I rose
and then fell back to rest some more minutes before abandoning my comfortable bed. Soon, I exited the room and
went downstairs to enjoy the wondrous delicacy laying on the kitchen table. As I sat on my usual stool, I heard my
phone ring. I got up from my chair and sprinted towards the ever-tempting smartphone, which I had left charging
the night before, and anxiously unlocked it. I had three missed calls from one of my friends, but I did not really
consider it urgent, so I carried on with my daily morning routine. I had an important Biology presentation that day,
and as I stepped into my father's pick-up truck, I was only focused on my index cards and a plethora of notes that
constantly overwhelmed me. My father was ultimately conscious of my excessive academic worries and did not mind
when I forgot to say goodbye, as I hurriedly jumped out from the car seat. Most of the day went by quite
monotonously, since I was mentally preparing myself for the Biology project. During recess, I paid little attention to
my friends' insistence on celebrating my college acceptance, which I had timely received the past afternoon. I also
realized those three missed phone calls were to remind me of my accomplishment and probably congratulate me on
such a wondrous feat, as my friends prefer to call it. Internally, I was immensely grateful, but I was so submerged in
my studying that I, inadvertently, begged for them to leave me alone. They left and, inevitably, I continued
reviewing my presentation notes. It was almost time for Block 5, which would normally be Biology, but five minutes
before the bell rang, I heard an unbelievably loud sound. It was so incredibly deafening that I could not immediately
decipher the source. I started counting after I had heard the anomalous sound; "1, 2, 3…,” I whispered to myself.
Before I could say “4,” I heard an equally loud shriek coming from the right side of the hallway. I suddenly became
aware that something unusual was occurring when all of the students around me started to run around desperately,
yet I stood still and almost unable to think. I then saw one of my friends running towards me, screaming and
sobbing simultaneously, and only managing to exclaim my name. I ran as quickly as possible to meet her, and as I
stood in front of her, she frantically collapsed. Another horrendous sound came from the hallway and I inferred it
was a gunshot, although I had never in my life heard such a painful reverberation. I managed to carry my friend in
my arms, and proceeded to run towards the nurse's office. I was relieved when I saw the nurse near the entrance,

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and I immediately asked her for help. She took me and my friend in and led us to a closet, which was already full of
other students with an ineffable look of trepidation in their faces. I lay on the ground and let my friend rest on top of
me, and everyone remained speechless and immobile for an incredibly long time. I only remember pure darkness and
quiet breaths of sorrow that aggravated my desperation. We heard eight more gunshots and an endless amount of
screams, yet we were incapable of doing anything. I could not imagine what was happening outside those confining
four walls, and I grew increasingly worried about the possible consequences of these sounds. It was infuriating to
remain still, yet if I uttered a single word, I endangered so many other lives, aside from my own, that I was prudent
enough to stay silent. This silence would not last long, though...
I am now pretty sure that an hour went by before we were allowed to exit the closet, even though the terrible sounds
only lasted ten minutes. As I exited the nurse's office, a blur of sights and sounds made me dizzy. I heard police
radios, parents demanding to see their children, and saw red clouds everywhere. I soon found out that one of my
friends, the one that had called me thrice the day before, was shot and killed; I was also told that nine other people
died, including seven students and the nurse that had assured my safety. I could not believe I had the audacity to
disregard and disrespect the people that I most loved. Regret filled my lungs. I struggled to breathe, but I soon heard
my father's voice and felt his embrace. We just stared at each other, and I could not muster the strength to speak. He
drove me home, and I was then able to narrate the unprecedented tragedy that had altered the course of my life in a
matter of seconds.
I do not wish to be labeled merely as a survivor. I have survived, indeed, a terrifying experience, but I would not have
to be grateful for simply being alive if proper methods existed to prevent these types of occurrences. But I remain
hopeful, and I insist on converting my experience into actions that can possibly alter the future of my fellow
classmates, my community, and my nation. Not only do I want to promote change in society, but I also want to
cultivate respect and tolerance. It is never useless to express how you feel nor to take a moment to thank those who
have helped you grow and live happily.

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Short Stories
This short story was inspired by the recent school shootings and the prevalence of massacres and gunviolence
related incidents in the United States. These tragic events have resulted in the mass
movement #NeverAgain and the March For Our Lives campaign, which have been achieved with the
incredible leadership of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting survivors Emma
González, David Hogg, Sarah Chadwick, Cameron Kasky, among so many other inspiring young
activists. These students have embraced change and continue to strive for legal amendments that will
prevent these horrendous crimes against humanity.
- Alejandra Quintana (12)

Friday, April 27, 2018 A LITERARY MAGAZINE p.15
ESSAYSLibrary Week in a New Light
Although the theme for this year’s American Library Association’s Library Week was
“Libraries Lead”, I’m inclined to think that the theme “Libraries Unite” would have been more
appropriate for what I felt took place in our school during that week.
Whereas during previous library weeks we relied mostly on outside lecturers and guests,
this year the DLC staff took advantage of our own professors’ talents and knowledge. I observed
a true interest on the part of both students and staff in attending and supporting their teachers
and/or colleagues, which to me, reflected a sense of solidarity, school spirit and unity. Both
students and staff were eager to attend Prof. Giovanni Boschetti’s presentation on the legislative
processes, while Prof. Jesús Ortiz intrigued his audience with the many uses of the word
“bregar”, according to renowned author Arcadio Díaz Quiñones’ book on the subject. Students
listened attentively to Prof. Guillermo Nuñez’s much needed presentation on digital citizenship,
while his colleagues were ready to learn about a new educational platform that can be applied in
the classroom.
But, most of all, when a group of Prof. María Vega’s Tenth graders read, danced and
acted out a story and several nursery rhymes for the PrePreKinder students, I could feel a true
sense of bonding, protectiveness and continuity in the way the older students interacted with the
little ones.
I strongly believe that, during the week, we all worked toward our common goal of
strengthening our school spirit and sense of unity, as well as the advancement of knowledge.
- Mrs. Clara Fernández

p.16
A LITERARY MAGAZINE Friday, April 27, 2018
ESSAYS
Growing Up… Sort Of
When I began high school, I faced the hardest challenge in my life… coming to terms with the fact
that I would grow up. No, that I was growing up already! I would soon be sixteen, and since life goes by
in a blink of an eye, I knew that I was well on my way to becoming an adult. The notion alone
frightened and intimidated me. I did not want to accept the thought of one day being a grown up with
my own responsibilities and my own hardships, such as paying bills… and ranging from picking up
after my dog to picking up after myself. It was a tough pill to swallow for me. My friends were all so
excited to finally be independent, to finally be free from their parents, but I did not want that. I yearned
to go back to my childhood when life was easier and carefree. Perhaps a foolish notion, it was my
former daydream, but, unfortunately, there is no rewind button on life. It just keeps going on and on,
whether or not you are prepared for it. To me, growing up meant leaving everything behind to start a
new life, and I was not ready for that. Personally, this problem kept stressing me out about the future,
and the uncertainty of what it could bring. As a very anxious teenager, this stress made me unmotivated
and depressed; I even talked to a psychologist about it every single session. Until one day, my English
teacher assigned for us to read The Little Prince by Antoine Saint-Exupéry, a story about a pilot who
crashed in the middle of a desert. He thought he was stranded, yet he suddenly meets a young prince,
who says he came from a tiny asteroid far away from Earth. The young prince told the pilot of his
journey, on which he learned many lessons about growing up, morals, feeling with the heart, and loving
what is yours.
This book turned my life around and changed my perspective on growing up for the better. It made
me realize that I can grow older without having to forget my childhood. The new mindset The Little
Prince provided me with helped me accept my fate and come to terms with growing up, knowing I
could always keep my childhood memories in my heart: memories that will be with me until the day I
die, since no one can take those away from me. I will never forget the times that I most enjoyed, called
my childhood. With this in mind, I was ready to take on the rest of high school grasping new
opportunities along the way. My grades improved, I became more social, more open-minded, and I
joined many more clubs. It may sound immature to want to keep the soul of a child, but I disagree. I’m
able to hold onto childlike hope, while simultaneously becoming a man. Keeping my childish soul
while growing up allowed me to reinvent who I was; humans are supposed to change and find
themselves. As I continued my coming-of-age story, I was able to accept who I am and who I want to
become, and have learned to embrace my true and unique self thanks to The Little Prince. I am now the
best person I have ever been. I am kind, hopeful, imaginative, creative, mature, curious, but most
importantly, I am now determined to accomplish all my goals in life no matter how hard it may be…
because if I can get over the greatest obstacle in my life, growing up, then I can overcome any obstacle
life has to offer. I look at my future in college and beyond with enthusiastic eyes now by being eager to
accomplish my newly found goals formed in high school and making room for growth and new
experiences. All without ever forgetting that in my heart… I will always be a kid.
- Diego Ramírez (12)

Friday, April 27, 2018 A LITERARY MAGAZINE p.17
ESSAYS
The following open letter is implicitly addressed to the graduating Class of 2018, and serves as an essential reminder
of the attitude one must adopt when confronted with an uncertain future. The members of Zeitgeist Literary Magazine
are hopeful and excited about the promising, diverse opportunities the Seniors will soon encounter, and we wish them
all happiness in their academic and personal endeavors.
To Whom It May Concern:
Lately, all I’ve been able to do is think. Thinking, thinking and even more thinking.
The common theme between all of these thoughts is the future, I’m always wondering,
“Where will I go next?”, “Will I be happy?”, “Is this the right choice?”. I can’t help but
worry about the uncertainty the future brings. Now, I know that ceasing the neverending
possibilities that pop in your head one after the other seems almost impossible
but, it’s not. It’s normal to be doubtful, and it’s okay to be scared about what the future
brings. Instead of letting that hold you back, I believe it would be much more productive
to take in your frustrations, fears and doubts about your future and channel them into
something productive. Work on what you love, work on what guarantees you your own
little success. Think about it this way: if you step into a “great unknown” expecting
everything to go wrong, it simply will. But, if you change your way of thinking into
something more positive, you’ll lose that fear that’s creeping up behind you. The
unknown doesn’t have to be scary unless you make it scary for yourself. So, those who
feel unsure and scared to step into a new phase in their life, I encourage you to view it
from a different perspective. This is your time, take advantage of it and seize your
moment. You’ll be okay, and whatever happens I’m sure you’ll have people who love
you and support you be right by your side or at least one phone call away. And for
those who are leaving to study abroad, I want you to know that this is just a new period
in your life, you’ll enjoy it with that splash of freedom that you’ve always wanted, and
you’ll finally be surrounded by so many people with similar interests and passions.
Everything will be okay, you will be okay. I wish all of you entering a new period in
your life the best of luck. I believe in you.
- Essay and art by Alexandra Díaz (12)

p.18
A LITERARY MAGAZINE Friday, April 27, 2018
ESSAYS
This essay is addressed to the members of Zeitgeist Literary Magazine and Elipsis, and contains a message with
a universal appeal, since any student or faculty member who possesses a natural tendency for the arts can
appreciate this piece of prose.
A Long Walk Begins With One Step
I have a special interest in literature and for any artistic expression that comes
from a genuine interest. My academic preparation is in languages and literature. I
value the literary work, and by this, I do not mean one of the widely known, but
rather that of those budding artists like you.
I believe that artists should enjoy a place in society that allows them to make a
living on their art. More than inspiration, art is work. I remember the first time, as a
ninth-grader, I heard the sentence attributed to Thomas Alva Edison: “1 percent
inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.” Be assured that I read your written
productions in the two literary magazines of the school. I observe with great
enthusiasm that today's writers will always leave an honorable legacy to those who,
like you, take part in a genre open to creation and interpretation. There are no readymade
formulas or predictable results. On the contrary, the creative process takes a
few twists and routes, sometimes unsuspected for the person who writes; many
times, they will feel that the ideas that bubble in their brain are those that guide their
hands.
As any human being, I have my preferences regarding literary genres. I am
fascinated by the essay for its ductility and ability to adapt to any ongoing
circumstance. In the end, the essay ends up making understandable what generates a
brotherhood between reader and writer.
After all, carry on improving your artistic skills, friends! Regardless of your
professional goals, be enlightened!
- Prof. Jesús Ortiz
Art by Alexandra Díaz (12)

Friday, April 27, 2018 A LITERARY MAGAZINE p.19
ESSAYS Powerful Women in History
We’re here to shed some light on the forgotten but important women in our history. Here you’ll see
both the wealthy and the poor, the good and the bad, and the ones in matrimony and the unwedded. These women
have left an often doubted, or just completely obliterated, mark on our past. We hope to demonstrate interesting
anecdotes about fascinating women who were left in historical darkness. We believe these stories can be used to
teach people about love, acceptance, passion and lessons regarding our society.
First we’d like to mention three intelligent and exemplary women, who worked at NASA and joined mission
Apollo, which entailed leaving Earth’s orbit to land on the Moon. People talk about the astronauts, who actually
boarded the spacecraft, but we want to talk about the geniuses behind the scenes. One of them was Katherine
Coleman Goble Johnson, an African-American mathematician who contributed greatly to NASA’s first manned
space flight program and provided notable calculations in orbital mechanics. Considered an “actual human
computer”, Dorothy Johnson Vaughan was another African-American mathematician who distinguished herself
by learning and teaching others FORTRAN, the computer programming language of the time. Also joining them
is Mary Winston Jackson, a mathematician and aerospace engineer at the National Advisory Committee for
Aeronautics who became the first black female engineer for NASA. The great contributions these amazing women
achieved, during an era full of great gender and race inequality, should serve to teach young girls that one can
defy any barrier by making the most of one’s intelligence and abilities.

p.20
A LITERARY MAGAZINE Friday, April 27, 2018
ESSAYS
Other inspirational women like Amelia Mary Earhart further prove this argument. Not only was she brave enough to
become the first female aviator to fly alone across the Atlantic Ocean, but she was also awarded with the U.S. Distinguished
Flying Cross. She taught women that gender and societal norms do not matter when it comes to achieving personal goals. This
leads us to another magnificent woman, Mary Magdalene. She was the first person to see Jesus’ resurrection, and also one of his
most faithful followers. She believed in her Messiah, even when she risked being condemned for it. This teaches us to be faithful
to our own beliefs, even in times of desperation, and especially when so many others expect you to think otherwise.
On another note, when one thinks of famous classic authors, people like Shakespeare or John Fletcher are those that
come to mind, rather than others such as Sappho, one of the first female writers. She was a lyric poet from Greece, and was well
known for the singing of her poems, which would often be accompanied by a lyre. She addressed the issue of varied sexual
orientation, teaching people to embrace and be proud of one’s identity, to accept others, and to show the world that being
different does not belittle one’s capacity for greatness.
All of these examples help illustrate how much women have contributed to our historical legacy, how much women
are currently able to accomplish, and how much women can and will provide for the promising future.
- María F. Villavicencio and Mía Nevárez (7)

Friday, April 27, 2018 A LITERARY MAGAZINE p.21
You Are Zeitgeist
Literature can become such as intrinsic part of one’s life that one can recur to certain quotes or moments
in novels, stories, and poems that appeal to their feelings and remind them of the transcendental power
of words. Treasure literature, since it can influence your perspective on many aspects of life.
10 Quotes on Embracing Change
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”
― Vivian Greene
“Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.”
― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
“Sometimes," Jem said, "our lives can change so fast that the change outpaces our minds and
hearts. It's those times, I think, when our lives have altered but we still long for the time before
everything was altered-- that is when we feel the greatest pain. I can tell you, though, from
experience, you grow accustomed to it. You learn to live your new life, and you can't imagine, or
even really remember, how things were before.”
― Cassandra Clare, Clockwork Angel
"Destiny is a funny thing. You never know how things are going to work out. But if you keep an
open mind and an open heart, I promise you will find your own destiny someday".
― Uncle Iroh, Avatar, the Last Airbender
“When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this
storm’s all about.”
– Haruki Murakami , Kafka on the Shore
“Some changes occur suddenly like a brilliant flash of lightning striking across a dark sky. These
changes are stunning, exciting but can be quickly forgotten. Other changes happen slowly,
gradually, like a flower blooming in early spring, each day unfurling its petals another fraction of an
inch towards the warm, nurturing sun. These changes are as inevitable as nature running its course;
they’re meant to be.”
– Suzi Davis, Amber Frost
“You must not abandon ship in a storm because you cannot control the winds”
– St. Thomas More
“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by
them.”
– Maya Angelou
“A ship is always safe at shore, but that is not what it was built for”
– Albert Einstein
“There are no safe paths in this part of the world. Remember you are over the Edge of the Wild
now, and in for all sorts of fun wherever you go.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit Selected by Cecilia Thon (12)

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A LITERARY MAGAZINE Friday, April 27, 2018
You Are Zeitgeist
LITERARY WORD SEARCH
Find !e literary character, novel, au!or, or o!er given term
!at pertains to !e !eme of change.
1. Character from The Crucible that changes from a cowardly man to someone who is willing to sacrifice his life
and reputation for the good of his community.
2. Character from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice who changes her perspective of a certain man, for she realizes
that she has misjudged him mainly because of pride.
3. “The winds of change” and “the turning of the tides” are examples of a …
4. One of this novel’s main themes is embracing the transition of childhood to adulthood.
5. Character in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies that represents man’s descent into brutal savagery when
confronted with the loss of society and civilization.
6. Author of A Christmas Carol, which narrates the visits of three ghosts who all warn an elderly man to change
his ways before it is too late.
7. Synonym for change.
8. Character in The Little Prince who lives the same monotonous life day after day, living only to fulfill his work.
9. Children’s book by Dr. Seuss which advises people to care enough to change the world and provide a hopeful
future for the coming generations.
10. Novel by Randy Pausch with multiple life lessons given in response to the author’s diagnosis of terminal
cancer.
Prepared by Cecilia Thon (12)

Friday, April 27, 2018
You Are Zeitgeist
Dear Perpetuanos:
A LITERARY MAGAZINE
p.23
Hi. You do not know who I am, but I am just like you; the only difference is that I am attracted to people of my same
gender. I still remember the first time I told myself that and was actually proud of it. It felt so good to finally admit
something to myself that I have been running away from for so long. For years, I had been trying to figure out who I was.
As a kid, I used to always look at girls and I thought that they were “cute”, but I also looked at boys and said that they
were “cute”. I did not think much of it at the time; I did not really know what the concept of sexuality meant. In middle
school, I was going through a rough time in my life, so I did not really pay attention to others, especially in a romantic
way. When I got to high school, I began to notice that I spent more time looking at other boys than girls. I wondered what
this meant, and I kept doubting myself unceasingly. I did not want to believe it. Consequently, the rest of freshman year
was spent being ashamed of these thoughts that I was feeling and hiding them away. I struggled with coming to terms with
who I was because of fear. I was scared to admit something so drastic. Months went by until one day, I realized that these
thoughts were things that I can’t control. As hard as I tried to hide them, they always kept coming back. I finally began
understanding what was going on in my brain, and eventually decided to admit to myself that I was different from others in
an equally exceptional way.
I knew very few LGBTQ people in my life; the only ones I knew about were Ricky Martin and my older brother. Which
brings me to the next problem I faced during my journey… coming out. I finally accepted who I was, so the next step was
to be open about it. I wanted to tell my parents, but the thought of telling them terrified me. I guess I did not want them to
be ashamed of me.I felt like I would disappoint them. I felt that I would not live up to their expectations… I felt lost and
alone, thinking that there was nobody I could talk to. So I hid my identity for a while longer. I eventually worked up the
courage to start coming out to my friends. If telling myself was hard enough, now I had to say those words to someone
else. Announcing who you are to the world is very terrifying because there exists the possibility that the world might not
accept you. Nervously, I told my closest friends one by one, and I began to gain confidence because of their wonderful
responses. I still remember every single time I told one of them. However, my confidence was shortly broken afterwards;
someone told another person, and my secret eventually reached someone I was not ready to tell. She was a very important
person in my life, and I wanted to tell her myself. I never got that chance… it was taken away from me. This destroyed me,
and I stopped telling people about my identity.
I remember the times people would come up to me and ask me uncomfortable questions. My heart would stop instantly,
and I would get nervous about people questioning my sexuality. I thought to myself: “Oh no,” “They are onto me,”
“Someone told them,” “I can’t trust people anymore,” “People are judging me,” etc. But, suddenly, I told myself: “Who
cares what they think?”. I realized that what mattered was that I was proud to be who I am, and I did not care for other
people's judgements. I slowly regained my confidence. Junior year came by and I was proud to be myself. However, I still
needed to tell my family.

p. 24
A LITERARY MAGAZINE Friday, April 27, 2018
You Are Zeitgeist
On National Coming Out Day, I was finally ready to tell my parents. I started with my mom. I went up to her, sat her
down, and I confessed my secret. She was shocked, but she told me that she still loved me. This was one of the happiest
moments in my life. Then an even scarier trial approached… telling my dad. I was more scared to tell him, and I never
got to. I wish I could’ve told him, but I just couldn't. One day, when my parents sat me down, he asked me directly, and
I said yes. He had the same reaction as my mom. However, telling others about who I am was the hardest thing I have
ever done. After that, I told my three brothers, and luckily they were all so happy for me. I posted on Facebook that I
was in a relationship with a boy, and that was basically my coming out to the world, the rest of my class, and to other
friends.
That’s my story. Now, please be proud of yourself. God doesn’t make mistakes. I was ready to tell my friends and
family, but I should have waited a bit longer. I should’ve taken the experience more seriously… understand that maybe
some people need time to internalize. I thank endlessly my friends and family for accepting and cherishing me as I am.
However, it’s important to realize that not everyone is going to see things the way you do. Nevertheless, that’s okay;
you can’t win them all over. The only person who needs to accept you is yourself, so move on with your wonderful
existence and embrace life.
If you love yourself and are true to who you are, you will become the happiest you’ve ever been. Trust me.

Friday, April 27, 2018
A LITERARY MAGAZINE
p. 25
Zeitgeist Recommends…
This section of the magazine contains a movie review and some film recommendations from members of Zeitgeist that
include the themes of change, acceptance, growth, and identity. Some may call them coming-of-age films, or
bildungsroman stories.
On March 14th, some members of Zeitgeist Literary Magazine, as well as a few invited students, had the amazing opportunity to attend
an exclusive screening of the movie Love, Simon.
Love, Simon is based on the book Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli. The film is centered around the
life of Simon Spier, a teen who struggles with coming out. It follows his story when someone finds out his secret and starts
blackmailing him with the threat of sharing it, as well as his journey to find love. It’s definitely a movie every high schooler in this day
and age should watch, since it deals with accepting who you are and being honest about it with your loved ones. It brings matters we
must deal with on a daily basis to light; however, it can be enjoyed by anyone. You may face a variety of emotions throughout the
movie, but you’ll definitely walk out of it feeling “warm and fuzzy” inside.
The movie premiered in Puerto Rico on April 12th, and you can be sure any member of Zeitgeist or anyone who went to see it
will recommend it to you. It’s definitely a film that has the power to change your perspective on certain aspects of life. You’ll probably
treasure your friends and family even more after seeing it, and you may be more confident and comfortable with being yourself and
expressing what you think. Definitely make plans with your friends to go to the movies as soon as possible, or go by yourself, as this
movie is definitely a must-watch, especially in these changing times. You’ll undeniably get your money’s worth with this unique and
heartwarming film.
- Harold Peón (10)
Boyhood (2014) dir. by Richard Linklater
Moonrise Kingdom (2012) dir. by Wes Anderson
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) dir. by Guillermo del Toro
Fish Tank (2009) dir. by Andrea Arnold
Submarine (2010) dir. by Richard Ayoade
The Edge of Seventeen (2016) dir. by Kelly Fremon Craig
Cinema Paradiso (1988) dir. by Giuseppe Tornatore
Les quatre cents coups (1959) dir. by François Truffaut
Antes que cante el gallo (2016) dir. by Ari Maniel Cruz
20th Century Women (2016) dir. by Mike Mills
Romeo + Juliet (1996) dir. by Baz Luhrmann
Rebel Without a Cause (1955) dir. by Nicholas Ray
The Virgin Suicides (1999) dir. by Sofia Coppola
Brooklyn (2015) dir. by John Crowley
West Side Story (1961) dir. by Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise
Picked by cinephiles María Freyre (11) and Alejandra Quintana (12)

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A LITERARY MAGAZINE Friday, April 27, 2018
Zeitgeist Recommends…
A Playlist for Late Nights
A small yet note-worthy list of music recommendations for a calm night.
Title:
Artist:
Overview:
The Way Things Change
Yellow Days
A newly released single that melts into your brain.
Title:
Artist:
Overview:
Futile Devices (Doveman Remix)
Sufjan Stevens
One of the many gems in Call Me by Your Name’s soundtrack.
Title:
Artist:
Overview:
Windows
Sugar Candy Mountain
A song for reinvention.
Title:
Artist:
Overview:
Familiar
Agnes Obel
The song that makes me consider purchasing a premium Spotify account.
Title:
Artist:
Overview:
Naeja
Gabriel Garzón-Montano
A song for late-night car rides.
- Selected by Julia García (10) Art by María Elena Álvarez (11)
This selection of songs inspire calming thoughts and ease your journey of change,
acceptance, or growth. Late nights provide time to ponder and question the many
vicissitudes of life.

Friday, April 27, 2018 A LITERARY MAGAZINE p.27
Zeitgeist Recommends…
Ever since the launch of the magazine, Zeitgeist has encouraged APS students to participate in a
plethora of activities. From the Open Mics and Poem Readings to the Book Drive and the visit to Hogar
Rafaela Ybarra, we have cultivated a passion for the arts and inspired many to pursue their academic,
creative, and personal interests. We even had the chance to attend a special screening of Love, Simon, in
which members of Zeitgeist, Elipsis, and other students shared an enriching experience. We cannot
wait to see what the future holds; this literary magazine will always provide you with the opportunity to
express yourself and appreciate everything that makes us human.

p.28
A LITERARY MAGAZINE Friday, April 27, 2018
Message from the moderator of Zeitgeist Literary
Magazine:
Daring to embrace change is not always an easy task.
However, it is a necessary ability in today’s dynamic world.
It’s important to keep in mind that change can be good,
especially if we maintain a positive perspective. In the
process of confronting an unwritten future, all I ask of you is
to always stay true to who you are. As long as you can
accomplish this, you will be able to face whatever changes
or challenges develop with pride and certainty. To the
graduating class, I wish you the very best. It’s been an
honor and a pleasure to guide you in our journey to learn.
Be good, be truthful, and go seize the world! I can’t wait to
see the amaziing things you will achieve!
With love,
Mrs. Mari Vega
Art by María Elena Álvarez (11)
Here is a collage of book recommendations from the
members of Zeitgeist that include the themes of
acceptance, change, and growth: