To our Readers

We’re so excited to show you all the Winter Mini-Issue from the 2021-22 school year, and to highlight the incredible artwork of our peers. Our theme for this issue was Joyful Noise- the idea that throughout all the chaos of our lives, we can create beauty and joy. There is a great deal of joy in art, and from all of us, we are delighted to share this light with you all.

We are so grateful to our staff for their help, as well as to Dr. Carlisle for her mentorship. We consider ourselves so lucky to be surrounded by such a supportive and uplifting community, and we hope you feel the warmth and joy as you scroll through our stories and photography.

Happy reading!

Natalie Intihar and Kennice Leisk

Co-editors of the Trinity Review

Cover photo: Come Alive By Thao Dinh

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Contents

Short Stories

Rewritten……………………………………………….Caroline Wolff

This short story follows a day in the life of Alyssa Brooks, a young mother and musician grieving the recent loss of her mother, as she struggles under the weight of an impending divorce. Feeling stuck in the past, Alyssa doubts her ability to let go of her husband and be there for her son. This is a realistic story rooted in tragedy, with hopeful overtones, which explores dynamics of nostalgia, familial love, and identity in early adulthood.

Sidewalk………………………………………………….Dean Zach

I first watched the music video on which this piece is based sometime in the late spring/early summer of 2020; it remained in the back of my mind for a while, and then this October the beginning of this piece just sort of happened. After that I forgot about it for a few weeks, and then I started working on it again after hearing about the winter mini-issue’s theme. In retrospect, it was also partly inspired by Poe’s short story “The Man in the Crowd” and Prof. Browne’s Nov. 18 open mic discussion of ekphrasis which I attended. (And, just to be clear, it is based on a real music video, but the rest of it is entirely fictional.)

Poetry

Crumbs of Reality…………………………………………………Maria Zaharatos

it rained today…………………………………………………Caroline Wolff

This poem, originally written in 2018, explores how time and distance can slowly heal a heartbreak. At age 17, I ended this poem with the words: “It rained today, and the drops collected on my eyelashes, fell to my cheeks as I blinked, and rolled down like tears. It rained today, and I thought of what once was us.” As a teenager, I focused on the destruction after the storm, but as an adult, I focused on rebuilding, and that to me has made all the difference.

Ode to my dirty sheets……………………………………….Maria Zaharatos

How my Father Loves………………………………………Juliana Martinez

This is a poem, based on true events, about the author’s father.

The End in Site Was Only a Backdoor…………………Madeleine West

The following piece is a villanelle about realizing that a new relationship can work.

the perennials were prophetic, but i didn’t listen………..Caroline Wolff

This poem uses plant-based imagery to document a short-lived romance turned destructive but impossible to forget.

Photography

Come Alive……………………………………………………………….Thao Dinh

Selene………………………………………………………………………Thao Dinh

Sol……………………………………………………………………………Thao Dinh

Occasus Solis……………………………………………………………Thao Dinh

Crepusculum……………………………………………………………Thao Dinh

Hike…………………………………………………………………………Thao Dinh

Waikiki Port……………………………………………………………..Thao Dinh

Line Up…………………………………………………………………….Thao Dinh

Diamond Head Volcano & Waikiki Metropolis……………Thao Dinh

Hawaiian Postcard……………………………………………………Thao Dinh

Downtown Waikiki……………………………………………………Thao Dinh

San Antonian Christmas Tree…………………………………….Thao Dinh

Moon River………………………………………………………………..Thao Dinh

Natural Curves…………………………………………………………..Thao Dinh

Waiting for Santa………………………………………………………..Thao Dinh

Uni Universe………………………………………………………………Thao Dinh

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About the Artists

Elizabeth Motes

Elizabeth is a junior English major and Creative Writing minor. She has been published in the Trinity Review for her pieces “Haunted” and “Home for Christmas.” Her story “Perfect Memory” has been published in the Outrageous Fortune magazine, and her story “When a Door Closes” will be published in an upcoming anthology titled Venus Rising.

Caroline Wolff

Caroline is a junior Communication major with minors in Creative Writing and Linguistics. In addition to writing poetry and fiction, she loves to express herself creatively through drawing, singing, and dancing. In her spare time, when she is not writing, Caroline loves to scroll through TikTok, get lost in a good book, FaceTime her friends, and spend time with her tuxedo cat, Hayes. You can find more of Caroline’s creative writing on her Instagram page: @carolinemariewrites

Dean Zach

Dean Zach is a sophomore likely double-majoring in English and political science. He is from Pearland, Texas, a suburb south of Houston. He spends most of his time inside, but on occasion he also enjoys running and going on road trips, especially in the Mountain West. He enjoys writing most of the time, but it can be a real chore sometimes.

Maria Zaharatos

Juliana Martinez

Juliana is a 3rd year English Major. She’s always enjoyed writing poetry, and is happy to have a chance to share it.

Madeleine West

Maddie West is a junior History major and Creative Writing minor from Arlington, Texas. She enjoys reading, watching movies, writing poetry, and hanging out with her cat, Hazel, in her free time.

Thao Dinh

From Hanoi, Vietnam, Thảo Đinh (she/her) is a Junior International Development Major and Creative Writing Minor. She is also the Founder and President of Bullet Journal Club at Trinity. She discovered her love for writing as an FYE Creative Genius alumna, winner of the FYE Writing contest, and peer tutor. In her own time, Thảo enjoys life through other artistic mediums such as photojournalism, videography, calligraphy, painting, and music. She loves sharing beauty and helping others see beauty within themselves.

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About the Editors

Natalie Intihar

Natalie is a senior History and Political Science double major, minoring in Creative Writing. In addition to working on the Trinity Review, Natalie is the head reporter for The Mirage and a tutor at Writing Center, as well as interning with Gemini Ink, San Antonio’s Writing Arts Center. She plans to pursue a MFA in Creative Writing after graduation. When she isn’t reading or writing, Natalie loves watching football, playing for the Club Soccer team, or binging reality tv. This is her first year as Co-Editor.

Kennice Leisk

Kennice is a senior English and Latin double major, minoring in Creative Writing and Comparative Literature. In addition to working on the Trinity Review, Kennice works with the TU Humanities Collective as a Digital Marketing and Communications Assistant as well as serving as the President of the TU Crochet and Knitting Club. When she is not reading or crafting, Kennice loves watching K-dramas, playing with her dogs, listening to music, and walking.