Comics

Corporate Mango by Jon Diotalevi

Haiku Challenge by Allison Reitz

Trunkwood by Drew Sumner

Electric Boogaloo by Drew Sumner

Incredible Edibles by Jon Diotalevi

My Gay Shirt by Julianne Henry

Mr. Strawberry's Splendid Return by Mike Soldat

Sudoku

Sudoku is made up of a 9 x 9 playing field with numbers from 1 to 9 scattered throughout. The object of the game is to fill every column, row and 3 x 3 box with the numbers 1 through 9, without repeating any numbers in any given column, row or box.

The difficulty level of the puzzles will change from week to week. Some will be easy. Some will be moderate. Some will make you want to cry. It’s gonna be a grab bag, so hang on.

If you get stuck, the answers can be found here, but don’t give in unless you absolutely cannot do it! What fun is finishing it if you had to cheat?

Horoscopes

ARIES
March 21 – April 19
Decisions must always be made in a timely manner, but they must not be made without forethought. While the easy answer can be enticing, be sure that you take a step back and reconsider all of the options this week. Your intuition can be of assistance in some situations; just make sure that you don’t rule out logic entirely.

TAURUS
April 20 – May 20
Not all problems can be solved with brute strength alone. Though you sometimes have a tendency to rush into things with your head down, shoulders squared off, expecting to simply push through, matters are more delicate than you realize at this time. It is essential that, at this time, you stop to think things through. Pick apart the patch of thorns instead of charging through it.

GEMINI
May 21 – June 21
Though helping people is a kind, generous, and good thing to do, keep in mind that people must sometimes fend for themselves. Let those closest to you stand on their own two feet for a while. You do not need to neglect them entirely; just be sure that they are not becoming too reliant on you. Codependence is not part of a healthy relationship.

CANCER
June 22 – July 22
Foreign counsel is usually well meant and heartfelt, but no one can truly know that which is best for you. At this time, the only judgment you should rely on is your own. Do not attempt to let others lead you or help you make decisions. Life should be picking up speed for you at this point, and if you’re the only one at the helm, you can steer yourself clear of adversity.

LEO
July 23 – August 22
Now it’s time for the much awaited sigh of relief. A major worry will pass peacefully, and its resolution will be startlingly comforting to you. There is potential for a certain relationship to develop that you have been ignoring or neglecting because of other concerns. Now is the time for you to open up and take a chance. You never know how someone can change your life.

VIRGO
August 23 – September 22
Emotions can be intense, powerful, and frightening. That does not mean that the best course of action is to avoid them. Though it may be easier to turn the other way and pretend that nothing is affecting you, you cannot ignore your feelings forever. Stand firm and face how you feel inside, express yourself, and regret nothing. The response may shock and awe you.

LIBRA
September 23 – October 22
The term “family” does not necessarily only apply to those related to you by blood but also encompasses those individuals who hold a special place in your heart. Be sure to nurture the bonds that you share with others. A trying time lies ahead of you, but you need not face the difficulties alone. By relying on your nearest and dearest, you will overcome and learn important things about yourself and others.

SCORPIO
October 23 – November 21
Undertaking a new endeavor can be incredibly rewarding, but be sure that you have finished previous business. Leaving ends open may be convenient, but it may be prohibiting you from taking the next step. It is difficult to consider something truly over, especially if you believe that potential still exists. Endings, however, are a necessary part of life.

SAGITTARIUS
November 22 – December 21
Brace yourself for rapid change. An entirely new set of circumstances will be cropping up in your life. Remember that life is a journey and one must be ready for anything. If you keep an open mind, you may find fewer setbacks and more opportunities for growth. Though you may find yourself at a loss for words or actions, it is best if you sit back and enjoy the ride at this time.

CAPRICORN
December 22 – January 19
Find your passion, and go with it. That which you love to do may not make you the wealthiest person in the world, but at least it enables you to enrich the world. By allowing others to see the joy with which you work, you will be an inspiration to them. Standing up for yourself and your actions is always the best course. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

AQUARIUS
January 20 – February 18
Sometimes you may not have many resources, but you must always be willing to give to others. The idea of charity has been distorted, and oftentimes one thinks that one must make some great sacrifice to be a giving person. This is not the case at all. Any act of selflessness is a charitable act; be prepared to be called upon to give.

PISCES
February 19 – March 20
How ready are you to take risks? Though playing it safe can’t hurt, you might not be experiencing all that is available to you. Throwing caution to the wind is not the best course of action, but keep in mind that a sense of adventure can be healthy. If you can make the choice to be bold, you may discover that there is something more that you could be enjoying.

Poetic Perfection

“Ode to Earth Day”

By Michael Morrissey

There’s this feeling I can no longer hide,
Ashamed to be a citizen of the United States,
Because from where I reside,
I’ve noticed we control too many fates,
And it becomes clear that this land is not free,
America is just full of hidden fees,
Our society just doesn’t care about trees,

And if we only got one planet,
Something is wrong with our culture,
We should stop taking it for granted,
But there are too many hungry vultures,

Taking advantage of the poor,
Destroying millions of acres of life,
And turning it into hardwood floors,
By cutting through nature like a knife,

And that roof over your head,
That people believe without it,
You’d wind up dead,
But it’s time to transmit,
That’s not the case,
Plenty of people live off the land,
Just look at other cultures in the human race,
We need to understand,
It’s only a matter of time before we come face to face,
With this problem that our culture created and still creates,
So its time to think about our waste,
For it’s giving the world one more reason to hate,
Our culture’s profound impact on the world’s fate.

“This is the very ecstasy of love”

By Shara Marie

Your sweet, brown eyes are what I need.
Your gentle song is all I breathe.
The miracle inside of you deserves to be shared.
The warmth of your arms is all I can feel.
The love in your heart, I wish was there,
Real.

If I could taste it now,
Would I be here in this sad state of shame?
Would I be withering away with unrequited pain?
Ashamed of myself for holding onto,
Ashamed of myself for wasting precious love on
You.

But you are not ashamed of the way
You are slowly murdering my heart.
Have you seen it? How skeletal and gray,
As it has been deteriorating from the start
Of what I thought to be a masterpiece of
Bliss.

Together, your words and your lips
Form the sharpest knife,
Cutting through my skin,
Destroying a beautiful life.
Do you know how it feels to be losing
Love?

It’s breaking my heart,
Us being apart.
But if I can’t be with you,
Then being apart is, somehow,
Saving me,
Too.

If you would like to see your own poetry published in the Torch, email ssarnelli@umassd.edu.