Lauren DeSantis

2 weeks ago | theupandcomingmag.com | Lauren DeSantis

Let Us Descend follows Annis, an enslaved girl from a Carolinian rice field, as she is sent away by her sire to New Orleans, Louisiana. During the year she spends fighting for her life on the sugar plantation, Annis encounters various nature spirits who both serve as help and adversaries. One of these spirits is Aza, a wind spirit who has taken the form of her grandmother and craves for Annis’ dependence.

1 month ago | theupandcomingmag.com | Gabrielle Thompson |Suzanne Latre |Hanna Perry |Lauren DeSantis

F.P.E.Freshly brewed iced teaPoured over sour lemonEncrusted with ice chunksForlorn owl flyPast the bruised pearl moon overEternal stars burning blackFake tongue stumblingPry natural words from my mouth Easily come forthA.L.H.Ash to ash, blindingLava spit unto the skyHeaven bound to EarthAlive and breathingLowly he lies down ontoHeaps of lilies, pinkAround the riverLeaping fish travel upwardHills of water blueB.R. T.

2 months ago | theupandcomingmag.com | Gabrielle Thompson |Suzanne Latre |Hanna Perry |Lauren DeSantis

2025. A new, glorious year on planet Earth with promises of growth and good fortune. And for those of East Asian descent, the end of January means ringing in the next year of the Lunar calendar. And 2025 is the Year of the…Snake. Wait, what? I have only lived through one Snake year back in 2013 and haven’t really thought about it much. The snake is one of the twelve auspicious animals that makes up the Chinese Zodiac, and I never paid attention to its meaning until now.

Dec 23, 2024 | theupandcomingmag.com | Lauren DeSantis

For some reason, my dreams have images of nails paintedIn colors of blood redAnd shimmering dark blueFor some reason, he appearsWith my familyAnd all of us sitting around a tableThat one must descend a staircase to accessAnd I am forced to sit next to himFor some reason, I can momentarily become self-awareAnd questionIs            This                        Real? And Marcel pulls me under and says            OF COURSE NOT.