First Call Magazine

Vol. 12, No. 5 – November 9, 2009

Cover Photo: Untitled, by Katie Willison
A PDF of this issue is available here.

On Umbrellas by Jayson Weingarten
Designer Babies by Alyssa Kaplan
Border Towns by Daniel Felsenthal
Poetry: [Untitled] by Valeria Tsygankova
How to Deal by Sydney Scott
Photospotlight: [Untitled] by Aude Broos
Poetry: Roach by Mikaela Pedlow
Poetry: Opium by Ghalia S.
Without a Plan by Charlie Isaacs
Comic: Muffler by Dan Markowitz

Columnists: Charlie Isaacs, Sydney Scott, Alyssa Kaplan. Prose: Daniel Felsenthal, Jayson Weingarten. Poetry: Mikaela Pedlow, Ghalia S., Valeria Tsygankova. Photography: Aude Broos, Katie Willison. Art: Amy Tarangelo, Natalie Gravier, Dan Markowitz.

The cons
By Jayson Weingarten

It’s a very stereotypical question: “What is the greatest invention of all time?” Is it the printing press, the internet, the cooler, TV maybe even the wheel? There are great arguments for all of these objects, but a better question to ask is “What is the worst invention of all time?” (more…)

The truth behind the science
By Alyssa Kaplan

One of the biggest upcoming issues in the world of genetics is the idea of “designer babies.” It’s safe to say almost everyone has heard this term being thrown around, but do we really understand the science and meaning behind it?

(more…)

A short story
By Daniel Felsenthal

The trunk was lined: two suitcases, Jim’s stuff, Kate’s stuff, a large sleeping bag, some food. Easy-to-make food, canned food, even some Lunchables. Literally Lunchables. Like they were nine years old. (more…)

By Valeria Tsygankova

Back in the old
        liminal
places
                we made
        this bread (more…)

Reflections on irrelevant comments in class
By Sydney Scott

My freshman year was a bit shocking. I came from a very nurturing private school — the kind that wants you to be “whatever you want to be.” The kind that thinks every student is a unique and above-average individual who will go on to do great things. The kind that weaved subliminal messages like “You’re amazing!” into its curriculum. (more…)

By Aude Broos

By Mikaela Pedlow

Sporadically rocking on its brittle brown back,
Antennae and legs sprawling this way and that, (more…)

By Ghalia S.

Opium
Sweet and pure on my tongue
Delicate and endless in my head (more…)

Hope, fear and a lack of knowledge
By Charlie Isaacs

I remember listening to my older brother in complete disbelief as he described a day without recess. I remember watching him do his homework, and thinking, I’ll never learn how to read or write. I remember there being hope, fear, and a complete lack of knowledge about where I was headed. To some extent, I still feel that way. (more…)