Bobcat Features
Here, you’ll find a collection of submissions recognized for their exceptional impact. Each work has resonated deeply with the editors of Eye of the Bobcat and the English Department, leaving a lasting impression through its creativity, emotion, and voice.
Handala - Part 1
The sound of sirens and gunfire had been replaced by the soft murmur of voices, as people emerged from their homes to survey the damage. Debris was scattered across the streets, with shattered glass and chunks of concrete lying in piles. Burned-out cars and twisted metal littered the roads, testaments to the violence that had erupted so suddenly. The air was thick with the acrid smell of smoke, and dust hung heavily in the air. Buildings that had once stood tall and proud were now reduced to rubble, their walls cracked and caved in.
Amidst the destruction, people could be seen moving about. Their faces are etched with shock and sadness. Families huddled together, searching for loved ones and trying to make sense of what had happened. Rescue workers moved carefully through the rubble, searching for survivors, and attending to the wounded. Despite the devastation, there was a sense of resilience in the air. People worked together, clearing the streets, and tending to the injured. They knew that this wasn’t the first time that their community had been ravaged by violence, and it likely wouldn't be the last. But they refused to let their spirits be broken.
Amidst the destruction, people could be seen moving about. Their faces are etched with shock and sadness. Families huddled together, searching for loved ones and trying to make sense of what had happened. Rescue workers moved carefully through the rubble, searching for survivors, and attending to the wounded. Despite the devastation, there was a sense of resilience in the air. People worked together, clearing the streets, and tending to the injured. They knew that this wasn’t the first time that their community had been ravaged by violence, and it likely wouldn't be the last. But they refused to let their spirits be broken.
Dear Little Brown Girl
Dear little brown girl from the heart of the South,
With fire in your spirit and rich gold in your mouth.
They whisper, stare, and doubt,
Never let them dim your light that’s pouring out.
Your skin tells a story, rich, deep, and bold,
A tale full of resilience, a beauty untold.
They see you as different- just let them believe,
Your difference is magic, a wonderful gift to receive.
Your mind is a vast river that’s endless and bright,
It flows with wisdom, power, and light.
Your courage is like mountains, unmoved by storms,
Standing fearless, mighty, and warm.
They tell you you can’t- but oh, they don’t know,
You're built from roots where wildflowers grow.
You’re carved from the dreams that your grandmothers prayed,
A force to be reckoned, a path to be paved.
So, walk with your head high, your name written in the sky,
Let them watch as you rise and fly.Shatter the ceilings that hang in your way,
Make them remember your name when they say-
“She came and conquered us by silencing our doubts,
The little brown girl from deep in the South.”
With love,
The Voice That Believes in You
With fire in your spirit and rich gold in your mouth.
They whisper, stare, and doubt,
Never let them dim your light that’s pouring out.
Your skin tells a story, rich, deep, and bold,
A tale full of resilience, a beauty untold.
They see you as different- just let them believe,
Your difference is magic, a wonderful gift to receive.
Your mind is a vast river that’s endless and bright,
It flows with wisdom, power, and light.
Your courage is like mountains, unmoved by storms,
Standing fearless, mighty, and warm.
They tell you you can’t- but oh, they don’t know,
You're built from roots where wildflowers grow.
You’re carved from the dreams that your grandmothers prayed,
A force to be reckoned, a path to be paved.
So, walk with your head high, your name written in the sky,
Let them watch as you rise and fly.Shatter the ceilings that hang in your way,
Make them remember your name when they say-
“She came and conquered us by silencing our doubts,
The little brown girl from deep in the South.”
With love,
The Voice That Believes in You