Second Annual QCC Faculty Showcase

Dear QCC English Department faculty and students,

The original vision for The QCC Faculty Showcase was for writers from to read from their published creative work at an event that would provide an opportunity to share writing experiences with students and faculty. A virtual space cannot hope to replicate the unique connection between writer and audience at a live literary event, but I’m hoping that just as my spirits have often been lifted these days by browsing through a social media feed and discovering someone reading a poem in the midst of this crisis, so will QCC's writers bring the light of their creative works to our campus community.

On behalf of the English Department Creative Writing Committee, please join me in welcoming our Faculty Readers, Dr. John Talbird and Professor Beverly Ducat, as well as our Student Readers, Jacquelyn Apostolo and Travis Freeman! In addition, QCC student, Ornella King, has shared her piece on COVID-19, "In A Bell Jar." 

Be well. Be safe.

All the best,
Susan Lago

​In A Bell Jar by Ornella King

You now know what it must feel like living in a BELL JAR.

You feel suffocated by fear and routine. Walking up every morning searching for symptoms and thanking the mighty God above when you've discovered none. You must remember to wear your protective gear before leaving your home. Intimacy is forbidden. We must remain distant.

By being an essential worker, you constantly feel exposed. You are not at the front lines, but you are in close contact with patients-with the unknown. Not knowing if one is infected, so fear seeps under your quivering feet like smoke under a door during a fire. You are afraid, but do not show it. Instead, you wear your personal protective equipment and pray for the protection that you desire. In the exam room, the misunderstanding is mutual between you and the person that you are preparing the physician to treat since you nor the patient can see each other's mouths to understand fully what is being said, strangely you both remain patient. 

            You no longer have a morning routine. The stars on your Starbucks account just sits there as a result of the stores being closed. Fear allows you to drink the free filtered water served at work.

You are very patient with the store clerk at your local supermarket for spilling your raspberries on the belt because you understand that she too is nervous to be at work.

School is a lot more laborious when you have three small children to fully assist with their studies, but you view it as a blessing to spend one on one time with them even if it's only for two weeks because the career path you've chosen requires your services. You still do not complain, but thank the good Lord above for both you and your spouse having income to provide for your large family.
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The bond is great and the love is even stronger. You pray to God like never before, asking him to restore your heart and remove all fear. You pray for your loved ones, neighbors, colleagues, essential workers, professors, and classmates that they will all push through and overcome this great obstacle.
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I now know what it feels like living in a BELL JAR