{"id":4668,"date":"2024-08-12T04:36:18","date_gmt":"2024-08-12T04:36:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/?page_id=4668"},"modified":"2025-01-22T17:41:31","modified_gmt":"2025-01-22T17:41:31","slug":"julianna","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/vol-5-winter-2024-2025\/julianna\/","title":{"rendered":"Two Poems"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Jocelynn Hunter Dow<\/em><\/h4>\n
\n

 <\/p>\n

Julianna<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

she looks like a Julianna\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve met several Julianna\u2019s in my lifetime\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

they have eyes black like their hair\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

and smile a whole lot\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

and laugh from their gut\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

because they find everything to be funny\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

for some reason they don’t like mushrooms\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

unless its saut\u00e9ed a certain way\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

and songs about the universe or reuniting soulmates\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

always make them cry\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I am definite that she is a Julianna\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

then someone, who looks like an Alex, shouts<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey Simone!\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

she turns around<\/span><\/p>\n

the more I look at her\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

the more she looks like a Simone\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

 <\/p>\n

Genetics is a Funny Thing<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I\u2019m often told that I look like my dad<\/span><\/p>\n

maybe it’s because of how we both smile with our eyes too much<\/span><\/p>\n

or how the shape of our faces is square and sharp much like ourselves<\/span><\/p>\n

or in the way our lower lip can\u2019t help but slightly pout\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

it\u2019s probably because of our tall posture,<\/span><\/p>\n

as if we know from deep within our spines<\/span><\/p>\n

that we descend from cocky royalty<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

very rarely am I told that I look like my mom<\/span><\/p>\n

but sometimes I see it<\/span><\/p>\n

in my round nose that turns hot red when I\u2019m cold<\/span><\/p>\n

in the way that I speak from the soles of my feet<\/span><\/p>\n

in the shape of my alert tired eyes<\/span><\/p>\n

she\u2019s a very pretty woman\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

with her womanly loud laughter<\/span><\/p>\n

with the womanly symmetry in her face and curves<\/span><\/p>\n

with her womanly approach to conflict with reason and feeling<\/span><\/p>\n

I think it was her pretty that saved me;<\/span><\/p>\n

her feminine melding evenly with my dad\u2019s masculine<\/span><\/p>\n

to make me feel pretty and not handsome<\/span><\/p>\n

to make me whole\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I find it funny<\/span><\/p>\n

my parents tell me that I look like my grandma,<\/span><\/p>\n

my mom\u2019s mom;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

her and I have the same soft clay-colored flesh\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

the same gentle diction<\/span><\/p>\n

the same sweet stubbornness\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

the same bad habit of seeing clutter as tiny treasures\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

we had even made the same wish<\/span><\/p>\n

when we were little girls,<\/span><\/p>\n

in different times,<\/span><\/p>\n

to have a kingdom of animals<\/span><\/p>\n

to love and love us back<\/span><\/p>\n

without judgment\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

wouldn\u2019t it be so funny<\/span><\/p>\n

if I would later have a daughter<\/span><\/p>\n

that looks less like me<\/span><\/p>\n

and was more like my mother?<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I think it\u2019d be even funnier<\/span><\/p>\n

if her daughter,<\/span><\/p>\n

my daughter\u2019s daughter,<\/span><\/p>\n

wound up getting skin as sensitive as her heart<\/span><\/p>\n

or a smile full of shifting teeth<\/span><\/p>\n

maybe even a soul that is far too kind\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

without motives<\/span><\/p>\n

and even hates itself for such kindness at times<\/span><\/p>\n

when it\u2019s taken advantage of<\/span><\/p>\n

and shown over and over again<\/span><\/p>\n

that humans can be cruel on purpose<\/span><\/p>\n

yet<\/span><\/p>\n

it still finds so many reasons to love<\/span><\/p>\n

wouldn\u2019t it be so unfortunate<\/p>\n

if she ended up being like<\/p>\n

me.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Jocelynn Hunter Dow<\/b>, a member of the Class of 2025 at Mason Gross School of the Arts, embodies a multifaceted commitment to creativity and community. Hailing from Monmouth County, NJ, Jocelynn is pursuing her BFA in visual arts with a concentration in painting, accompanied by double minors in creative writing and Africana studies. She actively contributes to the Honors College and Douglass Residential College programs, where she excels in both academic and leadership roles.<\/span><\/p>\n

Her vibrant expressions on canvas and the page not only reflect her passion for creativity but also serve as catalysts for joy and connection in the spaces they inhabit. Jocelynn’s mission extends far beyond personal success; she aims to inspire, provoke change, and foster inclusivity within communities. Through her art, she seeks to dismantle barriers and create bridges between cultures and perspectives. Whether through solo exhibitions, collaborative projects, or community workshops, Jocelynn’s commitment to uplifting others through art remains steadfast.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jocelynn is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, where she continues to embody the values of service, leadership, and sisterhood.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jocelynn Hunter Dow   Julianna   she looks like a Julianna\u00a0 I\u2019ve met several Julianna\u2019s in my lifetime\u00a0 they have eyes black like their hair\u00a0 and smile a whole lot\u00a0 … Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2513,"featured_media":0,"parent":4318,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-4668","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTwo Poems - Writers House Review<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/vol-5-winter-2024-2025\/julianna\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Two Poems - Writers House Review\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Jocelynn Hunter Dow   Julianna   she looks like a Julianna\u00a0 I\u2019ve met several Julianna\u2019s in my lifetime\u00a0 they have eyes black like their hair\u00a0 and smile a whole lot\u00a0 … Read More\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/vol-5-winter-2024-2025\/julianna\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Writers House Review\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-01-22T17:41:31+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/vol-5-winter-2024-2025\/julianna\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/vol-5-winter-2024-2025\/julianna\/\",\"name\":\"Two Poems - Writers House Review\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2024-08-12T04:36:18+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-01-22T17:41:31+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/vol-5-winter-2024-2025\/julianna\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/vol-5-winter-2024-2025\/julianna\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/vol-5-winter-2024-2025\/julianna\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Vol. 5 \/ Winter 2024-2025\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/vol-5-winter-2024-2025\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Two Poems\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/\",\"name\":\"Writers House Review\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Two Poems - Writers House Review","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/vol-5-winter-2024-2025\/julianna\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Two Poems - Writers House Review","og_description":"Jocelynn Hunter Dow   Julianna   she looks like a Julianna\u00a0 I\u2019ve met several Julianna\u2019s in my lifetime\u00a0 they have eyes black like their hair\u00a0 and smile a whole lot\u00a0 … Read More","og_url":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/vol-5-winter-2024-2025\/julianna\/","og_site_name":"Writers House Review","article_modified_time":"2025-01-22T17:41:31+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/vol-5-winter-2024-2025\/julianna\/","url":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/vol-5-winter-2024-2025\/julianna\/","name":"Two Poems - Writers House Review","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/#website"},"datePublished":"2024-08-12T04:36:18+00:00","dateModified":"2025-01-22T17:41:31+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/vol-5-winter-2024-2025\/julianna\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/vol-5-winter-2024-2025\/julianna\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/vol-5-winter-2024-2025\/julianna\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Vol. 5 \/ Winter 2024-2025","item":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/vol-5-winter-2024-2025\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Two Poems"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/#website","url":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/","name":"Writers House Review","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4668"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2513"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4668"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4668\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4974,"href":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4668\/revisions\/4974"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4318"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.rutgers.edu\/writers-house-review\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4668"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}