ISSUE VIII
MAY 2026
Editor’s Note
I’m going to allow myself to be sentimental for a moment. Three years ago, I proposed the name Ink & Venom for our new, unsteady literary magazine. Now, we’ve published over eight issues of gorgeous student art and writing. We serve as a platform for the astounding creative talent of San Marcos High School, and we couldn’t be more glad to. This issue—as with all of the issues before it—is filled with the careful work of students from all corners of our school who have committed to the brave act of sharing their work. Thank you, as always, for your bravery, talent, and creativity. Our magazine would be nothing without you. It’s been a delight and honor to help lead our team these past few years, and I feel certain that I am leaving it in good hands. Keep an eye out for our new team next year.
For the last time
Brynn Gardner (Co-Editor-in-Chief of Ink & Venom)
Poetry
- Alternates to baby – Lillie Wooten
- I’ll Do it Tomorrow – Evan Nolasco
- Sweet Venom – Teaghan Gasiorowski
- Real friendship – Anonymous
- Pretense – Anonymous
- Growing up – Mia James
- Your Favorite Color Used To Be Blue – Anonymous
- The Root Friendship – Natalia Villanueva
- Basketball Poem – Lilyana Longoria
- Peace and Quiet – Angel Mendoza
- Colored Knowledge – Kiearri Mullins
- Joys in life – Isabella Rodriguez
- Relationships – Ronnie Lopez
- My Monster – Natalia Villanueva
- The Hill – Brynn Gardner
Fiction
- Isn’t the night sky beautiful? – Kailyn Flores
- Heroes – Jaylin Lopez
Art
- If you could see what I see – Avangelina Lee
- Who Put Isle in the Wych Elm? – Faustino Rosas
- The rapids are cool – Cassandra (Cassie) Lott
- Untitled – Noelle Chagnon
To find more creative pieces like these, or to submit work of your own, explore the links below!
Ink & Venom 