Writers at Work

The A.J. Downs Writers-at-Work Series brings working writers to the School each year. These professionals work with classes and present readings and workshops. The series is named for English teach A. J. Downs, who was a member of the Gilman faculty from 1950–1989.

Featured work

  • Smoke

    <i>Paragon</i> Spring 2008 Cover
    Kevin Niparko ‘08
    Jun 06, 2008
    The afternoon fades to dusk
    like water slips through a drain. Read More

  • Constellations

    Chris Sheridan ‘08
    Jun 06, 2008
    I missed you tonight
    So I kissed the window,
    Making sure of the height,
    Verifying wished-for lips’ position. Read More

  • Handicaps

    Sam Winter '09
    Jun 06, 2008
    He wondered if the dead could walk. He didn’t care if they could speak. He
    didn’t feel like talking to anyone, and there were too many words peppering the
    place where he remembered the dead who walked silent: Read More

  • Writers at Work Series 2008

    May 20, 2008
    The Gilman Upper School Writing Center invited two renowned poets to speak at morning assembly. The visits included the likes of Elaine Bleakney and Barry Spacks. Read More

  • One Day at a Time

    Paragon_winterCover
    by: Gabe Donnay, ‘08
    Jan 11, 2008

    Wednesday:
    7:03 AM: Jane wakes up.
    7:06 AM: Jane rolls around in bed, reluctant to leave behind her warm
    comforter. Read More

  • Santa

    by: Avesh Thuluvath, ‘08
    Jan 11, 2008

    My smallness is tucked away underneath waves of heavy blankets.
    The air is cool outside the utopia of warmth that is my bed,
    Read More

  • Shorebreak

    Paragon Spring 2007
    by: Nick Parlato, '08
    Jul 03, 2007
    The treaded path recedes into my mind
    As I drift down a dark vein of forest,
    Curling up and throwing me onto my next foot
    To land onto disintegrating gravel, instants big. Read More

  • High Tide

    By: Adam Miller, '07
    Jul 03, 2007
    “Teamwork.” Tommy closed his eyes and recited through the two
    gaping holes in his top gum, “T-E-E-M-W-O-R-K.” “Try again,” Katie said.
    Katie’s large blue eyes stared at Tommy expectantly as she rocked her head back
    and forth, causing her long brown ponytail to dance behind her head. Read More

  • To Breadman

    by Peter George '07
    Mar 02, 2007
    and I feel the worst about
    never apologizing for,
    never even telling you about,
    the nickname I made for you Read More

  • Dear Mother: I’m Failing Math…Again

    by Neto Opara '07
    Mar 05, 2007
    I remember the way you used to cut my pancakes in the morning
    Each piece in its individual shape Read More
Publications
Student Publications