University of Denver Autumn 2025

ARTS & CULTURE

REPETITION

Mary Helen Callier is the poetry editor for

I say my mother was born in a blue house in August because the past is

Denver Quarterly and a PhD student in English & Literary Arts. Her recent collection, “When the Horses,” was the winner of the 2023 Alice James Editor’s Choice award. You can follow her on Instagram at @maaaryhelen .

static balm. Because the past is there and is unchanging, I touch the small bright scar like an explosion. History is like this: devotion to the small. A pain grown to eclipse its cause. We walk and the bats dip down by our faces, and the past is as patient as polishing silver in a room where the guests have gone home. These are the necessary forms of corruption. Speech is like this, asking no questions: I carry the bucket of water away from the house and carry my own face away in the water.

Ingredients 1½ cups shortening (or substitute butter) 2 cups sugar ½ cup molasses 2 eggs

AN ALUM’S FAVORITE Holiday Recipe “ This is a gingersnap recipe from my grandma for probably my favorite cookies ever. ”

4 cups flour ½ tsp. salt 4 tsp. baking soda 2 tsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. cloves 2 tsp. ginger

Directions Mix all together in the usual manner, form into balls, and roll in sugar. Bake on

Shared by Luke Marran (BSBA ’21), hospitality management major and former president of the DU Cooking Club.

a greased cookie sheet for about 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

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UNIVERSITY OF DENVER MAGAZINE | AUTUMN 2025