The Alembic

What is The Alembic?

We’re thrilled to introduce you to a brand-new chapter in The Alembic’s history. For the first time ever, we’re offering an audio edition of the journal—an exciting new endeavor for 2025. In this edition, you’ll hear every written piece read aloud by Providence College students, bringing a new dimension and life to the written word.

We were all born with a utensil in hand
To paint, or scribble “us” on life’s easel stand
A girl is born, with pen in hand she draws
Years later, those glorious landscapes of achievements
Are now overshadowed by her meadows of alleged flaws
Starving for perfection, so, she denies defeat
Determined to fix her ugly, on this tragic sheet
Her palms ache; trying to revise every mistake
Indefinite revisions, yet her heart still aches
Her smiling became a rarity with the stress this takes
She feels her mural cannot be on display
Until all problems are wiped away
If only she knew
That what makes her mural stand out
Are not the perfect views that shine in the light
What really makes her art worthy, no doubt,
Is every single smudge or crease in sight.
Allow your heart to be light
For the big picture will be alright.