Category: Junior Literary

So I’ve noticed yet another habit I’ve “developed” since being here at MSA. I love taking pictures of trees. Why? I have no clue. Remember that lovely picture I posted in the last blog post with Chloe and the tree? That’s just one of the many pictures I’ve taken. 

 Here it is! Chloe seems to also have a habit – ruining my beautiful shots. She’s always in the picture somehow, which is actually somewhat amusing. If you don’t think she’s there, always look at the sides or in the corners. You’d probably find some of her hair there because of the wind blowing, and all that stuff. 

It’s strange, but I love the vividness of the greens, oranges, yellows. And now, they’re gone. Winter is coming, fall is leaving. Fall did its job, making the trees beautiful before wiping it all away, but oh well. I have the pictures. In fact, here’s a couple of them! 

 A nice little collage of my nature shots… I don’t really know why I’m so attracted to the trees. Probably because where my house is located there are no trees. Just fake grass, sand for dirt, and all that other lovely stuff. Hmph, oh well. Although, just like every other kid, I always wanted a tree house. Of course there was always one little problem: we didn’t have any trees. For a good bit of my life, we stayed in apartments. I think it was around maybe fourth grade when we moved into a house. But alas, no trees still. But it had a huge yard, so I had room to play, and there was a shed where I would mess with the pool table until my parents kicked my siblings and I out of it for safety reasons.  

Anyway, I love trees. They’re just really pretty to me, and I enjoy looking at them. I’m contemplating making a story that is almost like The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, but not exactly because it wouldn’t be a children’s story. You’ll find out more after I’ve written it.  

The first sign is in my hands, their shaking is the warning before it all starts, then the trembling explodes into every part of me. It feels like an earthquake in my soul. I can feel all my cities breaking and collapsing in my chest. Then, I lose control. You know how when an impact is so severe, one tends to lose consciousness? I guess this is kind of like that. The impact of the disaster going on inside me takes away my sense of being, leaving my body flailing for some control. My thoughts race faster than the speed of light, which leaves a blackhole in my mind. Nothingness. Blackness. I’m so cold, but I can’t feel anything. I hope death isn’t as blank.

Once I begin to hear a voice, I cling to that voice like a rope that is going to pull me out of this infinite emptiness. That voice then becomes my lifeline, and I get terrified when I don’t hear it anymore. I’m floating somewhere between nothing and everything, and I am trying to pull myself out but have nothing to grab onto until I hear that voice again or another voice that will bring me home. I climb until my body begins to vibrate.

It’s the best and most terrible feeling when my body regains control. I finally know that I’m alive, but I am welcomed back to Earth with a million knives digging into my nerves and my brain trying to break out of my skull. My vocal cords slowly wake from paralysis, and I want to cry out but can’t. I can feel the nails being hammered into my heart as my cities rebuild, and the child within me cries. The first willing twitch is almost scream-worthy, but I hold myself together as much as I can with a terrorized core. My first words are fingernails scratching my chalk-board throat, but once they are out, saliva begins to pour from my glands. Opening my eyes is like falling. There is nothing to focus on until my entire body makes landfall.

The last things to come back are my emotions, and that sometimes takes hours, maybe even days. My body is awake, but I am numb.  There is nothing left in me to cry or get angry, I can’t even fake a smile because I don’t care. There is absolutely no life to my feelings, and there is something so poetic about that. When they do come back, it’s almost like rain. It begins with a little trickle, a warning, and then a moderate pour. I have learned not to fight the flood, but to float in it. It washes me of the pain, though only temporary. It gives me peace.

After all has recovered, I continue on with my life. I try to fight stress off like a hive of wasps, but there will always be another. I wait. I wait for the earthquake to unleash. I wait for my shaking hands.

So, I wrote this poem for a competition and it’s supposed to be pretty metaphorical. Let me know what you guys think.

 

Dinosaurs love turtles,

I’m telling you- really- it’s true.

Stegosaurus love turtles,

And turtles love them too.

 

Turtles love stegosaurus,

I know that for a fact.

Their big mighty friends

help them reach in tree for a snack.

 

Dinosaurs love turtles,

You can’t argue with that.

The turtles climb up their neck,

and the ‘saurs wear them as a hat.

 

Some dare to think

the two can not be friends-

Only because in the ecosystem,

they are on separate ends.

 

Ones big and tall,

ones short and fat,

but, if they want to be together,

why shouldn’t they do that?

 

Well, turtles can eat meat,

and dinosaurs can too.

They’re both the same colors,

and share one sky of blue.

 

Dinosaurs can eat plants,

turtles can too.

They seem pretty similar to me,

don’t they seem similar to you?

 

Turtles come from eggs,

just like the dinosaurs

So, if they’re from the same place,

why should there be wars?

 

Dinosaurs and turtles-

they’re different, but the same.

The only thing separating them,

is their title, their name.

 

Dinosaurs love turtles,

turtles love them too.

If you want to argue, and say it isn’t true…

Take a look at those ‘different’ people around you.

 

 

Okay so like originally it was literally just gonna be a poem about dinosaurs and turtle. However, as Kerri Bland, I had to put something really symbolic and lesson-giving in there. I’m hoping it kinda evokes a feeling of happiness, but still hits you, y’know?

Yet, I don’t have a specific thing the dinosaurs and turtles are supposed to represent. They’re just dinosaurs and turtles.

The idea for this piece in particular came to me while I was making sugar free hot chocolate in a cactus cup, and then realized I had no straws to stir the powder with. It really kinda ruined my day, but it made me think about turtles. Please save the sea turtles.

As for the dinosaurs, I just think they’re real cool. Like, they’re just big creatures that we use to make plastics and stuff. sometimes we dig up their bones in our yards. Its like unintentional grave robbing. Thats kinda cruel, but still. Then we put them on display to show people what we found while unintentionally grave robbing. Sometimes that thought keeps me up at night.

Anyways, let me know what you think!

the fire burns hot

flames reaching towards the sky

we sit just close enough to feel its glory

music booms from the speakers on the back deck

we sing along and dance

fading into the night

blending into the roaring flames

your arms are wrapped tightly around me

my hands cover yours

i look to you

you grin, crooked teeth showing proudly

“i live for nights like these.” you say

i smile and turn away

staring into the heat

“i only live in nights like these.”

and the whole world is still

Over the summer, I was given the task of writing an essay based on someone who has positively influenced my life. Please read the essay and tell me what you think.

The person who has held the most positive impact on me is Phylicia Harington. She has played a very important role in the upbringing of me. Since 2013, the lessons she has taught me have inspired me to become a better me, every day. For this, I am forever grateful. The three lessons she has taught me area: to be comfortable in my own skin, to give respect in order to get it, and to always make the right decisions for me! Over the years, these lessons have helped me to become a strong and independent young man.

The first lesson is, “You are who you are. There is nothing I, you, or anyone else can do about it. Live baby.” When she spoke these words to me, my thirteen-year-old mind could not fully develop that statement. Lost for words, I asked myself, “How do you feel?” The only thought I had was that this teacher genially cared. She made it crystal clear that accepting who/what we are is the first step of living a happy life.

The second lesson was, “If you want people to respect you, you need to respect them.” She had noticed a change in my behavior as the year progressed, so she spoke these words to me. She went on to say that I would never be satisfied with anyone’s attitude towards me if I always had an attitude. She then told me that it was time I take responsibility fot my actions. I t is not always someone else’s fault as to why I am not having the best day. Although I did not want to heart it, it was the truth. Now, I can honestly say I try not to put the blame on anyone else for my behavior.

The third and final lesson was, “You only live once. Make decisions that are right for you. People will try to get you to do something stupid, but you are not the only one dealing with the consequences. Do understand though, you will make a lot of wrong decisions. Just do not make the same mistake over and over again.” I can honestly say that this has been the biggest fight, for me. I am still working on this, and she spoke these words five years ago. I had to learn that decisions not only affect now, but the near and far future too. It is up to me whether I make good or bad decisions. All I can really say is decisions, decisions.

In conclusion, Ms. Harrington has helped me build my confidence, learn the values of respect, and the importance of decision making. Allowing Ms. Harrington to enter my life was truly one of the best decisions I have ever made. I would not take it back, for anything in the world. Because of these lessons, I live by this quote: “I can, and I will!”

 

I’m going to take a break from my fall appreciation type posts for this week because it starting to wind down. In just 3.4 weeks, it will be winter (December 21), meaning we have 24 days left in fall. So for now, I’m going to post this really short poem that I wrote for… someone. I might expand on it more and probably take inspiration from our many strange conversations that I just love. Without further ado, here is “You!”

You 

I wonder if you know just how much you affect me.                                                    Just about every second of my day is centered around you.                                      “What are you doing?”                                                                                                       “Are you okay?”                                                                                                                       “I hope you’ll text me soon.”

You drive me nuts in the most amazing way possible,                                                 and it’s because I love you.                                                                                                   All I ever want is to be wrapped in your arms.                                                                   I want to feel your breath on my skin,                                                                             Your lips on my neck.                                                                                                                I want you by my side and I need you there now.

I wonder if you know just what you’re doing to me.

But even if you do know, I still like it. 

 

It’s not my greatest work, but it came from my heart, so it’s okay! Now that it’s out there, next week will be our regularly scheduled program of fall appreciation posts! As a little hint for what it may be about, here’s a special picture I took. 

 

I fully understand this title is vague, but oh my goodness I’m getting to my limit.

Okay, so, I’m vegetarian right? Been going strong for two years now, and It’s been pretty smooth sailing. Besides the rogue bit of bacon in my french fries, and the small fish patty I thought was tofu, I haven’t broken. I think I’m doing pretty well. Other people however, have different opinions.

I would be filthy rich, like buying a mansion with a water park rich, if I had a dollar for every time someone has said “you’re a vegetarian who doesn’t eat vegetables.”

I’ve been a picky eater from the get-go, and my habits have gotten wayyyy less severe not only since getting older, but since becoming vegetarian. My family however, still sees me as that five year old who refuses to eat anything but mac n’ cheese and chicken nuggets. It is true that I honestly would choose pasta and soy nuggets over salads, but I don’t hate all healthy foods. I could eat roasted asparagus and carrots all day a long. Mushrooms? Y u m. But nah, I’m still a grubby-handed child that only reached for anything carb heavy.

What I think my family fails to realize, is that I’m healthy. I think. I definitely could afford to put down the cookie once in a while, I’m overall in a good place. My weight is healthy for my height, I’m relatively active, and I try to choose healthier options when I can. I hate that my family still sees me as a child. I am the youngest in my family (the person closest to my age being my brother, who is still six years older than me), so possibly this is why I get the bad rep?

It sucks though, because I feel as if I’m being held back. I want to be Vegan so badly. I try and I fail, but I’m still holding on to the hope that one day I can stick to it. Anyways, I’m scared that once I do, I’ll be ridiculed by my family for yet another diet change that I’m not “worthy” of. Because after all, how can I be a healthy vegan? I just hate that misconception. Just because you don’t consume meat and dairy, that doesn’t mean you can’t get proper nutrition and vitamins through other means, while still being healthy.

I’m just trying to make a lil’ announcement. For one of the first times in my life, I’m healthy. I’m not struggling anymore with eating too much or too little  and I’m eating foods that energize me, and let me live a balanced life. So family, when I come home or to visit, please refrain from telling me specifically to cut down on carbs and sugars. You don’t have any clue how damaging is. Anyone for that matter. I know you mean well, but it can really hurt a person.

Just be happy that I’m healthy and wanting to visit you, because I truly do love my family.

 

“Road work ahead,

I sure hope it does.”

This quote is especially inspiring to me, as it gives my hope that our roads will be safe, and lets us continue to have easy travels. While the “road work ahead” sign does not actually mean that the road works, this phrase brings a whole new meaning to it.

---

” you better watch out

you better watch out

You better watch out

You better watch out”

This brings me great self awareness to my safety, well being, and surroundings. By watching out, I am not only saving myself from the harsh, cruel dangers of this vast planet, I am saving others.

---

“Get to

Del Taco

they got a new thing called

freesha,

Freshavacado”

A quote such as this brings me great awareness to my health and dietary choices. It reminds me to eat, and to make choices which will lead me to a long and healthy life.

---

“Can i get a 

waffle

can i please get a

Waffle“

While making healthy choices, it is also important to give yourself relief. Self care is important, and sometimes self care can be getting a waffle.

---

“ Ah!

stop!

I coulda dropped my,

Croissant “

Sometimes in life, we all drop our croissants. We fall, but we catch ourselves. There is struggle, and it can be brought on by others. However, we save ourselves. We face death, and deal with it.

---

As you can see, these quotes all bring something special to the table. They all involve new ways to take on life, and ways in which you view the world. One mans stop, may be another’s start. our path may be long and dreary, but the road will always work ahead. We can sure hope it does. We must care for ourselves, for others. Our live choices can affect us forever. This means eating healthy, being in a good state of mind, and overall living positively.

These short, yet sweet quotes provide us with a sense of relief in multiple ways. They are humorous yet calming. The short, to the point phrases are memorable, and drill into our heads, leaving us with a long lasting memory of it, and coming into our lives through common speech and through seeing common items that remind us of the long-past words. Their wisdom carries on.

What is your favorite quote? why does it inspire you? What meanings does it bring into your life?

He kisses me in the front seat of his 2002 Mustang, doors wide open, cold air blowing into the space between us. The lamp post above us flickers, and for a split second, it feels like we are slipping into the sky and becoming one with the universe. His calloused fingers slide against my cheek, and my body leans farther over the console. My arm slips, bringing us back to Earth in a fit of dazed laughter. I can hear the television inside my house, the frogs and crickets gathering around the pond for their midnight battle, and his breathing. I can never figure out why I am so entranced by his breathing. Perhaps it’s because it tells me exactly what he is feeling, or maybe it’s just the certainty it gives me that he is alive and real. It makes me feel safe, almost as if his lungs were my home.

For a while, we watch our words float in the air like smoke, every senseless syllable freezing in time. We discuss the possibilities, and the dream of escaping this old, sleepy town. We laugh about our friends who will never understand what it’s like to have the world under their feet and on their shoulders at the same time. I’m sure that if the doors were shut, we would drown ourselves in wonder and hope. Instead, we unleash all our wishes to the world and pray we will come across them again one day.

We lock eyes, smiles stretching across our faces. He motions me out the car, and he steps out as well. I look up at the dancing stars, and their light seeps into my flesh despite being lightyears away. His hand glides onto my side, turning me to face him, and he pulls me in. I wrap my arms around the back of his neck. His close around my waist, and we sway to the silent love song that is our breaths. We twirl to the battle cries of insects and amphibians. We kiss to faint static, electricity exploding in our cores. In this very moment, we forget about dreams, hopes, wishes, and wonders. There is no longer a past to run from, or a future to run to. There is only us, standing on the edge of the universe, all its energy radiating in our souls. At this moment, we cease to be trivial specks in the world. No, for a frozen glimpse in time we are the world.

All I saw leave your deep, red lips was smoke,

and the ash of an ending cigarette atop fallen leaves.

The distant whispers of fluttering butterflies,

and your sharp eyes the color of the near mountains.

We spent our days laying in tall grass,

with memories of our separate summers.

 

How we longed for another day of summer.

Filled with swimming pools and blazing fire smoke.

No blankets needed to lay in the grass.

The only thing coating the trees were bright leaves.

The ant hills looked more like mountains.

We could chase the butterflies.

 

Never would we catch those swift butterflies.

Always resting in the dead of summer.

Alongside blue peaks of forgotten mountains.

Hiding from our mothers just to have one smoke.

Throwing leftover butts underneath dead leaves,

that danced in the skinny, emerald grass.

 

Sleeping was no chore to us and the grass,

as long as we didn’t wake our beloved butterflies.

Make sure you’re careful to not  step on the leaves.

This was how we spent our short summer.

Smothering our lungs with cancerous smoke,

staring into the tips of the marvelous mountains.

 

Creating shapes of the glowing mountains.

Listening to nothing but indie and bluegrass.

Making Os and fogg with our smoke

Telling secrets to the nosy butterflies.

Hoping our love would exceed the nights of summer.

That it was heavier than what this memory leaves.

 

Breaking from the branches the leaves.

Screaming at the scrapping mountains.

Crying for the sake of our ending summer.

Burying our muddy toes in the soft grass.

Having relations with the busy butterflies.

Sharing one another’s cigarette smoke.

 

Even still, I can smell your deadly smoke.

I can picture the longing butterflies.

I can still see you lying in that summer grass.