Friday, March 20, 2009

55 word final version

Freedom

A gun fires and I cease to breathe. In horror, I can't move.
“Tap-Tap,” they’re after me.
I begin to run. Their footsteps control my hearts frantic rhythm. I turn the corner, nowhere to go but straight. I won’t give up. Eyes shut, I am done. Freedom is victory as I cross the finish line.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Warm Up

My Ideal Place

A quiet, relaxed atmosphere.
A secluded area where only my favorite people could get to.
A place on a lake where you can enjoy being outdoors or just looking outdoors.
The only things available on tv would be football, baseball, and Lost.
You can sleep in as late as you want, or wake up as early as you want.
It would be cool in the morning, mist covering the grass, but by 11 it would be so hot you would have to be in the lake cooling down.
The only clothes you need are swimsuits for the day, and sweats for the breezy night.
It would smell like campfire.
Yahtzee is a must!
The only work needed to be done is mowing the lawn.
Breakfast is the biggest meal of the day.
No cell phones.
No shoes.
You get somewhere by walking, or jet skiing.
Chips Ahoys would be found in the freezer at all times.
Naps.
You rock out to Bob Seger.

55 word

Freedom

A gun shot and I ceased to breathe. In horror, I couldn’t move.
“Tap-Tap,” they’re after me.
I begin to run. Their footsteps control my hearts frantic rhythm. I turned the corner. Nowhere to go but straight. I wouldn’t give up. Eyes shut, I was done. Freedom of victory as I crossed the finish line.

Monday, March 9, 2009

What I Needed to Say

Hopes of Their Future


A classroom full of the typical, jumpy, fourth graders at last sit silent and speechless

Green, brown, and blue, all curious eyes burned at me,
anticipating my answer

What I needed to say:
High school IS NOT all rainbows and puppy dogs

The day you walk in,
intimidation.
It will overcome your body,
unwilling to move.

Judgments,
of stares constantly burning at your skin
day
after day.

Who you act to be is not who you really are.

People change.

The boys who chase you around at recess trying to hold your hand will be on of two people,
self-absorbed guys who find their prizes in vulnerable girls, drugs, and drunkenness.
or
the Nobodies

The girls with ringlet pig tails tied with red ribbon on the end that blush as you try holding their hand at recess will be on of two people,
self-absorbed girls that will do anything, try anything, be anything just to fit in and be on top.
or
the Nobodies

Swarmed by thousands of peers,
you will be alone.
Not knowing who you are.

What I did say:
As you get your diploma, shake your principles hand, smile for the camera, and put your tassel to the other side, walking across that stage you will know:
who you are,
who matters,
and what matters.

I paused,
looking at the future victims of undiscovery. Their innocent faces overwhelmed with anticipation of the unknown. At once their silences broke, filling the room with hopes of their future.