Goodbye

Goodbyes are the last few pages of a story.
Auburn hearts break as the words are seen, scribbled on a note, never received.
Feel shattering emotions course through as you taste the salt of your tears.
Hear it sizzle in your mouth just the same as words unspoken.
They will eat you alive.
They may even set you free.
Reuniting is a beautiful thing.
"I'll see you on the other side."
My Stockholm Syndrome kicks in as we leave Earth, hand in hand.
Flying with the pink flamingos among the purple sky, we'll make it this time.
Iridescence will show her true colors, stop and smell the roses.
À plus tard.
Goodbye is the tear-filled last page of happiness, but we'll make it this time.

-A.H.

*You hear beating on your tent when you are out on the beach. What is it?

I've set up a green tent right along the shoreline and I can hear what sounds like little hands hitting the tent. Baby stars like to venture down on the beach I've heard so I decided to press my luck and try to experience it myself. It was about 12 o'clock when I heard what sounded like puppy yawns and soft thuds against my tent. The little stars decided to pay me a visit.

Kell

20 things in my head

I am my own king
In 1987 the kings won the Stanley cup
The savory sweet flavor mixed with the old timey stove felt rough under my fingers and fire crackled.
The lake was a cold sight.
Sacramento Is the home of the Kings
Although the year they actually won was 1999
Even though Kobe passed MJ in all time points
I ain't got the time do this
If you bite a squirrel it will eat an apple
Shotcraztenlattopitto
The green elephant was like carpet.
The room covered in black lit up with the lights of the eyes.
Helen Keller will never know what Morgan freeman sounds like
Brady is always running us late.
I will never die
My blue elephant is amazingly fast
If tomorrow is Tuesday and we like pie then we will udderly cry
Me gusta
My tv cried in anger as it powered down.
The salty pie eats it's own words amps it is burned and has a bad taste rather than the amazing aroma.

Mr. dodge

Vacation~

My time going to Keystone this past March was one I'll never forget. It wasn't the most extravagant trips this world has ever seen but it was one that had some of the best memories. For instance, the 9hour drive down packed with a van full of girls was the loudest vehicle probably on that interstate. Though the past eight hours driving to Colorado were loud, the last hour was spent gazing at all the beautiful mountains that we saw while stuck in a traffic jam. Passing through all the small little towns was very interesting! There were houses in places you'd never would see houses at in Nebraska. Each small village had their own little cafe to eat at and about five other houses you'd call your neighbor. These villages were all just alike, except the town we passed through just before arriving at our condo. When we got to our condo we unpacked all the food from all the various vehicles that carpooled. Girls went and unpacked in one room while the guys unpacked in another. Then when we realized we were in the wrong room we packed up again and drug all our belonging to the correct room. The first night we just spent unloading and relaxing in our condos. By morning we were all ready to hop on the next bus carrier to go down the mountains. Some people got up super early to hit the slopes, but me, I slept in. I was probably tired from the rough cold floor that kept me up, since all the adults got all the comfy warm beds. Since the boys got most of the food, I got up and went over to the boys room to get some breakfast and I was all ready to snowboard for the very first time. Olivia and I had gained enough confidence to try snowboarding, but the only thing we didn't realize was that we needed to take ski class before we ever tried snowboarding. So me and Olivia had to pay extra for ski classes (that we didn't want to take), wait two hours for our scheduled appointment, and take a day and a half of our ski trip in ski class. The whole time I was thinking, "Man, I wish I could be snowboarding with everybody else. Even if I may fall down the entire time." But I stayed in class, and learned on the bunny slopes. Once we got past all the unnecessary tips and tricks, that night I took Justin Lees skiing pass and I hit a blue slope for the very first time. I honestly was kind of scared, just because I kept thinking that it was going to be a drop off, but once I got asked to prom with a bunch of shirtless guys, I didn't care about the blue. The hardest part was the ski lift for me.. Haha. I don't know why, but I could NOT land the ski lift, and people probably figured I was the worst snowboarder ever but no, the ski lift just got to me. I literally dreaded just going on the ski lift, but I loved snowboarding! After I finished my first blue, I wanted more! I might have caught onto some things by watching Matt biff it a lot and Joe about run into a tree because I obviously took their tips and decided to sprain my tailbone. But at least Olivia was getting most of the guys attention by falling down the whole time. She probably spent most of her time going down the mountain on her butt while I went on my face. But overall snowboarding was the best first experience ever!
-FYI $13 mozzarella sticks may not sound worth it.. BUT THEY ARE.

ES

Christmas

In my house you immediately yell "HONEY IM HOME!" Even if your not my honey.
You always bring cookies and frosting for me because you know that's what I like.
Parking is a hassle because you must not park near the grass. 
And if it's snowing you must sit with me and watch it while we watch Christmas movies and make paper snowflakes. 
If it's near Christmas don't forget to bring me a present!
I promise to always have hot chocolate ready as well as some type of cookie.
And I have a jar that you can pick a candy cane out of to stir up your hot chocolate. 
If there is snow remember to bring warm things because we will go outside to go sledding and have a snowball fight.
If I'm putting up my Christmas tree you may help, but not too much because it's mine...and besides you have your own! 
Remember to always bring my dog and treat and in return he will give you a kiss.
And if you would like to stay up all night watching scary movies with me that would be amazing because I am a baby when it comes to scary movies.
  You will probably have to listen to me talk a lot because I have a lot to say...so be prepared.
Oh and don't forget to bring your slippers to wear around.
Oh and Christmas music will always be playing so sing along!

JW

A Big Day

The beautiful white dress on the bride.  The fancy tuxedo on the nervous yet excited groom.  The groom standing at the altar waiting for his bride to come to him.  Flowers bright up a full church.  When did we start doing all of this?  Customs and traditions are everywhere we look.

Covering our shoulders in Church is a custom we have followed for a very long time.  Many of the things  we do in one Church service are customs.  Do you take off your shoes when you enter your house? That is a custom.  Every day is a big day full of customs.  Having a certain food during a specific holiday is a custom.  Celebrating the holidays we do is a custom.  Customs and traditions make up a lot of our everyday lives.

SAT

The Shot of a Lifetime

Chuggin' up the pasture
"Please oh please let me get a deer," I pray
Almost to the hill, so close
This Chevy isn't really doing it's job.

I ask dad why he's driving so slow
"Good things come with time," he says
Having my 243 gun by my side
And Dad's 270 next to mine.

I run my freezing fingers across the barrel of my gun
It's my own, it really is!
We get to our mini, magical, mount to hunt
Windows rolled down to keel the fog out.

Four in the morning, freezing my butt off
Don't step in the snow, it's just too beautiful
I check my phone to see how much time has passed,
Three minutes, man, this is going to be a long day!

I look to my left and see a phenomenal sunrise
To my right, I motion a 9x9 buck
About sixty yards away!
This is the shot of a lifetime!

Taking out my gun, safely,
I exit the pickup and put my gun on the toolbox to shoot
I aim and shoot,
The buck goes down and dies a horribly, fantastic death
This is going to be a great season!


ALS

That one day

         There he stood, a very large man, he was watching the sunrise over the hill. Drinking his warm coffee, black, no sugar and no creamer just a strait black French roast that had a sweet smell, vanilla. He stood there sipping it letting out a sigh, not of disappointment but as happiness, like it was a small slice of heaven. Then he turned around, I didn't know at first who it was but I haven't seen him in years, not since third grade, the only memories I had I lived through old pictures and talk with my parents about him.
        "Grandpa is that you" I said as he turned around and even before he could get a word out I was there, I just sat there I couldn't hug him hard enough. He said no words just put his hands around me and gave me a good tight squeeze. I was never happier than that moment, I could feel the tears cascading down my cheeks but I didn't care. I was with grandpa, he was here with me I didn't want to ever let go again.
        "Hey there bud," he said with a wide grin "how have you been. It's been forever since we talked hasn't it." I didn't say a word I just sat there I stared the tears still running down my face. I just sat there and stared not knowing what to do, I just stared. He stared back and didn't say anything else.
        Later on, we talked for a bit I talked about football and my school stuff. He talked about what it was like in heaven, and the memories he had of me and him at the lake. We sat for a while and talked some more then he stood up and started walking.
        "Grandpa, what's wrong, where are you going." I said my voice quivering
     "I'm sorry bud I have to go its time I need to go back." And in a little flash of light he was gone. I look up in the sky and see a twinkle, a small little smug across the sky. Then I crumpled into a ball and cried, just cried.

Ceratotherium simum

Bummer of a Stay

It was late and we didn’t have a place to stay yet.  We were driving all over this big city looking for a room.  We were hotel hunting.  It was late, or at least it felt like it was, but I wasn’t tired, I wanted to swim in a pool at a hotel.  I love swimming; there’s just something about it that suits me.  Anyway, I was sitting in my seat in the van outside of probably the fifth hotel that we were trying, waiting for my mom to come out and give us the nod or head shake.  I waited very patiently despite my feeling of desperately wanting to swim.  Finally, after what seemed like hours, my mom came out very excited to tell us that she had just got us a hotel room for only 67 dollars!  She said they have a heated pool and it’s open for another hour too!  It was obviously going to be a great night.
    We gathered our suitcases and made the walk inside and down the hall to the left and into our room for the night.  As each one of us entered to room we instantly felt dry warm air rush over us.  After about two minutes I could see sweat trickling down my dad’s forehead and mom had went to go tell the person at the front desk that the air conditioner was broken in our room.  Dad took his shirt off and plopped down on the bed with the tv remote and clicked the power button once.  Twice.  Three times.  Then he got up and tried clicking the power button on the old box tv.  Once again, nothing happened.  Mom came back into the room just to be told that the tv doesn’t work either, along with the air conditioner and a lamp that Jesse had tried to turn on after first entering the room.  I really didn’t care that nothing seemed to work in the room though because all I wanted to do was go swimming.  I didn’t care for the heat though, it felt like a sauna in there.
    Mom left to go back to the front desk to complain again and returned shortly after I got my swimming trunks on.  Even though she was very angry with how this hotel turned out, she put a smile on her face, took my hand, and led me down the hall to the glass door at the very end to let me go swimming.  We proceeded to the edge of the somewhat dark pool and I bent my leg to stick my toe in.  Brrrrr!  The water was ice cold!  My mom tested it too and she agreed that it was freezing.  Good thing they had a hot tub!  My mom and I continued on to the edge of the hot tub.  It was a good amount clearer than the pool and looked promising.  Then we saw it.  On the bottom of this cozy-looking hot tub was a pile of light brown poop.  But it wasn’t what you just pictured in your mind.  This poop was different.  The reason it was different was because it didn’t look like poop.  Someone had let it go down there on the bottom of that hot tub and left it be.  It had been there for so long that it had disintegrated and was now a pile of tiny pieces of a bigger poop.  Nasty.
My mom didn’t even let me test the water in the hot tub because we were gone and oh was she mad.  She took me back to the room and told the rest of the family to pack up because we were going to stay somewhere else.  There were absolutely no objections and we were out of there in less than five minutes.  We waited in the van while mom had a talk with the man at the front desk.  I remember feeling sorry for that man because I bet he was sure getting a butt chewing.  We left that hotel and found a room at a pretty expensive hotel for the night.  At the end of it all,  I remember my mom saying she is never going to get a cheap hotel room again, and we all agreed that that would be a good idea.

JZ

Holiday Tradition

I have a very specific tradition for every holiday event with my father's side of the family. My cousins and brothers and I always always ALWAYS play sports. Outside, no matter the weather. The colder the better, in fact. When I say sports I obviously mean either football or basketball. As for the teams, they are permanently set as follows: myself and my older cousin Thomas vs. my older brother John and Thomas' little brother Matthew. It's actually a  pretty close matchup. Thomas and I are far better athletes than our adversaries, yet we try to show off a little, which ultimately gives John and Matthew a chance to win. I might try a sick alley oop pass to Thomas that'll get stolen, or a crazy lateral that might result in a turnover. It's great fun, and after the game we all go inside and enjoy some of Grandma's cookies and..... Oreo dessert.

                 Kennedy

 

The Other Side

I am a morning bird,
She is a night owl.
I can wake up at at dawn and be ready for anything,
She wakes up at noon and stays to see the sun rise again.
I can last only going on a few hours of sleep,
She can sleep all morning and stay up all night.
I am wide awake while eating breakfast,
She is groggy until lunch.
I love being at home,
She dreads coming back to this small town.
I borrow and return,
She steals without asking.
I like when my life is in place,
She loves when her's is out of order.
I am proper,
She burps in public.
I never swear,
But she has the mouth of a sailor.
I love books,
But she prefers to watch the movie.
I like coming to school,
But she must motivate herself to be there.
Grades are important,
She could care less.
I know where I want my life to go,
She has no clue.
I follow the rules,
She ignores them.
I do what I want,
She does what she's told.
She likes feeling secure,
I'd rather be free.
I am her,
And she is me.

        KZ 

Not Myself

I get up in the early morning. I'm not sure what it is, but I know that something is wrong. I never willingly wake up in the morning. I get dressed. For some reason I choose to wear a short skirt, tight shirt, and a tall pair of stilettos. I go to the bathroom to get ready for school. I look in the mirror, ready to do my hair and makeup for the day. Who I see in the mirror is not me though. The girl in the mirror is a beautiful, tall woman with blonde hair and blue eyes. I decide that it is time to take my medicine. I don't see it anywhere. I begin to get a little worried.
I head downstairs to make myself some breakfast. I settle on some scrambled eggs with toast. When I am done cooking my eggs, I realize that they don't taste right. I look at my eggs to see that they are overdone and have little pieces of the shell still in them. The toaster suddenly pops up, but what pops up is not golden brown. The bread is black and is as hard as a rock.
I head outside to get ready to drive to school. What is waiting for me outside, is not my 1992 Oldsmobile. Instead, I see a brand new cherry read Mustang convertible. I step into my sweet ride. I realize that I didn't have anything to worry about. I know that I will eventually want my old life back, but for now I decide to take this life in. I anxiously await to see what is next in store for me and my new life.

L.J.

Impossibly flawless

A quick glance in the mirror is all I give myself. It's not worth it to look any longer, at the completely imperfect mind, body, and face that stares back at me with the most disappointed look. A look that says, " I'm not satisfied." The longer I look, the more confidence I lose.  There are too many things not good about me, inside and out. The golden hair on top of my head is masked to my scalp with layers of oil it has produced. No matter what I do, no matter what shampoo I try, no matter how long I stay in the shower digging violently at every angle of my skull to get it fully washed out, nothing gets rid of the oil. I look at my legs and think to myself how gross I feel for not shaving them, then again I restate that thought because there are many reasons I don't shave them every two days. Like the fact that every single time my legs are as soft as a baby's butt right as I shave them, I get out of the shower and get goosebumps..causing it to grow one milli-centimeter! So what's the point if it grows right back literally a minute later? I glance at my face.. There's a red blemish causing my glowing, smooth, pale-pink skin to look impossibly flawless. I slip on the outfit of the day, excited to dress up for once. Then I slowly depict rotten details out like how my jeans are too loose around my waist, or how this shirt makes my stomach look fat. Maybe I am fat, after all  I'm not a size zero, nor will I ever be. Every time I try to lose a few pounds here and there I gain it all back right away. I guess that's what I get for working at a restaurant! Aside from my problems constantly gaining weight, I have depression. Yes it runs in the family, grandma's mom died when she was nine years old, that's when she got depression and anorexia, almost all my aunts on my dad's side have both of those diseases. I happen to have one. I don't take medication for it because I'm against it. I think that if I have a problem I need to fix it myself. I feel like the medicine is ibuprofen with a different label, and it's meant to make me think it will work. No I haven't actually gone to the doctor and asked them if I have depression, but I don't need to pay someone a bunch of money to tell me I'm sad. I'm pretty much an adult in a 15 year old's body. I pay all my own bills, work three jobs, have a boyfriend, and all the things I could ever want. I'm starting to lose some things though. My family and I never talk because we can't talk without arguing. I can't stand people's decisions, and I am constantly annoyed, sad, and stressed. Nothing goes right in my mind. People try to help, but they don't understand. I cry too much, I'm mad too much.  I just wish I could be happy all the time, instead of turning everything into a sad, pissy situation. He says he loves me for me, and I know he does. Sometimes I think he's crazy, because you can't love someone so possibly flawed. But then I hear his words, "I love you" and think to myself what those words mean coming from him. Somebody who has seen my best days, my worst days, my completely bitchy days, my sad days, and my days where I love life so much I could scream it at the top of my lungs! If someone else can see the best in me through all the bad, why can't I see it too? Maybe being possibly flawed is what people really want. Maybe the little mistakes in my mind, body, and face aren't mistakes after all. I may not be size zero, perfect hair, skin, or have the happiest thoughts all the time, but I am happy with who I am, and I am flawless.

AN

Dating customs

     Along with a lot of other things,dating customs have changed since the start of technology. When our parents were teenagers they didn't have cell phones to text their boyfriend or girlfriend 24/7, like we do now. Nowadays some girls think that getting a WCW is the most romantic thing ever. Our parents never used the term "we have a thing" like what does that even mean? You're either with someone or not! Guys used to walk to the door to pick up their date, now they just text them and say I'm here. Snapchat best-friends can ruin relationships and cause fights. Handwritten letters have now became long emoticon filled texts. Guys used to give their girlfriend their letterman jackets to show that they were going steady now they just make it Facebook official. I wish that some of the old dating customs would come back into style!

Bai

The days fly by

              The days fly by, soon I won't be living the same life I did before.

Not seeing the same faces everyday, it brings adventure, the days that go by seem to feel like seconds

Starting something new is exciting but a little scary. But nothing lasts forever

Kdh

Easter Customs

While waiting for mother to finish supper, dad and I are painting Easter eggs a week before Easter. Oh! Who is that running around the corner? It is my younger sister coming to help paint her very first egg. My little sister is now 3, and she is uber excited to get colorful. Mother is cooking her traditional steak and gravy, with a pinch of parsley flakes over the top of the mouth watering mashed potatoes she makes every year at about this time. As dad, my little sis, and I finish up our new and improved eggs, I start doing what I always do. TALK! At this moment I talk about how the school year has been going, how I am reacting to either good or bad situations, and now I am coping with my past. As usual, my dad says his famous phrase.... “Chene, there are two things that you need to learn in life, How to deal with the past and how to keep moving forward without regrets” And like I always say, the best of things come from the worsts of places and situations. By the time we get done chattering, supper is ready. We (as in me)rush to the dinner table and hurry to sit down. My dad says to slow down and that its just food. But I always have to have the last word. So I say, “Yeah, but I'm literally starving my guts out”. Once we are all sitting at the table as a family, we hold hands in a weird looking circle, and bow our heads as my dad gives grace. He says the same prayer every day, at every meal.... I love it.

This is my family's Easter custom. We do different things at other holidays, but of course, it's my favorite holiday of the year, so you bet your buttons on it that I remember what my family does during this time.

Ck

The Expressionless

Broken Promises of The Expressionless.

As I sit here thinking of my very first promise,
I remember being the youngest of the family champions,
But then I'm almost certain that I was extremely delirious,
Whenever I feel down in the dumps, I comprehend her importance,
If I ruin what I have now then I shall lose all expression,
And I will Lose everything In my mind that I have conquered.

Where will I go, where will I stand, where will I conquer?
These are the things I need to figure out to secure my promise,
All I ever wanted was to see you and your enthusiastic expression,
This is where I stand, this where I will go, I will go to the hall of champions,
Because you are the missing puzzle piece, which means you fix the importance,
That is why I believe I'm losing control of myself do to being delirious.

Why am I so sad, why am I so depressed, it's because I'm delirious,
Everyone tells me that I can excel in life if I chose to conquer,
But I believe that they are wrong because I believe I have no importance,
I've lost everything I have worked for, I have broken my promise,
If they think I am important, then why don't they understand that I'm no champion,
There is no point in me being here anymore, I have lost all expression.

Sometimes I wish I could fix the blank stare on your face, but I show no expression,
Due to the fact that I'm useless, incompetent, and insecure, I am delirious,
I wonder what this world would be like with one less champion,
What if I had never been born? What if I was never thought of? Then who would conquer?
I act the way I do because I've broken hearts, I've broken relationships, I've broken promises,
This Is why I live the life I do, this is why I limit myself, I have lost my importance.

How am I supposed to keep moving forward without my own importance?
How am I to live life, if I have lost my own expression?
What kind of person am I if I've destroyed all of my promises?
I'm losing my mind, my soul, I'm so delirious,
Now I can only hope to overcome my feelings so I once more conquer,
If only I hadn't said what I had said, then I would be her champion.

Please stop feeling bad for me, it irritates me to the point of no return. I'm no champion.
Just stop what you are doing and bring back my belief of importance,
Why do I ruin every relationship? Why do I think I can conquer?
What if I just stopped existing? Then who would lose their expression?
I wonder if anybody else in this world of great sorrow, is feeling very delirious,
I wish I could fix my mistakes, but alas, I know I can't even bring back my promise.

I will never be able to fix my broken promises, I've lost my chance to be her champion,
Why am I always so delirious? What if it's because I've lost my own importance,
I end this with my final expression, oh wait, I don't have one, I have been conquered.

Ck

Camaro code of conduct

The Camaro code of conduct
Optimus prime

If entering the back seat maintain feet on the floor mats this also applies to passenger seat as well
You do not tell driver what do to, driver knows what to do
Never sit on drivers seat, not even in a mockable fashion, there will be blood
If you are feeling ill or are filthy, you shall not be allowed access into the vehicle
Always wear the safety belt no exceptions!
Do not tamper with radio or temperature controls, there will blood
Always maintain average volume while in the vehicle
There shall be no distractions, driver needs his concentration!
Never roll down windows unless directed to by driver
Do not make driver mad, there will be blood

Hope you enjoy your ride on Camaro!

The Note I Understood

OMG! She completely blew me up today. As a complete crabby lady, she up setted me.
She thinks that around all of us she can be mean and cranky. But of course as  soon as her husband walks in she becomes the peps kiser pup in the litter. Today is a new day and I hope she's in a better mood or the silent treatment will go on. As soon as I get in my car to leave for school I see:

I'm sorry I've been crabby lately, I hope this gas card can fill you up. And here's a little more cash for something fun. Hope you have a great day.

    -her.


So I did fill up with gas, but with the spare money I ordered her flowers. Along with an apology because I do know myself, that I get crabby. We all have our days, but Her and I now completely understand each others days.

Th

Dead butterflies

With every cut they make
Is one breath they won't take
From the wound blood cries
And one more butterfly dies

Dark

Standing outside in the hard-falling rain,
I see you at the end of the alley.
Illuminate the velvet night, so dark,
Come with me out onto the urban streets.
Watch the mist fall in iridescent sheets.
The world awaits as you blindly see.

Why can't you see, oh why can you not see?
Is your mind washed out by overcast rain-
ing down, fading away in vivid sheets?
Come on out of that desolate alley,
Open your heart to these spirited streets.
You don't have to continue living dark.

It's hard to catch you leering in the dark.
I know there's someone you're longing to see.
I want you to pull him off of the streets,
And, cliche, kiss him in the pouring rain.
Emerge from the gloom of twilight alley,
Tangle yourself in passion's golden sheets.

Love will cascade in gentle satin sheets,
So turn to the light, away from the dark.
Take a different road, a new alley.
Now-all the sights that you suddenly see,
Let them enlighten you like falling rain.
Don't go down any unsuitable streets.

If you find yourself wandering those streets,
Think back to all that you felt in those sheets.
The feelings that drowned you like flooded rain,
Then transported you home, out of the dark.
So why did it take you so long to see-
Life is nothing but a winding alley?

Pave over all your old rocky alley-
s, start off fresh with new, unbroken streets.
See all that you can potentially see.
Unfold and color your wrinkled white sheets,
Illuminate the velvet night, so dark,
And happiness will fall on you like rain.

The mild rain will cleanse you so you can see,
Be caressed by the alley of these sheets.
It will take you in off of the dark streets.

-A.H.

Bread of Life

1 cup of vibrant Golds, Browns, And Blues
8 Pillars, chopped
Handful of Stain glass windows
2 Tablespoons of pews, divided
Dash of peace
Sprinkle of love
Echoes for dusting

In a bowl mix 1 cup of vibrant Golds, Browns, and Blues,  8 chopped pillars (preferably brown ones with gold edges), and 1 tablespoon of pews. Blend a handful of stain glass windows, throw into the mix.  Add a dash of peace and a sprinkle of love. Top with remaining pews. Cover, and let sit for three days or until it has risen. Place in a bread loaf pan and cut a cross on top for venting. Bake at 300* for 1 hour. Dust loaf with echoes. Enjoy and share with others!
Tip: Best served with salvation jam.

Bri

This Holy Night

The bell rings and student dash
for the doors! I, among the crowd,
am swept right to my locker
and then again on to the street.

I walk home happily singing a tune,
We Gather Together to be precise.
Thanksgiving break has come,
the gateway to Christmas!

My favorite time of year! Decorations
hung from door to door, even outside
the house lights are all a glow! My family
trims the tree and hangs the stockings.

I walk through the streets, admiring
the beauty of the lights on each house
and I hear the bells toll at the church
just over yonder way, I join my family.

As we walk along the street, we talk
of joyous things, the gifts we will be giving
each other in the morning, but first we sing
we celebrate the birth of Christ the King

Joining many other families we sing
harmoniously with the organ. We listen
to the readings from the church youth,
telling of the Christ child, a newborn king.

Upon returning home we hit the hay and wait,
the youngest members of my family try to see
if reindeer really can fly, and they try to catch
a glimpse of Santa Claus as he makes his way

Eventually all is silent and all is calm on this holy night

AC

Starry skies

Waking to the glow of light
Of colors turning gold
Specks of dust shinning bright
All huddled towards the warmth
A twinkling little star above
Up up above the earth

The sun shining thought the earth
Of ocean, trees and light
A burning flame from above
A comet of pure gold
Hugging life, emitting warmth
Ever knowing, always bright

Tossing and turning, staying bright
She smiles at the sight of earth
Her cheeks blush pink with warmth
He's light
Worth more than gold
In the yellow eyes of above

Turning way above
Spirals burning bright
Painting pieces massive gold
Embracing the earth
A twinkle in her eyes, a light

Love is warmth
Although it's from above
Through dark and light
And shadows bright
The sun loved the earth
A love of pure gold

A tattoo of gold
Sketched with love and warmth
A ray of hope on the earth
Sharing faith from above
A sun so bright
Filled with light


KG

Life in a Cafeteria

A food crumb forgotten
Their life depended on it.
A Colorado rock avalanche, and
A playroom
Like bubbles on a sunny day.
What do we have to do
To get some
Steak?

Evil searches out it's prey
It will be his grandest moment...
Finish the scene of desolate loneliness.

She wouldn't and couldn't survive without it
Icecream
A mess and a jumble
Holding all charm in her hand
As easy as tying shoes

Frantically cutting through the air
Fingers flash, hands sway
A swamp of spaghetti,
Suffocating.


-Ms. O

A Bow of Chocolates

He knocked on my door early this morning before my alarm even screamed.  I trudged to the door in my silky pajama pants with my eyes half closed because it was only 6 am.  Why does it seem like I can never sleep in on a Saturday?  I creek open the strong wooden door and see him standing there looking down at a paper.  He looked up from his crumpled paper with a confused expression.  "Does Jenni live here?"  My face lit up when I realized who he was and so I invited him in even though Jenni didn't live here.  She had died a few years back but I couldn't find it in me to tell him that.  I just told him no and insisted that I he come in for some coffee.
We sat at the small wooden table in the kitchen until the coffee was ready.  "I've never tried coffee before," he said as I set a cup in front of him.  Soon after, coffee was spewed out in mist onto the table and tile floor.  I could tell he was very embarrassed as his face turned red and bitter.  "I don't really like the coffee.  Can I just have a Coke?"  I said sure and went to the fridge in the garage where I kept my pop.  I returned to see him shirtless, mopping up all of the coffee that was spilt on the table and floor.  "I didn't know where a towel was so I just used my shirt," he told me while wiping his shirt in circles on the table.  I rushed to the drawer beside the sink and handed him a clean towel only to watch him wipe his face with it and continue cleaning the floor with his shirt.  I decided to just let him finish.
After he was done he told me he had to go to the bathroom, so I showed him down the hall then walked back and sat waiting at the table.  Eventually I heard the flush of the toilet, the running water of the sink, and the doorknob that wobbled back and forth almost frantically for about ten long seconds.  He paced back into the kitchen and said, "I thought you locked me in there."  "No that door is just a little touchy," I replied.  Then he told me he felt like running and still needs to find Jenni so he opened the strong wooden door and walked out.  I went to the door and watched him run down the cracked sidewalk and around the corner toward the bus station.  Then I turned back to see his soaking wet, coffee stained shirt sitting on the table.  Maybe he'll be back someday.  I almost didn't get up to open the door that interesting Saturday morning.  I'm glad I did though because I was definitely not expecting to find him on the other side.  I guess life really is like a box of chocolates.  You never know what you're gonna get.

JayZ

Ex wife

Looking down the skylight and it struck 5 we smashed the window and jumped through quickly killing all seven chefs with our hands we switch clothes with them and get ready to serve dinner.  We take out the food and wait for the couple, many guest arrive and I know them all to well.  We used to be friends, some of us anyway.  My exes family was very nice for the most part.  I felt for my gun neatly tucked in behind the chef outfit and out of site.  The silencer in my front pocket ready to be put on.  The couple walked in and my team all took positions.  I behind the cake,  Jeff in the corner by the doors, Karl right behind the head table and of course Yuri who had positioned himself outside the door ready to lock us in.  I had to admit the royal Russian wedding was nothing but fantastic.  I reached down to grab the tear gas canister hidden behind the cake and threw it.  Yuri closed the doors and we all put on masks and grabbed the head of the Russian mafia and ran past his two guards outside the door put a bullet in there chests and ran to the car and left.  The American embassy will be happy with this one.

Mr. Dodge

The Fort

Here's a place we used to go,
Where it is not many know.
Up the small hill and through the trees,
Was a place we used to be free.
It contains all our favorite things,
Sit in the seats of the car and hear the birds sing.
Homemade signs with all our names,
Hoping someday we'd be writing them for fame.
Grandma comes to bring us cookies and juice,
Knowing this is where we'd come if we got loose.
We rake the leaves and shape them into piles,
I'm sure you could hear our giggles for miles.
There were times we played with fire,
But were careful; the consequences were dire.
The old chairs were made new with cans of spray paint,
Signs of the past had become faint.
Trees were climbed all the way to the top,
Little did we know, someday it would stop.
The trunks of fallen giants were made into seats,
When we played war, no one would go down in defeat.
One after another, cousins would lose interest.
Times like these put our faith to the test.
Until there were only three who remained,
These memories together forever retained.
Now, this place we used to go houses our past.
I wish it hadn't gone by so fast...

KZ

A little country never hurt anyone

The country is so inviting. You have the sunset to watch over the rolling hills of overgrown grass that sways in the wind. Sometimes it's best just to step away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. To live life doesn't simply mean to exist. Another day dawns only to say that you've made your way to the "top of the food chain", have plenty of green stored away, and have the absolute best of everything. To me, that isn't what life is all about. Life is so much more than the silly materialistic pleasures that the world has to offer. Being able to go out somewhere quiet and settle your thoughts is so liberating. To have a sound mind and happiness while enjoying the quiet whispers of nature gives me goosebumps. To connect your inner beauty to the beauty that surrounds you gives you a true sense of what life really can be. The country is my quiet place where I can have a sound mind and be able to feel my intangible thoughts. The way that I see it is if there is all work and no play, the world will consume you whole. Live in some beauty or you might become one of those robots the world produces daily.

Kell 

Destruction

I wake u in the morning to look out my window and see the moon.
This is unusually strange sight for I usually see the ocean.
And this makes me quite blue.
I walk out my bedroom onto the porch.
I am quite shocked because it's never this hot in Maine,
a great day to surf and I end up laughing.

As a cold wind blows I abruptly stop laughing,
And closer comes the moon.
Waves beat the beach, blowing in from the ocean.
But I cannot see it which makes me blue.
I go inside away from my porch.
This is not my Maine.

Calm, fresh, and smelling of salt is MY Maine.
In the wind I hear laughing.
Angrily I glare at the moon,
which is making the waves grow larger in the ocean.
I call to my dog Blue,
And he runs up onto the porch.

I don't want to go out onto the porch,
And see what is happening to my Maine.
Hear the insane laughing
of the wind, see the moon
getting closer and closer. Hear the ocean
whipping the shore. I don't want to get Blue.

But I let Blue 
in. And we look out the window, past the porch.
And watch the storm destroy my beautiful Maine.
Nobody is laughing.
Sending destruction is the moon.
    The one that gets blamed is the ocean.

The usually calm, clear ocean, 
A gorgeous color of aqua blue.
The one I love watching while swinging of my porch.
What's happening to my Maine?
The place I spend every summer laughing 
with my family on the beach, watching the moon. 

Blue is a sign of sadness, not laughing.
Which is what I feel now, the moon has made the ocean
destroy my porch but not my Maine.

Jw

Little poems

~Shattered, the crystal glass breaks. On its own, it becomes free.



~The chiming of wind blows back and forth. With the melody of hard oak clashing.

ES

Positivity

                 Passing Smiles All Around


That wretched Monday never seems to go your way.  Luckily, there is always that one teacher who loves teaching almost as much as she loves life itself.  There is nothing greater than watching your teacher glow with love for teaching their students.  When a teacher is excited about teaching they make their students excited about learning.  This is the simple thing that makes those hard Mondays so much better.  This situation in itself makes it worth spending 3 hours on that essay.

I know what it looks like when that positivity isn't there.  It makes the days a lot harder and longer.  Student, Olivia Groeteke, says that a teacher has changed the whole momentum of her day by not answering her question.  "It really just put me in a bad mood." states Groeteke, a sophomore at Boone Central.  School should be something we look forward to.  Children in other countries would kill to go to a school like we do.  Being positive about learning makes everyone around you have a better outlook on school.  When we look at learning as a privilege we get a lot more out of our class periods.

Positivity is very contagious.  Eighty-three percent of adults said a teacher helped boost their confidence and self-esteem with unconditional positivity and support.  Seventy-nine percent of people reported having a teacher who encouraged them to follow their dreams.  This is the kind of encouragement that should be in every classroom.  

This situation can be flipped around too.  When students are excited and ready to learn new things, teachers catch that positivity.  Many times students set the whole mood for how class will go that day.  "When students have positive attitudes they are more accepting of new  information.  We also get more done within the class period and learn more as well." stated Boone Central math teacher Mrs. Zwiener.  Passing smiles all around is proven to get more done in the classroom, and make memories to remember for years to come.

SAT

Blocher's Poem

The sparkles danced
As the rough worms
Bounced on the fuzzy face

My Evil Twin

I'm known as a sporty teen.
She's known as a trouble maker.
I care about my grades and try my hardest.
She barley passes knowing there are more important things.
I love reading books.
She can't remember the last time she read a book.
My family means the world to me.
Her family is never in the same room.
I couldn't live without my friends.
She doesn't have any.
I care what others think.
She's herself and doesn't let other peoples thoughts bother her.
Sometimes just sometimes I find myself wishing I could be more like her.

Bay

Daddy

  "Thud. Thud. Thud." Three steps from the door. Do I have time to catch you before you walk out that door to the chilly morning air disappearing to work for the day? I lay in bed, my mind arguing with my body whether or not to get out of my warm bed, race up the stairs with the little energy I have in my limbs, and hug my Daddy. My mind wins; Love always wins, it overpowers everything.
   You bust your back working three jobs. I admire you, I look up to you, and I want to be just like you. So when you told me I could start working at the unit, I was so excited because I knew that meant spending more time with you. I would get to work hard right beside you. But even though I get to see you more on the weekends now, I still don't like the job. I need it though, so I keep showing up. Now I am just like you Daddy; I have three jobs so I can pay for college. You always tell me that I shouldn't worry about money, and do what makes me happy.
   You grew up poor, nine siblings, and a mom that rarely was home. I've always loved your way of parenting. You buy us kids pop and candy, despite what mom says, just because you never got it as a kid. You are strict when needed, but you are pretty laid back. I've always hated the moments I know I have done wrong and you find out, then you give me a big speech about how disappointed you are in me. That's always the worst. When you are disappointed in me.. not mad..disappointed. I always want to go and hug you and tell you I'm sorry and I will change my attitude. Sadly, I know I won't change and I know if I say sorry you will ignore that I have said the words. I am sorry though, I'm sorry I take things out on you and mom. I know you are just trying to lead the way for me.
   I remember when I would wrap my little hands around your muscular arms and hang on them. I still have little hands, you still have your big furry, muscular arms, but I'm too big now to hang on them as you lift me up and down. I remember that song I always used to listen to, "I loved her first" by Heartland. You would dance with me in the kitchen to it. That's when I swore I would dance with you to that song at my wedding someday. I remember growing up that you called me Do Whopper, and sang me the one Ragdoll song (even though the song is inappropriate) I was your Ragdoll because I always did everything with you. I always had to come with, and cried till I got to if mom said no. I miss those days Daddy. I wish I could spend more time with you. I wish I could see you, and hug you more. I sit in school on days I have a bad day and get sad because I know I'm too busy that night to go home and hug you. I love your hugs, they make me feel loved. I know I need to make more time for you. And I will, starting now.

The Lonely Island

       The sun shines down onto my body, biting my already burned hide. My mouth feels salty and dry, so I get some stream water from one of my coconut shells. Life here hasn't been easy. It's already been two weeks and I haven't seen a single sign of a rescue crew. But I keep my wits, sure that someone will find me. I've read books like this. A man gets stranded on an island, just like I am. All of them made it off alive. Then the thought crosses my mind. No one tells stories about the ones who die because no one knows about them. Will that be my fate? I'm certain that many people have been in my situation and perished. They are just forgotten. That's the end of it. These thoughts haunt me every night that I'm forced to lie down in the sand under my small hut and attempt to fall asleep.

I awoke the next morning to an odd smell. I caught more of it when I walked down towards the beach where I discovered that I while I was thinking so deeply about my existence last night, I had forgotten to bring in yesterday's fish from the drying rocks. Now they laid there, rotten and half eaten by crabs and gulls. Great. I had one job! I had to gather other food for the day, like berries and fruit and even a lizard I found. I need to learn to just live and roll with it instead of stopping and analyzing everything like it matters so much. BUT I'll always have a plan, I won't be an aimless wreck.

The smoke signal was coming along decently. I still needed a few more limbs for the backbone of the "P". By the next day I had it burning and I had to say, it looked like the movies. Hopefully my job well done would catch the attention of a plane or a boat nearby. My luck was soon going to grow. For that very day, I was saved. A cruise ship was sailing just a mile off the shore. At the time, I was in the forest, looking for more wood for the signal.

So after two weeks and a day, I was off that deserted lonely island. I was quite proud of myself too. I had survived. Prospered even. And now I was on my way back to my home in the United States.



Or so I thought.



The oil made the water turn a sickly color. I couldn't see the blood but I knew I was swimming in gallons of it.  Wreckage was all around me, slowly sinking into the depths of the icy ocean. I climbed to a table that was floating right off what used to be the starboard bow. It had been set for dinner that was going to be served in about 20 minutes.

I didn't think about my luck. I didn't think I just made it off an island now I'm going to die on the way home. What I thought was what now. What's my next move? There was no sense in staying with the boat. The bomber plane had blown it to bits, and I couldn't find any other survivors. That was when I realized my luck. I had defied death when my plane went down and I floated onto the island. I had defied it for two weeks by staying alive on the island. And now, ten minutes after being saved, it seemed I was the lone survivor of a horrific suicide attack by what I presumed was a Japanese kamikaze pilot. But I could think about that later. Right now I had to get away from this oil, in case it was ignited by the burning former cruise ship. Come on come on. Think of a plan. It seemed my only option was. . .




I must go back to the island.













B. Kennedy

Autumn, Country Afternoon

I am sitting at home, watching The Big Bang Theory. The doorbell suddenly rings. I get up and I open the door. When I see who it is, I throw my arms around him and burst into tears. Standing at the door is my Grandpa Meyers. I can't believe what I am seeing.
"What are you doing here?" I ask with curiosity of how he could be here.
"I thought I would come down for a day to see you."
"Grandpa, I have missed you so much!" I throw my arms around him again, not questioning as to why and how he is here. I am just happy he is. After our exchange of hellos, we spend the remainder of the day together.
We start out by playing by a game of Five Crowns. Of course he beats me by a wide margin.
"Grandpa, what's your secret? How do you always win at this game?"
"Now, if I told you that it wouldn't be secret. Would it?"
"I'll keep playing and I will be as good as you are one day."
Next we go and buy some wood so that he can. Help me build a shelf for my. Room. Even after all these years he still doesn't want me to touch any of the tools.
"Come on, Grandpa, I'm sixteen now. I think I can handle some tools.
"I guess you're right, but please be careful."
"I know."
I place the electric sander down onto the piece of wood and turn it on.
"Remember, go with the grain. Like this."
He stands beside me and gently places his hand on top of mine. He guides my hand with the sander along the wood like he is trying to help a child walk for the first time. I close my eyes to try and savor the moment that I know will soon be gone again.
After we complete the shelf I set up a camera to take a picture of me standing with my grandpa. We decide that it is about time for lunch, so I decide to cook him some of my favorite soup. I thought that I would like him to taste my cooking to see how much I have approved.
"Lily, Do you want me to help with anything?"
"No, you can just sit down and relax."
After I finish the soup and a loaf of whole wheat batter bread, I set the table. We sit down and have a nice chat.
"This is really good!" Grandpa exclaims. "What kind of soup is this?"
"Smoked Gouda and mushroom. It is one of my favorite!"
"you have improved so much. I am so proud of you."
"I love you so much, Grandpa!"
After we get done eating, we decide to go out for a drive in the country. The trees are so beautiful. They have a mixture of reds, oranges, and yellows. We park the car at the bottom of a hill that is covered in thick, green grass. Grandpa grabs ahold of my hand and begins to walk up. A single tear rungs down my cheek as I remember all of our past memories together. We sit down under an immense, beautiful tree. We don't say anything we just look out over the rolling hills and enjoy the sunset.
When it gets dark, my grandpa stands up. He grabs onto my hand and pulls me up to my feet. He pulls me in and wraps me into a big embrace. I have missed his hugs so much.
While wrapped in his embrace he gently whispers to me, "I will always love you. Don't ever forget that."
"I won't grandpa. I love you too."
With that he pulls away and places a gentle kiss on the top of my head. He gives me one more quick hug then starts to walk away. I just stand in place as tears overflow my eyes. I am just able to watch as he disappears into the night.

-L.J.J

Evil Twin

  It was a new day and I woke up late and had to rush for my first day of school. Of course I worse a running outfit and nike pullover just to be comfy. On my rushing way to school I whipped out of the driveway as I always do, ramping up off the curb and running my bumper. My radio station played only Maroon 5. I arrived at school and realized I didn't have my Calc done so I stole Mac's paper. After school I was so busy with sports that by the time I got home I was tired. I put of my baggy sweatpants and watched movies. My family and I were so close that they knew all my secrets, although I always tended to get mad at the little things. I felt completely safe and would hate to leave home. The only thing I hoped and dreamed for was to become a WNBA player. I then fell asleep on the couch late that night after I was on social media all night.
Waking up the next morning was a nightmare and my mom almost believed I was sick. She then acted like she didn't love me. It was two hours before school and I was already ready. My parents would not come near me and I didn't feel safe at home at all. I left the place I sleep after being abused so early that I arrived to school with an hour to spare. The trip there was perfect and I drove slower that the limit. Listening to classical music was a soothing start to the day. I wore my pretty pink dress and had nothing to do but look at my already completed assignment. Following school I went to work at the soup supper and arrived home in great condition. I then put my robe on and went to studying without getting a single hello throughout the night. I then fell asleep in my bed to a nightmare that involved me not being a teacher...but a basketball player.

Th

In a blink of an eye

In a blink of an eye life changes,

You go through everyday wishing for something to happen, 

Realizing the more you want it to come the faster it'll be over.

Soon when your almost done with something, you wish you hadn't wished it away.

In a blink of an eye life changes,

Wanting to be an adult will come faster than u think

So don't wish it away because the your life will slip away

KDH 

Zelaznog Dlanor


I know a guy, he's out there someplace
Somewhere quite unknown
I don't know for sure when was the last time I encountered him
But he's out there
He wanders the alleys and the dark shadows of the night
He would take a wounded sparrow and put it behind a tire
For when the vehicle reverses....
He would pick a fight and tease the smallest kid in school
He would drop kick stray animals
Injure them and then let them remain and suffer
I would find his doings, I would try to help the animals
But sometimes it's too late
He's out there somewhere quite unknown
But beware

-Optimus prime

Mine

Shall I compare thee to the midnight moon?
Thou art more glowing and more majestic.
Like the brightly shining sun in late June,
You make my fantasies more realistic.

Or shall I compare thee to the white stars?
Thou art more luminous and more dazzling.
Captivating me with love from afar,
Thy twinkle, more than diamonds glittering.

Maybe I'll compare thee to the hot sun.
Thou art more fiery and more golden.
Amounting to thee simply can't be done,
Thou brighten life when my light is broken.

I would compare thee to the universe,
But thou art mine, no feeling of remorse.

-A.H.

Words of wisdom

Friendship is like a stone that fell into the ocean at first it's ragged and crude but with a little patience the sharp edges disappear, replaced by smooth curves as the once rough rock turns into a smooth pebble.  All we have to have is a little patience and be willing to never give up trying to smooth the rock into a beautiful stone.
By tlb

Hero of Man

Moving around swiftly
Across rough rustic roof tops
Through ancient abandoned allies
And sleepless simple streets
Is the defender of night
Who protects
Fearlessly for the just.
He is the protector against evil,
The Guardian of lives,
A Warrior of justice
Who fights
For the grateful gracious good
And better of man
Against a corrupt fiend
Who only seeks
To find the worst
In this wide wonderful world
And to show it
to the poor
Sinful sorrowful souls around.
This maker of mischief,
Causer of terror,
Is an evildoer
Worse than any other.
He searches for destruction,
Hunts to cause pain.
And to try to ruin innocent lives of peace.
He is a villain
Stronger than any other
Yet
cowers in a frightful frenzy of fear
From the one true king
The hero of man.

Bri

Nothing to do...

When I have nothing to do I 

Lay on my bed and think 

Look through all kinds of magazines 

Read a really good book or 

Doodle in my worn sketchbook

Walk outside to pet Kitty

Look into her dark green eyes 

And listen to the world outside 

Hearing the rustling leaves

I ponder about life and the future 

Daydream about the ocean and the infinity of the sea 

As cars speed on he highway 

Run upstairs and see what my brother is doing 

Since he's playing video games, I drag my feet back into my room 

I scroll through Pinterest 

For ever.

Then I go back downstairs and eat a cookie 

Or drink some water 

Then it's back upstairs listen to music and 

Try to do the splits or stretch 

Think of all the homework I should be doing.

KG

Tomorrow Anyway

When I have nothing to do, I love
To lay in my bed and think about music
Or the plants I want in my yard next spring

I check my email over and over again, hoping
That something new and exciting will be waiting
For me there, while playing games on my iPad.

I loving sitting on the edge of my porch, where I can
watch the cars flying by, or the people happily
walking down the sidewalk.

After awhile, I'll go sit by my flowers, admiring
Their natural beauty, thinking about what I could
Add to my garden for next spring.

I love to listen to music, singing along
or maybe conducting, drifting between those
Grand pandora stations floating from tune to tune.

I'll play the piano, or rearrange my room
Bake a cake, or brownies, or maybe even some cookies
I'll walk through the house day dreaming about beautiful things.

I'll be there in bed tonight, thinking about everything I had done
Then I'll think about what I should have accomplished today,
Never mind that though I have tomorrow anywhere.

AC

Cookie monster

Nom nom nom
The Cookie Monster comes
Nom nom nom
All that's left are crumbs
Munch munch munch
The cookie disapears with a crunch
Munch munch munch
A yummy yummy snack for lunch

By tb

Magic Hands

Hands are meant for talking.
For speaking a language
Too good for verbal distribution.

Everyday, these hands
Shape the rest of our lives
Through simple gestures.

Sculpting reality,
Every crease, crevice, and scar of these hands
Creating unique paths for each individual.

These hands write life
Using the power of words
One page at a time.

These hands are not just hands,
They're magic hands.

-A.H.

Lifelines

My hands, they help me.
They aren't just things on the end of my arms.
They are like lifelines, I use they everyday.
They push my body out of bed,
And rope in my wild mane.
Even now, they are helping me type.
My hands are never rewarded for their hard work.
They get dry from the cold weather,
And exhausted from continuous hours of labor.
Sometimes they tell me they are tired,
I tell them they must go on...

KZ

Productive Procrastination

When I was a child,

Mama hated it when we said the “B” word—

“I’m BORED.”

Find something to do when you

Have nothing to do.

So we would climb trees,

Walk our “forest” paths,

Make mud pies and ride bikes.

Sometimes we were told what to do….

Pick strawberries, unload the dishwasher,

Take out the trash!

This led to the fun stuff—

Get it done guys, so we can play!

Play catch in the yard, don’t drop the ball

Or Hershey will get it and run.

On cold or rainy days, settle down

In the comfort of the office

And play a competitive game of 007 or Battle Tanks

On the Nintendo 64

Filling the room with yells, “Hey!” and laughter.

As the calendar pages danced across time

My nothing to do changed.

Now I wake in the morning and lay in bed

Or stand in my kitchen with no purpose

And seem to find a project.

My “bored” is normally procrastinating

The odd jobs I don’t want to do…

So I read one of the many books waiting on my shelves,

Or I stand in front of my fridge, staring and daydreaming

Of the amazing concoctions I could make after

Catching a show on Food Network.

I might text a friend, say “What’s up?”

With my porch done, I love checking the weather

And opening windows….anything to solve my fidgeting.

Sometimes I go down the rabbit hole—

And come up hours later

From the worlds of Pinterest and YouTube.

Disney, TCM, and, lets be honest, ANY movie

Are also a good ole' fall back.

My nothing to dos
Always send me searching
For more.

2 sentence Horror Stories

I dried off my hair and looked back up into the mirror.  I only saw it for a second before the light turned off.

I stood by the light switch downstairs, ready to run up the stairs once I turned it off so that nothing would be able to grab me on my way up.  I shut the light off and started running up the stairs, but then the door slammed shut at the top.

I stepped into my son's room to tuck him in, and he told me to keep the light off, so I did and sat down on his bed.  Then I turned and saw my son standing in the doorway asking what I was doing in his room.


JayZ

Oceans

Fingers laced
Giving a newborn child
 a soothing embrace
Catching floating hearts and stars,
Dreamy tears soak up leather skin
to once again make them soft.
The slightest cuddle
From the one who's life had just begun
Leaves delight reflecting off of looking glass eyes.
Rough mountains are conquered by a graze of the little sea
And with one last smile,
the ocean envelops you with love.
-Kell

At the Tip of my Finger

I look around as
Greeting hugs surround everyone
My best friend comes
Arms open but
All that surrounds me
Is a feeling of emptiness

The students head
To a pep rally
For all the sports teams
The gym fills with applause
The sound's there but
I am just hitting air

Arriving at the hospital
Is as stressful
As it gets
I get pricked like always
With an IV needle
But no pain follows

Out of surgery yet again
Waking up full of fear
Wondering what's next
Laying in a hospital bed
Believing to be dying
No feeling of fear or sorrow
Just a sense of nothingness

-L.J.J.

Dreaming Elijah

It had been countless hours since I heard the tires screech and saw a fraction of blinding headlights. That late March afternoon, my life had changed. Elijah's life had changed. So many thoughts ran through my mind as I prepare to take the incoming clash of metal on metal. But one thing in particular was on my mind, and that was my boyfriend.

 For some strange reason, his face popped into my head just before that 6 ton semi franticly shattered my 2004 Grand Prix.  Before I could take my last breath, my life was crushed right in that front passenger seat. At age 17, I was laid on a cold bed in the ER with signs of existence, but no response to any comforting words from family members or a firm squeeze after a long hand held. Before I knew it, people were talking. Some had said that they saw the destruction, and others were just shocked by the sight of the scene. But the only thing people actually knew, was that I couldn't move. I laid on that flat hospital bed, still, for what seemed like forever. No movement, not even a blink was seen from me. The only thing that moved in that bare room was my heart monitor. It told everybody that there was still a chance. It gave hope, and even I had hope.

Though I couldn't react to anything physically in the real world, I was still awake. While stuck in a room of blankness, I could still somehow see. I saw my loving boyfriend by my bedside, holding my hand, still hoping that I'll return in his arms. I also saw my caring friends and family, sticking around in Room 302. But it all only lasted for a couple of weeks. As the hopes had gone down, they disappeared one by one. Up until December, Elijah was the only one who had stuck around with still a dream. Soon, even he had faded away.

One day, Elijah stopped showing up. Stopped bringing flowers, balloons, and even those soft kisses on my pale cheeks. My empty room remained abandoned, and I couldn't talk to Elijah anymore. The day he didn't show up, was the day he perished. I had lost communication with Elijah, and so I had lost my only phone call to the real world.

Days continued to be dull and lifeless. While moments with nobody but the raggedy old nurses had ceased to exist. I could still hear his soft voice whisper in my ear saying, "We'll make it Anastasia", along with a tight squeeze in my hand. The long walks, detailed talks, seemed like they were for nothing. So many dreams had withered away within one wrong tilt of a steering wheel. The last few words I ever heard were spoken as if from an angel. Elijah, with his head on my chest and hugging me with a firm bear hug,  said, "I'll see you soon."

Months went on from there, and it seemed like Elijah and I were to never speak again. Just as I was about to give up on seeing anybody, I was suddenly in a new place. I could magically walk, skip, and jump around just like I've always imagined. It was like a gift from God. The mysterious place was filled with glistening shadows that pranced around all day long, along with the most graceful music that filled the air. I could remember all my fondest memories like they were yesterday. The reason why the nurses moved me to a brighter, more enlightening place has always baffled me, but I wasn't complaining. Overjoyed in my new room, I decided to look around. The place went on forever, there was no end. It shined like the heavens above and was the most beautiful room I had ever seen. Though I was glad to walk, talk, and move again, I was still lonely. Lonely like I've been for the last 9 months. Days without Elijah were like days in a drought without rain. Useless and disappointing.

Just as things were getting better for me, they went wrong In reality. On a cold December night, almost in the exact same spot of my wreck, a totaled car was found. The driver was instantly rushed to the hospital, but there was nothing the doctors could do. The man was said to have lost control of the vehicle during a blistering snowy night. The news shocked the lives of many, and yet, gave them another chance to forget about boring old me.

After word about the collision spread, I heard a voice. It was the sweetest, most comforting  voice coming from above. The familiar voice was one I had heard  before. It followed me, whispering sweet things to me that only I would know. It had a sense of comfort, and spoke of my accident along with the man who had died in the same spot. The voice murmured about Elijah and told me how he meant to crash in the same spot. Beyond all the beaming beauty in the room, the soft voice then whispered in my ear saying, "I told you I'd see you soon."

Elissa Slizoski

Why I Love Nebraska

From the metropolitan of Omaha, to the tiny villages that dot this state, Nebraska is the greatest state in the country. Years can be spent exploring this state, and still never know anything about it. From the bluffs of the pan handle, to the rich farm land in the northeast, this state is grand. Do not mistake us for  just some country folks who obsess over corn, we are more than just that.
If you were to spend one season in Nebraska, visit in the fall. You will not be disappointed. Take a drive on the Nebraska back roads in the fall and you will see fields of gold. In the fall it's harvest season. Take a drive and see the diversity of our state. From the reds of the International Harvester, to the green of a John Deere Combine, harvest is in full blast in late September and October. Take a drive through the small rural towns and you will see homes decorated for Halloween. Jack-o-lanterns front every home; scary faces, silly faces, ones made by hound children, and ones made by children at heart. This state is an amazing example of how young and old, and old and new come together.
In Nebraska, you see old and new side by side. It is not uncommon to see a brand new tractor and plow, marked next to an ancient looking house, or to see a sixteen years old's first vehicle being a thirty year old pickup. Old and new go hand in hand. If you were to visit a family farm, you may see an eighty year old working, with his sixty year old son, and his thirty year old grandson and five year old great grandson helping as well. It is also very common to see farm equipment from forty years in the past being used in the twenty first century.
This state may be the only state in the union where everywhere you feel safe. When in the car you cannot pass another with our the traditional two finger salute, the one finger point, or the occasional thumbs up. In Nebraska the sense of community is overwhelming. If you are walking by someone you can expect a "Hi, how are you?", or a "Goodmorning". If your neighbor has a garden it is almost custom for them to give you free produce, or a taste of wonderful zucchini brownies. If you are feeling upset in some other place, come visit Nebraska and see how things should be.

Z

Standing in a field of open grass.
Looking all around me and seeing people running around warming up.
Some guys are playing frisbee, throwing it back and forth to each other while talking and joking around.
I see my parents pull into the pasture and get out, all of them matching in their fan shirts.
I can feel the butterfly's in my stomach.
I'm so nervous but I'm also so ready for this.
I see some people jogging the course and stretching out their taunt muscles.
We go to the starting line and I can feel all of the nervous energy in the air.
We do a quick group huddle and a prayer, everyone's holding each other's hands tightly.
We take off our jackets and do some jumping and stretching, trying to convince ourselves were ready... I hope I'm ready....
We tell each other good luck, even though none us need it!
We line up and the announcer tells us the course, and the rules.
I'm a rebel though and I always try and bend the rules:)
The tension builds as he yells...READY.....I can feel myself shaking I'm so nervous......SET...........I clench my hands and tell myself I can do this.........BOOM!....The gun goes off and we take off.
Just like that I'm no longer nervous.
I smile to myself because I know I can do this.
JW

Take a Backroad

The stop sign on the left and I take the turn,
Two cedars on the right,
Sand to the left,
I take the left,
I miss the sand,
It's stiff and mixed with dirt,
I hit the cattle trail,
I have small tires on blue
Blue is worn out but she still runs fine,
I throw up sand and hit the bog water,
Water goes every where,
Blue floods and sets there dead.

Mr. Dodge

Counting Sheep

I have so many people in this world that care so much about me.  Why me?  Why now?  As I lay unconscious, I wonder.  My mind flees to the good old days when I was younger, and all of the memories with my family.  Why can't I make my body work again?

I see myself.  Not my normal peppy self, but myself.  I see my stone cold body and limp hair laying in the sheet white hospital bed.  I see my family surrounding the tiny room.  How can I see them?  How can I see myself?  Why am I above them?  I yell my dads name.  He doesn't seem to hear me.  I try to nudge my brother, he acts as though he doesn't feel me.  Suddenly, the doctor comes into the room.  I backup from the enormous crowd of people and listen to what he has to say.  "Erin has had major trauma to the brain."  He continues, "When the roller coaster broke, Erin plunged to the ground at a very fast rate."  "She landed head first."

None of this made any sense to me.  I never rode roller coasters.  I hated amusement parks.  I never remember any of that happening.  Nevertheless, here I am.  My dad is now sitting in a chair next to the hospital bed, sobbing.  The doctor starts his next statement with a little hesitation, "As a family, you may want to consider if and when you would like to take Erin off of life support."  He walked out of the room while saying "sorry" repeatedly with his eyes.

The day goes on and every member of my family makes their way back to the house.  Everyone of them leaned down and kissed me before leaving the hospital room.   My parents alternated with which one left, and came back so that someone was always with me.  Watching my parents like this was a stab to the heart.  My parents love me more than anything, and they told me that everyday.  I don't want them to feel helpless like this.  Why is this happening? It still doesn't make sense, I hate roller coasters.

A week passed and just about the whole town came to see me.  My extended family, my friends, and even people I've never even talked to.  I didn't feel that special when I was alive.  Why are all these people coming to see me now?  One girl in my class came to see me that was always mean to me.  I have no idea why she would be making any effort to show sympathy.  I always wondered why she hated me so much.  When she came in that afternoon, I found out.

My mom stepped out of the room to let her come in.  She sat down and started crying uncontrollably.  I was lying there cold and absent.  She took my hand and tried to collect her thoughts into words.  "So, I bet you are wondering why I am here right?"  I let out a chuckle to that question.  "The only reason I treated you badly all those years was because I felt threatened by you."  "My mom raised me to be the best of the best.  When you came along, I felt like you could've beat me at my own game.  I thought if I let you shine my mom wouldn't love me anymore."  She continued, "We probably could've been great friends too."  All these years that's all I needed to hear.  I wish I could have one more chance to make it right.

As I watch a machine make my body breathe I think about how ironic it is that I am stuck in my own body.  I never thought this would be how I died.  I feared drowning or getting in a car accident would end my life.  Looking back, I really wish I wouldn't have worried about everything like I did.  I was never one of those "do it now, think about it later" type of girls.  I was that girl that thought about it now, thought about it later, and then thought about it again.  If I had a second chance that would definitely be something I would do a little different.

A little over a year ago I watched my grandpa hang onto his life by a thread.  Cancer seemed to like his lungs, his stomach, and just about everything else.  Simultaneously, he got better and better.  In no time he was out of the ICU and back in the comfort of his own home.  None of us believed it.  When all of the drama settled down I went to see him.  We watched westerns together and talked about everything under the sun.   "What was it like to be that sick?" I asked.  He said, "God put me through that for a very good reason Erin."  I puzzled on that answer for awhile before going on to my next question.  "What was it like to just be existing from day to day?"  He hesitated then replied with a casual shrug of the shoulders.  Now I know what he was trying to say.

I was a sixteen year old girl who had it all.  I had the perfect family, the best friends, and the flawless car everybody wanted.  I loved everything high school had to offer me.  I wasn't too worried about my life after high school.  As far as I was concerned none of that seemed important at the time.  Looking back on it now I spent way too much time worrying about how I looked and what I wore than actually spending time with my family.  I would go out with my friends every weekend and party until the break of dawn.  I was invincible.

The doctor came into my hospital room with a look of desperation on his face.  "Have you talked as a family regarding what you want to move forward with for Erin?"  My dad looked at my mom with a tear in his eye.  "What are our chances that she would wake up from this coma?" my mom managed to stutter this sentence out between her sobs.  The doctor began, "You're looking at about a 5% chance she would come out of this coma."  My mom melted into a bag of tears in my fathers arms.  It was at this very moment I realized how truly gorgeous my mom is.  Her dark brown hair fell perfectly while her loving eyes poured out all her pain.  Her skin suggested she was a mother of four ornery children.  Her hands were tough as nails yet gentle and comforting.  Her tear soaked face looked at the doctor once more.  "I'm so sorry, I wish there was something I could do." the doctor sounded empathetic.  No words were spoken between them, but my parents came to a silent agreement; they would take me off of life support.

I couldn't help but feel lost and scared.  What would happen to me?  I don't want them to take me off of life support, but I can't stay like this forever.  I can't stand to see my family go through this one more day.  I guess I just have to come to accept their decision and move on.  Although, I don't know how I can become comfortable with dying.

My family said their goodbyes to my still body.  I tried to remember what each member of my family looked like.  Their carmel brown hair, different colored hazel eyes, and their gorgeous smiles.  As I watched them walk out the door for the last time, tears escaped my eyes violently. The doctor came in and did what he needed to do.  As my heart rate plummeted to zero, I started to feel weird.  My whole body went numb.  Was this what it felt like to die?  I started to see all black.  "This is it," I thought.  Then all of this sudden I jump awake in my bed at home.  I knew I didn't like roller coasters, it was just a dream.

SAT

What's this, what's that

What's this feeling I have.
Oh yeah, the sweet feeling of a small nothing.
I thought her hand would be smooth.
Her grip a soft, sweet, and gentle grasp.
But it's nothing, nothing but a blank.

Never again will my grip be good.
The drum stick in my hand.
A sick beat I wish I can feel once again.
Small hits just a wish I can't have.

I'm older now and I can't feel them.
The sway of her hips as we dance.
Her smooth skin as we lay in bed.
The gentle touch of her lips to mine.

There she is lying in a bed.
She is holding my girl.
But I cannot feel her little fingers.
Their hugs and handshakes.

I cannot feel her hugs on the first day of school.
Her tears after her first small heartbreak.
Her kiss on the Cheek after she says " bye daddy"
She leaves I cannot feel the squeeze of her hug.
The tears running down my cheeks and on to her.


I see the bright side, I cannot feel pain.
My playing on the field and mat will improve.
Wait say what my bones broken.
I cannot feel and I cannot be broken.

My senses are going to be heightened.
This nose will smell better.
Also my eyes can become shaper than ever.
And my hearing will be the highest.

Ceratotherium simum