How to be a Butterfly

 How to be a Butterfly

Start out as a egg

Then grow into a caterpillar

Don’t forget to chill in a Chrysalis

Inside is where the fun begins

You can choose if you want to be big or small?

What colors would you want?

They have blue, brown, yellow, red, or even rainbow

When you have your colors you can pick a group

You can vibe with the Monarchs

Make tribes with the Swallowtails

Land in fields like the Painted Ladies

Or be pure with the Cabbage Whites

Choose a job and the types of flowers to pollinate

And now you are ready to be set free

Remember when it’s cold go hide

Come out in the summers

Stay in groups, you never want to get lost

Your home is anywhere flowers are 

And the earth is yours to spread beauty in the lands and skies.

By: Essie

The House That Built Me

 Here is the place I have spent my whole life living in. The four-bedroom house located towards

the south side of 6th street in Albion, Nebraska. Automatically placing me in the “6th

Street Gang” as Mr. Zoucha has labeled us. 

Here is the trail I took to get to my best friend’s house right through the trees.

Here is the place where I gashed my knees up from the rocks and concrete below me as my

brothers tried teaching me how to drive-- both a dirtbike and on a basketball court. 

Here is where I witnessed many fights between my brothers involving nerf guns and maybe

some pizza rolls too.

Here is the pillow that has collected most of my tears but has witnessed many of my laughs.

Here is the place where I find the most comfort. Whether taking a bath or just sitting there to be

happy, because my bathroom is my happy place.

Here is the basement where I’ve made many memories with my extended family whether at a

holiday or a birthday.

Here, also, I have held most of my sleepovers. Teaching friends how to play Guitar Hero and

watching the creepiest movies we can find.

Here is the place that my friends and I store many of our “valuables” from each town we’ve

been to.

Here is the tree I could climb to feel on top of the world with my brothers leading the way. I also

developed my fear of bees here.

Here is where Skipper and Messi are buried, many tears filling their graves.

Here is the backyard in which many footballs and baseballs were thrown in hopes to teach me

their ways.

Here is the house that built me, gave me my morals, and taught me how I should live.

If the sun doesn’t shine tomorrow, know this, you must be able to look back on your life and

realize you have lived it fully alive. And you must write your life story as you would want

it to be written.

~S. Weenie

In The Rain

 Umbrellas are the coolest thing ever
because they protect me from the sun and rain,
but sometimes they turn inside out
then the rain gets on my clothes
Embrace the moment!
Jump in the puddles gleefully!
Twirl in the rain as you find inner peace.
You can lose yourself in happiness.
Chase your happiness.

    - Welchy

How to be

 How to be white shoes

Look perfect in the store so someone will buy you

Pretend you won’t get dirty right away

Buy the spray so they won’t get dirty

Put them on right after buying them 

And look at how white they are

You think they will stay white while looking at them

Get in your car and drive home wearing them

Get out with them on being very careful walking to the house

Put them by the front door while they are still white

Be happy because they are still white

And go to bed

Wake up the next morning and be covered in mud

-t swifty

Untitled

 

Children fascinate me 

With the way, they laugh at everything 

The games they play with nothing 

How their eyes light up and sparkle 

So pure 

Untouched by the trials and tribulations of life 

I look at them with envy 

Wishing I could go back 

Back to Barbie dolls 

To the land of imagination 

To wonder of playtime 

Feeling all the excitement for the first time 

New and thrilling 

But at the same time, I hurt for them 

I look at their eyes shining with hope and happiness 

And I worry that one day they will look in the mirror

And see as I see 

They will look into their own eyes and see no sparkle 

They will find that imagination is not appreciated in this world 

They will discover that nothing is fair 

 I fear that life will sweep them away in all the excitement 

Only to leave them washed up hurting and alone like all who came before 

I want to wrap my arms around each child 

I do not wish to steal the light that glows within them 

But teach them the importance of protecting it 

I want to tell them to never grow up 

But I know that this I something they cannot control 

Painful to watch and even more damaging just to know 

That they will be bruised 

They will be broken 

That They will one day sit alone in their room while their pillowcase collects the tears dripping from those eyes that once lit up with happiness 

With each drop and each birthday, they will only grow further from the best years of their life 

Wishing to go back 

To be young and alive once again 

That is my fear 

- the audacity 

Found

 The cool mist floated over the thin wire, making the end completely indistinguishable. Aiko trembled, moving her jet black hair from her eyes. She took a deep breath, standing on her tiptoes and placing one foot onto the cord. Seconds passed and she slowly added her second foot. The rope dropped slightly under the stress of her weight, making her hold her breath. Both of her arms moved from her sides as she attempted to stay balanced. She inched forward, the frigid wind stinging her eyes. Waves rushed under the wire, dangerously close to Aiko’s feet. Aiko squinted her eyes, attempting to see through the thick fog. She felt herself lose balance. She shut her eyes, wrapping her arms around herself. She had expected to fall into the icy water but she felt as if she were flying. Her eyes opened and she looked around, realizing she was on a.. paper airplane? The lights of the city glowed around her. It was a magnificent sight. 

There was a barking noise in the distance. Aiko shot out of bed. Her dog stood at the end of her bed, tilting his head in confusion. Aiko exhaled, smiling at her companion. She lifted the pile of blankets off of her and stepped onto the hard wooden floor. She gently patted the dog’s head before making her way to the small desk in the corner of her room. Aiko reached for the notebook that always sat in the same spot. She grabbed a pen and began to write. “Dream log,” she spoke out loud. “April 28th.” She summarized the dream before jotting down notes under it. Dreaming of walking a tightrope means you need to get out of your comfort zone and that you may meet a new group of people through an activity. Dreaming of a paper airplane represents- She was taken out of thought by a knock on the door. Aiko placed the journal back to its original spot and sat up walking towards the door. A man she had never seen before stood behind the door. But once the words came out of his mouth, she knew exactly why he was here. “We found him.”

Him. Her son. Her son, who had been missing for almost a year. She remembered the last time she saw him. He was packing his things, getting ready to go back to his father’s home. His parents had been divorced ever since he was 5. She remembered how much he hated going to different houses every week. That had also been the same day that the two of them had that argument. Aiko wished she could have taken everything back. Her son’s name was Oliver, named after an olive tree that represents peacefulness. But he was far from peaceful. She remembered the doctor's visit. She remembered how she felt. A wave of emotions struck her as the doctor spoke the word. “Schizophrenia.” The argument had been about his medication. She remembered it clear as day. She had walked upstairs into his bedroom, silently watching him pack up clothes. She had set the bottle of pills onto his bedside table. “What is that?” he asked, his eyes not looking away from the bottle. Aiko gave him what she thought was a comforting smile. “They are just here to help you.” She handed him the bottle as he continued to stare at it. “You need to take them once-” He chucked the container to the ground, pills scattering in every direction.

Oliver stared at the mess, breathing heavily. “First the kids at school,” he whispered, hands shaking. He turned to his mother, his voice rising. “And know even my own mom thinks I’m a freak?!” Aiko looked at him, her eyes filled with fear. Then her facial expression softened as she noticed Oliver had begun to cry. She walked up to her son, gently touching his face. He flinched, immediately swatting her hand away. “Don’t touch me!” he screamed, snatching his unzipped bag and running down the stairs. Aiko stood by the doorway. She didn’t know how to get rid of the anger in her little boy’s eyes. She was alone. She was only left with her racing thoughts. 

Aiko felt as if she could barely breathe. There were so many people crowding around her. She heard some of their conversations, one of them about children, another about astronauts, one even about paint being spread on walls. She reached into her pocket, brushing her thumb against the cool metal of the necklace. It had been a gift from her grandmother. It was a necklace that was split in two, each made of a magnetic metal. Once in contact with each other, the two pieces of the necklace would reunite, forming a heart. She had given the second piece of jewelry to Oliver, who had unfortunately destroyed the other half during one of his breakdowns. Even with the bad memories, the broken necklace still gave her comfort. She had no idea why. A man pushed his way through the crowd, softly grabbing Aiko’s arm. He led her to a small room. He spoke to her, but Aiko couldn’t pay attention no matter how hard she tried. However, she did hear the last sentence. “He’s in here.” 

Aiko ran into the room, not bothering to hear what else the man said. Oliver sat on mint green sheets, wearing a blue hospital gown, multiple IVs connected to his arms. He was hellishly skinny, dark circles lining his eyes. His hair was a rat’s nest and it had seemed to have been cut. He did not look like the boy she once knew. Before she could walk up to her son, a doctor stopped her. She explained everything that had happened. It had in fact been her ex-husband who had caused this. He didn’t know how to deal with Ollie either. The doctor explained that Oliver had been locked in the attic as an attempt to “cure” him. He was extremely malnourished and had only been given food almost every 2 weeks. She explained that his hair had grown past his shoulders. A hairdresser came in and said that the only way they could save his hair was by cutting it. The doctor described him as a fighter. Aiko pictured him as an army soldier. Her eyes returned to her son. She slowly walked up to him, gently touching his face just as she had done the last time she saw him. He didn’t swat away this time. Oliver closed his eyes, placing his hand on top of his mother’s hand. None of them spoke a word, they didn’t need to. The two of them were reunited. 

-Allitini

The heist

     New York, New York the concrete jungle what dreams are made of. No, but seriously it's where dreams come true. It's the city where much wealth is found and stored but nothing compares to the royal jewels that will be here for the gala ball. A priceless necklace worth millions will be on display for the world to see. And I plan on stealing them. Step one of the plan is to get a camera in the security room. I will use a doll with cameras in it because one of the guards is weird. Next, I will dig a big tunnel using an old sewer tunnel.  I will pop up in the janitor’s closet and there we will have our disguises to escape. We will pull the fire alarms and grab the jewels nobody will think the firefighters are stealing. Finally, we will run away to an island and live our lives with millions. We will have a little boy named Ross. He will grow up to be a great painter. So are you ready for this date?

U.N.Owens

These I have loved

A cool breeze on a hot summer day, while you sit on a bale looking at the clouds,

Long car rides with your favorite songs and jamming out to them,

Waking up one morning and looking outside so see the snow layered on the ground,

Walking to the living room and turning the channel to the news and finding out there is no school,

Playing around in the snow and going sledding but not any old sledding, with a four-wheeler to pull you around

Coming back inside to be greeted by the warmth and a piping hot cup of hot chocolate,

Going to the dryer to pull out fresh blankets encased with warmth, than going to curl up on the couch with a good book,

Leveling up on HayDay, Going to the movie theater just for the popcorn,

Laughing with friends, Finishing a piece of writing that your proud of,

Having no homework, 

And finally after a long day snuggling up with your furry friends to watch anime.

By. Catlover

Ying-Yang

 Ying-Yang

Ying                                                                                                            Yang

I am darkness

                                                             I am the light in the darkness

In the night I shine

                                     AND IN THE DAY

                                                              I come out bringing peace

I am the unknown                        

                                                            I am the known

                                                            I bring positivity and fire

In my negativity

I am as cold as water

I feel acceptance

                                                            The sun is my power

And the moon is mine

                                                            I am seen in the mountains and in

                                    

                                       NATURE

Nature is my friend

The earth is my spirit                        

                                                             I am a dragon who protects

And I am the care-free tiger

                                        WE ARE ONE

                                        WE ARE YING-YANG

By-Essie

These I have Loved

These I have loved

Sunlight brightening up a room

The smell of fresh-baked cookies coming right out of the oven

My dog greeted me with his tail wagging all over

Going on an adventure with my best friends

Cruising around with windows down and music blaring

Laying on the beach with sand in between my toes

Hot showers in the morning

Watching the flame of the fire dance around

Snowflakes lightly falling to the ground

Wind blowing through my hair

Snuggling a little baby while it peacefully sleeps

Wrapping in a blanket right after it comes out of the dryer

The sun hitting my miniature disco ball in my car and making it sparkle

Binge-watching old shows I watched as a kid

Putting lotion on freshly shaved legs

Looking at old photos of your friends and laughing at it

A letter shows up with my name on it

Taking my mask off right as I leave school

Combing threw my hair after a fresh cut

Adding the final details to your outfit

The first time wearing a pair of new shoes

Watching the sunset right out my back door

Getting a hug after a long day

The stars shining brightly over my head at night

The feeling after getting my back popped into place

Hearing the crowd cheer so loud  after I finished a great routine

Losing myself as I dance

Feeling the rush as I walk out onto the stage

Nailing the perfect turn

Finding myself lost in the music

Watching my dog stick his head out the window of my car

The feeling of finally having self-love

Knowing I am happy with who I am

Feeling love all around with the people I care about most 

Driving around and looking a Christmas lights

Blowing out the candles on the cake

Surprising my friends with gifts

Snuggling into my bean bag chair with all of my fuzzy blankets

Getting nails professionally done

Roads trips with my family

-E.T

Reflective Pane

     

        Who is me 

        At first, when I looked in the mirror 

        I saw a girl look back in fear 

        Her eyes dark brown 

        Her hair curled blonde 

        She smiled but I knew something was wrong 

       Her happiness seemed sheltered

        Her hand reached out for help 

        I didn't hear her scream 

        Though it was pain through glass I felt 

        She was covered in words that she had not written 

        Her skin coated with hate 

        I could hardly tell what hid beneath that glass mirror pane 

        She wiped tears from her eyes 

        and zipped up her disguise 

        a smile lit across her face        

        Makeup covered the words once engraved into her skin

        She looked stunning in all she was 

        She looked perfect and content 

         I kept going back to her deep dark eyes 

        wondering and wondering what they meant

                                                            -the audacity  

    

These I have Loved

 The smooth cold coffee in the morning or right before bed

The feeling of getting to lay in my bed after a long day of school

The hugs from him because they make me feel safe

The fresh smell of a candle when it is lit for the first time

The feeling of my cat at the end of my bed actually liking me for once

Waking up to a full charge on my phone

A new non cracked screen protector on my phone

The ocean smell right when you walk out of the hotel room

Getting a test back and doing good when you thought you did bad

The smooth bitter, but the sweet feeling of dark chocolate on my tongue

The facetime calls from my little sisters that haven’t seen in almost a year

The taste of sushi

The thin mint girl scout cookies

These are the things I love

-t swifty

Treasured Memories

 These I have loved,

Morning dew resting on the soft grass,

The smell of pine trees drifting through the air,

Watching the raindrops splash into the forming puddles,

Lopsided pillow forts build next to the heater,

Sleeping under the shining multicolored lights of the christmas tree,

Knocking down the gigantic icicles on the old shed,

Playing sword fights with them,

Running around the orange and red trees,

Going swimming in the green lake,

Making whirlpools in the backyard,

Dying eggs all the colors of the rainbow,

Chasing each other with stained hands,

Memories with the people who mean the most to me. 

-Allitini

You Know the Vibes

The feeling of Pursuit of Happiness when driving around.

The drums of Pompeii.

The raspiness of The Devil Wears a Suit and Tie.

The ABSOLUTE vibes of Escape (The Pina Colada Song, duh).

The craziness of Downtown when all my friends are together.

The memories Home creates.

The old feelings of Love Will Keep Us Together.

The beautiful sounds of Tennessee Whiskey.

The belting of Cowboy Take Me Away.

The heavenly feeling Wonder brings to me.

The shower concerts of Out of My League.

The feeling of being in a rave when Summer comes on.

The headbanging of Dear Maria, Count Me In.

The slowness of Bennie and the Jets.

The urge to dance on a dirt road to Die A Happy Man.

The emo vibes of Can You Feel My Heart.

The pettiness of No Scrubs.

And the feeling of my mom and I singing Gold Digger together.

~S. Weenie

The August Nights

 The smell of fresh-cut grass covered in dew, 

Lined with thick and thin tires leading down,

To the river flowing with its cool water,

with the hot summer sun beating down,

Reflecting into our eyes as it starts to set,

Bells ringing as poles bounce, 

the lines going taught from the fish on its end,

The boys tripping over themselves and their chairs,

Them fighting over who gets to go grab it,

I love the smell of the cedar and oak burning in the fire,

The crack of the cedar  as the sap burns,

The little accidents that you can laugh at,

The long car drive,

The friends that makes this all,

The love of a doggo, 

The love for them and from them.

Her wonderful cooking 

Their smiles, 

Two Sides of the Classroom

Crystal

  Skyler

Okay take a deep breath and walk through the door steady now

Oh man, here we go again the same class another day

Okay find my seat, your fine me, nobody's looking 

You only have one period left, we can make it

Ugh come on start already

I just wanna go home

*Bring, Bring*

Okay bell rang, let's get over with this

....

Okay, it's just a project not too bad

Just don’t put me with someone

Let me work by myself

Okay common, let us choose partners

I've already got the road scanned to get to my best friend

...

You’ve got to be kidding me, Mrs. Oakley chose partners

Okay, okay, please just be the odd one out

Were an odd number class

She knows that I work by myself

This is fine she knows that I work with Selena

I’ll be put with her there's no doubt in my mine

I'm with Skyler / I'm with Crystal

WHAT

You’ve got to be kidding me………...Who's that

You mean I’m with Skyler

THE Skyler

Oh no, well at least I’ll work by myself, cause she’ll probably not help with the project

Okay hold the phone, now give the phone to me, 

Who even is that person like is Mrs. Oakley playing a joke on me

Welp guess I better find her cause I don’t think she knows who I am

Guess I better ask Mrs. Oakley who she is or if she’s pulling my leg

Wait where is she going 

Guess I was right on how she doesn’t know who I am

Okay, brown hoodie with brown hair okay shouldn’t be too hard

Now if only I could..

Oof/Ow!

Oh sorry that was my fault/oops sorry

Oh hello

Jinks

Jinks again

Haha

So you’re Crystal

Yeah...uh..hello

Welp lets work on that project

You can start looking for research

I’ll go get the materials we need

Wait, I thought you would just leave the project for me

Why are you helping

Well, lets just say that everyone's not what they seem

*And from that day on Crystal found out that Skyler is a crack head of a person*

*And Skyler found out that Crystal can be the life of a party*

*It doesn’t matter what people can seem like on the outside because they could be a completely different on the inside*