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A literary collaboration from the budding authors of Nandua High School
Citation preview
2
Awesome Authors
2012-2013
Nandua High School
Founders: Emma Hollandsworth, David
Mamahit, and Bethany Meissner
Editor: Emma Hollandsworth
3
Table of Contents
Biographies Pages 4-8
Columns and Reviews Pages 10-18
Prose and Poems Pages 20-35
Mythology_____________________________________Pages 37-38
4
Well, my name is David
Mamahit and I’m one
of the co-founders of this
amazing writing club. I’m
a senior and one of the
varsity cheerleading
captains. Next year I plan
moving to Maryland with
my best friend to broaden
my horizons.
Hi! I’m Emma Hollandsworth, I’m 16 and in the eleventh grade, and I really enjoy writing! As a cofounder of the club, I think we bring a lot to Nandua and provide an outlet for out writers. I like writing articles, poems, and short stories.
My name is Sam
Nicholson, and
I’m a 17 year old
senior. I enjoy
writing because it
allows me to
explore wild,
usually
disregarded
recesses of my
mind.
5
Hi, I’m Sarah Mychael and I
am a junior. I love to write
because I just have so many
creative ideas and odd ways of
thinking that I want to write
down my thoughts so I don’t
lose them. Random facts- I’m
obsessed with Star Wars,
Justin Bieber, and I have 8
cats!
I am a fifteen
year old
partially deaf
freshman at
Nandua High
School. I like
reading and
long, romantic
walks on the
beach. My
name is Chloe
Custis and I am
going to write
amazing books
some day.
Howdy, I’m John Wagner. I was born in
Houston- That’s in Texas for you non
geographic fools. I write and draw and
do other things for fun or out of
boredom. I spend most of my time on
desolation row or in a kayak in the
middle of the bay.
6
My naMe is arial Walton, and i’M
a 16 year old Junior. I like to
write about anything
supernatural-mainly vampires
and witches. My characters are
usually girls and they dress
mainly in the emo or goth scene. I
plan on being an author and i’M
very awesomely weird.
Hello, I’m Mary Katherine
Holmes and I am a
freshman. I write fiction,
exclusively novels (not short
stories), though I have
written some for English
essays. I have several series
going on right now. I love all
of ancient history and every
bit of mythology. I am a
pretty good archer and am
going to be learning fencing
and horse-back riding.
My name is
Ashley
Blankenship. I’m
an 18 year old
senior. Mainly I
write fantasy
romance stories. In
the future, I plan to
use my stories for
the literature
world.
7
Hi, I’m Ember
Ethington, a spunky
redhead with a passion
for writing and being
creative. I love to
read, as well as cooking
and making people
laugh.
Hi, I’m Hannah Perez. I am a
freshman and I love to write! Hello, I am David
Rogers, a junior here at
Nandua. I like writing
because it is a way to express
myself; I have a wild
imagination. I like to write passionate
love stories.
8
Hi, I’m William Grabowski.
I like to write because it
is an outlet for my
aggression. It also provides
insight on how I see the
world around me. It
expresses how I feel without
me having to speak out loud.
Hi! My name is Ryheem J. Wharton I am a fairly outgoing seven-teen year
old student. I was born on November 24, 1995,l in outer space, 6
minutes before my identical twin Taylor Lautner, to my proud father Bill
Gates.
Since the wondrous occasion of my birth, I have set seven Guinness
World Records, including the longest mechanical bull ride and the longest
period of time without bathing. I am a champion equestrian and have
won six Kentucky Derbies on my pony “Bubble.”
My hobbies include dancing ballet, building bird houses, and going to
screaming alternative rock concerts. In my free time, I watch “Pretty Little
Liars” and read romance novels. Nicholas Sparks is my favorite author. I
have already gained my Ph.D. in writing at Harvard and J.K. Rowling is my
pseudonym. I have also written the scripts for “The Hunger Games” and
other famous movies. I am currently an ambassador to seventeen
countries and plan to become leader of the U.N. I regularly visit the
International Space Station, advise the President, and run marathons. I
also hit the court with my girls Serena and Venus Williams ( I normally
win) and occasionally get in my swimming laps with Michael Phelps, but
not too often because he is slightly immature. I have a private jet, so I
travel the world pretty much every day and when I visit Korea they all
bow down to me…. It is a little weird, but I enjoy the fame. I’m a pretty
average guy!
9
Columns and
Reviews
10
Les Miserables
Les Miserables was overall almost excellent in my opinion. The expansive cast of
both renowned actors and actresses; such as Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, and Ann
Hathaway, and up and coming actors and actresses, such as Amanda Seyfried, Eddie
Redmayne, and Samantha Barles included both superb acting and singing. The only
flaw that I found was that some of the singing scenes were overly prolonged and
focused on only one character, which was a bit dull at times. The scene in which
Eponine (played by Samantha Barks) sings “On My Own” is a prime example. Besides
this one flaw, the 2012 film adaption of Victor Hugo’s novel “Les Miserables”
proves to be one of the most stunning films of 2012.
-Sam Nicholson
Source: mormonmovieguy.com
The Sea of Trolls The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer (a three-time Newbury Honor Author) is a thrilling story about a young boy
by the name of Jack and his younger sister Lucy, who together take part in a long voyage being kidnapped from
their home in Anglo-Saxon England. After being kidnapped the two are taken to a market to be sold as thralls
(slaves); however, after the lead “berserker” (hound-like creature) Olaf discovers Jack is a bard he keeps Jack for
himself, while Lucy is kept by Thorgil to gives to the half troll half human Queen Frith. Jack mistakenly causes
Frith’s hair to fall out and must go on a quest along with Thorgil to find a mystical well to drink from to gain
the power to reverse his mistake for his sister’s life is at stake. Jack fortunately finds the well, drinks from it, and
saves his sister, and they eventually return home. If you are a fan of non-fiction with lots of exciting twists, I
would strongly suggest that you read Sea of Trollsby Nancy Farmer.
-Ryheem Wharton
Source: www.blackgate.com
11
Born to Die- Lana del Ray
Lana del Ray’s voice brings a unique and retro
feel to modern pop music. The twelve songs
maintain her style, but the listener never gets
bored or feels as though the songs are
repetitive. She opens the album with the song
“Born to Die” a catchy song with intelligent
lyrics about our numbered days and true
meaning of life. In addition, Video Games and
Summertime Sadness are obvious album
standouts. However, each song is worth
listening to and falling in love with!
-Emma Hollandsworth
Vampire Academy- Richelle Mead
Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead has to be one of
the most original stories ever written. Vampire
Academy tells the story of Rose Hathaway, a feisty
half vampire, half human teenage girl that’s totally
dedicated to protecting her best friend from evil
vampires and the tortures of high school. Fueled with
magic, illicit romance, and awesome fight scenes, VA
has Dmama’s stamp of approval.
-David Mamahit
Source: www.readingwishes.blogspot.com
Source: http://lanadelrey.shop.bravadousa.com
12
Things Fall Apart-Chinua Achebe
I recently read Chinua Achebe’s novel Things Fall Apart in AP
English class. The novel follows the Igbo people of Nigeria and
how the spread of Christianity affects their village and the main
character, Okonkwo. Okonkwo is a very traditional yam farmer
who takes great pride in his religion and heritage, and he
refuses to conform to Christianity and of the government that is
slowly integrating his village into the “white-man’s” culture.
The theme of this story is, in my opinion, extremely powerful
and intriguing. The name of the novel comes from W.B. Yeats
poem The Second Coming, and relates to the idea that if you
completely rely on a particular culture or way of life, that
eventually the center of your way of life will not stay together
and slowly your society and culture will “fall apart.” The story
provides very gruesome, graphic, emotional, and tragic insight
of just how much Okonkwo’s primitive and violent yet ancient
lifestyle decomposes and is abandoned for the culture we know
of today.
-Sam Nicholson
A Girl Named Disaster
The book A Girl Named Disaster is such an
amazing book that I have read it once a year
since middle school. When I get lost in this book
I truly feel like I’m in a different country in a
poor African village. Nancy Farmer brought me
into Nhamo’s (the main character) world and
with every twist and turn she encountered, I
felt every emotion as if I was her. Nhamo lives
in an African village where she is often
mistreated because her mother was killed by a
tiger and her aunts resented her. When the
village gets sick a witch doctor say Nhamo will
have to be given as a wife with no dowry to
another village. Her grandmother helps her
escape before she is given to an abusive man,
and has many dangerous adventures on her
journey to true civilization.
Sarah Jackson
Source: bananamagic.wordpress.com
Source: risingpyramid.org
13
Many people feel as though they are insignificant. I constantly think of how large the world is, and how small I truly am in comparison. While
everyone has a large network of people who could not imagine life without them, proving their significance, some people crave global recognition.
All around the world people take drastic measure to simply be noticed- from performing great feats to acting violently. Their actions show up on
the cover of every newspaper and are constantly broadcast over major news networks. While horrible, this is sometimes the reason people
perform violent, murderous acts. They see the constant publicity from other offenders and seek to become a part of the action- going to awful
measures for their own personal gratification. On the other hand, some people do extremely positive things that better the world while giving
them the satisfaction they desire. Here are some ways to do that:
1. Start your own brand. Brainstorm something creative that will sell- if you like fashion, start your own brand of clothes. If you like sports
memorabilia design and sell items from your favorite teams. Basically anything you could possibly be interested in has products to go along
with it, and you can easily name your creation after yourself- imagine becoming a household name!
2. Look in the book of Guinness World Records. Honestly, some of the feats listed seem easily achievable- you could start right now by taking
care of yourself to your utmost ability in an attempt to be the longest living person. More realistically, you could find a friend and attempt
the longest hug- the current record is a mere 24 hours 33 minutes!
3. Do something unexpected and creative in public- sing Christmas songs on a busy street in July or buy a billboard and design something
clever to paint onto it. While small, people love and are extremely interested in things that bring them out of the day to day monotony and
you could become a sensation!
4. Think of a cause that really needs help- like limited medical care in Africa or abuse right here at home. Come up with a
meaningful name, organize some friends, get some money from adults in your community to get you on your feet, and
you have a charity. The charity can grow to however big you make it, and you will know that you are making a
difference in the world and gaining acknowledgement all around the world.
5. Climbing a notoriously difficult mountain, biking across the United States, completing a marathon in record time-
notably impressive physical feats are constantly reported in the news and used as inspiration to people all round the
world. Also, training your body to do something so challenging provides you with a sense of accomplishment.
6. One of the most common ways to get famous is through the media. If you are a singer and performer, really put
yourself out there and set yourself apart from others for almost guaranteed success. If you enjoy acting, participate in
as many roles as you possibly can on your path to becoming a big star.
It is so easy to fall into the rut of merely going about your life, and many realize the redundancy and crave more. There is
great necessity for everyone to participate in something that makes you feel significant, whether you get global recognition or
merely self affirmation.
-Emma Hollandsworth
I don’t know where I am going, but I am on my way. -Voltaire
14
On Blues
Blues is music that’s meant to be heard, not listened to.
Blues is not for people who are meticulous and see music as
something to be carefully read off a sheet of paper. Blues is
a greasy hamburger eaten on a paper plate on the sidewalk,
not some leafy thing centered perfectly on a shiny plate in
an upscale French restaurant. It is the music in which pain,
depression, sorrow, joy, passion, voracity, lust, guilt, anger,
and love slovenly pour from the harp player’s lips, guitarist’s
fingers, and the drummer’s foot all at once. It’s the music
where the instruments say infinitely more than the singer.
People who were raised in the suburbs with perfect parents
may enjoy the rhythm of blues, and they may see it as
something pleasant to tap their food to when they go to
bars. People who feel and understand blues are people
who’ve experienced genuine, heartbreaking misfortune.
Blues is the poetry for people who grew up in poverty,
people whose parents divorced or died young, people who
had to grow up too young. Blues is not for the naïve or
concrete thinkers, every lyric in a blues song has a double
meaning and is usually a metaphor. Blues is the music in
which if you can truly empathize with it then it’s felt, not
listened to.
-Sam Nicholson
Fun In Space
-John Wagner
15
Breaking News: After the Earth’s crust exploded and
overheated the entire world the zombie apocalypse began
due to bath salts and drug addicts. The only survivors were
the psychics, rednecks, and astronauts. The rest of
civilization was either eaten or taken away by the aliens. It
turns out all the crazy people that told everybody that the
world was going to end weren’t so crazy after all.
Wait, they were. The world didn’t end, people. You were all
exaggerating and my Facebook wall was filled with nonsense
about how it just so happened to be raining the night before
the 21st. Please, if you were really worried you wouldn’t have
been on Facebook that night. I didn’t believe from the
beginning because I knew that the hype was just a pointless,
annoying fad that some attention seeker had started
because they wanted to become famous like Lady Gaga or
Miley Cyrus’s new hair or something. If you want to be
famous right now write a book, travel to Mars, become a
singer. You don’t have to make something up to scare
everybody just because you and your pet rock have nothing
better to do.
-Chloe Custis
Source: elusianmysteriesofwriting.blogspot.com
Grumpy Cat
Nowadays cats are an internet sensation. One of the most
famous cat memes is Tard, the Grumpy cat. Tard is short for
Tartar Sauce. Tard has a jaw mutation that makes her look like a
sour puss at all times. In reality this grumpy cat is actually quite
content. She loves belly rubs and afternoon naps. Tard only gets
more odd though. This cat, as fierce as she looks, is indeed a
scaredy cat when it comes to jumping. This cat is most likely
one of the sweetest pets you’d ever find.
-Sarah Jackson
www.blog.catmoji.com
16
Congress decided that a law must be passed that forces employers to extend the answers to personal questions about race and ethnicity on job applications. They are proposing this law because it will help further prevent discrimination by job employers. As for race and ethnic backgrounds, Congress first decided that it should now be a requirement for all applicants to specify what specific country or countries the applicant is descended from. Upon further thought, Congress decided that specifying what specific country the applicant is descended from was not specific enough. They agreed that it would be much more appropriate if the applicant were to specify their specific ethnic group or groups of the specific country or countries that they had previously specified. After considering the feud between the Capulet and Montague families that took place in “Romeo and Juliet”, Congress then agreed that it would be much more satisfying if the employer added a list of all of the last names in the world so the applicant would be able to specify their specific last name that belongs to the specific ethnic group or groups of the specific country or countries that they had previously specified. Upon considering the results of the blending of cultures, ethnic backgrounds, and last names, Congress decided that it would be only necessary if the employer were to include a list of all the first names in the world next to all of the last names in the world so the applicant would be able to specify their specific first name and specific last name of the specific ethnic group or groups of the specific country or countries that they had previously specified. After the Congressman finished reading the list of first names and all of the last names of all of the ethnic groups of all of the countries, he thought about naming his newborn son “Ticklefricklemontonson.” He searched through the list of all of the first and last names in the world and found that there was in fact, no one named Ticklefricklemontonson. After adding the name to the list, he started thinking of other names that weren't on the list, like “Nickshackleucksburg” and “Flarepickleflungshung.” He kept adding the names that were coming to his mind, but every time he added what he thought was the last name, he thought of another name. The congressman kept thinking of new names until he died, and thus the bill was never passed. -Sam Nicholson
Sam Nicholson
-John Wagner
17
Dieting Do’s and Don’ts
Many of us have gone with the ever
popular weight loss resolution over
the past years, constantly yo-yoing
back and forth. Everybody yearns for
that perfect body size and the only
way people think they can lose weight
is through dieting.
Keep in mind that most people don’t
realize that with a diet, you’re
eventually going to come off that
diet. Don’t. Change your eating
lifestyle or eventually you’ll be
back at square 1. Here are some
dieting do’s and don’ts to keep
yourself on track:
1. Drink plenty of water. H2O is
good for your waistline, colon
system, your skin, etc.
2. Drink green tea.
3. Portion control.
4. Watch yourself for six days and
give yourself a rest/cheat day.
-David Mamahit
Being Tall
Pros Cons
You will never get lost in a crowd. People will always notice you.
People notice you and are less You have to duck when to
forget you. exiting or entering doorways.
Better luck with romantic interests. Generally less coordinated.
You can reach the top shelf at the Live shorter lives (heart has to
grocery store. pump blood throughout body.)
People are always looking at and Everyone expects you to be
paying attention to you. good at basketball.
More successful (a large amount of Hard to find a car that you can
CEO’s are taller men) fit
You don’t have to use a ladder. Hard to find jeans
-Ryheem Wharton
metabolismboostershq.com plushlifestylemagazine.com www.eating-in.com
www.tallshirts.com baileyandme2.com bigfootevidence.blogspot.com
I just want to be wonderful.- Marilyn Monroe
18
Religion in the Schools
Since the tragedy of 9/11, many children have grown up hearing the misinformed adults in their lives berate the Islam religion and
associate all Muslims with hate and terror. Religion is an enormous part of the human experience; each culture takes its own beliefs into
consideration each and every day. So many people have become religious extremists after gliding through life without exposure to religious
diversity, believing that the theology they have involved themselves in is supreme and all followers of other religions must be immoral.
Beginning in elementary school, students should be taught objective views of each major religion to promote tolerance, knowledge, and
ultimately respect for those in different cultures.
The U.S. is already such a progressive society, ideals and values that would have been taboo a couple of decades ago are incorporated
into our lives every day. The next step is for future generations to truly understand the difference between members of other religions and
religious extremists. One of the only ways to teach children these values is to give an objective view of major religions to young, impressionable
minds and hope for reasonable responses. The curriculum would solely teach about, not promote, other theologies while being incorporated
between lessons for only a few minutes each day. Teachers would also go through training to understand what they are teaching, and have a set
curriculum to refrain from any personal biases. Children would know exactly what and how others worship and be encouraged to come to their
own non-judgmental conclusions. By giving children factual information at an early age, a large amount of ignorance could be minimized.
So much hatred in today’s society is caused solely by misunderstanding and misguiding by trusted adults at an early age. Many people
cringe when they see a Muslim in traditional dress, a Hindu with a marking on his head, an atheist respectfully refusing to worship, or even a
Christian praying in a public place. A belief in personal supremacy has always been widespread, and alienation and automatic judgment of others
is a common trait. While this characteristic will always be at least a minor part of human disposition, teachers in schools can strive to decrease
this intolerance by teaching how to practice open minded attitudes.
A moral and ethical way of life is a unifying theme in most religious texts, and many ideas seem to overlap. In addition to the stories,
school children will absorb the moral and learn to be good people, regardless of religion. Most stories in religious texts, while entertaining,
provide a theme of kindness and an honorable suggestion on how to live life. Children will take in at least some of the information and learn
qualities that will make them better citizens in the years to come.
Society is full of skeptics, intolerance, and ignorance of those who are different. One of the only ways to reverse this for future
generations is to teach children about the differences in an objective way and to allow them to come to their own conclusions. Educated
adolescents will become the stepping stones to tolerance, understanding, and most of all, a more ethical way of life.
-Emma Hollandsworth
The highest result of education is tolerance- Helen Keller
19
Prose and
Poetry
20
Every morning I fear for my life. It’s dark and cold in
here. I’ve watched my friends die mercilessly. When
they pass my eyes I can see that their bodies are
snapped in half. They all had different personalities.
Some were travelers, some were chic, some plain,
but they were all good mates!
I am the only one left in this padded room. The
sound of laughter and movement outside are driving
me insane. The echoes of joyless voices haunt me in
my sleep. I am going to lose my mind if I don’t get
out of here soon.
Today, for the first time, I saw the strained
light, filtering through plastic barriers. I finally was
released from the darkness that plagued me. The
man who normally imprisons me allowed my
ownership to be passed to another.
When I thought I would be free forever, I was
handed back to my cruel keeper. Maybe I was made
for suffering. This is my life. My name is David. I am a
pencil.
-Chloe Custis, Ember Ethington, Sarah Jackson
Unknown
I’m stuck and lost at the same time,
If only time was mine.
I’d reverse it all,
With just one call.
I’m surrounded by all this mess,
Just causing me more stress.
I try and find my way out,
I just see everyone pout.
Mom’s a widow,
By says, “It’s okay, kiddo.”
-Stacey Lynn Munford
Gorilla
-John Wagner
21
The Challenge
Hell has risen
Heaven no longer exists
All life on Earth
Has ceased to live
The sun does not shine
Nor do the birds chirp
But in the ruins
Of our great cities
A cry does stir
That hasn’t been heard
In a hundred years
A baby cries
Hope is found
In this new life
For it will grow
To be the savior
Of our race
It will face
The greatest evils
The seven deadly sins
But in the end
The toughest challenge
It will face
Is his human nature
-William Grabowski
Let Them
Let them take a chance
Against the beast born of anger
Their blades will blunt
My hate will rule
As long as I breathe
And my anger controls me
I will never surrender
Even if the odds are stacked
against me
For my anger runs deep
While my hate does flow
Those around me
Will continue to attack
But I will always fall back
I will never fall
No matter how many times I
stumble
-William Grabowski
Hate
Hate
A four letter word
But it changes
The world around it
The holocaust
One of the worst
Events to occur
In human history
Was caused by a
Four letter word
Hate
One man’s hate
Caused a notion’s shame
And the near extinction of
A proud religion
Six million died
Because of four letter word
Hate is the real devil
Which ferments and lives in our hearts
-William Grabowski
22
Tales of a Richie
by
Sam Nicholson
Characters:
Richard Weiss: A depressed geography teacher who lives in Clifton, New Jersey.
Doctor Wilbey: A tired, informal doctor who is working a midnight shift and doing an intake on Richard.
Abigail Weiss: Richard's autistic daughter.
Kate Weiss: Richard's cheating, hateful wife.
Angela Petrullo: The teenager who is babysitting Abigail.
Scene I
The set is a doctor's office in the mental health clinic in Passaic, New Jersey, in 1995. The stage is lit brightly, the light being similar to the brightness of the
overhead lights at a doctor's office. The set includes all of the objects included in a doctor's office; a table with cotton balls, ear swabs, stethoscope, etc. on the
left and a patient's examination table on the right. Doctor Wilbey, holding a clipboard, leads Richard Weiss on stage, into the office, and offers him a seat on the
examination table. Doctor Wilbey reviews the information on the clipboard, and then looks up at Richard.
Doctor Wilbey: Buddy, do you know what kind of place this is? This is a schizophrenic type of place. This is that kind of place where patients have to have anti-
psychotics pumped through their blood so they won't go chasin' gawdam butterflies. You come in here sayin' you're depressed. Hell, I'm depressed! I got two
whinin' rugrats at home, gawdam mortgage I can't pay, and wife that won't get off my ass about everything. Depressed. You need to go home, get some sleep,
and rest on it buddy.
Richard: Listen, I almost died about two hours ago. I tried to jump off the Washington Bridge, but landed on the damn what-ever-you-call-it. Walkway. I don't
know. I just don't know. I guess I don't know. Christ, can you just let me stay for a night?
Doctor Wilbey: Ok ok ok, so you're tellin' me you're suicidal? You didn't say that before buddy.
Richard: I didn't think I had to. I thought you just walked in and they gave you a bed.
Doctor Wilbey: It ain't that easy bud, we gotta give you an intake first. You shoulda told me more than just “depressed.” Are you taking any medication?
Richard: No, well yes. Prilosec, for heartburn.
23
Richard: No, well yes. Prilosec, for heartburn.
Doctor Wilbey: You seeing counseling?
Richard: No.
Doctor Wilbey: How long you been feeling suicidal?
Richard: I don't know, Christ I swear I don't know. Long time. Maybe not. I don't know.
Doctor Wilbey: How bout' telling me what happened? Why did you try to commit suicide?
Richard: I don't know, it's just the little things I guess. Like take this morning for instance. I'm sittin'
in traffic, on my way to work, and this guy in the car beside me is yellin' at this old lady in the
passenger seat. His mother or something. She's just sittin' there takin' it, and he just keeps yelling.
I don't know doc, I think I'm just crazy or something.
Doctor Wilbey: You ain't getting away that easy. Tell me more. You say you work? Where you work?
Richard: I'm a teacher at Montclair High School over on Chestnut Street.
Doctor Wilbey: What do ya teach?
Richard: Geography. I try to teach it, but none of the damn kids bother to learn.
Doctor Wilbey: Whaduya mean by that?
Richard: They just don't care, all they care about is being out, runnin' the streets. I try to teach them about Bosnia, the place where I always dreamed of livin' since
I seen Sarajevo during the '84 Olympics, and what's goin' on over there, but they act like it doesn't even exist.
Doctor Wilbey: Tell me more, are there any kids in particular that are botherin' you?
Richard: Yeah, this one kid right now anyways. His name's Jacob. He embarrassed me in front of my entire class and got me suspended from work for a month.
Doctor Wilbey: Well what the hell happened?Richard: Well, you see, I have a little girl, Abigail, who is autistic. I love her to death, and sometimes I can be over
protective of her. This little shit, sorry, this little “kid” started raggin' on how I take what he calls a “retard kid” to this bagel place every Saturday. He was making
fun of her because all she can do is just sit there, staring at her feet. I kept telling him to get out of the class room and get down to the principal's office, but he
kept poking. I ended up flipping his desk up and jacking him up against a wall. This kid was known already for causing trouble, smoking in the bathroom, slinging
dope in the parking lot, etc., so I just got suspended for a month.
Doctor Wilbey. Little bastard, I probably would've done the same. Sorry. Tell me more about your daughter, um April?
Richard: Abigail. She's six. She's the most beautiful part of my life, maybe the only great thing in my life. As I said she's autistic, though. She can't do much, she
Apples
-John Wagner
24
Richard: Abigail. She's six. She's the most beautiful part of my life, maybe the only great thing in my life. As I said she's autistic, though. She can't do much, she
doesn't respond to almost anything. She's never said a word not a single word. She mostly just sits in the middle of the living room floor, looking down at the carpet.
She's incredible at math though. She can do math at a six grade level!
Doctor Wilbey: She sounds like a good kid. I think she's lucky to have you, Richard.
Richard: Call me Richie, and I'm lucky to have her. I'd be dead if I didn't have her.
Doctor Wilbey: What about your wife? Or are you married?
Richard: You could say I'm married, but I really ain't. She never talks to me anymore, and she's been cheatin' on me ever since I had my accident.
Doctor Wilbey: What happened?
Richard: I was in a bad car accident back in '89, right after Abigail was born. I was in the hospital for about ten weeks and I had to go through physical therapy for
months. That's when Kate and I stopped being close. She even told me that she was ashamed that she married someone as weak as me, someone who couldn't even
make what she sees as a worthy child. I think she wants to divorce me so she can go move in with this guido down in Jersey City.
Doctor Wilbey: That's rough Richie. No one should have to go through that bud. Well, I need to ask you some questions. What triggered you wantin' to commit
suicide?
Richard: Everything, I don't know. Everyday feels worse than the day before. That means that today is the worst day of my life. I can't see a future anymore, I don't
want to think about tomorrow. There is no tomorrow.
Doctor Wilbey: What about Abigail? Will she be a part of tomorrow?
Richard: Don't guilt trip me alright? I'm guilty doc, I already know that. I know that everyday.
Doctor Wilbey: I'm not trying to guilt trip you, I'm trying to help you. From what you're telling me it sounds like you're a serious harm to yourself, and maybe even
your family. I'm taking you completely serious right now.
Richard: Are you implying that I'm a threat to my little girl? Listen to me, I would never hurt her. She's the only the I live for. Nothin' else matters. She's all I have in
this world, and I'm tired of me and her livin' like this. To hell with this and to hell with you. I'm going to my little girl. (Exits)
Scene II
The scene takes place inside of Richards house in Clifton, New Jersey. Richard notices that his wife's car isn't home, and he assumes that she's off somewhere,
cheating on him. Richard enters the house. The set is dimly lit. There is a couch on the left where Angela, the babysitter, is sitting. Abigail and Richard's room is behind
the set.
Richard: Angela, Angela, I'm home!
Angela: Mr. Weiss, where have you been? Mrs. Weiss said I only had to be here til nine!
Richard: Listen, where's Abigail?
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Richard: Listen, where's Abigail?
Angela: She's in her room asleep, I put her to bed like three hours ago. Why? What's going on?
Richard: (Walks behind the set to where his and Abigail's room is) Abigail, wake up honey, wake up. You and daddy are gonna go for a trip sweetie.
Angela: (Standing up from the couch) Will you tell me what the hell is going on?
Richard: (Richard comes out with two suitcases in his left hand and Abigail in his right) Listen Angela, here's fifty bucks. Abigail and me are leaving. We ain't
comin' back either. When Kate comes home just tellin' me we're gone and she ain't ever gonna see us again, alright? I'm out of here, take of yourself Angela and
make remember what I told you. (Exits)
Angela: Mr. Weiss, Mr. Weiss!
Scene III:
Richard and Abigail are sitting on an airplane that is flying over the Atlantic Ocean, headed for Austria. Richard plans to stay there with Abigail until the war in
Bosnia ends, where he will later move. The set is very dim, with Abigail sitting next to a window and with Richard sitting beside her.
Richard: Hey honey, are you awake? (Nudges Abigail) Guess we are? Right above the Atlantic Ocean. Austria here we come. We're gonna see Bosnia one day
soon honey, one day soon.
Richard: (Startled by hearing his daughter's first words, looks back down at her) I...I love you too.
inspiringbits.com
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My alarm woke me up at six o clock. I went downstairs and got myself a bowl. It was the green bowl with orange dots. I opened the fridge and got the milk to pour in my cereal. Then I noticed that there was no milk in the milk cart. Instead toy soldiers came out. As I pause and wonder why there is toys in the milk, my brother Blaine, walks by me.
Still in shock I get a bagel to eat. When I was in first block I tell my friends Rachel, and Kurt about what happened with the milk. Rachel said that maybe some aliens from outer space may have put the toys in the milk. Kurt said that maybe the milk came with toys like cereal boxes. When I got home I told my dad what happened.
Later that night my little brother, Blaine, was playing with his toys. I asked did he put the toys in the milk and he said yes. He wanted to see if the toy soldier could float in milk. I laughed and said well I guess they can float in mild. The funny thing about all of this is that there was no cereal.
-David Rogers
Broken
Memories
Of what we had
Pain
Caused by the loss of love
Anger
At the way you stroke the flames
Envy
At the next girl that caught my
eye
Greed
You want me all to yourself
Hate
Because of the pain you caused
Numbness
For I stopped caring
Then I moved on
-William Grabowshi
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Sometimes having only one friend is a good thing. It’s easy to get away and be alone in your mind for a while without having to explain to a million
people why you want to enjoy solitude for a day or two. A down side to having one friend is that when they move on to other people, or in this case
another life, your lost without the only person you had to talk to when you are down or just felt like being sociable with.
I’m not a shy girl. I just choose to be alone. It’s better that way. I’ve been alone since preschool and it’s never bothered me a bit. I tried having friends
like normal kids but after a few days I got tired of having the same stereotypical teenage conversation. “Boys, boys, boys” “she said this, she said
that” “wow they did what again?!” Admit it it’s the same thing again and again. But there’s one boy who’s different. I’m not in love with him, I don’t
have a crush on him, I don’t even think of him as a brother. He’s just a friend. In fact, in my head, he has no sexuality. I know one thing though. He
understands.
I’m not much of a talker so I let Charlie do it for me. I could listen for hours and not get infuriated, because when he talks, it’s not the same old mush
coming out everyone else’s mouth. When he speaks he has meaning. It’s obvious how much I adore him, which is odd because I hate people so
much. So try to understand how much I went through when he died.
That morning had been pretty uneventful. The only thing out of the ordinary was a cat fight right after breakfast. Something about ‘her taking my
man’. The same teenage crap. Anyway, by the time lunch came around I had settled into my usual nook in the corner of the cafeteria, away from
everyone. I didn’t sit at the loser table or the Goth table. I didn’t have a titled table. It was just a table. I was about to dig in when I saw Charlie come
running at me at full speed. The look in his eyes told me he had something exciting to tell me. Just his aura caused me to get a little giddy along with
him. He had a smile like the Cheshire cat, showing off his cute little gap between his two front teeth. When I saw he that he just wasn’t going to spill
the beans on why he was so excited I asked slightly annoyed ‘ WHAT IS IT ALREADY?!’
That’s when it happened, he LITTERALLY exploded of excitement. I was a mess for the rest of the day. Come to find out his excitement had been over
some girl. I guess it was for the best though, I wouldn’t want to have relationship drama or teenage normalcy in my life.
-Unknown
Full Blown Apathy
-John Wagner
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Being There
Sam Nicholson
As the capsule of bitter businessmen, sobbing toddlers, cheating wives, cheating husbands, corrupt accountants, thieves, murderers,
hackers, and other assorted plain, pissed off ordinary people soared (possibly to their deaths) thousands of miles above the Atlantic Ocean,
I silently watched “The Godfather” on the small screen before me. As I watched Luca Brasi sleep with the fishes and Peter Clemenza almost
forget his canoli, I realized that the screen before me was the only distraction I had from basking for seven hours in, what my mind
constantly insisted it to be, a coffin of accumulated farts. I couldn't go to sleep, I couldn't converse with my mother or sister since they
were asleep, and I couldn't drink because I was only sixteen. So I fixed my eyes forward and my glare was interrupted only when the scene
arrived when Michael Corleone tenderly stroked his Sicilian wife's breasts and an innocent, fearful part of me looked around to make sure
that no one was watching me look at breasts.
As the plane began to descend, I could feel my chest dropping heavily into my stomach. I utterly despise flying, but my uneasiness
was calmed when I peered out of the window to my left (I was sitting in the middle isle, my mother next to me, and my sister on the other
side of her) to see that the blue, endless ocean had turned into a sea of lush, green earth. I looked to my right to wake my mother and
sister, but decided against it when I saw my mother's disturbing, sleeping facial expression. Her mouth was open wide enough to stick an
entire sandwich in without the crusts hitting any lip at all; her appearance was about as far from graceful as I was from home, to say the
least. I could go on to describe the relief I felt once I entered the airport, the unsettled confusion of my sister's bag not turning up
immediately, and all of that other airport junk, but I think instead, out of respect for your entertainment, I'll proceed to the part when my feet
hit terra firma.
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My mother, my sister, Meg, and I had linked up with my mother's English boyfriend, Russ. Russ is a very tall, gauntly man who met my mother on
the internet a few years back. He visited Virginia the year before last, and at first my jealousy brought on by living with a single mother almost all of my
life had caused me to hate his scrawny, limey stature. As I got older, I began to accept him much more and became less overly protective of my
mother. He is a polite, timid, and with no negative connotation added, a purely weak man. He works for some online company and basically divides his
time between sitting on the couch and rolling cigarettes. He reminds me so much of myself sometimes that I can't tell whether to love or loath him.
We took the tube from Heathrow Airport to Charing Cross. I recall giggling wildly with my sister every time I heard the subway intercom say “This
is the Piccadilly Line to... Cockfosters.” Charing Cross felt like the center of the universe. It's basically the center of London, and almost all train lines
connect there. Russ led us through the glass ceiling station and immediately took us to what he considered to be the most important landmark in
London: the nearest McDonald's. I went inside and used foreign currency for the first time in my life to buy the British McDonald's version of a french
fry: the potato wedge.
We sat there for a bit and absorbed the atmosphere, and afterward my mother and Russ decided to take the train to the suburb of Dartford
(where Russ lives), leaving my sister and I to explore the most populated city in Europe. As the wild, young American that I am, my initial expectations
were that my twenty five year old sister and I were going to embrace this new experience by attempting to drown ourselves in every bottle of Guinness
to be found in the city. My sister wasn't up for it though, and she seemed to carry, what was to me, an unusual, distant demeanor. I had expected her
to be the silly, cheerful, down-to-earth sister that she always was, but she was different. I could sense that a bit of it was caused by egotism brought on
by the fact that she had planned and essentially MADE this trip, but I knew what most of it was caused by. About two weeks prior to the trip, Meg had
temporarily split up with her boyfriend whom she had been in a serious, seemingly sound relationship for about five years. She hadn't told me why, but I
had taken a guess.
We walked aimlessly through Trafalgar Square and through a sea of what seemed mainly like other tourists until we stumbled upon Buckingham
Palace. I stood amazed by the mere essence of what my country-boy eyes were seeing, and at that moment I realized that I was looking at the single-
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-most beautiful thing I’d ever seen before. I was in utter awe, and the best thing Trod and Scatter
That I’d ever seen before. I was in utter awe, and the best thing that I could think to do -John Wagner
Was to lay down on a concrete slab opposite the Queen’s residence and simply bask in
the blaring August sun. I was completely absorbed with the world around me, and in a
way, for the first time in my then sixteen years of mediocre life, I knew exactly who I was.
I walked with my sister through Green Park, and though she still seemed
unbearably distant, she started to become more relaxed and verbal. We arrived at
Piccadilly Street, and we decided to walk down the bustling road and dive through the
various shops. We entered one particularly posh, out-of-this-world expensive woman’s
clothing store and Meg tried on these goofy mustache necklaces that seemed entirely
out of place. We began to really enjoy ourselves, and I found myself in a state of euphoria that couldn't of been daunted by the most horrific
catastrophe. We continued down the street and decided to take a rest at the Cafe Nero opposite the London Ritz. Megan bought an espresso coffee
(one of many that she would consume during our trip through Europe), and I bought an overpriced bottle of mineral water and a coffee cake.
We sat down outside and expressed our inability to believe our extraordinary circumstances. After we finished sharing our appreciation of the
vacation and after giggling at a regal statue of a man sitting on a horse covered in bird crap, Megan decided to discuss the incident that happened two
weeks before. She told the story that I had already deduced: she had gotten drunk and cheated on her boyfriend with some guy from where she
worked. I listened politely, and responded without judgment. I said that maybe that experience should serve as a lesson, but that it was really none of
my business. She was grateful that I hadn't reacted harshly, and spent another half an hour there laughing and enjoying the simplicity of our state of
minds. This nirvana wouldn't last forever, it wouldn't even last til the end of the day. We would fight, we would hate each other, and we would despise
the presence of one another all soon enough. But that would be later, and this was now. Now was all we needed to live for.
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I could go on and tell you about the spectacular two days that followed. I could tell you about how we went to Piccadilly Market and how
Megan accidentally bought a bracelet that had a swastika engraved on it. I could tell you about the night we spent exploring Dartford, watching the
conga line of elderly people in bunny costumes exiting a Greek restaurant or the Chinese restaurant that had middle aged English couples dancing to
“Let's Do The Time Warp Again.” I could tell you about the Crystal Palace football game I went to where a small child behind me was yelling, “C'mon,
put some bloody tackle in it!” I could tell you about the five story bookstore that I spent three hours looking through every WWII novel that I could get
my hands on. I could tell you about the curry houses I went to, and how much I miss eating Tandoori Chicken. I could tell you about how a family of
foxes crossed my path as I was walking through Dartford in the middle of the night. I could tell you about the Montenegro couple who lived in Sweden
that I met on a train going back to Dartford, and how appalled they were while listening to my description of my experience of working at Burger King. I
could tell you a million stories, but I in my opinion, those stories are for you to discover for yourselves. I'm going to to end this, whatever the hell this
is, by saying that the most whole, most complete I've ever felt was while riding on the trains going to and from London. The world would just pass me
by; thousands of different images, different lives, different environments, and different stories, all flashing before my eyes. I had the opportunity to fill
my head with all of those brief glimpses, and now that I'm back home it feels like those glimpses are scattered all over my head, like papers that have
fallen off of a desk, and I have to constantly try to regather them. There's this emptiness inside of me that was filled when I sat on those trains,
knowing that those trains were taking me somewhere and that I was going somewhere. Normally I don't believe in the idea of satisfaction, but when I
was there I was filled to the brim. London, and the trains that brought me to and from there, reversed every pessimistic philosophy that I've ever
dedicated my life to, and I'm thoroughly confident to say that that's where I wish to spend the rest of my life.
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The Cry
The peaceful night
Ruined by a sharp cry
The soul wrenching sound
Of a mother
Who has lost
And found her
Child dead not alive
A mother should never
Have to bury their young
A life is
Taken before its time
But rest assured
For you will
Hear the same flimsy
Excuse by all priests
“God works in mysterious ways”
-William Grabowski
The Beast and the Harlot by William Grabowski
Hark does the bearer cry No compassion to speak of
For the end is near It has no fear
They all do cry Of weapons mad by a mortal hand
Pain and fear is all we’ll see It blunts blades and stops bullets
When the ten horned beast For seven years it will reign
Does rise from the sea Until God’s armies put them to rest
With the harlot upon its back As the beast and the harlot drift
The bearer of the end of time Into death’s cold embrace
He reared his head again Where they lie
Bloodlust visible in its eyes For the eternal rest
Hate swirling in its heart
Highway Whatever
-John Wagner
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Fear is a cell phone You have not kept up with the rest of the world!
Constantly begging to be answered , to respond You can’t be a 1.0 anymore, everyone else is a 1.1!
The cell phone is in constant anxiety It even constantly searchers for the almighty update
Craving to hear others of its sort Dreading that the world may move on and leave it behind
Why won’t that phone call me back? The newer cell phones are even more distressed
Has he forgotten about me? The not only worry about texts and calls
The cell phone demands more information But also about tweets, Facebook posts, and Instagram pictures
Pleading to receive the latest gossip Why would that cell phone post that?
It vibrates with excitement when sent data Oh no! Do the other cell phones know what that cell phone said?
And screams out when another calls it But whether it be the new cell phone or the old cell phone
It undergoes intense stress when not updated Neither will be satisfied
It will notify itself everyday Cell phones are perpetually nervous
Warning! Warning! Forever wondering what the other cell phone might say
You have not kept up with the rest of the world!
You can’t be a 1.0 anymore, everyone else is a 1.1! --Sam Nicholson
It even constantly searches for the almighty update
Dreading that the world may move on and leave it behind
Worry is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.
-Arthur Somers Roche
34
An Exercise in Something or Another- John Wagner
The crazy man on the bench was still talking to himself about the pandas that were plaguing his very existence. The businesswomen ignored
him and turned to her electronic device. It was one of those fancy things that could tell you the current position of Jupiter’s moons and stock
in Europe and find a way to correlate the two. The kind of computer we all want but will never utilize, the kind that will solve the mysteries
of life, and we play solitaire on. He was murmuring something about the big fizzy demons under the stair. The businesswoman was staring
intently at the screen using her fingers to navigate the labyrinth of electronic nothingness while the madman was dreaming dreams of
pandas. That was all and nothing more, until the monk no-longer-in-a-funk entered the scene with the tambourine man. They had both
returned from the fair where the magician lost his golden glass globe. It was the talk of the town. "THE PANDAS ARE ENCROACHING"
screamed the mad man wildly. He had a crazed look in his eyes, a look of a man seeking shelter from something in the frightful night. The
man trying to find fire when the wolves are closing in. The Monk and the Tambourine man looked around but saw no encroaching panda's
and were very puzzled indeed, but the mad-man subsided his rageful fear as rapidly as he had started, almost as if hit by a tranquilizer. He
returned to his thoughts and his eyes glazed over once again. The monk leaned over the young businesswomen. "What’s his problem
dearie? I don't quite comprehend" She didn't hear him though, she was too absorbed in her electronic nothingness (which for boredom had
decided to claim her as its own) and unintentionally ignored him. The monk and the tambourine man saw what had happened with pity,
looked around and seeing nothing else for them there, decided to continue on their journey. Meanwhile, Quasimodo and the king were
discussing politics and things under the moonlight. The folks at San Antonio’s Zoo were dismayed by the lack of pandas in the panda exhibit.
The businesswomen was gone, there was just the madman and a tablet. It gleamed his way but he paid it no mind, he had other matters to
attend to. San Antonio’s Biological Institution of Molecular Happenings had worked out an intelligence serum that just worked on Pandas. It
temporarily boosted the animal’s cognitive ability until it could reason equal to, or slightly greater than humans. Twas a beautiful discovery
that was to be left on the shelf and marveled at quietly and from a distance by the type of people who admire that kind of thing.
Unfortunately San Antonio’s Biological Institution of Molecular Happenings was overrun with interns, one of whom wanted to see what would
happen if he gave it to a bunch of pandas. But being an intern, he wasn’t the brightest sapien on the planet, and he decided to add some
molecular transfusion goo that rendered the injectee invisible. Beautiful, simply beautiful. The king wasn’t happy about it but Quasimodo
convinced him he needed to prepare for war without the console of the monk and his associate. The fray, who was also mad, stumbled on
to the mad man and he said “Pandas! I see no Pandas, It’s the crocodiles you have to watch out for” After the serum was injected the
pandas broke out of the zoo, as intelligent invisible pandas are prone to do. They were making merry at the pub in the town when they
heard the king’s troops were preparing for battle. They dropped their drinks and dove unto a delivery truck and disappeared into the night.
The count was looked up in his castle and the hurried vassal rushed in and told him the kings men would soon have him surrounded. He
prayed for the Russians. The mad man and the fray packed up and left. They knew what was coming. The pandas were on the truck en
route to the count’s castle when the caravan of troops and knights passed by two madman walking the opposite direction of the action.
Everyone knows madmen are attracted to action, something was up. No time for that now, war was about to happen and Pandas were
waiting for their moment. All the ropes were lined up on either side. Archers in the castle, snipers in the tower, wizards and warlocks on the
sidelines and preachers in the chapel. It was going down tonight. Then monk arrived a minute too late. The first artillery blast was shot from
the king’s side. Ba-Boom, two archers dead. Reload. Just then the invisible crocodiles poured out of the castle walls and attacked the
pandas. The insueing sounds confused everyone, but convinced them it was time for an infantry charge. Boiling oil was prepared. After three
hours of intense fighting no one had gained or lost ground, people were being treated in improv medical tents, Lightning blasts were
35
hours of intense fighting no one had gained or lost ground, people were being
treatedin improv medical tents, Lightning blasts were whizzing from various
warlocks. Twisted bodies were being eaten by zombies, it was a mad house. In
the middle of a power swing that was about to decapitate a poor fool in dragon
scale armor, the king was distracted and looked up in the sky. He thought he
heard a low buzzing sound, like a plane. Yes, there it was again. What was that?
Other fighters heard it too. A panda dropped a gator and joined everyone else in
searching the sky. There it was again. A steady hum of engines in the night. The
lady in red was the first to spot it. It was a plane. A black one. Everyone was busy
staring at it when someone yelled “IT’S THE RUSSIANS, IT HAS THE RUSSIAN
FLAG.” Most ran, but the king (still smoking his cigar grabbed a semi-automatic lightning
rifle, the count stepped beside him and pulled out a .48 magnum. They looked at each
other and then turned toward the sky. They started firing at the planes (there was a
group of them) steady in shot and steady in aim. They knew what was about to
happen. The first plane passed over the field and dropped its load, a small package
fell to the ground. They didn’t even blink.
The light was instant. It glowed with the power of a thousand gods all standing in a
line. The sun was envious and the moon sour. The light beamed and beamed and
beamed and subsided into a gargantuan redness. There was no more castle or
battlefield or king or count or troops or pandas or crocodiles. Only a few fiery
mushrooms very proximal to one another. 5, 25 megatons. Prayers had been answered.
The madman and the fray watched with disinterested glee on a hill several miles away
eating popcorn with the tablet.
Fin. Self Portrait in Green
John Wagner
36
Mythology
37
Apollo and Artemis were two twins born by the god of the sky and all the other gods, Zeus,
and Leto, a daughter of the Titans Coeus and Phoebe. Leto was a very gracious and lovable
deity but was hated by Hera, the wife of Zeus, for having seduced her husband. So when Leto
became pregnant and Hera found out, she explicitly forbade any place under the Sun to offer
shelter to the sinful woman. She even held her daughter Eilithyia, the goddess of childbirth,
firmly in her arms to prevent her from supporting Leto during her labor. Zeus felt sorrow
for Leto and transformed her into a quail in order to give birth to their children. However,
there seemed to be no place in Greece willing to offer a shelter to Leto, so she was
wandering around desperately and aimlessly. Finally, Leto discovered a tiny cycladic island
close to Mykonos named “Asteria” (or Ortygia, deriving from Leto’s transformation into a
quail). This island was beaten by the waves and blown by the wind and didn’t even have a
fixed position in the sea, yet it was willing to accept the woman. When Leto settled on the
island, the island became firm and its name was chaged into “Delos” – “the unconcealed one.”
For nine days and nine nights Leto was suffering from strong pains, until on the tenth day,
Leto went close to a small lake, leaned against a palm tree, unfastened her belt, and gave
birth to Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt. Artemis then acted as a midwife to her
mother to bring her brother Apollo to the world. For this reason, she was declared ast he new
goddess of the childbirth, taking the place of Hera’s daughter Elithyia. Apollo became god of
the sun and poetry.
-Arial Walton and Mary Katherine Holmes
Sodahead.com
38
I grew up in a small village in the country of China. Like everyone else in the village (and all the other villages nearby) I had long, inky, black hair. We all lived off the rainforest. We got our food, water, and weapons from it. The difference is that, while all the other villages trained their young men to defend their village, we trained all our children in the ancient art of warfare. The best were taken away to train as assassins. I was on of these children. We were pushed hard and worked all hours of the day to protect our skills. The food our instructors gave us was… strange to say the least. It seemed to glow a little bit, at least to us. Almost two years passed for us. Over time our skin became black as the night we lived in. Our nails had become sharp as knives. Our teeth were sharp as the fangs in the mouths of any predator. We were silent as ghosts as we ran through the forest. We thought as a group. We were a pack. Everything was a ‘we.’ We had no need to speak anymore. We just looked at each other and understood. One day, as we were running through a stream, thirsty, I stopped and drank. As I was about to leave, I saw my reflection in the water. It was the face of a dark, cat like animal. I was an animal. I ran back up to the group and realized just where we were. We were back at the village we were born in. The village we hadn’t seen for almost two years now. Our people saw us and paled in fear. They rushed at us with weapons drawn and as they did they were yelling one word. “PANTHERS!” That’s what we were now. Panthers.
-Mary Katherine Holmes
www.animalwallpaper.us Flagwallpapers.com
39
It is necessary to write, if the days are not to slip emptily by. How else,
indeed, to clap the net over the butterfly of the moment? For the moment
passes, it is forgotten; the mood is gone; life itself is gone. That is where the
writer scores over his fellows; he catches the changes of his mind on the hop.
~Vita Sackville-West