Contemplation of Death

A/N: This is a piece that the paint of Saint Francis of Assisi painting inspired.

Surrounded by the darkness,

Of life.

No longer looking to the future of life,

But to the future of death.

Having gone many of the places he has wanted.

The gap of lightness,

Signals the only way out.

The only path to take.

To find the light.

To escape death.

Not wanting to show himself,

To the world.

Hiding.

Hiding as a hooded figure.

In the night.

Looking at death in his hands.

A human death.

The skull to prove it.

Not knowing what to do about it,

Or how to bypass it.

Death has come.

And is in his grasp,

Forever more.

Christmas Poem

Christmas is the time of giving

The time everyone gets together with family,

And with friends.

The time we are thankful for Jesus' birth.

We celebrate.

Having wonderful food to eat,

But what about people in poverty.

How do they celebrate Christmas?

That I really do wonder.

There are probably no gifts

And no big fancy meal.

Probably no where to go.

No more family to see.

Possibly confined to where ever they call home.

Some people even scavenging for food

Or things to sell.

When you think about it,

We really are lucky to have life go so easy on us.

To not to live with the day to day struggles,

Always knowing when we are going to eat next

And where you are going to sleep that night.

We know that all we have to do is go home.

Then everything is right in front of us.

This Christmas take the time,

To pray for the less fortunate,

Donate gifts and food to people.

What are we going to do with ourselves?

Think of all the gifts that you get at Christmas,

Most are never used again,

Maybe once or twice,

But then buried in a box,

Or closet never to see the light again.

Wouldn't someone else like to have those things?

"One man's junk is another man's treasure."

Drip drop,
Drip pity drop pity.
Rain falls down onto my soaking shirt.

No umbrella,
No nothing just standing there.
Out in the cold driving rain.

All the time waiting.
For someone.
Anyone.
To come and remove me,
From this cold wet place.

Nothing is appearing.
I am all alone on this street corner,
Watching and waiting for anything.
Busy people drive by in there cars,
With their stereos blaring.

By why would anyone notice lowly little old me,
Standing on the corner,
In the rain just;
Watching and waiting.

No one is kind enough to stop,
And ask if I need to get somewhere.

No cares anymore.
Not in this world.
Not in this day and age.
Not when there are some many other things to do for themselves.

Why?
Why would they want to stop and assist a beggar?

Why?
Why would they just continue on there merry way?

Why?
Why would they need to do anything to make others fell better about themselves?

Just Why?

Tigers

AN: This is an expansion on a journal entry we did earlier this school year. Let me know what you think.

Prowling,
Through the long grasses.
Following,
The lowly giraffe.
Camouflaging,
With there surroundings.
Hiding,
Two of them
Waiting,
For the perfect moment.
Stopping,
For only a brief second.
Slinking,
Again behind there prey.
For a long while
Ten minutes,
Fifteen minutes,
Twenty minutes pass,
The moment has come.
Synchronized,
They turn on the spot.
Towards,
The lowly giraffe.
Pouncing,
On the giraffe.
Killing,
Ever so quickly
And painlessly.
Feasting,
On the remains of their kill.
Waiting,
For to again find their next meal.

Day 2 Dressage

We started the day bright and early, having to get up around 5:40 which is 4:40 Wisconsin time. Sense it was this early in the morning we had to drive about 20 miles from our hotel to get to a Starbucks and buy some breakfast.

From there we then had to cathc our shuttle/bus to the horse park (driving there everyday would be ridiculous). Our bus was actually quite interesting and the bus driver acted like it was an airplane by using those catchy phrases you hear everytime. After being on the bus for about half an hour we finally arrived at the park. It was almost completely unrecognizeable from the last time we were there.

Our seats were at the second row closest to the top of the bleachers. Which just goes to say any time we needed anything we got a nice work out running up and down them. Next to us in the stand was a c ouple from Colorado and two women from Pennsylvania. The dressage we saw was utterly unbelievable and almost way to hard to put into words.

After the conclusion of the days event we got to wander around all the sites of the venders. We got the chance to meet a man from Argentina that helped me sign up to win a vacation there. I also met a French guy who turned out after talking to him about my saddle that was almost 2 months late we found out that it was all the Russians fault, as he said, "Those damn Russians!"

Our day ended with going to a restraunt that happened to be thoroughly disgusting!

Kentucky Day 1 Thursday

After about six and a half hours of dreadful driving (especially in Indiana where all you see is brown grass and giant windmills) we finally arrived in Cinncinati, Ohio where we were to meet one of my mom's friends from high school. She was very nice and had an interesting house that was different in every room no similarities what so ever. Right as we were about to leave me and my sister Abbie caught glances of a bunch of little lizards. Apparently they were brought there from Mexico and didn't mess up the ecosystem. I probably wouldn't like to live there though with the thought of the lizards being everywhere and with the chance of them even being in your house.

An hour and a half after we left Cinncinati we finally got to our hotel, Shaker Village in Harrodsburg, Kentucky. Here it is super pretty and as soon as my sister uploads pictures I will post some. The village used to be a real town and all the keys to the rooms are actually real keys imagine that. Tomorrow we finally get to go to some of the Dressage (horseback riding) and we get to go shopping for my new horse!!!! Since we have gotten here Abbie and I are even more disappointed that we didn't get to bring Aria and Salsa (our horses). Oh well my parents said maybe next time. Well I will post again tomorrow hopefully I am now being forced to go to bed as it is Eastern time here.

Psalm 23 Tech.

http://www.slideshare.net/secret/oQxL5ovhsSEIUm

Fire

Author's Note: This was a journal entry we did a really long time ago and now I decided to create a poem out of it. Enjoy!

A single candle
Left unattended
For five minutes.

No one knew
The wind would blow
The candlestick over.

Nothing could be done
As the candle fell
Causing flames to grow.

First engulfing the drapes,
The lovely flowery drapes,
Were charred and became ash.

A small child entered
The room filled with flames
And instantly let go of his plate.

Shattering and splashing as it hit the floor
The plate was no more
The boy then began to cry.

Then the child was no longer standing
But was a heap on the floor
As his sister ran in from another room.
The older girl ran to his aide
But then she saw the flames
Grabbed her brother
And rushed out of the apartment.

Tearfully they watched
The building burn
Never once noticing,
There were no other survivors.

The children orphaned
With no living relatives
Watched the fire
Take there parents lives.

Stone

Author's Note: Expanded from a journal entry. Let me know what you think.

Still

Unmoving and beautiful

Simple

Yet completely and totally stationary

Enormous

Towing over all others

But only an inch

Laid

In the cool wet sand

Ignored

By the ocean waves

Though frozen

In the grave of sand

Not noticed

Even though all alone

Laying there

In the sand

In that very spot

For 400 years.

Animal Farm Creative Project

Ink Story

Author's Note: This is a fictional response for the book trilogy Inkheart, so here goes nothing. It is really long and not done yet but please let me know what you think of it. CHAPTER 4 AND CHAPTER 5 ARE NOW ADDED!!!

Chapter 1: What Now?

As the final bell rings signaling the end of the lingering school day. Though just this once, another minute or two wouldn’t hurt because I feel it is torture to abandon a book when in the middle of a chapter, even in the middle of the book. The instant I finish the page, I leave the classroom, dreading the thought that I would be unable to return to the pages for several hours.

After sullenly packing my book away into my backpack I quickly search the flood of student for my friends. Heading to Kelsey’s house following school to hang out and hopefully have some sort of fun, even though without my intricate book it seems relatively impossible for me to have any fun. We gradually make our way through the flow of students and out the door exiting the highly dreaded school and taking our time walking along the gravel path to Kelsey’s house.

Once we had gotten past the buzzing of other students we began our own conversation. This conversation didn’t tend to revolve around anything in particular as always.

“Does anybody have any homework?”Kelsey asked because we needed to have a rough time estimate for when our parent were to come and retrieve us in order to keep us out of all the adults hair.

The responses were entirely the same topic, “Nope,” “Nothing,” “Nada.” Leaving all options open for the afternoons’ activities, but at the same time enabled us to become clueless for ideas.

Silence then again returned to the group becoming buried in thought as we continued the hike to Kelsey’s house. Finally, the topic of deciding what the remainder of the day’s festivities would be.

“What does everybody have in mind, for something to do?” questioned Claire as we turned a corner towards Kelsey’s street.

“I’m clueless normally on weekdays I never have this much free time to spend.” Kim glumly stated when no one else answered.

“Well I don’t know about all of you but if we don’t uncover a plan soon, I will be very content just reading under a tree or something.” I added quickly to acknowledge that I would really enjoy the opportunity to resume reading my book that I was very keen on.

“We could all do that in the company of each other and bring out an iPod speaker and play music from each others’ iPods’.” Sammy suggested, while a smile slowly slid onto my lips as though it were my birthday and I got everything I wanted.

“Yeah, that’s great idea!” I beamed as I spoke every word, “Though it is up to everybody because if you guys don’t want to we real we really don’t have to.”

“That works for me!” Claire added while we walked up the driveway.

“I am fine with whatever we do!” Mentioned Kim and Kelsey in unison.

“Well I don’t really know, you all actually enjoy reading where as I don’t.” Abby included.

“Come on Abby, it’ll be fun! We can all stop roughly every ten minutes and talk about the books we’re reading, share quotes, or maybe even take turns reading out of one of the books.” Sammy urged and suggested.

“Umm, well I guess that might be some what interesting we’ll see, but if I get bored can we please do something different?” Abby finally gave in although very reluctantly.

"Hey mom we’re here!” Kelsey alerted her parents.

“Hello girls, there are snacks and drinks on the table. If you want you can take them outside.” Mrs. Morgan told us as we set our things down by the counter.

We each then pulled out a book or two, along with our iPods and Kelsey ran to her room and grabbed a speaker. With everything in hand we headed outside to look for a nice shady tree to spread out under. Kim plugged her iPod in and started one of the many playlists on it as the rest of us made ourselves comfortable.

“Okay, let’s read on our own for a little bit and then maybe we’ll collaborate some.” I advocated then let myself become buried within the pages of my book. The only sounds were the music softly playing and the gentle summer breeze.

Chapter 2: Yikes!

After about thirty minutes more than the originally planned ten minutes, the silence was broken by the sound of a large yellow school bus driving by the house. Though the silence didn’t continue and I thought it was much past time for it to be broken by none other than Abby.

“Okay, can we talk or do something other than read silently. I could do this on my own although it is highly unlikely that I ever will.” Abby complained politely. Then set her book down and walked over closer to the rest of the group.

“Alright then, what is everybody reading?” I questioned even though I didn’t really care very much. “How about we tell each other what the book is and what it is about, then if anybody is intrigued enough we could read excerpts or share a couple of our favorite quotes. Anybody want to start?” When no one volunteer immediately I threw up another option, “Okay then since no one really wants to start how about we go around the circle and share the titles along with authors of our books. Alaina why don’t you start and we’ll go clockwise.”

“Alright I am reading Frostbite by Richelle Mead.” She stated.

“I’m reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Cooper.” Cara followed after Alaina.

“Right now I am reading Warriors by Erin Hunter.” Hannah added.

Followed by everyone else say what they were reading, “Confessions of a First Daughter,” “Two Towers,” “Spirit Bound,” and “DaVinci Code.” It finally came to my turn and I was silent. Never once did I think of sharing my much loved book with even my closest of friends. Slowly I opened the cover because there was no title to the story. Letting my mind make all decisions for me. As I got to the first page my mind was made up. I was going to read the first chapter to everyone.

“My book doesn’t exactly have a title there for I cannot alert you to what it is. Instead I will read you the first page or two.” I stated as so easily as though it were simple, yet it was complex and very difficult to interpret.

So I began, “The slim girl pulled herself up out of the pool and returned to the diving board. She took her three steps and did a beautiful jack-knife.”

“A voice broke the silence, 'Miss Melaney,' the girl in the yellow and orange dress stepped off the patio and called again, 'Miss Melaney, the Telephone.'” I finished the section and pulled my eyes off the page, only to see that we were no longer under the tree in Kelsey’s backyard. As I stood up, automatically it was noticed that we where no longer in our world. We were inside Melaney’s.

Chapter 3: Who's Mel? Wait No!

The diving board, stretched out over the glistening pool was unbelievable. We all looked at one another no one but me actually recognizing that we weren’t in our world, that we were in between that covers of the title less book. Taking the rest of the group out of bewilderment I spoke, “Sense I am completely sure that none of you have any idea as to where we are I shall explain. We are not on Earth anymore, well we are on earth just not in our world. I don’t know our exact location but after I read from my book we came here.”

“Are you saying that you read us into a world that is entirely different from ours?” Asked an intimidated Hannah.

“Yes that is exactly what I am trying to say.”

“So how to you presume that we are going to return home? My mom told me that I could come only if I was back in time for dinner.” Cara nervously stated.

Great just the question I was hoping that I wouldn’t have to answer, “I don’t know.” I mumbled wishing that no one would hear me. “Well sense we are here and do not know how to get back I say that we go meet Mel and maybe she can help us.”

“First question who’s Mel? And second question why are we going to go meet her?” Alaina drilled her questions at me.

“Okay, please relax! Mel is the girl in the story and I have a feeling that she can help us for at least now.” I didn’t mention that I knew the story needed to play out similarly to how it was written so we were going to get stuck in a sticky situation. I started walking then realized no one was following me. “Why aren’t you guys coming? Shouldn’t we stick together?” Surprisingly still no on gave any sign of getting up and coming. “Please let’s just go!”

Kim slowly stood up and mentioned, “You are right in a sense but how are we to know what this place would be like? What happens if because we aren’t from around here we won’t get any response from anybody or people are scared of us? Personally if we are to be able return home we need to take that risk is anybody coming with us?” She then walked up to my side and smiled as the remainder of the girls stood and followed.

Chapter 4: Good News....

When we arrived at the front door, I knocked. In this world the technology was much less sophisticated than in 2010, in our world. The maid Mary, I think her name was came to answer that door, “Good afternoon, what can I do for you ladies?” She looked at the group and seemed quite surprised that we weren’t wearing dresses and that there were so many of us.

To my surprise Claire spoke before I could even open my mouth, “Is Melanie home? We would very much like to speak with her if she is.” Mary not knowing us beckoned for us to follow her into the humungous mansion.

“You may wait here, I shall go see if Miss Melaney is off the telephone and can come,” were Mary’s departing words. While everyone else sat on one of the many chair and sofas, I paced back and forth. There were many reasons to my anxiety, but naturally no one would notice. After roughly five minutes, a slim blond girl in a pink sundress entered the room.

“Hello, Mary said that you asked for me,” she spoke smoothly, “so what can I do for all of you?” Oh boy! This may be harder than I originally intended. Maybe I should start by asking about the book. Yes, yes that is what we must do.

"My sister’s friend mentioned to me that you have a book that I have been looking for, for ages.” Saying this was as though it were a death sentence. Then I looked at my friend seeing puzzling looks from everyone of them. “The book is about a world that is very advanced, it has things called computers, and smart cars. Can you help us, do you have it?”

“Of course I have it, it’s one of the best books I have ever read. The company keeps, coming out with new editions every few months. I have the latest copy right here,” she picked up a book and handed it to me. I then tossed it to Alaina, knowing that she was the fastest reader of all of us, other than me that was,. and I needed to stay in conversation with Mel.

“Alaina can you just read through it quickly? It should be self explanatory. Just fill us in when you finish.” She nodded curtly, then turned to the first page and began to read. Mel then gave me a questioning look, “This book has a great importance to us. You see we aren’t exactly from around here,” I paused for dramatic effect. “We are actually from this book and in our world you are from the book that I just set down over on that table. By the way, I’m Maggie and it is a pleasure to meet you.”

When I stopped, Mel looked at all of the other girls, her eyes making gestures as if to ask, “And who are all of these people?” Noticing this I quickly added, “Oh, and this is Hannah, Alaina, Abby, Cara, Sammy, Kelsey, Claire, and Kim.”

The moment that I hoped would happen later on, when I had some more time, Melaney asked, “So why and how are you here?”

This is where Kim came into play. Stepping aside, I allowed her to answer this question, as I would be answering billions later. “Well, we were all reading in Kelsey’s backyard just like any other normal day. Then we decided to share what we were reading with one another. Maggie was last to share and her book didn’t have a title or even an author listed so she just read the first couple paragraphs. Before anything could be done, we all found ourselves here, in your barn to be exact.”

"Alrighty then, I understand that you are not from around here, but what do I have to do with all of this? I mean, I am just an ordinary teenager, there’s nothing special about me.” Mel questioned.

Melaney’s question was quite reasonable in my eyes so I felt comfortable answering it for her. “Well, for one you are one of the main characters in the book, and two this is where we landed when we came here so, I figured out that you may live somewhere nearby. So, I decided that you would probably be the best person to turn to in this world.”

Timidly Kim added, “Can you help us?”

Chapter 5: ...Or Maybe Not

“Well, I do not see any reason why not. Although, I am supposed to go meet my brother in New York the day after tomorrow, and I cannot back out on Reid now.” Mel mentioned her brother…. interesting Melaney then shouted, “Mary, could you please come here?”

Rushing in to the room, Mary panted, “Yes Miss? What do you need?” then under her breath Mary added, “Since I already am at your every beck and call.”

“Mary, would you kindly prepare both the guest room and Reid’s old room for these girls? They will be staying here for a while.” Melaney spoke politely although there was recognizable disgust in her voice toward Mary.

“Now, down to business. One of the major dilemmas I have found is that I don’t know what I can do with all of you ladies when I go to New York. Although my family is quite wealthy, I can’t afford to take more than two of you with me to Reid’s. The rest would have to stay here.” Mel didn’t seem at all disappointed about any of these trouble filled situations.

I replied with ease, “That should be fine with us,” then looked around to find several nodding heads. “Although we wouldn’t want to impose---.”

“No, no, no, that is completely fine and you wouldn’t be imposing.” Mel interrupted, “Plus Reid, my twin brother may know more about how to help you. But until then we need to get all of you out of those retched blue jeans and, and well whatever you call those blouse like, well no I can’t call them that, what they are is, poor attempts at shirts. We’ll start in my younger sister’s and my closets for something so that no of you look like a bunch of rowdy boys.” Before I had the chance to run knowing that she was planning on forcing us to wear dresses, Mel dragged us up the stairs. In my sole opinion, no one in their right mind would ever wear a dress every day of the week.

Glumly I, along with the others followed Mel up the stairs to her enormous closet. I felt my chin drop to the floor as the door was opened, revealing Mel and her sister’s entire wardrobe. Sighing, I stepped into the closet.

"Okay, let’s see what we can find for each of you,” Mel mumbled partially to herself, as she wandered through the forest of clothing, or shall I say forest of dresses. While humbly following our QUEEN, every once and a while stopping to throw something back at one or the other of us.

“Now that I have found something for all of you, go change and while you do that I will go call the airline to get two extra tickets. Now shoo shoo!”

All of us headed toward different areas of the house in search of somewhere to swap our clothing for this nasty (well not really that just is my opinion of dresses) piece of cloth. Walking along the hallways of the mansion I came across passageway. Quickly looking back over my should checking that no one is following me I slip through it and come to a dead end. But the dead end isn’t on its own, there is a vent and peep hole.

Tiptoeing up to the vent I hear voices that progressively get louder as l draw nearer. Though soon I realize that I recognize the voice of the person speaking but there isn’t a second voice. The distinct voice I here happens to be Alaina’s. Making assumptions it sounds as though she is on a phone but who in this world would she be calling. None of us know anyone here…well besides Mel and Mary.

Forest Poem

Author's Note: Originally this was a raw piece of writing from a journal entry, which I decided to make into a poem. Let me know what you think.

Walking,
Through a deserted wood,
Completely engulfed by trees
No sign of civilization
Rustling leaves crunching
Underneath feet,
While wandering aimlessly
Off the path
Into uncertainty.

Listening
To the peaceful singing of the birds,
Only then the breathtaking surroundings
Engulf you.

The leaves
Just beginning to change
From green to red,
Yellow,
Orange,
And brown.

Feet carry you to
A tree stump
Decide to sit and think.
Only a short amount of time
Is spent thinking
Soon to be interrupted by a book,
Your mind
No longer consumed in your surroundings
Is living in the book.

The forest
So still
So quiet
Always finding an excuse
To enter it
And lose yourself within a good book.

Memories

Author's Note: I just randomly wrote this on a whim.

Memories
Happy
Getting a present
Tragic
Realtive's death
Suprising
Parties from friend
Loving
Parents every day
Remember
Never leaving your head
Stuck
Forever

Ocean

Waves are slowly rolling up

Onto the beach,

Barely brushing the dry, hot sand.

Unknown,

The massive size

Of the ocean is.

Where everything is

Only the animals

That live within it know

Entirely what it contains.

Nothing

Can even attempt,

To impede the motion

Of the water

And the churning of the sand.

Where

Does the beach begin

And where

Does the ocean end?

Not knowing

May seem as though

It is a tragedy

But the mystery,

Keeps everything in place.

The ocean,

Is one of the best,

And most unbelievable,

Natural wonders,

That is unexplainable.

The Other Epilogue Altered

I read the book Fang by James Patterson and didn't really like how it ended this is how I think it should have ended.

I opened the front door letting everyone into the house. As I entered Fang was no where in sight. Where could he be? I looked around frantically knowing that Dylan must have something to do with his disappearance. Unluckily Dylan seemed to notice, not good, not good. I turned hoping to lose his interest and headed to the kitchen for a quick snack.

“You do know he is gone, right? It shouldn’t be too much of a shock for you.” Why, why, why? Why did Dylan have to follow me and ruin my already bad day? Doesn’t he understand that I am not an idiot and can comprehend that Fang IS gone?

“Yes, I do know and could you please just leave me alone!” With that I turned and ran up the stairs, to my room before I had even the slightest chance to tear up and cry.

Slamming the door I flopped face down onto the bed, and then just let tears shed and run down my cheeks. Nothing could be worse. Just then I heard paper crumpling underneath my head. Maybe, just maybe there was hope in life.

As though someone had just pulled open the blinds and the sun blew through, I sat up and unfolded the letter.

Dear Max—

By now Dylan has probably tried to convince you that I am gone and am never going to return. Now sweetie, don’t worry I will be back, but there is some truth to what Dylan thinks. I did leave for the safety of the flock although it is only going to be for a few days, not 20 years or some other substantial amount of time.

Max there are a few things I must ask of you in my absence. First of all do not let anyone even the flock (please, please try and keep Angel from figuring it out) know that you know anything about my whereabouts. And secondly, tonight after everyone is asleep (however late that may be), meet me at the top of the cliff where the hawks taught us to fly, you know the one. Make sure to be completely alone that is a very important factor in this plan.

I love you Maximum and cannot wait until I can see you once again.

Love,
Fang

This is going to be tough! How am I ever going to get away from the flock and more importantly my mom after they saw how distraught I was. Well hopefully everyone is asleep semi-early.

“Max, dinner,” Iggy called from the kitchen. I headed down toward the dining room. “Okay, Max I may be blind but why isn’t Fang with you?”

“Ig, he isn’t with me because he isn’t here. Please don’t ask any questions I know no more than you at this point.” Hiding the fact that I actually did know where he would be located as of tonight. Trying to lighten the mood I changed the subject, “So Iggy what’s for dinner?”

“Lasagna,” he replied with some disappointment in his voice. Sadly, there was nothing I could do to lift his spirits without breaking my promise to Fang.
*************************************************************************************

One o’clock in the morning and I finally get the chance to escape. Passing by each door, all I hear is a bunch of sleeping kids. I can’t waste any time on my escape from the so I continue on with no further disruptions. Quickly and silently I tiptoe down the stairs. Thankfully I get out the front door, snap out my wings and soar into the night.

The late night air is cold and sends shivers down my spine. Though the acceleration and height is pure enjoyment, my being chilled is soon forgotten. Flying at a leisurely pace I get to the cliff at around 1:30 in the morning. At first sight of the cliff I double check that I am in the correct location because it doesn’t look right.

It seems as though the cliff is on fire; everywhere I look I see candles of every color glowing. Gradually I land, Fang is still no where in sight, the thought worries me him having the power to be invisible and all. Looking up I see the sky is very overcast but I don’t care, all I care about is Fang.

Someone comes up from behind me and grabs me around the waist, making me scream, “Ahh!” Recklessly I pivot ready to punch my attacker only to see a familiar face. The face I’ve know forever and love, the face of Fang laughing at me.

As I change my plans and hit him on the chest I say, “It is not funny you scared the wits out of me.” Yet, even with my complaint he continues to laugh, leaving me with only one option to get him to shut up. I cover his laughing lips with mine momentarily, letting him break the kiss.

“Though that was nice, it wasn’t what I asked you to come up here for.” I wait for Fang to continue, “I wanted to meet you here for several reasons . First of all Dylan, he and I despise one another and we can’t both have you. Max, when you weren’t around he told me that he was meant for you and that we,” Fang gestured between the two of us, “would never work out.”

“Another thing that Dylan made sire to mention is that I am a danger magnet and the entire flock would be better off without me. For a while I believed he was right and was going to leave but changed my mind every time I saw you.”

Once Fang’s speech was completed he looked me in the eye for quite some time. Then slowly he knelt down on one knee and spoke again, “secondly, Maximum Ride, I love you with all my heart and want you to be mine for the rest of our lives. Max, will you marry me?”

For a moment I stood there shocked. Then started crying (I never cry) just as I said, “yes, yes, a million times yes.” Fang then took me into his arms and held me as we waited for the sunrise.

River

Quietly flowing

Through the silent landscape,

With its clear water trickling

Over the rocks.

As I watch the beautiful river,

I am at home

Feeling relaxed,

Calmed,

At peace of mind,

With nothing to disrupt me

And my thoughts.

Letting my mind

Softly wander

Just like the current.

Watching the unending

Current stream

In many directions

Never grasping exact locations

Where the river will lead-

This small river

So insignificant that very few

People know;

No one else may

Ever know...

The easiest place to think.

Forest

As you walk through the the deserted wood you are completely engulfed by trees with no sign of civilization within over ten miles. The rustling leaves crunch underneath your feet as you wander aimlessly off the path and into uncertainty. While you listen to the peaceful singing of the birds, you only then begin to take in your breathtaking surroundings. All the leaves are just beginning to change from green to red, yellow, orange, and brown. Your feet carry you to a tree stump where you decide to sit and think. For only a short amount of time you think because as soon as you pull out your book, your mind is no longer consumed in your surroundings but is living the action of the book. The forest is so still and quiet you always find some excuse to come out into it and lose yourself within a good book.

Bread

I wake up to the smell of freshly baked bread in the bakery bellow. The very simple yet, so complete smell makes my day. The single most common food in the world is the smell that I am comforted by as I wake up to it. Only small amounts of time are put into each and every loaf. Although more effort and craftsmanship is put into each, than an experts painting. Such a simple task is making the baker become an artist and each piece of bread is becoming a new artistic expression, nothing could be better.

Fire

The single candle was left unattended to for over five minutes. Before anyone knew it the candle fell and the drapes burst into flames. The lovely, flowery drapes were engulfed in flames. A small child walked in from the kitchen and instantly let go of his plate when he glanced up from his mound of spaghetti. When the plate hit the floor it shattered and the spaghetti flew everywhere. Tears flooded into the little boys eyes as he fell to the floor in a panic. His older sister heard the plate smash and ran in to aid her innocent little brother. Once she saw the flames she picked up the small boy and rushed out of their family's apartment. As the siblings tearfully watched the burning building, they never once realized that the two of them were the only survivors. Along with the building went the lives of the many other occupants of the complex including the children's only relatives.