Tangled

Author's Note: So this is it. There are two poems. The first one I did because I was bored. My second one is the real deal.

Silent secrets

Pain and Glory

Tangled up in messes

Daring outlaws

Traitors stomping

Spells and hate

Love and desires

Wishes and promises

Worlds to come

Chances to take

Rapanzel goes for it

With everything at stake

Magics do exist

In dreams they do

A single thought provokes a dream

And it becomes your task to fulfill that dream

Chances are you can give up

It may seem hard to succeed

But after strength and trials

Light appears at the end of your tunnel

And what once seemed impossible is in front of you

Now that you find your dream after eons of search

A spark of excitement makes you want to burst

Finally after times long what you thought too hard

Has confronted itself and brought joy to your heart

The dream has been uncovered

The magic now erupts

It showers you in happiness and comfort

But after your celebration of victory of yours

A sadness creeps into your heart

What do you want now

Your dream is said and done

But now dream again

Take a new challenge

Find a new dream

Let your colors fly

It's not at hard as it seems

Let the wind rush through your hair

Let the sky be your limit

Just free your self

Never look back don't even glance

A dream is a dream

And when you succeed it's more

Make the dream come true

Live life to the fullest

Make your magic appear

Dream, dream, dream

Spring Assessment 2011

Passion of Commitment

All of us, who are committed to anything in life, know what components are needed to prove commitment. “The Hundredth Dove” is about Hugh, a fowler, who is put through tests to show his commitment to the king and his word. It is also about obedience, passion and sacrifice. These are the three main characteristics that all people committed to something must have. Especially when your own heart desires to go against a command made out to you.

When Hugh kills the white dove with his own bare hands it shows that Hugh really cares about his order. He is tempted to free the white dove, as it cooed sweet words like a soft melody hanging in a delicate breeze. Rewards of its freedom are mentioned but yet Hugh gathers his loyalty and completes his task. This shows that Hugh’s commitment to the king because it symbolizes sacrifice. Hugh was committed enough to sacrifice his own happiness, love and fortune for his order by the king. This was a great part of the story. It almost surprised me that Hugh killed the dove. I had supposed that this part of the story would be similar to “Snow White,” that Hugh would somehow fake killing the dove, succeed with his job, and then everybody would live happily ever after. Had that happened it would have been disappointing. Nonetheless, Hugh did kill the white dove and succeed in his job. It was a twist to the happy story, that’s why I liked this part of the story.

Another of my favorite parts of this story was when the author, Jane Yolen, described how Hugh took good care of his hunting equipment. This represented that he had a passion of his job. Since, he was so passionate, him being assigned a very important task for the king, made him work harder to achieve his goal. Another thing that made him passionate, in my opinion, was Lady Columbia, the Queen- to- Be. At first sight Hugh had been taken prisoner by Lady Columbia’s grace. This put a slight turn to the story. Had he not been spell-bound by the lady’s grace, he may have let the dove free, there may have been a wedding, Hugh may have stayed a hunter, and the end would have been a “Happily Ever After.” But, nonetheless, Hugh was enchanted by beauty, and that put a turn on events. Something different always takes me by surprise, that’s why I liked this part of the story.

Even though, passion was the main point I liked throughout the whole story, I still enjoyed most of it. But, the things I disliked were that Yolen took too long to get the message over. When you check the length of the introduction of characters, you may notice that over half the short story was just naming characters. Had I wrote this story I may have reduced some of the introductions of characters. Also, the ending of the story, was a little confusing. This would confuse any reader and may even turn the reader away from Yolen’s publications. I know it did to me.

To me this story proved passion, sacrifice, and obedience are things I should have for something I am committed to. Also, the symbolisms of these characteristics were shown thoroughly by the author. Its how the old saying goes: “Desire is the key to motivation, but its determination and commitment that lets you reach your unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek.” (Unknown)

Burning Nothingness

Author's Note: So, I guess my story isn't that bad. I was able to use all my words.... it's cause I'm just that genius (LOL.) This is really poor quality.... but whatever. If you think this is messed up... go look at yours :D. Enjoy!!!

The train whistle gives a final warning signaling its departure. I take off to the closest open door, as the train slowly starts to chug away. I'm running away, far away from my prison, my home. I am Fredric, a daring boy looking for freedom, away from here. But, my last thoughts make me jump off the train and take a sprint for the abandoned houses. Surprised at my reaction, I watch the steam engine slowly chug away. I wonder why. A few moments later, I see the engine come to a screeching stop……CRACK! Fire is ablaze on the train, coming right from the boxcar I had been in. This became a mark of the year 1951. Scared I ran, fast and hard, as the wind blinded my eyes, towards the abandoned houses. Without knowing, I tripped, right over what seemed to be a rock. To my surprise it was the strangest creature I had ever see. It was an armadillo. When I had impact, I felt myself bounce right up again. What was happening, there were blurs of smoke, dust and grime swirling around me. What was happening, was this the end? Had the fire reached me? Was I dying? All of a sudden everything came to a stop. There I was again, right back at the train station, hearing the whistle give a final signal. What was this supposed to mean. I thought it may have been that I should be dead. If this was my destiny, then I would fulfill it. I slowly, but frightened, walked towards the train, regretting every step. I saw the vendors all lined up with fading signs. "This is your last chance, try this delicious cocktail sauce with fresh caught shrimp," read one of the signs. I knew this was true for me, so I walked over and tried some of the samples. And, yes, it was delicious. I'd at least live this world with a happy memory.

I started off once again towards the train. I got on as it pulled away. Then I felt heat rising behind me and a sting of tears in my eyes. This was the end. The flames licked my ankles and I yelped in pain. Then, I felt everything fading away. I was dying. But, that was not the end, I felt the swirling again. I was spinning, I was blown off my feet. And then…. Silence.

Blackout. Nothing. Nobody. It was quiet, and I was frightened. I heard a deep demanding voice command "What are you doing here? You have not filled your destiny! I thought you were worthy enough to complete this task. Go back and do as I say!!!! You are not anything more than a worthless earwig." I screamed. Was there someone hiding in the darkness? By breathing quickened as the voice continued on about me having to save lives not sacrifice my own. "Fredrick! Go back and rescue those people on the train, your life should not end and neither should those innocent ones' lives!" And that was it. The swirling and emotions all flooded back and I held my breath as my feet touched the ground.

Feeling a burden upon me, made me shake. Why had it had to be me stuck in this life? Why did I have to have this job given to me? Couldn't it be someone else? Why did it have to be me on the Galapagos Island train station? But, knowing I could not change the future, I made my way to the train. I had a sick feeling in my stomach. I was giving my own death sentence. In no time I would be done. Thinking this give me a new perspective. If I was going to save lives might as well do it in style. So gathering all my courage, I sprinted towards the train alarm. I gave a short wave and a "Hi!," to the conductor. Giving a courageous jump I reached for the alarm and gave a strong tug. I felt the cool metal scrape against the palm of my hand. I tightened my grip around the handle and let gravity do the rest. I felt myself slowly coming down.

I heard everyone running off the train, straining to squeeze through the doors all at once. After I was sure everyone had exited, I scoured the train to find any last left- behind passengers. No, nobody was left. I calmed down and shut my eyes…. that is until……. Blackout.

I felt heat everywhere; I didn't dare open my eyes. I felt the heat, I felt myself burn, I felt pain searing through my body. Then silence, stillness and peace.

Nothing happened this time, nothing. No wind, nothing. No flying, nothing. No color, nothing. No blurring nothing. No life……. nothing. My time was over. I had fulfilled my task. I had died and lost my time of living, but I had succeeded in my task and won life and the life of others.