Letchworth State Park (review, rating)

Letchworth State Park

Castile, NY

Hiked: June 27th, 2011

Reviewed: June 27th, 2011

Scenery: 5 stars

Diversity: 5 stars

Interaction: 3 stars

Accessability: 4 stars

Overall: 5 stars

Size: Large

Letchworth is an incredibly large park with its own extensive road system. The park contains 14,350 acres of land along the Genesee River.

A visitor to the park can get more than enough scenery viewing just by driving through the park. The roads run along the edge of the cliff through the park, and there are frequent pull overs along the way where you can stop and check out the view. Most are equipped with binoculars (25 cents) and picnic areas that include charcoal grills.

Broken (a short story)

Broken

written June 24th, 2011

Mason, it’s so beautiful out here, I texted a message along with the picture I had taken. Wish you were here.

I hit the send button, and then tucked my phone away in my pocket. I stood at the edge of the cliff, following the sweeping land slide with my eyes down to the roaring river at the bottom. It was spring, and the water level was higher than usual, dark and muddy, full of winter debris.

And it was here in this serene place tucked away in the woods, high up on the cliff looking over the whole world (it seemed), that I was at peace.

It was here that I could think, and think in my voice only. With no other influences or voices to distract me or deter me. It was just me, pure and simple.

And I guess that’s why I wanted Mason here. I knew he would appreciate this moment, this philosophical peace, just as much as me.  I could picture him next to me, leaned back on his elbows, looking up at the sky with those bright blue eyes so full of hidden intelligence. He would have a hint of a smile on his lips as he peered at life in its raw form. He loves moments like that, just like me, where things just click and you realize something new about life.  A new philosophy.

We would sit in silence for a while, him and I. Then we would start talking, and we wouldn’t be able to stop. If we had the time to talk about everything we wanted to with each other, we would talk until the day we died. I’m certain of it.

My phone chirped, and I opened up Mason’s response.

Looks awesome. I wish I was there. You always text me awesome things right when I need it, Ava.

I frowned at the last part, and quickly sent a reply:

Why, what’s wrong?

Just…shit at home. Mom.

‘Mom’. That one word explained it all to me. The two of them are always butting heads.

Call me tonight and tell me about it?

I smiled at the reply that came a few moments later.

Was already planning on it :]

I stuffed my phone in my pocket, looking down at my feet, hanging over the cliff edge, swinging back and forth to an unknown beat.

Casting a final glance over the tree tops of the expansive forest, I began the long descent down to the river, a descent I had made many times. I shimmied my way quickly down the sloped cliff-face, my feet and hands knowing where all the holds were from endless repetition of this process.

(Dear Marius) So Far Away (a poem, a dedication)

Dear Marius

So Far Away

Written on June 23rd, 2011

Two months after the death of Michael J. Hall

On April 23rd, 2011

The lips sing

Releasing the pain

The guitar notes sting

Harsh and lovely, against the grain

The fingers fly

Dancing on those keys

Trumpet call fills the sky

Sharp and noble, this musical plea

Playing these songs

Gives me some closure

On repeat

Over and over

You’re never coming home

But I know

It’s not over

And I’m not alone

The Light in the Fog (a poem)

The Light in the Fog

Written June 20th, 2011

I can see you there

Shimmering somewhere in the shifting abyss

Inviting me with little hands

Materializing, then with a twirl disappearing

Leaving my heart warm

And my cheeks full with a smile

I hang on to this flickering daydream

Like the sunshine dancing on the ocean waves

Discussion with my Father (discussion, thoughts)

June 15th, 2011

Posted June 17th, 2011

The other day, my father and I were talking about politics, people, and philosophy, as we often do. During the conversation, I brought up how much money frustrates me and how it has to be the backbone to everything in society. All anyone seems to ever worry about is money, rather than the simple, beautiful things in life.

My Best Friend (a poem, a dedication)

My Best Friend

Written June 16th, 2011

My best friend

I know you well

Every fall and every swell

Missing you when I'm all alone

And not quite sure if I can make it on my own

My best friend

Always there when I need you most

There are no boundaries, from coast to coast

On the rainy days, when I'm down and blue

All I need is to think of you

My best friend

With your long loveable hair

The way your smile fills the air

We stay up and talk until late

Usually we agree, sometimes we debate

My best friend

You are my long lost twin

We're made up of the same stuff within

When something happens, you're the first I want to inform

You always receive it well, never with scorn

My best friend

You're going to exotic places

Going to accomplish and see many faces

Don't forget me while you're conquering the world

I'll always be rooting you on as your greatness unfurls

My brother,

My hero,

My best friend.

-----
A poem for my best pal :) If you read 'Ice Cold', the character Mason represents the same person as the subject of this poem. Thank you, for always being there for me and being like the brother I never had.

Texting Conversation with a Friend (discussion, thoughts)

June 15th, 2011

My friend and I were having a discussion about homosexuality after he said he didn't agree with it, mostly due to, it seemed, his religious beliefs. I do not intend to exploit him or make him look bad by posting about this, I simply wanted to share it. My friend does not, as he said, have a problem with gays and lesbians themselves, as people, but the choice they made. I discussed with him how we think homosexuality comes about; whether it's natural, influenced, or a choice. I think that, depending on the situation, it could be natural or a choice. My friend doesn't think it can be natural. His stance was it is a choice, or if it appears to start from a young age then it was mostly likely influenced by something in the child's life. I think influence can definitely play a huge role, but I believe that there is something in the brain or genetics that can make these influences more, well influential to these certain people than to others. I'm sure there will be lots of scientific studies about this in the future, and I know there are some now even, and I'm anxious to see the results. We also discussed why it was that homosexuality is wrong, based on his beliefs. I would like to share a specific part of the conversation we had. Please feel free to comment on it and leave your thoughts on the subject.

(Raise Your Voice) Light Up Mommy (a poem)

Raise Your Voice

Light Up Mommy

Written June 12th, 2011

*chk* *chk*

Firelight flicker

Malicious embers glow

Burning up the poison

A serpentine tongue of smoke

Rising from your pale deprived lips

Slithering between your dying teeth

Coating your sickly yellow tongue

And torturing your withered lungs

(Raise Your Voice) Amy and Morgan (a poem)

Raise Your Voice

Amy and Morgan

Written June 11th, 2011

Everyone wants to know Amy,

Generous and sweet as can be

Wise for her age and a bright future ahead

Giving up her time to help others instead

She's the one to go to when you're feelin down

She always knows just what to say to turn that frown

But Amy doesn't see herself that way

Up late cryin after what happened today

Walking behind girls down the hall

She heard something not meant for her ears at all

"Amy is so damn fat,

Never seen anyone with rolls like that!"

(Dear Marius) Evanescence (a poem, a dedication)

Dear Marius

Evanescence

Written May 31st, 2011

A fedora

On the desk

You worked on

The chair

That once held you

Now holds empty air

The shirts

Your loved ones wear

With your name

Your own army

But you’re not here

To command it.

A piano

Standing alone

At the end of the hall

Dust falls on the keys

A coat of proof

Of your absence

Thick silence in the air

The music has become evanescent.

You’re everywhere

In these objects

But they’re just objects.

Not you

You’re nowhere. 



Anymore (a poem)

Anymore

Written May 31st, 2011

You sneak up on my mind

Like a salesman on a house

You get your foot I the door

And then I can’t push you out

Memories of laughs and smiles

Sweet things in my ears

But you had a mask on all the while

As you claimed me more and more

I love with all I’ve got

You knew this, you abused this

Lifted me high then left me to rot

But now I’m stronger than ever

(Raise Your Voice) The Simple Fact (a poem)

Raise Your Voice

The Simple Fact

Written May 29th, 2011

Here is the wolf

Treveling at a steady pace

On silent lithe paws

Tireless miles to go today

Across the plains

And beneath the shadows of pines

She will cover great distance

Then go all the way back

She has hungry mouths to feed

Uknown to the untrained eye

A huntress of deadly beauty

A thick coat of silken fur

Fateful teeth and a soothing tongue

Contained in one powerful jaw

Hear her sing at night

Her voice so stunning and inviting

Even the moon stops to listen

And she sets the stars to dance

Wiccan Alphabet (thoughts, philosophy)

Wiccan Alphabet

Written February 5th, 2010

A nswers can always be found by looking within you
B e the best person that you can be
C reativity is part of who you are, don't be afraid to use it
D iety is what you percieve it to be, not what a book percieves it to be
E nthusiasm is key to believing
F riends are sacred, treat them as such
G reatness can only be achieved with determination and inspiration
H elp others, for someday you might be the one in a tight spot
I gnorance of others will only earn you enemies
J ourney of finding yourself and learning- the definition of religion
K arma never takes a break
L earning is encouraged
M agic is for pure intentions
N ature nourishes the soul, return the favor
O pen your mind to the people and world around you
P ride in who you are is honored and admired
Q uestion always, then you will find meaning
R espect others for who they are
S peak out, silence will get you no where
T rust in the god and goddess to guide you
U nderstand others, and they will strive to understand you
V ictory is great, but the lessons you learn from it are far more valuable
W ithstand negative judgement of others, you know who you are and that's all that matters
X pand your knowledge every chance you get
Z eal in your practice is a sign that you have found the right set of beliefs for you

---
An old post I found on my Paganspace blog. I thought I'd repost it and share some insight into my relgion :)

(Raise Your Voice) Weapons v.s. Souls (a poem)

Raise Your Voice

Weapons vs. Souls

Started on May 19th, 2011

Finished on May 25th, 2011

You cover your wrongs so the world won’t see

You murder our freedoms, our humanity

Shove a gun down our throats when we try to speak

Block us from the information we seek

The ones who see through your mask disappear

Cutting short opposition by instilling fear

 

Send your pawns to take us out

We’ll face your bullets, unarmed, still we shout

Shoot us down till we’re piled high in the street

Till crimson blood pools around your feet

We died for a cause, died for the future, true and brave

While you hide behind walls, trying to outrun the grave

Raise Your Voice (a collection, informational message)

Hey all of my lovely readers!
I am starting to get back into the swing of writing again, and I have decided to start a social commentary poetry collection called Raise Your Voice. For those of you who don't know what it is, Social Commentary is a where someone makes a point or expresses an opinion based on a social problem or idea. It could be pro or con to the idea. Usually, Social Commentary is used to put down a certain idea and try to end it. I was inspired to do this by an art project we started in school. For my project I am doing my commentary on school bullying.
There is a lot I feel strongly about in the world today and in the past, and there are lots of things I hope to see change to in the future. So i decided to take it beyond just my one project at school. All the poems in the Raise Your Voice collection will be about things I see wrong in the world and that bothers me.

(Dear Marius) Were You Real? (a poem, a dedication)

Dear Marius

Were You Real?

Written May 28th, 2011

Pictures everywhere

Of a familiar face

A friendly green stare

And a smile like no other

In this world, anywhere

 

And yet these photos

Are just paper

Not living flesh

These photos

Hold the memories

Not the presence

Crippled (a poem)

Crippled

Written May 27th, 2011

Scared and alone here

Surrounded by white

And blinding fluorescent light

Close my eyes against the rising fear

I don’t want to believe it’s true

I can’t see the future anymore

My dreams are dead, my hope buried beneath the floor

Where my leg should be; just hospital sheets colored baby blue

Just Kiss Me (a poem)

Just Kiss Me

Written May 5th, 2011

Your face prevails in my mind

And my skin, it tingles

From memories of when we mingled

My hand; it itches

Full of emptiness and wishes

To be curled around your fingers

 

When you’re here next to me

I’m flustered and I tend to worry

Over all that I do

My only desire is to impress you

I can’t take my eyes from your face and figure

With inhuman beauty, you walk with graceful stature

And you have chosen me

(Dear Marius) Remembering the Impact (a poem, a dedication)

Dear Marius

Remembering the Impact

Written May 14th, 2011

My heart pounds as I answer the phone

Something is wrong

In my heart, I already know

And it rings true in her somber tone

“Faith, you’re not going to believe me

When I say this,”

I stand there, fresh-awake

And alone

Breathless, waiting for the impact

“But I’m not joking,”

And I know she isn’t

I wish she was

“Mikey died in a fire last night.”

Discovering You (a poem)

Discovering You

Written May 1st, 2011

A quiet adoring smile

And bright unique eyes

Peering out at me

From strands of long hair

Falling down over the face

I have come to admire.

I see hopeful days up ahead

That I thought were lost to me

The feelings inside I thought were dead

Open up in a wide blue sea

(Dear Marius) Soul Note (a poem, a dedication)

Dear Marius

Soul Note

Written May 7th, 2011

A single crisp note

Echoes sweetly in the air

Gracing eager ears

And conducting smiles

With a sound so fair

Before it flutters and disappears

Where to, we'll never know

But it is gone

Never to be heard again

With the exact meaning and passion

It held in that blink of eternity

(Dear Marius) The Fire in a Hero's Heart (a poem, a dedication)

Dear Marius

The Fire in a Hero's Heart

Written May 3rd, 2011

Hungry fire, burning bright

Tongues of flame reaching up into the night

Devouring all it can touch

Pictures, toys, keepsakes and such

Fringes turn black and curl

In the air ashes swirl

Ravenous destruction with spiteful teeth

Air so hot you can’t breathe.

Leaf Raking (a poem)

Leaf Raking

Swish Swish

A pile of red brown orange yellow

Gathers at my feet

I smell the crisp autumn odor

Wafting up from the ground

It’s not too hot

Not too cold

I can remember so easy now

Frolicking in leaf piles

As a child with my dog

So I do this chore happily

Because in my state of childhood abandon,

It’s so easy to forget

My adulthood sorrows



The Corridors (a poem)

The Corridors

Through the empty meaningless corridors we walk

The pale gray brick holding us in

For some this place is hell

For others a haven

Me, I am not sure

Some days, I am surrounded by smiles,

On others

These cold eternal corridors

Transport empty, dead faces

Whose emotionless eyes gaze at the floor

But whether we are elated or empty

The walls don’t care

They are only there

To hold us in.

---

Inspired by a day in school earlier this year when everyone just looked depressed. Maybe it was a monday.


Destructive Cyle (a poem)

Destructive Cycle

I can scream

At the dead white walls

Up into the hopeless gray sky

Into my defenseless deaf pillow

            The walls will remain silent

            The sky will only begin to cry

            My pillow will lie resentfully from my voice’s torment

            None of them will do anything

            To stop you from going

(Dear Marius) Your Reality (a poem, a dedication)

Dear Marius

Your Reality

Written April 30th, 2011

The rain has ceased

The sky is blue and clear

The grass reaches high

And the birds sing without fear

Dancing from tree to tree

The world is waking up

With a long happy sigh

I can feel the warmth of your love

In the air all around

Persistent and consuming

Yet it makes not a sound

You may have left mortality

But you are still such a reality

(Dear Marius) Auditorium (a poem, dedication)

Dear Marius

Auditorium

Written April 26th, 2011

It is dark

But we are all here

It is dark

But we are not scared

The audience seats

Are just shadowy shapes

Empty, from what we can see

But it is dark

So we can’t know for sure

Can we?

(Dear Marius) Now You Know (a poem, a dedication)

Dear Marius

Now You Know

Written April 25th, 2011

The tears of Angels

Fall

            Fall

From the great sky

So mighty

Each drop

Slapping me in the face

Stinging my skin

Though they’re so soft

Today

The rain I love

Bites, merciless

Touché (a poem)

Touché

Written April 23rd, 2011

Right in the middle of talk

You scream and run away

I look to see what made you balk

A tiny spider going about his day

I giggle at your silly fear

As I take him elsewhere

Only after you're certain it's clear

Do you rejoin me, still trembling from your scare

I pick on you and poke fun

You look at your feet, face red

Suddenly I scream and I'm on the run

The tables have been turned on me instead

You giggle at my greatest fear

As you swat the bee away

While my heart beats fast from it being near

I apologize and say; "Touché."  

Butterflies

Butterflies

Written April 22nd, 2011

Butterflies

I chased

As a tumble toddler

In the summer

When they fluttered by

Giggle and Stumble

Never caught one

But I always loved

To chase

Blissful Abandon

Butteflies

I miss

As an abandoned adolescent

In my abdomen

When he smiled-by

Blush and Stumble

He caught me

But it N'always lasts

In for the chase

Catch then release

Butterflies

I have

As a hopeful heartbreakee

In the air surrounding us

When he reaches out- a lie?

Flattered, I might Stumble

Will he catch me?

Possible-always last

Beyond the chase

Long Love

King in the Cage (a poem)

King in the Cage

Started April 8th, 2011

Finished April 20th, 2011

The whistle blows

And my team breaks

Positioning themselves

I jog alone

To the end of the field

Into the cage

A solitary monument

That I must guard

Without yield

The game is nigh

The ball; the Prize

Tossed high

The players; the Pieces

They surge forward

A wave of bodies

Crashing across the field; the Board.

Caretaker (a poem, dedication)

Caretaker

Written April 18th, 2011

His body is scarred and battered

From a life of hard work and toil

He doesn’t complain; the pain, it never mattered

So long as the table had bread, milk, and potatoes in the foil.

Shadow Wings (a poem)

Shadow Wings

Written April 16th, 2011

The sun slips down below

The moon is on the rise

Stars appear, one by one

Twinkling from way up high

As darkness fall, shadows take wing

Filling up the sky

Built for the night

Silent in flight

Speaking in echoes

With sensitive ears to see

What their eyes can’t

Children of the dark

The House on the Hill (a poem)

The House on the Hill

Written April 13th, 2011

There is a house atop a hill

Lonely on the outskirts of town

The windows cracked, the shadows still

The vines crawl

And the grass is tall

Nature is claiming it back; running it down

Forget You (a poem)

Forget You

Written April 12th, 2011

I hear your name

And it rings sourly in my ears

I tense up and stare at the ground

I’ll never look at you the same

The veil has been lifted from my eyes

And now I know what is true

I pity the next fool to fall for you

Ladies, look before you leap

He’s the prettiest damn thing

Easy on the eyes and smooth on the talk

He’ll make you want to sing

But he’s wearing the devil’s mask

He made me walk the fool’s walk

Now I’m frozen; no love left

And he still has my favorite book

I Am Not Afraid (a novel) Chapter One

Began writing on April 9th, 2011

Chapter One

First Visit

           

The first time I saw him, I was nine years old.

            My sister had had a bad dream, and asked me to come sleep with her. Our parents were gone for the weekend, and out brother’s girlfriend had come over at eight and they hadn’t come out of his room since.

            I was only two years older than her, but I guess when you’re scared any kind of company is better than none.

            She had come into my room at about midnight, shaking me awake. I had followed her blearily into her room, crawled under the covers, and promptly fell asleep again.

            I woke up at three a.m., and to this day I can’t really remember why. There was no loud noise, no bad dream, and no sudden movements. I just opened my eyes and there he was, standing at the foot of the bed.

Ode to the Pencil

Ode to the Pencil

Written April 6th, 2011

Pencil

A bridge between

My thoughts

And tangible paper

As my dreams get bigger

You get smaller

I'll wear you down

Right to the nub

And you won't complain

For that is your purpose.



When Tragedy Strikes (a poem)

When Tragedy Strikes

When tragedy strikes

There often is no warning

The soft sand on which you walk

Glittering with reflected sunlight

In a single step becomes sharp rocks

Beneath your soft and vulnerable feet

This is for a Friend (a poem, dedication)

This is For a Friend <3

Written April 3rd, 2011

This is for a friend

Who means the world to me <3

Who I never get to see :(

This is for a friend

Who knows how to make me smile :)

Who appreciates my style :D

Universe (a poem)

Universe

Written April 3rd, 2011

I sit here on this earth

Held down by gravity

Looking up at the Universe

Suspended over this world.

The stars above are sprinkled

Across the face of night

From down here I look up

Wondering if they are looking back.

Strangers (thoughts)

Strangers

Written April 2nd, 2011

     Funny how the world works.

     Before I lived with my dad, and only visited him on the weekends, I didn't know she even existed.

     After I moved and lived with him all the time, I got enrolled in the local school. That's where I met her, a fellow student.

     We hit it off almost instantly, and now here I am at a sleepover at her house, awake and trying not to make too much noise as she continues to drift in and out of sleep.

     Dad lives in a different house now, one town over form her. But our towns have a joint school.

     So here I am, just up the street from our old house, in her bed, writing. All those years when I came to visit Dad on the weekends, my best friend was just up the street! And I had no clue!

Opposites Attract (a poem)

Opposites Attract

Written April 1st, 2011

Pristine white

Neat, orderly

Blue lines across

Pink lines down

Perfect, untouched

Pure

Inviting, tempting

Night black

Shapely curves

Sharp lines

Uneven, random

No perfect repetitions

Messy

Creative, meaningful

Pen tip presses

On smooth white paper

What was previously

Empty

Pristine

Is now

Filled

Charmingly askew

This neat page; my messy scrawl

A perfect pair.



Hiding From the Storm (a poem)

Hiding From the Storm

Written March 31st, 2011

The rain is falling outside

Pattering softly on my window

Playing the soft tune

Of a lullaby

On my roof

We are hiding from the storm

Tucked safely in each other’s arms

Keeping the cold away

Separated from this harsh world

By the blankets around us

Nothing can hurt us

Him and I

While we’re surrounded

By this love

Seasons of the Heart (a poem)

Seasons of the Heart

Written March 30th, 2011

My lips are cold

My heart is dead

Winter has its hold

In my soul, in my head

He left me here

On my own

Abandoned in this frozen tundra

A sea of white and ice

Three Roads (a poem)

Three Roads

March 29th, 2011

I see three roads before me

One I will have to take

And knowing the habits of fate

They'll each be rocky

And the decision will be hard to make

Big Brother (a poem)

Big Brother

Written March 23rd, 2011

I grew up an only child
Among adults, coinciding in their world
I followed their example
Reading and writing preferred over play
I liked to learn new vocabulary
Instead of playing with dolls all day

I often wished on lonely days
Hanging upside-down off the couch
To amuse myself
With only T.V. for company
That I had a brother.
Perhaps a little one would be nice
To look after like the adults looked after me
But a big one would also suffice
He would play with me and protect me

The Monster in My Memory (a poem)

The Monster in My Memory

Written March 21st, 2011

I remember you

The face carved into my mind

Forever

I know it won't fade

A persistent stain

I remember us

How you kissed me

Held me

Your hands burning my skin

You said you loved me

I had never had anything like you

I was starved for love

Clinging to you

You were life, breath in my lungs

Elusive (a poem)

Elusive

Written March 21st, 2011

I see it there

Shimmering before me

An iridescent wisp in the air

I have to be quick to snatch it

Before it goes away

Scattered by a tiny breeze of distraction

It won't stay

Put Me to Sleep (a poem)

Put Me to Sleep

Written March 20th, 2011

Put me to sleep

Let me fall down to the sheets

Face down in the pillow

Please don't wake me

Leave me here

In this blissful coma

I don't want to wake up

Barefoot Day (a poem)

Barefoot Day

Written March 20th, 2011

The robins have taken wing
The squirrels come out to play
The black birds begin to sing
Today is the day

The sun shines down on the grass
All the snow melted away
Nearly dead, but free at last
Today is the day

Forgive Me (a poem)

Forgive Me

written March 30th, 2011

Forgive me,

But I'm confused.

Being with you

Is the easiest thing to do

We laugh and smile

The time spent worth my while

We hold hands and play

Can't think of a better day

Forgive me,

But I'm confused.

The day comes to an end

I'm alone, without a friend

Curled up in bed

Left alone to my thoughts instead

I get all tangled up inside

Doubt reaches high tide

Suddenly, being with you

Is the hardest thing to do

Dumbstruck (a poem)

Dumbstruck

written March 18th, 2011

My stomach twists

But I'm not sick

I clench my hands into fists

But I'm not angry

My heart hammers in my chest

But I'm not running

My mind is racing

But I'm not taking a test

I feel like I can fly

But I don't have wings

I want to sing

But I can barely speak

You just walked by me

And smiled

Tangled (a poem)

Tangled

Written March 17th, 2011

You're looking at me
With those sparkling eyes
Suddenly I can't think

Your lips part and you laugh
So beautiful, so uplifting, so seductive
Suddenly I can't breathe

You're touching me
Leaving trails of fire on my skin
Suddenly my heart stops

Hero (a poem)

Hero

written March 16th, 2011

I'm dangling from a ledge

Thirty stores high

Hanging on with one hand

People down below looking to the sky

I hear sirens in the distance

But they won't get here before I fall and land

Tears stream down my face

As my fingers slip

How did I get here

So close to tumbling into space?

No one can help me

Is there anybody out there?

I need a hero today

Necklace (a poem)

Necklace

written March 14th, 2011

There is a necklace

Resting on my collarbone

You may think nothing of it

This little chip of seaglass

Dangling on a silver chain

But if you look closer

Every time I pass

You'll see my choice in jewelry remains the same

There are no diamonds

No sparkling gem

Lighting up this simple pendant

So why then

Is it so special

It's the meaning on which its worth is dependant

Inside that little shard of smooth glass

Is that soul, the essence, of something beautiful

A miracle

In the Moment (a short story)

In the Moment

They had predicted good weather this week. They had said it would be so warm out we would forget it was fall.

I don’t think I had ever heard a bigger lie in my entire life.

The three of us trudged through the sleepy neighborhood, our heads down against the driving wind. Small snowflakes gusted into our faces, gathering on our eyelashes and stinging our skin with icy coldness.

My hands were stuffed under my armpits, but it did little to keep them warm. I didn’t have gloves. Valerie and Erica did though. I’d never been more jealous.

“Just one more house,” Valerie said, her teeth clacking as she looked down at her clipboard.

I looked up ahead, my eyes falling on the house looming at the end of the street.

It was small, but quaint, more like a cottage than a house, and puffs of smoke were rising from the chimney. Oh, the things I would do to be huddled by that fire…

The house was painted a forest green, with natural-looking wooden and doors and shutters. Vines covered almost one entire side of the house, reaching all the way up the chimney. A pretty hedge bordered the property, lightly dusted with snow. Leaves fluttered across the yard in the wind.

As we approached the driveway, I heard Erica say; “I hear she’s a witch.” Valerie’s eyes widened.

“Who?” I called over the wind.

Erica simply nodded to the door we were nearing. It was adorned with a wrought-iron dragon knocker.

The three of us gathered on the doorstep, huddling for warmth.

“Do you think it’s true?” I asked, a chill running up my spine, and not from the cold.

“Just look at the place,” Erica said, gesturing. Valerie nodded in agreement.

“Maybe we should just go back. We can say she wasn’t home,” Valerie offered. I shook my head without hesitating.

“We should at least try. She is a child of God, just like you or I. She deserves a chance.” Valerie and Erica glanced at their feet. Taking a deep breath, I raised the knocker and clapped it against the door three times.

There was a pause, then, over the racket of the gale, I heard a bustle from within. The door creaked, then swung inward.

The woman that stood before us was not what I had been expecting.

The Forever War (informational message)

To my lovely readers:
My novel in progress, the Forever War, is being posted on my booksie website. I currently have the first ten chapters up, and I will be adding more gradually. If you like what you see here on this blog, please stop by and give it a read :) I'm not sure if non-booksie members are allowed to comment, so if you'd like to leave me a message or rating in regards to the Forever War, please leave a comment/rating on this blog post.
There's a link for my Booksie site in the sidebar, but just in case here it is: www.booksie.com/Ousma
The Forever War follows the adventures of Princess Azaa and Prince Sacien in the land of Terrla, comprised of three Kingdoms, two of which have been at war for as long as anyone can remember. Jump into a world of fantasy, magic, Dragons, Griffins, lies, secrets, action, war, and romance and get ready for a wild ride! ;)
I'd like to thank everyone so much for stopping by my blog. I've been getting more attention than I've ever dreamed of, and my passion for writing only grows by the day. I hope my work has been enjoyable for all of you. Thank you again, keep reading, and for all you writers out there, KEEP WRITING! Oh... and Mason, keep jammin! <3
Much love,
Ousma (Faith)

Just A Little Too Close (a poem, intended lyrics, dedication)

Just A Little Too Close

Oh sweet child

With you gentle smile

I know you mean well

But my heart is the land

Of another man

[refrain]

I saw a lost and lonely soul

That needed someone to know

I gave you my hand

And as I pulled you up

You slipped and managed to land

Just a little too close

Who I Am (a poem)

Who I am

Written March 10th, 2011

You see me

Coming down the hall

In my black clothes

My big combat boots

My music too loud

All by myself

You think to yourself

She must be depressed

She must be lonely

An outcast

What an awful way to live

Drifting through this cold world

(Raise Your Voice) The Pentacle and Cross (a poem)

Added to 'Raise Your Voice' collection May 25th, 2011
The Pentacle and Cross

Written March 9th, 2011

I wear a pentacle

On my breast

Dangling from a thin silver chain

You bear a cross

Upon your chest

So very different,

Yet so very much the same

In their causes

For peace,

               Kindness,

                              Empathy,

                                            and hope

My Addiction (a poem)

My Addiction

Written March 8th, 2011

My pen is the portal

A wormhole from my mind

To this page

It helps me find

A way to express

My imagination's stage

My pen fits in my hand

Like it was made to be there

Creation suits my fingers best

Converting everything I think

To solid tangible ink

My heart spilled on paper

I do not know if it's genetics

Ink hereditarily pulsing in my veins

Or some random aesthetics

Graced to me by an unknown power

All I know is I can't stop

My thoughts from blooming on this page like a flower

                                                               Writing is my addiction

My Knight in Shining Armor has Purple Hair (a poem)

My Knight in Shining Armor has Purple Hair

Written March 6th, 2011

My knight in shining armor

Walks by me

With a strength in his step

He smiles at me

Charming me

With his come-and-get-me stare

He is dressed in black

Fit to kill

With the insignia of Slipknot

Barred on his chest

Chuck Taylors armor his feet

His secret heart full of flare

He may be quiet

He may be under known

But I can tell

He is humble and brave

My knight in shining armor-

He has purple hair



*The List (a short story)

The List

Charlotte ate green peppers all day long.

She had been sitting at her little circular kitchen table, in her old chair (the only one accompanying the table), surrounded by piles of her bills, sipping coffee from her mug. But no, she wasn’t tending to her bills with one of her pencils or pens, she was bent over her piece of paper, her eyebrows furrowed in deep concentration. It had only two words on the top line, both spread far apart to represent two different categories. Two simple words, yet they represented something so incredibly big and important.

Boy                                        Girl

Charlotte had been sitting there for a half hour, names dancing by in front of her eyes, a parade of letters. But none had seemed right, so her pen remained poised in the air, waiting for its moment to shine. But it never came in contact with the college ruled sheet of white adorned with blue and pink lines.

She groaned. Blue and pink. Boy and girl.

Throwing down her pen, she paced in the kitchen, distracting herself by reciting in her head; My fridge, my counter, my sink, my dirty dishes, my curtains, my stove, my cooking spices, my overflowing trash, my coffee spoon. Not Mom’s stove, Mom’s fridge, Mom’s sink, Mom’s curtains, no, not hers. Mine. Not Dad’s coffee spoon, Dad’s dirty dishes, Dad’s overflowing trash, Dad’s cooking spices, no, not his. Mine. It was all Charlotte’s. It was strange, scary, and exciting all at once.

Dream Reality (a poem)

Dream Reality

written February 2011

I shiver

As you brush my hair back

Warm fingertips

Skim across my cheek

You're looking at me

In a way I can't describe

I know you're nervous

But you're sure

So am I

I hold my breath

As you come closer

Put your arms

Around my waist

Pull me in

Pressed to your chest

I peer up at you

My heart pounding

Your hair falls over our faces

Ice Cold (a short story)

Ice Cold

            I remember that day being especially cold.

            It had been nice all week; we were having luck with the fall weather. So that morning I didn’t put on a coat, just a hoodie. As soon as I walked out of the house to wait for the bus, I knew it’d been a mistake. But I couldn’t turn back for fear of missing my ride. Mom would be madder than hell if I woke her up because I missed the bus. So I gritted my teeth and walked down the driveway.

            It was the type of cold that seeped right down into your bones and made them ache real bad. It was the type of cold that left your insides freezing long after your skin had warmed up again.

            The bus didn’t come right away, so I paced back and forth, like they say you’re supposed to in order to keep warm. AS my shoes crunched back and forth over the frost bitten pavement and I was shivering violently, I couldn’t help but think what a load of bullshit that was.

            I had never been happier when the long yellow vehicle finally came to halt in front of me, the sweet relief of the heater melting away my goose bumps.

            At the time I had just taken it as an indication that the winter season was staring to take over, and feeling angry about it. I could hardly stand the thought of pushing through another long New York winter, my sweet summer so far away.

            Looking back though, and knowing what I do now, the biting cold was almost like an omen.

The Soldier's Sleeping Beauty (a poem)

The Soldier's Sleeping Beauty

There was once a girl,
There was once a lad
She was his whole world
She loved him with everything she had

She counted every kiss
That he planted on her sweet lips
And when he was gone
Oh how she would miss
His careful touch
On her skin that she loved so much
The way he'd brush back her hair
And how into her eyes he'd stare

Saying farewell was the worst for him
When the bus came to take him away again
The flood of tears in her eyes
As he held her tight and whispered goodbye
He'd kiss her so deep
And cling to the memory as he lay up late in his bunk
Holding her picture as he quietly weeped

Stained Soul (a poem)

Stained Soul

Airport security stealing me away from you
Embrace me, arms warm circles of flame
Tell me you love me
Respond; but the words are ashes in my throat
Is it not too soon for love?
When I say I love you too
Why do I feel the guilt
Of a little white lie?
All the same it's hard to turn away from you
I will love you someday soon
Just not today

Shards of Glass (a poem)

Shards of Glass

Little tiny fragments

Catching shards of light

Throwing them on the walls

Dancing on your skin

Blue, green, orange, and yellow

Entrancing infant rainbows

Medicinal Shower (a poem)

Medicinal Shower

Written February 2011

I turn the knob

Adding more heat

Letting the water burn my skin

Stinging needles falling on me

As I hold myself

Feeling little waterfalls

Cascade from the cliff

Of my soft lips

That are no longer yours

To kiss

The Box In the Corner (a poem)

The Box in the Corner

written February 2011

All these memories

Echoing through my brain

Of when you smiled

Of when I was the only one

In the world

Now I can't help but ask

Were they real?

I am the one

You gave everything to

But when it came down to it

It wasn't enough to help you through

Your darkest days

You pushed me away

When you should have held me closer

A Meeting with the Goddess (a poem)

A Meeting with the Goddess

Written March 3rd, 2011

In the dead of the night

While my family sleeps

I am awake and restless

So from the house I creep

Outside beneath the summer moon

I do not care if the neighbors see

The crazy girl barefoot in the yard

Only hours before dawn, pulling herself into a tree

New Notebook (a poem)

New Notebook
Written March 3rd, 2011

I hold in my hands

The prettiest notebook

I ever did see

My mind racing with plans

Of things to write that will be worthy

School Night (a poem)

School Night

Written March 1st, 2011

I have found the perfect spot
That melts me into the mattress
I am perfectly comfortable
Finally
I start to drift to sleep

Then, as I am on the edge
The brink
of dreams
A new thought enters
Something I have not yet considered

I am wide awake again
This new thought
My new focus
Distracting me
From the rest I sought

Crutch (a poem)

Crutch

You were falling
I loved you
So I let you use me
As your crutch

Your weight
Leaned down on me
Straining me, heavy
Cracking me, heavier

I gritted my teeth
And took it
Until I couldn't take it
Anymore

Winter Rant (thoughts, rant)

Winter Rant

I hate winter.
Winter forces you to be confined inside until that rare occasion occurs when you're feeling spirited enough to brave the cold, bundle up, and roll around in the snow for a few hours until you can't feel your toes.
For me, that rare occasion only occurs once or twice every winter.
Every other day besides those two, the awful cold foreces me to become the couch's prisoner and to nearly suffocate from the boredom of being trapped inside the house (a glorified box) for any long period of time.

Something Is Missing (a poem)

Something Is Missing

Something is missing
A subtle difference in my psyche
I am colder
The days go by too quickly
For me to proccess
Yet too slowly
For me to enjoy
Something is missing
A hole in my heart and soul
I wait for it to be filled
As I am accustomed
But it remains desolate and empty
Widening each passing day
Something is missing
                                        It's you