A Conversation

Instead of the usual eight minute block devoted to all things maths, I was sent to the forum for a free period. I was told that I could either stay or flex my senior privileges and leave. I decided that I would stay and do my best to fill out a few more scholarships (God knows I could use it). After about three more applications were canned, my favorite substitute walked through the double doors and greeted me with a crushing handshake and warm smile. He asked if he could sit down next to me; the seeds of a great conversation had been sown.

We stated off talking about my brother and his purchasing of a home, his girlfriend, and how he was generally doing overall. Eventually we moved on to talking about what my plans for the future are, and what employment opportunities I have in front of me. Eventually we moved to his college days of hard mental labor mixed with a steady hand of discipline; he didn't leave out any detail about how hard it was. The work he put in during his schooling was paramount; while others were out "doing what you're supposed to do in college" he was studying. By no means was he the brightest student at school, but he was the hardest working and most driven. He told me that his mother was forced to leave school and never graduated high school. She was the reason why he worked so hard. Education was his way to make something of himself.

As the conversation went on, I realized that this man had seen the world and worked in places some could only dream of. His work ethic and sheer grit allowed him to break down barriers that at one time seems miles high. Near the end of our conversation, he look over at me and said

"Kid, this world is yours-albeit very different from my time- it is yours. You are lucky to be where you are right now, and you've been blessed with a good family, athletic prowess, and most of all a good head on your shoulders. You'll go far, I'm sure of it."

These words had a profound effect on me. I realized that I really had a direction in life, and I wanted to do what I am going to do. The culmination of all the doubts, worries, wonders, and excitement had all come out during this conversation, and it felt good. My decisions and his stories seemed to line up; I learned much about the opportunities out there.

To leave you with a final thought,

"Always talk to the old people. They've already done it."

A Throw Back

This was a piece of writing I did last summer. I remember writing it on my way home from Winslow after a long day moving furniture for my grandmother. Anyway, I hope that this shows how much I've grown over the past year (and I will still continue to grow!). So, here's to nostalgia.



It was a beautiful day, and my family went for an ice cream in mother’s hometown.
The smile on your face greeted me with an unmatched warmth that I’ve never experienced before. What set you apart from every other member of the service industry was you first words to me. They were far from the typical demands for patronage, but a simple “how are you today?” My reply was of the same brand of simplicity, but heartfelt nonetheless. You laughed and smiled. I laughed and smiled too. But time wasn’t on our side; business was at hand.

When you asked for my order, it was as if you waited for more than just a simple flavor. You looked longingly into my eyes, and I looked back with the same passion. When the flavor escaped from my mouth, you listened for more than just the correct cone. 

As I handed you the correct amount of paper currency, your fingers lingered upon mine. I wasn’t expecting you to do this, but I welcomed the action and reciprocated with laugh-smile combo. As you broke my ten, the change bag zipper acted as if it were cemented in its position. Eventually you wrestled it free, and out fingertips met again with the exchange of the correct change.

The minutes that ensued the transaction were filled with speculation. I wrote down my number on a napkin, but the true question remained. Was I going to give it to you? As you handed out the cones, the number rested in my pocket. I missed my chance, but you still put a smile on my face.

Isn’t that what is important?

Dancing in a burning room

"Holy Sh- Look at that sun coming closer and closer!"

Indeed my friends, we are hurtling towards the sun

faster than we ever have before-

BUUUUUTTTTT

The dance party that is going 

on in the parking lot is amazing!

All music is now free to download 

because of doomsday, so 

we literally have more good times

than days left!
"Turn that sh- UP!"

Have you ever had that feeling?

Your world is about to burn to bits 

and you,

standing where you are 

smiling 

move closer and closer to the speakers

to draw a breath-

of escape! 

If only this moment could last forever!

My legs on fire (from both the heat of 

Armageddon and the pulse of trumpets)

and I see you dancing across from me

*High Five* 

Wooh! Now your eyeballs are melting 

but we both smile because of the 

memories we made

when the water wasn't boiling.

All those warm summer days

spent on the diamond 

playing in the haze 

and in the sand.

All the ska-punk adventures

and massive scootering gangs! 

Damn, we had some great times! 

So bring on the heat

bring on the fires 

and bring on the change! 

We will dance in the face of your 

flamethrowers! 

Excuse me now, the house is 

in flames! I need to change my CD! 

Escape To Disconnect

"I need you to relax. Please, I can't hold you down while we do this. Pam, please calm the boy down. I can't risk hurting him anymore" a hand runs though my hair. "Shhh son. You'll be okay, I promise. Go to your happy place. Go far away from here...

As I look over my shoulder

I see you

and the sunset

your hair dancing in the wind

The strands do a red tango

across an invisible dance floor

and you whisper something 

in my ear- 

I can't quite place the color

but I couldn't care less.

You laugh at the joke

I crack, and roll over

on your side

messing up the blanket

spread out on the grass.

The wind is picking up-

the dancers are in cut time now

and twice as amazing.

I take a blurry picture 

of you

You laugh at how awful 

you look-

But I couldn't care less.

We see the sun kiss

with the horizon-

and the beach is empty

except for the squirrels above in

the big pine

This is perfect

this is a moment I never want to end

But-

My fingers are afraid

but yours are not

They find me first and 

intertwine like the few
fleeting moments we spend
in each other's shadow.

You stare into the eventide

and you have never looked 

more red-yellow.

I say to myself 

'What a wonderful-'

"You can relax now; the tube is in and you should see that bag fill up with fluid. Call in a nurse when it reaches that line. I know you'll be tough, but we gave you some of these to take the edge off a bit. We're here to help you pal, so don't hesitate. You've got quite the story to tell."

Stars

When you look to the sky at night
do you see yourself?
-or the countless opportunities for
change; something omnipresent
or something tangible and real?

When you lay you head down at night
do you feel happiness?
-a resounding symphony of fireworks
exploding in unison
at the snap of your fingertips?

When you see their face
do you see the smile grow?
Or do they pretend not to see you
searching for their muddied glance?
You yearn for a response
-but you know it wont come
no matter how hard you pry.

Honestly, what were you thinking?
You knew it was never meant to be
the differences too great and
the time you never had.
You were in over your head, champ.

Forget about it, right?
Move on. Move away (soon enough).
Maybe it isn't them, maybe it what
they made you feel
-something you haven't felt
in such a long long time since.

Months later, you still miss
that feeling, and you pray to
God that he helps
and he does in his own way.
You understand this,
but you don't understand this
but you don't question this
-its not who you are.

Who are you, anyway?
Besides what you see in the mirror,
who are you?
You are a star up above
an opportunity
a chance to breath new air
and exhale a thousand crystals
more valuable than diamonds
more valuable than gold
more valuable than that feeling
you once had.

Just breathe!

3x3s For Poetry Compilation

Great Balancing Act 

Will Remain Strange 

YOU'll MOVE MOUNTAINS! 

Oh The Places You'll Go 

Companionship Reamin Unwavering 

Loving Licks Await

Come Home! WOOF

If Feeling Isn't in It 

Prototype Mark V.1.0

This graphic is supposed to be a rough-cut of what we could put on the side of our Jenga Block creation. I know we have moved away from that a little bit, but I still wanted to pursue this idea a little more deeply. As you faintly see, the entire "Poem" by Lucy Ives is sprawled out throughout the graphic. However, the writing is very faint and hard to make out. On the left, you can see the three by three I distilled from this poem. The rest of the graphic is up to interpretation for the viewer! I understand that this poem was not exactly the most happy in nature, but I just wanted to get a sense for what could be done.

Either way, I enjoyed the process.

AF