THIS IS.... PHOTO

This is me and my boyfriend jake on a very special night. This is the night we celebrated our 4 year anniversary of dating. He has been my rock, my supporter, my cheerleader, someone I can count on, and someone who understands me. This is someone who never dresses down, always wears a Patagonia hat no matter where we are, only drinks water, and never shows his teeth when he smiles. This is someone who loves to be with me, take me out, and spoil me even when he doesn't have too. He is selfless, kind, reassuring, and has a heart of gold. I really couldn't ask for anyone better than jake, and all of the things he does for me on a daily basis. This is my boyfriend jake of 4 and a half years, and I hope my boyfriend of 4 and a half more.

PHOTOS OF THE MILLENNIUM (SO FAR)

All the events in my life had added up to this point in my life. Feeling of despair, and hatred. Feelings of not being loved, or feeling cared about. I felt completely alone, like I didn’t really matter to anyone. I was really just invisible it seemed like. I grew up on a life time of depression. Taking meds for my problems, trying to take too many of them to see what would happen. Eventually i got my meds taken away from me, which made me struggle even worse. I tried counseling, therapy, I did everything. But nothing was going to change my mind, I was of no importance. I set my date, April 27th, 2015; I was going to jump off the golden gate bridge. I wanted to feel scared and nervous, but I was more ready to go then have any emotions about it. And when the day came, my feet dangling off the edge, fingertips slipping by the second, holding on with the tightest grip, thinking to myself, “am I ready?” and that's when I heard the soft and gentle voice of a police officer. He didn’t tell me to get off, or scream at me and ask me what I thought I was doing up there. He talked to me, he just talked to me. I hadn’t had someone talk to me, and ask me how I was feeling in almost 4 years. He asked me about myself, and told me I was worth way more than I thought. I knew in that moment I wasn’t ready to go, and that someone did care about me. He eased me off the bridge, and pulled me to safety. I recovered in a rehabilitation center for about 4 months, and two months after that, I began to speak out about my experiences. I became an advocated for suicide, along with the police officer who pulled me off the bridge. I am happy now, and helping others to understand they are worth more than they believe, and no matter how bad it gets, suicide is never the answer.

COLOR STORY

The day she fell apart.

           Blue. Blue was the only way I felt. I felt betrayed, despair, no love from anyone. My parents were never there for me; my graduation, my wedding day, every other important event in my life. It was like I was completely irrelevant. All because of the adoption. Don't get me wrong, I am so happy to have such a sweet, loving little sister in my home, and even though we are not related, our bond is so strong. But my parents feel that way, but only about her. I was here first, and now I am of no importance in their lives.
           Red was a color I was always drawn too since my sister had been a part of our family. Red gave off the vibe of anger, guilt, built up emotions, stress, anxiety, and many other devilish traits. Like I said, I love my sister. But my parents not being there on my wedding day because my little sister had a 4th grade open house that day? That is what hurts me. No love from the people I should have the most from. And then it happened...
           Black; that whole day was black. It was a blur of emotions, and I honestly don't remember a lot of the events that actually happened that day. It was tragic, miserable, sad, and so frustrating. I got my little sister taken from me; oh, and my parents too. Something happened with the government and not paying the adoption fees in time. So there we were, Thursday afternoon, without our little girl we had worked so hard to get. We did every thing we could that night, but it truly was a lost cause. Now it was just us; the three of us.
          Yellow. In that moment, the sky was yellow. The sun had come up again, even if we thought it never would. About two weeks after loosing her, my parents came to me and apologized. Something I surely thought would never happen. They looked at me, tears filling their eyes, and said we are so sorry. They told me they were not only sorry for getting my little sister taken from me, but for missing out on the important events in my life as well. And now that they don't have their prized possession, they are going to have to play with their old toy that was left behind.

CAGED BIRD INSPIRED PIECE

I know why the caged bird sings.

He sings of freedom for those who can't.

I know I am not in that position,

and I can't always relate.

I don't know why no one will listen to the caged birds,

they all have an important voice.

Birds represent us as people, and our freedom.

Some have wings, some are caged, some are free, some are not.

Being caged is being sheltered,

Freedom is learning how to make it on your own.

Singing for the caged birds that can't,

I sing of freedom for all,

Flying for those without wings,

Flying away from judgement, and flying towards those that aren't.

COLOR COLLAGE POEM

This was the day she had been planning, dreaming about for years.

It was something she had planned out in her head, and needed it to work.

She had the man of her dreams, a rock on her finger, but needed the papers to know it was real.

The day came, her wedding day. She had her aisle set on the beach with paths of roses,

All she needed to do was put her dress on, and do her part.

And that she did. Finally, no more being the bridesmaid, she was the bride.

She had all she ever dreamed of in her head.

She danced for hours upon end at her dream reception.

Her princess ballgown and feet gracing the dance floor, holding on to her father.

This was it, she was leaving her daddy.

Her dad had tears flowing, and so did she. He gently rested his hand on he cheek and said, 

"I couldn't be more proud of you. As hard as it is for me to give my little girl away,

I know that man will treat you better than I ever could."

PAINT CHIP POEMS

HAIKU:

Flowing in the wind

Drifting hopelessly for now                                          

Return to me one day

HAIKU:

Away through the moon

Darkness dims over the sun

To return home soon

HAIKU:

There she stood, hopeless

No one could hear her dim wale

She stood dark and blue

ACROSTIC POEM

Autumn leaves
Mimicking the new season
Barely holding on to their branches
Early in the season, too soon to fall
Ripe, crisp, autumn leaves

Waving goodbye to summer
A new season approaching
Vastly saying goodbye
Every end brings a new beginning

8+ LINE FREE VERSE (4 PAINT CHIP NAMES)

I am forever berry kissed.

Kissed by the sun, the leaves, the trees.

Kissed by the berries that grow from them,

and the berries that don't.

It is romance, in a way no one has known it before.

It is not blush and bashful, but sweet and suspenseful.

 My berry kisses come from sugar-beet,

And of course, true love from the sun and the trees.

8+ LINE NARRATIVE USING PAINT CHIP NAME

Romance. That is all it was; strictly romance.

If I thought for just one moment it could be the last time,

I would tell you as many times as I could,

I will love you forever, even beyond death, when we are underground.

If I thought for just one minute, it would be the last time I would lay eyes on you,

I take a million pictures. Because pictures are worth more than a million words.

MAYA ANGELOU REFLECTION
-WRITERS DREAMING-

1.) "We talked about the title of Maya Angelou's first autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. What did Angelou say is the reason a caged bird sings? What does that mean? Do you agree with or understand that idea?

        "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" This allegory is describing how the caged person speaks of freedom. How some people how do not feel they have a voice, she speaks out in freedom for them. I do agree one hundred percent with her because some people do not actually have a voice, and cannot speak of the freedom, and speak out about issues they feel is necessary. I believe Maya Angelou is a very powerful woman, and after many years and struggles of trying to get her voice heard, she is finally being heard, and singing for the caged birds that can't.

8.) "Angelou says, "There's a world of difference between the truth and the fact." What do you think she means by that? Do you think the same?"

        I think what she means by, "There's a world of difference between the truth and the fact" is that many facts can not speak peoples true opinion, let alone the real truth. Truths are not necessarily facts and facts are not necessarily true, however, this does not mean that they cannot coexist.  Maya didn't always agree with feminism and racial issues, but some were facts. She didn't always agree on the facts, believing they sometimes weren't always the truth.

11.) "Angelou mentions being told that "One can't really learn after one is twenty-five." Do you think the older you get the harder it is to try or learn new things? Or do you think being older means you're more focused on what is important and not distracted by things that keep you from learning?"

        I believe it is harder to learn things after you are 25. Growing up, around people who are also growing up and learning new things can sometimes cause you make decisions you might not make after you are mature, but you definitely learn some life lessons from that. When you are older, I believe you are focused on the real world at that point, and doing things to only benefit yourself, bot to hurt others.

5.) "After going through a major trauma at age seven, Angelou didn't talk for almost five years. Could you live this way? Do you talk too much or too little? What could you learn if you listened more and spoke less? How could you grow as a person by speaking more?"
     
       Living completely silent for 5 years would be so hard. Speaking is our biggest way of communicating, and we really wouldn't be able to get a lot done nowadays without it. With being silent, you would have to start being able to communicate through sight, and or body language. If i listened more, I would learn that I am in fact not always right, and sometimes people I talk over might have something very valuable to say. It would be a long five years, but a huge lesson to learn indeed.
   

COMMENTS FOR CLASSMATES

MADISON JEBSON: Praying Hands

COMMENT: Hi Madison! This piece was so much fun to read! You write in so much specific detail, and you kept things intriguing the entire time. I love how at the end of the poem, you wanted to get rid of the hands because your mother in law was passed now, and that said a lot about how you felt about your mother in law. Awesome story!

BAILEY DOREY: The Day I Walked Away

COMMENT: Hey Bailey, this story was amazing! I loved the suspense of having to wait until the end to figure out what the character was going to decide. I also really enjoyed how you wrote about something you have a passion for, because that made the story a lot more realistic! Great job! 

HOPE VILLINES: Pearl Earrings

COMMENT: Hey Hope! This was amazing! I loved how I could totally relate to this. There was such strong imagery, something I really enjoyed! It was easy to understand exactly what the character was going through. I love how her character talked to her mom every morning, which is something I always do as well. This was great hope!

I AM POEM COMMENTS:

I loved that bible verse; it is one my grandma read to me every day.

I love your quote "I am ever changing" This is so true! 

The way you talked about your family reminded me a lot of my family; very tight knit.

I also have two dogs who are my absolute best friends!

OBJECT POEM (FREE WRITE)

BAILEY LOFARO

THE BELOVED TEDDY BEAR

That teddy bear had been through everything with me. That bear represented me. It stood for what I have been through, and who I am as a person. It held memories I wouldn’t like to remeber, and some I will never forget. It represented my family; how we were imperfect and broken. In fact, I wouldn’t even call it “family.” It went through different foster parents, adoption homes, city buses and taxi’s. It knew me, and my mental instability. In fact, I took a lot of my issues out on it, because when I looked at the bear, I saw myself. But I loved that bear with my whole heart. It knew all of my secrets, insecurities, and even what I was thinking. It held a lot of importance, even if I was the only one that saw it that way. No one treated it with care, but only in the hands of myself. It knew my home, when I had one of course, and it knew I was special maybe when others thought I wasn’t. It had potential. It was destinted for good things, but no one ever gave it the time of day. It was a special bear, and it’s rusted, sticky fur could tell my whole life stroy. It may have been tattered up, over used, and maybe dirty; but nonetheless it wwas loved.

Typing this story made me think; maybe I was writing about myself and not the bear.

Dream Threads

Thoughts about my grandmother keep me awake at night.

Anxiety, stress, restlessness, tossing and turning.

Noises, lights, thoughts of the day that ended behind me.              

Thoughts of sadness, happiness, and every emotion in between.

Thinking about my friends, and wondering what lies ahead in our friendship.

Thoughts and worries about my mom, and hating watching her struggle.

Late nights listening to new music, watching Netflix, and snuggling with my dogs.

Being so unbelievably cold, and taking every blanket from the linen closet.

Talking on the phone for hours, passing the hours away.

Dreading the early morning to come, knowing I need the sleep.

So many thoughts running through my mind, keeping me awake for hours on end.

I am unable to focus on one of the 10,000 thoughts in my head.

Anna Lancu

"DREAM MARKS ON MY PILLOW."

IF I COULD GET SOME SLEEP, I WOULD.

I stay up all night thinking about why I feel like I have no one. 

Why people turn against me in times of trouble when I am always there for them in times of need. 

I think about why I have stress and anxiety, and how two simple aspects can affect my life in so many ways. I think about my struggles, my grades, and how I am falling behind knowing that the end is near. I think about my life after graduation, all the things I will have to do to pursue my dreams and goals. I think about my sick grandmother, and say a 20 minute prayer for her every night. 

I mention my mom in the prayer too, I hate seeing her struggle everyday. 

Through the midst of all my sad thoughts, i remember just how blesses i really am. 

Yes, I may feel as if my life is falling apart sometimes, but I really have all I could ever need, and that thought is what puts me to sleep.

Haiku:

Stress and Anxiety

Awake. Keeps me up at night.

Restless and Tired.

IF I WERE IN CHARGE OF THE WORLD

If I were in charge of the world, I'd cancel
Crime, veggies, ground beef, and also scary movies.


If I were in charge of the world, there'd be
More candy, lots of love, and peaceful protests.


If I were in charge of the world,
You wouldn't have poverty,
You wouldn't have panhandling, 
You wouldn't have Mcdonalds,
Or "Thats a bad word."'
You wouldn't even have bad words.


If I were in charge of the of the world,
An ice cream cone with cookie dough would be a vegetable.
All people were happy,
And a person who sometimes forgot to pay bills,
And sometimes forgot to pick their kids up from school,
Would still be allowed to be in charge of the world.

Color Chip Poem

GOLDEN SUNSHINE

Enjoying the sunshine when I can,

Every day brings a new ray.

New thoughts, things to do, and actions,

Every day brings a new ray.

After dark dreams filled with panic and fear,

The new day will bring new rays.

On foul days with no rest in sight,

The next day will bring a new ray.