Sunset
I watch the sun melting like butter into the calm swirl of waves and foam It glides down, a flying ballerina In the far end of my vision, I can see shimmering stars glistening: City...
Issue: <span>January/February 2008</span>
View:
I watch the sun melting like butter into the calm swirl
of waves and foam
It glides down, a flying ballerina
In the far end of my vision, I can see shimmering stars
glistening:
City lights
I look deeply into the vast universe below, a world of its own,
And see reflections
Somewhere, I can be sure, someone else is beholding the
same image.
“Dad," I whined, stomping the sole of my new black riding boots into the hard pavement of the driveway, feeling my heel grinding into the small pebbles. "Can we go to the stable yet?"
I tugged on the handle of my dad's old pickup truck, yearning to open the door, hop in, and drive off.
"Ashlyn, honey, I'm just trying to snap the buckle on Amber's riding helmet.
A tree
Waiting
Standing high, drinking water
Through its mighty roots
Near a river
Shimmering blue
As smooth as glass
It watches the leaves fall
And quickly swept away by the river
Swept far, far away
But still it waits
Its branches blow gently
Back and forth
A fish jumps out of the water
Glistening in the sun
The tree wonders
What it is like underwater?
It was one of those winter days that seemed much more like spring. There had been a storm yesterday but the only trace of it now was the slightly dark mist suspended in the vast open sky. Weak sunlight crept through the open windows, casting a timid sort of light throughout the room and a quiet chirping of birds could almost be heard outside in the maple tree.
I twirl around and around in front of my mirror. I quickly smooth out the crinkles beginning to form on the beautiful silk dress. Glancing at my face I notice a stray hair and quickly pin it back into place. Reapplying a coat of lipstick, I nervously look at my dress one last time. It is beautiful.
I am filled with pride I cannot explain.
The Forest in the Hallway by Gordon Smith;
Clarion Books: New York, zoo6; $16
You can’t judge a book by its cover. How many times have you heard that phrase? Still, when I picked up The Forest in the Hallway, I took a good look at the cover and thought, Looks OK. I was incredibly, absolutely wrong. I was expecting an average fantasy book. This one is extraordinary.
The floor creaked as Simon crept through his grandparents' attic towards a large chest in the corner of the room that had caught his eye. In the dusty attic, cobwebs hung from the shelves and bookcases and a thick layer of dust blanketed the mildew-covered furniture.
I watch the sun melting like butter into the calm swirl
of waves and foam
It glides down, a flying ballerina
In the far end of my vision, I can see shimmering stars
glistening:
City lights
I look deeply into the vast universe below, a world of its own,
And see reflections
Somewhere, I can be sure, someone else is beholding the
same image.
Some days I look out the window through the mixture of trees, onto my backyard. The cool wind, the rustling of the leaves seem to beckon me closer. This way, this way to paradise, they whisper through the rays of sunshine. I cannot contain myself any longer, for I must traverse to my Utopia, my paradise, my special place.
I throw on my boots haphazardly, not wasting any time.
Min-Li was an eleven-year-old slave girl taken from her family so long ago that she barely even knew who she was. Her owner, Master Chu, never considered telling her anyway. He never really treated Min-Li properly, and he was a terrible master. Master Chu never even used Min-Li's real name; he called her "wretch" and "lazy one" instead.