Poetry

**Poetry** OK, this a new page (again). I think we're kind of addicted to making new pages, so bear with us. Last time, we made a new page called scenes, this time it's poetry. Again, if you have any poetry that you'd like to submit, contact J&A, we'll see what we can do...(dun, dun, dun, duuuuun). Sorry, sarcastic scariness. Anyway, if you read the discussion titled MORBID STAGE!! on the Booklist page, you'd know what's up, but if you don't keep up...well, we can't help you. Also, we will have poetry on this page by authors that we enjoy reading. **All rights go to them! ** So, without further ado...I present to you--the Poetry page!! (Dun-dun-da-dun-da-da-da-da-da-dun-dun)  J&A

**Clean**  by Jess  Beyond that cracked walkway,  and the creaking iron gate,  there lies a subtle hint of perfectness.

 The schoolgirls skip past it  and the rowdy boys zip unknowingly by.

 But I,  I hook my fingers in the curlicues  and pull open that rusted gate.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> The curtains billow out from the pane-less windows, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> like monarchs taking flight <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> on the blustery wind.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> The cracking whitewash <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> bears a whimsical charm <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> that cannot be resisted by my eccentric eyes.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> But still, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> gazing up at the chalky, blue sky, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> I realize that I will not be back here again.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> So I shut the gate <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> and watch that unmarred world <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> fade s-l-o-w-l-y...

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**The Perfect Mess** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> by Jess <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> If you entered this lair of haunted thoughts <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> and mindless wandering, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> you'd see a clutter of some sorts.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Think the Mad Hatter meets hurricane. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> You head straight for my desktop, hey, don't touch! <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Photos lay places, an off-balance tissue box is put aside. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Library cards, reminders and half-broken items are castaways of my shipwreck.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Moving onto my desk, you wonder if it is possible a stowaway or two is hiding under a mountain of papers high enough to shame Mount Everest, no? <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Tape, bands of pens, envelopes and odds and ends of office-life seek refuge here. You give a little shudder. Are those really eight eyes staring out at you from behind my lamp?

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> My bed is not made, nor will it ever be. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> A notebook accompanies my sleep, along with a magician's wand. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Don't ask why. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> The flowered blankets lay in a heap, with my purple, red and blue pajamas acting as hopeless accessories. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> The pillow slouches. Oh my.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> These are only three items in the monstrosity of what I live in. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> But, wait, wait, wait!

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> If you like eccentricity and dottiness, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> perhaps a touch of whimsical humor, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> maybe even a little madness?

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Then you'd enjoy lounging about on whatever you can in my cave. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> You might not know what you're sitting on, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> or if the thing next to you is alive or dead.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> But maybe you'd like to see <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> what goes on in my head?

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Abandoned** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> by Jess <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> A white sheet of paper, laying on the roll-top desk. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> It stares up at me, taunting. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> "Go ahead," it says, "write on me. I dare you to," whispering in a soft, breathy voice. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> So fluffed up with indignation, I grab the black pen nestled in my pocket. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Jumping into the dusty wooden chair, I lean forward and write. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Dragons appear from that ballpoint tip <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> and snake charmers smile slyly, emerging from my pen. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> The white paper's voice drowns out over tales of wizards, princesses and lost treasures. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> "G-go --and the snake charmer said--ah-h-head--'oh, help me!' the princess cried--" <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> I grin at my success at the now smothered paper.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> White paper is an abandoned hope. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Blank paper is an empty dream. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> If you were a paper, I'd want to dream and live and grow and hope and smile and laugh and play and frolic! <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Don't make an orphan out of the paper.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> I blink and I see a green-scaled dragon slither out of the words. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> A pink-clad princess steps out gracefully and tosses her head. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> A French artist, donning a beret and paintbrush, twirls his mustache and says, "Bonjour, milady, what will we be doing today?"

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Underwater** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> by Jess <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Bubbles bobbing <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Swarming around me <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Have you <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> ever been <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> underwater? <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Flip turns <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Shooting <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> like a spear <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Never stopping <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Rocketing <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Torpedo <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Dark and murky <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Clear and blue <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> The water of the <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> earth <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> envelopes me <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> taking me <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> hostage. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Funny thing is, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> I really don't mind.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Chopsticks** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> by Ali <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Chopsticks are impossible, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> they slip out of my hands. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> The food in them goes flying. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> I don't know where it lands.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Knives are very dangerous <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> my eyes are filled with worry <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> in fear that I will cut myself <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> I never try to hurry.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> And in this crazy world, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> where trouble lingers, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> why don't we all just our FINGERS?!

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Nighttime** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> By Ali

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Light dances on <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> deserted windows. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Darkness takes over the sky. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Vibrant shades hide behind clouds <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> as the moon shows its <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> sleepy, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> white, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> face... <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> The trees' branches look <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> like <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> skeletons having <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> a party. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> May I join?

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Bookworm** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> By Ali <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Books, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> are the wonderland <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> I travel in. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Where I can go <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> anywhere, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> anytime, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> with <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> a book. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> The imagination stretcher! <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> The minds' transportation of exploration! <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> In which I dwell... <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> O! How I love a good book. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> You find yourself <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> floating, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> floating, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> floating... <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Drifting farther <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> and farther away from <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> mankind. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Flying, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> flying, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> though seemingly <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> falling, falling, falling... <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> into your book.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Wishing Well** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> By Ali

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Look into my wishing well, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> make a wish but never tell... <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Make sure it's something you want the best! <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> A puppy or a treasure chest! <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> An acoustic guitar, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> a brand-new car. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> I'd promise you this wishing well, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> TOO BAD!!! <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> It's something I'd never sell.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Red** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> by Jess <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Red <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> is a fiery hope of passion.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> It speaks of love, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> anger and possesses the utmost mystery <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> dwelling deep inside.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Does red trouble you? <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Does red act as a shining beacon of hope for you? <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> What //<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">does //<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> red do for you?

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Red has the ability to say, "Stop!" <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> to a line of traffic. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Red has the ability to call dozens of firefighters <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> to save the day. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Red has the ability to turn a person's day joyful.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Red will stop your journey. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Red will guide you through your adventure. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Red will make you stomp and hiss in rage. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Red will melt your heart into a puddle on the ground.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> So <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> when you look into my eyes, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> what red do you see?

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Invisible** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> By: Ali =^..^=

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Through the dark alleyways, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> beyond the endless fields, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> nobody speaks <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> of the darks or the chills.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> The sun alwys shines, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> the people so joyful, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> no one worries about <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> the Dark Ones.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> They make good choices, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> they follow the rules, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> the houses so perfect, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> the buildings, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> the schools. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> TOO perfect.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> The kids eat at excactly 5:00, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> The parents are fair. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> But The Thought, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> lingers...

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> The world of Happy, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> of light, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> of cheer, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> the place where there is <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> never fears.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Though above all the happiness <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> The Darkness awaits. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Its gentle pat-pat-pat-click.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Heels turning, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> down the hall <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> infront of the fireplace <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> crackling.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Overturned log burns the <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Happiness <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> away. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Forever... <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> And it shan't return <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> for it is gone.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Try Me** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> By: Ali

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Daring, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Patient, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Selfish, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Careless, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> the beginning has ended. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> His mouth forms a tight line- as straight as... <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> EVIL. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> A cruel laugh escaped his lips... <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> "It won't end." <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Another chuckle found its way <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> and he tilted his head back dramaticallty <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> and whispered in his dry cackle <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> "I win." <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Won the competition. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Maybe it would end. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-weight: normal;"> Not yet...

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> Napkins are a Delight <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> **By Jess** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> **Napkins are a delight.** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> **While cleansing oneself,** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> **you can write!**

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> Poems, stories and wonders too. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> When it rips, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> it is the day you will set to rue.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> But do not despair, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> for this poem (which is on a napkin) <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> I have just created out of thin air.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> By Jess <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Crunching on dry leaves, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The brittle wind sweeps right by, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Whispering goodbye.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">The Falling **

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> **<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">New School ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Schools of busied fish, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Swimming toward where they need be, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I'm lost in the sea.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> By Jess **

**<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">On the Other Side ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> By Jess <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> Falling to luscious grass, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> Butterfly wings on my cheeks, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> On the other side.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> **Haiku Haiku** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> By J&A <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"> I love a haiku, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">They are extremely awesome, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> You should writ e them too!

<span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">**Summer Sonata** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal;"> By Jess <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">I saw a reindeer on my way to see a peer. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> It began to toss its head about and I started to shout.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> We laughed and stomped our feet. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Secretly, it was Santa whom I hoped to meet.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> And lo and behold!--there he is! <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Out of smoke, dust and great white fizz.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Mr. Santa Claus drove up in a large black Hummer. <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">But only then, did I remember--it was summer!

<span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> **Poetry** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> ** By Ali ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Ah, my love, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** of poetry, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** how much ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** you ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** mean to thee! ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> **UNTITLED** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> ** By Ali ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** As Death rapped on the wooden door of my tiny domicile, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** A carriage approached my cottage- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Waiting for an arrival. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** I pondered life, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Wistful to many memories yonder. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** All rustling leaves, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Of misty Noon- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Humid air wraps its snaky hands around my neck ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** As I say my ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Last goodbyes. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** From then on, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** I dreamed of the carriage ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Up in Heaven, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Wondering: who? ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** An owl answered my call. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** “Hoo? Hoo?” ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** But ‘twas mere hallucination- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** I laughed- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Silly foal, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** There are no owls in heaven! ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** So I mustn’t have passed- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Just fallen asleep on a hot summer day. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** I woke up from a daze, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Just to turn to the invisible carriage- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** And to whisper my ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Last goodbyes. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> **UNTITLED** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> ** By Ali ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Clueless- though I wander. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Hopeful- yet I fear. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** ‘Twas yearning- from desire, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Thoust running from fear itself- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Noon beyond its horizon. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** When days turn to nights, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Eagerly tugs at the ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** String of desire- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Of my heart- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** To return home once again. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** But- though- now, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** I long for refreshment- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** And lie down to go to sleep. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** I close my heavy eyelids, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** And lie thy down to sleep, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** These woods seem… ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Comforting. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Alas! I know! ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** I will go home, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Return to my florid Love- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** And join Festivities like I had ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Before- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Be merry! ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Be happy! ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Huzzah! ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** And live like I hath, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Day’s gone by- running away. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> **UNTITLED** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> ** By Ali ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** A bell ringing- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Distant chimes! ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Once- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Twice- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Have you Three Times! ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Running thru the village square- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Huzzah! ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Twas Ten and a Half ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** When I had heard those chimes- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** 'Tis snow Eleven times- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Nor fast, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Nor slow, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Briskly I go! ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Prancing through town- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** With only the clothes on my back- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** I wait for Noon ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** To become. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Eleven chimes- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** And a half. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Ding- ding! ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Fighting the urge- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** To Jump up ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** And Sing! ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** 'Twas Noon at last, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** I breathed heavily in. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** I’m saved! ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Thank Heaven! Hallelujah! ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> **UNTITLED** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> ** by Ali ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** A Belt wrapped ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Securely around ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** My ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Cocoon of a ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Life. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** I try to free myself, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Just wanting To Be ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Independent. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** ‘Yonder down ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Tryst meadows. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** A solemn Tear trickles ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Down, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** My face. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** And I loosen the belt, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Forgiven for my sins. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** A celebration of the joy! ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** To be free! To be me! ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** -And if I only hadn’t ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Fought ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** A battle ‘til the end- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** I would’ve been stuck in that Belt. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** So from the Heavens above- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** To the realm of Beneath- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Here lies the story of ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Freedom. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> **UNTITLED** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> ** By Ali ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** But what some don’t know ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** (For I will tell) ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** And the story of my One: ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;"> <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** I meandered along a dusty Trail- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** On my little horse. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** And then came along- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** A tiny Shed- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** That I didn’t know- of course. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** For I was cold and hungry, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** So I stopped inside that Shed, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** And I was to mere excitement ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** To find the folks not dead! ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** It was a handsome Gent-I say! - ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** His eyes were brimming with tears, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** To see a formal maiden like I ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Walking into his lonesome years. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** He offered me a glass of Fresh Nectar ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** (Delicious, I might say) ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** He then asked me to sit right down ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Then begged me just to stay. ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Of course, I had to, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** This was my love, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** None-the-less- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** And now I'm standing in a Church, ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Wearing my flowing- ** <span style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: normal;">** Cream-colored dress. **

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">**UNTITLED** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> by Ali <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> When you find yourself in a mess, do you cry? <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Not I. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> When you are insulted and have no way out, do you scream? <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Not me. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> If you find a new friend, do you smile? <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> For a while. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> If you see a maiden in distress, do you stop and offer? <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> No, what a bother. <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> A friend, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> a foe, <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> now <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> you <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> know.

<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> **Epitaph** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;"> ** by Jess ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">** here lies the young girl ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">** who died so young, so young ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">** may she rest in peace ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">** may she rest in heaven ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">** because she died so young, so young ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">** may the flowers on her grave perpetually bloom ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">** may the grass beside her tomb stay green and fresh ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">** since she died so young, so young ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">** may the rain fall gently by her side ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">** may the dewdrops trickle peacefully near her headstone ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">** it's what she should get if she died so young, so young ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">** may the crickets play their gayest tunes ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">** may the owls sing some less mournful opera ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">** to entertain her in death after she died so young, so young ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">** may her spirit rest easy, ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">** may her soul stay fresh ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">** because while she died so young, so young, ** <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">** she died with chocolate on her tongue. **