Paradise

I lay on the beach
The shore smells like sweet tanning lotion.
Relaxing under the bright, warm sun.
The air tastes fresh and clean,
The waves crash into the shore like rolling claps of thunder.
The colorful umbrellas say, "welcome to paradise."

The Troubles Of Being A Teenager

                As a teenager, it is easy to be the first person for an adult to blame when something goes wrong.  Unfortunately, some teens choose to follow a path of rebellion, while the others are left to work hard to improve their negative reputation.  Like the African-American woman in “Sears Life”, Wanda Coleman, shopping as a minor, or a person of a different race, can make a person feel inferior to the judgmental, intimidating salesmen that surround you with their suspicious eyes.  While feeding off of misconceptions, the workers often expect the worst from some of the best people.  While shopping during the holiday season last year, I was on top of the world.  I was glowing with pride as I shopped with my newly acquired driver’s license and debit card in hand, determined to find the perfect gift for each member of my family.  As I walked into stores, I immediately felt uncomfortable as the salesmen followed my every move, as if they were trying to count my steps.  Like Coleman, I had come with good intentions, only to be looked down on. 

                While leaving one of the stores, the metal detectors began to sound as I approached the doors.  Immediately, my face turned bright red and my stomach twisted into knots.  The workers surrounded me with their glaring eyes, assuming that I had attempted to steal their merchandise.  I immediately began to panic as they began searching my bags.  After what had seemed like hours, an employee came across a shirt I had purchased at a previous store that still had a security tag sewn into the seam.  Rather than assuming it was the other clerk’s mistake, the manager began reviewing my receipts, desperate to catch me in the act.  When they realized I was innocent, the workers practically seemed disappointed.  Whether you differ in age, size or race, everyone is subject to judgments formed by stereotypes and assumptions.  Wanda was immediately judged because of her race, with no reason or proof behind the worker’s claims.

 As a teen, I am still learning from my mistakes.  I openly admit my imperfections and I look to find the best in others.  Although most adults teach adolescents to treat others with respect and equality, they struggle to follow this advice themselves.  Not one person is alike.  Although skepticism towards my age can be insulting, discrimination is inexcusable.  Breaking barriers is difficult; however, once they are broken they can lead to a greater good and understanding of others. 

Seize the Day

                Come one, come all!  Explore the depths of living life to its fullest.  In his poem, “A Birthday Poem,” Ted Kooser references light and nature to convey a theme of growth and progress throughout one’s lifetime.  As each birthday passes, Kooser insists that we must pursue opportunities that are, “waiting for someone to come.”  Like the break of dawn at the start of a new day, we begin our lives with a spectacular future ahead.  As we grow in age, we develop into the people we are destined to be.  Kooser describes the importance of appreciating life by, “feasting on every green moment.”  Kooser personifies the darkness by suggesting that is “calls” to us and suggests that the trees, or opportunities, are “waiting” for someone to come to them.  As our life comes to a close, like the end of the day, we walk into the darkness with the hopes of being remembered.  Kooser’s simple style encourages the reader to appreciate the simple memories acquired throughout our life’s course.  Have you truly lived life to its fullest?  Do you feel you have struggled to find the key to happiness and solitude?  Welcome, my friend!  You have come to right place.

Enough Is Enough

I chose the idiom, “more than what meets the eye” to represent Jorge from the poem Jorge the Church Janitor Finally Quits by Martín Espada.  As a janitor at the church, Jorge felt underappreciated and masked by a stereotypical barrier.  Although he had been employed at the church for a long amount of time, no one had taken to time to know him as an individual.  Jorge wished to be seen as more than the man who mopped the floors and cleaned the restrooms.  Jorge chose to quit, but felt that no one would even notice that he had left unless they needed someone to complain to.  Rather than identifying Jorge as an independent man, most identified him as the figure behind the mop.

¿Qué Es Poesía?

¿Qué es poesía? dices

mientras clavas en mi pupila ta pupila azul.

¿Qué es poesía? Y tú me lo preguntas?

Poesía eres tú.

“What is poetry?” you asked,

as your deep blue eyes gazed into mine. 

What is poetry, you ask? 

Poetry, my love, is you.

Jumping Into Trouble

We ran out the doors without a care in the world.  It was a warm summer day, and my friend, Makayla, had finally moved into her new, beautiful home.  Our mom’s, who had been friends throughout most of their lifetime, toured the lavish house while Makayla and I snuck outside to jump into the pool, ignoring our mother’s orders to stay inside.  After all, what could go wrong?  Little did I know, I would come close to losing my life.

                Before jumping off of the long, white diving board, I slipped a large diving mask on to cover my eyes.  Makayla shouted, “1…2…3… Jump!” I plunged into the cool water with my smile reaching ear to ear.  Once my feet reached the deep, course pool floor, I used all of my strength to push myself to the bright surface.  As a soared to the top of the pool the mask, which was at first intended for protection, slid up my face and suctioned to my mouth and nose.  The more I swam, the tighter the mask would suction to my face.  Once I reached the surface, I gasped for air that didn’t exist.  I attempted to rip off the mask to release the pressure that had built up.  My chest tightened as my lungs ran out of air.  While the mask suffocated me, I ran out strength, sinking to the bottom of the pool.  After only a few seconds, I could no longer see and everything turned black.  I lost consciousness.

Once Makayla realized that I hadn’t returned to the surface, she sprinted into the house and screamed, “Mom! Mrs. Kim! Something is wrong with Rachel, she needs your help!  Hurry!”  Our mom’s panicked, realizing that we had not listened, and fled to the backyard to see what we had gotten ourselves into.  When they reached the backyard, they saw Makayla yelling and pointing to the bottom of the pool and found that she was pointing to me.  Kaylynn, Makayla’s mom, immediately dove to the bottom of the pool and pulled me out onto the hot concrete while my mom called 911 for help.  As she tried to rip the mask off of my face, Kaylynn realized she was running out of time.  I had already turned blue.  After cutting the mask off of my face, Kaylynn did all that she could to save my life by giving me CPR until the ambulance arrived. 

Once the ambulance reached the house, I had barely begun gaining consciousness.  I slowly opened my eyes and found myself surrounded by paramedics.  The sun pierced through my eyes and the hot concrete burnt my skin.  I could not remember what had happened; however, I knew I was not the same.  I was immediately taken to the hospital.  At first, I was not showing signs of recovery.  The doctors asked my question after question while I just stared at them, lost and confused. 

After hours in the hospital, I began to see thing more clearly and recognized more of the people around me.  Once the doctors ensured that I was going to be ok, my parents and I couldn’t thank Kaylynn enough.  She saved my life.  The next day, I woke up thinking the day before had just been a nightmare; however, after glancing at the white medical identification bands tied around my wrists, a chill raced down my spine.  I realized how lucky I was to still be alive.