Monday, September 29, 2008

Going Nowhere

There's so much I could say
But what do you care to hear?
It's not as if you want to know.
Shall I shatter that porcelain veneer?

No, I wouldn't do that to you,
No matter how much I would enjoy it....

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Me Talk Pretty One Day

I wrote this for my school paper's entertainment section, and I would appreciate some opinions/constructive criticism :)

Me Talk Pretty One Day

By David Sedaris

Reviewed by Olivia Manno



Almost every teenager has experienced an embarrassing situation at one point during their life. Whether it be their ignominious parents, with the outdated looks they sport and the cringeworthy phrases that escape their mouths, usually in a lamentable attempt to fit in with their child and his/her generation, or the day at lunch when a teenager loses their footing on the packet of mayonnaise that had been on the cafeteria floor, these things usually cause unbearable humiliation. However, any individual who has ever experienced such a dilemma has been completely outdone by the droll, lovable David Sedaris. The renowned author of a number of memoirs, one of his most accomplished, entitled "Me Talk Pretty One Day", is filled with side-splitting essays, reminiscing about much of Sedaris's unusual childhood, years in various colleges, ridiculous experiments with a number of illegal substances, and adventures in Paris, France. Dry is an understatement for his unique sense of humor. "Me Talk Pretty One Day" displays Sedaris's true talent of voice. The book would be very enjoyable without his humorous touches, but when garnished with the correct adjectives, Sedaris's "half empty" outlook, with a heavy dash of sarcasm, is completely contagious. 

The book itself has an easy, flowing format, with many essays arranged into chronological order. One who hasn't read Sedaris's writing may pick up a copy, thinking that the majority of these works have some significance in the author's life, but when reading, the person will realize that the pieces are of no importance whatsoever. Sedaris seemed to collect random memories that stuck out in his mind and connect them somehow. The opening essay, entitled "Go Carolina," is completely farcical, the first sentence enticing the reader from the start. Sedaris recalls the moment he was confronted about his prominent lisp by a woman whom he had mistaken for a detective. She asked whether he preferred State or Carolina, two of the major football teams at the time. Sedaris had thought it was a trap, and chose State, his lisp making an appearance. The book continues on with many unbelievable tales, including a period of Sedaris's life when he struggled with drug addiction and the pathetic salary of a freelance artist. 

As his life becomes more stable, Sedaris begins to experience more ordinary, yet equally funny incidents. The second half of "Me Talk Pretty One Day" includes many of these happenings, and focuses mostly on Sedaris's big move to France, as well as certain things prior to the event. He had enrolled in a French class, and the essay, "Me Talk Pretty One Day," was the inspiration for the title of the book. Sedaris experienced a rude, blunt teacher ("'I hate you,' she said to me one afternoon. Her English was flawless. "I really, really hate you." Call me sensitive, but I really couldn't help but take it personally.") as well as many unenthusiastic classmates. Sedaris experienced various highs and lows during the class, but the outcome contributed to possibly one of the most entertaining pieces in the collection. 

Writing comedy is not necessarily a talent that develops over time. If one is lucky enough, they will be blessed with a gift like Sedaris's, whose uproarious childhood and earlier years create brilliant stories. His unmistakeable voice takes the genre to a whole new level, and is guaranteed to please even the most finicky of readers.

Together

There's one hope,
one healing.
Tell me you'll take a chance.
There's one moment,
one life.
Tell me you're ready to live.

There's a chance
for the future,
that keeps us holding on.
And the flickering hope
will burn stronger
now that we stand together.

They say
change is constant,
but we'll always make it through.
Just promise
you'll stay with me,
and I'll stay with you.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Remember

Believe
I'll be there for you.
Through all the misery,
I'll be there.
And remember me
through the days that pass.

Remember the time
we spent together.
The bronze of Autumn,
the white of Winter.
And how we almost
made it through,
past the scarlet of Spring.

And remember each day
we had shared.
Our first smile,
our first laugh.
The first tear
that slid down my cheek.
And the first heartbreak
that separated us.

But don't give up
the memories we keep.
The pull we each felt
every day, every night.
The pull that sent us spiraling
back to thoughts of each other.

Remember me through it all,
I'll always remember you.
Every minute of every moment.
Every day of each season.
And every second of every feeling
I ever felt for you.

Moment

I waited for him,
And prayed he'd come back.
But my door stayed shut
and the slit the corner
of my heart deepened.

And I can feel him.
His arm around me,
my hand in his.
I needed him beside me,
but he left
unwillingly.

Yet time still passes,
though each day is longer.
But I'll never forget him,
for each moment spent beside him,
was a moment to remember.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Notes to Self

Okay, focus.
Start right, feet together, eyes open.
Ignore the hundreds in the background.
Ignore the slanting rain.
Focus.
Only look at those three gloved pairs of hands.
Only look at the identically dressed people around you.
Concentrate.
Don't mess this part up. They're counting on you for this one.
LEFT right, LEFT right...
Please please don't close that space--
Don't look at him messing up. There's nothing you can fix now.
Don't say a word, even though you want to.
Ignore the guy talking into the tape recorder.
Posture!
Focus, concentrate on this move, concentrate on not getting hit--
Success.
--nine ten eleven twelve MOVE.
...two two three four five six HALT.
Breathe. Breathe.
IN out IN out IN out.
Don't move. Don't flinch. Don't fix it. Stay absolutely still.
Breathe.
The rain is getting harder. Ignore it.
Ignore the sleeves sticking to your forearms.
Left right, left right...
Ignore the one drop on your cheek.
Use your eyes. Don't trust your ears.
Make a beautiful sound... one beautiful sound... make it golden...
Resonate.
Don't rush.
Bigger steps-- watch him in front of you.
Closer, closer...
Watch her toss it, soaked to the point of unrecognition...
Watch her grimace up into the darkness and the rain...
Watch and hope to death she catches it...
YES!
Success.
Onto the next move...
ONE two three TWO two three THREE two three TURN two three!
Remember everything we fixed today.
Remember to keep watching.
Remember.
Focus.
Concentrate.
STOP.
Breathe: IN out IN out IN out
Up two three BREATHE!
Count! Always count!
Don'tcrashdon'tcrashDON'TCRASH--!
Good.
Small steps small steps...
Hope he remembers the change...
The rain is pouring harder. You're not supposed to notice.
Focus, focus...
LEFT right LEFT right
Soft, louder louderlouderLOUDERLOUDERSTOP!
Down.
Breathe.
IN out IN out IN out IN out...

Friday, September 12, 2008

Hold On

You're holding,
clutching
the ledge for dear life.
Praying that
there's a chance for you.

And you hope
your hands will stay steady,
that they won't slip.
And you won't fall
far past my reach.

And I feel you
through the spaces
in my heart.
Hiding
In the corners of my mind.
Come out,
come out
wherever you are.

They Will Come Together

He lies on the floor and he says why?
He lies on the floor when his girlfriend cries.
When the mamas don’t come home and the daddies go to work early.
He lies on the floor and he tries to think,
And she says why?

She says why?
Why do you leave when the times get heavy?
Why am I always on my own?
And she gets down and she prays to the God she tries to trust.
And what does he say?
He says nothing.

He says nothing?
Nothing when all he can do is watch,
Watch as the world of a friend seems to fall apart.
No way to look for help and no one to go to.
And he watches and wants to go back,
Back to the innocence he once knew.
And then they’ll join.

They join,
And the world comes together and all the pain is undone.
They love, and in a heartbeat they feel wanted.
So there’s peace and all it took was a word.
One word, and you can take it all back.
HELP!

Help, and that they do.
Love, and then they think.
Trust, and there will be love.
Peace, and the world will live on.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Info on Henry's Batman

alot of people have been comenting on the book im working on. the edited copy can be found at: http://storyofashley.blogspot.com/

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Masked

I told you I would always be there
for you.
When your blue eyes
sparkled,
I was there.
And when your blue eyes
turned gray,
I waited for you still,
but you left me.
You abandoned me.

I am alone.
You left me here,
just like everyone else.
And you disappeared,
just like everyone else.

I miss you already.
Wherever you really are,
Just let me know
When you decide
to come back for me.
And please,
come as you were.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Wait For Me

I wait for you
in the cold night
by the empty window.
When no one can hear me,
when no one will listen.

I can hear you coming
up the stairs to the door.
Your billowy breaths
echoing against my heart.
You've emptied my heart.

All night, every night,
I pray that you are there
to wake me when I dream
of you and only you,
my head resting on the glass,
clothes stained with thoughts of you.

But until then,
my tears keep falling
down the window panes
where I once saw you.
where you once disappeared
into darkness.