Of Train

I took a trip to DC the other day as an end-of-summer activity and went via train. Sitting in the snack car, peacefully, just me and some hipster doing a crossword (who has his own story), I was inspired. It was a great experience. Thus I present my poem about the train, aptly titled, "Train."

Colors blur blur
Rush
I can feel it even though I can't
In a capsule
Tiny metal box
Hurdling through space
Clinging to metal lines
Or else be lost
Lost in space
Shudders
As it flies through towns, hills, countrysides
Not wanting to linger
Just wanting to go
Push on forward
Not content in one place
It reaches, then it
Moves on
Shudder, shudder
Bang from side to side
Rush by the world
Bringing us with it

Of Lessons

So yes, it is almost 1 am eastern time, and yes, i am awake. Seeing as I am awake, I'd just like to share a few lessons I learned today and this evening.
1) Chocolate chip cookies + coffee ice cream + tea does not indeed make for a good combination around 9:00 pm
2) Don't buy an E-z Bake Oven at Target with the intention of making cookies at midnight, because apparently, it requires a 150 watt lightbulb and Phillips head screwdriver, which you may or may not have within your immediate vicinity
3) Have various lightbulb wattages around your house, not just 60-watts
4) Single-ply toilet paper does not work well for mopping up tea spills
5) Mothers, contrary to popular belief, do not like it when you play guitar in a full-out jam session in the early hours of the morning

I've learned quite a lot in the past few hours.

Of Tortoise

Tis a great thing to see a tortoise
On the occasion you do, watch, for they're
Ready
To leap into action in a moment
Of course, they never do
Instead, they bide their time
Sitting and taking in
Every beautiful detail of the world

Of End of Spring

Well, it's almost summer, and those of us in school know that means freedom. We've reached the point where we no longer try our hardest (if we ever did). We're honestly just trying to make it for another few weeks. Even the teachers don't care. It's a hard time for us all. We want to be gone, but we must stay.

For we lucky 8th graders, this week almost means freedom, because at our school, this is the last "real" week we have. Next week is set aside for exam reviewing, and the week after is actual exams. Piece of cake. Yes, that means 2-hour long tests every day and a bucketload of homework, but that's just one side. Exams also mean spending 2 weeks relearning and being tested on stuff we already know, and then get to go home afterwards. REAL piece of cake. Especially if you get to go to Ukrops - I mean "Martin's" - after exams to get one of their specialty baked goods. Yum.

So all I'm saying is that exams aren't a reason to groan. And for those of you who aren't fortunate enough to have exams - I'm sorry. You'll make it. Remember, we're all suffering together.

....But not 8th graders. Haha.

Of A Simple Child

A simple child will ask and not know
If the sun and the sky and the earth do grow
And he'll wonder and stare with longing at clouds
Watch the world pass by, and never know how
And just listen to the songs, the words we can't hear
He'll soak up the Earth through his mouth, eyes, and ears
And the glittering sun and the soft, gentle breeze
Are his friends, and he doesn't care for disease
So he loves the storm, and the cold, winter, too
For they comport him while everyone is blue
And he'll watch and he'll wonder, be a part of the world
Without really knowing, and then with fists furled
He'll wake up to life - or so it would seem
Is the world that we know only a dream?

Of [Untitled] Raven-esque poem

I've been having some fun with cadence and rhyme scheme lately. So as this is far from Poe quality, I did have some fun with it. And remember, folks, half of great poetry is sad, so.... enjoy! (By the way, it's kinda long. Sorry)

Solem! Solem! cried the witch from the hilltop
As rain and lightening whipped through the air
And the stormy sea roared, slapping the rocky side
Drenching the tattered robes she did wear

Solem! Solem! Oh, bring us the light!
Drive away the storm that beats like a bear
And rips through the air itself like a sword!
Cried the witch as the wind swept her raggedy hair

She shouted and tried to calm the rough sea
To control the great storm, only she would dare
And some villagers watched with their mouths hanging open
Frozen by fear, they could only stare

Away with her! She is bringing the storm!
Yelled a burly young lad with grease-matted hair
And he grabbed a pitchfork and stomped up the hill
The villagers, too, followed, for this bravery was rare

Solem! cried the witch, still trying to beckon
The sun from its cloud-stricken lonely lair
And she turned, hearing people, and saw in their eyes
The storm, full of anger, the hate did they share

No, no! the witch shouted, I'm trying to help!
I'm bringing the sun, not of evil, but care!
And she tried to stop them, but weakened was she
Thus they overtook and strapped her to a splintering chair

They whipped her, and beat her worse than the wind
Her face they did slap, her clothes they did tear
And they kept going, the hours ticking by
Til the witch's agony hung thick in the air

Stop! Oh, now stop! You monstrous beasts!
Wept the witch, for not much longer could she fare
And so she gave up, let her soul go limp
It was then gone, and she wasn't here nor there

The villagers stood, waiting in silence
For now she was dead, it should all be fair
And a rainbow would come to reward their good deed
So they waited, and at the dark clouds did they stare

But the storm grew much louder, rumbling the Earth
The rain came down harder, the wind whipped through the air
And from the storm they could hear the soft cry
Solem! of the witch with the raggedy hair

....bammm. Enjoyed? Leave comments and/or criticism in the dooblydoo!

Of Pondering

Why does the sun shine more than the moon?
Why don't we float when we hold a balloon?
Why is the grass not as tall as a tree?
I wonder as I sit in the shade in June

Why does a rooster not crow at noon?
Why can't we eat soup with a fork, not a spoon?
Why must the river flow into the sea?
These questions plague me this afternoon

I could probably find out from a wealthy tycoon
Or a science professor who'd sing me a tune
But for now I think I'll let things be
Having fun as I wonder in the shade in June

-Hope you liked it! Cameron