Aliza Amsden

The Journal
Aliza Amsden

July 24, 1982
I was sitting at my desk listening to the rain steadily tap on the roof. We had a big house but because of the amount of people in the house I had to stay on the “top floor.” That is what my mom called it to try and make me feel better but we all knew it was the attic. I hated the attic with all its spider webs and bugs. But on a day like today in a week like this week the attic was my favorite room. It was cozy when it is raining because it is such a small place, and also a place where I can get away from my crazy family members.
Jessica

Hi my name is Jessica and all I would like to say is…
“Jess get down here right now,” my mom screamed up the stairs. “Your family came to visit you and what do you do? Go hide in your room. Jessica Anne Isabel Landth come down here right now.
“Mom please stop yelling at me I’m coming”
“I don’t hear footsteps up there.”
My mother was the kind of person who was very and I mean very strict but still had the average snotty teenager in her. She had to have everything in order but was definitely a brat. She liked talking back to me and my brothers and sisters when she knew that we were mad at her but were trying to be nice.
“Jess, why are you up in your room again? Your family loves you and wants to spend time with you. Besides you never get to see them so it is nice to have them here.”
“I know mom but cousin Laura Jean made me mad, and I needed time to calm down and write in my journal.”
This seemed to satisfy my mom probably because she was a writer. She started making me keep a journal when I first learned how to write but now I enjoy writing in it.
“Okay, well then I understand but you really should come and visit with your family.”
“Fine I will come down but we all need to find away to stop fighting because it really gets on my nerves when my cousins yell at me.

***

Having fun
With your friends
By the fire drinking coco
Telling secrets
That’s winter
Sledding down the mighty hill
You face your fears
Down down
The cold biting
The wind is blowing
Snow flying in your face
That’s winter
Dark and cold
Staring at the icicles
Out your frosty window
Dreaming of snowball fights
That’s winter

You dance
Into the moonlight
The diamonds on your dress
Glistening
It is the night of the ball
And you
Are very excited
***
In the woods the love of your life is watching you
Admiring you
You
Are so beautiful
He wasn’t the perfect man
But she loved him
As much as her
Teddy bear from
When she was little
Oh no
Here she comes
***
You are walking towards
The woods