week4-09

The Typhoon

By Courtney Sanford
Chelsea Public School, Grade 10

As I approach the line I start to feel overwhelmed. I start to second-guess my decision to ride the Typhoon but I grit my teeth and get into the line.

I run through the woods,
happy to be free,
my feet pounding on the rough ground,
my heart beating.

The birds sing a melody that I do not know,
the trees hovering over me,
protecting me.

I trip over a root.
I get back up;
my knee is bleeding, but I do not notice it.

I see light ahead of me.
I have reached the forest edge;
disappointed I lay on the grass.

I fall asleep, no longer feeling free.

I opened my eyes to find moonlight pouring through my curtains and onto my bare feet, uncovered by my restless flailing. I sat up, wide awake despite the hour, every sense alert. I slipped out of bed and onto the cold floor, glancing at the clock as I went into the hall and crept past my mothers’ bedroom door.
My feet pitter-pattered on the kitchen tiles as I padded to the door and unlocked it so I could escape onto the porch. My pajamas had been worn thin and were no protection from the late September chill, and I stood stalk still, eyes facing the heavens to search out the constellations. I was so enthralled with my stargazing I didn’t notice my little brother beside me until I turned to sneak back inside. He looked at me with fear in his big brown eyes.
“What’s wrong Andrew?” I tried to persuade him to tell me with my soft tone.

I ran through the woods, the pounding of hooves right on my heels. As the noise became louder it was inevitable; I was going to get caught. Like a foreign infiltrator, I was in for a lifetime of woes, that is if I did not make my final stand here. A foreign infiltrator was one way to describe me; I just liked to refer to myself as "one with a better idea of how the empire should be run." My insight could cost me my life.

Keep going: a message of not quite optimism

Beat beat beat
My heart races as I run away
I run from my thoughts
Run from the home that
I used to know and love
The home that's abusive now
Thump thump thump
My ears pound as I run
They pound in the rain
They pound in the sun
They pound too hard
Gasp gasp gasp
My mouth gasps for air
It sounds ragged and then
It’s wonderfully rhythmic
My lungs about to burst
Slap slap slap
My feet hit the pavement
Protesting each time
No farther, please
Oh, we’re going much farther
Just wait and see
Blink blink blink
My eyes hold back tears
I need to look back
But I know I won’t
I’m leaving without a trace
Splotch splotch splotch
The wet leaves hit my hands
The weeds grab my feet
The roots for my ankles
Low branches for my head
Duck duck duck
I dodge the low branches
Just grazing my head
Wetness soaking my hair
Going through my shirt
I run through the woods
I finally break through
To a clearing

Hide

By Marissa James
Oxbow High School, Grade 12

I'm running through the forest.
Trees and brambles whip at my ankles,
and tear at my skin.
There is no color,
the night is in black and white,
and the wind splashes
across my tear soaked face.
I can't run fast enough.
There is nowhere left to go,
and no time to get there.
A root of a tree is unearthed and torn
by the tread of my sneaker.
In revolt to this unjust attack,
the tree sends a branch
thundering from the sky,
and I fall,
in a puddle of tears and blood.
But, God is not so merciful,
for I am still alive,
only now I cannot run from my past.
It's finally caught up with me.

Running through the woods

By Michele Sterling
Hartford Memorial Middle School, Grade 8

I was running through the woods, enjoying every second. I had not been in these woods for over a year. My family had decided not to come back right after Grandma’s death. I missed these woods so much -- the sweet smell of pine, the setting sun just visible through the trees.
“So beautiful,” I whispered to my dog, Blyss. She was running through the woods just ahead of me. I had named her after these woods when I got her three years ago. She was just a puppy then tripping over every little twig, every little leaf it seemed, until I had to pick her up in my arms so she wouldn’t get hurt.
Up ahead I spotted my favorite spot, my rock. This is my spot. I could sit and read here for hours, from sunrise to sunset.
I loved these woods, these beautiful, wonderful woods.
My woods.

Fair

By Patrik Roberts
Hartford Memorial Middle School, Grade 8

Old Guy: Where are we?
Old Woman: No idea.
Old G: I think we are at that fair they talk about.
Old W: Me, too.
Old G: It sure is hot out.
Old W: I think we need to change out of all these black clothes.
Old G: I hope they race them pigs again.
Old W: That was exciting last year.
Old G: I want to get me some of that apple cider again.
Old W: I want some of that cotton candy they talk about.
Old G: I want to ride that new Ferris wheel they tell me about.
Old W: They have those new sewing machines. I want to try them out.
Old G: Well then, let’s go.

It was a sunny afternoon, not a cloud in sight. I heard my phone ring and saw Julianne was calling me. I really didn’t want to talk to her right now so I hit the “Ignore” button. I saw my mom pull in the driveway. Then the house phone rang. I knew it would be Julianne so I let the answering machine get her message.
“Hi mom, I went for a ride on Noco and he was pretty crazy. We met up with Anne and her pony Acorn. He definitely was easier to handle the Crazy Noco! I ran through the woods. Anne followed me on the path. We cantered over some cross-country jumps. Anne said Noco was too big to jump them, but we jumped them anyways. Obviously he over jumped, Ha ha!” I blurted and at the last second my mom walked away. I was going out to ride Hughey in the woods.

We bonded
as we ran through the woods
with our heart rate monitors
checking our watches
and calling out
“Shoot! I’m not in my training zone!”
and answering
“Let’s go faster!”
and when it was over
I ran through the woods
searching for someone to follow
out of the woods
back to gym class.

I heard something behind me

“Who’s there?” I asked. No answer. More noise, it was coming closer. Whatever it was.
“Ahh,” I screamed. I started running. I don’t know where, just run, I told myself. Get away. It was following me, but I was too scared to see who or what it was.
I ran past houses, churches and stores. I ran through the woods. Still it followed me.
“Stop running! It’s me!” yelled the thing.
I stopped running and looked around. I saw my best friend.
“Why were you running from me?” she asked, “I thought we were playing hide-and-go-seek!”

I run through the woods
A startled moose runs away
A powerful beast
- By Zachary Tarbell
Grade 6

I ran through the woods
I saw a colossal moose
and tripped on a root

By Kian Hutt Vater
Grade 6

I ran through the woods
My sides cramping, sudden pain
Oh! The agony!

By Ben Upton
Grade 6

I ran through the woods
smelling pine air as I go
river runs swiftly

By Ryan Darling
Grade 6

As I run through the woods, nature engulfs me. All around me are trees and nothing else. A couple of brown chipmunks with a white and black stripe that run from the tip of their heads to the tip of their tails; a few gray squirrels jumping from tree to tree, and 3 or so wild flowers blazing with bright colors. I slow to a walk to look around. The smell of pine and maple leaves me dizzy in sweet dreams. I finally sit down under a big oak tree and gaze around.
I look at my watch and see that it’s been an hour or so since I left my home to go running, but I don’t get up. Soon the sun starts setting and I find myself getting very sleepy, but I don’t want to go home. The setting sun brightened with red, orange and yellow colors covers everything before saying goodbye for the night.
When the sun finally sets, the darkness amazes me with blues and blacks. I look at the stars and count them as I lie on my back near the oak tree.

I watched as the soap bubbles ran gently off the plate and down the drain. My chores for the day were almost complete and the need for fresh air was growing stronger by the second.
It was just another day at home; the summer was coming to a close and I wanted to spend as much time outside as possible.
The birds outside my kitchen window flew gracefully and dipped in and out of my line of vision. A cardinal, a blue jay, they were enjoying the outdoors. Why wasn’t I out there? Oh yes. Chores.
“MOM!” I called up the old steps of our cottage awaiting a reply.
“Yeah?” my mother sounded distracted. That was just what I needed for an easy escape.
“I’m done! Can I go out now?” There was a pause before she returned an answer; and I held my breath the entire time. You would think that at 17 I would be able to go out without an interrogation. I would like to avoid a lot of questions from my mother…

By Charlotte Reber
Lamoille Union High School, Grade 12

I can’t explain
the running,
it’s just something I do.
In the woods, where nothing is straightforward
and everything is a maze;
Where to run, you have to scramble through, jump over, dodge past
trees – logs – ferns as tall as your head – moss softer than your pillow
– mud thicker than chocolate.

It’s impossible to truly capture the feeling,
To fully describe what it is
to have the wind in
your lungs and
your face,
to sense the green blur around you as you
duck, dodge, jump, weave –
no time to think about where you’re going,
just
move –

But
to truly feel it in your bones,
to connect with the earth,
you must be
barefoot.

It’s your bond –
with the earth, with the elements, with life
To actually feel the land flash by beneath your feet.
It’s like flying.

You splash through a muddy stream
and feel the cold water
tasting your ankles

I ran through the woods, looking all around,
Searching for your eyes
The spark of light that will let me relax
That will let me stop running and just breathe
I ran through the woods, seeing the sun
Jump off the soft green moss that covers the scars
On one rock that carries so much
The same rock that we sat on for lunch when we were younger
The rock where we sat to figure our way home
This rock carries more memories than you or me
I ran through the woods trying to find my way out
I ran laughing, crying and smiling.
I ran from everything that was to everything that is
I try to find a way out then there you are
And the light that reminds me it’s all worthwhile

An Affair with a fair

By Felicia Neuhof
Woodstock Union High School, Grade 10

It’s in the official voice of the traffic director,
In the sink of the car tires making their way through the worn out path,
In the “click,” “click,” “click” as my friends and I get out of the car and shut the doors,
It’s in the excitement of the long walk through the field rife with cars,
In the faint hazy buzz of the jumble of musical and crowd-filled noises ahead,
In the sour smells of animals, stomach churning smells of exhaust, repulsive smells of cigarette smoke, yet pleasant smells of wood fires, and sweet and salty smells of food,
It’s in the purchasing of tickets and waiting in lines
In the rush of the increased and overpowering noises,
In the almost impossible sailing through the sea of people,
In the endless and almost impossible task of keeping track of your family, friends and money,
It’s in the adrenaline rush of the rides and the flashing lights,

Grand Vermont Fair

By Ben Kaija
Woodstock Union High School, Grade 10

Early up
To get to the fair
Smell of fresh Vermont air
Long car ride there
Even longer back
Filling up the daypack
Up go the stands
Up go the rides
Even the stage is getting ready for bands
The people start to come and get ready for fun
At this oh, so wonderful
Grand Vermont Fair

The classic Ferris wheel
And famous fried food
Will always appeal
In whatever the mood
With bingo, Blue ribbons
Games rides and sweets
There is sure to be found
All sorts of treats
Daylight comes to a halt
And down goes the sun
But there is no stopping
The party’s just begun
At this o, so fantastic
Grand Vermont fair

On come the lights
Along with those crazy entertainers
In polka dot tights
Noises from games
Clash with the shouting
Of everyone’s name
Not to get their attention
Because they have no intention
Of caring at all
Because they’re having a ball
At this grand Vermont fair

The Fair: the Experience

By Maya Tracey
Woodstock Union High School, Grade 10

Stepping out onto the misty, overgrown grass scratching at my ankles, right that instant is when I notice the annual, familiar whiff of air. The air is heavy with the diverse smells of the annual Tunbridge Fair.
The first scent that comes to my nose as I walk along the path is fried food. The Tunbridge Fair is abundant with delicious fair food. The menu is endless with possibilities, something to fit everybody’s lighthearted mood: the famous fried dough, caramel apples, maple cotton candy, bags of pastel colored cotton candy, blooming onions, french fries, hotdogs, corndogs, BBQ ribs, pizza, snow cones, frozen lemonade, roasted corn, ice cream, candy -- the list is endless.

I run through the woods

By Olivia Powell
Woodstock Union High School, Grade 10

I ran through the woods

By Danza Rodrigues
Woodstock Union High School, Grade 10

I ran through the woods
Heard the birds chirp
I ran through the sandy beach
Heard the waves crash
I ran through the field
Heard the grass rustle
I ran across your lawn
Heard the dog bark
I ran up the your stairs
Heard your voice
I ran into your room
Heard my heart beat
I ran into your arms
Heard your heart beat
I ran all this way
Just to hear you!

“Roy, what do you reckon it means? Roy?”

Roy had nodded off. His hat, pulled low over his eyes, blotted out most of the late afternoon sun. His shoulders drooped and he leaned off to one side, dangerously teetering on his seat.

Edna considered prodding her brother, but she feared that he would topple off the highly precarious seat if he was startled. He would likely break his already fragile hip. She repeated her question, louder, but her brother, either genuinely asleep or simply feigning obliviousness to ignore the real world — even if just for a few moments — was not roused.

Edna sighed. She pulled at the collar of her maroon coat; sweat had pooled there and she begged for a breeze to pass through, even if it did knock her brother off his stool. The coat was for later in the evening. The sky would be teeming with mosquitoes and the air would be crisp. Too cold for August, but Vermont weather is an unpredictable beast.

It was summer’s last farewell.

I ran through the woods
Carefully dodging the branches
Trying not to snap twigs
Trying not to make a noise

I ran as the fog
Was slowly settling in
And the beasts of the night
Were opening their eyes

I had to get back home
To my hole in the ground
Before the lone wolf
Cried its solemn cry

I had to get home
Before the owl took flight
And silently watched
For any sign of life

I finally got home
As the moon began to rise
Lighting the dark sky
Casting shadows in the night

And I got home just in time
For outside I heard steps
Large and lumbering
A hunter in the night

I take advantage
Of the one time
My mother forgets to say,
"Don't win any fish!"
I enter the fair,
Through the flashing gates
After I've,
Ridden, too many rides
Spun, too many times
Eaten, too much cotton candy
Dizzy,
I head to the booth
For two bucks
I get 10 little balls
I have to get one in the hundreds of glass bowls
Can't be too hard
I'm proven wrong
They bounce,
A LOT
Off rims, sides, even the posts,
Holding the booth up
Finally,
On my third box of balls,
It's in!
I'm handing a ticket saying:
Good for One Fish
Oh, what the heck,
I'll get my fish now!
I'm handed a bag containing:
Water and one fish
Then, I meet up with my parents
Carrying my fish,
Now named Nemo
All I can say is
"You didn't say I couldn't win a fish!"

I’m walking home alone today.
The trees my only companion, the way it should be.
I love the trees, their vibrant colors and unique shapes. How they’re all the same but just so different.
I’m walking home alone today.
Time to think.
Time to go the long way, time to go to that special place. The giant tree hidden on the hill, on the path that no one uses anymore. A dead end. I look up at its brilliant arms, stretching out in every direction. Arms to hold me tight.
I’m walking home alone today.
And I feel so sad.
This giant tree was meant to be the Perfect Treehouse Tree. I always said I would turn its welcoming limbs into my secret haven. But that was just an empty promise. That’s all anything is anymore. Broken.
I’m running home alone today.
Fast.
I’m running home alone today.
The trees my only companions, the way I wish it never was.

"Can I please go sit down?"
Sweat is forming on my upper lip, and my stomach is churning waves of vomit close to spilling over. I hate this.

Yeah, the smell, the Tango, the noise... the Fair. Champlain Valley Fair.

Hell met me at the line to the Tango. Open arms, plenty of room, ready for me as its next victim. It snatched my interest as soon as I walked in. I had to try and conquer it.

Good Luck. They had told me.

Hmm... now I'm looking around... nope. No good luck in sight.

Sure, I closed my eyes, but the Tango takes no prisoners. Either you walk away unscathed or you're all messed up for the remainder of the day.

Apparently I chose option two.