By Emily Barton

Annotated table of contents1.A reflective letter – Describes my reasons for taking creative writing, successes

and understandings of what I’ve learned2.Interior ( Panamá) Villanelle- This poem is a villanelle about Panama’s country

side, Interior and the people that live there.3.I whisper softly sonnet – This is a sonnet about love and how much that

significant other affects my life.4. Little Miss Ladybird – This is a 14 line pentameter poem about a little ladybug

and its mysteries. This is an animal poem of what I would be if I was an animal.

5. Selfishness vs. Self- sacrifice (nonfiction)- This is a personal essay about a very special person in my life, my mother and how she sacrifices everything for her kids.

6.Raynbow (fiction) – This is a fiction story about a mermaid and her sister.7. Home – This is a prompted I did in class where Mrs. Plummer put words on the

board to use in our piece. It’s about people and homes around the world.8. A dream sweet – This is a poem written with a dreamy quality and unique

structure with compound words switched around.9. My curiosity leads to a little friend –This is a piece about my childhood where I

reflect a strong emotion of curiosity about the world or a snail. 10. Rain boots- This is a story written about the type of person that would wear rain

boots.11.Synopsis and Christine and Raul – This is a scene playing Christine and Raul,

whom are boyfriend and girlfriend. She wants to tell him a secret until things go wrong.

Reflective letterI took creative writing to improve my skills in my

writing. I also wanted to improve in creativity and understanding. I understand now that there are many creative and unique ways to write poetry, non-fiction and fiction. I understand how to fully develop my piece and to edit and delete unnecessary words that bring no effect to the piece. I’d like to sent some of my piece to teen ink and publish some of my work. I ‘d like to start using what I learn for my

own personal poetry and pieces.

Interior (panama) Thick smoke clouds the air from a tamed fuego

White rice cooks on a homemade, mud stoveMangos dulces hang, tempted by desire

Nature’s choir becomes children’s laughterSeñora Sol embracing them with her warmthThick smoke clouds the air from a tamed fuego

A sign of familias gathered togetherIn the early dawn, when the roosters singMangos dulces hang, tempted by desire

Hills soar above tiny house built from mireLit velas illuminates the small homesThick smoke clouds the air from a tamed fuego

Una sonrisa blossoms past the child’s ragged clothesHarvesting the fresh bananas and coconutsMangos dulces hang, tempted by desire

El gente of the interior are not poorThey are rich with love, smiles and dreamsAs thick smoke clouds the air from a tamed fuegoMangos dulces hang, tempted by desire

I whisper softly in your ear a short sweet songA lullaby you’ll hear to when you fall asleepI sow a seed into your heart, where it belongsA white rose bringing an innocence to keepI am a blanket wrapped around you, clinging close

The tinkling sensation lingering on your smooth lipsYou touch my heart with a smile that forever glowsLike melting gold, slowly with great intent it dripsTogether we have battled day and night, here we standMany tears have shed, long gone, quickly dried awayWe speak a language we created, only we can understand"I Love you" willingly slips from your lips each dayI see my future in your deep, brown eyesAs I lay beside your warm body, I feel Love

I Whisper softly

ittle Miss Ladybird

Her bright scarlet shell glistens in the lightAs spotted black dots lay upon her sideHer fragile figure carries tiny legsHer babies growing up in yellow eggsHer species the color of the rainbowYellow, Red, Black, Orange, Pink, and Grey shadesThe aura of the sun hanging over like an angel’s white haloSpreading her wings against the mystic airShe glides off a daisy’s yellow petals With such grace, on a clover she settlesBeautifully quiet like the night skyWhere little Miss Ladybird calmly fliesBringing good luck every morning and nightAs she flutters away out of our sight

Selfishness Vs. Self- sacrificing As a child we don’t understand what happens in our homes. We

wonder, fight and do our best to protect our parents but we don’t honestly know “why”. Why are my parents arguing? Why does mommy hate daddy? Why is mommy crying? Why? Why? Why? As we grow up, we begin comprehending the world around us. We discover the answers we have always been seeking as a child. Children don’t know or understand the reasons behind their parents’ actions but as we mature, we begin to recognize and make our own conclusions. Through life we have lessons to learn about selfishness and sacrifice. These two link us together within our family and friends but there is a time when someone you love sacrifices too much for you and we need to allow them to be selfish and do things for themselves. Sacrifice teaches us to be joyful in giving and grateful in receiving without annoyance or regret. As a love one gives their heart and soul in everything they do for you, you’ll learn later in life there’s a moment when you have to let them soar freely.

A mother is a great role model of self- sacrifice. She leaves her life behind in order to better

the future for her children. She is like a bird who prepares for the birth of her babies as she does laborious work to build a nest full of love and devotion. She gives them attention, feeds them even if she hasn’t ate and teach them the basics of life; flying.

Con’t My mother is a foreigner, who grew up in Panama and had a pretty horrible childhood. Still today

her childhood affects her profoundly. She fell in love with an American man, who took her away from her beloved home. I believe she deeply wanted to leave her life behind but she really didn’t notice how much she would miss it. She was a young bright 18 years old when she married. She went to college but never completed it because by the time she was 21 she had two persons to feed. She discontinued everything for my well – being. She wanted to make sure she was a great mother and there for me, unlike her parents. She basically left her future dreams behind to be there for me. During my childhood I didn’t realize the pain and suffering my mommy went through in her past or having me. There were many mysterious I would never grasp about her ways. She was happy, so it seemed, but I soon discovered more about who my mother really is. Since I’m older, I now know my mother is dreadfully lonely; she masked all her pain from us to keep us from worrying. When you first meet her, you see a strong, beautiful woman although behind her smile and graceful image, she’s a fragile creature. My mother is a strict lady who makes sure her children are intelligent, independent and strong. She is very protective over my brother and I. My mother has stayed home for most of my life making sure we grew up right. She hardly goes out unless it's for new clothes for us or we need new material for the house. She hides her feeling from us because she believes it doesn't concern us. My mother left her home for 13 years to raise us in a better place with a better education and better environment. She has left many behind and does not complain one bit. My mother is not only a great mother to me but to others in need as well. She helps others in ways I couldn't imagine. She has a presence about her that allows people to talk to her. I have seen her bring piles of books, paper, school items and other important stuff to poor children in Panama. I've seen her talk to kids that didn't have a mother and allow them to stay at my house.In my opinion my mother's family is money hungry and underserving of the love she gives. When my family didn't have enough money to pay bills, she always sent them money. She sent money more then her other sisters have sent but her family didn't appreciate it. She has given her heart and love to this family and in return I've seen them call her horrid names and show so much hatred. If my mom had a choice when she was younger she would of divorced my father already but she thought of us. She didn't want us to be caught in the middle of their arguments.

Con’t Selfishness is the brother of greed. If a loved one has given and done everything for you, I

suggest you don't complain. Those dear loved ones have risked everything and deserve nothing less but respect and appreciation. There is a time in everyone’s life when we need to let go of the very person that keeps us strong. A mother, who lives an unhappy life, deserves happiness. Even, if her decision is to divorce your father. In reality, none of us want to be with someone who has brought us down instead of helping us up. No matter how devastating the decision or event, they deserve to be understood and there choice accepted. Don't you think it's time for your mother to be happy? It makes me happy when I realize I've caught my mother smiling and laughing. These two features I've never seen from her in my life. All I want is my mother to be happy. It’s like a mother setting her once young baby out into the world. Of course, it will hurt but it makes you appreciate the love and affection you have for that person. It’s true life is not fair; everyone is not always happy. I have understood my mother in ways other people can not. She doesn’t allow me to go place because she’s protective of her children. I wouldn’t blame her. After someone is raped, molested, neglected, verbally and physically abused the world doesn’t seem bright anymore. Through my childhood, kids my age wouldn’t understand that. Now, that she has finally returned to her country she has been much happier and free. She’s not stuck in the house all the time like she is here. She can go anywhere she likes because there are easy ways to get transportation. I began to understand my mother and allow her to be herself. I can’t blame her for things that most kids would. I can’t tell my mother it’s your fault our families broken. Things happen through our lives that change our perspective of the things around us. Sometimes it’s necessary to put yourself in the shoes of another. My mother doesn’t hate my dad, they’re not compatible. I guess “what comes around goes around” can sum it up. My dad to me has seemed like a good guy but you can’t judge what you see when you didn’t exist at the beginning of their marriage. By eavesdropping in their arguments, my mother always complains about my father cheating and yelling “you knew better”. My father at times tries to say he did nothing but at other times he confesses but never in front of his children. What she complains about and what she says seems to be related but sometimes one person can have a batch of bad luck. My mother deserves to be free. So in order for her to continue her journey, I have to give her, her wings. Like a mother bird does to her babies but this time it’s the babies to the mother bird. If things can happen naturally then we can at times reverse them. I want to give my mother a second chance, life is not long.

Raynbow Heat beams through the air as the sun continues to gleefully shine. The weather is perfect. It is not too hot

but not chilly neither. There’s a slight cool breeze that is quite opposite from the heat the sun spills. Once it touches one part of her delicate skin, chills crawl up her spine. The fresh air is purifying to her lungs. There the sun gracefully warms up the sand covering the entrance of the cove. Light beams through many secret holes and cracks reflecting in the mirror below. There wanders the glistening water of serene peace, crashing waves with out a noise in the cove. The dark green brother of Poseidon pours out to the ocean at every passing wave. Each gentile wave gliding across the huge worn out brown rocks that lay at the entrance. There on one of the ancient stones she basks in the sun. Wondering and hoping. Her voice echoes throughout as she sings softly to herself.

Thhhhe thhhe water ter isss my friend end“Foreverrrrr flowing without an end. “Forever ever flowing without out ann end d“Wherrrree do you go. Willll I ever know?”Where re do you go go. Will I I ever er know

Her sparkling dark purple ,waist length hair tangled with seaweed and sweet talking star fish, is blown by the breeze. Her light mysterious eyes that changed color like a mood ring are now light hazel gold. Her sun bronzed , smooth skin would make any man and creature fall in love with her. She captivates anything that came near her because radiance glows from her features. Her name is Raynbow. She was called that because a rainbow appeared on the day she was born and her tail reflected many colors. She glides her long eloquent fingers through her hair as she stares out to the open ocean. Still wandering and hoping.blue wings rapidly fluttering. It was so extraordinary watching her cleanse her milky way pearl white skin with rain drops held by small ridges in the rocks. Wow!Awph. The ocean is so beautiful but I’m bored of it. I’m tired of swimming .I want to explore the world on the land. I wonder where grandma Ariel is right now. I bet she’s using her legs. Doing things like ... Um…um. Wa- walking, dancing and what ever else she can do with them. But I don’t want only legs. I want to be with the Tinkerbell clan. Gwash. I’d like to be able to fly through the sky. Faeries are gorgeous. Remember Raynbow, when you saw that beautiful fae bathing in the cove. Her sparkling brightRaynbow was a very adventurous young girl. She was admiring the magic around her world. She continued to wonder until her older sister, Perall, interrupted her thoughts.

Con’t “Yes! I’m up here Perall. On this rock. Yes. Over here.”

“ What have you been doing up here?” ,Perall asked excitedly“Doing what I always do. Basking in the luminous sun and thinking.” Raynbow said slightly sarcastic while rolling her eyes.“What were you thinking about if I may ask?”“Mermaids, faeries and legs. Haha. Just stuff. Ok. Why do you have to be so nosey gwash?”“Well sorry for asking but anyway I‘ll just go now since ‘I‘m so bothersome.” ,Perall lets out a long sigh.“RAYNBOW! RAYNBOW! Are you here?” , Perall yelledRaynbow grips her sister’s arm to stop her from going.

“No don’t go. I’m sorry. Please stay and talk with me, Please.” she begs“Alright Rayn I will. So, are you going to tell me what you were thinking?” Pleads Perall

Raynbow tells her sister her dreams and everything she wonders about. Perall sits there concentrated, eager to listen. As she was talking her thoughts interrupted her. Wow. My sister may be older but I’d never thought she would want to listen to me rattle with so much energy. Somehow, I feel like I’m getting to know my sister. We really don’t talk much but today must have been special. I always noticed my sister’s appearance. I was always a little jealousy of her curly brunette long hair and her tail was so polished with shine that I couldn’t help to admire it. She usually hangs out with her friends, talking about boys and what not. I guess the reason I feel like I never knew my sister well enough is because I was always up here. Hahah. Wow. Even though I may want to be others wonderful creatures I would not do it. Why. Because I have a family in this ocean and I would never want to leave them. My new person I’ would like to be like is my sister.

Raynbow finishes talking. They both laugh hysterically for no apparent reason. They both decide to water race and hang out together. Perall tells a story of her childhood and about Raynbow as a baby. She reads her a shell story and shows her crafts that she made. Raynbow is amazed at the unique and creative projects her sister has made. While Raynbow is admiring her pieces, Perall begins to think to herself. Raynbow has grown up so beautifully. My lil sister, why didn’t I hang you with her more? I never knew we had anything in common. Wow. She really likes that. It was a piece I created with sea shells and sea weed. I stuck the sea shells together like a mosaic with slug glue and wrapped the seaweed around it. It looked like a crown but it didn’t have a hole in the middle to place a head. I got it! I should ask her if she wants to create a piece together called merLove. Yes. I’ll miss her when I leave to the Caribbean Sea for Starfish University. I should have hung out with her more. Well, starting now I will.

Con’t Raynbow couldn’t help looking at this seaweed piece. She really loved it. It

reminded her of a crown for a merPrincess. Before she could be mesmerized by its beauty, her sister came along.

“Do you like it? What does it remind you of?” Perall asked sweetly“It reminds me of a crown for a merPrincess. Yes I like it.” Replied giggly Raynbow“Did you know that a crown is not only suited for a merPrincess?”“No, really. Who else can wear a crown?”“Anyone Rayn. Anyone.”“Can I?” responded enthusiast Rayn“Yes. Of course you can. You’re a princess in my eyes.”

Perall watched as Raynbow’s eyes changed sparkling dark green. Perall couldn’t help but smile. She gently embraced her little sister into a big hug, leaving a soft caring kiss on her forehead.

“If you’re a princess Rayn, you will need your crown.”

Perall swam to the table of rocks where her pieces laid. She grabbed the crown and lifted it above Raynbow’s head. She said a little poem while she did.

Con’t “Eyes full of color, Beauty like no other, Water is her home, But she’ll never be alone, two ingredients put

together, to create a radiance forever, strange but unique, With no reason to critique , Always a princess in my heart, A crown will allow her to start, A world of imagination, With the power of creation, Raynbow is her name, a kingdom she’ll proclaim” Perall did her best to make up some cool poem.

After her speech she placed the crown on her sister’s head. Since the crown would not stay on, she clipped little star fish on the side of the crown. The orange -red starfish grasped the crown and her hair.

“You are now a princess. Stand up and bow to your people.” Perall told Rayn

Rayn waved her hands around like a proper princess but in order to stand she had to finally get off the rock they were on. She pushed off the rough rock into the calling water. Splsh. The cool water hit her face and brushed through her hair.Perall was already waiting for her under a burrow in the cove. Raynbow swam upright in an area where the shining sun glided through the water. The rays illuminating her like a spot light. There she was smiling and waving. Perall never felt so happy just playing with her little sister.

“Thank you. Oh, Thank you all. I am so honored to be your princess” Rayn said“Now princess it’s time to go home and eat dear.” Perall said“Oh. Alright. I’ll see you guys tomorrow. Bye!” Waving bye to invisible people

As they both began to swim away, they both had similar things on their mind.

That was fun. Tomorrow will be another fun day with my sister.

And off they went into the shallow dark water. They swam off remembering everything that happened today. And they both Hoped to do it again and again the following summer. Simultaneously saying “ Until tomorrow!”

Home The neon sparkling wind, blows pass the sharp pines in the dark forest.

The darkness falling on every living thing. The stars signaling signs to tell the violet flowers a secret message. Flashing on and off like a light switch. A young woman rides on her beat up bicycle across the park, where she played as a child . A thousand miles away a stallion horse with a black shiny coat would sleep in his stall, waiting for the rooster to crow. As a bald eagle with a flight as gracefully as a ballet dancer soars through the moon lit night sky. Across the continent, where the sun is shining on the toasted sand at a glamorous beach. A beach, where the clams are praised as merchandised and the people wonder on the ocean in a huge brand new ship called Mariposa . Its bright yellow sails flapping in the wind. On the beach children play with smiling faces as they throw pieces of wheat bread in the air for the forever starving seagulls. The children watching star struck as the ships park into the harbor. Faraway in a place where winter has arrived . A scarlet red little house lays on a hill full of snow. A little fire sputters in the chimney as a family sits snuggled together. A curious cat stalks by with its silver bells ringing, softly through the cold night. This is the world we live in. Where beauty is everywhere. This beauty called our HOME.

A Dream Sweet Far away in a mystic and colorful dream

Where cold dropsrain on every yellow flowersun

A green flydragon flies around the blue air

As the orange shinesun dashs behind the rose red hills

The purple fallnight is arriving slowly

Mrs. Buglady flees to the shade of a cotton stalk

The weeds dance and sing with the breeze

This dream bound by velvet satin, drifting into her mind

Imagination as smooth as chocolate silk

Climbing, gliding inside and out of thought

My curiosity leads to a lil Friend I play outside in the front of my apartment where a little garden lies

between the entrance and exit. This little dark blue box full of green plants, colorful flowers and wondrous creatures. Curiosity and wonder strikes me down and embraces me with it’s lovely hold. There I am, kneeling on the ground searching in the rectangular box for something interesting. There’s a curious smile again that creeps across my face. Ahaha. Look what I have. A wonderful creature, who is as beautiful as a weed to many people but I think it’s unique and adorable. I place my little friend in the palm of my hand. It’s cool, slimy , grayish brown body inches it’s way up. I think to myself, I wish I had a little spiraling home on my back. I wonder what's inside. Another smile runs across my face as my eyes glisten. I watch it with amusement as its long itsy bitsy eyes sticks out looking all over the place. A little shiny residue of its path is left behind on my arm. I giggle as it tickles me with every move. How could people think snails are ugly? How rude they are! Snails probably think people are ugly. I pick up my tiny buddy and place him on a green black spotted clover. I’m intrigued by he’s grace as he slides away into the forest of over grown leaves.

Rainboots

schoolstuff\papers\The water proof boots.ppt

synopsis Christine is the girlfriend of Raul; they have been together for 2 and

half years now. Christine has a secret to tell him. Three miles away from her house there lays an enchanted lagoon where she reflects and spends most of her time when she is alone. Christine wants to show Raul her palace, her lagoon and tell him her secret at her sacred place. The lagoon has a shallow bowl of aqua green water splashing back and forth against the surface of the granite. It seems to create an illusion of depth and a long distance. Colorful fish swarm the surface and move every time Christine moves. Raul notices but brushes it off. The lagoon is in a cave but from behind it’s hidden. It appears to be only a hill. Christine pulls him in and begins to tell him that she is a faery and she can do magic. But Raul has had an enough of this hocus pocus. He presumes it’s fake. All lies. At first he is shocked she would say such a thing. He gradually gets angrier. Raul is a stubborn guy and refuses to believe any more of what she says. They start arguing. He becomes sarcastic and it annoys her. He doesn’t see the seriousness of her speech. He finds out the hard way.He finally finds out the truth when he loses her for good and begins a journey to find a way to bring her back.

Christine and Raul• Raul: What do you mean you’re a faery? Faeries don’t exist! (He flings his arms up

and down with fury)• Christine: Yes, they do. Stop, yelling at me please, stop yelling. (She tries to hold

him but he pushes her away. She starts to cry.)• Raul: STOP! Stop crying! Are you playing a game with me? Ha-ha it’s funny, you got

me good. (He walks away from her toward a burgundy rock to sit on. He raises his voice)

• Christine: Raul! I thought you loved me. Why can’t you just understand? Why is it so hard to believe? WHY! ( She balls up her fist, hitting the air as she continues to cry. She screams back)

• Raul: Christine I only believe in one thing that is God. I am a catholic. My parents don’t accept other religions. You know how serious they take their religion. (His eye brows burrow into his forehead, stressing how much fury he has.)

• Christine: This is not about you’re parents. Why are you being so difficult? Why can’t you believe?

• Raul: Because it’s nonsense, and at this moment you’re crazy. Faeries don’t exist in this world only in fairytales. Is this your way of breaking up with me? Are you trying to chase me away? Because, it’s working.

• Christine: How can you say a thing like that. I love you Raul. I want to share my life with you and tell you my secrets but I see now it was a mistake and you can’t accept me for who I am. (she looks him in the eye with pain in her own)

• Raul: yeah you expect me to believe that well guess what Chrisitine I’m bigfoot. (turns aways)

Con’t• Christine: That’s not funny, you can laugh all you want. I am a faery.• Raul: Ok! Then where are you’re wings. Huh. You tell me that!• Christine: You can only see them if you believe and truly honestly believe because I’m allowing

you to see but the rest is up to you. • Raul: Whatever, so it’s like Peter Pan, like Tinkerbell. Is that what you’re saying?• Christine: Yes, most of it. It’s similar. (she kneels down to him and lays her right hand on his lap)• Raul: (He laughs an evil deep laugh, and moves her hand off his lap) Is it so. Well we’ll see.• Christine: (terrified from the look on his face) Don’t do Raul! This is not funny. If you have a

heart you wouldn’t do it. You’ll regret it Raul. This is not a joke. RAUL NO!• Raul: (He yells out of his breathe, three times) I DON’T BELIEVE IN FAERIES! I DON’T• Christine: (Frighten, she tries to stop him, shaking her head) STOP! RAUL! STOP!• Raul: BELIEVE IN FAERIES (Raul strongly doesn’t believe so he continues, the look in her eyes

doesn’t scare him) You’re a good actor, Christine, I knew there was a reason you took drama.• Christine: I’m not acting Raul. I love you. We’ve been together for 30 months. Do you not know

me. Raul if you say it one more time, you’ll• Raul: I DON’T BELIVE IN FAERI• Christine: (She screams a horrific scream) kill me.• Raul: FAERIES! (Her scream frightens him but it’s too late. She collapses to the floor, her skin

pale, and her brown amber eyes dull. He runs to her.)• Raul: Christine stop playing, this is not funny. CHRISTINE! CHRISTINE! STOP PLAYING!

PLEASE! Please stop playing. (He gently shakes her)