WA9, Draft 1: Thinking

I’m sitting here just watching their mouths move. I can hear what they are saying but I’m not really listening. I’ve drifted into my own world, which happens a lot. I want to understand what they are saying but I can’t. It’s like trying to control your eyelids when they’re really heavy, it’s impossible. I guess that’s how it works with my mind. I shut off what people are saying and have a conversation inside my own head. This time though I’m listening to people talk about poverty. It seems so interesting what they are saying and for once I’m able to listen. But, my mind never slows down. One minute I’m listening to her talk about how poverty affects children and the next I’m thinking what organizations I can start and who can help out. Why can’t I slow down?

I was sitting on the bus the other morning and we came to a stoplight by a church. Normal people would think about the homework they did the night before or what tests they had that day, but not me. I saw the top of the church and the first thing I thought was, “What if while we were sitting at this bus stop some guy decided to jump off the church roof and kill himself?” It was as if a Hollywood movie screenplay had opened up in my mind. I thought to myself, “Would I scream? Would I cry? Or Would I just whisper softly to my neighbor, ‘That guy is going to die?’ Would I run off the bus? Could I save his life?” Then I snapped back to reality. It was as if I had lost control of myself for those few seconds and I couldn’t understand what it meant. Why would this matter to me? Do I just want to be a hero?

I’ve always been the kind of guy who girls think are “cute,” like their little dog but would never go out on a date with. I’m the huggable guy that has friends, a life, and good grades but not a girlfriend. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to have a girlfriend but I don’t really have time. People think I’m quiet but those are the ones that don’t really know me. I’m really involved with helping improve lives. Yes, that sounds cheesy but there’s no other way to say it. My problem is I’m stuck.

I can’t really figure out a way to turn these ideas into reality. People don’t expect these kinds of ideas from me. I used to be more ambitious but once I got to high school I started to relax. Isn’t that funny because in high school you’re supposed to stay up late and do your homework at five in the morning, but not me. Now, I have all these ideas swimming through my head and there’s no outlet. I wish I could plug myself into an electrical outlet and let the currents whoosh out of my head.

And I’m writing this paper as I’m sitting still listening to them talk about poverty. I don’t even have a pencil and paper handy. I can’t remember all these words. The funny thing is once I sit down to write my mind goes blank. I need to keep my mind on track. Even though it’s hard I’m turning back to reality and now I can hear them ask, “Any questions?”

“What can I do to help?”

WA8, Draft 3: All the People You'll Show (or not)

Hey Girl!
This is your day.
You’re off to better places!
You’re almost gone and shooray!

Your eyeliner’s just right,
Your lipstick bright red,
Your hair has a curl,
On the top of your head.
GIRL you gonna be on your own.
And you can show them what you know.
And you are the girl who’ll be aglow.

You’ll see who your competition is.
Look ‘em up and down with a stare.
Then you’ll walk off, with a flip of your hair.
You might be a little full of yourself and your shoes too big for your feet,
but that won’t get you down when you are always upbeat.

You might not find any where you want to work,
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a perk.

It’s dangerous out there,
and not always fair.

In the city things happen
To one and to all
You may get a break,
Or maybe a call.

And when that phone rings,
Shout “Hip Hip Horray!”
You may get a job,
And one that will pay.

OH! THE PEOPLE YOU’LL SHOW!

When you enter the office
You’ll hold your head high.
You’ll soar to the top,
And feel yourself fly.

You won’t the best, because you’re so new.
And people will question everything that you do.
They’ll test what you know and ask your credentials
You won’t give them anything more than essentials.

Except when you do.
Because you are new.

You’re part of the team,
That sometimes can’t function
More often than not they’re all at a luncheon.

They’re gone once again,
And left the work for you.
It keeps piling up
Because you’re brand new.

So you just wait.
Waiting for a file to file
Or a paper to sign, or a phone to dial
Or a report to copy, or just a nice smile.
Everyone but you is working.

The project’s assigned,
You’re the one who’s in charge.
You want to show them,
The small and the large.

You work through the night,
From dusk until dawn,
You sleep on your desk,
And wake up with a yawn.

You try and you try,
And you try your very best,
But it’s no use,
You’re starting to look depressed

Your eyeliner’s smudged
Your lipstick is faded,
Your hair is not curly,
Because it is schmadled.

NO! That’s just not you!

You’re always prepared,
And up to the task,
But suddenly you feel
You have no one to ask.

And will you succeed?
No! No you will, not!
In fact it’s guaranteed you’ll get schmot.
GIRL! YOU’LL FALL FAST!

So…
Be your name Toet, or Schoppa, or Barry,
Or even Schomp, Smolly or Smachk O’Mally.
You’re going to fall fast!
Today’s not your day!
The mountain is falling.
So…get out off the way!

Parody of Dr. Seuss's - Oh, the Places You'll Go

WA8, Draft 2: All the People You'll Show (or not)

Hey Girl!
This is your day.
You’re off to better places!
You’re almost gone and shooray!

Your eyeliner’s just right,
Your lipstick bright red,
Your hair has a curl,
On the top of your head.
GIRL you gonna be on your own.
And you can show them what you know.
And you are the girl who’ll be aglow.

You’ll see who your competition is.
Look ‘em up and down with a stare.
Then you’ll walk off, with a flip of your hair.
You might be a little full of yourself and your shoes too big for your feet but that won’t get you down when you are always upbeat.

You might not find any where you want to work
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a perk.

It’s dangerous out there
and not always fair.

In the city things happen
To one and to all
You may get a break,
Or maybe a call.

And when that phone rings,
Shout “Hip Hip Horray!”
You may get a job
And one that will pay.

OH! THE PEOPLE YOU’LL SHOW!

When you enter the office
You’ll hold your head high.
You’ll soar to the top,
And feel yourself fly.

You won’t the best, because you’re so new.
And people will question everything that you do.
They’ll test what you know and ask your credentials
You won’t give them anything more than essentials.

Except when you do.
Because you are new.

You’re part of the team
That sometimes can’t function
More often than not they’re all at a luncheon.

They’re gone once again,
And left the work for you.
It keeps piling up
Because you’re brand new.

So you just wait.
Waiting for a file to file
Or a paper to sign, or a phone to dial
Or a report to copy, or just a nice smile.
Everyone but you is working.

The project’s assigned,
You’re the one who’s in charge.
You want to show them,
The small and the large.

You work through the night,
From dusk until dawn,
You sleep on your desk,
And wake up with a yawn.

You try and you try,
And you try your very best,
But it’s no use,
You’re starting to look depressed

Your eyeliner’s smudged
Your lipstick is faded,
Your hair is not curly,
Because it is schmadled.

NO! That’s just not you!

You’re always prepared,
And up to the task,
But suddenly you feel
You have no one to ask.

And will you succeed?
No! No you will, not!
In fact it’s guaranteed you’ll get schmot.
GIRL! YOU’LL FALL FAST!

So…
Be your name Toet, or Schoppa, or Barry,
Or even Schomp, Smolly or Smachk O’Mally.
You’re going to fall fast!
Today’s not your day!
The mountain is falling.
So…get out off the way!

WA8, Draft 1: All the People You'll Show! (or not)

Hey Girl!
This is your day.
You’re off to better places!
You’re almost gone and hooray!

Your eyeliner’s just right,
Your lipstick bright red,
Your hair has a curl,
On the top of your head.
GIRL you gonna be on your own.
And you can show them what you know.
And you are the girl who’ll be aglow.

You’ll see who your competition is.
Look ‘em up and down with a stare.
Then you’ll walk off, with a flip of your hair.
You might be a little full of yourself and your shoes too big for your feet but that won’t get you down when you are always upbeat.

You might not find any where you want to work
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a perk.

It’s dangerous out there
and not always fair.

In the city things happen
To one and to all
You may get a break,
Or maybe a call.

And when that phone rings,
Shout “Hip Hip Horray!”
You may get a job
And one that will pay.

OH! THE PEOPLE YOU’LL SHOW!

When you enter the office
You’ll hold your head high.
You’ll soar to the top,
And feel yourself fly.

You won’t the best, because you’re so new.
And people will question everything that you do.
They’ll test what you know and ask your credentials
You won’t give them anything more than essentials.

Except when you do.
Because you are new.

You’re part of the team
That sometimes can’t function
More often than not they’re all at a luncheon.

They’re gone once again,
And left the work for you.
It keeps piling up
Because you’re brand new.

So you just wait.
Waiting for a file to file
Or a paper to sign, or a phone to dial
Or a report to copy, or just a nice smile.
Everyone but you is working.

The project’s assigned,
You’re the one who’s in charge.
You want to show them,
The small and the large.

You work through the night,
From dusk until dawn,
You sleep on your desk,
And wake up with a yawn.

You try and you try,
And you try your very best,
But it’s no use,
You’re starting to look depressed

Your eyeliner’s smudged
Your lipstick is faded,
Your hair is not curly,
Because it is braided.

NO! That’s just not you!

You’re always prepared,
And up to the task,
But suddenly you feel
You have no one to ask.

And will you succeed?
No! No you will, not!
In fact it’s guaranteed you’ll get squat.
GIRL! YOU’LL FALL FAST!

So…
Be your name Toet, or Schoppa, or Barry,
Or even McHopkins, Pierson, or Bailey.
You’re going to fall fast!
Today’s not your day!
The mountain is falling.
So…get out off the way!

Parody of Dr. Seuss's - Oh, the Places You'll Go!

WA7, Draft 3: Driving

He singled me out the first day of class,
Claire she’s in my car was what he said,
I just tried to laugh,
But turned a dark crimson red.

They gave us a speech and then that was it,
We were given a car,
Told “Do your best”
Sent out on the range under the stars.

The first day was dreadful,
I had one too many stories,
I thought I would give up,
And go over to my friend Laurie’s.

I had the worst car,
It was hard to unbuckle,
I thought I was stuck,
I just had to chuckle.

The next day was better,
They watched from the tower,
He liked to tell me everything I was doing wrong,
I tried to have power.

We went out on the roads,
I was first to go,
I made a few mistakes,
Oh no, no, no.

Driving down country roads,
Windy twisty streets,
Cars speeding by,
I tried to be upbeat.

Lane changes and merging,
My next big feat,
I guess I got through,
And then that was complete.

We drove in the traffic,
We drove down old country roads,
I drove my instructor crazy,
He wanted to explode.

It wasn’t over yet,
A few more days to go,
Along the way we talked,
And he found out I was “whoa.”

He apologized for thinking that I was just some book kid,
He thought I wouldn’t be cool,
That I wouldn’t know rap,
But I showed that fool.

We drove down 29,
A very busy road,
Eight lane changes to make,
What a big load.

I didn’t quite make it to where I was supposed to go,
Too far left and too far right,
Too many cars,
Oh what a night.

I thought we weren’t supposed to talk,
It made the car very quiet,
Then we started chatting,
It was a riot.

I knew when I did something I wasn’t supposed to do,
He would shake his head the tiniest bit,
Or chuckle under his breath,
But I didn’t throw a fit.

Test day was here,
I was nervous at first,
But why worry too much,
Then I might burst.

My instructor told me,
Claire you have your good days and bad,
Don’t do anything stupid,
And don't be sad.

I was unusually calm,
Took each lane change in stride,
Lane changes were nothing,
I was wide-eyed.

The test day teacher called me on up,
I wasn’t sure what it was going to be,
Then I saw the white paper,
And knew I was free.

She handed me the paper,
Told me I drove kind of slow,
I didn’t care,
I was aglow.

My instructor saw me,
He gave me a big handshake,
A smile creped onto my face,
And he knew I had made not one mistake.

I smiled inside,
I was glad it was over,
I knew I couldn’t drive yet,
But I felt like a lucky four-leaf clover.