To Be of Use Modeled Writing by Katie M

The people love the best

look at life from a deeper perspective

without falling into shallow thoughts

and emerge with free ides never thought

They seem to become explorers of that gem,

the shinning, minds of creatures

skipping like round stones

I love people who express themselves, a wing to a bird

who fly like sparrows with immense beauty,

who strain in the wind and trouble to move forward,

who think what must be thought, again and again

I want to be with people who submerge deep into thought,

who dive into pools of knowledge

and swim in a row and pass secrets along,

who stand together and share their ideas,

who are not ordinary or dry of life, but move in a common harmony

when the truth must be discovered

**Katie M Period 4

Where I Am From By Keana M

Where I Am From

     I am from an ironic cluster
from intelligence and rebellion
     I am from the diversity in every individual
(colorful, damp
it tasted like danger)
      I am from the music
the reggae
whose message is remembered
and shared as if it were my own.

     I'm from noise and silence
from Brazil and America.
     I'm from the outgoing ones
and the questioning ones,
from speak up and be heard.
     I'm from this earth
with an owl on a tree
and ten foot waves I can ride.

     I'm from Gaga and tattoo shops,
unlit cigarettes and ink.
      From the fights I've lost
to the battles,
the wars I've won with peace.

    Under my heart was a Phoenix
burning into ashes
an ocean of lost emotions
to navigate in the crevasses of my mind.
     I am from the lost moments-
dead before I was alive-
born again from the sky and sea.

This is where I am from.

Response to "The Grave", Anita Chen

In "The Grave", the author illustrates Miranda and Paul's casual behavior during their hunt that is later contrasted by Miranda's sensitive reaction to the death of a pregnant rabbit and its babies that gives an insight into the human instinct or intuition about sexuality, combined with the author's reference to traditional value in the way of dressing for women. There are many archetype themes apparent in the story, such as recurring symbol, doves, that may be a biblical allusion of Noah's Ark. Also, Miranda's reaction to the snake implies to sexuality. Later, children's encounter with a dead rabbit with babies illustrates the loss of innocence, especially for Miranda who was oblivious of her sexuality.