During finals week, I found myself under ridiculous amounts; constantly worrying about all of the things that I had to do before my last day. This semester, as one of my last ones in my undergraduate career, I took a basic creative writing class (required for graduation) where we focused the final third of the semester on writing poetry and the benefits that come psychologically, mentally, and even physically from taking a break from life and writing how you feel. I gave it a try during each study break I took. To my surprise, I found that writing actually helped me clear my head from the concrete textbook material that I had been studying. I escaped to a world of my own and created a few pieces of work that I want to share.

1. Final Stand

The world seems to stand still when it rains

And the graveyards are full of our forefathers ages

There’s nothing but the sound of raindrops clashing against the dark grey sky

With the world tucked away, waiting for the storm to pass

The soldiers sit quietly, patiently awaiting their prey

The lovebirds stand at ease, asking God for another day

The world seems to stand still when it rains

He thinks back to the time he spent with me

We played in the thunderstorms, splashing in the rivers that rushed beneath our feet

That will be the last memory he has of me

Because when the rest of our world becomes silent,

At least we know we found music in the colors of the rain

2. Rant #92: Climate Change edition

The birds are chirping and the sun is peaking through the clouds

It's like 70 degrees and a little windy. Comfortable, I'd say.

It could change at any time though. After all, it is Indy.

But wait, seriously. It's the middle of November - what's with this heat?

The birds are singing --- well, more like the ravens are cawing

The leaves are crunching beneath the heavy feat of those passing by

It's a beautiful day, a beautiful spring-like day in the dead of fall.

The world is rotating, slower and slower.

The tides go in and out, slower and slower.

The nights get longer and the days get shorter.

The cattails are rustling in the wind

Brushing up against each other and tangling together in a close, intimate bind

They just don't seem to care what happens -- they really just don't mind

No finals to worry about and they're not running late for work

They're just chillin', doing their own thing

I'm thrown off by some people walking by, their conversations indistinct and mute

My silence is further interrupted by someone's cell phone ring

People are the cause of broken silence all over the world

Polar bears are starving and penguins are learning how to fly just to get out of the so-called "Arctic"

Lions and tigers and bears are sick --- oh my… god

Deforestation in the Amazon and elephants going extinct for their tusks

The Great Barrier Reef is grey and brown and for the love of god,

Someone help it,

IT'S DYING!

And it's all because people are not fucking trying!!!

My once peaceful silence turns into rage as I slam my notebook shut

It's 70 degrees in November when there's supposed to be snow

Oh man. I just… I don't even know

How can humans be so blissfully ignorant and irrationally stupid?

My train of thought is completely derailed by a person yet again

The sound of his skateboard approaches fast and he says "behind ya!"

As if I didn’t already hear him coming

I guess people really do believe global warming was created by China.

3. I Tried

I tried to write about the mountains

I tried to write about the sea

But the problem I faced

Was that my mind was only on you and me.

I tried to write about the trees

And I tried to write about the sun

But I couldn't - it wasn't any fun

Because the metaphors twisted and tangled

Slowly turning into you and me.