What Have I Been Doin This Spring?

In, my African American Literature class, my teacher complimented me on my writing skills. He stated that I was a “prolific writer”. Receiving that comment from a teacher who attended Morehouse made me feel special.

One day last week, my friend and I watched a stage play. It was about how a lady had slept with her sister’s husband, and became pregnant. She pretended to have adopted her daughter. They kept it a secret for 18 years until her daughter wanted to marry her cousin who was also her brother.

I wore my first wig. It’s funny though because most people think it’s weave. Everyone knows my sister and I are "WEAVE QUEENS", but this time I decided to try something new.

I recited a poem by Claude McKay in front of the entire class. Although I was nervous, I didn’t forget a word of it.

I wrote my boyfriend a letter to let him know how I truly feel about him. I’m contemplating whether or not I should really let him see it. I’m not good with expressing myself so I have to write everything down rather than telling him t o his face.

I went to Sam’s three days this week. I love their pizza and their icees. I also love that they let you sample their foods before you buy them out of the store.

80 Word Dash

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A middle-aged custodial worker is going on strike,
Going to war with a broom and mop instead of a knife.
She sees her future through her glasses.
That’s why she can’t mope around like molasses.
Her polka-dotted dress is put to the test.
Mopping floors and cleaning tables is the job that fits her best.
The big flag behind her
Hangs from the wall like spiders.
She’s cleaning up her life, the scars, and the wars she had to fight.
Her hardships and trials are represented by stars and stripes.
United she stands with only a broom and mop in hand.

A Trip into My Past

2000
In the year of two thousand I was in the first grade at Corning Elementary. Although I cannot recall who my first grade teacher was, I do remember a time when one of my friends and I got into a serious argument. At the time neither of knew how serious the situation was. She’d said that she and another student in our class were sisters. Since they were two different races, I didn’t see how it was possible. They told the teacher I made some racist comment, and I was put in time-out. Although they weren’t really sisters, I could’ve avoided the argument and saved myself two really good friends.
2001
2001 is where I spent my first year at Georgian Hills Elementary. My teacher’s name was Ms. Still. Our school offered sylvan tutoring to anyone who was interested and my mom signed me up. One day while at tutoring I turned in a hand-written assignment, and my tutor was amazed at how small I wrote. Then she told me and my fellow class mates a story. She said that once she’d had a student who she thought turned in a blank sheet of paper as his assignment. She called his mother and told her it was unacceptable. After supervising his work, she apologized because he’d actually done the first assignment. He just wrote so light that his work was nearly visible.

2002
My third grade year was also spent at Georgian Hills. I was greeted by a grouchy looking old lady with nails the length of Highway 64. Although her name was Ms. Ramey, my friends and I preferred to call her “the wicked witch that teach”. She loved to cook every last Friday of the month. My most memorable experience from that year is when we had Dr. Seuss Day. She chose me and some of my friends to help her cook green eggs and ham. The Cat in The Hat also paid us a visit that day. I can still see myself dodging his large furious paws as he tried to shake my hand.
2003
Forth grade was a wonderful year for me. I had the best teacher in the world, Ms. Lloyd. She was a brown- haired diva, and all of her students loved her. She wasn’t strict at all. She was like a second mother because she loved and took care of her students as if we were her own. Once, she even gave me a ride home from school. My mother was not permitted to drive due to medical issues, and she lent a helping hand to me and my family. Sometimes I wish she would’ve never passed me to the fifth grade.
2004
Fifth grade was fairly adventurous. I got stuck with the same teacher I had in the 3rd grade. This particular year, our pet rabbit Ms. America died. It was a sad moment for everyone. I’d known her since I was in the third grade so even I cried. And I felt sorry for Ms. America, because our teacher always bragged about eating rabbits and other animals.
2005
My senior year in elementary was filled with the most fights and arguments. Although, I fought a lot, I made plenty of friends throughout that year. I had an enemy in the 5th grade and by the middle of 6th grade she and I became the best of friends. We found that we both shared common interests. She visited my house and we went out together. She became my” little” big sister. After we became friends, we shred all of the mean thoughts we had about each other. So thanks to my last year in elementary school, we are still besties.
2006
Right after elementary I came to M.A.S.E. I was upset because I’d wanted to attend the Jr. High School in my district. Once I got to M.A.S.E, I saw some interesting faces that reminded me of people I already knew. I was a profound student, as always, but I almost got kicked off of the end of the year trip. One day I had to use the restroom really bad, and my science teacher wouldn’t let me go. My mother gave me permission to walk out and I did. I almost got suspended and everything. I was glad to find that after my mother talked to Ms. Polk, I was allowed to stay in school and attend the trip with all of my new friends.
2007
During 8th grade year, our class was nearly banned from every activity. If I’m not mistaken, our 8th grade week was almost cancelled. Luckily, we were allowed to have it and I had the time of my life. Although I’m very afraid of heights and water deeper than 4 feet, I put those fears aside and enjoyed the ride on the Memphis Queen. The water fight at the park left me sick to where I couldn’t sing the next day at the graduation, but it was a wild experience too. That year was the last time everyone was together, and we made the best of it. I have some of the best memories with old friends and they’ll never be forgotten.
2008
When I think of ninth grade, nothing much comes to mind. I don’t know why, but this chapter in my life feels as if it’s been erased. It was my freshman year in high school. Of course I was excited, plus I was younger than all other students, making me seem smarter than them. The number 9 to me symbolizes peace. I wasn’t involved with any drama or any fights, just being me. I stayed to myself and something in me lets me know that was a good idea. 2008 was definitely my year.

2009
Although homeroom lasted only 15 minutes, our teacher Mr. Albright made those the best 15 minutes of a school day. He always joked with me and my best friend Paige. He was also serious sometimes and told us never to let boys distract us from our education. I always viewed him as a father figure since my own father was not always there. He gave me encouragement to have a good day and no matter what anyone ever did to me, to smile and move on. And to this day every word he spoke to me is applied to my life daily and I respect him. I wonder if he knows how much of an inspiration he had on my life.
2010
At the start of the year, I thought of ways to become a “better me”. Now looking at myself, I see that there’s nothing I’ve done to accomplish those things. Change is good, but I love me for me. Although I’m not completely happy with who I am, it’s me and if I want to change then I’ll have to put forth much effort than what I am. I see no improvement of my life. In fact, I see myself changing for the worse. Luckily, I have the year of 2011. Matter fact, why not start today?

The Situation: Anything for My Daughter

It was always The Jonas brothers’ thing to go to Disney World, Florida while on summer vacation. They enjoyed the water slides and chilling on the beach. The attention from all the girls made the beach experience more adventurous, but when times were crazy they’d have to hide out in their hotel rooms.

After making sure the coast was clear, the youngest of the brothers, Nick, left his hotel and went to the beach for a swim. He was devoted to swimming but on the beach he found a new interest. He saw Bruce Lee performing mad tricks on a surf board. It was like the water had crept up behind him like some angry ninjas and he was ready to attack. After seeing him ride the waves heroically, Nick was anxious to learn to surf.

“Hey, I’m Nick Jonas. NJ for short “, he said.

“I know who you are. My daughter is a huge fan of yours. Would you mind taking a picture and signing your autograph?

“Only under one condition: you teach me to lasso those rushing waters like I just saw you do.”

“Anything for my daughter. She loves you! ”

Nick began signing the picture he and Bruce had taken. Bruce had already written from your two favorite men at the top of the photo, and Nick Jonas’s signature would be the finishing touch.

Nick later learned that Bruce Lee had bought Disney World from its previous owner. His daughter loved Disney World, and since he and his wife had gotten a divorce he dedicated his life to her.

At the beach they surfed for hours. He gave Nick a few pointers and watched as he tried to accomplish all of the tricks he’d showed him. Then Bruce’s cell phone rang. It was his ex-wife Halle Berry. She would be in Florida for a photo shoot, and wanted to spend some time with their daughter, Lyren. Since Lyren hadn’t spent time with her mom and dad since the divorced was finalized they agreed to do something together.

That night, Bruce and Lyren picked Halle up from the hotel she was crashing in and went to Florida’s Best Dine- In. At first it was quiet, but then Bruce started bringing up old times of how much fun they’d had when they were together. That really made Halle realize how much she’d missed her family.

Upon leaving the restaurant, Lyren had to use the restroom and this was the perfect time for Bruce and Halle to talk. Halle started by saying “Tonight was wonderful. I had fun and I think Lyren enjoyed us going out as a family. Maybe we should try working on renewing our marriage, if not for ourselves, then at least for her.”

Bruce’s statement shocked Halle,” Anything for our daughter.”
Halle flew in Bruce’s arms, and when they looked up, they saw Lyren standing there with a smile. She knew her parents were getting back together, and best of all, she would be the flower girl… again.

My Last Will and Testament

I, LaShaye Jones, being of sound mind and body, hereby establish my last will and testament. I hereby revoke, cancel and annul all wills and codicils previously made by me either jointly or separately. I declare that I am of legal age to make this will and of sound mind and that this last will and testament expresses my wishes without undue influence or duress.

To my loving mother, who I cherish so dearly, I leave her with a sense of peace to go on although her life can no longer be shared with me. I can’t leave this world not letting her know how appreciative I am of the many qualities she’s instilled in me. She gave me hope and when my spirit flies away from this earth I want her to continue to keep the hope alive.

To my dear loving husband, TaRico Jones, I leave my heart. He’s taken care of it since the day we met, and I wouldn’t leave it in the hands of anyone else. I believe he took pride in our relationship and did what he felt was necessary to show his love for me. They say “until death do us part”, huh? I feel as though our lives were well spent together. You no longer have to worry, for I’m in a better place.

Hometown of the Low Downs

Menace to societies,
Segregation, poverty
Killing one another
Over their own property

The crime in this place
Is the first in the race
Passing the baton
We’re winning this relay

Betrayal and distrust
The main reason we fuss
How much more can we take?
It’s getting worse with each day

Children killing parents
And vice versa
You see a lady on the street
But still don’t help her

Guns in the schools
They thinking ‘bout making this a rule
But they’ll be a fool
Because guns aren’t cool

In violence, we’re the worst
In music, the best
We won’t have peace
Until Memphis is at rest

God’s Tears Done Finally Froze (An African American Folktale that I wrote)

Wandebe, a middle-aged African male, was very wealthy. He had all the riches anyone could ever want, and he had a family to share it with. Wandebe could’ve afforded anything he wanted in life, but one day he lost everything he and his family had.

The weather had been constantly changing. Two months ago there was a drought, last week there was a rainstorm, and now the ground was covered in snow. Wandebe and his family struggled to find warmth in the below thirty temperatures. His wife Naydene had just finished making supper, and now they were gathered around the fire pit preparing to eat. The two children cuddled under their mother’s wings, when the youngest of the girls peeked through the window of their small hut, saying “Mother, Why is the ground covered in snow?”

The mother couldn’t answer her daughter’s question, but remained thinking upon the answer. There had been no snow in years, why was it snowing now? She thought.