four walls makes a house, but it doesn't make a home
and there's more walls between us than there are in
this house that's not a home
hearing the birds chirp and peck at our windows,
looking out to see dreamy blue skies with white puffy clouds-
reminders of how much prettier the world is
on the outside.
there's always crumbs on the floor. every door is
tightly shut, not unlike us. i used to want things to get
better; to laugh, to play, to load up the car and go
be a family
now all i wish for is semi-peaceful co-existence
because even though i reside within the same four walls
as you, you've put up another four
i'm not interested in tearing down your fortress
I hope you enjoyed this poem! Feel free to leave feedback or requests for certain topics to write about in the comments below 🙂
Brooke
My Childhood Favorite Books
Welcome back everyone!
When I was younger, I used to devour books. I would get ten at a time from the library, and read them all within a weekend- I lived and breathed to read. I still love to read, but I definitely can’t keep up with my younger self’s dedication to seeking out new books and series to binge-read (Is binge-reading a term? If binge-watching is, it should be…). As I mentioned in a recent post, I recently re-read a bunch of my old favorite books as I was figuring out which I was ready to part with and pass on to the next generation of young readers. If you’re interested in my list of the best kids’ books, keep on reading!
I would like to clarify that these vary in age-range. I read most of them between second grade and seventh grade, but I read at a higher reading level throughout elementary school, so the books I read in elementary school aren’t very different from what I read in middle school. Some of these recommendations are very basic, but I included them anyway if they were truly some of my favorites, since that’s the topic of this list.
- Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling – What would this list be without the Harry Potter books? I read them starting at the end of first grade, but didn’t finish the later and longer books in the series until second grade. These rocked my world and made me fall in love with the fantasy genre, and every time I go back to read them again I’m reminded of the magic they held in that first read. My personal favorite has always been the Goblet of Fire.
- Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder – This is another classic series that I started in first grade but didn’t finish until later in elementary school. My grandmother adored these books and bought me a box set of the first few for Christmas one year, and I remember being fascinated by them, wanting to experience prairie life for myself. My grandmother has now passed away, and although I haven’t read these in quite a few years, I know that when I eventually revisit them I will be reminded of her.
- The Secret Series by Pseudonymous Bosch – I forget how I stumbled upon this series, but all I know is I loved every minute of it. The humor (especially coming from the narrator) and the mystery are perfectly intertwined, and each book actually gets better rather than worse as in some kids’ book sequels. It’s a fairly intricate storyline in terms of trying to sum it up, but the reveals towards the end of the series are worth waiting for and actually not predictable (I’m bad at predicting events though, so maybe find out for yourself on that one).
- A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle – I actually didn’t like this book at first. I’m still not the biggest fan of the other books in the series, but I will say this book grew on me more than I ever thought it would. The world Madeleine L’Engle creates is mind-boggling yet completely realistic (funny how that works) and made me appreciate science and theoretical thinking more. I love how the Murry family is relatable in some ways, yet incredibly special in their talent and intellect- it’s the perfect balance and makes you want to root for Meg and Charles Wallace even more.
- Inkheart by Cornelia Funk/e – I got this book in a random store in upstate New York the summer after second grade, looking for a book to read during long car rides on that trip visiting my grandparents. I wish I had the same ability to make words come to life that Meggie does, but reading this book was magical enough. However, I didn’t enjoy the other two books in the trio (Inkspell, Inkdeath) nearly as much.
- The Winnie Years series by Lauren Myracle – This book series isn’t a classic or a series with a complicated plot, but it meant a lot to me as an anxious pre-teen awaiting middle school. It’s a fairly accurate portrayal of late elementary school and middle school, and I went through a lot of the same things that Winnie did. I recommend it for girls who are in the pre-teen age range and just need something light and fluffy to relate to.
- Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech – My mom loved the plot of this book so she read it out loud to me in early elementary school. I think it teaches some important life lessons with a creative manner of events unfolding, and the twist at the end was both unexpectedly beautiful and heartbreaking. It’s a sad one, but the ending only shows how great the beginning of the book/everything leading up to the end is.
- Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass – As someone who’s been having an existential crisis since forever, it made sense I would love this book. When I re-read it a few weeks ago, I cried just as much as I did the first time. I saw a lot of myself in Jeremy, and you’ll enjoy following his journey- it’s a really beautiful storyline.
- A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass – This book is another sad one, but it’s just as beautiful. It follows the story of Mia, an eighth grader with synesthesia (someone in The Secret Series also has synesthesia!) and her discovering what exactly that is and how it relates to her self-identity. I found this book fascinating as it introduced me to something new, but it also managed to be relatable just because everyone struggles with their identity in some way. It perfectly captures those growing pains.
- A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin – Another heartbreakingly beautiful book my mom read to me when I was younger, this story is set in a 1960s summer where a small-town-girl meets her mentally-ill uncle that was previously hidden from her. The ending is abrupt and sad, but twelve-year-old Hattie was all too relatable to me at the time of reading this, and her growth throughout the story is inspiring.
- A Year Without Autumn by Liz Kessler –
- Strawberry Hill by Mary Ann Hoberman – I remember liking this book a lot, but I didn’t even realize how wonderful the plot and the protagonist’s journey was until I re-read it a couple weeks ago. It follows ten-year-old Allie moving cities (to a street named Strawberry Hill) and experiencing the struggles of making true friends as well as anti-Semitism. It clarifies what a true friend is, and it also has a couple cute pictures in my version of the book.
- The Penderwicks series by Jeanne Birdsall – I LOVED this series when my second-grade teacher first introduced me to it. I always wanted sisters (I just have a younger brother) and I envied the Penderwicks’ tight-knit family. It’s a fun read that still touches on life lessons and serious issues like most kids’ books do.
I hope this list helps anyone out who’s looking for good kids’ books! Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or just someone who likes to read and was curious on if we shared the same favorite kids’ books, this list should have something for everyone. Honestly, I enjoy most of the books I read, and I’ll dabble in pretty much any genre if someone encourages me to read a certain book or I’m gifted one. I could’ve included more, but these are the ones that I would re-read again and again and that really stuck out to me. Let me know what your favorite children’s books are/were!
Brooke
My Poetry Writing Process
Hello everyone!
Today I will be sharing how I write my poems and basically my whole writing process. I will admit it’s nothing special or anything that can’t easily be replicated- it’s mainly based on how I’m feeling or what I’m inspired to write about. That being said, I’ve seen and heard other writers talk about what works for them and what their writing processes are, so I figured I would share. Keep on reading if you want to know what I do when I’m ready to write a poem!
Obviously I don’t go through the same process every time I write something. Occasionally, ideas will pop into my head and I’ll quickly jot them down in my phone’s Notes, but this is for when I’m churning out a lot of writing in one sitting, or I’m feeling particularly inspired. I decided it would be best to outline it step-by-step, so here are the main points I wanted to hit.
- Gather my materials. I’m not super picky about what pen I’m writing with, but I do have one spiral notebook that I tend to write all my handwritten poetry in/lists of inspiration for my writing. I sometimes type rather than writing since I can get my thoughts out quicker, so if I already have an idea of what I want to write about or I’m planning to write a poem about a specific experience/topic for my blog, I’ll just start typing my poem in a Word document. However, if I’m just feeling like writing or using poetry to cope with a stressful, emotional day, I’ll usually choose to write it in the aforementioned spiral and determine whether or not I’ll share it somewhere later on.
- Find the right environment/position. Again, this varies on what I’m feeling/what level of inspiration I’m at/what purpose I have in writing at the time, but I have three main places I write. If I’m just writing for fun and myself, I’ll usually spread out on my bedroom floor. If I’m trying to write something for this blog or a different purpose that’s more structured but I’m not quite sure what I want to write about yet, I’ll go and sit outside in my backyard for a while to think while I write and draw inspiration from nature. If I’m writing for a structured purpose and already have an idea of what to write about, I usually sit at my desk and write there.
- Start writing and get my thoughts out. I don’t edit myself while writing or stop to think about what words are actually going on the page. I just try to express my ideas before I lose my train of thought, and I stop when that train of thought comes to an end. I think it’s important to remember that you can always edit later, but you can’t always retrieve a lost thought from your memory.
- Title the poem. This is a personal preference, but I like to title my poems right after I finish them, unless I really can’t think of a title and feel it fits better to leave the piece without one. I’m not sure how other people come up with titles, but for me they’ll usually just pop in my brain as I reread the poem I’ve just written, or I’ll pull from the general subject matter of the poem. It helps to ask yourself, what do I want people to think this poem is about?
- Self-edit and/or restructure the poem. Honestly, a lot of times I don’t edit my poems until long after I’ve written them, if I’m planning to submit them for publication or something. I do a light edit on the poems I post here before I schedule the post to go up just to make sure I didn’t make any mistakes, but I don’t really polish my work too much unless I’m sending it in somewhere. However, sometimes I will restructure my stanzas/lines if I think the structure of the poem looks a bit odd or uneven/lopsided in an unintentional way. It’s all about personal preference, so I just eyeball it.
- Save it/type it/decide what to do with it. Like I said, I write all the time, often with different purposes in mind. There are a lot of poems I’ve just written to get myself through hard times and express my emotions; I prefer doing so through poetry rather than journaling or something similar. A lot of the poems I write myself are quite short, random, and frankly, I don’t think anyone would be interested in reading them or publishing them. However, for poems that I share on my blog, I usually know that a poem will go on here as I write it. Any other poems that I don’t share on here and that I think are good enough to make their way out into the world, I research a good place to submit them for possible publication in contests or teen publications. I really haven’t submitted many of my poems anywhere (besides my huge writing sample for summer program applications) so as you would guess, I haven’t had much success with getting published. I had my first poem published this fall in the Just Poetry National High School Poetry contest fall anthology, which was an awesome honor.
I hope this was interesting or somehow helpful; I’m not sure how unique or necessary my specific writing process is, but it is what it is! Feel free to share any essential steps in your writing processes in the comments- I would love to hear about them 🙂
Brooke
Trying to Improve Your Life? Read This!
Hello everyone!
This is going to be a more random post, as it’s an idea I’ve had in my drafts since October. I figured now was a good time to finally write it, as I knew I (and you guys, too) could use some positivity during these disheartening and crazy times. I’m just going to be sharing with you a few places I’ve found inspiration and helpful words of encouragement, particularly about being successful in certain aspects of life/improving one’s life. If you’re interested, keep on reading!
For general tips:
- Using the Law of Attraction – I’m not the best person to explain this, but the main principle is that your attitude manifests things into your life because the universe is giving you what aligns with your vibrations. In order to bring good things into your life, you should not only be positive, but think about them as if you already have what you want/being grateful for it. Good resources for learning about the Law of Attraction are thelawofattraction.com, The Secret documentary on Netflix, and YouTube videos if you just look it up (I found Luca Whitaker’s to be simple and helpful).
- Looking at motivating websites – I’m a sucker for a motivational article. Recently I’ve liked looking at success.com because they have a ton of articles about how to be successful and productive in different areas of your life. Honestly, finding a specific website/publication/magazine that aligns with what you’re currently interested is a great way to improve your current mindset regarding that aspect of your life, whatever it is.
- Pinterest – I know this seems like a weird thing to recommend, just a straight-out social media platform, but Pinterest is such a good platform when you need motivation or inspiration. I like to look up inspirational quotes and find some that I like, but a lot of people also use the Law of Attraction by making a Pinterest board of things they want to manifest/their dream life.
For improving blogging:
- The Art of Blogging by Christian Mihai – I don’t have too much experience in seeking out resources for how to blog correctly because I made my blog for fun, but this blog by Christian Mihai here on WordPress taught me a lot about the basics. If you’re looking to turn your blog into a business or trying to get on the track to success, definitely read his posts.
For improving your grades/academic life:
- ANY book by Cal Newport – I read one of Cal Newport’s books a year ago, and it was so eye opening. He has great, blunt advice about how to succeed in school (both high school and college/grad school) without going insane and burning yourself out, and I just find his advice reassuring in general. I can’t say I’ve put all his advice into practice, but I try to live by most of his advice and it truly is helpful, even if you can’t put it into practice completely either.
- Studygrams – Looking at YouTubers or Studygram accounts on Instagram (Study for Success is one of my favorites, and she has Instagram and YouTube) motivates me because I see their studying routines and perfect notes, and I want that for myself. You might get some serious handwriting envy 😉 but it’s worth it if it motivates you.
- Pomodoro method – Get an app that has a Pomodoro timer; it just times your studying/working for 25 minute sections with 5 minute breaks to maximize productivity. It doesn’t work for everyone, but it might work for you!
For improving writing:
- Keep writing – Yeah, I’m not an expert writer. No one really is. But if you keep doing something, you’re bound to get better at it. Try writing a poem every day, or blocking out a certain amount of time (even if only 15 minutes) everyday to write something.
- Read – I know, I know, everyone says this. But it’s true! By reading more, I’ve been so inspired to try different things in my writing, and you get to see what works for different genres and styles of writers.
- Send your writing where it will get feedback – For teens, I recommend submitting your work to Polyphony Lit. You’ll have the chance at getting published, but even if your work is rejected, they have multiple editors (I’m one of them!) whose job is to write a complete set of commentary on each piece, so you’ll get tons of feedback in the end. Otherwise, find fellow writers who are willing to exchange work, or forums (Reddit, maybe?).
I know there are so many aspects of life you might be looking to improve, so I’m sorry that I only specifically addressed a few; however, I thought it made the most sense to just address the 4 main topics I discuss on this blog. I hope this helps you out, and inspires you to try out some of the things I mentioned. Please let me know if any of them end up working out for you.
Brooke
Am I Selfish to Keep Writing?
Hello everyone!
Today I’m just going to touch on some of my thoughts about blogging amidst the chaos in our world at the moment, and ask once again what you would like to see from me on this blog. I’ve been at a loss for what direction I want to ultimately bring this blog in; I feel a lot of you guys might be here for different types of posts, since I’ve dabbled in so many different categories of posts on here. If you want to see where my head’s at, keep on reading.
First of all, I would like to address the question in the title of the post. Am I selfish to keep writing? The world’s kind of falling apart at the moment, people are shifting their lives to be fully online in order to prevent leaving the house, my school’s now online, and every person/age demographic has been affected at this point. It’s no longer just elderly people being frightened or the few countries like China where the virus first spread being hit really badly- it’s so much more than that now.
When my quarantine first started, I was aware of how serious it was, but I was trying to turn it into a positive thing. I thought I could write a ton of posts for this blog and have tons of new content to churn out, and work on my writing a lot in turn. It’s true that I have had more time to brainstorm ideas and work on posts, but something doesn’t feel write. I feel selfish using this time to make myself better and put my words out when they’re somewhat unrelated to the major issue that’s going on right now; I don’t want to take away or distract from that. Please let me know if you want me to continue sharing my writing/regular posts during this time, or if you would prefer me to adapt my posting to the current world situation.
That brings me to my next issue: I’m not really sure where this blog is going. I’ve always just written about whatever strikes my fancy, and recently that’s been sharing my poetry and other things related to creative writing. I love to write and I’ve been writing poems a lot longer than I’ve been sharing them on here, so I’m completely fine with that; however, I’m not sure if that’s what you guys want to see, or if it is, if that’s the only thing you guys want me to post on here. I’ve noticed that I’ve gotten a lot more traffic on my writing posts/poems, and barely any on posts related to anything else in the past few weeks. However, I’m not sure if that’s due to other things (people not being online, different posting times, me generalizing by just grouping my posts into creative writing vs. not), and I want your guys’ opinions.
I’ve been thinking of eventually transitioning into this blog as mainly for sharing creative writing and focusing on that, but I want to make sure that’s what you guys want to see. When I started this blog, I wasn’t posting anything related to creative writing, and I’m not sure if people that have been reading my blog since then are enjoying the creative writing content. I’ve read from many guides to blogging that blogging should be a conversation (that’s basically a direct quote from Cristian Mihai, The Art of Blogging), so here’s me, starting a conversation with you.
Please let me know what you would like to see from me, and if you’ve been here since the beginning, thank you. I don’t know what’s in store for the future of this blog, but I’m obviously just going to keep writing! I just wanted to open up this conversation to you guys, and hopefully get some more feedback/interaction. As we can see with the coronavirus craziness, things can change in the blink of an eye, and communication is key.
Brooke
Quarantine – Poem by Me
all the doors are shut (the windows too) and i've never seen this town so empty last week i forgot to buy milk, and this week i can't the grocery store became a barren wasteland people aren't even bothering with tight-lipped smiles stay six feet away, my mother reminds me a walk in the park to escape my house only makes me feel more trapped. it's too quiet i return home, back under a roof and between four walls only to wish i was outside again but the sun shines down, and i can feel its warmth through the glass windowpanes the palm fronds sway peacefully across the street i want to join them in their lazy rhythm in this loneliness, there is beauty
I hope you enjoyed this poem and are staying healthy and safe during these crazy times. I tried to bring a positive spin on the current situation in this poem, but I am still aware of the amount of tragedy and sickness people are experiencing right now. I wish you all the best.
Brooke
How to Fit Reading and Writing Into Your Life
Hello everyone!
I used to think I simply “didn’t have time” to read or write often, even though it was what I enjoyed. Obviously I worked on my time management skills and tried to free up my schedule so I had more free time to do so, but I think it’s even more about your attitude and your love for reading/writing that will make it a bigger part of your life than your actual schedule. If you’ve been trying to get yourself motivated to read and/or write more often, keep on reading!
It sounds silly, but just like with anything you’re trying to make time for in your life, the first and most important step is to truly make it a priority in your head and tell yourself you need to read and write. Obviously not in a way where it puts pressure on yourself, but in a way where you’re making time for it just like any of your other “needs”, like eating and showering. When I first started this blog, I decided I would work on my posts every Saturday morning, and that would dribble into Sunday morning if I didn’t finish. That became a part of my schedule; it’s my sacred time for blogging.
I think reading also helps with motivating you to write, and vice versa; if you’re doing one, you’ll be more inclined and inspired to do the other. Once I started writing more often, I realized being more well-read would improve my writing, and then I dove into whatever books and reading material I could find in my spare time. If you already do one a lot, eventually I think you’ll find yourself doing the other. In this case, try to balance the two- if you’re trying to read a really long book, maybe don’t set a goal of writing a novel at the same time- that sort of thing.
Also, with the quarantine in many states/countries because of the coronavirus, a lot of you probably have a lot more free time on your hands. If reading and writing more has always been a goal of yours, now you can dive straight into it, without having to worry about as strict of time constraints. If you’re still busy working from home/doing online school, you can incorporate a reading hour/half-hour before bed. During my busiest times of the school year, I know I don’t usually end up reading or writing that much either beyond this blog, but it’s all about making the most of the time you do have.
Here’s a few little suggestions I have that are more specific:
- Sign up for the Poem-A-Day email newsletter here! I did this when someone recommended it to me, and it cheers me up to see a new poem in my email inbox everyday. If you don’t get them right away- check your spam, as sometimes mine get directed to there.
- Sneak in some reading time by reading on your phone. There’s always reading material online. Whether it’s checking the news and staying informed that way, or reading a blog (hint, hint), you can easily have a few minutes of reading here and there.
- Read books you’ve already read before. This is nostalgic and usually makes you feel good (I read a bunch of my old childhood favorite books recently and made a post on it that you should go check it out!), and I find it’s also less time-consuming because you already understand everything and it’s more about remembering the story than actually diving into it.
- Make an informal book club with your friends. It doesn’t have to be an actual book club, but just an agreement that you and some/one of your friends are going to read the same book and discuss it at some point. This holds you accountable in a low-pressure way, and gives you a book buddy so you can motivate each other to read!
- Write in the notes section of your phone. When I don’t have time to sit down with pen and paper, sometimes I’ll jot the beginnings of poems in my notes, and finish them later. This can also be interesting because once you sit down and think about the idea with fresh eyes, you may take it in a completely different direction.
- Write a poem every day. This is basically the same thing as reading the Poem-A-Day newsletter but in writing form. It helps you get a feel for your voice and what you like to write about.
I hope this inspires and motivates you to go read a book or write something. Also, remember that writing and reading are supposed to be fun, relaxing pastimes, and it should be something you can look forward to doing, not force yourself to do or dread. I truly believe there’s a type of book/writing for everyone, and I challenge you to find yours.
Brooke
Rejection – Poem by Me
Hello everyone!
Today I have another poem to share with you all. I’m not sure if these unnecessary introductions are necessary at this point; this will probably be the last time that I’ll have this type of lead-in to my writing if it’s already clear from the post title what I’m sharing with you. Hope you enjoy 🙂
if rejection is one thing, it's versatile with the press of a button, a few uncomfortable words a shake of the head, a glaring mark in red pen but it doesn't even hurt then it creeps into your head, revealing itself in the form of tears running down your pillowcase nail-biting and head-scratching just wondering how, and wondering why rejection is a double-edged sword you already know the how, and you want to know the why so you'll do better, be better next time but once someone tells you why, that's when it hurts.
Hope you enjoyed as always! Rejection is a natural part of life and everyone experiences it from time to time, so try not to let it get you down. I’ve been second-guessing myself a lot lately and feeling rejected in various ways, but it helps to write about it and get the feelings out. Also, I hope you all continue to stay safe and healthy in these tough times.
Brooke
What I Learned From Rereading My Childhood Books
Hello everyone!
Due to all the free time I’ve had at home, I decided I would declutter my bookshelf in my room. I had an idea of which books I had long outgrown and would be able to part with, but I kind of wanted to read them one last time before letting go of them, just to reflect on what my younger self saw in them. I thought it would be interesting to share my thoughts on what I read and how I felt during this little process of decluttering, so if you’re interested in hearing my thoughts and possibly doing this yourself, keep on reading!
I’m not going to go too into depth about each specific book that I reread, but in case you’re curious, here’s the list for reference:
- The Winnie Years series by Lauren Myracle (Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, Thirteen Plus One)
- Canterwood Crest series by Jessica Burkhart (20 books so I won’t list them all!)
- The Fashion Disaster That Changed My Life by Lauren Myracle
- The Clique by Lisi Harrison
- The Ashley Project by Melissa de la Cruz
- Ten Rules for Living With My Sister by Ann M. Martin
- Ten Good and Bad Things About My Life (So Far) by Ann M. Martin
- A Corner of The Universe by Ann M. Martin (this one’s more serious and sad)
- Strawberry Hill by Mary Ann Hoberman
They’re all pretty childish, each centered on girls around 10-13. I read them all in the later portion of my elementary school years, but remained attached to them in middle school. I haven’t looked back on any of them in a few years at least, but there were many other books I’ve donated and let go of since I was younger; these were kind of the stragglers remaining on my bookshelf from long ago. Reading them was a huge awakening as to how much I’ve matured, considering I used to think they were such thrilling storylines packed with drama. Now, a few of them just seemed like, well…typical young person problems. Don’t get me wrong, a couple of them tackle more serious issues for youth and teach important life lessons, but a lot of the books were simply obnoxious (The Clique, The Ashley Project).
It was crazy to think about how the girls in these books (middle school age) seemed so old to my fourth and fifth-grade self. Honestly, now I know why- because middle schoolers don’t act like that. At least in my experience, I didn’t have the independence a lot of the book characters did, and that greatly influences the events in the books/what the characters do. The types of books I read also said a lot about the person I aspired to be. A lot of the books focus on privileged, independent preteens with some sort of exciting lives (boarding school, living in the city, take your pick). This is not exactly the type of life I’ve experienced, but I am 100% okay with that now.
I find these books could greatly skew a young, impressionable child’s impression of middle school, but it’s all in good fun. Even as a child, I don’t think I took them too seriously. However, I’m glad I decided to reread them and experience them one more time before letting go of them; I was worried I would get too sentimental and want to hang on to them, but reading them only confirmed I was ready to pass them on to someone else who can enjoy them. The feeling of clearing space on my bookshelf and that these books will get read by others is super special. I’m not sure where to donate them yet and will obviously still be hanging onto them because of the current quarantine, but I’ll figure it out soon.
Overall, I can definitely see how much I’ve grown as a person through even the books I’ve gravitated towards reading. Most of these books were realistic fiction, but now I prefer to read almost anything but realistic fiction, as books are truly an escape. However, at the time I read them, I think these books still were an escape to me, an escape to my ideal middle school/preteen life. I also learned how important it is go through your books and belongings in general to donate things you’re no longer using. I hadn’t even questioned getting rid of these books before, but I’m glad that I finally did since they’ll go to much better use.
I used to be extremely attached to everything I owned and hesitant to get rid of/donate anything, but now I’m almost the opposite and am eager to give away anything I feel I’ve already gotten my use out of. I suggest you also go through your books, reflect on the person you used to be when you read them for the first time and how they helped you grow, and pass them onto someone else if you’re ready. It’s rewarding, I promise!
I hope you enjoyed hearing my perspective on this. I didn’t want to go too into detail on each book since that’s not the most relevant part of this little process, but let me know if you’d like to hear more about any of them 🙂
Brooke
June Gloom in March – Poem by Me
Welcome back everyone!
I have another poem to share with you all today. If you’re new to my blog, you might not know that I live in southern California. We usually get some drizzle and gloomy days in spring, but the past week has actually been abnormally rainy; it was even rainier than our typical winter week this year. I’m usually a fan of the rain and cold weather, but it was off-putting when coupled with the school closure and coronavirus news. In light of everything that’s happening and the recent odd weather, the idea for this poem popped into my head. I hope you enjoy, as always.
the clouds are rolling in, as perfectly round and puffy as marshmallows but as dark as an unfamiliar room at midnight night strangles day too early, especially for this time of year i light a candle and watch the first drop of wax melt but the minuscule flame has already blown out- ominous, isn't it? i've come to pray for actual darkness, not this false sense of security from yellow-tinged lightbulbs and mere seconds of candlelight. if i'm going to sulk in the dark, leave me to it.
I hope you all are staying safe and healthy. What’s the weather like where you live? By the time this post goes up, it’s most likely back to blue skies and sunshine here, which only makes it harder not to go outside. Please feel free to leave a comment with some feedback or challenges for future writing as well- I’m definitely trying to channel my energy into writing while spending so much time at home 🙂
Brooke
adventures of a typical high school student 