A Winter Night

I can feel my cheek tingling
As I press it against the frosted window
A blanket of snow covering my backyard
Tall, naked trees erupting from it.
The grass is silver, like delicate jewels against a white backdrop
The distant sound of chimes in the air
Fills my ear with unwelcome sounds.
Here I am, wrapped in my wool blanket
A steaming cup of cocoa cradled in my hands
It hurts to think of the poor souls who are out there in the cold
Freezing to death
Funny how I smile
At this hostile wonderland.....

That Window

There she goes again
Looking out that same old window
The grime now encrusting its sill
Dirty fingerprints peppering its pane
There she goes again
Crying at what she lost
So she looks out that window
Expecting him to appear
As if he’d be strolling down the street
and He’d give a friendly wave
As if everything was going to be ok again.
It’s not the nature she stares at
Or the misty fog settling over the hilltops
Or the subtle tint of sunlight on the delicate leaves
Staring without a purpose
The trees have been stripped of their lavish leaves
The sparrows, they don’t sing anymore
The grass is dry and it crackles beneath your feet
But, still,  she stares out that window
Praying for time to stop
So she doesn’t have to do this anymore
Distant sounds of bombs crashing
People screaming
Fire crackling
Gunshots ricocheting off of nothing
Buzzing around her like swarms
But still,
She stares out that window.
The ghosts of old memories
Fog around that window
Fogging up those old glasses
That she hasn’t removed since he left.
Same old creaky chair.
Same old scarf that she’s been knitting for years.
Same old scuffed up shoes on the carpet
But still, she stares out that window
Waiting for his return.....

"Imprisonment"

Cold Lank Floor
Stings me as I sit upon it.
Trapped in my own mind
Solitary confinement
It’s too dark in here
Too depressing
I must find a way out.
A window
Look at What little light shines through it
Perhaps that’s the solution !

“Class Dismissed!”

The words escape from my mouth before I can think of how to say them. I can hear the students grumbling as they grab their books. Sometimes, I wish one of them would come to talk to me. I watch them as they file out, one by one, like impatient ants. There goes Auburn. The quiet one of the bunch. Never speaks. Never smiles. She wears that same old expression on her face. Then again, she is the only one who understands any of the material we go over. I like that about her. Not a word but manages to get good grades. 

I wonder what her home life is like. I wonder if she's happy. All I wish is to fascinate these children by helping them learn the wonders of Physics. God, it sounds boring even to me. No use being vivacious when I don’t want to teach the material. No one thinks to ask about how I’m doing. The only time these students talk to me is if I mess up their grades. Over 180 kids. You should try grading that many papers in one night. I wish these students knew that my grandpa passed away last week. I wish I could talk to them. But no, I’m just a teacher who grades their work and supposedly prepares them for the future, when I know that 70% of these children will work in a 9-5 office job. Except for Auburn. She’ll go on to do amazing things.

"The Myth of the Sea Horse"

Ahe loved the ocean. She loved the way the sea breeze picked up her hair. She loved the way the soft, mushy sand felt between her wriggling toes. Most of all, she loved the wonders that the sea enclosed. One day, she dived into the waves and swam down to touch the coral; floating about in the water and marveling at the vibrant fish around her. As she laid her fingertips on the prickly coral, a small seahorse came flitting out of the seaweed Ahe marveled at the tiny wonder. Unable to contain her excitement, she swam out of the water, and ran onto the shore, flailing her arms as she sprinted to her grandmother, Casca. Ahe looked deep into Casca’s weary, brown irises, and asked her, “Grandma, I came to find a creature with a long snout and a tiny body. I wanted to catch it but it swam away from me. What is it, grandma?”

Casca looked up to her granddaughter and smiled, wrinkles forming around her lips. “Ah, my child. You speak of the seahorse. Come sit and let me tell you the tale of Kai’lio”, she said patting the ground, as she spoke. Ahe sat down on the warm sand rested her head on Casca’s lap, as her grandmother stroked her hair, running her fingers through its deep roots. Ahe closes her eyes, the sun warming the pair, as Casca clears her throat.

“Now you see, Kai’lio was a very handsome nymph. All the mermaids had an infatuation for him. His father was Kai, King of the Sea. Kai’lio was almost as handsome as his father, however, after his mother’s passing, his father had sworn to never love again. Kai’lio, though with all his admirers, had only one lover. Her name was Nani. Nani was the most beautiful sea nymph.”

Casca paused and looked at Ahe. “Just like you, my darling!” Ahe giggled to herself. Casca resumed. “All the others would be jealous. Kai’lio was quite the fortunate guy. Nani’s mother, Huhū, was very strict. She forbade her to see Kai’lio. Nani, being the naive juvenile she was, went to him anyway. Huhū interrogated Nani by using her magical power to see through her, discovering she was pregnant with Kai’lio’s child. Huhū banished Nani from their home, and Nani was left wandering the reefs to find her Kai’lio. There was one nymph who was very in love with Kai’lio. Her name was Lili. She would do whatever she could to entice Kai’lio. That night, Lili came to Kai’lio’s home and pleaded for him to love her. Ignoring his resists, Lili started seducing him. As Nani approached his home she saw Lili getting close to Kai’lio. 

“Grandmother, why is Lili so mean?” asked Ahe. her wide curious eyes begged for her grandmother to answer her question. 

“When people want things they can’t have, they become angry and selfish,” Casca replied.
Ahe nudged her Casca’s knee. “Go on!”

“Okay, little one.” Casca laughed

“Nani fainted, clutching her stomach. Kai’lio heard her and broke free from Lili. as he rushed out of his home. Nani had turned cold and hard to the touch, her kind heart no longer beating in her chest. Kai’lio knelt beside her body as he lay his hand on her stomach. Lili loomed above them both, as Kai’lo held Nani’s hand, which could no longer hold him anymore. She attempted to grab Kai’lio’s hand but he hexes Lili to get sucked into the ground, and she turns into lava. Kai’lio’s tear falls on to Nani’s stomach, and he feels a sudden burden on him. He gets up to lay down in his bed, but trips and falls, piercing his finger on a spike of coral. From his finger, bursts thousands of tiny creatures, flitting into the darker sea below. Nani’s lifeless, glowing face illuminates the dark sea around her. For one last time, she smiles for all the ocean to see. Her body wilts into the sand and what’s left of Nani is a clump of sand. The tiny newborn sea horses swam over to the sand clump and started playing in it. Little did they know that these were the remains of Nani, the one that Kai’lio could not have. “That, my child, is the tale of the Sea Horse.”

Casca took a handful of sand and sprinkled it onto the ground, as Ahe watched her. “The foam in the waves is the spirit of Nani and her unborn child.” Ahe ran to the shore and cupped her hands as the water flowed in. She ran back to her grandmother, as the water seeped out of her hold and had fallen into the sand. 

Casca chuckled when she saw this. “Ah, now Kai’lio and Nani have finally reunited.” Ahe spotted a white shell peeking out of the sand and ran to pick it up. She dusted the sand off and clutched the shell in her hand, as she ran over to Casca, now getting up and smoothing her white skirt. Casca holds out her hand and Ahe places her small palm into it. Ahe skips along with her grandmother and says, “What other wonders can we find in the sea, Grandma?” Casca chuckles and says, “There are many, my child. Each one has its own story.”

The Man I Supposedly Call “Father”

A lot of people in this world have fathers. Some are fortunate enough. Some are not. Some have many. Some have none. I, however, belong to the vast group of kids with fathers. Now, I am 14 years old. Most people think teenagers don’t give mind to their parents. But it’s Father’s Day and I’d like to publicize my affection by writing this. This is my Father’s Day gift. Usually, it’s some sappy card or sloppy craft. And it just absolutely amazes me how parents can still appreciate something so… inept. I’m sure there's a lot to being a father. For one, you have to make a ton of sacrifices which evolve as you grow. When I was a baby, it was diaper changing. As a toddler, it was feeding me spinach. I still detest spinach though. I don’t know how my dad keeps us alive, while he fulfills his ambitions. I'm sure by his age, most parents don’t care about their own wishes anymore. My dad wanted to be an actor, from his childhood. 

It’s been almost 40 years and still, he’s trying. He’s not like Leonardo DiCaprio famous, but everyone knows him as an actor. He has to travel abroad a lot, and it’s definitely taken a toll on his family. Most kids see their dads in the morning and again in the evening. My dad goes to India for as long as six months at a time! I was always sad to see my mom sit out during couples’ games at parties. I used to hate seeing my friends hug their fathers because mine was nowhere near. But, the more he travels, the more I’m thankful he’s here. There’s always an empty void in our family when he’s gone. But I have a ton to say about him when he’s at home. We like to refer to our dad as a “neat-freak. I’ll explain this. Basically, my dad acts like he’s about to murder me when he sees something on the floor. He will start raging if he sees a drop of water on the sink. He literally starts sneezing if he sees dust in a movie or something! He’s also a health-freak. 

Our fridge is basically filled with only green things when he’s here. Well, that and Corona Beers. He also won’t let us waste food and he can’t stand fast food. He also will Not. Stop. Cleaning. A good chunk of our summer break has been spent cleaning the house. There are good things and annoying things about my dad. But, I still love him. I think it’s hilarious how he can still crack jokes when he’s mad. He’s a good man. He respects women. He loves everyone. And he’s a good dad. I’m happy I have him as a dad. 

Love you Dad!

to read more of my pieces please visit my blog : http://manushrees.blogspot.com

Tunnel for the Soul

Trinkle, Trinkle

Down in Pain

Your heart still aches when you see the rain

Your mind still sears with the thoughts of light.

But you'll never find it in this cold, brutal night.

Chickens...

01-14-2073

Right. Left. Right. Left. I stare at my sneaker-clad feet as I walk down this gravel road. Each step takes me farther into the unknown. To a place that will hopefully hold me safe. All I need to do is escape this life I’ve lived in for so long. Too long. One more step. One more tear.

The cold wind is my only friend. All those words. All those faces. Stick to me like glue. Each time they told me I couldn’t.

All I need to do is forget. Everything.

The world will end in a week. And I’m the only one left. My name is Aderyn. I know. Unusual. You’ve probably never heard it before. It means “Bird”. I know, when I learned that too I cried.

I hope I don’t get too attached to you because you’re just a journal. And you always will be. Face the facts, you stupid journal.

I’m sorry, I hurt your feelings. I loved teasing Cryan. He was a great little brother. Too bad the plague took him. It took everyone. Now the only things left are me, the wind, and a couple stupid chickens here and there.

01-15-2073

I’m a Vegan. Always was. I can’t stop being vegan. But there is nothing to eat. I’ve traveled for so long. Miles and miles and haven’t found one single store! All these chickens. They tease me. They tease me like I teased you and I teased Cryan and he teased our dog and she teased the cat who teased the birds. The birds teas- &&&&&&&&&&&&&

01-18-2073

My pen ran out of ink and now I have to use this ugly navy color. It’s been a few hours and I’m starving, to say the least.  The chickens still tease me. Am I insane? Maybe I should take a decision, or else I’ll die of starvation. Chickens are overpopulated anyway... This piece was a small recreation that my friend, Lily Rhyne, and I wrote on a free evening.

Cursed Cat

“See you in the evening!”

Mom caresses my hand and adorns me with kisses before I get a chance to pull away. I grab my backpack, adjust my hoodie and walk into the school.

Squeak squeak! Ms. Penny scrawls out words on the whiteboard while simultaneously speaking.

“Snow White and the seven dwarfs is meant to teach a lesson of common sense. As you can see, Little Snow wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed ‘“because she was taken advantage of twice! First, the evil queen cuts off her circulation. Next, she poisons her! The tales were much more gruesome than the sappy Disney movies they show nowadays.

Ms. Penny draws a quick sketch of something that looks like a potato with lots of hair. She sloppily writes “Rapunzel” down at the bottom.

“In the Disney version. Rapunzel has Flynn take her to the lanterns and SPOILER ALERT she finds out that she is the lost princess. That’s the true story, right? WRONG! Actually, the prince is not a thief, like Flynn is. He finds Rapunzel in the castle and they fall in love. Then the prince leaves the castle and the witch finds out what they did. So she does cut off Rapunzel’s hair and tie it to the windowsill, and the prince does climb the hair only to be smacked by the witch. Plus, the thorns do hurt his eyes…. So then Rapunzel gets kicked out of the tower ‘cause her magical hair is useless now and she wanders around in the forest and gives birth to twins. The blind prince follows her singing voice and the babies cry and they live happily ever after!”

Everyone is so quiet that you could’ve heard a pin drop.

Ms. Penny drinks her water and the intercom comes on. Mr. Garibaldi’s voice booms through the speakers.

“Hey Everybody! Five more minutes until the weekend, guys! The Science Club will meet today from four to seven for the Biology Bonanza! Congrats to Thomas Wu and Kunal Patel for placing third in the Geography Bee. Our Food for Champs fundraiser will begin next week! Donate canned foods, blankets, and deodorant for a chance to win an iPad Mini!” The class buzzes with excitement after that line.  “Alright, everyone, that is it! Have a great weekend!”

The intercom turns off and everyone resumes their chatter.

The bell rings and everyone stampedes through the door. I try not to get squished in the ambush as I make it down the hall. Success!

Aunt Jasmine is waiting for me in her red car.

“Hey, little nugget!”, she says as she ruffles my hair.

“How was school?”  I prepare my sarcastic response

“Exciting. I’m hungry, let's GO!” Jazz steps on the gas, and we zoom out of the parking lot. I love Aunt Jasmine and all but the woman can’t drive.

We pull up to the shop and Jazz opens the door for me.

“Your Majesty’s bubble tea…” she bows down and leads the way.  The moment I step in, the aroma of taro overwhelms me. Jazz’s fiancée, Gen twirls in, holding a purple drink with a green straw.

“I assumed you would be coming,” he says. Gen gives Jazz a hug and says, “You will not believe what came in the mail!” He runs into the kitchen and brings out a big box. There’s a big label that says, “From Tokyo” Aunt Jasmine’s eyes light up and she tears away at the packaging. Inside, there is bubble wrap and packaging peanuts. Jazz digs further into the box and pulls out something.

My aunt cradles a giant brass cat statue with the creepiest smile imaginable. I cringe just looking at the thing.

“Who’s the cutest wittle kitty? Oh yes, you are!” Jazz cradles the cat, like an actual baby and Rico starts tickling its chin! I cannot believe they’re actually baby-talking a fake cat. Someone get them a dog! I slowly slip into the back room.

Where are those gummies? I rummage through all the boxes but can’t seem to find them. Great. All I wanted was an evening with me and my Haribo gummies. The back room smells like fish and taroーa not-so-good combination.  I think I’ve lost my appetite.

Gen dances in through the door and lays down the cat on the counter. He goes out immediately after Jazz calls out to him.

The cat’s glassy eyes stare into my soul. It’s hand rocks back and forth.  Forward. Backward. Forward. Backward.

I’m drawn into a mesmerized trance as I reach out to touch the cat. My fingers trace the Japanese symbols written on its hand.

FLASH!
    Ow. I fall back into the silver racks and fortunately spill nothing. The cat’s eyes are glowing and its mouth starts opening. Something floats out of its mouth. A little pink cloud erupts from the creepy smile.

I cannot believe what I’m seeing. A little figure is floating around the cat statue.

“Salaam! Ana aljuniyu alqui!” it chirps.

“Umm, I don’t think I understand.”, I reply

A very heavy accent erupts out of its mouth. “Greetings master! I am the all-powerful Anzar! Here at your command!”

Did I get enough sleep last night?! Since when do little genies appear out of cat statues?

I feel a little dizzy. Am I insane?! My thoughts are interrupted by the genie.

“Don’t just stare at me, foolish mortal! I’m sure you’ve heard this tale a hundred times! Now act like the 8th grader you are and ask me the wishes!

“H-how do you know I’m in eighth grade?”, I stutter.

“You really are stupid. I am an all-powerful genie and if I have the power to grant you wishes then I can know what grade you’re in!

I run out of the room while the little figure blabbers away. Jazz needs to know that the cat is possessed.

“..and a chocolate coffee jelly milkshake.” She’s taking someone’s order.

“Ok, one California rolls 6 count and a Choco Coffee Jelly Shake to go. Anything else, Ma’am?

“That will be all, thank you!”

“Ok, just take a seat there and Gen will be out with your food in a jiffy!”

The customer sits down and I tug on Jazz’s apron.

“Hey, nugget! Your mom’s picking you up at 7. She wants you to finish your homework so you can go to Sid’s house faster.” I ignore her words and tug harder.

“Jazz! Can I talk to you real quick?”

Just then, a man and his two daughters walk in. Oh, for the love of Pete! Why does everyone have to ruin everything?!

“Oh, I’m sorry baby! It’s rush hour. Auntie will be a little busy. How about you ask Gen?”

I give her a reluctant “sure”

…

Gen is shining the cat with a wet towel.

“It was a little dusty in the box, no? Now it is beautiful. Almost as beautiful as your aunt.”

I stop him before he gets too mushy. My brain storms up a convincing lie.

“Hey Gen! So at school we’re doing this project about different parts of Asia and I chose Tokyo!

“Oh wow! I see you are being quite patriotic, no?”

“Um..yeah! So,  I need this cat statue to symbolize the importance and stuff.

Gen gives me a thumbs up. “That cat is dear to your auntie so make sure to return it. Also, be careful! I spent almost 30 minutes cleaning it!

I slip the cat in my backpack, and run to Jazz’s heated office. I only have so much time! I need to ask her why she’s in here!

After many failed attempts, I trace the lettering and the genie appears. She is filing her tiny nails.  I’m greeted with an annoyed look from her.

“Finally! Did you come up with a wish yet?

“Uh… how did you get in there?” She looks super annoyed with my question.

“Do you not understand the phrase, “Three Wishes”?! Call me when you’ve thought of something.”

“Wait wait wait! Er.. I wish to know how you ended up in there.”

With an eye roll, she declares, “Fine. Your wish is my command.

After a dramatic pause, she starts balbering away.

“I was discovered by a Taiwanese toddler. The little idiot drops the lamp in a pond and hides me in his family’s lucky cat. It was terrible!  All the other genies get insulated velvet sofas but instead I slept on the floors of a cold ceramic cat! Then the family sells me to a pawn shop, and generation after generation passed this cat down. Somehow I ended up here…”

“When did the kid find you?”, I ask

“About a few million years ago.”, she says casually.

If this genie has lived for more than a million years than she can do anything! I must think through my wishes carefully.

My thoughts shift to somewhere else. Visions of food cloud my brain. I’m so sick and tired of sushi and boba! My lips begin to open.

“I wish for… a bowl of cheesy lasagna and brownies for dessert….” I can feel myself drooling.

“Seriously?!” She rolls her eyes again. “Well you get what you wish for.” With a bow she says, “Your wish is my command.”

A big blue bowl full of meaty, cheesy goodness appears in front of me. A glass plate full of hot, soft, chocolate brownies is set next to the bowl.

“Come to Mama!” My hand reaches out to eat the scalding lasagna.

“Ow!” I quickly retract my hand and wave it around.

“Ouch! Ouch! I wish for a fork!”, I shout.

The genie zaps my plate and a shiny, metal fork appears. Anzar is dying with laughter just as I realize I’ve used my last wish.

“Oh crap! Oh, what luck! I’m such an idiot!” I scold myself.

If that wasn’t enough the bowl and plate disappear.

“Foolish girl! Of all these years, so many people have wished for riches; for happiness! Instead you wish for food?! HAHAHA!” The little genie conjures up a suitcase and starts floating towards the cat.

“Sayonara, stupid!” A hat appears on her tiny head and she tips it.

“No! No! NO!”, I scream at the cat.

The door opens and Jazz comes in.

“Wow, you really love that cat, don’t you?”, she laughs.  “You know, nugget, you can keep it if you want.”

“Um,, No Thanks! Er-I mean, it’s ok. It’s yours.”, I tell her.

“Are you sure?”, she asks. I nod as she lifts the cat and we walk to the counter.

I smell a delicious aroma and find Gen sitting at a table with big plastic bags.

“Since it’s a Friday, we thought you’d like some lasagna from the Italian place down the street.”, Jazz says.

“Oh my gosh! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! ” I repeat my thank-yous until I reach the table. Gen lays a plate of lasagna and surprise, surprise一chocolate brownies on the table! Jazz spoons the lasagna on a plate for me and hands me a plastic fork 一while I burst out in laughter. It’s been a quite the crazy day!