Showing posts with label final project. Show all posts
Showing posts with label final project. Show all posts
Friday, April 11, 2008
Guerrilla Season Poem by Lila WCA
The War They’ll Never Win.
The light of day, is as dark as night.
As men that don’t want to, are forced to fight.
Children are scared as their fathers must go.
Wives are left at home all alone.
Death and disease sneak up on the men,
Killing them faster than the war they’ll never win.
Lila
The light of day, is as dark as night.
As men that don’t want to, are forced to fight.
Children are scared as their fathers must go.
Wives are left at home all alone.
Death and disease sneak up on the men,
Killing them faster than the war they’ll never win.
Lila
Alternate Ending From Patrick WCA
As Matt made his way back home it finally dawned upon him about half-way back what he was doing. He was leaving all in life he had ever known, all his past was slipping in to oblivion, his father’s legacy was soon to be forgotten and the only one brave enough to stand against the tides of time and defend all that was doomed to fall was Jesse.
The trip home was heavy with thought, fear, regret, and hate, hate of himself and it seemed to rise up within him, more and more, with every step towards a north-bound trip he hated himself more and more.
The sun was low but getting higher, he knew his family would leave in a half hour or so even if he didn’t make it, after all they had a train to catch. But he just couldn’t take it, his raw passion was almost stifling, it was too much to bear. After almost an hour of heavy thought and heedless journey he found himself slumped by an old hickory overlooking the farm.
It hit him like a riled mule; this was his land, his fathers land, southern land, southern land with common sense values, a land wronged by the evils of northern expansion and industrialization. He couldn’t just abandon this land and deprive his son of a proud place to call home, his home and the home of his fathers.
After almost an hour of lying sick to his stomach by the tree, looking at all that was going to be lost to him, he realized the sun was beating down on him, he realized his family was probably leaving now and maybe he could make it but he already knew, what had to be done.
He waited just a while longer till’ he was sure his family was gone, he couldn’t bear to see his mother and tell her he was going to stay and fight, he hated himself just for knowing she was utterly heartbroken by now, there’s no way he could face her.
It was time; he made his way down the hill and through his apple orchard. Looking around at all the land as he continued on his way he was hit with waves and waves of pure emotion. Feelings of loneliness, knowing he was the only one left and doomed to live alone, feelings of hate, for breaking his mothers heart, feelings of loyalty, knowing he was defending what he knew to be true, and feelings of fear, fear of the unknown.
It took him awhile but he eventually got his pa’s rifle ready for battle, it took him awhile of sitting at his kitchen table, cleaning and loading it. Somber was the order of the day as he blankly dressed himself and readied some food for journey he noticed a letter on the counter. He recognized it immediately, it was Mama’s piece of paper, the piece she had been saving for an important occasion to use and there it was, sitting right there staring at him, its mere presence was piercing his heart; there’s no way his heart could withstand reading it. He quickly grabbed it and tucked it into his jacket. It could wait to be read, he would save it for a special occasion.
I guess it was best for Matt not to know what had happened to his family shortly after their parting, it was a horrible occurrence a brutal twist of fate. His entire family was killed in a derailing accident whilst on the train car north.
After he left his house for the final time joined up with the guerillas, and as a rightful result, disappeared from the public eye for several years, reappearing only at the Battle of Red Creek. Little is known of Matt’s affairs during his years of war but what is known is this, that foggy morning on the riverbank as he bled his last and gasped through the gore at that last breath of air, he was seen clutching the letter in his hands. He looked happy, as if he was satisfied with what he had done in life, as if he knew his mother loved him with her last. As the Howard family’s chapter closes in the book of time, we must remember that through it all, GOD’s will is done, and that we are all merely ripples in the stream.
The trip home was heavy with thought, fear, regret, and hate, hate of himself and it seemed to rise up within him, more and more, with every step towards a north-bound trip he hated himself more and more.
The sun was low but getting higher, he knew his family would leave in a half hour or so even if he didn’t make it, after all they had a train to catch. But he just couldn’t take it, his raw passion was almost stifling, it was too much to bear. After almost an hour of heavy thought and heedless journey he found himself slumped by an old hickory overlooking the farm.
It hit him like a riled mule; this was his land, his fathers land, southern land, southern land with common sense values, a land wronged by the evils of northern expansion and industrialization. He couldn’t just abandon this land and deprive his son of a proud place to call home, his home and the home of his fathers.
After almost an hour of lying sick to his stomach by the tree, looking at all that was going to be lost to him, he realized the sun was beating down on him, he realized his family was probably leaving now and maybe he could make it but he already knew, what had to be done.
He waited just a while longer till’ he was sure his family was gone, he couldn’t bear to see his mother and tell her he was going to stay and fight, he hated himself just for knowing she was utterly heartbroken by now, there’s no way he could face her.
It was time; he made his way down the hill and through his apple orchard. Looking around at all the land as he continued on his way he was hit with waves and waves of pure emotion. Feelings of loneliness, knowing he was the only one left and doomed to live alone, feelings of hate, for breaking his mothers heart, feelings of loyalty, knowing he was defending what he knew to be true, and feelings of fear, fear of the unknown.
It took him awhile but he eventually got his pa’s rifle ready for battle, it took him awhile of sitting at his kitchen table, cleaning and loading it. Somber was the order of the day as he blankly dressed himself and readied some food for journey he noticed a letter on the counter. He recognized it immediately, it was Mama’s piece of paper, the piece she had been saving for an important occasion to use and there it was, sitting right there staring at him, its mere presence was piercing his heart; there’s no way his heart could withstand reading it. He quickly grabbed it and tucked it into his jacket. It could wait to be read, he would save it for a special occasion.
I guess it was best for Matt not to know what had happened to his family shortly after their parting, it was a horrible occurrence a brutal twist of fate. His entire family was killed in a derailing accident whilst on the train car north.
After he left his house for the final time joined up with the guerillas, and as a rightful result, disappeared from the public eye for several years, reappearing only at the Battle of Red Creek. Little is known of Matt’s affairs during his years of war but what is known is this, that foggy morning on the riverbank as he bled his last and gasped through the gore at that last breath of air, he was seen clutching the letter in his hands. He looked happy, as if he was satisfied with what he had done in life, as if he knew his mother loved him with her last. As the Howard family’s chapter closes in the book of time, we must remember that through it all, GOD’s will is done, and that we are all merely ripples in the stream.
Interview With Matt by Jordan
Interview with a Witness
By: Jordan with Matt Howard
When I heard that an actual witness to the controversy in Missouri shortly before the Civil War was living in a town near mine I jumped on the chance to ask him a few questions about his experiences on his old farm that were depicted in the book:
Me: Shortly into the book you were attacked by Frank “Buck” James, what went through your mind before you realized that he was just playing?
Matt: I believed I was going to die! They repeatedly dunked my head into the creek and I was scared for my life. Then when Jesse started to back talk to the soldiers that frightened me more! Thank heavens Buck was one of them or else we would have been killed! Later I was angry with Jesse for laughing it off like it was a prank. Didn’t he realize that he could have killed us both?
Me: I can imagine how that would be stressful. How do you feel about the pressures to pick a side during the war?
Matt: I felt that making citizens choose sides was completely uncalled for. That’s why my family stayed neutral. It was the easiest choice since the wrong answer could end your life. Like my neighbor’s who’s house was burned down. We couldn’t imagine that happening to us with our big family and no Papa.
Me: It would be hard to get back on your feet after that. What were some of the reactions of your friends when you explained you were moving up North?
Matt: Many of them were upset because they felt that I was abandoning my home. Coming back after the war was just unthought of! I even felt that coming back was like letting them fend for themselves while I lived a decent life up in the North. It was a horrible feeling to know that my friends thought I was going against them and the fact that I had a choice and turned it down and decided to go with my family made it worse.
Me: I see that you did indeed move back to Missouri just outside of Liberty, were you accepted back into your old community?
Matt: I was not immeadiately but once people saw that I wasn’t a threat I think I was allowed a little bit more acceptance.
Me: What was your life up north like?
Matt: I wasn’t accepted there either atleast moving back here I was able to enter back into my community.
Me: How was it to have to take care of everything around the farm and protect your family and what not?
Matt: It was very difficult to juggle all those tasks but when it all came down to it we were able to manage. Farming was difficult at first because of Pa being gone and Clayton being inabled. Protecting my Ma was hardest because she and I always have separate opinions on subjects and it was hard to keep everyone’s best interests in mind.
Me: My last question for you is was it hard to choke out “The Oath?”
Matt: Oh extremely! It was hard to make promises when I wasn’t sure of my loyalties. It was the same case with my family and friends. Too many different influences and sides to choose from, and they all would have led to something tragic.
Me: Thanks for the interview Matt and we hope that life in Missouri will grow better for you as time passes.
By: Jordan with Matt Howard
When I heard that an actual witness to the controversy in Missouri shortly before the Civil War was living in a town near mine I jumped on the chance to ask him a few questions about his experiences on his old farm that were depicted in the book:
Me: Shortly into the book you were attacked by Frank “Buck” James, what went through your mind before you realized that he was just playing?
Matt: I believed I was going to die! They repeatedly dunked my head into the creek and I was scared for my life. Then when Jesse started to back talk to the soldiers that frightened me more! Thank heavens Buck was one of them or else we would have been killed! Later I was angry with Jesse for laughing it off like it was a prank. Didn’t he realize that he could have killed us both?
Me: I can imagine how that would be stressful. How do you feel about the pressures to pick a side during the war?
Matt: I felt that making citizens choose sides was completely uncalled for. That’s why my family stayed neutral. It was the easiest choice since the wrong answer could end your life. Like my neighbor’s who’s house was burned down. We couldn’t imagine that happening to us with our big family and no Papa.
Me: It would be hard to get back on your feet after that. What were some of the reactions of your friends when you explained you were moving up North?
Matt: Many of them were upset because they felt that I was abandoning my home. Coming back after the war was just unthought of! I even felt that coming back was like letting them fend for themselves while I lived a decent life up in the North. It was a horrible feeling to know that my friends thought I was going against them and the fact that I had a choice and turned it down and decided to go with my family made it worse.
Me: I see that you did indeed move back to Missouri just outside of Liberty, were you accepted back into your old community?
Matt: I was not immeadiately but once people saw that I wasn’t a threat I think I was allowed a little bit more acceptance.
Me: What was your life up north like?
Matt: I wasn’t accepted there either atleast moving back here I was able to enter back into my community.
Me: How was it to have to take care of everything around the farm and protect your family and what not?
Matt: It was very difficult to juggle all those tasks but when it all came down to it we were able to manage. Farming was difficult at first because of Pa being gone and Clayton being inabled. Protecting my Ma was hardest because she and I always have separate opinions on subjects and it was hard to keep everyone’s best interests in mind.
Me: My last question for you is was it hard to choke out “The Oath?”
Matt: Oh extremely! It was hard to make promises when I wasn’t sure of my loyalties. It was the same case with my family and friends. Too many different influences and sides to choose from, and they all would have led to something tragic.
Me: Thanks for the interview Matt and we hope that life in Missouri will grow better for you as time passes.
Guerrilla Season Poem by Hanna
The night is dark and still,
But you know they are there,
Maybe they aren’t there to get you, but they’re after someone.
After lying still for hours he hears it, the sounds that no fifteen year old should have to wake up to in the night.
He grabs his gun and runs outside, he is the man of the house and he has to defend his love ones, whether he wants to or not.
It’s too late, the flames are in the clouds,
The scream pierces his ears as he runs towards the only light in the cold dark night,
He stops as hears the gun shots and even more screams,
After running toward the flames he now can’t move,
He knows what had just happened.
Now, so close to the house he sees the monsters that have done this,
Knowing they are proud with sinful smiles on their faces he turns around knowing there is nothing he can do for this family.
But you know they are there,
Maybe they aren’t there to get you, but they’re after someone.
After lying still for hours he hears it, the sounds that no fifteen year old should have to wake up to in the night.
He grabs his gun and runs outside, he is the man of the house and he has to defend his love ones, whether he wants to or not.
It’s too late, the flames are in the clouds,
The scream pierces his ears as he runs towards the only light in the cold dark night,
He stops as hears the gun shots and even more screams,
After running toward the flames he now can’t move,
He knows what had just happened.
Now, so close to the house he sees the monsters that have done this,
Knowing they are proud with sinful smiles on their faces he turns around knowing there is nothing he can do for this family.
Alternate Ending From Alexis
Ma was rushing to get the needed things while Betsy and I watched over Molly and Tyler. My mind was racing “Where was matt?”, “What is he left us?” While pacing back and forth Betsy was trying to keep the little ones calm. Just as I was about to ask Clay again where Matt was, Matt walked through the door.
“Matt! Where’s Salt? What about Jesse?” I asked but he just walked pass me, and went to his room. I knew he didn’t want to move and probably wanted some time to himself, but I wanted different. I wanted to talk with Matt, to get his approval to go. To get approval “To leave Pa” as Matt had put it so many times before. Ma called for Betsy to help so I watched over the little ones. Would they remember any of this? Tyler probably never would except for the stories but Molly has seen things that no child should have to see. If we move than our family will stay whole. I won’t let anyone take Matt again. Clay seemed to notice my troubled thinking for he subtlety coughed and looked at me with concerned eyes. What did he care! He could less if we never came back. Even I don’t want to come back but if Matt is coming back I will come with him. I looked back to see Ma and Matt coming down the stairs. Clay grabbed Tyler and Betsy took Molly as they headed to the wagon. I grabbed my things and started off myself but I noticed Matt wasn’t getting on! In a panic I rushed to Clay.
“Where’s he going Clay? I thought he was coming!” I was practically screaming at him.
“Calm down Ben.” Clay said setting down Tyler. “He’s just giving his farm one last good-bye”
Taking deep breaths I slowly got on the wagon. I knew how hard it was for Matt. He had given up a lot. After a few minutes Matt joined us on the wagon and grandpa started off. Matt said not a word and silently looked back at the farm he was leaving, possibly forever. I looked down at the ground eventually giving in to Molly and listen to her songs. I looked over again at Matt and just before he could wipe it away I saw one tear and my heart ached for my brother. I hope he finds happiness in the North because that’s all I wish for. I wish for my brother’s happiness.
What do you think of this ending by Alexis? Leave a comment below.
“Matt! Where’s Salt? What about Jesse?” I asked but he just walked pass me, and went to his room. I knew he didn’t want to move and probably wanted some time to himself, but I wanted different. I wanted to talk with Matt, to get his approval to go. To get approval “To leave Pa” as Matt had put it so many times before. Ma called for Betsy to help so I watched over the little ones. Would they remember any of this? Tyler probably never would except for the stories but Molly has seen things that no child should have to see. If we move than our family will stay whole. I won’t let anyone take Matt again. Clay seemed to notice my troubled thinking for he subtlety coughed and looked at me with concerned eyes. What did he care! He could less if we never came back. Even I don’t want to come back but if Matt is coming back I will come with him. I looked back to see Ma and Matt coming down the stairs. Clay grabbed Tyler and Betsy took Molly as they headed to the wagon. I grabbed my things and started off myself but I noticed Matt wasn’t getting on! In a panic I rushed to Clay.
“Where’s he going Clay? I thought he was coming!” I was practically screaming at him.
“Calm down Ben.” Clay said setting down Tyler. “He’s just giving his farm one last good-bye”
Taking deep breaths I slowly got on the wagon. I knew how hard it was for Matt. He had given up a lot. After a few minutes Matt joined us on the wagon and grandpa started off. Matt said not a word and silently looked back at the farm he was leaving, possibly forever. I looked down at the ground eventually giving in to Molly and listen to her songs. I looked over again at Matt and just before he could wipe it away I saw one tear and my heart ached for my brother. I hope he finds happiness in the North because that’s all I wish for. I wish for my brother’s happiness.
What do you think of this ending by Alexis? Leave a comment below.
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