Student’s Writings

My Town – Jayla Nickens-Gill

The students recently attended the current Center Stage production of the iconic play, “Our Town.” Their subsequent Creative Writing topic: “My Town” wherein “their town” might be a city, a neighborhood, a room, or a state of mind. Here is Jayla’s thoughtful essay.

My Town

The town of Broadway, population unknown. Broadway is filled with different races–black, Hispanic, white. Most mornings it’s quiet, people walking to get to school, people getting in their cars to head to work, people returning home from the previous day of work. However, on certain days, the mornings can be crazy. Couples yelling at each other, people talking loud on the phone, people blasting music, or just screaming for absolutely no reason.

When I wake up in the morning, I get dressed, clean myself up, and head out the door. I get to school by car, get home by car, pretty much all my transportation is by car. Everyone else is either driving, or at the bus stop. Most mornings, there are at least 30 people gathered around the bus stop waiting.

My town is filled with a lot of loss. Every couple weeks someone has lost their life. It’s crazy how fast it happens in my town. It always happens right across the street. Literally walking distance. If I left my house and went across the street, I’d be standing in the middle of a crossfire.

Jays is the name of a store. Everyone goes there to get their half and half, fried rice, shrimp and broccoli, chicken box, or the famous chicken tenders and fries. It is packed inside that store, but it’s also extremely dangerous. Jays is the main spot that gets shot up, especially at night. I remember one time I was walking over there to get food. It was around 9:30 at night when gunshots rang
out. I couldn’t move my feet to run home, I just dropped to the ground and waited to hear the sound of wheels pulling off.

I know my town sounds like the worst place to live but it ain’t all that bad. Almost every week, we have a community get together. In our local park, we often hold events. Children and parents come to get their faces painted, use the Moonbounce, or play bubble soccer. Recently we had a movie screening, everyone and their mother was there. It was amazing, everyone laughing and talking, and for once nobody was arguing.

Over the summer, right before school started, we had our community “back to school” event. Stands set up everywhere, free bookbags, school supplies, and hygiene products. They even had free food, and ice cream.

My town isn’t the best place to be, but it’s my place to be. Broadway is my town.

Jayla Nickens-Gill
9/30/22

The Park – Kevin Brown

The students were tasked to imagine they are sitting on a park bench waiting for a friend when a blind man sits down with them and asks them to share what they see.

Here are two decidedly different approaches.

Kevin paints a word picture that is both brilliantly descriptive and deeply meaningful, more than worthy of his closing line, “I see something you shouldn’t take for granted.”

Joshua, on the other hand, gives his blind man some attitude and gets schooled about using all his senses to truly see.

The Park

I sit back in my seat, thinking about how I’ll go about it. With a sigh, I look up, and start describing what I see.

“High above us, I see the sky. In it are clouds, ones that look like they’d feel like big stretched out pieces of cotton or plushie stuffing, and just as soft, if not more. They’re the white of new paper, of fresh linen, and a blank slate. They haven’t turned gray with the rage of a storm, they’re just… clouds. Clouds floating along in a blue sky. A cool blue, the type that reminds you of the winter months, of clear water, and overall calmness.

“Below that, we have the rest of the city off in the distance. Fairly large buildings of beige and gray, the colors of unwavering structure. The colors of order. The colors that only appear when there aren’t any other colors to give it life. Sharp edges, right angles, grid-like layout. Those are the rules these buildings follow. Any creativity, any happiness, any humanity you want to experience with these buildings… you’ll have to go inside to get it.

“Closer to us, a little bit lower in our view, is the reservoir. A massive mirror sprinkled with little agitations and imperfections. Its curving edges are lined with the vibrant life of green and brown, the colors of plants. The color of evolution, the color of energy. Although, due to the time of year, bright reds, oranges, and yellows that remind one of warmth despite the cold temperatures are scattered throughout the vegetation.

“The reservoir itself reflects everything, from the energetic greens, the sturdy browns, and warm reds and oranges, to the lifeless grays and beiges that hide their true nature within. To the cool, calming blue sky above, and the soft, relaxing white clouds floating in it. I see a body of water that pulls into it all that is around it.

“I see beauty. Not one that is overwhelming and in your face, but just sits there, next to you, and enjoys your company as you take it all in. The type you could look at for hours and not get bored while noticing all the little details. The type that you want to take a picture of and frame. I see something you shouldn’t take for granted.”

The man leans back, taking in everything I’ve said. He gets up, reaching a hand out to me. “Thank you for that. It helped remind me of better times.”

I take his hand and shake it. “You’re welcome, sir.”

And with that he’s gone, and I’m still waiting for my friend to finally show up. I’m okay with just sitting here though.

Kevin Brown,

11.12.21

The Park – Joshua Sharp

The students were tasked to imagine they are sitting on a park bench waiting for a friend when a blind man sits down with them and asks them to share what they see.

Here are two decidedly different approaches.

Kevin paints a word picture that is both brilliantly descriptive and deeply meaningful, more than worthy of his closing line, “I see something you shouldn’t take for granted.”

Joshua, on the other hand, gives his blind man some attitude and gets schooled about using all his senses to truly see.

The Park

“Aye man, can I sit next to you real quick?” He asked.

I looked to the left, and there was an old man standing above me. He was wearing a black jacket, some baggy sweats, and sneakers. He was also holding a cane, and squinting his eyes.

“Sure man, go ahead, you’re good.”

He sat down next to me, and there was an awkward silence. The man looked like he was about 50 years old. He had bags in his hand, and it looked like he was about to drop them.

“Sir, I think you are about to drop your bags, do you need me to hold them for you?”

“I ain’t bout to drop nothing, young blood.” He said.” You don’t gotta worry about me man. You think I made it to this bus stop asking people to help me.”

“I was just trying to help, my bad.”

“I know you were just trying to help, and I appreciate that.But I don’t need any help. I got me.”

“Ok, ok, I hear you, my bad”

See, this is why I don’t like old people. They think they know everything. I know if I didn’t tell him he would’ve dropped them bags. Somebody would’ve picked them right up, and he would’ve been hurt. We gotta respect our elders though.

“Young man.” He said,

Maybe if I act like I’m not here, he’ll leave me alone.

“ Young man! I know you’re still here. I can hear the hard breaths coming out of your mouth. I can feel the tension in the atmosphere, I know when somebody’s upset, and I don’t gotta see em. I can hear them. I can sense them.”

“ No disrespect, but what do you want, I have to go!”

“ Your bus don’t come til another 30 minutes, I’ve caught this bus for years man, it always comes late, so you gots time.” He said. “That’s y’all problem these days. Y’all youngins are always in a rush these days. Don’t get time for nothing.”

“ Yeah, cus we’re busy, I can’t just sit and do nothing. I have to be productive.”

“ It’s nothing wrong with that. But do you ever just sit down, and look at everything around you?” He asked. “Do you ever observe nature? You got Druid Hill Park right in front of you. All of the beautiful bugs, animals, and the sparkling water.”

“You go to the Baltimore Zoo for stuff like that. Why would I stand outside of Druid Hill Park, and observe everything. What is there to observe?” I said,.

“ You tell me?” he said.” What do you see?”

“What is the point of this? “ I said,

“ Just tell me what you see, dammit”

“ Okay, I see a park with kids playing. I see couples making out. I see people walking up and down the street. I see nothing. What can you see that I can’t? ” I said,.

The old man starts to chuckle.

“Heeheehee, maybe you’re right, you can’t see a damn thing.” He said.

“ What you mean, I’m telling you what I see, this is every day at Druid Hill Park. I don’t know what you seeing, but it ain’t what I see” I said,

“Man, you are delusional. I can see  more things than that. That is sad.”

“ Well tell me what you can see then, huh. Matter of fact I’ll make a deal with you. If you can name 5 things that are happening right now in this park, I’ll give you 10.” I said.

“ Deal! You just lost your money, young blood!”

“ Alright go, and you have 30 seconds, to name them.”

“I can see the kids playing football. I can see the police car at the red light, and the bright lights as they pass by. I can see the man across the street who just opened his trunk to get out of the car. The wife and husband arguing over the Ms.Jackie, who the husband saw last night. I can see the trees blowing branches, and the green, white and brown bark on them. I can see the emptiness of the water, and the lake of Druid Hill Park. I can see the people rolling dice around the street, down there by Mondawmin Mall. And last but not least, I can see a boy sitting on the bus stop, who doesn’t use all of his senses, and he got every last one of them. This boy doesn’t listen, he is hard-headed, and he thought he would take advantage of a 54 year old blind man, but instead he kicking out 10 dollars. Because, he can’t do a simple thing like using all the senses he was blessed with. You are blessed, young blood. Use those blessings that you have, take advantage of them, because they can leave you at any moment.” He said. “Now keep your 10 bucks, and your bus is right down the street.

“ Alright, man I get it, and I’m sorry.” I said.

“ It’s okay, I understand. I used to be just like you, until everything didn’t go as planned. Now I’m sitting here blind as a bat with cane in my hand. Now get on you bus” He said.

I got on my bus, and I spent the rest of my day seeing things I never saw before.

Joshua Sharp

November 12, 2021

Famous Threesome – Madison Hansel

A recent prompt: Famous Threesomes. For example: Three Blind Mice. Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato. Beginning, Middle, End. 

Madison Hensel takes us on a fantasy ride with Alvin and the Chipmunks while framing her story in the perennial writer’s challenge of getting started.

Famous Threesome

Friday is my favorite day of the week. After Friday I get to have Saturday and Sunday to relax. Also, on Fridays I have writing class.

It’s 9:22 AM and Mr. Don tells us today’s topic is Famous Threesomes. We have a long list to pick from. Some examples: the three blind mice, the three amigos, the three musketeers, breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the three bears, and the powerpuff girls. If you know anything about me, then you know I am the worst at deciding, I cannot pick one or two because I am indecisive.

I sit staring at my computer screen and the list. I have no clue which trio to write about. All of the sudden, I see a chipmunk running around the room. Nobody else seems to notice it though. Am I the only one seeing this chipmunk in a green shirt? Last time I checked, chipmunks don’t wear clothes. The only chipmunks I know that wear clothes are Alvin, Simon, and Theodore. What is happening? Am I crazy? Why do I have to see a chipmunk running around the room? Why can’t everyone else see it?

It goes near the kitchen so it must be Theodore because he loves food. I walk in the kitchen and I see Alvin with a spoon singing. What is happening here? Simon hid in a cup. Alvin says, “Hey, what are you doing here?”

“What am I doing here? The better question is what are you doing here?”

Alvin replies, “I know you see it’s raining out there and since the door was open, we came in. I am not getting my hair wet, I just washed it. By the way, do you have a car? Because I have a show in exactly one hour and I have no clue where my limo is.”

“No Alvin, I do not have a car. I’m 14 and I can’t drive.”

“Well, what about your teacher? Just take his car.”

“You have never met Mr. Tom but if I take his car, I will not be able to come to this school anymore and he would probably go to jail because he would kill me.”

“There is no harm, just take the car, I am performing a few minutes away.”

“Fine!”

I knew this was not the right thing to do, but I was with Alvin and the chipmunks. I found Mr. Tom’s keys and ran out the front door. Nobody saw me. How? I have no clue.

Theodore took a bag of chips bigger than him, and Alvin sang the whole time we were driving. Simon had a paper bag and thought I was going to crash, but I didn’t crash the car. I think I did pretty good. I dropped them off. They all thanked me for the ride and we took a picture together. I got back to the school and Mr. Tom was waiting for me.

I hear Mr. Don’s voice “How many people are done? I think we’ll get started in about ten minutes.” I look at my screen and I have nothing. Just the title, The Famous Threesomes.

Madison Hansel

February 9, 2022

Famous Threesome – Chase Christou

A recent prompt: Famous Threesomes. For example: Three Blind Mice. Bacon, Lettuce & Tomato. Beginning, Middle, End. 

Chase Christou weaves a fascinating tale seamlessly incorporating no less than twenty famous threesomes.

Famous Threesomes 

The beginning

I’m sitting around the campfire. Smoke burns my eyes like acid. I’ve already changed my seat three times, but the smoke continues to follow me.

I decide to just ignore it. I won’t let this little fire get in my way. Anyway, if I wanted to, I could just spit on the fire and it would go out.  This fire would have no leverage in a fight against me. After all, it is the weakest out of the three elements: earth, fire, and water.

I pick up three marshmallows and roast them in the fire. I pull them out before they catch on fire because I’m not a psychopath who eats food that’s on fire.

I slide them onto my graham cracker and add the chocolate on top with another graham cracker covering it. The perfect s’more. Graham crackers, chocolate, and gooey marshmallows create the perfect late night snack.

Before I take a bite of my delicious s’more, I sit it down on my plate and take out my knife, fork, and spoon. The proper way to eat a s’more. If you eat s’mores without utensils, you’re the psychopath. I dig into my perfect s’more.

As I’m eating my s’more, I get a Remind message from Mr. Tom.

“Good afternoon, I hope you all are doing absolutely splendidly. I am so sorry for texting you at the extremely late hour of 6:30 P.M., but I must tell you we are starting our third trimester tomorrow and remember to get a good night of rest. Remember: tomorrow is always a new day, so let’s make sure we make it a good one and hit the ground running. Thank you, Mr. Tom.”

Wait a second.. Our third trimester isn’t until March 1st. Does that mean I’m living in the future??? I would hope not. I would rather be living in the present. Out of the past, present, and future, I think present is the best one.

After all, if we were in the past or future, we might not have graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow sandwiches. We might not have bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches in the future. And in the past, we didn’t have the story of Franklin, Micheal, and Trevor. Or in the past past, we didn’t have the story of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Or in the past, past, past, we wouldn’t have the story of the Three Little Pigs.

We also might not even need knives, forks, or spoons in the future. We might just teleport food into our body.

Who knows, we may not have great TV shows like the Power Puff Girls in the future.

But at least one game will stay with us forever. In the past, present, and future, we will always have rock, paper, scissors to play. The simple, free to play game that only requires your hands.

And if we lived too far in the past, we wouldn’t have the Iphone, the Ipod, and the Ipad.

The middle 

After I finish eating my s’more, with a fork of course, I decide to head back inside.

I walk up to my door and turn the handle. The door opens on its hinges. I step inside. I’m surrounded by a wall, ceiling, and floor.

I walk to my bathroom and as soon as I step inside, I see a toilet, bathtub, and sink. The classic trio.

I walk out of the bathroom and begin to walk upstairs. My foot leaves the hard floor of the first floor, stepping onto the carpet that leads upstairs. The carpet is also made up of three things: Carpet, dog hair, and dust.

In my room I see another three things. I see a bed, some dirty clothes, and some more dirty clothes. The bed contains a mattress, with a blanket and a pillow.

Next to the bed I see something else, a window. A window with a frame, glass, and hinges. Next to the window is a curtain.  It has a curtain rod, hooks, and of course the silky fabric. Next to the window is a pencil sitting on a desk. The pencil is made of three things, graphite, the actual wooden pencil part, and the eraser. Underneath the pencil, is the wooden desk. Made up of wood, wood, and more wood.

The ending

Moral of the story, anything in life can be made up of three parts if you’re limited to only being able to describe three things by your creative writing teacher.

Chase Christou

2/4/22

Pursuit of Happiness – Ethan Christou

The students were shown a video in which two adult characters, a middle-aged man and an older woman, are sitting on a park bench discussing life. The man admits he has recently been suicidal but has now decided to stick around to “maybe make his little corner of the world a slightly happier place.” The woman responds, “That’s all there is, really. Happiness is amazing. It’s so amazing that it doesn’t matter if it’s yours or not.”

The students were asked to share their reflections on happiness.

Ethan writes that happiness is contagious, going so far as to refer to laughing as a drug to which he is addicted.

Pursuit of Happiness

Happiness is a very simple thing. Sometimes it can come easily. Other times it can be very hard to find.

For me, it doesn’t take much. Small things can make me happy. Laughing is the easiest way for me to bring happiness since it releases dopamine. Laughing is basically my drug, and I’m addicted. I’m always using it, laughing at pretty much anything.

Happiness is contagious. It’s so great to be around people who are optimistic or in a positive mood because they can spread that to you. Seeing other people happy is one of the greatest feelings. At least for me it is.

I know there are those who see happy people and get angry. That’s definitely the opposite way to go.

You should celebrate other people’s happiness, success, and achievements. Don’t envy other people’s happiness; make your own… because we all have something to be happy about.

Ethan Christou

January 28, 2022