Places to Think

In a room, by yourself

Looking at the books on the shelf.

Staring out, into the space,

Different looks overtake your face.

Silent room, no sound to hear,

Mind roaming, with no fear.

* * *

Outside, sitting in the shade

Of a tree: color of jade.

Birds flying, colors swirling,

Taking in noises, mind whirling.

So many things to hear and see,

So many things around the tree.

* * *

Floating, looking up towards the sun,

Diving down, back towards the fun.

Swimming around, swimming freely,

Mind concentrating, mind reeling.

Full of thoughts about this place,

Mind goes on a wild goose-chase.

* * *

All three, together right now,

Minds chomping on brain chow.

All their eyes are blinking,

All their minds are thinking.

Winds of Change

Montag was in a state of distress; he felt no happiness, he felt no sadness, he loved no person. “One two three four five six seven days.” (pg. 28) Without any of these feelings, life is pointless; Montag felt he had no purpose in the world that he lived. Throughout the world, there was darkness – not one piece of hope in the whole world – until a mysterious light came along: Clarisse. He finally knew what it felt like to have friend, to talk and just think. She taught him how to feel emotions, how to have things you love and hate, how to actually live and not just go through the motions of life.

When Clarisse uses a dandelion to see if she and Montag were in love, it represents her as a hope figure since she is guiding him and teaching him about love. She wants him to understand, to know that there is more to life than burning books, and to do so, she must also teach him about love. Little by little, step-by-step, he begins to make immense changes; he understands that his marriage with his wife must be fixed and begins the long, tedious process of doing so. “ ‘Here now,’ said Montag. ‘We’ll start over again, at the beginning.’ ” (pg. 68) To be able to fix their relationship, they must start over, and write a new chapter in their book of life.

Differences Among Us

Once together, now apart,
Ripped away from the heart.
Only because of their color,
That separates them from the other.
Alone before, without friends,
Waiting until the world ends.
But together they are strong,
And no longer do any wrong.
For when they all act as one,
Something wonderful has begun.
A unknown feeling is now made,
That will never, ever, ever fade.

The Relationship Between Love and Forgiveness

If you go to my essay blog, http://karensessays.blogspot.com you can read my Great Expectations essay about the relationship between love and forgiveness.

An Ode to My Oboe

Squeaking, squawking like a bird,
Not caring if it is heard.
This instrument takes a risk,
The conductor goes, "tisk, tisk"
When the rest are done with the show,
The oboe doesn't seem to know.
It keeps all the notes flying,
Someone thinks a duck is dying.
And finally they think it's done,
But tomorrow still brings more fun.

The Truth Behind Pip's Expectations

While living with Joe and Mrs. Joe, Pip was nothing more than a country boy – life was right down to the bare necessities. As he became more and more acquainted with Miss Havisham, his expectations changed; he no longer was satisfied with the simple things in life – everything became too common for him. This alteration mirrors exactly what happened in Wang Lung’s life from the novel, The Good Earth; they both change into a completely different person. “As I had grown accustomed to my expectations, I had insensibly begun to notice their effect upon myself and those around me. Their influence on my own character I disguised from my recognition as much as possible, but I knew very well that it was not all good.” (pg. 273) There are many different types of love throughout the world – some good and some bad – all of them make a difference in our lifestyles.
In this quote, Pip realizes that he has changed his greatest expectation in life to something that was completely and utterly against his personal morals. Before, he believed in keeping his promises; now he turns his back and doesn’t even acknowledge them. He used to love and stand by his family, but he doesn’t even keep them in his mind or prayers anymore. Money never had any importance to Pip before the change; now his salary is all he ever thinks or cares about. With this change he has become conceited, only caring about himself. Pip now understands that he needs to get his expectations in order, putting family before fame. Life is full of accommodations and new expectations; one must refrain from letting them change their life into something they previously despised.

Duke vs. North Carolina

If you look at my poll on the sidebar you will see that Duke is winning. I personally believe that Duke is a better team; always has been and always will be. I know some of you will bring up the point that the Tar Heels won the NCAA tournament last year, but I will contradict that point. Last year, their starting line up consisted of many seniors and very experienced ball players including Tyler Hansbrough; while Duke had only one senior in the starting five last year. Even with a little less talent, the Blue Devils were able to hold their own last season and plan to this year, too. Everyone claims that North Carolina is better since Michael Jordan played on that team, but Duke also has a celebrity that is part of their program -- Coach Krzyzewski, otherwise known as Coach K. His coaching skills are so prominent and well-known that he was chosen to coach the Olympic basketball team and ended up leading them to gold. These facts clearly state that Duke is a steadily good team and will win a championship in the near future.

Music

Music flowing through the ears,
Eyes filling with forbidden tears.
Around and around it will travel,
Some memories begin to unravel.
Feelings and emotions start to burst,
Yet to come is the absolute worst.
For when the song comes to a halt,
There will soon be a terrible fault.

The two sides of Wemmick

Although it is known throughout the world that treating people with respect and kindness is the most important rule of mankind, some choose to turn against it. Wemmick, a man with two completely different lives, is one of them and needs to get his personal ethics and morals in line. At home, he is a honest man, one who abides by the Golden Rule and doesn’t turn against it; at work, though, he is like a flipped coin, deceiving others here, there and everywhere. This behavior is due to the fact that he is a selfish and conceited man, too afraid that taking a different path in his work life will afflict his personal life. With fear conning him into a different personality, Wemmick is becoming a changed man with different morals than before, he needs to take the reins of his life and start changing the course that he is on.

The Battle Against Mrs. Joe

Rather than a father-figure, Joe is more of an equal or a brother to Pip. Together, they face the wrath of Mrs. Joe; always standing up for one another. When she starts to attack Pip for asking too many questions, Joe steps in to save the day. If she gets on Joe's case for saying something wrong, Pip never leaves his side. Their small army is marching to war and will stop at nothing to defeat their enemy, Mrs. Joe.