Creative Corner: questions

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

And Like That

And like that

a student from the past

no longer has a future

A young man in my memory

grown to be a farmer and family man

I remember

a boyish grin above

a home jersey with the number 5

an underclassman

waiting for time to give him his chance

I would chat with him on the sidelines

about the last play

And like that

I can see that smile as his bride walks down the aisle

I can imagine the smile he had for the birth of his children

Or the long gaze to the horizon

on a late autumn evening

The wheels of his tractor still

pride of a good life flowing through his veins

warming his callous hands

That innocent smile

creeping onto his face

as he shifts the tractor into drive

Heading home to eat dinner with his wife

and three kids

And like that

Tonight there will be no smiles

The horizon will receive too many questions

centered on why he was taken

why daddy isn’t coming home

And like that

Family will come together

Only to feel a shocking sense of being alone

Every word they wanted to say

sets like the sun at the end of the day

Every possible

I love you

and good night kiss

Will feel like a heavy coat of regret

Pockets empty

like the tomorrows he no longer has

And like that

His family will stuff their hands deep into that sorrow

Hoping to find something

anything

to remind them of his voice

And like that

We are all left with memories

Mine of a boyish grin

on the sideline of a football game

years ago

*In memory of Bryce Niss 11-17-2020

Thursday, December 19, 2013

I decided to post my 11 Game on my creative writing blog because my writing is the most personal aspect of my digital identity. Also, I decide it would be fun to play to see how my connections expand in this digital world. I was tagged on Twitter by Craig Dunlap, someone I only know through Twitter. In his post, I know only one other person, my good friend Craig Badura. Interesting to see the web we create... (yes, pun intended)

My 11 Facts

1. My biggest goal is to have my novel published (I am editing it at this moment).

2. Black (then purple) is my favorite color.

3. I want to get my Ph.D. in literature.

4. I cried during the part in Remember the Titans when Coach Yoast says the famous line, "...they remember the night they played the Titans."

5. I love Birkenstock shoes.

6. I had five jobs my senior year in college.

7. Three is my lucky number.

8. I truly believe we can do life better.

9. I can still Breakdance.

10. I have grown to actually appreciate cool ties.

11. I still like cruising with my music loud... just isn't as cool in a minivan.

11 Questions
1. What's your favorite book character? Why?
Catcher in the Rye. I understand Holden's view of the phoniness of this world. But the book is deeper than that, and I love seeing my students get to that level. It changes how you see Holden.

2. If you could have a super power, what would it be?

Traveling like Doctor Who.

3. What's your favorite 'get to know someone new" question?
"What's your favorite song of all time?"

4. Would you ever consider a job that required an out of country relocation?
Not at this moment. But once my kids are grown, yes.

5. What did you think you'd be as an adult when you were 8?
A writer.

6. Now, what's your dream job?
A writer.

7. How long does it take you to get to work?
35 minutes. Shortest commute in the last 10 years.

8. What was your proudest moment thus far?
Seeing my own kids, and my students do what they love in this life.

9. What's your favorite thing to cook?

Frozen Pizza... and then eat it like a boss. (Family joke).

10. Android or iOS?
iOS.

11. What's the last thing you said out loud?