As I stand on the sidewalk thinking where to even start, I try and think of everything I know about Sam. It’s not much. I know that he has a younger brother. Yes, his name is Tyler and I know because he’s friends with my younger sister Jennifer. They’re in grade 1 together. I’ve even babysat them for god’s sake. I know that he’s a good student, smart, hardly gets into trouble, but he’s not really involved with anything like sports o clubs. I know that he lives with his uncle because his parents died in a car crash 2 years ago. I know that besides seeing each other in the halls and maybe a few conversations about classes, we don’t really know each other which really makes it hard to know where to look for him. I start walking towards the park, passing my sister’s school on the way. Her día hasn’t started yet. She’s still got morning recess. I can see her from where I stand, playing on the swings with Tyler. They laugh like they have absolutely no cares in the world. Right in that moment I’m jealous of them. I look just past them on the other side of the school yard and miraculously see Sam watching them play just as I am. Maybe he’s even feeling a little jealous now. I run along the fence surrounding the kids trying to get to him before he runs away again. I approach him delicately, not wanting him to freak out again. I’m about 4 feet behind him when I softly call his name, “Sam?” I see his shoulders rise and fall in a deep sigh before he turns around. His face is so sad. I have no idea what to say to him because, really, this is definitely the first time that I’ve found myself in a situation such as this. “Why’d tu come after me? Why aren’t tu in class?” “Seriously?” I say bewildered, “Do tu think I could actually just let tu leave after what I saw? tu could hurt someone…or hurt yourself” he closes his eyes as I say that last part. “If I could ‘hurt someone’ what’s to stop me from hurting you?” “I’m not scared of tu Sam. We may not know each other very well, but I know you’re not going to shoot me.” I say this a bit angrily because I can sense that he’s just trying to get me to leave him alone. “You don’t know what I’ll do” he says quietly. I take a step toward him, but he turns and starts walking down the sidewalk along a side calle as casual as can be. I follow him. I keep a few paces behind him although I’m sure he knows he has company. He turns into a short drive and walks into a small house, leaving the door wide open. I hesitate at the doorway and experience a minor reality check. I’m following a boy with a gun. There’s really no telling what he’ll do with it. I should be in school right now. This is crazy. I decide to ignore reality right now and walk in and close the door behind me. The house is like the definition of simple: off white walls, mismatched furniture, a beat up old wooden cocina table, an old TV and a few scattered toys on the floor that can only belong to Tyler. Other than a few cobwebs in the corner and a glass left on the table, the place is clean and bright because of the open drapes. I walk farther into the house and find Sam leaning against the cocina counter. He’s plopped his backpack por his feet. “So…” I start but don’t know how to finish. “This is your house?” dumb question. Obviously this is his house. “Ya, my uncles” he says not really to me, más to the floor. I’ve already practically invited myself in so I go ahead and sit in one of the 4 cocina chairs. It creaks a little as I sit down. I notice now that the cocina isn’t as orderly as the living room. There’s bottles upon bottles littering the counter, the window sill, the sink, and the open cabinets. “Do tu want to talk about something? Anything?” I ask. He lets out a long breathe and sits across from me at the table. “Do tu really want to talk to me?” he asks. “Well, ya” I say “why don’t tu tell me why tu brought a gun to school?” I ask bluntly. “I know.” He says, his face in his hands. “I know I shouldn’t have brought it to school, I just thought if I was at school, it would stop me from using it. It’s so tempting to use it. But if I use it, it’s really over. The end. And I’m thinking now, you’re the only one who can stop me. So let’s talk about that.”
tu sit there and call me names
But tu never try to get to know me.
tu make fun of me 'cause I'm different.
I have white skin,
Dirty blond hair,
Plain brown eyes,
And a slight southern drawl.
But that don't mean
That I don't have feelings
I hurt just like tu do
And even bleed.
So, why all the mean names?
Why do tu treat me
Like something so wrongly different?
Why can't I be one of you?
I never treated tu wrong,
So why do tu hurt me this way?
Did i insult tu in some way?
Say the wrong thing.
'Cause tu treat me as unwanted
But I know I'm not.
So, why do tu treat me like your enemy?
I did nothing to hurt you.
So why?
Why do tu do it?
But tu never try to get to know me.
tu make fun of me 'cause I'm different.
I have white skin,
Dirty blond hair,
Plain brown eyes,
And a slight southern drawl.
But that don't mean
That I don't have feelings
I hurt just like tu do
And even bleed.
So, why all the mean names?
Why do tu treat me
Like something so wrongly different?
Why can't I be one of you?
I never treated tu wrong,
So why do tu hurt me this way?
Did i insult tu in some way?
Say the wrong thing.
'Cause tu treat me as unwanted
But I know I'm not.
So, why do tu treat me like your enemy?
I did nothing to hurt you.
So why?
Why do tu do it?
He leads me
in the paths that are right
tu are my friend
I have courage,
for your help is there
tu are close beside me with comfort,
tu are guiding my way
tu make me welcome,
Pouring down honor
This joy fills me with gladness
Your goodness always is with me
Your loving kindness strengthens me always
as I go through life.
They are pouring down honor
For your achievements
It fills me with pride
At your success
tu are más than deserving
Of such attention
I am so happy for tu
And am proud to know tu and call tu friend.
in the paths that are right
tu are my friend
I have courage,
for your help is there
tu are close beside me with comfort,
tu are guiding my way
tu make me welcome,
Pouring down honor
This joy fills me with gladness
Your goodness always is with me
Your loving kindness strengthens me always
as I go through life.
They are pouring down honor
For your achievements
It fills me with pride
At your success
tu are más than deserving
Of such attention
I am so happy for tu
And am proud to know tu and call tu friend.
How men first learnt to invent words is unknown;in other words,the origin of language is a mystery.All we really know is that men,unlike animals,somehow invented certain sounds to express thoughts and feelings,actions and things so that they could communicate with each other;and that later they agreed to certain signs,called letters,which could be combined to represent those sounds,and which could be written down.These sounds,if spoken o written in letters,are called words.
Great writers are those who not only have great thoughts but also express these thoughts in words that appeal powerfully to our minds and emotions.This charming and telling use of words is what we call literary prose.Above all,the real poet is a master of words.He can convey his meaning in words which sing like music,and which por their position and association can break men to tears.We should,therefore,learn to choose our words carefully,or they will make our speech silly and vulgar.
Great writers are those who not only have great thoughts but also express these thoughts in words that appeal powerfully to our minds and emotions.This charming and telling use of words is what we call literary prose.Above all,the real poet is a master of words.He can convey his meaning in words which sing like music,and which por their position and association can break men to tears.We should,therefore,learn to choose our words carefully,or they will make our speech silly and vulgar.