dream journy

I don’t have a place that I really want to go to for my dream journey just an idea. I want to see something that very few people have a chance to experience. I want to see awe-inspiring sights the kind that no human can create made by nature some kind of land scape that you see in pictures and think that is amazing I want to go there. It has been said that you can’t appreciate the Grand Canyon from pictures you have to experience it. It is the same with all of these places as well. I want to go there and simply sit and watch as the sun rises and the land comes alive. I honestly don’t think that that there is anything more amazing then that. This is why my dream journey would be to go out in nature and just watch and listen and be amazed.

rhyme poem

Edger Allen Poe

From childhood's hour I have not been
As others were -- I have not seen
As others saw -- I could not bring
My passions from a common spring --
From the same source I have not taken
My sorrow -- I could not awaken
My heart to joy at the same tone --
And all I lov'd -- I lov'd alone --
Then -- in my childhood -- in the dawn
Of a most stormy life -- was drawn
From ev'ry depth of good and ill
The mystery which binds me still --
From the torrent, or the fountain --
From the red cliff of the mountain --
From the sun that 'round me roll'd
In its autumn tint of gold --
From the lightning in the sky
As it pass'd me flying by --
From the thunder, and the storm --
And the cloud that took the form
(When the rest of Heaven was blue)
Of a demon in my view –

In this poem the rhyme gives it a flow. It ties together all of the lines that rhyme and give the poem a rhythm that makes it sound really cool when read aloud.

fire and ice

An animal that fascinates me is the glow worm. Really it is just a glowing worm so by itself they are not very impressive but in groups. They live in caves mostly and are becoming rarer and rarer but if you find a glow cave they are magnificent. All you can see is a tiny point of light and when many of them are gathered it can look like a galaxy. As to the earth ending in ice or fire it is not even a question the answer is fire. 5 billion years from now when the sun uses up its supply of hydrogen and it will turn into a red giant. It will then expand out wards and engulf everything in its path including the earth until it is just past the current day orbit of earth. Then it will be a white dwarf then a black dwarf and there will be no trace of the earth.

eternal life and apollo

 

 So basically Apollo wants to rape this one chick but she aint have’n none o’ dat. So she asks her mom for help and gets turned into a tree “thanks mom” so now Apollo keeps her alive forever and gets to torture her by ripping off leaves.

First I want to prefaces this by saying biologically the only reason we grow old is because we grow old. Are cells should be able to regenerate an infinite amount of time and repair themselves but they don’t. This means that along the way we evolved so that we would die. The only reason evolution works is that there is an advantage in dying it may not seem like it but for some reason the fact that we grow old and die somehow helps the human race so we simply can’t have eternal youth not because it is impossible but because it is necessary not to.

sodom and gamoria

 

So basically there is this city and it is full of bad people and god is like “yeah ima destroy dat city” but Abraham is like “bro what if there are still good people there” and gods like “well I know there is not but if I find 3 good peoples in the city I will spare it” in the end god destroys the city and some chick gets turned into a pillar of salt for looking at it or something.

I don’t think the destruction of the city was unfair. That city was full of hella bad people and I gotta say if all you can find is 3 good people in the city then burn it down because something is wrong with that place.

It was unfair to turn that lady into salt I mean she was a nice guy and it would be pretty hard not to look as fire rained down from the heavens and destroyed your home. Plus later on people will probably find that salt there and be like “oh let’s put this on our fries” but it isn’t salt it is a human. 

jason and the golden flece

Jason set sail on the Argo to try and find the Golden Fleece because his uncle basically just wanted him to die. So he goes to another kingdom and is put on another “impossible” task just so that he could get killed but he lives marries a sorceress and goes back and reclaims his throne but everyone is scared of Medea and drive them out then he cheats on her so she kills the girl and all her own children to get revenge then Jason gets killed by a piece of falling wood.

Basically this story means one of three things don’t swear to the gods ever because they don’t let you break a promise. Always be faithful to your wife. Or finally don’t get caught doing something you aren’t supposed to do when bea has magic powers. I think Jason learned most about the first one because that is why he died.        

chapter 8 poems

anyone  lived  in  a  pretty  how  town

E. E. Cummings, 1894 - 1962

anyone lived in a pretty how town

(with up so floating many bells down)

spring summer autumn winter

he sang his didn’t he danced his did.

 

Women and men(both little and small)

cared for anyone not at all

they sowed their isn’t they reaped their same

sun moon stars rain

 

children guessed(but only a few

and down they forgot as up they grew

autumn winter spring summer)

that noone loved him more by more

 

when by now and tree by leaf

she laughed his joy she cried his grief

bird by snow and stir by still

anyone’s any was all to her

 

someones married their everyones

laughed their cryings and did their dance

(sleep wake hope and then)they

said their nevers they slept their dream

 

stars rain sun moon

(and only the snow can begin to explain

how children are apt to forget to remember

with up so floating many bells down)

 

one day anyone died i guess

(and noone stooped to kiss his face)

busy folk buried them side by side

little by little and was by was

 

all by all and deep by deep

and more by more they dream their sleep

noone and anyone earth by april

wish by spirit and if by yes.

 

Women and men(both dong and ding)

summer autumn winter spring

reaped their sowing and went their came

sun moon stars rain

I love this poem instead of showing reasons to rebel like a lot of people do he is showing reasons not to conform. This shows what happens if you just live your life like everyone else. Because the main person in this story is anyone it speaks to everyone and because his/her girl/boyfriend in the poem is named noone it shows everyone’s greatest hope for when they died and at the same time there greatest fear.

No one wants to die alone that is a fear that we all have on some level so by saying things like “and noone stooped to kiss his face” it shows that same fear that when we die no one will be there to care and life just goes on. At the same time it shows our greatest hope that when we die our loved ones will gather and wish us on our way but go on with their lives carrying on our legacy.

This poem says that both of these out comes are possible one from conformity and the other from rebellion but not which come from which that is something you have to decide for yourself.     

ode to the peach

An Ode To The Peach

O peach, soft and delicate and sweet

You smell great good enough to eat

Your squishy goodness leaks from my mouth

A flavor that not even the strongest jaws will contain

 

Your cobblers are divine

And pies must all be mine

The greatest of all the fruits

I want to stuff you in my face

 

I peel away your soft fuzz skin

Like to long lost loves meeting in the night again

I savor every bite

O peach what a night 

Jason and the Golden Fleece- Andy

The story of Jason is the classic tale of vengeance. It begins when Jason's uncle, Pelias kills Jason's father and usurps the throne. Jason's mother smuggles him away, but he returns 20 years later to reclaim his throne. Pelias tells Jason that in order to prove himself he must retrieve the Golden Fleece, a near impossible task. After many adventures, Jason arrives in Colchis, where he asks the king to return the fleece to him. He completes a series of of difficult tasks and marries the sorceress- daughter of the king, Medea. Jason voyages back to Greece where he reclaims his throne. After a while, however, the people become uneasy with Medea's sorcery and they are forced to flee to Iolkos. He falls in love with and marries the daughter of the king. In  her rage, Medea murders her and Jason's children. He dies years later depressed and alone.

Stories of love lost and revenge are the most common types of tales we hear. From ancient mythology to modern thriller movies (Taken, for example), we see it everywhere. I believe this is because love is the strongest emotion human beings have and it motivates us more than anything else.

Daphne and the Laurel Wreath- Andy

Daphne, the daughter of the river god Peneus, was a beautiful nymph in Greek myth who spent her time hunting and rejected her many suitors. Her father wanted her to marry but she was extremely opposed to the idea. One day the god Eros had an argument with Apollo, who doubted the strength of his arrows. Eros shoots Apollo with an arrow that causes him to fall in love with Daphne. He chases her through the woods and as he gains on her Daphne pleads to her father for help and he turns her into a Laurel tree. Apollo, in his pity, proclaims that Laurel trees will always be green and he begins wearing a Laurel wreath on his head.

One of man's most persistent obsessions has always been senescence and how to avoid it. Even the ancient Greeks longed for immortality and endless youth. In the story of Daphne and Apollo, it is not even her choice, but Daphne is forced to live forever as a tree. Even though it would be appealing to most, the idea of immortality, or at least eternal youth, is not appealing to me. By the time people had lived hundreds or thousands of years, they might grow tired of life and wish to die. This does not mean, however, that I do not think we should try to extend our lifespans. We should do everything we can to allow people to live in better health and for longer, but I, personally, would not want to live forever.

Conformity/Rebellion Poem - Olivia Dixon

homage to my hips

BY LUCILLE CLIFTON

these hips are big hips

they need space to

move around in.

they don't fit into little

petty places. these hips

are free hips.

they don't like to be held back.

these hips have never been enslaved,   

they go where they want to go

they do what they want to do.

these hips are mighty hips.

these hips are magic hips.

i have known them

to put a spell on a man and

spin him like a top!

    [1987]

It's crazy how we're all so beautiful and unique and yet we try to fit into this narrow frame the media shapes for us. Women especially have been told to conform to a certain standard set by society. Defined collarbones and thigh gaps seem to be every woman's goal, but beauty comes in so many more forms and that's what Lucille Clifton was trying to convey. "Petty places" is her way of saying she doesn't care what others think. Insecurity and obsession with one's image is petty. Her hips are "free hips." You can tell she's happy with the way she looks and her carefree attitude comes as a result of this self-confidence. Phrases like "held back" and "enslaved" refer to the way women are pressured to look a certain way, to "conform," when in reality, a woman's hips should be celebrated, since they help support new life. Clifton is proud of her "mighty...magic hips" and she wants other women to feel the same! 

Sodom and Gomorrah - Olivia Dixon

Three angels, disguised as men, visited Abraham. One of them revealed God's plan to destroy the wicked cities, Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham bargained with God to spare the cities if there were righteous people living in them. God agreed to not destroy them as long as ten righteous people lived there. Abraham's nephew, Lot, took the men back to his house and fed them. All of the men in the city came to his house in the night and demanded to have sex with Lot's guests. Lot protected the men and instead offered his two virgin daughters. The mob tried to break down the door and the angels struck them blind. Lot and his family escaped to Zoar and God cast burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah, to punish the people's wickedness. Lot's wife disobeyed the angels, looked back, and turned into a pillar of salt.
"Unfair punishment" exists because of the difference in opinion. There is a lot of gray area in the Bible and it's sometimes hard to distinguish between right and wrong. When it comes to punishment, what one thinks is fair, another might think is unfair, depending on their morals. God is just. His laws are set in stone and when they're disobeyed, there is consequence. Like reprimanding a child, he wants us to learn from our mistakes, and sometimes the only way to act differently is to know how awful the alternative is.

Jason and the Golden Fleece - Olivia Dixon

The well-known Greek myth begins with Jason's uncle Pelias, who takes the throne by force. Jason grows up and develops a vengeful nature. He returns to the kingdom where Pelias greets him in a friendly manner, but is secretly cautious after hearing an oracle that said to be wary of a man wearing only one sandal (which Jason lost along the way). Because Pelias feels threatened by Jason, he sends him on a mission to retrieve the golden fleece. Jason sets off with his team of Argonauts and faces many obstacles along the way. He conquers the fierce women of Lemnos, the gigantic rock formation Symplegades, fire-breathing bulls, and other death-defying opposers, all with the help of Hera and Aphrodite, who recruit Cupid. They convince him to make Medea fall in love with Jason and keep him safe on his journey. Medea charms the serpent, enabling Jason to retrieve the fleece. She even kills her own brother, Apsyrtus, to ensure Jason's return home. The two have children, but Jason leaves to be with the daughter of the king of Corinth. Infuriated by this betrayal, Medea creates a magic robe that consumes Jason's new wife in flames. She also kills her own children, and escapes on a magic carpet.
Love and revenge are still profound topics in today's literature, our versions are just much, much different. In the 21st century, people seek revenge through subtweets, rumors, and the manipulation of others (rebounds). All humans have emotions and we use these against each other, especially jealousy, anger, and hurt. These feelings have existed for centuries as well as resulting rivalries, heart breaks, etc. Revenge is not a new idea, but we have new ways of seeking it out.


 

Jason and the Golden Fleece - Kyle

The story of Jason and the Golden Fleece begins with Pelias who is the half-brother of Jason's father. He takes the throne by force, which leads to the Oracle predicting that a descendant of Aeson will take revenge on him. Pelias thinks that Jason is who the Oracle predicts will exact revenge, so he sends Jason on a mission to retrieve the Golden Fleece. He sets off with the Argonauts on this task, and overcomes many obstacles along the way. When he gets to King Aeetes, Aeetes secretly plots to kill him. This plan fails though, because his daughter Medea has taken an interest to Jason so she helps him pass these tasks and retrieve the fleece. Jason and Medea return home, but are exiled to Corinth where the king of Corinth offers his daughters to Jason for marriage. Jason accepts and Medea kills the daughters in her rage. Stories of love/revenge have become almost cliche in today's world of entertainment. There are so many stories where a couple "lives happily ever after" or revenge stories where the bad guy eventually gets punished by someone he as wronged. The story of Jason and the Golden Fleece was interesting to me because it didn't really follow this protocol. I've noticed that with a lot of Greek myths where the ending isn't really what you would consider "normal".

Daphne and the Laurel Wreath - Olivia Dixon

One day, Apollo challenged the archery skills of Eros. He accepted, and declared that he would shoot two. The gold tipped arrow would cause whoever it struck to be filled with unsatisfiable lust and the lead tipped arrow would cause it's target to hate anything to do with love or romance. The gold tipped arrow hit Apollo and Daphne fell victim to the lead tipped arrow. As a result, Apollo fell madly in love with Daphne and she wanted nothing to do with him. Daphne grew tired of the chase and she begged her father to help. He transformed her into a tree thinking Apollo's lust would cease. Instead, Apollo claimed the laurel tree as his own and even made a wreath from it's leaves which he wore as a symbol.


Fueled by a desire like Apollo's for Daphne, people have been chasing the idea of eternal youth for centuries. I said "the idea of" because I don't believe that eternal youth exists. We were put on this earth to serve a purpose and leave a legacy, in hopes that others would follow in our foot steps. I think that's the point of having a limited life span; it's important to make the most of every opportunity because we are but a mist, and we only have so much time.

Ode to Color - Rhoman James

O! Color, O color!

alone you bring emotion,

but together with your brother, 

you express our inside potion.

Without thee, we are bland.

No character to cheer,

a group of you, like a band

with serenading harmonies to hear

You brighten or darken, 

depending on how you feel.

Now return to your home,

on yee old color wheel.

Will Atkins-Ode

Oh the color blue, how I do love you

Oh the color blue, I do love you

Old or new

Oh the color blue, while I do love the other colors too

No one can compare to my color blue

Whether it is on a coat, a boat, or a shoe

I will never not love the color blue

Ode to Music- Julian Perry

O music, that blues hit. 

That fantastic sprouting tulip

Of joy and admiration

Whether you're Haitian or Kevin Bacon. 

A meal- I would buy to eat,

But you, o music, are too sweet. 

Instead, I bake and make you real. 

My  lovely rhythmic happy meal.

Ode to Jameis Winston - Zach Wolfe

Ode to Jameis Winston

 

O Jameis, you can throw that leather

Ball around, a Heisman winner

You can play in any weather

 

After a game what’s for dinner?

Not the legs of a crab

They won’t make you thinner

 

When you throw the ball, it’s easy to grab

Your receivers thank you with every yard

You kind of resemble Donovan McNabb

 

If you stop catching us off guard,

Your image might be restored

But that girl will be forever scarred

 

Do not show up on news programs, we’d rather be bored;

When it comes to football, you are the almighty lord.

Ode - Olivia Dixon

Ode to Taco Bell

Thank you Taco Bell,

the only joint open after close,

when the store looks like hell,

you cheer me up with nachos.

"I'd like a chicken quesadilla and crunchy beef taco please."

For $4.75, my stomach is satisfied.

I can't resist your synthesized meat and other mystery additives,

Taco Bell, you da real MVP.

So much better than a burger and fries.

Others despise, but you give me a reason to live. 

Ode to Star Fox

Ode to Star Fox

Without you, what would I do 

Left to encounter others without the emotional security of a well known friend 

With you, only you 

I can escape the clutches of anything, I shall never meet my end  

Whether its tomorrow, a week, or a year 

You are the one 

Every day, every night-- forever 

My enemies shall fear 

The mighty wrath of your gun 

Oh the one and only Star Fox

Ode--Sofi Tzouanakis

Ode to the Unspoken

If these words do not leave my lips

If one's thoughts do not channel through the filter

and if when I contest over which window opens and shuts;

then which way does the wind blow?

Lying down on quiet pastures,

I notice the dandelion.

Solitary, lonesome, though adorned in grace.

Insignificant outside the grassy knoll,

though I may recognize it's true and modest spirit.

Watchful, aware, I let the thoughts fossilize

as they wait in the purgatory 

between mind and the material.

Ode to Coke Zero- Ethan Petraitis

O zero calorie drink
Full of chemicals so sweet
The aspartame in you makes it difficult  to think
A better drink I ne'er did meet

46mg of caffeine
And made in the US
I ignore the fact that it may kill you.
More effective than the coffee bean
Coke zero is simply the best
You may think there is a better drink, but that is just untrue.

Ode to Tea- Maranda Gaines

O, warm, sweet, morning Tea!
You wake me up softly,
and fill me with glee.
O, tasty, yummy Tea!

Without you, I would be lost
my day would not be complete.
With you, I forget morning frost,
and accompany you with something to eat.

O, I love you, steamy Tea!
You hug my insides and fill me with glee.
Until we meet again-- I hope you never flee!

Ode- Alexander Reese

Ode to the Internet


Alexander Reese




O, where would I be
Without the internet,
Filling my face with glee?
I will never forget.




When the wind blows outside,
The screen glows brightly,
My warm computer is here,
Online I can hide.
I browse the web nightly,
forgetting all my fear.

Ode- Hans Stromberg

Ode to Kentucky Basketball



O, the young and talented wildcats.

Size, athleticism, quickness

make their opponents look like doormats.

Other teams are only left with sickness.

The block party never ends

leaving teams afraid to shoot.

40 and 0 is their calling.

Their will never bends.

In the pros, they will have much loot.

To coach Cal, a credit to all the balling.

Abraham and Isaac- Hans Stromberg

God decided to put Abraham to the test. God told Abraham to go to a mountain and take his son, Isaac, as a burnt offering. After three days Abraham stopped and took his son with him to prepare the burnt offering. Isaac carried the wood while Abraham carried the knife and fire. When Isaac asked where the animal was for the burnt offering, Abraham said that God will provide the offering. Abraham ended up tying his son to an alter that God showed to Abraham and lifted his knife, when an angel said, "Abraham! Abraham!" He replied, "here I am" The angel said do not touch the boy and now I know that you fear God. Abraham looked up towards a thicket and saw a ram caught by his horns. Abraham took the ram and sacrificed the ram to God. The angel reappeared and told Abraham that his descendants will be as numerous as the grains of sand on the beach and as the stars in the night sky.


In my lifetime, I have not been a part of or personally witnessed a "true sacrifice". A true sacrifice does not have to mean sacrificing your own life for somebody else. For example, a true sacrifice could be donating a large amount of money to a charity to help people that are less fortunate than yourself. This is definitely a sacrifice because you are giving up some of your own hard owned money to people you don't even know. That is a true sacrifice.

Ode- Brittany Graul

Ode to Coffee

The wonderful aroma enough to wake one up on its own,
Coffee has no rival.
Commonly brewed in the early morning before the sun has shone,
The rich roast is consumed by many and completely necessary to my own survival.
Fiercely addicted to the bittersweet taste
And the sharp alertness that its caffeine brings,
I could not give it up if I tried.
To not drink it would be a waste;
Every morning my coffee mug awaits and with every sip my heart sings.
Depending on my exhaustion I drink one cup, two cups, sometimes three, and finish every one with pride.

Ode to Alex Reese

Have you ever had that feeling

Where your heart flutters in your chest?

You feel as though your abilities have no ceiling,

 Like you are better than the rest.

You might be asking "Ryan, who gives you these feelings of such delight?"

"Who make you feel so warm and fuzzy?"

Listen close and I will tell.

Alex reese makes me feel this way, he makes me feel oh so ripe,

He is everything I have ever wanted in a friend, and possibly everything I want in a hubby

So here's to you, Alex Reese, the man boy for whom I so deeply fell.

Ode--Angela Maske

Ode to Coffee


O! The bold and sumptuous taste,
With sweet cream whipped,
Or milk and sugar laced,
It is a joy to be sipped.

Piping, warm, or chilled,
I pour it in my cup.
My drowsiness it killed,
From near death it wakes me up.

Whether a Dunkin or a Starbuck,
Or straight out of the pot.
I get an extra boost of luck,
With each espresso shot.

Ode- Andy

Ode to Winter

O! The jagged, snapping cold
Ushered in by fading light
Brittle, shrieking winds so bold
That call forth an early night

While most dream of summers old
I only welcome winter's might
A time for joy and children lulled
By fallen snow, glistening white

And there are indeed trying times
When winter's grasp may chill my bones
And I am forced to retreat inside
But still I think, it is one of man's crimes
To describe winter with such dark tones
And try to hide from it's vast stride

Sodom and Gomorrah- Katy

Three Angels were sent to Abraham. One was the lord and he told Abraham that he was going to destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah unless good people lived there. To prove it, the other two angels went to the cities. They were met by Lot, Abraham's relative. Lot fed them and took them to his house. Some men demanded that they have sex with the Angels which enraged both Lot and the Angels. Instead, Lot offered his two virgin daughters. The men outside were furious and rioted. In response the two angels blinded all the men, and ran off with Lot and his family. As they ran away to the village of Zoar, Lot's wife looked back and was turned to a pillar of salt. The lord then rained down burning sulfur on the two cities. 

 Obviously in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah the people living there were impenitent. Not feeling bad for their sins was the cause of their destruction. Whether or not this was unfair punishment relies on your beliefs. In today's society, some may believe that impenitence should lead to heavy punishments, but I think people should have time to reflect and possibly change their views on their sins. 

Daphne and the Laurel Wreath- Katy

Apollo challenged Cupid one day and Cupid taught him a lesson. He shot two arrows, one making a person lust uncontrollably over a person, and the other the cause a person to hate everything to do with love. Cupid hit Apollo with the one of lust and Daphne the one of hatred of love. After running away from Apollo, not interested at all, she had her father turn her into a tree. Of course Apollo stilled lusted over Daphne, now this laurel tree. And so he made a wreath from the leaves and wears them.
On eternal youth, everyone wishes to stay young forever, to be innocent of the responsibilities of adulthood and the harsh truths that people like Apollo had to face: that not everyone loves you. Some famous singers and rappers even make songs about wanting to be forever young. It is a simpler life. However, everyone has to grow up and mature and accept the fact that eternal youthood is only a dream.

Ode - Kyle Luo

Ode to rice! Ode to this great crop, which hath nourished the bodies of all having you in my daily diet is something I can't stop Fried or steamed,spring or fall Your goodness is by the grain you are used in so many dishes I could never pour you down the drain or feed you to the fishes Ode to this great plant you are such a joyous sight live without you I shan't I need you in my life

Ode- Schuler Ravencraft

Ode to High School

The end of high school is near,

These years have been filled with memories

And filled with cheer

 It is nearly time to be on our own

In a new place

With no family and a new home

But not just yet

We still have little,

But some time left

With this time we must cherish

Our friends and our family

Before it all perish

It is time to go out

Meet new people

Scream and shout

Because before we know it

We will be on our own

In a new place and in a new home

Ode-- Haley Longworth

Ode to Life

O Life,
how magnificent you are
Full of color,
Twists and turns
Highs and lows.
You breathe air into my lungs,
put the ground beneath my feet, create rhythm from my heartbeat.
You brighten my face with a smile and
make tears stream down my cheeks.
You are constant
and ever-changing;
The sun may shine and the moon may beam
but no day is the same, and
although one day you will be gone,
just out of my grasp,
You will always be there.
Memories.
Places to see.
Places to be.
People to see.
People to remember me.

Ode Siobhan O'Neill

Ode to Christmas Strings of yellow, red, and green lights flower the houses and illuminate the darkening winter nights Inside, kids are wired on Christmas cookies and the thought of a fat man bringing them all they ever wanted Students sigh in relief from finals and hope to impress parents with their semester’s plights The dogs beg and plead for just a taste of the roasting Christmas ham that’s flaunted Tacky plastic ornaments and metallic tinsel christen the new tree The smell of pine and a roaring fire float and the “Charlie Brown Christmastime” Cd Are all not so subtle reminders of the season Holiday cards line the mantle and families at the beach are displayed for all to see I think to myself, “this is the holiday for me” I like traditions, as tacky as they may be, so even more the reason

Jason and the Golden Fleece-- Haley Longworth

In Greece, a king named Pelias has stolen the crown from his brother. An oracle tells him that he will die at the hands of a kinsman and that he should be wary of a man wearing only one sandal. One day, a man wearing one sandal comes to town. This is Jason, the king's nephew, come to claim his rightful place as king. Pelias tells Jason that he would give up the throne if Jason would go out and retrieve the golden fleece. Jason sets off with a team of Greek heroes, the Argonauts, and overcomes many obstacles and adventures on the way to Colchis. Finally, with the help of Hera, he reaches King Etes. Hera and Aphrodite arrange for Cupid to make King Etes's daughter, Medea, fall in love with Jason. Jason asks Etes for the fleece, but Etes says Jason must plow a field of dragon's teeth, which will spring up into a crop of armed men who must be cut down as they advance and attack. Jason agrees, though he believes the task will result in his death. Thanks to Cupid's bow, however, Medea gives Jason a magical potion that gives give him invincibility for one day. She also tells him to throw a rock into the middle of the army because it will lead the armed men to kill each other. The next day, Jason proves victorious.The treacherous king will not give him the fleece, however. He plans to kill Jason. Medea helps him again. She leads him to the fleece, charms the serpent guarding it, and flees with Jason back home. On the journey home, Medea kills her brother in the idea that she is protecting Jason. This is the first sign of her madness. When they return to Greece, she arranges for King Pelias to be killed by his own daughters, which fulfills the oracle. Later, Jason marries another woman, and Medea becomes so angry that she kills both the bride and her own two sons fathered by Jason. Love and revenge is less common nowadays that it was many, many years ago. In modern times, if someone doesn't love you the way you love them you cry, complain to your friends, and hopefully move on. With Medea is was different, because she went as far as to kill the woman Jason was going to marry and the two children she had with Jason. It seems over the top and really crazy because most of us wouldn't actually do anything to hurt the person that left us other than burn their clothes that you have (?) or something like that. For most of us heartbreak is more about the sadness and less about the revenge you may be plotting on that person. Sometimes you will hear about a crazy stalker ex in the news that someone put a restraining order on, but I don't think that's very common compared to the number of relationships in the world.

Sodom and Gomorrah-- Haley Longworth

God sent three angles to Israel, He being one of them, who were disguised as men. God sent the other two angels to Sodom and Gomorrah to find evil people and witness the evil acts being committed in the city while God told Abraham he was going to destroy the city because of its wickedness. Abraham compromised with God that if the angels found ten righteous people in the city then God would not destroy it. The other two angels went to Sodom and Gomorrah and stayed with Abraham's relative, Lot. That night all the men of the city came to Lot's house and demanded to have sex with the other two men. When Lot offered his two virgin daughters instead, the men became angry and said they were going to tear his house down. The angels told him and his family to flee the city because they were going to destroy it, but his daughters' fiancees didn't believe them so the died with the city. Lot, his daughters, and his wife were on their way to a nearby city, but his wife disobeying the angels orders by looking back and turned into salt. The daughters realized they were the only girls life, so to keep their family name going, the got their dad drunk and had sex with him. Punishment is a difficult topic because everyone has different morals. There are such a wide range of lifestyles and standards for living that it is difficult to assign one way of punishment to everybody. Some parents let their children drink alcohol underage and others don't, so there is a question as to how each should be punished if they get caught. Also, almost everyone responds differently to certain kinds of punishment. Some kids may steer clear of getting home past curfew because they hate getting yelled at, and others don't care at all if their parents yelled at them. Those kids may care more about getting their phone taken away.

Ode - Gibbs McKinley

Ode to Literature

A simple crack of a spine and the susurrous of pages
precede the enchantment within
ineffable, enticing worlds await, filled with ages

Daily life is filled with a lassitude, an endless,
endless trailing stream of menial tasks
to read is to elude the heaviness

Words bring opulence to the lane
on which one walks every day to work;
they are a felicitous transformation of the mundane

Sinking in, the real world fades expelling the frets
the shimmering veil of a fantasy lifts to reveal
indigos, azures, obsidians and scarlets

Dreams that are not always cheery
but are perpetually awash with feeling
Pain is misery, happiness is euphoria and vivacity

That is reading, if you wish to follow the straights to the
flowing streams are crystal and
friends, enemies, a still and yet alive world awaits

Ode - Jonathan Tungate

Ode to Freedom

For one want of a life filled with glee,

I sing of one location, one place,

that you will find me.

Fear drives me to wonder, in the case

of florid folk yonder.

Dreary, drab drones dreaming,

for they fancy a fair fowl’s flight,

a plight many nights I ponder,

wishing to send hearts gleaming

on-wards to the red, blue, and white.

Katy Estes Ode

I read "Ode to my Hands" by Tim Seibles. It is about his hands, the importance of them, and the amazing things that can be done with hands. Similarly, I write about debate and the amazing things accomplished through it every day.

Ode to Debate

O debate,
Master of my time,
Master of my thoughts,
Master of conversation for a while.
O debate,
You bring hours of research
Just with your name,
Countless practicing
All in my own time.
You cause me to wake up at 4am
On a Saturday
To be excited.

Standing behind a podium,
Having the room's attention,
I feel in control
Like my words and opinions matter,
But in fact, it is debate
That holds the reigns
Today, today debate controls
Me.

O debate,
Not an action
Or assignment in English,
Not a class forced upon you,
But a power of words,
Of informed opinions,
Of educated evidence,
That allows for higher discussion.
O debate,
You challenge us all.

Enraged, engaged, encompassed
In a topic.
Words flow through your mind
To your mouth,
Across the floor to your opponent
Faster than you can speak.
Adrenaline courses, pumping
Through your body,
Chasing those words,
Chasing that win.

Echo and Narcissus- Hans Stromberg

The tale of Echo and Narcissus is a classic in Greek mythology. Echo was a wood nymph who loved to talk. (don't all woman). She set her sights on Narcissus, but he would never love anyone but himself. Echo helped save the goddesses Juno Juno's adulterous husband by boring Juno with talking. Juno was so pissed off, he cursed Echo to only repeat what others said to her. Echo say Narcissus in the woods, and like a woman, through herself onto Narcissus causing him to say, "Hands off! I would rather die than you should have me." Echo took this rather badly and went into the mountains to wither away, leaving only her bones and her voice which replied when others talked in the mountains. (echo, echo, echo....) Narcissus carried out his life rejecting beautiful woman and eventually pissed off the gods, so they cursed him into only loving something that couldn't love him back. That happened to be his own reflection in a pool of water. He tried to kiss the reflection but caused ripples and his reflection disappeared. So enamored with himself, he stayed by the pool and eventually died.


In all reality, their is no narcissist that I really abhor, but I'm not a fan of the Louisville Cardinals if that counts. An altruist I admire would have to be John Calipari. Coach Cal has rejuvenated Kentucky basketball and has done so with passion and for love of the game. Coach Cal has many enduring qualities, but his perseverance and passion stand out. He does not quit when he gets knocked down, he just tries something else with his basketball team. For instance, last year's basketball team was underachieving and getting knocked down. Coach Cal made his famous "tweak" before the NCAA tournament and guided his team to a national championship appearance. Also, Coach Cal is the perfect man to coach the wildcat basketball team because of his passion for the fans and for the history of Kentucky basketball.

Ode - Jacquelyn Engel

Here everything is so green!

It all becomes alive.

I no longer stare from behind a screen,

So do the bees as they buzz out of their hive.

Gone are the days where I stay inside for hours,

And coldness constantly crept its way towards me,

But now I am able to enjoy the flowers,

Everything is as it should be.

The sun is not covered by grey anymore,

revealing a perfect blue sky,

And a perfect temperature allowing me to open my door.

At last dear winter I say goodbye.

Ode Megan Woodrum

I looked at the ode "Ode to My Hands" by Tim Seibles which is a ode praising the hands and their magnificentness. This ode is mine.

Ode to dogs

Dogs will love you no matter what,

unconditionally, and loyally

You can be the shittiest person alive,

 but your dog will love you.

They will always greet you when you enter a room

like you have been gone for years;

the protect you from mail men and joggers 

as they pass the house;

They curl up at the foot of your bed 

and nap with you for hours.

Love them, and they will love you back

you can mold them, and train them into who they're going to be.

Their slobbery kisses and wiggling tails show adoratioin; 

we are their entire lives and must try to live up to the person they see us as.

Ode- Chelsea Southworth

Ode to the College Admissions Office

It is upon ye fair souls that all of our hopes rest.
We few, we proud, we senior students
hope to show you what makes us the best
and how we have spent our days with prudence.
The treasure you carry is shining as gold,
that ever-desired acceptance letter.
If you deem us worthy, it we shall hold
to make our lives better.
When it comes to college, you are the true heroes.
Riding forth on your silver steeds,
facing winds, hurricanes, tornadoes --
the world will hear of your noble deeds.
Brandishing your gilded swords
and charging into battle without care,
you are loved, admired and adored
over the hills and everywhere.
Your names are lauded, sung on high
all across the land.
And we all know the reason why:
you are mighty, great, and grand.
Please keep kindness in your hearts
and your brains as sharp as can be.
Do not let good sense depart:
you know you should accept me.

Abraham and Isaacs Schuler Ravencraft

God one day instructs Abraham to sacrifice his only son Isaac. Abraham obeys these orders and takes Isaac to the top of the mountain. After reaching the top of the mountain Isaac asks his father where the lamb is leading Abraham to replay with "The lord will provide the lamb". Abraham then ties Isaac up placing him on the stone altar. As he is about to sacrifice his son the lord calls out at Abraham telling him to stop and then a ram appears. An angel of the lord calls out saying, "swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."

We are constantly making sacrifices. But what exactly is a true sacrifice? When I googled the definition of a "true sacrifice" I came across one I found particularly intriguing. It stated that true sacrifice is "an inner attitude of mind and heart based on real understanding of unity and harmony of the one divine life and law. It is the giving of oneself and service to all, on any and all plans, without any selfish motive." Think about it, how much of what we do is unselfish? We sacrifice money and time but is it all completely unselfish? I would say more than likely not. I know we want to say that we do something purely out of the goodness out of our hearts and maybe sometimes we do but I would say majority of the time, even if it is subconscious we expect something in return. That "something" we expect in return could be a credit for when you need help in the future or simply be the happiness that comes from seeing someone else happy and that's not exactly a bad thing. I would say however we never really meet the definition of a "true sacrifice". 
http://www.teosofia.com/Mumbai/7603sacrifice.html
http://christianity.about.com/od/Old-Testament/a/JZ-Sacrifice-Of-Isaac.htm