The Intersection

On the road more so traveled

I find myself at an intersection

One that can lead me anywhere

Lead me to more intersections

To more lights

Signs

And cars

To more people

Pedestrians

And possibilities

Then from there to even more intersections

Ones that tell me to stop

Yield

And go

Some that tell me to turn

Went to walk

And when to not

Now I am at one

One with infinite outcomes

One with infinite outputs

With so many variables

More than just x’s and y’s

More than just what equals the sum of 83

More than the area of a circle

And the first 20 numbers in pi

More than a spreadsheet on the table

It is so much more than a ticker number

Or a 500 word article that ends up on page 7

It is more than what lies before me at a desk

In the middle of a cubicle

In the center of a bullpen

On the 20th floor of an office building

On the street that no one cares to name

I am at an intersection

Full of wonders

Hopes

And dreams

I am at an intersection full of lanes

And I cannot choose one

I am caught in the median without a guide

Then I see them

Through the timid light of dawn

And the shadows that mimic and mock

All that I see is a little being

Standing in the middle of the street

Alone and impatient

Standing there and waiting

For someone to come

Driving down this parkway

Down this Lane

Down this Boulevard

Driving down without attention

Looking someplace else

Being someplace else

Not see them standing here

Not see them till they are gone

Far from here

And far beyond

I swerve but to no avail

There is a crash without a burn

There is a body without a life

They are gone and I am left

Left to clean up a mess that I did not make

This is what my intersection brought to me

This is what came of each choice

This is what has become of me

I will never be the same as I was

Before the intersection

Another Single Ladies' Xmas

    Going on four months relationship sober I can say that this Xmas is defiantly different. Now with all the happy holiday hoopla you can feel the pressure and maybe a little bit of loneliness. If you are like me you want someone to sit with you on the couch all cuddled up under a blanket while drinking hot coco. You imagine what it would be like to have someone for the holidays so that feeling doesn't haunt you like the ghost of Christmas past. I remember just last year, when I was in my own relationship, I didn't want my boyfriend to get me a gift and that I was just happy to have him. Instead, he showed up at my door with a little gift in hand. Just seeing him there (even thought he had given me a heads up before that he would stop by) made me the happiest person in the world. Now I sit alone in my room writing this because yes I am single, and probably will be for a while due to my quirky personality, but I am still having a very merry Christmas. So chin up and have a little more eggnog...  


Yours truly,
Riley Scout

"Last Christmas" by Wham

Three years and counting...

This is one of the happiest days for me because today marks the three years I have been posting my free handed writing on this blog. It has been the longest standing commitment I have ever made and will ever make. This little site is one that I cherish and hold close to me because it is more than just a blog to me. It is something that has kept me doing the thing that I love the most. Writing. Never have I felt more passion toward one thing that I do towards me writing. It has helped me through a lot and I am greatful for every piece that I come up with. So thank you for reading this blog and supporting me and what I do.

Life on a road (haiku)

If life were a road

Then what if I were a car

Then where would I go

What to do (haiku)

If I had the time 

If I could be someone else 

Then what would I do

Strung out

What if I held a string 

What if I were that string 

Would I pull it tight 

Or let it suspend in air 

Would I stay on a planned path 

Or see where everything takes me 

A Gift

The doorbell rings at an approach

The wiggling handle moves the most

How your drum beats study in your ear

How you hold back a fearful tear

Then you open was such a surprise

Two boxes and a note

"One is a gift that opens your mind,

Another a curse to bring you to your demise"

I am Paint

I am smeared on I canvas

Raped by other colors

Thinned

And stabbed by hairy bristles

I stained clothes and carpet

I am wash down the drain

Unwanted till made into perfection

Which only the beholder can pronounce

I am oil 

Acrylic 

Water

I am at the will of one

One that is many

An artist

A visual musician

I am the liquid clay they mold

Holding my shape and design

On a paper

Canvas

Or wall

I am paint

Oh Captain of Wedding

Oh bride and groom
Your fearful planning is done
The dress has been found
The tux has been worn
And the rings you now adorn

Oh bridesmaid and groomsmen
Your loyalt, worthwhile
To see them beam and smile
Out with the old and in with the new
All for the "I do"

Oh father of the bride
You stand tall and proud
As you walk her down
And now you stand
For the other man

Civil Rights Thourgh History

“To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.”

- Nelson Mandela

    I believe that Nelson Mandela summed up rights, liberties, and freedom in this quote. It is true that if you take away someone’s, or anyones’, rights you are challenging them and they will bite back. Humans are intelligent animals for the most part and we will find away around you to get what we want. Weather it be stomping our feet on the ground screaming or doing something in return. Mandela, along with others, lead a revolution that did both very successfully with formal statements, processions, international government action, alternative government institutions, boycotts, and strikes.

    In the 1820s women began to want not to be trapped in a small box of freedom while men had a house. They wanted to have the same rights and they were willing to fight. During this time women were making the headlines and speaking their minds. All over the nation women were lecturing, writing, marching, lobbying, and practicing civil disobedience. Most of the time, when protesting, they were arrested and imprisoned.

    Susan B. Anthoney,committed to equality and a strong feminist, played a major role in women’s suffrage. She and Elizabeth Cady Stanton founded the New York Women’s State Temperance Society in 1852. They later founded the Women’s Loyal National League which created the largest petition drive in the nation up to that time with nearly 400,000 signatures. Proving that human rights progression was possible and that there were also plenty of men who thought that sex had nothing to do with voting. In 1921, the 19th Amendment was passed by congress stating “The right of citizens of the United States shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.”

    In 1652, the dutch began colonizing South Africa and capturing the natives, which they would sell into slavery. After decades of the “Superior Whites” ruling over them, the natives decided that they wanted a change. In 1948, an all white-election was established however this of course did not please the South Africans because they could not vote due to there skin color. *cough cough* America *cough*. So a South African apartheid regime was created. The first falling domino for a national movement.

    The time between 1948 to 1994, when Mandela was elected president, many things worked their way into the news and made the Dutch rule come to an end. Formal statements were made, like in 1952 the ANC (African National Congress) asked for the support of the  citizens of South Africa, all races, to end the “unjust and discriminatory laws.” There were also processions like in July 1961 were about 18,000 black supported came and marched in front of parliament despite the government’s threats. “Mini-governments” were set up in black townships to provide alternative government institutions. These townships supported their own judicial system and serves such as police, street cleaning, health care, and garbage removal. This movement also used international government action, boycotts, and strikes.

    After the Civil War there was a LOT of racial tension in the south. This created even more problems for African Americans to face, even in the 60s. During this time segregation was the norm and everyone was use to it, but quite a few did not enjoy it. Rosa Parks was one who was tired after work and refused to move when a White man needed a place to sit even though she was seated in the back of the bus where blacks would sit. However now it's a fight to sit in the back on the school buss. She was arrested of course. Martin Luther King Jr. was another major person in the Civil Rights Movement. He helped organize sit-ins, boycotts, marches, civil disobedience, etc… He was also arrested and later killed.

    This was a time of change. Many families had tvs in their homes, news reporters were at the protests, so everyone saw what was happening. People were being hosed down in the streets, attacked while being peaceful, and like Emmett Till were killed for illegitimate reasons. The Civil Rights Movement is one of the most well known movements in American history. This is a time that set the stage for another movement that continues on today.

    This movement is the LGBT movement. LGBT stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender. This movement started back in the 50s with just coming out about the whole thing. Most people did not understand it and could not imagine the thought of a same sex couple. LGBT used and continues to protest and use legal action in order to get to its goal of same sex marriage and deeper awareness of homosexuals and other alike.

Unlike what many people think it is not wrong to love. Loving is a thing that we all do and love is a thing that like rights we all deserve. The LGBT mission quote is “love can’t wait” which I agree with. If you had two people who loved each other and wanted to get married for all the right reasons would you? The Supreme Court will decide on the matter next month.

In conclusion, with all that has been said, I do believe that history repeats itself in some way shape or form due to the fact that we are all human and humans have habits. Just remember that if you take away our rights we will fight. You try to take away what we believe we will tell you the truth of the matter. You can knock us down, but we will get right back up again. No matter the obstacle. 

1. "To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very ..." 2012. 19 May. 2015 <http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/n/nelsonmand447259.html>

2. "The Anti-Apartheid Movement in South Africa." 2013. 19 May. 2015 <https://tavaana.org/en/content/struggle-ground-anti-apartheid-movement-south-africa>

3.  "The Fight for Women's Suffrage - History Channel." 2014. 22 May. 2015 <http://www.history.com/topics/womens-history/the-fight-for-womens-suffrage>

4. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_B._Anthony>

5.  "History of slavery and early colonisation in South Africa ..." 2011. 22 May. 2015 <http://www.sahistory.org.za/south-africa-1652-1806/history-slavery-and-early-colonisation-sa>

6. "The Anti-Apartheid Movement in South Africa." 2013. 19 May. 2015 <https://tavaana.org/en/content/struggle-ground-anti-apartheid-movement-south-africa>

7.  "Civil Rights Movement - Black History - HISTORY.com." 2014. 23 May. 2015 <http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/civil-rights-movement> 

8. "History of Lesbian, Gay, & Bisexual Social Movements." 2010. 23 May. 2015 <http://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/history.aspx>

9.  "The End Goal of the LGBT Movement | George Weinberg." 2013. 23 May. 2015 <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/george-weinberg/the-end-goal-of-the-lgbt-movement_b_3547869.html>

     

 

Things That...

Oh many a thing can amaze
Oh many a thing can amuse
But with many agaze
And with many to choose
Such things shall escape

Candle Light

Now upon such a light
With little fading will
Nothing may burn so bright
Just until
A whispering breath may blow

No Punctuation

A world so stygian and bleak sence is nothing and all is gloomy there is no stopping or calm there is no comma or break no end will you find to breathe you must not stop you can not stop the space between  these   words   is   the closest    you    will   ever     get

now  you  breathe

now    you     stop
now is your break
g e t         r e a d y
g e t               s e t

Now you run once again no stopping to no end will your path cease time will never standstill space will   only  grow  smaller   nothing   is   ever   e n o u g h    no   where   is      ever            ->        near

ready

s e t

stop

Tall Tale

Such a tall story
Without any glory
The tale of a man
Who discovered a great land
To with no avil
He was swallow whole by a whale

Color Schemes

     There are 50 shades of grey
And 100 are blue
     There are 44 shades of white
And which some are new
     There are 78 themes of black
Oh what ever shall we do
     There are a million... BILLION colors
But I just named 262

Across: this outrageous notion

Hop on a plane
And fly across the ocean
I know it sound insane
About this outrageous notion

But believe me
When I say
You will see
When you come my way

Come one or many
Come all
Or any
You shall tell a tale so tall 

End of All Days

   This is the time that will be remembered forever. This is when everyone will look back in either disgust of in sweet pleasure. I don't know which for I will relish life in sweet neutrality. When we shall fade and blow away into oblivion and see the blinding light of our diminishing, everlasting sun. When we shall no longer have books for they will become warmth when all the power fails for its final time. An eternal blackout. Everyone expects violence and panic, but most are too scared to leave their homes in fear of what is in their own heads.

A Fading Friend

First you feet go cold
Then your fingers and toes
Just as you were told
Just as your child grows

Then everything becomes clear
You begin to fray and fade
You will soon be an old tear
Just as soon as you were made

No one saw you to begin with
But that makes no difference
You were your child's myth
Now you become pass tense

Dream Catcher

I hang in your window
Above your bed
Above your head
You sleep and I swing
Filtering your dreams
Through my lovely seams
I catch the unwanted
The nightmares and fears
To save you from tears
And when I am filled
To the brim and back
You shake me out like a dirty sack
Then I go to my place
Above your bed
Above your head

The Wishing Ages

When you're seven
You wish you were five
When you're eleven
You wish you were nine

When you're freshman
You want to be junior
When you're senior
You wish you were done sooner

Now that you're older
And the work day is longer
You wish you were seven
So you could wish to be five

Valentines Day

Okay now this year I am not a single lady for this little spectacle of a holiday, but I can at least give my take on it all. Now I may sound a little cynical, but please remember that this is the first time someone will "be my Valentine."
On February the 14th there will be many spectacles of "love" that is translated diversely over the community. Now of the couples you will have many different things like gift giving to flowers to (cough) romantic evenings...
Yes Valentines day is National Sex Day (sorry had to say it, kind of a line I've been wanting to use). So yes bring out your inner E L James.
Now for the single ladies well... they will just go see the movie.

Dead as a Deer

I lay there in the grass

My eyes wide 

As I look out at the road

My ribs have been shattered

My heart beats one more time

Then my little watch stops

My lungs inflate then collapse 

Under the weight of my limp nimble body

I use to dance in the forest's the ballet

Now I lie dead on the curb

Now I slowly rot

Now my ribs are exposed

Now I am exposed

Insomnia

Oh how soft and swiftly the night may come
Oh how steady your heart beats like a drum

In the dead of night when all lie asleep
You lay alive and count your ghostly sheep

All sound hits like a clap of thunder
All shadows grow to a fifty foot wonder

Your eyes peel back with the amazement and fright
While you lie in the dead of night

It's Nothing But a Monster

I hear the creaking of the steps
I hear the voices inside my head
You ask me what scares me
It is the pitch black in the night
The boogie man under my bed
The claw marks on the walls
And torn up carpet on the floor
A thick smell of whisky in the air
And you ask why I'm scared
The fighting and the yelling
The verbal war that has now begun
And in the midnight hour
When men become monsters
When the talons of hell come reaching up
You ask me what scares me
But I assure you
It's nothing

The Phonics of Life

B is for the bell
That I sometimes don't hear
D is for the door
That has come so near

P is for pavement
That I walk of everyday
K is for the kindness
That warms my tender heart

Y is for the yelling
That rings in my ears
W is for why things happen
In which I do not know

Walking the Halls

I walk down the halls, following each tile, so simply laid out. I walk to the place were destiny awaits. Where my fate rest in the hands of a man who, some unknown way hates me. That despicable face, I will forever loath the day I first met him and forever love the day when I leave. I walk to the room that will forever haunt me. I walk down the endless hall to seek out my forever ending fat. It is judgement day. It is the hour, minute, moment, second, when I shall arrive and see the smirk ripped of his He will tell me to leave and never come back, but I will remind him of who I am. I will tell the truth of his unlawful prejudice and speak it to the world. He wants to tell me that I cannot leave without my pride, but I shall stay with my head held much higher than before. Even if the fates don't allow I shall fight and forever walk there hells, No more torture, ridicule, or pain. No amount of torment could ever keep me away. When all is said , and all is done, I shall walk back down this hell. I will not run.

Unlock the Lavender Door

A little gold key
A grand lavender door
More than just an entrance
It's an escape
But to what
To what should this lead
To what should we call such a pleasure
If it is one at all
Put in the key
Turn till the...
Click!
Unlocked
Grip the stony brass knob
And turn
Push and release

I Will Not Watch

Watching can be the most painful thing you can do

Actions.

They speak louder than words

But what is the action of not acting at all

What do you do?

When everyone tells you there is nothing you can do

Where is the forbidden line?

That is never to be crossed

Well I have found that line

I will not stand back any more

I will stand up and shout

I will no longer wither

I will no longer wait

I will no longer watch

I will act

I will do

Five Reasons Why We Should Assimilate Less

“I don't believe complete assimilation is possible, at least not for anyone who has an active, open mind. Every step, every entry into the flows of existence can be seen as a beginning, a commencement of a brand new way of seeing oneself in the world. This is the case for everyone.” (Chang-Rae Lee) This is a quote made by Chang-Rae Lee, a Korean American author and creative writing professor at Princeton University. I believe that this quote says a lot about why we should assimilate less because as he says complete assimilation is not possible. If we were to fully assimilate into another culture then we would have to give up our minds. We would have to forget everything that we have previously learned. Forget our customs and the whole world that we have come from. Forget, the mind,s most haunting fear.

“Forget your customs and ideals. Select a goal and pursue it with all your might. You will experience a bad time but sooner or later you will achieve your goal. Don’t take a moment’s rest. Run.”(History) This is a quote given to us from a guidebook given to immigrants who came over in 1880-1930. In some ways this can be taken as a polite word of advice, however this also entails of what was to come of the immigrants. It tells of the hardships they would go through, of how, if they preceded to follow their traditional culture, will have many discrepancies between them and those who lived by the American customs.

Assimilation, be that as it may, is not just consisted of immigrants and how they were forced to adapt, but also a person moving from one area, like a small town, to another, perhaps large city. Even this adjustment can be difficult for the average person, which can lead to stress and other health problems relating to that. Stress is a strong feel of worry that can over time can lead to different types of health problems. Some of these problems include serious heart problems, asthma, obesity, diabetes, depression, stomach problems, headaches, advanced aging, early death, along with many other things (WebMD). Stress can also lead to reckless behavior that can cause the death of someone else.

Recent studies show that substance use and alcoholism have been connected to assimilation (Warner). It shows that with the new environment that comes with moving and the cultural adjustment have also come to harm the health of some who do assimilate. Assimilation means to take up the dominant culture in the region that you have moved to. This also includes reckless behaviors that are well know in that culture like drugs and alcohol. Now not everyone takes up illegal drugs just because they move to the wrong side of the tracks, but it is a factor, especially if you move to a region with a culture that is the complete opposite of what you came from. Alcoholism also is related to stress and people trying to “make it through the day.” Studies show that about 1 in 10 deaths of working adults are caused by alcohol. This can include heart disease, breast cancer, liver disease, violence, alcohol poisoning, and one of the most tragics, drunk driving. Stressed based alcoholism can be brought on by many things, nonetheless the most well know is work related stress. When coming from a different country and being forced to assimilate and work in lower class jobs can cause a lot of stress on a person. Not being able to pay the bills, trying to feed your child or children, a failing marriage, and many other things can come along on the bandwagon of stress in your life that can lead you to make decisions that could forever change your life.

“Oooh! Alright, that's it! Dishonor! Dishonor on your whole family!” -Mulan (1998)

Honor and shame are two pressures put on the shoulders of household woman in Southern Asia. This stress put on them normally leads to self harm and other mental problems that are considered taboo in that region. If this is how people respond to honour in their home country then imagine how they would react to leaving and dishonoring their family in the process. In some cultures dishonoring your family can result in feelings of anger and disappointment to the most extreme case of honor killing. Honor killing is a traditional practice of killing a family member who was believed to have dishonored or brought shame onto the family. Just this past June, in Pakistan, a newly wed couple was murdered in a honor killing by the brides parents because they did not give them their blessings. “The bride's father and uncles lured the couple back to the village of Satrah in Punjab province, where Ahsanullah said the pair were tied up and then decapitated.” (CNN World) If this is what they do when marriage blessing are not made then imagine what would happen to someone who assimilated into a new culture. Talk about a bad family reunion.

America has been know to be the “melting pot.” This statement refers to the blending of cultures from the immigrants who came over in the Great Migration. However, in today’s society it is no longer as accepting. People are now wanting immigrants to assimilate and become more like them. People complain about the spanish options at the ATM and the multiple language option on directions. Americans are wanting immigrants to become more english and adapt to our culture. How is this just and fair? We were at one point an immigrant, an outsider, a misfit. Even if you are the pinnacle of popularity, your heritage consists of people who were not as fortunate to have such a high position in society. In contrast, there are those who accept other cultures without even realizing it.

    Further more, from the evidence that shows, I firmly believe that assimilation is not always apropriate. From stress to dishonoring, assimilation can lead to more trouble and problems than it's worth. People move to find better things, but forcing them to become something they are not is wrong. Having to leave a place is hard enough, why do we need to make it harder? Why do we need to put more things on other'd minds? Why go through all of that just for people to "fit in?" Why? 

A Myth About the Stars

    Once there was a wise old man and he had a magic crayon make of frosty white snow from the highest peak of the tallest mountain, the sparkliest crystals form the darkest cave, the wax from the sweetest honey bees, and in the light it twinkled like the joy in a child’s eyes. Now this man made the crayon because every night the sun would set and there would be no light. So the wise old man would climb up the highest mountain everyday and as the sky turned black he would draw a little star in the sky to help illuminate the velvety cloaked night. He would then walk down to the village and rest. Then in the following days he would continue on.

However, one day, a curious little boy saw how the man climbed the mountain and how he would draw a single little star every night. The little boy wanted to draw a star as well, so one night after the man came home, falling fast asleep, the boy tip toed in and stole the crayon. The little boy could not wait to start lighting up the night sky so he set out, up the mountain.

The next morning the wise old man woke up and looked for the crayon. He searched the entire morning, but to no avail. He thought and thought about it all morning until it was time for him to journey up the mountain. Then he set out on the long trail once again without the crayon.

Finally when he reached the top the wise old man saw the little boy with the magic crayon. The little boy say on the top of the mountain and looked down upon the valley as he waited for the sun to finally set and for the night to come. The old man didn’t want to startle the little boy and knew that he would tire out soon, so the old man sat down and leaned back against a small tree that was nearby. A short time later the wise old man fell asleep, but the little boy did not. The little boy stared up at the black sky and how all the little stars glittered in the sea of ink. Then he stood up and reached as far as he could and drew a single star. The little boy loved the feeling of creating something so beautiful, so he drew another and another, until he had drawn five new stars. Then he had an idea, “why not make a picture in the sky?” So the little boy started to draw a picture with the stars until he had a small spoon in which he called the little dipper. Then he drew another one right next to it, but bigger. Then he drew more and more pictures all over the night sky. 

Just as the little boy was finishing his last illustration, the old man woke up and saw what he had done. The old man sprung up like a freed spring and ran at the boy. The little boy then lept up and landed on a star. The old man stopped and looked up at the little boy standing on one of the many stars that he had drawn. He was puzzled, but decided to do the same, knowing that he need to get his magic crayon back. The old man hopped up and landed wobbly on a star next to the little boy. The boy then lept to another that was farther away from the old man. The old man followed in an uneasy pursuit. Then began the chase that still continues on today and every once in a while you can see the little boy with the crayon darting across the sky in a blink of an eye.