The continuing journey of the Voyager Princess

Shoo fly, into the Kitty's mouth

2011-03-17T13:39:00.002-04:00

The cat named Abby sat just beneath the banister and seemed ready to pounce at any moment. She must have had a hunter's instincts, for a second later she leapt up, sailing gracefully over the spot where she'd seen the fly land. No one saw her grab it, but no one had to swat later either.

Very short story I wrote. Hope you enjoy all three lines of it!

Unlock the door

2010-12-11T19:56:00.003-05:00

The key to happiness
isn't in your pocket,
and it doesn't fit
inside your locket.

But don't worry, it's out
where all can see.
Just open your eyes
to be truly happy.

by Sarah Switzer

Ch. 3 of Queteya: Human at Heart

2010-12-08T15:33:00.001-05:00

Chapter 3-

At the bottom of the mountain, on the outskirts of the village, Abbolinn’s family had a memorial service for the lost child. His father and mother, as well as his older sister, seven-year-old Lauralinta, lay lilies (the flower of innocence) in the Remembrance Tomb. They sang the Song of Farewell three times, once for each full year of his life, for every year of memories that they believed would now be kept safe within the Tomb. They placed all of Abbolinn’s belongings and any pictures containing his face in the Tomb. They then covered the Tomb, and left it weeping. They would return every year to examine the contents, so that they would never forget Abbolinn.

RouSky ran quickly from the bunker, sobbing. He was a sensitive boy; he didn’t want to see any harm come to the child he had just befriended. But it was out of his hands now. He had to just trust that everything would work out all right. He sat down outside the cave entrance, trying to slow his breathing, hoping he would not hear any screaming. Abbolinn was close to sleep when he had left, so he shouldn’t feel much pain. RouSky sat still watching the sun set for hours, and was calmed by approaching darkness. Only when he could see the moon and stars did he stand, and after thinking a moment, re-entered the cave. He followed the passage again, this time passing the door labeled Bunker 6, continuing until reaching the door for Bunker 5. Just before entering, he heard a noise behind him, making him stop. His heart thumped loudly in the silence that followed. Suddenly, he felt warm air on his neck. When a large hand came down on his shoulder, he screamed.

The door to Bunker 5 opened quickly to reveal a fourteen year-old girl. She worriedly peered into the darkness. “ROAR!” She jumped and ran back into the Bunker, slamming the door behind her. A second later there was a knock on the door. The teen turned around, staring at the door in disbelief. Another knock. She opened the door and yelled, “MONSTER!” then quieted when she saw RouSky carrying a young boy. He looked asleep. RouSky grinned sheepishly, “Sorry.” The girl looked back at him saying, “How could you do that? You scared me! I thought a monster ate you or something.”
“I said I’m sorry. And that roar was Abbolinn, he thought it was funny.” Abbolinn giggled, then opened his eyes wide. “It was funny! She actually thought I was a monster!” RouSky said, “Besides, I thought princesses were supposed to be fearless.” She said, annoyed, “That’s knights! That’s why they have to fight the dragon to save the princess. Have you actually ever read a fairy tale?”
“Are you kidding? Fairy tales are for girls.” The girl scoffed, then responded with, “I hope that’s not an insult. There’s nothing wrong with girls… And I’m not a real princess anyway.” “Well, that’s good, “RouSky replied with a chuckle, “because I’m no Knight in Shining Armor.” She scoffed, “That’s for sure.” She interrupted his expected retort by introducing herself to the boy. “So you’re Abbolinn, huh? I’m called Ovf, and you can call him Sky,” pointing at RouSky.
He was about to explain that he preferred his entire name when a bell chimed. As they started moving quietly up the staircase, Abbolinn asked where they were going. “And what was the bell for?” “Meal time,” RouSky responded with a low voice.” Ovf added seriously, “Keep still now; dinner means it’s time to start settling down.” Abbolinn became silent when he noticed other children moving down the hall equally as quiet. When the only sound he could hear was his pounding heart, he wondered to himself, ‘What’s going to happen at dinner?’

The word "word"

2009-12-10T12:03:00.000-05:00

The word “word”
By Sarah Switzer
Word
Rumor
Hearsay
Gossip
Word
Notice
Communication
Information
Message
Report
Account
Word
Name
Term
Remark
Comment
Statement
Utterance
Expression
Declaration
Word
Command
Order
Signal
Decree
Edict
Mandate
Bidding
Will
Word
Pledge
Vow
Oath
Assurance
Guarantee
Promise
Word

Which “Word” is most important to you?

Why don't they understand?

2009-12-10T12:02:00.000-05:00

Why don’t they understand?
By Sarah Switzer
Why don’t they understand
How I feel every day?
Why don’t they understand
Why I always act this way?
Why don’t they understand
Why I want to be alone?
Why don’t they understand
Why I never feel at home?
Why don’t they understand
Why it is so difficult in school?
Why don’t they understand
Why I don’t want to be cool?
Why don’t they understand
Why I’m always absorbed in dreams?
Why don’t they understand
It’s because I feel I don’t belong
In this world where nothing
Is what it seems?

We are Never Alone

2009-12-10T12:01:00.002-05:00

We are never alone

Stars
They glow in the deepest, darkest night,
They fill galaxies upon galaxies,
Filling a universe that has no end.

Moons
They circle planets that sleep among the stars,
Shining most nights, reflecting the sun,
A powerful energy released upon a child.

Planets
They circle the sun in a system without a name,
Among billions of systems without name.

A sun
The center of all things, yet not alone,
It is not the only energy source of the universe.

There are other suns,
Powering other systems,
Giving way to other planets,
Circled by other moons,
Surrounded by other stars.
We are never alone.

Wary and Worried

2009-12-10T12:01:00.001-05:00

Wary and Worried

I walk in life,
Day by day,
I can’t get out,
Any how or any way.

I walk in life,
Seeing what is done,
As I walk past,
Watching everyone.

I walk in life,
Looking all around,
And in between glimpses,
Looking at the ground.

I walk in life
Like there are holes in the floor,
Stepping carefully,
Even going through the door.

I walk in life,
I go where I’m told,
But wherever I go,
I need something to hold.

I walk in life,
Holding on tight,
Not saying a word,
In quiet fright.

I walk in life,
Unsure about it all,
Always afraid
I’m going to fall.

I walk in life
Like there isn’t much hope,
It’s like I’m in the dark,
Trying to grope.

I walk in life,
Wary and worried,
But I’m going to get to safety;
I’m continuing, undeterred.

The Silent Poet

2009-12-10T12:00:00.002-05:00

The Silent Poet
By Sarah Switzer
She is a poet
Like no other.
Her writing is profound,
But no one knows

Because she spoke,
And no one heard;
She gave them remarkable images,
And no one saw;
She told her story,
Yet no one cared.

Now her poetry says hidden in a desk.
She shows it to no one,
Because no one listened.
Her poetry is like magic,
But no one will ever know.
She is the silent poet,
And always will be.

Thank You

2009-12-10T12:00:00.001-05:00

Thank You
By Sarah Switzer
Thank you
For drying my tears,
For helping me with homework,
For holding my hand,
For arguing with teachers,
For putting clothes on my back
And food in my mouth,
For teaching me right from wrong,
For showing me what to do in life,
For being there for me,
For giving me love,
For being my parents.
Thank you.

Success

2009-12-10T11:59:00.000-05:00

Success
By Sarah Switzer
High School
It’s not like the other years.
You’re expected to be mature, responsible;
But most kids are not.
They throw things, start fights;
Yelling, cursing in the halls.
Most kids don’t know how to behave.
They think High School is just a playground for big kids.
They don’t really learn anything,
Because they don’t care about education.
In a perfect world, everyone would care.
But, this isn’t a perfect world,
And a lot of kids don’t care about grades,
They just expect to graduate with no problem.
But in many schools across the globe, those kids don’t.
It’s the kids who work hard who do.
And they are the ones who succeed.

Still Shining Over the Sea

2009-12-10T11:58:00.002-05:00

Still Shining Over the Sea
By Sarah Switzer
Long, long ago
In a town on the coast
There was a little lighthouse
Shining over the sea.

Long, long ago
People loved this town,
But not the lighthouse
Shining over the sea.

Long, long ago
The town lost its appeal,
So they left it, and the lighthouse
Shining over the sea.

Long, long ago
A young girl came to the town
And found the lighthouse
Shining over the sea.

Long, long ago
The girl decided
To care for the lighthouse
Shining over the sea.

Long, long ago
The light started to flicker
In the lighthouse
Shining over the sea.

Long, long ago
No one would give
A bulb for the lighthouse
Shining over the sea.

Long, long ago
The girl worked hard to buy
A bulb for the lighthouse
Shining over the sea.

Long, long ago
The girl bought a bulb
And put it in the lighthouse
Shining over the sea.

Long, long ago
The girl grew up
And left her playhouse, the lighthouse
Shining over the sea.

Long, long ago
The girl came back every summer
To see the lighthouse
Shining over the sea.

Long, long ago
The girl was married with children
And she brought them to the lighthouse
Shining over the sea.

Long, long ago
The girl got sick
And never came back to the lighthouse
Shining over the sea.

Long, long ago
The girl’s children came back every year
To the lighthouse
Shining over the sea.

Long, long ago
The children grew up
Taking care of the lighthouse
Shining over the sea.

Long, long ago
The children petitioned
To make the lighthouse a landmark
Shining over the sea.

Long, long ago
The site was completely restored,
So the lighthouse stands today
Still shining over the sea.

Smile for the Camera!

2009-12-10T11:58:00.001-05:00

Smile for the Camera!
By Sarah Switzer

Smile for the camera,
Little child, come on smile!

There’s no reason to worry,
No reason to fear.
Today is a good day,
For smiles and laughter.
Smile, little child,
Come on smile.

Don’t frown, little child,
Don’t holler and yell.
Today is a good day
To play and have fun.
Smile, little child,
Come on, smile.

Oh, please, little child,
Shush now, don’t cry.
Today is a good day
To make jokes and run around.
Smile, little child,
Come on, smile.

I’m sorry, little child,
I keep saying to smile.
But you don’t understand,
Because you can’t see.
You see me frown and cry,
You think that’s what to do.
You’re upset,
Because I’m upset,
And I shouldn’t be,
Just like you.
I should smile and laugh,
And enjoy myself each day!
Life is precious, I see that now,
I should treasure it, and be happy!

Ok, little child.
Smile for the camera!
Smile quick, so I can take the picture,
And be the next customer.

Silent Screams

2009-12-10T11:57:00.000-05:00

Silent Screams
By Sarah Switzer
Can you hear it?
Do you even know
What it sounds like?
The peaceful sound
Of NOTHING.
When it’s that quiet
You can hear things,
Things you never heard before;
Thoughts.
You can hear your thoughts
Crystal clear.
And if you look
In his eyes,
You can hear his too.
You and he
Have an understanding.
You don’t need words
Or even sounds
To understand.
You can hear him,
And he can hear you;
In silence
Your eyes are screaming.

Silent Love

2009-12-10T11:56:00.002-05:00

Silent Love
By Sarah Switzer
It is a feeling; so simple, yet so complex.
It is too complex to be truly understood,
By mere humans at least.
But maybe, maybe it can be described
By other feelings, sensations.
Perhaps it can be described as:

A tingling from fingers to toes,
You keep clenching your fists to lose it;

Tenseness in all the limbs,
You shake your arms and legs so you don’t fall down;

Numbness in the face,
You touch it constantly to be sure it’s there;

Lungs barely breathing,
So as to hear every word;

A heart beating fast and strong,
You’re anxious, afraid.

You’re afraid because you love him,
And he doesn’t know,
And you’re afraid he doesn’t love you too,
That he won’t want to be your friend anymore
When he learns your true feelings for him;
You’d rather be “just friends”
Than lose him forever.
So your love for him will always be
Silent love.

Silence and Darkness

2009-12-10T11:56:00.001-05:00

“Silence and Darkness”
by Sarah Switzer

When I was young I felt
Just like Helen;
Cut off from the world around me.
I could interact with my surroundings,
But I couldn’t understand them.
I could think clearly,
My mind always racing,
But my thoughts were trapped
Deep within.
Signing was what released
My thoughts from their prison.
I could communicate, I could understand!
My hands moving quickly,
My thoughts were free at last!
Sign language freed me from my cage,
I had found my “water.”
Now, I know English,
And have forgotten much ASL,
But I haven’t forgotten my release,
So I am learning it again.
I want to help others
Feel like I do now!
Feel like Helen
When Anne gave her “water.”
I want others’ minds to be free!
Just like ours!

Shy Love

2009-12-10T11:55:00.002-05:00

Shy Love
By Sarah Switzer
I don’t remember meeting you;
We were really very young;
But I remember loving you;
I always knew I was hung.

As time keeps going by,
My love for you’s growing stronger;
I want to tell you soon
But the wait ahead seems longer.

It’s been so hard,
Being quiet as a dove,
Always your friend,
But keeping secret my love.

I so want to tell you
How I always will feel;
Pull away the cover,
Like a banana peel.

But I really don’t know
Just how I can say,
“I’ll love you forever,
Please don’t go away!”

I’ve left you some hints,
But they’re not very good;
My feelings are stuck,
Trapped deep under my hood.

I don’t want to
Embarrass you,
Maybe ruin
Our friendship too.

I can’t let our close bond
Come to an end,
Just because I wouldn’t
Leave us as friends.

At least just as friends
I wouldn’t be left behind,
Dumped and forgotten
Just like an old melon rind.

I can’t imagine
How my life would be
Not having you there
Forever with me.

But I realize I must risk it,
Revealing my feelings true;
Oh, I love you so very much,
I don’t know what else to do.

Teachers

2009-12-10T11:55:00.001-05:00

“Teachers”
Good teachers are treasures, like rare gems.
They are people to be respected and cherished.
Your parents sent you to them to be taught;
They carefully prepared you
For the world that is around you,
And now, they are sending you out into it.

Always There

2009-12-10T11:54:00.002-05:00

“Always There”
All around here I see
Friendly smiles to comfort me,
Strong hands to protect me,
Fast feet to run after me,
Loving friends and family
To always be there for me.

Katie

2009-12-10T11:54:00.001-05:00

“Katie”
Katie should be always feared
By men who do not shave their beard
She pulls out clumps of hair
She’ll give them quite a scare
Our Katie is very weird

Petie

2009-12-10T11:53:00.002-05:00

“Petie”
Petie
Beak, feathers
Squawking, singing, dancing
My very best friend
Smiles

Blackie

2009-12-10T11:53:00.001-05:00

“Blackie”
Blackie was the cutest bunny
She was really, really funny
She was the very best
But it was time to rest
I will miss my little honey

Emotions

2009-12-10T11:52:00.002-05:00

“Emotions”
Emotions
Changing with events
Intense or calm
Reminders of colors
Emotions are the doorway to life

Life

2009-12-10T11:52:00.001-05:00

“Life”
Life
It is confusing
It is anxious
It is better than death
Appreciate it

Sand-Water

2009-12-10T11:51:00.002-05:00

“Sand-Water”
Sand
Gritty, grained
Digging, scooping, cleaning
Castles, buckets-boat, fish
Floating, fishing, swimming
Smooth, liquefied
Water

Flowers

2009-12-10T11:51:00.001-05:00

“Flowers”
Colors of flowers
Dancing in meadows abroad
They sleep under stars.

Love

2009-12-10T11:50:00.000-05:00

“Love”
Love lives
Love lets
Love gives
Love gets
Love cares
Love shares

Harmony

2009-12-10T11:49:00.002-05:00

“Harmony”
The earth circles the sun.
The rivers run to the sunset.
Hear the palm trees dance in the breeze.
Listen to the music.
See the harmony.

Shades

2009-12-10T11:49:00.001-05:00

Shades
By Sarah Switzer
Look around.
What do you see?
Do you see people that are black and white,
Or do you see browns and tans?
Do you see people that are good or bad,
Or do you see people in the middle?
Do you see just brown trees and green leaves,
Or do you see the shades all around you?
The world is not just black and white.
It’s full of colors and shades of grey.
If you look, really look,
You’ll see.

Senseless

2009-12-10T11:48:00.002-05:00

Senseless
By Sarah Switzer

The eyes see everything,
The ears hear everything,
The nose smells everything,
The fingers touch everything,
The mind knows everything,
But the heart feels nothing.

Sadness

2009-12-10T11:48:00.001-05:00

Sadness
By Sarah Switzer
Look deep down
Inside the individual.
Look deeper and deeper,
Find out why she’s always sad.

Was she beaten as a child?
Was she always getting bad grades in school?
Did she go to a school with many gangs?
Did she live in a poor neighborhood all her life?

You might be surprised of the truth.
Well, I’ll tell you.

When she was little, she was spanked when she was bad.
She wasn’t very good in school, but got better as she grew.
There weren’t really many gangs she knew.
Her family wasn’t so poor they couldn’t afford food.

So why is she so sad?

Because the spankings tore her apart, put her in a shell.
She was terrified of being touched, even with a kind hug.
It wasn’t because her father was mean,
Just because she was so fragile.
And her grades weren’t too bad,
She had trouble learning and remembering.
The kids at school were always mean to her.
She had only one friend.
The kids teased her and pushed her around.
They treated her like she worthless.
And though she got things from her parents,
She was never truly happy,

Until she learned how to ignore the toys,
And wrap herself in a dream world,
Where nothing was real.
She learned to come out of her shell,
Because she could always escape reality.

But she could never completely escape the sadness.

Rain

2009-12-10T11:47:00.002-05:00

Rain
By Sarah Switzer

I look out the window
and I see the sky
with white clouds
shining from within.
I think to myself,
‘What a wonderful world.’

Then I look down
upon the ground
and I see the streets
filled with cars and smoke.
I think to myself,
‘What a terrible world.’

It starts to rain.

Quiche

2009-12-10T11:47:00.001-05:00

Quiche
By Sarah Switzer

How do you make quiche?
First the eggs; white or brown.
Then the cheese; many, many kinds.
After that, the vegetables; broccoli, spinach, whatever you want.
But I say, they all taste just as good.

People are the same as quiche.
They can be dark-skinned or light.
They can be brown-haired, red-haired, or blonde.
Their eyes can be different colors too.

But they are all human.
They all have the capability to be good, kind-hearted people.
They shouldn’t be treated differently because of how they look.

After all, quiche is quiche.

Poetry

2009-12-10T11:45:00.002-05:00

Poetry
By Sarah Switzer

Poetry isn’t all about rhyme.
It’s about telling your story.
It’s about telling people how you feel
without getting embarrassed all the time.
It’s about telling a boy you like him
without fearing rejection.
It’s about expressing yourself,
and not caring what others think.

So when someone suggests that you write a poem
don’t worry about rhyming words.
Just write and write until you have no more to say.
Just be yourself,
and let your heart flow onto the page.

Memories

2009-12-10T11:45:00.001-05:00

Memories
By Sarah Switzer
A faded wooden table may not seem like
Such a remarkable thing to be owned,
But think about the memories it must hold.
Think about the man that worked long hours
To carve and paint it.
Think about the family that ate
Every dinner on it.
Think about the newly built house
That it decorated.
Think about the children that did
Their homework at it.
Think about the fire it survived,
And the storms it endured.
Now what does this gift mean?

Love and Loneliness

2009-12-10T11:44:00.000-05:00

Love and Loneliness
By Sarah Switzer
My love for you is red,
My loneliness is blue,
Every single day
I’m yearning for you.

Ladies and Gentlemen

2009-12-10T11:43:00.000-05:00

“Ladies and Gentlemen”
by Sarah Switzer

That phrase is used
At the beginning
Of every presentation!

But are those
In the audience
Really ladies and gentlemen?

Do the men hold doors
And slide out chairs
For the women?

Do the women speak properly
And wear long skirts
With jackets?

Doubtful!
Few do anymore.
It’s about time then,
You called them
What they are.

Men and Women.

How do you see Red?

2009-12-10T11:42:00.000-05:00

“How do you see Red?”
By Sarah Switzer

Hate is Red.

The roses with thorns
That prick us
Are Red.

The blood that spills out
When a life is cut short
Is Red.

The fire that burns
Forests and homes
Is Red.

The lava that eats
All that’s in its path
Is Red.

But,

The lava mixed with water
Makes land, and

The fire keeps us warm
When the sun goes down, and

The blood, when kept sacred,
Gives life to all, and

The roses smell so sweet
When from the hands of a lover, and

The heart that cares
Is Red.

Love is Red.

How do you know who you love?

2009-12-10T11:41:00.002-05:00

How do you know who you love?
By Sarah Switzer

When you talk to him,
You don’t just
Open your mouth;
You open your ears.

When you hear his voice,
You don’t just hear
The emotion it carries;
You feel it too.

When you look in his eyes,
You see the man inside.
And you see the reflection,
Of what he sees in you.

Every time you see him,
You want to keep him close.
You know he’s going to leave for months,
And you are afraid you’ll lose him forever.

You know by heart
Every chance you’ll get to meet.
You remember the dates,
The first time you learn them.

You keep track how long it’s
Been since you last saw him,
And you track how long until
You can see him again.

You know no matter how many
Times you see him,
It’ll never get old, and
You’ll never forget
How blessed you are to
Have him as a friend.

Every time you see his face,
In life or in a picture,
You are reminded of how much
He means to you.
You dream of one day
Being called his wife.

After such consideration,
You know who you love.
You know you love him,
And you hope he loves you too.

Goals

2009-12-10T11:41:00.001-05:00

Goals
By Sarah Switzer
Tiptoeing across wooden floors that creak,
Sliding through sand toward home base,
Hiking to the peak of the mountain,
Swimming through water,
Running on concrete toward the finish line,
Climbing the rock face toward the top,
Reach your goals.

Friends

2009-12-10T11:40:00.001-05:00

Friends
By Sarah Switzer
Who do you consider your friends?
At what standards do you have them set?
Are they just people you hang out with?
Or do they know you inside and out?
Do they think carefully about what is right and wrong?
Do they have strong consciences?
Do they feel guilty when they do something wrong?
Or have their hearts hardened?
Do they feel that morals aren’t important?
What about effort?
Do they work hard to earn their way?
Or are they lazy and want to be waited on hand and foot?
Do they treat you well?
Or are you the last person on their minds?
Some things aren’t important in a friend.
But some things are crucial in a friendship that’s strong.
So here’s a lesson for all:
“Bad associations spoil useful habits.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)
Be careful who you choose as friends.
Be careful what kind of person you become.
You are who your friends are.

False Hope

2009-12-10T11:39:00.002-05:00

False Hope
By Sarah Switzer

A homeless man was promised a home today.
An orphan was promised a family today.
A starving old woman was promised food today.
A school was promised books today.
A worker was promised a salary today.
So where is it?

The world is waiting.

Falling Snow

2009-12-10T11:39:00.001-05:00

Falling Snow
By Sarah Switzer
Gather ‘round
Everybody, everyone.
See the snow fall on the ground.
Make an igloo or snowman.
Get creative,
Show your talent for all to see.
Jump into the snow
And make a little angel,
Or search and search
For the perfect icicle.
Savor these moments,
Because you don’t really do it when you’re grown.
Savor your childhood,
Because someday it’s gone,
Just like the snow when spring comes.

Failure

2009-12-10T11:38:00.002-05:00

Failure
By Sarah Switzer

The wind howls in the cold, empty night.
Branches knock against the window.
Shutters flap, banging against the bricks.
A cat meows, sending shivers up my spine.
Hail pelts the walkway.
I cover my head with a newspaper.
I run faster and faster,
Finally passing the old schoolhouse
That sent me to my doom.
But my failure keeps up with me.

Dreamer

2009-12-10T11:38:00.001-05:00

“Dreamer”
By Sarah Switzer
As I’m driving along
I pass a meadow
With birds and flowers,
And I start to dream.
Suddenly the whole world
Was meadows and flowers
And birds flying around.
Then I hear a resounding crash,
I’ve rammed the car ahead of me.
I get out and see the highway filled with cars.
My dream is shattered.

Children aren't laughing anymore

2009-12-10T11:37:00.002-05:00

Children aren’t laughing anymore
By Sarah Switzer

Children running, laughing,
Playing hide and seek in the woods.

Children running, laughing,
Playing catch in the field,

Children running, laughing,
Playing softball in the street.

Children playing on computers in their rooms.

There’s no more running,
Because there’s no more space to run;
There’s no more laughter,
Because there’s no more place for fun.

You’ve demolished the forests,
Built skyscrapers in the fields.
You’ve crammed apartments where houses and backyards used to be.
You’ve filled streets with busy traffic.

Look at where your children play,
The only place they have left.
They have no memories
Of the simple games
That used to be attached to childhood.
All they have is a screen.
Nothing to connect them
With family or friends.

This is what you are handing down
To what you call your “future.”
No running, no laughing, no fun.
No happiness.

Blind Eyes Look "Normal"

2009-12-10T11:35:00.000-05:00

Blind Eyes Look “Normal”
By Sarah Switzer
When you look at blind people
Walking on the sidewalk,
How do you know that they’re blind?
Maybe the canes, the dark glasses,
Or the way they act.
But what about if
The canes and glasses
Were gone?
Would you know they were blind?
Certainly not by looking into their eyes,
For blind eyes look
Just as normal
As seeing ones.
But they still can’t see.

Likewise, looking at schools,
Do you know which children (or teachers)
Are blind at heart?
They look perfectly “normal,”
But how can the uncaring,
Unfeeling, be called “normal.”
They only look that way.
The only way people can
Know that they’re not
Is by the way they act,
Because blind eyes
look “normal.”

All Alone

2009-12-10T11:33:00.000-05:00

All Alone
By Sarah Switzer
The child sighs
As she looks around,
For tomorrow she leaves
Her family grounds.
Never again
Will she see her home.
Forevermore,
She is alone.
All of them gone,
Her father and mother,
Only in memory,
Even her brother.
She cannot again see
Her family’s faces.
All that is left
Are the echoes of voices.
Her brother had said,
“Act on wisdom, not fear.”
But she had failed to obey,
And he was no longer here.
All alone,
Without family or friends.
She only hoped
She could make amends.
She promised herself
She would never forget
The happiness she had lost
In being selfish.
She would never return,
For her former life there was done,
But her new life
Had only just begun.

A Story of Two Chickens chapter 2

2009-12-09T13:04:00.001-05:00

Chapter 2
Heather opened her eyes slowly the next morning; she didn’t want to get out of bed. But her stomach was growling; she hadn’t eaten since yesterday morning. She dragged herself out of bed, then remembered that it was Saturday. No school, she thought gratefully. Then she heard her mother’s loud voice. “HOW DARE YOU!?” She was definitely angry at someone; Heather was just glad it wasn’t her this time. She tiptoed to the door, then slowly opened it so she could peak into the main room. She saw her mother with her teacher, not a good thing. She listened carefully, so she’d know if she needed to hide later. Not now, for she knew she was safe from her mother as long as the teacher was here. Plus, her mother was sober now, unlike last night. But she was yelling, and that’s never good. “It’s kindergarten! How could my daughter fail kindergarten? It’s impossible! I want to speak with the principal! If you can’t pass my daughter in kindergarten, Ms. Daley, you obviously are not a good teacher! I’ll get you fired!” Ms. Daley didn’t look one bit afraid of her threat, something Heather liked. She liked her more after the next statement. “I’m sorry; Heather is very bright, but I rarely get to see that, and never in the classroom. Every time she goes anywhere near the other students she panics, and usually ends up running home crying. I’m afraid the other students make fun of her for this, and that just makes her more scared of them. I’m not here to tell you your daughter can’t pass; I’m here to tell you her current predicament, and to offer my assistance if I can. I know that Heather likes animals; I’d like to bring her to my brother and sister-in-law’s farm after school. It’s very close to the school, and I think she’d find it a much better environment to learn in. We’ll still have to find a way to keep her in class, but I really think she’ll find herself not quite as afraid when she knows she’ll be going to see animals afterwards. What do you say? She’d only spend about an hour there, and I’d keep a close eye on her. I know she can learn; she’s got a brilliant mind, but she cares too much about what others think of her. I think being around animals will help, I really do.” Her mother thought quietly for a moment, then responded, “All right, but I want to know every week how she’s improving in school.” Ms. Daley smiled and said, “I know she’ll do better. Do you think I could bring her over today, to meet everyone, so she won’t be nervous on Monday? I could get her home around noon for lunch and chores?” Heather looked on in suspense; she wanted to meet the animals; she loved animals! Her mother finally said, “All right. In fact, she can stay there all day if she likes it there. Just get her home before dark.” She suddenly got a strange expression on her face and looked away. “I can’t pay you for the extra time with my daughter,” she stated with an embarrassed tone. Ms. Daley quickly replied, “Oh, it’s no problem. I’m a teacher because I love working with children, not because I want to get rich. I just want to help Heather.” Heather’s mother smiled and said “Thank you,” then turned toward Heather’s room to get her. She stopped when she saw the little girl with a huge grin on her face. She ran up to her mother and gave her a light hug, then took Ms. Daley’s hand and tugged on it in the direction of the door. Her last sight of her mother was of her enormous smile, and tears beginning to fall down her face.

A Story of Two Chickens chapter 1

2009-12-09T13:03:00.002-05:00

Chapter 1
“Brawk! Brawk! Chicken, chicken, chicken! Brawk! Braaawk, brawk, brawk, brawk! You’re nothing but a chicken! You never should have come out of your shell, little chicken! Ha, ha, ha, ha!” The taunts and jeers continued around six-year-old Heather Byrd as she ran from Ms. Daley’s kindergarten class, through the Elementary Hall, out the main doors of Farmertown School, and down the long dirt path to her home. Tears streamed down her face, dripping on her dress as she tried desperately to unlock the broken gate that blocked the entryway to her family’s farm. Finally she succeeded in unlatching the lock and stumbled through the gateway. She quickly picked herself up and, forgetting to close the gate behind her, ran to the crippled house a short distance away. Sobbing, she flung open the front door, ran past her mother to her bedroom and shut the door. Not stopping there, she opened her closet door and crawled inside, holding her knees close and rocking back and forth as she cried quietly. As her mother opened the door to her room Heather pulled her few dresses in front of her to cover her eyes, now red and swollen. She couldn’t bear to see her mother’s disappointment. But she couldn’t stop herself from hearing. Her mother’s footsteps made the child tense as she slowly approached the closet. Finally, she spoke, not even moving the clothes blocking Heather’s sight. “What happened this time, Heather?” The girl could hear the exasperation in her voice, and was afraid to speak. “Heather, I can’t do anything if you won’t talk to me. Tell me what’s wrong or you’re on your own this time. I mean it! I can’t keep hounding your teacher just to find out a kid called you chicken again.” Silence. “That’s it again, isn’t it? They made fun of you and you’re acting like they’re out to kill you. Well they’re not, so you can just stop being such a baby and come on out of there.” She dropped a box of tissues at Heather’s feet. “Now dry your eyes and come help me with chores. If you won’t be in school you might as well do your share of work on the farm.” She walked away and closed the door to the room, leaving Heather to continue crying in silence. She closed her eyes and tried to imagine a better life. Before she could think of anything, darkness closed in around her and she fell asleep.
When Heather opened her eyes she found herself curled up comfortably on the floor of her closet. Her face was now dry, but the winter coat she had been using as a pillow now had quite a large tearstain on it. Fortunately, it will dry, Heather thought to herself. Her mother would be furious if she ruined her winter coat. Heather slowly got up and carefully stretched, allowing her muscles to loosen up. As she reached her arms above her head, her stomach growled, and she realized she had eaten neither lunch nor dinner, and it was very dark outside. She tiptoed to the door, trying very hard not to make the rotting floorboards creak. She opened the door slowly, and continued to the kitchen. As she took out the milk carton to pour herself a drink, a hand came down forcefully on her shoulder, making her jump and drop the carton. The top popped off, spilling the milk all over the floor. She turned around quickly and, seeing her mother, dropped to the floor and curled up in a ball crying. Her mother reached down, grabbed her by her long, brown hair, and pulled her to her feet. She held her face up close to her daughter’s, and Heather could smell the alcohol on her breath. Her mother slapped her face, then pushed her back down to the floor and threw a towel at her. “Clean this mess up! Then get straight to bed!” She turned around, about to walk away, when she heard a whimper and a small voice say, “I’m hungry.” She replied with a scoff, “You should have come out of your room then when I told you to. If you had done your chores I would have given you dinner. But nooo, you wanted to stay in your room feeling sorry for yourself. Now you’ve spilled all the milk we had, you’ll have to waste water to clean it up and to wash the towel so it can be used for my bath in the morning. So get to work!” Snickering, she said, “And you can consider that milk your dinner. Lick it off the floor if you’re that hungry. If not, you can wait ‘til breakfast. I’m going to bed; you can do the same…after your chores. Good night!” She stumbled to her bedroom ad slammed the door shut. Heather cleaned up the milk, then washed the towel and hung it up to dry, working for the next hour. She dragged her feet as she walked to her bed, pulled herself into it without even bothering to undress, and pulled the covers over her face. As the air got warmer, she got sleepier, and she finally fell asleep again.

A Story of Two Chickens summary

2009-12-09T13:01:00.001-05:00

Summary
This is the story of two chickens who came together by pure coincidence, but whose lives were drastically influenced because of each other. I know what you’re thinking: how interesting can a story about two chickens be? Just wait, there’s plenty interesting about this story. One of these “chickens” was a young Autistic girl named Heather branded with the nickname because of her fear of the world around her. The other was a real chicken, named Helen as a chick, who ironically was afraid of nothing. Also ironically, she thought she was a little girl, a human girl, rather than a hen. And she showed it! Now then, I’ve told you enough to keep you curious I hope, but you’ll just have to read the story to find out the whole story about these two “chickens.” Enjoy!

Ch.2 of Queteya: Human at Heart

2009-12-05T18:18:00.001-05:00

Chapter 2-

Fourteen years later:
RouSky, a boy of seventeen years, hurried down the slope. His heart quickened as he got closer to the Tree of Sacrifice and the screaming grew louder. He ran faster, as fast as he could; he had to get there quickly. He knew the child had a very short time to live. Finally, minutes later, he reached the tree. Beneath it sat a boy, no more than three years old, covered in a heavy blanket. He cried loudly, hurting RouSky’s ears. RouSky removed the blanket, and the child stopped crying immediately. Looking up with wide eyes, he said with a quivering voice, “Where’s m-my mama and d-daddy?” RouSky replied, “You have a new family now.” He then lifted the boy gently, noticing a gash in the child’s side, bleeding heavily. He carried the boy up the mountain as quickly as he could without causing the little boy pain. Finally, stopping at the mouth of a cave, he asked the boy for his name. He responded shyly, “Abbolinn.”
“Ok, Abbolinn, I’m RouSky. We’re going inside the cave now, but there’s nothing for you to be afraid of.”
“Ok,” Abbolinn said sleepily. His eyes closed; he was very weak now from having lost so much blood. RouSky brought the sleeping child into the cave and down the long dark passage until they reached a door. It said NSBX-BUNKER 6. RouSky could read it, but he didn’t know what it meant. He opened the door, jarring the boy. Abbolinn stirred, but appeared to stay asleep.

RouSky opened the door and walked to a staircase that led into the lower level of Bunker 6. Before descending, he picked up a mask and placed it on Abbolinn’s mouth and nose. He stepped slowly down the steps into the water. He had to swim before his feet touched the floor. When he came to an entryway, he was forced to swim underwater, holding the boy’s mask firmly against his face. Abbolinn struggled slightly, revealing that he had been woken, making it difficult for RouSky to keep him from drowning. A few seconds later they were through the entryway leading to a large room, half underwater. RouSky lifted the boy out of the water so that he could get air. Abbolinn started crying as soon as he took a breath. He continued crying until RouSky brought him into a small chamber and laid him on a bed up out of the water. Abbolinn was suddenly curious about his surroundings. He saw many strange tools on a nearby table, and wondered what they were for. He was getting tired again, and started to fall asleep again when RouSky started a music box playing. Just before his eyes closed, he saw a man-sized creature unlike anything he’d ever seen before. When It entered the room, RouSky left quietly. Abbolinn was alone with the menacing monster as he drifted to sleep.

Ch.1 of Queteya: Human at Heart

2009-12-05T18:16:00.001-05:00

Chapter 1-

A baby's lonely wail filled the mountainside, sending shivers down every spine in QueteyaNasha's inhabitants. The island, cut off from the rest of the world, had some customs that most people in current times would call barbaric. The islanders call them necessary. This is one such custom.

Several hours before:
"Push! Push!" The nurse screamed at Shandrea. She was so tired, but she gave the child one last chance. The infant began shrieking the moment it felt air. Shandrea lay back, satisfied. "What is it?" she asked wearily. The nurse wrapped the child in a blanket and stated quietly, "It doesn't matter, it won't make it." Shandrea cried as she asked again, "What is it? I have to know!"
"It's a girl, alright!" the nurse snapped back. Shandrea quietly said, "I want to see her."
"I don't think that's wise. She has to go anyway, it'll only cause you pain."
"I WANT TO SEE HER!" Shandrea made it clear this time that it wasn't a question. She had lost every child born to her, two boys and three girls. Now a fourth girl was going to be given to Queteya. The nurse brought over the child, and it became instantly clear why she was to be sacrificed. The little girl's left leg was split in two, so that she actually had three legs, one normal size, two smaller and much more fragile. The nurse said, "It'll never be able to walk."
"She," the mother replied, "and her name is OvfEugia (meaning precious princess). "You shouldn't name it, you'll only get attached."
"I've been attached since I felt her kicking in my womb." To her baby that she gently cradled in her arm she said quietly, "I will never forget you, my little Ovf, I promise." She began to hum a lullaby. Minutes later, "It's time to let it go," the nurse interrupted. The mother looked at her child one last time, held her close, and said, "I love you." The nurse took OvfEugia outside, and Shandrea broke into tears. The one consolation she had was that she had her daughter's face imprinted in her memory, alongside her five brothers and sisters.

The nurse passed off the baby to the attendant waiting outside with the Safety Patrol. She then went back into the tent to tend to the grieving mother. The attendant began up the mountain with the Patrol. Hours later they reached their destination, a large tree made to be an alter of sorts, to sacrifice to Queteya, so that It would not hungrily storm into the village below, devouring anyone in reach. The attendant laid the baby in the grass under the tree. He then sang a sad song, the Song of Farewell that he sang for every weak or deformed child. He cried as he sang it, for he was a sensitive man. He remembered singing the song to his son only a few years before. He then covered the little girl so that she could not see her fate in advance. The attendant and Patrol then began down the mountain, leaving the baby alone. Her mother heard her sad wail, and sang the Song of Farewell until it stopped. All she could do then was sob quietly.

My Brother

2009-11-29T11:31:00.005-05:00

My little brother has decided to make his own blog. You know what he's decided to call it? "Ramblings of a Nutcase"!!! SOOO predictable! He's CRAZY! Not really, just pretends to be. He enjoys people looking at him weird, especially family. It drives me NUTS!!! UGH!!!

Why I love Voyager

2009-08-24T03:06:00.003-04:00

Many Trekkies that I know hate Voyager, mostly because of "Threshold." They wonder why I love it so much. I have many reasons, I'll just name a few.

First of all, I want to mention that it did not become my favorite series until the fourth season, when Seven of Nine came on board. Star Trek finally gave the Borg more character; they weren't just emotionless computers, they used to be people. I liked how they showed how the drones could be individuals again. They did that only slightly in The Next Generation with Hugh, but not enough in my opinion. They showed him more as a little puppy, always following his master; that seemed to be unrealistic. With Seven though, they gave her a personality. Over the years we saw it develop from that similar to a scared, lost dog (symbolic, not meant to be offensive) when she was first liberated, to a person who could understand emotion and friendship, along with loyalty and even love by the end of their journey. I thought that fit better, they weren't just out to destroy the Borg, now they wanted to help the individuals if they could, like they learned to do with the Borg children and the three drones Seven knew.

I also liked the role the children got the opportunity to play; they weren't just there, they were interacting and learning. We saw them grow. In TNG we only saw the growth of Wesley, and only a little. He didn't seem to change much until close to the end of his time on the Enterprise-D. And I didn't like what they did with him, becoming a Traveler and going who knows where.

One thing I didn't like about Voyager was how the writers kept forgetting about things. Like the Borg baby that came aboard with the four children. Where did she go? She was never mentioned again after her introduction episode. At least they could have mentioned her going with Azan, Rebi, and Mezoti or something. That would make sense, but they didn't say a thing about it! Anyway, that's my pet peave about Voyager.

I also remeber having a crush on Icheb when he was there (I was a kid when the series was running). I always thought he was a good example for teenagers; even when his life was in turmoil he never did anything really bad. And he was still kept mostly realistic, able to make mistakes (like in the first episode after the childrens' introduction) like a normal person.

I also identified with Seven of Nine. She had to learn about humor, friendship, love, loyalty, trust, etc. I always had problems with that stuff, but I'm learning, just like her.

So there're a few reasons I love Voyager. Just remember, every series has it's bad episode; but not everything was like "Threshold."

Hardy Boys Books Quiz #1 answers

2009-08-23T16:56:00.005-04:00

(highlight to reveal answers)
1. b
2. b
3. a
4. d
5. d
6. b
7. e (The Tower Treasure)
8. e (It is repainted in the series)
9. a (Laura Hardy)
10. c

Hardy Boys Books Quiz #1

2009-08-23T16:17:00.004-04:00

Here's the first quiz for the Hardy Boys hardcover book series.
1. Who from the following list is NOT from the Hardys' inner circle of friends?
a) Tony Prito
b) Ned Nickerson
c) Allen Hooper
d) Chet Morton
e) Phil Cohen

2. What color was Callie Shaw's hair?
a) brown
b) blond
c) red
d) reddish-blond
e) bleached

3. What color was Iola Morton's hair?
a) brown
b) blond
c) red
d) reddish-blond
e) bleached

4. What musical instrument did both of the Hardy boys play?
a) flute
b) trumpet
c) violin
d) guitar
e) piano

5. What was Chet Morton famous for?
a) His love of food
b) A new hobby for every book
c) His Jalopy
d) All of the above
e) None of the above (insert answer)

6. What was the name of Chet's Jalopy?
a) King
b) Queen
c) Prince
d) Princess
e) None of the above (insert answer)

7. What is the name of the first Hardy Boys book in the hardcover series?
a) The Secret Warning
b) The House on the Cliff
c) The Secret of the Caves
d)The Great Airport Mystery
e) None of the above (insert answer)

8. What color is Chet's Jalopy in the entire series?
a) red
b) blue
c) yellow
d) multi-colored design
e) None of the above (insert answer)

9. What name is NOT correct from the Hardy family? (please replace with correct name)
a) Linda Hardy
b) Fenton Hardy
c) Frank Hardy
d) Joe Hardy
e) Gertrude Hardy

10. What does Chet name the beagle he gets in the Clue of the Screeching Owl?
a) Sleuth
b) Spot
c) Mystery
d) Chet doesn't get a beagle in book 41
e) None of the names above (insert answer)

If you don't know the answers already, Happy Sleuthing!

My life

2009-08-23T15:35:00.003-04:00

Sometimes I will use my blog as a sort of Journal. Do not be afraid to comment about my posts, but please keep them reasonable. I don't mind being called stupid for something, but no cursing or swearing at me or anyone else. Especially since I would rather children not be blocked from my blog because of foul language. Some things here are meant mostly for them.

Quiz Answers

2009-08-23T15:17:00.003-04:00

I will be posting the answers to each quiz as I post the quiz. If you find evidence that my answer is incorrect please let me know with a comment. Please leave a quote and (if possible) its location. If it was a statement in a movie, just give as close a quote as possible and the movie (or series episode) it was in. If it was something seen, just briefly describe the scene and state what it was from. You don't have to be exact, but I will only change the answer in the quiz answers if I can verify it. If I cannot verify the comment but it seems plausible or is confusing multiple people I will simply remove the question from the quiz in a noted EDIT.
If you don't know at all where you got the information disputing my answers, do not be shy stating what you think is correct, even if you're not sure. I don't mind trying to look it up, and there may be others that will back you up. You may also comment if you have questions or just want to say something pertinent.

Many Many Mysteries!

2009-08-23T14:46:00.005-04:00

Soon, I will have multiple mystery posts. They will include, but not be limited to: Boxcar Children books, Hardy Boys books, Nancy Drew books, the Hardy Boys/ Nancy Drew tv series from 1978-79, the Nancy Drew movie from 2007, Nancy Drew computer games, and Cece Caruso books by Susan Kandel. All of the posts will be available to children visiting the site, so please, no profane or inappropriate comments.

Quizzes

2009-08-23T12:47:00.007-04:00

Starting hopefully next Saturday I will be posting short quizzes for a handful of topics. They will be multiple choice questions (probably 10-15). To participate in these quizzes to see how much you know about them, simply comment with the number and the lettered answers. However, if you have anything else to say, please put that in a separate comment so I don't get confused; you may comment as many times as you wish. Thank you. You can find the Quiz posts by clicking on the button to the left of the screen that says "Quizzes." This will take you directly to them. You may participate in as many quizzes as you'd like, and there will be no "due dates" unless I label one for prizes. I don't know yet whether or not I'll be doing mailed prizes, but I might. If I do, be assured they would be completely free for you. Check back any time next week or later to check out my quizzes!
By the way, there will be quiz answers posted the same day I post the quiz. You can find them by clicking on the "Quiz Answers" Button.

Star Trek coming soon!

2009-08-23T12:42:00.002-04:00

I don't have anything right now, but soon I will be having posts about some of the Star Trek movies and my favorite series, Star Trek: Voyager. Feel free to comment on them, but mention NOTHING about "Threshold."

Summary of Queteya: Human at Heart

2009-06-25T20:09:00.004-04:00

Queteya: Human at Heart
By Sarah Switzer

Summary: Every culture has its legends. So many involve a creature that torments the native people. Their fear of this horrifying monster creates customs and rituals set in place to appease it. No one among the entire community dares refuse. One such community is on an island in the Bermuda Triangle. The island is called QueteyaNasha. In the native language, that means “Island of the Beast”. To the United States Government, it's called NSBX. Naval Science Base X, X for dangerous secret. This secret holds the natives at their throats, forcing them to continue a custom that would sicken most humans. But it is the only way they know to protect themselves. They know that their beautiful island belongs to Queteya, the Beast, and they are always in morbid fear that It will act on Its ownership if they discontinue their sacrifices. What they fail to realize is that Queteya is not the beast they should fear.

A Poem by a Princess

2009-06-04T09:06:00.007-04:00

"A Poem by a Princess"

by Voyager Princess

Every day she sits in the tower,

hoping her prince will come rescue her,

and take her to his kingdom.

Every day she sits by the window,

hoping an eagle will come set her free,

and take her to her nest.

Every day she sits on her bed,

dreaming that she breaks through the doors,

escaping into a magnificent land.

Every day she sits at her desk, writing,

"My kingdom, my home,

and the land I once roamed

is in ruin, destroyed.

I want to leave, move somewhere safe,

but there's nowhere left to go,

and there's no one left to take me."

Every day, she rolls up her note, ties it to a balloon,

goes to the window, and sets it free,

hoping someone is in the skies to read it.

Every day she wonders if there is anyone

left alive even in a plane in the once breathable air

of the once beautiful Earth.

Every day, she hopes,

every night, she dreams,

But no one ever comes, and no one ever will.

Welcome!

2009-05-30T20:39:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my new blog! I know there isn't much now, but please try to stay awake. I'll add more soon. If you stick around, I think you'll really like my stories. My family thinks they're interesting (although they may just be humoring me). Just wait! I'll post again in a bit.