A Knight and a Lady

Antique paper texture

I am a poet and short story writer who prefers fiction in the genre of fantasy. I like to focus on the topic of development over time in characters whether that be through heartbreak or other ways. Writing wasn’t always my favorite thing growing up, however, it changed around this year when I wanted to experience other art forms to express myself through. Poetry stuck out to me and ever since I've been writing poetry and coming up with stories about fictional characters. When I write poetry, I can properly tell my stories and express myself clearly by using the right word choice, which is why I enjoy it so much. I also love all different forms of art which include music, dance, and etc. However, I am a big music enthusiast, I’ve played drums for a number of years and I'm now learning the piano. I am a rising senior at Capital Prep where I am a member of our baseball and snowboarding teams. I’ve been on the snowboarding team for 3, almost 4 years and I’m planning on being the captain this year. I like to spend my time usually playing video games and talking on the phone with friends. Occasionally, you might actually catch me preparing for the sports season. I love listening to music while I do anything, I'm usually listening to bedroom pop, indie music, and occasionally j-pop. In the future, I would like to be an engineer, but in my spare time, I would like to continue writing novels and poetry.

My Letter to You You and I do not belong together. You’re the moon And I’m a meteor Far in the distance That must collide&nbsp; With you at all costs The disposition&nbsp; Between our lifestyles Must never allow us To have a proper connection The exchanged words&nbsp; Of love were genuine Which is why I must leave I’m only hurting you Why can’t you see that?

My World&nbsp; The moon revolves&nbsp; Around the earth She was the earth I mirror the sun During her darkest moments To give her a light&nbsp; During the darkness I’m always there for you But where did you go? Did I scare you off When I took meteorites&nbsp; For your sake? Was it when my course intersected With the sun and caused&nbsp; An odd shadow? Like how the moon turns In the sky I was just a phase And now you have a new moon

My Burden&nbsp;

Resting in my arms, his left hand grasping onto my biceps, he hoped to receive the thought and warmth from another human. I’ll give you the thought, I’ll share my warmth. We’ll make it out together. I look into his eyes, his eyes, tranquil despite the rain, interlocked with mine. Muddied with the dirt underneath us he raised his right arm, reaching out to the sky as if god outstretched his hand to his aid. “Tell my mother,” He said weakly, “I’ve fought my hardest like you always told me to. I’m sorry I let you down”.&nbsp; “No, no, no..” I replied, “You can’t give up! Not here!”. The thunder seemed almost deafening. His hand passively lost its grip. I held onto it. “I won’t let you give up.” It felt as if I was staring into his soul, tainted with grief. His eyes began to tear, and before he lost all his strength, he said “Thank you for being here for me.”.

As I watched the life recede from his somber eyes I started to realize, I killed a man. It was because I was too foolish and rushed a decision, I sacrificed him and now I must pay the price. I stand up and carry the man on my back. The mud underneath my boots grasped onto my foot each step, wanting me to feel the weight of my crime. The sky shed tears for his loss and the thunder an ensemble for him at the gates of heaven. This is my burden; a burden I've created for myself. I keep trekking along, my feet beginning to drag. The mud lets up as it begins to transition into grass. The grass is wet with the tears from my ancestors, their cries bouncing off of the surface and onto my legs and boots. The mud from the dirt is being transferred to such a beautiful pasture and I can only think to apologize. The pasture stretches up and over a large hill, I have to keep moving so I can return to the village and give this man a proper burial.

My head is spinning yet I am unaware of the cause. Whenever I stay still, I feel at peace so I decided to rest in my bed for today. Enveloped in the sheets I felt cold, I was desperate for warmth. The cicada sounds from outside is a siren drawing my ship nearer to oblivion; however I fall for its temptations. I must go outside today; today is the day of the knights’ return!&nbsp; My mission to go and see our heroes return is quickly met with an obstacle; the journey. I hoist myself out of bed, struggling to stay upright. My feet met with the wooden floorboards, creaking as I put more weight on it. This was my first time sitting up in a while, I haven’t eaten, nor have I washed my clothes in days. How could I let myself become this mess?

What was it that I needed to do again? There was something that stopped me from becoming this mess, what was it again? My memory is hazy. I ramble out of my room, hoping to stumble across something to jolt my memory. With my hand against the wall, I drag myself through the hall. I’ve made it to the living room. This room was an antique, lost with the passing of time. A small dresser rested in the corner of the room, abandoned, just like the rest of the room. Memories flashed into my mind, my medication. I run over to the drawer and pull on the handle frantically. I need my medication so I can be all better! Afterwards, I can see the.. The… The knights! As I prepared myself for the first time in days I realized how lonely being in this house all by myself could be. I want a partner to stay with me, to help me remember everything! Maybe I can bring a knight home.

Oh, fly who’s so high in the sky,&nbsp; I dare say that I envy you, What do you see? Is it the swaying green grass? Accentuated by the clusters of flowers Was it the singing of the birds From the bench where we made eye contact from afar? Or was it me? While watching your gracefulness from so far away I desired to be like you, Your smile radiated success and security. My fading memory My wavering condition I have no hope for the future We’re almost nothing alike you and I. What is it that you see in me? Your perspective is foreign to me You admire me&nbsp; But what is it that I offer I adore you But I can’t see what you see So high in the sky

Each step during the incline increases the weight of my misdeed. I have to keep moving. My foothold is constantly wavering, I push on. The rain and headwind make it hard to see however I keep moving. I reach the top of the hill and as if the gods had decided to give me a break, the rain lets up and the wind calms.&nbsp; A valley; full of Yarrow reveals its beauty to me. My eyes widened as a thought clicked inside my head, I must bury him here. This valley was a valley of healing, he deserves such a beautiful burial ground. I rest the man at the base of the hill and begin digging in a part with fewer flowers. My hands bruise and begin to bleed but I have to keep moving. If I stop, I might never pick it up again. I look over my shoulder to look at the man, checking as if he would magically come back to life. The bandage I wrapped around his wound, stained red, began to fall. However, as I scanned upward, I noticed something I hadn’t before. The man’s face was lit with a small smile.&nbsp; I will never lose someone I care about again. No matter what.

&nbsp;Sue &amp; Candace

No words were spoken, the only sound in the air was the crunching of the leaves underneath the hooves of my horse. She tugs on the chainmail of my armor, her clutches latch onto my harp-heart playing a song of love.&nbsp; I want to protect her. Forever.

TWO That man keeps coming to my house every day. He constantly takes care of me. I’m unsure of how he got here but he believes we’re great pals of some sort. Oh yes! I remember he was a man I met in town a while ago! I don’t know why he’s trying so hard, doesn’t he know I’m going to die soon? If this keeps up his poor little heart will be broken. Today he came in a full set of armor, glistening in the sun’s reflective light. He walks over to the couch he rested me on. He seemed worried, I'm not sure why he seemed so worried but I do recollect him saying something about a mission he'll be gone for a while. He says something before he leaves that I manage to make out.

“I love you even if you can't remember who I am.” He walks out the door and climbs atop his stead. It all clicked in my head at that point; I was this man's partner, and I forgot about him. He doesn't deserve this ending with my impending death, my social status, everything. It would be better if I had just left. I haven't made many big decisions for myself, but I believe this is the right one. If I leave him now, without him knowing where I've gone, I can die in peace, knowing that he will never cry again.

She Gave Up Why did you give up? Was it because of the&nbsp; distance between us? The distance that you’ve created? You’re running away&nbsp; From our future That we were destined to have. My future. What are were you hiding? Your gaze always tracked The cracks in the walls, Your arms always hugged yourself In bed.&nbsp; As if you’re Protecting yourself from The piercing stares of others.

You told me That this is normal To silence me Why won’t you tell me everything? If you had shown me your darkness Even if it Stretches across mountains Fills all the oceans I would’ve accepted it all

ONE Atop of my stead that I found on my way home from the battlefield, I break through the worrisome crowd. Their questions echo into my soul tugging on my nerves. “How could you let your entire squadron die to one beast?!” Their question lingers in my mind. I wonder why I was the only one to survive. Why did I have to deal with this? It would’ve been better if I had died as well on the battlefield. My horse’s hooves are silent in the pandemonium of the enraged townspeople. Families crying as they lost their loved ones, none are glad to see my return. But one faint voice provides a sanction to my ears.&nbsp;

“You’re beating on a dead horse, this man has fought and tried his best yet all you see are the mishaps that occurred?” The voice came from a woman, barely conscious on a bench. I wondered how she had even had enough strength in her voice to advocate and yell over everyone. That woman had given me a light in my darkness and I shall repay her.&nbsp; “Are you okay?” I say after sliding off my horse. The crowd separates, creating an aisle that leads to promise. “You don’t look too well.” “Ah yes,” she answers, “I’m a bit.. tired I think I need my…” she pauses and seems to be trying to recall something in the far past. “Medication.”. “I’ll take you.” I assist her in getting up and carry her atop of my horse. I didn’t realize it until she was up close but she seemed thin, almost anorexic. Her breath seemed weak and I felt nothing but sympathy. Whatever is impeding on her breathing and memory, I’ll help her. I won’t let her die as I did with my entire squadron. She directs me to her home by pointing with her finger.

I walk over to the kitchen, my finger tracing the borders where the wall meets the floor from a distance. I grab a dusty old woven basket and place an apple inside, followed by a banana. Moving on, I get to take a bath and brush up my hair then I am on my way. I cannot help but feel a spark of joy illuminating my once empty husk. The light reaches my feet, allowing me to skip down the dirt road; unsure of where it would lead, maybe it was the town? I follow the path, while my long flowing brunette hair seems to want to follow the breeze. I’m a bit tired and my head begins to get dizzy again. Why must this happen when everything was going so well? What did I do to receive this burden of dizziness? I continue walking, slightly discombobulated from my weakness. However, this is my first time outside of the house in days. I want to make the most of it and see the knights return!&nbsp; I reached the town, dazed at how spectacular it looked; it was bustling with life!

Vendors parked parallel and adjacent to one another, taverns filled with customers laughing and having a nice time. Then there was a crowd in the far distance near the end of the main street. They seemed to be awaiting the arrival of the knights as well! However, I don’t think I'll make it there. My feet began to drag and the apple inside my basket seemed to gain weight. I found a bench on the side of the road and decided that would be a good spot to take a break. The thought of a break was a dream come true after that heinous journey, but yet I felt weak and just as tired as before. I wish just somebody; anybody, would come and help. Then there he was.

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