This week I will be writing about three experiences that were very special to me. They have helped me shape the road I have traveled on and the person I have become. There have been a lot of moments to choose from, some more embarrassing or entertaining than others but these ones are some of the most important events in my life.
The first time I ever left home without any of my family members was in 2013. One of my best friends, Anthony, moved down to North Carolina and he had been there already for about seven to eight months. His brother (also named James) was going to visit family and offered for me to tag along knowing I had been missing Ant. I was nineteen at the time but my mom was still making a big deal about me leaving even though I would be with friends. It was nice to go somewhere without being tied to someone else. We planned to stay a week and it took us about eight hours to drive there. It was disgustingly hot all week but I was so happy to see my friend who is like a brother to me. It turns out that his brother was also going as a messenger/ride for Ant. His dad offered for him to come back to Massachusetts and attend trade school that he would pay for. I spent all week talking to Ant about the pros and cons. His biggest worry is where he was going to stay. I immediately called my mom and asked if she would be okay if he stayed for a bit. She welcomed him with open arms. So we headed back home and he lived with us for about a year. We would fight sometimes but it was awesome living with my best friend. It was interesting being away from home by myself for the first time.
I have only been to two funerals in my life: my grandfather on my dad's side and my dad himself. At my grandfathers I was still pretty young and I can't really remember the whole thing, just bits and pieces. I just remember being confused at the whole thing. I understood (for the most part) that my granddad was no longer with us but I was confused at why were we all wearing black, why is he in a box going into the ground and etc. My father's funeral was this year and it was a really tough time. He was named James also so it's kinda weird seeing rest in peace James Gates. The weird thing was how much easier it was than the first funeral. I'm older now and know what to do and can process what's going on. The experience has made me appreciate life more and the time we had with it. My dad didn't use his time to the best of his advantage but I will try with mine.
When I was in a senior in high school my mom surprised us with a vacation to London. She was going for work but me and my sister were able to stay in her hotel room so all we had to do was pay for our flights. It was the first time I had ever been out of the United States and it was an amazing trip. We went in December so it was very cold and there was A LOT of snow but it made everything look even better. All the architecture looked so beautiful and there was just so much to see. I never really thought about life outside of my four walls, my state or even my country but life over there was just so pleasant. The British accent sounded amazing from beautiful women and awful from angry old men but I had an amazing time. I really enjoyed seeing the other cultures and meeting so many people, it's kinda depressing knowing that I will probably never see a lot of them again. It felt like a different planet but it was all just across some water. I can't wait to go back and see it all again.
Unload
Time to clock in
is it time to clock out?
stuck in this building
about to punch myself in the mouth.
This place is always the same,
nothing will change.
Open up the truck and take out the crap.
Grab all the boxes and make a nice stack.
Here comes the boss
he's another pep talk.
Half listening
wish I could just block.
Here comes the heavy stuff
and there goes my back
I really hate this place
and that's just a fact.
After one year I can get a raise
it's a nickel and now I'm confused and dazed.
Time to leave and start anew,
get my life on track and go to school.
James,
ReplyDeleteGreat stories! You've certainly got some great story telling skills. From a road trip, to the deaths in your life, to an eyes widening trip abroad. All of your stories are entertaining, but more importantly, you craft them around a thesis and tone of greater understanding and perspective. Great work.
Your story about your grandfather passing away, and the tombstone having your name, is very interesting. What a moment in time!
I'm glad to see that you selected three stories that seemed to be "wake up calls" of sorts for your life. Even a trip can have a profound affect on the spirit... at the very least, we just what life can be like somewhere else. I just had a similar experience in Portugal. It was mind-expanding, heart warming, and it revived my own motivation to create unforeseen changes.
Your poem is very good - solid and literal. Writing about work can surely conjure up some anger. Good rhymes - there's only one line that's off meter... the confused and dazed line... it's just a little too long. Maybe you could edit it to somehow fit.
One suggestion: I'd like to see you get more wild in your poems. You've got the literal stuff down... think about being more abstract. See if you can use some metaphors, make some strange comparisons, draw in some unpredictable imagery. One way to do this is to free write. Just see what comes out when you let it flow, unrestrained. Free write. Then, toss away the junk, but keep the gold. You'll likely be surprised at what will come out when the language starts to lead the mind.
GR: 94