Lauren Grossman's Collection of Creative, Deep Writing

A Collection of Creative, Deep Writing

By: Lauren Grossman

Alphabet Soup

She can’t figure out the words, and they are all scrambled up.

She gets angry and feels like steam is coming through her brain

Her grades are lowering

And she feels helpless

Her anxiety is getting worse.

“I thought that’s what the word said,” she cries.

But on and on her face is red.

She feels scrambled up and confused.

Is dyslexia this hard? This confusing?

Being made fun of is the last thing she wants.

But not just dyslexia, but being made fun of and scared, is horrible.

She feels completely scrambled.

Just like Alphabet Soup.

My Balloon

My feelings felt like a balloon, that they would just stay for a little bit, then soon eventually sink, and flow away.

Well they did, because you hurt them.

I thought that my balloon was everlasting.

I thought you cared about my balloon.

I thought that my balloon did nothing wrong.

I thought all the comments you said about my lovely balloon, no matter if it was the color, or shape, or what it was like, was true.

My balloon feels like it’s popping

Popping and popping

It’s losing air!

I thought you could fill it back up!

Please, what did I do?

It’s losing more air

Someone save it, please?

I feel no one cares! Help because-
BOOM!

It popped.

The string is on the floor.

My balloon is dead.

Thrown in the trash.

Nowhere to be found

Why couldn’t you at least care?

Why did you have to do this?

Why did you have to pop my balloon.

And it’s not just my balloon, it’s my feelings, that are popped, into shreds, that are thrown into the trash.

And now I feel, I can’t get another balloon.

Because my balloon was popped, by you.

Thanks for that, really thanks.

Because who knows if I can ever get another balloon again?

It might just be popped, in shreds.

And I can’t go through having another balloon popped, AGAIN.

___________

There was a little girl named Blank. Blank had white hair as the paper, and it didn’t matter what she looked like. No one cared about her. It didn’t matter if she did this or that. What was the point of doing something? It’s like she was invisible. She was the nicest person to everyone, but they didn’t care. So here is Blank, walking in the hallway. There is nothing important of her. She’s just a girl. Why even have a name? She’s just Blank.

Miracles

Dear Tinkerbell,

Hi Tinkerbell, you are a fairy! You can fly, right? Can you do me a favor? Can you go fly up to heaven for me? My daddy is there.  I asked Mommy if we could go visit heaven, but she said no. She said he is better up there. I am so confused. Why can’t I visit my Daddy? I love him, and everytime at this day, we will go to the playground and he would push me on the swing. It’s nice out. It’s kind of chilly, but I think you can manage to come out. Tinkerbell, if you want me to lend you a coat, I can get you one of mine to borrow. It’s green, like what you wear. So it will match. When you go to heaven, can you ask my daddy to give me a visit? I never been to heaven before. What’s it like? Is it big? Is it fun? Is there a playground there? Maybe someone else can take me to heaven. Well, I did ask aunt, and she just cried. I think my daddy and her were brother and sisters. I have an older brother. He reads me stories of you every night. He said you were a nice person and can fly. So I thought you could do me a favor. My big brother doesn’t talk much. I guess he wants to visit daddy too. I asked him if he could take me, and he said there is no possibility. So, will you please go for me, Tinkerbell? There is no way for me to go. I tried so many ways. I tried dressing up like you, and maybe that would make me fly. I tried jumping up so high. I asked mommy if I could go on a plane and go there. She said no. Why is everyone so quiet and not helping me? Tinkberbell, did I do something wrong? Now the best part of my day is my big brother reading me your stories. It’d be cool if I could be in one of your stories. It’s like you make miracles happen. My brother told me what miracles were. That’s why I used a big word. You wouldn’t be mad at me, would you? Well, I think I said enough. Hopefully you can go to heaven. Hopefully I can go there. Thanks Tinkerbell. And, wait, tell daddy one more thing, to come home and I love him.

Love,

Tina, your biggest fan, because you can make miracles happen.

Opposite of Hero

Character Description: A teenager who has a father who overuses alcohol and drugs. She has hair tied up with sweatpants and t-shirt on. She is upset and carrying a suitcase, about to leave the house.

Setting: Living room with the air smelling of alcohol, near the door, about to leave.

Teenager:

Everyone can say that their Dad is a policemen or firefighter. Everyone can say their Dad is successful because they are a lawyer or doctor. Everyone but me can say their Dad is a hero. Want to know why? Because they aren’t such big alcoholics and drug users like you! Every night they get to say goodnight to their father with a kiss and a hug! But no, I have to wake up to you hung over on the couch, not even realizing who I am. I have to smell your horrible breath and see your bloodshot eyes. I have to cook food for myself because you’re all drowsy from all the pills. And I have no freaking mother because you were a horrible husband to her. We have no idea how she left because she wanted to get away from you. Do you see how hurt I am? My mother lied to be because she said she was just going to go out for errands. Well unless she has been in traffic for 6 months, or she was buying a whole load of crap, well I don’t think that it was just “errands.” She left her own daughter with a life of a living hell. I thought people’s dads are heroes to them. But no, mine is a bunch of garbage. I don’t care what you say. I have to walk into the door from school and not even get a “Hey, how’s school?” But no! I just get a snore and sit in my room all night doing nothing. I think you just don’t understand. And you’re just sitting there with no expression whatsoever. You’re oldest son doesn’t even visit you because he doesn’t want to be near you and he feels he has no father! Well, neither do I! Your son is only someone I have to talk to. But I can’t because he is at college. I can’t even talk to my own darn father! So go ahead and stuff your face with drinks and drugs because I am not going to help you. Everyone says their Dad is an awesome person, but mine, mine, I just want to throw them away. So I am leaving. And don’t stop me. No, go away. You only might care now because you’re not drinking or on drugs. I think I will go live with your brother, who does give a damn about you. But you won’t let anyone. You give excuses from everyone. Well you know, your brother is more of a dad then you are. Go ahead and try to stop me, because you NOT being a hero is never going to change. You’re the opposite of a hero. (Picks up suitcase, opens door, and leaves).

This is a collection of writings from poems to monologues. Hope you enjoy this! I am hoping to post 2 parts of my story soon if I can find the first part! This was my first big thing I had to do when it came to writing rough drafts in writing class. This expresses my emotions and some pieces are fictional. Enjoy the deep writing! (:

Lauren Grossman's Play-Adaptation from Fences by August Wilson

Lauren Grossman

4/11/12

Mr. Feldman

English 2 – Creative Project for Independent Reading

Fences; 11 Years Later

Character Description-Raynell, 11 years old later, 18 now. She has black hair with dark skinned, wearing a long white dress, carrying a baby.

Setting: Same place, outside of the house.

Scene 1

Yeah, this is my baby. She’s about 4 months old. She don’t know who her father is though.  All my life growing up, I didn’t know much about my Daddy. He died when I was 7 years old. 7 years old. My Mama took care of me. She’s dead now. I thought she was Mama. My...Mama. No, she not blood to me. Yeah, she was married to my Daddy, but he had me with some other woman,  my…(has trouble saying ‘real’) real, Mama. I never got to meet her. I grew up thinking my Mama Rose, was my real Mama. But no. (Baby does a little wince, Raynell looks down to the baby) Hush now, Rose, hush now.  Yup, her name is Rose. I named her after my Mama. She was good to me. She treated me well. There would be ups and downs, she raised me just like she would of raised my half brother, Cory. I liked Cory, he was good to me. Don’t know where he is now, but do I miss him! (Baby winces again) Rose, shhh. Rose doesn’t know her Daddy. It’s a shame, really is. I tried to tell her somethings, but to be honest, I don’t know much. I’m 18 now, and my Mama died 4 months ago. 4 months ago I dated this man. Mmm, he was the man I loved! His name was Myzeke. He would be the best man for me. I loved him. Hear that? Loved him. Loved. I wish he felt the same way about me. I met him when I was 16, at my job at Mr. Stawicki’s store. My brother worked there when he was a boy, and let me tell you, Mr. Stawicki aged! Anyways, this boy told me we were going to be together, never fall apart. He said I am gonna give birth to his kids and he gonna be right on my side giving that birth. Ha! He little liar. He left me, for some other woman, while I was carrying our baby. I do love this baby oh so much, and I am sure the back pain, mood swings, cravings, and all that were worth it. But what wasn’t worth it was how Rose doesn’t have a Daddy. Myzeke promised. My life was horrible, because 2 days before when I gave birth to this delight (looks down, smiling at Rose), my Mama died. Oh, I was so depressed. I honestly wanted to kill this baby. I know that’s a horrible thing to say, but it’s true. My Mama helped my head stand up. She was a good Mama. But she gone. She gone and would never come back. Mama was suppose to help me with Rose. I told Mama, oh you don’t have to, because she was very old and sick. But she insisted. She was there for everyone. Mama was a good woman. I hate how my Daddy hurt Mama, of how he cheated with my real Mama. Mama was going to help take care of this baby, ‘cause how could I take care of Rose all myself? Now this baby have no Daddy, Grandmother, or Grandfather. Who knows if she even has a Uncle Cory, too. Cory, he was a good man. Cory, my half brother, oh I remember when I was 7, and meeting him. He came from the Marines, he was all grown up. I remember talking to him, I’d always say hi, then he would respond hi. But he didn’t want to go to Daddy’s funeral. His relationship with Daddy, it didn’t seem that good. I felt bad for Cory, because as I can remember, I remember seeing Cory’s face, and he seemed hurt by Daddy. But Cory did go to Daddy’s funeral, in fact, he held my hand as we were at the funeral. Cory seemed like a good big half brother. I just wish I could see him more. I don’t know where he is now. No clue. (Looks around the house) Yup, this is Mama’s house. It feels creepy to be in here. But, I got to be brave for my baby. It’s only Rose and I. I am going to go through this. (looks through the window) Look at that fence. Mama told me Daddy built it. It’s pretty neat, huh? It kind of borders our house, ya know? I like it, it keeps my safe for my baby and I. I mean, what’s to be scared of? I’m in the same neighborhood, and we’re treated differently. Whites treat us well, I got a good job, and it pays enough to have Rose go to day care. Everything is working out. But why do I feel alone? Why do I feel…scared? Because it’s only my baby and I…I guess when I step away from her, I look at Rose and I don’t want her to go what I went through, her dating some idiot who promises he’ll stay forever, but really won’t and then you’re alone, scared. You’re only 18 damn years old and you have to be an adult ‘cause there’s a baby you got to take care of….and there’s no one else ‘round you to help. (Rose cries, and Raynell takes a deep breath, then starts singing, to calm her down, but also for old time sakes)

Hear it ring! Hear it ring! I had a dog his name was Blue.

You know Blue has a mighty true

You know Blue was a good old dog

Blue treed possum in a hallow log

You know from that he was a good old dog

Hear it ring! Hear it ring!

(Stops singing) I can’t go on, sorry baby.

Cory enters; wearing casual clothes, and has a Marines tattoo on his arm, in his mid-30’s.

CORY: I can! Blue treed a possum out on a limb.

Blue looked at me and I looked at him. Grabbed that possum and put him in a sack. Blue stayed there till I came back.

Old Blue’s feets was big and round

Never allowed a possum to touch the ground.

RAYNELL: (Face is all lit up, excited to see her big half brother) Cory!

They both give each other a touching moment in their eyes, smile, and they both sing together:

RAYNELL and CORY: Old Blue died and I dug his grave.

I dug his grave with a silver spade.

Let him down with a golden chain

And every night I call his name

Go on Blue, you good dog you

Go on Blue, you good dog you.

RAYNELL: Blue laid down and died like a man

Blue laid down and died…

RAYNELL and CORY: Now he’s treeing possums in the Promised Land

I’m gonna tell you this to let you know

Blue’s gone where the good dogs go

When I hear old Blue bark

When I hear old Blue bark

Blue treed a possum in Noah’s Ark.

Blue treed a possum in Noah’s Ark.

CORY: And that’s all we sung when we saw each other. When you was 7.

RAYNELL: And now I’m 18.

CORY: 18! My little sis! I haven’t seen you since!
RAYNELL: Yeah.

CORY: (Looks at Rose) And who’s this?

RAYNELL: Cory, I’d like you to meet your niece, Rose. Rose this is your Uncle Cory.

CORY: R-rose?

RAYNELL: Yup, after our Mama. She’s not alive Corey, sorry, though you knew that.

CORY: She…dead?

RAYNELL: (Takes a deep breath) Yes, she is.

CORY: Mama…dead? No, it can’t be no, no. How?

RAYNELL: She got sick and old, Cory. Breathe.

CORY: How did I not know about this?

RAYNELL: Cory, you’re my half brother, I haven’t seen you since I was 7. 7 damn years old. I didn’t know where you gone too after Dad’s funeral. But you said you’d be right back. And you wasn’t back.

CORY: Look, Raynell, I’m sorry. After Dad’s funeral, I needed to go somewhere to think, ya know? Being in the Marines was an experience that I will never forget, that I’m glad I got to see this experience, be apart of it. I needed to go off, and I was gonna come back. Then I met this woman, Adrianna. Phew, she was an amazing woman, I’ll tell you that. We started dating, havin’ a house of our own, and we just…loved each other. I mean, I never though of myself loving someone, it was like 11 years ago, I was just standing next to you, and then more years before that, I was just a kid wanting to play football, going through hardships here. Oh, look at this house, never changed. The fences got rusted, but it’s the house I grew up in.

RAYNELL: And what made you come back, Cory?
CORY: Well, I have a family of my own now, got a daughter, Amber, oh she make my life a great life. Adrianna and Amber taught me really what family was. I missed ya, you, Mama, I wanted to see the house ‘gain.

RAYNELL: I got a niece?

CORY: Sure do! I’ll bring her sometime.

RAYNELL: How’d  you know I was here?

CORY: I didn’t, but I wanted to see how this house was 11 years later. I wanted to see where you were.

RAYNELL: Right here, but what if I wasn’t here, what if I was somewhere else?

CORY: My whole life was looking for something, and finding you was apart of it. I was just gonna keep lookin’.

RAYNELL: (gives a smile) Well, glad ya did.

CORY: 18, why ain’t ya looking through magazines, calling up you friends, hanging with you friends, now ever since MLK, we are safe, our color doesn’t matter. Why aren’t ya bein’ 18, getting an education? You 18!

RAYNELL: Well, I met a guy, and things didn’t go well…

CORY: So Rose was a mistake?

RAYNELL: Cory, I’m 18, of course it was a mistake, but Rose is with me every single day. I love her. She’s like my security blanket.

CORY: I remember when Amber was born, it was a great moment.

RAYNELL: Yeah, I was on my own, didn’t have anyone with me takin’ care of Rose, but I tryin’.

CORY: And you don’t seem to be giving up. So you still living here?

RAYNELL: Yeah, took over the place since Mama died. Got some money from her, and that’s how it keepin’ me in shape. And I got a job and Rose goes to a day care.

CORY: I would love to have Rose come over!

RAYNELL: Where you live?

CORY: Downtown. Never went there as a kid, but boy do I love it!

RAYNELL: How in the world do you think I am gonna go downtown?

CORY: Or I can take Adrianna and Amber with me here. We’ll drive up. I still ‘member where everything is. Amber is 5, she’ll love Rose.

RAYNELL: Alright, I know my big brother can take care of her.

CORY: Can I hold her?

RAYNELL: Well-

CORY: You got to let go, you’ll be okay. I know Rose is what you have and she with you all the time. But I’m here now. You’re gonna be fine.

RAYNELL: Well, okay. (Slowly and gently hands Rose to CORY. CORY gently takes Rose in his hands, smilling)

CORY: She beautiful, got your eyes!

RAYNELL: Yeah.

CORY: Why you outside?

RAYNELL: Needed some air to think, ya know. I remember always coming out here with Mama.

CORY: Same with Dad. Playing baseball, working.

RAYNELL: Got a good job now?

CORY: (Hands Rose back to RAYNELL) Yeah, I am a news reporter for sports, including baseball!

RAYNELL: (Takes Rose) That’s great, Cory. (Pause) Want to go inside? It been awhile since you’ve been here.

Cory: Sure! Let’s go.

Raynell goes into the house, carrying Rose, and Cory follows them, closing the door behind him. Lights fade, blackout.

Scene 2

Raynell, Baby Rose, and Cory walk into the house.

RAYNELL: I’ll be right back, gonna put Rose down for a nap, want anything? There’s food in the fridge if you want to heat it up. Microwave’s over there.

CORY: You just like Mama.

RAYNELL: I guess that’s the way Mama raised me, just like her. I’ll be right back.

Raynell goes into the other room, with Baby Rose, while Cory is in the living room, looking around. He walks around the house, now in the kitchen, feeling a sad moment.

CORY: Mama raised Raynell the way she was, well, I’m ‘fraid to say that I am like my dad. (Sits down next on chair, near the kitchen table). I was havin’ such a great life, why am I ruinin’ it?

Raynell walks back from putting Baby Rose down for a nap, and she overhears Cory saying, “why am I ruinin’ it?”

RAYNELL: Corey, you in the kitchen?

CORY: Yeah, yeah.

RAYNELL: (Sits down on another chair, near Cory.) What ya ruined?

CORY:  What ya mean?

RAYNELL: I heard you, you said you was ruining something.

CORY: Don’t worry ‘bout it.

RAYNELL: You my big brother, now what’s going on?

CORY: And I’m lot older than you, so there’s nothing to worry ‘bout.

RAYNELL: Cory, I’m a teenager, I have a daughter, I feel much older. I don’t feel like a teenager at all.

Pause. Cory is looking around him, getting a little shaky.

RAYNELL: What’s wrong?

CORY: It’s just…it’s just creepy, you know? Being in this house. This was Pop and Mama’s house. But then Pop was dead. Now I find out little while ago Mama’s dead. Just weird.

RAYNELL: Yeah, I know, it is. But I got used to it. (Sees Cory’s face.) Cory, now I only met you once in my life, but I can tell that somethin’ is bothering you, so what is it?

CORY: I miss Mama. I miss her, Raynell. Who knew she was dead? Who knew she’d become dead? She was a strong woman, she was here for everyone. She was strong, still being with Pop. If I was Mama, I don’t think I would be able to handle it.

RAYNELL: Cory, I was 7 when Dad died, I don’t know him too much.

CORY: Our relationship was alright, I mean we would fight time to time, he would wuupp my ass, but I did love him. I loved Mama even more, she didn’t like when Dad would hurt me or something. But I lived life, went to the Marines, and I dated and married Adrianna.

RAYNELL: But why don’t you look thrilled? You said you loved Adrianna, that she was a good part of your life.

CORY: I did, I did, but Raynell, I never thought this, but, I turned into my dad.

RAYNELL: What do ya mean?

CORY: Raynell, you know how you learned the truth, that Alberta was your real mom?

RAYNELL: Yes…

CORY: Well, Dad cheated on her for Mama. That was how you was born. And I…

RAYNELL: Cory, you didn’t!

CORY: I did, Raynell. I hate myself for it. I cheated on Adrianna.

RAYNELL: (Stands up) Why? You were having such a wonderful life!

CORY: I know I was, but I don’t know. I guessed it just happened.

RAYNELL: Who did you cheat with?

CORY: This girl, Tyshanna.

RAYNELL: You love her?

CORY: I don’t know. I thought I knew what love was when I met Adrianna, but, I seem to-

RAYNELL: Don’t say you love this Tyshanna girl! You got a daughter, a house, is she gonna have to find out that hard way?

CORY: I know and the last thing I wanted to do was be my pop.

RAYNELL: Then you can stop it from happenin.’ You can dump this Tyshanna woman if you don’t want to end up like Dad. You can make the right decision here, Cory.

CORY: You sound just like Mama.

RAYNELL: (Sits back down) Well, she has been my mama most of my whole life.

CORY: You a teenager, Raynell, you need to have fun.

RAYNELL: You keep saying that. The last thing I feel is a teenager. Now, if you were to have a kid with this Tyshanna woman, do you want your son or daughter growing up, when he or she ain’t even ready to. (Looks at the direction where baby Rose’s room is).

CORY: Yeah, you right. Thanks, Raynell.

CORY: You welcome. (Looks around the house) Man, it’s creepy in here alone, with no Mama, but boy, do I miss this place!

RAYNELL: Welcome to come anytime. Bring the family if ya want.

CORY: Thanks.
RAYNELL: Want something to drink or eat? Just got to heat it up.

CORY: (Puts hand on RAYNELL’s hand) I’m going to keep saying this Raynell, but you just like Mama. You just like Mama.

Lights fade on RAYNELL and CORY smiling, giving each other a touching moment. They know they’re  going to get everything through it together, that everything is going to be okay.

End Scene

Writer's Statement-This is an adaptation of a scene I made years later from the play Fences by August Wilson. I really like the outcome of this and it seems to be like the play. 

I did want to add 2 parts of a story, but I can't find the first part of my story. I am going to find it soon and post it on my blog because I really want my readers to read it! It's a great story that came out! (: