Baby Red Pandas This is actually a project I am working on for my developmental psychology class wherein we have to write a children's story depicting characters in non-gender stereotypical roles. My group-mates decided to use red pandas because they are freaking adorable, and this is the story we made for them. In the forests of China, in a time long ago, Way up in the mountains all covered in snow Lived a kind pair of pandas, their fur mostly red With long streaks of white from their feet to their head. They squeaked and they chattered and their whiskers went round As they played all alone in their forest playground. One was named Sally, and she loved to climb trees And swing on the vines like a circus trapeze. She liked breaking her toys just to fix them again And rolling in mud till her fur stood on end. But best in the world, Sally loved most of all A good rousing game of tackle football. Her little friend Earl was a much calmer child. He liked to dress up with his dolls for ballet Or just sit and read for hours each day. But Earl’s best game, it’s quite plain to see Was having a party with cookies and tea. On a warm summer day, while having tea with his dolls A ball fell from the sky and smacked Earl’s paws. He put down his cup and he lifted his head And there he saw Sally, and then Sally said, “Hey friend, that’s my ball. Can you throw it to me?” So Earl said “Sure”, but his throw was too weak. As the ball fell back down, Sally said “Come and play, I can teach you to throw and we’ll practice all day!” So Sally showed Earl how to tackle and pass, By the time they were done, they were covered in grass. After the game, Earl said with a grin “Now Sally, we dance! Let the music begin!” He spun and he jumped and twirled and leaped But Sally just sat there, and shuffled her feet. Sally said “Earl, that looks like great fun, But I don’t know a single dance move; not one!” So Earl showed Sally some of his favorite moves, Dances for waltz or rhythm-and-blues. After the dance, Sally said “Let’s go eat, We’ll go out in the woods and we’ll find something sweet! I can teach you to find the good berries and nuts, Then I’ll build a fire to warm our bear butts. I’ll gather some honey, c’mon, this is great!” So Sally and Earl went out and they ate. After their feast, with their fingers licked clean. Sally said “Now I’m thirsty”, but no water was seen. “I’ve got this” Earl said, “now you come with me, We’ll go back to my house and I’ll make us some tea. We’ll have cookies and cakes, and a tiny tea cup And I’ll teach to drink with your pinky turned-up”. And after that day, both the pandas were friends And they danced and played football again and again.

Ancient Sisters Wisdom came with subtle speech and Folly came with lies Each with scenes of splendor in the mirrors of their eyes, Wisdom's eyes were soft and green Folly's sharp and blue Wisdom spoke in words serene While Folly screamed at you. Both had taken human form, each unto her preference Folly fast and quick to mock, Wisdom slow and reverent, Each went out into the Earth Each to make a stand Folly went for her own mirth Wisdom went for Man. Folly came into the homes and tents of ancient men Bringing war and wine to push them out of ancient Eden, Thus Man went out of Eden fair To sweat and then to die Yet Folly's wiles had them ensnared Thus Man forgot to cry. So Wisdom worked her subtle tongue to bring Man sweet relief Bringing thought and hope to Man, to kindle their belief And Wisdom taught her ways to some Whom Man then labeled Sages Who sung of times when Man could run Throughout the passing ages. Yet Folly's flock grew ever on, for her's was sweet and loud They preached the Gospel of Self aloud to every gathered crowd So Mankind grew, and then it slew Itself, in cruel disaster For Folly taught, so Mankind knew, That each was their own master. And Wisdom walked among the ruins of burned and battered towns And saw her ancient sister there, among the bloody mounds And Wisdom sadly walked away While Folly laughed and twirled For Man itself had ceased to be Upon this empty world.

Seasons A little love #poem, for no particular reason. Feel, my love, the cold wind blow Look upon the winter snow Look upon the frost below And feel my love, as the cold winds blow. See, my love, the growth of spring Watch the newborn birds take wing Watch the songbirds as they sing And see my love as it grows in spring Burn, my love, with summer's blaze Find yourself in evening's haze Find yourself within my gaze And burn my love with the summer's blaze. Hold, my love; please hold me near Here, in autumn held so dear Here, in autumn we see clear Hold my love; and I'll hold you near. If winter winds should blow on we Or starlit springs are all to see The summer sun, or autumn's breeze My love, my love, come love with me.

Questions. Sort of a depressing one. It wasn't meant to be that way, but that's what happens when you write poetry right before a physics exam. What, my soul, have we become and What great tasks we've left undone and Why, my mind, do you lie fallow and Why does knowledge seem so shallow? Do you still feel holy rage or Do you curse what's put to page or Can you cry for dreams deferred or Can you fix the flightless bird? When, my love, did you depart and When can I refresh, restart and How can I begin anew and How can I be me, not you? Do you know that I still bleed or Do you care what sights I've seen or Must I live without your grace or Must I die to see your face? What, My God, have I become, Never blessed to see the one, Nevermore to see the sun, My God, My God, what have I done?

History A brief look at humanity Take this rib and take this breath God's granted you the gift of flesh But comes the snake and comes the lie And now we work and sweat and die Take this milk and take my sleep I pray the Lord your soul to keep But come the dawn and come the day Then you must leave and go your way Take these books to take this test Prove that you're above the rest But comes your #life and comes your pain To send you running home again Take this gun and take this knife Go out there and take a #life But comes the law and comes the guilt The Mark of Cain to show you've killed Take this plank and take this nail Build a ship and make it sail But comes the wind and comes the sun Soon your sailing days are done Take my hope and take my dream Take all the things I've ever been But comes the time to come for me I'll be the last thing that you see.