Writer's Spotlight: Brianna Smith

WRITER'S SPOTLIGHT
featuring
BRIANNA SMITH

Brianna Smith is a senior and a member of the Literary Magazine.  The following is from her Portfolio for Ms. Sarina Kledzik's Creative Writing Class.  Brianna has written four types of poems:  a narrative, a sonnet, a tanka, and an ode.  Thank you to both Brianna and Ms. K!

Narrative

The Newly Broken
The small forest of trees cast

dark shadows on the brick

house, settled at the top of

a hill. I walk out, the cool air

brushing my sinfully dry cheek,

crickets sounding as I step on the porch.

I stand, bangs and short

choppy hair framing my face.

I have no tears, no trembling,

just dread that tugs on my

heart. I was numb at this point.

I was plucked out of school

during science, hearing my

name and freezing because

I knew. I knew it had happened

as I rushed up, lanyard aggressively

tugging on my neck as I

went. With a glance at my

mother I knew.

Standing on the porch, I see

my car. I had rushed in and

waited. Waiting. After an

hour or so, the door opens.

The date and time is announced.

It smelled of… something.

Of cells breaking down.

Of a painful grip.

A last breath.

I did not cry.

My cousins and their parents

came out, telling me it is time

to go. I walk the same

pavement as the hearse. I

leave, and I never return

welcomed again as my

Grandpa drinks his gin.

Sonnet
Dragon

To be in love is not like others defined

You don’t simply fall into it and live happily

It is a complex piece of artwork that is all intertwined

Although sometimes it can unfold and be quite silly

It can be a fire breathing dragon with deep red eyes

Or cool and turn warm, wrapping around us

This love can lead us to failure and demise

Leaving me fallen like I've been hit by a bus

But it can be completely pure and sweet

First glances and secret kisses

Feelings making me giggle and curl the toes on my feet

Swinging hands as we walk over bridges

Love is a dragon, a fierce, intimidating thing

But once it is conquered you show it proudly like a beloved ring

Tanka
Ariel

Rattles and small toes

Teeth coming in like mountains

Wide eyes- bright smiles

Chubby cheeks and tiny curls

No cares in the world

Ode

Ode to New York

O New York, your bright and shining lights

Glistening blindingly, but only seen in photographs or online

But despite the barrier between us

I always feel hope from them

O New York, seen by young foolish eyes

Taking lust for love and love for granted

Seeing something that was once pure turning agonizingly stale

But the experience keeps me soaring

O New York, to dream of touching your buildings

Speaking in your tongue

Finding the other half of my heart

It keeps me dreaming

It keeps me believing