Jarmin 1

Jaime Jarmin

Eunice Johnston

English 167

19 Oct. 2010

Assignment 3: Creative Writing

Poem

Calling

Standing there, exposed to all,

Everyone waits to see you fall
Into the madness they call life,
You see inside their hidden strife.

Just let loose, pull the plug,

Don’t ignore this heavy tug.
They’re hurting inside, don’t you see?
Speak, they’ll listen eventually.

Flash Fiction Essay

Cold Sweat

When my family had announced that they wanted to go on a cruise, I could barely
contain myself. I immediately started daydreaming about the wonders the enormous ship had to
offer, not to mention the beautiful and exotic islands we would soon be able to explore.
Eventually, the time came when all of my expectations would be met as I crawled aboard the
gleaming ship. I was among other ecstatic passengers who had been sharing the same daydreams
I had been having, probably just I did while staring at a whirlwind of snow drifting outside my
window back home.
After the first meal aboard the ship had concluded, the passengers were enjoying
themselves while taking in the ocean’s magnificent beauty and watching the sun set over the
orange horizon. I had overheard some of the ladies in the bathroom complain of stomach cramps,
which was ironic because my parents had been feeling the same symptoms a few hours after
supper was over with as well. I on the other hand felt fine and really only had adventure on the
brain.
The moment I realized that this “stomach cramp” wasn’t just a coincidence was the
moment I witnessed other passengers, including the employees of the ship, were having their
skin turn a mixture of purple and green. Then, at once, they all began to utter noises that were
unnatural for a human. I became immediately disturbed when I realized they were then, all at
once, staring at me as though I was a piece of meat, salivating from the corners of their mouths. I
 Jarmin 2

started backing up cautiously hoping to be rescued by my only source of protection on the ship,
my parents, but as I was doing so I was seized by a strong grip on both of my shoulders from
BEEP! behind. As I turned my head slowly around BEEP BEEP! to catch a glimpse of the thing
that was grasping me forcefully, I was alarmed to see that it was indeed BEEP BEEP BEEP
BEEP!…
As I sprang forward, I wiped the sweat from my brow and began to throw the covers off
of my body which was overcome by a cold sweat. The clock said 6AM, which meant it was time
to start packing for my cruise with the family. I looked out the window and noticed how the
snow danced across my window pane, and circled around the roof like a glittering tornado.

Flash Nonfiction Essay

Reminder

When I start to feel sorry for myself, I am reminded of Matthew. When I don’t want to
run that extra mile, I am reminded of Matthew. When my fears want to take over my courage, I
am reminded of Matthew. When I want to give into these things, I am reminded of Matthew,
who suffers from autism. Actually, he doesn’t suffer from autism, he conquers autism.
Matthew has been faithfully attending Badlands Ministries bible camp for many years
now, and when he had turned thirteen he had the chance to attempt the high ropes course that the
camp offers. Although he was not physically capable to climb the course right away, he always
carried the determination of one day attempting it. Matthew continued to cheer on his peers as
they climbed nearly forty feet in the air, while he remained unable to climb along with them.
Through all of this he kept an optimistic attitude, and continued to believe in himself that he
would one day reach this goal.
Matthew’s muscles aren’t very strong, and his coordination isn’t as sharp as most other
teenage boys his age, but that doesn’t slow him down. In fact, these qualities cause him to have
an advantage of striving to meet the goals he has set for himself even more strongly, like the high
ropes course at camp.
The year came when Matthew was finally given the “okay” to climb the course, and he
did so in a way that would inspire any person, no matter what their disability or setback, to
achieve their goals. He climbed with carefulness the forty feet with his partner Adam, while
having to trusting him, himself, and also God to bring him through the course stronger than when
he had first started. His determination was able to bring everyone who was watching him to tears
as he glided down the last element of the course: the zip-line. Matthew not only attempted the
high ropes course, he completed it.
Hearing everyone’s heartfelt cheers and seeing their tear-filled eyes brought about a
change within my heart and the hearts of those around me. By witnessing how one teenage boy
with autism can overcome the adversity and fears that he faced, he reminds those around him
that they too can conquer the things that hold them back.
 Jarmin 3

Six-Word Short Story

In twenty years, will it matter?

Six-Word Memoir

I will wait for the best.