When Soil Sparks

In a world where pixels paint the sky

Where children's dreams lie

I shape the world, the future, the beating drum

Youth's dreams yet to come

I am the code, the light and understand every breed

The answer to human need

I am the cloud and the stream

The life of your digital dream.

In the playground where children run free

Where there is so much happiness and glee

But problems of socialisation start to arise

Their phones and gadgets are their main prize. 

A group of teens, their heads bent low

When their gadgets start to glow

Fingers scroll their eyes grip tight

A girl with a ball runs towards the light

Look up and wide

There is a whole world waiting outside

Looking back to move forward

          

            The future’s bright, a world untold,
            A canvas waiting to unfold.

            The future calls with open hands,

            A place where hope and courage stand.

           

           But then there is a voice - a soft murmur.

           "why must you waste your time reflecting on the past

            When you can change the future

            Make memories last."

           

         The past is done

         We can learn from it and move on.

         Don't sludge and grumble you will receive none.

         Or else possibilities may be gone.

        

        While the future may be great

        Others rely on fate

        Dark gloomy memories appear

        For the consequences, I fear

        In memories, we find the light,

        That guides us through the darkest night.
        The lessons learned from days gone by,
        Help us to reach and aim so high.

        Each step we've taken, joy or pain,
        Shapes the path we walk again.

        The past is like a gentle breeze,

        That whispers truths with quiet ease.

        

          

THE OCEAN OF MANY FACES (part 2)

           She caught my gaze momentarily, then swiftly turned her head, as if my presence unsettled her. I consciously chose to ignore the distraction and settled into the first available seat I found at the back. Unfortunately, the seat in question was neglected, forgotten and overlooked for many years, its once vibrant colours now faded and its surface was worn and dusty, gathering dust and memories of a time it was once cherished.

   A teacher wearing a dark green vest entered the classroom, her expression a blend of concern and determination. With a sharp smack of a wooden ruler against her palm, she gained the attention of her students. 

    “Get your notebooks out, it's time for a test.” she declared, her voice steady. 

   As murmurs of dissatisfaction filled the room, the teacher raised her ruler and brought it down forcefully on her desk. The sharp sound cut through the chatter, bringing the class to an abrupt silence, commanding their attention. With a swift motion, she approached the board and began to write the questions, her handwriting a hasty mix of curves and sharp angles as everyone tried to make sense of it.

    She walked around the classroom as she spoke. "Now, there will be no cheating, no whispering, and certainly no—" She stopped abruptly when she noticed me. She inhaled sharply.

    "Oh, it seems we have a new student. Please stand up and state your name and where you are coming from," she said reluctantly, attempting to sound welcoming while rolling her eyes.

    I stood up while stuttering my name "Jen...Jenna."

"Speak up no one can her you," Leah screamed.

What was she doing?

    

THE OCEAN OF MANY FACES (part 1)

       Chilled fingers gripped my trembling shoulders, the mist swirling around me like a ghostly shroud as I slipped into the shadows, determined to escape. I sprinted, my heart racing as I searched for a place to conceal myself, while the fog enveloped my trembling form. I was struck by a sudden wave of stillness as if time had come to a halt...

        

        A few moments later, I found myself jolting out of bed, my heart pounding as if it could sense my anxiety. For some unexplainable reason, an unshakeable feeling washed over me, making me genuinely believe that what I was dreaming was, in fact, true. As I stared at the looming stack of schoolwork, my bag teetered on the table's edge and then crashed to the floor, as I braced myself for the demanding school day ahead. I could already feel the weight of my responsibilities pressing down on me. 

       I embraced the challenges ahead while my mom wished me luck on my first day. Stepping into the classroom, my heart raced, as my knees quivered. Out of nowhere, a book zoomed past my face, a startling reminder of the unexpected challenges that can arise in any learning environment. 

   “What was that?” I questioned in my head.

    Suddenly, a striking girl with long, black shiny hair entered the scene. She wore form-fitting clothes that highlighted her confidence, and her bold makeup highlighted her beauty. 

    "I'm sorry. I was aiming for the garbage," she replied with a playful and mischievous smirk.    

     A smallish kid around my age, with thick glasses and a yarned sweater gripped my hand as if she was defending me.

    "Leave her alone!" she announced.

    

    "Leah?" I whispered with disbelief as I stared at her blankly.