December 2010

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The Ink Blot CrewEditor-in-Chief

Dylan K.

Assistant Editor-in-ChiefKatherine V.

Fearless LeaderMs. Baynes

StaffBrianna L., Katie F., Caitlin D., Rachel J., Lexi G.,

Rose B., Callum B., Alexandra Z., Katie A., Hana P., Hannah M.

Contents

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

HOW THE TIDES CAME TO BE, Jon H..................................................................................4DRAWING IN CLASS,Michaela L............................................................................................5EQUALITY, Dan M....................................................................................................................6SEASONS APART, James M......................................................................................................7BLACK D, Owen G......................................................................................................................8UNTITLED, Analee C................................................................................................................8REFLECT, Kathryn N.................................................................................................................9SKY MOODS, Chloe S.............................................................................................................10THE SIDELINES OF THEATRE, Ian M..................................................................................11THE USELESS HOTWHEELS, Pat M.....................................................................................11WATER REFLECTIONS, Anonymous.....................................................................................12MOM, ARE YOU THERE? Sarah Y.........................................................................................14THE WIND THAT I SEEK, Alec S...........................................................................................14OPPORTUNITIES, Deanna R...................................................................................................15NIGHT, Kevin C........................................................................................................................16TRANSLUCENT, Maddie M....................................................................................................16PUCK, John M...........................................................................................................................17FACE PLANT, Emilie G............................................................................................................18EPIC FAILS, Alexandra Z.........................................................................................................18

SNOW, Madi T......................................................................................................................19

SPRING, Madi T......................................................................................................................20INNOCENCE (LOST), Alexandra Z.........................................................................................21

All illustrations from http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/clipart except as indicated.

Front and back cover illustrations by Arthur Rackham: www.doverpublications.com

The Ink Blot welcomes submissions from all Duxbury High School students. Please send your poems, stories, photos, scanned drawings to the following address:

inkblot@rocketmail.com

See us on the web at http://www.duxbury.k12.ma.us/dhs/inkblot.html

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How the Tides Came to BeJon H.

There once was a time where the oceans had no currents and bays had no tides. All bodies of water had the

same water level, not one higher than the other. That was until one day when an event triggered the whole world’s

water levels to be manipulated. You see, long ago in the Roman Era, there lived a man named Nabulus. Nabulus

was the son of the Roman God Neptune, King of the Ocean. Neptune’s son lived in a small fishing village outside

the island of Sicily. He was a highly respected fisherman in his village. Although he was only thirty years old, her

had the wisdom of a much older man. Nabulus had had many successful voyages throughout his fishing career, but

recently had been running into some trouble. Today,

however, he felt would be a good day of fishing.

Nabulus set out on his boat like he did every other

day. He prayed to his father Neptune for the strong

Northern Breeze and for the fish to bite. He had never met

his father, but his mother told him that if he ever ran into

trouble on the vast ocean he should call for his father who

would come to the rescue. Nabulus set off into the ocean to

where he thought he knew where the fish were biting. Little

did he know there was more than just fish out there. When

he reached his fishing grounds he saw three ships, each

triple the size of Nabulus's little skiff. These ships were

from a neighboring island and they hated Nabulus for the

quick success he had when he fished. They wanted him

dead for then they could catch all the fish in the area.

Nabulus knew he was in trouble and that he could not out- Shakti Prasad Srichandan: Lord Neptune.http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lord_Neptune.JPG

run these much larger fishing vessels. Not knowing what else to do, Nabulus started to pray to his father, asking

for his help and protection. Neptune heard his son’s cries and tried to think of a way to help his son. He realized

that the three larger ships sat much deeper in the water, while his son’s ship was barely below the water line.

Neptune had a plan.

Using his power over the oceans, Neptune started to pull the waters from the fishing grounds and from the

surrounding waters. All this extra water had to be relocated, however. Neptune placed the extra water on the

opposite side of the world. Nabulus was able to escape from the clutches of the killers, whose boats were now

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grounded, and made it back home to his fishing village. Neptune, not being a cruel god, allowed the water to

return to the fishing grounds after half the day was over.

Neptune liked watching the movement of the ocean and decided to keep the changes in the water depth. He

later named this change tides. A high point, or when the water was the highest in one area, came to be known as

high tide, and the lowest depth in an area became known as low tide.

The tides are still around today and are a vital part of everyday life around the world. They are the result of

the strong bond between Nabulus and Neptune. Nabulus knew that whenever he needed help, his father would be

there for him.

Drawing in ClassMichaela L.

I doodle when I’m bored.

I doodle when I’m busy.

Doodling is a pastime of mine,

But it might make you dizzy!

A squiggle here, a flower there,

Maybe a broken heart.

A smiling face in a dark-lit place,

Two lovers kept apart.

I probably should be listening

To what my teacher says.

But clearly I’m more focused on

My own brain games to play.

When the bell’s about to ring,

I’m in a faraway land.

Through the looking glass,

Or down the yellow brick road.

Doodling lyrics by my favorite band.

Illustrations by Katherine V.

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Equality Dan M.

This world has never known equality.

Whether it be because of race, religion, or poverty,

This species has left scars that cannot be healed.

No, people will never know the weapons that they wield.

We have taken a people from their country and sold them to slavery.

We have lynched others, and because of color, called it bravery.

We have forced a people out of their temples, out of their streets.

And left them encased in barbed wire, without bread, without meat.

Yet the world is young, there is time.

So people of this world let this be a sign.

All are equal, all are great.

So please I ask you to stop this hate.

We hold in our hands the future of humanity.

So give this world a drop of sanity.

Give it a gift it has never seen:

Equality that will stop this hate machine.

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S e a s o n s A p a r tJames M.

The sun bores through my bedroom window like a laser beam.I sprint to the beach passing palm trees,Heavy with coconuts that sway in the wind.Humidity hangs in the air like a wet blanket. I scout my friend in the distance.We sit for a while - bask in the sun’s glorious rays The salty smell of the ocean – the gawking of seagullsThe sun glistens off the water like a million diamonds.Pungent cooking aromas sneak across the beach.Like the butterflies, they dance around us, Drawing us towards the beachfront restaurants.We talk the day away in our air conditioned heaven. All of it so familiar, fantastic, fun.

Illustration by Katherine V.

With the click of my seatbelt,The airplane takes off.My neck strains for a final look as the tropical island vanishes.My stomach coils in knots, despair rises in my throat.I swallow it back down but it’s still there – lurking,Simmering like a pan of boiling water,Waiting to spill over and eat me up. My friends, my life is gone.I had deserted it without a trace. I’ve crossed halfway around the world,To a place so different, diverse, dreary.Flakes of white swirl gently to the ground.A chill runs down my body like an icicle.The wind blows straight through me and out the other side.Where is the sun – don’t they have one here?

Time has passed and my emptiness has healedThe memories of the sweet place are fading away, But in my heart it will always stay.I said goodbye, but maybe we’ll meet again.

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*Black DOwen G.

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as “Black D,”

A D whose hungry thirst for blood,

Unites us all in brotherhood.

A D that swells up like a wave,

The quarterback we all do crave,

A D comprised of a relentless front wall,

And linebackers that will swarm the ball.

Momentum builds throughout the game,

The other team will never be the same.

They will plea to us to let them flee

After meeting our Black D.

*Black D was the starting defense for the Duxbury Freshmen football team that went 11-0 last year.

UntitledAnalee C.

Now, poems are often serious,but that just makes me delirious.So I penned this little rhyme,to prove that I could do the same in no time.

Now I can't think of anything to say,and the only time I've got is today!Everything around is distracting me,and my thoughts just can't flow free.

My music has no rhythm to match,and all the words just seem to catch.No image brings out a creation,

I'm on the edge of exasperation!

But then this little ditty flowed forth,and poetically has almost no worth.It barely rhymes and sounds deranged,the whole thing should be deleted and changed.

But my time is gone by now,and as for changing it - I've no idea how.For despite all its faults, it's mine, and I happen to like it just fine.

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ReflectKathryn N.

Taking a step back from the crowd,Hearing the birds sing all around,

Watching the trees sway back and forth,Trying to make a shape out of the clouds.

This thing we are on so big but yet so small.Feeling on top of the world for such a quick moment,To close your eyes and your mind starts to wonder,

Into a land of sugar and sweets.To not have a care in the world what anyone else is doing,

To just let the sun beat on you for a while,Until you hear those voices again,

Taking a step back from the crowd was nice for a while.

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Sky MoodsChloe S.

As the world slowly wakes,The sky creeps in from slumber.Colors depending on mood, Which is why, you see, it’s clear to meThe sky must have a mind of its own. Happy days are generally a light pleasant blueWith fluffed white clouds and A bright dancing sun when children play, And birds fly free, when the sky is in a good mood,Which is why, you see, it’s clear to me The sky must have a mind of its own.

The sky, however, is not limited To only one emotion.For, when somberness takes glee's placeTeats may leek from clouds of grey, Which is why, you see, it’s clear to me The sky has a mind of its own. And even some days, now and then, When things don’t go its way, The sky responds with angry boutsOf lightning strikes and thunder shouts,Which is why, you see, it's clear to meThe sky has a mind of its own.

Maxfield Parrish, www.doverpublications.com

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The Sidelines of Theater

Ian M.

The Stage is set for the show.Now the lights are ready to go.

The crew is prepared.And I am on the sidelines.

It’s magnificent, it’s uniqueA play, that’s not so bleak,Is going to be performed.

But for now I’m on the sidelines.

The curtain opens, the audience applauds.The director looks to me and nods.It’s now my turn, it’s now my show.

And I, the Actor, am no longer on the sidelines.

The Useless Hotwheels

Pat M.

Hotwheels! A fun toy when I was little,Spending hour-by-hour, day-by-day, and these little things never gave me boredomOr grief, or sorrow, or disappointment.

However, now I cannot play with them.Fifteen and busy, I have no time.It sits there, in a bin down in my basement, Never touched, never played with, never loved.

One rainy day my mother decided to clean my basement, Plowing through old pictures, old car seats, books, games, then toys.I volunteered to take care of my Hotwheels.Holding this cold metal, I made flashbacks up to ten years ago.

How much joy I had for small cars on plastic tracks. While I can’t play with them, I cannot grow apart from them.

They have memories held into them, embedded into their cold metal exteriors.To take it away means to take my childhood.Yes these still stay in my basement. However, rather being cold and dusty, they are still loved and cared for even to this day.

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Water ReflectionsAnonymous

The kingdom of Saphrye was peaceful. The land was

fertile, the weather was comfortable, and the people were

content. King James and Queen Lea were wise rulers. They

worked to keep their kingdom successful and their people

happy. The water in the rivers and the sea was startlingly

clear. The varying shade of blue was the only indication of

the water’s depth. Anyone could see to the bottom easily.

“Your Majesty,” a palace guard called urgently,

running down the walkway. King James turned around. The

guard stopped a few feet away from James and said, “a letter

was just delivered to you. The messenger said it was of great

importance that I deliver it to you right away.” He handed the sealed piece of paper to the king.

“Thank you, Sean,” the king said to the guard. “You may go now.” The king opened the letter and read it

silently. His brow furrowed, his skin paled, and the corners of his lips dropped slightly. He hurried inside to find his

wife.

“Lea, I just got a letter about the Sway Diamond. Somehow the Justines found out where we keep it. We’re

going to have to put it someplace else.”

“Where will we put it? It is already in a secure spot.”

“A few locks, gates, and guards will not stop them from stealing the diamond. They are not very intelligent,

but they have enough force and determination to make them dangerous. We will have to use our intelligence to keep

the diamond safe.”

“How bad will it be if they get the diamond?”

“It would be as if we were turned into clones. We never use the diamond’s power, but the Justines would

without hesitation. They know that the sway diamond gives the person holding it power to alter peoples’ thoughts.

That is why they are after it.”

King James and Queen Lea planned together and secretly moved the Sway Diamond as soon as the sun set that

day. They put the diamond in a bottle, obtained the largest circular mirror they could find, and took two horses. The

king and queen traveled about a kilometer south of the palace and searched for a small pool of water. Lea found one

that was the right size and depth. As always, the blue water was crystal clear. James swam to the middle of the pool

with the diamond and carefully dropped it into the water, watching it fall to the bottom. Next, Lea slid the mirror into

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the water. Her husband dragged the circular mirror to the center so that it covered the Sway Diamond. The new hiding

spot was more vulnerable than the last, and James and Lea hoped hey were doing the right thing by putting it there.

The next day, the King and Queen announced to the Saphryes that the Sway Diamond had been moved to a new

location due to security problems. They were sure that the Justines would hear of the relocation.

A week later, after investigating, arguing, and changing crude plans, twenty Justines dressed in regular Saphrye

clothing and traveled south-east, straight towards the small pool where the Sway Diamond was hidden. They advanced

quickly without anybody noticing them. They followed the hoof prints left by the king and queen’s horses until they

could just see the pool. Six of the strongest Justines went forward while the rest stayed behind. They started wading

into the water, but then one of them looked ahead and saw six mighty Saphryes walking towards them. He screamed

and the other men noticed. They all splashed in the water, running to the other Justines to get help. They did not want

an even fight. When the six men consulted the other Justines, they agreed to send the six prettiest women to retrieve

the diamond. They hoped the Saphrye men would be distracted. The women swam bravely to the center of the pool,

but when they got near the diamond, they saw six women swimming towards them, protecting the sway diamond.

They got worried and swam back to shore to report what they saw. The Justines were nervous. They sent the six

fastest people of their group to sneak past the Saphryes. When the Justines darted into the water, they saw people

coming right back at them. They knew they could not outrun them, so they got out of the water as fast as they could.

They ran, shouting at the rest of the Justines to follow. All but two of the Justines ran away. Tristan and Aria, the two

wisest Justines, remained. They had not tried to retrieve the sway diamond yet.

They looked at each other for a moment and walked slowly into the water.

“What would you do if we found the Sway Diamond?” Tristan asked

Aria. The two Justines were close to each other because they were both different

from the rest of the Justines.

“Give it to the Saphryes if I was brave enough,” Aria replied honestly.

She looked to see Tristan’s reaction. He smiled.

“I was the one who told them, before, I mean. I sent a letter to King James saying that we knew where the

Sway Diamond was. It didn’t help much, did it?” he said, judging her reaction now. She looked towards the center of

the pool, not surprised to see her own reflection in the water. He looked too and dove with as much force as he could

to the bottom of the pool. He struck the mirror with the heel of his hand. It shattered where his hand struck. Aria

followed his example. They continued breaking the mirror until they found the bottle with the Sway Diamond. The

pieces of mirror deteriorated, part of it becoming sand and part of it making the water as reflective as the mirror was.

They swam together, Aria holding the diamond, to the shore. Soaking wet, they began walking to the Saphrye palace.

Eventually, the small reflecting pool was flooded with rain, and the water from it spread to rivers, seas, and

oceans. None of these reflected as well as the original pool did, but the reflections were there forever afterwards.

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MOM, ARE YOU THERE?Sarah Y.

Do you hear my voice,When I say your name?

Do you sense my distress,my fear, my pain?Do you see the strugglesI face each day?Or realize I'm starting to wither away? Illustration by Katherine V.

They told me that things would be okay,And yet they get worse, day by day.They say that time will ease this pain,They say this not knowing, it's all in vain.

I want to scream, to fight, to cry,And constantly reminded, that's not an alibi.

You raised me well, and left suddenly,I wish I could say I still feel you with me.

I'm told that I have to always be strong,But more and more I begin to long,For your presence around, and not my world, upside-down

The Wind That I SeekAlec S.

The wind that I seek is gentle and cheering.The wind that I seek is hardy and strong.

The wind that I seek is like a beautiful song.For the wind that I seek is forever endearing.

The wind that I seek shall never be found.The wind that I seek shall forever be veiled.

The wind that I seek shall never be sailed,For it is Perfection I seek and to which I am bound.

Yet still I spend my time as I may,Searching for that terrible Cliché,Looking for that one perfect day,Where I may sail the hours away.

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Opportunities Deanna R.

The air is thin.The wind nipping at my face,I can see my breathMaking a cloud from my purple lips.Above my head, a light blue sky,Not a cloud to be seen for miles.I look in front of me,I see the journey I am about to take,Slowly I am moving, now faster,I see the world laid out in front of me,Beyond the trees,Beyond the lakes,The rivers,And the oceans.I am flying at full speed now,

I bend my kneesLowering myself closer to the white ground,I am gaining speed.The wind picks up my hat,Releasing my long brown hair.I look againBeyond the mountains,Beyond the houses,

And the crowds of people.I see lifeSpread out before my eyes.I see opportunities.I am slowing down now.I come to a stop.I see my fatherWaiting for me.I take his hand.He puts his hat on my headTo keep my ears warm.We ski over to the liftsWhere we get on once again.The lift picks us up.Further up the mountainI am still holding his hand.We slide off the lift as we reach our destination.This time, we fly together.

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NightKevin C.

Through nocturnal waves,The moon has shown,Its robust presence,As it floats alone. Its interminable shine,Its magnificent height,It beckons us to follow,its immortal light. Many have followed,The above said light,Infernal prisoners,On their last mortal night. A pious reprieve,Has given us all,The one true interlude,If the strong fall. To all who are against,The refuge of light,Expel the evil, And to the brave, good night.

( www.doverpublications.com )

TranslucentMaddie M.

Tears come as easy as breathing.Breaths that ache as they surge through me,The sobs rake at my heart, relentless and seething.I lay shaken with the desire to flea.My eyes are wiped, my smile pasted in place.Surrounded be people, yet I’m still alone.They don’t see past my eyes, past my face.To them my pain is unobserved, unknown.If my skin were translucent they would see,The debris where my heart once stood and beat,The holes of pain punched through my body, releasing silent pleas,My eyes washed out and full of defeat,My lips that tremble with suppressed cries and screams.Yet, they would see my mind, as it continues to hope, to believe, and to be serene.Looking forward to the future and fulfilling dreams.It keeps me moving forward, and for that I don’t have to be translucent to be seen.

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PuckJohn M.

Up and down the ice, the frozen puck will flee

In fear, it tries to fly

From players that rush end to end,

Faking out each other like lies,

Battling and fighting over one rubber object.

Who would know a rubber saucer off the ice

Could be so lethargic?

When it comes alive on ice like rolled dice,

It slides like rubber hydroplaning across a frosted lake.

It’s like a dream. I hope I never wake.

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Face Plant Emilie G.

I was seven years old,The swing was so cold, covered with mold, Getting really high, ready to jump,Letting go, soaring through the air,One flip,Two flips,Now I gotta land on my feet,I just missed the heat,Now I’m eating earth.

Epic FailsAlexandra Z.

Everyone knows them,We all do them,Tripping over our own two feet.Dancing to a song that “somehow” gets on the Internet.We all know them,From the person videotaping the actions to the person doing said actions,From people doing impossible tasks with “hindering factors,”To accidentally pushing someone into a pond.It’s just a part of human nature.And for that, we must say, “epic fail!”

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SnowMadi T.

There was once a time in the world when nothing was beautiful. Trees and plants died, and animals seemed

to disappear. The sky turned gray and nothing existed, for months. The weather grew cold and everything became

dismal and dead. This period was referred to as the Cold Time. No one enjoyed it.

One day, in the very pleasant Warm Time a pair of lovers committed themselves to marriage. Soon after, a

beautiful baby girl was born. The parents, Isabella and Demitri loved her very much. They decided to call her

Winter. Everyday, Demitri took Winter to the meadow near their home. He also brought along the blanket Isabella

had knitted for her. It was big, and soft, and white. “Winter’s blanket” it was called.

It was not long before the Cold Time began setting in. Although it was still warm and sunny, small patches

of dead grass began to show in the meadow. Winter had never seen death before, she was to innocent and new.

Demitri quickly took the blanket and spread it over the dead grass.

“There we go,” he said “Winter’s blanket shall hide what is ugly and make everything beautiful.” They

spent many hours here, in the meadow. Some days Isabella joined them when

she could leave the house. However, Demetri was not satisfied. He swore he

would never let his daughter see the Cold Time. He made it his mission to

shed her from the ugliness of the world and never let her know of death. “The

world is too beautiful,” he often thought. “To be shown so harshly.”

Every day, while in the meadow he tried to salvage what was good. He

tried to shield away death, pain and suffering. Winter was never to have to

experience those things. She was to always think of the world as good and

beautiful. But the Cold Time was setting in. Plants and trees were dying, and

animals were disappearing. Demitri never took Winter to the meadow for he did not want her to see it dying. He

left her home with Isabella while he went out and tried desperately to save the warmth and the life.

However, no one hardly went outside at this time. It was too cold and gray. Demitri soon became very ill

and was not able leave the house. Death was coming and there was nothing he could do. But this time was

different. He could feel it coming more than ever before. He felt it in the way his skin lost all pigment. He felt in

the way his breaths became shallower every day. And he felt it in the way it was getting harder to stay alive.

“Winter,” he quietly cried one morning. Winter was quickly brought to his side. “Winter,” he said again. “I

am dying. In my efforts to save you from the experience of death and pain, I have failed greater than ever before.

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But know this, the world is a very beautiful place, but pain exists. In some cases, however, pain can cause the most

beauty. The world will be beautiful again, I promise. I love you.” With that Demitri found the strength in him to let

go and slowly slip into death.

The next few weeks were a very sad time for Isabella and Winter. Everything died and became gray.

Nothing existed anymore. The warmth, the meadow, and Demitri were all dead. Then, on one not so particular

day, something happened. Small bit of white fell from the sky. They accumulated on the ground and began to

grow in size. Everything that was dead was hidden. Death and ugliness were nonexistent and everything glistened

with white. It clung to the trees like false leaves and covered the ground. Winter then realized that through the

greatest pain in her life, the loss of her father, came the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. That is why every

time the world dies, Winter’s Blanket comes down to hide what is ugly and make everything beautiful.

SpringMadi T.

Snow is on the ground.No one is around.

Everything is dead.And then..a spot of red,

In contrast to the white.A cardinal takes flight.

Its call breaks the winter silence.Another bird is heard in correspondence.

A tulip breaks the snowy blanket,As vibrant as a summer sunset.

Soon many will follow in its path,And we will feel the end of winter's wrath.

Soon cherry blossoms bloom on trees,And flowers will open for the bees.

The empty air from winter after,Will be filled with warmth and laughter.

The sights and smells and sounds of spring,Can compare to no other thing.

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Innocence (Lost)Alexandra Z.

On the swing.Down the street.In the tree.Up the steps. Running about.Screaming out loud.Knowing nothing.Understanding everything. That one fateful day.The truth came.People treated unequal.The world seen as black and white. Growing up. Going down.Fantasies dashed.Reality flowing in. Innocence lost.Realization found.The sin being committed.Killing the mockingbird quietly.

(www.doverpublications.com)

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