Volume 1: Imagine. Express.

Winners of the Contest

Little Red Fox - Willie and Morris, Join the Chorus

A Poem by Joshua McNay

 

We are joined once again with Willie the little red fox, the fox has always wanted to sing but never believed he could. So when an audition for the chorus came up, the fox took a chance.

 

The little red fox, had a little secret,

With the news today, he could no longer keep it.

You see, the fox has always wanted to sing,

But he was always too afraid, to throw his hat in the ring.

When he was alone though, he would sing so loud,

Never in a million years, would he sing for a crowd.

He always thought it would be fun,

To sing with others, not just him being the only one.

The fox wasn't sure he had the right voice,

He had to find help, an ear, he had no other choice.

Rushing over to Morris, he had to tell him,

He was his best friend after all, he knew he would help him.

The little fox knocked wildly on Morris's door,

Come on in Willie, just polishing my shell over here on the floor.

Wow I can really see myself, its almost like a mirror!

I got new wax, Morris replied, it goes on clearer.

What's up buddy? What brings you to see me?

Morris asked, the fox replied...Please help me!!!

I have something to tell you, promise you wont laugh,

Of course not you're my friend, what am I some jerk giraffe?

Ok, here goes...I want to tryout for the chorus.

Well that's wonderful he replied as a smile came over Morris.

You love to sing! I'm here to help however I can!

What? How did you know? That was a secret man!

Silly fox, you sing so loud, you can hear you in another town,

Morris smiled, we all know when you are getting down.

The fox was embarrassed, and honestly relived,

Do I have what it takes Morris? Do you really believe?

Of course my friend! you would be great!

Oh stop it, Willie replied, that's why you're my best mate!

Ok Morris, the tryouts are only a few days away!

There is no way I am ready! You hear me? No way!

Calm down Willie! It's me your pal Morris

Sing and feel free, don't worry we got this!

Besides have you heard that chorus?

Without you in there, hello! They bore us!

You really think I can do this don't you?

Of course replied, Morris. Only one that doesn't is you.

Ok Morris! The fox said feeling refreshed, 

Who then belted out a tune from deep in his chest. 

See, you have no need to worry, come on trust me!

I am still pretty nervous, What if it's not meant to be?

You need to relax, you have a great voice,

When you audition later, they wont have a choice!

I just kind of feel bad for the others that try,

You will blow them away, I fear they might cry!

Oh come now Morris, Willie said blushing,

You have to admit, we have been rushing.

I thought foxes were clever! Come on don't overthink!

We will throw everything at them, just not the kitchen sink.

The day had come! Chorus tryouts start at 3!

Morris! Morris! Please say you'll come with me!

Of course, I'll be there, don't be silly!

I stayed up late last night I made this sign (reads Go Willie!)

I don't know what I would do without you Morris,

And you never will my fox friend, now lets hit up the chorus!

They arrived at the tryouts, the line was quite long,

Oh no Morris, look at all these people! This is all wrong!

Whoa, whoa, whoa, calm down Willie!

Did you forget, we got this, remember it's you and me!

The auditions went on for a while,

He watched as others tried and Willie would smile.

His nerves just beneath the surface, ready to burst,

The way his stomach was turning, was kind of the worst.

The fox wanted his turn to come, he was feeling uneasy,

More and more people went by, he started to get queasy.

The lady came out and called Willie's name,

It's finally my turn Morris! I'm really glad you came.

Go get 'em! Your voice is great! Have fun and sing!

This was it, the time was now, let's do this thing!!

The fox hit the stage, the spotlight was bright,

To his surprise, his nerves were no where in sight.

The fox introduced himself, My name is Willie and I'm here to sing!

The chorus members smiled, well, lets hear you sing.

The music kicked in and Willie started to feel it,

But oh no! The fox had a routine, but he just forgot it!

The pressure of the audition, made his mind grow blank,

The fox was frozen, the silence of the crowd made his heart sink.

Out of nowhere Morris ran on stage, and started to sing with Willie

Seeing Morris by his side, the fox was filled with glee.

The pair sang, and sang, hitting note after note,

It surely wasn't planned, But stop them you wont.

They finished the routine, and walked off stage,

Willie then hugged Morris, when the two were backstage.

I don't know what to say Morris, you rescued me out there,

When I froze I honestly didn't think I had a prayer.

Well Willie, thats the thing about friendship,

There's nothing you can't do, when you're with me.

With the audition now over, they just had to wait,

The day was near, the fox had circled the date.

The list of new chorus members was about to be put up,

Morris was probably annoyed, since I wouldn't shut up.

He knew though I couldn't contain my pent-up joy,

Come on Morris! They put up the list! I can't wait, oh boy!

The pair headed down to the chorus hall,

When they arrived, people were milling around a single wall.

The two then pushed their way through the crowd,

Willie searched the names, I made it! he shouted out so loud.

Congrats, Willie, Morris exclaimed as he gave Willie a big hug,

Oh that's not all! Did you not read the list you big lug?

No why? Morris asked curiously,

You made the chorus too! What? Seriously?

We make a pretty great team, Willie and Morris, thats gotta nice a ring!

The fox was ever so excited to finally sing.

Are you ready for all the fun before us?

I am so happy we both joined the chorus.

Top 3

A Story by Mehar Anaokar

 

In my opinion, these are the best poems I've written in my short, sixteen year old life.

 

1. Life 
It's all going to change for you someday 
Your childhood friends will drift away 
And nothing you try will make them stay 
But that's life 

You'll find someone down the road 
Maybe they'll love you, maybe they won't 
Maybe you'll remain all alone 
But that's life 

Snakes will hiss along your path 
Making you cross bridges built to collapse 
They'll snatch your world right from your hands 
But that's life 

You'll soar in your thrift, you'll drown in your debt 
Your mind will fill with clouds of regret 
You'll win the draw, you'll lose the bet 
But that's life 

You'll start to laugh as you drown in your tears 
You'll carry your hopes, unleash your fears 
You'll find that nothing is how it appears 
But that's life 

You'll love and curse the sky above 
You'll cry about friends, you'll cry about love 
And they'll all tell you to man up 
Because that's life 

But someday when the world is yours 
After you've fought and tore and clawed 
When you've claimed all your rewards 
You'll smile 
You'll smile at people, come and gone 
You'll smile at pictures, smile at songs 
You'll smile at your triumphs you'll smile at your wrongs 
You'll smile 

Because it's the scratches on knees and driving fast cars 
It's losing your breath and falling apart 
It's finding yourself, it's finding your heart 
THAT'S life. 

2. The Taxi 
She called for a taxi 
She called for a ride 
She saw the driver wave 
And quickly got inside 

It's getting late, she thought 
As she told him the address 
She kept her purse on her lap 
And tugged a little at her dress 

Around 11:30 
Fifteen minutes had been up 
The driver took a different turn 
And stopped the car abrupt 

She asked him what was wrong 
She told him to start the car 
Grudgingly he turned the keys 
As two headlights appeared not too far 

He drove down the dark streets 
She was now more awake than ever 
She finally recognised a sign 
And thought the night to be over 

The headlights drew closer 
Just as she reached her gate 
The driver stopped a few metres early 
And told her to wait 

2 men got out from the car behind them 
And she let out a scream 
She let herself out and began to run 
Hoping it was just a dream 

"Hey you there, stop!" 
She heard as she continued on her way 
She heard the footsteps get louder 
And thought this was her last day 

A young man, maybe her age 
Caught up to her as she fell 
He helped her up and smiled 
And asked her if she was well 

He told her he had called the cops 
As he expressed his concern 
He told her to be careful 
Because it's a cruel world 

He told her of his tragic past 
Of a fallen sister 
He said he'd never gotten over 
The blow Fate had administered 

She looked at him, unable 
To speak another word 
She squeezed his arm, then went inside 
And behind the door a sob was heard 

Her heart was still beating loud 
Her mind was in unrest 
How many girls before her 
Had been put to the test? 

She thought of their families 
Father, mother, neighbour 
She thought of their grieving hearts 
And folded her hands in prayer 

She closed her eyes and and exhaled 
A tear rolled down her cheek 
She said, dear God, the worlds become a mess 
Where have you been? 

She demanded for an answer 
She demanded an escape 
She demanded for an end 
To murder, pillage and rape 

3. Last Night and Forever 
I heard the rain come pouring down 
Come crashing down on me 
I saw the streetlight flicker 
Like a fading memory 
I walked down the road that we had taken 
Oblivious, lost in a dream 
I was walking back out, out of this road 
Away from that heartbreak street 

The earth threw up stop signs 
And at each one I lingered 
Only to find out I had to leave 
For you had slipped right through my fingers 
I know that I will miss you 
I know things will never be the same 
I know you might forget me 
And I know you're not to blame 

Though our connection has lost its charm 
Even though the bond has been severed 
I thought of you, will continue to 
Last night, and forever 

I watched the dirt get washed away 
Washed away from under my feet 
I began to feel an ache inside 
I was broken but somehow complete 
Drop by drop the rain slowed down 
The storm had nearly passed 
On and on I walked down the road 
That wasn't built to last 

Clouds of regret filled sky above 
The ground beneath began to shake 
I felt so hurt to have to leave you 
Back on that street of heartbreak 
When I turned the road seemed shorter 
Than it was when I looked ahead 
It felt easier to stay, though I knew I couldn't 
In the past among tears I had shed 

I took a deep breath and went far away 
And with the distance, I felt better 
I was hesitant,yes, but ill be strong 
Last night, and forever. 


(As a submission for the Decipher Press contest I was required to answer a few questions, here they are: 
Professional- Diplomatic. 
Educational- all things labelled 'educational' aren't necessarily so. You may learn a few more facts, but where does that get you? 
Remarkable- The overwhelming feeling of contentment after finishing a piece of writing. 
Intriguing- 'intriguing' is one of my favourite words in the English language. It's got a spell of enchantment to it. 
Epic- Born and raised in India, the first thing that comes to my mind when I hear 'epic' is the Ramayan and the Mahabharata, two epic sagas about the gods. 
Virtue- I believe that honesty holds higher importance than all other virtues. Honesty to others, sure, but most of all, honesty to ourselves. 
Fantasy- I'm a major Potterhead. I have read all seven books several times, back to front and upside down (that's kinda tough, though) and it's my favourite series, mainly because it's got a special place in my childhood. When you say fantasy, I think of wizards and witches. I think of grindylows and boggarts and hippogriffs, because that's what J.K Rowling taught me. 
Mystery- Life. Existence. Who we are and how we came to this day. We've got theories, we've got beliefs, but we have no proof. Life as we know it is a mystery. ) 

Dream with me.

Set free your mind,
creatively accost the world,
with contingent ideals,
as nothing is for certain.

Animate an era,
led by diverse intellect,
birthing a new pandemic,
where hope isn't just a word.

Dream with me,
cafe of desire,
your literary talents,
can allure vicissitude.

Reinstate compassion,
sympathize the wounded,
give ear to inadvertent minds,
and abolish cunning deceit.

For our writing at best,
may change one future,
as we are sentries of soul,
wordsmiths of spirit

kher