Conformation.

Greek Part I

Dear Greek, I loathe thee entirely

you are all that stands between me 

and an honors diploma.

Frankly, I'd rather have pneumonia.

You are my 8 Am terror, my one regret

you are the thing i wish i could forget.

Silently, I wait as each student translates

my professor always trying to find creative ways

to skip me- to prevent my suffering needlessly.

He knows I cannot learn it (though I try)

He knows he hasn't taught me (goodness knows why)

So we hope he'll pass me in peace,

and ignore his failure and my defeat.

I absolutely, totally and completely hate. Greek.

Greek part II 

Dear Greek, I am trying not to hate you

to know you must serve some good.

that every choice is tempting or terrible

till now I only thought I understood.

How tempting to sleep rather than attend

as bad as throwing pears at swine,

how difficult to conform the will in every day

to daily do this chore as if it's thine.

how terrible to diligently copy

verb tenses that I barely comprehend

and wake up early just to learn a subject

 that I will not need and will not understand.

To wake up every morning finding nowhere,
a redemption or a purpose unless

your strength be made perfect in my weakness

and my soul be more fit for lowliness. 

Sonnet: The Blizzard and the The Bride.

Where I'm from the snow is black and muddy.
Winter Springs up from the ground and all the
Trees are spiders. Spindly legs upside down
Not cold enough to freeze, winter just sleeps
In a dreamless void of damp forgetting.
The loss of summer is a heavy thing
And the marshlands never accept winters chill.
Not so here- the earth dies and is buried,
The Burial shroud of snow descends and
covers the sharper edges in the world.
In the dirge of peace and of silent joy
Ringing like bells- the world turns to dancing.
Cycles and cycles from death unto life
Turning this shroud to a veil like a bride.

Honors Program

Check out this article my friend wrote on our honors program! I spoke a bit on the video:)

http://danielleraestandifer.wordpress.com/2012/12/06/university-of-mobiles-honors-program/

Part of a Poem I wrote in Greek

Sorry I keep writing poems in that class...


To Oxford I came, in Oxford I found
men who think the right things about Hemingway
and the wrong things about the Porter.
There I found true knowledge and a heady
sort of wisdom- knowing, if I really believe
In the God of St. Mary's,
Then most all the Radcliffe souls will perish
in fire and anguish- books
all burning to the flame of their rejection
of simplicity.
While women in Alabama- who annoy me
will wear crowns in eternal splendor
eating pecan pie.
Not concerned one bit with Greek
but believing the Word of God.

A Poem for students who cheat, inspired by Lemony Snicket.

lying is to life as poison to my coffee

it's fun to try to put one past me

but i'm smarter than you guessed 

and you have an F, and I 'm not dead.

Another poem I wrote in class...

In Class Today

My professor bounces back from
chalkboard to desk
never letting my mind rest
as persistant questions storm the
bridge of time with broomsticks.
Mudpie Walls fortify our notecard city
we pick the leaves to make a wreath
of flowers we cannot grow or name.
You go on, shoving definitions down
the throat of my small brain.
I cannot take it. I cannot know anymore
without understanding.
I cannot pile up my mind with half
comprehensions of misty dreams
you must stop bouncing and teach me things.

The Sinner's Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, 

Son of God, 

have mercy on me,

 a sinner.

Say it 50 times in a row. I dare you.