Dan (Cassandra) started writing almost as soon as she started reading, and has never stopped. Most of what she writes is long; she has several novels in progress. But she's written a few shorter stories, as well, and especially in middle school, she wrote a fair amount of poetry. She's also written a couple of short plays, one of which was produced in early 2009 at the Rose Theater as part of its "Young Playwrights" program. The oldest poem presented here was written in the spring of 2005, toward the end of sixth grade. Most of these poems, though, were written in late 2006 or early 2007, during eighth grade. Available elsewhere on our Web site are one of her short stories, Fledgling, and a nonfiction piece she wrote on the Stonewall Riots, A Stand Against Intolerance.   Dieing (Spring 2006) I can't escape, I'm running, fleeing What is this? I've nigh stopped seeing Death is there, it's catching up now I keep running, I don't know how The cold has touched me, I am sure And for this thing there is no cure So why is it that I still stand When others never found the land Why am I still fighting this And remembering your last warm kiss Before I was plunged into the dark And forever tainted with death's cruel mark I cannot let the mem'ries go They're all that in this world I know My last grip on precious life As in this place there's not but strife In my mind's eye I see you all Crying, trying to my death stall You don't know the way I do From here there's no way back to you I'm trapped, I'm running, I'm almost gone And in my path the new worlds dawn Worlds of sadness, suff'ring and grief Drifting before me like an autumn leaf And neither can I turn away For close behind me death does stay To think that this I had wanted And now by death I am hunted I didn't think it would be this way With blackened blood, and life's price to pay Now I know that death is cold There is no room for brave or bold All that you can do is run And wait until your time is done Run, sprinting, ever-fearing Of that blackness, ever-nearing When it comes, you don't want to die But you don't even have the strength to cry You know for sure: you're stuck, you're lost Already paying life's infinite cost There's no way out, there's no way back As of myself I'm losing track I wish I could see you again And let you know of all the pain Say I'm sorry for all those things And tell you just how sorrow stings But from this place I cannot leave And my message you'll not receive Because for me this is the end I've passed the corner of my life's last bend Death has got its grip on me Down I fall, and nothing see At last, at last! My grief is done Fading with the setting sun   Dragon (December 2006) The grace of a butterfly, The cunning of a cat, The speed of a wild wolf, The quiet of a bat; Powerful like a soaring hawk, Wise like an owl, Intelligent as the dolphin, Kind as newborn fowl, Is a creature with many names, A creature unknown to man, A creature unimaginable, It is a dragon. It glides upon the night sky, Blanketed by stars, And the clouds drifting all around Are the darkness's small scars. Higher than mountains it will fly, With abundant grace, And many say that it, And the stars will race, Speeding through the skies, The wind at their command, Though all this only happens In my own dream land.   A Faerie By Moonlight (August 2006) Cedars and elms surrounded me, Moonlight reached through the canopy, Leaving splotches of light on the ground. A forest hid its secrets here, Its mysteries, strength and fear, Among the thriving life all 'round. I walked through blissfully, Not noticing the animals, watching warily, As I traipsed through their homes. Not noticing the plants of colors bright, Greens and golds, shining with light, Moss covered logs stacked like old tomes. Tonight, of the full moon, I felt the tingling of magic soon, From all 'round, in trees and in bright eyes that stare. From the deepest shadows he came, A stranger in all but name, A glow in his eyes, like a fire's flare. I knew what he was, I'd heard enough, Of the Folk, the Fae, the legend'ry stuff, But to see him is just so unreal. To see what should be fantasy, Imagination, real only in ecstasy, Gives a feeling of wonder; it is ideal. His hair, like the moon, is shining pale white, His skin the brown of the trees, an entrancing sight, His eyes shining, golden and bright, He wears what I'd call mysterious: For he's shrouded in a cloak so sinuous That I can barely make out his form in this dim light. His most dominant feature, I'd say, Is none of these, it is the way, Tall, pointed ears show through his braided hair. He sits atop a high tree limb, Nimbly crouched, in the shadows, dim, And yet I still see him, though I'm sure he's aware. He looks and gives me the slightest smile, He never says anything, all the while, Just gives a look that says all I need to know. The feeling of magic runs through me again, A feeling I surely shouldn't know, but then, To me it's always been a familiar flow. Around us I can see others of the Fae, Dancing and shimmering, here they play, This forest, this ancient magic abundant. Their kind I could never understand, The mysteries hidden, the magic grand, The legends they've made, so elegant. But my thoughts are all on him, His expression, never sour, never grim, The way he speaks without using words. I know I shan't see him again from now, At least not till the full moon, anyhow, Their kind haven't time for mortals, not they, the lords. Before I can think to say a thing, He's gone, as are all the creatures of spring, The creatures of twilight and moonlight. The magic in the air still lingers, And in this pale light a wind stirs, And as the sun rises, there's not a single sprite.   Fallen (January 2007) i'm in the dark i'm lost i'm falling faster faster my fears denied me life pushed me away now i'm trapped can't go back there is nothing nothing in the world but this terror this pain this darkness i tried to run my fears kept coming i tried to fight but they won and now i'm falling deeper deeper   Feline Plotting (September 2008) Moonlight shines down Paws pad in the shadows Yellow eyes gleam And every cat knows The time has come again To gather together To break through the bonds That to this world tether Each and every one of them So that they may be free To travel beyond these limits And true to themselves be. The cats, you see, are plotting Planning, thinking, waiting, Waiting for us humans to slip Into the trap they're creating So that they can rule again In all their might and glory And never be confined again To a human's sad life story. Doesn't it make you sad to think They're really all against us Even the ones who cuddle so sweet Right there beside us.   Fireflies (July 2006) Firefly, fireflies, shine me your light. Breezes blowing 'round the tree leaves, Sky's turned purple from the sunset, As I look I'm thinking, I should've brought, A soul that's been better kept. Stars glowing bright in the sky, The crickets singing their song, Without the mem'ries alive, the path I walk is lonely, But the fireflies lead me on. Firefly, fireflies, shine me your light. Plants of bright green, shining with dew, The full moon glows oh so brightly, My adventurous days are over, And the emptiness comes to me nightly. The hours pass unaccounted for, In darkness, the crickets' song is done, The path that I tread has been lonely so long, And only the fireflies lead me on. Firefly, fireflies, show me what little light there is.   Free Spirits (January 2007) You are a bird on the breeze; Let me watch as you soar, Let me feel the wind on my face And know that freedom once more. Once, a time so long ago, I was strong, alive, Now there's one thing that I know: Into darkness did I dive, Making choices that would show How young, how naive I'd been, Falling, thrashing, down below, To a place of loss so genuine. You are a bird in the air; Let me watch as you soar, Let me try to break free And then fly just once more. Once, as are you, I was free, But then everything shifted. Only darkness could I see, And from content I was lifted Into a pain-filled destiny That cruelly ended my reign: Never could I be A free spirit once again. You are a bird in the sky; Let me watch as you soar, Let me imagine the past For now I fly no more.   I am the Serpent (April 2007) I am a serpent, Green as a leaf. I slither in depression, And I know the choke of grief. I can stand tall when I am hated. I can crawl unnoticed when my anger is sated. I am a serpent, Beware of my bite, Though believe it or not, I too can feel fright. I am the loathsome, the vile and dark, Because a sin I can't remember has left its mark. I am the serpent.   Maze (April 2007) When you're happy, you laugh. When you're sad, you cry. When you're angry, you scream. When you're depressed, you sigh. But what do you do When you're lost? Completely lost.... Do you yell for help When you know none will come? Do you try to get out When you don't know where you came from? What can you do But the pain deny.... And hope, and pray.... And wonder why.... Knowing the only escape from life, That will assuredly end your strife, Is death?   Perseverance (January 2007) I will not be brought down. You can taunt me all you like. I will not just drown In the dark humiliation, I will not ever frown For the feeling of hurt pride. I will not be brought down -- You can take many things from me, I will not come around. You can take everything I love, I still won't come 'round. I am my own man; You can take my life and its crown, But there's one thing you'll never have: My thoughts are still my own. No matter what you do, You cannot bring me down. You cannot have my ideas and opinions, In creativity I'll abound. I'll reach the peaks of life, Before you take me down.   The Poison Of Grief (May 2007) The arms of grief reach out And you find yourself cradled in them You cry and cry, and it's like a refuge And you don't notice it condemn You It feeds on our sadness and depression It fools us in our weakness It comforts us like a mother Before throwing us to never-ending bleakness It is not the cold and hunger that kills us It is the grief For grief is a poison That strengthens the belief That there is no hope And hope is the only cure It is the only that thing that can help Before the grief can allure You   Season Change (Summer 2007) There's a chill in the wind That blows back my hair, As I huddle for warmth, Beneath the night's stare. So deceptively Does each star shine, As I gaze up for comfort, In this world unkind. Now the winds strengthen And bring crystals of ice; And I hide from the result Of the throw of life's dice. In snow I am trapped Beneath a blanket of white; I'll never be remembered Past this cruel night. A warmth on my cheek, From the sun's kind rays, Awakens me from death, And shows me the ways That life is reborn With the beginning of spring; All that's remade With joy does sing. With the end of winter Comes a choice: Not to live, Or to in life rejoice.   Shameful Tears (April 2007) My shadow wears The emotions I hide The anger and resentment That within me abide My shadow is a drawer That I've kept locked for years Because it keeps the things I'm ashamed of All the millions of tears   Shell Shock (February 2007, revised 2009) There were eight of us. Now there are seven. I wait for the eighth To come back from heaven, While all around me Six pack their things; They're on their way home, Where every bird sings With a small joyous chirp That I cannot hear. The caw of the crows Is all that touches my ear. Those birds tore her apart To feast on the rest, While we were in desperate retreat And she was the bravest. She took every blow, Every bullet they shot, And we just kept running, Thinking on spot. She was already gone Before she hit the ground, Though in the night air Her scream echoed 'round, And I could do nothing But hold back the tears, And just keep on running, To escape all the fears. Now she is gone I just cannot take it. I wonder if she thought Of my heart, how she'd break it. They want me to go home. Home? There isn't one. I'll stay here with her Till I, too, am done, For there's nothing but war, The screams and the pain. There's nothing for me But to battle again.   Sight (January 2007) When I call something beautiful, You say it's downright ugly. When you call something a masterpiece, I say it's a monstrosity. And yet, When what we see Is through the eyes of our hearts... We always agree.   So Slightly (Autumn 2005) Ever so slightly does a wind blow the treetops; Just so slightly as a hare in tall grass would bound. Ever so slightly does a shadow change direction; Just so slightly as a leaf would touch the ground. Ever so slightly does the dark mist fade away; Just so slightly as an echo would once resound. Ever so slightly can the footsteps be heard, When destiny turns around.   To Do What Can't Be Done (June 2007) I've learned to be satisfied with the world To accept the stubborn mindset To accept their not-so curious ways And to forget the adventure beyond the sunset But I want to hear what can't be heard To learn what's never been known To reach for what cannot be touched And make what's never been grown I want to taste what can't be eaten To glimpse what's never been seen To find what was never lost And to be what hasn't been I will cross the bound'ries And go far beyond See past the horizon And witness a new dawn I am the bringer of change A new generation The messenger of fate And filled with elation   Twin Slaves (January 2007, revised 2009) Slaves two sisters did become, Separated early on, One to a man, strict and fair, One to a man who couldn't care. Only eleven had they been, Of modest, peaceful origin. For years they worked, One determined, one in strife, Their ears always perked, For news of the other's life. Six years did this go on, Till one, her master's trust she won, A just, fair man, he chose That that one's status rose To a working, paid servant -- Her joy was abundant. She searched the records and the town For her only sister; She searched desperately, all 'round, For she dearly missed her. Then finally her ventures led To the door of the man who'd said That he would take her sibling, That long ago day in a cold dark spring. With eagerness she rang the bell, And to the maid she did tell Of her family's story, And how for her twin she searched, But all the maid could say was, "I'm sorry, But recently she had besmirched "The master's honor, as one night, She did try to 'scape our plight. He came home late, and saw her there, And his gun was out, in a flare, And he shot her down -- she tried to run, But it seemed her time had come. And she screamed of a promise broken To find the sister she had known, While her spirit was still unbroken After all the years that here she'd grown." To the maid she nodded glumly, And with teary eyes she did flee, And went back to work, promising Herself that if there was one thing That she would ever manage to do It'd be that revenge would be hers, true. She'd save up over the years, And she would find that man, And remembering unshed tears, Vengeance would be hers then. It was many more years of servitude Before his house she could intrude. Wielding a steak knife and planning to kill, With not a dent on her own strong will, She crept to his bed and raised the knife, When suddenly, he ended her life. A lightning quick motion revealed his own blade -- A maid had informed him of treachery -- And though he smirked and laughed as her life did fade, She was happy -- she knew her sister she'd soon see.   Unbound (January 2007) Limits are set so you can cross 'em Rules are made so you can break 'em Problems are there for you to face 'em Opportunities are there for you to take 'em You're a free man Don't let them fool you Follow your dreams And begin life anew Cross every bound'ry Make your own way Break through the dead ends And never "I give up" say Take a deep breath Make goals of your own Use what you can And make yourself known   Vision of Hope (April 2008) In this world I've seen it all: The pain and fear, The horror and grief, The absent disgust and the blind eye, The misunderstandings and the mindless cruelty; I've screamed with those made to suffer, I've cowered with those thrust to the unknown, I've flinched with those made to witness death, And I've cried with those left alone, And I've sometimes been made to wonder: Why do we keep going, when every one of us knows That our world's been torn asunder? It's because we have a vision, A hopefulness, a dream, That one day there will be no tyrants, And we will be redeemed. In this vision I've seen it all: The strength and courage, The joy and glee, The righteous anger and the noble lord, The thoughtless love and the sweet contentment, And when the day comes, I will stand beside the warriors, Face my every dread, Rejoice, for I will then be free, And laugh, strong-spirited.   What Good Are The Dreamers? (March 2009) All the world's dreamers, idealists, and fools, Stand not a chance against history's rules, And history shows us as clear as day That humans will always be wand'ring astray. Dream as they will of lasting peace, Destruction and pain do only increase. Speak as they will of a new beginning, We humans simply cannot stop sinning. Cry as they will for the pain and the death, They can't give the dying even one extra breath. From deep in the darkness, from places far distant, From bare, bloody fields where battles were rampant, From all different people of all different places, From right down the street, from familiar faces, Comes a calling for help, a soft, moaning cry, Desperate and pained in a world gone awry. 'Tis the cry of the lost to be freed from despair, But the dreamers cannot release this snare. The dreamers have proved incompetent And the idealists seem always far absent And there's no one left who's willing to try To bring the change that we all defy. It takes more than a dream to really achieve, More than a vision to truly relieve Any of the pain that has been known In this world we call our home. Humans by nature are cruel and conceited, And all who have tried have been thoroughly defeated When it comes to actually making things right And curing our natural, hateful blight. It takes much more than idealist or fool, Those who never take action but just ridicule, It takes someone stronger and truer than them, Someone who can actually fix the problem Of prejudice and hatred, cruelty and pain, And selfish desire for personal gain, Of the physical destruction and emotional loss Which support our societies, the world across.   The World Beyond (November 2007) In breeze the leaves blow, And in moonlight shadows grow. When no one is watching, In flitting shadows and dazzling lights, Beyond our human understanding, Take place amazing, mystic sights. There are entities in the trees, And spirits in the sea, And far beyond the deepest frond, The nymphs dance merrily. A world of which we'll never know Exists outside our own window, Where sirens sing And faeries bring Dreams for which we'll always owe.   Yin Yang (Spring 2005) A magic in the air, Opposing forces everywhere, Good and evil, Night and day, Earth and sky, Water and fire, A never ending battle, The most powerful of all, The forces capable of anything, Life and death, that ain't all, A control over everything, Physical and mental, They have the power, They know everything, Except how to win.   Some Random Haiku Can you say you've won When the corpses lay before you? You've lost all moral Cry the dead for help, Reaching back for life, for peace, Lost forevermore Echoes in silence Darkness concealing, ends all The void eternal Never search, nor see, Never explore, feel, wander, Is to be lifeless So quiet, the dawn The sky painted red and gold The world comes alive Tall, grand, majestic Leaning, protecting those beneath So strong stand the trees The unknown, unseen 'Tis incomprehensible -- More than just a dream   At the beginning of ninth grade (September 2007), Dan was given an English assignment to write something about herself. The following untitled poem was the result. The creative formatting was entirely her own idea. Below the images, you'll find the text alone, in an easier-to-read format.     I am a writer, a spinner of tales, So come join me by the fire, and I will weave a story for you. I am an artist, a portrayer of beauty, So come and stand by my canvas, I'll make you immortal. A sketcher and a painter I am, and a drawer of thoughts, So let me make your thoughts into beauty. I am a thinker, a dreamer of dreams and an imaginer of the unreal, So come and let me show you a dream, Let me lead you to the realms beyond what is real. I am a learner, a student of nature, So come and teach me something new. I am a teacher, a shower of fact and fiction, So come, and let me blend the two together. A singer and an actor I am, and a dancer of grace, So let me show you how to move into another world, How movement is a portal between worlds. I am a musician, a piper who lures the open-minded, So come and be lured away, I will pipe for you a new tune. I am a leader, a guide through the mist, So come, let me show you the way. I am a follower, a walker who doesn't know the trail but goes on, So come and walk with me, the path is not long. I am a dragon and a nymph, I am a phoenix and a faerie, And perhaps, I am just a silly human, a wandering gazer, So come and sit by the fire with me anyway, and let me tell you a tale, And explore the many, many, many worlds of fantasy together as the sun begins to rise.