2 English Essays I wrote

[Guest]

The first one actually had a title..."The Item That Withholds My Soul"...It was an essay where we were to describe an object...here it is:

The item I will be describing is my body, or “human shell,” as I like to call it. My body is always with me, no matter where I go; I’ve grown quite attached to it over the years. The significance of my human shell is to keep me within this plane of existence; other than that, its purpose it unknown. However, I feel my human shell holds myself, as well as the rest of humanity with their shells, back from certain truths I believe to be essential to everyday life.
My body is unique, as are all of the other human shells. It is almost sixteen-years-old, about six feet tall, and approximately 135 pounds. It has red hair, blue eyes with a brownish-green color around the pupil, fair and pale skin with freckles, tiny and rough hairs on the bottom of the chin, and very fine, almost unnoticeable hairs on the arms.
Like every item that exists in this world, my body has at least one story behind it. Obviously there are many more than just one, but I’ll just leave it at two for the time being.
When I was about three years of age, I was climbing on the couch in the living room of the house I lived in to reach some pretzels in a bowl. As fate would have it, I reached for the bowl, but tipped it off the table as I lost my balance. The bowl fell, and I unfortunately followed and fell on top of it. Thus, most of my known life, I’ve had scars all over my face, most of which are almost invisible. However, one long slightly curved scar remains clearly visible on my right cheek.
My next story is one that has followed me my entire life. You see, I always looked up to my brothers, all of which had hair at least down to their jaw line. Thus, ever since I was a child, I had always wanted very long hair. Yet my desire for long hair always eluded my grasp because my parents, for some odd reason, kept refusing my requests for long hair; that is, my yearning for long hair was denied until this year. As a result, I have long, wild hair that comes down to the shoulders in the back and the jaw line in the front.
This, as I have described to you, is my body. However, it is not me. Many make the mistake of using my outward appearance to project upon me a certain personality type. Yet I find this statement unfair, as I am not the only person to be subject to these assumptions. Many individuals every day are put into these groups by stereotypical, conformity-driven creatures I like to call “people”. While the possibility of humanity realizing that it’s not the appearance of a person that makes them unique, but what goes on behind their eyes and between their ears, is extremely slim to none, there is always hope that our supposedly superior race will, some day, open their eyes and see the truth.

This next one doesn't have a title......but my father tells me it's the better of the two pieces. I wrote it within the period of my English class...enjoy:

I’ve wondered many things in my lifetime: why the sky is blue; why people used to act toward me the way they did; why teachers are paid less than professional athletes; so on and so forth. But the greatest question that has ever entered my mind is this: Why do we exist?
Throughout time, wars have been fought and won, empires have risen and fallen, and people have lived and died. But for what ultimate purpose has this all come to be? Is this all just a coincidence? Do things happen just because? In my opinion, absolutely not; I think there has to be an ultimate reason why this plane of existence has come to be.
Many people think that there is no reason we exist…we just do. But to me, there is evidence plain as day that we exist for a reason. Think about it…everything that has happened in the world has lead up to another event. This sequence of events has brought us to where we are now. Had one thing gone wrong, had one hair been out of place on a person’s head, it could have meant catastrophic changes in the world as we know it.
From this, I guess you’ve concluded that I believe in God; a supreme being; a master hand that planned it all. Well…if you did…you guessed right. I do believe in God, but not in the fashion that many would think. For example, I believe God created us. But who’s to say that God didn’t create all of this through the Big Bang? Who’s to say that God didn’t make humans through evolution? No one…why? Because to say God literally created us as the Bible literally specified is putting limits on the Supreme Being. And you cannot put limits on something that has no limits.
Most humans I have told this think me mad. I find it ironic as I think them closed minded. However, I accept their opinions all the same; no matter how farfetched and illogical I find them to be, because for me not to accept their ideals would be to become one of them.
All of these thoughts that race through my mind pinpoint yet another question that I feel needs answering: If God has a purpose for everything…why am I here? Why did everything that happened to me happen to me? Why was I sent here to live in this unfair, seemingly God-forsaken existence? All of which cycle back to the question that initiated this chain of thoughts in the first place: Why do we exist?
And suddenly, after going through this cycle several times, I’m brought to a philosophical question that my father once asked me: Why? The question is very simple, yet many try to find complicated answers. In actuality, the answers are as simple as the question itself: “Because,” or “Why not?”
Thus, in conclusion, I know that God has a purpose for me being here. I know that all of the answers will be revealed to me…some in this life…but most in the next. So I try to live my life as best I can, hoping that, someday, I will be rewarded with the knowledge I seek.

[azsnowman]

*As the crowd stands and gives Kevin a STANDING OVATION!*

Very nice Kevin, your pa done learned ya the right way!

Dennis

[streetsoldier]

And, THESE from a young man who is but two weeks shy of his 16th birthday? What is more, I watched him write them..."off the top of his head", little or no prep time.

Makes a streetsoldier PROUD to have such a "coppertop" for a son!

[Miss Mary]

Kevin - wonderful pieces! You possess a rare talent there. My daughter wants to go into Journalism in college. Have you thought of that major? I liked each piece equally for different reasons. The first is very personal but the second questions so much more. Questions almost everyone has had at one time or another in their lives.

Let us know what your grades are for these essay's! They sure look like A material to me!

Mary

[azskyman]

I come across many 40-year-old people who have not found their way through the rigors of everyday existence...the little questions.

Kevin, your essays reflect a sense of wonder in the bigger questions that many have pondered for centuries. More importantly, your conclusions that you don't really need all the answers in order to make your way is profound.

You have every reason to feel good about the way you have put your thoughts on paper (or word processor at least).

Over the years the answers will surely continue to be just beyond your reach, but if you can be comfortable with the questions and who you are, you will have a wonderful journey ahead!

[TexasStooge]

Nicely done Kevin!

I had to write a paper myself, this one was about my future career as a meteorologist.

[Stephanie]

Very good Kevin!

[Skywatch_NC]

VERY nice essays, Kevin! You would do excellent in any writing career field!!

I still remember H.S. English class and doing compositions and essays...the teacher had the students keep a daily journal, too, which was really neat!

One time though we had to recite a piece from Shakespeare in front of classmates while standing at a podium...and that was kind of unnerving.


You and your Dad are truly an asset to the Storm2K Family!!

Eric

[Pburgh]

Kevin, It's great to know young people today are such deep thinkers. You are indeed a wonderful reflection of your father's intense character and superb intellect.

Well done.

[vbhoutex]

BRAVO!!!!BRAVO!!!!BRAVO!!!!!

[Guest]

Coppertop, you are a wonderful writer. Being that you are only 16 makes your essays that much more remarkable. Great job! I'm sure your dad is proud!
...Jennifer...

[Guest]

Aw, shucks, you guys... .

As for kids these days being such deep thinkers...not really. There's not one person in my class that can think in the terms that I do...Most of them are mindless drones that can't think for themselves.

[Rainband]

Bravo You can tell you and your father are related. You give me hope for the future You are truly a remarkable writer.

[stormraiser]

Wow, I'm in the presence of greatness here. Remember us when you win your first Pulitzer or somethin', eh?

[Guest]

Um...I wouldn't go so far as to say greatness. I'm just me. Nothing great about me...'cept for my ego...

[rainstorm]

great work

[streetsoldier]

Um...I wouldn't go so far as to say greatness. I'm just me. Nothing great about me...'cept for my ego... (???)

This message is from the "Old Goat", as he calls me...if coppertop ever gained an understanding of just how much potential he actually has, he'd be dangerous!

[Pburgh]

Tolerance Kevin!!!! You've got to live with, play with and work with a lot of those "mindless drones" for the remainder of your life!!!!! ((Hugs))

[streetsoldier]

Well, the grades are in...100% = "A" on both papers!

As to "living with those mindless drones" (read: Bootheel rednecks), not if he can help it; his sights are set on going to college in the East, preferably one devoted to the fine and performing arts.

But, to aid in his goals, he is SERIOUSLY considering service in the United States Air Force as a "Security Specialist" (read: sniper) to both do his duty to his country and benefit from the Montgomery G.I Bill to further his education. (Note; this would make him the fourth generation in our family to serve in an "air power" capacity...his great-grandfather was in WWI as a pilot, Avaition Section, U.S. Signal Corps/Army Air Corps; grandfather was a pilot in the Army Air Forces, WWII/U.S. Air Force Reserve afterwards, and I was Regular Air Force, "forward air controller [ground]" during the Vietnam conflict.)

What he really wants is to become an actor, screenwriter, and/or director...just as I became an artist/teacher, eventually.

[coriolis]

Coppertop, I like your work. Because, not Why not?