The Hollow Slipper

November is the coolest month, bringing

Chilling winds and gentle frosts that

Mingle with the dying lilacs in the cold earth.

A mother’s grave long elapsed, replaced

With the cruelty of a bloodless family.

Stepmother surprised them, crushing

Young Cinderella’s hope and

Silencing her father into grim submission.

And in spite of this torment,

Positive and kind she stayed.

When we were children, during the winter

the evil stepsisters took me out on the sled

And I was frightened. But they pushed me.

Alone in the mountains, against my will

They make me wear rags and force

Me to sweep ashes and wash their robes.

The Prince galloped into town, clutching

Invitations for every young woman to a ball grandiose.

Taunted by her sisters, Cinderella

Remained and wept in despair.

The heat of the night,

Glittering and colored, shrouded the fortunate citizens,

Decorated with jewels and silk,

The air reeking of synthetic perfumes.

From the dusty hearth, rose a fairy godmother,

“What is that sound darling?”

the prince’s ball.

“Why are you still here? Where is your gown? Where are your shoes?”

the step sisters have them.

O O O O  Bibbidy-bopbbidy-boo

A dazzling gown took the place of

Her filthy rags. Slippers of glass

Appeared with a pumpkin carriage,

Mousy footmen and a reptilian driver.

“Adieu goddaughter! Return before midnight!”

aurevoir

At the violet hour, she departed,

Attracting the eye of stunned suitors and jealous ladies.

But humble she remained,

Her painted face unrecognizable to her sisters,

Danced the night away.

Allure and charm like no other

Lady in the ballroom, the prince begged for a dance.

Newfound love at first sight, like sudden clarity

Evolving from thick fog.

A golden clock in the center of the room tolled, bells booming.

HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME

“Where are you going? It’s only midnight!”

I have to leave

Leave I have to leave

No time left I must

HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME

She left the palace a simple country girl, abandoning a shoe on the main steps.

Running alone

Uneven step

Empty night filled

With the call of the nightingale.

Jug jug jug jug jug jug jug

Jug jug jug.

From palace to prison she moved,

Returning to scathing remarks.

Haunted by his love’s swift departure,

Consumed by the glass slipper,

No relief. No promise.

From door to door of

Every lady’s house

Knock knock knock knock knock

With no success.

At Cinderella’s house the twins pushed and

Shoved to try it on,

Grotesquely large toes

Calloused heels

The bells tolled.

Stepping down from the attic,

Young Cinderella stepped forth.

“ Hello my prince”

“Does this belong to you?’

A perfect fit, an extension of her foot.

An autumn wedding

Leaves decaying, littering

The streets with their frail shells.

Away away away into the sunset.

This is the way the world ends,

This is the way the world ends,

This is the way the world ends,

Not with a bang, but with a happily ever after.

A Penny Too Many

Thesis: Despite its past utility, the penny should be eliminated entirely for its current existence does not provide financial responsibility, places the logic of the people into question, and is an overall disgrace to this country.

Source B: Shows that the production and use of the penny is a waste of the people's time and money.

Source E: According to the chart, the public is more opposed to abolition of the penny, and a considerable percentage is undecided. Therefore, it is within reason to conclude that the voters could do with more education on the issue.

Source F: According to Bush, the best way to make use of the citizen's tax dollars is to redesign the back of the penny, which already costs approximately a dime to produce. "the penny is perhaps the most visible and tangible reminder of Lincoln's significance in American history." Others may argue that the Emancipation Proclamation is a much more significant reminder of Lincoln's accomplishments.

A Slick Message: Fueling Awareness on Oil Spills

In order to spread awareness in the wake of the 2010 BP oil spill, an Australian environmental organization developed an effective print ad to increase the public consciousness surrounding the issue. The dark, polluted water creates a sense of alarm in the viewer, whose attention is promptly drawn to the body sprawled out in the foreground of the photo. The hunched, crying child invokes sympathy and despair, as well as a sensation of guilt, as if the viewer is to blame for the death of the swimmer. Unlike the foreground of the photo, the right area of the background seems light and hopeful in comparison. The contrast between the left and right half of the picture create juxtaposition between an unpolluted ocean and the oil-plagued waters. Despite the ominous message, “our oceans aren’t the only ones in danger,” hope radiates from the upper-right portion of the ad, which ultimately creates an opportunity for change. The ad’s potent message is both inspiring and thought provoking, which compels viewers to take responsibility for their actions that impact the environment.

My Own Flesh and Blood

He hissed, uncurled and turned black,

His eyes were cold and hurried,

Her hair was like fire, and little points were in her eyes.

Blood is blood and you can’t get around it.

Remember, she’s your own flesh and blood!

But the fire had died down.

The wind was gusty, chill and raw after the warm days.

The cold inflectionless wire of his voiced carried.

Shrouded in darkness, two sets of eyes lurked,

One cold and shrewd, with black ringed irises like marbles

The other cold and querulous, so dark as to appear to be all pupil or iris.

And from the darkness, a promising light,

Only one flame was in it. Rebelliously bright,

It was still burning.

The Tragic Mistreatment and Confinement of Workers

The rights and liberties of workers are being violated every day. In honor of the millennium development goals, on November 11^th, 2011, an ad that focused on the rights of workers was produced to spread awareness on the issue. The pho
to is very effective in highlighting the urgency of the situation. Miniature men and women are confined in a toolbox; they represent workers around the world. These workers are incredibly small, which shines light on their inferiority compared to the upper class. The toolbox succeeds in expressing the limits and restraints of the workers to the audience as well as how society exploits the working class for their own benefit. The dusty, concrete floor symbolizes the harsh, industrial environment that laborers are regularly subjected to. Its endless grayness displays the grim future that beholds most workers, which is relayed to the audience. This image is effective in communicating its message to the audience—that workers are not objects to be taken advantage of by the elite.

America’s Reluctance: The Root Cause of Political Apathy

In William F. Buckley’s Why Don’t We Complain, the American people are identified with apathy; their refusal to complain is connected to an increased sense of helplessness in a society that dominates their citizens. The author’s use of relatable scenarios that act as firsthand experience, formation of a common ground and knowledge from another source increases the effectiveness of the essay.

            The series of events that allude to people’s refusal to stand up for their rights, such as the scorching train car, the movie theater, and the airplane form a bond with the audience—ordinary occurrences invoke a sense of familiarity in the reader. A picture of the sweltering train car is depicted, and vivid images are used to transport the reader to the scene: “Inside the railroad car, the temperature must have been about 85 degrees. I took off my overcoat, and a few minutes later, my jacket and noticed that the car was flecked with the white shirts of passengers”(76). This illustration allows the reader to feel the heat of the car, which invokes a sense of empathy towards the speaker.

The speaker’s uncomfortable moments instill embarrassment and pity in the reader, as well as introduce an opportunity to identify with him once again. This is apparent during the ski shop incident: “Work stopped and everyone turned his eyes on me; and I experienced the mortification I always feel when I am the center of centripetal shafts of curiosity, resentment, perplexity” (80). The author also uses personification to stress the mortification of the exchange: “I looked up manfully—into a score of man-eating eyes. (80)” the “man-eating eyes” are effective in illustrating the emotions of the speaker, which can stir some response in the reader. Additionally, the author takes advantage of the reader’s empathy to emphasize the root cause of America’s reluctance to speak up, and states that it: “is related to our increased sense of helplessness in an age of technology and centralized political and economic power” (80). With these external factors, the average American feels less inclined to take control of their lives.

The author establishes a common ground with the audience by decreasing his status—by becoming an equal rather than an authoritative figure. This can be noted when he describes the rare moments in which he loses his temper: “When that happens, I get quite carried away. My blood gets hot, my brow wet, I become unbearable and unconscionably sarcastic and bellicose: I am girded for a total showdown” (78). This description of seething rage reminds the reader that the author is human—he has emotions and is capable of reacting to dramatic events. This makes it easier to empathize with the author and connect with his argument.

Another rhetorical method that Buckley uses is the testimonial of the magazine editor. The editor’s statements are used as an outside source to support his argument: “So few people complain, or make their voices heard” (81) this refers to the decrease of complaint letters over the past decade, which complements Buckley’s opinion. This asserts the author’s credibility and justifies his arguments.

Buckley’s use of personal experience, audience relations and an outside source strengthen his argument, and overall, create an effective essay. He writes that the indifference of the American people correlates with the level of political apathy, giving them less power over their future, and results in dependence on others.