#BirdvilleVoices
vol.1, edition:1 October 2016
Welcome to #BirdvilleVoices Digital Literary Magazine!
North Ridge MS: Constanza V.
I Am
I am caring and understanding
I wonder if I’m ever going to meet my favorite actress
I hear my grandpa say I love you
I see an island that is like a rainbow
I want to be happy for as long as I’m an adult
I’m caring and understanding
I pretend to be an movie actress
I feel unicorns horns
I touch happiness
I cry when people leave me out
I’am caring and understanding
I understand that I’m not perfect in millions of ways
I say live life with no regrets
I dream about being a teacher
I try to do my best in anything
I hope to go to Argentina to meet my family
I’am caring and understanding
North Oaks MS: Lawton L.
I Wish I Were A Prince
I wish I were a prince
Or I could jump a fence
But I also listen to Prince
And I hit a fence
Listening to Prince
Richland MS: Lauren W.
The Haunted Music Box
It was a weird night. The night it all started was the night my parents told me that we were moving from our cozy little house in New Jersey to a BIG mansion that my mom’s uncle gave us when he died two years ago.
When we approached the driveway, the first thing I noticed was a candle holder floating in the window. As soon as I opened my mouth to tell my mom and dad, it fell to the table it was on before.
When we got inside, my dog went up to the table with the candle holder on it and started barking. Then it got very cold in the room very quickly. Soon my dog started growling, then that turned into a whine. I went over to her and dragged her over to where we were. Soon, I went upstairs and found a music box right in the middle of the floor in my bedroom. I got very scared and started yelling in my mind. Then I was interrupted from my yelling in my head by music from the music box. It was very eerie and when I opened my eyes, I saw smoke coming out of my mouth and into the music box. As soon as it shut, it disappeared into thin air.
When I opened my mouth and started yelling, nothing came out. I think that the smoke coming from my mouth and into the music box was my voice! I started trying to talk and again, nothing came out! I ran downstairs and grabbed a notebook and pen and went to my mom in the kitchen and wrote down what happened. She didn’t believe me. Then I started talking and when she couldn’t hear me she believed me. Now to try very hard to convince my dad. I wrote down what happened, he didn’t believe me, I tried talking, and he still didn’t believe me! So I ran out of the room and went back upstairs with my mom and into my bedroom and we started looking for the music box. We looked under the bed and sheets, and then the closet. I saw a box at the top and pointed at it and mom got it down and there was a note in it. It was from my mom’s uncle. It read…
“Dear Brittany, George, and John,
By the time you read this note I am probably long gone. If any of you find a blue music box with a clown in it DESTROY IT IMMEDIATELY! It is very dangerous and unpredictable. Usually when it disappears it goes to the hole in the coat closet, the media room, or the basement. The only way to destroy it is to smash it with a hammer, then to burn it, then throw the ashes in the river behind the house in the woods. Good luck!
From,
Uncle Ben”
So the first place I looked was the coat closet hole. There was nothing in it but rat droppings. Then I looked in the media room, nothing. Then I looked in the basement. It was there for about two seconds, then it disappeared.
I went to my mom and wrote down what just happened, then she said we should look in the attic. We went to the attic and there it was, RIGHT in the middle of the floor again. This time it didn’t disappear, so my mom dove for it and grabbed it, then she wound it up then it played eerie music. At this point I wished it took my hearing so I wouldn’t have to hear the music. It popped up then smoke came out of the clown’s mouth and into mine. Then I started to talk! I was so happy I almost started crying, I thought that I wouldn’t ever talk again.
Me and my mom rushed downstairs and told my dad and right up until the day he died he just thought it was a prank. It was fifty years ago and then I was eleven so now I’m sixty one and I still don’t know why or how that box took my voice.
Smithfield MS: Zoe M.
Outdoors
The great outdoors
Clean, no more
Tall trees, cut down
No more leaves falling to the ground
Smoke fills the air
Why is it so unfair
Animals extinct
Trees down
Dirty, dusty air
In exchange,
Hunters with prizes
Houses built
Industries booming
Why is it so unfair
To the great outdoors
North Richland MS: Hope N.
North Ridge MS: Conner C.
I AM
I am smart and funny
I wonder about space
I hear the school bell
I see a UFO
I want to fly like a bird
I am smart and funny
I pretend I’m a boss
I feel a soft cloud
I touch the sky
I worry I will never be tall
I cry for unhappy people
I am smart and funny
I understand math
I say size doesn’t matter
I dream of flying
I try to get good grades
I hope Trump is not president
I am smart and funny
Watauga MS: Sunny S.
I woke up with eyes unfocused and limbs aching. Though sluggish at the time, the thought of needing to get ready quick made me spring out of my half deflated air mattress. That day my Dad, my stepmom, and I were going on a long tedious drive to Austin. Shivering and wrapping my arms around myself, I walked to the bathroom to brush my teeth, dreading doing so because the toothpaste at my Dad's house was so minty it burnt my tongue, leaving me with watery eyes when I got out of my bathroom. We walked outside and there was a light breeze that made goosebumps appear on my arm. I could feel the cool and rocky texture of the pavement under my thin blue socks. I didn't even bother putting shoes on since I would just be taking them off by the time I got into the car. I climbed into the seat and slipped into my silky sleeping bag. After a bit my legs began to feel a bit warmer; I buckled my seatbelt and we began driving.
North Oaks MS: Marie M.
The Invention of Cell Phones
One invention that has changed people’s lives is the cell phone.
Phones have extremely changed the way people communicate. For example, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Whatsapp, and Twitter can all be used on a phone. All of these social media apps make communication easier because you can talk to friends and family members, even if they live in other areas. Also, you can call them and video chat with them just by using your phone.
Phones are also easy to carry. Back in the day, phones were hung up on walls. You couldn’t take them places. But now you can take them anywhere you want because they are small and can usually fit into your pockets. When you need to call someone, you can just pull your phone out.
Dialing numbers to call someone is also easier now than before. Before the cell phone, people had to rotate this circle thing just to dial a number. Now, all you have to do is find the calling app and the numbers are already there. In other words, you just have to click on the search button and type the person's name that you are looking for.
Finally, the cell phone makes searching for information much easier now. You just click on the Google app and search for what you want. Instead of using the dictionary, you can go to your phone and use a dictionary app.
In closing, phones have really changed the way people live life because now you can basically do anything with just the push or click of a button.
Richland MS: Sasha N.
It was the day Christmas and like always I was super excited. I quickly leaped out of bed, “One more day till Christmas!” I hollered. I had made a small list of what I would like for Christmas, the list wasn’t long just a few things that I would like for my hamster! I had been wanting a hamster for such a long time, and I hoped that I would finally get one this year. I went into the dining room and quickly ate my breakfast which had already gotten cold, but I didn’t mind. I picked out the perfect name, Ginger, maybe I would match the hamster’s personality. My dad grinned at me, “I got a surprise for you.” I nearly choked on my food. Was I gonna get a hamster? I mean it was the day before Christmas all the surprises were tomorrow.
I smiled back. “Ok. What is it?” He laughed a bit and I followed him to the living room. He sat a box down in front of me. It was a medium sized box but it was wrapped up. How could a hamster be in there? I paused for a bit before I opened the present. My eyes widened and I let out a squeal. It was a hamster cage. “I’m getting a hamster!” I jumped up and down.”My dad smiled and held up the keys. “We can go get him now.” I nodded and ran to the room. I got dressed. I stumbled out the room and rushed to the car along with my dad. We arrived at Petco shortly.
We went to the small animal side and a lady talked to my dad. She came over to me and handed me a box. I nearly dropped it, inside a tiny hamster lay sleeping.
Ever since that day, me and my beloved hamster, Ginger, spent our days together. Until he sadly passed last summer, I hold very close memories of him.
Smithfield MS: Quinn R.
Butterflies
My hands were sweaty and my head was hurting as I silently waited for my name to be called. Although I had practiced many times before, I regretted watching that movie instead of practicing my song.
Suddenly a large, booming voice called my name, interrupting my train of thought. It felt as if my legs went numb and stopped working. Maybe, just hopefully, my feet would not get up and carry me towards the center of the stage. However, they did. I barely felt my feet moving and there was nothing I could do do to stop them. I was already mid stage.
“Um, hi.” I managed to get a squeak out between my teeth. I cleared my throat. The slow music started to flow gracefully from the big black speakers propped on the edge of the stage. I suddenly relaxed as the words from the song flowed through my brain like a teleprompter. I tried not to focus on the sea of people sitting out in front of me. Instead, my lips started moving and out came my voice singing along with the music. “You’re doing great,” I calmly told myself over and over again.
Before I knew it, the speakers became quiet, and a wave of applause came from the sea of dark faces. I smiled and took a bow. All the butterflies flew out of my stomach and I walked offstage. I had done it!
Haltom MS: Anissa L.
People don't have a choice of what they look like or feel like. People don't have a choice if they are white, black or mexican, nor do the people that are gay or straight. Yet somehow, they are still blamed for it. Everyone has an opinion but not everyone has choice. This bothers me just because no one deserves to be treated unfairly no matter what they did or have done. People don't just choose their life, they don't choose the color of their skin or how they feel with their gender.
People are people who individually should be treated equally because no matter what they are human beings just like you. Way back in the 1800s/now, I need to know what people were taught to think that they are letter than others. There used to be slaves and I am 99 percent sure that slaves still exist in the world today. Like I have been stating everyone has a choice it's just that…not everything is a choice.
People tend to judge too quickly. They see someone dressed a certain way or look a certain way that they are different.
I have a theory; if the world were blind do you think the world actions would be different from how they are today or maybe exactly the same. Sometimes I think Why? Why was the world made like this? Why is anything how it is? Those are many questions I ask myself almost daily but the truth is I haven't come up with an answer other than this is how God shaped the world we live in. The lesson I have always told other people is that no matter what try to be a little bit nicer to the people that are mean to you and if they don't like you then why do they keep spending time making you feel bad about yourself.
Most importantly, don't let others come up to you and tell you you're different because that is a big lie!!! You are perfect just the way you are and if people can't accept you. Tell them “Life is too short for people like you to hate me for something that wasn't my fault/choice, I couldn't stop it from happening.”
Bottom line if they don't like you it is their loss because they just missed the chance to be friends with an amazing person, and once they realize that be the bigger person and give them another chance. Stop acting like people are different because we're not no matter if we are white, black, or mexican, or gay, straight. There is no difference in appearance.
North Richland MS: Evelyn H.
North Ridge MS: Sofia C.
My First Phone
The day I got my first phone stands out in my mind. I realized just how lucky I am that I have awesome parents who love and support me. Not all people have that. I’m so lucky that I have a good life.
It was my and my brother’s eleventh birthday (we’re twins). Everybody was laughing and having a good time. We were about to open these two little golden boxes from our parents. My dad said “Wait…” and starting messing with his phone. I was just wondering what he was doing when the box buzzed. At that moment I knew what was inside the box, but the look on my face was utter disbelief. I slowly opened the box. My jaw dropped. There it was, shining like a jewel. Sitting in the wrapping paper of that little golden box, was an i-phone 4. My dad laughed at the look on my face. The screen said his number was calling. I picked it up and answered my first call.
It had a very cool case. To this day, there's always somebody who will stop me to look at my phone case. It was filled with water and had a picture of a dandelion on it. There were a lot of silver and pink stars in the water. They would move around when you shook it. The phone number was easy to remember. I was elated.
The rest of my birthday was fun. Everybody at the party gave me their contacts. People were laughing and talking and having a good time. I thought about how lucky I was, and how I would never know what it’s like to not have all the cool things that I have. I smiled to myself. I glanced once more at my new phone, then went to have fun with everyone else.
Watauga MS: Lee P.
Advice From A Window
Be transparent and don't let words hurt you; make them go through you
See the world clearer than it is
When one window closes a new one opens
Let goodness in and darkness out
Look for the bigger pictureNorth Oaks MS: Joslyn F.
Layliany’s Grandma's House
One Saturday afternoon, I hung out with my best friend Layliany at her grandma's house. Her mom picked me up from my house, and Layliany and her sister were in the car. We drove off to Roanoke to her grandma's house.
When we arrived at her grandma's house, her grandma greeted us with ice cream and Halloween candy from the night before. Her grandma allowed us to go outside and have the sodas in the fridge.
After we finished our ice cream, we went outside and played in the backyard and rolled down the hill and took some pictures along the way.
Then, Jazzlyn, Layliany's little sister, had an idea.
“We should interview each other about our candy and what we did today!” Jazzlyn said.
“Yes, I agree.” said Layliany.
I nodded my head in agreement and we got started. Layliany did the videotaping and me and Jazzlyn did the talking. We all felt very jittery and excited so we made a lot of mistakes. We all took turns videotaping and talking, then my mom arrived and it was time for me to go home. We felt very sorrowful,but we said our goodbyes and promised to do it again someday. And soon we did.
Richland MS: Marisol D.
Where will it take me
I opened my eyes once again, like every single day as I made my way to the closet to pick out my outfit. I choose a black shirt and some black leggings and slipped them on along with my navy blue sweater. Minutes after putting on my clothing my mom started to brush my long, brown chocolate hair. “Don’t worry things will get better.” She said with the soft voice she had always spoken with. My eyes with shock as I knew what she was referring to… My dad left us when I was about 4 years old, but he always kept in contact with us. It wasn’t that he wanted to leave us, but my mom made him. And ever since then I would cry myself to sleep wondering, “Will I ever see my dad again?” I knew that the question I asked myself was obviously a no seeing as I haven’t seen him in 6 years. “...Sure it will…” I say sternly as I walk away from my mother’s touch and grabbed my backpack which was near the front doorway of the apartment we barely had money for and set foot outside closing the door gently behind me. “Bye.” My mother’s muffled voice said.
-Time Skip-
After passing millions and millions of streets I finally made it to my school. THe one that has always made me feel depressed and angry inside. I take one step forward and then another one into the school only to be met with crowds and crowds of children. I sigh in disappointment and push my way through the crowd as I feel a million eyes stab daggers into my head. When I finally make it to my classroom I take my seat at the very back so my classmates won’t bother to point out my writing journal from my faded out kitty backpack and zip it shut afterwards. ‘Let’s see how today goes…’ I think as I watch the same old girls, that make fun of me, take a seat way in the front like always.
-Time Skip to Lunch-
My hands shake in fear as I hold my lunch tray out in front of me making the food on my tray jump a little! Don’t be scared… ‘I encouraged myself, but in hopes it didn’t work not even one spark in my body could change me no matter how hard I tried. People pointed at me giving out a slight chuckle afterwards. To be honest, I’m used to the laughs and all the pointing, but not the name calling… “Hey! Weirdo!” A high pitched sound called out from all the yelling and happy laughs. I turned to face the source of the voice but couldn’t without all the screaming. Something then went flying to my face and that something was a soggy pizza. I used my left hand to remove the pizza while the other was holding my trayful of food. After removing the pizza, warm tears started to stream down my cold and pale cheeks as everyone enjoyed the view of me crying until everyone turned to face the lady that had a microphone in her hand that was making a staticy sound. Once she stopped doing that she faced me. “Alex Martinez please go to the office now!” She said with concern laced in her tone of voice. What was once silence turned into nonstop laughter that was spread across the room. ‘Kill me…’ I whispered under my breath while exiting the large room.
-Time Skip to Office-
I entered the quiet office which was filled with concern adults. “Yes?” I ask while closing the front door of the office gently. “Your mother… She’s near her death sentence..” Someone says hoping I would take it calmly. My eyes shot open as tears continue to fall down my cheeks. I put one hand over my mouth and shake my head rapidly ‘no’ while taking a few steps backwards causing me to bump into a wal. “No…” I say.
Smithfield MS: Emmalynn D.
Fall
Piping hot
Pumpkin
Pie
Crazy crowds
Crunching leaves
Crackling fire
Red trees
Raked leaves
Rowdy relatives
Turkey and dressing
Tasty treats
Turnip greens
Brisk breezes
Big sweaters
Bear hugs
Fall
Haltom MS: Tina P.
Ellie Mcintyre For President!
Hello! My name is Ellie Marie Mcintyre, and I am 7 years old. Tomorrow is the first day of second grade, and I am really excited because, I am going to see my best friends! I should go to sleep tomorrow is a big day! Goodnight!
“Ellie honey, wake up the first day of school!” That’s my mom Melanie Mcintyre. (But I call her mom.) It took me like one second to get out of my 2 foot high bed. Now it is time for me to pick out what I’m going to wear today. I chose my favorite outfit which is, a pastel purple shirt, and pastel blue overalls that has jewels on the straps. Now I have to go brush my teeth and wash my face, I will be right back. Ok now all I have to do is put on some of my princess perfume then ask my mom to do my hair! Now I am ready, time to go downstairs and eat breakfast. “Good morning Ellita, ready for school?” Yep! That is my dad Bryson Mcintyre. (But I call him dad.) Oh and he called me “Ellita” because, that is my real name and he says “I just really enjoy saying your wonderful name.” But I don’t think it’s a wonderful name, I think it’s really ugly. Which is why I would like to be called Ellie instead. “Hey have to run to school, love ya!” That was my oldest brother Michael (you know our last name) he is in 12th grade in high school. “Hey ELLIOT!” That is my other brother, Steven. He is in 7th grade at middle school. “Look what we’re wearing for the first day of school!” They are the twins of the family, David and Dean. BUt I call them dumb and dumber because they both are really weird and sometimes thick headed. (no offense) Dean is in 4th grade and David is in 5th. (They are both supposed to be in 6th.) And lastly of my family is Lance, he is not in school yet and this she is 2.
Dad can you take me to school now? “Yeah sure, go tell your mom and Lance a goodbye.”
“Ok bye dad thanks for taking me to school, love you.” Now I am a free girl/lady. Oh I see my friend! This is my best friend Leilani. “Hey Ellie, do you want to go to our class right now?” yeah sure! “Good morning ladies!” Good morning Mrs.Bradford. “Who was that Ellie?” That was Mrs.Bradford, our principal. She was new to the school, so Leilani didn’t know Mrs.Bradford. (I knew Leilani through our mothers, they work together.)
Which classroom is Mr.William’s Leilani? “How am I supposed to know, I just came to this school.” Said Leilani. Oh yeah, I forgot sorry. “It’s fine.” Said Leilani. Oh! Look Leilani! It’s a list of students that are supposed to be in this classroom. While I was reading through the names I caught Leilani’s name on the list of Mr.William’s classroom, but I never saw mine. So I told Leilani to get over to the classroom. Leilani I can’t find my name on there! “Knock on the door maybe the teacher will know why.” As I knocked on the door the teacher just randomly opened the door and asked us what we needed. “Good morning, can I help you?” Umm yes actually, my mother Melanie Mcintyre signed me up for this school online, and it said that you were my homeroom teacher. “Yes, and your problem is?” asked Mr.William. Well I was checking on the piece of paper outside of your door and I couldn't find my name on the list. “Oh ok, first of all you are a very intelligent young lady.” said Mr.William in a very gentle way. Oh, why thank you! “Ok well I can help you solve this problem, if you would come right in?” asked Mr.W. Ok thank you. “That’s fine with me, and you young lady, do you have a problem?” “Oh no, I’m just here with her and I’m also in your homeroom.” Said Leilani stuttering a little.
“Ok, what is your name?” Um my name is Ellie Marie Mcintyre. “Ok, is your older brother Steven?” Yes,I actually have 3 older brothers that were in your class. “Oh really, that’s is very cool, can you name them?” Yes, there was Michael, Steven and Dean Mcintyre. “Oh wow, growing up with 3 brothers huh?” No actually I have 5 brothers. “What a handful!” said Mr.W. “Ok, Ellie I cant find you at all, in our school, is Ellie your actual name?” No, Ellie is not my actual name, but why does that matter? “Can you tell me your actual name, and it matters because, it needs to know the real name.” OK, my actual name is Ellita. “What a beautiful name!” Thank you. “Ok, I found you and the reason why you were not on the list is because, the principal put you up for president of the second grade!” So I am still in your homeroom? “No you are in nobody’s homeroom, since you are up for second grade president, you are going to be voted for and even if you don’t get president you are still in the student council.” So I just walk around the school? “No, you still have to learn this is school, you stay in the office and you have a personal tutor.” Oh ok thank you so much.
*Bell Rings* “Ok ladies, One of you need to stay, and the other needs to go to the office, bye Ellie.” As I was walking toward the office, the principal came and guided me to the place where the new office is. When I walked into the office, I saw all the other students that were going up for president and to be honest I was kind of intimidated. Then Mrs.Bradford walked into the office and told us that we were going to walk into every second grade classroom and tell the students why we should be the president of the second grade. After that we just went straight to the classrooms and we told our speeches and answered questions. I’m going to be honest with you I used the same exact speech each time. This was my speech each time “I really didn’t expect to get this privilege and I would be honored if you guys chose me to be your president, I know I’m a tiny little girl but I am capable of a lot of things and anything of your needs or wants I will be sure to put them on my list of needs, I promise if you choose me I will never let you guys down Thank you so much!” Now time to wait and see what I get! *Over the announcements* “Good morning students! This is Mrs.Bradford and it is time to find out who is the president and vice president! Let’s go with vice president first, vice president goes to Toby Kwan!!” At this point I had hope that I would be president. “Now for the president of the second grade, remember even if you didn't make president or vice president you will still be in the student council, without further ado the president is Ellita Mcintyre! Congratulations! To everyone that tried out!” At this point everyone started looking at me and I really wanted to scream! I was so happy!!!!
When I got home I told my entire family about me getting to be the president! And now the journey continues, history will take it now.
TO BE CONTINUED...