In the midst of the historical accounts of Israel in the Old Testament, there exists this jewel of a verse:

And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.
- 1 Kings 18:21

This week for writing class, we have to write a college essay. (Don't ask.) This is the prompt for the college I chose, Hunter College: Tell us about a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and how it impacted you personally. (250-600 words)

Purpose
Your life has a purpose
Don't ever complain
You must push ahead
Your grumblings are vain
God's given you this day
You must make it your own
All you do and say
Is heard at the throne

Temple
Your body is a temple
Please keep it clean
Furnish with fear, tremble
For God is your king
Purify and make way
Sacrifice your desires of self
Clean them all out
Every one on the shelf

[this has been redacted for possible publication. I will repost if it doesn't get into the college lit mag.]

You know that feeling of pain in your ribs
No, wait—
I believe it’s the lungs

You know that feeling of pain in your lungs
That pain that says I’ve been working too long
It says maybe I’ve been essay writing too long
It’s kinda hindering my breathing too
And I like my breathing
Also, it means I probably need
To take off that horrible undergarment
That has wire in it
And I dare say it’s poking me in the ribs
Lungs, lungs,
I meant lungs

***

Our plates were empty of paella and were pushed away. His knees were feather-light, poking into my thighs. He leaned up, swooping his blanket over my face and hooding my head with his swaddling blanket and chortling.

It was light and white, clingy like muslin, and it smelled like babies: powder, and musty lavender, and over-washed cotton. I could almost see through it and breathe through it. I hemmed the cloth in between my mouth and pretended to bite him. "Mum mum mum!" I wobbled along his shoulder and arm.

We’re in the car with the digital clock glowing green, ticking away the minutes until the ascent to 12:45 has my mom handing back dad’s iPhone. I pull up the email I received eleven days ago and swish my thumb over the screen, leaving a sheen of thumbprint, and reach the number at the bottom. My heart is in my ears, I think, and I practice what I should say, then repeat it to my mom. She says I don’t need to go into so much detail.

Yesterday, my friend and I went to see Les Miserables on Broadway in Times Square. A friend was so kind and offered to line up at the theater to get us the $37 rush tickets. She lined up at 8:30 a.m. till 10 a.m., when the box office opened.
My dad rode the subway with us, and then since we only had two tickets, he dropped us off. We got obstructed view seats, up in the balcony in a box with two other ladies. The chairs were like diner-style chairs and they creaked (really weird), but the good thing was we could move the chairs anywhere in the space we had.

When life is rough it's hard to be tough,
But we must carry on.
We must remember that He is enough;
So we can carry on.
He has given the strength that we need
To bravely carry on.
So we will run and joyfully speed
Our cross to carry on.

Oh Lord my God I stand right here,
Do cleanse me now and draw me near.
I pray you'd purify my soul,
Please sanctify and make me whole.

Amazing Lord, oh wondrous God,
To Thee all glory and all laud.
Your mercy sav'd me from my sin.
A gift of grace given to men.

All glory be to Thee dear Lord.
Teach me to wield your holy sword,
Help me instruct and edify
Your image Lord to magnify.