I took a walk among the forest pines
To be alone, away from all mankind,
To listen to the sound of nothingness,
And leave my doubts and worries far behind.
And as I wandered ’neath a maple maid,
I breathed into my lungs the virgin air,
Unspoiled as of yet, so full with scents
Of spicy hemlock, with a piney flair.
I sat upon a rotten log of grey
And bathed my toes in autumn’s shining dew,
On which my two appendages reclined,
As sunshine’s rays enlightened all my view.
A while I sat in silence pondering,

My story, Planes, has been published in the Homeschool Literary Quarterly, the online magazine for homeschoolers that The Jolliest Time of the Year was published in. Upon reading my acceptance letter, my joy was immediate. I emitted an extremely girlish squeak, which made my brother mildly concerned for my mental health. It created even more concern whenever I proceeded to jump up in down first in my chair and then on my own feet, squealing mommymommymommymommymommy whilst I went to find (guess who?) my mother.