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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Outlook (06/02/11)
My English professor hates me.


I’m serious. He is the reason I’m going to flunk college. This assignment is impossible.


It all started out innocent enough. We’ve been studying Jane Austen for the past couple of weeks. We just finished reading Sense and Sensibility. Professor Thompson was comparing and contrasting courting with modern methods of dating. It turned into a very rousing discussion that lasted several days. And then my Professor dropped the bomb on us.


“I would like everyone to put what we’ve been talking about down on paper. On one page, tell me what you think and feel about dating. How do you date? This is an open assignment. You can do whatever you want as long as the paper is about dating. Due by Friday.”


So here I sit.


Sure, the idea seems easy enough. But I’m not like everyone else. I’m not a “date around” girl. I only want to date someone who I honestly believe could become my future husband, the guy God picked out for me. I have God-given morals and standards that a lot of other girls don’t have. Especially in a secular college. So you see, this topic isn’t the easiest for me to describe.


I think about what my professor said. “How do you date?” Ha! I don’t. I wait. I’m waiting for the man God’s chosen for me.


I smash my head down on my ancient desk.


I wonder if there’s a good movie on right now.


Focus. I need focus.


Or coffee.


My thoughts have been coming in a jumbled fashion, so I decided to write a poem. Because poem’s are all about describing things that are not easy to explain.


A few hours later…


I am finally making some progress. I think I’m really starting to portray how I feel about dating, and the words are flowing nicely.


Hey, date and mate rhyme.


Three days later…


Professor Thompson is standing at the front of the room. He’s smiling in a way that makes me nervous. I hope he doesn’t ask us to read our papers in front of the entire class.


“So in conclusion to our discussion about dating, I’d like each of you to read your papers aloud.”


This just keeps getting better and better.


A couple of unfortunate students go before my name is called. I gulp as I stand up. I’m trying really hard to avoid eye contact.


“Uh,” I stutter. Man, it is hot in here. “I wrote a poem." I take a deep breath and start.


“Prove It, Baby. By Julia Swartz.”


“I’m not looking for something that won’t last.
I’m not looking for something that goes by fast.
I’m looking for something that goes forever.
I’m looking for something more beautiful and mighty than the weather."


“While everyone else goes on date after date,
I sit here, waiting and praying for my future mate.
Fear is so much easier than trust,
But belief in God’s perfect plan is a must."


“It’s not easy to take the high road,
Sometimes it’s easier to kiss the toad.
This guy doesn’t need to be Prince Charming for me.
He just needs to be apart of God’s army."


“When love finds me, I’ll be ready.
When love finds me, it will be true and steady.
No heartbreaking surprises,
Just glorious sunrises."


“Who will I give my heart?
Certainly not to any man that plays the part.
Respect must be real,
So that our love is not surreal."


“In God I trust.
Like I said, that’s a must.
If you want more than a maybe,
Then prove it, baby, oh, baby.”


The classroom is silent as I lower my paper. As my legs give out on me, I realize I owe a huge amount of gratitude to the chair that caught me. I heave a sigh of relief and look up at Professor Thompson.


He’s smiling. “I loved it!” He says. “I love your whole outlook on dating and love. It is certainly not a view shared by many, but very honorable.” He pauses. “Christian McGree, you’re next.”


Soon class is over for the day, and everyone bolts for the door like the building is on fire. James, a popular, cute, and CHRISTIAN guy, stops me right outside the door.


“Your outlook definitely earned my respect, Julia.” He said with a handsome smile before walking away.


Oh man!


I can’t stop smiling!
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This article has been read 874 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Kathleen Langridge
06/10/11
Great hook with the beginning. Loved the scenario to include the poem. Is it a happy ever after or a time of testing?
Nancy Bucca
06/12/11
I love the way you wrote this. My favorite so far, and very creative. You've definitely proved you can write it, "baby."

Bonnie Bowden 
06/14/11
I could identify with this story. It was well crafted.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
06/16/11
I liked how you tackled the topic. Having it as part of homework made it feel real and the characters a delight. I enjoyed the poem too.

I like to write poems but have a hard time getting the rhythm down. It's hard for me to hear the beat so I have to count out each line for the syllable pattern. I noticed some of your lines had too many or too few syllables and getting the stressed accent in the right order is hard for me too.

But when it turns out to be such a lovely piece that feels like it comes from your heart all those poetry rules don't matter to me at all. Nice job.