An Ode To The Midwest
Blair Emsick (12)
It is not the forest that haunts me with its impenetrable darkness and its tall horrible trees that climb and climb… It is not the forest, it is the pavement of this city that haunts me. Cracking skulls, looking up all of our skirts, taking us home, and driving us far far away. The grayness is taking over this city, bigger than the green, bigger than the blue. The gray.
It is not the wind that turns me in the right direction, inspires and awakens me. It is the sway of the street lights at night. Like tall old men reminiscing as small children play around them.
It is not the ocean’s breeze that smells as sweet as a lover’s breath; blood boiling from the slaughter of livestock can be just as sweet, sweeter then the belch of the ocean.

Paramore is back! After three long exhausting tours in Europe, Asia, and Australia and a small break in April Paramore is back on tour in the states. This is Paramore’s first tour in the states since late November of this year, and Paramore’s first time back in the heartland since they played at the Mid America Center in 2008. After two years, a new album, a marriage, and a very different venue Paramore is back playing a very anticipated audience.

Sherri: What'd he say? (Immediately interested)
Delilah: Well Mark came over last night(She rolled her eyes and Sherri gave a shiver, which Delilah failed to noitce) and I was hoping you could come over to, because I didn't want to fall asleep alone listening to Mark and Bill get drunk.
Sherri: (Interrupting)Ugh how do you deal with them?
Delilah: I don't know I expected to be more angry, but I just wasn't...
Sherri: Okay, continue the story what happened?
Delilah: Oh! So I wanted you to come over, I was angry in the first place because you know I don't like Mark all that much...
Sherri: (Under her breath) Who does?
Delilah: And Bill and I begin to argue Bill said (in a mocking manly voice) Mark feels uncomfortable around Sherri, Can you believe that? (Sherri's eyes widen)
Sherri: MARK IS UNCOMFORTABLE AROUND ME?! (She's incredulous)
Delilah: (Missing something that Sherri is trying to say) I know! Right, he broke it off with you 3 months ago why should he feel uncomfortable around you! You went on two dates what's there to feel “uncomfortable about” what happened between you too?
Sherri: (Looking suddenly uncomfortable and outraged at the same time) Mark and I don't agree on things...
Delilah: (Narrowing her eyes at Sherri)What happened between you too?
Sherri: (Immediately looking away from Delilah) Nothing happened between us. I don't like him he doesn't like me (Sherri has an unexplainable suppressed terror in her face she stares off into space)
Delilah Attempts to narrow her eyes at Sherri even more unable to figure out her reaction) Why does it matter let's talk about something else.... someone's birthday coming up in two weeks (Sherri suddenly attempts to brighten Delilah obviously giving up goes along with the change of subject)
Delilah: I don't want anything big! Promise me nothing big! We'll just have cake and dinner here okay no presence or anything! Promise me.
Sherri: I promise...
Delilah: What time is it?
Sherri: About 1 o'clock why?
Delilah: Bill said he'd be home for lunch.
Sherri: He's probably busy Delilah
Delilah: (Looking around the room in a sort of panicked way) He said this was a slow season for him, because no one's spending money, he never doesn't come home for lunch (She begins to clear the women's plates and takes them to the sink)
Sherri: Don't worry about it Delilah, he's probably just busy! Trust me
Delilah: (Stares into the sink for a moment) Yeah you're probably right... Listen I'm gonna finish hanging up these curtains want to help.
Sherri: (Looking at the crooked mass of curtains) No... I think I'm gonna go home and try to finish up this test I'm writing for my students. Finals are coming up!
Delilah: Alright... I'll give you a call later, when I see what's up with Bill.
Sherri: Nothing is up with Bill! I promise you, you just got married he's madly in love with you!
Delilah: Alright I'll see you later.
Sherri: I love you okay! Good luck with these hangers

Sherri exits