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Cassidy Ransom

The Creaky Leaf by Cassidy Ransom, born 1994, was first published in Stepping Sideways Into Poetry Writing (Scholastic Inc. 2005), and is reproduced here with kind permission of the author and the publisher.  Cassidy has also been named Poet Laureate of her school.   

Newer poems written in 2011, 2007 and 2008 follow below.

 

 

 

THE CREAKY LEAF 

Crunching when people
Step on you,
Tattering under their feet,
You rip.

In spring when you are green,
You smell like spinach.
In the fall, you smell like
   maple syrup
Spinning onto my waffles.

Your body is a light brown,
With a tint of dark speckles.
Ripped, you can see
Right through your body.

Damp, just a wee bit,
Your body feels like leather.
You veins feel like stems.

Dark spots
Feeling like velvet.
Your edges
Like razor blades.

                 Cassidy Ransom

 

 

AN ADVENTURE
 (1/31/11) 

I’ve lived long enough to see the planets align. I’ve struggled enough to swim every ocean and sea through a terrible storm. I’ve raced among the fastest and the best. I’ve been to the moon and back again, bringing the stars back in my eyes. I’ve tasted heaven on a silver spoon, just as sweet as ice cream. I’ve heard snowflakes whisper as they fall, and I’ve held the sun in the palm of my hands. I’ve seen a fire-breathing dragon and plunged a mighty sword into him. But I’ve also nursed him back to health, and have tamed the flame upon his tongue. I’ve been to a place where flowers can never be frosted; a place where flowers are picked and never wilt. I’ve kissed frogs, none of which turned to princes; I’ve kissed princes, most of which turned into frogs. I’ve sailed the blue skies with marshmallow clouds. I’ve danced with angels. I’ve dined with Shakespeare. I’ve battled Hercules. I’ve survived the sinking of the Titanic. I’ve sang every sweet lullaby and I’ve kissed every drop of rain. I’ve lived every adventure with grace and beauty, wit and coy, but not a single adventure could compare to the one I’m living with you. 

Cassidy Ransom

 

 

Poems 2007

BLACK

The color is dark
Darker than ink
Everyone sees it
Even the blind
To some the color
Is safe
To others
It is a
Drowning thought
Of fear
But this color
Can be whatever
You want it to be
Good and Bad
Safe and Dangerous
But it's not just
A color
It's an emotion
That runs through
My broken heart


ANGER

It grows inside me
Every day
Especially when
I see the color
Red
Sins usually
Rise from
This emotion
Of which
I feel every day
Parents yelling at you
Younger sibs
Stealing your stuff
Greed and envy
Run with this emotion
The emotion that
Sets a black flame
To my heart


DEPRESSION

My heart is a black hole
Drowning me in its depths
The misery is endless
Like the night sky
Emotions of sadness and anger
Run inside my black heart
Darkness overcomes me
As blood does to my precious flesh
But sadly you don't understand
So I'll just say it simply
        Depression

 

 

LOVE POEMS 2008

 

9-14-08

 

You’re the drug;

I’m the addict.

You make me so high,

I’m erratic.

 

You’re the drink

That makes me tipsy.

You make me so drunk,

It drives me crazy.

 

You’re the nicotine

In my cigarette.

The cancer is spreading,

Time to kick the bucket.

 

I’m slipping under;

I’m starting to fade.

You’re intoxicating me

With your beautiful face.

 

I can’t quit;

It’s difficult to stop.

You’re the pain pill

I always have to pop.

 

9-15-08

 

I’m breaking

And bleeding slowly,

But no one sees the pain

Through my sheet of invisibility.

 

I’m a total mess;

Completely falling apart,

What happened between us,

‘Cause I know it’s breaking my heart.

 

What’s strange is

Even after all this time,

I’m still wishing;

Wishing you were mine.

 

9-22-08

 

The first time I met you

Was just the other day.

I fell head over heels

‘Cause you took my breath away.

 

I forgot how to blink;

I forgot how to breathe.

Your beautiful face was the

Only thing that mattered to me. 

 

You looked my way

And shot me a smile.

I had fallen in love;

There was no denial.

 

11-29-08

 

You melt my heart,

You dry my tears,

You don’t play games,

You’re always here.

 

You are oh-so sweet;

sweet as cherry pie,

Drop-dead gorgeous.

These things I cannot deny.

 

Your kisses are gentle and

Soft to the touch.

I fall head over heels,

I love you so much.

 

I love it when you hold me

With your hands on my waist

And my arms around your neck.

I feel warm, special, and safe.

 

I hope you’ll never leave me.

I hope your love is true,

Because I know one thing:

I have fallen in love with you.