The Panther Prints

       Memorial Day is a holiday, celebrated by Americans. It honors the millions of people that died while serving in their military. It was originally called, “Decoration Day.” People started celebrating their veterans in the years following the Civil War, although it didn't become an official holiday until 1971. People honor their lovers ones that passed away by visiting cemeteries where loved ones are buried, memorials, family events, and participate in parades.       For many years, Americans celebrated Memorial Day on May 30, but in 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This act accustomed people to celebrate on the last Monday of May, so that federal employees could enjoy a three-day weekend. This took effect in 1971.     Learning about this holiday inspired me to write this short story for you. We Will Miss You         The year is 1863, we live in Virginia. Everything is chaos because Dad’s ...

In celebration of national poetry month (April), here is a slam poem. Slam Poetry is a type of competition where people read their poems without props, costumes, or music. This is a poem about body shaming. And now, without further ado I present to you, "You won't Understand." You Won't Understand By Juliette             Why. Why do we show them that this is the way? We teach the wrong, when we should be teaching the right Why do we tell them to live like this? It's gotten to a point, that's not human anymore But the problem isn't in what we say, It's what we see and show. Somehow, someone, somewhere said that this is the ideal, And this is attractive, But it blew up and became radioactive. Why do we starve ourselves to the point of death? Skipping meals to get a decent photograph Why do we spend money to look like the ones that are ruining themselves? Earning just to be spending, doesn't make sense Why do we want to be the...

Jicama Heist  Jicama, oh jicama wherefore art thou jicama? Deny thy orange and refuse thy tray And I swear, my love, they will serve you on every hot lunch day. And so, our story begins with the purge for jicama and the everlasting hunger for it. There we were, eating our drab cheddar bunnies and cardboard pizza slices, longing for the juicy, crunch of jicama, And then we saw it, the beautiful, pure white jicama. So we double knotted our shoelaces and got in our stances, ready to make the run. “GO, GO, GO, GO, GO!!!!” Running up to the hot lunch window, crouching so that the lunch lady can't see us, reaching our arms up into the bins, and snatching the beautiful vegetable, and making a run for it. Panting, we make it back to the classroom and revel in our newly won prize, Chanting our happy poem, “Jicama, oh jicama wherefore art thou jicama? Deny thy orange and refuse thy tray And I swear, my love, they will serve you on every hot lunch day!” Know it by heart, an...

Ode to Jicama* Jicama, oh jicama I love you so, Jicama, oh jicama you're white like snow. Are you a vegetable or are you a root? I'm falling for you, I need a parachute. Jicama, oh jicama you are so juicy,  Jicama, oh jicama you make me loosey-goosey. How did you get to be so good? And yet, you are still so misunderstood. Jicama, oh jicama you are so healthy, Jicama, oh jicama you snuck up on me, you're stealthy. Jicama, oh jicama you give me vitamin C, Jicama, oh Jicama you hold the key.  Jicama, oh jicama you make a great meal, for jicama, oh jicama you are quite ideal. Juliette *pronounced hick-uh-muh