Foreword
My theme is the aspect in which your life can always be changed and how there is something’s that can’t be replaced. This is about my coming of age experience, from the fantasy of me leaving my hometown to my future thoughts.
The first piece is about my childhood in a land not where I am right now. In the place where I grew up which is china. The environment can alter your thoughts and your thoughts can alter your coming of age. My next piece is a narrative diary based on years. The problem of depression and the problem of finding love. My last piece is a poem that wraps up the topic of things that can and can’t be replaced.
I want you guys to know no matter how much you hate your mom and your life you should be grateful. The love you mom gave you and the opportunity to live can never be replaced.
My name is Leonardo Li and I am 13 years old. In my life I remember people calling me Li. I live in a town called Forehaven which is located in the middle of the woods. I spend my time with my mom Jane; she is a doctor in my town. I spend my time with my mom in the woods studying mysterious plants with unnatural healing abilities. My favorite plant is the Leonard Clove. This is a plant with green spots and, leaves shaped like a lion. My name is named after the brave and almighty lions. My name was given to me by my dad; he is not in this world anymore. The plant’s name was given by my mom she wants me to never forget who I am, to never forget my loss.
My hometown is extremely small. The streets are ravaged with plants and dirt. My house is made of extremely rough wood. My mom always say life is never a straight line but filled with tacks and broken steps. Each obstacle brings pain, scarring you physically and emotionally.
This is what I can never have back again…
I am a prisoner in this land, unable to speak and unable to escape its endless wrath. I was taken prisoner. My family has abandoned me. I am in the middle of prison wondering is there true love. Life is never the same after.
“Let me out of here. Mom save me” I cried with tears rolling down my eyes.
“…. Take him away” My mom whisper with her head turned away from me, too ashamed to look at me. I was taken away for my foolish mistake.
I was on a lake one day enjoying the sight of Leonard clove. The lake is a beautiful place filled with greenery and life. The area is covered with moss and tree trunks. The lake is smooth and with beautiful fish swimming round and round, I was there relaxing.
“RUSTLE, RUSTLE, RUSTLE” One of the green bush rustles.
“Who’s there” I scream turning and reacting to the rustling noise. I slowly walk through the moss covered floor. I am now face to face against the bush. I pick up a stick and start to jab at the bush.
“Uh w…h...o’s there, huff, huff, huff” a small and beautiful voice said. I force myself into the bush to find a girl all scarred up. I immediately carried her to my mom’s store in the middle of town.
In town I see people staring at me in confusion as I race through the soft road.
“Mom I found an injured girl please help her” I scream in front of the store while running inside. I run towards a chair while carrying the girl in my arm. I lay her down and took off my clothes. I used my clothes as a blanket to keep him warm. My mom rushes over and started the process of healing as I run outside.
Sitting on the store porch looking up into the blue sky as I slowly, fall asleep away from the world around me. When I woke up it is already noon I walk into the store with blurred vision.
“Mom how is she doing” I asked my mom while yawning.
“She is injured severely; the injury seems to be scratch marks probably from trees. She should be waking up soon” my mom replied.
“Ok” I said as I walk into the room behind the store. There’s sweat all over her face. I took a towel and wiped her sweat away. I fell asleep in the room listening to the melody of her breathing.
The next morning I woke up and walked out of the room to find my mom. She was nowhere in sight. I walked back into the room to check on the girl but, she isn’t on the bed. Worried I ran outside of the store to find myself surrounded by soldiers.
“He’s the one who assisted her on escaping prison” The soldiers scream in rage. I look at them in confusion until I was locked up.
I sit on the cage floor looking down eyes red with tears face red with rage. I was taken to the capital for further research and judgment.
I was escorted into room where I received my judgments.
“Why did you help her” the judge asks me?
“I saw her injured from head to toe and near the point of dying. I needed to help her or else her life is threatened” I said
“Do you know that she escaped prison” The judge asks me.
“No” I answered.
“Please wait for your judgment” the judge said. I look down at the floor as I wait for the judge’s reply.
“Leonardo Li we now announce you as guilty” the judge says with pride.
“Why I didn’t do anything wrong” I scream.
“Helping a prisoner escape is a major crime. I now announce you to be banished from this land for 3 years” says the judge.
“Why I didn’t know she was a prisoner. You can’t do this to me. I just saved someone’s life let go of me!! I want to go home let go of me” I yelled at the judge. I was escorted to the ship.
“Get in there you little brat” the guard yell as he pushes me in the ship.
I am now all alone in darkness. My hands are free from the chains now but, the feeling of loneliness is still there. In the ship is in total darkness. I can’t see anything.
“Is anyone there” a cute female’s voice breaks the silence.
“Yes” I said while heading towards that voice.
I feel a presence around me and I was sure she is around here.
“Are you still there” I asked?
“Yes, I guess we will have to work together where ever we are going” the voice said.
Year one XX14
- We got off the ship which sent us to this unknown land. The sky, I can never forget that sight of the blue sky.
The sky is so, beautiful with puffy clouds. I walk outside to find myself stoned by the sight. I see waving grasses as far as bare eyes can see and the wind as soothing as the calm blue sea. “So, who are you” I ask the girl.
“My name is Aria I am the girl you saved. I’m sorry for involving you into this” She said with her face filled with tears.
“It’s alright… where ever we are we will always be able to go back so, don’t worry. Come let’s go for a walk” I stated while trying to calm her down. We walk through the wavy grass just as graceful as the grass itself.
“Why were you put in prison” I ask her. Aria stuttered for a second, trying to stop the tears from rolling down.
“I was imprisoned because I cared for animals. I saved a baby dragon… he had a broken wing. The dragon was going to die and, I couldn’t accept that. I took it home and they came. They accused me of trying to the dragons. I was just trying to help it…” Aria said with tears rolling down her eyes.
“It wasn’t your fault… the people in there is stupid. They can’t accept people with a kind heart. I am here and I am proud of it. I don’t blame myself for what I have done, be proud of your choice because you know its right” I said while trying to make her feel better.
“Perhaps your right” Aria said while crying. We walk through the grass side by side wishing this moment would end faster. The pain is unbearable…
We end up in a gate to somewhere that somewhat look like a village gate. Aria has stopped crying I lift her up and walk through the gate.
The people here are nice and with their help we managed to survive.
Year 2 XX15
My relationship with Aria has gotten to the point where friends can’t describe it. I need her to continue living and she needs me to continue living. We are now deeply in love. Love is a type of craziness in my opinion. I want to propose my feeling but, the time is not ripe. The second year has gone by as I enjoy her smile and, everyday meal.
Year three XX16
The third year has come the time is here. “Hon do you want to go back” I ask Aria.
“OK I miss my family and the scenery” Aria replies.
“It is set we are going for a visit” I said.
The ship that is here to pick us up is here we head in side by side. The same ship the same room where everything started.
We reach the dock and got off. We ignored the crowd and head to my mom’s store. Mom I’m back.
“Li is it really you” my mom asked.
“Yes mom it has been three years since then. Mom I miss you even if you hate me. You will always be my mother. No one can change this fact and replace you.” I said to my mom.
“You sure have grown” My mom said with tears running down her eyes.
“Mom I want to marry Aria….
Home
There is only one place
Only one place where you call home.
There is only one mom and there is only one you.
Nothing can replace them
That someone
That place
There is only one you
If you replace you
You won’t be the same anymore
Not the same
Never the same
Anymore…
