Hamilton Marks, Jr.
Creative Nonfiction
Essay 3
October 29, 2010
Jerry Springer
I’ve long enjoyed the chaotic and demoralized dynamics of Jerry Springer, the television show that airs on channel eleven (11) at 11:00am. The ideas of infidelity, fornication and brute physical bouts magnets my attention. Though a shy character in the public eye, the reverse might portray me similar to entities conveyed on Jerry Springer. A psychologist might say the talk show warrants my inhibition in an outlet which is Jerry Springer, and set room for personal identification, hence my reticent personality suppresses my exhibition. Ten (10) years in the rough, violent city that is Newark has giving me liking to things I normally would shy from. I’ve had many intense arguments, and fists fights; some because of women and some due to gang confrontation or misidentification. Through careful consideration, one might say some aspects of my life exemplify the talk show.
I vividly recalled an episode that centered on women promiscuity, infidelity and outrage. The producers titled it, Jerry Springer’s – Girls Gone Wild. Personally, I thought the title was condescending and unflattering. They are all women, why call them girls? Clearly our behaviors as adults are tantamount to the respect and dignity we receive.
Fran, one of the guests on the show came out telling Jerry she has a secret to reveal to her significant other. Her significant other happened to be her best friend from her college days. Fran disclosed to Jerry that she has been unfaithful to her best friend (Angie) for about a year. In addition, she’d been cheating with Angie’s brother. Angie came on stage with fury, running toward Fran to initiate a brawl. Both Angie and Fran started fighting as the audience cheered on their favorite, who happened to be Angie. Wigs were thrown across the stage, and breasts were exposed as the male audience loudly cheered. To cut long story short, the end of the show presented frustrated, agonized and rebellious women who should instead represent womanhood, motherhood and intelligence. They had all been fighting over men who obviously did not care for them. Pardon me, but I see this as good material for writing, only for the sense of drama. However, why do women give in to men and loose themselves. I was once told “its better to loose a lover then love a looser.”
The shrill and irritating buzzing of my Toshiba alarm clock woke me up at 3:30am in the morning in order to prepare for work. I heard a distinct noise that obstructed my morning ritual of tooth brushing, showering and a glass of cold grapefruit juice. Still experiencing the effect of just waking up, I slowly walked toward the window, yarning and wiping my eyes. I pulled the curtain left, to the side and saw a view unlike no other. Directly across the street in front of the newly constructed house were a group of young women between the ages of 19-27. I estimated about fifteen, all involved in fierce arguments and fists fight.
I ignored the chaos outside my window and ran into the bathroom to prepare for work. Within twenty (20) minutes, I was ready to go to work with almost thirty (30) minutes to spare. Looking back on that day, I assumed it was my interest in the ruckus outside that encouraged me to hasten my preparation for work. With time to spare, I went back to the window and this time cracked it open. I could clearly see and hear what was going on. Amongst the crowd of women I recognized three of the ladies who live across the street in the new house. The few whom I recognized as resident from the new building were partially nude; wearing only panties and bras. As I sat by the window in my bedroom, looking at the scene, I could see, wigs coming out as fists being swung, legs rose in attempt to kick, handbags threw and etc. Honestly these girls around here fight like men! There was one that could throw a fist as good as Mike Tyson. Whomever she attacked seemed to retreat in fear and in a hurry as she was just too fierce and forceful.
While this was going on, the boyfriend of one of the nude girls amongst the three, whom I had befriended sat on the hood of his car as his girlfriend and sister-in-law wrestle and tussle in the middle of the street. He sat there enjoying the spectacle with a smoke in his mouth showing little interest in stopping the fight and vast interest in finding pleasure from it. I must admit, men love to watch women fight, hoping to see a bit of or total nudity. When one of the girls breast was revealed during the fight, I look back at my girlfriend who was sound asleep. Then I checked the time on the Toshiba alarm clock and drank a bit of my grapefruit juice. It was time for me to leave for work as I took my bag pack and Airport ID before heading out of the house.
Outside, in front of the house, before taking my last step off the porch, the police siren alerted the troublesome crowd that quickly disbursed. Still on the scene, I was stopped and questioned by the police about my knowledge and involvement in the incident. I first identified myself before telling them that I was simply on my way to work with my Airport ID at hand.
There are episodes of Jerry Springer that arise on occasions in our lives. Depending on whom we are, the incident can escalate to something harsh or otherwise. Recently, my mother and my girlfriend got into a heated argument whilst I was out running errands with my friend. There has been a building tension between my mother and my girlfriend for the past year. My girlfriend sees my mother as overly nurturing, whilst my mother claims my girlfriend has no respect for me and doesn’t treat me properly. According to my uncle who defused the confrontation, my mother asked after my whereabouts. Apparently, my girlfriend response must have been unpleasant and insolent toward my mother. Mother fire back, after which my girlfriend started yelling and pointing her fingers towards my mother’s face. To cut long story short, names were called as impulses went high over dear Hamilton. Honestly, it rips a man apart to know that his mother and his girlfriend don’t get alone. Who do you side with and what do you say?
We all have experienced our own Jerry Springer. It is that argument you have had with someone that annoyed or wronged you or vice versa. It is your first or tenth fight with a friend or an enemy. It is that moment that you look back on saying, wow I can’t believe I did that. Well you can definitely count me in regard those moments. I’ve lived and seen a few, baring scares and memories as evidence. Ladies and gentlemen: Jerry Springer.
A Moment in Time
4 Is the magic Number
Monday, December 6, 2010
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Rhetorical Analysis of Publication Venue
Hamilton Marks, Jr.
Creative Nonfiction
English 4017
Dr. Chandler
December 1, 2010
Rhetorical Analysis of Publication Venue
Purpose: to submit a copy of any of my four creative nonfiction pieces with aspiration of acceptance for publishing.
Publication’s Name: Upstreet: http://www.upstreet-mag.org/guideline_layers.html
About (Upstreet): Upstreet is an award winning annual literary anthology containing the best new fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. It is located in Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. It is an independently owned and published, nationally distributed magazine. It was founded in 2005 by Vivian Dorsel, formerly Managing Editor of The Berkshire Review for eight years. The magazine is an affiliate of Ledgetop Publishing. http://www.upstreet-mag.org/welcome_layers.html
Contact Info: Upstreet
P. O. Box 105
Richmond, MA 01254-0105
Phone: (413) 441-9702
email: editor@upstreet-mag.org
blog: http://upstreetfanclub.blogspot.com/
distributors: Source Interlink, Ingram Periodicals, Ubiquity, Disticor (Canada)
Submitting to Upstreet: submit your poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction (including prose poems) for the seventh issue.
• No longer take submissions by e-mail or surface mail, but only through the upstreet Submission Manager. http://www.upstreet-mag.org/submissions/
• The submission period for upstreet number seven is from September 1, 2010, to March 1, 2011. The Submission Manager will take work only within that time period.
• Do not include author name and info on the manuscript. Author info will including name, address, phone, email, brief bio and more will be put into the submission manager.
• Do not submit previously published works, or more than three poems, two fiction and two nonfiction pieces (including prose poems) per issue.
• Fiction or Nonfiction pieces should be 5,000 words or less. Notification will be made via e-mail, by mid-May 2011.
Analysis: from glancing at some of the issues published on upstreet and looking at their guidelines and requirements for submission, I can say as long as the submitted piece meets the requirements, it has a chance provided on what is written and how it is written.
Description: The pieces range from pop culture to ethnic, maternal, feminine, to powerful and inspirational.
http://www.upstreet-mag.org/upstreet_1_pdfs/cardenas.pdf
http://www.upstreet-mag.org/upstreet_4_pdfs/Abbott.pdf
http://www.upstreet-mag.org/upstreet_5_pdfs/Amoroso.pdf
http://www.upstreet-mag.org/upstreet_4_pdfs/Martone.pdf (CNF)
http://www.upstreet-mag.org/upstreet_3_pdfs/Tempone.pdf (CNF)
http://www.upstreet-mag.org/upstreet_1_pdfs/rapoza.pdf (CNF)
Subject Matter: Creative Nonfiction, Fiction and poetry (including Prose)
Voice/tone: some of the titles of the published pieces stretched out from humorous to moral, informative/narrative, descriptive general pop culture ideas.
Form: didn’t really say. They only commented on the creative nonfiction piece being 5,000 words or less.
Artistry: the only thing to really focus on is the structure, grammar and potent story idea. Some of the issue I skimmed through weren’t that sophisticated or extremely intense in composition. must be 5,000 words or l
• Fiction and nonfiction pieces must 00 words or
• The author’s name and contact information should not appear anywhere on the manuscript.
• The Submission Manager provides a form to enter the author’s name, address, phone number, e-mail, a brief bio, and other information of the submitte
y, and creative nonfiction the Berkshires of Western n Co
Creative Nonfiction
English 4017
Dr. Chandler
December 1, 2010
Rhetorical Analysis of Publication Venue
Purpose: to submit a copy of any of my four creative nonfiction pieces with aspiration of acceptance for publishing.
Publication’s Name: Upstreet: http://www.upstreet-mag.org/guideline_layers.html
About (Upstreet): Upstreet is an award winning annual literary anthology containing the best new fiction, poetry and creative nonfiction. It is located in Berkshires of Western Massachusetts. It is an independently owned and published, nationally distributed magazine. It was founded in 2005 by Vivian Dorsel, formerly Managing Editor of The Berkshire Review for eight years. The magazine is an affiliate of Ledgetop Publishing. http://www.upstreet-mag.org/welcome_layers.html
Contact Info: Upstreet
P. O. Box 105
Richmond, MA 01254-0105
Phone: (413) 441-9702
email: editor@upstreet-mag.org
blog: http://upstreetfanclub.blogspot.com/
distributors: Source Interlink, Ingram Periodicals, Ubiquity, Disticor (Canada)
Submitting to Upstreet: submit your poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction (including prose poems) for the seventh issue.
• No longer take submissions by e-mail or surface mail, but only through the upstreet Submission Manager. http://www.upstreet-mag.org/submissions/
• The submission period for upstreet number seven is from September 1, 2010, to March 1, 2011. The Submission Manager will take work only within that time period.
• Do not include author name and info on the manuscript. Author info will including name, address, phone, email, brief bio and more will be put into the submission manager.
• Do not submit previously published works, or more than three poems, two fiction and two nonfiction pieces (including prose poems) per issue.
• Fiction or Nonfiction pieces should be 5,000 words or less. Notification will be made via e-mail, by mid-May 2011.
Analysis: from glancing at some of the issues published on upstreet and looking at their guidelines and requirements for submission, I can say as long as the submitted piece meets the requirements, it has a chance provided on what is written and how it is written.
Description: The pieces range from pop culture to ethnic, maternal, feminine, to powerful and inspirational.
http://www.upstreet-mag.org/upstreet_1_pdfs/cardenas.pdf
http://www.upstreet-mag.org/upstreet_4_pdfs/Abbott.pdf
http://www.upstreet-mag.org/upstreet_5_pdfs/Amoroso.pdf
http://www.upstreet-mag.org/upstreet_4_pdfs/Martone.pdf (CNF)
http://www.upstreet-mag.org/upstreet_3_pdfs/Tempone.pdf (CNF)
http://www.upstreet-mag.org/upstreet_1_pdfs/rapoza.pdf (CNF)
Subject Matter: Creative Nonfiction, Fiction and poetry (including Prose)
Voice/tone: some of the titles of the published pieces stretched out from humorous to moral, informative/narrative, descriptive general pop culture ideas.
Form: didn’t really say. They only commented on the creative nonfiction piece being 5,000 words or less.
Artistry: the only thing to really focus on is the structure, grammar and potent story idea. Some of the issue I skimmed through weren’t that sophisticated or extremely intense in composition. must be 5,000 words or l
• Fiction and nonfiction pieces must 00 words or
• The author’s name and contact information should not appear anywhere on the manuscript.
• The Submission Manager provides a form to enter the author’s name, address, phone number, e-mail, a brief bio, and other information of the submitte
y, and creative nonfiction the Berkshires of Western n Co
Monday, November 29, 2010
reflective writing
I’ve made critical assessment regarding my understanding of creative nonfiction and the class (ENG4017) in general arriving at compact and constructive ideas.
I recall attempting to define creative nonfiction during the first day of class. Though not ignorant of the subject at hand, my analysis amounted vague ideas. I remember saying, “Creative Nonfiction is a type of writing that bridges nonfiction (which is factual) with different writing styles. Such writing styles include or could be satire or comedy, memoir, narrative and even sports writing. As long as they are factual, the style which one chooses to write could build up to an end product that is Creative Nonfiction.
More so, Creative Nonfiction creates scenes or pictures that I believe equates and embodies what this type of writing entails. They way events or ideas are described or segmented coins Creative Nonfiction. There are many types of nonfiction writings. However, the STYLE is what sets Creative Nonfiction from the rest, and it is this idea that is key. I must affirm that creativity centers on the idea of style or styling.”
The idea of creating and blog and posting entries came to my liking. Knowing I haven’t had an opportunity to showcase my writing, the blog created an outlet to have my pieces read. Through the blog, I was able to post four pieces of essays categorizing as “I” essay and “eye” essay. The “I” essay were very essay to write. Writing form the first person was something I knew and enjoyed doing long before enrolling in this class. However, the second kind of essays, the “eye” essays proof to be very difficult. It was then that I realized that as a creative nonfictionist, I more susceptible to writing “I” essays then “Eye” essays. The “eye” essay requires the writer to tell a story of another which had either been told to him or her or which him or her witnessed.
Going to the carriage house was a very fascinating part of the class. We all had the opportunity to read our story out loud in front of the class. Unaccustomed and uneasy to public reading, I felt a joyful release. There were many great stories exhibited by classmates whom I admired reading the pieces. Josh’s piece was brilliant. I intend to request a copy to have for myself. I look forward to the next installation.
Going for money. If a student has his or her work publish by any publication venues, that student has an automatic A for the class. Words of Dr. Chandler as she discussed we would be searching for suitable publication to send any one of our writing. Browsing the list of publications, I arrived at upstreet as my desired choice. Upstreet is a very open, free and fair publication that calls out for submissions of prose, poetry, and nonfiction. Upon reading some of their past and current publish pieces; I realized that my story fits well with some of the stories that have been published.
Now I ask myself, what have I gained form this class in regards to writing and creative nonfiction. If I cannot answer this question then my time has been wasted. Therefore, since I believe what I know is a potent response, I can say with affirmation; I feel the class was developmental and instrumental to building me as a writer to look out for.
As of this point in the class, I’ve learned how to write using styling. Styling creates a scene, mood, tone and so forth. Creative nonfiction is a stylistic genre. I learned to write descriptively, painting pictures through descriptive and telling details. I learned to allow my writing to have dynamic and prospective, which in fact can bring sophistication or twist to the piece. I learned to distance myself from the story in order to better see the story; that which I was told is a part of building a character. Building a character is very important. This is how the reader sees the author or protagonist if there is one. Through the use of journal writing, I was able to familiarize myself with my strength and weakness as a writer. Because of the journal, I have many colorful stories and writing exercises that may serve future purpose. As a testament to the class, journal writing has become a healthy practice for.
Creative nonfiction made me fall in love with writing again. My thoughts always seem to be following freely, thanks to the visual or practical exercises we do before writing. Goodbye writers block.
It has indeed been a pleasure and a tremendous learning experience taking creative nonfiction with Dr. Chandler.
I recall attempting to define creative nonfiction during the first day of class. Though not ignorant of the subject at hand, my analysis amounted vague ideas. I remember saying, “Creative Nonfiction is a type of writing that bridges nonfiction (which is factual) with different writing styles. Such writing styles include or could be satire or comedy, memoir, narrative and even sports writing. As long as they are factual, the style which one chooses to write could build up to an end product that is Creative Nonfiction.
More so, Creative Nonfiction creates scenes or pictures that I believe equates and embodies what this type of writing entails. They way events or ideas are described or segmented coins Creative Nonfiction. There are many types of nonfiction writings. However, the STYLE is what sets Creative Nonfiction from the rest, and it is this idea that is key. I must affirm that creativity centers on the idea of style or styling.”
The idea of creating and blog and posting entries came to my liking. Knowing I haven’t had an opportunity to showcase my writing, the blog created an outlet to have my pieces read. Through the blog, I was able to post four pieces of essays categorizing as “I” essay and “eye” essay. The “I” essay were very essay to write. Writing form the first person was something I knew and enjoyed doing long before enrolling in this class. However, the second kind of essays, the “eye” essays proof to be very difficult. It was then that I realized that as a creative nonfictionist, I more susceptible to writing “I” essays then “Eye” essays. The “eye” essay requires the writer to tell a story of another which had either been told to him or her or which him or her witnessed.
Going to the carriage house was a very fascinating part of the class. We all had the opportunity to read our story out loud in front of the class. Unaccustomed and uneasy to public reading, I felt a joyful release. There were many great stories exhibited by classmates whom I admired reading the pieces. Josh’s piece was brilliant. I intend to request a copy to have for myself. I look forward to the next installation.
Going for money. If a student has his or her work publish by any publication venues, that student has an automatic A for the class. Words of Dr. Chandler as she discussed we would be searching for suitable publication to send any one of our writing. Browsing the list of publications, I arrived at upstreet as my desired choice. Upstreet is a very open, free and fair publication that calls out for submissions of prose, poetry, and nonfiction. Upon reading some of their past and current publish pieces; I realized that my story fits well with some of the stories that have been published.
Now I ask myself, what have I gained form this class in regards to writing and creative nonfiction. If I cannot answer this question then my time has been wasted. Therefore, since I believe what I know is a potent response, I can say with affirmation; I feel the class was developmental and instrumental to building me as a writer to look out for.
As of this point in the class, I’ve learned how to write using styling. Styling creates a scene, mood, tone and so forth. Creative nonfiction is a stylistic genre. I learned to write descriptively, painting pictures through descriptive and telling details. I learned to allow my writing to have dynamic and prospective, which in fact can bring sophistication or twist to the piece. I learned to distance myself from the story in order to better see the story; that which I was told is a part of building a character. Building a character is very important. This is how the reader sees the author or protagonist if there is one. Through the use of journal writing, I was able to familiarize myself with my strength and weakness as a writer. Because of the journal, I have many colorful stories and writing exercises that may serve future purpose. As a testament to the class, journal writing has become a healthy practice for.
Creative nonfiction made me fall in love with writing again. My thoughts always seem to be following freely, thanks to the visual or practical exercises we do before writing. Goodbye writers block.
It has indeed been a pleasure and a tremendous learning experience taking creative nonfiction with Dr. Chandler.
Monday, November 22, 2010
publication venue
i venue i chose for publication is upstreet. it is a very open publication to poetry, nonfiction, essay and prose. As i navigated the sight, i realized that half of their publications, past to current issues were nonfiction. this resognates well with me considering that my desire piece is nonfiction, specifically creative nonfiction.
I read some of the nonfiction pieces to weight the magnitude or scale of writing being excepted. from what i gathered, they aren't to literate and sophistaceted or for that matter upscale than what i have written. with some fine touches her and there, i can be able to resourcefully present something that will be read and considered.
they are asking for not less than a thousand words. submission is free entry and im with the deadly for the next publication.
they have many postings, past and present that interested parties can read. listed is a contact info which i tried and succesfully went through but couldn't really talk because i was at work.
for all of those reason i decided to go with upstreet publication as my desired publication venue.
I read some of the nonfiction pieces to weight the magnitude or scale of writing being excepted. from what i gathered, they aren't to literate and sophistaceted or for that matter upscale than what i have written. with some fine touches her and there, i can be able to resourcefully present something that will be read and considered.
they are asking for not less than a thousand words. submission is free entry and im with the deadly for the next publication.
they have many postings, past and present that interested parties can read. listed is a contact info which i tried and succesfully went through but couldn't really talk because i was at work.
for all of those reason i decided to go with upstreet publication as my desired publication venue.
bringing in the new year (essay 2 - revised for submission)
Hamilton Marks, Jr.
Creative Nonfiction
Revised version (Essay # 2)
Dr. Chandler
November 22, 2010
Bringing In The New Year
Last New Year, I spend almost three hundred dollars in singles ($1) putting
money on the bodies of exotic dancers and drinking bottles upon bottles of well
refrigerated Heineken. I was young and unattached with little, almost no care in world,
except for the waves in my hair and being around women. A typical young adult. Though
thinking of those days makes me want to extract the word adult; something which my
behavior completely contrasted. I had my hands in places were I dare not mention in the
presence of my parents. At twelve, confetti came falling from the ceiling while naked
women were yelling HAPPY NEW YEAR! Over the years I made many resolutions to
quit going to such arenas, yet I realized I was too easily distracted and convinced when I
saw myself sitting on a stool drinking Heineken and receiving dollar pleasures.
My best friend, Solomon and I had plans to celebrate the New Year with a bang.
I spent almost the entire day at his house as we were discussing things to do for the night.
We talked about going to the strip club, a bar, then a regular club, before spending the
night at two of his female friends’ house. We had it all figure out for what would become
a fun filled and remembered New Year. As we were discussing, his mother came in
haven overheard our conversation. She began talking about how time and traveling to
America has changed everything.
“On New Year’s Day, we awoke to the dances of the masquerades and the loud beating of Djembes (African tradition drums). We spent time working together, preparing a befitting meal for the family. Later we wine and dine as a family and give thanks to God for the OLD and the NEW”. Before the rise of the moon, we would have celebrated to at least three traditional masquerades. The cultural dances were always a sight to see. Traditional dancers wearing thatch and necklace made of ivory dance along with the masquerade as the Djembe player collects money from the audience. It is said that the dances have meaning, but I’ve never been able to interpret them. Anyway, this is how we celebrate the New Year. Upon her comment, I began to recollect and reflect on what I remember about New Year’s Day in Liberia, and my experience with a masquerade as a child.
“ONCE UPON A TIME. Far away in the forest lived a child who was so ugly that children would run away from him as adults would stare curiously. He bared scars and soars all over his body that brought out a foul smell. He had freakishly large eyeball that size up with a crystal ball. Also, on his repulsive face were two enormous wax filled ear that left dripping remains of ear wax. It was said that the child had no parents. He came to being form the spirits of the land, feeding only on children and drinking only palm oil. He spent many years isolated in the forest to avoid laughter and mockery because of his looks. As time went by, already a man, he decided to get a bit braver by entering the city but things were still the same. Children would still run in fear as adults would stare peculiarly. Thus, he decided to wear a mask to hide his identity, subsequently stopping the running and staring by the town’s people. He would come to the city and dance for any audience to get him some money to feed and clothed. People enjoyed his dancing very much not knowing who he was. Children loved him as they would come to play with him (touching his gourmets so he could run after them). The dancing and the child’s play became quite a familiar scene. Not knowing his name or who he was, he soon became known as The Masquerade, a figure of excitement and festivity, tied down to the tradition of the New Year.
I woke to the smell of the delicious African Style beans and rice. The smell led me directly to the kitchen where I saw my mother preparing our New Year’s Day meal. I was annoyed realizing that I wasn’t the first person awake, but happy because it was New Year’s Day. New Year’s Day has always been one of my favorite times of the year next to Christmas. I wanted to indulge in the pleasure of waking up everyone. Thinking that six (6) was early enough, I was baffled and astonished to meet mother up before then. Looking at how far she’d gone in the meal preparation, she must have been up for hours. I said my good morning before visiting the rooms, waking up everyone in the house. Daddy was the first, then Ephraim, Rufus, Patience, Calvin, Goode, Kpene, and Uncle Mark (who would come over every New Year’s Eve to spend the holiday with us. They all woke with a fierce frown on their faces; exclaiming-“it’s too early”! Awoken with displeasure and exasperation they individually headed to the bathroom to freshen up. After taking their morning showers, the women joined mother in the kitchen as the men sat around watching soccer and drinking beer and soft drinks. I took Goode (my younger brother) outside the house where we went to pick up whipping stick for the masquerade. Goode is the closest to me in age and companionship. I called him my little sidekick.
About nine (9) in the morning, mother was done with the meal which was placed on the dining table. Drenched in sweat from the heat and smoke of the firewood, she went upstairs to freshen up. Shortly after, I began to hear the beating of Djembes which preceded loud singing and chanting. Recognizing the approaching sound, I quickly ran outside with my whipping stick. There I saw the tallest masquerade ever! It was about twelve (12) feet tall, attired in a gourmet made from the thatch of the palm. It wore wooden, rectangular shaped shoes with a chain of fish-bones tied around its mask. As it came even closer, I saw a crowd of about thirty (30) people behind the masquerade. Most of them were children ranging from eight (8) to eighteen (18). In Africa, even a twenty-one (31) years old man is still a child; especially if he is still living with his parents.
I joined the crowd, chasing after the masquerade and whipping it with my stick. Being the only one with a stick, I became the center of its diverse attention. As I approach closer to deliver another hit, amongst the midst of dancers it turned toward me and started running after me. It was relentless in its pursuit, chasing me everywhere I went. It must have followed me for about three (3) minutes around every corner and between every house. When it finally cut up to me, I had stubbed my toe on an old mango tree branch that lied in the middle of the road. There, I lied flat on the ground over crusted leaves and snail-shells. My hands, knees, and eye were bleeding from the impact of the fall and the strong contact to the branch and snail-shells. The masquerade stood over me in a conquest posture, before dancing around me and pouring white dust from his hands on my injured and tired body like a chef seasoning a meal. As I lied helplessly, I could only ponder on what it was going to do to me. Then I recall father telling us the story about the masquerade that was birthed by the spirits of the land and fed only on children and palm oil. I was frightened out of my senses, only thinking that I was going to ferociously killed or devoured. I attempted rising in order to run away but it grabbed me and stood me up. It held me high, walking through the gasped and anticipated crowd before dancing at the performance square with me up high. It was looking for my parents who somehow managed to be at the scene despite all the festivities at home. It found them by their thunderous screaming and calling out. I was gently left before their feet as it continued the masquerade’s dance.
While still frightened, I was astonished that I wasn’t devoured or harmed by the masquerade. Was it a different masquerade from that of the story told by father? Is the story at all true? I began to question the occurrence in conjunction to father’s story. Nevertheless, with my condition being one not to be disregarded, I was Immediately taken to hospital where I was sought after. Later, I returned home to join the New Year’s Day dining and festivities with many questions.
As I had been quite for quite a while and obviously distant, I became alerted by Solomon tapping the right shoulder. It was time to head out to celebrate the New Year.
Creative Nonfiction
Revised version (Essay # 2)
Dr. Chandler
November 22, 2010
Bringing In The New Year
Last New Year, I spend almost three hundred dollars in singles ($1) putting
money on the bodies of exotic dancers and drinking bottles upon bottles of well
refrigerated Heineken. I was young and unattached with little, almost no care in world,
except for the waves in my hair and being around women. A typical young adult. Though
thinking of those days makes me want to extract the word adult; something which my
behavior completely contrasted. I had my hands in places were I dare not mention in the
presence of my parents. At twelve, confetti came falling from the ceiling while naked
women were yelling HAPPY NEW YEAR! Over the years I made many resolutions to
quit going to such arenas, yet I realized I was too easily distracted and convinced when I
saw myself sitting on a stool drinking Heineken and receiving dollar pleasures.
My best friend, Solomon and I had plans to celebrate the New Year with a bang.
I spent almost the entire day at his house as we were discussing things to do for the night.
We talked about going to the strip club, a bar, then a regular club, before spending the
night at two of his female friends’ house. We had it all figure out for what would become
a fun filled and remembered New Year. As we were discussing, his mother came in
haven overheard our conversation. She began talking about how time and traveling to
America has changed everything.
“On New Year’s Day, we awoke to the dances of the masquerades and the loud beating of Djembes (African tradition drums). We spent time working together, preparing a befitting meal for the family. Later we wine and dine as a family and give thanks to God for the OLD and the NEW”. Before the rise of the moon, we would have celebrated to at least three traditional masquerades. The cultural dances were always a sight to see. Traditional dancers wearing thatch and necklace made of ivory dance along with the masquerade as the Djembe player collects money from the audience. It is said that the dances have meaning, but I’ve never been able to interpret them. Anyway, this is how we celebrate the New Year. Upon her comment, I began to recollect and reflect on what I remember about New Year’s Day in Liberia, and my experience with a masquerade as a child.
“ONCE UPON A TIME. Far away in the forest lived a child who was so ugly that children would run away from him as adults would stare curiously. He bared scars and soars all over his body that brought out a foul smell. He had freakishly large eyeball that size up with a crystal ball. Also, on his repulsive face were two enormous wax filled ear that left dripping remains of ear wax. It was said that the child had no parents. He came to being form the spirits of the land, feeding only on children and drinking only palm oil. He spent many years isolated in the forest to avoid laughter and mockery because of his looks. As time went by, already a man, he decided to get a bit braver by entering the city but things were still the same. Children would still run in fear as adults would stare peculiarly. Thus, he decided to wear a mask to hide his identity, subsequently stopping the running and staring by the town’s people. He would come to the city and dance for any audience to get him some money to feed and clothed. People enjoyed his dancing very much not knowing who he was. Children loved him as they would come to play with him (touching his gourmets so he could run after them). The dancing and the child’s play became quite a familiar scene. Not knowing his name or who he was, he soon became known as The Masquerade, a figure of excitement and festivity, tied down to the tradition of the New Year.
I woke to the smell of the delicious African Style beans and rice. The smell led me directly to the kitchen where I saw my mother preparing our New Year’s Day meal. I was annoyed realizing that I wasn’t the first person awake, but happy because it was New Year’s Day. New Year’s Day has always been one of my favorite times of the year next to Christmas. I wanted to indulge in the pleasure of waking up everyone. Thinking that six (6) was early enough, I was baffled and astonished to meet mother up before then. Looking at how far she’d gone in the meal preparation, she must have been up for hours. I said my good morning before visiting the rooms, waking up everyone in the house. Daddy was the first, then Ephraim, Rufus, Patience, Calvin, Goode, Kpene, and Uncle Mark (who would come over every New Year’s Eve to spend the holiday with us. They all woke with a fierce frown on their faces; exclaiming-“it’s too early”! Awoken with displeasure and exasperation they individually headed to the bathroom to freshen up. After taking their morning showers, the women joined mother in the kitchen as the men sat around watching soccer and drinking beer and soft drinks. I took Goode (my younger brother) outside the house where we went to pick up whipping stick for the masquerade. Goode is the closest to me in age and companionship. I called him my little sidekick.
About nine (9) in the morning, mother was done with the meal which was placed on the dining table. Drenched in sweat from the heat and smoke of the firewood, she went upstairs to freshen up. Shortly after, I began to hear the beating of Djembes which preceded loud singing and chanting. Recognizing the approaching sound, I quickly ran outside with my whipping stick. There I saw the tallest masquerade ever! It was about twelve (12) feet tall, attired in a gourmet made from the thatch of the palm. It wore wooden, rectangular shaped shoes with a chain of fish-bones tied around its mask. As it came even closer, I saw a crowd of about thirty (30) people behind the masquerade. Most of them were children ranging from eight (8) to eighteen (18). In Africa, even a twenty-one (31) years old man is still a child; especially if he is still living with his parents.
I joined the crowd, chasing after the masquerade and whipping it with my stick. Being the only one with a stick, I became the center of its diverse attention. As I approach closer to deliver another hit, amongst the midst of dancers it turned toward me and started running after me. It was relentless in its pursuit, chasing me everywhere I went. It must have followed me for about three (3) minutes around every corner and between every house. When it finally cut up to me, I had stubbed my toe on an old mango tree branch that lied in the middle of the road. There, I lied flat on the ground over crusted leaves and snail-shells. My hands, knees, and eye were bleeding from the impact of the fall and the strong contact to the branch and snail-shells. The masquerade stood over me in a conquest posture, before dancing around me and pouring white dust from his hands on my injured and tired body like a chef seasoning a meal. As I lied helplessly, I could only ponder on what it was going to do to me. Then I recall father telling us the story about the masquerade that was birthed by the spirits of the land and fed only on children and palm oil. I was frightened out of my senses, only thinking that I was going to ferociously killed or devoured. I attempted rising in order to run away but it grabbed me and stood me up. It held me high, walking through the gasped and anticipated crowd before dancing at the performance square with me up high. It was looking for my parents who somehow managed to be at the scene despite all the festivities at home. It found them by their thunderous screaming and calling out. I was gently left before their feet as it continued the masquerade’s dance.
While still frightened, I was astonished that I wasn’t devoured or harmed by the masquerade. Was it a different masquerade from that of the story told by father? Is the story at all true? I began to question the occurrence in conjunction to father’s story. Nevertheless, with my condition being one not to be disregarded, I was Immediately taken to hospital where I was sought after. Later, I returned home to join the New Year’s Day dining and festivities with many questions.
As I had been quite for quite a while and obviously distant, I became alerted by Solomon tapping the right shoulder. It was time to head out to celebrate the New Year.
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