Here is my poem written in the manner of James Wright. I found this assignment to be very difficult, so I wrote a "copycat" type of poem, with the same structure, but different subject.

The Treasure
Where is this crevice
Beneath the flower’s petal
That nobodyt is able to see
A closet, of peace
Protecting the tender fruit from fire
When it opens in the tenuous wind
Its delicacy turns to dust.

Joan D. Beckman, 2004

Written in the manner of “The Jewel” by James Wright

I received six rejection letters over spring break. Not very enjoyable. I am posting a link to the band tour website, so everyone can see what I was up to on some of my break, http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/ndsu/goldstarband/concert/tour/2004/index.php. Note the bus photos, YUP I WAS IN MY FIRST BUS CRASH! I have crossed the US twice in buses, but I have never been in an accident. It was scary, but I thank god everyone is ok.
I have a busy week. I am going to be getting ready to go to Stanford and Connecticut, as well as write/refine my commencement address and write my speech for the scholar dinner. In addition I have to plan Phi Sigma career night, plan induction, and do several other things. I just got nominated for the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship, so I have to get that paper work done as well......AHHHHHH!
I will get to that poem as soon as possible, but first I have to catch up in all my other stuff!
That's all for now.

Well, band tour is rapidly approaching. We leave on Thursday for my final tour. It really is the end of something special to me. For the past four years I have been able to spend Spring Break with my best friends (and some of my worst enemies). Band tour is where I really had a chance to get to know Matt, my boyfriend, as he used me as an escape from one of the most annoying people alive during our first tour. Now, we head to the Cities for the weekend. I wish it was someplace else, like Denver or Chicago, but at least it isn't Glendive, MT like last year! Here is the band website. http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/ndsu/goldstarband

I am at work right now. I am histochemically staining my sheep blood vessels cells. Basically this involved waiting for a timer to beep before I add another chemical to the slide. It is tedious, but looks awesome when the process is finished.

Another thought, I think a rant on my friend Mike's site will be in the works over break. There are a lot of things that run through my head, but I don't have time to write about all of them. My sister did give me an awesome story idea the other day. It is a suspense story based on her recurring nightmare. It is pretty intense, since she wanted to spend the night on my floor last night.....

I am now officially the commencement speaker at the 2004 NDSU Spring Commencement. I also am speaking at the College of Science and Mathematics Scholar's Day banquet. It is pretty weird that I have been picked for these items. I never imagined that I would even have a shot at commencement, as I am NOT in student government. Apparently I did something right......

Oh, here goes the timer again!

Well, I have done little to no creative writing this past week because of my classes. I have officially become immersed in lab report writing.....yuck! I did have a few creative endeavors this past weekend since I was in pep band on Friday night and Saturday night. I also had a band concert on Saturday that was ok. It was the first time we did a February concert, so all fo the pieces were a little shaky. Our band tour is just a little over a week away, so we will have to get rid of all the gross stuff soon. I had some good news on Thursday.....I got an MSTP position at the University of Connecticut in Farmington, CT (just outside of Hartford). This means that I will not have to pay for school!!!!! However, pretty much everyone is happy yet sad because it means that I will have to move far from home. I think my Dad and sister are holding nightly prayer vigils hoping that I will get a position at the University of Minnesota. I still have an interview at Stanford as well, so my future is still up in the air......
Well, I will post my revised poetry projects when I finish them.