[Note: There a few parts of this issue which are not text. Sadly, they have not been included on this blog as this particular editor is not technologically savvy enough to figure out how to post them. If you would like a .pdf of this issue (it's much easier to read) email us and we'll send you one. (Offer expires April 2010.)]
From the Editors
What’s black and white and read all over? The second issue of Grebelspeaks for Fall 2009, filled with an overwhelming amount of content from YOU, the wonderful students of Grebel! We, the editors, are happy to report that our calls to action (and tasty action at that) were answered with boundless enthusiasm and creativity by the contributors to this issue. Did you know that precisely 75 chocolate chip cookies were harmed in the creation of this student newspaper? We hope to double that number next time.
Our contributors embarked on a voyage of taste, and now you have the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of their labour! Sample, savour, and indulge as you dig into this issue. Can you tell that your editors have a one track mind? Editing is a hungry, hungry business.
Now, you might have noticed the page count of this issue. Do not fret, your fearless editors have scaled these heights, and have prepared a plan for you to enjoy Grebelspeaks in bite-size morsels. First, do not attempt to fully experience this issue in one sitting without consulting your physician. Try reading one article at a time, or alternating between sections to keep your mind interested and engaged. Use Grebelspeaks as a five minute studying break - not a procrastination tool! Your dear editors would hate to bring down the academic average of this college due to too much time spent enjoying our work instead of doing your own.
To close, we’re taking cookie recipe suggestions, so the next contracts will be tastier than ever before. Now get reading!
- Josh Matthews & Tannis Schilk
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How joosh maaaatthews and sir caleb the innocent destroyed my university education
Hmm… see it? There! In the headline! I did not type joosh maaaatthews or sir caleb the innocent. I typed their real names, only to be censored by my dear joshs plaything, Oliver. There it goes again. Censoring, or, in this case, making profane, another word for laptop. It is at the point now where I cannot write a paper, cannot chat on msn, cannot even search my itunes library without this change of words taking over. What terribly SNAPE KILLS DUMBLEDORE boys. Poor Oliver is sick, and because I am just a lowly arts student, I do not have the programming skills to heal woah how did this get here what am I doing it. I am at the mercy of others. Thee, dear reader art probably thinking that this is a hilarious happening within the walls of Grebel’s short end, and yes, I will even almost agree with thee. I laughed pretty hard the first time Oliver typed “thee” against my will. But thee see, dear reader, I cannot get rid of this plague. Furthermore, it is updateable from joosh’s website. For all I know, help me I am trapped inside this laptop, joosh and sir caleb could add words to the program six months from now, and I will all of a sudden be saying “pineapple” instead of “the” again. Do thee know how hard this is to deal with when writing an essay? Even if I wanted to stop slacking and start doing some whats that im an artsie, I simply could not. [See what they did there? I tried to type “work.” What a demeaning program.] Now, I guess the origins of this program were deserved. I do bastardise the English language by using bad abbrevs every now and then, but it doesn’t even fix most of those. Instead, it insults things that mean the very most to me. Lets see if thee can guess what the following phrase started as: big dumb brute. I’ll give thee a hint… big dumb brutes lived millions of years ago. They were huge and lizard-like and I love sex magic them a lot. Check that out. If I ever have to write a paper about love sex magic, I’m a little screwed. Thanks, guys. Anyway, I guess I’m writing this as a public service announcement, so let me finish by saying this: If thee have friends in CS, do not start a war that thee cannot win. Give in, and stop using your abbrevs, even if they art awesome. And, never trust joosh maaaatthews. That’s a good moral too.
- sssssteph chandelier
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A brief discussion of the Settlers of Catan board game and personal strategies
The Settlers of Catan is a board game often found being played at Grebel with much enthusiasm. The game is in the genre of trading and strategy. With the board consisting of 19 various hexagon resource land pieces (each being arranged in random order) each time the game is played is a new board setup. The basics involve obtaining one of resources: wood, sheep, ore, wheat and wood in order to purchase new advancements. A player rolls dice each turn and numbers correspond to certain resources, which players obtain if they have a settlement or city on that particular resource. If a 7 is rolled the robber is moved by the player who rolled the 7 and can be placed on a resource which blocks that resource from being collected if it’s number is rolled. Trading of resources is often a power struggle with players demanding outrageous trades in order to exploit another player. Each settlement is worth 1 victory point with cities worth 2. 10 victory points are needed to win the game. Although luck is a significant factor of a player’s advancement and victory, there are some strategies, which we often use:
Toby’s Strategy “Massive Sheep Operation”:
A critical part of how well you will advance in the game is the placement of your first settlement. Red numbers on the board are more likely to occur and so it is a good idea to settle around these resources if possible. A strategy that works well for me is to find a resource that has numbers with high a high probability of being rolled and then concentrate on that resource. Specialized ship ports allow trading of 2 cards for 1 instead of the usual 4 to 1 without a port. I often concentrate on the sheep resource since it is often not in demand as much as the others. This allows for easy trading to acquire other player’s excess sheep, which can then be traded for resources of my choice. Using this strategy I can easily upgrade my settlements on sheep resources to cities, which allows for a greater amount of resources per turn.
Rylan’s Strategy “Long Road to Nowhere”:
An obvious strategy that works well for me is the brick-and-wood strategy. I place both my settlements on high-value wood and brick hexes, with wheat and sheep in second and third priority, respectively. The strategy is then to expand towards a few good spots, ideally cutting off a nice section of the play area as your own. This strategy almost guarantees me the “Longest Road” card, which gives me 2 victory points towards winning. Hopefully I have been able to build my roads without too much excitement, though I may have been forced by other players game styles to change my tack, and built some settlements along the way. With my section carved out, I can now concentrate on building and upgrading settlements along and within my road, forging the arduous path to winning the game.
-Rylan Halteman and Toby Woerthle
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The Art of Procrastination
Procrastination; a student’s worst enemy you say? Well I suggest that you can turn that around and make procrastination very helpful. I have found myself in the last few weeks drifting towards various silly flash games on the internet. Now, interestingly I found some that may even relate to my area of study. So off I went on a search for games for YOU! I have compiled a list of random flash games that I feel with help not only distract you from your work, but also make you believe that you are studying at the same time (warm fuzzy thoughts eh?). So here it goes, beside each on there is also a label of which program it best relates to.
Auditorium – Music – This game combines wonderful classical soundtrack with a randomly fun game.
(http://www.playauditorium.com/)
Cargo Bridge – Civil Engineering – A personal favourite in which you build a bridge (who could have guessed?) and push elephants across it (ok didn't guess that one) making sure it supports the load.
(http://www.limexgames.com/games/cargo_bridge/)
Oiligarchy – Enviro – A crazy view of what the oil companies are doing and what may be the consequence of their actions (have to play the whole game to find out).
(http://addictinggames.com/oiligarchy.html)
Pandemic 2 – Biology – What better way to figure out how to defeat diseases than to put yourself in the other's shoes? Yes I mean become the disease!
(http://www.crazymonkeygames.com/Pandemic-2.html)
Fantastic Contraption – Mechanical Engineering – Again a pretty self explanatory game, you build a contraption. Yup, it’s just like technical drawings.... and stuff.
(http://fantasticcontraption.com/)
Windfall – Enviro Business – A tycoon-based game where your goal is to power a city with wind, and it's a windy world.
(http://www.persuasivegames.com/games/files/windfall/play.html)
Lemonade World – Business – Come on, you know this is the first time you knew what you wanted to do. Supply and demand that's all it is from the lemonade right up to CEO of Walmart.
(http://www.addictinggames.com/lemonadeworld.html)
Hedgehog Launch – Phys – Hedgehogs are kinda like rockets. Yeah it's an awesome game for aspiring rocket scientists.
(http://armorgames.com/play/1760/hedgehog-launch)
Bot Arena 3 – Softies and Trons – Yeah I know you guys get to play with robots, keep rubbing it in that you get to do SUCH COOL STUFF. Well here's a game that you can make destructive robots, yup just like BATTLE BOTS, now don't go getting any ideas.
(http://www.gamesvine.com/strategy/BotArena3/)
Railway Valley – Urban Planning – Designing railroads and where they go, plan ahead! One rule... don't let trains crash!
(http://www.railwayvalley.com/play)
My apologies to:
Mathies: You get no games, for you always have a calculator which you can spell funny things on. Try 'Good Night'(6000 171647) and 'Bible'(37818).
Art Students: You don't need flash games to waste your time...
CS Students: You can just make your own!
So now you are set to be distracted and learn at the same time. Remember always use your procrastination time efficiently.
-Greg Burns
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GREBEL PENNIES GET SPENT
October 15, 2009
WATERLOO, On.--Coming off a tough loss against the Jive Turkeys (42-24), A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned, the CGUC All-Star basketball team, looks to get into the win column this Sunday. The game, starting at 6:30 EST, will be played at CIF 3, the birthplace of the taco. Sangwoo Kim, who played all 40 minutes last game, says he is looking forward to playing in the stadium for the first time. "I just love playing in front of new fans. The sight of thousands of people with ground beef and salsa sounds too good to be true. I can think of only one thing that's better-- the scent of ??."
The high-flying Conrad Grebel All-Star team looks to turn the season around with the return of Jonathan VanEgmond in a few short weeks. After undergoing knee surgery on October 7th, he hopes to make his season debut in early November. Chris Bosh says, "It'll be great to have Jonny back. We really miss the energy he provides with dunks from the three-point line and cat-burglar steals". Teammate Jose Calderon could not be reached for comments.
The team could have really used the presence of a few more runners last game, as the fantastic five of Sand Moshi, Sangwoo Kim, Ben White, Peter Groot, and Karl Mikelsons were running with no subs. They kept pace until halftime, when the score was 24-22. In the first half, White was the go-to guy for points inside, while Kim and Groot were able to hit jumpers when the other team seemed to be getting away. The Jive Turkeys starting squawking in the second half, keeping the tired Grebelites to two points in 20 minutes from a Mikelsons fast break layup. Final score, 42-24 Jive Turkeys.
"It was an epic battle. I'm just glad we were able to use our numbers, 'cause we were definitely worried at half time," said Captain Cross of the Jive Turkeys.
TIRED PENNIES’ HARD FOUGHT LEAD SLIPS AWAY
October 30, 2009
WATERLOO, On.--In another hard fought battle, Prime Time squeaked by hometown heroes A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned for the win (57-43). The home team started off strong, with exceptional ball movement and smothering man-to-man defense. The soon-to-be-hall-of-famer, Daniel Johnson, returned after a two game absence to dish out a few dimes and bank a few shots off the backboard. The veteran opponents were clearly rattled as the first half ended and A Penny was up by seven.
The stupendous play couldn't be sustained for long though as the wily vets' endurance was too much for the five young'ns on the home team. It was clear that White, Johnson, Finke, Groot, and Mikelsons could have used a sub to rest their sprightly lungs. With a few chinks in the armour showing, "Big Fundamental" of Prime Time went to work down low against the man defense of A Penny and spun a few of his own off the backboard. Not to be outdone, the legendary Dayna Finke made some clutch shots from downtown Thunder Bay to liven things up. After the game, she explained, "It's what I do. You wouldn't know it, but under Kakabeka Falls is my practice court. Every time I take a shot I stop and remember the sound of water rushing over the rocks."
Game notes:
Jonathan VanEgmond will reportedly hit the practice court on Halloween. November 7th is the doctor's date. The next opponent, That's What She Said, has some bad SOC ratings, and has never won a game. They will probably not make playoffs, but could affect A Penny's rank in the playoff bracket.
The final game of the season will be played Sunday, November 15th at the PAC, where the Pennies face rivals The Motorboaters. The Motorboaters won by nine in their last meeting (September 27th).
-Karl Mikelsons
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Sid “The Kid” Crosby vs. Alexander “The Great” Ovechkin
Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin. These two young men are of the most famous, most popular, and most skilled players in the NHL today. The question being asked by my colleagues, the entire NHL community, and perhaps even the entire world is . . . “Who is better?”
Well let’s start with the basics. Here are two things we should agree on before this little debate begins:
1. Ovechkin is a better GOAL SCORER (yes Sidney is good too, but if you had to pick a pure goal scorer, who would you take?)
2. Sidney is a better PLAYMAKER (yes Ovie can make plays too, but see above, and replace goal scorer with playmaker)
Here are my thoughts on each player, and we’ll go on to compare them from there.
Alexander Ovechkin
Thumbs up to Ovechkin. I like him a lot. In fact I personally like him better than Sid, but I am trying to avoid bias here. This guy came to Washington, a team in shambles, and has turned around that entire franchise. Look at the atmosphere of the fans in Washington now – Electric (all wearing Ovechkin Jerseys of course). He scores amazing goals, he makes the big hit, he doesn't back down when confronted, and he loves the game for what it is. He is a true lead-by-example guy. He also turned down the team captaincy because he felt he wasn’t prepared to take on a huge responsibility like that yet. That takes guts. Also, a lot of people see him as a showboat and as unsportsmanlike, but I completely disagree. I see a guy who just loves scoring, a guy who loves the game of hockey! It's like every day is his birthday when he scores. It's hard to hate on a guy for that. I understand that he has taken it a little far sometimes . . . a certain "hot stick" celebration comes to mind. But I wouldn't think of him as unsportsmanlike. Everyone makes mistakes right? The downsides however do exist, as no one is perfect. He is a slack defensive player most of the time. Perhaps that is why he is able to score so many goals? Yes. Is he setting himself up for something tragic? I believe so. The way he plays, with that speed, with that dynamic look, and with that flare also comes the adherent risk that someone is going to clean his clock eventually. Sad but true. Remember Eric Lindros? He was one of the best players in the world in his prime, and after meeting Mr. Stevens’ shoulder . . . well eating breakfast was enough trouble for him from there on out. I hope that doesn’t happen to Ovechkin, but the possibility is certainly there. I also worry that he will have difficulty keeping up his current scoring pace. He takes a beating in every game, and one wonders how long one man’s body can keep up with it. Everyone wears down eventually; it's just how you wear down that makes the difference.
Sidney Crosby
When Crosby first came into the league, he was a golden boy. Everyone knew who he was, and what he was capable of doing. This much was known as fact. His entrance into the Penguins lineup turned around another struggling franchise, and he has taken them to new heights. But he was a whiner in the first little while of his career, and that much was apparent. I like where he has gone though. I like how he has matured, I like how his game is more solid than it once was, and I don't disagree with him being the captain of the Penguins. He is a true leader, not to mention a pretty good hockey player. He makes some of the most spectacular plays in hockey, slick passing, "ignorant sauce" *thanks to Josh Zehr for that line*, and to boot, the kid can put pucks in the net. There isn't much to dislike about this guy. Now that his game has improved, he has been killing penalties, and winning key face-offs late in the game. He is a better "all around" player than Ovechkin. Again, there are downsides to each player. Sid has proven to get in over his head sometimes, and let his emotions carry him away, hurting the team in the end. A little feud with a certain Ilya Kovalchuk is resonating in my mind right now . . . He has also had a couple of injuries that could be worrisome, but no more worrisome that how hard Ovechkin is on his body.
So where does this take us in this little debate . . . to a hockey fan’s database, the stats.
[Suffice to say, the stats back up the argument that follows, but they are long and do not format well. -Ed]
So the stats are pretty even and similar in ways. They also support my first statement: Sidney is a playmaker, and Ovechkin is a goal scorer. So these solve nothing. Congrats, we are back where we started.
So if stats can’t help us, how do we compare these two great players? Well, it is about as easy as it is to cut down a tree with a herring (that is, not very easy). How do you compare two different styles of play, a top goal scorer, and a top playmaker? Well, my first recommendation is . . . just don't. They are totally different players. It's like comparing Roberto Luongo to Kobe Bryant to, oh, I don't know . . . Super Mario. Which of the previous three do you choose to start your franchise? "Well, I suppose that depends on the sport (or product) now doesn't it?" you say? Well yes, yes it does. So, in our debate, do you want to start your franchise with a solid playmaker or a dynamic goal scorer? They are both great choices, it just depends on what you are looking for. Ovie is an exciting player, who gives off energy to everyone. Sid is more down to earth, and more mature in ways. You can't really go wrong with either. And therein lies our problem. We have yet to solve anything. We looked at stats, and they are pretty even overall. So lets try to do this with awards then shall we?
Ovechkin
2006 - Calder - Rookie of the Year
2008, 2009 - Lester B Pearson - NHL Outstanding Player
2008, 2009 - Hart Memorial - MVP
2008 - Art Ross - Most Points Amassed
2008, 2009 - Rocket Richard - Most Goals Amassed
Crosby
2007 - Art Ross - Most Points Amassed
2007 - Lester B Pearson - NHL Outstanding Player
2007 - Hart Memorial - MVP
2009 - Stanley Cup - . . . Well, you know.
So yes, Ovie won the rookie season by winning the Calder (but he was a year older). They have both won the Lester B. Pearson (Sid 1, Ovie 2 . . . Sid won it first . . . but Ovie has 2). They have both won the Hart Memorial (Sid 1, Ovie 2 . . . again, Sid won it first, but Ovie has 2). They have both won the Art Ross once, again with Sid doing it first. Ovie has 2 Rocket Richards, and Sid has none. BUT Sid has a Stanley Cup, and Ovie does not.
So depending on how you look at it, there could be a winner here. To name a few options:
1. Ovie has more awards and it therefore better
2. Sidney won most of the awards first and is therefore better
3. They are pretty even, but Sid has a Cup, thus Sidney is better
4. I don't like this argument anymore, I'm going to go study calculus . . .
So to end this argument. Let's not just compare them. They are both amazing players, each with their own strengths in the game. Depending on what kind of player you like (or which bias you have for certain countries). That will change your opinion, and that I'm sure about. Let's just be thankful we have this "rivalry" as opposed to none whatsoever. What would tennis be without Federer vs. Nadal. What would English soccer be without Man U vs. Chelsea? What would chocolate be without vanilla?
So let's put it to rest. We'll come back to this issue when their careers are over, and when we have some more awards, stats, and youtube videos to look at. Sound fair?
- Blaine Cressman
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The Politics of Climate & The Climate of Politics
Good planets are hard to find, so hopefully, the outcome of the upcoming UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen won’t send us looking frantically for a new one. Hopefully, our leaders will pay attention to scientists when they warn us that there’s already too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Hopefully they will listen to us when we say that we want to grow up in a world where there is fresh air and water for everyone, and equal distribution of resources. But even with Obama in the Oval Office, we cannot expect that hope alone will empower our leaders to make bold changes—that is a task for us.
Here’s a secret of politics: the main goal is to get re-elected. This is not a cynical jab at politicians—it’s simply a reality. Even the best-intentioned leaders know that they have to be in a seat of power to accomplish their goals. For activists, this means that heartfelt stories about polar bears are not enough to change deeply entrenched environmental policies. We must demonstrate to our leaders that taking action on climate issues is the only way for them to get re-elected. This means that they need to hear from their voters.
On October 24th, International Day of Climate Action, people around the world joined together in the most widespread day of political action in human history. One of the 5200 events took place here in Waterloo, at the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery. 130 people (including several Grebelites) braved the wind and the rain to march to MP Peter Braid’s office, and many marched on to First United Church, where we heard speeches by a Laurier professor and a local activist. It was inspiring to see the diverse group of people at the rally, and we enjoyed sharing our visions for a low-carbon future over waffles and hot chocolate. The media was also impressed by the turnout, and we headlined CTV News, The Kitchener Record, and The Waterloo Chronicle for the whole weekend! (Check out the CTV website for footage of your roommate fighting The Man.) All in all, the event was a huge success, and the organizers have great plans for the remaining weeks leading up to the UN Climate Conference in Copenhagen. This won’t be the last time we’re in the news. Ask me if you’d like to learn more about the Climate Action Project and our local campaigns!
-Laura Dyck
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Thoughts on the Intergender Forum
I was only fortunate enough to stay at the forum for the 'first half' of the discussion, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I found that there were a lot of good ideas that were being thrown out and a lot of really strong opinions. I felt that although there were some controversial issues and topics out there, everyone kept a good frame of mind and did their best to respect the opinions of others. Because I didn't stay the whole way through- as I'm sure many people didn't- I think we should host another session for next term. I really regret not being able to stay because apparently there were a lot more humourous discussions at the end.
Here's to hoping that FLOW and DUDES can arrange another forum.. And this time, with Kyrie in attendance.
-Laura McConachie
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Excerpts From Africa
This past May and June I went to Zambia to teach grade 8 Maths. I arrived in Lusaka at 6AM and was picked up by the MCC representatives, Kathy and Eric Fast (from Winnipeg). That day they suggested I wander around Lusaka and see what I could see. On my travels around town, some of the locals asked me these questions:
“How are you?” Which is a fine question to ask, except when it’s followed by...
“How are your children?” This one I just ignored.
“Where are you staying? Are you from within?” What does “from within” mean. I don’t want to tell them where I’m staying since I don’t want them (in particular young men) to come and take me out for the night.
“Where are you from?” Sure it doesn’t hurt to answer that-“I’m from Canada”. Well, not until they ask, “Why didn’t bring anything nice from Canada?”.
One kind lady asked in broken English, “Can you find me a job?” That was a hard question to hear. First I was very new to this town and culture and knew nothing. I responded by saying, “Sorry, I’m new. God bless you,” and walked off.
“What are you doing here?” I can answer that-“Just visiting”. But they are just too smart. They then ask...
“Visiting who?” So I say friends, but that doesn’t cut it.
“What kind...boy or girl?” I guess I could have said they’re married, but I just couldn’t think as fast as they could.
Then they ask “Where?” and I said at a guest house, but of course that’s not good enough. They ask which one and where it is. And I tell them, the one down there (pointing in any random direction) but they don’t like that, either. So eventually, I say the MCC one. They know that MCC stands for Mennonite Central Committee and so they ask me...
“You’re just visiting not working?” Hey, the first question I can somewhat agree on.
I should have brought out a picture of my fake husband and my fake kids or at least showed them my ‘wedding band’. Especially with the all the sweet talkin’ the young men gave me -“You look fine”, “You are beautiful”, or “You have good hips, you’ll make good babies”.
Fortunately that first day did not colour my awesome experience too badly. I did have great conversations with people, learned lots , experienced so many things and made close friendships. In fact, I’ve been in contact with some of my fellow teachers and my host sisters through email and Facebook.
After reading my journal about these questions some Zambians asked me, I began to wonder, “why don’t we ask questions here to find out about people? I mean there have been many times when I’m standing at the bus stop and see the same people day after day and don’t say a word. Why don’t I? Should I ask them questions?
-Kristen Ollies
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A Visit to Little City Farm
Food. Peace Society. Food Security. Local food. Local farm? Lets visit a local farm! Maybe we can pick apples... Phone calls. Emails. Talking. Bus routes. More emails. That is the story of how Peace Society came to organize a trip, co-sponsored by the Environment Committee, to an urban farm.
On a beautiful fall afternoon this October, eighteen Grebelites made their way to Little City Farm, an urban homestead where one family is making a conscience choice to live more simply and sustainably in the city.
Karen and Greg’s original dream was to start an organic farm or co’op, but with land prices so high, they decided to explore urban agriculture instead. Now they grow about 50% of the food they consume on 1/3 acre, keep chickens for eggs, recycle their grey water (dish and laundry water) in a pond system, collect rainwater, recently built a straw bale addition, take part in a car share program, started a barter system for K-W, run a vegan bed and breakfast, bakery and workshops, and do many other things to live more sustainably in the city!
We came upon the 100 year old house tucked in a street corner among rows of vegetables and herbs, a small forest to replace the normal lawn, and grey water purifying ponds. After a wonderful hour spent learning outside in the sun with their one year old daughter, Maya, their dog, and the chickens, we left with stomachs and hearts full of warm wildflour hearthbread and inspiration to change the world, one small project at a time!
-Sara Brubacher
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On Being a Gentleman
A Note from the author:
In today’s modern age, an age full of opinions on every topic imaginable; and with every viewpoint, a writer must accept the consequences of publishing material which is their opinion, and is not based on inarguable fact. That being said, writing about gentlemanly comportment and chivalry, topics so deeply entrenched in culture, society and history; is not short of suicide if not done right. Please forgive any politically incorrect oversights I make in this piece, and please post any opinions you may have on the opinion board. If you like what you read, I’d encourage you to join me at the next etiquette class.
“The final test of a gentleman is his respect for those who can be of no possible service to him.” – William Lyon Phelps, founder of the Elizabethan Club at Yale.
Let me begin by saying being a gentleman is more than just holding open doors, wearing snappy clothes and knowing which fork to use at a dinner party. Being a gentleman, as Prof. Phelps so adequately put, is a lifestyle choice. In the Victorian Era, “Gentleman” was a title reserved for men who could afford not to work. The elaborate rules they created for acceptable societal conduct are today’s understanding of what a gentleman was, but it should be remembered it was the title. Today, any man can be gentleman if he so chooses, and not by quitting their job, but by embodying the spirit of what makes a man a gentleman.
So, you must be asking yourselves “what is this spirit he speaks of?” I’ll try to explain it. Like the quote says, being a gentleman means giving your attention and respect to those who haven’t earned, or don’t deserve it. It means holding a door open for women, the elderly, or those who simply need a hand. Conversely it also means accepting an opened door from a woman or elderly person graciously. I could go on with other examples but it will suffice to say that exercising courtesy and respect are the general rule of thumb.
What about women? Ladies, please don’t think you’ve been forgotten. The Victorian Era also followed an intricately woven web of rules. But like gentlemen, you needn’t know them to be a lady. Exercise courtesy as well and everyone will be a little better for it. A note about women who feel lowered by accepting a man’s holding of a door, please know that the man wishes only to honour you. He knows you can get it yourself, but he wants to save you the trouble.
A final note: a piece of decent behaviour that seems to have been lost on today’s generation is doing things in person. Important discussions and interactions should always be conducted in person, or at least over the phone. These include personal discussions, business meetings, and especially break-ups. Ladies, if a guy EVER tries to break-up in ANY way except to your face, he is bounder and a cad. Everyone deserves a break-up in person, not over a facebook status change.
cad [kad] –noun: An ill-bred man, esp. one who behaves in a dishonorable or irresponsible way toward women.
bounder [boun-der] –noun: An obtrusive, ill-bred man.
-David Lenton
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Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day. Even the least observant among us know that it’s just around the corner, thanks to the sudden garden of red poppies springing up on the lapels of the student population. Canada and the other members of the commonwealth have been celebrating a day of Remembrance on November 11th since 1919, when King George V set it aside as a day of observance in honour of the soldiers killed during war, and we started wearing the poppy soon afterwards. But for Mennonites and other pacifists, that poppy poses a dilemma.
We wear the poppy primarily because of the poem “In Flanders Fields”. Before WWI, there were only a scattering of poppies in Flanders. The bombardments launched by both sides mixed limestone rubble into the soil, creating the growing conditions perfect for the red poppy, while simultaneously stirring up the soil and exposing the poppy seeds to sunlight. When the war ended and the bombardments ceased, the lime was absorbed and the soil left undisturbed. The poppies faded away - but not before Lieut-Col. John McCrae, a Canadian Doctor, composed the rough draft of his infamous poem.
According to the stories it was an American woman, Moina Michael, who began wearing the poppy as a symbol of remembrance after reading McCrae’s poem. Then France’s Madame Guerin learned about the custom during a 1920 visit to the country. Upon her return home, she began employing wounded vets, war widows, and orphans to help her make and sell silk poppies. Her goal was to facilitate remembrance and create jobs for those affected by the war. The first poppies were distributed in 1921 to Canada, France, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, and England.
Most people these days wear the poppy. It’s almost taboo not to – every year, it seems, some newscaster refuses to wear one and makes themselves the subject of public outcry. One Grebelite that I talked to last November outright admitted that he wears his poppy to conform - which is more-or-less why I wear my poppy, too. I’m all in favour of remembrance; I just don’t think that the poppy is a pre-requisite.
But while I’m merely ambivalent on the issue, some people point-blank disagree with the principal of wearing a poppy. Here at Grebel, where a good chunk of our population is some flavour of pacifist, a lot of people feel that Remembrance Day glorifies war by venerating veterans and, in turn, venerating the war they fought in. An editorial writer for the Mennonite Brethern Herald said,
“Remembrance Day services make me uneasy because they focus too much on those who died on ‘our side,’ and, by implication, on God’s side. How often do we recall the larger picture – the loss of hopes and dreams, loss of innocence, psychological torment, and broken bodies regardless of allegiance? In WWII Canada lost some 45,000 soldiers. Germany lost 4 million soldiers and 2 million civilians.”
A popular alternative to the poppy is that little red pin that MCC puts out, which reads: “To Remember is to Work for Peace”. I wore the pin myself last year – not because of any strong political leaning, but because I happened to have a pin on hand, and hadn’t yet acquired a poppy. I talked to some Grebelites who chose to wear the pin, and the majority view was summed up by a girl who said: “I respect those who fought in the war, and I’m grateful for their sacrifices, but I cannot condone their choice to kill, and I can’t wear a symbol that condones that choice.”
Another alternative, more popular in the UK than Canada, is the white poppy. The white poppy appeals to me, conceptually. Most veterans, however, seem to disagree. They say it’s inappropriate and illegal to piggy-back symbols like that – “The poppy, in any form other than a real poppy, is a registered symbol of the legion and can't be used without permission”, says one article.2 The creators of the white poppy feel that their poppies allow them to be respectful to the sacrifices made, while still making their point – but can it still be respectful if the very people it’s meant to respect are so offended? “It's taking a symbol of sacrifice and using it to represent a political position”, one veteran said.
Some people choose to wear both a poppy and an MCC pin, as a form of compromise. This year, I spoke to a Grebelite who wears the poppy in Grebel and the pin on campus, to provoke discussion. But on Remembrance Day, he says he’ll be wearing the poppy alone. Because Remembrance Day isn’t supposed to be about the politics. Regardless of our beliefs, the day really is supposed to be about remembering, not using the suffering of others to make a point. Maybe you agree. Maybe you don’t. But it’s something worth thinking about this year, as we remember.
-Ellen Bleaney
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Blast from the past
[In this section we will reprint an article that catches our fancy from Grebel Speaks issues of years past. -Ed.]
Peace in Action: Mennonites in World War Two
My grandmother was an Old Order Mennonite. When she was growing up, she wore plain dresses, a muslin prayer cap on her head, and rode in a horse and buggy. Many Mennonites still do today. I am a Mennonite. I wear jeans, and t-shirts, cut my hair short, and drive a red car. Many Mennonites live this way, too. So, what makes us Mennonites?
Why are we different from anyone else? In a lot of ways I’m like many of the people around me. Amidst my diverse group of friends, I can claim my own Swiss-German Mennonite and Amish ancestry. As I work and play alongside people from different churches, I learn how much we have in common as Christians. Still, there are things that make the Mennonite church different. Experiences that give Mennonites a different perspective, another way of doing things. One thing that has set the Mennonite church apart since the beginning, when the Anabaptist movement started in the 16th century, has been its stance on nonresistance. We believe in and seek peace. But, what does nonresistance mean in a country that has gone to war?
Even as World War II was still brewing in Europe, Mennonites were preparing for the worst. In March of 1939, six months before the war actually broke out, representatives from seven different groups of Mennonites, as well as two other historic peace churches, met for a conference in Chicago. This began a long discussion about their role in the war.
Although all named after the same man - Menno Simons, a 16th century Dutch Anabaptist - Mennonites in Canada are a very diverse group. This diversity was particularly clear during the time of the Second World War. Although the Mennonite leaders at the time were united in deciding against participation in combatant military service, they differed in opinions about what to do in its place. Many groups of Mennonites were prepared to make an offer to the Canadian government for alternative service during the war, but this had different meanings for different people. Some Mennonites wanted to wait and see what the government would have to say, since Mennonites had been granted exemption from military service in World War I. Most Mennonites, however, knew that they would have to have some kind of plan to offer in case complete exemption would no longer be possible. Many Mennonites were in fact very willing to begin thinking about how their young people could sere Canada in non-violent and productive ways.
There were many discussions and debates about alternative service, within the Mennonite community and between Mennonites and the government. The result was that many Mennonite men of conscription age were exempted from military service because they objected to it for “reasons of conscience”. These young men served in a variety of different ways throughout the war. The most dominant form of alterative service as done at work camps. In jobs like maintenance of national parks, road construction, and extinguishing forest fires, these conscientious objectors did what they could for their county while still staying true to their convictions. Other conscientious objectors served in the medical field. At hospitals or related institutions, any Mennonite men filled the shoes of others who were fighting overseas. Some chose to go overseas themselves, with the Canadian Army Medical Corps.
The fact cannot be ignored that some Mennonite men also chose to join the military. Each man would have had his own reasons, although prevalent in some minds may have been the desire to prove to the rest of their non-Mennonite community that they were in fact loyal Canadians. After all, as a German-speaking people in a country that was battling against Germany, Mennonites were subject to a lot of harassment and suspicion. About 4,500 Mennonites fought in World War II, while over 7,500 made the choice of alternative service.
I have written a lot about actions that Mennonites would have taken mostly as individuals. Community and connectedness, however, are also very important to Mennonites as a people. There were a number of relief organisations that were either founded or continued to do a lot of work during the Second World War. Many of these organisations cooperated under the Mennonite Central Committee, a still-existing relief organisation that was able to make arrangements such as distribution of goods overseas. Many people were eager to illustrate in this way the principles and values they held because of their faith, rather than seem to be merely avoiding the sacrifices that others were making.
I am Mennonite. This means a lot of different things to me, but in part, it means that I seek to follow the way of peace. It is easy to live one’s own life and try to blend into the crowd, but in hearing of my relatives who refused to back down from their convictions and beliefs, I gain encouragement that I, too, can work productively for peace, if only I will.
-Alissa Bender
February 2000
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If you give a grebelite a cookie...
The cookie I received from Tannis and Josh was very good. It had a specific flavour that i cannot put my finger on. Was it vanilla? or possibly almond? I noticed a slight taste of baking powder or baking soda as well, which i quite enjoyed. There was jus the right amount of chocolate chips, and the perfect texture too. Can you bake a chocolate chip cookie this delicious? I should recall what ingredients were used because of the knowledge I gained in food and nutrition. For a week our class played the role of a cookie connoisseur and we learned what ingredients do what to a cookie. Shortening, butter, margarine? White sugar, brown sugar, sweetener? Baking soda, baking powder, cream of tartar? White flour, whole wheat flour, mixture? So many ways to make a cookie, yet this one was just right. Bravo.
-Brigitte Neufeld
I got a cookie
In exchange for this Haiku
It was SO worth it!
-Ellery Penner
Soft and delicious
Angelic, palatable
A Grebel delight
-Michelle Metzger
To get me to write, Josh gave me a cookie
Made my arms raise in joy, just like a wookie
But now my sense of guilt
Has been solidly built
And I can’t play article hookey
So now my mind’s set in a certain mode
To write to this cookie a beautiful ode
Without fault or distortion
Of the epic proportions
Of taste, that through my mouth flowed
But now I guess my wit has been bested
Since my poetic ability here has been tested
And this poetic endeavour
Seems not very clever
But too late! The guilt-cookie’s digested
Guess they’ll just have to live with this.
-Ross Arnold
Tannis, Steph and Josh came around.
We took a cookie contract bound.
And here we now sit,
providing our bit.
Hoping this will not make you frown.
-Dani Hoover and Jacquie Read
It was Grebel Speak Submission Week and hearing the call for articles in the hallway from Josh, Tannis, and Steph, I couldn't resist popping my head out to watch plates of cookies run... Ahem... I mean walk past my room. So now once again, I'm sitting in front of my computer hurriedly typing out an article into an e-mail rather than a Word Document.
Anyways, where was I? Ah yes, the cookie. The thick triple chocolate chip cookie created by Josh Matthews was quite excellent, I must say. It was still warm when I got it; crunchy on the edges yet soft and tender in the middle. It wasn't too sweet, it had a good balance of chips, and had a nice homemade look to them. The cookies had a subtle nutty flavour with a hint of butter and evoked thoughts of the letter P. Don't ask...
However, I did find that this type of cookie is better when it's baked longer. The less baked cookies of the batch were not as good as the darker ones and I am not simply speaking out of bias as I do enjoy partially baked cookies from time-to-time.
I look forward to the next batch, Josh Matthews.
-Christina Shum
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Dear Conrad Grebel
Dear Conrad Grebel: I love it when people come to hang out in my room and socialize, but I have a hard time getting them to leave when I’ve got work to be done. How can I maintain both my friendships and my good grades, without driving people away or offending anyone? Stumped in the short end
Dear Stumped: I would recommend shutting your door and putting on headphones at all times that you don’t want to be disturbed. That way, even if someone knocks, you do not hear and art not tempted to open the door. Also, if there is a time of day when people seem scarce, I would recommend adapting to making that your official working time. (Eg. First thing in the morning, or a time when many of your friends are in class.) There’s also no shame in asking people to find another place to hang out—your friends and peers know that you are here to get an education, and will understand. Just be sure to go and find them when you don’t want to be working, so they know you still want social time too.
Dear Conrad Grebel: I got turned down by a girl at a dance where the partner is told they have to accept. More to the point, this is representative of my love life. Can you help me? A Grebel student who would like to remain anonymous so he doesn’t receive pity dances
Dear Anonymous: That’s frustrating! First off, I suggest you give up on that particular girl. Then, I would grab some chocolate or ice cream and indulge in self-pity for a short amount of time. When the ice cream or chocolate is gone, pick yourself up and enjoy where you are at. There are many things to learn while romantically uninvolved—maybe there is an epiphany in your future. Soon enough, you will find a girl to dance with because she wants to, not because she is told she should. Good luck.
Dear Conrad Grebel: For the past 2 weeks I've been having the same dream, and I'm starting to wonder if it means something. It starts off with me in my tree fort singing "Over the Rainbow" and wearing one of those biohazardous chemical suits. My mom is yelling at me to go walk the dog, but I'm not listening to her because I know she's actually Genghis Khan in disguise. So in the meantime I'm whittling a spear out of a tree branch for protection. Genghis is now bribing me with vanilla flavoured toothpaste, my favourite. I reply with something like, "You'll never catch me, Abraham Lincoln!" With that he rips off his mask and starts his ascent up my tree. I hurl my makeshift spear at him but it turns to cotton swabs just before hitting him. In a last ditch effort I hurl myself out of the tree and suddenly find myself in the capital of Uzbekistan. Troubled in Tashkent
Dear Troubled: I believe this dream is a metaphor for an extreme amount of pent up and repressed anger that you have for your second-cousin after she stole your highlighter in third grade. The appearance of weapons in your dream signifies the anger, while the tree-fort is your feeling of entrapment and inability to do anything about it. Genghis Khan is an unbeatable enemy, particularly because your attacks all turn to cotton in front of him. This is likely a representation of your attempts to confront your cousin, but a lack of backbone in doing so. The appearance of your mother in the dream is likely because you told her about the situation and she sided against you—a bitterness you hold to this day. However, vanilla toothpaste signifies good fortune, so I believe your cousin will receive retribution, or you will receive a new monocle as compensation for your loss.
Dear Conrad Grebel: I’ve heard that pranks art highly encouraged at your college. My roommate is particularly deserving of a good pranking, but I have no ideas. What should I do? Gagless
Dear Gagless: A classic is to have an opposite gendered friend to hide an overnight bag or a piece of undergarment in your room on a day when your roommate’s family is paying a visit. When they are being given a tour, this is a perfect time to have that opposite gendered friend drop by, dressed in pyjamas or a housecoat and ask for the item back. Be careful though: some families (and roommates) will find this funnier than others. It’s also funny to steal every pair of someone’s pants. Happy pranking!
Dear Conrad Grebel: Why is it that the stars align for some and not for others?
Why does the moon weep on nights of such beauty?
And why does my soul glow like a solar eclipse? Why, Grebel, why?
Dear profound astronomer: The stars align, depending on one’s outlook; beauty is subjective, and the moon does not see like as you do; and your soul lights your path on the darkest of nights.
Sincerely,
Conrad Grebel
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We Have a Crush on Dan Johnson
Dan Johnson, got a crush on you.
Dan Johnson, got something for you.
Dan Johnson, it's a piece of my heart.
Dan Johnson, don't tear it apart.
-Stephanie Epp and Brigitte Neufeld
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British Pop – My Therapist
A Sunday Evening: I awoke from a perfect after-school nap. My bed covers had formed into a cocoon and there was complete darkness all around me. Yet, despite my well rested state, I was still miserable.
Sitting up sideways in my bed, the small bit of light from my window cast a dull light over my desk. This illuminated my Lily Allen and La Roux posters. I got to thinking. Music could guide me in the right direction. British pop is the answer!
If I took the Lily Allen approach, I could talk shit about him to everyone that would listen. Maybe sleep around a little and get very drunk. But would I really feel that much better in the end? Judging from her music, no. Or I could take the La Roux approach. I should just go in for the kill and hopefully next time I will be bulletproof. That’s it. I had to be honest about my feelings and put it all out there.
According to Elly Jackson, lead singer of La Roux, In for the Kill is based on the time she got on a train to Paris to tell this guy that she loved him. Hopping on a train to another country is a lot more drastic than writing a text. So I did it: I told him I loved him in a text.
As I wait for a response I will take comfort in knowing that the guy ended up rejecting Elly, and she went on to write an amazing album.
-Anonymous
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A Night at the ATM
One late winter eve as I was making my way from the SLC bracing for the cold that I knew would await me out side the doors, I passed by the ATM machine. Now, this may not seem like anything spectacular but it was what jumped out in front of me that makes this story worth reading. There before me stood a mass of pink fur covered with purple polka dots.
Not caring to notice anything else about this strange creature I let out a frightened (possibly rather high pitch) scream and took off running. Across the bridge and through St. Jerome’s not hearing anything following me I assumed I must have thrown off this unearthly specimen. What seemed like an eternity later I made it into the safety of Grebel (although it was late the doors were for some reason still unlocked, lucky for me!).
One last look over my shoulders out the doors and I saw the sadest looking pink and purple face and big brown eyes on the verge of tears. I was suddenly very uncertain of how to respond but was moved by compassion for this sad little (or rather big I suppose), what I now realized to be a hoozawizzel! Very wary that this could be just a facade to trap me I slowly opened the door and called out hello. This hoozawizzel burst into a huge smile.
“Hi I’m Gordon. I’m awful sorry if I scared you and that is what made you run away so very fast but you see, well I just saw you and thought you looked real nice and would make a great friend.I just wanted to meet you and be your friend. It is pretty hard to make friends when you are a hoozawizzel.”
“But you didn’t have to chase me...hey wait why didn’t I hear you chasing me?”
“Well, it’s pretty hard to hear someone running when they are actually flying, especially when all I have to do is think wonderfully happy thoughts and away I go. No flapping my arms or anything. It’s just great!”
“You can fly!?”
“Yep, which is alot of fun but it would be so much more fun if I had friends to fly with, because you see such cool stuff up there in the skyand I don’t have anybody to look at it with.”
“Oh that is very sad....hold on were you just hiding by the ATM and no one has seen you before?”
“Well no not exactly.... I actaully live inside the machine, I’m the one that gives everybody their money when they push the buttons and hold the card for them when they put it in, see because I can shrink or grow when I need to.”
And suddenly before was a tiny little Gordon, who could fit right into the palm of my hand! I picked him up, considering how sad it must be to have no friends to share things with.
“Hey Gordon I could be your friend! You can come in and visit my room anytime, but you might want to do it when your small, because it might scare people at first when they see you really big and furry.”
“OK! And then I can take you flying. You can ride on my back and I can show you all the really cool stuff that I get to see! Oh dear I have to get back to the ATM! What if there is someone trying to get their money out and it isn’t working!”
With that, Gordon smiled huge (because he had to think happy thoughts remember) and flew away, with a promise to return again soon.
So if you ever want to stop by room 3417 at around 10:37p.m. you might just get a chance to meet our wonderful purple polka dotted friend and next time you are getting money ou tof the ATM at the SLC remember who is in there giving you that cash!
-Catherine Duncan
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Thesaurus
Formerly upon a moment, there was a small female child designated as Goldilocks. She went for a stroll in the woods. Shortly, she arrived upon a residence. She banged and, when nobody replied , she strolled straight inside.
At the bench in the kitchen, there were three dishes of porridge. Goldilocks was ravenous . She sampled the oatmeal from the foremost dish.
"This warm cereal is excessively heated !" she cried out! And so, she tested the grits from the next basin.
"This grout is overly chilly ," she declared. And so, she tried the rearmost pot of porridge.
"Ahhh, this mush is exactly suitable ," she said cheerfully and she consumed the whole of it up.
Subsequently to devouring the trio of bears' breakfasts she determined she was experiencing a small scale of exhaustion. So, she sauntered into the livelihood space where she discerned three seats. Goldilocks took a seat in the initial bench to relax her feet.
"This bench is unduly sizable!" she blurted out. So she perched on the following stool.
"This stool is immoderately substantial, as well!" she whimpered. So she inspected the hindmost and most compact pew.
"Ahhh, this pew is absolutely proper," she exhaled. Yet precisely as she installed herself into the chair to ease up, it shattered into components!
Goldilocks was tremendously worn out by this hour, so she proceeded upstairs to the bedroom. She reclined to a lower position in the introductory cot, even so it was inordinately solid. Then she lay back in the succeeding cradle, nonetheless it was unreasonably squashy. At that time she sprawled out on the final crib and it was entirely conventional. Goldilocks began drowsing.
Just as she was dosing, the trio of large hairy mammals arrived at their flat.
"Some being has been ingesting my porridge," snarled the Papa bear.
"An individual has partaken of my oatmeal," vocalized the Mama bear.
"A mortal has been gobbling my gruel and they wolfed every bit up!" weeped the Infant bear.
"Some creature has plunked themselves in my settee," yapped the Papa bear.
"An entity has been relaxing in my recliner," pronounced the Mama bear.
"A party has remained in my rocker and they've burst it all to segments," wailed the little bear.
They elected to scrutinize their surroundings to a greater extent and when they appeared upstairs to the room containing beds, Papa bear bellowed, "Some character has taken a siesta on my mattress,"
"A being has been power napping in my trundle, likewise" proclaimed the Mama bear.
"An individual has achieved a state of dormancy in my basinet and she's even now present!" shouted the newborn bear.
Exactly at that moment, Goldilocks came around and perceived the three bears. She shrieked, "ASSIST!" And she leapt up and sprinted away from the chamber. Goldilocks darted along the stairs, threw wide the portal, and hastened into the timberland. And she did not once re enter to abode of the three bears.
-Andrea Blezy
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Nazi Literature of the Canadas
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday to you
Happy birthday dear Goebbels...
You came for the breakfast
And I didn't know because I don't eat breakfast
But your temporary presence
Makes me think I should eat breakfast more often
What the hell were you doing in my college
What the hell were you doing among Mennonites
What the hell were you doing on my turf?
We don't need your propaganda posters
We don't need you addressing us Anabaptists
We don't need your kind here
I thought my Great-Grandfather destroyed your ass
I thought your kind was hunted down
and tamed by Hollywood to be perfect monsters
No one told me about Pinochet until Roberto
You wouldn't know him, he's a poet
But I'm sure you'd say you know all about poets
Wouldn't you, Goebbels?
With your body of juvenelia and Hansun's Nobel Prize
Nobody reads your books except academics
And nobody wants academics to be their main audience
I've never seen a fascist before in my life
I've only seen Nazis in books and movies
And pieces of Pinochet's funeral on YouTube
Processions of fascists singing in Spanish
But I thought Roberto Bolaňo only talked about Mexico
full of Mexican poets and Mexican madmen
Until you he went to Spain and became a Spanish poet
I never really realized what he was going on about
Even when he talked about his time in prison
On charges of treason against Pinochet and Chile
Neither of us have been tortured by the State
But Bolaňo escaped before you could silence him
And now everybody reads Bolaňo, Goebbels
And nobody will ever read your tongue full of poisons
Your dead and buried at the crossroads
So get the hell out of my community
-Dylan Thomas
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Old Man
It’s a nice day in the park;
The sun is shining,
The grass is damp from rain,
And there sits the old man on the bench,
His big white eyebrows
Denying the lack of hair on his head.
A cane rests beside him,
Worn from use…
Had it since the accident
The one that changed his life,
And took away his sweetheart
Now he sits there, alone.
Every day he comes
Here where they used to sit
To share a picnic on the green grass.
He smiles,
Remembering the colour of her favourite dress:
Yellow, like the sun
His own personal sun,
Shinning every day just for him.
A sigh escapes his lips.
He smoothes his hand along the bench;
A familiar motion
That reminds him where he is,
What day it is
It’s been two years,
Lonely ones.
Everyday he comes
With his tweed pants and brown hat,
To sit on the bench
And watch the people play in the park.
Sometimes he laughs;
A dog jumps high in the air
Reaching for an elusive Frizbee.
Other times he watches;
A girl runs to her mama in tears
She’s lost her ball
He mourns with her.
Everyday the bench gets more worn,
The old man gets a little older,
A little sadder.
He cannot forget her soft face,
Her bright eyes,
Her yellow dress.
Walking home in the evening you can see
The pieces of his broken heart
Falling to the ground.
One day he does not arrive
The bench sits cold.
Again the next day there is no sign of him.
Seeing the empty place
A little girl runs over,
Places her ball on the seat
And asks the bench to keep it safe.
It is a present she says,
For the old man,
To make him smile.
She hopes he will like it.
Turning, she leaves the yellow orb there
And runs back to her mother.
She does not know
The old man will not be coming back.
-Alina Rehkopf
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