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Leaf Tornadoes

January 28, 2013
By GuardianoftheStars GOLD, Shongaloo, Louisiana
More by this author
GuardianoftheStars GOLD, Shongaloo, Louisiana
17 articles 0 photos 495 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Let&#039;s tell young people the best books are yet to be written; the best painting, the best government, the best of everything is yet to be done by them.&quot;<br /> -John Erslcine

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When I was little I always was fascinated by those leaf tornadoes. They spun the loose dirt and leaves in the air and across the ground for a few brief seconds before they dissolved into dust. I loved to watch them as they swirled, seeming to dance.

I used to think they were portals, gifts of escape, a route to bring me to a happier and more exciting place. Worlds of dragons and fairies or ones with magic and where dreams come true were lying in wait for me just through that doorway. I used to chase those tornadoes, but the instant I stepped within its boundaries it evanesced into thousands of shattered pieces. It became an endless puzzle that I was hopeless at completing.

As I’ve grown, I’ve chased fewer and fewer of those mystical leaf tornadoes. Though every time I see one I pause and hold my breath as it sweeps by. Now that I’m older I’m letting go of my childhood wonders and beliefs and they slip farther and farther away from the blissful past. College overcomes my doll house, jobs surpass running barefoot on dew covered grass, ACTs and SATs defeat hide-n-seek and new friends shove my old imaginary ones aside.

I’ve nearly pushed aside my old philosophy of my magical leaf tornadoes, but as I walk through my yard with my younger cousin my juvenile thoughts return as I remember the world through the eyes of a six year old.

“Look!” She points excitedly ahead of us.

My eyes dart the way she directs and my heart stops. Coming right at us is the tornado. My breath quickens as it hits its peak, it’s a large one, there’s no possible way it will miss us. I grab her hand and she squeezes mine as the wind starts to kick up around us. Together we step forward just as it swallows us whole, finally embracing me and all of my possibilities unfold.

© Mary P., Norfolk, VA

The author's comments:
Don't ever let go of your childhood dreams. They just may come true...
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This article has 16 comments.

GuardianoftheStars GOLD said...
on Sep. 17 2013 at 12:33 pm
GuardianoftheStars GOLD, Shongaloo, Louisiana
17 articles 0 photos 495 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Let&#039;s tell young people the best books are yet to be written; the best painting, the best government, the best of everything is yet to be done by them.&quot;<br /> -John Erslcine

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Really? That is so cool! I'm glad you can relate.  Maybe one day one will sweep us away to another world. :)
thewriter247 said...
on Sep. 16 2013 at 3:16 pm
When I was nine I was in the middle of a leaf tornado, the only one I've ever seen, and when it died down I felt like something special had happened. I went back inside and wrote a story about a girl who was transported to a magical world by a leaf tornado. Your piece really brings back memories!
GuardianoftheStars GOLD said...
on Jul. 24 2013 at 11:54 am
GuardianoftheStars GOLD, Shongaloo, Louisiana
17 articles 0 photos 495 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Let&#039;s tell young people the best books are yet to be written; the best painting, the best government, the best of everything is yet to be done by them.&quot;<br /> -John Erslcine

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Thanks so much!
GuardianoftheStars GOLD said...
on Jul. 24 2013 at 11:53 am
GuardianoftheStars GOLD, Shongaloo, Louisiana
17 articles 0 photos 495 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Let&#039;s tell young people the best books are yet to be written; the best painting, the best government, the best of everything is yet to be done by them.&quot;<br /> -John Erslcine

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Thanks! That means a lot!
GuardianoftheStars GOLD said...
on Jul. 24 2013 at 11:53 am
GuardianoftheStars GOLD, Shongaloo, Louisiana
17 articles 0 photos 495 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Let&#039;s tell young people the best books are yet to be written; the best painting, the best government, the best of everything is yet to be done by them.&quot;<br /> -John Erslcine

View profile
Thank you!
GuardianoftheStars GOLD said...
on Jul. 24 2013 at 11:53 am
GuardianoftheStars GOLD, Shongaloo, Louisiana
17 articles 0 photos 495 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Let&#039;s tell young people the best books are yet to be written; the best painting, the best government, the best of everything is yet to be done by them.&quot;<br /> -John Erslcine

View profile
Thanks for the suggestion and thanks for reading!!
GuardianoftheStars GOLD said...
on Jul. 24 2013 at 11:51 am
GuardianoftheStars GOLD, Shongaloo, Louisiana
17 articles 0 photos 495 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Let&#039;s tell young people the best books are yet to be written; the best painting, the best government, the best of everything is yet to be done by them.&quot;<br /> -John Erslcine

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Thanks! I'm glad you liked it!!
Wings10FeetTall GOLD said...
on May. 23 2013 at 11:07 am
Wings10FeetTall GOLD, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
17 articles 0 photos 332 comments

Favorite Quote:
May your words be sharp.<br /> - Christopher Paolini<br /> <br /> <br /> Nobody&#039;s going to wait for you, so do it now.<br /> -Ingrid Michaelson<br /> <br /> <br /> Broken hearts heal, but never the same.<br /> - Jessica Romo<br /> <br /> Idiots rely on luck.<br /> -Sherlock Holmes

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THis is great! I really like it.
E.J.Mathews GOLD said...
on May. 22 2013 at 8:07 am
E.J.Mathews GOLD, International Falls, Minnesota
19 articles 2 photos 145 comments
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This was really well written, and the feelings were definitely relatable. Great job!
Allicat001 SILVER said...
on Mar. 26 2013 at 9:05 pm
Allicat001 SILVER, Waukesha, Wisconsin
6 articles 0 photos 170 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Love is not someone you can live with, love is someone you can&#039;t live without.&quot; <br /> <br /> &quot;Always stand up for what&#039;s right even if that means you&#039;re standing alone.&quot;

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This was short, sweet, nostalgic and overall just a cute story!  Great job and keep writing!
GreekGoddess BRONZE said...
on Feb. 19 2013 at 11:11 am
GreekGoddess BRONZE, Andover, Connecticut
3 articles 0 photos 182 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The unprepared rebel dies in the fire."<br /> ~unknown

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Oh okay mabey you should make that a little more clear. But I really liked it, Good job! :)
GreekGoddess BRONZE said...
on Feb. 19 2013 at 11:09 am
GreekGoddess BRONZE, Andover, Connecticut
3 articles 0 photos 182 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The unprepared rebel dies in the fire."<br /> ~unknown

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Okay, mabey you should make that a little more clear. But other than that I liked it! good job :)
GuardianoftheStars GOLD said...
on Feb. 18 2013 at 7:18 pm
GuardianoftheStars GOLD, Shongaloo, Louisiana
17 articles 0 photos 495 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Let&#039;s tell young people the best books are yet to be written; the best painting, the best government, the best of everything is yet to be done by them.&quot;<br /> -John Erslcine

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I was thinking that she/he was an older teenager or a very young adult.
GreekGoddess BRONZE said...
on Feb. 18 2013 at 7:01 pm
GreekGoddess BRONZE, Andover, Connecticut
3 articles 0 photos 182 comments

Favorite Quote:
"The unprepared rebel dies in the fire."<br /> ~unknown

View profile
Aww, I love how when she/he sees another tornado, there isn't any hesitation, just goes right for it! My only thing is, why, if she/he is an adult with a job, does she/he have a cosin who is six? Seems like a rather large age difference their.
Sakuya PLATINUM said...
on Feb. 6 2013 at 8:20 pm
Sakuya PLATINUM, Richmond, Virginia
39 articles 12 photos 63 comments
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This is really, well, cute! I like how it is short and charming. Though I wish you would use some showing(imagery) instead of telling this piece is still amazing and something that I think a lot of teenagers can relate to
Apollo77 PLATINUM said...
on Feb. 1 2013 at 3:24 pm
Apollo77 PLATINUM, Brunswick, Ohio
20 articles 0 photos 103 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;All you have to do is write one true sentence. Write the truest sentence that you know.&rdquo;<br /> &quot;Madame, all stories, if continued far enough, end in death, and he is no true-story teller who would keep that from you.&quot;<br /> -Ernest Hemingway

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oh wow, so charming! It's short and sweet and just so cute, I have never seen or heard of a leaf tornado but it sounds dangerous, anyway It is so pretty and I love your descriptions!