0) The Pep Rally (Cheerleaders) Poem by Otradom Pelogo

Friday mornings were one of those times that you were rewarded; for it was the time when those who supported; taught, encouraged, and respected you could get together for an hour or so and praise you. Well, from the point of view of the players it was synonymous with praise. Classes were let out at second period and the players stood outside the door of the gym, then we would hear the drums beat, which was my queue to lead the team into the center of the gym. Music was added to the beat of the drums; an euphoric and dramatic sound, coupled with the loud chants of hundreds of our cohorts and teachers. I sometimes hear the music and voices when jogging, or just sitting around and reminiscing and can still conjure up that euphoric feeling that goes along with the pep rallies. Although we had pep rallies in Jr. High, high, school took on a new perspective; for until it was our time to walk out there, we could only dream of what the older guys felt; surrounded by screams, chants, and most of all; the Panther Pride in the heart and soul of the 'Dear old blue and gold triumphant'.

The Cheerleaders were all incredibly talented and beautiful, like René Williams, Sandra Darden, Stinny Spikes and Kim Broussard; lead by Mrs. Williams who could be heard even louder than the cheerleaders that she coached, ' Calling on the defense'; was her favorite cry. Then after all of that, we were called out one by one; offense, then defense. The band would then play a selection of music; some of the latest tunes we would listen to on the radio; while the rhythm steppers would dance in the center of the gym. The band was one of the best in the state; and one that everyone like to listen to; so the pep rallies were always exciting and truly enjoyed. After about an hour or so, we would head back to class, still excited, yet, expected to resume class after a brief break from having an hour or so of fun, excitement and euphoria.

'Most potent, grave and reverend signors,
My very noble and approv'd good masters,
That I have ta'en away this old man's daughter,
It is most true; true, I have married her;
The very head and front of my offending
Hath this extent, no more. Rude am I in speech,
And little bless'd with the soft phrase of peace;
For since these arms of mine had seven years' pith,
Till now some nine moon wasted, they have us'd
Their dearest actions in the tented field;
And little of this great world can I speak,
More than pertains to feats of broil of battle;
And therefore little shall I grace my cause
In speaking for myself. Yet, by your gracious patience,
I will a round unvarnish'd tale deliver
Of my whole course of love; What drugs, what charms,
What conjuration, and what mighty magic,
For such proceedings I am charg'd withal,
I won his daughter.
Othello (Shakespeare)

This was met by the 'storm and stress of adolescence'. Moving faster, rampant technology, and a great and caring concern for nature and all its inhabitants. Way too much energy, which was great at that age; a lot of faith, and something called hope, which I recently regained in the first half of that two thousand-mile trek. It was soothed by a ride from the consciousness of America and its' guest. I'm glad as a child I didn't know that cars and trucks could travel across the country. A world incredibly beautiful; not only nature, but also the one we have created ourselves as well. Giants that so humbly protect us from bitter storms; like mountains, rivers, and sunsets. Surely this was too much to be added to adolescence, so I tried also to see what I would want to keep from that most missed part of our lives...

When we must let self-esteem take the place of pure vanity
In a time when the nose and mouth begin to take shape
Since nature subtly requires more adults in this society
When for an instant food and water is second to a measuring tape?
Gently, stories of how animals reproduce to replicate
After the body begins to answer the law of life
Which has no rights or wrongs on how to masturbate
But laws of prudence and virtue to avoid strife
To some it's the economy or a venture into space
That causes the senses to process all it knows
To come up with an answer to describe this place
Where the mind is fed with pleasures and throes
There are more answers to a body that grows so fast
In a time of life that seems forever to last