Utopia/Dystopia -Olivia M.

Utopia

Hello! I would be glad to answer a few questions. What is a lock and why would you need one? I trust the woman who just moved to town not to take my belongings or steal my identity. I have no secrets, nothing to hide, so all are welcome into my home. I trust the man walking towards me at night not to threaten me with this so called ‘gun’. If he needs money I would gladly help him, even though we are strangers. All he needs is to ask. Besides, why would anyone own this weapon? Aren’t we all friends? I don’t understand why someone would wish to inflict pain on another living being. What do you mean by race? We are all people, I don’t see the difference between you and me. Why would another religion intimidate me? Why would someone starve to death? There is enough food to go around and more! Lie? For what reason? Of course I can read, can’t everyone? Oh that’s it? Well, I’m happy to have been of service, have a nice day!

Dystopia

If I answer… what do I get? Fine, fine, just be quiet and give me the money without drawing attention to us. Locks don’t help much. You can pick a lock, break a door, or just climb in through the window. People are creative when they want something. What do I want? I guess I never really thought about it. For me, it has always been about what do I need. If I had to choose something… maybe safety? That would be nice. Hungry? Story of my life. Guns? What about them? Am I scared of them? Not really. I mean, yeah, I don’t wanna be shot but everyone dies eventually. Heck, it might be better to be dead at this point. The dead don’t have to worry about any of this crap. What crap you ask? Ha! You make me laugh. Have you looked around? Stealing is my job. Lying is an artform you have to master to survive. The government honestly does not care what happens as long as the rich have their food and pretty toys. An education is a luxury few have. And religion? Of course there are some who have one, but most would agree with me when I say if there ever was a god, he must be dead. Are we done yet? Be careful out there and don’t tell anyone I did this. I will find out if you did.

Heaven and Hell

Imagine darkness;

Colors of any hue are wiped away with tears.

The world is a stingy, swarthy Satan cell.

Constant noise echoes.

You wake screaming;

Fall asleep weeping.

Purpose is abstinent.

Lives grow stagnant without a mission.

Endless war wages on

It's hard to

               hit

                    rock

                            bottom,                        when you're already in hell.

    Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, lived a spoiled girl named Claire. Every morning, Claire woke up to the birds chirping on her terrace. There were no alarms in this fairyland, only the sweet smells of hot chocolate and cookie dough to start her day. Whee young Claire would complete her online schooling from her lovely abode within hours, and spend the rest of her day enjoying leisure activities. In her society, many people willingly attended a form of schooling, which gave them a great purpose in life. They later pursued careers of their choice to ensure the eternity of their utopia.There were limited people around, which left Claire with much needed peace and quiet. Most people were granted as much living space as they desired, because their mythical world was blessed with endless land and resources. Peace, youth, love, harmony, fuzzy socks, and pretty guitars are among some of the greatly valued aspects of this community. Claire finds her world so perfect, she refers to it as heaven on earth.

Madi McLaud Perfect vs Disappointment

Hearing music in the streets 

Hitting the perfect harmony 

Dancing to destinations 

Doing what you please  

Mind at free range of thought

Millions of happy people

Trees healthier than ever

Tea with coffee for all

Peace all over with everyone

Pride in your eyes for life

Over the seas feels like home 

One day at a time stress free 

Sunshine over powers the streets 

Someday it'll be worth telling 

Soaring through the blue horizon 

All the time spent laughing 

Around the corner brightness awaits

Kindly showing up those of doubt

Killing has died down in peace 

No one in the way of happiness 

Neither war or conflict gets bad 

Building a nation of pride 

Believing in success 

Loving life here on earth 

Living the dream 

Screaming and yelling 

Darkness fills the streets 

No sign of life 

Shots blowing off 

Those fighting has no remorse 

Kids abandoned while parents fight

Coffee turns to beer

Everyone is the same

It's going insane 

Walls crumbling 

Mental minds over thinking 

Cowards with guns 

Dead nights 

Safety is gone 

Eyes always peeled 

Can't seem to live 

Those who will harm win

Natural selection played wrong 

Innocent destroyed 

Running off of fear 

Almost drowning in doubt 

Screaming loss 

Yelling fades 

As we all crumble 

Cristian Balan Heaven & Hell

My idea of a utopian society would be quite a simple one. First there would be no more hate against one another so no more wars and people would stop dying. Racism, sexism, and nationalism everywhere wouldn’t be a problem since everyone would get along, so very little negativity or crime would occur throughout the world. Then, with all the free time we achieved from creating world peace, we could focus on ending world hunger, finding cures to cancer, diseases, infections, etc. and eventually continuing forth into colonizing space. People down on Earth now get to do whatever, perform their favorite jobs to contribute to society, even though everything would be free and in such an abundance that money would have no value. Everyone would have a happy healthy lifestyle living in their dream house. And everyday when they go outside to enjoy the world and discover the infinite amount of pleasure and knowledge , people will have shoes that fit just right and they all love their neighbors. Therefor life would be a climax of euphoria forever and ever til’ the end of time, and what lies in the next life, if anything, would still be a mystery to us all.

Now my idea of a dystopian society is pretty horrible. In a world after a nuclear war, everyday you wake up with a fever and have fight off the wilderness that has wandered into your home since you live in a burned down building, with your bare fists. you then sit down to eat breakfast consisting of whatever you killed a few minutes ago and contaminated water from the irradiated pipes. After that you wear the one outfit you have because you are broke, then you have to walk uphill, in the cold, cloudy weather, starting at 4 o'clock in the morning, to your sixteen hour job of being a slave, which means literally doing whatever they request, to a government run by criminals that can watch your every move, 1984 style, who plan to resurrect every infamous rulers for their disgusting pleasure. and while this is all happening, a man repeatedly smacks you with a spoon all day and you can’t do anything about because harming the spoon smacker is punishable by death. Now if you manage to survive another day in the terrible life of this world. you go home and find out someone you knew died and when you read the newspaper it’s filled with depressing stories and propaganda, then you have to find something to eat for dinner and go to bed quickly for the next day.

Utopia and Dystopia By: Ben Griffith 12/10/15

It’s a Perfect Day By: Ben Griffith

A day in a faultless life starts before sunrise in order to live the day to it’s the fullest,

I’d wake up not in the suburbia of Livonia,

but in somewhere removed from the hustle and bustle.

I imagine going for a morning run with some of my Cross Country teammates,

greeting and being greeted by people driving by,

real friendship and compassion in the air.

Mid-morning I’d go to brunch in a cozy diner,

reuniting with some of my lost friends of the past,

we catch up and talk like nothing had happened, like no time has passed.

In this utopia of mine time moves slower, I’m able to savor each moment,

until I’m ready to move forward once again.

Around noon I appear at a new-unexplored park with many miles of trails,

each lap I’d complete would bring another special person to me,

another special collection of moments to be shared.

At three o’clock I’d next meet up with in a nature Orchestra Concert Shell,

and spend time with my lovable-nerdy-band friends,

we’d make music without a care in the world,

even through our mistakes and mishaps we’d appreciate and cherish our time together.

Next dinner would take me to sample all my favorite foods,

with a bottomless stomach I would savor every bite.

Of course not without company though, in a thanksgiving style table I would share in

a comrade filled dinner and all my friend groups would get along harmoniously.

Pure joy to me would be seeing the people I love living in the moment, living for today.

Later with a bonfire crackling in the background,

I sit in the silence of the wilderness reflecting on my wonderful day,

soaking up the last moments I have before I start the next perfect day to come.

Hell is a Relative Paradise By: Ben Griffith

The other day I was watching this TV show called Forensic Files and it was based on true life crime events. In Texas City, Texas a man was convicted of six counts of sexual assault back in 2007. I have seen and heard many stories like this on TV but what stuck with me was the fact that the man who was convicted only committed his crimes with a witness in attendance during the attack. The women he assaulted every time had a boyfriend or husband present, he would take his gun and threaten the life of the men while assaulting the women. To me this is the worst thing you could ever experience. The men in this situation sat helplessly as the women the loved were violated and couldn’t do anything about it. A dystopian society in my eyes would be a place where I had to watch people I love suffer. It may not be in the same way this real life story happened but this is how my worst nightmare would transpire. The people I love, one by one by one, getting tortured, sexually assaulted and murdered, while I stand at the sideline helpless, tied down, with no way to escape the mental angst being brought on. No option to sleep through anything, no passing out, no possibility of suicide to terminate the never ending terror. Tearing apart my brain to for eternity similar to the idea of burning in Hell, but the difference here is that, this is a never ending life. Hell would seem like paradise after experiencing this.

matt donehue

Heaven and Hell poems 

Good Life

The reflection of the rising sun off the ocean waking me from my sleep

Blankets, soft and fuzzy, fall off my body as I get up to stand

The smell of bacon and pancakes as I walk down stairs

Eating on the couch and not getting yelled at

Walking into a closet and having so much clothing I don’t know what to wear

Walking outside and getting into my new car 

Driving downtown to the arena, getting ready to play

Winning another game and playing with teammates

Free BWW with the mates and celebrating the victory

Going back to their crib to party and have fun

Leaving past midnight and finally getting home

Cuddling with my pillows and watching Netflix

Falling asleep with the television on and dreaming about the great day

What a good life that would be

A life not worth living 

No time in the day

No time to play

No food to eat

No shoes for my feet

No cash it bank

No gas in the tank

I can’t get a job

I look like a slob

I can’t pay the rent

So I live in a tent

I have no friends

 So I don’t know the trends

No reason

No purpose

I don’t want to live this life

Extreme Society Description

Paradise

I was gazing into the beautiful azure sky when the woman adjacent to myself spoke: “Would you like some sunglasses?” I replied with a “yes” but also asked how much they cost, and to my surprise, she said “Cost, what is a cost? I just want to help you.” It was with this strange encounter that I realized that I had entered a new world – a new earth, a place of harmony and paradise. I did not know how I had entered this extraordinary place, but I did know one thing, that this world could do anything to keep its citizens content. Here, everybody does business with a jovial countenance, and depression and anxiety are extinct. After conversing with that woman, I realized that problems did not, in a literal sense, exist. If someone needed a bowl of sugar, his neighbor was there in seconds to provide him with one and, then, his neighbor would help him in using that sugar. Nothing seemed to be impossible, and even though it would seem unfathomable from where I hail, it was true – a person could do anything they wanted, whether it be skiing on a hill made of ice-cream or having ten pizzas delivered to their mansion, with no penalty for any of their actions. Of course, it would be impossible to commit a “crime”, for the concept of immorality was, in the eyes of the inhabitants of this land, impossible. I found myself deeply engaged by this society, where trees grew in abundance, and kids danced freely in streets made of gold and sugar. My encounter with this paradise was so perfect and flawless that I knew it must not actually exist. And yet, it did. “Perhaps this is what heaven is” I thought, for my home has never experienced the harmony and tranquility that this paradise possessed.

Inferno

Alone, I silently descend into the night. My soles chafe as I traverse the barren, infertile landscape. In the distance, shrieks call to me, bringing me images of pain and fear. I stare at the gray sky, and wonder the origin of those screams? Into what world have I walked into? Only uncertainty and terror occupy my mind, and it appears as if there is no way out of this cruel universe.  Does anyone else know where I am, or am I lost, looking for an exit I will never find?  My question is answered as a mass of figures emerge from the distance. I run to them, and yet they do not greet me as I pass by. I halt myself, and observe their features: their garments are ragged, their faces ashen, and their eyes brim with fatigue and misery. I ask a man where I am, but his mouth remains closed. I ask a woman, and receive only a stony glare. I even ask a small, abandoned child looking into the gray abyss of the sky, but his only response is a single tear. It seems that in this world, people are alone. They do not interact with each other, share no emotion, have no friends, and live in eternal, agonizing solitude. Now I understand that the people here are damned forever, without companionship, love, or hope.

Note: I chose to write in the first person because I feel that emotions, descriptions, and reflections are best expressed in this format.

In addition, the titles do not necessarily correlate with the content of the paragraphs, for they are allusions to Dante’s Divine Comedy

CHARLIE KOWALSKE

CHARLIE KOWALSKE

Charlie-Ville

The sun was shining as Charlie took his throne for another beautiful day in Charlie-Ville. The sky was as blue as a blueberry, and the sun as yellow as a lemon. The citizens in Charlie-Ville were getting ready for their daily worship. Everyday at ten in the morning everyone would meet in the town square and bow down to their great leader Charlie. Many would think this was paradise. Actually everyone knew this was paradise. Charlie is the best man in the village and everyone also knew this. After three hours of daily bowing down to Sir Charlie, the citizens would go on with their day. The great thing was there was no crime. Want to know the funny thing? With no crime, cops weren't killing citizens, so is police brutality an actual thing, or are there too many people breaking the law? Well in Charlie-Ville there are no worries like that! Also in the great village of Charlie-Ville there were no annoying liberals, like most countries have. Nobody has to deal with uneducated, ignorant people anymore. The town doesn't have leaders that give money away to lazy people. Also we don't have annoying citizens thinking they deserve fifteen dollars an hour to work at a fast food joint. At night in Charlie-Ville, the people would meet again and worship Donald Trump. Another great detail in Charlie-Ville was nobody commented negative things on Charlie’s blog if they disagreed with something he said. Also when we voted everyone agreed on the same thing so whatever Charlie wanted, everyone wanted. You only live once in Charlie-Ville, but if you live it right, once is plenty enough. 

Highway to Hell

Liberals filled the streets. Crime everywhere. Random shootings in every town. Fires were in every building. No one had a job. Democrats ran the country. There was no such thing as a blue sky. The sun was no longer yellow. All hell was about to break loose. The government was collapsing and there was no order in country. It rained everyday and parents were afraid to send their kids to schools. Funding has stopped for public services. No more schooling, buses, or cabs. Restaurants are starting to shut down. Cracks go down the roads like there was just an earthquake. Days will go by before someone steps outside. Starvation has it and it is complete anarchy out there. The worst thing is, people are starting to sleep, to escape the reality of life. 

Perfect for me, not for you. -Maggie

01:44pm: April 23, 4095
I woke up early today to the soft singing of soaring birds above my head. Mother and Father were down by the creek, along with big brother and baby Sister. I walked through the feild of billowing green grass, where Arabian horses roamed freely. Once at the creek I went with brother to the hen house to gather eggs to trade at the market for dinner. On our island, everything is trade, a sheep for a cow. Four eggs for a fresh tunic. Right now I have down time, waiting for baby sister to finish nap so I can begin her lesson on sowing, her chosen specialy.


06:14am, December 4, 4098
My life is awful. Dreadfully awful. I was woken up by the ear peircing squawks of the horrendous birds in the sky. Older Sister and big Brother have my schedule packed with specialty lessons. Fishing, wood carving, animal hearding, the list never ends. I am only ten and I have changed my specialty fifteen times. I have drilled a hole in my thumb, killed three sheep and a chicken, and I managed to knock over the tool shed. Nobody, in the history of this tiny island has taken this long to find their specialty. I am not made for here. I am planning to leave on a small boat bother made to sell at the market.


A note from the author: While pondering the perfect society idea, I couldn't get over the fact that a place might work well for one and not for another. So in this, you read both the middle child and the baby sister's journal entrys in this perfect, or not so perfect society. It was challanging to stop writing at a paragraph, so I am considering keeping this going, maybe into a short story or a novel.

Utopia ~ Collin Bowersox

The Perfect Society.
The birds are chirping and the sun shines bright upon the city. Couples walk their dog and others just enjoy the beautiful 75 degree weather. Want to go to the beach? Just walk in your backyard or around the block, the society is built seaside. Everyone is friendly and always greets you politely, even if they don't know you. There are local sports anyone can join, free admission, the more participants that come, the more teams that are made. Here, you do not have to do anything you don't want to. In this city, everyone does what makes them happy, because the law grants them the pursuit of happiness. There is a government, but it is ran by the people directly, there is no president, there are no senators, they have no representatives and no political parties. This is a democracy, and there are some ground rules that were set in place when the society was founded. There is a jail, but crime is very rare. We have police but patrolling becomes unnecessary. What is the point of crime when you can enjoy life as you please? In this society everyone lives in perfect harmony. A perfect attitude for a more than perfect society.

Hell on Earth
Frogs are croaking on yet another gloomy morning. You look outside and see your fellow inmates going to work for the "holy savior and leader of all". You get dressed in the same outfit you wear every day, a baggy grey shirt with some baggy grey pants. It's off to the factory or the field once again, or the guards will find you when they evacuate the neighborhood. When you get outside you see nothing but baggy eyes and frowning faces, no one is happy and everyone is drowsy. In this society, they have no sports because that would be wasting time, in which could be used to help the holy leader in his work. Even the children do not have time to play or have any fun, while their parents go to work they must stay home and clean the house and mow the lawn, God forbid that a lawn goes uncut. The adults wake up at 6:00a.m.every morning to go to the field or factory and do not get home until 8:00p.m. when they have to make dinner and get a nights rest for the long day ahead of them. No one is happy here. This is hell on earth.

Utopia v. Aftermath || faith combs

Our Utopia On Earth

They say a perfect society cannot be done. But, we say, we can only try! Our utopia is new, but striving. Busy streets are full of smart women and men who are not afraid to break off and change what is wrong in this world. Our society has many aspects that many may crave in a broken world. For instance, we do not support the Outsiders belief in money exchange. Our government, located in the capital, agreed that the number one problem with the Outsiders, is that money is their obsession. Without it, they are lost. So, we have built a Resource-Based Economy that fits the needs of everyone. Rid the acquisitive propaganda and focus on what the earth has provided us. While saving the earth, it also prevents the materialistic minds of those who create massive amounts of terror and paranoia, which is an enormous issue to the Outsiders. “Save the minds and the Earth.” But of course! Our society is a Republic, like many of the Outsiders desire. The people are the root of important decisions. Unlike many other countries, our government is true. No large companies can control it and will not influence it since our economic system rids of consumerism. Many people here agree with the idea of religion. We expect all religions to be noticed by the government and to have a safe gathering spot. Whether you're a Buddhist, Wiccan, Muslim, Christian, or a member of the TOPY, we support you. A happier people is a safer community. The most important thing that our society urges is an open mind. Respect other’s opinions and do not judge them just because they do not share your exact beliefs. “Free the mind, be kind.”  And finally, to educate a student, is to educate your future. Educating the people is the key to improvement and success, this is why we value the best education and offer it for free to all ages. Let’s build a greater society for all.

Dismal 

Our country was perfect. Everything was just. But why is it like this now? Everyone is enslaved to the ruler. No one has seen a single plant in months. Our food is limited and toxic. The air we breathe in is thick and polluted. We cannot sleep, though we try. Our housing is nothing but the olden street we used to drive on. The buildings are in ruin. Our leader laughs on his golden throne while we run out of our tears. No one can speak a word. Slaves are not supposed to talk without the all knowing leader’s permission. Where is he now? No one knows. No one has seen him. He might be stripping another city of anything valuable or damning others under him. Suicide is the only way out. The disease passed in the enslavement rooms are ever present. They do not kill us, but makes us permanently ill. Death is a constant battle. Why push on? Why live if everything is dismal? The thought of it ending is a constant reminder to live. But if this is Hell, it will last forever.

Utopia vs. Dystopia

(Utopia)

A World Without Humans

Society is saved

By the distance of humans

Our species has moved on

A distant star is where they reside

A far-off unimaginable planet

Yet I have stayed

Remained on earth

Free from restrictions

The sand between my toes

The water on my skin

The wind in my hair

The bright orange sunset

 Reflecting off the waves

The air is thick soup

Overflowing with oxygen

Free from pollution

Animals caged…

                tortured…

                trapped…

                hunted for sport…

                starving…

                forced to fight…

Are now allowed to enjoy life

Free from man-kind

The circle of life is fair

The way God intended

The earth and its organisms

Living as one

As a whole

Years now have passed

The creatures no longer fear me

I am one of them now

Free from fright

Paradise

In a world without humans

(Dystopia)

Finding Anarchy

Fear and Terror

The only gods here

Hell? No! This is much worse

The world drowns in flames

Demons control our actions

Our sanity is lost

Anarchy is found

Gunshots booming in the distance

Showing no mercy

Disease spreads from one to another

Never killing; always pain

Children scream and cry out

There is no one to hear them

No one to care for them

Our protection is lost

Anarchy is found

Always running…

              crying…

              hiding…

              dying…

Our hope is lost

Anarchy is found

I pray.

God doesn’t hear me

The earth shatters beneath me

Rumbling thunder and lightning

Striking down the innocent

Sparing the guilty

Yet no one dies

We are all cursed

Eternal torment is our sentence

To be served without question

To be served with no alternative

Society is lost

Anarchy is found

Utopia/Dystopia- Courtney Stein

Utopia

A place of no crime, no war, and perfect harmony amongst all of its people exists in a world in which a true utopia is possible. In a lovely built, beautiful city that is constantly bustling with the sounds of laughter and sights of happy faces, it is impossible not to love it here. In this perfect society nobody ever dreads waking up to go to school or work in the mornings because life is constantly filled with joy.  People can learn whatever they want and become whatever they want to be without money being an obstacle. People are free to do anything that makes them happy, so long as it never interferes with the happiness of another. Everyone in this society is given equal opportunities and equal treatment. All forms of prejudice have been completely eradicated, diversity is welcomed, and people know and get along with their neighbors.  With everyone happy, well-fed, and respectful of others, there is no reason for crimes to ever be committed. With everyone and everything completely harmonious with one another, nothing here could ever go wrong.

 

                                                Dystopia

In a once normal civilization now stands a sight of complete horror. The streets are deserted because of the fear to go out, and people try to hide in the safety of their homes as much as possible.  This is a scene of a society destroyed by anarchy. With the overthrow of a government, now there are no laws, and people are free to commit crimes without fear of punishment. Because of this, only those who have weapons on their side have authority. The murders and robberies that happen every day are countless, people are starving because there is no food being produced, disease has taken hundreds of lives because of the lack of medicine, and there is no way to contact people because of the lack of electricity. Citizens of this terrible place wake up every day fearing for their lives and the lives of their loved ones. Nothing is stable and nobody is safe.

Nick Arsenault Utopia Paper

                  If I were to create my own type of Utopia, or my own perfect world, it wouldn't be as

complicated as you'd think. I prefer simplicity in my lifestyle, and I try to work smarter, not harder;

my world would consist of the same exact life aspects we have right now, just without all these

terrible world tragedies and events, such as genocide, war, hunger, distrust, anger, sadness,

corruption, sickness, strife, etc. My flawless universe would have everyone work for what they want,

but without money; helping each other in return for other favors would be the type of payment. For

example, I'll mow your lawn, for no money, but you'd clean my gutters as payment. Happiness

wouldn't even be discussed because everyone would be happy and have amazing lives. Simple, right?


                  My idea of a "Hell on Earth", would be much more detailed. No music, no movies, no

Global Education? That would be a true disaster for sure! Seriously though, having no love in the

world, no humor, and no "fun" would be the worst life imaginable. My absolute top hellish thought

would be being immortal, because the world would overpopulate, people would get boring, and if

only I was immortal, and nobody else, that would be horrid! Imagine having to watch everyone you

love pass away, all your childhood nostalgia be forgotten. I never understood how the Greeks wanted

something so "great" like that. Life can be painful at times regardless, so immortality would be my

Hell on Earth.

My Utopia and Dystopia - Max Pueschel

My Utopia

In my utopia there is no disease. It doesn't matter which race, sex or religion you are. Everybody is equal. You can work as whatever they want. Everyone gets the same amount of money; it doesn't matter what job you have. But if you are able to work you have to work. Everybody gives his part for the community. If people can't work anymore they still get the same amount of money.
There is no government, all decisions are made in consensus. But before anything gets decided everyone is allowed to present his opinion and arguments in a factual, well thought way. There are very few disputes and people have very calm factual discussions about them. There are no loud arguments or even fights.

My Dystopia

In my dystopia there are very few, very rich people who control the poor, hardworking population. The few people have a very good life and get everything they want. The rest of the population is forced to work all the time and is starving. The poor ones don’t own more than the clothes on their bodies while the rich one’s life in wealth and can have everything they want. The rich force the poor to worship them like gods. If someone from the underclass tries to stand up for their rights the upper-class just takes them away and they’ll never be seen again.

Dystopia/Utopia - Josie Staley

My Personal Hell

90 plus degrees out, no shade, no coolness. Everything covered in a yellow gunk. Disease and illness spreading like a wildfire. All medical centers have been robbed and abandoned. Chaos running through the streets. Random killing sprees of gangs. Crows cawing and flying around peeking at people who are still living. Dead bodies littering the streets. The few that are left have to watch out for the living dead  that come after anything that moves, but should keep a closer eye on the gangs that run the town. Constant war between the most powerful groups. Fires breaking out randomly. Abandoned pets turning into evil monsters, shredding, chewing, killing everything. All the grass, trees, and natural life has been destroyed or will soon be. No green left in sight. Acid rain falling every so often wiping out anyone who can’t find shelter. At nights it turns -30 degrees with limited blankets and no electricity. All the books and shoes have been burned, turned into ash. You finally fall asleep at night only to wake up hours later to find everyone you knew and had was taken from you.

My Dream World

Waking up to a lovely sound of birds chirping, in a gorgeous house, with a humongous yard, many pets, and designer clothing. 75 degrees outside, clear blue skies with few white fluffy clouds. Getting to see the little squirrels chase each other around the trees while eating a big breakfast of every food you would ever want. After getting dressed in the most fashionable outfit you walk to school seeing as it is only a few blocks away as is everything else. Walking by all the fresh produce picking out your dinner. Everyone smiling and waving as they walk, no one texting and walking, little phone usage unless it’s an emergency. All the buildings are covered in pastel colors and are Victorian style. No garbage anywhere but in the garbage can. The air has no pollution. All the people have optional schooling, nothing is required unless it has to do with life and death. All schools are free and only take up a small portion of the day so that people can go and enjoy the lovely weather they have all year round. Going to parks and riding bikes is a daily must. People of all races are mixed in and all know each other on a personal level. Everywhere you look there are well taken care of animals including dogs, tigers, all bears, and kangaroos. At the end of the evening after watching a beautiful sunset over a lake, you go home to your gorgeous home and sleep in a cloud of comfy, sleeping peacefully throughout the whole night.

Alexa Pierzynski Utopian Society

Daydream

Life is fictional

Balmy cobble stone trails

Enriched with timeless memories

Cozy cafes on every corner

Gothic towers loom

Juxtaposed creole townhouses

Bicycles peddle absentmindedly

Past prized photographs

Libraries on wheels

Trotter to greet bibliophiles

Neighbors meet

People connect

Sending love from the heart

Letters messaged daily

Pleasant grins

Life long friends

Foods of substance replaces grease

Spices herbs grow everywhere

Understanding stands beside respect

Abundance tranquility

Abundance joy

Abundance open minds

Drive-ins Illuminate

Popcorn dances

Main street lights up

Retro attire reappears

Simpler times are modernized

Life is frabjous

Nightmare

Masses walk encompassed

Details misplaced

Carbon copies cloud originality

Art dismantled vandalized

Blue screens glare back

Metal death traps universal

Ignorant actions

Cultures destroyed

Diversity becomes mythic

Missing safety

Missing pride

Missing creativity

Stone people stand harsh

Once beautiful buildings

Become repulsive scraps

Grins grow gloom

Hate pain suffering

Everywhere

Shame punishes all

Utopia? -- Kathryn Dave

Hmm…what would my perfect society be?

It was a good day today. It started out warm and sunny and ended with a beautiful sunset. You could get ready for school and not have worry about your appearance. You went to school and learned something new. You don’t have to worry about bullies or even school shootings. The people in your classes are there because they worked hard. Your position in society is affected by your work ethic, not by race; sex; or religion, and your skills. No one is unhappy with their job. People are polite, courteous, and humble. They accept you for who you are. When you got home, you didn’t need to worry about finances or if your family will eat dinner tonight. You are happy. When the rest of your family comes home, you mother doesn’t have to worry about someone taking your little sibling while they play outside. You can go out with friends and not worry about bombings or shootings. People get the help they need, no matter their finances. Good, healthy food is easily available for you. Everyone is treated equally. Like stated before, race, sex, and religion do not play a role in this.

Now what would be “Hell on Earth?”

It was a bad day today, but it always is. You wake up to crying children. There are three families crammed into the three bedroom house. You pull on a dirty uniform, it isn’t your family’s turn for laundry. You brush your hair and teeth in the dark. The lights haven’t worked in months. You rush to get your two little siblings ready. The little one complains of being hungry. Unfortunately, you don’t have anything to give her. You lead the march to the bus. It is bitter cold outside. Once the bus gets to your stop, you and your siblings file on. You sit toward the back where low-income children sit. You make sure your siblings get to school safely. Later that day, you find out that the little one was yelled at for forgetting her pencil. Once you get to your school, you head for your first class. The seating chart has been posted. Girls on the left, boys on the right. Low-income children in the back, wealthy children in the front. The wealthy kids will mock you. When you get home, you remind your siblings not to go outside while you’re at work. You tell them to be careful. You don’t trust the other families. You go to work in a dingy, old building catering to the wealthy. You barely make enough for dinner. When you return from work, you get your siblings food and into bed. Then, you start working on your homework. Both your parents had to work a second shift tonight in order to keep the bedroom you call your house. You have another restless night. Your stomach hurts and you’re anxious. During the night, you heard rustling. Someone from one of the other families stole some of your belongings, which was normal. The next morning, you find out that your dictator declared that any low-income family with more than four people in the family must give up one child to the government. You don’t want your siblings to become dogs of the military, but you can’t leave them. Severe, harsh fines would be given to those who do not follow this new rule. You worry for your safety.

Which society would you like to live in?