Reasons to Read | Teen Ink

Reasons to Read MAG

June 12, 2015
By simplyinferior GOLD, Ottawa, Illinois
simplyinferior GOLD, Ottawa, Illinois
15 articles 0 photos 23 comments

I read a lot –
more than the average teenager
not because I want to raise my grades
or simply because I’m a loser,
but to escape the reality
that is Hinky Dink Sorry-Excuse-of-a-Town, USA
Yes, I read a lot
when I should be at whatever sports game is going on
or enjoying the “Best Years of My Life.”
Pardon me that I find demon killers, dystopian worlds, and sassy demigods
more interesting than your loud, sweaty, and ultimately pointless over-exaggerated game of fetch.
which brings me back to Hinky Dink’s high school where my “Best Years” will occur
that’s jam packed with mindless zombies
all waiting for the exaltation of Saturday
which is quickly ended by the hard slap of Monday.
But we zombies are supposed to have fun
after work, pointless preparation for
the future, and sleepless nights
that made us zombies in the first place.
Though what kind of refreshing fun does Teeny Tiny Pipsqueak Town have?
No one’s actually sure, but there might be something hiding
beneath all the heart-attack burger joints or greasy auto body shops
which will never make sense since Pipsqueak isn’t home to many fine cars.
Cars that drive to work, school, then back home
repeating the endless cycle of never going straight.
Never leaving, never seeking, never longing.
Longing that beats in my restless heart,
pushing my seeking soul to search for more,
never, ever leaving.
And that’s why I read a lot –
in hopes of grasping anything and everything
outside of this mini claustrophobic universe,
choking me with the fear of never being
Alive
because I would much rather die trying to live
than live trying to die.



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This article has 4 comments.


JRaye PLATINUM said...
on Dec. 28 2015 at 5:47 pm
JRaye PLATINUM, Dorr, Michigan
43 articles 10 photos 523 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;If you build your house far enough away from Trouble, then Trouble will never find you.&quot;<br /> <br /> &quot;Have you ever looked fear in the face and said, &#039;I just don&#039;t care.&#039;?&quot;

This is absolutely amazing! The sassy demigods line made me laugh, and the die-trying-to-live line made me think. Really, really well done, this is astounding.

on Oct. 8 2015 at 9:36 pm
BreeZephyr SILVER, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
7 articles 0 photos 84 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him...it&#039;s impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves.&rdquo; - Orson Scott Card, Ender&#039;s Game

YESSS THIS IS MY LIFE :D Ha ha I live in a pretty...uh...well, to be honest, boring town. Books have always been my escape and my dreams. I love your style and the way you described things in this poem. Really beautiful.

on Oct. 7 2015 at 8:08 pm
CNBono17 SILVER, Rural, South Carolina
5 articles 0 photos 248 comments

Favorite Quote:
Lego ergo sum (Latin&mdash;I read, therefore, I am)<br /> The pen is mightier than the sword&mdash;unknown<br /> Don&#039;t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity&mdash;1 Timothy 4:12

Second @Consalvator!

on Aug. 17 2015 at 5:43 pm
Consalvator BRONZE, South Jordan, Utah
1 article 0 photos 41 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen.&quot; - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I love your brutal honesty! You put being a thinking, writing teenager's situation beautifully. That last line is GOLD. My only suggestion is to work on your formatting (I know the format on TI sometime's screws it up too), it was a bit choppy where capitilization and punctuation was, but other than that the message was absolutely brilliant. I much enjoy your writing style! :)