creativenonfiction7

[creativenonfiction7]

expressions and gestures

Growing up I always wore my thoughts on my face, so when I'm upset or something doesn't seem right it will be written all over my face . There are certain facial expressions that only my mom can understand because we're so much alike. I use these cations all the time because if I'm thinking about something or if something is bothering me most of my friends and family will pick up on it and ask what's wrong. I don't think I've necessarily learned them , it's just been something I did from as long as I can remember. They don't necessarily differ because my face will show my emotions and I won't even know unless someone points it out so it's just like a natural instinct for me . 

[creativenonfiction7]

Memior

On my 5th birthday at Clementon Park, I was super pumped to jump on this crazy ride and have a blast. But out of nowhere, hail starts pelting down from the sky, turning our fun day into a wild adventure! The ride suddenly stops, leaving us hanging up in the air while hailstones crash around us. It's a mix of fear and excitement, you know? We're all freaking out, but there's also this sense of togetherness, like we're all in this crazy situation together. Finally, after what feels like forever, the ride starts moving again, and we make it back down in one piece. So yeah, my 5th birthday at Clementon Park was definitely a rollercoaster of emotions, but it's a memory I'll always cherish, full of excitement and that never-give-up attitude! 

[creativenonfiction7]

So, like, over the past couple of years, this feeling has totally spread all over social media and turned into this meme, you know? It's like this constant reminder of how drained and emotionally spent we've been with everything going on. I mean, think about it: from the pandemic just going crazy to all the political drama, economic mess, and even the threat of war, the 2020s have been non-stop chaos.

And when you stop and think about how people felt back in the 1920s, it's kinda wild. They had just come out of World War I, dealing with the Spanish flu, trying to figure out what's going on with their money, and facing all sorts of social issues. It's like, no matter the era, people deal with the same feelings of exhaustion during tough times.

You know, it's crazy how history kinda repeats itself. Whether it's the 1920s or the 2020s, everyone's asking the same question: when is this gonna be over?

I can't help but wonder how folks in the future will look back at our struggles. Will they get where we're coming from, all the stuff we had to deal with? Or will they just analyze it all like some history lesson, picking apart what went wrong and what went right?

But hey, maybe future generations will find hope in our stories of resilience, just like we do with the ones before us. It's like this cycle of drawing strength from each other, you know? We're all in this together, across time and space, dealing with the craziness of living through major historical moments. And who knows, maybe that connection is what'll get us through in the end.

[creativenonfiction7]

"Death Of a Swinger"

Here, Bethea dives into the life of Arthur Jeryl Hensley, a character who embodies the wild lifestyle of the 1970s, especially at Atlanta's Riverbend. Jeryl's journey—from college athlete to cop to nightclub owner—sets the stage for exploring bigger themes like excess and the passage of time.

Bethea brings Jeryl to life with colorful descriptions and personal details, showing a man who once enjoyed his fame but later faced the consequences of his choices. The story is full of emotional moments that capture the essence of Jeryl's life, from his charisma to his struggles to hold onto the past.

Bethea isn't just an observer; he's deeply involved in Jeryl's world, forming a unique bond with him over time. Their interactions reveal a complex relationship that evolves throughout the story.

The article's structure mirrors the ups and downs of memory and human experience, jumping between past and present to connect Jeryl's glory days with his later years of loneliness.

In the end, "Death of a Swinger" goes beyond its subject matter to explore universal themes like love, loss, and the search for meaning. Bethea's writing style and portrayal of Jeryl make it a captivating read that resonates with anyone facing the complexities of life.

[creativenonfiction7]

"What They Don't Tell You About Hurricanes"

The essay vividly captures the anticipation and experience of confronting a hurricane, providing a detailed narrative of the events leading up to and during the storm. Descriptive language, like the mention of "swirls of red and orange" on the radar scope, is employed by the author to create a palpable sense of impending danger. The repetition of questions such as "When, How Hard, How Long" emphasizes the uncertainty and anxiety associated with hurricanes.

The storytelling is rich with sensory details, painting a vivid picture of the roaring sound of the hurricane likened to a freight train and the cracking of trees in the darkness. The author introduces personal elements, such as the preparation of important documents and the conflicted emotion of wishing the storm on others, adding a human touch to the narrative. Instances like the man and his dog enduring the storm tethered to their house showcase resilience amid chaos.

The essay effectively communicates the emotional and physical impact of hurricanes, immersing the reader in the suspenseful journey of preparing for and enduring a powerful storm.