STOPPING BY WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENING
I was watching a snowflake in front of my eyes dropping slowly and stopping onto my nose melting itself up till
the water cycle reaches back giving a marvellous and unique shape as a brand new snowflake - when I heard
the disturbing moaning of my horse. I looked at it and I saw that he was showing a farmhouse near the dark
deep woods and the frozen lake. The desire of going in that direction and having a rest fought within me against
the obligation to reach the distant target point. I stopped walking for a moment and desperately I thought
about what I would do in the night. looked at my little horse again I was sure that he was thinking about the
same things. I turned to the farmhouse and took a deep breath but I decided to continue to walk. After a while
- not even five minutes my hands went numb and my legs started to shake. At that moment I forgot about the
destination. The only thing I could focus on was the farmhouse in which I could eat, get warm and have some
rest. Could I know whether it was the best or the worst decision of my life? Maybe both…
Before getting inside, I tied my horse to the pillar in front of the house door. I went near to the wooden house
door. I turned the door knob and I stepped in with a great hesitance. I heard some men singing cheerfully.
That’s why I could take a deep breath. Actually, the scene I was expecting when I went into the room was much
different. There were three men sitting in the middle of the room with huge bottles in their hands. I thought
that they were drunk and at that moment when I asked them if I could stay in their house overnight. They
wanted me to pay and I replied as “I cannot”. These words made them lose their temper. They walked towards
me. I was shocked. I checked my surroundings hoping to find something that I could protect myself with.
Unfortunately, the only thing I could see was the half of the stale bread on the ground. I made a quick plan. I
was going to pick the bread from the ground and run to take my horse. The plan seemed to work successfully
at the beginning because they were drunk and I was really fast. When I got onto my horse I heard a gun shot.
Yet, the only thing I could feel was the warmth of the blood on my hands. Now, I knew that it was the best, the
worst and the last decision of my life. Yet, I could have thought better, not to be so eager to meet my destiny,
to reach my real destination.
Zeynep İŞCİ 9-A
ENGLISH
DEPARTMENT
THE PROMISE
It is dreadfully cold. So cold that I cannot feel my toes that are completely under the snow even if I am on my
horse. We have been trying to move further while snow pulls us downwards just like a marsh. My body has
been shaking so violently for such a long time that I am actually tired. Drifting snow makes it impossible for me
to see the path – and I think I might have lost it already. Opening my eyelids as much as I could with the last
stream of strength I barely have, I remember the promise I’ve made and my steps get faster.
The love of my life was lying in front of me, carrying the fruit of our love in her wom. The doctor said with
a voice of pure indifference: “She is dying. She may not be able to give birth to the child. Her infection is so
serious now. There is not much left to do. Unless...”. The doctor’s words were of no meaning to me, just an
absurd echo in my mind. The word “unless” was just like a sharp silver knife opening up my mind and gave me
something to hold on. ”Tell me doctor, tell me! I’m begging you. Is there any chance that she can live?” The
doctor looked at the tears dropping from my eyes but there was no change in the tone of his voice. “I cannot
say for sure. There is a medicine but it cannot be found here. It is at the city fourty miles away. It would take
three days at least on such weather.” He dıdn’t have to sa anything else, anymore. I could climb up mountains,
swim my way in frozen lakes just to look into her eyes over and over again... . I held her weak hand in my hands
and whispered: “I’ve promised you the moon with all the stars. Now, it’s time for me to bring them all up to
you... .You will be fine!” I prepared a tiny package and began my harsh and miserable journey with the despair
of not losing any hope, at all.
Now, I am in the middle of nowhere - carrying a glass of bottle filled with the mysterious liquid. I am holding
it gently under my coat, trying to protect the sole and only hope I could have had for Lıfe. While staring at the
long way ahead, I could see some light ahead of me. Getting closer, I realise that it is a farmhouse. Oh, it looks
so warm and so serene... I stop for a moment, watching the farmer carrying some woods. The woods look
lovely, dark and deep but I have such a dear promise still to keep. My glance slowly shifts to the snow to try and
feel the path beneath - while I remember the rest of the poem: ”yet, I have a promise to keep/And miles to go
before I sleep...” ...so many miles to go before she sleeps...
Ezgi AKARSU 9-A
THE CLAPPER 2016 - 2017 23