Maritzburg College School Magazine Maritzburg College Magazine 2016 electronic | Page 42

C R E AT I V I T Y AT C O L L E G E
high up in the air. Their brilliant whiteness makes them stand out jarringly
in the dark blue of the sky. The butterflies are out now, fluttering around the
garden, catching the little warmth of the sun upon their silky wings. It is a
glorious morning.
Morning has come and gone. The sun has reached its peak in the sky. It is
no longer the passive source of light it was this morning, but instead it is a
demon, beating its fiery rays upon the insects of the garden. Its tentacles
of heat lash the backs of those who do not seek shade. It is midday in the
garden.
The sun has made its slow descent across the sky. It sits at the edge of
the horizon, a crimson red ball that is a mere shadow of the bright and
merciless king it once was. It is evening now and the insects of the night
begin to wake, thousands of clicks announce their arrival. Soon the moon
will rise, replacing the empty spot the sun has left behind.
W Clacey (Fourth Form)
Excerpts from:
Burning Bridges
Words and actions used to light the bridge between him and his wife.
I watched her walk across the valley bridge leaving a trail of petrol in her
pathway. I knew this was the end. We made eye-contact from opposite
ends . She lit and threw a match onto the petrol-covered bridge. As it was
burning, I turned about and never looked back.
We never met again. I left her with a smile, as I knew great things would
be coming my way. I stopped drinking and replaced it with happiness. My
new life was about to begin. I started building bridges with people who I
knew would never let them burn.
C Slater (Fourth Form)
Excerpts from:
Beyond the Barrier
The engines roared, fumes shot out of exhausts. “Go! Go! Go!” and we
were off – down a wide, muddy road. Mud scattered everywhere. Moving
down a hill and into a shallow river my bike slipped and I was in the
water, hoping the bike would start again. I lifted it out of the water as
other bikes flew past. Further down the course, the track became narrow
as it entered the forest; however, soon it became wider as it emerged. The
surface changed from mud to dust. I gazed at a steep hill, wondering if my
bike would manage to climb it.
J Spooner (Fourth Form)
Refugee
The annoying buzz of my phone as it rang invaded the soporific mist that
filled my head. At first I wanted to let it ring, but then the urgency of the
call reappeared in my mind like a lightning bolt. My eyes snapped open;
my hand fumbled blindly for the phone. I snatched it up and answered the
call. I was speechless as I listened to the news. Our time had finally come.
We were leaving at last.
S Xhakaza (Fourth Form) I lifted my sleeping son from beside me, gently, so as not to wake him, and
walked to the door. I picked up the small suitcase which contained all our
worldly belongings. Everything else would be left behind. All that mattered
was escaping.
I had to run – it was the only way of escape. As I ran I thought about my
friends and wondered if any of them had survived the attack. I crossed a
bridge over the Oka River and had a brilliant idea. The man on the phone had said that the boat was ready to leave. We were
leaving our home, not by choice but out of necessity. A land no longer fit to
live in, ravaged beyond salvation by a fight I wanted no part in. My only
hope was what lay at the other end of this boat journey, on the other side
of a vast and unforgiving stretch of ocean.
Burning Bridges
The bridge went up in flames. It burnt a lovely orange and yellow and
reminded me of the sunset that had passed. As the fire burnt the bridge, I
felt safe as I knew the enemy could not reach me.
The fire smelt of victory and smoke. I saw my foes run up to the bridge, but
I knew they would turn and flee. The bridge grumbled as the fire enveloped
it. It crackled and spat small embers that fell into the still river and sent
ripples across it.
I found an open patch of grass and decided that would make a good
resting place for the night, it was soft as a baby’s bottom. I lay there gazing
into the mesmerising flames, wondering if I would ever get back home
safely. The night sky was full of stars, just like a bowl full of diamonds. The
night was a warm one; I slept almost drenched in sweat. I woke to gunfire
in the distance. It was still dark but the sun was slowly climbing over the
mountains.
I walked down to the river where the bridge had been. It was now reduced
to small smouldering planks, some floating on the river. I washed my face
and felt the dirt being washed off as I gazed down at my reflection and
wondered if I had done the right thing by burning the bridge. If there were
people on the other side who were trying to escape, as I was, they would
have to swim across this great river. I waited there for any such people,
but no one appeared.
R Schmidt (Fourth Form)
40
I stumbled down the crumbling road through the darkness. I glimpsed
the glowing eyes of a scrawny mongrel as it scurried past, offering me
a frightened snarl as it made its hasty retreat. I smiled. We were going
to be free of all this violence, free of the fear and the uncertainty. As I
approached the docks I saw the crowd of people, similarly equipped with
luggage and infants, who were already queuing to board the boat. After a
short wait we filed slowly onto the boat. I stared straight ahead as we set
out into the gloom. I sat down, and slumber overtook me.
Faded trainers worn by equally overworked owners faded in and out of
my vision. My head lulled back and forth with the docile restlessness of
the boat. The night was impenetrable, such was the depth of its darkness,
matching identically with the uncertainty which choked me. The people
were silent, the only words spoken being muttered prayers, mingling
bittersweet with the curses of those who had lost hope.
My son lay against my shoulder, blissfully unaware of our dilemma. He
would have no memory of leaving our home. I envied him as terror rose
in my throat. What if we lost our way, or were unable to find land? I knew
by the faces of my compatriots that they shared the same fears, seemingly
infected by an all-encompassing disease. I heard the faint sound of a
little girl sobbing, cramped tightly between her siblings. The others were
becoming visibly uneasy, with shuffling feet and creased brows. I feared
that the situation was about to boil over.