Columbus, GA's Local Rainforest

MPJ334 · Oct 9, 2002

here's an essay i had to write for Pre-AP English 10. We had to write a descriptive essay on our favorite place. here it is

When Pélé said, “Football: it’s the beautiful game,” he was not just talking about the Brazilian style of play (and he was not talking about the controlled barbarism played in the United States, either). When someone arrives at the Columbus Youth Soccer Association Complex on Woodruff Farm Road on the day of one of its big tournaments, he walks into a newly discovered rainforest, one of the best places to be. All around him it’s apparent he is not in Columbus anymore. All around him are the sounds of natives, predators and prey, snakes, and all of their interaction with their environment. He can see most of the creatures; instead of being camouflaged, they want to be seen. The foliage is exquisite, players in jerseys every color imaginable. He looks for distinguishing marks to help him find his way. He feels the things that surround him; the things that are part of him and the things that are not. His senses of touch, smell and taste experience similar things.

As he begins his walk to the snakes’ den – the referee’s headquarters – his senses of touch, smell, and taste are overloaded. Before waving goodbye to his mother, he checks himself for the essentials: his gropes into his bag for his badge. He can make out the embroidered words “United States”… check. He feels inside his right back pocket: plastic card book for scores and fabric of his wallet with his money in it. Check. His hand feels into a pocket of his bag for his linesmen’s flags: two wooden handles. Check. He has everything. As he moves away from his safari vehicle, he notices the undergrowth is more comfortable to walk on, so he gets off the hard path. He smells the dew on the freshly cut grass. The scent of kettle corn entices him to spend his money, but he declines.

After he has left his personal safari vehicle, he is met with and onslaught of colors. The foliage of uniforms makes up a spectrum of color any florist would love to have at her disposal. While standing on their touchline only the natives wield umbrellas, spears that ward off the sun. The snakes are in motion the most; in their red, gold, black, or blue they run through the foliage and natives, hissing when it is required.

He doesn’t forget the easiest way to tell the snakes from everything else: black socks with white tops and two black stripes on the white. As he approaches a fellow snake to ask for directions, he sees the bird-like vendors waving their arms in reference their wares. The strong players prey on the weak, who may have just been predators, or may be predators in their next match.

While a friendly snake is helping him, he becomes enveloped by the sounds he hears. A fruit hits the ground only to be kicked with a plunck by the first animal to get to it. If someone picks it up, a snake will hiss and say “Direct kick!” He will not be doing any hissing today, for he is only an assistant. He thanks the older referee and continues his walk to the den. On the way there he hears elders instructing the prey on becoming predators. The elder-coaches also help the snakes out, but only when they feel the snakes need it. He hears the vendors shout about trying kettle corn or the sale that they are having on cleats. Not afraid of the snakes, the natives loudly voice their opinions about calls without any qualms.

He does not have a game for a little while, and he has reached the snake den. He eats a banana to prevent cramping, fixes himself a sandwich, and grabs a few wings. As he sits to listen to the older snakes, he fixes a cup of Gatorade, then water. He finishes his meal. So far he has only seen and heard the players, parents, coaches, and everyone else; he hasn’t been involved. He puts on his yellow jersey as he sees his partners in officiation are wearing yellow. He puts a flag in his hand. Gone is his time as an explorer, one feeling out this local rainforest. He has been transformed, and it is time for him to take his place as a snake – a referee.
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nsa · Oct 9, 2002

I've been called lots of things, but never a snake.

Some nice imagery there. I hope you got a good grade on it.

And watch out for the AR "snakes" with the closed eyelids. They can be very deadly to your game.

soc4life · Oct 9, 2002

i played in the redstar tournment best vields in columbus i have every played on

MPJ334 · Oct 9, 2002

Originally posted by nsa
I've been called lots of things, but never a snake.

Some nice imagery there. I hope you got a good grade on it.

And watch out for the AR "snakes" with the closed eyelids. They can be very deadly to your game.
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i think i'll put this in a later draft...my gifted teacher has suggested i enter this in scholastic competition (w/ lots of rewriting)

kevbrunton · Oct 9, 2002

Good story mpj. Gave me a good chuckle this morning.

MPJ334 · Oct 9, 2002

did i mention any feeback is welcom?