A chilly day
With camera in hand, I trek through my backyard
I feel the soft mud beneath my feet from the rain the night before. Trees violently shake, leaves bristle, as the wind swishes back and forth. I hear the water rushing down the creek and the birds chirping across trees.
I carefully step over the thorns, but somehow manage to get my hair stuck on some laying above me. As I untangle my hair, I look up. And I’m greeted by the Sun.
Playing hide and seek between the clouds. Ever so slightly peeking through the branches, spraying my cheeks with warmth. It welcomes me, making me feel as one with the greenery around me.
And then I see it
A flower, surrounded by thorns. Just now blossoming. Trembling in the cold. Stretching itself, reaching, searching for the comfort of the Sun.
To bloom
To grow
It’s a beautiful thing.
Joanna Lee
English 110 Honors Spring 2020 
I really enjoyed your writing. The imagery was especially strong and I really felt as if I were seeing the scenery and experiencing the sensation vicariously through you. The flow was also really good and each line seamlessly blended into the next one. You had good use of personification ‘greeted by the Sun’. Your picture is really good, laying the focus on the sole flower surrounded by thorns.
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Joanna,
I really loved your title. It’s so positive and uplifting and inspired me to read the rest of your piece. My favorite sentence is “A flower, surrounded by thorns. Just now blossoming. Trembling in the cold. Stretching itself, reaching, searching for the comfort of the Sun.” I love how you were able to contrast beauty (flower & sun) from the darkness (thorns & cold). I think it could serve as a good metaphor for life. After all, the sun always rise, even after days of downpour.
Great writing and I loved your photography!!!
~Caroline SanAngelo
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I want to start off by appreciating your amazing photography skills. The image alone drew me in to your post, enrapturing me, and making me want to read more. Your writing then topped off your post with its intense imagery and flowing word choice. The story you told about walking through the thorns and then seeing perfect flower within those very thorns is so well written. It provides a strong and positive message, and your picture perfectly represents the description. Great post!
Bray Fedele
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