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Trembling Survival
by Josie Johnson (United States)
August 2022

Audio: "Trembling Survival," read by Josie Johnson
Propped up on my elbows, on the stiff gym floor.
Planks: a climax in the battle to stay healthy.
I feel my arms shake, my chest vibrate.
In a chilly classroom, talking to some girl.
Socializing: the stress-ridden struggle to fit in while standing out,
I feel my heart shake, my fingers vibrate.
Burning trees, tumbling rocks, heaving earth, melting ice.
Survival: a poor reward for achieving life.
I watch the creatures shake, Earth's core vibrate,
And for once I am in sync,
for I have found a secret to nature's spirit,
and we are no longer quite so separate.
Josie Johnson, 15, is a high-schooler living in Rhode Island in the United States. She enjoys reading, rain, and music, particularly Gregory Alan Isakov.
Are you a young writer who wants to be published in Write the World Review, or is there a young writer in your life (relative, friend) who should be published in Write the World Review? Learn how here!
Celina Johnson
3/15/23, 5:10 PM
I am seeing all of your comments, and BLESS YOU ALL, thank you so much for wishing me well on this journey, your kind words will certainly help me get there! ❤️❤️
Here's my linkedin, just in case:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/celinasjourney
I hope I can do that lol
3/13/23, 3:01 AM
Holy_Grail
3/10/23, 6:30 PM
You write beautifully and with so much passion. Wonderful writing Taieba,
LRD
2/28/23, 3:57 PM
"I am trying to tell you wish I were a boy
but you mis-trans-late the words and hear
wish I were less of a girl." This is my favourite statement from here! A trans-formative piece :)
Denise Cyrus
2/28/23, 5:26 AM
What a wonderful piece of writing! I cannot wait to see how you will change the world for the better with your words! I am proud of you and am even prouder to call you my friend!
John Strebe
2/27/23, 11:43 PM
Fun to read, causing me to want to make one of these creations and the devour the result. Sophia, thanks for sharing your creativity with us
Lilies and Peonies
2/27/23, 7:00 PM
Wow, you have been through so much. What a terrible time to be living through, so many lives broken, lost, or insecure because of the war. I'm praying for you that God would protect you and your family, and that he would keep you until the war ends.
Ray Pauley
2/27/23, 4:58 PM
Sophia is my granddaughter and I am very, very proud of her and her writings. I am sure we will be seeing a lot more of her written words in the future!
Leighton Highley
2/24/23, 7:41 PM
How do I add a poem? <3
Holy_Grail
2/21/23, 6:39 AM
Amazing writing here. I love the force this piece gives. You write so creatively.
Holy_Grail
2/21/23, 6:37 AM
Congratulations on getting published!
Pastel daydream
2/20/23, 10:55 PM
This is IT!