Memory Lane

By Yixiao, Xu (Coco)

When you first look at the word “belonging”, what’s the first thing that pops out in your mind? Is it the country where you are from? Is the family which raises you? Or is the school that cultivated you to become a well-rounded person? The word “belonging”, reminds me of a passionate, impassioned poem, Concord Hymn.

This well-known poem, Concord Hymn, symbolized the outset of the American Revolution. Concord was the place where the first American revolutionary war took place in 1775. Ralph Waldo Emerson, the poet, wanted to celebrate the battle and the people who took part in the revolutionary war, whose unwavering determination and idea to win the war of independence are also reflected in the poem.

Within the first stanza of the poem, it describes native Americans coming together to call for the war. These lines brought a picture to my mind that many Americans, including the workers, farmers, and worriers, all walks of life, assembled together standing around the arch bridge, waiting for the trumpet of war, which resembles the start of the revolution. The breeze gently blew their flag, as it blowing the banner of victory. Everything seemed so sacred. The sudden “shot” filled everyone with passion and hope to win the war, to win the victory for their country. The war began.

In the next two following stanzas, the poem illustrates the “foe”, or the enemy, was sleeping, and the “conqueror”, the Natives, were sleeping, which might indicate that in the past decades of years, Natives were suppressed by their enemy, the colonizers; their “foe”, in turn, were accustomed to oppress the Americans and were arrogant and domineering about their power, so they didn’t know the ability and strength of the Native Americans. Underestimating the enemy made them “in silence slept”. Now, “the ruined bridge has swept Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.” it seems to warn the enemy that we, Native Americans, will no longer “sleep”, that we will change our own destiny, that we will create a new country, and get rid of your control. Now, the poem brings us back to the modern-day. We stare at the “votive stone” as if we were on the day of the war. It reminds us of our ancestors, those who contributed to the happiness of our lives today. The memory is immortal, the memory will remember their contribution for thousands of years.

Finally, “Spirit”, “to die”, “free”, the war began. Those “heroes” will not only fight for their country, for their independence, but also fight for their future and the future of their children. Their victory will “free” their descendants. They are the real HEROES.

As the Battle of Concord kicked off the American Revolution, many American colonies started to join this revolution war. Later on December 25, 1776, it was a night of silence, with the stars winking, and a gust of darkness covered the whole land of America...

It was an unusual night, but the Hessian Forces, British mercenaries, didn’t perceive anything abnormality. General George Washington led his people across the Delaware River and launched a surprise attack on the Hessian army. This is the painting Washington Crossing the Delaware from Emanuel Leutze in 1851. From the painting, we can see that dozens of ships were heading in one direction. In the most visible position, a commander, George Washington, stepped out with his right foot. The fierce wind blew his cloak, but he still looked ahead with solemn, as if he was looking at the enemy ahead, or if he was looking at the hope, the hope of the victory.

With this power, everyone seems to be full of fighting spirit. The oars in their hands were full of power, and their hearts were full of power. Although the wind constantly hitting their faces, the ice blocking their way, they still moved forward with a steadfast heart. In the past few decades, they have endured various insulting and oppression, but now, it was different. The success of this battle promoted the American Revolution, strengthened the confidence of the North American people.

For us, this kind of emotion may be too immense. At the moment, there are various forms of belonging, our family, school, community, etc. When you are in different social groups, would you feel that you are a member of this group, or would you feel that you really belong to this social group?When you are in different social groups, would you feel that you are a member of this group, or would you feel that you really belong to this social group? In the SPAS, where we spend most our time studying, playing, and socializing, we are a member of this school. Whether you are an old student or a new student, you are welcome to be a member of this community, and you are lucky to belong to this community.