Michelle Dodson
Kirkwood, MO 63122
Age 13

The world is dark. It always has been. Round and round it spins, a dark orb in the universe. The darkness is prejudice, hate, bias, disrespect. But wait … a pin-prick of light penetrates the darkness. It is small, in comparison to the world, but it is bright and pure. The light is powerful. Many want to be part of the light, but darkness surrounds them and drowns their efforts. Others fear the wrath of the darkness, so they do not try. It is a whole city in light. Not a country nor a state, a single city: Kirkwood.

Kirkwood had a rough past. For years they had suffered just like the rest of the world. There was a police man murdered in 2005, and Kirkwood came together. There was the kidnapping of Shawn Hornbeck in 2002 and he was found in Kirkwood in 2007. Then there was the Kirkwood Massacre in 2008. Kirkwood mourned for their losses of city council members, police men, and eventually the mayor. Kirkwood citizens then banned together and just said they needed an end to their suffering, so they created a prejudice-free, highly respectful community. Everyone is happy, jubilant rather, all the time. No one is rude or snobby or bullies others because everyone is willing to make and keep Kirkwood a good place. They wanted to stop their suffering.

If you walk through the city, you will notice many different things. While you walk down the sidewalk, the pavement will be exceptional because every citizen calls in a pavement paver every time the sidewalk that lines their property gets uneven or cracked. This is because the citizens do not want pedestrians, bikes, and other exercisers to stumble or fall and hurt themselves. The yards are very clean because dog walkers pick up after their dogs when nature calls. There are a minimum of three trees per household, so Kirkwood’s air stays pristine. The streets are clean because no one litters and pollutes the city with volatile chemicals when plastics or glass or paper can be recycled at the recycling center. Only the most energy efficient cars are driven, so as not to waste the world’s resources.

If you chance to visit a school, you will see some differences, too. At every table, boys and girls sit together, all races sit together, and all are smiles and laughs. There are no cliques because no one is biased enough to discriminate against others.

Even businesses are unbiased. If you, perhaps, visit Kaldi’s Coffee Shop, you may be surprised. The coffee is rich and gourmet and the food a delicacy because no one is to be cheated out of their money for a mediocre, unappetizing, and unhealthful meal. The workers always smile and laugh with customers, not out of courtesy, but custom. They do not work there to get paid. They work there to be with people, to help people, to be of service to the people. This is how the whole of Kirkwood operates. From babes to toddlers to kids to teens to adults, to senior citizens, they all learn and respect their unbiased, respectful, kind community.

If you walk down the street, you will see people walking or exercising just like you are. People will actually smile and greet each other and sometimes even strike up a conversation if they are just moseying along. There are no arguments because the citizens understand opinions are unique and no one should cause the opinion holder to suffer and be in fear because of their belief. All are caring and empathetic.

When the sun goes down for Kirkwood, the light never actually dims. The light is eternal so long as the people remember what they stand for. Deceased citizens who died for the well being of Kirkwood weep in joy, for their city hath avenged them and made the community a better place. Their tears surround Kirkwood and are a barrier to the darkness. Shine on, Kirkwood.