Zachary Justus Johnson

The heavy, humid, winter air had its cold grip on my entire body. We had just left the capilla after correlation finished (the first organized meeting I have done with members from my whole mission) I may never be a starving artist or a a struggling actor trying to make it in the big city, but I will always have this moment. My old black jacket that I bought in Ayolas, socks that I bummed off of some random missionary in the office, and my permanently stained white  &collar shirt tell the tale of my many experiences and shortcomings. My ties are old. My feet are tired. My voice is raspy from a sore throat. We put our hands in the middle of a crowded street corner. On the count of three, the four of us shout at the top of our lungs: "¡SAN LORENZO!" I had such a perfect ending in my mind. I had it all. Loved my area. Loved my comp. I knew all of the members. Many of the people we were teaching had come to church that Sunday. It was all looking like the fairytale ending I ha...

I decide to start writing and sort of let the words fill the page. I figure that's the best way to write. I was always taught that you had to have a goal in writing. That it had to be structured. An intro, a thesis, 3 paragraphs, conclusion. What's the goal with your writing. You have to cite your sources, use good grammar, avoid using passive voice, etc. And all of those things are good. But creativity comes from the abstract and the unexpected. It comes from the unknown. It's what makes the difference between poetry and rap (although I love both). Poetry starts in the soul and ends on paper. But rap needs to pass through the mouth first. If it doesn't sound good, on the outside, it doesn't make the cut. That's why most songs are based off of freestyle. It just has to come naturally. A lot of people ask me "where did you learn to write?" I guess I learned to "write" in school but I never really learned how to enjoy it until I had something t...