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TeenPoetry
Contest
2016
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FirstPlace
SongtotheWorldbyLaniSouthern
SecondPlace
WonderfulMonstersbyWillowGelphman
ThirdPlace
WeFightbyLoganJaeger
LibrariansChoice
FlakesbyElyseAbramson
HonorableMention
WhentheNightComestoLifebySamanthaAguilar
HonorableMention
RedBlackbyMikeyNeves
SongtotheWorld
ByLaniSouthern
Thisisalifeofbeauty
Thisisalifeofpain
Ofgloriousmoments,highupandflying
Ashadowpaintedintotheclouds
Ofbrokenness,grief,spentcurledupcrying
Withmybrokenwingsonthedustyground
ButthewordsremindmeIllneverstopwriting
ThewordsremindmeIllneverstopfighting
AndthroughthedarkIllrememberthelight
Illstandonmyown,Illputupafight
Illwritemywayout
Illwritemyfuture,myhopeandmytruth
Illwritetheendofmystilllivingstory
Thewordsarethevoice,thewordsaretheglory
TheglorythatI'llneverseefrommycorner
Frommyplaceinthedarkwithmypenasmysword
Butthatdoesn'tmatterbecauseIgivemyself
Totheinkonthepaper,tothevoice,tothewords
Wordsarethevoiceofthevoiceless
WordsarethewaythatIwritemypain
Andthroughrisingandfallinganddyingandbreaking
Wordsarethethingsthatremain
Thisismysongtotheworld
Theworldthatwillhearmyvoice
TheworldthatwillknowIcameherebychoice
Theworldthatwillkeepmyflame
Remembermypassion
Knowmyname
Theworldthatwillkeepmywordsalive
LongafterIamdustandforgotten
Mywordswillbethethingsthatsurvive
Throughtrialandstormanddarkofages
EvenwhenItakemybow
Andstepoffthestage
3
WonderfulMonsters
ByWillowGelphman
Theycomeinthedark
Whentheclockstrikestwo
WhenImtuckedawayinbed
Theymaketheirdebut
Theskyturnsbrightorange
Myheadturnstostatic
Lightonthewalls
Flickershadowserratic
Theyseepunderthewindow
Anddoorlikesmoke
Theyreachoutstripedtendrils
Theirtalonsevoke
Crazythoughtstucked
Awayfortheday
Mortalinsecurities
Thatincitemetopray
AnovelIhadonce
Aspiredtowrite
Vibratingwingsbound
Downtobreakflight
Dreamsofthefuture
Regretsofthepast
Alostopportunity
Everyfaceamask
Aboycapturedin
Youthfulidealism
Setasidethanksto
Atasteforsurrealism
Daliwhosespidery
Elephantsstandtall
Faraboveoursmalllives
Theymustseeitall
Likethoselongleggedbeasts
Snickeringatmybedside
Sendingsparksastheylaugh
Theyfeelcomplied
Todisruptmyslumber
Myhealthandwellbeing
Withaddictivemindtangents
Andneonzigzagsguaranteeing
4
Asleeplessnight
Awastedday
Inwhichfeelingexhaustsme
Andemotionsareheldatbay
Soastheylaughandtheytorment
Iamleftwithnochoice
Becausewhilethevisionsenchantme
Inmyheadavoice:
Dontgiveintothedarkness
Theconfinementofnow
Comemorningthesunwill
Scarethemoffanyhow
SoIopenmybox
Andasoftgoldenlight
Sucksthemaway
Likeeggyolksoutofsight
Ilockupthebox
Stowawaythekey
Somywonderfulmonsters
Willneverfindme
Wefight
ByLoganJaeger
Ilaugh
Ijoke
Ikid
Igotoofar
Sheisangry
Iapologize
Icry
Iplead
Iaskforforgiveness
Shespurnsme
Iyell
Isob
Ihate
Ifeelremorse
Shewontrespond
ItellherIcare
Itellheritwonthappenagain
ItellherImsorry
ItellherIloveher
Shesaysthesametome
Wefightsometimes,butitsokay
Flakes
ByElyseAbramson
Dark,silversnowflakesfelldiagonallyagainstthewindow
Sheputonhergaloshesandredhat
clutchingherbeigeleatherbagtoherside.
Grabbingherdaughtershand,
shethrustedherselfthroughthedoorway
wincingasthebitingwindcollidedwithherface.
Theicyrainimmediatelyfounditsplace,
creepingunderourclothesand
disseminatingacrossourbodies.
Wehikedthetwo,tense,blockstotheelementaryschool
Youcouldntmissitaboldcrimsonbuilding
vibrantlyglistening
standingaloneamidsttheblanketofsnowthatcoveredtheground.
Shepulledatmywrist,signallingitwastimeIlethergo.
Shebrisklyskippedoff.
Istoodthereforamoment,alone,inthebittercold.
Watchingherturnaroundandraiseherarm
givingmeonelastwaveofherhand.
WhentheNightComestoLife
BySamanthaAguilar
Ialwaysforgetthem.TheyreinmybagItellmyselfasImakemywayoutofthedoorjustin
timetogettoschool.Iblockitoutfortherestoftheday.Thedaygoeson,asitalwaysdoes,it
waitsfornoone.Theclockticksandthedayslowlywalksbyme.Theoncewarmenveloping
windslowlygetscolder,thesunsoncebrightbeamshavebecomeonlystreaksofpurplesand
pinksilluminatingasmuchastheirlightallowsthemtoo.AsIwalkupthestairs,andmakemy
waytothedoor,Ireachmyarmintomybag,myfingersplaywiththerandomwrappers,and
piecesofpaperthatwereonceimportant,butnowsitinthegraveofmybag.ThemoreIfeel
around,themoremyheartracesandthemorefrustrationIletout.Itsshapeissodistinct,it's
hardtomiss.Ihavenochoicenow,buttositinthecold.Ithappensmorethanitshould.IfIm
lucky,mymomshouldarriveinanyminute,butImnot.Thewindgetscolder,theunwanted
leavesthrownoffthebranchesofthenearbyrattlingbushesscrapeagainstthehardground
andfloatoutofsightfollowingthewayofthewind.Thehairsonmyneckstandstiff.Soon
enough,theorchestraoffrogsandcricketsbegins,andtheyplaysoinsyncwithoneandother.
Thetallgracefultreescometolifeanddanceunderthelightofthemoon,andthemoonhas
finallycomesoutofitshidingplace,invitingthestarstojoinalong.Iamswallowedbythespirit
ofthenight,harmonyofrelaxationandbeautyandIdidntknowifIcouldeverbebroughtback,
butIdidntwantto,nordidIcaretobe.Iwastrappedinamazeofmemorization,andIwanted
nothingmorebuttolivethereforever.Aquietringinterruptsmythoughts,theringturnsintoa
roar,andmyeyesareslappedbythesharplightofmymothersoldbluePassatlights.She
tossesthekeysmyway.
RedBlack
ByMikeyNeves
BlackisJordan
shoes.
RedisJordansocks.
BlackisJordan
shirt.
Redtasteslike
Jordancake.
Blacksmellslike
Jordanstickers.
Redsoundslike
Jordandevil.
Blackfeelslike
JordanBlackPower.
RedlookslikeJordan
isfire.
BlackmakesMeHappy
likeJordan.
Red&blackis
ChicagoBulls,Jordan#23.
ForeverandaDay
ByEddieAcosta
Undertheweepingwillow
Isulkinadampenedpillow
Wastingaway
Overwhatoncewas
Thelightofmyday,
Thecolortomygray
Butalas,
Shewouldnotstay
Myforeverandaday
10
RAINBOW
ByMichelleAhumada
GOLDISWARRIORS
BROWNISBASKETBALL
BLUEISSTEPHANCURRY
REDTASTELIKECANDY
GREENSMELLSLIKE
GRASS
ORANGESOUNDSLIKE
PUMPKINSGROWING
PINKFEELSLIKEABIG
HUG
YELLOWLOOKSLIKETHE
SUN
PURPLEMAKESMEHAPPY
WHITEISANEWPAIR
OFSHOES
11
YearsOfSalt
ByEmmaBradshaw
Ihavebeensittinghere
Drowninginmyold,youngtears
Overasmallgirlsstupidfears
Eventhoughitsbeentwoyears.
Twoyearsofsilence,
Rememberingthesirens.
Ialmostlostyourbeatingheart,
Butyourestillalivingtyrant.
Saltywaterburningmylips,
Fakingasmile,lettingrealityslip.
TothemusicIswaymyhips.
Tothebeatofyourhearttheclockstillticks.
AthirdyearIdontrememberyou.
Bythefourthyouveforgottenmetoo.
YearfivetheresnothingIcando.
Whensixcomesmysorrowshavedrownedme,
andmylipsareadeepblue.
12
Playingwithfriends
BySiobhanCalboun
Let'splayagame
Hideandseekofwitandpride
IcanwinifIamclever
Theyplaywithbluntknivesanddullfists
Iplaywithsharpwordsthatslicetheirsoulsopen,
freeingtheirghosts
Ihavenowantorneedfortheseweaponstheycovet
Becauseagameofwitandpride
Isagametobewonbybreakinghearts
13
MySoul
ByErikaCamacho
Mysoulisinsearchofsight,
Mysoulissittingindarkness,
Mysoulstumblesthroughthe
streetsofloneliness,
Mysoulhidesundermy
emotions,worriesand,anger,
Mysoulbellowsandscreamsyet
noonecouldheartheshrieksofshame,
Mysoulisfullofdepression.
Mysoulseesthebrightlight,yet
Cowardlyavoidsit.
Mysoulslithersawayfromthe
Brightdoor.
14
SparkofLife
ByTomasCastroSantos
Whatifeverynewlifewasabrightspark,
Andtimedrewthesesparksintolines,
Andchoicesmadelinesintocurves,
Andlovemadecurvescross
Whatifgreatnessmadelinesthicker,
Andintelligencemadelinesbrighter,
Andhealthmadelineslonger
Andempathymadelinessparkle
Whatifevilmadelinesred,
Andstealingmadelinesblurry,
AndGoodmadelinesgolden,
Andgivingmadelinesclearer
Whatifalineislengthenedbymemory,
Andisbrightenedbythequalityofthememory,
Andisthickenedbythequantityofthememory,
Anditfadeswithlossofthememory
15
Inthisartworkoflife,
Civilizationsarebrightthicklinesthatgrow,thicken,
brighten
Theninevitablyfadeintodarkens
Inthisartworkoflife,
Earthisbutapointofbrightness,
Inaseeminglyemptyvastnessoftheabyss.
Inthisartworkoflife,
Whenseenfromfarenoughaway,
Wenothingbutblackcanvas,andweareinsignificant.
Liveyourlifetonurtureyourspark.
Makeitbright,
Makeitlast.
Besogreatastobeseenonthecanvasof
infinity.
16
Sail
ByKieraCullen
Sailing,isanamazingsport
Thewindwhipsthroughmylonghair
Thewavessplashalongwiththescreamsofport
Excitementfillsthesaltair
Thewhistleblows,chaossetsin
Alltheboatsrocktoandfro
Watchesbeep,skippersyellwatchthepin
YourmindisscreamingGo!Go!
Voicesriseasthemarkdrawsnear
Boatsturntowardsthefinishline
TheboatsquicklypassRomeosPier
Isoonpassboatnumbernine
Thewindisgone,Ilosttherace
Butthedaywasnotawaste
Istillhaveahugesmileonmyface
NexttimeIllbebackwithhaste
17
Maui
ByDrewDavison
Woodchairsandshorthair
EatingfoodinKauai
TherestaurantnamedMona'slair
Mymom'scameraspreadarray
Onthetablewithbrightredshirleytemples
Ilaterstartedtocry
Mymomwouldntletmegetanothershirleytemple
Butthisisn'tvisible
Becauseit'sjustaphoto
AndnowImmiserable
Lookingatthispicture
WishingIcouldbeinKauai
Miserableandwithoutashirleytemplerefill
18
Untitled
ByRodolfoEtchart
Blueeyes,shortblackhair,friendlyandhealthy
SonofAntoniaandRodolfo
LoverofmybrotherChristian,mymomandmydad
Feelshappy,strong,andsporty
NeedsChinesefood,movies,andphones
Givessmiles,candies,andhandshakes
Fearsstorms,barkingdogs,andbeinglost
Wouldliketoseemyuncles,cousinsandamovie
ResidentofMossBeach,California
19
Untitled
ByLillahFerriera
Wherehisheartshouldhomeisvoid
Allheatiscold
Allcoldislonely
Hismindissullen
Theonlypresenceisthewhisper
Thewhisperofthereminder
Thereminderofinsanity
Muchlikethecalmbeforethestorm
Hesmileswiththearomaofdesperation
Thepassingofdays
Verifyinghesstillbeing
Helooksintothebathroommirror
Abovethesink
Deprivationjerksathiseyelids
Eyeswatchingthemselves
Heplacesanotherdoseinhishand
Likeamachine
Hiscarcassdrips
Pullinghimdownlikeabrokenslinkydownstairs
Hismindisthemovingtrain
Inthemiddleofwinter
Tracksslipperyfromwarmth
20
Alllightisdark
Alldarkislonely
Heremainsinthelight
Theflickerinthemiddleoftheroomdrawshimcloser
Theonlydarknessamonghim
Allwhispersareloud
Allloudislonely
Thewaxwhispers
Imsocold
Hejoltsforward
Ensuringhisfootingonthecrumblingthought
Thewallsformshape
Goingineverydirection
Musicisfound
Loudmusic
Heseesaface
Thefacemultiplies
Theytakeformsoflovedones
Hewhisperstothem
Thedesperationdripsmore
Theyglareinhisdirection
Theyfadeoutintothelight
Nevertobeseenagain
Helooksup
21
Allupisdown
Alldownislonely
Heseeshischildhoodhome
Itstartstopainandshake
Twistingintoblood
Drippingfasterandfalls
Fallsup
Themusicstops
Thebeatofanincompletesong
Heistuggedout
Themirrorisdropped
Noonenoticeslongenoughtocare
Itsdustmaybesweptup
Butonlytobedisposed
Allisnothing
Nothingislonely
Heisnothing
22
LetsGoWarriors!
ByBiancaGarcia
Rosesarered,
Violetsareblue.
ImgoingfortheWarriors,
Andyoubettertoo!
Wellcollaboratewithmates,
HopefullytheyllputbackinSpeights.
WelltrytocheerCurrybackinkey,
WiththehelpofDaveLee.
StephKerrwillleadthemtotherightpath,
Sotheycancalculatetherightmath.
LeBronJamesbetterstopcomplaining,
Sotheyactuallydosomegaming.
Wemightnotbetheperfectteam,
Butwelltryourbesttopursueourdream.
Wedealwithourfouls,
NotlikeLeBron,whogoescryingforhours.
Hemaythinkhesthebesttothisday,
Butheforgotabouttherestofusinthebay.
23
Rats
ByTomGilmour
Ratsarefoundatthebottomofthelatter.
Howtheyfoundaplaceinmyheart,isdoesntmatter.
MyfirstratOreowasblackandwhite.
Shewasstrangebutshebroughtmedelight.
Holesfromherteethlitteredmyclothes.
Butifshehadbeenaflowershewouldvebeenarose.
Herclawsweresharplikenails.
Shealsomusthavehadoneofthelongesttails.
HersisternamedTipsywasbrown.
WhenTipsypasteditseemedOreoforeverworeafrown.
Theyweretwowhentheywerebought.
Untiltheydiedhappinessisalltheybrought.
24
WhatIsLife
ByBrittanyGutierrez
Whatislife
Lifeisthememorieswemake
Thetimeswefail
Thetimeswesucceed
Whenwegotoourfirstconcert
Orourhundredth
Whenwecry
Whenwelaugh
Lifeismanythings
Mylifeisbasketball
Anddance
Gettingdropped
Sprainingmyankle
Allofthismakesuswhoweare
Themomentswhenourbodiesarethrobbing
Themomentswhenwegetnosleep
Themomentswelaughsohardwecry
Memoriesaremomentsthatwerememberforever
Whetherit'satthebeach
Atthepark
Orevenatthedump
Memoriesarememoriesbecausetheirspecial
25
Disneyland
ByMakaelaHanson
DisneylandisBeautiful
DisneylandisTheHappiestPlace
DisneylandTastesLikeTheLargestCupOFCocaColaSoda
DisneylandSmellsLikeLove
DisneylandSoundsLikeBigBandJazz
DisneylandFeelsLikeSoftBunnies
DisneylandLooksLikeAWonderfulCastle
DisneylandMakesMeCheerfulAndLightHearted
DisneylandIsWonderful
26
IAm
ByAlexisHernandez
IAmMexicanandhardworking
IwonderifIwillwork
Ihearthebangofthecan
Iseeclassrooms
Iwanttoearnmoney
IamMexicanandhardworking
Ifeelgood
Iworryaboutmyfamily
IcrywhenIgetmad
IamMexicanandhardworking
IunderstandIcancountonmyfamily
Isayfunnythings
IdreamofStarWars
Itryliftingweights
Ihopeforabetterlife
IamMexicanandhardworking
27
School
ByMollyJenkins
Sitting
Doyougetthis
Canyouhelpme
Thanksfornothing
Imgoingtofail
GreatanothertestIhavenoideahowtostudyfor
Diiinnnggggg
WhydoIcaretostruggletocarryallmyuselessbelongings
Greatstarttoday
PeopleIusedtoknow
PeopleIwillneverknow
Wereallstrangers
Exceptforthefew
WithwhoallIdoisargue
Buildingpeerssit
Diiinnnggggg
Notesagain?Bigsurprise
Idon'treallycareaboutJFKorhisdecisionsaboutatomicbombs
Ignorantpeoplewiththeirignorantcomments
Whyiseverythingsaidwithajudge
Scrambleforinformation
Runningoutoftime
Diiinnnggggg
10minutes
That'sit
10minutesoffreedom
Ican'tenjoyablyeatasnackin10minutes
Ican'thaveaconversationwithateacheraboutanygivenissueinjust10littleminutes
Mightaswellnothave10minutesatall
Diiinnnggggg
Physicswillbethedeathofme
Whatistheuniverse?
Howdidthebigbanghappen
ThingIwillneverknow
Sayingwhatithinkwouldbeimmediatelyshotdown
Keepyourhanddown
28
Livinginconfusionisbetterthanlivinginfailureright?
Diiinnnggggg
Iwaitforhoweverlongittakesforhimtowalkmyway
Hepassesmebylikeaghost
Theonewhobrokeherheart
Theoneswhodon'tcareanymore
Theonethatgotaway
Thenewgeneration
Diiinnnggggg
Leadbyexample
Youshouldknowbetter
Getallthisworkdoneinthissmallamountoftime
Dontforgettosmile
Diiinnnggggg
Doyoueverfeellikewalkingfromonesideofcampustotheotherislikeenteringasocialwar
zone?
Everyday
Everydayduringthese5minutesbullieshuntforpreyandwhentheymakeacatch,everybody
laughslikeit'sapracticaljoke
Disgusting
Diiinnnggggg
Immediatedisrespect
Bickeringturnsintoyelling
Writeasmuchonarandomsubjectfor20minutes
Doonethingwrongandyou'redone
Allthisworkgivesyounotimeforyou
Diiinnnggggg
Youngpeopleleanupagainstlockerssweettalkingtheirboy/girlfriends
Feelinguntouchable
Ifonlytheyknewwhattherealworldwas
TheworstpartisIcan'thelpbutdreamlikethemtoo
Oflove,ofthefuture.
Thereheis,stopwalking
Hegivesyouthemostsimplesmilewhileenoughtomakeyourheadspinfordays
Diiinnnggggg
I'lljustrestmyheadforasecond
Diiinnnggggg
29
Untitled
ByElijahLurie
Pickedupbyagustofair,AndblownaboutontuftsofhairHopingsomedayjusttoland,Ona
patchofdirtorsandOnceitlandsforyoushouldknow,Ourlittleseedbeginstogrow.It's
flowerbeamsasbrightassun.Thecycleonceagainbegun.
30
HesSoGangster
ByAnnabellaLynch
He'sayoungman
Withagun
Andaplan
Hehadnotaprayer
Butthegangwasthere
Gotinsomefights
WhenhelivedinLoganHeights
Withalockn'asock
Onheadshe'llknock,knock,knock
WhentheSonshopedforSilence
Hehopedforrain
Butnoamountofwatercanwashawayhisinflictedpain
Andwhenyouhavetheneedhe'llsellyouspeed
Thatyoucanburnuptheroadwith
Beyoublueorred
There'sapriceonyourhead
Youwereredwhenyoubled
Andyou'llbebluewhenyou'redead
Streetlifeisrough
Butitmadehimbangingtough
Abrother'smothercried
Whenthatbrother'ssparkdied(it'sokaythathedied,it'sallforgrouppride)
Weallworeblacktothefuneral
Andtothebootpartyrightafter
They'lloffya
WhenyourintheMafia
Violence
ToSilence
MC
31
OG
MOD
ABZ
One.Three.
OMG
LatinKing
WaChing
Nowthehatandbat
Hastakenhisgat
Thoughthe'dbetwentyforlife
Nowhe'sservingthesame
Cause'youcan'trewindbullets
Andyoucan'trewindshame
32
WhereDreamsGotoDie
ByVictoriaMartinez
Thereisafieldofflowers
Whereallthechildrengo
Thereisaholeintheground
Whereanoldmanlives
Hehopedthechildrenwouldstayaway
Wishedtheywouldgobackandplay
Backtofearingmonsterinfestedclosets
Andholdingmommyshand
Hewarnsthekids,buttheydon'tlisten
Theythrowtheirdreams,imaginationandinnocence
Downthehole
Down,down,downtheygo
Themansavesthedreams,filesthemaway
Hopingthechildrenwouldcomebackoneday
Andretrievethechildhoodtheyhandedover
Yearsgoby
Morechildrencome
Morefilesarestored
Butthechildrendontreturn
Theygrowsadandtired
Andsoonforgetaboutthefloweryfield
Wherethemanstillwaits
Hoping,wishing,waitingfornothing
Thechildrenareallgrown
33
SeaofColors
ByAJMorrell
sittingontheedgeofthecliff
everythingismorevisibleandclear
fromthedarkeningbrownsand
Totheoceanlikeglasswhoseendisunclear
ShadowsarecastfromthebluffsIlieupon
Creepingfromthesunalmostgone
waterrushesbackandforthacrosstheshore
Leavingwhitefoamlitteredontheedge
Whileslowwavesrollinfromfaroffshore
slowwavesrollinfromfaroutatsea
Thecalmintricateseas
Meetupwiththecolorfullyglowingsky
Puttingmeatgreatease
streaksofdeepredandorangedriftalongtheskyline
illuminatingtheoncewhitecloudsinayellowtintdesign
thescenestretchesonforeverineitherdirection
providingthesameviewforanyonealongthisCaliforniasection
34
ASimpleDay
ByIsabelMuirragui
ThebedwasredasIsatdownonmyhead
Isawmydogleapingoverafrog
SoIranmyhandthroughsomesand
Andacricketchirpedassomeoneburped
Thefrogjumpedoveralogandmydogfellintoabog
Whatahog,thatlittlesod
Whotriedtotroduponthelog
SoIgrabbedmyhorsefeelingalittlemorose
Andtrottedawayintotheday
Thatwastheway,theyallsay
35
Bitter
ByJuliaNeal
Nonfiltered
Somesayyou
arecheap
Thatsjust
alabel
Youcanbe
hot
Tempered
withyourdecisions
Dontlisten
Coolorhot
youarestillyou
Ifnotnow
theywillsee
Thecomplete
flavoryouperceiveyourself
Tobe
Youwill
changewithinfluence
Everything
does
Daysyou
willfeelvaluable
Almosttoo
muchtobelieve
Somedays
36
youwillbetrash
Dontforget
Everydayis
newanddifferent
Nomatter
whathappens
Youwill
alwaysroughlyhavethesameideaofyourself
Thoughtsit
wasahuman?
Going
throughlife
Confusedand
slow
Foolish
Twasjusta
cupofjoe
37
RecapturingmyLoveLostatSea
ByDavidPantera
Haveyoueverhadthatfeeling,
Ofadeepcalmnesswithinyouthatshardtofight?
Andnoonecouldstopyoufromcalming,
Eventheonethatkeepsyouupallnight
Haveyoueversailedonanocean,
Thatscolorsstayeddeepwithinyourheart?
Fordeepwithinthisocean,
Liesasilentwhisper,wherealllovestarts.
Anoceanoflove,anoceanofdreams.
Whereyoucanfindpeaceandhumblingtruth
Thoughstruggleresidesevenifyoumightnotdream
Astheexistenceoflovegrowsitsfruit
Thefruitofadventure,blues,andwonder
Withtheseedthatsburieddownbelow
Likeapearlthatliesdownunder
Theoceanoflovelovestartshello.
Uponthisvastocean,ithumblesmetothetruth.
Overthewavesandintothemellow
Ifoundalovethistrue.
Theoceanofloveisawondrousplace
Anytime,Iwouldhavegonewithyou.
WhenIcannothandlethesaltypainofmissingyouanymore,
Iwillseekyououtfromdeepwithinthisoceanofmymemories.
Ishalldriftinthewatersoftimeuntilitleadsmetoyoursandyshore
WhereIshallawaityourtenderloveafterwhathasfeltlikecenturies.
Thisiswhereourbattleendedyetlovewillonceagainberebornafterourwar.
IwillgazeoutacrossthisvastoceanthatIoncefeltsoaccustomedto
Thenbreatheinthewindsofhopeand2ndchances.
Iwillclosemyeyesandcastthenetsofloveandfaithoncemore
Thenreelinthevisionsofpastcircumstances.
Fortheoceancanbeeversocruel,yetequallyasforgivingtothosewhocareforit.
38
Inonepreciousmoment
Ishallsurrendermysoul,myheart,mybeing,onceagain
Totheremembranceofthefragranceofyourbody,downtoeverypore
Rediscoveringitssecrets.Itsscandals.Itspurity.
Ishalldriftwiththewavesbacktoyourshore
Andallthewhile,batheblissfullyintheoceanofourmemories.
WeshallbecomeoneagainasIdrift.
Amillionseagullstakeflightaboveus
Flyingalongtotherhythmofourheartbeat.
Shimmeringschoolsoffishstreakbelowus
Teachingusthatourlovecanonceagainbeconcrete.
Together,weshallembracethepoweroflove'swaves.
Rideitsbarrelsofecstasy
Aseachwaveofpassionhitstheshore,
Wesurfitsmanylevelsoftreasuries,bringingusthepeaceofadove,
Andweforgetthepainthattoreusapartwithsuchquickness.
Itbecomesjustanotherdropinthisoceanofmemories,love,andforgiveness.
39
Serial
ByKittyPerlsweig
Thewayyoustareatmeunblinking,
Sendsachillingshiverthroughmybody,
Handinapoolofredfallssinking,
Stabbedwithgoldensteelappearstoogaudy,
Thelightsofredandbluemakemedizzy,
Themeninbluewalkloudandrudely,
Lookatmeandthenatyouandfeelfizzy,
Tasteofdisdainintheirmouthsprudely,
Thecuffspulledtightitismethesuspect,
Lastlookatacrimsonandflaxenyou,
Lookaheadtomemyfuturesprospect,
Myhundredthvictimslipsawayfromview,
Nomoretodealwiththereapersogrim,
TillthedayIdieandgobewithhim.
40
TheLivelyStream
ByCarlyPomeroy
Thefrigidandclearliquidboundsandleapsasitpassesalongsidetherollinghillsofthe
countryside
Crystalclearanduntouchedbyhumans
Alongtheroaditwinds,surroundedbyvibrantgreen,sparsetrees
Thesounditmakesasitspringsfromrocktorockisdelicateandmusical
Theroadcontinues,thetreesbecomescarce
Thestreamlosesitsclarity
Buildingsappearonthesidesoftheroad
Thestreambecomesdarkandmuddy,it'slivelinessreducedtoasluggishflow
Plasticandcardboardfloatalong,unaffectedbythestreamsoncevibrantsong
Thelanditselflosesitslifeaslifebecomesmoreevidentlypresent.
Theoncelivelystreamisnowlifeless,suckeddrybythepresenceofhumans.
41
Perspective
ByElizabethPyle
Thenarrowingofperspectivekillsthemind
Totakeinthoughtscollectivetonotbesociallyblind
Thewideronelooks,thegreaterthatisreaped
Thatknowledgeonegainsistheknowledgeonekeeps.
Daybydaymanynarrowtheirview
Thinkingsmallerandsmalleruntiltheycan'tthinkanew.
Theyspendtheirdaysinthesameroutines
Forgettingthatadrenalinekeepthemindserene.
Whydopeoplelosetheirperspective?
Individualitytakessecondtosociety'sobjective.
Theobjectivetomakeallandanyoneconform
Untiloneactswithothersinuniform.
42
AtlasShoulders
BySamReynolds
Theweightoftheworldonourshoulders,
Stackedlikeathousandboulders.
Weworkandliveinthedark,
peasantsunderOligarch.
Thismountainofpain,
Astormcloudreadytorain.
Itgivesusalifeofsadness,
Onlydesperatevicesbringgladness.
Everydaywakingupscared,
Thatyesterdaywasthelasttimeyoucared.
Oncethemotivationsgone,
Youreburntouttillthesummerdawn.
Whenthefirescorchesourfriends,
Theydroplikediverswiththebends.
Tolettheirshoulderssag,
Theylostmorethantheabilitytobrag.
Theycannolongerholdtheweightoftheworld,
Andthefightingtigerinsidethemiscurled.
Thesepoorsoulsarefaced,
Withthegreateststrugglehumanityhasevertraced.
Theirfurioustaskistocomebackfrombrink,
Tostareatfailureandnoblink.
Thesearethegreatestsoldierseverslain,
Thosewhogotupandfoughtagain.
43
Loveis"Beautiful"or"Bad"
ByVivianaRodriguez
Loveisasomethingthatis
beautifulinyourlife.Loveislike
thewind,youmightnotseeit,but
youmayfeelit.Loveisjustoneword,
thathasmanydefinitions.Lovecan
behardasarock,butthatonerockcan
makeyouhavingmanyfeelingsforit.
Loveisbadsometime,youmightnot
livingtheloveyouwish,butfrom
thatlove,youareknowingthatlove
isreal.Loveisawordthatyoumightnot
showthemeaningofit,butyoucanhave
feelingsforsomeonethatmakesyouthink
youreallylove.Loveisbadthatcanmakeyou
togodepressed,peoplecanbetakingloveasajoke,
whichmakespeopledontbelieveinlove,andmake
itabadlove.Loveisrealityforsome,butforsome
isunreality.
44
Faces
ByKielySaunders
Whoisshe,
Sheisher.
Sheisme,
Wearethem.
Theyareyou,
Youareshe,
Sheisus,
Andweareher.
45
APiKy
ByBaileySteger
Bought22pies.
Sevenpeopledevouredthem.
ThatsPisliceseach.
46
MYDREAMS
ByMadelynSwanson
IOFTENDREAMOF
SURFING,
ANDWISHINGFOR
WAVES,
ITHINKOFFLYINGON
WAVES,
AND,WHENIDREAMOF
SURFINGTHE
WAVES,
IFEELEXCITED!
IOFTENDREAMOF
SURFING.
47
HelpMe
ByFrankToby
hecallsinthenight,howlingforhisnextvictim
everystephetakesechoesouttotheworld,
leftwithoutguard,hecanbeadanger
putinchains,heisadangertohimself
mustwecasthimout?
entirely,wemustembracehimandsavehimfromhimself.
48
MyFavoriteSounds
ByAlejandraVazquezCarrillo
Iliketolistentothesounds
Ofpeopletalking,kidslaughing,andstudentssinging
Ialsolikethegentlewhispering
Ofmymom
OnceIheardthenoisysounds
Ofagoatandacow
Ilikethegiantbells
OfCunhaandtheHighSchool
ButIalsolovethetinycheep
Ofababychick
Myfavoritesound
Ofallismymusicclass
49
Blue
ByXiadaniXochitemol
Blueisacolor
Blueismyblouse
Blueismypencil
Bluetastelike
berries
Bluesmellslikecool
air
Bluesoundslikeb
Bluefeelslikecool
breeze
Bluelookslikedark
night
Bluemakesmehappy
Blueismyfavorite
color
50
HardWork
ByRyanYerby
Someoneoncesaid
Hardworkbeatstalent
iftalentdoesntworkhard
Buttalentisalways
beatenbythosewhohavemoredrive
thosewithmorehunger
thosewithmorefight
thosewhoarewillingtoworkwaylateinthenight
Talentisweak
Talentisflawed
Hardworkisthevalueeveryonemustseek
Talentwithouteffortisdestinedtofail
Andthoseworkhardwillsurelyprevail
51
Memories
ByBracenYoung
Memories
Ifwedontremember
Dowestillfeelpain
Friendsmadearealwayslost
Wouldforgettingfix
IfweridetheriverLethe
Andthememoriesbegone
Wouldpainwestillfeel
Orwouldthepainmultiply
Tothepointofsurreal
Wouldwesearch
Forwhatwelost
Wouldtheworthnotfitthecost
Toforget
Thepainful
Memories
Woulditbetoforget
Ourselves
Toforgetthepainfulmemories
Toforgetlifeitself.
52