Café MuseTeen Poetry Contest Winners 2002: Grades 6-81st Place Ode to a Penguin Jeanette Oh fattest penguin who doth glide Upon the snow, belly side. Your rounded fins and stubby trotters make you a czar of frigid waters. Through icy brink and numbing cold You've dipped and flipped since days of old. So handsome in your snazzy tux You woo the ladies with your looks. When you warble out a tune Girls faint in rhythm to your croon. Is it arduous to be refined? For your walk it is a wattle inclined. You always speak so eloquent, I've never met a grander gent. 2nd Place Never Forget Me Ashley Mother, mother, ne'er forget me, plunging through the snowy dawn, night-dark steed struggling beneath me blinded by the icy storm. Daughter, daughter, ne'er forget me, as I face the halls that death has built, and though the doctor's house you seek, I fear I cannot wait. Mother, mother, ne'er forget me, On church hill's lonely crest I stand, beside the stone upon your place, and watch the waves attack the sand. Daughter, daughter, ne'er forget me, though I stand at heaven's doors, stride forth on cool smooth stony street, warmth and light pour out before. Mother mother, I could not forget you, In memory sweet beside you'll stay; a warmth to hold, a word to cheer, on my heart forever etched your name. 3rd Place Icy Treasure Clara Crystal Icicles, Glittering, in the shining sun, Sparkling brightly, Twinkling sculptures, Like pearly diamond jewels, Hanging from above Honorable Mention If only we had eyes like these Samantha If only we had eyes like these Where would the world be How many people would die in the wars If we only had eyes like these What's the value of white What's the value of black None the answer would be If only we had eyes like these How much smarter could we be If only we had eyes like these How much more could we see How much more could we be If only we had eyes like these How much more time could be spent on life Besides debating over black and white If only we had eyes like these But we didn't have eyes like these But time has gone on And we have learned not to judge We have hearts indeed Hearts that see all colors to be seen Hearts strong enough to love all humanity Hearts like these we needed to be Hearts that are color blind but not afraid to see If only we follow hearts like these Honorable Mention Grape Bubble Gum Raechel I wanted some grape bubble gum Really, really bad So I went to the corner store With all the dimes I had Racks and racks of bubble gum In every size and flavor But I must tell you one more time It is grape that I favor Underneath all that gum I saw a sign "A penny for grape bubble gum" that bubble gum was mine. From the store I came And all my dimes were gone My bulging pockets jumped up and down As I skipped along I skipped into my room Ready to chew at last My little stash of bubble gum Was very, very vast Unwrapping the first piece My eyes very merry I chewed to my surprise Twas not grape but strawberry!! Teen Poetry Contest Winners 2002: Grades 9-121st Place Kyrie Eleison In Memory of September 11th, 2001 Anna A soul just come into being Rising new as the sun Joyous in each new moment For but little it knows. Kyrie eleison A soul in darkened blindness Hating and twisted Now scarred for all time For too much has it known. Kyrie eleison A soul tired and harried Wishing for half a moment and a cup of tea Pushing away from the quiet voice For not enough it knows. Kyrie eleison A soul sweetened by the years Loving those in its path Quietly following the light For great things it knows. Kyrie eleison A soul black with fury Raging and pained Destroying in its destruction Too late the piercing true light it will know. Kyrie eleison Kyrie eleison 2nd Place I Am Me Angela I am the gentle breeze on an autumn morning. I lightly lift a world of color as it drifts downward to the Earth. I am a jalapeno in the salsa of life. I add variety and spice yet still I blend. I am the deafening silence. I am never longed for and so easily forgotten. I am the thorn among the beautiful roses. I am ignored until you're forced to see me - usually through pain. I am the trumpet that sounds off. I can bring joy to some, and grieving sorrow to others. I am a rare, black pearl. I am mysterious and unpredictable throughout. I am a spiraling staircase. I never know where I'll end up in the end. Why can't I be happy with myself? Why can't I accept that I am me? 3rd Place Eyes Angela My eyes are sponges. They gather every bit of information. They soak it all up with a thirst. They are not biased. They do not judge. They can only tell the truth. Honorable Mention Untitled Beth In the dark night sky, Through the chilly winter air, I see soft, delicate snowflakes Floating nonchalantly everywhere. As a large gust of icy wind suddenly blows by, I see tiny snowflakes Dance joyously around the sky They float lazily To the frozen ground below. They're not in any hurry And instead drift very slow. As they float towards the white-speckled ground I can see all the snowflakes Merrily dancing around. As I watch them as they float mid-air As if taking a winter hike, I look closely and see No two snowflakes are alike. Although they are all original They can't continue to be as they came, They will eventually All look the same. Honorable Mention You Danielle When I'm reaching out trying to touch You You're reaching out trying to touch me When I'm silently asking all of those questions You're silently answering all of them in my heart As I'm watching the sky waiting for a sign You're watching over me waiting to give me a sign When I call on Your sweet name and give You all of my praise You're answering my call and praising me for praising You When I ask for forgiveness and cry out to You You've already forgiven me as You wipe away my tears |