Autumn
By Mariah Meyer
Chugach Optional Elementary, Grade 4
Red,
yellow,
streaks of gold.
Crisp air
in the
morning,
Green,
brown,
dots of orange.
Frosty air
in the
morning.
I feel the
breeze blowing in
my face,
I smell
fresh berries,
I smell
winter coming
I hear the
leaves rustling,
I hear the
leaves falling,
Winter is coming.
The Soccer Game
By Ariana Ross
Rabbit Creek Elementary, Grade 6
A field of green outlined in white
Two nets in place, one left,
one right
Two teams of girls, some pink,
some blue,
Two coaches telling them
what to do
For a whistle the two teams wait
And wonder what will be their
fate
A checkered ball of black
and white
A kick that takes it up in flight
The girl in blue dribbles the ball
But then there is an off-sides call
The ball is kicked toward the net
once more
This time the girl in blue does
score
The girls cheer and
the spectators shout
The whistle signals time’s run out
As they leave the field
They slowly sigh
At least this time
It was a tie.
Judge
By Shenique Russ
Muldoon Elementary, Grade 6
Don’t judge me
if you don’t know me
If you don’t care
if you don’t know what’s there.
Don’t take one look at me
and think you have me
figured out.
If you think I’m stupid,
immature, clueless,
let me prove you wrong.
Let me show you
who I really am.
Get to know me
Judge me then
maybe you’ll see
I’m intelligent, mature,
understanding.
Figure me out then.
The Vault
By David Osgood
Airport Heights Elementary, Grade 5
My heart is a vault
Filled to the top
With memories of joy,
Daddy is horsey
And I am a cowboy
Giddyup, Daddy!
Daddy’s home, I shout
Hide, Danny, hide
Don’t let Daddy find you!
Tickle Monster is here.
My heart is a vault,
A golden box of love,
Filled to the brim with
Momma kisses
Daddy hugs
And squirmy little brothers.
I AM
By Jacob Studstill
Trailside Elementary, Grade 5
I am a boy who loves to learn
Wonders what the future will be like
Hears flowing music
Sees questions that must be asked
Wants to learn many things.
I am a boy who loves to learn.
I imagine places I want to visit
Feel the wonder travel through me
Touch the pages of a book
Worry about what I won’t learn
Cry for things that might not matter
I am a boy who loves to learn
I understand what other may not
Say things that you won’t understand
Dream the dream of an imaginary place
Try to help others understand
Hope to become a teacher
I am a boy who loves to learn.
Memories
By Yvonne Pete
Airport Heights Elementary, Grade 5
My heart is a holding place
My heart is a keeping place.
I smile at the old days
When Mom was young and beautiful
an encouraging thought
a kind word
a warm smile
a happy heart
a special gift
and a special wish.
My heart is a holding place
My heart is a keeping place
For sorrowful things I can’t forget
when my brothers, sisters, and I separated.
I’ll wait day and night
I will always wait for your return
I’ll wait because
a bird that has flown away
will come back to its nest
to look for the things she’s left behind.
In my very heavy heart
The time is passing
However long it will be
I will always wait
For your return.
My heart is a holding place
My heart is a keeping place
Let the memories come again.
Emptiness
(dedicated to my grandma)
By Anna Wichorek
Northern Lights ABC School, Grade 3
She is gone now.
The sky cried when
she died.
Everything tastes sad,
Blackness everywhere,
Tears.
Whispers.
She is gone now.
I’m Thankful For…
By Aidan Hellen
Chugach Optional Elementary, Kindergarten
I’m thankful for my eyes
because I like to see the world
thankful for my nose to smell
the sweet smell of cookies
thankful for my ears
because I like music
and I always like singing it
thankful for my mouth
because I can eat
my favorite things
I’m thankful for my hands
because I like to feel
my mommy’s face.
Fear!
By Brandon Sims
Northern Lights ABC School, Grade 3
Home alone.
I hear a sound!
Terrified!
Someone’s in the house!
Hide quick—in the closet!
My brain on Red Alert!
Is he downstairs?
Is he upstairs?
Footsteps everywhere!
Doors squeaking!
Floors creaking!
Where is he?
My Cat Max
By Brandon Kendall
Bear Valley Elementary, Grade 3
As tall as four adult shoes
Stacked one on the other
Playful,
funny,
cute.
Two years old
Orange fur,
pointy ears,
dark amber eyes.
Slowly rolls his head
Staring at birds.
Climbs,
jumps,
bites.
Whacks a fuzz ball
Scratches and claws
purrs and rolls over
To be petted.
My cat Max.
Winners of the 1999 Bell Benton Poetry Award
Winners of the 2000 Bell Benton Poetry Award
Winners of the 2001 Bell Benton Poetry Award
Winners of the 2003 Bell Benton Poetry Award
Winners of the 2004 Bell Benton Poetry Award
Winners of the 2005 Bell Benton Poetry Award
Winners of the 2006 Bell Benton Poetry Award
