I AM A ROSE
Paige Akers
Grade 6—Taku
I am a rose
Deep in my soul
behind the soft, scarlet petals
and morning dew
I hold dark secrets
that cannot be told.
BLACK
Amanda Pugh
Grade 5—Northern Lights ABC
Black is the blanket
which the bulging stars
sit upon as they share their
light.
It is the darkness of a misty
tunnel.
Black is the coal dust
on a miner’s face.
It is a raven swooping down
to retrieve a berry
Black is black.
VIOLIN’S TEARS
Melissa Beard
Grade 6—Scenic Park
The violin’s sound drifts
like a leaf fallen in the water,
Soars through the air
like a bird on a windy day,
Smooth as satin
brushing your cheek.
The long ringing notes
drip their cold tears
Bringing sadness to my heart
as the bow slides
across the strings,
Hugging the hard wood
with my chin and shoulder
Fast fiddle
or soft
Sweet
Violin!
IF I WERE DEATH
Ricky Lisenby
Grade 5—Taku
If I were death
I would come as a Ninja
In a full suit of black
As dark as the night’s fury
With eyes the coldest blue
I would be
Invincible,
Indestructible
The dominant warrior,
Hiding in the shadows
Waiting
Ensuring your inevitable end.
I WONDER IF GARGOYLES CAN FEEL
Agnes Hong
Grade 6—Tudor
I wonder if gargoyles
can feel the cold
When winter arrives
and all is covered in white.
I wonder if gargoyles,
on top of the roof,
can feel the warmth
When a sparrow makes a home
out of the grotesque waterspouts
lightly hidden in the snow.
I AM NEVER NOTICED
Katie Melbourne
Grade 6—Taku
I am never noticed.
Just another tomboy
Blending in and out.
Too short to be quarterback.
Too plain to be queen.
HAIR GROWS LIKE FAST GRASS
Nancy Chavez
Grade 6—Taku
Hair grows like fast grass
in a dark green field.
It twirls like tornadoes
till chopped,
hitting the ground
like so much rain splattering.
The new girl stands,
braidless,
and greets her pain.
She cries
and awaits her rescue,
hoping it comes like
fast grass
in a dark green field.
HYPER IS GRAY
Chrissy Clark
Grade 6—Taku
Hyper is gray,
a dolphin dancing in the air.
It flips through my mind,
erratic, never-ending.
Hyper is full tilt,
a train run amuck,
reminds me of diving
from dizzying heights
into a mountain of leaves,
makes me feel excited
like the rising moon.
I want to jump around
like a grasshopper!
FISH EYEBALLS
Nick Alexander
Grade 3—Muldoon
Gooey globs of sadness
Stare at me
Creep me out
As I dissect
the squishy salmon.
