I zoom uphill Take a cautious turn onto the road Coasting downhill feels great Like jumping in the ocean No pedaling, a cool breeze Still lurking in my mind The thought of pushing the limit To go back uphill I slowly come across a steep hill My thighs burn I am going in slow motion But it is worth going up this hill For the thrill of going down the other side The cool air whips across my shirtless skin I rocket down the hill Hill by hill I pedal Until my body feels like one big wet noodle A storm cloud approaches Making it more of a challenge to get to the lake The air feels like swimming in hot water I finally reach the last hill My energy bursts Like squeezing water from a sponge I reach the lake Relief fills my body First move… JUMP IN The water is perfect Alec Zollman, 13Strafford, New Hampshire
Poetry-Nature
Dawn
The gray sky wavers Between day and night. A distant train whistle blows Skimming the solidity of the moment. Quiet again, The atmosphere is unreal. No movement, Other than the occasional rustle Of wind stirring leaves. A brave bird calls out, Unsettled by the silence. No reply. The heavens lighten, Until finally The sun appears, Smiling upon the world. The birds now begin to sing, A chorus of relief, All with the same message: The day has come. Sophia Gehrmann, 13Urbana, Illinois
Up in a Tree
I climb the water oak in my yard Its gray bark Tearing my once smooth skin As I pull myself to a New branch A cool breeze Like the cloud That rolls out of the freezer When you crack open the door But gentler, softer Breathes on my face The sea of Gray, white, blue Swirling as one sky Lifts my heart And makes it joyful That special joy Where Your heart pounds Your chest aches Your eyes water Your lips smile The dull Almost twilight Sun Giggles from behind A cloud Showing up In gay splotches Here and there Every thing Every worry or care Every war, lie, death Shut out All is beauty When I’m Up in a tree Isabel Sutter, 13Houston, Texas
