There he was Such a tiny person I looked at him Sleeping peacefully Suddenly his eyes open Brand new brown eyes Staring at me Blinking and adjusting his eyes to a new experience Light His mind consuming New thoughts New faces New world New everything He is a new person Ryan Sparks, 12Kansas City, Missouri
Poetry-Friends-and-Family
Someone Absolutely New
A dull, cloudy morning, On the couch with my parents, Cozy, like the three little bears. My dad holds the camera, …Why? An unexpected turn in the lethargic morning conversation My dad tells me to look at some papers, Confused and unsure, Why are they meant for me to read? All the words on the paper were blocked out, Except for one—like a lighthouse, flashing news… PREGNANT My legs jump in the air, My feet tap out the sound of joy. Then I know what the camera is for. These new and different feelings and thoughts Crowd my head Like a crowded pack of people at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. I would have to take care of someone Small, gentle, and fragile like a feather. What to do, what to do? This new baby—new person in my life Will change the way I think of others, And will change the way I care for others. A baby brother? A baby sister? Someone I am excited about, Someone I’m looking forward to—someone absolutely new. Imani Apostol, 11Seattle, Washington
I Cry
I feel tears welling up in my eyes I try to suppress them I don’t want to cry At least not here In front of people But I do I do cry I cry and I cry And I try to push it back But I’ve waited too long I think about it About the mess About my parents My childhood My home My safety And I cry even more The mess is big It overwhelms me It makes me shiver It makes me cry My mother didn’t love my father anymore I can’t take that knowledge I can’t believe it After twenty-three years Of loving You just stop I don’t understand her Confusion makes me cry I love my mother I love my father I don’t see Why they can’t love each other The unknown makes me cry I have to move Even though we just moved I have to pack my clothes My toys So I can leave my father All alone Change makes me cry I cry I cry because I am Sad and Confused and Annoyed I cry because of my Parents’ divorce I cry Isabella Ainsworth, 11Davis, California
