Secluding ourselves by a fire, Cherishing a novel. Burning rubber under us, As wind whips our face. Embracing in a hug, When one has not seen The other for years. Smiling, laughing, splashing, As icy water slithers up our bodies. Savoring arctic-cold lemonade, On a blistering summer day. A refined voice departing your throat, As a thunderous boom of applause Emits from the audience. Doing whatever appeals to you, Without any consequences. This is the way life should be, This is the fictional world That we pray becomes reality. But an alarm rings madly, And my wondrous dream comes to an end. Nicky Cannon, 12Dallas, Texas
Poetry-Reflections
The Last Last Day
It was the last day. Names and Have a great summers Had been scribbled into yearbooks. Presents had been lovingly handed to teachers. For six years, we’d had last days. We’d sung cute little songs, And signed the yearbooks, The amount of friends growing each year. We’d always seen them—the oldest kids— Going to the ceremony. We’d always heard the music from the hallway. But we never thought that we’d actually be those fifth-graders. And we never imagined how strange it was when you’re sitting on a rug in a classroom for the last time. And you’ve had your last recess. Ever. And there you are, staring into your friends’ eyes, Not knowing whether to scream out with joy Or wail and explode with tears. Because the bell, that we have heard ring thousands of times, Is screaming its shrill, heartbreaking call, The sorrowful “Brrring!” that had told us time to go so many times, Was sounding for the last time, Like it was hollering, “I miss you,” forlornly, But it was too late— We had already gone away. And we’d never hear its call as students of that school again. Courtney Cooperman, 12Short Hills, New Jersey
Wishing Star
My favorite part Of staying the night Was after The “fun” stuff It was bundling up And going outside Staring into the deep black sky Finding the perfect star And making a wish After hearing The fatal news I went outside Stars magnified with tears And wishing For time Just one more year After a second I took it back In your eyes Was hidden agony And I couldn’t prolong it My tears Soaked the sky As I pondered the end When I heard the news I wasn’t as shocked As I should’ve been Instead I imagined you hearing My plea And trying to hold on Just a little more time For your favorite I imagined you Peace etched on your face As you sense the change And take your final breath In the never-ending sky There is one more Wishing star Hayden Brame, 13Chehalis, Washington
