Poetry

Poetry·Bethany Duff, age 11 — A meditation on wordless connection between living beings — running with dogs, dancing, holding babies — and how we lose this silent language as we grow older.

Poetry·Claire Yoon MacDonald, age 10 — A young poet steps outside into winter, capturing the immediate sensory impact of cold air, snow, ice, and bare trees swaying in the wind.

Poetry·Jordan Guberman, age 12 — A child and grandmother bake bread together in an old kitchen, sharing laughter, sneaking batter, and talking about life while waiting for the loaf to rise.

Poetry·Katherine Shock, age 12 — Morning light filters through as a girl and her cat share a quiet moment of connection, curling together in the gray-gold dawn.

Poetry·Andrew Eisenbrown, age 12 — A child searches the airport for their father returning from Iraq, recognizing him finally by his smile and open arms.

Poetry·Jane Trina, age 10 — A young performer transforms stage fright into confidence, tracking the physical sensations of fear giving way to the moment when words finally 'start to fly.'

Poetry·Alexandra Orczyk, age 11 — A girl swings on a rope swing, crashing through bushes and spinning wildly, finding joy despite scratches and the threatening branch above.

Poetry·Abraham Lawrence, age 12 — A boy contrasts the metaphorical fog of human deceit with the real fog of his countryside home, finding paradise in nature's simple peace.

Poetry·Keslee Peterson, age 13 — A swimmer's race unfolds from nervous anticipation through the explosive start, underwater glide, flip turn, and triumphant finish in lane seven.

Poetry·Julia Caggiano, age 10 — A child sends love through night sounds and constellations to someone far away, finding connection in shared memories of crickets and stars.