rhythmic prose

Poetry·Jacob Dysart, age 13 — A skateboarder captures the split-second of flight when jumping a curb, where worldly problems disappear before the wheels touch down again.

Story·Claudia Ross, age 12 — A girl races to catch waves on the last days of summer, gets tumbled by a big swell, then eagerly paddles back out for more.

Story·Valerie Luyckx — A swimmer experiences the sensory world of competitive racing, from the starting whistle through the underwater silence to the triumphant touch at the wall.

Poetry·Mary Woods, age 12 — A harness racing scene unfolds through storm imagery, where horses' hoofbeats create a rhythmic song against the track in rain and wind.

Poetry·Leah Berger, age 12 — A young musician describes the physical and emotional experience of playing a brass instrument, from cold valves to the music flowing through her body.

Poetry·Jacob Miller — A child battles nighttime fears during a thunderstorm, mistaking ordinary objects for monsters until exhaustion finally overtakes terror.

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.