love

Poetry·Nova Macknik-Conde, age 8 — A bilingual poem imagines a song the world needs — one that sounds like hope, teaches strength, and moves like water.

Story·Jinhui He, age 12 — A struggling painter's work is stolen by a famous artist, leading to betrayal by her husband and society, ending in tragedy.

Poetry·Audra Sanford, age 8 — A child recalls the warmth and safety of being held by their mother in their earliest memory, describing it as their happiest moment.

Personal Narrative·Alina Khilchenko, age 11 — A girl's excitement about becoming a big sister turns to grief when her mother miscarries, teaching her about loss and the fragility of hope.

Personal Narrative·Beatriz Lindemann, age 12 — A 12-year-old defends her two-dad family through memories of ballet recitals, newspaper rituals, and playground confrontations, asserting that both men are her 'actual dads.'

Poetry·Leila Lakhal, age 12 — A Muslim girl defends her faith and community against stereotypes, describing her culture as a warm blanket woven from love and tradition.

Poetry·Tatiana Rebecca Shrayer, age 13 — A poem explores the paradox of someone who embodies contradictions — friend and enemy, peaceful yet at war, standing perpetually between opposing states.

Poetry·Tatiana Rebecca Shrayer, age 13 — A meditation on trust through two contrasting images: a dog with a chess piece and the persistence of hope despite love's impermanence.

Poetry·Tatiana Rebecca Shrayer, age 13 — A young writer celebrates the allure of books, describing how words flow across pages with emotion and wisdom, naming beloved authors.

Poetry·Analise Braddock, age 9 — A young poet imagines a love drawing that awaits completion when the right hearts find each other, expressing patient hope for connection.