| Category | Place | Student Name | Poem Title |
| 1 | First | Zayden Hale | Eraser Haiku |
| 1 | Second | Jasper Koschman | Summer Haiku |
| 1 | Third | Anastasia Marie Babayan | My Imagination |
| 2 | First | Lisanding Jammeh | Trinidad Rhapsody |
| 2 | Second | Charis Long | What is Life |
| 2 | Third | Isaac Jackson | Dogs and Cats Haiku |
| 3 | First | Maya Lynn Carbone | Le Sangre en mis Venas |
| 3 | Second | Brooke Kiefer | One Summer Morning |
| 3 | Third | Nathan Muckley | Sweet Water |
| 3 | Fourth | Addie Klingelhofer | Gone |
| 4 | First | Callie Rose Fowler | Outside of Reality |
| 4 | Second | Caroline Marks | Biggest Inspiration |
| 4 | Third | Cheyenne Reyes | I With I Could Be Here More |
| 5 | First | Eva Alcaraz-Monje | Stained Ghazal |
| 5 | Second | Ana Schwab | Change |
| 5 | Third | Callie Krupa | Desert Lake |
Student Name: Zayden Hale
Student Grade and Age: 4th grade – age 10
School Name: Maricopa Christian Academy, Maricopa, AZ
Teacher: Tim Ihms
Eraser Haiku
The eraser’s back
It has no mercy toward you
It will run for you!
Student name: Jasper Koschman
Student grade and age: 3rd grade – age 9
School name: Maricopa Christian Academy
Teacher’s name: Tim Ihms
Eraser Haiku
Summer Haiku
Summer is really fun
Riding bikes and playing ball
It’s going to be fun
Student name: Anastasia Marie Babayan
Student grade and age: 3rd grade – age 9
School name: Groves Elementary School
Teacher’s name: Mrs. Bloomfield
My Imagination
It’s just a game, everyone says.
But I’m too hard to tame!
Step down, it’s not real!
But sadness is still not how I feel.
Stop imagining and focus on real life!
But I’m still not filled with despair or rife.
My imagination takes me where I want to go.
Nothing can get me out of it, not even a needle through my toe.
My craziness will never heal.
Because for me, it is real!
Student name: Lisanding Jammeh
Student grade and age: 6th grade – age 12
School name: Newburg Middle School
Teacher’s name: Cristina Escribano
Trinidad Rhapsody
I am from Trinidad where dreams dance with the breeze,
and vibrant hues paint the skies.
The rhythm of music is a joyful thrill,
Calypso and steelpan inflame the night.
Carnival is a burst of color and grace,
where masqueraders dance.
I am from a paradise where the sun and sea combine,
from Maracas Bay to the hills of Laventille,
the landscape paint a picture, bold and bright:
flaming red coccinea flowers, the speedy cocricos,
the fragile scarlet ibis, the rhythm of the steelpan,
and the value of the flag.
In the hearts of Trinidadians true,
a melting pot of cultures, strong and new,
a tapestry of love,
a spirit bold, resilient and refined.
Even though I left, I remember my vow,
my love for Trinidad is like
a bright moon on a starless night.
Student name: Charis Long
Student grade and age: 6th grade – age 11
School name: Central School
Teacher’s name: Ms. Wood
What is Life
What
is the meaning of life is it to find a husband or wife?
What
is life? Is it mean? Is it a dream? Is it a fashion scene?
What
is life? Is it a wall? It is tall.
What
is life?
What
is life..? Is it supposed to hurt? Is it suppose to kick you into the dirt?
What
is life.. am I expected to convert?
What
is life? Is fitting in always a win?
What
is life? Is it a road… some type of code?
What
is life is it a dove some type of shove?
What
is the meaning of life is it to find a husband or wife?
What
is life? Is it mean? Is it a dream… is it a fashion scene?
What
is life is it a wall it is tall what is life?
What
is life is it supposed to hurt to kick you into the dirt?
What
is life am i expected to convert?
What
is life… is fitting in always a win
What
is life… is it a road some type of code?
What
is life is it a dove some type of shove?
What
is life is it sincere and not a fear what is life?
What
is life is it a tee? Is it a tree some kind of a mystery?
What
is life is it a bike is it a hike does it always say SIKE!
What
is life? Is it a dress? Is it a rest? What is life? So you see life can be all these things and more you just have to open up the door.
Life
is not always the core sometimes you just need more.
Life
is not always an ocean shore. If your cup overflows To your toes.. you are blessed more than the rest. There’s no need to stress because you are the best!
Life
can be a question or answer to some…Or can be like a beat of a drum to a slum.
What is life?
Student name: Isaac Jackson
Student grade and age: 6th grade – age 12
School name: Maricopa Christian Academy
Teacher’s name: Tim Ihms
Dogs and Cats Haiku
I like dogs and cats
And why I like dogs and cats
Is because they’re cute
Student name: Maya Lynn Carbone
Student grade and age: 7th grade – age 13
School name: Newburg Middle School
Teacher’s name: Cristina Escribano
Le Sangre en mis Venas
I am from Abuelita’s warm grin,
her hands painted in shades of burnt copper,
unfolding stories while cooking tortillas with a golden crust.
The fireplace’s flame being used to cook tamales,
smoke twirling like a choreographed war of my ancestors.
I am from the crease in the tortilla
that carries a memory in each and every bite,
rusting bottle caps engraved into barren soil,
auburn muddy water at the bottom of the sierra hills
that I climbed with Mami to visit the corroding church.
I am from traditional conchas
dipped in Oaxacan chocolate caliente with canela,
and the aching feet and the scruffy shoes of Mami that she used
to walk several miles to school every day to come back
with educación of the world beyond the grand montañas of México.
I am from “Intenta no ser tan sensible” while I let my silence speak for me.
I scope out the old church ladies walking out of the iglesia,
hips swaying to the rhythm of the church’s música,
authentic chancletas slapping onto the rigid sidewalk.
I am from my mother’s eyeglasses,
seeing me as the little, thin-skinned girl I am,
now carrying a weight of shame. I am from burgundy hymn books
aligned perfectly on a weathered wooden bookshelf.
I am from two divided worlds that helped flourish one girl
whose skin breaks and is as thin as she lets herself be.
I am the singular nectarine among the peaches in the fruit orchard.
Mi sangre en mis venas mezclada con la cultura con la que nací.
One Mother. One Father. One Child.
Student name: Brooke Kiefer
Student grade and age: grade 7 – age 13
School name: Lake Center Christian
Teacher’s name: Eric Schlaback
One Summer Morning
Tap, Tap, Tap my feet go
as I run down the crisp stairs.
The fishy smell enters my brain,
but I don’t plug my nose
because
it doesn’t bother me.
The light shines on the water
and it’s enough to blind me.
I throw my rod in
and watch as the bobber goes up and down,
up and down.
I stare hopelessly at the water
when I see moms
guarding their babies
from the hungry,
big catfish.
Suddenly, I feel pulling.
I give the rod to Grandpa.
He reels it in
and hands me a baby bluegill.
I wanna squeal and jump for joy,
but grandpa says to stay calm.
I throw the fish on the dock.
I get so excited that it pokes me.
Quickly Grandpa grabs a bucket,
fills it with water,
and throws the fish in.
That day we don’t eat it,
but instead carry it to the house
and named it Polly.
Student name: Nathan Muckley
Student grade and age: 7th grade – age 13
School name: Lake Center Christian
Teacher’s name: Eric Schlaback
Sweet Water
My hand was sweating
with the crustacean
in it, determined to
save its little life.
Then it came to me,
the thought of one
little thing being
so good in God’s eyes.
I then thought
of it as saving the
world.
I couldn’t believe
that such a small thing
represented
an almighty creator.
Then I whispered
“Ok, Mr.Crabs, welcome home.”
And I threw it towards our creek.
The feeling of the animal leaving my hand
was a good and a bad moment for me to see
such a fascinating animal leave me like
a dog gets lost or you work at an aquarium
and have to let an animal go back to the wild.
Then the gray little Mr. Crabs
hits the water with a “PLOP”.
Student name: Addie Klingelhofer
Student grade and age: 7th grade – age 13
School name: Lake Center Christian
Teacher’s name: Eric Schlaback
Gone
I tell myself
I won’t lose this one.
I dive down
under the water.
The rough shell hits my hand
I grip it
around the sides of its shell
it kicks to get away
but can’t
I pray it won’t bite me.
As I swim to the surface
I yell,
“I caught a turtle,”
then swim to the boat
for everyone to see.
My mom tells me to smile
as she takes my picture.
I get on the side of the boat
to lower it down into the water.
As I let it go
it swim deep, deep down,
as it races to get away.
It is
gone.
Student name: Callie Rose Fowler
Student grade and age: 9th grade – age 14
School name: Harrison County High School
Teacher’s name: Colton Sosbe
Outside of Reality
I have always seen myself as prey.
Among the predators,
I must hide my spot on the food chain,
Even though you can smell my blood,
So I try to never let it spill from my skin.
You are the wolf,
So they will always see me at fault for letting you in,
For trusting the obvious enemy,
No one is to blame for the devouring,
But my blood and DNA were left on the living room floor.
A wolf must be a wolf,
And take his food with dignity,
Honor the flavors on each victim before worrying about the next,
And touch every vessel they must,
For it is his birthright to eat his choice.
A mouse will always be a mouse,
And take her life with embarrassment,
But tempt her prey with her senses for the taste of power and control,
And lie under every oath she must,
For it is her birth right to fear the paws of her unchosen lover.
Once it is time for prey to face her undeniable,
Does she give in for fear?
Tired of the everyday fight to defeat this very moment,
And lay in solidarity,
As the predator engages in his excused mistake.
“Why wasn’t it different?” she asked.
“Just look at you,” he responded.
Student name: Caroline Marks
Student grade and age: grade 9 age 15
School name: Assumption High School
Teacher’s name: Kayla Daley
Biggest Inspiration
My handy helpful hardworking dad
Pushes me through good days and bad
You comfort me when I am sad
I am so glad you are my dad
From rebounding all my shots
Blocking my bad internal thoughts
You are always pushing me to be the best I can be
You show your love as big as the sea
My inspiring intelligent incredible dad
Always loving me even when I am bad
Daniel is your name
You always take the blame
I am so thankful for everything you do
You still even call me your bug-a-boo
You are my biggest inspiration
That is why I love you
Student name: Cheyenne Reyes
Student grade and age: grade 9 age 15
School name: Assumption High School
Teacher’s name: Kayla Daley
I Wish I Could be Here More
I wish I could be here more.
6:30 AM.
The sky is orange and yellow
As you stroll to the beach.
Feeling the warm sand beneath your feet
The breeze is cool,
The UV is 10,
And woosh the waves are crashing yet again.
You hear kids laughing,
seagulls chirping,
and music blaring.
Taking a look down the shore.
It never becomes a bore.
I wish I could be here more.
Student name: Eva Alcaraz-Monje
Student grade and age: grade 11 age 16
School name: Lafayette High School
Teacher’s name: Christopher McCurry
Stained Ghazal
The glass explodes in a release of emotion, reflecting my flooding anger in each shard.
I must clean it up soon, along with the flood, lest it leave a stain.
Her cold gaze marks me as I stutter out an apology,
while golden hazel eyes dig into my soul. She intends to stain.
I rub the remaining tears from my eyes illuminated by a morning glow
The open book gets rewritten, a tear dotting the i with a watery stain.
Her smile tells a story of anger, ends curled unnaturally towards me.
Her mouth shows a night of dark wine, lips stained.
Always dribbling the paint onto the floor, little regard for what’s to come.
Her shake of disapproval, “Mejor que no dejes una mancha.”
Attempting to erase the scribble over her family portrait seems futile.
She will know I did it, ink always stains.
The cathedral has never been a well-known home.
Yet, I wander in and kneel in guilt to the glass stained.
The white sweater gifted with love ruined in an instant.
I had to play with the fire and leave it stained.
Her mouth gapes in terror as I throw her life’s work in childish glee.
Who drew the first blood that began to leave her stain?
No matter how much I beg on my knees, it won’t budge.
Unrelenting marks on the carpet, I can’t remove this stain.
Student name: Ana Schwab
Student grade and age: grade 11 age 16
School name: Lehighton Area High School
Teacher’s name: Jennifer Kovach
Change
The snow covered the mountain like a blanket
The mountain screamed like a menace
Trees get undressed bare to the bones
They stand there shivering
The sun is now hidden beneath the clouds
It cries not being able to be seen
Lakes stop running and suddenly freeze
Fish try to catch their breath before time stops
Birds fly away telling all their friends
The wind whistles in my ear like a warning
Winter creeps upon us laughing
Student name: Callie Krupa
Student grade and age: grade 11 age 16
School name: Lehighton Area High School
Teacher’s name: Jennifer Kovach
Desert Lake
I wish I could go back,
back to dashing deer, to blue birds,
back to small sunfish, to beautiful bass,
back to sneaky raccoons, to sly foxes,
to cookies, biscuits,
milk in a bag,
to my brother, dropping chocolate ice cream on his shoe,
spending an hour at the laundromat,
then another walking to the pier,
to jumping off the docks, the boats, the rocks,
to canoes and speedboats,
an evening on the pontoon,
to cracking jokes, playing cards,
to losing your hat to the wind,
or my Uncle Mike, losing his expensive rod to a fish,
to burning bark from birch trees,
to fileting fish from the lake,
to sculpting the Great Sphynx out of sand.
I wish I could go back,
back to Desert Lake.
Pegasus 