Why They Will Cry ~By William St. Ledger~

Why commit suicide?
There is so much
To live for, like
Family, friends, and such.

Don’t do it, stop,
Take time to think,
Because the consequences
Will really stink.

Taking your life
Is a big mistake,
There is such a great deal to live for
For heaven’s sake.

Your family will cry,
And your friends will hurt,
Don’t let them bury your casket
Underneath the dirt.

It is not time to depart,
You haven’t lived it all,
Don’t pull the trigger
Or take the fall.

Your loved ones
Will help you through
The struggles, may they
Be abundant or few.

To admit you need help
Is correcting your insecurities,
Is the first step
Towards a new kind of purity.

Call 1-800-422-0009 for help
Whether it be you or a friend,
Help stop someone
From meeting their end.

Waves of Memories ~By Stephanie Hance~

Surfing on the blue,
With waves so high
My board was ready and I was too,
The only thing to do is try

The contest was in a few days,
And I was ready
It was hot from the sun rays,
The waves were coming steady

Not knowing what they were judging for,
I paddle out and just waited
I hope this will get me more,
One little mistake and it will be hated

Going to the ceremony that night,
Dressed in my summer best
The light on the stage was bright,
I hope to impress my guest

They called my name,
What is my place
I’m thinking it’s a game,
And I’m lost in the race

The night turned out to be great,
My guest was impressed
And I got a date,
He thought I was the best

Those surfing memories will ever last,
I was excited that I won
My heart never pumped that fast,
And now my surfing memory is done

The Importance of Bringing Your Textbook ~By Nick Parnes~

It is crucial to be prepared for an English class with your textbook. Not having your text book could result in several undesirable outcomes such as a deceleration of the learning process, personal disadvantage, and in extreme circumstances, punitive action.

When a single student does not have the book required for an assignment, the rest of the class suffers. Because that student has not brought hi book, the class slows down. The teacher must take the time out of the class schedule to admonish the student, and deal with his lack. Meanwhile, the rest of the class is distracted. Also, the teacher must focus too much attention on the student that has no book.

When you do not have your book in class, you are not learning what the rest of the class is and will be behind when you finally do retrieve your book. When an assignment must be completed from the book, you are unable to participate and receive a grade for it, unless you are sharing a book, slowing down another student and drastically shortening the amount of time you have to complete the assignment.

When you do not have your textbook, you are breaking a fundamental class rule. When you continuously break the rules, you must be punished, else you would learn nothing, despite being singled out in class, receiving a declining grade, and having having the entire class’ frustration aimed at you. Such punishments may include, but are not limited to the following: lunch detentions, shortening what little time the average student has to burn some of his extra energy and eat his meal; after school detention, which I am currently serving, which pins you down during out of school hours, where teachers should not be able to influence you; and, in some cases, In School Suspension, where you are isolated from the rest of the student body, with more undesirable students of the school that cause real trouble.

Not having your book during class is inexcusable. It is the most fundamental part of any English class, and the consequences are not worth not stopping by your locker in order to have this important material, as proved above.

That Summer ~By Kristy Ross~

I Remember that summer.
That summer, Daddy wasn’t a plumber.
We had so many adventures,
Drawing dirt caricatures,
Building sand castles,
We had a summer without any hassles.
I remember that summer.

That summer was at Sunflower Park.
We lived in that park.
We slept in a tent, too.
It was our intent to
No matter the weather.
That summer we were all together.
I remember that summer.

That summer I was only six.
Yet I learned so many little tricks.
Like how to make lemonade without lemonade mix.
We had your lemonade ready in a fix!
Sorry if we accidentally threw in a few ticks.
We spent our evenings splashing in the cricks.
I remember that summer.

I look back on that summer,
That summer was no bummer.
That summer in the park
Listening to the lark,
That summer in the meadow,
Where we left a permanent shadow.
I remember that summer.

That summer is what made me “me.”
That summer we had no home.
That summer was our home.
It was home to the secrets
That didn’t need to be seeked.
That summer was no bummer.
I will never forget that summer.

Step into the Sun ~By Lauryn Trott~

I wake up in the morning,
my first awaken breath
a wiff of the sweet scent
Of homemade hotcakes
baking on a sizzling skillet.
with my stomach engorged,
I step into the sun.

I saunter toward the beach,
my first tentative tread,
the painful burn of smooth sand
sweltering from the scorching sun.
A cool breeze alleviates the blaze.
With my hair a blow,
I step into the sun.

I lay under the sky of blue,
My body baking in blistering heat,
the smell of Banana Boat oils
rapidly blackening my skin.
The warn waters tempt my presence.
With my tan lines gleaming,
I step into the sun.

I scamper toward the ocean,
my swarming sea of salt,
waves crashing ashore,
tackling with great force.
The waters and I wrestle to and fro.
With my body drifting in the tide,
I step into the sun.

I gaze up at the stars,
my eyes tired and heavy,
a tranquil sea at rest,
the Myrtle waves peaceful and dormant.
The night takes me into an extraordinary daze.
With morning light peaking through the window,
I step into the sun.

Pretty Pink Tutu ~By Lauryn Trott~

Saturday morning,
I spring out of bed,
Put on my pink tutu
Tie a bow on my head.

My mother is waiting
She buckles me in
I sure hope I arrive
Before dance class begins!

I slip on my ballet shoes
And wait by the bar.
When the music commences,
I dance like a star.

Dance class is over,
My mom brings a surprise.
She got me chocolate ice cream!
I can’t believe my eyes!

My treat is quite delectable.
It’s scrumptious and it’s sweet.
I accidentally licked so hard
That the ice cream dripped down to my feet.

Uh-oh! No way!
Please say it isn’t true!
My delicious chocolate ice cream
Stained my pink tutu!

Photo ~By Kellye Burroughs~

A moment trapped within a frame
Still, unbreathing life
Frozen to stay the same.

A smile that was never really there
Painted stiff and fake
Giving the false impression that you could care.

A hand soothingly touching mine
Cold seeping through his warm mask
The lies steadily breaking sign.

A time when realities senses lacked
Brought about by my own selfish denial
Unable to commit my mind to the sad facts.

A love lost before it had a chance to be
For the happiness he so blindly brought
Was never really meant for me.

My Sister My Best Friend ~By Taneesha Washington~

Yes, you are my sister
This is very true.
But I also found my best friend
Tucked inside of you.

I cherish the time we are together
And miss you when we’re apart
I guess it’s cause you’re my sister,
And you’re forever in my heart.

All the memories I have of us
Will forever be a part of me.
They’re tucked inside my heart and mind
Where no one else can see.

You’ll always be a part of my life
A part no one can touch.
All because God made us sisters,
And I love you very much.

Lightning on a Cloudless Day ~By Rizwan Malik~

Most days, I’m a mellow yellow-
Jaded and faded, like a 60’s smiley face,
Laid-back and complacent,
Seemingly preoccupied and cool.
But I wasn’t always yellow,
Sapphire was satire, and that was me,
A joker I was, a jester of sorts,
I loved to cause a ruckus wrapped in rhubarb of a pickle of a jam
Then I got older, less bolder,
But the fool still hands around.

Just Another Dream ~By Maria Brooks~

No way, I don’t believe it,
Is this just another dream
He’s looking at me with
Gorgeous green eyes as deep
As newly cut emeralds,
Wow he’s a angerous piece
Of male perfection

And is he asking me a question,
Oh yes, score, dang he’s hot,
I think I can die happy now
but I’d really rather not.
I should make him suffer,
I should savor this blissful moment,
After all, I have the power
I have the thing he seeks.

He stares at me with eyes hopeful
Like a puppy, okay, I just have to act cool
I open my mouth and give him my answer
“Sure you can borrow my pencil!”

Jeremiah and Sarah ~By Michelle Martin and Kelly O'Neil~

“Ew! Get away from me!” Jeremiah cried as Sarah took a step closer to him.
“I just want to be friends!” Sarah said.
“No! You’re a girl! And girls have cooties!”
“No we don’t,” Sarah continued.
“Boys rule and girls drool,” Jeremiah chanted.
“Shut up!” Sarah shouted as she lunged at Jeremiah. He side-stepped her and ran up the slide to his right. Sarah fell in the mud. “Eww! Gross! Look what you made me do!” Sarah shouted as she shook her fist violently.
“Jeremiah!” cried the teacher Mrs. Zapapoodle. “What if little Billy had gone down the slide while you were climbing up? You would both be dead!”
“Sorry Mrs. Zapapoodle,” Jeremiah said as he slid back down the slide. “Sarah was trying to give me her cooties.”
“Sarah! That’s very dangerous! Do you know the effects of cooties? You could both be dead!”
“I was only trying to show Jeremiah my holographic Charizard, Level 32 pokemon card. Gotta cacth ‘em all!” Sarah explained. Jeremiah’s eyes widened.
“Oh my goodness! Oh my goooooodness! Do you know the effects of holographic cells clinging to human flesh? You could both be dead!” Mrs. Zapapoodle cried in horror. She fainted.
“Do you really have a holographic Charizard Level 32?” Jeremiah asked, stepping over the lifeless body of Mrs. Zapapoodle.
“Yeah biddy! Looky here!” Sarah said as she reached into her pocket and pulled out her holographic Charizard Level 32 Pokemon card. “Mint condition,” Sarah said impressively.
“Woah,” Jeremiah exclaimed, and then fainted.

In Between the Lines ~By William St. Ledger~

Being a part of something
Bigger than myself,
Being a member
Of the team.

Bonding with teammates
That became my brothers,
Sharing two goals,
To win and have fun.

A place of solitude,
Peace and relaxation
That suddenly turns to
A fierce battle zone.

Stepping onto the grass,
Cleats mucky,
Game faces on,
Prepared to play.

Staring down the opponent
And giving a little chuckle,
Lining up the play,
With brothers at my side.

The whistle blows,
And the game is on,
The pigskin flies,
And the skirmish begins.

Smacks, tackles, helmets
Flying all about,
Players talking trash
And releasing rage.

Fifty-five players working
As a fine tuned machine,
No mistakes because
We are perfect.

The victory comes,
Celebrating with delight,
The team has won,
Our goals met.

The players pray
And funnel out,
My place of solitude
In between the lines.

I've Been There ~By Diane Swale~

When you made a mistake
That you wish you didn’t make
And you cry at night
Because nothing is right
I’ve been there

From the look in his eyes you know you were wrong
And you want to say sorry all day long
You want to call but you know you won’t
Think you know what you want but you really don’t
I’ve been there

When everything is frosty and cold
The old wish to be young and young feel old
Where no one knows what is true
And the sky is never blue
I’ve been there

Where you drop in the mud
Hands covered in blood
Because you just can’t stand the pain
And tears flood down like the rain
I’ve been there

Where all the trees are completely bare
And the sun won’t rise because nothing is there
There isn’t a heaven in the sky
Because no one is left to die
I’ve been there

Where you never know what to say
But you say it anyway
You can’t stay silent anymore
Take it back to how it was before
I’ve been there

When you see him and feel sad
Because you see what you could have had
You gave him up for some stupid lie
You want him now and you don’t know why
I’ve been there
You hide behind some false skin
Even though you’ll never win
Can’t remember who you are
That person is just too far
I’ve been there

When you look into the future and see the past
Finally realizing that this won’t last
The madness will follow you into your dreams
And cover up your very screams
I’ve been there

Where you try to hide it but you know they know
And your hearts as black as a crying crow
A knife gets sucked into your soul
And you feel like you’re stuck in a black hole
I’ve been there

Where everything is in black and white
And in the darkness there is no light
Tied to a wall, ball and chain
Feeling like your going to go insane
I’ve been there

Pulled in every direction, feeling torn
Wishing you were never born
Until you’re filled with hurt and hate
When it’s finally over it’ll be too late
I’ve been there

When you see
You’re exactly how you’re meant to be
Like a distant star
You know who you are
But I’ve never been there

Holiday Cheer ~By Mindi Willie~

Twenty-two tikes
Adorned with high peaked ponytails
Full of endless ringlets,
Perfectly pinned to their tiny heads
With Goody Bobby Pins,
Completed with a boisterous bow,
Fiercely fighting their way through
A substantial sea of hairspray,
Using sticky fingers to guide
Themselves towards a familiar maternal face,
To add to the color on their fervent faces
Already full of foundation and oily rouge
On top of crisp crimson cheeks
From cruel coldness outside
Eyelashes laced with black mascara
From mom’s make-up collection
Twenty-two mothers lead
Twenty-two tikes
To the dimly lit backstage
An announcement, twenty-two shrieks,
Then they’re all on stage,
Glaring into the bright light.

Haikus ~By Ashley Bernardon~

Fire

Burning everything
be cautious when your around
bright orange, blue flames hot.

Water

Washing over you
ponds lakes and oceans I am
you will become calm.

Air

In the sky you are
you help various birds fly
we need you to breathe.

Earth

The brown soil is moist
rocks roll down a mountain plain
look out! avalanche!

Haikus ~By Kayla Faye Walton~

Verdant hills appear
And color the world like the
Newborns on the earth.

Juicy fruits ripen and show
All vibrant colors in the
Rainbow of life.

Skin slowly aging
Losing color and spirit
Like leaves in the fall.

Legs slide against leg
Dry, scaly skin chafes against
Seasoned flannel sheets.

Greed ~By Bri Boettinger~

A wealthy tycoon sits upon his throne,
He’s come a long way from the jail of stone.
He’s bought, he’s sold,
He’s stolen and taken,
The little things held dear by the world he’s shaken.

The world is dark, the clouds have come.
This is because he has bought the sun.
He’s stolen summer; he’s stolen the light,
Now everyday has become the night.
His greedy self runs to collect money,
Passing everyone he’s crushed,
Thinking that it’s funny.
He can’t help the laughter,
It’s just who he is.
He laughs while counting money
Because it’s all his.

Now he’s alone, his money and him.
He sits on his deathbed,
Sipping pricey gin.
No one is with him, now even his wife.
His greed, his power,
Has destroyed his life.

Greed: excessive desire for wealth,
The care for no one but yourself,
The need for power, the need for cash,
Within a society, it creates a gash.

First Word ~By Michelle Martin~

Under the sunny sky,
Beneath the cooling clouds,
Atop the greenish grass,
Between the weeping willow and
The dreary doghouse,
Under the influence of
A mind,
Below the fumbling fingers,
On a piece of paper,
Above the straight blue lines
Under the title,
Beneath the name,
A poem starts
With one word.

Face on the Floor ~By Lauryn Trott~

A swarm of hyperactive toddlers
Dressed in
bubble gum pink tights
Capezio tap shoes
shiny and black,
clinging and clanging
on the cold
tile floor,
arm in arm
a shaky shuffle, a hasty hop,
staring at mesmerizing mirror images,
trapped in a dumfounded daze
with a slip, a stumble
releasing the grip of extended arms
that defy gravity,
when a wide-eyed face of fear
falling lower, deeper
suddenly meets the floor
causing hubbub and tears,
as mom comes rapidly to the rescue
with a soft and gentle Kleenex
to wipe the blood.

Duct Tape ~By Chris Lense~

Wrapped around a hollow tube
A silvery anaconda
Crushing the prey slowly
It buckles under pressure.

Uncoiling, it seeks new prey
It grows longer and longer
The silvery body flat and sticky
A predator on the move.

Suddenly, a fleshy creature attacks!
Ripping the anaconda in two
It crackles in protest
The creature tearing and cutting
Leaving the anaconda in ribbons
The predator has become the prey.

Dreams ~By Tonika Chase~

Dreams are things that will last for days
In your mind, of course, in versatile ways.
My dreams are different from everyone else's.

Thinking of how I can renovate and improve myself
I’m tired of dreams -
Because they never seem to come true.

Dreams resting in my mind,
Reviewing what I go through
What is a dream anyway,
A fantasy, my imagination?

Dealing with my daily issues, my daily relations
God, please tell me what my dreams mean to me -
Because right now,
I don’t really know.

I want to be free.

I wake up most days
With my skies turning gray
Always stressing over my dreams
Day by day.

Dreams take you deep down
In your roots and soul -
Trying so hard and so long in life to reach a goal.

So as I look back
Through my life
And the glory-
I realize that my life dreams
Tell my life story.

Clock ~By Chelsea Johnson~

Tick Tock Tick Tock
Like a bomb ready to explode
Tick Tock Tick Tock
Or a countdown of death

Tick Tock Tick Tock
The hands circle the surface
Fills you with a sense of dread, like a slave driver
As you become dependent on it
And feel vulnerable to lateness or angst
Tick Tock Tick Tock

The Catalyst of Life
The preventer of time
An essential agony
Tick Tock

Balloon ~By Michelle Martin~

Past the parking lot,
Through the cars,
Between the political
Booths,
On top of the ferris wheel,
Inside the highest cart,
In the grappling fingers of
A four year old,
Below the sun,
Above the buildings,
Between an airplane and
A bird,
Inside a cloud,
It pops!

Beyond Time ~By Kellye Burroughs~

In a place beyond time
Beyond reason
Beyond light
There is no battle
There is no night.

In a place between worlds
There is no feeling
There is no thought
Where there is nothing to lose
Nothing to gain
No image to maintain.

In a place of nothing
No life can exist
No fight can be won
There isn’t anyone
Left to argue with.
In a world deprived of life
There is no hope
No smiles
No tears
Where only you can hear
Your own screams of fear.

In a place between life and death
There is only one fragile thread
That can either end it all for you
Or give it all back -
But in that world beyond time,
To live seems worse than death.