Younger Poets is intended as a showcase for the poetry of students attending elementary and middle schools in Allen, Auglaize, Darke, Mercer, Paulding, Shelby, and Van Wert counties. Home-schooled students in those counties and grades are also eligible to submit. The newsletter is distributed to the teachers in each elementary and middle school. It can be reproduced in any quantity and used in any way that they deem appropriate. Copies and certificates will also be distributed through their teachers to students whose work is included. Eventually the publication will be available online at my web page.

Younger Poets will be published each April. Submissions will be accepted year-round, but the cut-off for each Spring issue will be March 30th. Because we have received over 700 submissions this year, we will be publishing a second issue in October to include what we have not been able to include in this issue, as well as any submissions we may receive in the interim. Thank you for your interest in this publication, and I hope the level of participation will continue to increase as it has with our contests for high school students. Comments and suggestions are always welcome.

Please send submissions and correspondence to: Martin Kich, Younger Poets, English Department, Wright State University Lake Campus, 7600 State Route 703, Celina, OH 45822. Or to martin.kich@wright.edu (Submissions are accepted as part of the e-mail message or as attached files in Word or WordPerfect.) There are no limits on the number of submissions from any one students, and bulk submissions from teachers are very welcome. For students in early-childhood grades, poems composed by groups of students and recorded by their teacher may be submitted. There are no restrictions on the form or content of the submissions. Inquiries about Younger Poets or any related matter can also be made by phone to me at 419-586-0374.

Elementary School Poets

Mackenzie Barker

Grade 4

East Elementary

Teacher: Mrs. Heiby

Black People's Feelings

I can feel the cold soil beneath my hands,

while I work in a fresh field for my master.

I feel sad that no one will play,

since I'm a different race.

I can smell the fresh grassy fields beneath me.

I can taste the little food,

that my master gives me.

I hear people crying when

The master takes away their family.

I see people getting whipped

for trying to run away.

***************

Devin Beair

Grade 4

St. Mary of the Assumption School

Teacher: Nancy Replogle

Old Man

There was an old man from Kentucky,

Who wasn't at all very lucky,

He rode on a horse,

That ran way off course,

So he named the horse Sir Bucky.

***************

Corbin Branson

Grade 4

St. Mary of the Assumption School

Teacher: Nancy Replogle

Small Boy

There once was a small boy from Spain,

Who went outside to play in the rain,

He fell into the mud,

And said, "Oh, what crud!"

And limped all the way home in pain.

***************

John Chen

Grade 5

Northwood Middle School

Teacher: Mrs. Henman

What I Would Do With Language

I wish I could take language

And throw it all the way to Pluto.

I would roll words down a hill.

I would bounce words up and down.

"Boom, bong!" my words would say

or "Pop!"

I would shoot them like basketballs,

And ask them to comfort you when you're unhappy.

I wish I could take language

And hit and toss and kick away unpleasant feelings.

I wish it could take language

And enlarge the happiness of our lives.

***************

John Chen

Grade 5

Northwood Middle School

Teacher: Mrs. Henman

Wind

Cold winds of winter cut right to the core,

Rumbling, tumbling, like a wild boar.

The wind so loud, so fast, and strong.

If you think it's just a breeze, you're totally wrong.

The wind can blow things down, and rip things apart,

But that's not all, its only the start.

The wind can also freeze your body.

So don't mess with the wind, don't be knotty.

***************

Adam Custer

Grade 4

St. Mary of the Assumption School

Teacher: Nancy Replogle

Horses

White horse, they shine,

The sun shines on their broad backs.

Nice, white fluffy tails.

***************

Elizabeth Dean

Grade 4

Franklin-Monroe Elementary

Teacher: Mrs. Gray

Night

As I looked out my window

Thoughts went through my head

Of darkness and a big tornado

Frightful things and vampire's prey

I ran up to my mother's room,

And asked her what I should do

She said to think of happy thoughts

So I went down to my room and thought

I thought of gumdrops, butterflies, lucky charms,

And happy goodbyes,

When I was through all I thought was sweet dreams

And a kiss goodnight.

***************

Elizabeth Dean

Grade 4

Franklin-Monroe Elementary

Teacher: Mrs. Gray

The Soldier

Brave, strong,

Scared at war

Not knowing the future

Will he die or not

But takes a risk for his country

Cause his country is his own

***************

Abbi de la Rosa

Grade 4

Coldwater Elementary

Teacher: Mrs. Buening

Creepy Crawlers

Creepy Crawlers

Spin around

Jump on people

And fall on the ground

Grasshoppers jump

Mosquitoes bite

Spiders are hairy

And worms crawl at night

Creepy Crawlers

All around

On top of steeples

And on the ground

Flies drive you nuts

Crickets sing

Ants steal your food

And bumblebees sting

Creepy crawlers

Jump around

Hide in the corners

Without a sound

***************

Abbi de la Rosa

Grade 4

Coldwater Elementary

Teacher: Mrs. Buening

My Music Box

I have a special music box

Inside there is a dancing girl

Her hair is in a prefect bun

She is as pretty as a pearl.

She spins round and round

To the music's beat

And when she is done

She takes her seat.

The plays an endless song

Each note is soft and sweet

It plays the song again and again

And the beginning and the end meet.

When you close the music box

The song is done

No more music, no more girl

There is none.

***************

Jacob Dirksen

Grade 5

Burkettsville Elementary

Teachers: Linda Heitkamp

and Darlene Stammen

John Deere

John Deere tractors are

Green as grass.

They don't run on gas.

Yellow is the color of each rim.

And it is the color of each trim.

Powerfulest thing I've ever known.

I do not let sit alone.

Good and strong they are.

They are as cool as a car.

Some have air-conditioned cabs.

But all have gears to grab.

Even though my tractor is loud.

It can draw a giant crowd.

***************

Molly Dyer

Grade 5

Northwood Middle School

Teacher: Mrs. Henman

Stars of Language

I wish I could take language and make stars.

I would make them shine.

I would make them shine.

"Amazing," my words would say.

Or, "like a ball of fire."

I would make them yellow.

I would make them big.

I wish I could make stars with words.

I wish I could take language and stars would be words.

***************

Molly Dyer

Grade 5

Northwood Middle School

Teacher: Mrs. Henman

Wonderful Leaves

Leaves, leaves are wonderful

Leaves soon you fall off the trees

I will stack you up high and make

You freeze, I hope you don't get

Sick and sneeze

***************

Lindsey Epperly

Grade 5

Northwood Middle School

Teacher: Mrs. Henman

Cardinals

A cardinal

Is like all the days in Hawaii

Its red feathers

Are like bright red apples

Its orange beak

Is like a ripe tangerine

But when it is cold

The cardinal is not seen or heard.

***************

Craig Everman

Grade 4

East Elementary

Teacher: Mrs. Heiby

No Arms

I lost my arms

In a horrible hazard.

I write with my mouth

That is hard.

Someday I will have new and improved arms

That are better than the old.

I'm sad because

They all stare at me and

Say bad words to me

More than anyone else.

***************

Sarah Freidet

Grade 5

Northwood School

Teacher: Diane Dexter

Spring

I know spring

Many trees, beautiful green grass,

Roses and tulips blooming, kids playing.

I know spring

Blue jays chirping, dogs barking,

People laughing, bees buzzing.

I know spring

The smell of fresh pie, tulips and roses,

The smell of rain coming.

I know spring.

***************

Taylor Greve

Grade 4

St. Mary of the Assumption School

Teacher: Nancy Replogle

The End

The end is very near!

Oh, what shall I do!

It is so very clear.

Not me! The end is near for you!

***************

Jennifer Homan

Grade 5

Burkettsville Elementary

Teachers: Linda Heitkamp

and Darlene Stammen

Recess

As I walked out to recess

I could hear all the yelling.

About their day

They were telling.

I felt free as a bird

On a clear summer day.

The clouds over our heads

Were gray.

We were talking noisily

With joy, hoping that it

Wouldn't start to rain.

I felt on my head a pain

When it started to hail.

All students ran inside

For recess indoors.

Without all the yelling

And screaming,

It was a bore.

I was as irksome as a

Pointless fly.

I looked out the window

At the now black sky.

I was trying to picture

A bright sunny sky.

I was trying to have fun

In this little classroom of mine.

The recess bell rang,

And I felt relieved.

Now I can work,

And don't have to believe.

***************

Zach Huber

Grade 4

Coldwater Elementary

Teacher: Mrs. Buening

Untitled

Way outside in a spring somewhere,

there lived an ugly hare. To this

hare he was unique, not a rabbit

freak. He was unique for his blend

of hair, but the other rabbits didn't

have a care. But he really was unique

for his imagination and kind heart,

that's how I tell him apart.

***************

Geoffery Jones

Grade 4

East Elementary

Teacher: Mrs. Heiby

A Deaf Person

I'm deaf, I can't hear and speak,

but I can see well and do

things and no one can

stop me from doing stuff

that hearing people

do and I don't care

if they make fun

of me. I can't

hear them at

all. That is

one good thing.

It is good

to be deaf

and

there are

a lot

of good

reasons why

God made

Deaf people.

***************

Stephen J. Kell

Grade 3

Franklin Monroe Elementary

Teacher: Mrs. Trigg

December

It is a cold-hearted woman.

It is a bad and good time.

It shows interest to children.

Some people heat the snow.

Teachers are like children.

It's cold outside but warm in the heart of giving.

***************

Stephen J. Kell

Grade 3

Franklin Monroe Elementary

Teacher: Mrs. Trigg

June

June is a young man.

It comes with open arms.

It brings sun to us.

That shows our light to all.

That gives us the way of life in the world.

To the world the light of June.

***************

Shelby Koenig

Grade 4

St. Mary of the Assumption School

Teacher: Nancy Replogle

Dreams

Dreams are like soft clouds,

Purple mist in the distance,

Sleep well, little one.

***************

Kelly Latimer

Grade 5

Northwood School

Teacher: Diane Dexter

Summer

I know summer

Birds chirping, kids playing

Water splashing, people laughing.

I know summer

Kids playing, flowers blooming,

Fans blowing, people swimming.

I know summer

Chlorine, fresh cut grass,

Picnics, food cooking.

I know summer.

***************

Carrie Lauth

Grade 4

East Elementary

Teacher: Mrs. Heiby

HELP!

I'm a girl who needs help

Hi, I'm a little girl who is

Homeless and lonely.

I grow up by myself

I do not know what happened.

I'm sick

I have a disease.

I have little hair

I cannot see.

Sometimes I can

Not hear things.

I eat bugs to

Keep alive, but

I feel like I'm

Going to die.

I can hardly

Feel my friends touch me.

There are more

People out here that

Need moms and dads.

***************

Jesse Lindsey

Grade 5

Northwood Middle School

Teacher: Mrs. Henman

The Boy and the Mouse and the Cup

One afternoon a boy sat as he drank

From his new yellow cup.

Then all-of-a-sudden the table shook,

The ground rumbled his new cup.

The cup flew left, right, then up.

It flew out of the house,

Then something grabbed on, that something

Was a mouse.

They flew all over town.

Over streetlights,

Under subways.

They flew to places in many ways.

The mouse had adventures of flying up,

But who started this mess?

Yes, it was the cup.

***************

Jesse Lindsay

Grade 5

Northwood Middle School

Teacher: Mrs. Henman

Muckle the Monkey

There once was a

Monkey, he was very funky.

He had a big red nose,

Not very big toes, but he

Was really spunky. Munckle

They called him, Munckle

Was his name. He surprisingly

Has some fame. With his big

Long teeth, he was in a movie

Called "Mr. Heath." Now the monkey

Was getting old and

So very cold. But still he was

Just a monkey.

***************

Noah Minick

Grade 4

St. Mary of the Assumption School

Teacher: Nancy Replogle

The Stream

Long, flowing ribbon

Flowing down the countryside,

Happy, joyful sounds.

***************

Allison Mueller

Grade 4

St. Mary of the Assumption School

Teacher: Nancy Replogle

A Big Funny Bug

There once was a big funny bug,

Whose friend was a slimey old slug,

He said, "I miss him."

I said, "You look slim."

He said, "Let me give you a hug."

***************

Lexi Niekamp

Grade 5

Burkettsville Elementary

Teachers: Linda Heitkamp

and Darlene Stammen

Outerspace

Outerspace is never ending

With many colors surely blending.

The planets circle the sun

I'd think they'd have a lot of fun.

The moon dances around the earth

Like a fire with new birth.

The stars look very, very high

Just like diamonds in the sky.

There are comets in the Milky Way

I even saw one, one day.

Astronauts blast off into space

They stare into the moon's rocky face.

***************

Jacob Niekamp

Kindergarten

St. Henry Elementary School

Teacher: Ruth Wendel

Untitled

Hey daddle, daddle,

The Cat and the paddle.

The cow jumped over the fence.

The dish ran away with ten cents.

***************

T. J. Pearson

Grade 4

Franklin-Monroe Elementary

Teacher: Mrs. Gray

My Dad

When my dad left,

I started to cry,

I was sad because I thought he would die.

My mom said not to worry

And to pray,

I think about him every day,

I remember the fun we had together,

We would play forever and ever,

Together we would go to the park and walk,

Then we would have lunch

And talk,

He would always help me with my homework,

That's why I'm good at schoolwork,

In the morning he would always do my hair.

If it was messy I did not care,

Now he is gone,

I hope he is all right.

I cry so much every day and night,

Now he is gone,

I hope he misses me, too.

If my dad is reading this now, I wanted to say,

That I really love you!

***************

Cassie Perez

Grade 1C

Cridersville School

Teacher: Carol Lewis

Kangaroo

Hoppy cute

Hind-leg Hopper

Roo

***************

Chip Pickering

Grade 4

East Elementary

Teacher: Mrs. Heiby

The Different

About as blind as a

Bat in the hint of day,

I am the unfinished brother

Of America, brought from

My homeland in Africa.

For so long I've wished

To be with my mum and pa.

Like a little fly searching

For food in the dead of winter

I, too, am poor.

You judge my by color and what I look like

But they will never know what I feel like

They thought I chose to be like this

When really I hate to be like this

But they, too, are different.

***************

Eric Renner

Grade 5

Northwood School

Teacher: Diane Dexter

I Know Spring

Squirrels are waking up from hibernation,

The beautiful reds and whites of blooming trees

I know spring

The chattering of running squirrels, the crack of heavy

Thunder, the pitter-patter of falling rain, the buzzing bees

I know spring

The smell of newly bloomed flowers, the sweet and sour

Ruhubarb pie, a chili dog from Georges's

I know spring.

***************

Elizabeth Rotenberry

Grade 5

Northwood Middle School

Teacher: Mrs. Henman

Winter

Now it is winter.

The trees are bare.

There is some snow to cover the ground.

There are no leaves to cover the trees.

It's nice and cold the sky is a beautiful blue.

There is a nice smell of fresh air.

When I walk through the forest I hear

The crunch of the snow.

Oh, beautiful winter my favorite time of the year.

***************

Leanna Schmit

Grade 2

St. Henry Elementary

Teacher: Eileen Froehlich

Diamante

Lion.

Ferocious.

Hairy.

Eating.

Fighting.

Roaring.

Teeth.

Jaws.

Fur.

Mouse.

Rubbing.

Chasing.

Purring.

Soft.

Cute.

Kitten.

***************

Elizabeth Shultz

Grade 3

New Bremen Elementary

Teacher: Rosie Wermert

Elizabeth Meets "Harry Potter"

There was a blizzard,

And I lost my pet lizard.

Plus, I was having bad luck.

I was bored,

Fell asleep and snored,

And when I awoke I had luck!

I reached under my pillow,

And thought I was dreaming,

But there in my hand was a book that was gleaming.

I looked at the title.

It was written in gold.

It was Harry Potter, a good book, I'm told.

I stared at it for a while,

Then decided to smile,

For I knew it would be a great book.

I opened the book,

And started to look,

But I saw the strangest thing happen.

Some people popped out,

Then some more and some more.

I thought they'd mistaken my house for a store.

I asked them,

"Who are you

and what do you do?"

They performed a play

Better than I can say.

The play lasted four hours.

There were some wizards,

And not any blizzards,

I'm glad no boring pet lizards.

But then I woke up,

And realized it was a dream,

Then I saw a book in the sunbeam.

I stared open mouthed.

It was the same in my dream,

The one that the title did gleam.

This one I had to read.

I finished in about an hour,

But part of it was sour.

Goodbye, my friend,

Now you can snore.

So I have a dream, there isn't any more.

***************

Kelsey Stahl

Grade 2

St. Henry Elementary

Teacher: Eileen Froehlich

Diamante

Elephant.

Big.

Fat.

Screaming.

Thumping.

Bumping.

Ears.

Footprints.

Legs.

Antenna.

Running.

Squishing.

Walking.

Little.

Ugly.

Ant.

***************

Kara Thomas

Grade 5

St. Mary of the Assumption School

Teacher: Nancy Replogle

Big Orange Fish

I have a big orange fish,

I keep him in a dish,

I feed him food that's smelly,

It's yummy in his belly.

***************

Kevin Witt

Grade 5

Northwood School

Teacher: Diane Dexter

Winter

I know winter

"No school for Sidney,"

The whistling od snow.

I know winter

White blanket of snow,

The fire blazing.

I know winter

Christmas bells ringing,

Sugar cookies baking.

I know winter.

***************

Collin Zeller

Grade 4

East Elementary

Teacher: Mrs. Heiby

Untitled

I hear two boys fighting at recess.

They are calling each other bad

Names

It makes me feel bad.

Everyone is gathered around the big

Fight.

The aid finally got them and sent

Them

To the principal.

I said, "Why can't we just all get along?"

Middle-School Poets

Kelsey Brown

Grade 8

McBroom Jr. High

Teacher: Rhonda Shelby

The Song of Spring

The sun glistens

In a baby blue sky,

The gentle touch

Of a cool breeze

Whispers through

The wings of a fly

Gleeful bunnies

Hop across bright

Green grass,

Full of flowers,

Delicately,

as if the ground were glass.

In open fields

Butterflies flutter by

With the soft pink

Wings of beauty

An inaudible song they cry.

Whole days are spent

Basking in scented breeze

With chirping birds

While strolling through

A rocky trail of trees.

***************

Brad Brunswick

Grade 6

Coldwater Junior High

Teacher: Mrs. Billerman

Summer

Summer ocean waves

Crash on the shore at high tide

While creatures float.

***************

Kari Burke

Grade 8

McBroom Jr. High

Teacher: Rhonda Shelby

Enchanting Season

The fluorescent flash of color

Burdens my eyes;

Cool whispers caress my creamy skin.

The bluebirds through greeny

Trees fly;

This painting surely would I love to win.

Water bubbles over mossy rocks, while

Golden fish awaken in fresh water.

I open my lungs, the sweet air a shock,

Surely to some this could

Never be just cannon fodder.

The fowls of the air a-tweeting

On their branches smile;

Blue skies flaunt beauty o'erhead.

Never before was nature so worthwhile,

Or was it just the quiet cold I dread?

For now the wear and drear has ceased;

My heart can now subside.

Now the dark can soon decrease;

As a hungry bear to hide.

I pray this beauty shall not pass,

But nature's bliss I wish I could stay.

But just as a raindrop colored glass,

All things, sadly, must fade away.

***************

Mark Dieringer

Grade 8

McBroom Jr. High

Teacher: Rhonda Shelby

Living Love

Slipping into her worn-down slippers,

Walking around the house,

Singing to her children,

Loving me a bushel and a peck,

Hugging me around the neck,

Watching the pot boil,

Making extraordinary vegetable soup,

Baking slow-rising cakes,

Looking forward to seeing every

Family member,

Keeping me when my parents

Leave town,

Telling stories of long ago,

Reaching into my heart,

Creating new arts and crafts,

Praying every night and day,

Listening to the preacher every

Sunday morning,

Napping every afternoon,

Playing cards every night,

Destroying cobwebs with her broom,

Sipping her strong, dark, black coffee

Caring for me is my Grandma Keller.

***************

Kim Droesch

Grade 6

Marion Local Elementary

Teacher: Lynn Giere

The Knight's Courageous Ride

Clink, clank goes his armor

Against his horse.

He's off to battle

A dragon, of course.

He rides with confidence,

He is sure.

That he will find two

Dragons or more.

The knight stops

In front of a hill.

"I will find a dragon,"

he says, "I will."

He grabs his sword

And off he goes.

He is shaking

From head to toe.

The knight slips into a cave,

But, to his surprise,

He sees no dragon

Before his eyes.

With a clink and a clank,

He if off again,

Going places where

No one has been.

Clink, clank goes his armor

Against his horse.

He's off to battle,

A dragon, of course.

***************

Natasha Feltz

Grade 6

Coldwater Junior High

Teacher: Mrs. Billerman

I Remember

In loving memory of Kelsey Forsthoefel

I remember my best friend Kelsey.

I remember her long blonde hair.

I remember her eyes the shade of the ocean.

I remember her bright smile.

I remember all the adventures we had together.

I remember all the trouble we got into.

I remember most her funeral,

The tears streaming down my

Cheeks as I touched her limp body and said

Good-bye.

***************

Zach Ferrel

Grade 8

McBroom Jr. High

Teacher: Rhonda Shelby

The Healer

He presses the scalpel into the skin,

He slices, putting his fingers in.

He prods and pokes with

Delicate ease,

A job to do, a patient to please.

It seems as though his work's

Never done,

Though he gets a break when

The day is done.

Patient to patient, he trudges on,

A life saved is a reward to be won.

Kids, adults, everyone in between,

Injured hearts, livers and spleens;

Some will live, some will die,

He will however, always try.

He uses what he learned at school,

But always remembers the

Higher rule.

For God uses him to do his deed,

As if God has sewn him from a seed.

He goes home every night to an empty nest,

To replenish his soul and get his rest.

For doctors save and doctors heal,

But do you stop to think how they might feel.

***************

Erin Frysinger

Grade 7

Celina Middle School

Teacher: Mrs. Koontz

Homework Machine

The Homework Machine, oh the Homework Machine,

Most perfect contraption that's ever been seen.

Just put in your homework, then drop in a dime,

Snap on the switch, and in ten seconds' time,

Your homework comes out, quick and clean as can be.

Here it is "nine plus four? And the answer is "three."

Three?

Oh me

I guess it's not a perfect

As I thought it would be.

***************

Lindsey Hoffhines

Grade 6

Coldwater Junior High

Teacher: Mrs. Billerman

Winter

Flakes fall from the sky

White blanket covers the

Ground

A beautiful time.

***************

Emily Kelch

Grade 7

Celina Middle School

Teacher: Mrs. Koontz

Hairy Hare

"Comb your hair," said Mother Hare.

"Your hair is bothering me."

"But I'm a hare with lots of hair.

So, a hairy hare I'll be!"

***************

Emily Kelch

Grade 7

Celina Middle School

Teacher: Mrs. Koontz

Octopus

I am an octopus,

Some people think I'm cute.

Some people think I'm ugly.

But with these arms,

I think I'm rather "hugly'

Waving in the ocean,

These arms are very long.

But if you get close to me,

You'll see I'm very strong.

***************

Amanda Mallory

Grade 7

Celina Middle School

Teacher: Mrs. Koontz

Sick Fish

The fish in our aquarium

Are looking rather ill,

And most of them are turning

Kind of green around the gill.

I might have fed them too much food,

Forgot to clean their tank,

Or maybe they're allergic to

The toys and junk I sank.

Perhaps I broke the thermostat.

I could have cut the air.

What's certain is they're sickly

From my downright lack of care.

***************

Rachel McClain

Grade 7

Celina Middle School

Teacher: Mrs. Koontz

Bugs

Lady bugs,

Beetle bugs,

Big bugs,

Small bugs,

Bed bugs,

Lightning bugs,

Skinny bugs,

Fat bugs,

Potato bugs,

June bugs,

Round bugs,

Flat bugs,

But most of all

I like Volkswagen bugs.

***************

Rachel McClain

Grade 7

Celina Middle School

Teacher: Mrs. Koontz

An Ode to Cows

Cows look so cute

In their black and white suit

They big soft eyes

Their tails flip to swat flies

Whatever they eat they will always chew

They have the most adorable moo

Cows have a big, wet nose

They strike the most incredible pose

Cows are very gentle

They are sentimental

Moo, moo, moo

Moo, moo, moo!

They might not smell exactly like flowers

But that's cause they sit in mud for hours

They can't do a whole lot of work

Or else they'll end up going berserk

Cows are really nice to most people they see

If you're mean, you'll end up with a thonk on the knee

Moo, moo, moo

Moo, moo, moo!

Most teens think it's very hip

To push a cow and watch it tip

It makes the teens so very glad

To see the cows so gosh darn mad

Moo, moo, moo

Let's cow tip, too!

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Lauren Nellis

Grade 6

Coldwater Junior High

Teacher: Mrs. Billerman

Flowers

Flower

Pretty, decorative

Growing, blooming, developing

Colorful, scented-useless, ugly

Annoying, growing

Intruder, unpleasant

Weed.

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Lauren Nellis

Grade 6

Coldwater Junior High

Teacher: Mrs. Billerman

Haiku

As spring buds open

The beautiful butterflies

Dance through the air.

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Lacey Post

Erica Pax

Grade 7

Celina Middle School

Teacher: Mrs. Koontz

River

River,

Smooth, clear

Flowing, whispering, calming,

Containing secrets

River.

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Lacey Post

Grade 6

Coldwater Junior High

Teacher: Mrs. Billerman

Lacey

Friendly, busy, gossip, spirited

Youngest child of Duane and Anna

Lover of pizza, flowers, dogs

Who feels tired after babysitting, hungry sometimes,

Happy after school on Friday afternoons

Who fears the neighbor's dog, sometimes forgets

To do my homework, loves scary movies

Who would like to see my parents win the state lottery,

My brothers and sisters hands off my stuff,

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Kirsten Rose

Grade 7

Celina Middle School

Teacher: Mrs. Koontz

Pies

Pies,

Pies,

Pies,

There are lots of different pies.

There are:

Pumpkin pies,

Blackberry pies,

Blueberry pies,

Strawberry pies,

Apple pies,

Gooseberry pies,

Cherry pies,

Chocolate pies,

Pecan pies,

Lemon merigue pies,

Raspberry pies,

But the best kind of pie is

A mud pie.

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Kirsten Rose

Grade 7

Celina Middle School

Teacher: Mrs. Koontz

Someday

Someday, I'm going to go to school,

And my friends will introduce

Me to their new friends and say,

"This is Kirsten,"

instead of, "This is my old friend."

Someday, I'm going to go to school

And my friends will say, "I really like your hair.

Do you have make-up on because it looks

Like you do."

Someday, I'm going to go shopping

And everyone in the mall will say,

"Wow! Look, it's Kirsten Rose,"

Instead of look, "There's a red-headed girl.

Someday, I'm going to go to the store

And everyone will look and say,

"I love the way you fix your hair."

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Megan Schlegel

Grade 8

McBroom Jr. High

Teacher: Rhonda Shelby

Splashing in the Sun

In the sun's heat

A small child runs

Into the refreshing coolness

Of the crystal ocean.

The sand between his toes

And bleached blond hair

Makes for a day of fun

And excitement as flowers

Sit primly on the grassy

Border of the crowded beach.

This vacation on the

Fourth of July weekend

With pesky mosquitoes and

Fluttering lightning bugs

Has a feeling of laziness

As birds chirp softly

Overhead.

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Emily Severt

Grade 6

Coldwater Junior High

Teacher: Mrs. Billerman

Horse

Independent, intelligent

Trotting, kicking, stomping

Running with gleaming coats

Sauntering, galloping, cantering

Ravishing, vigorous

Steed

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Emily Severt

Grade 6

Coldwater Junior High

Teacher: Mrs. Billerman

Haiku

Just a perfect night

Against the velvet black sky

To see a star fall.

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Anthony Slusser

Grade 7

Celina Middle School

Teacher: Mrs. Koontz

The Clouds in the Sky

Apples, Cakes, People.

All formed in the beautiful blue sky

By fluffy white clouds;

And then they are

Nonchalantly blown away

By the wind.

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Anthony Slusser

Grade 7

Celina Middle School

Teacher: Mrs. Koontz

Sunrise Over the Ocean

As the sun rises over

The majestic blue waters,

Seagulls caw

At rising waters.

On an island

Islanders chant

!aqui llegar un neuvo dia

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Tiffany Uhlenhake

Grade 6

Coldwater Junior High

Teacher: Mrs. Billerman

Haiku

A kitty ran

Through the snowy field looking

For some food to eat.

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Doug Vorhees

Grade 7

Celina Middle School

Teacher: Mrs. Koontz

Cat Looking

I was sitting in a tree

Where I broke my knee,

I saw a cat looking at me.

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Tracy Wilker

Grade 8

McBroom Jr. High

Teacher: Rhonda Shelby

A Special Man

Born on August 12, 1930

He is a funny man.

He faught on the front line

Of the the Korean War

And he is now a retired

Citizen from Pax.

This man loves to go

Camping with his family,

And he collects John Deere

Tractors for fun.

With his table saw and other

Tools, he does woodworking.

And he likes to sell his

Crafts at local craft shows.

People call him Scotty

And he was an ornery man

In his younger days.

He had a major stroke

The first part of June of 2000

Just two months before his

70th birthday.

Now he can't talk much

So he can't tell his stories and

He can't call me "Ding-a-ling"

Very much like he used to

It's so hard for him to communicate.

Now he can't use his right arm either,

So he can't do his wood working and

He can't drive cars for North Shore

Which he used to do.

He also liked to do yard work,

But can't do much of it any more.

And top of that his eyesight isn't very

Good on his right side.

This man used to do a lot

Of work until he had his stroke.

He had to give up a lot after

His stroke.

I'm so glad I still have

Grandpa Scott.

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