POETRY
“Silent Killer”
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Disease stalks the Earth,
Capturing those we love in
The clutches of death.
“When Can I Be Free?”
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Worry seeps into your skin
Soaking your soul with anguish
The worst is sure to come
Fears and uncertainties at the forefront of your mind
Soaking your soul with anguish
Worry conceals every moment with anxiety
Fears and uncertainties at the forefront of your mind
Petrified of the things that can go wrong
Worry conceals every moment with anxiety
When can I be free?
Petrified of the things that can go wrong
Drowning you with dread
Worry seeps into your skin
Drowning you with dread
The worst is sure to come
When can I be free?
“Once a Year”
​
Here it comes again
The day I always dread
Once a year, every year
My birthday has arrived.
The day I always dread
Another year older
My birthday arrives
Blowing out the 16 candles
Another year older
They say these are the golden years
Blowing out the 16 candles
Tears stream down my face
Here it comes again
Tears stream down my face
They say these are the golden years
Once a year, every year.
“What Has My Life Become?”
Jordyn Davis, Grade 9
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I can’t believe what she’s confessed
Is this actually happening?
I’m overjoyed, she feels the same!
I can not believe my life
Is this actually happening?
She has lied?
I can not believe my life
What have I done to be deserving of her lies?
She has lied
Now she wishes to forget
What have I done to be deserving of her lies?
Oh how I will cry
I’m overjoyed, she feels the same
I can’t believe what she’s confessed
But now, she wishes to forget
Oh how I cry
“Persuasive World”
Aryaana Burrell, Grade 9
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Cruel world on a polite soul,
Gentle hands will not hurt the skin.
I’m against the crowd, will I ever feel whole?
Cruel world on a polite soul.
I am afraid, I feel as if I’m losing control.
I want to finish as just me, I want to win.
Cruel world on a polite soul,
Gentle hands will not hurt the skin.
“Everlasting Sleep”
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Are you asleep?
Your eyes are closing slowly
Your face is growing pale
Your skin is looking clammy
Your limbs feel weak and frail
Your breath shakes soft and raspy
Your heart thumps loud and slow
Your mouth tastes dry and sour
Your life is too soon to go
But maybe you’re just sleeping
You’ll drift off into dreams
Maybe things will be okay
And this isn’t how it seems
But your eyes are firmly shut now
Your face is deathly white
Your skin feels like a leather bag
Your limbs lie still all day and night
Your final breath was taken
Your heartbeat slowly faded
Your mouth is plastered with a frown
Your human life vacated
But maybe you’re just sleeping
In your coffin underground
Maybe you will be okay
And you’re resting safe and sound
“Dear Nightmares and Dreams”
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Dear Nightmares,
I'm sorry you have to hear from me once more
But you are terrifying people away
Your actions are becoming a bore
Why do you cause such dismay?
Here I am writing you this letter
Please, take my words, dear friend
I do hope your actions become better
Just know that this is not to offend
I, again, apologize for this sudden note
Desperateness call
My job as the Dreams, I devote
I do not wish for a brawl
Write me a letter when you get the chance
So that our jobs can be enhanced.
Your best friend,
Dreams
Dear Dreams,
How dare you think my job is paltry
We work the same hours and months
Your letter is like the job of mine, it appalled me
I hate that you think that my actions are stunts
But you are the one who pushed first
Also, how pitiful that you apologize
You are just the worst
Thinking that we should just compromise
I am done playing your games,
My job is to bring fear, yours is to hide people from real-world cruelty
I am offended by your unintelligent claims
If you want to brawl, then let's duel.
We don't have to work together
You are as simple and light as a feather
Your worst enemy,
Nightmares
I watch as the trees speed by
Water droplets race down the windows.
My hands glide across the cold windows.
I feel so lost
Water droplets race down the windows
The trees begin to fade into colorless blobs
I feel so lost
I hear the clicks of the train tracks
The trees begin to fade into colorless blobs
I don’t know where I’m going.
I can hear the clicks of the train tracks
Water droplets race down my face
I watch as the trees speed by
My hands glide across the cold windows
Water droplets race down my face
I don’t know where I’m going
“Mom and Dad”
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Who brings me to my music lessons every week?
My devoted guardians.
Who reminds me to finish my homework every night?
My responsible caretakers.
Who comforts me when I cry?
My most caring supporters.
Who works overtime to afford my extra-curricular activities?
My hard-working parents.
Who has always been there for all the small, important moments in my life?
My amazing, loving Mom and Dad
“In My Dreams”
Under the moon’s soft, silver glow
In a realm where quiet rivers flow
Where stars twinkle, secrets they keep
In this world, worries run deep
Guided by whispers of night
In the calm we take flight
Through the darkness a gentle hand leads
To a place where the heart feeds
A sanctuary where troubles cease,
A realm of quiet a world of peace
Where the mind is free, and fears take flight
In this world of dreams, we call it a night.
“Humans & Vampires”
Humans
Fragile Weak
Sleeping Destroying Apologizing
Vampires always stalk humans at night waiting to strike their prey
Killing Drinking Stalking
Immortal Bloodthirsty
Vampires
Love filled my heart
Not knowing what to say
I wasn’t sure if this was smart
Love filled my heart
This could tear me apart
Or it could heal me in every way
Love filled my heart
Not knowing what to say
“New Beginnings”
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Sprouts emerge from soil
Like a baby from the womb.
A new life begins
“Conflicted Heart”
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My heart is longing for you
But my brain is contradicting
I wonder, “What did I get into?”
My soul and mind are conflicting
But my brain is contradicting
They all say you’re no good
My soul and mind are conflicting
I’d love someone else if I could
They all say you’re no good
I could do better than you
I’d love someone else if I could
But I think our love is true
I wonder, “What did I get into?”
I could do better than you
But I think our love is true
My heart is longing for you
“Never Shall I Forget” Modeled after Elie Wiesel’s “Never Shall I Forget”
Shelby Hall, Grade 12
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Never shall I forget that night, that lovely night camping, in the vast mountains of West Virginia.
Never shall I forget the sound of laughter accompanied by innocent children.
Never shall I forget my grandma helping us roast gooey marshmallows over the fire.
Never shall I forget the good times we shared not having a worry in the world, except what was for breakfast the next day.
Never shall I forget the cold breeze accompanied by a clear sky through which the stars shined brightly.
Never shall I forget the feeling of warmth and happiness that camp gave me.
Never shall I forget the support and love from my family.
Never shall I forget my carefree childhood.
Never shall I forget these things as long as I live.
Never.
“Love is Only Real When it Lives”
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When my mind meets thee, no thought can explain
The jumbled ideas from your quick glance
Makes me feel that there is no more hard pain
And numbs the feelings of having no chance
When our eyes meet, my heart begins to race
I take your hand and stand with all my pride
My blood boils hot at thy royal grace
All feels perfect when we take flight and glide
But when you are gone nothing feels quite right
The lights go out and leave no trace of you
No more the love that seemed to be quite bright
The House of Hearts left old with nothing new
Now I sit alone in its old dark rooms
Waiting for you to return to our tombs
“Sonnet 1”
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Hopes that the warmth of the sun will come again
My feet in the sand and wind in my hair
to then I would be able to become Zen
oh how I wish this feeling was less rare
Winter the death of all life, sucks away my joy
The bitter coldness of the air bites my nose
the absence of warmth was made to annoy
I feel on the verge of death to accept my rose
But there I am in the heat of mid-July
without a care in the world, I begin to dance
I chose to live in the moment, to not die
how would I survive without this chance
All I know is life is worth the cold bitterness
because of the warmth that will soon be given to us
“Compassion is Just a Girl”
Savannah Teets, Grade 12
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Compassion is the girl who strolls down the hallway always with a smile on her face.
The one who frequently says ‘Good morning,’ and ‘Have a good day’, to the ones she may embrace.
She’s always bright and filled with joy with outfits that coordinate with that exact energy.
The girl who's colorful and fun and almost always has some cute accessory.
Until there’s one of those days that she’s just not; Showing up to school in leggings, messy hair, and hoodies saying “Sorry didn’t set my alarm, I must have forgotten.”
Compassion is most of the time happy at least in front of her peers and her friend sympathy.
She wishes there was a good explanation why but she just simply, needs to be.
When walking into a crowded room she’s instantly overwhelmed.
Since this person and that person and everyone else constantly needs help.
She's running around frantically helping; she’s spinning throughout.
As if she’s on a roller coaster or under a spell.
She can never seem to stop because she can never say the word no.
Her only sigh of relief is when she hears each bell telling her to go.
Just three minutes, she has quietness and peace until the next class starts and somebody else needs some type of release.
Never her though, for she’s “way too strong.”
Everyone else says she’s quote, “the one who never has anything going on wrong”.
While this is farthest from the truth, she keeps it inside.
She thinks why bother someone else when they have their own emotions that they can’t hide?
Other times people say she’s weak or “too soft” for the real world.
Now come the tears; she’s confused, and her emotions begin to swirl.
She doesn’t let this break her though, for if she does, the people around her will hurt just as much.
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So compassion sticks to recognizing and helping those who suffer.
She hopes that one day they will learn the value of helping one another.
For she grew up in an environment where being compassionate was always neglected.
So now every time someone needs to vent she says in her head, “It’s okay I’ll project it.”
Compassion is me and I am without a doubt her.
The only difference between us is that she's happy and I'm always the one left to hurt.
Feeling overwhelmed and fearful about every little thing becomes exhausting. Living with the pressure of this mean, little feeling called anxiety can cause my days to feel never-ending. I try not to let it control me, but it is almost like I can’t escape it. Trying to stay brave, but this nervousness and uneasiness take over my body. Anxiety feels like being on the edge of your seat all the time. It’s the fear of failure and the fear of not succeeding. It’s the heart-racing, hand-trembling feeling of not wanting to be alone, but not wanting to socialize. Anxiety is not just a feeling, it is physical. Anxiety feels like being trapped in a never-ending loop that you can’t escape.
“My Book, ‘Life’”
Maggie Knight, Grade 12
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I’m so close, days upon days and years upon years
Building up to simply the next chapter of my book, “Life”
But as easy as it sounds, I assure you it is more difficult than it appears
It feels like I’ve only ever been able to reach the peak of a mountain
Always falling back down the rising action and taking “another life lesson”
But now I rush into the falling action, enjoying the fruits of my labor and passion
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The next chapter has to be better or what was it all for
The scars I bear inside and out can’t go to waste
The tears that have fallen can evaporate but never be erased
I’ll never be able to be who I was at the beginning of the story
No one talks about the hero’s change, only the glory
But that’s the point isn’t it
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To make it to the resolution
To think of the positives and personal growth
To forgive and forget and move on to the conclusion
To accept the change in yourself for the betterment of the plotline
Oh well, it’s fine, at least it will be a good read of mine
I guess that’s what I get, writing my book, “Life”
“Punishment”
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Absolution
Benevolent, Benign
Caring, Pardoning, Forgiving
Past absolution can lead to a planned punishment
Correcting, Penalizing, Fearing
Harsh, Heavy
Punishment
“Arid Dreaming”
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Voices are carried along the breeze
Memories hum along the air
The world is more populous than ever
And closest to its grave as well
Unto what relinquish do we seek?
Glory?
It only lasts so long.
Memory?
It fades as we do.
Name and preservation?
For whom to remember us?
In the graves of man, our memories shall do none
Oceans rise, ice melts, and our folly decays
I ask, not out of contempt of our plight, nor to malign it
but to rejoice in it
For our endeavors don’t cease like memory.
Our plight doesn’t fade like day.
Our dreams live on, long past us.
The material we craft.
The world that we forge.
All shall be not but ashes and dust with our end.
Our bodies shall decompose.
Our blood will dry out.
But dream on we shall,
for dreams and hope are all but stagnant.
Autumn leaves falling
Colors swirling in the breeze
Fall is a painting
Land
Chaotic, Lively
Breathing, Living, Moving
The land bleeds smoothly into the glass sea
Mesmerizing, Never ending, Rippling
Calm, deserted
Sea
Eyes meet from across the room
Brown and blue eyes staring at each other
An unknown feeling beginning to bloom
Her guarded heart wanting to uncover
The things they whisper to one another
Such caring, sweet, love-filled little phrases
Their beautiful love starting to smother
The powerful, unique feeling blazes
Soon those nice, sweet, beautiful phrases turned
Crisp, acidic, resentful, bitter lies
Her once sad broken heart, which had healed, burned
A strong, new, sharp, painful feeling arises
Lovers to strangers with sorrowful eyes
A love story ending with two goodbyes
Sun
Brilliant Bright
Shining Scalding Blinding
The radiance of the sun conceals the moon’s elegance
Glowing Shimmering Reflecting
Luminous Ethereal
Moon
The crisp air whispers secrets in our ears
Through the golden fields in which we will ride
As we journey through Nature's changing years
With big straw hay bales resting at our sides
In this harvest season, love’s warmth we find
Picking up pumpkins as we take a stroll
Walking through the cornfields with peace of mind
The tires of the hayride seem to roll
The mornings get darker, leave the sun be
Brisk fall leaves falling as we walk the path
In autumn’s embrace, nature’s color’s true and free
Fall is the aftermath of nature’s wrath
Oh what a season with the changing leaves
Fall is the season in which summer grieves
“The Voices”
Emmi Dedola, Grade 9
The voices will never leave me be
They are always in my head
They fill me with anxiety
The voices will never leave me be
They will never allow me to break free
I just wish I would no longer feel this dread
The voices will never leave me be
They are always in my head
“Under the Friday Night Lights”
Abigail Clement, Grade 10
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Under the Friday night lights we sit, wasting time.
Talking and cheering till the game starts.
Looking for that one friend who’s late.
Waiting to hear the joy spread through the air.
Talking and cheering till the game starts.
We draw on our hands with the school colors.
Waiting to hear the joy spread through the air.
Listening to the band play their music.
We draw on our hands with the school colors.
Digging through our purses to find money.
Listening to the band play their music.
The boys shouting about who will win.
Under the Friday night lights we sit, wasting time.
Looking for that one friend who’s late.
Digging through our purses to find money.
The boys shouting about who will win.
“Hypocritical System”
Aryaana Burrell, Grade 9
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Strong men and women fight for the country,
Weak humans sleep on the streets.
This country has money for war but none left for the poor,
The people wonder if they’ll ever be good enough to be cared for.
Weak humans sleep on the streets.
Begging to have feeling again.
The people wonder if they’ll ever be good enough to be cared for.
Begging for someone to feel sympathy.
Begging to have feeling again,
Lying on the rough road watching the feet shuffle past.
Begging for someone to feel sympathy.
Trying to grip onto so little hope they have left.
Lying on the rough road watching the feet shuffle past,
Trying to grip onto so little hope they have left.
Strong men and women fight for the country,
This country has money for war but none left for the poor
“Winter’s Embrace”
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In winter's icy embrace that we chase
The cold winter days, that's bitter and bleak
When frosty winds make cheeks blush with rosy grace
Hold beauty in the snowflakes that softly speak.
As the sun hides behind a cloudy veil
Let's find warmth in the snug fireside’s glow
The Snow blankets the landscape without fail
Let's cherish the love that winter bestows.
Though the days may be short and nights so long,
For in our hearts, the fire of love burns
Let's find solace in each other, stay strong
And keep us warm till the spring’s sweet return
So let's embrace the cold with open arms,
And find joy in winter’s enchanting charms.
“The Magic of Makeup”
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With a brush in hand, the canvas awaits,
Foundation smooths, creating a flawless base,
Eyes come alive, shadows in different shades,
Lip Gloss adds a pop of shine, a touch of color.
Foundation smooths, creating a flawless base,
Concealing imperfections, enhancing natural beauty,
Lip Gloss adds a pop of shine, a touch of color
Blush brings a rosy glow, cheeks look so pretty.
Concealing imperfections, enhancing natural beauty,
Makeup becomes an art, a form of self-expression,
Blush brings a rosy glow, cheeks look so pretty,
Highlighter adds a radiant touch, a bright impression.
Makeup becomes an art, a form of self-expression,
Eyes come alive, shadows in different shades,
Highlighter adds a radiant touch, a bright impression,
With a brush in hand, the canvas awaits.
“Dearest Lover”
Jordyn Davis, Grade 9
​
Dearest Lover,
You hear this from me every night, but I love you
I think that you should get to hear it more
We’ve been together for over a year
Each and every day means so much to me
You make me feel more complete
What I am trying to say
Is you make me feel like the real me
And I love you for that
I will love you forever and always
You mean the absolute world to me
Love,
Jordyn
In the big city, tall buildings touch the sky,
Busy streets where people rush on by.
Bright lights shine, making everything glow,
A place where dreams can bloom and grow.
From parks to shops, there's always something new,
Adventure awaits for me and for you.
The city’s heartbeat pulses through the air,
With sounds of laughter, cars, and despair.
Bright lights illuminate the beautiful scene,
A vibrant place where dreams can come glean
The tall buildings reach so high,
Busy streets where people are rushing by.
Explore the city, let your dreams come true,
Invite your friends so they can explore too.
“The Night Owl”
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In the darkness of the night,
Where the moon meets the stars,
There lay an owl inside the trees
Snuggled up in the tree he guards.
His brown coat blows with ease
Through the cold wind and the green trees
His glowing eyes burst through the night
While his wings open to take flight.
He soars above the woodland scene
Gazing upon every living thing in sight
Tilting his head down into the ravine
He can feel the emptiness of a cool autumn night.
He called out “Hoo,”
To the open distance
But who was he calling to?
Where have they gone…
Underneath the starry sky,
Peaceful as the night goes by.
Uniontown’s charm, oh so high,
Underneath the starry sky.
Sharing stories you and I,
Time does fly,
Underneath the starry sky
Peaceful as the night goes by.
“Shimmer”
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Sometimes I look into the sky and think why do the stars shine? One day my question was answered. One day I met a boy who was the brightest star, the one who made the stars dark because he was so bright. He was the best thing that happened to me. But one day that star burnt out. His shine became toxic, he changed in a bad way. In the end, he only wanted to shine on the water, not the earth.
“Expanded Exploration”
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Danish, Swedish, Turkish, Thai
Language
Countries, books, films
All around
The globe, helpful places
Patterned tongues fill my eyes
Foreign
Latin, Russian, German, Greek
Differs but stained with relation, like
Script
“Perfectionism”
​
I delete it all,
I begin once again,
the beginning, it’s all wrong,
all unpleasant, weak
Do I need more dedication?
Should I go back to,
My original concept?
Should I just give up?
Should I… should I…
“Trust Issues”
Glass cracks like a heart
Healing only once, not twice.
Trust has been broken
“Reign”
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She was the most jealous girl in town
She just so badly wanted the crown
She snuck in the castle
It wasn’t a hassle
The queen was gone, but she didn’t frown.
“Time”
Emmi Dedola, Grade 9
Time is slow and fast
It is the future and past
Time slips away day by day
So we must learn to make it last
Even though time can fly by do not dismay
Just enjoy every day
“Never Shall I Forget Senior Night” Modeled after Elie Wiesel’s
“Never Shall I Forget”
Emma Aubele, Grade 12
​
Never Shall I Forget, my Senior Night for football at the end of the season
Never Shall I Forget, the pain I felt when I had the realization that it was over
Never Shall I Forget, my friend rushing over to comfort me
Never Shall I Forget, the wave of emotions that I felt when the clock struck 0:00
Never Shall I Forget, the rain crashing down as I was about to walk down the field
Never Shall I Forget, my tears pouring down my face knowing I could never go back
Never Shall I Forget, my cheerfulness turning into cheerlessness
Never Shall I Forget that time when I realized I had to let go
Never shall I forget these things as long as I live
Never.
“Cities vs. Countrysides”
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Cities
Loud, Noisy
Honking, Running, Yelling,
Cities drown out the silence of the country
Chirping, Thriving, Blooming
Fresh, Calm
Countrysides
Josalyn Johnson, Grade 11
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Betrayal is like being young and having a sticky note put on your back
A funny word or mean comment
Sticking to you without a notice
Realizing when it’s too late
A funny word or mean comment
For everyone to see and laugh at
Realizing when it’s too late
Becoming someone you don’t know
For everyone to see and laugh at
How could they do that to you
Becoming someone you don’t know
Feelings of betrayal sticking to your back
Betrayal is like being young and having a sticky note on your back
How could they do that to you
Feelings of betrayal sticking to your back
Sticking without a notice
“Teddy Bear”
Erilyn Machesky, Grade 12
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I got my teddy bear when I was three
Cradled him, babied him, and tucked him into bed
Fluffed him and stuffed him over and over again-
In return, he took care of me.
He consumed my screams and absorbed my tears
In the darkness and silence, he took away my fears
He was my best friend forward and back
On his belly, it says, “Love you lots”
And I know that’s a fact.
He was there for my first love and the hardships of school,
but most importantly, he was there for you.
You experienced his crooked smile and his button eyes
You experienced his limp neck from in-my-arm where he lies
He got to know you as well as he knows me
Your smell, your touch, your eyes- so deep.
I let you keep him when I was away but I needed him back- the very next day
I remember when you had him and your dog made a rip
You cried so hard but I said “he just needed a stitch”
I told you it was no big deal, but maybe I lied
I trusted you to keep him safe, but the trust ran dry
I took him back and you haven’t seen him since
Our relationship ended- it was gone by a wince.
I cried into him yet again, but the only thing I could smell was your scent
So it was time for him to get cleaned up and into the washer he went.
I washed my bear and now it never knew the scent of you
He’s completely forgotten who you are, just as I wish I could do
He’s still here for me and he always will be
I’m so glad I got him at that golden age of three.
“Words”
​
Words, words, words
You speak yet all it does is hurt
The speech, the sound, it whirls me around
Yet when you speak those words
All it does is put me down
Words, words, words
They don’t speak about the good
And those actions make you misunderstood
But when I look at you it's not the words looking back
It's those brown eyes that make me crack
Year after year
Missed phone call after another
I wish, I wish, I had my mother
But gone away in those orange pants
Brings me pain on every minute timer
The laughs and the cries are all on call
And those brown eyes are what makes me fall
I don’t see them but through a glass
Shards and pain when I see that sociopath
Then it's back to what was before hearing you say those beautiful words…
“Never Shall I Forget” Modeled after Elie Wiesel’s “Never Shall I Forget”
Grace Fike, Grade 12
​
Never Shall I Forget that huge auditorium three years ago
Never Shall I Forget the darkness of the crowd standing, cheering as confetti falls all around us
Never Shall I Forget seeing him in the crowd, the light shining off his head and him pointing, shouting my name
Never Shall I Forget having wanted nothing more than to impress him all my life
Never Shall I Forget how hot it was under those stage lights, the sweat pouring down my face
Never Shall I Forget my glee, as he told me how great I was and how he had never seen me smile so much as he did that night
Never Shall I Forget that feeling when I realized I’ll never feel it again
Never Shall I Forget that he will always be with me even if not physically
Never shall I forget these things as long as I live
Never.
“Silly Witty”
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Jumping from a trapeze to a net
Laughter all throughout
A jocular duet
Jumping from a trapeze to a net
The duo flip — An amazing set!
Clown and Jester laugh and shout
Jumping from a trapeze to a net
Laughter all throughout
“Fake Scenarios”
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Creating a perfect world that is fake
My mind is keeping me sane
Imagination fueling my escape
Causing my brain to strain
My mind is keeping me sane
Thinking of scenery or love
Causing my brain to strain
Loving the fuel of the mind’s creation
Thinking of scenery or love
Hyperphantasia makes me forget of pain
Loving the fuel of the mind’s creation
Thoughts linger for hours
Thoughts linger for hours
Imagination fueling my escape
Hyperphantasia makes me forget of pain
Creating a perfect world that is fake
“Invisible Love”
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I love your smile
Though it makes you insecure.
You light up the room you walk in
Your happiness is my cure.
You and me together;
Everyone would stop and stare.
I usually hate the spotlight,
But this time I don’t care.
Crossing rooms, our eyes meet
Your hazel into the brown of mine.
The world stops, I can hardly breathe;
My heart skips a beat or nine.
I stare at the ceiling on sleepless nights;
My thoughts are overrun by you.
I know it’s wishful thinking,
But I can’t help but wonder if you dream of me too.
“Winter’s Beginnings”
​
December awakes,
Frosted snow covers the ground.
Winter has been found.
“Fire and Water”
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Fire
Inferno Flare
Seething Raging Burning
Fire eventually calms by water’s cool touch
Chilling Flooding Drenching
Cool crystal
Water