Poetry Contest Winners 2009

In celebration of Poetry Month in April, the Hub Zemke library held a poetry contest in the following divisions:
1st-4th grade, 5th-8th grade, 9th-12th grade & adult.

Thank you for all those that supported this years event!

First Place, 1st - 4th Grade
Justice Boggs, age 7

“Indiana Jones”

There is a man who has a whip and a hat
Though while out on adventure could not bring his cat.

He was terribly afraid of snakes
And when he saw one he jumped in the lakes.

But when he was in the lake he saw another snake
Suddenly he found relief by the use of a rake.

With no mistake he used the rake,
To kick the snake right out of the lake.

First Place, 5th - 8th Grade
Daniel J. Marcolesco, age 13

“Apple Romance”

IOne day as I walked down the lane
I spotted an apple tree. 
Normally I walked right past, taking no notice.
But I saw you.

Bright as the sun, plump as a dwarf,
Red as a rose petal, Fresh as a raindrop –
Many others were brighter, plumper, redder, fresher –
But I picked you.

Mortal men swarmed around me. 
They wanted you.  Millions, billions – did he
Say trillions?  – I needed the money.
But I kept you.

Overwhelming smells drowned out your wonderfully sweet scent. 
I became utterly tempted.
But close I held you.

I hungered. 
Looking for something to eat,
I found arecipe for apple crisp.
But I remembered you.

Because one day as I walked down the lane
I spotted an apple tree. 
Normally I walked right past, taking no notice.
But I saw you.

Because I love you.

First Place, 9th - 12th Grade
Danny Otto, age 17

“9/11”

Heavens azure vault
Mirrored in flashing sea
A city’s pulsing hum
Beating ceaselessly
A Pennsylvania hamlet
Waking to the dawn
A five-sided fortress
Where battle lines are drawn

In three airport terminals
The blameless condemned wait
Linked only yet in circumstance
And providence’ cruel fate
The wolves are in among them
Their hearts facades of ice
Each armed with zealots fervor
And devil’s own device

When turned the wingeds’ course
To the towers’ glassen shell
A missile flung from hatred
And borne on fires of hell
And far away another
Reeled and felt the fatal blow
Another ten score innocents
Felled by unmet foe

Still yet in the skies above
A heroes’ court decrees
They’re resolute to stand fight
Than die subject on knees
Martyrs while still breathing
Steps from heaven’s gate
Mortals seizing destiny
To save an unknown’s fate

A perverse magnum opus
Of wicked mens’ design
A darkness made incarnate
Its purpose so malign
All these caustic horrors
Unfold on every screen
The image of security
An illusion in a dream
The heroes in this tragedy
Pulled hundreds from the brink
They stared their deathmask in the eye
The reaper first did blink
These angels of the latter day
Fought through grief and fire
United on the razors edge
Enthroned on ruin’s pyre

In the wretched aftermath
A country one in sorrow
A sleeping titan’s ire raised
The vanguard of the morrow
Across the sea Kabul did wait
For brimstone from the sky
Its oligarchs the guilty ones
And for their sins they die

Forth from smoking ashes
A phoenix rose to see
A brotherhood of fellow men
Bound in fidelity
A votive candle lit in wake
A memory enshrined
A nations vow to be avenged
And not forget in kind

Reflect you now secure at peace
On that September’s day
For hatred’s zeal, and misplaced fault
The blameless throng did pay
Across the land the spangled flag
Defiantly does wave
And whispers freedom, bought with blood
And paid for by the brave

First Place, Adult
Eric Jones

“Changes"

If I lost my smile.
Would you still love me?

If I lost my sight.
Would you still love me?

If my lips were burned.
And I could not kiss you.
Would you still love me?

If I could not caress and hold you.
Would you still love me?
I have no hands to touch you.

If I could not chase you in the park.
Would you still love me?
I have no legs to run with.

If I lost my fruit and became a vegetable
Would you leave me?

If I lost my mind and couldn’t remember your name.
Would you leave me because I’m not the same?

You ask me, “If this happens to me would I leave?”
“No!” I said!

I fell in love with you and that my love, will never change.

Special Mention, 9th - 12th Grade
Danny Otto, age 17

“Nomad”

Part I: Alighting
What once was life is gathered here
In solemn silence spread
The car’s pistons pummeling idle
In muted symphony, dread

What must be spoke has been intoned
Lies crumpled on the ground
What solace left in hearts bereft
Leaves none still to be found

A clasping hand and gentle touch
Speak more than words can say
Still more it seemed in tear drops gleamed
In silence we away

Part II: Journey
Traversing arid deserts
‘Neath setting desert sun
A tossing ocean of regrets
The past life merely one

Self-pity’s twisted shelter
A poisoned succor sweet
I dare not look upon it
Lest be tempted draught too deep

And now unfolds before me
Life’s new hurdles tall
But standing at my shoulder
My friends and family all

What terrors lie before us
What miseries left behind
Mingled hope and sadness
In memories enshrined

Part III: Life Anew
Two and half score transits
A weary sojourner makes
What strength flows from my family
Without it my heart breaks

But look now to the future
Spangled as velvet skies
A firmament yet infinite
Lies open to my eyes

To my father another assignment
To me another home
In search of weary wanderer’s peace
On roads that nomads roam

FIN