These four award-winning student poets will appear on ITV May 26 to read their poems and talk about poetry with founding director & poet: Jack Webb & Poet-Teachers: Claudia Poquoc & Seretta Martin
Daniela Neria, First place, Carver Elementary
The Old Door
The bell rang. Oh, no! Here they come! I can sense them. Ouch! Stop slamming me! Pushing me! It hurts! I feel angry when you kids do that. You run in and out, in and out, every five seconds. There you go again— in and out. You grab my door knob and twist and twist— eer, eer, eer. Your hands are covered with dirt and germs. Enough is enough! I’m retiring. The janitor is going to remove me from my hinges and take me home. Wonder what he’ll do with a gym door?
Boiling, boiling in a pot. I was removed but I was hot. Then put in bowl of cold, cold water. I’d rather be colder than hotter and hotter. My shell was cracked. I was snacked. First cut by a knife. That’s the end of my life.
Anthony Bahena Carver Elementary, Grade 4 Poet-teacher: Claudia Poquoc Classroom Teacher: Bill McClain
Jua Kim, Third place, Spreckels Elementary
Champion of Nature
I am the sapphire sky. I never sleep, and I don’t waste any minutes. As clear as water, cover me with clouds and I change my expression.
Watch me as I light the world with daylight, bright and gentle. I allow children to fill their hearts with rays of warmth and joy But time flies, and I fade away.
Call me the gentle river. I slowly and steadily wash by, leaving nothing but a shimmering reflection.
Sometimes the sun evaporates me and then the clouds rain me down to home. Listen as I fall, drop by drop.
I flow in creeks, rivers, and oceans. Watch as tiny flecks of water bounce around the rushing waves.
In real life I am only a third grade girl But in my mind, I am a champion of nature.
If poetry was fireworks it would pop in the sky and sprinkle down new ideas. If poetry was imagination it would vanish beyond the boundaries of rules. If poetry was a blue bird it would fly ideas from place to place. If poetry was a package it would deliver itself to every door. But the real magic is what you do with it.
