Pueblo City County Library District

15th Annual Poetry Contest

Sponsored by Friends of the Library & Pueblo City-County

Library District

The Pueblo City-County Library District

2012 Poetry Contest The Pueblo City-County Library District, in cooperation with the Friends of the Library, is pleased to announce the winners of the 15th Annual Poetry Contest. Poets, from second grade to adult, were invited to enter. Poems could be about any topic ranging from snakes to the sunrise, happy or sad, rhyming or free form. Winners were chosen from various age groups. Poems were to be no longer than one page, and contestants were limited to three entries. The poets, whose poems were selected as the winning entries, were invited to read their poems at a special program sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Winners received a $10 gift certificate to Books Again used bookstore, courtesy of the Friends of the Library. The judges for the 15th Annual Poetry Contest were: Brenda D. Fickey, Doris Kester, Varina Kosovich, Kathy Knox, Jeannine Semrau, Mary Simmons, Shannon Speaks, Annette Warfield and Kathy Zerfas. There were a total of 933 entries with 54 second grade students, 163 third grade students, 137 fourth grade students, 123 fifth grade students, 52 sixth grade students, 190 seventh grade students, 22 eighth grade students, 241 high school students, and 51 adults. The Library wishes to thank everyone who entered the contest and to encourage them to participate in the contest again next year.

Pueblo City-County Library District15th Annual Poetry Contest

2012 Winning Entries2nd GradePedro Acosta Little Penguins Pg. 8Sunset Park Elementary School Mrs. Stinchcomb

Jenna Baca Spring is Here! Pg. 9Belmont Elementary School Mrs. Woodworth

Trent Donley Hockey Pg. 10Sunset Park Elementary School Mrs. Stinchcomb Elijah Martinez Spring Pg. 11Belmont Elementary School Mrs. Woodworth

3rd GradeTatzia Garcia Rain Pg. 12Belmont Elementary School Mrs. Bouchard

Albert Martinez Untitled Pg. 13Belmont Elementary School Mrs. Bouchard

Justina Salazar My Dog Lilly Pg. 14Belmont Elementary School Mrs. Grasso

Mary Sanchez My Flag Pg. 15Sunset Park Elementary School Mrs. Wodiuk

Jalynn Sharp I’ve Always Wanted to Be a Princess Pg. 16Belmont Elementary School Mrs. Grasso

4th GradeRyan Bezona Sea Turtle Pg. 17Prairie Winds Elementary School Mrs. Johnson

Ava Escobado Cherry Blossoms Pg. 18Prairie Winds Elementary School Mrs. Johnson

Sumner Grey The Composers and Nature Pg. 19Sierra Vista Elementary School Mrs. Boitz

Hailey Kita The Bad Beginning but Happy Ending Pg. 20Prairie Winds Elementary School Mrs. Johnson

Sherri Wood The Phantom Horse Pg. 21Prairie Winds Elementary School Mrs. Johnson

5th GradeIsabel Anaya Hunting Pg. 22 Belmont Elementary School Mrs. Carter

Mable Hagans Titanic: A Life Lost Pg. 23Belmont Elementary School Mrs. Carter

Lindsey Larson Flower Pg. 24Belmont Elementary School Mrs. Zerfas

Catie Wolyn What I’d Give to a Friend Pg. 25Rye Elementary School Mrs. Jarbo

6th GradeJade Felthoven Alone Pg. 26Sky View Middle School Mrs. King

Helen Vong I Don’t Know What To Do Pg. 27Goodnight Elementary School Mrs. RobsonIrie Wheeler En Pointe Pg. 28Goodnight Elementary School Mrs. Robson

7th GradeBennett Archuleta Humuhumunukunukuapua’a Pg. 29Goodnight Elementary School Mrs. Robson

Miguel Gonzales Family Pg. 30Goodnight Elementary School Mrs. RobsonSophie Rasmussen Untitled Pg. 31Roncalli Middle School Mrs. SchwartzKarlee Salas Softball Pg. 32Goodnight Elementary School Mrs. Robson

8th GradeNick Johnston Complaints Pg. 33Connect Charter School Ms. TrujilloHannah Martinez Forgetting Pg. 34Heaton Middle School Mr. Huff

High School

Andalesia Harrison Grandpa Lee Pg. 35Centennial High School Mrs. Hutchison

Ian Herrera Lazy Days Pg. 36Centennial High School Ms. Vivoda

Tyler Holcomb The True Football Fan Pg. 37Centennial High School Ms. Vivoda

Chyanne Jarvis Never Say Love Pg. 38Centennial High School Ms. Vivoda

Allegra Johnson This Is All I Know Pg. 39Centennial High School Mrs. Hutchison

John Lieder Weight Room Pg. 40Centennial High School Mrs. Hutchison

Crasel Nicks Mother Pg. 41Centennial High School Ms. Vivoda

Cheyenne Roque Vicarious Pg. 42Centennial High School Ms. Vivoda

Quintin Shomaker Power Lifting Pg. 43Centennial High School Ms. Vivoda

Derek Stollsteimer Clock Pg. 44Pueblo County High School Ms. Fodor

AdultDanielle Holmes Moving Stale Pg. 45Darlene Oreschnick Solitaire Pg. 46Richard Oreschnick Ephemeral Pg. 47Jordanna Perry Bar Counter Pg. 48James Seals The Smell of Butter Pg. 49

8

Little PenguinsBy Pedro Acosta

Black and whitelittle penguins take a right.

Little penguins drift,and little penguins swift.

Drifting on their bellysoon they will be to their valley.

9

Spring is Here!By Jenna Baca

Hot and breezyNice and fresh

Bugs are coming in the grass

Hot and breezyWarm and freshDamp and wet

Flower bloomingBirds are singingWasps are flying

Thunder rumblingLightning striking

Clouds are pouringSpring is here

10

HockeyBy Trent Donley

Don’t stand aroundon the ice,Chase the puckthat’s nice, nice, nice.Skate to the goalscore, score, score!A score can make a win,your team likes to win, win, win!

11

SpringBy Elija Martinez

Spring startsGrass turns green

Red flower bloomingPlants sprouting

HotSunnyBreezyFresh

It just begins!

12

RainBy Tatzia Garcia

rainclean, fresh

wet, slick, softgray, misty, shiny, foggy

rain, splashing on my windows

13

Working hard

restless

everybody watching

so sweaty

last minute

in the ring practicing

new opponents

going home

UntitledBy Albert Martinez

14

My Dog LillyBy Justina Salazar

I have a dog LillyShe is always so sillyShe makes me laughWhen I give her a bathI kick the ballThen she might fallShe gets madAnd I get sadThen she eatsAnd then she falls asleepAnd she is huggableAnd sometimes she is loveable.

15

My FlagBy Mary Sanchez

Proudly I standNow that I know

Red stands for courageFor my ancestors long ago

Right hand on my heartStripes of red and white

Help me be in libertyIn honor of colonies’ great flight

Justice for allOn a field of blue

The fifty white starsAmerica is always true

Gazing at my flagOld Glory how you stand

I love you so muchAs you guard our Great Land

16

I’ve Always Wanted to Be a PrincessBy Jalynn Sharp

I’ve always wanted to be a princess.Because you get to wear a very fancy dress.

You get to wear a golden crown.At night you put on a shiny nightgown.

I’ve always wanted to go to a ball.I hope that I will not trip and fall.I would not have to go to school.

Which is very, very cool.I will have thousands of shoes.

I might be able to go anywhere, too.All of this stuff is pretend.

So it comes to an end.

17

The sea turtle swims gracefullythrough the tranquil, dark blue sea.

A school of slim, yellow fish dart by him.The ocean weeds and coral

brush against his soft, soggy neckas he descends to the depths of the ocean blue.

His seemingly indestructible shellprotects him from almost anything.

He is truly a tank in the water.As he ascends from darkness,

sun gleams into his eyes.His head reaches the surfacefor a well-needed gasp of air.

Sea TurtleBy Ryan Bezona

18

Cherry BlossomsBy Ava Escobado

Cherry blossoms

Sprouting away

Let’s go visit them

Right now, today

The beautiful scent

The marvelous sunray

Coming through the

Cherry blossoms

The soft pink color

The trees are getting fuller

They warm the heart

Heal the heart

There’s a vibration when

They grow

They hang so low

It’s April & I’m sad to say

Those cherry blossoms have gone

Away

19

The composers and nature can never doubt.

Johann Pachelbel is all about.

Born in 1653 and died in 1706 (maybe).

He composes Canon in D after hearing a bee.

Now that you saw Pachelbel, no time for shock.

Now you’ll be amazed because here comes Johann Sebastian Bach.

He loves nature in mind for what he signed.

He saw a butterfly and some birds go by.

Bach saw some art and met Mozart.

He composed beautiful music and animals came to hear the oozic.

Now Ludwig Van Beethoven goes for the river.

Writes some music by the quiver

Now all four take a picture by the bench for it to be better.

All of the composers at the Nature Center.

The Composers and NatureBy Sumner Grey

20

Wish wash

splish splash

water coming everywhere

“Oh, no!” I say

“A dog drowning!”

Wind howling

As I jump in and try to get him

Finally I get him

We find out it is a girl

She is cold and wet

We take her home

A few days later she has puppies

“Ten!” I say

And we keep all of them

“Yay!” I say

Happiest day of my life

The Bad Beginning but Happy EndingBy Hailey Kita

21

The castle is snow whiteIts walls are guarded by a shining knight

He has a phantom horsethat guards the castle doors

He’s called a phantomYou’ll know why

when you see him gallop through the skyThe knight has tamed the phantom horse

as he leads them on their brave course

The Phantom HorseBy Sherri Wood

22

HuntingBy Isabel Anaya

Hunting

WalkingSniffingStalkingHearingSeeing

ProwlingGrowlingPouncingSprintingChasingCatching

BitingTearing

MunchingCrunchingSwallowing

LickingEating

Satisfied.

23

Titanic: A Life LostBy Mable Hagans

ColdThe air filled with fear

Of never seeing love ones againEveryone was waiting

Waiting to dieWaiting to live

No one knew what was going to happen

Souls lostIn the North AtlanticOn that fateful night

A big chunk of solidified waterSank the biggest moving object made by humans

The ship sinking was soDepressing

Watching mother nature prove human wrongBy swallowing

The Titanic down underFrom the world above

Leaving well over 1,500 passengers to dieIn the

Piercing waterJust imagine

The few survivorsCold

Waiting for absolution

Floating frozenFrom hypothermiaDied while waiting

Now I look back 100 yearsTragedy

24

FlowerBy Lindsey Larson

Starting out as a seed,It may look just like a bead.

Dig a hole, dig it deep,Plop it in and let it sleep.

Give it water, give it sun,Or your flower will soon be done!

Give it time, that’s the key,Let it grow for all to see.

Flowers grow all the time,But this one grew faster than a vine.

Bluebirds and bees buzz at the sightOf this beautiful flower that blooms so bright.

25

What I’d Give to a FriendBy Catie Wolyn

What I’d give to a friend

Would put our friendship to a never-end.

It doesn’t need to cost a lot of money,

If it comes from heart as sweet as honey.

It doesn’t need sparkles or jewels that glow-

Those things don’t matter. I need you to know

That I care, and you are the best-

That a laugh and a tease will put you to the test.

The best present is -just take a guess!

I didn’t think you’d take anything less.

For the best present comes from inside

Because with the gift of friendship you have nothing to hide.

26

AloneBy Jade Felthoven

I am there with them, but in a way, I am notThey look at me, but I am invisibleLooking, laughing, all without me

Sometimes I’m acknowledged, but if you blink, you’ll miss it.

But just like that, BAM!, I am thereIn the middle, the prized spot

But they are like wolves, fighting their way inI’m just back at square one, again just trying to begin.

They should be there for me, I thinkBut to them, I am a rock, always destined to sink

But I’m not going to be just another wolf,I don’t want to have to fight for my friends.

I once saw a flower, all by itselfIt pulled back its leaves,

And gave me a hugand some hope.

They still walk together, their arms in linksLooking, laughing, loving, the one in the middle

They want to impress her, but their smiles are fakeBut someday they will get it, though it may take them awhile.

Alone is not something you are,It’s just something you feel like feeling

And that is why,I am not alone anymore.

27

I Don’t Know What to DoBy Helen Vong

I don’t know what to do,I have no clue

I don’t have an ideaI’ve looked in the Wikipedia

I wonder and ponder,I might even ponder longer.

I’m very curiousI’m very furious,

I still don’t know what to doI might get the flu,

The, “I don’t know what to do”That’s been going around.

I sit here and think,I don’t even blink

I will think until my brain will shrink.I sit here and stare,

Some people don’t care.I stare at the white wall,

Forever and ever.If only if I was very clever.

I sit here and frown,I think I need to lie down.

All this thinking has made me tired,I feel like I’m wired to a working machine.

I drag myself to my bed and throw myself on the fluffiness.I see nothing but whiteness.

I yawn once or twice and relax my brain,Maybe my brain just has too much pain.

I lie there and ponder,Or maybe I should wait a little bit longer.

No! I can’t think any longer!I am idealess,

And I feel brainless.The thinking must go on!

I will think until dawn!For now, I shall go on,

And soon I will discover the hidden idea.

28

En PointeBy Irie Wheeler

I’m dancing on air, and floating on waterThe grace of a swan, and the strength of a bullThe story of my life is in my stepsI stop time for a while hoping it would last for all eternity

29

The Humuhumunukunukuapua’aBy Bennett Archuleta

The Humuhumunukunukuapua’a is a cool little fish.One of the only fish that can’t be made into a dish.

It has a rather ridiculous name.When you say it wrong, you’re not to blame.

But its name is masked by its beautiful colors.That which is shared by its sisters and brothers.

Because of its size, it has a small hook.So it can swim in, hide and stick in a nook.

This fish represents the Maui Island.This island is home to a famous highland.

And finally, at long last, this poem is done.So I say so long and I hope you had fun.

30

FamilyBy Miguel Gonzales

Thank you for teaching me

Wrong from right and encouraging me

To keep my dreams in sight. Thank you for putting a

smile on my face when there was a frown for wiping

my tears when I am sad and calming me down

When I tend to get mad

31

UntitledBy Sophie Rasmussen

On sweet plum blossoms The sun rises suddenly.Look, a mountain path!

Has spring come indeed?On the nameless mountain lie

thin layers of mist.

Temple bells die out.The fragrant blossoms remain.

A perfect evening!

32

SoftballBy Karlee Salas

As I step up to batThe pitcher pitches and I hear a crack

The next thing I see is the ball heading to the wallAs I step on 1st baseI see my coach’s face

Saying go home to home plateI guess that will determine my fate

As I round 3rd going full speedThe umpire yells safe I made a homerun indeed.

33

ComplaintsBy Nick Johnston

“Teacher teacher I just can’t write a poem!”It’s just not in my blood.Even if you give me a topic, like...mud.All the types are Greek,Just like my math,Balloons, baboons, and bubble bath!Metaphors are hard,And alliterations are tough,My haikus are garbage,and all my drafts are rough!I’m upset as a mountain (Does that make sense?)I try and try but can’t succeed,All the pages are full of junk in my head.I wish I could write, but it’s just not in me,All of my poems are...like a dead tree!Other writing is more of my thing,I can’t write a poem to save my life!“Just write down what you told me.”“What do you mean?”Just do it!

34

ForgettingBy Hannah L. Martinez

Where do all Where do allForgotten things goThoughts ideasDreamsThey hideUnder bedsIn cupboardsUp in the atticAnd in old boxesTowered highUntil you finallyRememberTheir hiding placesLike a small childPlaying hide n’ seekOr a personMoving far Out of the wayOf “trouble”They hidein sorrowBecause someoneForgot about them

35

Grandpa LeeBy Andalesia Harrison

Two months ago my grandpa passed awayWe went to go see his gravesite the other day.

It brought back memories from when I was youngThe taste of his chocolate and biscuits on my tongue.

I thought of the smell of his tobacco in the air,And the different ways he would show his love and care.

I remember the different expressions on his face,The way he played his guitar with such beauty and grace.

Oh, how I loved to hear him play and sing,I remember how he had a thumb that could make things green.

He would take me out for ice cream all the time,Talk about his Thunderbird and how he loves to make it shine.

It amazed me how he didn’t care what people thought,He didn’t care if they liked him or not.

He would always take me to a room and sing that song he made for me,Singing it so strong and beautifully.

His hugs are so loving and tight,So we went to go see his gravesite.

Two months ago my grandpa passed, looking down at us to see if we could last.In loving memory he will always be,Always in my heart and a part of me.

36

Lazy DaysBy Ian Herrera

I wake up and fall back downI don’t want to do anything

I sit on my couchAnd watch TV

My parents complainAnd I don’t care

Because today I’m going to be lazy

And that’s my planAnd no one is going to ruin

My lazy day

37

The True Football FanBy Tyler Holcomb

They love their home teamTheir bond is undeniableThey rarely ever miss a gameThe True Football FanFrom the stands they scream, shout, and drink to their enjoyment.

Even when the team’s playing poorAnd their favorite player is up to standardsThat will never stop them from going and cheering them onAs winners their favorite team will be.

Football is always on their mindsThey think about it night and dayNon football fans think they must be crazyWatching men taking other men to the ground.

Relationships can become strained and tenseAs football takes the leading roleFamily members even become jealousWhen the fan talks for hours about a wonderful play.

The fan even dreams of football in their sleepShouting out and butting the pillow with their headThey jump up and down as if they’ve scored a touchdown.Catching the winning pass, kicking the winning kick.

That’s a football fan.

38

Never Say LoveBy Chyanne Jarvis

Every time I see youI feel like I killed you

Just because of three words you saidI threw you out of my life

I don’t want to deal with love at my young ageNever say I Love You

To me

39

This Is All I KnowBy Allegra Johnson

Lingering in the kitchenThe smell of home

What waits for me behind the doorThe aroma I know

Dried basil, oreganoThis is all I know

The sauce warm and flavorfulThe noodles soft and covered

The crushed red tomatoesLying full of color

Tiny hint of cinnamon scentDancing through the air

It is what I loveIt is my home

The smell of Spaghetti sauceThis is all I know

40

Weight RoomBy John Lieder

That moment as you enterThe aroma of rubber enters your nose

Deeper as you get the stronger the stenchsmothers you of dedication and hard work.

Stumbling over your feet, as the floor rumbles.Irons as like no other smell I have ever experienced before.

But by the end of the day,bleach will smother your sense of smell as it does the room.

For being in this room will transform you as no otherThis is the place of champions.

41

MotherBy Crasel Nicks

Mother, I ask you why you do the things you do,

Is there even a reason for half?

Mother, I wonder why you put the peanut butter in the fridge,

Is it really that good cold?

Mother, you yell at me for not doing the dishes,

Is it bad that I would rather watch TV?

Mother, I Like to sleep in ‘till noon,

Is the air better when you get up at five?

Mother, you say I drive you crazy,

Is it because I’m so darn cute?

So if you ever get mad at me remember,

I love You!

42

VicariousBy Cheyenne Roque

The television is a window to another world.A world that shows the beauty and horrific

effects that nature can have on you.You can watch things live and die through a

screen.Tragedy thrills us but not in our own lives.

We like to watch things die from a good safedistance.

Vicariously, I live while the whole world dies.You all want to, don’t lie.

43

Power LiftingBy Quintin Shomaker

Motivation, when effort isn’t enough.Intensity, the extra boost to help you up.

Will, when hope isn’t strong enough.Focus, so you don’t ever give up.

Action, the fight for what you want.Form, so you won’t be torn.

Victory, the feeling of pure happiness.Glory, the feeling that motivates you to start over again.

44

ClockBy Derek Stollsteimer

Tic-toc, tic-tocThe sounds of my lifeThe passing moments in a hectic worldTic-toc, tic-toc

Life ends and life startsAs our military fights from zero to twenty-fourWe sit at home with freedoms from one to twelveClock,Tic-toc, tic-tocMy heart beats every second of everydayThe sound of a simple fanThe sounds of a busy cityThe time, the world moves onTic-toc, tic-toc

Life ends and life startsAs our military fights from zero to twenty-fourWe sit at home with freedoms from one to twelveWe thank them, we praise themSecond to second, hour to hour, day to dayTic-toc, tic-toc

45

Moving StaleBy Danielle Holmes

Weighted by the heavy gold light

suspending dust in linear beams,

four children, now grown, pick up

from their day-to-day to cap

threadbare chairs, seats covered

with ratty towels

to avoid foam spilling from

ripped cushions like maggots.

Shards of life lived scatter the floor

waiting to be swept into piles by value.

A dented tin box, open

like a clamshell on the bed,

holds yellowed papers,

fragile as dry leaves.

Clumsy hands dive through

as they all gather round

to read mother’s love letters,

much like they just did

the old refrigerator manual

already forgotten in a drawer.

46

SolitaireBy Darlene Oreschnick

It snows mostly in December—heavy flakes of crystal downland silently on my shoulders.Clinging to the wire,swaying as I sing,I shiver as I watch them—hopping, flitting,chattering aimlessly on the ground,unaware of the solitary song.And when winter windscome full forceand scrape the song from my throat,I clutch the wire and wonder—Would it be better to fallinto the sun as Icarusand let my wings turn to ash?Only then would they take notice,hesitating as the ash lay at their feet—momentary monument to the song.

47

EphemeralBy Richard Oreschnick

trees at the windowsill listeningcan’t hearthe turn of a knobor a foot on the stair

vines climbing up to the rooftopcan’t feelthe slam of a dooror the thump of a heel

grass running over the flagstonescan’t knowthe cobwebs and coldin the cellar below

dawn creeping on the horizoncan’t seea face in the windowreminding of me

a face in the windowreminding of

48

Bar CounterBy Jordanna Perry

Russet coffee rings,last ditch efforts of sobriety,rest humblynext to smudges of lipstick,plum wine,fumbled from fuzzy hands.Lazy amber bubblestoppled in impetuous hastefrom a brimming pinttrip around forlorn coinsskidded across in drunken revelry.Bartender.He moves his white towelover the cool granite counter,gathering,as a snow plow virgin snow in winter’s dawn.Erasing the moments of what was,under the pale honey hum of neon.

49

The Smell of ButterBy James Seals

A young girl with pigtails promised that I would love butter. The flower’s yellow tentacles had redirected the sun

under my pudgy chin. I asked where she had learned such an amazing trick. She replied, with less enthusiasm, that it was

the last dandelion of the summer. Devastated by her call to kill I needed to understand why she had plucked the pretty weed.

In her small voice, she said we had to know if you would love the smell of butter. She was right, we had to know.