ARCHIVE Best teenage poems from July - December 2004 My Only Label by Ellie Hailwood Call my only by my name, Irrelevant is my race, Think of me by what's in my heart, Not by the features of my face, Don't label me by my sexuality, Because it isn't what I am, And why should it matter to you, Whether I am a woman or a man, Call me only by my name! Seductive Nightmare by Jessica As my head leaves the pillow, To wander the night, Roaming the darkness, With a freedom so light. I can float among stars, Like a bird of such grace, Playing with the sky, Like a black piece of lace. The poison of night, Is a beauty so rare, That we wander among, Without thought or care. The sinister darkness, Is a kiss of death, But it is so welcome, To take my last breath. Desolation by Shubhodeep Pal Still night; silent - shaking; Luminescent signs show promise: Leaves on bare trees - quivering! The wind forgets its premise. Moans, rushes; still, silent- Unheeding, unwavering ocean waves, Mysterious and desolate-one island; No taverns, inns; empty caves… The night rushes-tasteless and bland; Weak morning delights to savour… This far-farther; further, no land! Friendship-friends in passing-gone forever. Love, hate: dissipated time and unseen tide, People abandoned-dead-blessed with care… Dark, gloomy streets; no lights to guide- The night passes, the earth lies bare! Perfection by Hannah Susorney Perfection always asked for yet never given, people sit and watch and wait yet they never see it, others sit and try and never reach it. Perfection is an untamable idea, created by someone we do not know, forever our curse in life. Yet we still live with it haunting in our mind, every time we fail it speaks to us, telling us what we could be yet in reality we can't. But we still reach for it and never find it, hoping for you to be the first to have it, in reality perfection is just too unrealistic. Fate by Caitlyn Nanna You say it was just fate That your choice was made You stare into an empty space It's just fate. Your life, your talents All chance in infinite way. No secrets here, no stories to still be told. Walking down a shoreline In the mist of a storm Tranquility is right at your door. But all this beauty In front of you is just chance? All by fate nothing was decided It just happened in a blink of an eye? In the northern country the stars shine bright Away from the city you see the light. You watch in wonder at the beauty you see How can this be? The steps you tread In the desert Covered by the wind In the deep red of the evening. Just fate you tell me Just fate? I question all your words. With your analytical mind You question everything When it is all so clear Can't you just believe once in your life? It wasn't fate I tell you, it wasn't chance That you are here today, next to me I'll tell you it wasn't fate, it was not chance It was hope And it was joy Can you stand to believe? Is it just fate? Christmas Sorrows by Finbarr Begley these lifeless shells of dead corpses, piled high, their limbs and twigs, neatly packaged, wrapped around them, culled by men, with a blunt saw, you can still hear their silent screams on the wind, then when their task is done, they are cast away, like the shells they are, but they have no coffins, no warm graves, carelessly left to rot, brown withered carcasses, while their murderers are still warming their hands. Earth by Rosie Gillett These words are from my heart If everybody made a start, Think what the world could be If the animals were free Or the cruel trades stopped. Twist the tap, energy saves, Think of children sold as slaves, Recycle a jar Stop the car, The world sees a rainbow ahead. See a Panda starving, A dolphin trapped in a net As waves lap an oily shore, A dog dies on chain Gorillas imported on a night train. Stop the sun from dying Before the day is done Learn to care Then they'll be no scare The earth can be saved form doom. Sky TV by Maria English T.V Who needs it? Sit on a couch and stare up at the sky An endless screen of moving picture Floating out into the universe Advertisement free Non-stop entertainment Free to air The Mockingbird's Song by Wesley S. A man under a street corner Light shining on his back, The night sky with stars And an old trumpet sounding Long and sad with character. For you, like a mockingbird, Playing his heart out for you. All he asks is the basic needs. Then a small song, a little smile, and then nothing. Untitled by Nicole Braganza Now your face doth shine 'pon beauty's light And withers not by trial and despair The heart is quick to love and soon delights By nature's charming grace and manners fair Romance does sway the mind and stronger will Emotion charge to leave one so impassioned And intellect of no measure still Can comprehend a matter of this fashion Thus when age-bound time wears on your visage I'll rest my loving hand upon your brow And you and I forget the world at large We're strong and you are all the wiser now Keep It by Heather Hinton You can't say you didn't mean it, the words were said so softly, so intentionally, deliberate gestures, careless words. You ripped my heart out and threw it away. No thank you, I don't want it back now. it's already been used now. So you can keep it to always remember you're a classic heartbreaker; with bad taste in clothing and over priced shoes Blue Shade by Kenneth C. I see through the blue shade that covers your heart. I smell the gray aroma in the air. I hear small voices in my heart. I feel a black mist falling upon my face. I taste the kiss of death. I think my heart has told me a lie. In An Abused Child's Eyes by Savannah C. Vulnerable, exposed, immoral, defenceless, innocence, astonishment, threaten, encouragement, superhero, Powerless, idol, invincible, villain, incredible, possibility, thief, creative, Intelligent, stolen, superior, succeed, virgin, parental, sole, single, pure, abused, ill-treated, value, molested, Victimized, sin, trusting, respecting, Unknowing, occurrence, misfortune, good, better, best, vicious, afraid, apprehensive, alarmed, ambitious, kind, love, help, agony, attack, personal, Assault, frailty, mere, undraped, empty, rouge, angered, great, strong, Immense, marvelous, divulge, intense, Hopeful, confidence, healthy, well, sound, eager, worth, excellence, useless, Healed, whole, virtuous, good, reveal, frightful, ugly, repellent, repulsive, unaware, inefficient, punish, chastise, savage, destroy, desire, wish, disgust, Inevitable, sureness, safe, sane, stable, able, Stronger than you. February by Justin L. Dances with love, Leaps around Spreading flirtations to others. Floating out quickly, Then bounces to March. Material by Graham Ewart You want things that aren't real So you buy things that aren't real Nothing lasts forever, it will fade Nothing lasts forever, impermanence You can't see, but it's so clear The things you worship, aren't real You only want the best, when some need the worst Possessions aren't real I've never understood, the choices you make The lives that you lead, and the only guarantee We know only one thing and that's that we'll die The longer I think, the longer I wonder What is Real? Life In The Fast Lane by Jana B. Laughter, hugs, kisses You and me Under the full moon And sparkling stars Heartbeats, baby's feet kicking, morning sickness inside my belly together as one Broken toys, crying, lots of Band-Aids sitting in my lap clinging tight You and me are in this together! Thunder by Suprena A. Thunder comes in a heavy pattern. Like a gorilla beating his chest. It answers to the world, its surroundings. Away above, heavenly high. It leaves without a sound. My Creed by Jamie Mc. I believe in the power we as humans sustain The insight goes deep, as well as the pain. The vicious beasts that live within us The loneliness of our nation's superstars The misconception: paradise and god But we love to bring others down. I believe in dancing barefooted on the beach. I believe in love at first sight. I believe in being forever true, Optimistic, humble, vivacious. And I believe in my surroundings, all the good and bad. Different by Marrina D. Just because I'm black Doesn't give you the right to treat me different. Don't look at me wrong or even talk to me wrong. Just because I'm different, It doesn't mean I don't have feelings It doesn't mean I'm some type of freak It doesn't stop me from being me. Just because I'm unpredictable - Unpredictable. Don't predict me, Just because. The Power of Imagination by Jessica Only those who have known the soar of an eagle through the mountains, Only those who can know the feel of riding waves among the night, Only those who have felt the fur of a great panther, Only those who have touched the stars can walk with me tonight. We can summon storms and send lightning and rain, We can walk among lions and end suffering and pain, We can rise among everything, impossible is not a word, We can yell and scream and shout without being heard. We are special, beautiful and bright, We hold the key, Close your eyes they will be blinded, To what only your soul can see. Fishing by James H. Jnr boots, tackle, bait, tackle, bait, fishing pole, bait, fishing pole, hook, fishing pole, hook, cast, hook, cast, sit, cast, sit, patience, sit, patience, bite, patience, bite, reel, bite, reel, fight, reel, fight, net, fight, net, fish, net, fish, stringer, fish, stringer, water, stringer, water, splash, water, splash, tie, splash, tie, stringer, tie, stringer, cast, cast, wait, fish, patience ... The End by Angel-Angel The path that lay ahead Was a tough one to tread With so many thorns amidst the roses And all of nature's forces. The piercing pain Left efforts in vain Drowned in tears Of unspoken fears. Infidelity caught the eye As distance multiplied Weakness overcame strength As the heart didn't mend. A future escaped the dream Unbelievable as it did seem The touch lay cold As time further did unfold. As the angels of darkness With their sacred breath did bless The end of two lovers fervently bold Became the story untold. Spring by Alberta B. Hopping from March Fleeing to green Treats us to ultraviolet colors That scurry. Chirping of birds Whistles of wind Prance and dance as cool air ravels in. Leap of a frog, float of a tugboat Sneak through soon into hotter weather Boom! Short Life by Suprena A. If I could live to be twenty. I would live in a house. Get a job. Get a car. Get married. I would have children. Pay bills. Hang out with family. I would be famous. I would still be able to wear my Mudd jeans and my Tommy Girl shirt. I would never get wrinkles or gray hair. I would stay beautiful. Still wear makeup. If I could only live to be twenty Ode to My Bed by Zane Scott-Tunkin You sit there in my room. Not knowing how grateful I am. Clothed in plaid and deep navy blues, you take care of me through my hues. I fall in love with you each night, but you divorce me every morning. In the car, I think of you as I hold my coffee it will kill me I know, but you and I haven't seen each other in a while. You have been my shelter from the cold and the cold uncaring world. I wrap that cover tight and we're one, nothing could pry me from your warmth. When I'm with you, I want to linger, I want to hold up the covers as a white flag, and surrender to you, saying, "Stop. Don't come any closer. Not quite ready to face the world." What is destroying our relationship is that little gray box that you always seem to be with. It stares at me knowingly, knowing that when it's time comes, it will split us up. I'm wiser now though. I notice you're inviting me in earlier and earlier as my eyes droop lower and lower. My head says no, but my heart says yes my body screams at me with all it's might. It's time you became a fixture again. Something more than a place for late night study sessions me stealing naps, when the lines blur. Maybe we'll start a tradition... we'll set a time, a place, and everyday I'll meet you there. Relief Notes by Shubhodeep Pal Red throughout, the roses remain After one rain-drenched, murky afternoon Sweetly they put forward their inexpressible pain - Heralding an unknown angel's boon. I clumsily walk down the same old plain… Nasturtiums are conspicuously absent at this time Early sunflowers are in their mid-day swoon - Grievously long seems this uphill climb. Irritably, the summer sings of a long lost pain… #63 by Laura Powers I remember, it was autumn You and I were walking hand-in-hand down Beecher Street. The oak trees undressed before our eyes, Shedding layers, crying leaves, as we kicked a pebble across the cracked roads, cars speeding past. That man in the blue truck just beeped at us as the Saturday sun sets, lonely in the Chicago sky (there's a chill in the air) Your hand is hot and moist and I grip it more tightly, as a leaf, the color of rust, tumbles to my feet. Your red shoes crunch through the dead, my hair blows in figure eight tangles and we turn onto East Packard Drive. There's your house. Number 63, the bricks faded red, white-gray paint peeling doily shapes on the window panes. We say goodbye on your creaking front porch, wind howling in your beet red ears. I kissed them once and you laughed, eyes shining. Crystal honey makes me melt on the spot. It's a beautiful day with you, a beautiful dusk. Seven o'clock traffic soothes us out of this feeling and I turn away from you, heart still racing, as the fire-orange sun follows me out of your yard and back to Beecher street. Late by William Taylor You're late, I'm gone Far away, From you, Goodbye, I used to look at you, And a smile would break my face, But now you're dead and gone, And I'm left to run my race, (good luck, good luck, good luck) I tried to move on, I lost my face, (good luck, good luck, good luck) Became confused, And lost my temper, Cos I'm lost, cos I'm lost In an empty space, I tried to look away and distance myself, I felt emotion, I'd never felt before, I found my self in a pitch of silence, A shade of darkness, A dark black suit, A so-called tie, I just don't get it, I don't know why, You're late, I'm gone Far away, From you, Goodbye Haiku? by Maria English How can a poem Be considered a poem If it doesn't rhyme? Best Friend or a Little More? by Tiffany Out of all the fish in the sea You picked me Out of all the word you could have said You picked the ones I loved. Are we just friends or are we more? Do best friends open the door for one another? But wait. Why do you sometimes act as if you don't want to be around me? I see the look you get in your eyes when you see the other beautiful fish in the sea. So what are we? Do we go together like apple juice and cookies or sugar and tea? I need to know. The prom is coming up and I need to know when and how. Pointe Shoes by Rebecca Weissman I'm on my toes so much taller, older, stronger, but weaker and a little scared It's like flying, but as a newborn bird The pink satin, so delicate you don't see the hard leather, the blisters, the wool my wonderful, painful, beautiful, terrifying pointe shoes Odd Limericks by Nicole Braganza There once lived a cat of Manchow Who was spiteful and snobbish and how! When her whiskers were chopped Her whole ego went flop And all that was left was MEOW ! There once lived a Jack of all trades Who lost his dear heart to a spade He cried for the flowers And diamonds and cards Saying, "you've cheated, and I have been played" There was a rapper called Slim Shady Who made love to a beautiful lady The romancing did grow And almost in a "YO!" They made an adorable baby Loneliness in Three Haikus by Hannah Colbert This is how I feel. My life is perfect except that you are not here. It's like all your luck has turned to mine. You say you're all right. But you're not. I think about you, how we would be now. Instead I live with shadows. She Was a Penguin by Rosie Gillett She slid She tumbled She was a penguin on the powdery snow Her cheeks aglow The plaits beneath her hat Hung limp and flat Her thin fingers were wasting away They were deadened with the cold of day Her smile still lived on, As she slid The snowflakes danced, As she tumbled She was a penguin on the powdery snow. Haiku by Sara Ness Facing the mirror All illusion cast away Soft tears at midnight Autumn Leaves by Nicole Braganza As the leaves take on the autumnal hues, Ushering in the fall, the end of year, The red and gold, it seeks my inner eye, Until my soul fills with a quaint nostalgia. My heart, gives of a part, with the winds of change, Now I surrender all to winter's blues. Little Poppy by Suzanne Little poppy on my coat, Symbolizes peace and hope, Made by those with precious hands, Remember men, who fought for land Soft with velvet, red with felt, Soldiers who fell, now lie without help. Fly by Leah Hamilton Eagle-winged, she soars gracefully over the horizon. Flitting quietly out of reach she calls. Scratchy twig marks on my paper show evidence of thought but feathered cross-outs scar the woody landscape. A claw-like hand grasps a pool of ideas with tiny leaves like seeds resting at the base of waterfalls. Wingtips graze my mind releasing flowing ideas that splash into a watery abyss. Former thoughts suspended in a wave of abeyance trapped in limbo, waiting for the muse. Music by Elizabeth Magee I despise empty streets There is no beat When the breeze falls upon my ears I can hear the organs song as it sweeps away my cares As a saxophone is playing a lullaby I see a butterfly If all music was to end I would be lost my friend Summer's Accomplice by Leah Hamilton I don't know what I'm doing. Walls of reason replaced with barricades of doubt enforcing strict reliance on their melancholy. A dull pain aches in the sanctuary of mind but kind love cannot act as saviour. Hands tremble, asking forgiveness. Dotted air shimmers in heated pastures dried from summer's blast, once cool, now raging. Clouded skies fill visions in every eye, while raindrops fall on blackened, empty fields. A wooden house built for those who have lost. They cannot find it. All they find is a gentle breeze blowing black ashes into the wind. Charred fingers reach. Desiccate branches scratch calloused hands. Red blooms, thick and dark. But it will not save you. I cannot stop. The fire burns. How I Make a Cake by Rosie Gillett Grab a bowl; seize spoon and knife, A cloud of flour, (Cough for dear life) It's snowing sugar flakes (It's good fun baking cakes,) Chuck the butter brick (Makes it nice and thick) Baking soda, not too much, A slip of vanilla essence - adds a sweet touch, Sprinkle a pinch fairy dust, (Magical power is a must.) Elbow grease and arm ache, Is vital to the perfect cake, The oven's warm and I am too, Swizzle pink icing and choose a few, Raspberries, red currants or a berry or two, "Beep" warns the oven; I think it's ready, A delicate hand has to be steady, So soft in the middle and crisp on the side, Onto the plate the cake went with a slide, I flung it on the table next to the plate, "Roll on tea time, I hardly can wait!" I Wish I Had Grandparents Like The Ones In The Stories by Maria English I wish I had grandparents Like the ones in the stories With shiny silver hair Bright almond eyes And wrinkles from smiling all day A curly-haired Gran With clicking knitting needles And a pantry full of chocolate biscuits And a Pop who would slip sweets Into our pockets When Mum wasn't looking Instead I got: Grandmother Dot; mildly sane Calls me by her pet cat's name A Grandad who spends all day in bed Watching reruns of 'Father Ted' Gran, who loves to bake, it's not her fault She can't see the labels of sugar and salt And Pop who picks us up with a sneeze- Forgets about his chronically weak knees I'm quite sure the wrinkles Are from toil and sweat But I think my Grandparents Are really The best yet. Vexing Verbs by Maria English Time flies Rivers run CDs skip Tapes play Flags wave Fortune smiles And may the batteries Rest In Peace High Society by Tom Szakacs Sitting on the floor, Somewhere in the corridor Of a house, He shouts. And no news will report: No people shall know to cry, Or turn their heads to the side And sigh that it was 'such a shame For a boy to die so young.' Still They maybe once were (once) Something; nailed somewhere with One release, or the long drag Through lights and senility, And superfluous comments About how hard life is: The sun beating down; The clouds; the grass; It's all the same… But they made it all the same Every time they looked around And effaced what was not. And every time they looked Around they effaced what was not. The Old Piano by Mihiri Tantirimudalige Darkened with age-old dust, Sprayed on your face, The years you've witnessed Seem history to all, The memories re-call Soft felt you were clothed with, Once when a babe, The mistresses fondle you still, Though there be cobwebs in your ears, Nothing has changed through the years White teeth stained with time, Polished with the touch of the ages, Some decay and fall when idle, The rest be a custard yellow, And in the darkness they shimmer and glow Don't Worry I'll See You Soon by Krys Files Before she left she said, "Don't worry, I'll see you soon." Those were her last words, she said she had chosen them wisely. I was confused, not sure of what to think. She had never lied to me before so I believed her every word. And then one night I dreamed I died and saw her face once more, "I told you not to worry, that I would see you soon. So here I am to say once more, do not worry we will be together soon. Sooner than you think before the next full moon. We'll meet again I promise, so believe me when I say Choose your words wisely and see you very soon." Not My Wish by Megan H. Please don't beat me, I promise I'll be good. Why don't you say sorry? You know you really should. I didn't do anything to be treated like this. And on my birthday, This wasn't my wish. Somebody Somewhere by Aimee Vaughan Somebody somewhere dreams of your smile And while thinking of you says life is worthwhile, So when you are lonely remember it's true Somebody somewhere is thinking of you. I Got You Back by Kayla Dumbleton I got you back You got mine, I'll help you out Anytime. Black by Amy I prefer to be unique No matter what people may say Take me as I am Because I am just this way I'm not a Goth, nor a murderer I like the way I dress It helps me know who I am And eases off the stress I can't hold back forever though So let me be just me I might end up with problems That you will never see I'm not crazy to kill me I'll just run away and hide Unless you get to know me The way I am inside You might even help me Great things that I will find If you will only do one thing And open up your mind. Just If by C.R.V. If you have sunshine I will have rain You have rain - I'll get a hurricane If you was to hurt I'll feel your pain If you was to cry I'll have the breakdown again If you was to lie I would be the liar If you was to die I would be the killer If you was to fall I will be the slippery path If you had hard times I would make them all If you was to laugh I would bring you down If you was to smile it would be because I'm not around Lacking Talent by Maria English My brother is trying to compose a song Keeps me awake all night long With his straining serenade A tuned guitar could be of aid! The Divide by Nicole Braganza Beyond the border, We cannot see into the lives of men, Lay down your armour, The world bleeds. The sword, it steals The whisper of a heartbeat; Shield not yourself, but the children, They fight an inner battle. In the cold wintry bed of dreams, The boom of cannons roar, The air is rife with fear, Voices prophesying war. Chained to the idealism of democracy, It cannot work, it will not work, If I sit high up on the shelf, A spectator to savage brutality. Miles upon miles of land separate us, Yet beyond this physical divide, My soul knows of an inner stirring; We are more than Indian, We are humanity, Your brother Is only a heartbeat away. Stain by Marika Wilson stripped stanzas, moondeath games: currencies of muscle tears & lipshivers they touch in whispers of scuzz-scent they kiss each other's veins in tune/ intimate clouded breath and mintspear fresh sneezebroken, pangladen, burrbitten Rely On Him by Frances Woodard. Early in the morning before the sun would rise, I would walk across my patio and look up at the clear blue skies. I would imagine myself up there soaring as high as the clouds, The arguing people looked like ants and the screaming wasn't so loud. Suddenly great tears filled my eyes and I froze in a state of shock, All this time my feelings kept down, I thought I was a rock. As the years wore on and on I learned not to let my feelings out, I beat them down for as long as I could, even though I wanted to scream and shout. But these days I turn to God when I'm feeling down, I know now he's always there, and he is always around. Silent Movie by Tabitha Herriot To be silent is not a gift that is wanted to be silent when you want to speak is breaking the rules of your life to be silent when it is too painful to breathe. To be silent when the world around you is thundering down on you screaming. You try to speak but you are just opening your mouth and uttering a silent scream. You just get on with your life and pray that no one will notice you. Until the day someone comes out and sees you and notices you and the screaming stops in your mind but you realise you have had the voice to speak out yourself all along so the silence is broken. On Being Hunted by Marika Wilson a clean slate, but fingertips still covered in soil, pints and nail polish and that rubbing alcohol smell,& we giggle into each others eyes like girlymen in pantyhose, I haven't shaved my legs but we kiss anyway. a copout, but no flashingred or eyeliner or rouge, as the bed wrinkles beneath us I am soundless. you are stoic & heroic & my stomach flips as you tease my lips & I can still feel happy if not drugged & ready. a second chance, but we are not smoke & mirrors this time, we do not form our sentences like we are married in a chapel or Vegas or drunk, like there are walls over our heads & dead trees digging into our palms, prying for an answer. Psychic Leeches by Dushan Perera Everyone has their leeches Clinging to the back of their throat Everything is missing a few pieces Only in the salt lake do bodies float Festering, draining, sucking You disappear more with every step Consuming, controlling, infecting Your life gets shorter with every breath These bugs, these leeches They love to sing and dance They love to feast Off your sweet romance You can't peel them off Without breaking your skin You can't open the door Without letting something else in But let them stand Let them suck away what they can Let them feed of what they steal Let then never let you heal These leeches are uncontrollable But you cater their feast You hold the plate That feeds the beast Tell em'… Hope this is what you wanted. Hope this is what you had in mind. Cause this is what you're getting. I hope you're choking. I hope you choke on this pain of mine. When You Left Me by Manisha Dedicated to Miss Donaue Each night when I cry in my sleep I'll think of you Each day that goes by I'll remember the times that you were my teacher and a grand friend Each month that is over I'll think of your smile and the hearts in both of your eyes Each year that goes by I'll think of how much you loved teaching After that I would cry!! Each moment that goes by I will cherish and love the memories that we had together Your spirit will always follow me and I will not let it go Do You See by Dannie Revoir Do you see How I feel about you How I love you Do you see Who I truly am Or do you see what others do Do you see My heart My passion My soul Do you see The darkness in me The loneliness Do you see Me... One's Heart by Brittany Krohn If I could keep one heart from breaking it would be my own. My heart was once broken now I'm all alone. The words once put a smile on my face and now it's a frown. I wish I would have taken that day to fly a mile away. Love's Fading by Kate Douglas Sparkles drop and rain down Drench my heart with ice. A sheet so crystal Looks so delicate One touch My fingertips linger on the smooth coldness I smile softly Talons glow white in the gleam of the light Then the cracks appear The façade begins to melt I am helpless Can't stop this Shards splinter off into my eyes They bleed and I am lost. Questioning by Jo You can always have tomorrow but never yesterday. If you could have yesterday, would you really want it? Waiting by Amy Savage She waits silently beside the phone Waiting for him to call Four hours gone, still no sign Sitting anxiously against the wall Expressionless face, her body rocking Getting more nervous as the minutes go by The noise is the ticking clock Watching it, her fixated eyes Another hour slowly fades away And with it, her patience does too He promised he'd be home hours ago He can't imagine what she'll do Untitled by Nicole Braganza Hunted down by wolves, They stalk in the cold wintry bed Of my dreams; they mystify the placid moon, To enact her final ruin. Across the seven seas of thought, Meditation weaves its magic; The cats howl, the ravens make a mockery of thought The second life cycle begins. A Dark Blue Sea by Nazha Abughali Have you ever been invited to the dark blue sea To join the ones who nearly died A deep blue sea; never moving right or left Always steady as a mountain itself Never bows to the wind So cold, you even never experienced chilliness as this Hear your heart beat only, calling you to surrender You're crying, tears are filling down Every tear of yours twining with the sea The movement of the wind, scattering in your ears Trying to make you warm… Alas, but in vain Your legs moving so fast Becoming unstoppable Suddenly you feel tired and decide to relax for a moment When you stop moving your legs Surrounded by a bliss of satisfaction, for giving up on yourself Suddenly you sink down under the sea And you realize That it felt so good; to have no value for your life anymore You close your eyes and see presents in front of you I Stare Blankly by Okhtok Farhanah I stare blankly Into the depths Of my thoughts Too tired To try & understand To think And so I am Wordless And exhausted I leave Words unfinished To escape Lies by Zhen Zhen Ma I live in a tangled web of lies, I am paranoid, I imagine there are eyes. Once I start spinning it's impossible to stop, I must spin, I must spin, I must spin until I drop. For every one I spin, I have to spin four more. What is the truth? I am no longer sure. The truth may be hurtful, but lies? They are worse, Lies are the world's most malevolent curse. Leap Of Faith by Marc Brown I have not taken the leap of faith to cover my eyes. It leaves too much hope that I am right. Hope that the God I believe in is not just a fabrication of man's own mind. That the agricultural revolution was meant to take place, that I am meant to be a worker driven by a slave driver. That my expensive novelties really do have meaning and give me happiness. That there is a meaning to life, and my life is worthwhile and beneficial to the universe. That man is meant to conquer the world, no matter how bad he pollutes and destroys it. That every leaf, cow, lake, rock, and flower was there for me. I want to be like the others and cover my eyes, but how can I? Isn't that what brings happiness? Lost and Broken by Jo I have nowhere to go, nowhere I can call home. I want to feel safe and loved. I'm lost inside. Lost within myself. Parents. Friends. Strangers. You're all the same. Why do you all hate me when I'm just... I'm just... broken inside. Barbie by Nicole Braganza Through rose tinted glasses She has seen the world She is a plastic piece, Nothing penetrates the surface Aqua-emotions escape her In fleeting moments of boisterous show The spectacle of materialism Barbie How? by Okhtok Farhanah I squeeze my eyes tightly shut As the tears roll slowly down my face. But that doesn't stop the memories And thoughts, begging for space. I lose the words, so difficult to find, To explain, to help you understand The shock I felt at the discovery I made. Accidentally? Unsure how. Horror. What kind of weakness is this? WHY?? For I am sure the words ring true. I don't understand. How could this be? After so long: this! Utterly unbelievable. I cling to the hope that lies somewhere within. Maybe, just maybe, I am wrong. Tomorrow I shall awake and decide. Yet if the words are true, what will I do? How could I feel this way? How? Cherished Memories by Amy Savage Everything I've left behind I can never replace The smiles, the laughter, so much fun These things I have to face The memories I will cherish Forever in my heart My friends, my school, my life for now Are so many worlds apart The joys, the troubles, and the pain I'm going to miss so much But the memories still remain And the hearts I've touched But for me, there's nothing left To brighten up my days No fun, no smiles, no careless acts None of our wonderful ways All the things I've left behind I can never replace The laughs, the kindness, the memories These things I cannot face. I... by Okhtok Farhanah I press my face Against the cool glass of the window. Wishing I could be out there. Wanting to breathe. I spread my arms Like the wings of a bird And spin around like a child To catch the breeze. I close my eyes And lift my head up to the sky As the rain pours down Washing and cleaning things. I curl up in to bed At night when all is still And I wait in the darkness To see what the dream world brings. Low Enough For You? by Bobbi Jo Claridy Everything seems useless, And nothing seems right, I worry all day, And can't sleep at night, Everything is just Out of my reach, And everything must be close enough to tease, To make me cry, And torment me so, No matter if I try, I will still feel low. Give A Smile by Amy Savage Smiling is infectious, like laughter or yawning Its nice when you smile and say, "Good morning." A little smile can make somebody's day Cheers someone up, it goes a very long way A smile says, "Hello. How are you, all right?" A smile says, "Hi, the weather's nice and bright." Smiling is contagious, like the measles or 'flu It makes that somebody smile back at you A smile is friendly, welcoming and warm. A smile keeps you going. From dusk until dawn. So when you spot someone with a miserable face Smile at that person and put them in place So give a smile, once in a while And make somebody's day They'll give one back, that's a fact It goes a long, long way "Have Eet" by Marco Cameron "Have eet", I shout as the ball flies over the net, Flying over the fence and hitting the neighbour's pet. The keeper punts the ball right down the pitch, It swerves slowly like a computer glitch. "Ouw!" he says as he heads the ball, "At least I didn't jump then miss and fall." Flying over the top of the Defender's head, Hits it through the net into the garden shed. "Only 1-0 so keep your heads up lads, If you win this I'll buy you all new shin pads. Takes centre, plays the one-two, If we are to win we must score a few. Dribbles past one, gets elbowed in the face, Free kick, ref, the shame is all over your face. Well, no free kick but we are now on the ball, Nice one Lewis, cross it to Paul. That's 1-1, the ball felt like lead, They've taken centre, now they're on the ball. Come on lads, it's still 1-1, aw, great through ball, shoot, my son". The ball flies away like a bullet in a gun. As soon as it hits his foot, it curled right away, "Nice goal, 2-1 - GREAT PLAY". Why? by Bobbi Jo Claridy Why do I bother, With all of my tears? Why do I tell, All of my fears? Why do I mention, Everything I hate? And why do I say sorry, When it's just too late? Why do I tell you, That I am fine? When I miss you so much, Because you're supposed to be mine. I'm suppose to be there, With you to my right, But you can't be there, When we're in a fight. Why am I saying, What's already been said? Why am I reading, What's already been read? Why am I caring, About nothing at all? And why does it surprise me, Every time I fall? Too Late by Amy Savage As he falls down, his eyes fill with tears From all the deep emotion, bottled up for years He should have let it out before, but now it's too late All the sadness, all the shame, and all the tears of hate As he screams, shouts and lets out his regrets There's no one there, no one to listen, no one to forget He prays he can go back in time And turn over a new leaf Instead of going through the hurt All the pain and grief He remembers vividly All his pain and sorrow Every day he would wake up Hoping to go tomorrow Finally, his hopes have come true But now its a bit too late He died inside long ago And he had all this time to wait He Can't Change the Past by Amy Savage He sits by the window Watching the night sky He just stares and wonders Whilst time is passing by He thinks of all the things That he could have achieved He could have got up when he was down But instead, he just grieved He looks back at his childhood When he wished he could be free It seemed like they locked him up And threw away the key As he looks at the stars Which are shining so bright He thinks of all the things he did That didn't feel right And if he could live his life over He would have been spontaneous and free But he'll have to leave knowing He never made his life what is was supposed to be Changing Leaves by Tracy Brinks You look out the window at the colorful trees Their leaves of orange, yellow, red and green. They are beautiful; yet I feel sorry for these Some men have shining bald heads And are the laughingstock of society But what's worse is the trees outside They lose their leaves continually. Leaves are like a human's hair But they are obviously quite different. For hair is almost always there But leaves are a yearly accessory. So next time you put on your toupee And adjust it so no baldness shows Remember the trees that are just outside For their heads are bare when it snows. If It Was All Up To Me by Alicia Richards If it was all up to me The poor would have riches and the blind man would see The hungry would eat and the weak would be strong and the people with hatred would all get along The ones who are greedy would start to care The thirsty would drink and the deaf person would hear and sorrow and sadness would disappear and that is how the world would be If it were all up to me Goodbye by Tiffany Why do I think about you when I want to feel better? When I know it only makes me sadder? You left me before I could say goodbye. This is your goodbye! I miss you. When I close my eyes the only thing I see is you! Why did you have to leave me? I know you didn't have a choice, but why didn't you at least write me? We could have been closer. I feel like I'm the loser. Do you even think about me? Do you still care about me? Where are you. I have a million questions to ask you. Everybody said things about me. Not you. You said you loved me. Is that still true? You picked me up when I felt blue. My life is so crazy with out you. I want you to know that this poem is true and that I still love you. An Eternity of Love by Zarina Kira Hernandez Leviste As you drift away from love Out of the sky comes a dove And as the dove lands on flat land You tell me to take your hand As you take my hand, we run away We run away to get far from the day We get away from the day We get away from the day in a faraway land A far away land with a little bit of sand The sand is used for color As there is not color, unless a color of another For if there were color, there would be no eternity Eternity for neither you nor me You tell me you love me more When it is you who I adore We go back to our colorful land And back with us, eternity sand For now our love will last forever No one will ever make this love better Ready by Marjolein If you could pin down a moment in time... and hide it inside of a little rhyme... And wait for the step of a keen mind's thread... Then you're ready to get inside my head... but beware the riddles are sad... Loser Boy by Cally Steadman This loser boy from year nine, Too young, immature and sad. With his baggy pants and faded top, To be seen with him would be mad. What would my friends think? 'A real fashion disaster' they'd say. We only date Brad Pitt, Or look-a-likes anyway. But I was walking down the street, My mate, my man and me. And from under the stone arch, Loser boy was who I could see. Acting the embarrassed madam, I strode on by and sniggered. But as I saw his innocent smile, My heart, like a gun, triggered. Because the secret is I love him, No matter how much I deny. All those days ignoring him, I used to stay up and cry. So what if he isn't a stunner, In my eyes he is my prince, When I look back to how I treated him, I live in regret as I wince. You see this lovely boy won't date me, Says I can't even be his friend. Because apparently mates don't betray, He's right, and so we now end. A lesson to be learnt, Don't lose the intimacy you could share. When your so-called friends get bored, He'll be the one who'll be there. Night by Mellodie Makins Night, it tortures its sleepless society, leaving them to ponder on their dark depressing memories, they think about their regrets, their worries, their fears. They stay up most of the night, stewing in hatred for the loss of the dreams that they had once had. Seething in fury for the remnants of their long forgotten hopes. They grow more bitter with every night, loathing the world with every dark sky. The morning comes, they wake and ignore all that they thought in the night, they walk around with a smile on their face. All is forgotten. Until the next night at least. Feelings by Hannah Sterling Hate is a part of your blood that circulates throughout your body, Tears are eventually cried out, A flicker of your brain develops fear, Anger then becomes pushed out, Sadness soon overwhelms you, Thoughts of revenge soon take over and never go away, The only medicine is love which soothes your pain, Anger, Hate, Sadness, And revenge, And you must make yourself boundaries. Six Silent Tears by Kaycee Howard Last night before I went to sleep, I lay here in bed to weep, Life had become just like my fears, Down my face rolled six silent tears, The first one for that smile I'll miss, And every single time we kissed, The second is no big surprise, It was for those bold blue eyes, The third was for your light brown hair, And that tight white shirt you wear, In my hand fell that fourth tear, For that soft, soothing voice I'll never hear, The fifth tear for things said untrue, And the broken words, I love you You were the one I loved, my dear, And that was the sixth silent tear Stage Fright? by Diva Tandon She was the best actress in the group always calm and cool Not a sign of nervousness on her face All they could see was tranquility The others were running about sweating 'cos of fear drinking glasses of water Two minutes left for the show she went outside took a deep breath closed her eyes "Jane, where are you?" "I'm coming" As the curtains rose she was at her best not a sign of nervousness all they could see was tranquility.... Special Someone by Danielle Dimeck When we're not together, I'm still thinking of you, but the thing that's on my mind, are you thinking of me too? Will we drift apart, will you run away? Because if you do, my heart will surely pay. I don't think you understand, you mean the world to me, and I'm hoping that one day, its obvious for you to see. My heart's empty inside, without you in my life, I'm looking forward to those days when you're my husband and I'm your wife. I feel so lost in this world, without you by my side, the millions of lakes and rivers, don't compare to the tears I've cried. So take my thoughts into consideration whether I'm near or I'm far, You are my special someone, you really truly are. A Wall by Diva Tandon Something stops me from getting close to her She tries to do the same things that mom did to make me feel better But ... can I accept her? No. There is a wall which separates us, our thoughts, our feelings Can I break it? What if I do? Palindrome by Thomas Szakacs But I can't leave you, Not without that sudden Realization, it looms Over penultimate steps Like death: a cancer On a beautiful face. To walk with you For a few more minutes Of something that I never earnt nor Deserved: I lose all Self, O bliss... But I can't meet you, Not without that gradual Tension, watch it crawl Inside me as it comes closer, Only dying once I Am no longer alone. Hello Stranger by Sophie Negus Hello Stranger, Breath all old and stale. Hello Stranger, Face all white and pale. Hello Stranger, Fingers brown at the tip. Hello Stranger, Who keeps taking another sip. Hello Stranger, Teeth all yellow and tainted. Hello Stranger, Lungs black and plated. Hello Stranger, Who had one little white blunder. Hello Stranger, Who is now six feet under. Goodbye Stranger THINK My Apology by Jessy Wardlow my apology to you from me it's hard, I know to maintain control with your heart in two mine is too I can't stop thinking about it wishing I could change the past trying to forget but my heart is in two and I'm thinking of you always, trying to change my ways learning more everyday trying not to cry as I say I miss you and I'm sorry for the hurt and the pain, goodbye. Poem by Melissa chisel and contour a taste deprived skin relies on bones to fake alive. caverns in the face where eyes should be hollow sacred place that's blind to me. canyons plague a living chest rivers are dry in the shaded depths. defining chaos with abundance of shapes hair is wrung like flowing drapes. skeletons sing black under damp light how beauty would feel to be the hole in the bite. Poem by Jie I stand on the top of the roof as an outsider. Just watch time elapsing little by little. I join life, this game. Leave nothing but footprints; Take nothing but experience Life goes on and on, following what happens in the lyrics The Happiest Days of My Life by Sarah Mooney Feet sticking out round every corner Shrewd comments from behind every door Name calling on the way to English As they walk behind, need I say more? These are the happiest days of my life These days that are filled with strife These days that are to me like hell But they're my happiest most will tell Stealing my locker keys so I can't close it Spreading rumours about me to everyone Shouting abuse as I walk to school Before the day's even begun Crying when I get home every evening Losing sleep every night in bed Hating this life that I'm living Because of the things they have said These are the happiest days of my life These days that are filled with strife These days that are to me like hell But they're my happiest most will tell It's by Leah Westwood It's in the air I can feel it, it's what I breathe and just what I needed. It's every colour and every movement of my day, it's all the luck and coincidence I can take. It's déja vu and it's a surprise, it's creeping up on me all the time. It's poking my back until I turn around, it's every taste, every sight and every sound. It's urging and soft and enchanting, it's in so many places that I've lost counting. It's useless, it's not needed, doesn't keep me alive, But I love this rose tint round my eyes. Scrubbing the Floor by Mihiri Tantirimudalige Grab the bucket, brushes and some soap, With some perspiration you'll have to cope, Sweep the victim as it wriggles and moans, Take no heed of its lethargic groans Pull-up your sleeves afore you bend down low, Eye the hoodlum while you edgily tap your toe, It cowers even lower as you shake your head, And it tries to hide all the dirt it would like to be fed But you know its tricks in and out So the water in your bucket begins to pour out One scrub there and one scrub here; The grubby floor is crystal clear Shrub by Sasan Choobineh A shrub's green leaves - once filled with vitality Are now brown, crisp to the touch Drooping under the beating sun A life gradually rotting away into the dry dirt below Rain is needed for strength, for growth No doubt that it will be merciless Pounding hard upon its leaves Beating loudly like a fist against a wall Then dying down into a faint tap Until dissolving into the air The helpless shrub Is now a tall, powerful tree with thick, strong roots The flowers that were once buds Are now in full bloom, opening up Like eyes finally awakening Under a magnificent rainbow Each color an endless ray of light Soaring into the sky among a flock of birds A sweet melody at last coming out from the background Filling my ears One Kiss by Becca Corney To Toby, the most wonderful guy in the universe. Short, sharp glances And sweet, shy smiles, Secretly shared, Electrify me, Just like a single glimpse Of your ocean-blue eyes. I am whirled On a cloud of memories To that eternal moment When your lips touched mine, And I wonder How you did this to me With just One Kiss Free? by Beth Goodenough I live in a little structured container, Every part of my life ruled by a pumped-up dictator. What is it with these people trying to live through me? This is my life, my world, it is I not we. I'm on my own now, you're not there to hold my hand, I've got to learn not to stumble, but to stand. You've done your best, but you've got to set me out, To fight my own battles, and without a doubt. I'll be able to withstand all the stick that I get, But my childhood is something I'm not going to forget. I'm judged on every thing I seem to do, Heck, it's even what I wear compared to you. How can these people make a snap decision on me? I just wish I lived in a world where I was free. Ashes In Ice by Vorachon Roongsri It's hot and burning with flames Hearts thumping We caress our soft lips together Our warm hands tremble We melt I ease our love with a light kiss Grasping on to hips Fingers rolling on thighs a warm flame from the candles Romance producing in the Jacuzzi Dipping ourselves in icy water Roses sprinkled everywhere Arms wrapped around each other Hugging eternally Eyes closed, hearts massaged Taking our lives away Our love hardening with lust Our bodies permanently lie still in the tub in the icy water Untouched and discovered We grow old together Holding each other's passion A Disabled Child's Mind by Akeemia My mind…..Unwanted, but look at them, teased, seized….to be Your mind…………………and taunted………….……………..like Its almost…………………………………..…………………….feels The same………………………………………………………what it Its not…………………………………………………………… know Like an……….It's not………………..……easy for…….….us may Disabled………………………………………………………Some of Child's mind…………………………………………..………like you Which got,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,them,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,fun just Rearranged…………………………………………………Can have Some people……………………………………………….play, they Look at them………..to go…………….right!.................They can And think…………...through…………what is…………….they do? That their……………...life. But you must do…………….what can Nothing,………………………………………………………say hey! But in God's………………………………………………..you might Eye they are something… God knows that it's something special About them. It's probably something that they hold deep within. Wonderland by Jie The Earth doesn't stop moving The Moon doesn't stop revolving The whole universe doesn't stop wandering And neither does my heart I sit in front of the window calmly while my spirit walks, walks and walks, tries to figure out what the world on the other side looks like. In my mind, the sky there is the darkest blue as the ocean; the ocean there is the lightest blue as the sky. In the end of the time, there's a star pointing to the truth of life, and that's the beginning of a day. You Don't Like Me by Akeemia You don't like me? I don't care. You don't like, must you dare. Laugh in my face, talk behind my back And then have the nerve to say, "Hey that's that." You say you don't like me? That's just you You say you don't like me, do what you do You say you don't like me to make me feel sad, but little do you know your making me feel glad Glad to know the real you, That's why I will always continue to do what I do. Life is Like Spaghetti by Sarah Mooney Life is Like Spaghetti It comes in different sizes But each has a start and end Just like the sun sets and rises Friendship is like a bubble bath It's hot but will go cold It starts off as something nice But can get bad, or so I'm told Laughter is like the common cold It is contagious, just like the flu' Once someone starts to laugh Those around them will start too Love is like a TV set It can be switched on and off Sometimes it can come over loud And sometimes it can be soft Life is also like a thermometer It will rise then it will fall We may try to forget about it But it will of course end for all. The Fearful Child by Jen Praetorius I am a child full of fear yet they treat me as an adult. How is a child supposed to bear with the problems of an adult? The pain would be too powerful, even for an adult it is almost unbearable. How can they expect that of a child so fearful? It must be acknowledged that I am a child full of fear of being an adult. My Shoes by Thom Szakacs they are covered in dust with laces that droop down so lacking in that lust filled life that clings to the inhabitor like a crown of priceless love among other things Losing the Thread by Harshitha You bask in the light cast by strangers The beautiful strangers call out your name The glow shone towards you gave in to its outcome You haven't been heard of since then You've been deceased for so long you can't remember So much time between you and me You float in the immortal blaze by ones unfamiliar Forgotten memories of what you went away for Your world made of one is satisfying Something enough to cease your desires To keep you away from what falls apart To keep you safe, protected and breathing Is that enough or do you need something more? More that what is called for to keep you alive To leave you alone, to keep you by yourself Is that what I'm satisfying? Is that the fraction of your desire? Does that fill up the emptiness? Slave Boat by Akeemia As the boat went back and forth I wonder how much it cost. How much it cost to let the white men be the boss? I don't know I'm not sure but I would hate to be behind them doors. Those tall, big, brown doors that my strong black ancestors were in SHALL I HAVE TO SAY THAT AGAIN? Well, guess what? I'm not Because black people shall always be on top. Together again as one. Hold up, Sweetie, I'm not done. It cost us a lot to get here but believe it or not we are here and for all those times the white men whooped us and took us from were we were from, back home in Africa life's not done. Now that black people are making more and more of themselves each and every day, again and again if I may say. Parallel Universe by Betty Fisher Light is darkness, good is bad. Everything is topsy-turvy, I don't know where to begin. The tigers have spots, the jaguars have stripes. The cheetah is slow, the turtle is fast. The ground is the sky, the sky is the ground. I think I'm upside down, but my baffled mind can't tell. One more flying fish and my mind's going to explode, the swimming birds are worse. Being quiet means being loud, being smart means being dumb. I think I'll go lie down, hoping to wreck this reality. Bubblegum Babe by Vanessa Kent Watermelon bubblegum Her favorite type to chew Where there's gum She's bound to be there too All her friends find her oh so cool Cause they know that Bubblegum rules! Poster girl for chewing gum She completely ignores the rule That there is absolutely 'No gum allowed in school' She never gets caught 'Cause she's the pro' When it comes to chewing gum She can show you what to do If you ever want some sugar You know what you gotta do Find that sweet Bubblegum Babe In the school nearest you Weeping Willow by Bonnie Mason Hi, my name is willow I just weep all day Don't really do much And I don't have much to say I'm not much to look at But don't pity me please Because I'm happy just doing my job And protecting people from the breeze There's just one thing I ask for Don't expect me to be happy with delight Because when the dark comes, I'm all alone To face the long cold, depressing night Philosophy by Josh Sasto Creating thought is an essential ploy For those of you who wonder why We exist at all or why we breathe This dirty air that feeds our soul. Famous names that evoke confusion Are still recognised for their brilliance That tear our minds in opposite ways All for the consideration of why you were born. How can they ignore the deeper question That surpasses all material? It is not an issue of what to eat Or where to stay. There is no answer, Which makes us all so clever. Mistakes by Katie-Jo McCoughey Abandoned. Lost. Confused. Sought by none no one comes to my rescue as I fall ever so slowly into my own darkness. One simple mistake made everything... every one disappear in an instant. One simple mistake took away my entire life with the flick of the wrist, and still, no one comes so I'm left alone and abandoned for all of eternity Colours of the Dead Flames by Constantinos It's only my actions That drove us apart All my old passions Left me without a heart. Let me just tell you Now that you'll hear me I do love you too But it's not that easy. Time and time again I wish you were still here Get on the nearest train And make my way there I guess you were right Was no point in trying Why put up the fight It's not like it's dying. 'Cause it's already dead. Imagine It by Jess Gee Love at first sight True love What it must feel like To have someone To love Forever yours? How do I know When I'm in love? Does it just come to me? How do I know it's true? Is it when all I can think about is you? My World Shatters by Betty Fisher My world is falling apart, piece by piece. I don't know who I am anymore, there's no way I can tell. There's few things that still make sense, few that I can still understand. I remember thinking a year ago that that had been the worst, I had been dead wrong. That had been a mere stepping stone, one to the gigantic path. I know the most now, much more than most. My heart cries, and my outer composure