Silly Stuff for Kids

June Poetry Contest

High School Age Winner
Amber Strempke

Forgive the Thoughts of My Selfish Sorrow

Forgive the thoughts of my selfish sorrow,
Forgive the wishing you were still here,
Forgive the way your passing makes me feel,
That is all I ask of you today.

Your passing hurt me — made me cry,
I still needed you when you had to die,
You were is a lot of pain, and I cried the day it was taken away,
Only because along with the pain,
You faded away and left me that day.

I say forgive me for wishing you were still here,
That is selfish of me, as I know your pain,
I knew your pain to its greatest extent,
When I look back now I am glad you are gone.

Since you have been gone, so has your pain,
Your pain is no longer with you,
As it is now a part of me, it is not a bad part of me,
Nor is it a very good one,
It is a part of me that serves as a reminder.

Forgive the thoughts of my selfish sorrow,
Forgive the wishing you were still here,
Forgive the way your passing made me feel,
That is all I ask of you today.

(Amber's commentary: This poem was written as a reminder of the love I feel towards my grandparents and it shows the process of change I had to go through to find my true feelings of their death. This poem has helped me find a part of myself I was unsure I truly had.)

(Editorial commentary: One of the best reasons for writing poetry is to help get the pain out. Once we tell our story we frequently seem to feel that we have an important "handle" on one of life's painful lessons.)

Elementary School Winner
Adam Baruerle

I Can't Sleep Today

I can't sleep today because it's too cold.
I can't sleep today because my blanket is ripped.
I can't sleep today because my head hurts.
I can't sleep today because the dog barks.
I can't sleep today because my light is stuck in the world.
I can't sleep today because my sister snores.
I can't sleep today because it's raining.
I can't sleep today because the phone rings every five minutes.
I can't sleep today because there's a hole in the wall.
I can't sleep today because it's raining inside.
I can't sleep today because...well, I just can't sleep today.

Past Winners:


 

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