English 9 Poems 2008-9 Vallor/Skinner

Haiku Poems

Haiku

The birds keep the toneThe wind keeps the steady beatNature is my song

Haiku

The joyous seasonFlowers smile towards the bright sunPeaceful, calm winds soar

Haiku

Ocean waves crash soft. Rugged sand tickles my feet.It’s heaven on earth.

Haiku

Burning grains of sandFind their way between my toesAs waves swiftly crash

Haiku

Sapphire clear waterQuietly full of powerNight on the ocean

Haiku

Hot Barren TerrainCountless Grains Upon the LandWater Denied Sand

Haiku

I sit in the woodsThe trickling of a streamMusic to my ears

Haiku

The night is ending.Bright sun comes up over the hill.Morning has started.

Haiku

Violent waves crash alongThe shores of blue, open seasCalling of nature

Haiku

Footprints on the sand.Beaming seashells sparkle bright.Soft waves hit the shore.

Haiku

Snow falls down gentlyOver the town like a blanketThe start of winter

Haiku

Bold Mt. EverestConquer the heights of beautyMajestic danger

Haiku

A scent fills the airThe sky’s grey eyes fill with tearsDrops flood the concrete

Haiku

Colors and racesThey don’t make a differenceWe’re all just people

Haiku

Waiting for waterA seed under the soilWaiting, still waiting

Haiku

When the sun rises It will shine through my windowSaying good morning

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Haiku

The birds fly up highUndisturbed by the high windsSoaring invincibly

Haiku

The sun sets aboveBright colors of pinks and bluesPeace reigns over the land

Haiku

Once in the morningThe blue bird whistles a tuneGreeting the new day

Haiku

Night is beginningThe moon is glowing brightlyPiercing through the darkness

The Pond

A beautiful pondThe sun shines off its waterA form of comfort

Haiku Cherry blossoms bloomFrom the month of March to JuneA gift from Japan

Tanka Poems

Snowflake

When a snowflake formsIt’s a tiny miracleUnique in all ways

It’s a perfect crystal shapeSlowly drifting from the sky

Tanka

All of the birdies Chirping high in the green treesFluffing their feathers

Little babies in their nestsWaiting to devour food

Tanka

Raindrops fall and breakLike pieces of broken glassShatter on the ground

Falling from the cold delugeFilling up the skies at night

Tanka

Sun on the MeadowSoft Grass Blowing in the WindWater’s Gentle Wake

Unspoiled Land Free of Man A Picture of Nature’s Bliss

Tanka

OceansBeautiful oceansThe warm sand beneath my feetCrystal blue water

The waves splash against the shoreAnd sparkle in the warm sun

Tanka

Waves crash on the sandThe sun beats down on my skinHappiness is here

How I wish I could stay longTranquility is reached

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Tanka

New first born baby.Elegant, soft skin, and hair.Little fingers curl.

Bright green eyes distinguish all.A pleasant bundle of love.

Tanka

Fear is upon usDarkness fills our minds with thoughtsSleep is out of reach

Moon goes down and sun comes outPeacefully we rise again

Tanka

Bright blue is the skySuddenly it turns to blackLightning flashes bright

Life can change in a momentExpect the unexpected

Tanka

The lightning strikesThe birds fly into the skyThe waves roar with rage

The fish splash and flail aboutThe sky grey flashes with light

Tanka

In a darkened room,Grey shades take away new light,Quiet as can be,

A sad song of white lies plays, Hear its charming melody.

Music

Piano playingGuitars strumming, sounding soft (notice the euphony here)Voices sing over all

Drums following the rhythmThe sweet sound of music plays

Tanka

Leaves fall from the treesSoftly touching the bright grassFlowers bloom in place As the sun smiles down at meI enjoy the warm spring day

Tanka

The warm sun settingThe sand one hot cools slowlyCalm waves rolling in

Light gleams off the pool of blueThe day is done and at rest

Tanka

You can live your life What you do is your choice onlyDon’t let your time pass

Live, laugh, love it’s what you haveMake every moment like it’s your last

Cinquains

Cinquain

1964Change, equalityFighting, protesting, inspiring“I have a dream”Civil Rights Movement

Cinquain

The universeMysterious, strangeExploding, growing, shrinkingGalaxies with out numberCosmos

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The Night

The nightQuiet and peacefulCovering, preserving, enduringReveals once hidden starsEvening

Cinquain

LifeUps, downs, unpredictableLearn, live, loveJourney with a purposeExistence

Cinquain TimeEndless, fastMoving, flowing, passingSlipping through fingers Duration

Cinquain

GrandmaSmart and AmazingThinking, Contemplating, Slowly slipping from hereGod took her backThe Best

Cinquain The oceanBlue and glisteningFlowing, crashing, never-endingStretching into the skySea

Sunset

SunsetVelvet, orangeDescending, reaching, hidingBringing us new dayDusk

Parents

ParentsUnselfish, intelligentCaring, protecting, teaching

Whom we all love Heroes

Cinquain

AthleteDedicated, PowerfulRunning, Jumping, LiftingPushing through the painCompetitor

List Poems

Things to be thankful for

Warm and soothing showersA nice room to cleanPictures to look atA toothbrush and a sinkShoes to wear on my feetA dog to love and care forFun people to laugh withA piano with bright white keysLights to turn on and offHomework to do in the eveningGreat memories to look back onThe little things

Things to Be Thankful For My LifeMy CountryMy Health My FamilyMy HouseMy FoodMy ClothesMy FriendsMy EducationMy ClubsMy StuffMy God

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Things We Wish For

Flowers after a spring rainSummer on a snowy dayA smile in a lonely placeColor on a blank pageClear sky in a thunderstormLight on a dark, cold nightLoyalty from a good friendFresh air in a stuffy roomA home to call your ownHope when there is none leftThe easing of a broken heartAlways wishing to have the oppositeNever thankful for what we have

Things You Never Grow Too Old For

Creating forts in the basementSinging along to Sesame StreetPlaying cops and robbersDancing in the rainDigging in the sandboxLaughing until you cryColoring with crayonsRolling in the mudBuilding sand castlesFalling asleep in the carWishing too bigSwinging on swingsPretending to flyFalling in loveRacing across the lawnPlaying with Play-DoughScreaming at the top of your lungsHugging your momChasing lightning bugsWishing you could change the world

Things to do on a rainy day

Watch the discovery channelBake cookiesPlay candy landMake a paper air planeEat some ice creamTake a napJump in puddles

DanceBlow bubblesMcDonalds Play land!Play dress upPut a blanket on the floor and pretend you’re on a fishing boat

Things That Bring a Smile to My Face

The wind through my hairThe sand through my feetBlooming flowersCrashing wavesThe smell of the salty, open seaFrolicking in the rainThunderstormsIce cream cones on a hot, summer dayLoud musicLooking at the starry night skyLong road tripsRiding roller coasters as my stomach turns inside outPutting a smile on other people’s faces

List Poem

Be who you want to be Dance like no one is watching Sing like no one is listening Dream big Enjoy all the little things in your life Expect a miracle Live, love, laugh and be thankful Never ever give up Refuse to settle for anything less than butterflies Love like you’ve never been hurt Live each day likes it’s your last Be yourself, know yourself, trust yourself.

The Best Things in Life

Laughing until your stomach hurtsSmiling for no reasonWatching the stars at nightDriving with no destinationSinging at the top of your lungsMaking new friendsBeing with your familyHelping someone in needLearning something new every dayFalling in love

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Giving your allReaching your dreams

Things I want to do before I die

See the Aurora Borealis with my own two eyesBe in the Guinness Book of World RecordsGo on a road trip with my best friendsSet foot on all seven continentsRide a huge Ferris wheelRide in a hot air balloonSwim with a dolphinGo to Disney WorldMeet a celebrityGo scuba divingGo campingCrowd surf

Acrostic Poems

Happiness

Hold each moment as preciousA smile on your facePass the time with laughterPerfect wind in your hairIn your heart there is only hopeNothing but the taste of freedomEvery sound is like musicSeeing only the beauty around youSpeaking only love

Darfur

Deteriorating souls left without hopeA people’s suffering left untouched.Rain of the heart left streaking down faces.Far off eyes left searching for an escapeUnder nourished children left for scavengers.Reach beyond yourself to help those left behind.

Spring

Sweet music of waking birdsPollen tickles your noseRain drops fall on your headIncredible beauty of the new dayNew flowers open their petalsGone is winter’s hold

Destiny

Don’t plan thingsEverything happens for a reasonSave your sorrow for later, live life now.Time is goldIntroduced by fateNever stop the flow of lifeYesterday, today, tomorrow have already been written.

Mother

Mothers are there to tie your shoeOver protective-only because she doesn’t want to lose youTaking care of your cuts, no matter how badHolding your hand when you feel sadEvery where you go she’s in your mindRemember, she’s one of a kind

Friendship

Funny when you need a smileRight there when you need themInside jokesExciting and enjoyableNothing gets by themDon’t leave home without themShoulder to cry onHappy to see youIncrediblePlenty of reasons to call you friend

Dedication

Deciding your fateEnergizing yourselfDeciding your lifeIgniting the sparkCreating the opportunityAnswering the challengeToppling the competitionIgniting yourselfOut and ReadyNever give up

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Soccer

Shooting for the goalOpportunity to scoreCrazy fans screamingCuts and bruisesEyes on youRunning with all you got

Soccer

Spectators cheering on the sidelinesOpen goal to kick atCrafty movements with they’re feetCareful to make sure no one steels the ballEven if the opponent takes the ball, try to get it backReach for the win

Motif Poems

Music

Music is passionMusic is notes flowing inside youMusic is a powerful messageMusic is the light at the end of the tunnelMusic is a way of lifeMusic is joyMusic is discovering a whole new worldMusic is telling a storyMusic is pouring your heart outMusic is showing your emotionsMusic is finding yourselfMusic is me

Motif

Take TimeTake time to notice…How the sky is sapphireHow the scent of a flower fills the airHow snow freezes your fingertips How the sun burns your noseHow a star glistens in a black night How water quenches your thirstHow tree branches swayHow daytime is full of lifeHow the wind whistles a tune

How some people can stay so optimistic in the worst of timesHow your friends make you smileHow there is always light at the end of a tunnel

Live Life

Live life to seek the meaning of adventure Live life to seek the meaning of love Live life to seek the meaning of friendship Live life to seek the meaning of hope Live life to seek the meaning of passion Live life to seek the meaning of dedicationLive life to seek the meaning of faith Live life to seek the meaning of miracles Live life to seek the meaning of happiness.Live life to seek the meaning of passion.Live life to seek the end of the chapter.Live life to find your fairytale ending.

Don’t Be Afraid

Don’t be afraid to speak what’s in your heartDon’t be afraid to do what’s rightDon’t be afraid to show your styleDon’t be afraid to be who you areDon’t be afraid to laugh out loudDon’t be afraid to take a standDon’t be afraid to open your mindDon’t be afraid to stand out in a crowdDon’t be afraid to challenge yourselfDon’t be afraid to take a riskDon’t be afraid to face your fearsDon’t be afraid, and you can take on anything

Winning

Winning means giving it your allWinning means dedicationWinning means playing with passionWinning means practicingWinning means outworking your competitorsWinning means playing until the final buzzer soundsWinning means never giving upWinning means giving it one hundred percentWinning means teamworkWinning means getting dirtyWinning means firing up your teamWinning means your hard work has paid off

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Inspiration

How your eyes shine so brightHow your hair moves in the windHow your laugh warms my heartHow your jokes make me grinHow your determination inspires meHow your patience is clearHow your intelligence and wit make me smile so dearHow your sadness engulfs youHow selfless you areHow I wish I could be close to as great as you are

Dream

Dream of a forest A never-ending sea of green Dream of the dark trees Throwing shattered shadows Dream of the Flowers Bursts of green among the greenDream of the rain Softly falling on your skinDream of the forest stream Ever changing and ever movingDream of the silver pools Reflecting the dark expanse Dream of the silence Broken only by the melodies of nature Dream of a forest Dream of serenity

Home

Home is more than just a houseHome is where you live your lifeHome is meaningful to your heartHome is beautiful days and nightsHome is warm and cozyHome is a place where you belongHome is the people who love youHome is safe and comfortingHome is where you want to goHome is countless good timesHome is a happy childhood Home is a promising futureHome is where time flies byHome is where your heart remainsHome is more than just a house

Let Go

Let go of what bothers youLet go of the pastLet go of what is badLet go of what makes you sadLet go if you can’t control itLet go if it doesn’t matterLet go if it hurts to think aboutLet go if you can’t change itLet go even if it means you will cryLet go as hard as it may beLet go because god didn’t want it for youDon’t let go if you really believe in it

Home

Home is where you’re happyHome is where your family isHome is where your friends areHome is where you go when you’re sadHome is where you won’t be judged for what you do Home is where you feel safe Home is where you want to beHome is where you feel warm insideHome is where you get hugged and kissed even if you don’t want itHome is where everyone you care about livesHome is where your heart is Home is where you’re loved

Motif Poem

The secret of life is laughterThe secret of life is doing every bit that you canThe secret of life is found in a child's eyesThe secret of life is self-expressionThe secret of life is being thankfulThe secret of life is all around usThe secret of life is skipping through the hard timesThe secret of life is a nap in the sunThe secret of life is living in the nowThe secret of life is a positive outlookThe secret of life is different for everyoneThe secret of life is something that can't be sold or boughtThe secret of life is discovered by accidentThe secret of life is found on the lines of a pageThe secret of life is taking it easy

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The secret of life is knowing your prioritiesThe secret of life is whatever you want it to be

Remember

Remember to have funRemember to be youRemember to laugh loudlyRemember to be happyRemember to smile joyfullyRemember to feel the breezeRemember to smell the flowersRemember to enjoy the little thingsRemember to share kindnessRemember to walk proudlyRemember to love every secondRemember to live life to the fullest

Football

Football is the game of the strong.Football is not for the weak.Football takes the most intense training.Football is our game no one else’s.Football requires the hard determination.Football is going to get me somewhere.Football makes America what it is.Football is more in detail than most think it is.Football requires lots of studying.Football requires you to know your enemy as yourself.Football is a natural thing for me.Football is my outlet for times of need.

Family

Family is who you loveFamily loves you backFamily takes care of youFamily tucks you in at nightFamily teaches you what to doFamily teaches what not to doFamily will be there for you when times are getting touchFamily will protect you when life is getting rough

“How To” Poems

How To…Cloud Watch  Find a nice patch of land

Lay down on your backGet comfortable and quietSpread out like a starClose your eyesListen to the sound of natureTake in a deep breathLet your eyes flutter openLook straight up at the ocean blue skyPick a cloudLet your imagination soarLook it’s a bunny!

How to Relax

Go for a walk on the beachAt sunset,Feel the cool blowing breezeand feel the light sand sift through your toesPick up a shelland listenlisten to the calls of the oceanFollow the swift breezeto the shoreTake a few steps into the wavesEmbrace the comfortable crash of the wavesand enjoy the relaxing beach

How to Live a Life Worth Living

Fight for what you believe. Learn to lose. Find happiness in the little things. Learn to love. Allow yourself to feel pain. Learn from the pain. Respect yourself. Learn to respect others. Have faith. Learn your beliefs.Forgive and Forget. Learn what is really important in life. Be independent. Learn to depend. Open up and let people in. Learn who you are. Give back to those less fortunate. Learn to prioritize. Make memories. Learn to relax. Strive for your best. Never settle for less.

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Enjoy the miracles of life. Learn to make your own miracles.

How to Save the World

Share a smileExtend a helping handRun the extra mileGive a laughWrap someone in a hugSacrifice your timeReach out to the lostForgive the undeservingLove even when it hurtsBe awareDon’t turn your backShout for the silentBe the change you wish to see in the world

How to be a Tree

Always give everything you can Never ask for anything Give the children a place to playLet them swing from your branchesBlossom so they can smell the sweet scented flowersGive them a shady place on sunny days And shelter on rainy daysLet them cut your branches to build a tree houseThen make the ultimate sacrifice and Let them cut you downAfter that give them a place to sitRemember to always give everything you can And never ask for anything in return

How to be a better person

Never doubt yourselfGive strangers an unexpected smileMake people laughGive good adviceKnow your limits; and test themSit in a quiet room, and just thinkCompliment people who seem insecureBelieve in fairy tale happy endingsBe outgoing and try new thingsNever be afraid of failureFind a great friends who is always there for youBelieve in yourself because you can do anything.

How to make time pass by when you’re bored

Learn to dance in the rain. Listen to music, while belching it out.Call your friends till they answer. Eat handfuls of candy till you feel like you’re going to fall over.Go outside and cover you driveway in chalk. Lie in the grass and stare up at the stars.Take pictures until it hurts to smile. Jump on your bed until you fall off.Make a fort that covers your entire room.Look up in the sky and decide what the clouds look like. Pick dandelions and let them float away, while you make a wish. Climb a tree, until you reach the top, if you fail get up and try again.Pick flowers and give them to the people that mean the most to you.

How To Make The Person You Love, Love You Back

Give them your whole heart and they’ll surely return the favorWhen you fall in love, fall deep Be yourself and they’ll love you for who you areCherish the time you have with them for it may be gone before you knowBe light-hearted and freeLet your personality shineLet the colors of your world be bright when that person is aroundLet your soul be seen through the window of your eyesTell the stories of your past for they may be your futureEmbrace the reality of a friendship and your relationship will flourishSoak in their presenceWhen you walk, picture that person’s face at the end of your path and one day But most importantly enjoy

How to poem

How to live life to the fullest:Live every day like it’s your lastTravel to every little corner of the worldBe yourself, not matter what someone saysExperience all emotions, good and badStep in someone else’s shows and understand themHelp others more than yourself

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Climb a mountain in life, literally or metaphoricallyTouch someone’s lifeLaugh until your stomach hurtsFind your true friends and never let them goLove another with all your heart and soulBut most importantly, enjoy

How to enjoy life

Live one day at a timeAppreciate the beauty of natureAccept the bad along with the goodLove your friendTake time and enjoy natureDon’t take tomorrow for grantedRespect everyoneGive more than you receiveUnderstand people’s pain and helpKnow that there is a reason for your lifeDon’t practice hateEnjoy life like it’s your last day

How to Live Life

Laugh every dayLove the ones who love youEnjoy what you doLive your life the fullestDo what you dream of doingMake friends,Set goals and strive to achieveStrive for the bestWalk on the path less takenHave good and bad timesBut mostly remember the goodListen to your heart.

How to Appreciate the World Around You

Have a positive attitudeKeep an open mindBelieve that there is no such thing as the impossiblePay attention to the little things around youMake precious memoriesChoose love over hateExperience the unimaginableLive everyday like it's your lastNever give upAccomplish your dreams in lifeTreasure every momentLive outside your comfort zone

Follow your heartBelieve that everything is a gift

How To Overcome Your Fears

Never give upBelieve in yourselfDon’t listen to anyone elseFollow your heartDon’t regretGet ready to experience a new thingDon’t think about the “what Ifs”Think about how you will feel afterThink about nothing elseMake it your goalDon’t get scaredLive life to its fullest

How to live your life

Always take chancesNever forgetLove alwaysOpen your mindListen to your heartLove unconditionallyBe greatful for what you haveBe proud of who you are Find true love Make changes for the betterJudge no oneRespect everyoneNever regret

Rhyming Poems

Tonight’s the Night!

It’s the opening night of the showAnd everyone’s getting prepared.I have a big smile on my face,But inside I’m really scared.Costumes are flying everywhere;Hair and makeup’s being done.I can’t breathe but I keep telling myself,

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“This is going to be so much fun!”Running lines, singing scalesAnd sipping on hot tea,What if I crack, or sneeze, or fall?I’m as nervous as can be!I suddenly feel confidentBecause I know I’ve rehearsed a ton.The lights go down, the curtain opens,

Rhyming Poem

Black or whiteshort or with heightwe are all one raceso please embrace

From the valleys of death to the mountain tops of breathlet us live as onecome to peace, without a gun

destroy the sand grains of hatefor me must not discriminatethen create the rock of brotherhoodequality is for our own good

your heart should not be filled with sadfor instead it should feel madthat we have not yet built a domewhere everyone under can call it home

So I have a dreamThat one day my children will gleambecause of their character, not their skinthat day I shall declare a win

Rhyming Poem

There’s a billion…Grains of sand on an oceanfrontDiscoveries to be made in a treasure huntStars in the calm dazzling night skyWays to make me start to cryFlowers blooming on a sunny spring dayFish swishing about in a dark blue baySnow flakes falling from the clear crystal cloudHands clapping in a concert crowdBlades of grass swaying side to sideDeserted shells washed up in a tideMagical melodies that make people smileThings that make living life worthwhile

Memories kept and pictures savedAnd mischievous kids who haven’t behaved

But there’s only one mother as special as youI love you so much, I swear it’s true.

Rhyming Poem

PlayThe Sky is the backgroundThe audience is the starsThe music begins to soundAs the show is not ours

The frogs sing the bassThe crickets begin to startTogether they keep the paceAnd center stage is the main part

Through the woods two eyes peerIt’s a cougar who peepsOn a little sleeping dearThe hunters’ prey wakes and leaps

The chase is a sight to seeBut gone is the deer in the cougar’s eyesThe deer escapes and is freeAs the bright sun begins to rise

It is the end of the nightThe frogs end their low callsOn the horizon there is lightAs the final curtain falls

Rhyming Poem

A sky turning to redThe thunderous clap of an explosionA soldier lays down his headA world in corrosion

Armies led by unknown forcesContinuing like gears and cogs grindingPeople headed on different coursesBut all intertwining and winding

One by one the fall has begunFear placed into peoples mindsFrom the flashes of a gunWhat will become of mankind

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Standing on the edge of a knifeWas it all just a testPossible conclusion to lifeHope for the best, but pray for the rest

Rhyming Poem

I wish I could dreamAnd fly among the starsPlay tennis on JupiterAnd a round of golf on Mars

Stop by VenusAnd lay out in the sunTake a look at NeptuneAnd see what I can do for fun

Take a stop at UranusBut then again, maybe notWouldn’t go to MercuryIt is much too hot

Finally get boredOf going where I roamI guess that I will justReturn again to home

Rhyming poem

I don’t believe in Love at first sightIn most cases It takes time to make rightWhen you think about it— Love can be so confusing How do you keep the compassion? How do you stop yourself from losing?

Those that matter will stay true But only if it’s worth your heart Only time will tell Let it age; just as a work of art

Let it prosper Let it grow The true one will love Even through your all time low

All these days Discovers something new Sometimes you will find The change is in you

Rhyming poem

My roomie is a dog who thinks she’s a cat

Can you imagine that.She licks her paws she grooms her furAnd last night I swear I heard her purr.

My roomie is a dog who thinks she’s a personShe does so many things just for funShe dances to music she watches TVWhenever I’m around her she smiles at me.

My roomie is a dog who thinks she’s a beastAlthough she is tiny, it doesn’t matter the leastShe barks and she growls at things that come nearWhen others hear her they tremble with fear.

My roomie is a dog who thinks she’s a puppyIt would aggravate me it she wasn’t so funnyShe plays and chews and craves my attentionI love her in ways to many to mention.

Rhyming Poem

SeasonsSpring is a nice time of yearIt means the ultimate season is almost hereThe sun’s warmth and seasonal showersBrings green grass and uplifting flowers Lighter clothes and longer daysOutdoor activities and vacation getawaysMany believe it’s the best time of yearBut I mainly like it because it means summer is almost here. The school year will soon end and friends go separate waysThe year is gone but memories stayAnd what will come next is just so grandDays at the beach with your toes in the sand The smell of the grill and the heat of the dayFamily vacations at the bayBut the thing about summer that I like most of allIs it’s here for three months before it turns into fall. 

Free Verse Poems

The Sky

The sky is a beautiful place

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Full of many magical mysteriesSometimes it is bright blueWhile at night it turns to black

The sky is the home of the birdsThey gracefully glide through itThe wind beneath their wings supports themAir is their invisible companion as they float along

The sky is where the wind is bornWhether it is a forceful galePushing clouds across the skyOr a gentle breeze across your face

The sky is a place I long to beBut I can never stay longI must return to the earthFor the ground is where I am meant to be

The sky is the keeper of answersIt holds them as you look up and wonderWhile it may not always replyForever will it listen

The sky is the place for wishingYou can wish upon a starAnd if your heart is filled with hopeYour dreams may come true

The sky is the limit of your hopes and dreamsBut some soar beyond it and into spaceThe sky is an infinite world of wonderThe sky is Simply Kind enough to be Yours

Original Free Verse  You only have one lifeOne lifetime to live your lifeDon’t spend it curled up in a shellBeing independent and aloneSpread your wings and fly awayDon’t be who others wish you to beBe the one you want to beLive how you want to Live with the song of a thousand birdsThings may not always turn out rightBut that’s just lifeSo go for it…be you…be free!

History

History can bind and divideIt looms over all of usLike a ghost judging usDoes it really exist, or is it an illusion?Our forefathers deciding our lives todayBut what will we decide for our descendantsA generation judged by its actionsWill we be remembered as revolutionaries?Or as onlookers and accomplices of our world’s corruptionWe can change the world if we tryBut without contribution from a single person our world will worsenTogether we will stand tall but divided we will surely fall

My Father

He comes home from work every single nightAnd cherishes the moment when his daughters smile bright.They run to him, give him a goodnight kissHe knows someday this is what he’ll miss.

He follows them to their room, colored pink and blue.He tucks them into bed and kisses their foreheads too.He goes downstairs to where his wife is atAnd gives her a welcoming kiss, and begins to talk and chat.

They talk and watch TV, their fingers intertwined.Their everlasting love is just so sweet and kind.The littlest girl climbs down the stairs and claims she had a nightmare.He tucks her into bed once more and she brushes her hair.

They whisper goodnight to her, trying not to wake up her sisterAnd hands her favorite teddy bear and once again kisses her.The parents go to bed and dream about their lives and moreAnd couldn’t dream of anything else but the ones they love and adore.

My Mother

Who’s the person who loves me more than anyone?When I was a baby she stayed awake with me in the middle of the night

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A few years on she helped me brush my hair and get me to school on timeShe set up play dates with my friends; let me garden with herShe taught me about respect, and to love all creatures.When my first pet died, she and I cried together.She taught me about fashion and boysAt times when I was struggling in school, she pushed me to do better.Now she doubles as a caretaker and a friendShe takes time to listen to me when I talk for hours on end.She laughs at meAnd does random and simple, on top as important, things for meShe’s there for me when I'm at the peak of success and when I want to cryThis woman is my heroThis woman is my mother

Free Verse Poem

Under the light bright moonDeep within the forest And surrounded by black pines Lies a silver pool

Thrown by a human hand A stone falls Into the silent silver pool And cracks its surface

Waves of light Shards of light Ripple across the poolAnd fall into the shadows

The shadows flutter Confused by the light They seek refuge among the trees Among the darkness

The rays of light fadeThe shadows are stillAnd deep within the forest The silver pool lies still

Free Verse Poem

Each step we take is closer to our death

We are born out of nothingBut we fight to be something or someoneBut in the end we still deadNo reasonNo time wastedNo second without fulfilling our lifeNo wasted timeEach second countsEach moment is a new memory Live life at its fullLove life with each second lived Because the second that has past won’t come backTime is running outLife is like a bank that gives But in the end it takes more than beforeUnfinished thingsUnsolved thingsUnwanted desiresUncertain love

Night

An empty spiral of nothingness into the universeA black hole engulfing all that is lightThe moon replacing the sunThe reflection of the world seen in its massive cratersStars by the billionThe stars are still not enough to light the universe In competition with everlasting darknessAn undefined blobQuiet and ominousIt sprinkles drowsiness on the worldInduces sleep and tranquility

Life

This painful love that I can’t push awayBut I want to let go, it is like a warWithout reason, a mourn without tears,A sentence without sense, loving without a Heart, sharing the care and passion Without reason and saying I love youWithout having you

Rainstorm

Hear the thunder crack noisily in the airWatch the lightning flash across the skyFeel the raindrops on your skinSee the pavement turn dark where the water hits itWatch as the wind blows the leaves on the trees

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Light candles when the lights flicker offHear the booming thunder get louderWatch the lightning get brighterListen to the rain smack harder against the pavementThen notice how it all stopsThe sun pokes out behind the dark cloudsAnd a rainbow forms.

The Beach

Feel the wind on your faceThe sand between your toesTaste the salty airWatch as the majestic waves crash downLook up at the seagulls flying overheadSee their footprints in the sandListen to the music playing in your headFeel as though you’re in heavenBuild a sand castleWatch as it’s slowly melted by the wavesDip your toes in the waterFeel a cold tingle on your skinLay beneath the sunAnd feel the warmth it brings

Free Verse Poem

The world is a place filled with people,People crying out for help.Will you be there to help them?or just turn your back, Pretending that the world is fine.You pretend the world has no pain,And bury yourself in blankets of denial.You begin to believe that no pain can touch you,If you choose to ignore it.But the reality is…You’re setting yourself up to get hurtAnd keeping you from feeling the good of helping.Be a superhero to those who need you to be one.

Free Verse  The Beach  Feel the wind on your face The sand between your toes Taste the salty air Watch as the majestic waves crash down Look up at the seagulls flying overhead See their footprints in the sand

Listen to the music playing in your head Feel as though you’re in heaven Build a sand castle Watch as it’s slowly melted by the waves Dip your toes in the water Feel a cold tingle on your skin Lay beneath the sun And feel the warmth it brings

The Show Must Go on

The stage is setThe lights are bright The actors have metEverything seems to be right

The costumes are readyThe set has fresh paintThe nerves are unsteadyWe mustn’t be late

We practiced the songsWe danced till we’ll dropWe’ve acted so longWe can’t seem to stop

We get into placeWe’re characters nowOur hearts begin to raceAs the orchestra begins to sound

The audience stops talking The curtain begins to riseThe actors start walkingOur show has won the prize

Free verse

Waves crashingKids laughingSand castles craftingSkin tanningBoys surfing Music playingSun shiningHair blowingSeagulls flyingDolphins leapingFish swimmingCrabs biting

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Boats floatingJet skis speedingShell searchingVolleyball playingPicnic eatingSunscreen applyingFlip-flops floppingPeople smiling

Love

Love is something that can and cannot be touchedIt brightens and glows faces everywhereIt is the key to joy and pure happinessLove develops out of passion and excitementLove is family and friendsThe tears, the laughs, the arguing fights are all worth it in the endI promise I’ll always be there with a shoulder to lendHold my hand and we’ll go through it allThrough thick and thin, we’ll never fallAnd even if we do, we get back up and try againThe memories and the care for each otherFor that is what love is about,It is a journey of failure and successIt tests my patience and yours as wellAs long as you and I are together, and there for each other,We can accomplish any goals and overcome all hardshipsBecause that is what love is about

Free Verse

Somehow she cried out to me,oh so early in the nighta yell, a scream it was a crazy dreama trip to kingdom come

to find paradise, utopia, is to find one's inner childto release one's spirit from the mountain topof seemingly endless disappearbut if you let it all go you don't need to know about the treasure and glory, await

she realized this and left, for she missedher true inner self, she tried and tried to release but for what cause it was doneit all alone turned to stone, she was as cold as a nun

where paradise, the fruit and tropicsthe endless summer breezethe home of eagerness and hopestumbled around, a jokes a joke and stilla paradise awaits

to find paradise, utopia, is to find one's inner childto release one's spirit from the summit's dropof seemingly endless hopebut if you let it all go you won't need to know about the treasure and glory, await

she heard of these great lands, wondering how to gorealized, forgetting she had no provisionsno food, she searched about and found out how to go against one's willher paradise, not so nice, was heaven after all

to find paradise, utopia, is to find one's inner childto release one's spirit from the mountain topof seemingly endless fearbut if you let it all go you won't need to know about the treasure and glory

Free Verse

It’s always open It’s always warmThere’s always kindnessThere’s always loveIt shows no judgmentIt shows no fearIt’s one of the strongest thingsYet it’s still so gentleIt’s always safe and invitingIt shows no hateIt shows no harmIt’s a Mom’s heart

Soldier

He was a soldier He was also my grandfatherHe was smart and caringHe always looked out for me and my mom

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I would sit next to him conversing about sportsWe would watch moviesWe would swim in his poolHe would put his family before everythingHe struggled to keep our family strongOne day he went to the hospitalHe had developed cancerI sat next to him and it was so hard So hard to see him like thisHe passed away the next day on June 21stHe will always be remembered in my heartHe was my best friend

Football

Football is my everyday.You can play it, live it, and love it.Sometimes on the field you may feel like king.Just to find out you can be taken down in an instant.That just gives you the fire to fight back.Then you work on it to get better.And when you get back to the field you shine.You’ve forgotten plays and get back to knowing them.When you remember you work to D1 caliber.When you make those wonderful plays you get it all.You soon make football and playing it your masterpiece.Then you play college ball and forget your roots at High School.When you make it through college you leave your legacy.Then you make it to the NFL and are remembered by all.

Free Verse

Another day passes bySlowly the nights grow longThe sun soars high in the eastern sky As the beasts sing their songThe elephants like trumpets playThe white winged birds take flightWe watch the beginning of another dayThe plains of Africa, a marvelous sightThe sands burn hot, in the dead of dayEver long the sun burns brightStillness meets the land as all creatures in darkness layIn comes slowly, the creeping night

Dusk is peaceful on the plainTomorrow will be much the same

Parents

Care so much for you Feed you when you’re hungry Shelter you when you’re coldProtecting your scared soulGive you money to have a joyful timeMake you happyGive you lessons of how to live your lifeHelp you decide good from badNever give up on you Always forgive you Never stop loving youAlways there for you

Limericks

The Lance Dance

There once was a young boy named LanceWho had lots of ants in his pantsHe jumped and he twirledHe leaped and he swirledNow everyone’s doing his dance

Limerick

There is a compulsive liarHe lies, and his nose gets higherBut he lies and liesIt’s not very wiseEven his pants are on fire

Limerick  There once was a chef that was blueHe had trouble making his stewHe added pepper and saltBut then had to halt‘Cause his pepper was labeled “Shampoo”

Limerick

Thee is a land filled with creatorsThey had sharp and scary featuresWe went there one daySchool’s canceled you say?

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The monsters ate my math teacher.

Limerick

There once was a kid with swine fluPeople cringed when he sneezed "Achoo"They all fled in alarm,But to a pig farmAnd now they all have it too

Limerick

There once was a group of good friendsEveryday they went out and spentThe money went dryThe bills were sky highTheir friendship has come to an end

Limerick

There once was a guy on a dateHe hoped it would all go greatBut then the waiter trippedAnd the food tray flippedSo they used the floor as their plate

Limerick

There was a man who slept all dayAnd when he woke up he would sayI am way too tiredWho cares if I’m fired?I don’t like my job anyway

Limerick

There once was a penny heads upI found it next to an old cupI stored it awayOn my desk to stayAnd wound up getting a new pup

Limerick

There once was a man named LarryHis legs were really quite hairyHe fell on some tapeAnd tried to escapeAnd now his legs are quite scary

Limerick

There was a boy fling a kiteHe went in to go get a biteWhen he came backAfter his great snackHe found that it was out of sight

Emulate an author’s style

Dreams (emulation of Langston Hughes’ “Dreams”)

Keep your dreams closeBecause they can float awayLife is like a butterflyThat will never stay

Keep your dreams closeBecause when they disappearLife is like an open roadWith a path so unclear Keep Love With You (emulation of Langston Hughes’ “Dreams”)

Keep love with youFor when love’s lushHumanity is a young childWith a first crush

Keep love with youFor when love’s goneHumanity is a wounded soliderLacking his brawn

Goals (emulation of Langston Hughes’ “Dreams”)

Never let go of your goalsFor if goals leaveYour life is an unplanted seedNot able to sproutNever let go of your goalsFor when goals leaveLife is a blank piece of paperBoring with no meaning

Emulation of “The Jabberwocky”

‘Twas frivious in the cluthy castle

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with grimboles and gryles glarbing.A fraving maiden trapped by a frassleSat locked in her chack larging.

“Come listen of the maiden, boy.Come listen on and all.A victim of a plorthy plot,This frassle must fall.

The boy fripped home with flissil speedHe grabbed his shtarcle sword and shieldAnd frapled them with ease.

“This frassle awaits,” he said and stracked out the door.He framped his way to the castle slacking every foeWith every step his fraygen took he was closer to the castle’s gloor.

The castle lorned in front of himHe pulled out his shtarcle swordA grimbole starched out a quimBut it missed him by a quord.He worily stracked from room to roomHe was quaesing for the maidenThe frassle slorched out at himHe flid behind a frume.

The frassle splarched closerHe saw it in his shtarchle shieldThe frassle splorched a proserHe knapped his sword and tield.

The frassle was now spachedHe fripped to the maidenHe and the maiden a kiss the snatchedUpon his laten fraygen.

Music Connects Us (Emulating “Nothing Gold Can Stay”)

In this world, we are aloneWe are smaller than we have ever knownIn this universe, it’s hard to make a soundSo that then we can be foundTo be heard above the noiseIn music, we find our voiceMusic unites us allWith it, we are no longer small

Infected (Emulated Sick by: Shel Silverstein)

“I don’t feel good at all” Said young Johnny McPaul “I have a tick and small pox, I found dots, its chicken pox! There are shooting pains up my left arm,In my head I hear alarms. My toes cringe, my fingers ache, I’m 109; I’m about to bake. My eyes feel like they’re on fire, Out my knee is a protruding wire. Remember that tick? It’s Limes Disease, In my brain, I feel a breeze. I constantly need to go number 2, I swear I caught the Swine Flu. It makes me sad, I feel so bad, I can’t go to the game, I’m so mad! I just don’t want to infect-what? What’s that? What’s that you say? You say it was cancelled last Saturday? G’Bye I’m going swimming at the bay!”

People (emulation of “Life” by Colin Hunt)

People are like a boxYou can pick them up and drop them off and yet you cannot see them for who they are Sometimes you think that you can change themJust to discover that they are very much the same Then you get angry and throw the box awayAnd you refuse to see or talk to them for monthsBy the time you have a change of heart, You have forgotten who they really wereSoon you remember a little bit and try to change them once againWhen you finally get somewhereThat really changes them for the betterThey are so fragile that they collapse right in front of you All that is left is the memory…

Casey at QB (Emulating “Casey at Bat” by Ernest Lawrence Thayer)

The outcome of the game did not look very fineFirst an incomplete pass, then a holding penalty on number 69Some fans were booing, others were cryingIt seemed that the team just stopped trying

All of the commotion seemed to come to a yield

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When out of the locker room came Casey running to the field.It seemed he would not come back after taking a hard hit in quarter number oneNow there seemed to be a chance since he could throw a ball like a bullet out of a gun.

The booing turned to cheers and the crying turned to smilesWhen Casey threw a first down to his receiver named Myles.Down by five with three seconds left to playThe Bulldogs had a chance to win the game that day

Casey had the perfect play so he called it in the huddle and the team yelled “break!”He knew a perfect pass is what it would takeCasey knew this play by heart, like riding a bikeHe went down to the center and yelled out “hike!”

Casey went back to throw but he had to break tackles, which was not funHe had enough of the bad blocking so he began to runBut at the last second he saw Myles in the corner of his eyeHe threw the ball so deep it seemed to touch the sky

The cheers turned back to boos and the smiles turned back to cryingThe fans were in disbelief and they felt like dyingPeople listening on the radio thought they were getting bad receptionBecause mighty Casey had thrown an interception

Ballads Ballad

When Sarah was five years of age, She saw a ballet dancer on TVShe asked her parents for ballet shoes but their happiness turned to rageBut Sarah knew what she wanted to be.

Sarah screeched and Sarah criedShe told her parents if she didn’t dance she would dieWhen her parents invited over friends they would sigh

They just ignored her cries

Christmas came Of course Sarah’s parents ignored herBut she didn’t care it was always the sameSo Sarah decided to ask Santa, she started her letter with “Dear Santa Sir…”But the shoes never came

Sarah screeched and Sarah criedShe told her parents if she didn’t dance she would dieWhen her parents invited over friends they would sightThey just ignored her cries

Sarah decided to take things upon herself and stole her parent’s moneyShe snick out at nightWhen she passed her parents they called her “honey,”But Sarah just left their sight

Sarah screeched and Sarah criedShe told her parents if she didn’t dance she would dieWhen her parents invited over friends they would sighThey just ignored her cries

She saw the perfect pair of shoes And as she crossed the street she stopped, and remembered her parents drinking boos, That car came and Jesus she will meet

Sarah screeched and Sarah criedShe told her parents if she didn’t dance she would dieWhen her parents invited over friends they would sigh They just ignored her cries

Her parents knowing it was their faultBuried their daughter with the ballet shoes, That they boughtThey promised to never again drink boos

Sarah screeched and Sarah criedShe told her parents if she didn’t dance she would dieWhen her parents invited over friends they would sigh They just ignored her cries

Ballad of Two Brothers

Two brothers stand arguingAs brothers often doThey fought, they argued and they hit

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Though parents told them not to But these two were the closestTwo brothers could beThey did everything togetherMade each other happy The two grew up together Into two strong menThese brothers, two best friendsWere no longer ten War came and the two were draftedTo fight side by sideThey left together, these two strong menTo help their losing side They fought together, won togetherOne never leaving the otherThey helped turn the tide of warStrengthening the bond with each other Then one dreadful day of warOne saw death shadowing the otherAnd threw himself in front of itTo save his younger brother The younger one was now awareHe was watching his brother die“I love you” were his final wordsHe then began to cry The younger one returned homeTriumphant like the othersBut he had lost his on true friendThe one he called brother 

Freedom (On the Holocaust) (ballad)

The soldiers were draftedTo fight in the warThey didn’t choose to be fightingBut they’re country, they couldn’t ignore

They marched into Germany that yearFighting day to dayThey came among cities and townsThey were told there was any other way

But then they came to a place

They had to persistSuch horror and devastationHow could this even exist?

What was called campsSeeing it was hard to copeThey helped the oppressedTo the trapped they brought hope

Although they had to fight andThey didn’t sign up for this warWhen they looked at the faces they freedThey knew some things are worth fighting for

Ballad

On a sturdy brown branchWay up high in a treeSits a nest with an eggWhere no one can see A mother bird is perchedOn top of the nestKeeping her egg warm and safeNever will she rest The egg slowly cracksA baby bird appearsThe mother bird is enlightenedAnd chirps out a cheer As the baby gets strongMother bird knows bestIt is not the right timeTo push her out of the nest On a sturdy brown branchAt a very high heightThe new baby birdHas taken its first flight  The Boy in the Time of War

There was a boy in a time of war,That wished the fighting would end,For it had taken his father,His mother’s heart would not mend.

The little boy wanted peace,And happiness to return,But it was every night and day,

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For his father he would yearn

When the enemy soldiers came,To take over his town,The look he had upon his face,Turned into a frown.

They put the people in a groupUp against a wall,Then the little boy cried out,“Stop, don’t kill us all!”

“I am a boy in a time of war,That wants the fighting to end,For it has taken my father,My mother’s heart will not mend.”

“Why do you hate us so much?”“We’ve done nothing to you,This war started as something small,And then the hatred grew.”

“Please good sirs, put down your guns,And return to your land,Help to stop this pointless fighting.”“I hope you understand.”

“He’s right.” The enemy captain said.“This boy’s wisdom has shown.”“For he has said the very thing,That all of us have known.”

“He’s just a boy in a time of war,That wants the fighting to end,For it has taken his father,His mother’s heart will not mend.”

Then the enemy soldiers left,All because of a boy,A boy whose words had saved his town,And brought his mother joy. Sonnets

You

To you it is hard to compareEyes like a full harvest moonYour beautiful flowing hairYet nothing is better than seeing you soonWithout you I would despairWhen I see your face I seem to swoonFor nothing about you needs repairIt is only you whom I wish to croonA voice sweet and sonorous in every wayHow much longer will we be apart?If only I could spend time with you everydayI love you with every beat of my heartYou are whom my heart is longing forI shall never be the same as I was before

Sadness

Sadness fills my heartIt fills all the cracksAway all happiness dartsAll brightness turns to blackUntil nothing is leftJust the darknessIt commits theftStealing all but sadnessI am all aloneStanding in the darkIt seems light has never shoneThen I hear the voice of a lark

And the sun comes out to shineNow happiness is mine

Sonnet (Emulation of “I Too Sing America” by Langston Hughes)

I sing for AmericaWe all sing to be freeThough freedom is not freeWe pay a price for libertyIt’s not where I sit It’s not where I standWhether black, blue, white, or yellowWe all have the same reasonsIt comes from the history of Rosa parksIt comes from the statements of Martin Luther kingBut comes from the voice of Obama, our king

We, he, she, it, theyHey, I too sing for AmericaCause I too am free Valuable

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You are too valuable to give awayWe cannot waste timeFor you are why I am writing todayTo tell you how much you mean to me through this rhyme.

You are practically flawless in every aspectYou don't get mad at me when I make funYou treat me with so much respectAnd for this you deserve more than the sun

You are most definitely not unheededYour hair dances in the wind,Whose strength is not neededto bring out your beauty from within

As I finish writing this sonnetI am easily imagining you to be as brilliant as a shining comet

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