Fresno County Public Library Poetry Contest

stars

When all hope has been lost; every night I tend to look to the stars.

The stars that are up so high, holding us through every night as we cry.

Strange how nothing could ever seem to shine all so bright like a star in the night sky.

Even in a place all so dark nothing seems to hold such a brilliant spark.

When things are hard I look up to you with all my heart hoping the day you'll be here.

Your light brings me life when lost without cause.

Whilst on this journey every night under these dark skies

I know your light will lead me right.

I wish upon the stars to hear my cries

The night that will forever change my life

For the day everything could be just right.

The day the stars intertwine and align

Seems like you're close and as close as could ever be.

But you'll only ever be as close as the closest star

You'll only ever be a million lifetimes apart.

So why should I cry when you're all so far

The universe brings us together yet tears us apart

Yet I still look upon the stars that have already died.

Hoping for the day you'll come back to me when you're broken apart.

--Melody A., 6th-8th Grade

Dad

I remember when my Dad took me to Universal Studios,

it was the best thing ever. I thanked him for that.

It was my favorite place. I was really happy Dad took us

since my brothers and I were good kids.

Sometimes we may mess up, but that's okay

because mistakes happen sometimes

and we learned from them.

My Dad took us because we were good kids

and we got to keep it that way,

but no matter what happens

me and my brothers love our Dad

--Dilan S.B., 6th-8th Grade

The Dog in the Hat

There once was a dog with a hat,

Who loved to lie down on the mat,

He chased after a ball,

But tripped in the hall,

And ended up chasing the cat.

--Hiram D., 6th-8th Grade

Ode to Trust (Adapted from "Ode to Thanks" by Pablo Neruda)

Thanks to the word that says Trust!

Thanks to Trust, word that makes us comfortable!

The world is a threatening place until Trust makes the rounds

from one pair of lips to another, Bright as a star

And soft as a pillow, life becomes bright again,

Travelers fan out into the wilds, and in the jungle of strangers,

विश्वास(vishvaas) rings out while the hustling train changes countries,

sweeping away borders, then Confiar

clinging to pointy volcanoes, to fire and freezing cold,

Or 信頼(Shinrai), yes! And Lòng tin, and

the world turns into a table: a single word has wiped it clean,

plates and glasses gleam, silverware tinkles,

and the tablecloth is as broad as a plain.

Thank you, Trust, for bringing people together,

for rising up and settling down.

We know, Trust, that you don’t fill every space

you’re only a word

but where your Heart appears

There's a warm light from the heavens,

and there’s a bright light at the end of a star.

--Jeremiah V., 6th-8th Grade

Faith

God is the light

through the dark

When there is nobody around

Holding my hand

along the way

Every moment of the day

When I am out and about

With my day

Smiling at him

He glances at me in a way

I can’t quite describe

Quite generous I might say

--Julietta E., 6th-8th Grade

I Fell in Love With You

I fell deep in love,

But I didn’t fall in love with your looks,

I fell in love with your humor,

I fell in love with the breathtaking sound of your voice.

I fell in love with the way you always laugh,

I fell in love with the way you talk to others,

So kind and so sweet.

You always speak with that spark in your eyes.

I fell in love with the way you are always so patient and sweet with me,

I fell in love with the way you would comfort me.

I fell in love with how you would say my name with such enthusiasm.

But must importantly , I fell in love with you.

I love you very truly,

I hope you love me as well,

I hope you love me in the way that I love you,

I hope you know how much I truly love you.

Even though this might be considered cringe,

I hope you know it’s because I love you so much,

I love you in a way where I am willing to climb any kind of mountain,

As long as it means that I'll be able to see you when I reach the top.

--Noelia G., 6th-8th Grade

Both Sides of my Family

Oh how my life was great,

I never had to hesitate.

Oh it was so much fun,

I spent days running in the Sun.

Oh then one day, war struck,

everyone was thunderstruck.

Oh it was dangerous and unfair,

but it wasn’t safe to stay there.

Oh friends had to later part,

but the memories stayed in my heart.

Oh how I miss them oh so much,

I just want to get in touch.

In the new lands,

I made new friends,

to hang out with,

on the weekends.

Our parents worked every day,

to become doctors to help kids

that got into foul play.

My grandma that did my dishes,

now just sends me holiday wishes.

As time passed, every day,

we got used to living this way.

And every summer, as we return,

it is always so much fun.

I glance at the halls I used to roam,

as a kid this was my home.

As I see my old friends, we all smile,

“I haven’t seen you in a while!”

--Pann T., 3rd-5th Grade

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