by Teen Poets
These poems were written by local, and not so local, teens who won our most recent Teen Talk poetry contest. The contest is open to anyone age 13-19. Any subject or type of poem will be considered with five or more poems selected each time, details below.
Dreams
by David Unruh, 12th Grade
Immanuel High School, Reedley, CA
When I lay down at night
I put all my fears away,
And for just a couple hours
My love for you can stay.
Past experiences and moments
All fall into place,
Like puzzle pieces rearranging
To form your beautiful face.
My conscience is the artist
Using all my hope and love,
To create a perfect world
That I can never have.
As I watch in awe
From a place I can’t control,
I wish that you could see
All this inside my soul.
Yet as the sun comes up
And the day begins,
My fears come rushing back
As reality kicks in.
But like a candle in the dark
Or the sun after the rain,
As life continues to move on
My dreams of you remain.
by Sarah Wrubel, 10th Grade
Cypress Bay High School, Weston, Florida
I am a flightless bird
That takes off, but never soars,
Observing the adventure below,
But never really feeling the breeze through its’ bound wings.
I am a songful bird
That sings in comfort and solidarity.
One that would never bestow a concert
But wishes on stars for the courage to do so.
I am a songful and flightless bird
That hasn’t soared or flown.
That hasn’t reached its’ destination
Or chased down its’ wildest dreams.
For now, I’m just a bird
Not ready to take off,
But willing to try.
When The Willow Stopped Weeping
by Summer Hoover, 11th Grade
Eleanor Roosevelt Community Learning Center, Visalia, CA
The Sun was shining and the skies were clear,
Yet the Willow still weeped.
The field was green and full of life.
Down, the Willow’s vines still creeped.
Then one day storm clouds filled the sky,
And lightning struck a leaf.
The Willow held its head up high.
The sight was beyond belief!
Kiss
by Ashley Robbins, 12th Grade
Immanuel High School, Reedley, CA
The flick
of nervous eyelashes seems
hardly noticeable
as you hold together
shy feelings
with your look alone,
waiting for the
quick and soft
trick of the
light when your
opportune moment awaits
to fuse
our souls and minds
to hearts
together in the form
of lips touching.
Monthly Teen Poetry Contest
See your poem published!
Submit entries via an email to life[at]kingsriverlife[dot]com, our Submission Form or snail mail: Kings River Life Magazine, P.O. Box 1355, Reedley, CA 93654. Include your full name, age, grade and the school you attend with each entry — no inappropriate material will be considered. Feel free to email us or use our Contact Form if you have any questions. You will also be asked for a couple lines of biographical information if your poem is chosen. We look forward to your entries!
In the meantime, check out our Teen Talk section with articles including reviews, opinion pieces, local band profiles, area high school and college goings-on — all written by local teens. Be sure to follow us on Twitter too as we will be having giveaways for all Kings River Life readers of tickets, CDs, books, t-shirts and more.
It’s nice to hear from such talented young people. Keep writing.