The winners:
I am a river with banks so wide.
My waters flow swift, many secrets they hide. For on the surface I am visible in all to the eye, but it's under the surface where my true self hides.
I am a river, for my spirit flows free.
No dam can deter no mountain can slow, my river so fast, when I let myself flow.
I may look the same as any river you see, but take a swim in my waters and you may be surprised by what you see.
At times it will drought and I will slow, losing my power and purpose, my path hard to traverse, for how can a stream flow in a rivers rutted banks?
And at times I will flow out of control, my path hard to see.
I will make some wrong turns, but eventually I will turn into the river I was meant to be.
You are a river with much to hide, your waters flow swift, and many secrets they hide.
I long for a swim in your waters so cool, in hopes to dig from the mud, your secrets, so true.
For on the surface, you are the most beautiful river to be seen, but under that guise, the turbulent waters beneath is where I truly find thee.
Yet I find that I can tame these waters, so choppy, and beneath is the pearl I have so much longed to see.
Everybody's got a river inside
The deep, blue waters where your true self hides.
No diver can reach no boat can drive
Only you can reach the waters where your true self hides.
So dive on in, don't be shy,
Don’t be afraid of what you might find.
For no diver can reach, no boat can drive,
Only you can reach the waters where your true self hides.
Only you can reach the waters where your true self hides.
By Chris M.
Age 14
Rancho Santa Margarita Branch Library
Honorable mentions:
POWER OF FRIENDSHIP
The more we see each other,
The more we like each other.
The more we share together,
The more we get closer.
The more we know each other,
The more we interact.
The more we spend time together,
The more we remember each other
As more time passes by and
As more time fades our memories.
That’s the power of true friendship.
By Sonal C.
Irvine/Heritage Park Library
Age 16
Artist Statement: This work is based upon the Gestalt principles of perception in Psychology. As I was studying for my AP Psychology exam, I thought that a poem would help me understand and remember the terms and definitions.
A Light House
A true friend is like a lighthouse
Its radiant light
Shining bright
Onto the hazy bay
Never letting its ships stray, or loose their way
When a strong storm brews
In the dead of
Night
The light will always keep the lonesome sailors out of fright
The light from the lighthouse shines strong
No matter what is wrong
The light scans the shores for any signs of struggle
Just like a friend would help you if you were in trouble
The light lends a helping hand to the men out at sea
Just like a true friend would help go to the
End of the earth
For a friend in need
The light of a true friend
Always
Shines its light out onto the bay
Never
Letting its friend get in harms way
By Taylor S.
Age 15
Artist Statement: This poem is making an analogy between the light of a light house and the duties of a true friend
Foes are Friends
Friendship.
Friends. Everywhere.
Foes can be friends.
Friends. Forever.
Relations mend.
Friends. Whenever
They are there when
One is in need.
There they lend
A helping hand.
Friends to be discovered.
Friends faraway.
Friends come together
Alive or Decayed.
Friends strengthens one’s will
Anathema lifted for
Friends will fill
The empty spot of your life.
Friendship last forever
In life or in death.
Friendship never wavers.
Friendship is blessed.
Friendship gives one courage.
Friends propel one forward.
Friends increase one’s mileage.
Friends. The power forwards.
Friends are real.
They mostly don’t cheat.
They are the best deals.
Friendship. An astounding feat.
Foes are divided.
Friends united.
Foes will hate it!
Yet friends will love it!
What do YOU want to be?
Foe or Friend?
It is your choice but as you can see
Friends will send you the happiness
To the most amazing degree.
By Billy H.
Irvine/Heritage Park Library
Age 12
The Other Side
An unspoken apology,
That shall remain unspoken.
You have been my crutch…
I’m sorry I wasn’t yours
You have always been there.
Though not in every way I needed,
I can’t expect that from you
I can’t ever,
Ever ask that of you
It just took me awhile to see that.
What you didn’t know,
What I didn’t even know
Was that you were this reminder.
This constant,
Agonizing reminder
Of things I’m not yet ready to deal with.
So I pushed you away
And rebuilt my wall.
Because that’s what I do best
You let me in –
But I should have stopped you
They’re my burdens to bear.
You,
Along with every other person in this world
Have enough of your own.
I’m sorry it took me so long to realize that
By Alyssa C.
Age 16
Artist Statement: This poem is about the other side of friendship...the side with the complications that you don't always see coming.
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