Rani Jhansi sacrificed at large,
Lajpat Rai suffered lathi charge,
Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru, Sukhdev,
All innocents were hanged to death,

Neta ji is creating azad hind fauj,
Gandhi's non-violence also rose,
All those sacrifices and all fights,
Brought home independence,
AT MID-NIGHT!!!

- Kirti Sharma, New Delhi, India

Spring

The birds sing in cheer,
as the spring sun rises.
Everything comes to life,
after the depressing winter.
After their long night's sleep,
the flowers awake.
They greet us with brilliant colors.
They open their eyes,
and smile at the sky.
I smile.
I smile for spring is here.
For spring is here.

- Kris

Chips

A life is like a bag of chips,
no one is the same.
They are all different
and no one else complains.
They are eaten on a daily basis
but when there is none left.
There is just one crumpled up empty carcass.

- Reece, age 14

Unknown

Something in my mind tells me to cry
There's something there that makes me "feel" the way i do -
the coldness of heart and emptiness of soul.

I used to stand tall, broad, and "happy."
But depression took its way....and un-paid toll.
I yearn to be that little girl, the one i used to be -
innocent, happy, and carefree
~*no worries*~
There is no such thing as carefree in my life.
Too many illnesses, deaths, and paying a price.
Sometimes i'm happy, during the day, i go home and cry for nobody's sake.

There's someone in a distance, trying to help.
Her life too, she's going through hell.
I don't know how she does it, nor what i'm s'pposed to do.
She helps me cross every steep or rocky path -
~*Thank you.*~
Your love is great. Your words are kind and gentle. I love you too.

I try to put my life together, but something tells me no.
The world is falling apart, there's nowhere else to go.
With that i sit secluded, secluded in my room.
Away from people, school, the world, - left alone in that room.
I slowly light a candle, it's flame is burning long.
Staring at that flame wishing i could be that strong.
I turn on music and start to cry.
No apparent reason, i don't know why.
Yet everything now seems blurry and unclear.
Please come and comfort me, wipe away these tears.
These tears of sadness, no hope, no joy.
Tears of anger, sorrow and fears.....leaving me pale and weak.
I leave the music playing, the candle burning bright.
I try so hard to fall asleep, but Sandman never comes at night.
I get up the next morning thinking "i could be forever empty, and always act
this way, or i could change myself today despite what anyone might say."
I merely smile to myself and wonder, "could i do this everyday?"
"No," says the unknown in the back of my head.

The one negative source saying no in my mind...was still saying no,
despite all the hard times.
All the negative thoughts are overpowering and strong.
I wish i could admit, there's something terribly wrong......
But no one's got the time, to listen for my scream.
My cry, the scream of help, which grows solid in heart and mind.

I'll go back upstairs secluded, - secluded from the world.
Only to cry again in the dark -
that dark cold room....

- Eryne Tilev, age 14, Illinois

Up Ahead

A test of fitness,
a trial to dial,
distantly visible,
blind to the sea,
hacking and yearning,
and hoping to be,
the one who all waits for
nothing to come,
the future is racing into the sun.

- Jared Williams, age 16

Setting Silent Yet So Proud

I will watch you from my cloud.
Setting silent yet so proud.
Knowing your love belongs to me.
The love that makes me so happy.
As I watch you from the sky.
I know my love will never die.
Stronger and stronger everyday.
I love you more in every way.
Your beautiful eyes, your precious voice.
My love for you is not by choice.
I can't describe the way I feel.
All I know is that it's real.
I can feel it in my heart.
I could tell it from the start.
Your skin so soft, your eyes so blue.
I give with love my heart to you.
I give my faith and love to thee.
For you're the only one for me.

I will watch you from my cloud.
Setting silent yet so proud.
Friends will come and friends will go.
They fade in time they melt like snow.
You're my love and I best friend.
For you I'll be there till the end.
Even if I'm struck with death.
My love won't die with my last breath.
I will take it up with me.
Looking down with love for thee.
From my heart my tears will drain.
But all you'll see is silent rain.
I will wait for you forever.
Knowing someday we'll be together.

I will watch you from my cloud.
Setting silent yet so proud.
Wondering what next you'll say or do.
Looking down and loving you.
As I watch you from my cloud.
Setting silent yet so proud.
Silent with respect and love.
Proud loving you from here above.
I give my love to you today.
No one can take that away.
I've never loved like this before.
It makes me want to love you more.
I promise what I say is true.
Being here in love with you.
You make what I want to be.
Without you there is no me.
Some day you'll be here in the skies.
I will look into to your eyes.
And I will hold you on my cloud.
Setting silent yet so proud.

- Cory Taylor, Corydon, Indiana

Them (My Last Message)

The struggle without
It's all because of Them
Not understanding
Not wanting to know

Ridicule me for fault
But you chose what you see
In me is a secret
Unknown by you
Becoming unknown to me

But the hate is mutual
Don't you see?
For what you bestow upon me
My soul will reflect to you

Tell me what you think you see
I'll tell you what is true
But that chance is forever vacant
All because of me
All because of you

- Matt Metzger

Dear Heaven

Dear Heaven,

Oh heaven above, I've prayed to you for so long.
I've prayed that my nightmare will end.
With all my loved ones gone.
My hearts done nothing but bend.
Though I can't seem to shake my sadness.
Everyday I see more madness.
So heaven I pray to you today.
make these nightmares go away.
for I can't believe they are gone.
Now my letter is threw and I bid you good day.
I know nothing can be done but I thank you anyway

Sincerely,
Sadness

- Heather Rask

Don't Forget Them

Whe I moved,
my friends slipped from my mind.

So many memories,
gone from time.

So many feelings,
wiped form sight.

So many memories,
lost from view.

When all was lost,
my heart grew soft.

Don't forget them,
one last thing.

They were my friends,
they tied a know, in my ring.

They helped me realize,
one last thing.

Don't forget them,
one last thing.

The tied the know,
in my ring.

- Meghan Taggart age 12, New York

Chocolate

C reamy, crunchy, very tasty,
H ealthy for kids,
O kay for adults.
C onsume it, it's very tasty,
O f all food this is the best.
L isten...it will suit you,
A wesome it really is!
T o all you kids,
E njoy it.

- Jaideep Reddy, Age 9, India

The Sister Creature

What can she do that I can't do?
What can she say that I can't say?
Why do they embrace her like a goddess?
Why do I feel this surge of betray?

How can she always get me in trouble?
And have them on her side?
Why am I always the one who gets grounded?
How can she be so bright?

Why is she always the one who is prettiest?
How on Earth can she get all those friends?
Why is she always invited to parties?
Is it because of her "miraculous" amends?

Why is she always pulled ahead?
Why am I always left alone?
Why does she always get the best share?
Why am I left to cry and moan?

Will I ever get my justice?
Will I ever find my peace?
Or will this sister creature always
Get what my heart truly needs?

But still she is the sister
For whom I'll always care.
I'll always, always love her
Even though we don't always share.

- Barbara Kasbergen, age 11, Texas

Stars

I wish upon the stars on above,
To live as in my dreams of love.
I hope that you will keep me strong,
And help me feel like I belong.

Oh pretty star that lights the night,
Be ever sure that I'm all right.
Help, that I may stay aware,
Of all the friends who really care

I ask you star, watch over me,
Guide me through what I don't see.
Help watch over those I know,
And help my mind that it may grow.

Oh heavenly star please guide my heart,
I need you God, do not depart.
Watch over me and wish me well,
I'll show my joy, for all to tell.

- Brianne

Teacher's Lunch

The day of the teacher's Luncheon
We all dressed our very best
we waved good-bye to our parents
and off to school we were sent
the day of the teacher's luncheon
it would be sooo cool
i brought tuna
that's a fish
and a salad too
but most of all
i brought the octopus stew
It was nasty said the teachers
but i thought it was cool
i left it on my teacher's desk
and she fainted on the floor!!!
the day of the teacher's luncheon
all the students laughed
for my very best friend
brought an eel and an axe!!
now how can we eat that??
Asked Mrs. Mak
We'll need a vet, no no no no
we'll need a gnat.
hopefully we won't need a rat!!

- Hannah Wills, age 11

I Miss You

i miss you so much
why did you have to leave,
why so soon?
you told me you loved me
then you split
you said it was not me
but you did not give me a reason why
you promised you would come back for me one day
and you never did
you told me would marry
you didn't really mean that
why did you say things you didn't mean
why did you do those things you know i didn't want to do
why did you have to be so sweet
but yet so rude
it took me a long time to understand that i was not the reason why
i was not to blame
but now you're home
and you say you have changed
but so have have i
i don't fall for losers and players anymore
i am in love for the last time
and u aren't even a second glance.

- Jill Capelluti, age 15

Poem of Love

Poem of Love is something so sweet
Poem of Love is something you can keep close to your heart
Poem of Love is something wating for you at your front door
Poem of Love is something to take good care of ya.

Poem of Love is something is always kind
Poem of Love is something never far behind you
Poem of Love is something that always makes u smile
Poem of Love is something to make your every wish come true.

- Carrie

Heavenly Sky

When you see the eagle flying through the heavenly lite sky
You sit there and wonder what it would be like to fly
Like that eagle through the sweet smelling air of the heavenly sky.
Keep your hopes up high
Someday you will fly
With that angel in the heavenly sky.

- Carrie

My Valentine

My Valentine is someone i love he is a sweet heart he loves me so much
he gives me love when ever i need it

My Valentine is a great angel sent from above who gives me hugs when i
am cold who teels me stories that i will never unfold.

My Valentine whispers in my ear to tell me every thing i need to know
about being his only one he will love.

- Carrie

Whoopie Noodles
(for Steven from Daddy)

Whoopie Noodles
Dipsey Doodles
and Boogity Boogity Zap!
Silly Words
and Billy Birds
I've got some in a Sack!

Rah Rah Rah
Blah Blah Blah
and Rinkity Dinkity Hey!
Music Rings
While I sing
and Greep my Boogle Bay!

- Larry Tucker, Adult

Sleep

Gently, gently into the deep,
The winding path that leads to sleep
Past the room where dreams are stored,
with silver walls and purple doors.

Through villages where evening dwells
in lingering dusk and faery spells.
Where lamp lights flicker behind the glass
as silent windows watch me pass.

Beside the gentle murmuring stream
Beneath the stars and pale moon's beam
I close my weary day-worn eyes
and drift away to the peaceful skies.

- Randy Reames, Adult

Page 29

Collar turned against the fog
from the deck of this shrouded ship
I stare through the haze at
what little I can see
of a sea of despair and sadness.

Then there emerging from the fog
in a blast of circus music,
riding high on his funny little speed boat hull,
arrives the Whoopie Noodle clown

Carving figure eights in the waters below me
dancing, juggling and honking his big clown horn
brings at last a smile to my face
before he disappears again into the fog.
and I continue sipping my melen-coffee

(Inspired by reading page 29.)

- Larry Tucker, Adult

I Needed You

When I needed to talk
you didn't have time!
You had other problems
more important than mine!

When I felt all alone
and I reached out to you,
You had places to go
more important things to do!

I tried to get your attention!
I needed to know that you cared!
I guess you didn't notice
that I was so scared.

I needed your help
to decided what to do!
You said, "I'll find time for you later,"
I guess that wasn’t true.

What should I have done
to have earned some of your time?
I tried to be patient
while standing in line!

I needed your opinion
on the right and the wrong.
On which path to follow,
I had the need to belong!

Whenever I failed
that always got your attention!
The good that I did
you never did mention.

I’ve paid a high price
for what should have been free.
The price for your attention
cost my future for the fee!

We shared the same house,
yet, we never knew each other.
Remember Me — I'm your kid.
You were my Father and Mother!

- Patty Bunn, Adult