Introduction
April 2016 marks the fifteenth annual Morris County Library Children's Poetry Festival; held each year during
National Poetry Month. This year ninety young people, grades 1-7, submitted verses. Our festivities wrap up
with a Poetry Party at which all participants receive certificates of recognition. This year we thank the Morris
County Library Foundation for their generous donation of four prizes.
Judging the poems were three of our librarians: Joanne Cronin, Mitch Greenberg, and Miriam Kornblatt. The
Festival was overseen by Supervising Librarian Princess Thomas and Elizabeth DeVincenzo of Children’s
Services. The online Poetry Booklet was designed by Graphic Artist Marylou Sparano. Thanks to them all.
We particularly appreciate the engagement and strong support of teachers at the Normandy Park and Peck
schools.
Congratulations to all our poets. Keep writing!
Darren O’Neill
Chief Librarian
Morris County Library
Whippany, NJ
http://www.mclib.info
Saniya Tariq April 5, 2016
Poetry
Basketball Limerick
There once was a girl who played basketball
She has the advantage of being tall
She can get the rebound
Without hitting the ground
Of course she won the championship that's all
Avery
Hi, my name is Avery,
I don't like food that is savory.
I like junk food much better,
Even in the darkest weather,
And I don't like Thanksgiving gravy.
Friendship
Behind the Block Uh-hu uh-hu
The breath breathes
Never stopping
The heart screams and screams
“Let me out”
The pool glistens a blue
The blue that has never changed
This moment I dread and plead for
The moment behind the block
The race before me ends
I pull myself up from the chair
My stomach is flipping and churning and rolling
This is the moment I dread and plead for
The moment behind the block
My feet step up on the white
I‛m shaking like a baby in the forest
I bend down
Careful
Not
To
Make
A
Sound
My chin stays down
Pinned to my neck
My heart is running
Around and around
This is the moment I dread and plead for
The moment on the block
The water hits me like ice
Cold and hard
My legs uncontrollably kick
up and down
My body sways in the wave
Not pausing
This is the moment I dread and plead for
The moment in the water
My arms fly out of the water
Front to back
In a loop
Ch
Ch
The water echos in my ear
My heart is louder than the water
Boom boom
Boom boom
My hands pull the water
Pulling to the gold
My body skims the ground then the surface
My hands grap hard cement
This is the moment I dread and plead for
The moment at the wall
I push away and start again
Up
Down
Up
Down
My arm aches
my legs cry out in pain
But nothing will stop me
The end comes close into reach
I peer from side to side
I see a face creeping up on me
My arms and legs start to move rapidly
My hand just touch the cement
My eyes flew up to the scoreboard Mary Gillen 1st place 40:05
This is the moment I plead for
The moment of winning the gold
- Mary Gillen
Pine Cones
Pine cones that have a rough coat
Spiky layers to protect its body
They look like many different shells
Put together in a pattern
They also look like a Christmas tree
WIth fine brown leaves
Pinecones, that sound like a song
With a stick to brush it
They look like corn on the cob
Fresh and ready for dinner
Reminds me of a big staircase
That goes on for almost ever
Pine cones, one of nature's treasures
A creature of the wild,
Without arms, legs and a mouth
But they can survive and be alive
Like all of natures creatures.
By, Shaan Thakker
Roller Skating
Woosh!
Gliding though
the rink.
Feeling Wind
in your hair
Around in circles
Again and again.
One Quiet Afternoon By: Saanvi Vavilala
One quiet afternoon, On a sunny day in June,
I tried to write a poem While I was humming a catchy tune.
I couldn't stop the song
From bouncing all around It was distracting me from thinking,
And boy, it was strong!
I picked up my pen To start writing again,
But I gazed up at the clouds And there I saw a fuzzy white hen!
I tore my eyes away and tried To make my thoughts abide,
But then I heard a strange sound And looked for a place to hide.
From behind my desk I take a peek,
It was only the door that made a creak! I’ll just try to get a line out
And turn it into something unique.
Mom calls, “Dinner time!” “I'll be right there!” I chime.
The blank paper stares at me What an idea this was of mine.
Poems are not for me,
They just aren’t my cup of tea. Maybe I will try some other day
When I find the key to poetry.
Marshall Herman
Mrs. Muller
English Griffin
3/2/16
I AM Poem
I am a fragile savior.
I seek land and a sacred place
I long for justice for my punished kin
I feel sadness for my fellow race
I am a fragile savior.
I worship those of greater power
I float aloft the mountaintops, yet one still soars above me
I build in stones that come to life
I withstand what others can’t, in times when it is needed
I am a fragile savior.
War Hit the clock, game is on White goes first with his pawn War is fought by black and white L shaped jumps moved by knight Protect the king at all cost If you fail all is lost Do not make an illegal move For the master disapproves Maneuver with your intellect Hopefully, you will not get checked Three games are played with a group of four Losing all three will send you through the door Gaining your ranking will mean harder masters Battle on, do not make any disasters Time up, battle over Triumphant takeover By Franklin Mau Peck School 5th Grade Mrs. Muller
Marshall Herman Mrs. Muller English Griffin 3/2/16
I AM Poem I am a fragile savior.
I seek land and a sacred place I long for justice for my punished kin
I feel sadness for my fellow race I am a fragile savior.
I worship those of greater power I float aloft the mountaintops, yet one still soars above me
I build in stones that come to life I withstand what others can’t, in times when it is needed
I am a fragile savior.
Mason Kung
Fire
summer in st. petersburg by: Laurel Minde we're wheeling through all these crowded rooms 'cause the heavens said: "you're so young to be dying so soon" but she called me a wide-eyed child with stars in my veins fragments of lucifer's broken heart and his lover's remains we acted as though our orange juice was mixed with vodka shots canada sent its regards in packs of menthols, our rotting thoughts and though she called me a wild-eyed child with arsenic in my veins
you can fossilize my scars, you won't take away their pain
Alexandra Ouzounian Mrs. Muller English Gorgon April 19, 2016
Spring Has Sprung The flowers sway so gracefully As the crisp breeze blows The delicate flowers come in an array of all different hues Yellows, Pinks, Oranges, and Light Blue A plethora of gorgeous colors cover the ground Like a double rainbow planted all over the ground Some flowers stand straight and some droop down The majestic tree surrounded by mulch proudly protects the fragile plants It’s limbs covered in thick bark stretch far over the bed of flowers Leaves of amber are rustling on the trees limbs Over head flies many birds disrupting the calm environment They chirp like a harmoniously choir is singing Bees buzzing all around as they collect sticky yellow pollen silently As they fly around it looks as if they are chasing each other It looks like a beautiful scene from a Monet painting The grass is extremely soft as it tickles the palm of your hand Bugs adventure all throughout the tree Making many small holes As the breeze stops blowing Everything pauses All goes back to being peaceful and quiet
Gunfire Mood:Dark Bombs burst in the air, Just like in a nightmare. Guns burst cannons fire, It all started when one gun fired. So much violence, So frightening Such a horrid sight to see. While women and men try to flee. Peace we could bring Which would give us a joyful song to sing We could make a stop to all this hatred, It’s getting overrated
Isabella DiPasquale 5th grade – The Peck School Mrs. Muller
The Start of the Evergreens (poetry writing)
Among the glistening plush blanket of snow, a single evergreen will rise. This lone tree is
the start of the evergreens.
The shiny, round snow covers the dunes of Colorado making paint shades blended of blue.
Wind twirls the snow into curls and drifts it swiftly over the giant’s footprints. The insides have
fallen creating deep round canyons. The connecting lumps sprouted balance beams of fluffy clouds.
The air spirals amongst the cool, crisp air, but in these white dunes and harsh canyons, behind a
mound, there is a black dot on a lumpy piece of paper - a single evergreen.
At dusk on Christmas Eve, the evergreens burst out of the marshmallow fluff, rising into the
majestic sunset, reaching for the delicate air. The trenches close at the touch of the greens making a
sparkling white quilt that covers every inch of the ground. Once the trees settle, the midnight sky settles
too. The wind begins to calmly brush up against their prickly green bodies. The stars fill the whimsical
sky with light and guidance. The night passes and fog starts to form a heavy coat for the air. Squirrels
begin to scurry into their homes knowing they would come...
Soon enough, families with their children bond over hot apple cider, while picking which
evergreen comes to their happy home and spreads cheer even more throughout the season.
If I Was Only One Inch Tall By Gloria Jeng
If I was only one inch tall,
smaller than an inch worm.
I couldn't eat big meals,
because I am so small.
I also couldn't go to school,
since I might get lost.
I will have an small ant,
that I will ride on.
The ant is also my pet,
and my best pal.
I`d like to be one inch tall,
just for one day.
If I Were In Charge of the World By Flora Jeng
If I were in charge of the world,
I’d cancel pickles,
Mushrooms,
Breaststroke,
Homework, and also
Focus for Five.
If I were in charge of the world,
There’d be free sushi,
Longer spring break,
More snow,
More computer time, and also,
Free hamburgers for everybody.
If I were in charge of the world,
You wouldn't have global warming,
You wouldn't have animal abuse,
You wouldn't have mosquitos,
Or bullies,
You wouldn't even have violence.
If I were in charge of the world,
There would be free marshmallows,
And free phones.
There’d be no pop quizes,
Or PARCC test.
And somebody who rushed
And sometimes couldn’t hush
Would still be allowed to be
In charge of the world.
The Holocaust
What a hideous
scene
people filled with terror
Trapped in ghettos
People risking their lives
Boom,boom, pow, pow
As the guns fire
Dead bodies
On the street
What kind of world
Was this?
Was this a place to raise innocent children?
People unable to get out
Trapped in their houses
Scared to live life
People in camps
Trapped like an animal in a cage
Confused
Not knowing the Natzis
Were coming at any moment.
They thought they were getting moved to a new place
But they were tricked
They were captured
And lived in extreme poverty.
The Months of the Year
First comes January
Where it’s cold as ice outside
And snow falls everywhere,
A time to begin a new year.
February,
The month of appreciating others
And loving your family for all they do.
March,
Basketball madness
And tricks from sneaky leprechauns
On St. Patrick’s Day
Watching the floats as they pass by
On the day of the parade.
April,
Spring is coming as the rain falls down
Day by day.
May,
Spring is still in the air
As the flowers bloom into something beautiful
Time to appreciate moms and how they are supportive
Like the wheels on a car.
June,
Thank you fathers for all you do
School is almost over
Time to say goodbye
To teachers and classmates
And time to say hello to summer.
July,
Red, white and blue on the night
Of the fourth of July
As we celebrate our independence in the sky.
August,
Summer is almost over
The fun in the sun
Is almost done.
September,
Goodbye summer,
Hello school
Time to start a new school year
New teachers and new friends.
October,
Kids of all ages fill the streets
On Halloween
Filling their bags with sweets
Saying trick-o-treat.
November,
A month to be grateful for everything you have,
Including friends and family
As we sit at the table eating the traditional Thanksgiving foods.
December,
Decorate your house, and put up the lights
Family’s eagerly wait for the man in the red suit,
With the jolly laugh, to stop by with presents
As he flies all over the world in the night sky
With his reindeer
But then it’s time to say goodbye
To the year, and hope for better things to come next year.
By,
Allison Forsell
Spring Spring oh how beautiful it is,the trees gently swaying,nothing is
decaying,you only hear the blowing of the wind.
You hear the children’s laughter,the birds chirping forever after,everything is perfect,It’s spring!
You feel the gentle breeze,all the way down to your knees,it all
feels majestic when it’s spring!
The bees are buzzing, everything is feels loving,you can’t just walk away from it, it’s spring!
Yes this is the life, everything is so nice,this is what life feels like,
it is spring!
By Jonathan Zuluaga
Words
Words can gain power
Like the finesse of a flower
Or the solitude of a tower.
Words can have meaning
Like a cleaning of hate
Or a needing of love.
Words can persuade
Like a rejectful barricade
Or a welcoming parade.
Words can make change
Like something strange
Or a wide range
Of choices.
Words are important,
Use them to help
Not to hurt, others.
By,
Naomi Williams
Wonderful Spring
Children laughing while they are playing
Kids feel the breeze of the wind and it feels good
The flowers move because of the wind it looks like they are
dancing
You can see little flies going under the grass
The grass dances when the wind hits it
Flowers look beautiful and they are so pretty
The sun is bright when it is up in the sky
Birds in the trees chirping and their shirping is like a song
Kids can lay on the grass
Airplanes in the sky and they make big white lines
You can climb trees and see a pretty view.
By:Genesis Jimenez Cruz
The penalty
Running, running
Towards the goal
Going tot take a shot
Another person from the other team puts his leg
Out I fall “beep” it’s a penalty
“Let me take the shot”
“Ok” I placed the ball
On the ground I took take 3 big steps
I run and I run and I kick the ball
And the goalkeeper went to the right side
And I kicked it to the right
Side but I kicked it to the top of the goal
And the goalkeeper went on the bottom
And I scored, I was as happy as a pig in the mud.
By,
Junior Verdugo
The Sprout
Sprout, how you let off a minty fresh smell and Your roots making you look like you fell.
Sprout, how I hear a soft brush sound as you stand tall in the ground.
Sprout, how you look as green as a frog’s rough skin and you feel as soft as a cloud and you look as fascinating as caterpillar
transforming into a butterfly. Sprout, you are one of NATURE'S TREASURES.
By, Jamir Brown
Boy Sports Club
Warming up with fun games
Sometimes Red Rover
Sounds like a little riddle
Red rover, red rover come on over.
Then the sports begin
Boys jumplng
Ready to play
Two or three sports at a time
Hockey, football, trash ball
Kickball to name a few
Suddenly 4:30 arrives
Boys Sports Club is over for now
But next week the fun returns!
By,
Hector Cabrera
The Flag
The Flag swings up side to side
The wind blows it fast
as a cheetah ,too fast
The Flag colors red,white
And blue remind us the brave
people that are at war for US our country
The Flag is always there,amazing
for the country ,the songs
for the flag,the flag
Has a pledge to honor
It was there during the awful
War
The Flag reminds
us that the people at war
are safe
Flag is all amazing
it’s colors have a shine
The amazing
Flag
By,
Kimberly Sanchez
Baseball
Baseball, baseball, baseball,
my favorite sport,
three outs in a half inning,
nine innings in a game,
one-hundred sixty-two games in a season,
thirty teams,
one dream which is the World Series.
Nine batters in a lineup,
five starting pitchers,
almost ten relief pitchers,
and one general manager.
The fans love to see home runs,
strikeouts,
and amazing plays.
Baseball, baseball, baseball,
I love baseball!!!!!!
By,
Zachary Hoover
Dogwood Flower
A dogwood flower is bright
and white as snow
but not cold
some petals have a little splash
of purple and green
it is also smooth
like a blanket and soft
like a puffy cloud
when you smell
It, it smells like nature
or sweet perfume
the flower makes me think
of a sunny day
in the center it's green
and very bumpy
there are four big petals
all the same size
and all shaped like hearts
it has a short,hard
and curved stem
The dogwood flower
Is one of nature’s treasures
By,
Josephine Stefko
My Birthday
Next Saturday
My birthday party
I’m finally double digits
I still feel like a Midget
I feel like dancing
Too tired
Greatest day ever!
Goodnight for now
That was just a, Wow!!
By: Angelica Cacchio
The Bark
“Crack!”
The bark falls off the tree
landing on the floor
All the insects rush to their new home
The insects creating little holes
for themselves to live inside
All different lines and cracks
Rough in some places, smooth in others
Holes making patterns,
Almost looking like a face
Camouflaging with nature's ground
Nature’s home and treasure.
By,
Giancarlo Durango
Warm Weather
The sun comes
out
Warming
Everyone
Peacefully
Warm weather
Helps
Plants grow
Slowly
Starting
As green
Sprouts
Growing
Taller
Each day
Warm weather.
By,
Jessica Mobus
Pine Cones
Pine cones that have a rough coat
Spiky layers to protect its body
They look like many different shells
Put together in a pattern
They also look like a Christmas tree
WIth fine brown leaves
Pinecones, that sound like a song
With a stick to brush it
They look like corn on the cob
Fresh and ready for dinner
Reminds me of a big staircase
That goes on for almost ever
Pine cones, one of nature's treasures
A creature of the wild,
Without arms, legs and a mouth
But they can survive and be alive
Like all of natures creatures.
By,
Shaan Thakker
Rain Drops
After a storm rain drops
Stick everywhere
On the grass
On the leafs
And on the windows
They gracefully fall
As if they’re going somewhere
Somewhere like a better place
On the windows
One falls on the other
Creating a ripple
Of hope
By; Madeline Jameson
Dawn
I watch as the sun goes up
To start a new day
The sun is bright and the air is new
The trees are softly swaying
To the beat of the birds
Chirping to say hello
To a new day
At dawn
By,
Naina Slaughter
The Cold Winter Night By Madeline Lovelsmith
The snow lays heavily on the ground,
Both the moon and the snow are bright.
I hear the happy barking dogs,
As we turn off the shimmering lights.
Soon the light from outside wakes us,
As we run outside with delight,
To see fresh new fallen snow,
And start our snowball fight.
Names By S. Lillian Lovelsmith
Everyone
Has a name.
Some are different;
Some the same.
Some are short;
Some are long.
All are right;
None are wrong.
.
The Girl Emilia Pacconi
The girl nobody understands
The girl with the torn
up jeans and dirty
lace shirt with long
greasy blond hair cascading
down her back.
Parents running, running, running.
The girl the stench
of garbage sitting in the sun
for days surrounding
you like a hug
that lets you sink
in and in.
Waves crashing sprinting, sprinting to catch up.
The girl the taste of the salty
tears dripping down my face
sorrow enclosing
me.
Trees falling down cars coming with them crashing between them.
The girl the humming
of a song running through
her head every note
one beat off.
Losing each other water catching up.
The girl the rough
skin against the other silky
smooth hand.
Black silence.
The smile shines
as bright as the sun
but is easily ignored.
Gasping for air from the frigid water pulling everything in.
The tears racing
down her face
seeing who would win
more competition
running, running.
Sinking down, down, down…..
The girl as beautiful
as a diamond
in the inside
that nobody sees.
Silence and no air.
The girl nobody understands.
The Void
By: Jonathan Fu
I peered down into the void
A dark hole of blackness
And I felt
A chill go up my spine
That made my body go
Still.
But then I knew
That it wasn‛t really a hole
But that it was actually
Myself.
No emotions
No feelings
No thoughts
Just an empty void
With Nothing.
Just a black hole,
With no end,
No stop,
An endless
Path
To nothing.
When I think back to that time,
The time of nothingness,
I faintly remember
The world around me collapsing
With nothing left
I now remember
What is was like
To have nothing
So now I‛ve learned
To hold on to what I can
And to appreciate
What really
matters.