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.