2009 River of Words Youth Poetry & Art Contest
Creek Seeker Grand Prize
Misunderstood
In a sacred place, a creek is alive,
Shallow, murky, moving water.
A water-strider walks along the water.
“Look closely, follow our movements,” the green water whispers.
A misplaced turtle bobs up and down, swimming gracefully.
Its striped shell and red head floats near the surface and then disappears.
Ripples spread over and over again, like a never-ending secret.
A wilted tulip drifts by.
Water springs out creating unforgettable ripples.
And if you look closely, you can see the copper glow of pennies, the
creek hopelessly misunderstood for a fountain. Dead leaves drift upon the
water.
The turtle observes this silently.
While the only spectator in the creek is Abe Lincoln’s copper face.
Caroline María Woods-Mejía, age 12
Berkeley, California
Poetry Inside Out
Teacher: John Oliver Simon
Tickets √
Lunches √
Beaver Video √
Projector √
Screen √
Speakers √
Presents for contest winners √
Tables for lunch in no-name park √
Thank you tshirt for Armando’s √
Losing my mind√
