Student Created Poetry - National Poetry Month

During National Poetry Month, many of our TCs include poetry writing with their students during class time. We highlight some of those on this page. Click Celebrating Rural Poetry for even more great student poetry.

From Marsha Walsh Jarrell
Relentless—
By: Tori Neil

O Lord, I look upon this earth You have placed in front of me
& teardrops stain my face when I realize what I see
The beauty & magnificence created by Your hand
Has been turned around, upside-down, into a different land

The world that you created is now crumbling in my hands
& there is an evil power greater than any mortal man
There are trials & tribulations I know are soon to come
& a battle where I must stand strong in order to be won

Dear God, give me the strength I need to carry on
Cause now I am weak & fragile-soon to come undone
My mind is filled with fear but poured into my heart is love, peace,
& understanding from a gentle God above

Lord, You brought sight to a man who could not see
& with five fish & two loaves of bread five thousand did You feed
You have rekindled broken hearts & healed more than I could tell
On that cross on Calvary You saved my soul from Hell

So when the waves of life come crashing down on me
I know that by Your hand You will calm the stormy seas
& in the darkest days when hope seems far from sight
Your relentless love for me will be my guiding light

Always there to pick me up if ever I should fall
Never straying far enough to not hear me when I call
This is the promise You made to me so many years ago
When Your blood was shed upon that cross

It was then true love was shown.

One Day
By: Ericka Crum

I’m sorry I always disappoint you.
I’m sorry I let you down.
But I’m telling you one day,
I’ll get out of this town.

You may never believe me when I say
I'll prove myself to you one day.
I’ll make you proud of me,
Just you wait and see.

I’m sorry I’m not perfect,
Or what you expected me to be.
I’m sorry of all the pain I’ve caused you
And of all the worry that came from me.

I’m sorry I have lied to your face.
I’m sorry a better daughter can’t take my place.
I’m confident though some way,
I’ll prove myself to you one day.

I’m sorry of all my back talk in the past.
I hope your doubt in me won’t last.
I’m so sorry I disobey,
But I’ll prove myself to you one day.

I owe my very life to you,
Which is why I’m sorry for all the horrible things I do.
I’m so sorry, if you only knew
One day I’ll prove myself to you.

Remember
By: Danielle Halley

I wanna remember
the look on your face when I was born
I wanna remember
you holding me as an infant

I wanna remember
the toys we played with
I wanna remember
all the times we had together

I wanna remember
all the toys you bought me
I wanna remember
being daddy’s little girl

I wanna remember
all the good things about you
I wanna remember
your voice

I wanna remember
the times before you were gone
I wanna remember
you

Brother
By: Meagan Mahaffey

Brother who takes pride in winning
And asks why people waste time
Who is chicken and Coke
Who is an old time song and a long road trip
Whose life is saved
Is a prime example of good morals
Who tells me he loves where he lives
Who tells me he’ll miss me
Whose eyes are ice blue
Can’t come home a lot
Eats, sleeps, and breathes baseball
Who used to fight with me often but adores me now
Is my hero
Is someone everyone loves
Is my rock when everyone walked out
Doesn’t like disappointing me
Is my trust and example
Who remains in my heart, no matter our distance apart
Is advice and comfort and shows me he cares
Who is always first to arrive
And last to leave
Is the one I love and look up to
asks ‘are you okay’ and how’s my town?’
Who sees me like no one else does
Who is too far away
Whose texts don’t do him justice
Is a 4.0 I have to follow
Who is open for suggestion
But wants to be right
Who is my older sibling
Who understands who?

Sense Poem
By Tori Neil

The wind runs down my neck
And I see my breath in the air
On top of a mountain I sit waiting
Waiting for the sun to sink behind the hills
And fade into the darkness of night
The smell of pines surround me
I close my eyes and listen
To the rippling brook below me
And wait for night to set in

Hot Chocolate
by Danielle Spangler

One dollar a cup
to keep us warm
we hurry
before there is no more
we run down the stairs
you can hear the crowds
clap, clap, clap
running as fast as we can
you smell the
popcorn,
nachos,
and
cheese
you order
because you’re cold
"one hot chocolate to go”
you see the whipped cream
you leave
hot cups
burning hands
we stand
and drink
warming your body
happy and hyper
satisfied again

Champs
by Alyx Stover

As you hand the five dollars when you cross the bridge,
you see the roaring crowd supporting our team in orange and black.
High fives from buddy to buddy.

The mouth-watering aroma from the popcorn fills the air.
You take a gulp of Dasani water to quench your thirst.
Then, it’s kick off time!
Our Tigers look mean with their shoulder pads and facemasks.
They feel so determined to show off their skills.
The players hear the trash talk.

Number fifteen catches the ball, runs and BAM!
Touchdown for the Chapmanville Tigers!
A quick time-out to take a large drink of water.
They feel the sweat dripping down their backs.
The cheerleaders jump to their feet and shout for our team.
Half time is here and the whole crowd stands up to catch plastic footballs from the cheerleaders.

You catch the football with such pride.
You hear the announcer come across the intercom and say “Third Quarter.”
The fans are ready for more action, feeling so proud of our team.
The boys taste the dirt as they go down for the tackle.
The fourth quarter comes and we are still leading the boards.
The final buzzer sounds and bottles, pompoms, and helmets go flying through the air!
The Tigers just became AA State Champs!

Victory
By Eric Campbell
You may commit my name to memory,
As an awful, twisted man,
But, through the failure and defeat,
Still I think I can.

Does my persistence annoy you?
"Why does he think that way?""
For I am proud of how I work
And that I will win someday.

Just like the tides of battle,
With the certainty of death,
Just like the power of the Lord;
Stil, mine will be success.

Would you like to knock me down?
For being an honorable steed
Beset my deed and glory
With your hostility and greed.

Out of the fissures of defeat,
I succeed
Into the day that will someday come,
I succeed
I'm the poster child of victory,
Showing everyone how it's done.
I succeed.
I will wine.
I am the one.

Still I Live
By Paige Toney
You may grow inside my body
With your malignancy
You'll give me pain that is unbearable
But, still, with God's grace, I'll live

Do my chemo treatments bother you?
Why do you stare into my face?
Can you not bear to understand
God will heal me with his grace

Just like the flowers in the spring time,
Their beauty they do give,
Just like a fresh daisy,
Still I'll live.

Do you want to see me sick?
My body wasting away?
My eyes all grey and hollow
Praying for just another day.

Does my smile make you angry?
Don't you get too upset
When I refuse to allow you reign
As with each passing day, the better I get

You may try to take my dignity,
Death you may try to give,
You may travel thoughout my body
But still like the flowers, I will live

Does my faith bother you?
Do you think I'll just let you be?
The one to kill and destroy
When I have angels surrounding me?

Out of the trap of your malignancy
I live
For months of treatment
I live
I'm a vessel that has been made whole
Smiling and glowing
Leaving behind days of chemo and pain
I live
With a future that is long and dear
I live
Bringing hope to those with this illness
With a message that faith brings wellness
I live
I live, I live.

Nunny Who
By Allyson Townsend
Nunny who is soft spoken, but don't make her mad.
Nunny who calls me her sunshine.
Always records the memories.
Who watches us play cards until 4 a.m.
Nunny who jokes about the butterfly bush and the Chucky doll.
Who says, "Go play in the creek,
or go climb some trees."
Who understands what you're going through.
Nunny who collects tons of stamps
Who can't get out of bed today
Has been sick for years now.
Who doesn't know what she's saying
I know she still loves me.
Who passed away all to quickly
And who knows I'm still her sunshine.
So I'll now ask,
Who misses her who?

Grandfather Who
By Lauryn Bazzilla
Grandfather who always thought he would be here
And loved me with every breath he took
Who was there throughout my whole life
Who is still my best friend in my heart
Who was a faithful Christian
Who led me in all the right paths
Who gave me the best advice
Even when I was sad
Who wasn't ashamed of his past
Whose heart I always melted
With my pouty lip and puppy dog eyes
Who used to be the one I looked up to
And still do
Who'd never let me frown
Who helped me when no one else would
Who wanted to see me graduate
And be the best I could
Who had extremely high expectations
Who I will never disappoint
And try to make proud
Who is never to be let down
Who couldn't give up sweets
Who told me stories
Until he ran out of ones to make up
Who stayed on the golf course all day long
Whose face that never failed to be in the stands
Who told me to be still
Though it wasn't necessary
Who never left without an "I love you"
Of a "squeeze me tighter" hug
Who kept getting older
Though it never crossed my mind
Whose hair was turning gray
Who was running out of time
Who broke my heart
When it was time to go
But now is where he always dreamed of
Pas the pearly gates
Who is with the man who changed his life
Who is my guardian angel
Who is watching over me who?

---

From Theresa Dingess

Wind Unspoken
By Jeffery Butcher

The wind whistles silently, through the night, as I lay awake in my bed
Temptations to escape despicable torture leave me wondering confused-like in my mind

Wishing to be a blade of grass seems to be too much of a request but being that grass leaves me without any cares

Being light as a feather that’s swooped up by the drafty current up-bringing keeps me floating without hesitation

Take me away, I’ll never tell

Somehow I’ll become the wind one day and show my resenting feelings towards the world
My emotional state-of-being and I will be carried away and yet I won’t be able to care

I want to shout out loud as abrupt as a thunderstorm and my words will be violent like a hurricane
They windy tornado of my soul will come crashing down and you’ll soon see how I’ve corroded inside

I’m like the wind who doesn’t speak unless ready to
With these words do you understand?

Can you hear me now?

---

I Am
By Kayla Ghent

I am a girl who likes to get down and have fun
I wonder if I will ever get a boyfriend
I hear a high pitched ringing noise in the dead silence
I see fireflies flashing in mid air
I want to have the vacation of a lifetime
I am a girl who likes to get down and have fun

I pretend I am a famous actress
I feel the cool calm air as it breezes on my shoulders
I touch the softness of a kitten’s fur
I worry about the world coming to an end
I cry when I get yelled at
I am a girl who likes to get down and have fun

I understand I’m not perfect
I say that everyone in the world should be treated equally
I dream that everyone will be happy
I try to learn how to drive a four-wheeler
I hope my life doesn’t mess up
I am a girl who likes to get down and have fun

---

From Rebecca Johnson My fifth grade students wrote these poems. They were asked to tell me in a poem what was so special about being young. The students have given me permission to share their poems, however, they have asked that I use a pen name. This topic was chosen to correspond with the birthday of Ponce de León.

YOUTH
By Connor

You don’t have wrinkles
Our inspiration is from older people
Understanding why we don’t have driver’s license.
Trying to understand the world.
Have a lot of energy.

YOUTH
By Hope

Young is fun to be
Once in a lifetime chance.
Under the influence
Trying new things everyday
Honestly, it is fun to be young.

YOUTH
By Hallie

Young is fun
Open to a variety of future options
Unending imagination
To be able to be really energetic
Healing fast

2008

From Nancy Terlizzi's classroom:

Where I'm from...
by James Mc Coy 9th grade

I am from the thick forest to the red bird.
I am from the fighting and feuding.
I am from the soot black as night.
I am from mountains that reach to the heavens.
I am from swinging on old tree vines.
I am from fishing to hunting.
I am from "Make yourself at home!"
I am from sitting on your porch to family get together.
I am from early Sunday to late Sunday nights.
I am from home cooking.
I am from stills to moonshine.
I am from where people know everyone.
I am from the mountains and backwoods.
I am a hillbilly.

From Tia Miller's Classroom

In Your Dreams
By: Derek Vinson
When the night gets long
You close your eyes and
Wish of a land
Upon a mountain with
A cabin and a clear view of the North
Star you close
Your eyes and begin to have
Dreams of a wish that you thought would never
Come true but when you wake to find out your
True wish has come true

The Christian That I Am
By: Samantha Bronz
I am a Christian who keeps my head held high
I wonder what heaven will be like
I hear whispers in the wind
I see people playing on the clouds
I want to make it to heaven some day
I am a Christian who keeps my head held high

I pretend that no one has anything bad to say about me
I feel as if my whole life is a dream
I touch the hands of the Holy Ghost
I worry that the world is ending
I cry only when someone has really hurt me
I am a Christian who keeps my head held high

I understand that there’s nothing God can’t handle
I say everything happens for a reason
I dream about how I would like for my life to be
I try to be the best I can be
I hope that my future beholds good things
I am a Christian who keeps my head held high

My Intelligent Mother
By: Diana Rowe

Mom, Know what
You’re like technology
You are smart and talented
You always know that right answers
But sometimes you have error
And you hate to admit it
But that’s o.k.; that’s why I love
You so much anyway

I Thank You
BY: Lauren Farris

Mom, you know what?
You’re like a roof over my head,
that’s held up through all of the weather.
The rain, sleet, snow, and sunshine,
protecting me from the world,
and all the harm.
You protect me every day,
I thank you.

WEIGHT LIFTING
BY: Steven Hepler

I can’t stop thinking of weight lifting
The clang of the bars as it hits the rack,
Plus it helps to release anger.
That is why I don’t fight that much.
I love to lift them so I get stronger.
And continue losing weight
May I continue to lift?
I will get a state record.

Life’s Winter
By Chris McKinney

Life is winter
After time all things get cold and die
The scene becomes white and frozen
People rush to find shelter
The time before winter comes is always too short
All wait for it but few hope for it
Little enjoyment is found in the blizzard
Chaos runs freely
The end is abrupt and often felt shortly
All can recall what happened but none wish to relive it

Love
By: Shanda Finley

You don’t see me but I see you
This thing I feel is love in true
Every time I feel hate
Sorrow and pain all cease to exist
I want to tell you how I feel but I’m scared you’ll say no
Sometimes I wonder if you feel the same
Maybe that’s why we’ll never be

A sad memory
By: Ashley Goldie

I SING OF A SAD MEMORY,

Of my granny, the candles that
Were lit danced sadly on the wall
The sad tears ran down my face,
The feeling of heaviness in the air

I sing of a painless death,
The death pained many hearts…
The smell of burning candles filled the air.
The sorrow of a loved one’s death,
But the happiness that they are in no
More pain…

With crying faces and sorrow filled hearts,
I sing the memory of my granny’s passing…
Sad and empty
This memory will forever be with me…

Winterfest Weekend
By Alysa Porter

I sing of the biggest weekend at Winterfest of Crowds
Of people gathering in Thompson Bowl Arena to
Worship God.
Swarms of waiting people, them all rushing into the arena
I sing of 50 thousand teenagers worshiping God with all
Their heart.
Many of them having major break throughs and finally having
Peace within
The smell of the concession stands and the yummy food I
Eat
I sing of staying up for three days straight and hardly any
Sleep at all
All of this for nothing but to worship God
He touches my heart and I grow closer to him
With a busy, but amazingly fun weekend I sing
My thanks- strong, renewed, and refreshed in God,
Till we all return next March

“Little Girl”
By: Megan Mitchell
A young girl always wondered how the
Whole world could let this happen to the
New kid on the block and no one warned her about the
World she was beginning to enter
A man kidnapped her and took her to a
New place she had never been before. She thought it was
Fantastic until he began to beat her and get his
Point across to her about why she was one
Of the few girls who were chosen to go here. Now we look down to
View her name written across that headstone

I Am
By Bobbie Conley

I am random and unique.
I wonder if telling the truth is always the best.
I hear my grandmother saying she loves me one last time.
I see cupcakes floating above your head.
I want to be in another class.
I am random and unique.

I pretend I’m a superhero.
I feel she is still with me.
I touch the sky.
I worry about my life.
I cry when I think about her death.
I am random and unique.

I understand everything happens for a reason.
I say I’m ok when I’m really not.
I dream to be someone else.
I try not to let people see me pain.
I hope I don’t fail in life.
I am random and unique.

Summer
By: Fred Hairston

Summer very hot and filled with sun
People going to the beach and having fun
Swimming in the ocean and surfing all day
You know its summer when all the kids go out and play
Summer is a wonderful time to take a vacation
Spend some time with the family and sit around in relaxation
Summer is a beautiful thing that comes once a year
But if you don’t watch out it will come and disappear.

My Sister
By: Caleb Dowdy
Carlee
You are like the fall because your
Hair is brown like the falling leaves.
Your personality is like the temperature
Of fall, nice and o.k. weather.
You are wild and crazy like the kids on Halloween.
Calm and gentle like a nice fall
Morning you're one of my closest
Friends

Tennis! Tennis! Tennis!
By: Brittany Herndon

I can’t stop thinking about tennis
All the different strokes and serves
Sun in your eyes and sweat dripping off your head
Racket in hand and ball in the air
With your opponent on the other side of the net
Hoping for you to fault
Ace! What a beautiful serve
May I be state champ and
Make tennis my career.

I Sing of My Mother
By: Rojet Lowe

I sing of our last visit together
I remember seeing your face light up
When I walked through the door
The smell of your perfume as we hugged
Reminded me of when I was little and
You were actually there for me.
We sat down at the table and had
A conversation and ate snacks from
The machines, all I could think about
Is how I can’t wait till you’ll be free and
With me at all times.

At the Cross Roads
By: Virginia Kimler

I lost you yesterday
too wound up in the cordless receiver
to come out to play.
"I'm getting older." You'd say.
You didn't have to tell me that;
I already knew
with you being 5'6"
and me
only 4'2".
We usually played pretend
around this time of day
followed by "jump off the swings"
before a sandwich and some Kool-Aide.
We'd catch bees and wasps
and shake them up in the jars
before throwing off the lid
and running like mad across the yard.
We used to ride bikes
and explore in the jungle behind your house.
We'd climb to the top of a torn-up, old rope
and swing across a row of picnic tables.
But now,you're watching television
and have no more time for me.
You're on the phone
with your new girlfriend
while I sit alone
outside
in the one hundred degree weather
waiting for you to come out to play,
sitting in our favorite spot
atop a tall rock
with moss and the word "Starz" written across it.
I wait
with crackers and two glasses of untouched lemonade.
My time with you grew shorter
And soon you moved away.
We still meet in the cross roads
with a nod of the head and a "Hey,"
but we aren't as close as we used to be, as we were
back in the day.