The Sun that pierces Night with radiant fire
To bear triumphant Day across the East
Doth, in his pride and jubilance, expire
That cruel fiend that doth on pleasure feast.
Just as the wearied sailor is consol'd
When, on the dark horizon, home appears,
Thy sweet voice, which I covet more that gold
Doth swiftly dry my lonely, tired tears.
For nothing more than thee doth bring me peace
When hope is lost and all is misery -
Thy beauty pays the debt for my release
When bitter darkness hath imprison'd me.
Thy love is like a candle in the night -
A single flame to make the darkness bright!
2nd Place Winner
Michelle May, age 17
#34
There are/ times my/ homework's/ length is/ shorter
And at/ other/ times it/ is just/ real long
Essay/ or I/ambic/ penta/meter
You can/ be sure/ it will/ always/ be wrong
Sometimes/ I real/ly hate/ to do/ it all.
And at/ other/ times I/ have lots/ of fun.
But which/ever/ atti/tude does/ befall
If A's/ are hand/ed out/ I won't/ get one.
But this/ should not/ be a/ surprise/ to you
Always/ what I/ do comes/ out ab/normal
Though you/ may doubt/ this is/ really/ all true
Doing/ homework/ right I/ find so/ dismal
But it's/ no big/ deal I/ just do/ my best
One day/ I'll get/ past those/ "C"s I/ detest
3rd Place Winner
Margaret Maguire, age 13
She sighs sadly, she's been here far too long,
It frightens her how well she knows this place.
Is it obvious that something is wrong?
That she'd rather be off painting someplace?
Sometimes she wonders why she doesn't quit,
She looks around, her answer appears.
Her coworkers, though they lack humor and wit,
Have been there through years of laughter and tears.
All of them can put a smile on her face,
With a kind word or an interesting fact.
As for her boss? Well, we all make mistakes,
But how could someone have such little tact?
Now with that thought in mind, she feels stronger,
and knows that she'll survive one day longer.
