1st Place
I’d like to know for once if I was right
By Kenny Seidel, Burke High School, Omaha, NE – Deb Ward, teacher
I’d like to know for once if I was right
If killing me to make you smile was best
Was I at fault in hoping that you might
Return the rhythm pounding in my chest?
And while I waited trying not to breathe
I never once believed I ever could
Achieve those special moments of reprieve
That come from knowing I am doing good
For though I lied and stifled down the truth
I knew the me I’d known was truly lost
I’d sold him in a manner most uncouth
And never weighed my gains against their cost
So here I wait, and wonder was I right
To kill myself with hoping that you might
2nd Place
Daydreams
By Tom Belatti, Creighton Prep, Omaha, NE – Nina Stickels, teacher
Where does a mind go when it wanders free?
For it will soar into the make-believe
And delve in the abyss of memory
Without restraint on what it may conceive.
Subconsciously you glide on desert sand
Or wander past the busy market stalls.
You watch a river snake through vast grassland.
The ancient pines rise up like lofty walls.
You sail through wisps of cloud into blue sky
And with no effort, scale a mountain spire.
On bustling streets, the cars go flying by.
In love you dwell upon the heart’s desire.
The choice of one’s mind may be a surprise
But greater journeys you could not devise.
3rd Place Night
By Brian Markey, Creighton Prep, Omaha, NE – Nina Stickels, teacher
Not merely but a lack of lambent sun,
But like a world dissimilar to ours,
And as the moon does make its pallid run,
Your kingdom is more potent through the hours.
How endless and enfolding is your shroud,
As those that live in your dark aura know,
Your quietness makes humble men from proud,
Your refuge brings all frantic hearts to slow.
As sun goes down and sky begins to dim,
And all the stars come out to shine and dance
The owls and crickets start to sing your hymn
And human lovers make their bold romance.
Live on, in peace of silence, blissful night,
And cursèd be that nosy seeker: light.
Honorable Mentions Why are all my ambitions thrust away?
By Amelia Squires, Burke High School, Omaha, NE – Deb Ward, teacher
Why are all my ambitions thrust away?
My dreams are not to fully bloom.
For this my heart broke; how I cried today!
I am left feeling cold as a large tomb.
Stage smiles only last ‘til your head’s turned.
Too long I’ve waited for recognition.
The void offstage is massive I have learned.
Your silence hurts with its repetition.
Curtains fall on this endearing moment
Of which you didn’t want to be a part.
It is what I grievously lament.
I want to hear I’m talented and smart.
But today I learned the meaning of life:
It is filled with unhappiness and strife.
The trumpets blow so wildly I could jump
By Amelia Squires, Burke High School, Omaha, NE – Deb Ward, teacher
The trumpets blow so wildly I could jump
Into the arms of the music itself.
When swinging, into others you might bump.
Keep records to practice with on the shelf.
Colors vibrant red and brilliant yellow
Sound from mouths of shining brass and guitar.
O! Swing from it first high then very low.
Kick out into the air extremely far.
Anyone can swing dance it is well known!
To know music’s rhythm is imbedded
Into the heart and soul so please, don’t moan.
Take part in the majesty intended.
Music pounding, hear it and just swing dance!
The geniuses of music give the chance.
‘Tis spicy meat encased in something gross
By Michael Shafer, Papillion-La Vista High School, Papillion, NE
– Mary Birky, teacher
‘Tis spicy meat encased in something gross
Yet sausage still enthralls my taste buds fair
It tops the pizza style I love the most
About its taste loud trumpets soundly blare
Yet sausage in the morn I care for not
Its blend of spices makes my stomach churn
While eating I can feel my vessels clot
The time of day causes my heart to burn
I long for sausage with my pasta dish
The taste combined with sauce, it is divine
The sausage rest’raunts serve fulfills my wish
When I am 21 I’ll eat with wine
All I can say is thank you, Jimmy Dean
For making sausage for this hungry teen.
Fair-weathered Friend
By Allison Seger, Burke High School, Omaha, NE – Deb Ward, teacher
I’d liken you to a withering bloom
Smiling beautifully in the spring sun
But fading when winter brings greyer gloom
A summer’s child who only wanted fun
One better comparison I can think
You remind me of the harlot’s daughter
Of the bright nylons and perfumèd stink
Whose fastness fades at sight of finer fir
Your grave acquaintance I alone can claim
For your fickle grin lives forever in mine
Although revenge would never be my aim
I wish to hook you and draw in the line
Capricious as a kitten you are best
I’d not have you decisive as the rest
Dance Bowl
By Allison Seger, Burke High School, Omaha, NE – Deb Ward, teacher
Your bright smile dances with happy feet,
Swinging and swaying and keeping a beat.
Your sweet green eyes also stay with the time,
A rhythmical matching of stars in mine!
Your laughter too, is rather like a song
Drawing me in, beckoning “sing along”!
Enveloping me in giggles and joy,
Encircling me like a wind up toy
A wink, a tear, or a kiss on the ear,
Oh! Pull me in close, I want to come near!
Harmonious love’s song more intimate grows
Quiets my heart with a peck on the nose
I hope that your heart thumps fast like my soul
When singing together in this dance bowl
Galatea
By Tue Tran, Creighton Prep, Omaha, NE – Mary Kassmeier, teacher
You stand so enchantingly beautiful
On the pedestal I had built for you.
You are perfect, peerless, so powerful,
And everything too ideal to be true.
But when I hear your heart beat, it is real?
Your lips, frigid and dry, don’t taste so sweet.
When I touch your hands, they don’t seem to feel.
Yet your unsung words keep me at your feet.
To me, are you just Pygmalion’s prize?
A creation of my fragile, weak heart?
Am I condemned never to recognize
The cruel, cold game of Cupid’s piercing darts?
But I do realize, I’m mesmerized.
Still though, helpless, staring into your eyes.
I know exactly what it is you are
By Kenny Seidel, Burke High School, Omaha, NE – Deb Ward, teacher
I know exactly what it is you are
Because I’ve made the very same mistakes
Each time you cry you open up my scar
A bleeding wound that time just wouldn’t take
Rememb’ring every endless night of why’s
Recalling every second crawling on
My swollen heart required a bigger size
No chest could hold and lull its broken song
Now seeing you gives flesh and life anew
Rebruises skin I’ve tried so hard to mask
Forgotten dreams again revealed as true
A searing pain, but I’m too scared to act
So I’ll sit back and watch you slowly break
And bite my bloody tongue for no one’s sake |
