Kenneth HURTADO
8th GRADE
THE SUN
The sun wakes up
At seven in the morning.
It just made a long journey
From Europe, Africa, and Asia.
It came to comfort me
For the next twelve hours
Until it must leave me again
In the darkness.
The sun can be sweet and kind.
It may also be cruel and cold.
For twelve hours, it keeps me warm.
I can feel the hot days pound on me
Like a sauna.
Then, when I need it the most,
It leaves me to comfort other people.
NANA OPOKU-AGYARE
8th GRADE
THE BEST GIFT
The best gift anyone has given me
Can’t be wrapped up, taped, or shipped.
It can only come once in your life.
And when you get it, don’t let go of it.
The best gift anyone has given me:
Not a teddy bear or a diary,
Not a jewelry box with rings and bracelets:
Not tangible at all.
HPAC Young Writers Review
The best gift anyone has given me:
A chance, an opportunity.
A broken doll that was picked up by a girl
Who thought it was beautiful after all.
A neglected animal taken to a shelter,
Given another chance at life.
A single glove, lost in a backpack,
Found and put on.
A blue pen that has ink spilling out
Picked up and used,
A crumpled up love note shoved in a book
Unfolded, and letting out its lovely words.
This chance, this opportunity
That brought me to my friends
Would never meet the first of everything:
First three and a half year class, first crush.
This chance, this opportunity
On a piece of laminated paper
A lot “for” a kindergartener,
The best gift? A promotion.