2013 Poetry Contest Winners

First Place Winner, Jamie Wright

"Sea Bound"

I'm cast out to sea with the lack of direction, with faith in whoever will listen.
A communion I used to take part in that's now exhausted, dies.
The remains of you will not benefit me, and I possess no power of resurrection

I cannot tell you, Mother, where I am or where I've been.
My map is drenched and its readings cannot be deciphered.
I'm cast out to sea with lack of direction, with faith in whoever will listen.

I've prayed a thousand times, and I've cried a million.
God's sailing my rugged ship, though I lack knowledge of His plan.
The remains of you will not benefit me, and I possess no power of resurrection

Evidence of your selfish addiction burns my skin, and it might have been my fault, but
you still created a monster of me, cheated me of my innocence and the beauty of bliss.
I'm cast out to sea with lack of direction, with faith in whoever will listen.

I pray by the grace of God that one day you'll change, to see that exhilarating smile,
the green  in your eyes which captivates me; I would willingly sink into their abyss.
The remains of you will not benefit me, and I possess no power of resurrection.

I could never harm you, but I am leaving. An eye for an eye leaves the whole world bline and
I love you far too much to ever wrong you. I hope my absence proves that I am hurt enough to escape, though I'm cast out to sea with lack of direction, with faith in whoever will listen.
The remains of you will not benefit me, and I possess no power of resurrection.


Second place winner, Joshua Panee

"The Ancient Wood That Teemed With Life"

Though moring rime,
Deep past the elder greens,
A serect spot for you and I.

Inside the wood,
Where only few trees
know little of.

A special place for
prentend,

For young, without an
            end.
    
           Now.
Barren of adventure,
No secret spots nor we.
Future generations will
            see,
In the forest nothing, no
            trees,
Not the magic, bare of
           seeds,
Only modern buildings and
infectious weeds.

This place, our old
childhood world,
Of this unique love and play.

Where leaves of autumn
          flew free.

The sky beach above,

Blue as the sea.

Now this place,

Stript of flower,

Plains of blight.

Reaped of leaves.

Faded starlight.

This world where,

NO real imagination,

No true love can be.

Throughout the years,

When life flares and fades.

Our lives long gone.

Through the infernal
     summer sun,

Deprived of familiar
      winter snow,

A little one will see,

After the wrath of the
           machine.

That very same place.

Where only few birds tune
             a song.

Witness to what has come,

And who has gone.

When all that remains,

Our artifacts from our
               time.

Craved hearts, whispers of
               mine.

Under the wood,

Beneath the nightly root.

Now only desecrated,

The young nature wasted.

From careless people,

To ruthless haste.

Don't forget,

Our sarced place.

Childhood now fast pace.

The ancient wood that
      teemed with life.

Mother Nature and Man
       twisted in strife.

The ancient wood that used
        to teem with life.


    


Third place winner, Stephen Cameron

"The Crook"

Once by the brook lived a wicked, old crook
His mind was filled with deceit
The crowd's wallets would dwindle at every swindle
He prided himslef on these feats.

As he would pass he would swipe everyone's brass
And anything else with worth
But his crimes were brief for they caught onto this thief
And gave him quite a wide berth.

His pick-pocketing was done, so the village throught they had won
They soon would find their mistake
For the scheming criminal whose crime was now minimal
Had become much more opaque.

His plans inscrutable, his scheme not deducible
The village began to worry
But then one day they had their way
And the felon left in a hurry.

The town thought he was gone; they were rid of the con
He was gone for a month or two
But his new home was indignant at this criminal maligant
So he came back turning the villagers a bright red hue.

The crook had a change of heart and decided he would try art
But none of his paintings would sell
This recent malefactor then tried to be a contractor
But like the arts it soon bid him farewell.

To him the only way to make a living was quite the opposite of giving
And he soon reverted to thievery
The townspeople were provoked and the criminal's residency they revoked
And he was soon disappearing into the scenery.

He had entered the village ready to pillage
But his plans were readily thwarted
The people disapproved and the crook was removed
But I hear tha the cutpurse profession he has aborted.


Fourth place winner, Noah Riddle

"The solution"

This young man, had been beaten down, stepped on, and abandoned
His heart was torn, ripped, and shredded
The pain of constantly being judged seemed perpetual
No one knew his name.

Today was the beginning of a new school year
He entered the building conspicuously nervous; it seemed as if all eyes were on him
Eyes of hate and envy, eyes of lust and desperation
Looks of disgust and question were shot at him like arrows

He walked through the crowd
Pushed to right, shoved to the left
His belongings were taken
He fell on the ground, and stayed there, one single tear dangled from his eye.

This was no different than last year
And the year before that
He was somewhat used to it
But sick of it.

Insecurity rapidly pulsed through his veins
The thought of leaving, leaving everyone and everything shrouded his head
He slowly made his way down the hall; it seemed as if he was walking opposite of everyone  else. Not a single gesture of kindness was thrown his way.

He entered a vast room filled with what seemed to be eyes just like the others
As he walked over to a seat he heard a whisper, followed by laughter
He tried to ignore it, but it was no use, assumptions of negativity raced through his mind
He took a seat, the chair was cold, and the coldness began to crawl up his spine.

That night he did not eat or drink
He simply laid down on his bed and stared at the ceiling
Thinking about what to do and how to deal with all of this
He had had enough.

That morning before school, he went into his father's room and took what was under the bed
With it in his bag he made his way to school
This time, things are going to be different he said to himself
Whenever he arrived at school, he walked in the door with his head down.

He then lifted his head up, and stared a girl directly in the eyes
She started to laugh, but her smile quickly faded
She saw what had been withdrawn from the bag
It was pointed directly at her face...he squeezed.

A big bang echoed throughout the building, followed by screaming and crying
He pointed it at another child....and squeezed
Another....and squeezed
He then place it in his mouth...and squeezed.


Fith place winner, Frank Delpalazzo, Jr.

"Blessings"

It's all in God's plan.
Needles hooked up to an IV, chemotherapy every two weeky, yet
blessings all around; she knows this is just the beginning.

Some people have survived it;
I'm worried she won't.
It's all in God's plan.

She knows in her heart
somehow she's protected
Blessings all around.

I was too young to remember.
I just hoped she would live, but
It's all in God's plan

She survived ten years being free.
She'll never be able to thank God enough.
Blessings all around.

"Mom, I love you."
I said it then and say it now.
It's all in God's plan.
Blessings all around.


Honoraable mention 1, Yulissa Guzman-Lopez

"El Perdedor"

I will tell you something and it's true,
Claro que si
And this is only about you.

There's a saying
"You don't know what you fear until you lose it"

I've seen you cry
He was the one to understand why

And he stole the most precious treassure
Ahora entiendo

No regret
Just hate

Tell him I hate him for having what I once had,
Even though I am still responsible

I consider him an enemy
For losing the battle

No control
No regret
Just hate

So stupid for thinking,
I would be the only one you love
And now I'm just the loser
Standing right here after your shove

I saw him coming
I didn't think it was important
At the moment

Que siento?
No regret
Just hate.


Honorable mention 2, Katlyn Carter

"Your Eyes"

Gone are the eyes that watched me grow
The eyes that were able to see into my soul
Together we climbed mountains and made it through the pain
Only to find out that someday it would be forever changed

As you've gotten weaker, I've gotten stronger
Able to take care of myself even though I didn't want to

You'd be proud of my wit, my confidence and my charm
People say I'm just like you and I know all about your charms
The eyes are in my heart, the eyes that saw my soul
But gone are the beautiful eyes, the eyes that watched me grow.


Honorable mentions 3, Brendan Rhodes

"Looking Ahead"

Do not dwell on the past, thinking of what you lack.
Too many people waste their time focusing on what happened then.
Life is too short to be looking back.

I sit at home, wondering what could have been,
because of my hesitation toward somethng I felt I couldn't hack.
Do not dwell on the past, thinking of what you lack.

People regret missed opportunities,
sorry that they let them slip by.
Life is too short to be looking back.

I spend too much time wondering what things would have been like if I had done this or that.
Then it hits me, I've just wasted valuable time that I'll never get back.
Do not dwell on the past, thinking of what you lack

I need to change and get myself on track!
Focusing on the future is for the best.
Life is too short to be looking back.

I have come to my conclusion, and I know this for a fact.
I will never again waste my time.
Do not dwell on the past, thinking of what you lack.
Life is too short to be looking back.

Villanelles

Please post your original villanelles here! 

Definition of Villanelle:

A 19-line poem consisting of five tercets and a final quatrain on two rhymes. The first and third lines of the first tercet repeat alternately as a refrain closing the succeeding stanzas and joined as the final couplet of the quatrain. Villanelles also gradually build in tone and intensity from one stanza to the next.

Example/Mentor Text:

This is Dylan Thomas' "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night." It is one of the most famous villanelles and, while Thomas does not experiment much with the form, the poem is a great example of how villanelle repetition works. The boldface and italics are there to more easily show the repeated lines and demonstrate the structure of the poem.

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Old age should burn and rave at close of day;

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,

Because their words had forked no lightning they

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright

Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,

And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight

Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,

Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.

Do not go gentle into that good night,

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

2013 Virtual Open Mic Night

Please comment with YOUR original poetry here.  Teachers, staff, and students are open to write here.  Also reply if you like what you see.

Remember, non-school appropriate comments will be deleted.

2013 Poem in Your Pocket Day

Happy National Poetry Month, Cavaliers! 

Please comment with your favorite poems below.  Be sure to include the title and the name of the poet.  This year, we will feature some poetry that is by famous North Carolinians. If you are stumped on a poem idea, check out what others like here. 

2011-2012 Literary Fair Top Ten Poetry Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the 2011-2012 Literary Fair, organized by Mr. Haire. These students represent many of the classes in our English Department at Southern Lee High School. Please leave positive comments for the poets here!

"Untitled"
 By: Khadijia Pride
We're quite a team, extraordinary pair.
Our love shines through the darkest of the nights.
Our love is forbidden but it feels right.

Our friends' eyes pierce us with an evil stare.
Our love is so strong that we do not care.
They're trying to distract us; can't los sight.
They do not realize our love is too tight.
The try to break us apart, it's not fair.

People say our attitudes do not mix.
So many females want to take my place.
They try to fill us up with crzy lies.
Our love for one another can't be fixed.
Our hearts are solid with no extra space.
We don't feed their craziness with repiles.


Untitled
By: Elijah Combs
This is my story
And this is my dream
For I shall be free
And then I will gleam

The knowledge of life
By time and chore
By love a fine wife
And I'll never need no more

Now it's time to return
To the friends of my past
Make a great night burn
With the best things to last

The family well fed
And my child in bed
All of the bills are clear
And I am without fear

Life's less annoying than an itch
Cause I'll never be poor or rich
So along with my fates flow
I shall forever follow

And then I will gleam
For I shall be free
So that was my dream
Along with my story


"Mountaintop"
By: Bianca Cline
While on a mountaintop you feel so high.
Magnificent colors and mountain air.
Such a peaceful place so close to the sky.
There is no stress at all, it is not fair.

Someone cannot stay on the windy roads,
Listen to the birds chirp or watch deer feed,
Even listen to the crickets or the toads.
So sweet a place you never want to leave.

Covered in a blanket or silver mist
And standing miles hig above the Earth.
Not able to go on about this list,
I will stilladmire all of its worth.

Appreciate creations of Mother.
Peacefulness in this world, like no other.


"Pre Lives"
By: Ethan Wicker
The blistering heat burns the Earth. The man laces up his shos
And drinks his last sip of water.
Every day the man runs
Because it is what he has always done.
Running has become as essential as sleep.

Not ong ago the man was deep in sleep
But now his feet pound the Earth.
He will run until his body tells him he is done.
His feet are saturated with sweat in his shoes
But he must continue because he runs.
The man wishes for water.

And reminds himself that running is better than sleep.
Each day for too long he has gona on as many runs.
Every morning the Earth
Moves below his shoes.
He must run because he is not yet done.

The man understands that he will never be done.
Running has become as essential as water.
He once again laces up his shoes
As he wakes from sleep.
He likes to hear his feet upon the Earth.
For himself he still runs.

For others he began his runs.
The man wanted to inspire others before he was done
That doing the hard things is possible on Earth.
He sips water
And tries tog et all the needed sleep.
Doing the hard thing motivated him to lace up his shoes.
Just like every other morning he runs
When he wakes from sleep.
The man knows that he will never be done.
So he still sips water.
Runnning has become as essential as the Earth.

The man must sleep because he is never done.
He laces up his shoes and drinks his last sip of water.
He runs to see his feet move the Earth.


"My Life"
By: Chris Pyles
My life
I started out as just a kid.
Nothing but a dot on the worlds grid.
Not knowing much life
But I was a kid, who thought it was trife.

I grow up and become a teen
20's on my car, which made it look mean.
Im sitting in this class, all up in the back
But they don't realize, this is my new track.

Off to college, starting o study that graphic design.
Somehow i've turne this into my own rhyme.
I hate that i have to sacrifice my own time.
LIfe sucks, but who care, later in life, everything will be mine.

I've come to an end, money and family is all I need
But i can't let this life turn into greed
but before I know it im going to die.
At least i gave this world a try.


"A String of Letters"
By:Cynthis Vivas
A string of letters
Back to back
Coming together
Down the track
Every sound
From A to Z
Giving rhythm
Hear the beat
Instant power
Jarring Pasion
Keeping feeling
Long and lasting
Mixed together
Never ending
Open or closed
Place of jarring
Quiet time
Relaxed and fine
Soothing thoughts
To ease your mind
Use words in context
Vision or plot
Words that will show
X marks the spot
Your imaginaation freeing
Zen-like in its being



"A Wrestler's Sonnet"
 By Zach Stamper
The wrestler's feet touch down upon the mat.
He feels like he's entered the boxer's ring.
You will remember it once you hear that
Noise of the huge crowd as they start to sing.

Almost time to defeat your opponent.
You go up to the line snd shake his hand.
He's got fear from your eyes that you have sent.
The whitle has blown, louder that a band.

You both circle bath and forth, round and round,
Wondering who's gonna make the first move.
The first move is made and he's on the ground.
You know he's beat; you have nothing to prove.

You get up and know you're victorious.
You've won the match, nothings more glorious!


"Looking for God in the Laundry"
By Arianna Del Palazzo
Looking for God in the laundry
Tossing mismatched socks and used gym shorts over my head
Praying I find Him again.

The different colors and patterns
Soak up the water as I am
Looking for God in the laundry.

Retracing my steps
Checking in corners and moving about items on the shelf
Praying I find Him again.

If only it was as simple as
Folding sleeves and separating darks--
Looking for God in the laundry
Praying I find him again.


"Love: From a Teenager's Observations"
By: Jean-luc Sambria
A person's pleasure and pain
Brings forth a person they fell in love for.
Doubt can end a relationship,
Especially when second guessing your
First love, which is the
Greatest and most
Hate filled time in life.
Ice filled hearts can come from heartbreak as well as
Jealously, but in life.
Knowing we can never have the ones we want.
Lust can cause us to go toward people we can have
Mainly because we are envious of their relationship
Not only from the love they share, but also from the friendship
Only they can share.
Pleasure can be
Quickly turned into the most
Rued moment, because of a problem you run from.
Simplistic is how a relationship can be, or
Torn is how it could be without being
Unified as one person, entwined until the
Very end of time as rarely like most relationships go
While still having room to grow as an individual.
Xesturgy, to polish the relationship as if it was brand new.
Yin snd Yang, being polar opposites to love each other no matter what, and
Zeal to love each other more than you ever thought you did.


"The Crucible"
By: Aaliyah Evans
It all starts off with an innocent game
And ends with two people in shame
The town girls all dance with a black slave
And plead with Satan for things they crave
When Betty is the first to become sick
Abigail comes up with a deceptive trick
She saves her name and avoids prosecution
She blames it all on witchcraft as a solution
Revrend Hale comes to town believing he is wise
However, he is fooled by the girls' stories and lies

Many thanks to Sarah Black, peer tutor, for compiling these ten and posting them on the blog!

Virtual Open Mic Night

Please comment with YOUR original poetry here.  Teachers, staff, and students are open to write here.  Also reply if you like what you see.

Remember, non-school appropriate comments will be deleted.

Happy National Poetry Month!

We are celebrating Poetry at Southern this year by holding its first "Poem in Your Pocket Day" celebration.

This tradition began about eight years ago in New York City (go to http://www.poets.org/ for more info), and it has made its way to the great state of North Carolina. I can't wait to see how it goes. 

Please comment with your favorite poems, and be sure to always keep a poem in your pocket and a dream in your heart.

Here's one to ponder:

An excerpt from "The Waste Land"
by T.S. Eliot

APRIL is the cruelest month, breeding

Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing

Memory and desire, stirring

Dull roots with spring rain.