2001

Eva Deterding

 

Why God?

          Why me?

    Why does it have

                 to be me?

What God?

         What now?

    What do you have

                 planned?

Who, God?

        Who, him?

Who do you want

              me to love?

When God?

          When, today?

 When is it going

             to be time?

Now God?

         Now, finally?

   Now it is finally

             time to love him?

 

Thank You

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ashley Jones

 

In High School

 

Now that I'm in high school

        The years go by so fast

Just yesterday I was the youngest

        Tomorrow I'll be upper class

 

So many things have happened

       All in such little time

Best friends, new loves, and broken hearts

       Sounds like a country western rhyme

 

It's true I've had some had days

      I've flunked a test or two

But I wouldn't trade a single day

      'Cause I've spent them with all of you

 

Soon I'll be in college

        With so much more to learn

A bigger school, a brand new place

         I know for home I'll yearn

 

Help me to be brave, O Lord

       And to treasure my time here

Because where I'm going next

       Things won't always be so fair

 

Let me keep the friends I've made

        Here in my high school

Don't let me be afraid to cry

         Or think that I'm too cool

 

Help me make good choices,

         Let me know what I've done wrong

So that by my mistakes I might improve

         And become better than I was…

                                          In High School

 

 

 

 

 

Kate Kruta

 

There is a girl beyond the crowd

Past the popular and famous people

She cares nothing of what they say

Though the things are most hurtful

Just because she looks most different

They try to push her away from them

She ignores every word and action

And doing so makes them weaker

No reaction is not what they wanted

They wanted her to cry and whine

And make her do as they say

But all she does is smile, sadly

For the empty-hearted people

She cannot be hurt by their comments

She knows just not to listen

What they say has no effect not with all their fire and hate

She, in return, gives them that smile

A response most definitely not expected

A smile is a very simple thing

And it can do so much for others

It can warm a heart as cold as stone

It says so much about her

And she lets everyone know

She's nice even if they aren't deserving

They can't see her smile

They are blind to kindness

Thousands of years of hate and malice

Rob their hearts of the love

But there is one soul beyond the crowd

One simple, little soul

That is not what the others are

And, hopefully, there might be more

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn Sij

 

I'll Never Be

 

I'll never be as smart as you

I'll never stand as tall

I'll never have all the grace and glory

I'll never have it all

 

I'll never live up to the standards

It's just the way I am and the way I'll be

There's always a difference

Between you and me.

 

I'll never be valedictorian

Or have numerous medals awarded to me

That's the way it's always been

That's the way it'll always be

 

People will never be jealous

Of my intelligence that comes so naturally

People will never stand in awe

Of what comes so easily

 

Every now and then

When I tell you something I've done or something I do   

You say you've done it and more

And you own the company, too

 

So I don't have a 4.0 G.P.A.

And all the lights may not be on upstairs

And I don't have a lot of grace

Or the glory or the flare

 

But that's ok because

Who I am is me

That's the way it's always been

That's the way it'll always be

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn Sij

 

Rain

 

Rain fell last night--quiet gentle rain

That tapped against my window pane

And called me back from troubled sleep

To soothe a heart too numb to weep

 

My loneliness was too deep and real

And like a wound that would not heal

It throbbed within me and I knew

My arms were empty without you

 

But as I listened to the sound

Of the soft rain falling on the ground

I heard your voice, tender and clear

Call out my name, and oh my dear

 

I threw my window open wide

To let the sweet rain rush inside

It kissed my lips, my eyes, my hair

And love, I knew that you were there

Tears that my heart could not release

Fell down from heaven, bringing peace

Last night while gray clouds softly wept

I held you in my arms and slept.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Autumn Sij

 

Little Wooden Eyes

 

Little Wooden eyes

little wooden head

little wooden heart

in a little wooden bed

 

perfect little smile

in a perfectly ironed shirt

always carrying happiness

never seeming to hurt

 

But what happens

when she goes home

And all she feels

is alone

 

There's nothing to soothe

her troubles sleep

when everyone sees

Only skin deep

 

They don't understand

where the beauty really lies

they don't take the time to look

what's really inside

 

I wish you could hear her cry

As she falls asleep at night

Her life is a war

She cannot fight

 

little wooden head

they doubt she has a heart

but to set them straight

she knows not where to start

 

silly wooden head

you'll never make them see

they'll never realize

the girl I write about is me

 

Ashley C. Jones

 

If I Should Die

 

If I should die before the morn

If from this world I would be torn

Don't cry for me, my love, don't weep

Just dream of me while you're asleep

And if you wake with crying eyes

Just dry them dear, and say goodbye

 

To all we said, or did, or had

To all the love, the good, the bad

Keep it with you when I'm not here

So when the wind whispers softly in your ear

Know it's me and that I miss you so

And I'll pray for you wherever I go.

 

On the wings of angels I will fly

With a song in my heart and a tear in my eye

Then I'll have my mansion in Heaven above

Still, I'll look down on you with tears and love

And remember the days I spent in your arms

When I was sure that our hearts could never be harmed

 

If I should die before the morn

If from this world I would be torn

Don't cry for me, my love, don't weep

Just dream of me while you're asleep

And if you wake with crying eyes

Just dry them dear, and say goodbye

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ashley C. Jones

 

I Heard A Bluebird Whisper…

 

I heard a bluebird whisper

  " Here comes a brighter day

I know your past is downcast

  Lonely, dull, and gray

 

But the sun'll come out tomorrow

  The clouds will fade away

Fresh rays of light will dry your eyes

And brighten your darkest day."

 

And sure enough, the sun rose

            The morning dawned anew

When I heard the bluebird sing, I smiled

            I said," My friend, thank you."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ashley C. Jones

 

I Am…

 

I am the dreamer

            The one who you scorn

I am the wisher

            From the day I was born

I am the dancer

            With my own tone

I am the teenager

            Who grew up too soon

I am the actress

            Living my play

I am the outspoken

            I mean what I say

I am the lover

            And also the loved

I am the believer

            My God reigns above

I am a bit crazy

            That is a fact

I may stumble and fall

            But I never turn back

I can sometimes be stupid

            And even a ham

But these words describe me

            They're who

                                    I AM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Darci Butcher

 

"Normal"

 

There is a girl, an average girl

About your age, the average age

With average dark hair and average brown eyes

Not short or tall, an average height

She lives each day the average way

Goes to school, makes average grades

Wears average clothes, the kind that come

From an average outlet store

Her problem is that no one notices her

In reality she doesn't exist

She has no friends and is unknown

Because there's not a soul

Who can truthfully say they are

Just average.

 

 

 

 

"Too Much to Hope For"

 

Some things in life are too good

to be true.

The front row at your favorite

Concert or

A perfect life with that popular

guy, or

Winning the coolest prize in the

World.

Some things are too good to

be true

And everything else is too

much to hope for.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nathan Chappel

 

Marks on a Page

 

I do earnestly hope someone will come

      along and decipher the marks on the page,

make some sense of the incoherent ramblings,

For I cannot write.

rhyming imperfectly and pathetically,

so cal-led writing freely with overused

      cliches and metaphors,

there is always a rut for a non-poet impersonator

      in which to become stuck.

some think the marks are nonsensical,

some think the marks are stupid,

and to some they are profound,

While really they are none of these things.

but perhaps to be called half a poeter,

or rather perhaps none at all

      would be a great flattery indeed.

there seems something almost mystical

      to making more seemingly random marks

      to which a marvelous meaning can be ascribed.

yet I hope that an interpreter can read the

      markings to discover the meaning,

to evoke a sincere emotion,

whether hate love admiration or disgust exist,

whatever that emotion may be.

For when we understand the meaning of the

      marks,

we learn more about each other, more

      about ourselves,

to work toward perfect understanding,

for that is pure communication.

However,

even with or without the meaning,

One can find both the beauty and ugliness

       of something as simple as marks on a page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIRST  PLACE--POETRY

 

Lauren N. Gerber

Trinity St. Paul Lutheran School

Seventh Grade

 

We all are set on this earth

With a mission cut out before our birth.

Our hands, our life, our love,

They're all Tools molded from above.

For us Christ was sent.

Out of Joy for our Creator, we can be EXCELLENT!

We can go into the world and share

God's Love for humankind is there.

We can Lift up The Cross upon which Love died.

We can bow and adore Him, for us He cried.

So with rejoicing and vigor, we continue our March

Through every land, with sorrow Satan has begun to parch.

We can visit prisons, and comfort all.

And on Friendship and Kindness, make our call.

Here on this earth, we may find no place to call our own,

But in heaven's splendor, we can kneel before the Throne.

Why be weak, for He is strong;

He'll stand by our side, all along.

We look to The Great Teacher, who is close at hand, but afar,

Through Faith and Christ's Blood

We are stronger than what we are!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECOND PLACE--POETRY

 

Nicole DeMoro

Holy Cross, Collinsville

Eighth Grade

 

I stand on the mountain peak

I look over the tree tops

Down into the valley

 

I see the tall wild flowers

blooming on the hillside

pouring into the meadow

 

The waterfall crashes down

into the stream below

the water glistens off the rocks

 

The sun rises into the deep blue sky

Birds fly over the horizon

What a beautiful place

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THIRD PLACE--POETRY

 

Megan Schmidt

Holy Cross, Collinsville

Sixth Grade

 

There is something out there

It is moving in the field

I shall give it a scare

When I run into the field

 

It is moving more now

I dig my paws in the ground

So I may steady myself

When I run into the field

 

It may just be the wind

Blowing on its long journey

Yet I will catch it

When I run into the field

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Think I Need An Angel

            -Autumn Sij

 

I think I need an angel

to stay by my side

I think I need an angel

in whom I can confide

 

I think I need an angel

to watch over me day and night

To guide me down this crooked road

and lead me to the light

 

Can heaven send me an angel

It doesn’t have to have wings

Just one that mends my broken soul

and makes my heart sing

 

I’ve always been a believer

of God’s will and His miracles

So can God open up His heavens

And make life more wonderful?

 

Heaven needs to send an angel

one to see me through

I think I need an angel

One I see in you

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kate Kruta

 

I Saw the Wind Last Night

 

I saw the wind last night

sweeping past my window

in the absence of the light

Making quite a show

 

The glorious turning leaves

Rustle like a falling rain

Upon the great tall trees

In colors of a lion’s mane

 

I crept up to the window

And looked out in the night

I saw the winds blow

with the ferocity of a Knight

 

I ran to the door and cracked it

letting in the cold crisp air

Inviting me to go outside and sit

To enjoy it without a car

 

I stepped outside on the dirt

And ran to the tree beside the door

I swung myself up, careful I wasn’t hurt

And felt the wind even more

 

I peeked out from the tree

And saw for real the true breeze

Rushing past, wild and free

between the trembling leaves

 

Silver threads of hair

Golden feathers on the wings

Floating on the air

and beauty fit for kings

 

Laughter fills the air around me

Voices that are pure and will last

I can finally really see

God’s great angels flying past

 

The Lady, The Devil, and The Dealer

            -Trinity Johnson

 

The Dealer

 

            One by one, two figures stepped out of the darkness and joined me at the table.  One was a thin beautiful woman dressed in a crimson dress with black pumps and a red feather boa wrapped around her neck.  She took her seat next to me, smiling coyly.  Then she looked back over her shoulder at the second person approaching the table.  But it wasn’t a person at all.

            The shadowy figure glared first at its predecessor, then me.  Silently taking a seat, the wary gaze shifted to the cards I was nervously shuffling.  The lady produced a pack of cigarettes and offered one to the figure.  An accepting hand reached for it, but the lady held it away.

            “Who might you be?

            The voice came deep and low.  “I’m the devil.”

            She let out a sharp laugh, but then the devil snapped his fingers, which caught on fire.  With it, he lit the cigarette.  “Let’s play.”  He looked to me.  I didn’t know what he was getting at until I realized I was still shuffling the cards.

            “Ummm…”

            The so-called devil took the cigarette and leaned back casually.  “Well… deal.”

            My hands shook as I passed out the cards.  Never once did my eyes meet his.  They both raised their hands to the typical poker stance.  One at a time, we each put in our opening bets.  I pulled my visor down over my eyes and looked at my cards.

 

The Lady

 

            I studied my cards quietly, concentrating on keeping a straight face.  Glancing at the devil, I decided I wasn’t the least bit intimidated.  Dressed in a black business suit and smoking my cigarette, he appeared to be like every other half-witted, stuff-shirt show-off I’ve ever met.  I fitted my cigarette into its holder and put it to my lips.

            “What’s this?” I noticed an odd-colored chip in my pile.

            The dealer looked up.  “What?”

            I held it up between my fingers.  “This.”

            He swallowed nervously.  “It’s the soul chip.  The last chip you’ll use.  Lose with that, and you’re out of the game.  You lose your soul.”

            “My treat,” remarked the devil.  I could just hear the sardonic smile in his voice.

            “Since when are we playing our--”

            “Since now!” the devil snapped.  “Now are you going to bet or what?”

            I smirked and played two of my chips.  “Call and raise.”

            The devil took a long puff on my cigarette, nearly extinguishing it.  “Raise two.”  He plunked four chips on the table, followed by the dealer, who was looking confident for the first time since the game started.

            I wondered about those other guys.  I would have to play my cards carefully.

The Devil

 

            I peeked at my cards, even though it wasn’t really necessary.  I already knew what I had.  The lady took two chips from her pile and threw them in.  I counted all of mine and tossed two in.  A black chip, the “soul chip” showed slightly under my pile.  Looking over, I noticed the dealer was without a black chip.

            “Here.” I passed it to him.  “You’re gonna need it.”

            “No kidding,” the lady said, a smile playing about her lips.

            The dealer threw in his chips.  “Raise three.”

            He was getting cocky.  I hoped the lady would teach him a lesson.  To my delight, she did.  “Match, raise two.”

            I was taking a chance.  “Raise four.”

 

The Dealer

 

            I added my next bet and thought about the players.  The devil was bluffing-- I was going to keep him guessing.  In all my confidence, my hand might have passed for a straight, or even a flush!  The lady-- yeah she was gorgeous, but she couldn’t play a good game of poker.  She kept smirking as if she had a great hand.  I caught another one as she matched my bet with four chips.

            “Two cards.”  The devil slapped his down.

            “Are we done betting already?” There was sarcasm in the lady’s eyes.

            “So, let’s have them.”

 

The Lady

 

            When the devil passed his cards to the dealer, I saw him lift the corner ever so slightly and look.  Of course, I knew better.

 

The Devil

           

            The dealer picked only one card and replaced the other in his hand.  The lady said no, but I saw her secretly pass two chips to the dealer.  He added them to his pile.  It didn’t matter to me, of course.  I did it all the time.  In a moment we would see who had his or her soul on the line.

 

The Dealer

 

            “Any more bets?”

            “Most definitely.”  The lady put her hand out, ready to lay down her bet, but I stopped her and motioned to the devil.  He placed a handful of chips in the center.

            The lady looked at him darkly and inquired, “You’re bluffing, aren’t you?”

            “Do you really think I have to?

            Both the lady and I betted our soul chips.

The Lady

 

            It was the turning point in the game.  The devil put another handful of chips into the center, and we all laid our cards down…

 

            This story was inspired by the intriguing “The Lady, or the Tiger?”.  Trinity Johnson is the name of three people playing poker, with aliases The Lady, The Devil, and The Dealer.  It is up to the reader to figure out who won this fateful game.

 

Darci L. Butcher, Cole E. Butcher, Ashley C. Jones

 

 

           

 

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following are excerpts of the winning short stories in MELHS' creative writing contest.

 

 

FIRST  PLACE--SHORT STORY

 

Melissa Ameiss

Good Shepherd, Collinsville

7^th grade

The Star of David

 

What are we Jewish?  I thought to myself.  It seems that everyone in Germany hates us.  It isn’t fair.  We are prisoners in our own country.  We could leave, but it’s too dangerous.  What did we do to that Adolph Hitler?

My name is Julia.  I’m fourteen years old and Jewish.  I was born in Berlin, Germany in 1930.  I have an older brother, Paul.  He’s sixteen.  My mother is a dressmaker, and my father is a doctor.  Well, he was a doctor.  He lost his job last year.  It’s 1944 and for the last six years Germany has been at war!  Our family lives in a ghetto.  I think it’s outside of Frankfurt.  My brother and I are walking home from the store.  We had to buy bread with one of our rations.

 

 

SECOND PLACE--SHORT STORY

 

Krista Frey

Good Shepherd, Collinsville

8^th grade

Matchmakers

 

Kevin gazed out the window of the plane.  He was dreading the summer he was being forced to spend at his Uncle Mark’s beach house in California.  His mom said that it would be fun, but Kevin knew that it was her way of keeping him busy because her job kept her away so much.  Kevin and his mother had never been very close, and since his father had left them when he was only four years old, he had never really grown close to anyone.  It wasn’t that Kevin didn’t like Uncle Mark, but what could he possibly do there all summer?

The voice of the pilot came over the intercom brought Kevin out of his daydream.  “Please fasten your seat belts for landing,” he instructed.  Little did Kevin know that this was the beginning of a summer that would change his life forever.

 

 

 

 

 

THIRD PLACE--SHORT STORY

 

Kortney L. Hogan

Good Shepherd, Collinsville

8^th grade

The Fate of Atlantis Island

 

            I, Victoria Annabelle Mirandeau, was waltzing through the dark, gloomy castle.  It was very quiet.  I was used to the usual hustle and bustle of the servants doing whatever they do in the castle.  My beloved parents, the king and queen of Atlantis Island, were in the village delivering a speech, and they gave all the servants the day off which is why it was so quiet.  Leah, a very young girl who loved to brush my long, luscious hair, and Melinda, Leah’s grandmother, were the only servants left in the castle.

            Leah was my favorite servant.  She had a tragic story, and I had grown to love her.  First, Leah’s parents had died in a fire, and she was sent to live with her mother’s parents.  Less than a year later the small family was going on a short trip across the sea, and her grandparents both drowned.  There was no one left to care for Leah except Melinda, Leah’s long lost grandmother from her father’s side.  Melinda had heard about Leah and had come to claim her seven-year-old granddaughter.  Melinda brought Leah back to Atlantis Island where she had lived for the past twenty years.