2007 HONORABLE MENTION

IT'S NOT OKK
Emily Gomez
15 years old, North Carolina

Good morning, dear Charles.
I hope you slept all right.
You know, they hit
The Jameson’s house last night.

I looked out my window,
Around midnight they came,
All in a group,
With the cross up in flame.

You know, I just don’t get it.
What’s the big fuss?
It’s just their skin tone.
They’re no different from us.

And then I was the flame flicker
As a cold night breeze blew.
Their white robes flew up,
And I saw your left shoe.

Charles, I don’t understand
What goes on inside your head.
But can you please abandon the robe,
And give peace a try instead?