2007 HONORABLE MENTION

INNER PEACE?
Lauren Schaefer
14 years old, New York

Fog shrouds my world, envelopes and disguises all around,
Gives the shadows a place to hide.
My mind matches the outside world, clouded over in mist,
Fighting among the species for survival and power.
Power over my thoughts, my words,
Like the greed for land or war.
As the day goes on, the sun rises outside,
Melts away the mist.
But my mind reacts inversely,
Raining self hatred and despair.
What ever happened to simplicity?
Childhood innocence? Naivete?
Only violence, poverty, hatred surround…
Now PEACE seems a far-away goal,
More distant than the sun
Some say WORLD PEACE is unattainable,
But what about PEACE
on the INSIDE?