2008 FIRST HONORABLE MENTION

PEACE
Kathryn Ellis
16 years old, Pennsylvania

Waking before dawn
I want to see the sunrise
Sitting on my front steps
I feel the cool air of the passing night

Over the trees I see an orange glimmer
It grows larger with every second

The blue of the sky spreads
The yellow of the sun brightens;
Flowers start to open their petals
Yearning for the warmth of the sun.
Dew is shimmering beneath my feet

The bees begin to buzz a rhythm
The birds start to sing their sweet songs

What a great feeling
No hate
No anguish
No fear or regret
I wish everyone could always feel this way.

Peace
That's what this is
A moment of escape in a pre-planned day
Full of ticking clocks
Scolding teachers
And impossible approaching deadlines
These precious sunrises calm the soul
Problems seem to disappear with the black sky

Sunrises.
Peace.
What wondrous things.