2008 FIRST PLACE

MORNING NEWS
Taylor Martin
16 years old, Pennsylvania

A soft breeze blows through the open window
The fresh, cleansing air fills my lungs
Sunlight floods the kitchen and warms my back
All is silent except for the birds greeting each other
Brilliant blue skies calm the earth
Not a cloud in sight
Until I turn on the morning news

Family killed last night in road-rage incident
Thousands stolen from non-profit organization
Woman's body found on side of road
Updates roll across the screen
Five Americans die from bombing in Iraq
Governor assassinated, suspect unknown
Missing child, seven years old

The morning news, a routine part of life
Normal and habitual, like my cup of coffee
Different though, full of terror not warmth
But we take another sip, and hope for peace
Not realizing that we are the ones who must achieve it