Loving Your Flaws in a World of Perfection

by Ana Tovar

The world is so serious,

do not let it affect you.

Nobody is perfect,

if an error is made

no need to be afraid.

It may be messy,

[and] my sister may hate it 

[her] kindness [is seen as] too strong,

some [even] view it as [wrong].

I touch [her] brain trying to fix the mechanics.

 Scratch it to the right and to the left.

"Scattered and cluttered," I stutter,

but under [her] flaws is beauty.

My flaws are not quite [as] noticeable.

I  learn to love [them] because

[they] can be shaped.

[To do so I ] I revise my self-image and

change my tone.

[Try and] look on the bright side.

Even though I trip, stumble, and fall

I will always love my flaws.

Humans can be many things,

most of us are hairy things,

some of us are petty things.

Flaws are what make us unique

and the world [less bleak].

Untitled Poem

by Felipe de Cardenas

"This time shall soon pass"

is a phrase that puts things in perspective

helps you continue in the bad

and savor the time in the good

People make mistakes in everything they do.

Loving my flaws is important

I focus on what I can, not what I can't

role models and grades of failure,

years of control over a child’s mind

shaping and molding

Yet two doors remain cracked open

Similar to a moist drop of luck,

your ways have me moonstruck,

Pounding raw material into my skull,

Until it soothes the abyss that judges me.

The days that we drive you crazy

The days that we listen intently

You taught me history

And language tricks

You taught me to speak

And also not to cheat

Helping me achieve mastery

For this I will always thank you

In your presence I feel so free

I live to worship you.

The Guiding Path

by Heidi Reimer

Similar to a moist drop of luck,

The patience 

you have shown us

have me moonstruck,

like a sun with an eternal light

While you sip your coffee

You were always so sweet

Like a breath of fresh air.

You inspired me,

encouraging creativity,

creating a space of trust,

helping me,

finding all I can be

shaping and molding me

Believing in 

Me

When I barely believed in myself.

You show me the path

To be as curious as can be

Always there

To make my mornings bright

and say hi!

Give me energy 

whenever I feel low

That I will always cherish

One I will forever miss.

Thank You, Teacher

by Ali Lugo

Your ways have us moonstruck.

You teach like you’re teaching a dream.

Acting as a preacher,

shaping and molding so elegantly, 

is a testament 

to our love for you.

You feed our young minds with wisdom.

A shepherd of the world's future,

Encouraging creativity,

Creating a space of trust.

You believe in us,

When we barely believe in ourselves.

You help us to stay strong,

Thank you for helping us understand

That there's more to the world 

than just existing.

Your small gestures of affirmation

Are the cause of our joy and elation.

A caring educator

rewriting until words crystalized 

to make ideas clear and beautiful.

The way that you teach is a breath of fresh air

Thank you for 

your patience,

your kindness, 

and persistence.

Moving On

by Jake Meyer

Totally tubular

extremely excellent

amazingly awesome

there's more to the world than just existing

new faces, new classes, new everything

Similar to a moist drop of luck,

inviting them into your world

your new grade and environment

so fascinating and intriguing

Hope they make it welcoming

to not cause anxiety for the new faces

you deserve so much more

Years of control over a child’s mind

shaping and molding

teachers

acting as preachers

Doing everything in their power

To show me the path

rewriting until words crystalized

whether a word or two exhibited,

the freedom we have us

like a sun with an eternal light

Encouraging creativity, a space of trust.

To be as curious as can be

a breath of fresh air

Thank You Teachers for Shaping Our World

by Isa Camacho

An ode to my teacher

who gives up their time

acting as preachers

To be as curious as can be.

I loved your welcome,

your room,

the decorations,

my face was free from anxiety

other faces were feeling relieved.

I remember the freedom you gave us.

Encouraging creativity

and creating a space of trust

was a breath of fresh air.

You asked much of me,

only because you knew I could do it.

You believed in me,

when I barely believed in myself.

You inspired me,

without even having to try.

Thank you for your patience,

your kindness, and persistence.

The days that we drive you crazy

The patience you have shown us,

The dedication to our class,

The love for the material.

Thank you for elucidating the hidden passions

That we have yet to ascend.

Thank you for helping me understand

That there's more to the world than just existing.

Thank you for teaching, cause I will always be listening.

Fear is Futile

by Santiago Duckenfield-Lopez

People make mistakes in everything they do.

The certainly that all problems and all celebrations

are temporary. no solution, no decision

The light at the end of the tunnel

Lighting gives the dark sky an immediate blink of life

And suddenly everything feels great again

Similar to a moist drop of luck,

like a sun with an eternal light

It calms you

My heart beats in my ears and my breath stutters

Until it soothes the abyss that judges me.

That leads to another, dropping back into the abyss.

You won't drown in the puddles, you'll crawl out of the fear

I never got why

I speak too much I speak too little

whether a word or two exhibited,

My kindness is too strong,

I'm sorry that I fled

I'm sorry that this list

Ends on a short note

While I still have so much to prove.

Until their job is done,

And your eyes feel heavy,

Your muscles soften,

And your body drifts to sleep.

A Summer Day Storm

by Amanda Harris

Open field, empty sky

How the gust of wind that blows

Ignites your skin

And awakens your soul

Peaceful winds like soothing medicine

But violent winds howl

And disrupt the makeshift paradise

A sudden rage makes the trees lurch

You can feel the storm coming

A cloud approaches, gray still

Darkness and rain go hand in hand

The thunder booms, the lightning strikes

Rattling the world 

Light through treetops

Shining in dark places

The bugs chirping and the mist lifting

The sunshine is welcoming

The darkness pushed back

By the bittersweet rising sky

A serene breeze tickles the tops of trees

Sways them and moves them to its own design

Winds carry the whispers of your joy

And the bird sings out your fears

Maybe you are the rain, the breeze, and the bird

You feel a light air 

And breathe it in and out

Everything goes quiet once more.

One With Nature

by Eva Gonzalez-Whitehouse

The sky cries my tears

Covering the sky in darkness

As the waves wash out my anger, 

They show a dim hue

Not so inviting emotions,

Sadness shows how desperate we can be.

Nature is powerful

Nature is everywhere

The breeze carries the whispers of my joy

That comes and goes,

And the bird sings out my fears

That sometimes appears unknown.

Nature shifts emotions

Nature causes damage

I feel a drop of water that falls upon my face

Are they tears of joy or fear?

And I wonder if it falls from the sky or from me.

I feel the waves of the ocean carry my anger,

Unsure of whether I push the waves with my anger or if they push me.

I feel a light air and breathe that goes in and out,

Still unclear on whether my joy pushes the breeze or if it frees me.

I hear screaming call out, in perfect sync with mine,

And do not understand if it is entirely mine or if it is shared with the bird.

Am I alone or is it just me a nature?

Nature is unknown

Nature is pretty

Maybe nature and I don't need to be separate.

Is this fate that we met on this fateful day.

Maybe nature and I can be one,

Maybe I am the rain, the waves, the breeze, and the bird.

I know who I am

Maybe they are me.

We are as beautiful as nature if we keep the right mindset

The Calm Before the Storm

by Lucas Jolivert

The power of winds are dramatic

 The winds can be peaceful or violent

 The peaceful winds are like a soothing medicine

 While the violent winds are like an obstacle that challenges organisms

This time shall soon pass

The clouds give the sky an imperfect look

Rain and darkness will go hand in hand

Oh how the gust of wind that blows at night

Ignites your skin

And awakes your soul

Thunder closely following

with a booming sound rattling the world

But I think it's amazing

Lighting gives the dark sky an immediate blink of life

It is truly inspirational

It calms you

While sunshine and light will fight to illuminate the world

The light blue sky is the yin

The black night sky is the yang

always accompanied by a scatter of stars

Even though you can’t always see them

They are always there

Dancing around the dark sky

Moon shines through the night

My head feels calm like a lake

Nature is powerful

Nature is everywhere

Nature is us all

Untitled Poem

by Juan Rivera

The sound of a heartbeat accompanies the scratching of my pencil on paper.

My heart beats in my ears and my breath stutters

Yet two doors remain cracked open

And poetry is the hope trickling back in

The ones that distort you and make you see who you are by seeing who you not are

Poetry can be me and I can be you but you can be me and I can be poetry

Now I like poems

Because

Their

Simplicity

Can be

Used

To

Explore

My

Complexities

Poetry is not all happiness

poetry is not a waste of time

Poetry is not set and stone

It's more than just a choice

Poetry is your voice

Poetry is what connects us together

Poetry is communication

Poetry is inspiration

One poem is not one sided but multifaceted in its meaning

Poetry is us

Newfound

by Caroline Sosler

I miss sitting by

The red bridge

I miss

Car rides every morning and night

I remember

My companion on the dreary days

I'm sorry that I fled

Left you there

Suddenly everything felt great again 

For this I will always thank you

I felt so free

But

No decision

Is permanent

I thought I had it

Free 

But

I cried alone 

I got scared

Things weren't

Right

Until 

Nostalgia

Saved me

I miss 

Your house 

Your bed 

Your puppy

And

I miss

You.

Souring Song

by Ana Martin

There is perspective in music 

It soothes my raw love

With a temporary truth 

A once dead nostalgia

Time wanders 

It does not remember to move 

All tribulations pass 

As the gliding tones soothe 

I wish it was permanent

This newfound abyss

Waltzing with change

It might be what I miss

The problem is 

I live for my darkest nights 

I fled to dead ends

I remember 

I cried

And I will do it again 

In the trials of my life

Problem 

Solution

Pounding rhythm 

Going on

I make my decision

I don't like this song

love, jack

by Jack Rivas-Vazquez

thanks, dad

i live to worship you.

when trials and tribulations arise, I look to you

for this I will always thank you

thanks, dad

we ate at your table

i cried on your bed

in my darkest nights, your love saved me

thanks, dad

for buying me barbecue almonds

nightly movies

pumpkin soup at night

thanks, dad

i miss sitting by

the city's dead ends

wandered, love, celebrate, free, nostalgia

Companion

by Ani Victor

My companion on the dreary days

Who gives me certainty that life is sure to change.

Jesus your love saved me in my darkest night

I'm sorry that I fled when things weren't right

when I think I have it all figured out

thinking academic validation is the only way out,

in you I find comfort, your presence feels free

Your music soothes all, yes I live for worshiping

When trials and tribulations arise, I look to you

The light at the end of the tunnel, Your word is my truth

The certainty that all problems and all celebrations

are temporary. no solution, no decision

is permanent, so when I think I have it

figured out or I know that I do not

life is sure to change.

"This time shall soon pass"

is a phrase that puts things in perspective

helps you continue in the bad

and savor the time in the good

thanks dad

wandered, love, celebrate, free, nostalgia

The tinkering tones of a xylophone

The gliding movements of the waltzing bows

Music soothes all

My companion on the dreary days

car rides every morning and night

Eating smorgasbords from CVS to get the correct balance of food groups

Vile homework assignments that neither of us do

Early? Never heard of her, I always make her late

Never snowboarding again, she made me do that once and I almost died, but I will still miss keven

Thank you

For buying me barbecue almonds

Plating grandma's

Grilled cod

And your white puppy's slobber

I miss sitting by

The

Second floor lockers

Dirty floors filled with

Rectangle

Carton-lined lunches

I remember

Your bike

The red bridge

We jumped off

Painting at

Your house

With

The dog on the lawn

The curls on

Your brother's head

Before

I saw your bed

Watching

Nightly movies

With your computer

Screen looming

We ate at your table

I cried on your bed

We drove all around

The city's dead ends

I miss eggs in the morning

Pumpkin soup at night

I'm sorry that I fled

When things weren't

Right

I'm sorry that this list

Ends on a short note

I got scared

Left you there

And dealt it

Alone

I click on a button

I click on an icon

I type up my answer

I type up my response

And suddenly everything feels great again

When trials and tribulations arise, I look to you

Jesus in you I find comfort, your word is my truth

In my darkest nights, your love saved me

For this I will always thank you

In your presence I feel so free

I live to worship you.

Pounding raw material into my skull,

Until it soothes the abyss that judges me.

Academic validation is the only way out,

The light at the end of the tunnel

That leads to another, dropping back into the abyss.

A macabre day met its end,

when you mollifyingly brandished

a newfound, mirthful TikTok.

My mettlesome, magnanimous sister--

Thank you!