Hall of Architecture

Louise Sturgess

Lion

I am a lion.

My hair is gold.

I’m known for

dragging dead animals,

and eating the meat.

I’m King of the Jungle.

––S. O.

FREE!

To me FREE means you can go and do anything in the world. ––K. P.

I am a shield.

I am protection.

I have a book.

I have knowledge.

We all have this

in the palm of our hand

at the Carnegie Library.

That’s where I am.

––T. P.

The C

When I walk through Andrew Carnegie’s bronze door with the “C,” the door seems to close its mouth and whisper to me, “Well, well. What do we have here?”

“A traveler,” replies the wise Sphinx.

“Help,” I say, but no one answers.

“Kill him,” says Andrew Carnegie.

“No, mercy, I say.”

“Ok. I’ll give you mercy.” And the Sphinx throws me in the chamber and turns me into a monster.

“Ok boss,” says the Sphinx as he chuckles. ––K. M. T.

Statue of Shakespeare

I am Shakespeare,

the statue which towers over you.

I am full of life,

full of art.

I may not be William,

but I am his statue.

I write in the night,

stand still in the day.

I read all the time,

as you can obviously see

for I have a book in my hands.

You can touch me,

play with me,

but I remain motionless.

I am Shakespeare.

I am his statue.

I am free.

––N. G.

The Atlas

My name is Atlas, and I am the holder of the world. I ache and sweat and my muscles burn. I can occasionally get angry at the gods for picking me to delve into this job. I get tempted to drop the world and walk away. But then I wouldn’t value the second chance the gods have given me.

Then I remember how proud I should be to have a job like none other. I flex my biceps and stand up––even with the weight on my shoulders––and show the pride on my face, like the bright sun. ––M. Z.

The Thinker

I sit here thinking about what night shall bring, waiting for time to end. Shall I wake up when the night ends?

I see the sun set and then I awake, waiting to see what night will bring. I go inside the building I guard to see what’s there. I open the doors and this is what I hear: a big, loud roar as loud as a train. I meet a lion and a king and see so many friends.

I start to see the sun rise as I run outside. I go back to my seat and keep my pose. Don’t let anyone see the life that hides inside of me. ––B. H.

The Watcher

No matter how much anyone tries, there’s always sadness in the world.

I forever watch to comfort those who suffer from the cruelness that has unfurled.

But every day, while I comfort other people from upon my throne,

I never move or blink, made of bronze, always watching, set atop a building of stone.

I always wish I wouldn’t have to watch the evil of this earth,

but I’ve had to do this ever since my birth.

I wish I could move, I wish I could blink,

but I do not dare to even wink.

I wish I would not have to watch people fail or feel pain,

but I have to watch through wind, snow, and rain.

I just wish to move an arm or my legs,

but I have to watch everything––cats, dogs, nests, and eggs.

I have to smell everything from good smells to stinks,

I have to feel heat and coldness––as cold as the air in ice-skating rinks

I just wish to move from this same posture,

but here I stand forever––your Watcher.

––I. W.

The Lost Crown

One time there was a beautiful Queen at the ball who was leading the ball. The ball was colorful and beautiful. She had good manners and great taste. She was a great person. She helped everybody who needed help. One time, someone stole her crown. The Queen felt a lot of stress. She organized all the people in her Kingdom and told them to find her crown now.

The people searched the whole city, but they couldn’t find her crown. The Queen started asking people from different countries if they had seen her crown, but only one person knew where it was. He was a plain worker, and he had found her crown underground, while digging. He had no clue how it got there, but someone said he saw the Queen’s helper walking wj ith her crown one night and burying it.

The plain worker went to the Queen and told her about the helper who had buried her crown. The Queen was amazed. Also, he told her that he thought her helper wanted to hide the crown from her. So she could not wear it to the ball. Also, because if the crown would be stolen she wouldn’t be queen anymore. She would be known for a lie. “You have to get the helper,” said the Queen. The Queen’s helper came. He lies to her. He said, “how could I hided I’m you, Queen?” I would be killed if I did that. She said, “you lied to me.” One of the workers found you that night with my crown. You are not my helper anymore! “Take him out of the palace. We will have a huge ball to celebrate the event. The Queen lived happily ever after.

The End

. ––M. P.

The Bearded Man

I am the Bearded Man who guards the Carnegie Library Lecture Hall. I stare at the people who pass by and want to be free just as they are. I also want to tell them my story, so now I will tell it to you.

Once, I was a healthy, handsome young man. I was sailing off the coast of Mexico and ended up in an underwater cave and died there. A famous artist carved my head and I guided my soul to it. I have possessed it ever since.

So now that you have heard my story, please tell everyone to come and visit me––before I leave. ––M. K.

Flower

My path will reach on,

like the wakening of

dawn.

For each awakening,

a sun rises

for the days that go on.

My beauty

My glory

My love

all come from the Flower

that will continue

growing inside of me.

My petals are layers

that are way deep within

the graceful curve of my carved stone.

––A. B.