The Agnes Irwin School
Rosemont, PA
2007
 

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(address: dreamflags@agnesirwin.org -- subject: Wister Dream Flag Response)
 

           Animals, I will save you

Make you happy, free, and loved.

I will feed you, let you graze on rolling hills

I will touch your smooth coats and smell your smells,

I will bring you happiness.

I feel hurt

When I see your big brown eyes

Pleading for help,

It makes me want to help you, make you better

If I can’t I will pray for you,

Pray you will go to a loving home

The happiness

When you get adopted by a caring and loving family

Is better than ever

The passion I have for you is strong,

But the love is even stronger

I will have you be loved again,

I promise.

~ Ashleigh M.~

All you coaches at the rink

Here is what I think

This poem is what I hope will happen

So let me make this dream come true

Leave me be

And see what I can do

In my dream…

I stop

Look around and see

All these people

Cheering for me

I feel excited and nervous

Take three deep breaths

And the music begins

The cheers and butterflies

In my stomach all dye away

Questions fly through my head

Will I land my jumps?

Will I spin fast enough?

Or will it be a bad day

I jump

I hope

And then

I land

I land the 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 4^th  jumps

Then the 5^th, 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th

I spin so fast I am like a blur

I remember to breath

So take three more breaths

And then

It’s over

Realization that I just skated clean

Crashes down on me

Like the waves of the sea

The audience is cheering so loud

You would think that instead of me winning

It was the crowd

- Ashley F.

Departing

As we pack

A silence

A silence of sadness

Than a laugh

We laugh as if there is no tomorrow

Then they’re here

Our parents

Come to take us

Back home…

…But this is my home

Camp

A comfy place to sleep

Fresh water every day

Staying up too late

But the reason I come back every year is for my friends

For friends I see once a year

For the laughs and stories we exchange

I have a friendship that can’t be described

We talk together, we laugh together,

We get in trouble together

But most of all we dream together.

                                                Audrey J.

The car rocking back and forth

A cloud of dust soaring

Covering the car

As we drive up the road

I step out of the car

I reach down…

…a mix of sand and pine needles

In the background I here laughter

I smell pine trees and fresh water of Lake Osipi

And I know I’m home at camp

Dreams

What would if be like if school started earlier?

Would there be waffles, sausage, pancakes, and more?

Yes, in my dream there would be breakfast galore.

There would be pancake stacks

The size of the Sears Tower.

I would wake up to the smell and sound of sizzling bacon,

Ssss pop-pop, ssss pop-pop.

“It’s 9:15, wake up!” my mother would yell.

I would wake up and be in heaven,

Because there would be the most fragrant smell.

                                                 -Angelika K.

The Everlasting War

I look out my small window and frown,

My peaceful world has been turned upside down.

Drop bombs and shoot guns that’s all anyone does.

I cry and think of the place this land once was.

People fighting over land, religion and race,

I look closer and see a man pull a gun from his case.

He sees me looking and points it at my head,

I duck hear a sound, and bam my papa’s dead.

I sink to the floor and cry and cry.

My papa’s a good man, he doesn’t deserve to die.

“You can help,” my mama used to say.

Maybe you can help and change the world someday.

My hope is rising along with my fear,

But kids can’t do anything, I let down one tear.

A voice in my head won’t let me back down.

I have a dream to make this a better town.

But not just for my town, for the world too.

I need people to hear my dream, people like you.

I want a world where people are united and do not fight,

A world where guards don’t roam the streets at night.

A dream to see smiling faces and the laughter of all.

People working together, black, white, short, and tall.

I don’t want children to think this way,

Will I be alive the next day?

Food for the hungry, money for the poor,

This is what people should be working for.  

Anne M.

It’s Our Turn Now

To all of you young people whose grandparents have died

Don’t you want to see your loved-ones again?

My grandfather died from a deadly cancer

He left when I was leaving toddlerhood

I wish my grandfather could see how much the world has changed

All my cousins would see him, sitting in his living room, on his floral couch, Everyone could feel the warmth of family, the bond has never stopped

There’s a light shining down on him and his old Rottweiler dog

No one would have any troubles as we see him, and he might be here to stay

He would see the problems of the world though,

Global warming, poverty, and hatred

Although at that moment all of that would be forgotten

But then we would remember and realize that he belongs in heaven

Then he would want to leave too, for we need to help the world now

He has already done his part and we haven’t done ours

Let us unite to help the world, to make the world a better place

We will make the world less violent and cruel for the rest of the human race

-Alexandra P.

I dream that my grandparents can come back to us.

I wish that my picture can be retaken,

For my grandparents will come back and retake

A picture that made everyone happy.

A picture with their sons and daughters with their pets on their laps.

Do you remember the joy?

The world is different with you.

There are no family fights or hard times between friends

To hear my grandparents telling everyone to smile,

To hug my grandfather and to see my grandmother.

The sadness is overcoming the joy for them.

Will he ever see the Sharon creek again, his favorite place?

Will she ever see me, at least once?

I ask these questions only for hope.

Hope to meet them,

And say

“I love you”

Abigail S.

My place,

My place lies within my head,

Even on the darkest days of the year,

My place is always on my mind,

Every single day,

No matter how down I am feeling,

My place lies where the forest opens up,

Opens up into a clearing,

The leaves all around me,

Surrounding me,

As if I were in an enclosed space,

With no one,

But me,

And all of nature around me,

The leaves,

Of all colors,

Sheltering me from the outside world,

Sheltering me,

On the darkest day of the year,

With all the rain and wind,

Surrounding me,

In a circle,

A circle of nature,

I swim in the nearby pond,

Feeling the cold, refreshing moisture on my skin,

Soothing, soothing my entire body,

I lean up against the brown, sappy Oak tree,

With all of its’ great strength it holds me up with joy,

It sways back and forth,

Dancing for me,

For my company,

I am taking a break,

Resting my life,

Soaking up the shady sun,

My life,

My place,

My time to settle down,

My time to rest up in my place,

My place

By:

Brooke S.

Fading Fast 

The penguin’s icy habitat is baking every day

The temperature is way up high, making it hard to say if these Arctic animals will survive even one more day

Before in icy happiness, these active birds would play and eat

But now they’re having trouble even staying on their feet

Their happiness is draining like hectic weekend fun

And now they have started dreading the rising of the sun

The sound of ice cracking is all that they now hear

While all they want is splashes and a bird’s excited cheer

No more food and no more fun

Baking in the burning sun

Cracking bits of glaciers splashing into the ocean

The animal’s habitats are practically done

The temperature is rising, faster than the sun

And I can’t help but wonder if any of these birds will survive, even one?

Also, I must ask myself if the worry we do share.

                         Are we even trying, do we even care?

I wish for the icy climates to return back to cold

So all the animals can have fun on their restored poles.

Catie H.

We Danced Through Life… Until the Music Ended

Dancing, dancing through life, the colors flash by.

Hearing, hearing the rhythm of the swing music.

Smelling, smelling his peppermint mouthwash.

Touching, touching his long callused fingers against my tiny   hand.

Feeling, feeling the sorrow that pangs my heart.

The pool gurgles, it forms tiny circles, the circles are turning.

Smelling, smelling her head and shoulder baby powder.

Tasting, tasting the taste of Florida water.

Touching, touching her soft wrinkled hands.

Feeling, feeling complete happiness.

Sorrow, the sorrow that pains my heart.

Pieces, the pieces of my broken heart.

Tears, the tears that slip down my face.

Happiness, the feeling that I made a difference

Cancer, the Cancer that touched his life.

 Heart attack, the heart attack  that stopped her heart.

 Love, the love that I’m filled up to the top with.

The music stopped,

 The circles stopped turning,

but I can still hear the music.

                                                                                                                                 Carly H.

Starvation

Starvation,

  Is like a murderer, seizing the lives of adults and children every day,

Why is it this way?

The children make a line,

Waiting to dine,

Some only have one large meal per week,

A better food and shelter is what they seek,

A small boy is given a large plate fit for a king,

It’s amazing that people have to live with such a thing,

                               Starvation,        

Their lives are filled with aggravation,

These people live in shattered lives,

This horrible thing thrives and thrives,

So if starvation was put to an end,

No more hearts would have to mend,

Starvation.

Corinne O.

Never Once Did I Think He Would Pass

I sat there playing with one of the toys he made.

Never once thinking he would pass.

The sun was setting, pink,

The sea a torques,

The taste of the ocean.

The smell of cold green water.

The sound of porpoises barking,

And seagulls squawking,

The TV talking.

And never once did I think he would pass.

His gentle, dry hands touch the wood,

Of the new game he had made me.

He in his blue chair,

His soft rocking chair,

And me, sitting beside him,

Feeling loved and comforted.

Now I think,

Will there ever be a cure?

A cure for cancer?

Because I don’t want anyone else,

To have to go through what I did.

The grief, and memories,

The love that’s lost,

And the sadness.

The sadness that stabs like a knife.

And one question never to be answered until I go,

Will I ever see him in heaven?

And just to think,

Never once did I think he would pass.

                                                                         Caroline S.

People who have time to read this poem:

Walking on the carpet,

Red as it could be,

Is that Jennifer Hudson over to my left?

Is that Will Smith I see?

The crowd is loudly roaring,

The spotlights shining bright,

The paparazzi taking pictures all into the night.

Security’s trying to do their best,

But that may not be enough, you see,

Because when I look out,

In the front row is

The guy who wrapped my Wawa hoagie.

Excitement and hope rush through myself,

They are taking an Oscar off the shelf,

A drum roll starts; it’s great you see,

They’re handing it to someone,

That someone is me.

                   --Caroline T.

The House of No Worries

Come one, come all,

To the house of no worries

Where not all is as it seems,

 Where there is no hurt, no fears, no lies

Where love, and hopes, and dreams

Fly freely in the sky

Come one, come all,

To the house of no worries

We’ll accept you with open arms

Come in, come in, we mean no harm

Leave your sorrow, come to play

Because today’s a brand new day

 Come one, come all,

To the house of no worries

Smell the rich earth on the ground

It smells of the happiness you’ve found

There is always room for more

We have happiness galore

Come one, come all,

To the house of no worries

The door is always open

No gate to keep you out

We will throw away that sorrow

And all those worries and doubt

And when it’s time to go

When your time here is through

You need to know your welcome back

There’s always a place here for you

                                                     Carrie V.

The Dream Poem

World peace would be an improvement on this war-torn world

If the world was united under our common goals

We could find a solution to our melting poles

When wars are ended all children could

Play outside safely and venture through brush and wood

World peace would be an addition to happiness all around

And airplanes could safely fly from ground-to-ground

If the world was united the sky would be cleared

Of this big war-torn field

I speak for the men and women who fight in this big war

Away from their homeland, traveling shore-to-shore

Ode to a Red Panda

Oh Himalayan Raccoon,

So secretive in trees

Your diet mostly consist of,

Fresh, young bamboo leaves

Oh Ailurus Fulglens,

Ancestors died long ago

Whether related to bears or raccoons,

No scientist honestly knows

Oh Lesser panda,

Endangered for a reason

Poachers hunt you for your fur,

And you have two babies a season

Oh Fire Fox,

So secretive in trees

First to be called a panda,

Continue to climb with ease

Dedaa A.

                                         Mixed Ocean Life Dream Place

In my dream place

I have my family

I can feel the hot, red sun beat down upon me

Until a red and tan color covers my pale skin

I feel the hot sand between my sandy toes and sticking to my sandy feet

In my dream place

I relax while hearing the waves crashing down

Scaring the sand specks away with its loud roar

           When the salty wind blows it stings my face and makes my eyes tear

Clear white salty tears

In my dream place

I kayak with my dad and see fish jump to greet us

I surf fish with my brother

My feet sink in the wet sand while I wait for a fish to bite

After a long tiring day

I go sit on the comfy, warm sand

As the soft waves rock me to sleep as I close my eyes

Diana S.

All We Want Is You

Aunt Linda, are you there, behind that sad, sick mask?

I wish I could touch your hands, and hold them in my grasp. Cards, candy, and flowers, they can’t find the cure, the cure for stupid Cancer, behind a stupid door. All of your pets can feel the sadness too, for all they want back, is simply… you.

Elizabeth H.

Will their sickness ever go away?

Will fatal sicknesses ever be cured?

Cured the way they should be

Disease haunts many poor countries

Thousands of people die

And nobody knows why

Parents leaving their young children

Young children leaving their parents

Leaving to go to the hospital

To lie in the sick bed

Thinking sad thoughts

That soon they would or could be dead

Will they live to see the next day?

Will their sickness ever go away?

−E. Hurler

Grandma, Grandma are you okay?

Grandma, Grandma what’s wrong?

Are you sick?

Is there a cure?

Will time run out?

These questions can never be answered;

My grandma has Parkinsons.

But, together we will be like a carousel

Overcoming the obstacles of life.

I see her smile as long as a mile.

I hear her calling,

I hear her bawling.

I feel her soft, cold hands on mine.

My family and I will guide her through her worries,

We will guide her troubles to make her life a little easier.

There’s so much joy in being with her.

But the horribleness of her disease makes us sad.

I love you so much Grandma.

Eliza M.

Released

School and work can be so tough

It is stressful and hard

I find myself doing something wrong

The days never end, the hours seem long

My dream place is a release

From work and studying and I can reach peace

I’m on the beach with the sun’s kind arms lighting my face

There is saltiness in the air that I can just taste

My cousins and I love being together

Our moods as bright as the warm weather

The sea pounds against the beach

Calling our names with words as sweet as a cooing mother

The towel on my back as soft as my favorite blanket at home

The sand oozing between my toes warming my whole body

I see colorful kites flying high in the air

Floating in the wind without a care

Just like me

I fell alive and free

Away from school and home

My dream place is a release

Where I can relax and reach peace

                                                              ~ Emily O

Magical Place

People of the world,

I dream for you.

I dream of a place

Where there is no dead ground,

And you can hear laughter

For miles around.

I dream of a place

Where the sun always smiles

And you’ll see happy faces

For miles and miles.

I dream of a place

Where everyone cares

And there is plenty of food

For people to share.

I dream of a place

Where children can be with all

And they can laugh and shout

And play a game of tetherball.

I dream of a place

Where you will see

People giving thanks

Sharing glee.

I dream of a place

Where people meet long lost kin,

And everyone’s friends

And everyone wins.

People of the world,

Come to this place.

I dream you’ll be part

Of each smiling face.

Libby S.

My dream

To be in my place

With family and friends

Touch, touch the sun

The big yellow sun

And catch it

And put it next to you.

Taste, taste the salt water mist

A drop of silver rain.

Smell, smell the air

The delicious ocean air

Breezing through the sky.

Listen, listen to the birds chirping

Soaring through the air

Listen to the waves crashing

Crashing like an earthquake.

Feel, feel the sand in your toes

Feeling soft and crunchy.

Your toes sinking into the sand.

Watch, watch the foot prints trailing

Behind you

And watch and see

Your family happy

Safe, far from fear.

Heaven in Jupiter Island!

Grace vA

I wish

There would be a cure

For type 1 Diabetes

For the children that suffer every day,

For the people who

Have died and for the

People in the future

I wish

our people one day

Will never need to give shots

Or need a “pump”

No more testing your blood sugar

I wish

For there to be a cure for

Type 1 diabetes

~Haley V.S.

My Grandma

Love, Love, Love.

My hero.

Putting smiles on my face

to change the sad look that was deepened upon it.

Always there for me.

Helping me look to the right and left.

But when I was three God took her away,

up to a far, far place where she would then stay.

I didn’t think it was fair, but as I grew on

I knew it was her who was cheering me on.

I know she’s in a place somewhere very great

trying to change the faces of hate.

I know she’s there for me giving Gods grace.

I will never forget that as long as she’s in a very special place.

Love, Love, Love.

-Julie B.-

Real Hero

When I hear you cry

That cry of help

It’s like walking outside on a stormy day

But we listen

And every time you laugh

Joy fills us

But one day

There will be no sadness

No disease that can’t be cured

No problems

Your dreams will stay with you

No troubles will way you down

Crawling with your head held high

Babies of the world

You too, will find that cure

That disease….

Your disease

And you notice

You’re hero of the world

- Jasmine O.

Dreams

Dreams are what you see in the sky,

That make you wonder why and why

Dreams are the waves that roll into sea,

Turning your feature to what it shall be

Dreams are the things you hear people say,

Twisting your dream to what they say

Dreams are the things that happen to you,

Waiting and waiting till the moon turns blue

By, Jasmine R

Baking

Smell the aroma of freshly baked cakes

Just coming out of the oven

Taste the air of competition

What is it like?

Hear the crowd of friends and judges

Cheering you on

Touch the cake with delicate fingers

Hold the embellishment, ready to be put on the cake     to make a masterpiece

See the Tension,

                                            Worry,

                                                                    Joy

In everyone’s faces

Look at it

A piece of art

But will the judges think so?

                                                        ~Katharine B.

As I Walk Away Again

I dream of seeing my Grandpa again

I dream of us walking on the beach hand in hand, smiling and laughing

We would feel the squishy sand in our toes and hear the sound of the crashing waves in our ears

The waves would crash and roll down into our toes

We would sit and look out into the horizon and see a forever going pool of deep blue

As I heave a great sigh I taste salt air in my mouth

As we begin to walk again I start to feel him slip away again into nothingness

I take the plunge and go with him; together we soar, through the soft, white, fluffy, clouds

I grab his hand as he smiles

We fly and I begin to realize he is happy here

I see the sunflower sun and I know it is not my time

I give him one last hug and kiss

I let go and slip back into the world

I whisper goodbye as I wipe a tear from my eye

As I walk away again

K. Farley

My Dream Place

I hear a lonely bird fly by, calling for its mate

I can feel my dog breathing next to me

I close my eyes and feel the sun coming through my window on my face

I can smell the fresh, clean scent of my newly washed sheets

Chirp! Chirp! I hear the lonely bird again

I reach down and touch my soft yellow rug

I lean back into my fluffy, white pillow

Will this dream moment in this dream place ever end?

I hope not

                                                                 Lauren Fox

Hopes, dreams, and happiness

The Orphans laugh out loud

Smiles on their faces

They listen to the story

With their hearts in far away places

Questions like “will I find a home?”

Float away as their dreams had done before

I’m here to help them

To help them on their way

I’m here to help them

To help them in a new day

My friends are there

Passing out the toys

My friends are there

Giving the clothes to all the girls and boys

Their hopes

Their dreams

Their happiness

Are restored

          --Lili B

The Dream Poem

World peace would be an improvement on this war-torn world

If the world was united under our common goals

We could find a solution to our melting poles

When wars are ended all children could

Play outside safely and venture through brush and wood

World peace would be an addition to happiness all around

And airplanes could safely fly from ground-to-ground

If the world was united the sky would be cleared

Of this big war-torn field

I speak for the men and women who fight in this big war

Away from their homeland, traveling shore-to-shore

The smell of the pretzel stands

Your mane flying through my hands

I can almost taste the victory

When you and I jump

You and I are like flying on a cloud

The audience sounds really loud

I can hear my family

Cheering me on so happily

I see everyone I know

They’re finally here to see my show

All I hear is the audience cheer

To keep my confidence up

We finally win

You and I

As we wave to the crowd to say good-bye

                                                                           - Lilly W.

Smell the grass,

Feel the stone,

Hearing the cheering from my friends as they watch me go.

The sun is going down,

It was yellow and bright.

I will not see the sun again

Until after night.

My family stays,

And I do too,

To continue the process

 In a day or two.

The sand dunes go,

In a construction bin.

The holes are dug,

My dream goes in.

˜Marielle B.

Dream Cake

Dreams are like cakes.

When you first dream them, they are just the batter.

You gather the ingredients, prepare them to be mixed.

You gather the eggs.

And the milk.

And the flour.

And the water.

Then you mix it all together and you can see your dreams forming.

You feel the anticipation of what is coming.

Then you put it in the oven.

You feel excitement bubbling up inside of you,

Like soda fizzing up after you shake it.

When it’s ready to be taken out of the oven,

 You inhale the sweet scent.

But it’s not ready to eat yet.

You add the frosting and you know your dream is coming true.

And finally, after all of that hard work, it’s ready.

It’s your dream, your cake.

So you eat it.

Margee H.

Will They?

Will they ever have houses?

Houses to live in, houses to sleep in.

I hear people building, cutting and gluing,

Hammering together wood piece by piece.

Homeless no more, but a house with a door.

A clean new house just built by the street

Was given to a man with 4 toes on his feet.

He is homeless no more, and has a house with a door.

His happy smile keeps us going and

Keeps him knowing we care.

Mikaela L.

Momma, do you remember that Mother’s Day?

The dinner, the joy we felt,

That Mother’s Day?

The clinking of glasses, candles burning, gurgling laughter,

Ha ha ha

The sweet scent of your perfume,

Oily hands, soft kisses,

Pearls like little gleaming moons?

Momma, do you remember the wrinkles on your cheeks,

From so many years of laughter?

Momma, do you remember the pinks,

And blues and oranges. . .

The color that night?

The way we felt,

When all was right?

Momma, do you remember,

That smelly, dreadful, putrid room?

Get out of bed!

Please! Let’s go outside!

Do you remember that illness,

That destroyed you,

Threatening our lives?

Momma, do you remember when you recovered,

So well again, safe?

Momma, do you remember that hope?

Thank you Lord!

That beautiful hope?

Momma, it happened so fast.

Momma, do you remember when Mom left,

Every single night to be with you?

Momma, do you remember the fear, the grief?

The crushed hope?

Momma.

I remember.

M. Pollie

They Need Our Help

I dream of the girls that didn’t make it into Oprah’s school

That they will be safe and have somewhere safe to go

I hear their screams of fear each day,

When they should be laughing and wanting to play.

I can see their despair hanging in the air

When there should be hope and happiness everywhere.

I feel their pain! They need our help!

But all it seems we ever do is think of something else.

They need our help

Not only just these girls,

But all the others that still suffer in this world.

Martine W.

Home

       The smell of sawdust floating around

As I build these houses with love built right in

            I hear the love ringing like bells in the church.

                     Hugging, kissing, new life rolling in.                                                                  Their world is just beginning.

 I give them my love, I give them my hope, I give them everything                                   they’ve always wanted and needed.

My family with me as I open the first door.                     Curtains blowing in the wind. The smell of sweet spring ringing in the world.

                                    New life is beginning.

They gave me their dreams, and I held them close                 and brought them to life.

     Like a wave brought on the beach from the power of the sea.                The dreams of the lost and hopeless, I will make them come alive.

         Every stitch and every nail will be carefully placed in these homes.

        Life is not complete yet for these people.

            Home is something they never knew

Bring them home, and you will forever be filled with the happiness of the way you became someone who brings people

                                    Home.

                                                            Maggie W.

Orphanage Outreach

The children play baseball

With new bats and gloves

So parents don’t worry

Watching from up above

Clean water, sprinklers and a pool

Then sit under a tree

A place very cool

The children say, “bayo, bayo!”

I hear laughter and cheer

They are having fun

Hanging with their peers

Jump ropes, ball, hula-hoops galore

The orphanage in Monte-Cristi

Will never be poor

The school bells call them in

For the end of the day

The teacher passes out books

No time to play

The children had a very good day

They sat by the fire

Roasting marsh mellows

It’s time to sleep in their comfy warm beds

It’s time to rest their heads on the pillows

It’s time for them to dream

Maddie Y.

                                            Dream Come True

                              Grandpa will you be saved?

                    We will hear the waves bubbling on the sand

We will walk on the boardwalk and smell the funnel cake in the oven                             

                       We will taste the ocean mist in our faces

                                           I have hope…

               Will you ever buy me cloud-looking cotton candy?

                                 Or will you be one with the clouds?

     Will the only times our hands touch, be on your hospital bed?

                                         I have worries…

                   I want to be with you for forever and more

                                      So please don’t soar

                         I’ll be waiting for you on the boardwalk.

                             I want to be with you anyway, I can

                 Will people who can, make this dream come true?

                                                                 -Nicolette A.

Air Bound

For all you dreamers who want everyone to be friends,

I am like you.

I want the world to be happy, wonderful, and peaceful.

But don’t we all?

My image may be different than you would picture,

But I want it to be forever true.

Just imagine,

You are at the airport,

Standing at the U.S. Airways terminal.

You see friends waving and hugging,

Waxed floors,

And all of the general feelings are in the air.

You see a flashing light,

So you look up.

It’s a T.V. blaring, saying:

“Reserve now! All flights full soon!”

And you know why.

It’s because all friends from around the world

Are coming to meet each other,

And reunite.

You love that, so you are overjoyed.

You zone out for a minute,

Just listening.

You hear high pitched laughing,

Talking, reuniting, and catching up,

Clapping, and squealing.

You are completely oblivious and ecstatic.

You take a deep breath.

When you let it out,

You smell the airport smell,

Like cleaning products and vacuumed air.

You try to dig down deep to smell something you love.

You smell a strawberry smoothie,

Blending at the vendor stall next to you.

They are giving out free samples,

So you go over and taste one.

It tastes like what you have always wanted.

~Nora B.

I have dreams

Says the fifteen year old girl living with her grandma and sister in a tin shack

I have dreams of going to school with my friends and having no violence in the streets when I will walk to that yellow school bus and go to school

I have dreams of seeing my mother, my best friend, walking beside me down a road, down any road, with no violent people pushing and screaming at us to get off the sidewalk into the road where cars roar with rage, and bikes zoom by

I have dreams

Says the seven year old girl living with her parents, siblings, and pets in a cozy home

I have dreams of being on Broadway

Of seeing the lights on me I am singing “The Sun Will Come out Tomorrow” from Annie, my favorite play

I have dreams of being a vet

Where I get to see all different animals and help them get better

I have dreams

Says the twelve year old girl leading a normal life

I have dreams of being a leader and supporter of my dreams and help come true

Because all of these dreams are my dreams

And my dreams are everyone else    

Phoebe S

The Outfit

Sparkles and ruffles

Green and purple

An odd combination, but a beautiful one, too

A jacket and a skirt

A dress and a shirt

What an outfit

What a dream come true

I see it in my mind with purple and gold

I sew in my boutique with glitter and glue

I make in my studio with colors and sparkles

I take out of my cozy corner filled with fabrics and needles

To the world to be shown

To the store to be bought

To a person to be adored

To a young girl who will cherish and wear it

Randi B.

My past is my future

A shadow falls on my world.

It’s sunset.

I happily sew a dress.

Its soft silk and sequined body glitter in the light.

I sing into the falling night.

The notes ring through the house.

I exit the sewing room,

And go outside.

I inhale the fresh air,

In the beautiful light night.

The birds chirp,

The breeze flies by.

This is my place and that’s the reason why.

Dinner is ready outside.

A great time to eat in the light summer heat.

We sit around and say the blessing.

We laugh, the sounds echoing through the sky.

It was a wonderful dinner with a wonderful family.

We’re all so happy.

But we still miss those we’ve lost,

Like my best friend.

A heartbreaking moment.

I died inside,

and I cried, and cried, and cried.

I miss you boy,

I hope you’re proud.

I see you in my heart, painting a picture of your life.

Your funny moments, your cute personality,

they all come back to me, to us.

I see you at the table eager for food…how cute!

Your memories lock inside of me, refusing to let go.

I will never let you go, never for as long as I live.

I will cherish your memories forever, thinking and breathing with them.

But although I must move on,

I continue to have a gaping, piercing hole in my heart.

Please be free, and be the king on his throne like you always were.

The king of the world is not present, but his meow echoes on and on.

I love you…

My dreams swallow me whole.

They take me away from grief and sadness.

They keep me happy.

I wish dreams could be reality.

The patio with so many memories, the kitchen with so many laughs,

I wish they could return.

This is my escape,

My hopeful reality…

My place.

My past is my future

 Saskia H.

Please Help

Please, help by giving them food,

So they aren’t so skinny that you can see their bones.

Please, help by giving them clean water,

So they can take the bath that they haven’t in months.

Please, help by giving them a soft, cozy bed,

So they can drift away in pleasant dreams far away from troubles.

Please, help by giving them new clothes,

So they aren’t cold and uncomfortable.

Please, help by giving them toys to play with,

So their whole life isn’t work, all day everyday.

Please! The kids that live in this way need us,

So, instead of thinking about what you will do, do it.

Please, they’re sitting there on the hard, hard dirt crying,

And you can help so will you?

-Sarah K.

Mom, Dad, Maria, Christina, Jerry

 I dream for you

I also dream for all soccer players of the world

I dream for everyone I love

To follow through with their dreams

I dream me shooting for the stars

Getting to the top

Becoming a professional soccer player

Scoring the wining goal

Hearing my family cheering me on …

… But the thing I value most is

Worth more than a dream

It’s nothing you can buy

It’s bigger then outer space

It’s the love I give to my family

Knowing they’re there for me when I get home

Loving and caring for me

They’re the ones that make my dreams come true

I dream for the people who play soccer to

Play for ever

Because it’s something they love

And what you love you should always be allowed to do

As long as you believe

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      -Stephanie K.

The skiers

To the skiers of world,

And my family

swish, swish

snow in my face

The coldness stinging

As I speed up in the race

I’m flying

Flying though the air

All I hear is my family cheering

I make the jump

The perfect ten

Do I make the gold?

The news is there,

The skiers are watching,

Looking at the jump in awe

The snow is falling,

The flag is raised

The judges announce I won the race

The shiny, cold medal over my head

My parents are crying,

With the joy of a child

My brother is there cheering me on,

And somehow that’s better than winning

Than getting the gold

my brother will be there for me evermore.

And I get the gold and the race is done.

And this is why I won and had fun.

--Shelby M.

Dirt Stream

Children sitting, sweating in the street

Red, dry faces and throats from sweltering heat

They need a drink

The brown, muddied water supply in the road of dirt

Children with dirt- stained shirts

They need a shower

The sky is a big, blue blanket, keeping heat in the town

The people hear the water trickling down

Dripping in the tap

Knowing they could get a drink and a shower in a snap

They need clean water

Why don’t people care

About the people over there

Desperately yearning clean water?

All people should get water that’s clean

That is my dream.

Sofia R.

The Taste of Tears

I have a dream, a wish, a hope,

That one day,

A cure will be found,

For loved ones, family and friends,

Who have emphysema, and breast cancer.

My great grandmother,

Her name was Gang,

Was effected by these,

But went out with a bang.

I see my family, aunts, uncles- cousins included,

All surrounding her in her bed,

A crowd so big of loving family,

It is like waiting in line,

For tickets at an Eagles game.

I don’t want anyone to have the taste of tears,

For the loss of loved ones because of this disease.

I want them to smell their loved ones cologne,

At least one more time,

And find a cure,

Together or alone.

Sarah S.

My Dream

I speak to the world, all animals and people

I speak about the blooming place the earth once was

Where the insects flew and buzzed

Where the trees grew tall, grew fruit for all to share

Where, even in the deepest places,

You could see down to the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay

The birds chirping

Their song like a foreign language, beautiful and new to our ears

The fish swimming in clear water

As smooth as silk, as clear as crystal

The trees as tall as skyscrapers

Did we want to leave this world, where all animals were free to roam?

Do we want let this world die, with our cars and factories?

Can we help this?

Yes, but the real question is

Will we?

We know all of this is happening

Will we be willing,

To give up all of what our past generations have worked for?

We may not be able to give up all that has happened, and start anew

But, it has to start somewhere

Somewhere and someone who is willing to help

That place is here

That person is me

--Taylor H

My Dream Place

In my dream place there is my dog Spencer

So white, so sweet

The grass, the dirt

They make the earth on which I play on

The wind tangles my hair

In my dream place

Genny and I showing our love for Spencer

We hug him, pet him, hold him

Birds go by fast like rockets

Cars stop to watch out happiness and laughter

A sea of noises and voices surround us

The chirping of birds

The barking of Spencer

The faraway voice of my mom calling us

Like the sound of the waves crashing against the sand

We stop to look at the bright blue and white sky

Not worrying about tomorrow

Or what has happened in the past

Then with haste we run inside

With my dog Spencer by our side

--Tayller M.

A Message to Dreamers

Anyone with dreams,

Come listen!

Anyone with hopes,

There is a message you should hear

Go after your dreams,

Don’t let them go,

Or life is cloth that cannot be sewn.

You girl who loves riding,

Fly over the jumps like a bird.

A world where dreams come true,

You, who wants to see someone that’s gone,

Will talk to them if only in your mind.

You, child who likes climbing,

Will climb like a puma straight to the top.

You who dreams of an Ivy League college covered in marble and stone,

Will get a scholarship and get the diploma, crisp and smooth.

Some crush dreams,

Like an annoying gnat,

Some swat them away until others dreams are gone,

Not realizing what they can do,

Even though dreams pester you to achieve them,

Dreams keep you going,

Dreams give you something to believe in.

Dreams can take you place you could go only in while in them,

Whether it be college, riding arena, or a skating rink.

Everyone in the world,

Old or young,

Keep your dreams,

It doesn’t matter if it is as big as a continent,

Or as small as a speck of dust,

All dreams are important,

Never stop dreaming.

-- Virginia S.

My grandma has played an intricate part in my life

Dancing, playing, jokes and all,

She’s always there when I’m about to fall, as she peers out the window,

The sun shines on her face, I began to daze off into space,

What would life be like without grandma?

Her hands feel like the silkiness of a baby’s blanket,

Touching them is like touching a cloud, but better,

The happiness and love we share, from stories to cleaning, I don’t care,

Being with grandma’s all that matters, she loves all humanity,

No matter purple, red, or green, the persons who counts, never be mean,

What would life be like without grandma?

She’s always there to remind me to be grateful,

Despite the fight she has clear in sight,

Please get better, fight this battle,

I know you’re stronger; it’s like a baby calf struggling with hunger,

What would life be like without grandma?

The taste of one of your cakes, made from scratch, that’s the way it’s to be made,

Mmm…….good, Grandma I say,

May I have another piece? Dinner can wait,

Okay she says, with a nod of the head, yay, I screech,

Being with Grandma is far better than a day at the beach,

What would life be like without Grandma?

Grandma don’t ever go away from me, I love you, and you love me,

I’ll always fight my battles through, 

Just promise me that you will too.

                        -- Yasmeen W.