Poems by Young Poets

Illustration by Jode Carrasco

Please note: due to the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, poets are identified by first name or initials only.

What Is My Pet?
by Nandhana

My pet has red eyes
Which look like marbles.

He looks cute and
He looks like a mouse.

He is brown, but he has clear whiskers
And a dark brown streak on his back.

My pet has a blue cage which has a wheel
And a food bowl and a water bottle too.

When my dad feeds him,
He jumps into his food bowl.

When he goes on his wheel
It squeaks like you squeal.

Do you know what my pet is?
He is a dwarf hamster

And his name is Scooter.
--Virginia, grade 1

Turtles
by Treyton

Turtles match grass
And they're never fast.

--Colorado, grade 2

Puppies
by Stephen

Puppies are cute and cuddly.
They are small enough
to sleep with you.
When you hold them they will
go to sleep in your hands.
--Colorado, grade 2

Patches Moran
by Maya

My favorite pet is a gray cat that loves
to play fetch. Her name is Patches.
Patches looks like a big fur ball.
She sounds like this purrrrrru!
Patches jumps and hangs on
people's legs for fun. I love her.
--Colorado, grade 2

My Lizard
by Tait

My lizard likes to climb walls like Spiderman.
He is light green like the leaves on a tree.
He likes to change different colors like a CRAZY!!!!!!!!!! chameleon.
He likes to fight with another lizard
like pro wrestling!!
--Colorado, grade 2

My Dog
by Jenna

My dog tastes like burning hot cocoa
because her name is Cocoa.
My dog smells like yucky muddy water.
My dog feels like a dark brown curly fluffy ball.
My dog sounds like a dog barking.
My dog has weird habits: she chases her tail and runs in a circle.
--Colorado, grade 2

Chihuahuas
by Gina

Chubby and wrinkly
Hyper
Inside a kennel a lot
Huggable
Under things a lot
As small as a book
Have big bulging eyes
Usually loud
As tiny as a feather
So noisy
--Missouri, grade 4

Labrador
by Johnathan

Looks into your eyes
After the squirrels
Biscuit lover
Really loyal
All over the company
Down with the cat
On top of the blankets
Running at 10 miles per hour
--Missouri, grade 5

Untitled
by Bryan

Cute little puppy
Chasing a small butterfly
But stuck on a leash
--Missouri, grade 5

My Favorite Animal
by Brennan

Dog
Peterbell
One time
When I couldn't find him
Mrs. Rush's husband
Was feeding him dog treats
-- Kentucky, kindergarten

My Ferret Emma
by Shauna

With fur that changes colors
and tickles my nose,
that is why I hug you.
-- Arkansas, grade 2

The Sun Crab
by Hayden

In the light of the sun...
The sun crab
In the bubbly Pacific
It came from the bottom of the ocean
It is pinching and splashing
Happily
Huge and orange
The soft yellow sand
See its orange, like the sunset
Hear the click clack of its claws
Look, see its bright shell
It likes to go on land
In the light of the sun
-- Colorado, kindergarten

The Sun Fish
by Blake

In the light of the sun
The sun fish
In the sharky ocean
It came to eat shrimp
Swimming and flipping
Deadly
Dangerous and fierce
The Indian Ocean
See its side fin
Red
Hear the bubbles splashing
Look at its razor sharp teeth
It ate all of the shrimp
In the light of the sun
-- Colorado, kindergarten

Hopper
by J.P.

Hopper's my name
Dwell in Costa Rica
Got a mate
Thirty kids going through metamorphosis!

Once I was on a leaf
Jaguar came up
Opened my eyes
Wow what a sight!
Startle...coloration really works!

Chased by a snake
Hopped up
and rode him like a cowboy.
That's how I got my name.
-- Pennsylvania, grade 4

Bright-Eye
by V.W.

Bright-eye
My name
BRIGHT red EYES
on me
Change from green to red
when mad
STOPLIGHT!
Neotropical Environment
My home
Got christened there
BRIGHT-EYE
Red eyed tree frog
-- Pennsylvania, grade 4

The Red Eyed Leaf Frog
by Q.R.

I am a red eyed tree frog.
I hop all over the rainforest,
To get somebody off my tail.

I hopped, I hopped,
I hopped as far as I could.

The scientist caught me swimming,
He named me Leaf Frog.
In the cage I went,
Another frog with me.
It was a girl.
I sang a ritual,
And the female came hoppin'!
-- Pennsylvania, grade 3

Tulip Tree Frog
by S.P.

I witnessed a human walk by me
A zookeeper watching for a new discovery
I opened my eyes to see him
My eyes as red as a tulip
He thinks I am poisonous
Red means STOP!
-- Pennsylvania, grade 2

Fire Eye
by A.P.

Sitting on a leaf
A jaguar wandered by.
I got startled and jumped in the water.
When the jaguar departs
I will hop back to my leaf.
And if he does not,
I will camp out here TONIGHT!
-- Pennsylvania, grade 2

Camouflage Ghost
by C.M.

I camouflage myself from leopards
Wrestling on a leaf for a mate.
I won the match.
Ate so many grasshoppers I felt like popping!
I chose to name myself Ghost.
When leopards and tigers see my eye
They'll know to stay awayj!
Ribbit...Ribbit!
-- Pennsylvania, grade 3

Froggy
by J.N.

I am jumping through the
rain forest. I see lots of
animals. Rain dropping on my
nose. It feels good.
-- Pennsylvania, grade 1

Slimy Skin
by G.F.

Seeing from the tallest tree gallons and
gallons of rain falling on
my slimy head
Leaves going swush
Better be careful or I'll
be squished.
-- Pennsylvania, grade 1

My Name Is Winky
by M.G.

I live here I play here
It is my home here
I love it here
I have friends here
I love to splash in the water
here.
And my name is Winky.
-- Pennsylvania, grade 1

Froggy
by M.L.

Water drips on me. I jump
into the river. There are river
dolphins swimming. I jump back out.
Then I climb in a tree. I see
a jaguar staring at me with
a loud breath. I zoom back
down. Then I find my family.
We are all happy.
-- Pennsylvania, grade 1

Beeter Reeter
by J.G.

I see the tiger jump and
scratch in the water
I see river dolphins
I see parrots in the
treetops
The forest is alive!
-- Pennsylvania, grade 1

Bananas
by C.S.

I am hopping. I am thinking. I am under
a leaf. It's raining. I hate getting wet.
Hop! Jump! Wow that was close!
I was almost lunch!
-- Pennsylvania, grade 1

A Frog Named Bob
by T.L.

I am a sneaky tree frog
I see a butterfly
but how can I get
to the butterfly
without the butterfly
seeing me?
I know
what to do
I can blend
into the grass.
-- Pennsylvania, grade 1

Hopply the Frog
by R.B.

One day I was hopping around
in the rain forest. I smelled
something similar to me
and it was an ANACONDA!
AAAHHHHH! I jumped as fast as I could!
I didn't.....get EATEN!
-- Pennsylvania, grade 1

Moments with Monte, the Red-eyed Tree Frog
by Mrs. Trosini's class

Creeping quietly in cloud forest tree-limbs like Spiderman
is my preferred sport.
With suction cups on my webbed toes,
I can swim but I prefer to spend my time clinging
to the bright green leaves of my comfy home where,
luckily, my color camouflages me.

Nocturnal amphibian, they call me.
After a rainfall, watch as I snap out my sticky tongue to catch
morsels most yummy: moths, flies, grasshoppers and crickets,
but, from time to time,
I've also been known to feast
on creatures of my own species!

Unlike some of my bright-colored frog friends,
I'm not poisonous.
I use my twinkling red eyes as part of my defense - startle coloration.
When those nasty snakes, birds, lizards, and small mammals come to call,
licking their lips, looking for a bite to eat,
I flash my cheerful red globes
and those particularly pesky predators run off with a start!

You may want to keep me as a pet, but
please think twice....
I need the warm, moist rain forest climate to survive.
Please let me live with my own kind in our perfect home.
Please protect the rain forest from destruction and devastation
so my friends and I can live on forever!
-- Pennsylvania, grade 4

Splash
by Mrs. Hartman's class

The sound of rain in my name.
Raindrops bouncing off a leaf.
SPLASH!
I live in water
As still as a rainforest puddle.
Some pretty colors of a rainbow
All over me.
SPLASH!
-- Pennsylvania, grade 3

Mr. Rubies
by E.S. and N.N.

Eyes as red as rubies.
I'm always winking at you.
Seem to be smiling.
I jump very high.
Try and find me.
Ribbit, you can hear me.
Mr. Rubies of the rainforest.
-- Pennsylvania, grade 3

Smily
by J.L., E.C., & A.M.

I'm hoppy and smily, as green as can be.
A belly as yellow as the sun in the sky.
Red eyes like a ruby with suction cups on my toes.
I hop from tree to tree.
Insects for my dinner tonight!
It's very rainy where I live.
Can you guess where?
The rain forest!
-- Pennsylvania, grade 3

Greeny
by J.D.

As green as a leaf
I watch my prey fly left to right.
No one can see me.
CROAK! But you can hear me.
Red eyes, yellow feet, yellow belly,
And the rest of me....green.
-- Pennsylvania, grade 3

Frog
by S.H.

I live in the rain forest so happy and plump
because I have my choice of any bugs.

For breakfast it's slimy slugs, for lunch it is snails.
For dinner it's dragonflies with a side of katydids.

I live high up in a tree above the canopy,
where I have my one little hole with my siblings.

But I always do shudder at what is down
below, creeping along on the forest floor.
Many frog eaters and gruesome they are.

But to look on the bright side, I was one of the few
to survive in an egg out of two hundred four.

I also enjoy the emergent layer while
watching my relatives down in the canopy.

My cousins are wood frogs, my aunts are all toads.
My uncles are cane toads that grow larger than newts.

Many stories are told of great heroes of frogs,
Even the French frogs who are really just meals.

And the Australian cane toads with the road kills and such.

And of Croaker (Grover) Cleveland who was named president.

One day I'd like to become a hero,
But for now I'll stay as humble me
Michael B. Plump.
-- Pennsylvania, grade 5

Mac the Tree Frog
by J.B.

My home is the rainforest,
A myriad of vast colors such as green, blue, and red.
I was born in an exotic plant called a bromeliad,
A bowl-shaped plant of soft, velvety petals.
Splish, splash, sploosh.
The water sings down on the ground floor.
The rainforest is peaceful until...the rain comes again showering down
From the clouds.
My colors on my skin do not mean I'm poisonous (don't worry).
These are just fake.
My colors are like a rainbow just after a midday rain.
Red, green, and purple.
I eat insects such as flies.
My long sticky tongue like tape can snatch them right out of the air.
Hunters and woodcutters can be heard from not far off.
Zzzzahhh booooom!
Their machines are a swirling terror.
Who, may you ask, am I?
I am Mac.
-- Pennsylvania, grade 5

Wog the Frog
by M.M.

I know it may sound strange, but Wog is my name.
The "W" is derived from winking, which I like to do.
"Og" is for the frog I am.
My diet consists of mostly bugs,
But little, tiny frogs are a special treat.
I was laid in an egg, which was soft as silk.
The egg was one of hundreds laid in a bromeliad.
Only five survived, including me of course.

While I was growing up, I lived in cloud forest,
where the trees touch the sky.
I lived in the canopy,
for fear of larger creatures lurking below.
I have more to tell you, but time is running out.
Larger frogs are coming, much larger than me.
Perhaps I will camouflage, or use my warning colors.
Maybe the frogs will fall for my mimic,
but in case they don't, I'd better hide.
So long!
-- Pennsylvania, grade 5

Bold
by A.S.

My name is Bold
For my bright bold skin.
It's also for my bright bold eyes.
I use my colors for many things
Like warning predators that I'm not safe.

I have eaten many things
Some so strange you may not believe.
I eat things like water bugs and caterpillars.
The things are bold like me.

I live in the canopy like a lion lives in a den.
I'm part of the music of the rainforest
Like everything is around me.

Let me make my music
For you
And me.
-- Pennsylvania, grade 5

Winkers
by A.D.

Hi! My name is Winkers.
I am a green little frog that jumps and sings in the Amazon rain forest.
I love to eat.
Crock, crock, glump!
Oh, sorry, I just ate a nice juicy bug.
I wink at everyone I know, and jump to the top of the world.
Birds soar over my head.
Oh my, the day is over so I must stop exploring.
Ribbet, that means bye!
-- Pennsylvania, grade 4

Jungle the Frog
by S.G.

Eyes that look like orange gumdrops
A green body that looks like a bright green plant.
Tiny orange feet that look like little lollipops.
I am jungle the tree frog. I go slurp, slurp, slurp
to catch my food, ribbit croak, croak, ribbit
That means good-bye.
-- Pennsylvania, grade 4

Tick-Tock
by C.G.

Tick-tock,
I'm born September 3, 1994.
Tick-tock,
I'm two years old and my relatives are here.
Tick-tock,
I'm four years old and holding my baby sister.
Tick-tock,
It is my first day of kindergarten at P.V. South.
Tick-tock,
I'm singing songs at the animal show.
Tick-tock,
I'm giving my state report.
Tick-tock,
I'm hiking in Maine with my friends.
Tick-tock,
I'm writing a poem about my past.
Tick-tock.

Pennsylvania, grade 5

Spring into Spring
by C.L.

Water ice, candy, Easter, and flowers
Babies, green grass, baseball, showers.
Birds, lollipops, ice-cream, and shorts,
Squirrels, chicks, shells, tennis courts.
Eggs, cake, family, bunny,
Warmth, bright, chocolate, sunny.
Games, ball toss, prizes, fun fair,
Blue skies, frogs, fish, fresh air.
So let's set everything aside,
And go outside.

Pennsylvania, grade 5

What's in the Universe
by Z.H.

In the Universe is the world.
In the world is the state.
In the state is the town.
In the town is the school.
In the school is the classroom.
In the classroom is the desk.
In the desk is the folder just waiting
to be pulled out.

Pennsylvania, grade 5

Name Game
by R.B.

Sarah, Mark, Tina, Drew,
Sammy, Sarina, Tammy, Sue.
Jack and Bill, Mack and Phil,
Kimmy, Jimmy, Joe, and Jill.
Chris, Jacob, Connor, Kevin,
Tyreese, Nick, Keith, Devin.
Brandon, Zane, Tyler, Ott,
Wow, that's a lot!

Pennsylvania, grade 5

Bob the Bird
by A.D.

Bob the bird, Bob the bird,
orange cheeks, green mohawk.
Bob the bird, Bob the bird,
grooms for hours every day.
Bob the bird, Bob the bird,
loves his millet and his Bach.
Bob the bird, Bob the bird,
won't get in his diaper!
Bob the bird, Bob the bird,
loves to bite my earrings.
Bob the bird, Bob the bird,
always on my shoulder.
Bob the bird, Bob the bird,
will not eat his veggies.
Bob the bird, Bob the bird,
the cutest cockatiel!

Pennsylvania, grade 5

Never Ever
by N.P.

I never want to grow up. Never ever!

I don't want to have a job and pay taxes.
Never Ever!
I wish I could stay little and not
have to worry about what's cool when I'm in high school.
Never Ever!
I won't grow up, I won't, and that
is a promise. Never Ever! Never Ever have I
wished to be 15 instead of 10. Never Ever!

Never Ever will I grow up!

Quick someone hide me
from the thought, the thought that all kids grow
up someday. But not ME!

Delaware, grade 4

My Brothers
by E.P.

My brothers
are little devils
they sneak in my
room at night and when
I go in to go to
sleep they give me such a scare.
oh boy
my brothers
my brothers
my brothers
jump on my
bed and kick my
dresser and play their fake
guitars I wish they would
move to mars
my brothers
my brothers
my brothers
gee they're a pain

Delaware, grade 4

Tornado
by A.C.

I hear the wind swirling around in
the air. Tornado

The strong wind destroys all in
its path. Tornado

Wind going all around. Tornado
Wind goes around and around.
Tornado

Wind so strong to move your
house. Tornado. I hear the wind running after me.
Tornado

Delaware, grade 4

On the Beach
by C.B.

On the beach the waves bomb bomb.
On the beach you can hear people scream, "I open."
On the beach you can hear the sand getting moved around
by people's feet ss.
On the beach you can hear the laughter of kids and parents ha ha.

On the beach you can hear kids saying,
"Can I have lunch?"
On the beach you can hear the water splashing
splash splash
On the beach you can hear
bomb, bomb, I open, ss, ha ha, Can I have lunch, splash splash
all on the beach.

Delaware, grade 4

Gum
by J.P.

Gum is sticky as glue
Or double-sided tape.

You could detect it under
A table at a restaurant.

Gooey as melted cheese with
Fruity flavors like blueberry pie,
Lemonade, or cherry slushies.

Stretchy as a rubber band
Around a book.

As colorful as clowns' clothes,
Spring pansies,
Tropical fish, or
Sunsets in Texas.

Chew it
Blow a bubble
Pop...Crack!

Pennsylvania, grade 3

Clay
by V.W.

Clay in my hands
You're squishy.
Making it soft like dog's fur, or
Smooth hair.
Drop it and make a clunk!

Gooey and sticky as
Creamy chocolate
In my mouth.

Dentist gloves, trashcans, vacuum cleaner dust,
Dirty-clothes fragrance.

Roll it out flat like cut-out cookies
Before the kiln's fieriness
Heats like the Earth's core.

Drop it and it makes a
Crashing shatter!

Pennsylvania, grade 3

Abstract Unknown by N.V.A.

We got to choose an artist's picture
For twenty dollars apiece,
And we couldn't make the price decrease.
There were famous pictures - known!
But I chose the abstract unknown.

Da Vinci, Monet, Picasso, Van Gogh
Max, Chagall, and Warhol.
And I chose the abstract unknown.

Surrealism, Fauvism, Cubism
Realism, Naturalism, Expressionism.
I chose the abstract unknown.

Uccello, Goode, Avercamp, Klee
Sargent, Toulouse-Loutrec.
So I chose the abstract unknown.

Primitive, Pop, Impressionism,
Landscape, Postimpressionism.
And I chose the abstract unknown.

When I got home, I looked on the back,
And I found out I was on the wrong track!
It was really a painting by Elizabeth Hack!
So I chose the abstract "Known"!

Pennsylvania, grade 4

Dinosaur

Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!
Frightening teeth flashing in its mouth
A terrifying roar pierces the forest air
A morning wake-up call
Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!
Huge clawed feet crush anything in its way
Long tree-trunk hind legs
Giant thick tail that can knock down trees
Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!
Scream! Run! Hide!
It's a tyrannosaurus!

Ohio, grade 3

Clouds Are Like...

Clouds are like
Cotton balls
Sheep
And bubbles.
Clouds taste like
Cotton candy
Sugar
And white chocolate.
Clouds sound like
Owl's wings
Snail's crawls
And a turtle's walk.
Clouds feel like
Dog fur
Pillows
And snow.

Ohio, grade 3

Soccer

Soccer is a bumper car ride.
Players collide with each other.
Traffic jams
Move around the entire field
Looking for a target.

Ohio, grade 3

Tickety-tockety, Clocks Are Cool

Clocks have many faces
many numbers
many angles
Tick-tock, tick-tock.
Grandfather clocks are like an old relative with a face that can't see and arms that can't hold.
Tick-tock, tick-tock.
It's easy for clocks to tell time.
They tell you when to do things.
Tick-tock, tick-tock.
Watches are like mini-clocks that don't want to part with you.
Clocks are like your mom because they tell you what to do.
Their hands are like a merry-go-round because they go round and round.
They are like rainbows because they are all different colors.
Tick-tock, tick-tock. Clocks are cool.

Ohio, grade 3

A Fox
by G.G.

fur so soft
red, brown, white, and gray
whiskers so thin

Pennsylvania, grade 2

Sweet Grass
by N.

Smells so good
Looks like green braided hair
Sweet mixed colors

Pennsylvania, grade 3

Lune
by J.M.

Brown, black, gray
Glowing eyes burning like fire
Adorable wolf pups

Illinois, grade 1

The Big Machine
by R.G.

Big tall machine
Climbing up down all around
How loud! Ka-ching!

Illinois, grade 1

Shadow
by T.E.

I press the red button
Stand on the line
And my shadow sticks on the wall

I jump in the air
And my shadow jumps with me
And my shadow sticks to the wall

I make a fake sword to tuck under my arm
My shadow looks like it's stabbed
And my shadow is dead on the wall

Illinois, grade 3

Snapping Turtle
by J.R.

Loves insect snacks
Attitude worse than a rattlesnake
Best finger snapper

Pennsylvania

Suk Wampsakuk (Dark Eagle)
by T.H.

He rises above Turtle Island
and catches the sunlight on his wings.

Then he flies in the seven directions,
this Wampanoag warrior, with engine, with ancestors,
he chants. He sings!

He enters the sacred circle
the same way he enters the skies,
giving thanks first to the creator
and then, in the seven directions,
this Wampanoag warrior lets his feet fly! He lets his feet fly!

He soars, he dips, he spreads his wings!
He's a traditional dancer and Suk Wampsikus is his name.

He's a husband, a father, a brother, a grandfather.
He's an uncle, a great uncle, a really great uncle to me!

Massachusetts Indian commissioner,
pilot, colonel, Phd,
Wampanoag warrior, leader, and an inspiration to me!

Massachusetts, grade 7

Museums
by M.K.

Museums are places of learning and wonder
As you walk through the door, you see exhibits of all things imaginable through the halls
Museums are places of learning and wonder
The dinosaurs seem alive just as they were millions of years ago when they roamed the earth
Museums are places of learning and wonder
The rocks look strangely back at you just sitting so calm
Museums are places of learning and wonder
The whale hanging from the ceiling seems to swim through the air, smiling at you
Museums are places of learning and wonder
The canoe looks just as strong and helpful as it was in years past
Museums are places of learning and wonder
The crowds flood through the halls like a flood through a village in ancient years
Museums are places of learning and wonder
The suits of armor stand there gleaming, prepared for use in a battle
Museums are places of learning and wonder
The wooly mammoths stand tall and graceful as when they patrolled the ice plains years ago
Museums are places of learning and wonder
All of this concealed within one building within one city in one great nation on one great earth.

New York

New Salem, Illinois
by J.S.

Lincoln's New Salem
Log cabins warmed by fires,
Viewing the past.

Illinois, grade 5

The Little Brown Bird
by S.G.

"Little brown bird,
where are you flying to?"
"South," he chirped.

Illinois, grade 5

The Star of India
by J.C.

The Star of India
was first named Euterpe
after the Greek goddess of music
On the Star of India
the ropes were thick and long.
On the Star of India
the captain slept on a 5-foot bunk
on one of the first iron ships.
The table had dish holders so the plates wouldn't fall.
On the Euterpe
there were four decks, but not one diamond or heart.
On the Star of India
the masts were as tall as young redwoods.
On the Star of India
the iron anchor could hold 5 elephants to the ground.
On the Euterpe
emmigrants slept on the "tween" deck.
On the Star of India.

Illinois, grade 5

The Canoe
by A.L.

Indians paddle canoe
Gently down the smooth river
Listening to nature.

Illinois, grade 4

In the Indian Houses
by A.L.

The Indians cooked
In the tipi.
Plains Indians slept
In the tipi.
At the museum, we find artifacts
In the tipi.

Sun came through the smokehole
In the wigwam.
A dog was barking
In the wigwam.
Beds were lashed to the wall
In the wigwam.

A fire was burning
In the adobe house.
A lantern was lit
In the adobe house.
Pueblo Indians got pricked by a cactus
Outside the adobe house.

Illinois, grade 4

Mammoth Bones
by A.L.

Huge mammoth bones
Standing high above my head
Making me nervous.

Illinois, grade 4

Beautiful Moccasins
by E.S.

Bright beaded moccasins
colors of a beautiful rainbow
lovely soft hide.

Nebraska, grade 3

The Arrowheads
by J.R.

Big, small, in-between
shaped with care from rocks
fine sharp points

Nebraska, grade 3

Broken Bow, NE
by M.S.

Broken Pawnee bow
found by Hewitt's young boys
named the town.

Nebraska, grade 3

Moccasins
by N.S.

Thousand tiny beads
A rainbow of different colors
Indian's silent feet

Nebraska, grade 3

Lune
by L.G.

Craggy mammoth jaw
Broad, huge, brown with age
From eras past.

Illinois, grade 7

Chant
by L.G.

I stared up at the big bone frame and Suzy smiled back.
A massive T-rex about nine feet tall, Suzy smiled back.
The crowd of people looked at her and Suzy smiled back,
And flashing cameras captured her smile.
With a big round head and rows of teeth, good ol' Suzy smiled back.
With a tail 'bout as long as she's tall, Suzy smiled back.
Her ribs protruded from her spine like icicles, Suzy smiled back.
And for $14.99 you can buy her smile at the gift shop.

Illinois, grade 7

Smurgler

by B. B.

Sometimes they
Might appear
Ugly, but they are
Really cool creatures that eat
Gizzards and
Lilacs for nutrition
Everyday, and
Run through fields made of car parts.

Oregon

Allokius

by M.C.

All through the night the
Long legged creature stirs the
Lake's water as he creeps
Outward from the weeds in the
Kentuckian
Indigo night
Until the
Sunrise pops up and he steps into the cattails.

Illinois

Bouncing Elephants

by K.F.

Barbara the elephant
On the tree
Up and down
Nice and easy
Canopy bouncing
Inside the forest
No one knows who's making it shake
Going up and down and all around

Ellie the elephant
Leaps on the ground
Everywhere she goes
Pouncing and bouncing
Happy and gleeful
And two elephants all day
Never stop bouncing
Talking and bouncing, never stop bouncing

Pennsylvania

Shampoo from Above

by J.R.

Angels use Aydin to keep their hair bright.
Aydin is made from stardust from the night sky.
It's mixed with nectar from the sweetest flower.
One kind smells of lavender, and another smells of a moist spring day.
It's used behind a cloud in early autumn.
At night you can see the shimmering light of angels standing in the dark sky;
Their hair is glittering as if of gold or bronze.
The northern winter winds often tip the white dust over;
Then Aydin falls to the ground.
It's cool to the touch and melts in your hand.
Nothing can compare to a lock of Angel hair!

The Plureye

by M.C.P.

The Plureye has eyes everywhere.
Three on his head
One for each finger
Otherwise I think he's normal.

If you met him, would you like him?
It depends
On who you are.
For some he's good, for some he's not.

People with children, who work or go out,

Like him to babysit because
He keeps an eye (or as many as necessary)
On children (be there one or many more)

But optometrists? He drives them nuts.
Three lens glasses for his head
And ten one lens glasses (one for each finger)
Requests the Plureye without a blink.

For an optometrist with children
A trade may work out,
Depending on how many children he has.

Oreo the Humongous Mouse

by H.B.

Oreo
Is huge, not small
Cute, not ugly
She chases a cat,
Instead of the cat chasing Oreo.
Eats Oreo cookies, not mouse food
Drinks fruit juice
Can knock down redwoods,
Without knowing
Is taller than a five story house.
Is the most special mouse in the world.
With a cage half the size of the school.

Blorpes

by W.F.

Blorpes are tiny creatures.
They are too small to see.
Through a microscope they look like CD's.
The wind blows them around.
They smell like new books.
They feel rubbery to the touch.
If you get one, try to keep it.
When their life is over, they shoot into the sky.
One thousand of them together makes a star.

The Graven

by N.M.

A Graven is a cousin.
The cousin of a goblin.
It can eat the dust a fairy makes.
A Graven is green.
It steps on trees.
The looks of a Graven can be gruesome.
A Graven is a troublemaker.
It comes in homes to stay.
A creature like a Graven is fierce.

Ice Whisps

by E.M.

Ice whisps have manes and tails of thin threads of ice-
Captured by the airy merepeople, they escaped among the sea trees
Each ice whisp has the grace of a jaguar and the spirit of all that's wild
Whoever should see one would say it resembled a silvery-green stallion
or a sea mare of light
How long they have graced this world is a mystery never to be discovered
Immortal though they are, humans know them not
So it won't melt, it and its kin are
Perfect beings bound to the Arctic Waters
Stay away

Droink

by M.Y.

Put a frog, a pig, and a dog
Into one animal.
What do you have?
A droink!
A droink is an animal big as a bus
That eats up humans with one big munch.
You might be the next
Children McNugget
That's on the menu.
So I'd watch out if I were you.
Or else you'll be
On this carnivore's dinner-plate.
Nibble, nibble, CRUNCH!

Tibbert

by E.F.

My breed is Normac;
My name is Tibbert.
I'm as old as the earth.
I have one gleaming eye,
A swirling, spiral head,
Two gigantic mouths,
And one horrid nose.
I eat dragons for breakfast,
Criminals for lunch,
And fresh dead people
Straight from the grave for dinner.
I'm as tall as three of your dads,
And as wide as a paperclip.
I shimmer in the moonlight.
Criminals, be prepared to die.

The Furble

by A.P.

The Furble is a marvelous creature.
He moos for the cows,
Purrs for the cats,
Barks for the dogs,
And sings for the birds.

Having a love for mushrooms,
They are his friend, foe, and home.
They're where he moos, purrs, barks, and sings
Under the light of the moon!

When he runs, it is swiftly;
When he flies, it is gracefully;
When he swims, it is beautifully;
But when he walks, he stumbles on his beard
And rolls the entire way!

The Things I See Daily
by J.T.

Old ones being shot for their ivory.
Young ones being stolen for circuses and zoos.
I am an African elephant, and these are the things I see daily.

Some being hunted and killed for our meat.
Some suffocating under thick black blankets of oil.
I am a green sea turtle, and these are the things I see daily.

Many are killed for their patterned coats.
Many more are burned out of their homes.
I am a jaguar, and these are the things I see daily.

My mother being killed for her thick skin and fur.
My father being strangled by a piece of plastic.
I am a leopard seal, and these are the things I see daily.

My kind are being hunted endlessly simply for sport.
My kind's hunting and nesting grounds being destroyed.
I am a bald eagle, and these are the things I see daily.

Wasting, pollution, and destruction.
Killing, tears, and extinction.
I am the earth, and these are the things I see daily.

Florida.

No! Not the Vet!
by C.B.

Rrrree! Rrrruff!
Take that leash off me!
Please!
I will be good.
I won't get fleas.
I really won't!
Please!
I won't put my bone on the stairs!
I won't jump on guests!
Just nooooot the vet!
What are you saying?
We are going to Grandma's?
Put on the GAS!

North Carolina.

Life's Colors
by M.F.

Yellow is the color of the hot sun beating down on the earth right on this Georgia plantation!
Brown is the color of the dirt on my feet that I walk on while heading to the cotton fields!
Green is the color of the meadows that the crops grow on and we pick to make winter quilts!
Orange is the color of the new ripe large pumpkins I pick so the master's wife can bake pumpkin pies for dinner!
Purple is the color of the Holy Bible I learn to read while I stay in a tiny log cabin!
Red is the color of blood streaming down my African black unwashed back from a master's beating!
Blue is the color of the night sky that I run away under while hunting dogs chase me down!
Black is the color of my face as I sleep on a hard wooden floor waiting for another tough day to begin!
These are the colors of my people!!

Connecticut

By the Ocean's Edge
by E.S.

The moon comes out from the clouds.
A horse gallops across the wet sand.
The sand flies up behind him gracefully.
He tears through the sticky cobwebs in the thick mountains.
Then the horse goes to the ocean's edge.
He lets the ocean's waves slap against his elegant feet in rage.
Then a human walks up.
The sand crunches under her feet while she walks.
The sand sinks in between her toes.
Soon it becomes a dreamful night.
The crickets chirp and dandelions sway while singing their sad songs.
Then dawn comes.
The sun rises and the ocean is calm.
But when the night comes again, this will start all over again.

New York

Sardel
by A.R.

Sounds like a kind of desert
But the sand never scrapes the skin
Looks like a white and brown field
That you could sink in if you only knew how
Sounds like a kind of creature
Misunderstood like everyone else
Only it's different;
Other people misunderstand it instead
Of it misunderstanding itself
Sardel....
Sounds like a graceful purple flower
Opening into the summer morning dew.

Vermont.

Blue
by D.

Blue, blue, hello, blue!
Welcome to a beautiful sky.
Blue, blue, let's blow bubbles for blue!
Blue jays,
Blue berries,
A nice flower in the spring,
The pair of jeans I love wearing,
Blue sun glasses for the summer.
Yeah, let's hear it for blue!

New York

Zoop
by T.C.

Zoop is a troll's favorite beverage;
It's made out of vampire fangs.
It is used as mosquito repellant
and is put on water
to capture the moon's reflection
so you can hang it in your room.

Oregon

Anotet
by A.C.

A very
Nifty
Owl who who who is very
Talented at doing
Extremely dangerous
Tae Kwon Do

Oregon

The Getdghoiltupiotop
by M.A.

Me called Maybogottachese
Me is 112,233,445,566,778 years old.
Me face is this thing you call bacon.
Me live on wertyuiop.
Me always play singsangsung.
Anananananananananananana
Is what me eats.

Delaware

Fibble Fabble
by L.H.

Fibble fabble is a word that trolls use when they are happy.
It means eyeballs and frog toes.
It is a magic word.
Fibble fabble has sparks that come out of the troll's mouth
When the word is said right.
The sparks are yellow and orange.
Fairies catch the sparks in bottles and make things fly.
When the sparks come out of the troll's mouth,
They smell of fresh flowers.
If you swallow some sparks, you'll be able to fly forever.

Delaware

The Folo
by B.C.

I am under your bed at night.
My nails are as big as blades.
I eat little boys and girls.
My voice will hurt your ears.
I use your bones as toothpicks.
You think I hate you, but I want to eat you more.

Louisiana

Berlasomby
by J.F.

Berlasomby is the stuff that forms flower seeds.
It looks like a tooth and it tastes good.
But it is very rare.
It is only found in the Black Forest
In hollow trees.
Gnats make their homes out of it.
Butterflies carry it all around the world
And drop it in different places where it
Forms into flower seeds.

Illinois

If I could be...
by M.G.

If I could be noisy:
I'd be a toddler in my terrible two's.
I'd be a tornado during a storm.
I'd be a guest on the Jerry Springer show.

If I could be colorful:
I'd be a painting in a museum.
I'd be a flower in a green house.
I'd be a clown in a circus.

If I could be strong:
I'd be a professional weight lifter.
I'd be The Rock from the WWF.
I'd be cement holding up all the buildings in the world.

Georgia

Baseball
by C.B.

America's pastime
The crack of the bat
The smell of popcorn
The sight of players
running into the field
The touch of the mitt
The taste of chewed up
sunflower seeds
Baseball is exciting and fun.
America's pastime

Georgia

Ocean Waves
by K.C.

The grass is green.
The sun is bright.
How fun it is to go outside
The waves are short.
The beach is sandy.
I like to watch the turtles swimming.
I like to hear the ocean's waves.
I like to hear the dolphin's squeak.
I like to hear the shark's crunch.
I like to hear the snaps the crabs make.
I like to see the angelfish beneath the sea.
I like to hear my heart beating.

first grade, Washington

How to Make Tigaphantarooraffbobarkphin
by B.B.

Take the dangerous head of a tiger,
The swift tail of a house cat,
Plus the strong trunk of an elephant.
Take the bouncy legs of a kangaroo,
Add the sneaky eyes of a raccoon,
And the long neck of a giraffe.
Find the vicious paws of a bobcat.
Take the sharp teeth of a shark,
And the brains of a dolphin,
Carefully put it all together,
And you'll have a
Tigaphantarooraffbobarkphin.

How to Turn Stars into Dreams
by M.F.

First look into the moonlit sky
Then take your hand and carefully reach up into the star shining sky
Gently pull a shining stardown who has a smile on its face
Now cup your hands and form the star into a ball
Without damaging the secret inside, eat it
Now close your eyes and think of anything you want
Fantasize about it in your imagination
After you do all those steps, slowly open your eyes
Don't open them too quickly or your dream will be ruined
When you open your eyes you will be in your dream
Only you can control what happens
After this you will have an exquisite silent sleep

How to Turn into a Tree
by R.A.

Spread out your arms
Put your legs together
Stand there for one minute
You will start to grow leaves on your arms
Your feet will turn into roots and sink deep into the soil
Stay there until birds chirp nearby
Until the humming birds hum near your leaves
Stay until the moon slowly rises above the hill
Be still until the wind blows through your branches
Then you will know you are a tree.

How to Make Winter
by K.M.

Bundle up three kids so ready to freeze
Add sleds, skis, and shovels
Combine bare trees and snow covered hills
Later, put aside frozen kids to thaw by the fire
Add three cups of hot cocoa
Let sit playing games for two hours
Sprinkle with light snow and cool breeze

Lunch for Frog
by A.F.

Peanut butter and fly sandwich
With bug juice to wash it down
On the side, an order of fried lily pads
With some mossy pond scum for dessert
Topped with chocolate covered flies
Yummy
Ribbit.

Lunch for T-Rex
by C.S.

A Dino-mite sandwich
Two long necks for the bread,
A few giants for the meat,
One field of grass for the lettuce,
Some human blood for the ketchup,
Some dinosaur eggs for a treat,
Cool blue sky for his drink and clouds for the ice
cubes

Lunch for a City Monster
by S.M.

A Main Street sub,
Made up of buildings
and shops for bread,
Sidewalk as mayonnaise,
Pavement as meat,
Center lines as yellow cheese.
Then the water tower as
a drink like a water fountain.

How to Win a Race with a Cheetah
by K.S.

You and the cheetah are at the starting line.
The light turns red,
Your legs and arms get hairy with spots.
The light turns yellow,
You hear a growl come out of your mouth.
The light turns green,
You become a cheetah...
Off you go!
Oh, and one more essential part of winning the race.
Be the bigger cheetah!

How to Fly a Car
by J.H.

Buy some feathers and hawk wings
Glue it on to a rainbow racing car
Bring some provisions to eat along the way
Put the windows down to feel the breeze
Take off at 200 miles per hour
You will start gliding like an airplane
Steer until you're facing the way the wind blows
Accelerate to 300 miles per hour
You'll start to fly like an eagle above the clouds
Turn the radio on and enjoy the ride

How to Make Pictures Come Alive
by J.T.

First find your source of energy,
attach your jumper cable,
from battery to picture,
turn on your car,
sit back for 10-15 seconds,
and let it roar,
now you have your picture,
alive and ready,
and roaring to go.

How to Catch a Shooting Star
by C.W.

Roll out your sleeping bag in your backyard.
Wait for the sun to go down,
And the stars come out.
Watch the sky very carefully.
Get your lasso ready.
When you see a shooting star
Launch your lasso in the air.
As your lasso grabs the shooting star,
Quickly pull your rope down.
Make a wish.
Set the star free.
Watch it go shooting into the night sky.

How to Float Upon a Cloud
by S.S.

First you fly high up into the sky
you find the softest cloud you can
Then jump up and down on it
To make it even softer
Make sure it is sturdy
So you don't fall through
And finally you sit back and relax

How to Make an Imaginary Friend
by C.B.

Think happy thoughts,
Close your eyes tight,
Wish that you had a friend
that liked everything that you liked,
Imagine what he or she would look like,
Then put your thoughts into a machine that makes
thoughts come true
Then pour a special type of liquid on your new
friend,
And then you have made your very own imaginary
friend.

How to Swim Around the World in 11 Seconds
by L.S.

First step into your very fastest swim suit
Start in Rhode Island
Take a deep breath and dive in
Swim with lots of energy
It takes you 2 seconds to get to the next country
Work your way to Africa with lots of power
This takes you 3 seconds to go on
You're just a little tired
Your next country is India
3 seconds are added
You still have lots of strength
You move on to the last place which is Australia
2 seconds more
You keep with it hard at work
Then back to your own country
You get all your strength back with 1 more second!
You made it!

How to Feed Catzilla
by C.M.

To feed Catzilla you will need
700 pounds of fish
covered with lemon juice and garlic,
lightly cover it all with salt and pepper,
use half the world for the bowl,
add a lot of ice cream,
and with a cherry the size of the moon
for her dessert

Breakfast for Champions
by Z.W.

The strength of Hercules,
The wisdom of Solomon,
The courage of J.F.K.,
The honesty of Abe Lincoln,
The determination of Martin Luther King Jr.,
The power of King Arthur,
The skills of Robin Hood,
With these ingredients, how could one lose?

To Make a Sub the Size of the Sun
by L.S.

#1. First buy a billion mile long sub which you can find at
your local grocery store.
#2. Now add 500 pickles each the size of the earth.
#3. Now add 3,000 lbs. of mayonnaise.
#4. Now you need something that you can't buy at your
grocery store. You need to add 300 tree tops.
#5. Now add 8,000 slices of banana each the size of
lua (one of Jupiter's moons with deadly volcanoes).
#6. The last step you'll need 5 billion pears the size of our
moon.
You have now completed a sub the size of the SUN.

Now if you want to have a dessert for when you finish
your sub the size of the sun, follow these easy steps.
#1. Go to your grocery store and purchase 600 x 600 ml
plastic wrap.
#2. Now rent a space shuttle to launch all the way to Pluto.
#3. Pick up the planet and cover it with the wrap.
#4. Now twist the ends and prepare to eat Pluto.

How to Run Around the World in a Day
by S.B.

Go to a sporting goods store
Buy the fastest shoes there are
Run to the nearest hill
Climb to the top of the hill
Keeping your mind clear,
Start running down
This hill for speed
As you run,
Remember the
Road Runner in cartoons
In your mind transform into this "Road runner"
You will travel through
Countries in only hours
The sights will be flying by you
Your face will be tight with the wind
In the end you will
Will where you were standing
On that very hill
Just in time to
Catch the
Sunset.

How to Turn into a Pencil
by L.R.

Put an eraser
On your head
Stand as straight
As can be
Hold a pencil in your hand
Wait until
You fill up with lead
Wait until
You feel the point
Wait until
You've got a big
Eraser
For a head
Wait until
You're stiff as a board
Then write! Write! Write!

December
by D.B.

Sprinkle shivering snowmen standing on my lawn
Topped with fluffy snowflakes,
Until all sight of grass is gone

Stir in some hot chocolate to warm my insides
Add Christmas cookies for Santa,
A treat for his midnight ride

Toss a dash of kids down the stairway early on Christmas day
Eyes filled with wonder over what came on Santa's sleigh

Put in some boots and mittens, don't forget the scarves and hats,
But definitely leave out all harsh words and family spats

Bake with friends and family in front of an open fire
Slice and serve on New Year's Eve to people you admire

Untitled
by Robert

I see the ocean deadly and foreboding
I see a dolphin doing homework
I see a shark crunching bloody bones
I see the ocean with a volcano half in and half out
I see the ocean with an octopus making a box
I see a fish reading the newspaper
-- Colorado, kindergarten

The Moon Dolphin
by Grace

In the light blue water
It came flipping,
It is dancing, gracefully
Wild and pretty
The waves are smooth
See its fins splash
Hear the water
In the blue of it
-- Colorado, kindergarten

The Moon Seal
by Kennon

In the cold blue sea
It came up
It is swimming
Quickly, majestically
Dark and slippery
In the dark, cold waves
See its tail moving fast
Hear the "Arrgh, Arrrgh!"
Look the seal is surfing the waves
In the light of my boat
-- Colorado, kindergarten

Fancy Rat
by Jacob

I have a tail like the plot of a book.
I am as small as a baseball,
Have feet as small as paper clips,
Eat a lot like a piggy bank eats coins,
Live in the forest like a rock at the bottom of a stream,
Have claws like a rake,
Fur like a cotton sweater,
Don't eat like someone lactose intolerant.
-- Pennsylvania, grade 4

Nile Monitor-Pick
by Colton

Body and tail move fast and swift,
Lives in a shed on a shelf,
It'll take your bike for a spin.
If you chase it, it'll bite like a pick hitting a rock.
Sheds wood everyday,
If scared, it will drop its iron head and RUN!
-- Pennsylvania, grade 4

The Bengal Tiger
by Quinten

I am a four-legged animal like a dog.
Stripes like a parrot,
Orange as a Dixon number two pencil,
Live in the jungle like a red-eyed tree frog,
As big as a car,
Not as small as a bug,
Have a tail like a kite,
Can't fly like a microwave,
Stalk my prey as a hunter,
And as harmful as a sword.
-- Pennsylvania, grade 4

Untitled
by Ruby

All the pretty horses
Galloping in a row
Manes are tossing
Tails aflow.
No bit, no bridle
No spurs, no saddle
Free as free can be.
-- grade 3

Fetch
by Anisha

I am playing an exciting game of fetch with my dog.
The brightly colored rubber ball flies through the crisp morning air.
The light green grass glistens in the golden light.
My dog's fur sparkles like that of a diamond with a thousand cuts.
The ball takes a bouncy landing and flies into my dog's mouth.
His teeth shine like freshwater pearls.
Bounding up to me, paws gripping the slightly muddy ground, he drops the ball in my soft hands.
--Oregon, grade 5

North American Wildlife Wonders
by Maya

Bison
This flow of bison
Quite yonder they run
They stop for no one.

Bald Eagle
Plains brushed this deep green
They all live so glorious
In red evening skies

Butterfly
This orange-dyed feel
Perfect little dabs of black
Gliding on the wind

Wolf
Challenged by the moon
That rabbit trapped so warmly
Why do you not move?
-- New York, grade 5

Muvlubers
by Gray

Muvlubers live in a land called Mulbs
Under the crust of the earth.
Vugs are creatures that Muvlubers eat
Like there is no tomorrow.
Uranus is their real home planet
But they couldn't find enough vugs
Even in their evil lair.
Rut is their crazy leader
So look out, the crazy animals might attack.
-- Florida, grade 5

Untitled Poem
by Melissa

A small rat hid from the
SNAKE that was hunting it, while the snake
SLITHERED around looking for dinner.
DOWN the street the snake went.
THIRD STREET was a long street, and
ON a day like this, it would be hard to find
A good decent meal.
HOT the ground was because it was
SUMMER since it was a summer
DAY, the mouse got away.
-- Florida, grade 5

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