Ms. Widman
High School Creative Writing
This week the Viking writers read “The Quiet World” by Jeffery McDaniel. We explored what restrictions society places on us and what restrictions we place on ourselves. We brainstormed what we could change in the world in a surreal way. They were tasked with writing a poem that explored a new restriction through morning, noon, and night. It was extremely challenging narrowing down which of the amazing poems to publish this week. I am so proud of these young writers.
“Midwest Emo Is Not a Thing” by Abe S.
In the morning, I am happy because midwest
emo is not a thing.
In the afternoon, I am happy because midwest
emo is not a thing.
At night, I am happy because midwest emo is not a thing playing
God under a princess tree.
“Border” by Edwin S.
Border is a fence made of metal.
Border, a separation between civilizations.
Borders, a separation of races.
Borders, the spirit of one family.
Borders, the separation between a daughter and a mother.
Borders, the separation between a son and a father.
Borders is the definition of saying we aren’t the same.
We don’t want you here.
Borders, all meant for the safety of one nation.
But immigrants know the real meaning behind
The Border.
Borders just cause pain, hate, conflict, and death.
Border is like a poison hemlock.
“Animals Rule The World” by Angelina S.
Lions take the train to work first thing in the morning.
Koalas, bears, and deer flip the “we are open” signs on shops.
Sloths, giraffes, sheep head to meetings.
Gorillas, rhinos, wolves take their morning security shift.
Capybaras, pandas, dogs sit at scattered tables for lunch.
Raccoons, squirrels, and meerkats find a spot under the tree of heaven.
They have all the food they can find, eating it all.
Rain hits the roof off the only shelter we have.
Animals turned on us and wanted a change.
There is nothing for us humans to do but sit and wait
for what will happen.
“Why Must We Live in Constant Fear?” by Elijah H.
I wish we didn’t feel like we have to live
in constant fear.
I wish the world wasn’t trying
to make queer people disappear.
We are like weeds
no matter how harsh you treat us.
We will always come back.
No matter what methods you try
it will just make us more angry.
We’ll become a ragweed.
We are not weeds
the people who try to get rid of us
are the weeds
wanting to take control.
“Taking In The Gray” by Harrison O.
I woke up this morning and the world was gray.
The sun twinkled off those sooty branches, bursting with stony chlorophyll.
A silver kitten blended into the concrete
colored one eyed daisies outside my bedroom window.
On my lunch break, I walk down the garden path
taking in the vibrant grays of summer as I walk Jax.
Oh how I will miss that gray when winter comes
and gray turns to brown and white
or yellow if you have a dog.
The pebbled prairie smiles to me
as I walk past it to the grocery store.
And as I take in the ashen grass
and pearl gray trees, gun-metal gray
moss and summer breeze.
In the evening I eat my grays
with steak and bread.
