Poem of Contradiction: Writing Samples

Perfect

by Karen Thaler

 

Perfect.  Of course, perfect.

Perfect as Sunday heels

too new to know polish

or scuffs.

Squeezing tightly the toes

and grudgingly, awkwardly

hugging the ankle

like two brothers after a fight.

 

Pretty

by Erica Pridey (grade 7)

 

You assume I'm pretty

All right then I'm pretty

Pretty like a rainy day

Abandoning mud

 

Pretty like a tornado

Dancing over a town

Demolishing homes

Shoving lives out of place

 

Pretty like a pounding bruise

Around my eye

Slapping me into the real world.

 

Foolish

by Carson Gross (grade 7)

 

You think I'm foolish

Of course, I'm foolish.

Foolish as a wounded soldier

Struggling on to save a life.

 

All right, I'm foolish.

Foolish like the man who

chooses

Honesty

instead of effortless money.

 

Yes, I am foolish.

 

I am Funny

by Megan Nelson (grade 7)

 

You think I'm funny

Well, then, yes, I'm funny

 

Funny as a young boy

trying to hit a piņata

swinging wildly and wildly

again and again

 

Funny as a child

in front of the whole class

 

that has just spelt a simple

word

rong

Yes, I am funny.

 

Lucky

by Adam Doss (grade 7)

 

You say I'm lucky,

All right then, I'm lucky.

Lucky as the pitcher

That pitches against Mark McGwire

Bottom of the ninth

 

You assume I'm lucky.

You're right, I'm lucky.

Lucky as the cursed King Midas

Who had the ability to turn

Everything to gold.

 

Fulfilled

by Katie Wiles (grade 7)

 

You think I'm fulfilled

Well, yes, then I'm fulfilled

As fulfilled as an Olympic swimmer,

Who thirsts for gold

 

But finishes with silver.

 

You assure me I'm fulfilled.

Yes, of course, I'm fulfilled

Fulfilled as a volcano