Catonsville Elementary Holds Poetry Contest

Students from participated in a poetry contest in April, as April is National Poetry Month. 

Students submitted one poem in which they could have written either in class or at home at any time and without adult help.  Approximately 70 students participated in the contest.

Various teachers in the building chose thre finalists from each grade level based on creativity, a clear structure and that the poem made sense.  Then, the students of that grade level voted for the overall winner.

Here are the winning poems, as submitted to Patch by teacher Jennifer Coker:

“The Big Day”

Viola Yu, second grade

In my backyard I spin a tale,

And share it with a passing whale.

I wrestle with a bumblebee,

Then serve the queen a spot of tea.

I dig to China with a spoon,

And launch a rocket to the moon.

A lion gives me a ride,

Until my mom calls me inside.

She asks me what I did today,

“Oh, the usual,” I say.

“Why Bother?”

Ella Buskirk, third grade

Why bother sleeping if you’ve already slept?

Why bother paying when you’ve paid the debt?

Why bother working when you’ve had a success?

Why bother cleaning when you’re not a mess?

Instead of fighting with lots of strife,

Go ahead and live your life!

Don’t repeat your work again.

If you want to, go get a paper and pen.

Don’t live in the past, live in the present!

Whatever you do, don’t be a peasant.

Why bother doing pointless things,

When you can fly and get your wings?

Why bother?

“NO RULES”

Megan Spicer, fourth grade

I hate any type of rule.

Do this, do that.

It reminds me of…school!

I wanna hit rules with a bat.

Rules are always no fun!

“Don’t get stuff on those jeans.”

It makes me think a ton,

And sometimes saying them sounds mean.

All of these rules about grammar

and stuff.

“You must do what I say.”

And one rule is, I can’t have a pup.

So now you know how I feel, okay?

If all you boys and girls are with me.

Then shout together.

No rules!  No rules!  JUST LET US BE!!!

I will hate rules forever!

“Earth”

Eden Beyene, fifth grade

We hear the earth

As she calls

She gave us a place to live with its birth

Yet, we ignore her completely

As Mother Earth thinks, “How could they do this to me?”

But one day, she thinks, “They will help and save me.”

So she waits and waits

And she finally sees

People working together

And finally, yes, finally

Helping to save her.