Local Poets Extol the Virtues of Mother Nature and Human Nature

Staff photo by Cliff Getz Winners in the Laguna Beach Library's annual poetry contest, from left, Steven Mallonee, Avalon Greenberg, Griffin Knutson, Anna Sonnefeld, Alena Riggs, Tritia Timmins and Bette Anderson. During the month of April, Laguna poets young and old were encouraged to submit entries for "Personal Writes," the Laguna Beach Library's 10th annual poetry context. The winners have now been announced, and the poem of the first place winner in each age group is included here.

Fittingly, the youngest winner's piece is a tribute to the library. The wonder of nature is what captivates the first through fifth grade winners, who between them extol sea, sun, moon and stars. Then with the winning poem of the sixth to eighth grade category, the subjects turn to the human condition, beginning with a young girl's quest to understand the world and to make a difference. The winning high school poem tackles human nature at a more introspective level, and the adult winner explores the bonds of friendship over the years.

There is something here for all to relate to: AT THE LIBRARY I am checking out books about cows. Because I was on a field trip at the farm. And they had a contest to write about your favorite farm animal. Mine is the cow. You know there is so much to learn about cows. You know which library I love to go to? The Laguna Beach Library of course! By Steven Mallonée (Pre-K and Kindergarten) STARRY NIGHT When I sleep in my sleeping bag, I think about something big and white. The silky moon and the sea-blueblack sky. And the sun…. Falling down by bits like rain. The stars twinkle at the breeze. When I sleep in my sleeping bag, I feel three handprints on my heart: Dark City Black End of Sunshine Violet Pink Rose Fairy Dust. By Avalon Greenberg Call (1st grade) BEAUTY OF THE SUN A very beautiful sunset shimmering across the clear turquoise stream of fish, Those huge green gigantic trees while the animals play, A green sour apple with orchards around it, The birds flock, and the foxes whisper, An eagle soars over me with its shadow across the sea, Rustling leaves blow and crumble across the pathway of the deer, The crows back and eat the innocent mice, A little sniff, A chill runs down my back, And this was an awesome walk. But my clock says I should head back. By Griffin Knutson (2nd and 3rd grades) IN THE NIGHT A dark, black blanket of a sky, Hangs high, suspended above us Stars are spread across it, Little pinpoints of light Twinkling and shimmering In the night A dark, black blanket of a sky, Hung between the clouds A bright disk in the heavens; Lady Moon smiles down at us, Glowing and shining In the night A dark, black blanket of a sky Hovering above the earth Shadows of trees' branches, Clearly outlined against the moon and stars Like ghosts, barely there, In the night By Anna Sonnefeld (4th and 5th grades) UNTITLED Once a young girl, Playing on the swings An ordinary life, an ordinary day. Two years go by, she is in 3rd grade, Starting to learn more about the world, day by day Discovering something new, new people, new ways. Two more years go by, 11 years now In school she starts learning about the environment, and people Learning ways to help, care for, preserve She learns the problems in the world, Poverty, homeless, death Sadness, as she discovers new things. But not all new things are good. She chooses to do something, Something she has never done before, Something to help people far away. One person can make a difference She pays attention, learns about new people, new ways. Thinking, now she can make a difference Every day. One person can make a difference A few more years go by, Now she really knows, How to help the world, In which she lives now. She starts raising money to send away, Telling more people day by day. One person can make a difference Almost the whole state knows How this one girl tries, To make a difference in others' lives. She's now old enough to travel the world, Following her dreams that she found long ago. Country to country she helps people in need, Not knowing what comes next in the book of life she reads. One person can make a difference Raising enough money, She goes to Africa, Giving people water, food, education. She has her own organization now, With more people than she ever imagined, Helping her every step of the way. One person can make a difference The whole world knows now All she has given away To the people she sees every day. One person can make a difference After giving water to countries and people, she sees the faces of the children playing around, New to them, even a new life. One person can make a difference The feeling she gets from the happiness she gives people Is so strong, so moving, Making her feel that this is all she wants to do in life. She remembers the days when she was young Not having much herself, Now she's helping the ones that have been troubled their whole life. One person can make a difference She's been to every country Giving, sharing, teaching, No turning back Just moving forward. One person can make a difference Now knowing she has fulfilledher life dream To help people in need, She reads about a new problem, Poverty, homeless, disease. One person can make a difference And she's on her way, A new time, a new day. By Alena Riggs (6th, 7th and 8th grades) UNATTAINABILITY Innocence, a social construct. Nothingness and a glittery void. I hallucinate, intoxicated by some impossible reverie, derived from my mind's eye and the cultivation of my heart. Western winds glide through my hair, while my wayward male companion stands gallantly at my side. The sides of the boat slicing the glassy sea, ten thousand nautical moments passed beneath our feet. We halt, and we are enchanted by the clarity of this night. Ebony water engulfed by the ominous black sky. Eternal darkness made complicated with a myriad of bright dying lights. I think distance is a mathematical construct. We continue to stare, and here she smiles, all alone. Silently bearing a silver melancholy smile. Looking up at her I remind myself, sadness is only a social construct. By Tritia Timmins (high school) REUNION We lounge in canvas chairs on a flagstone patio shaded by yellowing maples and warmed by a late Michigan sun. Old acquaintances, gray like the flagstones and cemented in time sharing memories and creature comforts: martinis, two olives please, hummus, plump iced shrimp white cocktail napkins with smiling faces. The conversation turns to politics. It seems we have become conservative, found religion. No more marching in the streets protesting injustice or brave attempts to change the world. We read Stephen King or watch TV: Biography, Law & Order, Perry Mason reruns. We want to preserve the status quo, shore up the military. Our fears have become our priorities. While we debate abstract issues a young deer ventures onto the lawn from nearby woods and Ella the resident tabby pads out to greet him. They circle and sniff, decide to share the terrain. We smile at the odd pair and go on talking. A chill pierces the sun's last rays, signaling time to go inside for dinner. We toast the occasion and promise to reunite next year once again proffering food and small mercies, mimicking the inarticulate camaraderie of the vagrant deer and domestic cat probing the delicate bonds of friendship. By Bette Anderson (adult)