2009 - Secondary - First Honorable Mention - Kanijah Maze and Melissa Shefchek

Kanijah Maze and Melissa Shefchek, 8th Grade, Age 14
Franklin Middle School - Green Bay, WI
Title: I walk to School in Silence, Poem

Mar 31, 2009

I walk to school in silence
But I hear your footsteps behind me
I walk in silence butt he vulgar names and laughs
Haunt me
What did I do to make you want to taunt me?

Your friends join your laugh
Bystanders are the other half
They just watch, not saying a word, they don’t
Know how I really feel, my heartache and pain is unheard
Although it probably already shows
My self-esteem has reached its all time low
The way I feel, you’ll never know

I walk into the lunchroom alone
Everyone stops and stares
I have no friends, no one cares
Words you say will scar forever

My heart is fragile as glass
Yet, you’ve shattered it
Just like a cut you’ve scarred me
Except I will never heal
That burning pain, will live
Deep inside me

I’d do anything to walk into school
Be greeted with smiles
Maybe talk to some friends for a while
Have laughs replaced with compliments
And jokes replaces with friends
I just wish my pain would end

My strength of mind
My willpower
My happiness
My self respect
Has stopped
Why won’t you?