Community Educational Outreach is proud to present to you the winners of our second writing contest! Many students participated in this contest and all submissions were considered. We are proud to share the four winning submissions for your reading enjoyment! Our first place winner was
Cresencio Armijo with
The Place I Call Home.
The Place I Call Home
The place I call home,
a barren cell,
a place in hell,
here I sit alone.
For my crime I pay with time,
where lights glare night and day.
And through my rage I pace my cage.
And I still stay and pay.
My home is hell,
in one small cell,
that no one is to own.
My body cramps from the cold and damp,
that chills me to the bone.
It somehow seems,
that all my dreams,
must wait for each tomorrow.
My years are filled with tears of sorrow.
My tears of pain,
like bitter rain,
spill down on naked stone.
Every day I always pray,
to the only God I've known.
To hear my screams,
my bitter dreams,
when I feel most alone.
I feel the sting,
of metal rings,
and keys in metal locks.
The scrape of feet on concrete,
as guards control the blocks.
I can't blame or cast shame,
on them for keeping me.
Cause of a love like mine,
imprisoned by time,
won't die unless I'm freed.
Here convict knives take human lives,
no jungle holds more danger.
And every day that comes my way,
each man remains a stranger.
I watch my back,
for there is lack,
of men that can be trusted.
I would kill.
I have that will.
Before it's me that gets dusted.
They came today
and took away
the man that lived next door.
To end his strife,
he took his life.
He couldn't take no more.
It's quiet upon my tier.
A single death has claimed another.
Each wondering who will be next.
I hope it's not a Mexican brother.
A secret I should tell you now,
but do not tell another.
In order to survive in here,
you must wear a cover.
You walk that walk.
And talk that talk.
He wears a face without a trace,
of any fear inside.
But here's the secret,
I'll tell you now.
There's a frightened man inside.
If someone should take my life,
please tell my wife and kids
I love them so.
Tell her I'm glad for all we had,
And all she's done for me.
Though I am gone,
one thing lives on -
My love eternally.
My one desire,
should I expire,
that no one cries for me.
Just hold my kids within your arms,
and tell them their daddy's finally FREE!
Second place went to
Jake Philamalee and his entry entitled
Letter To My Nephew:
Letter to my nephew
When do we know the time is ended to be boys
To grasp hold of responsibilities instead of toys
Keep in mind the words to thine own self be true
Be not blind to what you commit to
Mind that life its self is fleeting
So show the world your best greeting
Sometimes the greatest thing is a smile unfurled
Remember that one person can change the world
Don't pay heed to the naysayer
There are such things as answered prayers
Never doubt your own self worth
Even when the world deals you hurt
Always be considerate of others needs
At no time underestimate a kind deed
Don't take too long to realize
When something stops growing it dies
Each sunrise brings forth new challenge
So be relentless in your quest for knowledge
Know that integrity has no price
About honesty, never think twice
A time will come to decide to make a stand
Be tall and know in your heart that you are a man
Third place went to
Tim Morarie and
Rotating Paradigm Shift:
Rotating Paradigm Shift
A slow learning curve inside Cleopatra's closet
A continuous drip from a leak in the faucet
The moonlight intrudes through a hole in the curtain
The evening gives way to thoughts of insertion
A slow burning urge, a chaotic desire
The candles surge with a flickering fire
Meticulous Madame cleaning her quarters
No time to unwind, the nights getting shorter
A slow learning curve in her bedroom at night
Three lovers entwined in a fantasy plight
Positions unfolding in natural bliss
Climactic endeavors that end with a kiss
Lastly, we are proud to share
Brian DeTemple's entry entitled
Children of Columbine:
Children of Columbine
When God looks down upon children of earth
He gave a blessing to all mothers at birth
To be blessed to watch them learn and grow
They are truly a gift from heaven, you know?
So when that Day of Judgment comes at last
We ask God why he took them from our life so fast
For they are our children we cry in pain and sorrow
And we won't see their smiling face tomorrow
We must remember those smiles and happy faces
Because God has taken them to better places
Because of this God is in your heart and mine
And we will never forget
The children of Columbine
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