This year, the El Paso Public Libraries celebrate 36 years of the youth poetry contest, and 7 years of the cover art contest. We continue to be awed by the entries received from our gifted youth. This book contains the winning art pieces and poems in English and Spanish from each grade category. Grade categories include, 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, and 9th-12th. One winning entry from all of the art categories was selected as the cover of the booklet. We are honored to showcase this year’s talent, which came from all parts of El Paso, including Fabens and Anthony. We wish to thank all of the families and educators who inspire and encourage our youth. A special thanks goes out to all of the El Paso Public Library Youth Services Staff, especially our judges listed below. The El Paso Public Libraries would also like to thank the Friends of the El Paso Public Libraries groups, and the El Paso Museum of Art for their generous contributions. Lisa MartinezYouth Services CoordinatorJudgesCory Anchondo, Irving Schwartz LibraryMelissa Delgado, Jose Cisneros LibraryAshley Herrera, Main LibraryJosephine Jimarez-Howard, El Paso Museum of ArtGabriela Lee, Main LibraryLisa Martinez, El Paso Public LibrariesRocio Ortiz, Main LibraryAnaka Prado, Westside Library
3rd-5th Grade Poems & Artwork
The Girl in the Mirror!By Emerald5th grade, Cactus Trails Elementary SchoolThe setting of torture.The setting of bullying.I thought there was no cure.Worrying and wondering what in school I would endure.But then, I look in the mirror and see the girl that I want to be.The girl is telling me to be me. So now I will pursue, what I was meant to do.Perfect not to some.But perfect, being TRUE!Perfect being ME!For the whole world to SEE!
Alina4th grade, Homeschool
Falling For the First TimeBy Jazmin5th grade, North Star Elementary SchoolI feel the cold, biting air,for the last time.Then I hear it - snap!I knew the ground beneath mewas coming for me quickly.I've been hanging on this branch for months,and I knew it was my time.The grass is now waiting for me.Every second the wind dances mecloser to the ground.Then I land, finally still,into a pile of golden and brown,waiting for the small feet of children to play.
Logan5th grade, El Paso Classical Academy
Ode to PotatoesBy Perla5th grade, St. Clements Parish SchoolOh Potatoes!You taste like gold.I can eat you mashed, baked, roasted, stewed, fried into french fries and much more.Oh potatoes I adore you!Oh purple potatoes!you are great!I think you could be number one on my list.You taste best when you'reoiled, salted, and baked next to a nice fat juicy steak.If I was in Idaho I'd swim in you.Oh sweet potatoes!You are like candy.You taste best when you are french fries.You are like diamonds in my eye.
Ruby5th grade, Lundy Elementary School
ElefanteBy Brittany4th grade, O’Donnell Intermediate School Hay un elefanteQue es caminanteCuando va por el parqueSe ve extravagante.Mueve su trompaPara tomarse una Coca-ColaCuando se emocionaMueve su larga cola.
MamiBy Fernanda4th grade, O’Donnell Intermediate School En la noche tenía úna pulseraLa que me dió mi bisabuelaCual me la hizo con amorJunto con una florPero me entristecióPorque en la mañana ella murióPor su dolorPero me dejó su amorEn forma de un corazónY me sentí adolorida por su partida.
Los Tiburones en el OceanoBy Miguel4th grade, O’Donnell Intermediate School Tienen aletasInteligentesBuenos cazadorezRapidamente nadaOh noNada porque te a morder
6th-8th Grade Poems & Artwork
Maya8th grade, Anthony Middle School
They Were Here: 1942By Lilly7th grade, Bel Air Middle SchoolThey played soccer in the park… just like any other kidThey were good in school… just like any other kidThey spent their weekends with their family… just like any other kidBut he didn’t see them as any other kidTo him, they were unimportantTo him, they were uselessTo him, they were a waste of spaceHe wanted them goneHis thoughts and dreams turned into a realityHe tortured them–physically and mentallyHe tore them from their loved ones,from everything they knewAnd no one stopped himPeople who did the harm didn’t feel guiltBlinded by power, as people often areThey didn’t realize the wrong until the world was brought into lightSo, if people don’t care until the damage is donehow do we stop history from repeating itself?We tell their story to the worldIn hope that the world stays in the light
Ximena6th grade, El Paso Classical Academy
Safe HavenBy Victoria6th grade, Canyon Hills Middle SchoolMy bedroom door is finally shut,The world is far away.I’m tired of all the \"ifs\" and \"buts\"I’ve heard all through the day.I dive into my messy bed,It’s like a soft, white cloud.The stories spinning in my headAre never way too loud.I have my sketches and my books,My plushies on the shelf.I don't need any judgy looks,I can just be myself.No math tests or a noisy hall,Or chores I have to do.Behind these posters on the wall,Everything feels brand new.The outside world is big and fast,But here, I’m doing fine.The scary parts are in the past,And all the stars are mine.
Bella7th grade, Jesus and Mary Academy
Wings of a ButterflyBy Sophia6th grade, Hornedo Middle SchoolGreen is the grass you prance inPlastic is the toy you play withRainbow is the color you wear withYour beautiful pretendImaginary friendThe pride and confidence you carryEverywhere you goShimmers with a vulnerable glowPlease don’t loseYour incredible museIn everything you doBecause 18 is only 9 years awayPlease don’t loseHow you danced in your PJ’sBefore your solitary days
NocheBy Keyreth7th grade, Guillen Middle SchoolNoche linda mira al día,anqué no lo puede ver, se buscan todos los días sin poderse detener.El día brilla en el cielo, la noche empieza a soñar.Un eclipse los junta en un momento se logran mirar, y cuando salen las estrellas,Saben que se pueden amar.
Sin TítuloBy Carolina8th grade, Young Women’s STEAM Research & Prep AcademyExtraño la persona que era.Tan inocente, tan sincera.Todos crecen eventualmente.Pero siempre había esperado que fuera diferente.Veo mi pasado en una simple sonrisa.En una canción, sentimiento, o ese extra pedazo de pizza.Cuando puedo ser feliz sin preocuparme de nada.Sin sentir que cada día es mi última parada.Cuando mi mamá me dejaba dormir cinco minutos más.Antes, cuando mi mundo estaba en paz.Vivo cada día a penas, queriendo encontrar esas pizcas de felicidad que tragan la tristeza.Porque ya no vivo en ese mundo de sonrisa, ahora solo soy una presa.Presa de este mundo que quiere que crezca.Sin embargo, conservo la esperanza de que no todo es tan malo, aunque lo parezca.Porque dentro de mi, se que hay una versión mejor, una que no está tan herida.Solo espero que un día encuentre la salida.Que regrese el color a mi vida entera, y no solo en pequeños instantes.Añoro volver a mi mundo y a la persona que era antes.Regresame, regresame, regresame a mi mundo y mi niñez.Solo para sentir cómo era, y realmente poder vivir otra vez
9th-12th Grade Poems & Artwork
Zoe10th grade, El Dorado High School
What Happened to the PrideBy Trey11th grade, Riverside High SchoolThat man confuses our boysHe trophies our girlsHe won’t stop till he owns our little worldsWhat happened to the prideHe’s made the handymen foolsForce them to buildStripped them of their strongest toolsWhat happened to the prideThey made us shine the shoeTill they took our handsSo we can lick their bootWhat happened to the prideWe say we’ll fightOr kneel to our mothers shrineBut we know we drown in our own lieOur fathers told us never to cryTo even when we see our people dieEvery steps we take we leave our people behindWhat happened to the pride
Daniela12th grade, Eastlake High School
Where I’m FromBy Julianna9th grade, Young Women’s STEAM Research & Prep AcademyI’m from a peaceful town,known for their famous military base.Lots of grass and flowers growing;a garden in a single neighborhood.I’m from waking up to bunches of soldiers,working, running, and stopping for lunch.I’m from a calm, safe, and loved home,surrounded by family of different generations.I only know loud community event centers;savory cookouts, glistering kiddie pools, dusty playgrounds.I’m from the freezing winter season;off-balance snowmans, aggressive snowball fights, fast sledding.I’m from the macaroni and cheese days,nothing but carbs and sugar.Watching Sofia the First and Elena of Avalor,while sitting on my princess couch.I’m from the Panettone and hot chocolate days,waiting to open bunches of presents surrounding the tree
Jonelle11th grade, J.M. Hanks High School
El Paso MorningsBy Juliette12th grade, J.M. Hanks High SchoolEl Pasoans don’t treasure the sunIt’s not rare in this land of fair weatherTo be warm and sunny is to be expectedThe sun is constant through the rain, snow, and windBut El Pasoans still appreciate the sunWhen it beams through the window at noonOr when a rainbow forms from the spray of a hoseOr in the morningIn the early morning, when it’s still coolWhen it’s late August and the sky is deep orangeThere’s mist in the air, it’s an enchanting sceneAs the sun rises up behind youOr when it’s December, when everything’s goldCold death glowing hotly under the sunThe rays touching down; a blanket of warmthAnimating the still yards and homes belowWhen morning comes and one steps outsideThe Sun City’s sun illuminates our homeIn those delicate moments of the early morningThe sun is this city’s most beautiful feature
Sin TítuloBy Cynthia12th grade, Andress High SchoolAveces pienso lo dificil que puede ser la vida,Como aveces puedes pensar en rendirte.Lloramos y gritamos de furia por lo que sufrimos, Por las cosas mas pequeñas nos empezamos a quejar.Pero no nos damos cuenta de lo egoista que somos.Mientras en el exterior hay personas,Que sufren cosas inimaginables.Existen otras personas que sufren y se quejan,Porque su equipo de futbol perdío.Nos fijamos en pequeñeces cuando lo que,Deberiamos hacer es disfrutar la vida.Disfrutar la vida y las personas que queremos,Porque no sabemos que dia no,Vamos a estar o peor, que ellos no estaran.Dejemos los problemas atras, Y dejemos a el amor entrar a nuestras vidas.Lo unico que no tiene solucion en esta vida,Es la Muerte, entonces empezemos a vivir bien.Disfruten cada dia de su vida como si fuera el ultimo,Porque no sabemos que dia terminara nuestra mission en esta vida.
Te odio.... ¿Verdad?By Yamileth12th grade, Jefferson High SchoolClaro qué te odio!¿O por qué mi corazón duele al verte?¿Por qué mi mente piensa lo peor de ti?En que todo esto fue una patraña.Mentiras cubiertas de besos y \"amor\"Pero... ¿por qué?...Si te \"odio\" tanto...¿Por qué sueño con nosotros tomados de las manos?¿Por qué cuando tengo frío mi cuerpo añora por tu calor?Que cada que estoy sola me imagino recostada en tu pecho,rodeada de un hermoso silencio lleno de seguridad.Pero no tiene sentido...Se supone que te odio... ¿verdad?...
We Could Be Friends?By Valeria12th grade, IDEA Edgemere College PreparatoryLos recuerdos caminaban despacio,atados al corazón,creando un hueco hacia el vacíoen el más oscuro rincón.Le faltaron horas al díapara seguirnos queriendo.El tiempo se aferró,pero el viento se lo llevó.Y asi es como todo terminó.Mi corazón nunca supoexpresar lo que sentía por ti.¿Cómo te explico que no sé olvidar?Aparentemente, todo me ata a ti,y no te puedo encontrar.No creo que nuestros caminosse vuelvan a encontrar,pero espero que nos lleven al mismo lugar.Me siento en un abismoque no dejo de pensar,y no sé explicar y sé que tú también piensas igual.
Samantha11th grade, Americas High School
Forgotten Homework*By Samantha11th grade, Americas High SchoolNobody here knowsI think to myself as I walk to 1st period.Yesterday I was like everyone in this hall.I didn't know, but now I do.So all I can think about is that fact that,Nobody here knows.They don’t know about the surgery.Or the days spent coloring at my grandmas’.Those nights at my aunt’s watching horror movies.Or praying because who else has to save usNobody here knows.That the fear of my father’s past is now realityNor the fact that we’ll be at that hospital every other weekOur days will be spent accepting condolences.And planning trips before kids stare and shout “mom!”Nobody here knows.That the cell might've passed onto his children.If not the parasite will eat away at their babies too.That he can’t eat the food he lovesAnd must fatten up before it takes away the urge to eat.Nobody here knows.The medication will bring bad days.Days he will be half the super man I love.Days we all must sit and wonder why?Why the man whose life purpose was to love us.Nobody here knows.That’s the tears that bundle up in my eyesAren’t from forgotten history homework.But from the news it’s stage 3,That is our worst fear.Nobody here knowsIt’s cancer.*This poem is written by our Cover Art Winner, but was not entered into the poetry contest. It is the story behind the artwork.