YWP is an independent nonprofit based in Burlington that engages middle and high school students from anywhere in the world to write, to express themselves with confidence and clarity and to connect with authentic audiences. We facilitate presentation of local writing every week in this newspaper; through YWP’s website, youngwritersproject.org, and monthly digital magazine, The Voice; before live audiences; and with other media partners, including vtdigger.org and vpr.net. YWP is supported by this newspaper and other publications, as well as foundations, businesses and individuals who recognize the power and value of writing.
Prompt: General Writing
Melting Ice
Somewhere, there is a land of ice and frost,
which glints and glimmers in the rays of sun —
However, its magic may soon be lost,
as years of pollution can’t be undone.
Cold, slick, and hard, the ice is now melting;
we are on a man-made slippery slope—
Polar bears float away on ice, looking
back—eventually, they give up all hope.
A dream world of wonder, and snow, and ice
is shattered by our dreams—not needs, but wants;
No number of words will simply suffice
in changing if the Arctic melts or not.
We must take action; save the ice quickly—
or it will be gone for eternity.
A Shattered Universe
One day my world partly shattered,
spiraling out of my control.
There was nothing I could do
except stand and watch,
helpless as a foal.
It began with communication:
two universes collide,
but in collision
something broke,
leaving one alone.
Pieces of a universe,
sharp as shattered glass,
scattered across a galaxy
because of a decision,
a lost piece of time.
So I stood and watched
my world fall apart —
sensations of a waking dream,
the sound of breaking,
the sound of a breaking heart.
Prompt: Peace: Where do you see the greatest opportunity to create peace in your community or the world?
Peace
People are like flowers.
I am the bee
spreading pollen to every flower I see.
That pollen I distribute,
every grain contributes
to the organism that helps sustain me.
It anchors them, mentally promoting a sense of neutrality.
For me, I get nectar to make me grow
so the seeds of peace I can sow.
I can, a meager bee,
from my sowing help to see that peace is the path for me.
I hope, I inspire, the entire community and group around me
to make them into someone that they themselves and others admire.
I find the youngest kind have the largest possible harvest.
They’re hardest to get through to and sometimes have thorns.
Often a bee like me can fly by the hazards because of the nectar to be gathered
to spread the pollen of peace,
for pollen is peace and nectar happiness.