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The End:                       It's Just the Beginning

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The End:                       It's Just the Beginning

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To Create Is To Live (Free Verse) - Ann Brueggen

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To Create Is To Live (Free Verse) - Ann Brueggen

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The day was horrible,

terrible!

She lay stressed out

on her apartment floor

right where she dropped

when she came home

from school.

Then she heard it;

the quiet voice bidding her

to laugh and play,

to boldly adventure.

Her journal sat on her nearby desk

Calling.

“Come,” it whispered,

“Create!”

She rolled over

onto her stomach and pushed herself

Up

into a sitting position.

Now, she heard

the music of her world.

It was simple,

joyful, yet plaintive:

lines of melody intertwining.

Rising,

the exhaustion fell away like shackles.

Sitting in her desk chair, she wondered,

“Do I dare

to fly

back into this, my world?

Could I get lost there?

Probably,

but this is a place of rejuvenation.”

She looked over her shoulder;

finals could wait!

Cautiously she opened her journal.

The light almost blinded her,

but her eyes quickly adjusted.

She looked back once more

at her dark apartment.

“Yes,

I will go!”

She picked up her favorite

Amaranthine pen,

that’s when she did it:

She flew high,

She dove deep.

To create

is to breathe

deeply

of Life.

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FS2016

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The Man Who Lived in the Tree (Folk Tale)-Cody Merritt

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The Man Who Lived in the Tree (Folk Tale)-Cody Merritt

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The Stranger in the Forest (Short Story)- Roy Myrick

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The Stranger in the Forest (Short Story)- Roy Myrick

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Sky is clear; I see stars.
Air dares to chill my bones.
Wine sparkles through my glass with every sip;
Keeping my warmth while I gaze beyond the clouds. “Twinkle, twinkle”, says the stars,
“Make a wish, I know who you are.”

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The Fairy Offering (Folk Tale) - Kirsten Baker

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The Fairy Offering (Folk Tale) - Kirsten Baker

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The Tabby Cat (Clerihew)  - Autumn Burden

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The Tabby Cat (Clerihew)  - Autumn Burden

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The tabby cat Jagger

Walks with such defined swagger

That most think him brave and boasting with pride;

But if an enemy crosses his path, more likely than not, Jagger’s prepared to run and

hide.

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Hope and Fear (Double Acrostic) - Reid Johnson

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Hope and Fear (Double Acrostic) - Reid Johnson

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He looks at the broken windows, his heart filled with grief;
over the rooftops, the fire's glow mixes with the sunrise.
Perhaps, he says, calming his family's hysteria,
everything isn't a disaster.

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Sometimes I wonder
if things were better back then...
but then I think, "Nope."

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The Bridged Election (One Act Play) - Dale Oldfather

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The Bridged Election (One Act Play) - Dale Oldfather

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Dragon wings spread far

Flying over the forest

A scaly shadow

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When Alex Comes (Terza Rima) - Samia Frank

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When Alex Comes (Terza Rima) - Samia Frank

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Wonderful moments if Alex on my bed sleeps.

Kisses, cuddles, squeezes… before eleven o'clock.

Letters and flowers... as a woman I feel complete.

When Alex comes, no time for music, movie, or TV.

As soon as my body gets burning, he can’t stop.

The sky, the stars, the moon… anything else I want to see!

All things must be off, however, not the clock.

Forever in his arms, I wish I could stay.

“I’ll miss you!”, “I’ll miss you, too!” … and then, what?`

I wish Alex could be right here for long, long nights!

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I am lost; when I look around and see faces of familiar strangers

I am lost; when nothing around me looks the same.

I am lost; when the person in the mirror is not recognized.

Yet, I smile and walk on as if everything is normal

Yet, I trade stories with the people that I’m supposed to know.

Yet, I follow the same path as if I have taken it 1000 times.

I am lost.

I am not happy to see my life drift right by me.

To see myself have no inspiration.

I am not okay with not taking direct charge of my life,

Not allowing myself to win.

Letting everyone take charge and tell me what I am to be,

Not do what I want to do.

Blaming my faults on myself, yet giving power over my success;

I must start again—

I am lost.

I must reclaim the soul that is mine.

I must stand up, take all my lessons and combine

them into something that will make me stronger.

Not anymore letting them hold my immortal soul any longer.

I will stand and overcome my fault

Until it is me… found… not lost.

I must find me.

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Some people are rude

Not to everyone, just me.

Some people think of me different

I’m not really sure why.

I guess they don't think I have feelings

And think I really just don’t care.

I want to say something to them.

Confrontation is my biggest fear.

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Two Beats, Three Beats (Free Verse)- Tia Hazard

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Two Beats, Three Beats (Free Verse)- Tia Hazard

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Two beats, three beats under my feet

Sun beating down, indomitable heat.

Approaching the hurdle, heart skips a beat

Jumping over the mountain, butt out of seat.

On the other side, all four feet meet

Two beats, three beats under my feet.

Feeling relieved, I endured my first fleet

Floating up to the center, I am complete.

Smile and laughter, my pride, not restrained

Red is what I obtain, my heart not ascertained.

Hanging head in embarrassing defeat

Two beats three beats under my feet.

Sparking harder drive in me, no retreat

Jumping, flying no skipping a beat.

Next time I face her, I will be elite!

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Winter's Coming (Free Verse) - Cindy Rogers

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Winter's Coming (Free Verse) - Cindy Rogers

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Intensely the wind blows but I don’t feel a thing,

Because inside my warm home I feel only safe

Looking out the window I know how it feels.

Outside its feels like winter but there's no snow

The rain is like ice, the wind makes it more chill,

If you stayed out overnight you’d come in with frostbite.

I smile because I am inside and I can’t feel a thing,

I can't feel it I can only see it and hear it.

An enjoyable sound when you’re safe in your home.

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I'm tired.

Seriously I haven't slept at all.

I'm wired.

How many days can I go without sleep until I fall?

I’m inquired.

Strangely by a thought so small.

See, I don't even know what I'm saying,

I guess tomorrow for which I will be paying.

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Mankind's Worst Invention (Triolet) - Dale Oldfather

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Mankind's Worst Invention (Triolet) - Dale Oldfather

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The beeping of horns in a car.

This sound annoys me very much.

The screech of horns gives me a scar.

The beeping of horns in a car.

Why people use this is bizarre.

For their voices they need a crutch.

The beeping of horns in a car.

This sound annoys me very much.

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Girl in uniform;
Carrying new textbooks to school,
Guns shoot through classrooms.

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Blind Civilization (Ballad) by Samia Frank

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Blind Civilization (Ballad) by Samia Frank

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I am only able to think
But I’m not able to talk and scream
The tense atmosphere outside is distinct
Rulers and laws were never in good esteem
We’re no longer allowed to follow a dream
Good civilization we were
Smiling and marching as a united team
But it was a long time ago.

Disobedient ones in public are extinct
Adore other leaders is a blaspheme
My brother took the trouble to blink
At a beautiful girl he’s ever seen.
Hunger and thirst never appeared on the screen
Happiness and pleasures they show
My passport will never be green
Maybe we will play on the snow.

The pair of shoes is color pink
Remember we were only able to wear green.
Do you know what you drink?
Tea or coffee - never between
Only conservative ones are clean
Communism is scared though
Children will never be thirteen
Dead bodies on the road- they throw

I’m from North – I’m Justine
Anguish and misery, you don’t know.
Terror and fear, we are between.
Delinquent servants stay on a death row.

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The Blade of Eternity (Free Verse) -Roy Myrick

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The Blade of Eternity (Free Verse) -Roy Myrick

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The Blade of Eternity
Known for its age and charm
Is used for bodily harm

The edge long and sharp, yet shines
Even through the darkness of the night
Only to be used for what’s right

Used by warriors of old
Still cleaned and feels of the cold
As used, apologies never told
But demonstrates a warrior’s strength and bold

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S                   S                S
T                  T               T
E                   E               E
A                 A                A
M               M               M

Coffee is warm, caffeine giving tired college students life.

O.....Oh, robust taste of a well-made brew can help start each day anew.

F..…..Full of flavor, it’s quite hard to compare the sweetness of adding cream.

F.......From the bitterness of black, to various tastes that are found in between.

E.…. Each cup is unique in a way, as are those who partake in the delight.

Espresso and Cappuccino—These thoughts of coffee just feel right.

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Beauty of Nature               (Tanka Haiku) -Autumn Burden

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Beauty of Nature               (Tanka Haiku) -Autumn Burden

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Stunning colored trees
That turn red, orange, and yellow
In the crisp fall air
Surround me as I marvel

In the beauty of nature

This place is my home

Amid the wild, I remain

As free as Nature

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Child Safety (One Act Play) - Kirsten Baker

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Child Safety (One Act Play) - Kirsten Baker

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One Sad Dude (Suessian Poem) - Kirsten Baker

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One Sad Dude (Suessian Poem) - Kirsten Baker

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In a lake,

That’s not fake,

On a rock,

Man will talk.

There’s a dude

In a bad mood.

If you ask,

Prepare to bask.

It’s his toes.

One arose.

Sticking up?

He said, “Yup.”

“What could help?”

the man yelped.

Could some shoes

Help your blues?

Grab a pair.

They’ll fit fair.

He grinned big.

He danced jigs.

The shoe fit,

His toe sits.

There’s one dude

In a good mood.

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Stand Strong (Free Verse) - Sherri O'Connor

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Stand Strong (Free Verse) - Sherri O'Connor

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I stand straight,

Tall as I can,

Shoulders back,

Hands at my sides,

Fingers half-curled round,

Eyes forward,

Feet together,

Slow breathing,

Nerves calm,

Waiting,

I hear the command,

prepare for march,

Unison song,

I sing,
to foot beat.

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For Days and Days (Rondeau) - Garrett Roberts 

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For Days and Days (Rondeau) - Garrett Roberts 

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For days and days, I sit and think.

Of what it’s like to stop and sink.

The water seeps in, it rests at the bottom,

and when I wake up it seems like autumn.

My brain, my lungs no longer in sync.

Everything that I know fades away with each blink.

It seems like forever as I sit here and sink.

I look down to see that I’m no close to the bottom.

For Days and Days.

It’s been ten years since I started to sink,

And now I feel like I’m at the brink.

When I am seconds from the bottom

Everything fades away from autumn.

My last cold thoughts fade away as I sink.

For Days and Days.

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My Oldest Son (Free Verse) - Sherri O'Conner

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My Oldest Son (Free Verse) - Sherri O'Conner

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My heart has held many love songs...

For your brother…

For you sisters…

For your Daddy…

These songs have played in my heart for many years.

With each year,

These songs have made my heart beat stronger;

One song, I knew, was missing.

It was your song.

Your song is what makes all the songs connect.

You are the oldest,

The one with who I will see all the firsts.

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Oh how beautiful and perfect, inside and out she is.

Sweet like candy, she is my favorite flavor.

Writing to her, praying she will get better.

Oh, how beautiful and perfect, inside and out she is.

But why no reply, in return, I have not received her letter.

But every time I see her, it is a taste that I savor.

Oh, how beautiful and perfect, inside and out she is.

Sweet like candy, she is my favorite flavor.

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Gateway to Technology (Free Verse) - Dale Oldfather

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Gateway to Technology (Free Verse) - Dale Oldfather

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A simple black box,

With a screen and some buttons.

Many view it lightly.

To some a tool, but

To others a gateway.

‘A gateway to technology’

Some would say,

‘A gateway to discovery’

Others claim,

But a gateway nonetheless.

A gateway to your home, your car.

A gateway to your literature,

Your photos,

Or even your videos,

But a gateway nonetheless.

A gateway to the solar system,

Or even your simple street.

A gateway to mythology,

Or a land of little myth,

But a gateway nonetheless.

A gateway to the cold frozen North,

And the people around its hearth.

A gateway to your family,

Or friends, both far apart.

But a gateway nonetheless.

‘A gateway’ you ask ‘how can this be?’

‘For all I see is but a simple screen’

A screen, and your key it be,

To the wonderful tree of gateways,

But a gateway nonetheless.

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The Devil's Plan (Folk Tale) - Roy Myrick

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The Devil's Plan (Folk Tale) - Roy Myrick

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Heart on sleeve, not knowing any better, giving her all to just to fall. Life is too short  she whispered, to herself. The beating pounding on hers sleeve starts to slow down. Broken arteries after arteries became frozen inside. Finally after enough disappointment in the soul, she sold it for a heavy price. It was no longer on her sleeve. Now some say she never had a heart, but she knows the truth. She had her feelings on her sleeve.

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Hollow Dreams (Ottava Rima) - Garrett Roberts              

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Hollow Dreams (Ottava Rima) - Garrett Roberts              

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Every day we work and work and never play.

Time we spend working eats away our dreams

During the time that we are working each day

Our dreams disappear as reality screams

Our work that we work on seems like wasted space

So why don’t we stop and work on our dreams

If we don’t work on dreams we will be swallowed

By work that in the end makes us feel hollow

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Crash, bang went the dishes.

Creak, smack went the door.

Coming through we yelled.

Buzz and sizzle went the back.

Welcome to the world of Ruby Tuesday we greeted.
-Smith

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They pick up when you’re down and out.

Color of the sky seem brighter because of them

Turning your fears into dreams.

Pushing you to be the best you can be.

That is what they are for

No matter how far.

No matter where.

Friends are everywhere.

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When you know

that vore means eat,

you will know

that insectivores feed

on grasshoppers, moths, and butterflies,

mosquitoes, bees, and plain-old flies.

When you know

that carni means meat,

you will know

that carnivores eat

snakes and lizards, deer and lamb,

carrion, birds, fish, and ham.

When you know

that herb means plant,

you will know

that herbivores CAN'T

eat anything that moves on a foot,

just foods that spring up from a root.

When you know

that omni means all,

you will know

that omnivores call

Everything

they can suck or chew—

sometimes even me or you—

food.

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Oh trapped and locked, so here I sit.

Without the food, I do not get.

Behind the steel, the bars secure.

Oh why oh why, it’s not so pure?

The other men, they throw a fit.

When I speak up, why do they hit?

How bad I just so want to quit.

10 years I’ll spend, this is for sure.

Oh trapped and locked inside this box.

The years reduced, but just a bit.

5 years instead, I’ll leave this pit.

Oh, but wait this was done by her?

Divorced and done, I thought we were?

Back to the box, I’ll stay with it.

Oh trapped and locked, so here I sit.

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Web Of Lies -           Garrett Roberts 

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Web Of Lies -           Garrett Roberts 

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First you tell one,

Then you’re stuck

In the web

That you made up.

You can’t get out,

You can’t be free,

Your web of lies

Has you beat.