Welcome to the Award Winning Poem page!

Below you will find the winning poems for 2002.

Please note, the children's names will NOT appear on this page with their poems. This is for their protection.

We have made every attempt to guard against plagiarism, but it is becoming very difficult with the widespread use of the internet.  If you believe that a poem has been plagiarized, please let us know.

If you have any questions, concerns, or corrections please e-mail Laurel Indalecio at indaleciol@elpasotexas.gov

¡Bienvenidos a la Página de
Los Ganadores Premiados de Poesía!

Los poemas premiados del año 2002 se
 encuentran listados más abajo.

 Para proteger la privacidad de los niños
participantes, los nombres de los ganadores
han sido omitidos de esta página.

Hemos tratado de tomar todas las precauciones posibles en cuanto a plagio o reproducción ilegal de obras literarias. Sin embargo, se ha vuelto sumamente difícil el combatir esta práctica, especialmente ahora que el uso de la Internet se ha generalizado. Si usted cree o sospecha que uno(s) de los poemas aquí listados ha(n) sido copiado(s), favor de comunicarse con nosotros.

Si tiene alguna pregunta, interés o correcciones, favor de contactar con Laurel Indalecio al indaleciol@elpasotexas.gov.
 

Go Back to Poetry Contest Page  |  Volver a la Página del Concurso de Poesía

Honorable Mentions 2002  |  Menciones Honoríficas 2002

First Grade

Second Grade

Shel Silverstein 

I’m talking about Shel Silverstein,
He was not at all mean.
He was bald, but he didn’t care,
He probably was invited
to all the nice book fairs.
In 1930, he was born,
and now we all mourn.
He died when he was 59.
That took place in 1999.
He was fun.  He was cool.
Believe me he was no fool.
He wrote books like The Giving Tree,
also A Giraffe and a Half.
They all make me laugh.
He was the best, and now he can rest.

Burleson Elementary School
Clardy Fox Library

What is Orange?

What is pink?  Ham is pink.
It will go well with a drink.
What is red?  A strawberry is red.
Oops!  I took one to bed.
What is blue?  A blue jay is blue.
It sings in the morning dew.
What is white?  An angel is white in it’s heaven.
Can make a seven.
What is yellow?  Cheese is yellow.
It will make you a healthy fellow.
What is green?  A tree is green.
It is outside clean.
What is violet?  Grapes are violet.
It is the favorite fruit of a pilot.
What is orange?  A tangerine is orange.
It’s as good as porridge. 

Loma Terrace Elementary School
Lower Valley Library

                  Untitled

It’s Valentine’s Day
and I’m sending your way
a cart filled with hearts and flowers.

It’s my way to say
I love you today
with words as tall as towers. 

Though my words are tall
they stand for all
that I really feel in my soul. 

They won’t bounce like a ball
but they’re strong as a wall
so I’ll shout them from a knoll. 

Alicía Chacón Elementary School
Lower Valley Library

My Mom

My mom is loving and she has a
fantastic smile.
My mom is a wonderful cook and
she never gives me mean looks.
My mom has a nice dress
and she’s never a mess.
My mom is never scared
but she always cares.
My mom likes to sing
and she also likes spring.
My mom doesn’t like cheese
but she likes apple trees.
My mom likes to please.
My mom likes to walk.
My mom likes to talk.
After all, my mom is very special.
Remember to always love and
appreciate your mom.

 Marion Manor Elementary School
Lower Valley Library

           Pumpkin, Pumpkin

Pumpkin, Pumpkin so big and round
you grow so big on the ground. 

Pumpkin, Pumpkin, orange and bright
you’re so pretty with a face of light. 

Pumpkin, Pumpkin, you have no eye
but you taste so good in a pie. 

Pumpkin, Pumpkin, you have big seeds
all toasted and salted you fill my needs.

 Sageland Elementary School
Lower Valley Library

Leaves, Leaves

 Leaves, Leaves,
Oh, I like them so much.
While stepping on them,
I hear them crunch, crunch, crunch.
They keep
falling, falling, falling
from above.
I rake them up
And climb the tree
Jumping, jumping
and saying
Yippy!!

Sageland Elementary School
Lower Valley Library

Colin’s Wish

 I wish there was no war
we’d be better off by far.

 Why don’t we all take time to hug
and then there’ll be no time to drug. 

If we all work toward peace
dying by terror will decrease. 

If children took time to say a prayer
maybe they wouldn’t have time to swear. 

And for people with stress
we will fill them with kindness. 

If everyone would be polite
then maybe they wouldn’t need to fight. 

If we have more sportsmanship
then the world would have more friendship. 

Wouldn’t it be great if here and abroad
that all people would believe in God?

Lindbergh Elementary School
Westside Library

                        Seasons 

I walk outside into the chilly air,
The wind wrapped around my hair.
            I look up at the trees cold and tall,
Their branches reaching for nothing at all.
            Looking down at the soiled land,
I see the limp grass, too tired to stand.
But soon the grass will stand strong and tall,
            And the trees will be happy,
            Unlike in the fall.
So I guess mother Nature has her moods too,
            Just like me and just like you.

Lindberg Elementary School
Westside Library

                 Butterfly 

There is a special butterfly
I want to thank with this poem.
Mrs. Mejia, thank you for making me
what I am now. 

When I came here to this class,
I was just a caterpillar.
Months passed and you helped me
open my wings.
Helped me become a butterfly. 

I’m a butterfly,
although a little bit immature.
What I know is that I’m getting
better every day in every way.

Elfida P. Chavez Elementary School
Irving Schwartz Library

              Ocean Wonder 
 

Waves and tides are always seen
corals of purple, orange, green
rainbows of fish in a watery sky
sharks and whales sort of fly
down in the humungous deep, blue ocean
eels and fish swim smoothly in a perfect motion
but what I have wondered about our earth
are creatures of a different life
strange beasts swim with a life of no worth
some may be huge, big, probably tall
some may be tiny, little, and really small
strange lights, ugly teeth, an attitude tense
give that a creature a fearful appearance
deadly fish deep in the water give me a fright
for precious food these creatures will fight
many wonders I have of our sea
deep down in dark blackness where you can’t see.

Del Norte Heights Elementary School
Lower Valley Library

Daddy, Daddy

Daddy, Daddy why did you have to go away?
Why did you have to go away?
Why couldn’t you stay just one more day?
One more day to laugh and play.
The rain has come, there’s no more sun.
Daddy, Daddy why did you have to go away?
Why not just one more day?
Daddy, Daddy I miss your touch,
I miss your voice,
I miss your laugh.
Daddy, Daddy I want you back!
I want you back right now!
When I lay in bed at night,
I open the curtains and the drapes,
through
the bars I see the stars.
All of a sudden flash,
through the night sky I see a shooting star,
I make a wish!
I wish, and wish, and wish
so hard that daddy
you will come back!

Our Lady of Assumption
Memorial Park Library

                         Pizza

Chewy, cheesy, tasty you see,
full of grease and love for me.
Tomato sauce, juicy and red,
makes me full and ready for bed!
I like to eat it everyday,
the smell and taste makes me fly away.
Crunch and munch an entire bunch,
I love to have you for my lunch. 

Pizza, pizza everywhere, get it here, get it there.
Get it at a restaurant or a store,
have them bring it, eat some more!
Eat it in, eat it out, that is what it’s all about.

Dominoes, Papa John’s, Pizza Hut,
let me eat it like King Tut.
Pizza delivery, boy that’s great,
I’m always happy when they’re not late! 

Thank you for reading this pizza poem,
I hope you have some when you get home.

El Paso Jewish Academy
Westside Library

                 Long Lost Star 

You were in my heart for a long, long time
You were here in my life all the time
You loved me and I loved you
Memories come and remind me of you.

When I was just a little girl
You always played with me
And even made me cry
But I never will deny that I really love you.

Every time I see the first star
It reminds me of you
And all of the good times we had
Loving and caring for each other.

Seeing the first star makes me
Think and believe you’re
Here right by my side
I will never forget you my wonderful brother.

Seeing the pictures in my room of you
Makes me remember of being
At the football games
How I enjoyed watching you. 

Seeing you direct the marching band
Always being the first one to come out
Just like the first star to come out
That will always be in my heart……. 

Reminding me that you’re with me.

 LeBarron Park Elementary School
Ysleta Library

           
 Poem was removed due to plagiarism. 06/26/04
 

 Friendship 

It’s the thing that makes your life worth living
The one object you can count on day after day
It’s like going to the mall and having a pizza
Or writing notes during class
You don’t need a paper or a judge to say it’s there
And you don’t need to tell the world that you have it
Cause it’s not to make you popular or cool
Or to make you pretty and smart
It’s there because it wants to, not because it has to
It’s to be treated sacredly, not like a toy
Because once it falls and breaks,
it might never be repaired.

Hornedo Middle School
Westside Library

      Untitled

We fight; we say

Harsh words to each
Other, but when our
Nation is hurt by
Another, we all come
Together with peace
And harmony for
One another.  Does our
Nation have to be tormented

Just so we can get along?
Or do we just hide it
Deep within ourselves?
I think we can

Have peace all across
Our Nation without
Someone hurting us first.
Don’t you?

 Indian Ridge Middle School
Irving Schwartz Library

This is for my grandpa Jose Uriel S.  R.I.P. July 14, 2000

Grandpa, where you are is like a fairy tale.
As Judy Garland said, it is
“somewhere over the rainbow.”
When you get there it’s like you can’t breath.
Mystic waterfalls are falling, busy bees are buzzing,
and humming birds are humming.
As you walk every step in the blue sky,
it is like a magical dream and you don’t want to wake up.
Then all of a sudden, the person you’ve been waiting
your whole life to see is there; God.
His arms open to welcome you.
You feel so over whelmed as you keep walking.
But it is only a dream for me, that I have yet to see.
Lucky for you, you are there and happy without pain.
I shall miss you and pray, everyday.
As the sun goes down, and the stars go up,
I will look for your smile.
I’ll wait forever if I have to, to see you again in heaven.
I will love you forever and always.
Adios abuelito, adios

Hornedo Middle School
Westside Branch

Violin

 The gorgeous antique violin whispers in the
whispering wind.

 It plays mezzo forte as the crystal, clear rose
closes its beautiful petals in the sunset sky.

As the loud, dark, enormous, threatening sky
thunders, the antique violin plays ff as loud
as the thunder.

 It plays Beethoven as the spring whispers in
the baby blue sky.

Hornedo Middle School
Westside Library 

             An Extraordinary Man

He rushed from his desk after hearing the call
Drove through the streets to see his new doll
Arriving on the right floor
Pushed through the doors
There sleeping on the bed near
Was his new precious baby so dear

Through the years he held my hand
And helped me up when I could not stand
Stories before I would fall asleep
And a comforting word when I would weep
After a day in the office he would come home
I would sit on his lap, through my hair with his fingers he’d comb

All week I would wait for the weekend to come
We would work in the yard making flowers blossom
After a hard day of work in the yard
We would drive to eat burgers for a big reward
Sunday mornings we went to church and Sunday school
Then Mondays I went back to carpool

In the evenings together we would play basketball
Or toss around a football
Play Barbie on the floor we would
Or go camping in the woods
I respected my dad
And so did all the friends he had

He rode by my side as I learned how to peddle
But he is the one who deserved the medal
You see, what for most dads seems ordinary
Makes this man extraordinary
He has learned to bear
Living life in a wheelchair

 Lincoln Middle School
Westside Library

Warm Affection

 Sometimes I think
My Mother doesn’t care.
What should I do?
When I know she isn’t fair.
I really work hard to be the best in school.
But when she sees my grades,
I’m just another fool.
I know I’m lazy
And I could do more.
I will do better because that was before.
By misbehaving I only get her attention, 
When all I really want
Is her warm affection.

Our Lady of Assumption
Memorial Park Library

Two-Socks

 He came to me on a summer’s day,
On his way to an auction, a throwaway.
He tuned and looked, and I knew then,
He came to me to be my friend.

 He came to me, old and worn.
Ragged hair and hooves were torn,
But I saw in his eyes, a heart of gold,
He came to me, worn and old.

 He came to me, he needed mending,
So much to do, there’s no pretending,
But he told me something from deep inside,
He came to me so I could ride. 

He came to me, he knew I would,
Take care of him, do all I could.
A warm stall, sweet hay, a vet, and care.
He came to me to be repaired. 

He came to me, and over time,
His eyes grew bright, his hair grew fine.
His hooves and legs grew ever strong,
He came to me, a friends, lifelong.

 He came to me one summer’s day,
Even though he was a throwaway,
With love and care, we’ve made a team,
The heart of gold that I had seen.

Lincoln Middle School
Westside Library

My Babe is a hot streaming ride.
A hot steaming ride that is yellow.
A ride with yellow color and 18” chrome wheels.
Chrome wheels with ground effects on my babe.
Ground effects with a loud roaring engine with 800 horses.
800 horses with a hot steaming exhaust
racing against the wind.
Racing against the wind with red flames against
my hot steaming babe.
Sitting inside my yellow babe
with black leather hugging my back.
Sitting back on black leather shifting the carbon fiber knob.
While shifting my carbon fiber knob
and pressing on my racing pedals,
I’m racing thru the midnight cruising in my yellow babe.

Hanks High School
Irving Schwartz Library

My chosen friends thought at school
He must grow a famous man
I thought the same way,
All my hard work must not go to waste
So I worked as hard as I can

Everything I worked for
After playing baseball for 15 years, 
Sufficient games came to my need
Friends tell me after the game
“Good job”, “Nice homerun”

All of my dreams are coming true
As I come home I hear the phone
“ring, ring, ring”
As I let it ring one more time
I got nervous

As my mom answers the phone
She stares
I see a little tear come down
I think “Oh man”

 As I see her hang up the phone
She says, Guess what?
You made it!

Hanks High School
Irving Schwartz Library

In the darkness of my room
I sit and think of days long past
Days filled with happiness and laughter
Days that could never be brought back

In the comfort of my room
I wallow in my self-pity
And dream of the future
The future that looks so bright compared to the present

In the stillness of my room
Deprived of the one thing that made me happy
I fall deeper into the darkness of depression
Finding it harder everyday to climb back out

In the warmth of my room
I fear to venture beyond my door
Into the coldness of the house I should call home
Afraid the harsh words that await me

 In the solitude of my room
I feel safe to dream as I please
To dream of my lost happiness, my present gloom
And my beautiful future

In the refuge of my room

 Silva Magnet
Clardy Fox Library

Sorry, there were no 10th Grade English language entries this year.

This woman went through nine months of pain.
This woman has gone through a lot of years
helping me and always being there for me.
This woman has done all she can to make
my life happy and worthwhile.
This woman has taught me right from wrong.
But what have I given her?
I’ve given her screams.
I’ve given her anger.
I’ve given her help.
and most of all, I’ve given her love,
even though I don’t show it.
Both of us have gone through a lot of stuff together,
both good and bad.
I have reproached her that she only cares about my brother,
that she doesn’t consider me,
that she’s always there for him than for me.
But besides all this, 
I know that this woman has always
and will always be there for me when I need her the most.
I know I love this woman.
This woman is
                       My
                              Mother

Dedicated to my mother Celia R.

 Bowie High School
Armijo Library

A Lost Love

 In scripting letters of your name
Distinctly to my soul
Distinctly to me
Showing I once loved
And the very love
Shall never be sought
Cause still you’ve got me caught
By your thorn trees that won’t unhand me

 Or maybe it’s just me
Hanging on to that unparalleled world that
We once clutched in our hands
And now I condescend myself lower
than the tears that won’t fade
Lower than anything that won’t evade

 So the story will be left untold
Of the time you buried my soul
Deep into the oceans depth
And left me there, not so whole

 Jefferson High School
Clardy Fox Library

In My Room

 I sit alone; so empty so lonely  
thinking of you every minute of the day,  
in this summer’s May.  
I sit and remember what we share  
and think of times when I caress your hair.  
Other times I sit and laugh,  
and desire the love you have.  
I sit and dream of your love,  
and thank God for the gift above.  
I sit and stare at the summer’s night  
hoping that you will guide me with your light.  
I sit in fear and try to forget  
the day you won’t be near.  
But yet all I can do is  
sit and cry; cry a tear  
for every second you’re not here.

      Befuddled

Denial runs through my veins
Waiting in vain
Hoping someday
He will come to stay.

Wondering if by pressure
He was forced away
Or maybe for pleasure
He went his own way.

Knowing he made his decision
By his own intuition
Knowing he wasn’t forced
He should feel remorse 

I can’t say I love him
Because I don’t know him
Sometimes I curse his name
He should feel shame

I can’t say it’s hate
Because it’s never too late
For me to call him father
And for him to call me daughter

Bowie High School
Armijo Library

What Do I See

 When I look into the mirror,
I see a very young sophisticated woman,
Full of confidence and ambitions,
Ready to take on the future. 

I see light brown eyes that twinkle with dreams,
Determination to reach for the stars,
The desire to obtain set goals.

 I see a person with several emotions,
Fear, hope, frustration, content,
And so many more that come with each day.

I see a bright smile,
Filled with laughter and joy,
Full of surprises. 

I see weakness,
So many obstacles that stand in the way,
Fear of failure.

 I see a daughter,
A student to later become a teacher,
A future leader. 

I see what I am,
Who I want to be

Hanks High School
Irving Schwartz Library

                         My Valentine 

If you asked me a year ago if I’d be here today,
I would say no and plainly go on my way
But you took me by surprise and filled my life with love,
Like a beautiful angel that fell from above.

Everyday I wonder how you and I came to be,
Because we are so different, You’re you and I’m me,
But these differences can only make our love worthwhile,
It will grow and deepen even more than the Nile.

When you told me you loved me, my heart skipped a beat,
As if someone took the floor from beneath my feet.
When you whisper into my ear and kiss me ever so lightly,
I wait for the moment when you will hold me so tightly.

You know what I’m thinking; you can read me like a book,
I don’t have to say anything, you know by my look.
I can tell you something not true and you know that I’m lying,
You can even tell all the times that I was crying.

I love you with all my heart, no lie,
If you ever took your love away I, for sure, would die.
So please say you love me once more today,
Because it is the day we celebrate our first Valentine’s Day.

Hanks High School
Irving Schwartz Library

Mi Mamá

 Mi mamá es bella, limpia y hermosa.
Ella es como un corazón que me llama
la atención cuando la veo.
Mi mamá también es como una rosa
muy hermosa, como un corazón luciendo dentro de mí.
A ella nunca la puedo quitar de mi mente
me gusta como se siente.
Cuando yo la miro, cuando la huelo
yo veo su cuerpo tan lindo y hermoso
que se siente como un mar precioso.

Thomas Manor Elementary School
Lower Valley Library

                      Kimberly

Kimberly es una niña hermosa, preciosa.
Ella ayuda, es amigable, escribe bonito.
Todos los días trabaja rápido.
Ella cuenta los números hasta cien.
Y va a los centros muy bien.
Cuando viene de casa a la escuela
ella se peina de colita o con su pelo suelto.
Como sea, siempre se ve bonita.
Ella es mi amiga preferida de todo el mundo.
Ella es Kimberly.

Thomas Manor Elementary School
Lower Valley Library

Papá y Mamá

Mi papá y mi mamá, son los papás
más hermosos de mi vida,
guapos, buenos, responsables, fantásticos y cariñosos.
En este poema quiero agradecerles lo bueno,
hermosos que son y que me recuerdan una canción.

Thomas Manor Elementary School
Lower Valley Library

Amor

Amor describe al corazón.
Amor dice lo que tú sientes por dentro.
Amor demuestra todo lo que gusta.
El amor puede estar en todas partes y con la paz.
Así todas las personas se amarán. 

Amor es más que gusto.
Amor es felicidad.
Amor es respecto.
Amor es bondad.
El amor puede estar en todas partes y
en todas las personas.
Así todas las personas se amarán.

Mesita Elementary School
Main Library

Un berrinche
es como un
carro se
descomponey
no camina.

Aoy Elementary School
Armijo Library

Amistad

 Amistad es
como un bombero
rescata y ayuda.

 Aoy Elementary School
Armijo Library

Mi Estrella

Yo quiero que mi estrella
sea como un pedacito de cristal.
Que me baile
cuando yo estoy triste.

 Yo quiero que mi estrella
pueda cantar
que no solo sea una estrella
que nada más pueda brillar.

 Yo quiero que mi estrella
brille tan fuerte como diamante
que cante tan fuerte
como un cantante.

Mesita Elementary School
Main Library

Delfines

 Los delfines son
maravillosos animales del mar
Saben cantar, brincar, y nadar;
viven en el oceáno.

 Los delfines tienen
muy buena mente,
son listos
y muy inteligentes.

Los delfines tienen
el cuerpo largo y gris
y con una sonrisa
debajo de la nariz.

 Los delfines
 me gustan tanto
que quiero uno
para mi santo.

Mesita Elementary School
Main Library

El Cielo 

El cielo es muy hermoso
El cielo tiene pájaros
El cielo tiene nubes.
Las nubes se ven a veces
como osos enormes

 Cuando yo veo el cielo
yo veo un cielo azul
como el agua.
Cuando el cielo es negro,
yo tengo miedo

 El cielo es de un color
azul maravilloso.
El cielo es
lo más inmenso de
todo el universo

Mesita Elementary School
Main Library

         Aquel Caracol

Aquel caracol que va por el sol
en cada ramita lleva una flor.
Que viva la rana, que
viva el amor.
Que viva el pez debajo del mar
en cada lugar lleva un hogar.
Aquella tortuga que va por el mar
lleva en su  concha un gran calamar.
Esa hormiga que va por la tierra
lleva un pan detrás de la piedra.
Que viva la vida
de aquellos animals. 
 

Rusk Elementary School
Memorial Park Library

                Querida Mamá

Mami tú eres hermosa como un girasol
Amarillo, lleno de luz y color,
Renacido con ternura y comprensión,
Inteligente, fuerte y valiente,
Amiga y estupenda persona.

Llenas mi corazón día con día de alegría,
Usas tu amor para acabar lo malo,
Inicias una nueva vida.
Siempre daré gracias a nuestro Señor por tener una
      gran madre como tú,
Adorada y querida con tanta bondad.

 Alicia R. Chacón Elementary School
Lower Valley Library

A Mis Padres

 Hoy los miré con los mismos ojos
que ustedes  me miraron a mí,
cuando yo era un bebé.

 Tú, papa, eres un brillante ejemplo
de lo que puede ser un padre,
tu sabiduría, tu sencillez, tus experiencias,
me siento tan orgullosa de tí. 

Tú, mamá que tratas siempre de darme
una visión sobre las cosas más importantes
de la vida para que mi vida sea tan felíz,
siempre me enseñas a ser buena
 y servicial con los demás,
a que haga amistad con gente buena y respete
a mis mayores,
y a seguir mis propios valores.

 Ustedes me han educado con libertad
para perseguir mis propios deseos,
al tiempo que comparto mis experiencias con ustedes.
Me he dado cuenta que el amor es la fuente del éxito.

 Gracias Dios mío por todo lo que me das,
gracias por ser lo más grande que tengo en la vida.
Sin ti nada es perfecto, no es possible,
quiero gritar por el mundo anunciando tu nombre,
quiero decirle a mis hermanas que tú eres bondad
y que gracias a ti tengo una gran familia,
sólo en ti está toda la verdad.

Our Lady of Assumption School
Memorial Park Library

El Buitre 

El buitre…un pajarraco,
Comiendo carne verde,
agusanada,
podrida, maloliente,
Vagando por los cielos,
No casa su presa
Espera limosnas, las
sobras de otros,
Vulgar ratero!

 North Loop Elementary School
Lower Valley Library

Amistad

La  amistad es my hermosa
 mejor dicho maravillosa,
pobres o ricos pueden ser mis amigos
para llevarnos bien
aunque a veces también
digamos cosas y nos enojemos
pero al ratito nos contentemos.

 La amistad para todo es fundamental
y siempre tan especial
los buenos amigos enfermos o sanos
pero siempre juntos de las manos.

La amistad es compartir
para poder convivir,
doy gracias a la vida
por todos mis amigos
que me dan tanta alegría.

 Mesita Elementary School
Main Library