Merry Days

Nishtha Baranwal, 18
New York

It’s just the type of thing that gives you that excited itch,

Oreos are not everyone’s favorites, nor everyone’s wish.

Candy canes and home-baked cookies are all the rage for these seasonal days,

in November, December, and January, most festivities are on display,

day after day, after day—wishing you a jolly, lovely holiday!

After seeing friends, family, and enemies too,

everyone becomes buddies and that includes you!

So, please send me a holiday card and say that you too

see the brightness of the season and know the spirit is true.

On Mary Lou’s Lap

Taylor Rains, 13
Pennsylvania

At my grandma’s house
one Christmas Eve
the ground covered in snow,
my sister and I
sit in our room
trying to pass the time.

We run to the adults,
“Mary Lou! Mary Lou!
Tell us a story!”

She would always say yes
and scoop us onto her lap.

The story was called
“The Candy Castle.”
The two beautiful princesses
were named after my sister and I.

We were entranced by the story
of witches and magic;
she told it so well.
And even today,
as I am older,
I will always remember the days
on Mary Lou’s lap.

.

Journey to Another Year

Olamide Orebamjo, 14
Maryland

As the New Year comes in,
I replay all the events of the year,
thinking about all the decisions I’ve made
and how they have affected me.

In the past year,
I’ve gone down many treacherous roads,
and fought many battles—
some of which I have won,
the others, lost.

From my losses,
I’ve gained insight and learned from my mistakes.
I’ve matured both mentally and emotionally.
I’ve learned to control my feelings.

I’ve had times
when I felt there was nothing to live for.
I’ve overcome some
of the many fears that I had.

I still have things in my life
that I want to try and change,
but I take it step by step,
day by day.

The best thing of all
is that I’m here
—seeing, breathing, living—
to go through
another journey of another year.

Artwork by April Whitlow, 19, Missouri

A Christmas World

Eileen Mercurio, 13
New York

The air
crisp and cold
renewing in its bite

The trees a frosted brown
a warm glow of winter sun upon their branches
a stiffness of cold set upon their bows

The house warm and glowing
lit with an air of quiet and comfort
covered in a blanket of snow
protecting those inside from the chilling air

The food inside
warm
good

The scent alluring
comforting
entertaining

The house is a pocket of Christmas
set in a snowy white world
a warm beacon of happiness
in a cool world of silent snow

The snow
silent
cold
quiet

So quiet one is hushed by its silence
weighted by its cool fluffy allure
ensconced* in its freezing warmth
pulling you into a snowy winter state of mind

The air
swirling
grabbing
twisting
unfurling
the snow of winter
upon a quiet Christmas world

*Ensconced : to settle securely or snugly.

The Christmas Gift

Artwork by April Whitlow, 19, Missouri

Roberta Guillory
Louisiana

The Christmas lights
shone bright that night
and your eyes were sparkling
with all their might.

And when I looked up
and saw an angel
atop my tree
somehow I knew
she was watching
over you and me.

And when the snow fell
on Christmas day,
I saw your face
in every snowflake.

As marvelous as my gifts were
I really didn’t care
because none of them
could ever compare
to the gift of love
you always share.