Maia's poem

Maia's poem for the West Roxbury Library Poetry contest.  The theme of the contest this year is "Unexpected."  To get the full impact you really need to hear her read it, with excellent sound effects. 

UNEXPECTED

 

by

 

Maia Frost

 

 

Is it unexpected when bedbugs

Bite you while you’re asleep?

Or monsters jump out of your closet?

Or when  your little brother attacks you from behind?

 

Are those unexpected?

 

Or is it unexpected when you flip a page

And it rips?

Or when you fall out of a tree?

Or when someone asks you if you want a job?

 

Are those unexpected?

 

Is it unexpected when your laptop falls asleep?

Or when your cat comes out of nowhere?

Or when your pencil breaks in half?

 

Are those unexpected?

 

Unexpected

 

Morgan's poem

Morgan received an honorable mention for her age group in the West Roxbury Library Poetry contest for her poem "Namesake."  The theme of the contest this year is "Unexpected."  This is her third year in a row receiving an honorable mention or first place in her age group. 

Namesake

by

Morgana

“You are a clever woman, Morgana. But there is much you have left to learn,”

 Says Merlin.

(Excaliber, 1981.)

Morgana le Fay then replies,

With a sarcastic tone,

“Indeed.”

 

Here, I wonder:

 

Does she truly not believe

That there is no more

For her to learn?

 

Is this truly

The woman

 I was named after?

 

The woman

Who has a starring role in so many books, movies, poems,

Is the same woman

Who does not believe in learning?

 

Merlin,

Ignoring the sarcasm,

Says,

“Indeed.”

Right back at her.

“You have yet to learn…

That true love,

Like true friendship,

Is one of life’s sweetest miracles.”

 

Excaliber ends there, on that dreadful note,

saying that Morgana le Fay

Is oblivious

To the only things worth living for.

 

“You have much you have yet to learn,”

Says Merlin.

 

Is this truly

The woman

 I was named after?

 

I know Merlin’s lesson.

 

Don’t I?