1 Preface For twenty-five years the El Paso Public Library has held a

 Acknowledgments Preface Youth Services Main Library – Anna Hernandez, Rebecca Gutierrez, Gilbert Pulido, Robert Escamilla Jr., Carmen Martell Armijo Library – Diana Leyva Bookmobile – Norma Orozco Clardy Fox Library – Edward Vazquez, Angie Valero Dorris Van Doren Library – Leslie Guinto, Angie Garcia, Sara Puentes Esperanza Acosta Moreno Library – Elizabeth Varela Irving Schwartz Library – Irene Rodriguez, Priscilla Simpson, Carolina Muñoz José Cisneros Cielo Vista Library – Derek Najera, Erika Fibela Judge Marquez Library – Gloria Frausto, Irma McCabe Memorial Park – Rosalva Martinez Richard Burges Library – Maria Maese, Elizabeth Patterson, Virginia Lopez Sergio Troncoso Ysleta Library – Deborah Alvidrez, Martha Molinar Westside Library – Conrad Orozco, Anna Jimenez, James Hernandez Patricia Hernández, Youth and Family Services Coordinator For twenty‐five years the El Paso Public Library has held a yearly celebration of poetry. This year 1130 children participated in the Annual Children’s Poetry Contest. The El Paso Public Library thanks each participant for their willingness to share their emotions, experiences and ideas with our judging committee. This collection of poems is dedicated to our award winning poets and to the librarians, teachers and parents who support these talented young writers. Judges Elena Baeza Susan Barnum Dee Cameron Ernestina Camp Francisco Carrasco Mariaelena de la Rosa Jack Galindo Kerry Ann Gardner Vicky Hewitt Maria Maese Daniel Mascorro Jennifer Montes Derek Najera Mike Pitterman Adrian Rivera Special thanks to: Dionne Mack – Director of Libraries Mark Pumphrey – Assistant Director of Libraries Ernesto Hernandez – El Paso Public Library Printing David Tarin – El Paso Public Library Printing Elvia Logan – Accounting Payroll/Administrative Assistant Jack Galindo – Marketing and Customer Relations Coordinator Library Branch Managers Main Library Department Heads 2 1 Trees Trees, trees, apple trees, I see red, I see green, Shiny yummy, tasty apples Can I have some samples? Crunchy juicy, sweet, Makes me want to jump Out of my seat! Kristin Cienna Padilla First Place First Grade, Vilas Elementary Main Library Children’s Department Cookies Cookies, cookies, cookies, Chocolate chip, oatmeal‐raisin, Peanut butter, sugar. Mommy makes the best. Crispy, chewy, gooey, Yum, yum, yum, Mommy makes the best. Camille Haluschak Second Place First Grade, Homeschool Dorris Van Doren Library Imaginarium The best place on earth Is most definitely not on the hearth The best place is cool Did you guess? It’s my school! In Imaginarium 217 We like to keep the classroom clean. The class is as bright as the sun Now it’s time to have some fun! When we come we always roar But when we go we come no more. We all love to read And try to lead. We all love Spanish, it’s the best It’s the best in the whole wide west. Boom, bam, it’s time to go! We all hang our heads really low. Alison Varela First Place Second Grade, Mesita Elementary Main Library Children’s Department 3 4 Cobra Haiku Poison king cobra Hides in the reeds watching prey Jumps out and grabs it. Donovan Reilly Second Place Second Grade, Homeschool Richard Burges Library Love Love is dark pink It sounds like children laughing on the playground It smells like sand after a rainy afternoon It tastes like hot chocolate with marshmallows Love is like your mother giving you a big cozy hug Alexa Alcantar First Place Third Grade, Mesita Elementary Main Library Children’s Department 5 6 Magical Skateboard I have a magical skateboard It can fly all the way to space Even with an elephant riding it It can go anyplace. It may look like a cartoon But it’s not, don’t get mad Everybody will get a turn So don’t get sad. It will be fun It will be a wild ride It will go fast and slow So don’t hide. If you look up you may see me Flying up ahead Maybe you will maybe not Probably before bed. Paco Intebi Second Place Third Grade, Mesita Elementary Main Library Children’s Department
Imagination Where dragons glide, and centaurs stride, Where unicorns roam, and none are alone, Where kingdoms thrive, and gargoyles are alive, Where you’re number one, and the fun is never done, Where everything you imagine, comes to be, in your imagination, just come with me! Donny Gillis First Place Fourth Grade, Dr. Green Elementary Westside Library 7 8 I Love My Dog I love my dog he loves the fog He likes to play but he usually naps all day he chased a cat which was chasing a rat My dog is crazy and her name is Daisy. Madelyn Motz Second Place Fourth Grade, Lujan Chavez Elementary Esperanza Acosta Moreno Library Art and Math Art is like spring Blossoming with beautiful and colorful flowers and trees. But math is like winter Freezing your mind when you try to think how to solve a problem. Art is like the Easter Bunny Coloring the grass with vibrant colored confetti and eggs after the Easter egg hunt. Math is like a cheetah Chasing its prey fast and furious with a desire to bite. Art is like a watermelon Refreshing my thirst and taste buds with its cool sweetness. But math is like a jalapeño Fiercely burning your mouth all the way up to your brain. Dante Meza First Place Fifth Grade, Western Hills Elementary Westside Library 9 10 Trouble in Paradise I am a child of divorce I have a good life, so don’t feel remorse. Don’t sit back and feel sorry for me, Because both of my parents love us, Unconditionally. There are pros and cons to living this life. I think it’s a little too early for my dad to find a new wife. One positive thing that I can say, Is that my sister and I are “Okay”. There are different rules, Whichever house I’m at. The most important rule is to never be a brat. When it comes to choosing my clothes to stay at my Dad’s, Well, I sometimes forget some stuff, And hope he doesn’t get mad. Sometimes my mind wanders On how things could be. Now that they are separated, Everything revolves around me. 11 12 I’ve come to realize that this Is my destiny With both parents’ love, I will grow Up properly. Thank you again for loving me And doing what’s right. I will always love you with all my Might. Julissa Rose Garcia Second Place Fifth Grade, Vista del Sol Elementary Irving Schwartz Library Gone I remember sitting there, Sitting there minding my own business I remember seeing all these girls, These girls staring and laughing Laughing at me, so I listened I listened and heard, I heard these words, These words that were just so cruel, So cruel that I just wanted to run away and cry So I ran, I ran to the restroom, The restroom that I entered, I entered crying, Crying, but then I smelled something, Something so sweet and fruity, So fruity, almost like what all those girls smelled like So I looked up, I looked up and saw, I saw those girls, laughing at me even more, Even more because I was crying, Crying I ran, I ran further and further, Until I was alone I sat in a corner 14 13 A corner so dark So dark and so cold I sat there, Trying to clear my mind, My mind from what all those girls had said, But I couldn’t, I couldn’t clear my mind, My mind was mimicking me, Mimicking me from what all those girls had said, So I began to cry, To cry and to shake, To shake with fear Fear of not being able to stop, To stop crying I wished, I wished I could just be gone Eventually I stopped to cry, To cry and to breathe I cried until no more, No more tears, No more air I was finally gone, Gone forever Olivia Abney First Place Sixth Grade, Morehead Middle School Westside Library Mother Earth Earth is our mother She breathes and survives Like a growing baby Slowly shifting in the darkness Of the universe The earth is our mother Who we must love and respect Like the elders in our life, For one day she too will die Like a dear grandparent The earth is our mother She takes good care of Us like a mother who cradles her children Stop, and listen to her For she is speaking, silently, sweetly The earth is our mother So honor and respect her For the rest of your life So that she may live For the rest of hers Roma Valles Second Place Sixth Grade, Morehead Middle School Westside Library 15 16 Matemáticas A mí me gustan las matemáticas, pues hago muchas sumas, y también restas, y juego con las figuras geométricas. A mí me gustan las matemáticas, pues puedo hacer multiplicación, y también división, cantando una canción. Salomón Olvera Primer Lugar First Grade, Mesita Elementary Main Library Children’s Department 17 18 Mi Abuelita Mi abuelita es muy bonita, y no esta viejita, pero si esta chiquita. A mi abuelita le gusta el mole, y dice ole, ole, cuando come pozole. Mi abuelita no usa lentes y se enoja cuando mientes y casi te come con los dientes. Mi abuelita es la mejor y por eso le doy mucho amor. Valeria Medina Segundo Lugar First Grade, Mesita Elementary Main Library Children’s Department Mariposa Mi mamá es mariposa Amo las mariposas Ria se llama la mariposa Importantes las mariposas Pinta de la mariposa Ojos de mariposa Saca saca mariposa Amorosa mariposa Elena Guillen Primer Lugar Second Grade, Cooley Elementary Clardy Fox Library 19 20 Mi Hermano Me Hace Reír Mi hermano me hace reír su sonrisa me contagia, hace mi corazón latir y se llena de magia. Cuando es bondadoso, veo que crece, me siento orgulloso y mi amor por el nace. Elsa Sofia González Segundo Lugar Second Grade, Ibero Academy Dorris Van Doren Library La Lluvia La lluvia cae en el desierto, hoy me gusta ver gotas en la ventana, me canso del sol caliente. Me quema la piel y mis ojos también, Pero hoy salieron las nubes, y tapan las montañas como una cobija; recuerdo el sentir de mi cama como una nube acobijadita. Benjamin Ontiveros Primer Lugar Third Grade, Mesita Elementary Main Library Children’s Department 21 22 Sueños Tengo muchos sueños y yo soy el dueño. Uno de mis sueños es ser famoso porque estoy hermoso. Quiero ser un actor porque te dan mucho amor. Quiero ser un triatleta para usar la bicicleta. Quiero ser un piloto y volar un avión llamado El Soto. Quiero ser un jugador de futbol, pero no quiero correr como un caracol. Quiero ser un corredor no un patinador. Quiero ir surfeando, no patinando. Luke Lawhon Segundo Lugar Third Grade, Mesita Elementary Main Library Children’s Department Animales Animales corren libres, en el césped suave duermen. Pelaje, pluma, y dientes. Seres lindos y terribles. Ellos pueden ser muy dulces Y a veces abusadores. Unos son encantadores pero otros son agridulces. De la vida van a muerte, Felices están en tu mente, y allí te cuidan siempre. Desde allí te hacen fuerte. Animales, animales en mi mente. Fátima Torres Primer Lugar Fourth Grade, Mesita Elementary Main Library Children’s Department 23 24 Mamá o Mamá Mamá eres la mejor tú sabes que te tengo mucho amor Mi corazón late como un tambor Y exploto cada vez que me dices mi amor. Cuando me levantas al amanecer no puedo esperar hasta atardecer Para correr hacia tus bracitos y me hagas cariñitos. Cuando yo estaba chiquita me tenías en tu pancita Yo era tu favorita Porque yo era pequeñita. Giselle Castañeda Segundo Lugar Fourth Grade, Vilas Elementary Main Library Children’s Department Primas Las extraño mucho, No sé si ustedes a mi∙ Hay un conflicto, Lo quiero arreglar∙ Apenas tengo once, Una 18 y la otra 15∙ Las quiero mucho, ¿Si las vuelvo a ver, ustedes me van a querer? Parecen 100 años, Desde que las vi∙ Explíquenme por qué, Todo tiene que ser así∙ Las quiero mucho, No sé si ustedes a mí∙ Siempre estaré ahí para ustedes, Pero, ¿ustedes estarán ahí para mí? Kristel Cruger Ochoa Primer Lugar Fifth Grade, Mesita Elementary Main Library Children’s Department 25 26 Abuelita Abuelita, abuelita siempre pienso en ti pues siempre me haces reir. que hasta mis deditos del pie lo pueden sentir. Abuelita, abuelita tú me das mucho gozo que hasta en mi codo lo siento un poco. Abuelita, abuelita siempre estás en mi mente pues yo para ti soy un pendiente pero aun así siempre estoy en tu mente. Abuelita, abuelita cuando te busco encuentro no más tu sonrisa dorada y para mí nunca estas cansada. Abuelita, abuelita si te pido, ”llevarme a la alberca.” Tú me pides invitas un lago con la manguera por eso digo que tú no eres de esta era. 28 27 Abuelita, abuelita si te pido que me lleves a viajar tú me has de llevar pero leyendo un libro pues tu dices el leer te hace conocer. Abuelita, abuelita si yo estoy triste, porque mi cumpleaños no está aquí de seguro tu me harás un pastel solo para mí. Abuelita, abuelita tu amor me hace sentir que soy la dueña del mundo pues tu amor es un tesoro que no tiene fin. Abuelita, abuelita lo importante es que tu amor siempre está allí y mi recuerdo más hermoso eres tu junto a mi pues siempre estás aquí. Diana Sofia López Segundo Lugar Fifth Grade, Mesita Elementary Main Library Children’s Department Mi Gran Familia Tengo una familia, Muy unida, Que come mucha comida, Que siempre está en la cocina, Haciendo mi comida favorita. La familia comelona, Come muchas tortas Con carne y soda Y algunas veces con sopa Y otras veces con carne asada Preparando muchas ensaladas. Javier Márquez Primer Lugar Sixth Grade, Morehead Middle School Westside Library 29 30 Mi Abuelito Abuelo, yo se que estas aquí conmigo, pero no te puedo ver. Vives en un lugar más mejor del mundo en donde no tienes que estar preocupado por nada. Te extraño y quiero con todo mi corazón. Mariana Retana Segundo Lugar Sixth Grade, Morehead Middle School Westside Library Seguidilla para mi abuelita (Ella) Ella es muy bonita. Amo su olor. Ella es rosa fresca. Es ruiseñor. Me encanta su amor. Ella es encanto. Su estilo es solo de ella. La quiero tanto. Para siempre, se fue. No volverá. Siempre estará conmigo. Ella es mi abuela. Alejandra Lagunes Honorable Mention Fourth Grade, Mesita Elementary Main Library Children’s Department 31 32 Books are fun for you to read, They have everything that you need. They have things to learn about a place, Books are exciting you can learn about space. Books are funny they make me laugh, Books tell you about your calf. Books have a lot of nouns, Books make you happy, so no more frowns! Nikhil Haribhai Honorable Mention First Grade, Mesita Elementary Main Library Clothes I had to take a load, A basket full of clothes, Smelled yucky and old, The bleach smelled like a rose. It’s darker than coal, It was odious. The washer took a stroll, Gave up and never came back. Laurie Martinez Honorable Mention Fifth Grade, Cooley Elementary Clardy Fox Library King There once was a king who would sing, And he had a great diamond ring. And he had a cat, Who would wear a hat, But he did not like the king’s bling. Frida Peña Honorable Mention Fourth Grade, Cooley Elementary Clardy Fox Library 33 34 My Mother Your sweet voice that loves me Your loving and caring heart Your beautiful eyes Makes me love you so much Your sensitive side Your generous heart Makes me love you The tears I’ve cried The tears I hide Is what makes me love you The kisses you give The life you live Is what makes me love you Elaine Do Honorable Mention Third Grade, Tippin Elementary Dorris Van Doren Library How Much I Love My Mom I love my mom And in my heart, I have infinite kisses for her. Without her I would cry like raindrops falling from the sky. I am thankful for all the things that she does for me. I wish I could show her how big my heart is But, I would need an infinite amount of paper. She is so beautiful. She is like a red rose flowing in the sky. When she dances she is so energetic like lightning in a black sky. I wish I could show her how big my heart is But, I would need an infinite amount of paper. She treats me so nice. She is so funny. I think that’s where I get my funny side from. She makes me feel like a rainbow in the sky. Danielle Reynaga Honorable Mention Third Grade, Polk Elementary Dorris Van Doren Library 35 36 My silly, silly sister Makes a noise before she laughs. She wears unmatching clothes I wish she would put them back. She has a bunch of stuffed animals On her pretty pink bed. There is one pencil she hates It's the pencil with the mechanical lead. She's a writer at school. She loves to write words. She reads at a 3rd grade level But sometimes she sees blurs. Oh boy, try to deal with her But trust me, she ain't no blister. Oh, this silly girl My silly, silly sister. Dezlyn Ruiz Honorable Mention Fifth Grade, Lujan Chavez Elementary Esperanza Acosta Moreno Library Dragons Dragons can be sweet, Dragons can be nice. You can bond with one, For the rest of your life. It will do as you say, Every single day. You can have fun, With the dragon you love. That's what I'll say. It will be calm, It will be neat. It will be like you Pretty and sweet. Leah Mitre Honorable Mention Third Grade, Homeschool Esperanza Acosta Moreno Library 37 38 Reality I thought everything was perfect Would go my own may Until something shocked me And caused me to go astray I cried and cried until he died And came back into reality Papaw dying wasn’t bad It just made me stronger Now I know not to think It was me And to stay back In reality Areiana Reyes Honorable Mention Fifth Grade, Vista del Sol Elementary Irving Schwartz Library 5 Shopkins My shopkins are really alive! Some can be nice; I paid for five. But three left me to skate on the ice. Two shopkins went to buy ice cream. One of the ice creams began to melt. One shopkin ate so much, it began to dream. The taller shopkin gave some strange advice to a belt? My mom gave a quick shout for CAKE! I zumba’d my rear to the casa. Five shopkins began to SHAKE! And climbed back into the bolsa. Elizabeth Alexis Trinity McClendon Abilez Honorable Mention First Grade, MacArthur Intermediate School Jose Cisneros Cielo Vista Library 39 40 Untitled Roses are red Violets are blue I love the library And so should you. Reading is easy Reading is fun So much to read So much to do with books. If you read it could take you To an adventure with Imagination. Marcelina Contreras Gonzales Honorable Mention First Grade, Bonham Elementary School Jose Cisneros Cielo Vista Library El Perro de Noche Un día de noche oscura un perro se encontró con alguien. Pero era también de la calle sin dinero. El perro corrió del señor y siguió sin dueño. Quién le comprará comida porque es callejero y negro. El señor pobre de noche, tampoco tiene un coche. El perro y el señor corrieron al bosque y se encontraron allí Pablo Carrillo Honorable Mention Second Grade, North Loop Elementary Judge Marquez Library ¡Boom! Que pasa en la casa, alguien ya cayó con las manos en la masa. ¡Ay! el gato metió la cola en la taza de té ¡ush! y estaba muy caliente de por sí estaba haciendo calor en la casa aparte el gato estaba de mal humor se puso más de lo que él estaba. Andrea Prieto Inciriaga Honorable Mention Fourth Grade, North Loop Elementary Judge Marquez Library 42 41 Penguins Black and white with orange feet A perfect animal short and neat Cuddly and fluffy all around Very quiet and never makes a sound Takes care of its baby while the mom is not there Two of them make the perfect pair Living in Antarctica being warm while it’s cold Such an animal unique and bold. Gabrielle Carrasco Honorable Mention Fifth Grade, Hillside Elementary Memorial Park Library Trees Whispering sounds Leaves falling to the ground Moving side to side Birds could hide Trees could sing So many things trees could bring Ariana Montano Honorable Mention Fifth Grade, Bonham Elementary Memorial Park Library Black or White Black or White, White or Black, Ugly or Pretty, Front or Back. Sweet or Salty, Spicy or Bland, Tiny or Huge, Home‐made or Name‐brand. No Matter How Strange, How Big or How Small, How Lazy or Active, How Short or How Tall. We Both are the Same, Just Look and You’ll See, Of Course We are the Same, You and Me. Emily Grabowski Honorable Mention Sixth Grade, Nolan Richardson Middle School Richard Burges Library 44 43 Mi mamá es mi súper héroe. Ella me da muchos besos y muchos abrazos. Es muy trabajadora rápida y fuerte, ella es inteligente. La verdad quiero ser como mi mamá pero no puedo, porque todos son diferentes, siempre cuando vamos a una parte: nunca me suelta, quiere que esté segura. No hay mayor tesoro que el amor de una mamá. Si algo malo le pasa a mi mamá, me imagino que todos los días lloraré por ella. Viendo fotos de ella...qué haría sin mi mamá. Camila Contreras Honorable Mention Fifth Grade, Putnam Elementary Westside Library Nature Blue, red, orange and green, All different kinds of colors I see, From the grass to the birds to the flowers that grow, To the dirt on the ground that tickles my toes. The leaves on the trees, Which turn colorful in Autumn, Yet, we won’t see them again, until Spring, Oh, how I love nature. Yes, nature is such a beautiful thing. Kayla Taalib Honorable Mention Sixth Grade, Nolan Richardson Middle School Richard Burges Library 46 45 Love Love. Love is all we need. Love is the most gorgeous thing in the world. Love is graceful. Love is family. Love is friendship. Love is life. Natalia Sofia Rios‐Garcia Honorable Mention Third Grade, Putnam Elementary Westside Library Land dry, humid walking, sleeping, hunting animals eat and drink swimming, drowning, fishing wet, soggy water Daniel Zacchias Morales Honorable Mention Third Grade, Horizon Heights Elementary Sergio Troncoso Ysleta Library Remember me when you look at a bee I am open minded just like as doors open by a key Remember me when you look at art I am intelligent And beyond smart Remember me when you look at my name I can not be tamed Remember me when you look at a dress my mom does not like my room a mess Remember me far away when you look at the stars that’s where we are. Avani Silva Honorable Mention Fifth Grade, South Loop Elementary Sergio Troncoso Ysleta Library 47 48 Remember Me