---

---

Every Tree

Express yourself,
write it down,
make it
your own,
look outside your house,
look inside of you,
see what you see,
do what you do,
write what you want,
read what you feel.
When you find
what you like
make it
your own.
Express yourself,
and write it down.
From beginning,
to end,
because the end
is only the beginning,
The End (…well, the beginning).
               
By: Noah, Grade 4,
Friends’ Central School

[Back to top of page]

Poetry

Poetry is something that helps me express my feelings
or lets bad thoughts out
It has a mind of its own
it can lead you to so many different places
Poetry is something I enjoy

By: Daphne, Grade 4
Friends' Central School

[Back to top of page]

Every Tree

A tree so simple,
Yet so elegant.
Evergreen, its leaves as green as grass.
A maple, red, purple, green, yellow.
So many different colors.
Just waiting to come out.
Palm, a quiet tree.
A lively tree,
a nice tree to read under.
A pine, swaying in the wind.
Filling the air with wonderful aroma.
Redwood, as tall as a skyscraper.
As mighty as a shield and sword combined.
These are the answers to the questions you ask.
Let them stay in your mind forever!
               
By: Saoirse, Grade 4,
Friends’ Central School

[Back to top of page]

Water

Water is a blue, soft, moving substance
floating on the ground.
Water is a fluently flowing pool.
Water is a strong, appealing entertainment.
Water is a gentle stream of friendship and peace
Water, water, water.

By: Matthew, Age 10
LaSalle Academy

[Back to top of page]

When the City is at Peace

I feel at home.
You can hear people's hearts beating,
beating loudly
because nobody ever imagined
peace in the city.
They think it could only last seconds,
so they do anything they can imagine.
But if you believe
the city is at peace
it will be
all the time.

Medina, Quba Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies
Philadelphia

[Back to top of page]

The Bridge of my Fear

There is a bridge that stops me from crossing it.
This bridge holds all my fears along the path.
I wonder why it’s doing this to me.
I cross it today and find that my fears are all images of fantasy.

Fiona
International School of Brussels, Canada

[Back to top of page]

Memory of my Family

I see my reflection in the water---
Asking myself - Why?
Soft wind bringing in sadness.
I see people in tears,
But what I can't see is a memory of my family.

Manon, 12 years old
Mauritius
(a poem in response to losing three family members to the Tsunami)

[Back to top of page]

Haiku

Do we always think
To hold open the world's door
For people unknown?

Claire
Walking the Walk: The Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia 

[Back to top of page]

Ode to Mother Earth

Your seas are beautiful, gleaming in the sun,
so graceful, just like a swan.

Oh Mother Earth, may your seas shine brightly
never knowing what may wash up on the shore line.

May all your strength and all your faith
gleam forevermore. 

Jonas, Friends’ Central School
Philadelphia

[Back to top of page]

The Lively Meadow

Blue skies as blue as the sea,
these are the things that comfort me.
Tall green trees, green as can be,
these are the things that comfort me.
Mountains so great, majestic,
these are the things that comfort me.
Clouds as white as snow,
these are the things that comfort me.
Flowers blooming in a variety of colors,
these are the things that comfort me.

Dominique, grade 5
Philadelphia

[Back to top of page]

Destiny

Destiny is not just for the holy, but for the whole world.
It is a small keepsake that you, as a fresh being from the earth,
are born with in your heart.
My destiny is to spread the same horizon over the whole world.
It is my calling, my angel and my diamond, my message from God.
It is trapped in the locket of life itself, trying to escape.
When needed, it will flee from my locket
like a hummingbird finding food for its children.
But I am just a small being with a destiny in this world.

Maisie, grade 4
Philadelphia

[Back to top of page]

You Can Never Hide from Love

You can never hide from love.
Love is everywhere.
Wherever you go there will be love.
You can never hide from love.
If you go to the top of the mountains,
The end of the sea,
Or even in space,
There will still be love,
Because your heart is inside of you,
And all the love is inside that heart.
And only you have the power
To use that love.
And nothing is better than love.

Natasha, grade 1
Philadelphia

[Back to top of page]

Learn to Love

You say love
without knowing its meaning,
because you cannot love
until you learn to love yourself.

You cannot stop it.
There's nowhere to hide.
You cannot stop your feelings inside.
You can not defy it,
or prove it wrong.

Love is everlasting,
love is eternal,
love is a bird
trapped in a cage
and you are holding the key.

Will you open it?

Alysha, grade 6
Philadelphia

[Back to top of page]

Love, Peace, and Unity

Love, peace, and unity,
this is what love
means to me.
Hearts, doves, and family,
these are symbols
dear to me.
Love, hope, fear, and animosity,
these are feelings
I share with thee.
Love encompasses all this and more.
Loving makes you richer,
so don't be poor.

Alykhan, grade 9
Philadelphia

[Back to top of page]

I Love Me

I love me because
I love me for me.
I love me because my parents love me.
I love me because my brother taught me my lessons.
I love me because Allah has made me.
I love me because Allah gave me my sense of knowledge.
Again, I love me for me. 

Alicia, grade 3
Philadelphia

[Back to top of page]

---