Poems by Teens

by Ibrahim Muhammad, 2026

 

Sometimes I feel caught in between, Not a kid, not fully a teen. Trying to figure out who I’ll be, While the world keeps changing around me.

School gets harder every day, Friends change in different ways. Some stay close, some drift apart, Leaving questions in my heart.

I dream about the future ahead, All the paths I’ve yet to tread. Will I be strong? Will I be wise? Will I see life through clearer eyes?

Even when I feel unsure, I know one thing that’s for sure— I’ll keep going, step by step, With every lesson that I get.

 

by Sianna Zampieron, 2026

When I step into the Colorful Dreaminess garden I see the butter-yellow glow from the sun

The sun paints the day with delight

The sun shining is like hammered gold

I feel like I am stepping into a kingdom

I see a shower of pale pink coming from the tree

It feels like walking a trail of beauty

The blue sapphire pansies are as blue as the sky

With Glint and Shine

Purple lilac blooms like they are dancing

It sounds so peaceful in the garden it’s like the flowers are sleeping

It feels like it’s as calm as the ocean

What a wonderful garden!

by Ashley Barton, 2026

Blown Glass

 

The molten fire ablaze

The glass engulfing it, draped delicately like a glaze

 Fire restlessly attacks, as the molding starts to commence 

The fibers of the plastic slowly starting to condense

A sticky tar or moldable clay

Rests ever so subtly as the shape starts to stay

Forming a renewed defined figure immersed in new color and awe

As each piece stills so perfectly and the agonizing fires withdraw

The flames have dissipated and the structure stands unyielding 

The result light, and airy 

The process of healing 

 

A transformation of something so dreary and tasteless

Into something so new, so pronounced, and so flawless

New vibrant color peaks its way through

Such an exquisite creation to lay eyes to 

The structure and composition forever changed

And its elements and internal being has been re-arranged

A new radiance protrudes as its brilliance shines unbound and free

The beams of true rejuvenation pouring out for all to see

And through the pain and uncertainty

I have found the hidden illumination inside of me

by Vincenzo DiGiuseppe, 2026

I walk to go hit the ball off the tee

I go walk around and look for my ball

I take my next shot to avoid a tree

I then notice where the ball might fall

I try to get on the green in one shot

I hope for it to roll into the hole

I am happy so I begin to trot

In the hole my primary goal

I am now beginning to take the lead

I continue counting the score to cheer

My opponent is beginning to plead

As I look at my opponent with fear

I count the score and officially won

I believe that this was extremely fun

Anonymous, 2025

“My favorite color is Yellow!”

“Yellow is the color of the sun,

It shines so bright and feels like fun.

It’s in my crayon, so bold and bright,

So much happiness in my sight!”

 

What an odd color to be the favorite of a child,

But I couldn’t help but have smiled.

For in her hands, that yellow hue,

Turned all her dreams anew.

 

A simple shade, yet so pure and true,

She had a world of joy in yellow’s view.

In her excitement, I could see

How bright the world can be,

 

By what this child has yearned,

Only then I have truly learned

Yellow is joy without a sound,

a secret reason to smile that we’ve all somehow found.

 

 

by Makayla Harder, 2025

In shadows deep where whispers lie,
A child within begins to cry.
Her tears are soft, but full of pain,
Like gentle drops in autumn rain.

Her tiny hands, they reach and seek,
For love that feels so far, so weak.
A hollow ache inside her chest,
A silent wound that never rests.

She calls for help, but none will hear,
The cries that linger, raw with fear.
A broken heart, a shattered dream,
She floats alone, a silent scream.

Oh, little one, with eyes so wide,
Whose innocence the world denied,
Please know your tears are not in vain—
You’ll find your voice beyond the pain.

The storm will pass, the sun will rise,
And healing hands will dry your eyes.
The world may hurt, but you are strong,
A child within who’ll carry on.

by Anonymous, 2025

Love tiptoes in,

not with thunder, but a hush

a glance held too long,

a breath caught in a rush

 

It speaks in coffee spoons

and tangled bedsheets,

in Sunday silence,

in heartbeats

 

It stumbles sometimes,

awkward, unsure

but lingers like sunlight

on a hardwood floor.

 

It isn’t always fireworks

it’s often just staying.

choosing eachother

without even saying.

by Anonymous, 2025

The ocean sighs beneath the moon,

its breath a lullaby, soft and soon.

a whisper rolling on the sand,

reaching out with salted hand.

 

It keeps old secrets in its chest,

and rocks the wrecked and lost to rest.

It laughs in storms, it weeps in rain,

a soul of joy, a heart of pain.

 

Not wild, not tame, just ever true,

a mirror deep of me and you.

Anonymous, 2025

Peeling Grapes

In my familiar kitchen, sunlight creeps,

My beautiful mother stands as the microwave beeps.

Paying no mind, her fingers are gentle as whispered grace,

They begin the strenuous task of peeling grapes.

 

No rush in her rhythm, she has no need to race,

Just love for me in this period of time and space.

The fruit beneath, translucent, bare,

Like the silly truths she used to share.

 

She cradles each grape with so much care,

Whilst uncovering each one with a simple tear.

As her practiced hands and patient eyes move,

There’s an urge that I have something to prove.

 

She peels away the bitter skin,

Leaving only the tender inside to give to her kin.

A labor small, unnoticed, sweet,

Leaving me to vow to always keep her on her feet.

 

Each peeled grape is a lullaby,

A mother’s love you can’t outgrow or buy.

Therefore, I will always love and care,

And by that I swear.

by Logan Boemper, 2025

Soft, quiet snowflakes

Dancing across the branches

The white sheet they lay