Selections from the 2008 Editions of AppleSeed

Reading

Some people hate reading,
But I think it’s fun.
Some people can’t read,
But I have a library
In my room,
Full of books
I’d be happy to share.
Once you are ready,
I’ll teach you to read,
And we’ll have so much fun.
I love books!

Jazmine J., Oliver School

I Dream of a World

I dream of a world where the war will end,
I dream of a world where strawberries
fall out of the sky,
I dream of a world where there’s royalty,
so I could be a Princess
and my mom the Queen,
I dream of a world where Martin Luther King,
Jr. will be alive,
I dream of a world where no one commits
a crime,
I dream of a world where you only have
one piece of homework,
I dream of a world where we are all friends,
I dream of a world where the war
had never started,
I dream of a world where all of us are Kings,
Queens, Princesses and Princes.

Elizabeth S., Oliver School

The Dime

I found a dime,
On the ground,
I snickered loudly,
Then turned around.

A cop was there,
He had a wart,
He snarled at me,
And we went to court.

The jury was tall,
And fat was the judge,
I had no lawyer,
I was thinking “Oh Fudge!”

“I’m really sorry,
I didn’t know it was a crime.”
If only I hadn’t taken
That stupid old dime.

Naina P., Sargent School

Yearahm A., Sanborn School

A Pair of Old Shoes

I am a pair of old shoes,
Nobody notices me,
Nobody cares about me.
I’m stashed in a corner
Hidden from sight.
Oh Owner, please wear me.

My owner never wears me,
He forgot about me.
I’m brown and I’m sturdy,
And not out of fashion.
I’m in good condition too,
Oh Owner, please wear me.

Owner and I went to school,
He ran and played with me,
I had an important job
Of keeping his feet safe and clean,
But now I feel useless.
Oh Own…, wait, is that his feet?

Yearahm A., Sanborn School

I Don’t Understand

I don’t understand
Why people use drugs
Why cigarettes were invented
Why people smoke.

I don’t understand
Why there are gangs
Why people fight
Why people own guns
Why people shoot other people.

I don’t understand
Why people don’t stop global warming
Why I get mad easily
Why my baby sister bothers me
Why Al Gore wasn’t picked as president.

Ramon V., Arlington Middle School

Ruth M., Tarbox School

Heather M., Marsh Grammar School

Knife

A man comes

...

out with a knife and

... !

... !!

... !!!

... !!!!

a cooking show.

Kendra M., Atkinson School

I Think I’m Broken

I think I’m broken ‘cause…
My head is spinning,
My spine is weak.
My elbow creaks
When I speak.
My hip is broke
And I choke.
I spit and I gag
That’s why.

Jacqueline C., CGS

Bryana M., Thomson School

Don’t You Dare Comb My Hair!

Don’t you dare comb my hair,
There are knots and snarls everywhere!
If you do, I’ll surely shout
So don’t you dare comb them out!
Maybe I’ll hide under the bed
’Cause if you comb them, I’ll be dead!
So I’ll hide in the pantry
Oh drats! She found me!
So don’t you dare comb my hair,
I don’t know why you care ’bout golden locks of hair
I hate shampoo, barrettes Boo-hoo!
Oh good! it’s time for school!

Camille H., Comprehensive Grammar School
Listen to the author read

Silver, Shining Wings

The silver,
Shining wings
Will cure your
Sickness.

The silver,
Shining wings
Will blow darkness
Away.

The silver,
Shining wings
Make your massive heart beat
Faster and faster.

The silver,
Shining wings
Make a beautiful, delightful, gorgeous
Shine.

The silver,
Shining wings
Make you and me
Be alive.

Christopher R. and Philip P., Oliver School

The Walk through the Alley

As I look down the alley
I am making my choice

Should I walk down this alley?
Yes, I’ve made up my mind

It looks like a gaping mouth
Which swallows me in its darkness

I see rats, mice, and insects
All scurrying away from me

This alley smells like garbage
Of rotten and disgusting things

I slowly get used to the smell
And realize it’s the opening

I come out and bless sunlight
And say bye-bye to darkness.

Yearahm A.
Sanborn School
Listen to the author read

Ode to a Frog

Frog, oh frog with your very long tongue
You’ll eat every fly in the sky
You’ll jump up
and
d
o
w
n
You’ll turn aroun’
You’ll have a frown
Because there are no more flies in the sky.

Genesis D., Wetherbee School

Jessica A., Tenney Grammar School

Ben R., Thomson School

A Warm Day

Children are playing out in the yard,
Swinging on swings and climbing on trees.
Running around while playing tag,
And doing whatever they please.

Bees are buzzing
Crickets are humming
And birds are singing a tune

Flowers are blooming and smelling sweetly,
And trees are giving off shade.
The grass is blowing gently and quietly,
Because of a warm day.

Mia D., Kittredge School