Raised by Nature and Other Poems

I was raised by
constantly learning
and only sometimes understanding
the world that could someday be no more,
wanting to fight to save it,
because
this is my
beautiful kind of Nature.

Lila was recently selected as a finalist in the international “It’s All Write! Teen Writing Contest,” an annual competition juried by young adult authors. 

The Tree
by Laila Brady, seventh-grade

Soft soil
whispers silently around me,
no light reaches me,
no sound
penetrates my dark, tranquil abode.
Above, I know there is sun.
It glows like a beacon
showering the delicate, lacy grass
as I sit waiting, listening,
until I break through the surface.

Growing, stretching,
I reach for the sun,
and bask in a robust burst of noon light,
shattering the blue sky
soaking in its brilliance.
I sigh,
leaves shaking, branches twirling.

Many years I have stood,
through winters, springs,
summers, and falls.
I have weathered storms,
outlasting the birds
and the frogs
that live in the dark, murky waters
of the pond.
I have seen
the passing of day
and the lasting night
many times.

Now I rest.
Laying down my branches,
looking up one more time
and making room for new generations.
Giving to the earth,
even after I fall to the ground
with an echoing crash
sounding through the forest.
Lingering,
even after the sun sets,
and all is dark.

… in the summer
by Harriet McKane, seventh-grade

June
creatures buzzing in thick swarms
itchy skin
misty air creeping around wet ground
bell-like bird calls cut through tall trees
rays of golden light dapple pine needle covered ground
bare feet bounce through fiery dandelion fields
old mud from spring remains under the lush grass
lake water touches our skin for the first time this year
summer has begun

July
cold blue skies are shattered by bright popping colors
dry air replaces June’s wet muggy smog
soft muzzles touch our hands
hoof prints in a dusty arena
water buckets and stalls
a sky blue pool
splashing our faces with cool water
laughter

August
heat pounds down on the earth
from a clementine orange sun
a never ending road to an unknown destination
black and white cats plopped on a hardwood floor
bonfires
a squealing pig
new country and Taylor Swift
a road trip
roller coasters and fried dough

September
tips of leaves fade into electric orange
acorns hit the brown grass
heat fades into crisp cool breezes
a last dip in our favorite pond
squirrels scatter
the mid-coast summer has ended

Both Laila and Harriet’s poems were recently published on the Telling Room’s website, a Portland-based nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through writing.