The River of Words contest winners have been announced for the State of Iowa. The purpose of the organization is to teach students about their environment and to allow them to express their appreciation through poetry and art. A total of 660 submissions were made in the 7th through 9th grades, and thirty finalists were selected, with 16 in poetry. Four Knoxville Middle School students emerged among the elite 16. Evan Higginbotham was announced as the overall Iowa winner, with Alex Gibson, Paige LeeAnn Ray, and Brandon Merrill also placing as among the top 16 young poets in the state. To learn more about the contest, listen to today’s In Depth, shortly after 8, 1, and 6.
The winning poems:
Water Tranquility
Evan Higginbotham
Water is tranquil like glass.
When it is contaminated
the ripple extends to all of us.
To stop or calm the ripple
people need to change their habits…
recycling of paper in abundance,
spilling of oil extinct,
dumping of chemicals abandoned.
These are a few of the things we can work towards
to keep water tranquil like glass.
A Growing Flower
Paige LeeAnn Ray
Have you ever watched
the way a flower grows?
Her way of life
How she plays, talks, and loves
it’s like for that moment,
only you and the flower are alive.
Nothing else matters.
The way she grows,
Just like growing a flower.
Remember?
Alex Gibson
Remember when
The earth could speak
and ladybugs fluttered in its trees?
Remember when
The earth shined bright
and geese were guided by its light?
Remember when
The air was fresh
and flowers and trees always took a breath
Remember?
Do you remember?
Peaceful Lake
Brandon Merrill
my dad and I went fishing at the lake
it is quiet and calm making me wonder
when I will catch a fish
making me sleepy
the water tells me I should be quiet and patient
just as it is
I hope it stays peaceful