Editor’s note: Young Writers Project, a Vermont nonprofit dedicated to helping students write well, will be sharing several exceptional pieces of best student work each week at VTDigger.org for special display over the weekend. We hope you appreciate the young writers’ viewpoints, imagination and experiences. Please let us know what you think.
Sleepy Secrets
By Sam van de Ven,
a home-schooled junior
Wrapped in a cozy blanket;
just us two,
this day, this moment
was made for me and you.
Away from where we are
couldn’t get much colder,
but I’m safe and warm in your arms
with my head on your shoulder.
It’s not my fault
if you thought I was asleep;
my shallow breaths
didn’t mean I wasn’t falling deep.
Your lips pretend
and whispered a secret
I sweat that on all that is mine,
I will keep it.
I tried not to smile
and squeezed shut my eyes tighter;
I peaked one short time
and your eyes shone brighter.
Words asleep
are never fake;
when will you repeat them
when I’m awake?
I finally smile
and continue to rest;
his heart beats the truth
beneath his chest.
If you are a youth or you know a youth who is passionate about something and works hard at it, be it building models or flying or playing the drums or climbing cliffs, please contact Geoffrey Gevalt at ggevalt@youngwritersproject.org and tell him something about the youth and how to get in touch with her or him.
