The English Department, Publications Club, and Blog Class sponsored the second annual Poetry Competition in the Middle and Upper Schools. Poems went to Dr. Carr. She passed them on to Round #1 judges, a gallery of Humanities teachers, who culled the nearly 60 poetic entries down to 12. Then, those 12 finalists went to final judge Mr. Sarkis who decided upon a 1st place, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention. Reprinted here is the 3rd-place poem, “23,” by Junior Benjamin Snyder. Note: all 12 finalists can be seen on the bulletin board in the Upper School Lobby.

 

23

By Benjamin Snyder

 

1

 

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,

And then 8 comes in, and then 9,

Bumbling about, walks in, 10 strolls by

Cooly as it enters, 11 storms in

Angrily, though it’s unclear why, 12 is unrecognizable

As it enters, 13 tries

Not to be noticed,

Hugging the wall as it approaches, 15 misheard the receptionist,

And walked in early, 14, naturally, approaches

Confused and hesitant, 16 greatly appreciates

The opportunity,

But needs some more time before it decides

Whether or not to proceed, 17 sprints

Through,

And so does 18, thinking

It should, 19 took a wrong turn a couple of blocks ago

But should be here shortly and enter, 20 reluctantly walks

Through, 21 is just thrilled to be here

As it bounces in, 22 enters

From the back and thinks that it’s clever, and 23, seeing 22 leave, begins

To exit as well before it is called back to enter,

And is angered seeing 22 quietly gloating once it arrives.

 

And 24…

Is the most majestic thing that has ever entered…

But there’s no time to talk about that

 

Because it’s starting…

Right now.

 

And not a single one noticed 0 enter,

But it did,

Depending on your perspective.

Compiled by Editor Shelby Armor