By Eileen Wingard
LA JOLLA, California — Five Soille Hebrew Day School students and one San Diego City Schools Middle School student presented their poetry at the final Jewish Poets- Jewish Voices eighth season’s concluding event.
Rabbi Meir Cohen, principal of the Soille Hebrew Day School, was present to enjoy listening to his young students read their pieces.
The five students were all fifth graders whose teacher is Courtney Cox. Netanel Dimenstein, Matisyahu Kleinman, JJ Klein, Naomi Moryosef and Sophie Guenniche, each read their pieces with poise and self-confidence. They actually participate in a yearly poetry festival at their school, so this was not their first experience, reading their original work.
Sydney Alper, a seventh grader at Mesa Verde Middle School has had her poetry recognized city-wide as well as at her school. She has self-published a book of her poetry. She is also a playwright. Last season, her play, “Daisy’s Journey” was produced with professional actors by the San Diego Young Playwright’s Project.
Below are poems by each of the student participants:
ELATION IS THE SUN
by Netanel Dimenstein
I am finally done
Cheering surrounds the stage,
The cup in my hand.
Accomplishment on my belt
Sweltering afternoon around.
The darkness has passed, freedom comes.
Come back to dear home
Evil has been banished.
Wickedness has left, the sun in its place.
Goodness reigns from above,
The world has been reborn.
Once a prison, now home.
LIGHT POEM
by Naomi Moryosef
As the stars and moon sparkle in the night,
It makes me feel safe.
When light comes in comfort is here,
That’s when life comes along.
Lamps and switches give you light,
Just as fireflies bring twinkles.
You can see the happiness of your family,
That’s what’s good about light.
Holidays and summer bring warmth,
And that’s when you should be fearless.
There’s nothing to be afraid of,
When there’s light all around.
When darkness comes,
Simply look at the sky,
And you’ll see the stars and the moon,
And here come the sparkles.
RENDITION OF THE NOISE OF A RAINSTORM
by Matisyahu Kleinman
The noise of a rainstorm
Dripping on the train platform
People, plants, and animals getting drenched
The thirst of these being quenched
Lying in my bed the noise of the rainstorm helps me fall asleep
It was quiet except for the rain, I didn’t even hear a bird peep
People, plants, and animals getting water
Let’s hope the desert isn’t getting hotter
“Drip, drop, drip, drop” goes the rain
The wind sounds like it is howling in pain
Lightning flashing all over the place
I pull my covers over my face
COURAGE IS SURFING
by Sophie Guenniche
Courage is surfing
Out in the open ocean
Dangerous and free
I can feel the wind as I surf.
Surfing in the open sky
Being there is exciting
You could drown or worse
But having courage breaks it all.
Surfing can be fun
Once you get the hang
It comes to your mind
If you’re courageous.
You usually need to have courage
It can bring good luck,
Like being a hero from surfing someone’s life
And you got it.
Surfing needs courage
Because even if you get hurt
Never give up
And that’s what courage is for.
Courage can be helpful
It usually means you’re brave
And to surf you need to be brave
That’s how I got over my fear.
OPPORTUNITIES
by Yair Yedidya Klein
Life is an opportunity
Take it step by step
Be glad you’re alive
If not you will regret
Life is great
it might have some problems
You should try to sneak right by them
If you do you will be happy
Life is a great place because
You have a family happiness
And some love
But be glad you have friends
That’s why life is great
If you’re happy
You’ll be glad
But sometimes it’s horrible
It’s filled with love
You should always remember
The good things that come out of it
Because you only live once
POWER
by Sydney Alper
You up there
Yes you in charge
You capital government
You say bow down
I say no
I say that
I listen to no one
You will not
Can not
Control me
I am wild
Free
Like Moses
With his staff
Parting the Red Sea
I do not
Bow down to the world
The world
Bows down to me
Oh how sweet
Is this power
It consumes me
I crave it
I am power
Until Death
Comes knocking
At my front door
Then it is over
And we realize
Who really
Holds power
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Wingard is a freelance writer specializing in he coverage of arts and literature. She may be contacted via eileen.wingard@sdjewishworld.com. Comments intended for publication in the space below should be signed with the letter writer’s first and last name and with his/ her city and state of residence (city and country for those outside the United States.)