Finalist

Beyond My Window

 

The trees are naked now

Remnants of their summer blankets litter the ground

unembarrassed by their bare bodies they stand tall

limbs reach with bony fingers for cryptic reasons

the crisp bite of the evening air makes me shiver

but not them

how odd the trees are

their boldness to stand and be noticed

to go exposed in the coldest part of the year

they need no coat or woolen socks

this is their time to be seen

I can see them dance beyond my window at night

An elaborate and arcane ballet

Swaying in cadence with the wind

They throw parties every now and then

All birds welcome

Rest on our shoulders

You have quite a journey yet

In the summer they rest

Slumber beneath a quilt of green

 

---

Daniel Koepp, age 17

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

LSU Lab School

Teacher: Connie McDonald