The Vision hosts a winter poetry contest every year during lunch, where students can write an original winter themed poem. The winners get published in the magazine in addition to winning a gift card!
2017 Results
§Ist Place: Sera Chase
§§2nd Place: Amina Jamil
§§§3rd Place: Tigerlily Johnson
§§2nd Place: Amina Jamil
§§§3rd Place: Tigerlily Johnson
2017 Entries
Hall-idays
Jasmine Joseph ('18)
Black hair
but she doesn’t care.
Brown eyes, mesmerized.
Very kind, most the time
It’s her favorite season for a reason.
Has time for vine
She’s a bright ray of
light through the cold
winter Halls.
Jasmine Joseph ('18)
Black hair
but she doesn’t care.
Brown eyes, mesmerized.
Very kind, most the time
It’s her favorite season for a reason.
Has time for vine
She’s a bright ray of
light through the cold
winter Halls.
Attack on Titan
Anonymous
One day we were at peace
One day we were at war
One day we were not there
One day there was death
One day this will all be over
Anonymous
One day we were at peace
One day we were at war
One day we were not there
One day there was death
One day this will all be over
The air
Anonymous
The air is nice. air is cold
air is air
Anonymous
The air is nice. air is cold
air is air
I am late
Ina O'Ryan
Racing. Running.
I am late.
With my backpack hung loosely on one shoulder,
I attempt to put on my jacket as I stumble out the door
I say a quick prayer as I oh so gracefully sprint to the bus stop.
I see the bus coming—I’m so close.
I slip. On ice.
The bus goes away.
I am late.
Ina O'Ryan
Racing. Running.
I am late.
With my backpack hung loosely on one shoulder,
I attempt to put on my jacket as I stumble out the door
I say a quick prayer as I oh so gracefully sprint to the bus stop.
I see the bus coming—I’m so close.
I slip. On ice.
The bus goes away.
I am late.
Winter is coming
Bethany Hewitt
Winter is coming,
At least that is what the say
Weather like it’s may
Bethany Hewitt
Winter is coming,
At least that is what the say
Weather like it’s may
Hot Chocolate by Sera Chase (Winner)
Chocolate lava bubbles and creates ripples of milky cocoa waves
The warmth of the liquid gold embraces me on the coldest of days.
White pillows of fluffy sugar cones
float around in their inferno home.
As I sail to the island of marshmallow dreams
I begin to drown in the sea of chocolate extremes.
Instead of struggling to survive
I let the chocolate and I collide
To my despair
the cold was still there
and the time to shovel snow was nigh
Chocolate lava bubbles and creates ripples of milky cocoa waves
The warmth of the liquid gold embraces me on the coldest of days.
White pillows of fluffy sugar cones
float around in their inferno home.
As I sail to the island of marshmallow dreams
I begin to drown in the sea of chocolate extremes.
Instead of struggling to survive
I let the chocolate and I collide
To my despair
the cold was still there
and the time to shovel snow was nigh
Winter by Chyna Lowe
Silence and cold with a bit of snow.
Darkness with a bit of light.
Somedays are fun
and some days
are not because
everyday is
not Christmas Day.
Winter is cold
like the eyes of a loved one being put away never to see again.
A darkness only Winter can give you so survive until Spring.
Happy Holidays.
Silence and cold with a bit of snow.
Darkness with a bit of light.
Somedays are fun
and some days
are not because
everyday is
not Christmas Day.
Winter is cold
like the eyes of a loved one being put away never to see again.
A darkness only Winter can give you so survive until Spring.
Happy Holidays.
I am by Chinyere
I am cold
I am dark
I am Elsa
I am frosty
I am gruesome
I am hail
I am igloo
I am just a snowflake
I am kidding.
I am cold
I am dark
I am Elsa
I am frosty
I am gruesome
I am hail
I am igloo
I am just a snowflake
I am kidding.
Solidary Penguin by Katie Marshall
Back when I was a penguin,
I lived alone by the chilly sea,
Nothing but frost air and clear-white
snowflakes blanketing me.
I slid on my slick, black belly to get ‘bout anywhere,
And I never felt the cold even though I had no hair.
You might think it got lonely on that freezing ‘burg of mine,
But there was ice to be skated, fish to be
savored, and great snow-capped mountains to climb.
In this new life, when people talk to me I
Smile and bear their words
But I’d rather be cozily freezing on my
personal penguin iceberg.
Back when I was a penguin,
I lived alone by the chilly sea,
Nothing but frost air and clear-white
snowflakes blanketing me.
I slid on my slick, black belly to get ‘bout anywhere,
And I never felt the cold even though I had no hair.
You might think it got lonely on that freezing ‘burg of mine,
But there was ice to be skated, fish to be
savored, and great snow-capped mountains to climb.
In this new life, when people talk to me I
Smile and bear their words
But I’d rather be cozily freezing on my
personal penguin iceberg.
Winter by Lyndsay Katz
Winter, brrrr cold, snowing
Warm up next to a fireplace,
Holidays Hanukkah, Christmas and many more.
Jack Frost, Rudolf the
Rednosed Reindeer, Frosty the
Snowman,The Grinch, Christmas
movies, aquariums, school
closed, sledding, hot coco, colds, shoveling snow,
happy kids. grumpy parents
Winter, brrrr cold, snowing
Warm up next to a fireplace,
Holidays Hanukkah, Christmas and many more.
Jack Frost, Rudolf the
Rednosed Reindeer, Frosty the
Snowman,The Grinch, Christmas
movies, aquariums, school
closed, sledding, hot coco, colds, shoveling snow,
happy kids. grumpy parents
Winter is coming by Aidan Borsh
Winter is coming
The holidays almost here
But where is the cheer
Winter is coming
The holidays almost here
But where is the cheer
Roses are red by Andrew Lee
Roses are red.
Violets are green.
This pen is red.
And I am blean
Roses are red.
Violets are green.
This pen is red.
And I am blean
Goatman by Anon
There were tracks
in the snow
I gave it a blow
Winter ice,
all over my face its nice
Through my eyelashes
I saw the face of the goat,
It has inspired all
the poetry I ever wrote.
Moco! That’s what
he said.
The snow on my face was
licked by the goat
There were tracks
in the snow
I gave it a blow
Winter ice,
all over my face its nice
Through my eyelashes
I saw the face of the goat,
It has inspired all
the poetry I ever wrote.
Moco! That’s what
he said.
The snow on my face was
licked by the goat
I love winter by Journie Drew-Hardrow
I love winter
With its icy atmosphere
The lovely snowflakes
Fall to the ground.
It leave a soft, white
Blanket for the kids
to play.
I love winter
With its icy atmosphere
The lovely snowflakes
Fall to the ground.
It leave a soft, white
Blanket for the kids
to play.
Cold winds by Dilei Yarmeh
Cold winds,
fly past
snow falls
so fast
life ends
stars rise
before my eyes set
and say goodnight
Cold winds,
fly past
snow falls
so fast
life ends
stars rise
before my eyes set
and say goodnight
Let it snow by Eberechi Mbaelugha
Let it snow
Lights will glow
Don’t spend the night alone
Let it snow
Lights will glow
Don’t spend the night alone
My Yearning Heart by Chase Pisaie
Day after Day
I sit here and watch
Day after Day
I wait here
My heart is drenched in wine
because all I want for Christmas is you…
Day after Day
I sit here and watch
Day after Day
I wait here
My heart is drenched in wine
because all I want for Christmas is you…
Pull up by Michael Applegate
Pull up in an L.i. beamer,
I got Margiela’s from Neimans,
I hang with fellas they demons,
These neighbors ain’t got no work, don’t
believe them,
Shootas pull up, hop out, squeeze em,
send him blessings like he sneezing,
A IOU P’s I really seen ‘em,
Wrap it, ship it to your town if you
need em.
Pull up in an L.i. beamer,
I got Margiela’s from Neimans,
I hang with fellas they demons,
These neighbors ain’t got no work, don’t
believe them,
Shootas pull up, hop out, squeeze em,
send him blessings like he sneezing,
A IOU P’s I really seen ‘em,
Wrap it, ship it to your town if you
need em.
Blue by Mckenna Singleton
Blue
is Blue
Purple is purple
It’s cloudy outside
But it needs to be
Sunny
Blue is blue
and Purple is purple
Blue
is Blue
Purple is purple
It’s cloudy outside
But it needs to be
Sunny
Blue is blue
and Purple is purple
ice cold by Tigerlily Johnson (3rd place)
ice cold. her heart colder than
my winter glazed hands.
every minute fleets like a
sporadic heartbeat—running--
stone cold. the same ice cold
heart that told me goodbye.
i would fetch you the stars--
but you don’t care for the sky.
oh, how the stars of this brisk winter twinkle for
you, but you never cared to look up. my heart is yours.
but yours—stone cold.
ice cold. her heart colder than
my winter glazed hands.
every minute fleets like a
sporadic heartbeat—running--
stone cold. the same ice cold
heart that told me goodbye.
i would fetch you the stars--
but you don’t care for the sky.
oh, how the stars of this brisk winter twinkle for
you, but you never cared to look up. my heart is yours.
but yours—stone cold.
The right to speech by Sheely Edwards
I have both
the right to
speech and not
to speech.
Ina O’Ryan
please stop infringing
on my right to not
to speech a poem.
thank you.
I have both
the right to
speech and not
to speech.
Ina O’Ryan
please stop infringing
on my right to not
to speech a poem.
thank you.
Christmas is coming soon by Dicheaux Proctor
Christmas is coming soon
You know I’m in the mood
and it can’t get better unless I’m with you.
Bells ring and gatherings, all great with family
gives me such a warm feeling, I don’t need presents,
no need for a christmas tree,
because I have the best time when you’re with me,
It’s that time of year, Work so long it’s time to
cheer, so special when you are here, it’s cold but I can
stay warm as long as love is near
Christmas is coming soon
You know I’m in the mood
and it can’t get better unless I’m with you.
Bells ring and gatherings, all great with family
gives me such a warm feeling, I don’t need presents,
no need for a christmas tree,
because I have the best time when you’re with me,
It’s that time of year, Work so long it’s time to
cheer, so special when you are here, it’s cold but I can
stay warm as long as love is near
In The Winter of ‘89 by Anon
In the winter of ‘89
what a time to be alive
I watched the Berlin wall fall
It didn’t feel that cold at all
Because Taylor Swift was born
In the winter of ‘89
what a time to be alive
I watched the Berlin wall fall
It didn’t feel that cold at all
Because Taylor Swift was born
Cheer for the Holidays by Sydney Phillips
Winter is coming
Oh, a joy to the year!
All the festivities
bring so much cheer!
Tis the season
that brings so much cheer.
And the snow,
Well, that’s not to fear.
For the holiday season
that is so great,
December 25th,
save the date
That date
is Christmas, my dear,
all of the colors
and decorations are here.
So winter is here
What a joy to the year!
And these activities
bring so much cheer!
Winter is coming
Oh, a joy to the year!
All the festivities
bring so much cheer!
Tis the season
that brings so much cheer.
And the snow,
Well, that’s not to fear.
For the holiday season
that is so great,
December 25th,
save the date
That date
is Christmas, my dear,
all of the colors
and decorations are here.
So winter is here
What a joy to the year!
And these activities
bring so much cheer!
Blank by Amina Jamil (2nd Place)
The snow falls.
My bed calls.
I wrap myself up, like a cacoon
As I lie there, gazing at the moon
The snow swirls around the air
Just like my thoughts, as I ponder my despair
Coming together in a chaotic jumble
I let out a sigh, as my resolve crumbles
I close my eyes and welcom sleep
As I rest my mind and count some sheep
I awaken to the bright light of a freshly blanketed Earth
Everything white and blank like my mind, to my mirth
The snow falls.
My bed calls.
I wrap myself up, like a cacoon
As I lie there, gazing at the moon
The snow swirls around the air
Just like my thoughts, as I ponder my despair
Coming together in a chaotic jumble
I let out a sigh, as my resolve crumbles
I close my eyes and welcom sleep
As I rest my mind and count some sheep
I awaken to the bright light of a freshly blanketed Earth
Everything white and blank like my mind, to my mirth
2016 Results
§1st Place: Keche Arrington ('17) - Frosty [W]
§§2nd Place: Sera Chase ('20) - A Winter Morning [M]
§§§3rd Place: Kevin Apana Korley ('17) - Purpose [D]
§1st Place: Keche Arrington ('17) - Frosty [W]
§§2nd Place: Sera Chase ('20) - A Winter Morning [M]
§§§3rd Place: Kevin Apana Korley ('17) - Purpose [D]
2016 Entries
[A] Ice Ice Maybe!
Jasmine Joseph ('18)
New York winters are wimpy,
Alaskan air is skimpy.
No place is colder than my
Very merry Maryland!
Our snow is the whitest,
Our trees are the brightest,
No place is bolder than my
Very merry Maryland!
Jasmine Joseph ('18)
New York winters are wimpy,
Alaskan air is skimpy.
No place is colder than my
Very merry Maryland!
Our snow is the whitest,
Our trees are the brightest,
No place is bolder than my
Very merry Maryland!
[B] blizzard
Tess McRae ('17)
snow seeps from
the sky and i
turn up my chin in
surrender.
when i whisper the words
are rough with frost but
they still mean the same thing no
matter which way i say them:
DON’T FORGET ABOUT ME
Tess McRae ('17)
snow seeps from
the sky and i
turn up my chin in
surrender.
when i whisper the words
are rough with frost but
they still mean the same thing no
matter which way i say them:
DON’T FORGET ABOUT ME
[C] Snow
Chyna Lowe ('18)
What is this
and why is it cold
This weather is new
I’m not sure I like it
It’s white
It’s soft
It’s beautiful
But very cold
It is snow
I love it
Chyna Lowe ('18)
What is this
and why is it cold
This weather is new
I’m not sure I like it
It’s white
It’s soft
It’s beautiful
But very cold
It is snow
I love it
[D] Purpose §§§
Kevin Apana Korley ('17)
I trudge
through the
snow in the
bitter cold;
I stand against the
icy breeze;
I wait;
I stop;
I look to the horizon;
There she lies among the trees:
My destiny.
Kevin Apana Korley ('17)
I trudge
through the
snow in the
bitter cold;
I stand against the
icy breeze;
I wait;
I stop;
I look to the horizon;
There she lies among the trees:
My destiny.
[E] Winter
Sera Chase ('20)
Crystal fairies fly
Green giants tower
with pride
Snowmen melt and die
Sera Chase ('20)
Crystal fairies fly
Green giants tower
with pride
Snowmen melt and die
[F] Winter… The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Isabel Berry ('20)
Wonderous attractions
Impressive amounts of missing gloves
Nights with family and friends
Towns of snow and icicles
Evenings full of warmth and hot chocolate
Red and green fills the air
Winter… The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.
Isabel Berry ('20)
Wonderous attractions
Impressive amounts of missing gloves
Nights with family and friends
Towns of snow and icicles
Evenings full of warmth and hot chocolate
Red and green fills the air
Winter… The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.
[G] Uncreative
Jake Lisenbee ('17)
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Winter is cold
And I am too
Jake Lisenbee ('17)
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Winter is cold
And I am too
[H] Wind
Ina O’Ryan ('18)
Standing
The sky dark,
The air dry.
And the wind
Whipping my flushed face.
The wind continues to tease me
As I stand, freezing.
Freezing on the bare sidewalk
I stare at the gray sky.
Praying for snow to lighten
My gray mood.
Ina O’Ryan ('18)
Standing
The sky dark,
The air dry.
And the wind
Whipping my flushed face.
The wind continues to tease me
As I stand, freezing.
Freezing on the bare sidewalk
I stare at the gray sky.
Praying for snow to lighten
My gray mood.
[I] thawing
Tess McRae ('17)
cold in my bones
cold in the gaps
between my fingers
where the fabric doesn’t
stick / cold where the
snowmelt pools in my
lungs and cold in the
bluegray bands in my iris and
cold,
for the last year
i am young
Tess McRae ('17)
cold in my bones
cold in the gaps
between my fingers
where the fabric doesn’t
stick / cold where the
snowmelt pools in my
lungs and cold in the
bluegray bands in my iris and
cold,
for the last year
i am young
[J] Warm Holidays
Leah Fasig ('19)
The smell of warm sugar cookies baking
cold bright snow outside my door is gleaming
hot cinn’mon scent makes my heart start glowing
from the tree spreads the winter scent of pine
as well as from its lights a yellow shine
to carols we all sing ‘long for a line
friends smiling as they open thought out gifts
all sat upon the floor, it’s this I’ll miss
How glad I am that it’s again Christmas
Leah Fasig ('19)
The smell of warm sugar cookies baking
cold bright snow outside my door is gleaming
hot cinn’mon scent makes my heart start glowing
from the tree spreads the winter scent of pine
as well as from its lights a yellow shine
to carols we all sing ‘long for a line
friends smiling as they open thought out gifts
all sat upon the floor, it’s this I’ll miss
How glad I am that it’s again Christmas
[K] Snow
Jake Lisenbee ('17)
Blustery,
Blowing,
Never ceasing,
Beating, hard…
but inside my bunker
of safety and warmth
I can just watch
And be warm
And dry
And cozy
And happy
Jake Lisenbee ('17)
Blustery,
Blowing,
Never ceasing,
Beating, hard…
but inside my bunker
of safety and warmth
I can just watch
And be warm
And dry
And cozy
And happy
[L] Snow
Mary Johnson ('17)
Is it a type of substance?
Bring it in the house and Mom’s mad
A perfect excuse to go out and play
My siblings going back to their youthful days
Mary Johnson ('17)
Is it a type of substance?
Bring it in the house and Mom’s mad
A perfect excuse to go out and play
My siblings going back to their youthful days
[M] A Winter Morning §§
Sera Chase ('20)
He beckons
me to come
to thee,
Reluctant, I turn.
The warmth of his
embrace,
My favorite hiding place.
The other He pulls at me,
Stronger, more forceful than the first.
I submit to his control
And simply do what I am told.
The first He is destined to lose.
The second He will leave him tattered and
bruised.
What am I to do?
Oh, look at the time!
Gotta get up and move!
Sera Chase ('20)
He beckons
me to come
to thee,
Reluctant, I turn.
The warmth of his
embrace,
My favorite hiding place.
The other He pulls at me,
Stronger, more forceful than the first.
I submit to his control
And simply do what I am told.
The first He is destined to lose.
The second He will leave him tattered and
bruised.
What am I to do?
Oh, look at the time!
Gotta get up and move!
[N] You’re Not On the Nice List
Reyna Condon ('20)
Sorry, you’re not
on the nice list
this year.
You’ll still get
presents, never fear!
But you threw a snowball at
my head,
and pushed me in a sled
So you’re not on the nice list
this year.
Reyna Condon ('20)
Sorry, you’re not
on the nice list
this year.
You’ll still get
presents, never fear!
But you threw a snowball at
my head,
and pushed me in a sled
So you’re not on the nice list
this year.
[O] Winter
Marcie McRae ('17)
Snowflakes,
Snowmen,
Snow.
Ice, freezing rain.
Hats, coats, gloves.
Cold, freezing, below that.
Hot chocolate, warm
tea. Blankets, a fire in the
fire place, TV, friends, family,
games, food. Bright tiny lights
that brighten a darkened
room. Heat.
Marcie McRae ('17)
Snowflakes,
Snowmen,
Snow.
Ice, freezing rain.
Hats, coats, gloves.
Cold, freezing, below that.
Hot chocolate, warm
tea. Blankets, a fire in the
fire place, TV, friends, family,
games, food. Bright tiny lights
that brighten a darkened
room. Heat.
[P] I’m a Scrooge
Reyna Condon ('20)
It’s winter! ~
See all the Scrooges
Barking out their windows.
Shouting at the children
Playing as the wind blows
It’s cold! ~
I’m one of the Scrooges
Glaring at the sights.
At below freezing temperatures
and, of course, the lights
Reyna Condon ('20)
It’s winter! ~
See all the Scrooges
Barking out their windows.
Shouting at the children
Playing as the wind blows
It’s cold! ~
I’m one of the Scrooges
Glaring at the sights.
At below freezing temperatures
and, of course, the lights
[Q] Ice Castle
Jake Lisenbee ('17)
I Imagine
A World With
Ice so cold
Fire could never
lessen its Resolve
And there I Will
live
Jake Lisenbee ('17)
I Imagine
A World With
Ice so cold
Fire could never
lessen its Resolve
And there I Will
live
[R] Untitled
Isabel Berry ('20)
Lights and decorations fill the streets,
Stars and moon shining bright.
Hark, the choirs sing.
Hark, the children play.
Trees and snow fill people’s minds.
Roads full of ice.
Hark, cinnamonish smells lurk indoors,
Hark, ornaments creep into our hearts.
Mistletoe and poinsettias hang above doors.
Stockings hang above fireplaces.
Christmas.
Isabel Berry ('20)
Lights and decorations fill the streets,
Stars and moon shining bright.
Hark, the choirs sing.
Hark, the children play.
Trees and snow fill people’s minds.
Roads full of ice.
Hark, cinnamonish smells lurk indoors,
Hark, ornaments creep into our hearts.
Mistletoe and poinsettias hang above doors.
Stockings hang above fireplaces.
Christmas.
[S] Death is Cold
Jake Lisenbee ('17)
I love the cold,
Its Icy grip
Holds me like
an excited Guide
Firm, and strong.
Though, my body
doesn’t favor the
cold, perhaps
more as I grow old
Jake Lisenbee ('17)
I love the cold,
Its Icy grip
Holds me like
an excited Guide
Firm, and strong.
Though, my body
doesn’t favor the
cold, perhaps
more as I grow old
[T] Give us a Break, Winter!
Jasmine Joseph ('18)
So many stressed out
Tired, overworked students.
So little time off.
Jasmine Joseph ('18)
So many stressed out
Tired, overworked students.
So little time off.
[U] Sadness
Sindy Garcia ('17)
I look out my window
all I saw was white
the color of my soul
before you caught my eye
My heart’s so full of darkness
but it’s so white outside
All it does is make me feel sad
For all the memories that we lost
Sindy Garcia ('17)
I look out my window
all I saw was white
the color of my soul
before you caught my eye
My heart’s so full of darkness
but it’s so white outside
All it does is make me feel sad
For all the memories that we lost
[V] Snow
Marcie McRae ('17)
Snow.
I’ve lived with
snow almost every winter.
My entire life.
A white sky sprinkles white dots
And puts white on top of everything.
It’s cold and icy.
It can come down in sheets
It can fall but not officially stick
But to be honest with you, you are
lucky to not have to deal with this.
Recent snows have become bitter.
You can no longer build snowmen or have
snowball fights like you could when you
were five, and feared a snowball smacking
your side - yet laughing afterward.
It’s just too bitter.
Too cold.
Marcie McRae ('17)
Snow.
I’ve lived with
snow almost every winter.
My entire life.
A white sky sprinkles white dots
And puts white on top of everything.
It’s cold and icy.
It can come down in sheets
It can fall but not officially stick
But to be honest with you, you are
lucky to not have to deal with this.
Recent snows have become bitter.
You can no longer build snowmen or have
snowball fights like you could when you
were five, and feared a snowball smacking
your side - yet laughing afterward.
It’s just too bitter.
Too cold.
[W] Frosty§
Keche Arrington ('17)
I have my own
Frosty the Snowman
His fingers are twigs and too weak to hold
I try to embrace him and he starts to melt
He turns my teardrops into snow
His kisses give me frostbite
There’s no twinkle from eyes made out of coal
And though I have goosebumps
And I’m shaking in my boots
I’d rather spend my winters being cold with him
Than being indoors warm and alone
Keche Arrington ('17)
I have my own
Frosty the Snowman
His fingers are twigs and too weak to hold
I try to embrace him and he starts to melt
He turns my teardrops into snow
His kisses give me frostbite
There’s no twinkle from eyes made out of coal
And though I have goosebumps
And I’m shaking in my boots
I’d rather spend my winters being cold with him
Than being indoors warm and alone
[X] First Time
Sindy Garcia ('17)
I never thought
it’d be this white,
It’s so contrary
to the night
I like the way it falls on my face
Even though it leaves no trace.
Sindy Garcia ('17)
I never thought
it’d be this white,
It’s so contrary
to the night
I like the way it falls on my face
Even though it leaves no trace.
Header image (c) Iley Kickhofel ('18).