Last fall, 7th grade students in 18 states began writing poetry for a contest sponsored by the 7th Grade Poetry Foundation, a group dedicated to transforming young lives through poetry. The 104 participating schools each selected one winning poem and those student poets were celebrated yesterday afternoon at the Missouri History Museum. Congratulations to Cassie Smith, the Academy’s winning poet.

Students delivered their poems either live or on video to an audience entranced by the depth and range of thought encompassed in their work. Each student received a cash award and a copy of the book Poetry on Our Terms, in which their poem appears. Mrs. Metcalf has a copy in our library, autographed by Cassie.

The program for yesterday’s celebration included this charge to us all from poet Michael Castro, Poet Laureate of St. Louis: These student poets are “tomorrow’s leaders, tomorrow’s custodians of language and truth. They provide hope and light for the future. Lend them your ears. Honor them. Cherish them.” 

Journey of the Soul

Purest light of noon,
guide me over the desolate waste of man
so that I can see the soul
of someone greater than you and I.

He leads the pack of wolves we are
as we run, jump
the obstacles of life
seeking, knowing, yearning.
The Only one.

Now our shadows wake from their slumber
as the black moon rises,
for they crave the sorrow of another
who won’t go another day.

Run, run, till the night has fled.

Go forth to the one you know
who will lead you and never turn away.
For now the way is clear
and the sun shines,
pure and bright.

—Cassie Smith