The Poetry of Sabrina Butler

my body is a temple but
empty
stricken
walls
violated
empty
robbed
forced
barren
empty
but my body is a temple

3/20/2023

Sabrina Butler is a poet and storyteller based in Washington, DC. She attends Duke Ellington School of the Arts as a part of their exclusive Cinematic Arts and Media Production program (also known as CAMP). Butler enjoys writing about issues that aren’t usually addressed. In the future, she wishes to pursue a career related to Literary Media. For that, and for her talent, the world should be very grateful.

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The Poetry of Melodel Amdemariam

close your eyes and close your mind
you
don’t
need
pain
you
will
survive
if
you
close your eyes and close your mind

3/20/2023

Melodel Amdemariam is a student at Duke Ellington School of the Arts. This student writer very much enjoys the wide range of art choices that Ellington makes possible–and finds the school “marvelous.” Moreover, she expresses an interest in being a “full-time poet forever, in order to break walls and build bridges,” with her writing gifts. All of us at TSPN wish her nothing but success on that noble journey.

The Poetry of Zuri Kenyatte

Rose

She is a rose
Pricked
Prodded
Clipped
Cut
Pricked
Picked
Planted
Grown
Pricked
A rose,she is

~~~

Don’t

Close my door
Don’t
Let 
Him
In
Don’t
Look 
That 
Way
Don’t
Close my door

3/20/2023

Born and raised in Washington, DC, Zuri Kenyatte is a dynamic student artist at Duke Ellington School of the Arts. She is in the Cinematic Arts And Media Production (CAMP) department. Kenyatte is also a member and former captain of Taratibu Youth Association, a performing arts company based in Mount Rainier, Maryland. She has performed in plays and musicals, but prefers to focus on poetry. For that, and for her talent, the Skinny Poetry Nation is exceedingly glad.

“No Home” by Ela Albrecht

No Home

Winter
Freezing.
Benches,
for
bed,
Freezing
metal.
No
breakfast,
Freezing
Winter

3/18/2023

Ela Albrecht is a junior at Arrowhead Union High School in Hartland, Wisconsin. Albrecht found out about the “Skinny Poetry Competition” through her creative writing teacher and poet, Ms. Elizabeth Jorgensen. This student writer enjoys snowboarding and hanging out with her friends in the summer. Some of her future goals include going to Arizona State University. While Albrecht is not sure what she “wants to be when she grows up,” a career in the field of business is of keen interest to her.

“Grandpa Was” by Carson Ketterhagen

Grandpa was
Paralyzed.
Waist
Down.
Young
Paralyzed.
My
Dad
New-Born.
Paralyzed
Was Grandpa

3/11.2023

Carson Ketterhagen is a senior at Arrowhead Union High School who plays football and lacrosse. Next year, he will be attending Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) to study electrical distribution–where, no doubt, this promising student writer will continue to excel..

The Poetry of James Norcross

The architect, he set fire to his house;
burned
burgundy
cedar,
plans
burned,
preying
problems
shattered—
burning,
the house, he set fire, to his architect

—

Ducts are packed on a Monday night—
hiding
emergency
room
tears,
hiding
true
blue
news,
hiding
ducts are packed on a Monday night

—

Dive, for me, a blue pearl,
engulfed
with
wisdom,
isolated,
engulfed
by
crystal
solutions,
engulfed,
for me, dive a blue pearl.


3/5/2023

James Norcross is a vibrant and promising student at Arrowhead Union High School. He composes poetry during his school hours and also in his free time. Norcross hopes to pursue some sort of English-related career in the future. All at TSPN wish him best in that very noble endeavor.

““Where is my son?” by Ian Callies

Where is my son?
Ringing
Shells
School
Sirens
Ringing
Screaming
Bodies
Death
Ringing
Where is my son?


2/9/2023

Ian Callies is a Senior at Arrowhead Union High School, in Hartland, Wisconsin. This student writer has lived in Wisconsin all of his life. Writing has always been an escape for him and a way for him to truly express his feelings. Callies is currently working on becoming a world-class auto technician, in the interest of possibly being able to one day work for a high-end dealership. No doubt, he will be successful in any career of his choice.

“Was I too young?” by Evangelia Maxwell

Was I too young?
Cussing
fists
violence
shouts
Cussing
smoke
alcohol
blood
Cussing
I was too young.

2/9/2023

Evangelia Maxwell is a Junior at Arrowhead Union High School. When she is not writing, this student author very much enjoys playing varsity golf and lacrosse for her noble school. This poem is her second piece this year to be published. To be sure, The Skinny Poetry Nation is very pleased to be a part of both of these very happy events.

“Where is he?” by Noah Pfannerstill

Where is he?
Blood
red
glass
blue
blood
baby
car-seat
gone
blood
He is where?


2/9/2023

Arrowhead Union High School student, Noah Pfannerstill, enjoys writing about things that truly inspire him, and get him thinking – about his past, his future, and what he can do to improve himself and the lives of others. In his free time, he also enjoys golfing, building LEGOs, hanging out with friends, as well as spending time with his family.

“Tris” by Addy Moseler

Tris

the Fun uncle
Taken
depression
smoking
loneliness
Taken
laughter
no
longer
Taken
the Fun uncle

2/9/2023

Writer Addy Moseler is a junior at Arrowhead Union High School. She loves volleyball, track, and other outdoor activities. Moseler is very creative, social, and enjoys collaborating with others. This is her first attempt at composing a Skinny and, along with all The Skinny Poetry Nation editors, love how it turned out.