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Poetry, Grades 10 – 12: First Place

Locked Lines — Stephanie Frisch

My eyes linger on the elegant page,

Connected loops cross with the slightest trace

Leaving behind crumbs of discontent and space,

Faint enticing lines form a cage

Securing my truths from entering the stage.

Trapped in a cycle of gestures and pace

Clamped shut as if not to express disgrace

Instead, idling. Unable to audaciously engage.

 

In attempt to crack this puzzle and call

On the voices inside one last time

As I finally draw defined lines and try.

Breaking free of those who held me to a wall

I gasp, as my pen passionately writes in rhyme

Embracing the disciplined judgment to fly.

Embracing the disciplined judgment to fly.


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