The English Department, Publications Club, and Blog Class sponsored the second annual Poetry Competition in the Middle and Upper Schools. Reprinted here is the Honorable Mention, “Old,” by 8th-grader Jessica Denyer. All 12 finalists can be seen on the bulletin board in the Upper School Lobby.

Old

By Jessica Denyer

Old collectibles hold more memories than any eye.

See the unseen and hear the unheard.

Books have seen more tears than any shrink.

Paper has held words that have been thought to say but never were.

Crumpled, thrown, and used to wipe away the tears.

Rocking chairs have seen more sunsets from an old porch than the people who rest in them.

Stopwatches have seen more pocket lint and business meetings than the money discussed.

Coffee tables have seen more beer spilled on game days than the stadium itself.

The 1942 Chevrolet convertible lying on the lawn has heard more karaoke singing than any corner bar.

But now most of these items retire in attics of old homes

Or consignment stores that are like retirement homes for the unwanted objects

Or on dusty driveways waiting to be bought and go on the next adventure.

Some of these things now reside on dirt roads

Where the unwanted things go to die

Or a lawn where they may proudly rust and depart,

For old things don’t last forever but memories last a lifetime.

Winning poems compiled by Blog Editor Shelby Armor