2023 Creative Writing Contest, 2nd place winner
Writer: Lahari Durga, 10th grade
Golden Freedom
All alone by the beach,
stars so close but out of reach.
Waves that come up and tickle my toes,
My hair in my face as the cold wind blows.
My fingers running through the coarse brown sand,
My hands and skin all dirty and tanned.
“Take me with you,” I speak to the stars,
“My body and soul can’t take more scars”
I stand up and walk out to the water,
The ocean, the land, the sky as my caller.
I stretch my arms out in the air,
The moment was so sweet I swear.
What is this magical, wonderful feeling?
Not breathing, not eating, not sleeping nor speaking.
The beautiful stars feed my silence,
Rid me of self-doubt and violence.
And then I finally realize,
Staring across the starry night skies.
I say goodbye to my solemn kingdom,
As the feeling I’m feeling is golden freedom.
