Souhegan Student Wins Recognition for Poetry

Bailey Farris, a junior at Souhegan High School, has earned Honorable Mention in the New Hampshire Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

A panel of New Hampshire writers, teachers, and literary professionals selected the work from among the many outstanding works submitted—as among the most exceptional in the state.

In early May, all award are invited to attend the Middle/High School Voices conference and the NH regional awards ceremony to be held at Plymouth State University. In addition, every piece of writing which received a gold or silver key, or an honorable mention will be published in this year’s edition of Middle/High School Voices. 

To All Their Own

The freedom of a pen
across a yellowing page,
or a scrap torn from a notebook
meant for something else.
 
A gentle brushstroke
silhouetting a man and a woman,
or colored pencils flying
in a child's chubby grasp.
 
Rough pounding of a keyboard
as fingers learn new positions,
or the wiz of a master's hands
playing out Beethoven.
 
Leaping through the air
and pirouetting on pained tip toes,
flamboyant twists with a partner,
or twirling in a meadow.
 
Jamming out to the radio
in your car with your best friends,
or performing in a concert
with an audience full of strangers.

Training and reaching for the gold
pushing yourself harder,
compared to playing around
with a group of novice lovers.
 
Sitting alone in the dark, wondering,
your passion building,
or putting it out there for the world
to watch and criticize.
 
Listen to no one but your heart,
stop at no bump in the road,
take the greatest risks because you can,
it's your passion, bring it to life.

~ Bailey Farris