Millburn Student’s Poem Makes National Poetry Contest Top Ten

MILLBURN, NJ - Alex Grossman, a sixth grader from Millburn Middle School, was recently honored in the Creative Communication Poetry Contest for his winning poem, “Maine’s Bright Lightning.”

Grossmans poem was selected from thousands of national submissions as one of the top ten best poems in his grade level. His poem was submitted by his fifth-grade teacher, Sharon Jones of The Washington School. Creative Communication sponsors the contest to offer a creative outlet that honors the country’s youth. Washington School principal, Peter Mercurio said he was thrilled to receive the news.
“Too often the efforts of young writers are unrecognized. We want to encourage and motivate our students to continue writing,” said Mercurio.

The top ten students in each grade division receive a $25 award and a free book. Teachers earn free classroom supplies.

His poem is below:

Maine’s Bright Lightning

The long drive up
The lap of soft waves
And rocks being pulled
into the welcoming current
The embracing sun of Maine
That tangles us in warmth
The bright fire punctuating the darkness
Of the summer home empty
Speaks to me

The foxes walking
across the long grassy landscapes
The stories the clouds tell
And fade into the night
The ponds that fill the land
The wet kayaks
The shell of crabs
Speak to me

The dense woods
The green sprouting leaves
And yellow flowers
My family’s love,
The Maine summer’s dinners
That make mouth sing
The porches
The view
The thousand stars spread over the night
Like butter spreading over warm toast
Speak to me

And my heart soars

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