Meghann Dempsey

I think I’m too proud to be persuaded
And almost too loud for aggravation
Yet so quiet my voice when all else has faded
And my eyes are on yours. You breathe life.

You breathe life

I’m ready for action
And steady in mind
Think of what words are now jaded
You’ve the upper hand
Quick in your movement
Soft with berating all my hidden conclusions
Crime falters such missions
Of reflective petitions
Epistles in masses I’m gone by the morn
Torn between loves, ideas that seem foreign
Wake me, oh Rays of beauty so bright
Lift my spine toward the pines
broken skies
Clouds…then light
Breaking clouds…breaking sights
The mother can’t feed her child this week
The frost on the panes and the fuzz whites mine cheek
I’m so sick
I’m so filthy and I have no escape
This longing’s not sated. I’m desperate to wake
And hear those birds chirping, flapping blue wings
Melding into my painting
A Father in chains
A Brother in pain
Yet the mother still sings

I Wish

By Meghann Dempsey
Rice Memorial High School, Grade 10

This winter tale does not explain
Fuzzy thoughts, or cookie brains
Santa Claus’ rosy cheeks
Or festive songs that last for weeks
Instead, this winter, read to you
A story shared from four faith views
They talk about a King of Kings
The Lord of Lords of whom we sing
During church the Eve of Love
The baby birthed to rescue us
The skies so black, yet mottled white
A star above shone toward that sight

I wish I were alive back then
To witness Mary’s cry and grin
As she hugged her sinless kin
And kissed his soft, cold, wrinkled skin

I wish I had been there to see
Joseph’s face burst into glee
When Baby gurgles broke our plea
And animals bowed rev’rently

I wish I were alive that night
To see my Savior bundled tight
To see who’d come to live God’s light
And beat dark Satan through love’s fight

I wish I had been there to hear
The donkey’s haw and silent tears

O Dear Sea,

Sweet and subtle through endless days
This stage that we’re in, I’m eager and dazed
Your gaze
Your wit
Your selfless ways
I’m timid
I’m nervous
My mind in a haze
But while I sit waiting, I’ll search for soft hints
The ones you supply bring a grin once they’re sent
The lyrics sing calls and I’m drinking them down
Such phrases, such crazes, such mazes surround

It’s a challenge for me
To bring forth a glance
To alter free movement
To a stiff, steady stance
That awkwardly ponders the thoughts in my mind
The questions of time
When our dreams are one rhyme

Like stars in the sky
Strive to line with the sun
Signs the world’s ending
But signs we’ve begun
Can you see pure confusion? Do you mirror my doubts?
Could delusions elude you from drowning them out?

Oh, please deny this and say it’s not so
Say you’re engrossed and you’ll, not yet, let go
With all that I know, I pray and I wish

I’m standing out cold
While you’re writing a note
My hands like two ice cubes
And a call in my throat
To yell your name out;
To embrace just one gaze
Of truth and of knowledge or a quick-witted phrase

So fast, I am whizzing
Yet words are delayed
My heart’s playing hopscotch
While your brilliant eyes fade
And I wait for my being to charm you with grace
Or convert your soft grins to an awkward embrace

Do you share these temptations to block all else out?
Do you share my confusion and unwanted doubts?
Kind words and deep readings
Curl into my mind
But my mouth just can’t spit these planned phrases and rhymes
So I’ll wait, I suppose, to watch your heart climb
Past obstacles where others fell through Last Time

I know to you it's nothing big
To lead me on, then loosen grips
To send me love and soothe my soul
While knowing nothing else shall grow
I know of course you set them high
Those expectations that I climb
To reach the top and take your hand
A promise bound in fiction lands
In foreign sights and fairy tales
Where princes know when love sets sail
And follows 'long as time ticks on
So fast the travel when hearts be fond

I sit and wait
I love, then hate
Frustration lurks as days go late
But hope remains in later dates
Confusion perks. I bite the bait

And only then do minds come clear
Yet anger shows through patient tears
Forced to linger, pushed in fear
That you will never lend thy ear
You will never bend to hear

Other sides can win the race
Other dragons slow the pace
And princess dreams do not replace
The faith you have to see my face
In glass reflection back at thee
Translucent eyes that see through me

Veils so quick can turn straight black

To date or not to date?

By Meghann Dempsey
Rice Memorial High School, Grade 10

With so many arguments regarding the topic of dating, I believe it is important to view both sides before choosing what to follow and how to address the issue. Dating can have both positive and negative impacts on a person. Though it can bring forth heartbreak and vulnerability, it is also a chance to get to know the opposite sex and grow as a person through hard times that might result from the committed relationship.

All the needs replace the seeds of which I plant to aid your lead and give you all the selfish darts that crashed my world and pierced my heart. The bruises, brown 'pon blood red tears so quickly closed your hearing ears. And silent whispers in the night from gentle eyes that held me tight. To him, I bid a deep farewell and run to thee, with hardened shell. But are you just a stay-inside? The kind who hides from love's shy sight? Of course it's all the same to me. I share such fear of blinding tears for that is why I cling to thee; the he of whom my world should be attached like strings upon lone trees who catch and hug old wooden swings.

I want and pray for this small deed. A second glance provides such need to truly see my glowing face, a power you can soon embrace.

Flawed Reflection

By Meghann Dempsey
Rice Memorial High School, Grade 9

Who's that in the reflection staring back?
Surely not me
No, of course not!
That is the face of a liar and coward

Those sagging eyes are not my own
My eyes are bright and send my love
The mirror shows sockets of hateful and judging gazes
They do not belong on my pure face

Flawed Reflection

By Meghann Dempsey
Rice Memorial High School, Grade 9

Who's that in the reflection staring back?
Surely not me
No, of course not!
That is the face of a liar and coward

Those sagging eyes are not my own
My eyes are bright and send my love
The mirror shows sockets of hateful and judging gazes
They do not belong on my pure face

That big mouth never tasted my jaw
My lips raise people up who are down and do not slander as those do
The mirror shows thin lips that have lied and deceived many
They do not belong on my pure face

That large nose never smelled my food
My nose smells flowers and filters out odors
The mirror shows a nose that sniffs down revenge
No, that would not even fit on my pure face

Those pointy ears never heard my name called
My ears listen to positive messages and God's word
The mirror shows two ears that perk up to gossip
They do not belong on my pure face

Those dirty, stained hands never felt my skin

By Meghan Dempsey
Rice Memorial High School, Grade 9

She walks along the darkened path,
Shiv’ring through thin fibers.
Her breathing hastens to heavy gasps
That show the foggy warmth
Evaporating between each breath.

She reaches for the swelling midriff,
And looks up at the man before her,
Desperation and need pleading in dark eyes.

Slow Down and Breathe

By Meghann Dempsey
Rice Memorial High School, Grade 9

Too many thoughts for my pencil to write
Too many stresses I’m not ready to fight
Strike down my fears
And wipe out my tears
The eye-burning water that quickly appears

I refuse to be bitter
I refuse to be broken
But my refusals are slowly outspoken
Battered and pushed by work, change, and ire