San Diego County Youth Poetry Selection

The Spoiling of an Aging Kiwi

His body old and soft to the touch
the color of his skin grayish-brown
his wooden rocking chair creaks as
he rocks back and forth
shedding small, black hairs on the seat.
His arms and legs sprout
small, curly black hairs that tickle
as they brush against your skin.
He has long hairy toes
hair coming out of his ears,
his nostrils
he's quiet and speaks little.
In his eyes I see a lively waterfall
with rocks on its banks covered in green moss.
once a bright vibrant thing
rich, ripe and vigorous in his youth
Now he grows near to rotting in the earth
-- grows dry.
Now I must leave him alone
must let him be
must let the spoling of age
swallow him whole
and spit out the pit
that was once his soul.

ALEGRIA VICENCIO
8th Grade, Bonita Vista
San Diego, CA
Johnierenee Nelson, Poet-Teacher