"Dazzling Pink Roses," a poem about Miss Fannie's Hat by Jan Karon

Black hats
Red hats
Green hats
White hats
Navy hats
Beige hats
Brown hats
Famous hat with Pink Straw Roses
Miss Fannie hides her hair
Under hats
Reading the Bible
Every morning
Ninety-nine years old
With God, all things are possible
Lots of hats
Each one her Favorite
DAZZLING PINK ROSES
Really...
Miss Fannie's Hat! 

by Emerson Pate, Pawleys Island


Thanks, Emerson!  Awesome!

This Place

Moonlight peeks through the leaves on the branches,
Wolves' howls echo against the closed space
Where campfires flames dance,
And the stars can be seen clearly from this place.

The river cuts through the old, round rocks.
My breath can be seen in the still moonlight
Where ice forms on my golden locks. 
I can't wait for the sun to end this night.

As the dawn is breaking and there is day
I see that shadows are not so real.
And as I move on, I am okay.
I run to home, I run to mom, and a meal.

Home, sweet, home is all too near and sweet.
I can't wait for my head and pillow to meet!

by Emory McClary, Pawleys Island


Not a fan of camping, Emory?!  I don't like camping, either!  LOL!  Really like your poem about it, though.   Don't forget to shop on Amazon to help build our new library! Click on any ad!   Top

I'm From

I'm from going to my friend's house, and talking to them about anything.

I'm from playing soccer with my dad.

I'm from a big country house with 2,000 windows, my own room, and yard as big as two football fields.

I'm from a no dishwasher kind of kitchen overlooking my backyard.

I'm from a wrap around porch and driving my sister's Barbie jeep all day long.

I'm from a place that has sunflowers taller than Abe Lincoln.

I'm from a church that I could go to a million times and never get bored.

I'm from a no care kind of town where everyone knows everyone.

I'm from a place where the only thing you can hear is people laughing and talking about the day and just living in the moment.

This is where I'm from.

by Anna Sandor
Pawleys Island


Thanks, Anna!  I love your poem! Top

I Am From

I am from Maryland and South Carolina
I am from a small town
From Tanea calling me a farming tree
From playing sports year-round
I am from watching baton competition
From telling my sister which place to go
I am from the beach and the snow

From baking with my grandma
To Poppy's great breakfasts
I am from doing scoreboard at volleyball games
I am from eating jelly and buttered toast
From hearing "wash your hands..."
I am from playing old arcade video games and pinball with my dad

I am from trips back to Maryland
I am from splashing in the pool with my grandpa
And playing on the swing set
I am from walking to the point
Just to play in the water
I am from playing in the pluff mud to play clams
I am from Maryland and South Carolina.

by Josie Mangialardo, Lowcountry Prep School


Awesome poem, Josie!  Keep writing!  Top

The Palmetto Dream

I dream that I will reach Eagle Scout and hopefully Clemson will see me one day.

My Palmetto Dream is that this scout will become the governor of South Carolina.

I imagine what will be written in history books about me.

If I use what I am learning in boy scouts and my knowledge of history, political, and social problems,

The Palmetto State will be okay.

I dream of changing this state for the best interests of people.

So that this state can be a beacon of hope for the American Dream.

I wonder what my grandfather will say when he sees me making my way.

Maybe he will say that,

The Palmetto state will be okay.

I see my hands signing, shaking, making, and even breaking one day for this great Palmetto State.

I will stand tall and show them all what I can make happen with these actions of loyalty, honor, and hard work.

The Palmetto State will be okay.

My Palmetto Dream of becoming governor is about 20 to 30 years away.

Hopefully with my Clemson education one day I can work my way.

Lots of walking the pavement, government debates, and even holding babies will open the gate to the governor's machine.

Even if this nation doesn't prevail,

The Palmetto State will be okay.

       by David Fulton, Lowcountry Prep School, Pawleys Island, SC



Wow, David, when you're the governor, we'll come visit you in your mansion! Top 

"Nothing Gold Can Stay" by Robert Frost

A Summary of “Nothing Gold Can Stay”

            The poem “Nothing Gold Can Stay,” written by Robert Frost, has many hidden meanings and literary devices you might not realize or recognize.  I found meaning in every line that isn't apparent at first glance. 

Take the first line for example: “Nature’s first green is gold.”  Robert Frost uses a metaphor here, saying that “green is gold.”  I also see a hidden meaning in this line that is apparent in pretty much the rest of the poem as well.  Robert Frost adds chronology to nature in an elegant form only apparent in poems.  He doesn’t merely say “The green went away,” but instead uses lines such as “Nature’s first green is gold, her hardest hue to hold.”  Not only is the progress of time apparent in these lines, but also personification, making an inanimate object act as a human, and alliteration, the repetition of the first consonant sound. 

Another literary device present in the poem is a form of iambic meter.  Saying the poem aloud gives a rhythm similar to a heartbeat. As the poem carries on, nature’s degradation continues.  Later lines give more examples of the passage of time, and the poem ends with the most memorable line, not to mention the title of the poem, “Nothing gold can stay.” 

Clearly, this poem is full of hidden meaning and the passage of time in nature.  Frost’s literary devices fit well with the overall sad mood of the poem.  I can see why he is a beloved American poet.  
by Top Lee, 8th grade 

Where I am From

Where I Am From

I am from pecan trees
and many dogs.
From big blue bedrooms
and video games.
I am from many friends
spending the night and
staying up late.
From fresh picked apples
and giant steaks.
I am from the big
white house with all
the trees.
From riding 4-wheelers in
the mud.
From my grandpa taking
me to the park every weekend.
I am from Monopoly and
race cars.
From smoothies and riding
bikes with friends.
I am from my new born sister.
Her tender skin and soft eyes.
From basketball and baseball
games.
I am from the world
all around me.
From running head on
into whatever's next.

Zach McKinley
8th grade
Lowcountry Prep School
Pawleys Island SC

Zach, awesome poem!  TL

To Kill a Mockingbird

Two matching dolls and twine,

Blue buttons in a line. 

String from ear to ear,

Enough to cross a year.

Pink chewing gum with wrappers.

For the most adventurous of snackers.

A knothole and a boy.

A strangely similar toy. 

A girl of infinite jest,

With nothing to clean from her chest.

Scout and Jem. 

Jem and Scout.

Contorted in size.

Exploring false doubt.

A dangerous duo.

A curious bunch.

Always wondering,

"Hey Cal, what's for lunch?" 

Whether it's hopscotch,

Or giving geese bread,

These sociable siblings

Put big dreams in their head.

A tire swing summer.

A tree house type fall.

A snowy, white winter.

They've both seen it all.

The downfall of law.

The criminals of grime.

The sinners doing justice.

The foot washers of crime.

Several dangerous tales, one protected life.

Imagine what is wild.

"Hey, Mister Ewell.  Where'd you get that knife?" 

Simon Shore, 8th grade, Lowcountry Prep School


Buy your 50th anniversary edition of To Kill a Mockingbird: