The Pandemic Project: Round One

We proudly present the first installation of submissions to the Butler Bridge Program’s Pandemic Project. This ongoing project seeks to collect the writings of Indiana students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. While some pieces may address the pandemic, this is not a prerequisite. Instead, this project celebrates the writing of young people living through unprecedented times, as they choose to celebrate, question, and confront them.

Submissions are ongoing; if you would like to be included in our next posting and are an Indiana student in grades 3-12, please send your submission, along with name, grade, and city, to egiffin@butler.edu.

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Tears Can Grow
Carissa Fuller, Grade 8
Carmel, IN

When I cried the last time
The tears ran down my rosy cheeks
My nose red and running
But my brain was Running off quicker
As the world around me melted
Looking through the water blurred window
Of my vivid green eyes
The tears dropped from my face one by one
Landing with the slightest splash
At my feet.
And there was where it grew.
The flower brighter than the sun
More colorful than the rainbows
And a smile that glowed
With the radiant of hope.
The hope that grew my dreams
Filling my house with nice furniture
And muddy children laughing
As I chased after them
Because you need a little rain to
Clean the windows.

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Two Poems
Callie Shea-Carpenter, Grade 6
Carmel, IN

Sitting around all day,

We’re going to be here till May.

When the boredom’s begun,

I might go outside for a run.

 

Missing every birthday,

I might be snacking on Lays

I had 5 Zoom calls yesterday,

E-learning for days and days.

~*~*~

We went to the store.

Did I want to? never.

I thought it was quite a bore.

It felt like it was forever.

 

We got home and I raced inside and I won.

I swear the bags weighed a ton.

The shopping trip wasn’t very much fun.

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Greatest Fashionista
London Williams, Grade 3
Indianapolis, IN

Kisha was the greatest fashionista. Fashion designer, Kisha was in the ELLE magazine. She lived in LA, California in an apartment. She made an app, after that she got lots of money. Then, Kisha became a fashion designer with the money. Kisha’s dream was to become a fashion designer. When Kisha was 19, someone came to her house. “Hello Kisha” said Kisha’s mom, “MOM! Omg hi!”, said Kisha. Kisha’s mom came in, she helped Kisha make dresses, and some jackets. Kisha’s mom left, Kisha got to work. Until, it was night time. Kisha went to bed. In Kisha’s dream, she got accepted to high school prom, then she was the queen of Fashion. Kisha was so happy!

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Our Mother
Valerie Fernhaber, Age 11
Indianapolis, IN

It is Mother’s Day,

So, may I just say-

A big thanks to the mom who provides all,

Who starts my day with a chirping wake up call.

She grows gardens full of fresh food to eat,

And when we’re cold, she gives us heat.

She was there for us from the start,

And will always have a special place in my heart.

She forgives us again and again,

When we are so careless, even when the sickness began.

Her many sons and daughters are going extinct,

She tries to grow better but can barely think.

So please, help the best mom we’ll ever 10/10 rate,

Help Mother Earth before it’s too late.

*

This poem was inspired while picking up trash on Mother’s Day, 2020

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Math Counts
Kevin Hu, Grade 8
Carmel, IN

One unknown.
Deadly and dangerous,
keeps us on our toes.
One humongous unknown.

Cancellations left and right,
no school,
no work,
no sports.
It doesn’t look bright.
But for me,
no MATHCOUNTS.

Months of work,
years of hopes,
dreams and wishes,
torn apart.

38 problems that will never be solved,
their answer blanks left unfilled,
hundreds of dreams left unfulfilled.
No winner but hundreds of losers.

But we aren’t losers.
We are winners,
victims of nature,
but victors of effort,
of determination,
of hope.

We are winners,
who never got to win,
but who all won,
together.

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Destruction Myth Poem
Navnoor Mutti, Grade 9
IN

A man, who in which had created the earth of mere paper,

the sun and the luscious grasses too,

now angrily stomped upon the precious pieces holding life

Crushing, destroying, hurting, all people on earth.

The ear bleeding screams ricocheted off the walls as

he tore the terrible peaceful. The delicate life destroyed,

which humans were trying so hard to cling to

No mercy. None. The man ignored the screams

Instead he smiled, his face filled with glee. He was once

red but now the only color that showed

on his face was happiness and relief

The boy turned and fell,

Deep

             Deep

Down

W        h         o         o          s         h

                                                               And he was gone

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COVID-19

Outbreak around the world

Respiratory system is what it attacks

Oh, please! Remember to wash your hands

Not passing them around

And making others sick

Viruses are bad for your body

Inconsistent social distancing just doesn’t work

Ragging inside, our immune system is working hard

Urging and squirming to protect you

So remember to practice good hygiene