Three Win Poetry Contest to Fight Bullying at Albany High

FIRST PLACE

"Words" by Siyao Ma

Many words out there
Yet none is worse than one that
Could end someone's life 

Words may be just words
But they are used to convey
Jealousy and spite

Whether typed online
Or spoken out face to face
Each is a bullet

Words can strike a place
Where even blades cannot pierce
Only time might heal

But things aren't set in stone
Working together not alone
Tears will disappear

SECOND PLACE 

"Save the Day" by Cordy Driussi 

When every quick glance
is returned with a stare
and every little look
is attacked with a glare--

your eyes may tear up,
your face may blush red--
you may run home crying
and leave the tears in your bed. 

But remember I love you,
so please--never forget
that I've got your back
since the day we first met.

So stand up for yourself!
I'm here 'til the end.
I'll get you through this,
I'm so glad to be your friend! 

Do something, not nothing.
Save a friend, save them soon.
Don't listen to their bullying--
Save a friend from a real-life loon!

THIRD PLACE

"Perfect," by Perry Fenton

Too fat!
Too thin!
Never just right,
Perfection seems
Just out of sight 

But every time
You feel at the top...
Somebody's there
To make you stop 

Too stupid!
Too ugly!
You're not good enough!
There's always a hater...
And it can be tough

But don't listen to them!
The bullies,
The rats,
Because... don't you know?
You're better than that! 

They can say all they want
About your clothes, your hair,
But really in the end
You don't have to care 

'Cuz they're the ones who feel bad inside
They pick on those who don't hide
How perfect they are, through and through
Somebody... Exactly like you!