The Place Where I Breathe
Alamo, CA
2025, Junior, Poetry & Spoken Word
There’s a spot by the water where the wind talks to me,
And the trees sing songs I don’t hear but feel.
I go there when everything’s too loud—
Take off my shoes, let my heart slow down.
The water doesn’t care if I mess up.
The sky doesn’t ask me to be quiet.
Even the bugs make tiny beats,
Like a soft, secret cheer just for me.
My grandma said the earth remembers—
Our steps, our words, even tears.
She said, “If you’re lost,
Find a leaf. It listens.”
So I lay in the grass and listen,
To stories the dirt keeps safe.
The wind carries the past through my fingers,
And the waves rock the future to sleep.
I don’t need Wi-Fi to feel connected,
Not when the ocean writes poems in foam.
This planet’s more than a place—
It’s my only home.
So I’ll speak for trees that can’t shout,
And cry for ice that melts fast.
I’ll draw hope in clouds with my fingers,
And plant love that lasts.
Reflection
Reflection
I wrote this poem because I really care about nature and wanted to share how it affects me. Being outside helps me feel calm and connected, and I wanted to show why protecting nature is important for everyone. Writing this poem helped me think about my own feelings and how nature is part of my life. I chose poetry because it lets me say what I feel in a way that sounds real and simple. Doing this contest made me realize that nature is more than just trees or animals — it’s part of who we are. When we look inside ourselves and also pay attention to the world around us, we understand why nature matters so much. My message is that we all need to help take care of the planet, not just admire it.