The New York Public Library hosts a collection of essays and poetry by teens, Wordsmiths; an Anthology of Writing by Teens on the Web. Submissions are invited.

Makes Me Happy by Hannah,15

We've been friends for so long,

That we fight like old married couples.

Now a simple dream,

Can change the course of my heart.

I think I'm over you every day,

But then that simple dream happens.

Every night dream and every daydream,

It makes me happy.

The only reason school makes me happy,

Is 'cause you're there to get my hopes up.

It only happens when your brown meets my blue,

That I get another glimmer of hope.

I can't control this feeling,

You do.

Friends can't believe this,

I do.

We hope.

I'M LUCKY by Jamie Different, 17

IT'S FUNNY HOW MUCH LIFE HAS CHANGED...WE'RE ALL GROWIN' UP SO FAST...OUR DAYS ARE GETTING SHORTER TOGETHER SO WE'VE GOTTA MAKE THE GOOD TIMES LAST

I TRY TO STICK BY UR SIDE BUT UR ALWAYS SO BUSY AND YOU'LL SET UR SOCIAL LIFE ASIDE TO MAKE TIME FOR ME.

I'M HAPPY TO HAVE U AND I FEEL LIKE I'M LUCKY TO HAVE A BOYFRIEND WHO'S RESPECTFUL AND ACTUALLY CARES FOR ME

U PROBABLY THINK I DON'T APRECIATE YOU AND I'M SO SORRY FOR THE WAY I ACT. I'M THANKFUL FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR ME EVEN THOUGH I DON'T SHOW U THAT.

ADULTS DON'T UNDERSTAND THE LOVE WE HAVE FOR ONE ANOTHER THEY THINK WHAT WE HAVE IS JUS' A FAZE BUT I'M SURE WE'LL STAY TOGTHER STRONGER THAN EVER FOR THE REST OF OUR DAYS.

The Keeper by Larry Doku, 14

The sire name of the family has been alive for long

The grand elders have kept it this way

To keep the dream alive,

The young is thought

So he can keep the family name

From getting frost

The old man can only wish

That his name will still live

But destiny is in hands of a youngster

He is the one who gives

All the wise men expect the child to excel

Beyond all former excellence

Hopefully the youngster agree

To keep the name a creed

The old man’s heart is calmed

So he leave hope in hands of his son,

But he taught him well and in time

Yet it all depends on the youngster

He is the keeper, not his father

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