KOWS: Holiday Greetings '97

Kids Only Writing Showcase- Holiday Greetings 1997!

A magazine for young people by young people, to showcase all of the hard work that goes into the preparation for a writing career, or just a hobby! Show off your best work and get feedback from your peers. Become a better writer.

The stories, poems, plays, etc. that you see here are submitted by people from ages 5-18. They are all original works. If you wish to congratulate the author of a certain piece, or offer comments, the screen names are listed. We really encourage you to offer feedback. It actually does help you to become better writers. Just remember, there are different styles of writing, so don't cut down other people! Constructive criticism is fine, but please respect the feelings of others.

If you have a friend online who would like to receive or submit to the Kids Only Writing Showcase magazine, please tell them to e-mail Cheshrcat7@aol.com, or e-mail me and tell me their name. Ask if you need a black and white version of the magazine. Keep those creative works coming in!

Attention!

There are some special issues of KOWS coming up, but we will not be able to publish them if we don't receive enough submissions. Coming in February- Sugar is Sweet. Send in your best love stories and poetry. I'd really like lots of people to contribute to this! Get ready now; February is only one month away!

Sometime this Spring- Best of KOWS Poetry. Send in your best poetry. Humerous, dramatic, reflective, nature, or whatever. They don't have to rhyme. Since most poems are so short, we'll need a lot, so start writing!

Coming in April- The Joker. Humereous stories, poems, essays, etc. You can even send in any really funny jokes, riddles, or e-mail forwards (no scrolling shows)

Remember, these will only come out if I get enough submission, so get writing and tell your friends!

Now, here's the results from the KOWS Holiday Writing Contest! I'm a little disappointed in the amount of entries I received. Although I received lots and lots and lots of poetry, I only received four stories, one essay, and no plays. :-( Consequently, I have merged the two age groups for story and am only awarding a first place prize for short story. Sorry, but due to the lack of entries, the essay and play categories have been cancelled. Poetry prizes will be awarded as planned. It's too bad I didn't get more. I was looking forward to a great Holiday issue. That's okay, though. I'd love it if you all could send something in for Sugar is Sweet and The Joker!

Table of Contents:

First Place Poetry (Junior): A Christmas Blessing by Misty Catts

Second Place Poetry (Junior): Winter Birthday by Jillian Perpheect

Third Place Poetry (Junior): A Christmas Poem by Megatusa

First Place Poetry (Senior): Snowy Night by Amanda

Second Place Poetry (Senior): Gentle Snow by Mary Beth

Third Place Poetry (Senior): I Stand In the Dark by Amanda

First Place Short Story: The Christmas Doll by Katie VandenBerg

Poem: If I Could Not Sing by Amy

Poem: Christmas Time Again by Lauren Zimmerman

Poem: My Snowman by Nicole

Short Story: Teresa and Her Snowman Family by Chaz22

Poem: It's Merry Christmas by Peanut4435

Essay: What Christmas is All About by DocDoug

Poem: Christmas Means by Kerry

Poem: Christmas Time by Nicole

Short Story: Passover by Dragon glee

Poem: Seasons Greetings by Meredith Smith

Poem: Santa's Sleigh by DocDoug

Poem: Acrostic Christmas by Nicole

Special Story: Jack's Story Author Unknown

Suggested Reading Season's Greetings

Congratulations to all the winners! I had a very tough time judging the categories. In case you're wondering, here's the criteria I used: 1/5 Creativity (new ideas and methods) 1/5 Pertinence (how they fit with the theme) 1/5 Originality (your style) 1/5 Meaning (believability, emotion) 1/10 Mechanics (sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, spelling) 1/10 Completeness (forms filled out correctly, met deadline, etc.)

Without further ado, here's the work.

1st Place Poetry (Junior) A Christmas Blessing ©November, 1997 by Misty Catts (AKDenning), age 10

It¹s Christmas Eve And around the tree, There are dozens of presents As there would always be. Glittering, shiningŠ So many different styles, Such a large amount, They could go on for miles!

But there¹s a different story In other children¹s lives, They wander the streets Full of coldness and strife . Very thin clothes, No shoes at all, Trudging through the snow, Tired, weak and small. They have no idea What Christmas really means, Just another day to eat cold beans.

But this year, There¹s a difference in their face. They smile, though for their sleep, They have no place. Playing in the snow With a twinkle in their eye, But no one knows why. The real truth is With no doubt, That these young children Found out what Christmas was all about . It¹s that Jesus died for you and me, to save this world and set it free.

Second Place Poetry (Junior) Winter Birthday ©December, 1997, by Jillian Perpheect (WhiteTiges), age 11

December 13; I am 11, And it feels like Earth is in Heaven. Today the weather is perfect, just for me, The way the Earth is supposed to be. The sun is shining, the sky is blue, Someone whispers, "This day is just for you." Now, tonight, as I lay watching the stars, Seeing the planets, like Venus and Mars, I think to myself, "What a wonderful day." Thinking to myself, it will always be that way. Now that the day has now gone, I think to myself, "The world has moved on."

On this eve a child is born, To become a special man; To guide the troubled, sick, and weak, With a loving, caring hand.

On this eve a child is born, In a stable late at night; Some shepards saw a star, That was shining, oh, so bright.

On this eve a child is born, So tender and so light; So important that three wise men came, Traveling day and night.

On this eve a child is born, Yet many still forget; The true meaning of Christmas time, And the Lord remembers it yet.

First Place Poetry (Senior) Snowy Night ©December 1997, by Amanda (Willow1175), age 14

Snow carpets the ground like a blanket of white. A million snowflakes thunder down through the night. The cold wind of winter with frost on its breath, Sweeps over the earth proclaiming warmth's death. Alone in the blizzard, a figure walks on. I see him a moment, but then he is gone. Why would a person go out in this storm? Surely he'd rather be in where it's warm. I think to myself, well, where can he go? Then before I know it, I'm out in the snow. I call to him, he stops and he stares. I tell him the storm is too much to bear. "My house is just a few paces away Until the storm's over, you're welcome to stay." He gladly accepts and we scurry inside. We stay by the fire as we talk and we dry. The storm is over at the coming of dawn. I look out my window and out on the lawn. Alone in the snow, a figure walks on, I see him a moment, but then he is gone. I wonder now if it was a trick of the eye, But it seems almost that he was waving good bye.

Second Place Poetry (Senior) Gentle Snow ©December 1997, by Mary Beth (SchulmanAM), age 12

Gentle Snow Upon my back, Flurries fly onto The ground. So many snow flakes, All so different.

A blanket Of white Covers the ground. So chunky to Walk in, crickling And crackling.

Dark clouds Form curtains Covering the Deep blue sky, And hiding it's Ashamed face.

Third Place Poetry (Senior) I Stand In the Dark © Decmeber 1997, by Amanda (Willow1175), age 14

I stand in the dark As the snow falls down. I close my eyes, There's no one around.

I watch snowflakes Fall down from the sky I can still hear your voice As you whispered "Good Bye".

If only you were here To hold me tight, To keep me warm In this cold snowy night.

With the pieces of my heart And my trampled soul, I stand here now, My life is not whole.

I touch my cheek Where your hand should be. I miss you so much, I wish you could see.

However, you've left, And I must go on. But it will be so hard, Now that you're gone.

I watch snow sprinkle Down to the ground. And as I close my eyes, There's no one around.

First Place Short Story The Christmas Doll ©December 1997, by Katie VandenBery (Vanden4), age 10

There was a girl named Kari. She loved to collect everything-except dolls. She didn't like anything about dolls. One Christmas Eve, she chose her "Christmas Eve" present. It was a rather long box. She didn't know who it was from. "Dad, who is this from?" she asked. "Hmmmmmm. I havn't seen that one before," he replied. She took the present out from under the tree, ripped the paper and opened the box. Inside, was a china doll that looked a lot like her. She looked at the doll. "What's the problem?" her brother, Jake, asked. "Nothing" Kari replied. That night, she put the doll on her shelf at the foot of the bed . She stared at it. There was something about the doll that she loved. "I thought I hated dolls," she said to herself.

When she woke up on Christmas Day, she was still thinking about the doll. What was it that made her think about it so much? When her cousin, Susan, came over, Kari showed her the doll. Susan said,"It reminds me of your mother. Too bad she is not here to see it." Her mother had died on Christmas Eve last year. "Hey!" Susan cried. "Here is a card." Kari opened the card up and read aloud: "To Kari. Love... Mom." Kari gasped. "Oh, my gosh!"

If I could not sing my life would fall apart. If I can't sing I can't love. If I can't love I can't be happy. How can I speak if I can't sing. How can I be me if I can't sing happily. How can I try if I can't sing. WHy can't I talk instead of sing. Because I'm afraid to speak. Afraid to be face to face. If I can't sing I can't feel. If I can't feel I can't live. Without a spark of feeling I can't go on. So I must sing to stay alive. I must sing to be me. I must sing to feel. I must feel to live. So if I can not sing there would be no me. If I can't sing

When theres a Santa in every store You know Christmas is here once more When Christmas carols fill the air And happiness is everywhere A nativity scene in front of the church Shoppers, for presents continue their search Bows ribbons, and candy canes Sleds, dolls, and Choo Choo trains Sparkling snow, and shining lights Decorated a dark black night Familar ornaments dot the tree Frosty and the Grinch are the sights to see All these things bring back memories from the past It's been a year, Christmas is here at last

My snowman has a big red nose, A scarf, a hat, and a cute little pose. He stands outside and waits for me, And everytime I see him, I am filled with glee!

There once was a snowman family. They lived in an igloo that a little girl named Teresa had built for them. They respected her from her kindness. They loved their house. They had a picture of Santa hanging on their wall and they loved it. Teresa had the same picture. She loved them and they loved her. Last year she had built them. It was Christmas Eve, and they didn¹t know what to give Teresa, and she didn¹t know what to get them either. She asked her mom if she could go Christmas shopping with her, and if she could get something for her snowman family. She said yes of course, and so they went. They looked everywhere, but she did not find anything. Neither could the snowmen. Finally the snowmen family found a picture of a swan. Teresa loved swans. And so did they. All day she looked for something. But could not find anything. When they got home she finally thought of something. They had been wanting a baby and finally they were going to get one. She was going to make one out of the first snow that year. And so she did. It was so cute and so beautiful that she was glad it was Christmas Eve. She had hid it in her bushes and the next day she gave it to them ,and they loved it and were so very happy: so happy that they burst out in tears. They gave her the picture and she loved it. The next day they took a picture of the whole snowmen family.

It's Christmas, merry Christmas! Yes, it's merry, merry Christmas, It's a time for hanging stockings; It's time for riding sleighs; It's time for jolly greeting, Snow and holly, overeating, Oh, I love you merry Christmas, You're the best of holidays

I learned I learned last year the true meaning of Christmas(even before that.) It's not Santa, but baby Jesus in the manger. So before you get too commercial remember him, the nicest person to walk this earth. This is my essay on Christmas, take it to heart and ask him to come in your heart. Go to church and ask your pastor to pray for you.

Poem: Christmas Means ©December 1997, by Kerry(Kerg4), age 9

Christmas means..............

Christmas is fun Except when its all done

When you get a gift It gives you a little lift

When you see a Christmas tree You shout with glee

When you play in the snow Your voice gets real low

When you build a snowman You get a tan

When you get a wreath You say good grief

When you write a list You use your wrist

That's what Christmas is about That's why you should not pout

When Christmas comes, it's very cold. A great time for everyone, young and old.

Snow falls lightly on the ground, joy is in everyone all around.

Presents sitting under the tree, decorated and wrapped just for me.

Houses are decorated with colored lights, Everyone comes to see them for they are shining so bright.

Holiday spirit is in the air, As neighbors sing carols out in the brisk night air.

Family and friends all come together, sharing the love and happiness inside each other.

It's Christmas Eve, children huddled so near, hoping Santa Claus should soon be here.

They can't stay up, for they all know, if Santa Claus sees them, he might just go.

But when they wake up, there's joy in all, For Santa left them LOTS of presents, big and small.

I`m Jewish, so I celabrate Passover. I meet with all my relitives in New Jersey. ( I have around 50 relitives on my dad`s side.) My grandfather is a rabbi, so he leads the service. We all sing and say prayers. I love catching up on what my cousins are doing! It feels great knowing I have such a nice family. You can`t buy the feeling; it just comes.

Poem: Seasons Greetings by Meredith Smith

Season's greetings! Does this club have meetings? Silly you think I am, Just because I have a pet ram! This is my poem. Sometime we will visit Rome. Christmas is the best! Now I must rest!

Poem: Santa's Sleigh by DocDoug

Santa's sleigh, ah it's the best their ever was, Because he's Santa Clause. So be careful not to get in his way Ah, Santa's sleigh. Give him high five, In hive. You better behave. Santa's sleigh is a'comin to town.

Caring Heart-warming Reindeer Icicles Santa Claus Time of love Mistletoe Advent Shopping!

Jake's Story: Author Unknown

One December night a man came home late to find a small paper bag on his

porch. The sack was decorated in a festive motif, tied up with jute twine,

anda piece of rolled paper was attached to the outside. Inside the house, he

untied the bag and removed the roll of paper. In the bag he found two

orangesand on the paper was written the following story:

Jake lived in an orphanage with nine other young boys. Times were hard,

especially in the winter time when any extra money went for coal to heat

theold buildings. At Christmas, each boy received a special gift: A sweet,

juicy orange. It was the only time of the year such a rare treat was provided.

How the boys looked forward to that orange! It was coveted like nothing else

they ever received.

Each boy would save his orange for several days, admiring it, feeling it,

smelling it, loving it, and contemplating the moment he would eat it. Some

would even save it until New Year's Day or later, much like many of us

relish saving our Christmas trees and decorations until New Year's just to remind

us of the joys of Christmas.

This particular Christmas Day, Jake had started a fight. As punishment for

breaking the rules, the orphanage's mother told him that he would not

receive his orange. Jake spent Christmas Day empty and alone. Night time came and Jake went to bed, but could not sleep. Silently, he sobbed into his pillow. This

year he would not have an orange to savor like all the other boys.

Jake was startled when a small, soft hand was placed on his shoulder. He

felt an object being quickly shoved into his hands. The child then disappeared

into the dark. Jake looked down to find an odd-shaped gift crudely wrapped in a

piece of cloth. To his amazement, he discovered a strange looking orange...an

orange made of segments of nine other oranges...nine highly prized oranges

that had to be eaten that Christmas night, instead of saved, admired and

cherished until a later date.

At this wonderful Holday time, may Jake's orange remind us all of the

unselfish love advocated by the world's great religions. There is no doubt

that the message of most faiths--"Love one another and take care of the

less fortunate"--makes this a better world to live in.