A huge thank you to all who took the time to enter the 2024 Solano County Library Teen Writing Contest!

We were honored to read your work, and encourage each of you to continue writing.

Please enjoy the winning entry below!

POETRY WINNER

Spreading Your Wings

by Jayla Tuazon

 

Entwining your tiny hand with a parent,

Absorbing the free-spirit of youth all around.

Going to the toy store and finding happiness,

Not ever thinking about any tribulations or concerns.

Always looking up to those older than you.

Hysterically laughing and dilly-dallying ceaselessly,

uncovering goodness in every little circumstance.

Exploring the evergiving and arbitrary world,

Like a hatchling so fragile and curious,

Yet tenacious and adventurous like a cub.

Now you hold your own hands,

And take on heightened responsibilities.

You feel more intense emotions,

not just sunshine and rainbows.

Turning to shopping for clothes and the fancy things,

feeling driven to fit in with our society.

Sometimes you don’t know how to feel,

but sometimes you do.

It’s all apart of the growing process

you tell yourself,

but it all can seem like a paradox at times.

Growing up is a scary thing.

Often comparing the present to the past,

where you remain stuck inside of.

Feelings of judgment or discomfort within yourself,

while juggling life’s situations at the same time.

Conclusions may be jumped to,

emotions may dominate your mind.

But like a bird,

We must spread our wings.

Soar through life’s challenges.

Turning past pessimism into present optimism,

and letting yourself fly and breeze through life,

will save you.

Unshackle those fears,

break your barriers that hold you back.

Exploring the world rather than remaining stationary,

will always set you free

of the challenges of growing up.

Don’t be afraid to take flight of your own destiny