By Shannon Lipp, 9

Grand-Prize Winner

Cleaning my room is really fun

Like going to the desert for a very long run

Or climbing the trees that are full of bees

Oh, cleaning my room is fun

Cleaning my room is really great

Just like the rotten egg I ate

Or bumping my head on the edge of my bed

Oh, cleaning my room is so great

Cleaning my room is such a joy

Just like breaking my favorite toy

Or sliding in dirt in my pretty white skirt

Oh, cleaning my room is a joy

Cleaning my room is very fun

Like pulling weeds in the blazing hot sun

But the only part that I think is fun

Is when my mom peeks in and says that I’m done

More than 1,200 kids entered this year’s TIME For Kids Poetry Contest. Poet Kenn Nesbitt chose the winners. Click through this slide show for more winning rhymes.

By Austin Valencia, 10

Runner-Up Winner

I was happy like a kid at Christmas

when my little sister was born,

but then that beautiful baby

started blaring like a horn.

So peachy and adorable,

what a bundle of joy.

Pink dolls scattered everywhere,

I wish she was a boy.

My heart started to flutter

the first time she said my name,

but when she called me “Doo-Doo Head,”

I didn’t feel the same.

As she took her first steps

I whispered, “Come to big brother.”

Then she stomped on my video game

and I yelled down to my mother

Red curls flowing on her head

and hot pink lipstick.

When she smeared it all over

my mirror I start to feel sick.

She seems so sweet and innocent,

but to everyone’s surprise

that teeny weeny cutie pie

is a demon in disguise.

By Emily Klag, 10

Runner-Up Winner

I was very surprised when I went to the zoo.

I laughed when I heard a horse say moo.

I chuckled when I saw a fox on ice.

I smiled when I saw a llama with rice.

I giggled when I saw a goat with a tie,

But I screamed when I heard a lion say hi!

By Christy Koh, 12

Runner-Up Winner

Munching on carrots

Guzzling down beans

Crunching on celery

Wolfing down greens

Nibbling on nuggets

Devouring pork pie

Gorging on tri-tip

I’m the eating kind of guy

Savoring salmon

Chowing down clams

May I have oysters

Cooked with fried yams?

Snacking on yogurt

Chewing on cheese

Oreos are awesome

May I have some more please?

How about Chow Mein?

Or maybe roast duck?

Let’s get together

For a hearty potluck!

 Mountains of Cheez-its

Millions of chips

I just keep on eating

‘Till my tummy rips.

I think there’s one detail

You did overlook

Though I love to eat food

I’m a terrible cook!

By Cameron Harrell, 10

Honorable Mention

I had a picnic

With a moose

We shared a sandwich

And some juice

My basket became empty

Before my very eyes

The look on this face

Was such a surprise

He held his stomach

There was nothing I could do

Before I knew it

A big wind blew

This picnic was over

It was such a big scare

When that moose burped

It parted my hair

I will never have lunch

Again with a moose

Because he ate all my sandwiches

And drank all my juice

By Makenna Lockard, 12

Honorable Mention

Santa stole my tricycle

On the night of Christmas Eve.

I’m guessing Mr. Nick

Had no other way to leave.

Dasher dashed away

Rudolph’s nose went out

And all his other deer

Just wandered all about.

So he was all alone

In his big ol’ red sleigh,

Had nothing else to do

So I guess he walked away.

After he gave my presents

He took my trike right off the lawn.

‘Cause when I went to put my new bell on,

I noticed my trike was gone.

But then I noticed a note,

He left on my front steps.

I read it and now I’m calm

Because next year I’m going to get…

“SHAY TIME 4 DINNER!”

Alright MOM!

Okay folks I have to go.

But I guess before I do

I’ll just let you know.

I love my Ol’ Saint Nick,

I am no longer mad.

‘Cause now I’m the 1st 3 year old,

To get my own iPad!!

By Una Wilson, 11

Honorable Mention

The great Lord Zeus

Makes thunderstorms

And Poseidon makes the waves

Coal miners bring back coal

From far off yonder caves

Firefighters put out flames

And work for saving lives

Beekeepers collect the honey

And keep the bees in hives

Actors dance upon a set

Writers publish and type

Astronauts fly to space

Musicians play all night

And if your grass should get too tall

The yard boy comes to mow it

And because I wrote this poem

And want to be a poet

I will rhyme and add some rhythm

To make a lovely song

And show the world I can write

And that I do belong