2001 Essay/Poetry Contest

Chris Nanson, Grade 8
Teacher: Ms. Deidre Rand
Mountainside Middle School
Scottsdale Unified District

Third Place
Middle (Grades 6-8)

He was young, only of ten,
When tragedy suddenly hit.
He didn't anticipate what would happen next
And it wouldn't be fun one bit.

He was playing with a little girl,
She was only four.
When there was a shot right from his hand
And then a thud on the floor.

A gun that wasn't well hidden
Was found by mistake,
Went off in his hand,
And because of this, her life he did take.

Her burial was beautiful
His heart was in the right place
But the worst thing was yet to come,
To meet the parents face to face.