sunset

sunset at the beach and I'm lonely
but really, what is there to lack
when the gulls are crying
and spray from the waves
ever so lightly freckles my face
and the sun (oh glorious ball of fire!)
is sinking into the ocean.
my arms truly are too puny to cradle this goblet
and my heart cannot possibly hold the whole sunset
yet I tip my head back and eat the sun from the sky
like slices of an orange, sweet but slightly tangy,
bursting with sunlight, dripping down my face.

Annika Trueheart Sklar
Grade 11, Santa Barbara

WINNER

                                                                    Ocean’s Healing Serenade

                                                                    The palms, a dancer in emerald grace,
                                                                    Sway to the ocean wind’s soft embrace.
                                                   Their whispers linger, their secrets keep,
                                                   Of stars above and oceans deep.
                                  The inferno raged, a dragon untamed,
                                  Its fiery breath left earth inflamed.
                 The sky ignites, a crimson flame,
                 Whispers of sunsets never the same.
The waves retreat in the dragon’s glare,
The ocean writhes in ash and despair.
The dancer scorched, her heart stripped bare,
Her touch dissolves in the choking hot air.
                 The songs of the ocean kissed the wounded sand,
                 Its melody healing the weary land.
                                  The dragon fades, its fury gone,
                                  Hope awakens with dawn.
                                                   And soon, like a phoenix, she’ll rise serene,
                                                   Palms will again dance where flames had been.
                                                                    The waves endure, their rhythm thrives,
                                                                    A timeless song where life survives.
                                                                                                      The ocean sings, its spirit alive,
                                                                                                      In the endless serenade, we all revive.

Ayan Bera
Grade 10, Fremont

HONORABLE MENTION

Surprises by the Sea

The kelp drifts soft like liquid gold,
A forest swaying, bright and bold.
Orange Garibaldi dart and gleam,
Like flickering sparks within a dream.

A giant sea bass, dark and slow,
Looms like a shadow far below.
Then near the rocks, in twilight’s dim,
I spot a lobster so fierce and grim,
Its spiny shell so brown and red,

I rise and gasp, so fast and fright.
My mom laughs softly, her eyes bright.
She laughs and says, “That’s how it goes,
The ocean hides more than it shows.”

We head to shore, the waves retreat.
Cool tide pools swirl around our feet
While seabirds sing in a distant dream.

Then from the brush, soft steps appear,
A tiny Channel Island fox, so bright and near.
Golden fur and watchful eyes,
A fleeting shape and a wild surprise.
It sniffs the air, then slips away,
A silent ghost at the end of day.

As sunset paints the sky with fire,
The boat departs and the waves rise higher.
I watch the island fade from view,
While a kayak slides into the painted caves,
A day so wild, yet still so true.

The evening breeze whispers through the trees,
A final song upon the seas.

Albert Hill
Grade 11, Los Angeles

HONORABLE MENTION

Life of a Bubble on the Californian Coast

I am released by the soft smile
of a swimming barreleye.
I escape the stinging “spores”
of Christmas tree siphonophore.

I shrink in my attempts to cling
to a bat ray’s flapping wings.
As the water’s color lifts,
I grow and I shift.

I sunbathe and I float.
Until popped, by a human’s boat.

Manya Sinvhal Kumar
Grade 12, Belmont

HONORABLE MENTION

elegy for the drowning girl
// girl learns the sea is a mouth—wide enough to swallow her name whole. // girl learns the sea is a fist—uncurling into the silence of absence. // girl finds home in the salt’s burn // in the hymn of breaking foam.

in your dreams—
  the Pacific presses its tongue to the cliffs,
  dragging every name you've ever spoken // into the tide.

your mother swore the waves were hands—
  reaching for what they’d lost through the cracks of the Golden State.

your father claimed they were teeth—grinding down the bones of the earth.

either way—
  you stood (ankle-deep)
  aching to be consumed.

girl—
  let me tell you about the wreckage
  stitched into your bloodline—

the barnacles clinging to your ancestors’ ribs,
  the way the tide carries back their voices (in pieces).

you, with driftwood for eyes.
  you, with skin brined by Santa Ana winds.

don’t you see? the sea has already claimed you,
  its salt kneeling in the hollows of your bones.

still, the waves hum inside you—
  a hymn you cannot unlearn.

when you close your eyes,
  they crash (and echo)
  against the caverns of your skull.

you tried to hold the water once, didn't you?
  cupped it in your hands—
  until it slipped through,
  until all that remained was the taste of drowning.

when she was alive,
  your mother whispered—
  the ocean would remember you.

she said you were born of its tides,
  your cries wailing with the pull of the moon.

you believed her only when the water
  called your name
  & you answered.

it was just a storm—
  but tell me why it left your heart cleaved,
  your body scattered along the shore,

each wave whispering—
  girl, come home.

the story ends with you unraveling,
  your hands reaching for light—
  as the Pacific threads itself through you.

now, there is nothing left.
  nothing but the salt.

Emily Liu
Grade 12, Foster City

HONORABLE MENTION

we’re eight again

we’re eight again. eight,
with sweat stains soaking through
our cotton tie-dye shirts. hand in hand,
we kick our shoes off, free
our toes and race down wet sand that grips
to us politely. pull together a pile of shells, wish
on a pebble, and throw it into the water.

we tell our mothers that we don’t need
the sunscreen: we’re happy being tan. our mothers
scold us as we meekly listen. patting
down sides of our sand castle, we
shriek as the water inches nearer. we
snack on melting ice cream cones, crunch
on potato chips, let the crumbs run

down onto our swimsuits, and then let
the water pull us in. pretend that
we’re dolphins and mermaids and all, last
one to the shore is a rotten egg. we sip
on smoothies and lemonade, pretend that
we’re forty with an office job and once the sun
sets, we’re eight again.

Brianna Su
Grade 8, San Jose

WINNER

#140

If your head is causing you hurt,
Come to the ocean.
If the waves have started to crash,
Let them all crash, crash away at you.

There’s lightning in the air,
Waiting to strike above our heads.
I’d die for an adventure,
Just you and I at the beach’s pier.

When we fought,
I saw the tides eroding at the rocks.
Gentle, before desperate.
But you’re unable to change me.

But one day we will corrode, disintegrate into pieces.
So let us bathe in the Sun and cherish everything we can see.
And when we break like rocks, we’ll wait for some pinnacle.
The ocean is the place where this miracle awaits.

When we shatter, we’ll wait for our pinnacle.
The sea is the place we’ll wait at the end of our lives.
And only now, I remember you, the way I’d shove my fingers
through The sand to make those castles for you, but you didn’t even
notice.

Maximilian Doan
Grade 9, Huntington Beach

HONORABLE MENTION

Whispers of the Deep

The murky, chilly waters below me
I stare from the boat, completely alone
Just the fish and I, in the deep blue sea
Suddenly, a loud voice echoes, a moan

I run to the bow, looking for the sound
Other people, looking very antsy
“Woah!” gasps of shock and awe rippled around
I jumped around, yelling “What, I can't see!”

I push to the front, while hearing a groan
I spot a tail, poked out of the water
“A whale!” I shout as I pull out my phone
It dives, leaving a pool of white-water

Then a giant water spout flies upwards
Stealing my breath, unable to say words

Arjun Kannan
Grade 8, Foster City

HONORABLE MENTION

A Vision of the Coast

The sea opens to endless blue,
a canvas brushed with morning light,
where seagulls soar on white wings,
and waves glisten with golden reflections.

By the cliffs, the redwood trees lean,
their roots cracking into the earth.
The ground crumbles under the whistling winds,
their shadows moving with the restless tide.

The tide pools glow, small and still,
revealing hidden worlds in the morning light.
Coral reefs bloom in the shallow water,
while crabs scurry underneath the surface.

The sun lowers, and the water glows,
a warm gold slipping into the night.
The winds grow quiet, the waves slow themselves,
and the stars appear, releasing the day's weight.

Bao Le
Grade 9, Fountain Valley

HONORABLE MENTION

A Fortunate Stroke of Crab-Shaped Serendipity

As I go up and down the lonesome shore
Wet sand and ocean waves between my toes
Thinking that life is such a boring chore
And waxing poetics about my woes

And closer I go to the ocean shore
But just then as a single step was laid
Not one, not two, not three, not four -- there’s more!
A horde of crabs emerged from earth and strayed

They’re popping up like whack-a-moles, oh my
This sudden sight aroused a strange delight
A laugh comes up that I cannot deny
The crabs depart; they fright of human might

A small surprise has brightened up my day
Who knew that crabs could help me in this way?

Hyeonah Lee
Grade 9, Pleasanton

HONORABLE MENTION

SD Sunset

San Diego’s
Salty sunset
Sugary Drinks
Fizz up the Tacos
Tuesday Smoke Salmon
Specials,
Surfers slide, slowly
Soaked, Over the
sticky, simmering
Waves above,
towards
A craving night dawning
Tranquility breaking;

A man with a guitar.
Slips down
The stairs and
Sits:
‘After this picture you
Take,
I shall sing for
The sea is all mine
To hear.’
Says he,
In his free-
Verse, called
He the Sea today
Mundane;
Called he the sea
splendid, only the
Natural force of
Quietness;

I knew from
That moment did,
The sea was
Nothing
Of his heart
Or soul;
Nor a shining
Star in his eyes
Only edges. sides.
fragments;
Of ever changing lives
something never
Changed.

Did I bring not
A Polaroid
Did I not capture
A spur of succulence
Of a burst
Of beauty in my
Eyes.
For Polaroids
Fade;
Memories wisp
Shall the sea ever change
Not;

We walked back
To back in
Winds,
Where jazz bands
Waltz upon my ears
to the, Heart-
Knocking stroke;
Of chatting dog-walkers and
cheesesteak,
or cream puff
shops; blow out
Tunes to
Their own flow:

San Diego’s sun sets;
That curtain of stars
Is pulled,
Do waves rage,
Howl in thunderstorms,
Do stars rash out
More
than freckles spread,
To when you close
Your eyes,
Salt climbs still into
Sensory recollections,
Until its hazy substance
turns solid,
Shall romance its own be.

SiXian Zhang
Grade 9, Westlake Village

HONORABLE MENTION

Whispers of the California Coast

Along the Half Moon Bay I stand
Where sea meets sky by soft command
Of waves, which whisper’ng, kiss the shore,
And beg for lullabies in store.

The cliffs stoop with a sentinel's grace,
T’wards shades clasped in slow embrace
By sunlight dipped in amber hue,
And vesper winds the night tides brew.

The salt-kissed air, the scent of brine
Inducing peace imbibed, divine,
In souls which maunder wild and free,
Borne off where they are meant to be:

Near sands sensed by a pointed toe,
Near rhythms sensed in ebb and flow.
Near susurration sensed as near,
Near spheres where brackish lochs run clear.

The ocean hums with ancient pride
But soon its ardent sighs subside
As snowy plovers take their flight
Renewed, as we, by tender light.

Stephen Chen
Grade 6, Dublin

WINNER

Coastal Forest

The greatest thing in the forest is the mighty Coastal Redwood standing proud and tall.
The wisest thing in the forest is the old log covered in moss.
The sweetest thing in the forest is the fawn awaiting its mother’s return.
The most lively thing in the forest is the songbird jumping from branch to branch.
The smoothest thing in the forest is the little wet leaf.
The roundest thing in the forest is the speckled mushroom cap.
The most beautiful thing in the forest is the perfect harmony.
The strangest thing in the forest is how some cannot see its beauty.

Margo Beccaris
Grade 4, Mill Valley

HONORABLE MENTION

The Estuary

A heron
Head cocked at an angle
Silently gliding
Sticking his beak in the water
Searching for fish

An egret
Wading out into the water
Long neck curling around
Watchful for any food
Ready to strike

A goose
Honking, flying overhead
Wings outstretched
It’s the winter season
Time to follow the sun

A mouse
Paws quivering
Whiskers twitching
Eyes darting
Alert for signs of food

A squirrel
Nestled in the branches of a tree
Paws curled around an acorn
Quietly nibbling
Fuzzy tail flicking

A bunny
Hiding in the bushes
Scurrying around
Ears flicking
Whipping her head towards any
potential threat

A snake
Forked tongue curling
Scaly body slithering
Waiting for his prey
To make a mistake

Eleanor Checketts
Grade 5, Goleta

HONORABLE MENTION

The Sea Cookie

Fuzzy, purple discs
Turn into bleached, white circles
Waiting to be picked

Derek Leonard
Grade 4, Hillsborough

HONORABLE MENTION

Purple Octopus

Purple octopus,
Changing colors and textures,
What else can you do?

Sabina Soenen
Grade 5, Atascadero

HONORABLE MENTION

Coastal Harmony

Each weekend comes, my sister Aya and me,
We beg our parents, "Let’s go to the sea!"
Living in California, we're truly blessed,
To have the ocean a little to the west.

Seals that dive, shorebirds that glide,
A world of wonders side by side.
Otters drifting, crabs in shells,
A magic place where nature dwells.

With chairs in tow and buckets in hand,
We set off toward the golden sand.

First, we stop at Arcangeli for a treat,
Their artichoke bread so warm and sweet
Then off to Pescadero, where waters gleam,
And foamy waves crash in a rhythmic dream.

Seaweed sways and snails creep,
The ocean whispers, vast and deep.
Then — what’s this? A splash, a spring!
Harbor seals play in a joyous fling!

Leaping, splashing, side by side,
Resting, bickering, full of pride.

A view so vast, a world so free,
A humbling truth washes over me.
For we are guests upon this land,
We must protect it, hand in hand.

Adam Sadi
Grade 2, San Jose

WINNER

Jumping Elephants

They are gray
They have a trunk
They have rough skin
And they like to dunk
They like to swim
And they like to jump
They are not elephants
They are not seals
They are both

Isaac Angelini
Grade 3, Richmond

HONORABLE MENTION

I Love the Beach

The shore is full of animals
There are some mammals
There are seagulls that sing
And kids pretending to be a queen or a king

Running across the sand is hard because it is hot
But I still love the beach a lot
It is a place that is gorgeous and great
The seagulls try to steal my fish bait

I ran right to the water
Because the sun got hotter
And played with the waves
But I see a big wave and try to be brave

The wave hits me but it was actually fun
My dad calls me to eat a chocolate bun
I love the chocolate bun I savor the taste
I tell my sister "Get ready to race"

It is time to go home now
Time passed so fast, wow!
I don’t like long rides
I would rather get hit by a tide

Advay Hodge
Grade 3, Los Angeles

HONORABLE MENTION

Coastal Wonders

The lighthouse stands large and tall
watching over waves big and small

The mighty Pacific sings all through the day
through the voices of seagulls and seals at play

The tidepools hold a lot of surprises
fishes, crabs, and octopi in disguises

With trash and plastic on the shore
the fishes and sea life deserve much more

When nature thrives
life on Earth revives

Ashwath Narayanaganesh
Grade 3, Union City

HONORABLE MENTION

Silly Willet

Little willet,
Little willet,
Why do you run?
The high tide isn’t coming until it is one.

Dry willet,
Dry willet,
Come, let’s have fun!
The high tide isn’t coming until it is one.

Playful willet,
Playful willet,
Hurry, you must run!
The high tide is coming, because it is one!

Wet willet,
Wet willet,
Why didn’t you run?
The tide came in - no more fun.

Silly willet,
Silly willet,
No longer are you dirty.
You’ve taken a bath, because it’s one thirty.

Lily Nguyen
Grade 3, Pleasanton

HONORABLE MENTION