Student Samples:
Quest Item Poems

a three-part poem about standing on the road of life

A song by Jim Croce is inspiring student writers to try new techniques with the traits of idea development and word choice.

Your students can self-publish their writing to this lesson here.

Student Samples Being Sought:
Grades 8, 9, 10

Student Samples: Elementary

My Lifelong Journey
by Jamie, fifth grade poet

On my lifelong journey,
Three things are all I need,
No matter how much I grow
Like a little seed.

A well-working cell phone
Is at the top of my list,
So I can hear the voices
Of those I’ve really missed.

Next, my rainbow bear,
To brighten up my day,
To comfort me in my times
Of sadness and dismay.

Finally, (this might sound silly)
But I would bring a “Ho Ho”
To fill myself with joy
By eating lots of cocoa.

(Click here to view and print Jamie and two of her classmates' quest item poems)

Moving Down the Road
by Anthony, sixth grade poet

Rollin’ along like Nyjah Juston
With my skateboard, with my skateboard
To a place unknown where only I shall be shown
With my skateboard, with my skateboard
Moving down the road I have chosen.

Texting on my phone like Paris Hilton
On my phone, on my phone
Testing at the place unknown
On my phone, on my phone
Moving down the road I have chosen.

Chilling at the place with my board and my phone
With a hat on my head, with a hat on my head
Blocking the sun from my face
With a hat on my head, with a hat on my head
Moving down the road I have chosen.

(Click here to view and print Anthony and two of his classmates' quest item poems)

Student Samples: Middle School

My Story
by John, seventh grade poet

Life is like a story
You never know
What will be written next.

I carry my love
As deep as the sea
Never ending
Always holding my hand
To assure me of things not known
Subsiding love, subsiding love.

I carry my pride
As tall as the clouds
Riding above buildings
Holding me back
When I seem to be in trouble
Helpful pride, helpful pride.

I carry my curiosity
As full as a story
Brimmed to the edges with ideas
Running by my side
Asking me questions as we go
Quick curiosity, quick curiosity.

My journey is ending
My time is near
And I will go with no fear.
I have my weapons, my holy grails,
No one but me will care
When and if I fail.

(Click here to view and print John and five of his classmates' quest item poems)

Student Samples: High School

Not Ready To Be On My Own
by Shelayna, eleventh grade poet  

I reach two signs in the road
I’m indecisive at this point
An age of confusion
In desperate need of a push.

My heart is my everything
It’s my president, my boss, my teacher
It aches with passion and honesty I can’t ignore
It’s as loving as it is loved.

I’m never alone
As I run in circles it runs with me
Or perhaps stands there and laughs
Because the answer is right there
Its breath on my neck could burn down a forest
Yet I keep him around, my obsessive friend wisdom.

Alas, my characteristic trait
Flies free, stubborn, and alone
Independence, I wear him on my sleeve
Bearing all that is me.

I choose to sit here and wait until my answer comes alone
The paths aren’t going anywhere
They are laid out for me
And I keep them free of shrubbery.

(Click here to view and print Shelayna and three of her classmates' quest item poems)

I Will Paint my Road
by Allison, twelfth grade poet

I will paint my road with faith.
It is my familiarity.
It keeps my head clear
And whispers softly in my ear.
My faith, a warm yellow glow,
That lights my way,
It is strong.

I will paint my road with curiosity.
It is my mental illumination.
It opens my eyes
And dances in front of me.
My curiosity is a bright green
That brightens my thoughts.
It is free.

I will paint my road with creativity.
It is the color of my path.
It paints the world ahead
And laughs with me.
My creativity is a striking red
That draws my attention.
It is ever-changing.

(Click here to view and print Allison and three of her classmates' quest item poems)