"No Longer Gold" By Katelyn Scheevel (1st Place Winner, Top of Iowa 9th/10th Grade - Poetry)

Katelyn Scheevel is a sophomore at Fillmore Central High School. When she is not writing, she can be found playing basketball, volleyball, and softball, as well as playing her flute. Katelyn also likes to sew, draw, read, and bake in her free time.

You razed my gleaming city of gold,
Demolished my pride with your cruel commands;
Radiant sunshine, smothered by cold.

A mere puppet; my strings you controlled—
And though my victory wasn’t part of your plans,
You razed my gleaming city of gold.

I was the dimmest lamp to behold,
A once blazing candle quenched by your hands,
Radiant sunshine, smothered by cold.

You possessed conceited bias untold;
As your best-loved target on my back expands,
You razed my gleaming city of gold.

Held back by all the chances you’d withhold,
So, from your slanted table I took a stand;
Radiant sunshine, smothered by cold.

I’ll never forgive you as I keep growing old.
Though tragedy inspires change in most lands,
You razed my gleaming city of gold;
Radiant sunshine, smothered by cold.