Dream Catcher Story Contest
Honorable Mention
(Category 2: grades 6-8)
“I’m Not the Only One”
by Grace Petoyan
Age 13, Grade 8
Who me? A dreamer? No, I don’t dream.
It’s all within my head. I make senseless
goals like buying pints of ice cream.
I watch slideshows in my sleepy head about
being Mozart or Bach. My grandmother works
with threads—teaches a toddler like me to walk.
I may be a dreamer. I may think, achieve, sleep,
awake… repeat. I dare to defend hurting people
or represent those who are about to break.
Once I dreamt for peace and justice,
but I was told that wasn’t in. John Lennon said,
“I’m not the only one.” Really?
I try not to dream with certainty. I don’t want
to be the driest toast when someone finds out.
Is it illegal to share my own dreams?
Ornery people will roast me. “Ignore
what others say,” I tell myself.
A charred dream is nothing to boast.
Wait for others to scream, “Holy Cow!”
I keep dreaming about the garlic knotted desires
of my heart like wild geese over cold streams.
View a list of all the winners: http://pasadena-library.net/teens/2020/dream-catcher-story-contest/