South Fayette resident published poet

Ava Jean Slezak was chosen as one of the Top Ten writers for the Creative Communication when her poem, “Summer When I’m Nine,” was selected from thousands of entries as one of the best in her grade division.
The contest was held for students in grades K-9, and the Top Ten writers in each division (grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9) received special recognition in the poetry anthology A Celebration of Poets. Each winner also received a complimentary copy of the anthology and a $25 check.
Poems are selected for their literary merit, creativity, and social significance. Creative Communication sponsors this contest to offer a creative outlet that honors youth. Other Top Ten winners can viewed at the contest’s website, www.poeticpower.com.
The daughter of Joe and Amanda Slezak of South Fayette is currently a fourth-grade student at St. Louise de Marillac Catholic School in Upper St. Clair.
Slezak is a two-time winner of the WQED PBS Writer’s Contest, having won in both second and third grade.
“It’s summer!” says Mommy, “Go and play! Be a kid and enjoy the day.”
She tells me to go run and jump, because someday I’ll have laundry my family dumped.
She says to go out and feel the sun, pick some flowers, chase and run.
So I read a book, grabbed a blanket too, and lay on the grass with the morning dew.
I pick off wishers with my fingers, but my heart is happy as the day still lingers.
The breeze blows gently on my face and I know I feel God’s love and grace.
I run in the grass and my feet are bare, with a floppy ponytail in my hair.
I skip and twirl and kick my ball, and I have adventures with my doll.
Picking peaches off Papa’s tree with cuts and scrapes on my knee.
Training wheels are gone on my bike, and I’m hoping we can go on a nature hike.
Swinging on a dirty, old tire, we then roast marshmallows by the fire.
The summer wind fills my lungs with air and the humidity makes curls in my hair.
Looking at cloud shapes next to my twin, then running a race to see who will win.
Drippy popsicles and sticky hands, I wipe them on a towel, while I make castles in the sand.
My cheeks are pink, and I ask mommy for a drink.
My worries are few, but there is so much to do.
The summer is mine, and I just turned nine.
It’s dinner time and the day’s almost done, yet summer is wonderful and I’m having such fun.
A fresh, cool bath to wash off the day, then in clean pajamas, I kneel and pray.
Mommy is right as she turns off the light and kisses my head and tucks me in tight.
Enjoying the summer and being a kid, when I look back, I’ll be glad that I did.