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Sebastian Martinez

Age:

17

13-21

Third Place Award

Poem

2024

I’ve always had dreams to reach in my career

And I will not deny that it was hard to get here

But I had determination to reach all my goals

Everyone would applaud, I knew where I’d go


However one dream of mine had alluded me so

Not similar to anything I’d ever known

It started out slow, I didn’t feel right

Until I finally noticed on one fateful night


It was a dream of new friends

A potential for love

People I could rely on

Is what I was dreaming of


So I sought to achieve this

As I’d done times before

But as I quickly learned

This dream would take more


People are ruthless

Rejection I found

Couldn’t keep my head high

My dream stayed on the ground


But I didn’t give up

I didn’t run back

I looked at myself

I began a new track


I made myself better

No one told me to

I became more involved

My dream would come true


A group of my people

Right in front of me

A chance for new experiences

Now I could see


People are ruthless

People always fight

But it’s these people I love

That let my dreams take flight

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This gallery is a permanent, non-commercial archive celebrating past Tian Hong award-winning entries (excluding encouragement awards). All artists retain full ownership of their work. If you are a past winner or guardian and wish to have an entry removed, please email youthartcontest@tianhongfoundation.org with "Gallery Archive Request" in the subject line. We will honor all requests promptly.

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