Beowulf may have "battled and bound five beasts, raided a troll-nest and in the night-sea slaughtered sea-brutes," but he has nothing on the rock stars of periods 4 & 6. You dropped your own Beowulf-style boasts last week, and I picked five favorites to post on this site. Read them below, and vote for your top choice, using the poll widget in the right-hand margin. The winner gets a shout-out in class, as well as some sort of sugary prize.
#1
I stand motionless, heart pounding
Hands shaking, I am focused.
The sky's jewel shines down on me
While beads of sweat sting my eyes.
Soon I'll find myself asking:
What kind of player am I?
Will I crack under the pressure?
Or will I shine in the spotlight?
I am alone on the field with my thoughts.
Now I wait.
When the whistle blows, I race off the line.
I strike forward with every muscle in my body
With powerful strides and a hawk's eye on the ball.
My competitor is left in the dust.
And finally,
It flows into my stick,
I calmly caress and cradle it.
Now I hold control of the game.
You can call me a speed-merchant,
A ground-ball machine.
But mostly I'm a team player.
In front of the gates to heaven I stand
Yet I choose to pass the fame to someone else.
Years ago, I stood in the spotlight
In the game of kings.
It is now a newborn eagle's chance
To soar above and shine
On this lacrosse field.
I dare you to challenge me.
I have never been beat,
And never will.
You can't beat a true champion.
#2
To the noble Sir Smith,
You ask what my strength is? You should ask what my strengths are. For one, I am King of the Kitchen in my home. The rest of my family knows not to bother me when I'm at work. The day seems bright when my kitchen is at my control. Along with being master of the kitchen, I am Lord of the Salesfloor at work. Not many people at my workplace do what I do. Registers, no problem. Men and Kids? A piece of cake. Markdowns? Where and when? I'm good at what I do, and I'm greatly appreciated for my talents. Customers and associates alike know to come to me for my marvelous talents and my expertise on shoes. The call me Shoe Shop Joe. When I'm in school, I enjoy knowing that people of all ages can come to me and speak their minds. Whether it be a freshman or a teacher, I am equally friendly and understanding of their points and feelings. And at the end of the day, I can go home and relax and rest with my rapid little dogs. I am a cookie-king, shoe-seller, dog-father and most important, friend of all.
# 3
Beocliff
Hail all you unathletic, unhappy, pessimistic losers out there. I am the son of Alin and Mirielle, and no one has ever gone through the stuff that I've been through. Fresh to the core and as crispy as can be, I am respected by many. Maybe it's the warm smile. Maybe it's the soft heart. Whatever it is, people tend to be nice to me. But this 5'11", 164 lbs. lax prodigy came far to get to where he is. I don't allow people to dip their heads in my Kool-Aid, but I was born in Turks and Caicos, where education is at a lower level. Been through hell and back, but don't ask for your sympathy. Call me an over-achiever but I never over-do. I just do me, but you could never understand it. On the lax field is where I shine and there's not a defender that could D me up. I've been places where you would never imagine. Played with the best of the best, but it all started with my determination. I've traveled to many places to play lacrosse. I was part of the UnderArmour Underclassmen All-American Games. Yeah, I'm captain as if I didn't know I was going to be one. This year, when you come to my games, you'll all be witnesses. I am treasurer of my class. All I do is count dough. Don't ever ask for too much; can't trust too many. Never put my eggs all in one basket with a friendship because people change. Don't want those eggs to break. I plan to keep doing me and only the real me. If it really comes down to it, I can show people how to be me for free.
#4
Boast from a Beast
And there I was. The small redhead
Always quiet, never angry.
There I stood, in a low stance
Staring severely yet so soundly.
The heat was at its peak.
And so was my desire.
When it came to other sports
I had butter-fingers, but here,
Here I had passion.
Over the net, here was my chance.
I plunged to the floor.
The ball rose up in the air.
Perfectly placed in the prime position.
Quickly I stood as people stared
One-two-three steps and JUMP!
My arm arched back,
As I hovered in the air.
The sky-candle shone on me.
I was in the spotlight.
With a great jerk of my arm,
The ball rapidly cut down into the sand,
The audience in awe and amazement.
I, the fun-sized girl, had flown
Three feet in the air and much strength.
Twenty-five to twenty-three
I had made the winning spike.
I was, and am, amazing.
I am a beast.
#5
I strolled confidently in, sat on the hot seat.
Bright bulbs beamed. I breathed a breath.
Remember who I am, the one.
Bottle full of confidence,
Bowl full of strength.
The queen bee shall quietly quench a musical thirst.
I will sing sweet songs of serenity
Because I am the one.
I own the stage. I am the one.
I beat the three-time reigning champ.
Made her leave the stage with waterworks.
The best of the best and still my pedestal
Isn't high enough. I will continue to
Climb, continue to fly. My name will
Be engraved on the walk of fame.
My face will turn out a constellation.
Remember who I am, the one.
Top-dollar dime-piece.
A ten on a 1-5 scale. Now I'll sing.
Sultry sounds serenading those unaware.
Unaware that I am capable of greatness.
I am greatness, so I'll sing.
Strolling confidently, I sit on the hot seat.
Bright beams beaming, I'll breathe a breath.
Remember who I am, the one.
