Writing Our Hope is an online project committed to publishing works of creative nonfiction written by teenagers on the themes of hope, tolerance, and equality. The web project follows the August 2007 publication of Our Hope: Writings and Photographs on Tolerance and Equality by students at Booker T. Washington Magnet High School in Montgomery, Alabama.

THE WINNER:
help has arrived
by Shani Walker

I hide in my blanket
Because I know I can't take it.
I know I can't take it.
Day after day
I hear what they say.
I know I can't take it.
I know I can't take it.
All their words can break me down.
But I'm not the only one to frown.
I don't think I can take it.
I don't think I can take it.
You see my stress. Are you trying to help?
Are you going to help? You see how I've felt.
Maybe I can take it.
Maybe I can take it.
Now with you by my side through this deafening ride
I know help has arrived.
I'll just take it single stride by single stride.
I know I can take it.
I know I will make it.

2nd place
Redemption
by Lynanne Rueda

Love others as you love yourself,
blessing those who curse you,
loving those who hate you.
Lift them with a gentle smile,
soothe their pains with mercy--
Forgive.

Love others as you love yourself, unconditionally.
Shelter the homeless--
with love the hungry are fed, and
with love the naked are clothed.

Love others as you love yourself,
and see forgiveness.
Behold that which the mind cannot understand--
Believe,
and watch as barriers collapse
Sweet Redemption

3rd place
I Can't Tolerate It
by Monica Sheinin

Look at the way they stare and judge you,
Listen to those hurtful remarks.
So what if you're not perfect, you can live with that.

What a great beginning, what a way to start,
Going into high school, can't seem to listen to your heart.
Hearing all those voices, whispers in your ear
You turn your face to ignore it, yet the voices reach too deep.

Ignore the lies she tells you,
Ignore the things they hear.
You won't have to take it any longer
Stay strong and the pain will disappear.
You digest the words she's saying and you let it all seep in.
Rumors are flying in and out of your ear.

Who is she to judge you?
After all you witnessed and all you had to bear.
You can't tolerate the hate any longer;
You can't stand this! How could she dare?

This one is deceitful, that one is a fake
Be careful who you're trusting, watch each phrase you make
By making you seem smaller, her ego intensifies
Another secret revealed, in your back the "dagger" lies.

Her ugliness is noticed; don't let her win the fight.
Behind all the fancy clothing, her insecurities display
No one in reality is who they say.
Her knife is sharpened, and heading your way.

Times progresses forward and the whispers disappear.
The laughter and the rumors have dispersed
You're in the clear!

She passes with a smile, a haughty one at that,
The grin you flash impales her,
The "knife" now hits her back.