Congratulations to Csquared, 16, of Vermont, the November award winner in YWP's monthly Tomorrow Project contest! Read the winning piece, "Those Who Love Life," in response to the challenge, Life Gifts. Csquared will receive a $50 gift from YWP and publication in the December issue of The Voice. Each month, a YWP writer or artist will be honored with an award and publication for their responses to the Tomorrow Project challenges.

The Life Gifts Challenge: "Little, nameless, unremembered, acts of kindness and of love." Can you think of a time, person, or place that brings William Wordsworth's words to life for you? In poetry or prose, capture the sentiment.

Those Who Love Life

By Csquared

Life is 

meant to be lived 

fully and completely. 

You need to commit. 

Fully. 

You aren’t meant to dip one toe in from the edge. 

You’re meant to dive in 

with no hesitation 

no “what ifs.” 

The people who do that 

are the ones who make every day 

thrilling. 

Who care so much

with their whole heart

about life and those who live it

that they are willing to 

risk their whole heart

to make yours a little lighter.

These are the people you can count on

to send you a hug

wrapped up in little glitters of their love 

any time you need it.

You might not even notice

when they lift the weight,

but the next time you turn inwards to confront it

it will be missing.

These are the people

who together

find a way to share their immense love for the world

with everyone.

[Art credit: "Sure of One Thing," by Eloise Silver Van Meter, YWP Archive]