TARGET: Verification of two poems' originality

[Elizabeth Letterly <eletterl@ABELINK.COM>]

Hello everyone.  I hope someone can help with this or, more, that I hear
from no one about these two poems and can feel more assured that they are
original.  Our junior high library does an annual project with peer
evaluation of poetry/short stories.  It's always worked well, but this year
I have two that I'm questioning and have listed some significant verses,
including the first, from each below:

        "Dear Daddy"

        Dear Daddy, how have you been?
        I'm find, but for Mom; I can't say the same.
        She's been crying since the day you left.
        She says she's just fine, but I know that she's not.
        She says it's better without you here,
        Though, I know she is full of fear.
        Fear that she's not safe without you here...

        I'm a big girl now, much too big to sit on Daddy's knee.
        And I did it alone, all by myself.

        Daddy, you'd be so proud at what I've become.
        I'm not a baby anymore, you missed all of that.
        Sure, you've seen pictures, but it's just not the same.
        You missed much more than words can describe.

Two girls said to us privately that they'd seen this in a book.  The other:

        "Ballpark Dreams"

        I stood there waiting,
        When all gathered 'round.
        Waiting to perform,
        But none made a sound...

        "Play ball," came the shout,
        I was ready to swing.
        The fielders were taunting,
        I was ready for anything...

        When the third pitch came
        I thought I was done.
        But when the ball hit the bat,
        The ump called out, "HOME RUN!"

This one just seems too well-done and I hope it's just that the kid is
really talented.  Thanks in advance.
Elizabeth Letterly, District Librarian (Libby)
Williamsville CUSD #15, Williamsville, IL  62693
eletterl@abelink.com          eletterl@roe51.k12.il.us

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