Mazel Tov to TASA 5th grade student, Chayale Grossbaum

December 5, 2022

TASA San Antonio’s Jewish Day School would like to extend a huge Mazel Tov to 5th grader, Chayale Grossbaum, who is the 2022 National Library of Poetry’s Division 1 First Place winner (Grades 3-5) for her poem entitled Shattered.  Chayale’s poem was one of twenty TASA entries into the nationwide poetry contest by Lead Teacher, Mrs. Sarah Endzweig.  Aside from being published in this year’s National Library of Poetry book, Chayale won a $100 gift card.

Shattered

by Chayale Grossbaum

A teen is on her phone

on Instagram and Facebook.

Her pointer finger tapping at each letter,

bright letters, and bright apps.

Taps hard on Instagram, fast videos.

TikTok Dances.

WhatsApp.

Twitter.

Taps more and more.

Texting each friend.

Everyone is in touch constantly.

Suddenly, the phone drops.

The phone screen shatters.

Sobbing is heard.

She is clicking on her pink sparkling phone,

on prickly glass pieces.

Amazon $100 spent.

She quickly presses “Buy Now.”

She’s back to her shattering routine of a life.