- Poem by Everett Gunther, Grade 6

Flitting and fluttering over the snow,

Flies the terribly haunting crow.

To and fro it flaps its wings,

Glossy blotches those specious things.

It knows it is a sign of dread,

It makes you toss and turn in bed.

Those hollow, deep, blackened eyes,

Look for food to feed on as a prize.

Inside the dark, wretched bird's nest,

Sleep the ones that will feed on the rest.

Hot off the press: This personal essay contest on Merlyn's Pen starts accepting entries today: 

Guys in the Media Age

So. I don't have a significant other. This isn't something I usually dwell on or even really think about - except, of course, on Valentine's Day. 

Some of my non-writer single friends buy themselves chocolates and flowers and watch sappy chick flick movie marathons. Always a fun option, but I like to take things a step further. Every Valentine's Day, I write a love letter ... to myself.

Before you think I'm crazy, let me explain. Many of us - especially writers, who are constantly editing their work to make it better and receiving writing critiques from others - tend to naturally focus on our insecurities and what we are trying to improve about ourselves. This is good in that it helps us strive to become better individuals, but at the same time can be damaging in the self-esteem department. So this Valentine's Day, I challenge you to take a few minutes to reflect on what you really *love* about yourself. List all your wonderful qualities and talents - maybe you are an incredible ballerina, or know how to play an instrument, or visit senior citizens at a nursing home every week. Perhaps you pride yourself on being honest, or compassionate, or always being able to make people laugh. Instead of only focusing on goals you want to accomplish in the future, think for a bit about all the amazing goals you have reached thus far. You're a pretty neat person! I can't think of a better time than Valentine's Day for the most important love of all: self love.

The 2006 Winter Olympics are here! Well... not here exactly, they're in Turin, Italy... but through the magic of television, it feels like they are here.

Today is just the third day of competition and already, American athletes have had their share of ups and downs. Arguably the biggest story this weekend was figure skater Michelle Kwan's decision to withdraw from the Olympic games. After straining a groin muscle during practice on Saturday, Kwan realized she was not at 100% and sadly gave up her dreams for Olympic gold.

"I respect the Olympics too much to compete and I don't feel I can be at my best." Kwan said. Emily Hughes will be Kwan's replacement on the American team.

In men's downhill skiing, bad boy Bode Miller came in 5th in Sunday's downhill race. Before the games, Miller was the subject of some controversy and made it onto the cover of Time and Newsweek magazines (just to name a few). Now, Miller is going to have to put his first event behind him and ski his heart out in upcoming days in order to get onto that podium and bring home a medal.

One athlete that did live up to the hype was snowboarder Shaun White a.k.a. "The Flying Tomato". White found himself in unfamiliar territory when he failed to qualify in the first trial round. Whether it was nerves or lack of attention, his board came down on the lip of the half-pipe after a jump. Going into the second and final qualifying round (only the top 6 snowboarders from each round would go on to the finals), White nailed his routine and went on to destroy the competition in the finals.

"I wasn't really that nervous, but just before I was about to drop in, my heart kind of fell," White said. "Then I remembered that this is what I do and I just did my thing."

The Olympics will continue through the next two weeks. Who are you rooting for?

Are you watching the Olympics? Do you have a favorite athlete? Write about him/her and send it to us. Click on "Submit Your Writing" in the right hand column. We'll post the best of the best here.