Jenny

A Production of the YSU Student Literary Arts Association

Essence of Life

by Kayla Campbell


I am everywhere around
And yet sometimes I cannot be found
Deep within the depths of the green

People are fascinated because I am free
All life forms can not survive without me
Endlessly flowing through the wild
You will feel born again, and for that I smiled

Your nostrils are filled with a fresh smell
There are so many different stories to tell
Your eyes play tricks as to deceive you
But I promise you I am not truly blue

To many creatures I am their home
They are safe with me, free to roam
I am not concerned with dangers that devour
Because they do not understand my power

The fish must never flee
Nor the butterflies that drift over me
It is all the same
They all understand my fame

The light shines upon me
I sparkle, so they claim
Now you understand
The world is safe in my hands


Kayla Campbell is a poet and writer from Andover Ohio. She is a student at Youngstown State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Creative Writing. Kayla is a published poet and has been featured in the 2018, 2019, and 2021 editions of the Young American Poetry Digest. She has also appeared in the Appelley Publishing Rising Stars Collection for the years 2019 and 2021. Kayla has also written various short stories as well but is most proud of the short story “My Butterfly”. Kayla is a passionate writer and can usually be found in the library.


About Jenny

Jennymag.org is the online literary magazine of the Student Literary Arts Association at Youngstown State University. It’s our yearly collection of our favorite written work and photography from Youngstown and from around the world.

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