Ella Domeier wears many titles, among them poet and sixth-grade student.

She recently earned a new one: published author.

Domeier’s poem, The Story of Sudan, was printed in Write Down the Middle, a literary journal featuring students’ work. Students can submit creative writing, poems and essays for the journal.

English and language arts teacher Ramona Jones entered Domeier’s poem based on a long walk to water.

“The best writing from my students I have read was the work Ella Domeier used to get accepted into Write Down the Middle,” Jones said.

Ella credited Ms. Jones for helping her perfect her writing and for her teaching.

“Ms. Jones has helped me become a better writer by teaching me new words and grammar,” Domeier said.

Domeier also said restrictions prevented more scholars from participating.

“One thing I would change about Write Down the Middle is that some of my friends had really great work,” Domeier said. “Teachers can only pick a certain amount of student work to submit.”

The Story of Sudan

Ella Domeier

The sun is hot in Southern Sudan’s land 

But still Nya keeps walking with a large jug in her hand 

Nya walks this path everyday 

Carrying water instead of going outside to play 

She keeps walking because people in her family are thirsty 

The dirty water makes her sister weak 

Just because of the brown, dirty pool where Nya seeks 

Through heat, thorns and pebbles everyday 

If her family wants water, Nya will be on her way 

However, in the same place but at a different time 

Young Salva is forced to flee because being a different religion is a crime 

He ran away from his home, school, and village too 

Walking to the refugee camps with a large crew 

Holding on to his uncle’s hand 

They walk together from land to land 

After his uncle passed away 

His phrase gets Salva to another day 

Just one more step, that bush is all you have to go 

And Salva and the group do, just very slow 

Salva becomes a leader and leads the group to another camp 

He got recruited and now his passport has a stamp 

He flies to America, what a sight it is to see 

But deep down in his heart he can’t let Southern Sudan’s problems be 

Salva came back to Sudan 

And built a well with the help of a man 

This well helped many people, especially Nya’s tribe 

She no longer had to make the long walk for water, which really helped her vibe 

With the clean water, less people got sick 

And people could get water ten times as quick 

People from other villages walked miles to get clean water 

And finally, with the help of brave citizens, people got water after a lot of manslaughter