Ashley Paulsen just kind of fell into the poetry business.

The 13-year-old is going to have a poem published in an annual compilation of poetry written by students from across the country.

Until she found out about that, she wasn’t that big a fan of English classes.

After writing the poem for an assignment for her English class at Southwest Middle School, Ashley decided to enter the nationwide contest.

&uot;If we wanted to send our poem in, we could,&uot; Ashley explained. &uot;I’d entered them before but never won anything.&uot;

She said she was surprised when months later her mother dropped an envelope down the stairs to her. It said her poem had been picked for the book.

&uot;I didn’t think I’d win,&uot; she said. &uot;I opened it and flew up the stairs.&uot;

Her mother, Shannon Paulsen, was surpised too &045; which isn’t to say she did think the poem was worthy.

&uot;I was very proud,&uot; Shannon said. &uot;Every time I read it I start to get heavy eyed. Just the things at all the different points in the life process that she thinks about, it was amazing.&uot;

Ashley’s poem, &uot;Remember Me,&uot; is about three people: her mother, her best friend and her grandfather, who died a year ago.

It reads:

Remember me at graduation.

Remember me in college.

Remember me at graduation from college.

Remember me while walking down that aisle to thatwonderful man.

Remember me on that special night after the wedding.

Remember me in the delivery room as that bundle of joy comes.

Remember me as death comes because I know I’ll always remember you.

&uot;It’s gorgeous,&uot; Elaine Paulsen, Ashley’s grandmother, said. &uot;It’s sensitive and it’s seems so beyond her age.&uot;

&uot;It’s hard to imagine a 13-year-old writing something so deep,&uot; added Milt Paulsen, Ashley’s grandfather.

&uot;We’re so excited, so proud of her,&uot; Elaine said.

Ashley is modest about her poem.

She said she wrote the poem for the three &uot;just for being who they are.&uot;

The poetry compilation, &uot;With One Voice,&uot; is being published by the America Library of Poetry in Houlton, Maine. The book comes out in September.

According to Paul Martin, director of circulation for the company, between 400 and 500 poems are selected for the annual collection.

The poems are chosen by a board of five members, he said. The criteria are grammar, spelling and general fluidity of verses, as well as the content of the poem.

He said of Ashley’s poem, &uot;It covers quite a range of aspects of her life and shows a good range of thinking.&uot;

Martin said the point of the contest, which is backed by the American Literacy Council, is to increase interest in reading and writing.

&uot;We try to be as encouraging as possible,&uot; he said, adding that with newer technology in schools, the basics of reading and writing often aren’t stressed enough.

The poems in the compilation will be judged further, to decide which are the best in four age categories ranging from fifth to 12th grades. Prizes include a $500 savings bond, a video entertainment package, smaller savings bonds and a shopping spree.

Ashley said she’d like the shopping spree. She’ll find out in October whether she’s won anything.

But beyond prizes, the contest also sparked an interest in reading and writing. Ashley said she will likely write more poems and probably enroll in another English course or two.

&uot;I’ve read a lot more poetry,&uot; she said. &uot;I’m also writing more poems.&uot;

Martin said his organization hopes for that reaction from all contest winners.

&uot;We’re trying to expand literary horizons,&uot; he said.

(Contact Peter Cox at peter.cox @albertleatribune.com or 379-3439.)