Villanelle, 7th grade

Here is a sample of our final product from the villanelle series of lessons. Some of the poems below fit into the villanelle format, others are unfinished villanelles, and still others are a different form employing certain elements of villanelle (rhyme patterns and repetition). I really felt like they took ownership of this one, and I'm very happy with the results.

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Shut Up!
Genina T.

Shut up, listen, listen to me.
He is so mad.
Shut up, I mean, I’m so sorry.

Can I please explain?
He is so sad.
Shut up, listen, listen to me.

I’m in so much pain,
so much sadness.
Shut up, I mean, I’m so sorry.

He is in more pain! Pain, pain, pain,
so much madness.
Shut up, listen, listen to me.

You don’t get it, I’m trying to explain.
No more flatterness.
Shut up, I mean, I’m so sorry.

I tried to explain.
No more loveness.
Shut up, listen, listen to me.
Shut up, I mean, I’m so sorry.


Villanelle
Charles H.

Ding dong, ding dong, won’t you come in
Don’t stand there
Come in, come in

Wipe off that grin
Won’t you come in
Ding dong, ding dong, won’t you come in

Come in, filled with adrenaline
You look so grim
Come in, come in

Take off your moccasins
You can play your violin
Ding dong, ding dong, won’t you come in

We’ll sing a song
Let’s begin
Come in, come in

I have some gelatin
Let’s eat onion skins
Ding dong, ding dong, won’t you come in,
come in, come in


Villanelle
Beatrice R.

Everything scares me in the dark blue sky.
A man dragging his feet on the creaky wooden floor.
Now there’s a good reason why I cry.

This is so strange. Why do I hear children play?
The little ghosts don’t look rich, they look poor.
Everything scares me in the dark blue sky.

I hear people up the stairs but in the day.
A boxer wanting to be stronger by punching my wall more and more.
Now there’s a good reason why I cry.


Villanelle
Myriam L.

I am one and you are too
just sitting thinking about nothing at all.
What will we do?

Staring at the sky, looking at the trees,
that’s all you can do in the fall.
I am one and you are too.

We see little kids playing with glee
and us talking about anything at all.
What will we do?

We watch little ants flee and flee.
We hear our friends call and call.
I am one and you are too.

We just want to sleep.
I hate the fall.
What will we do?

It’s so boring I want to weep.
I am one and you are too.
What will we do?


Villanelle
Braulio R.

It is the world’s darkest hour.
The ghosts are so hypnotic.
We have no more flour.

The world even has no flowers.
The horror is so exotic.
The meat is stale and sour.

People are filled with sorrow.
We are not excited.
The world will end tomorrow.

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Mrs. Bourret, Rm. 208, 7th grade

Go Skate
Abraham G.

Go skate in that beautiful summer again and again.
Babies should grave a board and learn life.
Anger, anger, try again.

Through wise kids and adults
skating is life and that’s a fact.
Go skate in that beautiful summer.

Good men don’t quit.
The rail needs a grinder.
Anger, Anger, try again.

Wild dudes who are masters
think skateboard is God.
Go skate in the beautiful summer again.


Villanelle
Martin F.

Siblings, please don’t cry.
Let’s have fun and play.
I am here to try.

Try to catch that firefly.
Let’s have a very good day.
Siblings, please do not cry.

My eyes are very dry.
I will listen to whatever you have to say.
I am here to try.

Do you guys want to fly?
We could play with the colorful clay.
Siblings, please do not cry.

All of you are very sly.
Let’s play with an imaginary death ray.
I am here to try.

It’s time to say bye.
You deserve the pay.
Siblings, please do not cry.
I am here to try.


Villanelle
Jonathan N.

Don’t speak, don’t squeak, don’t even laugh.
This castle is so evil.
My leg hurts, I think it’s my calf.

I didn’t want to be there,
the castle is medieval.
Don’t speak, don’t squeak, don’t even laugh.

I was scared of a hair.
I wanted to shrivel.
My leg hurts, I think it’s my calf.

I didn’t follow the trail.
I tried for retrieval.
Don’t speak, don’t squeak, don’t even laugh.

I didn’t take care.
The vase was primeval.
My leg hurts, I think it’s my calf.

My face was a mirror
I wanted to dishevel.
Don’t speak, don’t squeak, don’t even laugh.
My leg hurts, I think it’s my calf.

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Mr. Czoski, Rm. 209, 7th grade

Guitar Hero
Jesus J.

When I play Guitar Hero
I am very quick
’til I lost and got zero

I’m not a superhero
I get very ticked
when I play Guitar Hero

I’m subzero
I like to kick
’til I lost and got zero

I’m an anti-hero
I am very slick
when I play Guitar Hero

I’m a fearo
I get very ticked
’til I lost and got zero

I’m subzero
I am very quick
when I play Guitar Hero
’til I lost and got zero


To Lose
Kevin Z.

Have you ever felt to lose
It feels just like an ambush
Our streak has gone way past the deuce

Instead of a sitting duck I’m a sitting goose
The enemies’ basket as I stare all I hear is swoosh
Have you ever felt to lose

My anger, my anger, when I look at the final score, we lose by deuce deuce
We could’ve won if my boys never smoked that cush
Our streak has gone way past the deuce

Our enemies are riding victory like a caboose
Every time I play my teammates are so confused
Have you ever felt to lose

As I say again, I’m a sitting goose
I can’t stand it, I’m going through a violent rush
Our streak has gone way past the deuce

My anger, my anger, when I look at the final score: we lose by deuce deuce
I can’t stand it, I’m going through a violent rush
Have you ever felt to lose
Our streak has gone way past the deuce


Villanelle
Alejandra R.

Shading into the woods that are fading
leaving not saying a word to our fame
not knowing what to say when I am failing.

Come on, say something, don’t leave us here waiting,
shading into the woods that are fading.

Don’t, please don’t, it’s not time to fade,
not knowing what to say when I am falling.

Remember the time we used to overtrade,
shading into the woods that are fading?

When we share our things we’re missing everyday,
not knowing what to say when I am failing.

Shading into the woods that are fading,
not knowing what to say when I am failing.


Villanelle
Edgar R.

The world is a battleground of massacre.
It don’t matter what color UR, they’re all out 2 get us.
As we hear the gunshots the world gets blacker, blacker.

All the pain will go away if we believe in her.
There’s no survivors, they hated us before they even met us.
There is more violence than ever, that’s for sure.

As we hear the gunshots, the world gets blacker, blacker.
I don’t know why they make all the fuss.
I wish we could switch good n bad like it was a transfer.

When people die our hearts beat faster and faster
’cuz he didn’t wanna die they called him a wuss.
There is more violence than ever, that’s for sure.

Now the world is a blur.
They would say, Come on, little boy, don’t be a wuss.
I wish we could switch good n bad like it was a transfer.

Don’t U just wanna knock out that fake reporter?
There’s a person who killed my boy named Gus.
There is more violence than ever, that’s for sure.
I wish we could switch good n bad like it was a transfer.

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Mrs. Harris, Rm. 210, 7th grade

Peace means gun in ghetto
John A.

I feel like I got no one left.
I had an illusion then
I was full of confusion
Give me a peace.
Then we saw the police.
I had honor but I knew I was a goner.
I was a fool, I wasn’t cool,
I was cruel.

I had an illusion then I was
full of confusion.
I feel like I got no one left.
Give me what I want, the peace
then I saw the police.

I had honor but I knew
I was a goner.

I was a fool, I wasn’t
cool, I was cruel.


Unintentional Intentions
Christy Z.

I knew about your electrolyte.
But you’re so naïve, I’m too tired to try.
Naïve drags me across the room, here we are for another late night.

The conversation oh so skin deep.
But you’re so naïve, I’m too tired to try.
I knew about your electrolyte.

You wouldn’t understand with those tear-stained cheek.
But you’re so naïve, I’m too tired to try.
Naïve drags me across the room, here we are for another late night.

I’ll play with you like a deck of cards.
But you’re so naïve, I’ll win my first try.
I knew about your electrolyte.

You’re deaf, you’re blind, and you’re dumb.
But you’re so naïve, I’m too tired to try.
Naïve drags me across the floor, here we are for another late night.

You fooled me like a magician, sly and sweet.
But you’re so naïve, I tried and tried.
I knew about your electrolyte.
Naïve drags me across the room, here we are for another late night.


My Coach
Nick C.

He makes me feel like it is my fault
He releases his anger on me
but he is also my dad

He works hard to make me better
He tries to make me see
He makes me feel like it is my fault

Every time it is my fault
he yells and yells but the tells me the key
but he is also my dad

Why does he keep repeating what he has said before
He sometimes treats me like I’m three
He makes me feel like it is my fault

Why oh why does he push me so much
He is my coach with the black goatee
but he is also my dad

After he pushes me and pushes me, I am better
He is the best coach to me
He makes me feel like it is my fault
but he is my dad.

Villanelle Mania (8th grade)

Here is one first draft from the 8th graders and turned out quite well. I am very impressed with how Vanessa made use of the repetition in her poem, literally noises heard over and over again in the street.

Today the 8th graders began their villanelles, and next week we'll finish them up, so watch for more to be posted then. I know I can't wait.

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Villanelle
Vanessa D.

Boom, boom, shooting in the street.
Different gang, different blocks.
Run, run, listening to running feet.

Guys play tough, but inside they’re sweet.
Life is hard, tough like rocks.
Boom, boom, shooting in the street.

Many people try, it’s a game, we kill-n-defeat.
A lot are so scared they shiver in their socks.
Run, run, listening to running feet.

Taking cars, happy when their mission’s complete.
When li’l kids die, families are in shock.
Boom, boom, shooting in the street.

So many aren’t dead but they die in the street.
We try and run but still end up on a block.
Boom, boom, shooting in the street.
Run, run, still listening to running feet.

Villanelle Mania (7th grade)

Check Jacob's villanelle. We're working on writing the villanelle form with all the classes (we have been reading the classic by Dylan Thomas, "Do not go gentle into that good night," as well as a more contemporary example by Michael Ryan, "Milk the Mouse") but we need one more week to finish up. Jacob, however, handed me this hot potato right away. One of his lines was inspired by "Milk the Mouse." Kudos to him, and enjoy to you.

I should mention that some students in other classes did hand in their first-draft villanelles to me, but Jacob's was the only one that totally stuck to the rhyme and repetition scheme of the traditional form. With that in mind, I plan on posting some of the other examples when they get a chance to take another stab at them.

I've also included a lovely little poem from Susy, which she wrote during the week. Both of these poems are from Mr. Czoski's 7th grade class in room 209.

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Let me be for once
Susy G.

Confused of life
Confused of love
Confused of where my heart is taking me
Confused about you
Can I just be confused
For a second a minute a year!
Just confused


Villanelle
Jacob L.

They will beat me ’til I’m sore
They will look for me every day
Be strong, be tough, they can’t find me anymore

They think I’m poor
They will look by the bay
They will beat me ’til I’m sore

They saw me running out the door
They won’t find me if I pray
Be strong, be tough, they can’t find me anymore

It was like a war
They are on their way
They will beat me ’til I’m sore

They almost took me down on four
They might find me today
Be strong, be tough, they can’t find me anymore

They hate be because I ignore
I must obey
They will beat me ’til I’m sore
Be strong, be tough, they can’t find me anymore

Lots of people, lots of needs (8th grade)

After reading “Las mamás con bebé” ("Mothers with a Baby") by Guadalupe Morfín, I asked the 8th graders to envision a personage with some sort of responsibility or problem, and to write a poem as a list of things--both real and fantastical--that could help this person. I emphasized strongly that they could write about someone they knew, but that they should change the tense out of the first person: "My mom" to "Moms," for example. I was encouraged after reading these new strong poems from students you may not have read on this site before.

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Mr. Balcazar, Rm. 203, 8th grade

Friends with 5 Sisters Need
Andrea S.

a day of freedom
Cinderella to bring her a shoe
time to concentrate in school


Dads with Hard Jobs
Amairany L.

Dads with hard jobs need
a long day without work
to make him laugh
to show him that he’s needed
to show him he’s loved.

Dads with hard jobs need
family to greet him and make
him happy on his worst.

Dads with hard jobs need
to be a prince and take his
Cinderella away from everything.


Teenagers who Need to Relax
Luis P.

Teenagers who need to relax,
who need a spaceship to fly away,
who need stereos as big as a
house,
a closet as big as a room.

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Ms. Catinella, Rm. 202, 8th grade

Mother with Babies
Alejandra S.

Mothers with babies need free time
waiting to be rescued by a prince.
Something good to do today.
Make the man get up and help
take care of kids.

A single mother would need someone
to help them.
A real family not only work.
Leave her pills and just get health.
Needs to be happy.
Needs to look good.
Needs a long night’s sleep.
A day off without work.
A house elf to help them in the house.
Morning portraits to send messages.
Owls to go to the store.
Needs to have fun with herself.
Love in her life that would never die.


teachers with students
Mariana D.

teachers with students need
fairies to zip their lips
a cup of coffee
an elf to correct work
a magic wand
a giant to put stuff


Moms with Sons
Anthony M.

Moms with sons need
someone to support them
they need a home to
keep them alive
They need some beans
to make them forget
all the bad memories

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Ms. Fenton, Rm. 204, 8th grade

Sons with Dads
Daniel

Sons with dads need
to be shown how to be a man
show me how a man stands
and show me how to do work
and do the right things
tell me to go to school
and to do womething with my life
not to become a bum
how to do business
and tell about when he was young
and it’s different from now
get me the stuff I need
like clothes, a bed, and my medical needs.
He will always be there.


Teachers with Students
Guadalupe A.

Teachers with students require
someone to help them
to put discipline
to teach them everything
a flying hawk to look over them

Teachers with students require
a large amount of candy
Darth Vader to calm them down
most important—have a lot of patience
be kind and give out As


Sons with No Dads
Edwin R.

Sons with no dads need
someone to play sports
with you someone to drive
you to school someone to
watch TV someone to pay
the bills. Someone to teach
you how to walk someone to
love you. Someone to protect
you from all harms. Someone
to teach you how to drive
your first car. Someone
to teach you how to ride
your bike. Someone to teach
you how to fight. Someone
to teach you how to
catch a football. Someone
to be there for you.

This poem is about... (7th grade)

When the 7th graders came at this assignment, I felt like it gave them some space to express some things that they hadn't necessarily had a chance to get into before. For instance, Charles' poem seems much more empassioned in tone than many of his earlier pieces. Rene's poem about baseball employs some incredibly striking imagery. In fact, many of the students took this opportunity to either pay tribute to something that they care deeply about (soccer, family, a distinctive friend, skateboarding), or blow off steam about something that gives them anxiety.

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Mrs. Jamen, Rm. 207, 7th grade

Think?
Charles H.

This is a poem for all the people
who suffered or had a
tragedy
This is a poem for me
This is a poem for you
I want to write a poem that
will catch you and make you
think
This is a poem for people
who don’t have everything they
want
Think please think
and get lost in another
world that is not
yours
Go somewhere be something
that will make you enjoy
every day of your life
This is a poem for you all
?


The Sport
Rene R.

This poem is for baseball.
This poem is about baseball
on how you dive on the outfield giving
up your body to give for a little white
ball. And on how you’re batting and the
pitcher throws the ball and it’s coming
at 100 mph speed and when it comes your
heart starts pounding like you’re going to
get hit with a car. When the ball passes
by your eye you blink and swing and
then the ball starts to fly in the
air and goes where no person gets to
it and it’s gone.


Nothing
Elianay S.

This is a poem for angels
who are looking down on us.
People are walking slower or
faster or no people.
This poem is for my dog.
He is hurt he runs he
darts but inside he’s special.
This poem is about people. Everyone.
That will get lost for this poem.


Oh God Why
Antonio G.

Oh God there is shooting
This is a poem for people
Let’s go inside
People are falling to the bloody ground
Others crying and praying
Families shot everywhere
the cops nowhere in sight
Parents running saying Help! Help!
and then falling to the ground
Cars all shot up
tires flat
windows bulletproof
Oh God why

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Mr. Czoski, Rm. 209, 7th grade

Come Together
Alejandra R.

Family
come together.
This poem is for Lupe.
Everything is gone,
it messed up my life.
You leaving away makes
everyone stay awake.
This poem is for my mom.
There’s one thing in
live that I love the best.
Never forget never, never
This poem is for my dad.
Dad, you left us alone,
but I don’t have some
madness for U ‘cuz I
know that you love me
most.
This poem’s for my
family that I love the most.
I want it to get fixed and
live in one home.


Better Congregation for the Nation
Joel V.

This poem is for the people.
We need a better congregation for the
nation. Our segregation isn’t done.
Matter of fact it’s just begun, take
us back to the stone age. The
politics are too strong and too
wrong but we the people
united can never be defeated
as long as we stand long
and strong then we could make it.


Don’t Go
Valentina G.

Please don’t go.
I’m worried, scared, sad and tired.
She’s getting ready.
She’s about to go.
I don’t want her to go.
Mexico.
Just please don’t go.
She’s been through enough.
She needs ME.
But I guess it’s her time to go.
I must let go.
Bye.
And there she goes.
This poem is for my mom.


Impossible is Nothing
Edgar R.

This poem is 4 soccer…
I love soccer…but I don’t
have the same feelings about it
anymore. It’s my favorite thing
to do. But when I think about
it it’s like I’m just wasting my
time. One out of one million gets chose
2B professional…but I’m never
gonna give up until I’m that
one. The life lesson I learned
is that impossible is nothing…

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Mrs. Bourret, Rm. 208, 7th grade

Time
Melissa C.

Let's go back...back into
time
I wake up and the alarm
clock says 9 o'clock
Everywhere I go I hear
Time, Time, Time other
days some say, It's
time, what time is it?
My nerves take over me
and in my mind it goes
Tick Tock Tick Tock
No one is ever on time
It's like a final
destination when you're
almost dead but you
never know when
your life is over
I'm in a rush I'm in
a hurry I'm late
Oh my God!! I need
more time seriously
all these words mean
the same
Come with me to the
future you need I need
some more time
So let's go back into
time...


Afraid
Anissa V.

This is a poem for people who
are afraid
If you take a look around,
people look the same, act the
same, and speak the same
I wonder why this is,
why people are afraid to be
their own person,
afraid to create their own path

You shouldn't care what others
might think,
you shouldn't be afraid if you want
to go out for ballet
even if you're a boy
You shouldn't hesitate if you want
to do football,
even if you're a girl
reach for stars
don't let them stop you
take my hand
I'll help guide you
don't be afraid to live


Life
Karina A.

This is a poem about life.
Old. New. Young. Old.
I want to be dead, but still living
every day.
This is a poem for everyone.
Alive or dead. Standing still or in
the grave. This is a poem that will
change the world and the way
people will look at me; differently.
I want to leave and never
come back. But then again thinking it
over again, the people I'll miss
and objects too. This is a poem
that starts a story but always
ends the same way.

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Mrs. Harris, Rm. 210, 7th grade

Bobby Jerrysonkins
Lorenzo R.

This poem is about someone I care about...
Energetic, funny, hyper...
Doing cartwheels and writing on mirrors...
Living life your way...not the way you're told...
Night is your morning and morning is tired...
Talking forever...
Watching and listening...being aware...
Hearing one thing...never forgiving...
But I still love you...


Dear My Mom Poem
Daniela M.

This poem is for Jorge M-
who doesn't let me breathe
without asking him
who keeps me trapped in my
room like I'm not important
who doesn't listen to what I have
to say
who leaves me furious when
he ignores me
This poem is for my mom
I don't want to live here
anymore
the screaming the yelling the slamming
the same thing every day
I'm not sure if only you
knew how I feel


The Different Poem
Janan A.

This is a poem for my mother and father
who have always worked hard in
their lives.
This is a poem for people to read
anytime or anywhere

This is a poem that will bring happiness
to people.

This is a poem I have to think
about when I write.

This is a poem for children to read
to their pets.

This is a poem that is different from
the others.

This is a poem I have to stare at
people in order to think.

This is a poem I write with a smile
on my face.

This is a poem for my uncle that
passed away
and I will always love him and miss
him.

This is a poem for things in the
world.

But mostly, this is a poem for me, that
I have written in a different way.

This is a poem that does not label anyone.


Come Back
Gabriela S.

This is a poem for my friends.
I want to party.
I want to write a poem to take all of my anger out.
This is a poem for my dog.
I want it to come back home.
I want to tell my dog I miss him.
I want to talk to someone that will listen to me.
This is a poem for my dream.


Skating
Chris S.

This is a poem for you
just for you like
people were skating
crying bleeding
breaking their bones
going to hospitals
getting X-rays
getting screws
in their knees
wrists elbows
having surgery
staying home
for weeks and
skating all
over again

This poem is about.. (6th grade, Rm. 109)

Over the holiday break, I was reading Robert Creeley's for Love, and I became obsessed with his poem called "Please." I shared this poem with the kids, and asked them to approach the idea of a poem that referenced itself as a poem, for instance by saying "This poem is for..." or "This poem is about..." Many of them also used other devices that Creeley used in his poem, such as repeating a single word to convey emphasis. The group of poems below is from Mrs. Hernandez' 6th grade class in room 109.

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So Lonely
Joey M.

This poem is for my cousin
lying in a dark room!
Silence, silence, silence.
She gets so lonely
quiet quiet quiet
like putting on headphones
nothing but air.
This is a poem for my family.


Untitled
Jacqueline S.

Boom!
This is a poem for everyone
I want to go everywhere
everywhere, everywhere
where the loudness is there
This poem is about loudness
every day is loud, loud, loud
I dedicate this poem to my mom


I Want
Christian H.

I want to write a poem
that will cry, that will
touch the sky.
I want my poems to be
alone or to be with
someone.
I want, I need, and I get.

I want to write a poem that
will live and die.

I want to write a poem
for you.


Please Leave it Clean
Miguel G.

This is a poem for my mom.
Tired, let me rest, for a bit can I
sit, cleaning like a maid all day.
Tired like a just ran 5 miles non
stop. Have many bumps and bruises
from hitting my body on stuff
all day, have a headache from
hitting my head, and helping the
kids with the homework all day
today. Can you leave the house
alone for once. Please leave it
clean. This is a poem for my
mom.

Haiku III (Rm. 203, 8th grade)

I've enjoyed this haiku section immensely. There's soemthing about the smallness of the form that takes the intensity that this group has to offer, and pressurizes it. These from Mr. Balcazar's 8th graders in Rm. 203.

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Haiku
Luis P.

The view from my mom’s office:
Chicago streets, people, cars, trains
run around like ants.


Haiku
Samantha G.

This moment I want
to walk downtown at night for hours
to see all the lights.


Haiku
Max T.

People should not lie
and have more courage into what
they do, and have guts.


Haiku
Estephanie C.

He never knows what
is going on around him
and he never will


Twirling Clay Haiku
Anthony W.

The pottery pan
rotates in circles again
Maybe it’s finished


Haiku
Jaime S.

In this moment I
hear, “Why am I doing this?
Do I enjoy this?”


Haiku
Rosalina A.

Leaves change from green to
red like a teacher’s face when
he gets very mad.


Haiku
Christian E.

the big black jacket
is falling to the dirty
floor where the rest are.

Haiku III (Rm. 202, 8th grade)

More striking haiku, this time from Ms. Catinella's 8th graders in Rm. 202.

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Haiku
Vanessa D.

Our music is really loud.
We can feel the floor moving.
We could dance all night.


Haiku
Samantha N.

Headphones blast music.
The phone is ringing again.
Not heard or answered.


Haiku
Adrian C.

Cars turning to dust
Whales exploding in mid-air
Planes crashing to dust


Haiku
Daniela C.

lots of violence
innocent people dying
disease running


Haiku
Gabriela C.

It’s dull and boring outside
Trees are naked without their
sharp vibrant color


Haiku
Anthony M.

Car smoke stops flowing
The sound of the heater work
The snow on the roofs


Haiku
Mariana D.

thinking if I will
pass 8th grade and go to the
high school that I choose

Haiku III (Rm. 204, 8th grade)

More haiku poems, which--similar to the batch of Richard Wright poems that we read--seem to reflect some common concerns and perceptions of these students, while often adhering to a fairly traditional format. These from Ms. Fenton's class, Rm. 204, 8th grade.

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Haiku
Juan M.

It’s cold and raining
A lot of people are out
living on the streets


Haiku
Monica H.

I hear the sound of
the second hands on the clock
as they come to meet.


Haiku
Daniel G.

His mind is calm but
it is not really the most
clear in this moment.


Haiku
Guadalupe A.

Angels of Heaven,
a chorus singing for hope.
On a sunny day.


Haiku
Adriana S.

I hear the sirens
the smoke coming out my door.
Can’t stand the odor.


Haiku
Alex S.

I hear other
classes’ students getting in
trouble and getting yelled at.


Haiku
Katelyn P.

The chalk relaxes
as if it has not rested
for many long hours.


Haiku
Edwin R.

I hate my old house.
There were drugs shooting and gangs.
I hated the ’hood.


Haiku
Margo R.

Rain is pouring down
Grandma is making cookies
for my little cousin


Haiku
Frank M.

Outside snow pours
shoes squeak well I think
nature makes us live

Haiku part III (8th grade, Rm. 201)

In the 8th grade classes, we took the prewriting we had done ("in this moment...") and used it as source material to write haiku poems. I asked them to select the strongest lines or sections, and shape them into haiku poems. We did this first as a group with a section of text that I had made up and written on the board; I had them suggest cuts and line breaks that would shave the piece down into the haiku format. I included more pieces than usual, since the form is so short. Room 201's contributions are below--the rest to follow in separate postings.

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Mr. Stalla, Rm. 201, 8th grade

Haiku
Paulina O.

Silent is present
Giggling in the background
Quickly kills silent

Haiku
Christopher V.

light and darkness
darkness is your depression
light is happiness


Haiku
Omar V.

life is everything
people die 'cause people kill
people kill 'cause life


Haiku
Jacqueline L.

When you listen closely
you hear the lead of the pencils
hit the hard desk.


Red
Jacob N.

I'm thinking of the color red
which means passion, fierce, blood,
a strong burning flame.
Anger.


Haiku
Rubi E.

I hear them talkin'
going to work in the car
thinking about pink


Haiku
Victor R.

The sun brightly shines
when the day is bright and new.
And it's filled with fire.


Haiku
Adrian C.

A man is working
thinking of home and his wife
making a living


Haiku
Lorene R.

The summer is just
like getting into a nice
jacuzzi at night.


Haiku
Jessica G.

I'm thinking about
my dad's delicious shrimp soup
when it's cold outside.


Haiku
Alyss D.

Sounds inside my head
are telling me to give up.
This kinda sounds right.


Haiku
Heberto H.

It is too hot out.
The sun won't just go down now.
Can't it just cool down.


Haiku
Raul G.

It is too cold out
There is no sound just silence
Everyone is scared


Haiku
Melissa M.

I hear my heart going
So blow and blow that my heart
go and never hear before


Haiku
Bianca P.

A new child has been
born not knowing that he
is just living to die.


Haiku
Monica C.

Innocent people
are losing lives defending
something that's not theirs.