"Little Clown, My Heart" by Sandra Cisneros was the inspiration for the following poems. We first began, however, by brainstorming words that we associate with the heart. Many common associations came up: love, red, family, blood, etc. I then sprang a twist on them: they had to write a poem "(adjective noun), my heart..." but were not allowed to use the words we had brainstormed on the board. Oh, the groans! But fascinating and inventive poems resulted.
###
Mr. Stalla, Rm. 201, 8th grade
The Story Inside
Monica C.
My heart, predictable,
is a hurtful book,
it cares not who opens it,
but who looks through it.
The fool in my mind
takes leaps from far too high.
The risks there are
don’t matter.
Small and fragile like a baby,
hidden underneath the warm blanket,
not knowing the truths from the outside,
but knowing enough.
Daring Corazón
Carina A.
My heart,
filled with emotions,
searching,
solving.
My daring, loving corazón,
playing laughing,
place of heartaches,
my heart
one in a million,
happy, laughing
me.
Emotion Machine
Kevin C.
emotion machine emotion machine
beating like a drum
not knowing hwat would happen next.
emotion machine emotion machine
gets bigger and bigger when I laugh
tickles my insides, then I smile.
emotion machine, emotion machine
sinking, sinking when sad.
Something
Ismael A.
my heart is strong and sometimes brave
a heart is red and is full of life
and scared and fronted some things
goes faster and faster
comes many sizes big or small
it is sealed on a protected shield
Tough
Raul G.
Fighter, my heart
never stays down
through the ups and downs
on a rollercoaster ride
always gets up.
It is an icebox
melted by her smile
never to be frozen again
never to be forgotten.
A believer of what’s true
a dreamer of what’s next
and a wisher of what hasn’t happened.
Even after death, it will never die.
My Heart, My Eyes
Jacqueline L.
My heart, it is my eyes,
they observe all that is around me,
they take me and I follow,
never can they be deceived or fooled.
Showing me all that I can’t,
they need no glasses,
they can’t see the sorrow.
My heart, it is my eyes,
so sharp and pointy,
it is my most prized possession,
I am so addicted,
they are needed,
’til the day that they go blind.
Ms. Catinella, Rm. 202, 8th grade
Wandering Heart
Oscar V.
My heart is lost on an open road
Straightening and curving
Stopping and going like
A passenger bus on a city street
Shining stars on a black sky
Twinkling and burning a magic glow
Music, My Heart
Joe F.
music, my heart
fills me with emotions
which I can’t control
fills me with joy
and new meanings
My Heart, Moving like a Maniac
Alberto M.
Vibrating, my heart
sounds like a phone on vibrate
watching a scary movie in theaters
playing a sport for a long time
moving up and down like
a person on a trampoline.
Storm
Alejandra S.
My heart is in the middle of a storm,
Is like it has longs that fill with water,
Pushing it to my eyes like a salty ocean,
Turning black-red like it’s bruised with
blood.
Cut in half like meat,
So dark, so lonely, so sad,
Hot water inside me burning me so much.
God help.
The Unique Heart
Maria L.
The unique heart
dives in the pond of fishes
inside a lonely forest.
It opens up like a rose in its
early days.
Pinches when it’s touched
but cries like a child for a toy.
My Heart like a Warrior
Eric C.
My heart like a warrior
staggering and limping
like a soldier coming
back from war
and looking forward to
that big home meal.
It doesn’t know when
to give up on it
and it’s hoping for that big
home meal from her.
What is My Heart?
Francisco M.
A pond full of cranberry
juice. A bag full of
roses. A home made out
of red bricks.
Mr. Balcazar, Rm. 203, 8th grade
Rainbow Fairy, My Heart
Rosalina A.
Rainbow fairy, my heart,
dancing around and making wishes
come true,
like a little kid never wanting
to grow up,
pink, purple, yellow, red, colorful like a clown,
loves to say “DUDE” like a surfer dude,
the center of attention.
Tip-toed like a dancer,
soars in the sky like a bird,
funky and fabulous,
full of joy and wonder,
the queen inside of me.
The Heart
Leonardo M.
The heart is the organ that we need,
hear it clearly, it’s the sound of the beat.
It’s red, it’s like heat,
without organs like this it’s the least,
with no heart there’s no love.
My Heart Is
Andrea S.
My heart is
a little box of emotion,
full of life and happiness,
jumping up and down and side to side,
a beautiful thing that makes me survive.
My heart is an afternoon at the beach,
sunset sand and water,
a rich chocolate full of caramel,
strong and hard.
My heart is
a rich red liquid
dripping from inside,
a fire getting stronger
and stronger,
it’s my life.
Showing posts with label 8th grade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 8th grade. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
The Villanelle a la 8th grade
Here are some more villanelles, and villanelles-in-progress, this time from the 8th graders.
I shared a second handout with them that included a villanelle by David Trinidad ("Chatty Cathy Villanelle"), and one I wrote called "Ways and Means." I wanted them to see as many examples as possible of different ways to approach this form, and different expressions that it can take.
Some of the students didn't finish all the way, but I had to admit to them that it took me longer than two 40-minute sessions to write my own villanelle. It's a difficult form, but many students gave a strong go. I included the following poems either because they showed some mastery of the villanelle form, or because they did something inventive and interesting with what they were given, such as the fragments I've included that are so compelling to read that I want the students to finish them, if only so I can read the end! I was also excited to see how students incorporated new vocabulary that they picked up from the rhyming dictionaries.
###
Mr. Stalla, Rm. 201, 8th grade
Stay Up
Raul G.
Don’t let them keep you down.
Don’t give in to the struggle.
Watch them or they’ll let you down.
Let no one take your crown.
Keep them down, ’til their blood makes a puddle.
Don’t let them keep you down.
These are all your people; your town
loyal to you, oh so humble.
Watch them or they’ll let you down.
Without a care they make you frown.
I see potential, yet they all stumble.
Don’t let them keep you down.
I see talent that can astound
but under pressure, dreams crumble.
Watch them or they’ll let you down.
You hear the roaring of the crowd.
Wipe the blood off your knuckle.
Don’t let them keep you down.
Watch them or they’ll let you down.
Villanelle
Jessica G.
When you grow up, what will you be?
If you work hard, you could succeed.
Please do something that you will achieve.
Maybe an astronaut if you believe,
so go on and proceed.
When you grow up, what will you be?
So keep looking and you will receive.
So go out and look and do your deed.
Please do something that you will achieve.
Go out and retrieve.
Don’t worry, you won’t bleed.
When you grow up, what will you be?
Please do something that you will achieve.
Villanelle
Jacky L.
In a dream I see many things,
a big purple crocodile.
I lay my head on a pillow in the evenings.
I love the joy it brings,
an orange monkey with a smile.
In a dream I see many things.
Waking up would be death-defying.
I see a squirrel that’s very hostile.
I lay my head on a pillow in the evenings.
I watch a green lady cross the Nile.
In a dream I see many things.
An old man who’s very old-style.
I lay my head on a pillow in the evenings.
A cool-looking hippo by the name of Kyle.
In a dream I see many things.
I lay my head on a pillow in the evenings.
###
Ms. Catinella, Rm. 202, 8th grade
Arms Race
Samantha N.
All they hear is the bass.
They’re dressed to kill
because this is just the arms race.
These kids are the change of pace.
They’re not going to stand still.
All they hear is the bass.
They listen to the best, and say, “Rad, dollface.”
Their headphones are loud, and they thrill
because this is just the arms race.
They don’t care about the political race.
You won’t do it, but these kids will.
All they hear is the bass.
They’ll confront each other face to face.
These kids know how to chill
because this is just the arms race.
They’re not going to keep a straight face.
These just won’t be still.
All they hear is the bass
because this is just the arms race.
Villanelle
Alberto M.
Winter go away; you cause us misery and sadness.
Snow is powerful when they unite.
Trapped by snow, nowhere to go, it’s loneliness.
Kids throwing snowballs at cars.
Some people are afraid during a snowing night.
Winter go away, you cause us misery and sadness.
Men staying at bars.
Kids throwing snowballs with all their might.
Trapped by snow, nowhere to go, it’s loneliness.
The sky filled with stars,
kids inside of their homes drinking Sprite.
Winter go away, you cause us misery and sadness.
Traveling to countries is far.
Kids outside using their flashlight.
Trapped by snow, nowhere to go, it’s loneliness.
Others playing the guitar.
Miles of snow seen only by eyesight.
Winter go away, you cause us misery and sadness
trapped by snow, nowhere to go, it’s loneliness.
Life?!
Alejandra S.
I fill my lungs of air and shout!
The sun shining on my eyes.
I can see half of the world from here.
Ocean is when the world starts turning blue,
while inside a room a boy dies.
I fill my lungs of air and shout!
Does anyone have a clue?
Looking at all the flies
I feel a big cheer.
Feel like everything’s true.
Air lets the clothes dry,
I fill my lungs of air and shout!
All the people really grew
where a little rabbit lies.
Talk to animals, they can hear
even though they only chew
like winning a big prize.
I fill my lungs of air and shout!
I can see half of the world from here.
Some with Need
Angela B.
Someone needing help through rough times to help fight,
struggling, and putting the effort all in.
Keep trying, keep trying, don’t give up, try your hardest, even through the night.
Their life is erupting like dynamite
never knowing what to do, always clandestine.
Someone needing help through rough times to help fight.
Always trying to do everything right
hoping that no one will break in.
Keep trying, keep trying, don’t give up, try your hardest, even through the night.
Not being in the spotlight,
not wanting to live in sin.
Someone needing help through rough times to help fight.
Fighting through life like a dogfight,
wanting someone there through thick and thin.
Keep trying, keep trying, don’t give up, try your hardest, even through the night.
Waiting for life to ignite.
When something happens, saying, “Take it on the chin.”
Someone needing help through rough times to help fight.
Keep trying, keep trying, don’t give up, try your hardest, even through the night.
###
Mr. Balcazar, Rm. 203, 8th grade
Villanelle
Amairany L.
Get in the car
my dad said
as he came from the bar
I was sad
and just bowed my head, as I
got in the car
Villanelle
Andrea S.
It’s time for you to leave me alone.
The day is almost over.
I need to go home.
Your voice is driving me crazy.
She thinks it’s all about her,
leave me alone.
All you do is sit around and be lazy,
leave and move moreover.
I got to go home.
Leave and go with Daisy,
go eat a burger.
Leave me alone.
I want to turn eighty.
You need a haircut with the barber.
I need to go home.
Go and have fun with Healy,
leave me alone you burger.
Please leave me alone,
because I need to go home.
Villanelle
Anthony W.
Take the day into the night.
The fight was not today,
the storm will not turn gray unless you see the beam of light.
Give God thanks for all that’s light.
Because he shined me with his light, he spared me for the day.
Take the day into the night
because the storm was turning bright.
The storm has gone away.
The storm will not turn gray unless you see the beam of light.
The storm has come to play because the sky has not been bright.
We cannot fight the storm’s gray sight, we will dread with great pain.
Take the day into the night.
###
Ms. Fenton, Rm. 204, 8th grade
Dream
Karina S.
I feel like I am going to sink.
I want to go to sleep.
My sister is happy and gives a wink.
I am thirsty and I want a drink.
I saw someone who gives me the creeps.
I feel like I am going to sink.
I am working and the dog looks and me and blinks.
I see something that I want to keep.
My sister is happy and gives me a wink.
My brain hurts and I don’t want to think.
The car behind gives me a beep.
I feel like I am going to sink.
I feel so pink.
I am in Africa in a big Jeep.
My sister is happy and gives me a wink.
I am so scared I want to shrink.
I fell somewhere deep.
I feel like I am going to sink.
My sister is happy and gives me a wink.
Villanelle
Mary B.
You will get through, just be strong.
Try your best, it will be hard
but you will succeed, and be proud.
Follow the right, don’t do what’s wrong.
But remember, you don’t have a bodyguard.
You will get through, just be strong.
It may be cool, but don’t stand in the crowd.
If it’s too hard, make yourself a card
but you will succeed, and be proud.
It will take time, and it may be long.
Go to 600 N. Boulevard.
You will get through, just be strong.
Don’t feel bad that you might not belong.
Keep this well: your self-regard
but you will succeed and be strong.
Behave, succeed, be strong, before long
you will remember, but keep a memoir
but you will succeed, and be strong.
You will get through, just be strong.
Villanelle
Tania A.
The light in the dust is dead.
It grows as days go by.
The rainbow’s color is shed.
The dark comes, I go to bed.
The light goes in the green bay.
The light in the dust is dead.
It is bigger than my head.
It’s aging in the day.
The rainbow’s color is shed.
The cloud is scattered
and I’ll be in my way.
The light in the dust is dead.
I shared a second handout with them that included a villanelle by David Trinidad ("Chatty Cathy Villanelle"), and one I wrote called "Ways and Means." I wanted them to see as many examples as possible of different ways to approach this form, and different expressions that it can take.
Some of the students didn't finish all the way, but I had to admit to them that it took me longer than two 40-minute sessions to write my own villanelle. It's a difficult form, but many students gave a strong go. I included the following poems either because they showed some mastery of the villanelle form, or because they did something inventive and interesting with what they were given, such as the fragments I've included that are so compelling to read that I want the students to finish them, if only so I can read the end! I was also excited to see how students incorporated new vocabulary that they picked up from the rhyming dictionaries.
###
Mr. Stalla, Rm. 201, 8th grade
Stay Up
Raul G.
Don’t let them keep you down.
Don’t give in to the struggle.
Watch them or they’ll let you down.
Let no one take your crown.
Keep them down, ’til their blood makes a puddle.
Don’t let them keep you down.
These are all your people; your town
loyal to you, oh so humble.
Watch them or they’ll let you down.
Without a care they make you frown.
I see potential, yet they all stumble.
Don’t let them keep you down.
I see talent that can astound
but under pressure, dreams crumble.
Watch them or they’ll let you down.
You hear the roaring of the crowd.
Wipe the blood off your knuckle.
Don’t let them keep you down.
Watch them or they’ll let you down.
Villanelle
Jessica G.
When you grow up, what will you be?
If you work hard, you could succeed.
Please do something that you will achieve.
Maybe an astronaut if you believe,
so go on and proceed.
When you grow up, what will you be?
So keep looking and you will receive.
So go out and look and do your deed.
Please do something that you will achieve.
Go out and retrieve.
Don’t worry, you won’t bleed.
When you grow up, what will you be?
Please do something that you will achieve.
Villanelle
Jacky L.
In a dream I see many things,
a big purple crocodile.
I lay my head on a pillow in the evenings.
I love the joy it brings,
an orange monkey with a smile.
In a dream I see many things.
Waking up would be death-defying.
I see a squirrel that’s very hostile.
I lay my head on a pillow in the evenings.
I watch a green lady cross the Nile.
In a dream I see many things.
An old man who’s very old-style.
I lay my head on a pillow in the evenings.
A cool-looking hippo by the name of Kyle.
In a dream I see many things.
I lay my head on a pillow in the evenings.
###
Ms. Catinella, Rm. 202, 8th grade
Arms Race
Samantha N.
All they hear is the bass.
They’re dressed to kill
because this is just the arms race.
These kids are the change of pace.
They’re not going to stand still.
All they hear is the bass.
They listen to the best, and say, “Rad, dollface.”
Their headphones are loud, and they thrill
because this is just the arms race.
They don’t care about the political race.
You won’t do it, but these kids will.
All they hear is the bass.
They’ll confront each other face to face.
These kids know how to chill
because this is just the arms race.
They’re not going to keep a straight face.
These just won’t be still.
All they hear is the bass
because this is just the arms race.
Villanelle
Alberto M.
Winter go away; you cause us misery and sadness.
Snow is powerful when they unite.
Trapped by snow, nowhere to go, it’s loneliness.
Kids throwing snowballs at cars.
Some people are afraid during a snowing night.
Winter go away, you cause us misery and sadness.
Men staying at bars.
Kids throwing snowballs with all their might.
Trapped by snow, nowhere to go, it’s loneliness.
The sky filled with stars,
kids inside of their homes drinking Sprite.
Winter go away, you cause us misery and sadness.
Traveling to countries is far.
Kids outside using their flashlight.
Trapped by snow, nowhere to go, it’s loneliness.
Others playing the guitar.
Miles of snow seen only by eyesight.
Winter go away, you cause us misery and sadness
trapped by snow, nowhere to go, it’s loneliness.
Life?!
Alejandra S.
I fill my lungs of air and shout!
The sun shining on my eyes.
I can see half of the world from here.
Ocean is when the world starts turning blue,
while inside a room a boy dies.
I fill my lungs of air and shout!
Does anyone have a clue?
Looking at all the flies
I feel a big cheer.
Feel like everything’s true.
Air lets the clothes dry,
I fill my lungs of air and shout!
All the people really grew
where a little rabbit lies.
Talk to animals, they can hear
even though they only chew
like winning a big prize.
I fill my lungs of air and shout!
I can see half of the world from here.
Some with Need
Angela B.
Someone needing help through rough times to help fight,
struggling, and putting the effort all in.
Keep trying, keep trying, don’t give up, try your hardest, even through the night.
Their life is erupting like dynamite
never knowing what to do, always clandestine.
Someone needing help through rough times to help fight.
Always trying to do everything right
hoping that no one will break in.
Keep trying, keep trying, don’t give up, try your hardest, even through the night.
Not being in the spotlight,
not wanting to live in sin.
Someone needing help through rough times to help fight.
Fighting through life like a dogfight,
wanting someone there through thick and thin.
Keep trying, keep trying, don’t give up, try your hardest, even through the night.
Waiting for life to ignite.
When something happens, saying, “Take it on the chin.”
Someone needing help through rough times to help fight.
Keep trying, keep trying, don’t give up, try your hardest, even through the night.
###
Mr. Balcazar, Rm. 203, 8th grade
Villanelle
Amairany L.
Get in the car
my dad said
as he came from the bar
I was sad
and just bowed my head, as I
got in the car
Villanelle
Andrea S.
It’s time for you to leave me alone.
The day is almost over.
I need to go home.
Your voice is driving me crazy.
She thinks it’s all about her,
leave me alone.
All you do is sit around and be lazy,
leave and move moreover.
I got to go home.
Leave and go with Daisy,
go eat a burger.
Leave me alone.
I want to turn eighty.
You need a haircut with the barber.
I need to go home.
Go and have fun with Healy,
leave me alone you burger.
Please leave me alone,
because I need to go home.
Villanelle
Anthony W.
Take the day into the night.
The fight was not today,
the storm will not turn gray unless you see the beam of light.
Give God thanks for all that’s light.
Because he shined me with his light, he spared me for the day.
Take the day into the night
because the storm was turning bright.
The storm has gone away.
The storm will not turn gray unless you see the beam of light.
The storm has come to play because the sky has not been bright.
We cannot fight the storm’s gray sight, we will dread with great pain.
Take the day into the night.
###
Ms. Fenton, Rm. 204, 8th grade
Dream
Karina S.
I feel like I am going to sink.
I want to go to sleep.
My sister is happy and gives a wink.
I am thirsty and I want a drink.
I saw someone who gives me the creeps.
I feel like I am going to sink.
I am working and the dog looks and me and blinks.
I see something that I want to keep.
My sister is happy and gives me a wink.
My brain hurts and I don’t want to think.
The car behind gives me a beep.
I feel like I am going to sink.
I feel so pink.
I am in Africa in a big Jeep.
My sister is happy and gives me a wink.
I am so scared I want to shrink.
I fell somewhere deep.
I feel like I am going to sink.
My sister is happy and gives me a wink.
Villanelle
Mary B.
You will get through, just be strong.
Try your best, it will be hard
but you will succeed, and be proud.
Follow the right, don’t do what’s wrong.
But remember, you don’t have a bodyguard.
You will get through, just be strong.
It may be cool, but don’t stand in the crowd.
If it’s too hard, make yourself a card
but you will succeed, and be proud.
It will take time, and it may be long.
Go to 600 N. Boulevard.
You will get through, just be strong.
Don’t feel bad that you might not belong.
Keep this well: your self-regard
but you will succeed and be strong.
Behave, succeed, be strong, before long
you will remember, but keep a memoir
but you will succeed, and be strong.
You will get through, just be strong.
Villanelle
Tania A.
The light in the dust is dead.
It grows as days go by.
The rainbow’s color is shed.
The dark comes, I go to bed.
The light goes in the green bay.
The light in the dust is dead.
It is bigger than my head.
It’s aging in the day.
The rainbow’s color is shed.
The cloud is scattered
and I’ll be in my way.
The light in the dust is dead.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
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.
###
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.
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.
###
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.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
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.
###
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.
###
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
###
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.
###
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.
###
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
###
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.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
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.
###
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
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.
###
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
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.
###
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
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.
###
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.
###
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.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Haiku prep: In This Moment (8th grade)
Richard Wright wound a fairly traditional approach to haiku around topics like poverty, urban and rural life, sickness and death, race, and innocence. We read a selection of 14 of his haiku, and I had each student memorize one. We then discussed the themes that Wright seemed to be concerned with, and traced them as they appeared in these selections. After that, I asked the students to complete a freewrite, using the prompt "In this moment," describing scenes that were or could be happening "in this moment." I emphasized that they must write constantly until I told them to stop, and not even to pause for thought or to fix a mistake.
I usually don't post pre-writing, but in this case, I thought it might be interesting to see the process. Notice the strategies that some students employed in order to keep moving when they had "run out" of ideas. I also noticed that some of the stronger, wilder images came through during the second half of writing, as the students unplugged and became looser. As these are going to be turned into haiku, many of the fevered and intense lines that these kids pumped out as I told them how many minutes they had left will, by necessity, be cut and perhaps not appear elsewhere. I post these selections here unedited, as they were written, not as poetry necessarily, but to give you an idea of the landscape and raw material that the students draw from.
###
Mr. Stalla, Rm. 201, 8th grade
Carina A.
In this moment
baby sister
watching TV
eating fruit loops
laughing
In this moment
I’m thinking
bored
wondering
do other people feel
the same way?
In this moment
trees’ leaves
yellow
to none
In this moment
red books
being opened
In this moment
quiet
filled with thoughts
In this moment
mom
cooking
wondering
are my kids OK?
In this moment
snow losing its
white shine
with dirt.
In this moment
with a city so loud
cars, trucks,
factories
no one can hear
the leaves fall.
Adrian C.
A man is in a factory
working a giant machine
Getting tired
Thinking of home
Thinking of his wife
wondering about her little girl
seeing every living being work
minding their business
making a living
Colors dark and light
everything is grey
rain is pouring darkness
sorrow is sad as blood is red
someone just passed
Black is worn around
winter comes in pearls of white snow
Everything is white slightly looking blue
Everywhere I go the wind is whishing
I hear people talking Sound is the best.
people arguing
kids playing in the sand
the sound of waves crashing
Raul G.
In this moment my brother, downtown, driving
a train, the CTA is where he works.
In this moment people are freezing outside
in the cold.
In this moment there are car wrecks
because of the icy roads.
In this moment people are dying because of
the rain, the cold, the homeless, the poor.
In this moment children have nowhere to
stay, nowhere to be warm.
In this moment I am safe.
In this moment the beautiful white snow
is turned black by the nasty dirt.
In this moment the girl with the
brown hair is thinking about the boy in
the black shirt.
In this moment there is no sound just
silence outside everyone is afraid to go
out.
In this moment there are bombs exploding.
In this moment there are children
and families crying.
In this moment there is pain.
###
Mr. Balcazar, Rm. 203, 8th grade
Cesar A.
In this moment garbage is all I think about
my cousin is in the skatepark the sound of the
wheels smacking the ground the sound of cars
passing by the park the color of the skateboard
black the ramp is brown like wood
Amirany L.
In this moment I’m bored
in this moment my dad is working
in this moment my dad is cold
in this moment there is pollution
in this moment my mom is sleeping
in this moment can’t wait ‘til
soccer practice
in this moment I have no idea
what else to write
in this moment I have to
keep writing
in this moment I like poetry. In
this moment I have 30 seconds
to keep writing.
In this moment I’m done.
In this moment I hear a voice.
In this moment I hear knuckles crack.
I hear footsteps around me.
I hear a car slam on the
brakes.
I hear a boom or crash by
the streetlight.
I hear mom mom saying, “I told
chu so.”
I hear I have 30 sec.
I feel like my hand is
gonna fall.
I have black hair.
I have black shoes.
I see the sky is gray.
A stormy gray day.
I see a black-haired guy.
I see my mood is gray.
I see my bracelet is purple.
I see I’m wearing white.
Jaime S.
In this moment I think about what life
is going to be like when I get older.
What is going to happen to me, what job will
I have, am I gonna have good money. Bad job
and have to pay a lot of bills for the rest of my
life. The only way to have a good life
is to go to school and have an education.
In this moment I hear myself, “Why am I
doing this, do I enjoy doing the things I
do,” that’s what I hear but I know I can
change and will try to change.
In this moment I see white snow, I look at
it as it falls down the sky and as soon as
it finishes falling. I go to my friend’s house and
have a snowball fight.
###
Miss Catinella, Rm. 202, 8th grade
Samantha N.
In this moment,
some people are being way too free,
others at work.
In this moment,
new songs are being written by new and old artists.
In this moment,
the world is “going down, in an earlier round”
Too many wars being fought, with child soldiers
In this moment,
someone is writing to someone important,
telling them to send someone to Africa to stop
the war.
In this moment,
a band is thinking about how to move forward.
In this moment,
the people in charge are letting us down.
In this moment,
people I know are being lame,
probably laughing like crazy,
because that’s the way they are.
In this moment,
the DJ headphones blast music so loud,
the “A&R” guy’s phone is ringing again,
people wanting his help once more.
In this moment,
he answers the phone
and he helps them,
in this moment.
In this moment,
green eyes are staring at a tree,
the green leaves give inspiration.
In this moment,
green eyes stare at a stage, watching the bassist.
Victor O.
In this moment I want
to go to sleep I wish I
was at my house asleep in
my warm bed. In this moment
soldiers are fighting Iraq
for my freedom while I’m
just falling asleep during
class, while I listen to kids
in my room laugh and I
hear kids writing I want
to go to Disneyland and
having some fun with my
family…
In this moment I
hear cars moving down
the street I hear
buses I hear rain
falling I hear the air
conditioner
I see a blue whale
in a blue sea, coming
up for fresh air
Alla Z.
In this moment
I am in school
doing some work my mom
is at home waiting for us to go
home. In this moment outside looks
beautiful, the trees flowing with the wind. The
snow covering everything in its path.
The clock is going slow, I can’t wait until
I am out of here.
I hear the sound of pencils writing
on a paper, your shoes tapping on the floor.
In this moment, the sound of leaf falling on the ground.
The green board waiting for someone to
write on it. The blue door of the classroom
waiting for us to leave.
###
Ms. Fenton, Rm. 204, 8th grade
Edwin R.
At this time I am thinking
about when I used to
live at my old house
and how it was so scary
at New Year’s because you
would not know if the guns
are shooting or the fireworks.
At this time I am hearing
the gunshots and fireworks
mixed together and hearing -----
breaking people scream outside it
could be someone born
themselves or they got shot?
At this time I see the
fireworks in
the sky and little fireworks
at the floor for a doubt
I see but it can be
a gunshot.
Name Withheld
In this moment my
aunt is at home with the baby
making food and the TV is
on. The baby is watching
Channel 11 or she is on
her rocking horse
having fun. The smell is the
food and it smells
like milk from the baby.
My aunt has the
pot boiling waiting for her
boyfriend to come home from
work and see how his day
went. She might decide on
going to my grandparents’
house seeing if anybody is
home and wants to see how
they’re doing.
In this moment I
can hear pounding noises outside
my door. I hear a
pot steaming on the
stove. The washing machine
is going round and round
and you can hear it
washing. You can hear the
static coming from the
TV because the movie is
over. You can hear the stairs
creak when someone’s going up
the stairs.
In this moment
I can see green trees with
little yellow lemons growing
in the tree. I can see
shoes the color
of a rainbow.
Jasmine R.
In this moment I can picture kids
playing outside with snowballs.
The things I hear is kids laughing
kids saying, “I’m going to get
you,” and I know they feel
that coldness rushing past their
faces. And they scream and it’s
wintertime.
In this moment I hear voices
all around me I hear the teachers
talking in the other rooms I
can hear the wind on the other
side of the window school I said
with everything rushing around
me.
In this moment I see white
because the walls all around
me are that color I see blue
because all students are wearing
blue.
I usually don't post pre-writing, but in this case, I thought it might be interesting to see the process. Notice the strategies that some students employed in order to keep moving when they had "run out" of ideas. I also noticed that some of the stronger, wilder images came through during the second half of writing, as the students unplugged and became looser. As these are going to be turned into haiku, many of the fevered and intense lines that these kids pumped out as I told them how many minutes they had left will, by necessity, be cut and perhaps not appear elsewhere. I post these selections here unedited, as they were written, not as poetry necessarily, but to give you an idea of the landscape and raw material that the students draw from.
###
Mr. Stalla, Rm. 201, 8th grade
Carina A.
In this moment
baby sister
watching TV
eating fruit loops
laughing
In this moment
I’m thinking
bored
wondering
do other people feel
the same way?
In this moment
trees’ leaves
yellow
to none
In this moment
red books
being opened
In this moment
quiet
filled with thoughts
In this moment
mom
cooking
wondering
are my kids OK?
In this moment
snow losing its
white shine
with dirt.
In this moment
with a city so loud
cars, trucks,
factories
no one can hear
the leaves fall.
Adrian C.
A man is in a factory
working a giant machine
Getting tired
Thinking of home
Thinking of his wife
wondering about her little girl
seeing every living being work
minding their business
making a living
Colors dark and light
everything is grey
rain is pouring darkness
sorrow is sad as blood is red
someone just passed
Black is worn around
winter comes in pearls of white snow
Everything is white slightly looking blue
Everywhere I go the wind is whishing
I hear people talking Sound is the best.
people arguing
kids playing in the sand
the sound of waves crashing
Raul G.
In this moment my brother, downtown, driving
a train, the CTA is where he works.
In this moment people are freezing outside
in the cold.
In this moment there are car wrecks
because of the icy roads.
In this moment people are dying because of
the rain, the cold, the homeless, the poor.
In this moment children have nowhere to
stay, nowhere to be warm.
In this moment I am safe.
In this moment the beautiful white snow
is turned black by the nasty dirt.
In this moment the girl with the
brown hair is thinking about the boy in
the black shirt.
In this moment there is no sound just
silence outside everyone is afraid to go
out.
In this moment there are bombs exploding.
In this moment there are children
and families crying.
In this moment there is pain.
###
Mr. Balcazar, Rm. 203, 8th grade
Cesar A.
In this moment garbage is all I think about
my cousin is in the skatepark the sound of the
wheels smacking the ground the sound of cars
passing by the park the color of the skateboard
black the ramp is brown like wood
Amirany L.
In this moment I’m bored
in this moment my dad is working
in this moment my dad is cold
in this moment there is pollution
in this moment my mom is sleeping
in this moment can’t wait ‘til
soccer practice
in this moment I have no idea
what else to write
in this moment I have to
keep writing
in this moment I like poetry. In
this moment I have 30 seconds
to keep writing.
In this moment I’m done.
In this moment I hear a voice.
In this moment I hear knuckles crack.
I hear footsteps around me.
I hear a car slam on the
brakes.
I hear a boom or crash by
the streetlight.
I hear mom mom saying, “I told
chu so.”
I hear I have 30 sec.
I feel like my hand is
gonna fall.
I have black hair.
I have black shoes.
I see the sky is gray.
A stormy gray day.
I see a black-haired guy.
I see my mood is gray.
I see my bracelet is purple.
I see I’m wearing white.
Jaime S.
In this moment I think about what life
is going to be like when I get older.
What is going to happen to me, what job will
I have, am I gonna have good money. Bad job
and have to pay a lot of bills for the rest of my
life. The only way to have a good life
is to go to school and have an education.
In this moment I hear myself, “Why am I
doing this, do I enjoy doing the things I
do,” that’s what I hear but I know I can
change and will try to change.
In this moment I see white snow, I look at
it as it falls down the sky and as soon as
it finishes falling. I go to my friend’s house and
have a snowball fight.
###
Miss Catinella, Rm. 202, 8th grade
Samantha N.
In this moment,
some people are being way too free,
others at work.
In this moment,
new songs are being written by new and old artists.
In this moment,
the world is “going down, in an earlier round”
Too many wars being fought, with child soldiers
In this moment,
someone is writing to someone important,
telling them to send someone to Africa to stop
the war.
In this moment,
a band is thinking about how to move forward.
In this moment,
the people in charge are letting us down.
In this moment,
people I know are being lame,
probably laughing like crazy,
because that’s the way they are.
In this moment,
the DJ headphones blast music so loud,
the “A&R” guy’s phone is ringing again,
people wanting his help once more.
In this moment,
he answers the phone
and he helps them,
in this moment.
In this moment,
green eyes are staring at a tree,
the green leaves give inspiration.
In this moment,
green eyes stare at a stage, watching the bassist.
Victor O.
In this moment I want
to go to sleep I wish I
was at my house asleep in
my warm bed. In this moment
soldiers are fighting Iraq
for my freedom while I’m
just falling asleep during
class, while I listen to kids
in my room laugh and I
hear kids writing I want
to go to Disneyland and
having some fun with my
family…
In this moment I
hear cars moving down
the street I hear
buses I hear rain
falling I hear the air
conditioner
I see a blue whale
in a blue sea, coming
up for fresh air
Alla Z.
In this moment
I am in school
doing some work my mom
is at home waiting for us to go
home. In this moment outside looks
beautiful, the trees flowing with the wind. The
snow covering everything in its path.
The clock is going slow, I can’t wait until
I am out of here.
I hear the sound of pencils writing
on a paper, your shoes tapping on the floor.
In this moment, the sound of leaf falling on the ground.
The green board waiting for someone to
write on it. The blue door of the classroom
waiting for us to leave.
###
Ms. Fenton, Rm. 204, 8th grade
Edwin R.
At this time I am thinking
about when I used to
live at my old house
and how it was so scary
at New Year’s because you
would not know if the guns
are shooting or the fireworks.
At this time I am hearing
the gunshots and fireworks
mixed together and hearing -----
breaking people scream outside it
could be someone born
themselves or they got shot?
At this time I see the
fireworks in
the sky and little fireworks
at the floor for a doubt
I see but it can be
a gunshot.
Name Withheld
In this moment my
aunt is at home with the baby
making food and the TV is
on. The baby is watching
Channel 11 or she is on
her rocking horse
having fun. The smell is the
food and it smells
like milk from the baby.
My aunt has the
pot boiling waiting for her
boyfriend to come home from
work and see how his day
went. She might decide on
going to my grandparents’
house seeing if anybody is
home and wants to see how
they’re doing.
In this moment I
can hear pounding noises outside
my door. I hear a
pot steaming on the
stove. The washing machine
is going round and round
and you can hear it
washing. You can hear the
static coming from the
TV because the movie is
over. You can hear the stairs
creak when someone’s going up
the stairs.
In this moment
I can see green trees with
little yellow lemons growing
in the tree. I can see
shoes the color
of a rainbow.
Jasmine R.
In this moment I can picture kids
playing outside with snowballs.
The things I hear is kids laughing
kids saying, “I’m going to get
you,” and I know they feel
that coldness rushing past their
faces. And they scream and it’s
wintertime.
In this moment I hear voices
all around me I hear the teachers
talking in the other rooms I
can hear the wind on the other
side of the window school I said
with everything rushing around
me.
In this moment I see white
because the walls all around
me are that color I see blue
because all students are wearing
blue.
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Fear: a further poetic exploration--8th grade
After reading and discussing the fear cento poems with the 8th grade classesI asked the students to take one line from their class poem and explore it a little further, using it as the first line of their own poem. They could choose one of their own lines or someone else's. Here are the interesting results.
###
Mr. Stalla, Rm. 201
The Darkness
Jacqueline L.
I fear the darkness under my bed
where someone or something could
be hiding.
I fear it because you never know
when something might pop out
It could grab hold of your leg
and pull you in
It would have you as a midnight
snack on the way to the bathroom
I would feel the creepy crawlers
as I hide under my covers
They would slowly forget me and
the day I disappeared
It was all because I could not
open my eyes and turn on the lights
Untitled
Yoseline M.
I fear walking alone in the dark street
where there’s no light.
No hope, nobody to lean on.
Hear cars pass me by like a dog
on the side of the street with no owner,
lost in the world.
Dark.
I Fear the World Might End Soon
Victor R.
We are all going to die.
Humanity will cease to exist.
Our hopes and dreams will be gone.
Disaster and chaos everywhere.
Nature and beauty gone.
No one to learn.
No one to learn from.
Fire and rocks are the only things left.
No more summer nights.
No more friendship or kindness.
###
Mr. Balcazar, Rm. 203
Rage
Christian E.
I fear the rage inside when it comes out
destroying and messing with everything
in sight. The rage can only be controlled
with PIE. Apple pie.
The warm inviting smell calms the
rage down. With the rage calmed down
I can rest once again.
Luis F.
I fear the dark, it's like a hole in the world,
walking into the basement, pitch dark
thinking there's someone everywhere you look,
hearing noises inside your head,
frantically looking for the light switch.
You see someone walking up to you.
You turn on the light,
a sigh of relief, you look
around, there is nothing.
Yocelin J.
I fear the grade F on the paper in front of me
people making fun of you
teacher's disappointment
B honor roll to nothing
feeling dumb
getting mad
fear going home with that paper
###
Ms. Catinella, Rm. 202
Oscar V.
I fear dying young,
not accomplishing what I want in life,
not seeing things I want to see,
not having a family.
Mariana D.
I fear dark alleys
where there are things that lurk at night
eyes looking at me
noises from behind
not knowing what could happen
something coming
look behind nothing there
Corina S.
I am afraid of not getting
through the gates, and getting sent
down. To lose my chance of being in
peace. To keep my fear in me, it is hard,
but to lose it is harder.
###
Ms. Fenton, Rm. 204
Marcos P.
I fear not making it to the majors
because I might suck at it and
I'll be the worst player in
the team. Then they'll send
me to minor leaguers and will
only pay me very little but
I also fear if I'm the
best, everyone will
hate me and the
team trades me
to the
Chicago Cubs.
Even though the Sox are better.
GO SOX!
Alex S.
I fear my mouth, what it says.
I want to say the right things.
I don't want to be wrong.
I don't want to hurt people with
what I say.
I don't want people to get mad.
I don't want to get in trouble
with what comes out of my mouth.
I want to stop swearing at people
who I shouldn't.
I Fear What I Fear
Frank M.
I fear what I fear. I can't
even figure out what it is that
I fear. I fear something everyone
fears, something I need
to find out what it is that
I fear. I don't fear monsters.
If I only knew what it is
that I fear. I fear what I fear.
What is it that I fear?
###
Mr. Stalla, Rm. 201
The Darkness
Jacqueline L.
I fear the darkness under my bed
where someone or something could
be hiding.
I fear it because you never know
when something might pop out
It could grab hold of your leg
and pull you in
It would have you as a midnight
snack on the way to the bathroom
I would feel the creepy crawlers
as I hide under my covers
They would slowly forget me and
the day I disappeared
It was all because I could not
open my eyes and turn on the lights
Untitled
Yoseline M.
I fear walking alone in the dark street
where there’s no light.
No hope, nobody to lean on.
Hear cars pass me by like a dog
on the side of the street with no owner,
lost in the world.
Dark.
I Fear the World Might End Soon
Victor R.
We are all going to die.
Humanity will cease to exist.
Our hopes and dreams will be gone.
Disaster and chaos everywhere.
Nature and beauty gone.
No one to learn.
No one to learn from.
Fire and rocks are the only things left.
No more summer nights.
No more friendship or kindness.
###
Mr. Balcazar, Rm. 203
Rage
Christian E.
I fear the rage inside when it comes out
destroying and messing with everything
in sight. The rage can only be controlled
with PIE. Apple pie.
The warm inviting smell calms the
rage down. With the rage calmed down
I can rest once again.
Luis F.
I fear the dark, it's like a hole in the world,
walking into the basement, pitch dark
thinking there's someone everywhere you look,
hearing noises inside your head,
frantically looking for the light switch.
You see someone walking up to you.
You turn on the light,
a sigh of relief, you look
around, there is nothing.
Yocelin J.
I fear the grade F on the paper in front of me
people making fun of you
teacher's disappointment
B honor roll to nothing
feeling dumb
getting mad
fear going home with that paper
###
Ms. Catinella, Rm. 202
Oscar V.
I fear dying young,
not accomplishing what I want in life,
not seeing things I want to see,
not having a family.
Mariana D.
I fear dark alleys
where there are things that lurk at night
eyes looking at me
noises from behind
not knowing what could happen
something coming
look behind nothing there
Corina S.
I am afraid of not getting
through the gates, and getting sent
down. To lose my chance of being in
peace. To keep my fear in me, it is hard,
but to lose it is harder.
###
Ms. Fenton, Rm. 204
Marcos P.
I fear not making it to the majors
because I might suck at it and
I'll be the worst player in
the team. Then they'll send
me to minor leaguers and will
only pay me very little but
I also fear if I'm the
best, everyone will
hate me and the
team trades me
to the
Chicago Cubs.
Even though the Sox are better.
GO SOX!
Alex S.
I fear my mouth, what it says.
I want to say the right things.
I don't want to be wrong.
I don't want to hurt people with
what I say.
I don't want people to get mad.
I don't want to get in trouble
with what comes out of my mouth.
I want to stop swearing at people
who I shouldn't.
I Fear What I Fear
Frank M.
I fear what I fear. I can't
even figure out what it is that
I fear. I fear something everyone
fears, something I need
to find out what it is that
I fear. I don't fear monsters.
If I only knew what it is
that I fear. I fear what I fear.
What is it that I fear?
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
P.S.--This is my fear (Room 203, 8th grade)
I was amazed by the sheer volume of clown fears in this one. They crop up in nearly every class so far, but this outdoes them all in clown terror.
I was impressed by how several of the students found representative images for their fears ("the grade F on the paper in front of me," "mascara on her face," the idea of rage "yelling out," and many others...)
This version is from Mr. Balcazar's 8th grade class in room 203.
###
P.S. This is my fear
Room 203, Mr. Balcazar's 8th grade class at Lee School and Rachel Javellana
I fear losing the ones I love that are close to me.
I fear the dark in the basement, hearing a voice.
I fear going into the dark by myself when I’m all alone. You’ll never know when you might run into something unexpectable.
I fear the darkness.
I fear the dark. It’s like a hole in the world.
I fear the rage inside me when it yells out.
I fear my mom when she has her mascara on her face
I fear the grade F on the paper in front of me.
I fear being stranded in the middle of nowhere.
I fear scary movies.
I fear falling in love with the wrong person, because they’ll just let you fall.
I fear that my grandpa always comes out with a baseball bat.
I fear the dark.
I fear dying.
I fear the white painted face of the big red nose along with the freakishly worn costume by the
hideous clowns.
I fear poisonous snakes.
I fear the painted face that tries to make you laugh but instead cry and run.
I fear spiders.
I fear not waking up the next day to see people I care for.
I fear snakes.
I fear dolls.
I fear my beloved Mickey Mouse finding someone else.
I fear clowns.
I fear the smile in people’s faces which may not even be true.
I fear that I might lose someone I really love.
I fear the day the world will fall apart and say goodbye to all its wonders.
I fear heights.
I fear heights when I’m on top of a building and feel like I’m about to fall.
I fear that I might get shot.
I fear clowns who tried to make you laugh but instead cry.
I fear clowns with their huge smiles even when they are sad, always laughing for no reason.
I fear mimicks, being in a room with mimicks everywhere. Thinking they might torture me to death.
I fear the spider.
I fear the man with a gun in his hands.
I fear the red nose that is near the creepy smile.
I fear dying and not knowing what life is about.
I fear heights.
I fear shadows.
I fear my life becoming short from being diagnosed with a disease.
I fear not knowing what my future holds in store for me.
I fear dying.
I fear the monsters.
I fear waking up in the middle of the night.
I fear small places.
I fear a scary movie because it may happen in my dream.
I fear clowns.
I fear being apart from those I love.
I fear getting jumped.
I fear I will die.
I fear spiders, eight legs, and so scary-looking.
I fear the person I might become or that I am.
I fear the day my parents will leave us and not come back.
I fear ghosts lurking in my house watching my every move.
I fear clowns. They frighten me, thinking deep inside of them they want to kill me.
I fear death.
I fear getting shot.
I fear the number 10.
I fear that somebody is going to die, someone in my family.
I fear heights that take you up and you get butterflies in your stomach.
One thing I will never fear is Death. I have encountered death numerous times. If I die then I die. My time is up and it’s Game Over for me.
I fear that I will die.
I fear many scary things, like the clown “It.”
I fear death.
I fear clowns.
I fear clowns.
I fear snakes.
I fear getting raped. I have heard of a lot of girls being raped.
I fear heights.
I fear losing my best friend.
This is my fear.
P.S. I fear getting a shot or taking out blood. It’s scary.
I was impressed by how several of the students found representative images for their fears ("the grade F on the paper in front of me," "mascara on her face," the idea of rage "yelling out," and many others...)
This version is from Mr. Balcazar's 8th grade class in room 203.
###
P.S. This is my fear
Room 203, Mr. Balcazar's 8th grade class at Lee School and Rachel Javellana
I fear losing the ones I love that are close to me.
I fear the dark in the basement, hearing a voice.
I fear going into the dark by myself when I’m all alone. You’ll never know when you might run into something unexpectable.
I fear the darkness.
I fear the dark. It’s like a hole in the world.
I fear the rage inside me when it yells out.
I fear my mom when she has her mascara on her face
I fear the grade F on the paper in front of me.
I fear being stranded in the middle of nowhere.
I fear scary movies.
I fear falling in love with the wrong person, because they’ll just let you fall.
I fear that my grandpa always comes out with a baseball bat.
I fear the dark.
I fear dying.
I fear the white painted face of the big red nose along with the freakishly worn costume by the
hideous clowns.
I fear poisonous snakes.
I fear the painted face that tries to make you laugh but instead cry and run.
I fear spiders.
I fear not waking up the next day to see people I care for.
I fear snakes.
I fear dolls.
I fear my beloved Mickey Mouse finding someone else.
I fear clowns.
I fear the smile in people’s faces which may not even be true.
I fear that I might lose someone I really love.
I fear the day the world will fall apart and say goodbye to all its wonders.
I fear heights.
I fear heights when I’m on top of a building and feel like I’m about to fall.
I fear that I might get shot.
I fear clowns who tried to make you laugh but instead cry.
I fear clowns with their huge smiles even when they are sad, always laughing for no reason.
I fear mimicks, being in a room with mimicks everywhere. Thinking they might torture me to death.
I fear the spider.
I fear the man with a gun in his hands.
I fear the red nose that is near the creepy smile.
I fear dying and not knowing what life is about.
I fear heights.
I fear shadows.
I fear my life becoming short from being diagnosed with a disease.
I fear not knowing what my future holds in store for me.
I fear dying.
I fear the monsters.
I fear waking up in the middle of the night.
I fear small places.
I fear a scary movie because it may happen in my dream.
I fear clowns.
I fear being apart from those I love.
I fear getting jumped.
I fear I will die.
I fear spiders, eight legs, and so scary-looking.
I fear the person I might become or that I am.
I fear the day my parents will leave us and not come back.
I fear ghosts lurking in my house watching my every move.
I fear clowns. They frighten me, thinking deep inside of them they want to kill me.
I fear death.
I fear getting shot.
I fear the number 10.
I fear that somebody is going to die, someone in my family.
I fear heights that take you up and you get butterflies in your stomach.
One thing I will never fear is Death. I have encountered death numerous times. If I die then I die. My time is up and it’s Game Over for me.
I fear that I will die.
I fear many scary things, like the clown “It.”
I fear death.
I fear clowns.
I fear clowns.
I fear snakes.
I fear getting raped. I have heard of a lot of girls being raped.
I fear heights.
I fear losing my best friend.
This is my fear.
P.S. I fear getting a shot or taking out blood. It’s scary.
I Fear What I Fear: 8th grade, Rm. 204
These cento poems just keep opening up new worlds to me. As I cut up the students' anonymous submissions to make the lines, I'm finding it hard to know what to do with the strips afterwards. I've been taking pictures of them. This piece has a lot of interesting approaches to common topics like death, darkness, and family. I admire how the students came at their lines with some incredibly inventive language. And one student, perhaps not on purpose, gave us our ending. Enjoy. This is from Mrs. Fenton's 8th grade class in Room 204.
###
I Fear What I Fear
Room 204, Mrs. Fenton's 8th grade class at Lee School and Rachel Javellana
I am scared of people that stare at me and do not look away.
I fear the other world of the death.
I fear homeless people.
I fear death and the fact of not living.
I fear dying because I want to see my family grow.
I fear being alone.
I fear death coming into my family.
I fear the darkness in the street when I’m walking alone.
I fear the bad, haunting and tripping me.
I fear the fact of letting my anger GO and hurting others.
I fear that my life is just made up because people think that I am just a show-off.
I fear cats because they like scaring me.
I fear monsters in my closet.
I fear the darkness of my attic when it is dark outside.
I fear the other side of the dark.
I fear not being good in school.
I fear losing someone I love. Someone I care about.
I fear dark woods in the dark.
I fear her having to go back.
I fear behaving bad with my mom and dad.
I fear lightning when it’s flashing in the sky.
I fear the darkness without her being there.
I fear the big ugly monsters under my bed.
I fear not getting into the high school.
I fear me not living up to my dream and proving to everyone that I can be something. Don’t say I can’t be nothing.
I am scared to look at myself in the mirror in the dark.
I fear what’s going to happen in the future.
I am afraid to die and feel lonely when I die.
I fear my dog howling at the moon.
I fear spiders walking around the ugly body.
I fear getting shot because of violence.
I fear getting shot to my dome.
I fear dying in my sleep.
I fear seeing the person I love with someone else.
I fear the lonely scary dark.
I fear not living.
I fear homework on weekends.
I fear her missing major events in my life.
I fear the darkness.
I fear my mouth, what it says.
I fear clowns with their scary face.
I fear the sharp needles that hold pain.
I fear not making it to the majors.
I fear losing my PS2.
I fear crazy cats. I think they would bite my finger out of my hand.
I fear death because of how criminals are always killing people.
I fear bugs, those who have dozens of legs and sting.
I fear a stranger who comes into my house. When I’m alone.
I fear bad grades. The ones lower than seventy percent.
I fear growing up without my parents because they get killed or die when I’m still a young age.
I fear big vicious dogs.
I fear getting a deadly disease.
I fear quizzes because I may fail.
I fear scared cats.
I fear me getting killed at a young age.
I fear dying.
I fear not being able to play baseball.
I fear her having to go back for a long time.
I fear spiders, that they will crawl on me and try to eat me.
I fear nasty little bugs crawling everywhere.
I fear a crazy man.
I fear old homes with no life, dark.
I fear wasps and bees because they will sting me.
I fear that I will not make it to be a rapper because I don’t know how to rhyme.
I fear cats that don’t know me.
I the dark because I can’t see so I don’t know if something might jump out.
I fear the fact that my parents are sick.
I fear clowns; scary, ugly, loud clowns.
I fear little kids when I have to babysit.
I fear spiders; ugly, big spiders. They crawl on people.
I fear dying.
I fear seeing spiders.
I fear monsters.
I fear my dad coming home drunk.
I fear messing up my right arm.
I fear when I am walking in the street alone in the dark.
I fear pitch black places.
I fear doing drugs in the future.
I fear my mind, who may think wrong sometimes.
I fear what I fear.
I fear nothing ’cause I’m scared of nothing.
I fear nothing.
I fear nothing.
###
I Fear What I Fear
Room 204, Mrs. Fenton's 8th grade class at Lee School and Rachel Javellana
I am scared of people that stare at me and do not look away.
I fear the other world of the death.
I fear homeless people.
I fear death and the fact of not living.
I fear dying because I want to see my family grow.
I fear being alone.
I fear death coming into my family.
I fear the darkness in the street when I’m walking alone.
I fear the bad, haunting and tripping me.
I fear the fact of letting my anger GO and hurting others.
I fear that my life is just made up because people think that I am just a show-off.
I fear cats because they like scaring me.
I fear monsters in my closet.
I fear the darkness of my attic when it is dark outside.
I fear the other side of the dark.
I fear not being good in school.
I fear losing someone I love. Someone I care about.
I fear dark woods in the dark.
I fear her having to go back.
I fear behaving bad with my mom and dad.
I fear lightning when it’s flashing in the sky.
I fear the darkness without her being there.
I fear the big ugly monsters under my bed.
I fear not getting into the high school.
I fear me not living up to my dream and proving to everyone that I can be something. Don’t say I can’t be nothing.
I am scared to look at myself in the mirror in the dark.
I fear what’s going to happen in the future.
I am afraid to die and feel lonely when I die.
I fear my dog howling at the moon.
I fear spiders walking around the ugly body.
I fear getting shot because of violence.
I fear getting shot to my dome.
I fear dying in my sleep.
I fear seeing the person I love with someone else.
I fear the lonely scary dark.
I fear not living.
I fear homework on weekends.
I fear her missing major events in my life.
I fear the darkness.
I fear my mouth, what it says.
I fear clowns with their scary face.
I fear the sharp needles that hold pain.
I fear not making it to the majors.
I fear losing my PS2.
I fear crazy cats. I think they would bite my finger out of my hand.
I fear death because of how criminals are always killing people.
I fear bugs, those who have dozens of legs and sting.
I fear a stranger who comes into my house. When I’m alone.
I fear bad grades. The ones lower than seventy percent.
I fear growing up without my parents because they get killed or die when I’m still a young age.
I fear big vicious dogs.
I fear getting a deadly disease.
I fear quizzes because I may fail.
I fear scared cats.
I fear me getting killed at a young age.
I fear dying.
I fear not being able to play baseball.
I fear her having to go back for a long time.
I fear spiders, that they will crawl on me and try to eat me.
I fear nasty little bugs crawling everywhere.
I fear a crazy man.
I fear old homes with no life, dark.
I fear wasps and bees because they will sting me.
I fear that I will not make it to be a rapper because I don’t know how to rhyme.
I fear cats that don’t know me.
I the dark because I can’t see so I don’t know if something might jump out.
I fear the fact that my parents are sick.
I fear clowns; scary, ugly, loud clowns.
I fear little kids when I have to babysit.
I fear spiders; ugly, big spiders. They crawl on people.
I fear dying.
I fear seeing spiders.
I fear monsters.
I fear my dad coming home drunk.
I fear messing up my right arm.
I fear when I am walking in the street alone in the dark.
I fear pitch black places.
I fear doing drugs in the future.
I fear my mind, who may think wrong sometimes.
I fear what I fear.
I fear nothing ’cause I’m scared of nothing.
I fear nothing.
I fear nothing.
This is What I Fear, Rm. 202, 8th grade
I brought in an excerpt of "82 Reasons Not to Get Out of Bed," by Denise Duhamel and her Florida International University M.F.A. students. It is a collaborative piece, the result of the entire class and the teacher writing down several fears, then one student compiling them into a poem and titling it. This method of compiling assorted lines or parts to make a poem is often called a cento.
For my 7th and 8th grade classes, I asked them to write down 3 fears on a blank paper--no names--emphasizing that they should be particular and concrete, zooming in on the fear. I compiled them into collaborative pieces, literally cutting up the sheets of paper and drawing out slips randomly one by one, typing the poem as I went (although I was a little more intentional with endings).
More fear centos to come! Believe me, you can't wait. I know I can't.
###
This is What I Fear
Rachel Javellana and Room 202, Ms. Catinella’s 8th grade class, Lee School
I fear drowning when I can swim but can’t come back up to get air.
I fear being without my family. I would not know what to do without them.
I fear heights that are taller than the sky.
I fear getting Fs in school.
I fear the dark, whose guilty hand tries to pull me in.
I fear clowns.
I fear the world ending.
I fear guns shooting outside.
I fear my world may one day come crashing down.
I fear time: not having any to finish the important things in life.
I fear being hopeless with no sense in living.
I fear I will get shot and die.
I fear the movies when you don’t know what else is going to happen.
I fear that one day I won’t come home; I will be taken away from my family.
I fear people lying on the floor, pale and not breathing.
I fear that in the future I will be nothing or nobody.
I fear never succeeding in anything, not going anywhere in life.
I fear getting sick and not being able to get better.
I am afraid of the time to run away from me.
I fear people dying.
I fear my dad’s huge hand striking my face down.
I fear being outside alone at night.
I fear guns.
I fear the men in the streets in the night.
I fear getting shot because I wear the wrong colors in the wrong ’hoods.
I am afraid of what can happen 50 years from now.
I fear death knocking at the door.
I fear divorces.
I fear dying early.
I am afraid of not getting through the gates, and being sent down.
I fear feeling lonely.
I fear strangers.
I fear losing my dad over something that isn’t even worth it.
I fear the height when you go on a rollercoaster, seeing all the things beneath you.
I fear when people start screaming and fighting.
I fear the room when it’s dark.
I fear funerals.
I fear Fridays the 13th for bad luck.
I fear surgery.
I fear spiders, big and small.
I fear getting into a gang shooting.
I fear small rooms; I fear being in one by myself.
I fear flying squirrels.
I fear losing my mom over something stupid.
I fear the planes that go up in the sky.
I fear Ms. Catinella.
I fear dark alleys.
I fear the darkness of an empty room.
I fear being in small places because I feel like I’m going to pass out.
I fear a lot of homework.
I fear dying when it’s my turn.
I fear the reaper taking my life away.
I fear the world will end and we won’t have enough time, and no way to stop it from
ending.
I fear guns taking a life away.
I am afraid of not seeing the light anymore and going away from my family.
I fear getting into trouble.
I fear heights over eight feet.
I fear height.
I fear people fighting outside.
I fear falling down a building.
I fear talking about my baby.
I fear the world is going to end at any time.
I fear breaking my leg.
I fear living on the streets as a bum.
I fear gangs.
I fear large quantities of water like lakes.
I fear being in danger.
I fear forgetting my favorite people when I go off with my future career.
I fear heights.
I fear dying young.
I fear being kidnapped.
I fear dying too young.
I fear bees.
That is what I fear.
For my 7th and 8th grade classes, I asked them to write down 3 fears on a blank paper--no names--emphasizing that they should be particular and concrete, zooming in on the fear. I compiled them into collaborative pieces, literally cutting up the sheets of paper and drawing out slips randomly one by one, typing the poem as I went (although I was a little more intentional with endings).
More fear centos to come! Believe me, you can't wait. I know I can't.
###
This is What I Fear
Rachel Javellana and Room 202, Ms. Catinella’s 8th grade class, Lee School
I fear drowning when I can swim but can’t come back up to get air.
I fear being without my family. I would not know what to do without them.
I fear heights that are taller than the sky.
I fear getting Fs in school.
I fear the dark, whose guilty hand tries to pull me in.
I fear clowns.
I fear the world ending.
I fear guns shooting outside.
I fear my world may one day come crashing down.
I fear time: not having any to finish the important things in life.
I fear being hopeless with no sense in living.
I fear I will get shot and die.
I fear the movies when you don’t know what else is going to happen.
I fear that one day I won’t come home; I will be taken away from my family.
I fear people lying on the floor, pale and not breathing.
I fear that in the future I will be nothing or nobody.
I fear never succeeding in anything, not going anywhere in life.
I fear getting sick and not being able to get better.
I am afraid of the time to run away from me.
I fear people dying.
I fear my dad’s huge hand striking my face down.
I fear being outside alone at night.
I fear guns.
I fear the men in the streets in the night.
I fear getting shot because I wear the wrong colors in the wrong ’hoods.
I am afraid of what can happen 50 years from now.
I fear death knocking at the door.
I fear divorces.
I fear dying early.
I am afraid of not getting through the gates, and being sent down.
I fear feeling lonely.
I fear strangers.
I fear losing my dad over something that isn’t even worth it.
I fear the height when you go on a rollercoaster, seeing all the things beneath you.
I fear when people start screaming and fighting.
I fear the room when it’s dark.
I fear funerals.
I fear Fridays the 13th for bad luck.
I fear surgery.
I fear spiders, big and small.
I fear getting into a gang shooting.
I fear small rooms; I fear being in one by myself.
I fear flying squirrels.
I fear losing my mom over something stupid.
I fear the planes that go up in the sky.
I fear Ms. Catinella.
I fear dark alleys.
I fear the darkness of an empty room.
I fear being in small places because I feel like I’m going to pass out.
I fear a lot of homework.
I fear dying when it’s my turn.
I fear the reaper taking my life away.
I fear the world will end and we won’t have enough time, and no way to stop it from
ending.
I fear guns taking a life away.
I am afraid of not seeing the light anymore and going away from my family.
I fear getting into trouble.
I fear heights over eight feet.
I fear height.
I fear people fighting outside.
I fear falling down a building.
I fear talking about my baby.
I fear the world is going to end at any time.
I fear breaking my leg.
I fear living on the streets as a bum.
I fear gangs.
I fear large quantities of water like lakes.
I fear being in danger.
I fear forgetting my favorite people when I go off with my future career.
I fear heights.
I fear dying young.
I fear being kidnapped.
I fear dying too young.
I fear bees.
That is what I fear.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Where I'm From--8th graders
During this session, we read Willie Perdomo's "Where I'm From," from his book Where a Nickel Costs a Dime. We discussed the tools that Perdomo used to portray a picture of his neighborhood, and I asked them to write their own poems about home and neighborhood, making sure to include images from all five senses.
###
Mr. Stalla, Rm. 201, 8th grade
West Lawn
Raul G.
Where I’m from street smarts can
be more valuable than book smarts.
I see the scared faces of the troubled teens
afraid to walk down the block. I see
the sneaky dope and drug dealers next
to where the kids play. I see them
smile and laugh as I walk by. Reminds
of when I was a little kid, my only job
was to have fun.
The sun goes down, forks go up
and dig into the delicious meal before
me. The smell of handmade tortillas
on the stove.
56 n Whipple
65 n Kilpatrick
Antonio G.
see dirty lawns
broken-down cars in the yards gangbangers
driving in their customs. I feel scared
because I remember hearing gunshots
at night.
I see nice houses
and trimmed hedges. I see
gangbangers passing in their customs still
I feel nervous every time
I walk out the door.
Untitled
Carina A.
Where I’m from Mexico stays in our
hearts like a newborn memory.
I feel cared for and scared for the
police that don’t sleep.
Hear the ambulance wake you up at night.
Smell the fresh coffee in the morning
and hear the groans of the people who
have to give up their day.
###
Ms. Catinella, Rm. 202, 8th grade
Everyone Asks Me (excerpt)
Alejandra S.
Everybody asks me where I’m from.
Who I am?
What am I? What’s my race?
Well, I’m everywhere, park, school.
I always hear fights, see fights.
I’m not American. I’m mixed. People
make fun of that, calling names.
I love my home, but that’s not where
I belong. I would rather be where
many trees are. Where it’s always fall.
My life only has one description: books, or
a book without an end.
The smell of fresh air in front of my house.
I always hear the word gang, everywhere
I go I hear that word.
I always see people making out, with different
ages, and I think it’s disgusting. I always see
pregnant girls my age.
I’m a Latina, that’s all I tell people.
I have many cultures and I’m not in only
one place...
Come and Go
Edith A.
I like the noise of the
kids playing happy outside,
the birds singing.
I like when the sun comes
out and the moon goes in.
I look at the sun and I
feel peace, I see the
moon and it’s time to go
to sleep.
I leave the country and then
I come back.
I like the smell in the
morning of bread and hot
coffee, people have changed
from right to wrong,
peace to noise. Families
to divorce. I come and go
out the country, I come
and go.
###
Mr. Balcazar, Rm. 203, 8th grade
My Life
Jocelin J.
Where I’m from, I see everyone outside
driving, working, playing or fighting, hearing
the laughter of children, the crying of
a mother when losing a special person.
When I try to tell someone where
I’m from, I remember a lot, that I’m
scared to say and might think something
different. I feel my world is not
dangerous, but not safe. My feelings may
get hurt by people ’cause of my personality
but I’m used to it.
When I taste my mom’s
tamales, or arroz con leche, or smell
the bakeries in my world, it makes it
seem so sweet. When it’s not,
people get judged deeply. My world is
cool for me. Do you like my world?
Do you think it’s safe?
Chicago
Samantha G.
Tall building blocking the sun.
Honking horns all over town.
The swishing waves hitting
the sand. The wind that blows
the leaves away.
Where I go!
Andrea S.
Where I go, the ghetto of 77 and
Homan, where all you hear is
music and people talking, from
where you can smell the cooking
of fish in the corner restaurant.
Where I go, the ghetto, where all
you see is graffiti and gangs.
Where you can taste the pancakes
that my aunt makes every day. Where
I go it feels just like home, the
feel of the breeze and the autumn
leaves.
###
Ms. Fenton, Rm. 204, 8th grade
Untitled
Guadalupe A.
Where I am from it is called
the windy city. The sound
of laughter at children’s play.
The smell of arroz con leche
in the kitchen. The sound of
victory in a home run. Silence
of my neighborhood at night.
Where I am from there
is peace. Only noisy when
neighbors nearby playing their
rock band. The variety of
different cultures. As my dad
comes from a hard day from work.
You can see the artificial lights
in the sky.
Where I am from there
are planes flying over my house.
The cats creep silently back
and forth from the alley.
My ’Hood
Richard S.
Where my ’hood’s from is hot and
the smell of flowers is everywhere. I seem my
grandmother watering her flowers and my uncle
feeding the bird and my puppy run, I hear my
friends screaming Hike while they play football
on the street. I taste the eggs and beans
my grandmother cooks. Feel the warmness on my
feet from heat of the sun and the 24s on
my cousin’s truck and the sound of rap music
coming from his giant speakers. That’s my ’hood.
Mexico
Frank M.
Where I am from
I like the nice smell
of burning wood. Where
I am from you see poor
all over the place, kids
without shoes, dogs all over
the place. Where I am from
the taste of tamales is the
best taste you can taste
with a cup of Haredo. Where I am
from there are gangs, violence,
and good candy.
###
Mr. Stalla, Rm. 201, 8th grade
West Lawn
Raul G.
Where I’m from street smarts can
be more valuable than book smarts.
I see the scared faces of the troubled teens
afraid to walk down the block. I see
the sneaky dope and drug dealers next
to where the kids play. I see them
smile and laugh as I walk by. Reminds
of when I was a little kid, my only job
was to have fun.
The sun goes down, forks go up
and dig into the delicious meal before
me. The smell of handmade tortillas
on the stove.
56 n Whipple
65 n Kilpatrick
Antonio G.
see dirty lawns
broken-down cars in the yards gangbangers
driving in their customs. I feel scared
because I remember hearing gunshots
at night.
I see nice houses
and trimmed hedges. I see
gangbangers passing in their customs still
I feel nervous every time
I walk out the door.
Untitled
Carina A.
Where I’m from Mexico stays in our
hearts like a newborn memory.
I feel cared for and scared for the
police that don’t sleep.
Hear the ambulance wake you up at night.
Smell the fresh coffee in the morning
and hear the groans of the people who
have to give up their day.
###
Ms. Catinella, Rm. 202, 8th grade
Everyone Asks Me (excerpt)
Alejandra S.
Everybody asks me where I’m from.
Who I am?
What am I? What’s my race?
Well, I’m everywhere, park, school.
I always hear fights, see fights.
I’m not American. I’m mixed. People
make fun of that, calling names.
I love my home, but that’s not where
I belong. I would rather be where
many trees are. Where it’s always fall.
My life only has one description: books, or
a book without an end.
The smell of fresh air in front of my house.
I always hear the word gang, everywhere
I go I hear that word.
I always see people making out, with different
ages, and I think it’s disgusting. I always see
pregnant girls my age.
I’m a Latina, that’s all I tell people.
I have many cultures and I’m not in only
one place...
Come and Go
Edith A.
I like the noise of the
kids playing happy outside,
the birds singing.
I like when the sun comes
out and the moon goes in.
I look at the sun and I
feel peace, I see the
moon and it’s time to go
to sleep.
I leave the country and then
I come back.
I like the smell in the
morning of bread and hot
coffee, people have changed
from right to wrong,
peace to noise. Families
to divorce. I come and go
out the country, I come
and go.
###
Mr. Balcazar, Rm. 203, 8th grade
My Life
Jocelin J.
Where I’m from, I see everyone outside
driving, working, playing or fighting, hearing
the laughter of children, the crying of
a mother when losing a special person.
When I try to tell someone where
I’m from, I remember a lot, that I’m
scared to say and might think something
different. I feel my world is not
dangerous, but not safe. My feelings may
get hurt by people ’cause of my personality
but I’m used to it.
When I taste my mom’s
tamales, or arroz con leche, or smell
the bakeries in my world, it makes it
seem so sweet. When it’s not,
people get judged deeply. My world is
cool for me. Do you like my world?
Do you think it’s safe?
Chicago
Samantha G.
Tall building blocking the sun.
Honking horns all over town.
The swishing waves hitting
the sand. The wind that blows
the leaves away.
Where I go!
Andrea S.
Where I go, the ghetto of 77 and
Homan, where all you hear is
music and people talking, from
where you can smell the cooking
of fish in the corner restaurant.
Where I go, the ghetto, where all
you see is graffiti and gangs.
Where you can taste the pancakes
that my aunt makes every day. Where
I go it feels just like home, the
feel of the breeze and the autumn
leaves.
###
Ms. Fenton, Rm. 204, 8th grade
Untitled
Guadalupe A.
Where I am from it is called
the windy city. The sound
of laughter at children’s play.
The smell of arroz con leche
in the kitchen. The sound of
victory in a home run. Silence
of my neighborhood at night.
Where I am from there
is peace. Only noisy when
neighbors nearby playing their
rock band. The variety of
different cultures. As my dad
comes from a hard day from work.
You can see the artificial lights
in the sky.
Where I am from there
are planes flying over my house.
The cats creep silently back
and forth from the alley.
My ’Hood
Richard S.
Where my ’hood’s from is hot and
the smell of flowers is everywhere. I seem my
grandmother watering her flowers and my uncle
feeding the bird and my puppy run, I hear my
friends screaming Hike while they play football
on the street. I taste the eggs and beans
my grandmother cooks. Feel the warmness on my
feet from heat of the sun and the 24s on
my cousin’s truck and the sound of rap music
coming from his giant speakers. That’s my ’hood.
Mexico
Frank M.
Where I am from
I like the nice smell
of burning wood. Where
I am from you see poor
all over the place, kids
without shoes, dogs all over
the place. Where I am from
the taste of tamales is the
best taste you can taste
with a cup of Haredo. Where I am
from there are gangs, violence,
and good candy.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Lee 8th graders--"Nobody Knows..."
Today we read poem III from The Book of Questions by Pablo Neruda. We discussed the idea of objects having a life and secrets of their own, and I asked them to write their own "secret" poems, using the starter "Nobody knows..." imagining that everyday inanimate objects have secrets that only they know.
###
Mr. Stalla, Rm. 201, 8th grade
Sidewalk
Raul G.
Nobody knows the sidewalk has a
mind of its own. It moves to make
you trip and fall. When it’s happy, it
cracks a smile.
Nobody Knows
Carina A.
Nobody knows that clocks
stop ticking at night.
Nobody knows the sun dies
every night.
Nobody knows that a
heart beats inside a tree.
Nobody knows that the
moon talks.
Nobody Knows
Bianca P.
Nobody knows that the
books get so happy when
you open them.
Nobody knows that the
door hurts when you close it.
###
Mr. Balcazar, Rm. 203, 8th grade
Nobody Knows
Stephanie C.
Nobody knows that
plants talk to people
and tell them their secrets.
Nobody knows that
objects move when
everybody is sleeping.
Nobody knows that
animals have their own
treasure.
Nobody Knows
Rosalia Alvarez
Nobody knows that the sun is
still showing in the middle of
the night.
Nobody knows that a teacher
without his class is actually
happy.
Nobody Knows
Christian E.
Nobody knows that the
rose and the daisy have a crush on
each other. The vase wants to hook
them up, but the banana says
that she will break his heart.
###
Ms. Fenton, Rm. 204, 8th grade
Nobody Knows
Karina S.
Nobody knows that the floor is in pain when we leave.
Nobody knows that the tree called your name
to appreciate the nature.
Nobody knows that the lunch ticket is just
staring at us.
Nobody knows that the classroom is scared
in the night.
Nobody Knows
Guadalupe A.
Nobody knows that the
pencils move by themselves and
do homework.
The world beyond a tiny
box which reveals a whole new
world.
Nobody knows where
nature began.
The mystery a book has
about life’s secrets.
Nobody Knows
Monica H.
Nobody knows the secret
of the flower: it grows when you are
staring at it, but you don’t notice it.
Nobody knows that at night
my house comes to life and messes
up my grass; that is the real
reason my grass looks bad.
Nobody knows that there
is a code in the American flag
that opens something somewhere
but you’ll never know.
Nobody knows that with
all this violence in the world
to me it is peace.
###
Mr. Stalla, Rm. 201, 8th grade
Sidewalk
Raul G.
Nobody knows the sidewalk has a
mind of its own. It moves to make
you trip and fall. When it’s happy, it
cracks a smile.
Nobody Knows
Carina A.
Nobody knows that clocks
stop ticking at night.
Nobody knows the sun dies
every night.
Nobody knows that a
heart beats inside a tree.
Nobody knows that the
moon talks.
Nobody Knows
Bianca P.
Nobody knows that the
books get so happy when
you open them.
Nobody knows that the
door hurts when you close it.
###
Mr. Balcazar, Rm. 203, 8th grade
Nobody Knows
Stephanie C.
Nobody knows that
plants talk to people
and tell them their secrets.
Nobody knows that
objects move when
everybody is sleeping.
Nobody knows that
animals have their own
treasure.
Nobody Knows
Rosalia Alvarez
Nobody knows that the sun is
still showing in the middle of
the night.
Nobody knows that a teacher
without his class is actually
happy.
Nobody Knows
Christian E.
Nobody knows that the
rose and the daisy have a crush on
each other. The vase wants to hook
them up, but the banana says
that she will break his heart.
###
Ms. Fenton, Rm. 204, 8th grade
Nobody Knows
Karina S.
Nobody knows that the floor is in pain when we leave.
Nobody knows that the tree called your name
to appreciate the nature.
Nobody knows that the lunch ticket is just
staring at us.
Nobody knows that the classroom is scared
in the night.
Nobody Knows
Guadalupe A.
Nobody knows that the
pencils move by themselves and
do homework.
The world beyond a tiny
box which reveals a whole new
world.
Nobody knows where
nature began.
The mystery a book has
about life’s secrets.
Nobody Knows
Monica H.
Nobody knows the secret
of the flower: it grows when you are
staring at it, but you don’t notice it.
Nobody knows that at night
my house comes to life and messes
up my grass; that is the real
reason my grass looks bad.
Nobody knows that there
is a code in the American flag
that opens something somewhere
but you’ll never know.
Nobody knows that with
all this violence in the world
to me it is peace.
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