Conversation Poems

Denis Johnson's poem, "Traveling" features two characters talking in a barbershop about a third person who is not there; a fourth character sits quietly and listens to their conversation. Inspired by the poem, students were asked to write their own "talking" poems.

Ms. Barreda, 8^th Grade

The Face Sitting on My Wall

Jose L.

Why do you keep staring at me? I asked.

She only stared back and stayed silent.

You stare at me from day to night, I told her.

Once again she didn't answer me back.

The deep and dull look she gave everyone worried me.

Why don't you talk, you've been silent all your

life, I told her.

Once more she just stared back.

Now this was really worrying me.

I took her off the wall and told my mother

about her.

Paintings don't talk, said Mother.

Untitled (Conversation Poem)

Jorge L.

I was wondering around when

I heard my dad arguing

with my mom and talking

about the mortgage, the gas, food,

and other materials. They

were sitting arguing until

my mom decided to go to

sleep. Then later at midnight

my dad woke me up telling

me it's going to be alright.

Then my dad woke my mom up

and told her that everything

will be alright. The next

day we all woke up and

everyone was quiet and

we went our separate

ways, my mom to work,

my dad to work, and

me to school, and I

think school is a

good way to get away

from everything that happens

at home, and in

my life.

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Jessica M.

When I was at the park

I saw two dogs talking to each

other. For some reason I understood

what they were saying. The dog in

white said, “Isn't it a nice day?”

The black dog said, “Yeah, today I

am going to the vet.” The white dog

said, “I love going to the vet because I

always get a treat at the end.” The black

dog said, “That's true.” Then all of

a sudden I couldn't understand

anymore.

Mrs. Turk, 7^th Grade

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Leslie H.

“Hi,” the turtle said enthusiastically.

“Who are you?” the shadow said. “Don't

you remember me?” he said in the faint

light. “I don't know who you are, what

are you talking about?” he answered,

confused. “Well, what do you mean you

don't know who I am? Sure you do!”

he said, raising his voice. “Leave me alone,

stop following me!” The shadow was so

scared. The shadow just kept walking

frantically and just left the turtle in

the breezy cold park wondering.

The Buggy World

Jeremy M.

What's up? Nothing new. Did you hear

what the buzz is today? No. So what's

happening?

You won't believe it. Buggy scientists

discovered how to communicate with

humans. Wow, now I can tell them

to stop squishing us. Would

they—blash! And my friend was squished.

The Sky

Vanessa P.

I was looking at the sky seeing

clouds go by waving hi. I closed

my eyes and heard the sky talking

about weather. I said weather?

Yeah weather. I said it's sunny

the sky said it's warm. The clouds

were eavesdropping on our conversation.

Ms. Touras, 6^th Grade

Lollipop

Delia D.

I came back from school.

I went in my room.

I went to my desk to get my

lollipop.

“Wait! Where's my lollipop?

Where did it go?”

Thinking......

“My brother!” Walked to my

brother's room.

“Come out here you slappy,

lazy, lollipop stealer!”

He comes out with a lollipop in

his mouth.

“That's my lollipop.” “No!”

“That's my lollipop.” “No-o-o!”

“Give me back my lollipop!” “It's not

your lollipop!”

“That's my lollipop.”

“Why did you take my lollipop?”

“But—“

“I don't care. Give me back

my lollipop.”

“It's not your lollipop.”

"Yes it is.”

But wait.

The lollipop fell on the floor.

“Ha ha!” “You owe me a lollipop.”

“No-o-o!” “You owe me a lollipop.”

“No-o-o!”

“Stop fighting!” mom

said. She had a lollipop in

her mouth.

“I bought him the lollipop.”

He left. “I took your lollipop.”

“Mom took my lollipop?”

What Happens After School

Aidan K.

The coast is clear

said the door. Close

the shades said the

pullcord. Hit the lights

said the light switch. Move

the desks said the

chairs. Let's party

said the school supplies.

I can't wait till tomorrow

said everything.

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Susana S.

“What's up buddy,”

paper clip says.

“Nothing, just here,

spread out,” said the paper.

“Paper clip, can you

come here and clip

me together, I'm all

over the place.”

“No way,” remarked the

paper clip. “Clip your-

self together. I'm busy.”

“Doing what?” paper said.

“Look. I can't clip

you because I can't

move, OK?” said the

paper clip.

The teacher's hand

comes toward the

paper and paper clip.

She clips them together.

“Yay,” said the paper.

The paper clip said, “Ugh,

why do you always

get what you want?”

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Cody T.

One night Jupiter and Saturn

Started making fun of Pluto.

Jupiter said, “You're so small,

You could be a moon.” Pluto backed

Out of orbit. Pluto was floating

And Jupiter and Saturn thought

About playing baseball. They used

Some of Saturn's rings and

Straightened them out as the bat.

“Earth is first base,” called Jupiter.

“Venus is second,” said Saturn.

“Mercury is third base,” yelled Jupiter.

Pluto, with lots of fear, said, “Don't

Hurt me.” “Be quiet and enjoy your

Flight,” said Saturn with a grim look

On his surface. Just as he was

Going to pitch the Sun said, “Leave

Him alone.” They obeyed and they

Let Pluto go back into orbit.