As the 2008-2009 school year begins, The Poetry Center has made some exciting changes. One major change is the re-launch of our web site. From there, you may access McPherson's blog of student writing for the new year, and beyond.
Go here for direct access to the new blog! It's now easier than ever to find terrific poetry.
If there's no student work posted yet, be patient...we're just getting underway. Check back soon -- check back often -- and feel free to tell anyone who might be interested all about the Hands on Stanzas program.
Here's looking forward to another productive year with McPherson students!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Last Day of Classes
For our last day of class, we read Wesley McNair's "Goodbye to the Old Life," discussing it briefly. I also brought in three of my own poems to share with students, as well as some of my music. McPherson students weren't shy, asking me questions about inspirations behind both the songs and poems. I was also given a beautiful book, Tuesdays with Mr. Dean, which students from all three classes made, filled with poems and reminiscences about our past twenty (!) weeks.
The residency went too fast! However, I had a terrific time, and very much enjoyed classes at McPherson. What an amazing group of young poets!
The residency went too fast! However, I had a terrific time, and very much enjoyed classes at McPherson. What an amazing group of young poets!
Ms. Barreda, 8th Grade
Mrs. Turk, 7th Grade
Mrs. Touras, 6th Grade
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Permutation / Spare Parts Poems
Permutation, a variation on cut-up poetry, involves taking a set of words and rearranging them to create a new phrase or poem. Making sense is not a requirement of permutation poetry, but it is a challenge to try. As an example, we read and discussed Brion Gysin's "Rub out the Write Word." We then took Emily Dickinson's poem, "They shut me up in Prose," and created brand new permutations from its text. Students were asked to use as many words as possible, without adding or duplicating any, and/or changing verb tenses, agreeing that certain words could be left out of their final poems if necessary – thus the subtitle, Spare Parts Poems.
Ms. Barreda, 8th Grade
Untitled
Anthony B.
Shut my Brain lodged a bird in
me. Little girl in the pound. They liked
putting me in the closet. Abolish his
laugh.
Untitled
Katherine D.
They could put me in the Closet,
But they liked themself
And wise Brain.
Me up in the pound,
They laugh and go round.
And as a little Star might lodged a Bird.
Abolish for treason
No more himself have seen easy will,
To his captivity
Shut in Prose
Because when a Girl as “still” as I,
They still! have me.
Untitled
Jose L.
When they shut me up,
I could laugh no more.
Abolish his brain,
lodged in the closet.
They have peeped,
And seen me in captivity,
“Still” is my will,
As wise as a star,
For they have treason,
The little girl they have liked.
Untitled
Rubisol L.
When they Shut me up
I put me in the closet
No more laugh
Still my brain easy as a Star
As they lodged a Bird
They might as wise have go around
A little Girl have peeped
Because they liked himself still
In prose seen themself
Could have for Treason in the Pound
Untitled
Jessica M.
The star has seen
a little girl in the
closet.
The bird peeped,
they have lodged
in the pound for
treason.
They laugh no
more because they
shut them up.
Easily put down
Tonya P.
Easy as a star
But the will to laugh
I have no more.
They put me in captivity
as a little girl in a closet.
Still liked me.
Still they have abolish me.
Untitled
Marco Q.
They shut a little Girl in the closet.
They lodged a Brain in me.
Still they seen a laugh,
I no more have a Star.
They liked Captivity.
His might and will Abolish.
For my treason.
Full Randomness
Jorge R.
A little Girl liked a
Star. As wise as a bird.
They put me in the closet
because I might shut up.
My Brain laugh himself. Still
it go round.
Untitled
Maydali S.
I have a bird
and have a little girl
they will have a star as
easy as a laugh.
Me in the pound
and they put himself
in the closet.
Left-overs
Airam V.
Shut they little Girl
Because as wise my Brain
the Closet – for Treason
I – have liked they Star
A Bird Pound – as Captivity –
laugh – no more
They might have put me in
When seen themself – go round –
As up And easy
Abolish himself
but to will in me “still” –
Mrs. Turk, 7th Grade
Untitled
Julissa A.
Laugh in the closet
because a little
bird might pound
for
a star
and my brain will
go
round
Untitled
Mayra A.
Shut me up, a little girl
In the closet, still, still
Seen my brain go round
Might as wise lodged a bird
Has but to will
Easy as a star
I have – laugh – no more
Untitled
Danielle B.
A little girl wise as a star
my brain might go round.
No more closet
peeped and laugh
Bird in pound. And seen still.
They shut me up. They liked me
easy as treason
themself but no himself.
Untitled
Jessica G.
In shut they prose me up.
When little as a girl
in the closet put they me,
me because they “still” liked.
Themself! Could still have peeped
round brain and seen my go.
Might have bird lodged they wise
treason in pound for the
has to will but himself.
Easy and as a star
his captivity – abolish.
No more, I laugh.
Untitled
Viridiana H.
Shut me up girl
I will put U in the closet
And laugh as a little Bird
in captivity.
Untitled
Emily L.
Girl shut in closet
no laugh – still
I peeped
little bird
no brain
but will himself
abolish has but to will
star – still
captivity!
Untitled
Tyler T.
They And me
Me And They
And They Star
in my Brain
And laugh
I A Bird
Untitled
Daniel T.
As a little girl
they shut me up
easy as a star.
His captivity
I have no more.
And laugh to himself.
Put me in the closet
for treason.
In the pound.
Still.
They might as have lodged my brain.
They still liked me.
Because could themself have peeped
and seen and abolish in prose.
Ms. Touras, 6th Grade
Untitled
Alondra F.
I laugh and have no more,
they seen my little star
go round, they will have a brain
as wise as his themself
might like the bird.
Untitled
Joyce J.
The bird liked me.
As they peeped and laugh
I could shut up a little Girl.
A star put in the closet
has a but to have.
As wise as still
they have seen my brain go round
Untitled
Desiree R.
laugh as a star
could go easy
wise as still
they have seen a bird
round in a pound
Untitled
Neisha R.
They bird to brain,
Girl for might me round.
Pound me wise himself,
Seen Star, no more laugh.
Shut me up, liked still,
Put themself little closet,
When still easy as will.
Untitled
Cody T.
Girl up shut
I prose laugh
Bird brain captivity
Abolish himself in Closet
They peeped
But Star pound for treason
Easy no more
His wise has lodged round
Little have they seen
Because they liked me
Untitled
Snow V.
Still in the closet
Still a little Girl
Pound themself And laugh, They Shut up
Because they liked the bird, wise
No more Brain, Have I abolish his captivity
As easy as star. Go round prose for
Treason
Ms. Barreda, 8th Grade
Untitled
Anthony B.
Shut my Brain lodged a bird in
me. Little girl in the pound. They liked
putting me in the closet. Abolish his
laugh.
Untitled
Katherine D.
They could put me in the Closet,
But they liked themself
And wise Brain.
Me up in the pound,
They laugh and go round.
And as a little Star might lodged a Bird.
Abolish for treason
No more himself have seen easy will,
To his captivity
Shut in Prose
Because when a Girl as “still” as I,
They still! have me.
Untitled
Jose L.
When they shut me up,
I could laugh no more.
Abolish his brain,
lodged in the closet.
They have peeped,
And seen me in captivity,
“Still” is my will,
As wise as a star,
For they have treason,
The little girl they have liked.
Untitled
Rubisol L.
When they Shut me up
I put me in the closet
No more laugh
Still my brain easy as a Star
As they lodged a Bird
They might as wise have go around
A little Girl have peeped
Because they liked himself still
In prose seen themself
Could have for Treason in the Pound
Untitled
Jessica M.
The star has seen
a little girl in the
closet.
The bird peeped,
they have lodged
in the pound for
treason.
They laugh no
more because they
shut them up.
Easily put down
Tonya P.
Easy as a star
But the will to laugh
I have no more.
They put me in captivity
as a little girl in a closet.
Still liked me.
Still they have abolish me.
Untitled
Marco Q.
They shut a little Girl in the closet.
They lodged a Brain in me.
Still they seen a laugh,
I no more have a Star.
They liked Captivity.
His might and will Abolish.
For my treason.
Full Randomness
Jorge R.
A little Girl liked a
Star. As wise as a bird.
They put me in the closet
because I might shut up.
My Brain laugh himself. Still
it go round.
Untitled
Maydali S.
I have a bird
and have a little girl
they will have a star as
easy as a laugh.
Me in the pound
and they put himself
in the closet.
Left-overs
Airam V.
Shut they little Girl
Because as wise my Brain
the Closet – for Treason
I – have liked they Star
A Bird Pound – as Captivity –
laugh – no more
They might have put me in
When seen themself – go round –
As up And easy
Abolish himself
but to will in me “still” –
Mrs. Turk, 7th Grade
Untitled
Julissa A.
Laugh in the closet
because a little
bird might pound
for
a star
and my brain will
go
round
Untitled
Mayra A.
Shut me up, a little girl
In the closet, still, still
Seen my brain go round
Might as wise lodged a bird
Has but to will
Easy as a star
I have – laugh – no more
Untitled
Danielle B.
A little girl wise as a star
my brain might go round.
No more closet
peeped and laugh
Bird in pound. And seen still.
They shut me up. They liked me
easy as treason
themself but no himself.
Untitled
Jessica G.
In shut they prose me up.
When little as a girl
in the closet put they me,
me because they “still” liked.
Themself! Could still have peeped
round brain and seen my go.
Might have bird lodged they wise
treason in pound for the
has to will but himself.
Easy and as a star
his captivity – abolish.
No more, I laugh.
Untitled
Viridiana H.
Shut me up girl
I will put U in the closet
And laugh as a little Bird
in captivity.
Untitled
Emily L.
Girl shut in closet
no laugh – still
I peeped
little bird
no brain
but will himself
abolish has but to will
star – still
captivity!
Untitled
Tyler T.
They And me
Me And They
And They Star
in my Brain
And laugh
I A Bird
Untitled
Daniel T.
As a little girl
they shut me up
easy as a star.
His captivity
I have no more.
And laugh to himself.
Put me in the closet
for treason.
In the pound.
Still.
They might as have lodged my brain.
They still liked me.
Because could themself have peeped
and seen and abolish in prose.
Ms. Touras, 6th Grade
Untitled
Alondra F.
I laugh and have no more,
they seen my little star
go round, they will have a brain
as wise as his themself
might like the bird.
Untitled
Joyce J.
The bird liked me.
As they peeped and laugh
I could shut up a little Girl.
A star put in the closet
has a but to have.
As wise as still
they have seen my brain go round
Untitled
Desiree R.
laugh as a star
could go easy
wise as still
they have seen a bird
round in a pound
Untitled
Neisha R.
They bird to brain,
Girl for might me round.
Pound me wise himself,
Seen Star, no more laugh.
Shut me up, liked still,
Put themself little closet,
When still easy as will.
Untitled
Cody T.
Girl up shut
I prose laugh
Bird brain captivity
Abolish himself in Closet
They peeped
But Star pound for treason
Easy no more
His wise has lodged round
Little have they seen
Because they liked me
Untitled
Snow V.
Still in the closet
Still a little Girl
Pound themself And laugh, They Shut up
Because they liked the bird, wise
No more Brain, Have I abolish his captivity
As easy as star. Go round prose for
Treason
Friday, April 11, 2008
Literacy Night
Photos from last night's readings by 6th, 7th and 8th graders during Literacy Night's Poetry Cafe. Students read a variety of work from the beginning of the year to the present, and even took part in an impromptu "instant poem."
Congratulations to McPherson students for a terrific job!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
L-e-t-t-e-r P-o-e-m-s
This week, we read two short letter poems: "Letter," from "Lennox Avenue Mural" by Langston Hughes, and "Dear Joanne" by Lew Welch. Students discussed what was similar, as well as different in each poem, and what makes them unique from other forms of poetry. They then wrote their own letter poems.
Ms. Barreda, 8th Grade
Dear shoes,
Thank you for making my outfit look
cute. But sometimes you're a little too
expensive. Oh why?
You're too cute to let go.
Especially those high heels.
Please bring down your price.
Mariela B.
P.S.
I love U shoes!
Dear Guitar,
I don't know how to play you!
What can I do?
Do I have to get two of you?
Do I have to get a teacher?
I want to learn.
I really do!
Do you know how to play it yourself?
Why can't you play?
I cannot find the right notes.
Please let me play.
Please, please, please!
Your future musician,
Katherine
Dear Mac,
You're the best dog that I ever had.
I wish you could understand
when I talk to you,
when I tell you that I love you so
much!
I know that your hair keeps falling
and I think that I'm going to make
a pillow, every day I have to clean
and I'm tired. So please buy a brush
and brush your hair.
Jessica
P.S. Brush your hair.
Dear Daddy,
Why are you so sad? Why is
your face expression so down? What's
wrong! You don't talk to me or mommy
anymore! We're worried. You look so
tired and weak. You look lost and
hurt. What's wrong?
Please tell me.
With all concern,
your daughter,
Mayra
P.S. Be funny again!
Dear Cat,
I hope you can read
this...I left some
food on the table.
Hope you could
find it.
I left the tub
with water...
don't forget to
take a bath.
And go to bed
early!!
Love,
Your owner,
Jessica M.
Dear Maydali,
Your name sounds like My Dolly.
Every time I pass by a
toy store and a little
girl buys a dolly
she says I love My Dolly.
How fun it is to say
My Dolly.
Sincerely your friend,
Jonathan P.
Dear Basement Lock,
Why not let me in?
I need to get laundry done.
You're so mean!
Your reign of torture will soon
come to an end,
Basement Lock!
I'll throw you out, just like
old grandfather clock!
So open I say.
Open now!
I hate you and this day.
Tonya P.
P.S.
Why won't you
open?
Dear Heart,
I don't hear your beat.
Where have you gone?
Why aren't my emotions and feelings running around
my body like a snake killing from the inside?
So many questions and no
answers.
Why don't you and my brain work together?
Do both of you have
to get your own way?
Please pound your beat back!
Love,
Emotion Sickness (Airam V.)
P.S.
I can't live life without you!
Mrs. Turk, 7th Grade
Dear Chalkboard,
Why do you let people
write on you so much? You get
so dusty and dirty. We always
have to clean you. People never
say thank you after writing on
you.
Take my advice, don't
let People/Students/Teachers write
on you anymore.
A student who
writes on you,
Julissa A.
Dear Door,
your handle of metal,
your frame of oak and the
steel hinges you let in and
out but you have no say in it.
Your control is limited to people
opening when they need it and
your opinion matters less and less.
Some people claim you control room
from room but I don't think
so. I control you and
my turning hand is the
only part missing from the
list.
Your controlling opener,
Matt A.
Dear thing in the sky,
You're getting annoying. I'm trying
to kill you but you keep flying
away. You're on the floor now,
you're smushed, you're dead. I
killed, I'm sorry but you
were landing on my stuff
so I'm sorry and goodbye.
Leo
Dear pillow,
you are soft
I sleep on
you and I
love to hug
you all the
time on my
life.
Erika C.
Dear blank paper, why do you make
it so difficult for me to write something
on you? Why can't you just write something on
you for me and without making me think?
Tell me who punched you and made those
holes on you? And why are your lines always
blue? Why can't they be a better color and
maybe you'll feel better? Why every time
we need you you're always blank? You should
be useful for something especially
for me.
Sincerely, Gabriel L.
Dear Friends,
I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything.
I'm sorry that I didn't write to you
over the summer. I'm sorry for missing
your birthday. I'm sorry that I haven't
tried to communicate to you for ages.
I'm sorry that I missed your party
for one of my other friend's party.
I'm sorry that I couldn't stay
mad at you even though you were
still mad at me. I'm sorry I yelled
at you. And I just want to say
I'm sorry.
Lots of love,
your friend,
L.O.
Dear Mind,
How bright you are everyday.
Too bad today is not your day.
I feel so happy and giddy today.
But you, dear Mind,
a really different kind than others,
can't seem to work.
Why can't you bring an idea to me?
So there will be more creativity...
on this paper.
Besides the neat writing...
With love,
Alma R.
Ms. Touras, 6th Grade
Dear humans in the future,
Here I am, in my class,
studying and learning...
waiting for the future
to come! And there you
are in the future, studying
the past that I'm in.
Love,
Delia D.
Dear lollipop, why are
you so sweet and tasty?
But sometimes sour. Why
do you come in colors of
different flowers? You're fun
to eat but mostly sweet.
I could eat you all
day. Please stay.
Lollipop lover,
Delilah D.
Dear Me,
Why couldn't you keep your
hands to yourself? But you
didn't listen to me, so
you accidentally spilled mom's coffee.
You got in trouble and guess what you
washed the dishes for three days.
You were bad,
Alondra F.
Dear paper,
Please stay in place.
Where I can find you.
With love,
Alyssa
Dear Mom 11 years ago,
Please think again before having
another kid. One is enough for you
and I am that special one. It is so
not worth having another kid, think
of all the money you will waste by
having another kid. There would also
be no fighting.
So please take my advice.
Love
your son in the future
(Michael M.)
Dear ?
What do you mean? Your symbol
has frozen my brain but it's still
active.
Is there a decoder?
Sincerely,
unknown (Cody T.)
Dear Pizza,
I was thinking about how
good you taste, and I just
wanted to tell you to put less
sauce, more cheese, and more
pepperoni, and also don't cost
more for having cheese on
the side.
- anonymous
Ms. Barreda, 8th Grade
Dear shoes,
Thank you for making my outfit look
cute. But sometimes you're a little too
expensive. Oh why?
You're too cute to let go.
Especially those high heels.
Please bring down your price.
Mariela B.
P.S.
I love U shoes!
Dear Guitar,
I don't know how to play you!
What can I do?
Do I have to get two of you?
Do I have to get a teacher?
I want to learn.
I really do!
Do you know how to play it yourself?
Why can't you play?
I cannot find the right notes.
Please let me play.
Please, please, please!
Your future musician,
Katherine
Dear Mac,
You're the best dog that I ever had.
I wish you could understand
when I talk to you,
when I tell you that I love you so
much!
I know that your hair keeps falling
and I think that I'm going to make
a pillow, every day I have to clean
and I'm tired. So please buy a brush
and brush your hair.
Jessica
P.S. Brush your hair.
Dear Daddy,
Why are you so sad? Why is
your face expression so down? What's
wrong! You don't talk to me or mommy
anymore! We're worried. You look so
tired and weak. You look lost and
hurt. What's wrong?
Please tell me.
With all concern,
your daughter,
Mayra
P.S. Be funny again!
Dear Cat,
I hope you can read
this...I left some
food on the table.
Hope you could
find it.
I left the tub
with water...
don't forget to
take a bath.
And go to bed
early!!
Love,
Your owner,
Jessica M.
Dear Maydali,
Your name sounds like My Dolly.
Every time I pass by a
toy store and a little
girl buys a dolly
she says I love My Dolly.
How fun it is to say
My Dolly.
Sincerely your friend,
Jonathan P.
Dear Basement Lock,
Why not let me in?
I need to get laundry done.
You're so mean!
Your reign of torture will soon
come to an end,
Basement Lock!
I'll throw you out, just like
old grandfather clock!
So open I say.
Open now!
I hate you and this day.
Tonya P.
P.S.
Why won't you
open?
Dear Heart,
I don't hear your beat.
Where have you gone?
Why aren't my emotions and feelings running around
my body like a snake killing from the inside?
So many questions and no
answers.
Why don't you and my brain work together?
Do both of you have
to get your own way?
Please pound your beat back!
Love,
Emotion Sickness (Airam V.)
P.S.
I can't live life without you!
Mrs. Turk, 7th Grade
Dear Chalkboard,
Why do you let people
write on you so much? You get
so dusty and dirty. We always
have to clean you. People never
say thank you after writing on
you.
Take my advice, don't
let People/Students/Teachers write
on you anymore.
A student who
writes on you,
Julissa A.
Dear Door,
your handle of metal,
your frame of oak and the
steel hinges you let in and
out but you have no say in it.
Your control is limited to people
opening when they need it and
your opinion matters less and less.
Some people claim you control room
from room but I don't think
so. I control you and
my turning hand is the
only part missing from the
list.
Your controlling opener,
Matt A.
Dear thing in the sky,
You're getting annoying. I'm trying
to kill you but you keep flying
away. You're on the floor now,
you're smushed, you're dead. I
killed, I'm sorry but you
were landing on my stuff
so I'm sorry and goodbye.
Leo
Dear pillow,
you are soft
I sleep on
you and I
love to hug
you all the
time on my
life.
Erika C.
Dear blank paper, why do you make
it so difficult for me to write something
on you? Why can't you just write something on
you for me and without making me think?
Tell me who punched you and made those
holes on you? And why are your lines always
blue? Why can't they be a better color and
maybe you'll feel better? Why every time
we need you you're always blank? You should
be useful for something especially
for me.
Sincerely, Gabriel L.
Dear Friends,
I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything.
I'm sorry that I didn't write to you
over the summer. I'm sorry for missing
your birthday. I'm sorry that I haven't
tried to communicate to you for ages.
I'm sorry that I missed your party
for one of my other friend's party.
I'm sorry that I couldn't stay
mad at you even though you were
still mad at me. I'm sorry I yelled
at you. And I just want to say
I'm sorry.
Lots of love,
your friend,
L.O.
Dear Mind,
How bright you are everyday.
Too bad today is not your day.
I feel so happy and giddy today.
But you, dear Mind,
a really different kind than others,
can't seem to work.
Why can't you bring an idea to me?
So there will be more creativity...
on this paper.
Besides the neat writing...
With love,
Alma R.
Ms. Touras, 6th Grade
Dear humans in the future,
Here I am, in my class,
studying and learning...
waiting for the future
to come! And there you
are in the future, studying
the past that I'm in.
Love,
Delia D.
Dear lollipop, why are
you so sweet and tasty?
But sometimes sour. Why
do you come in colors of
different flowers? You're fun
to eat but mostly sweet.
I could eat you all
day. Please stay.
Lollipop lover,
Delilah D.
Dear Me,
Why couldn't you keep your
hands to yourself? But you
didn't listen to me, so
you accidentally spilled mom's coffee.
You got in trouble and guess what you
washed the dishes for three days.
You were bad,
Alondra F.
Dear paper,
Please stay in place.
Where I can find you.
With love,
Alyssa
Dear Mom 11 years ago,
Please think again before having
another kid. One is enough for you
and I am that special one. It is so
not worth having another kid, think
of all the money you will waste by
having another kid. There would also
be no fighting.
So please take my advice.
Love
your son in the future
(Michael M.)
Dear ?
What do you mean? Your symbol
has frozen my brain but it's still
active.
Is there a decoder?
Sincerely,
unknown (Cody T.)
Dear Pizza,
I was thinking about how
good you taste, and I just
wanted to tell you to put less
sauce, more cheese, and more
pepperoni, and also don't cost
more for having cheese on
the side.
- anonymous
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Music Poems
For this week's class, we worked on one of my favorite poetry ideas. First, we read "Two Guitars" by Victor Hernández Cruz and discussed its meaning: who (or what) is talking in the poem, and what are they saying? How does music express emotions, and create images in our minds? Each class room listened to an instrumental song chosen randomly, with students individually making lists of words or phrases describing the music they heard to be used in their poems. Click on the links to hear the songs students heard while composing their poems.
Ms. Barreda, 8th Grade
Poems Inspired by “Mondsee Variations III” by Paul Bley
It feels like we were dancing forever
Just thinking of old happy memories
Feeling confused and awkward...scared
But excited at the same time
Anxious for what to happen next
Why all these feelings I'm feeling all
At the same time?
Alexsandra B.
Hurrying train
Going to a crash,
With ghosts inside
Hoping they won't die.
Bad souls are happy,
Trying to kill them all
And trap their souls inside.
Time is too short,
Going to a crash,
Hearts pounding fast.
Then it came...
The crash they couldn't avoid.
Bad souls enjoyed and celebrated,
People inside – dead, breathless,
Full of blood.
Souls coming off from their body
Trapped in the train full of souls.
Katherine D.
When the piano plays
the piano starts to ask himself
“What is happening to me?”
While the piano plays the roses
start to grow and they are
full of tears.
The piano and the roses are not
strong, because they're getting
old.
Until their color goes away.
And when the music stops.
The world is going to end.
Jessica G.
In love
love & hate
kill you
selfish betrayal
angry
unknown
don't know why?
Mr. Rogers
died
just found out
now!
I'm sorry
broken heart
in love
envy
Quiet
silence
again
Angels
from the heavens
going to hell!
Betrayal
lost
sad
jealous
Passion
& envy
all together!
ta-da ta-da
tawn-tawn
la-la-la
music class
tired
yawning
sleepy
bored
Hyper
laughing
happy
smiles
Ha-ha
Mayra H.
I see him sitting there playing
people seem to like both him and
his playing he plays his piece with
such passion that we could see what
he's feeling I see him as feeling sad
he uses all his skills and this
piece to get his sadness and anger
out I sit there waiting for him to
finish his piece
every Friday I go there and eat
waiting for him to start playing
and finish his piece
once again he plays with such
passion.
Stephanie P.
Slowly you fall
from the heavens.
You've rained on my day.
Lonely child sitting on the
couch, near the fire.
Is playing outside
your desire?
A rain coat, don't you have one?
Why not put it on.
The dryer you say.
What a miserable day.
Tonya P.
Some person is thinking serious,
he stops, and looks outside, he wonders
what to do, I would think he's depressed,
He drives slowly, then stops,
then fast, then doesn't stop driving,
Last he walks toward the bridge,
then he feels useless, he gets on the
bridge, long way down, he speaks, he
jumps off.
Edgar T.
They thought they were in control
The couple was dancing
Their feet were moved by the piano's strings
Like a puppet without a mind
Their emotions are moving like an earthquake
It's dark, the sidewalk is bare
They feel that the piano expresses their emotions
Her husband's strings are now broken
The rim of her dress going around and around
She comes to a stop
Looks at the piano, sits on the bench
And starts playing
Then she fades away like a black and white movie
Airam V.
They tell him “Run for your life”
as the mouse tries to run
away from the creepy cat.
The mouse hides, the cat searches.
As the mouse tiptoes to find the
way out he sees the cat at
the door. The cat says “You
can run but you can't hide.”
The mouse gets away safely.
Diego V.
Mrs. Turk, 7th Grade
Poems Inspired by “DLK” by Deluxe Leisure King
Driving down a highway
with the blue shiny lake on my right
I see the trees blowing with
the wind
The sun's looking at me as if
smiling to say have a wonderful
beautiful day
I smile at myself in the
rear view mirror and say
Today will be a good day
Julissa A.
laughter, having fun.
on a beach with friends.
drums, guitars a band.
music.
80's dancing.
playing the limbo stick
going afar low as
you can.
Mayra A.
Dancing frogs on the sun
Laughing out loud
Golden fishes swimming on the moon
They never get too old.
Leslie H.
Friends having fun
blasting the speakers
so everyone can hear
the electric guitars!
Everyone is dancing to the beat
and no one wants to stop!
Emily L.
Friends always stick
together. Like peanut
butter and jelly.
Friends take care
of each other
like the seasons
of the earth.
Friends roam
the earth like
birds with wings
of curiosity.
Jeremy M.
As the guitar plays the notes
run smooth, there is a happy vibe
in the air. The audience cheers.
The notes are played with passion,
the crowd reacts. The guitar
begins to shine and stand out.
The feeling is live. The road
shines, awaiting for the band
to play in their performance.
Oscar P.
I'm on my way to the beach.
I'm at the beach and it is
packed with lots of people and
children playing and having fun.
At the park I see a group
of children riding bikes and
another group walking and talking
and laughing together having fun.
It's the last day of school
and all the students are
happy and are going to each
other's house or to the park
to spend their summer vacation.
Your family gets together for
a barbecue and everyone
is in the backyard playing
and screaming and some are
inside watching together the TV.
So I guess that this
type of poem is
the type that is all
about family and friends.
David R.
A moose with his
family lost in the wild
looking for food
then the moose loses his
cousin, then the moose gets
separated from his family,
then lost in the wild
Tyler T.
Ms. Touras, 6th Grade
Poems Inspired by “That's Pretty Clean” by Sly & the Family Stone
Bubbles floating in
the sky so high.
Stuck together trying
to break free. So
bubbly and gooey.
Nothing but floating without
no ending. They never stop.
Makes anybody feel
bubbly inside!
Delilah D.
The maraca is walking
down a path of
smoke and dreams
of a drum
then a drum
comes with a piano
and they all dream in
a daze in smoke as
they daze behind them
animals are dancing out a play
in a dark alley comes
a mob and they do
a dance off after the
dance off the animals win
then the mob pulls out
guns and shoots the
animals then eats them
maracas, piano and drums
make the music with
an awesome beat.
Jonathan F.
Classy beats in a restaurant
Makes you feel powerful
Nobody disturbing you
It sounds like something a hippie
would listen to in
a bookstore or coffee shop
This person would feel happy
if they heard it.
Joyce J.
The excitement of the game
Monopoly. Who's gonna win? Grandpa
roles the die and he gets a
12 and wins!! The old man dancing
to this weird music. Everyone snapping
as a way to say congratulations.
What a weird house I live in.
I have to teach grandpa some better
dance moves.
Michael M.
Will it the song feel
like I am walking
the street with the cool
kids. It feels like the
1980's rap. It's like walking
in New York. People
working, playing, and
being cool. It's like I am
going to the music
store where people dance
with the music. And I
saw going to fast food
people tail dancing with
the music too. After
that I go home. I put the
CD on to the computer, put it
on my iPod. Then I go to
bed and sleep. I have
the music on my head.
Victor N.
Getting home from a lousy day at work!
Old man kicks his shoes off and sits on his
chair.
Puts his reading glasses on and gets a book.
Old man puts his relaxing music on!
Starts nodding his head up and down.
Old man reads, nods and relaxes.
Good old man.
Neisha R.
Music conceals a mood
within itself.
It can make weird things
happen.
As a group of people walk in
the street lights
blinking in amazement of the
funk. The cars dance over-
taken by the stereo. A
strange phenomenon. But I have
been sucked into the
porthole of funk. Now I
have been consumed so
far into the music, I joined
the walk. As we walk,
the ghetto turn into a beautiful
place. And people feel happy
all the time.
Cody T.
The coolness of the evening
made the sky turn dark
Makes small lights appear
throughout the city
A man walking to his house
very slowly
Every step...
a whisper
People on the beach
watching the sunset
while people watching
waiting...
patiently...
for the Nightlife
come to life
Alex V.
Like a lava lamp left on
just standing there
just thinking
then a book opening and
closing over and over
to the rhythm
and with the end
of a battery it
all just
stops.
Juliana V.
Ms. Barreda, 8th Grade
Poems Inspired by “Mondsee Variations III” by Paul Bley
It feels like we were dancing forever
Just thinking of old happy memories
Feeling confused and awkward...scared
But excited at the same time
Anxious for what to happen next
Why all these feelings I'm feeling all
At the same time?
Alexsandra B.
Hurrying train
Going to a crash,
With ghosts inside
Hoping they won't die.
Bad souls are happy,
Trying to kill them all
And trap their souls inside.
Time is too short,
Going to a crash,
Hearts pounding fast.
Then it came...
The crash they couldn't avoid.
Bad souls enjoyed and celebrated,
People inside – dead, breathless,
Full of blood.
Souls coming off from their body
Trapped in the train full of souls.
Katherine D.
When the piano plays
the piano starts to ask himself
“What is happening to me?”
While the piano plays the roses
start to grow and they are
full of tears.
The piano and the roses are not
strong, because they're getting
old.
Until their color goes away.
And when the music stops.
The world is going to end.
Jessica G.
In love
love & hate
kill you
selfish betrayal
angry
unknown
don't know why?
Mr. Rogers
died
just found out
now!
I'm sorry
broken heart
in love
envy
Quiet
silence
again
Angels
from the heavens
going to hell!
Betrayal
lost
sad
jealous
Passion
& envy
all together!
ta-da ta-da
tawn-tawn
la-la-la
music class
tired
yawning
sleepy
bored
Hyper
laughing
happy
smiles
Ha-ha
Mayra H.
I see him sitting there playing
people seem to like both him and
his playing he plays his piece with
such passion that we could see what
he's feeling I see him as feeling sad
he uses all his skills and this
piece to get his sadness and anger
out I sit there waiting for him to
finish his piece
every Friday I go there and eat
waiting for him to start playing
and finish his piece
once again he plays with such
passion.
Stephanie P.
Slowly you fall
from the heavens.
You've rained on my day.
Lonely child sitting on the
couch, near the fire.
Is playing outside
your desire?
A rain coat, don't you have one?
Why not put it on.
The dryer you say.
What a miserable day.
Tonya P.
Some person is thinking serious,
he stops, and looks outside, he wonders
what to do, I would think he's depressed,
He drives slowly, then stops,
then fast, then doesn't stop driving,
Last he walks toward the bridge,
then he feels useless, he gets on the
bridge, long way down, he speaks, he
jumps off.
Edgar T.
They thought they were in control
The couple was dancing
Their feet were moved by the piano's strings
Like a puppet without a mind
Their emotions are moving like an earthquake
It's dark, the sidewalk is bare
They feel that the piano expresses their emotions
Her husband's strings are now broken
The rim of her dress going around and around
She comes to a stop
Looks at the piano, sits on the bench
And starts playing
Then she fades away like a black and white movie
Airam V.
They tell him “Run for your life”
as the mouse tries to run
away from the creepy cat.
The mouse hides, the cat searches.
As the mouse tiptoes to find the
way out he sees the cat at
the door. The cat says “You
can run but you can't hide.”
The mouse gets away safely.
Diego V.
Mrs. Turk, 7th Grade
Poems Inspired by “DLK” by Deluxe Leisure King
Driving down a highway
with the blue shiny lake on my right
I see the trees blowing with
the wind
The sun's looking at me as if
smiling to say have a wonderful
beautiful day
I smile at myself in the
rear view mirror and say
Today will be a good day
Julissa A.
laughter, having fun.
on a beach with friends.
drums, guitars a band.
music.
80's dancing.
playing the limbo stick
going afar low as
you can.
Mayra A.
Dancing frogs on the sun
Laughing out loud
Golden fishes swimming on the moon
They never get too old.
Leslie H.
Friends having fun
blasting the speakers
so everyone can hear
the electric guitars!
Everyone is dancing to the beat
and no one wants to stop!
Emily L.
Friends always stick
together. Like peanut
butter and jelly.
Friends take care
of each other
like the seasons
of the earth.
Friends roam
the earth like
birds with wings
of curiosity.
Jeremy M.
As the guitar plays the notes
run smooth, there is a happy vibe
in the air. The audience cheers.
The notes are played with passion,
the crowd reacts. The guitar
begins to shine and stand out.
The feeling is live. The road
shines, awaiting for the band
to play in their performance.
Oscar P.
I'm on my way to the beach.
I'm at the beach and it is
packed with lots of people and
children playing and having fun.
At the park I see a group
of children riding bikes and
another group walking and talking
and laughing together having fun.
It's the last day of school
and all the students are
happy and are going to each
other's house or to the park
to spend their summer vacation.
Your family gets together for
a barbecue and everyone
is in the backyard playing
and screaming and some are
inside watching together the TV.
So I guess that this
type of poem is
the type that is all
about family and friends.
David R.
A moose with his
family lost in the wild
looking for food
then the moose loses his
cousin, then the moose gets
separated from his family,
then lost in the wild
Tyler T.
Ms. Touras, 6th Grade
Poems Inspired by “That's Pretty Clean” by Sly & the Family Stone
Bubbles floating in
the sky so high.
Stuck together trying
to break free. So
bubbly and gooey.
Nothing but floating without
no ending. They never stop.
Makes anybody feel
bubbly inside!
Delilah D.
The maraca is walking
down a path of
smoke and dreams
of a drum
then a drum
comes with a piano
and they all dream in
a daze in smoke as
they daze behind them
animals are dancing out a play
in a dark alley comes
a mob and they do
a dance off after the
dance off the animals win
then the mob pulls out
guns and shoots the
animals then eats them
maracas, piano and drums
make the music with
an awesome beat.
Jonathan F.
Classy beats in a restaurant
Makes you feel powerful
Nobody disturbing you
It sounds like something a hippie
would listen to in
a bookstore or coffee shop
This person would feel happy
if they heard it.
Joyce J.
The excitement of the game
Monopoly. Who's gonna win? Grandpa
roles the die and he gets a
12 and wins!! The old man dancing
to this weird music. Everyone snapping
as a way to say congratulations.
What a weird house I live in.
I have to teach grandpa some better
dance moves.
Michael M.
Will it the song feel
like I am walking
the street with the cool
kids. It feels like the
1980's rap. It's like walking
in New York. People
working, playing, and
being cool. It's like I am
going to the music
store where people dance
with the music. And I
saw going to fast food
people tail dancing with
the music too. After
that I go home. I put the
CD on to the computer, put it
on my iPod. Then I go to
bed and sleep. I have
the music on my head.
Victor N.
Getting home from a lousy day at work!
Old man kicks his shoes off and sits on his
chair.
Puts his reading glasses on and gets a book.
Old man puts his relaxing music on!
Starts nodding his head up and down.
Old man reads, nods and relaxes.
Good old man.
Neisha R.
Music conceals a mood
within itself.
It can make weird things
happen.
As a group of people walk in
the street lights
blinking in amazement of the
funk. The cars dance over-
taken by the stereo. A
strange phenomenon. But I have
been sucked into the
porthole of funk. Now I
have been consumed so
far into the music, I joined
the walk. As we walk,
the ghetto turn into a beautiful
place. And people feel happy
all the time.
Cody T.
The coolness of the evening
made the sky turn dark
Makes small lights appear
throughout the city
A man walking to his house
very slowly
Every step...
a whisper
People on the beach
watching the sunset
while people watching
waiting...
patiently...
for the Nightlife
come to life
Alex V.
Like a lava lamp left on
just standing there
just thinking
then a book opening and
closing over and over
to the rhythm
and with the end
of a battery it
all just
stops.
Juliana V.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Picture Poems
Kenneth Patchen is an American original: poet, dramatist, fiction writer, proto-Beat, and multi-media artist. His picture poems were the subject of this week's classes. Students read a short illustrated poem from one of Patchen's books, and then looked at and discussed other picture poems in color and black & white for inspiration. They were then asked to create decorated poems on any theme they chose. Click on the images for larger views.
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