Issuu

Breathe into the Trees

Past your mind, there is growth

Growth that spreads through vines and trees

Trees that create oxygen

Oxygen that you need to breathe

Breathing that takes you back to the beginning

DEVELOPMENTAL KINDERGARTEN

Breathe in being brave. Breathe out being scared.

– Mila, DK poet

DKO

“T he K ey”

I found the key to a daisy. There are five fairies and five leaves inside. Now I have the power to grow flowers on the vines!

~ Adele

I found the key to Dinosaur World. There are two T-Rexes and a velociraptor inside. Now I have dinosaur powers!

~ Aden

I found the key to Minecraft. Inside it, there are a creeper, Steve, two zombies, and a bad-guy pig. Now I have the power to build a house!

~ Beau

I found the key to a hotel. There’s a hot pink couch inside. Now I have the power to make popcorn with my little sister, Holland!

~ Hailey

I found the key to a candy store. There are KitKats, bubble gum, and Starburst of every color inside. Now I have the power to share all of that with my family!

~ Jack

I found the key to a bumblebee. There are two jillion pizzas and a googolplex of palm trees inside. Now I have the power to turn invisible

~ Julian

I found the key to a zoo There are just lions inside Now I have the lion-power to do anything!

~ Marcelo

I found the key to Beau’s house. Beau’s sister, Isla, and a treasure chest full of baby Emperor penguin stuffies are inside it. Now I have the power of cuddling!

~ Marcus

I found the key to a treasure chest. There’re a candy cane and five crystals inside. Now I have the power of surprise!

~ Marissa

I found the key to a castle filled with toys. There are dinosaurs, penguins, and a rocket ship inside. Now I have the power of doing science work!

~ Max

I found the key to my stuffies. There are ice blocks and books inside them. Now I have the power that helps me to sleep!

~ Mila

I found the key to Penguin Land. Mr. Penguin, who eats worms, is inside. Now I have the power to make ice So the penguins can slide on their bellies!

~ Miles

I found the key to the trunk of a car. There are four bikes inside. Now I have the power to go fast!

~ Pip

I found the key to open a present. There are six stuffies with four monkeys inside. Now I have the power to make stuffies come alive!

~ Scottie

I found the key to a red berry hideout. There’s a blue fairy and some stuffies inside. Now I have the power to hug stuffies!

~ Vera I found the key to a Transformers Gate. There are axolotls and a book inside. Now I have the power of a red dot that takes everyone to another giant place!

~ Warner

DKP

“T

he K ey”

I found the key to a secret soldier base that the army hides in!

There are swords, goggles, and a telescope inside.

Now I have the power to create maps.

- Captain

I found the key to a secret lab!

There is a computer and a magnet inside.

I found the key to a castle!

There’s a baby knight and a cat queen inside.

Now I have the power of echoes.

- Fiona

Now I have the power to look up facts about sharks.

- George

I found the key to an Elsa kingdom!

There’s Elsa magic inside.

Now I have the power to freeze anything.

- Grace

I found the key to a jungle!

There’s a treasure, a candy cane, and a jaguar inside.

Now I have the power to swing on trees.

- Jane

I found the key to MetLife Stadium!

There are football players and a purple and green field inside.

Now I have the power to be a coach.

- Julian

I found the key to a house made of fire!

There’s a bouncy chair, a dog, a gorilla, and a shield inside.

Now I have the power to make popcorn.

- Kanan

I found the key to a unicorn castle!

There are wands and horns inside.

Now I have the power to turn into a mermaid.

- Leland

I found the key to a phone store!

There’s a phone stand, a charger, and a Nintendo Switch inside.

Now I have the power of magnets.

- Marcelino

I found the key to a house for unicorns!

Inside there are magical rainbows.

Now I have the power to fly to Unicorn City.

- Maya

I found the key to a secret hideout!

There are potions and candy inside.

Now I have the power to explode fire and smoke.

- Parker

I found the key to a museum!

There’s a movie theatre and lots of fishes inside.

Now I have the power to take care of the pets.

- Sadie

I found the key to a whole entire city!

There’s a library and a card store inside.

Now I have the power to fly over a sparkly rainbow.

- Sasha

I found the key to an underwater sea treasure!

There’s a ghost and a sea witch inside.

Now I have the power to make sharks feel better.

- Simon

I found the key to an underground secret lab!

There’s fire and water and potions inside.

Now I have the power to make robots.

- Theo

I found the key to the ocean!

There are jellyfish, fishies and sharks cutting coral inside.

Now I have the power to make waves.

- Zane

KINDERGARTEN

P oetry calms me

poet down.

–

Mars, kindergarten

BK

“T

he M agical B ox”

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of the lazy river in Hawaii the taste of a bagel with cream cheese from Daniel’s my stuffie Piggy that I got from New York and the memory of going to New York the day after my play

- Althea

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of the wind opening my mom’s door at my grandma’s house the taste of a cheese and chicken quesadilla from Taco Bell my Tiana dress and the memory of going to my mom’s and saying hi to my grandma

- Amayah

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of rain dropping from the clouds the taste of cheese pizza my fairy gems and the memory of my first time going down a water slide in Hawaii

- Faye S.

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of my rooster saying cock-a-doodle doo in the morning the taste of bacon a real chinchilla and the memory of when we had to give my rooster to a farm

- Faye D.

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of my brother, Jack, stomping in snow the taste of banana bread with peanut butter my American Girl doll with her skiing clothes and the memory of Mom taking me to Universal - Hastings

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of cars driving past me fast the taste of apples with peanut butter the new Sponge Bob toy I got for Christmas and the memory of when Mom and I went to London on a Peppa Pig bus - Hendrix

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of wind blowing when I’m driving in my car the taste of cucumber rolls from my restaurant n/soto my lovey named Pink Rabbit and the memory of going to the kids’ museum with my grandparents - Ida

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of trains crossing and bells ringing the taste of McDonald’s pumpkin pie my gems and crystals and the memory of when I had a sleepover with my cousin Quinton on Martin Luther King weekend - Jack

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of waves in Hawaii crashing on the beach the taste of a McDonald’s Happy Meal my 3-D printed book nook and the memory of skiing at Mammoth with my mom and dad - Jonah

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of my little brother, Jack, laughing the taste of my chocolate muffin I have every day for snack my Crusty the Clown toy the Tooth Fairy brought me and the memory of when I went on the Alpine Coaster at Big Bear Mountain

- Leo F.

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of my dog, Champion’s worried bark the taste of fresh mango my TV with every show in the world on it and the memory of being in Arizona, having time with my dad at Dodger spring training, but we left before the game was over because it was too hot

- Leo R.

I Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of kids playing outside on the yard the taste of plain chicken tenders from Starbird the amethyst crystal that my mom has and the memory of when I was in Hawaii and I used half a coconut as a hat

- Mars

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of the Blue Jays playing baseball the taste of cheeseburgers in Carpinteria my stuffies, Monkey Lovey, Other Lovey, and Paris and the memory of having special time with my dad and then we drive to Apple Pan

- Nate

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of pushing my bear Rose’s paw and it makes a fairy noise the taste of salmon sushi

Rose, the bear that I built from Build-a-Bear and the memory of when I was a baby and we were flying to Miami with my whole family, but my sister wasn’t born

- Noa

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of “weee” like jumping on a trampoline, the taste of strawberries with honey a gray stuffy kitty because I love it and the memory of swimming in Maui last summer and a sea turtle popped up next to me.

- Obsidian

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of wind blowing outside my house the taste of salmon sushi my doll Bluey (I carry him wherever I go) and the memory of when we went skiing in Yellowstone and I played arcade games

- Owen

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of bees buzzing the taste of matzoh ball soup my stuffed dinosaur that came from the airport and the memory of parrots outside my driveway

- Paloma

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of building Legos with my nanny the taste of ramen from Century City my crystals from the zoo and the memory of when I went to Georgia with my mom and sister for Thanksgiving

- Peter

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of a tiger roaring the taste of fries from In-N-Out my tiger eye bracelet and the memory of the time I got my baseball trophy - Puma

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of my mom’s recorder the taste of my mom’s chocolate cake all of my shells from the beach and the memory of the first time I went to a Dodger game and they won - Rai

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of birds tweeting when I’m sitting underneath a tree the taste of a salmon skin roll the diamond on a mermaid dress and the memory of getting boba with Gael - Rani

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of my Hello Kitty bear saying, “I love you” the taste of strawberries dipped in chocolate a locket with a seashell inside and the memory of when me and my Piggy were jumping on mom’s bed and I threw Piggy and it hit the ceiling - Sally

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of the ocean swooshing the taste of my dad’s chicken nuggets my tie-dyed shirt and the memory of when mom and I made normal vegetable soup - Tyler

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of walking in the snow the taste of a McDonald’s cheeseburger my doctor set I got for Christmas and the memory of the first time I went swimming in Hawaii - Uliana

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of Legos snapping together the taste of French toast from Raising Cane’s two 3-D triangles and the memory of going to Mammoth and tubing - Viggo

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of birds chirping coming from my hatch sound machine. the taste of apple pie fresh from the store a special pass to Universal and the memory of my first time going on the Jurassic World ride

- Will

“T he M agical B ox”

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of ninjas ﬁghting the taste of cheese pizza from Ospi my superhero Legos and the memory of going with my brother to the beach at my grandma’s house

- Aiden

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of my dog, Millie, barking because she heard something inside my house the taste of sour Hubba Bubba my stuffie, Lot so and the memory of eating cereal in my hotel in Miami

- Ben

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of birds chirping in the trees the taste of Oreo ice cream my stuffed puppy named Cinnamon and the memory of going to Ojai with Grandma and Grandpa and my cousins

- Chloe

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of my mom’s wake-up alarm so I get to school on time the taste of shell mac and cheese my grey blankie named Blankie and the memory of cuddling with my dad

- Clover

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of my neighborhood cat meowing the taste of Jeni’s chocolate ice cream a mechanical cat that can meow and the memory of going to Virginia to see my grandpa

- Daisy

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of my dog, Pico, barking inside my house

the taste of chocolate cake with chocolate sprinkles the sword I got for Christmas and the memory of going in the pool with my dad and cousins

- Declan

Inside this mag ical box I will keep the sound of the Lig htning McQueen ride at Disneyland the taste of Oreos (when I take the top half off ) my stuffed penguin that I ’ve had for a long time and the memor y of going to a park that had no playground wi th my nanny and Grandpa

- Eli

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of leaves dropping from the tree in front of my house the taste of sprinkle donuts my stuffed animal tiger that’s a baby one and the memory of spending time with Grandma’s dog, Teddy

- Everly

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of R2 D2 beeping while I was talking to him at Disneyland the taste of avocado sushi the blue light saber I got for Christmas and the memory of me and my dad gardening

- Kieran

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of the wind blowing on my drive to school the taste of chocolate ice cream with rainbow sprinkles a butter ﬂy that can ﬂap its wings and the memor y of going to Disneyland with my mom, my dad, and my brother, Leo

- Lucy

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of my dogs, Jaxy and Daffodil, barking at people on the sidewalk the taste of my dad’s chicken bones with BBQ sauce my brother Jordan’s purple crystal and the memory of me and my brother getting ice cream at Ginger’s

- Maya

Inside this mag ical b ox I will ke ep the sound of my dog, Nav y, barking when I wake up the taste of In-N-O ut che eseburgers (che ese, meat, and bun) s and f rom the Paciﬁc O cean and the memor y of holding Nav y in my hands

- Mercer

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of me and my dad kicking soccer balls into the net that swooshes the taste of sushi at Taste of the Willows a toy snake that moves on wheels and the memory of a snake that lives in the sea

- Miles B

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of petting my dog Reggie’s brown and grey fur the taste of lemon donuts my dinosaur fossil shell on a stand and the memor y of going on the Technic Coaster at Legoland - Miles T.

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of a hummingbird in front of my house the taste of shell mac and cheese a rainbow butter ﬂy and the memor y of playing at the beach with Mom and Dad

- Myla Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of my mom and dad and brother talking at my house the taste of cheeseburgers with pickles my lucky $2 bill that I got from the toothy fairy and the memory of my mom coming back from a few states yesterday

- Myles

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of leaves blowing in the wind the taste of artichoke dipped in sweet and sour sauce a stuffed dog that my grandpa got me and the memory of going on a boat ride with my cousins when we saw dolphins

- Oliver

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of my markers on the paper as I draw “Bear Bear” the taste of pasta with cheese my “Bear Bear” books and the memory of drawing the pictures and writing the words so I can read it

- Owen

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of driving so fast in my uncle’s car the taste of nachos from the sports bar a brown football from the sports store and the memory of going to Disneyland when I got my green light saber

- Ramon

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of the waves in the ocean in L A the taste of chocolate ice cream from the grocery store a pink crystal that I found and the memory of going in a bouncy house

- Reni

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of ninjas ﬁghting in Culver City Hall the taste of my daddy ’s nachos my Star Wars binoculars that I got from Disneyland and the memory of eating the biggest pizza I ever had when my mom and dad went out

- Roman B.W.

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of friends laughing at my house the taste of chocolate cake with chocolate frosting the light saber that I got for my birthday and the memory of getting ice cream with Mommy

- Roman T.

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of my grandma’s sewing machine the taste of my mama’s chocolate milkshakes my glass bowl with a bunny’s face on it and the memory of going to Legoland with my mom, dad, and brother

- Summer

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of birds tweeting in my backyard the taste of blueberry milkshakes I make at home the penny I found on the playground and the memory of cuddling with my dog, B-Ball

- Willa

Inside this magical box I will keep the sound of birds chirping in my backyard the taste of sour gummy worms my stuffed mom otter with a baby otter and the memory of going to Hawaii with my mom, my dad, and my friend, Ame

- Yena

1ST GRADE

If I were the earth, I would play baseball with the sun.

– Ollin, 1st grade poet

Silly

Silly is yellow like the sun shining. It sounds like a cheetah laughing. It tastes like juicy lemonade. Silly makes me feel like having my birthday.

- Austin

If I Were, I Would

If I were a pencil I would draw the cutest puppy ever. If I were a tooth I would wiggle out and have freedom. If I were a squirrel I would go on top of a tree tie a rope around me and go skydiving

Confident

Confident is green like a tree in the forest. It sounds like an eagle catching a mouse. It tastes like a sour lemon.

Confident makes me feel brave.

- Bea

-Olivia

The Historry of Teddy I come from blue ice cream. I come from eating pepperoni pizza. I come from my Papa and Grandma in El Camino. I come from a shooting basketball. I come from Hot Lunch. I come from cuddling with my dad. I come from the color green.

-Teddy F.

A P Poem i is s H Hiddinng

A poem is hiding in my cake so it can sing me Happy Birthday.

-Knox

The Historry of Laila

I come from cuddling with my dad.

I come from the rollercoaster near my grandparents’ house. I come from playing games with my family.

I come from the Baby-Sitter’s Club books.

I come from math and the estimation jar.

I come from the color pink.

I come from painting flowers

-Laila N.

Sad Sad is blue like people who break the law. It sounds like rain falling. It tastes like your tongue is on fire. Sad makes me feel like crawling under the covers.

-Luke

The History of Casey

I come from my good parents.

I come from my colorful house.

I come from a school called The Willows. I come from my cousins and my grandpa and grandma in New York.

I come from 6010 S. Garth Avenue, 90056. I come from my left hand.

I come from California.

-Casey

The History of Kira

I come from Mom and Dad hugging me. I come from March 13th.

I come from all kinds of weather. I come from a peppermint tree waving. I come from the wind. I come from a kite blowing. I come from playing school with my sister.

-Kira

A Poem is Hiding

A poem is hiding in my brother’s lovey so it can sleep with him.

- Emerson

A Poem is Hiding

A poem is hiding in a crystal so it can see the future.

- Erin

A P Poem i is s H Hidding

A poem is hiding in a ball so I can kick it to outer space and send it to the sun.

-Teddy Z.

If I Were, I Would

If I were a poem I would read myself out loud. If I were a balloon I would fly to outer space.

If I were a dog I would bark at a teddy bear.

- Carmen

Peace is green like sleeping on the couch. It sounds like brown noise. It tastes like vanilla ice cream. Peace makes me feel like relaxing.

- Clay

If I Were, I Would

If I were a seashell, I would trap fish inside me to give them a home. -L ayla F.

Tired Tired is blue like a butterfly. It sounds like yawning Yuna. It tastes like salmon sushi. Tired makes me feel like sleeping.

- Yuna

A Poem is Hiding

A poem is hiding in my baseball so it can go over the home run line. - Lincoln

If I Were, I Would

If I were a lizard I would climb trees and look for volcanos.

- Elliot

Excited

A P Poem i is s H Hiiddinng

A poem is hiding in my football so it can get thrown to Dad.

-Holden

Excited is yellow like the sun laughing. It sounds like a cheetah running in the hallway. It tastes like a bear eating honey. Excited makes me feel like smiling.

-Jack

The History of Jonathan

I come from tasty Mr. Beast Feastables

A P Poem i is s H Hiddinng

A poem is hiding in my lizard tank so it can be with the best animals.

-James

I come from a blue house with a brown roof

I come from a pretty small street

I come from my top three very good friends

I come from May 25, 2018

I come from playdates with my top two very good friends

I come from my backyard that has a dirt garden and dirty balls.

-Jonathan

If I Were, I Would

If I were a storm cloud I would rain marshmallows. If I were a dog I would eat chocolate chip cookies with my sister. If I were a bat I would fly to the moon with my mom.

Crafty

- Charlotte

Crafty is yellow like making drawings. It sounds like humming a song. It tastes like a bagel with butter. Crafty makes me feel like staring at a tree.

- Ellie

Calm is green the like forest in a story book. It sounds like a waterfall. It tastes like strawberries. Calm makes me feel like swimming in the pool.

- Easton

The History of

Hanna

I come from my right hand that likes to draw. I come from my mom who gives me cuddles. I come from my brother’s gray bean bag. I come from my stuffies named Monkey, Mango, and Bella. I come from singing in a play. I come from dancing ballet. I come from the hospital.

-Hanna

Determined

Determined is green like the Oakland A’s logo. It sounds like a fresh beach. It tastes like a lemonade-flavored lollipop from last year’s Halloween. Determined makes me feel like I can do anything.

- Ollin

Loving

Loving is pink like a heart. It sounds like I’m snuggling with my mom. It tastes like passion fruit. Loving makes me feel confident.

- Madison

A Poem is Hiding

A poem is hiding in a unicorn so it can do magic.

- Annika

Surprised

The History of Poppy

I come from Cedars Sinai. I come from Trader Joe’s sushi. I come from my energetic dog named Vanna. I come from building cars. I come from doing dishes. I come from trips to my grandma’s in North California. I come from baby blue - Poppy

Surprised is pink like a glazed donut. It sounds like fireworks. It tastes like melon boba. Surprised makes me feel like I wake up and there’s music playing.

- Lily

A Poem is Hiding

A poem is hiding in a piece of sushi so it can get eaten.

– Edie

Happy

Happy is yellow like the sun in L.A.

The History of Maximus

I come from scootering on my street. I come from building Lego scenes. I come from November 29th, 2018.

I come from the stuffies lying in my bed. I come from setting up the Christmas tree. I come from warm days in L.A. I come from making a mess.

A Poem is Hiding

- Maximus

It sounds like the ocean splashing. It tastes like dragon fruit. Happy makes me feel like I am an angel.

- Fred

A poem is hiding in a dog’s tail so it can wag.

- Maya

Silly

Silly is yellow like the bright sun. It sounds like my brother telling jokes. It tastes like sour lemons. Silly makes me feel like laughing so hard!

- Emery

Happy

Happy is orange like my baseball shirt. It sounds like shhhhhh! It tastes like the salt in the ocean. Happy makes me feel like I hit a home run.

- Bennett

A Poem is Hiding

A poem is hiding inside of a taco so it can get eaten.

- Sofia

The History of Hannah

I come from a tornado of wind. I come from riding horses in Carmel. I come from my sister’s hugs.

I come from the giant tree in front of my house. I come from a room that has a black door. I come from camping with my family. I come from my heart.

- Hannah

Calm

Calm is brown like a capybara trying to find its food. It sounds like a dog’s fur blowing in the wind. It tastes like pizookie. Calm makes me feel like sleeping on Christmas Eve.

- Crosby

A Poem is Hiding

A poem is hiding in a flower so it can grow its petals.

- Penelope

A Poem is Hiding

A poem is hiding in a book so it can read it.

- Sloane

A Poem is Hiding

A poem is hiding in a garden so it can grow.

- Daavis

Relaxed

Relaxed is gray like a seal laying on the shore. It sounds like waves crashing at the beach. It tastes like POG Lemonade. Relaxed makes me feel like having a nice sleep.

- Voyager

The History of Miles

I come from 1000-piece Lego sets.

I come from watching action movies with my sister, Gemma. I come from eating pepperoni pizza.

I come from reading adventure books.

I come from loving my parents (especially my dad)

I come from Zooies Cookies.

I come from Los Angeles.

- Miles

The History of Louis

I come from the Dodgers.

If I Were, I Would

If I were a number, I would count how many oceans there are.

If were a table I would make chicken nuggets for everybody. - Desmond

I come from playing with my cat, Waffle. I come from eating vanilla or chocolate ice cream with my mom. I come from wrestling with my dad.

I come from August 29th, 2018.

I come from my passion of baseball. I come from chicken tikka masala with rice.

- Louis

The History of Sophie

I come from Brazil.

I come from eating oatmeal with strawberries. I come from playing in the sandbox.

I come from my birthday in February.

I come from watching “Gabby’s Dollhouse” with my friends. I come from a house that’s a dark skin tone and white.

I come from a dad who listens to songs that are not finished yet.

- Sophie

Calm

Calm is green the like forest in a story book. It sounds like a waterfall. It tastes like strawberries. Calm makes me feel like swimming in the pool.

- Easton

The History of Lucas

I come from my mom’s face. I come from Dog Man books. I come from scorpions. I come from king cobras. I come from Thanksgiving in Colorado. I come from rap music.

I come from playing football with my dad.

- Lucas

The History of Jules

I come from hot dogs with no sauce. I come from playing tennis with my friends.

I come from a campsite at El Capitan. I come from buying gems. I come from my dad’s car in South Africa.

I come from my birthday, November 9th, 2018 I come from playing the ukelele.

- Jules

The History of Benny

I come from vipers and boa constrictors.

I come from cider mills in Michigan.

I come from black widow spiders.

I come from the many towns of Mexico.

I come from loving the way my nanny smells.

I come from mushroom pizza.

I come from a chihuahua named Peanut.

- Benny

2ND GRADE

My struggle is a dream. My feelings are a wonderland.

– Nova, 2nd grade poet

My Creation

I see Planet Earth.

I imagine it could shrink to a tiny dot. I wonder if it could one day come alive.

- Emilia

Crab on the Rocks

I saw a small crab It was actually cute

Crazy and crawling

- Matan

My Imagination Poem

My Power

My feelings are men that are screaming. My strength is power not to use.

My soul is a man jumping out of my body. My imagination is infinite space.

My voice is an oak tree that is ancient.

- Austen

My imagination is like the world spinning. My spirit is jumbled colors. My struggle is a dream. My feelings are a wonderland.

- Nova

In the Trees

I see Jane Goodall it could be David Greybeard Chimp up in the trees

- Arielle

Strings of Color

My heart beats like a lightning bolt in a storm.

My feelings fling like rubber bands.

My spirit is a jungle of furry animals.

My brain is mixed-up strings of colors.

My energy is a never-ending rollercoaster

- Grace

Peacefulness

My feelings are like dandelions blowing in the wind.

My breath is a path to happiness.

My soul is a blanket that will never leave me.

My heart is a smile that can’t stop singing.

My spirit is a color that cools me down.

- Archie

Cold Winter Night

On a cold night I jump on the roof

I hear some bricks shattering I taste some white bread

I see an ice maze

I imagine getting lost in it

Beautiful, Beautiful Birds

birds fly like the wind they sparkle and shine like stars dancing like water

- Lucia

Dear Fear, teach me how to be braver

- Bobby

The Story of Me

My voice is like a flower blooming.

My feelings are colors mixed together.

My energy is a balloon about to pop.

My heart is like a fire that is cracking with love.

My brain is a wall getting taller every day.

- Kennedy

The Green

seafoam green looks like a piece of grass, it sways like the wind in the sky

- Lando

My New Body

My imagination is a fish swimming in the deep blue sea.

My heart is a tree spinning in water.

My strength is little rocks in between cracks.

My soul is like big waves flowing across the ocean.

- Nira

Town Full of People

I see a town full of wonderful people

I imagine it is on Mars

I wonder if they have waffles

- Stella

Ocean in the Rain

Salty Water

I see a pretzel

It looks like sand at the beach I’d like to eat it

- Chaya

My World of Happiness

My heart is a shine of light.

My mind is a calculator.

My energy is the power of my life.

My soul is a magical place.

My world is like a piece of art.

- Vivian .

jellyfish swimming through a bib, blue warm ocean with a kelp forest

when the rain gets here at the point the clouds turn dark and the lightning starts

- Jude

The Waves the waves are so big waves like to kiss the water some water is cold

- Riley

Sky Blue

Sky blue like Bunnix

A bubblegum lollipop

A shiny diamond

-Ella

What I’m Like

My muscles are like a busy intersection.

My pulse is a car getting flipped over and over again. My arms are like wind turbines grabbing air.

My writing skills are windows opening and closing. My brain is like a grapevine growing.

- Mac

The Land of Aurie

My strength is a rock that can never break. My voice is a song made of gems. My body is a giant raindrop.

My life is a city of traffic.

My soul is a ball of energy.

- Aurie

Birds in the Sky

Twinkly Stars

I see a black hole I imagine that it’s reading I wonder if it likes to live in space

I see a mouse I imagine it’s magical. I wonder if it likes pickles.

- Leonora

Cat

I see a kitten

She is under a blanket She is snuggled up

On a cool afternoon, I step onto a plane. I smell gasoline. I hold my iPad and watch the birds flap their wings. I imagine going with them.

Dear God, teach me how to fly!

~ Ellis

Purple Feelings

peaceful lavender purple flower at the beach makes me feel so calm

- Ezabel

- Charlie

Eating-Carrot Bunny

I see a bunny.

I imagine it is eating carrots. I wonder if it will be my friend.

- Scarlett

My Life

My heart is like my puppy playing with me. My imagination is like jellyfish in the ocean. My life is like a star in the sky.

- Viktoria

2B

Midnight birds fly over me

black like midnight, thin and cold beautiful and soft

- Bella Spring Training Day

On a sunny Sunday morning

We go to spring training

I hold the baseball I caught I hear the words, home run

I see the ball flying in the air

I imagine I could play

`My Blanket Fort

My heart is a warm stuffy. My imagination is a soft blanket. My brain is a tall tree.

My spirit is a pink leaf running to the park. My life is a happy bunny hopping to a pool.

- Avery

The Beach watching the waves crash wind blowing at me today jump in the water

- Corey

Dear Freddie Freeman, teach me how to hit a home run

- Charlie

My Mind is a Heart

My heart is like Jane Goodall saving animals. My energy is like lightning in a storm. My imagination is like little wires in my body.

- Forest

The Island one tiny island lots of bushes are growing clouds in the distance

- Drew

My Body

My feelings are a pack of mixed seeds. My voice is like birds singing.

My mind is like 100 stars in the sky.

My heart is like a leaf that falls in a jar.

My body is a dog that won’t stop barking.

- Ellie

The Life of a Creative Girl

My body is like a DJ, pushing the bad beats away.

My voice is like a running river.

My brain is like a comet pulled into orbit as it passes along.

My life is a bat flying away before it gets sleepy. My soul is a blanket that is soft for coziness.

- Frankie Barnes

My Body

My spirit is a warm blanket.

My heart is like a crystal shining brightly.

My brain is like an intertwining ball of energy. My feelings are the spots under my skin.

My soul is a letter traveling around the world.

- Ethan

Feel the Blue Air

On a cold December morning I wake up and feel the blue air on me. I wonder if it is raining. I hear it. I taste it on my tongue. I imagine it is raining in my room Dear Rain, teach me how to splash high!

- Frankie Biederman

Light Pink and Light Blue

Light pink and light blue. Blue like jeans, pink like stuffies. Pink diamonds, blue waves.

- May

The Waves Do Crash

I see ocean waves

I count the waves, then they crash I just love the ocean

- Ilaria

Love

The Black Bird

I see the black bird his presence makes me feel warm as the sun goes down

- Jordan

Walking to School

On a stormy day

We are running to school

I see a rainbow coming out of a dragon

I hear a volcano erupting next to me

I smell lava burning

I imagine the smoke drifting from my side

Dear Volcano, teach me how to explode!

- Josh

On a Sunday afternoon

I hold my dad’s hand

I feel my mom’s hand

I hear my dad working

I hear my mom talking

I imagine my mom and dad kissing

On the Moon

I see a sad alien on the moon

I imagine the sun

I wonder if the sun goes black

- Isaac

Dear Mom and Dad, teach me how to love

- Talya

The Turtle and the Fish

Turtle spots a fish. Swallows it whole like a snake. Looks like he likes it.

- Lucy

The Garden Grows

the garden is wet the garden grows tall like you the garden is me

- Marianne

All About Me

My strength is a rock that never falls.

My life is a wheel that never stops turning. My imagination is 1000 portals of thoughts

My brain is a circle of ideas.

- Julian

My Interesting World

A Night in the Forest

On a foggy night I travel into the forest I hear a wolf howling in the distance I taste the rain on my tongue I feel the air on my cold hands I want to go deeper

Dear Forest, teach me how to be brave

- Lennon

My mind is a robot that never stops making things.

My heart is a soft blanket that will never get old.

My soul is a puddle that will never get dry.

My life is a jungle that will never stop growing.

My breath is ice that will never melt.

- Lily

The P Poison n Dart Frogs

small poison dart frogs hopping on a twisty branch jumping log to log

- Leona Paper Bags

time goes like feelings feelings move like paper bags paper bags are brown

- Lola

Birds Humming

My heart is warm like my bed.

My energy is like lightning.

My voice is a mountain of birds humming.

My life is a bridge of love.

My struggle is a hotel full of laughs.

- Zara

My Colorful World

My imagination is a colorful shell. My mind is a lightbulb full of images. My breath is soft air.

- Lucas

3RD GRADE

I couldn’t find the wish I wanted

– Vera, 3rd grade poet so I made a new one.

T he Season Speaks

Spring says,

Last year I was a seed in the dirt

This year I am a flower in a pot

Last year I had the chirp of a chick

This year I have the screech of an eagle

Last year I was a chip in a console waiting to be played

This year I am a console with someone playing me

Last year I was just a canvas

This year I am a painting ~ Indy

T he w ind whispers something you might want to hear.

Summer says,

T he sun is as hot as you dream it to be.

Autumn says,

D o what you think is best for yourself.

W inter says,

Be you, because you can.

~ Vi vien I was

Who I Am Now

Last y ear I was a m ountain

T his y ear I am a volcano

Last y ear I was a scared m oon

T his y ear I am a bright sun

Last y ear I was a puddle

T his y ear I am a waterfall

Last y ear I was a soul

T his y ear I am a heart

~ Riaan

Breaking Fog

Every time the sun goes down, shadows go with it.

Grey is fog misting a mountain.

Too many days go by when hope is gone.

Grey is a cloudy sky.

The last snowﬂake has a frozen chill inside.

I couldn’t ﬁnd my place but I could ﬁnd my friends.

~ Heron

Last year I was a funny kitten

This year I am a serious cat

Last year I was a green banana

This year I am a ripe banana

Last year I didn’t know what to do

This year I know what to do

Last year I was nothing

This year I am something

~ Jake

Dropping Marbles

Every time I hear rain, it sounds like marbles hitting the ground.

Grey elephants stomp, the marbles hitting the ground

Too many marbles hitting the concrete sound like breaking glass.

Grey birds peck on the floor It sounds like loud marbles

The last marble sounds like nothing.

I couldn’t find where the marbles were going next

~Noah

Yesterday I saw one boba and Bella is drinking it, two shells that are sharpened, and three packets of pink poems that came home with me

Whenever I’m with a whale, the wind makes my heart whistle.

I can still hear the thunder crashing into the park with my pink pizza

~ Bella

Spellbound

Time Passes, Things Change

Last year I was a basketball

This year I’m the Denver Nuggets

Last year I was a brick

This year I am a building

Last year I was the rain

This year I am a storm

Last year I was a python. This year I am a werewolf.

Last year I was weak. This year I am dangerous.

Last year I was Spiderman. This year I am Venom.

Last year I was a shark.

This year I am a dragon.

~ Maddox

Last year I was a sprout in a pot

This year I am a plant in a garden

~ Kitae

Before and After

Last year I was a slice of pizza.

This year I’m the whole pizza.

Last year I was a listener.

This year I’m a reader.

Last year I was a star.

This year I’m a galaxy.

~ Marley

The Wish I Wanted

Every time I sing I feel like I am free .

Grey is sadness , grey is sorrow, grey is loss .

Too many things that are hard , but I can get through them.

Grey is what hurts . Grey is the cut in my knee .

The last time I played softball , I felt energetic . I couldn’t ﬁnd the wish I wanted so I made a new one . ~ Vera Rainy Nights

Every time a raindrop shatters on my roof, the sky disappears into the grey clouds where too many stars lay lighting planes through the grey nights I can’t find my way to sleep? ~ Reuvi

Everything

Every time I touch a basketball I feel crazy.

Grey people make me feel tired

When too many words communicate together

you cannot communicate

Grey owls yell at the rain

The last time I played soccer I felt weird.

I couldn’t find anything So I kept looking and found something that I cannot describe.

~ Charlie

Life Says Be Careful

Life says, Eat healthy

Tiger says, I am tired of hunting.

My mom says, Do your homework.

Proud says, Do something that makes you feel good

~ Armaan

If I Worked Smarter,

Everything

Could Be Simple

Every time I see the sea, it is blue.

But what if it was green?

Grey cars, ﬂoors, but what if they were colorful?

Too many things to do. What if everything was simpler?

Grey is a color but also a shade.

The last time I worked harder, why not smarter?

I couldn’t ﬁnd myself but now I can.

~ Carter

Every time a word is said, it feels like a song echoing in the wind

Grey ﬁlls the sky like a shadow creeping under your bed.

Too many swords, not enough love

Grey like an elephant migrating through her life

Th e last time I said your name, a new beginning was made.

I couldn’t ﬁnd who or what I was made for, but now I can ﬁnd anything

Felicity

~ Cora hT e Song in hte W ind

Grey Swimming Pools

Every time I look out my window,

I see my dad’s bright yellow Jeep in the driveway.

Grey Jeeps don’t make happy emotions.

Yesterday, Today

Last year I was a rock

This year I am a mountain

Last year I was a pencil

This year I am a tree

Last year I was a wire

This year I am a TV

Last year I was pe pperoni

This year I am a pizza

~ Jackson M .

Too many emotions at one time can cause you a breakdown.

Grey swimming pools are dirty.

The last time I went swimming I couldn’t find myself.

I think I left it on the side of the pool.

Back to Grey

Every time I speak or I am sad

I always have some happy in me .

Grey to yellow to blue and back to grey makes me happy.

Too many people in a room makes me feel interested .

Grey is a color that sometimes brings happiness .

The last time I felt sad was when I could no t ﬁnd happy in me .

I couldn’t ﬁnd myself and my happiness went away.

~ Jack

D i v i n g i n t o t h e U n k n o w n

Y e s t e r d a y I s a w o n e d o g d i v i n g d e e p i n t h e d a r k o c e a n , T w o h a r e s h o p p i n g t o t h e H o b n o sb , a n d t h r e e v i l l a i n s c h a s i n g v i o l i n s t h a t w e r e v e n o m o u s .

W h e n e v e r I f e e l a f o o t I g e t f r i g h t e n e d . I ca n s t i l l h e a r ca t s , c l a w s , a n d c l o u d s . ~ Ha r p e r

S a d S p o o n s

Yesterday I saw one cat on a carousel, two spoons that were certainly sad, and three trees that were trotting around everywhere.

Whenever the sink sang, it was sarcastic.

Look at My Self

Ever y time I look at myself

I feel more grateful

Grey is like clouds that let the sun in

I can still hear the wind whooshing around the wildlife.

Too many pictures on the page are moving around.

Grey is like the hills in Hawaii.

The last feeling is the best feeling

I couldn’t ﬁnd the sun but I found hope

~ Sloane

~ Clara

S t o m p i n g o n S t a r s

Yesterday I saw one hummingbird in a tired tree, Two giraﬀes ten inches taller than me, and three elephants stomping on stars.

Whenever I see something, it is always an animal.

I can still hear my mom talking to me about memories.

~Stella

The World Speaks

The paper says Write on me.

The blanket says, Come here, I will warm you up.

The shark says, I want to eat you with some salt.

The ghost says, Come here body, let’s play hide and seek.

~ Jackson S.

Last year I was a little gymnast

This year I can do a front walkover

Last year I was a little blue lake

This year I am the big blue ocean

Purpose of the World

Time says,

There are so many hours and minutes, I get lost.

Space says, I am so alone it’s almost like I’m forgotten.

Disaster says, I am a mess. It’s like I’m imprisoned,

Power says, If you are too happy with something it can become a bad thing.

~ Michael

Last year I was a little artist

This year I can draw and paint

Last year I was not good at things

This year I can do anything ~ Paige

Reflecting on Nature

Last year I was a seed in a terra cotta pot.

This year I am a daisy on top of the sun

Last year I was a sunset sinking into the mountains.

This year I am a sunrise, lifting off the horizon.

Last year I was in my nest, impatient

This year I can fly freely to the edge of the earth.

Last year I was small and quiet.

This year I am strong and heard

3B

Never Stop Moving

Do you remember when we were in second grade?

The clouds were super wet and they moved around

You said, “I love the third grade.”

I said, “Why are there so many books?”

Perhaps the books are from Japan for a present.

The clouds are super fluffy and big today

~ Andrew

Do You Remember?

Do you remember when the rain was a drizzle?

The clouds were sometimes a raging storm

and sometimes they were white and fluffy

You said, “Hello, do you want to have a friendship?”

I said, “Yes, yes, I would love to ”

Perhaps we could make a compromise

The clouds love the wet rain

~ Diego

When We Were Little

Do you remember when we were little, we would jump and play around?

The clouds were perfect and the skies were blue. You said, “You’re my best friend.”

I said, “You’re my best friend too ”

Perhaps today could be like that.

The clouds could still be perfect, the skies could still be blue, and we will still be best friends

~ Emerson

The Singing Poem

Yesterday I heard one of the yoyos yodeling, two of the triplets hogging the toy triceratops, and three of my thoughts thinking. Whenever the weather drops, I go with it. I pretend to be a pink penguin with a very pretty puppy.

~ Isla

I Am Growing

Last year I was sticky rice

This year I am salmon sushi

Last year I was a La Fufu

This year I am a La Bubu

Last year I was as short as a small kitten

This year I am as tall as a Saint Bernard

Last year I was a riptide

This year I am a tsunami

~ Caspian

Movie Night

Yesterday I heard one pumpkin pop some popcorn, two dragon’s dragging desserts, three apples and an acorn!

Whenever ice cream goes to ﬁnd an icicle, I pretend the tortoises took the icicle

~ Artie

Raining Rainbows

Do you remember when the sky cried so hard it made the ground shake?

The clouds were black as the smoke from the chimney of a cottage in Poland

You said, “Let’s go inside ” I said no

Perhaps we can dance in the rain

The clouds cried more, and finally cleared up, leaving a big, bold, courageous rainbow.

~ Emme

What Now?

Last year I was a small and quiet dot

This year I am a big and bold ball

Last year I was a learning caterpillar

This year I am a ready butterﬂy

Last year I was gray and dark

This year I am yellow, a bright light

Last year I was looking for a path

This year I am running on it

~ Frankie

From a Tree to a Forest

Last year I was the dough of the pizza.

This year I am the pizza shop.

Last year I was paper that was ripped

This year I am a library.

Last year I was a tree falling down.

This year I am a forest standing strong

Last year I was a cloud ﬂoating close to the ground.

This year I am a storm high above.

~ Grayson

Getting Bigger

Last year I was a baseball player. This year I am the MLB.

Last year I was a star. This year I’m the sky.

Last year I was 8. This year I’m 9.

Last year I was L A

This year I’m the world

~ Maxwell

Aaron Baked a Burnt Pie

Do you remember when Aaron baked a burnt pie?

He thought it was the best pie ever.

When he found out his friends didn’t like it, it was like it was raining burnt pies

You said, “I thought you liked my pies ”

I said, “It’s not like that ”

Perhaps you can learn more about pies and maybe not learn about burnt pies

“OK I will do my best ”

“Wait! I will be there too?”

~ Hudson

It’s About Friendship

Do you remember last year when we learned + and -?

The clouds dripped water from the sky

You said, “Can we play?”

I said, “Sure.”

Perhaps we can play together every day

The clouds are soft as cotton candy now.

~ Jordan

What Do You Want to Do?

Do you remember when we were little and we thought nothing would ever change?

The clouds looked like big puffs of fluffy white cotton candy.

You said, “What do you want to do?”

I said, “Let’s ride the bikes.”

Perhaps you can remember the feeling of the bright lights against our faces, or the feeling of walking out onto the big, black stage.

The clouds darken and I can feel the rain coming

~ Lana

A World of Happiness

Do you remember when the wind was as fast as us?

The clouds had the same feelings as we did

You said that our bond would never be broken.

I said that was true, and if we go down, we go down together.

Perhaps the power of friendship is as strong as everything together.

The clouds are a place to have unlimited fun

~ Mateo Complaints of the Seasons

Winter says, I’m cold! Can I have the sun, please?

Spring says, It rains too much. Can I have an umbrella?

Summer says, I’m way too hot! W here’s winter?

Fall says, Give me my leaves! I’m lonely.

~ Sebastian

When I Remember

Yesterday I heard one beautiful bird, two memories missing, and three me ’ s missing. Whenever I look up, I see lizards I pretend to be a dragon destroying my enemies.

~ Oona

Getting Wiser

Last year I was a small pebble

This year I am a mighty boulder.

Last year I was a timid kitten. This year I am a brave cat

Last year I was a dim flashlight. This year I am the shining, glowing sun

Last year I was a ukelele

This year I am a guitar

~ Lauryn

Last Year Was This Year

Do you remember when we as kids

used to cry all the time?

The clouds were raining and the sun was fading

You said, “It’s OK, honey.”

I said, “OK, Mom ”

Perhaps we can try to feel better and hope it works

Then the clouds will be happy and the sun will shine

~ Luna

Go Up and Touch the Moon

Do you remember when we were little and we thought nothing would change?

Nature Speaks

Wind says, Slow down, I’m tired of blowing

Rain says, Quit splashing in my puddles

Sun says, I am hot, please send me ice cubes

Rainbow says, It is so colorful in my sky.

~ Shiraz

The clouds were the rain and the rain was always me

You said, “Go up, up and touch the moon!”

I said, “If only I can be with you ”

Perhaps I will go to the moon

The clouds are now me forever

~ Naya

Baseball Bubble

Yesterday I heard one super strikeout, two humongous home runs, and three perfect punch-outs

Whenever Amoron St Brown receives the cool catch,

I pretend I hit the great grand slam

~ Mikaail

Yesterday and Today

Last year I was a planet

This year I am a galaxy

Last year I was a pond

This year I am a lake

Last year I was a city

This year I am a country

Last year I was a little seed

This year I am a wise tree

~ Soﬁa

Clouds in the World Series

Do you remember when the Dodgers won the World Series?

There were clouds in the distance

You said, “Let’s be friends ”

I said, “Yes ”

Perhaps we can go see the Dodgers in the World Series next year.

There was rain falling from the clouds.

~ Max D

Let Me Guide You

Light says, Let me guide you.

Sound says, No, you should just be you.

Destiny says, You can’t change who you are.

Hope says, You can change your future.

~ Oliver

Time for a Party

Do you remember the Dodgers winning the World Series against the Yankees?

The clouds looked so beautiful, and white like paper

You said you wanted the Yankees to win

I said I wanted the Dodgers to win

Perhaps the Dodgers will do back-to-back World Series’

The clouds look like pink or blue cotton candy. You choose.

~ Liev

Buzzy Basketball

Yesterday I heard one creek cracking, two buzzy bees borrowing honey, and three clunky clouds

Whenever I play bouncy basketball, I pretend to be a tall tiger

~ Wilder

Tornados in Your Mind

Do you remember when the clouds looked like tornados?

The clouds looked like tornados to you

You said, “Run, the clouds are tornados!”

I said, “No, they’re tsunamis!”

Perhaps they were both.

The clouds were tornados in your mind.

They were tsunamis in my mind.

~ Wiley

4TH GRADE

Take a good look at the poems you have not seen. – Liv, 4th grade poet

This world

Not quite peaceful

But close enough

That this world is livable

And this word is likable

This world

~ Oscar

Is It Real?

I thought I saw hope by which I mean a hole through the fabric of time that has been holding me back

Or maybe it was that sharp whistle screaming through the air

Look at its colors

Tell me it is a sign of freedom

~ Asher

Touch the Light

I can't touch the light still ﬂowing beneath my feet

I feel stuck under dark

~ Ida

Many More Maps

Here I go again another map a new study another mountain something new maybe many MORE maps

those are not important

I hope I make it to the green grass where I fell the last time every single time I sleep I think about the time I was falling a whisper behind you it was me

~ Mack

I ThoughtI Saw Everything

Here I go again back into a dream

Many thoughts of

Thoughts that feel present

But futuristic

~ Ivy

Maps with no endings

Green mountains

That seem to never end Every single step brings me into a new world

Falling into darkness

Whispers of the past behind you is nothing except me

Inside My Life

Here I go again with my tricks

Many of which I don’t like

Maps run through my mind

Those are the ones I try to forget green grass runs inside a ghost of me

every single time I try but I can’t do what I dream of Falling is me from the way of life the whisper is the future

behind you is the past

~ Luca

My

Courage,

My Future, My Heart

Stars are my path

My courage, my future

My heart, or anything

Everything need or want

They’ve got my back

When I need help

~ Amelia M.

Drive

Through Imagination

As the book takes you Drive through imagination

Live the most impossible

Can you stargaze there

Read it dream it live it

All of that in a story

~ Leighton

The Whisper in My Head

Here I go again going some place that I don't even know many places are on the maps that we have at home

those minutes feel like I am there green grass touching my hands every single time I know I am falling asleep a whisper behind me then I open my eyes.

~ Gitty

ME, NO ONE ELSE

I prefer long hair

I prefer what I decide

I prefer the feeling of free

This is me

I prefer sweet treats but not all

I prefer adventure up high, down low, in the middle

I prefer peace all around

I prefer hearts of joy everywhere

I prefer the outdoors, what was here before us

Because it always has a story to tell

I prefer history knowing what happened before me

I prefer what I say not what others tell

That’s what I think

I prefer my thoughts

I prefer doing, not being told

Many things I prefer, things said and not said

~ Amelia C.

Perfection

I thought I saw my world being perfection

By which I mean the world holding us back from being ourselves

Or me being underneath the world’s light

Look at me

Tell me acceptance is not perfection

~ Rachel

Lost Worlds

Here I go again in my lost world

many dark sides of me

Maps can find the stars

those are the ones who stole my dreams green dreams every single time

I keep falling whispers can tell the stone behind you I can see the dark

~ James

Look at Me

When I look into your eyes I think why am I not with you and why can't I see you sometimes I think you're just in my head but then I see you're always going to be there for me when I need you and when I don't I'll still always need you so listen close and say with conﬁdence that you'll always be there and you'll never forget who you really are inside.

~ Coco

Direct Hopelessness

Here I go again falling through the future

Many people don't care what I feel about life Maps follow me through time

Those precise seconds Are Meant To be

Greenery from my Past

Every single generation Falling

From the dictionary I hear a struggle of my presence of life Whisper behind you through Saturn MAYBE YOU YOU SHOULDN'T care About where I come from

~ Kellen

Here

Look at All the Words

I thought I saw something slip off a piece of paper By which I mean it came to life

Or my thoughts are pulling me back

Look at all the words that have no meaning and make one up

Tell me what you thought of ~ Vivian

I Prefer Life

I prefer a bird in flight.

I prefer love.

I prefer care.

I prefer mice running from a cat.

I appreciate eminent people that help this world.

I enjoy nature.

I prefer looking at the stars.

I believe in a door to another universe.

I am looking for the farthest anyone can go.

I prefer greenery stretching for miles.

I’d choose a new world…

All the way up there.

~ Ezra

Love

Love is large. Don’t follow Your friend, follow Your heart.

Unconditional love can Spread if You follow and love: Your large heart

~ Sam

Never Stop

You are nervous to take on the almighty great challenge, you feel heat cruising off you. Try to run, you never can. Lastly, you go, it was worth the world. We're done.

~ Caspian

Darkness is Coming

The light in the stars

Shadows in the dark night

The glow of lights

The cold

The grass in the light

The worm bed in the

House it haunts me

I can feel it

The mov ement

The light in the stars

~ Dylan

Not Me

I’m not for you

You know you don’t want me

For your sake

Honestly it’s bad

Just get someone else

I’m not for you

~ Wes

Skunks are Skunks

Here I go again running from skunks

Many skunks

But the maps said there were no skunks Those skunks are mean because they sprayed me Green grass makes it feel better

Every single time

Running in my nightmares from skunks

Someone whispers, “Get away from the skunks!”

Behind you there is a skunk!!! AAAAAAAHH!

~ Blaise

Coming

Back

I thought I saw a cloud that fell out of the sky

By which I mean the past is pulling me back Or the future is coming to me

Look at me

Tell me a story that is from you

~ Calvin

Fade Away

I thought I saw two black eyes back in the dark but falling so By which I mean joy has the speed of light

Or you could say time goes as far as space travels and Look, gravity dies in the light so

Tell me what’s life about when I’m air? The stars are destiny.

~ Clive

There You Are

There it is One of them

Unknown How are you?

I know This is it

~ Jacqueline

Many Things People Do

Ten people everywhere play baseball

Many kids eat chocolate ice cream

Here at The Willows 4B classroom there is Quiet all around I know football is coming

~ Idan

Squirrels Are More Than You Think

I thought squirrels were just Mischievous in a way

But I think now they are cute Eating their pinecones

Sounds like crunching leaves in fall Little jumpers in the trees

~ Olivia

My Choices

I prefer basketball I prefer watching TV I prefer cheeseburgers I prefer vocab I enjoy playing football I connect with Russell Westbrook I appreciate when people are humble I prefer the color blue

~ Alijah

The Unknown

I used to think that a golden duck had created the solar system

Mini microscopic circles are racing

The sun makes my skin burn

Planets are breaking down into the galaxies

Take a good look at the mysteries of the solar system

~ Shawn

Circles of Pi

It is the diameter multiplied by the outside of the big circle

I had to learn as much as I could, I studied for a long time, Pi is confusing

~ Andrew

RUN

Ten is not enough

Many people are gone

Here it is safe

Quiet is what we want I know you're scared.

~ Zac

Imagine

Imagine You’re flying

With the birds and bees

Peaceful isn't it

Watch the beat of the wings

Imagine

~ Murphy

Rainy Day

A rainy day

A warm blanket

Cuddle up cozy in bed with a dog on your lap

This poem ends with a big thunderstorm

On a rainy day

~ Lola

The Cottage

As I walked up to you

Your damp walls were welcoming

Your vines wrapped around you

Overgrown weeds covering you

But you were perfect for making memories

And I felt it in my veins

As I walked up to you

~ Emi

Rainbow Glitter

Planets look like purple potatoes very far away

Lights are made of rainbow glitter

Take a good look at the kite in the black hole I used to think that I was old Circles are big, right?

~ Emmett

Chill Paper

Paper sits there and relaxes

While you do the work It gets a massage It makes you use your imagination It loves to get drawn on

Paper stays there waiting for the next artist

~ Jack

Disappearance

Before I say bye You leave

The sun sets It’s gone now And it will come back Unlike you Before I say bye

~ Quinn

WAR

Ten swords cross Many people fight Here I stand alive

Quietly the snake slithers I know you

~ Chase

Are You Confused Too

I do not know I don't understand Do I just sit still? What do I do? Where do I go?

Am I the only one who is confused? I do not know

~ Larkin

ADI

I prefer croutons to bagels.

I enjoy watching football more than baseball. I admire 2 dollars more than 1 dollar.

I like playing basketball more than playing football. I appreciate typing more than writing.

I would rather go to the Arctic than Moscow.

I prefer music

I prefer yellow

I prefer T.V.

I prefer Adi

~ Adi

The Things I Like

I prefer my dog

I prefer normal bikes

I prefer the game console, PS5 I prefer the sport baseball

I prefer the fast-food spot, Raising Cane’s

I prefer road trips

I prefer to go to Vons Supermarket

~ Roger

OKAY okay sure K nice ‘kay that's fine okay

~ Leo

Magnetic Thunder

on a gloomy gray morning I look out my window and watch thunder hit the ground the electricity goes out my hair turns static thunder hits the floor so hard it looks like thunder and the floor are two magnets drawn to each other

~ Ryan

Swan History

I used to think about how the swan circles around the lake looking for food Lights reflect off the beautiful water

Planets circle around the sun

Like the swan circles its prey Take a good look out the window

~ Miles

Brave Drums

The jungle is coated in fog

You see colorful music

The music is swirling

Then you see a black and gold drum

The drum makes you feel brave

The brave drums are dancing

The song makes the drums braver

The drums leave a trail of happiness

They make the fog disappear

The jungle is a rainbow

After the drums dance

The flowers smell sweeter

The leaves are greener

The songs of the birds are stronger

~ Emilia

The Planets Are Having a Party

I used to think I lived on the moon that circles the earth.

Lights from the stars are being lazy. Planets are having a party!

Take a good look at the moon cakes they are eating.

~ Will

Fiery

Dragon

I used to think dragons were magical

Circles in the sky spinning from the dragons’ breath

Light flashing off their golden scales

Planets in the world above filled with their fire

Take a good look at a dragon

~ Quincy

5TH GRADE

My poem has no fear of the un-perfect world. It doesn't sleep until it has feelings.

– Elijah, 5th grade poet

5A Air

I have always loved the word air

I don' t remember the last time I breathed it in I don' t know the next time I will

I do remember what it smells like when I go outside

I remember what it sounds like when something flies by

I remember what it feels like, almost like happiness

I remember what it does to us

I have always loved the word air

~ hayden , Little Light

In the back of my mind there is an ocean of thoughts forgotten, left alone, and discarded

If you listen closely there is a small breeze bringing them back to me.

In the back of my mind you will see little light but I will show you the way

If you listen closely, you will hear a pencil writing with no one to guide it but hope

In the back of my mind there is a meadow

free like a horse, a stallion, strong and wild

If you listen closely, you will hear me.

~ Isadora

I FOUND MY POEM IN THE OCEAN

She walks in the yellowish sand

She loves the ocean

As I see her jump in the waves

Crashing behind her

She starts singing

My poem is in the crystal clear waters of Hawaii

She dries off in a pink towel

My poem lays down

I tried to catch her but she runs away

I hope I can catch my poem someday

Maeve

Follow Me Into the Sea

The sea waves crash.

Crash next to me while I sat in the sand

The sand sinks into my hands while I play with it.

It is finally time to go jump in the sea

The sea splashes.

Splashes like a drink when it falls.

A wave falls next to me while I am swimming.

I swim out of the water and walk in the sand.

In the sand there are tiny crabs waving their arms around.

Around me I see so many waves.

Maybe I belong in the ocean

~ Audrey

I have always loved the word dumpling

I have no memory of rolling out the dough I don’t remember making the broth

I don’t remember making the chicken

I don’t remember putting the broth and the chicken in the dough and pinching it

I have forgotten the bamboo steamer

I remember eating them, the warm broth flowing into my mouth lost in a complexion of flavors

I have always loved the word dumpl ing

Kugel

I have always loved the word kugel.

I have no memor y of my grandma sprinkling cinnamon on top of it. I do remember my dad scooping a spoonful into my mouth reminding me of having a warm treat while it is snowing. I will never forget the one crunchy noodle out of all the soft ones on my plate.

I have always loved the word kugel.

~ Ryan

~ Vanessa

The Arrogant Poem

My poem has shut me out.

Like a moody teen in New York, who ignores every detail.

He thinks he has accomplished everything in life, yet hasn't accomplished anything.

I try talking to him, But he ignores me. So I chase him. He walks in Central Park.

I walk in Central Park. He walks in Russia.

I walk in Russia. He walks on Saturn.

I walk on Saturn.

Then he stops.

I stop.

He leaves for Mars.

I think he’ll be fine.

~ Noa

CLilyat

I have always loved the word cat

I have no memory of the fur rubbing against my waist. I have no memory of its purr vibrating against my body. I wish I could remember its paws ﬂying in the air.

I have always loved the word cat.

~ J ackson M/

I have always loved the word lily.

I don’t remember the smooth stem coming out of the ground.

I don’t remember the silky petals falling down to the wavy grass. I do remember the valley full of flowers swaying from side to side.

I remember them in summer, shining in the fields.

I remember the mystical glow they give to the world

I hope that they’re still waiting for me where they always are staying where they can see me and where I can see them.

I have always loved the word lily.

~ Annika

Tr ying to Write

My poem wakes me up at 6:30 on a weekend so I can write him

I don’t though, because I can’t think straight

My head is always too full or too empty.

My poem knows I can’t think, but he still tries ever y day. I walk to the Culver Steps for breakfast and my poem follows me, still waiting.

I tr y to shake him off, but he stays nagging at me.

When I get home, I sit down at the dining room table with a piece of paper in front of me.

I tr y and tr y and tr y, but can’t even get my pencil to touch the page.

Hours later, I give up and go to bed, just to be woken up the next day to do the same things I did yesterday.

To this day, I still tr y to write my poem and my poem still waits to be written.

~ Miles

Pool

I have always loved the word pool

I don't remember jumping in or being cold

I don't remember getting out and having a BBQ with my family.

I don't remember having water fights with friends

I don't remember doing turtle rides on my dad’s back like a whale to its mother, never to be separated.

I do remember diving to the bottom trying to get the toys and getting water in my goggles.

I remember front-flipping into it and my mom saying, “Be careful!”

I will never forget the warm towel wrapped around my body in the sun

I have always loved the word pool.

~ Rudy

My Poem Stole My Nintendo Switch!

What games will it play, what games will it buy?

I ask my Nintendo Switch. It ignores me.

So I chase it. We run everywhere. Out of my house.

Out of my neighborhood. Out of my country.

Through the Sahara desert.

Through the Amazon rainforest.

Along the Great Wall of China.

Through MOJANG STUDIOS.

All the way back to my house. You win, I say to my poem.

~ Finn

COME BACKKKK!

My poem has run away from me.

Every time I try to catch it, it hides in an abandoned building on Main Street.

I try to outsmart it but it's always a step ahead.

My poem wears the same necklace every day, a gold chained necklace too small to ﬁt

all the memories inside my life.

~ Rhys

Plop

I have always loved the word plop

I wish I could remember the leaky faucet making a drop sound I wish I could remember the splat sound hitting the floor when my little sister drops her milk

I remember watching the water slowly fill up my cup

I will never forget jumping into the pool like a soldier

I have always loved the word plop

~ Parker

autumn

I've always loved the word autumn

I've never met leaves turning orange and falling down like rain I don't remember putting on slippers just to go downstairs as the heat ripples through the house I wish i could remember putting on three layers to walk outside in the snow

I do remember warming my hands by the fire as it crackles loudly I do remember grabbing my umbrella before leaving the house I remember taking walks in the cold breeze

I will never forget making hot cocoa and sipping it by the television

I've always loved the work autumn

~ cosmo

Shakshuka

I have always loved the word shakshuka

I wish I could see the worn hands picking the juicy red peppers Brown and tanned they put it into the mixing bowl

In come the spices like a dragon’s fiery breath spiraling in a thick aroma The coals crackling on the hearth

The tin pot popping and bubbling over the flames

A pair of cross-patterned mittens grab it out of the oven

I do remember my mouth watering as I tasted the crunchy bread

Doused in savory goodness

My spoon screeching as I scooped the last bite

I have always loved the word shakshuka

~ QiQi

Chasing My Poem Through Memories

I am at home but my poem just left it took my roller blades

I run after it and it skates down the hill

all the way to Crypto Arena where we watch our first hockey game.

My poem wears a black and white jersey with the word “Chu” on the back.

It wears my custom panda hat

That I got in Denver, Colorado.

Flash! My poem is ice skating down the street to the diner i n Yosemite.

I see myself and my dad sledding down to the diner.

My poem goes inside and out the back door then, boom!

We are in Croatia, and both of us drive bumper cars,

Then leave. I follow my poem where it goes.

It goes into an alley and stops.

It turns around and when I see its face, it is me.

Maybe I don’t need myself after all

~ Luca

My Poem Is Lost

My poem is lost

My poem keeps hiding

Does my poem not like me?

I see my poem in my dreams

I see him in the park

I see that he runs away from me Am I imagining him?

Is my poem real?

I see him getting closer to me

He says “I am your poem, what's your name?”

I realize that my poem is my imaginary friend

~ Mish

I SE E PINK

In the back of my mind

I see pink

Pink is the color of my room

Pink is the color of my life

Pink is creative

I sketch it with my mind

I paint it with my heart

Ruby

Secrets of Life

I scribble down my life

My life tells me things

The things life tells me are secrets

Some of them haven't happened yet They haven't happened for a reason They are in the future

In the future some things can be predicted

Some can't and that's life

Maybe life doesn't want me to know and for a reason

I wonder. . .

~ George .

CHEESE

I have always loved the word cheese

D oes My Poem L ike Me?

My poem thinks we are playing hide and seek.

My poem is an adventure seeing the world.

My poem races like a roller coaster.

My poem runs away from me.

I hope my poem likes me.

I hope my poem is me.

But it might be its own person.

Bobby

I forgot the feeling of it melting on my tongue

I can't remember the different textures, from soft to hard

I don't remember putting it on my pasta

I do remember a midnight snack

grating my soft block of parmesan

I will never forget the first time I tried Colby-Jack

I have always loved cheese

~ Benjamin

My Poem Wants to Be Free

My poem tries to walk around with its blueberry wet suit on October 1st. She wants to be free but the wall of love and hate is strong She's in complete control but the controllers are jammed. She needs me to show her where the cookies are on the shelf, for reasons that are unknown Perhaps she will come out of her shell like a turtle ready to see the world. Look at that, she has changed her outfit to a rainbow-striped dress with buttons and a bow around her waist.

“Don't run away,” I say to her when she leaves me We used to be yin and yang but now it’s split in half with only a small memory of each other.

SMASH!

~ Indigo

The Beginning

I scribble down the beginning. In the beginning it is always dark. Darkness does not always mean sorrow. Sorrow is a part of life. Life is freedom

The Ending

I see the ending. In the ending, there is hope. Hope is a path. The path is to a new beginning. In the beginning there has to be an end. In the end, there is life.

~ Levi

My Poem and Me

My poem is running faster than time it self trying to reach it s goal.

As I chase, it I have no sense of who I am or where I am but I know I am someone impor tant who will not let anything slip out of my ﬁngers.

When I am myself

I am my best self and my poem agrees with me.

Jackson P.

I Lose My Poem in the Grass

I see my poem, dancing around in a yellow dress, dark chocolate hair flowing in a meadow with thigh high grass and daisies.

I yell to her, no response, she doesn’t bother to look at me.

She’s dancing and spinning around.

She looks happy, she almost looks free.

All of a sudden, she starts running, running far, down, down, down the hill.

I lose her in the grass.

The only thing left is a lock of hair twirling in the wind.

I won’t let her go!

Sprinting down, down, down, I find her eating Jeni’s Ice Cream.

The strawberry drips down on her hand, she notices and licks it off.

I watch her devour it.

She is on the run again.

She reaches the beach and listens to the crash of the waves

She’s perched on a rock like the Little Mermaid I reach for her.

She swims away into the ocean.

She’s slimy like seaweed.

I see her pop her head out of the water and start walking again.

She’s far away, but I see her hug a friend she has just met

Maybe my poem doesn’t need me, maybe she can write herself.

~ Orla

Mr. Blue

In the back of my mind I see blue

Blue is the color of the ocean

The ocean is not the ocean without the tide

Blue is the color of me

Who is me?

Who is blue?

When I change will blue change?

~ Leo

I Scribble My Life

My is life a drawing

A drawing no one can paint

A painting that is done

Done for no one to see

It has been hidden for centuries

Centuries that no one has seen

Seen by no one, only me

Me is the only one that can make it realized

Realized for no one to paint or draw over

If you draw over it, you will have consequences

Consequences from me who knows that what

Will happen to you is very tragic

Tragic to who painted over my drawing

My drawing of my life

My life is filled with tears and pain but one day it will all pay off

I won’t need my painting that has a drawing on it too

W hen my drawing is realized to the world it will be new

A new drawing means a new life

A new life means a new painting

A new painting means everything left behind

Everything left behind means a new scribble

I scribble my life

My life is a scribble that no one can one can paint

Painting no one can draw

A drawing that is untouchable

It’s been locked for centuries

Centuries in my dreams

In my dreams it will be realized again

~ Bridget

The Poem That Ran Away

I don’t think my poem likes me.

She runs away whenever I need her

Ignores me whenever I talk to her

She doesn’t care about me.

I’m not sure if she cares about anything.

She’s like a summer breeze,

Soft and comforting at one moment, harsh the next.

She adorns herself in a pair of cotton pajamas,

Soft sherpa slippers,

And a Santa hat.

She’s quite lazy.

She thinks I don’t notice her.

Sometimes she just leaves,

And I have to follow her.

Never knowing where she’ll go next

~ Kayla

My mind is telling me to fight

Fight the past

The past telling me to persevere

Perseverance is key

Key to my existence here

Here is the utopia of myself

My welfare only is important

Important is the water in the river

The river consuming the fire

Fire is what keeps me warm at night

Night and day are opposites

Opposites are fire and water

Strange how they work together

~ Natai

All day long I wonder

I wonder about when the day is over

Over here is a poem filled with thoughts

Thoughts in my head are secret

Secret is a sentence you keep all day long

~ Emilia

I don’t want to write about hate or despair, I want to write about raging flames.

I don’t want to write about the frustrations in my life, I want to let it all go

I want to write about the wind pulling me into nature's love.

W hat I really want to say is be a dreamer Like me

~ Dean

Don't think about things that happened in the past

Past is past tense

Past tense is before

Before is never

Never again

Again stop thinking about it It follows me

~ Liberty

I have always loved the word cloud.

I have no memory of cotton candy-like shapes filling up the sky

I have no memory of descending through white pom-poms on a metal bird. But I do remember the feeling of rain against my skin, looking up to see the same thing I always have when the sky cries

I will never forget the word cloud

~ Vale

Maybe One Day

My poem is a swarm of bees running from one person to the next

My poem is a bunny hopping

Further and further away

My poem is an elegant butterfly

Flying so freely

But darting back if I get too close

My poem is a fish hiding when I’m here

Running when I’m not

My poem is swinging from vine to vine

Mocking me

Like a monkey

Maybe one day I will catch it

Maybe it will come willingly

Maybe it could tell me why

Why it’s running

Why it's hiding

Why it’s not ready for me

~ Etta

My poem has a pop of color to its personality like a soda that’s strawberry-lemon

My poem loves to take adventures through my drawings.

My poem loves to touch crispy sand on the beach near the wispy waves

My poem wanders around like a game of Infection

My poems is like an empty room waiting for it to be f illed with excitement

My poem disappears like cotton candy dissolving in my mouth

~ Aisha

I have always loved the word sushi.

I don't remember what the sticky rice tasted like I don’t remember what the lobster roll tasted like. I don’t remember what the fresh seaweed smelled like.

I do remember the first time I went to Blue Ribbon Sushi for my birthday dinner with my family.

I have always loved the word sushi

~ Ben V

~ my poem is me and I am my poem ~ my poem has run away I try to catch her try to talk but something tells me I should not she wears my old easter dress it was my favorite growing up she runs all throughout town the thrift store the one I went to when I was six she runs through my house knocking things over making a mess like I did when I was little I almost think she’s trying to tell me something yet I can hear only faint little cries she has the dinner that was supposed to be mine my poem thinks I can’t see her I can’t hear her but what she doesn't know is that I know her every move I know what she’s going to do at the park I know she shouldn't go on the swings with the little boy who she thought was her friend because I was once her age

~ Parker

Do not think about me, I won’t always be here

Here I am now

Now is the time

Time is ticking like a clock

Clocks go by fast

Fast as you running

Running to a stream

A stream is your thoughts floating away

~ August

I have always loved the word flake

What I Really Want to Say

I don’t want to write to a person I don't know I want to write about my life

I don’t want to write to a ﬁctional character

I want to write a story for my kids

What I really want to say is

I’m scared to go extinct Brady

I have no memory of the fallen pieces of the sky.

I don’t remember holding vulnerable things in my hand.

I never knew that these tiny things are just as fragile as life and trust and all it takes is a simple tap for it to fall apart

I’ve never believed that I’m the same as this piece of bread or an icy piece of sky that proves that life is short.

I’ve never met the people I wish I could have said one more word to.

I have always loved the word flake.

~ Benji

THEY DON’T BELIEVE

My poem is determined

Like a confident book character, who thinks they’re unstoppable

They don’t believe

They don’t care

Nothing they do is real

I wonder why they always win in the end

It’s the one sentence I hear everytime

“Happily ever after”

But you can’t blame them, they are fiction and they will never understand

Because this is my real poem

And my poem doesn’t always have happily ever afters ~ Ty

W henever you're asleep, you dream

Dream about forests with lakes

Lakes that hold secrets

Secrets that you keep in the past

Past your mind, there is growth

Growth that spreads through vines and trees

Trees that create oxygen

Oxygen that you need to breathe

Breathing that takes you back to the beginning

~ Iris

I have always loved the word energetic

It feels like sweating athletes. It sounds like hard-playing tennis champions, and it looks like a basketball star.

I don't remember how the word shined in my own life.

I have no memory of how powerful the word is.

I do remember how big the word was; how it carried so many thoughts of mine out into the world.

I will never forget that enthusiastic feeling

And I have always loved the word energetic

~ Shane

All day long I think of words but my mind can't catch them

Maybe if I write the words they will help me.

W hat if I grab the words and arrange them into a poem?

Maybe I can go past a poem and fly into the sky.

W hat if there's a city in the sky?

W hat if there are more words in the city?

W hat if I can make a poem city?

Gravity might say not to

But I can and will go higher

~ Satrio

I have always loved the word sushi

I don't remember what the sticky rice tasted like. I don’t remember what the lobster roll tasted like. I don’t remember what the fresh seaweed smelled like

I do remember the first time I went to Blue Ribbon Sushi for my birthday dinner with my family.

I have always loved the word sushi.

~ Ben V.

I have always loved the word

I have no memory of starting something that was unlike anything before it.

I don’t recall ever changing the course of a nation or a state.

I do remember admiring the people who served our country.

I will never forget saluting the brave soldiers that lost their lives fighting for our freedom.

I have always loved the word

~ Charles

I have always loved the word life.

I don't remember when and where it all started.

I do remember twirling over and over to Mister Postman in my living room. I remember the soft touch of my mother, who was there to pull me up, not push me down. I remember the warming laugh of my dad, and the jokes that my brother always makes

I remember my grandparents bringing me coffee M&Ms that melt in your mouth and leave a lasting flavor.

Every burst of light comes wise with a storm. I have always loved the word life.

~ Sophie

I have always loved the word cabin.

I have no memory of being inside that warm nook in the corner reading my favorite book.

I have no memory of hearing those birds chirp in the morning. But I do remember the sound of those crunching leaves when I'm walking at night.

It reminds me of someone crinkling paper.

I have always admired the word cabin

Ozzie

I don’t want to write to a fish in the deep sea… lurking in the shadows

I want to write a letter to a faraway magical dragon on the cotton candy clouds

I don’t want to write in the forest where spiders lurk

I want to write under the sea where dolphins hide

W hat I really want to say is, I just want to write

~ Onyx

I have always loved the word Cabaret.

I have no memory of dancing divas hitting the floor in their tap shoes. I have no memory of charming people becoming lifelong friends. I have no memory of men and women in shiny vests and vibrant make-up. I've never tasted the savory bar food touching my tongue

I do remember the feel of the back alley way, the cold hard stone, the dancers somehow knowing my name.

I have always loved the word Cabaret.

~ Van

All day long keeps getting longer. Longer means more.

More means never stop Ifyou never stop you never start. Ifyou never start you never end.

Ending is like forgetting everything. Everything starts with an end.

~ Elijah

Nature

I have always loved the word nature.

I don't remember when the leaves swayed i n the breeze.

I have no memory of heari ng the bi rds whi stle and chi rp.

I do remember feel i ng the branches crack and snap under my shoes.

I wi sh I could remember tasti ng the sweet and soft wildberries .

I wi sh I could remember the smell of the damp, cracked wood.

I have no memory of the moon, gl i nti ng i n the night sky above the trees.

I don't remember feel i ng the soft, brown di rt i n my hands.

I remember the ti me I got lost on the trail, runni ng as the wi nd howled beside me.

I have always loved the word nature.

~ Devyn

6TH GRADE

ocus on the dark blue sky and live your life.

– Arya, 6th grade

poet

The Chair

The chair wants to become bigger, as if it were a table and fly off to become a fiery phoenix with wings as big as cars wishing it would shrink into a tire that would sink in the ocean and become a whale that wishes it could be a person who just wants to sit on a chair

~ Alexander

Waiting for Tomorrow

The bright blue sky gives way to the black of midnight I feel like all the stars are pointing toward something something I can’t grasp

Color Left Behind

Some things want to be understood

Some things want to confuse you

Some butterflies fly alone in the night

Some butterflies are left behind in the day

Some things fly in the butterfly sky

Only to fall while the others continue

Not noticing

Never noticing

The color left behind

I want to be understood I want to fly

~ Carmella

As the the night turns into morning there is the hum of traffic, joy and a smell, I think it’s burnt pizza

Now take a breath listen to the future and tell me about it

~ Arya

Sure I Talk to You Now

I wanted you to know that you are missed

Sure I talk to you when you ’ re free but it's different now all because of one mistake not from us from him all him You still tell me everything as do I but then when you ’ re busy or your mom walks in you ’ re gone in a snap

Like I said in the beginning you are missed ~ Emma

There But Not

A scrap of paper

There But not “I see you, ” I say But it can’t respond

Maybe in a while someone like me Will notice that scrap of paper That doesn’t belong And relate to it Or maybe I could dream Turn it into a rocket full of memories Ride on it Into the bright green sky

Across a blue desert

Across a field full of golden flowers

Past a rainbow cloud

To a place W here we both belong At the end of the world

And beyond what anyone can possibly comprehend Not even me

But the scrap of paper can

~ Bram

The Middle of My Mind

The middle of my mind is empty I try to locate my thoughts They’re not there

I look for my consciousness It’s not there either I can’t find it, I keep looking

Someone says that they know the way out I say, “Show me ” “Okay,” they say

We start walking in zigzags We keep going for a while The person sits down And starts crying

I realize that’s my soul It’s lost also I’m the one who should guide it

~ August

Untitled

I write you today

You know why

I will know some day

Eating tacos in Vegas

Chilling by the pool

Watching things unfold

Sitting in my car at a beach in Mexico

Watching the sunset

Going place to place

Still wondering what will come next I will not write you again

~ Samuel

Decide Your Life Decisions

I write you today and decide your life decisions and all you will do and all you did.

I write to you today and I will write to you tomorrow and for the rest of your days. It does not matter what you want. I will give you what I want and I will make your life.

~ Corbyn

Yellow Town

in the middle of Yellow Town there are people with thoughts that blur out the yellowness / there are small thoughts that fill up a space / and big thoughts that take up just as much room but contain less / curly thoughts don't have much in them but take up room and lines or swirls or curves that are too much to handle / they slowly combine / they mix and move soon they overwhelm the town till it faints and sinks and disappears / until yellow falls into the thoughts and completes the picture

~ Naveh

Swimming Pool

The way your eyes are fooled into seeing the vast miles when the glass extends not far enough ahead of tomorrow

Our empty cityscape of ghost-like hills rolling over stretched mountains

Stars, comets born from each dying soul giving each ending one more chance

Each comet breathes in the secrets from everyone even if one wants it to be forgotten and hidden

The way your eyes sparkle in the reflection of stars too hard to look away but too easy if I can

I want to reach the end of this mirror maze to find you in the swimming pool of broken pieces

~ Kenley

The Bee Comes Back

The feeling of just waiting for the infinite light to arrive

The light just sitting in space

The bee could get it for me

If I wanted to, I didn’t

The thing is tomorrow the bee will leave

It will go collect some nectar or pollen

Then the next day it comes back

It goes

Then comes back

No matter what happens

The bee always continues its cycle

He leaves

Then the next day he brings a fresh batch of honey

And every day the bee brings a little more honey

One day the bee arrives with his fresh batch of honey

I stand near a lake as he brings it to me

Right after he hands it to me

A fish splashes in the lake

The bee says, “See you soon, ” and buzzes away

W hen he is gone, there is empty space

But when he is there life is not a line

It has twists and turns and happiness

That is what the bee brings

~ Indra

Without the Sun

In the middle of the park lies the sun shining its light making everything happy close your eyes and imagine life without the sun there would be no brightness and no fun

~ Ava

W hat We See

W hat we see is our perspective

This is space in night with stars

A city with skyscrapers

Our mind and we are standing in it

Our thoughts all coming together as one

The lights in our world

People wondering what is out there

All of everyone ' s lives in one box

~ Evan

Lost and Not Found

The sun is beaming

The air is hot

A jacket is waiting

“She’ll come find me ”

W hether it’s a pink butterfly sweater

A red Spiderman hoodie

With Chapstick or a yellow car in the pocket

It’s just a jacket

Waiting to be found

“I’m over here!”

It's a kid’s favorite sweater

A grandma's gift

The birthday present from a friend

It’s just a jacket…

Waiting for its kid.

Every second feels like another day

by Day 5 it’s in a hot muggy bucket

Waiting to be found…

“I just want to scream, come find me!”

Minutes feel like weeks

By Week 5

Nowhere to be seen

This isn't about jackets.

~ Mackenzie

Tomorrow

Tomorrow you will see everything that we can’t see.

The empty, the blue, the silence. Space will look like a line to you and lines will look like space Become what you can’t and be what you aren't. Nobody else will see you but I will because We. Are. Everything.

~ Zion

Top Floor

I look out my apartment window at the empty sky

The stars are glowing orbs

The sky is an ocean crashing on the shore

The glass building becomes a see-through chocolate bar

The ground is no longer there

I’m floating on the top floor

Flying alone

~ Izzy

All Dots, All Stars, All Planets

In the middle of the planets

I don’t know what I see

Maybe a sun maybe a cloud

Many dots, too many to count

Red jagged lines trembling across the night sky

come back to the beginning too many dots on the painting some big some small how many more dots can you put on there show me how to embrace it

~ Maddox

Colors all around how many more could there possibly be

Not one looks the same

But at the same time they are all the same

Maybe there are circles all around

Maybe there are stars

Maybe there is something else

Something else we haven't figured out yet

~ Birdie

Brokne G lass

As I sit on a counter waiting I feel myself fall farther and farther

Until I shatter on the floor It hurts

I feel all of me getting split into different parts I can feel the broom sweep me on to a small space I am next to me And even more of me. Some of me get thrown into the trash Other parts are thrown into the ocean I can feel the waves eating me up as I get tossed around slowly feeling the water pass over me

I lie there there can be anywhere

In the ocean

In the trash

Or even your imagination

~ Joey

Washed Up

The air smelled like salt.

I was certain that I was gone forever in the depths of black and white doom. Everywhere I looked there were faces watching me from top to bottom. Every afternoon the spikes would get longer and longer. My only empty space was the void in the middle of this odd place. The wind, air, and humidity were so strong

Some of the plants would grow as large as a full-sized elephant.

The spikes are closing in!!!

Please bring me HOME…

~ Carter

Stop

Bring me to a stop

W here dots fill the page

Bring me to a stop

W here eyes are all blind

Bring me to a stop where everything's blank

Bring me to a stop where I continue to write

W hen I’ve run out of paper

I was certain I would never stop

I was certain the dots would never fill the page

But they’re taking over

I was certain eyes would never go blind

Until I couldn't see

I was certain nothing would go blank

Until I had no more thoughts

I was certain I would continue to write

W hen I ran out of paper

Until I didn't

Until I listened

Until I cried then smiled

Until my thoughts leaked from inspiration

Until I stopped ~ Bailey

The Poem I Couldn’t Write.

The lines I couldn’t finish.

The text I couldn’t line up.

The intellect I couldn’t grab.

The words that wouldn’t fit.

The letters that fell too quickly.

The rhymes that didn’t match.

The rhythm that didn’t make its way in.

The best poem I ever wrote was the poem I couldn’t write.

~ Julian

The Poem I Couldn’t Write

The poem I couldn’t write

The poem I couldn’t write came to me in second grade

The poem I couldn’t write was left behind

The poem I couldn’t write was right there

But I didn’t catch it

I wasn't fast enough and the time went by

The next word was when will it come back?

The next word is will it be at the tip of my toes?

Until I see you again I will be waiting for the poem I couldn’t write to be right at the tip of my fingers….

~ Azzy

Empty

I tried to fill the space. Ideas flooded my brain

as all the choices were suffocating me. I walked up the staircase to forget the pain

but the wind came rushing in, swooshing and spinning me until I fell, bringing me to land in the space I couldn't complete.

~ Rose

The Skeleton

The skeleton is propp e d up.

D o es it think or not?

Is it s ad or happy?

W hy is it in the art ro om?

D o es it work for the art ro om?

W hat is that pink felt on its chest?

It has a mouth with lots of te eth. Will it eat my che eseburger? Will it ever move again?

~ Harrison

BANANA LAFFY TAFFY

In the back of my house

On the third shelf of the pantry

Behind all the taco shells

You can see a bit of yellow

That tastes like the best banana candy ever

It has been there forever, never had life without it

But one day gone

Maybe eaten

They say there was a joke on every wrapper

But I never know what joke that one had said

~ Dash

Cracked

Like a sidewalk

Clean and pure

Always stepped on

Never cleaned

Always dirty

Bits and pieces

Concrete too

Broken up

Like life

Never complete

Unless You try

To Fix it

Dropped

Like a bag

Plastic and unusable

Left there

Once more All alone

What will happen

To all

The plastic Dropped On the floor

Will it stay there

Or will it go

To the landfill

Like everything else you don’t want

Discarded

Ouch!

Why’d you do that Break me in half Drop me down

Like a discarded Piece

Of trash

Will I be ignored

Like everything else

People think Is Below them

~ Liza

G-G-G-G-Guitar

This will be my last poetry class of the year

Guitar

This will be the last time that I take a breath Guitar

This will be the last time I get a good look at this world Guitar

This will be the last time I had a good day Guitar

This will be the ﬁrst time I was not scared Guitar

This will be the ﬁrst time I see you in the next world

Guitar

This will be the second time I get a good look at you

Guitar

This will be the ﬁrst time I wish I was not myself

Guitar

This will be the last time that I get to play

Guitar

This will be the last guitar whether you like it or not Electric guitar

This will be the ﬁrst time I wish you were here Guitar

I know you are here

Fender Stratocaster electric guitar

~ Lev

The Fan

The fan on the wall

D o es it spin fast or slow?

Is it in the corner for nothing?

D o es it work for the art ro om ?

Is it s ad or happy?

D o es it like to have rust and dust on it?

W hat is the chain for?

D o es the cover go outside?

Will it ever spin again

~ Wyatt

I Will Always

I will eat always I will sleep always I will repeat always

~ Davy

secret

I have a secret

I will tell it soon

Maybe now

No not yet

As I say that I feel me slipping away

I try to hold on it it

But it is gone

I am in a dark void

I come back to the surface for a second

I have a secret

I yell

I say it

Everything is quiet

After the silence

I ﬂy up

The lightness in me feels free

Is that me

I see a ﬁgure in the distance

I run to it

It is

I pull it in

I am me again

I feel full

With no secret to weigh me down

~ Stella

You Know W hat to Do

Bring me to the lake up north

Bring me to the harbor where the wind blows a turtle into the sky

Bring me to the field of dandelions

Bring me to the mountains and let me walk until they end

Bring me to the empty cave

Bring me to the afterparty where everything has exploded

Bring me to the giant slide

Bring me to the beginning and let me be

You know what to do

By which I mean Stop

~ Eliza

No Longer There

Every day I ran from my house at sunset just to step on an old tree

where people had carved their initials and I would look out over my neighborhood

I guess it got too big because it’s no longer there

But in its place mushrooms grow out of the dirt showing that good things can come from sadness

Sometimes I still run up to the stump pretending that tree is still there

~ Bebe

My Mind of Other Ideas

The poem I couldn't write was stuck in my mind

The poem I couldn't write was hovering above me

The poem I couldn’t write was closer than I thought

The next word was in my head

The next word was lost in my ideas

The next word was in the walls

And the next word was behind me

And the next word was under the carpet

And the next word was in the cabinet

Until I found the last word rising from the paper

~ Quincy

The Empty Poem

The poem I couldn’t write was hiding in the trees.

It heard every noise, every chirp and every lurking creature.

The poem I couldn't write didn't want to be seen.

It sat in an empty dark room and tried to reach the stars. It couldn't.

The poem I couldn't write was stuck in its own mind wishing it could be free

~ Marlow

Now

Before, I was just a scavenger… Before, I was nothing but a person Before, I served no purpose… Before, I failed to succeed Soon, I will reach the end… Soon, I will ﬁnd the truth Soon, I will achieve my goal… Soon, I will conquer the world Then, I will stop.

~ Sammy

T h e E n d l e s s S w i r l s o f D a y l i g h t

I ﬁnd myself ﬂoating up to a cloud

I can hear laughter

From everyone who has come before me

I’m with you

The rays of your smile brush my face

As the swirls of time go

Deeper and deeper

Swallowed by this con versation

I didn't realize

How long its been

~ Mimi

BLANK

I am blank

My purpose not yet fulﬁlled

Hopefully completed with colors that gleam

But could I be completed with plain black lines

Could I already be complete

Is my meaning to lie here

Unfulﬁlled

Blank ~ Jack

The Freedom of Hope

One day when we find our fate

The hate will soon fade away

W hen you are suddenly found

The clocks starts to count

The sight of your eyes

Makes the fire collide

With the spirit of light

Tonight we dance by the sea

Tomorrow we hope to be free

~ Ellie

I’ll Stay

Off the side of the living room

Above the fireplace we never used

I sit

Waiting for someone to notice me

They don't and I slowly fade away

Disappearing to the back of their mind

The place where they keep all of the bad dreams

The sad and scary thoughts

The ones we choose to forget

The thoughts that disrupt the feelings of being safe

That is where I sit and that is where I'll stay

I've always been there

I‘ve always reminded you of the past

Of the times when you would fall asleep crying

The nights where you thought that the world would end

The nights that you felt that you were drowning

You look back at me you see the boat the choppy water

And you get reminded that you ’ re home, your safe

And nothing can hurt you

And I listen because that is my job

To bring emotions to your mind

And just exist as the sculpture

Of a boat in water

~ Hazel

I’m Carrying

I’m carrying happiness

I’m carrying sadness

I’m carrying life

I’m carrying joy

I’m carrying anger

I’m carrying pain

I’m carrying laughter

I’m carrying excitement

I’m carrying motivation

I’m carrying myself

~ Ike

Dry Lightning

My brain is a storm. It has no rain, no thunder, just lightning.

The lightning strikes new ideas as they come down. It is beyond my control. It is the poem I couldn't write with no words on a blank brain.

Every day a new storm of ideas come down. How many? Too many to count.

~ Hunter

Masterpiece of Today

Turn around, look at what the ancient world has given us. The swirl of dots. The river of faces with a single eye. I forget if there ever were more things in a single place, the mirror eyes, the river dots, and if this is real… it will be the masterpiece of today. Who knows, maybe love will be the superhero of tomorrow.

To Dad

Love you

~ John

Help Me

I need your help

You don't understand

You need to help me

My life could depend on it

And yet still you don’t help me

Can't you see I’m ﬁghting for my life

All I need to sur vive

Is for you to help me

They ’re coming to get me

And you are still just standing there

I Wish I Could Say It

I’m ﬁne, I say even though I’m not

I’m ﬁne I wish I could say it being truthful

Why do we say it even though we're not

I’m ﬁne, I’m ﬁne I say in my mind

But it doesn't feel right

My feelings aren’t ﬁne

~ Alexa

If I die from a lack of help we all know whose fault it is

You are not an innocent bystander you are guilty

Help me

~ Ayla

Fine

You hur t me I am ﬁne

You roast me I am ﬁne

You break my hear t I am ﬁne

You put metal in my mouth I am ﬁne

You demolish me in chess I am ﬁne

You bully me I am ﬁne

You cyberbully me I am ﬁne

You tell on me for no reason I am ﬁne

You wear a Phillies hat I am ﬁne

You curse at me I am ﬁne

Your loyalty turns into betrayal I am ﬁne

You wish I didn’t exist I am ﬁne

You lie in my face I am ﬁne

The Dodgers lose I am not ﬁne.

~ Micah

The World

The world is full of trees

The world holds many plants

The world has huts and rope bridges

The world is bright and lush

The world is cold

The world is always moving

The world is ﬁlled with snow

The world is freezing yet mystical

The world is dry and hot

The world is bumpy but smooth

The world is big and expanding

The world crumbles into pieces

The world is made with water

The world has many colors

The world is deep and dark

The world is calm but crazy

The world is scary

The world is slow but fast

The world rumbles with magma

The world is tall and unforgiving

~ Oliver

W hose Faces?

Turn around

Look at the view with so many faces

W hose faces?

Ants fighting to race back to the tunnel

Birds on a telephone line

A whirling river

One white snowflake at the edge of winter

So many intricate faces

One lonely flower that looks like a lotus

So many eyes watching you

And if you make a mistake

It’s over…

~ Audrey

Follow Me

Turn around, follow me

Is it tonight or tomorrow

I forget

Perhaps if I was already there

Things would change

Maybe it was too much

Or not enough

My brain is a swirl

I don't know what to do

Perhaps go to the river

And clear my mind

I’m Fine

I’m ﬁne even when I say I’m not

~ Chili

I’m ﬁne doing the same thing over and over again

I’m ﬁne with the crooked line even though all the others are straight

I’m ﬁne saying I’m ﬁne

I’m ﬁne! Now leave me alone

~ Leila

I’m Carrying Something That I Can’t

I’m carrying weight on my shoulders

I’m carrying something that I can’t

I’m carrying something that I can’t explain

I’m carrying an object that is not mine

I’m carrying something bigger

I’m carrying something new

I’m carrying something

[ Wait, that’s not what I meant]

I’m carrying something

[I’m ﬁne, you know, well]

I’m carrying this poem I wrote

~ Mathis

I Could Say I Was There

Tonight the river vanishes

But perhaps the water stays

I could say I was there

And if I was there tomorrow

The shoreline would soon follow

In 2000 years everyone will forget this story

With too much filling our brains

And all the ancient rumors

The lake will swirl away like a typhoon

~ Ace

What I’m Carrying

That’s not what I meant to do

But I’ll be ﬁne

I’ll try harder next time

I’m carrying pain

Everything hurts

I can’t do this anymore

Will I be OK?

I’m carrying anger

I can’t control my feelings

My head’s ablaze

I need to stop

I can’t keep doing this

I’m carrying motivation

I’m gonna keep trying

I’m gonna be OK

I’m carrying confusion

Did I do it?

Is that the ﬁnish line?

I’m carrying happiness

I did it!

I’m carrying tiredness

My body is done

I’m carrying my feelings

~ Finn

7TH GRADE

A zebra is a horse with a barcode.

Clouds are just lakes in the sky.

– Ethan, 7th grade poet

7A

Nature’s Afterthought

Angler ﬁsh reside in the deepest of waters. They are alone, Away from the other animals.

An anchor crashes into the ocean.

Alligators swim through amusing ponds.

As the lake glistens, a ﬁsh glides by.

Anacondas twist through the tangled area of branches

Aqua-colored water is visible through the apricot trees.

Axes strike through the leaves but arrows hit ﬁrst.

Apples can be found along the edge of the forest

Accept or decline the words of nature, all will be told eventually.

~ Ali

T he Trut h T hat Hides W it hin Me

I am not

(like people walking down the street , full of laughter. Watching the day go by as the laughter fades.

I am not worried that I don’t have an escape from the miser y of the past T he night sweeps in, consuming the day that is now gone. T he past is the present that becomes the future.

I am alone, no one is there any longer I run tr ying to escape from the truth that hides within me.

Sorrow ﬁlls the outside life and ever ything goes silent . No sound, not even the wind is there

People appear, surrounding me with laughter. T he joy of the day reappears and brings me hope. No one is)

per fect .

~ Alexa

Trut hs T hat Aren’t Real

I am ver y

(this is not my true home

I walked down the paciﬁc ocean tomorrow

I am sitting across from a paper plate

I am not made of bricks and sugar cookies

I have not touched a single- celled organism in 300 years

I am not a belly-ﬂopped oil hot air balloon that just robbed a supermarket my fellow genies are not in a glass cup

I have not had brown eyes before, only orange.

I don't exist in this per fect world

I can turn into a tornado anytime I want you just looked into a pineapple’s mind the sky is not painted with crayons but only drawn with humans’ ever yday thoughts.

I have hummed the national anthem of antarctica

I never had buldak ramen inside a roller coaster ride that never stopped I have not touched a penguin yet the world doesn't grow mango trees by itself headlights are only still alive because of a sky that is too indecisive to pick a time of day I just ran out of air, but she hasn't you're about to hear another lie)

bad at dance

~ Amai

Throwing a Version of Me into the Rain

I would like to throw a ball of unﬁnished letters

Into the gray air

There is a version of me ﬂoating in the unknown I’m ﬁnding the rhythm in the sky

Every breath singing a song

I’m just smiling through the rain

The only way to make to make someone ’ s day

~ Ava H.

Lies

I am blind

I am a bird

T he roof is made from pumpkin seeds

I see worms eating a miniature version of Mt Rushmore

T he ear th ﬂoats over a gigantic screening of the “T he Chronicles of Narnia”

I own a car

My parents are crabs

A syringe ﬂoats down a river of pies

I can see a red star racing towards the moon

My hand is a cardboard

I am a jellyﬁsh

I have guitars for ﬁngers

T he water is burning

Horses ﬂy in space

~ Calvin

3D Printers

3D printers are the maker of shapes.

To finish a print it takes some days. They extrude and extrude and break down anyway.

3D printers are the maker of shapes.

Filament bends in such strange ways.

We print in one filament then quickly change.

3D printers are the maker of shapes.

To finish a print it takes some days.

~ Cyrus

I Am Not on a line by Corinne Leong

I am not (a dog, I don't bark. I am not a toy, and I don't want to be used I am a person, I am a boy.

I like to watch tv and listen to music. I don't drive and don't own a car

Someday I will own a house. But until then, nothing’s new, nothing's per fect , unless you ’re) a per fect little animal.

~ Dylan

I Am Not Lying

I want to be free. ( Trapped under a one-pound blanket . I am stuck in a house that is not mine My body is limping across a wood ﬂoor covered in memories. T his is not a lie, but life is Life is something made up to keep someone from being bored.

I am tr ying to escape a lie, I grow a garden with the intention of distracting myself from the problems that are plastered all over my face Problems are made by my thoughts that I cannot escape.

I do not want to be lonely But to be lonely, I have to be alone. I am trapped with people who have my same intentions. People who are trapped with me We all want to be free. All trapped under a one-pound blanket we can not escape ) We want to be free.

~ Emily …

I’ve always wondered… What comes after…

In a story… Essay…

Maybe I don’t need to… Maybe that's the point… To be unknown… Left to imagination… I’ve always wondered… What comes after…

~ James M.

Loud

I would like to think quietly

There is a version of me that is loud.

I’m ﬁnding the rhythm in sound

I’m just someone who needs the noises to quiet. The only way to do that is to stay calm

~ Kasi

Hedgehog Poem

There is a hedgehog in my heart

He is fast as a dart

I saw him in the mart

He was smart

It really set him apart

He has no counterpart

Cant’t get him a la carte

With a heavy heart

I depart

Torn apart

I get a head start

But I’m as good as a spare part

~ Preston

Cold F ire

On a line by Calvinius Murray

I am a (ﬁsh that ﬂies through the sea as I walk across the sun

T he owl glides across the sur face of a volcano, the lava toasting its wings like marshmallows swimming through cold ﬁre.

Mountains of snowﬂakes ﬂoat through the sky

Arctic air bothers polar bears.

Rivers of melted cheese steam in the fragrant forests.

Donuts are ready to be pulled out of the frosty ocean.

Cr ying skies rain on bright forests. Squeaky animals run through brilliant ﬁelds as I see a bright green) bird.

~ Noah

The Used Playlist

Many songs were on a playlist

Most of them were mellow

Maybe one was added, maybe one was removed

May that one song rest in peace

Morning was a time for the playlist to be used

Mournful lyrics were rarely mentioned

Mean people would take them away, nice people will let them stay

Middle of the night the music would still play

~ Missy

In My Body I Feel No Pain

On a line by Jeﬀrey Bean

In my body

(I have never cried.

I have never felt the feeling of embarrassment

I have never listened to music at full volume to mute my thoughts

My head feels like a crowd of 10,000 yelling into my right ear while the left one is silent. The left one is experiencing loneliness.

I try to open the door, but it's locked

I keep pulling, thinking that it will suddenly open, but nothing happens.

I see people inside and try to get them to notice me.

I sit outside waiting.

Crowds walk pass, but they don't see me either

I shout, but they can't hear me

I am a ghost.)

I feel no pain

~ Liat

I Am Patient

I am a princess

(I am a bird whistling in the wind.

I am a box of presents waiting to be opened. You can keep it or return it. But sometimes you have to pretend you like it even if you don't.

My personalities can differ but there's usually a common theme.

I can glow in the sunlight but I’m not glow-in-the-dark.

I am patient but not all the time.

I don't always follow the trail of the treasure map yet I can still retrieve the treasure If I would like to.

I jump with joy.

I stand with boredom)

sitting In my castle.

~ Vivi F.

I Have a Question

It seems to be that I always end my poems with a question mark. Have you noticed that?

Maybe it’s because I want you to keep thinking after the words run out. But that seems like a poetic deception, don’t you think?

Maybe that’s a beautiful way of saying that I never really know what I’m saying. Does that make sense?

Maybe I don’t know how to express my thoughts. Or I’m afraid of saying something wrong, So I never say anything at all. Have you ever done that?

My words entrap a thousand meanings, one for everyone. Except for me. Isn’t that interesting?

Because I’m asking the question, not answering it.

~ Tuesday

Ideas Running around the Sky

I would like to throw my anger at the sun and let it burn There is a version of me swimming throughout the sky

I’m ﬁnding the rhythm that’s running through my ﬁngertips

I’m just sitting on the clouds watching the sky full of ideas

The only way to get rid of all the ideas Is to run through the sun and clear my mind

~ Kennedy

A Street Life

I am not

(happy with my destiny.

My family loves it , and wants me to be with them.

I want a thrill in life, I want a little spice.

But my actions cost me.

I drift away in a panic.

But I wake up to my dream, In the city I love where my idol once lived.

I’m living my dream Alone.

As I watch the city, I thought I was unnoticed.

But ghosts talk to me, they guide me.

T he man in my dreams tells me to use my knowledge to break the boundaries created.

I’m less than them, less to the apex predator

But he needs my help, he needs my gift

We are a team but he gets all the credit .

I’m happy to help to use my skills to gain an ounce of respect.

But respect is impor tant for someone like me.

All it takes is someone to believe in you to live out your dream.

Me and him will be the next generation

But still I’ ll never be) human.

~ Rose

Z-riﬃc

Zootopia was a zucchini of a movie

Zebra was zigzaging

Zodiac is not like zoology

Zesty boys like to zip to girls

Zone is zooming in

Zap is a zany feeling

Zoom is Zyon to video games

Zipper is zapping your hand

Zoglin is a zodiac in Minecraft

Zero is just kinda zero

~ Zyon

Horrible Truth

- Why?

- Why is it so hard for me to understand certain things that other people solve as easily as 2 + 2?

- Why do things like that feel foreign, like another whole language?

- Why can everything that I believe and work for fade away like waves washing onto the shore?

- How?

- How come I take a quiz when everything I knew ﬂoats away like gravity turned off just for me?

- How come it can feel like I’m ﬂoating in space, not understanding of feeling anything except nothing?

- How can some people appreciate things that don't feel like effort?

- How can people look at their day and believe that there is nobody who cares for them?

- I'm not too sure

- But is it possible that this world is beautiful?

- And that everything you do and feel is what you make of it?

Lincoln

Writing Out My Life

I would like to think about my future and create it into a reality

There is a version of me that doesn’t care so much about how I am perceived, and I’m almost positive it’s this one

I’m ﬁnding the rhythm in being carefree and unconﬁned

I’m just starting to write my life out on a piece of paper and create chapters

The only way to ﬁnish the book is to create this reality of my dreams and achieve it in this life where I don’t care how I am perceived

~ Juju

. . .

It’s almost as if I'm not ALWAYS supposed to be in this room

But maybe I am tomorrow you never know where to go

Maybe through three dots me thee ellipses

Find us secretly through the lines in the writing

Kind in mind but not ALWAYS ﬁne

In my mind it all aligns blind from what's coming next

Try to lie

Forever and beyond

Goodbye

~ Anabelle S.

Kick the Door Open

Knuckles hold the ring my grandmother gave me to keep

Kidney cancer took her life with me as next of kin

Kangaroos, I know, are the animals of her homeland

Kites fly in wind, kudos to the kids

Kick the door open with your knee

Karma will come for them

Kitchens hold kettles

Kale gets cut with a knife

Kiss the knowledge I hold

~ Kit

T he Period’s Grievances.

The question mark loves to travel

The idea of travel sparks imagination in the period.

But it ends abruptly.

Why does the question mark get to travel?

Why does the comma get a soft rest?

The period never keeps a lover

As always, the relationship stops after a few seconds.

Every thought ends immediately.

The period deserves better.

I deserve better

~ Ben

Percentage is Important, It's a Number, and It's Everywhere

5% of me prefers cats, the other 95% prefers dogs

98% of me loves basketball, and 2% hates it

75% of me loves burgers, but 25% of me thinks they taste horrible

Percentage is important, it's a number, and it's everywhere

Like right now 50% of me likes this poem, the other 50% isn't sure about it

Percentages can be used in many different ways

Just like how this poem could be 40% done or maybe its 90% done

Who 100% knows?

~ Skyler

I

Don’t Care

I don’t

(need to understand I live here In an ar t room without paintings around me I do not wonder what I’m going to do when I get home I want to sit here forever. I am glued to my seat . Unable to move. I am alone. I live alone. No one can tell me what to do. It is loud. I am not tired. I do not wonder when I can go to bed I wonder if anyone wants to) care.

~ Sophia

Anti-abandon

Abandon, we abandon almost everything we think, some people might agree with this but… what if it’s an amazing idea? Could it, and would it change the atmosphere surrounding us? Or would the antithesis happen?

Are we accomplished? Hardly! We are unable to do anything. An artist can’t do without abandoning and changing the original thought Anti, we all are against something in our lives, about to do things we will regret. Unable to change our fate, almost like an arctic wind pushing us oﬀ course.

~ Annabelle D

but not t he trut h

(on a line by corrine leong) i do not

(tell lies but not the truth either life is like wind in the fall fast but slow too leaves blow in the wind, dr y ones, greens ones similar to life, things come and go life has ups and downs but when life gets to be a lot the winds change and get stronger wilder meaner then the winds change again the leaves fall on the ground throughout your life just always remember to never )

pr y a single living thing apar t

~ darla

Elephants Eclipse

Elephants hop onto the elevator Eggs storm onto the escalator Energy is empty which is exactly why Elements have eleven moods Eﬃciency takes eﬀort but being Engaged is excellent. Everything should be named Ever, so Enter that world that includes elders. Exit that world and eat then Estimate the time it takes to come back. Explode back home where Equals are people everywhere. Even you

~ Ever

V-V-Vlackout Like a Phantom

Very-Berry Smoothie tastes like victory

Vroom, the sound of the DoorDash driver stopping to deliver my Volcano Smoothie

Vitamins are in it, though We need a vaccine

Vote has been taken to drink it. Still, not a vibe.

Ventilation is turned off. It’s getting colder, the opposite of Death Valley.

Vault with the vent key is too far. Visitors are not coming.

Voluminous whipped cream swirled with veggies.

Vacate the house, it’s too cold. I need my vest.

Volume is too loud. Turn the iPad down, we’re on the cover of Vogue.

~ Vivi C.

The Quotation Mark and Its Friend or Enemy

It’s like parallel lines running into inﬁnity

Or two countries at war overseas

But it could be two private islands waiting for lost travelers

Or twins looking at each other like a mirror

Unfortunately it's just another thing to get graded on

But it has a friend or an enemy

The period

Always close or far away

Always best friends or deep enemies

~ James B

We All Grow Together

We all grow together,

Unsolved Case Files

I sit there as the rhythm of the waves keep hitting the shore

Then rushes back to the ocean

It all happened right here

I’ve attached the clues into one sentence

Who? What? Where? I try to answer every question

But I don't know the answer myself

I can’t ﬁnd the mirror to look at my reﬂection

To see if I’m still the same as I was before

My memories are blurred together into one story

Maybe I don’t even know after all these years

Maybe I never knew

Not then not later not even now

~ Ava M.

A hivemind connected through and through.

We all can fly with our feathers.

We all grow together.

Rust can grow on leather.

All are stuck like me and you.

We all grow together,

A hivemind connected through and through.

~ Sidney

Greater Than

A view from an overlook > staring at the ground

Your new favorite song > the noises that surround us

A museum ﬁlled with ar t > a lonely empty room

Worried about easy test s > worried about high school

Travelling the world > never exploring

Going to bed > waking up

A sunny summer day > rain pouring from the January sky

Laughing with your friends > bored all alone

Wanting to grow up > grown up

~ Elle

A World of Commas

I won’t be writing about periods, because they’re not interesting, Commas, are, better, Commas are in so many different sentences, if you don’t use them, that’s sad, Like a Pringle hanging in between two ideas, that I will eat, Like a whistle about to be blown, Like a beanbag waiting to get sat on, Commas remind me of so many things, some of which, I can’t even name,

A comma is magical, Avada Kedavra, Wingardium Leviosa.

Nico

No Way In, No Way Out

I won't be in space//

I will be on the moon//

There is a gap//

Too far away//

Up and down all around//

I see space with no way in//

Endless riddles no way out//

But I will ﬁnd my new home//

Far far away//

Nowhere near//

Space//

~ Noah W .

Laced with Luck

Lions sit linked together

Lollypops sit locked forever

Lick the licorice it could leave whenever

Like the lamb it could be “whatever”

Louisiana is a lab for whomever

Lone is loss for the endeavor

Lonely is lemon but almost hardly ever

Lolly it’s diﬀerent it’s a label with whoever

Love is lovely don’t wait whatsoever

Lose a lemur rarely ever

Laced with luck? Never.

~ Lucy

Parallel Lines

Will the ﬁsh always swim - no one will know

Will the grass always grow - only it will know

Would life be as exciting as it is - only time will tell

Can telling the truth always be honest - the teller will not say

My life is bright - will it become dark

The sun is living - only waiting to explode

Will imagination die - only technology could destroy it

Parallel lines won’t touch - unless you knock them off course

Did you know that - watermelon is 93% water

Enjoy life - before time runs out

~ Dash

Bore Gore

Burger patties stacked high

Overﬂowing with cheese no lettuce in sight

Paired with fries a tasty treat

Dipped in a milkshake cannot be beat

Diabetes for sure insulin’s not cheap

Going to the doctor every day

My insurance has good coverage

But that's not what my doctor sees

Broke on the street paid with my card

Amex on me platinum’s gone

Debt on me is fuming

Moving to mexico for tax rebooting

~ Abe

Ko ol-B eans

Kangaroos hop like a kind person who Knows how to do karate and I don't

Know how to keep someone safe it’s well

Known that karma exists like a Knife that kisses almost like a Kitten that's keen to go to Kansas then Korea and soon to meet the King of Karaoke, so cute like a Koala in Kentucky with the Key of a knight saving the world

~ Kate

_ Underscore _

It's almost as if i was not there

But I am almost always in gamer tags

My older and taller brother is named Dash

My brother get s used a lot I feel bad for him

Me on the other hand Idontgetused 61548929 is my tag

My brother and I are always right in the top right

I have a lot of cousins that look like us

I am used in multiple symbols I just look different

I hope to get used more but you never know

Maybe the next time you type use me

Ethan

The nature of my mental conversation

I am comfortable

( in the presence of another and near a mind of power.

A mind wi thout the abili ty to judge

Wi thout thoug ht.

Wi thout unseen ideas

All cannot crush me anyway.

I am conﬁdent.

And far from the brink of ﬂoating away, in the swift but slow ocean.

That ocean doesn't haunt me, for why would i t?

I enjoy the safety of the sand.

The forest of possibili ties is a topic my mind will never get lost in.

I don't get caged up like a bird

I speak loud and proud!

Not thrown off the horse of mean or dull conversations

It is my safe place unlike the nature of the truth)

wi th strangers

~ Penina

8TH GRADE

If you knew what came next, would you change anything?

– Kate, 8th grade poet

The Dangers of Eating Junk Food

I ate some chips today

My tongue graced that crispy potato

The pringle says “hello” to my belly

My stomach digested some processed roots

My taste buds exploded

I smiled when I felt that sea salt and vinegar

It feels so good when it’s inside of me

A whole can would be good

But I’m afraid I can’t do that

It’d be swell if chips were all I ate

Then I would feel so lovely

But my throat is closing up

With the taste of a chip still on my tongue

The world fades to black

As I remember I’m deathly allergic to potatoes

~ Annika

Perhaps It’s the Law

Perhaps it’s the law but I don't care

I love bananas, but perhaps you don't like the taste of law

I know it’s weird and no one needs to know but I do. I don't think about you

~ Eve

Look at the Blue

T here is no blue

Only the orange ink of the pen

Once you are there

How is It possible, no

It isn’t possible, to look at the blue

T he dark sadness only

T here to counteract the Bright power of orange

Its vibrant ink

Is the secret of T he Pen

~ Ferran

There Is No Blue in a World of Black and White

So why can’t I be the color that is needed there?

Why couldn’t you have been the color that I needed here?

Is that too much to ask? You say no, but that’s too hard to believe and it makes me feel blue. How can you fit into my picture, in my life, into my heart? You broke me and told me I was less than.

A fool would never fit in my world. So why do you?

In a world black and white, red and blue, you fit in.

Everything goes black when you are near, when you are mentioned and I want my world white, with excitement and joy. I want my world white.

~ Addi

A Cave of Secrets

A horse in the hallway of goats

A balloon in a room of individuality

Humankind, a daydream of a bear stuck in a pear’s body

Corporations eat the fruits of reality

The cave of truth

Deep like a well in the basement of government hypocrisy

Some day a camel will fly

Time is a social construct alpacas use to see

Paralyzed by tampered hopping

Justice for an alpaca’s wife in the daydream of a made-up frog

Night believes it is day like the mask of John Adams’ facade

You led to the death of an odd cod

~ Thatcher

14 Ideas, 14 Memories, 14 Lies

I’m sorry I didn’t tell you

Now, so many lifetimes later, it’s too late

Not that you ever asked but still, I’m sorry

You never cared about The skies or the grass

You wouldn’t pay attention to The boats or the houses

You could look through the window

See one perfect morning up close

And not even notice

You were divided

It was hard to subtract your presence

From far away you looked perfect

In real life, I don’t even know

You’re just one tiny drop in this big universe

I don’t need you

~ Yuki

Happily Ever After?

She tried to write a story. Engines of thoughts were hot.

But she didn’t like where the map was leading. Would they enjoy the pain she endured to watch?

Did people want to live happily?

Did they care when she cried?

The dark thoughts consumed her. They left her, gone.

The emotion had to die.

Was there a bloodied twist?

She missed the happiness they brought.

(This is too much to hold for my journal)

~ Ava

Blend

the boat sailed by itself the skies changed, but the wind didn’t look close and see i dropped into the parachute

i’m sorry no one paid attention paid attention to me

you never had the perfect evening i said sorry 14 times i subtracted myself from the equation not that you asked

~ Joey

Regret

After Michael Torres

Regret is the devil of remembrance

Why forget those days just because you didn’t like something you did

Or because you didn’t do something

Usually when you regret not doing something you start to feel heavy

It could be something small or something large

It doesn’t matter

As long as it has detail

What if it gets blurred out from regret?

What would you do?

Would it start a ﬁre

Figuratively or physically?

Who knows

Only you do

You create the outcome

But you also create the input

So choose wisely

Because once it happens

There's no going back

What would’ve you done diﬀerently

I know what I would’ve done

But you might not

So think

About the choices made in your life

If you could choose them or not

Don't regret

Just do No

Don't just do

Think

I don't know anymore

~ Steele

Prettier Colors

T here is no blue it gets overshadowed by the prettier colors I hope I will never be there where are the people who say no or the people who feel blue because It always gets overshadowed by the things that mean nothing like whose color is prettier

but I don't care they’re just colors

~ Stella

Everything I Do

I am I love I like I run I walk I glide I eat I smell I look I see I hate I pretend I scream I relax

~ Dakota

14 Lives

In the window, 14 and more lives are out there

The skies reﬂect 14 other skies.

One perfect boat can go against 14 other boats.

Once you drop into real life, you turn 14

The boats ﬂow through the water for 14 million years.

Up close we could pay attention to 14 million particles.

So many things can happen when you are 14.

“I’m sorry but you are 14 years old and I’m eternity.”

Divide water by life into 14 billion years.

One perfect age of 14 could turn anyone's life up side down.

Not that you asked, but I once turned 14.

Subtract eternity and I will become the 14 I could have been.

14 could just mean 14.

You will never see what I could’ve become

~ Joaquim

Need – Space

Imagine you ’ re an astronaut stuck in outer space.

There are whole days where you don’t think of your hands.

Knowing everything you know now, do the stars feel heavier?

Do you miss having a sky to throw wishes against?

What blurs then builds a forest inside you?

~ Henry

A Living Season

Borrowing words from C.D. Wright’s “Morning Star”

Soothing poetry isn't the end.

The soles of your shoes sparkle.

The rutilant trees shine softly.

You walk through the oncoming points of sloughed-off cells.

Green trees with fins are lightly soaked.

The anxious clock beams through the road.

Little hills matter.

Sidereal light will always be allowed.

The end is simply a subject.

~ Dharma

After All

After I dreamed the words that ﬂew into my mind

After losing something I couldn’t ﬁnd

After I chased the only thing worth keeping, it melted

After it seeped through my ﬁngers and dripped on the hand that held its gold

After somebody said death is scary, I could tell they hadn’t danced with her

After her steps withered and bloomed, sharpened and softened

After I walked through rivers, and ﬂoated on landscapes

After learning time could only pass if you let it

After love had more power than words

After sharp corners turned to putty in my hand

After you told me there is no meaning if meaning itself is understandable

After I ran into the sun

I learned it’s not that far from the ﬁre behind your eyes

~ Olivia

I Walk the Rage after C D Wright’s “Morning Star”

Rage is countless.

It is a living road you walk through. You move further.

The clock beams.

The trees color and the hills are light-soaked. Oncoming anxious souls as you continue ahead.

It is for the good, the pain.

As you run through the hills a car comes

This isn’t the end.

Rage is countless.

Rage is dead

~ Luka

Divine Fear

Inspired by the Lonely Ghost I told the sky about you T hey found me but they didn't realize I wanted them to T hey were divine is what I was told I was told so many lies. T he fear I was living under was a fake sky I hated what I felt about you

~ Jaxon

It Was Right in Front of Me

14 times I tried but I couldn’t ﬁnd the only geometric landscape that stood out. People do that all the time.

If you knew you would understand. I heard somebody say something about this landscape. On one hand, what I was told was very strange. On the other hand, the things said were enticing. It’s not that far away, they told me.

The 14 times I couldn't ﬁnd it I was lost.

After the 14th, I could ﬁnally open my eyes. It was right in front of me.

The most beautiful landscape.

~ Jacob

Feel the Word Once Then Forget it Completely

After she snaps her dictionary shut her eyes ﬂutter close

She uses a word I once heard somebody say and adds it to the wall

Will I ever use this word, the girl wonders

The only time will be now

Her green eyes will forget it in 14 days.

It's not far from the time she will feel the word once and forget it completely.

On the other hand, the day doesn't come fast enough.

Because a 14 year old girl doesn't need to know the word “limerance.”

Merriam Webster doesn't think so anyway.

If she knew what it meant her life would be much easier.

She longs to forget “limerance.”

Yet she can't ﬁnd meaning in any other word

~ Wren

In t he Middle of It All

After the ﬁnal leaves fall landscapes of white

are not that far from home

Delicate snowﬂakes multiply

I can’t ﬁnd a reason for leaving 14 days and 14 more

T he only bit of green is added to the past

In the middle of it all

Geometric shapes cascade down from above

Frozen hands bundled in joy

A dictionar y of words, yet none ﬁt the feeling

~ Br yn

One Without the Other after C.D. Wright’s “Morning Star”

The car sparkles

The raging clock

The countless roads

The never-ending light

Anxious you isn't soothing

Bright teeth and eyes

Tree seasons go ahead

Shoes need soles

Rage needs pain

Music needs poetry

Green needs color

Cells need matter

Shine needs sparkle

~ Pepper

In t he Middle of It All

After the ﬁnal leaves fall landscapes of white are not that far from home

Delicate snowﬂakes multiply

I can’t ﬁnd a reason for leaving 14 days and 14 more

T he only bit of green is added to the past

In the middle of it all

Geometric shapes cascade down from above Frozen hands bundled in joy

A dictionar y of words, yet none ﬁt the feeling

~ Br yn

Rust

Overthrowing wishes against tiny windows

The forest blurs things that are too speciﬁc

Taking space feels heavy

But whole days with space are like setting ﬁre to writing

Taking space is like reﬂective silver jewelry tarnishing

Taking space can replace hands for stars that slowly blind you

~ Zach

I Love Sleeping

I can't get enough

I don't have to worry about a thing

Nothing gets better than that

But the clock screaming interrupts me

This clock I hate

But I need it too or else I will be late for school

Do I throw it out the window

Throw it out the window do I

But I get up

I’m dizzy and can’t keep my eyes open

Away I‘m fading

I love sleeping

Yet I can't go back

~ Luca

Alaska Was the Breeze of Air I Needed

I started to feel the cold breeze in Alaska

The air was not warm on me

Alaska ready wasn't me for

The trees didn't mind the cold refreshment

I'm not the trees, I’m me

My body froze up when it felt warm again

Like I get don’t cold the

The start has to come to an end with the wind

Alaska was the breeze of air I needed

Yet am I human

Humans act a certain way

Humans don't ﬂoat the way wind does

Because humans don't mind the gust of coldness

Only I do.

~ Sasha

13, 14, 15

When I sleep, I wear the number 14 on my t-shirt.

Dictionaries don’t have the deﬁnition of 14.

It could be in a geometric math problem.

I heard somebody say that 13 is an unlucky number. I think they think 14 is safe.

Do they realize it’s not that far from 13?

Maybe I’ll add a sweater to my collection.

A 14th one, or maybe one with the number 14 on it.

If you knew the landscape of this terrain, you’d be more familiar with the number 15.

People do that all the time.

Forget 15.

I mean.

I heard someone say that 16 is irrelevant. And so is 41, I suppose.

It has something to do with that t-shirt. It’s random, and it’s true, but I really can’t ﬁnd that shirt!

Between 13, an unlucky number, and 15, an irrelevant number, what’s there to choose?

The only option seems to be 14. 14 on my shirt, soon, 14 my age. In the middle of a room, I ﬁnd myself looking for 14.

~ Kate

Every Time I Eat

After I eat some food

The only thing that would make me feel better is eating more.

If you knew me, I would tell you I’m a food addict.

I can’t find a way to get clean.

I heard somebody say I’m big.

People do that all the time.

Each day I add more food to my belly

In the middle of my stomach food gets stuck

When someone takes a picture of me they have to do it in landscape mode

I have 14 meals a day

I have a world record for most Big Macs eaten in one sitting

My body is geometric, I’m made up of circles.

I multiply every time I eat.

My body is so big, it’s not that far from combustion.

~ Milo

After 14 Jersey Mike’s Subs

I can’t ﬁnd any money to buy more subs

I heard somebody say “You eat too much Jersey Mike’s” but I don’t care

The only thing I care about is eating more Jersey Mike’s

One of my favorite things to add is the red wine vinegar

On the other hand, the cheese is very good

In the middle, freshly sliced turkey

If you look up Jersey Mike’s in a dictionary, the deﬁnition should be greatness

I’m driving to Jersey Mike’s right now, it’s not that far

I love eating Jersey Mike’s, people do it all the time

The landscape of the bread is perfect

The cheese sliced geometrically Noah