The places we blossom from tell great stories of our journeys. This week, Hale 6-8th grade poetry club explored this theme and relied on their five senses to paint a more vivid picture of the places that birthed them. On Tuesday, we took a page from fellow Poet-In-Residence Logan Lu and read Carl Sandburg’s poem “Chicago.” Together we reflected on the complicated relationship many of us have with the city. We chatted away about the scent of Portillo’s and the city’s gorgeous skyline, while also noting the harder parts of living in Chicago. On Wednesday, students read Hayan Charara’s “Ode on an Abandoned House” and wrote home poems of their own, each of them using descriptive language to help their reader clearly envision their favorite spaces in their homes. Enjoy this lovely poem by our very own, Ocean.
Ms. Marasovich’s After School
Grades 6-8
Chicago
Ocean G.
Beggars on the road, they come and go
Rats races across the streets, they come and go
Guns go boom boom boom! It comes and goes
Money only goes up and up
But its not mine or yours
Not even for the store
The strong scent of mouth watering food
comes and stays
The heart stopping statues and stones
comes and stays
The soothing sounds of running water
comes and stays
Flashing lights come and stay
So much magic, so much pain
Perhaps one day the pain will go away
Or will the magic leave first?
After all, all good leaves one day
For now, I live in the moment
and hope it stays another day
