What’s Your Name?

This past Monday kicked off Lawndale Community Academy’s Poetry Residency with Ms. Barker’s 6th and 8th grade ELA classes. Our first session was an opportunity to get to know each other; thus, the day’s theme was our names. “Choosing My Name” by Puanani Burgess got poets talking about what makes names powerful, and why they matter. Students then wrote poems about their own names, and what beautiful names they are!

Ms. Barker

6th Grade

[untitled]

by Noel C.

I get my name from my unc

Leon is mine but the

other way Noel and Leon

And my

name is Santa

in Spanish

I am a good

person I am nice

to other people

I am pretty

[untitled]

by Nikol Q.

Nikol your name means victory

It means that of all

Ms. Barker

8th Grade

[untitled]

by Janya C.

Hey my name is Janya. When I

come I come correct, my name 8000.

Coooool it’s like a pain in your

chest. Close your eyes open your

hand matter fact cut on the fan.

I’m so cold the heat’s going to hit

the floor.

My Name Is

by Geane C.

From my mom

My name is Geane

Not Genie

Not Gene

Not Geanne

It’s a piece of her

that can’t be removed

My name is Geane

From my dad

My name is Nevaeh

Not Naveah

Not Nevena

Not Neaveh

It’s a part of him

That he cherishes and loves

My name is Nevaeh

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TESTIMONIALS

“Writing poetry makes me feel like I can see myself, like I can see my reflection, but not in a mirror, in the world. I write and I know I can be reflected.”
-Oscar S.

“Writing poetry makes me feel free.”
-Buenda D.

“Writing poetry is like your best friend.”
-Jessica M.