We explored the powerful device of Repetition in Phil Kaye’s poem of the same name. Some poems in our workshop are ‘after’ Kaye’s work.
Lesson Note: Writer/Performer Anna Deavere Smith who interviews people and then writes those interviews down verbatim like poetry, insists that it is in our utterances between words and our repetition of them that finds us really ‘talking.’
Mrs. Nazimek, 8th Grade
Group 2
Untitled
Jiovanni A.
I was born living through forgiveness.
Mother tried to provide my childhood
I was born living through hate
I was from a place where you’re not welcome
People didn’t see what I see
Different experiences, different people
My parents separated before I had memories
I didn’t have all I wanted growing up
I used what I had & was thankful
I didn’t want to complain
Mother tried to provide my childhood
See you can’t trust everybody
They switch in a blink of an eye
I was born living through hate
I heard too much I seen too much
They weren’t there when I needed them
but only one person was
Mother tried to provide my childhood.
Untitled
Alma Z.
I remember laying
on my bed thinking about
space. I remember aliens
kept popping up in my
head. Aliens. Aliens. Aliens.
Are Aliens real? Can they
see us? What planet
may they live in? Do
they have water up there?
Of course, I believe
in aliens. What kind of
person do you think
I am?
I learned to not
believe everything, but
believe in what you
want. I believe aliens of
course. Believe. believe. believe.
Why do we have to
be a part form aliens?
We would be best
friends, or just friends.
I want to learn more
about aliens? Do they have
15 million eyes? Are they
blue, pink, green or even yellow?
Do they have one leg?
Wait. Wait. Wait. Do they
look like us but just
Slimy, glittery, shiny.
And are they all of
the colors in the
rainbow?
Wow!
I remember laying on
my bed thinking about
space.
Mrs. Nazimek, 8th Grade
Group 3
Family
Daniel M.
Family. Family. Family.
Most people say it’s more important than anything else
behind that is school and friends.
See not to offend others,
but my parents are together, not separated.
and I’m glad of that.
and it’s strange to think about divorce if your parents are together
and happy.
Family. Family. Family.
It’s strange to think if your siblings weren’t born to them.
My sisters are a bit frustrating at times but…
Valentine Day
Adryanna R.
I-I-I don’t understand the meaning of Valentines
Love, Love, Love
Today is Valentine Day
Today is the day of love
Love, Love, Love
It gets thrown around too much
couples are fake today
Single people feel lonely
Love, Love, Love
Today is Valentine Day
Heart’s everywhere, chocolate everywhere
I don’t like Valentines
But I do love Kit Kats
Today is Valentine’s, and I hope I get
my chocolate.
Mrs. Strus
7th Grade
Untitled
Alexis L.
Family is something you can count on.
Family-Family-Family
But what if your family is separated?
Separated-Separated-Separated
Everything should be the same…
But everything’s apart
apart-apart-apart-
It’s not the same, but boom
WAKE UP! You’re not the only person on this Earth.
Stop thinking about just yourself! It’s not
Serious-Serious-Serious
Hurting
Joseph M.
I, as a little kid, was always hurting
I would trip on rocks.
I would
