This week’s class focused on concrete details, description, repetition, and mysterious connections in Yannis Ritsos’ poem, Because, (translated from the Greek). Students were asked to imagine ‘excuse’ clauses that might be used to explain a situation or the non-linear connection between a string of images. Here are some of the whimsical results!
Mrs. Nazimek, 8th Grade
1st Period
Decision…
Isaac M.
I don’t know why blue is shy
I don’t know why the shy was ashamed
I don’t know the reasons why
I don’t know your perspective
I don’t know why I didn’t get it
It wasn’t me who made
this decision
Because I
Iziah M.
Because I was getting ready
Because I woke up late
Because I hurt my arm
Because I was tired
Because I lost my homework
Because I don’t like school
for this reason I was late for school
Untitled
Anayja B.
Because the boy got caught
Because she got fired
Because they had a gun
Because the police came
Because their plan got messed up
Because they got arrested but it
wasn’t them.
Mrs. Nazimek, 8th Grade
2nd Period
Untitled
Oscar A.
because the Kee’s were dying,
because the sky was always dark,
because the mirror was dirty,
because the people fought
because the street light’s never worked
because the book was ripped
For this, only for this reason you left me.
Untitled
Jose A.
Because I told you so
Because your room is dirty
Because you didn’t do your homework
Because you hit your brother
Because you didn’t do your chores
Because the house is a mess
That’s why you are grounded
Morning
Andrea H.
We see it in the morning, it’s pink, orange, yellow
We see it in the morning sometimes happy or sad
We see it in the morning it sends down surprises
We see it in the morning outside our windows
We see it in the morning the sun and could live there
I’m sad to see it leave everyday but I know
it will be there in the morning
Mrs. Nazimek, 8th Grade
3rd Period
Untitled
Viviana L.
Because the traffic was too crowded
Because the playgrounds grew to buildings
Because the babies started walking
Because the water turned to ashes
Because the couple weren’t happy
Because the worker walked out quitting
Because the mountain turned to human
Because the star shined too bright
Because all they could do was–
For this, well just this reason, I couldn’t focus.
Because
Gabriel G.
Because the unicorn came down and talked to me
because the fisherman acted like a fish
because I was a victim of Iiezygous
because I was invited to go to sleep on the moon
because the people at the park started flying
for this reason I was late.
No Excuses
Justin C.
Because the wind flows wildly like the river
Because the dog wags its tail when its happy or excited
Because cars were built to drive on the street
Because bees make honey
Because birds fly
Because trees fall like the rain in the thunderstorm
Because the Earth floats alone like that kid in the corner
I’m not trying to make up excuses, I
am
making excuses.
