As we continue distance learning, students at Taft Freshman Academy continue to generate beautiful poems! This week’s poems are inspired by Kevin Young’s, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out, which is constructed by combining various song lyrics and titles. Students experimented with linking lyrics and titles together to craft a poem that is at once a puzzle and a piece of art.
Lesson Note: ‘In a time of crisis, poetry can help focus our fears and transform ‘noise into music’ … In effect, poetry “aims in every possible way to reaffirm the world that we actually inhabit, in all its vital, messy, beautiful, tragic reality. Mar 10, 2020, The Washington Post.
Ms. Taylor, 8th Grade
Period One
Live
By Keeley G.
Not Today,
Put weakness away.
To endure a little more
Today we will survive
It’s not a forced dream, a relief pitcher.
My unhappiness is past its limit
Don’t kneel, don’t cry
They say I’m on my way to happiness…
Don’t know how to live…
Don’t know how to fly…
song
By Travis C.
Never gonna give you up
Somebody once told me
You’re the sunflower
Cause you’re a natural
Take on me
I’m on top of the world
Shots
Walking the wire
Its time
Ms. Taylor, 9th Grade
Period Two
IDK
By Elisabeth T.
You told me you loved him in Georgia
And he’s singing shes a shes a lady and i am just a boy
Let me take you dancing
Cause im mr. loverman
Won’t you stay awhile
Nothing around here is quite as it seems
We can make it if we try
Tell me are your eyes brown blue or green
I’m never gonna give you up
We didn’t start the fire
(royalty)
By nathan w.
My oh my
Living and learning
Made us feel like kings and queens
We laugh now and cry later
They wanted to see us fall
The people with no good vibez
Ms. Taylor, 8th Grade
Period Four
ode to fame
By Janelli g.
Get a load of this train wreck
His hairs a mess and he doesn’t know who he is yet
Drop school and people to play music all night
you’ll make a dollar an hour
at least you’ll like your life
I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
Even though the neighborhood thinks I’m trashy and no good
you’ve married an Icarus
he has flown too close to the sun
step out of the sun if you keep getting burned
I tried to reach the sun but gum is stuck to my shoe
you were beautiful
and vulnerable
and power
and success
I’ll play god today
ante up and play that god a poker game
walk away with all of little gods spare change
Watch the world burn.
Untitled
By Yash P.
I don’t want to have to go.
But I’ve gotta go and try.
I can’t change my past but I can.
Make my future.
Until the last breath.
Until the last line.
Until the world stops.
I’ll make the future.
I’ll make the future.
Though the days and the years.
I will thrive
Ms. Taylor, 8th Grade
Period Six
Untitled
By Leonardo D.
Some people say they wanna live forever
That’s way too long I’ll just get through the day
Untitled
By Slaone B.
Let me save you
Never mind the friends I’m making
You’re not alone,
Let me break this awkward silence
Your eyes still vacant and stained
And I mean this more than words could ever say
This is not the life it seems
This was the best time of my life
I’d encourage your smiles
I’d expect you’d all cry
Did you get what you deserve?
And break into a million pieces
Hanging By A Thread
By Tyler S.
I don’t know if it’s because my heart hurts or if I’m insecure
Need a change before I go insane
My brain is going everywhere
I´ll lie and say I´m fine
Playing love games is a standard
I gave her all of me
Knew it was the fall of me
Loving you is hypnotic
She’s a girl and a serpent
Love is not fair
Let my insecurities take over
Freezing in my agony
Crying out for help
do you hear me calling
I can’t keep it together
I don´t wanna be lonely no more
She don’t love me I don’t either
She really had me looking like a fool
An angel with devil horns
No good for me
Drown in my sorrow
It don’t hurt as bad as it used to
Feel like I’m running a race and not winning
I’m a loner ‘till the end
My life is a death race
Ms. Taylor, 9th Grade
Period Seven
This Love is Extraordinary
By Bissan A.
Just the two of us
It was a good day
but I can’t help falling in love with you
I can’t stop the feeling
Stay with me
This melody is meant for you
Must I travel far and wide?
Do you think time would pass me by?
I will not let anything take away
Through the days and nights
Nothing compares, no worries or cares
When I am with you, there’s no place I’d rather be.
