Students in Ms. Willa’s Language Arts class were recently asked to write a poem based on the prompt, “I am from…”  The resulting poems revealed that we have some gifted – and courageous – writers in our midst!  Two students were kind enough to let us publish their poems online and in our newsletter.  Thank you Marilynn and Lori!

I Am From…

by Marilynn Boyer

I am from pain
I am from the home where I’m always to blame
I am from the mother who to the streets was a slave
And a father who forced me to be brave
I am from knowledge
Yet I am from a city where no one goes to college
Potential is wasted because life has denied it
As a victim to the streets, all there is is hiding
Still I am from freedom
My history is stronger than me settling for being dumb
Once I find my path, my family, I will lead them
I will give others hope; something to believe in
I am from pain
But one day these streets will know my name
Preventing the slain, giving life back to the estranged
And finding a way to keep the hate refrained

Where I’m  From

by Lori Brown

I am from a place of love and hate.
I am from a place where you must finish your plate.
I am from a place of joy.
I am from a place where the girls are outnumbered by the boys.
I am from a place where you are taught to obey.
I am from a place where you must say yes and not okay.
I am from a place of many colors.
I am from a place where you only worry about yourself and not others.
I am from a place of happiness.
I am from a city that shows no love.
I am from the city of brotherly love.
I am from a mother that tells me to live for the day.
I am from a father that tells me to mean what I say.
I am from an environment that is negative.
I am from an environment that can be positive.
I am from that man above.
I am from a couple that fell in love.
I am from an education system that won’t give help.
I am from the big blue sky.
I am from a world of lies.
I am from a big universe.
I am from a place that can not be rehearsed.
I am from a very confused place.