“The Maple” by artist Mandy Budan

Students understand that poetry can serve as a kind a solace. Writing about a personal “paradise” puts these young poets in touch with the true meaning of home.

• Paradise by Kevin
• New Mexico by Liliana
• Dear Joseph by Amelia
• Midnight World by Huyunnsun
• The Time of Green Moons by Jacob

David reads his poem "Going to Cuba" at Discovery Green. Photo by Yvonne Feece.

I will leave Houston on

a very good note.

I will go to Cuba,

walk in the 90 degree heat.

I will go to Cuba,

dance in the streets for fun.

I will go to Cuba,

make beans out of scratch.

I will go to Cuba,

swim in the warm, brown water.

I will go to Cuba,

learn how to speak español.

I will go to Cuba,

eat plantains for breakfast.

I will go to Cuba.

It will be gorgeous at night.

by David, 3^rd grade

Click the link (above) to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by A’Viyon Robinson, a 4th grader from Parker Elementary.

This poem is featured as part of the 2012 A Poem A Day campaign, a National Poetry Month celebration by Writers in the Schools (WITS) that features a different poem by a WITS student every day during April. Click here to learn more.

"el carnaval del arlequín" by joan miró

This house is very empty.

There are only cleared-out spaces.

But this house has

something special.

This house is a dreamer.

It wakes me up early in the morning

So that I can dance to its ancient

song of

praise.

This house is set where

two rivers meet and rush.

Have you ever danced until the

thieving sunset stole your light of day?

Because I have, in my house.

The blue stones in the rain

are the music that I dance to.

My house is made of brick and wood.

But my house has a soul. Believe it.

My house is old, but comfortable.

I touch the rusted pipes that still let me live.

My pliés and pirouettes are better

when I’m in my house on the top floor.

My blood, pumping out imagination until

the day draws to

its close.

I leap and bound on my garden path.

I skip across the quiet river.

A peaceful house,

a peaceful setting,

a dancer’s house.

by Anna, 3^rd grade

Click the link (above) to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Jaycee Jamison, a 4th grader from Parker Elementary.

This poem is featured as part of the 2012 A Poem A Day campaign, a National Poetry Month celebration by Writers in the Schools (WITS) that features a different poem by a WITS student every day during April. Click here to learn more.

Forest Collage (Photo credit: zebble)

I touched the magic pool of water and closed my eyes. The wind blew past my hair, whoosh. When I opened my eyes, I was in the forest!

I walk through a tangle of vines and branches. Aware of every detail around me, I listen to the wind whispering the secrets of the jungle, shhhh. I bend down, sniffing the delicate scent of the flowers.

As I rest in pleasure, a gentle rain starts to fall, plink, plink, plink. The combination of the fresh drizzle and the sweet honey tastes wonderful. When the drizzle stops, I can smell the warm, moist air and feel the wet leaves and soft ground. Feeling calm and pleasant, I lie down to rest as the little birds lullaby me to sleep, tweet, tweet, tweet.

By Elena, 2nd grade

"Cosmic Flower" by Takashi Murakami

I want to give you flowers so that you are happy.

I want you to feel my heart.

I would like to give you toys.

Some sun to keep you warm.

A star so you can sleep calmly and with love.

I would especially like to give you my heart.

By Jocelyn, 1st grade