Category Archives: writer

Apr. ’12

Pond

–Inspired by the Cy Twombly Gallery

Cy Twombly "Untitled Parts III and IV" 1988

I feel the sorrow going through my veins

as I jump into the pond.

I sink, the crystal clear tree

reflecting in the lake.

I fall with my joyless life,

sink and sink into the green.

I land on a fish. We

swim into an underwater land.

My sorrowful face turns

joyful, like finding a smiling pot of gold.

There is no hole in my heart anymore;

gray rainy clouds suddenly break

into blue, a gold flaming sun.

by Malia, 4th grade

Click the link (above) to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Jasmin Rubio, a 4th grader from Parker Elementary in Houston.
apad

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.

Posted by Marcia. Categories: art, national poetry month, nature, poem a day, poetry, student, writer, writers in the schools, writing. Tags: 2012 A Poem A Day, cy twombly, pond, wits. Leave a comment

Apr. ’12

This Particular Memory

Happy boy at the beach (Photo credit: alobos flickr)

Where is the boy I used to be?

Is he still in my heart?

Is he living in my memory?

Is he where I used to be?

Is he happy?

Is he playing with friends?

Is he here or is he there?

I think the boy is with me.

I wish he didn’t grow up so fast.

When he smiles, he brings out

happiness in everyone.

We must never let anyone take away

this happiness.

by Alfredo, 10^th grade

Click the link (above) to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Parker Tagtmeier, a 4th grader from Parker Elementary in Houston.
apad

Posted by Marcia. Categories: loss, national poetry month, poem a day, poetry, student, writer, writers in the schools, writing. Leave a comment

Apr. ’12

Freshly Fallen Leaf

Autumn Leaves (Photo credit: blmiers2)

“Please let me fall

on top of the others.

Please let me fall gently

on top,” says the leaf

as he rocks back and forth.

The leaf has dreamed his whole life

of falling off the old tree.

He was the last leaf on the tree.

Now the tree is empty.

by Justin, 3^rd grade

Click the link (above) to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Som Gaeeni, a 4th grader from Parker Elementary in Houston.
apad

Posted by Marcia. Categories: national poetry month, nature, poem a day, poetry, student, writer, writers in the schools, writing. Tags: leaf poem, tree poem. Leave a comment

Apr. ’12

Freeze

The moment I would freeze

Photograph by Karen Sachar
ksachar.com

would be the moment I saw my newborn sister.

I would touch her soft and fragile

skin. I would see her intense brown eyes that when the sun

hits them look like caramel all sweet and soft that you

would love to eat but you can’t eat them. When the

darkness hits them they are like two big dark clouds approaching

you, trying to scare you. Her eyes are soft and scary

but still they are beautiful. I would look at her face and

try to make out her expression. If I see pain, I would

try to comfort her and make her happy. If I see joy,

I would play and play with her.

by Angel, 7^th grade

Click the link (above) to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Kiana Adoin, a 4th grader from Parker Elementary in Houston.
apad

Posted by Marcia. Categories: family, national poetry month, poem a day, poetry, student, writer, writers in the schools, writing. Tags: Karen Sachar, little sister poem, new baby poem, sibling poem, sister poem. Leave a comment

Apr. ’12

Winning Poets to Read at MFAH on Saturday

The winners of the ARTlines competition for ekphrastic poetry (poetry inspired by art)

ARTlines is a juried competition organized by Public Poetry in collaboration with The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH). Nine works of art were selected by the MFAH curatorial staff, and the competition invited poets to submit original poems inspired by these artworks.

The winning poems will be showcased at an event at 3:00 PM in the Brown Auditorium at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston on Saturday, April 21, 2012, and will also be featured in audio recordings, print and electronic media. The five judges, as well as some acclaimed, nationally recognized poets, will be invited to present ekphrastic poems as well.

Additional information about the competition winners and Saturday, April 21 event is available here.

Posted by Marcia. Categories: art, contest, event, national poetry month, poetry, Reading, writer, writers in the schools. Tags: ekphrasis, ekphrastic poetry, MFAH, Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Leave a comment

Apr. ’12

Going to Cuba

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.
apad

Posted by Marcia. Categories: national poetry month, place, poem a day, poetry, Spanish, student, travel, writer, writers in the schools, writing. Tags: Caribbean, Cuba poem, Havana, travel poem. Leave a comment

Apr. ’12

Celebrate Literacy with HoustonPBS

Hosted by Houston’s former First Lady, Andrea White, the evening will include a panel discussion moderated by KUHF News reporter, Edel Howlin with leaders from local literacy organizations. Mrs. White will also debut her new children’s book Tummies on the Run, with co-author Mimi Vance.

Admission is FREE but you must register online.

Featuring a distinguished panel of literacy experts:
Margaret Doughty, Literacy Powerline
Sheri Foreman, Houston Center for Literacy
Dr. Rhea B. Lawson, Houston Public Libraries
Robin Reagler, Writers in the Schools

Presented in conjunction with World Book Night.

Tuesday, April 17, 2012 at 6:30pm
at the United Way Community Resource Center.

Presenting Sponsor: John P. McGovern Foundation

For more information call 713-743-8459 or visit
www.houstonpbs.org

Posted by Marcia. Categories: books, creativity, event, Houston, national poetry month, publishing, writer, writers in the schools, writing. Tags: Andrea White, Houston, literacy, Margaret Doughty, Rhea Lawson, Robin Reagler, Sheri Foreman, World Book Night. Leave a comment

Apr. ’12

A Dancer’s House

"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.
apad

Posted by Marcia. Categories: imagination, national poetry month, place, poem a day, poetry, student, writer, writers in the schools, writing. Tags: Dance, dance poem, dancer poem, performing arts. 1 Comment

Apr. ’12

Collage

The cage was covered in an

elegant cloth,

with a practical bird

inside.

The sign was actually a

picture,

with a person fleeing

in the forest.

To the villagers this was

common, as ordinary

as can be.

A miracle was

necessary, to have

a success.

A sound reflected

in the silence

from the shallow

water,

a ripple

made a gentle

sound,

an equal to the world’s

finest picture,

the freshness of justice

and the evergreen

scent of nature.

Fire never wanted

a truce with water

but thought it was

foolish otherwise.

Oh, the wonders!

by Camille, 3^rd grade

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

Posted by Marcia. Categories: animal, national poetry month, nature, poetry, student, writer, writers in the schools, writing. Tags: bird poem, collage, justice poem. Leave a comment

Apr. ’12

Singing Birds

In the morning a bird sings

“chirp, chirp, chirp.”

It sings about how it wants

to use words instead of sounds.

Soon there is a choir of birds

singing about what they want to do.

They will sing about eating good food,

about being grown.

They will sing about human things,

how they would want arms for wings,

and mouths for beaks, singing.

by Luke, 3^rd grade

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

Posted by Marcia. Categories: animal, creativity, national poetry month, poem a day, poetry, student, writer, writers in the schools, writing. Tags: Bird vocalization, Literature, national poetry month, poetry. Leave a comment

Apr. ’12

Wake Up

Image via Wikipedia

(inspired by Anis Mojgani’s “Direct Orders”)

Wake up like there’s no tomorrow

Wake up like you’ve had a bad dream

Wake up like there’s a tiger racing after you

Wake up like the sky is falling

Wake up like your house is on fire

Wake up like you’re being chased down the street

Wake up like you’re Batman beating the Joker

Wake up like you’re late for basketball practice

Wake up like you didn’t finish your homework

Wake up like you’re ready to start the day

Wake up like you’re happy to see your friends

Wake up before you fall back to sleep

Wake up like you have a fridge full of Dr. Pepper

Wake up like it’s time for the cheer competition

Wake up like the universe is ending and

you only have one chance to be yourself.

By Alyssa, age 11

Click the link (above) to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Laura Anawaty (4th grade) and Jacob Goins (2nd grade) from Parker Elementary.
apad

Posted by Marcia. Categories: creativity, imagination, inspiration, national poetry month, poem a day, poetry, student, writer, writers in the schools, writing. Tags: Anis Mojgani, April, Batman, Dr Pepper, national poetry month, poem. 1 Comment

Apr. ’12

La mariposa/The Butterfly

photo by Flat Cat Designs - click to see more

Un día vi una mariposa.

Yo me asomé por la ventana, y me salí de la casa.

Yo quería agarrar esa mariposa tan bella.

Corrí y tomé mi bicicleta para poder atraparla.

Después me subí a un avión para poder atraparla.

Luego la toqué y se sintió suave. Pude oler un rico perfume.

Yo escuché a la mariposa que seguia volando.

Mi corazon se sintió feliz de ver a la mariposa rosada tan bella.

Por eso me sentí contenta y feliz.

One day I saw a butterfly.

I looked out the window, and I went out of the house.

I wanted to catch the butterfly, it was so beautiful.

I ran and took my bicycle to try to catch it.

After that I went up in an airplane to try to catch it again,

then I touched the butterfly which felt so soft. I was able

to smell a magnificent perfume.

I heard the butterfly that continued to fly.

My heart felt happy to see the pink butterfly so beautiful.

For all these things I felt so content and happy.

By Emily, Kindergarten

Click the link (above) to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Chase Hayes and Van Logan Garcia, 4th grade students from Parker Elementary.
apad

Posted by Marcia. Categories: animal, national poetry month, nature, poem a day, poetry, student, writer, writers in the schools. Tags: Butterflies, Butterfly, national poetry month, Outdoors, Wildlife. Leave a comment

Apr. ’12

Red Triangle Piñata

photo by aroid via flickr

Me and my brother will hang

my red triangle piñata from a half-moon,

and I’ll punch it in.

It will sound like a song

when it breaks

and the candy melts out and falls on me

and then it drips on me

and feels like chocolate.

Inside are my cousins

jumping on the bed,

screaming so loud my brain

starts to scream.

And JD’s throwing a pass

to Josiah who passes it to me,

and I run for a touchdown

and do a Michael Jackson dance by myself.

With shiny black Jordans flying in the air,

I fly with them.

Inside the piñata

I will sit there with my family,

eating chicken nuggets

and nobody’s talking

because we’ll all be laughing.

By Daylen, 2^nd grade

Click the link (above) to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Conner Duffey, a 2nd grader from Parker Elementary.
apad

Posted by Marcia. Categories: creativity, family, food, Holidays, inspiration, national poetry month, poem a day, poetry, student, writer, writers in the schools, writing. Tags: Piñata, poem. Leave a comment

Apr. ’12

Books Alive! Houston Public Library Contest

ENTER and WIN

Contest to Win a Catered lunch with Tom Angleberger

Contest is open to children ages 6-12

Use your creativity, you will. The Houston Public Library wants to see your Origami Yoda-inspired art or fiction. Fifty winners will be rewarded with a catered lunch during the third annual Children’s Book Celebration on Saturday, May 5th, 2012. The contest winners and one adult guest each will be treated to a delicious meal and an autographed copy of Tom Angleberger’s book, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda. Winners will be ages 6 to 12 years old; twenty-five winners will be from the 6 to 8 age group and twenty-five winners will be from the 9 to 12 age group.

Instructions:

You may submit your contest entries to your local library, or you may submit entries by mail.*

Please mail submissions to:

Houston Public Library

Attn: Programming & Youth Services, Deborah Moore

500 McKinney St. | Houston, TX 77002

Your submission must include:

Child’s full name
Child’s age & grade if applicable
Parent or guardian full name AND if this is a class project, the teacher’s name
School attended (if not applicable write home school)
Contact information so that we may contact you if you win:
Two phone numbers OR one phone number and an email address

For more information call 832-393-1313.

DEADLINE IS APRIL 16, 2012.

WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY MAY 1.

*Note: Traced or copied artwork or images will not be accepted; please do not use copyrighted images. One person per entry and one entry per person. Please limit story to two pages typed.