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Art Direction and Design: Rebecca Wadlinger
Table of Contents
Kindergarten
Leen Aldarrab ..................... Dear Friend ........................................................... 13
Noble Benjamin, Jr. ............. I Love You ............................................................. 14
Emily Bonilla ....................... La mariposa .......................................................... 15
First Grade
Jocelyn Cardenas ................ Querida niña de Japón .......................................... 16
Ava Leung ........................... Once ...................................................................... 17
Julian Santos ....................... A Dinosaur Up In My Room [...] ............................ 18
Second Grade
Matilde Acosta .................... The Bear of Christmas Camp ............................... 19
Daniel V. Alvarez-Fedyaev ... Corazones por todos lados ................................... 20
Edwin Argueta ................... I Wish I Was a Super Hero..................................... 21
Daylen Brooks .................... Red Triangle Piñata .............................................. 22
Priscila Cardoso .................. My Mother is the Jungle ...................................... 23
Helena de la Cruz ............... Dancing Ballet Shoe No Longer Worn ................. 24
Bella Deutser ...................... Sun ........................................................................ 25
Jordan Hall .......................... Spring ................................................................... 26
Xoloni Johnson ................... I Like to Dance! .................................................... 27
Sadie Many ......................... One Around the World ......................................... 28
Truc Trinh ........................... My Wishes ............................................................ 29
Third Grade
David Avent ........................ Going to Cuba ...................................................... 30
Kassandra Cortez ............... Spring ................................................................... 31
Leyla Delorme .................... What Will Fall Bring? ............................................ 32
Mia Fares ............................ Clouds .................................................................. 33
Natalia Flores ...................... The Silent World .................................................. 34
Josseline Garay ................... El viento ............................................................... 35
Chris Gonzales ................... The Moon Came Out ............................................ 36
Grace Guerriero .................. Horses Hooves I Want to Hear ............................. 37
Third Grade (continued)
Rhemi Herron ..................... The Homework Machine ..................................... 38
Isabella Krafka .................... Horse Barn ............................................................ 39
Aamir Lateef ....................... Seven Ways of Looking at a Rose ........................ 40
Esther Le ............................. Don’t Run Away ................................................... 41
Rachel Lee .......................... Sky Blue Being Born ............................................. 42
Hugo Lopez ....................... Con mis sentidos .................................................. 43
Emely Luna ......................... The Pink Rose ....................................................... 44
Anna Miller ......................... A Dancer’s House ................................................. 45
Angelique Montes .............. Goodbye Vacation ................................................ 46
Ioana Nechiti ...................... The Rock .............................................................. 47
Grace Rampaul ................... I’m So Sorry .......................................................... 48
Jose Sanchez ...................... A Dog ................................................................... 49
Jefferson Santos ................. My House ............................................................. 50
Ana Serrano ........................ Algo que esta libre de algo ................................. 51
Jade Treviño ....................... A Strange Place .................................................... 52
Maddie Youngblood ........... Fung Fanggigi ....................................................... 53
Fourth Grade
Alberto Avila ....................... El árbol ................................................................. 54
Sady Davalos ....................... “Ish” (An Abstract Poem) ..................................... 55
Teagan Davis ...................... Sadness ................................................................ 56
Carlos Escamilla .................. Ode to Big C ......................................................... 57
Eleanor Geno ...................... Instructions .......................................................... 58
Kingston Griffin .................. Skydiver ............................................................... 59
Gracie Halperin ................... That Secret ........................................................... 60
Olivia Havre ......................... The Magic Box ...................................................... 61
Itzel López .......................... Instructions to the Artist ...................................... 62
Smrithi Shibichakravarthy ... Imagine My World ............................................... 63
Long Hoang Vu ................... Ho Chi Minh City .................................................. 64
Fifth Grade
John Boland ........................ The Truth .............................................................. 65
Alex Cope ........................... A Landscape of DIfferences ................................. 66
Fifth Grade (continued)
Anuj Jajoo ........................... The Loggers ......................................................... 67
Imnet Petro ........................ My Hands ............................................................. 68
Saul Rivera ......................... Evening Recess ..................................................... 69
Sarah Swackhamer ............. Story ..................................................................... 70
Julia Zheng ......................... Mr. Fishtacho ........................................................ 71
Sixth Grade
Genesis Cantu .................... Feeling .................................................................. 72
Emily Salinas ....................... Me ........................................................................ 73
Kevin Situn .......................... Future Traveler ..................................................... 74
Seventh Grade
Abigail Calderon ................. Beginning the Trip ................................................ 75
Graciela Carrillo .................. Eyes ....................................................................... 76
Lesly Guerra ........................ A Lady Who Has Big Plans .................................... 77
Angel Rosa .......................... Freeze ................................................................... 78
Bryanna Williams ................ About Me! ............................................................. 79
Eighth Grade
Etse Amewolo .................... Lock Away ............................................................ 80
Jose .................................... The Rock ............................................................... 81
Deandrea Stevens ............... There’s a Fish in My Dialysis Chair ....................... 82
Twelfth Grade
Estevan Rodriguez .............. El río ...................................................................... 83
Elizabeth Soriano ............... Restless ................................................................. 84
I, the greatest writer in the world, peek through that open window
From “That Secret” by Gracie Halperin 4th grade The Fay School
13Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
Dear Friend
My mind is a tooth fairy
hiding my shiny memories
beneath a cup next to my window.
It hides the day my dad
pulled a tooth out with his fingers
and the day I screamed down the roller coaster.
It is a parrot talking and eating sunflower seeds
that help a flower grow up from my brain
and touch the sky.
Your mind is throwing water balloons
and playing with me
and blowing bubbles
and popping bubbles on the swings.
Your mind is in Riad,
Mine is far away, here.
Leen AldarrabKindergartenChildren’s Cancer Hospitalat MD Anderson Cancer Center
14 Blooms 2011
I Love You
I love my dog.
I love my guinea pig.
My dad helps me with the dishes.
My mom plays with me.
Nini takes me to the bus stop.
My uncle puts me in the headlock.
I read by myself.
I write with my mom.
I like to play games by myself.
Lele plays basketball with me.
I go to my cousin’s house.
My aunt takes me to the store.
I like rainbows.
And I love you.
Noble Benjamin, Jr.KindergartenErmel Elementary School
15Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
La mariposa
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.
The Butterfly
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.
Emily BonillaKindergarten Ermel Elementary School
16 Blooms 2011
Querida niña de Japón
Quiero regalarte flores para que te sientas feliz.
Quiero que sientas mi corazón.
Te quiero regalar juguetes.
Un sol para que te sientas más calentita.
Una estrella para que puedas dormir más calmada y sentir amor.
Y especialmente quiero darte mi corazon.
Dear Child of Japan
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.
Jocelyn Cardenas1st gradeErmel Elementary School
17Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
Once
Once I was the wind.
I swayed in the trees.
My friends were in the air.
I pushed leaves
and I blew flowers
and the flowers fell
to the ground.
I heard birds chirping.
I pushed the wood chips
on the playground
where the kids were playing
and I whistled by,
flying in the breeze.
Ava Leung1st gradeThe Fay School
18 Blooms 2011
A Dinosaur Up In My Room Who Came Down From My Closet
There is a dinosaur in my closet. I know it is there because I can smell it. It smells like a
volcano. I can’t see it, but I can smell it. I put food all downstairs to the door. It went out
of my closet and went outside. Bye-Bye, dinosaur. Go to another house.
Julian Santos1st gradeErmel Elementary School
19Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
The Bear of Christmas Camp
In front of me was a great big bear! He was brown and big and fluffy. As I
rushed back to camp, the bear asked me a question and I thought, is it me? Or did
that bear just speak? And he said, “Why does every person run away from me?”
And I said, “Well everybody thinks you’re scary.”
And the bear said, “Well, why do they think that?”
I said, “Well people think all bears are scary.”
Then the bear said, “Oh, now I understand.”
Then I said, “I have to go, or my parents will wake up.”
“Well, OK,” said the bear. “But come back tomorrow.”
The next day, my parents were already up making breakfast. I said to my par-
ents, “I have to go to the bathroom. OK?”
“OK,” said my parents.
I lied. I was going to see the bear. I met the bear in the middle of the woods.
“I was looking for my teddy bear last night,” I said to the bear. Then I looked in his
armpit and guess what? He had my teddy bear. I screamed at the bear and started
chasing him down all the way back to my... camp! My mother and father glanced at
me and said, “Why are you screaming?
“That’s a bear, for crying out loud!” Then my parents got to their feet and
started running. It was the best Christmas camp ever!
Matilde Acosta2nd gradeGarden Oaks Elementary School
20 Blooms 2011
Corazones por todos lados
Querida Luzmarie,
tus ojos son como una foca
gris y negra.
Tus aretes se ven
como una esmeralda.
Tu cabello es suave
y chinito,
como un caballo negro.
Tus botones se ven
como un ying yang.
Tu ropa esta bonita
como el mar cerca de India.
Tus zapatos son cafés
como un pedazo de tierra.
Tus manos son frías
como Alaska
y la Antártica.
Me gusta como me abrazas.
Voy a nadar en el fondo del mar
para buscar diamantes,
piedritas,
y tesoros.
Buscaré
y buscaré
hasta encontrar una ciudad,
y compraré un millón
de tesoros,
y los traeré en una red.
Sinceramente,
Daniel
Daniel V. Alvarez-Fedyaev 2nd grade Helms Community Learning Center
Hearts Everywhere
Dear Luzmarie,
your eyes are like a
gray and black seal.
Your earrings look
like emeralds.
Your hair is soft
and curly,
like a black horse.
Your buttons look
like a ying yang.
Your clothes are beautiful
like the sea near India.
Your shoes are brown
like a piece of the earth.
Your hands are cold
like Alaska
and Antarctica.
I like how you hug me.
I am going to swim to the
bottom of the sea
to search for diamonds,
rocks,
and treasures.
I will search and search
until I find a city,
and I will buy a million
treasures.
I will catch them with a net.
Sincerely,
Daniel
21Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
I Wish I Was a Super Hero
I wish I was a super hero so I could fly
to see the earth,
to fight evil
so I could help the world.
Maybe I could be rewarded with something
if I fight the most dangerous evil villain.
I could be defender of my city,
and the most famous hero in the world
and everyone would know my name!
Edwin Argueta2nd gradeEd White Elementary School
Hearts Everywhere
Dear Luzmarie,
your eyes are like a
gray and black seal.
Your earrings look
like emeralds.
Your hair is soft
and curly,
like a black horse.
Your buttons look
like a ying yang.
Your clothes are beautiful
like the sea near India.
Your shoes are brown
like a piece of the earth.
Your hands are cold
like Alaska
and Antarctica.
I like how you hug me.
I am going to swim to the
bottom of the sea
to search for diamonds,
rocks,
and treasures.
I will search and search
until I find a city,
and I will buy a million
treasures.
I will catch them with a net.
Sincerely,
Daniel
22 Blooms 2011
Red Triangle Piñata
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.
Daylen Brooks2nd gradeTexas Children’s Renal Center
23Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
My Mother is the Jungle
My mother is the jungle.
I say “feed me.”
She serves me mango from a clean tree.
I say “tease me.”
And she plays with a ball
made out of fresh leaves.
I say “scare me.”
She roars like a tiger.
I say “hold me.”
And she hugs me with her softest leaves.
I say “make me beautiful.”
She gives me a red flower for my hair.
I say “sing to me.”
And she sings with her fresh breeze.
I say “teach me.”
She shows me her tallest tree,
her most amazing waterfall,
and her most colorful flowers.
My mother is the jungle.
Priscila Cardoso 2nd gradeErmel Elementary School
24 Blooms 2011
Dancing Ballet Shoe No Longer Worn
The ballet shoe’s eyes
linger around looking for a pair
of feet to hide. A pink sea
on sunset smells rusty. Straps
feel like big pink waves on
high tide. Inside looks like
deep in the sand and feels like
you’re feeling a coral that’s been
washed away from the sea.
The ballet shoe used to
be dancing one of a kind on my
own two feet. Happily jumping
up and down. When I would
float, it would follow like sheep
would follow a shepherd.
Smelling like sugar looking
like pink cupcake icing.
Wondering what could be inside,
I see a vast valley with
trees that have apples still growing.
Helena de la Cruz 2nd gradeHPL Express at Discovery Green
25Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
Sun
Who would be
the sun high up in the sky?
Looking down
to make everyone hot
and give us sunburns
like fire?
Why are you so high up
in the sky so we can
never touch you?
Why can’t you be blue, red,
or even purple instead of
yellow?
But I love how you shine
down on me in the day
and how you make beautiful
sunsets at the end
of the day.
Your love is like
hot, burning fire.
Bella Deutser2nd gradeThe Fay School
26 Blooms 2011
Spring
Spring’s voice calls the birds
His feet go through water and air
His ears hear our hearts beat
Spring can catch a baseball
His eyes see us walking
His hands push the clouds
To cover up the sun
Jordan Hall2nd gradeLockhart Elementary School
27Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
I Like to Dance!
I can dance in every room.
I can dance in the park, street,
and home. There is a lot of stuff
that you can use with dancing.
I can use dancing in school,
on chair, everywhere,
and have fun dancing. I want you
to have fun and dance, dance,
dance all the time and have fun dancing.
Your mom can dance with you
and it is good to dance.
It is good for your family.
Dance in the bed.
Your mom and dad can dance
at the café with you.
You can have fun.
You can have fun every day.
Xoloni Johnson2nd gradeErmel Elementary School
28 Blooms 2011
One Around the World
I see the number one
on dogs tails,
door handles,
on the letter “I” without a dot,
in straw and grass.
I see it on license plates,
elevator buttons,
charts,
maps,
milk cartons,
phones,
street signs,
and houses.
I see the number one
everywhere.
Sadie Many2nd gradeTexas Children’s Cancer Center’s Arts in Medicine Program sponsored by The Periwinkle Foundation
29Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
My Wishes
To start, I wish I had a wolf as a pet
because a wolf can save us.
I will train it not to bite people.
I will play with it,
I will also call it Pinky if it is a girl
and I will call it Sunny if it’s a boy.
Next I want to fly like a bird.
I will want blue wings on top, and
green on the bottom.
Then I want to be the first woman
to be president, I will make good laws,
and I will be a kind person.
Truc Trinh2nd gradeEd White Elementary School
30 Blooms 2011
Going to Cuba
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.
David Avent3rd gradeTravis Elementary School
31Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
Spring
flowers bloom
she lies down
putting a flower in her hair
flowers surround her
she closes her eyes
and faces the sky
Kassandra Cortez3rd gradeNeff Elementary School
32 Blooms 2011
What Will Fall Bring?
Every day gets windier
and windier.
I can hear the branch
hit my window in the wind,
like the sound of a spoon
banging against tin.
I’d like to go outside
and play,
even when it’s a rainy day.
I can hear the leaves falling down,
“woo woo.”
Have you heard them too?
With the trees so mighty
and tall,
when winter comes
I’m going to miss fall.
Leyla Delorme3rd gradeHelms Community Learning Center
33Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
Clouds
In the dark, gray sky, many clouds are pouring out rain. Blue clouds pour out blue rain.
Pink clouds pour out pink rain. Purple clouds pour out purple rain. The windows in
my room are all wet and blue, pink, and purple. I look out the window, and I don’t like
what I see or hear. I look out the window one last time, and I see a beautiful rainbow
shining across the sky. I see that the rain had stopped, and I run outside in joy.
Mia Fares3rd gradeDuchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart
34 Blooms 2011
The Silent World –Inspired by Jeffrey McDaniel’s poem “The Quiet World”
The government has decided
to only allow us 167 words per day.
Nobody hears me.
The only one who hears me is my Grandma
because it’s silent, and she’s the one who sits with me.
And at school there is touching but not talking,
just making hand signals.
I feel like I’m not on the planet.
And when I get home nobody is talking.
I want to save my words for my Grandma
because she is so sweet.
I would like to tell her, “I love you.
You are my soul. You are my sky.”
Natalia Flores3rd gradeThe Rice School/La Escuela Rice
35Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
El viento
Estoy volando en el cielo.
Yo soplo hojas que están en un árbol.
Me voy a diferentes partes
para soplar a más cosas.
Cuando soplo a las personas,
veo los cabellos arriba
y las sombras moviendo igualito a ellos.
Oigo las voces de los niños
jugando y volando papalotes.
Me voy a otra parte,
y veo lodo por los árboles.
Oigo mi mísmo viento soplando
a las hojas y botándolas al suelo.
Vuelo a otra parte, y veo una escuala
que están construyendo con una máquina.
Oigo una alrma de una máquina,
y también oigo unas pisadas que vienen adentro
de otra escuela que está al lado.
Veo grama moviéndose por mi viento
que sopla a todas partes.
Cuando es verano, no soplo nada.
Josseline Garay 3rd grade Herod Elementary School
The Wind
I blow in the sky.
I blow leaves that are in a tree.
I go to different places to blow more things.
When I blow on the people,
I see the hair above
and the shadows moving the same.
I hear the voices of the children
playing and flying kites.
I go to another place,
and I see mud beneath the trees.
I hear myself blowing
the leaves and tossing them to the ground.
I fly to another place, and I see a school
that they are building with a machine.
I hear an alarm from the machine,
and I also hear footsteps from inside
the torn-down school that is next door.
I see grass moving from my wind
that blows everywhere.
When it is summer, I blow nothing.
36 Blooms 2011
The Moon Came Out
The sun was rising,
a ball of fire burst out.
It fell into my mouth,
it was trapped inside.
Then red lava shot out
of a volcano, it rushed
all over the ground.
Something was burning,
hot and fiery.
Yes, it was my mouth.
I said, “Can this day get any worse?”
But it didn’t because
the moon came out.
Chris Gonzales3rd gradeTravis Elementary School
37Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
Horses Hooves I Want to Hear
I hear the hooves pounding the rock
The call of the glory of the mountain
The racket of hooves of dark
I hear a sound like hooves but made with heart
The sound is calling from the mountain
Oh I seek and see a horse
Dark like coal, not like hooves
Horse-like will, horse-like soul
The heart waits to hear the pounding of the hooves
Like night, coal like soul, the mountain
Rocks hard as hooves beating
Beats of hooves pounding my soul
I can hear the soul of beating hooves
I can hear the soul calling dark
I will see the soul of rock
Will I see the soul of horse
High like a mountain side
I seek in my heart?
Grace Guerriero3rd gradeBriargrove Elementary School
38 Blooms 2011
The Homework Machine
Once upon a time there was a boy. His name was Caleb. He was always very
smart, he got A’s, and he behaved. He wore glasses, and he liked to wear bow ties.
His dream was to be the best scientist ever.
When he was only five, his dad died. Five weeks later, they moved to another
city. In first grade he made a candy machine. In second grade he made a clothes
machine. In third grade he made a homework machine. It was a great success. It did
homework for everyone. He was so popular. He knew everyone on the block.
Whenever someone came over and said, “Can you use the machine to do my
homework?” Caleb went and fired up the machine. But one day it broke! As soon as
he found out, he jumped up like a very excited frog. But he thought he could fix it.
He tried and tried, but he could not make it work. So there was no more homework
machine, and he was just a boy going to third grade.
Rhemi Herron3rd gradeLockhart Elementary School
39Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
Horse Barn
When we get there
the horses in their stalls
paw the dirt.
I cough in the dust.
We grab the feed,
and they whinny at me
when I pass by.
I get a brush; very tenderly
I scrape off the dirt.
They are as dusty and steamy
as a train when it chugs
down the track.
When we feed the mares,
their babies skip after us.
They run so fast
they fall.
Isabella Krafka3rd gradeMeadow Wood Elementary School
40 Blooms 2011
Seven Ways of Looking at a Rose
I.
When the silly child messed up,
he crinkled his paper and threw it lightly
into the rose red trashcan.
II.
The stubborn grandfather gave
red roses to the mother who had just
given birth to a delicate baby.
III.
The awkward clown just juggled
a set of four roses at the circus.
IV.
When the bumpy mountain boulder
rolled down the mountain, it tore apart
eight roses.
V.
The sandy and hot desert grows cacti,
not roses.
VI.
The anxious child bent down to collect
the flower he had received for his seventh birthday.
VII.
The grumpy father poured water
on the shining violet roses.
Aamir Lateef3rd gradeThe Fay School
41Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
Don’t Run Away –Inspired by Cy Twombly
Don’t run away scrubby, long lines.
You need to be my spine to keep me straight.
Don’t run away color, soft lines.
You need to help me color from top to bottom.
Don’t run away squiggly, curvy lines.
You need to help me write in cursive letters to my friends.
Don’t run away straight, broken lines.
You have to help me make my costume scary to have fun.
Esther Le3rd grade Neff Elementary School
42 Blooms 2011
Sky Blue Being Born
Sky blue is a baby being born,
But he is dark, dark blue,
And the blue mom and dad
Love the dark blue child
And he loves them back.
They play together
And he goes into his mom’s eyes
And into his dad’s eyes.
They fall in love again,
And they think their child
Is born again.
Rachel Lee3rd gradeMeadow Wood Elementary School
43Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
Con mis sentidos
La paz no se puede tocar, pero se puede ver
La paz es como ver 100 rosas juntas
La paz sabe a comida que se nos da diario
La paz se escucha y se ve como orgullo
Lo peligroso es como el fuego, no lo debes tocar
Lo peligroso si lo ves te asusta
Lo peligroso se escucha como gritos
Lo peligroso sabe a vinagre
Lo injusto se escucha como llorar
Lo injusto no se puede tocar
Lo injusto se ve horrible
Lo injusto sabe a odio
El amor se toca con el corazón
El amor se escucha precioso
El amor se ve en los amigos
El amor huele a amistad
Hugo Lopez 3rd grade Community Family Centers at Gallegos Elementary School
With My Senses
Peace cannot be touched, but can be seen
Peace is like a bouquet of 100 roses
Peace is food that is given to us daily
Peace sounds and looks like pride
Danger is like fire, you should not touch it
Danger when you see it, you know it is scary
Danger sounds like shouting
Danger tastes like vinegar
Injustice sounds like crying
Injustice cannot be touched
Injustice sure looks horrible
Injustice sounds like hate
Love is touched by the heart
Love sounds beautiful
Love is seen in friends
Love smells like friendship
44 Blooms 2011
The Pink Rose
I am a rose,
pink and thorny.
When the sun comes up,
I shine. The bees
drink my nectar.
Sometimes on a
sunny day, my leaves
move, so I can dance.
People love to see
me and smell
my petals.
I always grow
when the water
falls.
In winter I lose
some of my blooms.
But one warm sunny day,
I lost all my petals
forever. I had no
food. In heaven,
I still remember
when I was young.
I asked my sister,
why did I have to
leave? She did not
answer.
Emely Luna 3rd gradeCondit Elementary School
45Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
A Dancer’s House
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.
Anna Miller3rd gradeTravis Elementary School
46 Blooms 2011
Goodbye Vacation
Goodbye playing outside
with my friends and sister.
Hello test.
Goodbye making cakes!
Hello science test.
Goodbye Mexico!
Hello T.H. Rogers School.
Goodbye vacation,
Hurry back again!
Angelique Montes3rd gradeT.H. Rogers School
47Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
The Rock
I block
the feelings that beat
against my shell.
I have beauty inside me
longing to be shown
to the world.
I am stiff with
the emotions that swirl
in my body.
I watch the butterflies
dance around me
with flaps of pride.
When it rains, I show
my shiny shell to the
lady called the flower.
She drops a warm petal on me
to show that we are no
different in soul.
For what would life be
without soul?
It doesn’t matter
what you have within,
only the soul matters.
As the sun’s rays hammer
into me, my beauty
faintly shows.
I am a rock.
Ioana Nechiti3rd gradeCondit Elementary School
48 Blooms 2011
I’m So Sorry
I’m sorry for thinking of
putting honey on a trampoline
so people would get stuck on it.
But it would be so funny
‘cause people could not get off
and someone would have to
get them off it.
I’m sorry for thinking
of going on the water slide
backwards
when it says not to.
But it would be so fun
not knowing where you are going
and coming out of the slide and
splashing in the water.
I’m sorry for thinking
of bungee jumping
off the tallest building in the world.
But it would be so fun
falling and stopping
and bouncing up and down.
I would love to
see all the people
and taxis under me!
Grace Rampaul3rd gradeBriargrove Elementary School
49Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
A Dog
A dog is playing outside...
is barking and swimming
...is playing ball
...is sleeping in the house. He is lying on his back.
A dog is playing outside...
...is skateboarding. He’s funny.
A superdog
wearing a pumpkin costume
...is happy.
Jose Sanchez3rd gradeT.H. Rogers School
50 Blooms 2011
My House
My house is warm like the feathers of a bird.
My house is strong like a boot and hard like a rock.
The kitchen sounds like rain because my mom washes the dishes.
My house tastes like a sweet cake.
I have a chimney that smells like smoke.
The yard smells like flowers,
and I sound like the wind when I run fast to get home.
Jefferson Santos 3rd grade Neff Elementary School
51Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
Algo que esta libre de algo
Los colores estaban en el mar
con las estrellas se manó en el mar
y los colores se juntaban con las estrellas
y las estrellas eran de colores y se fueron
en el estrella y garré una del color azul
se le di a mi mamá, y se le pide a mi mamá,
“Que era?” Y me dijo que no sabía que era
y me la dio y se le dije a mi maestro y no
sabía y se movió y era una estrella
en el cielo y la estrella dijo, “Eres mi amiga.”
Something that is Free of Something Else
The colors were in the sea
with the stars that flowed into the sea
and the colors joined with the stars
and the stars were colorful. They went away
in the star, and I grabbed a blue one,
gave it to my mother, and asked my mother,
“What was it?” She told me she didn’t know
what it was, and she gave it back to me. I told my teacher,
and he didn’t know. It moved, and it was a star
in the sky, and the star said, “You are my friend.”
Ana Serrano 3rd gradeLooscan Elementary School
52 Blooms 2011
A Strange Place
I woke up one morning in a strange place. It was the North Pole with pink snow and
flowers talking to me and saying, “Stay here with us, please. You are the first guest,
and it is exciting for you to be here.” Their family all came to me, and they were all
saying, “Stay with us. We made you a room so you won’t sleep alone.” I jumped over
a building and jogged over a mouse. I crashed into a pole. Boom! Boom! I smelled
lollipops, and I saw purple clouds and heard birds singing to me. Then I found a door
that said, “Come home.” I was happy, the flowers weren’t. I said, “I’m sorry. I will come
back another day.” Then I went home and went to my room and smiled.
Jade Treviño3rd gradeLooscan Elementary School
53Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
Fung Fanggigi –Inspired by Nicolás Guillén’s poem “Sensemayá”
Fung fanggigi. Fung fanggigi
The cougar creeps in the grassy mud.
The cougar puts its paws in the water.
Tan and brown fur shimmers in the water.
Fung fanggigi. Fung fanggigi
The cougar growls.
His paws are silent in the forest,
claws ready for battle.
The cougar runs.
Torches light up the town.
Fung fanggigi. Fung fanggigi
Spears fly toward the cougar.
The cougar yowls in defeat.
Blood stains the tan and brown fur.
Men run to the cougar,
but all that’s left is bloody
mud and grass.
Fung fanggigi. Fung fanggigi
Maddie Youngblood3rd gradeCondit Elementary School
54 Blooms 2011
El árbol
Soy el árbol que tiene
amor y paciencia.
Tengo sueños de hablar
pero yo soy el árbol
en el bosque
que habla con los animales
en sus lenguajes.
Los perros—ruf ruf—
tirando rocas asi a mí,
el árbol del bosque.
En la noche,
los lobos—ahu ahu—
no me dejan dormer.
Me despierto en la mañana
y mira hacia arriba.
Las ardillas están
subiéndose a mí,
las dos ardillas peleándose.
Los pájaros cantan
sus canciones y
los pájaros carpinteros hacen el sonido
tic, tic, tic en mi tronco.
En el lenguaje de los animales
les digo shh, shh,
pájaros y ardillas.
Alberto Avila 4th grade Herod Elementary School
The Tree
I am the tree
of love and patience.
I dream of speaking
but I am the tree
in the forest
that speaks with the animals
in their languages.
The dogs—ruff ruff—
throwing rocks at me,
the tree of the forest.
At night, the wolves—
owoo—owoo—
don’t let me sleep.
I wake up in the morning
and look up.
The squirrels
are climbing me,
two squirrels fighting.
The birds sing
their songs
and the woodpeckers
make the noise tic, tic, tic
in my trunk.
In the language of the animals
I say shhh, shhh
to the birds and the squirrels.
55Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
“Ish” (An Abstract Poem)
Dark dream, you’re like the tornado of life.
Nose, you have to face the smell of a fish.
Rock, you hate the flower that stands beside you.
Water, you flow out of my eyes when you hear my cry.
Cry, little ghost-like heat that comes from evil sun.
Sky, you make the gods cry.
Balloon, you have to face the spine of a porcupine.
Tree, you face the danger of human fingers.
Sady Davalos4th gradeKujawa Elementary School
56 Blooms 2011
Sadness
Sadness does not wish to accomplish anything. She does not care for any-
thing. She believes everything is a joke and has no use. Sadness has long, black, shiny
straight hair. Her eyes are a dark, empty blue with no beauty. She lives underground
in a burrow but scares away all the chipmunks. She is tall and long and skinny but
terrible at sports. She has no freckles and is very pale. Her eyelashes are long and
dark like her hair.
Sadness, you see, has been weakened by Strength. Strength is rich and beau-
tiful with a luxurious life. Sadness, on the other hand does not wish to accomplish
anything. She does not think beauty matters. She wears black, tight, pointed shoes
with a shimmering purple cloak. No one knows what is underneath. It is most likely
the ghost of darkness.
Teagan Davis4th gradeSchool at St. George Place
57Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
Ode to Big C
Big C, I remember
your blistered thumb, the
sound of the mixer
whirling like an untamed
twister. I remember
the sweet scent of
gingerbread houses covered
in icing, gumdrops, chocolate
syrup, and sprinkles. I
remember the worth-it
splinters in your finger, trying to make
that one-story doghouse.
I remember the first
time swimming in
the big blue ocean in
Galveston. I remember
the flying discs of music
everywhere, like a bad
infestation of rats. I
remember the tasty soup
you made. It was
warm as a lit fireplace.
Love from your son,
Carlos
Carlos Escamilla4th gradeMoreno Elementary School
58 Blooms 2011
Instructions
As you wake up from your nightmare, open your bedroom door.
Walk through the portal of blue.
As you see the many paths, choose the orange path of stones.
When you get to the hall of swords, walk to the sword in the stone. Pull with all your might.
As you lift it up in the air, let the ruby shine your way out.
Then you will see a boat. Take the boat and go straight.
The dolphin will be waiting for you. Get on him and ride.
He will take you to the cave of beds.
Choose your favorite bed.
Lie down on it and sleep.
Then open your eyes to the light of the warm bedroom sun.
Eleanor Geno4th gradeDuchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart
59Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
Skydiver
They call me
The king of air
The thing I care
Nobody beats me
Anywhere
I don’t care
What they say
They might want
To stand back
Because when I’m
In the air
There’s no turning back
No matter where I go
The air will flow
But when I’m not
In the air
I don’t care
In my mind
I’m always there
Kingston Griffin 4th gradeLockhart Elementary School
60 Blooms 2011
That Secret
that same old chair
with that same old
woman
the air blowing
through the lace curtains
the rocking
back and forth
I, the greatest
writer in the world,
peek through that
open window
to see the same
person rocking
every minute
of every day—
does she ever stand up?
Gracie Halperin4th gradeThe Fay School
61Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
The Magic Box
I will put in my box
rocks and crystals
from the end
of the darkest well
and the black loneliness
I feel most of the time.
I will put in my box
the gleaming fire
from the center of the sun
and a piece of Saturn’s ring.
I will put the first ball
I played soccer with and
a leaf from a baby tree.
My box has blue bark
on the sides and on top
patterns and colors go wild.
The handles are of finest
silver along with shades
of purple and blue.
In my box I will go to
a magical fountain
in a garden and to
the darkest times of life.
I will go to the center
of a volcano riding
on a dragon’s back.
No matter where I am,
I will have my magic box.
Olivia Havre 4th gradeSt. Michael Catholic School
62 Blooms 2011
Instructions to the Artist –Inspired by a visit to the Menil Collection
Paint me with long, soft, straight hair
all the way to my heels.
I want to lie by the pond.
It has to be as light as the blue sky.
It needs a lily pad.
The pond must shimmer like a
diamond in a jewelry store.
I want my pupils to be light green,
like spring grass.
I want my toenails to be
painted dark red, like a
sunny red rose.
Certainly, the last thing I want
is to be holding a cobra.
Itzel López4th gradeMoreno Elementary School
63Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
Imagine My World
Oh, my world, how lovely you are!
You contain even a best friend’s heart,
that’s how lovely.
Why do you contain many colorless things?
Oh, that’s right, you are my imagination.
I color you, and to me you are real.
The rose of the gods,
a rainbow not possible,
an eye looking at me,
a hand trying to find you,
but you are already here.
I’m already there.
That’s how real you are.
Pink, white, blue,
what are you?
It’s a mystery.
Two TVs,
a baby rockstar,
the most silly things, you are.
I think of something.
You contain it because you belong to me.
My imagination is a party,
so many crazy things,
but you, Imagination,
you are just me!
Smrithi Shibichakravarthy4th gradeHerod Elementary School
64 Blooms 2011
Ho Chi Minh City
If you are about to go to Ho Chi Minh City
There are a few things you should know.
The language will be musical
Like everybody singing all day long.
Everybody walks a lot
Through the streets, blocks and blocks and more.
Veggies we eat a lot
So we always stay strong.
Fewer people get sick here
Because we like to exercise
And we eat the vegetables.
Motorcycles are cheap
And it is mighty hot here,
Especially at noon.
You may think you’re on the sun!
But on some afternoons
You just may find
A few new friends at the park.
Oops! I think I’ve told you too much.
So goodbye until I see you
In Ho Chi Minh City.
Long Hoang Vu 4th gradeChildren’s Cancer Hospital at MD Anderson Cancer Center
65Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
The Truth
Sliding past the eyes,
the sudden shifting of light and shadow.
But even years from now
it will remain a pure hard glimpse of reality.
What’s first and final is the truth.
It had been led up the winding,
red-carpeted staircase.
Honor the hard truth.
John Boland5th grade St. Michael Catholic School
66 Blooms 2011
A Landscape of Differences
Today I am different.
As I view an ant on a gentle leaf,
I feel as if I am strangely different.
I feel like the ant is normal, crawling
on a leaf like a paper.
The paper would be a magnificent landscape
with ink and lead as grass and trees.
As the grass grows, the pencil works harder and
it’s the same for shimmering green trees with
the red and fiery cardinals.
The spring brings flowers up like me jumping
on a trampoline, the winter brings snowflakes like
a man that is parachuting, the summer brings
the sun like giant fireball, and the fall
brings leaves like a blockade of fiery arrows.
As this beautiful paper world grows, I become
more unlike my past self. This is the constant
meaning: when my imagination grows,
the whole world grows with it.
Alex Cope5th gradeThe Regis School of the Sacred Heart
67Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
The Loggers
The graceful, gentle wind combed
his vibrant and colorful leaves.
In the middle of the first day
of the second week in autumn,
he was a tree.
Then, the orange-coated man
came, intruding in the forest,
blowing a whistle that ruffled
his leaves.
He was a tree.
More of the men came,
carrying axes and
huge splinters.
They spoke of breaking him
and carrying him away.
He was a tree.
With a booming voice that only nature
could hear, he called
to all the animals who lived
inside of him. Then,
all was quiet.
He was a tree.
Anuj Jajoo5th gradeT.H. Rogers School
68 Blooms 2011
My Hands
My hands can plant flowers
And wash dishes
My hands can make chocolate chip cookies
And feel textures both rough and soft
My hands can type on the computer
And sign my name
My hands can eat pizza
And brush my teeth
My hands can make up my bed
And draw a star
Imnet Petro5th gradeCatholic Charities at Collins Elementary School
69Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
Evening Recess
Between the school
and the park
I noticed the number 9
in green on
a white bus.
The
door opens,
and the
windows close.
Kids leave
and the
bus is empty and drives away.
Kids run and kick a ball
under the crystal sky.
Saul Rivera5th gradeTexas Children’s Cancer Center’s Arts in Medicine Program sponsored by The Periwinkle Foundation
70 Blooms 2011
Story
I will spin you a story from the air
you breathe, each word shining
with tiny silver drops.
I will mold this story
in the shape of the clouds,
so that when you look up,
the phrases will blow in your ear.
I will spread this story through
the fierce blowing winds
so that when they rustle the leaves
you will think of your courage.
And before I leave our story,
I will share it with the sun,
so that when I leave this world,
the sun’s bright light will pass my story on.
Sarah Swackhamer 5th gradeThe Fay School
71Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
Mr. Fistacho
Corello Fistacho was an elderly man in his sixties who used to keep me com-
pany. But it had been several months since he last stopped by, so you can imagine
how surprised I was when his stubbly figure popped up in front of my door. I had just
gotten up and was busy pouring milk into my cereal. I opened the door, and we said
our hellos. I was still in shock when he started to grab random things for the beach,
so I asked him why he wanted to go. He said my parents had planned a surprise there,
and he was sent to fetch me. I was amazed. I hadn’t seen my parents in two years.
The sky was streaked with dandy clouds as we drove to the water. We made
little conversations. Before, Mr. Fistacho used to take me to “educational” places,
like museums and libraries. Not that I don’t like to be educated, but why the beach?
I kept my eyes pinned to the floor of the car and filed through my past memories:
Mom, Dad, my little sister Carrie. That was all before my parents sent me to a board-
ing school. Since then, I yearned to return but never got the chance. Mr. Fistacho
would take care of me sometimes; he would bring cake on my birthdays, share
stories about my family with me. I never knew how he knew about my parents, but I
didn’t think to wonder until that day at the beach.
Just then, Mr. Fistacho announced that we had arrived. He sounded a mil-
lion miles away. We got out of the car and started to walk talklessly to the beach.
My caretaker had carried most of the stuff, so I was left with some beach towels
and clothes. But there, on the horizon, were my parents! And even little Carrie! Was
I dreaming? I rubbed my eyes, once, twice, three times. Nope, they were still there.
I ran down the slope, not caring how hot I was. Not until I went closer did I see that
they were just statues. Statues!!! I looked back, but Mr. Fistacho was nowhere to be
seen. That crazy ghost of a man!
I felt my cheeks burn red. I cursed as I tried to follow him, but it was to no
avail. The sun was high in the sky, but it would not be for long, and I had nowhere
to go. Just as I began to lose all hope, Mr. Fistacho appeared. I wanted to ask him
why he had tried to fool me with statues of my parents, but he seemed troubled, so
I didn’t press the issue. Strangely, I felt I knew the answer already. I can’t be sure, but
I think he wanted me to be happy, as if my real parents were there. Maybe I should
have gone along with it. Then at least one of us could have been happy. I tried to
smile, despite the sad atmosphere.
Julia Zheng5th gradeT.H. Rogers School
72 Blooms 2011
Feeling
Today I feel a tiny bit mad.
My father fusses with me,
and I push my sister.
Today I feel sad.
Other deaf students
gossip, complain, and whisper.
Today I feel happy.
Nobody is gossiping or complaining.
My friends socialize,
and there are no groups.
Today I feel excited!
I am excited...
I like to socialize and chatter.
I play with Lanique and Raven because
Lanique makes me laugh.
Lanique is a good actress.
Genesis Cantu6th gradeT.H. Rogers School
73Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
Me
I am from walking in the park,
from swinging back and forth,
high,
from kicking the soccer ball,
Nerf guns in the yard,
a tree to spin around.
I am from pickles and Funions, salty,
from my mom’s tostadas, and
my dad’s spaghetti.
I am from watching TV,
playing with my dog, Rocky, a boxer, wild.
I am from Eric and Marian,
from my sister’s splinters.
I am from constant disease,
from my mom calling me out of my room
to take my medicine,
from boring dialysis.
I am from the good moments,
as I’m growing up,
falling down with my sister,
in my house,
laughing.
Emily Salinas6th gradeTexas Children’s Renal Center
74 Blooms 2011
Future Traveler
I’m the brightest parrot flying in the jungle.
I’m the sugar in the coffee,
maybe the salt to the sour salad.
I’m the moon that glistens in the dark;
he’s like the sun to the sunset.
We are the peak of a cold mountain.
You are the skyscraper to the breeze;
I’m the greatest spark in the crystal, shining
like when the sunlight touches a diamond
and it starts to blink brightly. I’m a big ball of
fire, made from hot lava that comes out of
a volcano of courage.
I’m the future traveler,
and I will meet you in the future.
Kevin Situn6th gradeWilliams Middle School
75Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
Beginning the Trip
The sizzling sounds and the great smell of the BBQ caught my attention. My
dad called us to go outside. He said that he was going to tell us something impor-
tant. At first my sisters and I thought we were going to get in trouble for throwing
the cat in the water. So I yelled out, “It was all Edith’s idea!” My dad smiled and said,
“You’re not in trouble. What I am going to say is that you should start packing your
suitcases because we’re going to Michigan.”
We were all so happy that we started jumping like rabbits. My dad explained
to us what we had to do. He said, “Pack your suitcases right now because we are
leaving at midnight.” My sister ran like the wind to our room. When I got there, she
was almost finished. She was whining because she said that her clothes won’t fit in
her suitcase. I told her, “Don’t be silly, you have to fold your clothes first, and then
put them in.”
When we were finished, my dad told us to help him clean the truck. Out of
nowhere, “boom!” My face got red. I screamed at my sister. She had dropped a box
on my foot.
As I was cleaning the truck, a short-sounding wind kissed my cheek. When we
were finished, my sister and I went to the kitchen to help my mom pack the sodas
and some snacks for the long trip. By the time we were all finished, it was 8pm. My
dad said, “Get some rest. I will wake you up at midnight.” And just as quickly, my
sister and I fell asleep, dreaming of our trip.
Abigail Calderon7th gradeE.O. Smith Education Center
76 Blooms 2011
Eyes
My mother’s eyes are brown as a bear’s fur, waiting and watching your every move.
My father’s eyes are green, green as the leaves on a tree yelling out for the wind to
blow and take him away.
My sister’s are the same as my mom’s but different. Her eyes are light brown eyes like
a creamy chocolate ice cream on a hot sunny day wanting to cool you down.
My great-grandfather’s eyes were dark brown, so dark you couldn’t tell the brown
was there. Eyes full of sadness, he suffered. Waiting, wanting to be free from the
devil’s chair that cursed him for eternity.
My grandma’s eyes, brown, too, but full of sadness every day, feeling useless. Always
with a salty tear in her eye. Wanting for her little girl to come back home.
Graciela Carrillo7th gradeKaleidoscope Middle School
77Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
A Lady Who Has Big Plans
Do I have to be good? Do I have to be nice? Do I have to eat with a napkin in my lap?
Do I have to behave? Do I have to talk with difficult words? Do I have to dress nice? Do
I have to walk straight? Do I have to obey people? Do I have to sit with my legs closed?
“Yes you need to.” Why can’t I play like I did when I was a child? Do I have to wash the
clothes? Do I have to prepare my own food? Do I have to clean the house? Do I have to
go to school? Do I have to learn? Do I have to go to church? Do I have to be a girl that
has manners? “Yes, mija, you have to if you want people to see you like a lady who has
big plans for the future.” Oh, okay, Mom. I’ll be the lady who has big plans.
Lesly Guerra7th gradeWilliams Middle School
78 Blooms 2011
Freeze
The moment I would freeze
is 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.
Angel Rosa7th gradeKaleidoscope Middle School
79Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
About Me!
I am tall like a tree, and its leaves are my long curly weave. Every day that I
walk the streets, the wind kisses me. I am as beautiful as a pink rose booming in the
sun. “Ting!” my teeth sound as I smile. My hands are as soft as pillows made of cot-
ton, but I haven’t always been this way.
I remember that day as if it were happening right now. The roads were as
slick as ice. The gravel on the ground gave no traction and caused us to flip over like
a cartwheel. “Crash!” The car came to a sudden end. My face felt as fat as a Sumo
Wrestler. My arm had the biggest, dark green bruise on it. Sounds were all around
me. I heard everything, but no sounds of an ambulance or the police siren. My seat-
belt was about to stop my circulation.
Then, all of this was over. We were in the hospital. It was so cold; it felt like
I was in Antarctica. The constant beeping sound was making my brain hurt. As I
looked into the mirror on the left side of me, my face wasn’t as beautiful as a pink
rose anymore. My curly weave looked like nappy dreads. My hands felt rough and
hard, not soft as cotton.
I think back to my past, and I realize how much this has changed me, how
much I am changed.
Bryanna Williams7th gradeE.O. Smith Education Center
80 Blooms 2011
Lock Away
I lock away the sweet memories
of my sister
so I don’t miss her too much.
I lock away good images
of my brother
so I don’t kill him.
I lock away my best friends
who I would die without.
I lock away.
I lock away my hope
to see my grandma
someday.
I lock away all
of my mother, her funny
tales of Africa.
I lock away in a heart-shaped box
stories of my grandfather,
who has my name.
I lock away my hope
to see him
in another lifetime.
Etse Amewolo8th gradeJohnston Middle School
81Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
The Rock
I was alone. They abandoned me. They convinced me it wasn’t deep, and I
jumped.
I saw these kids jumping from a hanging vine into the water, and one told me
to jump in, but I was afraid. I couldn‘t swim. He made it look like he was on his feet in
the water, but he was actually floating. So I jumped. The cost was me drowning. As
soon as they saw, they ran. I began to panic. My father never taught me to swim. He
tried, he launched me into a deep river, but all I could do was drown. I began to sink.
I had to breathe: I was taking in water.
I awoke on a rock, no one around me. To this day, the only explanation I could
think of was that I was saved by the hand of God.
Jose8th gradeTexas Children’s Cancer Center’s Arts in Medicine Program sponsored by The Periwinkle Foundation
82 Blooms 2011
There’s a Fish in My Dialysis Chair
There’s a fish in my dialysis chair, slipping and sliding everywhere. Where oh where do I stick the fish? He looks to the left. He looks to the right, sees his uncle, aunt, and cousin clearly in sight. Aunt Joetta, Uncle Clyde, Cousin Josephine swimming nearby in water so clean. The fish out of water, very ungraceful, flopping around, very disgraceful. This fish, it tries to watch television but is unsuccessful. To stick veins so small, you would need a magnifying glass. The next thing I know, he’s on my machine! What’s next? My nurse or maybe my candy? We talk for a while, me, in English, he, in Finglish. But we understand each other. It’s a silent yet coherent conversation. I invite him for dinner. Sad to find out we’re having fish sticks and macaroni. Imagine the look on his face! I bet when I go back to dialysis, he won’t be in my chair. He’ll only give me a cold stare from his place in the aquarium toward my place in my chair.
Deandrea Stevens8th gradeTexas Children’s Renal Center
83Writers in the Schools (WITS) witshouston.org
El río
I was at the frontera, el Rio Grande. I’m going to drown myself en el Rio; I’m tired of mi
vida. A voice spoke behind my ear and told me, Que esperas, que no te mueras, guey. I
won’t let you jump. I will turn you into a pescado. I’ll give you a second chance to live
and have freedom. Vas a nadir cuando amanesca y vas a ver la reflección del sol. Gra-
cias, I said, for giving me a second chance. ¿Qué va a pasar in the future? Vas a tener
felicidad, said the voice, el resto de tu vida. Then the voice disappeared like the sound
of the water passing through seaweed.
Estevan Rodriguez12th gradeTexas Children’s Renal Center
84 Blooms 2011
Restless
As I lie here, my legs grow restless,
and I just want to get up and run.
They feel trapped,
as if vines with thorns were wrapped
around them.
They would jump up
and run and go crazy
and take me anywhere
but here.
They would dance me back
to three years ago,
when they would move every night
until the party was over
and then they would go
to sleep.
And the next morning
they took the Metro
and walked
and took another Metro
until they would rest
with all the other legs,
the feet in Jordans and Pumas and Polos.
Elizabeth Soriano12th gradeTexas Children’s Renal Center
WITS is proud to present Karen Walrond, renowned writer, photographer, speaker, engineer, and attorney. Her parenting and photo blog, Chookooloonks, has won several awards including “Best Eye Candy Blog 2010” of the 2010 BlogLuxe awards, and the judg-es’ pick for “best photo blog” by the 2010 Black Weblog Awards. She has appeared on both local and national television shows and other news media, including CNN.com and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Karen is the author of the bestselling book The Beauty of Different, a work that celebrates our unique superpowers through imagery and powerful storytelling.
Keynote SpeakerPhot
o by
Yvo
nne
Feec
e
WITS extends its thanks to the following WITS writers:
Thank YouGloria Alvarez
Miah ArnoldCarolyn Bolton
Nancy BonsembianteLauren Burrow
Marcia ChamberlainCarina Christensen
Evan ClevelandSara CooperRyan DilbertEric EkstrandKathy ElliottMischa Enos
David FeilSharon Ferranti Casey Fleming
Deborah FrontieraSarah Gajkowski-Hill
Lauren Genovesi
Kasten GloverMaryann Gremillion
Autumn HayesStephanie Hruzek Carmen Jacobsen
Chris KajanderRob KimbroEric Kocher
Emily KoehnWeezie Mackey
Melanie MalinowskiKimberly Moore
D’Lynn RubioYolanda Schulte-Ladbeck
Analicia SoteloGabriela Villegas
Rebecca WadlingerDeborah Wiggins
Amy Williams
Phot
o by
Yvo
nne
Feec
e
Special thanks to the following schools and projects for their participation:Thank You
Briargrove Elementary SchoolCatholic Charities at Collins Elementary School
Children’s Cancer Hospital at MD Anderson Cancer Center
Community Family Centers at Gallegos Elementary School
Condit Elementary SchoolDuchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart
Ermel Elementary SchoolThe Fay School
Garden Oaks Elementary SchoolHelms Community Learning Center
Herod Elementary SchoolHPL Express at Discovery Green
Johnston Middle SchoolKaleidoscope Middle School
Kujawa Elementary SchoolLockhart Elementary School
Looscan Elementary SchoolMeadow Wood Elementary School
Moreno Elementary SchoolNeff Elementary School
The Regis School of the Sacred HeartThe Rice School/La Escuela Rice
T.H. Rogers School (Vanguard and PDHH)School at St. George Place
E.O. Smith Education CenterSt. Michael Catholic School
Texas Children’s Cancer Center’s Arts in Medicine Program sponsored by
The Periwinkle FoundationTexas Children’s Renal Center
Travis Elementary SchoolEd White Elementary School
Williams Middle School
Phot
o by
Yvo
nne
Feec
e
Thank You
Robin Reagler, Ph.DExecutive Director
Bao-Long Chu
Associate Director
Jack McBrideProgram Director
Kate Rybka Brennan
Development Associate
Jennifer WatsonCommunications Manager
Angie Coats
Accounting Manager
Gayatri ParikhOffice Manager
WITS StaffPhot
o by
Yvo
nne
Feec
e
Writers in the Schools (WITS) is generously supported in part by:
Houston Endowment Inc.The Brown Foundation, Inc.
The Menil CollectionNational Endowment for the Arts
the City of Houston through Houston Arts AllianceGoogle
Texas Commission on the ArtsShell Oil Company
Copy.comThe Hearst Foundations, Inc.
Shell Houston OpenKroger
Albert & Ethel Herzstein Charitable FoundationThe Susan Vaughan Foundation, Inc.
TravelersThe Simmons Foundation
George and Mary Josephine Hamman FoundationHarry S. & Isabel C. Cameron Foundation
H-E-B Tournament of ChampionsKinder Morgan Foundation
Sysco CorporationThe Clayton Fund
Wells FargoKUHF Houston Public Radio
The Jacob and Terese Hershey FoundationContinental Airlines
ExxonMobil FoundationBaxter International Inc.
King & Spalding LLPVinson & Elkins LLP
Ray C. Fish FoundationBP
CenterPoint EnergyJenny and Jim Elkins Family FundTexas Medical Center Orchestra
The Samuels FoundationKHOU-TV Channel 11
Edward & Helen Oppenheimer FoundationTexas Children’s Hospital
Zimmerman, Axelrad, Meyer, Stern and Wise, PCCommunication Axess Ability Group
Poets & Writers, Inc.Robert T. and Patricia N. Pando Fund
Brazos BookstoreMission Fish
BuildASign.comEl Paso Corporation
Microsoft Matching Gifts ProgramRandalls
KPFT
And individuals who value the strength that comes from reading and writing.
If you are interested in giving the gift of WITS, please contact us at:1523 West Main, Houston, Texas 77006
phone: 713.523.3877 | fax: 866.793.4865 | email: mail@witshouston.orgweb: witshouston.org | blog: witsblog.org
Robin Reagler, Ph.DExecutive Director
Bao-Long Chu
Associate Director
Jack McBrideProgram Director
Kate Rybka Brennan
Development Associate
Jennifer WatsonCommunications Manager
Angie Coats
Accounting Manager
Gayatri ParikhOffice Manager
WITS Staff
Writers in the Schools (WITS) 1523 West Main Street
Houston, TX 77006 713.523.3877
witshouston.org witsblog.org