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OdellArmstrong

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1 ~AWate.rways ..Project~~ PublicationOdell ~Annstrong Richard SpiegelBarbara Fisher

codirectorsThomas Perry

administrative assistant

James Pattonteacher

Bedford Stuyvesant OutreachCoranJames, director

Frank Murray, principal i.a.Stephen E. Phillips, Superintendent,Alternative High Schools &Programs

I99 6 Ten Penny Playerswith funding support from

the NY State Council on the Arts

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SCHOOLwriting for schoolmust take place during the dayif I were to write at nightit would feel empty and meaninglessI must write all together

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MONSOONthe sun sets over the pale skythe ground is moist and dampthe livingwalk this'wet landsearching for food

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SOUNDShearing the birds singseeing them in mid-airexcites sound in sightthey dive to the waterfor their catch of the day tofeed empty bellies or starve

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CONJUNCTIONthe garbage cans go bangthe oyens go clangtogether you get noiseI walk in deep darknesseverything turns black and coldI fear death may ride behind meI dread looking backI keep straight ahead in order to live

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SWEETENEDice cream and candytwo of nature's delightsto children's tastebudsgrease and fatI stuff down my throat with delightignoring near danger .

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WOMANHOODfemales go from baby to infantsuddenly ladiesdays I wake, proudI'm a male in the twentieth century

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FEELINGSliving for love is likea narrow hallwayyou must go straightto succeed

white silky materialsremind me of chalk off a boardas it settles on your hands thendisappears

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HELL

smoke fills the airfire erupts from the housegas fills the air whenlight heads towards it

you see clothes burningtoys and books you loveso much and nothing you can dobut watch in sadness

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l\1ATERIALSpencil, pens, notebookserasers all I needfor aworking school dayI must learn moreaim higher, reach goalsgo forward, never sidewaysor back

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.CULTURE Irich men are neverreally happywith just money andno heartthey can deny itbut it is a lie

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CULTURE II

awise man says,a bathroom is like good friendalways there when you need it

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t ~. , < . . : . . : - ~. ._ ' . , : ~ - ..- : ~. : ~ : ~ : :-~::.~: . . _ : : ~ . : . : ' : :~. ',. ,T" .... ' .' ,.,_. ...... ~ .. C:.L9",a::o..,c ~awaterways project publicationIn Search of a SongVolume 261. . . . . . . . . . . , . . . . . . . . , , . . , . . . . _ , ~