Ferris University, Japan

yoko honda

ten years old
first pink candy lips--
blossom time

yumiko kinoshita

5 baby swallows
almost falling out
of their nest

kimiko inagaki

small girls plays alone
a butterfly flutters and
stops on her shoulder

shoko taneda

Golden Week
I find ten thousand yen
in my dream

kanako kimura

blooming azaleas
show off the castle
spring breeze

kahori tachi

the rainy season
languidly
a snail track

erika terashina

rainy season
the long moody weekend
quarrel with a friend

eiko shinkai

women sweating
at the neighborhood gym
dreaming of bikinis

shiho suzuki

neighborhood kids
swinging higher and higher
smell of mown grass

erika ishikawa

blue sky and blue sea
melt together at the horizon
summer haze

tomomi aoyagi

the long day
one shell treasure
after another

sanae ishimura

brow sweating
serving a ball straight into
the sunlight

yumi koyama

on Mnt. Kobo
the most refreshing orange soda
ever

miki hachiya

sea and sky
tranquil blue
waves in harmony

nami fukasawa

sunflower field
the smile of my best friend
still hovers

sonoko inoue

pulling mom's skirt
sailor moon cotton candy
please, please!

yuki fushimi

fireworks
ending immediately
fire of life

shizue yamaguchi

I will follow
the Milky Way
to see you again

yuri iwamoto

under the fall leaves
a clear voice singing
in the dark

kaoru sasaki

on the shoulder
of the high school uniform
a snowflake

aki takada

winter morning
where the trees were
white sculptures

yuka kakinuma

mint tea
in a black mug--
I cram for a test


WATER HAIKU

Mami

Mirai Beach --

first body boarding onto

mysterious waves

Yuka Saito

sunset sea turns red

junior high school best friends talk

about everything

Hikari Yoshida

fight with my best friend--

rain lets up & a tear drops

from my umbrella

Kozue Hirata

golden retriever

splashing in the summer waves

along the seashore

Anonymous

mountain water

for our family dinner

taste buds wake up

Aino Suzuki

deep scary Eton pool

swallowing water i give up

the dragon boat

Iroha Takahashi

a wild duck ripples

the sunny, hot and humid

windless lake

Saori Kajiwara

overturned canoe

scrambling, laughing from the river

to our mountain camp

Eriko Saito

myriad fishes

endless in the healing sea

of Hawaii

Mizuki Kanamaru

sand bouncing--

sprinkler in the playground

makes a rainbow

Sakura Horiguchi

snorkeling

on a shelf of coral

i swim with a turtle

Junko Kuwabara

glass bottom boat

the colourful crowded

Okinawa sea bottom

Momo Kimura

a falling drop

from the clear sky

thread of sky and land

Yukina Fujiki

heavy rain through

the hole in my umbrella

the sky is black

Anonymous

at the beach

my dog chases waves chases

and runs away

Asako Kashiwagi

i tread in puddles--

splashes up on my shoes

but somewhat happy

Rina Matsubra

home alone

after the rain i open the door

to a rainbow

Yuna Ogata

amniotic fluid--

a comfortable cradle

for unborn baby

Hitomi Tanaka
rising sun

the snowman melts and fades

"see you next winter"

Aya Kuroyasu

in the garden

flower showered mist

wake up! grow up!

Yumi Inoue

after a long rain

a power surge in the trees--

lush, deepening green

Eri Nomoto

walking with a slow

wind along a winding stream

deep mountain forest

Mayu Hashigaya

strong sunlight

no clouds in the sky

i float on the waves

Caithness Youth Shelter

Paint Me Like I Am

Lamar, age 17

Why don’t you paint me like I am?
Why can’t I be friendly?
Why you always downing me?
Why can’t I buy the shoes I see?
Why does it feel like you’re carrying me?
Why when I feel cute
You put me on mute?

Tumu, age 16
Poor * Me

When I cry
There’s no one to go to
When I fall
Who will fix my boo boo?
When I’m hungry
Who will feed me?
But when I rise people
Will need me
They won’t remember poor little me
Cuz now I’m rich
But one thing I will always
Be ME
*Rich or Poor*

Emmanuel, age 17

I know why you don’t paint me
Like I am,
I make it seem like I’m sad;
Like I’m mad,
you don’t see me smile;
That’s why you don’t paint me like I am;

You don’t see my long wavy black hair;
because the whole time it wasn’t there,
I want you to paint me
with all the animals
like rabbits deers and bears;
But instead I’m always indoors,
up those solemn stairs;
If I show my happiness instead of my sad;
Then maybe my portrait would
not be so bad.

Stephanie, age 17
I’d Love to See a Life

I’d love to see a life where
I wasn’t unsure of what was to come,
I’d love to see a life where
I’m intelligent enough to be accepted,
I’d love to see a life where
I was different enough so that
no one else was just like me,
I’d love to see a life where
my past hadn’t hurt me,
I’d love to see a life where
I wasn’t scared to move on with my future
and become me
I’m hopeful that one day
my dreams will come true,
Then maybe I will see that life.

Ferris aka Powetri

EVER CHANGING

Yea...
Things change and...
People rearrange
Yet we are still the same
The non-conformist of an ever-forming society
We hold these truths to be self-evident

Keeping our distance before man
And holding our own after them
We find the more mere meaning of life
The “ropes” of diversity
The “tides” of individuality
Causing one less soul to go astray

It seems that we’re here
And it seems that we’re done
Yet I feel I have a lot more left to do
Things that people dropped behind
People that dropped things behind
And now that they are in my hand
I shall change and rearrange them
The non-conformist of an ever-forming society.
copyright (c) 2003 Powetri

MY CHILD

I am inspired to create an individual
To take on his own destiny and future
I am inspired to create a being
That’s higher than I
That can take on a form all its own
And after I have molded and sculpted
Changed and rearranged my species
I shall release it into the world
To bring up those lost in the fight
To water those dried out souls
Who can no longer see that the grass can still become green
Where the skies will open and the birds shall sing
Where I can spin all day on the smell of just-opening roses
Under the ever-so-perfect hung shelter of the sky
I can take my bags and throw them in the river
Just because He made the ax head float
I know my trials can be washed away
I can be a creator
An inventor
A starter to this alias effect
It would be mine. I can hold it
I could mother it
I could speak it
I could teach it to the world
Only I am a student of life
Learning as I go along
Wanting to pick all the essentials up after my teacher
And place them in my little brown basket
Take them home and spread them out on the table
And place together something so miraculous
So incredible, so awesome, so amazing
That the world will sing for thousands of years
I will...
I will create...
I will recreate words!
And not our normal, day-to-day ABC complacency
Words that we have humanly joined together to produce imperfect sentences
But words that will heal the land
That will flow like ointment over this broken earth
That will cover like a bandage all that that has been scraped
It shall begin to reign higher than I
Words with power
Words with meaning
Words from the soul
Shall begin to lift us
Break us up and tear us down
These words that are so precious to me
That the Creator whispers on my ear lobe when I’m listening so attentively
These are the words that shall come like rain and bless the child
These are the words that will come like a flood and wash away all the unclean and imperfect.
copyright (c) 2003Ferris Rash'ad

THA CALLING

I have truly created a monster...
Something so powerful it supercedes the elements of words, stacks, and figures and...
So wrathful it provides encouragement to the souls of the lost ones and bitter sheep
Brought me through my many trials and tribulations and since there’s no place else to go
When the rain comes down pouring and chill. Keeps my body from extraverting the things I came here to say
Like rainy days and Mondays can be so damn grand when you are elevating mind symbols to places of higher learning and yearning
Go forth and teach the good news. Speaker of the word and doers of those that follow the teachings of the...
Good people In those days When our slaves...
Became our scholars and interdependent warriors of counsel and grief More or less mention and we would have been bound for more than what we experienced
For when I set my pen to paper words fall like lemon drops on candy-coated icing
And words formulate magical potions healing wounds and satisfying thirst From those that bothered and walked the distance to come here
Yes!!! I have created a monster Far more than you will ever know It’s here with me Speaking now...
copyright (c) 2003 Powetri

SUCCESS

You see,
I will plan my future...
I will plan my future...
I’ll plan my future...
[And] In my future I plan to pursue a life fulfilled with pleasure like happiness, good times, joy and unmeasurable treasure where it ends, I’ll begin... I want to be an educator, that little light of hope Telling our future America that you can make it, just learn to cope With the fears, tears, and years of dilapidation and separations Of misconstrued generations and unkind segregations
I will plan my future and in my future I’m determined to succeed Conquer my dreams and goals and suffice every need My compassion for education drives me to teach
It’s my future... Yes, I see it within reach and between you and me Planned my future...
copyright (c) Ferris Rash'ad

HUMAN ACTIVITY

So I sit here with lit candles and tea on boil
And I’m supposed to be expressing myself
Only this here has no significant theme or relevance
To a society that’s so vile and bleak
To a world where sanity reigns no more
And my brothers and sister can not come to agreement
On tha things that has already been accomplished
Like this freedom thing
Yo, tell me what we got to do
Cause tha days work is only far ahead
But I understand the feelings that you feel
Like when you wake up in tha morning.
But to make a buck is to work all day
And to work you have to suffer
And to suffer you have to sacrifice
And to sacrifice to me means
Givin’ up something’s that you like tha most
Like yo’ rings and yo’ tea
Like your P-R-I-V-A-C-E
Only in times of learning does ya
Head spin and body turn
For you know what you had to go through
To stand in the front line to apply for
Howard or
Yale
Or Harvard
Knowing that the things to come are far and in between
Only...
Live and learn my precious human beings
For the activity in our limps
Or the breath in our vessels
Are giving and intended for reason
So that we can change our world
And more or less heal
Give me purity
Give me peace
Give me individuality
Give me strength
Give me goals
Give me direction
Give me peace
Give me paper
For my activities run so deep
And are so complicated
Needing to be written
Not just spoken
Needing to be acted upon
Not just done
Needing to be settled
And not fought
Give me breath-Most High
For my human activity.
copyright (c) 2003 Ferris Rash'ad

Umoja HOPE Performers

THE RIVER OF TEARS

As the winter gets cold,
As the river flows,
I can face my fears,
But still I cry
The river of tears~
I can be happy and rejoice,
I can hear God’s voice,
I can face my fears,
But still I cry
The river of tears.
Copyright © Simone Davis 2003

LOOKING FORWARD TO HEAVEN

I'm eleven
And my friends have betrayed me.
They talk about me behind my back,
They get me to fight,
I’m looking forward to Heaven.
My friends are smoking weed
and drinking alcohol.
They get me involved,
I drink a little,
I’m looking forward to heaven.
Every time
I do something wrong that
I know I wasn’t supposed to do,
I'm looking forward to Heaven!
Copyright © Shamekia Richardson 2003

MOTHER I LOVE YOU

Mother I love you.
I remember a time
When you had gone to the hospital-
After you left
I was shaking and crying
But you came home
And that day Shana told me that
You had had a mini heart attack.
After I heard that
I laid myself down
And I prayed to my God
And I napped and dreamed and still
I love you
Never forgetting you in my heart-
Nothing can stop me from loving you.
Copyright © Breia 2003

NO MORE DRUGS

NO MORE DRUGS SOLD TODAY,
KILLING INNOCENT CHILDREN EVERYDAY!
LISTEN, I’M TRYING TO WARN YOU,
DRUGS ARE THE WRONG THING TO DO!
ESPECIALLY DOING IT AROUND SCHOOLS,
KIDS WILL SAY THAT’S WHAT I WANT TO DO-
I WOULD HATE TO FIND THEM WITH YOU.
NO MORE DRUGS!
NO MORE DRUGS!
THEY ARE DESTROYING OUR LIVES DON’T YOU
SEE!
JUST WHY DOESN’T SOMEONE LISTEN TO ME!
NO MORE DRUGS!
Copyright © 2003 Shameika Richardson

THERE IS A ME

There is a me
I know there is
I’m probably lost
Or in my head-
There is a me
I know there is
I’m across town
Or am I standing right here?
There is a me
I know there is…
And I know I’m somewhere.
Copyright © 2003 Simone Davis

WINNER

I’m a winner
I am strong
I help the right
I correct the wrong
I am a winner
I am strong.
Copyright © 2003 Simone Davis

TO MY GRANDFATHER WHEN HE DIED

One time when I was wishing
That papa wasn't going to die
I realized that
He was going to die because
The Lord was going to call him
When it was time for him to come home-
Between Tinaya and I,
Papa was my favorite
Because he gave me lots of money
and not her.
I love you papa,
From the bottom of my heart-
You always did do special things for me.
I wish you were living papa,
You gave up a lot for me-
I remember when you used to drink
But guess what?
I still love you
With all my heart,
And peaceful love
And enjoyment.
Roses are red,
Violets are blue,
I always think
Of something about you-
I love you.
Copyright © 2003 Nitaya Gray

Mrs. Mass-Soltz 1st Grade Class

MY DREAM, Ayanna age 7

I had a dream that I could fly in the sky
if I was one inch tall.
I could flip on a flower.
I could walk on a ball.
I could fly in the sky.
I could swing on an earring
if I was one inch tall

MY DREAM, LaShawna age 7

I had a dream about my father and
mother. They got back together.
When I woke up I went downstairs.
I got a glass of water. I realized
it was only a dream but it made me
very happy.

MY DREAMS, Da'Quan age 7

The star is mine. It glows when I glow.
The star is high and low. It shines.
The star is watching me.

MY DREAM, Desirae age 7

In my dream there was my grandmother and me.
I thought she was alive but she wasn't.
She said "I love you."
I said "I love you too"
And it was in the stars.

MY DREAM, Jhaneal age 6

My dream is in the stars.
When I go to sleep
the stars are next to me.
I can sleep with my mighty stars.
They are light and bright
with the moon at night.
When I am in bed
there is no harm at night.
All right!

MY DREAM, Nigel age 7

My dream is about a train.
My mom
came with me on the train.
We started in town,
in Baltimore.
Then we down South,
far away from town
and far away from Baltimore.
We took a vacation.
When I woke up I felt tired
from my traveling in my dream.

MY NAME, Bialajah age 7

It makes me so happy
to hear you call my name.
I love it.
You make me feel so happy
and I love it,
when you call me by my name
"Bialajah"

IF CHICKEN TASTED LIKE CANDY, Nitara age 7

If chicken tasted like candy
I would eat it every day.
If candy would taste like chicken
Uckey, yuck, yuck, yuck.
I wouldn't eat it at all.

IF I WERE SMALL Kayla age 6

If I were small I would ride a bird to school.
I could fit under a door.
When I sit down at my desk
it's too big.
When I get home
I hug my mother's pinky.
I feed the bird and eat my dinner.
I went into the bowl and wiped my mouth.
I went to bed.
In the morning I took a small bath.
I ate breakfast at the small table.
Then I wake up from my small dream.

Sara B., Age 8

1.

Roses are red
Violets are blue
I like myself
I hope you do
I think I'll be light
As a small feather
But I'll be bright
As the nice weather

2.

I pledge to the flag of the USA
Because I know that that's ok
I love the colors
Red, white and blue
And I pray too because
That's what I do

3.

Really
I want to say if you could
Come over and play
Right here, right here
But then again do not bother
I'll just go over there
Right over there, right over there

Alexis, Age 14

That One Job!

My mom cooks for me,
She cleans for me too.
My mom jokes with me,
She grounds me too.
My mom yells at me,
She laughs at me too.
My mom hits me,
She hugs and kisses me to.
My mom loves me......and that's the best job she can do.
Happy Mothers Day Mommy!
Copyright (c) 2006 Alexis


DIFFERENT

I'm different okay
What makes me different you may say
It could be my clothes
Who knows
It could be my short hair
Who cares
It could be my pretty eyes
I said they pretty and you may ask why?
It could be my unique poetry
I can rhyme and blow minds like floetry
It could be my skin color
I was born from another mother
It could be my choice of friends
The way you act is what depends
Or it could be my respect for you
If you respect me I'll respect you too
I'm glad I'm different
That's what makes me significant
What about you?
Aren't you glad your different too?

Copyright (c) 2006 Alexis

TEARS

TEARS FALL DOWN LIKE A RAINY DAY
THE ONLY CURE TO EASE THE PAIN
TEARS COME DOWN WHEN YOU’RE ALONE AT NIGHT
IT’S LIKE PROTECTION FROM WHAT YOU CAN’T FIGHT
TEARS ARE TEARS, THEY DON’T REALLY CHANGE NOTHING
THEY MAKE YOU HOPE AND WISH FOR THAT SAME SOMETHING
TEARS FALL DOWN WHEN THAT SOMEONE LETS YOU GO
MEMORIES BRING TEARS AND PAIN I SHOULD KNOW
TEARS ARE REMINDERS FROM THE PAIN FROM THE PAST
THEY COME DOWN FASTER WHEN THINGS DON’T LAST
TEARS WILL FALL UNTIL I SLEEP
UNTIL I DREAM A DREAM SO DEEP
MY DREAMS PROTACT ME, KEEPS ME FROM WHAT I FEAR
BUT THEN I’LL AWAKE, THINK OF YOU AND DOWN COME THE TEARS...
Copyright (c) 2006 Alexis

GOD's FIRST MISTAKE

For as long as I known
I’ve been told never to think of god ever making a mistake
But could that be?
Maybe he made his first mistake on me
I know that something is wrong with me and its building up inside
If you even mention god I will run and hide
Every time I think of this I feel my heart breaking
If I act like I’m happy lord known I’m faking
If I had power I’d make sure no one will ever see
The mistake God made on me
In the end this is all a game
And you better be careful before you end up in pain
I don’t want to go on thinking about it
So I decide to drop it
I stopped holding all this hate
But I will never forget that I was God’s first mistake
Copyright (c) 2006 Alexis


THE ANGELS ARE CALLING

The angels are calling you today
They know you can no longer stay
They know you suffered way to long
And that you don’t have the strength to carry on
They know you leaving this earth is a must
Even if that means leaving all of us
But we need to stay strong and say our goodbyes
Because you must spread your wings and fly
So now we say so long good friend
Until the next time we meet again
Copyright (c) 2006 Alexis


DADDY’S SONG

Laid back watching television, on the phone hearing the yells and screams bellow
I know it’s almost over so for my comfort, I lay my head on my tweedy bird pillow
Come downstairs she yells
I fix myself together to present me well, knowing I’m about to go through hell
I take the cordless phone as a guard and as a shield from what may happen
Mommy talks a little, and cries on her napkin
Daddy’s leaving, what ….how could this be? This always happen to me
I cry all night long which leads to weeks, months and years
Sometimes I can’t get rid of the tears
No one knows my secret; it’s between me and you
I dream every night that he’ll be back and hopefully that dream will come true.
Copyright (c) 2006 Alexis

THE WAR I FOUGHT

Burn me, Scar me
What can you do?
I’ve been through more
Than you’ve been through

Hit me beat me
Do what you will
I will not give up
Even though you were designed to kill

Kick me, Spit at me
I’ll hold back my tears
I’ve practiced this
For many of years

Abuse me, Hate me
There is only so much you can do
I’ll wait it out
Then you’ll see who’s who

Cut me, Break me
You’re wasting your time
I’m not giving anything up
There is nothing your gonna find

What now
Pulled out all your tricks?
Come on
Isn’t there somewhere else you can hit?

Go ahead
Pull out your gun
Its not gonna make a difference
Is this still fun?

Point at me
See what I’ll do
I won’t flinch a muscle
This is how much I hate you
Do it now
Pull the trigger
My life is draining away
It won’t amount to anything bigger

You sit there crying
It’s fun no more
You abused me so much
Until I was sore

Even so
I always came back
This time was different
I didn’t lack

I found my strength
And matched it with yours
Even though I died
I finally fought my war.
Copyright (c) 2006 Alexis

HIDING TEARS

Smiling face
Crying heart
Don’t let it show
Don’t let them know

Smiling stays
Crying starts
Hold it in
Don’t break the grin

Happy face
Hurting heart
Don’t reveal
How you feel

Painful place
Crying deepens
Spending years
Hiding tears.
Copyright (c) 2006 Alexis

BEING MISSED

A million times we have missed you
A million times we have cried
If love alone could have saved you
You never would have died
A heart of gold stops beating
Eight beautiful eyes closed to rest
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best
For those we love don’t go away
They walk beside us everyday
Unseen, unknown, but always near
John, Louis, Doris and Darrell you are all still loved, still missed, and still very dear.

Love Always,
Alexis
Copyright (c) 2006 Alexis

Dayontae, Age 16

K.T

Fun, nice, and athletic
Son of Laurette Fernandez
Lover of basketball, rap music, and having fun
Who feels happy, thankful, and joyful
Who fears spiders, and some roller coasters
Who would like to play professional ball, to get a good education and be famous
Fernandez
Copyright (c) 2005 Dayontae

WILL IN ELF

Hyper, caring, and nice
Brother of Michael in movie
Lover of sweets, candy and people
Who feels happy, loved, and loyal
Who fears his father, New York, and society
Who would like his real father to love him, to be an elf, and to be in love
Farrell
Copyright (c) 2005 Dayontae

TRISTAN

He is just five months
He is very lovable
His name is Tristan
Copyright (c) 2005 Dayontae

RAP MUSIC

It has changed a lot
It started with some poems
Now it’s more complex
Copyright (c) 2005 Dayontae

CARS

They come in different shapes
They come in different sizes
They are so nice they even have new names
Some call them whips or rides
The engine is either big or small
They can be either fast or slow
Some can drift
Others can rise
Different parts make them do different thing
Things like hydraulics make them rise
Your eyes will glow when you see their prices
Copyright (c) 2005 Dayontae

POETRY

It doesn’t matter how it goes
It can rhyme in any way
When it comes it just flows
You can write or you can say

The rhythm is the rhyme
The rhyme is the rhyme
It can be now, later or any other time

It’s just like rap when you do it you just know
It comes from deep inside your soul
As long as you keep going and don’t stop the flow
When you write poetry it’s like gambling take the dice and just roll

The rhythm is the rhyme
The rhyme is the rhyme
It can be now, later or any other time
Copyright (c) 2005 Dayontae

MY ODE TO MY FATHER

My father is a terrific person
He helps me get through the good and bad
Even when I pretend there’s nothing wrong
He knows when I am sad
I’m glad I don’t have another
Because compared to him there is no other
Copyright (c) 2005 Dayontae

POETRY

P- Personal
O- or
E- everything
T- that
R- responds to
Y- you
Copyright (c) 2005 Dayontae

BLING

There was once a king named Bling
Who thought that he could sing
He never took a shower
He killed his favorite flower
Nothing on earth survived not one thing
Copyright (c) 2005 Dayontae

CHRISTMAS

The snow
Everyone wakes
We ran down the stairs to see
The happiness in their faces
Christmas
Copyright (c) 2005 Dayontae

FIRE

I remember the fire
The bad thing destroyed my life
It started with just one wire
It destroyed everything even my knife
It arose from the spark
And tried to take me down
It snuck me in the dark
It was like a killer clown
That fire really fazed me
I got out just in time
It almost killed the baby
Now I’m here saying this rhyme
Sorry it’s time to go
This is something I know you know
My life was almost over
But it’s not thanks to my dog Rover
Copyright (c) 2005 Dayontae

LIFE

Life is filled with ups and downs
And this I know you know
It’s what makes the world go round
Even though it goes so slow
It doesn’t mater how you live it
Because it’s yours to choose
As long as you don’t fall into a deep pit
You will never lose
There are lots of things you can do
Like running, jumping, having fun
It all depends on if you choose to
Because your number one
Your life is something that you hold
Hold on tight and it won’t get old
Copyright (c) 2005 Dayontae

SATURDAY

Today is Saturday

a day once a week

it's a very fun day

that you don't have to seek

you can go out and play

or you can go to the mall

for the day

it is very, very clear

that you don't have to fear

it's not far away

as a matter of fact

that day is today

today is Saturday

a day once a week

it's a very fun day

that you don't have to seek.

Copyright (c) 2002 Dayontae

DAVID

It was Saturday morning and I was driving down the street to my restaurant when I saw a big beautiful garden. When I saw the garden it reminded me of back home in France when I used to grow my own vegetables. I had not grown my own vegetables even now that this is my 2nd year in Cleveland because I didn’t know there was a place I could grow them. I was just beginning to think that I would never be able to grow my own vegetables for my restaurant ever again.

I am a 26year-old French male whose name is David. The day I saw the garden I thought it was so beautiful that I kept coming back to see it. Then on Wednesday I decided to grow my own vegetables. That evening I went to the grocery mart and picked up bags of potato seeds, tomato seeds, and squash seeds to plant. After I came home from the store I went to the garden and this boy who couldn’t speak English, but was speaking some other language was trying to help me. When I told everyone who I was and what I did for a living every one said hi to me.

Later that week this kid that was helping out Sam told me about the feasts that they usually have. That night I decided to go home early and cook up the best feast I could think of with some stuff I got from the other gardeners. When I came back to the garden everyone was wondering what I had and I showed them all the food and they enjoyed it so much that they all started to come to my restaurant all the time. After that, I started to feel like I was a part of the community and everyone liked me -I liked them too.

About 3 weeks later my plants started to grow big and ripe and very juicy. My vegetables would never have looked like that if it weren’t for the help of Tio-Juan. Now I can use all the vegetables that I grow to cook at my restaurant. I like very fresh vegetables instead of store bought vegetables because I don’t like what happens to them on the way to the grocery mart. This will make me be able to cook even better meals than before and get even more customers.

DCPL West End 2006

Where I'm From

Kirstin C.

I'm from Jeannetta and Karl Clayton
I'm from 17th street NE
I'm from Providence Hospital
I'm from two sisters and two brothers
I'm from four different cars
(2 of them getting stolen)
I'm from a rose bush in the back
and an azalea bush in the front
I'm from Taft

Alexis W.

I'm from the ghetto
Fights to gunshots
Arguments to killings
Goofiness to rebels
Friends to gossiping
Family to loneliness
Blood to murder
Smacking to punching
Sex to pregnancy
Baby momma drama to baby daddy drama
Yo daddy ain't there
Yo momma ain't there
Even though I went through all of this
I know where I'm from
I'm from KNP
and even that can't change me


Jamilah H.

I am from a place
where people shoot basketballs and bullets
throw footballs and grenades
have high speed chases and play spades
sell drugs and produce
take vitamins and birth control pills
try their best
to reach the top of the hill
eat, sleep, drink and kill
this is what half of my people do


Gabrielle G.

I am from southeast
From generations of indians
I am from a laughing, playing and serious family
From bad neighborhoods
dealing with fighting, killing and drugs
I am from a healthy family
who cooks Sunday dinners and eats fried chicken
From a place where they are gangs,
loud music and bad attitudes everywhere
I am from a place where I take my life seriously
Playing basketball, reading, having allergies
and eating pizza


Reyna N.

I am from green leaves
from sweetness on my mother's kiss
I am from songs that I listen
From the tables and chairs that I use often
I am from the feathers of birds
From the mountains I imagine
which helps me feel comfortable
every time in my life


Anyeis L.

I'm from my mommy's stomach
I'm from my home
I'm from dancing all day long
I'm from playing outside
I'm from the southside
I'm from the world where I stand alone
I'm from happiness and sadness all day long

D'Ante T.

I am from DC
It is the place to be
I am from the hood
were it's all good
I am from a school
it's kind of cool
And that's where I'm from


Sierra A.

I'm from open sheds
loaf of bread
Open stus just like you
Dogs and their disgusting
bow moo's
I see special things everyday
open hearts so we could play
I move from here to there
funny things are everywhere
like you and me
so you see
this is the nice part of me


Roshika D.

I am from NW
I am from nappy roots
I am from hot combs
I am from perms
I am from Kool aid and sugar
I am from sugar water
I am from rolling eyes


Mariam B.

I am from the color pink
coats, jackets, shirts, minks
all of them have a shade that sinks
I am from cooked food
It always tastes good
because I take my time like I should
I am from one home
that I love and have grown from
bed, dresser and my phone
I am from southwest
killer, drinker, drugs
to live there is the test
I am from me


Tondelaya R.

You see my life
It's no fairy tale
You see my life
Don't try to make me your wife
You see my life
Lynchburg Virginia and some part of North Carolina
You see my life
I ain't lying



Elisa J.

This ain't no game
people take me for granted
This ain't no game
it's my life not your wife
This ain't no game
sometimes I get in trouble
This ain't no game
but that doesn't make me humble
This ain't no game
I know it's long
This ain't no game
so let me sing my song
This ain't no game
I study so hard
This ain't no game
but I still don't gotta guard

DCPL Capitol View 2006

Renku 4 You

Nijah, Age 12

I hate Sushi yuck
It makes you very stinky
It is very nasty

Sushi makes your breath smell bad
I hate the stench of it too


Basketball is fun
It is my favorite sport
All net when I shoot

My team is funny and cool
Maryland Beltway Lady Cougars


Tracy, age 11

Baseball is a game
It has a bat and a ball
It takes place outside

I play it with my teammates
I really like to do it


Diamond, age 11

I hate my teacher
He makes me want to punch him
His name is Nathan

I just scream when I see him
He is an unk and a punk


Joseph, Aide

Gary is an unk
Not just that but he's a punk
He smells like a skunk

If he steps he will get slumped
He was in jail and got pumped


Ebony, Aide

Roses, cherries, hearts
Valentines and traffic signs
Swimming in red red

Everywhere we see the hue
The lovely color rojo


Michael, Aide

I enjoy college
I like being on my own
I can teach music

I hate getting up for class
I have to practice all day


Barbara, Aide

Hot days are my style
Vacation time to be free
Laugh, cry, whisper, yell

Travel out of the city?
Price of gas determines where


Jonas, DCPL Staff

Smooth, flow all out fun
Airplane fly and touch the sun
Everything me

The sky is the limit watch
I keep living the good life

DCPL Turkey Thicket 2006

Creative Haiku-ing

Latifah, age 12

Latifah swims good
Latifah swims on hot days
the water is cold


Aaron, age 11

In the very hot
summer I swim very long
and I am happy


Jami, age 10

Swimming is so fun
It is a great thing to do
and it makes you cool


Kaya, age 8

This summer I am
going to a camp to play
and shop at the mall

Terra, age 9

Terra likes to swim
I like to swim very good
It is very fun


Marche, age 11

I swim with Charne
We wear two piece bathing suits
I know how to swim


Charne, age 10

Swimming is so fun
I like to float on my back
I could hold my breath


Lottie, age 11

Lottie likes swimming
The coolness of the water
The people are nice

DCPL Washington Highlands 2006

All About Me

Dwaine R., Age 14

Cool, calm, creative, yet collected
The friend of many
A lover of cars, females and always family
Who feels what ever life has in store for him
Who needs nothing but chooses to go after the unattainable
Who gives what he can: never too little
and never too much
Who fears nothing that didn't help in his creation
Who would like to see what life has in store for him
Who enjoys the family and friends he was blessed with
Who likes to wear black, blue, white
whatever he likes
The resident of DC- Atlantic St.

Erica D., Age 11

Pretty, smart, loving, happy
Aunt of Issac Shaw
Lover of teddy bears, books, computers
Who feels sleepy, bored, hot
Who feels happiness in boys, TV, computers
Who gives hugs, toys, food
Who fears big dogs, lions, bears
Who would like to see Chris Brown, Jay Z, Pulse
Who enjoys swimming, singing, dancing
Who likes to wear jeans, red, black
Resident of DC, Galveston Pl.

Roscoe T.

Cool, smart, creative, sad
The son of a woman who plays both roles of mom and dad
The lover of drugs, money and sweets
Who finds happiness in females, sex and runnin' the streets
Who needs much attention, love and praise
Who gives heartless reactions, mean mugs and cold stares
Who fears new changes, God and death
Who would like 2 see better dayz B4 my last breath
Who enjoys fast cars, fast women and drugs
Who likes to wear the color black
and the clothes of street thugs
DC is where I stay

DCPL MLK 2005

Paint Me Like I Am

Danielle R.

Paint me as a cutie outgoing and loud
Paint me real nice and kind
Paint me at a party
And paint me while I'm wild
Paint me hanging out with friends
Paint me smart and sexy
Paint me while I am respectful and nice
Paint me like a goofy outrageous
Sexy sweet smart cutie
Paint me like I am through your eyes


Corey

Paint me like I am
I am smart and respectful
Considerate, kind
An intellectual
I have all the confidence in the world
Athletic people wish they had my power


Nequil

Why don't you paint me like I'm smart
Paint me energized and fun
Paint me so my helpfulness will show
Paint me responsible


Stephen E.

Paint me while I'm good
Paint me like I am young
Paint me like you want me
Paint me like you can


Marquis L.

Please paint me like I'm athletic
Paint me as me
Paint me as cool
Paint me confident
Why don't you just see me as I am
Why can't you paint me unquestionable or mysterious
Why can't I be smart


Persia B.

Paint me somewhere athletic
With a basketball in my hand
Paint me with my responsibility
Paint me with my smartness
And paint me like I am


Stephanie E.

Paint me athletic, tight and vicious
Paint me friendly, nice, smart and loving
Paint me ambitious, kind and confident
Paint me the way I want to be seen
Intelligent


Brittney B.

Why don't you paint me
Like I am
Paint me friendly and polite
Paint me as a confident athlete
Without my tears and sorrow
Paint me as a
people person
Being respectful and thoughtful
As I can be
Paint me like I am


Torkwase C.

Why don’t you paint me like I am
Paint me with my madness
Paint me without loudness
Paint me without meaness
Paint me without unhappiness


Isiah B.

Can you paint me like I am
Paint me athletic
You can paint me like a leader that’s what I am
You can paint me like a cool person
You can paint me as a friendly person
Can you paint me as a person with confidence
You can paint me happy
You can paint me as a smart person
Can you paint me just like me


Leah B.

Paint me like I am
Paint me happy
Paint me smart
Paint me caring
Paint me with
Short curly black hair
Paint me with chocolate skin
Paint me with horses
Paint me with animals
Paint me sweet
Paint me helpful
Paint me lovable
Paint me without sorrow and fears
Paint me without pain and tears
Paint me as I am


Bria B.

Paint me stylish
Paint me with my kindness and confidence
Why don’t you paint me lovable?
Paint me with my niceness
Paint me with my funniness
Paint me the way I am


Breea P.

Why do you paint me unreal?
Help me to understand
When you draw me make me cute, well dressed and goofy!
Paint my attitude sassy, loud, friendly, sexy and energetic
Paint me at a party so wild n’ crazy, dancing with boys, sitting on laps!
Is this really your passion to paint me?
I am responsible and respectable but that’s not easy to paint
You have to see my actions and read my attitude!
Paint me as you see me…
I’m too real for paper!

DCPL Cleveland Park 2005

Paint Me Like I Am

Charlotte B.
author of Paranormal: A Sketchbook, Alfred Knopf Press

AGE OF QUESTIONING

Why don't you paint me
Like I know I am
Not short; but vivacious, an explosive energy
Sophisticated and exciting; an (almost) adult
In a form too small to support me
And my thoughts
Interesting; a legitimately thinking
Conscious person
Not the young-looking little cute (?) thing that you see
But me, an individual, of an age full of thoughts
Me

DCPL Petworth 2005

Paint Me Like I Am

Fernandez M.

Paint me happy
Paint me smart
Paint me like somebody
Paint me helpful
Paint me joyful
Don't let the pain show
Paint me like somebody
Paint me nice
Paint me happy
Please don't let the pain show
Paint me like I am


Kyra W.

Paint me like I am
Why don't you paint me like I am?
Paint me happy
Running down a path of happiness
Paint me with long black wavy hair
Paint me with rosy cheeks
Paint me being smart
Paint me being funny


Dayontae C.

Why can't you paint me like I am
Paint me brave
As a policeman or a firefighter
Who helps save people
Even in times of sorrow
Paint me funny
Always looking for the good
In bad situations and making
Something funny out of it
Paint me caring
Paint me thinking of other
Even before me
Paint me with kindness and light heartedness
Paint me giving to people less fortunate
Even before buying my own meals
Why can't you just paint me
The way I want to be painted
Funny, caring and brave
Also I would love to be painted free


Paint me like I am
Why can't you paint me as me
Paint me different


Alicia S.

Why don't you paint me like I am
Paint me happy
Beautiful, friendly, nice
Paint me with love on my face
Can you see my face
Telling you I'm beautiful and nice
Paint me with love
But most of all paint me with peace


Dionis W.

Why don't you paint me like I am
Paint me like the strong
Black woman that I am
Sincere and intelligent
Ready to paint all of those
That cross my path
Paint me as an assertive
Force that builds
Rather than destroys
Paint me with all of your dreams
That you wish to come true
But most of all
Paint me with the fairness
that you see in me


Karen T.

Why don't you paint me like I am
Paint me light hearted
Laughing, running down the yellow
Brick road with a smile on my face
Paint me happy being sassy
Eyes flashing, winking, flirting
With my arms in the air, dancing
Paint me fair, balanced
Being non judgemental but
evenhanded
Paint me as I am
Just me...let me "b" KT
My muse is calling


McH

Why don't I paint myself as I am
Paint myself positive, happy, healthy
Floating on a river of strength
Paint me bright and rosy
A free, happy butterfly
Traveling where I choose
Bright and
Breezy and
Strong


Jason D.

Why don't you paint me like I am
Paint me joyous
Paint me intelligent
Paint my comedy
Paint my laughter
Paint my mind
Paint me light hearted
Just paint me for the contributions that
I bring to YOUR world


Paint me as funny
Draw all my intelligence
Script me as joyous


Ramona D.

Paint me full of life
Nurturing, inspiring
Paint me like I am

DCPL Kennedy 2005

Creative Haiku-ing

Michelle M.

You can talk all day
You can talk about good stuff
It can be useful


Rica C. S.

This summer is hot
But we can go to the park
And slide on a slide


Ify O.

The water ripples
Let nature fall around you
Let it embrace you


Daryle C.

My mother isnice
She is gentle and pretty
She is funny too

Grandmother is nice
She is funny and playful
She always plays fair


Diamond M.

Friends will cheer you up
Make you feel better through stuff
Friends are the best


Mary P.

Good for exercise
You can learn new tricks and moves
Fun to play with others

DCPL Northeast 2005

Creative Haiku-ing

Santwan S.

I like to throw it
My favorite team is Rams
I like football

The playground is fun
Playground is a hang out place
The playground is nice


Corey H.

I like to slam dunk
I like the Dallas Mavericks
I like shooting threes


David P.

I like to scramble
I like to throw the football
Football is so fun

I like shooting threes
I like dunking on the rim
Detroit is the best


Jawan D.

My Nike's are black
My Nike's shine all the time
Nike is the shoe


Persia

I hate rainy days
You never get to play
It's a boring day

Basketball is fun
My best team is the Wizards
Wizards are the best


Samantha K.

Serena Williams
Sisters that play really good
and Venus Williams

Fun relaxing beat
Dancing to the sound or beat
Gwen Raven Symone


Brittney

School is a great place
It's a place where you feel safe
and become someone.


Marquise

South Park is my show
I like the way Kenny dies
Timmy is the best


Emmanuel K.

Water trickles down
Making different sounds
which has to come down


Stephanie B.

Life is paradise
Life has no meaningful price
Life takes breath away


Leah B.

Galloping like lightening
Whinny's heard in the air
My horses, my life


Tonkuase

Dogs are nice and sweet
Shasha is fun to play with
Different breeds of dogs

DCPL Palisades 2005

Creative Haiku-ing

Jasmine O.

Kindness and mercy
Play it on the radio
Dancing at the park

Cheerleading is fun
You can yell in the park
You can yell to crowds


Chris O.

Freestylin all day
Rap to the flow of the beat
Writin my rhymes down

Football is my sport
I hit so hard it's just sick
I'm like Ray Lewis


Jalen

Street dancing is fun
Ludacris is a rapper
God is my gospel

Football is fun, hard
Terrell Owens is the best
Quarterback Tom Brate


Vincent O.

Living by the rap
Live and die by the hip hop
That's the way we roll

Having fun with it
Playing football with my friends
The fun never ends


Christina O.

Singing is good fun
Street dancing is lots of fun
Let's play basketball

Basketball is fun
Basketball is a good sport
Let's play basketball

Sky M.

Kayaking is good
Kayak to your own rhythm
Individual!


Amaka

Ciara sings good
Destiny's Child is awesome
and I just love songs


Chika

Pianos are sweet
Pianos sing from my soul
They are musical


Kelechi

Drumming to the beat
Hip hop is my favorite kind
I like how they rhyme

Running the football
The quarterback throw the ball
Randy Moss caught it

Privacy Policy

As parents ourselves, Jason and I know what we look for when it comes to letting our children surf the 'net- Safety and Trust for all those involved.

With everything going on in the world today, the last thing we as parents want to worry about is whether or not the stuff that our kids and teens see in cyberspace is going to offend them, or us.

With this in mind, we pledge to all the parents of cyber kids n' teens, that we will keep this website free from the enemy of unsafe content;

The information that we ask of our youth will be non personal:
1. Name
2. Age
3. City & State
4. An email address for communication purposes;

When your children submit stuff to us for Publishing, they will be identified on our site only by their first name, age, city and state;

We will not exclude anyone from being Published by us because you refuse to give us information about your child- we do however require an email address to send/receive files and as stated above, to communicate with you regarding our efforts;

Our PJPKidz n' Teenz are special to us- therefore, we do require a parent's permission offline whether the contact be by postal mail or phone call;

We do not ask you to set cookies to view or use our site;

The information you give us for Publishing purposes will not be sold, traded nor given freely to third parties or their agents/vendors/agencies;

In addition, to help families and communities use the internet safely, we carefully view all site links that we place on our resource pages to insure that the site we list is family friendly. We can't however, be assured that these sites follow the same safety or privacy guidelines as we do- in this case, we encourage families to discuss the choices together- we are not responsible for the content or safety and privacy practices at any sites linked from our pages.

Your family's use of our site now and in the future is conditioned on your having accepted the above terms. We do suggest however, that you check this policy frequently since it is subject to change to keep up with the ever changing regulations and safety practices of the Internet.Since this is your site, if you have any questions or comments regarding it or the policy above, we're happy to listen. Simply use the link below to email us.

You may also contact us via the postal service or phone.

PJPKidz N' Teenz, Ltd. c/o PoeticJava Publishing POB 241, Reisterstown MD 21136 (410-490-0376)
Email
Website

Parental Permission Form

Dear Parent,

Your child has elected to have their writings posted on our website. PJPKidz N’ Teenz, Ltd. is a for youth non-profit organization that helps kids and teens achieve positive creative expression and enjoy the literary world using techniques and practices that far differ from what our English teachers taught us, but that offer the same enrichment and opportunities that only the world of books and poetry can offer.

Your child will also have the opportunity to participate in contests to have their works included in a youth only anthology of poetry and contribute to and plan a variety of other projects including a newsletter and youth poetry council.

It is the intention of the owners of PoeticJava Publishing to involve you in the happenings of your child where our company is concerned and to answer any questions that may arise out of their interest in our service. You should feel free to read our privacy policy, call us or write to us regarding any feelings that you may have with this opportunity- this is something that we want your child to be proud of and you to feel confident about.

Below is a permission slip for you to sign, and return to us, that gives your child the okay to participate in our website publishing and other opportunities- we’ve even included our address below for your convenience.

We sincerely hope that this will be something that your child will enjoy and we look forward to speaking/hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,
Ramona Davis
PoeticJava Publishing

I, _________________________, do hereby give my permission for my child, ________________________, to participate in the opportunities presented by PoeticJava Publishing. I also give my permission for my childs’ poetry to be published on the PJPKNT Blog and in any anthologies that arise out of his/her participation in this program.

___________________________ ___________________________
Parent Signature Date


______________________________________________
Parent Contact Info

(Someone from our office will call you to confirm receipt of this permission slip & to answer any questions that you may have)

Please mail this form to PoeticJava Publishing POB 241 Reisterstown MD 21136

We must have this form on file in order to publish your child’s’ work on our website or in our printed anthologies & newsletters/contests.