Sometimes Sweet Sometimes Sour Poetry and Painting by

Sometimes Sweet, Sometimes Sour Poetry and Painting by the Children of Medford and Somerville

Sometimes Sweet, Sometimes Sour Poetry and Painting by the Children of Medford and Somerville The Tufts Literacy Corps Writing Project began in 2000, with a generous grant from the Starbucks Foundation. The Writing Project begins with poetry. Poems are, by their nature, vocabulary rich. They encourage children to think carefully about words and their meanings. Poetry revolves around descriptive imagery, which enriches many (if not all) forms of writing. Poems can be short, yet packed with meaning. As noted by Georgia Heard, “poetry, like bread, is for everyone. ” For struggling writers, poetry offers timely success and a route to written language that connects them to everything human.

The Giraffe I saw a giraffe stand so still and so orange and so bright. I love the way they stand. Kayla, grade 2

My Dad At downtown crossing there was an old man with a cup that had no coffee. My Dad saw an old man who needed change. He took change out of his pocket and put it in the cup. The old man said, “thank you. ” He talked like he was sick. Jenny, Grade 2 My Dad At downtown crossing At downtown there was an old mancrossing with a cup there that washad an old man with a cup no coffee. thatsaw had an no old coffee. My Dad man My Dad saw an old man who needed change. He took change He change out oftook his pocket andout putofit his in the cup. and put it in the cup. The old man said, “thank you. ” He talked like he was sick. Jenny, Grade 2

Ballet I do ballet. I skip across the floor. The floor wiggles and the bar breaks. I brush my feet and the world moves. I smile at the mirror and I have a great time! Karissa, Grade 2

It’s Sunny! Oh sunny! You are so bright and shiny. You make me glad and happy. I like you so sunny much that I remember you when it rains. Ismael, Grade 2

Sledding The wind whistled, Snow was splashing. In one minute We crashed and there was a sound that went crrsshhh! He laughed hard, Tamar B-K His face was as red, red as a cherry. I crashed into my dad. Laughing! Happy! Screaming! By Katelyn, gade 2

The Wind Listen to the wind blowing in my ear, through the dark, cold windy night, the snow blowing in your face so hard it feels like the wind is trying to carry you. Sheina, Grade 5 Snow white falling up in the air spin-spinn. Ing I stick my tongue out snow soft different angels cold shapes dirty. Alysha, Grade 2

Sleep I am sleepy… …so sleepy I can’t hardly stay up no longer. My little brother wakes me up every time. I am so cranky I hit him for no reason. I just want to sleep. -Ismael, grade 2

I Want to Know… How do cats see in the dark? Why do hamsters sleep in the morning? How do I get very, very mad? How do I get happy and How do I get sad? How did dinosaurs die? How does it feel to be a teacher? How do angels make it rain? And how do families love each other? Alisha, Grade 2

My Brother My brother is Crazy. He does not listen, So I twist him Open-handed. Then we make peace. Michelle, Grade 5

Night People Night people, everywhere, no where, there Night people jumping, running, flying… Night people in my DREAMS John, Grade 3

I am from. . . I am from the suburbs of Boston Monday through Friday, and The quietness of Perkins Road every other weekend. I am from pasta and pancakes, I am from home-made cookies and I am from books and cats. dinners made by my grandma. I am from my mom saying “Go to bed!” I am from raspberry bushes and “Get up!” and “Brush your teeth. ” blackberry bushes. From peach trees and pear trees. I am from the trees, I am from the busy streets the grass around my house, and the quiet roads. the pool on Perkins Road. I am from electronics and books. Chase Grade 5

I am from the home of CD players and instruments. Music fills every room. Animals fill the downstairs, too, plus, notebooks and BSC books Family, as nice as possible My American mom, Norwegian dad My brother, William and guinea pig, Lilly, My fish, Amy, some sea monkeys— and my amazing grandmother, Beverly! The Wind Listen to the wind Outside, there is a swing set, blowing in my ear, Maryanne, Grade 5 So elegant and fine through the dark, cold Trees and flowers everywhere, and windy night, Not a vine in sight Grass, the greenest I have ever seen. the snow blowing in your face so hard it feels like the wind is trying to carry you. Sheina, Grade 5

I’m from a family that likes soccer and shouting, that rocket!” and “Clean up your room!” She Jumped “Kick On Her and “¡Pásame la botella!” Brother’s Bed… I’m from a place that cares what is happening in the world. She jumped on her brother’s bed I’m from watching to get back at him. yellow and red and orange sunsets. She did it to have. I’mfun. from a family that is well respected. I’m ahis Zamora and Gonzalez. She did it to wreck sheets. I’m from giving gifts to show our generosity. She did it to go crazy. She did it to get Ihim in trouble. am from a place She did it to get you himwould mad. think is paradise, but I call it Guatemala. She did it to fly real high. It is filled with trees I’m from Guatemala, place of grace it is like you’re sitting I’m proud to have Latin blood in me, and Elizabeth, Grade 5 on Mother Nature’s lap. I am from a proud race of people. I’m from cooking pans all over; Raul, Grade 5 I’m from a house filled with old money and crosses.