Just Buffalo’s Annual Anthology of Student Writing
First-ever double issue 2010 & 2011
We couldn’t have done it without you! In July 2011, Just Buffalo launched a fundraising campaign on KICKSTARTER—an online funding platform for art projects—to publish Wordplay. Word of the campaign spread across the country with donations coming in from as far away as California, Maine, Texas, Alabama, and Iowa.
With the help of our 126 backers, Wordplay will be distributed at no cost to schools, libraries, bookstores, and other sites throughout the community.
How do we do this exactly? Our Writer Residencies partner teaching artists with English teachers. The writers custom design lessons to complement curriculum while, at the same time, freeing writing exercises from the constraints of standardized testing. Out of the thousands of poems, stories, and photographs produced by eager young artists, we select the most powerful works and archive them in Wordplay.
This issue is dedicated to everyone who shared our story, spread the word, and generously contributed. With special thanks to the following supporters:
$50 TO $99 Ms. Lynn Anonymous Mr. Robert Bielecki Mr. and Mrs. David Brockman Ms. Robin Brox Ms. Constance Caldwell Ms. Lorna Cameron Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Clute Ms. Catherine Cornbleth
$50 TO $99 (continued) Mr. James Duggan Ms. Amy Feinstein Ms. Fay Gunn Ms. Lynne Stutts Hagler Ms. Julia Hall Mr. Kaplan Harris Mr. Christopher Johnson-Roberson Ms. Gunilla T. Kester Ms. Juliana Koo Ms. Morani Kornberg-Weiss Ms. Anna Kornbluh K.C. Kratt Mr. David W. Landrey Ms. Susan C. Lichtblau Mr. Hal A. Limebeer Ms. Catherine Linder Spencer Mr. Aaron Lowinger Ms. Tammy McGovern Ted Pelton & Susan Moynihan Mr. Robert D. Pohl Ms. Kristen M. Pope Ms. Diane Ramos Ms. Linda Schineller Ms. Patti Sidebottom Ms. Jessica Smith Ms. Susan Solomon
Welcome to the first ever double issue of Wordplay, Just Buffalo’s anthology of the most outstanding student work produced during our Writers in Education programs. Each year, more than 100 classrooms open their doors to our team of talented teaching artists. Our corps of professional writers—this includes poets, fiction writers, playwrights, journalists, and book artists—go into the community to ignite imaginations, renewing a love for learning through writing and bookmaking.
All told, our campaign received 178,392 “likes” on Facebook and even the founder of KICKSTARTER, Yancey Strickler, personally contributed.
$35 TO $49 Ms. Karima Amin Ms. Ansie Baird Ms. B. Cass Clarke Mr. William Creeley Dr. Linda Drajem Katka Hammond & Max Wickert Ms. Elaine Hunt Mr. John Kearns Ms. Joyce Kessel Dr. Joel Levin Mr. Donald Mitchell Ms. Nancy J. Parisi Ms. Elizabeth Pascal Ms. Pamela Plummer Ms. Georgeann Redman Ms. Janna Willoughby-Lohr
WELCOME TO WORDPLAY
$100 TO $199 Ms. Deborah Abgott Ms. Victoria Cook Ms. Jean Doerr Ms. Donna Fierle Mr. Nathan Gorelick Ms. Susan Granger Mr. Steven Miller Mr. Stephen R. Morris Ms. Karen Pomicter Ms. Sherry Robbins Ms. Penelope L. Schmitt See Feel Hear Touch Experience Art Mrs. Florence Spano Ms. Judith K. Summer Ms. Franca Trincia Ms. Ryki Zuckerman $200 TO $499 Mr. and Mrs. G. Alexander Cole Mr. Carl Dennis Ms. Mary E. Farallo Mr. Kevin O’Leary Mr. Stephen Paskey
Our philosophy is simple: we give students a blank page and they give us their wishes & fears, hopes & dreams. Wordplay brings these voices together. We know that writing is not just about getting the right answer on the test. Writing unlocks the imagination. It gives students a chance to open their hearts. It gives us a window into their bright minds, to learn what young people are thinking and feeling. As you look through these pages, you can see the range of young people’s concerns—from dispelling racism to conquering bullying, from appreciating the beauty of nature to the extraordinary love of family. Perhaps what is most poignant about these works is how they capture both the innocence and complexity of what tomorrow’s writers are thinking about today. Once upon a time, it was believed that “children should be seen & not heard.” But, at Just Buffalo, we believe that every child has a voice. And, we are here to listen.
Barbara Cole Education Director Just Buffalo Literary Center
All photos of students participating in our education programs were captured by Jon R. Hand (unless otherwise noted).
Just Buffalo gratefully acknowledges the funding support essential to making our Writers in Education programs and this publication possible:
Buffalo Teacher Center
Buffalo Board of Education
Cameron & Jane Baird Foundation
Writers in Education programs are provided in partnership with the following:
Erie 1 BOCES
Our sincerest thanks to the teachers, principals, parents and, most of all, the talented students who participated in Just Buffalo’s successful education programs: 2009-2010
JUST BUFFALO Wordplay VOLUME XVII & XVIII 2009-2011 Editor Barbara Cole Cover Art Julian Montague Page Design Julian Montague Picturing Poetry & Reclaiming Buffalo Manuscript Preparation Nikki Gorman Lauren Tent Photography Jon Hand Just Buffalo Administration Executive Director Laurie Dean Torrell Artistic Director Michael Kelleher Education Director Barbara Cole Finance Director Kris Pope Grantwriter Kathleen Kearnan Executive Assistant Lynda Kaszubski Administrative Assistant Hallie Winter
www.justbuffalo.org
Akron Elementary School Dr. Antonia Pantoja Community School of Academic Excellence, P.S. 18 Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, P.S. 192 Leonardo DaVinci High School, P.S. 212 Depew Middle School Discovery School, P.S. 67 East Delavan Library Enterprise Charter School Hamlin Park School, P.S. 74 Highgate Heights, P.S. 80 Hutchinson Central Technical High School, P.S. 304 Immaculate Conception Kalfas Magnet School McKinley High School, P.S. 305 Nichols School Northwood Elementary School Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64 Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 156 Saturday Academy Southside Elementary, P.S. 93 Stanley G. Falk School Tapestry High School Waterfront Elementary School, P.S. 95 Western New York Maritime Charter School
Meet the Writers José Alvergue is a Ph.D. candidate in the University at Buffalo’s Poetics program. He holds an M.F.A. from the California Institute of the Arts, School of Critical Studies. His book, us look up/ there red dwells was published by Queue Books in 2008.
Karima Amin is a native of Buffalo, NY, who strives to preserve the art of storytelling for story lovers of all ages. The author of a children’s book, The Adventures of Brer Rabbit and Friends, she also has produced several recordings of her retellings of traditional fables and folktales. Her CD, You Can Say That Again! (2004), earned a Parents’ Choice Foundation Gold Award in 2005. Susan Hodge Anner is a poet and playwright whose work has been performed in New York, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, and Washington, D.C. Her play, “Letters to The World,” was produced in 2007 as part of The Infringement Festival in Buffalo. She also teaches playwriting in the University at Buffalo’s Theatre Department.
Robin Brox is a poet and educator making her home on Buffalo’s West Side. A graduate of Amherst High School, she earned an M.A. in English from The University of Maine— Orono in 2005 and a B.A. in English from the University at Buffalo in 2001. The founder of Saucebox, a women’s performance series turned small press, Brox produces handmade chapbooks, broadsides, and other book arts. Linda Drajem taught English for over 25 years to secondary students in the Buffalo Public Schools before supervising pre-service English teachers at Buffalo State College. In 2007, she published, InnerSessions (with two other poets). She holds a Ph.D. in American Studies and an M.A.H. from the University at Buffalo, and a B.A. in English from D’Youville College.
2010-2011 Akron Elementary School Charter School for Applied Technologies Dr. Antonia Pantoja Community School of Academic Excellence, P.S. 18 Dr. Lydia T. Wright School of Excellence, P.S. 89 D’Youville Porter Campus School, P.S. 3 Enterprise Charter School Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64 Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 156 Highgate Heights, P.S. 80 Hillery Park Elementary, P.S. 27 Lorraine Elementary, P.S. 72 McKinley High School, P.S. 305 Southside Elementary, P.S. 93 Community Center Partners 2010-2011 The Belle Center Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo, School #43 Site Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo, Woodrow Wilson Gloria J. Parks Community Center Native American Community Services of Erie and Niagara Counties Pratt Willert Community Center Schiller Park Community Services Valley Community Association
Jerome Gentes is a Lakota-Gros Ventre American Indian. He received his B.A. in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and his M.F.A. from the Graduate Program in Writing at Columbia University. He has been published in numerous journals and newspapers including The New York Times, Kirkus Reviews, Sightings, Out, and San Francisco Bay Guardian. Soula Harisiadis received her B.A. from Barnard College and her M.F.A. from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. She has taught writing at New York University, Buffalo State College, and The University of Iowa. During her time at the Iowa Center for the Book, she designed and letterpress-printed two books of her original poetry, The Blackness and the Bird and Epigenome. Margaret Konkol is a Ph.D. candidate in the Poetics Program at the University at Buffalo. She received her M.A. from the University of Virginia and her B.A. from Reed College. Currently, she is at work on a long poem affectionately dubbed Instruction Manual for SelfCreated/Self-Alienating Calendars. She curates the Mildred Lockwood Lacey Small Press in the Archive Lecture Series. Ellen Melamed holds an M.A. in Theatre Education from Columbia University. She has taught writing and performance at the high school and college level; served as the academic tutor on The Cosby Show; and worked for Theatre Development Fund, Young Audiences NY, and Arts Connection. In 1982, she created The Playwriting Project, a national award-winning program for grades 3-12. Her play, ETHEL, based on the life of Ethel Rosenberg, was produced off Broadway.
Meet the Writers
Meet the Book Artists, Sound Artists & Photographers
Laura Nathan received her M.F.A. in creative nonfiction from Bennington College. The author of Insiders’ Guide to Houston, her writing has also appeared in Redbook, Cooking Light, The Writer’s Chronicle, ArtVoice and Screwball Television: Critical Perspectives on Gilmore Girls. Previously the editor of the online magazine, InTheFray, Laura has taught writing and communication skills to students in Houston, Austin, New York, Chicago, and Buffalo.
Monica Angle has 20 years of experience as an art educator, teaching studio art and bookmaking to children and adults. She attended Harvard College, pursued advanced courses in printmaking and bookmaking at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and was educated as a geographer at Pennsylvania State University. Her work has been featured in solo exhibitions in Buffalo, NY; Charlottesville, VA; and Minneapolis, MN.
Sherry Robbins is the Lead Teaching Artist for Just Buffalo, the resident writer at Gay and Lesbian Youth Services of Western New York, as well as an Arts-in-Education Consultant for the University of Coimbra and the Belgais Center for the Study of Arts in Portugal. Sherry has two books of poetry, Snapshots of Paradise and Or, the Whale. In 2005, the Association of Teaching Artists named Sherry the New York State Teaching Artist of the Year.
Joel Brenden is a multi-disciplinary artist with projects extending into drawing, graphic design, typography, bookmaking, and sculpture. He holds an M.F.A. in Visual Studies from the University at Buffalo and a B.F.A. in Drawing from Central Washington University. Brenden works as a freelance designer and instructor in photography, blogs at Tumblr and posts his photography at Flickr.
Gary Earl Ross is a novelist, playwright, anthologist, public radio essayist and language arts professor at the University at Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center. He is the author of the short story collections, The Wheel of Desire (2000) and Shimmerville (2002); the novel Blackbird Rising (2009); and six well-received stage plays including Matter of Intent, winner of the 2005 Edgar Allan Poe Award from Mystery Writers of America.
Christopher Fritton is a local artist who holds a B.A. in Philosophy and a B.A. in English from the University at Buffalo (2000), as well as an M.A. in Poetics from the University of Maine at Orono (2005). He is a published poet and professional artist whose work often integrates technical and scientific language with sentimental humanism in small, handmade, limited-edition books.
Divya Victor has lived and learned in India, Singapore, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Seattle. She has an M.A. in Creative Writing—Poetry from Temple University in Philadelphia and is currently working towards her Ph.D. in English at the University at Buffalo. Her work has appeared in ambit, broke, XConnect, ixnay, generator, dusie, and President’s Choice.
Nikki Gorman is the Lead Teaching Artist for CEPA Gallery. Originally from Syracuse, NY, she received her B.F.A. in Photography and M.Ed. in Teaching in and Through The Arts from the University at Buffalo.
Janna Willoughby-Lohr has been writing poetry since she was 5 and performing since age 12. She holds a B.A. in Entrepreneurial Creative Business Arts from Warren Wilson College. A Grand Slam finalist in 2005-2008 for the Nickel City Poetry Slam and a member of the 2006 Nickel City Slam team at the National Poetry Slam, Janna is also an editor for Earth’s Daughters literary magazine, the longest running women’s publication in the country.
Joyce Kryszak is an award-winning broadcast reporter, covering an array of social issues that impact the Western New York community. During her time with the WBFO News team, Joyce won nearly three dozen Associated Press awards for a variety of hard news and feature reports. In 2008, she won more individual AP awards than any other broadcast reporter in New York State. As a special guest teaching artist, Joyce worked with 7th graders at Frederick Law Olmsted School on Soundscapes. Sara McKenna has taught art to public school children as well as adults at various public institutions in Hillsboro, Oregon; upstate NY; Buffalo Arts Studio and CEPA Gallery. Her work ranges from traditional processes such as wet plate collodion, salt printing and 16 mm, to digital photography and video production.
Becky Moda has curated exhibitions at Buffalo Arts Studio, Castellani Art Museum, Starlight Studio & Art Gallery, and Niagara Community College. Becky earned her M.A. in Art Education from Nazareth College of Rochester. Currently, she is teaching at International Preparatory School.
Leah Rico received her M.F.A. in Visual Studies and B.F.A. in Painting and Printmaking from the University at Buffalo. Her work uses sound installation, experimental audio, drawing, and print to investigate spoken language. Leah’s work has exhibited at Princeton University, the Kingston Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Soundwalk Festival in Long Beach, CA. Catherine Linder Spencer is a visual artist and teaching artist whose work has been exhibited locally at Studio Hart, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, and the Burchfield Penney Art Center. A tireless advocate for Western New York’s arts, cultural, educational and environmental community for 20 years, Catherine has participated in public art projects such as “Art on Wheels” and “Herd About Buffalo.”
Letters to the world
Letters to the world
From the smallest dreamers to college-bound high school students, glimpse how these young writers view the world. Dear World, I love you! I wish I could hug you, You big thing!
Glen W. John
1st grade Stanley G. Falk School
Dear Mother, Please Dear mother of the moon, sky, and sea, Please listen to me. Please listen to me. Keep my tribe together, Keep my tribe together through the turbulence from the sea, through the turbulence from the sky.
late that night a gift he found in the sky the tree is blowing with the breezy wind yes yes yes the man said light is the shining stars at night the animals are listening to the soundtracks in the dark night.
Dear mother of the moon, sky, and sea, Please listen to me. Our love runs deep. Our love runs deep. Please listen to me. Please listen to me, Dear mother of the moon, sky and sea.
Asia Battle
11th grade Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, P.S. 192
I love that you let us climb up your rocky mountain and lay in your swaying grass. I love that you let us drink your purest water and let us swim in your waves. I love that you let the sun cook us till we are tan. I love that you cool us down with the wind singing in my head and let the grass dance to your great singing.
Olivia Whiteside
3 grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 156 rd
Cassandra Brandl
3rd grade Akron Central Elementary School
Oh moon, how did you get there? Did a pizza man throw it too high? When I turned out the light, You shined very bright. I’m lucky I have you shining. When I go to sleep, I’m lonely but I remember you’re there. You are my good friend.
Nathan Sommer
2nd grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64
The River The river flows, Even during the dark night, Then it floods.
Akhil McCall
3rd grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64
Dear mother of the moon, sky, and sea, Please listen to me. Please listen to me. Keep the moon shining bright. Keep the moon in our sight.
Earth
To the Moon Oh Moon, You are so bright. You shine into my house at night. You are so pretty I imagine you have clothes, and you have a purse. Can you write? Oh Moon, What were you for Halloween?
Mariella Sprague
2nd grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64
Dear Moon, How do you shine your light on Earth and keep yourself up in the sky? I love you moon. I love how you shine your light on my family at night. My family loves you too. Do the bats swarm at you? How do you live with all that light in you? I wish I could come to you. Love, Adam
Adam B.
4th grade Stanley G. Falk School
Dear World, Do you want to be my friend? Do you want to play with me? Can you see God up there? Did the dinosaurs hurt you? Are you sick because of the oil spill? Do you eat dead people?
Matthew
2nd grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64
TO Everything there is a season Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall—one only needs to look out the window or remember a special time to find inspiration.
TO Everything there is a season Autumn Poem In the fall, I was as shy as a scared, swift owl Now, I am open like a newly printed book In the fall, I was as confused as a newborn pup Now, I am brave like a soaring hawk In the fall, I was as quiet as a mouse Now, I am loud like stormy wind In the fall, I was as careful as a mother doe Now, I am outrageous like a little outgoing fox In the fall, I was as dull as a brown, crisp leaf Now, I am perfect like a newly shined ring
Casandra Rodriguez
6th grade Southside Elementary School, P.S. 93
Autumn Poem
Autumn Poem
Remembering Summer
In the fall, I was as cold as ice Now, I am warm like the sun In the fall, I was as short as a kindergartner Now, I am tall like a tree In the fall, I was as white as snow Now, I am tan like sandpaper In the fall, I was as boring as a snail Now, I am creative like an artist In the fall, I was as lazy as a cat in the daytime Now, I am playful like a puppy
Laying down around me are the memories of summer, so serene
Kameron Bunch
6th grade Southside Elementary School, P.S. 93
The way the morning dew feels upon my silky soft skin The sounds rush into my brain, like ocean waves crashing together.
Elizabeth Aleghia Preville
9th grade Leonardo DaVinci High School, P.S. 212
A Joyful Day, A Joyful Place A joyful day a joyful place the way the wind hits the flowers, the blissful noise it makes the way my tangy lemonade tastes the way the sun rises above my head I swear the sun tells me secrets.
Mya Caldarelli
4th grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64
In the fall, I was as lonely as the last leaf on a tree Now, I am confident like a doctor doing surgery In the fall, I was as thin as the bare twigs of the tree Now, I am strong like a buffalo charging at red In the fall, I was as slow as a turtle Now, I am fast like a speeding car In the fall, I was as dull as a farm worker’s job Now, I am happy like a family eating on Thanksgiving In the fall, I was as scared as an ant running away from an anteater Now, I am brave like a spelling bee winner
Mohammed Alrobaye
6th grade Southside Elementary School, P.S. 93
Gray, the color of dark clouds a crystal night sky the seasons go by fast old and new don’t always matter where should I go?
Aaron Lobur
3rd grade Akron Central Elementary School
PICturing Poetry
PICTURING POETRY
Six years ago, Just Buffalo joined forces with our collaborative partner, CEPA Gallery, and formed Writing with Light, our joint education program, bringing together photography and writing.
This Place The rocks look dark as brook trout. The grass looks like lush wood in the white spring melt. This place is good. I see a railroad. There are lots of rocks. Lots of wires. No leaves on the trees.
In “Picturing Poetry,” our flagship program, students first learn the elements of photography from a CEPA Gallery teaching artist before taking home their own black-and-white cameras to practice what they have learned. Once their photographs have been developed, students exercise their critical thinking skills in selecting their best image. Then, over the course of multiple sessions with a Just Buffalo writer, students compose original poems inspired by their photos.
Tah Dah Wah
5th Grade Dr. Antonia Pantoja Community School of Academic Excellence, P.S. 18
The selected pieces on these pages represent just a small fraction of the many impressive artworks created by students in “Picturing Poetry.” Each project concludes with a Final Celebration where students perform their writing alongside of their projected artwork as well as an in-school exhibition of all of the students’ finished pieces in a centrally-located area so that the entire school community can appreciate the inspiring artwork.
They Are Cute
The Dancing Plants When wind touches the plants it feels like I am at a party the wind whistles the song and the plants dance away
Vincent Berbano
4th Grade Discovery School, P.S. 67
There are two people. One is my sister, the other one is my brother. He is funny. I see happiness. I feel glad. They are special to me. They are the loved ones in my heart.
Ariyona Cornwell
4th Grade Hamlin Park School, P.S. 74
PICTURING POETRY
PICTURING POETRY The Clouds
Wires
white big balls up in the sky why are you there?
Wires are connected To each other Wires are connected To houses and buildings Phone wires are important So that people can be connected Wires connect people To each other Wires connect hearts Wires connect happiness Wires connect families
what will you do will you strike, shrink, or cause a rainfall? why were you made? will you sound loud or really quiet? will you squish or feel like a cottonball or taste like a marshmallow?
Min Min Muang
9th Grade McKinley High School, P.S. 305
Moses Baines
5th Grade Highgate Heights, P.S. 80
The Truth The truth is it looks like I am about to fall and am holding on for my life but really I am at ease, I am comfortable. The sun is shining on my face, it brings out the true color in me. But the truth is I would never say that about my color. I am ashamed of it, it’s something I wish I could cover up but can’t.
Mariatu Baker
8th Grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 156
I am imagining a different world With peace and love Without any hurt and pain So that the world would be a better place I am imagining a magical place So that everyone can have fun and nothing could ever harm us The field allows me a lot of imagination.
Sara Crawford
4th Grade Dr. Antonia Pantoja Community School of Academic Excellence, P.S. 18
PICTURING POETRY
PICTURING POETRY On a dairy farm stands a cow
My Street in the Morning
A nearby creek fills a lake full of life and peace
My street in the morning is as quiet as a library. My street in the morning is as cold as an ice cube. My street in the morning has more space than a classroom. I love my street in the morning because it is home to my home.
Then the lake flows into endless plains and rolling hills Eating grass She is very relaxed As she eats the dull sun passes through the sky
Kajhanea Barney
On this little countryside a cow provides milk to every soul
5th Grade Highgate Heights, P.S. 80
Just from one cow is a strong and healthy planet
Melting Melting snow, a bright blue sky, blowing trees, a cool breeze a silent street crickets chirping birds singing I know spring is near
Gabriel Flewellyn
4th Grade Lorraine Elementary, P.S. 72
Valenzia Capodicasa
6th Grade Dr. Antonia Pantoja Community School of Academic Excellence, P.S. 18
A cow and a farmer always have a strong bond. The farmer is always thankful for each cow.
From Winds to Tears This chime represents my pain. There’s only one person to blame. Their silent winds bring my tears. Winds so quiet but easy to fear. Why do they do this to me? Why am I their victim? Why can’t I be happy? I ask these questions. But yet no answers. Their winds just blow me away. I can feel it coming. Nowhere to run. Nowhere to hide. No escape…
Jonviér Whittington
7th Grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 156
PICTURING POETRY
PICTURING POETRY On the Street of Niagara Avenue In the back yard wet leaves nettling at the backboard remember the tree the hoop is still in place it was as if life was a movie and someone had paused it wish you were here
clean cut grass on a sunny day. Dust of the resting dirt jumps around like my loving heart pumping. Smell of the liveness like my nose when I smell happiness This is me telling you a story because this house is me that you see.
Joshua Rodriguez
6th Grade Dr. Antonia Pantoja Community School of Academic Excellence, P.S. 18
Thajanay Jones
6th Grade Dr. Antonia Pantoja Community School of Academic Excellence, P.S. 18
Smile Take me away To a place of Love and happiness. Smiles of shadows Nobody else has ever seen. We try to hold back, But we’re bursting with laughter. The shadows and I, It’s not what it seems. Soon, darkness falls. Where do they go? Everyone assumes, but only I know.
Emily Gartz
5th Grade Lorraine Elementary, P.S. 72
Snowy Day in West Seneca The trees are like pencils blowing away the leaves are missing where have they gone like words without lined paper
Laura Gregory
4th Grade Discovery School, P.S. 67
PICTURING POETRY
PICTURING POETRY Tree’s Dream The tree has thoughts Thoughts of leaves in a dream Dreams to change the seasons Seasons of green across its wide bare branches It is a dream with lots of hope, peace, and life Life to sprout green fertile, strong, sweet and broad Soon, soon dreams will come true. A tree’s dream is a dream of change change of green Green change to be
Tarin Parker
5th Grade Lorraine Elementary, P.S. 72
Sight Sitting on this swing dangling my skinny legs back and forth I look out to the world like I’m a giant but in reality I’m only just an ant. As I sit here wondering what is going to happen tomorrow I look at the firm yet strong little tree in front of me. It feels like I’m looking at myself through someone else’s eyes. There’s a million of those trees in the world but not all of them are like me because I may be an ant but I feel like a giant.
Kaylyn Ramos
8th Grade Charter School for Applied Technologies
The fence and train tracks are lines that go here and there. The crack leaves me open to absorb to make a puddle from the rain I adore I look out my window to see the world The window is the reflection I show
Akyng Franklin
8th Grade Charter School for Applied Technologies
So go on the train and go somewhere.
Carlos Cepeda
5th Grade Dr. Antonia Pantoja Community School of Academic Excellence, P.S. 18
POWERFUL EMOTIONS
POWERFUL EMOTIONS
What is perhaps most powerful is the range of emotions which emerges from the students who participate in our programs.
Frustrated Frustrated Frustrated Frustrated Frustrated Frustrated
Whether these young writers are drawing from personal experience or creating an imagined persona, we are humbled by the honesty and courage of their words.
is like the sour taste of a grapefruit. is wanting an A+ on a test that never came. is the sound of loud buzzing in your ears, as people talk to you. looks like a lion that is too slow to catch his meal. seems like an unfair emotion.
Amaya Dykman
5th grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 156
What Is Love? What exactly is love? A feeling that fills you. Makes you want to run away, even though you can’t. It is a power, an evil burst, making your brain foggy, your mind go blank. Maybe a feeling, a taste, a sign. It fills you, breaks you, stretches till it hurts.
Vivian Hunt
4th grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64
Farewell Coming into a place of blind choice I must say farewell. It’s a horrible feeling to say it. But you brought out something good in me. In many ways you taught me how to say farewell to many deficits in my life. Farewell misery, farewell crying at night, farewell being alone, farewell lack of confidence, but most importantly, farewell to the one who brought out the best in me. You’ll be missed.
Derrion Andrews
11th grade Western New York Maritime Charter School
Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted. Death reassures us of the moment. Establishes a visible pattern and conclusion to our lives vanishing point black tie old rituals die away new ones often spring up in there instead
Cassie Tyner
11th grade Western New York Maritime Charter School
Poem My brother’s funeral A day of complete darkness My dreams collapsed My world stopped, Thinking why everything else continued I guess this
last sight, last chance, one hope no help so close but so far, so early but too late world dimming life fading no time
Ryan Pettit
11th grade Western New York Maritime Charter School
World is full of disappointments. Day and night I still suffer from grief.
Fatuma Mohamed
9th grade Leonardo DaVinci High School, P.S. 212
POWERFUL EMOTIONS
SOUNDSCAPES In 2010-2011, Just Buffalo Literary Center and CEPA Gallery successfully piloted Soundscapes, the newest program in Writing with Light, thanks to a prestigious grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.
I Remember My Aunt Mary’s Funeral I remember the weather was beautiful, I remember everyone was crying, I remember everyone talked about how wonderful she was, I remember the sadness in everyone’s voice as they talked, I remember I bought a new dress and ruined it with my tears.
Bringing together sound with photography and poetry, Soundscapes offered students the opportunity to create multidisciplinary artworks which motivated them to think in new ways.
5th grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 156
Madness They call her a creep they call her a baby with all this madness they’re driving her crazy her eyes full of tears her cheeks sobbing wet
Wishes For a chest of thunder For a heart of might For never maybe But always yes For life For love For giving And being given to . . . Peace.
If students previously thought that “sound art” constituted music and music alone, they came to fully understand the countless other sounds which surround us. The clang of lockers at school, a knock at the door followed by a barking dog, the opening and closing of a squeaky oven door signaling that dinner is almost ready, the contagious laughter of a little brother or sister—these are the sounds which enrich our lives.
Joyce Kryszak, of WBFO fame, joined the Writing with Light team as a special guest teaching artist, working closely with 7th graders from Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 156
Patrick Sabato
Photo: Lauren Tent
Olivia Belinda Long
4th grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64
she thinks happy thoughts and tries to forget a crack in her heart a scar in her thoughts it’s like a meadow of ice and a home made of wasps.
Alyson Smutek
Photo: Lauren Tent
6th grade Hillery Park Elementary School, P.S. 27
Seventh-graders at Highgate Heights, P.S. 80 visited the Niagara Power Plant and Penn-Dixie Paleontological Center to capture photographs informed by their science lessons about sound waves and energy.
Bookmaking
not just poetry
With so much emphasis on new technologies, Just Buffalo’s Bookmaking projects remind students that books are still relevant—and beautiful!
Though poetry remains the most popular genre for Just Buffalo’s Writer Residencies, our diverse Writers Corps specialize in many different styles of writing.
For each project, a writer and book artist collaboratively develop a theme to inspire hearts, minds, and hands. Students write poems or stories and then create their own artist’s books, incorporating everything from handmade papers to ancient binding techniques. Photo: Barbara Cole
Here are just a few examples from residencies focusing on “Monologues” and “Flash Fiction.”
Photo: Barbara Cole
Photo: Joel Brenden
Who says you can’t judge a book by its cover?
Some classes even have the opportunity to visit the Western New York Book Arts Center to try out a Vandercook printing press and learn hands-on bookmaking lessons.
Red Ribbon My mother gave me my red ribbon when I was just 10. She said she was going to send me to a better place. Then she gave me my red ribbon and told me never to take it off. She told me it would be the only way that she could find me. She put me on a boat and we went from Puerto Rico to New York City. My mother came with me to the docks. The boat was tiny, very tiny. Mother handed the man some money and told me to go with the man. I didn’t want to I held on to her hand not wanting to let go. She bent down looking at me in my eyes. She told me if I really loved her I would let go, I did love her, I really did, but I really didn’t want to leave her side. I remember this as the saddest day of my life. She looked at me with tears building up in her eyes. I asked why? She went on to tell me that bad people were after her and they were going to come take me away if I didn’t leave. She gave me a final hug. I had always wished to go back there whenever I’m sad or feeling lonely I remember her hug and her last words to me, “I promise I’m getting out of Puerto Rico as soon as possible, and I will find you.” The man said it was time to go. My mother let go and looked at me crying. She pointed at the man and told me to go. It was a really long trip. When we finally arrived in New York City I put on my red ribbon. I wore it with pride knowing, hoping, to see my mother once again. I traveled the city for eleven years today. I’ve looked everywhere for her. I’ve looked on street corners, stores and even at Times Square. Sometimes being overwhelmed by this big city. Some days I feel completely hopeless about finding my mother. Still haven’t seen her—
Photo: Julian Montague
If you ever find this, I want you to know I’m doing just fine on my own. When you finally find me just remember… I still have my red ribbon.
Ashley C. Whiteside
8th grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 156
not just poetry
not just poetry
Nana’s Cookies
Chapter 3: It’s a Secret
Stuck in the Middle
Tick. Tick. Tick. It ticks until we hear that familiar DING! The warm aroma of Nana’s famous cookies fills the air. The smell brings back memories. Remember when we made over 500 cookies for Mom’s wedding? You let me be your special helper. I was only 7, we put underwear on our heads so the dough wouldn’t get into our hair. Only Nana would think of such a thing. Tick. Tick. Tick. Only a half hour until we hear that familiar DING! But where are you going, Nana? Another familiar aroma wafts in from outside. Cigarettes. What I learned in school is, “cigarettes are bad for you, you can become sick.” So why do you do it, Nana? Do you not love your granddaughter , so you are killing yourself slowly in front of her? Tick. Tick. Tick. Only 15 minutes until we hear that familiar DING! I’m so excited! I’ve been waiting almost an hour for these mouth-watering cookies. Why won’t you play with me Nana? You’re going outside…again? I guess I should be used to it. We never do anything without you smoking. Whenever I can’t find you in the house, we can be sure you’re outside, “Doral” in hand. Nana! Let’s go! They’re almost done. You tell me two minutes. I stare at the clock. 2 minutes go by, why are you still outside? How long does it take Nana? Tick. Tick. Tick. DING! They’re finally done. I’m so excited to sink my teeth into those delicious cookies that make my taste buds want to explode. They’re scrumptious! But why are you coughing, Nana…do you have a cold? You say you don’t but then why are you coughing? Tick. Tick. Tick. Three years have gone by. You come home one day crying. What’s wrong? You won’t tell me, but I hear you whisper to my mother, “cancer.” Cancer? What an ugly word. I’ve heard it used before, but what does it mean? Mommy tells me you have lung cancer, and that it’s a very bad illness. It makes me sad, Nana. You don’t make cookies anymore or put my hair up in princess hairstyles. You cry a lot, so I cry a lot. I love you Nana. Tick. Tick. Tick. DING! A semi-familiar scent is in the air. Mother’s cookies. Right from the pre-packaged dough she bought at Top’s. We don’t make the dough like you did Nana. It’s been three years since cancer took you away. I love you Nana. I’ll never forget you. Tick. Tick. Tick.
The bell rang and school was over. I was nervous. I walked slowly towards the playground and there she was—the school bully, Janae. “Hey,” Janae said in a soft voice. My heart started to pound and I was nervously sick. Three other girls came from behind the slide and as they walked slowly towards me, I walked backwards. As they sped up I got so scared to where I ran. I ran because Janae is bad news and her, three girls, and me alone did not sound good. So my only choice was to run. I got home in a hurry and went straight to my room. I called Karina and we met at Holey Moley’s donut shop. Karina felt so sad for me. We didn’t know what to do so there was one choice… Ask Jason my brother. This is a big switch because I never ask him for anything (we actually hate each other). Karina and I went to my house and knocked on his door. He didn’t answer until the 12th knock. When he opened, I stood there explaining what had happened and that I had no reason why it happened. He invited us in and closed the door behind us…
At Lincoln High, one of its sweetest students has a problem. Her name is Emily Michaels. She has two rival friends, Mya Young and Perdita Gonzales. They aren’t friends at all. Both girls are Emily’s best friends. Tired of each other, Mya and Perdita suggest that Emily must choose between them. “I can’t do that,” Emily cried. “Listen, Emily, you can’t be friends with both of us.” Mya twisted her curly blonde hair. “We’ll give you until tomorrow to find out.” The three girls parted to class. Emily hung her head low in tears. What will she do now? All day at school, Mya and Perdita fought over Emily. “Emily, I am your friend #1 and it shouldn’t be her,” Mya said. “Emily, you are mi amiga. I am the first friend you’ve made. Don’t let Mya, your so called sister from another mister, stop you from being my friend,” Perdita said. “I don’t know. I can’t choose between you. I won’t do it.” Perdita rolled her eyes at Mya. “Yes, you will,” Mya said. Emily screamed at them, leaving them alone. At home, Emily asked her sister Lauren about her problem. “Lauren, what should I do?” Lauren closed the book she was reading, “Just dump ’em! Leave them alone. Don’t choose.” Emily nodded and left. The next day at school Emily walked up to Mya and Perdita. “Did you choose?” they both said. “Yeah.” Mya and Perdita’s eyes flew open. “Who?!” Emily smiled and said, “Neither.”
Shontyaira Thomas
Alexis Jones
Kylie Sanders
9th grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 156
7 grade Enterprise Charter School th
“What kind of friend will Emily choose?”
7th grade Enterprise Charter School
Self-Portraits
Self-Portraits
Inspired by everything from the smallest speck of sand to the vast universe, students prove time and again that it can be equally inspiring to look within themselves.
Flower Eye I am the eye of a flower I am the heart of peace I can shed leaves I can drop seeds I reach to the sun on hot summer days I droop to the moon on cold winter days I live on mountains tall and small I am the flower eye watching you all.
Flora Adams
4th grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64
Gretchen the Ocean I am the ocean Crabs tickle my sand Sea plants put their roots into me Waves plunge into me I hold many sea critters One of the most dangerous animals lives in me. My coral reefs glow in the sunlight I am the ocean. I am graceful. I am wet. And I am a good home.
Gretchen Wehr
2nd grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64
I am a diamond ring for a hand in marriage I am a four leaf clover—lucky me I am a daisy blowing in the breeze I am a giraffe eating leaves That’s me
Destiny Berg
3rd grade Hamlin Park School, P.S. 74
So Not the Same You young lady Standin over there in the same dress as me You young lady With your hands on your hips Your high waist Your skinny body Your long legs Your blond hair You young lady Forget facin me I’m a threat and I know it I’m the bees knees—please I’m the head and not the tail I’m short My Bigger Bust My Chunkiness All makes me, me I look at you and see a hideous person, with a beautiful face People look at me and see a Divine Woman.
I am the Elsabird. My wings flap like flames. When they flap they sound like Tannis Truitt 10th grade ashes burning in the fire. Tapestry High School My feathers are shiny silver and my beak shimmering gold. I travel long miles to find food and water. I will find that in a desert at an oasis. My eyes are beady black and my talons are as orange as the sun. My beak is as sharp as scissors. I have lived many years most likely to be one hundred.
Elsa Hata
2nd grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64
Self-Portraits I Am a Mountain I stand strong I stand proud When people hike up me I feel joy like I am an answer waiting to be found I reach up to the sky I stretch and grasp the sun the moon and the stars
Self-Portraits I’m I’m I’m I’m I’m I’m I’m I’m I’m I’m
a whisper in the wind. a bluebird who flies across the sky. a joker who plays a card. a wonder in the future. a grass swaying in the wind. a rippling river. a silent cricket. a slithering slick snake. an ant who’s small but mighty. a roaring waterfall.
4th grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64
Outsider
I am a princess I am a fairy I am a Barbie I am a butterfly I am a cat I am a flower I am a sun I am a cloud I am a singer and dancer
Skyler Masse
I am an angel in the heavens
3rd grade Akron Central Elementary School
I am the Mountain
Isabel Finkbeiner
I am a celebrity
Lataiya Staley
3rd grade Hamlin Park School, P.S. 74
Everything and Nothing I am looking forward to everything and nothing…
I am the Karina bird. My wings are like a butterfly and an airplane. My tail is black like a horse. My feathers are soft like a pillow. I sing loud like the radio. I sing the morning and the night.
Karina González
2nd grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64
Because nothing is part of everything It penetrates separates and fills almost all of the time in which I wait looking forward to everything and nothing
Omar Reese
11th grade Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, P.S. 192
I am the girl you all pick on, call names and play tricks on. I walk down the hall. You trip me, I fall. You all start laughing and pointing but inside me I’m gagging and choking. You make my life harder than it has to be. I ask God, “why is this happening to me?” From you guys I hide shaming my pride. All my life I’ve been pushed from people to people, moving from house to house. Now this is a sequel. No one knows where I’ve been. Do you dare to step in the skin I’m in? Raised with no mother, You would think I’d be tougher. But this is the world in which we all suffer.
Tina A.
10th grade Tapestry High School I am shining like the moon. Take a beam from me, keep it, treasure it, love it. I will keep you safe.
I am a bird flying in the sky I am a flower outside I am a lake with fish in the ice I am a rug on the floor I am grass in the dirt I am air everywhere I am a mustang fast and cool
Marissa Venter
3rd grade Akron Central Elementary School
Taquan Cornwall
3rd grade Hamlin Park School, P.S. 74
reclaiming Buffalo Doc
Reclaiming Buffalo introduces students from North, South, East and West Buffalo to a unique after school opportunity combining photography, computer literacy, and creative writing. Students begin by photographing buildings in their neighborhood that they wish to “reclaim.” Using PhotoShop, students transform their “before” image into an “after” and write accompanying poems or prose to put their vision into words. Selected artworks were featured on bus shelters across Buffalo, spreading hope and inspiration throughout the city. Included here are some of the “before” images and poems. To see the complete works, please visit the online gallery at www.writingwithlightbuffalo.org
It Takes Faith Look at this building. What do you see? It could be almost anything that you want it to be. Is it a landmark? Is it a dream? It can be much more than it seems. What is broken, can be made whole. What is ugly, may be worth more than gold. What is lost can be reclaimed. It takes FAITH.
Sean McGee
5th grade Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo, Woodrow Wilson
City Poem on the east side or like we call it home I like my home because we’ve got a big park and we do cheers and we get wet and we always see people get along and they have lots of house parties and on Saturday all you hear are the football players and the cheerleaders and when you go to the park it is a big field that you can play on and there is a big pond with ducks
Shayla
4th grade Schiller Park Community Services
I walk down the street and see a house named Doc. Doc greets me with his dirty bricks and plywood begging me to melt the dirty snow off his rotting body. The wind hits me in my face with its chilling whispers while the trees wave to me so I will shoo! I can tell by Doc’s face he has been through a lot. I swear I could’ve seen a tear. I walk away hoping the next time I see him he will be as good as he used to be. I turn around, the trees still waving and I see it as a “Hello” so I run back and I can tell this is a new beginning for the house that I call “Doc.”
Caitlin M.
6th grade Valley Community Association
People & Places
People & Places Mi Isla de Puerto Rico
People of South Buffalo
My Blissful Spot
Mi isla de Puerto Rico Mi isla de Puerto Rico Cuando amarece, me brillas con tu sol Por las noches, me cubres con tu sabana fresca Mi isla de Puerto Rico Tus arboles tan grandes Con hojas tan verdes y brillosas Mi isla de Puerto Rico Mi isla de Puerto Rico
South Buffalo people are the people you want to be around.
My blissful spot is my mom’s heartbeat I feel her breathing and I feel perfect. I hear her heartbeat boom, baboom, baboom I feel so blissful I drift off can’t see a thing don’t know a thing then blank.
My island, Puerto Rico My island, Puerto Rico In the morning, your sun shines so bright At night, you cover me with a lovely breeze My island, Puerto Rico Your trees are so big With leaves so green and shiny My island, Puerto Rico My island, Puerto Rico
Phony People My dreams are filled with love and hope they might be your friend but nope there’s a thin rope between you and them hoping you could just be their friend My heart is red but how much could I take? It feels like it will break.
Daniel Davis
5th grade Hillery Park Elementary School, P.S. 27
Merlina A. Hernandez
9th grade Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, P.S. 192
Derek Bartosz
9th grade Leonardo DaVinci High School, P.S. 212
Konnichiwa, Osaka Daylight morning while sitting on the bench Shamisens playing with sounds of your drums Midafternoon walking on a silent street Light streams of water falling from the rocks with peace Evening sitting on the ground Playing the pipa for your enjoyment Sunset
Home sour home They say there’s no place like home But as I roam I’m alone cruelty is a physical form Home sour home I have a new home In the trash I’ve been thrown As I still roam alone extreme cases, neglecting and deserting child fails to conform A new me is born
Denae Davis
11th grade Western New York Maritime Charter School
Sitting under your soft tree as the cherry blossoms fall down upon me with a cool midsummer breeze Nighttime My kimono collides with your streams Your moon collides with my spirit I will collide with your town
Cynthia Brooks
11th grade Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, P.S. 192
Jadon Eason
4th grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64
The Most Beautiful Place On that farm, that marvelous farm, sits a swing, sits a cow, sits a pig, sits a horse, sits a dog, sits a mouse, sits a cat, sits a hen, and on the far corner I sit listening to the whistling wind on that happy farm in Wisconsin.
Julia Penchaszadeh
4th grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64
People & Places
People & Places
Coming Home
My Scarce Dad
7 years 7 years of hate 7 years of love 7 years of missing my dad then I was so sad He’s been in and out of my life; every time he went it was like a piercing in my heart with a knife. Now he’s here, here to stay, we will never part, cuz a house is never a home when your loved ones are gone. Losing a parent is like the end of the world.
Only see his fingers, tan. The tree was squeezed by a rubber band. Holding fear in his hand.
Michael Guzzetta
6th grade Hillery Park Elementary School, P.S. 27
Puerto Rico You are the home I grew up in. The streets I got bruised on You are the hospitals I got operated at. You are my home. The beaches I go to and lay on your sand. You are the coconut palm trees that stand beside me. You are the coquís that sing at night their beautiful song. You will always be in my heart. You are my world, you are mi Puerto Rico.
Odalys Morales
11th grade Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, P.S. 192
He is holding but he is looking side to side. He said he can’t see, but he is not blind. Fingers hard from all his work. I tell him it’s okay but he doesn’t move, no, he stays.
Savanna Maund
5th grade Hillery Park Elementary School, P.S. 27
My Wonderful Mom I wake up on Saturday morning and I smell something delicious
The Park
My Brother
You’re my escape From reality When I look into your eye I Find myself mesmerized Your leaves Flow with the wind
Why do people become what they’re not? Sweet boys wanna be tough Is it their surroundings? Is it because that’s how they wanna be? What is it? You in a gang You sell drugs You carry around a gun Where do you think your life is going? Why go backwards instead of forward? You’re 16 being arrested for carrying an automatic. You’re done for. Who by yo side now? They free, where are you? I am, but for how long? I bet you’ll keep going backwards. You can trust in me but trust that I’m going forward. I love you but not what’s inside of you. You weren’t here for my birthday, but be here for yours.
Your rails, your benches They reach out to me They’re the hands I long to hold Your walls are the shoulders It makes me feel alive Your eye teems with life And beauty It has a calm sway to it and Such a natural flow We begin our dance again Your hands reach out And I flow with my movement Like the water in your eye Your shoulders I grip Our connection will not slip
so I wander into my kitchen and there she is slaving over the hot stove.
Your eye captures me When all is said and done
Then she looks at me
You do not see my faults We continue Our endless waltz
with the cheerful smile she always has. It warms me up like a fire and it starts a wonderful day. After I get off the bus it makes me want to jump for joy. I love my mom.
Thomas Cornacchio
4th grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64
Movement is how I lead You are all I see Nature is your Beauty You’re my escape My new reality
Michael Morel
11th grade Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, P.S. 192
Taylor Frost
10th grade Tapestry High School
Sights & Sounds a crying child telephone ringing words of comfort from father pat of his hand on the boy’s back squeak of father’s leather shoes the rustle of a newspaper being nudged the turning of pages in the girl’s book the clash of a cup against its saucer the clink of a spoon in the cup while stirring the bump of an elbow against the table the flick of a plastic light switch the tear of the elbow on the boy’s shirt the rustle of the tablecloth being disturbed tick tock of the clock.
Ashley Bend
12th grade Hutchinson Central Technical High School, P.S. 304
Sights & Sounds Rivers that clash against the rocks. Blueberries that could go into luscious pies. Books that thousands of people read. Sadness when you’re having a bad day. Wishes that come true. Skies that are beautiful. Sound as pretty as the cello. Blue can be anything in your life.
Lucia Molitor
3rd grade Akron Central Elementary School
Upon the blue sea we met again for someone to take my friend again. We sat. We talked. But no one pulled us apart. Fairies flap their wings. I sit and never think about what may have happened.
Kyimahni
4th grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64
Poison berries, daddy long legs forbidden places beyond the playground Moving trucks, garage sales four children continuing to yell Seven cows, know them by name leaving my quiet mornings behind like a picture frame.
11th grade Western New York Maritime Charter School
Porch The cool fresh air blows chairs and a side table just me and you with the lights from the street peace and quiet car horns blowing glass of lemonade children running in the street black railings with Christmas lights at the end of the day it’s just me and you.
As I look at the clock to see the time, I left my heart behind.
Red paint, brown fox watermelon seeds in a pot
Mia Washington
Late Night In fairytales I see dust waiting, waiting for you to come. I see no one at dusk.
Quiet mornings, sweet dew on the grass blades. Tire swing on my weeping willow.
In the late night I see mud.
Quiet Mornings
Marsharee Adams
11th grade Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts, P.S. 192
footsteps tap as this jazz man’s ba bad a bad a pop blows along the emptiness freshly shined snakeskin shoes crunch the tin grains underneath the window.
The man on the moon sings to the blue birds when the sun is shining. He is the power of magic in your dreams!
Roger Hofmeier
3rd grade Akron Central Elementary School
the wind can carry this tune all the way home. you can hear beep beeep boom ba ba da ba du bop all the way far even when I turn his corner
Tyrone
12th grade Hutchinson Central Technical High School, P.S. 304
INSPIRING TEachers
INSPIRING TEachers Change
Ride North
Snow is slowly melting ever so slowly Grass is emerging ever so slowly Sun is shining ever so slowly Buds are forming ever so slowly Birds are chirping ever so slowly Sky is changing ever so slowly Temperature is moving forward ever so slowly Water is warming ever so slowly Children are coming ever so slowly Change is happening ever so slowly
So many paths to take Destinations good and bad Choose to go north Go upwards to success Many before you have set the way Their sweat and blood drove the nails that will lead you to your destination Follow the guiding rails laid. Choose to ride north Go upward to success
Mrs. Roberts
8th Grade Teacher Charter School for Applied Technologies
Ms. Liebel
4th Grade Teacher Lorraine Elementary, P.S. 72
The Path After the gentle rain the path has somehow been made palatable. The steps can be slippery, bumpy, hazardous. But it will be worth it. Smooth boards Stretch out to greet me. A place for my hand to steady me. Waves on one side, guarded by rocks Firm, solid ground On the other Shades of grey on all sides I will make it. I will.
Mrs. Kleinschmidt
4th Grade Teacher Discovery School, P.S. 67
Mist kisses my face majestic sun warms my skin power beneath my feet. the rage, ending washing away sins giving life taking life. Now there is no mist no sun no power beneath my feet. only the sound of my breathing, calm slow controlled.
Mrs. Mohorter
8th Grade Teacher Charter School for Applied Technologies
The Written Word
The Written Word One of the many benefits of a Just Buffalo Writer Residency is how it can transform a student’s relationship to the written word and inspire a renewed love for learning. Here are just a few examples of what students and teachers tell us about our programs: “They helped me be inspired to learn more things at school.” –6th grader, Dr. Antonia Pantoja Community School of Academic Excellence, P.S. 18
“This opens my eyes to experience a different way to express my feelings.” –11th grader, Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts, P.S. 192
“Since the program, many of my students have tried writing poetry, short stories and one has even written to the Mayor talking about how important it is to have citizens take better care of our city.” –Sharon Pikul, 4th grade teacher, Lorraine Elementary, P.S. 72
The time sinks in, swallows the day The time has come, so goodbye I say. I try and smile, but it fades away So I think back, peacefully, as if to pray. So I reminisce with paper, pen, and words But this is not usual it’s rather absurd. My mind now open full of thoughts Before just anger rather much distraught. But it’s full, exploding, bursting about I just wanna sing, laugh, cry, and shout. But I maintain cordially with composure I move on slowly, but now a lot more sure.
Lamont Burley
11th grade Western New York Maritime Charter School
Like a Pencil My life is like a sharp pencil full of new and fun ideas. But when I get dull I sit on the table I get sharpened again, and start a new day.
Raymond Wasielweski
3rd grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64
Midnight No sound, no wind, no light except a lava lamp, curl up with a book on Saturday night, focusing hard on really… one thing, don’t care about homework, nor projects, or pets, just about books, everything else slips away.
Henry Nowak
4th grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64
How My Life Is Like A Book My life is as secretive as a book. I need to be opened until I speak.
Vivian Hunt
3rd grade Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64
INDEX Tina A., 31 Flora Adams, 29 Marsharee Adams, 38 Mohamed Alrobaye, 9 Derrion Andrews, 20 Adam B., 7 Moses Baines, 12 Mariatu Baker, 12 Kajhanea Barney, 14 Derek Bartosz, 35 Asia Battle, 6 Ashley Bend, 38 Vincent Berbano, 10 Destiny Berg, 28 Cassandra Brandl, 6 Cynthia Brooks, 35 Lamont Burley, 42 Kameron Bunch, 8 Mya Caldarelli, 9 Valenzia Capodicasa, 15 Carlos Cepeda, 19 Thomas Cornacchio, 36 Taquan Cornwall, 31 Ariyona Cornwell, 11 Sara Crawford, 13 Daniel Davis, 34 Denae Davis, 34 Amaya Dykman, 21 Jadon Eason, 35 Isabel Finkbeiner, 30 Gabriel Flewellyn, 14 Akyng Franklin, 18 Taylor Frost, 37 Emily Gartz, 16 Karina González, 30 Laura Gregory, 17 Michael Guzzetta, 36 Elsa Hata, 29 Merlina A. Hernandez, 34 Roger Hofmeier, 39 Vivian Hunt, 20, 43 Glen W. John, 6 Alexis Jones, 27 Thajanay Jones, 16 Mrs. Kleinschmidt, 40
Kyimahni, 38 Ms. Liebel, 41 Aaron Lobur, 9 Olivia Belinda Long, 22 Caitlin M., 33 Skyler Masse, 30 Matthew, 7 Savanna Maund, 36 Akhil McCall, 7 Sean McGee, 32 Fatuma Mohamed, 21 Mrs. Mohorter, 41 Lucia Molitor, 38 Odalys Morales, 36 Michael Morel, 37 Min Min Muang, 13 Henry Nowak, 43 Tarin Parker, 18 Julia Penchaszadeh, 35 Ryan Pettit, 21 Elizabeth Aleghia Preville, 8 Kaylyn Ramos, 19 Omar Reese, 30 Mrs. Roberts, 40 Casandra Rodriguez, 9 Joshua Rodriguez, 17 Patrick Sabato, 22 Kylie Sanders, 26 Shayla, 33 Alyson Smutek, 22 Nathan Sommer, 7 Mariella Sprague, 6 Lataiya Staley, 31 Shontyaira Thomas, 26 Tannis Truitt, 29 Cassie Tyner, 21 Tyrone, 39 Marissa Venter, 31 Tah Dah Wah, 11 Mia Washington, 39 Raymond Wasielweski, 42 Gretchen Wehr, 28 Ashley C. Whiteside, 25 Olivia Whiteside, 7 Jonviér Whittington, 15
Recognized by the New York State Council on the Arts as one of the leading arts education programs in Western New York
Just Buffalo Literary Center is so proud that our education programs continue to bring significant dollars back to Buffalo. But, we can’t do it alone! If you believe that the arts are vital to education, if your own life has been enriched by the pleasures of a good book or the satisfaction of putting your thoughts into words, please give today.
Your contribution helps ensure the future of Wordplay and all of our Writers in Education programs. To find out how to give, please visit our website: www.justbuffalo.org
Just Buffalo is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
Learn more
Transformations a new documentary about “Picturing Poetry� Follow documentary filmmaker, Jon R. Hand, behind the scenes to see the learning in action. Watch as students become transformed into artists & writers at www.writingwithlightbuffalo.org