Final poetry anthology :)

A world of wonder

Lauren LaValley 2013

A poetry Anthology

For Hope, Please Stay.

“Hope is the only thing stronger than fear�

-Suzanne Collins

1&2- Written Poems

3&4- When We Were Five -Lauren LaValley

5&6- Two Hearts, Two Homes -Lauren LaValley

Table Of contents

7&8- The Colors of the Seasons -Lauren LaValley

9&10- Its One of Those Nights -Lauren LaValley

11&12- Black and White -Lauren LaValley

13&14- Found Poems 15&16- To this Day -Sean Koyczan 17- Not in Vain -Emily Dickinson 18- Every Day its Always There -Rainy Ortiz 19&20- I trust....

-Conan Edogawa 21- Holding on and Letting Go -Ross Copperman 22- Vignette 23&24- Identity 24&25- Work Sited

rit ten

W Po em s

When we Were Five When we were five,

We dreamed of fairy dust and shooting stars

We had aspirations to become rock stars and fire fighters.

When we were five We were kites

Soaring so high through the sky

We wanted to storm into the world Swords drawn and shields raised Screaming at the top of our lungs When we were five

We believed in everything,

and everybody believed in us.

Now we look back at those days with acute nostalgia Its hard to remember when everything was beautiful

Everything was full of color, creativity and clamor A scraped knee was the only pain we knew.

The only sadness was when our favorite meal, Was not on that nights diner menu The only loneliness,

was when we forgot our favorite teddy bear at grandmas.

And the only tears were when mom made us go to bed early.

The world was filled with giggles and jokes.

But now,

silence, silence silence.

When we were five

We all wanted to grow up.

What the hell were we thinking?

-Lauren LaValley

“When we were five” Is a simple poem about the struggles and complications that come with growing up; and the beauty that we neglected to see when we were young. I used both repetition and parallelism in this piece. Parallelism with the line “when we were five” (line 1,4,10, 25) and repetition with the world silence.“ (line 24) I used both of these to put emphasis on what I was trying to say. I tried to portray the tone as sad, deserted and lonely, for that is how I feel. The theme of this is, “Growing up is a treacherous journey, and you have to learn to overcome its struggles.”

Two hearts, Two Homes Hearts break, like branches falling in the night.

A thunderous bang, a snap and a crack.

An argument that led to fight or flight.

Once a pure white, and now a midnight black A broken promise, a runaway bride A shattered vow, a cold fragmented heart A little girl, who has to choose a side.

Watching her family be ripped apart.

Love comes much too slow, but goes much too fast In my head, family is redefined.

All of the memories are in the past The endless choices of heart vs. mind But for now all is gone, and all is done Maybe the heartbreak can be good for some -Lauren LaValley

Throughout this piece, I tried to use a dark tone to represent my thoughts and feelings. My poem consisted of 14 lines, all 10 syllables. I followed an a,b,a,b c,d,c,d ,e,f,e,f g,g rhyme scheme during the piece.

I spent the majority of the poem talking about the cons, and sadness that comes with divorce. But during the final couplet, I “turned” It around, and looked on the brighter side.

Since I talked about the cons so much, it gave this piece a sad, lost, dark tone.

I used a metaphor at the beginning of the poem to express how I think hearts break. With a bang, a snap and a crack. (line 2) I used the font “Cracked” to express how I feel.

In this piece, the season word, or the kigo would be, “fallen leaves” making it most likely autumn (which is my favorite season) The Kieji, or cutitng word, would be the semi colon. The semi colon separates what the leaves look, from what they do. The tone of this piece is tranquil, I’m trying to portray a quiet restful tone and emotion. I used personification to give the leaves a little more personality and purpose. “Fallen leaves dance” (line two)

Yellow, Red, Orange; Fallen leaves dance soundlessly, Peaceful and serene   -Lauren Lavalley

Its One Of Those Nights I Used many metaphors throughout this piece to try to give the mind, a mind of its own. Such as "Plays tricks (line 1), giggles, (Line 16) booming on the door, (line 10) Ringing (Line 11)"I tried to express those nights you lay in bed wide awake because your mind won't shut up. The tone I tried to portray in this piece, was confused, desperate and maybe a little sad. I also used a simile "Its like a brain freeze" to help the reader connect more closely to the feeling I am trying to get them to connect to.Â

At night, your mind plays tricks You go over every wrong decision Every flaw Every Imperfection Giving yourself new expectations Striving for a goal An absurd idea of an impracticable reality.

One where decisions are easy, One where mistakes are never made The mind is a constant booming on the door.

It’s an endless ring at the back of your head, Too close to ignore, Too far away to shut off, like a brain freeze, you cant quite reach it.

Hours later, your eyelids get heavy, Your mind giggles And bursts back to life there you lay So tired yet so awake.

Black

White

1 color. That's all it takes.

To be judged.

To be taunted.

To be different.

To be less than.

We say we're equality,

but we are discrimination.

Racism is not born, It is taught.

Taught at home,

taught at school,

taught by friends, taught by foes.

No color is superior,

no pigment is inferior.

Equality is born when we make an effort,

an effort to ignore the outside and look what's inside.

We are not as shallow as our color.

We are rooted to the ground,

embedded deep into the earths core.

Twisting, turning and spiraling.

We are big oak trees hit with storms of words.

But they stand, ten meters away.

They glare, they giggle, and they joke.

But between us is silence White Black

Black and

White

- Lauren LaValley

This is a poem about racism, the entire poem is based solely on the fact that it is still among us. I used two hands, because when everyone flips over and shows their palms, we’re all the same. I used the metaphor, we are trees, to express how throughout all of this, we still stand tall and strong. “We are rooted to the ground” (line 23) I wanted to make the readers feel guilt, for this is a direct result of the actions of humanity and society. Skin color has no affect on who you are inside, and Its time we start realizing that.

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Watch The Video Click Here

This is a powerful poem about bullying, self confidence, and love. Shane Koyczan touched all of our hearts with the powerful words and messages he portrayed. This is a wake up call to the bullies and the most relatable message to those who are or ever have been bullied in any way. Koyczan uses some of the most intense and eccentric metaphors to help give this poem a voice. It would take me forever to list them all, so I’ll just list one. “He was a broken branch grafted onto another family tree” This poem becomes so much more passionate and powerful once the images, music and voice are added. Koyczan speaks in this fierce extraordinary way, that draws in the audience and really forces us to fully experience every word. I think the theme of this poem is, “People will always judge you, but you need to rise above these judgments and embrace your true self.”

Not in Vain If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain.

-Emily Dickinson

This poem is short and powerful. Emily Dickinson writes about how if she can make a difference in someone’s life, “ease the aching,(Line 3) cool one pain (Line 4) or stop a heart from breaking, (line 1)” she will have given her life meaning. Dickinson wants to help make a difference in the world, no matter how. I think the theme of this piece is “There is happiness in helping others”, or “there is happiness in putting others before yourself.” The tone of this piece is warm, nice and kind. For the idea of helping others gives off warmth.

Every Day its Always There

Every day it is always there Whether in mind or body Whether i want it to be or not~ Sometimes it's like being haunted By a constant presence Of sometimes happiness Sometimes anger~ But it is always filled with love That love is my protector.

That protector is my mother.

-Rainy Ortiz

At first glance, this poem lacks literary substance, but as I re-read it- substance is all it has. The very first line of this poem begins the suspenseful tone; you want to know right away what this “It” is. Throughout the poem the suspense continues, until the very last line, where the author uses metaphors to help emphasize the importance of a mother. This poem has lots of contrasting ideas, which I find makes the poem more relatable. Relationships are roller coasters, up and down, or in this case, happy and angry, mind and body, weather you want it or you don’t.

I trust by Conan Edogawa, is a simple piece about the hurdles and obstacles that come with trusting and believing in yourself. This poem follows a very simple A,A,B,B,C,C,D,D,E,E rhyme scheme and uses parallelism with the line, I trust. There is lots of contrast throughout this piece, to show how he trusts such a wide variety of things. This idea makes what he does not trust more powerful. I think the theme Edogawa was trying to express is, “Its so easy to trust others, but so hard to trust yourself.� Which is a struggle that so many people have.

I trust...

I trust the dirt, I trust the rain

I trust the cars, I trust the train

I trust the secrets, I trust the truth I trust the old, I trust the youth

I trust my Life, I trust My Death

...I trust My right, I trust my left

I trust the Ground, I trust the skies I trust the Truth But not the lies

I trust the fairies, I trust the elf I trust you all- just not myself Conan Edogawa

Watch The Video Click Here

Holding on and Letting go by Ross Copperman, is a song all about opportunities you will face in life, and the closing of these opportunities. “Its one door swinging open, and one door swinging closed” (Chorus) Copperman also speaks about how he feels alone and like nobody is listening. I think the tone of this piece is hope, when listening to this song I feel really hopeful for these opportunities that will one day come. The theme of this poem is...

“Opportunities will come and go, and you must learn to take full advantage of these opportunities if you ever want to be happy.”

This song is on repeat for me, I hope it is for you too.

Poetry is not only dream and vision; it is the skeleton architecture of our lives. It lays the foundations for a future of change, a bridge across our fears of what has never been before.

Audre Lorde Throughout the past couple weeks, we have explored and written many different types of poetry. Haikus, Sonnets, Concrete and Free writing. The only restriction was the poetry must fall under the topic of identity. Our own individual Identity. Now for me, this was a struggle, but I managed to find four overarching themes I noticed during my exploration of poetry/identity.

Family, Relationships, Opportunities and Confusion.

The “family” theme, held two poems. “Every day its always there” By Rainy Ortiz, and ‘Two hearts, Two homes,” Which I wrote myself. Now, these two poems are completely different in every way. One is a free write about the love your mother has for you, and you have for her. While one is a sonnet about the destruction of love, divorce, and the challenges it brings.

My mother is my everything, she is my backbone. Even though we may not have the best relationship, everything she does, is for me or my brother. like the poem says, “Sometimes happiness, sometimes anger.” She provides me shelter, food, water, and every other necessity. Not to mention the amount of her time and money she puts into getting me to and from my activities, and dealing with my crazy hectic schedule. Her love and support through everything I do has made me the person I am, and has allowed me to experience everything I have. Its these exact experiences that have contributed and shaped the making of my identity and my being. No amount of words or actions can possibly express how very grateful I am. Even though I know it may not always seem like it.

The divorce between my parents has affected me both directly and indirectly in so many ways. It has completely changed my views on what a family means. “In my head, family is redefined.” It has made me lose a lot of faith and trust in others, and I have lost faith in the idea of love all together. The outrageous idea that someone is out there for you to find. The fact that I live with two completely separate families allows me to be influenced by two different people without them arguing to agree. Which of course, develops my identity.

Not only are there these family relationships, but also between friends and strangers.

Which brings me into my topic about relationships, In this category, I have three poems. A concrete poem I wrote myself called “Black and White” which is about racism and the negative impacts it has. It also is home to a spoken poem which most of us know pretty well “To this day” by Sean Koyczan, Which is such a powerful piece on how you treat others, and yourself. I also have if i can stop one heart from breaking, by Emily Dickinson, a short and powerful poem about the joy you can get from helping others.

I'm going to talk about my concrete, along with To this day. I believe In people. I believe that if we tried, the world could be such a great place. We could have no racism, clean water, no bullying, food for everyone, but we have to try. Racism and bullying have been around for so long. Yes, racism has decreased but that doesn't mean it is non existent. It is still here, and unless something changes, it always will be. Your beliefs,values and morals are all a part of your identity.

These are my beliefs, my values and my morals. This is my identity.

I spend a lot of my time volunteering and fundraising for charities, because I agree with Emily Dickinson, that happiness comes from helping others. I believe, that you have never truly lived until you do something for someone, who can never repay you. I think Dickson would agree “If I can stop one's heart from breaking, I will not live in vain” The next topic I want to talk about is opportunities, 3 poems are in this “theme” or topic.

Holding on and letting go, by Ross Copperman. Which is a song about the many opportunities and closing of them you will come across in life. The colors of the seasons, which is an original haiku. As well as “When we were five” which is an original free verse about growing up.

These three poems are all about opportunity. “One door swinging open, and one door swinging closed” Throughout life's journey, you will get so many opportunities, its these opportunities that form your identity, and make you, you. I categorized autumn In this ‘theme’ because Fall is when you can completely start over, new opportunities all come in fall. Not to mention its also my favorite season.

My final topic is confusion, because I am confused. This whole poetry anthology has both helped me understand myself a little better, and confused me 100 times more than I was. I put two poems in this category, “Trust,” by Conan Edogawa and “Its one of those nights” which is an original poem. Trust has been such a ongoing issue for me. It takes me so long to trust people, and after I do, I trust too easily, and its all scattered. But no matter what, I can never trust myself.

“I trust you all, just not myself.” My original poem is about those nights you can’t sleep cause your mind is thinking uncontrollably and just won’t shutup. “Its an endless ring at the back of your mind” Your thoughts form you, what you think is what you are.

This is a little snippet of me. Im full of flaws, imperfections and bits and pieces that dont fit together. But I am trying, I promise.

Work Cited- MLA Format Photos: Hd wallpapers. “Up Movie Balloon House”May 24th, 2011. Web. September 30th, 2013. <http://www.hdwallpapers.in/up_movie_balloons_housewallpapers.html> Koycazan, Sean“To This Day.”To this Day. N.D. Web. October 6th, 2013 <http://tothisdayproject.com> LaPastillaAzul.“Black and White hands.”deviantART. January 27th, 2011.

Web. September 18th, 2013. <http://lapastillaazul.deviantart.com/art/Black-andWhite-hands-195112973> Matthias, Haker. “Up In Smoke” devinat ART. November 24th, 2010. Web. October 1st, 2013<http://matthias-haker.deviantart.com/art/Up-inSmoke-143826753> My2ndheartbeat. “Two Paths.”Wordpress. February 18th, 2013. Web. September 22nd, 2013. <http://my2ndheartbeat.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/ two-paths/> Rick, “Smelling of smoke.”Wordpress. November 17th, 2008. Web. October 1st 2013. <http://rickhill.wordpress.com/2008/11/17/smelling-of-smoke/>

Schreiber, Jeff. “Two Can Be Better Than One.” Low Country Divorce and Family Law. September, 18th 2012. Web. September 30th, 2013. <http:// www.lowcountrydivorceandfamilylaw.com/two-can-be-better-than-one/> Society6.“hebrews 6:19, hope anchors the soul” Pocket Fuel. “<http:// society6.com/PocketFuel/Hebrews-619_Print> Web. October 1st, 2013.

Wallpaperden.com. “Autumn falling leaf.” Web. September 29th 2013 <http://www.wallpaperden.com/autumn-falling-leaf-3.shtml> Wilson, Kristy. “Butterfly Border.”deviantART. September 1st, 2011. Web. October 2nd, 2013. <http://kirstylouisewilson.deviantart.com/art/ButterflyBorder-256154226>

Poems: Copperman, Ross “Holding on and letting go” Youtube. N.D. Web. October 11th <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awr_jzijeIU> Dickinson, Emily “Not in vain”Poem hunter. uploaded on May 15th 2001. Web. September 22nd 2013 <http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/if-i-can-stop-oneheart-from-breaking/> Edogawa, Conan. “I trust.” Poem Hunter. April 14th 2011. Web. September 21st 2013 <http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-trust-4/> Koycazan, Sean“To This Day.”To this Day. N.D. Web. October 6th, 2013 <http://tothisdayproject.com> Ortiz, Rainy “Everyday It’s always there.” All poetry. February 11th 2010.

Web. October 24th 2013 <http://allpoetry.com/poem/6708378-Every-Day-It-IsAlways-There-by-Rainy-Ortiz-by-desireelynnrox>