The New Ingredients: Writing from NY Public Library Aguilar Language Learning Center

The New Ingredients

Writing from NY Public Library Aguilar Center

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The New Ingredients Writing from NY Public Library Aguilar Language Learning Center

Winter 2008

NY Writers Coalition Press

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Copyright Š 2008 NY Writers Coalition Inc. Upon publication, copyright to individual works returns to the authors.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Editor: Amie Hartman Layout: Deborah Clearman Photos: Amie Hartman The New Ingredients contains writing by the members of a creative writing workshop conducted by NY Writers Coalition Inc. at the NY Public Library Aguilar Language Learning Center .

NY Writers Coalition Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that provides free creative writing workshops throughout New York City for people from groups that have been historically deprived of voice in our society. For more information about NY Writers Coalition Inc.: NY Writers Coalition Inc. 80 Hanson Place #603 Brooklyn, NY 11217 (718) 398-2883 info@nywriterscoalition.org www.nywriterscoalition.org

The Aguilar Center for Reading and Writing helps students who have difficulties with reading and writing to actualize their goals and improve their communication skills in a student-centered environment. The center is a welcoming, neighborhood setting which serves as first point of contact for a culturally diverse population.

NY Public Library Aguilar Language Learning Center 174 East 110th Street New York, NY 10029

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INTRODUCTION When we were brainstorming a name for our group, Justina said, “How about The New Ingredients.”

We all smiled, because somehow it just sounded right— I laughed because I thought it sounded like a band name.

“You know, you take a bunch of different ingredients and you put them all in a pot, and you come up with a very interesting dish” she said.

Maria added: “We are new ingredients because we don’t use the old ones. The old ones don’t taste good—new year, new ingredients. The old is past, we have to move on. New is good, dark is old—we are light. This is the reason we are called The New Ingredients.”

Could it be said any better than that?

I have had the pleasure of meeting and writing with “The New Ingredients” at Aguilar each week for over a year. There is a lot to say about these people: Each workshop member has a fierce dedication to the practice of reading and writing and to the learning center at Aguilar, and each has unwavering acceptance, patience and support for every other member of the group. Our workshop is a place to think and to write and to take chances—and a place where we don’t have to be “perfect”—where no one is expecting us to be.

Our workshop wouldn’t be what it is without our home at Aguilar, and without the complete support of its 6

staff there. My many thanks to Elaine Sohn and Marlene Pichardo who have supported our workshop from day one, and who have recruited students and helped to keep the workshop going. They have made me a member of the community at Aguilar, and to them, I am thankful.

Lastly, I’d like to thank New York Writer’s Coalition—Deborah Clearman and Aaron Zimmerman especially— for giving me the opportunity to lead this workshop and for allowing me to be a part of such a terrific organization.

Amie Hartman February, 2008

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MY THOUGHTS Maria Lopez I am a student of the Aguilar center I wonder who will be the next president for USA I hear the beautiful birds singing I want to eat sour cream I am a student of the Aguilar center I pretend that I am a princess I feel so good today I touch other people’s hearts I worry about the USA war I cry when a baby passes away I am Ms. Rich I understand Arabic and French I say the truth I dream of my limousine I try to speak like people from Massachusetts I hope Ms. Clinton will be president I am an English Teacher

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COMPLEX Justina Jordan I am complex I wonder where my daughter is I hear that I might be graduating I see that things take time I want to better my life I am complex I pretend not to know what’s right I feel disappointed in myself I touch his heart with my words I worry why the situation hasn’t changed I cry because I am hurting someone I am complex I understand that change takes time I say it’s going to happen I dream I share my life with someone one day I try to understand that life can be tough sometimes I hope that God blesses my life I am complex

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MY LIFE Derek Lucas I am Derek Lucas I wonder if the winter is gonna end soon I hear very good I see you tomorrow I want my own apartment I am 46 years old I pretend I am a man I feel good right now I worry about my family I cry when I have bad dreams I am 5 feet 9 inches in height I understand English very good I say good morning to people I dream about life I try to learn in school I hope to leave the program soon I am Derek Lucas

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THINGS ABOUT ME Joseph Calhoun I am a very bad person sometimes I wonder if I finished my lunch; I don’t remember I hear the sound you made yesterday I see you when I get back ok?

I want to be the first one there I am looking back at what I did yesterday I pretend that I don’t know what you’re talking about I feel like I did yesterday I touch my son’s head to see if he has a fever I worry about my car getting stolen I cry every night since she left I am tired of being called a fool I understand now what you said yesterday I say the same thing I told you before I dream that I was in an ice box I try to get some help I hope I don’t have to do this again I am going to be having fun very soon.

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FEELING Bei Shao I am a retired person I wonder how different it is between USA and China I hear an interesting story I see a nice country I want to speak English well I am an interesting man I pretend to be a healthy man I feel warmer in these days I touch the material soft I worry the weather will be cold I cry that I lost my way I am a weak man I understand Chinese I speak Chinese I dream to understand English I try to study English I hope I will be successful I am a joyful man

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I AM Adrianna Frons I am a wonderful thinker I wonder if my wishes will ever come true I hear music on the radio I see children playing in the park I want to live on my own I am a wonderful thinker I pretend I am a singer like Madonna I feel very happy when I play Bingo I touch other people’s dogs on the street I worry if I hurt other people’s feelings I cry when I am sad I am a wonderful thinker I understand a lot of things I say mean things when I am mad I dream about getting my own place I try my best to make friends I hope I get a boyfriend I am a wonderful thinker.

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WOMAN Justina Jordan Fair skin brown eyes A smile that glows Like the sun Pretty coarse hair And tiny feet Smells like a flower And gets a lot of attention One who births new life Strong but grateful Can be broken down in tears But never gives up hope Tries to keep things together And always kind Even when things are going bad A very significant part of life Life would be lonely without us

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LEAF Bei Shao The fall is coming The leaves are getting red or yellow, then brown then fall down.

The ground will be covered by a lot of leaves.

Leaves on the ground are very dirty, so in the fall, many workers have to clean them to make our city beautiful.

Leaves of the Maple are on the trees, they will be red like the sun.

They are seen very beautiful—become a beautiful scene.

But at last they become brown and fall down become garbage.

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ADVICE TO MY LAZY FRIEND T.J. Maria Lopez My dear friend T.J. You spend much time doing nothing, wasting your precious time Remember time flies Please go to school and get your GED Get the job You like to be a couch potato—you sleep all day long It’s ok to sleep but not all day, every day, seven days a week You don’t feel tired of sleeping?

Please do something positive Go to New York Public Library Ask Amie if she has an empty seat for you You can come to our class We write a lot in this class Also too much fun Do not take me wrong I only want to give you good advice Not now, but later, you will appreciate me Whatever, I love you, young girl Bye Dear Sincerely, Maria 21

WHAT I LIKE DOING Adrianna Frons What I like doing is the laundry What I like doing is reading books What I like doing is going to the museums What I like doing is writing letters What I like doing is listening to the radio This is what I like doing

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MY YOUNG FRIEND Bei Shao I don’t remember many many people and things, But I do remember one person.

He was my friend in childhood.

His name was Yae, he was younger a year than me.

He always puts on the glasses.

He seems weak and kind.

After we have grown up, we split from each other.

He went to college for mathematics. I was proud for him.

But I never thought he would die after graduation.

He died in the Great Cultural Revolution.

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NEW YORK CITY Derek Lucas Living in New York City It makes me feel good When I walk the street, I feel this way because I am excited I need to be excited Cause it’s important To know the street This street is ok—sometimes I am ok in New York City My mother is in New York City

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O PINEAPPLE! Joseph Calhoun O pineapple O pineapple You smell so sweet How I like to eat you O pineapple O pineapple Just to touch you makes me weak O pineapple O pineapple I know what you mean to me I hear you are a tasty treat O pineapple O pineapple I see you—do you like me?

O pineapple O pineapple What’s wrong with you?

O pineapple O pineapple What’s up with me?

O pineapple O pineapple You know I love you

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O pineapple O pineapple I see you and taste you and I hear you O pineapple O pineapple I want to touch you again And again

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ONION Maria Lopez Dear onion You look like my boyfriend You and my boyfriend make me cry Why? Why? Why? My boyfriend and dear onion Dear onion Dear boyfriend Both of you enjoy making me cry without reason Poor Maria!

Poor!

Maria!

But I cannot detach from you Onion is healthy And my boyfriend is very handsome

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O PINEAPPLE! O PINEAPPLE! Derek Lucas I like the way you taste I like the way you feel I like the way you look You will always be the king of my heart You look good to me When I feel you, you feel soft

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DEAR NOSE Justina Jordan You get a lot of attention because you are small.

People love to touch you.

I wonder where I got the dent?

I wonder if it came from pressing it while playing because I loved to look at Tabitha on TV Because none of my parents have this nose.

So mine is unique Because I probably got it from one of my ancestors.

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AN ODE TO HAMSTERS Adrianna Frons I don’t have any kids, so hamsters are my children Hamsters are soft, quiet, like to stay up at night, fight and sleep during the day.

You are important to me because you let me pick you up and let me touch you.

I enjoy that a lot.

There are different kinds of hamsters, like Teddy Bear hamsters, Dwarf hamsters, and regular hamsters.

I feel happy when I hold you because sometimes I am not happy at all.

Dwarf hamsters are mean; they bite.

I don’t like any hamsters that will bite me.

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THE MIRACLE HAPPENED Joseph Calhoun I never knew I have five grandkids, till one day I was walking in downtown Brooklyn and someone call out “homeboy!” My cousin told me I have grandchildren; I was shocked, I didn’t know what to say. I am dying to see them, and when I find out they live in New Jersey, I decided to call my granddaughter—she is only eight years old.

I am looking to see them very soon; my sister says that my granddaughter will read to me. I said, “How can an eight year old girl read to me?” and she said she want to see me to tell me something.

My sister said she is very smart for her age.

I have never seen my grandchildren. I really want to tell them how proud I am to be their grandfather and watch them grow up—take them to the park, for ice cream.

For this thing I have in my heart I am going back to Brooklyn

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And I’d also like to see my sister, I haven’t seen in fifteen years. I am hoping she will come Saturday. She means a lot to me.

I love my sister, but I am looking forward to her voice Just like my mother.

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CONTRIBUTORS

Adrianna Frons was born in The United States. She went to the Summit School and graduated in 1996.

Before she came to the Aguilar Learning Center she was a student at the St. Agnes reading and writing center. She likes to read and write and listen to the radio.

His name is Bei Shao. He came from China. When he lived in China, he was sad because he was hated by the Communist Party. He was pushed to the farm and to factory to do very hard dirty works, and the Communist Party and its loved people never worked.

Derek Lucas was born in New York City. He likes all three sports, baseball, basketball and football. He was born in the Bronx at Lincoln hospital. He grew up in The South Bronx with friends. They would play baseball together.

Joseph Calhoun was born in the South and raised on a farm. He went to school; he was the first-born out of seven, dropped out of school in the 11th grade because everyone his age had a car so he wanted one too.

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Justina Jordan likes Gospel music and watching children play and seafood and dogs and isn’t prejudiced.

Maria Lopez is a weird woman. She was born in South America. She likes to write and read also she likes to eat too much. She likes to eat weird food. For example, for her breakfast she used to eat yogurt with onion. She is middle aged but she feels like she is a teenager. She speaks Spanish very well. But she speaks broken English.

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NY Writers Coalition Press

$5.00