Blossom Review - Spring 2008 by NY Writers Coalition

Blossom Review

Spring 2008 NY Writers Coalition Press

Blossom Review Spring 2008

NY Writers Coalition Press

Copryright ÂŠ 2008 NY Writers Coalition Inc. Upon publication, copyright to individual works returns to the authors. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Editors: Sophie McManus and Kaitlyn Greenidge Layout: Nancy L. Weber Photos: Sophie McManus Blossom Review contains writing by the Summer/Fall 2007 and Winter 2008 members of Blossom Writers, a creative writing workshop conducted by NY Writers Coalition Inc. All of the workshop members participated in the Blossom Program for Girls, a program for girls aged 12-19 in BedfordStuyvesant, Brooklyn run by Youth Empowerment Mission Inc. 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 Youth Empowerment Mission Inc. provides youth services and empowerment workshops to young people throughout Brooklyn who are at high risk for gang involvement and delinquency. For more information about Youth Empowerment Mission Inc.: Youth Empowerment Mission Inc. 54 MacDonough Street, 3rd Floor Brooklyn, NY 11216 (718) 857-2447

Introduction Sophie McManus, Amie Hartman and I have had the pleasure of continuing the Blossom Writers Workshop these past six months. Amie and Sophie have worked with the writers at Blossom longer than I have: I first started working with Blossom this past summer. My first reaction to meeting this group of writers was one of being overwhelmed: by the vitality and energy of the young women who make up Blossom; by these writers’ intelligence and wit in regard to writing and life; and by the range of interesting, compelling personalities that make up this writing group. I continue to be surprised and entertained by this vibrant group of young women, and I’m honored that I’ve gotten the chance to know them and their writing. Working with the young women of Blossom every Tuesday, it’s easy to overlook the extraordinary acts of creation that happen each week. In the everyday business of writing and sharing what we wrote, we sometimes forget the really astonishing and original work these girls craft. Rereading the pieces written this past summer and fall, I was struck by the unique mix of writing styles and sensibilities we are so lucky to have in this workshop. The writers in Blossom have produced a range of pieces: some funny, some sad, some poignant and some fanciful. Blossom writers have shown incredible bravery, writing pieces that ring

true and that are emotionally intense. At the same time, the writers in this workshop have displayed a play of wit and keen sense of humor that have been delightful to experience. There are many times after I leave a workshop that I remember a line, a word, or an image that one of Blossom’s writers has produced. I still love Sabrina’s lament to angry hands; Laquawanda’s keen ear for dialogue and Moña’s thoughtful meditations on love and loss. Long-time workshop participants like Quiiyana, Sonja and Ebony have continued to push themselves to imagine new worlds, new phrasings and new characters. Newer participants like Yolanda, Christine and Imani have eagerly embraced the chance to write and create compelling stories and poems. Working with Blossom writers these past few months has truly been a revelation. Writing alongside these young women has been a pleasure, and the pieces that follow are a testament to these writers’ limitless imaginations and creative powers. Kaitlyn Greenidge March 2008

DON’T TELL ME SONJA BORDEN, AGE 17 Don’t tell me to clean my room Don’t tell me to clean the dishes Don’t tell me to feed the dog Don’t tell me to not smack my sister Don’t tell me to do nothing at all

IT MINT SONJA BORDEN It Green It stink It leafy It’s a tree

UNTITLED SONJA BORDEN When I was a child I loved to play with a lot of toys. Sometimes in my dreams I am so sexy, pretty and skinny, light-skinned. I will never go back to being young again. I used to be very mean but now I am nice and mean.

I ALWAYS WILL MOÑA BOWERS, AGE 16 I always will love you I always will stay true I always will want you I always will have you in my heart I always will stay in yours I always will miss you I always will have you to hold on my heart

UNTITLED MOÑA BOWERS My heart is cold The snow is falling The wind is blowing My nose is running My hands are freezing My eyes are tearing

MOÑA’S SORROW MOÑA BOWERS Why must I still hurt in sorrow? I thought that I would have gotten over you. But I haven’t. I have sleepless nights. So many crying nights. For some reason I still am in love with you. I think about you and dream about you all day. I miss the way you used to kiss and hold me. But for some reason I can’t accept that we will no longer more. I have friends. But for some reason you will always remain number one. Because letting go is so hard. Your heart is missed. I’m a mess. What happened to second chances? This is not how love goes. Please come back to me. I’ll give my all because I don’t know how to let go.

DEAR HANDS SABRINA CENA, AGE 16 Dear hands: Why are you fighting? Why do you like to hit people all the damn time? Can’t you see you are hurting people? You are so upset, hands I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.

I FEAR SABRINA CENA I fear my God I fear my mother & dad I fear water bugs I fear fire I fear car crashes I fear my brothers I fear Freddy and Jason I fear myself I fear spiders And I fear care bears

I USED TO SABRINA CENA I used to watch Teletubbies I used to watch Barney I used to be quiet I used to make my bed I used to be on Myspace I used to cut school I used to fight anybody I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like I used to run for the ice cream truck

AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF A LIE CHRISTINA DRAIN, AGE 16 My name is Christina Drain. I was born February 15, 1992 in Long Island College Hospital. I attend the High School of Graphic Communication Arts in Manhattan. My major right now is Visual Arts. I am in 10th grade. I have lived in Brooklyn my whole life. I have visited a lot of places such as Canada, Maryland, Philly and many more places. I talk a lot. I am a great singer. I love to dance. I got a great personality. And I am mad cold at this moment. Oh, and I also got a son named Mickael Keyon Whitefield.

IT STARTED IN LOS ANGELES CHRISTINA DRAIN It started in Los Angles when I was in the shower texting my home girl about some chicks fighting. She had the nerve to tell me that she is reading an emotional letter that her boyfriend sent her. So I started to tell a lie about me having to walk a dog my neighbor just got so I can finish taking my shower. Lol!

UNTITLED MONIQUE HARPER, AGE 15 It’s always this one story my family shares about me. The story is not sad or funny, but kind of embarrassing. I was about five or six at the time. All my family was in my aunt’s living room. My cousin Jessie, who is a boy, was sitting next to me. He had my little cousin’s turtle, named Zack, in his hand. I had a lollipop in my hand and Jessie asked for some so I gave it to him and he gave me the turtle to hold. I had the turtle in my hand, he had the candy. I started to listen to my mother talking to her sister and I thought I still had the candy so when she looked at me I tried to put the candy in my mouth, but I put the turtle in my mouth instead. Everyone started laughing at me, and my mother said that’s what I get, so I cried and went upstairs. But I came right back down for my real candy.

IF I WERE A BOY I WOULD ASK… MONIQUE HARPER What’s your name? What’s you age? Are you single? What do you like? What are you interested in? How do you feel about life? What do you want in life? How do you feel about the questions I am asking? How do you feel about me approaching you? How’s school? Can I call you some time?

SMELLS LIKE A MINT MONIQUE HARPER Feels very soft Green Crunchy Stem Moist

I WANT YOU LAQUAWANDA JONES, AGE 16 I want to tell you a secret I want you to hear it I want you to express how you feel I want you to be open but not say negative things I want you to be happy I want you to love me the same I never want you to leave I never want to cry behind you I never liked your back as you walk away from me I never liked how we argue I never liked how you tried to play me Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m never going to let it happen again

SCARS LAQUAWANDA JONES I have a scar under my left kneecap. It happened with my crush. We both had on Tim’s and we were kicking each other. I kicked him and he kicked me. So we were in the middle of math class kicking each other. The bell rang for lunch and we got up and went down the stairs. So we were walking and he pushed me. So when we got into the lunchroom I tied my boots really tight. I walked over to him and kicked him in his left knee. I ran as he was rolling up his pant’s leg. He ran after me and kicked me as hard as he could in my left knee. So now we have the same scar.

UNTITLED LAQUAWANDA JONES As I sit on the floor between my mother’s legs I cry while she is trying to comb my nappy hair. I scream and yell. Why was she causing me so much pain? I wished I were bald, as I sat there. After I got up she said, “Stop crying before I give you something to cry about.” I put on my Sunday dress to go to church. All the old people tell me how nice my hair looks with all my bobos. I say, “You don’t know the pain I’ve been through.”

LOVE HURTS, LOVE IS BLING BARBARA ANN MARBY, AGE 15 Love hurts Love is Bling It Would Take Over Your Mind needed Love And it’s not You need to. It’s two years Now baby and I still luv You!!

JANE BARBARA ANN MARBY Bewildered and confused, you stagger out of chimney rock. A few minutes later, two more policemen arrive. They search the house but are unable to find Jane. You have a sinking feeling you may never see her again because she had got killed by her boyfriend and he put her body in the lake. It was bloody upstairs in her bedroom and in her bathroom. So they knew that Jane was dead.

UNTITLED BARBARA ANN MARBY Maria: I don’t feel so good. Ashley: What’s wrong with you? Maria: I’m lovesick. I really miss my boyfriend a lot. He hasn’t called since he went away to Paris. Ashley: Oh girl, stop thinking about him. He going to call you sooner or later. So let’s go outside and have a good time. Maria: I can’t because my mother said ‘No!’ Ashley: So I’ll stay inside with you. It is okay with you and your mother? Maria: Okay that’s good. My mother won’t mind. Ashley: So…How you boyfriend doing? Maria: We break up last night because I didn’t give him what he wanted. (You know what I mean girl). So I had to do what my parents want me to do. Ashley: Oh, I think my mother is calling me.

THE CASE OF THE BROKEN DVD CASE EBONY MOBLEY, AGE 14 I knew something was going to happen to my DVD case with that stupid dog in that house. I should not have gave you my case. You better give me my money and a new case. That case cost money, you know, twenty dollars and fifty cents, dammit. I could have got me some good buy I got me a DVD case for my nice DVDs so they wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get messed up. But it is ok. I really hope you give me my money, you know black people need that money.

WHAT I’M GOOD AT LYNETTE MORREN, AGE 16 I’m good at talking Because I love telling stories. And at writing I don’t think I can, but other people think I can. And in Math Because I get good grades. And at trying, but not trying here! I try hard, but I don’t try hard enough to succeed. And at stepping But not for long. I am good at falling in love. I fall in love to kick because…I don’t know. I am good at having attitude, It’s just nature. And at not paying attention. And at being competitive— I’ll try to beat you at anything. I work too hard.

UNTITLED LYNETTE MORREN My neighborhood smells Like rotten cats And nasty garbage With a little air freshener.

UNTITLED YOLANDA PALACIO-WHITE, AGE 16 Dear Lord, I just can’t explain it…I love him so much. I’d rip hell to shreds for him. He makes my lips weak, my body stiff and my mind frantic. Lord, you have blessed me with such a love I don’t understand.

YOU ARE UNFORGIVABLE YOLANDA PALACIO-WHITE You are unforgivable For you have stolen every part of me And you force me to love you Now My heart beats with yours My eyes wonder for you My ears listen for you And my body is immovable Without your voice command 22

UNTITLED, LOOKING AT PHOTOGRAPHS OF FACES

QIIYANNA SIMPKINS, AGE 19 My life was always a mystery to my family and friends. One minute I’d be this very shy timid person always hiding my face from the world. I’d go from that to being sweet and innocent. But don’t let my looks fool or deceive you, I can be highly upset the next minute, or look like death before your eyes. I can hide behind a lot of makeup and fancy clothes, but when the makeup comes off you can see my life stories through all of the art on my body. Or my life stories and pain could be hidden behind laughs and smiles. Be careful while laughing, though. You might upset the dogs or frighten the people around you. Or, I could have no emotion, always having a blank expression. My name could be anything you want it to be.

QIIYANNA’S WILL! QIIYANNA SIMPKINS 1. Leave all my money alone. Don’t touch it. If you do, there will be ____ to pay. That’s my money! 2. Someone can attempt to tell the bastards who harassed me during elementary school through high school that they’re gonna pay for everything. [May cause death.] 3. Tell all of my ________ them in hell and that they can all rot there. 4. Grandma, you forced porridge down my throat this morning. If you fall down the stairs in our wheelchair and no one is there, assume it is me. 5. Find and tell the guy that started singing, “this is the walk that never ends” while we were doing the AIDS walk on Sunday, he’s going to hell for that comment!

TELEPHONE POEM QIIYANNA SIMPKINS You’ll know the area code is 718 But the rest of my number you’ll have to guess The best part is it’s in a joke. Why was 6 afraid of 7? Because 7,8,9. Then there’s a number with no real value. And there’s the number 7 ate. Then the number with no value again Then the number that fears 7.

WINTER CHILL IMANI WILLIAMS, AGE 15 The wind is blowing I feel The chill But somehow my heart won’t Heal He hurt me bad I felt so Sad This winter chill Won’t help me heal

TO BE NOTICED IMANI WILLIAMS One day there was this girl named Samantha. She was very pretty, but no one really noticed her because she was quiet. She began to grow tired of not being noticed. The way she dressed people thought was weird. She wore baggy shirts and pants. The next day she wore a tight belly shirt with a short skirt. All the boys were on her. After that she as the center of attention.

THE SCRAMBLE IMANI WILLIAMS I sat down and read the emotional letter my best friend sent in the mail. We stopped talking after I found out she lied to me about throwing a party in my dorm room and trashing everything. I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t believe she wants to ask for forgiveness. I can forgive her though because every friendship has a storm. Just thinking back to the good times and the beginning.

Sonja Borden MoĂ&#x2018;a Bowers Sabrina Cena Christina Drain Monique Harper Laquawanda Jones Barbara Ann Marby Ebony Mobly Lynette Morren Yolanda Palacio-White Qiiyanna Simpkins Imani Williams

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