Blossom Review - Summer 2006

B l o s s o m R e v i e w

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Summer 2006

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Blossom Review Summer 2006

NY Writers Coalition Press

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Copryright Š 2006 NY Writers Coalition Inc. Upon publication, copyright to individual works returns to the authors.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED Editors: Sophie McManus and Elizabeth Webster Layout: Aaron Zimmerman Photos on front and back cover and throughout the book, except as noted otherwise below: Š 2006 Gary St. Fleur/www.josephmoran.com Photos on pages 19, 20, 40, 44, 45: Sophie McManus Blossom Review contains writing by the Spring and Summer 2006 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 12-18 in Bedford-Stuyvesant, 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

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Introduction Every Tuesday afternoon, a group from the Blossom Program for Girls in Bedford Stuyvesant gather to write. The Blossom Program for Girls offers workshops and activities for girls aged 12 to 18. They come after a long day of school, after caring for younger siblings and grandparents, after homework and chores, and full of the pressures and temptations of teenage life. Finding a calm moment and finding their voice can be a struggle.

But when they do, they do so bravely—with attitude and without apology. If there is a commonality to these pieces it would be this sense of self assurance. These young writers have interpreted our prompts so creatively; we never could have imagined the outcome.

We’d like to thank the girls of Blossom for their brilliant writing. We also thank Isis Sapp-Grant and the rest of the Blossom staff for all their help, and most especially Aaron Zimmerman and NY Writers Coalition for their support and guidance.

Miss Liz and Miss Sophie (Liz Webster and Sophie McManus) August 8, 2006

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JUST LOOKING AT ME VANESHA BROWN Just looking at me you’d never see the inner beauty I hold inside or the joy and happiness that’s all around me.

When you look at me do you see someone plain and dull?

Or do you see me happy and loved.

Do you see me down on the floor, or up like a dove?

You be the judge of that And let me know if I’ve made an impact.

You see looking around you’ll see a lot of things, But looking at me, this is something you Might not see, because I’m just me.

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UNTITLED AZIZA SIMPKINS When you see me passing don’t stop and stare me up and down.

You know what? Don’t look at me at all.

When you see me passing don’t talk about me, saying I did this and that if you don’t know me.

Don’t say anything at all.

When you see me passing just smile and say hi because you can’t judge me if you don’t know me.

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WHAT BOYS SAY SABRINA WILLIAMS Some boys be like “oh come here shorty” or they be like “ss ss sss” and when you look over there they’re like “come here.” They got a little sexy voice (most of the boys) and when they call you like on your phone they be like “hello, what’s good, shorty what you doing” and a lot of boys be like “oh word” when you finish your sentence or what you had finished saying and when you finish that convo they be like “uh can I call back later at one?” and also they be like “yo she got a fatass” and also they be like “yo when I am going to get into your jeans mommy?”

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SHE WAS NOTHING LIKE ME QIIYANA SIMPKINS She was nothing like me.

She had a strut when she walked.

She was very thick.

You could automatically tell she “got it like that.”

She got a lot of attention from guys and unwanted attention from girls.

The females envied her.

They mainly couldn’t stand her.

Jealous of her because she had what everybody wanted.

And not materialistically.

And the guys loved her from the way she walked past, To the way she sat down in her seat.

She was nothing like me.

She never gave it up to anyone.

While at the same time I’d Do anything to get a boyfriend.

She spoke to no one when it came to things like guys trying To talk to her in or out of the street.

She was nothing like me.

And it was easy to tell.

Very easy.

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WRITING FROM PICTURES DESHAUNTA RAVIZEE I never thought I would Be in a place looking at Angels in the sky while I Am swimming. It felt kind Of loving and caring. But A little bit dangerous And I’m in a place with a lot of trees.

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I REMEMBER LYNETTE MORREN I remember October 28, 1991 when I came into this world to rise in the sun I remember someone I really love broke my heart into little parts I remember when I graduated from PS3 and 285 now I’m in a school full of hate I remember when my grandmother died from sickness and my grandfather died on Christmas I remember when I moved into Bed-Stuy do or die which made my mother cry I remember when I brushed my shoulders off which made other people cough I remember when I cry all night Because my life wasn’t coming out right I remember when I got my first job then got rob I remember when people used to hate me because my name was Lynette aka net-net I remember when I discovered my dream which made all the haters scream That’s what I remember and that’s what I will never forget

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LOVE POEM IMANI JONES The love we have is so real.

I’m so in love, If any girl come in between I’m gonna have to kill.

This is my man, you understand.

On Valentine’s Day, he always buys me red roses.

I’m the one he needs and I’m already chosen.

I don’t need no drama in my life, so if you come between me and my man there will be beef.

I love my man because even in the hot summer heat My man wants to rub my back and my feet.

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BOYS SAY‌ JASMINE THOMPSON The boys say whatever they feel to a girl but once it gets to the boys they want to be all gangsta and want to go with the flow. Ever had a boy holla at you and you believed what he said and then you found out it was a lie and really he was a dirty dog? He betrayed you and deserted you? Did he play you like a video game? It happens a lot. Do you see people getting hurt from what boys do and say? Do you just want to smack the sugar honey iced tea out of them? Some girls like to get checked out and holla at, but me I just pay no mind and chill with my friends. In my mind I want to say, leave me the double hockey sticks alone.

Don’t listen to boys and their stupid ways. One thing I know is that not all of them are like that. A whole lot of them are, but not all of them.

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LETTER FROM THE CLOSET ADIA, MISS LIZ, AZIZA, ARIEL, JASMINE, SONJA, AND ZENOBIA Dear Father, I am writing from my closet. It’s dark in here and I can’t see my feet. I wonder what will happen to me and when I’ll get out. Hurry up. I’m so scared I pee’d on myself like seven times already. It’s hot and my socks smell and my pants are talking to me. I’m very hungry so hurry up and get me because I have to go to the bathroom.

Please hurry.

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A LIST OF MY HAIR AND ALL THE WAY DOWN ADIA STEWART 1.

2.

3.

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5.

6.

7.

My beautiful hair My long neck My big shoulders My soft skin arms My medium shaped body My long straight legs My little bony feet

All of these things mean something to me and I’m lucky that I have them!

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GIRL INTERRUPTED DESHAUNTA RAVIZEE Crystal was bothered By a boy in her school That wanted to ask her Out to the dance she Expected to go to the dance with this boy His name is Kevin. He Told her he loved Her ever since they were in middle school!

So when she went home She looked into her Clothes for a nice red Dress. The dress had gold Into the dress so she Looked for her gold Shoes. And Kevin had bought A red suit with gold into His red suit and shoes that look so Beautiful

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THIRTEEN WAYS OF LOOKING AT ME VANESHA BROWN You’ll see love more deeply than any of the things I’m about to say.

You see care and flair all in my eyes, you’ll see me wanting to make you happy and sing you a lullaby.

You see my intelligence and enthusiasm You can see that I’m happy and free and just wanting to be me.

When you look at me, is this what you see?

You might see meanness, But this is just me being serious.

You might see shyness, But this is just my way of getting to know you.

Do you see a friend in me?

Do you see me as being happy, refreshed, and new?

See if you see these thirteen things in me when you’re through.

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GIRL INTERRUPTED ZEANDRA KING He walks down the street in his nice red shirt.

I’m coming the other way in a real short skirt.

We’ve got eye contact, and stare, But then she comes with red hair.

She interrupts our moment because she is jealous.

I think, why is she like that?

I slowly turn my head and wonder, If I was to fight her will she fight back? I look back again, and so does he.

We give one good smile and go about our business.

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THIRTEEN WAYS OF LOOKING AT ME SALIYMA SIMPKINS Short Short hair Dark skin Quiet Shy Mature Sometimes funny Smart Friendly Caring Nice (most of the time) Mean (a little) Beautiful

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MOTHER LYNETTE MORREN A beautiful black woman Strong and don’t take nothing from nobody Got it poppin all day True and faithful Knows what to do at all times and knows how to act Hard working and never complains Loves her kids no matter what Smart and successful Doing her best at everything Knows what to say Gets and gives love every day Clean and nice Takes no drugs or smokes cigarettes and drinks no beer

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SEVEN WAYS OF LOOKING AT A RICH WHITE MAN FAITH BROWN Sitting in the diner while drinking a cup of tea as much attention I was giving him he was giving the same amount to me While strolling through 42nd Street while walking his wife’s puppy She has no clue that the reason her wardrobe is not up to date is because on me he’s spending every dime of money On the internet I see at an auction how much money he’s willing to spend on a painting, so I know when it comes to my needs he won’t keep me waiting His Mercedes is parked and there’s no commitment on his left hand If I play my cards right by the end of the day he should be my man I don’t know which I like the most his money or his personality his high class ways or simply the way he makes the sun come out on a rainy day

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When he’s old and can’t do nothing with his money but write me in his will Now he’s done gone but I love him still Now I begin to play the game all over again Not looking for just a man but also a rich friend

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WHAT IF… QIIYANA SIMPKINS What if you asked me out, which you did, what if I said yes?

What if as soon as I got home, I called you, the minute I got your number?

Do you think we’d still be talking to this day?

Do you even think we’d still see each other?

When we were in the back of the movie theater, If you kissed me, what if I would’ve kissed you back?

Although you never knew this, I kept all my thoughts about you.

All my visions.

So what if my thoughts and visions unpredictably became my actions?

You showed me a lot of love.

What if my reaction to your love was the total opposite?

The nervousness?

The denial?

So many “What if” questions.

What about this one?

What if I told you I loved you?

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THE FUTURE DESHAUNTA RAVIZEE In the future I would Be having my own place With a cat Having a whole lot of Fun working taking care Of my children and teaching Them how to grow up and Learning how to take on life When it comes their way.

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WRITING FROM A PICTURE VANESHA BROWN A man and a woman seemed depressed, showing lack of self confidence, and wearing a not so nice shirt, a plain dress, their face depicted so much pain, sorrow, how is this couple going to get over this? Their story was quite sad. They lost their mothers to a scary and crazed man. Every night they checked on their mothers, and made sure they looked, if only their mothers didn’t cry wolf. Now they are scared and lonely and unfortunately this is their story, and the madman is coming to get them first thing in the morning.

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UNFINISHED SALIYMA SIMPKINS Made her promise she was going to move to America.

Daughter was sad, so she made sure her mother would be proud of her.

So she moved to America.

She became a fashion designer making all types of clothes.

Even for people that were from America.

She was real happy because she had friends and a successful job But not the love of her life.

One day she saw this American man walk by her shop and he would always stare at her.

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GIRL INTERRUPTED GENESIS NIARA LEE In this state of mind To the world I’m blind.

Purple is my favorite color But in my eyes his favorite color is duller Than mine, that is I hope he doesn’t tell the kids.

He wants to be a bloody banger How bout he put his clothes on a hanger.

It could be red, Yes that’s what I said.

I can’t knock him for what he likes Even though it sometimes seems like it’s little tykes.

You know, the toys that little kids love.

He’s like my little tyke, my sexy love.

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14 THINGS THAT PISS ME OFF DOMINIQUE ROBINSON 1. When people look at me the wrong way 2. When someone pushes or steps on me and doesn’t apologize.

3. When I just got my hair done and it gets ruined.

4. When boys touch me in places I don’t want to be touched.

5. When old men try to talk to me or look at me.

6. When people scream at me and expect me to sit there and not say anything.

7. When people talk about me and then smile in my face.

8. When people think they are too good or smart to hang out with me.

9. When people call me, my grandmother never tells me they called. I find out the next day.

10. When a boy calls me out by name.

11. When someone talks about my mother.

12. When you tell someone to stop playing and they don’t listen.

13. When I am in the pool, some boys dunk me.

They hold me underwater knowing I can’t swim.

14. When someone talks about my complexion.

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LOVE POEM LYNETTE MORREN Being in love is like eating a big bowl of cookies and cream ice cream Being in love is like a math problem You have the girl and the boy and you add them up and it = love Being in love is like riding your first bike You try the first time And then you get used to it And then you love it Being in love is like achieving something You know you are bad at Being in love is like sitting in the sun Having fun but sometimes It gets too hot in that one spot

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SOME BOYS SAY GENESIS NIARA LEE Some boys say they love you But I’ll tell you, it’s not always true.

Some boys say that you’re their boo Then turn around and get mad at you.

Some boys say that you’re the best But that’s what they’re telling the rest.

Some boys say they will give you the world But it’s not true, I’m telling you girl!

Some boys say your feelings matter But like I said, that’s all chatter.

Some boys say they want you back But that is all a bunch of crap.

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WRITING FROM A PICTURE ZEANDRA KING A little girl named Marie was home by herself and decided to do something crazy. Marie went into the bathroom and cut a little of her eyebrow. Her mother came home and got mad at her and said that she was going to get in trouble. The little girl was so ashamed she ran away into the bush, where there were a lot of flowers, and never came home again.

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I AM IMANI JONES I am brown skin I have smooth skin I have very long hair I have very nice clothes that I wear I have a pretty face I love to eat oxtails, pizza, whatever (good food only!)

I am Indian, West Indian and African American I love going shopping I am funny, intelligent, and very outgoing I am a very talented person

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ATTITUDE DOMINIQUE ROBINSON My attitude is phenomenal because it’s crazy, powerful, and loud. I be honest and keep it real.

Some people think my attitude is nasty but that’s just how I am. That’s just me. I’m not gonna front, I do have an attitude, but it’s when someone do something to me that I really didn’t like. Other than that I’m all right and calm. I’m a ghetto person. So ghetto people usually carry attitudes. But I get me attitude for a reason. I just don’t lash out on you for no reason, although little things do get me mad. But my attitude is phenomenal. It’s one of my best qualities. That’s just me.

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THIRTEEN WAYS OF LOOKING AT ME ZEANDRA KING I’m crazy.

I get along with almost everybody.

When I’m comfortable around you I talk a lot.

You can always count on me to make you laugh when you are mad.

If I don’t like you it’s easy to tell.

When I’m scared I’m quiet.

I’m very funny.

I care about animals.

I hate stuck up girls.

I’m wild once you know me.

I’m very quiet if I don’t know you.

I like hanging with boys more than girls.

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NINE WAYS OF LOOKING AT HIM GENESIS NIARA LEE As he walks behind you Take a glance over your shoulder.

There you would see this enchanting figure.

The noise you hear That’s not wanted around As you turn to your right, it’s him Watching love and basketball As the quarters pass by.

The old songs are blasting And you hear him Singing along.

As you go to the bathroom He is who you’ll pass by Listening to rap music On the radio loud Would be him and his homeboy Deep sensual voices You’ll hear them, really loud A conversation which he is having But you wouldn’t guess with whom The eyes that you feel As you turn would be his

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The smirk on his face That when you look at him turns, It turns into the biggest smile you’ve ever seen The one that you’re staring at And the one who stares back

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BO-BOS SALIYMA SIMPKINS I can’t stand bo-bos. They come in different sizes and colors and people usually put these in their daughters’ hair when they are 5-11 years old. My grandmother used to put them in my hair when I was younger. That’s when I never cared about how my hair looked, but now, when I look back at those days, she had me looking real stupid.

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I REMEMBER SABRINAWILLIAMS, KIMBERLY WATERMAN, JESSICA KIRKLAND, QIIYANA SIMPKINS I remember when I sprayed perfume on me And I broke out all over!

I remember someone I was in love with Broke my heart.

And we didn’t even go out yet.

I remember one day all my friends had boyfriends And I didn’t.

I remember my first fight.

I remember my first word.

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ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTORS SHANA BOONE, 18: “Escape is only the beginning.”

FAITH BROWN is 19 years old and attending Blossom Mental Institution for Girls Outreach.

She lives in Brooklyn, NY with the rest of her retarded friends. When she is not doing Blossom activity she is somewhere screaming for help when she’s not even in danger, crying, or even chasing imaginary pigeons. When she grows up she’s planning to own her own mental house with all the staff members.

GENESIS NIARA LEE is a 15-year-old aspiring writer and doctor. She lives in Brooklyn, NY in the Bedford-Stuyvesant area and is in the 10th Grade. Genesis is not a “girlie-girl” and loves to just hang out with the fellas sometimes also known as the Blossom girls. Although she is young, she knows what she wants in life. Genesis wants to be a pediatrician which to her means many more years of school. I would like to thank God, my mom, my grandmother, my dad, my stepdad, my stepmom, my sisters, my aunts, my uncles, and everyone else around me. Amen LYNETTE MORREN is 15 and lives in Bedford Stuyvesant and is a great writer. She wrote an amazing bio and Ms. Sophie seems not to have collected it at the end of the writing time, and is very sorry.

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Hi my name is DESHAUNTA RAVIZEE. I’m 18 years old going to the 12th grade. I live in Brooklyn, New York on Gates Avenue. The things I like are clothes, jewels, and makeup. The thing I am proud of is having a good report card.

The thing I would like to do when I grow up is becoming a fashion designer.

Hello my name is AZIZA SIMPKINS. I’m 15. I was born in Brooklyn, lived in Brooklyn all my life.

I’ve been going to Blossom for 3 years. I suggest everyone join us at Blossom.

SALYIMA SIMPKINS is 15 years old. She is in the 10th grade. She lives in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, New York. She likes to go outside, read, watch TV, and go on the computer. She is proud of her family, how smart she is, and how skinny she is. She either wants to be a vet or an entrepreneur when she grows up. She wants to thank her family, her friends, and of course, Ms. Sophie.

Hi I’m JASMINE THOMPSON I’m 12 years old and I love to model and stay active. My favorite type of writing is poems.

Hi my name is SABRINA C. WILLIAMS. And I’m 13 years old and I go to the 258. I am smart, and really, really, really pretty. And I am nice but have a bad attitude.

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N Y W R I T E R S C O A L I T I O N P R E S S

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$5.00