The Green & Gold Project
Writing Across Generations NY Writers Coalition Press 1
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The Green and Gold Project Selected Writing by Retired Adults from the 14th Street Y and First and Second Graders from the Neighborhood School Spring 2008
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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: Deborah Clearman Layout: Deborah Clearman Cover Art: Nemo Lacherez Photography: Joel Blecha, Judith Foster The Green and Gold Project contains writing by the members of a creative writing workshop for retired adults conducted by NY Writers Coalition Inc. at the 14th Street Y at 344 East 14th Street and a class at The Neighborhood School, Community School District One Region 9, 121 East Third Street, New York, NY 10009. 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 Neighborhood School is a public community-based pre-K-5 school committed to providing a progressive child-centered education by dedicated, nurturing professionals who consider themselves facilitators rather than teachers, believing that all children are curious about the world and want to learn. Neighborhood School Community School District One Region 9 121 East Third Street New York, NY 10009 212-387-0195 www.theneighborhoodschool.org 4
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Now as I was young and easy under the apple boughs About the lilting house and happy as the grass was green, The night above the dingle starry, Time let me hail and climb Golden in the heydays of his eyes…. Dylan Thomas From “Fern Hill”
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ABOUT THE GREEN AND GOLD PROJECT Early this spring, Joel Blecha, a teacher at the Neighborhood School, contacted the 14th Street Y, asking if there were any senior writers at the Y who would like to work with his first and second graders. I asked the participants in my creative writing workshop at the Y, what about a combined writing workshop with 22 little kids? They answered (to my astonishment) with a resounding YES! The Green and Gold Project was born. The Green and Gold Project was like an iceberg. On the surface, we held two one-hour writing workshops this spring. We divided our participants—22 first and second graders, the Green Team, and 11 seniors, the Gold Team—into four groups, each led by an NYWC workshop leader. Greens and Golds wrote together to the same prompts, read their work aloud and responded to each other’s writing according to NYWC’s guidelines. Except for the minor detail that the seniors perched on tiny chairs while the kids sprawled happily on the floor, the boundaries between the generations dissolved in an overwhelming spirit of goodwill. Under the surface went weeks of planning. To start the planning, I visited Joel, the kind of brilliant, enthusiastic, charismatic young teacher that makes you want to BE a first grader, at the Neighborhood School. His sparkling, cheery classroom was hung with fishing lures and paintings of trout. His class was nearing the end of a unit on the theme of Caretaking. They had been raising brook trout in a tank in the classroom, and were almost ready to release them into the wild. Their next project would be taking care of senior citizens—us! 7
I brainstormed with Nancy Weber, NYWC’s Youth Program Director extraordinaire. NYWC has run writing workshops for kids as young as 6 and seniors as old as 86 for the last six years, but we had never tried to combine them in the same group. What writing prompts would inspire both children and adults? I visited one of our youth workshops, to see the magic in action. I brought in three experienced youth workshop leaders and together we choreographed the workshops—what prompts we would use, how we would present the guidelines and the prompts, how we would keep the energy flowing. We continued to rely on Joel’s expert advice. The first workshop took place on a warm Thursday afternoon that threatened drizzle. With some trepidation we twelve seniors convened at the Neighborhood School, clambered up the stairs on our aching knees and old ankles, filed into the buzzing classroom, to be swept off our feet by the Green Team. The children were bright, courteous, creative, funny, and utterly charming. Several seemed already launched on the path to greatness. Others were biding their time; all appeared to be having fun. We had fun! The next week, the Green Team came to us at the Y. The Y’s staff was all a-dither, snapping pictures, sharpening pencils for us. We divided into the same four groups as the week before, each group consisting of 2 or 3 Golds and 5 or 6 Greens, and wrote again for another hour. By the end, new friendships had formed. It was hard to tear the two teams apart. But summer was coming, and the school year was almost over. 8
When I collected the poems and stories from these two workshops, some complete with illustrations, I was blown away by the writing. Something miraculous, fresh and child-like, had entered into the writing by the adults. The children, meanwhile, had happened on startling truths and imagery. So here it is: selected writings from the Green and Gold Project. Thanks to all without whom the Green and Gold Project could never have happened. First to Joel Blecha, who I hope will continue to lead children into the joys of learning for years to come. To his assistant, Andrew Cohen-Gael, and volunteer, Thelma, who helped with the children; and to Judith Foster, the principal of the Neighborhood School who welcomed us. To NYWC workshop leaders Erin Hopkins, Rita Cumming, and Tamiko Beyer, who brought their talent and enthusiasm into the project. To Nancy Weber and Aaron Zimmerman of NYWC, the wizards behind the magic. And to Chanda Rule and the staff of the 14th Street Y, who were so supportive and helpful, even when we overstayed our time limit and filled the lobby of the Y with bubbling, bouncing Greens and Golds. And of course, to all the writers young and old, who gave of themselves in their writing. Deborah Clearman Program Director, NY Writers Coalition June, 2008
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THE GREEN AND GOLD PROJECT LORRAINE THEORDOR—GOLD TEAM Today we are meeting with the little kids, second graders, they said. Uh oh, don’t think I will be good at this. My young years were the toughest and to this day, they are giving me trouble. Don’t think I can handle the responsibility, and besides, I’m not a teacher kind of person. Perhaps you can say, today I am here by default. And then the unexpected happened… a bunch of bright-eyed, bushy-tailed kids walked in, they had the chutzpah to be startlingly exciting. And the shy ones, who could only whisper their thoughts, and I understood and related, because a long time ago, I was one of them.
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LOVELY YOU EMMA ROSENTHAL—GREEN TEAM I am from brushing blowing grass that is as green as can be and my great grandma Tilly I am from blue skies and lovely you
ACROSTIC ERIC Eric Pascale—Green Team Extra nice at being Right on time Into dinosaurs Caring for people
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OPEN YOUR EYES SEAN DOZIER—GREEN TEAM Roses are red violets are blue When the sun rises the flowers may grow from you. It might seem crazy. But if you plant a seed in your body it will be true. All you have to do is open your eyes and you may see that you could believe. You may have a good part. If you are bad you may have a good start. And if you have a friend don’t break apart.
I AM FROM DRAWING JOHN LUGO—GREEN TEAM I am from drawing Drawing I love You can do anything When you draw
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DIFFERENT WORLDS GRACIE WACHTEL—GREEN TEAM I wish I could fly. I would fly over my building and I would wave to my mom and dad and then I would go to the park and I would say hi to my friends. I wish I had a candy-maker and I would get candy when ever I want and my friends would want to come to my house every day for candy I would get every kind of candy in the world and it would be great. I wish I had a time machine I would go to different times and go to different worlds and I would bring back things for my mom and my dad.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY WITH ONE LIE ISABELA WATSON—GREEN TEAM My one sister is named Sydney. I have kissed a peacock. I have been to Africa. I come from Ireland. I have been on a elephant. I have been camping. I have been on a safari in Japan for no reason. 14
THE STORY OF MY LIFE SO FAR FIND THE LIE BOB ROSEN—GOLD TEAM The way my mother told me, I was a surprise baby because they wanted to wait until my big brother was old enough so that he could give me his clothes when he got too big to wear them, but here I was and he got to be my very best friend. He was skinny and I was fat but Mom said I was big-boned. He could run fast and catch a football better than me but I could sing like the Beatles and became a big star in the movies.
AUTOBIOGRAPHY WITH ONE LIE MALIK SMALL—GREEN TEAM I am Malik. I am 7. I like to read and write. And my best friend is Nemo. I have lived in Harlem all my life. when I was 3 I made a lot of trips to Virginia. My great great great grandfather is John Wilkes Booth. 15
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AUTOBIOGRAPHY WITH ONE LIE MARLO FORGEOIS—GREEN TEAM I was born in my house bathtub and then my brother and sister came out right after me.
HER LIFE CAROLE DEEB—GOLD TEAM She is interesting and fun She’s always on the run As I watch the years go by she stiffens in her mind knowing decidedly what she’ll do and will not sway from or to Her comfort zone of delight she would rather take flight No convincing her of a try to experience a different ride She’s determined to follow the road she has traveled so free and bold always fearing in the end change and choice that will force her to BEND
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AI INDIGO OKAMOTO AI OKAMOTO—GREEN TEAM Apple igloo Octopus kite ape mom only today ohhh Ice cream No way!! Dog I am sleepy gracefully octopus
BRONXITE MARY BLAS—GOLD TEAM Mother of two Available for fun Ready for adventure Young at heart Bronxite Living in Manhattan Avid Shopper
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GRACIE GRACIE WACHTEL—GREEN TEAM Gymnast Runner Actor Can swim I like ice cream Energetic
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WACKY ACROSTIC JULIEN FLOREZ—GREEN TEAM I’m Just awesome I’m an Understander I’m a Listener I’m Interested in Komodo dragons I’m an Eater I’m not Nervous
AUTOBIOGRAPHY WITH ONE LIE GABRIEL CUBERO-ALBISA—GREEN TEAM I am Gabriel and I got put down by a bully and I am a second grader. I do love playing on computer. Did you know that my brother drank coffee once?
I WISH MARLO FORGEOIS—GREEN TEAM I wish I could go in the past, I wish I could choose my name, I wish I could be the best artist in the world, I wish I could climb on trees every day.
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INVISIBILITY IS FUN EILEEN D. KELLY—GOLD TEAM I wish I could become invisible and get into the movies and on the bus for free. I have a friend who can do this, make her body seem to disappear when she wants it to. Then she can go where she wants, like theaters, without a ticket. The problem is, when she sits down, no one knows she’s there, so sometimes people sit on top of her. Then there’s a lot of screaming. She screams and the person sitting on her screams, because he or she doesn’t know what it is. It all works out because Jennie always gets away, and she just goes and finds another seat. Becoming invisible is really a lot of fun.
MAKE UP THE RULES AI OKAMOTO—GREEN TEAM I wish I had a puppy because they’re too cute for me, but my mommy wouldn’t let me, because they’re too wild and I’m allergic and I wish I had my own library because I love reading and I wish I had my own park too so I can make up the rules and I wish I could fly.
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I WISH JULIEN FLOREZ—GREEN TEAM I wish I had a metal body I wish I was a missile I wish I could fly I wish I was strong I wish I was a snake I wish I was invisible I wish I was in heaven I wish I could drive
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1000000000000 CATS REMY TERCERO—GREEN TEAM I wish I had 10,000, 000,000,000 cats and kittens and dogs. I wish I had a dirt bike. I wish I had a machine. I wish I had 10,000,000,000 bikes. I wish I was a cat. I wish I had 12,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000. I wish I’d see a shooting star tonight. I wish I was a rock star. I wish I was a boa.
I WISH I WAS IRON MAN XAVIER FIORE—GREEN TEAM I wish I was a fireman I wish I was a laserman I wish I was a strong man I wish I was Hulk I wish I was Iron Man
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SEVEN WISHES SUZANNE LAPKA—GOLD TEAM I wish I was a golden bird. I wish I could fly around the world dropping food and medicine. I wish I had supernatural powers to stop bullets and bombs. I wish I could bring smiles to the sad. I wish I was a brilliant scientist creating ways to heal the sick. I wish I could wrap the world under my wings and protect it from pain. I wish I could rain down snow petals bringing JOY.
JUDGMENT DAY ZEKE OSBORNE—GREEN TEAM I wish I had a champion belt I wish I could meet the Rock I wish I could go to WrestleMania I wish I could go to Judgment Day
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THINGS I LIKE ERIC PASCALE—GREEN TEAM I like to jump. I love animals and I like black bears the most and I like brown bears too.
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SUPERHERO JAPHY BARRERA—GREEN TEAM John was a superhero— Brook the trout.
I WISH I WAS AN IRON MOUSE NEMO LACHEREZ—GREEN TEAM I wish I was an iron mouse because no cat would eat me and if they tried to they would just break their jaw. I wish there was no such thing as a war and no one would get hurt. I wish I was the richest person in the world. 26
MAGIC POWERS DORIS SHORES—GOLD TEAM I wish I were the character I’m about to introduce. Her name is Ruth, and she can make herself invisible and walk through walls. But I’m not the character whose name is Ruth. I am the narrator. My name is Betty, and I can’t make myself invisible or walk through walls, unfortunately. What I can do is tell a story. I like storytelling. This is Doris speaking now, the writer in charge of Betty the narrator and Ruth the character. I think Ruth is a very lucky girl, who can do such unusual things. It seems to me that the narrator, Betty, may be just a little envious of Ruth. Betty wishes that she, too, could make herself invisible and walk through walls. As the author, Doris, I admit that I’m like Betty. I’d like to have Ruth’s magic powers myself. Wait, let me get in a word here. I am Ruth, the character. Sure, I can make myself invisible and walk through walls, and that’s more fun than I can say. But Doris, the writer, and Betty, the narrator, don’t have to be so green with envy. Betty is good at telling a story, and Doris isn’t too bad at writing one. Do I want to trade places with either of them? No, not really. I am a very happy character. But sometimes I wish I were also a writer like Doris, who I think may have created Betty. That’s magic, too, isn’t it?
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WHAT IF JOHN LUGO—GREEN TEAM What if I was Iron Man If I was Iron Man I would fly like an eagle. Ouch I hit a tree. Yuck a bird pooped on me. Wow that was close. Oh my battery wasted. Aaaaaa!
I WISH MYRA BAUM—GOLD TEAM I wish I could walk in very high heels. I wish I could walk 100 blocks without stopping. On a crowded bus or train, I wish young people would get up and give older people their seats. I wish my grandchildren would visit me more often. I miss them. I wish I had a magic wand to make sick people better, give sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf. 28
A POEM LOLA NORTHROP—GREEN TEAM I have super powers. I have a leaping TV and can you ask me so I can tell you more? Yes!!! Thank you. Did I just say that?
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JUST CALL ME UP ALLAN YASHIN—GOLD TEAM I wish I wasn't the smartest person in the world Because sometimes I'd just like to take the day off and go to the movies or to the park for a picnic maybe even stay home and play Nintendo But I can't Because my phone never stops ringing People from all over the world always calling me up Scientists, Doctors, Lawyers and Policemen Teachers, Mommies and Daddies, even the President They all say the same I've got a problem and I can't figure out the answer I need your help How about it? Cause you're a genius Pretty please, pretty please won't you tell me what to do? Well, I must admit it does get a little annoying But I'm a nice guy so I finally give them their answer And if you ever have a big, tough problem Just call me up and I'll help you out too.
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WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN LOLA NORTHROP—GREEN TEAM What’s going to happen to the bully in school? Once a new Boy came in school and a Bully came to him he said What is your shoe size My shoe—are you talking to me? Yes. Well my shoe size is 1.
FUR PAWS SAMANTHA SOLAR—GREEN TEAM I wish me and Madeline had fur paws. I have two dogs. I wish I wish Hanna Montana was my sister because I am a huge fan. Secret. I am scared of going under water because I am scared to drown. I wish to have 2 tickets to see Hanna Montana.
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SOUNDS ERIC PASCALE—GREEN TEAM I heard a telephone ring and I heard paper turn and I heard doors opening and again I heard a phone ring and I heard nothing, nothing at all
LISTENING MADELINE ATWOOD—GREEN TEAM At first I saw a pig then I saw a colorful web I heard a camera and a air conditioner
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ON MY BLOCK JOSIE STEUER-INGALL—GREEN TEAM On my block on the way to school I saw a wall covered with graffiti and I kept moving on. Then across the street I heard my name. It’s my best friend she says: in school let’s play a game! Then I turn back around and see grass behind me. Oh look! Now I see. There’s also one pretty dandelion in front of me. Now I’m in school. Hurray for me!
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PLANT MAN MARY BLAS—GOLD TEAM Man in cart Where are you taking Those thirsty plants? Worker, did it take long To learn to plant a tree? To dig a hole Just right-Deep, but not too deep? Drop the tree into the hole. Give it water and let it grow. Wait for those flowers to bloom. Make my world beautiful.
GREEN LEAVES MURIEL GRAY—GOLD TEAM Green leaves floating on trees Colorful flowers to scent the air Children walking to school with their Moms. Warm sunshine to light up everyone’s life Summer is on the wing.
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A MOVE TO THE CITY A FICTION STORY JOSIE STEUER-INGALL—GREEN TEAM Once upon a time there was a little girl named Rosie. She was a little kid about 7 years old and lived in New York in the country and had a big sister named Anabell. Rosie and Anabell’s parents didn’t have much money so they didn’t get much fancy food or very fancy birthday presents. So one day when money had gotten so low they sold their house and bought a bigger nicer one and bought the sister’s new fairy and magic wand with Micky on them wallpaper. Then they made some new friends. Anabell had no trouble making friends because she was brave and because she was 10. But Rosie was shy. One day when Rosie was out in the park she met another shy girl. Rosie looked at her, then she ran behind Anabell. Then she peeked out and saw the park was full of unfamiliar people. Then she saw that the two swings were empty. The other shy girl saw it too. they both ran for one. they each got a swing. Excuse me, said Rosie, I was here first. The other girl looked mad, not shy now. But, she said, you can’t swing on both at once. I’ll fight you for this swing. Rosie didn’t know what to say except, You can be my friend if you don’t fight me. The other girl looked at her and said, Okay! My name is Kiki. Would you and your sister like to come over for a little light lunch? Rosie smiled and said, Sure!
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THE TROUBLE LOLA NORTHROP—GREEN TEAM I always have the troubles I cannot get rid of it. And I always fight around and I hope I don’t get that today!!! And I am good. 36
OH YUM! JAMIE COOKE—GREEN TEAM I am from New York I am from Georgia I am from Germany I am from Africa I am from Long Island I am from Manhattan I am from earth I am god’s child I am from green I am from sushi with the rice and seaweed and cucumber oh yum! I am from chihuahua because I have a chihuahua
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I AM FROM WISHES MADELINE ATWOOD—GREEN TEAM I am from New York I wish I had a nice soft couch like the soft couch I am on now I wish I had a big sister I wish I had a little sister I wish I had I wish I had I wish I had you! I come from spaghetti and meatballs I come from making cheese and peas
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ALL WISHED OUT CAROLE DEEB—GOLD TEAM I wish that I could get the wishes I make I wish I could fly— then I wouldn’t have to pay high gas prices I wish the stars I see twinkling in the sky were little planets with clowns and clouds would be cotton candy and that all day I was at the beach and I could lasso a star that took me to different galaxies I wish I had a bag of peanuts and someone to shell them for me and finally I wish these ten minutes were up cause I can’t think of anymore wishes
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THE RHYTHM OF THE CITY SYD LAZARUS—GOLD TEAM I am from New York City. I am from the rhythm of the city. I am from the Broadway theatre. I am from my favorite restaurants and the things they serve—the best Chinese and Italian food. I am from Sunday brunch. I am from books and libraries. I am from shopping. I am from animals—dogs and cats big and small. I am from iced coffee in the summer. I am from my writing workshop. I am from my friends.
I LOVE MY LIFE REMY TERCERO—GREEN TEAM I am from New York City I am an only child I am a writer I am for Goldy I am a dog sitter I am a good son to all moms I am a Pisces I have a dog and cat I have 2 dogs and 6 cats I love my life 40
SKIN AND BONES GABRIEL CUBERO-ALBISA—GREEN TEAM I am from Cuba I am from my Mom and Dad I am from my family I am from New York I am from my life I am from earth I am from water I am from blood I am from bones I am from skin
I AM FROM ROSES SEAN DOZIER—GREEN TEAM I am from roses. I am from the invisible air. I am from heaven. I am from love. I am from windows. I am from anything you won’t let me be. I am from sunlight, butterfly, and I am from the wall. I’m from blue. I am from mac and cheese. I am from a book. I am from a chair. I am from a dog. I am from a cat. I am from a pillow.
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COMMENTS FROM PARTICIPANTS IN THE GREEN AND GOLD PROJECT “So often we bemoan the future of our country, but these students remind us that there is no lack of intelligence among our young people and commitment by their teachers.”—Gold “The interaction between greens and golds was warm and wonderful.”—Gold “Not being a person that is usually around children, it surprised me how much I enjoyed writing with them.”—Gold “I enjoyed hearing what they had to say and write and I felt writing something that would be appropriate for six 42
to seven-year-olds brought out a new side to my writing.”—Gold “…learning that little kids could be creative and even magical.”—Gold “I did (like writing with older adults). I do not know why, I just do.”—Green “I liked it (this writing workshop) because I like their personality.”—Green “I liked that I got to write a lot of things.”—Green “We wrote one thing that’s a lie so it was fun because some were really funny.”—Green “I liked their ideas (older adults’) because it’s cool to know what people write and get different ideas.” —Green “I loved it because I got to learn some more writing.”—Green “I liked writing with older people. I liked how they wrote and it was fun meeting older people.”—Green “We got to spend time with older people and I don’t get to do that a lot.”—Green “In fact, I love writing with older adults. It makes me feel like a man.”—Green
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Green Team
Gold Team
Children
Seniors Myra Baum Mary Blas Carole Deeb Muriel Gray Eileen Kelly Suzanne Lapka Syd Lazarus Bob Rosen Doris Shores Lorraine Theordor Allan Yashin
Workshop Leaders Tamiko Beyer Deborah Clearman Rita Cumming Erin Hopkins
Ai Okamoto Emma Rosenthal Eric Pascale Gabriel Cubero-Albisa Gracie Wachtel Isabela Watson Jamie Cooke Japhy Barrera John Lugo Josie Steuer-Ingall Julien Florez Jupiter Ludvigsen-Hagert Lola Northrop Madeline Atwood Malik Small Marlo Forgeois Nemo Lacherez Remy Tercero Samantha Smolar Sean Dozier Xavier Fiore Zeke Osborne 48
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