Ridge Girls 2007: Writing by the Girls at the Brooklyn Public Library, Bay Ridge Branch by NY Writers Coalition

Ridge Girls 2007

Writing by the girls at the Brooklyn Public Library, Bay Ridge Branch

Editors: Barbara Cassidy, Nancy L. Weber Layout: Nancy L. Weber Photos: Barbara Cassidy Illustrations: Ridge Girls Ridge Girls contains writing by the 2007 members of the NY Writers Coalition creative writing workshops for girls conducted at the Brooklyn Public Library, Bay Ridge Branch. The library is an after-school sanctuary for the young people of this dynamic ethnically and culturally diverse community. NY Writers Coalition Inc. is a not-for-profit organization that provides free creative writing workshops for unheard New Yorkers. 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

For more information on the Brooklyn Public Library,visit www.brooklynlibrary.org.

Introduction When I first had the idea to start a writing workshop for girls at the Bay Ridge Library, I looked at Bay Ridge as a highly polarized community, one where diverse groups did not really come together in any meaningful way, a community where many types of people lived, but in their own separate ways. Ridge Girls would be an attempt to forge that divide, in an environment I loved to work in— a writing workshop. Having worked with Ridge Girls for over a year now, I can safely say that we are represented by many different backgrounds—Arabic, Latino, Irish, Italian, Asian, Greek, African-American, Muslim, Jewish, Christian and others. And we work really well together, sometimes enjoying each other’s company so much, I have to remind the girls that we are here to write. I am not suggesting that there was not a cultural divide in the neighborhood. I still feel it exists; however, I’ve come to realize that to a certain degree my perception was purely related to my own involvement in the community. If one makes being involved with different people a part of their lives, one’s perception about their neighborhood, their world, also changes. I now have a very real connection to many different girls and people from all different backgrounds and those connections make other connections and other connections, and so on. And my neighborhood feels different to me. I like it a lot more. 5

But besides getting along really well, Ridge Girls is a writing club that has many very talented writers who I am so proud to have in my group. They take chances and write about things that may be difficult for them or with words they are unsure how to spell in a language that isn’t always their first. They try new things; if I come in with a crazy idea for a writing exercise or some music that isn’t something they’re accustomed to listening to (i.e, not very hip) which is supposed to inspire them, they always try it out and are respectful to other girls in the group in such a beautiful way. Lately, we have had some younger girls in the group and the older girls are so open and patient with the little ones, I sometimes can’t believe it. I am honored to work with these young writers, writers whose enthusiasm for life and for writing has inspired me. I want to thank first the folks at the NY Writers Coalition—Aaron Zimmerman, Deborah Clearman, and Nancy Weber, who were so supportive when I approached them with this idea that I really couldn’t believe it could be that easy to do something like this— but that’s what they do. They do really great things and make it all seem so simple. I also want to thank the folks at the Bay Ridge Public Library— Yvonne Zhou, Christina Bruni, Chloe Abercrombie, Carl Fossum, and Sonya Sharrifard—for their support and space and pencils and help and of course, the snacks! 6

And last but certainly not least I want to thank the girls of Ridge Girls past and present, for they are the writers who are being celebrated here, the girls who come here after school and over the summer to write, and are finding their own voices and are creating meaningful work and who I daresay are capable of changing the world. Barbara Cassidy July 2007

I USED TO BE DULL BUT NOW I’M CREATIVE CHRISTINE ALLAWH, AGE 10 I used to be dull but now I’m creative! Black and white was my used to be life. Colorful and creative is my new life. Singing a song being bored all the time. Scribble and invisible was what I used to be. But now I’m full of fun! Boring, cool, nice, loser, All those I am and used to be. I used to be dull but now I’m creative. Or is that true?

UNDER THE GROUND CHRISTINE ALLAWH Under the ground is dirty, not nice. A place where rats rule. Under the ground I’ll feel like an ant, Where I don’t know what to do. It’ll be dark and dirty. Awkward to say, I’ve been underground.

BECAUSE RAWAN ALLAWH, AGE 11 Because the sky is blue I will tear up the glue. Because the board is so mean, I am turning angry and green. Because the desk is metal, I am eating up the kettle. Because the phone is pink, I looked up the boys at a link. Because the table is blue, I am so in love with you.

IMAGINE VERONICA ANTONIODIS, AGE 13 Imagine all the people Who live on this planet with us. And all the dreams forgotten, The nightmares still fresh in their minds. All the children left behind, The parents who worry where their Children have gone. All the rich people who havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a care, The people who suffer Through day, night, weeks and years. Why government hates innocence And children who havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t a name. Imagine all the people, Whose lives slip between their fingers And death takes place at all.

I WISH FATINE BAUSTAH, AGE 14 I wish I was a different person. I wish my life was different. I wish I lived in a different world. I wish people were different. I wish everybody was the same. I wish people were as nice as I was. I wish people were all kind. I wish there was no drama. I wish I got what I want. I wish, I wish, I wish I wish I was never born cuzz Life is like a movie. You start it happy And you finish it sad.

I’M SORRY EVGENIA BENETATOS, AGE 9 I’m sorry that I broke Your house and took your mouse. I’m sorry that I lit fire on your House, and I’m sorry that I’m A liar. I’m sorry that I don’t Eat your food and don’t Wipe my shoes. I’m sorry That I can’t speak Greek and I can’t eat cheese. I’m Sorry that I took all Your jam and your Drum. I’m sorry Grandma.

MAMA PICKS OUT MY CLOTHES EVGENIA BENETATOS Pick Pick Pick Pick Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Pink Clothing.

I REMEMBER STAVROULA BENETATOS, AGE 13 I remember the way you looked at me when you said goodbye. I remember your soft hands and the bright blue sky. I remember really clearly what you said to me. I remember your smile and the generous gift you gave me. I remember the tears that came down my face when we departed. But most of all I will remember you and what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve started.

THE PARK STAVROULA BENETATOS Children screeching with laughter. Like little baby monkeys all cheerful, their minds blank. The expression on their faces are priceless! Running, playing tag, sliding down the slippery slide, hanging on the scorching hot monkey bars. I look behind me and hear the rustling of wheels on the pavement. Here they are, those skater boys with their hats on their shaggy hair stretching out in odd angles. The boys are cursing wildly heading to the skate park. My stomach is clenched tight when they look at me with their rock band t-shirts and their bright eyes covered with their black hair. I head over to the field right under the sun and close my eyes imagining what this park would look like a million years from now.

THE LONG BEACH DAY JOLEE COHEN, AGE 10 Today, I felt like going to the beach. Well, actually, it was a nice summer day and my mom said we should go. So, we’re here at the beach having an awesome time. My brother was pretending to swim in the shallow water, my mom and dad were sharing a hot dog from a vendor and here I was having a nice tan. Then, at that very moment, I saw a really cute guy. He was out in the deep water. I wanted to go out there but I didn’t know how to swim. I had the idea of just going into the shallow water and making loud noises so he could hear me. Yet, that will make him think I’m stupid. Cross that idea off the list. What should I do? I think I will give it a shot. You know, go into the deep water. I hope I could do it. I am tall. I could go into the deepest I could go. It just seems like a long way, like climbing up millions of staircases with 100 stairs on each staircase. Oh well, worth a shot. I started walking slowly to the water, as sweat streamed slowly down my face. I was super scared. So as I passed the shallow water, I tried to stop freaking out. Then I got to the deepest I could go. I jumped up and down so I looked like I was playing in the water. He was too far away. I would try to swim. I could go glub, glub, glub. I started to drown. I got my balance back and ran to my blanket on the sand. I was just too scared. I started to cry. NO WAY would I do THAT again!!! 18

THAT SO-CALLED SISTER JOLEE COHEN She’d whine and whine And beg and beg And cry and cry And he’d say no And she would say why. He would say because And she would say because why And because she was annoying him He would let her do What she wanted to do And that got on my nerve. That girl, That annoying girl, crying and crying begging and begging whining and whining that so-called sister. 19

BLINDING JOLEE COHEN As I walk in, I notice the lights, Almost blinding my eyes. So I look down to the floor. Seeing the reflection Almost as blinding As the lights by Themselves. I just close my eyes, Thinking I can see The lights through My eyelids. I just walk away, thinking why did I walk into that room in the first place?

MY MOM OUMAIMA HALOUI, AGE 10 My Mom likes the Color pink. Her favorite thing to do Is to sew. My Mom loves to eat Homemade food. She smells really nice. I think she is the best MOM EVER.

I REMEMBER REBEKKAH HALLGREN, AGE 7 I remember when I was born on The Nineteenth. I remember all my friends. I remember I met Barbara. I remember that I saw a monarch butterfly. I remember my mom told me her sister died. I remember I first went to the library. I remember that I have a nickname; it is Bekky. I went to the circus. I remember.

SOMETIMES SAFA KHALED, AGE 8 Sometimes when I go to sleep I hear my sister talking. Sometimes I hear silence. Sometimes I do not go to sleep. I watch TV. Sometimes I hear my brother is crying.

I REMEMBER CAITLYN KLENNER, AGE 7 I remember when I was 0 and I started walking. I remember when I was born and my dad held me. I remember when I had religion a year ago. I remember Kindergarten students. I remember when I went to Cape May and the beach was right across the street from our hotel with an arcade right next to it. I remember last summer when I went to summer camp at Treasure Island.

FAVORITE PLACE CAITLYN KLENNER My favorite part of Brooklyn is Nellie Bly because you get to play games go on rides and win prizes. I won 30 prizes one time. My favorite game is the basketball game, if you get three balls into the basket you win a big prize. I like Nellie Bly.

MY MOM PASCALE LEONE, AGE 6 My mom is a Writer and she Likes to go to the Library.

I USED TO BRIDIN MCCANN, AGE 6 I didn’t cry so much, But now I do. I used to play dress-up, But now I don’t. I used to play kitchen a lot, But now I don’t. My mom used to wear make-up, But now she does not. 27

IMAGINE MIA MONTALVO, AGE 8 Imagine I was the president Imagine I was you Imagine there was no one in the world Imagine everyone was a boy

BECAUSE MIKHAL MORRIS, AGE 11 Because the sky is blue, My favorite color is blue. Because he’s eating pizza, I want pizza. Because she writes “love,” I must write love too. Because she is bad, I must act bad too. Because because is because Because is my because.

EARRING MIKHAL MORRIS I am an earring. I decorate my owner’s ear. I’m sometimes sparkly, I’m sometimes dull. I can be dangly, I can be still. I can be real, I can be fake. I am an earring.

DESIRE RUQUYA RAHAT, AGE 13 It’s raining so hard and I’m stuck in my house. I wish I could go outside and dance in the rain. It’s not much fun looking at the rain from the window. I like to be outside, joining the rain. I like it when the water splashes when I step in the puddles. I like the way my feet get wet. I like the way the moon looks tonight. I like the light. It’s really bright and shiny. I wish I had someone who I can dance in the rain with. And someone who would kiss me in the rain. I really wish. It’s my strong desire.

DON’T TELL ME RUQUYA RAHAT Don’t tell me that separation is in our fate. Don’t tell me that soon we’re gonna go different ways. Don’t tell me that my life just twisted around. Don’t tell me that things are never gonna be the same. Don’t let my hope just fall to the ground. Please just tell me this is all a game. Please don’t go off without me. Please tell me that things are gonna be the same…

I DON’T REMEMBER/I REMEMBER SAJA SANDFIA, AGE 12 I Don’t Remember: Seeing myself when I was a baby/Being a baby. My mom and dad caring for me The library before it was fixed. Me in the library. I Remember: Seeing my brother in the hospital. Playing with Barbies when I was small. My friends in kindergarten. One of them was Song.

FAVORITE PLACE SAJA SANDFIA My favorite place in my neighborhood Is the library. I like the library because If it is a hot day I can go 2 the library.

MY MOM DANIELLE SEGALL, AGE 9 Beautiful, pretty Nice and very kind I love her so much. Chocolate lover She likes milk chocolate best. She likes Moms. Her eyes are pretty. Combination of colors, Tan and very brown.

IMAGINE DOHA SHEHABELDIN, AGE 10 Imagine people killed all things that could fly.

DON’T TELL ME CASSIE SMYTH, AGE 9 Don’t tell me how to eat. Don’t tell me how to sing. Don’t tell me how to read. Don’t tell me how to sleep. Don’t tell me how to slurp. Don’t tell me how to run. Don’t tell me how to fall.

WHEN I FELL MARILYN SOLARES, AGE 12 Today in class I was mad at Maria and then when I had to go get my book bag I tripped over my book bag belt and fell and hurt myself really hard. I fell on my face and hurt with a metal on the side then I went to the nurse after that I called my mom and I told her to not pick me up. Then during math I had a headache then we went home and I did not see Jonathan.

LUIGI ALMOST BROKE MY CELL PHONE MARILYN SOLARES My Luigi almost broke my cell phone, my cell phone. My sweetheart almost did, yes, yes. I took a picture and he almost broke it, yes, yes. I love him, yes, yes.

MARY KATHRYN’S BELIEFS MARY KATE TRAMONTANO, AGE 6 I Believe in: God Jesus Fairies Mermaids Myself All people Little people Nice people Spiderman I Do Not Believe in: Batman Bad People Mean People Superman I don’t believe in anything else.

THE PIER MARY KATE TRAMONTANO The pier has a lot of fishing poles for people to fish with. It’s kind of fun. But it’s boring.

UNTITLED ZAM ZAM TANEB, AGE 13 I always: Love Abdel I never: Hate Abdel I always: Bother Aneela I never: Bother Abdel I always: Bother Sagre I never: Bother myself.

MY MOM ANEELA ZAHID, AGE 12 My mom likes to go visit Pakistan, She likes to listen to old music. Her favorite color is blue. Her favorite food is Chinese food, She likes to see many different Kinds of movies. And boss me around. My mom, my mom she is just my mom. I don’t know everything about her, But I wrote what I know. 37

MOE IS MINE ANEELA ZAHID I like this boy name Moe. But he has a girlfriend named Diana. Well, she is like my friend, but sometime I get jealous of Diana, But I do talk to her. I like Moe since fourth grade, And I am not the only girl that likes him. Almost every girl from my school likes him. And I get jealous all the time. But he does not care. Not about me liking him.

MOM VIRDAH ZAMAN, AGE 14 My mommy is da best. She smells good Well dats what I think!! My mommy is da best. She takes me places And make da best food. My mommy is da best. She hates sweets For some stupid reason. My mommy is da best. A one-of-kind Dats why my MOMmy is da BEST!

NIGHT NOISE VIRDAH ZAMAN The goodnight sky Is the sound of the ocean waves. The dark sky reminds me of hollow caves. When I look at him, He reminds me of the night. The sound of which is so bright.

LOVE RUQUYA RAHAT AND VIRDAH ZAMAN I have never been in love until I met him. When he smiles it’s like my whole world lightens up. But when he’s sad, my whole world gets gloomy. When I think of him, he’s all I want to be with. It’s like my whole day is a waste without seeing his face. The day he broke my heart, my whole world fell apart. He filled my happiness to the brim. My heart skips a beat when he says, “what’s up.” The more he looks at me, the more I get dreamy. But now that I’m out of it, it’s like it was all a myth. It was like my whole day was a waste without seeing his face. Now my world is a piece of art. He did a thing so bad that I cried myself to death. And that’s when I knew that I had taken his last breath!

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Christine Allawh Rawan Allawh Veronica Antoniodis Fatine Baustah Evgenia Benetatos Stavroula Benetatos Jolee Cohen Oumaima Haloui Rebekkah Hallgren Ayah Issa Hawa Khaled Safa Khaled Caitlyn Klenner Pascale Leone Bridin McCann Mia Montalvo Mikhal Morris Ruquya Rahat Saja Sandfia Danielle Segall Doha Shehabeldin Cassie Smyth Marilyn Solares Mary Kate Tramontano Zam Zam Taneb Aneela Zahid 44 Virdah Zaman