TIMELESS THOUGHTS A Collection of Poems
WRITTEN BY
ILLUSTRATED BY
NARRATED BY
Austin Brown
Jaszmin Arnold
Leah K. Bennett
Essence Davis
Essence Davis
Leah R. Bennett
Carmen Hines
D’Arcy Deveaux
Kimani Cameron
Jaelyn Nelson
David Jones
Breyanah Graham
Chanel Rhodes
Ashton Shepherd
Sydnee Haley
Antonio Smith
Deja Walls
Jaydon Parker Jordan Reed
In honor of the National Day of Service on January 18, 2016, Memphis Challengers created “Tell Me a Story: Service Through Storytelling.” Through this project, 62 Memphis Challengers in grades 9-12 wrote and produced specialized storybooks and poems for children. The project aimed to bring smiles, excitement and the love of storytelling to children, as well as enrich the process of using creativity to give back for Memphis Challenge students. Learn more about The Memphis Challenge at www.memphischallenge.org. Copyright ©2016 Memphis Challenge Publications. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher. For information address The Memphis Challenge, 516 Tennessee St., Suite 129, Memphis, Tennessee 38103. First Edition | Printed in the USA ISBN 978-1-944843-08-3 “Timeless Thoughts: A Collection of Poems” Written by Chanel Rhodes (11th grader, Melrose High School); Antonio Smith (11th grader, Germantown High School); Austin Brown (11th grader, Bolton High School); Carmen Hines (11th grader, Germantown High School); Essence Davis (11th grader, St. George’s Independent School); Jaelyn Nelson (12th grader, Central High School) Illustrated by Ashton Shepherd (11th grader, Collegiate School of Memphis); Deja Walls (11th grader, Houston High School); Jaszmin Arnold (11th grader, Bolton High School); D’Arcy Deveaux (11th grader, Kirby High School); Essence Davis (11th grader, St. George’s Independent School); David Jones (10th grader, Memphis University School) Narrated by Breyanah Graham (11th grader, Ridgeway High School); Kimani Cameron (12th grader, Central High School); Leah K. Bennett (11th grader, Germantown High School ); Leah R. Bennett (11th grader, Southwind High School); Jordan Reed (11th grader, Lausanne Collegiate School); Jaydon Parker (10th grader, Germantown High School); Sydnee Haley (12th grader, Cordova High School) Funded by a generous grant from the Hyde Family Foundation, Pyramid Peak Foundation and FedEx Special thanks to the Project Production Team – Heather Bruce, Cierra Burnett, Avery Cunningham, Jamien Sills, Lisa Smith, McKenzii Webster, Christa Wininger and Cassandra Webster, Executive Director – for your expertise, commitment, vision and leadership. Parents and guardians thank you for your trust and support.
TIMELESS THOUGHTS
A Collection of Poems
Table of Contents 3 Hope Written by Chanel Rhodes and Illustrated by Ashton Shepherd 5 Friendship Written by Antonio Smith and Illustrated by Deja Walls 6 What is Family to You? Written by Austin Brown and Illustrated by Jaszmin Arnold 7 My Deepest Fear Written by Carmen Hines and Illustrated by D’Arcy Deveaux 9 The Winner Within Written and Illustrated by Essence Davis 12 A Brighter Day Written by Jaelyn Nelson and Essence Davis Image Selected by David Jones 2
Hope Written by Chanel Rhodes and Illustrated by Ashton Shepherd Narrated by Breyanah Graham
Have you ever tried so hard, and nothing still worked? Then you ponder upon those moments and wonder if you should give up, Those moments are very challenging when you feel like you don’t have any luck. Searching for a better day may be a little tough. But when you think you can go on no more, Just look for the shining light outside that open door. As the door opens, I see the emotion. Tears pouring down in a world that looks beautiful. Does it feel like the usual? Life begins to look different. Yes, I see these things. The light sharpens my vision. Listening to God speak to me like the breeze hitting the ocean, It can’t ... but doesn’t it sound real? I see you running in the fields with smiles that are so surreal, And the love that was built from the one above that can heal. All hearts with a goal and light are like a high castle, which can’t be rebuilt.
3
Friendship Written by Antonio Smith and Illustrated by Deja Walls Narrated by Kimani Cameron and Randal Green
When life leaves you in a fright, Friendship is the key to life, It’s the only thing you need to make your day bright.
Friendship is when people come together, It has an affect on people just like the weather. In Friendship you have two people like a double, Just keep your head up and stay out of trouble. Friendship is like a flower, When everyone comes together, you have all the power. Friends are there when you are blue, I will be there for you. Friends make you laugh and play and make you want to hang out everyday. Friendship is one of the keys to success, When you become friends with someone forget all the rest. So, does being friends sound okay?
5
What is Family to You? Written by Austin Brown and Illustrated by Jaszmin Arnold Narrated by Leah K. Bennett
What is family to you? Is it the key to your ignition? Is it the glue that holds things together? Or is it the light to your darkness? What is family to you? Is it the piece to your puzzle? Is it the hope to your dream? Or is it everything in between? What is family to you? Is it something you can lean on? Is it your everything? Your only thing? Family is the fuel to the heart that makes it start. It’s like the tape that puts things together. It’s the light that allows you to see. Family finishes the puzzle and let’s you express yourself with no muzzle. Family is an all-star team. Everyone needs each other to succeed. Without family you may be alone. They’re always there for you even when you complain and moan. Family has your back no matter what, especially when you’re down. Nobody else but family can make you smile after a frown. Without family there’s hardly any support. Family completes what’s missing in our lives, any time we come up short.
6
My Deepest Fear Written by Carmen Hines and Illustrated by D’Arcy Deveaux Narrated by Leah R. Bennett
I don’t like to be alone My sister left for college I hope she would come home There are confused emotions that maybe I should acknowledge It feels weird that she is gone But that is my deepest fear I don’t like to be alone My best friend moved to Arizona So I had to make new friends Everyone noticed my changed persona But she came back and we made amends But that is my deepest fear I don’t like to be alone My mother got a new job She was no longer my stay at home mom I was too confused to sob I was by myself but luckily, remained calm But that is my deepest fear I don’t like to be alone My sister left me and went to college My best friend left me and moved to Arizona My mother left me and got a new job People left me and I felt abandoned by the ones I love But that is my deepest fear I didn’t like to be alone I began to enjoy being by myself When I am by myself, I can think for me When I am by myself, I can learn about myself When I am by myself, I can accept everyone has his or her own life But that was my deepest fear 8
The Winner Within Written and Illustrated by Essence Davis Narrated by Jordan Reeed
I’ve never been one to lose things That were terribly hard to find Whatever I lost I could get back Or it didn’t press too hard on my mind
Whatever I lost I wrote off As something I needn’t need in life I didn’t marry an object That “thing” was not my wife
I’ve never been one to lose things That weren’t important objects That was until I lost myself My values taken out of context
9
See first I lost my house My car, kids, and wife Then I lost my daughter Not once...but twice
I first lost her to an addiction
Then I lost her again This time... to a life of sin
When she overdosed on prescription
10
But what I value today I dare not set aside For I’m pressing harder than ever To be free and to survive
For it’s hard to lose loved ones And material deaths are tragic But giving up on myself Would be progress gone stagnant
Survival is a thing that requires constant attention An idea that is complex, with beautiful dimensions A key to a lock, firmly labeled “freedom” The only other place, half as glorious as God’s Kingdom
11
A Brighter Day Written by Jaelyn Nelson and Essence Davis Image Selected by David Jones Narrated by Jaydon Parker and Sydnee Haley
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that” And with darkness as a platform, use light to combat A timeless issue of injustice, so prevalent in society An issue Dr. King wouldn’t sit back and take quietly “Only in the darkness can you see the stars” Said Dr. King with pride An idea of freedom that seemed oh so far That the world would not deny Jumpstart the discussion With “I have a dream” A dream that with equality, all men can achieve With no hierarchy of power Based on creed, color, or race Dr. King envisioned a nation 12
If Dr. King was still with us, Witnessing daily killings, Do you think that he would have Proud and joyful feelings? People march all through the streets
Chanting “Black Lives Matter,� But the people seem to ignore them Like it is random chatter If things are going to change, People must hear what we say So let us stand so we can make Tomorrow a brighter day
13
TIMELESS
THOUGHTS A Collection of Poems