Wordplay

Just Buffalo’s annual anthology of student Writing

2013

Welcome to Wordplay 2013, Just Buffalo Literary Center’s annual publication of the most outstanding student writing produced during our Writers in Education programs over the past year.

Each year, more than 100 classrooms throughout Western New York open their doors to our team of talented teaching artists. Our teaching artists are professional writers with a passion to bring the creative writing process to schoolchildren of all ages. They include poets, fiction writers, playwrights, journalists, and book artists.

As part of the Writers in Education program, our teaching artists are partnered with classroom teachers to custom design theme-based lesson plans that complement the Common Core Learning Standards and, at the same time, ignite the imaginations of students. This partnership—known as Writer Residencies—can include anywhere from 5 to 15 classes or sessions, during which students are immersed in reading, writing, and creating their own original work.

It is our hope at Just Buffalo that Writer Residencies engage students and give them space and time to generate new creative ideas about their world. Through the creative writing process, students are given the freedom to express a new idea and use imaginative language. This experience works to awaken the senses and allow students to connect with the world in which they live.

From my own experience as a classroom teacher for ten years, I know first-hand that there is a creative side embedded somewhere in each and every student. The challenge is finding an outlet or exercise to allow students’ imaginations to explode on paper. The Writer Residencies work to unlock students’ creativity and help them enjoy writing, providing opportunities to pour their thoughts out into the world for everyone to enjoy.

The student writing featured in this anthology was chosen from over 700 submissions. The work contained on the following pages reminds us just how compelling the written word can be, and how capturing a particular moment enables us to deepen our understanding and appreciation of the world.

It was a joy having the opportunity to read the poems of such talented young poets and writers. They filled me with a sense of awe and I hope they do the same for you.

WELCOME TO WORDPLAY

Just Buffalo gratefully acknowledges the funding support essential to making our Writers in Education programs and this publication possible:

Erie 1 BOCES

Buffalo Board of Education

Writers in Education programs are provided in partnership with the following:

Cameron & Jane Baird FoundationVeljko Jellech TrustGeorge G. and Elizabeth G. Smith Foundation, Inc.

All photos of students participating in our education programs were captured by Jon R. Hand (unless otherwise noted).

Noah FalckEducation DirectorJust Buffalo Literary Center

The joint education program of CEPA Gallery and Just Buffalo Literary Center

www.writingwithlightbuffalo.org

716.832.5400

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Participating Schools2011-2012

Akron Elementary School

Buffalo Seminary

Charter School for Applied Technologies

Clinton Elementary School

Community School, P.S. 53

Discovery School, P.S. 67

D’Youville Porter School, P.S. 3

Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64

Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 156

Harriet Ross Tubman School, P.S. 31

Highgate Heights, P.S. 80

Hillery Park Elementary, P.S. 27

Houghton Academy, P.S. 69

McKinley High School, P.S. 305

Mount St. Mary Academy

North Park Middle Academy, P.S. 66

Pinnacle Charter School

Roosevelt ECC, P.S. 65

P.S. 81 School

Southside Elementary, P.S. 93

Tapestry Charter High School

Our sincerest thanks to the teachers, principals, parents and, most of all, the talented students who participated in Just Buffalo Literary Center’s successful education programs.

José Alvergue is currently a student in the UB Poetics program. He holds an MFA from the California Institute of the Arts, School of Critical Studies, and has published in avant-garde journals like Nocturnes and Black Clock. His book, us look up/ there red dwells was published by Queue Books in 2008. José first began teaching poetry, music, and visual art to K1 students in 2001, with a focus on bilingual retention through the expression of language in all its possible forms.

Karima Amin preserves the art of storytelling in performances, workshops, and author visits for story lovers of all ages. She is the author of a children’s book, The Adventures of Brer Rabbit and Friends (Dorling Kindersley, 1999), as well as several original stories that have been anthologized in African American Children’s Stories: A Treasury of Tradition and Pride (2001) and Grandma Loves You (2003). Her CD, You Can Say That Again! earned a Parents’ Choice Foundation Gold Award in 2005.

Susan Hodge Anner is a poet, playwright, and is certified in Special Education. Her work has been performed in New York, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, and Washington, D.C. Her play, “Letters to The World,” was produced in 2007 as part of The Infringement Festival in Buffalo. She also teaches playwriting in the University at Buffalo’s Theatre Department.

Robin Brox is a poet and the founder of Saucebox, a feminist micropress and occasional performance series. Her books include Sure Thing (BlazeVOX, 2011), Of Fracture, with mIEKAL aND (Xerox Sutra Editions, 2012), and several chapbooks. A graduate of Amherst High School, she earned an MA in English from The University of Maine—Orono in 2005 and a BA in English from SUNY—Buffalo in 2001. In addition to creative writing workshops for youth through Just Buffalo and other arts organizations in Western New York.

Soula Harisiadis received her BA from Barnard College and her MFA. from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. She has taught writing at New York University, Buffalo State College, and The University of Iowa. During her time at the Iowa Center for the Book, she designed and letterpress-printed two books of her original poetry, The Blackness and the Bird and Epigenome.

Robin Lee Jordan received her MFA in Poetry from Oregon State University. Her prose and poetry have been published in 42opus, Toe Good Poetry, Puerto del Sol, and A cappella Zoo, who awarded her with the Apospecimen Award for short fiction. She is currently working on a mixed genre collection and teaches at the University at Buffalo and Just Buffalo Literary Center. She is also a youth mentor at Gay and Lesbian Youth Services of Western New York.

Margaret Konkol holds a PhD from the Poetics Program at SUNY Buffalo. Her work appears in PQUEUE, Ekleksographia, Reconfigurations, charity llc, Working Papers, Jacket, Little Red Leaves, and Damn the Caesars. Margaret founded and ran the Mildred Lockwood Lacey Small Press in the Archive Lecture Series (2008-2012), a series devoted to highlighting original creative-critical research. She now lives in Atlanta where she teaches at Georgia Tech and performs at Borderline Gallery.

Heather McEntarfer is a doctoral student at the University at Buffalo. She holds an MFA in creative nonfiction from the University of Pittsburgh. Heather has taught composition and creative writing at Niagara University and the University of Pittsburgh, and also at the secondary level through programs such as Upward Bound and the Western Pennsylvania Writing Project. She holds an undergraduate degree in Integrated Language Arts. Her creative nonfiction has been published in several literary journals, including River Teeth and Permafrost.

Ellen Melamed, MA, Columbia University, created The Playwriting Project in 1982, and has taught theatre arts for grades 3-12 in New York City and Buffalo. Her play, Ethel, based on the life of Ethel Rosenberg, was produced off- Broadway. She was the academic tutor for The Cosby Show and a teaching artist for Theatre Development Fund, Young Audiences, and Arts Connection. Currently, she is a certified Alexander Technique teacher and teaching artist, and will begin teaching playwriting at Buffalo State College in summer 2013.

MEET ThE WRiTERs

JUST BUFFALOWordplay

VOLUME XIV2013Editor

Noah Falck

Cover Art / Page DesignJulian Montague

Picturing Poetry & Reclaiming BuffaloManuscript Preparation

Nikki Gorman, Lauren Tent

PhotographyJon Hand

Just Buffalo Administration

Executive DirectorLaurie Dean Torrell

Artistic DirectorBarbara Cole

Education DirectorNoah Falck

Finance DirectorKris Pope

GrantwriterKathleen Kearnan

Executive AssistantLynda Kaszubski

Program CoordinatorHallie Winter

www.justbuffalo.org

Just Buffalo Literary Center617 Main St., Suit 202A,

Buffalo NY 14203

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MEET ThE BOOk ARTisTs & PhOTOgRAPhERsMEET ThE WRiTERs

Brian Mihok is from New Jersey, but has lived in Florida, California and Massachusetts. His fiction has been published in several literary journals, including Hobart, Necessary Fiction, and TRNSFR. His novel, The Quantum Manual of Style, was recently published by Aqueous Books. He is an associate editor for sunnyoutside press in Buffalo, and is co-founder and editor of matchbook, an online journal of indeterminate prose.

Sherry Robbins has conducted creative writing workshops throughout New York State and abroad since the beginning of time and works with hundreds of students each year. She has a Masters in the poetics of ecstasy and two books of poetry, Snapshots of Paradise and Or, the Whale. Sherry ran her own letterpress for years, is a certified yoga teacher, and a multi-year panelist for the NEA’s Art Works program.

Gary Earl Ross is a language arts professor at the University at Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center. His works include the short story collections The Wheel of Desire (2000) and Shimmerville (2002); the children’s tale, Dots (2002); the historical novel Blackbird Rising (2009); and the stage plays Sleepwalker (2002), Picture Perfect (2007), The Best Woman (2007), Murder Squared (2010), The Scavenger’s Daughter (2012), and Matter of Intent, winner of the 2006 Edgar Allan Poe Award from Mystery Writers of America.

Jon Rutzmoser is a writer, artist, and educator. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing and Integrated Media from CalArts. His recent writing appears or is forthcoming in Joyland, Drunken Boat, Prism of Reality, and X-TRA. His book shhhh! it’s poetry is forthcoming from Insert Blanc Press.

Divya Victor is a doctoral candidate at SUNY Buffalo’s poetics and most recently author of Partial Derivative of the Unnamable. She is also author of PUNCH and Goodbye John! On John Baldessari, both from Gauss PDF, Hellocasts by Charles Reznikoff by Divya Victor by Vanessa Place (Ood press), and SUTURES (Little Red Leaves). Her books of poems Things to Do with Your Mouth is forthcoming as part of Les Figues Press’s TrenchArt series. She is a member of the publishing collective Troll Thread press and a writer for Jacket2.

Ryan Rose Weaver received her degree in journalism from Boston’s Emerson College before working as a content editor in New England’s tech sector and a freelance food and arts journalist. In 2010, she moved to South Korea to pursue her interests in food, education and travel while teaching English at a private academy in Seoul. As of fall 2011, she has relocated to Western New York to be closer to family, and now works as Yelp’s Buffalo community manager, encouraging great writers around WNY, and rediscovering all the history and culture this area of the country has to offer.

Janna Willoughby-Lohr has been writing poetry since she was 5 and performing since age 12. She graduated from Warren Wilson College in 2004 with a BA in Entrepreneurial Creative Business Arts. Janna was a Grand Slam finalist in 2005-2008 for the Nickel City Poetry Slam, and a member of the 2006 Nickel City Slam team at the National Poetry Slam. She is an editor and layout artist for Earth’s Daughters literary magazine, the longest running women’s publication in the country. She also runs her own business, Papercraft Miracles, making custom handmade books and papercrafts.

Joel Brenden is an artist and educator working within a broad range of disciplines including photography and bookmaking. A native of Washington State, he received his MFA in Visual Studies from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 2008. His work has since been exhibited nationally.

Kate Ebling is an artist and educator, currently teaching Studio in Art and Digital Photography at John F. Kennedy High School. She received her BS in Art Education, minoring in Art Therapy, and her M.S. in Educational Technology with a focus on Digital Media and Arts at the State University of New York College at Buffalo.

Aitina Fareed is an entrepreneur and creative media artist who is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology at State University of New York College at Buffalo. She has served as the Youth Services Site Coordinator with the CAO N.U.R.T.U.R.E, the Youth Development Professional with the Boys & Girls Club, Youth Skill Builder and Mentor with The Heart Foundation and Gateway Longview, and as a teaching artist at CEPA Gallery.

Christopher Fritton is a local artist who holds a BA in Philosophy and a BA in English from the University at Buffalo (2000), as well as an MA in Poetics from the University of Maine at Orono (2005). He is a published poet and professional artist whose work often integrates technical and scientific language with sentimental humanism in small, handmade, limited edition books.

Nikki Gorman is a Teaching Artist for CEPA Gallery. Originally from Syracuse, NY, she received her BFA in Photography and MEd in Teaching in and Through The Arts from the University at Buffalo.

Catherine Linder Spencer is a visual artist whose work has been exhibited at local museums and galleries including the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the Burchfield Penney Art Center. She has participated in public art projects such as “Art on Wheels” and “Herd About Buffalo.” A tireless advocate for Western New York’s arts, cultural, educational and environmental community for 20 years, she has taught classes at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Bryant Street Studio and designed a children’s art program at VIVE La Casa.

sELF-PORTRAiTs

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Inspired by everything from ice cream to the waves of the sea, students prove time and again that it can be equally inspiring to look within themselves.

I AMHafsah Abdulhalim

I am the person that whispers do good…I am the something that wants to but never should…I am the smile on your face…But on a dark day the smile fades away…I am the blue calm ocean that flows wherever I want…I am the quiet little girl mixed up in a bunch…THAT’S ME! Grade 5 Community School, P.S. 53

LIFE AS YOU SEE ITTyreshia Chillis

I am the wave of the roaring sea… I am that animal that never sleeps… I am that child that will never be able to eat, drink, see, or just be me... this was what I was meant to be, that dark black wave on the roaring sea... Grade 5 Community School, P.S. 53

I AM THE BOY WHO ALWAYS GETSJaymeri Smith

I am the boy who always gets picked on. I get hurt, you laugh and if I get a question wrong, you laugh. I don’t know if you know, but I am somebody, I will be somebody, I always will be somebody. I am the wings of God, the voice of the birds. Grade 5 Community School, P.S. 53

ALL ABOUT METimea Barlow

I’m a whistle in the wind blowing things awayI’m a cheetah in the grass looking for somethingto eat. I’m a shining star at night.I’m everything so bright.I’m a summery, summery breeze, so cool.I’m a person eating cool ice cream.That’s me! Grade 3 Community School, P.S. 53

sELF-PORTRAiTs

“The impact of this experience cannot be measured. They have been given wings to fly as they put pen in hand. A seed has been planted, their growth is limitless.” Nancy Lonergan, 4th grade teacher, Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64

JUsT WRiTE ABOUT iT

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Perhaps what is most unique about Just Buffalo Literary Center’s Writer Residencies is how these young people’s imaginations burst onto the page. These young writers give language a new life by sharing their creativity. Whether it is through reimagining ancient times or the many ways the color red speaks out, these students have the courage to “just write about it.”

THE RAIN THAT BEATS ON THE ROOF OF THE HOUSE*Aaliyah Stewart

The snow that falls on the roof in winter. The leaves that fall on the ground in fall. The beaming heat, it feels like it fell on me. The rain that beats on the roof of the house, and the wind that flows away at night. Grade 5

Community School, P.S. 53 *poem inspired by a line from Elizabeth Bishop’s “Sestina”

WRITE ABOUT IT

Amira Almadrahi Write About It, Because Your Mind Is Like A Balloon It Can Only Hold So Much, And Then It Breaks And You Lose It You Lose Yourself It’s Gonna Happen Anyways So Why Not Lose Yourself? Lose your Self In Writing As If In A Labyrinth Of Words. Just Write About It, Write About It Because It’s Going To Keep Irritating You. Until You Let It Out. Write About It, Don’t Think About It, Write About It. Grade 6 Southside Elementary, P.S. 93

REFLECTION Charles Edwards

I was walking on a shiny day then I saw a boy in the water. He said keep walking. I said why are you in the water with a bike? He did not say anything. When I reached for him he said stop, do not touch me. I pulled my hand away. He said I need to stay. I quietly touched him, but it was just a reflection. I said where did he go?

Grade 4 Community School, P.S. 53

FALLING*Elijah Ray

Why, I wouldn’t know anything about it, even if I fell off the top of the house, would the fall ever come to an end? I must be getting somewhere near the center of the earth. Yes, that’s about right. I wonder if I shall fall right through the earth. Grade 3 Community School, P.S. 53*poem inspired from a page of Alice in Wonderland

JUsT WRiTE ABOUT iT

SUMMER SUNAva Martina

The summer sun Burns my face, at least it’s Not snowing out Grade 3 Akron Elementary School

A PENNYGillian Brown

A penny shows truth the love that comes from itshows the head that led our countrythe fortune it brings to our pocketsthe bronze shine that lights up our sky. Grade 6 Southside Elementary, P.S. 93

JUsT WRiTE ABOUT iT JUsT WRiTE ABOUT iT

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DOWN IN ANCIENTIlanna Jenkins

I live in ancient times where the strawberries bloom, where flames sometimes freeze. I live down by the cemetery of Numinous. Every time it’s nighttime I go to bed fearful under blankets. I have a pony always at my door ready to ride. Sometimes at night I wait outside for the mist. Grade 4 Community School, P.S. 53

UNTITLEDJeremy Hinman

calm down and relax listen to paper airplanes gliding through the air Grade 5 North Park Middle Academy, P.S. 66

RELAXATION LaKayla Hall

peaceful meadow flowers flowing through the air calming all my nerves listening to my favorite song splash right in the water go for a walk on the beach Grade 5 North Park Middle Academy, P.S. 66

WORMMegan Zwetsch

As pink as a baby’s skin, smooth like silk,as wiggly as your finger, and as quiet as a mouse,unique in a way, so are you everyday,even if it can’t speak it has feelings, just like you,it’s a living thing just like you, everything you do it comes back to haunt you.

Grade 6 Southside Elementary, P.S. 93

OUR HOPES AND DREAMS a collaborative poem by Mrs. Restivo’s class

Our hopes and dreams aremostly about family and friends.We hope for joy and love.We dream of loving and hopingthat our friendscare about us.We dream of a time whenthere would be no fighting and no gangs in the streets.We dream of a time whenour country could not bedestroyedand we could live forever and never die.We dream of a time whenit would be normal for school to be everyday,and dreams of being a princess,or dreams of being famous,or dreams of having a job in the Armycould come true.For now, we hope to play outside,ride a two-wheel bike,and dream of being a gymnast on TV.Our Hopes and Dreams.

Grade 2 Roosevelt ECC, P.S. 65

THE COLOR REDSeidrick A.

Red’s the color of blood running through your veins.

Red’s the color of a starting fire. Red’s the mood of an angry person. Or when you have to stop at a red light or red stop sign. The sound of a building being demolished. The smell of an erupting volcano. The motion of an earthquake. Red is the time of a sunset. Red can be hatred. It can be a cold star up in outer space or something with an angry, angry face. Grade 4 Community School, P.S. 53

THE SPIDER WEAVING ITS WEBAntonio Giusti

The spider’s web is strong. The designs are never wrong. Grade 5 North Park Middle Academy, P.S. 66

UNTITLEDDynasti Embry

It’s fun to be alone Grade 5 North Park Middle Academy, P.S. 66

THE SOUND OF SILENCE Arianna H.

Hawaii’s wind blows. The season of the music snows. The grass begins to sway. The pollen blows away. Whistling a tune, The wind will stop soon. Dancing all around, The grass dives down. Grade 4 P.S. 81 School

PICTURING POETRY

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PiCTURing POETRYSeven years ago, we joined forces with our collaborative partner, CEPA Gallery, and formed Writing with Light, our joint education program, bringing together photography and writing.

In Picturing Poetry, Writing with Light’s flagship program, students first learn the elements of photography from a CEPA Gallery teaching artist before taking home their own black-and-white cameras to practice what they have learned. Once their photographs have been developed, students exercise their critical thinking skills in selecting their best image. Then, over the course of multiple writing sessions, students compose original poems inspired by their photos.

Each project concludes with a final celebration where students perform their writing alongside their projected artwork as well as an in-school exhibition of all of the students’ finished work in an area where the entire school community can appreciate the inspiring artwork.

The artworks on these pages represent a small fraction of the hundreds of pieces students have created in Picturing Poetry.

A TREE, A BRANCH

A tree, a branch,so flimsy, so weak.

Blowing windbends the tree.

It makes it plain,no leaves in sight.

A tree, a branch,scraping the house.

The tree is high,as high as the roof.

I could climb it

if it wasn’t so flimsy.

Andrew V.Grade 4Discovery School, P.S. 67

STop BuLLyInG

I am sad.I am mad.Don’t be silent.

Confront it. Report it. End it.Everyone is fighting.The trees are dead.I am riding to schoolsto help stop bullying everywhere.

Please help schools.

Luke LesterGrade 4Discovery School, P.S. 67Destiny Smith

Grade 5Houghton Academy, P.S. 69

THE FLAG

I was up in the airso proud.

To be up here I willstay strongstay invinciblefor the rest of my life.

But now knowingI’m hurt and torn up.

I’m laying on my sideas you can seehoping and hoping

that one day I will

be mended.

A joint education program of CEPA Gallery and Just Buffalo Literary Center

PiCTURing POETRY PICTURING POETRY

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Madissen GarlandGrade 8Charter School for Applied Technologies

LISTEN

let me play you what my feelings sound like,slurring and trying to tie together these indescribable emotions.I’ll make a rhythm toexpress my heart’s desires.Together they will join to becomea symphony of my mind.The thoughts I think will createtheir own vibratoand will express to youwhat I hide,what my mind treasures.Just be aware that playing musicisn’t an activity by any meansbut a haven to myself.Sincerely,The Musician

nylah pringleGrade 8Charter School for Applied Technologies

UNTITLED

Hard, crackly platform at my feet,delicate wind on my shoulderhot bright sunbeaming down on my foreheadsplashing of water prickling my skina yellow wall of voices speaking their lovethe calm even flow of my familyI feel safe, no drama, no pressurejust me, my family

ASIL

Garden filled with flowers and trees.

Green and white brighten her life.

My sister trims the flowers and trees.

DO NOT EAT THE LEAVES.

These leaves are for animals only.

Sweet and Sour smelling flowers.

The wind whispers softly like thebuzz of a bumble bee.

I can smell the rain coming.

nasro AhmedGrade 5D’Youville-Porter Campus School, P.S. 3

Luis Dieguez ortegaGrade 5D’Youville-Porter Campus School, P.S. 3

SKYRIM

The Queensweeping

the land afterall her

warriors lostthe battle

The Heavenly lightcoming

down to takeall the killed

warriors

A master aboutto come

from the darkto take

the souls.

PiCTURing POETRY PICTURING POETRY

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Amiyah popeGrade 5Highgate Heights Elementary, P.S. 80

STILL THERE

Still not movinglookingnot a soundup and downstraight and talllong and bigno soundstill not movingat allit’s lookingI’m lookingquietone soundI turned aroundstill there

nicholas paradowskiGrade 5Hillery Park Elementary, P.S. 27

WATER FLOW

Water flowwater flowonly suchlittle timeto go.The water pulling me into its relaxing bed.My life being put in the thrill of the lake.All the waves will soon shake.The water flowing, days going.The days going, water flowingwater flowwater flowonly such little time to go. Vinicio Brancato

Grade 4Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64

LOST AND FOUND, A POEM FOR TWO VOICES

I’m lost. There is no hope.I’m starving.I’ve been lost for a month.Maybe I should get a new life on this river.Who is that?Finally, I found you!

I’m lost. I can’t take it.I’m hungry.I’ve been lost for weeks.I should just start my life again.Who are you?This is great!

(both)This is great!Let’s start again here.

nARRATivE POEMs nARRATivE POEMs

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Whether they are inspired by moving to a new place, the sadness in the loss of a beloved grandfather, or even a simple bike ride, some of the best poems tell us stories.

THE LAST DAYElizabeth Cornell I woke up with my heart pounding like a base drum early in the morning I was seven it was an extremely hot summer day I would not be playing outside though I rushed got my clothes on all I wanted to do was see him see that my grandfather’s breath was not stolen during the night I got to the hospital all I could see was the angles on his wall then I saw him he was there waiting for me to jump

into his arms then he looked at the wall and hesitated as he took his last breath he said “I love you” I could feel tears in my eyes i held them back I had to tell my family that he died and what his last words were when I told my mother I could see the rain storm in her eyes and the fear that she did not have her father anymore. Grade 6 Southside Elementary, P.S. 93

THE FLOW OF MY BLACK BIKEKenneth Shields The flow of my black bike Tires on the concrete Is like the beat Of my heart under my Skin.The spinning of my Flat pedals is like The spinning of My head.The tight grip of my Handle bars is like Gripping for life.The breeze of Riding my bike is like Diving into a deep pool.The spokes of my Rim remind me of The earth rotating Around the sun. My back rim is Like a bee singing Zzzzzzz.The squeak of my Brakes is like A sneaker in the hall.When I’m on my Bike, nothing else Matters. Grade 6 Southside Elementary, P.S. 93

MY BROTHERTrayvon Frisby

My brother dillies and dallies, he gets on my nerves. I would throw him like a boomerang if he could curve. I would flush him down the toilet if he was small enough. I would fill him up with helium and let him blow away in wind. I would send him into space if he could breathe. Get him far away from me, please! Grade 5 Community School, P.S. 53

UNCLE MORRIS Mrs. Seitz

My great uncle Morris would pinch my earlobe to say hello, buy you an ice cream cone and eat half of it to make sure it was safe for you to eat. He loved to be called “Uncle Morris darling dear,” and he was. Special Education Teacher Community School, P.S. 53

nARRATivE POEMs nARRATivE POEMs

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THE BIG MOVERuth Baez

It was June 15, 2007.The day of the big move.The day I needed to startlearning a new language.The big day that I movedfrom Puerto Rico to the U.S.A.

That day I felt fearbut also happiness.I felt a new beginningstarting for my family.It was the big day.

When we got to the airportthere were different planes everywhere.Hearing them start and thenfly away into the air.

The airplanes were like hugebirds. Birds with huge wings. A really pleasing and shiny bright day. I was on my way, to a new start. Grade 6 Southside Elementary, P.S. 93

HOCKEY PLAYER Ryan Creek

Hockey player breathe, now because you just dashed up and down the ice Hockey player breathe, now grab a drink of water because you charged down the ice like a hurricane so Hockey player breathe, now because we need you out there you can’t quit on me you are the best player. You are like a cheetah on skates when you put a game face on you are as tough as a saber tooth you are a target out there because you are the best there is. When you get off the ice you are out of breath, and breathing hard When you get hit you don’t even make an ugh when you score fans get up and cheer. When you get a hat trick all of your fans’ hats are on the ice so Hockey player Breathe, now. Grade 6 Southside Elementary, P.S. 93

A FURRY SURPRISERiley Ritchie

After school Got off the bus Leaves were falling My Mother was there To pick me up The crunch of brittle leaves Beneath our frozen feet The door closed With a slight bang And on the couch A silent sleeping puppy Was told to leave Her be. So excited So peaceful like an angel Soon enough she Would be my best friend 6th grade Southside Elementary, P.S. 93

“The program always refreshes and refocuses my teaching. It reminds me that we are writing for ourselves, and for a greater audience. It “allows” me to give writing a more prominent place in my schedule.”

Kate Willoughby, 3rd grade teacher, Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64

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FREDERiCk LAW OLMsTED sChOOLs PARTnERshiP

THE BRAVE PRINCESSS WHO CAN FIGHT IN WARS

Caroline Finkbeiner

I am quiet as a mouse sometimes.Nature is my pride and shine. Inside of me there’s hope everywhere. There’s hope even in you.

Grade 3 Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64

I AM THE OCEANHetta Gardner

I am the ocean, I wander up the beach On a cool summer day. I see and feel all the excitement. When my fury rises I wash the beach clean. I rush across the ocean floor. When I go to fetch you I sing: Swish rush toosh.


Just Buffalo has been partnering with the dedicated teachers and gifted students at Frederick Law Olmsted Schools since the beginning. In honor of this special partnership, we wanted to highlight some of the powerful work that has been created by the amazing students at Olmsted.

In this section you will find poems inspired by the landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. You will come across poems from Bookmaking Residencies and selected work from both Picturing Poetry and Writer Residencies.

It has been an honor working with the talented teachers and students at Frederick Law Olmsted Schools. We hope to continue such a wonderful partnership. Enjoy the imaginative work!


MY MOM Luc Thimot The time I was at my mom’sgraduation and she was sittingin the back row and I wasstaring at her, excited justlike her.


DEAR WORLD,Maika Bird

Dear World,

What is it like being the earth?I will try to help you.Thank you for the trees.Without you we would not be here.The trees help us breathe.I love the singing birds.I will plant more trees.I will pick up litter.I will create a poster that says“Do not litter!”People will recycle. (I promise!)Do you like being the Earth?Do you have any requests for me?



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I FEEL THE GRASSConnor Quimby

I feel the grass on my foot. The river sounds like basset hounds. The cave is dark like a stormy night. There is no sound like a bark in the light. The flowers bloom throughout the spring. Even then there’s no groom; there’s no one with food to bring. The ant was down on the ground. It was brown and round. I feel the grass on my foot. The river sounds like basset hounds.


MY MIND IS AS BIG AS A LAKEIan Henderson

My mind is as big as a lake. I explore over the treetops. I am as silent as a bridge expanding over a gap. As I run to leave, I leave my home, the land seems to run along me.


WHEN I AM IN THE FOREST I HEARIdris young

When I am in the forest I hear

whispers in the stars.

When I am in the sand I feel

creatures under my feet.

When I am in the moonlight all I

hear is darkness.


OUTSIDE IN THE PARK THE SUNKobe n.

Outside in the park the sunshine is overhead. When werun we have somefun with thewind in ourhair.


SOLDIERS Luis Luciano Sanchez

1On windy mornings soldiers don’t move. 2In the afternoon soldiers don’t see. 3 In the evening soldiers sleep. 4 At dawn soldiers eat.


IMAGINE I AM AN...nathan Sommer

I am an ant, a little black creature,seeing giants stepping on my cousins,getting stuck in dirt, seeing a bee fly over me.Now I’m a bee sucking nectar out ofthe flower. Now I’m a flower, red velvet and anice olive green. My stem is my streetand my leaves are my houses and my floweris the depths of the peaceful community park. I am nature.


THE MAGICAL OCEANGreta L.

I am the ocean. I feel the glittering, tan sand. I feel the snow freezing my top And see the sun melting it. I touch the smooth breeze On my clear surface. I smell like morning air. I taste like salty salt. And best of all you can swim with me. It’s just like magic!


FREDERiCk LAW OLMsTED sChOOLs PARTnERshiP FREDERiCk LAW OLMsTED sChOOLs PARTnERshiP

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MOMKevin Fontanez López

1 On cold mornings Mom wakes me up in the morning. 2 In the afternoon Mom leaves the house and goes to school. 3 At night Mom watches novellas on Channel 38. 4 At dawn Mom eats soup from a small bowl.


A SWEET DAYDREAMEmma Zullich

I would like to daydreamin an empty field sitting ina circle of dandelions thinking

about tall trees thatI can climb, long rivers withshining fish, high hills coveredwith violets, and all ofmy friends.


I AM A SNAKE IN THE DESERTMiani Stafford

I am a snake in the desert.I move like the wind.I am all different shapes,sometimes I blend.I’m fast and cute.Weird, do you say?I slide like jello.I also stretch like clay.


MOON CARVED ROCKnolan McLaughlin

moon carved rockancient carving

big furry owl looking atme


DAYDREAMING Alyssa Wasielewski

Underneath the apple tree,everything looks so plain,I am inventing thingsright inside my brain.I need silence everywhere,I see inside my headbeautiful robins filling the air.I now seeall the nature iscoming to me.


I WANT TO BE LIGHTNINGChristian Burgos Torres

I want to be lightningbecause he goes fastand flies like a bird.


FREDERiCk LAW OLMsTED sChOOLs PARTnERshiP FREDERiCk LAW OLMsTED sChOOLs PARTnERshiP

30 31

MY DAY DREAMMaria K.

Underneath an apple tree, bladesof grass beneath me. I am flying ina hammock, starting to daydream.I’m in my backyard,pillow underneath my head,now I’m starting to go to bed,the apples,they’re so red,I feel like I’m in my bed,there’s a blanket over me, I eat an apple from the apple tree, juice drippingyum, yum, yum!

Grade 3Frederick Law Olmsted School, P.S. 64

IN A PARKTyler R.

I wentto apark, IsawtalkingtreesandI hearda noiseunderthe groundand Ithoughtit wasa dinosaur.


WILD NATURE Matthew Cambria

The duck swims in the cool, cool water,the blackberries blossom on athorny plant.Migrating birds fly overhead.Big storm clouds, there is sure to be a storm.Flowers bloom in late summer.The moon is early to rise up.Tall grass is filled with livingcreatures.


THE SUN IS RISINGCallum Silvestrini

It is winterthe mysterious fox spotting its preystanding on the iceroaming through the forestas white as snowthe sun awakensthe rocks in the ocean


I AMKennedy Heitman

I am like a lion I love my space and myself and I am like a ball of yarn cats love to play with me I like to eat meat I like to lay back and enjoy the air me rolling on the ground.


RECLAiMing BUFFALO

32 33

Reclaiming Buffalo, a Writing with Light program, introduces students from all over Buffalo to a unique after–school opportunity combining photography, computer literacy, and creative writing.

Students begin by photographing buildings in their neighborhood that they wish to “reclaim.” Using PhotoShop, students transform their “before” image into an “after” and write accompany-ing poems or prose to put their vision into words.

Selected artworks were featured on bus shelters across Buffalo, spreading hope and inspiration throughout the city.

THIS IS A PLACE

This is a place

Like a flat notebook

That has been stained and forgotten

It is like a summer dayThat has been dried out

It has been abducted by garbageOverflowed with disgrace...

It is like a book that You can’t read

The value is broken and lostGray grass Feels like it was tossed

One that is broken and went through painAlways can

Be reclaimed

Kofi AsanteGrade 6Clinton Elementary School

BEFORE AFTER

A joint education program of CEPA Gallery and Just Buffalo Literary Center

RECLAiMing BUFFALO

34 35

RECLAiMing BUFFALO

The night is yours.

Walking past with the bittersweet taste of gas running up your nose.The disproportioned, distorted house stares when I cut the corner.It’s a monster disguised as a house.A cold breeze flows, hitting the back of my neck,Followed by a horrific giggle.I look behind me. I’m afraid of the house following me.

Shane H.12th GradeTapestry Charter High School

“This program far exceeded my expectations... Since the program, many of my students have tried writing poetry, short stories, and one has even written to the mayor talking about how important it is to have citizens take care of our city.”

Sharon Pikul, 4th grade teacher, Lorraine Elementary, P.S. 72

BEFORE AFTER

RECLAiMing BUFFALO inDEX

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TAKE BACK THE CITY

Everyone said it couldn’t be fixed A cold-hearted building stood in our midst. Broken windowsPebblesAnd shattered bricks Were the only thing left on its defeated surface.But along came a mind that saw change,To take our city back and

reclaim.

Then stood a building with Beauty And warmth.

Dominique Jones11th GradeMount St. Mary Academy

A stylish place for all to come.Beautiful clothes and sparkly shoes too, Made smiles light up across the room. The smell of fresh coffee and newly baked pastries Brought all together around the community. Beautiful Flowers and trees brought warmth to the once dull scene.Now this place will always be seenAll you need is an imagination So let your mind goTake back the city and make it our own.

BEFORE AFTER

Hafsah Abdulhalim, 7

Seidrick A., 10

Nasro Ahmed, 14

Amira Almadrahi, 9

Kofi Asante, 30-31

Ruth Baez, 20

Timea Barlow, 7

Maika Bird, 23

Vinicio Brancata, 17

Gillian Brown, 8

Matthew Cambria, 28

Tyreshia Chillis, 7

Elizabeth Cornell, 19

Ryan Creek, 20

Charles Edwards, 8

Dynasti Embry, 11

Caroline Finkbeiner, 23

Trayvon Frisby, 18

Hetta Gardner, 23

Madissen Garland, 14

Antonio Giusti, 11

Arianna H., 10

Shane H., 32-33

LaKayla Hall, 10

Kennedy Heitman, 28

Ian Henderson, 25

Jeremy Hinman, 11

Dominique Jones, 34

Ilanna Jenkins, 10

Maria K., 29

Greta L., 25

Luke Lester, 13

Kevin Fontanez López, 26

Ava Martina, 9

Nolan McLaughlin, 26

Kobe N., 24

Luis Dieguez Ortega, 15

Nicholas Paradowski, 16

Amiyah Pope, 16

Nylah Pringle, 15

Connor Quimby, 24

Tyler R., 29

Elijah Ray, 9

Mrs. Restivo’s Class, 11

Riley Ritchie, 21

Luis Luciano Sanchez, 25

Mrs. Seitz, 18

Kenneth Shields, 19

Callum Silvestrini, 28

Destiny Smith, 12

Jaymeri Smith, 6

Nathan Sommer, 25

Miani Stafford, 27

Aaliyah Stewart, 9

Luc Thimot, 23

Christian Burgos Torres, 26

Andrew V., 13

Alyssa Wasielewski, 26

Idris Young, 24

Emma Zullich, 27

Megan Zwetsch, 11

WRITING ACROSS

IGNITE THE MIND THROUGH WRITING

Tall Tales

Cosmograms, Mapping the Self

Memoirs

World Tours

Injustice

Art and Music

Mystery, Masks, and Veils

Disguised & Transformed

Graphic Novels

Spoken Word

Exploring Emotion & Sensation

Memories

Environment

Fact vs. Feeling

Reinvent & Reimagine

Inside Art

Voice of the character

The 60s

Erie Canal

The Beats

Harlem Renaissance

MONOLOGUES & DIALOGUESBABEL IN THE SCHOOLS

PROGRAMSTHEMES COLLEGE ESSAY WRITINGWRITER RESIDENCIES

FLASH FICTION

POSTCARD PROJECTRECLAIM

ING

BUFFALO

SYMPHONY DOWN IN MY SOUL

PICTURING POETRY

Just Buffalo Literary Center’s Writers in Education offers custom-designed lessons that complement and work with the Common Core Learning Standards.

JUST BUFFALO LITERARY CENTERBRING US TO YOUR SCHOOLcall 716.832.5400 or visit www.justbuffalo.org

THE CURRICULUM*

*

*Joint programs of Just Buffalo and CEPA Gallery

Each year, classrooms throughout Western New York open their doors to Just Buffalo’s team of talented teaching artists. Our corps of professional writers—including poets, fiction writers, playwrights, journalists, and book artists—go out into the community and spark imaginations, renewing a love for learning through creative writing and bookmaking. Each writer is professionally accomplished, actively engaged in their own creative work, and skilled at working in classrooms with young people.

To learn more about Just Buffalo’s teaching artists, go to our website: www.justbuffalo.org

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