Hands on Stanzas

Anthology of Student Verse
 
Welcome to the Hands on Stanzas Anthology of Student Verse. Thanks to the generous support of the Boeing Corporation this year's Hands on Stanzas Anthology has been published electronically allowing us to include a poem from each and every one of our students. That's close to 2000 poems this year!

To navigate the anthology either click the students’ grade level or the name of their school below.

Grade: 3  |   4  |   5  |   6  |   7  |   8  |   9  |   10  |   11  |   12

School:
Alcott Elementary
Belding Elementary
Bell Elementary
Burbank Elementary
George Washington Elementary
Richard Henry Lee Elementary
McPherson Elementary
Moos Elementary
Pilgrim Lutheran School
Price Elementary
Shields Elementary
Skinner Classical School
Solomon Elementary
Taft Academic Center
Tarkington School of Excellence
Walter Payton College Prep High School

 
Marissa Spalding, Poet-in-Residence
Principal: Christine Arroyo
Teachers: Janet Fenton
School: Richard Henry Lee Elementary


Untitled
a poem by Abigail C., Grade 8

Why do volcanoes erupt? Is it because nobody talks to them? How do they know they are alone? They get mad and suddenly erupt, but sometimes it’s an accident. They don’t mean to hurt people. All of a sudden I am a big volcano. I have just erupted and people are running away.



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Marissa Spalding, Poet-in-Residence
Principal: Christine Arroyo
Teachers: Janet Fenton
School: Richard Henry Lee Elementary


Take No Names
a poem by Adalberto S., Grade 8

Over the past five years I’ve uploaded

more than 200 pictures to Facebook

some are of me.



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Rachel Javellana, Poet-in-Residence
Principal: Arthur N. Tarvardian
Teachers: Lucy Ko
School: Taft Academic Center


I Am From
a poem by Adam D., Grade 8

I am from the tiger
feeling the roar
and first friends
I'm from fighting for toys
and dancing with no shame
I'm from pierogi
cousins, buraks and
family
I am from energy
feelings, smiles,
moving
I am from losing them
all of them
no fun, no close
feelings
I'm from black luck
walking in the house
I'm from giant reptiles
flying through my head
Im from not caring
about seasons
temperature
snow, rain, or sun
from where nothing matters if you're having fun



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Marissa Spalding, Poet-in-Residence
Principal: Christine Arroyo
Teachers: Janet Fenton
School: Richard Henry Lee Elementary


Pollution
a poem by Adriana G., Grade 8

I feel sick my eyes are itchy

I live by a factory that makes

bread



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Rachel Javellana, Poet-in-Residence
Principal: Arthur N. Tarvardian
Teachers: Lucy Ko
School: Taft Academic Center


My Stars
a poem by Aisha T., Grade 8

To the night light of the sky.
My stars,
stay with me through the night
and don't leave me in the morning
watch me from above
as I go through life one day at a time

You sparkle and shine
and illuminate the fears of the night
protecting me
Keeping me safe
I know you must leave
My stars,
stay here
all night and day

You've missed so much
as you hid from the sun
My memories
My nightmares coming to life
The happy times
my family
my friends
miss it all as you hide
unable to come out



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Marissa Spalding, Poet-in-Residence
Principal: Christine Arroyo
Teachers: Carl Stalla
School: Richard Henry Lee Elementary


Untitled
a poem by Alberto J., Grade 8

Every stressed word is like

an ice ax, trying to gain

purchase.



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Marissa Spalding, Poet-in-Residence
Principal: Christine Arroya
Teachers: Mrs. Mulcrone
School: Richard Henry Lee Elementary


The Water is the Sky
a poem by Alejandra B., Grade 8

The water is the sky. Where the air reaches its top and the sun sinks in. The number six is not welcome by anyone, not even chosen. Then the sky breaks right into the mountain and a white sheet covers it. A sheet that is cold and will stay in its peak until the end of days.



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Rachel Javellana, Poet-in-Residence
Principal: Arthur N. Tarvardian
Teachers: Lucy Ko
School: Taft Academic Center


I'm From
a poem by Alex V., Grade 8

I'm from the electronic
era
where anything is possible.
I'm from the clothes on my
back,
the obnoxious loud
home I sleep in,
my dog barking 24/7.
I'm from the warm food
waiting for me when
I eat with my family.
I'm from a loving mom
and dad.
I'm from the backyard
of my house where my dogs
play every day.
I'm from the school
my parents send me to
every Monday morning.



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Rachel Javellana, Poet-in-Residence
Principal: Arthur N. Tarvardian
Teachers: Lucy Ko
School: Taft Academic Center


Tree
a poem by Alexandra M., Grade 8

Long, tall
blowing in chilly winter
the tree stands tall.

Advice from one wise old tree
feed firmly planted



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Ryan Downey, Poet-in-Residence
Principal: Denise Gamble
Teachers: Mrs. Fleming
School: Elihu Yale Elementary


The Little Girl & The Mother
a poem by Alexis W., 2011 Anthology of Student Verse

She does her job

wake up before the
sun comes. Comes
home when we're
sleep. The House
is dirty. She breaks
her back to clean
it up after a long day.
She yells at how
she could have did
better in life.
She goes out when
no work! But she
doesn't know what's
going on in the house.