Gwendolyn Brooks – Into Music

These past weeks students from Waters focused on including rhythm and rhyme in their poetry, gaining inspiration from Gwendolyn Brooks’ iconic poem “We Real Cool.” Our prompt was to write a poem about others’ misconceptions about their generation.

301

To the Tune of "Born in the USA" Lucy D.

I WAS BORN IN THE USA
SLAAAAYYYYYYY
*Gen Z out*

More than Survive Maia F.

If this was 1846, I would probably need tips
On how to stay alive
But since the next generation’s yet to descend
And the 1900’s already ended
I’m just tryin’ my best
To live my life and
survive,
SURVIIIIIVE!!!

Untitled Kahina G.

They all think we are happy
when some are hiding it
Under a mask that
covers their
true feelings

Untitled Soraya O.

Everyone says our future is doomed
That we’re lazy, sensitive and uncaring
That one day we’ll tear our world apart
There are a chosen few who have given up
But what about the ones who try
The ones who care
So are we doomed?

302

I'm not what you think... Aadit D.

Weak,
But smart.
Weird,
But yet still me.
I’m not what you think.
I’m what I think of myself.
I will guide myself.

Them Quinn M.

As the sun begins to shine
I think about these lines,

about how confusion and distraught
is just laziness without a thought

about when I’m tired without a say
I feel unmotivated and walk away.

About when I’m nervous and scared
I’m just weak without me there

about how when this all comes to sink in
I smile without a fuss

and these lines are not enough.

Untitled Andy N.

We talk too much
We are just trying to understand
We aren’t smart enough
We are trying our hardest
You are not good enough
I push through every day
Trying to meet your expectations
But it is never good enough
We crumble soon.

303

Technology Addison O.

We play games.
We watch videos.
We listen to music.
We communicate
It’s our life.

The Next Generation Daniel P.

The next generation
young and fresh
we’re in a big large mess

we don’t disrespect
we mature and learn respect

we aren’t weak
we made progress

we aren’t useless
we will provide for the
world.

Untitled Emin V.

We are new
We are lazy
We are stupid
We are ungrateful.
Decades ago,
You were lazy
You were ungrateful
You were stupid.
Centuries ago,
They were lazy
They were stupid
They were ungrateful.

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