This past Monday was a bittersweet day at Lawndale. Our last session marked the end of a residency full of games, conversations, and yes — poetry. We also had the entire 8th grade reunited for their final workshop, which was fitting. Students received class chapbooks of their work (courtesy of my printer and a resilient stapler), with pieces they chose and submitted themselves. They spent the class time autographing each other’s publications, followed by a final reading. Check out the chapbook covers below:
It has been nothing short of an honor working with these students and reading their poems. Ms. Barker and Ms. Fouser have been wonderful collaborators and thought partners throughout the journey. Before leaving, each poet offered me a favorite line from another classmate’s poem, creating these final class centos.
Ms. Barker
6th Grade
“Class Cento”
by Everyone
This summer you need a gallon
of good vibes to be around me
We are starting to die slowly
Many people got trapped
I come from a place where sounds matter
Portraits are stunning
Llego el verano, llego el calor, frutas
y helados todo el día sol
Pose for pictures
Blinding and dazzling at me.
Me siento pequeño al lado tuyo. Tus
besos me llevan a la luna.
Ms. Barker
8th Grade
“Class Cento”
by Everyone
Change to stop racism
We can help and change future lives
Lemon drops
I remember when I stopped playing the game
I remember my grandma died
SRT I’m going fast 12
I cry sometimes but nobody knows
Only to my friends I can feel myself changing
Where I’m from everyone hopes to make their family right
or pray they’re never found in a ditch.
I hate getting judged for being black
I walk alone through
The storm nobody knows
