All the best poets know that a writer is not judged by their writing alone, but by their ability to rewrite. The 7th graders of Clinton reflected on the power of revision as we read through two drafts of “Summer, Chicago” by fellow CPC poet-in-residence, Timothy Rey. Students started by choosing a favorite or unfinished poem from the past 8 weeks to revise. Then, they reflected on how they wanted to revise the shape and content of their poem, recalling our work with stanzas, lines, imagery, simile, and metaphor. Students revised their poems with intention and excitement, returning to their work with new eyes.
Ms. Logothetis (Group A)
“Tacos”
by Iker O.
Whenever I smell tacos it smells
like a clean bed. When I bite on a taco
it sounds like a fire cracker. When I
look at the tacos I go running to the
table ready to eat.
“Untitled”
by Yasar S.
I am boxing on SKS
I am King of SKS
I am danger in SKS
I am a very good boy
I am a very good person
I am very dangerous
I am boxing on SKS
“I crashed my bike”
by Naseer F.
and crisp sounds, I was awake
and biking, walking
with my friend
he crashed his bike
and he got hit.
“Thankful for my jacket”
by Obidullah H.
I am thankful for my jacket
it feels warm
the cold on my skin
I am thankful for my mom
she feels warm
the warmth on my skin
Ms. Macmillan
“NATURE”
by Faiq I.
The trees whistle like a kettle
The path feels like a meadow
Just hear the birds and the bees
with millions of monkeys crawling all over the trees
feel the cool grass tickle your knees
be with nature at peace
“White Rose”
by Zintha A.
I white rose is a bright flower
I white rose smell good
I white rose is rare as unicorn
I white rose come from the ground
I white rose sometimes get a good
day when people water me and treat
me like a Queen
I white rose sometimes get a bad
day when people pick me and drop me
to the floor and step on me
I white rose like how people love me
I white rose like how spiky I am and
people don’t like to touch me because of
that I white rose don’t like how soft and
Breakable I am.
“Metaphors that describe me”
by Atal K.
I am a bird of the chirping tree
I am a sloth during the night.
I am a cat with a string ball
I am a dolphin in the ocean.
I am a cheetah of the outside.
Ms. Krasic
“All I can say”
by Brisa R.
I am the broken stone hidden among the smooth rocks,
hopeul someone will notice and fix me
I am the silver among the gold,
I shine dimly next to “precious” gold.
I am the dead stars hiding among the dark sky,
hoping someone will admire me
I am the swan hidden among the grass,
feeling all alone.
I am the faulty, imperfect strokes made by the
painter, wishing to go unnoticed.
I am what I am
but I wish I wasn’t.
I am what I am but I don’t know
what
I
WANT.
“My Mat”
by Puteri M.
My mat is like a storm held still,
quiet now but changed with will.
It feels like fire beneath my feet,
where pain and pride and purpose meet.
Like a friend, it catches when I fall,
soft as air, yet strong through all.
Each step, a promise not to quit,
But the ground where I rise again, again, and again
My mat,
my fight,
my place where I commit.
“JUST A BALL”
by Amar B.
One day I get used
Another day I get ripped
Everyday not the same
But sometimes living in pain
Trying to get clean
But nobody cares about me
A lot of people around me
But nobody picks me
Just a ball trying to live the dream
One day I get cleaned up
One day I get torn up
Another day I get thrown away
The crossbar is my enemy
Since it’s always in my way
Ms. Logothetis (Group B)
“Taco Bell”
by Annabelle K.
I love Baja Blast.
Baja Blast is yummy.
I love Baja Blast.
Baja Blast so good and Blue.
I love the taste.
Baja Blast the Best Drink.
I love Baja Blast it’s too good
Baja Blast so very good.
I love the way it tastes and
the way it’s good. I love
when I have a long day
and get this food. I love
when I don’t eat
food then get this food.
Baja Blast so very true.
I love Baja Blast it’s so good.
Baja Blast it’s too good.
I love when I drink Baja Blast.
“Staying as a Villain”
by Faezah S.
I am Uchiha Itachi. I kill Uchiha clan to save
the village. I am the god of genjutsu. I always
hate forgiving myself. I join Akatsuki. I cry in
the rain because thinking about the past always makes me cry.
I love to see when my little brother is happy
people hate me because I am a villain. People don’t know
the truth. People blame me because I kill my clan.
I am always calm and quiet even though people see
me as a villain. I save the war removing
the dōjutsu and I sacrifice. People
finally know the truth about me why I
had to kill my clan. People finally see
me as a hero of the hidden leaf village.
“Food food food”
by Caleb L.
Food food food,
How can I live without you?
Just like watermelon.
It taught me Kung-fu.
Ok not exactly,
But I wish it really did.
Food food food,
I would die than to live without you.
From apples to grapes,
which is even enjoyed by apes.
To jello to melons,
which is also great.
My favorite is watermelon.
It just is,
food food food,
It’s awful without you
The water droplets in my hands,
to water from a hose,
It is just like a band
that tries to pose.
To looking like an oval,
and scooping with a shovel.
Food food food,
I cannot live without you
