“In this world, everything is perfect” – Imagining Utopias!

To end our first quarter of classes, we watched & read Danez Smith create a heaven in “summer, somewhere” and created utopias of our own.

Just as Smith painted a picture of their ideal heaven, Washington students were tasked with describing their perfect world with no inhibition. While most wished for world peace, no hunger, and 3-day weekends, the unique details of each poet’s personality comes through in their description of what they want to see in a better world.

This week’s writing was particularly warming as we braced for the impending cold. Here’s some poems from my fourth writing workshop with Ms. Nazimek’s 8th Grade English class:

 

“Untitled”
Michael S.

My family and friends all around me.
All the nice food they make and they’re happy.
As the days go on, there is more things to do.
All the time we have for anything.

 

“Untitled”
Alejandro A.

There I am, sitting on the green grass. As someone
Walks past me, they smile and say hello. As I
Get up, the homeless man who I pass by every day
Now has a building on his name. Every
One succeeds here on this planet. Everyone
Holds the door for each other, even if they
Don’t know them. In this world, everything is
Perfect.

 

“Untitled”
Angel O.

In a perfect world, there would be no problems.
Everyone would be friends and there would be no bullies
In a perfect world there would be school:
School would be fun by being able to play
Games while learning and having fun
In a perfect world, everyone would be safe
You could go outside knowing you are safe
In a perfect world, no one would die
You could choose whatever age you wanted to be.

“Untitled”
Lisbeth N.

Here, no one gets hurt – physically or mentally.
Everyone is happy.

Nothing hateful happens, whether it’s verbally said or physical.
Here, everyone loves themselves. People wear whatever they want to wear

Here, we don’t have names for locations, everything is beautiful & no part of
Our world is considered better than the other.

Here we go swimming in these beautiful waterfalls. Animals don’t
Kill to survive, they just live on.

There is no leader. No one is superior to others.
We are all different colors & no one really notices.
We are all just one whole.

 

“Paradise to Me”
Viviana R.

The type of place where would you wake up to
The birds chirping. The type of place where the
Sun is always shining. The type of place where
Walking at night is fun instead of fearful. The
Type of place that would have a wonderful
Beach and all types of food. The type of
Place where you don’t have to worry about
When that paper is due.

“Untitled”
Joseph N.

A perfect world of pure and untouched land,
A world where we did not go beyond the technology of the year 500,
A world of pure land where all were free,
Allowed to do as we please,
A world where we could build our own civilization,
A world where we could make our own rules,
A place of your own law, your own rule,
A place where living free is truly living free,
A place where all are free and equal,
A place where you are free to go and do as you please,
A place where you can make your own legacy,
A place where you can travel where you want,
A place of freedom.
That is my perfect world.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Writing poetry makes me feel like I can see myself, like I can see my reflection, but not in a mirror, in the world. I write and I know I can be reflected.”
-Oscar S.

“Writing poetry makes me feel free.”
-Buenda D.

“Writing poetry is like your best friend.”
-Jessica M.