For class today we read “Versions of Me” by Aline Melo, a really wonderful piece that asks the reader to consider how all the different versions of us can be at peace with each other. Students brainstormed on three different “versions” of themselves, and then got work on a piece.
After school, we read a small medley of poems by Elisabet Velazquez and Warsan Shire about the importance of names, and naming ourselves. Some students are in English class as well as in the after-school poetry club so they got double writing duty!
Enjoy this week’s pieces!
English Class- Versions of Me
In Process
Jovany B.
In process alike
fearing conflict and judgement together
They strive for the status of being better
Sports are something that I strive to understand
knowing that I’m the one who should be confident
in who is better.
Gamer, a part that operates equality to sports
just ashamed and frustrated equally
This part knows that it competes for being the
best that I can, knowing that not everything I do
will be victorious, but easily frustrated when
it’s out of hands reach.
Parts of me yearn to be the best but just
so easily put down when it’s out of reach.
Knowing I put in effort keeps me calmer
but actually accepting it isn’t easy or it
seems like my fault nonetheless
After School- Name Poems
My Name
Yesenia A.
My name means a flower.
my name for me means
how much growth I’ve been
doing. Many people get my
name wrong, I don’t like it.
I want people to respect
the name I got from my
father. People also get it
right. That makes me feel
good about who gave me
my name. I feel good
when I see my name
it reminds me about
my father. “Yesenia”
Is my name which means a flower.
A flower that will
bloom when ready
will grow and get
it’s strength from
the sun and water
that will always
be there for it.
I’m proud that I was
named this name.
