The first step to building empathy is putting ourselves in the experiences of another, especially if that other can’t speak. The 7th graders of Nettlehorst asked themselves what inanimate objects, animals, or fictional characters they would like to be before reading “Hulk Smash!” by Greg Santos. After exploring what a day in the life of someone or something else would be, students wrote poems in those voices. From tigers to deodorant to mouth guards to markers, students reflected on the experiences of characters, animals, and things beyond themselves.
Ms. Hempe (Group A)
“Pencil“
by Desmond W.
I am a six sided piece of wood
with a dented piece of metal on my head
I come from a big factory where I
was packed and sent to a school
where my life is slowly scratched
away by children solving math
problems
I don’t like how after I get used
I just get thrown to the ground
No thank you, No nothing
just my life getting scratched away
slowly…slowly…slowly…
“Steph Curry“
by Kailyn H.
Clear, gray, useful, famous, aura
I am Steph Curry’s mouth guard
Every game every moment I’m there
protecting Steph’s teeth
sometimes he chews on me and
that’s how I got him famous
without me he wouldn’t be famous
and that’s why we need each other!
I take pride in protecting Steph
I work hard and take the punches!
The summer is when I get to kick
back and relax!
But when the season starts I’m there
through wins, loses, at the free throw line
on the bench through it all
when he smiles I really get shown
off that’s my moment!
I wouldn’t wanna be anything else
I love my job
clear, gray, famous, aura!
“One Cat“
by Amitai B.
I am Leo the Cat
Many don’t like me
and I don’t like them back
I came from a cage that I
waited in for a month
until one day I was
taken in by some humans
I liked them at first but
I really love scratching them
I wait outside, fight with
some other cats
Then I will come in
eat some food,
go outside and sleep until
night
Finally I will be up all night
fighting with cats
I love everything about myself,
I am perfect
I hate everyone else,
I just wish to be left
Alone
Ms. Hempe (Group B)
“Streak“
by Ana H.
I am free, wild, fast.
I am orange with black stripes
I’m from hunting with my streak,
for my mate and children.
I wake up everyday right on the
beautiful sunrise watching the
other animals with their families
and pack, sometimes there’s no
dinner and my family can’t eat.
I hate that I can’t beat a
cheetah in a race, but I love my
beautiful fur and my hunting
skills.
“The Purple Cleat“
by Matias R.
I am a purple Nike cleat.
I have sharp triangular studs.
My leather shining bright like an amethyst.
I came from the new shoe smell.
I was created by athletes and industry workers.
I rest in a black soccer bag with a green interior.
“My Deodorant“
by Simira N.
I smell like roses, strawberries
I started off in a factory, then
I was located in a store
People use me for their smelly
armpits. I make them
smell better than stinky, I have
oder in my name because
I remove the smell. I hate
when the humans drop me
then I begin to break and
get replaced.
“Wilson Evolution Ball“
by Johnell C.
I am a Wilson evolution basketball. I am
a orange ball with black stripes and black
letters, I came from a factory. I stay at
home till my owner comes home and
takes me to the court, I like that
people bounce me and shoot me.
“An Interview with a Marker“
by Vladimir A.
“What do you remember from the factory?”
I remember being on a magic thing
that moved automatically.
A green marker told me the humans
called it a conveyor belt.
Then I fell into a giant bin along
with other people like me.
Red markers.
The rest of that was a blur.
“Do you like what you are created for?”
No. Not at all.
“Why?”
Imagine talking with your friends when
some sweaty hand grabs you and starts using
your blood to make something that looks
as nice as seeing a worm in a sandwich.
“It must suck, right?”
Yeah.
“How much blood, or ink, as we humans call
it, do you have left?”
Why did you find me in a trash can?
