“me and you be poets”

School
Haugan Elementary School

Poet in Residence
Joy Young

Date

In their eight virtual poetry lesson 8th graders at Haugan Elementary explored ideas about relationships. A relationship is a connection formed between individuals. Relationships can involve a bond through common goals or experiences, such as those between parents, children, siblings, spouses, friends, and even our pets. Students were asked “Why is forming relationships important?” Most students described how relationships can improve our mental health, allowing us to socialize, and feel less lonely or depressed. As we continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to maintain these precious relationships with our loved ones.

Together we read the poem “Sisters,” by Lucille Clifton. In her poem Clifton uses unique syntax to describe the relationship she has with her best friend. Me and you got babies/ got thirty-five/ got black/ let our hair grown back/be loving ourselves/be loving ourselves/ be sisters. By using imperfect grammar, Clifton beautifully paints a picture of a friendship that survived from childhood into adulthood. A friendship that was built on a foundation of love and shared memories.

Inspired by Lucille Clifton, students wrote poems describing important relationships in their lives. Please enjoy this week’s published poems.

School
Haugan Elementary School

Poet in Residence
Joy Young

Date

Ms. Thomas's 8th Grade Group 1

Me & You Jimmy G.

Me and you like pizza
Me and you be scared of clowns
Me and you got black hair
And would like to switch up the color
Me and you scared of spiders
Me and you be loving each other
Me and you are the same
Me and you comfort each other
Me and you like video games
Me and you like movies
Me and you like having fun
Me and you like “chillin”
Me and you like dogs
Me and you be mad more much
Me and you be coming from mom same
Me and you not equally
Me and you be homework doing
Me and you like soccer play

Friend Demetrius M.

Me and you are like brothers
Me and you know the struggles
Me and you been through a lot
Me and you always been real
We the ones who get hurt bringing others up
We the ones who ate bread while others ate meat
We the ones who came from the bottom and still always on top
We the ones who leave everyone behind
Me and you are like brothers and that’s never gonna change.

Friend Brayan R.

Me and you be friends
As time passes

Me and you
Play the same sport

Me and you
Hate losing games

Me and you
come from the same place

Me and you
Love hanging out
Love playing games
Love how things get out of control
Let are hair to grow

Me and you
Have respect to each other

Only you and me have a strong friendship

Ms. Thomas's 8th Grade Group 2

Twin Sisters Melanie A.

Me and you twin sisters,
We be together
A connection we have

Me and you
Differences we have,
But family we would always be…

Me and you
Helping animals we love
Believing in dreams we are…
Never losing hope we are,

Me and you
Trying hard
For dreams to come true we want…
Got memories
Got happiness
Got…goals to accomplish
Loving what was given…
Loving each other
Sisters love we give

Only where you are, I am
There for you I am
Where you happiness, I show

Miguel My Brother Juan M.

Me and you
Are cousins but brothers
Me and you
Are copies of each other
Me and you
Game
Me and you
Together play
Me and you
Together anime watch
Me and you
Are the same person
Me and you
Are night owls
Me and you
Together lose
Me and you
Are the brothers that none of us had…

I and You Valeria R.

I and you, same family we is…

We laugh until we can’t in my room anymore sleepovers it is
We blast the same on the speaker music
My oh my those days we get tired of play so much
That orange rice that smells so good. Love it I do, you too do!

I and you, forever friends
You hate I hate sometimes
Never we will be separated

I will older me visit you, better you too
You cry, I too do! Sad it is

You will see me graduate, I see you will too

Ms. Thomas's 8th Grade Group 3

Me and You Angel M.

Me and You are brothers
Me
and
You
Are
the
same
Me and You love to eat food

Me and You love playing games
Me and You miss the outside

Me and You hate bugs
Me and You share a room

Me and You love our parents

Me and You have the same hairstyle
Me and You love each other

only where you are 8
I am 13 .

Me and You Together Andrea M.

Me and you are best friends
Me and you both cry together
We both decide things together
Me and you both have our hair short
Me and you both have the same music taste
Me and you both laugh together
Me and you both have the same birth month
Me and you both are like the exact same person

Me & Friend Play Day Michael B.

Me and You
We day start
We play
6 hours
Eat Favorite food
Pizza…….

Play again
Hours 10
Game play
Get Better
At it
Never lose

People
meet
Make friends
Trust more
Happiness
By comes?
For a bit…..

Ends day???????
Keeps life…..
repeating

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