Spaces and Places - The Chicago Poetry Center

Spaces and Places

The places we blossom from tell great stories of our journeys. This week, Hale 6-8th grade poetry club explored this theme and relied on their five senses to paint a more vivid picture of the places that birthed them. On Tuesday, we took a page from fellow Poet-In-Residence Logan Lu and read Carl Sandburg’s poem “Chicago.” Together we reflected on the complicated relationship many of us have with the city. We chatted away about the scent of Portillo’s and the city’s gorgeous skyline, while also noting the harder parts of living in Chicago. On Wednesday, students read Hayan Charara’s “Ode on an Abandoned House” and wrote home poems of their own, each of them using descriptive language to help their reader clearly envision their favorite spaces in their homes. Enjoy this lovely poem by our very own, Ocean.

Ms. Marasovich's After School Grades 6-8

Chicago Ocean G.

Beggars on the road, they come and go

Rats races across the streets, they come and go

Guns go boom boom boom! It comes and goes

Money only goes up and up

But its not mine or yours

Not even for the store

The strong scent of mouth watering food

comes and stays

The heart stopping statues and stones

comes and stays

The soothing sounds of running water

comes and stays

Flashing lights come and stay

So much magic, so much pain

Perhaps one day the pain will go away

Or will the magic leave first?

After all, all good leaves one day

For now, I live in the moment

and hope it stays another day