Transformations

The first step to building empathy is putting ourselves in the experiences of another, especially if that other can’t speak. The 7th and 8th graders of Waters asked themselves what inanimate objects, animals, or fictional characters they would like to be before reading “Hulk Smash!” by Greg Santos and “Mirror” by Sylvia Plath. After exploring what a day in the life of someone or something else would be, students wrote poems in those voices. From trees to CDs to grapes to jewelry to chicken nuggets, students reflected on the experiences of foods, animals, and things beyond themselves.

Ms. Hernandez (7th Grade)

The Sun Hayden Z.

Sometimes I hide
but sometimes
I step out of
my shell and shine

During Winter I’m gloomy
trying to hide from
my problems

During Spring I finally
shine bright like a diamond
and let the flowers
bloom again

during Summer I’m
always out
happier than ever

During Fall I lose
my spark, I get
tired, now because
of me all plants lose
their life

Those are my emotions
over and over
and over again,
nothings new.

Water Bottle Cy C.

I like to get drank from.
I sit in someone’s backpack.
All day everyday.
I am just a water bottle.

When my owner is playing sports
I get to be free.
watching him play
outside in the hot sun.

Everyday after school, my water gets emptied
and replaced with new water.
When he goes to bed and when he is at school
I am always in his backpack
waiting to be drank.

When I am in his backpack
I feel like I’m getting suffocated
with books and binders
I am just waiting to be free.

Tree Addie G.

I am green, most people think that is all I am.
little do they know, they would not have
the air to say those words without me.

all I remember from my past, is being
picked up by a bird, then being dropped near.

I don’t know who my parent is, and
I don’t think I can find them, even
though I would give everything to be
able to at least search.

for I can not move, I am stillness
within the storm, I am constantly
surrounded by laughing children, and
singing birds, but I am still.

even though I am the most beautiful
thing you will ever see, you will
never know, for, I am too still, and
too common for you to notice me.

So I will watch you from afar,
and smile as you laugh and cry
when you are sad

But you will never notice me.

I just have one request, when you
grow old and brittle, please come
and visit me, even just once.

Matteo el rompe lapises Nicolas M.

Los lapises tienen miedo de Matteo por qué
Los tira de la ventana los rompe los
tiré al aire salta arriba de ellos y
por eso es dinos malos para los lapises
se gustan están tíralos por todos lados
de la clase se quejan los puntos
las quitan los borradores los raspan y
los pisos

Ms. Hernandez (8th Grade)

Moon Brennon H.

I appear with the darkness
And darkness appears with me.
A light appears. I am that light.

I watch over the night, serving as the surveillance of the sky
Sometimes I am half.
Half my persona
Sometimes a quarter
Quarter my persona
On those days I sulk, as I am not
seen, so I wait for the night when
I am full.

Compact Disc Clark A.

I spin endlessly
but not anymore
I’m silver and sit in desks
but I no longer sell in stores

I used to be everywhere
now I am gone
I reflect the rainbow
after every song

In everyone’s pockets
happy I was
playing all around
I was found in a desk
Not made of flesh

I am the one and only CD

Uvas Nicoll M.

Su personalidad puede ser tan amarga y
a la vez tan dulce que
Podría caminar por la calle
Y derretirte de lo ácido que
puede ser tan duras o tan
blandas como una viejita en sus
100 años
pueden ser moradas como
si un ser vivo se estuviera
Ahogando o puedan ser tan verdes
Como los ojos de un gato
Pero siempre tan deliciosas como
noche lluviosa

Jewelry Kiera W.

Every day I get put on
And every day I sigh
Another day to make an outfit slay
but no one ever cares about me
they only care about how I make them look
or how bougie I am
but I too have feelings
I see everything down to the detail
because that’s all you do as an accessory
Watch on the sidelines while everyone does their thing
no one cares and notices when I get tarnished
I just get thrown into the trash and get replaced by a new piece
no one gives me credit for anything, I’m simple just
the thing everyone brags about.
I am anyways just a piece of metal that is worn.

My Transformation into a Chicken Nugget Michael D.

Ahh Ahh Ahh
Where am I?
I am brown
Extra crispy today
I am a chicken nugget
at Arby’s.
No, I got the worst location.
I am being squished
a hand grabs me.
I am heading to the BBQ sauce
soaked bottom to head
I am being bitten by a human
OWWWWWWWWWW!
I am being pushed through a tunnel
BANG! I am gone
Then, I was reincarnated