Writing Together

After watching the group poem “Why are Muslims So…” by the Detroit BNV Slam team, the 8th graders of Clinton discussed what is possible when we explore what we have in common and write poems together. After pairing up, students used Venn Diagrams to interview each other and find out what they had in common. Then, they chose a topic and wrote poems that included a mix of individual and shared lines. Students wrote about shared lived experiences, favorite colors, mutual dislikes, and histories of their friendships, using poetry to build bridges between them.

Ms. Karas (Morning Class)

Dr. Pepper Babyyyy Da'Rihanna S. and Iqlas A.

We love Dr. Pepper

I drink Dr. Pepper every week

The hint of cherry flavor in Dr. Pepper makes me melt with love

We love Dr. Pepper

Anytime I’m thirsty Dr. Pepper hydrates me

I have tried all the flavors

Dr. Pepper changes my mood

We love Dr. Pepper

Manhwa Girls Ghay P. and Siti Nur Z.

We love Manhwa!

I love how vivid and bright the atmosphere is and how it reveals the character’s movements

I love how their story is and how it’s opposite with reality

The warm feeling that I feel when I smile and how it gets on my nerves like a fly

I love the characters in Manhwa, especially the guys in Manhwa!

I love “The Tyrant is Back”

I love “Romance 101”

We love Manhwa!

Air Forces Abdul R. and Axel A.

We love Air Forces

Air Forces are clean and Black ones don’t get dirty

Air Forces are tuff

We both bought them for $100 dollars

Air Forces are good for every day wear

Air forces are very comfortable

We love Air Forces

Ms. Krasic

Winter Brisa R. and Cielo A.

We both like winter

for what it holds

 

I play in the snow

even though it bites through my skin

 

We both like winter

for what it holds

 

Although we don’t know what it beholds,

We know it brings the cold

 

We both like winter

for what it holds

 

A season hated by most

but loved by those that understand the beauty in nature

BROWNIES Anna J. and Puteri M.

Hey Brownies

 

Why are the Brown Mundes always arguing

in the GC like its a

national debate

 

Why are you filming in the hallway

like its a music video and we’re

paid extras

 

Why is Isaiah the Argentinian legend

sending the same meme

and egoing like its a dream

 

Why is Dawood saying “We got this”

then deletes his message

and disappears like a ghost

 

Why do we act calm

but blast the group chat

20 seconds later

 

Hey Brownies

Dear Basketball Aatika B. and Emina H.

A sport that brings us together

Lebron and Steph Curry

We won’t give up ever

Leaders and heart on the court

Point guard and

Shooting guard

Eating your mama’s soup

like a baller with a hoop

The unstoppable power duo

Ms. Karas (Afternoon Class)

Cycling Party Affan W. and Jaylen S.

We love cycling

The cold breeze passing through my hair

I love bike fast in parks

We like the smell of tires

The feel of the handlebars going downhill

as the bike slowly accelerates while going down a steep hill

We love to go on cycling paths

We Hate Winter!!!! Moises C. and Jesus S.

We hate winter!

I don’t like the snow in winter

Winter makes me cold!

We hate winter!

Winter is the worst season of the year!

Winter is too cold!

We hate winter!

Love of Video Games Anjel O. and Natan T.

This is what we enjoy

My favorite game is Block Blast because it wants me thinking

My favorite game is Arsenal because it really makes me think fast in first person

We both like video gamess

I used to not play games before I got older

I just want to have a fun time in front of the screen

Many people can agree with us you know

Ms. Macmillan

Friends Syehena Nur M. and Armesha S.

We love hanging out with friends

I wear hijab everyday

I wear my hear out

We are both Muslim

I like badminton

I like volleyball

We both are proud of ourselves

Twining so Badly Zainab A. and Faezah S.

We love Blues

I love baby blue

I love navy blue

 

We love Blues

I love the morning sky

I love the night sky

 

We love Blues

Yeah…we just love blue

Our One-Sided Love Mustakima I. and Shahad A.

Maybe love was just a story

A fragile little melody

My broken heart is broken again

Trying to love you was in vain

you’re the first person I fell for

Cause you know it hurts

And you know it does

your memory runs through every vein

I’m losing battles I can’t explain

But still,

I love you more than anyone else does