Marisol–I am February 6, 2008

Inspired by Nikki Giovanni’s poem “Woman,” I asked the students to write poems talking about the things that they are, and the qualities that they possess, both real and metaphorical. Marisol’s poem is below; more to follow.

My I’m
Marisol D., age 12

I’m a sun
I’m not too perfect
I’m a bright star
I’m not that dumb
I’m a sunflower
I’m not a smelly fish
I’m like the sea of course
I’m not that smart
I’m a sky
I’m not the grudge
I’m a little cute
I’m not a model
I’m a smarty-pants
I’m not a nerdy
I’m kind of fat
I’m not skinny
I’m athletic
I’m not lazy
I’m so cool
I’m not bored

Ode to a Frog January 23, 2008

by Marisol D., age 11

I
saw you right
there in
a
box.
You were staring
at me.
I liked your
eyes and your
old skin was
all wrinkled.
Your color
was green
as grass.
Your legs were
little and
you
were fat.
When
a
lady came
she told a
man to kill
you.
When he
grabbed
you I was
sad
but
then you left.
When
he came
back
you
were dead.

This poem was inspired after reading “Ode to a Large Tuna in the Market” by Pablo Neruda. I asked the students to write odes to unusual or yucky things.