Poetry SLAM! Poem of the week!

In honor of the National Poetry SLAM! on Monday, here's our poem of the week:

Poetry SLAM Letter

When I get onto the stage,
I am going to feel proud and confident and
When I get up to that microphone,
I'll probably feel a little shy
Because of all the people watching us.
And I might feel a little bit stage-fright.
When I go up to that microphone
When I go and tell everyone my poem
I wrote all by myself
I will be looking at
everyone in the auditorium.
And I know SCORES and I are good writers
And good at making poems in SCORES.
And even if I am little or small
I am still good at writing poems.

Michael M., Age 9.

Poem of the week!

I Don't Know

I don't know why dogs know how to cross the street.
I don't know why people throw trash out of their cars.
I don't know why some kids don't like soccer.
I don't know why people like to do things that are bad for them.
I don't know why people drive too fast in the street.

Ceasar 0., age 8.

Poem of the week!

My Teachers

My teachers are the people who have helped me
Throughout English language arts, math, science and more.
They have showed me a lot of things,
I've learned from them a lot.
Sometimes they get on your nerves but they can be cool once you pay attention.

By Jaime S., age 9.

Poem of the week!

My Love

My love is like a big heart hugging me.
It runs and swims through all people.
It reminds me of a time when I was a small, cute baby.
It makes me feel like a heart full of warmth.
I want to give some love to the world.

Deja H., age 8.

Poem of the week!

Myself

I love myself
and everything about
myself, my hair is black and red upon my head;
Style hot as fire,
fashion cool as ice
eyes, clothes, cute shoes.
My reality
and also loving the personality.
I think of myself as if
I'm filled with inspiration.
I have plenty of aspirations:
for example,
reach college,
continue playing soccer,
caring for my family,
and watching TV.
So as you see
being me
is not easy.
Loving me and everything about me.

Rosalie T., age 12.

(Photo courtesy of Christopher Auger-Dominguez)

Poem of the week!

Life

Life is a process,
a process that has an end.
It can end at any hour,
any minute,
any second.
So, enjoy life while you have it.
Not many people can do that.
Don't stay stuck at home.
Go places!
Please, open your eyes
to a reality beyond your street.
Challenge yourself!
Because the real world isn't about chance.
It's your life.
Take my advice.
I may be small but don't let your life end for nothing.
Do something to bring joy and happiness.
Because that is success,
and in the future that's my reality.
What will yours be?

Carla M., age 11

Poem of the week!

Recipe for a Strong Community

What makes a community strong?

Families who give love
They are always in our hearts

Knowledge and education
Will make us a stronger community and nation

People need to step up and DO SOMETHING!

Plant a tree
Keep it clean
Our community needs oxygen to breathe.
Help someone if they're down
Don't feed the violence
Promote peace!

That's our recipe for a strong community!

AS Chicago's Girls Team ages 8-12 Gregory School

Poem of the week!

I Am Strong

I'm strong
I am very strong
I may not look strong, but I am

Maybe not like a superhero
I don't have to be
Superman to be strong

I just need knowledge, that's all
I learn from my family, teachers, and friends
Which makes me stronger and stronger each day

I'm strong with abilities and knowledge
Now I can outsmart any challenge

People may not notice all of these things
But I know I'm strong

I'm strong just like a dolphin
I'm not talking about its strength
I'm talking about its intelligence

I'm strong enough to do my best
Not to fall into bad choices

Are you strong enough?

Jorge A-L., Age 11.

Poem of the week!

The Way I Am

Some people are quitters
But I never give up

Some people are negative
But I strive to stay positive

I show a good attitude
And aim to be the best

When I'm down I frown
But I'll get up with a smile

My sister's been saying
that for a while

Be polite and respectful
to all living beings

Clean up after myself
And put away my things

Go outside and be active,
I enjoy being a kid

My mom taught me how
to read and write before school did

It makes me smile
to see my friends

It makes me happy
to be with them again

No one else knows
what I know about me

There's a lock in my head
And I have the master key

Antonio W., age 11

Poem of the week!

Tournament Day, Wow!

Having fun, that's what it's about,
Kicking, running, jumping, getting goals,
Making friends, and trying your best.
It doesn't matter if you lose,
It's about having the greatest day of your life.
Tournament day, wow!

Zevari N., Age 8

Poem of the week!

My Hero

My hero is a she!
Her name is Coach Karen.
But they named her Coacher.
Her power is everything.
She could save people's lives.
If a team is short,
she will help that team.
She is good at forward.
She once saved a plane from falling.
She has magic.
Once a kid forgot to bring his soccer shoes for a soccer game
and she came with his shoes on her hand.
She could do anything.
She is friendly to everybody.

Jose P., age 9

Holiday themed poem of the week!

Giving Thanks

A time for laughs,
A time for living,
A time for love,
And a time for giving.

Laughing brings joy,
Living brings peace,
Love brings families together,
And giving brings the world together.

Giving thanks shows you are grateful and care.

Victoria L., Age 10

Poem of the week!

Sounds of Soccer

The ball is rolling in plain sight
Swish! Zoom! Everybody is coming at the ball like termites.
Crash! A few people fell running to the ball
Hurry! Hurry! Everybody is coming!
Bump! More players had a great fall!
I made it. I thought
Whew! The ball hit the pole.
I almost scored in the wrong goal!
Everybody screams Noooooo!
When we were shaking hands
It started to rain
Drip! Drip! Is all that you can hear.
Thump! is the sound of the rain in my ear.
Wow! That was fun
Guess what?
We won!

Faizon, F. Age 9

Poem of the week!

The Sky is the Limit

The sky is the limit as to what I can do
with faith in God and self-confidence too,
I can be a female boxer like Laila Ali
or inspire others with my words
just wait and see!

Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, or Martin Luther King, Jr.
are just a few that stood up for their rights even though others didn't want them to!

I'm sure if they were here they would tell you they did what they had to do!
They had to make a change.... a difference too!
Trailblazing and paving the way for me and for you!

So I stand before you today full of hope
and a heart full of joy
because I know the sky is the limit as to what I can do!

In case you haven't heard, or perhaps you didn't see
Barack Hussein Obama
the first black president has made HISTORY
This proves that the SKY is truly limitless when it comes to me!!!!

By A'Dora W., Age 11.

Poem of the week!

From now on, we'll be posting a poem each week from our poet-athletes across the country! Enjoy this week's poem!


Facing my Fears

It is hard for me to face my fears,
I try to be my true self,
I want to be like other kids.
People expect me to be smart,
Nice and not get in trouble.
If I do get in trouble,
They will tease me a bit.
People say I'm very quiet and shy.
Very soon, I will show my true self.
I will be more talkative and active,
But still be the person I am now!

Alyza G., age 9.