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| Writers
in the Schools: Student Reading & Celebration |
Illsley
Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall, WITS hosted a special evening showcasing the literary stars of tomorrow. Our featured readers -- elementary, middle, and high school students from across Seattle -- are maestros of metaphor, virtuosos of verbs. We laughed and cried as students read original poems and stories they've written through the mentorship of writers-in-residence from the Writers in the Schools (WITS) program. See below to read the wonderful poetry and prose presented this evening! For more information about Writers in the Schools, click here.
Oh neon fish-catcher, oh plastic squid, with tentacles like rubbery ramen noodles, as your flimsy rubber body shoots through the water, while eager fisher waits for bites that seem tauntingly to never come. What will your small painted eyes see? If a hungry fish should knaw upon you, oh innocent bait, will you feel pain or will you rejoiced with the fisherman, 75 1/2 feet above you who is already thinking of the great meal your supposed killer will become?
My Personal Experience On June 22, 2006, I came to the United States. It is a different country than China. I feel everything very fresh. Every night in China I have a lot of places to go. I go to friends home, go to shopping, go to eat and so on. But here, in the United States, I cannot go to these places because here, restaurant much more expensive than China. Here, in evening, every store is closed. I have nowhere to go. In China, I live in a city called “Qiqihar”. It has another name called “Ice City”, because during the winter, always we have snow. And a lot of nice ice light. I know here, last year, the snow was much more than before. But my city snow IS still more than Seattle. Seattle is a quiet city, so I think it is good for old people. I like life in America, because this is a freedom country. Everyone has a lot of freedom here and much more chance too. In Qiqihar, I can’t see much rain, but I can see much rain here. I don’t like rain, I think that is dirty. The air is much cleaner in Seattle than in China. So this is a good city for life. In Qiqihar, during the winter it is so cold, during the summer, is so hot. But in Seattle, summer is not very hot, winter is not very cold, so I like to live in Seattle. I also believe my dream will come true in Seattle! ZEBRAS UNDER WATER As my zebras slip their flippers on
The beast with in. This inner Being is wrapped up, a present He roars thru me, a supersonic jet Feeding off the unsaid words my brain tries to This child, this untamed bookshelf of an animal, Robbie latches on to my brain, a leech sucking the "Who Knows?" I seem to be a boy rolling in money, I seem to be a monkey with billions of bananas, I seem to be Bill Gates making millions a day, I seem to be what I am,
Untitled The sun is shining bright and happy like a
Once upon a time, there was a rich, famous mouse named Bling-Bling. Bling-Bling was 4 and a half inches and weighed 1 lb five ounces. Bling Bling was so rich that in Hollywood, California he owned every wall and sewage from the Walk of Stars to Universal Studios. Well Bling-Bling was a movie star, but his whole life he wanted to be a skydiver. However, the only way to do that was to quit his job. One day, he heard that he had to skydive, but it was just a hoax. “I just can’t take it much longer,” said Bling-Bling, “I QUIT!!!!!” And Bling-Bling stormed out side. Bling-Bling could not believe what he just did. The next day Bling-Bling started going to sky diving lessons. Since Bling-Bling was a movie star, when he quit, he ran his old company out of business. Anyway, when he started sky diving lessons, he met a girl mouse named Linda who ALSO quit being a movie star. After a while, Linda and Bling-Bling started hanging out and going on dates. (Date #115) Bling-Bling was a famous sky diver, but instead of real sky diving, he either hitched rides on remote-control air planes or model rockets and tried to land in a particular gutter. Bling- Bling is now a father and husband and lives in the wall of a hut.. but things have been rough lately because in sky diving, he broke both legs and one arm. A year after Bling-Bling recovered, he died in a model rocket crash.
Like You Like you I believe the family is the most Like you I love making a hole to Graffiti Artistic scribbles on the wall I EMS one, am living my dream
Where I now Stand Working to feel good in spite of the pain My Life I grew up thinking I'm a screw up Years passed not knowing my own father At school my grades soared as Eagles do I have to learn to deal with my life
Little Magics They loved pie, and the small
Vancouver Canada is the place I went white powder snow, yet my mind filled with confusion I cannot help but cry about what the world is turning to The sea with stinky acids and the loss from Katrina, This is the world we kids know about now,
Untitled I am different A Journey through Hibernation Chapter 1 Tessa the chipmunk bounded across the forest floor in search of food. It was late fall, and a cold breeze rippled through her fur, but she wouldn’t stop no matter what. Hibernation time was creeping nearer and she wanted to be prepared. Last winter was not pleasant, and Tessa didn’t want to relive her discomfort again. A large oak tree came into view, and Tessa scurried to a small opening at its base. She ate most of her collected nuts and seeds, and then, feeling full and content, began to doze off. About 2 weeks into hibernation, a great storm pounded the forest to its roots. Tessa’s tree wobbled and leaned, then with one last groan, toppled to the ground. The startled Tessa peeked out of her uprooted tree to find that her view of the forest was upside down. Her den was out of order, her ankle was twisted, and all of her stored food had tumbled out of her den during the collapse. A strong scent of fear tinged the damp forest air, and Tessa realized that other forest creatures were awakened by the storm as well as herself. The rain turned to hail. The hail turned to snow. Then finally the cloud’s performance ceased. Tessa then stepped cautiously out of her den to examine her surroundings. A vast, white forest stretched in front of her, as she hobbled across the desolate landscape. Cold and alone, Tessa continued her treck. She saw trees like her own that were laying on their sides. A light blanket of snow was covering each one. A shiver crept down Tessa’s back as she herd a low growl come from somewhere deep inside the forest. Frightened, Tessa folded her poofy tail to its full length and ran as fast as her little legs would carry her. She did not know where she was going, and her thoughts were all a blur, but she continued to wrestle her way through the undergrowth. Suddenly, a loud pounding noise thundered behind her, and she recognized those heavy steps. A bobcat!
She immediately changed her running, and headed into the ferns that rested here and there around her to examine her ankle. It had been injured when her tree fell over. It was twisted at an unnatural angle with a faint trickle of blood oozing from beneath her leaf colored pelt. An ear splitting yowl rang a few yards behind Tessa as she realized the bobcat was gaining on her. Her trail of blood must have ended where the bobcat was now, and Tessa was relived that she had not shed more of the red liquid. The bobcat sounded frustrated. Tessa didn’t move a muscle for fright seemed to keep her stone still. A huff of anguish sounded, closer to the ferns now, as the bobcat slowly trotted away. The relieved Tessa heaved a great sigh, and began to vigorously lick her wound. The sky began to change to a lovely orange as the sun went down, but that was instantly covered by a thick layer of cloud. Another snow was on the way. Tessa would have to find shelter or die. Chapter 3 The snow came all at once in sheets. Sadly, shelter was nowhere close. As Tessa peered out of the ferns, she saw something in the distance. It was a tree! It looked very far away but it would have to do. As she scampered closer, the tree seemed to be a large Hickory. Closer, and closer Tessa came until the bare branches towered over her head in a menacing way. While searching for something to keep her warm and safe while it snowed, she tripped and fell into complete darkness. Chapter 4 As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, Tessa found that she was in an abandoned mole den. Perfect! Although it seemed as if nobody had been in it for years, she felt lucky to find something close to a chipmunk den. The den seemed snug and cozy, so Tess sat down and was asleap within moments. Tessa dreamed she was in the forest again. The trees were covered with fresh leaves, and wildflowers where growing all around her. Suddenley the world went white. Growls and hisses came from the bushes surrounding her. Tessa closed her eyes as the scary noises came closer, closer, closer… Tessa awoke with a cold sweat. It was only a nightmare. She then herd the scary sound from her dream. This time, the sound was coming from inside the mole den. Chapter 5 Tessa jumped. She was wide awake now, and was peering around the mole den. Nothing was there. The rumbling grew louder. Tessa looked downward. Sure enough, it was her stomach rumbling. But where was she going to get food? Pitter, Patter. Snowflakes were still falling. This time they fell harder. Just then, an idea popped into Tessa’s head, and she began tunneling through the den wall. An image of food that she had stored underground when she was little burned hot in her mind. “Now all of my problems are over!” Tessa pondered. Or so she thought… Chapter 6 There was enough food in the buried pile to last the rest of winter, and part of spring as well! It was full to the brim with things that Tessa now longed for. Hazel nuts, acorns, sunflower seeds, dried corn bits, and hickory nuts were all on that list. Winding, twisting, turning, the path wore on. Her paws ached from digging, and Tessa sat down to take a rest. She had been digging for a while now, and since she was supposed to be asleap, she was especially tired. Tessa was surprised to find that she still knew where the food storage was. It was a couple of months ago when she had buried the nuts for a time like this. Feeling well rested after few minutes, Tessa continued to sink her paw into frost coated earth. Sniff, sniff. She was getting closer. Rumble, rumble. Her stomach growled and ached with hunger. Pad, pad, scrape. Tessa continued digging. Her digging began to speed as the soil around her became softer and easier to manage. Suddenly, all of the earth fell away to several hard objects. Rocks! Chapter 7 There were large rocks and small rocks. There were sharp rocks and smooth rocks…but wait! Tessa sniffed the air. Those weren’t rocks. They were nuts and seeds! She had done it! Tessa the chipmunk ate her fill of nuts and seeds and then, dozed off again. Tessa awoke 2 months later to find the air was warmer than when she went to sleep. She tunneled above ground, and her head was surrounded by fresh moss and grass. The great trees towering overhead had grown a leafy green canopy. Deer were grazing with their wobbly legged fawns. Spring was here at long last!
Untitled In the abyss that is forever there is a void
What the Mirror Said listen, The Place I Want To Get Back To I want to say I live in a community center Adopted into a family that was once just one Kind of like pieces of art My sisters, both graceful The youngest of the two And three brothers made with empathy, Put into a form would create a braided figure The place I want to get back to With a jungle for a garden Where in the winter time the house is full of people and pets. In the summer time it's the pool that's filled The place I want to get back to And a live in councilor, That has a fun vibe It doesn't take blood My muse The place I want to get back to.
Being Shy
Meet Striker Striker Fang Fur: Cook/Pacifist/Wolf. I HATE MY NAME! I HATE MY NAME! What does it take to leave me ALONE? HUH? I tried the legal approach, which cost me $1,000; I tried the "I'm his twin brother!" approach; I even tried getting a transfer from my work!!! Nothing works! Have you ever tried getting into a pacifist convention with a name like "Striker"? I didn't think so. I almost didn't get hired because of it. Being a wolf alone is hard enough! Trying to be a pacifist and having a name like "Striker" is harder still! Well, who knows? Untitled I had been told not to come. So many different people knew it wasn’t the best idea, but my feet didn’t respond the way they should have. They should have stayed put, but instead laced themselves into ratty sneakers, cold against my bare feet, and mounted a bus. The bus ride itself had been alright. The usuals were on their way home from work. I don’t want to give the impression that I knew these people. I didn’t. But I had seen them all before. I’d even named them. Harold sat up front nearest the door. He was a nervous old man with piano fingers, long and curled. He carried an after taste of coffee that lingered on his breath. You could always see his socks. Further to the back was Nancy. She had ridden this same bus for as long as I can remember, or as long as I’d taken it myself. You could tell from the way her lips pursed her teeth were badly crooked but they bent into a kind smile …Her teeth were crooked but bent into a kind smile and she nodded at me each time I boarded. She carried with her this old rag doll that would suggest she had kids, or once did, and was having a hard time letting go. Someday I plan to talk to her, but not yet. I just wasn’t in the mood. Hardly anyone is in the mood for conversation when they get on a bus. A certain silence goes along with the worn plastic leather seats and sagging chords. I was a mess anyway with puddle water running up my pant legs and my soggy seaweed hair snagged in a cockeyed bun as if I’d gotten it caught in a fisherman’s net. If I’ve got that Nancy read right she would have scorned me anyhow, for not bringing a jacket. She’d have gotten all worried about me getting hypothermia and I didn’t feel up to all that. I was so sick of everyone worrying. I was sick of my own worrying. The last thing I planned to care about was my own lack of socks. So I took my seat next to Harold and began counting bus stops. At around the seventh I thought of her again, that short blond friend of mine, tried as I may have to not. I sort of had to wonder if she ever got the flowers. Those shoots of green that bled into petals smiling all teeth. There had been three colors, red, yellow and pink. The red was her favorite, the yellow mine, and the pink just made sense. Flowers always and forever come in pink. I had to wonder if the order had come right, and if the lady with the penciled brows had written it down the way I had wanted it. That’s three red, three yellow, and three pink ‘mam. Maybe if nothing else, they had come too late. Perhaps the petals didn’t feel up to smiling anymore, or the pink would be flecked with brown. It’s possible, even, that you’d already be gone. Thoughts of penciled brows and delivery flowers led me to miss my stop. With a lurch I pulled the chord. The hollow bell echoed within the bus in a muted way, to which only I seemed to respond. My Dad had said once that it looked like a haunted house. At the time I’d taken offence to it. I had been in a hurry and didn’t look at it strait. Now as I slouched before the front door I saw it for all its angles and spikes. The dark paneling rose above like fingers reaching to brush tears from its windows, which were wide eyed, and bare of curtains. Moss sprouted from broken brick like green tuffs stolen from a giants ears and the fireplace snorted billowy puffs of charcoal smoke. I suddenly agreed with my dad and that is why I knew I couldn’t go in. Not now with the windows crying like that. I didn’t even bend to retie my laces. I pivoted, purposely dragging my sopping feet through a puddle. Besides, I thought, she had told me not to come.
House of Pain Now I lay my head down to sleep… I want to leave, but where will I stay? I give him my money, so he can pay bills, I think he will change; he is really a good man, He says I’m no good, and a stupid slut, Hey What If Hey
FOSTER HIGH SCHOOL Tracy student is Foster High School Tracy Student is Foster High School Tracy Student is Foster High School
Grandma’s Recipe Her cookies used to satisfy every form of happiness I had come to know. Excerpt from "Dancer's Birthday," a novel-in-progress Asaro looked at me with a serious, but playful, expression. "Ok, Gei-Yi. You know that routine we did at the competition awhile back?" I nodded. "Well, I taught a manlier version to the Vladimir and Carson. We got challenged by this crew from California, so we're about to show them who is boss. You with us?" I looked at Asaro as if she was crazy. "I'll always have your back." The opposing crew was all-male. The announcer pointed at the DJ, and we backed up to our respective sides. Adrenaline ran through my body as we stretched. "Asaro, are you sure I can do this?" I whispered. "What if I mess up?" "Gei-Yi, it's your birthday. Now c'mon, let's own this." As the music started, the other crew began a strong routine, the sharpest moves I'd ever seen in my life. When the lead buy began a short solo, he was immediately in front of me, trying to show me up. I had a very bored look on my face, but the crowd went wild for his moves. As he backed up, I thought, my turn. I did a cartwheel and joined in as my feet hit the floor. I couldn't hear the music over the crowd. The competition ended in a tie. That meant a sudden-death, one-on-one battle. The leader of the other team was chosen, and I was chosen. Asaro whispered in my ear, "You already got this. We know it, and you know it. Now make them know it." The announcer began, "A'ight y'all. To my left, we got...Magnum!!!" The crowd was so loud, I thought blood was going to come out my ears. "To my right, we have...Gei-Yi!!!" I could've sworn I felt blood leaking. Magnum inched toward me. My heart beat faster. The announcer stepped between us. "A'ight y'all, there ain't gon' be no scrappin' up in here. Okay!! Let's do this!!!" I looked back at Carson, Vladimir, and Asaro. The look in their eyes told me that they knew I could win. The only problem was, I wasn't sure I could win. Magnum and I looked at the DJ, and there was a strange silence, and then...BOOM!!! The bass almost knocked me off my feet. I backed up and let Magnum take the floor first. I didn't even give him the satisfaction of looking him in the eye. It would have just dampened my already waning confidence. After he finished his little routine, I began shaking my hips like I owned it already. When I popped my butt in front of him, I could feel his body shake with either anger, or fear...probably both. As I spun on my heel to face him, he had the angriest expression on his face. As I stopped, he started up again, more determined to outshine me. It was interesting how he danced: very out of control. He ended his routine by shoving me. I thought to myself, Oh, he thinks he's funny., Well I got something for him. I twirled my hair around as I bent over. Watching "Flavor of Love 2" really came in handy. That little Bootz dance really got the crowd going. Magnum shook his head, obviously realizing his defeat. I ended the battle with the splits. The announcer stepped between us as the music ended. "A'ight. Give it up for Magnum!!" The crowd around us grew so loud, I thought that for sure I had lost. "Now, give it up for Gei-Yi!!" The crowd kept screaming for about 10 full seconds. "Hands down, Gei-Yi wins!!" For more information about Writers in the Schools, click here.
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Bait
A Story
by Kionna Johnson
IT’S NOT JUST MY WORLD
Chapter 2
by Jeanine Nicole Caver
Being shy is like