a-story-in-verse

[a-story-in-verse]

I Am

I am the sun that glistens in the sky

I am the moon that shines after a beautiful sunset

I am a light that brightens up a room

I am a cloud drifting in a bright blue sky

I am the sun to somebody’s rain

I am the moon that hides away

I am the seed to a rose

I am the blossoms springing from the winter trees 

I am the rain that erases all the pain of life 

I am the water that moves freely

I am the air with no oxygen

I am the prideful lion, that is king of the jungle 

I am the butterfly in a swarm of bees

I am at the end of the colorful rainbow

I am the sky that's bright and dark

I am the shadow that you run from at night time.

I am the heart that breaks in fear of the dark

I am the person that you see but can't hear

I am the sun when it doesn't shine

I am the waves crashing through the dry shore

I am the star that shines bright

I am the glitter that never shines

I am the sweet aroma sent from a cherry blossom tree.

I am the butterfly when it is finally set free

I am the clouds bringing down the rain

I am the dessert in the cold Atlantic

I am the soft cotton fabric that you wear on a winter day. 

I am the mean-when-tired cat

I am the bat that likes to sleep during the day, but stay up at night.

I am the leaves that are never stepped on I am the mountain that shall be moved.

I am the dark soil that existed since the beginning of time.

I am the world.

[a-story-in-verse]

The Journey by Josiah Williams

Before  As I play basketball with Sarah, Jason, and Kayla I wonder am I good enough? Am I going to make my parents proud of their son, Dylan. "Dylan, Dylan!" Sarah shouts at me. " You okay " she says. I say " yea i'm fine." We continue playing but I start to hear a loud bang from a distance. Me and my friends speed walk to their bang in curiosity. When we arrive, I see two cars in a accident,\. But I realize one of the cars, " THATS MY....

After 

DADS CAR! " I rush to my dads car when I look inside I see my dad in between the two front seats. I check to see if he's breathing, " HE"S NOT BREATHING!" I say emotionally. "Let me see, my mom is a doctor and she taught me a thing or two." Kayla says. She tries pushing down on his chest but no results. Ambulance arrived and they took my dad to the hospital. Me and my friends went back to the basketball court sad, we all went home. 

Thoughts 

I'm home laying down thinking about my father, my mother comes bursting in my room and she say's " Your father passed away!" I  started crying. After an hour of crying I start thinking to myself, what am I going to do now I know I have my mom but it won't be the same without dad. You know what I'm not going to give up, just because my dad passed away doesn't mean I quit my dream of becoming a future NBA star. I'm still upset but, this is just going to make me motivated to work harder. Before I go to bed I say to myself, first thing in the morning I'm going to wake up at 8:00 A.M and go to the basketball court. I set my alarm for 8:00 and go to bed.

Hustle 

My alarm goes off and I turn it off. I get out of bed brush my teeth, and go take a shower. When I go to the living room I see my mom preparing our plates for breakfast, she made pancakes, eggs, and bacon. " Your up early, where you heading to," My mom says. "I'm going to go to the basketball court after I finishing eating this delicious looking meal." I say. " What, it's Saturday isn't it your sleep in day." She says. " I know but ever since dad died I decided to use it as motivation and not to give up." I say. "Okay proud of you" she says. I finish eating breakfast and say "love you mom, see you when I get back." As I walk out the door. I get to the basketball court and Jason, Sarah, and Kayla are there. Sarah says " Sorry about what happened yesterday, you okay? "I'm fine." I say. Jason say's " Want to hang out?" I say " Nahh I'm going to stay here and shoot around for a while, I'm kinda motivated to work harder." Sarah says " Okay catch you later, bye" "Bye" I say. I say in my head This is why I love my friends, they respect every decision I make.

Don't treat me different

My alarm goes off at 7:00 I turn it off. I'm really tired because  was up late thinking about my dad and my future. I realize today is Friday so that means I have school, I'm already in a bad mood. i get out of my bed and take shower, when I finish my shower I get dress, I put on my blue hoodie, jeans, and my blue Jordan's. When I walk out of my room I see my mom and say "good morning mom, I'm about to leave for school. She says " Okay have a great day, love you" I say "love you to" as a grab a pop tart and walk out the door. When i get to school my friends " Hey guys!" They all say "Wassup!" As the 3 first periods go by it's time for lunch, me and my friends sit down and start eating. While me and my friends are talking some random boy showed up and said "here Dylan, you can have my bag of chips." "why?" I say. He says "because I heard your father passed away so I wanted to give you them." I say "okay thank you." 20 minutes later I ended up with a bunch of snacks in my hand because of my father passing. All the snacks are nice but I don't like how people are giving me things just because my father passed away. Most of the people who gave me snacks,I didn't even know! I was really upset, as the last 2 periods go by I go straight home and take a nap.

This is for you

I wake up on a Saturday morning and I know today is the day, today is the day where I go skydiving for my dad. I am kind of nervous though. I get out of my bed, shower, brush my teeth, and get dressed. When I walk out my room I see my mom making breakfast, she made waffles sausages and eggs. "Good morning mom" I say. "Good morning honey, I'm gonna get dress when I finish making breakfast." She says. " Okay" I say. Mom finishes making breakfast and I destroy it. As my mom walks out of her room dressed I say "This breakfast was amazing!" She says "Thank you honey, but we have to get on the road were gonna be late." I grab my phone and we leave the house. As were on the road I'm nervously playing a game on my phone. When we get there I'm nervously walking, at one point i think about backing out, but I don't. We get on the plane and I realize your suppose to jump with a professional, so I gets it's not that bad. My mom jumps out so that means I'm next. The guy I'm jumping with says "3,2,1 jump!" As I'm going down I say "This is for you dad!!!!

[a-story-in-verse]

Legacy by Micah Williams

Me Wasgood , my name is Jaden and I'm a 17 year old boy who has a huge passion for football and lives in Harlem, New York. I'm a senior at Jefferson High and one of the most popular and athletic kids at my school. I'm the #1 star on our football team. But I've never really cared about my popularity it's just something that was within me.   Sometimes I felt some of the "friends" I had were nice to me because of how popular my dad was. He was a NFL star who tragically passed away in a car accident, it still hurts to this day thinking about it. My dad was one of my biggest motivators and I never really had a dream to make it to the NFL as a kid but seeing my dad no longer existing pushed me to continue his legacy and I started to really enjoy football. The football field took my mind off of everything, I was just locked in on football and nothing else. Being on the football field felt like some type of reliever for me. The day has finally come to a end and I'm now going to sleep waiting for game day to come the next day... Game Day School is finally over and I'm walking with my best friend Skylar towards our school's football field and as she's talking, I'm low-key admiring how beautiful she is. Skylar has been my best friend since Kindergarten and we've been close ever since. She comes to every football game I play in and I really love her for that!  But me and Skylar walk onto the football field and I start getting some work in before the game starts in a hour . A hour has passed and the game is about to start, the field is filled with people in the stands and everybody is cheering, I spot Skylar in the crowd so I smile at her, and she smiles back. But the game starts, I'm a little nervous because we're playing against one of the top teams in our state. I played really good though, I scored 7 touchdowns and the crowd was roaring almost the entire game because of my performance. The game is tied  with 10 seconds and I catch the ball and score the game winning touchdown! The crowd began to erupt with happiness, that's basically how game day felt at a Jefferson High. It was just a vibe. My Best Friend

As I'm sitting in class bored, I start to think about my dream from last night and fell asleep .The one about my best friend Skylar. It was odd to be dreaming about her when I usually dream about my dad because I miss his presence. Skylar was a beautiful black girl, she amazes me in so many ways and we've been best friends since we were little! Anyways, it was a short dream because I was then awakened by my teacher shouting at me. But in the dream me and skylar were alone somewhere and we started to move in closer to each other and then reality awokened me . I was still in class! My teacher was infront of the class calling my name and I then opened my eyes in shock and nervousness. "Jaden! what does x equal if 3x + 2x = 10 ?" I then yelled out 4. The class started chuckling, I wished I was on the football field about now I said in my head. The day passed and I couldn't stop thinking about Skylar... Football or Love.. For the last few days I've been really attracted to Skylar, I couldn't stop thinking about her in class. We've been hanging out for the past few days and even missed a couple practices. I haven't actually told her that I've been missing practice to see her. She was curious at one point of why I haven't been to practice, but I just simply told her the season was delayed. I felt like I've just become obsessed with her, but then one day I even decided to skip a game! Skylar then found out that a game had taken place, and rumors came that college recruiters like UCLA, etc had attended the game. Skylar was angry at me for not telling the truth because she really cared about my future, even if it mean't for me not to see her often. I broke down crying because I may have missed one of the biggest opportunities, Skylar comforted me  while telling me go chase my dream. But she then asked, why did you miss football to see me ? I then took a deep breath replying with "I like you a lot.." she gasped, she then sorta blushed and replied with "well I like you too..." we then both leaned towards each other and kissed. That's pretty much how my night went, I felt motivated then ever. My Worth Me and Skylar had been hanging out all weekend and we just kept getting even more closer. But on Monday morning,  I headed into my coach's office apologizing for not attending practice lately and not attending last night's game. He asks, "just why?" I hated to admit it to him, but I told him I became distracted by a girl and pleaded to him to call up the UCLA coach for me to show him what I'm about. He then told me first, you must stop seeing this girl if she's going to get in the way of your football career. I then explained to my coach how Skylar wanted to see me succeed and make it to the NFL. I told him how she was angry that I lied to her in the first place saying the season was delayed. My coach then chuckled and said "your really obsessed with this girl to lie like that?" he chuckled again. My face turned red. He then told me he'd make a call to the coach because he knew going to UCLA was a dream for me. My coach then told me high school players were allowed to enter the NFL draft and he said I should enter because of how much of a phenomenon I am. I'm well known around everywhere, so I decided I will before my coach made the call. The NFL Draft took place in 3 weeks. The NFL Draft Today was the NFL Draft and I was very nervous. I had my mom next to me the whole time, she was like my best friend. We were very very close, my father's death really hit us hard and we became closer ever since. I was willing to do anything for her, I really loved her. But I was sitting at my table with my mom, Skylar and my coach. I was also really close with my coach. But we waited for the draft to start. A hour passed and the NFL draft was about to began, the announcer said with the first pick of the NFL Draft, the New York giants select Jaden Benett from Jefferson High school! I stood there shocked while my coach, mom, and Skylar were hugging me. They were telling me to get up and go onto the stage, I was just shocked on how a high school prospect like me was selected as the first pick of the NFL draft! I mean c'mon I was really good, but it's just crazy. I later had a interview with someone at the draft and she asked how does it feel to be a #1 draft pick? I replied saying it feels great, but just know I did this for pops. I will carry on his legacy and won't disappoint. Me and Skylar later on got together and got married years later! I'm now one of the top players in the league and became very successful and happy with life! I love you dad...  

[a-story-in-verse]

Lavender by Hawaou Diallo

The Beginning 

Melanie Rose a student, model, caretaker and most of all human. It all started at the beginning when I was born. I always loved being in the spotlight. I loved going into my moms room and wearing whatever clothes I could find. I loved my life. Until popped another baby my younger sibling. Then another, then another, and then another. My life was gone. I couldn’t be in the spotlight anymore I was trapped. My siblings took all of it I was just there left to take care of them all like I was their mother. All my hopes and dreams disappointed in thin air.

Everyday 

Ever since my mom has been working everyday. I barely saw her and I knew she was struggling. My dad I don’t even know him and my life was miserable. Everyday I had to get out of school pick up my siblings and go straight home. I would help them with their homework and make them food. I couldn’t even do what a normal teenager could. I was basically their mom, I gave birth to them. But I had more problems everyday second of my day in school I would get bullied for having a single struggling mother who barely came to school events. Me basically be a mother to my siblings and at this point I couldn’t take it anymore. Struggle  

Even though I had a lot of problems in my life I didn’t want to give up on my dream that I wanted for my entire life. It was to be a professional model. Even though my siblings kind of messed up my chances I still deep down in my heart wanted to be one. I needed to get the money somehow so I self taught myself how to braid and I did braiding as a side hustle. I got decent money which was enough to fund my model items. Starting I wanted to give up because I knew this was going to be challenging but I was lucky enough to have my best friend Lila. 

Lila  

Lila had been my best friend since kindergarten. The first time we met I knew we had a connection and it was true. We went through everything together she had my back and I did too. We always did everything together and she was the one who gave me hope to go after my dream. Lila was always one to do the impossible and she always spoke her mind and that's exactly why I love her. Lila also had a passion for fashion. She always wanted to be a fashion designer just like how I always wanted to be a model. We made a promise that when I became a model I would wear her clothes and we would be successful together.

OMG  

One day me and Lila were out shopping. I needed her fashion skills. She found the most gorgeous dress ever that I had to wear it and walk that walk. I put it one and I couldn’t wait to show it off. I got out the fitting room and walk around like how a model would. I posed and showed off the dresses beauty. While I was walking I didn’t notice that there was a woman staring directly at me. She was amazed at how much I looked in that dressed. She came over and introduced herself as the CEO of the number 1 model company. I was in shock. She continued on talking about how I would be a great future model but I needed the practice but had a lot of potential. I knew how much of an opportunity it was but I couldn’t take it with Lila by my side because after all if she hadn’t picked out the dress this wouldn’t have happened. I quickly said that Lila had an extraordinary fashion sense and would be so great assisting the models. I even showed her some of Lila's work. The CEO was also amazed and said that Lia could work as an intern. This was the best day ever. Me

After school was done it was time to start working. I got up early and called Lila. She was already awake and was excited. We hurried and got dressed. We got a car and went there early. We were greeted and took the elevator up. The CEO was there and so were other people. I saw models and fashion designers. I was nervous but also excited to start. I been ready for this all my life. Me and Lila hugged and went our separate ways. During the whole I did the best I could and everything went perfectly. Everything that I wanted happened I was becoming a model and I was getting the spotlight I always dreamed for. I won at life.

[a-story-in-verse]

Glacier named Josie by Menorah Hawkins

Why won’t they listen… Is it not enough?

“Gaia Mitchell all 10s across the board. Her last stunt will determine her championship win. Will all her practice finally pay off? Will she make it?!...” I told them I couldn't do it anymore, why won't they listen?

15 years of blood, sweat, and tears.

 15 years of lectures and abuse. 

15 years of crowds cheering and cameras clicking. 

15 years with the same grin on your face. 15 years, was it not enough?

It wasn't always bad, you know. 

Actually in the beginning it wasn't bad at all. 

I was still a kid but I do remember putting on my first pair of skates and getting onto the rink.

 It was so so cold but it didn't really bother me because I was having way too much fun. 

I even remember how Me, Mom, Dad, and Junior all fell in unison that day. 

But that was the day my life changed.

I hate school. 

"WAKEEE UPPPPP GAIAAAAA GET UPPPP!!!!!"

"JUNIOR SHUT UPPP"!!!

Same old routine every single day. I wake up at 5 AM and head to the rink.

"Gaia lift your foot up, UP, do you hear what I'm saying"

"Got it, Coach"

"Do it again, but this time use your facial expressions. People don't pay money just to see a little girl frowning now do they?"

"No coach, I’m sorry".

After an hour of getting yelled at by Coach, I go back home and start getting ready for school.

"JUNIOR HURRY UP YOU HAVE TO DRIVE ME AND SAGE TO SCHOOL NOWWWWW!"

With all of the trophies lined up in my house you would think I'm quite famous, wouldn't you?  

Well... I was until-

"Aya i'm hungryyyyy"

"Don't worry Sage we’re almost at school they'll give you breakfast there."

RIIIIINNNNNGGGGG RIINNGGGG

"Oh shi-  I mean dang it! Hurry up Sage that was the bell. Love you later. Mwah, Mwah! THANKS FOR THE RIDE J"

Gosh, I really do hate school.

Same Encounters.

Just get to your class Gaia don't get distracte-

"UGH, it's her again. Let's go."

Jeez what's their problem. WAIT! Is there something on my face? Do I smell bad? Calm down Gaia, Calm down...

BOOOOMMMMMMM!!

"Hey watch where your going!"

OMG how could I do that! I just bumped into, 

I’m not sure who I just bumped into but they look like they are about to kill me

What should I do???

"Wait a minute,

 are you THE Gaia Mitchell"

"Yeah that's me.. do you want a picture or something?"

"Ehhhh...Nah"

"Okayyy well, I'm sorry I crashed into you, 

but I have to get to class"

"Huh interesting" 

Woaahh no one has actually had a full conversation with me in a while.... STOP why am I getting all excited, 

I don't care if no one talks to me 

I AM THE ONE AND ONLY GAIA MITCHELL, KNOWN WORLDWIDE... 

with no friends. 

About before, 

I had lots of "friends". We went shopping together, talked about boys did all the girly things 

and then 

rumors started to speculate.

People thought I was this stuck-up famous girl who only came to school for more attention.

That’s when those so-called “friends” turned on me and I was too stupid enough to never correct anyone. 

People started to stray away from me 

and now no one even bothers to speak to me 

which is probably why I got so excited to finally talk to someone. 

Even though it wasn’t what you would call a normal conversation. 

After school, I had to go to train AGAIN 

J picked up Sage earlier so I didn’t have to worry about her 

but I saw that same person I bumped into earlier, and 

I knew I would probably be walking to the rink with a black eye

“Hello Ms. Mitchell”

“H-Hi”

“So where are you headed”

“To the rink”

OMG, why are you talking to me,

 I have to go, 

Gaia DO NOT make eye contac-

“Now Now Ms. Mitchell didn’t anyone ever tell you to look at someone when they are speaking to you” 

They reached out to put their hand on my face and lift it

but I jerked back and speed walked to get on the bus. 

What the hell was that about?!?!

Leave Me Alone 

CRASH 

BOOM 

BAM

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME!!!!!

I have to ace this axel jump or else I won’t qualify in Nationals 

But they’re the only thing that’s on my mind. That same flashback playing over and over. 

Were they trying to hit me, get revenge, yeah that’s probably it, nothing else. 

But why does it feel like something more? 

I got Mitski playing in my ears and

 that cold air touching my skin

Pause Sway Sway and AXEL JUMP 

CRASH 

“WHY CAN’T I DO IT!!!!”

I take out my headphones and I hear something from the benches 

“It’s probably because your distracted Ms. Mitchell!!”

WHY ARE YOU HERE!

“How did you get here?”

“Well you were going to the rink 

and this is the only rink in the direction, of the bus you were taking.”

“So now you’re stalking me?”

“Maybe.” 

Why are you smiling, what’s funny

“Please Leave”

“I’m sorry about bumping into you this morning but I apologized so I don’t understand why your bothering me.”

“Me bothering you, hah, don’t get ahead of yourself Ms. Mitchell”

“I was trying actually trying to be a nice person and take you home”

“I wanted to walk you here from school

but you ran off, so here I am”

“Thanks but I don’t need an escort to take me home”

“It doesn’t matter I’ll wait here until you finish practicing.

 Once you finally admit you’ll never nail this jump 

Just then Ill take you home, Got it.”

WHAT 

WHO ARE YOU TO TELL ME HOW YOU’LL INTERJECT WITH MY LIFE!

“Whatever.” 

That day I didn’t make the axel but they told me their name 

“Oh yeah, I never told you

 my name is Josie”

Run away 

[a-story-in-verse]

What Comes May Go by Ellen

As I sit silently in lunch i wonder, am i going to make, am i worthy of the floor, where it is the only place i can be free and not be judged. Just about when i was going to answer myself the bell rang and i knew it was time to leave, somehow all the stress in my body left once i walked out of the cafeteria from all the loud obnoxious boys throwing food at the girls who only go to school for attention but i just walk up the stairs and remember how i got accepted into the ballet program of my dreams but i still seemed unsatisfied due to the fact that i would be competing with girls with the perfect silk buns and i have frizzy curly long dark hair and having to compete will girls that have new ballet shoes every week while i have had mine for 1 year now and to compete will the girl all the guys want and as i enter the class room i think" What a true fool i am"

Poison  Envy

My friend Kayla and I are really close some might say like 2 peas in a pot but I always seemed to be the one always protecting Kayla and giving Kayla what she wants because she is my best friend but Kayla won't do the same for me. So when we get called to see who will play the lead and i think that Kayla would let me get this part I mistaken Kayla as she spins so beautiful and jumps and lands so gracefully knows she will get the part but as for me I do the exact same thing but not as gracefully. The difference is that I think too much and Kayla doesn't I try and be like Kayla too hard and when I land I see everyone watching me and not a single soul looking at Kayla anymore but all those doubts must be in my head because the teacher said i did it perfectly and why I look at Kayla her face is full of envy and hatred towards me and I wonder " would she take a bullet for me as I would for her."

Deep End  

When Kayla invites me to her house i think she has come to  apologize for her nasty attitude all week she goes on the phone" Anna you have to come over" only to know that I was set up for failure . I go to her backyard where the sky is clear blue and the pool is cold and icy I had always had a phobia of water and Kayla knows it, so what happened next is something I am still trying to comprehend. Kayla pushes me into the pool and the last thing i see is Kayla's smirk on her face and those envious eyes.

Stronger

As the water drowns me i remember when i was a little girl drowning in the beach water letting it consume me little by little and wishing for someone to save me. I remember that none would help me and that all I could do was save myself so as i push off the deep end and come to the surface and walk back to my house. I felt stronger and ready.

For the win

I stretch out my sore muscles and feel the negative energy between Kayla and I. As they announce the person playing the lead i see the anticipation in both of Kayla and mine eyes and I feel a perfect amount of happiness when they announce my name.     

Whatever it takes

It had been 1 month that me and Kayla haven't talked and I payed no mind to it. It was my time to shine it was my time to go on stage and be the best I could be. Once they call us to get in our places I feel my heart drop and yet I this surge of confidence in me. As i see 

the crowd I start to panic but then remember Kayla's envious eyes and start to Brisé , Cabriolé, Changement, Chassé, Attitude, and finsh off with a Arabesque. As the crod cheers i feel this surge of happness and I knew nobody could take away from me. Not even Kayla.

[a-story-in-verse]

You Win Some You Lose Some by Zanyla McCoy

Second Grade     

 Hi my name is Zoe

       I'm 15 years old 

    Today I am going to tell you how everything happened, how my best friend passed away, how I became the person I am today, and I'm going to tell you why I left my mothers home.

    It all started in second grade. I was the new kid at Sunny Coast elementary school.

   When I came into the class all the kids were looking. I was a different type of kid. By different I mean FAT.     

      My teacher asked me to pick a seat but everywhere I wanted to sit the kids looked at me with weird faces and moved their bag's. 

   "Hi you can sit here if you want."

   I can sit here if I want, If I want, of course I want to, should I sit, no I shouldn't, Yes I should, no, yes, maybe.

 My name is Josh. What's your name?

Sixth grade

 I know you wonder what will happen after that. Well, I told him my name and we became best friends.

   And I got over my crush, kinda.

Josh is cool. When I mean cool I mean everyone knows him. He plays football.

    Right now I'm at Inwood Hill Park, my safe space, it's a place I feel happy because...

   Hey big head, Josh said.

   Hey loser.

   Let's get some food Mama's.

That's what he call's me Mama's, Lil Mama's, and big head. He never calls me Zoe and when he does that means something is wrong.

    We walk and I stop looking at Josh's fine self. I ain't even tell you how he looks or how I look.

Ok so Josh is light skin, curly hair, blue eyes, and 5'5.

I am 5'6,black dark hair that locked up, and  brown skin.

9th grade 

 Everything has changed

 Me and Josh are still friends but have different friend groups.

 Josh is what you call a popular jock and me a nerd.

My feelings for Josh haven't changed.

But he has what you call a girlfriend.

Or should I say girlfriend's

Josh gets into trouble here and there because the crowd that he hangs out with isn't the best. 

  I remember this one time when Josh and his friends stole these cars and got the parts and sold  them on ebay.

Josh's mom found out and went all hulk. 

I know your  wonder why someone like me is friends with someone like Josh, but in third grade when my father passed away Josh was really there for me. When I messed up school Josh would come to my house to make sure that everything was ok.

FLASHBACK

Pop pushed me on the swing at Inwood Hill Park. Faster go Faster Pop. I love you Zoe. Love you to Pop. 

FLASHBACK OVER

10th grade 

Come on  Josh I told you there no good for you. 

You sound like my mom Zoe. 

Someone needs to. 

Josh's mother passed away last year ever since then he's been selling. Yes, selling drugs.

 Listen I have to go mama's, let me walk you home. 

Ok I guess. 

I bet I can run faster than you. 

Mama's you wish.

Of Course he beat me.

Yo what's  up blue.

What's up.

Nothing much.

The guy pulls out a gun and points it to me. This for my dead homies.

POW POW POW...... POW POW POW

Oh no Josh. Someone call 911 now! NOW NOW.

My life flashed

My life flashed before my eyes

One minute Josh is talking about how fine he is the next his on the floor covered with blood. The doctors say he is not going to live. He's gone. They took him. They took my only friend. They took the last person that I love. My mother doesn't love me. She loves the bottle more than she loves her only blood. He is gone. He is gone. He is gone. He took a part of me when he left too.

1 year passed

It's been a year. Josh didn't even have a funeral. His foster parents sold his organs  for money. That's what Josh meant to them. Money. He wasn't nothing to them. They found the people who killed Josh. They are not in jail though. Don't nobody care about a black man being killed. Nobody cares until it's there son, father, and friend. I don't live with my mother no more. I'm graduating next year at 16. I got my only place. It's nice and big. I wish that Josh was here.

[a-story-in-verse]

Is It Me? by Elise Hudson

MEMORIES

Memories memories memories are all I can think about,

BOOM here I am,

Thrown into another home after another like I am garbage, 

like my life is meaningless,

But I had hope and that one day changed my life forever. . . .

MY LIFE

Hey! My names Bryn and I'm 15. I live in Los Angeles and yes I was adopted by a single father,

Oh and I also have 4 siblings, 

Their names are Max, Lex, Bryan, and Dylan. Can't forget about my father (Tim),

I love him so much. He an I are very close and he is the best thing that has happened to me,

Well my siblings I love them too, and we get along very well although sometimes we fight,

I almost forgot my best friend Brent. He and I are extremely close and he is my best friend 

THIS IS ME

It is my sophomore year and I'm excited to be back in school,

First things first I get up and go straight into the bathroom. I brush my teeth, then go into the shower,

 After I get out of the shower, I get dressed putting on my ripped black jeans  and my white cropped top,

As  I  carefully curl my hair, I look at my phone conscious of time, 

The last thing I do is my makeup, I put some highlighter on the creases of my eyes, and a little mascara touching off with lip-gloss,

I run downstairs grabbing my lunch heading out the door, as I try to put on my black jacket and my high green Jordan 1's,

But you know what stops me, my dad. He loves to take my pictures for me

FLASHBACKS

Walking into school I get all the attention,

 I don't mind it, because I know I am beautiful and everyone looks up to me, but behind closed doors they have no idea about how I feel, 

The flashbacks from being beat and hit,

The feeling of not being wanted all hits me,

School is one thing but people following me is another. Brent and I meet up in class and we always sit next to each other,

Were always either laughing or cracking jokes. Brent and my family make me feel loved and cared for, which is why I love them

HOPE OR DEPRESSION

After a long day of school I start to feel like I am tired of being looked at and talked to, because of my body and my looks,

My small waist, abs and nice legs,

It can be way too much to handle at times. I hate my body. I keep hearing people say that I am perfect but I am not. . .

IS THIS WHO I AM

I need to tell Brent soon. Brent I need to  talk to you it's urgent let's meet at the park under the our tree,

"Okay" he said,

As I walk toward the tree the leaves are blowing and the sky looks extremely beautiful, 

I see Brent and he smiles as I give him a huge hug and a kiss on the cheek. Sit down I have to tell you now,

I took deep breathes,

 Both you and I know that a lot of people think and know of me because of how my body and looks. But I don't want to be see as that, I want to be seen as me, Sobbingly, as Brent says 

"you know I love you and see you for you. Who cares what other people think or see in you.  And you have to remember people look up to you as an inspiration,

The important thing is that those who matter to you the most know who you are inside and out,

 "And what he had said made me feel a lot more better and less insecure. Brent told me to get up and he surprisingly carried me home

BEING CHOSEN IN MY LIFE

From that day on I told my dad and he was fully supportive, 

That is why god put both my father and Brent in my life,

Brent will always be there for me no matter the cause, 

For the rest of my life I'm going to keep saying to myself "I don't care what anyone thinks about me,

I just have to love myself and those who love me know the true me. And that is all that matters

#love yourself

[a-story-in-verse]

Welcome to Collaborative Clash from Middle School

Hi everyone,

Thank you for visiting this blog! My name is Meher and thanks to the historic 92Y organization, I had the wonderful opportunity to work with the students of the Future Leaders Institute in Bronx, NY on a ten-week creative writing residency inspired by the novel-in-verse Chlorine Sky by Mahogany L. Browne.  Chlorine Sky is a novel-in-verse or a novel written as short poems instead of prose. Like much of author Mahogany L. Browne’s work for middle grade and young adults, Chlorine Sky deals with themes of identity, gender, and race that affect the lives of young people today. In it, the titular character Sky faces colorism because of her dark skin and is made to feel lesser than her more conventionally attractive best friend Lay Li. How she overcomes her insecurity, learns to hold her head high, and play the best game of ball, even if it upsets the boys, is what forms the rest of the story. Mahogany L. Browne said the story came from some of the experiences she herself went through as a young black girl in America. 

Inspired by the book, the students of Future Leaders Institute wrote their own short stories-in-verse, inspired by their experiences as young children in contemporary America. Here, you will read stories of love and friendship, of sport and family, of identity and culture. Thank you for joining us. 

#middle grade #middle school #middle grade school #chlorine sky #mahogany l browne #fli #bronx #future leaders institute #identity #culture #race #gender #sexuality #family #novel in verse #short story in verse