Poetry out Our Window Anthology
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Check out our Poetry out Our Window anthology – a collection of poetry from the popular online summer camp!
A Journey to Get Lost
Under the tree at which I sat… Where its branches touched the stars… It’s roots spreading down through the earth…
The past behind me… Friends which left me… All the times we shared… Good times that rarely happened…
Each step like a memory spacing itself behind me…
I wander like a lost dream… My tears being shed like loose feathers… Alone… That’s all I want to be…
Alone enough… To have time… To start… Myself on my life’s… Winding journey…
Zora, 2019 Coventry Ink Spot Anthology
A Note from your Knees
Dearest Carter,
I know that you are a professional basketball player but don’t you think it’s time for a break? Being your knees isn’t the easiest job in your body I should know. I’m what makes you go fast, what makes you jump oh so high, it brings me joy when we win a game, but lately I’ve been having pains of course I know that you’ve got a game soon, but please consider taking a break.
-your friend–
the knees
By Francesca, 2019 Coventry Ink Spot
The Man
fiction by Evelyn M
“Hawk” by Hannah
I’ve passed over many cities, all different times of day. But never this one at niht. Never at this distance. Everything looks so small, like what I’ve seen from the air. I’ve stopped to rest. I’ve flown all day. I am always too busy to look very hard. Today was no different. It was just a regular city, as far as I was concerned. I followed the basic routine for the day: wake up, hunt, stretch my wings, chase a few sparrows if I want, fly a bit, but don’t be seen. Today, my perch of choice was out on the lake, near a beach, in a tree. I was settling down for the night, but I couldn’t sleep. There was still some light, coming from who knows where. I was a whole from sleep so I turned to look. I was shocked–the city, once plain and gray and concrete and bustle, was all lit up with human lights. I had never seen anything so beautiful. I stared until sleep found me, and I fell asleep happy. I thought, “I will stay here, every day, no more moving cities for me.”
Why We Have Seasons by Ella W.
Once upon a time there was a God. His name was Yer, the god of the year. People didn’t like him because one year would be hot and sunny and one would be cold and snowy.
Well, one day the gods couldn’t take it anymore. “I’m done with this. There are no sacrifices. We will make him pay,” said Demeter.
They tracked him down. He was in a field of flowers. They snuck up on him and chopped him into four. From his blood, four young gods sprouted up.
“I am Sprin, god of spring,” said one.
“I am Fal, goddess of fall,” said another.
“I am Ter, god of winter,” said another.
“And I am Summer, goddess of summer,” said the last.
They ruled together, lived happily ever after, and got three months each.
(From the Heights Middle School Anthology, Fall 2018)
The Dream
By Madison from Mary McLeod Bethune School
I like going to the dream because it calms my feelings down. When I’m there I see nature, woods, flowers, and the sky. I only touch there is the petals on the flowers and the bark on the tree. I go there because it makes me chilled and takes my anger away. I smell the air.
Fairytale Retellings
Paul Dunbar Anthology
Moments
Elias C.
The happiest moment in my life is when I got my first award.
The saddest moment in my life is when my great grandfather died.
A time when I saw something life changing is when I saw my parents fighting.
A time I learned something that I won’t forget is never eat all the food at once.
The Time I Rode on the Back of a Motorcycle
Elias C.
I remember when I was 11 and got to ride on the back of a motorcycle in the spring. It was the afternoon. My brother and sister were here with me in this memory. No one in this memory was coming or going. The temperature outside was humid. I heard roaring engines and the smell was horrible because of the exhaust pipes. I was near my grandparents’ house riding up and down the road. My parents and family members were behind me while I was riding the motorcycle.
Rage Mage
Where I’m From
Niarra M.
I come from my grandma’s house.
I come from the mall because I buy stuff.
I come from my old school because memories.
I come from my mom because she inspires me to dream big and keep going.
I come from my dad because he inspires me to never quit.
I come from getting gifts from my grandma on Christmas and $100.
I come from my brother coming to my house to visit because he lives in Florida.
I come from going to Niagara Falls and Michigan.
I come from food like chicken and steak.
I come from being told to stand up and make a difference.
I come from being told to stand up for yourself.
My Mom Said This
Niarra M.
One day when I was in bed I came downstairs in my robe I could smell the fried potatoes and bacon and eggs this morning when I was walking in the hallway to my right was the white wall to my left was the bathroom with the bench and behind me was my brothers blue door with the WWE sign I came into my mom’s room because she called me so when I got in there she said hey nini because that’s my nickname so she said I need to tell you something I said ok she said never quit. I said ok.
Spy Girl
Jayda C.
My character is Destiny Parker she loves to be active and 2 secret agents ask her to be a teenage under cover spy. Her mission is to travel to Paris, France and live there. While she is there she made two new best friends, Jessica Malcom and Alivia Prend. They start to wonder why she isn’t around much. Destiny has to stop Dr. Lou and Nurse Windy from blowing up the moon. She has been at this for three months and already got the hang of it. She hates when his and her traps are easy to get out of. She likes to try hard ways instead of easy ways. Her friends are coming closer to finding out who she really is she is starting to think if being a spy is worth losing a friend. After that Dr. Lou traps her and she can’t call for help so Jessica face chats her and finds out she is a spy too. Yeah Jessica and Alivia are spies for the same headquarters. They go out to save her and have to fight Nures Windy’s army of robots. They fight off the robots and save destiny but it’s not over Nurse Windy got away. Destiny ran jumped on her and capture her and Dr. Lou. Now they are in prison and everyone had a victory party.
The Summer Field Day
Jayda C.
I remember being at school with my mom and family at 11:30 am. When we started summer field day. I just turned 9 and I was happy. I was there because it seemed like a cool family activity I played on the playground with my sister and also jumped on the bouncy house with my brother. My mom said our Uncle Jimmy is coming. He and his son arrive and his son Jimmy Jr. said it smells like “hot dogs”. Then I took him to the snowcone machine because it was 83 degrees and I was super hungry. When Mrs. Howard announced the dance with my brother and sister on her left, students behind her and the principle on her right we dance until 2:30 then sang karaoke.
The Amazing Adventures of Oppy
Keana D.
Hi. My name is Oppy the bird. I love friendship so much, but I hate disrespect. I live in a nest high up in an oak tree. I have 3 friends named Gootha the dog, Summer the human and Niome the cat. Last week my friend Summer moved to Cincinnati, but every once in a while she comes to visit her relatives and ME here in Cleveland. Sometimes I miss Summer so much and I wish she was here because she always sticks up for me when enemies are around such as Craig and his gang. Have you ever heard of that saying “the world doesn’t revolve around you” or “you can’t always get your way”? Well I wish I could. I wish everyone could get along and be friends, but sometimes I fear that one day everyone will go against each other. But as long as I have my family and friends, I will be OK!
Where I’m From
Keana D.
I am from dirty rooms.
I am from reading books and taking work serious.
I am from a know-it-all family.
I am from one of those people who talk a lot.
I come from being spoiled a lot.
I come from hearing the birds in the morning.
I come from warm hugs.
I come from HOME where I belong!
Moving Away
Keana D.
One of the saddest memories of my life was when I had to move away from West 47th street. I had to move because my landlord refused to fix my bathroom. I was 9 years old at the time and plus it was summertime. I moved a street over to West 48th. I was sad that day because my best friend Julie Hale lived right next door to me and she was a bright person. I now live on Monroe Street even farther away from 48th and 47th street, but from this day on I still visit my best friend Julie Hale.
Two Princesses
Trema T.
My character is a British princess named Princess Lizzy she lives in an all pink palace and she loves fluffy dresses and pink my characters friends are everyone (animals) my character hates make up, pop, Princess Tabitha, my characters enemies are Princess Tabitha my characters fears are BUGS! My character wants to become famous and still be a princess and she also wants more fluffy dresses. Now I know you’ve been hearing Princess Tabitha a lot in this story let me explain to you who she is she’s my characters enemy she’s famous and is still a princess she has over 1000 fluffy dresses my character only has 10 and everyone even people she doesn’t know is her friend and everyone loves her so, one day princess Lizzy goes to princess Tabitha and watches her next thing you know she’s wearing makeup trying to act like princess Tabitha. Princess Tabitha notices this and goes to princess Izzy’s palace and says I’ve noticed your behavior peeking through my windows acting like me yeah and if you want people to like you as much as they like me be yourself before I got like this I was a nobody who says I like being famous like and if you want me to be your friend you could have just asked like a normal human being than peeking through my window so princess Lizzy said “sorry” and they became BFFL’s
Signed: Princess Tabitha and Princess Lizzy
The Time I Met Jayda
Trema T.
I remember on august 13, 2014 I was the new kid and it was math and science I was new Jayda Michelle Collins asked me to be her partner for math and science then we’ve been hanging out and soon found out we both liked dancing and music and the girl band fifth harmony and soon planed on meeting them on the Ellen show and going to the Ellen show together and showing our talents to the world and soon becoming famous. We also planned on writing new songs together and becoming song writers and me and Jayda’s moms are close me and Jayda are extremely close so yeah and our older brothers are in the same grade and close. Our younger sisters are close too and yeah so me and Jayda are BFFL’s and I hope our dreams come true and our family comes closer together.
When I Had My Own Dog
Ma’ Ann T.
When I was in a hotel in the summer time, when I was seven years old I went to visit my dog, I was thinking of the fun moments in me and my dogs life, my mom my brother my sister and my soon to be little sister, and of course my dog were about to go outside and play with him, but it was only 30 degrees outside my dog always loved the cinnamon smell in the hotel room, my dog always liked sing barking to me I had taught him that. And I had asked my dog did he want to watch tv or sit on the bed or take a view from the balcony. I looked at my dog and told him how much I would miss him when he was gone.
Mrs. Brainie Pants
Ma’ Ann T.
Hi my name is Mrs. Brainie Pants I was taking a test all of the time I got 100% correct all of the time then there were some kids that were jealous of me smartness. Next in the morning it was Saturday and her friends came over for a play date and then the jealous kids snuck into her house while she was in her house but just downstairs they had found out her secret to how smart she was they took it back to their hide out and tried it but something went wrong and it caused the kids to turn into some evil nasty super villains and then when the play date was over and then it was night time Mrs. B.P. took a quick walk and then she ran into the villains she couldn’t see them and then they left. When they were gone she knew that it was trouble.
Climbing Mt. Everest
Shelby K.
(Emma enters stage left very determined.)
Emma: “I need to find someone who will climb Mt. Everest. I’ll interview people.”
Laura: “Hi. I’m Laura. I want to be an explorer”
Emma: “Are you willing to climb Mt. Everest?”
Laura: “I have to climb Mt. Everest?! I’m out!”
Emma: “I guess I will call in the next person. Next!”
Niki: “Hi. I’m Niki, where are we going exploring?”
Emma: “Will you climb Mt. Everest?”
Niki: “No way! See ya.”
Emma: (Sigh) “Next!”
Bella: “Hello, I’m Bella. What are you going to do?”
Emma: “Climb Mt. Everest.”
Bella: “What! What! That is way too cold!”
Emma: “I guess I will climb Mt. Everest myself. I need to get my equipment!”
Charlotte: “I will climb the tallest mountain in the world.”
Emma: “Finally! Someone who is brave enough! Pack your bags, we are leaving tomorrow!”
Charlotte: “Let’s go climb that mountain!”
Emma: “We have to reach the summit!”
Charlotte: “We did it!”
Where I’m From
Shelby K.
I’m from playing outside with friends and special birthday breakfasts and getting ice cream on the last day of school.
I’m from ice shows and big Christmas shows. I help out with holiday parties at my mom’s job.
I come from delicious cheeseburgers and making homemade pizza. I make surprise breakfast for the family on some mornings.
I come from a place where I am raised to be smart, kind, helpful and joyful. I come from a place where I was once told “you can make a change in the world.”
I come from ice skating, baseball, football and track.
My Trip to Disney World
Shelby K.
I remember when I went to Disney World. I got here in the morning and back at night. We were on vacation. I was five years old. I was with my mom, dad, aunt, uncle, sister, and cousins. It was very hot. About 90 degrees. The air smelled like popcorn. Everywhere I went I heard screams of joy. There were rides and games everywhere. In front of me were rides. To my left was my family. To my right where the games were. Behind me was Cinderella’s Castle. When we got back to the condo we went for a swim. This was the best day ever!
Carly P. Knight
Roniesha D.
Hi my name is Carly P. Knight I live in a sugar castle I like the color pink I hate the color black my friends are rosy, pink, and hope they like the color pink too. My enemies are Jordan, Carlos, and Jake they try to turn my castle black my wish is to have a sugar pink horse. I fear black horses with red eyes and black stuff.
Sincerely, Carly P. Knight
The Time I Moved
Roniesha D.
When it was the day to move we gathered our stuff we got our dog toys and all the stuff when we arrived at the house me and my sister went upstairs and looked at some rooms so I start putting stuff in my room then I thought every time we move its next to an alley then my mom brother came over and asked did we want to go to the movies my mom said yes so we came back at night and that’s how we moved.
Where I’m From
Katherine C.
I’m from the smallest closet and biggest and cozy house.
I’m from mothers and fathers, aunts and daughters with brothers.
I’m from biting my nails ‘fore I read at church.
I’m from favorite chairs and going to my lake house. I one day will perform.
I’m from smelling the croissants all the way from upstairs and nibbling on yummy s’mores.
I’m from don’t count your chickens before they hatch or pretty is what pretty does.
I’m from birds chirping at dawn and cars at night.
I’m from blossoms and daffodils.
I’m from Aphrodite and Athena.
I’m from friends, family, and relatives.
I’m from love.
I’m from all.
Beauty White
Katherine C.
It was one night right before morning and I came to the world. My mom (Apple White) looked down she saw my blue eyes and blonde hair and decided to call me Beauty White. The next day there was a big festival then my mother fell… soon she died and I had never seen my dad so upset. Soon I was 4 and don’t feel bad I never knew her that much! Not my dad so he married a vain, cruel, and dark lady named Raven Queen! She hated me so much that on their wedding day I couldn’t even sit next to my dad! I had to go in the back now! Then when I was six I was running down the halls and I saw my mother’s room creaked open which is always locked so I thought it wouldn’t be bad to take a peak so I did and you know what this is what I saw!
I couldn’t believe my eyeballs! Like who needs a mirror to tell them if they’re pretty like she’s gorgeous. But I just went with my life and never told a soul. So one night it was my 18th b-day and I was about to leave and I was again, walking down the hall and I saw my mom again in the mirror she asked who was the fairest and it said you my queen you are yes, it’s true but Beauty White is 100 times fairer than you!
Jaden
Van W.
I was strapped out of my car seat and carried onto the shiny concrete. I walked with my mother, shyly quivering behind her back. We crossed the lot and reached the sidewalk, she nudged me to her side. Lego swooshing past, I tightened my grip on her hand. We reached the wooden mulch, passing some saggy jeans, which I assumed was a tall man. My mother pointed to one of my future classmates. “Sarah,” she said. We had been at a meeting to make friends for my new kindergarten. “Sarah,” she said again. I slowly walked over, going about ½ mile per hour as the other kid turned, I could now see his face; he was a short, Asian child. I could tell he was about my age, despite his height. As we faced each other, he introduced himself. “Hi. I’m Jaden.” I looked up to find my mom. She raised her eyebrows as if to say “come on just do it.” Then I found the courage. “Hi” I said “I’m Van”. Jaden looked up at his mother and whispered as if trying not to let me hear “just like the car”.
My Uncle’s Goodbye
By Elanea C., from St. Rocco Anthology
I was ten years old with my family at my in-laws house chatting with my cousins. We were all having fun waiting for my uncle to arrive. When he arrived, we all hugged him and greeted him. After about an hour of talking and playing with my cousins, we all went out to lunch. We all had fun from what I could see, but when we got back to my in-law’s house the mood just dropped. Almost everyone started crying. We all were happy for him but we didn’t want him to leave. I took about three pictures with him and the rest of my family. I’m happy that he’s following his dream of going to the Air Force, but I really miss him. I’m glad I got to say good-bye, but there’s not one day that goes by when I don’t think about how much I miss him.