Skip to main content

Holding Truth

The Dream Keepers have been reading short stories from the book Who Am I Without Him? by Sharon G. Flake. The books came to us as a gift from Venice Williams, the executive director of Seedfolks Youth Ministry. (THANK YOU!)

Last night, the girls chose titles from the book as a starting point for their writing. Story titles such as, "So I Ain't No Good Girl" and "The Ugly One" allowed the girls to create some edgy rants (my term to describe a spoken-word poem). With the permission of the girls, I've published three of the poems below. I wish you could have heard these poems spoken aloud. They rocked.

Gentle readers, be warned. None of these poems are pretty or nice. I think the girls meant to shock. I like that. As their writing teacher, I want them to be honest. I want their words to reflect what THEY experience, think, and envision. I do not want to censor or shape their ideas—spoken or written—so that their work will be more palatable. When writers have the freedom to write what they want, they are more creative and, according to psychologists, more likely to reap the benefits (increased health and self agency).

When I asked the girls if the poems were true, they laughed at me. I deserved it! If someone had the gall to ask if one of my stories was true, I would laugh, too. All writing holds truth. Perhaps this is one of the best gifts the Dream Keepers offer. In writing and sharing their work, they hold truth for us to learn from. Enjoy!


Don't Be Disrespecting Me
by Elisha Branch

I have crusty lips and crooked teeth
but don't be disrespecting me.
I have scarred legs and chubby feet
but don't be disrespecting me.
I have big thighs and ashy knees
but don't be disrespecting me.
You can talk, say what you please
but don't be disrespecting me.
Go ahead and talk. I'll ignore you three
but don't be disrespecting me.
Don't look if you don't like what you see
but don't be disrespecting me.
I look like I do; that's how it's gonna be
but don't be disrespecting me.
I am who I am; you be who you be
but don't be disrespecting me.
I am Elisha, and that's who I want to be
so don't be disrespecting me!


I Ain't No Good Girl
by Natalie Branch

"I ain't no good girl!"
I don't always go to school.
I don't always follow all the rules.
"I ain't no good girl!"
I've been to jail before.
I curse and scream even more.
"I ain't no good girl!"
I argue, fuss, and fight.
I sneak out of the house at night.
'Cause I ain't no good girl!
I sneak.
I peek.
I cheat.
I beat.
Because I ain't no good girl!


The Ugly One
by Natale Branch

I don't go to school dances.
I don't have any romances.
Because I'm the ugly one.
People don't like me.
They beat and tease me.
Because I'm the ugly one.
They call me rude names.
My face shows shame.
Because I'm the ugly one.
I scream and shout
With a pillow over my mouth.
Because I'm the ugly one.
I laugh.
I cry.
I sometimes want to die.
Because I'm the ugly one.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Six-word Scary Stories

We've done six-word memoirs. Tonight the Dream Keepers wrote six-word scary stories. Read and enjoy! (Then write and submit your own in the comment field!) A vampire destroys the city with power. —Tramonta Garner (pictured above) One virus. One town. No survivors. —Jaimee Bogard-LaMar, 14 One girl. Many monsters. What's next? —Jaimee Bogard-LaMar, 14 Big zombie eats eyeballs. City blind. —Elisha Branch, 14 One house. One family. Both gone. —Elisha Branch, 14 Knock, knock. Who's there? Killer mysterious. —Derranesha, 12 Baby cries. No answer. What happens? —Derranesha, 12 Ring, ring. "Hello." Please help me. —April, 12 The spooky monster ran towards me ... —Sonya, 17 The worm crawls into the brain. —Sierra The slippery, slimy monster grabs two. —Quintoya Eskridge
Post a Comment
Read more

On Beauty

Last night we read poems and essays about beauty in the book edited by Iris Jacob called, My Sister's Voices: Teenage Girls of Color Speak Out. The girls wrote poems in response.  Standards of Beauty by Natalie Branch I’m that girl who never fits in. I’m not fat nor am I thin. I’m an African American with light skin. When I walk out the house, I’m full of curiosity— Not knowing what others will think of me. Some may be jealous, others furious. Me, I’m just curious. My confidence isn’t low; it’s not high either. My emotions are building up—like a deadly fever. People like me because of who I am. People hate me because I’m not like them. Sometimes I ask myself: should I stay the same, or become someone else? That’s something you will never again hear me say. People say change, but I stay the same. I am me, and I was born this way. And this is how I will stay. Yo! I’m sayin’! by Deanna Branch Q: Why you wear yo’ hair like that? Yo! I’m sayin, My hairstyle reflects my personality. When...
Post a Comment
Read more

Writing to Protest

Last Monday we listened to protest music and wrote our own versions of protest poems. Two of the teens finished poems to share with you. Both poets write from another point of view. The first poet takes on the challenge of revealing one's true self. The second poet takes on the traditional values for women. After you read these poems, think about this: what do you want to protest? Write it down. Take A Look by Aliza Mendoza, age 16 Who am I? When you look at me what do you see? Shy and quiet girl. Would you believe me when I say It's just a show. Should I tell you my story to make you understand. Should I shed this pretense and show you who I really am. Should I let the tears fall to show how much it hurts. Should I pull up my shirt for the scars to appear. Should I cut myself just to prove I'm still here. Look at me now. Who am I? Let me know, so I can prove you wrong. It's not me you see but someone else, totally different. Can I touch your arm and you can feel my ski...
Post a Comment
Read more