Poetry by Fifth Graders in Ms. Fields's Class at Mitchell Elementary in Ann Arbor

meet me in the

MIDDLE * PACKING POETRY an 826michigan Field Trip

*MIDDLE m e e t m e in the

POETRY FROM

Ms. Fields’s Fifth Grade Class at Mitchell Elementary

FIRST EDITION AN 826MICHIGAN PUBLICATION

GROUP POEMS

I Can Do This * Whole Class “Stand up for yourself,” I said in my head.

The harsh words lingered I am my own person, and no one can tell me who I am except me I shall not be afraid I shall take a stand Like shivering in fear in your boots/shoes As if you were cold.

Like being frozen on the stage, Looking around, taking deep breaths.

Fear feels like being chased By three-headed rabid chihuahua at midnight When there are no lights on, no open stores, and no cars.

“I believe in myself—I can do this.”

I say this to myself and I get more courage.

Suddenly, I believe in myself.

I go on the stage.

I ride my scooter down the curved hill, even though it’s scary.

I try parkour in Roblox.

The sun enlightens a new day, a new hope Now I know I will never give up.

What is stronger than a human heart— Finally, I hear peace.

a poetr y packing experience

1

Bullies * Group 1 Scorn held in creases of her brow, Poison dripping off her words.

“You bullied me and you had no reason for it.

You robbed the currency from me Like a fox from the heartbroken chickens Whose offspring it tortured.”

She gazed down on him, disgust Emanating from her curved lips.

He pretends like nothing happened.

Looking surprised with a twisted grin.

“But that’s not what happened,” he cries, Claiming he found her raggedy coin purse On the cement, fair and square.

“Why wouldn’t you hold me to the standard you do yourself?”

2

Me e t Me i n t h e Mi d d l e

Day on the Ocean Shore * Group 2 Hot sun, calm and chilly sea water Smooth rocks under your bare feet Seaweed crawling up your leg Little sister in her float at the shore People splashing like a joyful seal Sand between the toes I hate it, feels like tiny rocks on your skin Clams buried like diamonds in the sand Hopping on a speeding boar Water hitting your hand like tiny piercing shards of glass We played till sunset making castles out of sand.

Waves at night, splashing onto the sandy seashore I hear quiet peace.

a poetr y packing experience

3

Peggy’s Happiness * Group 3 It was a big deal to me My people called me the Herb Doctor.

Why would my enslaver take my happiness?

I helped others by giving them health I made medicine out of herbs I wrapped a white bandage on John when He hit his head on a big hard rock.

And you took that away from me.

I taught Dora how to become a doctor.

And you do this to me?

It was a big deal to me.

4

Me e t Me i n t h e Mi d d l e

Life as a Soccer Player * Group 4 I am a soccer player as I was born to be.

I trained everyday of my life to win the World Cup. It doesn’t matter if I win or lose. At least we made it this far and had fun.

I’ve accomplished so much I feel like I’m floating on air.

I can imagine what it’s like to be famous.

When I entered the stadium it felt like heaven, People applauding me, yelling my name They filled the stadium with cheer and joy.

They made me proud of who I am.

I made a shot that you would not believe And gave us the win!

a poetr y packing experience

5

Blooming & Growing * Group 5 I can’t force art out of my head.

Like a caterpillar in a cocoon, I need to give myself time to grow.

I’m like an unbloomed flower.

I like to grow, but I hate to leave my memories behind. Bittersweet.

To bloom, I need energy, safety, and love.

Once I am a butterfly, I will learn to fly.

Seeds become flowers, caterpillars become butterflies, But what will I be?

6

Me e t Me i n t h e Mi d d l e

Winter * Group 6 The wind whistles against the polyester Of my jacket.

The snow is as crunchy as chips There’s no leaves left visible around me.

Snowflakes shimmer as they collapse through the clouds.

The clouds are as soft as cotton candy The grass is nowhere to be seen, buried underneath the thick piles of snow.

Christmas music is playing in the nearby house, echoing Through the open fields of what I call home.

I can feel the cold wind against my feet every time.

I open the door.

I can imagine the hot cocoa waiting for me.

I love winter.

a poetr y packing experience

7

Family or Love? * Group 7 Not everyone can be as soft and tender as my mom and my dad They light up the night like a full moon They’re helpful and nice and ready to play.

The smell of my parents’ cooking lingered in the air Nothing is better than their pancakes, eggs, and bacon We share so many loving memories together Days at the beach and nights spent in their company.

8

Me e t Me i n t h e Mi d d l e

*

inspires school-aged students to write with skill and confidence in collaboration with adult volunteers in their communities.

Our writing and tutoring programs uphold a culture of creativity and imagination and support students in establishing strong habits of mind. Through publication and community engagement, we provide students with an authentic and enthusiastic audience for their writing.

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WRITING IS

A way to figure things out by ourselves

We create a safe place to be ourselves and try new things We support the ways that writers work (like thinking, sketching, talking)

A way to help us connect to our world

We study the writing we want to do so we can try it We learn how to change our writing for genre, audience, and purpose

A way to help us learn who we are and who we will become

We work with a group of writers who help and support each other

A way for us to use our power to make changes and build a better world

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826 National was inspired to take a stand on issues of inclusion and diversity in light of the many events that spotlighted social and racial injustices throughout the country. We as educators, volunteers, and caring adults need to be aware of the wide range of issues our students face on a day-to-day basis. We need to support these young people as they navigate through and try to make sense of the world and their own identities.

We need the support and the feedback from our community to ensure 826 is living up to these standards.

Through our inclusion statement, our internal diversity and inclusion group, cultural competency resources provided to staff and volunteers, and partnerships with other organizations, we are always working towards being a more inclusive and supportive organization.

We at 826 have the privilege of working with the next generation of scholars, teachers, doctors, artists, lawyers, and writers. It's our job to make sure they are able to take their own stands.

As an organization committed to encouraging youth in their creative expression, personal growth, and academic success, 826 National and its chapters recognize the importance of diversity at all levels and in all aspects of our work. In order to build and maintain the safe, supportive 826 environment in which great leaps in learning happen, we commit ourselves to inclusion: we do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, marital status, English fluency, parental status, military service, or disability.

The 826 National network is committed to encouraging youth to express themselves and to use the written word to effectively do so. We encourage our students to write, take chances, make decisions, and finish what they start.

And 826 strives to do this in an environment free from discrimination and exclusion.

by Gerald Richards, CEO

826michigan inspires school-aged students to write with skill and confidence in collaboration with adult volunteers in their communities.

Find out more at 826michigan.org