I Dream A World
Poems by Children from Camelot and Windcrest Elementary Schools in San Antonio, Texas
Gemini Ink’s work in the North East Independent School District and this publication were made possible by the Rackspace Foundation and the San Antonio Area Foundation. Manuel Solis, Jordan Sutlive Writers-in-Residence Jen Knox Writers in Communities Program Director, Gemini Ink Sheila Black Executive Director, Gemini Ink Design & Layout Anisa Onofre, Publications Director; Alexis Zepeda, Publications Intern Graphics courtesy of pixabay.com Student work has been edited as lightly as possible in order to honor the original voices Š 2017 by Gemini Ink
I Am mE, AnD I CAn ChAngE ThE WorlD I dream a world where I am me, the person I can be, and then I can see the world changing around me! I can bring peace by not building a wall like the one I saw! I have a dream to be a cook, not a crook!
zoey CastaĂąeda
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ForEWorD While growing up in San Antonio during the 80’s and attending school in Edgewood ISD, becoming a writer was never really presented as a viable option. It wasn’t until I discovered an old bookstore on Fredericksburg Road called The Dungeon that I gravitated to the written word, courtesy of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s cosmic tales. Comic books led to the science fiction of Octavia Butler and Kurt Vonnegut, sparking a love for reading that ultimately resulted in a college degree. In a 21st century city with a 25% illiteracy rate, programs like Gemini Ink’s Writers In Communities are invaluable. Introducing children from Camelot Elementary and Windcrest Elementary to a range of authors—including Langston Hughes, Paul B. Janeczko, Melinda Harden, Catherine Stier, Sid Farrar, Charles R. Smith Jr., Betsy Franco, Angela Farris Watkins, Sara Holbrook and Calef Brown—has been one of the highlights of this teaching experience. I look forward to reading future works from these talented young writers!
manuel Solis Writer in residence
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ForEWorD In the third grade, in my first year living in San Antonio, in what I’ve considered as one of my proudest accomplishments to date, I was quoted in the Express-News. My family was stationed here, yet another stop in our persistent skip-hopping across the military bases of America—an origin story shared by many others, to be sure, but my loneliness and trepidation as the new kid in school felt singular at the time. I coped with the circumstances as I do now: by eating too much, and reading as much as possible. Each Saturday morning I’d walk back to our car with great armfuls of books of any genre from the Brook Hollow Library, and promptly read them whenever, wherever I could. I’d read in the nosebleed section of a Spurs game, or leave salsa-stained thumbprints on the pages during our Sunday lunches at Los Barrios. I was hooked, needless to say. So when the San Antonio Public Library asked its young attendants to send in a short blurb about “The Power of Reading,” I replied, with all the pomposity I could muster: “Reading is a door to many worlds. It can allow you to travel to distant planets, or sail with Captain Cook.” Eventually, to my astonishment, the blurb was printed. It’s on our refrigerator sixteen years later, next to some expired Domino’s coupons and a Virgin Mary magnet. I’d like to slightly amend my schoolkid words. Yes, reading is a means of escape from the everyday, and a cheap ticket for travel—but it’s also, unlike anything else, a rare chance to listen to those whose voices typically go unheard. That’s why I feel singularly fortunate to be here at Gemini Ink,
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to teach these students, to encourage empathy and expand their worldview through reading and writing. As Manuel has mentioned, we’ve allowed our students to hear stories from veterans and civil rights activists, immigrants and actors and athletes. But we’ve also asked our students to briefly step outside their perspectives, and, through fiction and poetry, to assume the roles of superheroes, Presidents, or even a quiet classmate. In our all-too-brief time together, our students have tackled these advanced assignments with warmth and a keen dose of wit. They’ve produced writing that embraces our uncertain future with a newfound sense of collaboration, and an unrelenting sense of optimism. Their unflagging joy, their immediate willingness to put aside differences in favor of a shared pursuit, are, frankly, things that we as adults could stand to re-introduce into our daily lives. In other words, to paraphrase our very own Savanah Adamas: our students have written like champs. I hope you’ll take a brief moment to put away your phone, if only for a while, and listen to what they have to say.
Jordan Sutlive Writer in residence
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SummEr I enjoy swimming. I like to go to the pool. The water is cold.
Aadyn harper
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ThE PlAYgrounD Who are you? I’m Aadyn. What’s your name? My name is Yasmeen. But don’t worry. I’m not mean. Do you want to play later? No, I want to play now, as an alligator. Yay!
Yasmeen Elawad and Aadyn harper
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WhErE I’m From I am from Heidelberg, Germany. I am from my lovely parents. I am from spaghetti. I am from Elektra. I am from when I wasn’t separate from my little brother. I am from when my Grandpa died. I am from my signed hat from a Spurs basketball game.
Alicia Baker
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WE ArE PAW Do you want to draw? I got slapped by a paw. I don’t know how. Do you want to saw? Not really. I am really sleepy!
Amir Flemings and Jaydrian olguin
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BIrThDAY My birthday is fun. But nobody really comes. I feel like a girl.
Carmen lopez
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I DrEAm A WorlD I dream a world where everyone has a house. I can bring peace by being nice. I have a dream to be a bone doctor.
Carmen lopez
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WhErE I’m From I am from Louisiana. I am from my parents. I am from pizza, chips, and apples. I am from my friend Armond. I am from going to Whataburger. I am from when I was running in first grade.
glauben Assante
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WhAT’S In A nAmE Joyful Enjoyable Silent Super Incredible Calm Awesome
My mom said she liked my name because when they yelled out Jessica she said it sounded strong.
Jessica Castro
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Christmas One Christmas morning, I drank some warm hot cocoa. Snuggled in my bed.
Jessica Castro
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Where I’m From I am from Mexico. I am from my mom. I am from pizza. I am Kevin. I am from playing games. I am from my sister punching me. I am from Call of Duty Black Ops III.
Kevin Edmiston
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Reading I try to read every day. A chapter book every day. Books, I think, have a lot to say. Books I read every day. I like to play when I read too.
I like to read when I’m
feeling blue.
Let’s all read together!
Kolten Bennett and Jordan Sutlive
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WInTEr nIghT I lay down on my bed dreaming of sleds. Then something fell on my head. I said, what could that be? And it turned out to be a big bumble bee. I woke up from my crazy dream. I saw Rudolph’s nose that was a bright red beam.
maizie martinez
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I DrEAm A WorlD I dream a world where everyone has food. I can bring peace by putting an end to bullying. I have a dream to go to college and achieve my goals.
maizie martinez
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WhErE I’m From I am from Afghanistan. I am from my mom and dad. I am from pizza. I am from Niwid. I am from a gift I got, a tablet. I am from when my mom was sad. I am from my brother.
ramin nawabi
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SummEr I enjoy ice cream. Chocolate’s my favorite. But it melts so fast.
Sofia Cantu
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I Dream A World I dream a world where there is no hunger. I can bring peace by making food free. I have a dream to be full.
Sofia Cantu
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Where I’m From I am from Colorado. I am from my mom and dad. I am from pizza, yogurt, chips, and gum. I am from Nelly, who is my best BFF. I am from when I was a baby. I am from when I scraped my leg. I am from my diary or journals.
Tatiana Gonzalez
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hAlloWEEn I went to a costume party, and I was a mummy. The juice was so good that it filled my tummy. It started to rain when I went outside. Now I’m insane because the ground is not dry. We went inside next to the fireplace. I looked at the mirror and saw my face. At night we finally got some treats. Maybe when I come back I can make some sick beats.
Yasmeen Elawad
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Halloween I walked on the leaves. They made a loud crunch.
I ate some candy. It made a loud crunch.
I went inside a spooky haunted house. I thought I saw a mouse.
But it was a scary ghost. I saw a hairy werewolf. It was gross.
Alicia Baker, Glauben Assante, Jessica Castro, Kameron Johnson, Kevin Edmiston, Kolten Bennett, Maizie Martinez, Tatiana Gonzalez, and Yasmeen Elawad.
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I DrEAm A WorlD I dream a world where it’s okay to pick an apple off a tree. I can bring peace by setting all the young workers free. I have a dream to become the person who changes the world and become the person I know I could be.
Yasmeen Elawad
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Super Heroes in Plain Sight Veterans believe in our flag, red, white, and blue. They often speak words that are brave and true.
They will sacrifice their lives to defend their family. They protect our nation and watch over our country.
They help us keep the United States safe. They sometimes live on a military base.
They work day and night to keep the peace. Both here at home and overseas.
Aadyn Harper, Amir Flemings, Glauben Assante, Jaydrian Olguin, Jessica Castro, Kameron Johnson, Kevin Edmiston, Kolten Bennett, Maizie Martinez, Sofia Cantu, and Yasmeen Elawad
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Snakes I love snakes because, well, they’re dangerous. They bite, they’re venomous. They’re powerful. They can kill. Deep down, my favorite is a snake.
Akane Cavan
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IF I WErE PrESIDEnT If I was the President, I would be kind. I would give money to the blind. I would help my brother. I would help my mother.
Andrew Brown
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I DrEAm A WorlD I dream a world where there are no more gangs. I can bring peace by saying no to drugs. I have a dream to clean toxic waste, and prevent pollution. I’d make the Earth a prettier place.
Anna Brewer
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rAInY DAYS It’s raining. I wanted to go to the park. But I’m too sad to play in the rain. I will watch videos all day ’cause I can and no one will stop me. ’Cause I’m the king of the world.
Ayden glazener
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WhErE I’m From I am from the Philippines. I am from Mom and Dad. I am from pizza—pepperoni pizza. I am from Bobbi. I am from friends and family. I am from my animals. I am from my five living cats and four wild dogs.
Bayleigh martin
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A unIQuE nAmE My name is Bennett (Ben-net). I like that name a lot. My parents named me Bennett because it’s unique, and because it means “little blessed one.” Yay! If I had to choose another first name it’d be Stephen. Then my name would be Stephen Stephen Pierce. LOL!
Bennett Pierce
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mY nAmE’S BoBBI Bobbi is awesome! Octopus is my favorite sea animal. Bayleigh is my friend. Bobbi is also beautiful. I’m…very, very crazy.
Bobbi reddick
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SuPErhEroES ASSEmBlE! “A huge monster is headed to Windcrest Elementary! Superheroes, please save us!” My friends and I look at each other and say: “With our powers combined, we will save the day!” Gabriella Starheart uses her telekinesis to hurl a yellow school bus at the gigantic Cat Robot. But the tough-as-nails Cat Robot won’t give up. Next is Darkheart’s turn. She uses her invisibility and her strength to trip the Cat Robot without being seen. But the Cat Robot stands back up with barely a scratch. Lastly is Sparkle Toes. She uses her heroic strength to pick up the Cat Robot, then teleports her and the Cat Robot to a nearby river, where she drops the Cat Robot in the water. The Cat Robot howls, and sparks fly from its body. “Is it dead yet?” asked Darkheart. “I think it is,” said Sparkle Toes. “Okay, let’s celebrate!” said Gabriella Starheart.
Dalena Do, han Dang, and olivia gholson
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PAInTIng ThE WhITE houSE If I were President, I’d put a stop to taxes. If I were President, I’d let everyone go to college for free. If I were President, I’d paint the White House blue, or purple.
Damaris martinez
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ouTSIDE ThE SChool In WInTEr Outside of the school, nature is all around us. A beautiful scene. The path of angels, well-worn: it surrounds us all. Today, they follow. Today, a cool breeze. Please let us enjoy ourselves. A warm morning sun. Ornament spirit, And trees with light and tinsel. Everyday lights shine.
Diane leija
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CATS In A hAT!! “A cat in a hat!” “Yeah, like a pig digging.” “No! I mean how?” Nobody knows how a cat is in a hat. “A cat in a hat, bat hat cat pig dig. Bong and dong.” “It’s me, a cat in a hat!” Dun Dun Dun! “What!” “Yeah!” The END!
Diane leija
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BASKETBAll hAIKu Basketball is nice It is my favorite sport It’s so cool and fun
Elly Arredondo
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Let There Be Wi-Fi If I were President, I’d get a salary of only $6,000,000. If I were President, I would bring freedom to this world, If I were President, there would be more Lamborghinis. If I were President, let there be free Wi-Fi! If I were President, let everyone be drug-free, and care deeply for each other. If I were President, I’d give money to the poor, and end all of our fighting.
Ethan Rocha
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My Name is Fidel Hernandez My name’s Fidel. My mom named me after my grandpa. My last name, which is Hernandez, is my mom and my dad and my brother’s last name too. I love my name, because I’m the only one in my whole family to have an F in my name, and that’s special to me. I really love my first name.
Fidel Hernandez
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WhErE I’m From I am from New York. I am from my mom and my dad. I am from French fries with salty fingers. I am from Tony. (Hi, Tony.) I am from superheroes, especially Batman. I am from a car accident. I am from my video games.
giovanni Vazquez
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Where I’m From I am from Mississippi. I am from my mommy. I am from crispy tacos. I am from Aurora. I am from Schlitterbahn. I am from falling off the Ferris wheel. I am from my baby sister.  
Jullie Christian
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JullIE AnD AurorA My name is Jullie. My mom made my name with two L’s to make me special. And yes, I like being special. And if I didn’t like my name, I’d change it to Aurora.
Jullie Christian
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PIzzA All DAY If I were President, I would make toys free. If I were President, I would make alligators pets. If I were President, I would make homework disappear. If I were President, I would make everyone eat pizza, each and every day.
Keyona Foster-Ewing
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ThE BEST nAmE My name is Laura Le. I don’t know what it means. I just know my parents chose it ‘cause they wanted to name their child Laura when they were younger. I love my name, it’s the best. I love “Laura,” but when I grow up, I’m going to name my daughter Gaby or Gabriella. I love my life.
laura le
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A BEAuTIFul nIghT What a beautiful night. It’s out of sight. When the sunrise comes, We’ll play the drums. When the moon goes away, We’ll go out and play. When the sun goes down, Crickets make a lovely sound.
lilly Terry and Anna Brewer
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A PEACEFul WorlD I dream a world where nobody has to be homeless. I can bring peace through writing and art. I have a dream to work with all kinds of people, and respect their differences.
Peyton Trejo
JAguArS Jaguars are wild animals. They could kill lots of people. They hunt at night, when the moon shines bright. They spend lots of time in trees in the jungle. They have long sharp teeth, and lots of brown spots. Jaguars are cats.
Peyton Trejo
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romAn Rope Outside Man And Name
roman rodriguez
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I’m A ChAmPIon I dream a world where nobody has to pay taxes, and everything is only a dollar. I can bring peace by building nice, nice houses for only a dollar. I have a dream to be the President, and lead like a champ.
Savanah Adamas
mY TrEE I like this tree, it makes me so happy. It’s my best friend, this lovely tree. When it’s gone, I’ll be so very sad, Because it’s my one, my only: Tree.
Talon Peña
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TIgEr TYlEr My name is Tyler. My parents wanted to name me Tiger, but my dad changed the I to a Y, and the G to an L. My middle name is Justus. They named me Justus after my cousin, Justin Justus.
Tyler Byrd
ThE Dog-loVIng PrESIDEnT I dream a world where people can go to school for 1¢. I can bring peace by caring for dogs. I have a dream to ban crimes, secrets, fights, drugs, smoking, bad movies, and other junk.
Tyler Byrd
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WrITErS In rESIDEnCE BIoS Manuel Solis is an independent journalist and film programmer based in San Antonio. He is a longtime contributor to The San Antonio Current, and his writing has appeared nationally in Hispanic, Wax Poetics, and XXL magazines. He is a graduate of Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota where he was awarded fellowships from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Associated Colleges of the Midwest. Along his life journey, he has built wells in the Congo, screened films for kids in the Catskill Mountains, and enjoys covering the NBA with his 10-year-old son Mizael by his side. Jordan Sutlive is a fiction writer and screenwriter fortunate enough to work with Gemini Ink’s Writers in Communities program. After graduating from The College of William and Mary in 2014, Jordan was hired by the Japanese Ministry of Education to teach English to elementary and middle schoolers in northeast Japan. Since his return to America in 2016, he’s been overjoyed to continue teaching and working with children in his hometown of San Antonio.
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KInD WorDS ABouT gEmInI InK From our Young AuThorS! “I like how they teach us about poems, I like their activities.” ~Jessica “I get to hang out with my friends, and I get to write my own stories.” ~Sofia “My experience has been really fun in the past, and in the present. It’s really fun because I get to learn poems and I just love writing.” ~Maizie “You come and you get to do things that you don’t get to do in the classroom, and it’s really fun to talk to people. I like writing poems. You can never have too much Gemini Ink.” ~Yasmeen “It’s been good. It’s fun doing poems. I like doing fun stuff. We get to eat snacks and draw.” ~Yaydrian “My experience in Gemini ink is that we have been reading poems. The best is drawing pictures and writing poems.” ~Glauben “We write all the poems. I like to spend time with my friends and the two managers of Gemini Ink. I like to write stories.” ~Aadyn
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InDEX Adamas, Savanah – 50 Arredondo, Elly – 39 Assante, Glauben – 13, 25, 27 Baker, Alicia – 9, 25 Bennett, Kolten – 17, 25, 27 Brewer, Anna – 30, 47 Brown, Andrew – 29 Byrd, Tyler – 52 Cantu, Sofia – 21, 22, 27 Castañeda, Zoey – 1 Castro, Jessica – 14, 15, 25, 27 Cavan, Akane – 28 Christian, Jullie – 43, 44 Dang, Han – 35 Do, Dalena – 35 Edmiston, Kevin – 16, 25, 27 Elawad, Yasmeen – 8, 24, 25, 26, 27 Foster-Ewing, Keyona – 45 Flemings, Amir – 10, 27 Gholson, Olivia – 35 Glazener, Ayden – 31 Gonzalez, Tatiana – 23, 25
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Harper, Aadyn – 7, 8, 27 Hernandez, Fidel – 41 Johnson, Kameron – 25, 27 Le, Laura – 46 Leija, Diane – 37, 38 Lopez, Carmen – 11, 12 Martin, Bayleigh – 32 Martinez, Damaris – 36 Martinez, Maizie – 18, 19, 25, 27 Nawabi, Ramin – 20 Olguin, Jaydrian – 10, 27 Peña, Talon – 50 Pierce, Bennett – 33 Reddick, Bobbi – 34 Rocha, Ethan – 40 Rodriguez, Roman – 49 Solis, Manuel – 3 Sutlive, Jordan – 4, 5, 17 Terry, Lilly – 47 Trejo, Peyton – 48 Vazquez, Giovanni – 42
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gemini Ink helps people create and share the human story Writers in Communities (WIC) sends professional writers into diverse community settings to work alongside students of all ages, needs, interests, and abilities in free workshops based in oral traditions, reading, and creative writing. Autograph Series presents writers of national and international stature— many of them recipients of major prizes such as the Pulitzer or national Book Award—in free public performances. We offer three semesters of fee-based Creative Writing Classes and reading groups, and also many free literary events, all led by professional writers, scholars, and interdisciplinary artists. Contributions and donations of time and resources are gratefully accepted.
gemini Ink 1111 navarro St San Antonio, Texas 78223 geminiink.org
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