Posts Categorized: Poem of the Day

Mermaidlandia

Posted April 13, 2015 & filed under Poem of the Day.

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Photo by: migster14

 

An island where only twins

live in a seashell sea

surrounded by sparkling water,

 

Huge, hundred foot waterslides

that twirl in the air,

 

An elevator made out of wood and grass,

Coconuts cut out on the inside so

lights can shine like stars instead,

 

A black, gooey, squishy swamp

where a serpent sleeps,

 

A place where pink, turquoise dragons

live in the enchanted walls,

 

All of us live in tubes, inner tubes made of grass.

A lake swarms inside my house.

We are mermaids, shimmering and fierce.

 

By Olivia, 3rd grade

 

Click the link above to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Grace Lytle, an 8th grader at Johnston Middle School For the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. Faculty is Regina Ellis, Texas History Teacher. The background music is “Tropical Sunrise” by Podington Bear from the Free Music Archive:  http://www.freemusicarchive.org. Produced by Susan Phillips.

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Poem a Day is made possible in part by H-E-B Tournament of Champions, Copy.com, The City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, Texas Commission on the Arts, and KPFT 90.1.

The River Home

Posted April 10, 2015 & filed under Poem of the Day.

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Photo by Eric Leslie

 

Home is a River

Flowing perfectly in silence

Like a big rock for support

The waves crash against the

Sand, washing away

All obstacles in my way

 

By Maejon, 7th grade

 

Click the link above to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Alex Cweren, an 8th grader at Johnston Middle School For the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. Faculty is Art Teacher, Tobi Arsham. The background music is “Turning Wheel” by Ketsa. Produced by Susan Phillips.

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Poem a Day is made possible in part by H-E-B Tournament of Champions, Copy.com, The City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, Texas Commission on the Arts, and KPFT 90.1.

Tracking

Posted April 9, 2015 & filed under Poem, Poem of the Day, Student Writing.

 

 

I track the clouds

in the sky

as they fly

I track birds

in the trees

as they sing

I track ants

on the ground

where they crawl

I track my cat

on the fence

where he slinks

 

By Tricia, 2nd grade

 

Click the link above to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Alonna Johnson, an 8th grader at Johnston Middle School For the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. Faculty is Rolethia McKelvey, piano teacher. The background music is Sidewalk Shade” by Kevin McCleod, Incompetech.com. Produced by Susan Phillips.

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Poem a Day is made possible in part by H-E-B Tournament of Champions, Copy.com, The City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, Texas Commission on the Arts, and KPFT 90.1.

 

Original post: January 26, 2015

It Can Wait

Posted April 8, 2015 & filed under Poem of the Day.

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Photo by: torbakhopper

 

I see what you’re trying to do

I promise

Many believe that words gave us life

So you type and you swipe

Your numbers and letters

To give life to a maximum of 160 characters

 

In your driver’s seat

You become the narrator

But what is it worth

If you can’t save the five most important characters

Y-O-U

And don’t forget

M-E

 

I don’t understand

How could this be going on

Our lives are finally worth more than a drink

But worth less than an emoticon

 

Just a few letters

That could be all it takes

Keep your eyes on the road

So you can put your foot on the brakes

 

We have to make a change

We’ve got to make it right

It’s all fun and games

Until LOL stands for Loss of Life

 

You only have one chance

You don’t get to do this twice

So as you drive

Strive for life

 

You still have 160 characters

All I’m asking is that you save five

But if you can’t

And decided that you are worth less than three

Don’t do it for you

Do it for M-E

 

By Homer, 12th grade

 

Click the link above to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Sophia Singleton, an 8th grader at Johnston Middle School For the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. The background music is “Sun-Filled” by Ketsa, from the Free Music Archive. freemusicarchive.org.   Produced by Susan Phillips.

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Poem a Day is made possible in part by H-E-B Tournament of Champions, Copy.com, The City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, Texas Commission on the Arts, and KPFT 90.1.

Arizona

Posted April 7, 2015 & filed under Poem of the Day.

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Photo by: Beth Punches

 

I hike up a rock

as the sun shines on my freezing back

I take a small step

I taste the bitter air

It is the morning sky

I feel snow on my shoes

The air feels sweet

It hits my face

A cactus pricks my leg

I touch the dirty water of the creek

It is starting to get dark

The stars shine on a moonless night.

 

By Laurel, 3rd grade

 

Click the link above to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Nel Klimas, an 8th grader at Johnston Middle School For the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. The background music is “Happiness” from bensound.com. Produced by Susan Phillips.

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Poem a Day is made possible in part by H-E-B Tournament of Champions, Copy.com, The City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, Texas Commission on the Arts, and KPFT 90.1.

Ali

Posted April 6, 2015 & filed under Notebook, Poem of the Day.

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Photo by: Lotus Carroll

 

Do you know that

there are two layers

of love and joy

inside and outside?

Look deeper, because

I understand

the color of the sun;

and there is nothing more I could ask for

than a life like

the color of my eyes.

And the great teachers

I have, with my mother

and father, they

complete my day.

As I see myself

in the mirror, I see

the beauty in me

every day.

 

By Ali-Raza, 2nd grade

 

Click the link above to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Jaquelyn Simmons, a 7th grader at Johnston Middle School For the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. The background music is “Super Pop Happy Song” by Five Easy Pieces. Produced by Susan Phillips. Faculty is Alex DeWalt, Assistant Principal.

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Poem a Day is made possible in part by H-E-B Tournament of Champions, Copy.com, The City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, Texas Commission on the Arts, and KPFT 90.1.

 

Original post: September 11, 2014

Here and Now I Love You

Posted April 3, 2015 & filed under Poem of the Day.

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Photo by: girl/afraid

 

Here and now I love you. You make

the moon blue. You make

my every wish come true. People

 

always want the sun to walk

slower when you are here

and the night to go by quickly

so they can see you faster.

 

You love me so dearly.

You’re scared when you leave me.

But you are far away,

but I see you ride fearfully

on that only cloud. But you

are the one, the one & only mom.

 

By Kyra, 4th grade

 

Click the link above to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Preston Parker, an 8th grader at Johnston Middle School For the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. The background music is “Falling Away” from freestockmusic.com. Produced by Susan Phillips.

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Poem a Day is made possible in part by H-E-B Tournament of Champions, Copy.com, The City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, Texas Commission on the Arts, and KPFT 90.1.

Yo tengo un bello sueño

Posted April 2, 2015 & filed under Poem of the Day.

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Photo by: Bryce Bradford

 

Yo tengo un bello sueño
Sueño que estoy en una nave espacial y que viajo afuera en una galaxia.
Sueño que no exista más la violencia y que exista la paz en el alma.
¿Que sueñas?
Sueño con la noche y el corazón abierto al mundo.
Mi alma esta flotando.
Mi alma que me llama siempre veo.
Quisiera dormir para solo soñar con mi familia y mis antepasados.

I Have a Beautiful Dream

I have a beautiful dream
I am dreaming that I am in a rocketship and I am traveling out to another galaxy.
I am dreaming that there is no more violence and that there is only peace in the spirit.
What are you dreaming?
I am dreaming in the night, and the heart is open to the world.
My soul is floating.
I see my soul that calls me always.
I would like to just dream with my family and my ancestors.

By Joaquin, 2nd grade

Click the link above to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Roberto Blas, an 8th grader at Johnston Middle School For the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. The background music is “Spring to Life” from freestockmusic.com. Produced by Susan Phillips.

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Poem a Day is made possible in part by H-E-B Tournament of Champions, Copy.com, The City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, Texas Commission on the Arts, and KPFT 90.1.

Happy National Poetry Month!

Posted April 1, 2015 & filed under Poem of the Day.

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Happy National Poetry Month! Today is the start of a Poem a Day, a month-long celebration of poetry by WITS students. Each weekday we will share a poem by one of our talented students here on the blog. You can also check out the poems via the WITS facebook, instagram, or twitter, and listen to the poems read by Johnston Middle School students, on the radio station KPFT 90.1, at 4:30 pm. Make sure you subscribe to the WITS blog today to receive the poem of the day in your inbox.

Ode to the Library

I open the door,
It is
silent.

I walk to the
shelf.

Thump, Thump.
My feet echo.

I find my book. Thump, Thump.
I walk to a table.
I find a warm corner.
Sunlight comes over me,
like a yellow bubble.
In I go!

Adventuring with Percy and Annabeth.
Back to shelf.
Found another one. In Puppy
Place with Lizzie and Charles
All done! Back to shelf.

Here we are, another one.
Back to table.
Thump, Thump.
Gone to the rodeo with Kylie Jean.

Back again. Glance at clock.
It’s almost 5! Please just one book more!

Race to shelf. One last time.
Thumpata, Thumpata, Thump! Screeching halt.
Scan the shelf. Grab the book. Race to table.
Open book. Time flies.
Chapter 5.

Mom comes in. Time to go!
Check out book. Dragging feet.

In the car. Buckle up. Watch sadly
out the window as the library flies out
of sight.

By Morgan, 4th grade

 

Click the link above to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Eliana Collins, an 8th grader at Johnston Middle School For the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. The background music is “Walk in the Night” from freestockmusic.com. Produced by Susan Phillips.

Poem a Day is made possible in part by H-E-B Tournament of Champions, Copy.com, The City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, Texas Commission on the Arts, and KPFT 90.1.

Amo

Posted April 29, 2014 & filed under Poem of the Day.


Amo esa tierra linda
que me dio la vida
que me dio la existencia de nacer,

Amo esa gente alegre
ese buen ambiente
ese buen placer
en esta tierra naci
en ella quiero morir,

Porque en ella aprendi
que la vida es elemento
soy aire
soy agua y metal,

Aprendi con la lluvia
del agua del rio
que nunca se cansa de andar,

Tu eres mi alma
y tu eres mi corazon.

 

 

I love this beautiful earth
that gave me life
that gave me the existence of birth,

I love these happy people
the ambience
the pleasure
in this earth I was born
in her I will pass

Because in her I learned
that life is the elements
I am air
I am water and metal,

I learned with the rain
of the river water
that never tires of walking,

You are my soul
and you are my heart.

by Emma, 3rd grade 

 

 

 

Click the link above to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Windell Gradiz, a 7th grader at Johnston Middle School For the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. The background music is by Audiomachine, “Apollo’s Triumph” from album “Helios,” 2012. Produced by Susan Phillips.

This poem is featured as part of the 2014 Poem A Day campaign, a National Poetry Month celebration by Writers in the Schools (WITS) that features a different poem by a WITS student every day during April. Click here to learn more.

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Death of a Star

Posted April 28, 2014 & filed under Poem of the Day.

The sky booms a small yellow bright
light as the beloved star dies. It lies
still in its bedding of nothing. No sound,
no little purr of an explosion, the star exploded
into darkness. The star no longer stalks
the sky. The star no longer scrapes its
claws on planets.

by Joaquin, 6th grade

 

 

 

Click the link above to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Corinna Snow, a 7th grader at Johnston Middle School For the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. The background music is by Collide, “Space Oddity (Instrumental), a tribute to David Bowie.

This poem is featured as part of the 2014 Poem A Day campaign, a National Poetry Month celebration by Writers in the Schools (WITS) that features a different poem by a WITS student every day during April. Click here to learn more.

 

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Happy

Posted April 25, 2014 & filed under Poem of the Day.

Late at night, she sits outside her house,
in her rocking chair,
waiting patiently for me to arrive.

Once I step into her kitchen,
the smell of tacos, pozole, and tortillas
fills my nostrils
and when the food is finally done,
everyone gathers around the table,
but we must squeeze in,
for our family is very, very big.

Then, late at night, she always stays up late
to make some tamales.
She mixes the flour, meat, and water
between her soft, wrinkly hands.

Early in the morning, she wakes everyone up
with the delicious aroma of her tamales.
Once everyone is up
and out of their beds,
we go devour those delicious, soft, scrumptious tamales
that make my mouth water
just thinking about them.

In the evening, after having dinner,
we all help her clean up,
and once we’re finished,
she gathers everyone out to the porch.

As we watch the sun set,
and hear the frogs ribbit,
and grasshoppers chirp,
we enjoy the comfort and company
my grandma give us.

by Rosario, 7th Grade

 

Click the link above to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Grant Cambon, a 7th grader at Johnston Middle School For the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. The background music is “I Have A Dream” from Best Songs of Abba on Spanish Guitar, by The Harmony Group. Produced by Susan Phillips.

This poem is featured as part of the 2014 Poem A Day campaign, a National Poetry Month celebration by Writers in the Schools (WITS) that features a different poem by a WITS student every day during April. Click here to learn more.

 

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Original post: February 7, 2014

 

How To Be Brave

Posted April 23, 2014 & filed under Poem of the Day.

Superhero themed party by Anders Ruff for 3 year old child as photographed by Becca Bond

Photo credit: Anders Ruff

Wear armor with a metal skirt
Pop out your chest
Wear black lipstick
Say heroic things that make no sense
Find a boyfriend and save him from a dragon
Practice your British accent
Rent a horse to ride
Work out at the gym
And finally, most importantly,
wear lots of deodorant.

By P.R., 4th grade

 

 

Click the link above to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Mary Phillips, a 6th grader at Johnston Middle School For the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. The background music is “Heroic Opportunities” by Sound Critters. Produced by Susan Phillips.

This poem is featured as part of the 2014 Poem A Day campaign, a National Poetry Month celebration by Writers in the Schools (WITS) that features a different poem by a WITS student every day during April. Click here to learn more.

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Original post: September 18, 2013

The World

Posted April 22, 2014 & filed under Poem of the Day.

The world never stays the same.

Thunder flashes through the world.

Flames roar upon the people.

Darkness casts a shadow on us.

Water rides fast horses

up the world’s back.

The world has grown,

the old ways became paradise.

The world hides every secret

in the earth below us.

Feelings are different

for men and women.

Light calms the world in peace.

The world never gives a secret.

The world never stays the same.

by Daniel, 2nd grade

 

 

Click the link above to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Noah Heverly, an 8th grader at Johnston Middle School For the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. The background music is “Children of Africa” by Symphony of Science. Produced by Susan Phillips.

This poem is featured as part of the 2014 Poem A Day campaign, a National Poetry Month celebration by Writers in the Schools (WITS) that features a different poem by a WITS student every day during April. Click here to learn more.

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Original post: December 17, 2013

Odessa

Posted April 21, 2014 & filed under Poem of the Day, Student Writing.

You may cruise by
on a hot summer day
looking through the
supermarket window,
hearing old country music
static slow.
Seeing the old faded
truck with torn interior,
strolling down the old
country road with
high grass rising up
to the top of someone’s toe.
I drink the water slowly,
smelling the air while
it blows your hair,
wiping sweat
off my chest.

by Joshua, 10th grade

 

 

Click the link above to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Jordan Wilson, an 8th grader at Johnston Middle School For the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. The background music is “Home (Tribute to Dierks Bentley)” by #1 Country Hits Instrumentals. Produced by Susan Phillips.

This poem is featured as part of the 2014 Poem A Day campaign, a National Poetry Month celebration by Writers in the Schools (WITS) that features a different poem by a WITS student every day during April. Click here to learn more.

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Original post: January 14, 2014

The Cowboys and Indians

Posted April 11, 2014 & filed under Notebook, Poem of the Day, Student Writing.

Sitting alone on the couch
in the living room.
Everyone outside
mourning, comforting each other
but not me
there I was
sitting alone on the couch.
No one understood
how much I wanted to
be left alone.
They kept coming in
taking a seat next to me
where you would’ve sat.
I wanted to scream at them.

Finally I was
sitting alone on the couch
turned on the tv
and cried.
The old cowboys & Indians
shows came on.
It was as if you had
just been here watching your
favorite shows
the cowboys & Indians
and left it on
like you always did
and someone had to
turn it off for you.
by Sarah, 9th grade

 

 

Click the link above to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Maya Venkateswaran, a 7th grader at Johnston Middle School For the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. The background music is “Ecstasy of Gold” by DJ 2 Bad (composer Ennio Morricone). Produced by Susan Phillips.

This poem is featured as part of the 2014 Poem A Day campaign, a National Poetry Month celebration by Writers in the Schools (WITS) that features a different poem by a WITS student every day during April. Click here to learn more.

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La Noche

Posted April 10, 2014 & filed under Notebook, Poem of the Day, Student Writing.

 

Mi corazon late y late
te pienso en mis sueños
la noche es muy oscura
tu imagen es bella
eres linda
el alma de mi corazon
eres buena conmigo
pequena
dulce
eres mia, amor
tengo mucho amor
tengo que amarte
porque eres dulce
tienes mucho frio
estas bien en tu herida
te encuentro coraza
y eres la noche
tu herida esta sangrando
tu eres pequena
y eres mi mejor
amiga.by Moises, 2nd grade		 My heart beats and beats
I think of you in my dreams
the night is very dark
your image is beautiful
you are pretty
the soul of my heart
you are nice with me
little
sweet
you are mine,my love
I have so much love
I must love you
because you are sweet
you are very cold
you are well in your injury
I find you in your shell
and you are the night
your injury is bleeding
you are small
and you are my best
friend.

 

 

Click the link above to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Chelsey Mosqueda, a 7th grader at Johnston Middle School For the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. The background music is “Gypsy Renaissance” by Behzan. Produced by Susan Phillips.

This poem is featured as part of the 2014 Poem A Day campaign, a National Poetry Month celebration by Writers in the Schools (WITS) that features a different poem by a WITS student every day during April. Click here to learn more.

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Chop, Wham, Bam!

Posted April 9, 2014 & filed under Poem of the Day.

Chop, wham, bam!

That’s the way

to start your day!

You don’t need

coffee.

You don’t need

sleep.

Chop, wham, bam!

Be your own

energy drink.

Be your own

engine.

by Franklin, 5th grade

 

 

Click the link above to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by DioMarvellous Nsopor, a 7th grader at Johnston Middle School For the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. The background music is “Tabata Tribal Beat” by Tabata Song. Produced by Susan Phillips.

This poem is featured as part of the 2014 Poem A Day campaign, a National Poetry Month celebration by Writers in the Schools (WITS) that features a different poem by a WITS student every day during April. Click here to learn more.

 

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Original post published: August 27, 2013

Ode to Tacos Del Julio

Posted April 4, 2014 & filed under Poem of the Day.

Oh, tacos del Julio, you are the object of my nine lives!

You are always hot and ready!

You always taste so good because I made you!

You are easy to cook.

Compared to you, tacos mios, pizza has too much cheese

And fries taste like salt!

I want everything made out of tacos!

I want it to rain tacos mios!

Oh, tacos, how I love you!

by Julio, 4th grade

Click the link above to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Alex Cweren, a 7th grader at Johnston Middle School For the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. The background music is “Taquito Militar” by Eddy Navia. Produced by Susan Phillips.

This poem is featured as part of the 2014 Poem A Day campaign, a National Poetry Month celebration by Writers in the Schools (WITS) that features a different poem by a WITS student every day during April. Click here to learn more.

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Tennessee Song of Myself

Posted April 3, 2014 & filed under Poem of the Day.

I am the dark blue river
the stars in the black night
the elephant rider in the night
the wind moving in the trees
the cave in the black mountain
the deer frolicking in the forest
the rabbit awake at night
I am the house alone in the moonlight
the pages of the worn down book
the farmer smelling the oranges
I am the dark corner in the closet
the color purple on the wall
the shine of gold on the swimming gold medal
the ripple on the water as the movement occurs
I am the end of the dark hallways
I am the sunshine coming through the window
I am Tennessee’s light.
by Kenly, 7th grade

 

 

Click the link above to listen to the poem read on KPFT radio by Maddy Zaiontz, a 6th grader at Johnston Middle School For the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston. The background music is “My Home, Tennessee” by Frank R. Barnhart. Produced by Susan Phillips.

This poem is featured as part of the 2014 Poem A Day campaign, a National Poetry Month celebration by Writers in the Schools (WITS) that features a different poem by a WITS student every day during April. Click here to learn more.

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