Using Swimming Upstream: Middle School Poems as a resource, Carol Weis conducted a poetry workshop with middle schoolers. Below are some of their poems:
School
Drama everywhere blah blah her blah blah him rumors spreading rapidly around the halls involving teachers wanting to know MY business give me a break school, school, school.
© Aleah S., 5th Grade White Brook Middle School Easthampton, MA
Last Dance
Last dance of the year extra special extra exciting extra extraordinary last time to find the fun in you last time you get to have fun in school.
© Lil W., 5th Grade White Brook Middle School Easthampton, MA
Disagreements
I have different disagreements with myself I don't know why because I'm just one person it's like when I talk to myself I don't know what I'm saying I don't agree!
Friend
My friend is a boy he has a green sweatshirt on almost all day. When he laughs, I do too. When he feels bored, I do too. When his eyes shine in the light, mine do too. His name is so cool but sometimes I really don't want to talk to him. Other than that, we are best friends and that's a true fact.
© Sarena G., 5th Grade White Brook Middle School Easthampton, MA
TEACHERS
Screaming through forests of numbers, the past, and electricity just to realize that they're getting nowhere.
© Valerie M., 5th Grade White Brook Middle School Easthampton, MA
Chairs
Chairs are stacked up on desks.
© Daia B., 5th Grade White Brook Middle School Easthampton, MA
First Day
The first school bells rings, everyone running crying screaming. What now?
100th Day
Everyone yelling 80 days left, people happy. What's so great about the 100th day? It's just another day.
Last Day
Announcements are over, everyone pushing, shoving, running out the door. How will I survive this?
Pop Quiz
Oh no, a pop quiz I didn't study, played instead. I'm failing.
© Nathan C., 5th Grade White Brook Middle School Easthampton, MA
School
School, school not fun so boring Just fun when we have gym.
© Josh C., 5th Grade White Brook Middle School Easthampton, MA
Why Me?
Running down the hall gets so boring. Everyday same routine get called to the office, run down the hall, get there and realize nobody's there, run back, I'm late for class, get in trouble, another detention, Mom doesn't sign it. The cycle goes again, and again, Why me? Why not someone else? Please stop the cycle. Again it goes through my head, why can't I change?
© Grace L., 5th Grade White Brook Middle School Easthampton, MA
Detention
Bell rings. Time to go. For everyone else, to run back home. But me, I am here. Stuck in a jail. With beady black eyes staring at me until my time is up.
Test
Pencil tapping. Nails beating against the desks. Nervous faces staring at others. The crisp white paper waiting…
Bullied
I open the door, push through the crowd. Just to get frowns from the make-up clowns. Everyone's chittering, Everyone's chattering about what Stacey's wearing. But I am alone. I am the only strong one.
© Emma D., 5th Grade White Brook Middle School Easthampton, MA
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