The Idea of Love - Nikki Giovanni *inspired*

In my internet saavy world, I was reading a blog by a very good friend from St. Louis, she sometimes posts poems of inspiration. The poem she posted on her blog was "RESIGNATION" by Nikki Giovanni. I read the poem and fell in love with the simplicity, yet unique way she approached the subject of love and falling in love, as well as loving her mate and the world around her. The poem was used in all classes on December 6th at S. Shore. I really wanted to present the poem to see what the students critically thought of love, interpersonal relationships, and also if there were any 'anti-love' poems. Basically, it wasn't just about "romantic love" but love in general. Students got lost in the words and the message. 6th period had a lot to say about the poem, 7th period students (some) wanted to write anti-love of things, not people, while 8th period students really delved deep on their interpretations of the poem. Additionally, Mr. Ealy wrote a poem in class and shared throughout the day, which is the very reason I love being in schools as collaboration, not just me showing up to actually 'teach'. I hope you enjoy these three samples.

Hate Love
Erin M.
(7th Period)

I love you
but why do you treat me this way?
Love is stronger than it is for any person
any day.
You say you love me.
Then you beat me?
I don't know what to do.
Do I stay or do I go?
Help me God, I don't know.
I debated all night.
I think I found right.
It's hate love.
He puts no one above but he
stay out late at night.
I fight the thought.
If I leave, would be whose loss?
Mine or his?
It's hate love.
Please lord forbid.
Will he take my life or will he
turn around and treat me right?
He hollers and scream then I cry a river
like a stream.
It's hate love.
But I still put no one above.
Is it hate love?
Please let me know, should I stay or
should I go?

Never Get Lost in Love
Crystal M.
(6th Period)

Never get lost in love.
Keep it on a level or
above the hate, jealousy.
Keep it on your fate.
It's ahead of me.
I won't say no.
It's not even a word in our vocabulary.
Just don't let it be something stupid
or unnecessary because I
don't even want that mess coming towards me.
We were almost in love but something than
the truth set me free.
I felt like I needed to be wrapped in your arms.
I wanted to hold you close to me but now
that we are deciding to see other people
you finally set me free.
But after nothing but pain and hurt may come
my way from there to this year.
We will always be friends to the end.
We were best friends then we
begin to go to the end of something deeper
within our hearts.
We felt that fate made us take these directions.
We made it so you can't say we never really paid
attention to what lost in love means
but we should've just kept it between us.

Untitled
Rayeisha M.
(7th Period)

As rare as red
violets are blue
love is so sweet but is you?
As you lay in the bed thinking of loving me
I laugh..
Ha Ha Ha
You think of me.
I think of someone else
and laugh again, and I say
what do love got to do with this?
I would love to like you like I love
Timberland shoes.
I would love to like you
and make you my crush.

Remember this is love in the eyes and hearts of Freshmen. Just think of what their ideals of love will change with the winds of time as they grow fuller into their adulthoods.

-- Pam Osbey
Artist In Resident
(5 Years and More at S.Shore)

Inspirations of Haki Madhubuti

Haki Madhubuti's poem, "Is Truth Liberating" generated much thoughts in the minds of the sixth and the seventh period classes last week. Students reactions were silly (why girls lie and wear hair pieces) to the profound (why the government lies). Here are a few samples of what they expounded on.

Why Lie?
Denise M.
(6th Period)

Why lie and tell me you love me
and you wanna be in my heart
and all you every do is tear it apart
Why Why Lie?
Why lie and tell your child his/heart
father is dead
when he never loved you or cared?

Truth is Over Rated
Tracy N. (8th Period)

Telling the truth isn't always a good th ing.
If I'm your friend it's my job to relieve you from the lies
of others.
I try not to let you get hurt but by telling you the truth am I hurting you?
People say that the truth is liberating.
If so, why don't people want to hear it?
Others filling your head with lies and they're the backstabbers
but you wanna be their friends.
I'm telling the truth but it seems like all I"m doing is
turning you against me.
To avoid hurting the lives of others I shall be.
Truth is just not what people wanna hear.
Truth is over rated.

The Truth
Gifted M.

They say truth will set you free
The truth will use you.
The truth will also abuse you
The truth will help you hide
The truth will also show your true insides
The truth can be your book of your life
The truth will read you out all night
The truth will break your heart
The truth will tear you apart
The truth is a clever mishave
The truth that takes you back and forth to a flash
When someone say they love you, is it the truth?
When someone say they place no one above u, is that the truth?
The truth can deliberate
The truth helps you help you appreciate
So do the truth really set you free?
Do the truth hurt?
Is the truth worth?
Is the truth worth the pain?
Is the truth worth the game?
Is the truth, the truth?

Please check back weekly to read more interesting poems by the students of Mr. Ealy's Classes - at South Shore School of Entrepreneurship.

Pam Osbey
Artist-In-Resident

I Will Rise

Teaching on the Midterms week or any week relation to any administrative tests can be very challenging. So imagine my surprise when I walked into classes last week (11/1) and learned that all my classes had some sort of testing. My first class was pretty hectic; with attitudes galore. I didn't get the results I wanted with the first class and they did not want "to do class" because they were so stressed out by tests. Some were frustrated. Bottom line is -- we still completed assignments. I had to use two different poems. I think the letter exercises worked better, however, using "Still I Rise" by Maya Angelou was a good start. The "Dear Enemy" poem was better, much better in terms of accessibility. I think the Freshmen needed something different. And hearing "Still I Rise" was too common for them, so I"m glad I did bring two poems in my bag. It really worked! Plus collaborating with Mr. Ealy adds to the actual lessons as well so it's been coming along. It's only the 2nd week, and I'm sure we'll keep improving as the weeks go on.

Here are some interesting poems from last weeks class:

I Will Rise
Deniro D. (6th period)

In my life, I have suffered much pain
through it all, I surrendered all my pain
and told myself,
"Stand up!"
"You will always rise up!"

I have had many deaths
from family to even good loving pets
but through it all, I will never forget
"Stand Up"
"Never Give Up."

I've had many problems, bad choices, and bad friends,
but at the end, I will win!
"I will rise, I may fall but I will never give up."

I like this student. He's quiet but very introspective. I think he asked me one question about the activity and then began to write. Even though the class was pretty loud, he focused on what he had to say. I also like his use of quotations in the poem.

Dear Stalker
Diamond T. (8th period)

Why is it me, you stalk at night
like a lion searching for its prey?
What did I do to you
out of everyone else you know
you chose me
Why?
What is it about me that's got you doing this?
Is it my eyes,
lips,
shape or voice
I don't like you
I got a man...
please leave me alone
you're scaring me
I don't event know you
Who are you?
I feel the air you breath on my neck
as I walk around
Even when you're not there
All I'm asking is that you stalk someone
else and let me be as one as I
used to...
Lovingly at most
Twilight Princess

Diamond completed the assignment as me and Mr.Ealy asked. She is still shy and will be a great reader once she feels comfortable. It's apparent she writes and reads a lot.

Dear Demon
Leslie B. (7th Period)

You're so conniving
Why are you around?
Are you stuck?
You make me commit suicide?
You make me wanna throw daggers at your goal
Why do you pretend
I just wonder do I every cross yo mind?
You conniving demon

This was a pretty unique poem. I still am interpreting this in my own way. What do you think?

Well, it's been fun and real, but I have to go. A poetry teacher needs her sleep!

Pam O.

Mean Streets

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