Confidence

Good:

1. Passing the state test, /believe I can write a haiku,\ that’s confidential.
2. I like PlayStation. /Telling jokes is lots of fun,\ and using laptops.

3. It makes me relax.  /I get to smack the ball far,\ and shoot basketball.

4. It’s good to be smart.  /School allows us to get jobs.  \ Sport leads to careers.

5. My teacher helps me; /friends are always there for me,\ dancing is best.

6. Happy attitude, /family love and work ethic-  \ Friends recovery-

7. Knicks will win this year.  /Sister will do well in school.  \Dad is innocent.

8. Dad don’t ever tell.  /I’m always true to myself.  \He keeps my secrets.

9. Worthiness is great.  /I can believe in my mom.  \I will trust in god.

10. He gives people help.  /Dad stops me from getting hurt.  \My mom cares for me.

11. I should have belief /in school.  Thee has credence in\ mi familia. (my family)

Challenges:

1. Supporting bad friends.  /Can’t be beatin’ at my own game-\ disbelief in friends-

2. Don’t like loneliness.  /Don’t disrespect my mother.  \ Stop yelling at me.

3. You can’t get cancer.  /Chill with tattoos and gang signs.  \ Enjoying trouble-

4. Gangs are illegal.  /Drugs can be very harmful.  \ Don’t drop out be smart.

5. Careful with blaming.  /There’s no reason to use drugs.  \ Don’t be violent-

6. Drugs can be harmful.  /Gangs can get you in danger.  Forget black and white.

7. Drugs happen to kill.  /Prostitutes spread diseases.  \Avoid crazy folks-

8. He will always tell.  /Some people hate to be nice.  \They are very mean.

9. I don’t trust strangers.  /I will not trust masterminds.  \The kid cannot change.

10. The people who died.  /I could get hurt with the gun.  \People get crazy.

11. You can’t have credence /in drugs, or in bad people,\ and in vehemence.

Suggestions:

1. Always make good friends.  /Be confident in wise friends.\  Be true to yourself.

2. Let’s play with new friends.  /Talk nicely to my mother.\  Breathe easy, stay calm.

3. Go smoke somewhere else.  /Chill with teachers and students.  \Don’t seek-out trouble.

4. Go join a school club.  /Chill with friends that don’t use drugs.  \Take care of school first.

5. Keep your conscience right.  /Playing games with friends instead.\  Stop hurting others.

6. Don’t take anything.  /Stay away from certain folks.  \Equal rights for all.

7. Apply for a job.  /Get help and use protection.  \Don’t sell your body.

8. I trust my mother.  /They’ll always be there for you.  \Friends will defend you.

9. Do not trust bad guys.  /You can’t believe within thieves.  \Help child do work.

10. Trust in the army.  /Always trust in the police.\  Medicine can help.

11. Grieving helps people /with their problems.  School assists\ in keeping you good.

1. Ali Aghayere is 13 years old.

2. Oliver  Beriguette is 10 years old.

3. Jose Ferrera is 12 years old.

4. Qwani Lanier is 11 years old.

5. Darwyn Ortega is 12 years old.

6. Angel Rivas is 12 years old.

7. William Sanchez is 13 years old.

8. Solamarie Sanchez is 11 years old.

9. Victoria Vasquez is 10 years old.

10. Ernie Benjamin Vasquez is 9 years old.

11. Neville Vaughn is 13 years old.

Clinging

What we should cling to:
1. Hold your notebook tight. /Always take your pencil case,\ and take your book bag.
2. My TV remote, /glass of my favorite drink and\ important papers
3. Hold your iPod tight, /grab on to your umbrella.\  Strap on your backpack.
4. I love to play sports.  Thou care for familia.  Do not touch my things.
5. Hold your happiness.  /Catch a baseball really tight -\ - dribble B-ball right!
6. Keep money with you.  /My family is so great!\  I have gears of war.
7. I need my homework.  /Finding or calling for help.\  Supportive changes-
8. Mom I will cling to.  /Safety rope when rock climbing-\ My Xbox console-

What we shouldn’t cling to:
1. Don’t hold onto drugs.  /People should not hold a gun.\  Do not steal a purse.
2. A sharpener cuts /and dangerous animals,\ scissors can cut too.
3. Guns scare people and /so do knives in people’s hands.\  Don’t hold strangers hands.
4. Drugs are not good for /you.  They will get thee troubled.\  Thou might have damage.
5. Don’t hold to hot things.  /Don’t exercise too hard or\ overdo pushups.
6. Drugs are very bad.  /Guns are used for violence.\  Don’t hold stolen goods.
7. Addictive bad pills.  /Bad special medications-\  Special and rare phones-
8. Electric Cables /and fully loaded gun.\  A bad memory-

Poets give suggestions:
1. Never eat a drug.  /No one should hold any guns.\  Don’t steal credit cards.
2. Take care of fingers.  /Don’t get hurt and stay away,\ careful with scissors.
3. Help people in need.  /Don’t let others go hungry.\  Ask for help or run!
4. You should try chewing gum.  /So you can stop smoking.\  Thee play basketball?
5. Listen to teachers.  /Play baseball with friends instead.\  Talking is better.
6. Get a prescription.  /People can stop buying guns.\  Know what you holding.
7. Don’t buy those drugs.  /Don’t mix alcohol with them.\  You can’t steal money.
8. Call a cableman.  /Bring it to an officer.\  Go get therapy.

The Poets:
1. Ernie Vasquez is 9 years old.
2. Jeidy Ortega is 8 years old.
3. Mushin Aliyu is 12 years old.
4. Neville Vaughn is 13 years old.
5. Oliver Beriguette is 14 years old.
6. Raezon (RayRay) Nelson is 13 years old.
7. Victoria Vasquez is 10 years old.
8. William Sanchez is 13 years old.

The Hood

Good in the hood:
1. I like my nice hood /to meet some really good friends\ that provide me love.
2. I like having friends.  /I can play with them all day.\  I love my parents.
3. I love my grandma.  /I play on the “funnest” swing.\  My grandma’s food is the best.
4. I love family.  /They are the best friends ever.\  Best school ever! YA!
5. Love playing outside.  /I love helping all people\ when they need my help.
6. Many stores around.  /You can make friends easily.\  There are block parties!
7. Swimming in water.  /I love playing in the sand.\  Laughing with my friend-
8. Buildings are built safe.  /Stores are packed with food.\  The people I love.
9. My friends are funny.  /My hood supports me with care.\  They are good to play
10. Family loves me, /music is something special,\ girls are beautiful.
11. Those that work to help.  /Who’re polite and respectful-\  Having fun with friends-
12. The computer lab.  /My grandmother is very nice.\  Playing in the swings-

Bad in the hood:
1. Bad friends against you, /too much shooting going on,\ see families’ cry.
2. The sound of gun shots /and young kids getting stabbed up.\  People always fight.
3. Garbage everywhere-  /Spitting is a nasty thing.\  Don’t show me boxers!
4. Shooting needs to stop /and people fighting get hurt.\  Arguing just sucks!
5. There too many fights.  /People are always stealing.\  Too many gun shots-
6. Lots of crime around /many bad influences\ no jobs for people.
7. I don’t like fighting.  /I don’t like playing football.\  I hate when they shoot.
8. There’s gang violence.  /Dogs and cats just roam the streets.\  Clean up the garbage.
9. My hood won’t listen.  /They forget a lot of things.\  Sometimes they spread hate.
10. Gang wars are killing.  /Kids, they are disrespectful.\  Killing young adults-
11. Bad people like thieves.  /Some police beat people bad.\  Guns that hurt people-
12. Garbage everywhere.  /Putting soda in the trees-\  Bee paintings on walls-

Helping the hood:
1. Introduce more cops, /make sure kids are in good schools,\ and be successful.
2. Maybe they can talk.  /Put down weapons to speak words\ and do something else.
3. Throw trash in trash cans.  /Always spit in the garbage.\  Pull your pants up right.
4. Talking about peace.  /Play a game like candy land.\  You need to stop this!
5. They should play baseball.  /Earn money helping people.\  Stop selling us guns!
6. More law enforcement.  /Teach them how to do good things.\  Creating more jobs-
7. You can talk it out.  /Let’s try playing basketball.\  Talk instead of fight.
8. Stop gang violence.  /Adopt a dog or a cat.\  Lots more garbage trucks-
9. They could respect more.  /They can listen much better.\  All of them can play.
10. More cops safer streets.  /Butt whippings will save your kids.\  After school… will help!
11. Go to school and learn.  /Police need special schooling.\  Get rid of the guns.
12. Make new homes for birds.  /Paint over the graffiti.\  Plant trees in good soil.

The Poets:
1. Ali Aghayere is 13 years old.
2. Briannia Vaugn is 8 years old.
3. Ernie Vasquez is 9 years old.
4. Jakia Williams  is 10 years old.
5. Jose Hernandez  is 14 years old.
6. Joshua Jackson is 12 years old.
7. Kyla Fancies is 8 years old.
8. Markel McDonald is 14 years old.
9. Michael Dejesus is 12 years old.
10. Mikale Jackson is 16 years old.
11. Raezhon (RayRay) Nelson is 13 years old.
12. Victoria Vasquez is 10 years old.

Merit

Earning merit
1. I work really hard /to get rewards from people.\  That makes me happy.
2. I gained my iPod, /made me happy, excited.\  My parents trust me.
3. Father said behave; /that’s exactly what I did.\  I gained hugs and love.
4. I won MVP /for being the best player;\ I felt like the best.
5. Yes I gained something /and it was my touch screen phone\ it made me :)

Problems earning merit
1. Working is future, /facing lots of challenges.\  So we work harder.
2. Show people that you /can do work and be really\ present with their time.
3. He don’t feel like it.  /They don’t feel responsible.\  You want bad people.
4. Have good sportsmanship, /some players hate losing games,\ losing means you suck.
5. Trusted by people /with what they do which is work\ and working harder.

Solutions to earn merit
1. To get more rewards /to the hard working people\ and thank them for it.
2. Have to be useful, /show that you can be really\ successful like that.
3. Count to calm yourself.  /Learn and admire others.\  Keep good people near.
4. Change your attitude.  /Really think positive,\ be a team player.
5. Not to lie at all /because you can’t be trusted\ with what you did wrong.

1. Ali Aghayere 13 years old.
2. Jenecia Jackson 13 years old.
3. Michael Dejesus 12 years old.
4. Mikale Jackson 16 years old.
5. Tysheerah Young 13 years old.

Men

Men that help us
1. Men show that they care /they’re strong in body and mind\ must always be wise.
2. Dad struggles too much.  /Trying to help his children,\ coming home tired.
3. My father Edwin, /he did me wrong horribly.\  Now, I’m true to me!
4. Uncle love us all, /even teaches right from wrong,\ so we get better.
5. Martin’s nice to me, /helps people who need help, and\ doesn’t like trouble.
6. Martin Luther King /worked hard to end slavery\ with powerful speech.
7. He’s a good father, /United States president\ and he wears fine suits.
8. Grandfather don’t leave, /having great accomplishments.\  Teach me right from wrong.
9. Jay-Z, he is great.  /He came from Brooklyn like me,\ dirty projects suck!
10. He went to Harvard, /made the first windows software.\  I look up to Bill.
11. Brother opens minds.  /He will listen and respond.\  He helps fix problems.
12. He is nice to me; /dad is always there for me,\ he is respectful.
13. My father is good, /always wanted one like him.\  I want to be him.

Problems men have
1. Always try better /to be a real good father,\ must be strong, and smart.
2. Facing real hard tasks, /working with no type of break!\  That’s a lot to do.
3. Keep your promises, /cherish your love together.\  Hard days need money!
4. Money is hard to find, /spend less time with family.\  Pay all bills on time.
5. It’s hard to buy things, /trying to pay more, with less,\ without a good job.
6. Calling them nigger /is disrespectful culture,\ people hurt inside.
7. Money’s not respect, /with respect comes real power!\  People confuse these.
8. Don’t make a mistake; /remembering to get work,\ supporting loved ones.
9. Being a father, /too soon, not loving children,\ jobs are hard to find.
10. Being a father /is a hard life to go through.\  You should choose wisely.
11. To be good fathers /be a part of a child’s life.\  Fix your own problems.
12. Taking us to school,  /helping mom with the laundry,\ and helping her cook.
13. Finish grades and school, /get a job and fix your life.\  Do not smoke or drink.

Solutions poets give
1. No more rivalry, /men must work to play their strengths\ and be good parents.
2. Let them work less time, /pay more money for work.\  Please help their struggle.
3. Always be yourself, /keep responsibilities,\ beauty is in you.
4. Love your family.  /Don’t care more about money,\ must spend less of it.
5. Think about your needs, /use laws that help get jobs, and\ spend less on dumb stuff.
6. People need respect /to truly feel comfortable,\ so help and show it.
7. Not getting tattoos, /don’t believe things so easy,\ care for family.
8. Go back to college.  /Don’t sell drugs at all.\  Make sure you succeed.
9. Pay more attention /and be more responsible,\ work free ‘till they pay.
10. Keep your pants zipped up, /wrong choice, means wrong direction.\  Make the better choice.
11. Spend time with your kids, /have friendly relationships.\  Be a healthy friend.
12. Help him with the bags.  /I’ll show him to do laundry\ and teach him to cook.
13. Help communities.  /Helping in Afghanistan,\ donate food to help.

Poets
1. Adam H. is 13.
2. Ali A. is 13.
3. Amber G. is 14.
4. Francheska C. is 12.
5. Jose H. is 14.
6. Joshua F. is 11.
7. Joshua J. is 12.
8. Mariana is 12.
9. Mikale J. is 16.
10. Raymond S. is 13.
11. Richard R. is 13.
12. Solmarie S. is 11.
13. William S. is 13.

Women

Love for women:
1. Honest friend to me.  /Teacher helps me all the time.\  She scratches my head.
2. Tasty hamburgers /cooked by an honest good mom,\ buys me nice clothing.
3. Giving birth to me, /she buys clothes and cooks with love,\ fried, breaded, chicken.
4. She buys me my clothes /and gets my sisters’ hair done.\  She cooks food with love.
5. Amor de madre,/ arroz y habichuelas\ con chanqletas. (A mother’s love, rice and beans with slippers.)
6. Beautiful grandma /always brings me my favorite\ Oreo cookies!
7. I love my mother /she is always there for me,\ love mom forever.
8. She is always nice, /even helps out sick people.\  I like her fun jokes.

Problems women face:
1. Making sure theirs food, /working everyday ‘till night,\ picking up her son.
2. Having big belly /baby pushes, and she screams,\ baby hands reach out.
3. Trying to teach me, /but we keep fooling around\ and she has to work.
4. A single mother.  /Men lay their hands on women.\  Choosing their leaders-
5. The need to go work, /nacimos sin un padre,\ brothers fight too much. (We were born without a father)
6. Crying grandchildren /need to be fed every day.\  That is expensive!
7. Mom’s task is so hard.  /She must struggle every time,\ this is difficult.
8. Working twice as hard, /to be seen as less than men,\ never accepted.

Solutions we offer women:
1. Less work means me time, /more relaxing without kids,\ great things happening.
2. We are family now.  /When baby grows up he’ll help,\ medicine for pain.
3. We stop being fools /when we take her serious,\ she’d throw a party!
4. Protect all women.  /Punish abuse against them.\  Women Presidents!
5. I get things for mom, /familia sin pelea\, mom would be feliz.  (family without fighting [happy])
6. Family can help feed /all other family and then\ tuck them into bed.
7. Government could help /with less work time everyday.\  Please help them out now?
8. New laws must be made.  /We need women friendly jobs.\  Treat her like she’s you!

Poets:
1. Brian is 10 years old.
2. Mushin is 12 years old.
3. Rayray is 13 years old.
4. Joshua J. is 12 years old.
5. Rosita Z. is 11 years old.
6. Solmarie S. T. is 11 years old.
7. Ali A. is 13 years old.
8. Adam H is 13 years old.

Happiness

Lies that hide happiness:
1. An alien pet/ doesn’t disrespect me, when\ nobody likes me.
2. You know I hate you/ and your family, so whack,\ leave now, ugh, LEAVE NOW!!
3. Skinny kid is fat, /with tiny elephant ears.\ I wear real polo.
4. I know people that/ have 18 hands with only\ 7 long fingers.
5. Hundred pounds-short, and/ stole a friends snack, but said no\ to those who asked me.
6. I lied to my mom/ to get to the computer\ and be with my friends.
7. People have 10 legs/ with 30 noses that let\ them breathe in water.
8. I am not alive./  Your ideas are so false.  \My friends tell tall tales.

the joy we feel in Happiness:
1. My family acts/ truly joyfully when I\ am making new friends.
2. I have friends that I/ care about and I have love\ that I can process.
3. Joking around with/ dad, he is really funny,\ shooting hoops all day.
4. I love playing games/ even in the cold, wet snow,\ warm up shooting hoops.
5. A smile from a friend/ lights up the sun, darkness gone.\  Let’s have a nice chat.
6. I love playing games.  I love my mom and my dad.  Play cops and robbers?
7. Happiness is mind./  Feeling pleasure, delight, love.\  Best entertainment.
8. I will stay healthy./  I will always be content\ that brings endless joy.

the things we Do to be happy:
1. I play basketball/ and throw big snowballs. Fun! Fun!\ I love healthy food.
2. I can run fast and/ make websites that are funny,\ and let’s play a game.
3. Talking with best friends/ at my school about eating\ all the tasty food.
4. I just love helping/ others, and I love learning,\ while I play football.
5. Throw the baseball and/ drip ice cream down my friends face.\  Give me basketball!?
6. I love everyone./  But I really need to get\ love, from my mother.
7. Bounce a basketball,/ throw baseball, and kick soccer.\  School helps me grow up.
8. Eating ice cream cake,/ movies are my life, sunny\ days will make me smile.

Poets:
1. Michael is 12 years old.
2. Anthony is 12 years old.
3. Brian is 10 years old.
4. John is 13 years old.
5. William is 13 years old.
6. Jose is 12 years old.
7. Mushin is 12 years old.
8. Adam is 13 years old.