Treasure Trove Memorial Park Middle
2016-2017 School
TREASURE TROVE A LITERARY PUBLICATION
“Poetry is a way of taking life by the throat.” - Robert Frost
Published by Memorial Park Middle School Fort Wayne Community Schools
Volume XXXVII May, 2017
“If you can’t be a poet, be the poem.”
– David Carradine
Brad Crozier, Principal Dr. Betty E. Stein, Editor Emily Hollenberg, Design
Walking through the halls of Memorial Park Middle School is quite a pleasurable thing to do. Handiwork created by students is displayed. One can hear laughter coming from this classroom and questions being carefully formed by ea- ger students in another. Experiments are being undertaken in this wing; communication is the focus down that corri- dor. Cheers are heard coming from the gym where physical skills are being honed, and from language arts classes we hear youngsters reading their just written haikus and/or sonnets. History lessons point the way to citizen participa- tion not just in voting but also taking roles by serving on commissions or running for office; in other words; becom- ing involved. Math classes challenge and students are taught to think.
This is exciting education. This is preparing our young citi- zens for a full and fulfilling life. This is what we wish for them. These years at their middle school are tremendously important as they mature and develop intellectual curiosity. So we dedicate this edition of the Treasure Trove, filled with humor and wisdom and beauty, to our students. May their lives be rich with wisdom and beauty. In the Woods Welcome to the woods. I silently walk the path, But I am not alone. The crinkle of leaves, The subtle crack of a twig, Someone follows me. Then there is silence. “Come out,” I say, a whisper. There is still no sound. Shiny sleek black fur Sharp white fangs and long black claws Two large amber eyes Its tail flicks, annoyed It has been found, I have won This hide and seek round They call him Devil. He is a cat, my small friend. They say he’s bad luck. They call me insane. I am a person. One friend. My beautiful cat. Till the end of time We’ll walk through the greenest woods A girl and a cat. Marlena Ames, Grade 6 Loud and Clear: Stereotyping They treat us as if we are dirt or trash They don’t know who we are, or how we act Deep inside I’m kind; I’m fun It’s not the money that matters but the traits of one I can see it loud and clear Amongst these people, I wish love was truly there I wish my voice was loud and clear I’m silent, I’m Quiet, it’s hard to speak When I see these people my voice goes weak Amongst these people, I see the truth I’m a nuisance to them, I don’t need proof Which is why I see it loud and clear There is no love, just some fear
Maya Wells, Grade 7
Friendship Poem Our friendship was like a lock and key Her eyes sparkled like the night stars Her hair was long, black, and pretty Her laughter made me smile She gives good advice and she is loyal We trust each other a lot and don’t tell a lie We do a lot together and are besties forever We think of each other as sisters She’s my other half and she makes me happy I love her lots!!! I love my best friend Thank you… Adriana! Mackenzie Ferguson, Grade 6
It’s Coming Tornado warning Disaster begins to strike Winds becoming fierce Briasia Jackson, Grade 8
Rain Muddy smell of earth West sound of rain drops fall- ing Alone among rain Lillian Dukes, Grade 8
Rainy Days The sky is flashing Thunderous booms and lightning Darkness awaits us Jonathan Rivera, Grade 8 Forgotten His tears like a storm He shakes like leaves on a tree He’s unseen like the wind Ella Witham, Grade 8
Going to the Next Life As our time passes We all slowly turn to dust Go to the next life Lucretia Derloshon, Grade 8
Focus on Your Goals Aspire to be great Exude confidence to all Show what success is Imani Rhodriquez, Grade 8
Life Life is a journey New adventures come each day Cherish each moment Ancient Burdens and Broken Trust
Those we love won’t hurt us
Those we love won’t turn their backs
Our friends stand right beside
Hand in hand
Joyous Bliss
The betrayal is upon us
I love them
My soul screaming at my heart
My heart weeping
A gently quiet song
They comfort me
But they don’t know
The betrayal is upon us
I walk away
The moon watching me with pity
The stares glare a silent message
They cry
Screaming at my back
The betrayal is upon us
I would stay
If only I could
But it would only hurt them
To see me as I am
The demon inside
Ancient and deadly
I run
I run away from the truth
A coward
Audrey Woodruff, Grade 6
Music’s in my soul
I must dance to the rhythm
Here we go again
Cady Atkinson, Grade 7
Can you please explain
Why we make people feel that
No one is equal?
Natalie Burton, Grade 7
Life has ups and downs
But remember the good times
To guide your future
Ramiro Toledo, Grade 7
Patiently waiting For the warm glow on my face Of sun in summer
Live in the present Soak up all of its goodness For it’s all we’ve got
Life is bittersweet So treat everyone you meet With love and kindness
Chali Moss, Grade 7
Allen County Public Library Poetry Winners
There’s a time for love, There’s a time for hatred. There’s a time to hug, And there’s a time to care. No matter what, friends Are always there.
That’s What Friends Are For.
There’s a time to play, And there’s a time to get work done. There’s a time for silence, And a time to laugh. There’s a time to hold on, And there’s a time to let it go.
Friends are always there, And that’s what We’re for.
Keegan Headlee, Grade 6, 1st place She thought it couldn’t get any worse.
She’d cry to her the more it hurt.
But oh, it does as night awaits
Screams are heard of the doors and hits.
It’s just a bruise but it still scars.
She still had her but she was fading
deeper
and
dee
pe
r until she blurs
The blur was gone but all knew
That her friend was there through light and dark, helped her through her toughest times, pieced together right and wrong and still considers they’re stuck together
even though one is
already
gone
Brooklyn Xayarath, Grade 7, 2nd place Together
Alone you are strong, but together we’re stronger.
Alone you are good, but together we’re better.
Alone you are loud, but together we’re louder.
Along you stand tall, but together we’re taller.
And no matter what happens,
I know we’ll always be friends together.
Molly Langton, Grade 6, 3rd place ACPB Poetry Contest
Bacon
Bacon– my best friend
I look in the fridge
It’s always there for me
Toss it in the microwave
Watch it sizzle.
Smell the meatiness
Bacon lies on the plate,
Waiting for me to eat him.
Then he hops in my mouth
And rides down the waterslide.
Yum!
Ariela Dawson, Grade 6, Honorable Mention , ACPL Poetry Contest Friendship Haiku Friendship can be weird It will have some ups and downs But it’s always fun
It’s filled with great laughs Friends can heal many people Loyal and loving
You can be yourself For they will never judge you Always by your side
There when you need them Love you just the way you are Friendship can be weird
Adriana Lopez, Grade 6
Friendship Friends will always show you true affection about your trust They are about you and your feelings They cheer you up when you feel down Having friends who understand you are true friends Have friends who can be both wise and fun It’s nice having true friends, people to help you, to laugh with, having a helping hand, and knowing you have a shoulder to lean on I will be with my friends through tough times just as they will be with me Friends are something you cannot buy with money You’re true friends because when they smile you grin with them, When they are sad, you feel their sadness Friendship is amazing
Landon Kelly, Grade 7
The bright sun rises
On this early day of school
We are all sleepy
Deffeny Carrera, Grade 7 I step, tap, step, tap Till my friend lost her step tap So now I’m off track Miracle James, Grade 7 The name’s Julian I might not seem very cool Books are fun to read But I’m a good kid You should read ones that fit Julian Siefer, Grade 7 What will you read next
Lania Williams, Grade 7 I was a baby Now I’m almost in high school Where has the time gone
When I look outside I see myself as a kid Now I’m stuck in school Danyell Hamilton, Grade 7 Friends care about you
A friend is a friend Who sticks to you till the end
And likes to have fun.
She cares about you Like a joke all day for fun And likes to party.
She makes you happy And gives you a treat for good luck.
She’ll be there for you
Abdiel Sedano, Grade 6
Funny, crazy Caring, loving, smiling Sleepovers, parties, hugs, secrets Kind, awesome Friends Maggie Jordan, Grade 6
Crazy, Hilarious Sleepovers, Netflix, popcorn, hugs Kind, Respectful Friends Olivia Green, Grade 6 ull of mistakes
efuse to abandon
mportant to me
asy to entertain
ever stop forgiving
own to do adventurous stuff
haring secrets
aving sleepovers
nteresting everyday
retty great Isabella Johnson, Grade 6 It’s Finally Here!
Temperature rises
Flower petals start to bloom
Spring is upon us
Emma Seewald, Grade 8
Roses
We are all roses
Losing petals one by one
Until only a stem
Lana Thompson, Grade 7
The Butterfly
The creature springs forth
On the wings of morning light
Starting the new day
Lucas Seng, Grade 7
Heat
The Earth’s a glass globe
Overflowing with mass heat
The Earth is dying
Xavier Gray, Grade 7
Art
I stroke my pencil
Something magical appears
The magic of art
Itzel Sotamba, Grade 8
Friendship Friendship is caring Friendship is funny Friendship is daring Friendship is cunning
A friend is always there When it’s dark They care Their love starts a spark
They light up the dark You won’t regret They make a mark In your life that you won’t forget
This sums up your friend She will always be there Your friendship will never end Friendship is care Jaclyn Embry, Grade 6 This is a haiku
I need to write a haiku
Oops! I just ran out
Jessie Lopez, Grade 7
I am taken far
I dance to a piano
As ballet class starts
Olivia McFarren, Grade 7
Fall is really great
You can wear any outfit
Any time of day
Kendra Morales, Grade 7
Spring is drawing close
Warmer weather on its way
Flowers come to play
Dominic Hood, Grade 7 True friends never make you mad True friends never make you sad True friends are there when you cry And true friendship will never die That’s why I love my best friends Savannah Woehnker, Grade 6
Funny, kind Caring, understanding, exciting Mall, movies, dance contest, nails Trustworthy, loyal My best friend
Dashonda Clark, Grade 6 Midsummers Night Birds in the morning Butterflies during the day Shiny stars at night Xiomara Lagunes, Grade 8
Beach Sand scatters the beach Waves crash on the sandy shore Blue waters shimmer Sydney Hightire, Grade 7 My Summer Love Freckles from the sun I long for the ocean breeze Lifetime on the beach Chali Moss, Grade 6
Summer The fresh smell of grass The leaves blowing in the wind It won’t last for long Bryon Stein, Grade 7
Day The sun is shining Down from the sky up above Blue sky above us Lauren Walda, Grade 7 Nature of the World Waterfalls go down Birds chirping above a branch Ocean waves collide Kendra Morales, grade 7
Raindrop Raindrop rolls down glass A tiny bead of slow peace In a water storm Claire Kolkman, Grade 8
Aftermath Now the water sits As still as a solid rock On an empty shore Audrey Krauhs, Grade 7
Sleep Sleeping will save me It takes away the sadness It’s my salvation Gwen Jackway, Grade 7
Calm Sometimes it is hard To smile and keep your cool At least you’re trying Alyssa Meyer, Grade 7
Haiku I’ve got nothing I am out of ideas Sorry about that Sean Abernathy, Grade 7
Road Trips Road trips are boring There can be nothing to do Only sleeping, woo! German Nino, Grade 7
Forgiveness Deep hurt is deep love Love equals forgiveness, too I now forgive you Soraya Alviso, Grade 7
Friends Help you when you’re feeling blue. Believe in you, trust you Follow you and yours always Until it’s all over, they will fight for you And do what’s right for you. Joke with you, laugh and be happy with you, And all those things they would do for you You would do all over again for them ‘Cause that’s what friends do
Jackson McGinnis, Grade 6 Friends are… Friends are forever Friends are awesome and silly Friends make you happy
They will not judge you They will always have your back And you will have theirs Jayden Weber, Grade 6
Friends Nice, Cool Chilling, teasing, pranking Soccer, movies, food, candy Awesome, funny Friendship Diego Rosales, Grade 6
Forest Peaceful, beautiful Shimmering, glowing, swaying Cooling the ground it stands upon Nature
Kaylee Hoppe, Grade 8
California Sunny, wild Thinking, seeing, wondering The views are beautiful Sunsets
Jocelyn Perez, Grade 8 Happiness Yellow, warm Growing, overpowering, glowing Happiness is not a destination, it’s a choice Ecstatic
Amelia Larson, Grace 8
Sadness Blue, lonely Crying, aching, wishing No one loves you Depression
Tyler Hunter, Grade 8
Chocolate cake Loving, tasting, watering Breathtaking My true love
Amir Pierre-Louis, Grade 8
ISTEP The birds are calling Chirp chirp they say to their friends Fly away birdie Karyn Trice, Grade 7
Beauty isn’t the Outside it’s the inside that Matters it’s the soul Anishleidy E. Fuerte Ramirez, Grade 7
I think about the wind I wonder where it comes from It glides through the sky Isabel Cramer, Grade 7
The bird spread its wings And prepared to fly away But the rain was strong Winter San Martin, Grade 7 Standing in the sun Feeling the warmth hit my skin Summer’s here again Devin Chambers, Grade 7
Summer is coming I’m ready for the freedom Friends make summer fun Isabel Cramer, Grade 7
People always ask “How do you stay so happy?” Honestly, I’m not Devin Chambers, Grade 7
Walking through the halls New faces flood my vision First day butterflies Devin Chambers, Grade 7 Friends They stay by your side. They make you laugh. Come along for the ride On a long winding path. When you are sad, They help you out. When you are mad, They let you shout. They never disappoint you (Or at least they try not to) They never make mean jokes, Try not to provoke. Watching sunsets, playing tag Swimming along side, sleeping over Making clubs. (And their flags) Helping find that four-leaf clover Two peas in a pod, Salt and pepper. You and your friend Go together.
Kailani Johnson, Grade 6 Laughing all the time Eating candy all night long Staying up till 3 Swimming in the pool Jumping on the trampoline Having a good time Sky Zone, laser tag, Movies, Starbucks, Cedar Point, Things we love to do We always have fun Whether it is rain or shine Jackie’s my best friend Gracie Gillie, Grade 6 My Best Friend Anthony is cool Anthony is a good friend He loves soccer, too Anthony is fun He is also smart He’s kinda a fool Anthony is caring, too This is my best friend Cristian Guevara, Grade 6 Ease Are you reluctant? With the fears blocking your mind Fear or be at ease. Kennitha Somkit, Grade 7
Why must you bully? Does it make you feel better? Because it hurts us. Angelina Drewery, Grade 7
Life Every day is new Fear and Joy are part of life Despite what you do. Simon Pommer, Grade 8 Rabbit Trail They show you the track they took. They will show you how wise or naï ve they are or were. They’ll make you want to follow Till they disappear into nothing, Till the trail thins and fades, Till you’re stuck alone to make your own decision— Till you find the trail once more— And maybe not where they used to be. Emma Workman, Grade 8
Friends Fix Everything Jack and Jill went to the park to ride their bikes and swing Jill turned around and fixed Jack’s crown And they both rode to the swings. Lania Williams, Grade 7
Scary Story
Rebecca Moravec, Grade 8
It is a cold and rainy night; wind whistles in my ears and rain slaps the ground beside us. There is no one in sight, just me and the dim streetlight. She sits alone– not knowing she is being watched. I pace back and forth, my mind racing in thought. Three hours, three hours until the morning bus comes and I can travel as far away from this town; no one will know my past. “One final kill,” I think to myself. She was the one on my list, if I could pull this off I can leave the scene without a trace that I’d been there. And even if I got caught, wasn’t it worth it? I load my gun. I hear the sound of heavy breathing and chattering teeth… that aren’t mine. Am I really alone? I approach her.
I turn and shudder; there behind me is a tall, thin man, hidden in the shadows. Even then I could see the glowing look of evil in his eyes.
I pull the gun out of my pocket.
I’m paralyzed with fear, I want to run but my legs turn to lead, weighing me down. I let out a scream and almost instantly the man grabs my neck and slams me against the brick wall. My head spins.
She dangles from the wall– helpless.
I take my last breath and hear the echo of a bullet ricochet off the empty building. The man’s grip im- mediately loosens and his body hits the pave- ment, his face stained. Lifeless. I run. Summer Break
I like the hot sun
I cannot wait for summer
It will be so fun
Allison Gutierrez, Grade 8
Summer
The water glimmers
The lake’s surface is at peace
The sun warms the lake
Kaylee Hoppe, Grade 8
Dream
Playing in the sun
Watching all the kids have fun
My wonders all done
Jania Thomas, Grade 8
Summer
Delightful weather
Relaxing and sittig back
Perfect summer day
Airion Chaney, Grade 8
Heartbreak Having a headache Need to stop thinking about you Get out of my head Grace Mancia, Grade 8
Cycle Run down the wrong road She takes after her mother dear Drinks herself away Amelia Larson, Grade 8
Forgotten Agony and pain Neglected and forgotten I can’t forgive you Maya Wells, Grade 7
Hatred Bomb in Syria Killing hundreds of children Crying, screaming, blood Lyara McFadden, Grade 8
Suffocating Walls are surrounding Technology around me We need more nature Calvin Roy, Grade 8
Winter Winter is barren Devoid of all expression Bleak, Bare, Desolate Raymond Wolf, Grade 8
Life Gold shines above you Darkness finds its way to you Can’t turn away now Martin Diaz, Grade 7
Romance Waterfalls at night Couples looking at the sky Feel the love tonight Audrey Rubalcada, Grade 8
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
To the students whose writing skills, creativity, in- creasing agility with imagery, humor and sensitivity have produced admirable results:
To the teachers who have stimulated their students to enhance their maturing, abundant talents;
To Emily Hollenberg whose knowledge of computers and own innate abilities have enabled her to transfer scrawled words and phrases from notebook paper to finished page; and
To Principal Crozier who has been continuously sup- portive in creating this publication:
My heartfelt thanks!
Betty E. Stein Editor
Memorial Park Middle School
Brad Crozier, Principal—2200 Maumee Ave., Ft. Wayne, IN 46803
Phone: 260.467.5300 • Fax: 260.467.5298—www.fortwayneschools.org