Poems – 9/2020 on

Angelica May

I am from a man and a woman, who wouldn’t care for their own. 

Siblings unknown, few stories to be told, the main being driven in a ditch. 

Which I find quite interesting to be told. 

I am from a place hoping to find a shelter, to call home. 

Going from place to place, waiting for someone to love. 

I am from open arms, the smell of cigarettes and mint. 

And the hint of alcohol. 

My mother and father care for me, and love me, which I return with the same. 

I am from intrusive thoughts and therapy. 

I am from sleeping peacefully to staying awake till morning. 

I am from memories that are soon forgotten or waiting to be seen. 

I don’t remember much, but I do know the thoughts will always be with me. 

I am from worrying about things and being sick, to feeling safe without a hint of being sick. 

I am from fluffy cats, that go and come, but always have my back. 

 And doggos that always bark and play, but always lay in the hay. 

I am from figuring things out, but still learning and trying new things along the way. 

I am from closed doors, waiting to be opened each day to be found and unlocked. 

I am from curiosity and honesty, good or bad it always leads to something new. 

I am from a canvas waiting to be painted, to be viewed as beautiful or unique. 

From doodles of weird things to pieces of art. 

I am from shapes, lines, scribbles, letters, words, and numbers, waiting to be reshaped and formed in this interesting world. 

Where I’m From

James Hancock

I’m from the small town of Conway Springs Kansas

A place filled with the hardy air of the Conway Schools

I’m from playing Broforce, and reading Gordon Korman books

A place where we celebrate the fun family Christmas traditions

I’m from a family where respect for others is a top priority

But a place where respect is something I am not always treated

I’m from a grey house I lived as a child

A place where I played Half Life 2 for the first magical time

I’m from playing games like Fortnite with friends when I feel lonesome

A place where I watch Casual Caden and Pheonix Resale when the times are tough

I’m from a place of no pets or any animals in my house

But a place I still feel a warm embrace when I eat mac ‘n’ hotdogs

I’m from a place where my childhood stuffed bear still has a home

A place where outside we have such cute little garden gnomes

I’m from a place where the smell of a home cooked meal is a warm welcome

A place where I still laugh at funny images of great people I look up to

I’m from a place where my best friend Konner, always has my back

A place where my grandma tell me a good job and education is what I need

I’m from a place where an “I love you” from someone you didn’t know did means everything

A place where even when someone says awful things about you, you can still bounce back

I’m from a place where the loss of my great aunt Alice still stings to remember

But a place where I’m safe, and the comfort of video games help me escape

Naika G

I’m from tall mountains and sugarcane fields
from fresh bread dipped in cloth strained coffee 
I am from clear blue skies and clearer waters
from poofy dresses and hair bobos on Sunday mornings,
if you know, you know
I am from double-dutch and hand games,
crowded block parties on hot summer days
Razor scooters, painful ankles
Power 105.1 by day
106.7 Lite FM by night, “with Delilah”
I’m from braiding salons, Shine n’ Jam, and mousse
from coils that defy gravity, sorry for the times I’ve forgotten your magic
I’m from stories passed down through generations
words from mouths to ears, pen to paper, keyboard to screen
words in red that remind me who You are and who I am
words in journals chronicling every joy, every pain
every heartbreak, every healing 
words that I’ll never grow tired of hearing, seeing, writing
I am a story, plot ever changing, I’m ever growing  

Darrek Bishop

I Am From

I’m from many places.

I come from far and wide,

Yet I’ve moved little.

I’m from a small town,

Where everyone knows each other.

We are in the middle of everything,

But many know nothing of us.

I’m from a good school,

Where people are shaped,

Though who they choose to be,

 is up to them.

I’m from many households,

From which I travel between often.

I’m from love and warmth.

A family who loves others,

And gets love back.

I’m from pain and blood.

The amount I’ve given is a lot.

Everyone in my family,

Has something that ails them.

I’m from all of this.

I’m from the good and the bad.

It shapes me everyday,

And I love it. 

Changes, Changes, and Changes

I am from the small house there in my neighborhood

Swinging on a dusty tire swing hanging from our fortress 

Pedaling back and forth on the streets

My room has tea and crackers for Mr. Bear

Dogs jump up leaving scratches at grandmas

I am from a new house as the old gets sold

Three new friends made from courage

I am from a field once played on before

The stick hits the ball with a winning score

Leaving too shy to chat with the team

This seemed not for me

            I am from the playground meeting new people

Losing touch after the year flies by

I keep the friends from previous years more close

            I am from a paint smeared on canvas

Finding what I can do

Yarn full of knots moved in and out with a hook of inspiration

            I am from struggles in school keeping up and saying I am like others

Scared for math waiting outside, shaking that I might hear my name aloud

            Family drifts away and new ones roll in

I am from cousins, aunts, and uncles who care

Keeping those that I know close

Leaving old to new

I am from the white and black house filled with creeks and shutters

            Finally knowing why, I didn’t feel the same as changes were made

By: Savannah Morris

I am Brodie Bieber

I am from clothes hangers

from avocados and bikes.

I am from the green front door

and the tiles on the lawn, scattered the perfect distance leap back and forth.

I am from the big cedar tree

whose arms jutted out and legs tunneled into the ground

I am from screwdrivers and guitars

from uncle Bill and Gran Edna.

From blonde hair and horse rides

And bright baby blue eyes.

I am from memorizing 3:16

And finding God in late night songs

I am from pork chops and tacos

From dad in Papua New Guinea 

And Morfar’s rock.

I am Sniffy, that ragged old dog was my light in the darkest of nights.

I am from the moments of joy, loneliness and pride

I am the places I’ve been, the people I’ve known and the lives I’ve touched.

Rhiannon Chianese

I am from

I am from many locations.

From house to house,

Cities to towns.

Holidays claimed by each parent,

Swapped and traded like playing cards.

I am from broken love,

A marriage that never came to fruition.

Spilled milk on the carpet causing an uproar,

Apologies written in the form of a check,

Manipulation hidden so well that you can’t ever speak up against it.

I am from isolation.

In a big house all alone, 

No note on the kitchen table,

No one calling the phone.

I am from frozen dinners.

Made in the dirty microwave,

Seasoned with my sniffles and tears,

Half-cold, eaten with the television on full blast to stimulate the essence of another soul. 

I am from pre-determined failure.

Genetically rigged, physically and mentally. 

Causing my fundamental years to be spent in hospital beds and pain,

Struggling in school due to the inability to concentrate,

Making it against all odds when no one believed in me.

Brit Sjoberg

I am Someone

I am from the worn toy, battered and bruised,

from the smell of fresh cut wood and old books,

I am from the smell of coffee brewing,

and the smell of the crisp mountain air,

I am from the wheat waving in the breeze,

whose resilience matches mine.

I am from the smell of wet dog and the creaky stairs at the farm,

from my grandad and my aunt,

from stubborness and quick wit,

from resilience.

I am from the lunch socials at the old schoolhouse,

from the saskatoon pies to swedish meatballs,

from moving to a new land, into a shack on a sand dune,

and from the pain of leaving one behind.

The farm was the place where I ran free,

sunday night dinners and the chilly ride back,

running in the wheat and sampling a sprig or two.

I am from those moments, 

Thank you

I am from

Jayla Godsoe

I am from barbie dolls

from quads and swings

I am from big welcoming walls

and picture frames

I am from blossom trees

whose arms reach out to grab the clouds

I am from knitted blankets and brown sugar candles

from Boones amd Barnets

and from strong and stubborn 

from independence 

I am from pizza fridays

from banana bread and macaroons

from my great grandpa’s fiddle

and from working to support family 

I am from cutting trees for christmas

I am from the moments of growing up with a big loving family

 I am Jayla

Alanna WellingtonI

 am Alanna

I am from a glass candy bowl

from sewing needles and thread

I am from the pink bedroom walls

and a big white bookshelf

I am from a small heart shaped tree

whose expressing the love

I am from a knitted blanket and a thumper teddy bear

from Brown and Wilson

and from loud laughter and stubbornness

from picking at your nails

I am from pajamas on christmas eve

from butterscotch cookies and costco pumpkin pie

from my grandpa being a hero

and from the cancer that killed my grandpa

I am the homemade birthday cards

I am from the moments of loud family dinners around my grandparents dining room table

Founded in 1967, Fayerweather Street School in Cambridge, MA is a PreK to grade 8 school with an emphasis on progressive education. We strive to help students connect with their own curiosity and find joy in learning. We offer a thematic, project-based curriculum, with a focus on social justice issues, and an anti-bias curriculum. We have a diverse student population, plus a co-teacher model with multi-age classrooms. Our third/fourth grade class wrote their I Am From Poems after reading and listening to several “Where I’m From” and “I Am From” poems.

I Am From

By Eve

I am from I am from warm cheese ravioli and avocado sushi 

and warm cheese pizza with warm soft crust 

I am from sitting on my back porch while smelling smells like flowers 

I am from reading in my bed at night

I am from playing with slime

I am from drawing 

I am from baking 

I am from making bracelets

I am from playing with my dog 

I am from swimming 

I am from drawing foods

I am from baking 

I am from doing cartwheels

I am from going to the park 

I am from playing board games 

I am from playing tag games 

I am from planting flowers 

I am from getting  ice cream

I am from jump roping

I am from doing hopscotch 

I am from hula hooping  

      

I Am From

By Maribel

I am from My dog who would bark at the mailman

I am from warm fire crackling in the hearth

I am from cute animals playing all day

I am from fresh slime being made

I am from hot water boiling in a pot

I am from cold ocean flowing in the wind

I am from the earth moving from within

I am from fresh grass growing 

I am from chilly snow falling from the sky

I am from wet rain falling down to earth

I am from a fresh drawing being made

I am from soft dogs howling in the distance

I am from a soft horse galloping into the horizon

I am from the sounds of friends laughing

I am from cold ice cream cake

I am from doughy mochi

I am from warm pizza being baked in the oven

I am from loud cars driving past the window

I am from hot mashed potatoes with marshmallows

I am from hot chicken and rice 

I am from jiggly jello

I am from red rubies, blue sapphires, and purple amethyst

I Am From Love

By Antonia 

I am from

Pizzelles made with love

I am from

Biscottis yelling “Eat me!”

I am from

Mashed potatoes saying “Thank you!”

I am from

Marbles and Grass “Yum!”

Every food I ever eat

Even if it’s not a treat 

Smells yummy

And is!

I am from words I always hear replaying 

“I love you!”

And 

“Hi Bella Chachita!”

I repeat one back

“I love you too!”

I am from 100 year old Grandpa Phil

I am from Mommy and her laugh and sweet sweet voice

I am from Daddy whose jokes fill me with excitement

I am from Miles whose energy boosts mine 

I am from Iggy who we call “Iggy-Piggy”

I am from Zuzu whose howling was like singing 

I am from Mimi whose food blossoms my taste buds

I am from Papa whose tickles make the saddest laugh

I am from Poppy who is 93 and still going strong

I am from Mere whose pastina was the BEST

I Am From LOVE!

I Am From Poem   

By Neve

I am from rice, chicken, pasta, and cheese

I am from my dad’s special chicken sauce and i am from cake 

I am from my dad, dog, brother,mom and 2 hamsters 

I am from 

               Fresh

                        Air

And friends laughing 

I’m From the darkness 

I the am from sizzling from the pan on the oven

I am from “no” “yay” “ok” and “come here”

I am from the nature and trees

I am from the trickling

                                  Water

                                           From the sink

I am from a death of a grandma 

  

I Am From

By Zoe

I am from England and sad queenless days

From warm fish and chips,

I am from takeaway pizza laid on the floor ,

From everyday bagels brought from the store,

I am from cars zooming past,

GIANT houses 

Crickets chirping ,

While small children talk

I am from the saying of “control your temper”,

From  the never ending words of “just a few more bites “ ,

I am from  the phrase “crumb queen” and “no”,

                        I am from my mom dad and sister,

                  From endless grandparents,aunties and uncles

          I am from cousins,friends,neighbors

                      From half aunties and uncles

                      I am from  hours dancing with my sister

                I am from raindrops falling on summer days

I Am From

By Max

I am from pepperoni pizza and root beer watching the Marvel series

I am from playing ball tag with my friends on the block playing soccer in my backyard with friends you never know who’s going to win!!

Trading pokemon cards with my friends

I am from a sunny day eating peppermint ice cream

I am from “no’”yes,”maybe,”can I?

I am from playing with my friends school named Zac’mateo’kairee’august’jabril’

I am from BB+N slushy and gaga ball

I am from Hero Wars and Mine craft 

I am from burgers and rootbeer floats

I Am From 

By Gus

I am from cold melty ice cream

Mint chip, salted caramel and cookies and cream.

I am from laughing with joy and with my brother.

I am from my

fun brother and him saying, “can you play with me Gus.”

I am from

warm pizza,crispy tacos

and s’mores.

I am from my dad 

planting and reading to and my brother and him saying,

“You can have screen time.”

I am from dance starting with tap

and then hip hop.

I am from playing with my neighbors and friends

Elan,Toby and Theo.

I am from playing sports Basketball, and soccer and sometimes tennis.

I am from my mom snuggling me and my brother and

Doing yoga at my school.

  I Am From

      By Toby

I am from singing            

long and clear

I am from sushi

yummy and sweet

I am from pineapple pizza

I am from screen time

loud and fun

I am from Scoop N Scootery

campfire s’mores and peanut butter cup

ice cream

I am from pets

dogs and cats

I am from “Time for dinner”

loud and strong

I Am From

By Ben

I am from hot mac n cheese for dinner,

Ramen with tofu islands in steaming broth

I am from grass stains, video games

And a house that i don’t  remember

I am from running downstairs on christmas morning wooping with joy

I am from boba tea in Davis Square, from mochi and traffic on a sunny weekend

I am from “wake up” “get out of bed” “eat breakfast” “now get in the car”

I am from my family, friends and neighbors making my day

I am from skateboarding with my sister riding her bike

I am from beach days on the Cape going whale watching at sea

I am from this big wide world that we will never understand.

I Am From Love…

By: Beatrice

I am from mushed up sweets and loving meatballs,

I am from little kids playing and having fun,

I am from fighting and making up,

I am from laughter and joy,

I am from a caring mom and loving dad,

I am from amazing role-models and clever responsibilities.

I Am From By Serena

I am from,

“If you have nothing to do, clean your room.”

From crisp and tart apples.

From my annoying little brother.

I am from

Warm rice,

With red, saucy pork

For chinese new year.

From climbing trees,

And knitting,

And my silly dad.

I am from,

Mooncakes

With red bean,

Egg yolk,

Or melon seeds inside.

From my caring mom.

From eating pine needles.

From how it’s noisy

Or quiet and never

In between.

I Am From.     by Zac

I am from the white rice to smoking salmon

I am from the steaming pasta to cooking meats

I am from the game known as roblox and minecraft

I am from a family of a dog

Mom

Dad

sister

I Am From

By Coco

I am from delicious fresh picked blueberries 

I am from the sounds of my dog barking

And the subtle sound of my cat purring outside

As I look outside the window I see cars whizzing by

I smell the cookies in the oven that me and my sister made

I Am From 

By Kairee

I am from warm rice and beans 

Oxtail and ginger cubes

I am from the north’s weird temperature ( if you don’t like the weather wait five seconds)

I am from delicious soup and parents saying 

H
E
L
L

N
O

I Am From a Long Life

By Arielle 

I am from rice and  salmon  

and soup joumo 

I am from music and kompa 

and bākey

I am from “DEFO!”

“Uh oh”

“Wolsh”

“Ou kraze peyi a!”

I am from Esti, uncels, family, all my tatis, and school 

I am from cabret marching with people 

I am from WILD dogs chasing people in the streets

I am from people running to get their soccer balls

I am from people constantly telling people to STOP and go catch the cows!

I am from people getting fresh mangoes from the trees. It smells soooo good

I am from sweaty gyms with people doing gymnastics

I am from people surfing at Encantro and breaking their boards doing 180’s and top turns

I am from getting my hair done for over one night

I am from fearless warriors

I Am From

By Anonymous

I am from the smell of quesadillas cooking in the skillet

chicken cheese tomato lettuce

I hear the sounds of basketball 

bouncing, and touchdowns being scored

I am from a kind and helpful family

I look up to my big bros

I am from playing a game 

And having fun with my family

I am from my grandma making

 lemon meringue pie

I am from my grandpa taking me

To the store

I am from my dad

Taking me to the pool

I Am From

By Louisa

In Michigan I am from the smell at the McBarn of McFrickles

with no pickles

At home l am from listening to my cats purring

I am from buns and marshmallow salad on Thanksgiving 

I am from me and my sister eating ramen for lunch and playing games on the computer and walking to the corner store to get slushies 

I am from getting in the car to go to school and my mom saying “have a good day”

I am from waking up on Saturday to go to fencing and drop my sister to work 

I am from going to Harvard square

To get 

Boba

I am from when I get home to snuggle my cats 

And  

Go 

To

Bed

I Am From

By Elan

I am from being a human because I can

I am from the smell of hot pizza and the cold scoops of icecream. The cheese drips from a taco. 

I am from the wind blowing. The dogs bark as loud as they can. 

I am from hearing my mom yell to me “Elan it’s time for lunch!”                                                                                                              

I am from my favorite sister checking her phone while i play with my friends Toby, Gus, and Theo,

I am from my dad yelling about his left side hurting but then my mom says “Elan its time for bed!” 

I am from my weird dog that barks when he sees a person. 

I am from the leaves falling outside but i hear my mom say “Elan its time to brush yout teeth!”

I am from the almost melted popsicle.

I am from the sushi place right next to me and for some reason there are tacos and burgers inside.

I Am From

By Luna

I am from thin slices of prosciutto and the sweet smell of filet cooking on the grill.

I am from the family pasta dinner with the best tomato sauce. 

I am from cool mochi on a hot summer day 

I am from a warm hug from the chicken my mom makes.

I am from the sound of cars whooshing on a daily basis. I am from the sound of construction building high. 

I am from the smell of new fish made on the stove. I am from a family discussion about dinner