Poem: "felon of the night"

being up so high and trying
not to fail is an amazing thing
plus trying not to be seen. the more
paint yon hare and supplys the more
the wight and the harder it is
to clime. trying to make
the burner look just right the smelll
of the paint is to me like
the smell of food or flowers
or purtrim to other people I love
it. the feeling after you have
finished is like a feeling like no
other to see your work the next
day and to have eveyr one talking
about how sick that peace that
guy did was. It is a way to express
to feel like your heart is about to
blow up it beating so fast. I am
an artists. I am a creater. I am a dreamer.
I am a ghost. I am a felon of the
night.

SH, age 16

Poem: "What Made It"

It made it bad cuz when my mom
said dont take off and i did and i
didt came back hom tell 5:45 cuz my
mom call my P.O and said that i tike
off from the home when i was not
told to go anywhere so i tike off
and hang out with some one that i was
not to hang out with.

ZR, age 17

Class Poetry: "The World Doesn't Understand"

--------------------------------------
The world doesn't understand
What's going on in me
because i don't even no what's going
on in me im so confused that i just
want to run away from this world.
and never come back i feel so confused
that i feel that no one would ever
be able to understand me.

AM, age 15

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

I am a human being

everyone wants to be

mean but no one knows

what i have seen all they

say to me is your just a friend

why wont' they treat me

like a human being only if  people

could see everything that i have 

seen then people would think about

being mean. 

TL, age 15

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

the world see a lot in you when

you do good anywhere in the outs

or at your job why cant the doesn't

the world understand you cuz you have

to do good anywhere you are at in the

world.

ZR, age 17

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

the world doesn't understand whats goin on 

in me I just wanna be able to live

in society and not be a trouble maker and

keep my stacks of paper with out dealing

hussuling robbing or stickin up but not I 

know I can. 

KS, age 17

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

I just want to be happy.

But, I- I just can't. Because I just 

saw my mom got murdered.

So I ran upstairs and hid. But, the

killer, I here him coming up the stairs!

But he didn't find me.

But when he left, I was still scared

because I don't have no one left in 

me, all of them are dead. So 

I locked all the doors & feel asleep. And 

then never woke up. 

CU, age 12

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

so much is going on in me

sometimes I want to give up & find a different

place to be.

One day I might just flee.

I hope I can find a better place in me.

ST, age 16

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

I'm just another man

Trying to make a living. 

AW, age 16

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

my liver says hi to my kidney, my

kidney say hi to the brain, the brain

says how r you to the splien, the splien

says hi to the heart.

CS, age 15

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

All they do is judge me

They judge my looks

They judge me by my age

They judge me by what I wear

They judge me by my temper

They judge me by the choices I make

They judge me by the friends I have

They judge me by the way I draw

Why can't everyone calm down and take a look

Take a look at my kind, carring, loving, hopeful

and joyful spirit inside me.

Be more open minded.

Be carring

Be happy

Be peaceful

And just open your eyes there is a world of many possibilitys out there but you won't know until you look. 

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

I feel angry but no one can see me

I feel like I'm invisible and so no one 

cares to look and see 

what I can be when I feel free

so this is me

Take a look inside me

I want to be free

from this discrase inside of me.

CW, age 13

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

My life is so hard

I get in trouble with the

law. Every time I do something

right I think it's wrong. Its

like they put it down on a

card. Keeping track of every 

thing you do just like god

but you don't know there

watching your every move an

action.

HM, age 15

--------------------------------------

The world doesn't understand

What's going on in me

I want to be free but its my 

actions that brought me here

I dont' fear on getting more time

in hear I am a monster with out

a lace to show my feelings in me.

RD, age 14

Class Poetry: "Take a Look and Tell Me"

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see
i see a kid wanning to get
out of here and make a change
for that he can make it thru
life. And be able to have a good
life for the future.


AM, age 15


-----------------------------------
Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see

I want to be free
I see myself free thats how
I want it to be but life
has a fee that you have
to pay if you want to be free.


TL, age 15


-----------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see

that I see that people are deing
good in here Im working so hard in here
where i can go home and do good in the 
outs.


ZR, age 17


-----------------------------------
Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see
am I crazy
cuz this is what I see 
A little boy affrade of hi
own toys becase of the other
boys smoking him around
telling him hes worthless as
he starts to frown by 
he gets up he cocks his fist
back and bops that little
hood rat in the nose as
every one heard a loud pop
the boy hit the growned starting
to cry the other boy had
a tast of power conseling inside
to take anyone who gets to him.


KS, age 17


-----------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see

I'm the little girl. When I was 5
years old, my mom always told me
happyness was the key to life.
When I went to school we had to do 
on assignment what we wanted to be when I grew 
up. I wrote down "happy" they told me 
I don't understand the assignment & I told 
them that they didn't understand life. 


CU, age 12


-----------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see

I see a beautiful young lady.
A young lady trying to find her way back home.
A young lady happy to be alive.
A young lady trying to survive. 


ST, age 116


-----------------------------------
Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see
Mirror mirror on the wall
Take a look and tell me
what you see in me
Is it good or is it scary
When I look into the mirror
This is what I see 
A man trying to change
Being the best I can be. 


AW, age 16


-----------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see

A kid who likes poetry.
A kid that also loves to party.
I am the one dancing on the table.
It makes it easier to see
The life of poetry
Brings out the man in me
So next time you think your tough
or the next time you think your bough
just right some poetry
and you will be surrounded by your friend
and not your worst enemy
that is lurking inside of the
Then when you realize you like it.
You will write and write.
Untill there is a dark gloomy night
and no one is in sight. 




-----------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see

I see a boy that is hard on the outside.
but when you go inside he is small and defenceless like a baby.
But can become a monster if any thing happens
to someone or something he loves
So if you be good and don't hert his feelings he
will be an angel from above. 


CW, age 13




-----------------------------------

Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see

That my thoughts and feelings
is to be free. I'm in my 
room every single day bored
and frustrated Oh you show me
what to do I'm confused
and irritated. What should I do 
I'm filled up with all this frustration. Please help I need
some concentration.


HM, age 15


-----------------------------------
Take a look and tell me,
what you see in me,
this is what I see
a meanly beast that feasts
on some heast. I cook meat
in heat or else I turn green 
like a bean but I am red 
hot so mean but aggresive. 


RD, age 14

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is to be a judge

Dear Sarah, I beleive that you should hire me as one of your judges as Mathison county court house because I have got six proffesional degrees and ten masters degrees and I ahve attended fourty-eight years of colledge and I beleive that I would be a great judge because I have been in most juivaniles shoes. I grew up in the ghetto and I had an abusive mom and dad and I would often choose drugs over family and all my parents thought was I can't do anything to change him we must let him realize on his own that this is not right but as time went by I kept getting worse and worse and my addiction was slowly killing me and one day I woke up in the hospital with my family standing around me and beaging and pleading for me to kick my habit and all I was thinking of is when and where I was going to shoot up again and when I got out of the hospital I went and shot up by a near by trash can.

So that is why I beleive that you should pick me to be your next judge at Mathison County Court house.

BB, age 16

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is Tattoo artist


Dear Sarah, I'm asking for this job because I feel like I can be trusted and will work hard. Ive been to 5 years of college and I have a high school diploma. I am really good at art but I feel like I could get a little bit more training. Im asking for this job because drawing and art is like my favorite thing to do. Thanks.

CS, age 15

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is to coach boxers.

Dear Sarah,
I think you should give me this job because I love boxing. I pratically know all things to it. I have a great mental and physical body. I have all it takes to be a coach for a boxer that wants to learn. You should give me this job because I can help people off the streets and give them a better chance in life this sport is a real life saver for most people that like to fight. they can stay off drugs and stuff like that. You should give me this job because I would like to have a oppurtinity to have a job and change people life not just mine but others.

RD, age 14

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is automobile design artist for Maserati

Dear Sarah,

I am applying for a position on the automobile body design team here at Maserati. Since I was a boy, I've always been drawn to good looking cars, and Maserati has never failed to impress. I've been trying hard to get into a career in designing incredible looking automobiles and I feel that this would be the best job for me in this field. I also think I have a lot I could bring to the team to benefit the company.

Ever since I was about eight, I've been sketching and drawing cars that I like. It's my favorite thing to do. I draw many scale drawings of existing cars, hundreds in face, and I draw just as many sketches of cars I've imagined and designed on my own. I believe I have real talent in the visual aspects of creating new cars. It's always been my dream to some day drive a car I designed myself, and this job will be a huge step in reaching that dream.

In school I've completed multiple engineering, drafting, physics, and art classes. All those fields pertain to this job, I learned in depth, the aspects of scale modeling, design sketching, aerodynamics, and how to put it all together on paper. Those skills cover all the aspects of performing this job. It would require very little additional training to get me performing well as a part of your visual design team.

I feel I meet all the criteria required for doing this job. I also have patience. I work well with others, and can take and handle criticism, and use it to create an even better product. If you wish to inquire more into my abilities and experience, I have a large portfolio of automobile concept art and design sketches of many cars I've imagined. I'll be happy to deliver this portfolio and any other personal information you desire.

Thank you very much for your time and thought. I hope to hear back about any possible openings for me you may have. Thanks again.

BC, age 17

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is Navy Seal.

Dear Sarah, I am qualified for being a navy seal graduated from high school I got a lot of experience about 6 years of training done a lot like staying under water for a while and also Im the best out their so think you should choose me for this job oh ya and I gimmerd osama bin laden.

DC, age 15

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is music.

Dear Sarah: I think that you should give me this job because I love music and that would awesome if I get a job that I love doing and music has been a part of my life for a long time music can help me when im feelling down some music is like if I wrote it because things they say is like stuff that has happened in my life and thats why I love music for alot of resons and thats why I think you should give me my dream job.

LA, age 14

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is SWAT

Dear Sarah,

I want to be in the SWAT because I am a daredevil. I take risks, and I am a proffectional bomb disabler. Hell week was no problem for me. I can do: skydives into the frigid waters of the pacific ocean, become a god of Parkour, and a master Kung Fu.

When or if I get this job I feel I will be able to complete any classified mission I am assigned to. All I ask is for $120,000 a year with great medical benefits. I am the best at my job. No one can match my supierior skills.

RN, age 14

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is game designer

Dear Sarah,

I have all the qualities to be a game designer. Some of the achievements that I have was building a AI in a game that I learned what it was doing wrong. Also I have big plans for the future of game designing. I'm going to make a game where you move and the character moves with you. I have a doctorite in computer science. Also I have a doctorite degree in virtual orientation. I strongly believe that you should pick me because of my skills and willing to work all the time.

UA, age 15

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is Artist

Dear Sarah, my dream job is to be a artist. a artist because all I want to do is draw and it'd be cool if I could get payed to draw because I know alot of people that make part of there living by doing art and art is just what I live for. Because all it is letting your imagination go. 

MG, age 16

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is P.O

Dear Sarah

I am applying for this job because it is my lifelong dream. I think I am right for the job because I can relate to the kids, I have been in the juvenile system, and I got my life together. I have gone to college for 4 years and I have all the classes and degrees required for the job. Please get back to me. Thank you.

TH, age 16

My dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is being a firefighter.

Dear Sarah,
I would like to be a fire fighter cause I can take pain and I can go and rescue a lot of people from fires. I can also take out a mite of fire in ten minutes because I dont wast time. I work until the job is done. If you hire me I would be greatfull cause I also need money to support my family and dogs. I cant affored to live without a job and I have a master and a bachlors and a sociates degree. I feel you and me will get along very well. Thank you.

LH, age 14

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is R.N.

Dear Sarah,
My dream job is being a R.N. I don't like the site of needles or blood. So I will still try to be an R.N. I will go to school, for the full time. I hope for a part time job. So I can pay for colloge. I like helping people and saving lifes. That is my dream job. So dont laff. Don't laff.

KG, age 17

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is playing for raiders.

Dear Sarah, I think I should play for the raiders because Im like a raider I like to play foot ball and like to talckle people and I can run for my size. and i have a good education and a good record. and Im a good sport and I will take the team to the superbowl and win it and keep on wining it until I leave the team.
P.S. I need money!

AR, age 14

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is UFC & LA Swat

Dear Sarah,

Why do I want to be n the swat team. I will tell you why. This is why I would like to becom a member of the Los Angeles swat devison becuz it looks like a hard challange. I would fit the job because I say so that's why. J/K. I would like the hard work the exprince and the comint and I look tight and hard core in the uniforms.

My dream job is to became a UFC fighter why would I like to become a UFC fighter is becuz I like the adrline and I would be perfect for the job why becuz I trained at Absent MMg for 5 years I know kick boxing and brizien jitsu and thats why.

MT, age 17

My Dream Job-- a persuasive writing assignment

My dream job is history teacher.

Dear Sarah,

My inquire is to become a social studies, or a History teacher. I have a passion for culture, history, and ideology. I also have been noted for my abilities, thoughts, and have been sharing them for years. To be telling of past would be perfect.

I enjoy the past. From Adam and Eve, to the Gulf war, and to this day I am learning. How one persons thoughts became World War II, and how we are similar, and different from people from the past. The world, from point A to now, then to point B, History is facinating.

Looking, and telling, I learn from sources, and then tell of my expierences. Sharing some of this information is astonding. How Napolean lost Waterloo, from his "problem." Just from one fact, lead to his defeat. Some of this information can not be just kept for myself, it must be shared.

Culture is amazing. How every year, something changes. From the Industrial Revolution, to todays iPads and gadgets. What may be taboo for one culture, is important in another. Also how todays hot topic, or used to be was similar in the past. Immagrants used to be huge, after the potato famine in the 1840's made many Irish immagrants come to the Americas, working for a dime a dozen, taking many jobs. That may sound simmilar, even today people converse on immigration liking every job. Culture is amazing how simmilar, or different, and even taboo, it is truely exsilerating.

World, culture, ideas, and differences, the basis of history. Teaching it or learning it, history is remarkable. Being able to teach it would be a dream. Hencing that for my dream job.

CW, age 15

Everybody Has a Story: "I can forgive"

My story is like a tall tale. When I was small I was hert. My dad was very trubled. On the verge of a brake up. He was a hevey drinker, a biker, and a fighter. He drank alot one night. He came home wasted. I was about 11 months old. He got in a argument with my mom. I was sound asleep. In the midel of the fight I started to cry. Mom came and calmed me down. I fell back to sleep. Mom left. I woke up. He was still drinking. He came in my room and picked me up. He started to through me agenst the couch. 17 years later. He has changed. My mom dosn't see it but I do. I can forgive

KG, age 17