“The Operation of Love” — story by Eliyah Sims

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One City One Story 2016 Writing Contest: “A Vivid Memory” Honorable mention Category 3: Grades 9-12   “The Operation of Love” by Eliyah Sims Grade 11 Pasadena Youth Build   I’d sing a song in December just to remember you. I was 16 when I first laid eyes on you; […]

The Boy With Compliments — a poem

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The Boy with Compliments by Christal Lee, grade 8   There’s this boy in two of my classes He wears many hoodies But he won’t wear hats, suspenders or glasses Though he does have the mind of a goody, goody He is the boy with compliments   Around the class […]

Peaking Through

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Peaking Through a poem by Kendra W. (teen)   Pain peaks through the scars everyday peaks through the tears, through the blood. There is still fake smiles everywhere. I see the lights in your eyes, but the darkness in my soul blinds me. My darkness is more powerful than your […]

The Mask

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The Mask poem by Kendra W. (teen)   I showed you the scars, the scars that can’t be explained, you notice the pain on your own. Everyday I put a fake smile on my face to hide the pain and scars, but you saw right through the Mask.   14-year-old […]

When the Light Shows

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When the Light Shows a poem by Kendra W., age 14   As the night grows darker my soul grows darker. My light never shows, you brought the light back, the fog is gone and the sun is up, I can see what’s right in front of me, you saw […]

How to Smile

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How to Smile a poem by Frissiel Juscamaita (teen)   One teaspoon of friends For laughs and support Two teaspoons of best friends To call to when you need someone to talk to Three teaspoons of junk food To clear up your stomach when sad Four teaspoons of family members […]

How to Survive a Freestyle Rap Battle

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How to Survive a Freestyle Rap Battle a poem by Sofia Priego (teen)   Rapping is something that can come naturally. Or it’s something you just enjoy doing happily. It’s an outlet to express yourself and all your emotions, when you have feelings locked up inside going through the motions […]

How to Ignore People

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How to Ignore People a poem by Lara Mirzoyan (teen)   It sounds easy, but it’s hard to do. How can one ignore a person that takes life from you. They talk behind your back, you pretend you don’t know. You talk to them with a smile, bringing your confidence […]

Roaring 20’s Poetry Night

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Hats, beads, glitter! It’s a 1920’s party with the added benefit of poetry. In Roaring 20’s fashion, teens shared their self-written poems under the spotlight.  The performers were teens from all over our community—some from our own writing workshops and many from our local high schools.  With the help of many […]

Student Open Mic Poetry Night

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It was an exciting night filled with poems, art, music, and performances. In celebration of National Poetry Month, we held several poetry nights for middle school students and teens. Students in grades 6-8 from PUSD LEARNS after school program share their own self-written poems on stage.  As part of a writing […]