My Interesting Eyes

My interesting eyes are like

the moon and sun mixed together.

Half of my eye is bright

the other side of my eye is dark.

In the morning they match

my clothes and breakfast.

At night they match

with my pjs and dinner.

Whenever the lights are off,

my eyes are like sharks.

When the lights are on,

my eyes are like cat’s eyes.

When I wake up,

it was a dream.

-Alexis J.

New York is My Home

New York is my home it’s where I’m free, when I’m not there it’s like a shell you see

I want to go home yes home that’s my home, I don’t live there that’s for sure I live in Evanston

but that’s not where I’m from

I love the sound of taxicabs it’s so wonderful I’m never sad

I’m one thousand miles away that’s what I say, I tell my Dad it’s just a plane ticket but that’s not the case

I wish I could go home just for the summer so I can smell the sweet New York luster,

you think I’m bluffing just wait and see, this ain’t no type of game to me

I express the best when I’m in my New York dress

I cry, I try, I do what I can, but nothing will help me fulfill my plan.

Who knows how I feel I’m so bottled up here, you just see a face that smiles every day

but do you see me inside when I cry?

You see my laughter the place where I live ain’t no Sherman

It’s New York understand it, don’t ever judge if you don’t know where I’m from

you don’t know my background New York is my home

I try and try and try to be free, to express myself but it’s not that easy

Step in my shoes if you dare I’m telling you now just beware

New York is my home and I can’t get there but you know what? That’s just not fair.

Me happy go lucky Ashley is what you see, but is it really?

But do you really know I’m in a deep hole crowded by pain,

New York is the only place I can be plain and simple me.

-Ashley L.

*This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

N

Slam Dunk

Basketball is my life

I would make Spaulding my wife.

Only playing one-on-one with the best

to put my skills to the test. There’s

no time for rest.

 I just wanna ball but they wanna

see me fall. I can prove to my

fans once and for all that I

can ball. No need for side track

just stick your best D and pack that.

 Interrupt the opponent and go for

the layup.  Time for the checkup,

go for the jumpshot. Don’t comment

just say it was hot.

 I’m skilled and I’m lucky like

the number thirteen. My moves are

clean and my attitude is mean.

Have to be the most valuable player

in the game ‘cuz no other is the same. All the time was worth, put

the other team in a hearse.

Going for the fast break

the whole court’s gonna shake.

Sweat drippin’ down, situation

Like slow motion.

 Now for the signature move,

back flip has the fans drop a lip.

slam dunk, now the game is

over. I just won but just for

Fun.

-Knight W.

My Lil’ Mama

 I got the blues

My lil mama won’t look at me no mo’

Oh y’all I got the blues

My lil mama won’t look at me no mo’

I guess I’ll go on back to Mississippi

I’ll just pack my bags and hit the do’

Tuggin’ me back n’ forth

I don’t know what to do

Ya tuggin me back n’ forth, baby

I just don’t know what to do

The way I see things right now baby

You tellin’ me “I don’t want you.”

You’se a mean woman

You treatin me so wrong

Ooooooh you’s a mean woman

You know you doin’ me so wrong.

I’m so shocked I don’t know what

To say so this is the end of my song

-Chauncey G.

*This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

   More Poetry from Evanston Teens*

Just because I am from another country,

doesn’t mean I should be your servant

doesn’t mean I don’t know your language

doesn’t mean I can’t follow the rules.

Just because I’m bigger

doesn’t mean you can call me giagantor

doesn’t mean I am like a tree trunk

doesn’t mean I’m a meany

Just because I’m black

doesn’t mean I can’t learn

doesn’t mean you should treat me like a slave

doesn’t mean I’m from the chocolate world

It’s just how I am.

-Alexis J.

Just Because…

Just because I talk ghetto

Doesn’t mean I’m simple or slow

Just because I am chubby

Doesn’t mean I always “Have it My Way”

Just because my teeth are crooked

Doesn’t mean I’m a freak

Just because I fight

It doesn’t make me a bully

Just because I rap

Doesn’t mean I qualify for the senseless statistics

Just because I’m hard

Doesn’t mean I can’t be soft

Just because I’m black

Doesn’t mean I always eat chicken

Doesn’t mean I always eat watermelon

-Chauncey G.

Don’t Judge Me

Just because I’m a girl

Doesn’t mean I’m weak

Doesn’t mean I can’t win

Doesn’t mean I’m bossy

Just because I’m a nerd

Doesn’t mean I can’t let loose

Doesn’t mean I’m a stick in the mud

Doesn’t mean I’m a geeky bookworm

Just because I’m tall

Doesn’t mean I’ve been held back

Doesn’t mean I’m a giant

Doesn’t mean I’m a freak

That’s just how I am so you

Either take or leave it

-Tyler D

*This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

   Evanston Teen Poets Express Themselves!* 

The Truth Behind My High Voice

Just because I have a high voice.

Does not mean I’m not loud.

Don’t let that fool you.

Don’t listen to how I sound listen to what I say.

Does not mean I don’t get mad, doesn’t mean I’m not heard of.

I have a voice so I’m gonna use it

and I’m gonna say what I’ve got to say.

Just because I have a high voice

Does not mean I’m not LOUD.

-Juliana N.

ARIEL

Just because I’m a small thirteen year old girl.

Doesn’t mean I don’t have feelings.

Doesn’t mean I can’t understand what you older kids are going through

Doesn’t mean that my size can tell you what I can do.

Just because I look like a nice person

Doesn’t make you think I’m so easy

Doesn’t mean I can’t be sassy

Doesn’t mean I can’t bring out the ghetto in me.

Doesn’t mean I can’t be loud.

Just because I’m small

Doesn’t mean I don’t play sports.

Doesn’t mean I can’t run track

Doesn’t mean I can’t be tough

Doesn’t mean I can’t play football

Just because I’m reading this poem

Doesn’t mean this is all of me.

-Ariel M.

*This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.