PUBLIC SCHOOL GUESTS 

 

THE CHALLENGES OF MELANIN  
 
Melanin, is a beautiful thing to embrace 
We got the looks 
We got iconic style 
We got culture that shines like the brightest diamonds 
We got skin that when it’s in the light, 
it complements our skin like no other 
You may wish that you had melanin 
However, do you really want melanin? 
Because without a doubt, having this luscious melanin 
comes with many challenges 
With having melanin, 
we’re stereotyped as criminals 
We can’t sleep at night without fearing that 
today might be our last day on this earth 
We can’t take a jog in the park 
without being shot by a cop 
And why do we get shot? 
Well, the answer is quite easy to figure out 
The answer, we’re Black 
We’re not seen as humans 
We’re not seen as people who deserve  
an ounce of mercy 
or the right to be heard 
Instead, we’re silenced 
We get outspoken 
Our cries are ignored 
It’s honestly sad,  if you really think about it 
Because fellow Black kids like me have to be told that 
we’re not equal 
One wrong move 
One wrong thing said 
Our tone of voice 
Our body language 
Can simply cost our life. 
And within a matter of seconds 
we  can go from being alive and well 
to laying on the floor bleeding out 
taking our last breath 
crying because we’re not ready to go 
We’re not ready to see the look of our mother’s face 
when they hear that their child has been murdered 
by the injustice of our system 
We don’t want to go out in the hands of a cop 
Or a White person who’s angry that we’re finally 
using our voice to our advantage 
So, when you say that you wish you had melanin in you 
think to yourself, 
would I be ready to face 
the challenges of melanin? 
 

Alex 
P368K Star Academy

 
MY FAMILY’S RECIPE  
 
They found a little courage 
that simmered in the sun. 
They blended it with patience, 
and just a spice of fun. 
They poured in hope and laughter. 
And then with a sudden twist 
they stirred it all together 
and made an Optimist! 
 

Alicia  
P368K Star Academy

 
A WOMAN SCORNED  
 
A woman filled with scorn 
is a woman that is torn. 
She is tired and worn. 
She tries to be tough and spiky as a thorn. 
 
She knows she hasn’t won, 
but she still rises like the sun. 
Because although she went through a ton, 
she knows well her journey is not done. 

Her pain and suffering is heard. 
Her fears and worries are blurred. 
Her passion and fire is stirred. 
She is free and happy as a bird. 
 
For God has heard her call, 
since He is above us all. 
She never stopped to bawl, 
through it all, she’s standing tall. 
 

Kayla  
P368K Star Academy

 
COMIC ODE TO FOOD  
 
Let’s get some food, dude! 
It’ll make us go poo 
Because of a ghost that’ll will say boo! 
Don’t be so rude, and just take a bite of food. 
You may think my poem has no rhyme or reason. 
Well, it surely has rhyme 
It also has reasoning 
You see, it put a smile on my face 
Humor was used as its seasoning. 
Hope it put a smile on your face 
And it suits your taste! 
 

Kelanie   
P368K Star Academy

 
POEM FOR THE SPANISH GUITAR  
 
When I hear the sound of your melody, 
I feel like we have chemistry. 
In this special way, I want to honor you, 
And tell how the guitar grew, in Hispanic culture. 
In the 1800’s, Spanish guitar maker Antonio Torres 
created a guitar like a magical sculpture, 
that sang sounds of glory around the land, 
when stroked by a human hand. 
His design started the way 
for the modern guitar that is a blessing today. 
We listen to the beauty of its blues, 
It’s a calling that we can’t refuse.  
We are proud to be Hispanics. 
Our Spanish and Hispanic guitar music keeps us strong. 
Its melody is haunting, like the theme song of  Titanic. 
The music is in our minds and soul. 
It makes me lose control. 
When I play the guitar, I feel whole. 
I feel the joy of parties, family reunions, and my birthday. 
Si, your beautiful magic I will bring alive. 
Every time I play, 
my worries go away, and I survive.   
 

Madelyn  
P368K Star Academy

 
LA VIDA   
 
La vida a veces puede ser dura, 
Hay días tristes, 
Dias de amargura 
días felices,  
Pero cada herida se cura, 
Y algunas quedan 
Cicatrices.  
 
La vida no se trata del más que tenga, 
Quien es mejor, 
Se trata de luchar  
Contra lo que venga, 
Y superar  
Cada dolor. 
 

Giovannie Negrón 
CAPA, 9th Grade

 
QUERIDO COVID 19  
 
Querido, COVID 19 
Eres un idiota
No te soporto 
Quisiera patearte 
Eres un egoísta  
Te lo quieres llevar todo 
NO 
Tienes que calmarte 
Queremos disfrutar la vida, 
Deja de manifestarte 
Espero la cura, 
Para que te vayas 
Junto a ella, La cuarentena  
La tóxica,  
La posesiva 
Se apoderó del mundo 
Como diosa, que manda 
Deja decirte que no, 
No más  
Mi vida no es tuya, 
Lo que siento por ti y tu familia es desprecio 
Deseo que mueras 
Y quedes cien pies bajo tierra. 
 

Alanis Cordero 
CAPA, 12th Grade

 
YA ME CANSE!  
 
Ya me canse de ver las mismas cuatro paredes 
Ya me canse de la misma monotonía. 
Ya me canse de la mascarilla. 
Ya me canse del distanciamiento social. 
Ya me canse de no poder ir a la escuela. 
Ya me canse de la computadora. 
Ya me canse del internet. 
Ya me canse de la pandemia. 
Ya me canse de que el gobierno nos mienta. 
Ya me canse de que no encuentren la maldita cura. 
Ya me canse de todo. 
Ya me canse de las redes. 
 

Alanis Cordero 
CAPA, 12th Grade

 
BLACK LIVES MATTERS, SABES POR QUÉ? 
 
Black lives matters, sabes por qué? 
Porque esos negros que mueren  
Tienen familia también 
Mientras ellos pierden su vida 
El mundo gira 
Como quiera y cuando menos te lo esperas 
Una noticia te acelera… 
Al oir que otra persona de color  
Fue asesinada  
Injustamente 
Black lives matters, sabes por qué? 
Vivimos en un mundo 
Donde la piedad carece 
Agentes matan inocentes 
Miles de familias enloquecen  
Y nadie arregla nada  
Para que esta sociedad prospere  
Y se pueda vivir en paz  
Sin importar tu raza 
Tu color de piel 
Y de dónde vienes  
 

Fabian Novoa   
CAPA, 12th Grade 

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