Grade 11
PoetryWritingElsy Matias Espinoza (she/her) is a sixteen-year-old student who attends Lowell High School in San Francisco. She is a published author at 826 Valencia who likes to learn new languages and enjoys listening to music. You’ll often catch her writing poetry but more often, laughing with friends. This poem is based on a reflection of Elsy’s vision for a harmonious world, where love transcends barriers and music unites hearts. It embodies her belief in unity, peace, and the power of diverse cultures merging in a beautiful tapestry. Through her words, Elsy aims to inspire and uplift, contributing to positive change in the world, one poem at a time.
In a world reborn, where love’s melody flows,
A tapestry of dreams, where every color glows.
Imagine, if you will, this vision so grand,
A realm of harmony, hand in hand.
Music, the heartbeat of every soul’s core,
A universal language, opening every door.
Love in the air, a symphony of unity,
Binding hearts in a dance of community.
Screens and media, relics of the past,
Replaced by connections, real and vast.
Faces meet with smiles, in life’s vibrant play,
In the waltz of moments, day by day.
Here, every spirit is a unique, radiant song.
In a world where all are valued, none are wrong.
Diverse hues blend, in a glorious light,
Creating a masterpiece, dazzlingly bright.
Palestine’s sorrows turn to hope’s embrace,
In lands where peace and justice interlace.
Gone are the shadows of fear and the night,
Replaced by a dawn of unyielding light.
Families thrive, in safety’s gentle arms,
Free from the world’s alarms and harms.
Borders no longer divide, but lovingly unite,
In a world where every heart’s journey takes flight.
Education, a path of joy, not a heavy toll,
A gift of knowledge, enriching every soul.
Violence and hatred, whispers of yesteryear,
In our realm, only tales of love and cheer.
Human rights, the foundation of our existence,
In a world where hunger maintains no resistance.
Racism fades into the annals of history,
In a land where diversity is the ultimate mystery.
In this vision, so resplendent and pure,
A world of compassion, love, and allure.
A symphony of life, where fear finds no trace,
A future where every soul finds its rightful place.
If the world was this canvas of dreams so bright,
A masterpiece painted with love’s eternal light.
Let this be our anthem, our unified plea,
To create a world where every heart is truly free.
—E.M.E
by Joanne H, 826 Valencia
In this poem, a student’s experiences in two countries meld together as she seeks out her true home.
by Jeremy Hsiao, 826 National
From the forthcoming anthology, Poets in Revolt!, this poem reminds activists that "to change everything, we need everyone."
by Brandon R., 826LA
A student recounts the epic highs and lows of high school track and cross country.
by Salma Khalif, 826 MSP
A powerful poem that lifts up Black women.
by Soraya, 826NYC
This student’s powerful piece reveals the essence of racial injustice.
by Maria, Grade 12, 826 Boston
In this public narrative, a student makes the case for creating community change by building youth centers in her neighborhood.
by Colin Y., Age 17, 826 Valencia
A student describes how volunteering saved him from his online prison.
by Jennifer Alcocer, The 826 Dallas Project
This personal narrative addresses the struggles of students graduating high school during the pandemic.
by Sergio M, 826 Valencia
This piece reminds us that a smile is not always what it seems.
by Michaiah Anderson, The 826 Dallas Project
In this poem, a student describes their family origins with an intimate point of view
by Ryan, Grade 12, 826 Boston
In this public narrative, a student illustrates the hardships his uncle has faced to argue for a path to citizenship.
by Sharoya Bracey, 826NYC
In this memoir, the narrator recounts the struggle of being the bigger person in a very small space.
by Karla M., 826LA
A poem for lovers of love and the moon.
by Jesus Sanchez, The 826 Dallas Project
This creative short horror piece explores the mysteries and danger of a night in the woods.
by Justis Porter, age 16, 826 Boston
A neighborhood ode filled with sights and sounds of the poet's street.
by Vanessa Ramon-Ibarra, 826DC
Living in the digital world can create unwanted attachments, as one student laments.
by Lucas Hu, 826 Boston
A poem about staying true to yourself during a challenging transition
by Katya Torres, The 826 Dallas Project
This bilingual poem explores the harrowing story of a boy working while in school to save his mother.
by Arianna R., Grade 11, 826 Boston
A beautiful ode to home and self.
by Jonas K., 826 National
A student explores the paradox of how technology is used amongst teenagers.
by George S., Grade 11, 826 Boston
A writer implores people to get outside and touch grass because you never know what you might find!
by Jizelle Villegas, Grade 12, 826 Dallas Project
The stunning and vulnerable poem processes feelings of loss, grief, and hope for the future.
by Maya M., Grade 11, Newburg, OR
A student reflects on the memories they made while backpacking.
by Gisel J., 826LA
The power of public speaking shines through this student's memoir.
by Terra C., Grades 10-11, 826NYC
A student recalls their journey on how they discovered their LGBTQIA+ identity.
by Izzy T., 826 Valencia
A student reflects on memories of home and what binds her special community together.
by Corazón, 826 New Orleans
In this essay, a student threads their identity across cultures, histories, and places, engaging with legacies of violence and the movement of people.
by Lisbeth M.F., 826NYC
A story about how Marcus becomes Marcela.
by Raheem, 826 New Orleans
A student compares themself to the place they live, New Orleans, as both evolve through great obstacles.
by Johnny Vasquez, 826 MSP
A family interview reveals a mother's painful past and shines a light on her persistence.
Virginia Walker, age 18, 826 Boston
A student writes to a grandmother she never met.
by Kayla Wayne, Grade 11, 826NYC
In this poem, a student reflects on their first encounter with forced assimilation.
by Numan Khan, age 16, 826 Boston
A bilingual "I am" poem filled with conviction and courage.
by Kaleo V.C., Age 17, 826 Valencia
A student looks back on their first day of kindergarten and how they've changed.
by Augustus Griffith Jr., 826 National
From the forthcoming anthology, Poets in Revolt!, this poem explores the aftermath and lasting impacts of school shootings.
by Tammy Fong, 826NYC
A soccer-filled, feud-fueled memoir.
by Quardasha Mitchell, The 826 Dallas Project
In this compelling poem, the author navigates her relationship with America as a young African-American woman.
by Samuel Wang, Grade 10, 826NYC
A poem about the complexity of love exchanged during the holidays.
by Steysi Hailee, 826LA
A student reflects on a small moment and single sacrifice that transformed her outlook on giving.
Kenya G., 17, 826LA
A poet relates her experience as a queer woman in the closet to a peacock in the zoo.
by Bianca Morcho, 826 MSP
A personal essay that explores the different shades of the Black Lives Matter movement.
by Keyshana, Grade 11, 826CHI
Black strength, beauty, and pride soar in this poem as a student discusses overcoming brutality and discrimination.
by Alanis T., Age 17, 826 Boston
A student reflects on how her relationship's with her parents has influenced her life.
by Sylvia C., 826 Valencia
A poet demonstrates their devotion to love.
by Earl Williams Jr., The 826 Dallas Project
A powerful poetic piece about the experience of being Black in America.
by Melody Marcano, 826 Boston
In this poem, a student reflects on their roots and their desire to grow.
by Ryker, 826michigan
Liner notes that showcase the meaning and musicality of the Jimmy Ruffin song “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted.”
by Leydi Di Villanueva, The 826 Dallas Project
This creative narrative imagines how the coronavirus views humanity during the pandemic.
by Shayne Williams
Discover what one student experiences when they tuck their phone away for a whole day.
by Timothy T., Age 17, 826 Valencia
A student tells the story of how his family has influenced his life.
by Rockelle Rodd, Grade 11, 826NYC
This poem uses analogies to describe all of the pieces of the writer's personal history.
by Junaynah R., Grade 11, 826NYC
Full of exquisite imagery, this poem explores the idea of second chances.
by Alexis G., Grade 11
In this narrative, the author uses vibrant language to explore their identity, in all its complexity, through different landscapes.
by Riti Shrestha, 826NYC
In this poem, metaphor is used to describe who the narrator is.
by Abby S., Grade 11, 826 Boston
An author reflects on their correspondence with their friend from the past.
Rosman A., age 18, 826CHI
Smells swirl about a student walking around an ice cream shop.
by Sally Phan, 826 Boston
A memoir that questions the idea of home and how it changes with time.
by Sian Laing
When Instagram becomes an unsightly battlefield.
by Jazlyn Moses, 826 National
One student explores their online persona and the lasting importance of conscientious social media practices.
by Jahruwach Hamilton, 826NYC
In this rousing poem, a student asserts her strength and worth as a woman.
Yamilet J., 826LA
A student reflects on the fear and wonder of becoming a mother.
by Sarah X. Age 18, 826Boston
A rousing public narrative from an author coming to terms with their identity as a young Chinese American woman and what they represent: the community of Boston's Chinatown.
by Jordan, 826 New Orleans
Crawfish, crayfish, or mudbugs. Whatever you call them, the writer of this poem doesn't like them.
by Oriel, 826NYC
In this poem, an echoing question strikes a chord and reveals the tragic loss held within systemic injustice.
by Julianna Cruz, 826 Dallas Project
This narrative piece contemplates the struggle of immigrants during the pandemic.
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