Grade 11
NarrativeWritingI am a place with no final destination.
Abundant is the sky.
The seasons are whole.
The sun beams on your soft skin. A lavender field that dances in unison when the smooth blissful breeze rolls through.
The moon befriends your eyes as you sleep beneath the stars pacing your breath to match the earth. Butterflies fly around you
and you lose track of time forgetting everything that was running rampant in your beautiful canary-coated mind. Children everywhere from the park swing to the seesaw—
Euphoric.
Cars with the top down while blaring SZA with your hair flying behind you.
The arcade where the lights bring out the color in your eyes and you feel nostalgic when you get home with a giant bear in your
arms—
Serendipity.
An art museum where the statues are still and the paintings call your name as you imagine every emotion to come to mind as if you had painted that yourself and suddenly, you feel more like an artist than you did before—
Aesthete.
I am infatuated with Boston at night. With the street lights that flicker or the mellifluous silence that brings you tranquility. I am
the sand you dip your toes in when the sunrise kisses the ocean good morning. Or the air that smells fresh after a night of rain—
Graceful.
With the boba places around every corner or Newbury Street in the spring where you’re surrounded by crowds yet, it brings you joy. I am your imagination. The place where you can feel safe and at ease because I am infinite places.
You are home.
by Keyshana, Grade 11, 826CHI
Black strength, beauty, and pride soar in this poem as a student discusses overcoming brutality and discrimination.
by Jonas K., 826 National
A student explores the paradox of how technology is used amongst teenagers.
by Sergio M, 826 Valencia
This piece reminds us that a smile is not always what it seems.
by Gisel J., 826LA
The power of public speaking shines through this student's memoir.
by Salma Khalif, 826 MSP
A powerful poem that lifts up Black women.
by Timothy T., Age 17, 826 Valencia
A student tells the story of how his family has influenced his life.
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 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 Jeremy Hsiao, 826 National
From the forthcoming anthology, Poets in Revolt!, this poem reminds activists that "to change everything, we need everyone."
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 Riti Shrestha, 826NYC
In this poem, metaphor is used to describe who the narrator is.
by Jahruwach Hamilton, 826NYC
In this rousing poem, a student asserts her strength and worth as a woman.
by Maya M., Grade 11, Newburg, OR
A student reflects on the memories they made while backpacking.
by Jizelle Villegas, Grade 12, 826 Dallas Project
The stunning and vulnerable poem processes feelings of loss, grief, and hope for the future.
by Shayne Williams
Discover what one student experiences when they tuck their phone away for a whole day.
by Samuel Wang, Grade 10, 826NYC
A poem about the complexity of love exchanged during the holidays.
by Earl Williams Jr., The 826 Dallas Project
A powerful poetic piece about the experience of being Black in America.
by Justis Porter, age 16, 826 Boston
A neighborhood ode filled with sights and sounds of the poet's street.
by Johnny Vasquez, 826 MSP
A family interview reveals a mother's painful past and shines a light on her persistence.
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 Vanessa Ramon-Ibarra, 826DC
Living in the digital world can create unwanted attachments, as one student laments.
by Jazlyn Moses, 826 National
One student explores their online persona and the lasting importance of conscientious social media practices.
by Izzy T., 826 Valencia
A student reflects on memories of home and what binds her special community together.
Yamilet J., 826LA
A student reflects on the fear and wonder of becoming a mother.
by Tammy Fong, 826NYC
A soccer-filled, feud-fueled memoir.
by Lucas Hu, 826 Boston
A poem about staying true to yourself during a challenging transition
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 Junaynah R., Grade 11, 826NYC
Full of exquisite imagery, this poem explores the idea of second chances.
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 Jennifer Alcocer, The 826 Dallas Project
This personal narrative addresses the struggles of students graduating high school during the pandemic.
by Julianna Cruz, 826 Dallas Project
This narrative piece contemplates the struggle of immigrants during the pandemic.
by Sylvia C., 826 Valencia
A poet demonstrates their devotion to love.
by Rockelle Rodd, Grade 11, 826NYC
This poem uses analogies to describe all of the pieces of the writer's personal history.
by Elsy M.E., Grade 11, 826 Valencia
A poet imagines a better and more harmonious world.
by Lisbeth M.F., 826NYC
A story about how Marcus becomes Marcela.
by Colin Y., Age 17, 826 Valencia
A student describes how volunteering saved him from his online prison.
by Alanis T., Age 17, 826 Boston
A student reflects on how her relationship's with her parents has influenced her life.
by Kayla Wayne, Grade 11, 826NYC
In this poem, a student reflects on their first encounter with forced assimilation.
by Leydi Di Villanueva, The 826 Dallas Project
This creative narrative imagines how the coronavirus views humanity during the pandemic.
Virginia Walker, age 18, 826 Boston
A student writes to a grandmother she never met.
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 Sian Laing
When Instagram becomes an unsightly battlefield.
by Abby S., Grade 11, 826 Boston
An author reflects on their correspondence with their friend from the past.
by Kaleo V.C., Age 17, 826 Valencia
A student looks back on their first day of kindergarten and how they've changed.
by Karla M., 826LA
A poem for lovers of love and the moon.
by Soraya, 826NYC
This student’s powerful piece reveals the essence of racial injustice.
Rosman A., age 18, 826CHI
Smells swirl about a student walking around an ice cream shop.
by Numan Khan, age 16, 826 Boston
A bilingual "I am" poem filled with conviction and courage.
Annasian Walters, Grade 11-12, 826NYC
A student explores gratitude and love through sharing food.
by Jordan, 826 New Orleans
Crawfish, crayfish, or mudbugs. Whatever you call them, the writer of this poem doesn't like them.
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 Terra C., Grades 10-11, 826NYC
A student recalls their journey on how they discovered their LGBTQIA+ identity.
by Sally Phan, 826 Boston
A memoir that questions the idea of home and how it changes with time.
by Sharoya Bracey, 826NYC
In this memoir, the narrator recounts the struggle of being the bigger person in a very small space.
by Steysi Hailee, 826LA
A student reflects on a small moment and single sacrifice that transformed her outlook on giving.
by Alexis G., Grade 11
In this narrative, the author uses vibrant language to explore their identity, in all its complexity, through different landscapes.
Kenya G., 17, 826LA
A poet relates her experience as a queer woman in the closet to a peacock in the zoo.
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 Melody Marcano, 826 Boston
In this poem, a student reflects on their roots and their desire to grow.
by Brandon R., 826LA
A student recounts the epic highs and lows of high school track and cross country.
by Bianca Morcho, 826 MSP
A personal essay that explores the different shades of the Black Lives Matter movement.
by Ryker, 826michigan
Liner notes that showcase the meaning and musicality of the Jimmy Ruffin song “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted.”
by Raheem, 826 New Orleans
A student compares themself to the place they live, New Orleans, as both evolve through great obstacles.
by Oriel, 826NYC
In this poem, an echoing question strikes a chord and reveals the tragic loss held within systemic injustice.
by Jesus Sanchez, The 826 Dallas Project
This creative short horror piece explores the mysteries and danger of a night in the woods.
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