A writer implores people to get outside and touch grass because you never know what you might find!

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.

Full of exquisite imagery, this poem explores the idea of second chances.

Living in the digital world can create unwanted attachments, as one student laments.

In this narrative, the author uses vibrant language to explore their identity, in all its complexity, through different landscapes.

From the forthcoming anthology, Poets in Revolt!, this poem explores the aftermath and lasting impacts of school shootings.

This narrative piece contemplates the struggle of immigrants during the pandemic.

In this compelling poem, the author navigates her relationship with America as a young African-American woman.

From the forthcoming anthology, Poets in Revolt!, this poem reminds activists that "to change everything, we need everyone."

A poem about staying true to yourself during a challenging transition

This creative narrative imagines how the coronavirus views humanity during the pandemic.

In this letter from the Essential Words lesson, a senior at South High School in Minneapolis offers words of support to healthcare workers across the country, including her own mom.

In this poem, a student describes their family origins with an intimate point of view

A student finds her wings in unexpected places in this piece about the transition to college.

A student explores the paradox of how technology is used amongst teenagers.

This personal narrative addresses the struggles of students graduating high school during the pandemic.

Discover what one student experiences when they tuck their phone away for a whole day.

When Instagram becomes an unsightly battlefield.

This piece reminds us that a smile is not always what it seems.

A student describes their shark like imaginary friend.

A powerful poem that lifts up Black women.

This student’s powerful piece reveals the essence of racial injustice.

In this poem, a student reflects on their first encounter with forced assimilation.

A trans student reflects on their desire to be male.

Crawfish, crayfish, or mudbugs. Whatever you call them, the writer of this poem doesn't like them.

This poem offers a very-real answer to "What do you want to be when you grow up?"

One student explores their online persona and the lasting importance of conscientious social media practices.

In this memoir, the narrator recounts the struggle of being the bigger person in a very small space.

This creative short horror piece explores the mysteries and danger of a night in the woods.

This poem uses analogies to describe all of the pieces of the writer's personal history.

In this rousing poem, a student asserts her strength and worth as a woman.

A poet imagines a better and more harmonious world.

Liner notes that showcase the meaning and musicality of the Jimmy Ruffin song “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted.”

A powerful poetic piece about the experience of being Black in America.

A personal essay that explores the different shades of the Black Lives Matter movement.

A poem about the complexity of love exchanged during the holidays.

Black strength, beauty, and pride soar in this poem as a student discusses overcoming brutality and discrimination.

In this poem, a student’s experiences in two countries meld together as she seeks out her true home.

In this letter from the Essential Words lesson, a student shares how essential workers’ courage and compassion center her during these hectic times.

In this poem, an echoing question strikes a chord and reveals the tragic loss held within systemic injustice.

A poet sets the stage to showcase her reflections on being trans.

A soccer-filled, feud-fueled memoir.

In this letter from the Essential Words lesson, a student describes how essential workers are the pulse of New York, fueling the city’s hope.

A memoir that questions the idea of home and how it changes with time.

A poet speaks out as a voice for change and all those who cannot speak.

A student compares themself to the place they live, New Orleans, as both evolve through great obstacles.

A student recounts separation with a beloved friend through a nostalgic lens.

In this poem, a student reflects on their roots and their desire to grow.

A student reflects on memories of home and what binds her special community together.

In this letter from the Essential Words lesson, a student shares gratitude for the dedication of nurses and gives “credit where credit is due.”

This poem takes an honest look at two sides of the writer's culture.

A student spins through space and a treasure trove of memories in this poem.

A student reflects on the memories they made while backpacking.

A poet relates her experience as a queer woman in the closet to a peacock in the zoo.

In this essay, a student threads their identity across cultures, histories, and places, engaging with legacies of violence and the movement of people.

A bilingual "I am" poem filled with conviction and courage.

The stunning and vulnerable poem processes feelings of loss, grief, and hope for the future.

A family interview reveals a mother's painful past and shines a light on her persistence.

A student recalls their journey on how they discovered their LGBTQIA+ identity.

In this public narrative, a student illustrates the hardships his uncle has faced to argue for a path to citizenship.

In this poem, metaphor is used to describe who the narrator is.

This student reveals the mysterious origin story of the king cake. Hint: it includes Big Freedia, DJ Chicken Wing, and a massive party.

A neighborhood ode filled with sights and sounds of the poet's street.

In this poem, a student reflects on identity.

A student reflects on a small moment and single sacrifice that transformed her outlook on giving.

In this public narrative, a student makes the case for creating community change by building youth centers in her neighborhood.