Grade 11
NarrativeWritingAlexis Grusby (she/her/hers) is a junior at Novato High School in California. She loves writing and has dreams of pursuing some form of art in her life. She dedicates all her work to her dog, Scout, and is extremely thankful for her family and friends.
I cannot be defined as one place, one clear image in your mind.
I am an entire ecosystem, connected with roads of veins and paths of blood.
My head is a churning ocean, the most treacherous part of this planet. Sometimes it is beautiful and sunny, when I am calm. The tide is low and seashells of unreal colors speckle the shore. When nostalgia strikes, children play in the calm waves that lap at their toes, making them giggle. Sometimes the sky grows dark and the ground shakes. The waves grow larger than life and I lose control. Rain pours from the sky, a brilliant storm that causes fear in the hearts of anyone that dares to come near.
There are many roads you can take to lead you away from the sea, depending on where you’d like to go. If you want to visit my heart, it is possible, but a difficult journey. The path is overgrown and dangerous, but once you arrive, you won’t regret it. A luscious garden awaits you, and only you. It’s a perfect place to spend eternity in, with a bench that is perfectly comfortable. You could sit on this bench for hours, staring at the otherworldly landscape. Flowers climb up trees that are the perfect height for a treehouse. A small waterfall burbles and beckons you to touch the water, a silent greeting. It is serene here. Everything is just as you wanted.
If you decide to venture past the garden (though not many do) you may decide to visit the small town etched upon my hands. There is an art studio located on my left hand. It is messy, and unfinished paintings litter the walls. Dirty paintbrushes fill the sink, and I really must remember to wash them. Next door to the art studio, there is a bakery. The sweets created inside are wonderful and tempting, but it is only open once a week, so you must get in line soon. If you take the bridge over to my right hand, more shops await you, each one built to encompass my hobbies.
Past my hands are the rolling hills of my stomach. These hills change shapes every so often, depending on how happy I am with my body image. Sometimes, when I am happiest, they are beautiful and picturesque, a colorful sunset perpetually falling over them. When I feel bad, they are steep, and rocks tumble down their sides, threatening anyone who tries to reach the top. When cramps threaten, they rumble with an earthquake, and the trees shake.
There are many other small places to visit among the busy world of me. You may like to visit my ears, where there is a park, and it always has a band playing, with a small cup in front of them that you can’t help but toss a dollar into. My legs are a forest, with bike paths running through them, and lakes that have the perfect conditions for swimming.
This world is treasured, and despite the ups and downs it faces, it remains my safe haven. I will always be able to come home here, because it was built for me. And it is perfect.
No materials available for download.
by Yojannie Pizarro, Age 17, 826 Boston
This poem explores the beauty of friendship.
Annasian Walters, Grade 11-12, 826NYC
A student explores gratitude and love through sharing food.
by Riti Shrestha, 826NYC
In this poem, metaphor is used to describe who the narrator is.
by Earl Williams Jr., The 826 Dallas Project
A powerful poetic piece about the experience of being Black in America.
by Denisse Reyes Gonzalez, Age 17, 826NYC
Using metaphors, this bilingual poem explores the idea of lost love.
by Izzy T., 826 Valencia
A student reflects on memories of home and what binds her special community together.
by Melody Marcano, 826 Boston
In this poem, a student reflects on their roots and their desire to grow.
by Jahruwach Hamilton, Grade 10, 826NYC
In this rousing poem, a student asserts her strength and worth as a woman.
by Oriel, 826NYC
In this poem, an echoing question strikes a chord and reveals the tragic loss held within systemic injustice.
by Keyshana, Grade 11, 826CHI
Black strength, beauty, and pride soar in this poem as a student discusses overcoming brutality and discrimination.
by Shayne Williams
Discover what one student experiences when they tuck their phone away for a whole day.
by Michaiah Anderson, The 826 Dallas Project
In this poem, a student describes their family origins with an intimate point of view
by Steysi Hailee, 826LA
A student reflects on a small moment and single sacrifice that transformed her outlook on giving.
by Sylvia C., 826 Valencia
A poet demonstrates their devotion to love.
by Alphonsine M., 826LA
A student reflects on the journey and struggle of growing in the face of adversity.
by Julianna Cruz, 826 Dallas Project
This narrative piece contemplates the struggle of immigrants during the pandemic.
by Sally Phan, 826 Boston
A memoir that questions the idea of home and how it changes with time.
by Jonas K., 826 National
A student explores the paradox of how technology is used amongst teenagers.
by Jeremy Hsiao, 826 National
From the 826 National anthology, Poets in Revolt!, this poem reminds activists that "to change everything, we need everyone."
by Jana C., 826LA
A celebration of self and exploration of core values.
by Alanis T., Age 17, 826 Boston
A student reflects on how her relationship's with her parents has influenced her life.
by Olivia H., 826CHI
A piece that explores the connection between stars, legacy, and Black resilience.
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 Vanessa Ramon-Ibarra, 826DC
Living in the digital world can create unwanted attachments, as one student laments.
by Tammy Fong, 826NYC
A soccer-filled, feud-fueled memoir.
by Terra C., Grades 10-11, 826NYC
A student recalls their journey on how they discovered their LGBTQIA+ identity.
by Jordan, 826 New Orleans
Crawfish, crayfish, or mudbugs. Whatever you call them, the writer of this poem doesn't like them.
by Bianca Morcho, 826 MSP
A personal essay that explores the different shades of the Black Lives Matter movement.
by Augustus Griffith Jr., 826 National
From the 826 National anthology, Poets in Revolt!, this poem explores the aftermath and lasting impacts of school shootings.
by Johnny Vasquez, 826 MSP
A family interview reveals a mother's painful past and shines a light on her persistence.
by Karla M., 826LA
A poem for lovers of love and the moon.
by Sharoya Bracey, 826NYC
In this memoir, the narrator recounts the struggle of being the bigger person in a very small space.
by Arianna R., Grade 11, 826 Boston
A beautiful ode to home and self.
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 Rockelle Rodd, Grade 11, 826NYC
This poem uses analogies to describe all of the pieces of the writer's personal history.
by Jazlyn Moses, 826 National
One student explores their online persona and the lasting importance of conscientious social media practices.
by Jesus Sanchez, The 826 Dallas Project
This creative short horror piece explores the mysteries and danger of a night in the woods.
by Sian Laing
When Instagram becomes an unsightly battlefield.
by Gisel J., 826LA
The power of public speaking shines through this student's memoir.
by Maya M., Grade 11, Newburg, OR
A student reflects on the memories they made while backpacking.
Rosman A., age 18, 826CHI
Smells swirl about a student walking around an ice cream shop.
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.
Kenya G., 17, 826LA
A poet relates her experience as a queer woman in the closet to a peacock in the zoo.
by Sergio M, 826 Valencia
This piece reminds us that a smile is not always what it seems.
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 Salma Khalif, 826 MSP
A powerful poem that lifts up Black women.
by Justis Porter, age 16, 826 Boston
A neighborhood ode filled with sights and sounds of the poet's street.
by Jizelle Villegas, Grade 12, 826 Dallas Project
The stunning and vulnerable poem processes feelings of loss, grief, and hope for the future.
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 Leydi Di Villanueva, The 826 Dallas Project
This creative narrative imagines how the coronavirus views humanity during the pandemic.
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 Soraya, 826NYC
This student’s powerful piece reveals the essence of racial injustice.
by Ryker, 826michigan
Liner notes that showcase the meaning and musicality of the Jimmy Ruffin song “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted.”
by Kaleo V.C., Age 17, 826 Valencia
A student looks back on their first day of kindergarten and how they've changed.
by Timothy T., Age 17, 826 Valencia
A student tells the story of how his family has influenced his life.
by Amalia O'Brien, Grade 10, Novato, CA
A letter to the future Madame President of the United States.
by Brandon R., 826LA
A student recounts the epic highs and lows of high school track and cross country.
by Abby S., Grade 11, 826 Boston
An author reflects on their correspondence with their friend from the past.
by Jennifer Alcocer, The 826 Dallas Project
This personal narrative addresses the struggles of students graduating high school during the pandemic.
by Lucas Hu, 826 Boston
A poem about staying true to yourself during a challenging transition
by Samuel Wang, Grade 10, 826NYC
A poem about the complexity of love exchanged during the holidays.
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 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 Raheem, 826 New Orleans
A student compares themself to the place they live, New Orleans, as both evolve through great obstacles.
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 Quardasha Mitchell, The 826 Dallas Project
In this compelling poem, the author navigates her relationship with America as a young African-American woman.
by Elsy M.E., Grade 11, 826 Valencia
A poet imagines a better and more harmonious world.
Virginia Walker, age 18, 826 Boston
A student writes to a grandmother she never met.
Yamilet J., 826LA
A student reflects on the fear and wonder of becoming a mother.
by Junaynah R., Grade 11, 826NYC
Full of exquisite imagery, this poem explores the idea of second chances.
We are thrilled to have you as the newest member of our online community. Stay up-to-date on the the latest and most relevant resources, student publication opportunities, and what’s new with the 826 Digital community.
bookmark
download
Share