Grades 11–12
PoetryWritingTalk Properly she says
I was about 4
And fresh out of GT
I didn’t understand why the
White lady with
The funny voice
Was talking about my speech
Speak Properly she says
But
I wanted to fit in with everyone
And speak English
I wanted so badly to go home
To the palm trees
To the sun
To run barefoot
I didn’t want to be the person they turned to in class
When Caribbean people were briefly mentioned
But I always
Remembered to talk Properly
Even when the lady at the supermarket
Tried to accuse me of stealing
How badly I wanted to stop
Talking in this stupid white gibberish proper shit
How badly I wanted cuss her out
And tell her about herself
But I didn’t
I always remembered to speak Properly
From Radiant Beings: Poetry by 826NYC Students at the Academy for Young Writers, 2022
No materials available for download.
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A student spins through space and a treasure trove of memories in this poem.
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This poem uses imagery to describe a small moment of joy.
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In this narrative, the author uses vibrant language to explore their identity, in all its complexity, through different landscapes.
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A beautiful ode to home and self.
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by Quardasha Mitchell, The 826 Dallas Project
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Trinity L., Grade 11, 826 New Orleans
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Tariq C., Age 19, 826 Boston
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Kenya G., 17, 826LA
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Hanna D. P., Age 15, 826 Valencia
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Isabella V.M., Grade 11, 826NYC
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Kaprice D., Age 15, 826 New Orleans
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Using metaphors, this bilingual poem explores the idea of lost love.
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