Grade 8
PoetryWritingArielle is an inspiring artist and a lover of reading and writing. She wishes her poem will inspire people to look beyond first appearances and acknowledge what’s hiding behind the smile. Arielle hopes that her writing can help people relate to others and bring confidence to those who can relate to this poem on a deeper level.
When people come to see me, they photograph the sparkling waters and white sand beaches.
They choose to remember the looming palm trees and beautiful sunrises.
In their eyes, I am a place of serene beauty and calm.
But what about the things they don’t see?
What hides beneath the endless waters.
They know it’s there, they choose to ignore it all.
They fear darkness and uncertainty.
They fear the creatures they can’t understand and the riptides that will pull them in.
They choose ignorance rather than acknowledge the storms that rage overhead.
Hiding behind their walls as the clouds roll in, and those who live below the waters begin to stir.
The people cower in fear of its fury.
For they know, when the darkness settles, there is no stopping the storm of pain and anger that is to come.
And when the dark passes.
The waters calm once again and laps back at the land.
Trying to clean up the broken pieces its anger created.
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by Dayana Alvarado, 826CHI
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A persuasive argument for co-ed teams in the face of gender stereotypes, supported by results from primary research conducted by the author.
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A sports poem about the losing blues.
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A metaphorical poem about frustrations, from homework to homelessness.
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A student’s manifesto!
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by Jeff, 826CHI
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by Anjum, 826CHI
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Over a series of letters, two compassionate and resilient students develop a deep friendship sealed in writing.
by Diego, 826CHI
On the funniest day of this student’s life…
by Sharon, 826CHI
A memoir about finding true friendship.
by Calvin, 826michigan
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by Christopher, Bryan, & Jahir, 826CHI
In an exchange of letters, three students across one city share stories about where they came from and the places that matter most.
by Inge S., Age 13, 826CHI
Part riddle, part observations, this poem leaves the reader with big things to think about.
by Johnny Vasquez, 826 MSP
A family interview reveals a mother's painful past and shines a light on her persistence.
by Elizabeth W., 826 Valencia
A persuasive piece for women and girls to unite and cultivate a culture of body image positivity.
by Emmanuel J., 826NYC
An avid basketball fan discusses the rise of the Golden State Warriors through its individual players.
by Angel, 826CHI
A student writes about the transformative experience of changing schools.
by Charlotte, 826CHI
A poem about spring!
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Two students across one city bond by writing letters to each other about the people they love most.
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A rhyming (inverse) ode to a very irritating noise.
by 826NYC students Ash Doliber, Sidney Edelson, Ella Holland, Mavis Lu, Justin Nemeroff, Bird Rzepniewski, and Isabella Wu
This collaborative poem explores the many sides and senses of laughter.
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A lean but essential checklist for readers to determine if they are awake.
by David & Daniel, 826CHI
In this heartfelt exchange of letters, two students bond over food, videos games, and some scary adventures.
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The misadventures of finding a missing wallet.
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A student reflects on how much Chicago means to them.
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An informational briefing on a horrible incident in the year 5176 that changed the hoverboarding industry forever.
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by Iliana, 826CHI
A student searches for answers in their community.
by Piya, 826 Valencia
A demand to the public stop to buying ivory that seeks to explain the devastating effects of poaching on elephant and rhino populations.
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by Xaria, 826 Valencia
An argument against the wage gap that prevails in the U.S. and across the globe.
by Jin, 826LA
This student says thank you to her Mom, her hero, for a life full love and beef noodles!
by Mya, 826CHI
A piece packed with vivid description about taking risks at an ice rink.
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by Calvin, 826michigan
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A middle school student firmly protests the flavor and quality of her school’s lunches.
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by Sian Laing
When Instagram becomes an unsightly battlefield.
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