Defying Gravity is the 2011 Nathan Hale Elementary Grade 5 Poetry Anthology.

This years poets want the world to know that they cannot be defined in their abilities or destiny. We can be anything we want to be. We are limitless in our potential. We cannot be held down or stopped! We will be successful. We hope you enjoy this years anthology. It contains a lot of heart, soul, and love. We are fly!

~~The Architects of Change~~

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Poetry by Nyzaun King

Poetry is special Its stronger than Superman on steroids and deeper than a bottomless pit Its a way of expressing yourself-its your feelings and emotions Poetry is all about creativity You can make a poem anyway you want to

BIG or

small

It doesnt matter It can change the lives of other people and YOU!

Black & Beautiful by Franchesca Salamanca

Black and beautiful Native color Brilliant and courageous We are all shades of black Caramel, vanilla, chocolate And more Were here to stay We know our ancestors Built our world Imagineweall colors of black, Were the first kings and queens We are Black Miracles with a dream And our dreams will come true! We need to tell our ancestors stories We are black and beautiful Dont forget that color does matter Black Is Beautiful!

Tough by Anthony Louis

Cool, awesome, and never backs down Always staying cool and positive Always staying dominate and never easy to break Always staying strong and durable

Burning Inside
Poem on Sickle Cell Anemia by Maxwell Williams
I see lights shining Waiting on me to say something But I just cant do it Im sorry But its just burning inside! Please help me Cool it DOWN! Its burning me into pieces It hurts so bad It feels like a volcano-----erupting It burns so badly. --its so hot! I still try to keep my head up even though Its BURNING INSIDE!

Earth
by Brandon Anderson the Earth is alive we destroy it everyday we will implode home

NATEYJAH by Tiauni Castro

Boston by Alicia & Franchesca Salamanca

Golden dome on Beacon Hill glistening in the sun looking over the Common and keeping an eye on the swan boats paddling around the pond. home to the Sox, Pats, and Bruins noisy and infamous historical lights everywhere ducklings and goslings waddle through the garden stopping traffic on Storrow HONK! HONK! Fort Hill, Cedar Street, RCC, Nathan Hale goats and chickens barnyards and neighborhood gardens basketballs and hula hoops rise and shine school time yellow buses and kids waiting for summertime. Adventures in the MOS and BPL Jumping from place to place Staring a T. Rex in the face Lickin our lips full of hood and j.p. licks Dont forget Chinatown Dudley Square Copley Place lots of shops and cafes Dont you see we love our city and its magic trace!
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Never gives up
Awesome everywhere she goes Terrible at soccer Extraordinary Young but older than me Joy of everyone she meets Active at recess Hard-headed
Snakes by Zaire Sealey A Master of surprises sneaksssssssss up on things without a trace or trackssssss its very smart a moving piece of art

I Am by Constatin Ngankam
I am fast, strong, and bold like Superman with the strength of 20 men And a cape that flows smoothly like a sea breeeeeeeeeeze My muscles are big and strong Like the worlds strongest man, Im fast like Tom Brady throwing touchdown passes to Wes Welker My smooth caramel eyes are like chocolates fresh from the factory They put the spotlight on me. Im cool like Lebron James doing a 360-behind-the-back-in-between-the-legs dunk on Ray Allen Im like a bobblehead funny bear in your head. This is who I am.

Shes optimistic and can never keep a smile from her face no matter what the situation is She always has her head held up and never lets anyone bring her down She thinks she is the greatest person in the world, regardless of what anyone may tell her Shes as independent as the 4th of July and has a heart made of pure 24 carat gold ~~UNBREAKABLE~~ Texas Long Horn Boy By Hakeem Cunningham

Me By Elexxus Ryan She has that sassy, classy, dont care attitude She never cares about what anyone else thinks

Hes explosive like an angry bull but funny and cool He laughs loudest over the craziest things He makes everything fun even when its boring He loves macaroni & cheese and lasagnajust like Garfield, the cat but hes not a cat hes more like a mountain goat and hes my friend, MAXWELL

Constatin by Anthony Jackson His mouth is louder than a family of monkeys His feet move like cheetahs on an African safari His bright brown eyes shine like the sun. Courtney By Courtney Joyce She has beautiful caramel skin Shes the chubby looking one The shy and sensitive one Yeahshes the short one NoIm the cool and fly one The smart one The one who doesnt cause fights Or get into trouble Im Courtney Darnell Armstrong-Joyce Dramatic in a Good Way By Ariah Harris-Mays Hes as energetic as a monkey Hes jumpy as a kangaroo but Hes everything you need to have fun Hes like a jack-in-a-box Hes a one man marching band but Hes always got your back And hes a good friend

Tiauni By Tiauni Castro Tiauni Fast, friendly, kind Daughter of Tauri & Jose Ortiz Lover of music, family, and friends Who feels excitement, fear, and sadness Who needs care, joy, and peace Who gives love, happiness, and friendship Who fears death, loss, and floods Who wants to see Paris & New York Castro-Ortiz Mr. Martin By Kobey Downie Mr. Martin is as smart as 12 MIT & Harvard students combined Hes cooler than ice Fresher than a Lamborghini He could teach a horse to jump He makes a brain expand to its fullest potential Hes as unique as a snowflake He helps me defy gravity When hard obstacles get in my way

Big Mouth by Khaya Monteiro Yapyapyap Why wont she stop. TAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLKING? Shes like a radio that wont shut off! I meanshe wont even pause for commercial breaks She has the greatest imagination and is a great best friend. If you are with her and start up a conversation BRING DUCK TAPE! Yepyoull see when you start talking to her But other than that Shes smart and sweet But still something has to be done with that BIG MOUTH of hers!

Anthony by Anthony Jackson his swagger, his style is better than anyone elses his beautiful eyes just draw the girls in when he speaksits sounds like angels from heaven hes the most intelligent kid youve ever seen and he can save the world from people who dont like it. Beautiful Me By Nateyjah Summers Im not any beauty queen Im just a beautiful me. Im more beautiful than the sunset rising over the sea. Im not just the average girl. Im the princess wearing her mothers pearls. I dont care what you see me wear Just lookplease dont stare I make myself into what I want to be Im no beauty queenjust a beautiful beautiful me.

Nikhia by Nikhia Davis Nikhia funny, kind, crazy, math-minded sister of Nyjia, Nyari, C.J., and Shaveif lover of the summer, laughter, beach, and Courtney who feels mad when traveling, lonely in the dark, and angry over extra class work who needs alone time, respect, and love who gives help, laughter, and kindness who fears hunger, weirdness, and after school who would like to see animals not get hurt, nice hot weather, and the beach Davis Chulo By Jayden Sanford
Who is Chulo? Who is 12 inches tall? Who is playful all the tiem? Who loves my face with his wet nose? He is Chulo. Who is smelly? Who is clumsy? Who likes to play in the grass? Who stares at you when you are eating? Who gently bites my fingers? Who violently tears the head off his mermaid toy?

Who likes to be picked up like a baby? He is Chulo. Who likes to race me across the hallway and bark every time he wins? Who jumps up to my hip with excitement every time he first sees me? Who walks around my house with toilet paper and sockets in his mouth and makes me laugh? Who is my friend? He is Chulo.

Anthony By Anthony Louis Always mad but most of the time laughs in class He gets in trouble for the same thing every timeYELLING! Hes hyper to the point people think he ate too much candy Hes obsessed with Dragon Ball Z One day he will stop talking But not now

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Constatin by Isiah Luc Williams He shoots.He Scores! He dunksWoooHoo! We call him Lebron James! When he lays it up We call him Dwayne Wade! When he shoots a three We call him Mario Chalmers! On Defense He acts like a fool He gets put on the spot SWISH! CUFF! SWISH! CUFF! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Here Lebron comes down the court And gets dunked on BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! She By Jeannae Pea She talks like theres not going to be a tomorrow She makes people laugh because of her funny jokes She always wants to beat someone in a race But when she loses Shes as mad as a monkey that got his banana stolen She claim shes as independent as the Fourth of July And I think thats the truth

22 Good Things About Kobey by Kobey Downie Kind Outstanding Brilliant Excellent Young Informative Studious Strong Muscular Achiever Respectful Transformer Awesome New Determined Tall Honor Roll Effective Brave Exciting Scholar Terrific

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Uncle By Antonio Rodriguez-Spotts Why die on me now? Its like my heart has broken up into a million pieces Day after day I feel like Im nothing or nobody I need you here with me Why did you go? It wasnt your time I wasnt ready for you to go I remember the time you took me To the sprinkler I had the time of my life!

Father by Maurice Tate

Father, dont die! Please just dont die You must be there You are one of a kind Father, I will die To keep you alive Father I love you!

Mom by Nyzaun King

My mom is the most sweet, beautiful and serene woman Ive ever met I love her and she loves me Our bond is unbreakable like a steel chain We stay connected forever We stand together Mother and Son Love ya, forever and Ever
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United States of the Ghetto By Brandon Anderson How are we United? People just want money. Some of us dont even have a penny. Nobody thinks twice about shooting you. Nobody cares. ButYoure worth it! Do they see it? Life is important They dont know it Youcould change that Show us you could bethe hero Help us stop brothers from killing other brothers --who are just murdering for money Help us help our community One step can helpall of us Its better than getting a million bucks in candy! Nateyjah by Nateyjah Summers Nateyjah funny, creative, pretty, loveable sister to James, Cynnarra, Ashlea, Olivia, Jina, Jurell, Jasmine, and Corey

lover of all the good food in the world, Gods home, and all good people who feels grateful for all my siblings, friends, and health who needs more food in her system, to be noticed, and to be more kind who gives all she can, all her strength, all the time who fears spiders, hunger, and NO MONEY who would like to see more excitement, more stunts, and less violence Summers Poetry by Brandon Anderson Poetry is emotion That gets put on a page Sometimes it also Unravels all the rage Its natural It comes from the inside Dont let it hide Let it out Just shoouuuuuuuuuuuuuuut! Show em you got What it takes Your poetry makes no mistakes!

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Football by Brandon Bagalue & Hakeem Cunningham Ready! Set! Hut! raging bulls across the field now we form a human shield the other teams tough but we are rough football is a great game but it involves lots of pain we won every game the other teams lame Ha Ha Ha! We are rough! Ha Ha Ha! We are rough! We swept them! We brought the pain! Ready! Set! Hut!

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Father by Aishah Abdurrashid & Amani Lopez Hes always here and there trying to make sure we have what we need.

What we need is to be fed everyday. We always like to get paid.

Making sure were not late for school And to make sure we have our tools. Hes great at teaching and always makes sure none of his students are in trouble He could be rough at times because its always one of his kids in trouble or about to be

He wants us not to tumble.

And for us to have sweet dreams

But at the end of the day hes still my father

At the end of the day I love him

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Assassins Creed: Brotherhood by Nyzaun King Silence! Slowly slipping through the shadows Silence! Silence! Looking for a quick kill! Silence! I call the brotherhoodof assassins! Silence! Silence! Our targeteliminated! Silence! Yes, BrotherIt is done! Silence! Silence! Silence!

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Hungry by Ariah Harris-Mays & Sumiko Nelson Hungry! More tuna! Thats the sound we hear inside our stomachs Hungry! More Pizza! Thats the sound we hear from people marching! Hungry! More Ice Cream! Thats the sound we hear from sweaty pedestrians! Hungry! More grits! Thats the sound we hear from people who didnt eat breakfast! Hungry! More cheese! Thats the sound we hear from crying mice! More tacos! Its a strike!!! Hungry! Thats the sound we hear from hungry Mexicans!

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Stop & Stare by Alicia Salamanca Stop Now! Let me speak stop this madness in the world stop whatcha doing this world needs some Love and peace We dont need more war or violence Nowhat we need is each other Stop and pause Stop and breathe Stop and stare Spoken Words by Zaire Sealey Violence happens too often in our neighborhoods You see someone one day and the next daytheyre gone We lose the people we love It comes so unexpectedly I wish it would just stop And we could live in peace. We have the right to live our lives the way we should Without someone interrupting it Life is precious And it shouldnt be wasted On senseless acts of violence

Thinking by Brandon Bagalue Son Think about what you are doing --right here and right now This will affect you and you only Pulling that trigger the one in your hand What is killing me going to do for you? Is it going to make you tough or better than me? Is it going to make you a bigger thug than the one you see in the mirror every day? No! You better not! Sonthink about what you are doing --right here and right now Put down the gun and move on with your life!

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Wave My White Flag by Sumiko Nelson My white flag is high, I surrender! I want a truenot false hopes The war has to stop All the fighting, Kicking, Punching HAS TO STOP! STOP THE SHOOTING, STABBING, KILLING MURDERING Please, hear my cry! Please! My white flag is waving high I surrender! Life Aint No Video Game by Franchesca Salamanca

theres short cuts and cheating codes But in lifeyoure going to face the consequences And you cant skip passed them or cheat. There is no reset button 1-2-3and then its all silent and you are all by yourself. Everything depends on the choices you make: either you live or die! This is my video game And I call it Life! I Wont Give Up by Constatin Ngankam

My life aint like a video game If you dieyou dont get another life! You only have one life to liveright now! What do you do? Where do you go? My life isnt moved by a controller You can roll the dice And I hope you have good luck you face 1000 of opponents in a video game

I wish I could give up But I wont! Nothing will break my heart --not even the dull pathetic wimps I see everyday. I will fight until I succeed and wont show a smile before I do. I signify what important to me. Money and fame dont mean snot to me. Im special in my own way. Im not upset or happy. It seems as if Im the light in the background But no I just rise as the day ends. As I accelerate You just slow me down You cant take me down Im untouchable!
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D_fying Gr[vity \y Mr. M[rtin

I cant wait to run into her again Coffee shop in France, working on her third novel, Hair still pinned back, in a bun Carrying the throes of secret adventures around Europe Hes an ambassador nowleading a community group in Zambiahes showing the people how to build a medical lab to take care of their families About 20 years from now, corkshell beads accenting her dreads, shes chill, smelling flowers on the savannas of GhanaSNAP! Theres another award winning shot for National Geographicif only she would let the world see the secrets of beautiful Mother Earth! Business suit and still tough as nails community activist, father, family manhes the mighty protector of the community and loves it. Lawyer, entrepreneur, the boss the road is looking up for this determined warrior who never stopped believingwith Morehouse, Columbia, and Harvard Law behind himmaybe he will run the world? Feminist, Attorney Generalsmiledrop dead gorgeousbut dont be fooledshes a beast No longer will women just stand byNow they Run the World! HEROINE! NO one can define the path you will journey Not even I can color in a world where you are the centerpiece Its now up to you You are everything beautiful, unique, and breathtaking Never allow anyone to tell you differently You are interesting, innovative, and invaluable Never allow someone to put you into a box You are especially designed with a purpose that will make this world a more magical place than you can imagine You lead and we will follow You create And we will enjoy You live and we will breathe Your imagination, your realities, your destiny are above and beyond comprehension Soar. Keeping Moving Keep Flying Even after you hit the ground. Encounter an obstacle Keep MovingKeep Flying. It will get better. It will become more exciting You will get better You will become more exciting And. And before you know it You will have defied the odds You will have defied the expectations of others You will have defied the labels people want to place on you You will have defied all air we breathe You will have defied gravity! LIVE!!!!!!!

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