Tango: The dance of words and images in written expression

The online literary journal of the Thurber Writing Academy and Summer Camp
Winter Academy 2007

Table of Contents
Contributors
I'm From, by Kennedy Callentine
I Am, by Melanie MacKenzie
Snow and Spring, by Myrial A. Holbrook
The Day is Over, by Miranda Lange
The Moon, by Ares Harper
Lead Me Home, by Becina Ganther
Two Icy Pools, Kinsey Cantrell
Don't Wish Your Life Away, by Lena Thompson
Where I'm From, by Maya Stemen

Contributors:
All of the contributors are fourth and fifth graders who attended the Poetry Fanatics class taught by Nancy Kangas in the 2007 Winter Academy. We thank them for letting us post their work.

I'm From
By Kennedy Callentine

I’m from salad, crunchy
leaves, croutons and cheese.

I’m from “Clean up your room”
“and don’t stuff under your bed.”

I’m from the stinky smell of
sauerkraut left out to spoil in the kitchen.

I’m from “look at that house with molding made of cheese.”

I Am
By Melanie MacKenzie

I am leaves
And you are a rake
To bring me together when I am torn apart

I am a notebook
And you are my words
To help me express myself

I am branches
And you are my trunk
To help me stand tall

I am
You are

If you’ve ever tried to mix snow and spring, you know from experience it
just won’t work. I’ve tried and tried but my efforts are hopeless for snow
refuses to come in spring. I must admit to defeat for snow will not meet
spring, and will not have snow. I am guessing snow and spring had a
conflict long ago, but that I shall never, ever, never know.

The Day is Over
By Miranda Lange

The day is over
The moon will shine
Get in bed
Close your eyes

The moon will shine
The fun is over
Close your eyes
Turn off the light
The fun is over
No more friends
Turn off the light
Fall asleep

No more friends
The park is dark
Fall asleep
The day is over

The moon is a golf ball ready to be hit off by the sky high heavens.
The moon is the light that leads me through the path way.
The moon is a messenger to the heavens for me.
The moon is a person who listens but doesn’t talk.
The moon is a statue ready to come alive.

I am a puppy, you are a dog,
Teaching me all your knowledge

I am a train, you are a train tacks,
 I go wherever you lead me.

You are a writer, I am a pencil,
I will follow your hand.

I am a person, you are the magic,
You reveal my true self to me.

I am a log, you are the stream,
If I ever leave the path,
  your gentle wave will carry me back.

For I am your little sister,
  you are my big sister,
I trust that you will lead me home.

Two icy pools of once crystal-clear water,
Sadly holding blood from an animal’s slaughter.
The carcass laid down on the sandy shore
The pelt stripped from it; it is no more.

The number of wolves dwindle, and man is the cause,
Thinking that slaughter is without flaws.
But because of this cruelty, the deer live and thrive,
As there are no wolves to eat them alive.

We can stop this sad act of slaughter
And have, in our rivers, untouched water.
We can stop this action, as it is cruel,
And keep fresh water in those two icy pools.

Don't Wish Your Life Away
By Lena Thompson

Can’t wait ‘til the day,
when I’m in college heading t’wards
a new life full of exciting and new things.

Can’t wait ‘til I can drive
my brand new car,
speeding down the highway,
dodging the police.

Can’t wait ‘til I taste that one moment of glory,
when I win a ribbon for something
wonderful I did.

I can’t wait ‘til these things happen,
but as my mom always says,
“Don’t wish your life away.”

I’m from pizza and brownies
Macaroni and cheese
Cupcakes and sweets
But not too many of these

I’m from dog barks and
Frog croaks and
Squishy Play Doh bits
I’m from bike rides and
Lil’ brother’s fits

I’m from “Homework now!”
“Dish Night” and “Go to bed!”
I’m from “Clean your room!”
That is what is in my head

So that’s where I’m from
You might think it’s dumb
Cause you weren’t listening
You were chewing gum

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