Student Work

From a SpeakTogether virtual workshop, University Heights High School, The Bronx, Fall 2020

This poem was composed during a six-week workshop conducted by poet Jubi Arriola-Headley, who introduced a class of 9th-grade students to myriad forms of poetry that exist. This workshop took place virtually during a global pandemic. Read more about the works in this collection, which demonstrates students’ efforts to find their voices and share them with their peers, teachers, and families.

Rosie, iris and ash

by Jayson

Oh my,
Look at that filthy, dirty, stinkin horrible boy Jayson
I am very fond of my big brother
I know that ash but he is a diabolical force
Iris is a force to not be reckoned with
I heard that you white hair ball
Hey watch that you ninja
Hey guys stop fighting
Bud out ash
Hey don’t talk to him like that you pimple
Let us settle this with a fight you shadow
Prepare to be destroyed
Ready
Set
Fight
Wow who knew rosie could do that
Wow mom is coming
Break it up break it up
What are you guys doing
meow meow
I want food feed me please

Jayson is a student at University Heights High School in The Bronx.