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Memoir Project 2008The CAPA Creative Writing students during the 2007 - 2088 school year produced a Memoir Project with the help of Audra Brown. The students included in the project are Courtney Campbell, Arneshia Topps, Denis Vann, Erica Shaw, Monica Davis, Rodney Jones, Alex Parker, Ashli Alexander, Audra Brown, Chanel Gregory, Elishea Currie, Kirashae Graham, Mariel Hicks, Deavila Ford, Elizabeth Parker, Quenisha Mabry, Alexandria Hubbard, Jordan Campbell, Dominique Singleton, Nikki West, Tahswiyah Abdul BaaQee, Amber Johnson, Chauntrell Clay, and Keenon Fox.
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Memphis Grizzlies Poetry SlamThe Kick Off for the first Memphis Grizzlies Poetry Slam was held on the Overton High School campus in the Spring of 2011. The CAPA Creative Writing students were the official participants. The winner of the Kick Off was Teairra McGaughy. The school-wide Poetry Slam was won by Lindsey Harris. She went on to participate in the city-wide slam which took place at the Fed Ex Forum. The 2011 - 2012 School Wide Memphis Grizzlies Poetry Slam was won again by Lindsey Harris. The Second Place Winner was Tonika Long ... followed by the Third Place Winner, Savannah Smith. Congratulations to all who participated!
To see a video of the Kick Off ... Download the Video ... below
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It was as if it were a black and white film, as if it were a horror film. All you heard was silence ... but then, the church bells rung a song of sorrow. Looking around and seeing all of those gravestones made you think one day my life would come to this final stage …death. Would my death be like those who were just buried and soon forgotten? Or like the ones who get fresh beautiful flowers everyday and their love ones come to visit them as much as possible? It made you wonder where all these souls, good and bad ... where did they go or where were they taken. If I was sitting there or standing by that tree, I would feel sorrow, fear, and wonder how I was to end up here. If I get shot, stabbed, or if I die in some type of accident that wasn't …was my fault. I saw stones that have nothing in memory of them …lonely forgotten souls. The sun’s rays shone through the gaps of the leaves on the trees. They were shining hope and warmth for those wondering souls. I turned and I saw a heart and two people's initials carved in, showing eternal love…I stood there and looked around, admiring the peace and quiet of the dead.
Iris Ramirez, Creative Writing Department |
Black Like MeBlack like me
Ain't "brown" like her It's darker, more authentic And it sho 'nuff don't look blended Nothin' in me but negro And it sho 'nuff shows! The color of a coffee bean And I admit not always easily seen But when it shows, It "SHOWS" And it's sho 'nuff beautiful? So, consider it stepping outside the cubicle, The way I ain't at all 'shame' To stand in the sun And risk a tan Ain't afraid of bein' darker than I am Not like some folks Who can't cope With dark skin Don't know what they would do If they turned black-blue So I had to come to a conclusion To Step outside the dark skin/light skin Illusion 'Cuz see, my skin, I really can't change it You know, 'cuz this the God made it And all my pigment really ain't none Of yo' business 'Less you wanna tell me that ya love it Like I do 'Cuz black like me ain't "brown" like her And it never will be, 'cuz it's too easy 'bein BLACK, LIKE ME! Mariel Hicks, Creative Writing Department |
Embedded scars
There are scars hidden inside people
Emotional and invisible scars caused by the ones we love
Not always understood, stepped on, and confused
We don’t know what to do
We want to stand up for ourselves, but we don’t know how
We only know that when we try, we will be run over again
We will lose the freedom we have
We will lose the bond that is important
That is when we are scared about rebelling
And standing up for ourselves
And then it makes us back down to the stronger man
With the money and power to take your freedom away
And ruin your life
Sometimes we really need to stand up for ourselves
But we don’t know how
We only know that when we try,
We will lose the bond that is important
That is when we are scared about rebelling and standing up for ourselves
And then it makes us back down to the stronger man
With the money and power to take your freedom away
And ruin your life
Sometimes we really need to stand up for ourselves
To others so that hopefully they will understand us
And know what we want
That is nothing selfish
That is the voice of the coward who backs down
Every time someone is told that
Think of all the times one person spoke up about something reasonable
That every person deserves
Like Dr. King and other civil rights activists were once cowards
And then they bonded together
For equal treatment of all Americans--
Black, white, purple, green, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Atheist
Women were once told they couldn’t vote
And were once just limited to childbearing, cleaning, and housekeeping
And now women have more power than they ever dreamed of
In a world dominated by men for thousands of years
Just think that if these two groups of people sat around
And did nothing to achieve what they have achieved
And had let the more powerful person
Take control over them
We would not have the freedom of knowing great people
From all different backgrounds
And women would not be public figures
And great role models for younger generations
Don’t let the stronger, more powerful person
Make or break your chances of standing up for yourself
Life is short, but one voice can change it
Or maybe a lot of voices
Open your mind to doors of opportunities
Like other people have in the past
And don’t be a coward
You just might change the world
Angelica Figures, Creative Writing Department
There are scars hidden inside people
Emotional and invisible scars caused by the ones we love
Not always understood, stepped on, and confused
We don’t know what to do
We want to stand up for ourselves, but we don’t know how
We only know that when we try, we will be run over again
We will lose the freedom we have
We will lose the bond that is important
That is when we are scared about rebelling
And standing up for ourselves
And then it makes us back down to the stronger man
With the money and power to take your freedom away
And ruin your life
Sometimes we really need to stand up for ourselves
But we don’t know how
We only know that when we try,
We will lose the bond that is important
That is when we are scared about rebelling and standing up for ourselves
And then it makes us back down to the stronger man
With the money and power to take your freedom away
And ruin your life
Sometimes we really need to stand up for ourselves
To others so that hopefully they will understand us
And know what we want
That is nothing selfish
That is the voice of the coward who backs down
Every time someone is told that
Think of all the times one person spoke up about something reasonable
That every person deserves
Like Dr. King and other civil rights activists were once cowards
And then they bonded together
For equal treatment of all Americans--
Black, white, purple, green, Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Atheist
Women were once told they couldn’t vote
And were once just limited to childbearing, cleaning, and housekeeping
And now women have more power than they ever dreamed of
In a world dominated by men for thousands of years
Just think that if these two groups of people sat around
And did nothing to achieve what they have achieved
And had let the more powerful person
Take control over them
We would not have the freedom of knowing great people
From all different backgrounds
And women would not be public figures
And great role models for younger generations
Don’t let the stronger, more powerful person
Make or break your chances of standing up for yourself
Life is short, but one voice can change it
Or maybe a lot of voices
Open your mind to doors of opportunities
Like other people have in the past
And don’t be a coward
You just might change the world
Angelica Figures, Creative Writing Department
The Fighter in the Writer
The Fighter in the Writer
Life as a writer is like the life of a fighter.
You sit in your own little corner thinking "What's next?"
This punch or that punch, that word or this word?
Trying to duck and dodge what they call "Writer's Block".
It's like I'm in a race with the clock.
It feels like there's no time to think.
So, I'm rushing ...
Trying to beat defeat.
Yet, I'm only getting slower and slower.
Words becoming smaller and less meaningful.
So, I'm back in my corner, mind racing.
Times like this, there's no room for pacing.
Just gotta go with the flow.
Hit 'em with that ... 1 ... 2 ... combination to make their mind blow.
Now you got 'em rattled.
So, keep moving, keep pushing, compete like this yo ...
Last battle.
When it's all over, stand tall.
'Cause with your mighty words, you just made somebody fall.
Andreas Nunley, Creative Writing Department
Life as a writer is like the life of a fighter.
You sit in your own little corner thinking "What's next?"
This punch or that punch, that word or this word?
Trying to duck and dodge what they call "Writer's Block".
It's like I'm in a race with the clock.
It feels like there's no time to think.
So, I'm rushing ...
Trying to beat defeat.
Yet, I'm only getting slower and slower.
Words becoming smaller and less meaningful.
So, I'm back in my corner, mind racing.
Times like this, there's no room for pacing.
Just gotta go with the flow.
Hit 'em with that ... 1 ... 2 ... combination to make their mind blow.
Now you got 'em rattled.
So, keep moving, keep pushing, compete like this yo ...
Last battle.
When it's all over, stand tall.
'Cause with your mighty words, you just made somebody fall.
Andreas Nunley, Creative Writing Department
Unbound
You can try to end my world,
But it is MINE,
And only I can.
I will not be broken,
For the faith that has made me strong still stands!
Your herecy will stay your feet,
But I will continue running!
My life, my person, and all that I am is mine!
Nothing you can do will change that!
My life will not stop until the day,
The day I Tell my heart to take its final slumber!!
Thomas “T-Bone” Wilson, Creative Writing Department
You can try to end my world,
But it is MINE,
And only I can.
I will not be broken,
For the faith that has made me strong still stands!
Your herecy will stay your feet,
But I will continue running!
My life, my person, and all that I am is mine!
Nothing you can do will change that!
My life will not stop until the day,
The day I Tell my heart to take its final slumber!!
Thomas “T-Bone” Wilson, Creative Writing Department
The “eyes” have it
I am her eyes; I am real and the truth, If her body is the tree, her eyes are the root. Look into me and it’s like the window into her soul, The teller of the truth and stories left untold. Don’t look at her smile, her mouth tells lies. See into me, you see she really wants to cry. No one really looks, so no one ever sees. They look at the fruit, instead the root of the trees. No one ever asks, so my story is left untold. They think my life is glamorous but all that glitters is not gold. My precious possessions are memories good and bad. The fear of the future and the regrets of the past. “Can you see? Well look into her eyes, The things her mouth says are nothing but lies. Tonika Long, Creative Writing Department |
Untitled Love ... A Unique Take
evry time I see yhu I cnt help but smile ilove huqinq yhu as ihf iihavent seen yhu &+ a while ifem for your kisses &+ huq that’s one thinq bowtcha dhat ilove iwnna to beh wit yhu so much iienjoy each +& everyone of your touch wen iisee you my heart skip a beat your like candy oh so sweet to me you are more than a crush wen yhu stare at meh I cant help but blush56 you are evrythanq iiask for &+ more your smile icant help but adore cant find the perfect brush to paint how ifeel ihope this dream of us one day come real April Hunt, Creative Writing Department |
For and To My Darling...
Every time I see him, I become happy... Even if I've had the worst day I can imagine... Even if I'd been angry So angry... That I'd in fact thrown things across my room... Or if I'd been crying Crying so hard... I'd cried myself to sleep... Whenever I see him, I smile And I laugh... Sometimes I wonder if I need him because of that... No matter how he does it... Whether it be telling me I'm beautiful Even if I haven't showered in two days... Whether it be him making those silly little faces (That I absolutely adore)... Or even if it's just simply Sticking a Nerf dart to my forehead... And I've come to realize That's simply all that I need from him... A smile... A laugh... Being there for me when I need it most... And never judging me in the least... It's all I ever asked for. Thank you, darling, for everything you've ever done for me. I'll love you always and forever and forever and always. … From Your Dearest Madison "Maddie the Cattie" Petri, Creative Writing Department |
The world flows on.
The bud grows, as a chilling brush throws leaves about. A flower leaves the bud, but closed and colorless. Moonlight shone on its dull grey petals. A raindrop slides along the flowers cheek. And the world flows on. The line set afire, chasing away the cold glow. A flower's head begins to perch, shone against the fire. Growing slowly, the flower's petals bloom. A color unseen pours upon them. And the world flows on. The flower shone, it's colors beaming. A color never seen. A glow amidst the soft fire light. Burning down, the fire settles. A cold brush passes as the flower fades. And the world flows on. The burning ember's last breath taken. A sigh is hushed around the flower. Withering, graying, it's petals fall. A loss this flower endured. And the world flows on. The flower, cold and alone. A life leaves as the final petal falls. Falling is the stalk, crying is the leaf, crushed are the roots. A mold of the ground made ept. And the world flows on. The flowers loss unnoticed. A world within a world, gone. Lifelessly and alone it crumbles. A place where a flower once stood. And the world flows on. ~mindreaderomega |
SurprisesLife’s twists and turns They can burn So deep That insanity seems to seep From every pore And yet life still wants more Of your sadness And madness And anything you ever felt Until you want to rip your eyes out Personally my patience has been tried out So many times That I can’t help but whine About my past And my happiness that didn’t last And no I’m not bitter And I refuse to bicker with you about that I’m just upset that you spat “I don’t love you” And even after everything that we’ve been through And even if you weren’t the one I don’t believe love is done with me yet So I won’t fret I just wish I would have seen that Before I got tangled up in your deceit And I want you to know that my love for you didn’t need A receipt Because I can’t be bought And out of all of the roses and jewelry It was your affection that I sought Not your cash That you handed over with a flash of your smile And a peck on my lips As your hands traveled down to my hips Seeking physical gratitude Upon which you received the full force of my bad attitude Because I wasn’t ready to go there I gave you more than my fair share Of this illusion that’s called love And now more than ever I’m glad that we’re through And hopefully in a year or two You’ll realize that women are not your toys little boy So let this be a lesson That gets you stressin’ To use that thing in your head called a brain Yes, I know it sounds insane to find out that you actually have one But hey Life is full of surprises Molly Harrison, Creative Writing Department |
ReassuranceChanges, Rearranges, Strange happenings in my life. Break ups, Break downs, So many things causin’ me strife. Failed relationships, Fragile emotions, People runnin’ wild. Dark days, Doubting faith, I just wander around like a helpless child. Lost in the madness, Losing myself, Fake smiles hiding my grief. Angry friends, Absolute solitude, I’m sorry, I don’t parade my heart on my sleeve. I have barriers and boundaries and exceptions galore, And when it comes to knowin’ me, Leave your judgements at the door. I am what I am and nothing more. Yes, I do have a dark side, And it loves to shine. I’m jealous, sarcastic, and like to claim what’s mine. But if you actually take the time To walk with me, Talk with me, Or even glance into my eyes, I’m sure you’ll be surprised to find That the girl with studs and hoops adorning her face, Is so outta place, Not just in life, But in her mind. And it would only be so kind of you, To ask me if everything’s alright Now and again. So I can look back and remember when Somebody was there for me When I needed them most. And I don’t mean to boast about all of these Changes, Rearranges, Strange happenings in my life, But now that I’ve released them into the world, I know, Everything’s going to be alright. Molly Harrison, Creative Writing Department |
Scenery
Swimming through a sea of tears, hoping you won't drown in your own misery
Flying through a cloud full of thoughts, hoping you won't be engulfed by stress overload
Seeing the world through both your eyes instead of a camera by your side
Hearing everything that's real and not hooking beats, capturing verses, and flowing
melodies through headphones
Tasting every flavor of the sky's painted cliche in contrast of edible artificials that will
never stay
Taking everything this majestic land has to offer but not to compensate by taking
shortcuts that will never prosper
Feeling the sand of a Westside California beach or the mud of a swamp in Australia under
your feet but you let designer shoes be your standing seat
Smelling the natural existence of this universe as you inhale every morning yet you
immerse your lungs in store bought fragrances that you're yearning
Ailing in a forest of fading breaths where you find a kingdom of final peace and rest
And when dismissed from this world for lack of energy
You will see a dream come true - a change of SCENERY
Silas Vasser, Creative Writing Department
When the Pen Runs Dry
What will happen when the pen runs dry?
Will I sit here and cry, why oh why must my pen run dry?
Does this mean my thoughts will stop?
Maybe it means that instead of having a song in my head and a poem in my heart,
I will be empty minded.
What will happen if the pen runs dry?
Will they still be able to make laws? Will the war in Iraq stop?
Because there is nothing else holding our soldiers there.
Will the world lose their minds because no one will have control over them?
What will happen if the pen runs dry?
In schools will the teacher still be able to say "I have the power of the pen"?
Maybe, but at the same time he/she can't because there isn't any ink.
Will there finally stop being graffiti on the walls because when they went to spray, the pen went dry.
What will happen if my pen runs dry?
Well, that's something I don't have to worry about because my journey as a writer is just beginning.
There is much more to come from this '07 sophomore.
Because this pen ain't runnin' dry no time soon.
SeTerica Jackson, Creative Writing Department