Creative Writing Field Trips, pt. 1
Yesterday 25 seventh graders from Perspectives Charter School came to the Open Books office for a creative writing field trip. It was our first time holding the workshops here instead of in a school, and we couldn’t have asked for a more inspiring start. Below are four I hope I’ll never forget. More stories — funny, sad, hopeful, heart-warming — will follow in the coming weeks.
Congratulations and thank you to these students for being brave enough to share these moments in their young lives. — Erin
How I Feel
By Noah
I was 12 when my mom said you were gone. I was so sad. The funeral was the worst part. Your name was Naim Benjamen Polk. I thought when you were born we would be great. But that sad day in the hospital made me cry an ocean.
You made my mom and me so happy. You always kicked in her belly, like a little soccer player. We had so much fun. I loved you before we could tell gender. I loved you even more when you were a boy.
I know that dreadful December 26, that day after Christmas, will always be hard. My mom tried to cheer me up. “He’s in heaven now,” is what she would always say. But I will always remember the day my baby brother went away.
My New Family
By Kristin
I remember like five years ago it was only my mom, my two sisters, and me. I did not have my dad and my sisters, too. My dad left us when I was just a little baby. He was always in jail or with his gang. And now till this day he belongs to the Kings and that is a gang. It is sad. He was in jail for 13 years. I do not know the whole story. He came out last year, and I only saw him two times. My mom said that he could see my sisters and me only if he stopped doing all the bad stuff he does. So I never saw him again. It is sad for my sisters and me.
Five years ago my mom met this man named Rob. He is cool and nice to my mom, my sisters, and me. My sisters and I are so happy to have a dad in our life today. At first it was like “We don’t need a man in our life! We have each other.” But when I was outside or anywhere, I would see kids with their dad. You could see they had lots of fun with their dad, so at times I would want a dad. I started to think it would be nice to have a dad. My mom and Rob got married, and we are all a happy family. Now I have four brothers and my two sisters. I love my family and I would never regret having a cool and nice dad.
My Loving Dad
By Maria
I had just come from school and I was mad. When I walked into my house I took off my uniform. I went to my room and started yelling at my sister because she made a mess in my room. Then she started saying that I was not her sister and saying that I was not a Martinez. She said that she and my father look alike because they are both brown and proud. I got so mad because I felt I didn’t fit in. I started to cry because she told me that I didn’t belong and my dad was not my real dad.
I cried for a bit and I got over it. Then I went to the kitchen and I was just about to eat when my mom and dad had to tell me something very important. My dad told me he had signed my birth certificate saying I was his daughter. I burst into tears because I was so happy after having worst day ever and the conversation with my sister. I was happy knowing my sister cannot say that Ozzie Martinez is not my real dad. I was so proud knowing I am officially a Martinez.
Green
By Erick
3 years back
Something that I did
Something that I would never do again
Something that my friend would do, that I didn’t know could cost me my life.
Something I never heard before
These days they call it green.
It’s not money
It’s something that would make me dizzy
Something that if I was able to get hurt, I wouldn’t feel it
The only thing I’m hurting is my body
Maybe not today, maybe tomorrow
Wait, what’s this?
I feel so weak when I play
Why am I breathing so hard when I’m running?
I couldn’t play so I went home
I fell to my knees and told God
Please help me not to do green
2 weeks later I feel good
Because I’m not doing green
Not smoking weed
That’s why it was a good day for me.
