Read All About It!

Slam Poetry is a form of self expression, giving a voice resilient in nature to our passions, concerns, and the current conditions of the world as we see it.

At our Spoken Word/ Slam Poetry writing workshop, here’s what a couple of fabulous students from the Day School had to say about their neighborhood.

Da Hood by Michael Gougis

If the hood were a color, it would be black and white.
Like 20 below zero with no streetlights.
At the corner I always see thugs.
The hood is filled with baggy clothes and drugs.
I like the hood’s summer days.
I dislike hiding from the cops like I’m lost in a maze.
The hood is rough, tough, danger, hatred, and anger.
The sounds of gunshots and people in danger.
The worst thing to eat is Ziggy’s fast food
Where the service is bad and the employees are rude.
My neighborhood is scary like a thunderstorm.
It’s the real deal, not a college dorm.
Someone gets shot and I despair.
My hood’s not like yours, there’s nothing to compare.

Untitled by LaShawn James

If the South Side were a color, it would be green.
Green like money. All people wants it!
At he corner I always see people selling stolen stuff.
My neighborhood is filled with people who think negative.
I like the summertime when a lot of people are outside.
I dislike how the police will come an make us move around.
Tough, Motivation, Movement
In the Southside I hear the sounds of gunshots an people talking.
The people are mad, broke, always wanting something for free.
This neighborhood is unique the way they get money.
My favorite thing to eat from Mc D’s is Burgers.
In my hood I break bread with the young people.
In the Southside, I don’t like the selling of drugs.
There is a scent of sewer.
My neighborhood makes me excited, but unwanted.

Welcome by Travon Brandon

If K-Town were a color it would be sky blue,
Like the sky of my favorite color.
At the court I always see people playing football and basketball.
My neighborhood is filled with Gangs, Drugs, and Hatred.
I like my life, my family, myself, sports, and girls.
I dislike No one cause it takes too much energy, but I dislike losing.
The K, get money Town, unsafe K, Crazy K-town
I hear the sounds of people talking, cars driving pass, cats and dogs and ball playing.
The people are crazy, but very calm and mellow.
The gym is unique in K-Town.
My favorite thing to eat from my grandma’s house is chicken and mac � cheese.
In my neighborhood I play basketball, football, and walk and talk with my friends.
What goes on, on certain days makes me feel disconnected.
Idiots surround my family and friends.
Often I think of getting away when I get in the prime of my career.
There is a scent of weed, and bitterness in the air.
My neighborhood makes me feel decent cause I got used to it, but it sometimes makes me feel uncomfortable cause I can’t walk down the street without looking over my shoulder.