Inspiration: Have you ever noticed that friends can be a big help when you are frustrated or feeling like a failure? Why is that? Well, friends want to take away your pain, but positive words or saying “not everyone is good at X” are not always helpful in making your friend happy and healthy. As a friend, you can do better by asking questions and problem-solving.

Take a look at this infographic about mindset; you can click on it to make it larger:

Mindset
This infographic comes from Big Change (big-change.org).

Write a poem to someone who needs support working through a setback, a challenge, some frustration. The person needs your help to stick with it, find resources, get some help to work through it. You might ask him/her about what the struggle is teaching them, what they should do next, and who can help and how. Here are some ideas:

  • A teammate is frustrated that he is not starting or getting the events he/she wants. What would you say or do to help him/her work through, stay with it?
  • A friend throws his/her controller in frustration with a video game refusing to play it with you anymore. What would you say or do to help him/her work through it and try again — strategies, resources like how-to videos, watching you, etc.?
  • A sibling just started a sport/hobby you already do well (e.g., soccer, violin, cooking, make-up, sketching) and is frustrated by not doing it as well as you. What would you say and do to help them see that it takes time to get better and that it is not about being like you but about developing their own way  (or something like that)?
  • A classmate is acting out for attention or out of boredom because he/she can’t find meaning in or connect to the lesson. What do you say/do? What strategies can you share to help him/her work through it.
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Colin B

My sister’s pencil lead silently snaps inside it’s wooden shell.
“Release your grip, it’s just a math problem.”
“Is that what you said when you failed the chapter math meet?”
“Is that what you said when you failed life?”
I look over at my mom, with her menacing stare.
“Colin you didn’t fail the meet, you tied for second,
and Kaelin, you didn’t fail life.”
I felt a pang of guilt,
and thought back to the times my sister had helped me.
All I could remember was us fighting.
It happens a lot.
I sighed and helped my sister with the problem.
“Yes, 3/4 times 4/3 equals 1.”
If I keep fighting, then this will go on forever.
I went up to my room to read.
Halfway through a page, I heard a knock on my door.
“Colin, can you help me with this problem?”
“Yeah, me too.”
“Why don’t you wait until your in JH to do it”
Oh boy,
I wasn’t very good at the 14th line.
Why did my mom think it was a good idea to have THREE girls?

Uma Patel

If I feel down,
I know I can count on someone,
Who is always there,
Being my shoulder,
And telling me that I will be okay,

Friends,
They’re your support,
Help you through the hardships,
Challenges,
Obstacles,
And now they know,
That you will always be there too

Jacqueline

When you said that friends re your support i started thinking about how some people are lucky enough to have friends that do help you through the ups & downs. Because some people don’t have the best of friends, but giving that loyalty to a friend is very important ! I like how you also organized your poem !

Elizabeth

To any students,
You have one chance.
One shot at the future.
A Big deal.
Don’t worry too much though
Use any concern to better your work.
Speaking of work,
Do it all.
Things are temporary.
Time passes quick.
It seems like a big deal.
But time is on your side.

Emma N.

Your words, “Time passes quickly… But time is on your side” really moved me because that phrase really opened my eyes and kind of told me that time is on your side as long as you know how to use it wisely.

Ben

You can work through it,
You can do it,
It’s not impossible,
You just have to believe in yourself,

“Nothing is,
Impossible,
The world itself says,
I’m possible.”
-Audrey Hepburn

Manny V

When you wrote that quote at the end, I felt really inspired because it made me think about all the things I thought were impossible but now I know that nothing is impossible because even the word says it itself.

izzy sernel

I like how you used the quote “Nothing is impossible, The world itself says, I’m possible,” because it went really well with what you were writing about how we can do anything we just have to work through it.

Kaci

To Mom,
Work is hard,
you stay up till one in the morning,
working on a never ending portfolio,
of numbers and graphs.
You work at home,
you are never “home.”
I want to spend time with you, but
“work comes first.”
Why did your company have to merge?
Before, you would watch TV with me,
and go on walks and,
spend time with me.
It’s going to be okay though.
I know you get angry,
frustrated,
you take it out on me,
and dad.
But don’t break.
once you break,
you can
never,
go,
back.
If you work enough,
for as long as needed,
you can retire.
You can just,
one day,
put your computer down,
drop those fake, back-stabbing work friends,
and come home,
and rest.
Once you do,
I can take a break from college,
and come home,
and watch TV,
go on a walk,
and spend time together.

Lucas

It looks hard until you do it
riding a bike
he tries so hard
yet can’t get past training wheels
could it be the old bike
could it be the wobbly training wheels
or could it be the effort
because we all know he can do it
he just needs to keep trying and trying
until he can finally ride a bike

Ben

I noticed how used riding the bike as an example of hard things that are not impossible when you said, “Riding a bike, he tries so hard, yet can’t get past training wheels.”

Abigail Zimmerman

To My Brother

To my brother,

I’ve noticed that you’ve spent a lot of time
On the tablet lately.
You know,
If you stay too long in the virtual world,
You will miss the real world.
Go outside.
Ride a bike.
Practice oboe
Or gymnastics.
You will never see the world
If you don’t look.

Elizabeth

I like refer to the outside as the authentic world in line 12. This letter/poem is extremely relevant these days when the majority of people are trapped in virtual realm and do not seek to understand reality or productivity.

Jack

Then flight you are about to go on is not that long,
I know from other trips I have taken
Check your worries and anxieties at the gate,
And carry on your hope and dreams
Take a nap if you need it,
You’ll need rest for your destination.

Sullivan

To my brother,
You are entering a new phase
All of the work,
All of the time,
All of the school,
Was just practice for what you are about to enter
There will be days when you are on on cloud nine
With no worries
But
There will be days when if will feel like the stress is consuming you
And the work load appears insurmountable
Just know
It is okay to ask for help
It is okay to need a break
It is okay not to feel okay
Love,
Your sister

Erin

a lot of what you mentioned could really make a difference in everyone’s life if they listened.

Karen

I know depression is a hard time
In someones life
Nothing matter anymore

It looks like no one
Is there to help you

But im here
If u need a shoulder
To cry on
IM HERE FOR YOU

Jazmine Johnson

When my sister is upset I help out
like she always helped me
When shes mad I give her time to breathe
liked she did with me
When shes happy I don’t bring her down
like she did with me

Make sure to help the people who helped you for years

ERIK

i see my friend down and upset
i go by him and ask him ¨ what wrong¨
he won´t answer me so i sit next to him
and ask again¨ what wrong¨
and he answer back ¨ i lost friend¨
i was sad for him and told ” its going to be
alright you friend will forgive you someday
he smiled back .

Kaci

I can relate to when you said “he wont answer to me” because one of my friends doesn’t open up to people easily, so she normally stays quiet.

Liam

When you are feeling like you caught some plague and everything is NOT in fact gonna be alright
you need to look at the bright side of things
Even if that side is the distance of the sun away
Use your mental X-wing to fly there

Jackson

Dear Elementary School Student,

I saw you throw down a book yesterday and leave.
I picked up the book after you.
Stone Fox by John Reynolds Gardiner.
Such a sad book and also complex.
I imagine that you either were upset with the end
or it was too difficult for you to read.
Don’t worry.
Words are difficult.
Keep trying at books.
Start out with children’s books.
It may seem silly,
but it will help.
It’s ok that reading is hard.
English is not the easiest language.
Keep trying.

And if it was because it was sad,
I’m sorry.
Life is sad.
It can be happy but
the world just gets worse for you.
You can live through it though
and tell your grandchildren your war stories.

Sincerely,
A Person Who Knows the Power of Books

Tommy

why
why should i be nice to people
why should i be Friends
since i was in third grade i have been alone and i have no
Friends
it is bad so why should i be nice
why

Julia

For Love

The Free.
The Wild.
The Spirit.
It’s all Inside,
But something’s taken over.
Creeping.
Crawling.
Moving.
Eating every inch.
Get away.
Run.
The strong wind will blow,
Over.
Than.
Fight .
with.
LOVE.
Overwhelming,
Joy and presents.
The Revenge .
On the enemy.
Is to.
LOVE,
Your enemy.

Elizabeth

Lovely and powerful structure

Kevin H

The phrase ” love is all inside” got me thinking about love is mostly all whats inside because you can show love outside but its mostly what you feel in the inside.

Amelia Canania

Friend are supposed to tell you that everything is going to be okay.
And sometimes they do
But sometimes you may need a little more than that
And they don’t always know that
So they tell you everything is fine and you will be okay
And it may be,but you just need that one nice phrase to get you through the day
But you say thanks
Like any good friend would do

Haley

Keep your mind happy.
When he seems to be the worst in the world,
Remember the days when he used to be your world.
Why are the worst memories always what stand out?
Dwell on all of the wonderful times that you had together.
Don’t forget how he used to make you feel.

Jahkel Madison

I liked how you talk about positive things.

Natalie Sanchez

I can relate to the part where you said “keep your mind happy,When he seems to be the worst in the world” because No matter what happens you should always think of the positive things.

louie

you made my friend cry very good poem

Karen

The phrase “When he seems to be the worst in the world Remember the days when he used to be your world” got me thinking that people give up on each other when they have hard times during their relationship because its true that people forget the good stuff about the other person.

nautica

When you wrote “When he seems to be the worst in the world,
Remember the days when he used to be your world.” and “Dwell on all of the wonderful times that you had together.
Don’t forget how he used to make you feel.” I felt like that touch my heart because it was written for people who been through a situation like this.

Hayden

Friends provide support
but I don’t want the common phrases of motivation.
I don’t want to hear a friend mindlessly say “You can do it.”
Everyone says that with no meaning or thought to it.
I want a friend to tell me they’ve been there
That they’ve felt the same way and experienced it before
We’ve all been told the same things over and over
But some people need different support.

Jahkel Madison

The thing I like about this was how you told a story about a true friend 😀

Jahkel Madison

Also I liked the line “friends provide support.” because it’s true.

Amelia Canania

Hey Hayden! I can relate to the part ” But I don’t want the common phrases of motivation” because there was a time where I needed a good piece of support/advice and my friend did not say that much that would make me feel better. Nice job! keep up the good work.

Giancarlo

I can relate to this poem because throughout my life the only motivation I’ve ever gotten was a weak, measly, pathetic “you can do it” and I always thought to myself, “that’s not enough”.

Henry nham

I liked the way said saying “you can do it” has no thought or effort into supporting your friends instead you say” i feel the same way and I experienced it before.”

Jasmin B.

You can lean on me when your not strong
When you need a shoulder to cry on,
So shed a tear if you want
because I will be there for you until dawn
And once your ready to share
I will listen, I swear.
So be strong and don’t lose fate
because later we’re going to eat this cake.

Haley

Great poem. I think the rhyming of the last two lines adds a nice effect.

Miriam

The phrase “And once your ready to share, I will listen, I swear.” got me thinking about my best friend. She always listens to what I have to say and she understands most things that others don’t.

Marissa

E
F
G
A
Oh, not C.
I wince at the sound of the wrong note.
Try again.
Nope.
I got this, his determined eyes tell me.
Another mistake.
Come on, it’s not that hard.
I play it for him.
Go.
He pushes down the white key.
Another one.
Yes, I think.
I flip the page, next song.
You try first.
No.
That’s wrong.
I play for him again.
Just watch as I do.
He looks at my fingers dance
across the white and black floor.
I look at his.
They sort of play the song.
I smile at him
because
I know that
if I discourage him,
he won’t want to play anymore.

Chessie

I really like how you didn’t tell us exactly what it was that was being played, but used colors and lines such as, “he looks at my fingers dance across the white and black floor”, to help us infer that the piano was being played.

Jackson

This is so heartbreaking because I play the piano and the ukulele and my sister has tried to pick up both of those but I have been playing them for a while. I try to help her but often, she doesn’t want my help. This is the story of my family and music, thank you for putting it in to words.

Jack

Woah. Good poem. I like the choppy flow. It works well with your idea. The story telling is also very good. Nothing is harder than learning a how to play an instrument.

Leo Myers

I sit down
Eyes closed
Tears sliding down my face
And onto the wet grass
No one notices
They just think it’s the rain
They think I’m happy
That my life is perfect
No one asks why I am sitting in the grass
Alone
And soaked from my tears
Not the rain
Cold from the frozen hearts of people
And not the rain
So tuck my knees close to me
And close my eyes
Feeling the rain touch my back
Until someone holds and umbrella over my head
And realizes that I’m alone
And fills the shell inside of me.

Jackson

Boi. This poem is sad and realistic. The end gave me the feels for someone to come and fill your lonely heart. And the first alone is truly alone like you were but then when another person came, it is not alone, it is on a line with other words. Amazing poem.

#imagineyourOTP

Elizabeth

Extremely emotional. I love the constant mention of water and how it’s differing forms correspond with the differing view points. The mention of the shell makes me think of how fragile we are. Superb.

Emma Nil

Stand up tall
Don’t let people see you weak
I don’t know why you bawl
But next time you are cheeked
Act big and proud of yourself
then no one can tell the difference
between the small elf
and their great brilliance

ERIK

I can relate to the part ¨don let people see you weak¨ because i am weak but i am getting stronger everyday.

Uma Patel

Emma, the line, “Act big and proud of yourself, then no one can tell the difference” resonated with me because if you are down, stand tall, and don’t show your weakness.

Danny

Whenever you feel like you cant do something,
just remember that with enough work and effort
you can do anything,
It may take some time and practice but you will get what you wanted.

Haley

Nice poem. I like how it is short and simple but possesses a powerful message.

Liam

I can relate to the part you said “with enough work and effort you can do anything because in sports you have to work through all your problems

Nikolas

no one can do everything
so it is okay if you fail at this or that
you’ll just have to keep trying new things
until you find the right thing for you.

Dwight

i noticed you used the technique of explaining ” just keep trying new things until and you will find the right thing for you” that they will have to try again its effective because this message helps them to never give up.

Alex

I can relate because I’ve seen people try to do everything, including things they can’t and then they tried something else and they were good at it

Armaan

When a friend throws a controller
I tell them
relax it’s making you tense
just think differently
and try a new strategy
there’s always a way
you can search it up,
watch a video,
find a new tactic,
and much more.
Just relax,
and don’t throw the controller again.

Liam

I can relate to telling people to chill out because on my hockey team there was one person who took things too seriously and I always told him to chill out

Nathan N

(I’m out of cringe splash text. Cringe warning.)

Real friends
Impossible to find
Fakes
Everywhere
They pretend
To be your friend
And laugh in your face
When you lose

Mike

sadness and despair,
floating in the air
trying to climb this mountain, that was never even there.
Am I at the top?
Or going in circles at the bottom,
Ill never know if i don’t keep trying.

Mik Mieczkowski

This poem really makes you think. About the “mountain, that was never even there”, I think that symbolizes the problems we face in our lives. These problems are sometimes all in our head, never even there. If you just stop to think about all the good in your life, and be grateful for your family, your possessions, your life, you realize that everything’s pretty good.

Jeannie

My best friend…
The only one who understands me…
The one who has stuck by my side when no one else has…
You can get through this
I know it’s hard now…
I know it’s difficult…
But you’ll get through this
You’re strong
You’re tough
You can get through anything
You’ve helped me through all my hard times…
Now it’s my turn to help you

Jazmine Johnson

I can relate to the part that your best friend understood you and also always by your side because that how me and my best friends are and they connect with me on my level and I think your friends do too.

Emma

Hi, Jeannie! I can really relate to my best friend seeming like the only one who understands me. Your poem is really encouraging, and your friend is really lucky to have you.

Hayden W.

Remember to never give up,
to keep on trying,
even if you feel worthless,
or you feel hopeless,
if you keep trying,
you will get better.

Edwin

I can relate to the part “Remember to never give up” because i like saying that to my teammates.

Lauren

“Don’t stop believing”-Journey
Sometimes it’s hard to have hope,
that things will get better,
that things will change,
when your face just gets wetter,
from tears of desperation,
sorrow,
stress,
anger,
but all you have to do,
is don’t give up,
because if you do,
your problems will still be there tomorrow,
might as well change,
and with your hope,
things will get better.

Jasmin B.

I like the part, “Don’t stop believin'”-journey because it could relate to my life. I want to keep believing and I will and always.

Ricardo

“Failure”
“Negativity”
“Worthless…”
Being in a deep hole
Trying to get out
“You’re nothing”
Darkness
Tiny bright light shining
Voices saying
“Get up”
“Head up”
“Forget about that”
See the positive side
“You’ll be okay”
Ha.

Leo

I can relate to the part “Failure, worthless” Because for my entire life I have been called stuff like that.

Jasmine Plata

I like how you make the mood shift. In the beginning it is all negative stuff and as it heads toward the end it gets positive. Then I really like how you just said,” Ha.” It makes it look like you can control anything.

Liam

I like the part you used where you used words like negativity and failure and adding “being in a deep hole” to help define how you want readers too feel about the beginning of the poem

Chessie

“Don’t give up,” my mom always told me.
No matter what it is.
Don’t get down on yourself,
no one is perfect.
Whatever it is,
it may not be easy,
but just know,
you can do it.

Danny

I can relate to the part ““Don’t give up,” my mom always told me.” because my mom also tells me l that to me when I feel like I cant do things or when I’m unmotivated.

Jarely

I know it’s hard
It’s been hard for me
It’ll take work but I know you can do it
You need the motivation
Strength
and comfort to get you to where you need to be
I will try my best to let you see the light in the pitch black
but you have to help yourself
I can’t be your parent
You have some
I have some
I will be there for help
I don’t want you to fail
But you need to want that too

Malik

I like how you styled your poem. You aimed it towards your audience so they could feel motivated (I did). “I know you can do it”. I feel like this is a coach of some sorts after a loss cause of the “I don’t want you to fail, But you need to want that too” part.

Priscilla

You can be anything you want
Don’t let anybody stop you
Don’t let anybody say you can’t
never stop dreaming
always believe in yourself

Mike

I can relate to the part where you said “Don’t let anybody say you cant” because my dad used to tell me that when i was little playing sports because coaches always say you cant even when they should say you can.

trap

dont ever bring yourself down
you just need to practice everyday with what your are trying to improve with
and your gonna make it far sometimes you just need the right people in your life to push you to do your best . and accomplish your goal

Valeria

You can do it
You may not be as good as someone else
but trying is what matters
trying your best and having fun is the most important thing
not who is better than you or anyone else

Jasmine Plata

I really enjoyed reading your poem, I saw many ways I could relate to you. One of the huge parts I saw that had an affect on me was when you said,” You may not be as good as someone else, but trying is what matters.” I experience that in my daily life because kids will show off and leave other kids not wanting to try it because they are scared of being a fool.

Kinga

I see my friend
They’re head low to the ground and their hoodie covering their whole head
What should I do? I can’t let someone feel so lonely and sad
I’m not really good at this
“What happened?”
No reply
They sink their head deeper and bury their head in their arms as they sit down at a desk
I nudge them as lightly as possible
“What happened?”
They look up and their eyes are clouded with sadness
I sit by them “how was your day?”
“It was really tiring. I always have to get up and do the same thing. People always seem to make fun of me.”
“They don’t see your talents, people always want to look at someone’s flaws and never get to admire the great things about someone. Don’t let it bring you down.”
I wish I could say something more to help my friend
Because people don’t see all the wonderful things about them

Jael

I can relate to the part “I wish I could say something more to help my friend” because sometimes I see a friend that is sad or something is wrong and I wish I could do something more than just tell them that it’s okay, you know what they say: actions speak louder than words.

Jasmine Plata

I felt an emotional impact when you said,”They don’t see your talents, people always want to look at someone’s flaws and never get to admire the great things about someone. Don’t let it bring you down.” The reason why I had felt such a powerful impact was that most people judge other peoples flaws and laughing about them. People don’t see other peoples talents because their talent is a power. They judge others to quickly.

anthony

Nobody is perfect
Everyone has things they are not good at
If you can’t do something
Keep trying
If you do
Then you’ll get better at it
If you need help
Don’t do it on your own
Ask for help
Everyone needs someone to help them
No matter what

Marissa

I can relate to the part when you said, “Don’t do it on your own, ask for help” because sometimes I feel like I can’t tell anyone about something, so this is telling me I should ask for help when I need it.

Luis

Hey don’t worry
Nobody is good at soccer some people are because they have some skills
But don’t worry we will practice so you could get better

Melody

Sadness it lurks,
depression it dwells,
uplifting comments,
a distraction,
at last,
sorrow locked away,
smile,
just maybe,
is it in arms reach yet?
others words of encouragement,
is negativity fading?
joyful laughter,
is happiness finally just around the corner?

Alex

wow melody this poem is really touching i think you used such great detail and it all around just great

mmmmmm

We fail to become successful, don’t be ashamed of failure.

Nikolas

I can relate to the part “we fail to become successful” because there are many times that i have had to fail at something to be able to find something else that is better for me.

Max

There is a do or do not there is no try
push yourself
don’t stop
do it
finish what you started
get up and do something
do the right thing
don’t try
Do

Matt

I know its hard
It just takes time
To improve
Practice makes perfect
At least I hope so

Powers Rogers

don’t feel like I’m doing enough
don’t feel like im doing
don’t feel like i’m
don’t feel like
don’t feel
don’t
don’t feel
don’t feel like
don’t feel like I’m
don’t feel like I’m failing
don’t feel like I’m failing anymore

Chessie

I really like the style of your poem. It is written in a unique way. I also like how you used 2 topics but that kind of relate to each other, from not doing enough to not failing anymore.

Armaan

Power Rogers I really like the style and the layout of the entire poem it very unique and I have never seen that, I also like the part when you start to grow for example when you said “don’t fell like I am falling anymore,”back because It grows back into a better form.

Hayden W.

I like the style of poem you wrote, and how in every line, you would take away a word, and then add more.

Dylan M.

I would’ve expected it to go back to “don’t feel like I’m doing enough”, but you made it change the mood like a really smooth transition in a movie. I think the poem has the visually appealing feel too, as my eye caught this poem out of the others.

Rebecca Padilla

You are beautiful
People will try to tell you your not
In every way they can
They will try to shut you down
Tear you apart
Till you have nothing left for them to pick at
But you can’t let them stop you
You have to keep going
You have to keep trying
To do whats best for you
To do what makes you happy
And never
Let anyone
Take that away from you

Gio

this is very nice and sweet

Julia

Your words “you are beautiful” really moved me because I feel like people focus more on their insecurities than what makes them unique. You have such a great message to spread!

Leilany

Your words-“and never let anyone take that away from you” and “You have to keep going you have to keep trying” are very empowering and made myself, and probably anyone else who reads this, feel very empowered. I also think that this poem has a very powerful message.

Chris a

I really liked the sentence “They will try to shut you down
Tear you apart” because most people start to get insecure because of the comments they get on there looks. i don’t think its right to judge someones clothes or someone in general on the decisions they make. This is a very powerful message and i really like how to organized everything to make you smile towards the end. Going back to the “tear you apart” i do agree to that, most people will judge and go into conclusions without really taking the time to know you, i really like this poem because i can relate to it, i do get judged on and i have gotten the words that i hear people say to other people.

Natalia

Live On

If someone stops you
become unstoppable.
If someone breaks you
become unbreakable.
If someone decieves you
become undecieveable.
Because you keep living
your own life.

Gabrielle

When you wrote “If someone breaks you become unbreakable” I felt touched because it is really good advice to someone who is going through a hard time. Also it reminded me of a phrase I heard “No one can make you inferior with out your consent!

Rebecca Padilla

This poem is very powerful, I felt connected to this like a string was pulling me to every word. When you wrote “If someone stops you be unstoppable”. It is giving the message to not take anything from anyone that is not worth your time.

Taylor

You can do it ..that’s what my mom tells me
And somehow when I hear those words ..
The impossible becomes possible
Those words ..somehow make me feel as though I can conquer anything.
So,
You
Can
Do
It

Ms. Currie

Taylor– I hear your mom’s voice in a number of your poems. I love it.

Max

i like how you say “the impossible becomes possible” because it a really strong quote and an push others to do amazing things.

Ruby

“Do what you love”- I cant
“follow your dreams”-no one supports me
“dream big”- for what?!
“you can do this”- no I can’t
All these thing kids/teenagers hear
all the time by
parents
teachers
celebrities on TV
but sometimes we feel its impossible to do
because we are in a world filled with bad
and discouragement
But we have to remember what Mahatma Gandhi said
“You must be the change you want to see in the world ”
and that change could be us if we
“dream big” -like they all said

Taylor

This poem actually makes me feel encouraged. Great use of words .

anonymous

i like how whenever you say something inspiring you have a negative quote. It wants to make me actually do it

Sullivan

I admire the way you do not sugarcoat the harsh realities of life. It is especially important to embody your theme of perseverance to make the world a better place.

Gabrielle

Every time:
Every time your upset
we are there to help
if it is a bad grade
or a spade
that is poking you in the wrong way
we will help you stay
and play
this game
called 7th
Grade

Lucas

I think you used good word choice when you said, “This game called 7th Grade.” 7th grade is like a game because there are many different factors going into it like the classes and friends and you have to think it through.

John

Don’t beat yourself up
You may not be great at something now
But later you will improve
You got to stay happy about what you have
Nobody is perfect
In the end we all have flaws
Everyone will come to terms that nobody is perfect
You can change for the better though
Just go for it
Reach for the stars
Or even higher

Ms. Currie

John I love that you point out that no one is perfect. Being perfect is not the goal here, rather reaching for the stars or higher becomes the goal. Nice job!

Ruben

while we help others we don’t help our self’s
while we support others we don’t support our self’s
while we think of others we don’t think for our self
when those others hurt us we still help them
but we cant because we always think the others are better then us

Alonzo

You’re not a failure you’re a person
that want’s something and if you
really want something then work for it

Valeria

I like how you said ¨You´re not a failure, you´re a person¨ I think that is very motivational and true.

Melany

Keep on trying don’t give up
It will all be worth it soon enough
Like they say
practice makes perfect
Don’t let anyone bring you down
If you believe you can do it
Then that’s all that matters
But you’re not a failure
Just a work in progress

cesar

i help
nobody notices but me
i try…always there for you
you take the help but still have trouble
are you listening..to the words im saying
you pretend to listen…
maybe you’ll listen.
im here
somewhere you could listen because im here for you.

Ms. Currie

To me, this feels like a soft, quiet poem because of the lack of lowercase letters. This poem is both soft and strong. Thank you for sharing.

Jane

I am here to help you.
Jawbreaker is crushed into a powder,
cotton candy is melted by my anger.
But I am still here to help you,
I want to help you.
Can you help me?
My friend..

Angeles R

I was angry with my friend:
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.
And I watered it in fears,
Night and morning with my tears;
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.
And it grew both day and night,
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine.
And he knew that it was mine

Elizabeth

The rhyming and elevated language is excellent!

Jocelyn

You may fail
but that doesn’t mean you have to give up
Keep trying…
Even if people try to bring you down
You got this
No, it won’t be easy
but you can do it.
some people might say you aren’t the best
but in my eyes, you will be

ita

you can do it
you’ll get better
don’t give up
try hard to get your results
keep trying even if its hard
you can do it
you can get better
you got this

anthony

Great poem. It’s simple but has a big message.

jordyn

who cares what people say how you looked the only things that matter is what inside of you and if people are talking bad stuff about you is that they are hurt and jealous

William

No one is perfect,
as long as you try,
you’ll have nothing to fear,
because trying and failing,
is better than not trying at all.

Camila

As I watch her with frustration,
I think of all the times Ive made her happy
I think about how we were the ones to make her life happy,
I think of how much I love her with out no doubt.
I just think about her every day and appreciate her every day I have her.

Emily

l liked when you said ” i think of how much i love her with out no doubt.” thats really kind

Tomas

Be inspired,
Be inspired to be you,
Be inspired to change the world,
Be inspired to help others,
Be inspired to get back up when you get knocked down,
Don’t be scared to be yourself,
Embrace yourself for who you are
You have lots of years ahead of you
Be inspired to be you

Ms. Currie

I like the anaphora in this poem. That in of itself is affirming. Nicely done!

Steven Paul

As I see anger erupt from a fellow friend
I great him genitally
making sure I do not disturb him
I tell him “your luck will come around”
It always does

Erin

I don’t need many
I don’t want many
all I need is one
who understands
who listens
who cares
and can relate
so I have something in common with them
we can talk together
learn together
even draw together
and do pretty much anything we put our minds to
because we have each other
and when we are together we can take on anything.

Melody

I can relate to when you wrote “who cares and can relate so I have something in common with them” because in the end, even if there aren’t a lot of people who you can relate to or share the same interests it’s still just nice to have at least one person who you know cares, and understands.

anonymous

no such thing as “friends”
all fake until the end
you were born alone
your going to go through life alone
you end alone

Yilin

You’re not a failure
People fail all the time
But it doesn’t mean that they are the failures

Don’t give up.
Don’t lose faith.
You’ll get better over time
Because really,
It’s the effort that counts

You might think that it’s impossible,
To master making omlettes,
Or dicing onions at flash speed

But hey!
Look at you!
You’re doing it!
Sure,
It may not be perfect,
But then again,
Nothing is perfect

Finally,
After all the grit you put into your work,
You’ve mastered
Chopping with a knife,
Frying a chicken,
And preparing a meal.

So remember
How hard you work to get here
And that the biggest people
Bear the biggest scars.

Alonzo

This was like advise or an inspiring piece of work that made me feel like my family telling me advise I really liked your poem

Micayla

Little balerinas
Daintily they fly
Twisting twirling spinning
In the midnight sky
They dance until they hit the ground
Safe with their companions
Sleeping safe and sound
Down goes the moon
Up comes the sun
The little children wake
Out the door they run
Outside they go to play
And spend their day
Making frozen men
A tall top hat, two button eyes
A mouth made out of coal
But one more thing the children need
They very well all know
For who can build a snowman
Without a carrot nose

Alex

All right buddy
I’m gonna let you try again.

You might like that book you might not
That doesn’t mean you throw it down
In so much frustration.

You could be going through
Some hard times
With money
And or family

Put the past behind
And look in front
For the only thing left
Is the future.

jordyn

wow i like how who ever said this to you said that to me too and gave me this advice too its really powerfull

Erin

your poem is very inspirational.

Sonja

When I get down
You pull me back up

When I sink into bad thoughts
You offer a life raft

When I’m feeling under the weather
You are the umbrella

You are the flame to my candle,
The money to my wallet,
And the best friend I could ever have

Erin

I liked the way you were able to connect yourself with your friend in your poem.

Darby

She’s a person full of comfort.
A shoulder to cry on,
A hand to pat my back,
A smile to lift me,
A foot to lead me,
An ear to hear me,
And a heart to care.

Ruby

your words “an ear to hear me and a heart to care” really moved me because I think we all need a person like that but we don’t always have that,and also we should all be that person for others.

Jeannie

When you wrote, “She’s a person full of comfort” I felt like it could be someone like a best friend or your mom because those kinds of people in your life are the one’s who do what you explained.

Isabella

He throws the book down
I try to help
It doesn’t work
He picks it up
Tries again
He’s getting it
Nevermind
Last try
One sentence
One page
One chapter
I leave
He reads the rest of the night

Nina

“Stop being sad!”
“Cheer up!”
How do you expect them to stop feeling?
How COULD you expect them to stop feeling?
Empty.
Fill them.
Fill them with warmth.
A warm hug,
warm words.
All they need
is
love.

Ruby

I can relate to when you said “stop being sad, cheer up” because I have had experiences like that with some of my friends and I know how you feel.

Douglas

Friends are there to help
Friends are there to share
When they yelp
You are always there
You are there to help them up
You are there to be their friend

Jane

When you wrote “you are always there, you are always there to help them up,” I realized how people are there to support each other and so do I. All of us are here to help each other when its needed.

Jenna

The group therapist.
She’s always there.
She loves and cares about all of us
When we fight,
she calms us down.
Though she’s not perfect,
she makes us more perfect people.
Whenever something bad happens,
I only have to call one name:
Nina.

Gabriel Casbarian

Why would I help him
So that he can grow
Why would I help him
So he can expand his army
Become an excptional painter
Why wouldn’t I help him
Because he is my brother

Brenda

No one is perfect,
Do the things that you love,
don’t neglect,
Try the things you do
want to do,
Don’t stop and think
to object,
There are no privileges
that need to be checked,
Sure, you may not the best at it,
but it’s something that you love,
Don’t you dare to reject
that thing you love

William

A clever line is “Sure, your not the best at it, but its something you love ” because of how much it courage it provides to the reciever of this poem.

Ms. Stefanie Rittner

Brenda, love the line,
“There are no privileges
that need to be checked,”

It makes me think about how there might not be anything that we need to prove to someone else. Perhaps just ourselves!

Ariana

You look at me with frustration in your eyes
You aren’t the person I knew before
You were happy and so innocent
You asked me for help
I didn’t know what I could do to help
I just waited it out
That was a bad idea
Cause now you are gone
And I’m missing every second of it
You were my best friend
More like sister and then you were gone
I miss you
A LOT
But I can’t fix it now
I should’ve helped when you asked

Kaylen

Hey its ok you came in last
At least you were very fast
You ran you fought
You did everything you were taught
Don’t be down
And hide that frown
You should put on a crown
Because you did Amazing
You should be on the ninth cloud
so be proud

Melany

I really like your poem because it rhymes but also because you letting the person know that they still did a good job no matter what place they were in, it makes you feel like you’re not a failure.

Adamaris

You can do it
Keep practicing you’ll get better
Don’t give up
You still have lots of time
Do you have to give up now
I know you’ve tried everything
But someday instead of you looking up to someone
Someone will look up to you.
Never say you can’t do something
You will only know if you try
Always discover new things about yourself

Katie

Supporting others can be hard
You may have to deal with someone stubborn
They know you want to help
But won’t budge how they feel
Everyone can be like this
I noticed myself doing this
Not wanting to cheer up
Just want to be sad
You need to know when someone is helping you
So you can take in perspective how they are trying to help you

Ms. Stefanie Rittner

Katie, I can relate to your words. Sometimes I want to help my students so bad but they struggle to accept my guidance. Your final lines makes me hopeful for my students.

Benjamin

Where are you at?
Lets start at the first box of hopscotch
Whats making you stop?
WHat are you worried about?
Stand up, keep going
cut the rope thats pulling you away to success
maybe we fall so we learn how to get back up again
we can do this together
take a deep breath and take the first step

Brenda

I really like how you said that ”what ‘s making you stop?” because I feel that it’s true since nothing can really stop you, only you can stop yourself.

Christina

i can do it,
she’s is not much of a woman do actually do it,
She won’t
i will,
SHE WILL,
BEAT HER CHRISTINA!!!!!!!
I throw the first punch she already out,..
i see the bleeding on her face , she’s done…
in shock and a scared voice everyone says” she did it”
With one eye open she says” i taught we were friends”
nah you was just a game , i reply….

Camila

I like how you interpert yourself in your poem because I know you in person and I know you are much like that. I like the line were you say “nah you was just a game” , girl I love the confidence you have in these poems.

Nicholas

I shed a tear today
silently, I felt it fall
you caught it
shared it
held it
felt it
then
suddenly
it wasn’t so big
after all.

Maddie

When you wrote, “suddenly it wasn’t so big after all,” I felt a sense of joy that if you let others help you and share your sorrow, then you can conquer that feeling.

Jillian

I love the line where you said “you caught it, shared it, held it, felt it” because I think that when a friend is in need it is important to put yourself in their shoes and relate to them.

Nathan

Family should help each other whenever we can even if it is as simple as helping with homework
no matter what
family will always be family

Kayla

It takes time
I had so many set backs
So many people telling me I can’t do it
It took me 5 years of people pushing me down
and giving up on me to get where I am today
It’s funny how people will try to break you down just because your not good enough
It will take time because practice makes perfect

Chris

I know you wanted to start in the game
I know your good and it’s a shame
but just keep on trying again and again
then you’ll definitely get the spot you deserve
Coach will realize what a mistake he’s made
and realize that you are the missing piece

Damian

going to state for high jump is scary
preforming at your best for hundreds of people
hoping you won’t mess up
all it takes is a clear mind and going at it
the run up needs to be perfect
the jump needs to be perfect
the take off happens…….
and he clears 5’10
he wins it
he is the state champion
all it took is some motivation from your teammates
they are there to help you out and cheer you on.
everyone knew you could do it
motivation from teammates is the key to preforming your best and setting a new PR.

Karen

You can do it!
I cant do it i’m not as good as you..
look trying is what matters
but i wanna win i want to be good like you
i wasn’t born knowing how to win every time
now start running.

little cesars

My friend throws he controller on the ground
this game is to hard he says
Mate it’s a game it’s not supposed to be easy i respond
i’m done playing he says
I don’t care, you were a bad teammate
fine i’ll try and show you I can do better

reverse psychology ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

abraham

yeah i agree its hard but you should try again
to finally sucssed

Sergio

You the friend
You are their for me
You help me
You support me
You give em advice
You are the person to lift me up
You the friend
Are always their for me

Tommy

i can relate to you saying” you are their for me” it reminds me of an old friend that i had but that was in the past

Nick

Have you judged before
dont lie
i did too
i know its wrong
why do we do this
i have no clues
theres a solution
help
help the ones in need
help the ones who cant
make the difference
be the difference

Colin

Don’t give up
You can do this
You got this it’s in the bag
Never give up

Keep trying
One more time
Take your time
Take a deep breath and start over
Last time you got this!

Jillian

You set the bar too high
You waste all your time on homework
Your idea of “free time” is spent studying for
A test 3 months from now.

You’re always locked up in your room
Closing the blinds
Locking the door
Scowling at the world
What did the world ever do to you?

You weren’t always like this
But your views on what is important has changed
Love
Trust
Friendship…….

Family

I know you’re tired
And I know you’re scared
But i’m still here
And i’ll never leave your side.

Jasmin B.

I can relate to the part “I know you’re tired.And I know you’re scared. But i’m still here. And i’ll never leave your side.” because I am still with them, and will always will be.

Katie

When you wrote “I know you’re tired and I know you’re scared but i’m still here and i’ll never leave your side” I felt that’s how everyone should treat the ones they love because if you don’t they may never want to support you or they won’t want your support

Nicholas

I can relate to the part about not giving up because its a good thing
when you wrote, I’ll never eave your side, I felt wow because its good.
your words “I know you’re tired And I know you’re scared But i’m still here” really moved me because I was impressed.

McKinley

You can do it
I know you’re strong
You’ll get through it
Maybe you need a song

When times are hard
Don’t give up
You’ll get through it
It won’t last for long

Damian

When you wrote, ” you’ll get through it” it made me fee good about myself because there are always people supporting others and helping out.

Kaylen

I can relate to the part ” you can do it “because in cross country thats what we tell all the members of our team and other teams when they are racing , When you wrote, ” Maybe you need song” I felt like a kid again because i would always turn to song when i’m down , now i just turn a physiologist

Tomas

I really enjoy the three lines of rhyme scheme throughout your poem. It made me reread it, and I noticed that your three lines of rhyme could stand alone, and I thought this piece was very powerful. Nice job!

Christian

soccer
i’m bad at it and i know
but when i was 10
i was a goalie
so i can still play good right?
no
but at least my friends told me that
i looked like i was trying

i dont know

as long as you try your best you will get better every time

Nico

you broke the bridge
i don’t care but now you can’t get a grade
and you already have bad grades
you broke the bridge for no reason
but we can fix it

Nathan

this flowed like as if you were talking to that person who broke the bridge

Manny V

So what if your slow
That doesn’t mean that you should give up
Everybody started somewhere
and this is your starting point
all you need to think about is that you can do it
It doesn’t matter if you think your slow
or that you think your not good enough
just do it and push through
You won’t regret it at the end
Yes, it will hurt
And yes, it’ll be worth it

Kayla

The phrase “Yes,it will hurt and yes, it’ll be worth it” got me thinking about what someone told me once because they told me “No one said it will be easy but I promise it will be worth it” when I was going through a hard situation.

Junior

I agree with your poem because everyone does start from somewhere and then at the end they might end up successful because of their never giving up creed.

cesar

i could relate to your poem because everybody will start out slow but that’s life..you can take it easy so you could be success
(p.s ; it’s ”you’re ” not “your” 😉

Alex

you broke the bridge why well its ok but why
would you break the thing we have been
working on so hard and make it so we have
to repair it at lunch but its ok the team is understanding
we will fix it it will all be fine lets not worry lets
just put this past us and fix our bridge

francisco

i like the rhythm of your poem because the repetition

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