Comparisons




I sink slowly
I sink deeply

more sleepy than a bear in winter
more tired than an ant in summer
more boring than the goldfish in my bowl

Just I can wish
tomorrow will be better
--Yun


Life

Sometimes beautiful like a spring flower
Sometimes terrible like a forest after fire

Sometimes crazier than a mountain stream
Sometimes calmer than a small lake

Sometimes as bright as a night star
Sometimes as shady as a morning fog

Life as life
Life as life
--Anton

Her voice is softer than the song of birds
Her lips are redder than roses
Her hair is blacker than ebony
Her smile is more valuable than ivory for me
She makes me crazy like Luna
I can't buy her heart with a great number of diamonds
Because she is so proud and independent.
--Kenjiro


My dog is like my daughter because she is a wonderful pet.
My heart pounds like a strong hammer because I'm in love.
My life is like magic because of my wonderful husband.
My dream's as tall as a building because of my ambition.
My Mom is like an angel because she is a wonderful person.
My husband is like a hero because he always saves me.
--Elsa


Cigarette

Everybody thinks you are as scary as cancer.
Some people think you are harmful as drugs.
One of my friends tells me your smoke is mysterious as a ghost.
Even though they fire you so many times.
I know you are always with me as friendly as a best friend.
Even though all my friends are busy when I feel lonely,
You are still in my fingers.
--Lee










Extra Poems
(Yes, sometimes students did this, even though they didn't have to!)



These Things Make Me Happy

Hot coffee flavored with creamer and sugar,
big pieces of ham on soft bread--
this makes me happy.

Reading a long poem,
listening to lovely music--
these things make me happy.

Writing a letter to family,
designing my big house--
this makes me happy.
-- Anton



Dreams

Dreams mean a lot to me.
I can see my future in my dreams.
I speak to my family and friends through my dreams.
Some of my dreams are lovely.
Some of my dreams are scary.
In my dream I communicate with my mother.
I always see my father in my dream.
Dreams are part of my life.
--Elsa



My Mom Is My Angel

Sitting in a rocking chair, holding an angel's warm hand,
and feeling her loving touch,
I heard a voice, whispering a beautiful sound--
someone singing, reminding me of when I was a small child;
I know who sang that song--my mom.
I can't feel her physical
body, but I can feel her spirit.
My mom is my angel.








Musical Collaborations
(Students listened to a piece of classical music. Each was given a card with a wh-
question. The answers to the questions were collected. Then students put them in an order
they liked, making small changes if necessary.)



Mozart

lazy and sleepy afternoon,
quiet room
in a light summer house
I'm listening
to lovely music,
a young woman playing the piano
on grassland
far from her country and
everything she loves




Tchaikovsky


Summer, hot day
a beautiful morning

in the ocean
she was dancing
with her husband
(brave and resolute)

who won the civil war
and returned

home.



Sousa

Christmas Day,
sunshine and raining--
she is dancing.

Well-muscled young athletes,
outside on the road
surrounded
by many people,

celebrating the victory.


Things That Make Me Happy Collaboration
(Everybody contributed lines to this poem.)


Sitting in a rocking chair holding an angel
Halloween children carrying bags, making trick or treat
Constructing a piece of wood to make a bed yasaklı kelime
making my lunch
writing about a movie story
reading a poem
the Ural Mountains
iced tea
designing a house
big pieces of ham with bread
hot coffee flavored with creamer and some sugar
spinach mixed with cheese and fried chicken
making freedom by scuba diving under the sea
feeding animals in my garden
fixing a car
writing a letter to family
glasses of water
listening to good music
beef and potato curry rice
reading Japanese essays
movies
hot bathings in the pool
caps of my brother
white-sauce spaghetti
vanilla ice cream with strawberry syrup
counting a star--

These things make me happy.



* * *

Finally, here is a poem Elsa wrote, which probably speaks for all of us.


You and Me

There is a spot in my heart
which you all own.
There is a depth in my soul
Which you all have known.
There is a place in my memory,
My life that you all have fulfilled.
No other can take it, no other
Ever will.
There will be a time when, I will die
Physically, as the flowers do in fall.
There will be a time when, I am with
You spiritually, just call.