Artists Space

Art and Literacy: Poetry

In works invigorating and daring, the 8th grade poets of P.S. 140 take us on a journey through language. The students delve into the world through the words that surround them, exploring language as a readymade in which their voices have a stake—a chance to cross out, cut up, rearrange, and write anew. Their work often culls materials such as cut-up headlines, redactions, and rearrangements from texts ranging from political speeches to weather reports, translations of visual imagery, and collectively generated word banks. From this process, we glimpse incisive visions of society refracted through their lens, their lived experiences, and their perspectives.

  - Rebecca Teich

Two people stand at the front of a full classroom in front of a projector screen that says, "Poetry workshop / Ms. Rebecca / Today
P.S. 140 student workshopping poems, 2019 [Two people stand at the front of a full classroom in front of a projector screen that says, "Poetry workshop / Ms. Rebecca / Today's task: create headline poems." One reads from a notebook, the other listens on.]
A hand holds up a lined notebook with a poem collaged from newspaper cutouts which says, "This is not normal what
Orchidary Siahaya, headline poem, 2019 [A hand holds up a lined notebook with a poem collaged from newspaper cutouts which says, "This is not normal what's at stake life,/ our lives death most people run/ to a sadness disbelief/ and play bloody/ fire."]
A monkey
Camilo Aquino, headline poem, 2019 [A monkey's head is pasted above a drawing of a suit with other pencil markings throughout the image on lined notebook paper. Below the figure is a collaged phrase from newspaper clippings that says "Monkey goes to Harvard."]
Eight people sit in a row on a wooden stage in front of a navy blue curtain. They are holding pieces of paper, one speaks into a microphone.
P.S. 140 students performing at YAP (Young Artists Perform), 2019 [Eight people sit in a row on a wooden stage in front of a navy blue curtain. They are holding pieces of paper, one speaks into a microphone.]

Nothing here yet...

Feelings by Edwin Romero

I like when you call but you never do
I never seen you before but it’s good to know I’m loved by someone
A tan is something you get when you hot so I guess you’re hot now
Instead of staying you run away why can’t you stay
You’re at the airport about to fly away like a little bird
I’m through with being fancy I’m not that type of person you made me
this way
And also comfort is something I had with you
Money is something I can’t save
A couch is something I sit on when I’m down
My favorite color is red that’s what I see when I’m mad
I wonder how my life would change
I don’t have time to think about to rewinding
I love being in middle my hands are full
I am a commander
And like my catch phrase I love you too
Turn to page 121 if you hate me

Linity by Eva Medina

derived man
wrong gender
feeling female
dangerous shooting
more evil
men and boys
are failing being men.

Untitled by Orchidary Siahaya

A lamp in the dreary little room
A cigarette
His cigarette
The love you worry about,
I black out
I remove the dark
I save the light
I was confident he’d leave the light
The gunshot
The Silence
I split the night
And out I went
Into the darkness I call light

Home Sweet Home by Ryan Azira

I’m happy I’m with my cousins sweet home, I haven’t been there in a while. We have fun, then next day school but I just don’t feel happy sometimes, but not all the times only when think of my Mexico I close my eyes and think of the mountains that I climb I think of the heat-ness.  I think of the rivers, my family then I see my friends and laugh. These memories make me happy and think there is another sweet home too that makes me happy to think about and want to visit.

Headline Poem by Ruby Rivera

No Way
Out from
The ghost
Of
Darkness

Famous by Eniya Alinzia

My feelings is like a roller coaster
I’m sad
I’m happy
I’m nervous
Which one should I be
There’s drama in my life
That makes it worse
Imma just let the haters be
There are people that like to talk about me
Am I that famous
What’s the reason for you to say things about me
When I say things back you tell the teacher You act all innocent
But you couldn’t fool me

I’m someone
I’m someone who is
Scared of what people think
Someone who is always nervous to talk
Someone who likes to dance but horrible at singing
I always laugh and smile when I want to
I’m someone who plays basketball but scared to join the team I’m scared to play in the game
Everyone watching i just freeze
You always have to be scared in life
Just to become the person you want
To be
I’m always scared
I’m always nervous
I’m always happy
But that’s what makes me…….me

Untitled by David Colon

1.
The world has changed
Society is broken
It’s like the beast in everyone has awoken
People being killed
People being pushed away
Homeless with no place to stay
People dying today
People getting killed in every way
Because there’s no change
Society’ doesn’t change cuz they think it’s strange People are suicidal because they’re not getting what’s vital Which is love and affection, but they got none
And now have depression.

2.
Erase me from the present
Erase me from the past
I don’t control my future
I’ll grow up with no cash
I’m a slave to people born richer than me
That’s why I will work
To support my friends and family

Fried Chicken

Seasoned to perfection
Tossed in that great
White flour
Oil on the pan
Pop
Pop
Popping
And when it comes out
It’s crispy golden brown
You can still taste the seasoning While you eat the chicken
You can hear the crumbs crunching In your mouth