And the Tide of Awesome Keeps flowing....

So, after a ridiculous display of teamwork, togetherness and sheer talent, the second phase of the SlamFam, also known as 2.0, has won their first 7/8 Division Bronx WRITeS Poetry Slam. Excited though they were, it wasn't without the support of all you local poets, old classmates, and friends from other grades that came out to support them that they were able to pull off the ridiculous. We now stand as the 3 time back to back to back and 4 time total 7/8 division champions. Pride people, 145 pride!

Then I check my email while I sit awaiting my ride, and what do I spy...

Dear Mr. Moss,

First and foremost, congratulations to you and your students for being awarded the Gold Key award by Scholastic and the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers for the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards in Poetry.

Please let each of the following students, their parents and teachers know of their accomplishments:

Jesica Blandon, Arturo Toscanini - Gold Key in Poetry
Justine Brown, Arturo Toscanini - Gold Key in Poetry
Angela Deoki, Arturo Toscanini - Gold Key in Poetry

We would also like to invite you, Jesica, Justine and Angela to the Scholastic Festival on Friday, February 9th. Please join us for dinner and the Poetry and Spoken Word Festival at the Scholastic Theater. Dinner is at 5:15 pm and the Festival is from 7:00 - 8:15 p.m....


It's getting harder and harder to not come off sounding cocky, but I've got to applaud and congradulate you all for your tireless efforts in and out of the classroom, and for your awesome support of each other.

Keep on keepin' on!

Finals Baby!!!

Yeah we did it again, finals are tomorrow at 11. Wish us luck.

The True Me

Why can't these dry eyes cry?
Whenever I feel pain, hurt whatever deep inside
Why do I hide true emotions?
Why is it so complicated?
My fixated mind has created a perspective of a utopia
My naive mind has hidden reality from these unsalted eyes
Because whenever I face such Bull***** of today's world
I know it won't affect me in the long run
So I hide it
Why can't I exude the same feelings I used to 5 years ago?
Eluding the premise of my soul, I know I can not cry because f***ed up S*** always gets solved
But if you can't solve them it becomes a problem
So why is it that I have locked up secrets and problems no one has heard yet?
Their tainted hearts has not tasted what I have heard and seen
But I believe that one day some one would hear out my mischievous deeds
No one has called me misunderstood but I believe that I am
So don't try to run my life like it's yours!!
because I'm feeling like I can not run away any more
Like I am now trapped in with my secret and problems
But I can not cry
I am not saying that crying would solve anything but at least pour out this containment that has been inside of me for so long
I can not prolong this S*** any more because it will end up controlling me, changing me, so why can't I cry?
I don't know the answer to that, but I do know that emotions are what I can't show and for that I have been secluded
Polluted by the minds of people talk, people thoughts
So I adapt to them, begin to talk like them, act like them
Becuase no one wants to see the old me
The true me any more
But he is still inside of me
Ready to break free, and then maybe I could feel that pain
But that is not likely to happen
Shy, nervous, hurt, quiet, scared, weak, small are all the thing that doesn't describe me any more
I guess it is a result in trying to "man-up"
So I can stand up for myself
But now I just don't give a f****
This society could hate me for all I care
I've changed, people notice since 7th grade
I made life enjoyable, now I just want the truth
Why can't I cry?
Maybe my new cold heart has replaced the fragile, weak, sensitive heart I had
So no remorse run through these viens
Why can't I cry?
Maybe from hiding my pain
I have become so nonchalent and serious making this f***ed up world nothing to me
My peoples had no clue what had gotten into to me
But it got me more people so I ain't afraid to be that proud Guyanese, with my my head up, socializing, serious, nonchalent and all of these things
But my family still wants the True Me
Back to the naive boy who played til his heart content
Cried his eyes out whenever small s*** happens
I don't remeber the last time I cried
That's such a shame to me
Because hopefully I'll cry before I die so you can see the True Me

Christmas perfect

It's christmas eve and what do i see
i see bumbs on the streets begging for me
begging for my hard earned money
I see the poor sleeping on the streets
because no one wants to help them
because everybodies on their merry way
on there merry way
it's christmas eve and what do i see
i see the blacks struggling to make ends meet
i see the whites spending their plastic cards
cause they are afraid of losing money and power
i am afraid that we as blacks arent getting anywhere
i aam afraid that we are moving in a slower place than we was before
i am afraid that Bush is going to tear us down
to make a world of never
i am afraid of when those glasious melt in Alaska that we will drown with it
i am afraid that one day we will be gone
but today i stand here to say
Today is christmas eve and what do i see
i see people screeming
someone just got shoot down the block
what not agai
its christmas eve and what do i see
i see the blood with worms gathering on it because no one cared enough to clean it up
i see nothing
i see hate
i see torture
i see no one brave enough to look into their own reflection
and when they finally do look
thaT mirror will break and theier life of fantasy will then become reality
but once that bullet of common sense finally approches them it will be to late
because people still wouldn't care if Christmas was perfect anyway

Good News First!

We went up against 118 today and.................... we won!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was great!!!!!!!. Our performance was beautiful but Mr. Craig forgot to video tape us so no one aside from Wayne, Jasmine, Omar, Mickey and migg will ever get to see our first victory but that’s okay we still have the semifinals. Right Mr.C? (he-he) Now for the bad news...

the six grade lost today , but only by .4...

that’s some messed up sh*t.

So tears were shed but they're stronger and ready for the slam in spring. They are gonna kick some serious six grade butt. Yeah!

I Write

I write By Carissma Hughes

I write for the heck of it
so people all around know that im goo at it
I write to please no one but myself
my writing is like a pill it’s good for your health
I don’t write to rhythm or take up time cause ya on my dime
I write to make my emotions shine
when my words hit the page there is no stopping me
and no my words aint no mockery
I write to make the electricity in my body move from my toes through my bones and up my veins and
I don’t write to keep grudges but to let it rain and
my emotions are tearing it up like a hurricane and
no im not insane
but my words are coming at u like the #6 train
My words are like timbucktwo
they worth more money than all of you
I know I seem conceited but that’s not the truth
im just elated at the way my words are coming at u
and no im not finished I got a couple more things to say
shoot I could sit and write all day
I write cause
my words are my redemption of my creation
Which i have spoken
Which i have written
Which i have lived
Which i have forgiven
they are my deception which has put me in an institution
for my intuition
My recreation of all senses
Which has been my relation for my rehabilitation for
MY WORDS
MY WORDS
that can't be heard
cause my mind is not sure
NOT SURE
of the power my heart contains
I write cause
the pain and anger will still remain
I stand hear alone not sure of the power my words hold
My mind is my solution
I have written my own constitution
of my words that can't be revealed
I need to keep my emotions concealed
My mind has transitioned from master to minion
I write cause
I have felt that my words were unreachable
Maybe because i was shattered by my own ego
My words were never mine
I'm speaking faster and faster since i'm running out of time
I'm dreaming of an unfulfillable moment
I can't reach my emotions because i never showed it

SPEAK YOUR MIND
but how can i speak my mind
When there is a robot
running from my toes through my bones and up my vains
I can't control it anymore
and I know I'm not the same should i back down
'cause you want to act like a clown
I write cause
I've been around the world and throughout the country
Wait hold up i think I’m hallucinating
I've been covered by a mask of masquerading clothes
I thought i could get my topics from the youth speaks shows
I can't get control
My words must unfold
I don't know what kind of power my mind holds
I have tried to do what i am told
My words are being carried like a laundry load
with bags and more bags of things that don't make any sense
trying to put them together has made me more and more tense
My powers have been relinquished
but what i have to say is that i am distinguished
I am distinguished
I've been dropped by aliens form the past to the future
I can't be told anymore i need to be the teacher
the unreachable Preacher
the mind stopping, breath freezing leader
the one and only redeemer
I write cause
I walk alone through the shadow of death
my words were so cold i froze my own breath
My words have no particular designation
but when i speak to a crowed it has a sharp retaliation
I don't care cause I know what brings my inspiration
My words must have a destination
I know my words are my appreciation
u know what I write cause I got to much time to think

Let's roll!!!

All right everybody, I know I posted this on Wayne's comment, but the slams are here again; the 8th grade group is on the 25th, Thursday, 11:00 am in our library. 6th grade (yeah, that's right, another three year mission) is also Thursday, but at 1:00 pm, after lunch. Please come out and support the future if you can, and anybody else that's local, you gotta make it, please...Miguel, Carissma, Tracy, Ariel, Micheal, Miguel, Omar...Yomar...come on out, I know it's Regents week, you should have some time!

Also, The citywide slam is coming up again, we're attending the first round preliminaries on Saturday February 3rd. If you want to roll with us, as in watch or perform, please get you words together, get your skills sharpened up again, and let get'em. Come on, we sent Maurico last year. How's about sending at least two of the fam this year. Jesica and Taylor (maybe) are already signed up...Miguel, Wayne, Carissma, Omar - ya'll game?

Come on, what have you got to lose except an afternoon?

ANSWER ME!

Hey!!!
ANyone!!
when is the slam?
is it the thursday comin up right now?
The 25th?
plz tell me!
if it is ill be there i got regents week off!
and wat time is it? and is there tech class after?

The title...

Issaka, sorry to send such a short message, but I need the title of the book I gave you last year. Remember? I think it has a "journey," or "soul" or something in it, but I can't remember, and i need it for another student who could use some self reflection. Post me back please.

How's school going btw? Trying out for any slams anywhere?

Munchies (the poem I'M use for the slam)

Got the munchies for this luv of music
want my love to massage my ear drums
until it causes them to bleed a
red water fall of pain and pleasure
but since the music stop playing
all I have to satisfy me
is the loyalty of my friends
and their truthful words,
to fill me up
when my cup is a lil empty.
Take my wallet and give my enemies my 2 cents
cause yes-
I'm open minded
even if you do not like it
I don't care
I'm the type of child with
Thee diverse personality
I call unique
some call me a psycho.
Forever and a day
shall I remain insane
got my back to the wall screaming
I don't want my words to die yet
I'm to poetic not to be heard
as my friends say
"who really listens to a 13 year old girl?"
I tell them I do and I think you should too
so they reply "iight well that's nice for you"
then I come back like Mase did
saying well face it
I'M truthful
even if it hurts.
truth is I got the munchies for some true friends
cuz I only have a few and that's nto including you.
Gotta make some changes in my life
seems things ain't going right
but I would never ever pick up a knife!
Instead I will pick up my sword-my pencil
and slay thee mightier warrior-my parents
I'm not conceited and
I'm really not that confident
even though
I got the brains,
got the talent,
I'm be honest
I got it all...But the effort!
My parents would lynch me
if they saw my 2nd making period grades
though I don't know why because they're always the same
I'm hungry for some brains
See I'm to busy trying to buy them new Nikes
cuz maybe then
the new boy might like me
but it's so remarkable how
on some days I'm willing to spend $100 on sneakers
yet wouldn't give over $50 to the homeless-
problems?-yes
I think so
but I can't let no one know
cuz then they'll make me hug myself all day.
So instead I stay unspoken
the child with such a loud voice...
saying nothing, unheard, yet her understands.
The one in the corner all alone
cuz she feels betrayal
from her fellow blacks
that lack
common sense
really need to realize
nigga was a word once used for blacks
while blacks had the hunger like me to be free
only leaving their footprints in history
we ran back towards it.
Hold on one more time
munchies for some kindness
maybe a fantasy of a dream
and a dream of a fantasy,
but soon the fantasy is ruined
death is brought among it
next thing I know
I gotta put on a show
cuz no it wasn't just suicide!
but they don't know
I memorized these fake lines
filling bull into their ears wondering do they really hear
hear how he was so careful
in they way he slowly killed my hopes and dreams
and how I watched him do it.
OK so it is his fault or should I say
my fault?
cuz my lover couldn't have me
so he crushed my dreams with his words
and melted my heart with his eyes.
I got the munchies to snitch
but now that the deed is done
I still feel that I have not won.
Up it's them munchies again!
Got the munchies to being devoted this year
I seem to be doing good...
I started five minutes ago.
I also got a plan to get lost in dreaming about tomorrow
and tomorrow dream about today
and then when the day after tomorrow comes
I'll think about what happened yesterday.

Alright, check this...
On Martin Luther King Day our guest speaker was Ise Lyfe!!! A fu**ing Def Jam Youth Speaks Slam Poet!!!!
U do not know how happy i was!!! It has just beeen such a while since i'd seen some spoken workd being said u know...dude was killing it though...
Yo Craig, make sure u tell us how the team does this year, and make sure they try out for the Urban Word team too, it'll do them some good u know....just keep in touch.



*edited for language...

Jesica's Video

Hey, we need feedback...What can she do? How is it so far? You know we can't leave it up for too long, so help soon please...! You guys left the team in excellent hands!

(Video Removed...Slam is coming soon, can't give away too much!)

Thanks for all of your helpful suggestions; we're working on them!!!

That just proves I watched my Barney before and after pre school .

So what I write about suicide and irrational lies That doesn’t mean I’m stuck in a dark place of solitude That just proves I watched Barney before and after pre school . But u know what the real messed up thing is no one ever told me that what I wrote bothered them To much imagery to specific for ya ? didn’t think I could write this way unless I did these things ? But I bet cha George Orwell never heard a pig talk Does that make him crazy ? I mean he did write animal farm. 13 and my writing is to power full for your mind to comprehend So u tell my mother I’m a little messed up in my head So now before she lays down in her bed she ask if any thing wrong fighting to stay up after me cuz she fears the site she might see if my hands got on that big knife while she’s asleep Worst part of all I’m stuck asking myself if I really do need help All because I was put in a position that almost cut me off from all the sanity left in me Stuck asking myself if ill end up like the hurt and pained people in my poetry. And then elders call my generation sex crazed and selfish or my favorite “sit on yaw little asses complain and don’t do a thing about it.” But look what happens when I try to give u my perspective of some lost adolescents U automatically lose site of my message and secretly think I’m asking for help when really All I’m saying is that I know help is needed. My teacher wanted this powerful writing but maybe she never accepted this out of me that only means she underestimated me . And when I underestimate myself u say I’m crazy because “ I’m capable of accomplishing any thing” See u make no sense to me and when I say “u” U know who I’m referring to. Those pretended to be I’m just the best person I can be and I only try to see the best in the people that surround me. Can u believe they want me to write about bunnies and rainbows Hey u know what let me try Here goes Suzy got a rabbit today And she played and played Until the rain went away. Yawl Hey wake up see what I mean u never want to here these things At lest not from me . See all I want is for people not to question my creativity and mix it up with insanity Because I write about suicide and irritation lies Cuz all that proves is that I watched Barney before and after pre school.

to the man that i'm forced to call dad

Family rejected and wife neglected children pardoned But not loved willingly, by me Mind sate of “every ones out to get me.” When really you got every one first But now your tricks have reached the surface of recognition So your stuck in a position unfamiliar to u So now your words make no sense And your irrational lies fly over my brothers heads . And u use there naive youth to get pleaser of their shaded tears and that’s 1 of the many reasons I hate u At age 8 I was so stuck on u my every thing I idealized u or who I believed u were. U brought her home and feed this teen a unforgivable sin Twice. And I opened the door for her An unfamiliar face rung my bell asking for u . And when I saw her I couldn’t help but say in my mind I want to grow up to be the refection of her beauty. But then u told me to close the door and I said good bye . U got on the phone and your fingers only dialed three numbers and u spoke in Spanish to hide a secret from me and the rest of my family . But little did u know I understood your tongue and I constantly told my self the words realest form your mouth weren’t true. But when mommy took me jive and geo, Lying to myself became harder to do . Discus was written all over my mothers face as she took us to a place I would never want to visit. And when she told me the truth I pretended to be hurt physically because emotionally I was not strong enough to Handel it. And I cried And cried my self to sleep Woke up the next morning and no longer could I tell myself it wasn’t true And when mommy told me u knew I knew U came to me and asked if I forgave u . and I did not look into your eyes and I lied . And every night since then became a chance for me to blame this unfortunate chain of events on some one other than u . And that became me . Lost as I was then I still am now and every time I look in the mirror I see u . stuck heating my last name I tell myself that this image in my reflection isn’t me and now I don’t even know if I’m lying to myself And I’m to ashamed to ask for help because I want to be strong enough for me. so I started to cut and bleed the pain away , but that only brought the U out of me even more because u always ran to the bar just like I ran to that knife. And life now leaves me waiting for that day when Death knocks on my door because then and only then will I able to rest in peace .

Casino Life(Bad Luck)

You will not understand this in-depth poem if you do not understand the basics of gambling and the different terms that I've used to be a metaphor
This poem should be taken both literally and figuratively .........

How is it that I’m dealt 21 but still losing my bets?
I call life a pain because that’s all I get
But I’m still a player in this game, I still appeal to all the tables
Playing it safe label me fragile because I crack under pressure
Rest assure I’ll be stable if I could get head straight
I ain’t steered right so my mind it’s looking at my coming fate
But I still rolled with the snakes
I’ve played a whole bunch of Craps but none like this venom
And I’m done, throw in the towel and cash out
Because I played for a while and I see this luck isn’t with me
I had the last straw with 5 card draw
Betting no bluffing I guess that’s why I lost
This damage cost me my precious money I tried to be a Shark but it didn’t work for me
I’m not vicious; I’m subtle so I tried the slot machine
Not only did I lose it ate some money
I went around the place and the same outcome occurred
The outlier, airliner tickets an outrage the price is absurd
So I might as well just leave this discriminated place hated by most
We infuriated our mother and our father which we was created
Made it this far with this much I can’t say I hate this
But hatred is a word I use when we are checked
Mates creates us to do crazy things like gamble away
Pockets would be empty which was once filled today
I will take no chances any more
The same chances that gave me this curse
Same probability if I continue this situation would get worse
Same odds as when our two races are bided on
Its (8-29) black column, spin the roulette and find hope
Same hope people coped with in Katrina
See the things I have to look forward to would you believe the luck this mother gave me
Nothing can save me from the destiny
This dynasty has claimed 1 more Fortune
But this life is not mine I can not continue to lie
This casino is my home but this dynasty would soon be dead
We pollute our floors and money is pouring, corrupt managers
Bankrupt customers so thank god I don’t live this way
I live in New York, but Pennsylvania today
We don’t do this we just have our need
I hate the casino life it’s filled with greed
Then I guess the casino life is not for me
Because I live in “Utopia” called Earth we’re angels we’d never destroy our destiny……..