The Poetry of the Dust by Angelina H. (2023)

In Karen Hesse’s novel, Out of the Dust, Hesse uses imagery, personification, and similes to emphasize the hope and loss of the Dust Bowl to weave a dynamic and compelling historical fiction. For instance, in her poem Apple Blossoms, she uses imagery to portray how Billie Jo stands under the two apple trees while “...delicate and/pinky-white,”(pg.43) petals are dropping “...a blizzard/of sweet-smelling flowers”(pg.43). These descriptions of Ma’s apple blossoms assist the reader in painting an image in their mind. Without the detailed imagery utilized by Hesse, it would be hard to imagine and understand that Billie Joe gains hope when standing under the apple trees which are thriving even in the harshest of environments. Likewise, Hesse also applies similes regularly to her poems to augment them. In her poem Devoured, she uses a simile to describe how a cloud of grasshoppers “...whirred like a thousand engines…”(pg.68). Hesse’s use of this simile helps a reader feel as though they are truly listening to the grasshoppers as they are devouring Ma’s precious apples and feel the tremendous loss of the Dust Bowl, everything the farmers worked for being obliterated by dust. Also, the verb “whirr” make it seem like the grasshoppers are efficient machines made by nature to ravage crops. Another poetic device used by Hesse is personification, such as in her poem Night Bloomer. She is illustrating how Mrs. Brown’s cereus cactus flower wilts and dies as it was “...touched by the first finger of morning light…” (pg.81)when the sun is hiking up the sky at dawn. This aids the reader depicting the scene when the flower dies and establishes an even deeper feeling of loss after Ma’s death. The personification also lets us better imagine the sad moment as the cereus flower wilts. In conclusion, the figurative language Hesse uses aids us in feeling and depicting scenes of beautiful hope and desperate loss is the Dust Bowl.

Christmas Gift

This poem is a couplet tag between two students. One write the first line, then the other needs to write a rhyming line to follow. They then write the third line and the first writer has to finish the rhyming couplet. They continue each writing two lines until the poem is finished.

Christmas Gift

Excited for toys, presents, and Christmas movies

Perhaps opening presents, like a ring with rubies

Staying home with no more work to do

Except for making cookies for you

While some people rush around shopping from store to store

Children are wishing for toys more and more

Opening presents with eyes wide and bright

Decorating trees with beautiful lights

Skiing and snow-boarding is what I like to do

And taking a mid-afternoon nap or two

Drinking a hot cocoa in the afternoon

Winter is better than a hot day in June

Symbolism poetry by 3rd grade students 2014-15

A Little Step Forward

Shuffle, shuffle, step along,

I am who I am and no one can

change that,

I close my eyes,

my step isn’t wrong,

I proudly wear my tail and top hat

I do Hip Hop,

I believe in all,

I do Sock Hop,

I am tall.

“So what,”I say.

I don’t have to step that way.

By: Ruya 

Symbol: dance

Theme: freedom

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A Little Friend

Snuggling by the fires

As my companion comforts me

With eyes as bright as sapphires

Sitting on my knee

Such a playful puppy

That no one can buy

As small as a guppy

With adorable eyes

He is perfect and just right

When we cuddle through the night

By: Katherine 

Symbol:

Theme:

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Light

As I spread and sprout the day will begin,

I shine real bright at day,

When I get out and grin,

The children will jump and play.

Without me no plants would get taller,

Even though I burn,

Being so hot I holler,

That I can start to turn.

In the morning, you know,

I shine like a dot,

So plants can exist and grow,

And that is a gift I brought.

Then I soar,

One time more.

By: Angela

Symbol: sun

Theme: growth

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Faithful Friend

When I get home it’s right there staring .

I open the door and it looks at me

Caring, loyal, fun is what it is.

As friendly and cute as can be.

It sometimes barks and growls.

Knowing that it’s me.

Playing at tug-of war

Or sometimes chewing the door.

I wish that I could extend,

The time with my friend.

By: Courtni 

Symbol: dog

Theme: friendship

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Roots to Leaves

From roots to leaves

From dawn to eve

It stands very tall

It brings happiness to all

It stands long

Way past dawn

There it stands

With no hands

By Richard 

Symbol: tree

Theme: life

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Furry Luck

I’m swinging through the trees

Looking for a golden fruit

I see all of the possibilities

Nothing but the best will suit

I swing and I swing down another way

By luck or work I shall find it fast

I’ll find it today

I’ll have luck at last

“I found it!” I said.

Now, I can go back to bed

By: Preston 

Symbol: monkey

Theme: good fortune

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HIDDEN

I often have numbers

Puzzling people to figure me out

I also have letters

Whisper don’t shout

I am hidden until I am found

I am locked

I won’t peep or make a sound

I might be blocked

I have good things

I might puzzle kings.

By: Andrew 

Symbol: codes

Theme: secrets

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Ticking Time

When I am born

It is at one

I am adorn

I have grown none

I am a decade

It is at ten

I am in fourth grade

I feel like grown men

I am twenty

19 + 1 is where it is

I have lots of bruises on my knee

Tomorrow I will meet the Miz

I’m 30 years

It is at thirty

Time is ticking, changing gears

I am very dirty

I’m forty

It’s four tenths there

It is a great authority

I am getting lots of care

I am now fifty

It is half way there

I am now very nifty

I really do care

 Now I am sixty

It is almost there

My life is mixey

I don’t know what to wear

I am now seventy years

It is three quarters done

I toast with a “Cheers!”

I have almost won

Now I am eighty

Ten more to go

I am saying “Ahoy matey”

I am now very slow

I am ninety

Oh my, Oh my

While there is a new baby

Now I die.


By Kishan 

Symbol: timer clock

Theme: aging

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Loving

I pump all day long,

I really can’t stop,

So I need to be strong

Or you will really flop

I give a life so full,

Like getting along,

Even when you’re dull,

Or when you sing your favorite song,

You should be kind,

When me, you should find.

By Anika 

Symbol: heart

Theme: happiness

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My Garden

I met them in Kindergarten.

Both of them were great.

Still the best flowers in my garden.

I hope it never ends, just like a crêpe.

No person will ever break our bond.

At least I hope.

That we will be together for infinity and beyond.

Even when I’m acting like a dope.

Making me feel happy when I am blue.

Loud little flowers they are.

Will make me wake up with one simple boo.

They make me feel like a racing car.

I like them both the same.

Just as they came.

By: Dylan 

Symbol: garden

Theme: friendship

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New

They assist you all the time

Although you don’t know it

As fluent as a rhyme

If you knew how many,

you’d have a fit

They’re driving, diving all hidden

Inventive, changing,

mysterious and clever

They ‘re used to make things

forbidden

Worldwide with buttons and

Blinking bulbs, plus a lever

An example is Wii

Or a robotic bee

By Hank 

Symbol: machines

Theme: innovation

*********************************************************************

Plugged In

I’m good and evil in a way

I’m programmed to let you play

And now you can’t stop plying

But your mom is coming

and telling you to stop,

wish you were staying

And when you come back from school,

you eat as fast as you can

Throwing your food in the trashcan

And you race right to your room

Will you be the hero?

Or live your life of doom?

By: Jason 

Symbol: video game

Theme: addiction

*********************************************************************

RED, WHITE AND YOU

I wave freely with the wind

Showing people possibilities

Sometimes on the wall I’m pinned

Resembling opportunities

My stripes and stars show

success and pride

My colors are red, white,

and blue

Who I am I cannot hide

I tell myself, I am who

Swaying in victory

Standing in liberty

By: McCoy 

Symbol: flag

Theme: independence

*********************************************************************

Power to the Max

Just look at the loud soothing

Energy of the Koensigg CCX

It is the HP, which is calming

It is so complex

Buggatti Veyron the fastest road car

Being so bold

For it is so bizarre

It is so uncontrolled

It is so immense

How a car can endure

That has a good sense

It is very sure

Flaming by the light

Speeding through the night

By Rosh 

Symbol: car

Theme: power

*********************************************************************

The Best Pet

I wish I had one as a pet.

Most of my friends have one.

When you get one you won’t fret.

After that, you’ll have fun.

They are really nice.

Making you feel tired.

They are way better than mice.

Feeling really admired.

You will think they’re the best.

But after you play, you’ll want a rest.

By: Sara 

Symbol: dog

Theme: happiness

*********************************************************************

Sky’s the Limit

When I fly by, I can spy way up high

On the Fourth of July, booming and rocketing fireflies

I will go by Shanghi and see the FBI

I may go by in the blink of an eye

Seeing far and wide

Reaching from deep inside

Soaring with hopeful pride

And I love being in the world outside

Down the runway, along the highway,

I can fly on a holiday

Across the whole entire USA

Wings wearing beautiful colors today

By: Michelle 

Symbol: parrot

Theme: flight

*********************************************************************

Soaring On The Wings Of Freedom

As I break away and open the door

I find shimmering birds winding through the trees

I have access to a whole new world

It’s what I’ve always wanted, way beyond my beliefs

Fluttering, gliding, soaring

Looking down upon the world

Opportunities are never boring

The world looks like a pearl

The clouds of cotton candy have come to say good-bye,

I must go now, away I will fly!

By: Kimayani

Symbol: wings

Theme: freedom

*********************************************************************

Party Time!!!

Getting tossed around at parties,

-uhh…what a mess.

There’s a pleasure guarantee,

This is the best.

Kids are playing, shouting a lot.

No times could compare.

All their bad times are forgot,

Happiness is everywhere.

Everybody’s happy, lots of grins.

This party was a surprise.

The best time there’s ever been.

The party’s over, time flies.

No parties are better, at any rate.

When we come home, it’s very late.

At the end of the party, I deflate.

By Jason 

Symbol: balloon

Theme: fun

*********************************************************************

The Scribble

I struggle as I scribble to success

I use my point to do my job

As I climb down the page I find happiness

When I get to imagination’s door,

I find an angry mob

They stop me on my way

They make my life a bore

I try to get to the end of my day

But they throw me on the floor

I raise my point to win

Because my story’s about to begin

By: Blake 

Symbol: pencil

Theme: success

*********************************************************************

The Red Ruby

Hanging on a branch,

I saw a ruby on a tree.

On a flower I saw a fluttering bee.

I think it looks out of my reach,

Like a fuzzy, furry peach.

But below a branch I took,

A bite and took a look,

And wished it to be a shining jewel,

And tried not to break a rule.

Like a fantasy and

A wonderful wish,

As tasty as the tastiest dish.

By: Kristin 

Symbol: apple

Theme: imagination

*********************************************************************

The Tournament

While I am dribbling down the field

All I’m thinking about is winning.

Past the defenders the goal is revealed.

Seeing my teammate I am releasing,

My coach yells ``Control!!’’

He sees me so he was rooting,

I take a look at the goal.

Finally, I am shooting.

The ball flies through the air and I scored.

My team is victorious like soldiers with a sword!

By: Ryan 

Symbol: soccer

Theme: success

*********************************************************************

Together or Alone

Graceful me, being myself

Showing what I have with spins,

And when you are being yourself

You feel like you will win.

Stepping and turning, with many counts of 8,

Doing it together or alone,

Happy or sad it would still be great,

Like finding a lost relative I’d never known.

By myself or with my friends,

I’d never want it to end.

By: Vaishnavi

Symbol: dance

Theme: fun

*********************************************************************

What I Feel

I hear the music and

I’m counting to the beats

Powerful, fast, quick with energy

I feel free

Spins, turns, sharp and strong

I show what I have

So don’t say it’s wrong

I be myself, it’s what I do

I’m moving along with what I feel

I’m leaping with zeal

By: Emma-Leigh 

Symbol: dance

Theme: happiness

*********************************************************************

The Game

I go through the forest

It’s like a labyrinth

This is a hard quest

But I see a large foot print

I am stuck in this place

I think I can’t survive

Struggling in this race

Would I make it alive?

But I won’t be blocked

I will win

I am not locked

Knocked down this last bowling pin

I have beat the game

This was my aim

By: Krishay 

Symbol: wilderness

Theme: opposition

*********************************************************************

Holidays

Wrapped up with ribbon for all

Happiness inside is found

They may be big or small

Joy given all around

I dislike the wrapping

Because it hides a secret

At holidays they’re stacking

Like a surprise, you can’t keep it

But, finally when you open it

It is exciting to receive it

By: Annesh 

Symbol: gift

Theme: fun

*********************************************************************

Winning

You get me when you win

Proud when you hold me

It’s a great achievement for you

Standing tall and shiny

I rise up with pride

Only if you do hard work

Reaching with a push and pull

Will you be very successful?

You smile when you hold me

I stand very hopeful

You share me with your friends

I am very grateful

By: Iliyan 

Symbol: award

Theme: happiness

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Soaring above the Clouds

I soar above the highest clouds

Perched atop my mountain nest

I will never be in bounds,

For all I know, I will be the best.

I am in control of the USA

Triumph resembles me

Independence is at the end of the bay

From up high I see the possibility

Success is not always everything

I am a doorway to opportunity

Not just a regular thing

I do not live in a community

I don’t have to travel anywhere

I can soar everywhere.

By: Daniel 

Symbol: eagle

Theme: freedom

*********************************************************************

A Round Adventure

It is rough

And weighs many pounds

As well it is tough

Sprialing and round

A shiny moon

Giganitc and small

Here, 12:00 is noon

A spinning brown ball

Soaring through space with minor gravity

It’s the only one with people popularity

By: Aditya 

Symbol: football

Theme: earth

*********************************************************************
10:00

At 10:00, I go to bed

Now it’s black nighttime

And I start to think I’m on a bobsled

I’m going home ‘cause it’s dinnertime

Suddenly I look behind

A creepy monster’s chasing me!

It was a horse and bug combined

It started singing off-key

I covered up my ears

But I could still hear it

Then I woke up with three peers

I got an idea really quick

So real did it look.

I should write that in a book.

By: Chloe 

Symbol: dream

Theme: imagination

*********************************************************************

Keep Going

Walking on the sidewalk

Or driving on the street

Maybe drawing with some chalk

I keep going forward walking on my feet

I can see it in my eye

Not showing signs of stopping

It could be up high

I shall still be clinging

I will not stop to play

That I shall save for another day

By: Geneva 

Symbol: person

Theme: determination

*********************************************************************

Roger Strikes Back by Lachlan R.

Roger Strikes Back

Grrrrr! I am not your minion

But you might think that in your opinion.

I might be lazy after all,

But each time you go down the hall…

I like to jump, climb, and run.

It actually is getting kind of fun.

If you'd only ask, I’d jump in a jiffy on your command.

I will do exactly what you demand.

But Separates like Flowers by Katelyn A.

But separates like flowers

Oceans sprinkle like showers

Only calm for an hour

He makes the sun shine brighter

He makes us feel lighter

Feels either hot or cold

It shines the sun like gold

It comes down in power

But separates like flowers

Solitary Spinx by Alena S.

Solitary Sphinx

“The Sphinx of the Seashore” by Elihu Vedder depicts a lonely sphinx resting in the middle of a rugged island. This painting, set in a desert-like environment, is during an unknown time period. Sunset orange clouds with bits of blue sky run across the top of the painting as sunlight peeks through. Under the clouds, a brown-black fog stretches across the landscape, giving a gloomy look to the painting. In contrast to the dark clouds, the sunlight creates a brighter effect on the rolling hills beneath. At the foot of the hills, parts of a crumbling ancient structure lies in the sphinx’s background. A lone sphinx, the main focus of this painting, is looking off into the distance as if longing for something that is unclear. Surrounding the sphinx are human bones, including parts of the skull and arms. It seems as if the sphinx has been devouring everything and everybody who comes near. Crashing towards the sphinx are foaming waves, with stray pieces of debris littered throughout them. Because of the isolated feeling this painting gives, I would call it “The Faults of Solitude.” In solitude, the sphinx begins to devour everything in her path while becoming more ferocious every day from the everlasting loneliness. From the gloomy background to the melancholy expression on the sphinx’s face, this painting truly captivates the feeling of past, present, and future loneliness.

School in the Year 3000 by Anish J.

School in the Year 3000

In the year 3000, school is going to be on every planet from big to small in the solar system. The classrooms will sprawl an acre, with only ten students per classroom. The campuses will spread up to ten acres, not including the playground. Schools will be made out of the unbreakable glass that will captivate the students. The beautiful buildings will be as tall as twenty cars stacked on top of each other. New technology will be made called smartboards. Smartboards will be designed to write what you are thinking with a huge hat on your head. Next, teachers have to get PHDs, since education will always be first. They also have to be  very humble, so kids don’t get annoyed. Also, schools will teach Smath which is science plus math because they’re very similar. If a kid is learning rates in science then he’ll do similar problems related to rates in math. There also will be a period called Today in which people can learn about the world’s economies. Kids then can get inspiration from the world problems to try solving. Nevertheless, lunch will be held on hovering tables on which somebody can go anywhere in the world. So, anyone can drive themselves on a mini airplane to India to eat everyday! Truly, school will have many more advantages in the year 3000.

Harry Potter Book Review by Shruti S.

The Quidditch World Cup

By Shruti

The game is played between Bulgaria and Ireland. Britain is hosting the cup after 30 years! This match is played in a gigantic stadium on the other side of the forest. The playing field is surrounded by immense gold walls. There were hundred thousand seats. The stairs have rich purple carpets. The game is played on a long oval field. There are three gold hoops on either side of the field. There was an enormous blackboard on which gold letters kept flashing advertisements. Also, the Irish wear green robes, while the Bulgarians wear red robes.

Harry Potter is not playing but watching for the first time.  He is excited and eager to watch this game. Ron Weasley and his family invite Harry and Hermione to the match. Viktor Krum is the seeker for Bulgaria, and Aiden Lynch is the Seeker for Ireland. Draco Malfoy, a mean student at Hogwarts, is also at the game.

When the match begins, the Chasers throw the Quaffle so fast that Harry has to use the Omnioculars to see it slowly. Ireland scores first, and gets 10 points. In about ten minutes, Ireland scores 20 more points. Then, the match gets faster and more brutal. After that, Bulgaria scores the first goal. Next, the seekers , Krum and Lynch, plummet to the ground, but Krum pulls out just in time, while Lynch hits the ground.

After fifteen more minutes, Ireland leads by 130 points to 10. Then, Ireland gets two penalties, and the match gets more violent. Krum gets hit by one of the Irish Beaters with a Bludger, and there is blood on his nose because it is broken. Finally, Viktor Krum catches the Snitch, but Ireland beats Bulgaria by 10 points. The final score is 170 - 160.

This scene is important because right after the Quidditch World Cup, a riot begins. Death Eaters (Voldemort’s servants) try to kill Muggles (people who are not wizards). Ron and Harry try to keep Hermione away from the Death Eaters, because she’s a muggle. Then, someone suddenly conjures the Dark Mark, and that drives the Death Eaters away. This is about the Quidditch World Cup from the book Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire  by J.K. Rowling. This story is adventurous because of the magical wizards like the famous Harry Potter and their fight with the most powerful dark wizard, Lord Voldemort.

The Missing Character-JGP by Theodore K

The Missing Character

By Theodore K

Splooooshh!!!!!!! A Gigantic chocolate wave splashed out of a chocolate factory! The peach was almost soaked with a mix of milk chocolate, dark chocolate candy bars, butterscotch chocolate chips, chocolate pudding,  sweet chocolate syrup, and chocolate ice cream. The peach sprinted a little more forward and then CRASH!!!!!!!!!!!! They burst through a building.      

“Ouch!!!!!!”

Screamed Centipede as glass pierced him! Then,  PLOOOSHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! “

We are bobbing up and down cried everyone at once!’’  James and his friends climbed to the top of the peach. James looked down they saw sharks!!

, then out of the blue……

”LOOOOOOOOOOK OOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUT BEEEELLLLLLOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWW !!!!!!!!!!!!                                                              

Screeched a voice from nowhere! Then

“OoFf!!”  There stood a boy on the peach.

The boy was dressed with golden, winged shoes, A ripped, light-blue shirt, and some green pants with polka dots.The boy had curly hair and looked fierce but friendly at the same time. Everybody including James quickly but steadily scuttled down in the peach.A few seconds elapsed and a voice came from the little boy echoing through the peach”Hello anybody home?”The lad went to the side of the peach and slowly James came to the top of the peach and asked

”h-hh-hh- who are you?”

“Oh I forgot to introduce myself.”

“I am Oskar. I am looking for a boy named James.”

“James?”

“Yes.   James.”

“Speaking”, replied James looking flattered”

“Really?”

“Yep”

“Wow In just five seconds I actually found him!”

“I never knew you were looking for me” stated James; At this point about all the creatures climbed to the top of the peach.

“I never had any friends for many years.”

“Really?’’

“I am not kidding.”

“Poor you.”

“Can you be my friend?”

“OF COURSE!!!”

“THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!”

So at that point Oskar has shaked everyone's hands (Including all of  the centipedes forty-two legs.

“Now look at all those sharks!”

“Oh yeah! I forgot all about the sharks! We are going to DIE!!!!!!!!!”

“Now don’t say any nonsense. I will get rid of them.” James and his friends watched Oskar pull out a wand and say some words.Then a smoke cloud blew over everyone.Soon, Oskar pointed his hands at the sharks and then ZAP!! They were GONE!!!!!!

“H-HH-HH-How did you do that?”

“Nothing”, replied Oskar.

“Just a little magic.”

Everyone was astonished.

“Now let’s get far, far away from england.”said Oskar.

“Who knows a place?”

“Hmmm………”

“Hmmm………”

“I got it!” cried LADYBUG.”Let’s go to New York!!!!”

“SURE.” replied Oskar.

Oskar broke off a piece of the peach’s stem. He drew two rockets on the side of the peach.Oskar zapped it and it came REAL!!!! Silkworm and Ms. Spider fastened the rockets to the peach. Oskar pressed a button on the rockets.And then, FOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In a few seconds the peach and everyone were landed on the top of the Empire State Building.

School in the Year 3000 by Alec Z.

Future Schools in the Year 3000

School in the year 3000 will be on Earth located at an altitude of 2,000 feet. The school ground will be 15 acres of indestructible wood and stone and the buildings are made out of indestructible brick. The school stands as a tower over the ground in a rectangle and the colors of red and brown will cover it. The school will have teleporters, so students can instantly go to their classes. Each building has a teacher that teaches one class and there are 5 classes in each building. The robot teachers are waterproof and unhackable and are programmed to teach the students all kinds of subjects  One class will be called Hoverboarding, and students will learn and practice techniques for operating a hoverboard. Hoverboards will replace cars in the year 2896, so they will need to know how to hover to other places. The new class, Robotics, is a class for students to learn about robots. Students will make robots, battle them, and program them to create other innovations. There will be 8 periods in a school day. Afternoon recess will come right after 7th period and at recess, students can ride hoverboards and play. Truly, school will be much more superior in the year 3000 than school today.

Poetry

Finding poetry

• Poetry Foundation
• A collection of children's poetry 

Creating poetry


Publishing Poetry

• StoryBird
• A place to publish 

The Write Place Page

Basic description of this blog. Who and how it can be used.