W.o.o.t.s.

Teasing by Josie Newhall from Wilson High School Published in the 2006-2007 WITS Anthology Mostly What I’m Made Of Teasing is like a fly. It buzzes around you endlessly without stopping. When you try to push it away It keeps coming back to you. And when you’re sure it’s gone forever It turns up unexpectedly. [...]

The Fire by Alanna Bennett from Cleveland High School Published in the 2006-2007 WITS Anthology Mostly What I’m Made Of Although it did not look it, the fire was usually calm. It flickered and flared dazzlingly, and the family never felt any threat from it. The fire loved them, protected them, and kept them warm [...]

Detrimental Emotions by Maritsa Gonzalez from Madison High School Published in the 2007-2008 WITS Anthology I Once Was Young and Strong Anger is the bright blinding sun in the dry summer, scorching a person’s loathing back. It is the red rubber ball hurled by a rival, which we passively dodge. Anger is destructive, it can [...]

I Miss Him by Rocio Ayala-Frutos from Power Academy, Roosevelt campus Published in the 2007-2008 WITS Anthology I Once Was Young and Strong I remember Grandpa Toño making me a swing with his rope. I remember I felt like a bird flying as I swung. I remember him falling asleep. He had his hat on [...]

I Love Crazy Bread by Tamara Snook from Renaissance Arts, Marshall campus Published in the 2007-2008 WITS Anthology I Once Was Young and Strong Now all we need is the return of a sane world, I guess in this room next week it will arrive On January 11 and protest the shame that is Guantanamo [...]

Cunning by Michelle Baldwin from Wilson High School Published in the 2007-2008 WITS Anthology I Once Was Young and Strong Every stick, every stone, every broken bone, but what hurt the most was the words. Teasing and taunting, the sly fox dawning, shivers the sun from its fur. The light that touches almost everyone, ’cept [...]

Alien by Joseph Albertine from Grant High School Published in the 2007-2008 WITS Anthology I Once Was Young and Strong Through the dark eyes of an alien I can see the rich Americans Those gas-hogging fiends Towering elegant buildings loom Blocking sunlight from The grey ground as if it were a Thick canopy of old [...]

When You’re Gone by Maria Hernandez from Jefferson High School Published in the 2007-2008 WITS Anthology I Once Was Young and Strong The rain, the wet floor, The smell of the flowers, Cold air through my skin, All the women crying A man talking about heaven, People wearing black, Carrying umbrellas. The red roses in [...]

Your Voice by Megan Brevig from Lincoln High School Published in the 2007-2008 WITS Anthology I Once Was Young and Strong It’s the late night conversations, When your voice is coming through the phone That you sound soft, and dull, and tired. Often lapsing into desolate silences Shared only by those who have trapped the [...]

I Was Taught by Mark Jiminez from Pauling Academy, Marshall campus Published in the 2007-2008 WITS Anthology I Once Was Young and Strong I was taught that stealing was good, to take from the store or my mom’s money; but I learned my lesson, that stealing was not good. I was taught to learn to [...]