Michael J. Henry + Colfax Community Network + PS 1 + North High School
No Ideas But in Things November 6 - December 14, 2006Sponsored byThe Kemmons Wilson Family Foundation with support from Cambiar Investors, LLC.Creative Resident Michael J. Henry embarked on a series of writing workshops with youth from Colfax Community Network, PS 1, and North High, to investigate the small beauties and enigmas of everyday found objects—items one might consider junk—to see what stories and poems they might trigger. Says Henry: The poet William Carlos Williams once wrote "No ideas but in things," and for the longest time I’ve been trying to fully understand what that means, since many of my teachers considered that a cornerstone of a writer’s education.” To wit, Michael and the young writers have written about a host of objects—which include things like a pocket watch, dog leash, a miniature replica of Rodin’s"The Thinker," and a five-pound dumbbell.
Colfax Community NetworkMandie Birchem, Children’s Program DirectorStudents: Hannah, Olivia, Brandon, Jaime, Jerry, Donny, Angel, Olivia, Theresa, Isaac, Alex, Danielle, Austyn, Jonathon, CJ, Eddie, Marquez, KayshaylaVolunteers: Katie Meske, Rachel Rand, Miguel Garcia, Debby Cella, Tyrell BanksPlatteForum Volunteers: Emily Potts, Ginny Hoyle, Mindy Bray, Hobby Chapin, Mark Kling, Tracy ChapinPS1Teachers: Susan Vaho, Abby Beltz Students: Maria Herrera, Rayven Angel, Clarissa Lovato, Frank Velasco, Amber Beruman, Bryan Temchulla, Mia Baily, Shyann Guillar, Justin Blair, John TrujilloNorth High School Teacher: Jose MercadoStudents: Karlene Sanchez, Carlos Calderon, Delores Jones, Sherry Boles, Rachael Medina, Christian LuBel, Samantha Rodriguez, Ivonne Paredes, Juan Carlos Olivas, Kandace Sanchez, Erasmo Castellano, Steven StumpfYouth Poetry
DOG LEASHBY JJ, Colfax Community Network My dog is bossyHe likes to bite peopleMy baby likes the dogMy dog eats the King Cobra 4-headed snakeHe’s bigger than a snakeHe likes to bite on shoelacesHe’s black and white with black polka-dot pawsBoth of his eyes are blue, but when it’s dark they turn redIts is the scariest pit-bullHe is the meanest pit-bull 5 POUND WEIGHTBy AJ, Colfax Community Network You are heavy like a fist,still as a silent statueIn the morning, when my muscles are sleepy like a bag of sand,I lift you, and then when I’m done, I drop youAnd you are loud.You are fat and skinnyLike a dog bone,And my sister triesTo grab you, and I growlAt you with sharp teeth,And sometimes I chew on you. THE DREAMERBy Brandon, Colfax Community Network I once had a dream of ice cream.When I saw a thing and his footsteps made a ping.Then he was hairy, not cherry.He looked like wolf man and was big as an 18 foot cane.He looked like he was cold but his fur was gold.It started to shine and I started to rhyme.He was a decision maker and an earth shaker.He was a real thinker and a fast blinker.Cool. MAGNET MANAILSBy Isaac and EJ, Colfax Community Network The nails and magnet feel so smooth,They are hardThe nails are twisty with one line down.The magnet is like when your tongue gets stuck to an icy pole.When the nail and magnet are so close together they go “SNAP”.Nails and magnets do go together, because they get stuck. SUNGLASSESBy CJ, Colfax Community Network The sunglasses are black and shiny.It has nice glassto help so that the sun willnot get in your eyes.When you put on yoursunglasses the sun hurtsthe glasses and not your eyes.“See I can stay in this light for hours.”Sunglasses can make a good disguise –Even makes you look like a spy. BEAUTIFUL LEGSBy Olivia, Colfax Community Network You look like Betty BoopYou look like you are dancing to jazz all day long in the lightYour shoes are so red I can see them at nightSo I follow themThere you are you and you have red high heels I hear clapping.You come home and I see you coming down the street.This is the beautiful legs!
RAINBOW FISHBy Danielle, Colfax Community Network I like to call you rainbow fish.You have got beautiful eyes.I call you rainbow fish because you have different colors in your tail.You have a wiggly tail.You shake it, shake it, shake it.You look like a pen.You have got beautiful colors.You have got a happy face.And I like that happy face. RAINBOW FISH #2By Danielle You can move your tail.You have black brown spots.You wiggle your tail.I see you swimming in the night.I asked him if he had any friends.And he said he did not have friends and he is lonely. MY BIRTHDAY IS MAY 2NDBy 3, Colfax Community Network My birthday is May 2ndYou better give me a present,And a cake, don’t be late,Face it, just don’t be late.My birthday is today.The fun and games will start.Come join me on May 2nd.Or face it, I’ll fart.My birthday is over,I hope you had some fun.I mean a lot,Come next year, or face itI will bite off your ear and fart. HAPPY BIRTHDAYBy Hannah, Colfax Community Network Decorations cakesGames and funToday’s my birthdayFor everyoneEven through I got soSelfish when I comeTo presentsI might hunt youDown andEat you for breakfastHappy happy birthdayWhich was today, even thoughIt past last yearI still want some yummy cake. IN THE BASEMENTBy Theresa, Colfax Community Network In the basement cheetah girls lickStrawberry cream.Spiders crawls inHumming a scary tune.Loud and meanLoud and meanHYPNOTIZEIt makes me scream.Ice cream fallsAnd spider flees.COOL.
