Four Poems from Rising Poets

Badgerdog, a literary arts non-profit in Austin, believes in creating long-term, creatively-engaged communities through the transformative powers of reading and writing. Under this big tent, we publish American Short Fiction, and we hire writers as teaching-artists to run creative writing workshops for kids and senior citizens. Jess Stoner, the Education Programs Coordinator, invites writers, artists, anyone interested in “responding” to our students’ writing (by publishing them, by recording audio or video, anything goes) to contact her at jessica.wigent [at] badgerdog.org. Below are four poems from students who participate in these creative writing workshops.

How I Know I’m Duke Ellington’s “Fleurette Africaine” — Juan, from Dailey Middle School

Because I’m mysterious and
I do things that are

unexpected. I don’t
sound like Lil’ Wayne.

I could be
as old as 1962.

I sound peaceful.

Oda a un bebe/Ode to a Baby—- Angie, from Winn Elementary

Bebe, te quiero mucho, te puedo
comer a besos todas las mananas y
todas las noches y hasta el medio
dia. Y tan chiquito estas y hueles
a grito.

Baby, I love you so much, I could
eat you alive every morning and
every night up until mid-
day. And you’re so small
and you smell like a scream.

“Boi”—- Kyalselle, from the Del Valle Opportunity Center

I am from the boat-shaped state
where the Cajun food is endless,
from the special treat around the corner.
I am from a smoke-filled house
where I can still taste the crawfish
and smell the gumbo,
from my small room where I lie down at night
and listen to the gunshots
hoping there won’t be a tenth hole
in my wall when I wake up,
from Boi, watch your mouth.

I Am— Mikayla, from Perez Elementary

I am the King of Sweet Donuts.
I have all the money in the whole world.
I am thinner than all paper.
I can turn into a small dog.
I can catch a low cloud in eight seconds.
I can win a race competing against slow air. I can hold the world by one big toe.

I can crack a spy car in one big punch.

I can kill a one-hundred-foot bear.
I can do everything.