Category: 2023-2024 Submissions

I’m from the hammock outside that no one uses,
From my stuffed animals from before I can remember,
I am from a cozy suburban home to a cramped apartment,
I am from my orange cat that died so long ago,
From my name I am so proud of,
I am from my grandparents who left Mexico just so we could have a better life,
I am from the sound of my dad hitting pool balls playing all by himself,
And I am forever from the love of my family.

I’m from the smell of green green grass,
And baseballs, footballs,
Basketballs, tennis balls, and soccer balls.

The taste of concrete and the pain of a scrape on the street.
The burning sensation when you’re running
On the street with no shoes.

The excitement that fills the air before a game,
The pain of losing,
And the happiness of winning.

The big tree that I rest under
After a game with friends,
Or when you’re forced out of the house
To play with others.

I used to do gymnastics,
but now I dance.
I used to be in elementary school,
but now I am in middle school.
I used to play toys with my sister,
now she’s about to leave and go to college.
I used to have blonde curly hair,
but now I have brown wavy hair.
I used to eat baby food,
but now I eat normal food.
I used to have one dog and one cat,
but now I just have two dogs.
I used to have a lot of things,
but now they have all changed.

Fire is a element that’s hot.
It is found in wars a lot.
You can use it for a roast.
But it always burns your toast.
If the raging inferno burns out.
Then you probably put water on it without a doubt.
And when the fiery flames burn out and make soil fertile, they help the plants grow.
That is something that you should know.
Fire is not always bad.
Most of the time it just looks rad.

Baseball Dugout

Heater when it’s cold,
Baseball gear piled up,
Players cheering on the team,
The coach watching the game,
Shouting, “Swing the bat!”
Bats waiting to be swung,

The bench with tired players,
The random baseball sitting under it,
Red dirt and sweaty brows fill the air,
Someone’s glasses they lost at the beginning of the game,
Helmets waiting to protect.

The flight was long My cousins were little
The place was beautiful I was older
The ocean was full of song They made me giggle
But also peaceful But one still wouldn’t let me hold her

The sun was bright It was amazing
As I recall I’d go again
The moon was white The ocean sent me gazing
Like a clear crystal ball And it was worth it in the end

I am from Technology from Legos and food
I am from clear and windy days
I am from the mango trees
The mango trees whose long gone limbs I remember as if they were my own
I am from India and Banglore from funny and happy
I’m from work and fun
And from studies
I am from Asia
I am from Paneer and naan
From ghost stories
And beyond. By Aarav Gurung, Gorzicki Middle School 7412 W Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78749.

I am from the rain that washed away my fears.
From a minny mouse dress to shorts and a T-shirt.
I am from a clean modern home that’s only black and white.
I am from a laundry room with thousands of unclean clothes.
I am from a garden with white and red flowers that dance with the wind.
I went from playing house all day to doing role-playing games with my best friends.
From mom to best friend. From boring dad to making me laugh all day.
I am from a non denomination church with no war and sadness where we love every soul.
I am from the shopkins that filled my playroom with imagination.
I am from hot summers with no wind in sight.
I am from a place of happiness dancing my heart out.
I am from a place where I am allowed to rest.
I know where I am from.

Where I’m From
I’m from the books that i read every night from my grandma’s and grandpa’s arms

i am from all the jellies my grandma made, all the soups my mom still makes, and
all the blankets on my bed.

I am from my rose that I watched grow, and my cat and dog that ran away.

I am a Cuenca and Zuppa too.
I am from my dead
grandma’s blanket in our living room.

From my parents’ hugs and my sisters’ games.

I’m from enchiladas and molletes, all the best friends that ditched me and all of my grandma’s stuffies on my bed. I am from those moments and I will be forever.

Soy de amigas carcajeando en una pijamada en mi casa de ATX.

Soy del ritmo de los pies de Caballos en Suncrest farms.

I’m from warm Chälaah right out of the oven with butter melting on top.

Soy de mañanas con blueberry pancakes ayudando en syrup.

Soy de “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”.

Soy de Lake George y flip-flops squishing y squelching en la arena y lodo.