First, you have to open your mouth
so you can let out a song
that will make the birds jealous enough
to crack the sky.
Make the song so beautiful
angels cry.
Sing ’til church bells ring,
Sing from the heart.
Sing, baby, sing.
– Dannesha Nash, 12
From the anthology “Tell the World,” published by HarperCollins
Poem of the Month: October 2008
Your heart should shine,
your heart is a gold mine.
You’re the only one
who can dig through it.
There’s a very large pit
to your deepest, darkest secret.
– Lena Zheng, 10
From the WritersCorps anthology “Solid Ground”
Poem of the Month: February 2007
“Tell the World” is a collection of writing by WritersCorps students across the country. With a range of voices and diverse perspectives, “Tell the World” gives an honest glimpse into the lives of young people today. With a foreword by Sherman Alexie, two essays by WritersCorps teachers, and writing prompts, this book shows how poetry can allow us to tell the world who we are, where we’re from, what we love, and why we hope. See why the New York Times recommends “Tell the World.”
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