WARNING: Poetry Ahead

This semester, a collection of UHM English students ran weekly after-school creative writing workshops at Castle, Farrington, and Roosevelt High Schools. In small mentor-student groups, we explored metaphor, simile, description, sound, and broke lines together while looking to Chilean poets, local literature, TheBus, rap music, and our everyday experiences for examples. We are proud to present the poetry of our labors.

CASTLE CREW::

UHM mentors: Emma Anders, J Kyle, John Thipphavong, Aiko Yamashiro

Riding on the bus by Nicole Cuaresma

Riding on the bus

by Nicole Cuaresma

I sat at the back row

On the bus

The seat was like a stove

Burning my butt

then this lady came

sat in the corner ___ she took four Advils

it rumbled and rumbled ___ crazy crazy

that I decided to move ___ I felt so uncomfortable

there was no seat left ___ that I had to pull the

so I had to stand ___ bingy thingy

“stop requested”

I sat at the back row

On the bus

The seat was like a stove

Burning my butt

Whack Ass man by Christina Dinnan

Whack Ass Man

by Christina Dinnan

On the bus ride

From Kaneohe to Ward

I met the craziest people

And saw the craziest things

There was a whacky ass man

Brushing his teeth over and over again

When he was done he just spit his saliva out

Into his prescription pill bottle that was already full

By the time I got to Ward the whacky ass man

Had already been gone and was not there

Everybody whispering to friends

And thinking to themselves if

What just happened

Really had happened

Basketball by Russell Ige

Basketball

by Russell Ige

Championship Day

A little nervous, but I’m ready

Stakes are high

Championship

Is on the line

Tip-off

Time flies by

Already down

By a bunch

Halftime

To the locker room

Earful from

The Coach

Pray to god

2nd half

We make a run

Our team is on

FIRE!!!

Down by 1

Few seconds left

Coach says,

“One Shot”

The game is on me

Drive to the basket and

Whistle…FOUL

No time on the clock

Nail the first

I can feel the pressure

Swish

Championship Day

On the bus by Trace Martinez

On the bus

by Trace Martinez

On the yellow Twinkie school bus I heard the colorful boxes swoosh by

Inside the dead silence of vanishing butterflies in the stomachs of ready

Soldiers for war, the vision of 30 other gold helmets with fearless brothers

Focusing on the game, but to us it could be the finally coming home is a different tale

Either rambling zest or the chatter of melancholy coaches about discipline

It’s too shady to spot any maroon or gold the hollering of redundant shut the fuck ups

No, wait for the stop light alma mater on three, 1, 2, 3! And then comes the departure of the Twinkie

GAME WITH NO WINNER by Trace Martinez

GAME WITH NO WINNER

by Trace  Martinez

There is no worst feeling than love

Its blunt cold and always over fast

The thing is love never lasts

It comes and goes it’s in all of our pasts

Love’s an inevitable feeling that lifts you up high

And drops you off the steepest of cliffs

Love’s a ticking time bomb slowly killing you

Crushing your soul till your happiness dwindles

And you cry for hours over a worthless cause

Love is a deceiving hopeless illusion that will ruin

Your once happy life and make you horribly miserable

Love is a game not many win

Display Only by Rebecca Miyashiro

Display Only

by Rebecca Miyashiro

Bold and brave we stand

TALL

Threatening any obstacle that comes our way

We remain frozen, fearing nothing

Nature painted our bodies

Skin, rough and armored

We are majestic

Molded by the potter, like clay

We watch over

The lands of green

The sun, like a blanket to our stationary |walls|

It shines

Ever so brightly

Above

All.

Love by Heidi Nabua

Love

by Heidi Nabua

Love is the toughest word to conquer. There is

no possible way to describe it, but love

is love. No more, no less.

it has a mind of its own and will affect

anyone and everyone it chooses to.

Each time it strikes,

it will leave you with a new perspective of

love and an open mind. As for me, love

has taken its curse through

my veins again, and again, and again, and

again. Through my own experiences

of heartbreak, I have

summed up my feelings about love in a single

word. Bullshit. It is purely nothing

else but that. Since

I was young, I dreamed of the day that I

would find love. I was a helpless

romantic, praying for

everything a little girl would want. The typical

kiss in the rain, roses on Valentine’s

Day, walks down the beach,

I wanted it all and I was determined to

find it. And that I did, but I

regret it. Every word,

smile, thought, feeling, all of it. I hate love, I

really do. It is stupid and worthless and

makes no sense at all. I’ve

fallen in love and the only thing I have to show

for it is nothing but pure heartbreak.

I’m sick of lies, bullshit,

and cheating. I have no emotions left, no

more tears left to cry, no more room

left in my heart for more

pain. This is the new me and I have

grown accustomed to it. This

is the result of

being in love. Love has left me with nothing but

my aching heart and a mind full of painful

memories. Each day

I wake, hoping that it’s all a dream, and that

my heart will somehow heal itself. The

more I think about it, the sadder

I become, knowing that I will never be the

same. The more I ponder about love

it scares me, more and more

each time. Truth is, I’m scared to fall in love

for fear that I will lose again. I’m afraid

that I won’t ever find the love

that I was so determined to look for. Scared

of the fact of being alone for the rest

of my life. Mainly, I’m afraid

that I’ll fall deeper in love than I can handle, and

they won’t fall back. Sometimes I wonder

how I ended up falling

for someone even though losing is my

biggest fear. It seems almost

impossible. I guess

the answer is love itself. It takes over you

when you least expect it whether you

like it or not. No one said it

would be easy, or always have a happy

ending, because it most likely won’t.

It could’ve been heaven

or hell, but no matter what it was,

it will always be a part of you

forever.

Love mists through a gentle rain by Joshua Ofoia

Love mists through a gentle rain

by Joshua Ofoia

Love mists through a gentle rain

Love seeps to your earnest pain

Deep colors of science,

ecstatic in depth,

I am blind.

Love embraces the purest heart

Love unravels the hardest part

Melodic scents of spring,

developed and sweet,

sane aroma.

To meet with flames that are unseen
Under the drops of a watered stream
Trickle sounds that blend,
crisp in every way,
I am deaf.

Love tangles an opposite attraction
Love continues another fraction
Harmonic stirs to feel,
engages the mind,
I felt love.

Love can break the visible wall
Love can catch our deepened fall
Shadowed figures which glide,
inspiring to savor,
love.

The Bus by Kristine Okumura

The Bus

by Kristine Okumura

On the bus I sat with Ashley, Dylan, Heidi, and Kealohi.

On the bus we took all kinds of pictures, funky pictures, normal pictures, and of course pictures that at least one of us didn’t like.

On the bus I listened to the song African Queen.

On the bus was boring but fun at the same time.

On the bus there was a

BIG Caucasian man and a

Small Filipino man arguing.

On the bus I went to Ala Moana

On the bus is sometimes so cold that you need a blanket.

On the bus can be scary so you might want to have a friend with you.

On the bus was so crowded that people were standing in the front, middle, and even the back of the bus.

On the bus watching people sleep, and try to hold on while standing up.

On the bus after a fun day at Ala Moana beach and shopping center.

On the bus at 7:30pm finally asleep.

On the bus then off the bus we go.

the negotiating mother by Kawehi Sablan

the negotiating mother

by Kawehi Sablan

Mom im going out.
You asking me or you telling me?
Mom can I go out?….Please?
No.
Why not?
Because I said.
Okay bye, see you later.
Be home by ten.
What! Three!
No, twelve o clock.
Huh ill be home by two. Bye.
You get money?
No.
You expect to go out with no money? That’s when kids
like you get sticky fingers
Ma, I not gonna steal anything.
Mmhm sure that’s what your brother said and look where
he's at now.
Here be safe, love you
Love you too.

Turns by Michael Santos

Turns
by Michael Santos
: Warning keep away from small children.
That’s all it says on the label,
Inside is nothing but…
Tums…Rainbow colored pieces of chalk
Looks like chalk
Feels like chalk
Taste like chalk?… but maybe sweeter
I’m hungry
And Those Tums are looking mighty tasty

So I eat it like fat porky children vacuuming popcorn at the movies

My belly rumbles
I stop.. my stomach is in pain!

I call me mother

Growin' Up by Meghan Tabadero

Growin' Up
by Meghan Tabadero
I'm starting to notice a change in me
like a whole new person trying to break free
break free from the mediocre lifestyle
to do things outrageous and wild

I'm starting to like the change in me
my peers can agree or disagree
there's nothing they can do
to stop something everyone must go through

I'm embracing the change in me
looking at things in positivity and glee
but things are not always so good
sometimes there's the issue of being misunderstood

I think back on how I've changed
And wonder is this my identity
People may be angelic or messed up
buy hey that's what you call growin' up.

Myself by Dane Tanodra

Myself
by Dane Tandora
I'm not much of a poet but my
mind is wide open
It's open to the fact that everyone
views me differently
Although they all see the same person
It's weird to think that everyone
who thinks they know me, don't really
know me at all
Because the only person who really knows
me is Myself
I keep half my character to myself
then I can share the rest with you
Because if I told you all about
me
Then I wouldn't be the only one who
knows exactly who I am.

To bee or not to bee? by Carly Wilson

To bee or not to bee
by Carly Wilson
I was about to get on my brand new-ish, two-wheeler Barbie bike,
Just then I feel something puncture,
Ouchie! What the?!
I look down at my tiny slipper-less right foot,
It appears normal.
You know, how any other four year old’s foot would look like,
Dirty and well…just dirty.
I ignored the painful sign and once again tried to get on my bike.
I placed my left foot onto my pink pedal,
Pain free, I sighed, trying to prepare myself for the next pedal.
I held my foot in the muggy air,
I breathed in and out.
“It’s not going to hurt.” I told myself.
I held it there for about 20 seconds.
Exhale, a puff of warm breath ran out of my mouth.
I placed it down, softly and smoothly.
Nothing? No pain? Yesssss.
Just one push was all it took,
The pain so bad, it was like I fell foot first on a knife.
Sharp and sudden.
Not that I knew how it felt.
I limped inside and cried out.
“MOMMY! I NEED YOU NOW!”
My mom came rushing in all frantic and nervous.
“Lookie!”
I shoved my foot in front just 2 cm away from her eyes.
Then she spoke it, those two words.
“Bee sting.”
Reaching for the nearest pillow I could find,
I grabbed it and squeezed it super tightly.
The pillow stared at me,
Like it was feeling sorry for me.
Sort of telling me “It’s okay.”
My tears skipped down my red and flushed face one after another.
It’s going to hurt.
My eyes glued shut.
Trapping the tears inside,
Forcing them to create the uncomfortable pressure against my eyelids.
Just then my eyelids gave way,
I looked up at my mom.
“Which band-aid do you want?”
It was over? The pain and misery is gone?
I flew up off the couch and stomped my right foot hard
To make sure it didn’t hurt.
Gone, all gone.
A massive sigh of relief escaped my lungs and out.
I grabbed my shirt and played it across my face,
Erasing all the tears of pain off my cheeks.
“I want the big one, please.”

Da Beach by Nathan Yoshimura

Da Beach
by Nathan Yoshimura

Driving 2 da beach
wit all of my friends.
Wearing their shades
wit their polarized lenz.
As we are riding along
we see some menehune caves,
but my buddies only talk about
bombing some killa waves!

We arrive at Makapu’u,
we all get excited.
Da sun was scorching hot,
and da beach was brightened.

Da waves were mean!
But da CHICKS were MEANER!
Cause I’ve seen some pretty lean babes,
but these ones were LEANER!

We were catching choke waves
and it was so much fun.
But as soon we knew it
the day was done.

***editor's note: unfortunately, our webpage software could not support the really awesome adjustments Nathan put into his poem: The title was the color of clouds, first stanza color of sky, second stanza color of mountains, third stanza color of water, fourth stanza color of rocks by shore, fifth stanza color of sand. Much apologies!! and hope you enjoy the rhythm of the poem anyway.

The Perfect Play by Nolan Yoshimura

The Perfect Play
by Nolan Yoshimura

Listening to the play and lining up on the ball,
Trying not to go offside and anticipate the call,
The ball was snapped about head high,
QB breaking tackles and letting the pig skin fly,
The QB’s calves cramped yelling in agonizing pain,
Receiver looking for the ball trying to win the game,
Drenched in the smell of cool sweat and getting really
nervous,
It’s coming really fast and his eyes are getting enormous,
Absorbing the shock of the ball with his sausagefingers,
Concentrating on the goal but a hint of the shock still
lingers,
The receiver is a tornado spinning and breaking tackles,
A linebacker dives for his feet restraining like heavy
shackles,
Attempting to cross the goal line that’s yard away,
Stretching like a rubber band across the goal line coach
picked the perfect play

FARRINGTON CREW::
UHM mentors: Jamie Economou, Ryan Oishi

My Bus Ride Home by Dio Labayog

My Bus Ride Home
by Dio Labayog

I got on the bus and slid in the back seat next to the window.
On the bus, I met an old lady with a pink bag sitting quietly.
On the bus, I met a couple making out next to me making weird lip smacking noises.
On the bus, I met a man three seats in front of me wearing a green shirt twice his size with pukas
all over.
On the bus, I met a kid eating a two scoop vanilla macadamia nut ice cream under the “No
Eating” sign behind the bus driver.
On the bus, I met a hazel eyed girl who was sitting next to her grandma, who happened to be the
old lady with the pink bag.
On the bus, I met I spotted a crumpled up dollar under the seat of some thugs wearing red who
gave me dirty looks because I was wearing blue.
On the bus, I sat motionless on my seat, still keeping an eye on that dollar.
On the bus, I waited until the dirty bus stop next to Bob’s-Bar-B-Que came into sight.
As I came to my stop I stood up and gradually walked to the door, cautiously not to make any
eye contact with the gangsters.
When the time was right I grabbed the dollar and got off the bus.

The Ride of the Day by Dennis Urbano

The Ride of the Day
by Dennis Urbano
On the bus, I glanced at a bus driver as I entered,
he looked angry due to his long shift.

On the bus, I saw a pink striped zebra
trying to rest way in the back of the bus, seems like
the back is the most quiet area.

On the bus, I met a duck searching
for his long lost duckling.
He gets off at Mitsuken’s.

On the bus, there were old people going home
from Chinatown carrying their groceries.

On the bus, I smell raw meat and vegetables.

On the bus, I met an old man, he said his name
was Alejandro. “Kan I seet oberderr?” he asked.
At first I didn’t want to move but I felt bad
if I didn’t.

On the bus, I sat down next to that pink striped zebra,
trying not to disturb it from its peaceful sleep. This zebra
as I could tell was tired from working at the zoo,
posing for the tourist.