In Honor of Pablo Neruda

Every year, I use Ode poems written by Pablo Neruda to explore the layers of life and themes of individuality, devotions, and reflections. Some of the students I've worked with over the years often love the Ode to Lemon poems, but the Ode to Broken Things often inspires different types of things. Being the first time some of my students have been exposed to Neruda's very wonderful verse of metaphoric delights, I am always amazed to see what the response poems will be. The 8th Graders had the most challenging time writing poems, but the 4th Graders and 2nd Graders had different ways in responding to the exploration of the Odes. Would they be whimsical? Full of love for family or their favorite things? Only their verses will tell the true story of their odes.

Ode to Sports
Steeve C.
2nd Grader, Mrs. Sims

Ode to basketball,
football (NFL).
I love football
because it's with balls and points.
And because it's slamming people.

Ode Poem
Joy S.
2nd Grader, Mrs. Sims

Ode to a pool.
It is relaxing and cold.
It is so so wonderful.
It is very fun.
Ode to Miss Sims.
She is the best.
Ode to ice cream.
It taste very good.
Ode to God.
He is wonderful.
Ode to Miss Osbey.
She's the best.

Ode to Mom
Whitney D.
2nd Grader, Mrs. Sims

My mom gives me all her love.
She treats me like a dove.
It's like living in heaven.
You know her love just
overflows.

Ode To God
Aaron C.
2nd Grader, Mrs. Sims

I love God.
Sometimes I pray
with my family.
And I go to church so I can show
that I love God.
But I will always know that
God is in my heart.

Ode to Mom
Monica M.
4th Grader, Ms. Forsell

My mom is a brown queen.
My mom loves me and my bro's and sisters.
My mom is the star of our life.
My mom guys us whatever we want.
Like clothes, nails, jewelry and jackets
and much more.

Sleep
Latisha B.
8th Grader, Ms. Collins-Jones

As I lay on a soft cushing thing
that's comfortable that is
relaxing and feels like a soft
cushion thing that feels like a whole
bunch of pillows, I still
and dream of happy thoughts.
Wondering where life will take me.
And dreaming can I make it through
this deep sleep?
Can I make it through life successful?
Can I?
Can I get out of this deep sleep of horror?
Can I?

Ode to Relationships
Hajae H.

Relationships are like an ocean.
You can get carried away by to soft
Soothing mellow scenery.

An ocean symbolizes love, trust,
Harmony, and freedom.
And that is how you feel in a relationship.

I love the way relationships go
Or are made first.

There is friendship, then romance, and finally true love.

Relationships come and go
Each and every time you feel like you don’t want to be
Anywhere else
But with your mate and once you have found
Your soul mate, you feel very happy
Like you feel when you are by an ocean.

(c) 2008 by the Students of Charles Kozminski Community Academy

Pam Osbey
Artist-In-Resident
Poetry Center of Chicago