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January Child Poets

A Project of San Francisco Poet Laureate devorah major



January Child Poets:
TeJu Adisa-Farrar and Christie Stevens



Christie Stevens is a fifth grader from Ms. Hatfield’s class at El Granada Elementary School.

Sorrow by Christie Stevens



You could look into Grace’s eyes
and see nothing but sorrow.
You could see,
right then and there
that there was no hope.
Her heart was beating slower and slower,
Until it just…stopped.


What is Peace?    by TeJu Adisa-Farrar

Peace is equal to me
There is no sequel for peace
      It is not a story
       It’s a glory

            You can’t fight for peace
            Peace is a sight-that’s peace

Wars don’t bring peace
You bring peace

Things sing peace, but do you listen, do you hear?
do you even care? Because if you do
there wont’ be wars or closing doors, there’ll only be opening
that’s when you’ll be hoping that everyone sees the peace you do
sees the things you do

            You won’t be feeling blue – everything will be cool
            if you listen to those things singing peace, if you don’t
            you wont be happy-trust me you won’t
the news we’ll be bad and sad
people of your country dying, so many people crying
trying to bring their people home
and can’t even call them on the phone
and then you feel all alone
            when you could be filled with Joy, just like when you were a kid
            playing with a new toy and no one could take it away from you
            all you would do was play all day
That’s how peace is, it’s just like a toy
if that how you want it to be
                        can’t you see, it’s all up to you and me
                        and the truth
                        I’ll give your proof,
                        just let me
            Don’t shut me down
            Tell me there will be a difference now
      that’s what I want to hear
that when I’m going to cheer

      That when you’ll know you’ve
done something right

            There will be no more fright of the light

            Because tonight I know
            there is peace!


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