POETRY TEXT (listed alphabetically by last name)
QuLaysha Brandon | grade 7, Curley K-8
The Light of Justice
Justice marched with a heart ablaze,
A beacon of hope through the darkest days.
Where shadows whispered tales of despair,
His voice rang out, “Change begins when we care.”
With courage as armor, he sought to reveal,
A world redefined where compassion could heal.
In shared stories, our hearts intertwine,
Building bridges of trust, a legacy divine.
His words were rivers, flowing with grace,
Carving pathways of hope in this vast human space.
With each soul uplifted a new dawn arose,
As dignity flourished like a cherished rose.
So let us remember the path that he paved,
With love as our compass, unyielding and brave.
Hand in hand, we’ll ignite the desire,
To build a world where every heart can aspire.
QuLaysha Brandon | grade 7, Curley K-8
The Light of Justice
Justice marched with a heart ablaze,
A beacon of hope through the darkest days.
Where shadows whispered tales of despair,
His voice rang out, “Change begins when we care.”
With courage as armor, he sought to reveal,
A world redefined where compassion could heal.
In shared stories, our hearts intertwine,
Building bridges of trust, a legacy divine.
His words were rivers, flowing with grace,
Carving pathways of hope in this vast human space.
With each soul uplifted a new dawn arose,
As dignity flourished like a cherished rose.
So let us remember the path that he paved,
With love as our compass, unyielding and brave.
Hand in hand, we’ll ignite the desire,
To build a world where every heart can aspire.
Sylvia Emond | grade 5, Dante Alighieri Montessori
Justice Within Us
Dear MLK,
how glad I am to be here today.
The sun, the moon, the stars,
it all reminds us of our scars.
We are a community,
we are equal,
we are right.
And we should all believe
that we will have equal rights.
Some people say that only one can be great,
Only one can be with power,
I say NO,
none of us should be pushed around,
none of those rules should be made.
And we,
we can be the change.
Justice Within Us
Dear MLK,
how glad I am to be here today.
The sun, the moon, the stars,
it all reminds us of our scars.
We are a community,
we are equal,
we are right.
And we should all believe
that we will have equal rights.
Some people say that only one can be great,
Only one can be with power,
I say NO,
none of us should be pushed around,
none of those rules should be made.
And we,
we can be the change.
Randel Giron | grade 7, Boston Teachers Union K-8
The time is right to take a stand,
To lend a heart, to give a hand.
In spacious classrooms and hallways so bright,
We choose to teach what is right.
Equality is not a dream,
It is the truth we fight to keep original.
Without color, without differences,
Unity and power lies our strength.
In every voice, in every face,
We find a common, sacred space.
Justice calls, clear and loud,
A world that is kind, a world that is true.
In every choice, in every action,
We plant the love that all hearts need.
The time is right to act, to strive,
To show the world and each other that we are alive
Alive in kindness, alive in peace,
Alive in justice that will never end.
Inside of every classroom, on every street,
The time is right to help end
End the hate, fear, and everything that fears us
And build a world that is truly kind.
So here we are, united, with justice and equality.
The time is right for me, for you.
The time is right to take a stand,
To lend a heart, to give a hand.
In spacious classrooms and hallways so bright,
We choose to teach what is right.
Equality is not a dream,
It is the truth we fight to keep original.
Without color, without differences,
Unity and power lies our strength.
In every voice, in every face,
We find a common, sacred space.
Justice calls, clear and loud,
A world that is kind, a world that is true.
In every choice, in every action,
We plant the love that all hearts need.
The time is right to act, to strive,
To show the world and each other that we are alive
Alive in kindness, alive in peace,
Alive in justice that will never end.
Inside of every classroom, on every street,
The time is right to help end
End the hate, fear, and everything that fears us
And build a world that is truly kind.
So here we are, united, with justice and equality.
The time is right for me, for you.
Margot Holmes | grade 2, Mendell Elementary
The Meanings of Justice
Justice inspires me to be respectful to others,
Even if they are different.
Justice inspires me to help people who need it.
Justice inspires me to learn from my mistakes.
Justice looks like a peace sign.
Justice sounds like peaceful protesting.
Justice inspires me to fight for what is right.
The Meanings of Justice
Justice inspires me to be respectful to others,
Even if they are different.
Justice inspires me to help people who need it.
Justice inspires me to learn from my mistakes.
Justice looks like a peace sign.
Justice sounds like peaceful protesting.
Justice inspires me to fight for what is right.
Mia Laing | grade 5, John F. Kennedy Elementary
WE ARE THE FUTURE
Inequality is still in the air
equality neither here nor there
Segregation has ended and there's been some change
But injustice still fills the air
Nobody has the right to be mistreated
We are all the same and that's the truth
We are the future
We have the power, we can make a change
Just like Dr. King said, “The time is always right to do right”
So walk into the spotlight would you probably blow a fuse
Instead of injustice and inequality in the air,
Spread love and kindness everywhere
WE NEED TO RISE FOR WhAT IS RIGHT! Now it's time I leave it to you
Try to make a change like the ones who stood before you
WE ARE THE FUTURE
Inequality is still in the air
equality neither here nor there
Segregation has ended and there's been some change
But injustice still fills the air
Nobody has the right to be mistreated
We are all the same and that's the truth
We are the future
We have the power, we can make a change
Just like Dr. King said, “The time is always right to do right”
So walk into the spotlight would you probably blow a fuse
Instead of injustice and inequality in the air,
Spread love and kindness everywhere
WE NEED TO RISE FOR WhAT IS RIGHT! Now it's time I leave it to you
Try to make a change like the ones who stood before you
Ludnie Lumere | grade 6, UP Academy Holland
BLM Poem!!
Equality is something we all have, right?
But what about the reason we have all this might?
Long Ago, when Segregation was set
Many people’s goals were never met.
Separated by our race...
Who could cause such a disgrace?!
This event went on for years and years
As people cried out in fearful tears.
Churches stocked up with people.
As others outside proceed to crowd outdoors and wheeple.
Days continued like a dripping faucet.
Parents holding their kids in cosset.
Activists meeting up altogether.
Talking in clusters and speaking together
Determined to stop this
ght.
And give everyone their own inherent right.
Different types of cultures and different kinds of ways
That could help
x this issue in many or little days
People from all over, coming to places and discussing orders
While others stand up and start to climb the borders
Years go by, as days multiply
Making speeches to justify
As our rights go ahead and fully rise.
Just like what Frederek Douglass had once address,
“If there is no struggle, there is no process”
BLM Poem!!
Equality is something we all have, right?
But what about the reason we have all this might?
Long Ago, when Segregation was set
Many people’s goals were never met.
Separated by our race...
Who could cause such a disgrace?!
This event went on for years and years
As people cried out in fearful tears.
Churches stocked up with people.
As others outside proceed to crowd outdoors and wheeple.
Days continued like a dripping faucet.
Parents holding their kids in cosset.
Activists meeting up altogether.
Talking in clusters and speaking together
Determined to stop this
ght.
And give everyone their own inherent right.
Different types of cultures and different kinds of ways
That could help
x this issue in many or little days
People from all over, coming to places and discussing orders
While others stand up and start to climb the borders
Years go by, as days multiply
Making speeches to justify
As our rights go ahead and fully rise.
Just like what Frederek Douglass had once address,
“If there is no struggle, there is no process”
Ada Nelson | grade 2, Mendell Elementary
Justice is Love
Sounds like
Cheering.
People cheering
Cheering for it
To be fair.
Smells like
Victory
We all want
To smell
Victory
When you try
To make
An impact.
Boom!
MLK is justice
Inspired me
To stand up
For what is right.
Justice is love.
Justice is Love
Sounds like
Cheering.
People cheering
Cheering for it
To be fair.
Smells like
Victory
We all want
To smell
Victory
When you try
To make
An impact.
Boom!
MLK is justice
Inspired me
To stand up
For what is right.
Justice is love.
Laylah Oliver Chacon | grade 9, Boston Arts Academy
Why do we let
the people of today
allow, yet not allow
the freedom that so many
people worked for,
go to waste?
We abuse this free will
to do whatever we please,
it gets put into the wrong hands
and now
there are wars, conflict
hatred and greed
running the minds of the "powerful".
why do we segregate our mind,
from our actions to this world?
Work from the people before us,
put to waste.
We were born to use our minds,
put them to work,
love one another
and be safe in each others arms.
The generations to come should be taught to bring peace,
and i demand for everyone,
to use this free will,
and allow us to thrive and learn to love,
to learn to be all together at last.
Its what he wished for,
and we shall slowly grant this wish to put a clean end to this hatred,
this conflict,
these wars.
One love.
Why do we let
the people of today
allow, yet not allow
the freedom that so many
people worked for,
go to waste?
We abuse this free will
to do whatever we please,
it gets put into the wrong hands
and now
there are wars, conflict
hatred and greed
running the minds of the "powerful".
why do we segregate our mind,
from our actions to this world?
Work from the people before us,
put to waste.
We were born to use our minds,
put them to work,
love one another
and be safe in each others arms.
The generations to come should be taught to bring peace,
and i demand for everyone,
to use this free will,
and allow us to thrive and learn to love,
to learn to be all together at last.
Its what he wished for,
and we shall slowly grant this wish to put a clean end to this hatred,
this conflict,
these wars.
One love.
Samuel Rivera | grade 8, Donald McKay K-8
Title: Together We Will Rise
In a world where colors blend,
Where every voice has room to send,
We stand tall, hand in hand, United as one, across this land.
From playgrounds where laughter is shared,
To courtrooms where justice is bared, Each heart beats with a rhythm of rights,
In the glow of equality's lights.
No walls should divide; no chains should bind,
For freedom blooms in an open mind.
Together we fight for a fairer way, Where hope ignites a brighter day.
Justice whispers in the ear of the meek,
And rallies the strong to lift up the weak.
With every step towards unity's dream,
We build bridges, or so it would seem.
So let our differences shape our art,
And weave a tapestry that won't fall apart,
For in every tale of love or strife,
Together we forge a new way of life.
Let's celebrate every story and song,
For it’s in our unity that we truly belong.
As shadows fade and courage ignites,
Together, we rise to greater heights.
Title: Together We Will Rise
In a world where colors blend,
Where every voice has room to send,
We stand tall, hand in hand, United as one, across this land.
From playgrounds where laughter is shared,
To courtrooms where justice is bared, Each heart beats with a rhythm of rights,
In the glow of equality's lights.
No walls should divide; no chains should bind,
For freedom blooms in an open mind.
Together we fight for a fairer way, Where hope ignites a brighter day.
Justice whispers in the ear of the meek,
And rallies the strong to lift up the weak.
With every step towards unity's dream,
We build bridges, or so it would seem.
So let our differences shape our art,
And weave a tapestry that won't fall apart,
For in every tale of love or strife,
Together we forge a new way of life.
Let's celebrate every story and song,
For it’s in our unity that we truly belong.
As shadows fade and courage ignites,
Together, we rise to greater heights.