Magdalena Gmez

A Few Notes I Wrote After the Workshop

Magdalena Gomez

A Few Notes I Wrote After the Workshop

administrative assistant

Richard Spiegel Barbara Fisher co-directors Thomas Perry

A Waterways Project Publication

Richard Organisciak Superintendent Alternative, Adult and Continuing Education Schools and Programs with funding support from Learn and Serve America, The New York State Council on the Arts,

Alan Werner Principal, NYC VTC Loretta White Assistant Principal, NYC VTC

Jack Giordano Site Teacher

Students were introduced to the following poets: Joy Harjo (I Give You Back) Jimmy Baca Santiago (Excerpt from Martin) Sandra Maria Esteves (In Praise of Live) Langston Hughes (I, too) Discussion of Poetry in terms of mood, feelings evoked, messages conveyed. Some background information on each poet. We focused on the territory of feelings and emotions in the world of creativity: the uses of poetry, creative writing and other arts in overcoming fear, peer pressure; using writing as a tool to deal with unresolved issues or unexpressed emotions as in the case of connecting with someone we miss because of death or other separation; the use of memories in creation; using poetry as a tool for empowerment, self-expression, building community, healing.

Orientation and Introduction Dialogue on Writing Interests

We listened to m u s i c as a tool for embracing the muse: The STUDENTS first reflected on and named uses of music:

We then listened to an introspective work: Cristofori's Dream (David Lanz). We wore blindfolds so that we could enter the music more deeply, without distractions. We listened for the "story" inside of the music. Afterwards we began our writing: (Exercise One) After listening to the music blindfolded, we removed blindfolds, remained in silence, and wrote all of the images we saw, felt, remembered. (Writing as reflection) We shared our writing with one another.

to have feeling; to escape (release); music makes you high; to relax thinking about the past; soul healing depending on type of music, it will make you feel different ways; to escape from loneliness to think about the future

We wrote as we listened to joyful steel drum music. (Writing spontaneously in the moment) Again, we listened for the story in the music. We experimented with writing to a familiar tune with lyrics to see what feelings, memories or ideas would be evoked. Respect by Aretha Franklin. By this point the students were ready to dance; we took a five minute break. (Exercise Three)

(Exercise Two)

After break, we played some theater movement and vocalization games using some of the same music, as well as new selections. This was an introduction to creating characters and improvised dialog. We discussed the value of oral tradition. Following the games we returned to oral sharing of our writing.

We then worked with theater improvisation games to introduce the idea of "point of view" and "voice". All of the students participated in the writing, movement and theater work.

Participants were told to forget all the rules: grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc. to write fearlessly and free style. (Exercise One) The music makes me feel so relaxed, that every thing comes at once in mind, likes, memories, sadness like holding some one in your arms and not wanting to let them go. It also makes you falling in sleep, with your mind clearly, like escape loneliness while listening to it.

Participant Excerpts

V.J.

(Exercise Two) It makes some one or any one want to get up and expose their emotion and feeling. It's like if you have such memories, from the past.

(Exercise One) I was loneliness with nobody at side of me no friends and having no family suffer with pain and it's a damn shame I'm the only one but at the end I have a loving caring in myself but doesn't matter I still suffer and wish this never happen to me (Exercise Two) - Steel Drums I feel like in a paradise island with a lot of people dancing everyone is having a great time like I never be here before then the next day I feel like a king with girls and eating fruits. It looks like all the people like me and I think it means that I'm the God.

Arturo V.

(Exercise One) As I listen to the music, the way in which it was played, reminds me of my last relationship, that I had. The good times we shared, the bad times we've had, the love we had.

Lockert W.

This type of music also reminds me of the horror of waking up one morning, seeing my mother dying for air. A girl dancing in a forest covered by snow and ice. She's dancing on a frozen pond. A young man walks by and is hypnotized by her beauty as well as her dancing. Not really on a search for love but comes across her and is overwhelmed. Watches her dance and joins in, which starts the beginning of their life.

Allen P.

(Exercise One) Grass/wind blowing flowers/flower petals flying everywhere little girl/water falls little girl spinning and spinning and running foggy/rocks high up on a hill (or mountain)

Angelina R.

(Exercise Two) Party/carnival dancing/laughing smiles/fire jungle/animals everywhere Chinese people eating a really big dinner like if someone just got married children playing/balloons/family together (Exercise Three) Donuts and Coffee shop bugging out/jumping around singing in the shower/dancing

(Exercise One) Two people destined to be together had a terrible fight causing them to go in separate directions. Then the man had been in an accident and been injured badly. The lady rushes to see him and is in shock because of condition. She sat with him each night sharing memories with the man she loved while knowing he wasn't really there but hoping for a miracle. Soon it has come to turn where she was asked to make a horrible decision. She thought it out over and over and finally come about her answer. She had to let him go. She sat and watched them pull the plug. Now facing the worst pain she's ever had to endure she is crying. She claims that she had to die but only her body was left to live. Years went by and though she was still deeply saddened she finally realized she had to keep going in order to maintain her sanity. And so she lived. Piano - to set surroundings Violin - to set mood

Kathy G.

(Exercise Two) I'm on the island of St. Thomas dancing in a group of my friends. Family I never knew came about and I am happy. Everybody's dancing vigorously and are all excited. I've never felt how they make me feel until now because I was told they were dead. A whole new chapter in my life has opened making me, a person who has never felt whole feel complete.

(Exercise Three) A bunch of women together stating their peace. Telling all those children trying to be men to grow up and treat them right. Also to give them the respect they deserve.

Fired Down Below, The Native Steel Drum Block parties/Spanish food many people/dancing instruments/a nice day palm trees/Jamaica.

Free Association Poem: Finding a story in the music

Placing ourselves inside the music; what are you doing inside the music

Pachebel

I am an outsider who should feel at home in this land I call My mother but I don't come from here. Seeing sights never seen before h as me in awe over the customs and traditions of this land. As I look over myself watching everything in sight no motions are made, just my face full of delight. I see a beautiful woman sitting not far away. A smile from her face could brighten up even the dullest day. I think she noticed me for a minute. Yes! No, I was mistaken. I see myself once again too shy to approach a beautiful woman.

but maybe today will be different. I approach her with only words from my heart. A conversation builds. Whata ya know . . . I see myself changing.

rough like gravel smooth as your fingernail rough as sandpaper as light as an empty paper cup as brown as dirt beautiful like art

Experimenting with Similes

Magdalena this is Vijay I didn't talk a lot, because I didn't grow up in a popular place or country. Where I came from I had no friends, I didn't go to a real school. I have to go to the farm every day, I didn't h Ave much communication with people. Right now I am shy to talk and also I don't like to make comment of people. I am very honest person.

I was not always on this planet. I come from another planet. My species is vastly populating. Increase of my population is tearing my planet down. We need more space for living, so we decided to acquire earth. You would never know who's from my planet on earth. We disguised ourselves too perfectly. The take over of the earth is coming.

Experimenting with Fantasy

V.J.

Working with Sea Shells as Muse

My shell is hard like an erect male It is pointy as a porcupine It makes a sound like a cool breeze on the ocean front My shell is like me/calm in my sleep I see the sun so bright and clear rising in the morning shining in my hair creatures both great and small are waking up for a brand new day Birds singing songs of peace and love in the atmosphere we all grow to love

Kathy G.

Lockert W.

I see the ocean and what used to be a hermit crab with spikes to protect it now I see seagulls while me and my pops chillin' on a fishing boat in sheepshead bay me throwin' used bait to the seagulls watching them fly down and catch it

Angel R.

This was the first time I have ever seen some one get shot. It happened on July 4, 1994 I was chillin' with my boy, and we were playing with the fireworks and a drug dealer I knew he had this crack head shot for trying to steal his sons ring I saw the whole thing every one ran down the street I could see the crack head in a pool of blood I watched this whole thing as if it were a movie before my boyz mom told me to get inside.

A Death Scene and Funeral in the Barrio

A Waterways Project Publication 1998