Inspiration (and a challenge from Jackson):Sympathetic Joy is the feeling which arises when you are able to be proud of other people’s accomplishments. We rejoice that in the good fortune of others. In this way we overcome resentment, envy, and jealousy and even find inspiration in the accomplishments of others. In other words, it is happiness at the success of others. Read more below.
Today, write a poem that recognizes a friend, teacher, or family member’s accomplishment.
Guidance:
- who is the person, what is his/her relationship to you
- what did he/she achieve or accomplish, or what was an example of his/her success
- what about this accomplishment or good fortune is “good” for that person
- end with something about how their happiness brings you happiness or joy
Challenge from Jackson: Write it in the form of a Shakespearean sonnet. This just means that every line has iambic pentameter (each line has ten syllables), there are fourteen lines separated into three quatrains and a couplet with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This is a big challenge so if you do it, it will show that you’re a real poet.
smile for a while
throw away the frown
you cant see lifes beauty wiht your head down staring at the ground.
My best friend,
We met the beginning of 7th grade
We both have nicknames for each other
She’s always there for me
We have a lot of inside jokes
that we always laugh to
She’s an amazing artist,
Although she may not realize it
Always making my day better
What is this feeling inside of me?
I can’t stop smiling,
Buzzing around like a bumblebee.
I just can’t stop this feeling.
A secret.
I cannot tell
A secret you won’t be able to interpret.
So I’ll tell you little, then toss it down a well.
what I feel is sympathetic joy
Joy for one of my friends
That feels something special to a certain boy.
Now I can feel sympathetic joy that inside me, slowly ascends.
Tessie, Congrats on winning the contest,
Though I’m jealous a bit, you were stunning!
You put forth effort, and only your best,
The wining recipe was quite cunning.
The dish you created won for the state,
You also received a special, free tour.
The fact you stayed in the White House is great,
Meeting the Fist Lady, I’m sure, didn’t bore.
You stayed in DC for over 3 days,
Sight-seeing; plenty of days worth of fun,
I hope you vacation had no delays,
Also that you enjoyed yourself a ton!
And I’m glad, though I made lots of drama,
That you high-fived President Obama!
All my friends
Nicknames for each one
Inside jokes that we can laugh at forever
A certain way we make each other feel
They make everything so much better
No matter what happens, they stick by your side
They’re the shoulder for you to cry on
They’re the rainbow to your thunderstorm
They’re the life jacket in the middle of the ocean
They’re the stars in a pitch black sky
They’re the ones who you love and can’t live without
Mom,
you bring me happiness when I’m down
picking me up and fixing my frown.
I have so much to say
it could probally last me all may.
But today I’ll try and keep it short and sweet.
I am so lucky to have you
and even more grateful for the things you do.
You are there when I need you
with a helping hand always at reach.
You help me when I mess up, knowing what to do.
coaching my soccer day after day
yet still have time to play.
You are who I want to become
and hopefully someday I can be that great of a mom.
I love you so much
I agree with most of this poem especially the you said “you fix my frown” my mom is always there when Im being grumpy at cheers me on and it fixes my mood and she is the best
Bestfriend,
Started talking to you during the beginning of seventh grade,
Haven’t left each other’s side since.
She always tries her best
Whether it’s trying out for sports,
Or playing in band.
Going to have a bunch of opportunities in high school.
Always makes my day 100% better.
Katie C ?
Emma- I really liked how you wrote this to your best friend. I can relate to the part when you said “Always makes my day 100% better” because I feel the same way when I see my friends they always know how to brighten it up a little bit.
I have never struggled since I met you
I never took a bullet to my heart because you were always there to block it
I couldn’t feel the pain of hurt because you were the medication to all my wounds
I didn’t put all my trust in you because you put all your trust in me
You broke the wall that kept me from being confident in myself and believes
I won’t ever feel alone because I have you in my life and in that reason
I am very grateful
He taught me so much.
He taught what real love was.
But, he taught me
how to deal with hurt.
Maybe not in the best way,
but we brought me back into reality.
Elicia, I think it’s great how much love you feel towards the person you’re writing about. I can tell how much he’s done for you, and you did a great job showing what an amazing person he is when you said “He taught me what real love was”.
I’m really happy that
My friends are in high level classes
And that they get good grades as well
They work hard
And study hard
I’m really happy that they get A’s and B’s
Have you ever wanted something that someone else gets?
and have that someone else be your friend or someone you know?
You are happy for them, but mad at how they got it and you didn’t
You think you’ve been cheated, but
then you realize that you just have to be happy for them and support them
because they won it fair and square
and you are their friend
and they would do the same for you
my older sister
she’s always been there
since the day i was born
she’s loved me
she means everything to me
but that doesn’t stop the jealousy from creeping in
she’s smarter
decision wise and school wise
she’s definitely the favorite
and for good reason
she’s better than me
in her own way
she’s accomplished so much in life that i have no choice but to be proud of her
she makes me mad a lot
but she’s my rock
and she always will be
Hey Aliyah, I can relate to this entire poem especially to the line, “She’s always been there”, because I have an older brother, and he is always there for me, like your sister is for you.
Hunched over a desk
Answering questions
35
62
Yes
False
True
Constantly being tested
Pushed
To kram new things into our brains
While still maintaining the knowledge of
Our previous assignments
Only ten percent of our brain is used
If that
What if we could unlock the other 90 percent
What would the possibilities be?
Moving things with my mind
Reading thoughts
Predicting the future
We are not there yet
But we have to start somewhere
So for now i’ll stay seated at my desk
Answering questions
And thinking about my future
Alma (soul)
She truly has it
Has been losing hair for while
But will still admire
The sun has kissed you more than it has gone around earth
Smile crafted by god himself
Im sorry you’ve gone through so much
(Not done)
Brother, hes better than me
Smarter than me
Maybe even funnier
But i don’t care
Because all i want is
him to be happy.m
Chessie’s Ode to Joy
Sometimes I like to dream the dream of fate
Watching the numbers spin and land on mine
I can assure you that I never hate
Another’s fortune for it’s just a sign.
I have no envy, no green jealousy
No hard feelings nor untrue fake wishes
When others less fortunate smile with glee
As their lives have now changed with new riches.
Who knows what hardships someone has gone through
His life can be much worse than those of us
His lucky numbers were in the long queue
His patience paid off without a big fuss.
So while I wait eagerly for my turn
I will keep my fingers crossed as I learn.
Success is amazing isn’t it?It seems so hard to come by so often,
And upon one reaching such an accomplishment,
It’s difficult to not feel proud right then,
To see what others have succeeded on,
It makes you feel happy when others are
It’s all empathy reciprocation,
Their success shows success can’t be far,
Therefore seeing others accomplishments,
makes you feel proud and accomplished too,
So when you see another reach their goals,
You as I’ve established feel proud of them,
The fact that you can tell success is a possibility through first hand experience,
Drives you to believe in others and then strive to reach your goals as well
(I tried to do the form of a Shakespearean sonnet, but I got too tired and gave up in the end.. but hey it was worth a shot!)
Joanna
I know you’ve been through a lot
You struggle
I struggled
But you always get through it
While I can’t say your accomplishment
I’m very proud of you
I know that everyday will get better
Them mine will too
Ours will
I like the line where you said ¨you struggled, I struggled¨ Its very easy to tell a friend that everything will be okay when they are going through something tough. But being able to connect with their experiences and show them that they are not alone is what really makes a difference.
(Im following my Nathan-sama and making Cringe Poems)
Have you ever sat there
Happy but jealous at the same time
My sister
8
Better map scores than my 3rd grade self
She’s only 2nd
Why
Im happy
But sad
At the same time.
WHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
I think the part where you said, “Happy but jealous at the same time,” summarizes what you are writing about.
My brother, my rock, he is there always,
I go down the field, I look to my left,
I see him, standing up, clapping with praise,
I peek through his room, hands working with deft,
A lot of accomplishments he has done,
For which, I am proud of my big brother,
He is superior to everyone,
To me, I wouldn’t trade for another,
Through the years, I see him in a new light,
Dhruv 2.0, becoming an adult,
20 year old turning to a new height,
Now, every time I see him, I exult,
Smile on his face, a smile for me,
His happiness is my own cup of tea
She gets ahead in everything,
but doesn’t say a thing about it.
The light that she illuminates
makes the rest of the cold world
warm again.
She is a tower peering over the world,
and she knows what to do
any time
without hesitation.
No one can get to her
because she is standing
with her head held high,
not looking down
at the people
who would do anything to
tear
her
down.
She knows who she is,
and is confident to know that
she doesn’t have to stand on a
higher pedestal than she’s already on.
my mom
she is everything
she shines like the sun
she is a teacher
she teaches me so many
things
she teaches me
she loves me
ii love her
she is a warier
she is my wonder women
Friends.
My source of support.
I can fall back on them when I need help.
But I can always help them out too.
We can all talk to each other.
When we’re feeling any down or happy.
I hope many friendships last forever
As they are very important to all.
My Older Brother,
Is 15,
He is a writer like no other,
I wished I could write like he does,
In several AP classes,
Gets A’s and B’s,
At least he doesn’t have glasses,
But he is tall,
He will probably do journaling,
Or become an author,
For I think that’s what he’s targeting,
I hope he does well,
That would be swell.
My Best Friend;
My best friend, more like my only sister,
She gives me good advice, when I need it,
When I feel like my world is a twister,
She will always tell me never to quit.
She makes me laugh and smile every day,
I wish I got to see her more often,
Whenever I see her, I scream, loud, yay!
She makes me happy and my heart softens.
I can always be myself around her,
She understands every aspect of me,
Our childhood, for me, was a small blur,
But, around her, I’m always filled with glee.
I hope that my friendship with my best friend,
In a million years, never, ever, end.
I love how you wrote about someone who is very important in your life and explained to us how she makes you feel and what she does for you. The line that you said “I can always be myself around her,” is important because sometimes you can’t be yourself around certain people and being able to be yourself around someone shows that it is a real friendship.
I love how you expressed you praise for her and how you feel, like she’s your sister. I understand where you said “When I feel like my world is a twister”, It makes sense how much you need someone just that one person when your world is upside down, I love that expression. Great poem, very powerful nice job!
My Mom,
She listens to me without interrupting.
She cares about me.
And she most importantly,
Loves Me.
My brother
Is in high school,
Almost all AP classes.
Still getting straight A’s
while a B lays on mine like a pimple.
His teachers give him minimum homework.
He gets to relax all day.
He’s funny, popular, and tall.
But if it were any other way
I might as well have been hit with a cannon ball.
Dad
I know you probably wont read this
but it’s hear to stay
I’m really proud of you
for being their when ever i’m down
for being their during the good times
and your always by my side
Thank you
I’m glad we worked things out
I wouldn’t want to loose you
I love you without a doubt
But everything we’ve been through
Only makes our relationship stronger
My cousin,
Who is so kind to me,
She’s crazy and I love her,
And she’s funny as can be,
I she always bites her nails,
And that is a perfect way for us to hang out,
We paint our nails together,
And talk until the sun comes up,
If I can talk to anybody,
Its her.
Best Friend
Always by my side
Most beautiful and contagious laugh
Smart like no other
Smile that brightens my day
Been together through everything
I couldn’t ask for anyone else
You’re perfect in your own way
8 years of friendship
Fights, cries, smiles but I wouldn’t change anything
I love her with all my heart
Regina G.
Dad
I know you wont be reading this today
but I want you to know it’s here to stay
I really proud of you father
for being there for me every day
every when I am sick
you are always by my side
so this is for you
and this is your recantation
for being the best father ever
MOM
she’s led me to better things
she has been with me through thick and thin
she’s made me who I am
she brought my full potential
she’s amazing in many ways
she has corrected my ways
I don’t know where i’d be without her
I liked how you put ,” she made me who I am” it shows that you really look up to your mom
She feels herself getting jealous
Her mind floats away from the idea of “us”
Hate and envy pulses through her lungs
Abuse and rudeness on her tongue
But she pulls up her heart and breaths
She let’s go and the anger leaves
Instead she gets a warm aesthetic
She feels herself getting sympathetic
I love the lines, “Instead she gets a warm aesthetic She feels herself getting sympathetic” first of all because of the incredible jargon you used and second of all because the poem resolves itself so maturely; it gives hope.
My sister
she is there for me and listens to my stupid problems
she just stares at me when i am ranting and
she listens because she knows i am hurting
and I need someone to talk to.
she is my best friend as well as my sister.
she brings me happiness and makes me laugh
I love how you wrote about your bond with your sister and I love the lines, “she listens because she knows I am hurting, and I need someone to talk to, she is my best friend as well as my sister.”
Mom
She has helped me reach to my full potential,
She’s developed me to who I am now.
She cares for me and will do anything for me.
She knows me the best.
She knows what’s best for me.
She makes me happy.
She gets me in a good mood all the time.
She teaches as much as she can.
She teaches me from the wrong to rights.
She’s brave, strong, and determined.
She’s also smart, courageous, and unique.
She’s not only that she’s also caring.
She’s the best mom I could ask for.
Without her I wouldn’t know what to do.
Mom
Wow its happening
In a few weeks
I will be in high school.
The thought is scary
But also exciting.
Leaving the place I’ve been for 9 years
Starting as a small kindergartener
Leaving as a mature 8th grader.
Ready to start a new beginning
With my friends by my side.
I like the line where you said ” Ready to start a new begging” because my sister is in high school and she said it feel like how you said a new begging
Pre-congratulations on your graduation! I like how you said, “the thought is scary but also exciting’ because I feel like that a lot of times.
My friends.
Their names, well, Ill keep them anonymous.
Although they and others will know who they are.
Some are broken, and troubled.
They are amazing people and I’d take anything for them.
I’d feel all the pain they have in their heads for every one, on top of mine, if it meant they could be truly happy.
I….I’d feel all my friends pain. I just want my friends to be happy.
I don’t care how sad I am
Just as long as their happy.
They all tell me how terrible they are. Or that they are sad. Or they cant do anything right.
And I’ve never in my life ever had courage to say one thing to them
But every time I think.
“But I love you, and your beautiful and your the best person. You cant be sad. Your amazing and I’d take a bullet for you. Anyone that worth it, is the best.”
But I’ve never said it.
Because I know sometimes you just need someone to listen.
I know that sometimes positive encouragement can help less and make you feel
Worse.
But now I’ve said it. Ill take all her pressure, her painful past, her unsteady life, his hurting, her horrible family, his hard to control behavior, her bad self esteem.
I know this simple poem wont make them happy.
But I wish it could.
And hey you’ve heard it from me,
Your perfect people.
I could really connect to your poem because sometimes I believe that I can take their pain. One part that particularly confused me was when you said, “I….I’d feel all my friends pain.” The beginning of that sentence you said like you were hesitant and it has a deep meaning. I can see that you want to help your friends and that you MIGHT be hesitant to do so. So am I. It’s a hard decision.
(Cringe warning)
Sympathetic joy
It is overrated stuff
I do not want it
At least write something about it! You could describe a lot of people.
She was so nervous,
she skipped soccer to prepare for it,
two days in a row.
She got bruises from the metal bar,
the heavy fabric got in her way,
the different colors flew by,
as she threw the flag in the air.
Yesterday she was judged,
and at six forty-five she was given an answer.
She got onto the color guard,
and she was going to be a flag thrower.
We were so happy,
I wish I could see her,
I’m so proud.
My Brother’s Math Test
My little brother is eleven years old.
He is in fifth grade and is skilled at math.
He surprised us and he’s broken the mold
As he goes and takes his own bold new path.
I took a math test to see where I’d go.
That’s in sixth grade, my brother takes it now.
Whether he’d come here for math, I don’t know.
I can see him passing me saying “Ciao!”
People would ask, “What’s that kid doing here?!”
I’d say to them, “That’s my brother who’s smart!”
All of my eighth grade worries disappear.
I’d have family with me, so I won’t dart.
Danny and I, in Winston together.
Through rain or snow or whatever weather.
Wow! Are you saying that your brother is in an “advanceder” class (if you know what I mean).
ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
I accomplished many things
Done a lot of stuff
Most things were not light
and it was tough
But I have to remember
who helped me do this
they helped me not make my life a living ember
mom and dad made life bliss
It was mom that worked
to help me live
It was dad that worked
to also help me live
In the end
i should care about the money they spend
Best friend
Saw you
Thiught you were mean
Then we started talking
She decided to join the musical
She loves acting and singing
Did it for two years in a row
More opportunities to come
Always makes me smile
We annoy each other
Emma F
In hockey
I help people score
And I’m happy for them
Because I’m a naturally supportive person,
and I like seeing people succeed
No matter How much I hate them
One of my friends is also a really good artist, we draw a lot together
she would ask me to draw a character i came up with, wich exsited me.
When her drawing is done im really happy to see it
When she draws for me and i draw for her it brings happiness to us both
Best Friend
We seperated
We go to different schools now
I miss you
I miss seeing you everyday
I miss hugging you
We still talk but
Its not the same
Ill see you in high school though
I hope nothing changed between us
I love you
Best Friend
Its really easy to see the close bonf that you had with your friend through your poem.
I really like your poem! I know that it can be hard to lose a bestfrind. I really like the part where you said “i hope nothing has changed between us.” I is a very short but powerful piece.
best friend
i know we are fighting
but i am proud of you
you are talented
and can do anything
i won’t forget you
even if we are not friends
anymore…
I like how are fighting with your friend but you’re still proud of them.
I watch the pain slowly flow out of her body,
Like a river.
Her face is starting to gain back its color.
Rosy cheeks and a beautiful smile.
That smile i wont be able to forget,
And even if we’re not friends anymore,
I am happy to see that her days of suffering are over.
For i see a much happier soul in her.
You were very descriptive and you used a lot of metaphors in your poem to.
I really liked how discriptive this piece was I enjoyed the part where you said ” I watch the pain slowly flow out of her body like a river” I could see the scene in my mind almost like a movie
I can relate with the part of your poem when you said “I’m happy to see that her days of suffering are over” because I have a friend that went through really bad depression, and she recovered. Not only did she improve her own well being, but she improved the people who care’s too.
I like the simile of “pain slowly flowing out of her body like a river.” because it adds more drama and a darker tone.
I honestly didn’t know
that you would mean
so much to me
you make my days when ‘im not in a mood
you make me laugh
you make me smile
i wish there was more people like you
i am happy to have you in my life
you have taught me many things
i love your advice
but i also love
you
@camila @michelle @ruby
I can really see how much you appreciate your friends and how close you are to them especially when you said “I wish there was more people like you” because I honestly also wish there was more trustworthy people in the world and Ily2:)
I love this so much because I love the way you are and everything about you.! I am thank full you came into my life as a true friend.
ABAB CDCD EFEF GG
A Sonnet 4 KB
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When you came into my life
I didn’t know
It was for a reason
And I didn’t know it was
A good one
You have taught me to be patient
You have taught me to be kind
You have taught me to love…
You have taught me to smile
Even when I didn’t think I could
You have taught me to laugh
Even at the stupidest things
You have taught me to be strong
Even when I feel the most weak
Do you know the effect you have on me?
How much of a change I went through?
How much that change, is the best thing
That is ever happened to me
I noticed that you used an anaphora. “You have…You have…You have…You have…” It created an interesting rhythm that made the poem even more powerful.
my friend once found 5 dollars on the street
he got lucky, so he went to McDonald’s and
bought me some nuggets and he bought himself fries
that was a good day.
Cesar mateos?
Hes a great friend
I would actually call him my brother
Its something i wouldnt want to end
Even though me and him are bareley together
We’ve had our ups and downs
But i would always forget why i would hate him
I always hate when he has a frown
When hes sad It kinda makes me feel like a trash bin
I know this is kinda weird but i still “like”(not like that) him
He might read this or not
This room is kinda dim
It reminds me the times i was at his house(its always dark in his house for some reason)
Hes awesome at almost everything
Better than me at these things
I was proud
I had a title
A job
But not the kind you think
I was going to be a big brother
Im watching as he grows up
From being wraped in a blanket
To barley crawling
And even slopily saying words
Now hes walking
Talking
Hes 4 years old now
And i regret nothing of this expeirence
I love him and he knows it
I like the part you said ” And i regret nothing of this expeirence,” because I wouldn’t regret aything either if I had a little brother because I would love to see him grow up.
I stood and watched as they ran
Handing off the paton
Speeding down the track
Getting first place
The sound of everyone cheering
I wish i could be that fast
Cheering on as I dreamt of a being good
I went back to the cones for the next race
As I stood there waiting for the tace to start, I said
I can do all things
I sat watching my sister last night,
her fingers moving across the strings.
Her form perfect, just nice and tight.
The sound the Orchestra produces, flew like it had wings.
I could never play that,
I thought with a sigh.
I went pack to the rhythm on my thigh. Pitter pat pat.
And when the song ended, the dragon finally died.
I think you did a really good job on this poem, when you said “And when the song ended, the dragon finally died” it gave the readers an allusion. Using the word dragon puts an image in peoples mind, but your using it differently which is creative.
I like how you used the simile when you said, “flew like it had wings,” because it helps you envision the beautiful music being played.
Your poem is very meaningful, as the difference between the majority of the pitched orchestra and the percussion is very obvious. Although, without the unpitched section, the orchestra wouldn’t become a whole. Your instrument(s) are a crucial part of the orchestra too!
I also liked how your poem compared the song to a dragon. The line “And when the song ended, the dragon finally died.” really popped out to me! As a person with experience in music, I can feel the “dragon dying” as the song comes to an end.
I can remeber a time when my friend in second grade won
a beachball. I was happy for him evenn though i wanted it,
But as luck would have it he gave it to me.
Its sometimes better to feel happy for the people you care about even if they are getting more than you.