Why Do We Tell Lies?

On Monday, the Poetry Campers started our week of Sound by talking about and practicing repetition. We looked at part of a praise poem called In Praise of the Local 100 by Martin Espada. In two small groups, we wrote our own praise poems for summer. They are up on the wall in 106 if you want to stop by and check them out! After some games, we read a poem by Yannis Ritsos, Because, which lists interesting, disconnected reasons a person has lied. I asked the students to create their own list of becauses, and told them they could borrow Ritsos's last line if they so chose. Enjoy their devious results!

The Because…
by Nicholas M.

Because I went to my cousin’s house
because I got punched by a horse
because the elevator was stuck in the middle of the day
because my head was stuck in a toilet
because my mom punished me
because my puppy kicked me
because my uncle paid me to buy him cigarettes
for these reasons, I lied to you.


Because…
by Madeline D.

Because there was a humongous traffic jam
on Ridge Ave.,

because my sister had
to decide what shoes
to wear,

because I needed to go to
the doctor’s office,

because I had to clean
my bedroom,

because my dad broke his
leg on the way,

because the car ran out
of gas

because I needed to go to
the library before we went…

Because, because…

Okay. I guess I lied.


Why I am Crying
by Maple C.

Because my father gave me the wrong directions,
because I am thinking of the worst things that could happen,
because I have no family or friends,
because I have nowhere to live,
because I have nothing to do,
because I have nowhere to go,
because I have hit my head on a corner,
because I know nothing of math, science, or reading,
because I have been kidnapped,
Now, I am sorry I lied to you.


Because I Lied to You
by Zinnia S.

Because the sink would not
run in Mississippi.
Because the spring time bunny
did not appear.
Because our neighbor’s cat is
not eating.
Because a new restaurant opened.
Because a bulldozer cut
down a tree.
Because my pencil was dull.
Because someone knocked
on my door.
Because I feel asleep on a train.
Because I ate a rotten pumpkin pie.
Because I saw a blue earwig.
Because a dinosaur picked up
my house.
Because a tear as big as
a round table hit my cheek.
Because a leaf fell on my noise.
For this, only for this reason,
I lied to you.


Because of this Very Special Busy Sunday Morning
by Caelen B.

Because my shoes slipped out the 25th window.
Because I lost your doll and I’m sorry.
Because the lawn had too much dry grass.
Because my lucky rubber band broke into pieces.
Because the cat ate cat food on Sunday.
Because my little brother ate my math report.
Because my lucky charm cereal spilled all over.
Because my dog licked my ice cream quickly.
Because you’re Mr. Potato Head’s nose broke off.
Because my flower grew way too darn tall.
And all this is very, very, very pretend.


Because
by Jules A.

Because the river was not full
because the girl cried on the staircase
because the wind hushed the mountain
because the autumn leaves rustled in the breeze
because the moonlight glowed slowly
because the pond water rustled in the twilight
because the no one smiled at home
because the dragonfly flew through the pink sky
because the hunter killed the deer
because the frog croaked the last croak.

Because of these things
I am guilty of what I’ve done.


Because
by Cecilia G.

Because I stayed up all night
because I like to wear dresses
because I remember things a lot
because I see my cousin who lives far away
because I have a pet
because I am not shy
because I hate my dad…

This poem is about lying.


Because of all these things, I didn’t talk to you on purpose
by Cassie A.

Because the healthy plants died
because the bratty girl lost her patience
because the bullies are cruel
because the homeless people suffer
because the hunter kills things that don’t deserve it
because the person died of cancer
because the family next door had a loss in their family

because of all these things, I didn’t talk to you on purpose.