Written and Edited by Ms. Rane’s

6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Classes of Crownpoint, New Mexico

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Table of ContentsEthan Roanhorse.....................................................................................................................................3

Darin Nez.................................................................................................................................................3

Kyle White...............................................................................................................................................4

Justin Platero...........................................................................................................................................4

Thalia Garmendez....................................................................................................................................5

Jyren Thompson......................................................................................................................................5

Shandora Nelwood..................................................................................................................................6

Brent Jodie...............................................................................................................................................6

Rytana Begay...........................................................................................................................................7

Lane Loley................................................................................................................................................7

Korben Largo...........................................................................................................................................8

Durrell Etsitty...........................................................................................................................................9

Nette’ Young..........................................................................................................................................10

Celine Guerro........................................................................................................................................10

Noah Manuelito.....................................................................................................................................11

Amanda Toledo.....................................................................................................................................11

Kiana Vigil..............................................................................................................................................12

Shannon Zospah....................................................................................................................................12

Stasia Apachito......................................................................................................................................13

Dillon Begay...........................................................................................................................................14

Tamickia Platero....................................................................................................................................14

Savanna Larvingo...................................................................................................................................15

Nicole Etcitty..........................................................................................................................................16

Tyra Pablo..............................................................................................................................................17

Caleb Villa..............................................................................................................................................17

Apryl Murphy.........................................................................................................................................18

Monica Barbone....................................................................................................................................19

Aryanna Arviso......................................................................................................................................19

Alwyna Sandoval....................................................................................................................................20

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Marcus Yazzie........................................................................................................................................20

Latisha Johnson.....................................................................................................................................21

Isiah Martin...........................................................................................................................................22

Dallason Davis........................................................................................................................................22

Jennifer Schweigman.............................................................................................................................23

Tyanna Largo.........................................................................................................................................24

Sybil Casilac...........................................................................................................................................24

Miranda Etcitty......................................................................................................................................25

Shontell Jim...........................................................................................................................................26

Tristine Henio........................................................................................................................................26

Danya Charley........................................................................................................................................27

Rishawnda Begay...................................................................................................................................27

Ceara Hardy...........................................................................................................................................28

Adam Perry............................................................................................................................................29

Cordell Antonio......................................................................................................................................30

Kaidon Begay.........................................................................................................................................31

Selvina Platero.......................................................................................................................................31

Lain Johnson..........................................................................................................................................32

Bershannon Becenti...............................................................................................................................33

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Ethan Roanhorse

“When the Moon Sees”

When the moon comes it sees bright lightsin the huge cities. It sees wolves howling tothe gorgeous night sky while porchlightsilluminate everyhouse.

It sees the clamorous waves of the ocean going towards the shore. It sees owlshooting and bats hunting for their prey.

It sees sad things such as

people dying,people drinking, smokingor gangs shooting.

The moon will always see the joyful and themournful moments.

 

Darin Nez

“One Sun Rising “

One sun rising from the eastlooking over the land going west.One sun looking and zooming on one land.

The bright shine beaming through thewindow shining off the mirror into my mom’sface and waking up.

 

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Kyle White

“My Inspiration”When my cousin sleeps she dreams of continuing her educationand accomplishing her goals

My cousin is coolMy cousin is smartMy cousin is activebut most importantly she continues succeeding.

My cousin is my inspiration she’s succeedingshe keeps proceeding with her workand speeding when time runs out.She tries to do her bestby reading and rereading over and over again.

She always says “Try to succeed and be successful, smart, super and be sillyor shine with a smile.”But when my cousin wakes upshe wants to continue accomplishing, succeeding, proceeding and dreaming.

Justin Platero

“The Moon’s Eyes”

The moon seesLightsThe moon seesHorses on the highwayThe moon seesCar headlights on big interstatesThe moon seesAll of the Navajo Nation mesas I live onThe moon seesPeople cryingOn the side of the road

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Thalia Garmendez

“The Rez”

One hot, dry, and sunny morning whileThe sun rises over the mesas,

A women cooks tortillaBlue corn mush for breakfast Listening to KGAK PeyoteDirt blowing all over the place inThe hogan in the open country Surrounded by a crown of mesas, A rock with a point on the tip

Dogs running all around chasing sheepMaking a big dust cloud almost covering the landHorses galloping, taking care of youngLooking out for coyotes to start to run

The children wake upStretching

Ready to runComing back home, breakfast is readyNoon and night past, a daily routinePast and comesAnother day over and over again

Jyren Thompson

“The Ground”

One ground, our ground, the ground we walk and run onThe ground stays under our feet as we walk

One sky, the only sky we stand underAs the long days and short nights pass the sky is still above us

The ground is as black as coal of a burnt out fire

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Stop signs are red as the blood under our skinThe sky is as blue as the lake waves.

Shandora Nelwood

“Tomorrow No Sorrow”

I watched your heart so full of sorrowFor you would not see me tomorrow

I watched you placed a single roseWith thoughtful tears for where it goes

I saw you dry away many sad tearsAt thought of spending the lonely yearsI know that life may appear surely bleakBut I wish that you could hear me speak

For life goes on and must knowThat time heals all and surely so

And I can no longer call out your nameNor hold you close and comfort your pain

Although I am here right by your sideAnd surely have my arms held open wide

For I was not ready but I had to leaveAnd all I can do now is watch you grieve

Brent Jodie“Being a Superhero”

When my little brother dreamshe dreams about being a superherobecause he plays with his toys.So his favorite superhero is supermanbecause he got nothing but superman toys.

But when my little brother wakes up he is not a superherobecause he has to go to school every day to learnto be a superhero by doing his workAnd do super hero tricksMy brother dreams he is a super heroBut at school he is a real super hero.

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Rytana Begay

“Dreaming”

When my Mom sleeps she dreamsAbout a world of things she imagines, asThere is candy (sweet), celebration, and courage.

As she dreams, as I sleep, I mayKnow she got an imaginary world to think.About a dream to think about, it’s just a dream.

But when my Mom wakes up, it’s a wholenew thing to think about today, as shesmiles, and says “hey”, thinking about us,as she felt it was an ordinary day,as she sleeps, and a brand new day would come again.

About things she dreams, solutions to solve days,working till she gets paid, dreaming and dreaming as the everyday life would be the same.

But, I know she doesn’t dreamsthe only thing, as I know she’s dreaming of me.

Lane Loley

“The Navajo Nation”

My neighborhood is like one groundwe have one sky that we all share and we head homeWe head home and find ourselves on a peaceful streetOur neighbors are just like birds caring for each other.

My town is small, we have a little flea market that sells all kinds of things.On the morning roads there are cars that are covered with mud and rust.

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My country is enormous there are not that many stores on the Navajo nation.One thing I love about the Navajo nation is there are not many cars driving aroundAnd one thing I hate is that there are dead dogs on the side of the road.

Korben Largo

“Crownpoint Sunrise”

I see the dark blue skyThrough my frozen windowAnd I keep seeing it go brighterEvery minute the sun peeks out through the mesas

It comes out with a surpriseMaking the whole place bright with its lightAnd shadows really farTall from where you’re standing

Animals waking upWhen the birds chirpIt wakes up the whole townWhen I walk outside

I feel the coldness of the concreteWhile it has been resting through the nightthe people rest in their warmth spot on their bedbut when they move to a new position

they feel the coldness of their bedthe fire is out on all houses

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Durrell Etsitty

“The Reason Why”

The sun arises over the mesaeast of my grandmother’s house.While it rises you can see the NHA housingof Lake Valley with a hill above it all.

When you walk out into the morningyou can see the beautiful colors and texturesreflect off the mesas.But when the sun peeks into the windows of my house,it sees four teenagers asleepafter they had a great run.

When the moon rises it seessomething I don’t want to see,like the drunken drivers thatswerve around the corners withthe screeching tires.

Late night, you can hear you can hearThe loud, unnecessary musicof rap, hard metal, and country.The rap when they’re feeling cool,hard metal when they’re feeling tough,and country when they’re sad and lonely.

But I dislike drunk drivers,because that’s the reason whymy dad has been in jail for a yearand that’s what killed my unclewho I will love and miss forever.If there were here with mewatching me succeed in my sports,they would be so proud.

And that’s what I don’t like when the moonrises.

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Nette’ Young

One thing I do not like is, when the moon shines.It shines on an empty horizon and lonely mesas,Where a chilling breeze blows.Sometimes it’s sad not seeing any thing.

Shines on a house where there is no excitement,One child looks outside knowing there is no ending

But knows there is a beginning.No one can see it.

But she knows she can make it a glowing world

One sky and one ground mourn,But sometimes rises.This is Crownpoint N.M.

Celine Guerro

“My Love to My Family”

My mother and father AreLike the days of June

They are warm and sunny likeThe days of June

They’re good and kind their voice Is like a friendly Canine you see

They cherish their Family like

The stars in the night skyAnd they are as strong as A bamboo tree

They never break or bend at all

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Noah Manuelito

“The Moon”

As I the MOON cross over the mountains and towns and see people Eating, Drinking, and Driving.I see Coyotes and other animals howl in the Distance and children and families going to bed.

Others watching TV and getting back from the job and I see that they go to sleep as I crossOver them sitting in the Sky with Stars.

But wait I see othersI see Gangs robbing stores

People drinking, getting arrested,And other families arguing, and animals

Looking for food for their families. Other familiesHurting others, but only as I cross over them sitting in the

Sky with Stars.

Amanda Toledo

“One Friend”

Looking cute and innocent as a kittenBouncing off the wallsSo hyperactive that you cannot make up your mind

You knock me off my feetFeeling lost, now and thenI’d breathe it in, to let it go.

Because you’re always thereCherishing every moment of our friendship

Once in a lifetime chance

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Kiana Vigil

“Proud to Run”

I have two types of heritage Navajo and Spanish I know that my greatest grandpa was adventurous And for that, he got into a lot of mischief as a kid

But, I know he ran to stay healthy Because it’s something I like to doOnce, he said “the cool wind made the bushes dance as I ran”

He inspired me to run To do my best Try harder every time I know he is proud of me And he knows I am proud of him

Shannon Zospah

“Spring Time”

When I rise upInto the attractive morning

I see the cold breeze pass me and see beautifuldaises bloomingSee mutts barkand bony cats crying

I see handsome and delightful people enjoying their days with my warm raysI see finches and blue birds that pass me and sing their songs

I see impressive apple trees with bright wonderful colorsI see people running and walking having an admirable dayIt’s lovely how morning bright yellow, orange, and red colors

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When the moon rises it sees people in my street cry at night for help.

Stasia Apachito

“School Problems”

On march 3rd the high school boys were likeRez dogs not behaving to the teachers

Because they were listening to their musicOn the radio

Like old school. then the teachers were tryingTo tell the students

To turn it off but they didn’t because wheneverThe teachers tried to tell the high school

Boys to turn it off they just cussed atThe teacher.

The kind of animal that I’m talkin’ about is like whenA dog and another dog fight

they might act like that. but at the high schoolthere are some kids that bring drugs

to school and they get caught by bringingdrugs to school.

Then also there are gang membersthat are in high school. But they get

into a lot of fights at the high school justbecause of the gang members

that are going around up at the high schooland some kids can get hurtand they can get jumped.

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Dillon Begay

“Sun Rise”

I know that when the sun is about to shineAt the place where I live,There are birds chirping loud in the morning,There are people walking in the morning on the road,But most people are driving their car or truck to workIn the morning, or they are dropping their kids off at school,But mostly every morning when I awake and go outside,There are always stray dogs roaming the neighborhoodHunting for some food so they could eat.

Tamickia Platero

“Sorry I Made You Cry”

I cry you cry we all cryYou whine and shoutYour tears come downYou go to townA clown jumps outYou scream and shoutSorry if I made those tears come out of your eyesSomeday we will laugh at a jokeI would cry if you walked awayI thought of you with love todayBut it’s nothing new I thought about you yesterday and the day before thatWho makes you laugh so hard that you forgot all about meand focus on the good after all life is too short to be anythingA memory lasts forever it never dies true friends stay togetherand never say good byeWhen you smile we feel all the pain if you cry a single tearI promise I’ll cry too

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Savanna Larvingo

“She Dreams of Running in the Bushes With Me”

When my sister sleeps she dreamsof being on earth again

As happy she wouldbe.

SheDreams of running

In the bushes with me.Dreaming of our Dad and her Mom

of how happy they would have beento see her in bedSafe and Sound

asleep in Real Life again.Only if that drunken man didn’t drive when

he was drunk.

She dreams of BushesLike Bushes of oceans that can go for

Miles and Miles that flow with the wind.

But when my sister wakesup she will be Safe in Home

A Place called Heaven

She will forever be in our dreams and Most of all in our Hearts.

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Nicole Etcitty

“The Sun”

When the sun comes up it sees animals-Horses galloping,

Cows chewing,Rabbits dozing,

And birds singing

It shines on beautiful mountains that have Pinion trees,

Brown and red rocks,And yucca plants

Around them

The sun shines on-Houses with people awakening

Cars going places School busses picking up kids

Grownups going to work andRunning errands.

When the moon rises it seesA deserted field were there should be

A park for kids to playAnd have fun

When the moon rises it sees,It sees trash that is almost everywhere,

Where there should be NO TRASHAround our community

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Tyra Pablo

“When You Left”

It’s been six years, since you left usWe wonder….

If you ever think of us...When we dream and talk about you, if that horse wasn’t there to damage your heart along with

your arms and legs…

We were afraid to lose you when we were told you weren’t coming home with us that night. In the hospital room, where we had our last chance

To hold you, kiss you, and tell you how much we loved you.There it was the sound of the machine’s long beep….

I couldn’t feel your heart pound no more.May you rest in peace son, and when I ‘am old and when my strength is gone,

We’ll be together again...

Caleb Villa

“What Poetr y is to Me”

Poetry is a river itIs beautiful and amazing and calmIt is a good thing to feel and see.

There are a lot of different stories to itLike how it flows and what does it reallyMean to that one person.

Poetry is a chocolate candy barThere are different stories on howIt was formed.

Poetry is the sky withMany details to it.

Poetry is a song it hasRhythm and meaning to it.

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Apryl Murphy

“What the Sun Sees”

When the sun rises it seesAnimals grazing,

Running around,And being curious.

The sun will see a short and fat,White and brown goat.Black tall dog that runs

As fast as the river flowing.

The sun will see the amazingDusty space there is where a play ground

Or a barn could be.

Our muddy trucks fromWhen we drive in the dirt

Mixed with the sparkling rain that falls.

The sun will see the whole world!City lights and tall buildings.

When the bright, yellow sun comes outIt will see a big brown house with big windows.

Our colorful rooms red,Yellow, dark green and blue.

Dressers, beds, cooking materials,Toys and couches ready to be

Used.

Me and my sister fightingWith words

Then when it turnsNight the moon rises

And sees people gettingReady for bed and all

The lights shining,Lights off in the houses.

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Monica Barbone

“When the Sun Rises”

Through the windowsthe sun brightens on memakes my eyes shine in the sunmy family wakes up for a new daythe sun rises to see how we get up and tidyand gives us the energy to wake up

the sun sees people getting up for work when the sun enters through my windows it helps people realize they need a new lifethe horizon over the hill is like a big lightthrough my eyes I see the sun when it brightens up our house

When the moon rises it sees dramaviolent people

Aryanna Arviso

“Winter”

There are no tall buildingsThere’s no oceanThere’s no traffic

Only desert hills, covered with white snowCold breezy air blowing snow, shaping the hills

Like small sand dunes.Cold breezy air chilling my body with goose bumps.

One ground covered with snowOne sky with grey clouds filled with fresh snow

No palm treesNo warm ocean breeze

And it’s still a beautiful place

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Alwyna Sandoval

“Dreams”

When my brother sleeps he dreams…He dreams of being a video game designer.

He dreams of going to college, for his knowledgeHe dreams so high

he could reach the sky

He dreams of video games that could bring him fame

But when he wakes uphe pours juice in a cup

And he resumes his gamebecause everything is lame.

Marcus Yazzie

“Grandma in a Hospital”

I dreamt I was in a hospitalI woke up I just heard beep beepSomewhere in my roomthen I fell asleep againand I was in the hospital againand I started to walk in the hall wayI saw my aunt sitting down on the chairA man came up to aunt and he said she didn’t make itMy aunt started to run in the hall wayand she went to the roomand I was standing there on the floorI woke up andit was morning

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Latisha Johnson

“Nightmares”

When my mommy sleeps she dreamsAnd she wakes up in the middle of the night

And something is wrong it seemsI just hope she won’t scream

When my mommy sleeps she dreamsOf wolves, witches, wizards of the night

And a bat who takes flightWhile aliens break out a fight

But it’s impossible to see them with no light

When my mommy sleeps she dreamsOf mummies and monsters

And soon comes out a giant lobsterBe sure to stay extra low

And out pops a deadly crowIt is just a big maze

But somehow she can stand the craze

When my mommy sleeps she dreamsNot of sugar plums and a pretty fairyBut of the howler and bloody MaryThere are a lot of twist and turns

And tons of things that burns

When my mommy sleeps she dreamsOf lots of scary things

Like a ghost who can singAnd stuff on your jacket that clings

But when my mommy wakes upShe tells me nothing’s wrong

Then I snuggle in her arms‘Cause that’s where I belong

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Isiah Martin

“H2O”

Water is to give life

Water isn’t to be messed with

Water is being contaminated

Water isn’t being used the right way

Water is

Water isn’t

Water is special to me

Water isn’t free to me

Water is being imprisoned by earth’s MACHINES

Water isn’t a commodity

Dallason Davis

“My Ancestors”

My ancestors were alreadyNatives of this landThey fought many wars.

My ancestors defended their land heritage.To this day we are still Defending this great land of ours.

I know I am native americanI am on my native soilJust like my ancestors.

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Jennifer Schweigman

“How Did You Know?”

How did youKnow you were

Easy to keep

You are like things I neverKnew inside of me

Torn intoA world

COLLIDING

I was aliveI heard myHeart beat

How did youKnow you were

Easy to keep

You are like things I neverKnew inside of me

You smiled at meLike a sun that

Wouldn’t burn me

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Tyanna Largo

“My Annoying Grandmother”

My annoying grandmother from Oklahomathought of Crownpoint and said what a rezzy bezzy place like a dust devilthen said where’s the animals there’s justdogs with no food and no homesthen she said where’s the trees just bushesshe also said where’s the light just a little of cloudsthe annoying grandmother said where is the river only littlewater and bluewaterthen I said things change in this world nothing can never be the same

Sybil Casilac

“My Dream House”

I always dream about a two story house where green grass surrounds it.

A house where I can see the sun shines and the sun dies.

A house where big trees grow and a clear river flows.

Rich vegetation there where carrots and

grapes lay.

A house where love always grows. Where my happy family sleeps

and wakes.

A house where my baby boy can play. Where my husband can stay and

call it our home.

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Miranda Etcitty

“My Little Brother Dreams”

When my littlebrother dreams hedreams of candyand chocolate

When my little brotherdreams he dreams toyshere, there, everywhere

When my little brotherdreams he dreams angrybirds in a team destroyingthe green mean piggys

When my little brother wakes up he knows he can’t have all those things because those things are only dreams

When my little brother wakes up he doesn’t care if heonly gets some of thosethings because whateverhe gets he’s happy

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Shontell Jim

“People of the Past”

My grandma is heremy grandma is hereThey say when people diethey’re gone they nevercome back

My grandma used to be here she is goneThere she is floating in the airnow she is goneshe is sleeping like she used toshe used to weep and whistle just like ahumming bird

And sleeping very quietlaying there very quietthere she goes to a worldwhere it never rainswhere she doesn’t get sickwhere she goes to the topto a different place

Tristine Henio

Excerpt from “Grandpa”

I got up and went outside and started to runI stopped on top of a hill then I started to observe the hillsbelow me.

Suddenly I spot a white horserunning toward me.I stood there and it steppedand approached me.

Slowly, I got on my kneesand the white horse stood there

and I cried.

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Danya Charley

“Code Talker”

I knowmy great great great grandpawas a Code Talker.I knowhe fought in World War II.I knowhe was proud of himself,for fighting forour people.But most of all,he fought for us,his family.

It wasn’t easy for him,It wasn’t easy for us.But most of all,I knowhe was proud.

Rishawnda Begay

“Devil Rises from the Dark”

When the moon rises,people come out of their hidden holdThe person you know when the sun criesIs goneTheir new identities are givenThey’re a whole new personThey crawl out of their cavesAnd their secret, night life has arisenEither an angel rises from the moonOr a devil rises from the dark.

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Ceara Hardy

“About You”

When we first metI had a connection with you

Like we were made for each other

When I saw youI felt something inside me

Something I never felt before

When I think about youI feel like I’m in a trance

A trance that I can’t get out of

When I’m next to youI remember all the good times

We both had together

To me you’re likeA burning flame

A flame that never goes out

All the emotions I have about youMakes me happy, keeps me going

You make me feel like nothing is holdingYou’re my everything

30

Adam Perry

“Seeing My Father in Me”

Last night I took the children to visit their grandpa, and it’s playing to see the truth part again.By the way their grandma took out some old photographs, and he sure looked a lot like me back then.I’m seeing my father in me, I guess the time is meant to be, and I find more and more like him each day.I notice I walk the way he walk, I notice I talk the way he talk, I’m starting to see my father in me. And today I took myself for a walk, down that old dirt road.Where my daddy took my mom so many times, and we found time to mention things we never had before, and we shared some thoughts about the family line.Yeah I’m seeing my father in me, I guess the time is meant to be, and I find more and more like him each day.I notice I walk the way he walk, I notice I talk the way he talk.I’m starting to see my father in me.Now looking back we can see part of time we moved so far, and I can’t take home of his old fashioned ways, and the more I tried to prove him wrong the more I proved him right.Now I know why he still stood by me when I went through that stage.I’m seeing my father in me, I guess the time is meant to be, and I find more and more like him each day. I notice I walk the way he walk, I notice I talk the way he talk. I’m starting to see my father in me, and I’m happy to see my father in me.

31

Cordell Antonio

“The Sun Rise the Sun Set”

The sun rises over the mesaAnd shines on my house

The morning breezeWith bird singingAnd water chattering as if a river going by

The sun sees everythingIncluding trees, rocks and hills

Over the horizonThe day gets brighter and warmerEveryone’s getting up to start a new day

But as the day goes onThe sun start to setOver the horizon of the mesaIn the open skies

As it gets darker and darkerthe day has ended

And a beautiful sunsetHas just arrivedTo end the day.

32

Kaidon Begay

“There is a Mountain Near our House”

There is a mountain near our house We have trees around our house.There are weeds around our house.The sun would see us feeding our dogs.

It would also see our house and our fences.The sun would also see us playing outside.It will see our tan couch in our living room.It will see us at the table doing our homework.The sun will see that we live in Crownpoint.

When the moon rises it will see a new place where you can get food from Mc.

Donald’s or Burger King. I would want morepeople in our community. There should bemore businesses in Crownpoint. We shouldget new places where we can get grocerieslike Wal-Mart, or K-Mart, or Target. Us kidsshould have a new place to play.

Selvina Platero

 “She Used to Dance With all the Cowboys”Country music reminds me of my mom when she walks and a Gary Stewart song is on it matches her,when you look at a picture of her it matches, everything matches my mom. When she was young she used togo to the Rez dances and dance with all the cowboys…when country is on she moves with the beatand steps to the beat, every song matches her.

33

Lain Johnson

“And the Shadow Marks its Territory”

As the sun shines the sun touches me,The warmth and brightness urgesme to awake. As I awake the sceneryoutside is breathtaking, the mesas aregolden, and the landscape is orange.

The sun sees our Navajo Nation reservation,It touches the mesas, the yucca, andour piñon trees…

My family awakes,and my mom cooks,the smell of baconand the golden roomsmake this morning perfect.

I go outside to see the beautiful scenery,It’s like it’s a touch of heaven.The sun is so beautiful and it warms me.I look at it and the sun’s light almost blinds meand my eyes get watery.I look at the scenery

and the sun’s light marks its territoryand the shadow marks its territory.

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Bershannon Becenti

“In the Winter Dawn”

In the winter dawnThe skies are orange mixed witha hint of yellow. The sunslowly comes up, abovethe mesa. The dirt isnearly frozen. The sunhits the window withwarmth, while the firegoing. It’s just nice and beautifulon the reservation

The Big bold moon atnight, over the mesa, whilean owl starts hootingquiet night not much totell. The secrets that myneighborhood keeps.

The moon watches overme at night, as if godsending a message.