Domenic DiAddezio's Found Poem

I wasn't to sure about school

What if people made fun of the way I talked,

No one spoke to me,

And I was ignored

I was about to walk into and American teenage life

At least one person was in every seat

But the bus was quiet

I could feel everyone's eyes on us

A girl motioned for me to join her

I followed her to her seat and quickly sat down

We can walk in together

I smiled. I like this girl!

Throughout the story, Red Umbrella, Lucia goes through hard and rough times from living in Cuba and later on moving to the United States. This poem that I created shows how Lucia makes friends and try's to fit into the teenage american life. During this part, a girl on the bus tells Lucia to sit with her and later on bringers her into school, they both walk in together. Lucia makes off good and has a good start to her school year.

PD:3 Alex M. Found Poem/Paragraph

I have one bottle left of color that'll be perfect for you

I'll take it!

The color made me feel Glamorous

Soon became the soundtrack

I was the most beautiful girl He'd ever seen

I smacked right into Laura Millian

What have you been up to lately?

Nothing much.

Queen of the popular crowd

I remembered

to talk to you

(50-51)

This scene from the story is a part that is showing Lucia putting on makeup at a place. She is then finished with that and went home. she sees that her brother is sick and she goes to the store to buy food. when she runs into Laura she talks to her about her family and then she continues on hers shopping.

PD1 Sophie Wickes

HAIR SO BLONDE

Steps toward

A dark haired girl

whispering to the red-head in front of her

Deep breath

Right choice

I smiled at a girl

She slides away from me

Heart quickens

Would everyone act the same

But…

A tap on the back

Hair so blonde

Motioned for me to join her

She smiled

Inspired by Christina Diaz Gonzalez’s the Red Umbrella

Above, the poem shows an example of empathy in The Red Umbrella. The scene shows how everyone turns away from Lucia because she is unfamiliar and of different background. She gets worried and scared that no one will take her in but kindly Jennifer smiled and offered Lucia a seat next to her. The scene was chosen because of the empathy Jennifer shows for Lucia on the bus. This scene communicates the meaning of empathy really well because Jenifer puts herself in Lucia’s and understands Lucia’s problem. She then sat with Lucia and gained a great new friend.

Sarah Paige R. Found poem pd:1

Sarah Paige Rosato

Mr. Davis

English7

December 23, 2015

Missing Cuba

Warm summer days had become hot summer weeks

Cold nights were a reminder that we were far from home.

It seemed to drift farther away

Thinking that I might never see my parents again.

There is still hope that we'd be going back to Cuba,

a better Cuba then the one we'd left.

Searching for more information,

the news papers kept me up to date on what was happening in other countries. 

Found poem inspired by "The red Umbrella" by Christina Diaz Gonzalez

            The book The red Umbrella shows acceptance of others. Especially in this poem. Lucia is saying how she misses her family and home in Cuba. But, Lucia accepts that her mom and dad had to send her to the United States because they wanted her to be safe from the revolution. They wouldn't have let her finish her education if she stayed in Cuba unless she joined the revolution. So, Lucia came to America with her brother hoping to see her family soon and go back home. That is how lucia show acceptance of others in this part of the book the Red Umbrella. 

PD2: Aidan D- Found Poem

Aidan Donadio

Mr. Davis

English 7

22 December 2015

“Feliz Cumpleaños”

A beautiful girl

holding a bouquet of flowers

She missed me

she realized that the only thing that she ever wanted to be

was my mother

Frankie and I were her most prized possessions

we were safe

the only way that she could survive

being away from me on my fifteenth birthday

Hopefully

we would be together soon

Found poem inspired by Christina Diaz Gonzalez’s “The Red Umbrella”

Empathy can be communicated many different ways.  One way is poetry.  My poem, Feliz Cumpleaños, portrays this very well.  First, Lucia’s mother understands how she misses her and tries to soothe her.  She does this by acknowledging that she misses Lucia also, and by saying that she hopes they’ll be together soon.  Second, the letter states how she cares a lot about Lucia and how Lucia is her most prized possession.  In order to accomplish my goal of showing a lesson about empathy, I had to find the right scene.  All of my reasons above exhibit why I chose this scene.  It had all of the right elements that I needed to achieve my goal.  In conclusion,

PD2 Izzy T-P; Found Poem

Papa stood

his banker's uniform

dark suit

white shirt

blue tie.

Jumping to hug

clinging longer

thankful

to have him home.

Papa bent down

to give a kiss

a deep breath

the way he smelled

after work.

Cologne

the cigar he smoked

driving home.

Every time a character is introduced, the author often finds great pleasure in describing each unique characteristic that would stand out had their readers been meeting the character in person. Christina Gonzalez definitely holds nothing back when re-introducing Papa to her audience after Lucia had witnessed the horrible shooting of his boss, and the moment feels even more bittersweet when Lucia makes a subtle comment on how she was afraid her father had been invoked with the goings on of the anti-revolutionary bankers. True and clear emotion is expressed, moving the reader to understand plainly how Lucia felt under these circumstances. It seemed she was taking in everything about her father as if that day was the last she would ever see him again, also portraying vivid details about Papa the readers hadn’t yet discovered. This scene may not seem like it could teach much, but there is a deeper meaning behind the otherwise simple moment. In it, the feeling from just skimming the words alone can make one feel upset, let alone living the moment. Placing oneself in the shoes of Lucia gives an empathetic aura; that is, it really makes the reader feel what the character is feeling, and try to figure out what may be the outcome of these strong feelings of the character in the future. However, just because the scene has feeling and was emphasized due to past events involving Lucia’s father, that does not automatically make it the perfect scene for describing empathy. Despite this, simple quotes that show plainly their lessons and meanings are often the weakest, and reading about them isn’t at all entertaining, no matter how high your patience may be. Reading is about learning and dissecting, having fun most importantly. Without complicated scenes like these, everything would be ‘an open book’, and genres such as mystery or science fiction would explain everything right off the bat. No, what we need is complicated scenes like these in order to keep reading interesting, as well as allow us to find true meaning in every ‘shadow-ridden corner’ we find. This is the reason this quote from Christina Gonzalez’s The Red Umbrella will teach empathy to those willing to figure it out.

Pd3: Grace,W Found Poem

Grace Walton

12/23/15

Per.3

How we Became Friends

I took a few steps toward a pretty dark haired girl

Sat toward the middle of the bus

Wore a dress similar to mine

The dark haired girl had a headband like the one I wore

Quickly she scooted away from me

A girl’s hair so blond looked white

She motioned to follow her

Did everyone already know who I was

We talked

Finally I  was approved

Went over our schedules

Had things in common

We became friends

The story “The Red Umbrella” showed lots of examples of empathy and how people should be treated. This poem called “How we Became Friends” is based off of pages 196-197 in “The Red Umbrella.”  These pages are when  Lucia becomes friends with Jen. This shows empathy and kindness from Jenn toward Lucia because she started going to a new school and had no friends. Then Jen goes up to her once Betty decided that she already didn’t like Lucia.These lines represent intolerance because Betty shows that she doesn’t like  Lucia even when she didn’t get to know her. But this shows empathy because Jen makes Lucia feel better when they become friends. This makes Lucia feel better because she didn’t really have any friends before Jen stepped in and once Lucia became friends with Jen, Lucia became friends with all of Jen’s friends. This is how this poem “How we Became Friends” shows empathy and intolerance.

Pd2: Jayden S.

Taking Notice

“Miss Lucia Alvarez?”

In perfect English I said present

Everyone turned and stared at me .

She place a hand on my shoulder

“If she needs help, please help her.” Mrs. Brolin said

I sank in my seat

Hoping everyone would look away.

They did, except a smiling boy

with freckles

He held up a piece of paper

“Hi I’m Eddie” it said.

This wasn’t the type of attention intended

But it was nice to know

That someone had noticed me

In a good way.

Found poem inspired by Christina Diaz Gonzalez’s “The Red Umbrella”

Becoming a new student is hard enough, it’s even harder when you come to a brand new country.  This is what Lucia had to go through when she came to America. This scene was chosen  because it has two examples of empathy and it’s one of the first big events for her in America.  The first example is when the teacher called Lucia out and told everyone that she might need help since she is new.  Although Lucia said this was a bad thing it shows how the teacher cared and wanted to protect Lucia.  The second example, when Eddie introduces himself, also shows that he cared about her.  It also shows that all it takes is one person to change someone else's thoughts.  Both of these situations show how people can be empathetic  toward one another and can affect emotions.

PD2 Micheal O; Christmas Eve Dinner

Michael O

12/21/15

English Mr Davis PD 2

Red Umbrella Paragraph/Poem

Christmas Eve Dinner

She went to the kitchen and brought a covered dish

We can help

No no not today

She ran back with more dishes

Now we’re ready

Thank you lord for this food

Thank you for our blessings

Keep us and our families safe

It's been difficult for the two of you

To be away from your customs

Didn’t even know you celebrated Christmas Eve

Rather than our typical pig and beans

Had pork chops and baked beans

I smiled from ear to ear

Inspired by the Red Umbrella

The scene chosen to turn into a poem is the one where Mrs. Baxter tries to make Christmas Eve dinner just like the ones they had in Cuba by making some of the foods they had there in Cuba. Another reason this scene was chosen because it was a great moment where Mrs. Baxter shows extreme kindness to the kids.  This is a good example that represents empathy and one character being kind to another. It shows this because Mrs Baxter felt bad for the kids being away from home during the holidays so she did her best effort to learn about the foods and other traditions they had in Cuba. She tries her best to make a traditional Cuban meal for the kids and as you can see it really makes them happy to  see that someone in America really does care about them and their traditions. The poem communicates an important lesson about empathy and tolerance for many reasons. It shows that Mrs. Baxter feels empathy for the kids because  they  are away from there home for the holidays so she does her best to recreate it. Also  its shows that Mrs. Baxter accepts and is tolerant about their traditions in the end. In the  end this poem does a good example of communicating a lesson about empathy and tolerance.             

Pd 3: Liza J

Accepting Me

I took a few steps

whispering, heart beat quickening

a tap on the back on my shoulder

I turned to see hair so blond it looked almost white

A smile appeared

A hello came

All from a girl named Jennifer

Smiles again as I sat down next to the girl

my shoulders relaxed a little.

I was accepted.

she compared our schedules

while I looked out the window with tons to see

rows of green cornstalks

the morning breeze seeming to form ripples like waves in the ocean

I was accepted

she didn’t care that I was different

Inspiration Credit: The Red Umbrella by Christina Diaz Gonzalez.

Paragraph on the next page!

This scene was a good scene to teach a lesson and showed how some accept different people. This scene described how just because Jennifer knew Lucia was different and had different cultures she accepted Lucia. She eventually went on to have a great friendship with Lucia and had some similarities. This scene showed how just because someone has different cultures or different history doesn’t mean they might not be like you. It also doesn’t mean you can’t form a long lasting great friendship like Jennifer did with Lucia. This poem helps shows the lesson of don’t judge a book by it’s cover because there can be a lot more behind the cover. It shows that you should learn what’s behind the cover like Jennifer did. Even if someone is different you should go hang out with them and learn about the different cultures they have. But also find out if they have any similar things with you and don’t assume they are so different when maybe they aren’t. It also teaches that you should treat people the same as you and be kind to them. One day you might end up in their shoes.

PD:3 Andrew F.

Leaving
We love you both with all our hearts

Things will get better and then you'll come back
I love you
No more crying
We've all done enough

Inspired by the book "The Red Umbrella"

This poem was inspired by the scene in which Lucia and Frankie have to leave for the USA. I thought this would make good material for a poem because of all the emotion involved. The empathy of the scene is how sad everyone is because they are all being separated, and how much they don't want it to happen. People who were there would experience a strong feeling of sympathy because everybody knows what it's like to lose a loved one, especially someone with whom you've lived your whole life. We all would feel sad for the Alvarez's, and we would know what is going through them at that time. If someone was there, they'd feel empathetic because of how the family is being torn apart. My poem communicates empathy by showing how sad the family is. 

pd:3,Ainsley McCullen

Accepted                               

I took a few steps toward a pretty dark haired girl

She wore a dress similar to mine the girl even had a headband just like the one i was wearing

I’d made the right choice in what clothes to wear

she quickly scooted to the aisle side of the seat i wasn’t going to be sitting next to her

my heartbeat quickened would everyone on the bus act the same

I felt a tap on the back of my arm

a girl a motioned for me to join her

I followed her to a seat near the front and quickly sat down

“you’re the girl from Cuba right”

I nodded

This poem is taken from when Lucia is accepted by Jennifer on the bus and finds her first American friend. She has no one to sit with and Jennifer welcomes her. I chose this because it shows that no matter what you look like or where you are from. It shows that you should help others that need it even if they are different. Don’t fall into their single story like Mrs.Baxter.

Pd2: Gregory Lahr- Found Poem

A Birthday to Celebrate

The ground started to turn white

A shiver ran down my spine

White powder scattered against my coat

Swiping at the flurries as the wind blew stronger

Shaking the ice crystals off our clothes

A sudden rush of excitement

I looked up at the falling snow

It was the first one of our lives

Small white flakes fell to the ground

Like little bits of powdery sand floating in the air

I never knew how intricate their shapes really were

Soft kisses from heaven landing on my nose and forehead

As if someone were telling me everything would be all right

It was a birthday to celebrate

Found Poem inspired by Christina Diaz Gonzalez’s “The Red Umbrella”

I have selected this important scene in “The Red Umbrella” for many reasons. In this scene, Lucy is truly happy for the first time since she left Cuba. This scene shows that she has adjusted to the cultural differences in America and that even though she is not living at home with her parents, she can still be happy on her birthday. It shows that even though American culture is different than Cuba’s culture, Lucy has a safe, new home she appreciates is there for her. This also shows she is tolerant of the Baxters’ lifestyle, which was hard for Lucy at first because they live a very different life than what Lucy is used to. Due to her tolerance of the Baxters’ and America’s culture, she now is able to enjoy the beauty of snow. Only when Lucy was sure that she was living in a safe and stable environment, could she admire the exquisiteness around her. That is why I have chosen this scene in “The Red Umbrella”.

Pd. 3: Janson O Found Poem

Grand Island

minutes went by

flat fields stretched out for miles

without a town or intersection

breaking up the monotony of the scene

rumbling of the car, put him to sleep

head leaning against the side door

looking out my window and wondering

what Mama and Papa were doing in Cuba

right then and there

Inspired by Christina Diaz Gonzalez's "Red Umbrella"

Reflection Paragraph

This scene in the Red Umbrella because it shows how Mr. and Mrs. Baxter took in Frankie and Lucia to be their foster children. This is the part when Mr. Baxter, Mrs. Baxter, Lucia, and Frankie are in the car driving home from the airport in Nebraska, going home to the Baxter's house. This is an example of empathy because Mr. and Mrs. Baxter tried to understand what Lucia and Frankie were experiencing. For example they wondered what the kids were going through and having to leave Cuba and stay with a family of strangers in a foreign country. This is also an example of tolerance because Mr. and Mrs. Baxter take in Lucia and Frankie because they have a heart, but Mr. Baxter doesn’t find a part in his heart for Frankie and Lucia until towards the end of the book. For example, because Frankie and Lucia are from Cuba and are Hispanic, the Baxter’s wanted them anyways. Another reason this is considered empathy is because the Baxter’s are trying to help the kids feel welcome in the U.S. and not feel bad about not being with their parents. Those are some reasons that for how this scene shows empathy and tolerance.

Pd 1 Connell Kevin

Call my parents  

very expensive  

allowance of fifty cents  

given responsibilities  

ten dollar bill  

cost more  

save up  

two cigar boxes to sell  

need to make that call 

  

This poem shows a scene from the book when Lucia asks Mrs. Baxter if she could call home and see if they are ok. She really misses her parents but she just cant call them whenever she wants because its too expensive. Its shows how Mrs. Baxter feels empathy for Lucia and Frankie. She tells them that she will give them each an allowance of 50 cents. It allows them to save up money for their call to Cuba. and with the 10 dollars they already have and the two cigar boxes they are able to reach their goal much faster. That is how this scene shows empathy.