In celebration of National Poetry Month last April, students at Los Alamitos Middle School wrote bilingual poems with the support of their teachers – Navajo, Keres, Spanish, and Filipino to English. We are grateful for the guidance of Mr. Albert Romero (Keres Teacher and Title VI Liason), Ms. Krissel Gonzales (Spanish Teacher), Mr. Adrian Padilla (New Mexico History Teacher), and Mr. Michael Delim (English Language Arts Teacher). Their kindness and patience not only inspired the students but also helped them believe in the beauty of languages and the power of words.
Poem 1 HAA’KU
Mikila Garcia 7th Grade Thi hadi, Naya, kuuganish haa’sti, kaya dati huwaka mayani she’ya, kaaku, te’te’du kau’dani kuwi’ya Haaku dza’ya sha’wits, hama dze u’ni, ma’mie,mie hau sti ya stima, thu dema sru dzi bi’sti ka’itita Stiya stima, mie, sunadza’ti, ka, na’trani, ma’mie,guna tra’tis eh mie ha’de’ku shawa dze’sta’ya. Cu’chu’naya, e’gu’pu;ste, mie srca ma’sti, gei, stiyu yu’us’pu’ste, srca stini ehr staidze yauni e Kaachanish e;gu’pu’ste Haa’ku mie’tru thuwa haasti, du ga’sti’mi, thi’sru cha’dau du, nawai’ ditra. Ga dzeni mineyuna guwa ga dza et mei yuna, stiyu’ stima ga’yaa’a,, ba’du sra’yu ki’sh, ya’gu’ma’wa stu’ste ede’ yu’trani Na’ha’ya, hamamie, stiya kamish, du wie wa ga’ya’a, hama dze mie, dzi, stuwa thi kuwi’ye, thu’kei yani stu’de’guwi’ ye e’ dze’ ke, mie yuna, sti’da’ta, sra, yu’kish, et me’yuna srcu wa dzep hadi, dza wani e na’sti, dzesh, sta stina nu’de ya gu’u Stiyu Stima, Kupinastste’ ta, Srca’winq’srku, mie, srca wisti kaiya. Et Haaku, ga’wina’srcu du stuwa’wa na’dita. Bathu thuwiewa dzi, daya’a na’sti e dzawani Haaku, gua’tani mei yuna dze dzi petha Stiya stima, mie haa’sti sti yanish, thu’ge srci’e di’ku’ste dzi ma;mei na’na’mi ka’i titanishi, hama elze mie, ka’a ste tanish, du’wie’wa wai srca ya dzesh sha’ta et haaku, mie yuna, i’stedzi de’e’mi dza’yau ti’tani.
Brau sru’wie, sta’ya sti’mash, thu’kei nu’dri elruste, ba’du kau’ste dzi cha’i’tru, ku dzi sruni tu’demu she’e e’gu Haaku, mie, ga nat’trani, stiyupeuste’ta, i’ste mie yuna, sti’yu sti’ma, ne’yu’ mu’ste’gu
HAA’KU
In the land where red earth touches the sky, Acoma’s spirit rises,
CLOSED
reaching high.
The mesa whispers ancient songs, Of love so deep, where time belongs.
Love, like the desert winds that blow, Is fierce and gentle, steady and slow.
It pulses through the canyon’s veins, In every stone, in every rain. Acoma’s feet have walked this ground, Where ancestors’ voices still resound.
Yet. Love its tangles in the threads, Of a culture that’s been torn, misled.
The colors of our past blend with today, We carry the old, as we find our way.
We hold our traditions, but also yearn, For a place where both worlds can burn.
The rhythm of love beats within our chest, Acoma’s heart is where we rest.
But in the mix of the new and the old, Acoma’s story is still being told.
Love, like the horizon, ever wide, Carries us through the changing tide.
The ancient ways dance with modern dreams, In Acoma, where the future gleams.
So let love be our guiding light, Through the struggle, through the fight.
For in Acoma, where the winds still call, Love will remain, through it all.
Poem 2
Nizhoni
Nizhoni Dale 7th Grade Hòzhò Náhasdlii Koodòò Hòzhòòdoo Sitsííí Ho’zòoodoo Skilėėdėė hòzhò Skik igi’ Hòzhò Shinaadėė t’áá Altso Hòzhò Hozha náhasdlíí Hozha náhasdlíí Hozha náhasdlíí
Nizhoni
I am a Navajo woman There is beauty again Beauty radiates within me There is beauty behind me There is beauty below me There is beauty above me There is beauty all around me There is beauty again There is beauty again There is beauty again There is beauty again
Poem 3
Que es el Amor?
Nakai Session 8th Grade El amor es fuego brillante, que arde en el corazon constante.
Es un susurro en la brisa suave, un lazo Eterno que nunca se graba.
En la mirada se encuentra el destino, dos almas unidas, un camino divino, Las risas compartidas, los suenos en vuela, el amor es un canto, un dulce anhelo.
Bajo la luna, en noches estrelladas, las promesas se hacen, las palabras sagrdas.
Cada latido, un eco profundo, el amor es un viaje, un mundo fecundo.
Las manos entrelazadas, un gesto sincero, en cada abrazo, un refugio entero.
Las lagrimas caen, pero tambien la risa, el amor es un rio que nunca se frisa.
En los dias oscuros, es lue que guia, un faro brillante que nunca se enfria.
Es la fuerza que une, que nuca se quiebra, el amor es un arte, una danza que celebra.
What is Love?
Love is a bright fire, which burns in the constant heart.
It’s a whisper in the gentle breeze, an eternal bind that never engraves.
In the look of destiny, two united souls, a divine path.
Shared laughter, dreams in flight, love is a song, a sweet longing.
Under the moon, on starry nights, promises are made, scared words.
Every heartbeat, a deep echo, love is a journey, a fruitful world.
Hands intertwined, a sincere gesture, in every hug, an entire shelter.
Tears fall, but also laughter, love is a river that never breaks.
On dark days, it’s a light that guides, a bright lighthouse that never cools down.
It is the force that unites, that never breaks, love is an art, a dance that celebrates.
Poem 4
Bajo la Luna
Andves Montoya 8th Grade Hay una nina llamada Maria, vive n una sandia, a un lado de la bahia. donde la luna sale.
El Brillo de la Luna, Baila, en el cielo a la una. Deslumbra su luz al sur del silencio, Mientras Maria duerme por su precio.
Under the Moon
There is a girl named Maria, lives in a watermelon, next to the bay, where the moon rises.
The glow of the moon, dances in the sky at one. It’s light dazzles to the south of silence, while Maria sleeps for her price.
Poem 5 Pag-asa sa Gitna ng Pagsubok Alexza Denise Almazan 7th Grade Sa hirap ng buhay, tayo’y lumalaban, Pilipinas, sa iyo’y hindi sumusuko kahit ano pa man Bagyong dumaan, puno man ng kapahamakan, Ngunit sa aking puso’t isipan, ika’y patuloy na ilalaban.
Sa bawat hakbang, may pag-asa pa, Sa bawat luha, may bagong umaga.
Pilipinas, sa hirap, ikaw ay matatag Pag-ibig at tapang, sa iyo’y laging buhay at panatag.
Sa bawat sulok, may kuwento ng katapatan, Mga Pilipino, mga simbolo ng katatagan.
Sa kabila ng lahat, ikaw ang aming pag-asa, Pilipinas, ikaw ang aming lakas at ligaya.
Kahit maraming pagsubok, ikaw at magtatagumpay, Sa hirap at sakit, patuloy kang babangon ng walang humpay.
Pilipinas, ikaw and aming gabay, Sa bawat laban, kami sa iyo’y laging tapat at aalalay.
Hope in the Midst of Challenges
When life gets tough, we continue to fight Oh, Philippines, our country, our pride, you’ll never be out of sight.
A storm may pass, the disaster we will surpass In our hearts and in our minds, the love for our country will last.
Every step of the way, there’s hope to stay In every tear and every pain, new beginnings come our way.
Oh Philippines, our country, you are always strong, standing tall, Our love and courage will never fall.
In every corner, there’s a story of pride Symbols of bravery and strength, these are Filipinos worldwide Amidst the storm, you’re our hope and delight, Oh Philippines, you are our light that shines so bright.
Through it all, you’ll never fall, Through hardships and challenges, you’ll stand tall Oh Philippines, our country, you’ll be our guiding star, In every battle, we’ll show who we truly are.
Poem 6 Wikang Mapagpalaya
Keziah Delos Santos Wika ay gamitin, ating palaguin.
Ito ay mahalaga, upang tayo’y makaunawa. Wika’y dapat pairalin Sariling wika’y ating mahalin Ito’y dapat nakatatak sa atin Wika’y gamitin sa bayan natin.
Wika’y kaluluwa ng ating bansa, Ito’y mahalaga at mapagpalaya.
Gamitin ito ng tama, Nang hindi tuluyang mawala.
The Language that Sets Us Free
Use our language, Help it grow each day.
It is important, So we understand what others say.
Let us keep our language strong, Love the one that’s ours all along.
It should live in you and me, Use it proudly in our country.
Language is the soul of our land, It is freeing and truly grand. Let’s use it the proper way, So it will never fade away.