A Red Balloon Tied to an Anchor

Bound, Tied, held back

 Never reaching full flight

This heavy anchor attaches to me

Keeping me from ever being free

Holding me down like a stack of bricks

Un-tampered with

Tough, strong, permanent

But nothing is ever really permanent

…..Right?

Nothing last forever

Not even an entire house made out of the strongest of bricks

So when will this anchor unleash me?

When can I reach my full potential?

When can my beautiful bouquet of red illuminate the sky?

And influence people

 Giving them answers to why

And how

And when

Helping to inspire and letting them know that even with

This Giant bound Anchor holding me down

 I still have the hope to eventually fly

Eventually soar and let go of this excess baggage

I will someday be free

Rise higher than the tallest of trees

But this anchor

This bloody resistant anchor

Will never let me go on its own

Will never unleash me by its self

But with your help

With your care

And the simple untying of a knot

Or snip of a scissor

 You can finally free me

You can finally let me soar

 And I can finally say

That this anchor binds me no more

  ~Dana Chang  

Artwork Created by Chicago Teens

 I found this piece both simple and intriguing. Although there is no complete WOW factor to it, the simplicity of the picture really just got me interested. I cant pinpoint exactly what, bu there is just something about it.
~Dana

Sire

The root word of desire is "sire." Desire is something that overpowers everyone. Throughout the book desire is presented in many different ways. If it's Esperanza's desire to move away from Mango Street or between the relationship of men and women, getting married, or some form of abuse. Esperanza always longs to get away from Mango Street and find a house she can call her home. It's only a temporary home in her eyes. Either it’s Bums in the attic and a house on the hills with a garden. Marin had a desire for a man too sweep her off her feet and take her away. "She's going to get a real job downtown because that's where the best jobs are, since you always get to look beautiful and get to wear nice clothes and can meet someone in the subway who might marry you and take you to live in the big house far away" these were her dreams and desires. Esperanza always noticed how a boy and his friends would always stare at her. They scared her but, she didn't show it. She wants a boyfriend who will always be there for her and with her. "I want to be all new and shiny; I want to sit out bad at night, a boy around my neck and the wind under my skirt." Minerva desires for her husband to stop beating her, or her desire to just leave, but she can't seem to. Minerva writes dime sized poems and puts them in her pocket. One time she kicked him out but, she let him come back. The same thing happened once again. She has two kids, only a little older then Esperanza. "He says he's sorry she opens the door and same story."

~Ayana~

Sandra Cisneros

Sandra Cisneros, born in Chicago, Illinois, on December 20, 1954, was the only girl out of seven children in her family. Her childhood was not like an all-American childhood. She moved from house to house to house and never really had a stable home to say she grew up in. When she felt depressed or felt a certain way, she would start writing and reading. Reading set her free. She had a strong connection to Esperanza in her book The House On Mango Street. They both had a sense of instability and being lost. The novel has sold more than two million copies. The House on Mango Street and Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories both written by Sandra Cisneros has a series of vignettes. Cisneros now is currently living in San Antonio, Texas.

~Gabriella~

If Only

I walked into my house. Within thirty seconds I felt the vibrations of my phone ringing in my pockets. It was one of my best friends. Megan. What's wrong? She never normally called this late. I picked up the phone and she explained. Shock, loss, despair, disbelief all these emotions in one is what I felt. I couldn’t believe my ears. I couldn’t understand what was happening or why. He was fine just last Sunday wasn’t he? I remember seeing him illuminating the sanctuary with his smile and roaring laughter. Nothing was wrong with him, he was happy...he had to be happy. But if he was so happy, or so appeared to be happy why did he do that? How could he do that to his family, his friends...himself? If only we would have known. If only we could have stopped it...if only. If only life worked like a DVD, so that with a click of a button we could fast forward..pause....play....rewind..stop and start over again. If only we could have seen the signs. If only he could have realized that his life was a precious gift from God and that no matter what he was going through, everything would eventually be alright. If only....Death in itself bares millions of different emotions, but unexpected death… unexpected death leaves you with feelings that you will never forget, feelings that will impact the way you carry yourself and live your life every day. I was never the same after that night. I valued life so much more and always made sure if anyone I knew looked pretty down, I would confront them, talk to them and let them know that someone is there and that I care and I will always be there if they need me.

~Dana

Self Definition in The house on Mango Street

The theme of self-definition is one often seen in “The house on Mango Street” Esperanza is a young girl trying to find her way through life despite her obstacles. You see her evolve throughout the story. In the beginning Esperanza wants to change her name and separate herself from her parents, brothers and Nenny. She wants to be her own person and make her own choices. Instead of accepting the name given to her by her parents she wants to lead her own life and believes that is a giant step in that direction. Later on she becomes more sexual and wants men to notice and admire her. This is seen in the story about the magic shoes. Esperanza wants to be “beautiful and cruel” so men want her but won’t hurt her. Esperanza then becomes friends with Sally, a beautiful girl all the boys want. After being sexually assaulted Esperanza doesn’t want men to want her anymore. She eventually realizes that changing her name and growing up sexually won’t set her apart. Instead she accepts her place and starts writing to express herself. She realizes writing will help her leave Mango Street emotionally.

~Ingrid <3

Cut it OFF!

Snip, snap, snip! It was all gone. I looked like a boy with my new haircut. I knew I wasn't supposed to cut my hair, but all I wanted was a trim and no one gave me one, so I took matters into my own hands and cut it all off myself. Then I thought, “ While I’m at it, these bushy eyebrows of mine can get a little trim too.” My mom was at work and would be home in an hour. I thought where could I stash all my hair? I wasn't really smart back then so the best place, I thought, was behind my mother’s bed. When she walked through the garage door and I greeted her, I totally thought I was going to get away with it. But like I said, I wasn't such a smart cookie back then and I got caught! I was then reminded that I’m going to be a flower girl in a cliff view wedding the next morning. I would be accepted more like the ring boy then the flower girl. At first I was excited to walk down the aisle, now I’m terrified.

~ Gabby