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Fantastic, Fun, Funny For-You Poetry

by Scholars of HOH
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Horizons-on-the-Hudson Magnet (HOH) School is an urban school in the busy City of Newburgh, NY, USA. Our enrollment is almost 400 scholars.

By far, our greatest strength is our diversity in all ways, including languages spoken, countries of origin, interests, race, ethnicity, traditions, academic interests, backgrounds/ identities. Our scholars are open to differences in opinions and eager to teach and learn in various ways. They draw strength from and model members of our dynamic in-school and larger community and gain experiences from collaborative programming that fosters independent pursuits and ultimately creation of original content like the poetry in this book. In Library Class, scholars are engaged in memorializing their thoughts, traditions, observations, experiences, and curiosities about any and every topic all year long.

Our library has two troupes whose members, like the rest of our scholar-population, are curious, deep thinkers. They are always ready for a challenge and, worked diligently creating poems, helping students with their poems, and with organizing this book.
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About Our HOH Scholars & School Community
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Table of Contents
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Biographical Poem .......................................... 3

Freestyle/List Poems .................................... 4

Haiku ................................................................... 19

Hyperbole Poems .......................................... 26

Limericks .......................................................... 27
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Troupe Members/
Organizers:
Braylynn G, Project Manager
Eliana C.
Gabriella N.
Hagar A.
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Hendrix H.,
Poet-Mentor
Jonahtan Q.
Karma E.
Kellen E.


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Royal D.
Sarah A.
Sophie T.
Tyrese C.


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Adult organizers:
Mrs. Wright Jumpp, Library Teacher & Mrs. Kate Clarke, Parent
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The Auspicious Alsdorfs
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by Members of the HOH Library Troupe and other 5th Graders, (February 2023): Hendrix H, Jonathan Q, Karma E, Leigh A, Nayeli SR, Royal D, Sophie T, Tyrese C  
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Civic Engagement:  This poem was created for Black History Month when the HOH Library Troupe was invited to participate in local events in the City of Newburgh, NY, USA. The Troupe met every morning during breakfast, and took notes about this family, then worked collaboratively to create this poem. The poem was performed this at the Newburgh/Highland NAACP's Black History Meet & Greet and at our public library, the Newburgh Free Library's Newburgh: Celebration of Black Joy, Contributions, and Triumphs. Pictures are from both performances.
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Freed slaves who were farm hands, 
Headed to Newburgh for freedom and land.
Their son Professor Dubois was a talented musician,
He trained under Appo, a famous African-American.
Dancing, pushing for equality,
His three sons, Simon, Charles, Ulysses. 

Business men dominating Newburgh City,
Owned many stores like a famous Dance Academy.
Trained the poor and rich to dance,
Now let the fancy galas commence.
Men clothing store, hair salon, bakery,
Tailoring shop, catering and confectionery.
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There’s a family you need to know about.
The Alsdorf family!  They make me want to shout!
George and Caroline Alsdorf were slaves, you see.
They worked super hard to become free,
And used their money to get manumission, 
To be free before slavery’s abolition. 

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Ulysses, the second son, 1872 - 1952,
Pianist and composer, sharing hopeful views. 
Second African-American graduate of Newburgh Free Academy,
Breaking the lasting barrier left behind by slavery.
He left a trail for you, you, you and me,
Now we too can graduate from Newburgh Free Academy.
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Biographical Poem
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Simon, the third son, 1874 - 1946
Nationally-known, civic-minded, clarinetist.
Third African-American graduate of Newburgh Free Academy
Breaking the lasting barrier left behind by slavery.
He left a trail for you, you, you and me,
Now we too can graduate from Newburgh Free Academy.
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Charles, the first son, 1862 - 1926,
The dance instructor, teaching dance tricks.
First African-American graduate of Newburgh Free Academy,
Breaking the lasting barrier left behind by slavery.
He left a trail for you, you, you and me,
Now we too can graduate from Newburgh Free Academy.
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Changing music, changing minds,
Inspiring people of all kinds.
With music and dance, they taught all ages,
In music the mutual language of all races.
Freeing slaves too, basements bringing hope,
The Underground Railroad is starting to grow.