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HEAVEN?

by Lauren K. Alleyne

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TODAY WE WILL

  • Brainstorm & discuss
  • Read historical context
  • Read Lauren K. Alleyne’s “Heaven?”
  • Write a poem
  • Share out

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Think of a group of people - or a singular person - who you feel has been taken away unjustly or too soon.

TAKE 5-10 MINUTES TO COME UP WITH A LIST.

THEN TAKE ANOTHER 5-10 MINUTES TO DISCUSS.

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Read the following article to give you some context behind the poem that we are about to read.

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Now read Lauren K. Alleyne’s Heaven?

As you’re reading, try to determine her response to Sandra Bland’s - and the countless number of black women’s - unjust and premature deaths.

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In Remembrance

Today, write in a style similar to “Heaven?” in which you write a poem compose a poem written in remembrance of a group of people who were taken away unjustly and/or too soon.

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IN REMEMBRANCE

Before you write, use language as deliberately as Alleyne did in her poem to express her feelings. Notice how she uses violent diction like “torn” and “snapped.” Be as aggressive in your poem as she was in hers to express your outrage and contempt.

Take 15 minutes to write your piece.

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