I am from...

These are some of my favorite poems written by my students this week as part of a class project: 

I am from the high mountains, the mom of my country, 

the tall amag jar that joins the sky with the earth

I am from the brown rocks, tall palms, and smooth golden dunes

I am from the hospitality in peace and courage in war

I am from the generous Acheilal and smiling Zriba

I am from the tall mosques, old books, and shiny circles of knowledge

I am from the Kesra and Tichtar, black dates and white zebda

I am from the hot sun, air stream, and stars’ jewels on the sky’s neck

I am from circles of music, nights of poetry, and firing chara

I am from having fun, creating friendship, and diving in music

-Mohamed


I am from the landscape from mountains and deserts

I am from the lakes and oasis

I’m from wind, light, and heat

It smells like a flower and tastes like a matured date

It’s like the garden of heaven

I’m from the land of actors, land of weapons and fighters

I’m from the land of the Holy Qur’an, peace, libraries, history, and clergymen

I’m from hospitality, tolerance, and knowledge

I’m from poetry and music

I’m from the land of turban, boubou, and sandals

I’m from Aich vindi and milk, fried corn, foamed tea and porridge

I’m from good nature, tattoos, and pretty brides

I’m from swimming, playing, and reading

I am from happiness, friendship and generosity

-Saad


I’m from Aioun, the land of landscape, and the land of hospitality

It is the same as when you’re in green paradise full of fantastic scenes
It’s comfortable and suitable

I’m from the carpets, pillows, and tea

I’m from Cheikhani, Salme Vall, and Mohamed Vall

I’m from listening and sharing information with each other 

I'm from my mother put tattoos monthly and my father drinks tea

I’m from thinking twice before you act

I’m from going to the mosque each time to pray

I’m from mechoui, couscous, and Ballakh

I’m from the hot, sunny, and the rain

I’m from the celebrating and inviting each other, cooperating and helping brothers

I’m from swimming and playing football

-El Hussein

I am from the forest, trees and grass, breeze and harmattan, the mountains and hills

I am from axes, shovels, clay jars, bowls, and tadit

I am from Aly, Aida, and Aicha

I am from the daughter who never breastfed her son in the presence of her father

I am from the son who never smokes in front of elders

I am from calves and making tea

I am from milk, barbeque, and couscous

I am from leweid and the blind boy games

I am from the hot summer and flowers in the spring

I am from cattle and sheep

I am from ponds, puddles, and the mountains

-Sidi

I’m from where the breeze blows

I’m from where pillows replace beds

I’m from Ndeye, Sedik, and Elhadj

I’m from laaban-
when the aunt of the married woman should go with her to see whether she is a virgin or not

I’m from studying, working, helping others, and visiting relatives

I’m from an affectionate mother, playing with others, always fighting

I’m from the caste system where slaves cannot get married to their masters

I’m from tiere, rice and fish, carow, and mafe

I’m from hot and windy

I’m from cultivating rice and vegetables

I’m from looking for information from the net and commenting

-N'della