How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
It wouldn't hurt if I could come up with something deep to write about, like Chankara. I wouldn't want to have the experience of someone beating up on me, though. It's bad enough my stepfather talks about me like a dog. (29.9)
Pain can be a good source for poetry, as Judianne knows. Not that she wants to go through hard times or anything; it's just that perhaps being a tortured artist would be easier than just walking around pretending everything is totally cool all the time.
Quote #8
I've been thinking we should plan on having a poetry slam next year. I ran the idea past Diondra. She's one of the shyest sistas in our class. At least, she was when school got started. Anyway, I figure if she's into the idea, everybody else should be down with it.
Next thing I need to do is pitch it to Mr. Ward, see if he can get the principal to go for it. Man, I would love to get in some guys from Bronx Science, or one of them other special schools, and turn them into toast at a poetry slam. There's no way they'd beat us. They wouldn't even know what hit 'em! (49.1-2)
Can poetry be a competition? You bet your behind it can. Tyrone is so confident in the class's poetry know-how that he's ready to pit them against another school. Bring it on, Bronx Science.
Quote #9
It was kinda cool having a published poet in the audience. First he read to us, then we read to him. He really listened to us too, like we were equals. (58.2)
Tyrone really enjoys the visit from Pedro Pietri because the fancy published poet doesn't talk down to the class; instead he treats the kids like they're poets, too, and takes them seriously. That's not something any of these kids are particularly used to.