Walter D. Wintle 13, November 2012 Grade 8b Poetry Book Property of: "The World's Greatest"

The Man Who Thinks He Can

If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you'd like to win but think you can't,
It's almost certain you won't.
Life's battles don't always go
to the stronger or faster man,
But sooner or later, the man who wins
is the man who thinks he can.

Walter D. Wintle


13, November 2012


Grade 8b Poetry Book
Property of:



"The World's Greatest"
I am a mountain

I am a tall tree

Oh, I am a swift wind

Sweepin' the country

I am a river

Down in the valley

Oh, I am a vision

And I can see clearly

If anybody asks u who I am

Just stand up tall look 'em in the Face and say

I'm that star up in the sky

I'm that mountain peak up high

Hey, I made it

I'm the worlds greatest

And I'm that little bit of hope

When my backs against the ropes

I can feel it mmm

I'm the worlds greatest

I am a giant

I am an eagle

I am a lion

Down in the jungle

I am a marchin' band

I am the people

I am a helpin' hand

And I am a hero

If anybody asks u who I am

Just stand up tall look 'em in the Face and say

I'm that star up in the sky

I'm that mountain peak up high

I made it

I'm the worlds greatest

And I'm that little bit of hope

When my backs against the ropes

I can feel it
Song Lyrics By: R Kelly
Dear 8^th grade class at Hlengisa,
I am a sponge

I wonder who is behind each face

I hear click, click, click of the tongue

I see a sea of green and yellow

I want to understand

I am a sponge
I pretend to be strong

I feel like a video camera

I touch paper, pens, and pencils

I worry that I did not learn enough

I cry because I see injustice

I am a sponge
I understand I am still learning

I say you will succeed

I dream that each of you attend University

I try to be un-American

I hope for a lifetime of happiness for all of you

I am a sponge

From,

Maggie Jordan

About the Author:

I am from the city of Chicago, located in the United States of America. I am doing a semester abroad in South Africa.

In this poem I compared myself to a sponge because for the past two months I have been learning from all of you about yourselves, Xhosa, and South Africa. I have been trying to absorb all I could.
I will miss all of you. Thank you for a great semester. (Clap three times if you can here me)
Dear Friends,
I am Portia Modise

I wonder where I will end

I hear bum, bum of the ball

I see many people

I want to be a top goal scorer
I am Portia Modise

I pretend to be shy

I feel like a top star

I touch grass, poles, and cones

I worry that I left my family behind

I cry when something hurts me

I am Portia Modise

I understand that things happen step by step

I say score if you have a chance

I dream that I could go overseas

I try not to be nervous

I hope for a better future

I am Portia Modise
From,

Olwethu Kunene

About the Author:

I am 14 years old. I live in Nyanga. When I grow up I want to be a teacher

Dear African People,
I am a good boy

I wonder who is following me

I hear boom, boom, boom of the footsteps

I see all my classmates happy

I want to be a good man
I am a good boy

I pretend like I don’t care

I feel like a soccer player

I touch everything that turns to gold

I worry because no one lives forever

I cry because one day my parents will die

I am a good boy

I understand I am still learning at Hlengisa

I say go away to those who hate me

I dream that one day I will be a good father and husband

I try to dance like an African

I hope I will have happiness in life

I am a good boy
From,

Buntu Lumkwana

About the Author:

I am 15 years old. I am learning at Hlengisa J.S.S. When I grow up I want to be a doctor so I can help sick people not die. I also want to support my family.

Dear Family,
I am a Queen

I wonder why I have such a wonderful family

I hear Muh! Muh! When my family laughs

I see doctors, police, lawyers, and pilots in my family

I want to be the Queen of Bazuka
I am a Queen

I pretend to love my boyfriend

I feel like I am a butterfly in a flower

I touch people’s lives

I worry what my family is eating before they sleep

I cry because some of them are disabled

I am a Queen

I understand why people call me a Queen

I say you will be given what you want

I dream about having a good husband and kids

I try to love people

I hope one day I will be married

I am a Queen
From,

Ongezwa Mawisa

About the Author:

When I grow up I want to be a doctor.

Dear People,
I am a lion

I wonder why people are scared of me

I hear springbok cry when they see me

I see other animals run when they see me

I want to be a good animal
I am a lion.

I pretend to be a good animal

I feel sad when I am hungry

I touch before I eat

I worry about the springbok

I cry when they close the cage for me

I am a lion

I understand why people are scared of me

I say no when they run at me

I dream to be a good animal

I try not to be a bad animal

I hope all my dreams will come try

I am a lion
From,

Yolanda Mchila

About the Author:

When I grow up I want to be a helpful person. I don’t like those who do wrong things to others. I like myself.

Dear Friends,
I am your buddy

I wonder if I will have homework today

I hear pound, pound of steps

I see the sun

I want to be a police officer
I am your buddy

I pretend to be clever

I feel like a dog

I touch the car

I worry about my grandfather’s death

I cry because my friend is dead

I am your buddy

I understand your pain

I say your game

I dream the dream of legends

I try to play soccer but I can’t

I hope to go to university

I am your buddy
From,

Sive Mzembe

About the Author:

I am 17 years old. I want to be a doctor when I am older.

Dear Mama,
I am traffic

I wonder if I will pass grade 8

I hear voom, voom

I see black

I am traffic

I pretend to be clever

I feel like a cow

I touch the car

I worry about my sister

I cry because my father died

I am traffic

I understand I have to learn

I say move faster

I dream about being a traffic detective

I try my best

I hope you will pass university

I am traffic
From,

Anele Sibanda

About the Author: I am 15 and want to be a traffic detective.
Dear Friend,
I am a pilot

I wonder if my homework is done

I hear planes

I see a ghost

I want to fly
I am a pilot

I pretend to be clever

I feel like pig

I touch an invisible ghost

I worry about school and my homework

I cry because my girlfriend died

I am a pilot

I understand what it takes to be a pilot

I say I am perfect for the job

I dream of driving a plane

I try my best to become a pilot

I hope my classmates will go to university

I am a pilot
From,

Lababalo Duda

About the Author: I am 14 years old and want to be a pilot when I grow up. Dear Friends,
I am a lion

I wonder who can defeat me

I hear my roar, roar, roar

I see springbok

I try to catch them
I am a lion

I pretend to be a predator

I feel like a stranger

I touch my enemies

I worry about my cubs

I cry because no one lives forever

I am a lion

I understand the pain of springbok

I say don’t follow the king because you may be me my dinner

I dream I cannot die

I try to be faster than a cheetah

I hope to be the king of the jungle

I am a lion
From,

Siseko Zamile

About the Author: I am 16 years

old. When I grow up I want to be a chef. My favorite food is African salad.

Dear Friends,
I am Kerri Hilson

I wonder if you can hear me sing

I hear la, la, la! Bum! Bum!

I see a keyboard flowing in water

I want to sing like an idol
I am Kerri Hilson

I pretend to be singing bad

I feel embarrassed

I touch many people with my music

I worry that people may laugh at me

I cry because I thought that I might not be able to sing

I am Kerri Hilson

I understand that many people do not understand me

I say please shut up because I am hear to sing

I dream that I am the top singer

I try to sing like Beyoncé

I hope that I one day I reach her level

I am Kerri Hilson

From,

Uyanda Mkiva

About the Author:

I am 13 years old. My teacher is Mr. Dyantyi. When I grow up I want to be a singer, because I have a great voice or so people tell me that. I love to go to church and chat with friends. I love to exercise and go to the gym.

Dear Community,
I am a girl who likes playing

I wonder if I will play well tomorrow

I hear people gossiping about me

I see one of them point to me

I want to know why
I am a girl who likes playing

I pretend like I don’t care what they say

I feel like I have no hope anymore

I touch the things I play with

I worry because I want to know what I have done

I cry because I feel so hopeless

I am a girl who likes playing

I understand they don’t like me

I say what do you want me to do

I dream that one day I will be a good teacher

I try to do my best, even with those who hate me

I hope that they will forgive me

I am a girl who likes playing
From,

Zimasa Mkhiswa

About the Author:

I am 14 years old and I am learning at Hlengisa. My hope is that God will keep me until I finish school and go to university. When I grow up I want to be a teacher. My favorite subject is economic management science.

Dear People,
I am a Queen

I wonder why people love me like this

I hear people scream when they see me

I see that bad things have happened

I want to help those who need help
I am a Queen

I feel happy when other people are happy

I touch those who need help

I worry when something bad happens

I cry when I get hurt
I am a Queen

I understand why people love me like this

I say no when something bad happens

I dream to be a helpful hand

I try to stop violence and crime

I hope everything I want will come true

I am a Queen
From,

Anelisiwe Modi

About the Author:

I don’t like bad things. I like to be me and I like to be happy all the time!

Dear 8^th Graders,
I am Tiffany Evans

I wonder who can sing like me in the world

I hear bang, bang, bang of children singing for strike

I see popular singers

I want to be patient
I am Tiffany Evans

I pretend to be a brave woman

I feel like I am an intelligent singer

I touch mikes, DVD’s, and videos

I worry that I haven’t joined the choir

I cry because they didn’t give me much time to sing

I am Tiffany Evans

I understand that I’m still a real singer

I say be patient in order to achieve

I dream of being a popular singer

I try to join a dancing group but it doesn’t suit me

I hope that when I grow up I can be a good singer

I am Tiffany Evan

From,

Sinovuyo Mcunukelwa

About the Author:

I am 13 years old. When I grow up I want to be a social worker so I can help suffering children. I live in Nyanga East. Dear Soccer Players,

I am Bernard Parker

I wonder if I will pass grade 8?

I hear in my school

I see my class

I want to be a big player
I am Bernard Parker

I pretend to pass all my subjects

I feel very happy today

I touch my desk in class

I worry about my friends

I cry sometimes

I am Bernard Parker

I understand some of my teachers

I say come to her, my friends know

I dream about one of my friends

I try to pass all my subjects

I hope I do pass!

I am Bernard Parker
From,

Siphelele Matambeka

About the Author:

I am 15 years old. When I grow up I want to be a soccer player like Bernard Parker. Peace. Love. Chiefs.

Dear Lovers,
I am suede

I wonder who is wearing me

I hear some say “me”

I see them provoke me

I want to go home
I am suede

I pretend like I am happy

I feel so cold

I touch my head

I worry about my friends

I cry because I see them carrying a knife

I am suede

I understand I am still young

I say all eyes on me like Tupac

I dream that I reach PSL league

I try to make people 100% love me

I hope no one hurts me

I am suede
From,

Suede, Suede, Suede (Sonwabise Xhatalaza)

About the Author:

I live in SA. I wish to have money so I can go to America where Maggie lives. I would like people to support that so I can achieve my goals.

Dear Planet Earth,
I am a mountain

I wonder if I can withstand nature at it’s hardest

I hear I am one of the 7 wonders of the world

I see clouds over me

I want to reach the sky
I am a mountain

I pretend not to care

I feel like a champion of the world

I touch even though I don’t have hands

I worry about who cares for me

I cry even though I don’t have eyes and ears

I am a mountain

I understand why I am a mountain

I say I can touch the sky

I dream of being free and soring high like a bird

I try to shout out help

I hope I can rise to do something

I am a mountain

From,

Bandile Mpiyonke

About the Author:

I am going to turn 14 in November. I would like to be president of the country and what I say goes. I also want to have 7 wives like our president J. Zuma.

Dear Mouse,
I am a cat

I wonder who will look when I eat a mouse

I hear mou, mou, mou

I see a big mountain

I want to know that people pet me
I am a cat

I pretend to be good

I feel like a human

I touch milk

I worry that guy wants to kill me

I cry because I see their enemies

I am a cat

I understand what happened now

I say shut up if you understand me.

I dream to play with my enemies

I try to sing in South Africa

I hope life is too good

I am a cat
From,

Sihle Mngeni
About the Author:

If I finish University I want to be a pilot in my life. I am 16 years old.

Dear Friend,
I am a dog master

I wonder what homework I have today

I hear voom, voom

I see the port is black

I want to see the sea
I am a dog master

I pretend to be fast

I feel like a car

I touch a rubber rugby ball

I worry because I did not play softball right

I cry because my brother has died

I am a dog master

I understand softball

I say clap your hands

I dream that I play like Oscar

I try my best to be strong

I hope to go to university

I am a dog master
From,

Avuma Mganto

About the Author:

I am 15. I want to be a police officer. I have one brother and two sisters. Dear Grade 8,

I am a mountain

I wonder who is behind each valley

I hear crack, crack

I see animals

I want to be a lawyer
I am a mountain

I pretend like I am a lion

I feel like an elephant

I touch animals and plants

I worry about school

I cry because I don’t see people

I am a mountain

I understand I am still learning

I say I am strong enough

I dream about being a lawyer

I try to go and dance

I hope for a lifetime of happiness everyday

I am a mountain
From,

Natasha Makade

About the Author:

I am 13 years old. When I grow up one day I want to be a lawyer because there are many people behind bars that are accused to have done something they did not do.

Dear Friend,
I am the colour of love

I wonder who’s been hiding in a cave

I hear the boom, boom, boom, of my heart

I see the blue ocean

I want my heart to be as beautiful as the ocean
I am the colour of love

I pretend that I am the rose of love

I feel like a lovebird

I touch a Roman Rose of Romance

I worry about my love life

I cry about my past

I am the colour of love

I understand the happiness of her heart

I say you are beautiful everyday and night

I dream about her

I try to become your soul mate

I hope you will be mine forever

I am the colour of love
From,

Asibabalo Mnyaka

About the Author:

When I grow up I want to join the South African Air Force.

Dear Friends,
I am a mouse

I wonder who hides the cheese

I hear cats crying Mou!! Mou!! Mou!!

I see the cats chase the mouse

I want to be friends with a cat
I am a mouse

I pretend to be like a cat

I feel like a rat

I touch joyness in July

I worry about my sisters and brothers

I cry because I see my enemy

I am a mouse

I understand cats hate me

I say mouse, stand up for yourself

I dream about my future life

I try to protect myself from the cats

I hope one day they can forgive me

I am a mouse
From,

Nadzi (Anako Ntikinca)

About the Author:

I like to play rugby and draw pictures. When I grow up I want to be in the Air Force.

Dear Grade 8B,
I am a sun

I wonder who smiles with me everyday

I hear clap, clap of learners

I see you working hard

I want to make sure that you will all get what you want
I am a sun

I pretend not to care but I do

I feel sad when they don’t listen

I touch just to make sure you get what you want

I worry because they are so silly

I cry because the rain hates me

I am a sun

I understand that learners are disrespectful

I say please shut up and listen

I dream of us doing what we all wish to do in life

I try to stop the disrespectfulness of children

I hope that we all pass our finals

I am a sun

From,

Ayabonga Mzaza

About the Author:

I am fifteen years old and in grade 8. I live in Nyanga East. When I grow up I would like to be an engineer or a social worker. I want to do this profession because it will help children that do not have parents. I will work hard to do what I want in life.

Dear Friend,
I am your hero

I wonder who will separate us?

I hear you crying when you are sad

I see you smiling when you see me

I want to be your friend forever
I am your hero

I pretend to be a good friend

I feel happy when I am with you

I touch you when something is wrong

I worry about you everyday

I cry when I see you cry

I am your hero

I understand when there is something wrong

I say your name everyday

I dream about you and me before we became friends

I try to forget about everything that happened before

I hope you love me as I love you

I am your hero

From,

Neliswa Magenu

About the Author:

I am 14 years old and doing grade 8. I like poetry, drama, music and singing. I don’t know what I will become when I finish school but I hope when I get to grade 9 I will know what I want to be. I don’t like to say I could be a doctor for example. I want to achieve my goals and become a role model in my family.

Dear Friends of the World,
I am a ghost

I wonder who knows me

I hear humans whispering hoo, hoo, hoooo!!

I see the graveyard burning

I want to be a human again
I am a ghost

I pretend to be a bad ghost

I feel like everybody hates me

I touch the graveyards like God

I worry that no one lives forever

I cry about my past

I am a ghost

I understand my death was an accident

I say God please make me live once again

I dream of noting except accidents

I try to help other humans

I hope one day I can be alive

I am a ghost
From,

Luvuyo Niselo

About the Author:

I am 13 years old. I like to play soccer and to joke. When I am older I want to be a pilot and travel with people from one place to another. Thank you everyone for listening. Have a good day and God bless you all.

Dear My Friend,
I am a pinky

I wonder who is behind me

I hear ha ha of people laughing

I see the dark people

I want to learn more than now
I am a pinky

I pretend to smile

I feel I run fast like you

I touch paper and pens

I worry that I didn’t pass English

I cry because I failed

I am a pinky

I understand I read enough

I say I don’t understand you

I dream that when I grow up I will be a doctor

I try to be a good learner

I hope you passed all subjects

I am a pinky
From,

Sibonisiwe Ngqola

About the Author:

I am 15 years old and studying at Hlengisa. When I grow up I want to be a doctor. I live in Nyanga.

Dear Learners,
I am a school child

I wonder who is behind my back

I hear bom, bom to the children

I see those who don’t want to be at school

I want to be a good person
I am a school child

I pretend to be a nice person

I feel happy at school

I touch paper and books

I worry about those who do not want to come to school

I cry because I have no friends at school

I am a school child

I understand I am learning English

I say close your mouth and open your ears

I dream that I can be a nurse

I try to understand English

I hope I will be happy all the time

I am a school child
From,

Ncedisa Sotwili

About the Author:

I am 14 years old. I live in Nyanga. When I grow up I want to be a nurse. I like to read my books, eat, and play with my friends. I do not like friends that smoke or drink alcohol.

Dearest Friend,
I am your soul mate

I wonder who can separate us

I hear your voice when you sleep next to me

I see you everyday

I want us to last
I am your soul mate

I pretend to be a good friend

I feel great when I am with you

I touch you when you are unhappy

I worry when you are sad

I cry when you cry

I am your soul mate

I understand you

I say I love you each and everyday

I dream about us

I try to forget about the past

I hope God can give us a lot of quality time together.

I am your soul mate
From,

Nondyebo Tseu

About the Author:

I want to be a doctor. I hate those who pretend to love me. I love those who love me.

Dear Friend,
I am your buddy

I wonder who is making my homework today

I hear bom, bom, of the foot steps

I see a beautiful person

I want to be a social worker
I am your buddy

I pretend to be clever

I feel like a president

I touch fire but I get burnt

I worry because I lost my mother

I cry because I lost my confidence

I am your buddy

I understand this question

I say I am your buddy

I dream that I finish school

I try to play soccer but I can’t

I hope that I can be independent

I am your buddy
From,

Axolile Yamile

About the Author:

I want to be a social worker! I was born on 28, October. I am 14 years old.

Dear World,
I am a ghost

I wonder who can see me

I hear KILL

I see people

I want to destroy people
I am a ghost

I pretend to be innocent

I feel like the president

I touch blood

I worry about my family

I cry because people get killed

I am a ghost

I understand why they hate me

I say I don’t care

I dream about people

I try to be innocent

I hope I will be a star

I am a ghost
From,

Lunga Elese

About the Author:

I love watching movies. My favorite food is samp. When I grow up I want to be a firefighter.

Dear Maggie,
I am a cheetah

I wonder how fast I can run

I hear booms and bangs of nature

I see incredible wildlife

I want to be seen in the world
I am a cheetah

I pretend to be invisible

I feel like a creator of things

I touch every aspect of life

I worry about what the future holds

I cry because I am alone

I am a cheetah

I understand I am learning the school of life

I day you don’t underestimate me

I dream the dream of happiness

I try to overcome every obstacle in life

I hope to find what I am looking for

I am a cheetah
From,

Samkelo Mfana

About the Author:

I am 13 years old. I would like to be a doctor because I want to help people.

Dear Maggie,
I am a queen

I wonder who touches my bag

I hear moo, moo, moo, like a cow

I see everything when I go out with my friends

I want to read my books
I am a queen

I pretend to be worrying

I feel forever bored

I touch my books and paper

I worry because I am not going into town

I cry because I see a snake

I am a queen

I understand everything that you teach

I say nothing that you want

I dream that it is possible to know

I try to dance in Cape Town

I hope my homework is done

I am a queen
From,

Unam Buqa

About the Author:

I am in grade 8 now. I would like to be a pilot. I like to eat full meals and fruit. I do not want to eat bread all the time

Dear Maggie,
I am a reader

I wonder if you can hear me read

I hear ting, ting of bells.

I see many books in water

I want to be the top star
I am a reader

I pretend to be reading terrible

I feel very shameless

I touch books, pens, and pencils

I worry that people may laugh at me

I cry because some say I cannot read

I am a reader

I understand that some people cannot read

I say people read out loud please

I dream that I will be a teacher

I try to read like Maggie

I hope that I could read like her

I am a reader
From,

Tamara Nelani

About the Author:

I am 14 years old and live in Gugulethu. When I grow up I want to be a lawyer. I love to play!

Dear Maggie,
I am a mirror

I wonder if you believe that you can win this war

I hear only hiss, hiss in your voice

I see that you are trying your best to achieve your goals

I want to know when you are sad
I am a mirror

I pretend that I don’t see it when you are hurt

I feel sad when my classmates disrespect you

I touch things that you touch

I worry that you are sad

I cry because I can see you are trying your best

I am a mirror

I understand that you are not from this country

I say “molo” every time I see you

I dream that you achieve your goals

I try to be usual

I hope you pass university

I am a mirror

From,

Likhona Blanket

About the Author: I am fourteen years old. I live in Nyanga doing grade 8 at Hlengisa. My favorite subjects at school are math, English, Xhosa, Social Science and Natural Science. When I grow up I want to be a businesswoman.