Oakland from the eyes of 7-year olds

Havana's classmates wrote poems describing their view of Oakland while Havana was away this month. Below are four that were among a number that were posted on the wall outside Havana's Classroom.

My own favorite line is by Lucy, "Oakland is lovely, filthy, thick, violent and wonderful." These kids are just fantastic.

Sweet Oakland by Juan

Oakland is red Walgreen signs;

The taste of hotdogs with ketchup;

Dogs howling, neighbors fighting and people screaming;

Oakland is me and my family going to the movies;

Oakland is my house;

Oakland is killing, stealing and robbing

Oakland is sweet and Oakland is king

All About the World by Patricia

Oakland is purple houses and green trees;

The taste of salad and fruit salad;

Gun shots, wolves howling and chickens;

Oakland is going to the movie theatres with my family;

Oakland is hometown buffet;

Oakland is murdering, dying, stealing;

Oakland is peaceful, lovely, Bright, Beautiful and nice.

Oakland is Dancing by Eduardo

Oakland is orange houses;

The taste of hotdogs with ketchup and mustard;

Dogs howling, gunshots and neighbors fighting;

Oakland is the train museum with my whole family;

Oakland is going to the bowling alley with my godmother;

Oakland is dying, dancing, killing

Oakland is lovely.

What’s your Favorite by Lucy

Oakland is white and green, blue sky day and dark purple ducks

The taste of vanilla and ice cream;

Oakland is birds singing at night, fire crackers, dogs howling,

People jogging, neighbors fighting;

Oakland is going to the movies at bay fair;

Oakland is brookdale park;

Oakland is boxing, dreaming, praying

Oakland is lovely, filthy, thick, violent and wonderful