C’est La Vie
This is a literary magazine written for an by the students and
staff of Richardson Middle School in Torrance, California.
This work is original and has not been published before to
the advisor’s knowledge. If you are interested in submitting
short stories, poetry, artwork, and/or digital pictures for
consideration in the next C’est La Vie, please email them to
lbezich@etusd.org with your name and grade.
Student writers, poets, artists and photographers will vary
issue to issue.
If you have questions, please contact Leslie Bezich, Advisor.
Poetry
We don't read and write poetry because it's cute. We
read and write poetry because we are members of the
human race. And the human race is filled with passion.
And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are
noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry,
beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.
Dead Poet's Society
Haikus
Campfire
Stars
Untitled
Fire sings stories
Shining glistening
Birds can fly up high
Of shadowed hearts and bright dreams
Bright sparkles in the night sky
Soaring through the moonlight sky
Till the one song ends
Miracles up high.
They fly high and low
-Holly V.
-Madeline M.
-Kira B.
Birthday
Flowers
Untitled
Get gifts and treasures
Beautiful flowers
Singing along with
Time is here that you’ve been born
Blossom in the spring
The radio that’s booming
Balloons and party
Always to give joy
I feel happy now
-Brianna M.
-Jamee C.
-Nicky Lee
Untitled
Grandma
Basketball
Sun through my window
Always understands
Players run down fast
The person I love the most
Dribbling to take the shot
I hate days like this.
Always cares for me.
Swoosh, as it goes through
-Josh B.
-Rachel G.
-Kenneth L.
Except when it it raining
Haikus Continued
Untitled
Late nights, baggy eyes
Midday naps during class time
Random
Katana
I like the Lakers.
I like to eat Nutella.
Ramen is awesome.
-Gabriel H.
The Katana sword
It is beautiful and cool
But deadly and sharp
-Fergus L.
The Graveyard
Books
Green and red collide
The Dark Lord in the graveyard
He and Harry tie.
-Michael S.
Performing magic
I pretend to be Harry
Attending Hogwarts
-Taylor J.
Hurricane
End
The forest swaying
The trees shaking in the fierce wind
The hurricane comes.
-Cody P.
Depression is here
All the tears and all the fears
Never should it end
-Jamie M.
Feel The Movement
Reading
Hands up in the air
The beat is with every step
A strong feel for dance
-Annaliese S.
To read is to live
You can read an adventure
It us worth your time.
-Brandon A.
Doctors
Untitled
Doctors are scary
They threaten me with needles
My blood draws slowly
-Erik C.
Going to school
Working hard on all my work
Going home after
-Kian Z.
Life of a student.
-Jin Y.
Writing a Haiku
I do not know how
But I will write a Haiku
It will be awesome.
-George S.
Untitled
Surfing is awesome
Bananas are on my board
The waves are very fun.
-Stephen K.
New Years
The sun is setting
It’s the last day of the year
New Year is coming.
-Rachel B.
Haiku Continued
Friends
My friends are all nice
A Tout le Monde
Water Park
On the morrow’s wake
Pray tell. My soul you shall take
Je dois partir
-Josh M.
The blue water flows,
Down the rigid and fun stream
Hello water park.
-Jordan B.
Untitled
Bacon
Reading
Soft and cuddly
It protects me from danger
My Super Cooper
-Taylor B.
Very good indeed
Sizzles in the pan, yummy
It’s very crispy.
-Nick G.
Open up a book
Untitled
Haiku
Friends are lovely
They are always there for you
Till the end of time
-Alexis M.
Five syllables first
Seven syllables are next
Then five come again.
-Julia R.
Grass
Untitled
Friends
With pretty colors.
Music tells stories
You’ll get them if you listen
They will change your life.
-Sarah B.
Friends are always there
In those nights of deep despair
Always by your side.
-Kencey C.
We laugh, we play, and we sing
We are all great friends.
-Madison R.
The words leap off the pages
Flowing to my brain.
-Erika Y.
The grass is light green
So green it looked very nice
-Prerana R.
The only problem
with Haiku is that you just
get started and then
~Roger McGough
Estelle
Epic
Sister
To Everybody
Loves her cats and kittens
Love tigers like me
Enthusiastic girl
-Holly V.
Karen
Knows everything
Artistically gifted
Ravishingly beautiful
Everyone is put before her
Never stops giving
-Devin F.
Brandi Is Nice
Brown and white
A small tail
Not a big dog
Does not like mailmen
Is too loud at night
Takes on big dogs
Is smaller than cats
Small but speedy
Nibbles on your fingers
Is grumpy sometimes
Cates are his only friends
Extremely cute
-Justis B.
Acrostics
Dance
Ricardo
Daring
Arabesque
Never leaves the stage without leaving an impression
Choreography
Enjoys performing on the stage
-Miah K.
Trajan
Ricardo
Intimate
Creative
Husky
Awesome
Richardo
Trustworthy
Reading
A music lover
Jokes are a favorite
Ambitious
Noble
-Trajan M.
Dangerous
-Ricardo S.
Maheen
Makes food once in a while
Awesome at playing handball
Happy most of the time
Excited to have a party
Entertained by comedy shows
Nice to people.
-Maheen R.
I've written some poetry I don't
understand myself. ~Carl Sandburg
Diamantes
Mustafa
Funny, sport
Basketball, softball, baseball
Mike Lowery
Racing sitting, talking
Lover, playing
Party
-Mustafa A.
Heidi
Fun, lover
Reading, hanging, swimming
Sister, teammate, student
Super cool, awesome
Hi Hi
Parker
Funny, crazy
Shopping, laughing, talking
Romeo, Juliet
Buying, eating, biking
Text, weird
Parky
-Heidi G.
-Parker C.
Monsters
Creepy, ugly
Hiding, stalking, lurking
Werewolves, mummies, zombies,
vampires
Chasing, eating, drinking
Creatures
-Shane W.
You don't have to suffer to be a poet.
Adolescence is enough suffering for
anyone. ~John Ciardi, Simmons
Review, Fall 1962
I Used To…
I used to be a baby,
But now I am a teen.
I used to dream about growing up,
But now I am grown up.
I used to watch people play basketball,
But now I play myself.
I used to beg to quit piano,
But now I love to play.
I used to eat whatever I wanted,
But now I’m more careful.
I used to be the youngest,
But now I’m the middle child.
I used to love TV,
But now I love books.
I used to be inexperienced,
But now I know more.
I used to be a child,
But now I’m a young adult.
-Julia H.
I used to not like tomatoes,
But now I eat them.
I used to like Modern Warfare 3
But now I like Modern Warfare 2.
I used to wear diapers,
But now I’m potty-trained.
I used to be my father’s only son,
But now I have a brother.
I used to hate vegetables,
But now they taste good.
I used to hate alpacas,
But now I think they’re alright.
I used to be scared of the dark,
But now I’m not.
I used to enjoy Social Studies,
But now it’s such a bore.
I used to get sea-sick
But now I work on a boat.
I used to like Pepsi,
But now it’s all about Coke.
I used to hate reading,
But now I have to.
I used to get scared at night,
But now I turn the lights off.
I used to love video games,
But now I play sports.
-Sam S.
I used to play soccer,
But now I do Tai Kwon Do.
I used to procrastinate,
But now I’m on top of everything.
-Kevin J.
I Used To… Continued
I used to be two fee tall,
But now I am five foot eight inches
I used to not care about my future,
But now I am serious about my
career.
I used to play football,
But now I love and play basketball.
I Used to be shy,
But now I’m outgoing.
I used to be a baby,
But now I am a teenager.
I used to hate clothes,
But now I love fashion.
I used to listen to classical,
But now I listen to Hip Hop.
I used to be scared of roller coasters,
But now I ride them every chance I get.
I used to crawl,
But now I run.
I used to wear glasses,
But now I have contacts.
I used to have Dad,
But now he lives somewhere else.
I used to be crazy,
But now I’m calmer.
I used to fear my dreams,
But now I cherish them.
-Greg B.
I used to have no friends,
But now I have many.
I used to be flexible,
But now I’m stiff.
I used to be weird,
But now I’m a little less weird…sort of.
-Margaret J.
I used to think boys had cooties,
But now they are my best friends.
I used to hate school,
But now it’s my second home.
I used to love Big Time Rush,
But now I love One Direction.
I used to hate to read,
But now I can’t put down the book.
I used to hate to wear bracelets,
But now they are my lucky charms.
I used to think planking was student,
But now I eat, smell, breathe
planking.
I use to only eat carrots,
But now I eat carrots and lettuce.
- Karin S.
I Used To… Continued
I used to be a kid,
But now I’m a teenager.
I used to do different kinds of dance,
But now I play the clarinet.
I used to be afraid of roller coasters,
But now I love them.
I used to love homework,
But now I don’t like it.
I used to dislike going to school,
But now it’s not so bad.
I used to be quiet around my friends,
But now I am very loud to them.
I used to not like the color blue,
But now my room is the color blue.
I used to play tetherball,
But now I like to hang out with my friends.
I used to like Baskin Robbins 31 Flavors,
But now I like Yogurtland.
I used to wear Justice clothes,
But now I wear Hollister clothes.
I used to read a lot of books,
But now I don’t read that much.
I used to get injured a lot,
But now I am careful.
-Alicia W.
I used to eat Mcdonald’s,
But now I eat Subway.
I used to play soccer,
But now I play baseball.
I used to like Disney Channel,
But now I like MTV and Comedy Central.
I used to surf,
But now I boogey board.
I used to hate my baseball team,
But now I love my team.
I used to take naps,
But now I just sleep.
I used to scooter,
But now I bike.
I used to play video games,
But now I get out of the house.
-Daniel H.
I used to love
Coke,
But now not a s much.
I used to dislike belts,
But now they are one of my favorite
accessories.
I used to hate wearing jeans,
But now I like them.
-Jaslyn M.
I Used To… Continued
I used to hate school,
But now I enjoy it more.
I used to be a baby,
But now I am a kid.
I used to hate reading,
I used to shop at Justice,
But now I shop at Hollister.
But now I can’t get enough.
I used to play dress-up,
But now I just go shopping.
I used to go to Riviera,
I used to like Pinkberry,
But now I love Get Shaved.
But now I go to Richardson.
I used to like chicken,
I used to hate oral presentations,
But now I speak clearly.
But now I like turkey.
I used to play Angry Birds,
But now I play Temple Run.
I used to like cats,
I used to drink apple juice,
But now I drink Capri Sun.
I used to read Junie B. Jones,
But now I read Twilight series.
-Bianca P.
But now I like dogs.
I used to hate swimming,
But now I am the best.
I used to have 3.5,
But now I almost have a 4.0.
I used to like Yogurtland,
But now I like Starbucks.
-Eric H.
Bio Poems
Kate
Determined, creative, and enthusiastic
Loves parents, sisters, teddy, and Elliott
Feels eager to learn more dance, to grow as an individual, and to finally be able to whistle
Who needs the company of her own home, company, and frozen yogurt
Who gives time for perfection, to always have a clean room, and to explore at least once a day
Who fears high school, college, and not knowing what is coming next
Who would like to see what life is like as an adult and all animals having a home
Who share love toward her family, dogs and may others
Who is a student, dancer dreamer, and perfectionist
Who is a resident of Torrance, CA
H
Justin
Funny, active, and positive
Brother of Blaise
Loves scootering, dogs and the beach
Feels sorry for starving children, the homeless, and the needy
Who needs fresh air every day, to be active, ad always has to have friends
Who gives people advice, money and the truth
Who fears sharks, injuries, and the world ending
Who would like to see Michael Jordan’s house, the Empire State Building, and the Eiffel Tower
Who shares advice, food and resources
Who is a resident of Torrance, CA
B
Bio Poems Continued
Jasper
Funny, Korean, Juggernaut
Son of Jun and Anes
Loves God, games and peace
Feels like a Juggernaut, of a Ninja, or a terminator
Who needs to play games, hang out with friend and Korean BBQ
Who give friendship to friends, money to charity and food to pets
Who fears wars, drugs, and fights
Who would like to see movies every day, games super league, and soccer games
Who share experiences, games and loves
Who is a student of RMS
Who is a resident of Torrance
L
Ian
Determined, focused, smart
Loves basketball, nuggets, donkey
Feels basketball should be on every channel, cows should be pets along with donkeys
Who needs to watch NBA 24/7, ranch with fries, Diet Coke
Who gives 100% in basketball, money to homeless, and those less fortunate
Who fears donkeys invading, polar bear, dying
Who would like to see Kobe get the MVP, Lakers win 60 games, LA getting to Championship
Who shares the ball, his Xbox, and nuggets
Who is awesome, a baller
Who is amazing, a gamer
H
Bio Poems Continued
Cindy
Funny, prepared, happy
Daughter of Nelson and Dora
Loves mom, dad, and rice
Feels joyful, sleepy, and hungry
Who needs to get taller, braces, and swim more
Who gives presents to people on special occasions, laughter, and smiles
Who fears cold-hearted people, rats, and spiders
Who likes to see myself getting good grade, get into a good college, and be a good doctor
Who hates mean people, evil people, and scorpions
Who is a swimmer, middle school student and a sleeper
Who is a resident of Torrance
C
If I Were In Charge Of The World
(Imitations of Judith Viorst’s Poem)
If I were in charge of the world
I’d get rid of knives
Drink shakes during every meal
Have ice shops in every school
If I were in charge of the world
I’d flood the streets and paddle everywhere
Own every supercar,
Own every sports car.
If I were in charge of the world
There’d be no war
Never any homework
No need to cry
If I were in charge of the world
There’d be no Priuses,
No school on Mondays,
No mean teachers.
If I were in charge of the world
You wouldn’t have to pay to go to the movies
You wouldn’t have to make your bed
You wouldn’t have to pay for clothes
Or have to watch commercials
If I were in charge of the world
You wouldn’t die,
You wouldn’t starve,
You wouldn’t cause pollution,
Or have different languages.
If I were in charge of the world.
-Bram S.
If I were in charge of the world
Everyone would have a home
And no one would starve
A person with a fear of spiders
And annoyed by small noises
Will still be allowed to be
In charge of the world.
-Aly L.
If I were in charge of the world
I’d build swimming pools in every backyard,
Make cards for every worker so everything is free,
And ban spinach
If I were in charge of the world
There’d be no wars in any country,
All terrorists would be executed,
And every prisoner that is guilty of major charge
would die.
If I were in charge of the world
You wouldn’t have to brush your teeth,
You wouldn’t have to clean your room,
You r wouldn’t lug a heavy backpack,
Or clean the dishes.
If I were in charge of the world.
-Chris B.
If I Were In Charge Of The World… Continued
If I were in charge of the world
I’d let things be
I’d let the people decide what’s right and what’s wrong
I wouldn’t want to get in anybody’s way
If I were in charge of the world
There’d be true love, like in fairy tales
And fairness
And everyone would be equal and loyal
If I were in charge of the world
You wouldn’t have to worry about money
You wouldn’t have to be mortal, you could decide when you
want to die.
You wouldn’t have to make nice with people you don’t like
Or you wouldn’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.
If I were in charge of the world.
-Lauren H.
If I were in charge of the world
I’d make ferrets legal in California
Have my own lake
And go wakeboarding every day
If I were in charge of the world
There’d be free Nutella
Drive in movie theaters again
A school on the beach that surfing and tanning were classes
If I were in charge of the world
You wouldn’t have to go to college to be successful
You wouldn’t need to pay for music
You wouldn’t have people that come to your house to preach
to you
Or telemarketers
If I were in charge of the world.
-Mady K.
If I were in charge of the world
I’d make chocolate a vegetable,
Ice cream a fruit,
If I were in charge of the world
I’d be a pro tennis plays
I’d be a pro soccer player
I’d be rich
If I were in charge of the of the world
There’d be security everywhere
There’d be comics everywhere
There’d be sleeping any time
And gummy bears healthy.
If I were in charge of the world
There’d be no weapons, No war,
And a safe home for everyone.
If I were in charge of the world
If I were in charge of the world
You wouldn’t have churches
You wouldn’t have to eat
You wouldn’t be rushing every day
Or “Hurry up. We’re going”
If I were in charge of the world.
-Lina I.
You wouldn’t have messy rooms.
You wouldn’t have diseases.
You wouldn’t have polluted air,
Or homework on Wednesday.
If I were in charge of the world.
-Erica L.
If I Were In
Charge…Continued
If I were in charge of the world
I’d make everything free,
Have an unlimited supply of chocolate,
and get rid of unhappiness.
If I were in charge of the world
There’d be no embarrassing class pictures,
lonely people,
and math homework.
If I were in charge of the world
You wouldn’t have to always eat your broccoli
You wouldn’t have to make your bed
You wouldn’t have to take your vitamins
Or be able to say that you don’t have friends.
If I were in charge of the world.
-Kristy L.
If I were in charge of the world
I’d give everyone a nice house,
A loving family, and a second change.
If I were in charge of the world
There’d be an extra day in the week,
With more hours in a day,
And plenty of sunshine.
If I were in charge of the world
You wouldn’t starve, or have disease.
You wouldn’t feel loneliness, or heartache.
You wouldn’t have disagreements and quarrels.
Or major wars to fight.
If I were in charge of the world
If I were in charge of the world.
I’d marry Niall from On Direction,
-Lauren T.
Play in a band with my friends,
And never have to worry about the day ending.
If I were in charge of the world
I’d ban all types of cancer. Diseases. And
make sure that there is not poverty.
If I were in charge of the world
There’d be no occasional dog poop on the
sidewalk, no terrorists. And weapons.
If I were in charge of the world
You wouldn’t have annoying little brothers,
Or annoying sisters,
Bedtime curfew,
Or scents that reek.
If I were in charge of the world.
-Rachel C.
If I were in charge of the world
There’d be candy raining from the skies,
Dancing all around the city,
And magical nights every night.
If I were in charge of the world
You wouldn’t have to want want want.
You wouldn’t have to share if you didn’t want to
You wouldn’t care what others thought of you.
Or have to wait till 11:11 to make a wish.
If I were in charge of the world.
-Lydia W.
Metaphor For A Family Poems
Kennel
My family is a kennel.
Mom is the worker, keeping us healthy and lover.
Dad is the German Shepard, keeping us protected.
Tyler is the Husky, always fun and loving.
And I, I am the Dachshund, shy in the corner.
-Trevor S.
Bookcase
My family is a bookcase, full of different genres.
My dad is the encyclopedia that knows everything.
My mom is the instruction book that guides the way.
My brother is the joke book, funny and witty.
And I, I am the novels, complex and interesting.
-Stephanie T.
Flower
My family is a flower.
My dad is the strong, but sometimes breakable stem that holds us together.
My mom is the leaves that takes care of us.
Cooper is the annoying pollen, that sometimes gets out of control but creates new laughs
Bailey is the beautiful butterfly that adds a nice touch to our family.
And I, I am the petals, the one that needs my family to survive.
Wizard of Oz
-Taylor B.
My family is like the characters in the Wizard of Oz.
My dad is the Wizard of Oz; he is giving.
First Aid Kit
My mom is Glenda, nice and sweet.
My family is a first aid kit.
My brother is the Tin Man. He seems to have no heard,
My dad is a band aid that supports the family.
but he really does.
My mom is the disinfectant that cleans things that are dirty.
My sister is the Cowardly Lion, she doesn’t realize her
My brother is a tweezers that takes out the bad things in life.
full potential.
And I, I am an ice pack that cools down the family when family members are angry.
And I, I am Dorothy, trying to find out where home is.
-Anthony C.
-Shelby F.
Rocket
My family is a rocket not knowing when it will take off.
My dad is the astronaut flying out there all alone.
My mom is the re button saying self-destruct.
My brother is the burnt out flame not wanting to go back to the huge flame he used to be.
And I, I am the conductor forcing them to go the route I want them to.
-Rachel W.
Metaphor For A Family
Poems…Continued
Jazz Band
My family is a jazz band, trying to work together.
My dad is the trombone (backbone), keeping us together playing a part that doesn’t
want to stand out, a balancing of all the instruments.
My mom is the lead alto, pretending to be in control, but doesn’t realize that she has
to follow the lead trumpet, as well as being loud, furious and full of energy.
Ryan is a horn player, following the lead.
Cristian is the ten saxophone in the group, following the alto’s and backing them up.
And I, I am the percussionist, making the necessary sound and rhythms that go
unnoticed, but are essential.
-Barry J.
Statue
My family is a statue.
My uncle is the hand, proving his high status and strength.
My mother is the head, loving and always thinking.
My sisters are the legs, never staying in one place for too long.
And I , I am the base, holding all of them together.
-Addison W.
Box of Candy
My family is a box of candy.
My mom is the chocolate, always smooth and sweet.
My sister is the cotton candy, sweet and soft.
My farther is the molasses chip, being sweet and clinging to your teeth.
And I, I am the wrapper, hugging my family.
-Fiona T.
Beach
My family is the beach.
My dad is the lifeguard, always ready to save someone when they’re in need.
My mom is the lifeguard station, always watching out for someone.
My brother is the sand, always lying there.
And I , I am the fish in the sea, always splashing around in the ocean.
-Kenna G.
A Yard
My family is a yard.
My grandpa is the grass, you water him with love.
My grandma is the flower, so beautiful.
And I, I am the weed, I never go away.
-Conner Y.
Metaphor For A Family
Poems…Continued
iPhone
My family is an iPhone.
My dad is the internet, always knows everything.
My mom is the art app that lets you be creative.
My brother is the sports app that tell you the deats on a game.
My sister is Temple Run, because she is so fast.
And I, I am the singing app that won’t shut up.
-Hadley C.
Sports Equipment
My family is a cart of sports equipment.
My father is the bowling ball, strong and bold, always on the roll.
My mother is the swimming goggles watching everyone carefully and closely.
My do is a pair of soccer cleats, digging his claws in the earth.
And I, I am the jump rope, getting tangled up sometimes, but always getting back up.
-Mina G.
Book
My family is a book, slowly building our own story.
My father is the spine ,holding the book together.
My mother is the fine thread, keeping the pages together.
My sister is the words, bringing the book to life.
And I, I am the blank pages before and after the story, still discovering my purpose.
-Emily B.
Metaphor For A Family Poems…Continued
Zoo
My family is a zoo.
My father is the monkeys, always being unpredictable.
Toy box
My mother is the peacocks, showing off their beauty and grace.
My family is a toy box.
My brother is the hedgehogs, hiding from the rest of the world.
Dad is the giant toy gorilla.
And I, I am the insects, small and unnoticed.
Mom is the jack-in-the-box.
-Krista C.
Katrina is the Barbie Doll.
I am the toy fish.
Weasley Family
-Jullian N.
My family is the Weasley family in Harry Potter.
My dad is Fred and George, always making jokes to lighten the mood.
My mom is Molly, worrying all the time, but loving her family.
My brother is Ginny, shy and quiet around strangers.
My do is Pigwidgeon, always desperately craving attention.
And I, I am Charlie, easygoing at time, serious at others, and hating
haircuts.
-Alice F.
Metaphor For A Family Poems…Continued
Pencils and Pens in a Pouch
My family is a pencil pouch.
Dad, the official, fine ink gel pen, but occasionally screws up.
My mother, the correction fluid who finds and fixes mistakes.
Eileen is the squeaky eraser which marks out mess-ups.
And I, I am the long pencil, unofficial, but still used in work.
-Victor J.
The Tool Box
My family is a tool box.
Dad is the drill that keeps everything attached and in place.
Mom is the nails, tough and hard to break.
Lucky is the screwdriver, only there for simple problems.
Galaxy
And I, I am the glue who keeps the family together.
My family is a galaxy.
Dad is the Sun, bright and warm.
Mom is the moons that revolve around the planets, calm and safe.
Isabella is the stars that shine bright.
Mason is the black holes, makes a mess and destroys thing.
And I, I am the Earth which holds all life.
-Michael Q.
-Hannah A.
Ink runs from the corners of my mouth
There is no happiness like mine.
I have been eating poetry.
~Mark Strand, "Eating Poetry," Reasons for Moving, 1968