Getting it Right I was recently talking to a participant at Brooklyn Park Lifeworks where I co-teach every Wednesday. After class she confessed to me that she is often afraid to speak up or to join the activity in class because she is afraid of saying the “wrong” thing or doing it “wrong.” I replied [...]
Sparkly People Going back in sparkly softball Crack! Strike! In a play dancing slow and low Proud Purple Perfection Calm down with happy new people 1st Place gold medal like an a exciting elephant La la da da la la dad a, sunny singing I’m smile for the picture Drum rolls for the musician Someday [...]
On how I did an improv scene and heard words where I previously had thought there were none. A few weeks ago we were doing an improvisation exercise with a group that we work with a lot. The group, at a day program, is made up of adults with developmental disabilities, many of whom are [...]
Dark Winter Thunder Crash! Bang! Thunderstorm Doo…Aaaaa…Light White Lightning Scared Frustrated people—Too many People! Woosh! Worried Windy Tree Shaky leaves settle calm Mom and Dad shut the window Calm green money trees Play that music or a little hockey Blue blue water, Aah! Lifeworks – Burnsville 3/9/11
Act Urgh Happy Sad Anger is like pink yelling Lonely like a snake face When someone passes away Sad like the round up sky Morning dances make me excited Balloo the blue bear winds the crabby clock Red roses and the happy apple Talking to people in the blue ocean Ha Ha Ha Being rich [...]
Purple Moutain Lake water and rivers Laughter and music A storm of little purple grapes Master P picked purple flowers Holler if ya hear me Yell, “Yellow!” if ya hear the bus Riding to the mall. Worried and blue like a yellow wise guy Stressed when clouds close the sun Knock, knock, click, click, knock [...]
Phoenix Alternatives Paint the Music 9/16/10 This painting was created collaboratively by Upstream Arts participants at Phoenix Alternatives, Inc. Participants use color, shape and line to express the emotions they felt while listening to music.
How to Take Risks Grape colored worry. Jealous purple sticks. They have it; I want it! Surprised? I don’t know where I go. Video game of Vikings in the arcade. School. Purple murple. Blue truck, blue jeans. Shoe, shoe, bluuuuuuue. Violet green clouds. Phoenix Alternatives 9/9/10
People Expressing Bad Cement Metaphors People probably don’t even want to go to work Up early at 5, feeling BLACK Depressed, angry, frustrated You just can’t sleep HUNNNHH Hunched over like a bear on a rainy day “Go away, come back another day” GRRRRRR a lost job!!! – Blood red (look for another!) A day [...]
Great Big Gorilla on a Fire Truck (Meow) EARLY, COLD, LATE, EXHAUSTED Get myself up! In the newspaper…RRRRRRRRRRR… “Go to your room!” – inside my tummy’s loose Black harvest moon – darkness through your body Pink, purple, black – MAD My Sister’s busy, I’m angry, I punch the pillow My friend makes me an angry [...]
Upstream Arts, Inc.
3501 Chicago Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55407
Phone: 612.331.4584
Fax: 612.353.6638
E-mail Upstream Arts
Poetry Corner: We Forgot the Orange Beach
