Encinal students write of place and identity

By Donna Lednicky
Since February participants from the Writing Club in Encinal have been writing about place and identity. Led by Carol Brochin and jointly organized by Hecho en Encinal and the South Texas Writing Project, the club will produce an anthology. Here is a preview.

Come With Me
By Jesus Espinoza
Come with me to a place where roosters wake you up in the morning, and where most people speak Spanish. Come with me to Encinal where families gather together and roads are made of dirt. Where there is food and water and people work for our city. Where people are free and like to have peace. Where families are together.

My Mom Who
By Stephanie Lopez
My mom is my heart
my mom is my dream
my mom is a flower who's hair is so straight and like the wind
whose skin is like the sand at the beach
who tells me that she loves
who is like a diamond
who is like a friend who helps me
who is me
who is like a beautiful model
who is always there for me.

My Dog Quba
By Savanna Chapa
When Quba was alive he would always wake me up in the morning. He was a Blue Heeler and a puppy. His fur was as soft as cotton. He is a hero to me. One day my grandparents and I went to my ranch to feed the cows when we were done I went to see other cows and he followed me. When we got there to the cows we heard two dogs barking at us. We started to run and we were cornered WE TURNED AROUND WE SAW TWO Rottweilers, Quba jumped in front of me. He saved me. God bless Quba Amen.

Abuelita Who
By Jairo Chavez
Abuelita who took care of us
who was as sweet as buñuelos
whose favorite food was mole
whose language was Mexican
and is with me when I am lonely
is in my mind when I need her
who was my favorite person
who celebrated the holidays with us.

Roberto Botello
By Roberto Botello
Roberto Botello
From Encinal, Texas
Who believes in miracles
And Loves my dad
A person who would like to have a good friend.
Roberto Botello
A person who has fun when he has a friend
And whose most prized possession is my family.

Roberto Botello
Son
Friend
Known person.

Blue
By Maria Elviza Fernandez Chavez
I like blue because it gives me a clue it sticks to me like glue.

Untitled
By Kaela Valles
I am from Laredo
From Mary Alice Aldaco
and her help.
I am from
the hot cold weather.
I am from cooking food.
I am from go clean your room.
I am from doing good and bad grades.
I am from having lots of friends.
I am from having 1, 2, 3, 4
Me, Stephanie, Heather, Savanna
I am from having a perfect family.

I Am From
By Andrew Valles
I am from a family that never let me down.
I am from a town that never needs a lot of clean.
I am from music that has a lot of hope.
I am from a school that teaches a lot.
I am from a place that gives good food.
I am from a house that is clean.
I am from a plant that has beautiful colors.
I am from a town that has beautiful trees.

Untitled
By Chelsea Hanna
One time when I got a burn on my arm, my mom put mustard on it. We were on our way to McAllen to go pick up my half-brother. My dad wanted coffee, so I went and got it. The lady didn't put a lid on the coffee and it spilled on my hand. When I got home my mom put ice and mustard on it. Later on I was feeling better.

I am from
By Vanessa Reyes
I am from Laredo but live in Encinal.
I am from do your homework to clean your room.
I am from pizza to pork chops.
I am from friends to no friend.
I am from black hair to brown eyes.