Untitled
I am from fir trees and waterfalls,
weekend hikes and road trips.
I am from biscuits and gravy, bonfires and
“Come get your red hots!”
I am homemade fries and chocolate sauce, too.
I am from hard work, and dedication,
Laughing fits with my sister and
“I can draw a dog face on the computer”
I can count to 100 the fast way.
I am from sing songs and Chinese cuts.
I am from green, green lawns and macaroni.
I am a tetherball swinging in circles on the playground.
I am horse falls and lemonade stands.
I am from being driven to school each day.
I am from “no dresses” and “no jeans.”
I am from running through the sprinkler, picking bouquets and
babysitting the neighbor kids.
I am lost and
many doors are open.
--Jana Barnes, Grade 12, Age 18, Lane County, Oregon
PARTNER POEM
You Reading This, Be Ready
Starting here, what do you want to remember?
How sunlight creeps along a shining floor?
What scent of old wood hovers, what softened
sound from outside fills the air?
Will you ever bring a better gift for the world
than the breathing respect that you carry
wherever you go right now? Are you waiting
for time to show you some better thoughts?
When you turn around, starting here, lift this
new glimpse that you found; carry into evening
all that you want from this day. This interval you spent
reading or hearing this, keep it for life —
What can anyone give you greater than now,
starting here, right in this room, when you turn around?
—William Stafford, 1993
ASK THE POEMS “Untitled” and “You Reading This, Be Ready”
1. When you turn around, what is the new thing you see?
2. What is the taste in your mouth right now?
3. When the future reaches for you, will you take its hand?
4. Where will your foot fall next?
5. What do you see with your eyes shut?
YOUR TURN: What poem or story will you write?
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