Where We're From Poetry...

This week's post is based on the poem "Where I'm From" by George Etta Lyon, a poem that has been used as inspiration and model in many teaching/learning settings, with both adults and adolescents. Each student wrote a full-length poem, then chose one stanza to contribute to our community poem. We hope you enjoy reading our work.

We Are Room 23

I am from the sandy, warm beaches of Jamaica,
From Christmas gift strings to be untangled leading us to our big present.
I am from ice cream and Friday night movies,
From playing Monopoly and Clue with a bit of Creationary.

I am from changing diapers,
And rocking chairs,
Singing lullabies and soft cries.
I am from my sister, Emma.

I am from long camping trips,
And competitive games of Monopoly,
That could last for days,
From Magic Tree House books, all 43 of them,
And opening one gift on Christmas Eve.

I am from volcanoes surrounded by frozen waters,
And tribal wars, a modge podge, a muddle of things.
I am from leprecons, and bag pipes, an banjos on the back porch,
And noises from German throats, and Portuguese, a modge podge, a muddle of things.

I am from Polly Pocket weddings,
And Bratz doll fights.
I am from crying while the teacher reads,
Where the Red Fern Grows.

I am from family in outer-space,
And an incredible space launch,
From a family of luck,
And from amazing moments.

I am from lush trees, soothing lakes, and Rocky Mountains,
From salty air, heavy wind,
And waves crashing on the shore of Fort Bragg.
I am from playful dogs called Novarro and Carmen,
Keeping me up at night.
I am from staying up all night watching scary movies with friends.

I am from a nice juicy gar-b-que steak,
And mashed potatoes on a nice day,
And tacos and tamales on Christmas.

I am from “Fiction” and “Nightmare,”
From fingerprints to detailed shadings.
I am from lyric reading to mesmerize,
From loud music on weekends.
I am from Converse and band ‘tees,
From hanging with friends and sleeping out on the trampoline.

I am from soccer practices and games two times a week,
Watching Spongebob Squarepants and Fairly Odd Parents every morning,
Playing Polly Pockets, Barbies, and Bratz with friends,
I am from reading Junie B. Jones and Magic Tree House,
Eating PB&J’s and coming home with scraped up knees.

I am from trampolines and rope swings,
From trees and goats, from snowboarding,
I am from Superman and root beer floats.

I am from the fog romping around with Waffles and the other dogs,
And climbing in the maple tree with her.
I am from snuggling with Waffles on the futon in the small living room.
I am from finding Waffles chewing on my stuffies.

I am from a small town where kids walk all around,
From a place where you can swim as well as sled.
I am from late night scary movie marathons with friends,
From nail polish, makeup, and hair curlers.

I am from a colorful green environment,
From quietness and trees.
I am from a soft squishy couch,
From loud TV and video games.

I am from camping at Pismo Beach,
From racing the dunes for hours,
From digging a hole the rest of the day,
And fighting for blankets through the night.

I am from crystal clear water and bright orange trees,
And from deer and quail with young ones at their heels,
From the small town with the "Corner Creatures."

I am from plenty of Ponderosa trees and a windy road.
From a twisty creek that only runs in the spring.
I am from a forest of trees, blue-green water and a sandy beach,
From a dog who will never walk calmly.

I am from candles, plants, grass, weeds, and blackberries,
Home-grown vegetables, and too-hot-to-eat, burn-your-mouth peppers.
I am from green bean casserole and macaroni and cheese,
From wild, silly pets, loving relatives, and little children surrounding me.

I am from first grade poems,
With a star on the door,
From cameras ready for the show,
“Encore, encore!”

I am from camping, camping, and camping some more,
Dirty faces, marshmallows, and freezing cold water,
From windy afternoons, baths in a creek, and nosy little bears,
Cozy fires, booneywacking, and birthdays in camp.

I am from eggs Benedict at Hotbrew’s.
I am from Fortuna.
I am from rats and scooters in the house,
And from rainy days.

I am from Polly Pockets and stuffed animals galore,
And too many tea parties I can’t even count.
I am from nights of Where’s My Teddy?, Messes of Dresses, Horton Hears a Who,
And Happy Birthday to You.

We Are Room 23

Week Two...

Back to School Night was a HUGE success...
lots and lots of parents in attendance... filling the library!

Beautiful poems on the wall...
Amazing SNTs read aloud...
Aesthetically pleasing personal crests in the making...
Highly organized binders and deadlines being met...
Memoirs being contemplated and analyzed...
Lexicons being expanded...
Mile after mile being run, with less and less discomfort...
Buddy class activities planned for tomorrow...

I am having fun! Are you?

I am very impressed by both
the quantity and the quality of
the effort and the products that I am seeing.