I am from late night pool parties on the Fourth of July at Nana’s.
From the sound of fireworks blasting in my ears,
seeing the glare of the colors
in my cousin's dark chocolate eyes.
I am from the library,
the overbearing amount of books contributing to my curiosity.
My favorite way to dissociate from the chaotic world around me.
I am from the box of birthday cards sitting under my desk.
At the time, only looking at the money that fell on my lap,
then later appreciating the meaningful messages left behind.
I am from the game of checkers,
the checkerboard consisting of Winnie the Pooh and friends’ faces on each square.
From my grandfather, still competing against me
even though I didn’t know a single rule.
I’m from “Focus on your studies, make yourself a life that’s better than what we can provide you.”
Pushing myself beyond my limits,
just to see their proud smiling faces.
I am from the knots my Nana used to untangle from my hair,
As if they were as intricate as the maze on that morning’s cereal box.
I am from the Christmases, in which my mom gave me the job of decorating the Christmas tree
It towered over me,
not being able to put the gold ornaments on it’s top branches.
Grandpa picked me up every year,
just so I can put the angel on the tippy top of the tree.
I am from the moments, where I was never allowed to feel alone,
where it was okay to make mistakes,
and where it’s okay to be yourself.
I am from the memories I will cherish forever,
even if the people that shaped them aren’t here today
to create new ones.
Word Count: 292
Hi, Kristina! I tried to comment on this post before, but Blogger decided to be rude to me and delete the comment so I’m going to try again and hopefully remember everything I said.
ReplyDeleteI loved your reference to “that morning’s cereal box” and how you connected it to the knots in your hair. I also liked you talking about you being unable to reach the top of the Christmas tree to put the angel. This is something I can relate to heavily. When I was little, I remember dragging a kitchen chair all the way towards the tree, as close as humanly possible, getting on top of it, and standing on the tip of my toes, trying so very hard to get the angel on top. Even though it was dangerous, I still did it. It’s kind of a funny thing to look back on sometimes.
In your poem, you also mentioned that you played checkers with your grandfather. Although I don’t have a memory like that with my grandfather and I don’t really even know how to play checkers, the reason it stuck out to me is that checkers seems like an older game. Maybe that’s just me, but this whole poem of yours is something I can heavily relate to and see myself in, but this one part is not like that. It shows that everyone is different and you really thought about what you wrote.
Amazing job! Thank you for sharing.
- Cassandra S.
Hi Kristina
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your poem and being able to see another side of you. Hearing about others' childhoods brings you much closer to understanding who they are and what they come from. I really felt like I could see that while reading your poem with so many intimate family memories in them. My favorite were you talking about checkers and birthday cards. Also the way you wrote was so descriptive and had lots of imagery through your use of language. This is such a good piece to read! I loved your closing line “I am from the memories I will cherish forever, even if the people that shaped them aren’t here today to create new ones.” it really wrapped up your poem. Good job!
Kristina you did amazing on this poem! I love reading every bit of it from the 4th of July parties at your Nana's to playing checkers with your Grandfather . I love the part where you talk about receiving birthday cards and at the moment just appreciating the money, but now looking back appreciating the messages inside the cards. I really enjoyed reading about the special people you have in your life. Great job on your poem!
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