“Where
I’m From” Poem Assignment
Professional
Poet’s Exemplar
Where
I’m From
by George Ella Lyon
This poem is copyrighted and available for viewing here.
Student
Exemplars
“I’m From the Woods….” by Nick
I’m
from the woods and the creek behind my fence
From
the gray wooden backyard deck.
I’m
from the honeysuckles,
The pear trees by the neighbor’s garden
From
the creek when I swing over it.
I’m
from the yellow walls of Grandma’s kitchen
From the Yorkshire pup, the coolest thing in my family.
I’m from macaroni pictures of the Ark
From “I just can’t snap my fingers and make it happen” and from David the
Gnome in summers long ago.
I’m
from my mom’s side of the family,
From roasting turkeys for each holiday,
From when Papaw yelled at his boss and got fired
From the family pictures in the big wooden cabinet and
From the family gathering when we drag them out.
I
am from those moments.
A
root that no one sees, but walks all over
An important part of the tree.”
Where I’m From….
by Lauren
I ‘m from baths in the kitchen sink,
From Downy and Mom’s perfume
I am from flowers by the fence (yellow and springy
they tasted like crayons).
I am from the ivy crawling up the house,
The baby tree whose sturdy trunk shot from the ground
A mirror image of my planted feet.
I’m from sprinkles and plastic table
donut shops
From Bert and Ernie
I’m from stupid heads and dot dot I got my cootie shot
From don’t touch this and don’t touch that.
I’m from Hymn No. 96 and why is this piece of bread so small?
And bible crafts made from neon pipe cleaners.
I’m from Bill and Darlene’s branch
From hot soup and freshly baked corn bread
From the Well, when I was little’s and the snowy games
Told to me by Green Bay Packer season ticket holders
In the storage room are boxes
Overflowing with shiny, color-coated memories
Bundles of dreams kept alive
To ask my mother about.
I am from those moments
A leaf changing color with the weather
Time only strengthens the branch that holds me.
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