Recently at Alcott Elementary School, 3rd, 6th, and 8th graders read Margaret Walker's "Lineage," and part of Etheridge Knight's "Idea of Ancestry." They wrote their own poems of family...
Grumpy
My grandmothers were always
Grumpy. tired and hungry. always
mad for nothing. never smiling.
The memories are thoughtless.
with the smell of soap and stank.
lazy and tired.
my grandmothers were grumpy.
never smiling or laughing.
dead old and boring. Always
drinking beer and yelling. She
hated every holiday and wonder
why the making.
my grandmothers were grumpy.
saying life is boring why live
it. A new baby boy came to
earth. She blew in his face with
steam. Then she would say get
that baby out of my face before
I thro that thing.
My grandmothers were grumpy.
I am glad that they are not me.
- Cherron (6th grade)
My grandma is strong
Ice cream going on my hand
Melting from the sun here
I am melting melting
through my hand. Grandma
you are so strong
wipe my hands so the ice
cream will be gone.
- Skylar (3rd grade)
Goddess
My grandmas were courageous
never let anything break them down
like a steel wall and bullets can’t break it.
Strong like a body builder
On the inside on out.
Caring, loveable, smart, forgiving
My grandmothers are courageous.
They told me some stories when they were young
Christians, go to church each Sunday
inspiring me to do the same
idols, of my family
goddess of the world
my grandmothers are courageous
Tell me are yours?
- Bria May (8th grade)
My grandfather is a working man
as he walks in a town in mexico
he is walking on bare feet
does not care for pain or for hurt
he does this as he works
he does not stop, he keeps on going all night and day until he
gets paid.
my grandfather is a working man.
- Logan (6th grade)
My grandma is a cook
while she chops the onions
chops the garlic, an odd smell
comes into the room.
While she talks to me about cooking
I see how swiftly her hands move,
she cuts shrimp, boils water
I watch her cook I don’t bother.
She prepares a meal for everyone
she pours wine in my mother’s cup,
she decorates the table with purple
and black
she pull grandpa’s steak back
she puts rice on his plate
while I sit down and listen to her
first date.
- Myliah (6th grade)
A Grandmother
My grandmother
Who just passed one ½ year ago
The only genetic I got from her
Was my dimples.
The only thing she left me
Was the best memories.
I remember when she give me her beautiful smile
To see.
- Naomi (8th grade)
I am a granny living in yorkshire in england, and I really enjoy all your poems this morning ..thank you very much
jenny. ps I am sixty eight
Posted by: jenny | 10/16/2007 at 02:04 AM