Where I'm From

So I've been on Ocracoke Island this week attending an NCCAT seminar entitled "North Carolina Is My Home". I feel like I've learned a lot and have even had the opportunity to meet some incredible people...not just fellow teachers, but published authors from NC. On the first day, Georgann Eubanks was giving us a tour of the state through photographs of author's homes. She then shared a poem written by George Ella Lyon entitled, Where I'm From. Our exercise that day was to create the same poem, only changing aspects to make it where we are from. I really dislike poetry (only because you're not supposed to say "hate"). Mostly because it doesn't make any sense to me. But this poem did make sense to me and was really fun to write. I didn't share it with the group during sharing time because I felt like it was too personal...so instead, I'm going to publish it on my blog. (see the sarcasm?)



Where I'm From

by Shanti Ammen Clancy



I AM FROM CLIFFS

OVERLOOKING THE PACIFIC

I AM FROM RED ROCKS

CLIMBED IN THE HEAT OF THE SUN

I AM FROM THE FLAT LAND

OF THE CITY OF AUTOMOBILES

FROM THE PARKWAY, BLUE HILLS

SNOW, WIND, BREATHTAKING VIEWS



I AM FROM TOOTSIE ROLL POPS AND SLEDDING

FROM HOCKEYTOWN AND SILVER DAIRY

I'M FROM THE FAMILY BUSINESSES

AND THE 4-WHEELER

FROM "RISE AND SHINE"!

I'M FROM HOLISTIC HEALING

WITH MEDITATION

AND HARMONIUM MUSIC



I'M FROM DAN'S SUBS AND DISHWASHER DORITOS

COFFEE CAKE AND SUGAR COOKIES

FROM THE STRUMMING OF DAD'S

GUITAR AS HE SINGS BEATLES TUNES

THE SMELL OF MOM'S GRILLED CHEESE WITH THE FIXIN'S

BEHIND OUR HOUSE WERE LEAF PILES

COVERING FAIRY VILLAGES.

THE CREATION OF TWO

GIRLS WITH IMAGINATION

I AM FROM SUNDAYS AT GRANDMA'S

WITH A FAMILY CONTINUALLY GROWING

JUST ONE OF MANY