I really don't want my blog to be categorized with the ones that have long verses of random poetry on them. Yet, here I am, typing up a cliché post... with a poem in it. Actually, I was going through our massive literary collection just now, and I happened to come across one of the books from my time at EWS.
As I pulled it out a flood of memories came rushing to me. The book belonged to an ex-hallmate of mine from my senior year, when I had been proctor on the hall. She had been a sophomore and I remember always spending an extra ten minutes chatting with her when I did my daily routine check in with the girls on the hall. The book had been part of the reading list from her English class, but she gave it to me before I graduated because I had really liked one of the poems in it.
The author, Naomi Shihab Nye, had visited our campus and read a few of her works out loud, and this one was by far my favorite. Who knew I would one day mother a child who would be exactly like the narrator of this poem? When I read this poem I felt a renewed attachment to it, and immediately wanted to share it.
Thank you AK, for this book!
ONE BOY TOLD ME
By Naomi Shihab Nye (FUEL)
Music lives inside my legs.
It's coming out when I talk.
I'm going to send my valentines
to people you don't even know.
Oatmeal cookies make my throat gallop.
Grown-ups keep their feet on the ground
when they swing. I hate that.
Look at those 2 o's with a smash in the middle -
that spells good-bye.
Don't ever say "purpose" again,
let's throw the word out.
Don't talk big to me.
I'm carrying my box of faces.
If I want to change faces I will.
Yesterday faded
but tomorrow's in BOLDFACE.
When I grow up my old names
will live in the house
where we live now.
I'll come and visit them.
Only one of my eyes is tired.
The other eye and my body aren't.
Is it true all metal was liquid first?
Does that mean if we bought our car earlier
they could have served it
in a cup?
There's a stopper in my arm
that's not going to let me grow any bigger.
I'll be like this always, small.
And I will be deep water too.
Wait. Just wait. How deep is the river?
Would it cover the tallest man with his hands in the air?
Your head is a souvenir.
When you were in New York I could see you
in real life walking in my mind.
I'll invite a bee to live in your shoe.
What if you found your shoe
full of honey?
What if the clock said 6:92
instead of 6:30? Would you be scared?
My tongue is the car wash
for the spoon.
Can noodles swim?
My toes are dictionaries.
Do you need any words?
From now on I'll only drink white milk
on January 26.
What does minus mean?
I never want to minus you.
Just think - no one has ever seen
inside this peanut before!
It is hard being a person.
I do and don't love you -
isn't that happiness?
As I pulled it out a flood of memories came rushing to me. The book belonged to an ex-hallmate of mine from my senior year, when I had been proctor on the hall. She had been a sophomore and I remember always spending an extra ten minutes chatting with her when I did my daily routine check in with the girls on the hall. The book had been part of the reading list from her English class, but she gave it to me before I graduated because I had really liked one of the poems in it.
The author, Naomi Shihab Nye, had visited our campus and read a few of her works out loud, and this one was by far my favorite. Who knew I would one day mother a child who would be exactly like the narrator of this poem? When I read this poem I felt a renewed attachment to it, and immediately wanted to share it.
Thank you AK, for this book!
ONE BOY TOLD ME
By Naomi Shihab Nye (FUEL)
Music lives inside my legs.
It's coming out when I talk.
I'm going to send my valentines
to people you don't even know.
Oatmeal cookies make my throat gallop.
Grown-ups keep their feet on the ground
when they swing. I hate that.
Look at those 2 o's with a smash in the middle -
that spells good-bye.
Don't ever say "purpose" again,
let's throw the word out.
Don't talk big to me.
I'm carrying my box of faces.
If I want to change faces I will.
Yesterday faded
but tomorrow's in BOLDFACE.
When I grow up my old names
will live in the house
where we live now.
I'll come and visit them.
Only one of my eyes is tired.
The other eye and my body aren't.
Is it true all metal was liquid first?
Does that mean if we bought our car earlier
they could have served it
in a cup?
There's a stopper in my arm
that's not going to let me grow any bigger.
I'll be like this always, small.
And I will be deep water too.
Wait. Just wait. How deep is the river?
Would it cover the tallest man with his hands in the air?
Your head is a souvenir.
When you were in New York I could see you
in real life walking in my mind.
I'll invite a bee to live in your shoe.
What if you found your shoe
full of honey?
What if the clock said 6:92
instead of 6:30? Would you be scared?
My tongue is the car wash
for the spoon.
Can noodles swim?
My toes are dictionaries.
Do you need any words?
From now on I'll only drink white milk
on January 26.
What does minus mean?
I never want to minus you.
Just think - no one has ever seen
inside this peanut before!
It is hard being a person.
I do and don't love you -
isn't that happiness?
I remember her visit to Emma! I remember getting her autograph on a napkin (which I have lost by now). I remember her reading her poems in Kiggins auditorium! I remember you and Nida were with me when I got her autograph.... Oh, what wonderful memories I have with you Sahu. You have such a special place in my heart.
ReplyDeleteOh I remember! We were in the library! We even got pictures taken with her! Haha, good times. Cheesy, but good :P
ReplyDelete