Dear Lola (after Victoria B.)
I can still taste the simplicity of
sweet suman and hot chocolate,
balut with a sprinkle of salt,
steamed broccoli dipped in soy sauce,
fresh fruits and frozen grapes
I can still see all the little trinkets:
your colorful ESPER nametag–
next to “Footprints in the Sand,”
the photo of you with your seven siblings,
the chair, the Bible, the window
I can still feel things no longer in reach
the softness of your hands as you bless “Mano po,”
the crisp dollar bills entrusted to light candles at church
the Velcro of your shoes that I tenderly secure
the support I provide as we walk side-by-side
And if I could, I would continue to reach
for the plums we once picked from your tree
for my communion necklace that broke during PE
for the eggs you hid during Easter
for the mahjong tiles in a game we never played together
And if I could, I would listen to any lecture, story, or prayer
because, despite such vivid memories,
the passing of time numbs my senses
I can see your smile but not hear your laugher
so I sit in silence and try my best to remember
And if I could, I would recall your scent
but there is no lotion, perfume, or soap I can conjure
so 20 years later I can’t help but wonder:
Do you know you still guide me as I carry you in my heart?
Do you know I strive to be a fraction of who you were… and still are?
Reflection
Every year, I attempt to include at least a few poetry lessons so that all students can explore a writing medium that I feel is more accessible. Since everyone has a story and everyone has emotions, they have the basic ingredients to make a poem. Keep in mind: poems do not have to rhyme and do not have to be long, so this genre gives all students an access point where grammar and rules are not obstacles.
What I find interesting is that each group tends to gravitate towards a specific genre or form despite exposing them to several options. For instance, the majority of students this year really ran with acrostics while last year’s class focused more on descriptive poetry. In fact, this poem was inspired by Victoria, one of my former students, after a brainstorming session that focused on the five senses. She wrote about her grandfather and wanted to share it with the class. When she began to cry midway through her reading, I was reminded why poetry is powerful.
That said, I feel this poem was the best way to start Season 2. Unfortunately, as of now, I have not finished Season 1. Hopefully, I will return to it in the future because I have a vision of what the remaining 11 episodes would be. The most important part was creating a sample to help guide my students through this process. My goal is that this season will be the beginning of a tradition within my classroom because every student has a voice that deserves to be heard.
Prompt
For those listening, thank you for your time and know that your words also matter. I want you to grab a pen and get ready. Your challenge: write about how someone young inspired you to do something new or better than what you are used to. You can try writing a letter, an acrostic, or even a shape poem–to really think outside the box. Although the youth is our future, they don’t have to wait to make a difference.