Blog: Where I’m From…

Poem written by one of the second-years…

“Where I’m From”

Catherine Gray

 

I’m from Holly Springs, Mississippi

A dying town where we began our marriage

I’m from the rotting porch at Cedar Avenue

Clumsy dogs trailing bugs in the yard

Cats slinkin’ in and stridin’ out

I’m from shrimp etouffee at Michael’s

Chicken, yams, and greens on Sundays at Annie’s

 

I’m from English 11/12

A grotesque spectacle of human interactions

A land mine next to every desk

I’m from the most vulnerable parts of me blasted to pieces,

Splattered onto the laughing faces of–are these kids?

I’m the center of gladiatorial hilarity

I’m from, “M’Schmidt, why can’t you get some order in here?”

“Are y’all real teachers?”

“I don’t appreciate the way you been lookin’ at me all summer. You lookin’ at me like you don’t like me.”

“Smell my shoes.”

“You teachin’ today?”

 

I’m from my parking lot classroom next to the dumpster

Kids throwing backpacks on the roof

Hiding from the teacher behind cars

I’m from planning a lesson for two hours

Not being able to teach it because of senseless stupidity

I’m from sore feet and exhausted decisions

I’m from yelling at kids

A place of hatred and rage

I’m from meeting the end of my rope

Then holding on tight as it burns my hand for four more hours

 

I’m from $5000 in medical bills

Racing hearts and a stomach ache that will cut you in half

I’m from afternoons in bed staring at a screen

I’m from mornings when the sun does not exist

Groaning my way out of bed

Picking over nauseous eggs

Crying out the door

I’m from, “You mixed, you chinese, or you mexican?

Cuz if you mixed, you all nigga”

I’m from, “Ms. Gray is a bitch and she can suck my dick,”

I’m from “Do you believe in a black Jesus?”

“Leggo my eggo,”

“Stay on her good side or prepare to be destroyed”

I’m from hating kids

 

I’m from Willie Hunt’s curly, perfectly printed name

Rodney White’s word jumbles saying “Girl is food”

Dekeyshion asking for help to control his anger

I’m from Takerra, the embodiment of the word “No”

I’m from Saulsberrys, Davises, Richmonds, and Caradines

 

I’m from “The second year will be better”

Kitchen conversations with housemates on Stafford Ave.

Friday night margaritas at El Nopalito

Whiskey concoctions prepared by Maya

Evening walks up and down the hills of Hillcrest Cemetery

I’m from mornings when the sun still does not exist

I’m from counting down the days

Dreams of May 2012

 

I’m from The Mighty Groan and One Second Parties

Singing Beyonce with my students

I’m from Jonterious’s voluntary poems he wants critiqued

Kaitlyn’s curiousity and insightful questions about grammar

Kamiyah’s letters to the characters in her library books

The times when a whole row gets a problem right

“Oh yeah!”

 

I’m from, “Another one in the bag!”

“Cien dolares”

“Gray likes the M-O-N-E-Y”

“Team and Family, today the scholar will…”

 

I’m from the Mississippi Teacher Corps