Origin poems 7th Grade English

Discuss What does origin mean? Why do you think poets so frequently write about their origins? What is so important about our origins? Why must they be explored?

The original “Where I’m from” poem by: george ella lyon I am from clothespins, I'm from He restoreth my soul from Clorox and carbon-tetrachloride.           with a cottonball lamb           and ten verses I can say myself. I am from the dirt under the back porch. I'm from Artemus and Billie's Branch, (Black, glistening, fried corn and strong coffee. it tasted like beets.) From the finger my grandfather lost I am from the forsythia bush           to the auger, the Dutch elm the eye my father shut to keep his sight. whose long-gone limbs I remember as if they were my own. Under my bed was a dress box I'm from fudge and eyeglasses, spilling old pictures,           from Imogene and Alafair. a sift of lost faces to drift beneath my dreams. I'm from the know-it-alls           and the pass-it-ons, I am from those moments-- from Perk up! and Pipe down! snapped before I budded -- leaf-fall from the family tree.

Examples of figurative language Repetition Metaphor Imagery Where do you see each of these…?

Ms. Murray’s “where I’m from” poem I am from plastic laundry hampers I’m from the other side of the Atlantic from lemon rosemary soap and baking soda toothpaste. From crispy pizza fritte sprinkled with sea salt and hot, buttery pastina cooled with ice cubes. Irish soda bread and dark beers like milkshakes. I am from deep in the forest From a big grey house with paint chipping off the sides From ice jingling in cups and plates breaking. worn wooden floors and shudders that match the front door. Loud bellows, strong grips, and swallowed tears I am from lilacs and daffodils From the pitchfork stabbing in the ankle at the garage sale Strawberry bushes growing in clay pots whose fruit were always eaten before they were ripe. the bee sting on the lip while eating a hotdog, and the broken nose and black eye at the grocery store. I am from chatty Cathy’s and jumping jacks From “always do your best” and “treat others the way you want to be treated.” I am from the safe deposit box in the cabinet of the antique bookshelf that belonged to my Dad’s family but stayed in my Mom’s house when he moved out. I am from Murray’s and Fustos’. Anns and Johns.

The original “My town” poem by: buddy wakefield

Examples of figurative language Repetition Metaphor Personification Where do you see each of these…?

Asfm high schoolers’ “our town” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE3nfcYvcGk

discuss Did you like this poem? Why or why not? What lines stood out to you from this poem? How did you see them use figurative language effectively?

Now choose… Which of the two types of origin poems did you prefer? “Where I’m From” “My Town” There is a template/planning sheet for each of the two poems in the blog. Open the one that you want to work with and go for it!