1. Subordinating Clause Poetry 8 th Grade Language Arts Mrs. Ellis 2009-2010 Student Examples

2. My Dad Left By: Kourtney Brown As I wake up, After the alarm on my phone goes off, Before anyone else is awake except for him and me, Even though I know what’s about to happen, I run into the living room. As soon as I show up in the room, While the floor was cold on my feet, Though he doesn’t see me, After he’s done packing his duffel bag, I watch my dad go out the door and get onto the big black bus. (Kourtney’s Dad left for Iraq the day after she wrote this poem.)

3. At the Frontline by Ian Hukill As I’m on the frontline, After I see a man fall down beside me, While bullets are passing my head, Because of the enemy shooting at me, I take cover behind a wall. While I see my fellow soldier being shot at, As I’m pulling the trigger to my rifle, As soon as one of the enemy soldiers fall, Since he has been shot in the head, I see the air force coming to back us up.

4. Life by: Brayden Jenkins Since past is gone, Before future has happened, Because now is a gift, Which is why it’s called present, Live while you can. Since life is gone, Because death is everlasting, Though in blackness we’ll be basking Until death comes, Live while you can.

5. A Day’s Journey by Kayleigh Moore When the rooster crows, While the dew is still on the ground, Before the sun comes up, As I make my way to the stables, I begin to saddle the horse. While I’m riding through the pasture, Though the wind blows in my face, While the butterflies flutter around me, As the pond looks as if it were made of glass, My horse and I make our way up the mountain.

6. Dreams by Justin Murray (The Next Stephen King) As soon as I go to sleep, Before I get up, Even though I know they won’t hurt me, When I wake up at night sweating bullets, I fear my dreams may come true. After I take my shower, When I lay down to rest, As I fall into a deep sleep, After everything goes wrong, I know I’m next.

7. Early Morning by Mason Schmidt Until I get up, Until the alarm clock goes off, Before the sun comes up, Before my house fills with life, I’ll be silently asleep. Before we go, As I get ready, While I grab my gun, When I’m walking to my truck, I wish I was already at the deer stand.

8. Football by Shannon Stegall When we arrive in the field house, After we get our pads on, As soon as we get on the field, After we warm up, The game starts. As soon as the ball is thrown, When the pass is complete, Even though he is tackled, Before he can score, He has to get to the end zone.

9. Delicious Burrito by Brandon Trejo (future stand up comic?) After I went to the bathroom, Because I ate a burrito, Though it wasn’t spicy, When I was finished, The bathroom was calling my name. Until I ate another one, Before I raised my hand to go to the bathroom, While I was waiting in class, Since the teacher said no, I had gas.

10. Living by Will Tucker Whenever I walk, After I crawl, Before I jog, As I crawl, I sprint. Whenever I think, After I think to think, Before I breathe, As I walk, I live.

11. Your Smile by: Will McFarland ( Next Romeo?) When I see your smile, As I think back, Because of all the wonderful times, As I think, You’re always on my mind. Whenever I see your smile, Before I can speak, As I think, While I see your smile, I realize you take my breath away.

12. A Baby’s Learnings by: Holly Anderson Until you run, Before you shall walk, When you crawl, Even though you do not understand, Your life has already begun in this world. As you stumble, After you fall, Which you learn, As soon as you stand, You have just learned persistence.

13. Do I Have To? by: Hope Dillon Although I am tired, Even though I am not in the mood, Since school is important, Because I want to go to high school, I will write this poem. Because I am feeling better, Because Mrs. Ellis wants me to smile, Although I still don’t feel great, Until school is over, I will have to do this paper.

14. Don’t worry if your poem isn’t here yet. I am adding a few at a time. If you do not wish for your poem to be published here, send me an email and I will take it off of the power point or change your name to anonymous.