Where Im From By George Ella Lyon Where

“Where I’m From” By George Ella Lyon

“Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon myself. I am from clothespins, from Clorox and carbontetrachloride. I am from the dirt under the back I'm from Artemus and Billie's porch. 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 whose long-gone limbs I remember the eye my father shut to keep his sight. 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 I'm from the know-it-alls to drift beneath my dreams. and the pass-it-ons, I am from those moments-from Perk up! and Pipe down! snapped before I budded -I'm from He restoreth my soul leaf-fall from the family tree. with a cottonball lamb and ten verses I can say

“Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon Dutch Elm Forsythia Bush

“Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon �“From the finger my grandfather lost to the auger”

“Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon

“Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon What can we infer about the speaker and her early life, based on this poem?

“Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon • Born 1949, in Kentucky • Poet, writer, and teacher

“Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon Now it’s time for you to write your OWN “Where I’m From” poem! You have three options. Here are some examples.

“Where I’m From” #1 I am from hairspray I am from outrageous From braces and rubberbands Eleven foot Christmas trees I am from lightning bugs And joyous Thanksgiving feasts Fluttering in the summer night sky I am from French immigrants I am from Belle The cute little puppy From 1692 and New Paltz, New York We rescued from the pound And Smoky the cat I am from Louis Bevier and Marie Le. Blanc Whose death still touches my heart I am from Papaw’s goulash And Momma’s pumpkin pie From Dad’s overbearing Protectiveness of his little girl I am from the American dream From broken despair and gained hope I am the present, past and future History in the making

“Where I’m From” #2 I am from Texas Which smells and tastes like none other Where deep in the heart lies Austin Although I cannot have it right now I am from the sunny Saturday afternoons I can still remember Of Texas Longhorn football games I am from Tennessee I am from sports Where I live at the Foothills of the Smokies And the lessons that I learned from these And enjoy hiking on clear days games I am from lessons in literature I play with all my ability and enjoy the And the sounds of the saxophone victories I am from my family, friends and awesome I am from the “Try your hardest” and food “never give ups” I am from my grandmother’s warm pies I’m from all my hard work And my parents’ cooking from which I And the present as I continue on life’s grew to journey be a large boy I am from Texas barbeque

Where I’m From Example #3 I am from hand mixers From beaters with cake batter on them and yellow bowls of cookie dough I am from the 8 th house on the street with its red steps With creaky hardwood floors I am from the lilac bushes in the back The young Elm tree in the front Whose long limbs I remember as if they were my own I’m from blessing cakes before you cut them and Chinese food and bowling the night before Thanksgiving From Babe and Rocky I’m from long walks on summer nights and playing tricks on our Mom And from arguing over who has to wash the dishes I’m from “try your best” and “if you combine Margaret and Mindy, you get Liz” And The Beach Boys on the radio I’m from opening our presents on Christmas Eve From Oak Park, Illinois and Poland, England, Ireland, France and Canada From Kielbasa and Spaghetti

How you will be graded �Originality and thoughtfulness: Poem reflects thought and care, shows unique details about the writer, and is interesting to read 10 pts �Following directions: Poem is complete and follows one of the templates 5 pts �Presentation (organization, neatness, does it look nice? ) 5 pts �Mechanics (grammar, spelling, etc) 5 pts You must rewrite your final draft on nice paper; templates will not be accepted as finished assignments. Poems are worth 25 points total!