I teach multiple grade levels, so in one given day I’ll read a social justice poem, an article about invertebrates, a picture book about water protectors, and student slices. But all reading roads lead to writing in one way, shape, or form. We write every day.
Today’s notebook collage is a sea of invertebrates, including a thesaurus page with the heading word specimen. But it was the words that led to my thoughts. We all have a story to tell. I may not have a story about significant environmental issues or roots in injustice, but it is a story, a history worth noting in a poem.
In the Natural Rhythm of Memory
While she may speak of rivers,
Margaret Simon, draft
and he speaks for the trees, the poet
speaks for mollusks, snails, and anemones.
Who do I represent?
Neither drums of nature, nor blood
of brothers tell my story.
Not poor or tortured;
My river runs from Mississippi
to Texas, through veins of magnolias
and spray of Gulf waves–
my history is a southern drawl
spoken over the telephone,
sweet as maple syrup,
white as cornbread,
and golden as the morning sun.
Reflections on the Teche 
A beautiful take on a where I’m from poem, Margaret. What lucky students you have to be in a classroom filled with so much inspiration.
As I read your poem, it seemed like your southern drawl was talking to me,,,,as i went, for a moment to the Gulf shore …thank you
Margaret, I love how you describe your southern drawl here as sweet as syrup. Your poem and photo today remind me of the first chapter of Foolsgold by Susan G. Wooldridge, who also wrote Poemcrazy. I was drawn to her nature collages and how she visits the edges of places where worlds merge. Your poem is lovely and has a creative style that is unique!
I don’t have Foolsgold but I love Poemcrazy!
Margaret, your poem is lovely and reminds me of the first chapter of Foolsgold by Susan G. Wooldridge. Your style is creative, and your topic is enchanting.
What a great compliment! Thanks.
Love this! Art leads to art leads to art. I’m always pulling words from images I create or images from words I write – I love seeing other people work in a similar way. Your collage and poem are both beautiful, I’m so happy I stopped by.
Notebook collaging and writing are showing your very creative side, Margaret. I love how you compare your southern drawl, slow and sweet. Telling a story is always a delicious part of writing that provides the reader with content information. Thank you for sharing yours.
I love the rich comparisons you use in your poem. I’m also wowed by your creative notebook pages. Beautiful!
I love the idea of the rhythm of memories and the way the science led you to the history and the geography. Beautiful!
Love this poem. My heritage runs along something rather like. yours, with a collard in it.
Love this. My heritage runs along something like yours, with a collard in it.
When “all reading roads lead to writing in one way, shape, or form. We write every day” leads to “My river runs from Mississippi
to Texas, through veins of magnolias
and spray of Gulf waves” – well, then beauty is created.
A lovely poem!