Today’s #VerseLove prompt is from Stacey Joy. She brought back once again the faithful form Where I’m From, originally from George Ella Lyon. Like Stacey, I’ve written many iterations of this poem over the years. A recent one that I actually liked, I posted here.
Today I used one of Stacey’s alternate suggestions to try, “I live” as a repeated phrase. Again, my results came out kind of corny. I always feel when I try to rhyme that it sounds corny and forced. I’m sharing anyway.
New Iberia, Louisiana April 6, 2025
I live where heat and humidity full bloom around noon.
I live under a canopy of cypress trees
with knees that will full stop a mower’s blade.
I live near bayou brown
watching for wood ducks
coming round.
I live with spiders, roaches, mosquitoes, and gnats.
I’ve learned to let-them-be or smash-them-flat.
I live among neighbors who know me,
who offer mint leaves for tea.
I live in a red state with hearts of blue.
What about you?
Margaret Simon, draft
The Kidlit Progressive Poem is with Buffy today.
Reflections on the Teche 
As a tea drinker, I love that neighbors give you mint for tea. That brings to mind a very specific and lovely way of living.
I like this form! I like the description of where you live. It takes me out into your yard! May have to try this one.
[…] month we will be writing about “Where I Live” modelled on this poem, but you can also use “Where I’m From”. Hope to see you […]
[…] month we will be writing about “Where I Live” modelled on this poem, but you can also use “Where I’m […]
[…] you believe it? We are more than half way through the year!This month we are doing either “Where I Live” poems or “Where I Come From” poems.June has been tumultuous and busy and tough. But as we slide into July, I am reminding myself to be […]
[…] This month we are doing either “Where I Live” poems or “Where I Come From” poems. […]