Poetry Anthology
By: Maci Elliott
Introduction
Where I'm From
I am from the old bats and gloves, from Easton and Mizuno.
I am from the red dirt that covers my face to make me look tanner than I already am.
I am from the clean white calla lilies, the walking stick tree that walks around the neighborhood at night when I’m alone.
I am from competitive game nights with my deranged family and faith that never leaves our souls, from Earlene and Jean and the shameless folks.
I am from the smart aleck's and practical jokers that never cease the moment to have a witty return.
From being told I could do anything that I wanted to do and to never quit on myself nor others when our minds have already departed from the task.
I am from his commitment for the sins I’ve made and the assurance from his own words about Heaven. Further description.
I'm from downtown where we go out late at night looking at the glorious city lights that make my heart content with the world, and the varieties of past that we make together and the homemade chicken noodle soup that heels us when are indisposed.
From the gigantic oak trees, the noiseless hummingbirds, and the fondness for the nature from Earlene made life even sweeter.
I am from the memories that come and stay in our lives forever until we are gone from the world.
Narrative
My whole world froze when I was told
That you had passed. That I
Was never going to get to see you again.
The women that taught me everything;
From life lessons to the different kinds of
Trees and flowers and birds. My heart was
Literally in two pieces when I got the call from
My mother who was in so much pain.
It took 10 seconds to sink in and to feel real.
I couldn’t speak, I tried as hard as I could to
Get the words out but there was nothing…
The hours leading up to the funeral were
Brutal: up to packing for it to the 2 hour
Car ride. As soon as I got there I ran for my mother,
To hug and comfort her as she was comforting me.
After we stopped crying we headed for the funeral.
This took an hour. I was getting nervous.
We finally found the place where I was going to see her
For the last time forever. I walked into the room where
All of her pictures and flowers were to only break down.
I felt paralyzed. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t speak.
My family tried to get me out of there but there was no
Point of moving me; only because I knew that I
Wasn’t going anywhere for the rest of the day that turned into
Night. I stayed in that room until I was dragged out.
Structure
Old times are still growing older
And the same flower stays
While tomorrow it'll be dying
Ode
Follow your own arrow
That leads the way to your own
Dreams. I used to not, when I didn’t
Know what to do anymore until I got the
Help from a special somebody in my life.
“Your arrow is yours and yours only.”
Your my anchor point for the ship that
I’ve been on my entire life. This ship can only go for
So long until I’ve reached my anchor point.
You’ve helped me make the decisions that
I couldn’t make without the help of
Still wanting to achieve my goal in the
Future. You’ve helped with not giving up
On myself during the hard times.
You’re my arrow.
You’re my favorite arrow.
Done to the high and lows that happen
To you while helping me.
You remind me of my heart.
They tell you to follow your heart, but
In reality your heart is also
Your arrow.
Extended Metaphor
I am like the sharp edge of the
Piece of broken glass that is
Transparent to the rest of the world.
That piece of glass that people
Think they can write on when it’s
Broken already. The broken piece of glass is
Broken because of people hurting and lying
To them constantly, telling them that
Everything is going to be ok and that
Everything will fix itself when it doesn’t.
The broken piece of glass. It’s sharp edge hurts others
But the piece of glass doesn’t know how it
Fix the hurt people, either with words
Or non-verbal communication or just being
There for them.
The broken piece of glass.
Sonnet
Give me all of your time
From making me happy and caring
You’ll be forever mine
I’ll be listening while you’ll be hearing
I want you to be the start of me
We know it’s bad for us but we like it
On those hot summer days we could be buzzing like bees
But you and I have to commit
To the relationship that will last forever
And to the troubles that may come with
We shall not forget our love whatsoever
Until death come into our lives after birth
As long as you love thee
As long as we’re together you have the key