#SOL15- Day 1: Where I'm From




     First time slicer here! I decided to use a mentor text to kick off the Slice of Life Challenge.  I was first introduced to the "Where I'm From" poem during the Long Island Writing Project Summer Invitational several years ago.  As I was debating how to introduce myself, I decided to try this structured poem.  Here is the link to the mentor poem:

http://digitalis.nwp.org/sites/default/files/files/428/Where%20I%27m%20From%20Original%20Poem%20&%20Template_0.pdf

 Where I'm From
By Kathleen Sokolowski

 I am from slouchy neon socks
from Play-Doh and Crystal Light in plastic pitchers.
I am from the safe and secure streets of suburban Seaford,
insulated, innocent.
It felt like freedom riding my bike through the tree lined streets.
I am from the chlorine in crystal blue town pools,
the grainy sands of Jones Beach,
the ocean assuring me life was bigger than the here and now.

 I'm from Sunday dinners with my grandparents and eating too much,
from the patriotism of my Grandy, and the wisdom of my Grandma,
the selflessness of my parents. 

 I'm from listening to records and twirling in my long nightgown and weekly trips to the local library. I'm from "Don't look back!" and "People who curse have nothing more intelligent to say." 
 I'm from construction paper links counting to Christmas and Catholic school uniforms neatly pressed.  I'm from Italian and Irish heritage, from dishes of pasta and Irish soda bread only on St. Patrick's Day.
From "drawing people" with my sister Christine and secret hideouts and digging to China in our backyard.
I am from stuffed photo albums of treasured times and a childhood full of love and hope. 

Comments

  1. drferreriblogspot.comMarch 1, 2015 at 6:58 AM

    Kathleen, First WELCOME ABOARD! I too am from "dishes of pasta and Irish soda bread only on St. Patrick's Day" but I LOVE YOUR WHOLE POEM ABOUT YOURSELF! It tells me all about you and is SO CREATIVE!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Michelle HaseltineMarch 1, 2015 at 7:15 AM

    Welcome Kathleen!!! I, too, LOVE your poem! What a great way to introduce yourself. :) "Slouchy neon socks" I LOVE it!!!! Looking forward to slicing with you this month!

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  3. DogtraxMarch 1, 2015 at 7:22 AM

    You can't go wrong with a Where I Am From poem ...

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMarch 1, 2015 at 7:24 AM

    Welcome to Slice of Life! What a great way to introduce yourself. I love your images of the pool and beach. Hope we'll see them again before too long!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lisa CorbettMarch 1, 2015 at 7:28 AM

    Love the poem! I wrote one a few years ago, but I'm thinking I should re-write it and compare them.

    ReplyDelete
  6. MelanieMarch 1, 2015 at 7:32 AM

    Wow, Kathleen! I love the idea of a poem to introduce yourself. Maybe I'll try it. I am a first-timer, too.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousMarch 1, 2015 at 7:43 AM

    Poetry! I love poems. I am so glad that you started the challenge off with a poem.
    I used to be obsessed with crystal light but now I can't stand to be in the same room as it. Do you still enjoy it?

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousMarch 1, 2015 at 8:20 AM

    Welcome (says she newer than you- time zones;)). I love your introduction! I look forward to learning from you as you slice!

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousMarch 1, 2015 at 8:20 AM

    Welcome (says she newer than you- time zones;)). I love your introduction! I look forward to learning from you as you slice!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Terje March 1, 2015 at 8:28 AM

    Welcome. Mentor texts support writers in many ways. Your choice allowed to introduce yourself with images and emotions. Many of the lines of your poem could become slices of their own. I hope you will enjoy the experience of the writing challenge.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Dana MurphyMarch 1, 2015 at 8:53 AM

    Love Where I'm From poems, and yours might be on my list of favorites. I share a lot of these memories with you.

    Beautifully written - great first Slice. Welcome to our community.

    ReplyDelete
  12. UnknownMarch 1, 2015 at 8:55 AM

    I love this. What a great way to introduce yourself. It provides such a wonderful visual view of where you are from. That image of digging yourself to China and soda bread and the pool and ocean. Love.

    ReplyDelete
  13. JaanaMarch 1, 2015 at 10:37 AM

    Great introduction! Welcome to our slicing community!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Lisa KeelerMarch 1, 2015 at 10:53 AM

    Such a great reminder to use a mentor text to get started and what a fun one you chose. I love your idea and may try it myself on another day. I connect with the construction paper links and Catholic school uniforms.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Stacey ShubitzMarch 1, 2015 at 1:27 PM

    Such a gorgeous introduction, Kathleen. Welcome to our writing community!

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  16. Leigh Anne EckMarch 1, 2015 at 4:43 PM

    What a great way to introduce yourself! I have filed this idea on my list. So many wonderful images you have created. Welcome to this wonderful community!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Jennifer WardMarch 1, 2015 at 4:58 PM

    I'm so glad that you stopped by my #SOL15 post today as it gave me an opportunity to read yours. I must confess, I am going to steal your idea! What a great way to start your first Slice of Life challenge. This would be such a great way to start out my high school English classes, too. Thank you for the inspiration and the introduction!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Mindi RenchMarch 1, 2015 at 9:07 PM

    Kathleen... Welcome to #SOL15. The first lines of your poem took me back to my own teenage years in the 80s! Hope you love this month of Slicing!

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousMarch 2, 2015 at 12:54 PM

    This blog entry is so like you...fresh, original, authentic and fun! I am so glad we have become friends and fellow writers!

    ReplyDelete
  20. LoraleeMarch 6, 2015 at 1:32 AM

    Beautifully written.
    I enjoyed reading where you're from.

    ReplyDelete

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