Memory Poems

Memory is a powerful motivator in poetry, and Philip Levine one of poetry's most ardent proponents of remembering. Students read and discussed his lovely poem, "Starlight," then wrote memory poems of their own.

Ms. Barreda, 8th Grade

Untitled (Memory Poem)
Jessica M.

My most favorite memory and sad memory
was when I spent my life
with my dad and mom.
The first Christmas, that I was
with my family. We had a tree
with a lot of decorations,
and a lot of presents.
I still remember
when my parents
would watch me
open my presents
and just smile.
Little that I
knew that my
dad was going
to leave. But I
just sat there
and watched
him leave.

Untitled (Memory Poem)
Tonya P.

The tall, wavy field of gold
swayed ever so slightly as the warm
breeze blew.
Steep the mountain was
but there I sat high above
the landscape of lively green
with healthy trees and bushes
within the scene.
Birds singing their early morning song.
The sun shining high over my
head.
Early it was, but a sight I
would not want to miss.
The horses ran freely within
their field.
Chickens clucked and chirped as
the rooster's loud wail sounded
the morning alarm.
Now I stood walking back to
the house and starting to think
I can't believe I'm going to
milk a cow.

Untitled (Memory Poem)
Airam V.

Since now I'm in 8th grade I
want to go back to that time.
It was my first week in preschool.
When I met my first friend.
Both of us had long hair.
Both of our mothers were friends with
each other.
Both of our mothers had the same
name.
I'm graduating this year.
Sometimes I think it's best if I
move on.
But there is always going to be
that memory that I can't let go of.
That memory is when I met Jenny.
We had a lot of memories after that
moment we met.
We are still friends now.
Jenny and I made a promise to each
other that we were going to be best friends
until we graduate together from McPherson.
That promise is about to be made
come true.

Mrs. Turk, 7th Grade

Untitled (Memory Poem)
Amanda M.

I remember when my dad left.
He said I will love you all the
time. Then he gave me a hug
and he told my mom bye and
took his stuff and then he left.
I always called him on the phone
but he changed his phone number and
we stopped talking until I was
13 years old. He took me shopping and
he came back into my life. But
he doesn't live with us. I live with
my step dad.

How I Became Richer...
Laesha R.

I remember getting out of my limo.
I remember going into the store.
I remember buying a lotto ticket.
I remember being in my limo with
my lotto ticket.
I remember screaming that I
was even richer because I won a
million dollars.
I remember it was just a dream.

Memory
Morgan R.

I remember going into the bath-
room
when I went in there I remember
slipping sliding like ice skating
on water
I remember hitting my head
on a big hard thick
white tub I remember
going down the stairs
falling fast
I remember coming to a
stop hitting the couch
and being knocked out
after one minute and thirty-three seconds
I woke the room was
spinning going in circles
seeing all
the colors mix together
like a rainbow

Ms. Touras, 6th Grade

My New Year in the Philippines
Danielle D.

My best New Year is when it was 2005.
it was my best New Year because
in the Philippines we invite our neighbors
and everyone we know to our house.
We had a lot of foods but my mom
cooks the best foods.
All of the people we invited brought something.

When it was 11:00 pm and an hour
more to go when it was going to be
New Year,
we got ready.
We played loud music in front of our
gate.
We had our fireworks ready and other
kinds of fireworks.
We even had a hat.
We ate and we had money in our beds.
We also had coins in our pockets.
All the people in our neighborhood
started screaming and lighting up their fireworks.
My cousins and my sisters ran to our
house because my uncle started lighting
up the fireworks.
We all looked up in the sky.
And then we all hugged each other and
said:
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Untitled (Memory Poem)
Alondra F.

It seems so sad.
I could see my mom hugging
everyone. Me just playing with my
doll. My sister holding me from my
hand so I wouldn't get lost. I
could see tears coming from my
sister's eyes. I have no idea what's
going on. I just see my cousins
coming to hug me, saying bye.
But somehow I know something
is not right. The next thing
I remember is coming home.

Untitled (Memory Poem)
Agnes F.

I remember the weekend
in Indiana with my best friend.
We were driving a golf car
around the little village.
Looking at the bright blue sky,
feeling the wind blowing at us.
It was very cool.
I remember us jumping on
the trampoline.
At night we lay down on it
with her dog Nicko protecting,
looking up at the dark sky
with some stars shining.
I felt like sleeping right there.
For me that house in Indiana is
like a glass palace.
That neighborhood is so kind and sweet.
I miss that weekend.