We are from face masks
From hand sanitizer and plastic gloves We are from the silent streets Learning behind iPads, and chrome books and laptops. We are from car parades With streamers and signs Honking horns and waving to send our love. We are from daily press conferences “New York Tough” as we burrow in our homes From Zoom meetings and Google Meets Sweatpants and pajama bottoms Lagging wifi and Zoom fatigue. We are from “quarantine hair don’t care” We are from haircuts from home Dark roots and feet desperate for pedicures. We are from the last paper towel roll on a shelf Like hitting the Mega-Million in the lottery. We are from temperature checks From standing six feet apart We are from plastic shields and fear. From “Don’t touch your face” and “Wash your hands.” We are from depressing news reports Maps lit up in red and numbers climbing We are from conflicting information, anger and grief Of all that we’ve lost On the way to where we are.
12 Comments
Melanie White
7/14/2020 05:12:20 am
The title of this drew me in because I am feeling the need to consider identity more and more. The last line: "On the way to where we are" is so complex and it takes all of the small symbols throughout and stands them on end. Thank you for such a rich and thoughtful poem.
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Erika Victor
7/14/2020 05:26:36 am
Oh, Kathleen, you have captured so many universal experiences here- for better and worse. This is a mentor text I will share with my third graders.
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7/14/2020 06:13:40 am
I have ALWAYS loved the original of this poem and your Covid version takes my breath away Kathleen. It's so accurate and full of lines that bring all the emotions right to the surface for me as a reader.
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Heather
7/14/2020 07:03:36 am
I love this. It is absolutely relatable - everything we are experiencing right now... My favorite line is "New York Tough" and burrowing in our homes. I can hear Cuomo's voice in my head. Thanks for this!
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You paint such an accurate feeling/ picture with all your details.
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7/14/2020 09:50:46 am
I plan to print this to put in my notebook! It's such a vividly detailed chronicle of these times. I love how you end with acceptance which gives it the feeling that we will be all right.
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7/14/2020 11:26:21 am
You've captured a lot of the ins and outs of our life right now. We are certainly going to be different people 6 months from now, just as we are different from who we were 6 months ago.
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7/14/2020 01:07:54 pm
Loved this and almost wrote a "Where I'm From" poem today, but I chose to write another poem. Such a powerful close:
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What a wonder you've created with this format. It wasn't the last, but it was a wonder when I managed to find Chlorox wipes during my trip to the grocery store yesterday. I took two, only to learn that we were limited to one. I should have known. New normals everywhere. Your last two lines are thought provoking.
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7/14/2020 06:29:33 pm
What a brilliant idea to use the I am from poem to capture the COVID life. I can relate to so much of what you wrote. I hope you share with your students and have them try it!
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AuthorKathleen Neagle Sokolowski Archives
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