1st Grade: When Jessica Byrd Crossed the Train Tracks

Taryn Spencer's poetry is vivid and visual. You already know that because you remember Damn Syndrome and you have visited her web site. Wait til you read what she gives us today. A boxer uses the jab to set up for the knock-out cross. Taryn does the same thing in this poem but with language instead of punches. Whoever coined the whole sticks and stones expression clearly never read a poem like this.
 
1st Grade: When Jessica Byrd Crossed the Train Tracks
By Taryn Spencer
Jessica Byrd liked to draw houses
The color pink
To wear her hair in pouty pigtails

She sat in the front row—
Straight and productive

The teachers loved her
We hated Jessica

We gave her names
Like peepee brains
Onion face
Muffin face
Teacher's pet
Gorilla breath

Jessica crossed over
The railroads

From school to home
Home to school—

Clutching her backpack
Tightly
Like molars
Chump down
Tightly
On sweet bubble gum

She skipped rocks along the way

Waved to blue jays.
That Tuesday
Morning—
Never making it to class.

Posted by Annmarie at 7/7/2010 11:54 PM
Categories: today's words
Tags: Taryn Spencer sad student girl outcast
 

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