Yes indeed, it’s time for me to skedaddle my way back to the Vermont College of Fine Arts to serve once again as a Graduate Assistant for the summer residency of the Writing For Children and Young Adults MFA program. And consistent with every residency, I’m in my last-minute list-making and packing for the twelve days I’ll be away. After six previous residencies (five as a student and one as a GA last summer) you’d think I would know what and how to pack, or at the very least be able to find my lists from previous trips.
Which leads me to today’s poem.
i’ve got a list, i’ve checked it twice
before i can proceed.
i’ve packed and repacked each bag thrice
with everything i need.kenneled the plants, watered the cat
(no! other way around!)
i can’t forget my favorite hat
for strolling into townunplugged the phone so it won’t wail,
the windows sealed tight,
i put a hold on all my mail,
a timer on a light.i bought a GPS device
to help me find my way.
the route it planned is so precise
i won’t get lost today!I’m gone! i’m out! i’m with the tide!
i’ve got no time to spare…
but, wait! i’ve locked my keys inside!
i’m in my underwear!
No, I have never left the house in my underwear, but I have locked myself out many a time. And no matter how many times I make a list, and how carefully I consider everything I’m going to need, invariably I forget at least one thing.
So here it is, Poetry Friday. Next week I’ll be posting from a my cinder block cave in Montpelier, hopefully inspired enough to have something new to post. In the here-and-now Poetry Friday is being hosted by Elaine over at Wild Rose Reader.
Much fun, David! Glad to have discovered your work. Nice to meet another New England person writing children’s poetry. Hope you enjoy the summer residency!
thanks! and be forewarned: it isn’t always children’s poetry i post!
Hee. I hate packing with a white-hot passion. There are too many decisions to be made, too many things to give up. Have fun in VT!
and i keep thinking of things when i don’t have a means to write them down, then when i get a chance forgot what it was i needed to add to my list!
at least VT isn’t a deserted outpost. i’m pretty sure i can find things there if i need them. pretty sure…
Did you remember your toothbrush?!?
Check these out — they reminded me of you:
http://blog.stenhouse.com/archives/2011/07/08/poetry-friday-greguerias/
d’oh!
no, wait. i DID remember my toothbrush. no, it’s gotta be something else…