"I Remember:" Litany, 6th grade

The writer Joe Brainard created a book-length poem of lines that all start with the phrase "I remember." We read a selection and talked about his use of concrete image and how it conveyed the particular time he grew up in. I asked them to try their own "I remember" poems, writing in a free style, starting each new line with "I remember," and writing without stopping during the time set.


Mrs. Hernandez, Rm. 109, 6th grade

Remember
?

I remember my
Grandpa's voice
and his face,
telling the story of
God, laying there
day by day smiling
and saying hi to
my friends who
come and play.
I wish to see
him again one
more time, hear
his voice and face.
I wish


I Remember
Chris R.

I remember when I started to see dead people.
I remember when my brother got killed.
I remember a house with lights.
I remember a dancing monkey on my car.
I remember a talking book telling me what to do.
I remember getting Fs on my report card.
I remember my teacher talking about aliens.
I remember when my friend broke my back window.
I remember when I saw an elephant driving a motorcycle.
I remember when I got in trouble.
I remember some boy getting kicked in the face by a horse.


I Remember
Yaneliz R.

I remember dancing while people watched me.
I remember walking and a truck hitting me on my side.
I remember running because I was playing ding dong ditch.
I remember two bulldogs in back of me and I was on my bike crashing into a tree.
I remember running around the park with my uncle.
I remember moving into a new house.
I remember coming to my new school and not knowing anyone.
I remember walking to my house and being scared.