Friday, October 31, 2008

Happy Halloween

My mom stumbled upon some of my old school work a few weeks ago. Included in a small writing packet I'd done for English class was, as timing would have it, a Halloween limerick. It's not dated, though some accompanying papers were from 1991, when I was in the sixth grade.

*ahem*

I love to go trick-or-treating,
My family calls it a meeting.
We all gather 'round,
Sit down on the ground,
And suddenly we all are eating.

Oy. I wonder if way back then I had any suspicion of the journey I'd one day take as a writer. I've come a long way, baby.

So Happy Halloween! Wherever this evening takes you, be safe and have fun.

15 comments:

Joanne said...

Love the visual of the family dropping down to the floor and digging in as the pumpkin chock full of candy is emptied. I have memories of this happening here! Thanks for sharing, have fun with your kids today!

Joshua said...

very cool :) happy halloween cuz and grats again on 200+ posts

Terri Tiffany said...

LOL--don't you love it when moms save stuff from long ago? I have my first and only poem in a frame on my office wall-- I gave it to my mother when I was in about 4th grade and she gave it back to me when my daughter turned one.It was about being a Parent!

Anonymous said...

Wow, you mom saved your papers! My mom doesn't have anything from my childhood...poor me.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Joanne - Who knows if I was consciously intending that way back when, but that's what I picture, too! Thanks.

Josh - You, too. Hope you have a great night, bub!

Terri, that's awesome! You'll have to post the poem sometime. :)

df - She did! Not all of them, mind you. I don't know that she had a rhyme or reason to the ones she did save. I've started that with my kindergartner; got one of those accordian-style files, and am keeping all her hard work inside. :) That stinks you have none!

Anonymous said...

Even though my mom passed away last November, I KNOW she still had things from when I was in school (like the poster board on the car during the parade when I won Homecoming Queen in 6th grade: I'm 39 now). Anywhooo, I think it's wonderful she kept that. I might be able to find some of my old writings if I did long enough in my dad's garage..lol.

Happy Halloween to you too.

WendyCinNYC said...

I think you should submit your poem to a lit mag.

Janna Leadbetter said...

Ang - I just love looking at old stuff like that!

Wendy, thanks for saying so! I'm flattered (and surprised) you think so. Any suggestions?

Barb Davis said...

How wonderful to find something like that.

Have fun tonight and don't eat too much candy!!

Melissa Amateis said...

I think I've saved nearly everything my daughter has made and/or drawn. I figure someday I'll put it on a big museum exhibit when she becomes a famous artist. ;-)

Rachel Burton said...

I know there is some seventh grade poetry of mine buried in my parents house somewhere. It'd be scary to unearth. I was really into iambic pentameter!

Melanie Hooyenga said...

I love limericks. :) I've projected my own halloween memories onto your poem and I'm picturing you digging the candy out of pillowcases.

Happy Halloween!

colbymarshall said...

And a happy halloween to you, too!

Angie Ledbetter said...

The poem and the fact that Mom kept it for you are sweet. I had to write a Ghazal (eww, hard) and a Halloween Sestina this week in the poetry course I'm taking, and it wore me out. Think I'll try a few more Sestina's though. Interesting form! Happy Great Pumpkin to you.

Anonymous said...

Now I feel old... I graduated from High School in 91! (You are such a young whippersnapper!)