Ode to the Tourists:
Get Off the Sidewalks!
Like a buffalo stampede
my commute they impede.
Running in to you may seem daft,
but what do you expect when you halt like that?
Monuments, buildings, all deserving a shot.
Just move out of the way when you need to stop!
Living in a city is a forward motion
Lots of buses and people and loud commotion.
All the cool things to see:
Historical sights and scenery.
A tour of the Capitol, a walk along the mall,
Don't forget the Smithsonians! Got to see them all!
I get it. I understand. This is a neat place.
But why do you have to be all up in my space?
I have an idea, let's write a treaty:
we can both find use in this lovely city.
I won't grumble when you come to roam,
if you respect that this is my home.
Showing posts with label poem. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poem. Show all posts
01 March 2013
27 January 2013
singles wards
I have lived in 7 singles wards in the last 6 years. I was at BYU when they changed "BYU YSA" to just "YSA." And I was present today for the reconfiguration of the Colonial boundaries. There were tears. There was heartbreak. There was joy. Above all, there was anticipation.
Interesting things, singles wards.
Interesting enough to write a poem, Michelle?
Yes.
Take a breath, take a program
And walk through the door
Take a seat, take a look
Eyes shift nervously to the floor
Gotta wear my cutest outfit today
Gotta make sure they don't think I'm cray
Wear high heels so my legs look good
Can't use sarcasm so I'm not misunderstood
Anticipate the ward menu
Take notice of a select few
Roommates make bets on who to date
Hope that you are not too late.
Look forward to Sunday to talk to a boy
Catch his eye and act real coy
Drop a number and a hint
If he buys it, then you're mint.
FHE then can be tricky
Score a bad group and it can be icky.
Plan fun things to find some romance
Hoping a "brother" will give you a chance.
Then there are the dances with the shifty eyes
Avoiding the dancing alone guys
Stand in a circle and step side-to-side
During a slow dance you "go to the bathroom" to hide.
Let us also consider the odds.
Competing with the other broads.
Two to one just isn't fair.
We need more men around, I swear!
Don't get me wrong, they are pretty fun,
A good way to try and find the One.
But sometimes I want to step back and see
If it would be less crazy to work in primary.
Interesting things, singles wards.
Interesting enough to write a poem, Michelle?
Yes.
Take a breath, take a program
And walk through the door
Take a seat, take a look
Eyes shift nervously to the floor
Gotta wear my cutest outfit today
Gotta make sure they don't think I'm cray
Wear high heels so my legs look good
Can't use sarcasm so I'm not misunderstood
Anticipate the ward menu
Take notice of a select few
Roommates make bets on who to date
Hope that you are not too late.
Look forward to Sunday to talk to a boy
Catch his eye and act real coy
Drop a number and a hint
If he buys it, then you're mint.
FHE then can be tricky
Score a bad group and it can be icky.
Plan fun things to find some romance
Hoping a "brother" will give you a chance.
Then there are the dances with the shifty eyes
Avoiding the dancing alone guys
Stand in a circle and step side-to-side
During a slow dance you "go to the bathroom" to hide.
Let us also consider the odds.
Competing with the other broads.
Two to one just isn't fair.
We need more men around, I swear!
Don't get me wrong, they are pretty fun,
A good way to try and find the One.
But sometimes I want to step back and see
If it would be less crazy to work in primary.
16 December 2012
I Found Christmas
I am constantly in shock with the reception of my poetry. I'm not trying to toot my own horn here. I do it mostly as a joke or as a filler for something, yet people end up liking my stuff! I think I will keep posting things, if you guys will let me!
Like today. I gave a talk in my ward about Christmas and I was supposed to talk about my feelings of Christmas and Christ. I had a section written out, but it was under time, so I decided to look for a story or poem to throw in there about Christmas just for fun. But I couldn't find anything good, so at 11:30 on a Thursday night, I whipped out a poem about Christmas to fill space.
After I gave the talk today, people didn't come up and say that they were impressed with my tie-ins of Christmas with lots of good scriptures from Isaiah and the Book of Mormon, which I had really thought out this week. Instead, they were like, "Hey! I liked your poem a lot! I want a copy!" What? Thanks? What?
So here is my filler Christmas poem. Enjoy!
Where Is Christmas?
By Michelle Ericksen
Like today. I gave a talk in my ward about Christmas and I was supposed to talk about my feelings of Christmas and Christ. I had a section written out, but it was under time, so I decided to look for a story or poem to throw in there about Christmas just for fun. But I couldn't find anything good, so at 11:30 on a Thursday night, I whipped out a poem about Christmas to fill space.
After I gave the talk today, people didn't come up and say that they were impressed with my tie-ins of Christmas with lots of good scriptures from Isaiah and the Book of Mormon, which I had really thought out this week. Instead, they were like, "Hey! I liked your poem a lot! I want a copy!" What? Thanks? What?
So here is my filler Christmas poem. Enjoy!
Where Is Christmas?
By Michelle Ericksen
Where is Christmas?
It is December’s holiday,
Some Christians may say.
But others may complain
And forget about the name
Of the man who is Emmanuel
Because correctness is political.
Where is Christmas?
It is lost in the all stuff,
And in St. Nick’s bearded fluff,
The songs about the reindeer,
And whose heart goes to whom this year
I found Christmas.
In the Salvation Army ringers,
And the door-to-door singers,
The increase in happy greetings,
And the big family meetings.
I found Christmas.
In the words of a devotional.
In the love so emotional.
Surrounded by more charity
And reflective new year clarity.
They found Christmas.
In the sky late at night,
‘Neathe the star shining bright,
With the sheep grazing near
Under the angels they do hear.
They found Christmas.
In the arms of Mary
In a place contrary
To the birthplace of a King,
Of whom the angels sing.
There is Christmas.
16 February 2012
Conversion
I just got home from the temple and it was great having that chance to gain inspiration and peace.
In light of this trip, I wanted to share a poem that I had to write in my Romantic poetry class. It was in honor of Wordsworth and his tendency to wander into nature then write what he feels about something in the past. I came up with this and it turned out to be a personal poem. But I'd like to share it with you.
Conversion
In a place visited as a girl
surrounded by others alike.
Peaceful memories hidden in loud.
Time to divide and reflect.
Tromped trail in golden pigtails,
knowledge in hand,
questions in soul.
Dirt gives way to color.
Color gives way to stream.
A large stone on the edge.
No boundaries, just sky.
Indulging a scene from Monet.
Open book, open heart, open air.
Breathe in joy, breathe out youth.
Inspiration that only requires time.
Completion of another year;
longing for the open air
to see what new light will appear.
Another division, another reflection.
One more time for Faith.
No person can share
what Nature has shared.
I only had to wait.
In light of this trip, I wanted to share a poem that I had to write in my Romantic poetry class. It was in honor of Wordsworth and his tendency to wander into nature then write what he feels about something in the past. I came up with this and it turned out to be a personal poem. But I'd like to share it with you.
Conversion
In a place visited as a girl
surrounded by others alike.
Peaceful memories hidden in loud.
Time to divide and reflect.
Tromped trail in golden pigtails,
knowledge in hand,
questions in soul.
Dirt gives way to color.
Color gives way to stream.
A large stone on the edge.
No boundaries, just sky.
Indulging a scene from Monet.
Open book, open heart, open air.
Breathe in joy, breathe out youth.
Inspiration that only requires time.
Completion of another year;
longing for the open air
to see what new light will appear.
Another division, another reflection.
One more time for Faith.
No person can share
what Nature has shared.
I only had to wait.
25 April 2010
Finals, fAsh, and Final Week Fun
LAST SUNDAY!! (wellll we thought it was…)
It was also Stake Conference today and the speakers were good. A few were from my old ward and so that was fun to hear from there.
That night we had a great fireside testimony meeting. It was great to hear from everyone that spoke.
It was the night before the start of a crazy finals week and so we ate cake and talked for as long as we could, putting off the inevitable. It was a good night.
MONDAY-THURSDAY
All finals and no fun. Plenty of Food and Wine runs for candy and Dr. Pepper.
THURSDAY
Finals
Annie and I took a break from finals and studying for a trip to Borough Market.
Between my last two finals, Annie and I took a break to eat at Borough Market, a favorite haunt of ours. We walked from St. Paul’s Cathedral, across the Millennium Bridge (they rebuilt it since the Death Eaters destroyed it in 6th HP movie), along the Thames River and ended in the Market. We continued walking along the Thames after lunch to Tower Bridge and found a memorial for the mariners lost at sea during the world wars. It was really beautiful memorial.
{Tower Bridge}
After the last final, we were treated to a song long anticipated by the famous Professor Macfarlane! He changed the words to “The Wizard and I” from Wicked to be about Professor Howe and how she joined our program. So funny.
A nice little treat that the directors did for us was order pizza and then surprise us with Ben’s Cookies. What a great ending to finals!
FRIDAY
Rumor had been travelling around the centre about a certain volcano Eyjafjallajokull erupting in Iceland. Ok, kinda weird, but whatever. Then the rumors escalated to truths as the airports started to close. Ok, it’s going to be only for a day, whatever. No, I end up being stranded on an island, aka Great Britain for 5 days after I’m supposed to leave.
Here’s a poem about this occasion:
Imma not going on a plane today
Because easyjet sent my way
An email that to me said:
“If you get on a plane you’s dead”
I prayed for another week in London
Surprise! Here it is, hon.
But why did I end up stuck?
Volcano Eyjafjallajokull did erupt.
No ash in the sky or on the ground
No said explosion can be found.
In fact, the sky is sunny and clear
Which means London’s favorite time of year.
Sports in Hyde Park over there.
Tulip Festival in Trafalgar Square.
Sunburn on a pasty face.
Shorts and sandals all over the place.
One more market, one more show
Last minute places to go.
Cancelled flight? That’s too bad.
Good thing there’s more fun to be had.
“Homework is waiting at home”,
Ha ha funny, school’s done.
It’s a dream come true:
London when the skies are blue.
Heading to America hurts even more.
There’s still so much to explore.
Cheers, 27 Palace Court, cheers.
I’ll remember you throughout the years.
Day trips to other parts of England,
Paris, Wales, Ireland.
Borough, London Eye and Big Ben,
Don’t forget the British men!
“I love Nandos more than you love your mom”
Khan’s and their delicious non
Gelato Mio, Frog, Ben’s Cookies:
Counting calories is for rookies.
Pounds, accents, tube delay,
all part of the everyday.
Friendships that will last.
Time flew by way too fast!
Forever has my life been changed.
But one thing will remain the same,
One thing will always ring true:
London, I love you.
-written by Michelle Ericksen in a Rome hotel after getting off the flight from London
Anyways, a group of us went to Borough Market (again, one last hurrah). I thought it was our last day, but it wasn’t, so that was a weird feeling. I was bracing myself for the upcoming trip to Rome and having to say farewell to London. When that “bracing” wasn’t necessary, an off-centered, displaced feeling set in. Good thing that didn’t last and we took it as a chance to go play some more in London. Some of us girls went back to Westfield’s to see “Dear John”. Don’t see it. It was stewpud.
SATURDAY
If you hadn’t caught on yet, I didn’t end up going to Rome. It’s ok, I’ve only wanted to go there since forever. You can understand why my feelings were so mixed. I missed Rome, but got a really fun few extra days in London. What a toss-up.
On my second last Saturday in London, I went back to Camden Market where Tori and I got the cutest/coolest folding sunglasses. She also showed me where to get some yummy fish ‘n chips and OJ. We then went over to Trafalgar Square, where the Tulip Festival was happening in honor of Holland. To be honest, there was one stand of tulips. Basically, it was a party with a live band and drunk people and pole vaulters. Very energetic and fun.
{hallo}
{party at Trafalgar}
Annie wasn’t feeling well, so I went back home to check on her and then we walked back to Trafalgar so that she could enjoy the party, too. On the way home, we stopped by Primark and got some flip flops.
We still had no signs of getting home anytime soon. Or to Rome.
It was also Stake Conference today and the speakers were good. A few were from my old ward and so that was fun to hear from there.
That night we had a great fireside testimony meeting. It was great to hear from everyone that spoke.
It was the night before the start of a crazy finals week and so we ate cake and talked for as long as we could, putting off the inevitable. It was a good night.
MONDAY-THURSDAY
All finals and no fun. Plenty of Food and Wine runs for candy and Dr. Pepper.
THURSDAY
Finals
Annie and I took a break from finals and studying for a trip to Borough Market.
Between my last two finals, Annie and I took a break to eat at Borough Market, a favorite haunt of ours. We walked from St. Paul’s Cathedral, across the Millennium Bridge (they rebuilt it since the Death Eaters destroyed it in 6th HP movie), along the Thames River and ended in the Market. We continued walking along the Thames after lunch to Tower Bridge and found a memorial for the mariners lost at sea during the world wars. It was really beautiful memorial.
{Tower Bridge}
After the last final, we were treated to a song long anticipated by the famous Professor Macfarlane! He changed the words to “The Wizard and I” from Wicked to be about Professor Howe and how she joined our program. So funny.
A nice little treat that the directors did for us was order pizza and then surprise us with Ben’s Cookies. What a great ending to finals!
FRIDAY
Rumor had been travelling around the centre about a certain volcano Eyjafjallajokull erupting in Iceland. Ok, kinda weird, but whatever. Then the rumors escalated to truths as the airports started to close. Ok, it’s going to be only for a day, whatever. No, I end up being stranded on an island, aka Great Britain for 5 days after I’m supposed to leave.
Here’s a poem about this occasion:
Imma not going on a plane today
Because easyjet sent my way
An email that to me said:
“If you get on a plane you’s dead”
I prayed for another week in London
Surprise! Here it is, hon.
But why did I end up stuck?
Volcano Eyjafjallajokull did erupt.
No ash in the sky or on the ground
No said explosion can be found.
In fact, the sky is sunny and clear
Which means London’s favorite time of year.
Sports in Hyde Park over there.
Tulip Festival in Trafalgar Square.
Sunburn on a pasty face.
Shorts and sandals all over the place.
One more market, one more show
Last minute places to go.
Cancelled flight? That’s too bad.
Good thing there’s more fun to be had.
“Homework is waiting at home”,
Ha ha funny, school’s done.
It’s a dream come true:
London when the skies are blue.
Heading to America hurts even more.
There’s still so much to explore.
Cheers, 27 Palace Court, cheers.
I’ll remember you throughout the years.
Day trips to other parts of England,
Paris, Wales, Ireland.
Borough, London Eye and Big Ben,
Don’t forget the British men!
“I love Nandos more than you love your mom”
Khan’s and their delicious non
Gelato Mio, Frog, Ben’s Cookies:
Counting calories is for rookies.
Pounds, accents, tube delay,
all part of the everyday.
Friendships that will last.
Time flew by way too fast!
Forever has my life been changed.
But one thing will remain the same,
One thing will always ring true:
London, I love you.
-written by Michelle Ericksen in a Rome hotel after getting off the flight from London
Anyways, a group of us went to Borough Market (again, one last hurrah). I thought it was our last day, but it wasn’t, so that was a weird feeling. I was bracing myself for the upcoming trip to Rome and having to say farewell to London. When that “bracing” wasn’t necessary, an off-centered, displaced feeling set in. Good thing that didn’t last and we took it as a chance to go play some more in London. Some of us girls went back to Westfield’s to see “Dear John”. Don’t see it. It was stewpud.
SATURDAY
If you hadn’t caught on yet, I didn’t end up going to Rome. It’s ok, I’ve only wanted to go there since forever. You can understand why my feelings were so mixed. I missed Rome, but got a really fun few extra days in London. What a toss-up.
On my second last Saturday in London, I went back to Camden Market where Tori and I got the cutest/coolest folding sunglasses. She also showed me where to get some yummy fish ‘n chips and OJ. We then went over to Trafalgar Square, where the Tulip Festival was happening in honor of Holland. To be honest, there was one stand of tulips. Basically, it was a party with a live band and drunk people and pole vaulters. Very energetic and fun.
{hallo}
{party at Trafalgar}Annie wasn’t feeling well, so I went back home to check on her and then we walked back to Trafalgar so that she could enjoy the party, too. On the way home, we stopped by Primark and got some flip flops.
We still had no signs of getting home anytime soon. Or to Rome.
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