Elena Guerrero Townsend
Jill Divine, Instructor
ENG 271—Creative Writing Poetry
Assignment: Write a poem about what you did last summer.
Kodiak Moments
1.
Long lines, weary travelers, happy travelers
– very anxious travelers.
Suitcases
packed too heavy,
shoes too small,
patience wearing thin.
2.
Hold my hand, walk briskly.
Breathe in deep.
Alert all of your senses.
Capture this moment.
High rises
resemble armies guard the harbor.
Cold steel frames
patiently wait to join the ranks.
Coffee shops
breeding like rabbits all about.
Buses battling
spew diesel fumes at each other.
What language was that man speaking?
So many different accents.
Was that perfect French
we heard that Japanese couple speaking?
Oh, no.
Don’t slow down. Let’s catch Big Red.
That bus has double decks.
Only a few seats left.
Sit in the back row.
No, we don’t care if we get rained on.
Crowd in and smile big for the camera.
The aquarium is entertaining,
gardens are breathtaking,
seafood is scrumptious.
3.
Tip the taxi driver with the name we can’t
pronounce.
Ask him
to give Vancouver, our farewell.
Not enough time to see all her many wonders.
4.
Again,
which end is the bow,
which end is the stern?
Excited passengers, lost passengers,
some very rude passengers.
View the skyline;
wave a cheerful goodbye
to disappearing regiment.
5.
Dress warmly, head for the top deck.
Ah, to breath in the thick crisp air.
View dark waters of the Pacific.
Humpback whales just being themselves
unwillingly entertain us.
No one wants to miss this magical moment.
6.
Fore to aft all is unforgettable.
Awing at the wonder, of what nature birthed.
Listen,
it sounds like the echo of a shot gun blast.
Massive pieces
of pale blue glacier breaking off,
slowly crashing down into the frigid water.
Small waves with white tips
rapidly come towards us.
7.
Behind tourist traps
laze
tiny wooden houses,
the pale colors of Easter eggs,
weepto be dipped in dye again.
Monster dandelions with enormous white
Afros,
wait
to spread their unwanted children.
8.
Stop,
gaze up at the mystical,
red cedar totem poles.
Revere
flat, exaggerated,
painted animal faces.
Beautiful native art work displayed,
but no natives in sight.
Seek special souvenir for family and friends,
a stuffed toy for Julia,
mug for Glen,
whale’s tail pendent for Amanda.
9.
Ride the narrow gauge railroad,
green cars,
spacious windows.
Historic steam engine slowly climbs,
winds to the Yukon tundra.
Kiss and giggle like teenagers through dark
tunnels.
Soothing waterfalls softly greet us.
Toast the White Pass and Yukon railroad,
we must tell our friends about it!
10.
Struggle to stuff
all the souvenirs into luggage.
Ate tons of delicious chocolate desserts,
clothes now tight,
still a little seasick.
Narrow hallways,
bulging baggage for weary crew to unload.
Henry worried that pieces will get lost.
Thanks mom and pop for inviting us.
One last snap shot with Uncle Al, Aunt Grace.
Long lines, weary travelers, happy travelers
– very anxious travelers.
Suitcases
packed too heavy,
shoes too small,
patience wearing thin.