Where I’m From
Do you remember what it was like when you were growing up? How have these memories affected who you are today? In her poem “Where I’m From” Kentucky born writer and teacher, George Ella Lyon, evokes a sense of family and belonging through the retelling of her childhood memories. She develops her poem through the use of imagery in order to showcase where she’s from, who she is, and her strong family ties.
In the first stanza, George Ella Lyon describes what it’s like where she grew up. For example, she states “I am… the Dutch Elm whose long gone limbs I remember as if they were my own”.(lines 7-9) She uses this imagery to describe a tree she may have spent time climbing throughout her childhood, resulting her to know it like the back of her hand. She also writes “I am from the dirt under the back porch”, giving the readers details about her life. In doing so she’s able to paint a picture of where she’s from reliving the memories of her past. …show more content…
Lyon portrays what an average school day was like “from the know-it-alls and the pass-it-ons ” to the “perk up and the pipe downs” ( lines 12-14) describing a time in her life where perhaps she has the most memories of. She also mentions “I’m from He restoreth my soul” (line 15) indicating that her family attended church often and how she is capable of rephrasing ten verses of the Bible from memory.(lines 15&17) Through the use of this imagery, she is able to bring her memories to life by using specific words and images relating to her sense of
Do you remember what it was like when you were growing up? How have these memories affected who you are today? In her poem “Where I’m From” Kentucky born writer and teacher, George Ella Lyon, evokes a sense of family and belonging through the retelling of her childhood memories. She develops her poem through the use of imagery in order to showcase where she’s from, who she is, and her strong family ties.
In the first stanza, George Ella Lyon describes what it’s like where she grew up. For example, she states “I am… the Dutch Elm whose long gone limbs I remember as if they were my own”.(lines 7-9) She uses this imagery to describe a tree she may have spent time climbing throughout her childhood, resulting her to know it like the back of her hand. She also writes “I am from the dirt under the back porch”, giving the readers details about her life. In doing so she’s able to paint a picture of where she’s from reliving the memories of her past. …show more content…
Lyon portrays what an average school day was like “from the know-it-alls and the pass-it-ons ” to the “perk up and the pipe downs” ( lines 12-14) describing a time in her life where perhaps she has the most memories of. She also mentions “I’m from He restoreth my soul” (line 15) indicating that her family attended church often and how she is capable of rephrasing ten verses of the Bible from memory.(lines 15&17) Through the use of this imagery, she is able to bring her memories to life by using specific words and images relating to her sense of