Revisiting Memories

Here is a poem I didn't even know existed till today. It mentions me and my changing names the week these high schoolers from Nashua, NH were building with us in Baton Rouge LA. Written by Michelle Cascio with assistance from her class mates I'm sure.

Baton rouge memory poem


Hammers banging, muscles tearing
PDQ and story sharing

Amid the toil, sweat and tears,
We over came our many fears

We made possible home ownerships,
While starting new friendships

Sable t-shirts, bright white sunlight,
Blood-red sunburns, purple bonds tight.

Up onto the house the tresses did go
With a few grunts and a bellowing “HO!”

We started out being quite scared
But all our work showed we really cared

Knowing us people so small can accomplish so much
We were rewarded with the family’s lives that we touched

Mystery lunches but expensive dinners
After just four days we are no longer beginners

Name tags mimicking almost nothing sensible,
All these new memories are indispensable.

The thoughts we thought, the stories we share,
Such good friendships are always rare.

Spilled soda, broken beds and no hot showers
Who would have known it would have been worth the hours

Bruises and burns and lots of sweat
That I’d enjoy it so much, I’d never have bet.

As the sunburns got worse, and all started peeling,
Jose taped a fudge round up on the ceiling.

As we swung the hammer high in the air
Every swing became precious and rare.

As we speak to the friends who sat at home, bored,
We are proud to say that we paid it forward.

The thought of Lockwood with a few fudge rounds
Is almost as funny as Lemay with so many throwdowns

Dormitory smells of moldy towels, stale fritos and sweaty feet
Dormitory shower stalls raining as cold as sleet

Out daily morning journey to Cypress Glen
Working hard with Sally, Cassandra, Kali and Texas men.

Tangela and Eunola we know for a fact
Will long remember this group of “Big Cats with Hard Hats.”

Walmart and catfish and getting lost
Turtles and gators and long plane rides
Raining and knockout and car rides galore
This has been fun and so much more.

I can’t believe the bonds we’ve made
And these memories will never fade.

These tears that run upon my face
Because we have to leave this place

The nights were never silent in the boy’s dorm
We were all so crazy, far from the norm

The mass and clutter was like no other
We did alright without having a mother

We became close and formed a bond so strong
This one will last oh so long.