In 8th Grade

Reminiscing

There was a girl who would smile

Down every hall at everyone. 

Why do I remember that? 

 

My best friend wore earphones. 

She rarely spoke but always joked. 

She drew a picture of her mouth sewn. 

 

There was a girl who never hid. 

Laughed openly, Talked frequently, 

She had a blemish on her lip. 

 

There was a boy who liked to startle me  

by often saying hello abruptly.  

Why do I remember that?  

 

My art teacher had cancer and passed at Christmas  

I would have had his class after the holidays   

I had liked his Pandora playlist. 

 

In 8th grade  

I found a note in my locker 

“A diamond in the rough” 

Why do I remember that? 

 

An 8th grade boy  

Drew a wacky face  

In my notebook 

And it made me laugh. 

  

8th grade taught me to smile. 

I never thanked anyone. 

I remember that.  

Author's Note

Praise and disapproval welcome. Constructive criticism requested.

Reviews

[LazerRays]

This is such a sweet poem. And yet, at the end we're all hit with the sharp sting Of regret. This was beautiful and touched my heart. My 8th grade years were quite opposite though :)

[H L Rose]

I'm glad you liked it! Yes I was blessed. Most people can't find such fond memories of middle school.

[Beccy]

This reads like a series of vignettes, and each is really cleverly interwoven with the next; and together they combine to make a quite lovely poem.

Such special little moments held in our memories, make us what we are; and that is important. I hope you still have that notebook with the wacky face drawn in it.

Beccy.

[KCthelastboyscout]

That was a sweet walk down memory lane. I'm glad you shared it with us. It seems like the older I get, high school on down, it's all a blur. But I remember smiling most times. I'm glad you were able to keep some unique separate memories for yourself. Maybe somewhere someplace somebody's writing about you back then

[H L Rose]

I hope I left some good memories with people! Thanks for reading!

[Les Chats Heureux]

When reading this, we feel there's much story between every person you've described; do they act one way in school, other way at home.
One question, if this is based on truth, was spotify a thing back then?

[H L Rose]

Thank you for reviewing! Your right! There is a story for everyone. This poem is more focusing just on my own perspective of people at that time. It is based on true events and so YES Spotify was a thing.

[Neville]

I have thoroughly enjoyed considering these words and am currently considering re-considering them over and over... there is something quite sweet and innocent in how the whole thing rolls out.. in my own head, when reading them, they sound natural and unhurried... I almost found my way back along the old school corridor and in awe of all my recollections from years ago..... very nice indeed..... Neville

[H L Rose]

I’m glad you enjoyed it and could relate to your own past! Thank you so much!

[Neville]

you are welcome and it was my pleasure... N

[barleygirl]

I might’ve told you this before, so excuse my forgetfulness. I’ve read quite a few of your poems, but I don’t review very many becuz I’m not able to think of something to say (and I usually have lots to say). Just as an off-handed observation, I find the poems where you are trying out some specific poetic format, these are the poems that don’t seem to make sense to me, or they don’t hit me in any strong way, where I would have something to say. But this poem is much different. This poem feels very real & authentic & like you’re taking me right into your head full of memories. I love the informal way you write, conversational, like you’re talking to yourself, asking yourself “why do I remember that?” in the most uninhibited way. These are the very attributes that I cannot find in your poems when you are trying out some specific poetic format. I wonder if the effort of constraining your writing is taking away some of your delicious spontaneity? It’s just a thought. Anyhow, I love this poem. It’s written in a childlike way, as if it’s the eighth grade kid reciting these memories & observations (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[H L Rose]

Thank you so much for your thoughts! The format thing is really just to get me started with writing poetry because I’m very new at it. I figured they would help me learn and then when I started writing without forms, I would know how to use poetic devises and better rhymes. I’ve actually started branching off more because I feel like I have learned a lot from these forms.

I really appreciate you telling me that cause it’s made me more sure about moving on from forms!

[H L Rose]

Also thank you for reading my poetry!

[barleygirl]

Using specific formats is good practice & fun, but you have a natural conversational talent & you can just go with that!

[H L Rose]

Im glad! I’m really appreciate hearing that. I never thought of it.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

Its funny how reading other peoples poems and times in their lives can jog our own memories. after reading yours I remembered how we sang God save the queen every morning in class before class started and how Mr. Pickle Maths teacher in 4th grade had bad breath and would come up close to us at our desks and we would hate it! then another teacher in 5th and 6th Mrs. Dickinson helped me a lot with shyness and brought me out of my shell a bit so many wonderful memories of this time im sure we all have. thanks again for making me remember mine! thats a gift to me thanks

[H L Rose]

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! I love that this jogged your own memories and I love seeing how my own thoughts and poetry resonate with others. All those little memories are so special.

[Julie McCarthy (juliesp..]

love this. its sentimental journey back into your school year in 8th grade. wonderful loved it.I love the style how you single out different people and comment them how they affected you and how at the end you had never thanked them. Its beautiful. love it well done!

[H L Rose]

As thanks!

[H L Rose]

*awwwwwwww

[Samuel Dickens]

This made me smile. Perhaps it's our age when in the eighth grade that has us absorbing and sensing our surroundings like a sponge. More than fifty years later, I recall many things from that time, including the loss of a teacher. Kenneth Taft had two rows of upper front teeth. (Honestly, he really did)

[H L Rose]

Wow! I’m glad you liked it and it sparked some memories!

[Jadewood]

This is really good. It feels really relatable. It was even able to bring back some memories back when I went to school.
Good job.

[H L Rose]

Awesome! Thank you I’m glad!