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August 27 - September 9, 2021 45
American Life in Poetry BY KWAME DAWES
Carolyn Forché’s ability to transport us to unusual places is a gift. Here in her poem, “Clouds”, we learn of tart Russian Antinovka apples that become for her, personal symbols of the immigrant experience in America. In this tender poem about memory and movement, she skillfully manages to collapse time as she reflects on the lives of her parents.
Clouds
BY CAROLYN FORCHÉ A whip-poor-will brushed her wing along the ground a moment ago, fifty years in the orchard where my father kept pear and plum, a decade of peach trees and Antinovka’s apples whose seeds come from Russia by ship under clouds islanding a window very past where also went the soul of my mother in a boat with blossoming sails like apple petals in wind fifty years at once.
Corner Quote
BIG SKY
BEATS Back to School BY BELLA BUTLER
“All birds find shelter during a rain. But eagle avoids rain by flying above the clouds. Problems are common, but attitude makes the difference.” - A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.
Whether you’re packing up the books and getting ready to step back into the classroom or you’re simply feeling that familiar, somber end-of-summer funk, here’s a playlist to send you through this transition into fall with some spunk and energy. 1. “Kids in America” by Kim Wilde 2. “Fight For Your Right” by Beastie Boys 3. “Education” by The Kinks 4. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana 5. “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School” by the Ramones 6. “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus 7. “High School Never Ends” by Bowling for Soup 8. “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day 9. “Break the Rules” Charli XCX 10. “Teachers” by Young the Giant
