Assignment: Choose an event in your life. Write a narrative poem modeled on the poem "Aunt Sarah Died One Summer Night", by Lisa Hirschboeck (published in Poetry and Language text).
My grandpa died one fall afternoon
laying in the hospital bed with a glass of
water and a straw
saying his last goodbyes with the lights flickering
innocently.
While the birds chirped and flew like it was just
another day, and people walked the streets
bundled in coats and scarves, and animals
took their relaxing afternoon naps.
While I wandered to my PE 8 gym class
excited for
the rush of playing Ultimate Frisbee on a cold
windy day.
While Mom was on her lunch break
socializing
with co-workers, and Dad was concentrating
in important meetings.
While my brother calmly walked to his class,
and the nurses rushed frantically, trying to help
While the clouds wandered away, leaving
a bright shining blue sky, and the squirrels
snuck up to the fence, snatching peanuts
left out just for them.
My grandpa died as the thoughts and prayers
were still being sent, and the sun shone a little
brighter, birds sang a little higher
signs that he made it up the long bright pathway to heaven.