Out of My Life

By: Corey Edge, age 17

I want my grandmotherto stop sending me to the storewith fifty dollars worth of bottlesnot sold in Michigan.

I want my grandfatherto stop telling the same war storiesthat begin at breakfastand end after dinner.

I want the Kool-Aidto stop disappearing in one hour.I want the ice trays to stay filled.

I want the only bathroomin the houseto be free for mewhen nature calls.

I want big Ms. Whitakerto stop wearing that frizzy wigand pink dress that barely coverswhat only her husband needs to see.

I want this to bethe last stanza of this poemso I can burn this worn down penciland inhale the ashes.

Out of My Life

I want my grandmotherto stop sending me to the storewith fifty dollars worth of bottlesnot sold in Michigan.

I want my grandfatherto stop telling the same war storiesthat begin at breakfastand end after dinner.

I want the Kool-Aidto stop disappearing in one hour.I want the ice trays to stay filled.

I want the only bathroomin the houseto be free for mewhen nature calls.

I want big Ms. Whitakerto stop wearing that frizzy wigand pink dress that barely coverswhat only her husband needs to see.

I want this to bethe last stanza of this poemso I can burn this worn down penciland inhale the ashes.

Missed the Lesson??

Research ENJAMBMENT

Notice how enjambment is used in the poem “Out of My Life” for emphasis and effect

Notice how repetition is used in the poem for emphasis and effect

Brainstorm

For your future

In the present

To change in your

past

WHAT DO YOU WANT?

I want to spend more time with my friends

and less time with my boyfriend

in high school.

I want my house to be clean

all the time

without any more effort from me.

I want to look back over my life

as a parent, a teacher, a friend, and a human being,

and be proud.

Write Your Own “I Want” Poem

Brainstorm your wants Keep your SMB chapters in mind – where

would this assignment fit best for you? Your poem needs to use enjambment

and repetition effectively. You must have 5+ stanzas.

EVALUATION: make effective choices of language and techniques to enhance writing.