Many of our 5 senses are deeply connected to memory. This week the 7th graders of Nettelhorst reflected on their favorite foods and the people, places, and things connected to them. After reading “The Tropics in New York” by Claude McKay, students reflected on their strongest food memories and how to use the 5 senses to create powerful imagery. Students wrote about a wide range of foods, reminiscing about family members, celebrating heritage, and savoring the joy of eating.
Ms. Hempe (Group A)
“Pasta“
by Alejandro R.
Pasta Pasta Pasta what are
things about pasta I wonder?
Pasta sounds like twigs breaking
when you’re making it. Pasta smells like
a good type of air. Pasta looks like
flexible thin pencils. Pasta just tastes
like cooked dough. And Pasta just feels
like soft long fries. That’s how I can
describe pasta in my way.
“Ellington“
by Susannah B.
The sun is too bright, covering
my eyes to shield them from the sun
Chattering while we wait in line
for our ice cream, me and her
laughing
It smells sweet just like the big
white house we prayed in
The ice cream towers over the
waffle cone, so many different
toppings to choose
Thousands of toppings in fact,
sprinkles, gummies, more
The ice cream drips down on to
my fingers, while me and my cousin
laugh, so much to cherish, not enough
time
“A Bouquet of Vegetables“
by Emilija S.
Shopska salad reminds me of
my Grandma’s house in Serbia.
Shopska salad sounds like metal
clinking and crashing together.
The salad smells citrusy.
Shopska salad looks green and
red, the salad tastes like
a cool garden. The salad
feels wet and crunchy.
“China“
by Braelynn Z.
Fried rice reminds me of the street food on the
roads of China,
the wok sizzling with the oil and the
popping sound bringing life to the streets
The smell of ginger and soy sauce bring
back memories
of me and Grandpa waiting in line for our
order to be ready
My eyes lingered on the brown peddles,
the smell of warm grains
pulling me into that warm,
squishy texture
Ms. Hempe (Group B)
“Grandma’s Home“
by Praise J.
Plantains reminders of
plantains sizzling and crackling
ready to jump off the pan
Smells like hot oil
sweet smells drifting through
the air
Shapes and different sizes
always receiving the smallest ones
A sweet and salty bonanza
dancing all over my tongue
Memories of my Grandma’s
cooking drifting through my mind
what will never be the same
is left behind.
I turn off the oil
and erase my mind.
And I repeat to myself
what will never be the
same is left behind
“Tofu“
by Christina P.
While preparing, tofu
sounds like bacon
sizzling in a deep fryer
It smells like the savory
aroma of a masterpiece
My favorite dish looks
like a white cube
soaking up the drizzled
soy sauce like a
sponge.
Tofu tastes like a
cultural food, posing as
a dish that you season
to taste.
It feels like a solid
paste on your tongue
that feels soft.
Tofu reminds me of
where my ancestors
are from and the sacrifices they made
Tofu brings me happiness.
“I like Crab“
by Alex H.
Crab reminds me of Hue
Sounds like breaking shells
Smells like 100 pounds of butter
Looks like a big red spider
Tastes like oily arm soft meat
Feels like a hard spicy shell
on the outside but soft and oil inside
“Chicken Tinola“
by Alexis A.
Sometimes when I smell rice, I close my eyes,
and I see my Lolo (grandfather).
The warm smile he has because he knows
that chicken tinola is my favorite.
And then I can hear it, the small pops
like little sparks from a fireplace.
As I take a little peek,
and see the coral reef off
ginger, kale, chicken, and bok choy,
with the water being chicken broth.
The taste of the mountain of black
pepper,
which never tasted spicy enough for me.
When I open my eyes with a smile,
a warm wave hits.
And all the memories flood back.
