"bit by/bit" Narrative Food Poems - The Chicago Poetry Center

“bit by/bit” Narrative Food Poems

Our class began with a discussion of food and memory in preparation for studying Gary Soto’s Narrative-Style poem, Oranges. Nostalgia and feelings came up frequently in our discussions. What emotions are attached to memory and food? Why? Do memories change as time goes by? How? Below are some examples of students’ work.

Lesson Note: This session included a student group performance/ Poet’s Theater presentation of the poem. Here, the young writers are asked to improvise, collaborate, utilize props, and present a performance to their peers quickly. To ‘physicalize’ the poem quickly, removes the ‘inner editor’ and places the poem inside the body via muscle memory. It also allows a myriad of options for the poem’s interpretation. At the end of the residency, ‘Oranges’ is usually the poem that is remembered most.

Ms. Hernandez 7th Grade

Seco Harlee A.

Flavorful chicken with yellow rice &

always paired with Ecuador soda. Flavors

having a party in my mouth. There’s

nothing more authentic and homemade

Ecuadorian recipe.

Chipotle Bowl Zoe N.

The doorbell rings, following my

entrance into the Chipotle

Chatter all around the room,

as if they were

Radio talk shows

I wait in the long line

Carne Asada filling my

nostrils.

As I arrive to the middle of the line

against the falls, I order

“A bowl with white rice, please.”

“Oh-yeah. Can you add steak?”

“No beans.”

“Thank you.”

The lady with the braided hair, like

a pattern,

passes it to the man next to her.

“Uh…can I have cheese?”

“And pico de Gallo.”

“And a bit of lettuce.”

“Thank you.”

I pay and sit down in a

squeaky chair as I sip on

my Coke,

announcing to the room

that I am about to eat.

I finish my bowl.

The cheese melts lightly

into the steak.

I taste a sweet piece of

tomato before taking out my

phone.

“Chipotle is (fire emoji)/ 10”

Mrs. McClain 8th Grade

Mac & Cheese Marely M.

I walked into my granmas cozy home

The smell of cheeses lingered all throughout the house

The scent captured me, and I headed for the kitchen

I could see my grandma putting in each cheese bit by

bit.

Cheddar, Gouda, American, and Colby Jack

I could see the noodles dancing around, waiting for

more cheese.

“Come help me,” said my grandma.

I immediately went over and put the last layer of cheese

on top.

My grandma opened the oven, and I could feel the

warm, gooey mac & cheese being made.

425 the perfect temperature

When the beep went off, out came a sizzling, gooey, warm

and cheesy dish that felt like my grandma’s cozy

home.

Taco Jobson H.

I eat a taco; the crunch is the time when I

stepped on snow for the first time.

The smell is the time when I baked ginger

bread with my mom.

The sauce on my hands was the time I made

a handprint in pre-school.

The abundant flavors are my emotions

running through.

I leave the restaurant with the memories

of the past and present, doorbells

jingling behind me.

Pizza Poem Max B.

I still remember

the first time I ate cheese

pizza. It tasted

very cheesy and

greasy.

I remember I

wanted a lot of

It but we

didn’t have

any left.

But that’s

ok I can

have that steaming

bred with sauce

land cheese.

Pasta Brigid R.

Pasta

Hot, fresh, steaming from the boll waiting for me

I’m hungry, waiting in the kitchen

Best I’ve had

I love pasta

easy to make, yet so complex

Time effort to make the dough

but so good

Many and all love pasta.