I Remember & Remember & Remember

One of my favorite works to teach is Joe Brainard’s 1975 book I Remember. It is a book of poetry exclusively made up of memories, personal and cultural, each beginning with “I Remember.” This past Thursday at Hyde Park, pizza in hand, these high-school-aged poets laughed, reminisced, and wrote about their lives up to this point. Engaging with an excerpt of Brainard’s book, a man whose era and identities differ greatly from their own, they discussed what was familiar and foreign, time-bound and timeless about childhood and growing up. One day, I hope someone will read their poetry and have a conversation just as lively and inspiring.

Ms. Ghoulston

"I Remember" by Kendall W.

I remember playing tag with my friends in elementary school.
I remember drawing comic after comic, making a whole issue.
I remember the long road trips out to my cousins’ house.
I remember picking up the controller just for my brother to win again and again.
I remember when I went out to the closest Chuck E. Cheese for my family to praise me over my birthday.
I remember me getting my first console as a hand-me-down gift (half broken).

"Early 2000s" by Justin B.

I remember when you could go to the corner store and buy four bags of chips for a dollar.
I remember when McDonald’s gave out little tickets/coupons that gave you random stuff.
I remember Ninja Turtle toys that turned into their weapons.
I remember when Shaq was advertising Icy Hot.
I remember when we had Super Donuts at lunch.
I remember when Coco first came out in theaters.
I remember when Fortnite cost money.
I remember when kids got scars on their knees after tripping on the playground playing tag.
I remember when parents gave kids clothes on Christmas as a punishment.
I remember when SpongeBob the movie collabed with McDonald’s and came out with those cool toys.
I remember when kids sniffed markers.

"I Recall Some Things by Jeremiah S.

I remember fighting my siblings then having to hug them ’cause our parents made us.
I remember playing Smash Bros online and wanting to throw my controller any time I died.
I remember yo mama jokes that got too personal that ended up causing fights.
I remember trying to eat snow.
I remember Game Theory when he only talked about FNAF lore.
I remember being small enough to fit in sinks.
I remember Naruto running outside with friends.
I remember play-fighting that turned into real fighting.
I remember when I can’t remember something.
I remember Uganda Knuckles.
I remember crying for absolutely no reason at all.