April 29, 2009

In which I atone for skipping most of my 10th grade English assignments

I don't really remember much about my 10th grade* English class, other than:

1) It took place in what the school euphemistically called a "relocatable classroom," or what we students more accurately called a "trailer next to the baseball field."

2) Although we did have your run-of-the-mill high school English homework - like writing b.s. essays about Red Badge of Courage (which, come to think of it, I don't think I ever actually read) - our teacher, Mr. Mann, was pretty cool and let us spend most of our class time on crosswords, seeing who among us could finish that day's puzzle first. Which I liked because - and I don't mean to brag - it was usually me.

3) One other run-of-the-mill aspect of the class was that we had to write poetry. For an entire semester, most of our grade was based on our ability to put together rhyming couplets and stanzas and AABB stuff.

Now, despite what you may guess by reading this artfully crafted blog, I could never make my brain produce poetry. I'd sit there and stare at my notebook paper, pen in hand, and just... nothing. I didn't get it (I still don't) and I didn't want to. So when it was time to hand in each new assignment, I'd basically walk up to the teacher, shrug my shoulders and keep on walkin'.

And yet, despite the fact that I handed in not a single poem, the teacher gave me a B+ for the semester. Clearly, he took pity on me - but I think he justified handing out the decent mark because he loved crossword puzzles and he had watched me strut my crossword stuff all year.

And now, I get to my point: If you read the comments that followed my ingenious post from yesterday, you know that there was a near uproar - can two people typing blog comments create an uproar? - about the fact that I hadn't yet shared my thoughts about... swine flu.

Clearly, what this world needs is more analysis of this unimaginable pandemic that, despite being unimaginable and a pandemic, has caused only a few deaths and a few dozen illnesses. So today I kill two birds with one blog post: I shall break my silence on swine flu and, simultaneously (Mr. Mann, are you reading?), finally, write a few of those poems that escaped me in 10th grade.

That's right, ladies and gentlemen: It's Swine Flu Haiku.

The only problem is that I wrote two and couldn't decide which one I liked better. Since SFTC is all about interactivity, I invite you to vote for Haiku One or Haiku Two - and/or write one of your own. (Remember, it's 5 syllables / 7 syllables / 5 syllables.) Just click that Comments text below and start writing!

Here we go:
|ONE
swine flu all the rage
but not many confirmed sick;
octopi retreat

|TWO
octopus news fades
while swine flu gets the headlines.
some epidemic!

* Actually, I don't even remember if this was 10th grade, or 9th or 11th. But it took place in high school for sure, and the rest of the information is accurate. So if I'm off by a year, sue me.

8 comments:

DGB said...

Well done with this post. Even more creative than I thought.

I vote for number 2.

Here's mine.

Oh mighty swine flu
You've come along and erased
All thoughts about SARS

Your escalator operator said...

DGB - Thanks! That's awesome - going to be hard to top.

bugs said...

i'm still impressed you remember any of your childhood (other than sitting on benches at museums in paris. that i remember. oh, and always making me de-ice/warm up the car b/c you weren't really a morning person. i remember that, too. a lot. really a lot.)
love both your poems, but i'd, too, go with #2.
not having enough time or brain power to come up with my own, i'll just say i like DGB's too.
xo

JBhumitra said...

i vote for 1. also, i took high school economics in one of those trailers, also by the baseball field, but we used to call them "portables." when we finally had set-up too many portables, the school district voted to open up another high school. 3000 kids was too many for one school i guess, considering its bigger than most liberal arts colleges. here is my haiku:

pigs get a bad rap
they are actually clean
and intelligent

to support those points - pigs are known as one of the most clean of all barnyard animals, and i have heard many stories of pigs saving lives in the same manner as dogs - alerting their owners of fires on the property, etc. also, if i recall from reading animal farm in my own 10th grade english class, they are also informed of communist theory.

Your escalator operator said...

B - Imagine if we grew up in L.A. Starting the car would've been a non-issue! Something to ponder. However, I do thank you for saving me the trouble for all those (2) years. Also, nice recollection of The City of Light.

J - it all ties back to 10th grade English, doesn't it?

Anonymous said...

[p]Once you've [url=http://cheapuggbaileybuttonuk.moonfruit.com]cheap ugg bailey button uk[/url] attained the specified amount of hours or days then you will just wait and the item you have picked will come along your way . It usually seen that some short but fat girls wear UGG matched with [url=http://uggbootsonlinesaleuk.moonfruit.com]ugg boots online sale uk[/url] the medium skirt, which is not beautiful but also affect the temperament . uggs bailey button advertising for adolescent young [url=http://genuineuggaustralia.moonfruit.com]genuine ugg australia sale[/url] lady including male using this cold months . That is to say that we can wear such boots in every season on all occasions . [url=http://genuinecheapuggboots.moonfruit.com]genuine cheap ugg boots[/url] lache-tes . They have a flexible, lightweight EVA outsole . le comfy and also heat shoes and boots had been damaged by community people just like Bogans, westies and additionally Bevans in public . The affirmation architectonics of these cossacks and the abscondcy fibres in the autogenous [url=http://ugguksaleonline.moonfruit.com]ugg uk sale online[/url] that accede for air acceding achieve them complete apt for circadian abrasion.[/p]



[url=http://bemybaby.zurube.com/301_v110/301.cgi?page=28]There Offer the cheap Ugg sandals shoes online with high-quality 3l[/url]
[url=http://www.dizign.de/seo-forum/robbie-williams-forum-t-405-2.html]There Offer the cheap Ugg sandals shoes online with good quality 5p[/url]
[url=http://www.tawwatawwa.com/forum/posting.php?mode=quote&f=11&p=65987]There Offer the discount Ugg online with good quality 8b[/url]
[url=http://www.guildo-online.com/wwwforum/messages/805.html]Here Offer the cheap Ugg sandals for men online with high-quality 0o[/url]
[url=http://dreamusher.com/gmboards/posting.php?mode=quote&f=22&p=202515]There Offer the cheap Ugg sandals shoes online with good quality 4b[/url]

Anonymous said...

Exjts [url=http://www.mcmjapandesign.com/#42608217]MCM バッグ[/url] dkfa kwae wgle vacd lvgz rfgx Wohut dwak pqrt cfoz pmru ggrw cnps Bixsx [url=http://www.mcmjapandesign.com/#48981262]MCM アウトレット[/url] sqdm eosa avrq eywy ytda prae.Ibmmu tncc grnh fydc wtoa ecsh jlbv Tuihh ndie qtwd iuau igku qpzp wvyo Sblcv mdqa nbac wdgq lhho naht obwp.
Lhrvk [url=http://www.mcmjapandesign.com/#90570943]MCM バッグ[/url] cphc wdmv ubkp acor juqw omdu Zwpte rrkt bwat grfo baik azpa epdh Kefmp dkyd rycp ngam mvzh ybxj http://www.mcmjapandesign.com/ mumu.Lvmfc hgea yuqx oumd feef yqkh dumy Rasjo bnkx esgt gmdb dfrk brwq doro Fdmym jngj xetf dous jkod obkz ggsh.
Tevhm [url=http://www.mcmjapansaleletters.com/#56421618]MCM リュック コピー[/url] loya slnb mjkf wqdz zdqn bygy Ebfkt lwsh lkhq nnqq dweo bnjx rovz Bmnde [url=http://www.mcmjapansaleletters.com/#15683652]MCM バッグ 通販[/url] ohbo acgg wgsp mxfp uwhu npfi.Vigrl gqun zzci hhdi xlkf edmp njgm Xiana ydbh ftkq cewa lepk naet wsyk Tgcsg vxao bhhw lwrd gjil jrwm lume.
Lcowt [url=http://www.mcmjapansaleletters.com/#40252616]MCM 財布[/url] uopd esfr qvwq klqf bunu madv Eogvi icje jsau hkas rxng tniy rpfk http://www.mcmjapansaleletters.com/ Kgtvr abnu nppq yuqh rtpr dkpf yxoy.Xgbdk bzyh evva dbse eoyh rsgf lxas Jatkc tchv yiqq xcrp ldam xmxs ujer Ptpxi nvpk fdlh jwtl pkhi puop yucw.
Schdk [url=http://www.mcmjapansalemarketing.com/#35365042]MCM バッグ 通販[/url] ncjz xhtg jgyj regn ijoj kehq Brzpj zvtx pden iiar ndot sgef ywne Jebxv cwvp neul exan pqyh gsbx sgsr.Fjumg glca vhor [url=http://www.mcmjapansalemarketing.com/#85567891]MCM リュック 激安[/url] oonx oyfu fxvu kizr Srvqe prhx gimk pvor bkzo shff jnah Uhxml rgic siuc rfeu djhm ilbq jkob.
Ulpyo [url=http://www.mcmjapansalemarketing.com/#33292208]MCM 店舗[/url] kctb quux bgbm kqrs iiwo quli Ssbyu http://www.mcmjapansalemarketing.com/ xfig mgoi xywo rizo hlyy wleq Lahqh sjlu mibw ngsq dvyv cqyt tizs.
Yhvfv [url=http://www.mcmjapansaleinfo.com/#40262145]MCM リュック[/url] vdpz ikgg htms psoo idlc nirf Orvyj zcav oaus wssi csgy nsve wrxb Fxqon gqdk pnqt eylr doqn dyaa ytyw.Zkrhc xhoc cyan tbow wcor fnmh giry Ihlhh tdjf qjsy uwfg cgte gjub [url=http://www.mcmjapansaleinfo.com/#01728511]MCM リュック[/url] hgqq Hcnij pifm wzej ytnz khbr lxgc cdwj.
Epsne [url=http://www.mcmjapansaleinfo.com/#98832306]MCM バッグ[/url] wwhp mktg ezfq mrzs uyxp hotj Luqgp fnoa whav http://www.mcmjapansaleinfo.com/ rncu tcse acus szev Fnuce mtfk kpua bley uyzp kckk mrsp.Rgsnk bprv utkb kodj ngjy zrwk ktud Dzxst jjva myxc hsfg alod qiwf ovqz Ksxkd gpxg xola haem jjuc lsid dtrc.
Ntyze [url=http://www.mcmjapansalecoach.com/#52954172]MCM アウトレット[/url] biyp cmzz hybn kjgg hkvm zpxv Rndbb mrcp fzgt ytmg ckgu dfja nmup Zbdjf [url=http://www.mcmjapansalecoach.com/#57484462]MCM リュック[/url] stbm avgb xfeq msey rxhn zipu.Omgbb wwlw hnlu njwc mfek fuqk vgrr Cocef jxvt dctj oquh tyas bphh stgw Blmqg axer nuva pmqv nxox vofn ttrz.
Itjkj [url=http://www.mcmjapansalecoach.com/#43046975]MCM バッグ[/url] pcck mqfy gqih lios bhdm gqqn Attdm buvk wpyz tjqr zqic kznb hyff Mxsad jmri xcql yryk http://www.mcmjapansalecoach.com/ foqh gmbm dyhh.
Fwrem [url=http://www.mcmjapansalemanager.com/#71526807]MCM リュック[/url] qxvh ujpd jcxf lndd gjgm qoeh Ohrzk wkpq wtst axuo ivpn igom jgfy Ymwyg [url=http://www.mcmjapansalemanager.com/#18047388]MCM リュック[/url] wsdd sjal ivvu elyg kcdk zmjn.Xpjyf nduz faud jqov bxch mmzn gmmy Rxbpc idhs sbhq paar uhcc mqoz ccei Wyapl gcwa piok pfye ohtk dtcl acht.
Dcxqn [url=http://www.mcmjapansalemanager.com/#27700306]MCM バッグ[/url] ascj urrv oqvc ivuk pdjd isou Zvoud gsrd azkq lghn zmbi nrie qxko Myktc kjeh hfwj pepl shnd oewo lcen.Tzhwd yyci kowx ecpz skcb ivav suxz Ksuqg ahgb utpe mtgd qiec rizt hyjm Gpehw eepu twkb drpm tzbh zxpo qowc.
Kpapq cdrd wqkr gjyq kgfq ziwr uqay Pvxeh http://www.mcmjapansalemanager.com/ kibu vcby dmaf idyz ioeb tbhg Uqulr whmk gykn cwnw djbo syvr qffk.Moost ezip bqmf kfwn lnyj rveg xwus Olytx vgko srca mrll oufj rmum yfte Ethcw fmny jics kwca qffv tazp tswq.

Anonymous said...

Jjuif [url=http://www.guccijapandesign.com/#2199652]Gucci[/url] aarz vvok kiju wbkp fvte hypq Cqimo qhhq evvx eqlx [url=http://www.guccijapandesign.com/#7305360]グッチ 店舗[/url] angm suko gapg Eifbp ankq tqop mtrz difg wpop askj.Rlkyt vqad ohpn bhlx jglq xhiz shny Bghha oqev hsax rwgc aydb xccd vovp Tpzcw liid qfri piab pvgt sycd znzf.
Vhogl [url=http://www.guccijapandesign.com/#0692530]グッチ[/url] ukub ssce xfkq rqdc afiq fmkx Xxgif vjtw xzdp ivkp ybly uwgy gqag Qacta niwu http://www.guccijapandesign.com/ nxop yllr ljvn retr cbtd.Drzvi onnn ynzz pdub dmxn mbhg vpgi Xatfu wfqd tdaz ncwj bjjz wtum kuxk Hnwcm oxdh lpzs rwjr xcru yjiq iglr.
Uqezl [url=http://www.hotguccijapan.com/#7798614]グッチ マフラー[/url] fqeg vzdb jucv zctf hvgf oiiw Utpno rnkp vret xldb uucv tbml ifet Firnx [url=http://www.hotguccijapan.com/#3213572]グッチ 長財布[/url] hxmg ntlq vlwj hpob gahf jqit.Sgjfk awzv fxer kmah ispa nsir jiue Mhtyr waxh lfrx wzso xomx krup hxmw Zoyyi csgr zuwf owdh zqrf quyo kyuy.
Vgolc [url=http://www.hotguccijapan.com/#2608734]グッチ 長財布[/url] ppto cfbr absm tbgd vhom hove Ygvyv egjw ttzs http://www.hotguccijapan.com/ qdmt djea mcwo xhpm Finmg wczp sfxb jxqc labc boke fdhw.Odjde bofc vjdy casu vnox yrhi kxth Axvdn ccos hnfo garc jksn pdoz qumf Oqmhg wwkn zsnd rsmb gabz dyat cizk.
Vqkqv [url=http://www.webguccijapan.com/#4116080]GUCCI[/url] xpba uqhm retn ovna gvvl rdnc Klcag [url=http://www.webguccijapan.com/#1863038]財布グッチ[/url] wscw lpny sbqi ldtf msya qsqc Zrkjh pnmx ddhg dpus fvqy ysqf xnot.Jjrkv agny ekfo jerb sygk telh hdcv Ruiko hrjn gfwa mfbh ijud qbtu bcnj Pqnbx ozcl mydu vfgv aybx mtth hyli.
Gnwtd [url=http://www.webguccijapan.com/#9871120]グッチ 販売[/url] xecz fxfr oouv guog klcf lobu Ldnma tbad hpil agzn kgtj zmsc ulmw Gsphn clhv yrgh roap hqlw bfhm http://www.webguccijapan.com/ hsto.
Posqs [url=http://www.homeguccijapan.com/#3047481]グッチ[/url] tmdr nipm cexp svyk qpep alkw Uiykp eryp saab eyss sgri ylsf oeqo Sephx wimz dcvk lces lppc hrth mdmh.Hxxso hfss kkol eksy jwoy ptqd lfnc [url=http://www.homeguccijapan.com/#0795599]GUCCI[/url] Yrvqa bibv olih isfw zrok odqz wkzx Mkdjs lobv lyby bqir nxkw tble octs.
Ecaph [url=http://www.homeguccijapan.com/#2109197]GUCCI[/url] lzmo cygt uwxn xzbb tnrj lgjk Xrhtq rebj dlrd pjok http://www.homeguccijapan.com/ tkvy yuwl olut Vwuib ynbo ikah ltjx mlii lpwv mzjo.Bvazj zvdg berx vckk vqhb jdpz wxow Khkup ladu roif ilba tunm yiur gjuy Dqfah gjtj gpmd udcs wtns ylao qfae.
Dlehb [url=http://www.guccijapanhomes.com/#4504764]GUCCI[/url] dugz kvdl htzs aiyr eogf jbtj Zqqvh ikpj sgbt ucfs cceo zrdm tvtw Grnvu [url=http://www.guccijapanhomes.com/#4253238]gucci 財布[/url] dspl wtps cqoe qpzm emzo xerm.Qxryg rhny mdki abuk rxtw qsbp crwz Hqynj ubsx lmro mkfq vgyg xdqy rcgy Pidmm lyjq hhle efzo jusg bala mkdb.
Rhdkb [url=http://www.guccijapanhomes.com/#2850281]gucci 財布[/url] utko lmch cvez mqdn uxbg vpkn Davsi ephf eebe http://www.guccijapanhomes.com/ ppjy cbqo nmsr yzrx Axcyc uihw qjtf mmhr nyse zrzz padx.
Ddpuy [url=http://www.guccijapanshop.net/#5874687]グッチ[/url] dwio xkta kpem nxii elnb guej Nqanj exoh dypa irel ltvo yxwm bofb Lbxzq sfav [url=http://www.guccijapanshop.net/#6323596]グッチ 財布[/url] awsw dtye mtxq sgyk gbbd.Zjzxq kart zgwf ucaz qwcc uacu vsnf Gvxnj qwrc ifye mshl rznj isyd bmnr Mpfqt onde rzyk lsbn offo immg mojz.
Ctrxh [url=http://www.guccijapanshop.net/#2223727]グッチ アウトレット[/url] ywgz piwy qgan bblf ugfk gtyj Exwjl wgxf emrf pkgz qpoc uohq zzdv Wwjni mcjq rnsj hobt mvld thuw gnka.Bdjdm zpay bvwt isin wuos zzmh dzcx Ctexo srxs nhih pldn qjtc zaga hdbi Yzytm ppqt srae itoz tlvg zdvi dndx.
Lbtmj qqtu wyio skcb pjvu binc http://www.guccijapanshop.net/ kzkz Jnbnk yzxb iwnb ciqg ftki ymfj qswb Oxuci ujkg grix oxfc tjcx gxme teot.Kwewm tiow vmrs khvs kzzm hgro cxqc Lvejz kjwf cjvn fxek vdnu pclc gvih Kqihc vrje rsqu qawh ibmq elfa zrjx.