Autumn, Nostalgia and Student Poetry Samples

Here in Yichang, there is no "slipping into autumn."  Yesterday was in the mid 80s, and today is in the high 50s.  Nonetheless, the usual anticipatory feelings of fall occupy my thoughts most of the time and I can't help but feel a little homesick for fall in Washington. Accordingly, I've been spending the week teaching my students about autumn customs in the States and introducing a cornucopia of autumn themed vocabulary. This unit has also given me plenty of opportunities to share and talk about pictures of home, something that my students seem to enjoy just as much as I do.  Today, I showed them photos of Greenbluff pumpkin-picking trips, autumn hikes up on Mt. Rainier, and apple-pear-pecan pies. I think I actually succeeded in making my students homesick for Washington, haha!

An autumn walk on 73rd Avenue

Anyway, I wanted to share with you some of the poems my students wrote in class today. I seriously can't get over the bottomless well of creativity that is my high school senior ESL class. These poems warmed my heart on this blustery fall day, and I hope they bring you some joy too.



With the falling acorns
the squirrel start to find food for winter
day by day 
the leaves turn to yellow
migrating birds fly to some place where 
are more warm

An old couple living in a suburban area
there is a forest near by their cottage
they like to walk in the forest to listen
sounds from leaves crunch under their feet

(by Seking)

Leaves falling down

Forests changing their colour

migrating birds are flying

the sun pulling down

the sky turning light

squirrels are playing around

what a fantastic season 

that is wonderful autumn

(by Crystal) 

geese fly to the south

foliage falling down

the squirrels find acorns

everything obeys nature's rules

(by Leo)

Davis is laughing

The leaves fall

Squirrels collect acorns

Davis is laughing

a child points at him but is stopped by his mom

"That's a crazy man.

It's time to go home."

(by Alicia)

missin my KK

One day, I wake up

I find I cannot hear the voice of birds

The leaves become yellow and lonely

Like an old book

Sleeping in a long term

But I am hearing that

People are walking on the foliage

          "ke tz"      "ke tz"

That is not the sound of heart broken

I see you

Standing in the wind

I do not want to be serious 

So I plant a flower

(by Lay and Tilda)