Art of English Guest bloggers Two

ArtofEnglish: Guest bloggers:

Students from my BOCES ESL class post their favorite writings from

Fall Session 2011.

My Second Guest:

Michiyo Soga: Michiyo is a lively, enthusiastic Japanese woman who recently discovered her talent for writing poetry; a talent she inherited from her mother. She started our class in early 2011 and is in this picture

Assignment: Write about a day you felt really happy to be in this country.

Every morning I open the door
Children are playing on the ground with cheerful voices
A man is sweeping the floor, humming a Spanish song.
I enter the classroom.
Familiar faces welcome me as usual.
People I love and the best teacher in the world.
This is New York.
There are many places to go.
There are many things to see.
But I go to the class every morning
Because I know this is precious time.
The time I talk to the people from around the world.
The time I feel connected with these friends.
Although my English is poor, our feelings are one.
Today I go to the class as usual.
A lot of “good mornings” shine my day.
Thank you, Camille.
Thank you, everyone.
Thank you, America.

On the sidewalk,
Holding a coffee cup, showing up white breath,
Walking to the station, in heavy boots.
In a rush, but not too much rush.
She tries to cross the road.
Her eyes cross my eyes in the car,
She smiles and I smile.
She starts crossing, holding up her hand.
Her mouth moves.
Without hearing, her voice reaches me,
Warming my heart in the crisp air

Driving along I-95
Up north…aimlessly 60 mph
The road stretches for miles away
It melts into the May sky.
Wrapped up by the vast azure
Humming Pink with 102.7
I go through the State line.
My heart glides in the bright sunshine.