Dad washed, I dried

the supper dishes,

while Mom armed herself

for Early Bird bingo at seven

in the church basement:

her lucky piece

(a smooth quarter she'd won the first time out),

seat cushion,

and a White Owls box of pink plastic markers.

 

Dad read the paper,

watched TV with me

until Mom returned,

announcing her triumph with a door slam

and a shout,

"I was hot!"

 

Flinging her hat,

twirling out of her jacket,

she pulled dollar bills

from her pockets

before setting them free

to flutter like fat spring snow.

 

"Ninety-two dollars!" she squealed

as Dad hugged her off the floor.

"Ninety-two dollars!"

 

In bed I listened to

mumbled voices

planning to spend the money--

on groceries,

school clothes,

a leaky radiator--

and wished she'd buy

a shiny red dress,

long white gloves,

and clickety-click high heels.

 

_______________________________

 

The appeal of this poem to me is the feelings it projects about the boy and his family through the telling of a simple incident.  For junior high readers and writers, this poem shows the value in writing about one's own life and experiences, wishes, and hopes.  It shows the meaning that can come from portraying a single incident.  Have the students write about a happening or event that they wish had turned out differently.  Encourage them to use the story to convey their meaning instead of saying, "I wish this had turned out another way."  Begin by sharing something from your own life before asking the students to write.