A travelling poem

Last year I lived in America for six months. I stayed with my family—my grandparents, aunts and uncles and cousins—in Texas. My Papa lives on a farm. This is a poem I wrote about it. I hope you like it!

America

America's a lovely place: horses, goats and cows
America's a lovely place: rodeos, fairs and fun
America's a lovely place: Mexican food and beans
America's a lovely place: a good place to sleep
So when you can't figure out
which country to go to,
Just go the United States of America!

By Nathaniel Carey Holt

Comments

[Larry Holt]

I have been waiting for a new poem from you Nathaniel. This one is a beauty. .... And the Hawks are doing alright aren't they!

Uncle Larry

[Bette Gardiner]

Nathaniel,

You brought a smile to my face when I read your poem about America, the land of my birth. You have captured it quite well. Keep it up.

I am including one of my poems below:
Pig Dog

“What kind of dog is that?”
I asked with typical American curiosity.
Blank stares met my face and I pulled out my camera to record it.
Perhaps someone at home would know.
The thin Filipino woman who lived in the ramshackle house in Cebu City
Was sweeping her dirt floor with a twig broom.
Perhaps to remove debris or rocks, or just to make it look nice.
Her actions to clean her house
Created an image of pride
That I would carry always.

Weeks later I would see the print of the dog picture
And realize it was a pig.

Nathaniel, I hope you enjoy my poem. It's a little trip to the Philippines.

May the power of love be with you and protect you always,
Bette Gardiner