Saturday, October 6, 2012

AGE SIX

Today's October Memoir and Backstory Blog Challenge is by Regina Gort


The Problem with Authority

First day of endless possibility
Playdoh, Dollhouse, Crayons.
A bit of guidance from our teacher,
"Please draw what you want to be when you grow up."

A few minutes of thought then
determined coloring onto construction paper.
Deliberate imagination captured
a portrait of me with a crown.

"Regina, please share with the class," she insisted.

A clear of the throat, a confident smile as
I revealed my masterpiece.
"The Queen of England," I said.

To which a harsh response was uttered,
"You can't be her. That's impossible."
A defiant stomp of my foot as I replied,
"I can be whoever I want, my momma told me so."

To the outer edge of
the classroom I was sent
where I pledged that
anything would be possible
and still is.
Regina Gort at age 6

17 comments:

  1. All hail, Queen Regina! After all, Regina is Latin for queen, so it seems fitting. But you're not a Brit, so just go for Queen of the World! I love the expansive minds of 6-year-olds!

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  2. Oh, queen Regina! I love you so. And my gosh, that picture of you IS Violet!

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  3. Terrible, how some teachers mishandle children! I'm so glad she still believed in her dreams -and still does!

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    1. I feel the same way, Jane! It's amazing how those events can stay with you for the rest of your life.

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  4. Awww, I'm glad you didn't give up on your dreams back then and still won't now, of course! Great poem!!

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  5. That's awesome. And you were adorable. And who says you can't be the queen of England? haha. Great post.

    Also, while I have your ear for a sec, if you could possibly go vote in ponyfest , that'd be awesome. It's not for me, I swear. My daughter is super excited about the pony she drew for me and I checked tonight and we have like two votes. I hate to let her down by our pony getting barely any votes. Our pony is Cacee by Tamara haha. Thanks!

    http://rebeccaenzor.com/2012/10/05/welcome-to-ponyfest12/#comments

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    1. Thanks, Tamara. I think she has a cool pony and I voted for her! Good Luck!

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  6. And then she decided she'd rather not turn into a stuffy old queen of England anyway and became a Swagger!

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  7. You always make every word count Gina... I mean Your Highness. Just adore your poetry xox

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