Clarinet

I am a clarinet
Capable of beauty,
Holding many unique characteristics.
When played wrong, the result can be ugly or painful-
Wrong notes and squeaks.
If not kept in proper condition, I won't play right.
The result of a chipped or broken reed is just pitiful.
I have a wide range of styles and emotions.
I often play complicated melodies and very exposed solos.
These can be so overwhelming that I usually need a rest afterward.
I require support from other instruments.
It is always there when I need it.

~Hannah Jo

The Music of My Soul

Laughter is the music of my soul.
A smile is a note in my song.
A moment of joy is a beautiful phrase,
Makes me feel that nothing could go wrong.

Crying is the music of my soul.
A teardrop is a measure of my ballad.
A moment of sorrow is a building point,
Makes me feel completely invalid.

Anger is the music of my soul.
A scream is an expressionistic phrase.
A moment of fury is an accelerando,
Makes me feel lost in an endless daze.

Love is the music of my soul.
A hug is a major chord.
A moment of truth is a fermata,
Where I'll cherish the eternal reward.

~Hannah Jo
Part of my "Poetry Safari"

My Life's Song

My family is a song
With polyphonies that create pictures
And melodies that tell stories
My Dad is the Bass line- tuba or cello-
keeping the song full and strong
giving support at all times
My mom is the overall melody
always there working hard.
she can do anything.
Melissa is the bass drum
firm and never wavering
from the tempo
Gregg is a harmony line
fitting in well with the whole song
and making it more complete
Jackson is the piccilo-
loud when needed, but small-
always sounding and looking cute.
Holly is the snare drum
playing complicated rhythms,
always driving forward
only slowing when directed to do so.
Ben is the trombone-
strong bass, but still playing the occasional crazy melody
April is the piano.
she can play many different parts of the song
and knows how to support everyone elses.
Amelia is the tenor saxophone
she has a wide range of ways to play and act
and always has a beautiful sound.
Nate is the trumpet
loud and strong
capable of so much, but he always prefers the fanfares.
Liam is the triangle
featured at many times
cute and known, but he's still learning.
Michelle is the alto saxophone
with a style of her own
she loves to stand out.
Elizabeth is the auxiliary percussion
playing many different instruments,
still experimenting with life.
she hits random things at seemingly random times,
but it always fits.
And I, I am the clarinet
melody and harmony
sometimes needing a long rest
and always supported by everyone else.
My family is a song
sometimes in perfect harmony,
sometimes cacophony,
always working together
to support
through everything.

March

It's starting- watch.
Blend in- listen.
Stay in step.
Feel the beat.
Keep the tempo.
Try to remember.

So much to remember,
Make sure to watch.
Stay with the tempo.
You're not alone-listen.
Play with the beat.
Let it guide your step.

Left-Left- know the step.
Next set- remember.
Drum majors show the beat
With their hands-watch.
The band is one-listen.
Don't stray from the tempo.

Around you is the tempo.
In front you see the step.
Everyone plays, so listen.
You know this music, so remember.
Drum majors lead, so watch.
Behind you they play the beat.

You hear the beat
and create. There is a tempo
to follow. You have to watch.
You know every step.
You can remember.
Focus your mind and listen.

Trust me, I tried to listen.
I honestly felt the beat.
I thought I could remember.
I promise I stayed on tempo.
I KNOW I was in step.
I do, I know how to watch.

~Hannah Jo
Part of my 2010 "Poetry Safari" in Discovery LA

Elizabeth =] (Happy Birthday!!)

Elizabeth,
A leader
Role Model
Friend.

Elizabeth,
Beautiful
Kind
Sweet.

Elizabeth,
Followed
Looked up to
Loved.

Happy Birthday =D

~Hannah Jo
Best Birthday Wishes to an amazing friend :)

Window

I prefer windows to mirrors.
I look in a mirror,
I see myself.
Materially.
I look through a window,
I see so much more.

I prefer windows to mirrors.
A mirror shows an image.
Backwards.
Through a window,
I see the real thing.
Straightforward, clear.

I prefer windows to mirrors.
Mirrors are vanity.
All I see is ME, ME, ME!
Windows are charity.
I see everyone and what they need.

How I can give,
How I should live.

I prefer windows to mirrors.

~Hannah Jo
A contest piece

Where I Am From

I am from quote cards on the counter,
and candles that never give flame.
I am from crispy yellow grass underneath my feet
that pokes me as I run and jump.
I am from hammocks that don't match in the slightest,
yet seem all the same.
I am from games of hopscotch in the day,
and Laser Tag at night.
I am from "I love you a MILLION Swedish Fish!"
I am from Charlotte and Richard.
I am from Jim and Judy who went separate ways,
but brought new delights to our family.
I am from music that reaches the ears
to bring memories from the past, feelings of the present,
and ideas for the future.
I am from enchiladas made with an effort from everyone,
that bring the taste of spice, along with pride.
I am from family, in which memories lie,
giving inspiration in times of struggle.
I am from hope to make it through the struggles,
and faith to lift me above, where I can fly.

~Hannah Jo
An English project, very anticipated

The Lift

Inspiration is unseekable.
A power found when needed.

Motivation is generable.
Your own passion, breeded.

Yet they work together to bring you higher,
when assistance you require.

Inspiration gives you power.
Every idea you devour
until you're srong, like a fortress, a tower.

Motivation gives you a reason,
To work toward your goal.
It gives you a helpful pull.

The two combined are a strong force.
A lift when you need a strengthening source.

~Hannah Jo
True thought

Friendship

It's hard for friends to part.
This fact is very well known.
Frindship is a work of art,
Every single one, its own.

No two friends are exactly alike,
yet they are somehow so much the same.
One may love to bump and spike
while the other needs help with their aim.

When two people meet,
a canvas forms, blank, fresh, new.
This is the canvas of friendship sweet,
so many new things to do.

A brushstroke appears
after a bit
unmatched and unique
like a fingerprint.

A while more passes
and soon you find
this blank canvas became
one of a kind.

It is now hard for these friends to part,
This fact is now very well known.
This friendship is a work of art.
Uniquely, independently, its own.

~Hannah Jo
Dedicated to: Kenzie

Rumor

That rumor.
That weed.
That little pest
will pay no head.

It starts so small,
so harmless and faint,
but grows so tall!
There is no restraint.

A rumor is a seed.
When planted in any soil,
It grows into a weed.
No pain, sweat, or toil
to meet its need.

The rumor weed,
That destructive little pest.
Don't help it along.
Don't grow it to its best.

~Hannah Jo
From Experience

Team

People say "there's no I in team"
but is this really what they mean?
Or are they really feeling
something no one else can see?

I rule this team.
I win everything.
No one else
is good as me.

You never can tell
How they really feel.
But are these the thoughts
That you also conceal?

Don't catch yourself
thinking these thoughts.
Be a team player,
Don't try to call all the shots.

For if you do
you'll come to find,
that the thoughts you have
on your mind
are so very untrue.
They are true to only you.

~Hannah Jo
From Experience

A Baby's Cry

A baby's cry,
A peek into the soul.
That little cry,
Tells all there is to know.

A baby's eyes,
A window to heaven.
Those little eyes,
Show all within.

A baby's breath,
so soft and sweet.
That little sighing breath,
When his thoughts and dreams meet.

A baby's cry,
a peek into the soul.
That tranquil little cry,
is everything they know.

The innocence of those little eyes,
the relaxation of that sigh,
everything surrounding the little one.
So very perfectly nice.

~Hannah Jo
Inspired By and Dedicated To: Jackson Mitchell Savage

Barrier

Oh, the feelings I'd like to express,
the words I'd like to say.
What is this strong and unknown force
that pulls them all away?

So many things I'd like to say,
so many things I feel.
What is hap'ning with my thoughts
that makes them so hard to steal?

Some barrier is blocking
all I'd like to share.
Somehow the words I'd like to say,
Don't want to meet the air.

~Hannah Jo
Inspired By: Writer's Block

The Winner

I may have tripped, but I did not fall.
One loss cannot conquer all
the great times I have had.
It cannot make me sad.

Because I tried I did not fail.
My victory ship has not set sail.
Nor will it till I am on board.
My triumph wings have not yet soared.

I'll keep trying and I'll succeed.
Just three things do I really need;
confidence, love, and support.
With these I surely won't fall short.

I may have tripped, but I didn't fall.
I'm still standing so very tall.
I will reach my limits soon,
but I will push and push the room
until my limits can't be seen
by anyone. No one but me.
Then I will be
undeniably
me.
a winner.
the winner.

I may trip, but I will not fall.
One loss will not conquer all
the great times I will have.
They cannot make me sad.

~Hannah Jo
Inspired By: An experience and goal

The Race

It started out so very fun,
new things to see and do,
but now it is almost all done,
and everybody's through!

I know we all want school to end,
but since it hasn't yet,
we have to make the best of it
so that we don't regret
how we spent the whole past year
once memories have set!

So since it is a marathon
to make it through the year,
instead of saying "school be gone!"
lets start a new goal here.

From now it is a crucial race
to make it to the end,
everyone pick up the pace!
Let's shoot 'round this last bend!

For when we arrive
at the end of the year,
we'll see how we thrived
until we got here!

Look! I see the finish line!
It's drawing quickly near!

~Hannah Jo
A Goal

My Daily Dose

School is nearly over,
And since this fact is so,
Our poetry unit is ceasing,
as soon as the school year goes.

So in order to keep up writing,
the doctor's cure for me
is keep a blog of poetry,
a daily dose to see.

So, when your mind is sinking
into summer and the fun,
don't forget all that you learned,
while soaking up the sun.

Keep your mind working,
though you might not be as much,
Don't lay idly watching
summer crumble into dust.

For when school does start up again
your mind will surely bust.

Make sure you get your daily dose
and make it lots of fun!

~Hannah Jo
My Goal