Ethics, Values, & Sustainability
Environmental Strategy & Sustainability
Systems Thinking & Sustainable Businesses
Last Updated 01/14/2006
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GROUP 5
Mashed potatoes
Corn on the cob
Smiling faces
Big hugs
Cards on the table
The cat disappears
Its time to eat
Everyone’s here.
Amelia Musser
The Best Backyard in the World
The smell of fresh cut grass
Perfect summer evening, when the sun refused to go down
There was no fence separating our backyard and the neighbor’s
My neighbor Dan would cross the soccer ball from his backyard,
I would awkwardly attempt to bicycle kick it back
Dan had just built a regulation size soccer goal in “our backyard”
We spent hours playing soccer there
While we played, our parents would light up the grill
The smoke would carry the delicious scent of burgers and brats
Nothing like an ice cold glass of lemonade after a good workout
Sat comfortably on my lawn chair as I stuffed my face
While crickets provided us a with peaceful summer melody
Couple years later, Dan’s family moved out
Then our family moved out not long after.
The new owners decided to put up a fence
Why would they want to cut the biggest backyard in the neighborhood in half?
(The soccer goal decayed and was thrown out, replaced by a lame playground set )
Ryu Suzuki
We lived on Arlene Place
More than eleven years
But I never had the same bedroom
For more than a few months
I shared with my sister
And I shared with my mom
Then after the carpets were replaced
I had a bed in the piano room
The room that was decorated for me once
Was pink and obnoxious
With unicorn wallpaper
I have a photo of my fat cat Thomas in there
When he was still very small
Laying in a doll bed atop the antique buffet
Staring out the window
He’s not very smart, even for a cat
The constant furniture rearrangements
Confused him.
Sarah Edwards
It’s 5:00
A smell of simmering spices awakens my soul
I sit with my mother to watch the news
She curbs my appetite with baby carrots until my dad comes home
As the daylight fades on a mid-winter afternoon
This is the place to be
Love, comfort and conversation
Keep our family warm in the cold temperatures
Soul food doesn’t come from the cupboards.
Matt Beaton
Late afternoon and my chocolate lab begins to knudge my knee.
He’s ready. It’s time.
We take to the woods and begin our hike
through a snow that rises well above our knees
we begin with no direction, no destination
simply following occasional deer paths to rest our weary legs
we explore and
follow each other’s lead
not lost, but not easily found and we take a moment.
Tsoca cools his belly by laying in the snow
I look up and become mesmerized amidst trees whitewashed with snow.
This place is special to us both.
Unlike the surrounding world
You never miss anything in nature
There is no time, no deadline.
We simply begin where we left off
Nature waits.
Matt Beaton
So many memories of days gone by
Kind of amazing how the time does fly,
The dimly lit kitchen where I used to eat
Five chairs round the table, one of those was my seat,
Wallpaper with apples embraced the small room
A peak out the window, the roses in full bloom.
Looking back on that place as I do tonight
I realize one thing, the house was just right.
Lucas Roe
Standing on the stool
Now I’m even with Mom.
Fingers behind your back she says
As she turns the power on
Blades twisting, spinning, mixing the dough
Clashing and crashing
But still we hear the Boss
The stereo’s always blaring
When it’s just me and Mom.
Now it’s that time, my favorite part
Some moms don’t let kids eat the dough
But my mom eats it with me
Spooning into the squishiness
We have one scoop, two scoops, three
Until it’s all too much
And the tummyache sets in
So on we go,
Just one more step.
It’s time to roll the dough
Mom’s rolls are always round
Mine are misshapen, awkward, funny
Each time they fall apart
I wonder if I’ll ever be able to
Do it like Mom
It’s all so easy for her.
Brynna Larsen
The Battleground
Shared a room with my older brother when I was little
A bunk bed, matching dressers and desks
My brother’s side was neatly organized
My side was a pile of mess
Today we fought over who was better at Super Mario Brothers
Yesterday was because I made fun of my brother while beating him in Tetris
The day before, I stole his last bite of mom’s famous strawberry shortcake
When we fought, we fought like two wild boars
No mercy, no holding back, an all out brawl
Haymakers, drop kicks, judo throws and pile drivers, anything goes
Our fights were legendary in the neighborhood
I am officially 0 and 159 against him
But I know someday that I will get my first victory
Ryu Suzuki
Kitchen
Trinkets lining the sink
Memories my dad refuses to let go
They provide a vital link
One to a past not so long ago
The countertops are splattered with his latest dinner
The smell of his favorite spice, garlic, laces the kitchen
I see myself sitting on the countertop feeling like a winner
As my dad cleans up the mess I have created on my chin
The dining set is old wood and faded by the sun
But it provides the sense of security I need
Seeing it there reminds me of the laughter and fun
That my parents had before it was all done indeed
The kitchen is full of warmth and love
Memories can never be forgotten here
The fridge is still as white as a dove
And I like that it hasn’t changed, that’s my biggest fear
Kelly Hyland
Whiffleball
The circular drive
is a perfect round of bases.
Dad pitches, we run,
and scream in delight
if he catches us
and if he doesn’t.
The sun sinks lower
behind the woodshed.
Childish chatter fills
the ears of a mother
who has come to watch.
The summer night is just warm enough
for our sleeveless shirts
and bare feet.
A house wren shrill trillings
beg us to leave.
And we do.
Panting.
Smiling.
Refreshed.
Leah Hart
Creaking up the stairs to the attic I know so well
Head tilted to the side
Automatic response from learning to walk with
Slanted ceilings and wide floor boards
Light fills the room, a cross breeze of air filters through
Posters, so many posters and magazine clippings
Cover the walls,
A timeline of historic sporting events and Absolute ads,
Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, Dispatch
“There’s Something About Mary,”
Cael Sanderson and Michael Jordan
Famous quote still taped steadfast under the window sill
“Whenever you are having a bad day, just think of the great story it will be when its all over.”
How true
Alex Grace
I walk into my room
I hop over the pile of clothes and books
Dropping my bags as I go
I flop on my couch
My refuge!
The breeze blows in from my windows
Fluttering my curtains into the room
I hear the lawnmowers running up and down the street
The smells of fresh cut grass coming on the wind
Sweet summer days,
Lazy days,
Just hanging out in my room.
Sharon Tiedt
Water swirl in the sink,
Flowers sit on the table,
Through the window I see another family’s kitchen,
My house’s kitchen: harmony inside and chaos outside.
Owen Li
