I Am From Inspiration Poem

by Josias Alzamora Huff

I am from the outdoors. Where the willows weep and the trails wind.

I am from the industrial playground and the concrete pickleball court. The sun beats down on sunburned skin.

I am from potted plants and shelves of books. Overflowing everywhere they inhabit.

I am from Panettone and Arroz con Pollo. Christmas traditions never seem to change.

I am from every breed of dog. An endless surge of them.

I am from bonfires and roof tents. I am from novels and stoves. I am from mountains and caves and forests and lakes. I am from two houses and games and audiobooks and cakes. I am from the unconditional love of family and the care of friends.  

I am from a world with everything to offer.

I am inspired 

---9th Grade "I Am From" Poetry Assignment

Photo credit: Josias Alzamora Huff

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Continuation

Introducing the next generation of Huff: Shiloh Alzamora Huff 

In my sixth grade English Language Arts class we read Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor and we were asked to make a continuation (my idea of how the story would continue or end). Here it is:

"CASSIE!" Mama called from home, "It's almost dark and it's time to come home." 

Rats! School starts tomorrow. I thought I could enjoy a little more freedom, but I know tomorrow will be the same old routine: we wake up, walk to school, and see Jeremy. 

"Cassie!" I heard Jeremy's voice. 

"Jeremy?" 

"Hi, Cassie," he said, barely managing to get the words out. 

"Jeremy, are you okay?" 

"W-we're moving across the country, apparently," Jeremy whined. "R.W. and Melvin have been trying to convince my dad to move, and they finally got him to. They told my dad something about T.J., and he seemed scared." 

At the mention of T.J., my heart swelled. T.J. has been locked up for a while now, and he will never get out.  

"Anyway, I just wanted to tell you," he whispered before turning and running away, wiping tears from his eyes. 

“Cassie!" Mama yelled impatiently.  

I ran over to Mama and her wonderful cooking. 

At the dinner table, I told Stacey, Papa, Little Man, and Christopher John what happened with Jeremey and how they are moving across the country. 

As we got ready for bed, I could not help but feel a little twinge of sadness, and all through the night I thought of the good times I had with Jeremy and T.J. 

When I woke up in the morning, Mama told me that the school water main had broken and that we had to stay home for the day. So, I raced up to Jeremy's tree to see if he was there, but when I got there, they were all gone. Now Jeremy and T.J. were gone, and I was supposed to act like life was normal. 

"Cassie!" 

"Wha—Jeremy, is that you?" 

"Oh, thank the Lord you are here!" said Jeremy. 

 "What are you doing here?" I inquired. 

"I found out what R.W. and Melvin did. I told Dad, but he did not care or already knew. They should be the ones in jail, not T.J., so I told Dad, and he left me behind. So, I'm gonna stay in my tree." 

After a few seconds of staring at him like he was mad, I finally mustered, "But what about food?" 

"Well to be honest I don't know- whoa," said Jeremy. 

I grabbed Jeremy by the arm and started running home, so Jeremy followed. When we got there Jeremy explained everything to Mama. Mama told Jeremy that he always had a home here and so, on went life. But it was a life without T.J.