Today’s Slice is inspired by the wonderful poem Margaret Simon wrote alongside her students after reading and discussing Rebecca Kai Dotlich’s poem, “What I’m Made Of.”
What I’m Made Of (After Rebecca Kai Dotlich and Margaret Simon)
Of kudzu and honeysuckle,
Of dogwoods and dirt roads
And dreaming of the ocean.
Of biscuits and gravy and overcooked pot roast for Sunday dinner
Of grits and fried okra, catfish and hush puppies.
Of thunder storms and tornado warnings,
Of barbed wire fence, briar patches,
And getting lost in the woods.
Of saddle shoes and kitchen gossip,
Of afghans and braided rugs, quilts and cross-stitch,
Of church hymns, country music, 50s doo-wop, and Elvis.
I’m made of my grandmother’s Smith-Corona
And her shelves of Harlequin romances, Reader’s Digest Condensed Books, James Michener doorstops, Bible commentaries.
I’m made of East Lake Road and Shingleroof Campground.
I’m made of yes ma’am and no sir, bless your heart and I swan
I am Southern and steel,
Blue sky, green pasture, red clay.
the dirigible plum 
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