Cat + Rabbit = 6
Junior Isabel Alland took Creative Writing as a sophomore and is still going strong! In writing this poem she aimed to emulate the style of Seamus Heaney, particularly his poem, “Blackberry Picking.” Enjoy!
Adulthood
Early September, you sat at the kitchen table
And our dad helped you with your math homework.
I wanted to be included—I knew how to count after all.
Shooed away, told to shush instead.
Go and play with Mommy.
I dragged my highchair up to the counter and sat
With my head in my hands. I wanted to be a big kid too.
Springing up with a spark of inspiration, I snatched a
Post-it note from the grown-up table
Then sat back down to make my own math homework.
Cat + rabbit = 6
AB + Isabel = pretty
1234 – DB = small
Homework was fun,
Why were grownups always complaining?
When you and I finished our homework,
I showed you my success.
To my surprise you sighed and shook your head,
Sharing with me your divine wisdom:
You’re so lucky you’re not in middle school.
Junior year: (y-cos2x)dx + cosxdy = 0,
Find the general solution.
I pull out my college-ruled notebook and squint at the letters.
Finally, I’m a big kid.