Warm mud seeps through
the crevices of my toes
as the crawfish dart and hide nervously
in response to my intrusion.
Everything seems to sense my presence.
The Spanish moss sways—
passing on the warning of my invasion.
I wade further into the murky water,
silently watching,
my childish curiosity soothed by the bayou.
Pouldou watch intently,
carefully floating closer as they accept my innocence.
The crawfish too return,
guarded by mazes of bayou leaves
and cypress knees,
and the moss lazily settles back
to hang contentedly from the low draping branches.
It is cool here.
Water oaks shade the swamps from
the sun’s harsh luminescence,
And I am safe here.
Ally Johnson
1st Place 11 & 12
LA Writes! 2008
University Lab School
Baton Rouge, LA
used with permission of LA Writes!
LESSON PLANS
For a Science Classroom
Lesson Plan for Ally Johnson‘s “The Journey”
by Cassie Seiple
Read the poem a loud to students.
Ask students to underline details in the poem that correspond to a specific ecosystem.
Discuss the impact of the human presence on the ecosystem.
Read the poem aloud once more time.
Assign or have students select different ecosystems.
Give students a short time to research their ecosystem.
Ask students to look for vivid pictures and descriptions to help them imagine their ecosystem in sensory detail.
Finally, ask students to write a description of that place as if they were there in person.
Encourage students to push their word choice and sensory detail to be as effective as Ally’s.
For an English Classroom
Lesson Plan for Ally Johnson‘s “The Journey”
by Cassie Seiple
Read the poem aloud to students twice.
Ask students to highlight examples of vivid word choice in the poem.
Why is the poem titled “The Journey” when the speaker only takes a few steps?
Invite students to free write about a time when they experienced what felt like a journey without traveling any great distance.
This may be about one of those moments when time seemed to slow down and memory sharpened.
Encourage students to push their word choice and sensory detail to be as effective as Ally’s.