Charlotte Richardson, age 13
California
I wrote this poem at the in-person WriteGirl event at The Autry Museum. I had never been to any other WriteGirl events and I love writing poetry, so I was excited to go. One of the prompts was to find something in the museum that represents you in some way, like a self-portrait. I found a picture of California poppies. I thought it was really beautiful and I saw myself in it. I’m thankful to my mentor who helped me make this poem even better.
You’ll Find Me with the Poppies
poppies colored like
peaches in summer.
glisten. shimmer. glow.
no start or finish line
in sight.
peaches in summer.
glisten. shimmer. glow.
no start or finish line
in sight.
my mind twists
and it turns.
it wavers
along this field,
hovers, but
doesn’t touch down.
one thought
leads to the next.
they unravel.
soon enough
i will be surrounded
by the inner
workings of my head.
my laughter,
so sonorous,
so vibrant,
the poppies quiver and
shake to the beat
birthed by my lips.
they’ll whisper to
each other about
a girl who
found herself.
my body is here.
my feet are planted
in the soil
but my mind
will wander
and my laughter
will echo.
you’ll find me
with
the poppies.