[Prof. Karen Goodlad]

The Tropics of New York by Claude McKay

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/173963

Bananas ripe and green, and ginger root
Cocoa in pods and alligator pears,
And tangerines and mangoes and grape fruit,
Fit for the highest prize at parish fairs,

Sat in the window, bringing memories
of fruit-trees laden by low-singing rills,
And dewy dawns, and mystical skies
In benediction over nun-like hills.

My eyes grow dim, and I could no more gaze;
A wave of longing through my body swept,
And, hungry for the old, familiar ways
I turned aside and bowed my head and wept.

[Prof. Karen Goodlad]

In addition to starting class with a Discussion of the NYTimes Travel section. We will conduct a reading and writing exercise. Based on the poem above suggested by Prof. Scanlan, that I feel looks upon the author’s past, we will write about our future.

Feel free to create some notes on what you would like to write or write to completion your poem and post it as a reply to this discussion. I am looking forward to a rewarding final class meeting.

Remember that we will have a cookie swap on Tuesday so please bring in some cookies that you would like to share.

Prof. Goodlad