a lesson of transformation.

Step 1:

Write it all down.

"Take one memory,

explore it like a new land,"

the visiting poet tells the class.

"Don't leave anything out."

Tyler sits in this high school workshop,

dizzy with where to start.

Memories wander in and out of his heart

like vagrants searching for home.

He bends to his desk,

he writes,

"The snow goes black

when the moon turns its eyes away,

all paper is yellow,

all letters spell eviction note,

Mama's lies are footsteps

too many to count.

Making excuses on black snow.

'I paid the rent,

this is your room forever, baby.

I love you.'

But, she wouldn't even look at me."

Step 2:

Read out loud.

As he writes, his lips try on words

then toss them out like bad tenants.

He pushes his desk back,

stands.

"Aunt Jocelyn's rice pudding was sweet,

but that's not what I want to write.

Have you ever been so cold

your hair becomes an icicle?

Your little sister's fear of the dark

freezes on her lips

like she's kissed the ice tray?

How hungry have you been?"

Step 3:

Cut the fat.

Abandon extra words.

His pen becomes a machete,

slashing ands, thens, becauses.

Step 4:

Read out loud,

again.

The 11th grade boy makes sure

Step 3's cuts weren't too deep.

Step 5:

Add flava.

Juice,

power,

movement,

emotion.

"Vanilla flavoring is the secret to my aunt's pudding.

I kick out a few raisins but leave one or two.

Life needs some bitter

to man up the sweet."

His hands reach out like shells

to hold our disbelief.

Is this Tyler speaking?

The one who keeps his eyes on the floor

like they're carrying something heavy?

Voice rattles windows.

"I am free now."

Body quivers with the pulse of each word.

"The sun's joy melts snow."

Fingers trace the curve of his jaw.

"My aunt's face was warm as a water heater

when she let us in that night."

Our boy is done,

his transformation complete.

Step 1: Write it all down.

Step 2: Read out loud.

Step 3: Cut the fat.

Step 4: Read out loud.

Step 5: Add flava.

Tyler's first poem takes residence in his heart.

He flings his arms wide

like an open door.

Welcome home!