Winter 2004

'CAUSE I WANTED TO
Writing from the King and Mabel Manning Branch Libraries; The Blue Gargoyle and Project Hope, Pausa

This brand-new issue of JOT features:

• Photography by Jason Reblando
• And writing from over 30 JOT writers

Read work from the magazine! For more information on how to receive a copy of the magazine for $10 or to receive a year of JOT for $25, please call the NWA office at (773) 684-2742

CAUSE I WANTED TO
Lolita Hughes

Just today I followed a truck
That had “Do not follow” on the back
I went through a door
That said “Do not enter”
I went in the men’s washroom
‘Cause the women’s line was too long
I got in the line at Jewel
That said “Ten items or less”
I had fifteen
Yesterday I got to work early
And started to work
Today I got to work late and Sam docked me
Just today
I washed Walter’s sweater
That said “Dry clean only”
I copied a book
That I didn’t have the copyright to
I walked on the wrong side
Of the bike path
Just to make people go around me
I went to a party
And I was not invited
I had fun

AIRPLANES
Jean Paul Coffy

When I was a child, my favorite toys were the airplanes. I was always amazed at how planes and helicopters could stand still in the air without falling down, and of course the whole flying experience is a wonder for everyone.

As a child, I couldn’t imagine how an airplane, as big and heavy as it is, could possibly fly. I remember when my father used to take me to the airport to pick up my sister, who lived in France and visited us from time to time in Haiti. The international airport of Haiti was quite different then. There were no big glass windows like they have now. There was a balcony in the roof for a waiting area, and that was my favorite spot. From there I could see the planes take off and land. You can’t imagine how fun that was for me, to stand on that roof in clear air, watching and listening to
the roaring of those big planes. Finally came down Air France, and after a little while came down my sister. I was very happy to see her, but what I was most excited about was the planes.

After a moment of hugging and kissing we’d go home to see the rest of the family. I could not wait for the departure date of my sister, so I could accompany her to the airport and have some fun one
more time.

UN DÍA NUBLADO Y FRÍO
Rosa Cardoso

Hoy es un día nublado y frío. Me gustan los días así porque me siento nostálgica que es algo que no sé explicar. Es bonito para mí, la oscuridad, los días nublados. Me recuerdo mucho mi país. Cuando en las mañanas, tomábamos té de canela con mi madrecita, viendo televisión
y viendo cómo van cayendo las hojas de los árboles. El aire que mueve las ramas y la humedad de la tierra es algo muy hermoso aunque los días los veo tristes.

A veces que quisiera ser unpajarito y volar a donde me lleve el viento. También, me gustan estos días aquí porque estamos en la casa con mi familia haciendo un chocolatito y viendo la televisión. Estamos juntos y aprovechamos el momento. Siento el calor de lo que estamos haciendo. Mis amigas me dicen que estoy loca. Cómo que me gustan los días nublados o lluviosos, para ellas les parecen tristes. No siento así, a mí me gustan los días nublados y fríos.

A CLOUDY AND RAINY DAY
Rosa Cardoso

Today is cloudy and cold. I like days like this because I feel a nostalgia that is not easy to explain. The dark days, the cloudy days, are beautiful to me. They remind me of my country. They remind me of drinking cinnamon tea with my mother, watching television together, and watching how the leaves fell from the trees and how the wind moved the branches. We saw the moist earth as something beautiful although the day seemed dreary.

Sometimes I wished I was a bird and could fly wherever the wind would take me. I like these days here, too, at home with my family. We make hot chocolate and we watch television. We feel the warmth, enjoying the moment we are together. My friends say I am crazy to enjoy dark and cloudy days. They feel those days are sad. I don’t. I like cloudy and cold days.

THE RECIPE
Pennie Holmes-Brinson

His wife follows directions well.
If the recipe calls for no salt
she adds no salt.
If it reads, “Add a pinch,” she adds
just the pinch. You should see her trying to
pinch salt.
He eats at my house now.

© 2004 Neighborhood Writing Alliance