What We Hold in Common
If you have journeyed anywhere in the U.S., you may have noticed an abundance of corn fields.
Indeed, on a recent trip with my girls, crossing state line after state line, we got so curious about the corn connection, we did some research to pass the car time. What we decided? Corn holds us together.
Yes, we were partly amused by this statement!
But we also considered its profound nature.
Every single state in the union grows corn, and its uses are many (and also hold us together—crayons and fireworks, anyone?)…
Who knew?
It took a journey and a bit of curiosity to make this discovery. And perhaps a dash of road trip stir-craziness. But there you have it. Corn holds us together. And it is an ingredient in many other things that hold us together.
My artist daughter has never had any particular affinity for corn, but our corn-research stirred something surreal and punny…
How About You? What We Hold in Common Prompt
Did you know that corn holds us together?
What else can you think of that we hold in common in the U.S., regardless of the region where we live? How about what we hold in common with other countries?
Or, bring it down to a very personal level and consider what you hold in common with a loved-one, a neighbor, a co-worker. It is so tempting in life to forget what we hold in common. And in those moments, we forfeit joy and connection that could otherwise be ours.
Prompt options:
• Pen a poem about a journey where you discover your connection to others (for an extra challenge, consider what you hold in common with someone you also feel very different from)
• Explore the corn graphic above and create a poem that uses some of its items, to create a poem that considers what we hold in common
• Visit Wisconsin Corn and create a found poem using some of the amazing facts you’ll find there
Sample Poem
At the Arby’s—Six State-Lines from Home
The old man saw me, apparently,
while I was still in the parking lot
stretching my tired legs
one at a time, atop the car hood.
“You’re from New York,”
he told me while we both waited
for fries.
I was surprised.
“License plate,” he noted.
(A real giveaway.)
About New York City he said,
“You can keep it.”
And I knew what I needed to do.
You might think
Arby’s is no place
to bring kindness,
to find connection
especially with someone
who’s judged you before
you even got in the door.
The truth was hard to find,
but I found it:
his wife has been begging
for a bus trip to New York—
to see the art
and the architecture.
I smiled. Told him
things he didn’t know
about a place
he’d never been.
When he said in all seriousness
that the Arby’s apple pie
would change my life
bring transcendence
—I ordered it.
Jack was right
(yes, I know his name now).
Transcendence
followed me
to the highway,
crisp and warm.
It wasn’t the taste so much
(too sweet).
But the way
Jack wanted me
to have
what I hadn’t had
before.
Photo by Sunira Moses, Creative Commons, via Unsplash.
See also 50 States of Generosity
- Journeys: What We Hold in Common - November 4, 2024
- Poetry Prompt: My Poem is an Oasis - August 26, 2024
- Poetry Prompt: Sink or Swim - July 15, 2024
Bethany R. says
This is great, LL. Love the heart of this post and the corn. The cob, if you will.
And what a sweet poem! <3 Love that carrying of apple-pie warmth from that unexpected, yet intentional, moments of connection. <3
bethany says
P.S. Have you ever had Arby’s Jamocha Shake?! This has been a family treat for me since I was a little kid. My first memory of it was on the road trip where we moved from the Midwest to the Southwest when I was little. It has a unique chocolate-coffee-happy flavor. 🙂 People are always surprised to know this has been around decades before S-bux started pumping out such things. They never seem to advertise this little secret. I want you to know. 😉
L.L. Barkat says
Oh, thank you for wanting me to know! (And now you are part of the transcendence too, yes? 🙂 ) I would love to try the Jamocha. It sounds delicious.
I actually had never been to Arby’s in my life before this experience. Just like Jack had never been to the Big Apple. Maybe someday he will come here and experience some of the gorgeous art and architecture. Maybe he will remember Laura from New York when he does.
bethany says
Aww, yes, maybe he will!
The shake has a light enough coffee flavor to be yummy for even those who don’t typically enjoy it, hence, little-kid me giving it a thumbs-up. 😉