The Inventory of Being

Please read Lea Wait's Inventory of Being. While you read, note the many things she believes comprises who she is. Then write your own version using her poem as a model. Think about the things you like, love, hope for, believe, know, don't understand, hate, can't live with, can't live without, spend too much money on, wish, etc. Brainstorm and give yourself plenty of time and room to think about what you really believe. Be sure to start with "I am________" and end with "I am _________ and this is ____________."

Post your final version in DB1 by midnight on Friday. Then read and respond to at least 3 other class member's Inventory of Beings by midnight on Sunday. Respond by telling them your favorite lines and anything else you'd like to encourage them with. Have fun!

Here is an example of what one young woman did with her version of Wait's poem:

Christina: An Inventory of Being

I am Christina

I am fourteen years old.

I am a student, but only in school.
I am a young woman, but a girl at heart.

At my fullest height, I am 65 inches.
I have blue eyes, but they’re sometimes green.
My hair is light brown, but once it was brown.
Sometimes my hair is fancy.
But on other days it’s dull.

I’m one of two children.
Being the older one, I have more responsibilities.
I think.

I love to draw, but I don’t really share it.
I’ve drawn a couple pictures but am afraid to show them.
Yet, I adore art.

I love the outdoors.
But despise leaving home.
In the summer my house is empty.

I believe in God.
But sometimes I feel like he’s not there.
I go to Church,
But only on special occasions.

I’ve been called a nerd.
But then again I agree.
I love to read.
Some people hate it.
But they don’t know what they’re missing.
Reading is my life.
The air that I breathe are the words that I read.
I eat the chapters.
But paper doesn’t taste good.

My younger sister is sporty.
And I’m bookish.
My Dad said that she could run me into the ground.
And I said I could read her into the ground.
Touché.

People nowadays judge by appearance.
And think before they get to know.
I don’t care what people think.
Especially about me.

I’m a proud Italian.
Yet I don’t like spaghetti.
I’m a proud English.
And dying for the accent.

Fate.
Some people think it doesn’t happen.
But I think different.
One day it will happen.

My name is Christina and this is 2006.

This work is ©2006 Christina Ewbank.