Poems by Ben

I am Ben Nelson

I am hard-working and kind.

I wonder how the enormous human body works?

I hear Imagine Dragons heart-pounding music.

I see Aaron Rodgers throwing bomb touchdown passes.

I want to sprint around the school.

I am hard-working and kind.

I imagine my delightful home.

I feel lethargic.

I touch a pencil, in which I write.

I worry that I will be stuck in this wistful wheelchair forever.

I cry when I am wounded.

I am hard-working and kind.

I understand that I am different.

I say the Optimist Creed.

I dream that when I grow up, I will scamper one day.

I try to keep my grades up and be an excellent student.

I hope that I will fit in.

I am hard-working and kind. 

Where I'm From

I am from newspapers stacked on the ottoman,

and coffee mugs lined on the kitchen table.

I am from Nerf guns scattered on my bedroom floor,

and Legos dotting Dad's favorite rug.

I am from a birch tree,

that bends with the wind,

and the evergreens that prick whenever I touch them.

I am from the spray paint can,

rolling off the drive

as I rush to show Mom my new creation.

I am from the hose,

coiled up,

waiting to be used.

I am from my garden,

filled with plant mysteries.

I am from the 4th of July barbeques,

with the chicken that drips with juice.

I am from freshly baked chocolate chip cookies

that smell like a piece of heaven.

I am from the soft light ebelskivers that

fall apart in my mouth.

I am from the tamarack behind my house,

that so graciously held as a meeting place with friends,

an area to hunt,

and a place to escape the world.

I am from my best friend's house,

where we talked.

and ate,

and played pretend.

I am from the Packers, Brewers, and Bucks.

I am from staying up late,

sitting on the edge of my seat,

game winners,

walk-offs,

and heart crushing losses.

I am from experiencing the exhilarating stories on 60 minutes,

and watching the breath holding moments on NCIS: Los Angeles.

I am from waking up early on Sundays,

and sitting on the gloomy pews in church.

I am from a dedicated busy family

that goes everywhere all the time.

I am from Eric and Angie,

rooted by Karen, Paul, Linda and Terry.

I come from all over.

Britain,

Scandinavia,

and France.

I am from time,

effort,

and unconditional love.