Book of Faces: June 2016

Friday, June 10, 2016

Amelia Krug

You're a petite cup of tea:

Green and grassy,

Tiny with hints of sassy;

Leaves picked from secret trails

Of unaffected terrain;

Leaves laced with the winter sun rays,

So bright like you and Nick Ray,

Way over my head

On most matters.

You'd shatter trivia nights

If the subjects were right

(Bikes and plant life).

You've taken responsibility

For humanity,

studied our effects;

Textbooks devoured.

Your footprint is small

In more ways than one.

Funny too you are,

With your nerdy puns.

We shared a nest

For a small slice of time.

Uptown funked us up,

But we're still fine.

Whatever you kids are doing these days,

Whispering to plants or selling caps on Ebay,

I hope you're better than okay.

That your snow white world

Is more happy than grumpy

(or sneezy).

If it's freezing,

I know you can take it.

Your heart's so warm,

Even outside you can make it.

No need to be elusive

Like the rare plants you study;

Drop me a message sometime

Lost buddy!

Amanda Montgomery

I see you Amanda,

Getting live in Oaklandia,

Blades cutting off your strands,

To get back to the roots.

Roots still alive, though you're far from home.

Who would have thought you would become

A teacher like your mama?

-The one who taught me how to use a comma.

(I'm sorry, Mrs. Montgomery. I'm trying!)

One life to another,

A daughter absorbs her mother,

But miraculously,

With a symphony of your own frequencies,

You entered new territories;

Flowing faster in the river than the water itself,

Finding islands of personality that you want to dwell.

We've circled 26 times around the sun;

Started out walking and now starting to run;

Controlling experiences;

Emanating more love;

Not allowing the bullshit into our cups.

I hope you're channeling hyphy-

At least do it for me.

Dive into the Bay like a biscuit in tea.

Strong, loved and sweet,

Don't let the Wild West taint you.

I know you're living the dream,

So don't let nobody wake you!

(That double negative is just for style Mrs. Montgomery!)

Amanda Rose Kievet

Dear Amanda

And your camera,

So glamorous with your panoramas.

Here's some love from old Thailand,

Your photos make me want to hand ya.

New spaces, new light,

High quality reaches a new height,

Start anew, do, pursue, breakthrough,

Images elevating our minds.

Crafting graphics like campfires,

Deep in the woods, awaking the wild.

Traveling child,

You caught the dream,

Woke up with movement in your bloodstream.

You're not wasting your uniqueness;

You're not losing any time.

Seeds are proving to be trees;

Wheels uncover admired sides.

Maybe you tried hard not to listen,

But echoes couldn't be ignored.

Maybe you had the choice to sleep in,

But adventure asked you to ride for more.

Rookery:
1. a breeding place or colony of gregarious birds or animals, as penguins and seals.

2. 524 E Main St. Madison, WI; 2011-20.. Was it 12?; rotating occupants including, but not limited to: Amanda Hilgart, Chase Fritz, Brian Hedberg, Collin Schwantes and Lucas Benford.

It was affordable housing in the middle of the city,

You could still sense the tenants past.

A spiraling staircase made the place look pretty,

Pity you all moved out so fast.

I wasn't even on the lease back then,

But always found myself at the Rook.

I bet you've moved on up with your husband and all;

Ya'll are too cute for college nooks.

I still remember the time I opened up the fridge and saw a packet of uncooked bear,

The bear you shot with your bare hands. Fierce women like you are rare.

Game of Thrones was coming to life within the Rookery's tall, cold walls.

I recall serving raw meat to our friends and only some were actually appalled.

But out of the folks around the world I've met, you seem to a special connection,

To the flying, the crawling, waddling and squawking survivors of natural selection.

The affection you show with your studies, even clothes, your jobs and outdoor hobbies,

It's infectious, it gets my urban mind restless to spend some time with the birds and the bees.

Literally (please).

So I've got to hope you're taking care of yourself, doing things you love to do.

But if you forget or maybe you get upset, go outside and let you be you!

Aly Miller

A soul that's pure like real vanilla,

Brooklyn had to go and steal her.

Complexion white like good Tequila.

If she promises, believe her;

She puts to action her ideas.

A new CSA site leader,

Community activist figure,

She's always part of something bigger.

Her garden's probably a No-Tiller.

Tired of kale as a box filler.

But her smile's a painkiller,

And her grams don't need a filter.

Found a peace that comes from in her;

A dream architect and builder.

Knows the farms that produced her dinner,

Even through the dead of winter.

She's so chill it'll give you shivers.

Aly Miller, you ain't no beginner.

In the race from farm to table,

Lady, please, you're a winner.

Allie Svigos

I don't know how to pronounce your new name.

You're a Brandtner girl, that'll stay the same.

The family of blondes living down the street,

With the father who used to clean my teeth.

Yours was a funny house on Halloween,

The only toothbrush I got while trick-or-treating.

Memories are fleeting, but some fluff sticks.

Dressing up as beanie babies was a neighborhood hit.

And the lemonade stands down on the corner;

We'd make a killing even charging a quarter.

And I sorta wish we were still living those days:

Golf-carting to the pool and all the cards we would play.

When's the last time we had "Dinner Club?"

Playing James Bond in your basement was always something I loved.

We were too scared to watch the Exorcist at night.

I loved you and Molly, but you would always fight.

And now, we're selling the house; St. Andrews days are through.

I hope you know, that I already miss you!

Allie Ontiveros

To Allie,

The camera was a member of the family.

She'd film herself watching TV,

With our cat named Freddy.

Sometimes she'd leave the room with the record button on,

Minutes of video taping while she was gone.

We'd film our own commercials and pageant shows,

Or "Behind the Music" with celebs like Fat Joe.

She was a ham for the camera,

And a little bit cheesy.

That's how she likes her sandwiches 'cause they were so easy.

And Hot chocolate:

She's chock-full of it.

You'll never meet a skinnier chick on her diet.

Occasionally she'd watch an exercise video,

But from the couch, all while eating Cheetos.

She's always been afraid of the wind,

Scared to blow away,

With that skinny frame,

A light breeze would make her sway.

Against these odds,

She's made her home the Windy City.

She's too locked down to roam,

'Cause now she's got a kitty.

Allie Cat has a way with four-legged friends.

I sorta think she prefers felines over men.

But she's got a big heart, it's bursting out of her chest;

I know her future partner will never be stressed,

'Cause I feel blessed,

Whenever she's around.

When I'm a mess,

She always calms me down.

And on the nights the O's are all together,

She mediates the brawls and makes us remember

That nothing really matters and to be kind.

Sometimes she sits back; I wonder what's on her mind.

Let's rewind to the 90's like she rewound the VCRs,

The days of N64 and driving the Barbie car.

"I'm tired," she says. "Will you carry me?"

But she hasn't been the baby of the fam since she was three.

Our mom used to give us clothes to look good,

But she'd rather chill in a plush robe with a hood.

And what does she need to get dressed up for?

Aside from going to shows, she rarely makes it out the door.

I'm sure,

She doesn't know what FOMO is.

She could sleep all day, just mindin her own biz.

She'll watch the same movie 15 times.

"Dunstin Checks In"... she can recite all the lines.

Her life moves in circles just like her hoop.

I remember when we used to work out at Group-

That summer, I took her to her first festival.

Now she's caught in that net just like a basketball.

Al, how does D-Rose look from court-side seats?

This lucky girl watches the Bulls from their feet.

A red-headed princess like Ariel,

A ginger flower-child at the festivals.

My little sis, my forever friend,

Will become a cat lady in the end.

Love you Al, thanks for all the laughs,

And for coming to see me in the world's other half.

Allie Gardner

Allie Gardner or is it Allie Gandhi?

You do so much, you must run on coffee,

Or cough drops, because you don't speak softly.

No, you killin' them softly with your song;

The Walker posse, the soulless zombies,

Capitalist lobbies. You right the wrongs,

Chime in like a gong; an activist all along.

I respect that you know exactly where you belong.

Yes Wisconsin, but what's more awesome is that

The world's got awful, colossal problems,

but you're not playing possum about your losses.

You're using your education to stand up to the bosses.

Becoming part of the process, reallocating the profits,

With all of your causes, girl, you should run for office.

Masses would check your name in the boxes, I promise.

See, if I'm going to be the change I want to see in this world,

First I need a role model like this Allie Gardner girl.

Ali Dibble

Let me scribble some thoughts

about Ali Dibble.

I've never met her in person

so it'll just be a little.

We both went to Zhong Guo 中国,

(The kingdom in the middle).

That's how you write "China"

In Chinese symbols.

She went the year before me,

So let information trickle.

Her warnings and tips

Probably saved me from some pickles.

Now she's in Shanghai,

Living it up single.

She could visit me in Chiangmai;

The flight would be simple.

I'd like to pay her back triple,

In travel tips not dimes and nickels.

So Ali, if you're feeling fickle,

Come to Thailand for some giggles!

Alison Slowey

It's so curious,

I never knew

Just how hilarious

you are.

Call it mysterious,

That I lack

an experience

With your humor.

Was I delirious,

Thinking you

Were more serious?

It's bizarre.

With all the various

Classes

From primary- us

Go back far.

You were notorious-

Ly quiet,

Now it's glorious

My radar

Is picking up euphoria,

Resulting in

Uproarious

laughter.

If it's not obvious,

I want to

Apologize for my unconscious

Behavior.

Hope you're not furious,

There's an

Audience

While we find new ground to start!

Alison Scharman

Do you remember the days

We lived above the Steep and Brew,

My apartment just one floor up from you?

I apologize for any noise I made.

I used to hoop in my room,

Pretty Lights on replay.

But actually,

Now it's coming back to me.

You were hearing something,

But a mystery.

I wasn't moving tables in the middle of the night;

That was the baristas! But we figured it out right?

State Street, Madison, 2009-10.

I'll never forget what it looked like then.

Those shops were our neighbors,

Peace park, our backyard.

To see it all changed,

Will likely be hard.

I'd love to see how you've changed

And how you're still the same.

Maybe I'll catch you at an alumni game!

Alison Percifield

Alison,

I'm stunned

You're done

With Madison, Wisconsin.

The west has won!

Anyway, it seems more fun,

At least for getting outside

When the clouds don't hide the sun.

Draw me a map

Of how you got to where you're at.

You met folks with free couches

And had a few mishaps.

Thanks for sharing your stories,

With the Facebook world,

Couchsurfing alone as an American girl.

I'm sure you feel good about the human race,

No longer judging people by their dress or their face.

Not like you did before;

I recall you welcomed me,

To a shabbot dinner for drinks and eats.

All I remember

About your place,

Is a map covered table

That said you made.

I didn't know back then

That it's what you do,

Making sense of our world

With visual tools.

And with my words,

I'm trying to make sense,

Of why we didn't hang out

When we had the chance.

I miss the terrace music

And the High Noon Saloon.

Someday let's couch back,

And dance to some tunes.

Alicia Montague-Keels

Mmmk, it's about time I sat down to write.

I've been reflecting on the ways I spend my time.

So much play, delaying the work.

But I've got new inspiration:

Miss MK, a working girl.

For sure

The world,

Will repay her

karma in full.

Filled to the max.

Dharma:

A righteous path.

Its easy to do the math,

She'll be rolling in cash,

If cash was love.

She's investing in a bank up above.

I'm a teacher too,

But my life is so chill.

Alicia's

climbing up

a mountain of a hill.

Meditating,

In the midst of job so frustrating.

So saintly,

It's not easy.

She knew it wouldn't be breezy.

And who would think I would trade my life?

I work 4 hour days and leave for weekends in Pai.

But at the end of the day,

Who's more fulfilled?

I know she'll keep it up, cause she's got the will.

She got it from her mama.

Got no time for drama.

Alicia's got plans to be the next Obama.

Keep it up woman,

I'll be your cheerleader.

Cause your hard work made me look in the mirror.

I hope you get the appreciation that you deserve,

And that teaching in the states doesn't drain your reserves.

Wo xiang ni, tongxue, pengyou.

See you in DC if ever I go!

Alicia Afrah

What a beautiful face,

I will write of today.

She is fighting till unity is won.

What a beautiful dream;

Ideal worlds she will scheme,

In a grad school so high, advancing to be

Strong and free.

Let her on the megaphone and speak reality.

And one day we'll know why,

She did not just stand by and watch the growing disparity.

But for now she is young,

Let her play and have fun,

Go to every NMH show she can see.

Love to be

In the crowds that have been waiting since the 90's.

Christophe Saint-Joanis

It's completely appropriate I would meet him hitchhiking;

You're not going to find him on a tourist bus.

He travels the world at the pace of his liking.

I'm just as inspired as back then I was.

He's biked the length of Africa self-supported.

It's a trip I've been dreaming to do.

Thankfully he had a camera to record it;

The pictures touch reality and smell of the food.

But that's just the part of the adventure; he's traveled the world,

And seen so much with his eyes.

Outside the current of backpacking guys and girls,

So many instances he has almost died.

Hippo attacks and crocodiles from the seat of a canoe;

The Zambezi almost swallowed him up;

He fell into a coma but nobody knew;

He was in the Andes 5000 meters up.

He's been arrested by the military in countless countries,

And traveled Morocco countless times.

He's found rare specimens of lizards and monkeys,

But he comes from the land of fine wines.

Christophe Saint-Joanis is living life to the fullest.

You all should look in the mirror.

Ask yourself are you a traveler or a tourist.

And are you living for love or in fear?

Ali Vogel

Fly like a butterfly,

Sting like a bee,

Pictures didn't do it,

So she had to go and see.

Ali, now free;

I'm so glad you escaped.

You could've been all talk;

That would've been a mistake.

Your Spanish dream is coming true;

Now that you're in it,

I hope you know what to do,

Which is wake up and live it.

Know to seek out the weird,

The different and unique,

To add some layers to life's mystique.

Teaching English is fun;

I'm doing it too.

We talked about it in New York

Before to Asia I flew.

I won't cloud your expectations.

Because we're all so different.

I hope your have a good time,

It's all about what you make it.

If you're anything like me,

You'll start scheming a way,

To stay abroad for more than 365 days.

You might miss your family,

And of course your girlfriends,

But you'll find so many people

Who will love you in Spain!

Alice Honjo

Alice, come back to Thailand;

You don't need to finish school.

The rainy season's over,

And the weather's getting cool.

I met new friends yesterday,

Building an earth house.

They would feed you campfire food,

If you were willing to help out.

But maybe you've had enough,

Of playing in the mud.

You've worked so hard already,

Creating a center out of love.

I think of you when I go out,

To watch a documentary,

And I see the room come alive,

Knowing how it came to be.

Maybe someday you'll build a theater,

In the South of France.

I'll visit and watch you all perform,

When I get the chance.

You can introduce me,

To your nature-loving dad;

And I want to meet the man,

Who you say is penis mad.

Say bon jour to your brother;

I met him at the opening.

And come back soon to Chiang Mai,

Before my tears flood the river Ping.

Alec Burke

Alec Burke,

What up, ya big flirt?

I heard you moved to NZ.

Whatchya doin for work?

Hotel clerking?

Booty twerking?

No judgements. I promise not to smirk.

Just hearing from you will give me a smile.

'Cause I didn't realize, but you've been gone for a while.

Miles and miles from home where the valleys are pleasant,

You've traded them for mountains 2012 to the present.

Did you pack a tent?

Have you changed your accent?

And besides your long hair, do you think you're different?

I hope some things about you are still the same:

That you don't fake your sweetness like aspartame,

Or that you're always in the mood for getting riled up,

'Cause when you threw the parties, there were no empty cups.

We're rounding up old friends: Ryan, James and I.

Why aren't you also coming to the land of Thai?

Rose will be here soon, you should consider that.

Bring your new girlfriend and we've got a pack.

Backtrack. Just had a flash back to high school days,

And the extent of your madness continues to amaze

Me. Hanging out with no clothes, muscles looking fab.

This was meant to be a poem, but it's more of a rap.

Let's recap, 'cause I gotta wrap it up:

Our countries, so close, we oughta link up.

Go buck abroad. Yea, 'cause we're unstuck.

But regardless, I wish you the best of luck!

Albert Lim

Let me Taylor my words to be Swift about this,

Because there's probably a game on Albert won't want to miss.

Since we're in different countries and Everything Has Changed,

There's been a Black Space when Albert Lim gets named.

All You Had To Do Was Stay in Asia,

Or I in Minnesota, different locations.

We haven't kept in touch, but I will Speak Now:

There was no Bad Blood but over time, somehow,

It feels like We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together

In China's summer smoggy and sweltering weather,

Because I know us All Too Well.

We never much chatted in that Tianjin "dorm" hotel.

No, this is not a Love Story with Albert Lim,

Because I Knew You Were Trouble when you walked in.

All the posters on your wall, I had when I was Fifteen.

And I don't want you to think that I'm trying to be Mean,

But your adoration for this pop star could only exist in my Wildest Dreams.

I just want to know you better, know you better, know you better now.

You can drop me an update or just a simple Ni Hao.

Stay Safe and Sound as we go Back to December.

I would've written in Mandarin if I could remember!

Alex Purdy

Alex, I've always thought you were Purdy;

You found a guy so quick, married before thirty.

Now you're Alex Bowe with a life so cute.

On the Internet, you find all the crafts to do.

This thanksgiving, what dish will you make?

I bet you've got the recipes that take the cake.

You have two hungry boåys at home to feed,

I bet they keep you busy, so busy, indeed.

I'm so impressed that you go the extra mile,

To make the days so special just to get a smile.

Young mothers deserve credit, especially you.

Raising a sweetie like Bryson is nothing you breeze through.

But your pictures show a mama full of grace.

Your body may have changed, but you've got the same face.

I think I haven't seen you since high school gym class;

We never hung out but agreed our teacher was an ass.

Now our lives are so different, but both are of interest.

Next time I need ideas, I'll look for your page on Pintrest!

Alexis Bushman

Alexis,

Smile so infectious,

Looking precious

In all her dresses.

Not from Texas;

She's an Iowan;

Learning the vitamins

For her requirements

Of enlightenment.

I don't mean nirvana,

But the knowledge to heal another.

I hope your schooling doesn't smother you,

That you don't suffer lack of slumber too.

I wonder if you

Are still a runner in a crew,

Partying with pasta for supper,

So you can sprint the whole race through.

But if running is your old truth,

I'd like to know what's new.

And if the times are a changing,

Please promise not to change the hue

Of your hair,

that goes so well with eyes of blue.

Tried and true.

Would you be scared

If I bumped into you?

We would scream, we would stare,

But I wouldn't know what to do.

And it's possible because just today,

I ran into a friend in a random place.

In a jungle, thousands of miles away

From home.

This world is getting small like a gnome.

You'll know what I mean if you start to roam.

I hope you get the chance to travel,

Before you settle down.

Women before us,

Didn't have the doors that we have now.

But before all that,

Good luck with your Masters!

Look after your laughter as you climb the ladder,

And take care of yourself during this challenging chapter!

Alex Wisniewski

Hey Alex, remember me?

I used to be a fan

Of your band,

The Cloth Sea.

Cloth sea, cloth sea,

What does that mean?

I don't know,

But it invokes

The feeling

Of swimming through sheets;

Not sand between the toes,

But satin on the feet;

A coral reef

Of pillows with tassels and beads.

But I imagine it's a reference from some British TV;

Your style reminds me of blokes inside of the screen,

And had I not known, I'd think you're from the 70's.

No matter what you rock now, I picture you in paisleys.

I bet you're pleased

To have a home in Missouriiii;

The towns are quaint and your pipes won't freeze.

You have a wife that I have yet to meet;

But I bet you get along, because she looks fun and sweet.

Someone to keep;

And I hope you keep your band,

Because 70's British rock groups are in demand.

But I'm in Thailand,

And strangely, that's the style,

If you look real close after being here for a while.

So if you run out of places for ya'll to tour,

Get sick of the Union

(except I'm not sure

That's possible),

You should come here for a festival.

There's a special one in February that will be so unconventional:

With plentiful, edible chemicals,

And unforgettable, nonsensical spectacles.

Bring your spectacles.

But if it's inaccessible for your schedule,

Take care until we meet again.

Keep making music, forever jammin.

Alex Schwerdtfeger

Alex Schwertfeger

So who is this Alex Schwerdtfeger?

He's got a name like a German bootlegger.

Some say you can find him at the keggers,

If he's not at Johnny O's.

His brother is big, but he may be bigger.

He wrestles with undying vigor.

If his muscles are guns, he pulls the trigger,

Cause he's a bulldog to the bone.

Alex Schutman

Alex Schutman,

How have you been,

For your entire life?

Cause I don't know you from Putin.

Just playin.

But we're like blood you know?

Underneath we're black and gold.

I'm a fair weather fan,

But you're a Hawkeye in the freezing cold.

You have your loyalties in every sport;

When the cheers die down,

You come in with support.

Always at the tailgates,

Dominating the bags;

If you were a little taller,

You'd be running the flags:

I - O - W - A on the field.

In a room full of badgers,

You should wear a shield.

For real.

It's your loyalty, I really respect.

I bet when the Hawks win,

You never forget.

So since I'm so far from Kinnick this year,

Would you mind,

Just for me,

Shouting an extra cheer?

Thanks!

Alex Matheson

Alex Matheson,

I admit I skipped you.

I have no friend history of ours to look through.

I can't remember words exchanged,

But I won't forget your face and name.

This is an ode to the pictures on Facebook.

I'm sure you have a brilliant mind

Under those hats you always wear.

A fool would leave Liz,

But you knew no one compared.

You're smart to put a ring on that sweet girl.

I know her mother and her brother; it's a small world.

You're lucky to have found the love of your life,

A best friend, someone to call your wife.

And a dog too? You're doing something right.

So many things to be grateful for at night.

Hope there's fresh powder for you this next season,

That the temperature stays somewhat below freezing.

Hope you find bigger hills than those at Snowstar;

Head out west, stick the wife and dog in the car.

Cheers to the change in the Midwest seasons,

And making poems for no apparent reasons,

Except spreading smiles (well hopefully).

Have a great day Alex, Liz and puppy!