Allie Gardner

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

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

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

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 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

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

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.