Christmas, 2020. Pat and millennial Billy
VIDEO GAMES
(A)ny time you have nothing to do.
(B)ecause they're really fun to play.
(C)an be a great way to make new friends.
(D)oes not let you give up.
(E)xcellent way to spend the day.
(F)orgives you when you die in the game.
(G)ives you hope for an extra life.
(H)elps your thumbs get stronger.
(I) can't stop playing them.
(J)ust keeps me going at night.
(K)indly gives power ups when you need them.
(L)ets you work out your frustrations on aliens.
(M)akes you look before you jump that gorge.
(N)ever take your eyes off the screen.
(O)ffers a short cut to the end of the level.
(P)uts up with you yelling at it.
(Q)uiets you down as you play through.
(R)eminds you to always to succeed.
(S)tops you from having to be active.
(T)eaches you life lessons, like never trust aliens.
(U)nderstands yout plight.
(V)arys from game to game.
(W)ants you to win.
(X)-pects you to play . . . forever!!!
(Y)ea!! I beat that level!!!
(Z)jfguyeweriug is what the aliens say.
--Billy Paulus, Block 2, January 23, 2008. [senior, age 17]
In April Counts' English class, Benton (AR) High School
~ ~ ~ ~
Pat here: I only discovered this when going through papers saved, as writers do. Billy (whom I raised) gave his permission for me to use it here.
I first wrote an alphabet poem in 1984 [age 48] as part of "Writing Across the Curriculum" course taught during the summer at BHS, from OBU.
Last year as part of an MFA poetry course, [age 83] one of our assignments was an Abecedarian poem.
Of course, I was delighted to come across this poem. Billy loved Ms. Counts enough to tell me he wanted to give her a gift since she had taught him so much. I, too, thank you, April Counts.
c 2021, Billy Paulus/ Pat Laster dba lovepat press, Benton AR USA
