People call her Lex Vegas,
when she gets wild.
She is a classy lady,
but never scared to get dirty.
She tames, rides, and races those
wild horses, every spring and fall.
Sweet as sunshine,
and nasty like rain,
sometimes they say she is bipolar.
She is strong and wealthy.
Momma and Daddy raised her
as a Republican.
She bleeds BLUE,
and love them CATS.
The Commonewealth.
In the spring,
she watches,
all the trees blossom white flowers.
Young Kentucky girl,
in a push up bra.
She slowly sips on Bourbon
and chases it with Maker’s Mark.
A little cross necklace hangs
around her neck,
and she attends church.
Showcasing her beauty
with her personality.
In the summer she is free,
and will ride on all the
back roads, on the outskirts of town.
Summer bliss.
She wears those little shorts
with black bikini.
She lays on the bluegrass,
and drinks lemonade.
Works hard and some say,
“she treats cancer with her charm”.
Boys want to kiss her,
because they say her kisses
taste like sweet old Kentucky chocolates.
The yellow and
copper colored leaves
indicate that its fall.
She goes to the
ROOTS & HERITAGE FESTIVAL
held every year.
She ate Mexican every Saturday,
called it “Salsa Saturday”,
and randomly ate Italian
on Thursday’s.
She loved making sugar cookies
and snow angles.
A family tradition to go
see the southern lights.
Baby girl, she is determined
to always stand out.
Kayla,
ReplyDeleteYou have such a wonderful way of words describing Kentucky! Your poem really made me think about how beautiful Kentucky Bluegrass is. It also made me think about how happy I am to choose University of Kentucky as a school. It reminded me about how nice people could be and how Lexington could feel like a home while I'm here in college. When I got here I didn't really know much about horses. When I went to Keeneland I saw how much it meant for a lot of people!
Tatiana
Kayla, I think the way you described the city you brought up in was excellent. I thought the way you talked about all the kinds of experiences you had in Kentucky worked in giving me an image of what the city is like from your perspective. It really shows just what this place means to you.
ReplyDeleteKayla,
ReplyDeleteI found that many of the images you created for your character made instant connections to Lexington, even for someone who has been here only a few years. The label of Lex Vegas, but only when she "gets wild," is a good way to start because it captures how Lexington can be perceived by both residents and outsiders who venture here. The image of someone who is classy, yet not afraid to get dirty is nice contrast, highlighting in particular the nature of the equestrian industry---often viewed as a form of genteel rural life where the dirt of the farm meets extreme wealth (just look at some of the horse barns and their towers). The fact that this comes right before you say that she tames and races horses every spring and fall sets up that direct connection, as well as references Keeneland without directly saying so. You also work in very specific family traditions and allegiances, which gives this character some of your specific experiences in addition to the more ubiquitous parts like Keeneland, UK, and bourbon. Good work!
Kayla,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your post about Lexington because I’m getting to experience what people from here are like every day. I’m not used to this environment at all, and slowly it feels more like home. I like seeing Lexington from someone’s point of view that has been here longer, and as I make more friends I can relate to every word you wrote. I also like your post just because I love everything about Lexington and the CATS. I think you did great with the detail and I can tell you’re very proud to be from this wonderful city and all there is to do and see.