Versatile, I - Model Writing Poem

Model writing : Rita Joe, “I Lost My Talk”

I Lost who I used to be,

I lost my pride The badge printed on my Tee. When I was loved but am just liked.

You were me, but: I wanted to be like you I wanted to act like you I like you I change, for us, as I thought you are like, me.

Two ways I think, Both ways I link, Your way I pick.

So far have I come that I barely look back, but Let me find myself once in a while So that you can still be me,

versatile.

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This is an assignment for Eng103: Rhetorics of Identity - Professor Jan Osborn. We were asked to keep the bold texts from the original work and compose the rest with any ideas coming up on our mind within a short time.

Original work:

I Lost My Talk

I lost my talk The talk you took away. When I was a little girl At Shubenacadie school.

You snatched it away: I speak like you I think like you I create like you The scrambled ballad, about my world.

Two ways I talk Both ways I say, Your way is more powerful.

So gently I offer my hand and ask, Let me find my talk So I can teach you about me.-

- Rita Joe

Rita Joe (March 15, 1932 – March 20, 2007) was a Mi'kmaqpoet and songwriter, often referred to as the Poet Laureate of the Mi'kmaq people.