Five hours until countdown
Grandma is smiling
We all hug and say hi
Cousins are together again
Parents leave and say bye
Four hours until countdown
Crowding into the kitchen
Cooking and baking food for the night
Gathering ‘round the table
Laughing, teasing with every bite
Three hours until countdown
Trash talk as games are being played
Mario Kart, Call of Duty, Charades
Nothing like friendly competition
Fighting and threats are being made
Two hours until countdown
We dance and sing all over the house
The speaker is out, music is blasting
No songs with curse words, we’re at grandma’s
Songs old and new, artists everlasting
One hour until countdown
Raiding the kitchen, grabbing all of the snacks
Chips, brownies, cake, ice cream
Turning on the TV to judge performers
Trying not to be mean
We all start counting down
Watching the ball drop on TV as we stand
Getting ready to cheer
Smiling faces as we shout out each number
3. . . 2. . . 1. . . Happy New Year!
-Madison Smith-Collins
English 802 Spring 2020 
I find it nice and pleasant to read about you enjoying time with family, especially now that everyone is starting to feel the pressure of being in quarantine. The picture really added to the poem because it most likely made you feel happy to look back at it and remember some of the more fun and light-hearted times we spent with family. The way you also included the countdown as an indicator of you and your family doing a new activity made me want to read more. This cheered me up and was interesting to read thank you.
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I enjoyed reading your poem(: I can’t express how much I appreciate something so positive natured at a time like this. I hope this poem speaks to how you’re doing right now, and you’re able to stay positive! Probably what I liked most about your poem was the anticipation of it all. Yes, obviously we knew it was a “countdown” but you had me almost skipping to the end out of curiosity just to figure out what we were counting down to. Your repeated use of counting down TO to the countdown was smart. Special note to “No songs with curse words, we’re at grandma’s” making me giggle a bit. This piece definitely spoke true to cousinly relationships and just an overall, positive family ~vibe. I also, know I always say this, but I do find it interesting/enjoy that you’re always writing about your family. Hope you’re doin well!
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I love the way you right. It is always so relaxing to read your writings. I like how you told us from every hour, you told us what you were doing. It got me more interested into finishing it. It’s nice to always family bond, I am glad you got to bring the new year in with them!
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I love this poem is so nice and relaxing and everyone in the picture looks extremely happy. This is also the first thing you write that it’s not sad lol, I love it! Hope you and your family are safe, please take care of yourselves. I miss laughing in class with you!!!
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