Student Publishing Program ::

Efrat Hamami

Memories

I think I remember my first few years.

I was born in Hong Kong.

The memories include long noodles, sushi, round plates of a colorful variety of vegetables,

An island playground settled on a pool of sand,

Dark ponds full of cat-sized fish with whiskers,

A frosting Pocahontas picture on my first birthday cake,

Purposely raiding through a crowd of house guests after a bath,

And waiting patiently for Yaya

To braid my hair in a circular pattern around my head.

I saw pictures and heard some funny stories.

I loved the yearly visits to Israel,

Its sunny days and

Mornings filled with singing birds.

I would make friends by walking to a nearby store,

Tip-toe across the ice-cold checkerboard floor in the morning,

Go outside with a baggy of cool chocolate milk at hand,

And walk across a green ocean to the awaiting couch-swing.

The sand-colored house to my right is caressed by vines.

It protects the bushes of roses and herbs that squat on its side like shy children.

Spectacular fruits fleck the yard and cacti open their arms to welcome the sun.

I remember feeling safe.

I remember the wondrous, previous experiences since we’ve arrived to America;

The sleepless night full of conversation and excitement before our trip to Disney World,

Losing a baby tooth on one of the roller coasters there,

Riding in our van up.. most of a tall mountain and reaching for a cloud,

Only to discover that clouds feel nothing like cotton,

Climbing bulky rocks and letting my fingers dance and glide along the surface of a low waterfall,

And shivering as my friends and I let piercing, cold, and rushing waters pull us across a lake.

I loved the clarity of one lake, through which I could see every pebble and the gentle color of its floor.

I had also enjoyed the endless rounds up and down the hotel’s elevator and visits to the pool.

I remember feeling free.

I also cherished our long rides to New York;

During which I would gaze at the landscape and watch it skim across the window frame,

And listen to booming music through the headphones that had hugged my ears,

The large family get-togethers we had there;

The Hanukkah and Rosh Hashanah celebrations,

Breakfast tables full of Israeli salads, and

The days and nights full of new experiences that we’d have little time to sleep.

I would be completely transfixed by the city that would light up the night,

And the unique stores it housed; one restaurant contained white chairs hanging from the high ceiling.

I remember feeling fully energized.

[TABLE OF CONTENTS, LHS CLASS OF 2011 EDITION]