What We Hold in Common
If you have journeyed anywhere in the U.S., you may have noticed an abundance of corn fields.
Indeed, on a recent trip with my girls, crossing state line after state line, we got so curious about the corn connection, we did some research to pass the car time. What we decided? Corn holds us together.
Yes, we were partly amused by this statement!
But we also considered its profound nature.
Every single state in the union grows corn, and its uses are many (and also hold us together—crayons and fireworks, anyone?)…
Who knew?
It took a journey and a bit of curiosity to make this discovery. And perhaps a dash of road trip stir-craziness. But there you have it. Corn holds us together. And it is an ingredient in many other things that hold us together.
My artist daughter has never had any particular affinity for corn, but our corn-research stirred something surreal and punny…
How About You? What We Hold in Common Prompt
Did you know that corn holds us together?
What else can you think of that we hold in common in the U.S., regardless of the region where we live? How about what we hold in common with other countries?
Or, bring it down to a very personal level and consider what you hold in common with a loved-one, a neighbor, a co-worker. It is so tempting in life to forget what we hold in common. And in those moments, we forfeit joy and connection that could otherwise be ours.
Prompt options:
• Pen a poem about a journey where you discover your connection to others (for an extra challenge, consider what you hold in common with someone you also feel very different from)
• Explore the corn graphic above and create a poem that uses some of its items, to create a poem that considers what we hold in common
• Visit Wisconsin Corn and create a found poem using some of the amazing facts you’ll find there
Sample Poem
At the Arby’s—Six State-Lines from Home
The old man saw me, apparently,
while I was still in the parking lot
stretching my tired legs
one at a time, atop the car hood.
“You’re from New York,”
he told me while we both waited
for fries.
I was surprised.
“License plate,” he noted.
(A real giveaway.)
About New York City he said,
“You can keep it.”
And I knew what I needed to do.
You might think
Arby’s is no place
to bring kindness,
to find connection
especially with someone
who’s judged you before
you even got in the door.
The truth was hard to find,
but I found it:
his wife has been begging
for a bus trip to New York—
to see the art
and the architecture.
I smiled. Told him
things he didn’t know
about a place
he’d never been.
When he said in all seriousness
that the Arby’s apple pie
would change my life
bring transcendence
—I ordered it.
Jack was right
(yes, I know his name now).
Transcendence
followed me
to the highway,
crisp and warm.
It wasn’t the taste so much
(too sweet).
But the way
Jack wanted me
to have
what I hadn’t had
before.
Photo by Sunira Moses, Creative Commons, via Unsplash.
See also 50 States of Generosity
- Poetry Prompt: In the Wild Secret Place - January 6, 2025
- Journeys: What We Hold in Common - November 4, 2024
- Poetry Prompt: My Poem is an Oasis - August 26, 2024
Bethany R. says
This is great, LL. Love the heart of this post and the corn. The cob, if you will.
And what a sweet poem! <3 Love that carrying of apple-pie warmth from that unexpected, yet intentional, moments of connection. <3
bethany says
P.S. Have you ever had Arby’s Jamocha Shake?! This has been a family treat for me since I was a little kid. My first memory of it was on the road trip where we moved from the Midwest to the Southwest when I was little. It has a unique chocolate-coffee-happy flavor. 🙂 People are always surprised to know this has been around decades before S-bux started pumping out such things. They never seem to advertise this little secret. I want you to know. 😉
L.L. Barkat says
Oh, thank you for wanting me to know! (And now you are part of the transcendence too, yes? 🙂 ) I would love to try the Jamocha. It sounds delicious.
I actually had never been to Arby’s in my life before this experience. Just like Jack had never been to the Big Apple. Maybe someday he will come here and experience some of the gorgeous art and architecture. Maybe he will remember Laura from New York when he does.
bethany says
Aww, yes, maybe he will!
The shake has a light enough coffee flavor to be yummy for even those who don’t typically enjoy it, hence, little-kid me giving it a thumbs-up. 😉
Sandra Heska King says
Omigosh! I haven’t had a Jamocha Shake in years. I don’t do much fast food, but we had an Arby’s in our town in Michigan. Every so often I’d pull in there for one of those shakes–and a little packet of jalapeno bites.
L.L. Barkat says
Funny you should mention Michigan, Sandra. That’s where Jack was originally from (it took a while to get our fries, and apparently we made quite the conversation headway in the meantime 😉 ).
And that makes me think… I wonder if Jack would go to Arby’s in Michigan? Fast food is not my thing, but I do realize that these food chains and other franchises also hold us together in their odd way. They end up being little bits of nostalgia we can find beyond the borders of home.
Sandra King says
Apparently there are like 180 Arby’s in Michigan… so if he went back home, it’s quite possible. 🙂
Bethany says
Sandra, you know the Jamocha?! Yay! I don’t have it often, but for an occassional treat–heck yes.
bethany says
In fact, with everything that’s going on today–this might be the perfect time for such a comfort food treat. 😉 Would you guys (and anyone else who is reading this!) like to join in?
L.L. Barkat says
Oooo. You’re making me wish for a local Arby’s, Bethany! I would love to join in. Perhaps I’ll have to concoct something at home. I’ll share a pic (but I don’t get to have it until I go vote, because I want it to be a treat and a solace 🙂 ).
Sandra Heska King says
I’m sitting her right now with foil in my hair. I’ll have to see if there’s an Arby’s nearby. If so, I’m in.
Bethany says
Yay! And if you don’t see one nearby, just get whatever fun comfort treat you like, of course! I’m just happy we are unified over this. 😉 Coffee with cocoa added or whatever you enjoy.
I’m going to make note in my visual journal of the flower in bloom this morning -> the Transcendent-Community-Milkshake variety.
Today, on election day of all days, coming together for sweetness is healing. <3
Others readers, please feel free to join us!
Sandra King says
Well, Arby’s was a bit further than I wanted to drive in Boca traffic. But I ran into Target and bought 6 pints of my latest obsession – 6 pints of Talenti’s Coffee Chocolate Chip gelato. I’m the only one that eats it, thank goodness. But not all at once. It might last about a month…
Bethany says
Yaaaay!I’m going to pickup my Jamocha shakes after dinner when I can rope my family into the fun too. 🙂 We’re going to have a Lord of the Rings movie marathon while we sip on The Delicious. 🙂
Bethany says
LL, bless you as you go vote! Looking forward to seeing a photo of your treat. 🙂
L.L. Barkat says
Decaf coffee. Chocolate. Caramel. Whipped creams. Treat indeed 🙂
https://www.instagram.com/p/DCAI1cUSA6e/
bethany says
Oh.
My.
Y
U
M
Between our shared desserts, your swings, my cloud formations, and the poetry, this is looking like a day full of flowers.
bethany says
I split my shake with my daughter and it tasted scrumptious.
Got to see a beautiful crisp view of the the thin crescent moon over the farmland on the way.
L.L. Barkat says
“I spy something beautiful” (Claire Coenen’s words from today’s Every Day Poems feel apt. 🙂 )
bethany says
Oh, I need to go read it. (I enjoyed her poetry reading a couple months ago too – – another lovely find)
Katie Spivey Brewster says
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this:
“to bring kindness
to bring connection . . .
I smiled.”
🙂
bethany says
Thanks for highlighting that, Katie!
L.L. Barkat says
Katie!!! 🙂
smile > kindness > connection
or maybe…
connection > smile > kindness
or maybe…
kindness > smile > connection
or maybe…
connection > kindness > smile
or maybe all of the above 🙂
So simple. So powerful. (So unintended by the poet, but now I *see it*! Thank you, Katie, for making the observation! I am taking that with me.)
Katie Spivey Brewster says
Yes, Laura – all of the above:)
L.L. Barkat says
Which gives us so much freedom to begin anywhere. 🙂