Friday, April 16, 2010

Whatif...

Last night, while I lay thinking here,
some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
and pranced and partied all night long
and sang their same old Whatif song:
Whatif I'm dumb in school?
Whatif they've closed the swimming pool?
Whatif I get beat up?
Whatif there's poison in my cup?
Whatif I start to cry?
Whatif I get sick and die?
Whatif I flunk that test?
Whatif green hair grows on my chest?
Whatif nobody likes me?
Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me?
Whatif I don't grow taller?
Whatif my head starts getting smaller?
Whatif the fish won't bite?
Whatif the wind tears up my kite?
Whatif they start a war?
Whatif my parents get divorced?
Whatif the bus is late?
Whatif my teeth don't grow in straight?
Whatif I tear my pants?
Whatif I never learn to dance?
Everything seems well, and then
the nighttime Whatifs strike again!

-Shel Silverstein

Everyone has whatifs... These are the ones of those closest to me.


JJ- Whatif I don't remember the things that are most dear?


Elise- Whatif I can never get pregnant?


Jimmy- Whatif I never hurt my shoulder?


Alexis- Whatif I can't learn my ii V I's?


Nat- Whatif my best isn't enough?


Asher- Whatif I go bald?


Anothony- Whatif deer eat my garden... again?


Amberly- Whatif my baby's poop blows out of her diaper?


Marianna- Whatif he breaks my heart?


Brandon- Whatif the world's crude oil supply is depleted by 2015?

11 comments:

  1. Great Idea! I've always been afraid of whatifs, probably everyone has, thats what makes it such a great project we can all relate to.

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  2. Did the Amberly girl teach at the MTC?

    Also a fun concept. I like the touch of having them write their Whatifs in their own handwriting.

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  3. I love the concept. I think seeing the handwriting of each of these people really adds a level of personality that wouldn't be captured in extra-diegetic text like a mere caption.

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  4. Interesting personal insights came through their fears and were sort of reflected in the portraits. I liked it.

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  5. What a great idea! I really enjoyed the looks on the people's faces. This project is soo expressive. Great job.

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  6. I agree, this is a very good concept!

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  7. This is a great concept. I relate to a few of those whatifs and it makes me ponder my own whatifs...

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  8. i really like the concept. it is very honest

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  9. Such a wonderful idea! I love this. Oh, and you.

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  10. I really like this essay. It's really personal, and on a level that everyone can relate to. It would be interesting to see one of you and your 'whatif'...

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  11. Awesome idea! This helps us realize that we're never alone in our fears. These are great photos too!!

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