Eleven-year-old Lonnie lives with Miss Edna, who is always telling him to be quiet. But there's a lot going on in Lonnie's head. His English teacher, Ms Marcus, encourages him to write everything down, quickly, before his thoughts disappear. So Lonnie writes in poetry, because it's short, and using the many different styles of poem they are learning in class, Lonnie describes his life - memories of his mama and daddy; the fire that claimed their lives; living in the Home with Miss Edna; his little sister Lili and her new family; Ms Marcus and school; race and religion. In the end, Lonnie finds his way forward through the loving care of those who surround him.