Poems thru 8/2020

Another new poem by Lia Licht…It is always so good to receive such honest, open, sweet poems.

I Am From

By Lia Licht

I am from the seasons changing, autumn creeping with its colors dull.

From watching clock hands tick.

From backyard swings and the warmth of green.

I am from the bird’s nest adjacent to my window.

I am from the songs that those chickadees sang.

I am from the day that the nest blew over

among the howling winds and the cruelest, pouring rain.

I am from homemade pasta.

From the old, rosy scent of my grandmother’s room.

I am from the feeling of dough between my fingers.

From the taste of cheddar biscuits and cold chocolate milk.

I am from family game nights, laughter echoing.

I am from pink LED lights, my room illuminated.

I am from the warped wooden door that muffled their fights.

I am from a home that demands I must respect.

From “I accept you no matter what.” and “We’ll love you always!”

I am from the hole in my heart and lack of motivation.

From joyous Christmases and holiday celebrations.

I am from the time I ran into a glass door at age six and pretended that I meant to.

From anxiety and ADHD.

From the feeling of being lucky and the feeling of being loved.

From growing up in a rundown, Christian-Catholic school.

From my closest friends at this much better place.

From holding a knife over my chest.

From the sports that I don’t play anymore.

From the piano that I do.

I am from so, so many feelings and ideas,

stories and pictures, movies and books, that I live to tell.

Here is one in essay form. Not only that, it is a fine fine essay! May have to start whole new category here of I Am From essays! Thank you Jason.

Jason Meyer

It’ll Buff Out

            I am from lessons learned the hard way. For 5 years, I was stationed on board a submarine from Kings Bay, Ga. During that time, one of my jobs was to moor the ship to various piers. I was exceptional at that job, albeit slightly clumsy. This wasn’t much of a problem until I fell over the side trying to catch a mooring line. In the Navy, that event was seen more as a failed evolution instead of a funny mishap. This event was taken very seriously, and I received a swift and memorable punishment. My supervisor, John*, told me, “Meyer, sometimes you just need to calm down and focus on not being an idiot.” While it seemed like some harsh words for simply stepping too close to the side of the boat, some reflection on the whole event made me realize two things. First, the Atlantic is cold in November. Second, sometimes the best way to improve is to screw something up hard enough to never do it again.

            I am from poor decisions. Another job I had during those 5 years was to conduct maintenance for various systems on the ship. During a monthly greasing maintenance, I caused a seawater leak while the ship was submerged. This maintenance called out to loosen a valve that stops backflow of seawater into the boat. I loosened the handle and it separated completely from the rest of the valve. This caused, approximately, a one-inch thick stream of water to hit the ceiling and waterfall down. After about 20 minutes of my coworker and I trying to reseat the handle, my boss, George*, came down, saw us soaked, and proceeded to fix the issue. After the issue was resolved, he sat us down and asked, “Why the hell did you not inform somebody of this issue?” My response was that it seemed like something we could handle. Hindsight being 20/20, the sudden influx of water was definitely something that my coworker and I were unable to handle. The decision to tackle it ourselves was not the smartest. That day I learned that poor decisions produce poor results.

            I am from carefully placed trust. The job I had that scared me the most in my life was teaching and qualifying personnel the use of small arms on a gun range. The gun range is an unavoidable source of stress for the shooters. I have seen personnel shake uncontrollably, completely miss targets, and drop fully loaded shotguns. Now, I was good at calming people down during the evolution, however one event was out of my control. A shooter fired his rounds, and I asked if he fired them all. He replied yes, and I instructed him to take his weapon to the cleaning room. The proper way to transport a weapon is to verify that there are no rounds in the weapon, keep all fingers off of the trigger, and point it straight in the air during movement. This individual did not verify that his weapon was empty and proceeded to walk past me with the weapon pointed sideways. As politely as I could, having had a weapon just pointed at me, I screamed at him to properly transport his weapon. He pointed it straight in the air and pulled the trigger, firing a round into the ceiling. The individual was immediately removed from the range, and I immediately needed a new pair of pants. From that day forward, I decided to place trust in the people that have proven to be trustworthy.

            I am from Murphy’s Law. Work was conducted on a high-pressure hydraulic system. Bringing the system back online was the only thing stopping me from going home the day that work was completed. As I opened the valve that allowed flow through the system, I discovered that one bolt was not fully tightened. Unfortunately, the discovery was in the form of 3000PSI hydraulic fluid gushing from the component that was not fully tightened down. I managed to stop the flow in about five seconds, however an exceptionally large amount of oil was able to escape. Fluids under that high of a pressure cover everything around the exit path. It can also be fatal if the fluid were to hit someone. Luckily, the gallons of oil that were expelled were deflected off of a wall and managed to soak me instead of cut off a limb. I now understand that I do not have control over what other people do or fail to do, such as tightening a bolt. So, I plan the best and prepare for the worst.

            I am from the unexpected. I grew up in a small town in Illinois with no idea what I wanted from life. I didn’t know whether to go to college, work in a factory, start a family…The options seemed endless. In order to buy myself some time so I could figure out what I wanted, I joined the Navy. I originally joined as a Nuclear Machinist Mate. This was considered the most difficult academic path in the navy. The school for that job had an attrition rate of about 60 percent. I spent well over 18 hours a day studying and trying to pass. After two months, I failed out and was re-assigned to become a Torpedoman’s Mate. This path was not what I planned, but I made the best of it. Once I passed the schooling required for that job, I was given the option of where I wanted to be stationed. When I requested to be stationed anywhere except the East coast, the Navy decided that the best fit for me was a submarine base on the East coast. Nonetheless, I accepted it and moved on. During my time at my first base, I made some of the best friends that I could ever ask for, had some amazing experiences, and discovered that I wanted to finish my contract with the Navy and attend college. My first chief supervisor would always say, “Stay fluid, because flexible is just too damn rigid.” I am someone who always has a plan and prepares for ever scenario that I can, however this quote has stuck with me. It made me realize that, no matter how much I plan for something, there is always an unexpected path. The best way to deal with it is to go with the flow and make the best of whatever scenario is thrown out there.

            I am from stressful events. From fearing the unknown to hydraulic ruptures, I have kept a collected mentality and learned from my mistakes. Throughout my journey so far, I have done some crazy things, and made some terrible mistakes. However, I have let every one of those mistakes shape me. I now accept that sometimes it’s best to screw something up in order to improve. Thinking a problem through will allow a better outcome than just acting without a plan. Trust should be given to those who have proven to be trustworthy. Plan for the best and prepare for the worst. And above all, when things are going terribly wrong, I make sure to remember what my father always says, “It’ll all buff out.”

Here is a note that accompanied the poem below. How amazing our work is together on this site. Thank you Esther and Elfriede.

Hello I am submitting the attached poem.  My mother wrote it a few days before she died on July 16th 2020.  She died at the age of 86 from cancer.

Esther McDonald

Where I’m From

By Elfriede Lange

I am from the blueberry patch

And from a big tall Heinzman piano my dad bought at the Woodwards store

From walking to and from school and a kerosene lantern flickering.

I am from a very happy place, hard work, physical work and do what you’re told with no questions asked.

I am from the mailbox, letters and the black German hymnal

From words of comfort in the Bible

Our Father who art in heaven.

I am from the purple lilac bush

Blooming profusely every year, a part of many cherished memories like the seeds.

From Tauber and Hetman sailing across the world

To the land of milk and honey.

I am from hospitality, entertaining, traditions.

Feather fluffing parties, celebrations, neighbours and friends getting together.

I am from bossy, particular, and get things done

And from generosity, kindness, helping others and “someday, when you have it, give it back.”

From sauerkraut, cabbage rolls, poppy seed bread, pickles and pies.

I am from count your blessings. Name them. One by one.

Here is an amazing poem..it is a story too..powerful, honest, well done. Thank you Wyatt!

Where I’m From

By Wyatt Diggs

I’m from lots of places
I’m from a trailer park away from the city

Where lots of strange people live With lots of junk lying around Brimming with childhood adventures

I’m from the city
Where the air is unpleasant

And the roads are often full Riding my bike was an adventure And an escape

I’m from a house in the city
Where things were happy

And then they weren’t
Lots of fighting and chaos was normal Though it was not pleasant
I would hide away
In books, music, tv shows, and games Using them to escape from the scary world Until one day at the school
The men in blue took me away
Not a chance to say goodbye
To my friends
Family
Or teachers
Being escorted away into a new chapter

I’m from a place where lost children go
A place of temporary happiness

Filled with games and kind faces
Until you get chosen
Where I spent nights wondering when I could go home Hopeful thoughts left unanswered

I’m from multiple homes Some were nice

Some were strict
Some would seem pleasant, only to reveal their true nature once you were vulnerable Some were amazing, almost too good to be true
Those were the ones I appreciated most
They were my home until I got to go back
Back to the parents whose love for me was strong enough
For them to get everything back to normal

Im from My home
Where I returned with amazement and disbelief Where I cried and cried
I was home
In a new town
With my family again
Happy again

One of two fine poems for August’s ending, Fall’s beginning.

Linda Levitt

I am from potato pancakes and Yiddish 

phrases used so the kids wouldn’t understand 

and games of kalooki and gin rummy with Grandpa Joe.

I am from stacks of glossy magazines 

passed from my aunt to my grandmother to my mom 

Ladies Home Journal and Cosmopolitan,

the top right corner of the cover turned back to mark 

who had thumbed through and who had not 

in the succession of readers. And at Nana’s,

copies of Reader’s Digest in a basket in the bathroom. 

I am from a suburb where master bedrooms 

have standing showers and not tubs and moved into one myself 

half a country away 

I am from allergies and backaches and breast cancer. 

I am from whitefish on Fridays and football 

on Sundays and crockpots. 

I am from smothering mothers and distant dads 

and making my own way in the world 

here in the South 

reclaiming my being with Andrew Zimmern’s brisket recipe 

and Mourner’s Kaddish for my cousin for 16 more days

Where I’m From

Catherine Lanser(Gove)

I am from ice-cold water,
Lake Michigan salmon
and high, eroded bluffs.

I am from lake breezes
and cool summer days.

I am from many,
nine to be exact:
chuckrickbobpaulmarykaygary
pattietommycathy
always in that order. 

I am from the park behind my house,
part willow tree,
part shack,
part rocketship,
and ice rink. 

I am from Luxembourg,
a country as big as
the smallest state in the U.S.

I am from Poem

New and lovely poem by Stephanie Diaz. These poems are bringing us together all across the country, around the world. Again and again, thank you poets!

By: Stephanie Diaz, American-ColombianPaterson, NJ, Miami, Atlanta 

I am from arepas, love, and sofrito 

From the intermixing of languages; cheese pizza and rice & beans

I am from the grass less yards and concretely playgrounds 

I am from snow blizzards, gray days and sun burns in the summer

I am from Oaks that make you sneeze, coffee beans that smell like chocolate 

I’m from seething bodies and judgements without thinking 

From festivities and inebriate attachment 

From Zapata, Carmona, Diaz

I’m from come a little closer, I can help you and don’t you ever speak to me again 

From be kind and respectful 

I’m from rosaries and padre nuestros and stand up, speak your mind but bow your head

I’m from garbage gardens and emerald mountains 

From higado encebollado and agua panela con queso 

From the farm house and toothless to 40 plus children and New York City 

— 

A new poem that moves us and haunts us and is filled with images and love.

Where I’m From

By Justin Anderson

---

I am from Scott’s hopes and Kim’s dreams.
From Mountain Dew and Aqua Net.
I am from the place where the music died, not far from the trouble in River City. Loaded, bloated, obnoxious, and rusted.

I am from oak savannas, little blue stems, sweet corn and pesticide. Crowded, plastic, wanting, malignant.
I’m from the stage lights past the foyer, rock and roll’s greatest cathedral.
From Moose and Meg. I’m from wet, chocolate lab kisses. Romping cautiously through mounds of dog shit in the fresh cut grass. Water from a garden hose.

I’m from Nickelodeon on Saturday nights, sleeping in on Sunday mornings.
I’m from the halls of St. Joseph, mercy.
Pepperoni and green olives on my pizza, mom’s lasagna in my belly.

From the time dad shaved my head, trying to hold back tears from running down our cheeks. Mountains on the horizon.
The frightened and courageous.

In the back room, in a shoe box, and the chest under the stairs. Piles of dust, made from the same particles as the comets that dance across the dark prairie sky.

I Am From.

It has been awhile! Welcome Jesse with this wonderful poem.

by Jesse Marks

I am from climbing trees and a tree fort.

A dog house and the porch.

A swing set and the slide.

From the sandbox and the mudpies.

I am from a racetrack,

From Sever’s disease, and asthma.

I am from baseball and football.

I am from competition.

Sibling rivalries and wrestling matches.

Board games, xbox, and the atari.

I am from books under the cover.

I am from blankets for walls and sharing rooms.

I am from burning discs and iPods.

I am from kindergarten fights and learning lessons.

From goody two shoes and mommas boy.

I am from anxiety, depression,

Late nights, and no sleep.

I am from divorce.

Problems that I can’t fix,

A failure I blame on myself.

I am from separate homes,

And separate lives.

I am from a need to escape them.

I am from working too hard and hardly working.

From big expectations that I can’t fill.

I am from toxic masculinity.

From hidden emotions bottled up

Waiting to be released.

I am from toxic friendships and giving up.

I am from loneliness and isolation.

I am from a broken family filled with broken people.

I am from a belief in my heart that I’m a burden.

That I’m unwanted and unlovable.

I am from self-criticism and a torn self-image.

From pride and egotism clashing with timidity.

I am from fear.

I am from perseverance.

I am from strength.

I am from God and a faith that isn’t mine.

From believing but not knowing why.

I am from hope and redemption.

I am from love.

I am from music.

From percussive vibrations,

And nervous finger tapping.

I am from the soul,

Where art is formed.

I am from learning,

Learning,

Learning.

I am from mistakes,

And forgiveness.

I am from growing.

I am from being better than yesterday.

I am from brokenness.

I am from me.

Over these summer days, think of where you come from in many ways. Maritza’s poem below wanders there and lands so beautifully on her story.

I Am From

Maritza Cardenas

I am from the streets are so cracked
I am from the outline on the pavement
I am from the ambulance outside my front door Sirens all night

I am from
Mom can’t take care of us by herself anymore

I am from short change
Top ramen with the egg cracked inside Project pizzas
County Dinner
Free toys on Christmas
At the Compton Community Fair
And low income dentist deals

I am from
All the men I’ve ever loved have gone to jail

I am from write to Tio Luis, mija He hasn’t seen you in 15 years

I am from gang signs and prison tats

I am from
Grandma works with her hands
Mama works with her hands
And they tell me
Mija, I don’t want you working with your hands Go to school

I am from the belt
My mother’s belt lashing into the air

I am from fear
I am from conquering it

I am from
Kindergarten lesson
If they hit you, you better hit them back

1

I am from
Mami can’t help me with my math anymore But what she’s got is wisdom

I am from
The Rose that Grew from Concrete by Tupac Shakur

I am from
Prayer hands
A teardrop falling from each eye

I am from
God?
Are you even there God?

I am from I don’t know what to believe anymore

I am from Primer Impacto and Caso Cerrado And loud neighbors

I am from where
Sandwich is sangwich McDonald’s is Mugg Donald’s Ask is ax
And almost everyone says picsa

I am from the land of all little ghetto kids With stories to share

I am from roaches crawling on my mattress on the living room floor

I am from all I’ve got is empty pockets AND my heart is broke

I am from the pain never ends and the world don’t stop

I am from
Put your hands in the air
I am from
I said put your hands in the air

I am from
Migrants crossing the desert

2

I am from 5 people and a dog in a one bedroom

I am from counting pennies out a tin can At a laundromat by the liquor store

I am from pit bull puppies And rottweilers

I am from one day there won’t be a mattress in my living room

I am from
I miss all the cousins I don’t get to see anymore

I am from Don’t open the door for nobody And if I call you better pick up that phone

I am from This a collect call
An inmate from the federal correctional facility Is trying to contact you

I am from welfare checks and food stamps
Court dates and domestic violence
Strong women with hoop earrings and long fingernails

I am from
I am so tough so tough so tough
I don’t know how to be soft anymore

I am from
Look over your shoulder When you walk home

I am from
When the bullets fly Get on the floor When the fists fly Start swinging
No te dejes

I am from my brother carries a strap Everywhere he goes

3

I am from he told me
I will always be right here

I am from every time I close my eyes at night I see his dead body

I am from no one is supposed to die that young I am from I’m afraid to love anymore

I am from hot tempers and big hearts Crooked smiles and empty laughter

I am from I will claw my way out of here I am from I will survive

I am from 500 years of slavery
And I have risen from the blood soaked dirt

I have a story to tell

-Maritza Cardenas @angrybrownwomxn @meow.ritza

 

 

 

 

Here is another I Am From essay/poem…The honesty and passion and beauty all rolled into one form…thank you Ms. Nomer!

Mud.

I was born in a trailer somewhere in the swamps of Florida. I’m the baby of two black sheep rebelling against capitalism, pollution, and greed.  This home, the family inside, didn’t stay stable very long, but I am not from either of those. I am from the heart of a movement, its Hail Mary pass to make the world a better place:
“We’ll carry out more garbage than we bring in.”
I am from finding balance with counter balance. The vow to take on more responsibility than she was responsible for, in action, when my mother walked out of this home with her arms full. She hauled a baby on each hip and a toddler told to hold her belt loop. She carried us on foot with alligators slashing nearby. I am from a sad old story of violence, hunger, and mental disorder, counter balanced by a mother made of brick and mortar.

I am from rehabilitation, The AA Hall. Step Ten was learned again and again, “Continue to take a fearless moral inventory, when you’re wrong promptly admit it.”  Members of this group would unpack every scrap of shame they had there. I heard grown men cry, violently, admitting their mistakes out loud, how they did it again, how they blacked out and hit their family. Their stories hung in air; we all breathed them in and breathed them out. I heard the excuser’s denial fall to the floor and later went to their funerals. I heard my mother’s resentment, her past and human side. I watched her balance it all in this place. The Hall is a hand me down, old, and broken building. There are tiny black and white hexagonal tiles left behind from whatever the space was originally built for. Still, the hall is a Holy place to me.  I am from the fold where people sacrificed their anonymity for humility. I am from my mother’s fight to be two decades dry. I am from fearless moral inventory, growing pains, and change. I am from grabbing a grownups giant hand to join their circle and say their final chant:

“Keep coming back. It works if you work it.”

I am from motherhood myself, in round a bout way, by another’s intermitted disappearance. I raised a baby girl as my own while her mother was gone. I gave her homemade baby food, books, and obsessive concern. She liked peaches and carrots blended the best; it stained splotches of an atrocious orange on every onesie she had. I am from meeting my child months after she was born. I can’t claim sainthood because when her mother would return, I admit, I was from bitterness. I am from jealousy of an untended bond coming so effortlessly, then doing it all over again. Making sure she knew her alphabet, “Que-are-you-es” still sounds like its order to me. I am, again, from feeling forgotten, then going back in. I couldn’t wait to see if she liked whatever Christmas or a birthday would bring. I was heartbroken when she got “too big” for board games. I am from, if I’m allowed to say, the kindness form of selfishness. I am from selfishness all the same,
“Mommy’s Home!!”
I am from knowing when to walk away, the balance to give more than you get.

I am from all weights lifted by the road. I took a trip once, twice, three times a year to somewhere new. I am from Virginia when I prefer the view of a mountain better from the bottom. I am from Colorado when they’re better at the top. I am from Canada when staring at a waterfall, trying to synchronize my speed of thought with its sound. I am from California when skydiving. I had an Ocean view to my left and mountains to my right, then they’re switched from right to left because I was freefalling in a spin. The air was rushing at me so fast my lungs my lungs couldn’t catch it, my instructor warned me about it. He said that screaming kick starts your body to take air in:

“If you feel like you can’t breathe, scream.”
I am from the balance to live more than I’ve lost.

Misfits have their hideouts, I found an underworld that acts as if it’s above the law. I am from the strip club. I am from embracing my sexuality, freedom, and fun. The gig came natural to me, almost flew out of me on stage, commanding attention by gliding my body to hang horizontally 20ft in the air, barley holding onto the pole. This world excited me, it empowered me, but admittedly, it got to me. I am from pieces of myself being occupied, being told we were safe and learning otherwise.  I’ve seen abuse, victim blaming and justice denied. My loyalty lies with the ladies I’ve danced beside.  I am from these women, their grassroots rally cry:
“Rights not Rescue!”
I am from making sure I move in a motionless world.

The best advice I will ever give is, to never take my advice, it will probably cause trouble. The second best advice I can give is, if everything needs a balance, then, try throwing anything in the scale. Do not let one weird thing ruin plans. Go out and get three weirder things to balance them. When it comes to balance I’ll take it any way I can get it. A name change, a cause, an unusual love, or academics later in life, has weight. Whatever we think isn’t worth a damn, has weight. This counterbalance vision I was born from brought me more experiences than I could make up. It doesn’t belong to me, I can’t keep it for myself, but I refuse to forget it. I am from the mud and it had weight.

 

 

 

These poems are so different, one from the other.  Here is a lovely one from Joe S. Howell. Savor each word.The power in what is left unsaid, speaks here.

Tin Spoon

Joe S. Howell

 

where i come from

it’s snow covered “kivers”

daylight sneaking in-between …

between logs

 

from two boys one girl and a baby

left alone for hours, days, weeks

mother not seen

 

from walks down the road

where milk and water was

given (free) in buckets

 

from the welfare department, chocolate milk (never tasted before)

 

from every house

to a children’s home

hand-me-downs and toe

the line … take me out

work me … bring me back

 

Where i came from

it was “do what you’re told”

with no back talk…

 

And Sunday School where you

learned John Chapter 1

Verse 1

In the beginning

there was the word….

 

from adopting parents

with “We didn’t  have to take you” served daily

 

© 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is one from Nancy Kissam–rhythmic and so captures time and place and family…and complexity.

I am from by Nancy Kissam

I am from suburban lawns
I am from corners of kick ball and tag
I am from Burger King crowns and Diet cola
I am from the family room fireplace
I am from walks to Korvettes, stealing mannequin hands with my friends and pretending they are our own.
I am from the local deli, chicken croquette sandwiches, bags of Doritos and large sweet Iced Tea in Styrofoam cups
I am from the mall, blasting Def Leppard on a Sharp Boom box, flirting with boys from another town. I am from Spin Magazine, mixed tapes and radio Contests
I am from Depeche Mode, The Smiths and The B-52s. Nassau Colliseum. U2. Unforgettable Fire. Where is Joshua Tree?
I am from drinking Mini micheloebs in the dugouts, peeing outside with my friends. Laughing at nothing and everything. Bike rides on the campus of Adelphi University when I’m sad and alone.
I am from train rides into the city. The Met. Broadway. John Malchovich and Les Miz.
I am from my parents, him soft and brave. She sour and weak.
I am from humor on TV. MASH. All In the Family. Saturday Night Live.
I am from Gilda Fucking Radner
I am from cigarettes hidden behind the shelf. I am from drinking with my friends. I am from throwing up so hard it hurt.
I am from making out with boys at the pool. In back seats. On my couch when my parents were away. I am from my sister who no longer speaks to me, or I her.

I am from my brother who cursed at my parents and left, cursed at them and left, cursed at them and left
I am from making up for tragic siblings, taking their place, making parents happy, giving them life before life was gone.

I am from myself, scrappy, strong, myself

https://iamfromproject.com/about/

 

 

 

Emily Walker has sent a fine one to brighten up your Wednesday!

I Am From

Emily Walker

 

I am from cable balls and heavy bags.

I am from dustpans and missing brushes.

I am from the unfinished and the petrichor.

I’m from the sassafras and the walnut tree

Who bore my weight to his uppermost branches;

Twigs snapping under my toes would signal my stopping point.

 

I am from rebellion and exaggeration.

From Slater and Daisy;

I am from loyalty and lust

And from the storytellers.

 

I’m from quirky quotes and Yackity-Yack.

I’m from fish on Good Friday.

I’m from Swan Hill and West Africa and spag bol and football on the road.

From my dad who died 8 years before my birth and who I still see every day!

From the diaspora, the Creole, the boxes in the loft that hold tangible triggers

For my memories.

 

 

 

 

Tuesday…and another fine poem ! Hope the week is treating you well..

Thank you Muhammad Ali

“I AM FROM”
By Muhammad Ali

I am from Queens, New York. Quarantine
in a house that smells like potpourri and candles Where I feel safe with disinfecting using clorox wipes and fabuloso. I am from a modern updated secured home. It feels like law enforcement standing on my front porch with a loaded weapon. Although Covid-19 Pandemic took away my freedom, I would rather be outside than inside.

I am from Queens, New York where one significant event
in my life was devastated to experience with Covid- 19 Pandemic. A virus that was horrific and deadly to manage
that kept me away from school. Although I felt isolated because I pause on all social interaction, all I can focus on is wearing my mask and gloves for protection.

I am from family traditions that represent who I am.
A very important holiday for me was Eid, I celebrate with friends and families exchanging gifts and feast. But Covid-19 took it away from me this year because of precautions. I am hoping for the coast to clear to spend Thanksgiving with freedom and not to worry about masks and gloves. I am very excited to celebrate this holiday with extraordinary food such as bake chicken, lasagna, bake salmon with vegetables etc.

I am from good natured people, they like to shower their children with precious gifts. One of my favorite memory reminds me when I was younger I was lucky enough to inherit a lot of precious things. I am from a background of kindhearted and hardworking people who likes to party barbeque and have fun in the sun. They kept on going with life’s rich tapestry.

I am from cheese-its and sour patch. But my favorite hobbies are exploring with trampoline park, swimming
at the beach, playing basketball and football but Covid-19

Pandemic made me take extra precaution.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here we have another stunning poem..especially for now, at this moment in our lives. Follow where this poem leads you…you will go deeper and deeper.

Thank you TR Armstrong!

 

Where I Am From

By TR Armstrong

 

I am from fried chicken and macaroni and cheese. Collard greens and cornbread. I am from the backside of segregation. The new black girl in an all-white school. Long bus rides taking me back and forth from my neighborhood to theirs.

 

I am from pressed hair and pressed clothes for church on Sundays. I am from long days of worship, preaching and singing those old negro gospel hymns.

 

I am from discrimination, and anticipation of friendships that would never form. I am from, ‘You’re not black enough. You sound too white. Who do you think you are? You think you’re better than me, huh?’

 

I am from ‘You speak so proper. You’re so pretty for a black girl.’ I am from discrimination and expectations that because of my color, I’ll only get so far in life.

 

But you see, I am from determination, and even HIGHER expectations than those with a melanin content less than mine believe I’m capable of.

 

I am from higher education, it was instilled in me early. Go to school, get a good job. But I am at the mercy of my intellect, chained by my knowledge that following the rules is no guarantee. You see, bad actors exist in this world. Those with bad intentions, and those with no intention of ever letting someone that looks like me get any higher than the second or third rung on the ladder of success.

 

I am from fear and anxiety. I am from sleepless nights, because I’ve just seen another unarmed black man killed by police on the news. I am a mother of two black boys who will one day be two black men, if GOD and The Universe sees fit for it to be so.

 

I am from disappointment and anger. I am from not being able to let my oldest son ride his bike in the neighborhood, or walk home from a friend’s house for the fear that they will find him beaten, bloody or hanging from a tree. Alone, and without me. But I’m using all my strength to hang on to faith that one day I’ll be able to look my boys in the face without crying for their future.

 

But I am also from hope. Hope that the world is changing. Shifting towards justice. That those who look like you, finally understands what it’s like to look like me. Standing up, rising up against the inequality that exists between us.

 

 

I am from love and compassion for all those hurting, and all those searching for purpose and meaning. Because while I may be hurting, I know that you are hurting too.

 

 

 

 

 

Take your time. Read this I Am From essay by Jason Williams. It is brilliant and beautifully written. A fine way to take I Am From and use it to write prose. Thank you Jason..

 

Jason Williams

I am from

I am from fear. Fear of seeing my wife of 20 years almost bleed to death. The panic in the doctors’ voice and the look of total seriousness in her face unsettled me instantly. The delivery room instantly filled with dozens of nurses and doctors. Instructions were being given fast and loud and yet I couldn’t hear anything. All I could do was look at my wife’s face. I noticed how pale she was, pale white like that of a porcelain dolls face. Her eyes were wide with panic.

I am from seventeen minutes after the birth of our child letting my wife’s hand go in the dim hallway and my last words to her at that moment being “I love you.”

I am from believing I had to go home and explain to our four children that their mother was dead. An emptiness settled over me, like none I have ever felt. My knees started to give out from underneath me. A hand grabs my bare arm. The hand is warm and firm. I focus through the tears streaming down my face to see a familiar person. She puts a hand on my wet face to make sure I am focusing on what she is saying. She says words I will never forget, “Jason, we are not going to let her die.”

 

I am from simplicity. I never wanted anything more in life than my wife to live. Seeing her alive in recovery was more joyful than any Christmas morning. It was as if a weight was lifted from my body. Everything in our lives, our home, our cars, our money, our bills, none of it mattered at that moment. She was alive.

I am from pain. I watched my friend get hit and killed by a car. When I close my eyes I can still see the light blue Ford Mustang. I can hear the screeching of the tires as the driver slammed on his brakes.

I am from seeing her body thrown violently and then laying still in the street. I am frozen standing in place. I am unable to speak. The smell of burned rubber makes my eyes water but it’s not the rubber, I realize I am crying. Blaring sirens, fireman and police arrive. I still haven’t moved. I am jerked back to reality by a hand on my shoulder and a voice of a grown man. He says to me “son, did you see what happened”?

I am from loss. I was sitting on a Florida beach 3 days after she was hit by a car. The white sand sticking to my wet face because I tried to wipe away the tears with sand on my hands. She had died after being in a coma for 3 days.

I am from watching it all. To this day I remember everything about that entire day. But the guilt I carry with me, even 36 years later, is that I had made fun of her shoes that day at school. They were the black, shiny, patent leather shoes girls wore. I was 8 years old. Her name was Lisa, she was 9 years old. Her face is etched into my memory. She had freckles.

I am from being a mean, stupid boy, carrying regret and guilt for my entire life.

 

I am from regret. I lost my father after not speaking for five years. A phone call to my sister on a Sunday morning brought the news, “dad passed away.”

I am from a life of pain. Lessons come in many forms. Some are more bearable than others. I love big and hate less. I am emotional. I fear the loss of those I love more than I fear my own death.

I am from selfishness. I hope that I die before my wife, before my children. I can’t fathom the pain or the agony a loss of this magnitude would inflict. It almost happened. I have always heard the term “no parent should outlive their child.”

I am from being the father of five children. Three girl and two boys. Five different personalities. My seventeen-year-old, Brendon, comes home one day with a gaping gash in his back. It was deep and wide, so deep you could see the white fat and bone. I cried because of his pain.

I am from pride. My Oldest son, Cole, wins his wrestling match to go to State. As he runs and jumps on me in celebration, I cried. My fourteen-year-old daughter, who is a competitive dancer, wins first place with her very first solo. I cried. My five-year-old wraps her little arms around me so tight and tells me how much she loves me. I cried. I am from being very emotional.

I am from loss and regret. Loss and regret have shaped my life. Loss and regret have shaped my emotions. Loss and regret have also compounded my fears. Humans live day to day without any thought of what can happen tomorrow. They think the sun will always rise, that people will always be here. They take for granted the fact that we can apologize later or tell someone how we feel some other time. I am guilty of this too. After all my loss and pain, I still take life for granted.

I am from reflection. I think about these lessons, they reminds me that I need to say “I love you” more often.

 

 

 

Here is a beautiful poem to start the first week in June!

I am from…..

Aleigha Wilkinson

 

Adapted by Levi Romero

Inspired by “Where I’m From” by George Ella Lyon

I am from blankets

from coffee makers and glass cleaner

I am from the medium, county road, brick home

Which smells like freshly sprayed Febreeze

I am from the rose bushes

The Oak Trees

whose long gone limbs I remember

as if they were my own.

I’m from Saturday morning yard sales and thick, curly hair

from Melanie and James

I’m from “Dad and Daughter dates”, solving conflicts,

and from celebrating the small things.

I’m from “Wash your face, you’ll be okay” and “Keep your head up”

and “You are my sunshine”

I’m from full family christmases

I’m from Mooresville, North Carolina and Texas/ Southern family roots.

Take- out pizza and Spaghetti

From an older sister that worked two jobs, went to highschool, and still helped raise me for years.

To this day we are best friends.

The countless notebooks I wrote in, when I felt I had no one to talk to other than myself.

Located in the cardboard box in my closet

Full of sad stories about how I felt alone, although it seemed I had the “ideal life” growing up.

I am from a family of love, with memories of broken picture frames, later repaired by communication and respect.

By Aleigha Wilkinson                                                                5/29/20

 

 

 

 

A lovely I Am From Poem…how these poems so eloquently reach us !

Where I’m From

Erin Robertson

I am from newsprint
from Deep Woods Off! and Coppertone
three Rust Belt houses
moving up and down the social ladder
(the smell of the neighbor’s
lily-of-the-valley in the spring)
I am from creek shale and grapevine
twined into forts and swings
I’m from homemade applesauce
and too much booze
from Thomas Francis Browns
and William Joseph Schaafs
I’m from the secret-keepers
and the never-satisfieds
from the optimism of Good morning, morning glory!
and the poverty of That’s from hunger
I’m from Lenten incense, shamrock Trinities
I’m from Erie and Éire
from lake perch and cinnakuka
from the shot-up tail
of the Luck of the Irish B-17
that spared by German grandfather
and humid summers at the Shore
when Grandy showed me Saturn’s rings
the long wood shelves above my dad’s childhood desk
held the spiral-bound scrapbooks
with my grandfather’s cases and speeches
yellowed and tearing
charisma my father would never match
I am from immigrant industry
all of us broken
and heartsick for land

Robertson Rambles:

robertsonrambles.com

 

 

Here are two more…interesting poems that are so relevant to our time, right now, right here in this country.Both are asking questions about their future..our future..this is what poetry is for!

 

Emma Schademan

Harrisburg, Pa

I Dream Of. 

I dream of life being back to normal.

Being able to see my friends,

And go to stores without a mask

I dream of sitting in the school desk one more time.

Being able to play the sports and do the stuff that I love,

And experience high school, like the years before me.

I dream of love.

A relationship with trust and honesty.

True love.

Marrying my best friend.

I dream of moving on to bigger and better things.

Like starting my own life,

Career,

& family.

I dream of my kids.

Being able to chase their hopes and dreams.

Hoping they can be able to have a normal life experience.

Because we all thought ours was normal,

Until March 13^th, 2020.

I dream of happiness.

Living the best life I can,

With the best people I have.

I dream of leaving this world peacefully.

My loved ones by my side,

As I spent my life living the best I can make it.

 

 

I Am From

Chardonnay Gilchrist

I am from the steps creaking as I run from my sister whose trying to hit me for sneaking into her room and using her favorite lip gloss, from my mom yelling at me to sit down as she makes Cassoulet. I am from standing as a shadow behind my dad as he cooks leeks trying to think of a way to get out of eating them. I am from “hurry up and clean before mommy gets back” , from a beautiful world that I have learned to love.

 

But the question is am I really? Because now-a-days I am from a broken society the judges anyone with a too complex or too simple background.

Now-a-days society doesn’t except someone with skin too dark or to light.

 

I am from a complex background that sometimes o don’t even understand and I refuse to let society change that.

 

 

 

 

Two poems today:

Sometimes after thinking of where we are from, we come to thinking of where and what we hope to be. The first poem here is a new take on the I Am From poem.

The second poem is a lovely I Am From poem..one that so connects us to who and where we are.

 

 

All I have is hope

By: Anish Tamang

            From Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

 

I hope to be remembered as someone

that did something good,

I hope to be in a dormitory

studying for the next college exam,

while looking at pictures of my family back home,

I hope to be known for doing something great,

I hope to be emotionally strong and confident,

from all the trouble I face,

I hope to be successful and stress free,

I hope to be settled and helping out my family,

I hope to be different and stand out a bit more,

I hope to tell my loved ones about my identity

and hopefully relieve some stress,

I hope to follow my dreams and pursue it,

I hope to have everything figured out,

I hope to be safe and try not to get peer pressured,

I hope to stay in touch with my family,

and be happy with the life i’m living,

I hope to never settle for the easy way,

I hope to learn more of the lessons taught by life,

I hope to take a deep breath here and there,

I hope to take life as a lesson,

a lesson that I have to learn,

I hope that some lessons are still untaught,

because I have hope,

hope that I will live my life to the fullest.

 

 

Where I’m From

By Emma Zoglmann

 

I’m from a big family

Where everyone is always welcome

and parties are a regular thing.

 

I’m from going to Grandma’s

just to get a hug or play cards

Where every moment is special and fun.

 

I’m from the country

Where wheat fields surround my house

and ice cream is always a treat after harvest.

 

I’m from a small town

that is full of school spirit

and packs the stands for Friday night’s game.

 

I’m from playing in the backyard

Rolling in the mud, climbing trees,

Just having fun without fear of the world.

 

I’m from staying up late talking to friends

till midnight.

Making plans to hang out and

Whispering so we won’t get caught.

 

I’m from lake trips with my family

Jumping in the water

and roasting marshmallows over the fire.

Laughing at all the stories told.

 

I’m from the dirt roads,

where each one always leads you home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are two we received this past week…so many fine voices…

I Am From

Priscilla Dyko

 

I am from Night lights ), from  Dream lights  and Sophia the First

I am from the _Cherry Blossoms And my litle ponys, and spy  gear

I am from the wolfs and flowers the Water rushing in between my toes

I am from Campfires and Singalongs from Deanna’s heart  and Megan’s love and Grandmas shopping

 

I am from the Farming land  and Faith . From never lie and steal and    I said stop

 

I am from Jesus Christ  and Jesus Christ my personal savior and lord

 

I’m from North Carolina  , macaroni, hamburgers

From the Adoption , the strong bond of sisters , and the  anoying love from my brother.

 

I am from the soft sand and salty water .

 

I Am From

Jonas Caldwell

 

I am from pencils, from pens and crayons.

 

I am from the comfortable, warm and cold, home.

 

I am from the rocks, the trees.

 

I am from early Christmas(my grandma’s Birthday) and stubbornness, from mother and father and Caldwell.

 

I am from the hiking and adventure From nothing is perfects and the do it agains.

 

I am from lack of religion and so much so.

 

I’m from Kentucky, with ancestors from Ireland and Germany , green bean casserole, and poppy-seed muffins. From the great grandpa, a nurse in World War II, the great grandma always smiling and cheerful, and the grandma, a nurse.

The Kentucky poems keep on coming..and are they fabulous!

 

WHERE I’M FROM

Jacob Burgoyne

 

I am from Cereal from Captain Crunch and Cinnamon toast crunch.

 

I am from  shiny, brick, openness, and the smell of paint.

 

I am from the grass, roses, and sunshine, the trees, lilacs, and country.

 

I am from thanksgiving and brown hair, from my mom, Kristen and my dad Tim and Maggie and Memaw and Papa My Grandparents Burgoyne.

 

I am from the competitive and worst temper. From money trees and the northern pole.

 

I am from a higher power and giving hand.

 

I’m from Cincinnati, OH in the United States, baked beans and skyline chili. From the great grandpa who served in WWII, the 3rd cousin in the Vietnam war, and the many construction sites my grandpa oversees.

 

I am from the Tri-State.

 

 

I An From

Addison Moeves

 

 

I am from vase, from Nestle and Dove .

 

I am from the thorny rose bush, yellow daisy (bright and sunny), sweet smelling flowers.

 

I am from the sunflower, the daisy.

 

I am from Yahtzee and dimples, from Barb and Winnie and Moeves.

 

I am from the blue eyes and rosy cheeks. From you are my princess and I love you.

 

I am from PSR and religion study of the good book, Bible.

 

I’m from Edgewood and Barbara’s tree, turkey and rolls. From the blue eyes of my grandfather that sparkle from the sun, the dimple in my mother’s check, and the  shiny strand of my mother’s hair.

 

I am from the pictures above the fireplace, smiling faces dressed in their Sunday best, faces I only see in my dreams, smiling down on me.

 

I Am From

By Bella Cornett

 

——–

I am from construction paper, from Persil, and Dawn dish soap, and anything to get out stains.

 

I am from the bright, earthy, uneven, grass. The half finished fountain. The repaired front porch.

 

I am from books, that I wish would be real.

 

I am from the trees, the tulips.

 

I am from Camping and Kindness, from laughter and grief and stories of the past

 

I am from the Adventures and arguing. From Santa and Purple pool water.

 

I am from awkward Christmas stories and a book I could never understand

 

I’m from Kentucky, Mac and Cheese, and soup. From the time I didn’t know what to say to her, on the fishing boat, and the regret that would follow.

 

I am from the boxes under my bed in which I store memories of the past. The pictures by our front door of the places waiting to be returned to. The pictures that are worth their weight in gold, but only to us. The pictures of the moments you can never get back.

 

That is where I am from.

 

—————

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are five from Kentucky!  All just what we needed in May…

 

I am From

By Kayla Posey

 

I am from a type of pop, from coca-cola and mounted deer antlers.

 

I am from the comfortable, organized, fresh lemon scented.

 

I am from the itchy plant of poison ivy, the dirtiness of the planting soil.

 

I am from the laughter of children at my grandmother’s house on christmas morning, and the same liking of my fathers home-made mashed potatoes, from Larry and Cynthia  and Larry Jr. and Sharaya.

 

I am from the tendency of always being there for each other and the pitter patter of the little ones feet while smiling and laughing. From being told I look just like my father and from the resembling color of my grandmother’s eyes.

 

I am from Baptists, from the cathedral made without hands,the church in the wildwoods, the covenant of grace.

 

I’m from  Kentucky and of France and Ireland ancestry, Chicken and Mashed potatoes. From the helping hands of my great grandmother to the now helping hands of my mother, the sound of my great grandmothers sewing machine to now the sounds of the oven ding at my mother’s work, and the helping hands of my grandfather to the now helping hands of my father, from the sound of the underground of the coal mine to now the sound of a lug wrench.

 

I am from a hope chest.

 

I Am From

Milyn Minor

 

I am from The voice of my babysitter, from Family dinners and The Alphabet song going around and Around in my head

 

I am from the sound when I hear my babysitter’s car pull into my driveway, I taste all the Dino nuggets I had, and I see when I had an allergic reaction at 18 months  

 

. I am from the warm welcoming everyday, To Those jolly moments to the worried moments. To when I saw snow for the first time.

 

 I am from the Craziest climate, to the Plants blooming in June.

 

I am from The egg hunts and Those joyful moments, from Grandma and Grandpa  and The downs.

 

I am from the wild adventures and terrified adventures From me being a storyteller, and making the best cookies.

 

I am from going to church with my grandma and grandpa.

 

I’m from St. Luke Chicken and dumplings too , Grandma’s delicious cookies. From the stories of our great great Grandmas and Grandpas

 

I am from The pond where we take photos and fish.

 

 

I Am From

Kevin Meiners

 

 

I am from pancakes, Oreos and Skyline cheese coneys.

 

I am from the cozy, warm, home.

 

I am from the cherry tree, with blooms like big white snowballs.

 

I am from pumpkin carving parties and squinty eyes when we smile from Great Grandpa Joe and loud cars from Grandpa Ray’s.

 

I am from the prayers before bed and Jeopardy marathons.

 

I am from being yourself and love who you are.

 

I am from no church on Sundays, sleeping in and pancakes from dad .

 

I am from Kentucky Bluegrass, English and German roots . From the family of four  the Love is distributed throughout our family and the adventures are endless.

 

I am from Florida’s Universal Studios wizarding world of Harry Potter and beaches with pictures of happy memories.

 

 

WHERE I’M FROM

Jonathan Clemons

 

I am from Independen, from my backyard and the dirt.

 

I am from the basketball court, the wood, and the river.

 

I am from the tree, the water.

 

I am from the country and the basketball, from Dylan and Johnny and the clemons.

 

I am from the field and warm. From life is´t fair and you only live once.

 

I am from god and basketball.

 

I’m from the bluegrass, chesee, and candy. From the warm summer day, the days when we play hoops all day, and the city.

 

I am from Independence.

 

 

Where I’m From

by Caleb Widener

 

I am from television,

from Oxiclean and Nickelodeon.

I am from the big brick house, the fresh relaxing fountain, and loud street noise.

I am from the beautiful Hosta, the green foliage with white centers.

I am from Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve celebrations and eyeglasses,

from Julie and Joel and Widener.

I am from the animal lovers and hard workers.

From “use your manners” and “pipe it down”.

I am from non-denominational and open and accepted.

I’m from Kentucky, green beans, chicken.

From the brother’s traumatic brain injury/surgery, the skateboarding accident gone wrong, and the blood clot history of my mother.

I am from the huge green tub of old pictures, some familiar and unfamiliar faces, all always in my heart.

I am from a repository of memories forever in my soul.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some poems from Sara Ries class…all perfect for today!

 

I Am From

By: Yaniy Williams

 

I am from toys

From Huggies and wipes

I am from the dirty clothes, old rags,

Dirty towels and messy bathrooms.

I am from daisies, little white flowers

I’m from opening presents and hardworking

families

From Tae and Juice.

I’m from the late nighters and late risers

From “we all we got” and “you can only get

one thing”

I’m from Christian, the Lord

I’m from Florida, Christianity, fried chicken,

Salmon and rice

From the fighting to loving

The equality

In frames or hanging up

Pictures of life, the beach and my

Grandparents’ house

 

I Am From

By Morgan Collier

 

I am from good clothes not

ripped and cleaning rags

I wash with.

I am from the beautiful

bright palm trees on the beach.

I am from the nice sand

flowing from my feet

and loving Adam and Eve.

I am from Goldielocks and

the Three Bears, and being in my bed

seeing small little hairs flowing in

the sunshine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Am From Poem

By: Jaylen Brunson

 

I am from sky blue shirts,

From Huggies and Justice.

I am from the very light blue home,

Clean, loving, and great smelling.

I am from a rose. A red, beautiful, good

smelling rose.

I’m from good cooks and a clean family.

From Jasmine and Joe.

I’m from the early sleepers and the early

Wakers.

From “Think before you act” and “Use good manners.”

I’m from Christians who talk about God every day

and praise His name.

I’m from the United States, Africa, Germany, and

Puerto Rico, soul food, homemade chunky mashed

Potatoes.

From the messed up feet my grandmother suffered for

Making homemade food for Sam’s Club and still

Cooking for kids.

The coming and going of my father, where pictures

are stored in shoeboxes in the corner of my bedroom.

I am from a family where memories and communication are important cause

You never know when God and His son will want to take you home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I Am From Poem

By: Desire Register

 

I am from my mother’s womb

From Welch’s juice and McDonald’s

I am from the red torn down house in the hood

Caring, meaningful, tasty food

I am from heaven,

Light

I’m from family get-togethers and smart independence

From Jannete Register and Lee Register

I’m from the family who goes almost every week to Busch Gardens and loud voices

From “always use manners” and “know your worth”

I’m from a  small church in Gainesville

I’m from St. Petersburg, Florida

Mac n’ cheese n’ dressing

From the time my grandfather was beaten for not

Working fast enough

The time my grandma was born on the living room floor

The hundreds of pictures on my father’s living room wall

Behind a dark black couch

Memories live on forever

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a lovely one from Sara Ries. Next up, some from students in her class!

Wishing you all well and safe and writing and singing and dancing around the house too!

 

Ketchup In My Veins

By: Sara Ries

After George Ella Lyon’s “Where I’m From”

 

I am from old clothes ripped into cleaning rags,

from Comet, Dawn, and drying racks.

I am from buckets of food brought home

from our family’s red diner: goulash, mac & cheese,

scalloped potatoes and ham, and we took our sandwiches

with fries and globs of ketchup.

 

I am from the large diamond-shaped windows

that birds would sometimes smash into—

I’d hold my breath and sprint to the bushes,

hoping I wouldn’t see another

broken-winged body with the notes streaming out of her.

 

I am from the weeping willow that sometimes

swept up my sorrows,

and buttercups, dandelions,

the blackberry bush beside

where our pet cats are buried.

 

I’m from loud talkers and interrupters,

“bumping into each other” family reunions,

Grandma Mary, and the grandfather I never met.

I am from sincere please and thank yous,

looking each other in the eyes, long hugs.

I’m from whoever eats the fastest gets the most, and 

 

you gotta pay attention.

I’m from church every Sunday or

you better talk to the man upstairs,

and the tangled rosaries under my pillow.

One night, during a stretch of insomnia, I held them

and slept through the night again.

 

I am from the mother from Boston Hills, New York

and the father from Punta Gorda, Florida.

Mercy Hospital, Faahs Drive,

and the aunt with the goldie lock curls

who, before I was born, got into the wrong car

and was never seen again.

I’m from the cigars my grandfather silently smoked,

how his silence became its own conversation.

 

On the carpeted floor of my closet

was a photo album, pictures from when

all our relatives could still be together

besides at funerals, when we’d gather

every summer at the cottage on Chautauqua Lake.

    

I am from these moments—

in my dreams they hang like clothes on the line

that smell of soap and wind,

ketchup stains lifting in the sunlight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a poem for the pandemic. Send these along…! Maybe a poem about where i am going as well as where I am from right now!

Where I Am From (Pandemic/Quarantine Version)

 

By Christine Gautreaux 4/19/2020

I am from a container garden on the back patio & the raised bed in the yard.

From Clorox Bleach Wipes, Fabuloso and Tostada Tortilla Chips.

I am from the tall white & green house  with wide & skinny front porch

currently covered in yellow pollen.

I am from Amaryllis Bulbs – Red, beautifully blooming,

transplanted from my late Nanny’s farm.

I am from 2000 piece jigsaw puzzles & competitive laughter.

From my daughters, Alex & Sammie.

From, “It’s past time to wake up” & “Go outside & Soak up the Sun!”

I’m from the labyrinth at sunrise & backyard fires at night.

I’m originally from Texas but quarantined in Duluth, GA

four states away.

From Tex-Mex tacos, good gravy & Gluten-free air fried chicken.

From the mask and glove covered husband who goes out into the CDC to install, teach people how to use & repair the scientific machines that may get us through this disease.

From the senior in high school who is resilient, yet still crying over so many losses

including prom, senior shows & graduation – she turns 18 next week.

I am from the selfies, the flower photos & the funny memes we are storing in the cloud as they bring us joy, laughter and hope during this time of the pandemic.

 

Christine Gautreaux, MSW Coach, Author, Speaker, Workshops, Wisdom On Wings CoachingShe/Her

 

 

It has been a while….here is a new one, a fine poem to end the week.

 

I Am From Poem

 

I am from coffee beans

From strawberry frappuccino and Arsenal

I am from a united land with smiles that shine bright throughout the night

sparkling , hot , grass that’s as soft as a cloud

 

I am from red roses,

whose pedals hold the pouring rain

I am from holiday gatherings and laughter

From Aubuye and Abiye

I’m from the don’t give up and come inside it’s already 9 o’clock

From study hard so your future will become bright and read because reading is knowledge

 

I am from the angle on top of the christmas tree, the cross necklace around my neck

I’m from ethiopia the land of united people with welcoming hearts

turkey,chechebsa

From the homemade coffee that my mom made for the guests at a holiday party

The bicycle bruise that left a scar on my brothers knee

Albums stacked on top of each other underneath the overflowing bookshelf,

pictures reoccuring in my night dreams for everlasting memories.

 

Proudly written by: Rakeb K Azeze

 

The last group from a fine class of poets…! I do believe poems like these keep us hoping for our future..Thank you..!

I am from

Izzie Miller
I’m from the sand burning my toes

From the smell of burning plastic downtown.

 

I am from the hot humid days in the summer,

From the come nights in the winter,

I’m from donuts every Friday, to salads every Monday.

 

I am from the blooming flowers in the front yard year round,

And the green trees everywhere I look.

I’m from the late nights with friends and laughing all night long.

 

I’m from the traffic every afternoon,

And the crazy drivers popping wheelies.

 

I’m from “go big or go home,”

And “everythings better in Texas.”

 

I’m from believing that everything happens for a reason,

And not caring what people think.

 

I’m from eating out on Fridays

With the best food I’ve ever had

From TexMex and Queso,

To the steak and salsa.

 

From the time we went to the USWNT soccer game,

And the time we went to the rodeo with all my cousins

I am from Houston Texas.

 

I Am From..

By Novah Bostic

 

I am from,

California Splits and trips to Target,

Swimming with dark skies above

I am from 9:00 QT runs and cool air,

I am from the sweet berries

That came off an untamed branch.

 

I am from loud radios yelling at night.

I’m from loss and step in’s,

That isn’t ever quite the same.

I am from butterflies and cold tears,

rolling down like waves.

 

I’m also from sunny days on the water,

I am from wind in my hair and salty mists on my face.

I’m from trees that held me high,

I am from chocolate milk, while the sun stared back at me

I am from 4 wagging tails, 4 wet noses nudging me awake.

 

I’m from the mud on my rain boots,

I am from windix and old vacuums,

I’m from hand me downs and baggy shirts.

I’m from dogs and growling cats,

I am from bubble baths and warm towels.

 

I’m from gifts and christmas dinner,

I am from snow and homemade cookies.

I am from cold winter nights,

Spent on the couch with old friends,

Lost along the way.

 

I Am From

By: Kate Cumpton

I am from those small-town lights

From the sweet smell of fresh alfalfa and hay

I am from green grass that glistened dusk to dawn

From the small church and loving community

 

I am from stubborn, loving people that are always there

From the shortest to the funniest

I am from jeans and boots

From mud to corn

I went from tractors to cars

From  open fields to closed backyards

I am from forgotten memories and faces, I don’t recall

 

I am from everyone piled in a house to it still feeling small

From the early mornings and late nights I’ll never get back

I am from coffee to late-night slushies

I am from horses and the breathless moments to win it all

I am from same traditions each holiday but different faces each year

From the same house, I remember like the back of my hand to new feelings each enter

 

I am from the different decorations to the same farmhouse feel

From ok so basically to shh I’m talking

I am from the barn to bed each weekend

From the future, I dream to  the reality I face

 

I am from the warm welcoming place some call crazy but I call home.

 

 

Where I’m From

By Seraphine  Mennemeyer

 

I am from moist grass on my toes and thin fog

I am from family plays and dress up

From backstage and spotlights

Long legs and Fresh Idaho Potatoes

From homemade desks and drawers

 

I am from ragged wood floor and sliding in socks

From stubbing my toe in the dark

Ottoman and Arkelstorp

From Grandpa Steve with two fingers

and thick brown fudge

Bubble Guppies and Wonder Pets

 

I am from sliding down the stairs and skinning my knee

From the little camera and rewatching the videos

Laughing with my siblings

I am from jelly beans and the “big question”

Snow white with a bald patch in the lego room

I am from imprints in my foot

 

I am from Scary Larry with one leg

And Princess with tattoos

From fairies, purple and barbie coloring books

Pig sculptures above the pond

 

I am from waves on the sand and Pretty seashells

From thousands of dragonflies and laughter

Crawdads and tiny worms and tantrums in the car

 

I am from waking up in a tent

And peeking outside

Excited gasps and muffled whispers

Deer and turtles and raccoons drinking from a lake

From smelly trash cans and Tacos in a bag

Playground stops and sitting in the trunk

 

I am from getting lost and cabins

From hotels and the smell of chlorine

Braum’s ice cream and Wendy’s burgers

from rollercoaster roads and Cruise

I am from gas stations and dirty bathrooms

Stopping in Georgia so my sister can puke

Smiling “once” at Disney World

 

I am from the red game table

Finely built with cup holders

I am from One Night Werewolf and Avalon

Love Letter and Exploding Kittens

From Unstable Unicorns and the lobster glove

The cone of shame and sarcastic voices

I am from D & D, in another world

 

I am from door cracks and tiny kittens

Poseidon, Chairman, and Hermes

From Tink with two-toned eyes

Chewy and Picasso, best friends

Who never met Zelda

I am from cockroaches and chickens

From parakeets and goldfish

 

I am from moving out and moving in

From more kids in the house and loud noises

Baby eyes and chubby cheeks

I am from tiny hands holding my fingers

 

I am from TV mounts and a small room

Feeling cozy and renewed

From walking the neighborhood

Swinging at the playground

I am from arguments and disagreements

 

I am from mint leaves from the garden and tomato picking

From bee stings and flip flops

Tank tops and chalk drawings

I am from our playhouse and Rockbox

Climbing trees and bright bluebirds

 

I am from the Alvarado’s and A to Z

Lemon pie and french songs

Colorful hair and Got Art

From sloths and traditions

I am from an Amazing family

 

 

 

Where I’m from

By Ryleigh Geneser

 

I am from my old Dora blanket

And a pillow pet.

Running around the house

And watching Yo Gabba Gabba.

 

I am from holding my little brother

And giving him his pacifier when he cried.

 

I am from my daytime adventures

Of playing princesses and superheroes.

I am from being afraid to climb the monkey bars

And trying to slide down the yellow paint chipped pole.

 

I am from learning my ABC’s

And rushing home to tell my mom about my day.

I am from learning to add and subtract

And learning to count to 100.

 

I am from learning to swim without my floaties

And wearing my goggles.

I am from swimming races with friends

And seeing who could hold their breath the longest.

 

I am from going to get donuts

After every sleepover.

I am from sticky but yummy goodness

And getting sprinkles all over the house.

 

I am from a sparkly dance uniform

And my annoying tap shoes.

I am from waving pom poms

And shouting cheers.

 

I am from trips to the beach

And building sandcastles.

I am from being scared to go in the ocean

And of sharks.

 

I am from barbie dream houses

And making up silly stories.

 

I am from blankets

And pillows.

I am from chairs

For my “castles”.

 

I am from princess dresses

And singing songs.

I am from putting on concerts

For my family.

 

I am from the tantrums I would throw

When I didn’t get my way.

I am from the quick apologies

When I knew I was wrong.

 

I am from the arguments

About who got to play the mom.

I am from playing with babies

And American Girl Dolls.

 

I am from the family dinners of

Mac and cheese and hamburgers.

I am from the delicious ice cream

With the fudge and yummy toppings.

 

I am from the lifelong memories

Of playing with friends.

I am from playing hide-and-seek

Until the street light came on.

 

I am from the bed

I jumped in after turning off all my lights

I am from the place I love the most

I am from home.

 

Where I’m From

By William Carter

 

I am from goals

From countless dreams of being a star

I am from the old muddy ball

 

I am from shoes

From Nike, Jordan, and Kyries

From different colors

 

I am from towns

From towns engulfed inside other ones

From green fields

 

I am from the 8 dollars to get in

From always the sound of a net

 

I am from jokes

From a house full of clowns

From funny sayings

 

I am from a family

From the never-give-ups and the keep-workings

From chasing what I’m called to be

 

I am from Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John

From walking by faith

 

I am from Pizza and Chicken

From the luxury of vacation

 

I am from readiness

From assorted slots in my binder

 

I am from legacy

From being prepared for my future

 

 

Second of Three groups of remarkable poems…Enjoy these !

 

By Ashton McDonald

 

I am from

My red Elmo slippers

To the smell of new car.

I am from the smell of the pool

To the smell of sweat and sound of pads clunking and banging each other.

From the sound of the washer and dryer.

To the sound of the dishwasher.

I am from Corey and Erica.

 

I come from

The sound of silence

The sound of fighting

The sound of getting told To shut up.

From the ups To the downs

 

I am from sound of music

And notes filling the air.

To the sound of bass giving a scare

I am from the sound of beautiful singing

To the sound of the roaring drums

The time that Eryk’s voice cracked on stage

The  time that I droped my bass on stage.

 

I am from Kansas City.

 

 

 

Where I’m From

By Chanel Chi

 

I am from volleyball,

from Tachikara and Volley Lite.

I am from the cold winters of Minnesota.

 

I am from having a homemade meal every Sunday,

From my little brother always annoying me

, and from the African paintings all around the house.

 

I am from glistening lakes and  Maple tree scent of Minnesota.

I am from long days and long nights from Mom and Dad.

I am from the African love and African culture.

 

From “it’s only for a little bit” and “don’t forget to clean your room”.

I am from the beautiful church dress, and church music.

 

I am from a family of nurses.

From fried veggies and plantains.

From the car drives and the fly high trips.

I am from Minnesota.

 

Where I’m from

by Lainee Mustain

I am from volleyball,

From diving,

And sliding.

 

I am from the house on the lake,

I am from Volley Lites,

From Tachikaras.

 

I am from the water,

I am from the pool.

 

I’m from Christmas and crazy,

From mom,

And dad.

 

I’m from technology and sports.

 

From clean your room,

And work together.

 

I’m from miracles,

From Christianity.

 

I’m From chicken pesto,

And hot dogs.

 

From the stitches in my finger,

From cans of fruit.

I am from Lee’s Summit.

 

Where I’m from

By Dreyton Snow.

I am from sending laughs to learning new things.

Making friends within a virtual world.

I am from running fast and working hard,

From sweating everyday to getting better.

I’m from plain old public schools making new friends daily.

I am from the math geeks who sit in the corner.

I’m from the guys who run to lunch.

I’m from having a dog best friend.

A playful buddy who brings joy in my life.

I am from friends who dont really help you.

The people you are stuck with.

I’m from laughter after every blooper, the scene of the crime.

I’m from the protective parents who keep me safe.

I’m with those embarrassed kids.

I am from the moms who make us learn ourselfs.

I am from the dads who encourage for greatness.

The ones who care.

I’m from the scared type who takes longer.

I am that teen,

the less achieved child

 

 

I Am From

Truman Garrison

 

 I am from the bubbles in the bath

to the chocolate milk shaken not stirred.

 

I am from the neighborhood where my dogs could not walk

to the dogs that could run around it millions of times.

 

I am from the ding of the Xbox

to the light of the screen.

 

From the virtual reality

to reality.

 

From getting home from a hard day of School

and Smelling the mashed potatoes.

 

I am from the generation of iPhones

to the generation of the Xbox’s.

 

I am from the barking when the doorbell rings

To when someone knocks.

 

I am from the tougher work

to scripting a new game.

 

I am from the present and past

to the future and on.

 

I am from a great family

to which we argue.

 

I am from my house which I call my home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First of Three amazing groups of poems..A welcome harbinger of a fine spring collection!

I am Still Me

By: Adelyn Hayes

 

From the dirt to purity

From the poor to the rich

From  Asia to  North America

And the daughter left behind

From the dark alleys to the cul-de-sac

From Missouri  to Tennessee and back

Though these things have changed me

I am still me

 

From being terrified of what lurked in the dark

From the princess night lite that sent me to the hospital

The same hospital  that I never seemed to leave

From never staying in one place for long

From the nightmare the day after Christmas

Though these things have hurt me

I am still me

 

From the good genes to the bad one

From the all advanced to the barely passing

From the college grads to the one who never even made it  thru high school

From the athletes,  inventors, builders and the most import job the parents who do everything

From the mom who was and is always there in some way

And the dad that seems to be invisible

Though these things have shaped me

I am still me

 

From tutus to skirts

From pigtails to buns

From Zac Efron to Michael B. Jordan

From gospel dances to Tik Tok dances

From pop music to rap music

Though these things continue to change

I am still me

 

 

 

Where I’m From

 

I am from my mother womb

On Christmas Eve, I was born

looking like both races was

Mixed.

 

From my daddys funniess and attitude

I am my mom’s mind.

From my unique name.

From the beautiful daughter they have

Created.

 

I am from the mixed girl curls

From the first bow in my hair .

From the warm arms of family holding me

I am finally here.

 

I am from the dirt to the ghetto

From the country to the cities.

I am the holding of my mothers

Hand to protect me.

 

From the table I standed on while eating

Because I am too small to reach.

I am the buckets of barrets to bead pony tails

In my hair. I am the tugging of my tender head,

Little tears rolling down my face when my mom is

Doing a new hairstyle.

 

I am from the first day of preschool metting new people

From graduating never seeing them again.

I am from the new chapter in my life.

 

From the elementary long days of learning boring things

I am from good memories of getting in trouble and the

Funny days that I can never forget.

From getting into competitve cheerleading.

I am from the long years and days going by fast and already over than

I expected.

 

I am the offical teenager growing a little wiser

And a little bit taller. I am the friends that I make,

From the personality I hold up in me.

By: Kylah Boyer

 

 

 

I Am From

By Aspen Ross

I am from happy fairy tale stories

From happy ever after to never being rescued.

I am from the slammed doors and sleeping on the couch.

I am from brothers and cousins.

I am from the smell of chlorine

From the sharp rocks by the pool

I am from putting bricks on heads to stop growing

I am from candy bowls

From sours and sweets

I am from Scott and Christine

I am from saddles and sugar cubes

From rough manes and braids

I am from a known town

From BBQ and firewood

I am from cheer shoes and bows to wrestling with brothers

From paint stuck in the floor

From the hero we call mom to the dad that never showed up

We are still the family

 

I am From

By: sylas pak

 

I am from computers,

from ps4’s, and pc’s

 

I am from the Duplexes

I am from the Riches

I am from the Brokes

 

I am from the gooseberry-plants

And the half grown tree

I’m from Jezza and Koreans

 

I’m from Pak

And the Cole’s

I’m from the big egos

And the small egos

 

From Practicing to make perfect

And the bed bugs biting

 

I’m from Jezza

And God

 

I’m from the Korean war

From rice and kimchi

 

I am from the divorcement papers

I am from Lees Summit

 

Where I’m From

By: Kate Packer

 

I am from Barbies to Tablets

from the Hawk to the Hornet

From frilly pink tutus to all black

From an animal nurse to snaping things in time

Frozen and forgotten forever to reman

From the trees and freedom to the small room I call home

Small and foreign is this really supposed to be the same

 

Parents held together like a chain now free to leave

From stupid to worthless

From kids to students

The teacher’s little pet

I am from young lives being lost too soon

From fantasy and reality clashing together

 

I’m from the smell of towels and dogs to the smell of flowers

From lazy days to full schedules

I am from hot winters too cold

From a big house to a small apartment

From my own bathroom to shearing

From small to big and big to small

I’m from the smell of fresh-made food to the smell of preheated pizzas

 

From elementary to middle

From old to new

I’m from bigger to smaller

From pain and suffering to peaceful nights playing cards

From stressed to worried

I’m from my past and that won’t change

My past is my past now it’s time to focus on the future

 

 

—

Kate Packer

 

.

 

 

 

 

Again this poem carries us around the world. From Italy…a class or poets!

GRADE 11 (3M)

– Liceo Marconi Parma (Italy) –

School year 2019/2020

 

Where I’m from

By Giovanni B.

 

I’m from Parma

From eating, sleeping and playing video games

I’m from my grandmothers’ and their fantastic dishes

From the cellar’s smell of my grandparents’ house

The station district and

The piss stink among the alleys

From my bunk bed and

The blue wall of my bedroom

And the disorder in my bedroom

All my clothes on one chair 

 

I’m from the football training on Tuesday afternoon

And the waking up early on Sunday morning

From Crete and

Its fabulous sea

From the love for pets and

Roald Dahl books

I’m from my passion for movies and

ECDL classes

 

From Jessica’s anxiety during lesson

From my keys hanging on my trousers and

The smell of One Million Pacorabanne when I go out

I’m from my adolescence years

Its foolishness and my formation

From the fights with my parents, especially with my mum

I’m from all these things that have made me

from this place which I love 

 

 Where I’m from

By Andreea B.

 

I am from colourful brooches, 

from mud pies and my beloved pink tricycle. 

I am from my grandparents’ home 

(where I spent my childhood, 

being happy and thoughtless). 

I am from the many adventure books  

I used to read.  

 

 I’m from the after-school games 

at my bestie’s home. 

From “I got you!” and “Hurry, hide”! 

I’m from those days of laughing and joking, 

the ones that you never get tired of. 

 

I’m from my granny’s home-made bread, 

from her smile and her affection. 

I’m from my sister, 

from her advice, jokes and arguments. 

From my grandad’s deafening silence, 

and the many goodbyes I had to say, 

with my eyes full of tears. 

 

I am from many faded memories, 

kept alive by old photos  

and melancholic tales. 

I am from my countless dreams  

I hope someday may come true.

 

Where I’m from

By Cleia B.

 

I am from different cultures

I am from Italy 

From Ivory Coast

From Cameroon

I am from a big family

My everything, people I care about

 

I am from the precious teachings of my parents:

“Everything you do, do it well”

I’m from many life lessons

Now I’m stronger than before

I’m from good moments and bad ones too

Good people and bad ones too

 

I’m from candies and sweets

From ketchup and mayonnaise

From chocolate and chips

But not just that

I’m from carrots and tomatoes 

From beans and corn

 

I’m from many things

That make me who I am

 

 

 Where I’m from

By Silvia C.

 

I’m from the smell of hay

From the smell of the sea and

The rain on the tarmac.

I’m from the lights of my city

(shiny, obscure and timorous).

I’m from the ancient tales 

Of my land,

Told by my grandfather

Sitting on his only knee.

I’m from sorrow and 

The strength to fight.

I’m from revolution

In all its form;

From red and “whistle the wind”.

I’m from my independence

But at the same time still dependent

On my parents.

I’m from my journeys around the world:

From the U.K., Tanzania, Egypt, and the Dominican Republic

I’m from my mother’s cries and then mine

About the story of pride and prejudice.

I’m from the Great Gatsby,

The Avengers and the Never-ending Story.

I’m from the smell of second-hand books,

From professors and culture.

I’m from a punk rock family:

From Freddy Mercury, CCCP, ACDC and Clash.

From Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd.

I’m from the foolishness, the summer

And the Dr Martens to walk to school.

I’m from my friends and our rap music,

Priceless moments together

I’m from the present and the future

From memories and future projects

Carved in my heart

as two lovers engrave their initials

On the bark of a tree

Forever and never. 

 

 

 

Where I’m from

By Francesca C.

 

I’m from 2:02 a.m,

from the smile of my mother.

I’m from Winnie-the-pooh’s melodies

and from fairy tales told by my grandparents.

 

I’m from the smell of roasted chestnuts

and the smoke of chimneys,

from Mount Guglielmo and the huts,

from the skis and the snowballs.

 

I’m from the black feather of the soldier’s hat

and the sparkling flame of the Carabiniere.

I’m from the Po Valley and the filling of Anolini.

 

I’m from the bar and the plié,

from my ballet shoes number 32

still jealously guarded in my drawer.

 

I’m from Camilla’s wag and Scott’s curls,

from the heart book and the girl of the sixth moon.

I’m from hide-and-seek

and my rag doll that I carried everywhere.

I’m from Cosetta and Pallina,

from fresh milk and chicks to be fed.

 

I’m from school books and the carefree laughter with my cousins,

from “Francesca, get up!” at six o’clock in the morning,

from Netflix and my friends.

 

I’m from myself ,

the girl with the big green eyes full of dreams

that is taking flight.

  

 

 

Where I’m from

By Maristella M.

 

I am from ugoslavia,

from our heavenly Lady of the Rosary.

I am from green, white and red;

from gold wheat fields 

and silver high buildings.

I am from Heidi’s mountains 

and happy little goats

jumping up and down saying “Hello”.

 

I am from a careless nurse,

a puffy blue circle around my eye and a little hole in my head.

I am from a broken shin bone 

and a colorful plaster with no white zone.

I’m from some stitches under my chin,

I am from gluten

that once was set aside,

but I am still alive!

 

I am from Mucca Moka and stuffed frogs

living in a sand castle 

despite their fear of sand.

I’m from my beloved Artic,  

fluffy Fiocco, Adrien and Bukowski.

I’m from sixteen spinning wheels and brakes;

from anxiety and satisfaction.

 

I am from icy February and the falling leaves of September.

I am from strong sisterhood bonds,

from wood-burning barbecues and hot smiles,

spicy argues and futile fights.

I am from these simple moments 

that will last forever.

 

 

Where I’m from

By Kayla M.

 

I am from a white blanket with red flowers

from milk and chocolate.

I am from sucking on my finger to fall asleep

I am from caressing my blanket

An enchanted spell to dream beautiful things.

 

I’m from milk and cereals,

from brushing my hair backward.

I’m from collecting tokens from the cartons of milk.

 I’m from a school where my classmates were like ghosts.

 

I’m from Disney Channel

(High School Musical, Hannah Montana,

The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and The Suite Life on Deck )

I’m from endless homework and pages of love.

I’m from bouncing a thousand balls.

From cat hairs all over my clothes.

I’m from memories and hopes,

From dreams and expectations.

 

Where I’m from

By Elena P.

 

I’m from pizza, ice cream and chips,

 from that place where I had a lot of fun.

I am from from the beautiful home overlooking the sea,

amazing, huge

it leaves you breathless.

I am from my sister,

from every time we argue 

and she upsets me.

 

I’m from the small town where I live,

from the far away places where I would like to go.

I’m from duty before pleasure

 and now I’ll do it,

 from “Let’s go!” and “Wait a moment!”

I’m from the beauty of nature 

that makes you feel better 

 when you look at it.

 

I’m from “I’ll meet you there” and “I’m coming!”,

“Sorry for the delay!” and “I had a hitch”.

I’m from the kindergarten 

to the high school

through middle school that I liked so much.

 

On the last shelf of my wardrobe

 I found my old secret diary,

 full of photos 

and moments that will always stay in my heart.                                                       

I’m from those years

When, before going to bed,

I thought about how lucky I was to have a family

that loves me and friends that always support me.

 

 

Where I’m from

By Gaia P.

 

I’m from the seven dwarfs lined up

on the stairs by my sister.

I’m from the smell of passatelli

even in the summer.

I’m from the walk to see the cows

with my mother.

 

I’m from Sicily, the taste of arancini 

just fried by my grandmother, 

from the bellyache after eating cannoli.

I’m from the mornings before going to school

watching AppleTv.

 

I’m from the smell of cakes in the house 

that my mum used to make.

I’m from the summer spent playing cards and jigsaw puzzle 

with my grandfather.

I’m from the country house that

I called Wizard Marlin home.

 

I’m from the evenings spent watching 

Friends and identifying myself with Joy.

I’m from my grandfather’s country house

where he had some horses and rabbits.

I’m from the friends that I had to leave

every summer coming back home.

 

Where I’m from

By Jessica R.

 

I am from a coffee bean,

from its bitter sweet taste.

I am from a drying rack, 

colorful clothes pegs and 

hanging laundry

that smells of lavender. 

I am from soft fur balls, 

shiny black buttons

that give you a sense of life.

 

I’m from a green garden, 

from the snow 

that covers the grassland.

I’m from the depths of the sea, 

from the burning sun that warms your heart.

 

I’m from a hug, 

a smile, a gentle touch,

from the intensity of love,

from the serenity of a white caravan.

I’m from an orange bowl,

from the tinkling of plates and glasses,

soap bubbles rising up in the sky.

 

I’m from a falling star,

from a photo shoot,

that gives a sense

to the story of my existence.

 

Where I’m from

by Nicola T.

 

I am from the smell of lavender and my grandma’s hands,

from running around the house without pants and being chased.

I’m from the toy box and the mess with flour everywhere

from the broken window and a sore head.

I’m from the kindergarten playground and the sleep time.

I’m from Santa Claus and the hiding place

behind the Christmas tree where I fell asleep,

from getting clothes as a gift and my disappointed face

expecting to receive a toy car.

I’m from people who told me “What a beautiful girl”

because of my long golden curls and

my angry reply “No, I’m not”.

I am from my grandma’s pasta with meat ragu

and my mom’s lasagna.

I’m from the car and the long trips

from visiting half  of Europe but without remembering.

I’m from learning how to ride a bike

and the tree with my face squashed onto it,

from watching horror movies

and being afraid of the dark afterwards.

I’m from my grandpa’s stories

and his house in the countryside,

from card games and my strangely continuous victories,

from walking barefoot at home and then tea with honey.

I’m from these moments

That have changed me and marked my life,

indelible engravings on the stone,

on my soul.

 

 Where I’m from

By Oumy T.

 

 

I’m from messy rooms, 

my mother’s screams 

and my brother’s indifference 

I’m from Torrechiara castle

and its unusual story 

that I used to hear every day,

as if teachers forgot 

That they had already told us 

 

I’m from the food nobody had ever heard of,

From the homemade Karkade juice 

And from the fruits I used to eat secretly 

During Ramadan months.

I’m from Little Women, Wuthering Heights,

And other books I’ve read over and over again 

From that representation of the swan lake 

That made me fall in love with ballet 

(My brother hated it) 

 

I’m from the fancy copybooks

From my sappy poems 

And Yassmin telling me not to forget her 

Once I have become famous 

I’m from the headphones I used to wear 

When my parents started arguing,

from the happiness I felt 

when they made up.

I’m from my old classmates,

whose victim I was and always will be.

I’m from the endless tears,

the headaches, the heartbreaking words 

and the people who saved me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the midst of turmoil a poem comes along to remind us of the trajectory of our lives

Where I’m From

by Emily Patterson

 

I am from faded towels drying in the sun,

blond hair gone chlorine-green,

from cousins

and Anne of Green Gables

on the porch. I am from

chili with whole tomatoes,

Ohio snows pushed into mounds

by a tractor, and a marriage

that healed.

 

I am from star-strewn skies

over a backyard wide as a field.

I’m from plies and arabesques 

in the living room, from

piano practice and please

and thank you. I am from Catholic school

and Christian school and home school.

 

I am from stories that were told

and those that weren’t.

I am from the stories I told

with my sister, heavy camcorder

and a dress-up box, scribbled

lines on a legal pad. I am from

the stories I am still

telling.

 

 

 

 

Winter poems keep coming in..here is a sweet one…thank you poets!

My Poem:

Diana Dorvil

I am from a very hot country .

I am from the country that share wirth Republic Dominicain.

I am from the country that is located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean Sea, to the east of Cuba and Jamaica and south of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

From praying before bed church on saturday and sundays.

I am from la riviere du Limbé.( the river of limbe)

From the biggest and the smallest market in my town.

I am from the smallest market where the people from the biggest market came to sell in the small market every wednesday.

I am from five different houses.

I am from the second biggest room and the smallest closet.

I am from three TV and one computer.

I am from a family with nine kids.

I am the oldest in the house.

I am from the kitchen of tasty foods and the smell of me and my mom’s cooking.

I am from the banana braid and the pineapple upsidedown cake.

I am from popcorn popping in a put with oil.

From lam veritab  (Breadfruit)

I am from grandma and grandpa who like to grow food in their backyard.

I am from the aunty who makes food to sell to other people.

From memorising lessons every day for school.

I am from the school that is called Bethesda

(Ecole Bethesda de camp-coq)

From the school that feeds students.

I am from the school boys are not allowed to grow hair and girls are not allowed any style of hair.

I am from math and  singing,

Those are my favourite things to do.

I am from many things, And more to come.

 

 

 

 

Poems coming in fast and furious..two powerful., imagistic ones..moving words.. Happy Valentines Day everyone..

I am from

 

By Maya Freudenthal

 

I am from Nike clothes

From dirty shoes and hugs from family

I am from the laundry on top of laundry waiting to be clean

Messy, Hard-Working, It smells like feet

I am from water

The water we splash around in the pool

I’m from swimming and athleticness

From the Freudenthals and the Grahams

I’m from the know-it-alls and speak a lots

From you’re a tornado and I’m so proud of you

I am from going to church, even though life gets in the way sometimes

I am from St. Joseph, Missouri

Diet coke and Stale Cheetos

From the white family who has a black little boy

The sister who everyone knows

The crazy family dinners

That always leave a special feeling in my heart

 

 

 

I am from

By Sam Park

 

 

I am from melodies that comes out from Justin Bieber

 

I am from Jeonju, a city that has most traditional foods in Korea.

 

I am from Tottenham Hotspur, a soccer team that has the most passionate players in the English Premier League.

 

Wear black clothes frequently as my father does.

 

I am from wondering about who i’m going to marry with

 

Living nearby Niagara falls, so I can hear the fall’s screaming everyday.

 

Covering my hair with purple color

 

Wash my hair every single morning.

 

I am from an ESL class that has a beautiful teacher and students.

 

I am from Kimchi with a spicy flavor.

 

I am from praying before every single day starts to set up my mind.

 

I am from Centennial school where I can meet beautiful friends and nice teachers.

 

I am from prouding of Koran films because of the korean movie Parasite, which was awarded Best International Feature in Oscars 2020.

 

I am from Karaoke where I can have a good time with my friends.

 

I am from my parents’ love that maybe I won’t get better things than this.

 

 

 

 

 

Three more poems over these last days…how beautiful…

I am from….                                                

Emily Shin

 

I am from my familiar foods.

I am from a chicken soup named Samgyetang.

It is from my mom’s delicious hands.

I am from seasoned vegetables,

which are from my grandpa climbing a mountain.

 

I am from a very small city.

I am from the top of the building,

which many noisy kids there.

I am from shiny and windy weather,

which is good for laundry.

 

I am from “The fish always stinks from the head downwards”

and “Must be nice to your mom”.

I am from love for my family.

I am from the reciprocation.

For mom, teachers and friends.

 

I am from people who are part of me.

I am from friendship.

I am from Laura, Elizabeth and David.

Make me feel comfortable.

I am from Ella, Ria and Brady.

Be able to talk easily.

I am from Sam, Jacky, Marina, Diana and Miro.

Good memories of the last year.

 

I am from MOM,

which is from Elizabeth.

I am from a caring mind.

Friends, sis and pet.

I am from my personality.

I am from the present situation.

Try my best for my new semester.

Making more friends.

A positive mind.

I am from developing me.

 

 

 

 

I am from

Jiaqi Huang

 

I’m from a city in subtropics

The tropic of cancer cuts it into two pieces

I’m from the bank of the bank of the Pearl River

It flows into the South China Sea

I’m from a city with rainy most

As well as tropical cyclone

I’m from a city of Dim Sum

We have snacks a thousand

Old people drink morning tea on a daily basis

And popular soups and porridges

We never eat ridiculous things

But no people trust us

I’m from a city of voices

Cars, and staffs of businesses

It is a city of language

Mandarin, Cantonese and English

I’m from a city with ten millions population

My parent, classmates and friends

I’m from a nuclear family

And a class of students more than fifth

I’m the leader of Model United Nation

Countries, delegates and motions

I’m from the city called Guangzhou

One of the largest Chinese cities in all among

It is the capital city of Guangdong Provence

A city of kindness

I’m from a world of brightness

I’m supposed to be a man of positive

 

 

I am From

 

Virginia Broadus

 

I am from winding dirt roads, dogwoods and poplars

Wading in waters

Feet bare, catching crawdads

I am from where periwinkles cut deep and we bleed persimmon

 

I am from sleeping in dressers and bathing in buckets

Yellow jackets in my hair, in my pockets

Where fireflies light the fire of wonder that burns in the hearts of children

I am from the whipper wheel

 

I am from the gossiping jonquils and the dancing naked ladies

Moccasin creek and a place called Bethel

Mennonite hymns, popsicle fans

Sewing circles and children in rows

Made to be quiet by the thimble she stows

 

I am from school days with the Millers

Playing rag ball and practicing all things domestic

Like cooking and sowing

That good Word that will one day mend things not yet broken

 

I am from the Oak tree and the glistening Pine

From the hills and the hollers

Where the river runs white

Picking wild berries turned jelly and

Picking ticks

 

I am from the mountains and the song of the cicada

Where the possibilities are endless

Because nature nurtures a weary soul and the woods are perpetually calling

I am from The Ozarks

 

 

 

Suddenly these excellent poems are coning in! Here is one you will enjoy…

 

Elizabeth Ghulam Sakhe

 

I am from …

 

I am from bolani and manti that is always cooked in the weekends

From a family of six with an older sister

And two little brothers that are always fighting.

I am from «aweille» and «accouche qu’on baptise»

That my mom always says to me when I’m really slow at something.

I am from Dari, French, Indian ,English

And  I’m learning a new language  which is korean.

I am from great friends like EMILY,

LAURA, HWI, ADAM, RIA, MIRO…

who are always beside me.

I am from red cheeks by Emily

Which is my new nickname.

In addition, I am from my family’s love

That always supports me in everything.

I am from books, pens and pencils,

Who is always studying up until late at night,

But in the end, I feel proud because of the good marks that I get.

I am from a neighbourhood that smells chocolates and species

Such as turmeric and coriander powder.

I am from butterflies and a raspberry tree

That they were found in my backyard.

I am from heavy snow and extreme cold winter

That made me happy because school were closed every time there was a huge snow,

But nothing last forever,

Like look at me right now with a new house, school, friends and teachers that are wonderful

Like Mrs. Andres.

 

 

 

 

 

Here are two poems by the same person. What a fine idea to show the two versions of yourself with two I Am From Poems!

Lamary F. Diaz

I am from many places,

Many things I did not even know existed in me.

I am from an avid black pen

Thirsty for words,

From crumpled papers scattered all over my desk

From old, long newspapers and magazines

Gold, silver and bronze medals hanging on the wall

I am from coffee and staying up all night

Pink and yellow highlighters

Blunt pencils and dirty erasers,

From having high grades as high as their expectations

From being Ms. Know-it-All in the Philippines

To being Ms. Clueless in Canada

I am from a chaotic yet quiet family

An older sister bossing around

And a younger brother pulling my hair.

From “Mom, my foot hurts”,

“Oh! It’s because you use your phone too much”.

From waking up to the loud noises of my neighbours,

Karaoke in the morning until midnight, dogs barking

And a screaming mom knocking at the door

Saying I’m already late for school and it’s already 8am when it’s just only 5am.

Before, I was from porridge, soup and rice

Now, I’m from Rice Krispies, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Tim Hortons.

I am from a creative pursuit of a dream,

By making things happen,

From not giving up,

Trusting in God’s timing

Knowing that beautiful things take time

And from standing up whenever I fall.

I am from many places

Many things I did not even know existed in me.

This may sound cliché

But I can’t wait to be someone beyond today.

 

Lamary F. Diaz

This is where I’m really from

I am from “I can’t do this anymore”

It is not true that

I’m from contentment, happiness and joy

Ugh, those are the things that I hate

Regret, fear and anxiety

Are my origin,

The values of my family

Are not true, they don’t define me

Being worthless, immature and lonely

Is what I think of most of the time

Aiming for success and excellence

Is not for me

Giving up

Is my motto

“Standing up every after the storm”

—of course, it is a lie.

I am from disappointments

They always say

“You should be like her”

They never said

I am enough

This is me.

All of this will be true about me unless you reverse it.

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a short, declaration of who Anthony is! Try one of these yourself

Anthony Burnett III

 

I’m confident and continue to push

No matter what even if I slow down

I will always go 12 rounds pound for pound

No I don’t smoke kush

Forever and always I will continue to push

 

 

 

Along with a group are often individual poems that arrive in different forms…I have this and the next one on their own here. Thank you poets!

I Am Currently                        Rylee Itinger                                 Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

 

 

I am currently a high school student,

I’m busy and tired.

I am currently an annoyed football fan,

dealing with my favorite team.

I am currently an older and younger sister,

I’m stuck in the middle.

I am currently in my family of six,

It is fun,

And sometimes chaotic.

I am currently doing schoolwork,

And I wish I was not.

I am currently someone who attends church,

With my large family,

We fill up half of the row we sit in.

I am currently distracted,

From the school work,

I’m supposed to be doing,

By the earbuds playing music into my ears,

And texts showing up on my phone, waiting for me to respond.

I am currently,

Wearing black and white Nikes,

That are my favorite thing to wear.

I am currently,

Many things,

And more things to come.

 

 

 

 

Here is an individual poem…by Marcus Johnson..Posted today to help us get through the winter

Marcus Johnson

 

I am Little Mac from Super Smash Bros.
Punching characters across the stage,
but lacking the ability to kick.

I am antisocial
avoiding people at all costs.
As someone walks in my direction,
I put my head down,

and put my earphones in.

I am algebra
solving quadratic equations and factoring trinomials but struggling with slope and functions.

 

I am running
Whether it be an 800m at a track meet,
or running and hiding from one of my greatest fears.

 

I am science
Whether it be chemistry, where I enjoy learning about the elements or completing experiments,
or biology, where I enjoy learning about genetics.

 

I am hungry
Stuffing my face with microwave popcorn and sprite while watching Victorious on Netflix.

I am these things, whether they make me an outsider or an insider, normal or abnormal

 

 

 

Another five amazing poets…again and again the variety in our lives, the details and images is what makes this theme so rich and so powerful.

Did You Know?

Samuel Welks

 

Did you know I am a stream?

Overflowing with ideas,

but getting lost in time.

 

Did you know I am a student of the arts?

Ambitious, young, and creative,

but innovative, conquering, and still learning.

 

Did you know I am a visionary?

Anything I see in my head

can become a reality.

 

Did you know I am committed?

Committed to my career

and pursuing my dreams.

 

Did you know I will succeed?

I plan on becoming a knowledgeable student.

I will learn quickly and become a legend.

 

Did you know I will work in a film?

Starting as a camera flunky,

then becoming something more.

 

Did you know my name will be on your screen?

Whether by track, water, air, or land,

my legacy will be dispersed throughout entertainment.

 

Did you know I will die happy?

If I knew that you were there for me,

I would understand:

What I left behind is for one to pick up.

 

 

 

I am 

Laura Acuna Lugo

I am unique

I come from a different background than others

I am Mexican living in the United states

My family came from Mexico I speak Spanish at home

I am also a Soccer player

I love the feeling one gets when one stops a goal which makes it my favorite sport

I am a midfielder and I give every game my all

I love the pressure one feels when the game gets close

I am a wrestler I love it

I am 145 on the mat

I have to fight and never give up in that sport

I always go past what I thought was my limit

I am an older brother

I always help my little sister and brother                                                                                                                                                                I will be an all-star player

On the soccer team

I will come in clutch and score many goals and save them too

Be the player that all want to have the ball an intense situation

On the mat

I will be a top 5 wrestler in my weight class

I will be undefeated and go to states and win

I will become a better reader and writer

I will be more mature and responsible

I will to get all 100’s in every class

I will just improve on everything and become a better person

 

I am from project by Steven Turner.

I am from Track

from the iPhone and the Air pods

I am from a house

from a lawn that grows extremely fast

I am from PlayStation and bed

From Turner and Wingfield

I am from love and happiness

From generosity

From affection

I am from happiness

I am from Steven and Marleigh

From pizza and burgers

From hard workers

and from learning

from hanging with my friends

I am from those moments where I have fun receive care, blessings, and food.

 

 

 

Where I’m From

By: Maxwell Cheng

 

I am from cooked grains of rice

From the UNO and Pokémon cards

I am from the tan walls of my home

Blank, boring,

Mostly quiet

I am from the rose bushes outside,

Red flowers with spiky thorns,

I’m from turkey just after Thanksgiving when it’s on sale and black, straight hair

From Anna and Avery

I’m from half-hearted Christmas decorations and math all day long

From “Keep doing math” and “Dinner’s ready”

I’m from atheism,

No divine forces,

I’m from North Carolina but truely Chinese

Rice,

Steak

From getting lost in the mall and wandering around for hours

The clingy fake friends,

The photos on a bookshelf,

The memories in giant binders from Preschool showing my favorite memories.

 

 

 

Sports Fever

Sarah Hendricks

I am a teen who sleeps in past 10

I am ponytails, sweatpants and big sweatshirts

I am a dog walker whose roommate is a 105-pound yellow lab

That steals my blankets

I am a freshman in high school

That stays up late studying knowing the next day I’ll be tired

I am a talkative outgoing person

Who makes sure you’re okay even when I’m not

I am an honors student who works to the best of my ability and hates to disappoint

I am a varsity starter on the field hockey team

Even though I had my doubts I’d make it

I am a softball player that’s been playing since the age of five

I am a catcher who dives for balls and isn’t afraid to get dirty

I am a 5’3 center in basketball that defends the paint as best I can

I am a BIG Penn State fan

Who not only loves the sports teams but dreams of attending college there

I am part of a family of three with no siblings

I am a hard worker and a competitive athlete

I am all about every sport except soccer, I hate it

I am not perfect and that’s okay

But I am me and that makes me unique

• Sarah Hendricks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another group of five…so truly themselves, so much a part of a larger theme…we are all from somewhere, something…each have our town take on that phrase.

 

 

Here are five more received during the winter break…They are such fine additions to our collection…thank you again for creating this welcoming space for so many..you poets!

Where I’m From

Saakshi Mishra

 

I am from fantasy books

From Pantene body works and Brittania biscuits

I am from the streets of lights and cars honking

Noisy and colorful

Like an annoying child

I am from holy basil/tulsi plants

Which smell like fresh greens and mint

I’m from stupid jokes and stubbornness

From Binu Mishra and Sanjay Mishra

From “Don’t waste your time” to “You better get an A”

I’m from multiple gods and deities, good and bad

with humble stories of good humanity and great powers

I’m from the electronic buzzing city of Bengaluru

And the North with extreme weather conditions and small huts

With dried mangoes in the heat, and tea in the cold

From laughing, talking and arguing

From the time where my brother locked himself in the room when he was 3 and couldn’t come out and someone had to climb the porch to get him.

The time when I was scared of swimming, and my dad would push me in the pool so I would learn to swim

From the purple photo album filled with joys and sadness of my life

From the stupid moments of yelling, to the loving moments of joy

From those box of memories hidden under the bed, with every sorrow and joy in it.

 

 

 

I am From-Srithanya Satish

 

 

I am from warm blankets wrapped around my body, shielding me from the bitter winter.

From nourishing Burt’s Bees lip balms and Target plastic jewelry.

I am from the cozy but busy apartment, well-lit, safe, with aromatic spices filling the air.

I am from fragrant roses in glass vases, vibrant in color with soft, curled petals and thorny stalks that always prick my fingers.

I’m from always taking our shoes off before entering households and humbling generosity.

From Praghya to Satish.

I’m from the pure ideology of being kind to everyone and having family movie nights every week.

From “Be grateful” and “What you sow is what you reap”.

I’m from praying to God every day and going to temples once a week,

To reflect on what we’ve done, and further disclose our hopes and dreams.

I’m from Albany New York, India, and Malaysia,

Flavorful Chicken biryani and tangy Chicken Tikka Masala.

From Great-grandfather fleeing the country and building a thriving food business.

The great determination of my Aunts and Mother, defying their family’s stereotypes and being the first generation of women to go to top-tier colleges.

Boxes of colorful, worn-out photo albums in the top racks of the office closet,

Our family possessions allow us to reminisce and cherish our memories together while we focus on making more.

 

 

 

Where I have Begun                                                                                     

By: IvoryAna Page- Holland                                            

I am from my bedroom,

From the fuzzy warm blankets and warm pajamas.

(While the wind is blowing outside)

I am from the Closet of my room were the

perfume is in beaded in all my clothes

with the lotion to match

I am from the box of my shoes

What I spend most of finding and

Buying them

I am from the nail shop where

I spent most of my time pampering my self

And hearing the filer spinning on my nail bed

And the nail polish being painted onto perfect

Shaped nails

I am from the halls of high school wondering

What I wanting to be when I leave this place

sitting in a law class hoping to become a lawyer

someday wondering if I will succeed in life if

Dreaming the big home, I hope to have someday

In return of the hard work

I am from the heart of my mother

Who hopes to live and see how successful?

I will become in my life time and

In her as well as she is the one who raised

From when I once was a baby till now

 

 

 

Shayna Walters

 

 

 

I will be small cafes

driven by the smell

of fresh ground coffee beans

surrounded by tired eyes

and fast typing fingers

 

I will be late nights

sitting at my wooden desk

eyes dancing with a textbook

as heavy as my bed

but somehow more expensive

 

I will be dishes piled in the sink

only eggs and butter in the fridge

without momma here to

remind me to clean up after myself

and eat a little something

 

I will be too much time on my hands

but somehow never enough

to hold onto old friendships

that were left behind

yet always time for new ones

 

I will be a stranger

now living with a stranger that could

either become the person i hate most

or a best friend for life

because there is no in between

 

 

 

Who am I Poem

Li Zhuocheng

 

I am from the capital of China

From tall brick buildings and rumbling pipes of the traffic

I am from a big white house

Old but pretty

I am from fireworks

From happiness and endless celebrations

Blasting in the sky

I am from pine trees

From large pine cones and pointy pine needles

falling on my house

I am from noodles

From white flour and soft dough

I am from farmers

From crops and giant farmland

Which provide us delicious foods

I am from middle school

From nerve wracking tests and unstable grades

Often heard from my parents

I am from horror movies

From scary ghosts and creepy zombies

I am from black hair and brown eyes

From my lovely mother and kind father

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another amazing group. we are receiving the richness of our lives through these poems. Thank you all that send them!

I’m Glad I come from

Ashlin Pfeifer Windborn

 

I’m glad I come from a father who told his stories of his many life experiences

Because now I seek adventure

I’m glad I come from determination,

Knowledge and passion

Because now I am an intelligent,

well-rounded person

I’m glad that I come from

loss and sadness

To recovery and calmness

Which is why I can always find

The light at the end of the tunnel

No matter what comes my way

I’m glad I come from empathy

Because now I have acceptance

For people who are not exactly like me

I’m glad I come from asking my dad a million questions

Because now I seek more knowledge

I’m glad I come from a family with

Many books, videogames, and instruments

Because now I am full of different interests

I’m glad I come from hecticness

Because now I can enjoy the peace

Of being alone

I’m glad that I am who I am today

Whose aroma attracted butterflies from all around.

 

Where I Am From

by: Aditya

I am from those wide varieties of traditions, who used to sit together and eat at those huge dining tables.

I am from my messy rooms, where I used to play on my “tennis for two” video game.

I am from the long lines on my house’s tennis court where I loved to play tennis with my dad.

I am from tiny aisles at my school’s library, where I used to sit and read books for hours with my besties

I am from the heart of my obsolete friends, when we used to do mischief and used to name it on others.

I am from my silent car, where I used to sit on baby seats,with my sister sitting beside me and my dad driving the car at 80, and my mom telling him to slow down.

I am from those smelly classrooms at school that me and my friends used to bear each day.

I am from those Netflix movies that we used to watch till 1:00, not caring about school next day

And I am from the unfilled diary that I always wanted to fill someday.

 

Enrique Barreto

I am in the trenches

I am in my 3-point stance

I hear “SET HUT!” ball is snapped

I am in the game on first and ten

I am in first period 8 more to go

I am feeling like this day will take forever

Two more periods go by and I am already over it

The end of the day is here walking home alone

I open the door I am greeted by happy dogs

I go sit down and hear the bing of the ps4

I get on madden and just play till I get tired of it

I see my mom pull up in front of the house

I help her clean and make food

I am in the middle of the day and my dad gets home

I greet him at the front door

I eat dinner with the family

I go and take a nice warm shower

I get ready for bed

I am in the trenches

 

 

I am From by Eric Bann

I am from the messy desk stacked with library books

I am from the two-story house with a missing shutter

Warm, noisy,

Smell of wild dog

I am from the grassy front yard

Green, tall grass, swing set falling down

I’m from buying a Christmas tree on Black Friday

From overpriced trips to Disney, aka Taxman Town

I’m from the blue, British police box that’s bigger on the inside known as the TARDIS, and from the fictional, British castle of magic known as Hogwarts

From “Fix shutter!” and “That’s enough hiding in your room.”

I’m from the furballs from Crookshanks, Luna, and Bandit

I’m from a small apartment in Cary

Nothing special for dinner

From the camera my great-grandmother used to illegally take pictures of Red Square

 

 

Eric Esworthy

I am from baseball practices in the rain,

from Under Armor and Nike.

I am from the tall sunflower in my backyard.

I am from the butterfly bush on the side of my old house,

Whose aroma attracted butterflies from all around.

I am from sprinkles and teddy bear,

from the lightning McQueen to red power ranger.

I am from raisin bread and lucky charms,

hot dogs and cheeseburgers,

chocolate milk and lemonade.

From Sunday mornings watching Beyblade and Sunday afternoons watching football.

From Mario kart and MLB the Show,

to baseball and basketball.

From thanksgiving turkey to Easter candy.

I am from 100 reps off the tee to my first homerun.

I am from those pressure moments where I’ve failed and succeeded.

I am from the Harrisburg hospital in which I was born and Susquehanna township I witch I was raised.

I am from the runs on hot days and runs on cold days,

from first place and last place,

to failures and successes.

From Xbox 360 and PlayStation 4

to dubs with boys on Saturday nights.

From big wins in the summer to winter workouts.

From orioles’ games and ravens’ games.

From all the things that made me into the person that I am today.

Armor and Nike.

I am from the tall sunflower in my backyard.

I am from the butterfly bush on the side of my old house,

Whose aroma attracted butterflies from all around.

I am from sprinkles and teddy bear,

from the lightning McQueen to red power ranger.

I am from raisin bread and lucky charms,

hot dogs and cheeseburgers,

chocolate milk and lemonade.

From Sunday mornings watching Beyblade and Sunday afternoons watching football.

From Mario kart and MLB the Show,

to baseball and basketball.

From thanksgiving turkey to Easter candy.

I am from 100 reps off the tee to my first homerun.

I am  those pressure moments where I’ve failed and succeeded.

I am from the Harrisburg hospital in which I was born and Susquehanna township I witch I was raised.

I am from the runs on hot days and runs on cold days,

from first place and last place,

to failures and successes.

From Xbox 360 and PlayStation 4

to dubs with boys on Saturday nights.

From big wins in the summer to winter workouts.

From orioles’ games and ravens’ games.

From all the things that made me into the person that I am today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are five new poems that have arrived in December. All unique. All powerful. will be posting in groups of five over the next weeks.

Where I’m From

Rebecca Keiter

 

I am from snow globes,

From howling winds and glistering skies

I am from fresh grass leftovers from a lawn-mowed field

(Although I’ve never tasted them)

I am from behind the scenes

The spotlights

Pointing at another

As though I didn’t matter

I am from bushes and thunderstorms

From diverse knowledge and cryptic ideals

I am from prayers and churches filled with enlightenment

From “Suck it up!” and “Brush it off!”

I am from wheat fields and layers of hasty crops

Where space was extinct and walking was dangerous

I am from vivid events and peanut butter and marshmallow sandwiches

From spicy herb tea

I am from ocean breezes and school dances

Anywhere I could express remorse

From the mountain tops of the highest pillar

And the painted nails my mother renewed every week

In a jar I’ve kept

Memories from a distant future

Being carried away by a gentle wind swirling in the sky

Gently flying, but still gracious

I was caught inside of these moments

A quick second as though it seems

Taken quickly by a generation of reincarnation

Destined to discover

The life that has been given to me.

 

 

 

Jenna Crummel

 

I am going from a teenager

To a mature young adult

I am going from a learner’s permit

To a licensed driver

I am going from a high school student

To a college student

I am going from a McDonalds employee

To a target associate

I am going from a walker

To a runner

I am going from fast food

To a healthy diet

I am going from roller-skating

To ice skating

I am going from short stories

To long novels

I am going from sadness

To happiness

I am going from constant fighting

To peacefulness

I am going from shy

To a social butterfly

I am going from good

To absolute greatness

This is me

 

 

I Will be

 

Shayna Walters
I will be small cafes

driven by the smell

of fresh ground coffee beans

surrounded by tired eyes

and fast typing fingers

 

I will be late nights

sitting at my wooden desk

eyes dancing with a textbook

as heavy as my bed

but somehow more expensive

 

I will be dishes piled in the sink

only eggs and butter in the fridge

without momma here to

remind me to clean up after myself

and eat a little something

 

I will be too much time on my hands

but somehow never enough

to hold onto old friendships

that were left behind

yet always time for new ones

 

I will be a stranger

now living with a stranger that could

either become the person i hate most

or a best friend for life

because there is no in between

 

Here

Tamir Mosley

I am the baby grand piano that’s strings are out of tune,

It’s polish wearing off after years of sitting and collecting dust.

I am the giant wall mirror that stayed in its position,

Watching the children of the house grow and have more children.

I am here, ever present, yet, gone.

 

I am the superhero blanket under the bed,

Still beaming bright colors of action and heroism.

I am the violin reminiscing 4^th grade recitals and concerts,

Understanding that its child went to cello and I’m long forgotten.

I am the wardrobe who’s seen, heard, and felt everything in privacy.

 

I am the towering giant, grand in size and priceless,

Watching over the city, my golden nature beaming royalty and regal.

I am broken memories of the bridge, washed away by ice,

Forgotten and molding under the surface of the river.

I am here, regal in size, and forgotten in memory.

 

I am the stand of four, largest in size,

I connect you along with the other three, and I’ve seen this city change over years.

I am the purple slide kids play on,

With the plastic spider crawling around, giving excitement and thrill.

I am the connection, landmark, and enjoyment.

 

I am the aging bass drum in the closet,

Whose rims are warping, unable to hold my shape for long.

I am the box, watching different sports and groups take the field,

Each year it’s someone gone, and someone new.

I am the aging of new and old, white and symbolic.

 

I am here, ever present, I’ve seen, heard, and felt things.

I am here, regal in size, forgotten in memory, a landmark, yet forgotten under the waves.

I am aging, yet symbolic.

 

I am

Cayden A. Behney

From Outside To Inside

I am from games

From online or board

I am from anime and cartoons

I am from weekly chores

And from outdoor projects

Whose come from Christianity

But no as much anymore

I am a lazy procrastinator

I went from an outside to an inside guy

From swimming to videogames

From super skinny to average weight

I am from blonde hair and blue eyes

From Dutch and German
I am from family dinners
And from homemade food

From family gathering on holidays

And Christmas gift parties.

 

Another I am From theme poem…this time music…fine way to use this form!

I am from music,

from Bach and Shostakovich.

I am from the symphony.

Appassionato, pesante,

but usually sounding more like screeching than music.

I’m from missing the shift during a scale

and playing the entire scale with first finger.

From the conductor failing to sing a passage

and the conductor angrily beating the baton against her music stand.

From “practice more”

and “you’re doing it wrong”.

From the viola section constantly screeching,

and the piccolos annoyingly blaring.

 

By Joshua Kendall

 

 

 

Here is another unusual way of creating a life story through a long I Am From poem. Wonderful!

Where Am I From?

by Nicole

I am from the crevices of the dark, cool, night and the secrets it has held. I run and scream, frolicking around my backyard, happy to be so free. I am from the venturous, the smart. The creative and ambitious. These animals inside me power me to venture past the darkness into a kingdom known only to those who dare to believe.

I am from the pink and purple topped trees that paint the landscape of my kingdom. I am from the lands of diversity and magic; the lands where dreams come true. The roars of dragons are heard throughout the world and I call back with foreign friends by my side.

I am from the precious moments of childhood. From the happy-filled times of glee and carefree behavior. Nothing matters. I see a hand. I don’t know where that’s from but it takes me.

I never said good-bye.

I am from the troublesome world of middle school. From the finish line of the first part of my life. Everywhere I look, the texture of fleshy skin surrounds me, suffocating me, blinding me. I haven’t heard a dragon’s roar in years.

The world I am truly from is shielded by where others are from. Where she is from, where he is from, where I’m supposed to be from. I scream out a call to my kingdom, my home, but the hand blocks the sound. I don’t know where I’m from now.

I was from a world of beauty. I was from nature’s hidden secret. Imagination ruled my world and was the answer to unanswered questions. I was from a world of freedom. A world of peace.

I collapse and cry. I hug my knees and wail over the precious moments I lost. Over the kingdoms I used to rule. I know even if I escape this treacherous world, it won’t be the same. The hand has changed me.

I am from a world of loss, of struggle. Tears flow down my face, grieving for a thing that everyone else calls trivial and unimportant. I am from a world of depression, a world of no light. My hands tremble and my face wrinkles. I glance up only to see another persecutor coming to sit on me. My back aches to give up, to let the cruel world take over me. But I can’t give up that pleasant, carefree, sunshine that brightened the luscious green grass of happiness.

Sighing, I close my eyes and fight. I picture the world where I am from. I fight back the world’s overbearing beat of was was was.

I am am am from the carved wooden walls of an elf’s home. Heirlooms line the mantle above the fireplace and I remember the epic stories of how each was obtained.

I am am am from the wind. It whistles in my ears, so much that it tickles. The majestic scales of the flaming orange dragon I ride glimmer from the sun’s abundant rays in a way that reminds me of a starry night sky. Releasing my hands from the saddle I scream in glee. The force of the wind almost knocks me off and I quickly cling to the dragon, my nerves tingling from the excitement of fear.

I am am am from the soft, mossy, blankets that cover my tired out body. Its feel makes me sink into the mattress and my whole body revolts against me if I try to leave. The fluffy pillow provides a cushion to scream in glee at the amazing, unbelievable day. Feathers seem to erupt from the case the fly around, powered by my love of life, of adventure.

I lift my head and stand. The prosecutors fall off, disappearing into oblivion before they hit the ground. They won’t bother me anymore.

Memories flow through me, power me, and force me to realize that I am not from this world. I’m not from her world or his world. I am from my world. My world.

Anger and hope and memories surge through my veins as I force back the big, greasy, fingers that have held me captive. I stumble forward from the effort and fall down back into my home.

Once I land, I take my first look at my beautiful kingdom in years. It is just as glorious as I remember it, with dragons soaring in the distance flying north. Magic is in the air and it pulses through my veins. The air is crisp and clean and as I breathe it in, my whole body tingles with satisfaction. I am home.

But at a second glance, my world is not the same and it makes me sorrowful. There is some sort of tense purpose of it now as if the world knows the pressure of having to make a living in the future. The hand made sure of that. The hand made sure of a lot of things.

Realizing this, I knew I have matured. I have grown and I have realized the world is bigger than just my childhood fantasies.

The reason I was sorrowful was knowing that while I was back in the place of my childhood, my true home, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to play with the animals or sing with the elves at leisure. Something else mattered.

But as I knew this, I also knew I was lucky. Most died in the hand with their dreams crushed.

There was a balance. A balance between life and enjoyment. Now, it was time to start life, to forge my own path.

I suddenly stumbled trying to keep my balance, as a platform appeared at my feet. It raised me up, away from my kingdom. I stood in awe and excited fright as I was raised past the fluffy white clouds and into the bright blue sky. Above the clouds, dragons dove in and out of the white floor. Looking around, I knew this platform was also the hand. Just a different, less disciplinary form.

I knew I could jump if I wanted to. I knew that I could return to the bountiful lands of enjoyment in my kingdom. I could bask in the sun’s rays on the beach, and ride dolphins into the sunset. All I had to do was jump.

But this is life. I had to do something with it. I am no longer a child. I’m an adult.

I whispered good-bye to my kingdom even though I knew I could visit it anytime I wanted to. It was the land I was from. You can’t ever turn away from it.

My kingdom was boosting me up, letting me go. Without it, I knew I wouldn’t be raising up into the future. You need the place where you’re from to boost you into your future. It is your roots.

A bright, futuristic light was approaching. I stopped looking down and peered up. I was ready. I didn’t know where I was going, but as I sprouted from the stem that grew from my kingdom, I came to a firm conclusion that as long as I remembered where I came from, I wouldn’t ever be lost.

I am from a firm ground that supports my decisions. It helps me to dream, achieve, and boost me up when I’m down. I won’t lose sight of my childhood, of my kingdom, of my dreams because if I lose where I’m from I am nothing. Where I’m from never changes. Only the future does. Where I’m from is my roots. It is the start of my future. When the world falls apart, it is the only thing you can rely on. So grasp it tightly, savor the memories, and continue on with life.

Once strong roots are planted, nothing can destroy them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A new one that has a theme to it…musical, mathematical, computing…!

I Am From

by Aaron

I am from programming on the modern computers,

From the code.org, Python, HTML, and Visual Basic

My teacher teaching I.T. to me,

I want to be in the world of programs.

I am from 3.14 and pre-calc,

From variables, algebra, factoring, functions, exponents, triangles, sines, cosines, and tangents.

What I learned in a stressful math class.

I want to be in the world of mathematics.

I am from treble clef, bass clef, musical notes, and scales.

From black and white rectangular keys and music theory.

And the beautiful, emotional songs I learn

And the melodies, scales, chords, and harmonies I practiced creating.

I want to be in the musical world.

 

 

 

 

Here are two poems just arrived…and they are welcome and lovely…again, each of us has this story within us. Thank you Kieran and Vivek!

 

I am from decorations

that fill the entire

house giving the illusion that

we live in a holiday store.

I am from cans of black beans

and warm pots of chili.

I am from the constant feeling

of feeling rushed, while

in the hurry to be at

three places at once.

I am from the smells of cookies

and brownies all year long,

but the smell of pumpkin

in the fall.

I am from the smell of

dirty knee pads and the

surprise of finding granola bars

in my sports bag.

I am from the herbs in

my backyard and

the flowers on my old

peach and plum trees.

I am from the phrase of having

F-U-N even when

everything is going wrong.

I am from crispy dino nuggets

at nine pm and

Annie’s shell mac and

cheese.

I am from the question of

where did that bruise come from?

And the constant feel of floor burns.

I am from the feeling of road trips

and its constant tumble of suitcases

and the mix of Dorito bags,

pretzels, and goldfish.

I am from the groans of my dad

when my mom comes home

with more decorations for the holidays.

I am from smiles and

my back becoming sore from

laughing so I hard I can

barely breathe.

Among the walls, and within

our camera rolls

you will find just,

where I am from.

 

Thank you! – Kieran

 

 

Where I’m From

I am from a two-story wooden house,

with a basement that has all the games one can imagine.

Foosball, Table Tennis, Giant Jenga,

Treating our unfinished basement as a playground.

I am from the one-acre plot of land in our backyard,

where my sister used to read me stories under an oak tree.

I am from the weekly Buffalo Wild Wings visits,

as I used to get my three wings and a scoop of ice-cream for free.

I am from the cold north,

where winter jackets became a necessity.

I am from my grandparents’ house,

which I long to visit more than once every two years.

I am from a tennis court

where the weekly classes became an obsession.

I am from the neighborhood kids squad,

where we used to meet/play daily at the cul-de-sac.

Bicycle races, s’mores parties, and lemonade stands

are few of the amazing things we’ve experienced.

I am from our two cars, Pacifica And Camry

as my passion for automobiles became an epidemic.

I am from the books of Harry Potter,

reading to my heart’s content.

 

By Vivek Indlamuri

 

 

 

 

 

Three beautiful poems…which show us why these three words, I Am From, can tell us so much about who we are, all of us.

These are by Ariana, Daphne and Erika from  Shawna Norton’s Class and the Susan O’Dell Taylor School, in Troy New York.

 

I am From

Ariana

i am from song,
from voices i found.
voices that strangled my fears, and grew in my heart.

i am from walls.
walls that hold laughs,
and carry cabinets of memories.
pots and pans, soup
and rice, and the love in my house stem from the power in those walls.

i come from rugs of dirt
and dog hair, couches with crushed cushions.
a wagging tail in front of me,
and a sleeping dog beside me swaddled in a blanket.

i come from books i’ve forgotten i read, the stories gone from my growing ears. pens and pencils fascinate me now, but not like books do.

i am from ladles, scooping
warmth and love into my before empty bowl. i taste the hours of cooking,
the pounds of compassion in my spoon.

i come from family and friends,
and aunts that aren’t mine,
sisters that are and friends i may have never met. i am from those around me, with me, and
gone from my life.

 

 

I Am From

Daphne

I am from hydrangeas and peonies in my mom’s small garden, Bricks and vinyl siding,
The guitars and drums my father used to play,
His old, thread-bare hats,

Worn by my sister,
Real and fake wood floors,
From Eugenie,
My middle-namesake,
Who I’ve never met,
From Waterford, Troy, and Catskill,
My mom’s famous mac n’ cheese
From the guy who fell off the Mayflower, Which explains how I’m so clumsy,
From runners and guitarists and nurses, The corn seed my sister and I planted, Whicha​ lmost​sprouted,
The Alegreya font no-one else seems to use,

And the common sense none of my friends seem to have’ From the fantasy worlds I dream in the daytime,
And the tarot cards I try to read,
The untitled documents of stories and poems I’ve yet to write, The books laying on my floor I’ve read 1 million times, Dreaming of finding my own adventure,

From the pictures I draw and the tears I cry, From the deflated volleyball I practice with, From the stars in the sky,
Made of wishes and dreams,

The ponytail and red round glasses I wear every day, And the doodles in my notebooks,
From the school I want to go to,
Same as my grandma, aunt, and sister,

I am from then and now,
From the memories I haven’t made yet, The places I haven’t gone yet,
And everywhere else.

 

 

I AM ERIKA

I come from war,
And hard times.
I come from taken homes,
And trains overflowing with people. I come from concentration camps, And slop.
I come from war.

I am from Harry Potter, And history.
I am from black beans and rice, And Kitchenaids.
I am from Kraftm cabinets, And fresh Troy air.
I am from Harry Potter.

I am from Great Ohio Bike Adventure,
And soft serve vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles. I am from Nike soccer balls,
And Speedo bathing suits.
I am from yards filled with green grass,
And 30ft swing.
I am from Great Ohio Bike Adventure.

I am from Grandpa’s laugh, And Magnolia’s voice.
I am from Gavin’s sarcasm, And Mom’s sweet smell.

Erika

I am from Dad’s kindness, And Sammie’s wagging tail. I am from Grandpa’s laugh.

I am Ukraine, And Germany. I am Poland, And Slovakia. I am Scotland, And America. I am Ukraine.

I am my mother, And my father.
I am my Grandfather, And my grandmother. I am my Aunts, And my Uncles.

I am Erika.

 

 

 

 

 

The beautiful variety of these poems never fails to amaze.

I Am From

Leiya Cruz

i am from sunrises.

from a shade of red,

the kind that makes you think of danger yet desperately tempts you to explore its beauty.

i am from shattered glass.

i wish i wasn’t but how else would they carve their brand into the tree we once admired so dearly.

(dry,small, curved yet the most beautiful there)

i am from division.

from a house that doesn’t look lived in,

when the cobwebs took up more space than the vibrations of my own fathers voice.

i am from pictures that leave out a face.

from that invisible entity that floats in the space.

the glass angels.

placed so meticulously on the highest shelf.

the highest shelf,

out of all the places they could’ve been.

i am from detachment.

a fill in the blank,

a void desiring to be full

a question with no solution.

i am from thunder.

counting from miles away yet still unpredictable.

from waiting for the storm to come.

i idolize thunder for never being listened to but only heard,

yet people pay attention everytime it speaks because it’s “unique”.

i idolize thunder because it reminds me of myself.

i am thunder.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A fine new way of creating an I Am From poem…!

From Books

Jake Williams

 

I flunked second grade; Teacher said

“Jacob daydreams and does not read.”

My days since have been packed

with insights gleaned from

thousands of pages

to help me know

for certain

I’m from

books.

 

 

Two new ones…the fall is rolling along. We have almost 400 I Am From poems now!

 

I am from

Jordan Rudd

I am from 4879

From a PS2 and Xbox

I am from Home Sweet Home

The Big White House

I am from Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

Whose kept me at peace

I am from VHS to DVD’S

From Rudd to Weeks

I am Goofy and strong-willed

I come from Virtue

And from Loss

I am from a suffering Africa

From Granddads and Grandmothers

From “soul food” to Culinary feats

From Slavery to Renaissance

And from the music you listen too!

The visual arts by yours truely

I am, from those moments, 4879

 

 

Skip Carmichael

10 October 2019

 

I am From

I am from LEGO City Creations,

from sweaty Oakley sunglasses,

I am from a constantly changing climate,

and a hotel of a home,

I am from wish making dandelions,

whose flying seeds told our future,

I am from cheap guitars bought with allowance and Wii games,

from Skipper, and Addy,

I am from the Disney regulars,

from the endurance loving, endorphin craving runners,

I am from scrapes and careless playground injuries,

I am from the New Jersey State Gardener and a four time Vietnam veteran,

from homemade burgers and tacos,

from kidney cancer,

and from recessive Alzheimer’s disease,

My first race medal,

I am from those moments of perseverance through adversity that make my life complete.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A marvelous class poem …each student chose their favorite line and they put them all together into one sweet I Am From…

Where I’m From

Fall, 2019 SEEDs Class

Sent in by Juliea Wachowski

(Inspired by George Ella Lyon)

 

I am from the Great Divide,
the brick that brought MLK to his knees, the neighbors, friends and family who stood with brick throwers,

and went with hate instead of love.

I am from giant boxes of irresistible cereal,

unearthing its contents for a toy.

I am from herbs, spices, lamb, veggies, rice—

Lots of rice.

But now, bread.

I am from napkins on the plate

to hide the food not eaten.

I am from wringer washing machines, rising tubs, and

sheets that smell like the great outdoors.

I am from softball in the backyard,

with the long dash to first base,

the weeping willow, parting a curtain

to run through.

I am from a big, tall, dusty, rocky, beautiful,

perfect cone.

Volcano city.

I am from wishful dreams

and prayer time.

I am from The Tree of Heaven.

 

 

 

 

 

Two more wonderful poems from Danny and Duke have come in this weekend. Read, find fun and hope and delight!

I AM FROM A HOUSE IN FLORIDA.

BY DANNY ARENCIBIA.

I am from a memory foam bed,

from my captain purple bear and my blue blanky.

I am from a two story home,

and a stable household.

I am from a fruit producing banana tree

who gives us nourishment.

I am from a red bike and an Xbox 360,

from Arencibia and Ponce de Leon.

I am from short and poor eyesight family,

and from a shyness to people,

from engineering.

I am from Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

I am from a sailor and a soldier,

from tostones and coffee,

from Cuban Missile Crisis,

and from a farmer’s life.

I fell off a bike because a dog scared me and I broke my arm.

I am from those moments a memory foam queen bed.

 

 

I am from

Duke VanWyn

I am from my bear blanket

From a game boy and a tv

I am from a play house

And a peaceful place

I am from an oak tree

Whose branches are strong as hell

I am from toy cars and the computer

From Adamec and Barrett

I am from short and tall people

And from junkies

And druggies

I am from Ching Chong dong

I am from mystery and mystery

From spaghetti and edibles

From mystery

And mystery

And the conjuring

I am from those moments that make me who I am

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a powerful poem from Joshua Hopkins, with rhythm and color and honesty.

 

I am From a Cardinal

I am from a flying red cardinal, white light surrounds

From a baby blue blanket draped over light clouds

I am from an old window into a smiling bright home

And the cracks in that window, where kids feel alone

I am from dandelions floating, in front of my eyes

Whose seeds kiss my cheeks, caressed by red lies

I am from a book worn from use, torn bits on each page

I am from Nolen and Acre.

 

I am from perfectionism, elitism

Their divide; a Great Schism

From things at mind odd

Refutation of God

I am from Kim and Gayle.

–

–

I am from simple dinners, bought at the store

From a woman of the law

From a grandmother of family

I am from the world that has birthed me

And from all these moments, I am Me.

 

I AM FROM TRADITION & THE KITCHEN

From Edgreg Chandler

I am from matching sets of dishes

From pineapple and fresh linen Yankee Candles

I am from a cul-de-sac in Alabama

And a huge backyard with a garden and homemade tree house

I am from freshly grown tomatoes and cucumbers

Whose growth gave my mom joy

 

I am from Barbie doll collections and ear-shattering BB guns

From Chandlers and Williams

I am from tradition and the kitchen

And from family reunions and yearly Christmas dinners

From planned Easter egg hunts

I am from faith in Christianity

I am from Christine and Benjamin Eaton

 

From fallen pecans and the blissful scent of homemade strawberry shortcake

From playing sports in high school

And from breast cancer survivors

From riding dirt bikes and driving toy motorboats in the lake

I am from tradition, love, and the kitchen.

 

Where I’m From

By: Isabella Douglas

 

I am from the tallest wooden shelf with miles stretched across up and down of books to read

From grandma soup and enchiladas wafting through the open doors

I am from cool, crisp white snow

And snow angels, snowmen, and snowball fights

I am from the tallest oak tree

Whose autumn leaves have fallen down the majestic sculpture as Winter comes

I am from board games and Uno and movie nights

From pumpkins and potatoes

I am from same first names and last

And from loud voices who talk with their hands

From open windows and splashes from the swimming pool

From long games of tag and football in the late hours of the night

I am from La Virgen de Guadalupe

I am from my grandma who raised me

From pot pie and steak

From military moves

And from best friend goodbyes

Long homework nights and sibling fights

I am from these moments of stories, stretched far and wide, my bookshelf growing for

these memories of mine

 

 

I Am From Twin Tigers

By Lexi Fuertes

I am from the clap of toy horse hooves on tile

From two yellow guppies, each fleet as a wink

 

I am from dust motes that float under harsh light

Swim slow past the mighty sprawl of the window

 

I am from a nomad, set roots down unbidden

Its petals were yellow, an old smoker’s teeth

 

I am from twin tigers; one ice, one oasis

From strength and from valley, a storm-swollen stream

 

I am from yellow ground and from where mountains lie

From tangles untamable, taken in stride

 

I am from the loud sour of apples devoured

From mouse-talk and birdsong, a forest alive

 

I am from the old folks who crossed snarling sea

From rice they cooked yellow, from custard so sweet

 

From sand that is shifting and sliding and swirling

From sand that is sun-kissed and tickling feet

 

I am from all those moments smoke swallows the sky, but still sparks will not die

They’re too yellow

 

 

 

Here is a  another individual poem…our voices are infinite..

I am From

By: Jamie Koopman

 

I am from creaky wooden stairs

From Barney birthday blasts and building snowmen

I am from the loud come-in-anytime corner house

And squat ceilings and scrawny walls

I am from fresh apple orchards

Graceful, beautiful, and strong

I am from beanie babies and a succession of Easy Bake ovens

From K-man and Koop

I am from stubborn needy nonnas and New York sass

And from falling head first down a ski slope

From giggles and tears

I am from holiday horrors

I am from Aunt Beth, Noah, and Fisher

From latkes and gnocchi

From the Holocaust

And from weekend road trips or catching catfish in gutters

I am from those moments of falling down stairs, tripping over air, and ultimate games of hide-and-seek that have shaped me to be me.

 

 

A new one from Imani. What a family we all are together in this country.

Imani

I Am From Everywhere and Nowhere

 

I am from my many stuffed animals

From the GameCube to the Nintendo DSi

I am from this place, that place, here and there

I am from busy streets and sunny suburbs

I am from the wonderful wise Willow tree

whose branches birthed my immense imagination

I am from tap shoes and an electronic keyboard

From Marshall and Hall

I am from always absent and addiction

And from never speaking to each other

From pretending to like each other

I am from “the tongue is a creative force, so watch what you say”

I am from Granny and Aunt Evelyn

From sweet-smelling orange yams and super-salty pieces of ham

From coming to America

And from going to the Big Apple

Staying up past bedtime, playing Minecraft and drawing ponies

I am from these moments, although not all have been divine

That I am who I am today

 

 

Here is a collection of poems from one class in North Carolina…I kept them all together so you can feel a kind of rhythm of the class itself as they send their voices out into the world. What a gift. Included are two Where I Am Going poems too!

Poems from: Catherine, Victor, Eliana, K.C.,Colin, Sadhana, Eric, Varsha, Chase, Mary, Max, Riya!

I am From

Catherine

I am from the cheap, minty floss,

from latex gloves and Erlenmeyer flasks

I am from the echoes of my home, the hard wood, which I scratched up with a turnboard.

From the the dead pines lying on the small playground, the great resource to pass the time

I’m from chopsticks and tongs,

from they say they will but do not.

I am from the suburbs of the south,

from two different sides of the world.

I’m from two different ways of living,

and that is something that is unchangeable

 

 

I Am From

by Victor

I am from Hong Kong

I am from the hammer in Donkey Kong

I am from the ghosts in Pac-Man

I am from the Made In China symbol

I am from the burritos at Chipotle

I am from the chicken sandwiches at Popeyes

I am from the default skin in Fortnite

I am from Lifeline in Apex Legends

I am from Steve in Minecraft

I am from the chicken minis at Chick-Fil-A

I am from the amazing name Victor

I am from the shoes at the store

 

I Am From          by Eliana

I am from the world globe of all the places I have traveled.

I am from Tux is a puppy that acts like a monkey.

I am from a messy art piece,splashy cool water, and beautiful slow music.

I am from Vera’s nice voice, Saanvi’s smart thoughts, and Anya’s crazy ideas.

I am from Tux’s cute face, Tux’s crazy chicken rolls, and Tux’s loud squeak.

I am from Riya’s Harry Potter party.

I am from blue wet water and soothing great dance moves.

I am from green cooked cobra.

I am from bright sparkly saris.

I am from my childhood years pronouncing okra “cobra”.I am from the biggest sleepover watching movies.

I am from beautiful Diwali festivals.

 

I Am From

K.C.

I am from the splashing water at TAC

From the cool waters at the beach

I am from the kindness and laughter of my friends

From the busy shouting at the pool every day

I am from Monopoly that people always cheat in

From my habits of being competitive in sports

From the food and the long lines at Olive Garden

I am from the mythical demigods and gods in Percy Jackson

From the stories of the people that surround me everyday

I am from the moments that make me me

From the people that came and never left my side

 

I Am From

by Colin

I am from sharp yellow thingies called pencils

From chicken and Pokemon

I am from the nice, white, small house

I am from hickory wood, pretty yet poisonous

I am from Chinese festivals and saying bad phrases

I’m from Qianli and Xu

From “dog poop” and “shut up”

I’m from Durham and China and

Dragon fruit and bread

From the moon lady who floated to the moon

The weird place of Beijing

And the nutrition of things

 

Where I’m Going

Sadhana

I’m going to sunsets and sunrises reflecting off the deep blue ocean,

I’m going to a sea of good decisions and bad ones,

I’m going to burying my feet into the warm comforting sand,

I’m going to the ocean breeze putting my mind at ease,

I’m going to happiness coming in waves,

I’m going to long quiet walks on the beach,

I’m going to bare feet and salty hair,

I’m going to sand in my shoes and seashells in my pocket,

I’m going to having only sunshine on my mind,

I’m going to a bucket full of memories,

I’m going to palm trees and eighty degrees,

I’m going to high tides and good vibes,

I’m going to dream higher than the sky and deeper than the ocean

Wherever I’m going, I’ll leave a path of seashells behind me

 

I Am From

Eric

I am from my watch I wear every day.

From Nike and Under Armour.

I am from the garden in my backyard where my grandpa grows vegetables.

I am from the thorny rose plants at the front of our house where I pricked my finger on a thorn.

I’m from Chinese New Year and Ping-pong.

From Yong and Xiaolin.

I’m from the “Work hard” and the “Read books”.

From “Turn on the lights when you read!” and “Go To Bed!”

I’m from Apex and Anhui, warm white rice and chicken noodle soup.

From the house my mom lived in that didn’t have air conditioning or heating.

The bucket my dad almost drowned and died in.

In my living room on the shelf and in the photo album are pictures that remind me of all of the happy times in my life.

 

I Am From

Varsha Sriram

I am from Samsung and Hotstar

I am from the chipped white pillars and the one creak on a step

The coziness of the dim light, and the cold feet on hard floor.

I am from the roses, bright, red, light pink, and full of thorns

I’m from the lights of Diwali and having board game night

From Kavya and Amma

I’m from the Tamil(Indian language) lessons and yoga classes

I am from music get togethers

From just relax

I’m from Hinduism and Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva

From India and Bangalore

I am from puris and dosas (Indian food)

From the time we searched for a parking lot for hours and got lost

The times when my dad got lost in the world of singing

From family moments, and singing, dancing, and instrument playing

I’m from the display of my great grandma’s Indian dolls

I am from my fun birthday and Christmas with a bright star and a big tree

I am from my friends, family, and me

 

Where I’m From

By: Chase Thompson

I am from my bed

From Target and Amazon

I am from the grass from my backyard

Green, waving

I am as healthy as I can be

I am from the roots under the ground

Whose leaves left me

But stays strong

So sturdy like a stubborn knee

I am from Christmas

From dark brown eyes

From mother and father

I’m from smart to dumb

From good job! To work harder!

I’m from ice cream

The sweet and savory taste

From bursts of flavors

I’m from Virginia and South Carolina

I’m from games to school

From A’s to F’s

From the success to mistakes

From cities to towns

These moments have made up my life

And I will not regret them

 

I am from

Mary

I am from electronics,from Sketchers and Samsung too.

From the neighborhood of Cahaba Way of the kindness, and of kids, of the quiet.

I am from the beautiful rose bushes, the thorny but pretty flowers.

I’m from family time and the beach.

I’m from my mother, Tina and my father, Paul.

I am from the teamwork from my family.

I am from the mac and cheese I grew up on.

And Pennsylvania where my family sprouted.

From the things my grandmother used to tell me.

The patience my Aunt doesn’t have.

The necklace my friends gave me.

 

Where I’m From

By: Ipsi Vasipalli

I am from blankies,

For keeping me warm

(Bright, Disgusting,

It was a very vibrant pink)

I am from salad with Italian dressing

With a lot of spinach and celery, but no onions

I am from Sushi Boi,

The love of my life, whom I learned the real name of like a week ago

I am from Todoroki

My Husobando who belongs to me and only me

I am from Alan

You’re annoying, but my K-pop friend

I am from my crackhead behavior

I am from boba

My mom hated you, but you’re delicious

I am from Nimi,

I hate you

I am from Violet,

Thanks for introducing me to K-pop and BTS

I am from sadness

It feels great when I overcome you

I am from Music,

Something that I can always rely on

I am from Water Sheep

RIP, man

I am from Motherness,

For screaming at me to clean my room,

I am from Shane,

The six months is worth the wait,

I am from everyone,

You’ve somehow impacted me one way or another

 

I am from poem

by Max

I am from the cold winter nights snuggled with my dog,

From the movies and tv we would watch by the fire,

I am from the music that we would listen to on family trips, and the songs that I would spin out on the piano.

I am from the special food that our family would eat together,

The special vacations that we would go on together,

so memorable that I feel like I am still there.

I am from the holidays we would celebrate together,

and the food we would eat.

I am from home, where I will always feel safe, and warm

 

Where I’m Going

Riya

 

I am going to live next door to my best friend

I am going to Netflix and Keeper Of The Lost Cities

I am going to the granite counters and the long leather couches

I am going to sparkly teal glasses, an adorable pet dog named Sunshine, and a palatial mansion

I am going to a garden, huge with fountains and rose bushes with no thorns

I am going to Diwali and visiting my family in India

Going to Mom and Dad

I’m going to bad eyesight and being exceptionally smart

To the paparazzi and the cameras that will DEFINITELY be swarming around my house

Going to INDIA,

And all the fun celebrations we get to do there

Going to Mountain View, California

Going to dosa,

And chutney

I am Going to the long life that awaits ahead of me PATIENTLY(It has to be, growing up takes SOOO long)

The vast void of nothingness that no one knows anything about

I am Going to the whole big world that surrounds me

Going to the adventure that is waiting for me to come explore

 

 

 

Thank you, Leslie Serra for this new poem. It explores the complexity of our lives, our histories.

The Garden State

I am from The Garden State

And I am from the indignance I feel when people inevitably scoff at that descriptor.

As if even the concept an Arden oasis was incompatible with that place.

“Ha! Joisey?! What exit?”

 

I am from immigrant grandparents

Having little but the experience of their journeys and their Catholicism in common,

Otherwise clearly distinct.

Love of garlic, olive oil and tomatoes sparring with

Freckles, a passion for Irish whiskey and a good brawl.

 

I am from a generation I never accepted as my own.

My heart attached to the values, music and esthetics of the sixties.

My reality the disco, selfishness and cocaine of the seventies.

 

I am from a family fractured by disease, disability and dependency.

By abuse, not spoken of and by limitations exposed.

And still – there was love.

 

I am from a world of business.

Success measured in carefully calibrated numbers.

Goals, achieved or missed, quarter by quarter.

Recognition doled out subjectively

Gender always a potential liability.

 

I am from a motherhood of infinite delight.

The bliss of babies, the wondrousness of little girls.

The wicked pleasure now, of shared unseemly text messages.

 

And finally, I learn that I am from a place of strength.

I am the accumulation of experience, surety and self-awareness.

I am at peace.

—

Leslie Serra

 

 

Two more have arrived…and they are so welcome! Florence Keogh fits the idea of where we are from, even without the phrase…rather wonderful too.

 

Here is my “I am From” poem!

I am from old downtowns,
gentrified mills,
churches on every corner,
The happeningest place in the county.

I am from collard greens,
sweet potato pie,
macaroni and cheese,
Every Sunday is a holiday meal.

I am from Carowinds,
Myrtle Beach,
camping in the mountains,
A new adventure in each season.

I am from books,
just 10 per week,
spaceships and magicians,
Entire worlds explored deep into the night.

-Christy Byrd

 

 

If Life Went My Way…

If my life went my way, nothing would be the same. 

The sound of a morning alarm disrupting peaceful sleep would never ring out

First, schools wouldn’t exist. 

That’s right, no more math, no more stress. 

Even on Mondays, I would sleep as long as I want, like a bear in hibernation.

Sometimes til ten o’ clock!

After I’m finally up, I’ll ponder on downstairs. 

On goes the kettle, the water burbling and boiling to a hundred degrees. 

It announces its readiness with a distinctive click. 

Pouring into the cup with a satisfying sound. 

I prepare fruit salad, mixing in fat juicy strawberries, plump red grapes that look as though they will pop, 

And sweet green apple slices. 

 Flaky pastry and sweet strawberry with melt in my mouth as I eat the warm fresh made strawberry rolls and crunchy green apple for breakfast. 

If my life went my way , I’d write an intriguing novel in a single day, full of mystery. 

I’d be able to do whatever I want. 

I’d make a cake, only to eat a lot of the grainy brown sugar and butter with a splash of vanilla. 

I’d bake all day if I could, with some writing and reading thrown in somewhere. 

I’d stay up late and write every detail of the day in my journal, something nobody but me will ever see. Then read for an hour more. 

Go shopping and watch Netflix, 

Listen to music and successfully make french macarons, no crinkly tops or burnt cookies, perfectly crispy cookie, a fruity filling oozing out with the first bite. 

If my life went my way, life really would be great, but it’s unrealistic. Without burdens and tough decisions, annoying siblings, failed math tests, special days wouldn’t be so special. 

Plus, why not use your smarts to solve everyday problems, then continuing leading your life, focusing on the good things that happen every day. 

By Florence Keogh

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is a reflective, lovely one today.

—

 

Here, all on its own, is a striking, moving poem by Tia Biggs. Thank you Tia for your powerful voice.

I  Am From

Tia Biggs

Where I’m from is a family 2 different homes

Where both are unstable

Where I’m from is a body i am ashamed of

Where i’m from is raising kids that were never mine

Where i’m from suicide has always been the option

Where mental illness has always been the common cold

Where I’m from is the truth about an illness is medication

Where I’m from is a family that isn’t a family

But a grandma that is a hero

Where i am is somewhere safe

Where i am free to be me

Where i am is learning to accept that my body isn’t gonna change

Where i am is having a life to myself raising me, focusing on me

Where I am suicide is not the only solution

Where I am mental illness doesn’t define me

And medication doesn’t fix me

 

Where i’m from i am my hero where i am is where i’m going.

 

 

Poems are coming in batches of beauty! Really. This is from a class of middle schoolers in Eliana’s class in North Carolina

I am from Samsung

From air max and Mongoose

I am from heavy metal to concrete

It’ll, glistening, coldness

I am from bike

whom need to be cleaned

I’m from debaters and readers

From Lucas and Andy

I’m from book worms and movie goers

From “Do your work” and “how was your day”

I’m from the Republic of Korea,

I’m from Seoul,

and pasta

I’m from the king, imperators, and generals

The shelves and boxes, home of the paper of memory

The group leader of top medical company, mom

We now live in wake county, top education county of NC, home

Of IT and the NASCAR racer

By CV from NC

 

Where I’m From

By: Ines Antoine

I am from dish soap,

From California afternoons and all purpose cleaner from Target

I am from the walk home from preschool

( Chilly, sunny I would stop at every flower.)

I am from the red rose, the common vine,

its roots lodged in the brick of my birthplace never let go, like me.

 

I’m from rice, beans, and fries

From Amada and François.

I’m from correct the teacher and whizzing chalk,

From “Mother like daughter and Father like son.”

I’m from think good thoughts, and pray on good days, no church on Sundays

But keep God deep inside.

 

I’m from the artists branch, Mom, Dad, Granma, Grandpa,

Pommes frites and platanos and the diacritic that fits itself on my name.

I’m from the dust that my great uncle kicked up

while riding all the way  around South America,

and the years my great grandmother still lives.

 

An artists’ case and a dancers’ shoe.

A golden cross linked with a glossy chain.

A window ajar so I may see the science in the world.

Wherever I go leave a trail of memories,

So everywhere I lived is still lively,

In my thoughts,

I am from my home.

 

 

I am from a melting pot. From iPhones and the dairy capital of the us. I am from travelers, multiple languages, countries, and diverse recipes. I am from Japanese Maple purple blossoms, ornate color. I’m from Christmas and scholars. From Jeevan and Sirisha. I’m from Microsoft and Ipad. From get up and stop watching TV. I’m from S.V Temple and god. I’m from India curry and chapati. From my dad rolling over my mom’s foot when he was backing up in a car. When my sister got lost in the airport while she was going to the bathroom. My office room is where all the history of our family is. Like my diverse things which were given.

By Akhil from NC

 

Where I am From

By: Jerry Xue

I am from chess pieces,

From Chessbase and the House of Staunton.

I am from any square of the chessboard,

Fortified, Strategic,

Clever as Korchnoi.

.

I am from Venus Flytraps,

Dangerous, yet truly remarkable.

I’m from wearing full red during the year of the Zodiac

and a good sense of humor,

From Tom and Jerry.

 

I’m from the laugh it ups and live it longs.

From talk shows to Fortnite.

I’m from an empty set,

Full of ideas and imagination.

 

I am from Charlottesville and the Han Empire.

From The Home of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe,

To Cao Cao, a warlord of the 3 Kingdoms

I am from General Cao Cao’s descendant Colonel Cao.

 

When I glance at the photos in the living room,

I have a warm feeling inside my heart.

I am from those photo memories,

maneuvered above the fireplace.

 

I am From

Rich Mudunuri

I am from Soccer Balls

From Adidas cleats and Nike Socks

I ‘m from the Conjoined Backyard

Hot and Humid

Listening to the Joy of Playing Kids

I am from Mint Leaves

Aromatic and Fresh

I am from Breakfast on Thursday Nights

And Block Parties Every School year

From Raju and Siri

I’m from Easy going and Creative

From “You got it” and “Hurry up!”

I am from fireworks and lighting Candles

I am from Indiana

Drunken Noodles and Ice Cream

From the story of my sister hyperextending her knee

The crying and painful look in her eyes

I am from those memories dribbling on the field

And into the Goal

 

I am from

Eric Chen

I am from noodles.

From Honda and Yamaha.

I am from the blanket of snow covering everything the eye could see.

(Bright, Cold,

It tasted like ice cream.)

I am from peaches,

Orange, and Red

I from eating noodles, and scholars.

From Cao, and Chen.

I am from the dust free floors, and

Eating healthy.

From “Read a book!”, and “Go outside!”

I’m from long nights,

And bright lights.

I’m from Ann Arbor, and China.

Noodles,

Dumplings.

From the time my dad jumped off a garbage truck.

The hospital trips, that went overnight.

The garage

Pictures composed into albums, dusty but remembered.

 

Where I’m From

Elizabeth X

 

I am from black and white keys.

From Dawn and Kawai.

I am from the fireflies hovering over the weed covered lawn.

(Golden, blinking, sparkled like flecks of sun.)

I am from the dandelions growing in the backyard,

The fig tree whose fruit I eat in the summer.

I’m from movie nights and “common sense”.

From Ying and Jiele.

I’m from the hard-working and

pointless arguing.

From “how was school?” and “not an excuse.”

I’m from church

where I sang 2 solos in choir.

I’m from the capital of the airplane

And Ni zan of the yuan dynasty.

Egg pancakes and warm milk for breakfast

From the scholarship my dad got to go to America.

The stitches my brother had gotten falling off the stairs.

On a shelf a book of baby pictures.

Paintings my great grandfather painted once.

Elizabeth X

 

Where I’m from

By Ian Ware

I am from coins

From Razor and Mongoose

I am from the rocks next to the tree

Shining gold, chipped away

Smooth but hard

I am from maple trees

With ants marching up the bark

From Lewis and Myra

I’m from the quiet down and come inside

From 500 years from now who’ll know the difference

And would he like it?

I’m from Firestar,

Saved his clan

I’m from the U.S.A

Pizza and chicken

From the flying planes

The deep waters through high sky’s

Coins in boxes, showing famous ones

U.S mint

 

I am From

Adrien Antoine

I from screens

From nintendo and lego

I am from the mountain pass small and twisted

So hard to cross hercules would have trouble.

I am from the twisted oak.

Its trunk as twisted as my life

I am from carrots and milk for Santa

And

Donating to CHERiTY

From amada and francois

I am from the swimming and lacrosse

From mother always knows best

And

You know what i mean

From christians yet i’m not

I’m from california just my family

Lentils and pasta

From when my dad tried to jump over the brick wall

And

Protect your stuff

I am from moments saved on a

Harddrive saved before my eyes

treasured forever

Adrien Antoine

 

 

 

Here is a group of fine poems received over the weekend: from Joyce Li, Julie Ye, E.P., O.W and Divyansh:

Where I’m From Poem

By: Joyce Li

 

I am from the cats that live in the forest in Warriors

From the crickets in my backyard and the geese in my neighborhood pond

I am from warm scent of buns and dumplings on the  dinner table ready to be eaten

From the busy classes at Campanaria

I am from the maple tree in my front yard

From all the friends that I see who make me happy

I am from Mancala where it’s always unpredictable

From the family that cares for me every second of my life

 

Where I am From

E.P

I am from inflatable yoga balls

From Ticonderoga and Under Armour

I am from dozens of marigolds

Bright, glossy, the color of a yellow school bus.

I am from the brick steps that lead up to the porch

Tall, rusty filled with dozens of ants

I am from the blue and green courts, filled with intersecting lines

From the tennis ball poster perched awkwardly on my door

I am from spicy taco shells

From four square and freeze tag

I am from “Hurry up!” and “It’s a big a deal you know!”

I am from the large squeaky doors, that always took a while to shut

From oversized T-shirts and comfy sneakers

And from the awkward karaoke I sang in the shower,

Which I thought know one could hear.

 

The I Am Poem

Divyansh C.

 

I am from the pencil lead & the leftover eraser dust.

From the Cheerios and the Newest Apple Phones.

I am from the papers downstairs: written on and valued, usually scattered on my desk.

I am from the water that is fluid and fresh.

I’m from Diwali, the festival of lights and celebration, the adventurous firecrackers we burst I always remember.

From my beloved mom (Vinita) & my amazing dad (Jagat).

I’m from the Math & the Art.

From the saying “Don’t get too attached to anything, but your soul, because that is the only thing that will carry on with you.”

I’m from India’s Gulab Jamun and Pani Puri.

From the hair of my dad, thick and black.

The hands of my mom all colorful after making a painting.

Downstairs in the basement, there was a folder packed with my family river rafting and more.

Forgotten until needed.

 

 

I Am From

By Julie Ye

I am from “No passion, no life,”

From, “What really is your dream?”

I am from slipping off a rock and falling into Lake Eno,

And the smoke-filled streets of Putuo, Shanghai.

From falling asleep to 11-inch music posters, which I long to own,

The loud, yet satisfying, loud Sunday family dinners,

And the money-filled red pockets of Lunar New Year.

Yet along with fulfilling my dreams of piano and swimming,

I am also from self-doubt and pretending to be okay.

From an endless amount of classes,

And long nights of, “Will I be able to make it?”

“Will I ever be good enough?”

And, “What will happen if I don’t?”

I am from over sized T-shirts, and conservative leggings,

But most importantly, from the essence of friends, family, and hope.

 

I Am From        by Eliana

I am from the world globe of all the places I have traveled.

I am from Tux is a puppy that acts like a monkey.

I am from a messy art piece,splashy cool water, and beautiful slow music.

I am from Vera’s nice voice, Saanvi’s smart thoughts, and Anya’s crazy ideas.

I am from Tux’s cute face, Tux’s crazy chicken rolls, and Tux’s loud squeak.

I am from Riya’s Harry Potter party.

I am from blue wet water and soothing great dance moves.

I am from green cooked cobra.

I am from bright sparkly saris.

I am from my childhood years pronouncing okra “cobra”.

 

 

 

Here is one that just came in…and it is a beauty…

March 2018

I am from books and from Amazing Grace and Burley tobacco.

I am from hand-sewn quilts and impeccably dressed women.

I am from the Route 1 farm in Allensville and the Poplar Street homestead in Elkton.

I am from the front yard peonies, backyard garden and stable and the tobacco fields and chicken coops.

I am from Grace and hard work.

I am from Pat and Mayme, and Wilma and Annie, the Dickersons and the Bells.

I am from the “all talk at the same time” and the contemplative.

From “go outside and play” and the “be still and listen.”

I am from Phillips Chapel CME and the children’s choir and “this little light of mine.”

I am from damson plum preserves, chess pie, green tomato catsup, homemade ice cream and freshly brewed iced tea with every dinner.

I am from George Dickerson who changed his name after freedom and

I am from Jeremiah McClain’s Trail of Tears stop.

I am from Todd County, Kentucky.

I am from the Bamileke people of Cameroon, West Africa and the enslaved woman whose name I do not know

 

 

 

Individual poems are coming in…here are some fine ones…

 

Where i’m from

Hugo Feras

I am from the screens

From the tvs and the monitors

From my comfortable chair

From the noises going through my ears

 

I am from one screen to another

From the epic gamers and the screens

I from the impatient people and the angry people

I am from the do your homework people

 

I am from the lack of screen time

I am from india and the watermelons

From the people that didn’t have technology and from where  the lands are hot

From the screens that I play on all day

 

 

Aiden Adkins

 

I Am From …. (this stuff)

I am from the paint that never dries on our front porch wall,

From crepe myrtles, which are literally everywhere, along with Legos,

I am from the large bricks that cover the front of our house,

The stories that I wrote and Calvin and Hobbes,

From Harry Potter,

From the yellow blossoms that never grew until we moved the sandbox,

I am from the sky, which is blue in case you didn’t know,

From the board game closet that’s always overflowing,

I am from Christmas and birthdays,

From my mother and father, from my younger sister,

From “mm hm” and “Hm mm”

From the hospital (where most people are born)

From everything i just said

______________________________

💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩💩

 

 

From Let me Give you a Suggestion group

 I am From

O.W.

I am from the creaky dresser drawer that never fit right

From hair goop and basketball shorts

I am from clover and clay

Comforting beneath my bare feet

From the turkey at Thanksgiving

And cookies at Christmas

I am from Great Grandpa Jerry

Who died at 98

And Old Papa Mike

Whose napping superb

I am from the booming of thunder and the 

Flickering of lightning

From sunshine and pooltime 

And gorgeous moonlighting

I am from the excitement 

That comes with a long forest run 

From shade and shadow 

In which I hid from many a-wandering sorrow

 

 

 

 

Where I am from 

by Kai

 

I am from pine trees that are so very tall

 

From youtube and video games

 

I am from the L-shaped house with greenish siding

Linoleum floors with hardwoods underneath

Huge backyard and high-voltage powerlines

 

I am from celebrating the winter solstice

And Thanksgiving at my grandparents’

From Mom and Dad and Niko, Nana and Grandpa

 

I’m from homeschooling

From North Carolina, Asia, and Europe,

Tacos filled with ground turkey and guacamole

 

From my Big Daddy’s house where he collected toys that I could not play with

The trip to Oregon and up to Washington

 

The digital files on the computer that hold all of our memories.

 

 

 

My Life

 

My house is a brick box

Surrounded by trees, bushes, and flowers

Basically a forest

 

Warm fire on the holidays

Crackling

Logs turning to ash slowly

 

A loving dog, a bloodhound

Sophie was super sweet

Lying beside me when I was sick

 

The winter solstice

Gathering family

Turning pages of the solstice story

 

-Béla

 

 

Where I Am From

By Saha Stars Sisters Gaming

I am from my siblings,

my mom, and my dad.

I am from my stuffed animals,

The ones I have amassed among the years.

 

I am from trees,

The chocolate tree that fell.

I am from a blueberry bush,

The berries we never ate.

 

I am from road trips,

To Boston and back.

I am from my dad’s cooking,

Turkey -beef tacos and fish.

 

I am from California

Until we moved when I was 3.

I from the bright red back porch,

Where we could climb under,

until we got scared of snakes.

 

I am my bright red hair,

That skipped a generation.

I am my name,

After relatives that died long ago.

 

I am from the jungle,

A short patch of trees and bushes in the front yard.

I am from Judaism,

From a Sunday school I have just begun.

 

I am from a house of bricks,

Tennis balls banging on it day and night.

I am from video games,

A different virtual world.

 

I am from books,

Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, graphic novels.

I am from tv shows,

Preschool shows I had to watch.

 

I am from my daydreams,

Fairies, magic and mermaids.

I am from art,

Doodles said to help me concentrate.

 

I am from homeschooling,

Co-ops that didn’t work out.

I am from my friends,

Here and far.

 

I am from my family,

My mom and dad,

my sisters and brother.

This is where I am from.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are poems from a class in Elmhurst Illinois…Take the time…to read each one..Wonderful collection.

Jennifer Sellers Class

Elmhurst Illinois

 

 

I am from…

By Abby Evans

I am from the chocolate jar that sits on the counter always empty I’m from phones and television
I am from a cozy bed where I spend most of my time
I am from the sweet scent of flowers and candles

I am from adventurous camping trips
Where we explore secret worlds
The long winding paths that lead to nothing but imagination I remember as if they were my own.

I’m from trips to wWisconsin and lots of cribbage games
From Andria​ ​and Ryan
I’m from keeping the lights on and never putting our shoes away And from always finding the creative way out.

I’m from “sStop it!” and “It’s okay”
and “Akalakachi”
I’m from breakfast in bed on birthdays
I’m from Chicago, Illinois​​and Germany
Broccoli casseroles and fresh green beans
I am from when we go on bear hunts
We would walk through the woods unarmed, singing Silly songs we made up
We’re from puppies not kitties
For my family is allergic
I am from home sweet home.

I am from…

By: Sarah Anstiss

I am from books, from TV and Whole Foods,
I am from the coziness of my room,
With beautiful teal walls and my comfy bed and reading corner.
I am from singing, dancing, and love.
The happiness that spreads.
My grandpa who always loved and did anything for me, I remember Just how much he had cared for me.

I’m from half birthdays and family Thanksgivings, From Jennifer and Brian
I’m from traveling and doing things together,
And from hanging out with other family members.

I’m from “Take your stuff upstairs”and “Stunata”
and “Star-Spangled Banner”, which makes everyone happy
I’m from Elmhurst, Illinois, and Italy and Sicily
From tacos and hamburgers.
From the day I met Eliza,
She was so cute and tiny!
My grandpa’s old box of coins and money from far away and long ago, That has duct tape all over the bottom.
That means so much more to me than to anyone.

I am from…

By Thomas Buhrfiend

I am from cat food and toasters.
From computers and goggles.
I am from the large three-story brick house,
which smells like paint when you walk inside.
I am from Iowa farmland.
The wind in my face while I drive the John deere ATVs One’s cargo bed is stained with pig blood. I remember it as if they were my own.

I’m from Easter egg hunts at Grams house and Thanksgiving dinner with everyone
at Grandma’s house.

From Tricia and Dan.
I’m from church on Sunday and
going out to eat on Friday evenings.
I’m from “Grandma was slow but she was old” and
“God helps those who helps themselves”
And “I’ll be there.”
I’m from the lake house on the fourth of July.
I’m from Chicago IL and Germany.
pesto and salmon.
From Kelly and the bathtub
when the ceiling fell down.
Great grandpas silver letter opener which sits in my room untouched, unused.
This is where I’m from, always.

I am from…

By Max Bui

I am from microwaves
From tissue boxes and soy sauce
I am from the kitchen of tasty foods And the smell of my father’s cooking.
I am from the Packers vs Bears games The rivalry between the family
Aaron Rodgers getting hurt I remember As if it was yesterday.

I’m from going out for sushi on Christmas Eve and birthday dinners, From Jodi and Dung,
I’m from singing in the shower and playing video games
And from refusing to go on a run with dad.

I’m from “put it in the bank” and “Throw it in the laundry” And ​Back in Black​by ACDC.
I’m from praying before bed and church on Sunday
I’m from Illinois, Vietnam, and Iowa

Short ribs and fried rice
From an ER trip to the hospital
After My brother’s allergy attack
And Framed photos of our families past Home is family and family is everything.

I am from…

By Deaghan Connell

I am from the woodland stuffed animals From Ipads and television,
I am from the loud and messy household And the lazy weekends spent in bed,
I am from the wild garden
The bees and butterflies humming Tangled but beautiful vines​ ​I remember As if they were my own.

I’m from tasty Cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning, and Feast on Thanksgiving, From Shiloh and fluffy Mechou,
I’m from annoying arguments​​and dirt-covered hands,
And from my mom and dad’s hugs and kisses.

I’m from “This house is a pigsty!” and “Be quiet, I’m trying to sleep!” And “If it hits you in the hands you should catch it.”
I’m from the week-long summer vacation,
I’m from New Jersey​ ​and the University of Cincinnati,

Fancy tomato chicken and greasy Friday night pizza,
When my brother crashed his bike into a large metal pole
It hit him in the forehead, which left a great big bump,
From nature we explore,
To the musical skill that runs in the family,
Where I am from is my family’s place, and that’s all that matters to me.

I am from…

By Anders Dochoff

I am from patterns on paper towels,
from granola bars and dog food.
I am from the trampoline with a hole in the net and the Golden Doodle hair on the couch.
I am from family dinners
the placemats, napkins
and the instant pot
I remember.

I’m from bright blue eyes and broad shoulders, from Karin Forsberg and Erick Dochoff,
being messy and peeing on the toilet seat
and from cracking my knuckles.

I’m from “Stop doing that” and “Swedish steel” I’m from Thanksgiving dinners,
I’m from Elmhurst and Sweden.
Lobster mashed potatoes and stuffing muffins. From Cole hitting Uncle Brad with a golf club and how he had to get stitches.

The smooth white carving on a walrus tusk from Alaska, that Grandpa brought back from WWII.
I am from these things that make me who I am today and who I will be tomorrow.

I am from…

By Micah Jones

I am from comfy cushions,
From television, cooking pots and pencils.
I am from the a neat safe home
that always smells like Clorox.
I am from comedy movies,
The warm couch and tasty cheese balls,
The funny quotes from ​Christmas Vacation​ I remember As if they were my own.

I’m from a hardworking family and messy handwriting. From Nate and Rebecca.
I’m from a caring family and noise,
and from a crowded house.

I’m from my parents reminding me that family is everything and my parents saying that school is number one,
and from the home of the brave.
I’m from going to Iowa every year,

I’m from Brazil and Illinois.
Grilled steak and homemade chicken noodle soup, From that time we named our family Griswolds Because we are like them,
I am from stacks of photo albums
that are funny and some are serious,
But they all have a serious meaning.

I am from…

By: Catherine Messersmith

I am from Alexa,
from piles of books and animal shows. I am from the living room and kitchen where I come alive every morning.

I am from the treehouse in the backyard, the yam orange paint peeling off.
The swings I remember
As if they were my best friends.

I’m from the seven fish dinner and from going to Mary Queen of Heaven Church. From Jessica Testani and Mike Messersmith
I’m from learning math and helping make dinner,
and from playing sports.

I’m from be quieter and clean your room.
I’m from caroling at Christmas and witnessing fireworks. I’m from Elmhurst Illinois.
I’m from pasta and barbeque,
from traveling to different places,
and seeing unique sites
From sand from beaches.
and posters from places far and near.
I am from those moments that I hold dearly.

I am from…

By Joshua Redick

I am from knives, forks, and spoons. From lawn mowers and hoses.
I am from the neat freaks.
The cottage on the cul de sac

that smells like dish soap.
I am from kindness,
The trait that rarely goes away,
But when it does go away, I remember the trait as if it were part of me.

I’m from the German market and Easter egg hunts. From Jodi and Jeff Redick.
I’m from stories of older times, and souvenirs,
and from hard work.

I’m from ̈Shut the door ̈, and ̈Be quiet ̈ And “Boys don’t Cry”.
I’m from Elmhurst, Illinois and Hungary. Steak and mashed potatoes.

From When I broke my arm
Playing in the snow.
I am from the younger years of my life
That flashed before my eyes,
But I shall remember all of these memories in my heart.

I am from…

By Ryan Schwager

I am from family time
From baby toys and loads of books.
I am from the large butter-yellow house, warm and welcoming.
I am from Luke and Gunnar
The laughable happy days
The days when they were little I remember As if they were my own.

I’m from grandma’s house on Christmas and bright blue eyes. (Except for my dad) From Jack and Jaime Schwager
I’m from my messy rooms and that I’m nearly always late
and from frequent walks at night.

I’m from “I’m gonna get that baby” and “stop fighting!” And “Satellite” by Dave Matthews Band.
I’m from Hilton Head
I’m from the USA and Germany

I am from salmon and white rice
From when I raced down the stairs with my mom In the big Hilton Head beach house
The family portrait on the fireplace,
Taken after we had my baby brother
These memories I cherish in my heart.

 

 

 

Fall is here!  Wonderful new poems coming each day. Here are some fine ones this week.

! Am From

 

Hugo Ferras

 

I am Hugo Ferras

I am from USA

I am from playing video games

I am from my family

I am from good at behaving

I am from good at helping

I am from good at drawing

I am from good at being a big brother

I am from good at art

I am good at other stuff to help my family

 

 

 

 

I am From
By Jeran Vickers

I am From

By Jeran Vickers

 

I am from the trumpets that sound

has a beautiful straight voice.

 

I am from a family that would care for me helps

my loneliness as it fades.

 

I am from both sides of the same coin.

I am from a family of hope.

 

I am from a house of hope.

I am from a land of curiosity.

 

I am from a land of gamers. =^w^=

 

From a family that cares for you

That brings hope from within.

 

Who I am

 

By Micha

 

I am made from an assortment of places, things, and people which makes me who I am.

 

I am from Nigeria and the Netherlands which I feel I am from and makes me who I am.

 

I do not have a religion but I respect and value other people’s opinions which makes me who I am.

 

Music makes me feel alive and energetic which makes me who I am.

 

Sports make me feel happy and they put me in a good mood which makes me who I am.

 

I always celebrate Christmas with my family which makes me who I am.

 

I solve problems differently to other people and in my own way which makes me who I am.

 

I value happiness with my friends and family which makes me who I am.

 

All these things make meWHO I AM.

 

 

 

I AM

By:Allyson M

I live on a bumpy road.

I can see kids walk to school or go to the park.

Shoprite nearby.

I am from Clifton,NJ.

 

I am on Route 46.

You can see a drive thru with a menu.

The crunchy taste of Fiery Doritos Locos Tacos.

The flavor of a Baja Blast Freezy.

I love Taco Bell!

 

You can see kids playing.

The smell of nature.

The smell of food nearby.

The sound of cars.

The Park.

 

You can see the person that makes me happy.

She’s like chocolate, so sweet.

She’s a bear, a care bear.

She is my best friend, Juliana!

 

You say I love you to people.

I say words that mean I will love and trust you forever.

The words involve my favorite color.

I say, I Purple You!

 

The sound of Kpop is great.

The music artist are like life savers.

They are encouraging, helpful, caring, and much more.

Their music has a lot of meanings.

I love BTS!

 

You see people changing for others.

People not accepting others for who they are.

Be and love who you are.

My favorite quote,”You don’t have to prove yourself to anyone. Just be you and the right people will love you for it.”

 

I Am From

Tom Sloper

I’m from 78s, 45s, transistor radios, rabbit-ears atop the TV.

I’m from Roy Rogers, Spin & Marty, Davy Crockett.

I’m from folk music, the Smothers Brothers, the Beatles.

 

I’m from snowcone winters,

steambroiled summers,

flibbertigibbit birdsong springs,

and crystal-moon earmuff-brisk crunchy-leaf autumns

(not in that order).

Lake Effect, yo.

 

I’m from family meals of fish sticks. Goulash. Pizza made from a kit.

I’m from board games and card games at that same table.

I’m from summers on the farm: tractor exhaust, black raspberries, and rich creamy Jersey milk.

 

 

Where I’m FromBy Cooper Henry

 

I am from playgrounds

From wood mulch and hard pebbles

I am from the blue painted walls and wood floors

(Cold, slippery,

Deafening silence.)

I am from tall pines

Creaking as the wind blows by

Tipped by powerful gusts

I am from card games at family gatherings and competitive spirits

From Joseph and Charly

I’m from the stubbornness and the very opinionated

From “Great job!” and “Unacceptable”

I’m from no church and staying in class during church school

I’m from canned peaches and BBQ chicken

From the many camping trips I’ve been on with my Father

The fishing trips with my Uncle

The coffee table that opens

To reveal the many memories

Of my past

 

Ramen

 

I am from Raim and Basem.

From the soft white bed at home.

I am from the dark and loud.

I am from Dominos cheese pizza

The workers

Whos patience was as long as a hallway I remember

As if they knew me

 

I am from Clifton High School.

From the accepting and fun.

I’m from the empty and shallow hallways after school.

From the stairs up and down.

I’m form Billie Eilish who strengthened my soul

From hip-hop and rap

 

I’m from PewDiePie on YouTube and video games on the Xbox1,

Smoothies and fresh cut watermelon

From the 9 year old army who fought and keep fighting

The useless drama making others toxic.

Under my bed was a notebook

The notebook used to draw during the gloomy nights,

Telling me to keep going

A smile before hiding under my soft and purple blanket

To be thankful I am able to stay warm.

 

I am from these everyday moments-

Support everywhere I go-

Life that is so much more than this.

 

 

 

 

My Poem

Aryanna Pena

I am from plantains and fried salami.
From my striped black and white Victoria’s Secret inspired room. I am from my small white vanity
with three mirrors that I get ready at every morning.

I am from the two swirly trees that are in front of my house where I’ve been living for 14 years.
I am from my backyard and the flowers, a bench swing, beautiful garden, hammock and lights. I’m from volleyball and watching movies at home while lighting fall candles in my room.

From my heart necklace that means the world to me and that I hardly take off. I am from the mall and constantly looking at clothes.
I am from having my dad’s face and my mom’s personality.
From my curly dark hair I get from my dad.

I am from Ally, my best friend.
From our countless times laughing and our constant smiling.
From our sleepovers that never get slept at and our favorite songs we randomly sing at the same time.
I am from all the memories we had shared and more to come.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is one that captures so much in a subtle, moving way.

I am From

Chris Lawrence

 

I am from country roads surrounded by corn tall as oak trees.

I am from breakfast for dinner.

I am from don’t talk about what happened last night, especially at school.

I am from secrets.

I am from don’t cry or smile.

I am from loud music and the sound of billiards mixed with mindless banter.

I am from out of sight out of mind.

I am from go play.

I am from the woods with trails made by Thomas and I, where wonder is plentiful with an abundance of mystery.

I am from a normal family according to family photos.

I am from do as I say not as I do.

-CL

 

 

 

Welcome to fall…here is a new one !

Where I’m from: Cheyenne Salley

I’m from first born, young love, careful or you’ll fall

Small town, bike rides, backyards playing ball

I’m from small wallets, big hearts, believing you can do it

High school Diplomas, minimum wage to a Teaching Certificate

I’m from dinner at the table, home-made ice cream, watermelon outside

Church pews, Amazing Grace, repentant tears cried

Strong faith, family ties, “in the sweet by and by”

I’m from high school sweet hearts, 20 years, three dirty boys’ smiles

Rough and tough cowboys, big semi-trucks, dirty laundry piles

I’m from guitar strings, piano keys, Hallelujah to the King

Patchwork  quilts of memories, lives torn and tattered

fervent hope and stories to tell about the things that matter
—

 

 

Here is a brave, beautiful poem by Sonja Vogt.

 

 

Here is a fine prose poem version…!

WHERE I’M FROM

 

I’m from dinner at 5 and leave nothing on your plate, from saying grace fast so you get more mashed potatoes, from Cheez Whiz and S&H Green Stamps. I’m from parents slow dancing in the kitchen to the radio, baby formula and a bottle of Scotch on the counter. I’m from black and white, white and red, Dred Scott and Scott Joplin, Mandan and Osage, German and Irish, from southside Dutch and soft pretzels sold on every corner, from Friday fish fries during Lent and new shoes for Easter. I’m from Stand up straight and Make us proud, from What were you thinking and He’s from where? From a crisp $2 bill for driving more than 30 miles to the family reunion, from softball games and weepy tenors, from soda fountains and whisk brooms and posies for the dead at Jefferson Barracks on Memorial Day.

Holly Krummenacher Iglesias

born in St. Louis, now live in Miami, Florida

 

Wander through this gorgeous poem. Take your time. It is summer. You deserve it.

I Am From

Laura Ortiz

I am from the segregated streets of old downtown, before the yuppies were invited and gentrified 4^th ward.

I am from poverty-stricken immigrant families that came to Houston following their heart, finding themselves in a milk crate furnished upstairs apartment.

I am from bare feet and nappy hair, hand me downs and lay aways, brown sacks of food from the white people in the big trucks sticking out but doing good.

I am from the neighborhoods that were up to no good, the crack house with many residents yet no resident at all, and the hidden swing in the middle of a jungle path between two blocks.

I am from displacement, you have a month to move, left everything behind without being given a choice, changing the course of my life, for the better or worse, who knows.

I am from teachers pet to rebellious black sheep, could it have been the move, or missing what I knew as life, or simply my age?

I am from a tight knit family on the outside, but an isolated clan on the inside, at least that’s how it was in the beginning; now, its tight knit on the inside, and isolated on the out.

I am from pews in my living room, because God is who we are in this house, it even shows in our living room, don’t ask for a tour, you might find yourself buying religious artifacts.

I am from natural intelligence wasted for years, learning was never a habit, until now, it’s my biggest habit and a great enjoyment, how it happened, no one knows.

I am from pets that have left our world too soon, I still feel the whipping wag of her tail on my leg, I still see the cross eyed stare when you wanted to come inside, I still hear my dad yelling at you to come back home and your claws hitting the pavement slowing down as you near him and get back inside.

I am from God, always chasing me, the apple of his eye, never understanding the end game, but letting him act and do as he sees fit, hasn’t disappointed yet, and I have no doubt that he ever will.

I am from materialistic things, a hoarder at times, having too much for no reason, yet I’m convinced I need it because there is a use for everything, yes I used to save everything to recycle and reuse, now I’m just wasteful and spend to have, poverty mindset still rooted deeply I guess.

I am from go-getting, time waits for no man, go big or go home, if I don’t do it now, it’ll never get done, might as well get started, how did I come so far, by going to get it and getting’ it done.

I am from minority, first generation Mexican American, uneducated parents according to society, low middle class, brown, short, Sam Houston graduate, although being able to keep my language came to my advantage, because it used to be disliked, now it’s sought after.

I am from teaching, because following Aurora’s degree plan was my destiny and life calling, my students have been handpicked by God, have made a difference in my life and have taught me so much, especially patience and love for children in their innocence and malice.

I am from quality time, family, friends and community make me who I am; tolerating everything to sleeping during catequesis as the word of God dripped into me subconsciously to 18 years later still somewhat the same person, but totally different at the same time.

I am from talents, my mind can never decide what it wants to learn, instruments, crafts, croqueting, creating, not cooking, organizing, planning, teaching, communicating, impulsive shopping, flower arranging, just musically inclined with a squawking wannabe voice.

I am from tough nails, the metal not the paper thin ones on the edge of my fingertips, I don’t dish what I can’t handle, I am told I dish too much sometimes, I shouldn’t be proud to be stronger than most guys, yeah moving a suburban on neutral isn’t a big deal for me, carrying lumber with my dad and brother while girly shellacs stands and watches close by, mounting heavy things on my left shoulder cuz that’s how dad does it, I could maybe even haul you in an emergency.

I am from growth, immaturity is a cozy place to be in, but I have to realize that I’ve outgrown the places and spaces, maturity rings without missing a beat, asking to come out to play, more like pray, take it day by day, and stay…still because I need to learn from my mistakes to keep growing and just grow.

I am from courage, because I’ve learned that I am and have always been a risk-taker on the outside but chicken skin on the inside, guess my arrogance helped break the shell and be willing to lose and risk anything and everything, although somehow it’s never shot me in the foot, on the contrary, it’s given me more courage.

 

 

 

 

A beautiful spring morphing into summer poem by Lauren Yeobin Park to get us all thinking about families, images, our lives.

I Am From…

By Lauren Yeobin Park

I am from fairytale books

From piano keys and metal fences

I am from the dusty shelves in the local library

(Mysterious, built by gnomes perhaps)

I am from buttercups behind the school

Whose abandoned swings showed no sign of welcome

I am from my Asian mother

From brown hair and black eyes

I am from Aretha Franklin

And the way she spoke of the world through her music

I am born out of religion

Though people say faith lasts longer

(Faith in the wise, faith in those older)

From ‘never give up’ and ‘stand tall’

From words that inspired us to be the best

I am from chopsticks and hanboks

Sewed to excellence

I am from Polaroid pictures hidden under bed covers

From arrays of colored pencils

Each a token of diversity

 

 

And now…heading toward summer…here is a beauty…! Thanks Robert Payne…

Where I’m From

Robert Payne

I’m from Sunday mornin

Sunday school

Prayer meetin

Bible study

Youth group and

Drama troupe

 

Crawdads in creek beds

Click’s General Store and the

Chat n Chew where

Liars weave lore

 

The population sign reads 353

That’s cats, dogs, my parents

And me

 

We had backyard bar-b-ques

Front porches and sweet tea

Cheeseburgers and fried taters

Apples from the tree

 

I pretend my bike’s a motorcycle

Ride from dawn to dusk

Or sit around at a friend’s house

And watch the chicken coup rust

 

I’d have pajama parties with

my best friend Brad

Bowls of ice cream with

All the toppings we had

 

They say home is where the heart is

But how can that be true

When part of me is still back there

But this feels like home too

 

 

 

This is a lovely, May, welcoming poem by Zoe Macmillan! Thank you, Zoe!

 

Where I’m From

By Zoe Macmillan

 

I’m from “better safe than sorry”

And from fresh baked pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving

The smell of spices and butter float up to my nose,

my mouth waters

I’m from JoAnne with an east coast accent who always keeps our Jewish traditions alive

from Stuart or “mister fix it” with a wrench in hand, off to the garage to work on some long forgotten car

I’m from trips to Fort Flagler in a bright blue van

Strolling to the camp store in the morning for a steaming mug of vanilla milk

I’m from the graduation dress in my closet made by my nana and me

I’m from overflowing bookshelves

all the books already read

And from family dinner on Friday night, grandpa talking about politics,

as usual

I’m from watching Marvel movies, wrapped in a blanket on the living room couch

I’m from Green lake on a hot summer’s day, the breeze in my hair

I’m from a caring community and a family who loves me

That’s where I’m from

 

 

 

Another new one…Welcome poetry..it keeps us sane..

WHERE I’M FROM by Kiril Kundurazieff
I am from a St. Patrick’s Day Card bought a couple of weeks early, from Specialized, and pedaling.

I am from the stairs up to the 2nd floor (smelling of my Mothers’ perfume, and my Fathers’ hard day working outdoors).

I am from the roses, the ivy I remember surrounding my 3rd home, and allowing me to feel secluded in an open space.

I am from immigration, and humor, from the psychological traits of Gorge Kundurdziev and Mary Alice Wells, and from twice married John Hesson.

I am from baldness in later life, and the travelers.

From the story my Father shared of his exploits in World War 2 (1 version my Mother told me, and 1 that I later learned Dad told to the IRO), and a lemon pie.

I am from Greek Orthodox, and lapsed Catholic. From experiences with organized religion that make me wonder why some people don’t believe in scientific fact.

I’m from the Pomona Valley, Kentucky, and Macedonia, baklava and homemade gravy.

From the mysterious evening, roadside, death of William Jennings Wells near Rudy’s Farm in Owensboro, and the 1 or, maybe 2, of 5 men married by Mary Hesson, and the advice Grandma Iva gave about sex (“don’t you let him ride you like a horse! Once is enough for any man!”).

I am from envelopes full of 87 years of family photos, from birth, marriage, and death certificates, and Immigration Files, a priceless record stored in a box in my studio apartment.

My new blog post = Poetry a Day Challenge 11: Where I’m From 2019 

Sincerely yours…

Kiril Kundurazieff

 

 

 

April keeps rolling along..Poetry month rocks1

Where I’m From

^{I am from the curio cabinet in the corner,}

         ^{From pink ribbons and purple everything else.}

^{I am from the barn way off the road,}

         ^{With the gravel driveway.}

^{I am from barbequed racoon.}

^{From promises of girls’ trips with my mom,}

^{When I turn thirteen.}

 

^{I am from letting go of balloons on mom’s birthday,}

^{From Tony and Shannon Holt.}       

^{I am from using a closet full of my mom’s old clothes,}

         ^{From grandma and mom being in sync.}

^{I am from forced family fun and}

         ^{Sit down and shut up.}

 

^{I am from one side of my family being tall and lengthy,}

         ^{And the other side being short and stubby.}

         ^{From only living with 2 guys.}

^{I am from the death of my mom.}

 

^{By Kaelyn Holt}

^{March 2019}

 

 

With thanks to Prosperity Nnolim! Honesty…beauty…history…music..all here.

Prosperity Nnolim

 

I am from Home Foods,

From the silence and Bleak Moods,

Rare like a Diamond

I’m from here and there, on a mission, in all directions.

My family they like,

The ambition, Mustangs limited edition. Go home, go, fix the transmission.

It feels like I am running on water, all you can do is just run a bit harder.

I’m from the Sweet Potatoes in the garden,

The Chocolate Syrup that would harden, just stop

I’m from Complex Latin to Christian/Hip-Hop

The endless family fun.

From Leslie J. and Ray E.

and Martin Nnolim

I’m from the scraped edges of hard work and the love is unconditional

From “Stop running around!”

And “It’s ok, Amaraa, it’s fixable”.

I’m from God is good,

And the pages of Proverbs

I’m from many places, the unknown and untold,

From Nigerian Suya and Grandma’s Pistachio Pudding

From the Frozen Winters and the Mango Trees

The once present now gone Grandparents, Rest in Place

From the back porch and the box saved for winter.

I am from Lost and Found, dreams left on the ground,

From the “you’ve got a long name” and the brown horse’s black mane

That is from where I’ve come and were I am today.

 

 

Here is a link to a Google Map showing poems from a Chicago ESL/ELL class with students from The Chinese Mutual Aid Association. Click on the marker to see the poem from that student.

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=1YtD3q0I4x2nqh69twNdH1ciP6Ce01RwS&ll=26.597603450832622%2C137.92769425000006&z=2

 

April seems to be the month for some more lovely poems..Here is the first of 2 new ones.!

Here is a “Where I’m From”: about me

By Harminder Kaur

I am from curry and Roti

I am buried under the weight of mangoes and dirt

I am from the villages of Punjab with green trees and short shrubs

I am from dissection table cutting open the dead to learn how to treat the alive.

I am from microscope to culture media to hospital bed to morg.

I am from breakfast table to endless on calls to exhausting emergency sirens.

From Delhi to Lusaka to London to New York

Singing the Bollywood songs and eating curried cauliflower.

Praying to Guru Nanak and visiting the Sikh Gurdwara

I see the smoke on top of The Twin Towers and blood on the faces of my Turbaned Sikh brothers.

I lived through 2001 to 2013 to 2016 to now 2019

Beautiful new poem by H. Medley…welcome…all our amazing lives, our unique selves.

I am from a south Georgia town full of cotton gins and “yes mams”

I am from homemade coconut cakes and chicken and dumplings, but keep your waist tiny and “don’t be ugly”

I am from great grandmother raising 10 children while plowing the fields with a mule because her husband is too drunk from the night before

I am from Saturday afternoons in the sun surrounded by bugs buzzing and breeze blowing

I am from Sunday sermons about the love of Jesus offered by my kind Grandfather who lives exactly what he preaches

I am from a preacher’s daughter turn bartender who meets a local bouncer and is sexually assaulted by him but marries him anyway

I am from from straight A’s and academic awards

I am from riding four wheelers on dirt roads and peanut fields

I am from a grandmother who is told that you can’t get pregnant your first time who delivers twin boys alone at 15

I am from a grandmother hiding from her brothers who sexually assault her over and over again

I am from family secrets and beautiful pictures

I am from great aunts who only wear skirts, have never wore make up and have hair that touches the floor and believe that makes them more holy.

I am from watching my father beat my stepfather to a bloody mess because he sees him drinking and driving with me in the car

I am from sexual assault by a cousin while we play

I am from preoccupied adults

I am from a seventh grade teacher that believes in me and tells me I am made for more

I am from don’t ask don’t tell

I am from hiding wine coolers and zimas in the pond house to drink at 16

I am from laughter and applause from the audience as I perform on stage

I am from crowns and trophies offered for being the most beautiful

I am from hiding jars of vomit in my room after purging all of my daily food intake

I am from middle of the night waking to go to the nearest bar to pick up my step father

I am from signing country and rap songs at the top of my voice in brand new cars on dirt roads

I am from dancing my heart out

I am from giggles and connection with dear friends

I am from believing deeply that Jesus loves me and has a purpose for my life.

I am from holding my mothers shame

I am from church camps with friends that feel like safe good family

I am from horror and goodness

I am from kindness and rage

I am from the one who makes sense of things

I am from the one who restores

Sent from my iPhone

Tim Nichols has sent along this beauty….

Where I’m From

by Tim Nichols, February 20, 2019

 I am from the clatter of Amish buggy wheels on small-town streets,

from locust shells collected on burlap bedroom curtains and reading aloud at bedtime.

I am from the Swiss Alps, from Anabaptists and Quakers and Abolitionists,

from Ford Galaxies, Detroit Buicks, Chevy Impalas, and Aunt Nelle’s 1953 Pontiac.

I am from “Turn to page 306 in your hymnals,” from Isaly’s, Conneaut Lake Park, and Old 77,

from casseroles, Jello salads, apple cider, and homemade rhubarb pies,

I am from Jay & Ethel, John & Geraldine, Enoch & Rhoda, and Pieter & Grietje,

from Pennsylvania’s rolling hills, Ohio’s highways, and Indiana’s sunsets.

I am from sock monkeys, Crayola Crayons, Matchbox cars, and Charlie Brown comics,

from trick-or-treating, homemade holiday decorations, greyhounds and collies.

I am from That Girl, and Gilligan, and Samantha visiting Santa on Bewitched,

from cursive writing, marching band, the church basement, and the Bill Gaither Trio.

I am from corn-on-the-cob, cookie-press cookies, and hand-cranked ice cream,

from “Oh we ain’t got a barrel of money, maybe we’re ragged and funny, but we travel along, singing our song”

I am from postcards, Polaroid memories, and the smell and whir of the home-movie projector,

from picnics, singing around the piano at family reunions, & Christmas morning.

Here is a powerful poem. by George Burbie. Thank you for this!

I am From..

George Burbie

 

I am a nobody from nowhere.

I am from:

• A little known and unremarkable, non-descriptive rural community known as “Ten –Mile,” which no longer exists.
• The “Big House,” an early 1950’s typical multi-generational family dwelling unit built on stilts to avoid being flooded out whenever the “belly  washing rains came, surrounded by shotgun style share cropper’s shacks where Big Mama’s offspring, other extended family members, and several unrelated neighbors lived.
• Meager dwelling accommodations with a pump well and rain water barrels as the only sources of water, a huge black outdoor cast iron cooking kettle, #2 tin tubs for bathing, soaking and washing laundry, several other household and farm utensils, plus other sundry uses.
• Kerosene lanterns and lamps as the only sources of light after dark, indoor slop jars and outhouses to collect and dispose of human waste, cast iron stoves and potbellied heaters for cooking and keeping the house warm.
• A dirt swept yard with a huge persimmon tree in the center that provided plenty of delicious, flavorful fruit when fully ripened but unpleasant, sour and bitter, mouth-turning distasteful assault on the taste buds in its green, unripen state.
• Home grown gardens with a variety of beans, peas, leafy greens, tomatoes, okra, watermelons, and root vegetables – especially yams and sweet potatoes,
• Curing sheds and smoked meat houses to process, preserve and store farm raised meat goods.
• Fishing in nearby ponds, creeks, local rivers and runoff outlets to procure vital food staples and other highly desired essential dietary necessities, which were otherwise beyond our skimpy financial resources.
• Playing pretend church in the backyard, preaching to an inattentive and uninterested audience of chicken, imitating the fire and brimstone sermons that had implanted in my 5 year old brain
• Barn yard smells, pig pens and grazing troughs, unfenced roaming goats, mules and plow horses, free-range pullets, chickens and roosters.
• Hop scotch, hide and seek, skipping rocks on nearby ponds and running underneath the Big House to escape from trouble or to dodge a playmate while playing “hide and seek.”.
• Gathering newly fallen pecans and walnuts from nearby trees and picking Blackberries along countryside roads, nearby thickets, and uncultivated lands, while taking in the ubiquitous sweet fragrancies of lilacs, honeysuckle vines and other potent and pleasant smelling wild flowers.
• Vigilantly keeping an eye out for garden snakes, blue racers, “Spread natters” rattle snakes and other creepy crawly things while simply playing in the yard, searching for “craw daddies” (i.e., Crayfish) toads and frogs or picking wild berries.
• “Yes Sir,” “Yes Mam,”  “much obliged,”  “Thank you” and “pardon me,” which were obligatory responses to be extended to any adult who crossed my path.
• A two room rural school house in which I was imbued with an insatiable hunger and quest for learning as many new things as I could in as short a time as possible.
• Cotton, corn and wheat fields, Soy bean crops, sorghum and sugar cane plants.
• Covered bed pickup trucks hauling field workers; field hoes and cotton sacks; straw hats, water buckets and newspaper lined clothing to protect one’s skin from annoying, exasperating and possibly infectious mosquito bites.
• Field labor in insufferable heat and blistering sun from can’t see dawn to dusk and can’t see beyond; brown paper bag lunches consisting of assorted cold cut luncheon meat and cheese sandwiches, chips, soda pop, cookies – Vanilla Wafers were my personal favorite – and other snacking treats.
• Live radio broadcast of boxing matches – especially heavy and middle weight class matches; live radio broadcast of “Theater of the Mind” comedy and drama shows; 16 mm movies shown in a makeshift temporary theater set up in a farm milk barn.
• Round Pond, Widener, “Cat Fish,” “Greasy Corners,” Forrest City, Little Rock, Pine Bluff, South Central Los Angeles, Long Beach, Hayward, Oakland, Hercules, Dublin, Faribault and Saint Paul.
• Segregation and denigration, from bondage to liberation; from “You’re nobody” to “You can become anyone or anything you want to be.”
• Amos and Mary, Ada and Paul, Gertrude and George, Lucinda and Vennie.

Another beautiful poem from Ms. Harrison’s class….Thank you Janae!

I Am From Poem

By: Janaé Boyd

I am from two whose love made me.

I am from the drips of melanin that’s kissed by the sun.

I am from the black of my skin.

I am from the chuckle of my laugh.

I am from the smile on my heart.

I am from the smirk behind my gaze.

I am from a caring & loving family.

I am from siblings who uplift me.

I am from a curious mind who wants to be with the stars in the night sky.

I am from lazy mornings sleeping in to the late nights bingeing Netflix shows.

I am from love.

I am from pain.

I am from just about everything.

I am from the unpolished.

Poems from Ms. Harrison’s  Social Activism Class—wonderful! (more on their way)..

I am from deep endless forests. Towering above me like skyscrapers

Far from the city and it’s problems

Quiet and shy

Words and ideas swallowed by the sounds of trees falling

Sap sticking to your heels and staying there

The smell of pine

Max

I am from sitting in the couch,

Pulling out my phone

And losing track of time

I am from keeping my earbuds in all the time

Letting the music calm me

Shuffling every song I’ve ever downloaded

I am from not being nervous around cops

Not dealing with racism, or even noticing it

Elijah Byron

I am from Poem

Ms. Harrison

Social Activism

I am from church

And fried fish

I am from lightskins

And pink lips

I am from flatirons

And perms

I am from curly hair products

And deep conditioning

I am from coconut oil

And bbqs

I am from my family

And trials

I am me

Seraiah Hardy

I Am Self-Made

The runt in the liter,

Yet self-made.

Self-taught.

I am devoted;

Devoted to the life.

The life that will be made for me,

By me.

Doubted;

Doubted and cheated,

Cheated of a chance at life.

Because of the color of my skin.

I am the color of my skin.

I am the oppression that comes with it.

But,

I am not what they want me to be.

Hateful.

I am not who they want me to be,

Nor who they think I will become,

Because I am self-made.

A’Chy’Gei Motley

Here are two poems from Alaska…and they are needed to warm our hearts..

Where I’m From

By Jerel Williams

I am from blue bandana,

from struggle and pain.

I am from the heatwave, sweat off the back of the underdog.

(Hot like heat off of gunsmoke.)

I am from black rose garden

beauty devine never seen as antique.

I’m from gumbo pots and dreadlocks or waves,

From Hype Willie and Lil’ Cuz.

I’m from tough love and no scrubs.

I’m from a life that’s cold, plenty pretty though, so forget-me-not.

I’m from Davishood hard work in life make life all good,

country slang fried chicken man, anything to please young men.

From the 5 young boys rectified by night,

From 1 strong Queen to be bringer of light.

I Am From…

By: Matthew Mark Moore

I am from analog radio receiver,

from Marlboro 100’s cigarettes and Zig-Zags.

I am from the living room that surrounds a wood stove

(cozy yet full of life and the smell of marijuana smoke).

I am from the Rhubarb patch,

the blueberry bushes

whose fruit dyed my fingers and lips blue but

never filled my berry bucket.

I’m from helping your neighbors and the magic of the spoken word,

from Grandma June and the Dion quintuplets.

I’m from skepticism and big dreams,

from “loyalty above all else except honor” and “its what comes out of your mouth that defiles you.”

I’m from reformed Catholics,

read the Bible for yourself, there’s truth in there.

I’m from the Norton Sound Kawerakmuit people (pronounced Ca-wear-ick-mute),

oven baked salmon and Basamati rice.

From the leather belt my father whipped us with,

and the fist my brother David knocked a giant of man out with.

In my niece’s bedroom drawer lies a pile of old coins,

coins collected in the 20^th century by my grandma Arella.

I’m from those coins, circulated halfway around the world,

stolen, lost and returned, almost forgotten but still here.

Judith Lesnaw Poem

Where I’m From.

I am from ships that sailed

from England, from Poland, and from Sweden;

from the buggy that rolled down

Kishwaukee Street towards the bridge over tracks below;

I am from leaf boats that sailed down

rivulets of melting ice and snow;

from the puddled field by the school

in Spring.

I am from rotifers and paramecia

that swam in the well of my

microscope slide;

from chemicals that coaxed images

from sheets of white in the dark.

I am from the mud hole in the vacant lot,

the target for marbles large and small;

from tall grasses felled by the swishing scythe.

I am from wicker seats on the trolley car

as it whisked down Irving Road

showering sparks from the pole

that danced on the wire above;

from roller skates spinning

a rough vibrato of steel on concrete,

that tickled my toes.

I am from the tattered box

of plastic cowboys and horses and Indians

and Tom Corbet Space Cadet;

from the rusted metal box

of squirming night crawlers that

The Old Geezer sold as bait

On Crystal Lake.

I am from the pages of

The Wizard of Oz, The Black Stallion,

Lodestar, and Microbe Hunters;

from Bunkie the Monkey

The Nutcracker Suite, The Emperor’s Waltz,

Bellefonte.

These are the things from which I come

the sum of them all

is Me.

JAL 2018

Here is another early, 2919, beauty!

Where I’m from

by Leslie Dane

I’m not from love.

I’m from abandonment,

alcoholism, and anxiety.

John did not want me.

Joanie, an angry single mother,

taught piano lessons to get us by.

I’m from the brilliance of my grandmother,

the alcoholism of a psychiatrist step-father,

and fingers that bled to the quick.

I’m from antique quilts,

pieced from stained,

ragged, intimidating shapes.

I’m from thumb sucking,

years of awkward smiles,

insecurity, and sad self-esteem.

I’m from saddle sores,

my cherished horse, Sugar,

4-H shows and a few blue ribbons.

I’m a Catholic raised by the Bible belt,

who whispered hushed Hail Mary’s

as I counted secret rosary beads.

I’m from frozen pot pies,

Pb &j, Popeye spinach, and

acres of corn-on-the-cob.

I’m from Laura Ingalls Wilder,

Little House on the Prairie and

sought the solace of Erma Bombeck’s cherry pits.

I’m from two ex-husbands,

one just mean and

another who did time.

I did not come from love.

But my heart would burst when each of my kids

flashed me a toothless smile.

Today, I’m from four great kids,

bifocals, two wrinkles and three grey hairs,

full-grown from my love.

A beautiful poem to start the new year…!

I am From

Levon Stallings

I am from cassette tapes

From flannel and Nestles Quick

I am from rain, blackberries, apple trees,

the damp grey Puget Sound sky and the sweet aroma of red and yellow cedars.

I am from the ferns, moss, and bark that ruined my school clothes every year.

I am from Thanksgiving frog legs and dysfunction.

From Ingborg and Gullbrand. Kristi and Ivar.

From the thunder Thor creates with his hammer and anvil

to the lord’s prayer my Gramma-gramma taught us “just in case”.

I am from Mjollnir and Yggsdrasil.

From street trolleys, earthquakes, dwarves and frost giants.

From strawberry rhubarb pie and elk stew.

From the Polish immigrant who escaped the Nazis on two separate occasions,

to the cousin who died in my arms, whose last words were: “Help me get up”.

I am from volumes of genealogy in my grandmother’s basement filled with

names of people I’ll never know but will somehow always know.

From a feeling of home that is inherently all my own.

A second new poem ….we are growing!

I  Am From by Marika Ford

I am from whatever is on sale, dangerous
pines, penny candy and Dr. Dragon.
I am from Aleksander and Marija
(Don’t loz around! You’re going to break your neck!
and I’m going to give you a licking! )
I am from a language not fully understood
and incense, choir singing, icons,
perogies and babka in the church basement.
I am from the Dugout, Thunderbird and Farm Shop
hamburgers and french fries in plastic baskets.
I am from Uncle Joe’s half missing finger,
dots of red blood on long white paper,
newspapers spat upon through the night
and I am so tired and so thirsty.
I am from one part. Two places. Fixes.
Two and more faces.
I’m from behind a small, odd door, a hidden paper doll with a growing wardrobe.
From death and birth and death and birth.

Jesse Stock shared this group poem from the Athens County cohort

Athens, County, Ohio

WE ARE FROM

We are from rolling hills,

from Starbricks and Passion Flowers.

We are from company towns,

pride, grit, fresh-tilled earth.

We’re from paw-paws,

brewed, baked, celebrated.

We’re from 30 Mile Meal

and locally owned, from Ada Adams

and the Brooks family,

from tenacity and resilience.

We’re from open arms,

open minds, authentic smiles.

We’re from coal, iron, higher education,

from the Burrito Buggy, CASA

and great pizza, from the simple

kindness of Margaret McGrainer

to the courage of the Courier sisters.

We are from connections

and thriving community centers,

where our history lives on

in each other.

A new one to welcome the new year ahead by Beldonna Brown-Chakoutahi

I am from:

I am from love!

I am from a teenage mom who was asked to get an abortion!

I am from a 21-year-old man that never wanted children,

but he came from a fortune!

I am from love!

I am from a single mom on welfare addicted to drugs!

I am from the Southside of Minneapolis surrounded by thugs!

I am from love!

I am from waking up to my mom screaming for help!

I am from the empathy inside me that feels what she felt!

I am from love!

I am from the phone once again he ripped out of the wall!

I am from running to the phone booth to make those 911 calls!

I am from love!

I am from holding my mom alone while we cried!

I am from praying to God “please don’t let my mom die”!

I am from love!

I am from watching my mom getting raped!

I am from laying in that bed and thinking how lucky I was that I had escaped!

I am from love!

I am from my own bouts of sexual abuse!

I am from thinking about life and saying “what’s the use”!

I am from love!

I am from my mom saying she just took a bunch of pills!

I am from her giving me directions for when she’s gone on how to rebuild!

I am from love!

I am from realizing I am gay at the age of 14!

I am from hoping that the love I had for HER would go unseen!

I am from love!

I am from my mom finding out and beating me like crazy!

I am from drinking beer and taking pills so that I could feel hazy!

I am from love!

I am from confusion about my gender identity!

I am from a girl and a boy I think both are inside me!

I am from love!

I am from depression, fear, PTSD, love, and hate!

I am from a mom when sober was so beautiful and great!

I am from love!

I am from a mom that died way to young!

I am from having a niece 18 days later whose life had just begun!

I am from love!

I am from a mom who was sick, tired, battered and bruised but because of her that’s not the life I choose!

I am from love!

I am from a mom that tried to teach me the best way she knew how! We went window shopping all the time taking the 21-bus downtown! She was kind, loved animals, laughed, and loved her family! She taught me to respect my elders, be goofy, have fun, love babies, smile, dance, be creative and not lazy!

I am from love!

I am from Joan Renee Brown (Blackfeet Indian) enrolled Browning, Montana. Born Oct.8.1956 and Died Feb.6.2007

I miss you and love you always and forever in my heart you will be!

I am from love!

Can’t you see?

This is me!

A lovely, powerful poem from Lori Burns

I am from a green and pink sacred space

from hairbrush “microphones”

and dolls in a row waiting to learn.

I am from domestic pain outside this sacred space

and homegrown anxiety.

I am from weeping willows

whose branches reached out to comfort me.

I am from slamming doors

from Franc’s rage and Evelyn’s tears

and from the meeting place of violence and compassion,

from truces on holidays until the turkey flew across the room.

I am from required church on Sunday

from canned vegetables and potted meat

from the Depression and sexual assault

and from assassinations and Watergate

I survived somehow

I am from the moments … and I survived somehow.

Oh my…..what beauty…what words. The project grows.

I Am From

Harry Landsman

I am from an actor who still hasn’t grown his beard at fifty

I am from a dancer who makes animal noises when she dances

I am from Norwegians, of all the crazy Barbarians

I am from Russians who came to the US and now eat hamburgers

I am from France, finally some non crazy part in the family

I am Euro-pean, and not in the bathroom!

I am from The Earth School—ba ba-ba-BOOM!

I am from the creator of this poem thingy.

Here is one from Sweden…sweet, arrived this morning.

WHERE I’M FROM

by Lova Nilsson

I’m from green grass full of love, full of anger, full of trust.

I’m from my happy hugging mother and my goofy, tuff father.

I’m from my big brother and his drawings, I’m from a family that I love.

I’m from the small town of easter to the known town of Gothia.

I’m from my fathers amazing meat sauce to my mothers pancakes full of milk, butter and love, love, love.

I’m from a well filled refrigerator to lunch boxes outside a tent in the woods.

I’m from pop songs in the carto alternative rock in the kitchen.

I’m from “girls can’t play soccer” to “wow she’s so good”.

I’m from the strengthening sound of metal clinking together, from the medals that shines in golden.

This is one of two new ones that have come in this week…Stunning poems, our voices!

Where I’m From
By Shiloh Sophia

I am from cinnamon toast and honey milk,
and from warm beds with more than enough pillows.
I am from enough time for me with enough time for you.
I’m from the land of women.

I am from the heart of my mother’s love and breastfeeding.
I’m from the colored fabric swatches of my mother’s mother
from the incense, icons and candles of my father’s mother
I’m from my father’s unlived stories of true love.

I am from the good witches on the wrong side of the tracks,
from tarot cards, tai chi, spells, lesbians and wild redheads.
I’m from scriptured women who go thump with the Bible
who find their tables filled with friends in need of prayer.

I’m from days of prophecy pie and fear of the Lord
laced with fear of not becoming the fully unfettered me.
I’m from baked beans with Best Foods mayo in ceramic bowls,
and from patchwork dresses and roast chickens.

I am from Elvis records and hot pink curlers in blonde hairs.
I’m from the longing and the howling at the moon.
I’m from red roses in bowls of water blessings
and from quantum physics for breakfast.

I am from two women. A poet and a painter.
Precise. Pottery. Prophesy. Paradox. Wet paint.
I am from the one who thins her own forest with a chainsaw,
and from the one who is in love with language.

I am from dust, from in the beginning was the Word
and the spit of Christ mixed with the soil of seeing.
I am from the particles of a love pure enough
to raise the dead and put peace in the heart of my chaos.

I am from the non-judgement of transvestites
in red dresses and high heels on Sunday morning San Francisco’s gospel.
I am from learning to love the Lord from African Americans
who took me under their wings into the streets of creation.

I am from Native Americans who showed me where I live
smudged me from childhood and would not let me forget.
I am from the United States, occupied territory, red.
My teachers have called me to action, Aho!

I am from my sister Cinnamon, a bad ass on a motorcycle
with a devil-may-or-may-not care blues song blazing.
I am from my brother the Carpenter hammering out
an uncertain future with many daughters to call his own.

I am from my sister in the deserts of Mexico
with her miracle child holding the family secrets.
I am from the Virgin de Guadalupe’s crescent moon
and from making wrong things right.

I am from willing to die for love dreams
and from ten years of prayers and miscarriages.
I am from matriarchs and yet finally choose:
I will not walk the path of the Matriarch.

I am from the Northern parts of California
from more homes than I can count from rolling green hills
and grey blue beaches and seagulls that love pepperoni pizza.

I am from the walk on the wild side with a Prince tattoo
from his 1982 love symbol.
I’m from the constellation called Cosmic Cowgirls
and my imaginary white horse is named Commander.

I am from the need to gather the women,
the mending power of circle and drum and feather.
I am from ancient Russian women grandmother shamans
and Scandinavian grandfathers who made musical instruments.

I am from the kitchen of the Red Madonna
Mother of the all seeing all forgiving
One whose enormous tent stretches from star to star.
I am from Her mothership and from His Gospel.

I am from legends. I am from freedom. I
was born for hot summer days with nowhere to go
with my West Virginia lover in a white convertible.
I am made from adventure, that is my middle name now.

I am forged from the riddle bone of my Muse
who loves leopard print and ghetto saloons
eats chocolate with peanut butter by candlelight,
she writes poetry from a red chair at midnight.

I am from the colors of woman
from a sisterhood
who seek to serve to transform wounds into wonders
through the alchemy of dancing paintbrushes.

I am from mermaids who sing each to each
who tell tall green tales to salty sailors
seducing them with martinis, two olives please.
I am flown from wonder woman and her glass plane.

I am pulled from stardust into matter, I am star woman.
I am pulled to the gravity of earth, I am earth woman.
I am from the need for justice for all and kindness
falling in love with each day like a school girl crush.

I am from the mother tongue of creativity
expressed with intentionality I’m from the impossibility.
I’m from being totally for you without losing me.

I am from the mystics of the red thread café
a place between tomorrow and today, I’ll meet you there.
Where the mysteries of the universe drop colored ribbons
like clues just on the other side of the narrow gate.
Inspired by George Ella Lyon’s poem: Where I’m From
Written on the day after Sue’s 8oth Birthday
On the day Prince died at 57 on the Full Moon on April 21.
The day before we get the keys to our new live work space.
On the eve of Passover.

These keep coming in, each one unique, each one who we are…Thank you writers!

Where I’m From

by Pam Turner

I am from grass stains and mud pies

Velveeta and Frito pie

From four leaf clovers and handmade necklaces

Woven in a chain on the playground

I’m from tadpoles and leaf piles, spankings and write offs,

a Tupperware cookie box filled

with Dutch windmills and Fig Newtons

but never the Oreos we craved

I’m from “bless her heart” and “for crying in a bucket”

which means she just couldn’t help it

from standing in the corner and hitching a ride,

drowned in so much that couldn’t be said.

Here is a beauty….

Belonging

I am from the land of Himalayas
and the Taj Mahal

I am from where many Gods are worshipped
and names disclose your religion

I am from where I wake up
saying a prayer
looking at my hands

I am from where the entrance of homes
is decorated by drawing patterns
with rice flour

I am from yoga and the art of living
and yet obesity is often mistaken for prosperity

I am from silk sarees, red bindis
and feasting on banana leaves

I am from wearing flowers in my hair
and glass bangles on my wrists

I am from where the earth smells
like heaven every time it rains!

——————Surabhi Kaushik

Terry Focht takes the I Am From poem and expands it here;

I Am From

Terry Focht

I am from Heaven’s melting pot

Birthed from many nations

I am from the destiny of man

too many wars

victories and defeats

liberating life

wounded and deceased

honor and courage

undimmed by human tears

 

I am from Native American’s

honored warriors

nature’s keepers

revered nations

spirit quest

 

I am from The Great Migration

seekers of freedom

men of Steel

women of Faith

 

I am from the giants of history

hearts of the pilgrims

curiosity and grit of

the explorers

courage of early settlers

stamina of the pioneers

 

I am from Jamestown

Williamsburg and Plymouth

the Nina, the Pinta, the Santa Maria

the determination within mans soul

 

I am from the sun and the stars

mornings and midnights

“Dawn’s early light

Twilight’s last gleaming”

I am from boundless skies

architecture of the land

purple mountains majesty

emerald green valleys

bounties of the fields

blessings in the air

 

I am from land of the free

home of the brave

sea to shining sea

I am from sun worn skin

rosy red cheeks

deeply carved laugh lines

scar worn ankles and wrists

I am from the colors of our flag

Manifest Destiny

Emancipation Proclamation

Pledge of Allegiance

In God We Trust

The Lords Prayer

I am          

           “ The tired, the poor,

the huddled masses

yearning to breathe free”

 

 

             I am the children

             I am the people

             I am the land

             I am…

             America

A Lovely new poem, just received..

Here is what happens when you have an I  Am From booth at your teacher’s conference day..a long, poem by many who stopped by the booth!

I AM FROM

St. Paul Teachers Conference, Oct. 2017

I am from a Midwest college town that prides itself on education but never knew what to do with students like me.

I am from people who live and love and laugh in spite of those who have tried to silence their voices.

I am from Napa, California but live now in N. Minnesota—seeking connections, kids, gardening, art peace and justice!

I am from the roots of many from the past. Many tribes brought together to make change

I am from a small rural town where community is a big influence in supporting education. How can we strengthen that bond in other school districts?

I am from fierce, Black ancestors, Southside Chicago, gritty streets and resilient change makers

I am from Minneapolis, I am from a lifestyle where you always help those in need get a hand up.

I am from suburban Minnesota. From a family with love and support, encouraging me to make a change.

I am from Packer land, Wisconsin!

I am from the land of Centaurs, #286.

I am from a working- class family and Europe through Ellis Island, who were welcomed. I am from/have White privilege.

I am from a strong woman and I strive to be the same for my daughters.

I am from so much! I am from a thirty minute lunch break. (My twin had the other 30 minutes).

I am a proud Asian adoptee teacher. I strive to be a role model for future Asian teachers.

I am from a family farm in Central Minnesota, transported to the urban area.

I am from familia.

I am from strong, smart women who fight for who athey are and what they stand for. I am from strength.

I am from 19 states, 12 countries and 4 continents, a true mongrel of a man and citizen of the world!

TAHWACINWASTEWIN MIYEYE.

I am from Northeast Minneapolis and my neighborhood is a huge part of who I am!

I belong to a family…that values belonging…that cares for others…that believes education is important for all!

I am from a family who lived Civil Rights in the 60’s and 70’s and I believe those beliefs still apply today!

I am from a small farming centered town. I am from a divorced family with five children. I am from a family that supports whatever you do.

I am from speaking without cursing, feeling the love of the teacher and student without being like them.

I am from the heart of Minnesota, with the dream to travel the world

I am from the heart of Minnesota, with the dream to travel the world. I am from a hard-working, family-oriented and loving background.

I’m beautiful, smart. I’m from a small village in West Africa, from a family of 9 kids, 5 girls and 4 boys and I’m the baby!

I am from generations of teachers on a journey to defend public education.

I am from wanting to learn more, grow more, and trust more. I am from wanting to be an educator and an activist.

I am from St. Paul. I am from never give up. I am from practice makes perfect.

I am from unknown origins. I as adopted ….Until I had my DNA test..Now I know I am middle Eastern, North African Italian, Jewish, Native American. Got nothing but love for all peoples.

Gaa-zagaskwaajimekaag

Ishinikaade ishkonigan

Wenjibaawad indinawemaaganag.

Mishakwad omaamaayan indaw.

Anishinaabekwew

Bagwajikwew.

I am from a land that could not provide for me. I am from a family of immigrants.

I am from a family of educators. We are strong believers of life long learning. We believe in the power of education and where it will take you. I

I believe in the power of WE!

I am from Minnesota, south Korea, the Phillipines and Thailand.

I am from the department of corrections.

I am from Adult Basic Education.

I am from the Spanish speaking world.

I am a descendant of indigenous women that struggled before me so I can dream and succeed.  I continue the journey for my children and their children.

I am from the land, the sky the water. Stop trying to poison me!

I am from Africa via Jamaica. I am a world citizen, the human race.

One people! One love!

I am from Hong Kong. My family is from Wisconsin. I hope to make a difference in the classroom.

I am from a single mother!

I am from rural Minnesota, small down, dirt roads and love.

I am from strong people.

I am from an unequal playing field.

I am from a passionate call to help create equal space for all.

I emerge from the North Woods. The cedar boughs are my hair.

I drink the lake and it is the essence of who I am, with all its peace, its fury and is soul emanates from my pores.

I am from freedom: freedom to be beautiful, ugly, finished, unfinished, known, unknown, self.

I am from the neighborhood of tall white pines that dance in the wind.

I am from the heart of my members, with them at the core of what I do!

I am from fields of hoary allysium in the hands of bridal Barbie. I am from Christmases where santa might not come, loud laughing dinners, forty- five minutes away from anything.

I am from whiteness and trying to destroy it. Interested to see what’s left over.

I am from Nebraska and the world of marigolds and endless corn.

I am from an immigrant mother who loves this country. She raised me to always be kin, respectful, non-judgmental. It has served me well in my role as a union leader.

I am from loving brown hands.

I am from a family full of love that I try to give to others.

I am from an immigrant family from Mexico, two working parents with a third grade education, who raised seven children. The believed in the power of education.

I am from rural America, educated in the public schools, first to earn a college degeree and first to earn a masters degree, all because two parents  believed in the American dream.

I am from Windy City. Buy my roots are in the deep South.

I am from a mother who grew up in the time of hate. But she raised me to be blessed and to support others in their will to lives good lives.

I am from literature, music and the strength of my students.

I am from  la tierra de Mexico Guadalajara. I am an immigrant.

I am from the strength of my parents.

I am from a land of love, a man of community of love. We include everyone.

I am fro Medellin Columbia, the city of the eternal spring.

I am from twenty years teaching in Minnesota.

I am from here!

I am from hard work, determination, goal setting.

I am from a little island, Daebu, from parents who believed in working hard, following (and being prepared to follow) one’s dreams, from public education and from being prepared for the worst and believing in the best.

I am from MPLS. My mother, myself and my children all  went to MPLS schools. I would like to see them return to the great schools they once were.

I am from the red dirt of Ghana, Hawaii, Alabama.

I am from the edge of solitude, from where the road meets the dream.

I am from a place of passion, commitment, healing, everlasting progress and determination!!!!

I am from

unknown origins, thru forced immigration

Check the box so I can put you in a box

Love, empathy and compassion

Won’t you join me?

I am from a farming community in Freeland Michigan.

I am a farmer become teacher.

I am from the farm, where we know what community is.

I am from where dreams really can be reality.

I am from a family of refugees, from not fitting in to feeling welcome.

I am from people who are often misunderstood and silenced.

I am from broken hearts to healing. I am an educator.

I am from Texas.

I am from rigid rules.

I am from a loving family.

I am from the small German town of New Ulm, Mn.

I have known the small town and big city life. I love both!

I am a strong Latina and persistence is my motto.

I want English learners to feel empowered by education, empathy and powerful role models and building relationships.

I am from seven older siblings—some grown and others split between three homes. I

am from mixed identity, evictions, red Kool-aid  and spaghetti for days.

I am from pink oil, fish frying and kick-the-can.

I am from Africa, Swali. Question: does this spark curiosity about me?

Tibu, answer, it does make me curious about you, from a different background.

To unite now and for our future generations is what we need.

Kuungana—unite!

I am from  West Africa Liberia where our education system needs a lot of improvement, especially early education

I am from suburban Sacramento but my family is from a variety of places without a true hometown.

I am from Minnesota and it needs a lot of help.

I am from Elvia and Mary.

I am from fried chicken and Sunday family dinners.

I am from hard work, education and determination.

I am from family.

I am from a land far away. I have become a strong woman and mother to be an educator, so I am a mother-teacher who does love kids.

I am from a minority people who has a dream of togetherness, solitude and one from all and all for one..

I am from trust, truth and safe spaces.

I grew up in San Diego CA but I ‘m from not just where I’ve lived but from all the communities that have raised and continue to help me grow, all over the place.

I am from Laos, Minnesota, California, to DC!

I am from  a place that calls me”Nena” but I have grown up since then and a force to be reckon with…

I Am From

Terry Focht

I am from the spirit of far away places

From the ancestral DNA

of the heavens, the earth and the Father

The idea of man’s being

From the kindness of nature

that allows my existence

 

I am from the wind, the sea, the mountaintops

The fire that formed man’s spirit

 

I come from the heritage of man

Grandparents of Switzerland and Ireland

Holland and Germany

From the blood

Folkways

Morals and mores of these people

The character of these countries

I am forged by their struggles

Strengthened by their broken bodies

Work-worn hands

Hard earned crevices in their faces

I am from the union of many souls

From the romance of their cultures

The obligation and privilege of man to exist

I am from tempered will

Muscle

Battles of man

Father’s that steered the way

I am from the strengths

The love, the values

of the many mothers

that kept the way

I am from                                                                

The Art                                                                                                            

The Music                                                               

The Poetry in the wind                                       

 

 

Now, a three part I Am From experience ! This form is ever-expanding…

I Am From

Childhood Memories

                                                           D’Vorah Clark Kelley

I am from pennies planted under a willow tree in the front yard.

I am from tears streaming down my face the day my beloved dog died.

I am from climbing on the big bales of hay in the barn on a winter day.

I am from the tops of maple trees, hiding where no one can see.

I am from sumac and lilacs and forsythia bushes in the back yard.

I am from horses, dogs, cats, rabbits and sheep in the field.

I am from mellow summer days spent free-ranging with friends in woods and fields.

I am from stonewalls and fence posts and closed in spaces.

I am from the wild, unfettered times, before the move that broke my heart.

I am from Connie and Ed, from Marion and Lester, from Audran and Edward.

I am from Scotland and England and France and the hills of North Carolina.

I am from where the trail of tears began, and where it ended in Oklahoma.

I am from bone and sinew and blood and tears.

I am from fear and anger, love and joy, from sorrow and excitement.

I am from hither and yon.

I am from cloud formations on a summer’s day.

I am from invisible forces streaming through my body.

I am from islands and lakes and puddles in the driveway.

I am from honeysuckle and dandelions and sweet smelling grass.

I am wholly the me that has been created by all of these things,

and more, so much more.

_______________________

I Am From

The Four Directions

I am from the East, from the wind under the wings of an eagle,

soaring and plunging to earth and soaring high again,

majestic and all-seeing.

I am from the South, from a fiery volcano, spewed out as hot,

molten lavato then solidify and become

a path for a shepherd boy herding his sheep.

I am from the West, from the deepest recesses of the ocean,

formed when the earth was newly bon from stardust,

churning, bubbling, hidden away for all time.

I am from the North, from sand on the beaches of the world,
tumbled by the sea after traveling through space and time –

once a mighty mountain, now a tiny grain among other tiny grains.

But, before all of these, I came from the center of the Universe,

spiraling outward, onward, believing I could understand the language of the stars

if only I listened hard enough.

_____________________________

I Am From

The Never Ending Story

I am from the seacoast,

where waves crash and

sandpipers scurry across

the wet sand.

I am from the depths of despair

and the pinnacles of hope.

I am from treetops and grass roots,

lake beds, and river stones;

all of nature is my playground.

I am from everywhere and nowhere,

all at the same time,

comprehensible and incomprehensible.

I am from twilight as lightning bugs

flash messages to each other

at the edge of the forest.

I am from continuous sunrises

over the ocean, promising a new day,

full of wonder.

I am from rainbows, sundogs, rings around the sun,

clouds that disappear in the wind,

the playground of the children

of  the sky goddess.

I am from volcanoes, cyclones,

ice storms, and tsunamis,

a force to be reckoned with.

I am from a never-ending story

of courage, passion and majesty.

I am from a city full of noise and ugliness,

and from the verdant hills of quiet beauty

that speak to me of hope.

I am from tadpoles in a springtime pond,

wondering where their tails have gone

and what their new lives will be like.

I am from the multi-faceted jewel

hanging in the void, waiting

to be discovered and honored.

I am from eagles, starlings, Cardinals,

Baltimore Orioles, and seagulls,

winging my way to a new tomorrow.

I am from deepening friendships

that make my heart

come alive with love and gratitude.

I am from all my yesterdays,

and all my tomorrows,

but for right now,

I am from this moment.

Here is a tough, honest poem by Constanza Gamardo…

Constanza Gamardo

Where I’m from: Venezuela

I’m from the Angel Falls, the Amazonian Rainforest, the Caribbean Sea, the desert,

the snow.

I’m from the salty smell of the early sunrise and the walks through wet sand.

I’m from the black gold.

I’m from the drug dealer sitting across the priest.

I’m from that gun to my head. The violence. The anarchy. The fear. The tears.

Where you can break the law but the law won’t break you.

From a land of both beauty and disgrace,

where your faith is on hands of the one that holds the knife, anyone but you.

From short skirts and big egos.

I’m from those angels that look out for me above the sky.

I’m from loud music that starts when the sun sets, until it rises again.

From the laugh that echoes on the equator.

From the eternal summer.

I’m from those happy moments. Friends and family.

From a country where money, corruption and the government are glorified,

but integrity, compassion and honesty often forgotten.

From parents that let me go to soon, for my own good.

From a broken family that sticks together.

I’m from love and gratefulness, from perseverance and resilience.

From Vernica Jabrocki

So clear and lovely…

I am from Eternity

I am from father

I am from mother birth

I am from life

I am from death

I am from Mother Earth

I am from Father

I am from Eternity

Veronica Jabrocki

2017

Here is one from Louise Bierig

She has taken her concern for water and made an I Am From poem about it! What a fine way to join this movement…Think of an issue you care about and try to do what Louise did…and sent it along…

I AM From

I am from polluted water, now clean,

thanks zebra mussels.*

I am from vineyards smelling like

scratch and sniff grape stickers

I am from loneliness

from wind.

I am from a field with a gold-

eyelashed toad.

I am from Power Rangers and tractors that run

best on non-ethanol gasoline.

I am from an old road where a

stage coach used to cross the creek.

I am from sailboats.

I am from the Brick House with

its secret trunk in the

second floor bedroom, which

Jeff tells me was on the

underground railroad, though

my father doesn’t believe him.

The bedroom where Uncle John,

eight years old, shot a groundhog

from the window.

I am from beaches filled with

coarse, metallic sand—yes, it’s

full of iron ore, the filaments of which

will stick to a magnet—covered

in logs—old tree trunks that fell

over the banks and the waves carried downwind—

and flat chunks of shale.

No, don’t use them to build

a fire ring; they will crack in the heat

and hit you in the teeth.

*In 1972, The Clean Water Act and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, signed by the United States and Canada, contributed to lowering the amount of pollutants entering the Great Lakes. The banning of DDT led to the renewal of higher level fish to the lake, as well as the return of hawks. However, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals in personal care products and plastics put the lake at risk and harmful algae blooms (a threat to Lake Erie for the last two decades) are on the rise.

Sharon Isaac

A lovely poem…thank you Sharon…

WHERE I’M FROM

by Sharon Rose Isaac

I am from The Project, The Mountain Parkway & The Rose of Sharon

I am from dirt, a swinging bridge, up Greasy Creek, a stand of white oak trees, & the Knockin’ Tree

From the mud between my toes as I hoe the corn & a vegetable garden with flowers

From a porch where secrets slip out and beans are strung

I am from a tobacco bed, tobacco crop, tobacco worms, & the tobacco check

A cast iron skillet, cornbread & fried potatoes

A canner full of glass jars, pickles, corn, green beans, a big table, biscuits & gravy, Kool-Aid & bologna sandwiches

I am from a banjo behind Mammie’s old couch, from Holy Rollers & speaking in tongues

I am from a messy marriage, long nights of quarreling & guns.

From unrealized dreams & unreached potentials, beer, whiskey & moonshine

Healers, herbalist & breathing into sick babies mouths.

I am from a story you tell over & over & over again

I am from a mountain graveyard with homemade crape papers flowers & a quilt made from feed sacks & old Army coats

I am from a carpenter, a factory worker, a storekeeper, a teacher, a farmer, a gambler & a dreamer

I am from a smokehouse on 14-mile creek with salt pork & tulip trees

I am from the forks of the road where we bury bits of potato we rub on our warts.

I am from family – for better or worse.

From Cincinnati!

We Are From WordPlay

Where are you from?
you ask.
I am from tears and mess and compromise.
I am from Cincinnati, the land of granite,
from sunken eyelids and bony hips.
I am from those places caught
between past and present lies,
from the split moment terrors
I get when I think of how my rapist is free.
I am from the powerful words
my mother made sure were in my lungs
since she knew that with the color of my skin,
people wouldn’t listen when I had to speak.
I am from a place where an orange runs a country—
no tea, no shade, but isn’t that funny.
I am from a crowd surf
of different hands and ideas.
In this beautiful fictional far off place,
every day is a gift to live and grow,
borders dissolved and no one owns the land.
I am from sticky rice and vinegar,
from teaching fish to dance,
from individuality and the correlation
between different and unique.
I am from the crack in the picture frame
that lets you reach inside to touch it.

WordPlay Cincy Scribes: Anais, Cat, Daphne, Keshawn, Lilly, and Sol

and Pauletta Hansel

http://www.wordplaycincy.org/scribes-poetry-team

Another one..just in…what these poems do, each day we receive one, is to remind us of the remarkable, brave, work of those who live in the US, day by day.

I am from..

Moya Haggerty.

I am from Cill Cartha, the ancestral hub

I am  from a higglelty-pigglelty street with twenty two first cousins.

I am from the gouged valley fringed with blue grey mountains

I am from Multiple sclerosis land where stiffened limbs collapse unintentionally

I am from a dying language where landscape holds names like Spinc na Bhfuileog

I am from purple heather land from black crumbled turf mould

I am from skeletons deep buried in bog butter

I am from the plonk of wet sods of turf on a newly cut bog

I am from a weighty creel on a man’s back

I am from a town land of rushes sloughing from tainted iron water

I am from far off places, Wagga Wagga, Mutiti and Ein Karim

I am from the Grand Canyon trodden by my grandfather crossing the Rio Grande

I am from chapatti land fringed with frangipani flowers

I am from bottle brush tree shot through with jacaranda flowers

I am from pocked marked Ogham stones

I am from the land of the slanting sun with a long pig tail

I am from the slime of the earth, from the twinkle of an eye, a spark of the cosmos

I am from the feel of silk sold in the bazaars of Tombouctou

I am from a line of storytellers who know how to entangle the knotted roots of the furze bush and pass on the musical litany of I am from

Here is a new one…a lovely one..an honest one….from Charlotte, North Carolina

I Am From

by

Veronica Corral

Charlotte, NC

I am from, neither from here or there

A hybrid, a marvelous fusion

that feels at home in a kaleidoscope

of culture

I cannot deny the birthplace of my parents

Though some deny me entrance

And I cannot spit in the face

Of the land that my parents labored in

From it I see the birth of my son

And a road of opportunity paved from

The sweat of my ancestors

Bearing fruit from their sacrifice and loss of the familiar

My colors, the red, white and blue

And the red, white and green

As well as the many unknown flags flowing in my veins

Each fused together in my blood

I sit at the table filled with a

Crayola of colors

Many of whom may feel alien at my presence

Yet I make my home among them, for me and my future

I am from neither here or there

But I feel at home

Amongst the many who call

themselves homeless

A third culture, that embraces

The rough edges of those

That find themselves as pioneers

In this new land

Two new powerful poems!

Where I’m From

by Rebecca Whitecotton

I am from starlight and angel dust,

Celestial feathers floating on the the breath of All That Is

I am from the dark of space,

from the center of the first light.

I am from the molten core of earth,

Hot, glowing, flowing to the surface,

Oozing forth and flowing to the ocean

Where it is quenched and hardened into solid form.

I am from acorns and sunflower seeds,

from hearty vines spreading life through leafy tendrils

I am from birch and maple, sycamore and oak,

Rooted in power and swaying with the wind.

I am from rocks and rain, stone and sand.

I am from the gazelle and the tortoise.

from the jackal and the bluebird,

the crow and the eagle.

I am from the mother bear who nurtures her cubs,

and the vulture who feeds on the dead.

I am from the compassion of saints

and the mistakes of sinners.

I am from the love of a mother

And the anger that drives worlds to war.

I am from joy and sadness,

pleasure and pain,

life and death.

I am from All That Is

and all that ever will be.

I AM.

Bridget Bufford

I am from skate punk, fuck off, touch my stuff and you die. I am from crystal meth, spoons and needles, paying to get high.

I am from the belt across the back, the fist in my teeth, the polished black hard soled shoe that kicks me downstairs. I am from waking in vomit, blood and snot.

I am from clay, impervious to pain. I am from stone, never cry no more. I am from dead ash that falls off the end of a reefer and I rub it into my pants leg. I am from the burning cigarette pressed into my skin. I am from the hidden razor, the secret switchblade knife.

I am from a long stretch of asphalt, too stoned to see the end. I am on my bike escaping to nowhere. I am on the side of the road, hitchhiking. I am in the car of a greasy speed freak, going too fast. Ninety mph in under seven seconds, he says. I’ll let you ride if you will hold my turtle. –Whatever, let’s go, and then the horny shell surprise

I am from Mad Dog and Thunderbird, puking down my shirt. I am from pot speed and acid, too high to die. I am from the hospital, raving, blood on my hands on my clothes is it mine? I am from four point restraint don’t tie me up god please no I can’t stand it. I’m from twenty mg. intramuscular Valium jammed in my arm, turning daylight soft and black.

I am from walking, walking the sidewalks of St. Louis, the barrios of Phoenix. Walking the highways of Houston, walking seawalls of the Gulf Coast, walking forests of the Midwest, infested. I am from chiggers and ticks and fleas.

I am from the fires of the Southwest, lightning strikes below the Rim. Late night fire fight red glow smoke choke burns your lungs and your feet blister in your boots. Know your crew in the ash-filled dark by a lock of hair, the looseness of a step. Know your weather, know the wind or die. Two Hotshots burned in the backfire, caught in the draw our own flares created. Burned those boys alive, seventeen and twenty-one, and there was too much smoke and ash to see. The locomotive wind drowns out the screams.

I am from the women: Janie, the dark-haired poet. Dreadlocked Maria, molasses-colored body artist, who threads purple beads in her hair. Elisa, the golden dancer gone to Boulder. Connie, the seeker, and Carole, the listener, and Pat when I write, and Becky who loves me even though I’m sometimes pretty bad.

I am from pen and ink, recreating my life.

By Bridget Bufford, 2004

Bewster Academy–2nd set of amazing I Am From Poems

I Am From

Jackson Barber

I am from Lemuria, from the legends of Mount Shasta and planet idon’tknow.

I am from the motherboard.

I am from the golden egg. The hot pot.

I am from good food and love. Hospitality from the west and south. Three California kids.

I am from the bees knees and the island in your dreams.

From the wild acts and childish time

I am from the town of believers.

I’m from a place of wisdom, kale and mango.

From the music and fun, the journey continues, and hopefully the universe delivers.

I am from the supreme land.

Where I am From by Mason Barchard

I am from belts, from Gi’s and finger tape.

I am from the soft canvas.

I am from where people flow like water and stand strong like rock.

I am from Jiu Jitsu and broad shoulders, from a bloodline of raw talent.

I am from the gentle art.

From hard work and perseverance.

I am from dreams and nightmares.

I’m from the mats, where the only food is food for thought and intelligence.

I am from the only place where a chess match can be expressed through movement.

From the place where we walk in the shoes of those we admire,

in those of legends and loved ones.

I am from

By Sumayya Al Kindy

I am from a country you’ve probably only heard from the citizens of the country, from the country right next to Saudi Arabia and right below Dubai.

I am from the smell of burning coal and frankincense. It blurs my vision as I set the red clay pot with melting frankincense down under the ceiling fan.

I am the daughter of an Omani who was born in Zanzibar, the African language fills my ears every time I visit my grandpa’s house and the family gathers.

I am from a country that ridiculed me as a child for looking like another race, for not speaking Arabic, for speaking English. The same country that, as I got older, saw its future in my hands.

I am from the family whose neighbors once heard us yelling and running away from someone I did not recognize at the time.

From a “candy”, it’s only good wrapped, to an unforgiving feminist who’s still looking on ways to educate her people.

I am from Mohammed Peace Be Upon Him. Although I lack in my religion, he is the ultimate role model for all things.

From the spilled blood of my brother s and sisters in Syria and Palestine. From the tears of the orphans crying for their baba and mama.

I’m from the English TV shows I watched like Days of Our Lives, and the smell of Biryani being cooked by my mother.

From the tears of my mother being hurt by a person she loved, and from the tears I shed for her.

I am from stubbornness of my mother and will be silent until i tip over with rage.

I am from all this.

I am me.

Last three from the marvelous Brewster Academy!

I AM FROM…

By Noah Spiegel

I am from Attack Cat Security, from Annie’s Shells and lacrosse sticks.

I am from the Mens Den, where the smell of fresh cuban cigars echo across the walls

I am from the Sullen apple tree out front, that has safeguarded 26 Round Hill since I was a young child.  and the woods that sleep during day and come alive when the sun sets.

I am from Cape Hatteras and Catamount Lane, from Herman who taught me how to be a Spiegel to Marian who taught me that kindness travels the farthest and Gordon who’s name I adopted as my own.

I am from the missing left socks and empty bottles to late card games and watching the stars pierce the night sky.

From “The Golden Rule” and Melting Brains.

I am from freshly baked homemade challah and 12 hour services, from Adam, Eve, Jacob, Leah, Abraham, Isaac and splitting the seas.

I’m from Eastern Germany, Poland, Armonk, NY and Roxbury, Mass. Each place more different than the other, but the building blocks of who we are.

From August 24^th 2013 the day our family changed forever, but not always for worse. To the day’s weeks months and years following that proved not only resilience, but strength and compassion.

I am from Sally’s paintings, from the mantle above the fireplace where those who built our family name sit and watch over us still.

I am from so many people place and things. All of which I am forever grateful for making me, me.

WHERE IM FROM

By Peter Leach

I am from snowy winters , from Timberland Boots and Winter Jackets.

I am from the multi level home, filled with eggo waffles in the morning, and the daily funnies.

I am from the house that protects lady slippers, with the weedless gardens.

I am from searching for eggs on easter morning, and loyalty to all , from my brother Evan and my cat Chancellor, and my dear old parents.

I am from the house that never gives in, and the halls of compassion .

From shame on you, to i’m proud of you son.

I am from a past of church. To a present of sleeping in .

I’m from the woods of Derry but the hills of Europe , from Chicken Packets to Whoopie Pies.

From the time I ran away from home to the time I wished I wasn’t alone, the time I caught a monster fish, to when I blew out my candles and made a wish.

I am from Vacations such as visiting Iceland, to sleeping in front of a fire on a rainy day.

My town has shaped me into what I wanted to be. My home lay nestled in the woods between the trees.

By Bailey Kolinski

I am from

I am from grass fields, from Billy Ray’s and Diet Coke

I am from the big red house with a white porch and the crunching of dirty brown grass under bare feet (home description… adjective, adjective, sensory detail).

I am from the pine trees standing 50 feet high. and yellow daisies surrounding granite post

I am from bracket picks and sun blonde hair, from Mom and Dad and Uncle Chuck (that no one ever talks about) and Griffin the strongest of us all.

I am from the weekend spent at sporting events and weekend off spent not knowing what to do.

From ‘please’ and ‘thank you’s’ and if you don’t like what I’m cooking that’s too bad.

I am from Sunday School, three different Popes, and hard wooden pews smelling of fresh lacquer (representation of religion, or lack of it). Further description.

I’m from Steven’s Point to Pączki and casserole’s

From the Reagan giving stiches to every one of her siblings both on the face, the time Papa past out in the kitchen when only the adults were awake (another detail, and the never ending movement of my Nana through all hours of the day.

I am from Ryder field where two of the three Kolinski children fell in love with a game. Where I learned all of life’s greatest lessons and where I hope one day my children will learn the same.

Here are the first three poems sent in by Jen Dumont, who writes:

I am writing to submit several poems to the project that my students wrote last spring. My students are from all over the world – Japan, Oman, Taiwan and all over America. Our school is Brewster Academy, a private, college prepatory school in Wolfeboro, NH.

Will be sending the next three soon!

New 3 poems from Brewster Academy!

I Am From

Jackson Barber

I am from Lemuria, from the legends of Mount Shasta and planet idon’tknow.

I am from the motherboard.

I am from the golden egg. The hot pot.

I am from good food and love. Hospitality from the west and south. Three California kids.

I am from the bees knees and the island in your dreams.

From the wild acts and childish time

I am from the town of believers.

I’m from a place of wisdom, kale and mango.

From the music and fun, the journey continues, and hopefully the universe delivers.

I am from the supreme land.

Where I am From

by Mason Barchard

I am from belts, from Gi’s and finger tape.

I am from the soft canvas.

I am from where people flow like water and stand strong like rock.

I am from Jiu Jitsu and broad shoulders, from a bloodline of raw talent.

I am from the gentle art.

From hard work and perseverance.

I am from dreams and nightmares.

I’m from the mats, where the only food is food for thought and intelligence.

I am from the only place where a chess match can be expressed through movement.

From the place where we walk in the shoes of those we admire,

in those of legends and loved ones.

I am from

By Sumayya Al Kindy

I am from a country you’ve probably only heard from the citizens of the country, from the country right next to Saudi Arabia and right below Dubai.

I am from the smell of burning coal and frankincense. It blurs my vision as I set the red clay pot with melting frankincense down under the ceiling fan.

I am the daughter of an Omani who was born in Zanzibar, the African language fills my ears every time I visit my grandpa’s house and the family gathers.

I am from a country that ridiculed me as a child for looking like another race, for not speaking Arabic, for speaking English. The same country that, as I got older, saw its future in my hands.

I am from the family whose neighbors once heard us yelling and running away from someone I did not recognize at the time.

From a “candy”, it’s only good wrapped, to an unforgiving feminist who’s still looking on ways to educate her people.

I am from Mohammed Peace Be Upon Him. Although I lack in my religion, he is the ultimate role model for all things.

From the spilled blood of my brother s and sisters in Syria and Palestine. From the tears of the orphans crying for their baba and mama.

I’m from the English TV shows I watched like Days of Our Lives, and the smell of Biryani being cooked by my mother.

From the tears of my mother being hurt by a person she loved, and from the tears I shed for her.

I am from stubbornness of my mother and will be silent until i tip over with rage.

I am from all this.

I am me.

I Am From Joy C

By Joy Cartwright

I am from earth, from skin and bone.

I am from the sky.

I am from the trees, the daisies

I am from the camp and Irish blood, from Brenda, Kim and Taylor and Cartwright .

I am from opinionated contestations and addiction .

From strictly organic and Waldorf raised.

I am from Maine. From rocky shore line, and bitter wind.

I’m from Germany, beer and potato .

From the party, the 40 years, and the factory.

I am from Greenville, the lake and storms.

Bryan Chen

Where I am From

I am from the sky-touching building of 101, from the heart soothing pineapple cake and sun cake.

I am from the 30-level building with the sounds of television constantly blossom your ears.

I am from the Plum Blossom, the Bombax Ceiba itching your nose.

I am from the Chen and the Chen, from the country where most people’s last names are Chen.

I am from the family that lost its ancestry and from the fleeting Party originated in Mainland China.

From getting money from elders in Chinese New Year, but my mother would always spend them.

I am from a family that believes in the ghost stories we see on Tv.

I’m from Kaohsiung, where beef noodles and meaty rice

From the father who knew a lot of people in Taiwan, the mother who single-handed started her own business that is still running today, and the granny that can’t remember her story.

I am from love and hate family where disagreements are normal but still stick together no matter what.

Hidehiko Yamashita

“I am From”

I am from the middle size of the city; from famous sweet fish and keen knives.

I am from town surrounded by greatly traditional and historical castles and distinctively structured house.

I am from the Mt. Fuji, which is the biggest mountain in Japan, covered with snow throughout the year, from big and streaming river called Nagara river.

I am from getting together most of the time to have dinner for most of the days, from having conversation with the others, from Nobuhiko and Riyo and Yamashita.

I am from loving to watch movie together in the weekend and going out to play golf together on holidays.

From being the adult to think about other people, having the wide views and never giving up to get the result, not losing myself.

I am from Gifu, which is generally recognized as the countryside in Japan but is a great city enough in my opinion.

I’m from Gifu and Hida Beef which is one of the most famous beef in japan and Takayama Ramen which is very famous ramen in my hometown.

From dad coming back from the work at 3 o’clock and drinking as soon as coming back from the work, the mom cooking for two hours to make the different dish for my dad, my brother and me, and the brother loving to watch his favorite movie.

I am from Gifu Castle which Nobunaga Oda who is the most famous leader five hundred years ago lived.

New composite beauty from Cincinnati!

We Are From: Art for Artists, 2017

I am from a blank canvas,
from the typewriter set up
in my mother’s kitchen,
from bright colored fabric and shiny beads,
from the country attic where
obsolete treasures lived,
from the vegetable garden in the summer,
from a hand gliding over big boards,
flour dust flying in the air.
I am from that girl,
the one who called herself
writer, artist, gardener, cook,
from the space she held to grow into.

It is like a trail through my memories,
which shoots straight and sharply
through my town, my life, my thoughts.
I am from struggling children
and a nation divided,
from tall scary people all in black,
in white.
So long ago, it seems familiar.
The streets are filled with too many ghosts.
What a strange journey through time.

I am from a life reinvented,
floating in and out of fog and clarity
and plunging in again,
from a long hard slog to make my way
through scrambled streets with cul-de-sacs,
from a towering blue spruce
that mocks my journey.
I am from many steps,
the ones I tumbled down
grabbing life, reclaiming fears,
pursuing and abandoning perfection.

I am from the nest of peace
I have made of my home,
from the joy of dirt and rocks,
the delight of sun and moon,
from quiet Friends and deep meditation,
from the “see you later, welcome home”
barking of the dogs,
from the sweet shade of the same old trees.

All in all, a pretty good life.
I am here.
Now in my 50s,
my 60s,
my 70s,
80s.
Unreal.

By Art4Artists Participants: Sue Brungs, Pat Bruns, Mo Conlan, Carole Douglas, Arnelle Dow, Mary Hennigan, Vivian Kline, Sally Murray, Pat Ostenkamp and Carolyn Stewart with Cincinnati Poet Laureate Pauletta Hansel.
Dunham Recreation Center
August 15, 2017

The latest as we move into fall….!

Where I’m From                                                            Elizabeth McCommon, August 2017

 

I am from hog killing, meat chopping

       sausage, spareribs and brains

       with eggs in the morning.

 

I am from horses that work for

       corn in the crib, pigs in the pen

       chicks in the coop, Creasy greens

       and beans in a row.

 

I am from running fast and falling hard

       picking myself up with scabbed  knees and elbows as proof,

       from sling shots, sharp pocket knives

       Mumbly Peg, ball games

       and boys, boys, boys and me

       trying to keep up.

 

I am from tobacco in the field, in the barn with neighbors

       in the lungs of  Miss King and Queen County

       in the festival for queen crowning

       with Camel cigarettes high stepping it

       down Broad Street.

 

I am from stage struck

       from love struck

       from all the babies I can count on one hand

       and the death of all that .

 

I am from damp, tidewater air, glorious sunrises

       bounty of air and water,

       old British influence in place names,

       architecture and the persistent remnants of slavery.

 

I am from sexy people, their reckless behavior

       unexpected  unions, suicidal cousins,

       dyed-in-the wool Democrats and

       Southern, foot washing, Baptists.

Where I am From

Edna Lewis

I am from the ditches, streams and winding gravel roads of a back hollow.

I am from the mountain tops, above sassafras trees.

I am from where the little whip-poor-wills sing, hidden close by in a lilac bush.

I am from underneath the blue skies, bright stars, and an occasional blue moon.

I am from sugar, but not the sweet kind.

I am from grandmother’s tasty chicken and dumplings, and grand pappy’s baked potatoes under the grate of the old fire place.

I am from long winter snowy nights, sipping cocoa, with the wind howling by.

I am from granny’s cherry tree, with Pa’s stories of old, a time of war, and the Penn-line men.

I am from the hills of coal, the blue grass, the wet lands, the deep lake waters, the flowing rivers, where the horses run fast, with aging barrels of bourbon, tobacco sticks, blue grass music and strong willed Appalachian people.

I am from Kentucky y’all!

 Beautiful poem by Ruth McArthur

I Am From

I am from pine trees, oaks

with Spanish moss strangling

the branches, azaleas forming

hedgerows, canopy roads in

constant shade, moist hot air blanketing

us as we played charades or tag fleeing ”it”

as if he were the devil himself.

Learning to tithe

with nickels my father gave me, learning

the catechism

Who made you? God.

What else did God make?

God made all things.

Gathering around the supper table

each night taking a turn

reading from Barclay’s commentary

which at age seven

I was expected to do,

eliciting giggles

from my teenage sisters

at mispronounced words.

My brother didn’t like tomatoes

so without tasting I didn’t either.

The big girls combing my hair, evaluating

the cleanliness of my fingernails

commenting as if I weren’t there.

I am from books. Books stacked everywhere,

shelved, stacked, strewn on the floor.

Picked up Mama’s prewar copy

of Tess of the D’Urbervilles

and never felt such horror and heartbreak

as when weeping over the harrowing, unfair

fate of Tess

and was ill for a week.

A group  I Am From poem by seniors from St. Paul, Minnesota, Lyngblomsen program

Dogs in the Barn, Cows in the Pasture

This project is leading to all kinds of poetry, music,theater, dance, around the country…spoken word, urban word, …rap, ..hip hop…it is all in where we are from….here is a powerful one to consider.

I Am From Poem

David Tojin aka Astrow

Wonderful, rambling poem…great to use this theme with students those first weeks of school!

Where I’m From  (for Harlan’s G.E.)

by Kate Larken

{who is from at least 7 generations in Carlisle County, Kentucky}

I’m from Yellow Dog Democrats and free thinkers.

From progressives who’d never have called themselves that,

for they were only applying common sense and integrity by way of their worldview.

I’m from publishers and teachers, farmers and politicians, singers and scribes,

and, honey, I’ve been ’em all.

I’m from the song, the story, the visual, the poem, the stage and

from some of my time’s great movements (though, alas, I still can’t dance).

I’m from both coasts and a whole lot of the middle.

From Carlisle County, Carolina, California, the Keys and the biggest rivers in North America.

I’m from a farm … and from a giant city, too.

I’m from cold fried chicken, pulled pork, pad Thai and the Shalimar Indian buffet.

I’m from fresh corn, fried green tomatoes, pickled okra, sushi, and edamame.

I’m from single barrel bourbon, cold beer, mojitos and moonshine.

I’m from native intelligence and obsessive scholarship.

I’m from that crossroads of ‘where you fixin’ to go?’ and ‘leave me the hell alone.’

I’m from livin’ just the way I intend to and lovin’ just the way I was made to.

I’m from fairness.  I’m from justice.  I’m from equality.  I’m from the future.  Get used to me.

I’m from people who’ve done me right, and I’m here in spite of those who’ve done me wrong.

Oh … and from honesty-will-go-a-long-long-way.

And I’ve chosen to be from a place where men don’t feel threatened by smart women and

where smart women aren’t afraid of any-damn-body.

From a place where dear friends enrich and entertain me:

like the woman who composed the song that says George Bush Is An Idiot,

the man who paints cityscapes and landscapes and green tea pots,

the friend who nursed me back to health near the beach,

the generous girls from the weekly music jam,

the big-hearted workaholic who can never make time,

the friends who keep up with me even when I’m lost and can’t find myself,

and, yes, the woman who wrote the book on Where I’m From.

I’m from all of them. And they, in small ways, are from me, too.

I’m also from dichotomies:

collaboration and independence,

practicality and dreams,

business and art.

I’m from education, too, and from

communication … with and without words.

I’m from

‘hand that over here and I’ll try it,’

‘hand that over here and I’ll strum it,’

‘hand that over here and I’ll edit it,’

‘hand that over here and I’ll rock it to sleep.’

I’m from knowing that joyful singin’ is pure praise, but hateful preachin’ is pure fear.

I’m proud that—by way of experience and because of all the people I’m from—I’ve evolved:

a liberal and a feminist and

a web weaver and an artist and

LGBT and a thinker and

a pretty good feller.

Look here: I’ll sing you the blues one minute and tell you a joke the next. That’s because

I’m from too much tragedy, but I’m sold on the idea that it’s comedy that gets us through.

Most important, friend:  I’m from The Golden Rule. Even when I see it no longer in evidence.

Hell, I’m from the same planet you’re from.

And I’m from knowing

that neither you nor I

have more right

than each other

to be here.

I’m hoping you’re from knowing that truth, too.

See, it’s like this:

I’m from printer’s ink and afternoon naps on stacks of newsprint waiting for

Gran to feed each blank sheet by hand from his perch high atop the big flatbed press.

I’m from the Lava and Borax in the blackened sink at the back of the News office,

from sneaking behind the complicated Linotype

(even when the grownups ordered me not to, warned me of danger)

to peel delicate and fragile silver stars from the oily-black concrete floor,

stars birthed when hot lead had dripped from the mechanism, splashed,

cooled, hardened into wonders, as if heaven had dropped them there!—

and it did, heaven being the machine that made all the words.

Way down in my veins, I’m from collecting ideas and from spreading all that good around.

I’m from farm mornings, too, with that dew-covered spider web built overnight

in one square of the American Wire fence beside the gravel lane.

From learning to bush hog, age twelve, and running the little Ford redbelly

right through the barn lot’s wooden gate, splintering it all to hell on day one,

because I didn’t yet know what high gear was capable of

at the end of a low-gear field mow way down in the bottoms.

I’m from taking a whipping over redwood stain spilled during

the hated chore of painting the board fence around our horse lot.

From riding bareback from the age of three.

From listening to my mother and her in-laws as they put up corn

and Papa’s favorite vegetable (the speckled variety he called ‘horticulture beans’)

for winter on summer days that seem never, thank goodness, to have ended.

I’m from an innate knowledge of nature that can only come from

growing up slap in the middle of it.

I’m from Daddy teaching me those first seven chords on six strings,

from bullying my way right through the blisters and the pain

and the peeling, working my way to calluses the envy of any picker.

And I’m from learning harmony vocals standing beside Mother in the pew.

Yes, I’m from throwing in my lot with song.

I come from dipping spiny gum tree balls in green creek slime to sling at my sister and

cousins and the kids from the neighboring farm in our “war” game

… and from knowing the sting of getting popped back.

From setting up little plastic Army men and plinking them one by one into same nameless creek,

BBs leaving little round pocks in their green bellies or helmets, holes that never healed,

and from shooting off the ends of most of Mother’s clothespins because they were

irresistible targets that tiny ammo made spin madly round the line when struck just right.

But I’m also from evolving into a grown-up who learned that real war is nothing at all

like children’s games … and so I am from making everlasting peace be my real-life choice.

Yes, I’m from the satisfaction of learning to take good aim, be a sound shot,

but only at what really matters. The trick is timing and patience.

I’m from something to do with Time and Distance and Place and Perseverance.

Hanging on to things and then passing them forward is where I’m stubbornly from.

For I am multiple identities; I am many years; I’m my current collection of molecules and

the result of molecular collections that preceded mine. So, I’m from aberrations, too.

An honorary hillbilly who grew older in the flats but ‘grew up’ in the mountains,

I’m from the pleasure of learning firsthand that the best of each world has always existed in both,

whether your soup beans are pinto or white, whether your cornbread is baked or fried.

I’m from the country and from a few immature decades yearning to get away from it.

And I’m from thinking thankfully at sixty that I somehow never left after all—
for my roots remain rural, even after the satisfaction of all those city years.

A secret blessing waited for me to recognize its sweetness when I was ready and

good enough to deserve it:

See, where I’m from is where I am, even when I’m not.

And if there’s one sane thing I’ve noticed where I am now, it’s this:

Sometimes what’s closest is what’s furthest away.