Poems – 9/2020 on

I Am From – The Early Years 

Michelle Montgomery

I am from small, eastern towns. 

From new circle drive to the two-story  

Gray house across from the park 

Where yes ma’am, no ma’am, yes sir, no sir 

Were expected, not an option. 

Town of the Collard Festival 

I am from small eastern towns.  

From living in a curve in an old, wooden, white house with green carpet,  

You respected your elders, parents, and grandparents, 

Respected authority, and back talk was disrespectful. 

Town of the Garden Spot 

I am from small eastern towns. 

In a beautiful old fishing lodge with a five-acre pond. 

Dark scary nights like Friday the 13th.  

Walking down the long dirt path,   

Spanish moss hanging from the trees covering overhead,  

a natural umbrella shading the path. 

Hearing dried rustling leaves,  

like walking feet with crunching twigs 

Feeding the cows, the pigs, the horses, the dogs, the cat, the goats, our farm 

Where discipline was a belt, a paddle, a switch. 

Spare the rod, spoil the child was the mindset! 

I am from a world of hurtful words.  

Words that rip me apart piece by piece, word by word,  

Diminishing my spirit.  

Words do hurt, hurts the heart, hurts the mind. 

I am one with nature when escaping those words, 

Escape reality, even if only a moment! 

I write my thoughts, my dreams, my words. 

My own utopia without a care in the world 

Two sets of parents, mom and stepdad, Diddy and stepmom 

Where respect is earned, and nothing was a given. 

From hand me downs and not from handouts 

Town of Seven Mineral springs 

I am from small, eastern towns. 

The smell of freshly cut logs making lumber. 

The sounds of a train, the horn, the tracks 

Graduation, a bird let out of a cage set free, escaped. 

Where work was work and play was play 

When you gave your word, it meant something. 

I am from small eastern towns, a simpler life. 

I am from small eastern towns! 

Michelle Montgomery

I Am From 

Shy Graham 

I am from the misty cold waters of the Niagara Falls 

And the sweet delicate cupcakes that were made in my childhood. 

I am from the cool summer nights of enjoyment 

And the fiery warmth of the bonfires. 

I am from the comfort of my Scooby doo plush

And the nights I’ve spent watching Scooby doo to sleep.   

I am from the heartbreak of my possessions

And endless nights. 

From my Christmas presents being broken down, 

To have my privacy taken. 

I am from the fourth grade recesses

And the unfortunate fall of my friends. 

I am from the joy of crunchy chicken burgers

And the saucy pastas I’ve consumed.

From Burger King to Wendy’s chicken burgers,

 Nothing can compare to Mcdonalds. 

I am from the quiet laughed filled seats of the theaters 

And enjoying Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.  

But to be more exact,

I am from the feeling of being included because of my friends 

And how much joy they bring me. 

I Am From

Sarah Ephrat

I am from cassettes

From Mulan and The Emperor’s New Groove

I am from the mirrors, reflecting smiles

Keeping them too

I am from our garden 

watered by the sweat of our brow

I’m from preserving and surviving

From Mother and her toils

I’m from Novegot, Olivie and Geroshik

From “If you’re hungry, you’ll eat dirt”

And “Put the Pshik” 

I’m from Judaism, my pillar

I’m from the dunes of Israel

Pomegranates, sun-flecked mangoes

From the post war mentality of my grandmother

The callused hands of her daughter

The aromatic herbs of Ukraine’s frozen ground

Marking my soup with the bitter winds of where I’m from

By Sarah Ephrat

I Am From

Maximus Fretz

I am from bed. From fries and cheese. I am from the vines inside the village, big,

beautiful sight. I am from oak tree, big and tall, strong and tough. I’m from Christmas

gatherings and kindness. From Amanda and Brian. I am from the hiking and

travelling. From being successful and great. I’m from Anglican and cross. I’m from St

Catharines and Germany. Sausage and rice and chicken parmesan. From the Disney

trip where I got a scar on my elbow. The tallness of my dad. Mantle and Harddrive.

Never forgetting the past.

I am From Poem

By Chris Sweeney 

I am from a small town named Fort Erie. 

I am from Ontario,Canada. 

I am from hanging out with friends on pleasant weekends. 

I am from buttery popcorn on movie night. 

I am from super cheesy grilled cheeses in the brisk mournings.

I am from playing lacrosse 5 times a week. 

I am from the turf lacrosse fields. 

I am from pizza and wings on the amazing superbowl. 

I am from the cold and smelly hockey rink. 

I am from the freezing cold “ODR” in the winter time. 

I am from fighting my annoying older brothers. 

I am from a delicious pasta dinner my mom makes. 

I am from the beautiful cottage up north.

I am from playing around with my cute dogs. 

And lastly I am from a caring and loving home.

 I am from…

Jaidyn Van Der MeiJoen

I am from playing with dolls from being outside all day and being with my friends 24/7.

I am from the Netherlands from wooden shoes and old windmills.

I am from smelling frikandellen everytime we did deepfry.

I am from colourfull tulips all around my town.

I am from hanging your school backpack up on a flag when you graduate college.

I am from a brown eyed household.

I am from mom and dad.

I am from the brown eyed and blue eyed.

I am from swallowing gum plants a gum tree in your belly and eating lots of bananas turns you into a monkey.

I am from putting up a Christmas tree up every December.

I am from Zeewolde Netherlands from frikandellen and kaassoufles’s.

From the dreams to travel to Costa Rica and Hawaii.

I am from memories in my house like pictures, cards and candles.

I am From

Angie Villada

I am from collecting rocks and stones in a summer afternoon of 2014

From midnight drives with my brother

I am from the smell of homemade palacsinta on a Saturday morning

From music blaring from the living room while everyone cooks for thanksgiving

I am from being told I don’t try hard enough and asks too many questions

From staying in my room for hours at a time, only coming out to eat, because I felt burnt out 24/7

I am from somewhere that I’ve been calling home for 8 years now

From coming home to my furry best friend wagging her tail at me

I am from waking up and immediately playing video games

From trying to convince my mom I’m sick for the reason that I was being bullied for the entire time I was in elementary

I am from moving back to ontario from being in montreal from when I was 3

From growing up with music around me

I am from a family who talks way too loud

From 2 hours drives to a dentist that my dad’s friends with

I am from helping my mom make sushi

I Am From by Abdurrhman Khalid

I am from the soft leather Wilson Evolution basketball.

From wearing Nike Elite socks, and beautiful purple Kobe’s.

I am from the smell of my mom’s butter chicken coming from the kitchen.

And from playing basketball every hour I could.

From the pleasing birch tree in my front yard, which is white and resilient.

I am from fasting in Ramadan for thirty days, and later celebrating Eid with family and friends.

From Shahida and Khalid.

And from treating people with kindness and respect, especially my elders.

From playing basketball against my brother in the driveway.

I am from getting money on Eid from my parents.

From eating tandoori chicken and haleem, prepared by my mom.

And from listening to drake on the way back from late night practices, and early morning games.

I am from the moments where I spent hours flipping water bottles trying to land them.

From visiting the empire state building with my family.

And from watching LeBron James, and Kyrie Irving, trying to replicate them.

I am Abdurrhman.

I am from poem

Carson  Haight

I am from a small town in canada named thorold.

I am from a kind family of 6.

I am from loud music.

I am from Beanu, my pet hamster.

I am from being kind to others.

I am from struggling to get up in the morning. 

I am from opening a gift on christmas eve.

I am from tacos, pizza and deserts. .

I am from eating turkey on thanksgiving.

I am from winning the volleyball championship in grade 8.

I am from never underestimating myself.

I am from sleeping all day in my bed.

I am from being an uncle to 3 nephews and 1 niece.

I am from driving hours to see my family.

I am from walks with my friends and family.

I am from swimming everyday with my friends during the summer of 2022.

I am from 

By Ryan Miller 

I am from sports with friends who made my childhood one of challenges and competitiveness that also gave me a way to relieve my stress.  

I am from sweat and tires that made me stronger and more resilient to pain and suffering that are unavoidable throughout your life. 

I am from the grass and driveway in front of my house which I would play on over and over again with the person I look up to the most, my hero, my brother. 

I am from the family with horrible eyesight and questionable driving making my life just that little bit more frustrating and dangerous. 

I am from the early morning presents and delicious dinners from christmas and thanksgiving which turned me from the silly kid to the quiet hard working person who is thankful for what he gets and the people he is with.  

I am from the freezing cold winters of canada and the freshly baked pumpkin pie and sugary pop making me feel warm and happy through the hard and cooled times. 

I am from the loud dirt bike that always provided me with the adrenaline I needed to get the best thrill. 

I am from the calm and water full of fish teaching me how to be patient with the people I care for and the things I want.

    I Am From Poem 

Murtaz Virk

I am from Pakistan, a place of curry and painful washroom breaks

I am from a casual family, nothing goes on

I am from a place where standards are through the roof, an Asian household

I am from beyblades and lego’s

I am a brother of 2 rats,

I am from a place where basketball is life

I am from a place where food is to die for

I am from a place that doesn’t have good politicians

I am from a place where culture is key

I am from my loving parents

I am from a place where everything is expensive 

I am from a family of doctors

I am from Islam, to be a man of god

I am from Hamilton, a mini toronto

I am from a Bizarre adventure ゴゴゴゴ 

I am from a mild and tasteless past

I am from a place where money is everything 

I am from a family that celebrates eid

I am from a meat lover family     

I am from donating to the needy 

I am from a religion where fasting is huge

I am from thorold, the quietest city in canada

Kali Robbins

I AM FROM

I am from bruised and skinned knees.

I am from the night bright sky id stare at when we had now power.

I am from the hospital my sister stayed at hour after hour.

I am from sadness and grief.

I am from my mothers specially made beef mac n cheese.

I am from the title troubled child youd always hear about.

I am from signing the itsy bitsy spider went up the water spout.

I am from the emotional support my family lacked.

I am from juice boxes and packed snacks.

I am from the moldy withered houses youd snare at.

I am from the beautiful flowers my sisters stare at.

I am from broken toys.

I am from loud noise.

I am from busy streets.

I am from the father that lies and cheats.

I am from the willow trees that grew nearby.

I am from the beautiful blue sky.

I am from many terrible things that ive now made rhyme.

I am from hardships and a bad time. 

I am from healing and staying kind.

I am from the thoughts of my own mind. From the cruel to the courteous. 

I am from the future that’ll come, from sucking my thumb to learning how to not be dumb. 

I am from.

I  Am From

Abdullah Adnan

I am from the games I used to play outside

From Soccer to Hide and Seek

I am from the friends I made throughout my school years

I am from the evens with my cousins

From weddings, Social events, and Game Nights

I am from the conversations I have with my friends and family

I am from the countless games of basketball with my teammates

I am from the road trips I have during the summer 

I am from the delicious meals I had during Covid

From fast food to typical Indian Food

I am from the pre covid times when I made me and other laugh

I am from the field trips I had with my classes

I am from playing Video games with my friends till 1AM

I am from the YOLO moments I had when out with friends

I am from a family who speaks a lot but laughs even more.

I am from the movies I watched as a kid and as a teenager

I am from the pokemon cards I traded with 

I am from the scars I made playing outside

I am 

By Paityn Dillon

I am from my birthstone ring that is always on me 

From converse and airpods

I am from the white house with the big garden

                 The red door,  lit candles, and barking dogs

I am from the flower babies breathe 

Delicate little white pedals that pull together a bouquet 

I am from the next family members birthday pulls the knife out of the cake

And the karaoke doers

From my grandfather and my mother

I’m from noisiness and loud singing

From being told to look both ways before crossing and to never put new shoes on the table

I’m from the belief in reincarnation, and superstitions 

I’m from St.catharines,Germany, and Ukraine 

                  From the manners my grandmother taught me

And the beaches she brought me to 

The china cabinets filled with pictures and jewelry 

That keeps our heritage alive.

I Am From

Sierra-Rose-Adams-Lane

I am from soft stuffed animals.

From pencil drawings and paintings.

I am from messing rooms filled with toys.

(wind-up, cuddly, it was hard to walk around)

I am from Madonna lilies.

Soft, and beautiful.

I’m from movie nights and noisy children.

From Izzy and Logan.

I’m from the yelling and laughing.

From healing kisses and nickel hugs.

I’m from the choice of religion.

I’m from Canada and German ancestors.

Stew, spaghetti.

From the cousin whose heart stopped for a minute.

The energetic dog lover.

Walls full of family pictures and achievements.

I Am Poem 

Marcus Tulipe

I am from a Black basketball 

From video games and going camping 

I am from the red and gray brick house

A long driveway, basketball house birds chirping 

I am from grass and a large tree Huge green leaves 

And Short grass

I am from putting up a christmas tree and opening presents 

Christmas morning From Cheyenne and Austin 

I’m from Blonde and Brown hair family from if you eat a

Watermelon seed one will grow in your stomach and that

There is a tooth fairy

I am from Black family to White family 

I am from Kitchener to st.Catherines from chicken to pasta 

From my sister dropping her phone in tea to my brother playing

Video games with me

From Having memories at my uncle eric’s house on christmas to

Having a amazing time with family   

I am from… By Sofiya Lozynska 

I am from lands where people love freedom,
I am from a country where it’s almost taken away. Though I’m a person that’s believing Believing that everything will be back to normal again, believing that someday I will have a future in a peaceful Ukraine… 

I’m from my grandma’s summer house and hanging out with my friends. I am from converse shoes and dancing in warm rainy weather,
I am from “led” lights that are always ‘’on’’ in my room. 

I am a bookworm and like reading hundreds of pages per day.
I’m from trying to remember all the good memories that have been flying like butterflies away. 

I am from a little yellow house that stands near a forest, where you can always listen to the wind.
I am from flower fields, and from watching the sunsets, and staying up till the midnights, Just to see the stars coming in. 

I’m from dreaming and thinking ‘’What’s in the future? What in the space out there?’’ 

I am from family where parents are loving each other, I am from a family where we believe in God.
I am loyal, responsible, kind and honest,
That’s what my dad’s been teaching me all of my life. 

I am from gathering together on Christmas
And then singing carols for the whole night.
I also am in my family the older one,
The oldest cousin, who always watches the younger ones. 

I am from playing piano and listening to music all the time.
I am from traveling all over the world,
And have been living in eleven different houses for the past really hard year. 

I am from believing in God, Jesus Christ and all things that he’s done.
I am from believing in life after death, though it’s hard, sometimes, to understand.. 

But also, I’m just a girl that likes to do lots of different things: playing basketball, tennis, volleyball, squash and having her mouth stuffed with all kinds of sweets.
But the biggest thing, of course, that she wants is just to have peace in her “ridnyy dim”… 

I am from Poem

by: Basil Sheikh

I am from my purple and green blanket from when I was a kid.

From Nike soccer boots and Adidas soccer ball

I am from a brick 2 story at the corner of the street and a big front yard house, and the sound of my neighbors dogs barking.

I am from moving houses a lot, I moved from Waterloo,Canada to Saudi Arabia to Oman to Mississauga to back to Waterloo and then to Thorold.

I’m from having a big breakfast with friends and family on the day of Eid and receiving eidi which is usually money on eid.

From Abdul Munam and Maimoona Munam.

I’m from the family with dark hair and love to play and watch sports.

From always stick together and never lose hope because God is always with you.

I’m from the Islamic Faith, and first generation Pakistani parents.

I’m from Kitchner, Waterloo, Canada, Shawarma, Biryani, and mangoes.

From the time where I put my younger brother in a laundry basket which resulted in him facturing his arm.  

From sneaking into the sports complex with my older brother when I used to live in Oman, the family pictures scattered around everywhere in my house.

I AM FROM POEM

Melody Gervais_________________

I am from laughing in the kitchen with my brother at midnight, both of us knowing we have school and need to wake up early.

I am from being an older brother to Keegan, Savannah, Jeffery, Everyleigh, Braelynn and Damien and a younger brother to Hailey and Kenndra.

I am from walking ungodly hours with my Trevor.

I am from Walmart cart races in a parking lot with street lights as our spotlights for whoever wins.

I am from late night check up calls with Trinity.

I am from going out to eat with my small group of friends.

I am from sharing a gatorade and sitting on the rocks by the pond with Grace.

I am from learning how to fight and then practice fighting with Eric.

I am from cutting and dying my own hair in the school’s washroom.

I am from dancing to loud music with my mother and brother in the afternoon when a good song comes on.

I am from humorous conversations in the car with my dad on the way to school.

I am from pretend spaceships and playing tag with my youngest siblings.

I am from hard video game levels and handing the controller off to my brother so that he can beat it for me.

I am from maintaining a good and happy relationship with my mother and father.

I am from weekly gossip sessions with my mom, filling her in on every little detail.

I am from sitting around my dnd table and having a good time with my party, Carter, Zach, Jesse, Jason, Jesnon, Rex, Sean and Tyresse.

I am from sitting in the learning commons with friends and helping each other with problems.

I am from the adrenaline rush as me and Cheyanne almost get caught for missing our specific class.

I am from trashtalking with Grace and Elliot.

I am from tackle hugging Trinity.

I am from walking to the gas station as we all freeze to death only just to get an energy drink.

I am from being too early or very late.

I am from slurs being screamed at me and screaming back at Connor, Cohen and Luka.

I am from buying snacks and energy drinks with my friends and chilling at the skatepark.

I am from running outside when it’s raining to dance in the rain with Trinity, Cheyanne, Trevor, Leo, Milo, Donnie, Othello, Silver, Elliot, Saturn, Grace and Annastia, splashing in puddles and using the street lamp lights as spotlights.

I am cheesy dad jokes and getting my friends to scoff and roll their eyes.

I am from doing and saying absolute nonsense with Milo, Donnie, Othello, Leo and Silver.

I am from sitting at a small table and eating chicken for lunch with Donnie, Leo, Trinity and Cheyanne.

I am from chaos with Leo and Eric.

I am from death staring at the people who me and my group do not like for various reasons.

I am from drinking 2-3 energy drinks in an hour just so that I don’t fall asleep.

I am from drawing with Aiden and Rihan in a resource class.

I am from listening to uncle Dex sing his song for soundcloud and screeching when he hands me the mic, only to laugh at it moments later when we’re listening to it.

I am from spitting random facts about tmnt and dc superheroes.

I am from me and my dad texting things that make no sense.

I am from tagging my mom and dad in funny tiktoks in find.

I am from “Mom, i threw up” Jokes with my mom at 10:00 at night.

I am from homemade meals and helping my parents cook them.

I am from my family and friends, turning me into ME.

   

I Am from the Tree of Us

Dalton Joliecoeur

I am from the frogs in the pond at my grandmother’s house on a rainy day.

I am from the small brown house with 3 stars at the peck of it that represents the 3 of us and driftwood all around the garden.

I am from the smell of meatballs and homemade spaghetti sauce being made on a saturday morning.

I am from the 3 of us always having each other till the end matter what.

I am from riding my bike with my friends down a big hill and not being able to stop my bike.

I am from me, my mom’s only son, my sister’s only brother and always the man of the house.

I am the 3 of us always and forever.

Olivia Julien

I am from drawing,painting and crafts.

I am from hot summers and ice cream trucks.

I am from ballerina classes and tutus.

I am from playing soccer with my sister Jayden.

I am from gymnastics and ribbons.

I am from cheerleading with competitions and trophies.

I am from game nights and movie nights with popcorn and candy.

I am from Pan’s Labyrinth, my favorite movie since I was 5 years old.

I am from Florida beaches and swimming with lake alligators in my nana’s backyard.

I am from looking for seashells and drinking out of coconuts.

I am from road tripping to Nova Scotia,fishing and 4 wheeling on secret paths.

I am from 2 hour walks looking for adventure.

I am from shopping for things I don’t need while spending a lot of money.

I am from moving from 14 different houses.

I am from St.Catharines ontario.

I am from… By Sofiya Lozynska 

I am from lands where people love freedom,
I am from a country where it’s almost taken away. Though I’m a person that’s believing Believing that everything will be back to normal again, believing that someday I will have a future in a peaceful Ukraine… 

I’m from my grandma’s summer house and hanging out with my friends. I am from converse shoes and dancing in warm rainy weather,
I am from “led” lights that are always ‘’on’’ in my room. 

I am a bookworm and like reading hundreds of pages per day.
I’m from trying to remember all the good memories that have been flying like butterflies away. 

I am from a little yellow house that stands near a forest, where you can always listen to the wind.
I am from flower fields, and from watching the sunsets, and staying up till the midnights, Just to see the stars coming in. 

I’m from dreaming and thinking ‘’What’s in the future? What in the space out there?’’ 

I am from family where parents are loving each other, I am from a family where we believe in God.
I am loyal, responsible, kind and honest,
That’s what my dad’s been teaching me all of my life. 

I am from gathering together on Christmas
And then singing carols for the whole night.
I also am in my family the older one,
The oldest cousin, who always watches the younger ones. 

I am from playing piano and listening to music all the time.
I am from traveling all over the world,
And have been living in eleven different houses for the past really hard year. 

I am from believing in God, Jesus Christ and all things that he’s done.
I am from believing in life after death, though it’s hard, sometimes, to understand.. 

But also, I’m just a girl that likes to do lots of different things: playing basketball, tennis, volleyball, squash and having her mouth stuffed with all kinds of sweets.
But the biggest thing, of course, that she wants is just to have peace in her “ridnyy dim”… 

I am from Poem

by: Basil Sheikh

I am from my purple and green blanket from when I was a kid.

From Nike soccer boots and Adidas soccer ball

I am from a brick 2 story at the corner of the street and a big front yard house, and the sound of my neighbors dogs barking.

I am from moving houses a lot, I moved from Waterloo,Canada to Saudi Arabia to Oman to Mississauga to back to Waterloo and then to Thorold.

I’m from having a big breakfast with friends and family on the day of Eid and receiving eidi which is usually money on eid.

From Abdul Munam and Maimoona Munam.

I’m from the family with dark hair and love to play and watch sports.

From always stick together and never lose hope because God is always with you.

I’m from the Islamic Faith, and first generation Pakistani parents.

I’m from Kitchner, Waterloo, Canada, Shawarma, Biryani, and mangoes.

From the time where I put my younger brother in a laundry basket which resulted in him facturing his arm.  

From sneaking into the sports complex with my older brother when I used to live in Oman, the family pictures scattered around everywhere in my house.

I AM FROM POEM

Melody Gervais_________________

I am from laughing in the kitchen with my brother at midnight, both of us knowing we have school and need to wake up early.

I am from being an older brother to Keegan, Savannah, Jeffery, Everyleigh, Braelynn and Damien and a younger brother to Hailey and Kenndra.

I am from walking ungodly hours with my Trevor.

I am from Walmart cart races in a parking lot with street lights as our spotlights for whoever wins.

I am from late night check up calls with Trinity.

I am from going out to eat with my small group of friends.

I am from sharing a gatorade and sitting on the rocks by the pond with Grace.

I am from learning how to fight and then practice fighting with Eric.

I am from cutting and dying my own hair in the school’s washroom.

I am from dancing to loud music with my mother and brother in the afternoon when a good song comes on.

I am from humorous conversations in the car with my dad on the way to school.

I am from pretend spaceships and playing tag with my youngest siblings.

I am from hard video game levels and handing the controller off to my brother so that he can beat it for me.

I am from maintaining a good and happy relationship with my mother and father.

I am from weekly gossip sessions with my mom, filling her in on every little detail.

I am from sitting around my dnd table and having a good time with my party, Carter, Zach, Jesse, Jason, Jesnon, Rex, Sean and Tyresse.

I am from sitting in the learning commons with friends and helping each other with problems.

I am from the adrenaline rush as me and Cheyanne almost get caught for missing our specific class.

I am from trashtalking with Grace and Elliot.

I am from tackle hugging Trinity.

I am from walking to the gas station as we all freeze to death only just to get an energy drink.

I am from being too early or very late.

I am from slurs being screamed at me and screaming back at Connor, Cohen and Luka.

I am from buying snacks and energy drinks with my friends and chilling at the skatepark.

I am from running outside when it’s raining to dance in the rain with Trinity, Cheyanne, Trevor, Leo, Milo, Donnie, Othello, Silver, Elliot, Saturn, Grace and Annastia, splashing in puddles and using the street lamp lights as spotlights.

I am cheesy dad jokes and getting my friends to scoff and roll their eyes.

I am from doing and saying absolute nonsense with Milo, Donnie, Othello, Leo and Silver.

I am from sitting at a small table and eating chicken for lunch with Donnie, Leo, Trinity and Cheyanne.

I am from chaos with Leo and Eric.

I am from death staring at the people who me and my group do not like for various reasons.

I am from drinking 2-3 energy drinks in an hour just so that I don’t fall asleep.

I am from drawing with Aiden and Rihan in a resource class.

I am from listening to uncle Dex sing his song for soundcloud and screeching when he hands me the mic, only to laugh at it moments later when we’re listening to it.

I am from spitting random facts about tmnt and dc superheroes.

I am from me and my dad texting things that make no sense.

I am from tagging my mom and dad in funny tiktoks in find.

I am from “Mom, i threw up” Jokes with my mom at 10:00 at night.

I am from homemade meals and helping my parents cook them.

I am from my family and friends, turning me into ME.

     I am from the tree of us

Dalton Joliecoeur

I am from the frogs in the pond at my grandmother’s house on a rainy day.

I am from the small brown house with 3 stars at the peck of it that represents the 3 of us and driftwood all around the garden.

I am from the smell of meatballs and homemade spaghetti sauce being made on a saturday morning.

I am from the 3 of us always having each other till the end matter what.

I am from riding my bike with my friends down a big hill and not being able to stop my bike.

I am from me, my mom’s only son, my sister’s only brother and always the man of the house.

I am the 3 of us always and forever.

Olivia Julien

I am from drawing,painting and crafts.

I am from hot summers and ice cream trucks.

I am from ballerina classes and tutus.

I am from playing soccer with my sister Jayden.

I am from gymnastics and ribbons.

I am from cheerleading with competitions and trophies.

I am from game nights and movie nights with popcorn and candy.

I am from Pan’s Labyrinth, my favorite movie since I was 5 years old.

I am from Florida beaches and swimming with lake alligators in my nana’s backyard.

I am from looking for seashells and drinking out of coconuts.

I am from road tripping to Nova Scotia,fishing and 4 wheeling on secret paths.

I am from 2 hour walks looking for adventure.

I am from shopping for things I don’t need while spending a lot of money.

I am from moving from 14 different houses.

I am from St.Catharines ontario.

A wonderful group of poems from a class in Colorado! Notice the images of nature, sounds, sights…an aid to surviving winter in cold and even warm states.

Erin Robertson’s poems from class Boulder, Colorado, Wild Writers

 Am From by Veda Cromer, age 12

I am from worn soles,
from shampoo and conditioner.
I am from the leather couch,
damp, tepid, smell of fresh laundry.
I am from the fire,
clouds, and rain.
I’m from storytelling and justice,
from Winnie and Kofi.
I’m from procrastination and hard work,
from being proud and speaking up.
I’m from my spirited mother and her conspiracies.
I’m from Longmont and Ireland,
homemade tacos, chop.
From the guy who hit on my mom and then tried to sell us grilled cheese,
the blue eyes,
pictures on the piano,
ivory tusk in my dad’s office.


I Am From by Satya Villacorta, age 13

I am from cups of tea,
from Aussie and Lululemon.
I am from the sunlit gardens and welcoming living rooms –
bright, modern, the smell of coffee.
I am from rosemary, lavender, and the apple tree,
soft, fresh, and clean.
I from holidays and achievers,
from Megan and Abel.
I’m from the talkers and laughers,
from kindness and “use your words, not your fists”
I’m from Christmas, with giving.
I’m from Colorado, Michigan, and Peru,
pizza, pasta, pie,
from city,
the north and west of the US,
the shelf in the living room, the pile under the couch, or the box in the garage,
the gold watch from Mormor, the soccer jerseys from decades.


I Am From by Maddy Arnold, age 14

I am from toy horses and sneakers,
from markers and animal grain.
I am from old wood,
bright, comfortable, with a warm fireplace.
I am from trees,
sticky bark and branches reaching towards the sky
I’m from Christmas cookies, carefree, fun people,
from Chad and Melissa.
I’m from adventures and love for animals,
from turn out the light and hurry up!
I’m from believing in the power of all living things.
I’m from Colorado and small cities,
banana bread, Oreos.
From the wildlife in our backyard,
the hyper sister.
The old pictures in the narrow hallway,
Revisiting old memories and stories, people and places.


I Am From by Lucie, age 14

I am from journals filled with poetry,
from saddle soap and horse grain.
I am from the mountain house –
big, bright, and busy.
I am from palm trees and pine trees,
prickly, soft, swaying, and rigid.
I’m from fries and applesauce and many hugs,
from Celia Grannum and Jean Perarnaud
I’m from creating community and moving often,
from Let’s go! and Slow down!
I’m from nature learning, trusting guidance.
I’m from London, Barbados, France, forests, beaches, skyscrapers,
homemade bread and lamb stew,
from the unexpected dance career, flying across the stage,
the taking time to run the trails,
dusty photos on the table just inside the door,
pictures of people I haven’t spent enough time knowing.


I Am From by Lovecloud Lemley, age 10

I am from a flower,
from balms and sprays.
I am from the mountains and seas,
cold, cool, the smell of damp earth.
I am from bright blue rivers,
cold and refreshing.
I’m from food and flavor,
from LeiLani and Indigo.
I’m from bikes and surf,
from don’t tease your brother and eat food.
I’m from Colorado.
I’m from Boulder.


I am from by LeiLani Lemley

I am from kimchi,
from garlic and red crushed peppers.
I am from silent – sterile – classical music,
spicy, bubbly.
I am from the ocean,
raging waters.
I’m from secrets and hidden treasures,
from anger and tears.
I’m from broken hearts and culinary delights,
from don’t smile too much and don’t say anything.
I’m from Asia – Buddhism – meditations.
I’m from Seoul, Korea, 
kimchi, tteokguk,
from the heartbreak, but healing deeply,
focusing on loving, laughter, happiness.


I Am From by Lila Weich, age 13

I am from coconuts,
from salt water and surf wax.
I am from Luna de Miel –
warm, sunny, and humid.
I am from palm trees,
tempting me to reach the top.
I’m from watching sunsets and going to the bakery,
from my mom and my dad.
I’m from loud laughs and playing cards,
from going surfing and going climbing.
I’m from the snow, and the warm ocean water.
I’m from Costa Rica,
pancakes, and burritos,
from the beautiful people who made me me,
the long hair and bald,
Costa Rica and Colorado,
surfboards and skis.

— 

Listen to CMarie Fuhrman read “A poem to acknowledge that the land itself — along with the people whose language, culture and religion were born of it — is rarely acknowledged.”