Where I'm From
I am from Birkenstocks, from cornflakes and sensibility.
I am from the scorched black pavement, burning my running feet. (Framing the rock yards in my neighborhood.)
I am from Purple Sage and Oleander, from the Saguaro stretching its arms up toward the sky.
I'm from sarcasm.
I'm from embroidery hoops, biscuits and gravy, from Alvis and Alma Myril.
I'm from the bleeding-hearts and the born-agains, from the skeptics and the cynics. From God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.
I'm from homemade Halloween costumes and sitting on the living room floor trading candy.
From litters of snow-white puppies and goldfish won at the state fair. From kittens born in the bottom drawer.
I'm from cartwheels in nursing homes.
I'm from Tokyo Rose, Braeburn, Gravenstein and Winesap. From cherry pits and hands stained red.
I'm from Herman and Clara, Bill and Florence. From corn on the cob and paper bags filled with grapefruit.
I'm from the Okies.
I'm from pennies on the railroad tracks and oleo, from candy corn and cough syrup.
From iced tea and Sweet 'n' Low. Turquoise, burl and woven wheat. From follow your dream, even if that means leaving safety, packing up and driving across the country toward the unknown.
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I first ran across a Where I'm From poem On A Rainy Night. Little did I know the original poem had inspired thousands of people across the country to write their own poems honoring their history. You can write your own Where I'm From poem using the template here.
This poem is dedicated to my Mom, Kaye. Happy Mother's Day!
