Where I'm From

(inspired by George Ella Lyon)


I am from warm ocean and sand between my toes,
from a hammock hung between two oak trees.
I am from the vegetable garden,
where my Jidou spoke to each plant
like it was an old friend.
I am from that palace made of stucco,
with its steep gravel driveway that skinned my knee
and, once upon a time, terrified me.

I am from that neighborhood
where everyone knows each other.
From fudge, and chocolate milk,
and clandestine root beer floats.
I’m from turkish coffee served with milk,
and snowcones that were more syrup than ice.

I’m from English breakfast served during Texas summer,
morning hafles, and days spent laughing
with uncles, aunts, cousins,
and—best of all—my sibling.
I’m from a marriage that was over before it started,
and now my own marriage,
full of trust and promise.

In my basement is a storage tub
full of all of my pictures,
a mess of captured memories
to haunt and comfort me.

I am from each of these moments—
so much foliage from the family tree.