I am From

I am from the long sleepy hours
Of a car ride across country
Making exodus away from my birthplace
To mature in a simple town.

I am from that threadbare blanket I had tucked under one arm
Sea foam green and worn with use
As a pretend dress, magic carpet,
And a tent in a far off jungle.

I am from the back room at Grandma’s
Where the wooden floors creak and moan
As my cousins and I escaped the walls
To transform into animals, princesses and pirates.

I am from the stage –
Makeup, hairspray, and costumes with glittering sequins.
From big smiles and pointed toes
From the inevitable applause at the drop of the curtain.

I am from Chance, a child’s best friend,
Who when living showed what loyalty meant,
In death taught grieving and indescribable love.

I am from the scent of a burning wood
At campfires in the mountains and desert,
From soggy nights in a tent during a rainstorm with wrath
From hikes to glimpse hidden waterfalls and to
Overhear the whispers of some of Earth’s secrets.

I am from music
From performances onstage, mournful tunes and striking ballads
From loud shows on the football filed
With the suspenders and pants that always come up too high.

I am from homemade ice cream that
Slides right down my eager throat
From watermelon rinds
From those spontaneous cook outs that are always worthwhile.

I am from old barns and dusty straw
From the sweat and satisfaction of hard work.
I am from the wheat fields that roll on in endless ripples
From the barricade of tall corn towers that rustle with a breeze,
Hiding the country house from view.

I am from being proved wrong
From learning because of mistakes.
I am from knowing that moving forward is always better than back
From hoping for the best
From giving it my all.
I am from all these things.