Where I am from poem

Early this year, I read a book called Packing Light: Thoughts on Living Life with Less Baggage by Allison Vesterfelt. As I read, I couldn’t help but “me too!” the whole way through. And by the time I had finished the book, I had told my parents that I’d be leaving Dallas to take this trip.

In addition to being an author, Allison is also a writing coach. So… I’ve taken the plunge, and am now in Day 3 of her 4-week Find your Writing Voice workshop. Assignment 1 was to create an “I am From” poem.

If you’ve been reading this blog, you’ll know that poetry is pretty far from my comfort zone, and I’m definitely more of a live-in-the-moment or dream-about-the-future girl instead of a think-about-the-past kind of girl. So, when the first assignment was looking at the sights, sounds, traditions, people and phrases that made up my childhood and putting it into poem form…You can imagine the anxiety. And now, here I go, sharing it with you. Can this be added to my Be Brave list?!

I am from swing sets and climbing trees. From Blue Bell and warm cranberry white chocolate chip cookies.And licking batter off a wooden spoon.

I am from cheering for the Cowboys from a red checkered tablecloth laid on a seafoam green carpet.

I am from lunch in the library and reading books in a climbing tree. From stop reading in the dark, you’ll hurt your eyes.

I’m from dancing ’round the campfire with the Blackfoot Tribe and ‘oh-wha-tagu-siam.’ From you can tune a piano but you can’t tuna fish. Dad jokes and eye rolls.

I am from picking up sticks with Papa and harvesting lollipops from Grandpa’s garden. From jumping armadillos and beaver tails echoing on the creek.

I am from boomboxes and boy bands. And calling 106.1 just one more time to request a favorite song.

I am from Yahoo cake and phone calls from Santa. And gifts in shoes on Christmas morning.

I am from waterslides and the blob and meeting Jesus at summer camp. From Pharaoh, Pharaoh, Lean on Me, and Lead me to the Rock… Always with hand motions.

I am from supported and loved, enabled and empowered.

Where are you from?