Where I'm From

Sum

I am from farmers’ fields in North Dakota

From bookworms, spectacles, and tea cups

I am from chromatic scales and five-over-four jazz—

—time out.

From the front yard where the ginkgo tree grows

where the pear tree was split in two.

I am from Midwestern thunderstorms

cold in the sky with white light

I am from dark clouds that pour their hearts out

over my old silver sedan.

I am from an old brown couch,

from Gandalf the Grey and chocolate chip cookies.

I am from public radio waves,

powder milk biscuits

and the frozen chosen.

I am from faces made like Garrison, for radio.

I am from lefse and Rømmegrøt,

and the shortest branch of a Viking family tree.

I am from hard drive platters in the cloud,

electronic records, cookies, and cached data.

I am from black coffee and cold pizza—not frozen.

from the fifty yard line at half time

and “if you’re on time you’re late!”

Where We're From

To celebrate National Day on Writing, several of us had our students write a poem based on George Ella Lyon's "Where I'm From." After we listened to her read the poem, students then started to think of the powerful images from their lives. Later, we'll display some finished poems in the front hallway. (When is a poem ever finished, though? I keep changing lines in mine.)

I loved hearing a lot of great lines today—some funny, some heartbreaking—all from an emerging community of writers! Thanks, Casey, for the great idea.

Where I'm From

I am from Saturday morning cartoons,

From Love's Baby Soft in my purse, and a dog-eared copy of Forever.

I am from driving cross country in the station wagon, Glen Campbell on the eight-track,

From "Wichita Lineman" and "You've Got a Friend."

I am from the pregnant lilac bush, spilling its blooms on the grass,

From the scarlet tulips that lined our front walkway.

I am from quail breakfasts on Thanksgiving morning,

And dreamed-of tomato stands.

From Granddaddy Homer and Pearl and Jewell.

From New Year's Resolutions tucked away in the Family Bible,

From cedar chests and a Christmas ornament displayed year-round.

I am from Sunday school, youth choir, and church every time the doors were open.

From "Standing on the Promises" and "Pass it On."

I am from Christmas caroling and always singing, "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,"

From liver cheese sandwiches and mom's famous chocolate sheet cake.

From Dad, singing in the shower,

And Mom, going to the Saturday matinees.

And the two of them writing love letters to bridge the miles.

I am from the drawers, loaded with pictures

of crazy hair and clothes we thought were cool,

that we laugh at when we're older.