I am from new shoes,
from glasses and braces.
I am from indecisive hair
(curly or straight,
It can’t decide)
I am from jewelry,
My cell phone
without which I feel disconnected.

I’m from cornbread with syrup,
from vegetable soup and French toast.
I’m from ice cream rewards,
and donuts for surprise
from muffins with a fork.
I’m from “clean your plate”
And “you can’t leave the table until you are through.”

I’m from Mays and Lewises,
50 Years Anniversary and weddings.
From great-grand fathers
And sinkholes
and a needle in a foot.

I am from purple walls,
from unfinished rooms and weekend projects.
I am from eleven moves
(often, many,
I come to expect them.)
I am from high hopes and disappointments.

I’m from Disney World and Glorieta, New Mexico.
From South Padre and D.C.
I’m from the tourmobiles,
And the metros.
From the airplanes and taxis.
I’m from upturned suitcases
With a scrapbook
And a sketchbook.

I am from cloudless days,
rope swings and rafts.
from the blue ribbon for breaststroke and relays.
The creek clear to the bottom.




I am from snowflake pins,
from handmade skirts and home cooked meals.
I am from a pretend teacher and baby dolls
(dresses, bloomers
eyes that open and close.)
I am from make-up tips.

I am from landscaping and Arkansas,
From one-of-six and a blind Sheba.
I’m from the Christmas visits,
And necklace hanger.
From the book borrower and Boogog.
I’m from Nicole hidden in a tube
and a picture frame
and fuzzy, warm socks.

I am from The Skin of Our Teeth
Grease and Narnia.
From School Daze and tournaments.
The audience and bouquets of flowers.

I am from France,
from Germany and Rome.
I am from spend-the-nights
(alone time with my grandparents
for me to return home spoiled)
I am from showered gifts.

I’m from bear hugs,
deaf ears and wars.
From the New Touchpoint Bible and Rock Tumbler,
and six children.

Pictures and memories are kept in scrapbooks
and stories from ‘way back when’.
And yet I treasure them and question them:
“Really? Uphill both ways?”
For these are my family, my past, and my future.
Far more important connections
than a cell phone.