Where I am from--

I am from books new and old, from Maxwell House coffee and bad reality TV.

I am from the post, the base, the naval air station with gate and locks and closures and incongruent welcoming arms.

I am from the bluebells of Texas, the waterfalls of Iceland and the corn of Nebraska. The smell of earthworms after the rain.

I am from seven kinds of fish and bad eyesight, from Cathy and David and Donna.

I am from the spenders-of-money and the constant huggers.

From no matter what you do, we will always love you and Eat it, it will put hair on your chest.

I am from Protestant-ism. Searching and seeking for something that rings with truth.

I'm from New Hampshire, from seafood and Schnitzel.

From the broken glo-sticks all over the bedroom in Texas, the trips to see new babies and the wisdom that comes with age.

I
am from the plastic box with the scrapbooks and loose photos, stored
carefully in the basement, the yearbooks and journals opened and read
with fond memories.